Politics: Inside 'United for Change,' the new centrist party trying to transform British politics

LoveFilm founder and former Labour donor, Simon Franks, has asked a host of prominent Westminster figures to help him a create a new political party, United For Change. Here's what we know about the mysterious project, according to insiders.

• Multimillionaire LoveFilm founder Simon Franks has set up a new political party called United for Change.
• Figures from the major parties have been targeted by Franks as many voters grow disillusioned with the increasingly polarised and divided main political parties.
• However, insiders tell Business Insider that the new party lacks a clear strategy or vision, with early preparations suggesting the project is doomed to fail.
• Figures with close knowledge about the project speak out about Franks' plan to transform British politics.

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LONDON – Talk of a new political party is dominating discussions in the bars and coffee shops of Westminster as both the Conservatives and Labour spend their summers in varying degrees of internal warfare.

With the main two parties increasingly polarised and dysfunctional, discussions have turned to the possibility of a new party prepared to scoop up voters who identify neither with Theresa May's Tories or Jeremy Corbyn's Labour.

The name that most often crops up in these conversations is Simon Franks. Franks was the multimillionaire owner of LoveFilm and a former Labour donor who is close to launching a mysterious party he has been quietly working on since late 2016.

This new party, 'United for Change,' has been targeting figures from the three main parties ahead of an official launch. However, what shape that party would take, who would stand for it, and what would it stand for, are all questions that have been unanswered until now.

So what is 'United for Change' and what does it want to achieve? Business Insider has been talking to people with inside knowledge of Franks' plans to get the fullest picture yet of the new party that hopes to transform British politics.

How it all began

In late 2016, Franks discussed his plan to create a new party over dinner with Richard Reed, co-founder of Innocent Drinks and former Vice Chair of the pro-Remain Britain Stronger In Europe campaign, and Alex Chesterman, the founder of Zoopla. Former and current staff members from existing political parties, mainly Labour, were also present.

Franks, frustrated with what he regarded as tribalism and poor leadership in Westminster politics, decided he would set up a new party. He planned to throw together a small team of advisors and press officers plucked from across Westminster and launch in late 2019, around six months after Britain's scheduled exit from the EU.

Franks believed he should launch United For Change first and worry about politicians and policies later. "First would be the launch," one staffer told BI. "Then in Simon's mind, the money and supporters would come. After that, you would be able to hire 'top tier' advisors. Finally, the politicians and defections would come too."

Those around Franks were baffled by this plan, however. One senior campaign manager who held meetings with him described the strategy as "incredibly naive." Political figures who Franks approached weren't impressed, either.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Vote Leave Campaign Director Dominic Cummings, and Patrick Heneghan, ex-Labour campaign director, all left meetings with United For Change uninterested in getting involved, sources told BI. Labour and Lib Dem press officers were allegedly offered starting salaries of £40,000 a year to join United For Change.

"I was working under the impression it would just be me and Simon", one source present at early meetings said. "Then I turned up, and there were seven or eight people in the room with us."

From anti-Brexit to UKIP-lite

While most talk about a new British political party focuses on an opposition to Brexit, United For Change will be no such outfit — at least according to Franks' current plans.

Franks considered creating an anti-Brexit party but changed his mind after polling indicated greater demand for a party closer in outlook to UKIP than Anna Soubry and Chuka Umunna. Insiders cited figures like Cummings' willingness to interact with United for Change as evidence they were not looking to be the party of Remain.

Instead, United For Change is set to be an "anti-politics" party, multiple insiders have told BI, with the "old Labour vote" — historic Labour supporters targeted by UKIP and Leave.EU — its intended audience.

In notes leaked to BI, United for Change has drafted an eclectic mix of policy ideas, like more English language classes for migrants, cracking down on missed NHS appointments, and closing tax loopholes. Insiders say that Franks is more interested in sentiment than policy. "He's more [Donald] Trump than [Emmanuel] Macron," one told BI.

MPs often touted as potential defectors want little to do with United For Change. Indeed, the project is totally separate from conversations between Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem MPs about a new centrist movement.

One leading Labour backbencher said Franks was "pissing in the wind," and an example of "business people getting involved in politics thinking they can do it better than politicians, but soon find out it’s not like running a business."

They added: "The last person to launch a new party in this country right now is a multimillionaire… The alt-left which runs the Labour party and the alt-right in the Tories would have an absolute field day."

The last person to launch a new party in this country right now is a multimillionaire… The alt-left which runs the Labour party and the alt-right in the Tories would have an absolute field day.

But if not anti-Brexit, and already unpopular with potential breakaway MPs, then what does Franks have in mind?

As things stand, United For Change doesn't have much to offer on policy. This is at least partly due to Franks' indecisiveness, insiders claimed, evidenced in his decision to ditch early plans of being unambiguously pro-EU.

More recently, the LoveFilm founder has taken a page out of the Lib Dems' book, and approached political strategists in Canada for advice, well-placed sources told BI. United For Change seemingly does not have a great deal in the politics of Justin Trudeau and Emmanuel Macron — but insiders say Franks admires their styles.

"Macron has a lot to answer for," a well-placed source said. "Every f****r wants to be Macron."

United For Change will for the time being be reliant on Franks' persuading donors, MPs and policy wonks to get involved. This could be tricky, given he is apparently pretty unpopular in the Westminster bubble.

"He's conceited and rude," one Labour MP said. A United for Change source added: "If you’re going to start a new party, you’ve got to see eye to eye with the people you’re starting it with." Another staffer described him as "highly abrasive." A source familiar with Franks' conversations with MPs claimed he scrapped plans to hold a summer barbeque for potential defectors due to a lack of interest. Franks has not responded to BI's request for comment.

