We’ll Rebuild Niger Delta – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari assured yesterday that the present administration would rebuild the country, especially the Niger Delta region.
Speaking at an audience with a delegation of Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group led by the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, at the State House in Abuja, the President said under his watch, the country would witness judicious utilisation of resources.

“We intend to rebuild this country; so that our children and grand-children will have a good place they can call their own. A lot of damage has been done, so I want you to tell the people to be patient.
“When you get together with other leaders, please pacify the people. We will utilise the resources of Nigeria with integrity and rebuild the country,” he said.
He said whatever that has not been fulfilled would be addressed by the present administration.
“I want to get as much intelligence as possible on the situation in the Niger Delta,” he said.
In his remarks, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, said the group was made of peace builders, dedicated to peace and stability in the region.

Source: blueprint.ng

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Nigeria-China Roadshow: NNPC Gets $50bn Oil/Gas Deal

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that its strategy to fund capital intensive projects in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry has begun yielding fruits with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with some Chinese companies worth $50 billion for infrastructure development.

The corporation said in a statement in Abuja that the deal was part of recent landmark strides by its management to bridge the infrastructure funding gaps in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
The companies involved in the deal include China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO Group), China Cinda Asset Management Company Limited (CINDA), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation/Addax petroleum (SINOPEC/ADDAX), International Chamber of Commerce/ China’s National Development and Reform Commission (ICC-NDRC), among others.

The corporation said the MoU was coming as a fall out from its on-going road show in China, would provide funding for investments in oil and gas infrastructure, pipelines, refineries, power, facility refurbishments and upstream sector.
The ICC-NDRC is expected to develop the master plan for the deal that would include detailed feasibility study of current status of existing infrastructure in the Nigerian oil and gas sector industry and a road map on its development.
“ICC-NDRC will also develop bankable projects that will attract Chinese investors on this government-to-government platform. This initiative will move us to a much more profitable and efficient state,” The NNPC said.

“The master plan will form the basis of massive inflow of further investment from Chinese companies into the sector.”
On the road show, the corporation said it featured over 300 Chinese and Nigerian businessmen to attract investors from China and the Asian sub-region to invest in the country’s oil and gas sector.
The Nigerian delegation on the roadshow, which included a team of top management officials of the Corporation in the sector, was led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe kachikwu.
The road-show was a follow-up to the earlier working visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to China in April.
The corporation commended the support of the companies that participated in the road-show and assured them of Federal Government’s transparency in ensuring growth in the sector.

Source: blueprint.ng

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Egypt's Sisi celebrates Morsi's ouster

Sisi declares the ouster of Egypt's first democratically-elected president a national holiday with lavish celebrations.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has celebrated the 2013 overthrow of the country's first democratically-elected president by ordering a lavish military display in the capital and celebrations across the country.

Warplanes roared over Cairo early on Thursday as Sisi addressed the nation in a pre-recorded address while his supporters were instructed to amass in the streets later in the evening after the breaking of the Ramadan fast.

"On this glorious day, I would like to assure you that we are working hard to realise the hopes of the Egyptian people for the better future they deserve," Sisi said in his early-morning televised speech.

Thursday's holiday, which the government refers to as the "June 30 Revolution" was also marked with musical performances and free entry to museums.

"The June 30 Revolution reasserts the impossibility of imposing a status quo on the Egyptian people. Anyone who imagines that he can successfully do that is deluding himself," Sisi said, alluding to Mohamed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood supporters.

Morsi, who was Egypt's first freely elected leader, was toppled by the military in July 2013 following days of mass street protests by Egyptians demanding that he be removed.

Sisi was the military chief at the time who led the takeover of power and ran for president two years later, winning the vote in a landslide.

Sisi has launched a persistent and extensive crackdown on Islamic activists and has declared the Muslim Brotherhood a "terrorist organisation".

Thousands of Brotherhood members have been sentenced to death or life imprisonment, while others are standing trial or being held without formal charges.

Sisi spoke of "terrorism" in his speech and warned against anyone attempting to break Egyptians and their "hopes and dreams".

Security was stepped up across the country - where protests are effectively banned - but the day was punctured by violence in the Sinai Peninsula where a Christian priest was shot dead and two members of the country's security forces were killed in separate attacks.

