Flowerbud News

Category: General News

  • Taking help from Hollywood would improve Pakistan’s film standards: Humaima Malick

    LAHORE: 

    Famed actor Humaima Malick has said that Pakistan should start looking into services from Hollywood to improve its film standards and techniques.

    Humaima Malick calls out Momina Mustehsan’s ‘double standards’ and ‘hypocrisy’

    Talking to Express News, Humaima said that young film-makers of the country have rigourously started addressing the crisis of the industry. She added that while they can be seen making better films, they need to stress on international markets and get access to its resources.

    “We can have great improvements if, in addition to unique film themes and stories, we also get technical assistance from Hollywood,” stated Humaima. She added that assistance of international technicians has played a key role in Bollywood’s success as well.

    The Bol star continued, “Technical experts from across the globe continue to boost standards of the Indian film industry. Everyone acknowledges that Hollywood is the biggest film industry and its techniques are unique in their own.”

    She explained that taking help from Hollywood would improve Pakistan’s film standards. “We do not lack talent but we need to take the right direction in the way forward,” mentioned Humaima.

    Politics should never come in the way of art: Humaima Malick and Uzma Hassan

    The 30-year-old actor has worked in Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol before venturing into Bollywood with Raja Natwarlal in 2014. She also starred in Arth – The Destination along Shaan Shahid, Mohib Mirza and Uzma Hassan. Humaima will be seen next in Maula Jatt 2 opposite Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Gohar Rasheed and many others.

    Culled The Express Tribune,

    Pakistan

  • 85% of Nigeria Mad people are youths – Expert

    Dr Aliyu Abubakar of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, has said that the youths account for about 85 per cent of mad people in Nigeria.

    Abubakar made the remark in a paper he presented at a sensitisation workshop for youths organised by Bizara Youth Development Association in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the paper is entitled: “Drug Abuse in Nigeria: Causes, Effects and Solutions.”

    Abubakar said: “According to a recent study, 85 per cent of mad people in Nigeria are youths within the age bracket of 18-38 years.

    “The major cause of mental challenge in Nigeria has gone beyond drug-abuse as the youths now inhale lizard feces, putting their noses into pit toilets, smoking matches, smoking dried horse feces and mixing lizard feces with dye powder.

    “Drug abuse disorder is a common problem affecting about 5 per cent of the of the world population with an estimated 10.2 per cent in the USA.”

    He recalled that in Nigeria, it was recently reported that about three million bottles of cough syrup containing codeine is consumed daily in Kano State and about six million bottles consumed in the North-West.

    Abubakar added that in 2016, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency reported that about 40 per cent of Nigerian youths engaged in drug-abuse.

    The medical doctor stressed that the consequences of drug-abuse include mental disorder, liver cirrhosis, lethargy and cardiovascular disorder among others.

    Abubakar added those those abusing drugs mostly drop out of school, engage in cultism, violence, arm-robbery, thuggery, rape, lawlessness, murders and are culturally disorientated.

    In his speech, the Chairman, Bizara Youth Development Association, Malam Yahaya Nuhu advised parents to draw their children closer to monitor their movement and those they relate with.

    He advised government to introduce stiffer penalties against drug-dealers, fish them out and punish them accordingly.

    Nuhu advised the youths to be cautious of peer group influence and always ensure that they serve as worthy ambassadors of their families and communities.

    “Members of the society also have a role to play towards curbing the menace the of drug-abuse, especially by monitoring activities of the youths.

    “Additionally, community members can advise parents where necessary, and also supply vital information to relevant authorities for prompt action.”

  • Indian policewoman ‘raped’ by head constable

    A Haryana policewoman has allegedly been raped by two men, Hindustan Times reported on Sunday.

    Palwal SP Waseem Akram said a probe had been launched following the filing of a complaint on Saturday at the pertinent police station. One of the suspects happens to be a policeman too.

    Two survive rape attempts in Sargodha

    “The woman head constable has complained that she came in contact with the main accused Joginder alias Mint of Alawalpur, Palwal in 2014. She had first met him in Mahendergarh,” Akram said.