Disunited for change

With United For Change unlikely to win over MPs anytime soon, and with a manifesto half-baked at best, it is not surprising that the general consensus in Westminster is that Franks' political adventure is doomed to fail.

His project has already suffered an exodus of sorts. In July, United for Change was said to have had around 12 full-time staff members, which is now down to 4. Adam Knight, who served as Chief Executive Officer, has reportedly left to start his own project separately, called Twelve Together.

Meanwhile, those in Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's office are much more concerned about anti-Brexit Labour MPs like Umunna and Chris Leslie breaking away to join forces with like-minded MPs in the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

However, with many voters still disillusioned with the two main political parties, the opportunity for a new party to transform British politics still remains to be grasped.

Politics: Inside 'United for Change,' the new centrist party trying to transform British politics

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Tech: British Airways has a $13 million flight simulator that taught us how to take off, fly, and land an airplane

British Airways owns the largest flight simulator facility in the UK, which houses 16 of the $13-million machines. Pilots train around 50 hours inside before ever getting into a real plane. We spent only an hour inside to learn how to take off, fly and land a plane, so how did we get on?

• Business Insider spent an hour inside British Airways' Airbus A380 flight simulator.
• The carrier owns 16 simulators in total, which cost $13 million each.
• Pilots spend around 50 hours training in a simulator before ever flying a real airplane.

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We visited British Airways Technical Block A, which is home to 16 flight simulators making it the biggest flight simulator facility in the UK.

British Airways Captain Claire Bunton taught us how to fly the Airbus A380, which is the biggest commercial airplane in the world. We learned how to take off, fly, and land the giant aircraft.

BA pilots spend around 50 hours inside the simulator as part of their training, but we only spent one hour inside.

See how we did with just one hour of training.

Produced and filmed by David Ibekwe. Additional Camera by Charlie Floyd. Special Thanks to Britsih Airways.

Tech: British Airways has a million flight simulator that taught us how to take off, fly, and land an airplane

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Tech: There are more cigarette butts in the world's oceans than any other type of garbage

Cigarette butts have been found to be the most common piece of human trash found in the earth's oceans. Roughly 5.5 trillion cigarettes are produced each year globally and nearly 4.95 trillion of those are cast into the environment, according to the Cigarette Butt Pollution Project.

• Cigarette butts are among the most abundant types of human-produced garbage in the world's oceans.
• Most of the roughly 5.5 trillion cigarettes manufactured globally every year contain a plastic-based filter. Those filters can take decades to decompose after the cigarette butt has been discarded.
• The conversation around the waste that accumulates in the ocean has gained new momentum as major companies and metropolitan areas seek new ways to address non-biodegradable garbage.

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Cigarette butts are among the most abundant types of human-produced garbage in the world's oceans.

Most of the roughly 5.5 trillion cigarettes manufactured globally every year contain a plastic-based filter, made of cellulose acetate, according to the Cigarette Butt Pollution Project.

Those filters can take decades to decompose after the cigarette butt has been discarded. As the plastics break down the chemicals can be consumed by wildlife. According to environmental researchers cited by NBC News, scientists have found traces of these chemicals in roughly 70% of seabirds and approximately 30% of sea turtles.

“More research is needed to determine exactly what happens to all of that,” Nick Mallos, director of the Trash Free Seas campaign for the Ocean Conservancy, told NBC News.“The final question is what impact these micro-plastics and other waste have on human health.”

The conversation around the waste that accumulates in the ocean has gained new momentum as major companies and metropolitan areas seek new ways to address other types of nonbiodegradable garbage, like plastic straws.

Tech: There are more cigarette butts in the world's oceans than any other type of garbage

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U.S Open: Serena records easy win over sister Venus to progress to 4th round

Serena Williams continues her pursuit for a 24th Grand Slam with a comfortable victory over her elder sister at the U.S Open.

Serena Williams recorded an easy 6-1 6-2 victory over her big sister Venus Williams at the in the third round of the 2018 U.S. Open.

Celebrities turned out to watch the Siblings who have been rivals through out their career in one of the biggest matches of the competition.

Serena who suffered her heaviest career defeat to Johanna Konta in the Silicon Valley classic easily disposed her elder sister as she showed signs of getting back to her best.

Venus who is a seven time Grand Slam winner was not able to match up to her sister's intensity as she closed out the first set 6-1 and proved not to be much resistance when she won the second set 6-2 to stay on course for a possible 24th Grand Slam title.

Speaking on her on-court interview after the game, Serena stated that this was her best match since she returned and her hard work is finally paying off

She said, "I roll my ankles a lot so I just wanted to get it taped as tight as I could for the rest of the match and see how I feel tomorrow.

'This was my best match since my return. I've worked really hard for it… and hopefully everything will keep paying off."

Serena who was knocked out by Venus at Indian Wells spared some kind words for her her elder sister who she stated is very supportive of her success.

She said, "It's not easy, she's my best friend, she means the world to me and she's so supportive of my career.

"Every time she loses, I feel like I do. It's not easy but it's a tournament and we all know that there's more to life than playing each other and playing tennis.

"I love her with all my heart and she's the reason I'm still out here."

Serena will face Estonian Kaia Kanepi in the round of 16 of the U.S open fixture which will be played on Sunday, September 2.

U.S Open: Serena records easy win over sister Venus to progress to 4th round

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Mikel Agu: Super Eagles midfielder joins Vitória Setúbal on loan from FC Porto

Mikel Agu has returned to Vitória Setúbal for another season long loan spell from FC Porto.

Super Eagles midfielder Mikel Agu has joined Primeira Liga side Vitória Setúbal on loan from FC Porto.

The 25-year-old returns to Setubal after deemed surplus to requirements by Porto for the upcoming season.