Also on Thursday, six members of Egypt's security forces were killed in clashes with smugglers on the country's western border.

The smugglers were trying to infiltrate Egypt from Libya, the military said in a statement, adding that several smugglers were killed.

On Wednesday, Sisi had appealed to security forces and agencies to stop anyone from "spoiling" the occasion. He did not elaborate, but he appeared to be referring to possible protests by Morsi supporters or potential attacks.

In recent months, a growing number of Egyptians have begun losing patience with Sisi over corruption, poverty, and unemployment, the same issues that led to Mubarak's downfall, while Sisi has appeared increasingly defiant in his speeches.

In April, thousands of people marched Cairo in the biggest anti-government demonstrations since Sisi took office in 2014, shouting slogans such as "Down with the regime" and "Leave", both of which were used during the 2011 revolution that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak.

Source: aljazeera.com

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Nigerian Masses And Barmecide Feast

In the Arabian Nights, a story is told of a stupendously rich man named Barmecide who invited his friend to dine with him. Dishes were served in due order but there were no victuals in them. However, Barmecide pretended to eat and his guest had the politeness to imitate him. It was from this account that the phrase “Barmecide Feast” was coined. It simply means a banquet where there is nothing to eat. (Nevertheless, at the end of the phantom dinner, Barmecide called for dishes with meals and the guest was well fed in appreciation of his sense of humour).

Nigeria perfectly fits into this account. Since 1999 when the current democratic dispensation was foisted on this country, successive leaderships have been treating us (their friends) to the Barmecide Feast. Nigeria is stupendously rich like Barmecide but the masses have been wallowing in abject poverty… no food to eat. Forget about the current economic downturn. From Obasanjo to Yar’Adua and Jonathan… they were all afflicted by Barmecidal syndrome.
It was perhaps in a bid to end the syndrome that President Muhammadu Buhari was voted to replace the most Barmecidal of them all – Jonathan. It was during Jonathan’s occupation that the masses were treated to the famed feast. But unlike the Arabian Barmecide who later compensated his guest for his sense of humour, the masses that mimicked Jonathan were left to “eat” from the empty dishes.
Nevertheless, a handful of powerful individuals managed to get Jonathan to appreciate their sense of humour and were later served with sumptuous dishes that would not only last them for life but also their offspring until thy kingdom come!

The powerful and influential individuals that were later treated to the dinner are now being dragged all over the place by the hounds of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and also standing trial for all manner of corruption cases in the law courts. Never in the history of this country have we been treated to this kind of monumental spectacle. During the Shagari regime which was toppled by the duo of Buhari/Idiagbon on December 31, 1983, the most corrupt politician could only boast of N1bn.
But in his second coming (without his soul mate, Tunde), it is difficult to pinpoint the richest among the multi-billionaires that the Jonathan regime has churned out. And the producer of these rich individuals that cornered our collective wealth for themselves and their families was recently at his boastful best when he said that his administration has produced more billionaires than any other regime before it.

And I am sure there will be none after him to break the record!
Under the watch of the multi-billionaire producer, the anti-graft agencies like the EFCC and its conjoined twin, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), could only clap as the organised stealing of our patrimony (not corruption) was being carried out for close to more than five years. This country is well endowed. No other country under the sun could have remained standing after five years of relentless looting. I tell you!
Curiously, unlike in the Second Republic and lately during the Obasanjo era, no military chiefs had their hands filled with filthy lucre. But under the Jonathan regime, military brass and thieving politicians struggled for supremacy in the race to loot the nation’s till. Until lately, I couldn’t believe that such huge quantum of money, both in local and hard currencies, could be so light as to develop wings and fly out of the shores of this country.We are talking about billions of dollars here.
Politicians were not alone.

Men of God(?) were not left out. Billions of naira were allocated to some pastors under the umbrella of CAN or Christian Association of Nigeria to canvass for votes from the Christendom. A high profile bishop, pumped with filthy lucre, was even said to have threatened to fling open the Gate of Hell to torment us if Nigeria failed to return Jonathan to Aso Rock Villa. Possibly, he made good his promise. It cannot be worse than this… living in Hellgeria! Elsewhere, the cleric would have been held accountable for the hell of a place this country has become. In fact, they would have forced him to ask the tormentor-in-chief he invited from Gehenna to leave us alone because this is democracy, and not theocracy (from hell?), where majority is expected to have both the say and the way.