    “She stated they were in touch since then. Joginder had allegedly repeatedly raped her during her posting in Faridabad, Jind and Palwal,” he said.

    Akram said the woman also claimed Joginder introduced her to his brother in June, 2017. The man, a head constable, also raped her, she claimed.

    The woman said Joginder threatened to make her pictures public if she did not accept his sexual overtures and pay him.

    Joginder is married with two children. The complainant is also married, the SP said.

    This article originally appeared in Hindustan Times.

    Culled from The Tribune Express
    Pakistan

  • Woman docked for alleged attempt to kidnap 4-year-old child

    By Teniola Ibitola

    A 30-year-old woman, Sade Odubayo, was on Monday brought before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, over alleged attempt to kidnap a 4-year-old boy.

    Odubayo, whose address was not provided, is facing a charge of attempted kidnap to which she pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 1 at 5.30 p.m., at No. 4, Lower St., Ikorodu, Lagos.

    Uwadione said that the accused had attempted to kidnap the 4-year-old child of Deshino Awogundade.

    “She was caught as she was about to lead the boy out of the compound,’’ he said.

    The offence contravened Section 277 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Adedayo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Adedayo said the sureties should show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She adjourned the case until Sept. 26 for mention. (NAN)

  • Tinubu solicits support for Oyetola in Osun guber election

    Tinubu solicits support for Oyetola in Osun guber election

    By Lucy Osuizigbo
    The All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Sunday called for support for the party’s candidate in the Sept. 22 governorship election in Osun, Alhaji  Gboyega Oyetola.
    Tinubu said in Lagos that Oyetola was the best man for the job and the one to beat in the race.
    He said he was backing the renowned insurance guru and corporate player to help replicate the economic and infrastructure development witnessed in Lagos State in Osun.
    “With the impeccable credentials, competence and the sterling performance of the outgoing Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, the APC flag bearer is the best man for the job and the one to beat in the race,” he said in a statement by his Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman.
    Tinubu described Oyetola as a technocrat, shrewd manager and administrator, recalling how he single-handedly founded and raised his own insurance company to a place of enviable status.
    “Ogbeni Aregbesola has laid the infrastructural foundation for the state; Oyetola with his experience and expertise in the corporate world will take Osun to the next level by raising  its economic and investment profile, ” Tinubu said. (NAN)

  • Monica Lewinsky cuts Israeli interview

    (Reuters/NAN) – Monica Lewinsky cut short an Israeli interview and walked off stage after what she described on Tuesday as an “off limits” question about former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

    Lewinsky, whose affair as a White House intern with Clinton in the 1990s nearly brought down his presidency, sat for an interview with an Israeli TV anchor at a Jerusalem speaking event on Monday where the now 45-year-old anti-bullying activist delivered an address on the dangers of social media.

    She abruptly rose from her seat and strode off stage after the opening question – on whether she still expected a personal apology from Clinton.

    “I’m so sorry. I’m not going to be able to do this,” Lewinsky said before walking away.

    Clinton, asked in an NBC interview in June whether he felt he owed Lewinsky an apology, replied: “No. I have never talked to her, but I did say publicly on more than one occasion that I was sorry.”

    Tweeting about her reason for leaving the stage in Jerusalem, Lewinsky wrote: “There were clear parameters about what we would be discussing and what we would not.

    “In fact, the exact question the interviewer asked first, she had put to me when we met the day prior.

    “I said that was off limits … I left because it is more important than ever for women to stand up for themselves and not allow others to control their narrative.”(Reuters/NAN)

  • No president can succeed without ingenuity of Ndigbo — Bafarawa

    Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, a  Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) Presidential aspirant, has said that nobody can rule Nigeria without tapping the education and business ingenuity of Ndi Igbo.

    Bafarawa, a two time governor of Sokoto State, made this known when Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi hosted him in Enugu on Tuesday.

    He was in Enugu to consult and intimate the party in the state about his intention to vie for the country’s president.

    “Ndi Igbo are partners in Nigeria unity, cohesion and political stability; nobody can govern the country without Ndi Igbo,’’ he declared.