The Nigeria international was on loan at Turkey Lig 1 side Bursaspor last season with compatriot Shehu Abdullahi, but has chosen to remain in Portugal despite several clubs interested in his signature.

Speaking to the club's official website upon his acquisition on loan from Porto, Agu explained why he chose to return for another spell at Vitoria.

He said, "I had other options in Portugal and abroad but when my manager told me about Victoria's interest I did not think twice.

"I already know this city and the club well and it was here that Stefano was born, about a year and eight months ago. My passage through Vitoria marked me a lot and for that reason the decision was easy."

 

Agu also revealed that he looks forward to having a fruitful spell on loan and recreating the goos memories he shared in his previous stint and thanked the fans for their support.

He said, "When I first saw the fans, they supported me a lot and I was very cherished. What I want to do is to leave my mark in this club, where in the recent past I also left a good image.

 

"I am happy with my return, the leaders of Victory too and I believe that the fans will also stay. The fans know that when I get on the field it's to give the maximum and I hope to help Vitória to make a great season."

Agu has been given the N0 46 jersey and is in line to make his first appearance for the club in their next fixture after the international break against his parent club Porto on Saturday, September 23.

Mikel Agu: Super Eagles midfielder joins Vitória Setúbal on loan from FC Porto

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Enyimba’s Usman Abdallah targets Caf Confederation Cup semi-final

The People’s Elephant gaffer has admonished his players to suspend celebration as they seek a place in the last four of the competition

Enyimba’s Usman Abdallah targets Caf Confederation Cup semi-final

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Tech: Netflix changes the paradigm for producers (NFLX)

Thanks to its massive spending, Netflix has created a seller’s market for producers and studios.

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As Netflix continues to ramp up its annual content investment, the streamer has effectively changed the paradigm for content producers in a way that both expands and limits opportunities for producers and studios as well as for rival networks competing for the best content and talent, per Digiday.

Netflix CFO David Wells said recently that in 2018, Netflix will spend $8 billion and produce 700 pieces of original content, including 80 full-length original movies and 80 foreign-language original productions from local international territories where Netflix operates.

Thanks to its massive spending, Netflix has created a seller’s market for producers and studios. Here are some of the fundamental ways that the new paradigm initiated under Netflix has benefited content producers:

• There are more opportunities to sell content because Netflix is such a major buyer. In addition to buying more shows than other platforms and networks, Netflix also buys more episodes.
• Netflix pays producers more money upfront than other programmers.
• Netflix is mostly hands-off once it agrees to buy a piece of content, and will largely give producers creative free rein over their projects.
• Netflix shows and movies can still be recognized in traditional modes, for example, with critical acclaim or awards.

Yet the new environment also potentially hurts producers:

• There’s no guarantee that a producer’s content will get discovered.If Netflix doesn’t back a producer’s content with marketing dollars or otherwise centralize it on the platform, the content might not get discovered or watched when there are so many other viewing options. Even though Netflix says it will double its marketing spend this year to $2 billion, it will only spend money on marketing a producer’s content if it knows that the content has high value in terms of its ability to drive and retain subscribers. Netflix’s inability to invest in marketing every original production has opened up opportunities for other premium networks that are committed to investing more in marketing shows.
• Even if producers make more upfront for a piece of content, they lose any potential long-term income that might have resulted from syndication deals or international sales. Netflix has increasingly preferred doing content deals for full ownership, rather than short-term licensing deals. As a result, producers don’t make any additional money after the initial payout.

Tech: Netflix changes the paradigm for producers (NFLX)

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He can't stop scoring – Meet Barcelona target and Goal NxGn starlet Juan Camilo Hernandez

The Colombian has enjoyed an incredible start to life in Europe and is now being watched by the Blaugrana after dismantling the Catalans’ B team

He can't stop scoring – Meet Barcelona target and Goal NxGn starlet Juan Camilo Hernandez

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Maina: Reps committee says Malami committed fraud by reinstating fugitive

The committee concluded that Malami's actions regarding the reinstatement violated the constitution.

A House of Representatives ad-hoc committee has determined that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, 'fraudulently masterminded' the controversial reinstatement of wanted ex-pensions reform chief, Abdulrasheed Maina.

In October 2017, Maina was recalled and promoted to head the Ministry of Interior's human resource department despite pending corruption charges against him. This was after he was dismissed by the Federal Civil Service Commission in 2013 following a recommendation by the Office of the Head of Service.

After he was declared wanted over an alleged N2 billion pension fraud, he fled abroad to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), evading the capture of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

AGF Malami; Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Abubakar Magaji; and Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, have all been implicated in the scandal.

According to a report by Daily Trust, the committee, chaired by Honourable Aliyu Madaki (APC, Kano), indicted Malami for meeting with Maina in Dubai despite being aware of his fugitive status, and then used the influence of his office to reinstate him.

In the 13-page report laid on the floor of the House a fortnight ago, the committee argued that Malami's actions regarding the reinstatement contravened Section 158 of the 1999 constitution.

He was rebuked for applying undue interference and pressure on the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) to push Maina's reinstatement through.

The report read, "Section158 (1) of the constitution states: "In exercising its power to make appointments or to exercise disciplinary control over persons, the Code of Conduct Bureau, the National Judicial Council, the Federal Civil Service Commission, the Federal Judicial Service Commission, the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, the Federal Character Commission, and the Independent National Electoral Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person.

"The Attorney General knew that Maina is a fugitive, yet he met him in Dubai. Maina's reinstatement didn't follow due process and it was fraudulently masterminded."

While appearing before the committee on November 30, 2017, Department of State Services (DSS) chief, Lawal Daura, disclosed that he had told Malami to meet with Maina abroad after the AGF asked for his advice.