It is a year into the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Armed to the hilt with “Change mantra”, he was expected to understand the suffering of the downtrodden friends of Barmecide and serve them with dishes filled with victuals. But so far, nothing seems to have changed despite the quantum of loots recovered. After all, the President had told us shortly upon assuming office on May 29, last year, that we should brace up for at least three more months of Barmicide experience. It is one year now and nothing has CHANGED. Except that the high profile friends of Barmecide have been very visible lately at the Aso Rock Villa dinning with him, while the rest of us are condemned to watch and imitate them.
Pray, when will it be our turn to partake in the real victuals?

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Turkey: Dozens killed in explosions at Ataturk Airport

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim
says ISIL believed to be behind
suicide attacks at Ataturk
Airport.

At least 36 people have been killed
and nearly 150 others injured
following explosions at Istanbul's
main international airport, Turkish
officials say.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali
Yildirim said three suicide bombers
were involved in the attack at Ataturk
Airport late on Tuesday evening.
There was no immediate claim of
responsibility, but Yildirim said there
was indication that the Islamic State
of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group
carried out the bombings.
He said efforts to identify the
attackers, who arrived to the airport
in a taxi, were continuing.
The attackers opened fire at airport
guards at the terminal entrance and
a shootout erupted before they blew
themselves up one by one at around
10pm, authorities said.
Security camera footage circulated on
social media appeared to capture two
of the blasts. In one clip a huge ball of
flame erupts at an entrance to the
terminal building, scattering terrified
passengers.

Another video shows a black-clad
attacker running inside the building
before collapsing to the ground -
apparently felled by a police bullet -
and blowing himself up.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan called for a 'joint fight'
against terror after the attack [EPA]
Most of the casualties were Turkish
citizens, a senior government official
said.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
called for a "joint fight" against terror
after the attack.
"If states, as all humanity, fail to join
forces and wage a joint fight against
terrorist organisations, all the
possibilities that we dread in our
minds will come true one by one," he
said in a statement.
"It is clear that this attack is not
aimed at achieving any result but
only to create propaganda material
against our country using simply the
blood and pain of innocent people."
One of the attackers "randomly
opened fire" as he walked through the
terminal building, shortly before
three explosions, a witness told
Reuters.
"We came right to international
departures and saw the man
randomly shooting. He was just firing
at anyone coming in front of him. He
was wearing all black. His face was
not masked. I was 50 metres away
from him," said Paul Roos, 77, a South
African tourist on his way back to
Cape Town with his wife.
"We ducked behind a counter but I
stood up and watched him. Two
explosions went off shortly after one
another. By that time he had stopped
shooting," Roos said.
"He turned around and started
coming towards us. He was holding
his gun inside his jacket. He looked
around anxiously to see if anyone
was going to stop him and then went
down the escalator ... We heard some
more gunfire and then another
explosion, and then it was over."
Ataturk Airport is one of the busiest
ports in the world, serving more than
60 million passengers in 2015.
There has been a string of bombings
around Turkey over the past year,
some of them blamed on ISIL, others
claimed by Kurdish groups.
Earlier in June, at least 11 people
were killed in central Istanbul
following a bombing attack targeting
a police vehicle. The armed group
Kurdistan Freedom Hawks, also
known by its Kurdish-language
acronym TAK, claimed responsibility
for that attack.

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$18m mansion, jewelry: Diezani reacts, attacks Al Jazeera

– Diezani Alison-Madueke has faulted Al Jazeera over a report on corruption that cast aspersion on her person

– Earlier, Al Jazeera released a video report, claiming the EFCC seized a house worth $18million and allegedly owned by Diezani

– The former minister said the report represented ‘everything ridiculous and despicable about professional media practice and global best practices in the war against corruption’

– She wondered if it was a crime to own a property or jewelry in Nigeria

Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former minister of petroleum resources has reacted to a report by Al Jazeera which claimed a property in Abuja worth $18 million had been seized from her.