    He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the 2019 general elections were free, fair and credible.

    Bafarawa said that Buhari had no alternative than to allow for credible poll in the forthcoming elections because “he is a beneficiary of free and fair poll in the country’’.

    He commended Gov Ugwuanyi and the state PDP for the wonderful reception accorded him and delegates and promised to carry everybody along if elected as the country’s president.

    “I will carry everybody along politically in building a virile, united and prosperous Nigeria. This is my bond to Nigeria and Nigerians,’’ Bafarawa declared.

    Earlier, Ugwuanyi, described Bafarawa as an ambassador of peace and good governance adding that the presidential aspirant was one of Nigeria’s politicians with grassroots followership.

    Ugwuanyi said that the people of Enugu respect Bafarawa’s role in unity of the country. (NAN)

  • Customs generates N140.4bn in August – Official

    By Racheal Ishaya

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it recorded its highest ever monthly revenue of N140.4 billion in August 2018.

    The Customs Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Attah revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to Attah, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) said the improvement was as a result of dogged pursuit of several reform programmes.

    Ali highlighted some of the reforms to include strategic deployment of manpower and upgrade on the electronic systems from Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS I) to NICIS II which had succeeded in blocking leakages.

    He also said the increase in revenue was as a result of strict enforcement of extant guidelines by the NCS Tariff and Trade Department and robust stakeholder engagements resulting in higher compliance.

    The NCS boss said the increased disposition of Officers and Men to change their way of doing things for the better had impacted positively on the organisation’s productivity.

    “The implementation of three pronged Presidential mandate of ‘Restructure, Reform and Raise revenue’ in NCS has continued to strengthen the Service as a crucial contributor to National economy and Security.

    “The Service has effectively seized 156,090 bags of smuggled rice, 15,632 sets of military wears, 489,000 ammunitions and other items.

    “This is in addition to the highest monthly revenue collection of over N140 billion in August 2018.

    “This positive harvest in the areas of anti-smuggling and revenue generation is a clear testimony of what can be achieved under a selflessly focused leadership,” Ali said in a statement.

    The NCS boss called on Nigerians to support the Service by providing credible information that would help nip smuggling in the bud and generate the needed revenue for national development.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the month of July, the NCS declared N556.7 billion as revenue   generated from January to June, 2018. (NAN)

  • PDP chieftain, 20, 000 supporters defect to APC in Kwara

    By Abiodun Esan

    Mr Sunday Babalola, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Kwara, on Tuesday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside 20,000 of his supporters

    Babalola, a governorship aspirant in 2015 on the platform of the PDP announced his defection in statement issued in Ilorin.

    He said his perception about politics has been people oriented, and the PDP has deviated from such ideology, hence the need to move to the APC.

    “As it is, our dear state needs urgent liberation from the over 45 years of deceit, oppression and primordial politics called ‘stomach infrastructure’

    “It is time for our people to be liberated from a those that have hold them hostage and have over the years subjected them to abject poverty and underdevelopment,” Babalola said.

    He said it is the duty of government to advance the well-being of the citizens through the provision of infrastructure and amenities, human capital development and creating an environment conducive for businesses.

    “I believe strongly that my state, Kwara, has been sadly and regrettably bedeviled with unprecedented underdevelopment occasioned by inappropriate policies, programmes and with little or no project executed,” he added.

    He alleged that successive governments in the state have mismanaged its resources and said the APC presents better alternative to place the state on the path of development in 2019.

    Babalola said that return of the Senate President Bukola Saraki and others to the PDP was one major reason behind his exit, adding that the party lacks integrity.

    “I cannot be in the same political party with those I believe have plunged Kwara State into its current abysmal condition.

    “So, I have decided to pitch my tent with the APC, where I believe still have some integrity in it,” he said.
    Babalola said he has no ambition to contest in 2019, but only joined forces with people of like mind to rescue the state from “the shackles of poverty and oppression.”

    He, however, promised to continue to offer his service and resources for the emancipation of the people. (NAN)