He said, "The attorney general of the federation sometime in 2016 or 2015 – can't remember the exact day because it was not through a formal document – placed a call to me when he was outside the country and requested my advise on a request he got through a source that Maina wanted to meet him.

"He wanted me to advise him whether to agree to see Maina or not in that foreign country.

"I responded to the attorney general that he should accept to see Maina but he should not see him alone. He should see him with a third party."

In January 2018, the AGF defended his decision to meet with Maina, disclosing that the meeting aided in "solidifying (fraud) cases in terms of conviction".

He said, "If hundreds of Mainas believe that they have information to offer as far as the protection of the national interest is concerned, I will meet them and will do so again. It boils down to whether I have indeed acted or I have not acted."

In light of Malami's indiscretion, the committee recommended that the minister be reprimanded and cautioned and be further advised on how best to deal with similar issues and not interfere in matters outside his jurisdiction.

The committee also faulted the role of Perm Sec Magaji in the reinstatement as he was accused of facilitating it without the necessary written clearance from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation. The committee recommended that he also be cautioned despite his display of remorse over his role.

The Federal Civil Service Commission was also blamed by the committee for taking directive from the office of the Attorney General in contravention of Section 158 of the constitution, and was urged to adhere to civil service rules in such matters and not to succumb to pressure from any quarters.

HoS Oyo-Ita, the EFCC, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) were all cleared of any wrongdoing in the controversy.

The committee declared that Maina's original dismissal from the civil service in 2013 remains valid and his reinstatement is voided, as he remains on the run while maintaining his innocence.

Malami denies writing letter of reinstatement

While it is believed that Maina's meeting with Malami while he was in hiding led to his controversial recall last year, AGF Malami has denied writing the letter that started the process.

He told the House committee that the letter of reinstatement never had his authorisation despite bearing the seal of his office.

After his appearance before the committee, the AGF filed an ex-parte application in the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, January 8, 2018, to stop the National Assembly from investigating the scandal, arguing that it lacks the "legislative competence" to do so.

Justice Binta Nyako declined the application, ruling that the defendants appear in court to explain why the application should not be granted.

Maina: Reps committee says Malami committed fraud by reinstating fugitive

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Meet Mason Mount: Chelsea's Lampard-loving loanee taking the Eredivisie by storm

The 19-year-old midfielder has been making huge waves at Vitesse in his debut professional season and looks set for a bight future at Stamford Bridge

Meet Mason Mount: Chelsea's Lampard-loving loanee taking the Eredivisie by storm

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Finance: The World Bank will be constructing 500km roads across the 44 LGs in Kano

A Memorandum of Understanding is expected to be signed between the Kano state government and the World Bank towards making accessibility to the rural areas.

 

• The World Bank in conjunction with Kano state will be constructing road networks of about 500km across the 44 local governments.

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)  is expected to be signed between the Kano state government and the World Bank towards making accessibility to the rural areas.

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The World Bank will be constructing road networks of about 500km across the 44 local governments in Kano State, Nigeria.

Already, the global bank  has reached an advanced stage to construct the road networks in the state under Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)  is expected to be signed between the Kano state government and the World Bank towards making accessibility to the rural areas.

Speaking on the move, the Kano state commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Alhaji Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso said that because of the importance attached to rural roads by the state government, the World Bank decided to construct about 500km roads across the 44 local governments.

The state commissioner also noted that the state government led Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje came up with a Rural Access Mobility Directorate, so as to strengthen compliance with global best practices in rural development.

 

With the RAAMP intervention, which is to be funded by Kano state and the World Bank, each of the 44 local governments in the state would get at least 10km road.

Recently, Governor Ganduje was on an inspection tour of the 15km Magami-Birnin Bako road, in Sumaila local government.

During the inspection tour, the Governor assured people of his administration's commitment to the development of rural communities saying, "We are extremely happy with the level of work done, its quality and how people are showing their enthusiasm for the project. That sense of ownership from the part of the communities is also there."

Finance: The World Bank will be constructing 500km roads across the 44 LGs in Kano

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Winnie Harlow: Model covers ELLE magazine and talks new beauty standards in the fashion industry

The ex ANTM star talks the changing face of the fashion industry and gushes over her model friends who she says are an 'inspiration'.

Winnie Harlow stars on the cover of the May issue of ELLE UK. The model, who suffers from vitiligo, discusses the shifting beauty standards in the fashion industry and how she feels she is 'part' of the change. 

The 23-year-old America's Next Top Model runner-up appeared on the front cover of ELLE Magazine's May issue, on which she dazzled in a chic metallic jacket by Gucci.

In the accompanying interview, the star, who has vitiligo, discussed the changes in the modelling industry as she explained that her insistence to never cover up her skin as she is determined to 'stay true to herself'.

Since her appearance on ANTIMM she has soared to fame in the industry and fronted campaigns for Desigual, Diesel and Swarovski as well as scored a host of magazine covers.

 

In her interview with ELLE, she explained: 'There is a big shift happening in the fashion industry in terms of beauty standards, and I feel I’m part of that shift.

'I remember on America’s Next Top Model, Tyra Banks asked me if a photographer told me to cover my skin for a shoot, would I do it? I said no. I don’t care who it is, or who thinks I should. I’m going to stay true to myself.' 

 

She also weighed in on her superstar friendship, including her feelings towards fellow supermodel Bella Hadid, as she said: 'Bella Hadid is an inspiration. She continues to master her craft, it’s amazing to witness as her friend.

'When we walked the Tommy Hilfiger show, we were hanging out all day and then flew to Paris together, which was a lot of fun.'