The report also claimed that jewelry worth $2 million was recovered from the building by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Diezani said as a Nigerian she has a right to own property and jewelry

In a statement made available to Signal.ng, the former minister said as a Nigerian, she has a right to own property and jewelry.

She said no court has convicted her of corruption and the report was an attempt to tarnish her name.

The statement read: “My attention has been drawn to a report by Al Jazeera, which was released on Monday as a testament to the effectiveness of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its war against corruption.

“In the video report, which has been widely circulated in the social media, there are claims about me owning a property in Abuja allegedly worth $18 million. The report, which represents everything ridiculous and despicable about professional media practice and global best practices in the war against corruption, is the latest attempt to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. Clips of jewelry allegedly worth over $2 million were also copiously displayed as if to feed the cravings of an audience gratified with the notion that every wealthy Nigeria is corrupt.”

According to her, this was not the first time and attempt has been made to damage her reputation. She said they have always gotten away with it because of her characteristic approach of silence.

She said: “The latest in the string of propaganda attacks launched against my person since I left government as Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister is this Al Jazeera report, which without any court conviction anywhere in world attempts to dress Diezani Alison Madueke in the garb of a common criminal. This, to say the least, is the height of journalistic brigandage and a sheer mockery of Nigeria’s anti-corruption war before the eyes of the world who are watching and asking if the war against corruption is a circus show where suspects are prosecuted and sentenced on the pages of newspapers and video blogs without anything as remotely in the semblance of a trial in the courts of law?

“When did it become a crime to own a property in Nigeria? When did it become a crime for a woman of my status to have in her possession, jewelry women all across the world, including the woman selling tomatoes in Bodija market has in abundance in her closet? In which court of law, anywhere in the world was I prosecuted by the EFCC and found guilty of corruption?

“With all sense of modesty, I have strived within my means and the blessings of God to live a decent and accomplished life. I studied architecture in England and obtained a bachelor’s degree from Howard University, United States of America in 1992. When I returned to Nigeria that same year, I joined Shell Petroleum Development Corporation. In 2002, I obtained an MBA at Cambridge University, United Kingdom. In April 2006, I was appointed by Shell as the company’s first female Executive Director in Nigeria. In July 2007, I was appointed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as Minister of Transport. The next year in December 2008 I became Minister of Mines and Steel Development. In April 2010, I was appointed as Minister for Petroleum Resources and served in that capacity till May 2015. During this period as Petroleum Minister, I had the honour of serving Nigeria and representing her in the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) where I was elected first female President. All through my career, I have strived to maintain a record of hard work, integrity and excellence, giving my best to society, because my parents raised me in the consciousness that a man or woman’s greatness is defined not by the amount of wealth they have acquired but the impact of their service to God and humanity.”

The former minister said the report was coming at a critical time in her life when she was battling cancer.

She said only those who are battling cancer or have lost their loved ones to cancer understand what she’s going through.

“This is what makes me ponder at the cold-heartedness of those who will go any length to defame and destroy in the name of propaganda. What happened to our shared humanity?

“I have absolute regard for the law and believe that people who have breached the laws that govern societies should be made to face the wrath of the law. But in a civilized society, a responsible government owes its citizens absolute commitment to the principles of rule of law, equity, fairness and justice. I have been wrongfully and maliciously maligned and those behind this reckless action know it,” she added.

Diezani said she would leave her detractors to posterity, their conscience and the Almighty God who is the final judge of all.

The former minister is under investigation in the UK over the missing $20billion oil cash, phoney crude oil lifting contracts, $115million poll bribery money, the $1.092b Malabu oil deal and the N5.2billion ($25m) oil

cash paid by an Indian oil firm for an oil block.

She and four others were arrested in London on October 2, 2015 by the National Crime Agency( NCA) but were released on “conditional MO bail, pending further investigation both in the UK and overseas”.

A week ago, some investigators from the United Kingdom reportedly came to Nigeria to gather more evidence against her.

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EFCC Quizzes Sheriff In Maiduguri Over PDP Campaign Funds

These are not the best of times for the factional chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who was a guest of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno state.
Sheriff was reportedly invited by the anti-graft body in connection with investigations into PDP 2015 campaign funds for which several party chieftains are already in commission’s net.

The embattled party chairman arrived the commission’s office located behind the Directorate of State Security (DSS) office along the Maiduguri/Damaturu highway, at about 10:15am in a tinted glass bulletproof jeep and was escorted by a small detachment of mobile policemen.

His invitation and quizzing was confirmed by an official of the EFCC, noting that he was invited to answer questions concerning money distributed to PDP stalwarts in the state during the 2015 general elections.
It would be recalled that Sheriff’s supporters yesterday laid siege on the national secretariat of the party after he forcibly gained entry into the secretariat located in Wadata Plaza on Monday.

Source: blueprint.ng

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Economic Meltdown: No Cause For Alarm – CBN

 Adopts new Forex policy   Removes control on Naira    To make Dollar available

   

Nigerians may soon heave a sigh of relief over the economic downturn as the Central Bank of Nigeria, yesterday, announced some fiscal measures that would see the economy out of the doldrums.
Top on the list is the unveiling of the much-awaited flexible foreign exchange policy, which it said, would launch a forex interbank trading window that will be determined by market forces.

The new policy effectively removes controls on the naira, and is expected to increase dollar supply and help the nation’s weak economy.
Making the announcement in Abuja, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who asked Nigerians not to be alarmed, said the apex bank would operate a single trading window to be launched next Monday.
The new window will have about 10 primary traders, to be appointed by the CBN. Each trader will have a minimum volume of $10 million, he said.
He said the new mechanism would enable businesses plan their portfolio effectively without fear of losses in event of fluctuation in exchange rates.

“We are optimistic that the steps we have taken today will further deepen the market and help get foreign exchange into the market. I will say to Nigerians, be calm, there is no need to worry, everything is well,” Emefiele said.
The CBN boss also stated that the 41 items banned last year from access to forex remained banned.
“We’re talking about an open, transparent two-way system… It’s intended; we don’t have speculators and rent-seekers. I don’t expect that any other exchange rate will be recognized,” he also explained.
The CBN witnessed a significant decline in its Foreign Exchange Reserves from about $42.8 billion in January 2014 to about $26.7 billion as at 10th June 2016.
Over time, the demand for foreign exchange has risen significantly. For example, in 2005, when oil prices were about $50 per barrel for an extended period of time, Nigeria’s average import bill was N148.3 billion per month.
In contrast, average import bill for 2015 was about N917.6 billion per month. The interplay between reduced FX Supply and rising FX demand accounted for a substantial reduction in the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
According to Emefiele, “Our Reserves, despite having fallen, is still robust and is able to cover about 5 months of Nigeria’s imports as against the international benchmark of 3 months.

“In order to avoid further depletion of the reserves, the CBN took a number of countervailing policy actions, anchored on the prioritisation of the most critical needs for foreign exchange as well as maintaining stability in the exchange rate.
“Having allowed two adjustments from August 2014 to February 2015, we decided to manage the Naira-Dollar Exchange Rate at about N197/US$1 over the last 16 months, and then provide the available but highly limited foreign exchange to meet the following needs,” he added.

The Nigerian foreign exchange market has witnessed tremendous changes. The Second-tier Foreign Exchange Market (SFEM) was introduced in September, 1986, the unified official market in 1987, the autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (AFEM) in 1995, and the Inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market (IFEM) in 1999.
Bureaux de Change were licensed in 1989 to accord access to small users of foreign exchange and enlarge the officially recognised foreign exchange market. Exchange rates in the Bureaux de Change are market determined.

A parallel market for foreign exchange has been in existence since the exchange control era. It has been established that scarcity in the official sector and bureaucratic procedures necessitated the growth and development of the parallel market.
Nigeria has been dealing with the effects of significant global shocks, which began around the third quarter of 2014. These include: the over 70 percent drop in the price of crude oil, which contributes the largest share of Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange Reserves; Global growth slowdown and geopolitical tensions along critical trading routes in the world among others.

Spurce: blueprint.ng

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Ranbir-Katrina's love life

Ranbir-Katrina's love life

timesofindia.com - Yesterday

1. Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif to reunite for Sanjay Dutt biopic?