Discussing Jourdan Dunn, she said: 'I remember watching Jourdan Dunn rip runways before I was part of our industry and just admiring this goddess killing it. Getting to know her made me love her… Having her cheer on my career is everything.'

Speaking about another model, she gushed over Halima Aden, who was the first first woman to wear a hijab in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant.

Gushing about her pride in the pioneering star, she said: 'A whole new world of fashion is opening with Princess Halima. I’m so proud of her. 

'The other day, she asked me what to do if someone told her not to wear her hijab. I said you have to do what’s right for you, not because the industry makes you feel like you have to. If you don’t want to, then don’t.'

 

Winnie Harlow: Model covers ELLE magazine and talks new beauty standards in the fashion industry

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Marriage Goals: Old Nigerian couple melt hearts with 62nd wedding anniversary

They dedicated social media posts to each other and people are catching major heart-eyes for their beautiful, time-defying love.

An old Nigerian couple's 62nd wedding anniversary is melting hearts, and giving everyone the sweet emotional feels.

Loving non-stop since 1956

Pa Thomas Oluwole Akinola and his wife, Modupe Oluwole have been a couple for over six decades since their wedding in England in the Easter season of 1956!

In commemoration of how well they've aged in love, and how far they have come together, the pair, over the past Easter weekend dedicated social media posts to each other and people are catching major heart-eyes for their beautiful, time-defying love for each other.

Anniversary message to her boo

In her anniversary Facebook post, Mrs. Modupe writes:

"Thanking God for the 62 years journey of married life.

“We give all glory to god for his blessings thank you Akin darling for all the care and love.

“We thank God for the beautiful and God fearing children and grandchildren and we pray that we shall both finish well in Jesus’ name. Amen''

ALSO READ: Pre-wedding pictures of charming Nigerian grandparents

Anniversary message to his bae

A message to which her boo replies with sugary words of his own:

"Dupe darling, on Easter Monday, 62 years ago, we were joined together in marriage in England.

"God, in his mercy and love for us, gave us caring children and good grand children. May God's holy name be praised.

"May he continue to bless us and our children and grandchildren and continue to make us a good example for others.

"Happy anniversary, Dupe darling."

Congratulations to this old and gold sweethearts from Pulse Weddings – we hope the longevity of their romance inspires you to unending happiness in the arms of your most special person.

Marriage Goals: Old Nigerian couple melt hearts with 62nd wedding anniversary

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Pulse Opinion: Don't worry, Saraki won't run for president

According to the rumour mill, Bukola Saraki will be declaring for president ahead of 2019. No, he won't.

On Saturday, March 31, 2018, Dele Momodu ran a story in his newspaper, The Boss, announcing that Senate President Bukola Saraki has joined the 2019 presidential race.

“The Boss can exclusively reveal that Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has joined the 2019 Presidential race”, Momodu’s story read.

“There is no doubt that he would be a formidable force that should not be ignored because only few politicians in Nigeria today have the pedigree, the experience, the clout and the connection of Senator Saraki”.

Momodu also said Saraki will be picking Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu as his running mate.

 

“Impeccable sources reveal that as he plots his move for the presidency, he is said to be considering building alliances with all Nigerians of like minds.

“He is also considering using the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as his running mate. Having already exhibited the ability to work seamlessly with politicians from the two main political parties, it is a path he can easily thread”.

The rest of Momodu’s story read like a praise-singing expedition. The Ovation publisher would go on to describe Saraki as a man who has “all the criteria that a modern Nigerian president should have. He is tall, urbane, suave, charismatic, cool and collected. But behind this charm, is a man of steel who is never afraid to pursue causes that he feels are right and just”.

Weighing his options

My first reaction was to dismiss Momodu’s ‘exclusive’ as a PR, image laundry stunt. The essay was more 'opinion' than 'exclusive'.

It was also possible that Momodu was simply flying a kite.

A couple of minutes later, I sent Saraki’s spokespersons text messages which they haven’t found the time to respond to, three days after.

However, another aide of the Senate President who craved anonymity, told me to disregard Momodu’s story because it was simply speculative.

“He may or may not run. The likelihood is there. But it might not happen at all. He is reading the times and weighing his options. It's what politicians do”, this aide said.

 

In the course of our chat, the aide told me that factors like Saraki’s ongoing case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), his deference to a Buhari presidency, whether the APC would even consider handing him a ticket or whether he has to switch camps to realise a lifelong ambition, are all stacked against him.

The aide had a point. If Buhari chooses to run (and there’s every likelihood of that happening), Saraki would have to defect to the PDP where an Atiku Abubakar for instance, is waiting in the wings to neuter his presidential bid.

And should Saraki defect to any other political party, he would lose the position of Senate President without guarantees that joining a new political party will see him becoming president of Nigeria.

 

Saraki is not that reckless when it comes to making political decisions. The way I see it, Saraki would rather remain president of the senate than embark on a wild goose chase for the position of Nigeria’s president. He’s a very calculative, manipulative politician who ponders deeply before making a decision. A Bukola Saraki won't want to go to another political party and emerge empty-handed. My guess is that he won’t run for president until the coast becomes a lot clearer.

At the moment, that coast is foggy and hazy.

False

In any case, Saraki’s Special adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu (who was one of the aides I sent a text message to after Momodu’s story broke), has dismissed Momodu’s tale as a baseless fabrication.

“The report is false. If it is true that he is contesting, you would have seen the report in major dailies since last week Saturday when the news broke out on social media. But as you can see, there is nothing like that,” Olaniyonu told journalists.

Of course Saraki would love nothing more than to become Nigeria's president, after serving as Governor and lawmaker. The next step in his political odyssey should ideally be the nation's number one job. He once tested the presidential waters on the floor of the senate and floated a presidential bid before the 2015 elections.

 

Those who know Saraki would tell you that he is a ruthlessly ambitious man and ambition is a good attribute to possess in life. But now is not the time for him and like the smart politician he is, he knows that.

With the corruption baggage around his neck and his reputation taking a beating every other day for leading an opaque senate, the smart money should be on Saraki keeping whatever presidential ambition he has on ice for the moment.

Pulse Opinion: Don't worry, Saraki won't run for president

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Relationship Talk With Bukky: I'm crushing on my lecturer; should I shoot my shot?

I've been told to shoot my shot but I just can't bring myself to do so.

Dear reader,

I have a crush on my lecturer; should I shoot my shot?

Please advise me, he is my lecturer and we have feelings for each other but we haven't confronted each other.

I got to know some of his family members (elder brother) who strongly advised me to confront him and tell him but seriously I can't.

What should I do?

I’m sending this from Kano.
_____________

Dear reader,

If you do not want to make that move on him, then it is left for him to do so. So just wait for it, and keep hoping it happens.

ALSO READ: Why you should make the first move without fear of rejection

There’s little else you can do than hope and wait for him to make a move on you.
_____________
Do you want to talk about your love life, marriage or family issues?

Do you have burning questions that you would love to get answers to?

Just send a mail to relationships@pulse.ng and I'll provide the most honest answers to them anonymously.

Note; the chances of getting a quick response reduces if the text in your email has a lot of abbreviations. So, please write as properly as possible.

So, why not send that mail today and let's talk about it?

A problem shared is a problem half-solved!

Relationship Talk With Bukky: I'm crushing on my lecturer; should I shoot my shot?

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'Show some balls!' – Klopp reveals inspiration from James Bond, Robin Hood & Rocky Balboa

The Liverpool manager has admitted that he has been influenced by some of history’s greatest underdogs

'Show some balls!' – Klopp reveals inspiration from James Bond, Robin Hood & Rocky Balboa

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Politics: Lawmakers want Buhari to focus on Bill Gates' concerns on Nigeria's economy

The PDP lawmakers want the Buhari led government to address the economic concerns rather than apportion blames on the last administration.

 

• Lawmakers from opposition party in Nigeria have asked President Buhari to address the concerns raised by Bill Gates over the Nigerian economy.

• The lawmakers went further to accuse the current administration of superseding previous administrations in sinister art of deceit and propaganda.

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Some Nigerian lawmakers have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to address the concerns raised by billionaire business magnate, Bill Gates over the Nigerian economy.

Lawmakers at the House of Representatives on the platform of the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) want the Buhari led government to address the economic concerns rather than apportion blames on the last administration.

The PDP caucus of the lawmakers, in a statement signed by the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, said after three years of APC in power, Nigerians have fared worse than with any other government in power.

The statement read: “Although, the APC government is known not to be a listening one, last Thursday, the Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates, emphatically stated that the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan was not reflective of the people’s needs.

“It is an open secret that under the APC, Nigerians have fared worse on the misery index; those who were rich before are no longer investing, the poor are becoming poorer while almost 30 million Nigerians are either unemployed or under-employed.

 

“According to Bill Gates, the APC government’s concentration on physical infrastructure to the detriment of human capital development exposes the undesirable inadequacies in the health and education sectors.”

Lawmakers take more swipes at President Buhari-led government

The lawmakers went further to accuse the current administration of superseding previous administrations in sinister art of deceit and propaganda.

 “Over and over, it has been proven that the current APC government in Nigeria beats all preceding administrations, including the colonial ones, in the sinister art of deceitful lies and propaganda.

“With fiendish mercilessness, the APC’s 2015 campaign milked the unfortunate abduction of the Chibok girls for every available ounce of propaganda and disinformation against the preceding administration.

“Its campaign rhetoric and official hoopla from the lying minister had included rescuing of the Chibok girls and achieving total defeat of the Boko Haram insurgents.

“Today, the APC government nurses palpable fear over any scrutiny of its errors in Dapchi or its unusual generosity towards Boko Haram, which it promised to defeat but now almost sees as a partner with which to share deep and befuddling confidence.”

The PDP lawmakers have continually condemned President Buhari's administration claiming the opposition party has the capabilities to put Nigeria aright.

Politics: Lawmakers want Buhari to focus on Bill Gates' concerns on Nigeria's economy

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Predators Sign Forward Tanner Jeannot To Entry-Level Deal

The Nashville Predators have signed forward Tanner Jeannot to a three-year, entry-level contract that begins in the 2018-19 season.

The 20-year-old Jennings has spent the last four seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League. He had 40 goals and 80 points with a plus/minus rating of plus-49 to help Moose Jaw go 52-15-5 during the 2017-18 season.

Moose Jaw, in Saskatchewan. is playing a Game 7 against Prince Albert in its WHL opening-round playoff series Tuesday.

Jeannot had 77 goals and 93 assists in 267 regular-season games with Moose Jaw. He also has six goals and 12 assists in 23 postseason games.

The post Predators Sign Forward Tanner Jeannot To Entry-Level Deal appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.

Predators Sign Forward Tanner Jeannot To Entry-Level Deal

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The executive and legislative shouldn’t be enemies

Jeremy Bentham (1748 – 1832), a British political philosopher cum jurist, claimed that actions of state and its officials are justified and right in so far as they tended to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. It is in this context that it becomes imperative to interrogate the prevailing relationship between and among the various organs of government particularly, executive-legislative relations in a democratic Nigeria.