Ever since Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif parted ways, rumours began doing the rounds that Anurag Basu's 'Jagga Jasoos' would be the last film they would be seen together in. However, we have some good news for RanKat fans. That Ranbir Kapoor is all set to play Sanjay Dutt in the much-awaited biopic by filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani is a known fact, however, the team hasn't zeroed in on an actress yet. Buzz is that Dutt is apparently very keen on Katrina essaying the role of his wife, Manyata in the film. The filmmakers have reportedly spoken to Kat and she even has the script. Although Kat hasn't given the final nod yet, reports suggest that she is likely to do the film. Wouldn't it be exciting to see the former love birds pair up for the biopic?

Kareena Kapoor wants Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif to patch up!/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/ranbir-katrinas-love-life/Kareena-Kapoor-wants-Ranbir-Kapoor-and-Katrina-Kaif-to-patch-up/photostory/52587615.cms

2. Kareena Kapoor wants Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif to patch up!

Look who's trying to play cupid in Bollywood these days! It's none other than our very own begum Kareen Kapoor Khan, who wants her younger brother to reunite with his ex-flame. Yes, you heard that right! According to reports, Kareena wants the most loved couple of tinsel town to patch up, months after the news of their breakup hit the stands. A source close to the actress spilt the beans on the much talked about break-up of 2016. The actress reportedly tried to resolve the issues between the duo, but it all went to waste, so now she's hoping that the exes reunite on the sets of their forthcoming film 'Jagga Jasoos.' Well, so far we know that Kat and Ranbir are being super cordial with each other so much so that one helps the other pretty often while

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Obesity boom 'fuelling rise in malnutrition'

Malnutrition is sweeping the world, fuelled by obesity as well as starvation, new research has suggested.

The 2016 Global Nutrition Report said 44% of countries were now experiencing "very serious levels" of both under-nutrition and obesity.

It means one in three people suffers from malnutrition in some form, according to the study of 129 countries.

Being malnourished is "the new normal", the report's authors said.

Malnutrition has traditionally been associated with children who are starving, have stunted growth and are prone to infection.

These are still major problems, but progress has been made in this area.

The report's authors instead highlighted the "staggering global challenge" posed by rising obesity.

The increase is happening in every region of the world and in nearly every country, they said.

Hundreds of millions of people are malnourished because they are overweight, as well as having too much sugar, salt or cholesterol in their blood, the report said.

'Totally unacceptable'

Professor Corinna Hawkes, who co-chaired the research, said the study was "redefining what the world thinks of as being malnourished".

"Malnutrition literally means bad nutrition - that's anyone who isn't adequately nourished.

"You have outcomes like you are too thin, you're not growing fast enough… or it could mean that you're overweight or you have high blood sugar, which leads to diabetes," she said.

While many countries are on course to meet targets to reduce stunted growth and the number of underweight children, very few are making progress on tackling obesity and associated illnesses such as heart disease.

In fact, the report says, the number of children under five who are overweight is fast approaching the number who are underweight.

Co-chairman Lawrence Haddad said: "We now live in a world where being malnourished is the new normal.

"It is a world that we must all claim as totally unacceptable."

The report calls for more money and political commitment to address the problem. It says for every $1 (70p) spent on proven nutrition programmes, $16 (£11.25) worth of benefits ensue.

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Lil Wayne 'stable' and 'in good spirits' after having a seizure on a plane

Lil Wayne is in "good spirits" after suffering a minor seizure, his spokesman has confirmed.

The 33-year-old star is now in a stable condition.

Reports say the Grammy winning rapper was on a private plane flying from Wisconsin to California when the seizure happened.

According to celebrity website TMZ, the flight had to make an emergency landing in Omaha, Nebraska.

"As Wayne's reps we can confirm that he did experience a minor seizure earlier this afternoon," the star's spokesman Derek Sherron said.

"Under the guidance of his own doctors, he is now in a stable condition and good spirits.

"He thanks his fans for their everlasting support, prayers and well wishes."

Omaha television station KETV reported that Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, was taken to CHI Health Creighton University Medical Centre.

His spokesman wouldn't confirm if he is still in hospital.

This is the fourth high-profile seizure the rapper has suffered in the past four years, dating back to October 2012.

Lil Wayne has said that he suffers seizures due to stress, lack of rest and overworking himself.

The New Orleans-born rapper began his professional career at the age of nine, when he became the youngest artist to be signed by Cash Money Records.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat

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Orlando killer Omar Mateen 'visited Pulse gay club'

Mateen once allegedly pulled a knife on a customer at Pulse in a row over religion, one witness said

The man behind the worst mass shooting in recent US history visited the gay nightclub where he carried out the massacre several times, witnesses say.

Chris Callen, a performer at Pulse in Orlando, Florida, told the New York Daily News that Omar Mateen had visited the venue over the past three years.

Investigators are pursuing the reports, according to US media.

Mateen opened fire in the packed club early on Sunday, leaving 49 people dead and dozens wounded.

Police shot the 29-year-old dead after he barricaded himself in a bathroom, taking several people hostage.

"I've seen him a couple of times at Pulse, a couple of other people that I've spoken with, including an-ex security guard, have actually witnessed this guy at Pulse many times before," said Chris Callen.

In one incident, Mr Callen said Mateen pulled a knife on a friend after being angered by a religious joke.

Despite this, Mr Callen said Mateen was a "nice guy... Maybe he got radicalised and hated who he was."

"Sometimes he would go over in the corner and sit and drink by himself, and other times he would get so drunk he was loud and belligerent," Ty Smith told the Orlando Sentinel.

And another man, Kevin West, told the Washington Post he saw Mateen walking into Pulse in the early hours of Sunday, having already met him through dating app Jack'd.

"I remember details," said Mr West. "I never forget a face."

While there has been no official comment from the authorities on the claims, CNN and NBC said investigators were examining them.

A man who survived the shooting has been explaining how he saved a barman's life - by hugging him.

Clubber Joshua McGill saw Rodney Sumter bleeding from multiple gunshot injuries.

He used his shirt to stem wounds to Mr Sumter's arms before being instructed by police to lie beneath him and squeeze him tight to staunch another wound in his back.

"I can hear the police officers in the front seat saying, 'Keep him conscious, talk to him'," he recalled. "That's when I learned his name."

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Mateen pledged allegiance to so-called Islamic State (IS) shortly before the attack, US authorities say.

FBI Director James Comey said there were "strong indications of radicalisation and of potential inspiration by foreign terrorist organisations".

President Obama said the inquiry was being treated as a terrorist investigation, but added there was no clear evidence that Omar Mateen was directed by IS.

He will travel to Orlando on Thursday to pay his respects to the victims.

The two likely main challengers to replace him as US leader, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, have offered differing views on how to prevent such attacks recurring.

Mr Trump proposed suspending immigration from countries with links to militant attacks targeting the US or its allies.

But Mrs Clinton warned against "anti-Muslim rhetoric", calling for better background checks on weapons sales.

igils have meanwhile been held in Orlando and around the world for the victims of the attacks.

The youngest was 18, the oldest 50.

Among those killed were a couple, Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22, and Christopher "Drew" Leinonen, 32, who will have a joint funeral service, their families told Time.

Thousands of people gathered in central Orlando on Monday night, holding candles and flowers in tribute.

Imam Muhammad Musri, of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, said the attack had been "an act of terror, an act of hate".

"We condemn the ideology of hate and death and destruction and we call for all Muslim leaders and communities across this nation and across the world to stand up and to deal with this cancer and to remove it once and for all," he said.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world

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Euro 2016: Russia given suspended disqualification

Uefa has given Russia a suspended disqualification and a £119,000 fine

Russia will be disqualified from Euro 2016 if there is further crowd trouble at their remaining matches.

Uefa, European football's governing body, has given Russia a suspended disqualification and a 150,000 euro (£119,000) fine for disorder at the game against England in Marseille.

Russia were also charged for fan racism and lighting fireworks at the match.

Groups of Russia fans are being deported from France after repeated scenes of violence at Euro 2016.

The suspended disqualification and fine relate only to incidents that happened inside the stadium.

The decision is open to appeal, but Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko indicated that would not happen.

Mukto, who is also president of the Russian Football Union, said the country will comply with Uefa's decision, adding: "What other position can there be?"