It is interesting however, to note that many political scientists and jurists alike believed that the need to divide and separate existing state powers and by extension, government functions, from a single or a body of authority dates back to the Age of Enlightenment in Europe. Seeing how absolute powers can be used and abused by holders in many European societies as it was the case with King Louis XIV of France (1642 – 1715), the Sun King, who believed that his power as king was derived from God and that he was responsible only to God thereby taking the sun as his official emblem to show how radiant and powerful his authority was.

• A thousand Yoruba proverbs for Baba Buhari

It was in realization of what absolute power can do to the society that precipitated Lord Acton, a British historian to remarked in his oft-quoted aphorism that, “Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

Therefore, to excuse the society and save individual freedom and liberty from been trampled upon by tyrannical rule of monarchs, European thinkers like JohnLocke and Jean Jacque-Rousseau wrote opposing the concentration of absolute powers in the hands of a king or a body of persons. Coming home, our own Professor Chinua Achebe (of the blessed memory) in his last treatise, There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra  (p. 246), remarked about his Igbo people’s distaste for king and absolutism.

The question then is: why this digression? The whole essence of this detour on the disdain for absolutism across climes is to drum home the justification for separation of power among the various organs of government in modern state system and the need for them to act as watchdogs in line with the principle of checks and balances in the governance process which serve as a guarantee for individual liberty, freedom, and quality leadership.

It is in this respect that we situate the legislative-executive relationship in the State of Osun since the outgoing incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola took over power from Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) through a court ruling, on November 28, 2010, and the House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dr. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, since June 21, 2011.

In Nigeria, the rancorous background that characterized legislative-executive relations dates back to the Second Republic when the troubled relationship between the National Party of Nigeria (NPN)-dominated House and the People Redemption Party (PRP) led-executive, led to eventual impeachment of former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa. As a result, many Nigerians are of the belief that a ‘normal’ legislative-executive power relationship is one that executive and lawmakers (or majority of them) especially its leadership, must not be on the same page on key government policy issues. The implication therefore is that, when there is a harmonious and understanding relationship between the two (even if is for the greater good of the state and its people), either for altruistic or parochial interest, the opposition elements will be quick to refer such Assembly as ‘rubber stamp’. The idea of rubber stamp assembly or parliament is the belief that the House as an institution, its leadership and members, have been successfully emasculated by the chief executive (i.e. the president and the governor as it is in our case) and turn it to its mere appendage.

While such belief may be true in some states in the country and circumstances, with all intents and purposes, the experience in the State of Osun is quite contrary.

• Dr. Solomon Ayegba Usman Osun State.

 

 

 

 

 

The post The executive and legislative shouldn’t be enemies appeared first on Tribune.

The executive and legislative shouldn’t be enemies

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Has Apapa traffic chaos defied solutions?

IT would appear that motorists and other users of the ever-busy Apapa/Oshodi Expressway have an endless  wait before the nightmare they experience daily on the road comes to an end. The major reason is that while repairs of the failed and dilapidated portions of the Tin Can and Apapa Ports axis of the expressway are in progress, they are also being hampered by the usual traffic build-up and confusion on the road.

Yet the Federal and Lagos State Governments have made repeated efforts to solve this seemingly intractable threat to the nation’s economy. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had met with private sector stakeholders and also given the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, MPWH, and the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, clear directives towards clearing the traffic quagmire.

In addition, the LASG and the Nigerian Navy had recently ordered the trucks to quit the Lagos bridges, but did not follow up with concrete action. These heavy duty vehicles continue to sit idly on top of these bridges, blocking the major road arteries of the metropolis.

To worsen matters, commercial motorcycles have invaded the entire Apapa zone and converted it into an area where law and order has taken flight. The security agencies posted there to control the chaos appear soundly defeated.

While this is happening, living in and around the Apapa zone is a nightmare. Businesses are suffering and many have folded up. Everyone is losing. The trucks and tankers which gather around Apapa from all over the country are also incurring heavy losses due to the long period they spend on queues to access the ports and fuel tank farms.

All these could be greatly reduced if only the truck operators would comply with simple instructions; stay in holding bays and await their turns to access the ports.

The Apapa gridlock, which has been in place for the best of the past 15 years, defying succeeding regimes, is a great sign that Nigeria is a country that cannot solve the most elementary of its problems.

We have ports in Warri, Sapele, Port Harcourt, Onne, and Calabar. We have also river ports in Onitsha, Lokoja and Baro. Why can’t we activate them to disperse these trucks and tankers to other ports and allow Apapa to breathe?

Why must the whole nation depend only on Apapa and Tin Can Ports? Why can’t we rehabilitate the various fuel depots around the country so that tankers will not need to come to Lagos to load fuel?

Can’t we quickly complete the roads in Apapa? Can’t we activate the Apapa rail corridor to join in evacuating goods? When will Nigeria have a government that can solve problems?

 

The post Has Apapa traffic chaos defied solutions? appeared first on Vanguard News.

Has Apapa traffic chaos defied solutions?

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7 cultists nabbed in Ughelli

Sports: The Houston Astros needed a leaf blower to help unveil their World Series pennant

• The Houston Astros were set to unveil their World Series championship pennant before their home opener on Monday night.
• Things went sideways when the tarp covering the pennant got stuck.
• The tarp was eventually removed with the help of a leaf blower.

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The Houston Astros were set to unveil their World Series championship pennant before their home opener on Monday, but things did not go as planned when the cover over the banner got stuck.

It was immediately clear that something was wrong when the announcer said "the 2017World Series championship pennant," and the tarp covering the pennant did not come down.

Things then took a humorous turn when first a person was seen climbing up the ladder towards the pennant …

which was then followed by a person trying to loosen the tarp with a leaf blower.

The players appeared to be trying to suppress their laughter.

The Astros did eventually get the tarp off, much to the delight of the crowd.