French police blamed 150 "well-trained" Russian hooligans for clashes before England drew 1-1 with Russia on Saturday.

Six England fans were jailed on Monday for their roles in the disorder.

Over three days of disorder in Marseille, 35 people were injured - most of them England fans - and a total of 20 people were arrested.

Further trouble between England and Russia fans is anticipated given that both set to gather in Lille this week.

Russia play Slovakia in the city on Wednesday, while England fans will gather there ahead of Thursday's match against Wales in the nearby town of Lens.

French authorities have pledged to increase security in Lens by deploying 2,400 police, gendarmes, security guards and a riot squad.

Drinking alcohol in the streets has also been banned.

But Greg Dyke, chairman of the English Football Association, has expressed "serious concerns" about security in neighbouring Lille.

The British government has already said will send more British police officers trained in football disorder to France ahead of the match.

Russia has been in trouble with Uefa in the past.

It was handed a six-point deduction, suspended for three and a half years, aftersupporters behaved badly during Euro 2012.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football

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Everton have confirmed Ronald Koeman as their new manager on a three-year deal.

The Toffees will pay about £5m compensation for the 53-year-old, who leaves Premier League rivals Southampton after two years in charge.

Everton have been without a manager since sacking Roberto Martinez just before the end of the 2015-16 season.

Koeman said Everton is a club with a "great history and real ambition", while chairman Bill Kenwright called the Dutchman his "number one target".

A deal with the former Netherlands international, headhunted by new owner Farhad Moshiri, was agreed earlier in the week and is reported to be worthabout £6m a year.

The official announcement was delayed until Koeman had returned from holiday.

"Ronald has such a strong track record in the game, instantly commanding respect for what he achieved as a player and for his qualities and accomplishments as a manager," added Kenwright.

"We are really pleased to have secured the man who was our number one target from the moment we set out to appoint a new manager."

Saints finished seventh and sixth under Koeman - their best Premier League campaigns.

He is expected to be joined at Goodison Park by brother Erwin and fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg, though a deal for the pair is yet to be finalised.

Everton also considered Unai Emery, who has just left Spanish side Sevilla after winning the Europa League for the third successive season, and Manuel Pellegrini after he left Manchester City, but Koeman was at the top of Moshiri's list.

Southampton said their search for a new manager has already started.

Koeman made more than 750 appearances as a player, scoring 253 goals, and won the 1988 European Championship with the Netherlands.

He also won four domestic league titles in both the Netherlands and Spain.

Koeman has also managed Vitesse Arnhem, Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord, winning the Dutch league with both Ajax and PSV, and a Spanish Cup with Valencia.

Analysis

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport's chief football writer:

Everton's appointment of Ronald Koeman as manager is a significant statement of intent from new major shareholder Farhad Moshiri.

Koeman's standing as a player for the Netherlands and Barcelona, for whom he scored the goal that won them their first European Cup in 1992, instantly elevates Everton's credentials and credibility around Europe.

It is an indication of how Moshiri means business and Koeman will be backed by huge transfer funds this summer, irrespective of whether Romelu Lukaku and John Stones stay at Everton.

Moshiri wanted to make an appointment that would demonstrate the scale of his plans for Everton and Koeman fitted the bill - the idea of returning to David Moyes was never seriously contemplated despite the Scot being linked with a comeback at the club where he spent 11 years.

He was clearly happy at Southampton but the recent constant depatures of top players - as well as the personal and footballing finance on offer at Everton - swayed his thoughts towards Goodison Park.

It also means there is now a "northern powerhouse" of managers within 40 miles of each other with Koeman at Everton, Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

For Everton, however, the arrival of a character of Koeman's stature will provide an immediate lift after the mutinous final days of the Martinez era.

Adam Blackmore, BBC Radio Solent Sports Editor:

Ronald Koeman did a fantastic job at Saints, especially given he came in at a time when the club were in meltdown following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino and a number of key players.

He is Southampton's most successful manager in the Premier League era, and he managed the club with the same impressive calm authority he played with.

But his U-turn at St Mary's has left a bad taste, and his surprise decision to swap the Europa League for a re-build at Goodison Park means his legacy at Saints will forever be badly tarnished.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football

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