You can see the entire scene here, via ESPN.

Sports: The Houston Astros needed a leaf blower to help unveil their World Series pennant

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'Juventus will need luck to stop Ronaldo' – Chiellini

The Real Madrid forward has scored 12 goals in eight Champions League games this season ahead of Tuesday’s quarter-final clash in Turin

'Juventus will need luck to stop Ronaldo' – Chiellini

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Mourinho was right! The five Sevilla stars who would start for Man Utd

The Portuguese claimed a number of the Liga side’s players would make his starting XI following their recent defeat in the Champions League

Mourinho was right! The five Sevilla stars who would start for Man Utd

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Benjamin Netanyahu: Israeli Prime Minister suspends Israel-UN deal on resettling African migrants

The new accord would at the same time allow thousands more of the mainly Sudanese and Eritrean migrants to remain in Israel at least temporarily.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday suspended a resettlement deal for African migrants faced with deportation, just hours after his office had announced the agreement with the UN refugee agency.

"I've decided to suspend implementation of this accord and to rethink the terms of the accord," Netanyahu wrote on his Facebook page, saying his move was in response to criticism of the deal.

Israel had announced a deal with the UNHCR to cancel a controversial plan to deport African migrants and replace it with one that would see thousands sent to Western countries.

The new accord would at the same time allow thousands more of the mainly Sudanese and Eritrean migrants to remain in Israel at least temporarily.

The migrants have become a political issue, with religious and conservative politicians portraying the presence of Muslim and Christian Africans as a threat to Israel's Jewish character.

 

A group of residents of southern Tel Aviv, where many of the migrants have settled, immediately denounced the new plan in a statement, calling it "a shame for the state of Israel".

Netanyahu said he would meet on Tuesday with residents of southern Tel Aviv.

Several ministers also said they opposed the accord with the UNHCR, on which they had not been informed before the announcement by Netanyahu's office.

– Western nations –

The deal announced by Netanyahu's office appeared to end the possibility that many would be forcibly deported.

Instead, it would see a minimum of 16,250 migrants resettled in Western nations including Canada, Germany and Italy.

"The agreement stipulates that for each migrant who leaves the country, we commit to give temporary residence status to another," Netanyahu himself said in a televised address.

Germany and Italy, however, said they were unaware of any such resettlement deal for African migrants from Israel.

Netanyahu in January announced the implementation of a programme to remove migrants who entered illegally, giving them a choice between leaving voluntarily or facing indefinite imprisonment with eventual forced expulsion.

According to interior ministry figures, there are currently some 42,000 African migrants in Israel, half of them children, women or men with families, who were not facing immediate deportation.

As the migrants could face danger or imprisonment if returned to their homelands, Israel offered to relocate them to an unnamed African country, which deportees and aid workers said was Rwanda or Uganda.

But Netanyahu said that he had to abandon the initial plan because the option of sending them to a third country "no longer exists".

Rwanda and Uganda have said they would not accept those deported against their will.

Migrants began entering Israel through what was then a porous Egyptian border in 2007. The border has since been strengthened, all but ending illegal crossings.

Benjamin Netanyahu: Israeli Prime Minister suspends Israel-UN deal on resettling African migrants

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Tech: The situation at San Francisco's sinking skyscraper is so dire that the most expensive condo has sold for $1 million under the asking price

San Francisco's Millennium Tower is a luxury residential building that is sinking and leaning.

• Residents at Millennium Tower, San Francisco's leaning, sinking skyscraper, are scrambling to sell their multimillion-dollar condos.
• Apartment 401, the most expensive condo for sale at Millennium Tower in 2017, has sold for over $1 million under its asking price.
• Millennium Tower is safe to occupy, though residents are still leaving.

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The most expensive condo for sale at San Francisco's leaning, sinking skyscraper, has sold — and the new owners should get a blue ribbon for their negotiation tactics.

Apartment 401 was the priciest listing at Millennium Tower when it hit the market with an asking price of $5.99 million in March 2017. Since then, the sellers lowered the price, removed the listing, shaved the price down to $4.99 million, and re-listed the unit in February 2018.

Real-estate site SocketSite is reporting that the four-bedroom unit has now closed escrow with a price of $4.66 million, more than $1 million under its highest asking price.

The home last sold for $2.65 million in 2014, according to public records.

Millennium Tower is a luxury residential high-rise that has sunk 17 inches and tilted 14 inches since it was completed in 2008. Though an inspection by the city showed it's safe to occupy, the situation has motivated some people to bail out. Residents say they're selling their homes short of what they paid for them, with about 100 condos falling $320,000 in value on average.

Not all homeowners have sold their condos for less. A penthouse at Millennium Tower sold for $13 million in 2016, up from its $9.4 million sale price in 2009. The seller, late venture capitalist Tom Perkins, spent $9 million on renovations, which should have increased its value even higher than the sale price.

Apartment 401 is made up of two adjacent units that were combined in 2014. The home covers 3,814 square feet and contains four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and two "flex rooms," which could be used as an office or a playroom, according to the listing. Windows cover the walls.

Homeowners at Millennium Tower received some good news in January: A fix for the building's leaning and sinking is in the works.

In January, construction crews began drilling near Millennium Tower to see if a planned fix for the structure will work, NBC Bay Area reported. Engineers want to drill up to 150 new piles (a type of foundation shaped like a pillar) 200 feet down to bedrock from the building's basement, in order to stabilize the tower and prop it back upright. The project could cost $150 million.

But the situation at Millennium Tower is likely to get worse before it gets better. Engineers have estimated the building will continue to sink at a rate of about one-inch per year.

Tech: The situation at San Francisco's sinking skyscraper is so dire that the most expensive condo has sold for million under the asking price

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