Business, World News

Elon Musk explains why he is buying Twitter, as he appeals to advertisers

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With his deal to purchase Twitter for $44 billion set to close on Thursday, October 27, the world’s richest man, Elon Musk has appealed to advertisers saying that he is buying Twitter because it is a cornerstone of civilization and that it would help humanity.

Musk’s appeal comes amid claims that he will turn the company into a cesspool of free-for-all commentary, and that many people with extremist views may have freedom to post when he becomes the owner, a move that will put off advertisers.

Posting on his Twitter handle on Thursday October 27, Musk promised that Twitter will not be free for all after he acquires it.

‘Twitter obviously cannot become a free-for-all hellscape, where anything can be said with no consequences! In addition to adhering to the laws of the land, our platform must be warm and welcoming to all,” he tweeted via a note.

“Twitter aspires to be the most respected advertising platform in the world that strengthens your brand and grows your enterprise. To everyone who has partnered with us, I thank you. Let us build something extraordinary together.

“In his note, Musk comes across as a more serious owner of Twitter compared to his joke earlier in the day when he tweeted the video of him entering the Twitter HQ with a toilet sink. He captioned his tweet, let that sink in!

Around the same time, Musk also changed his Twitter bio to “Chief Twit.”Revealing why he is buying Twitter, Musk wrote,

“The reason I acquired Twitter is because it is important to the future of civilization to have a common digital town square, where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner, without resorting to violence.”

“That is why I bought Twitter. I didn’t do it because it would be easy. I didn’t do it to make more money. I did it to try to help humanity, whom I love. And I do so with humility, recognizing that failure in pursuing this goal, despite our best efforts, is a very real possibility.” he added.

Musk launched his bid in April this year to buy Twitter for around $44 billion. However, he soon backtracked, saying that he was no longer interested in buying Twitter because according to him the company inflated its number of actual and active users.

Twitter denied the allegations and filed a court case against Musk. Later Musk told the court that he would complete the deal and the court asked him to do it by October 28.

World News

“I lost 2 billion in one day and I’m still alive”- Kanye West speaks about brands cutting ties with him as he jokes that he has cut ties with himself too

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Kanye West has reacted to losing his billionaire status after several brands cut ties with him because of his anti-Semitic comments. The rapper took to Instagram to write that he lost 2 billion dollars in one day but he is still alive.

In an earlier post, Kanye also shared an article claiming his Yeezy brand cut ties with him. “Ye has reportedly cut ties with Kanye West,” the headline reads. In the caption, Kanye wrote: “Had to cut ties bro.”

His caption got several laughing emojis from his supporter Candace Owens. This comes after multiple brands cut ties with the rapper.

The brands that have cut ties with Kanye so far include: Balenciaga, MRC (the entertainment studio shelved an already finished Ye documentary), his talent agency CAA, Adidas, Jaylen Brown and Aaron Donald, Foot Locker, The RealReal, T.J. Maxx, Madame Tussauds.

Also, his school, Donda Academy, was affected as they were dropped from a high school tournament because of Kanye’s utterances

World News

Kanye West escorted out of Skechers Los Angeles office after he arrived ‘unannounced’ and ‘uninvited’

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Footwear company, Skechers USA Inc (SKX.N) said on Wednesday that its executives escorted Kanye West, out of a Los Angeles corporate office, after the rapper and fashion designer “showed up unannounced and uninvited”.

According to TMZ, Kanye showed up at Skechers headquarters in Manhattan beach to talk with the company’s executives in order to find a new spot for his Yeezy shoes, but immediately got turned away.

After a “brief discussion,” West was escorted off the corporate offices’ premises, Skechers said in a statement.

“Skechers is not considering and has no intention of working with West.” “Considering Ye was engaged in unauthorized filming, two Skechers executives escorted him and his party from the building after a brief conversation.

We condemn his recent divisive remarks and do not tolerate antisemitism or any other form of hate speech.”

Skechers is owned and operated by a Jewish family — Robert Greenberg founded it, and his son Michael is currently the President.

Skechers’ comments come a day after sportswear brand Adidas AG ended its partnership with West, following a series of antisemitic comments from Kanye.

Clothing company Gap Inc , which terminated its deal with West in September, is also taking immediate steps to remove Yeezy Gap products from its stores and shut down YeezyGap.com.

World News

Nigeria’s Flamingos crash out of Under-17 World Cup after losing to Columbia

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Nigeria has failed to qualify for a spot in the final of this year’s U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.

Wednesday’s tie was a historic moment for both Nigeria and Colombia as it was their first Semi-final game ever in the history of the competition.

The Flamingos lost 6-5 to Colombia on penalties in their semi-final clash on Wednesday, October 26.

The game had ended 0-0 after regulation time, as both teams failed to score any goals.

The Flamingos will play the winner of the second semi-final match between Germany and Spain on Wednesday. Before the game at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, the Flamingos were runners-up in Group B of the competition.

They lost to Germany in their first match, dispatched New Zealand, and defeated Chile to earn a last-eight ticket.

World News

Kanye West’s Donda Academy dropped from High School tournament because of rapper’s anti-Semitic comments

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Kanye West’s Donda Academy basketball team will not be able to showcase their talents this year at a high-profile high school basketball tournament.

Following Kanye’s anti-Semitic comments, the Kentucky Play By Play Classic announced that the Christian prep school founded by Kanye is no longer invited to the annual tournament in Louisville on Dec. 11.

“Kanye’s words and actions violate our values as a company and a country, and what we seek to ensure at all of our events — a spirit of diversity, sportsmanship, inclusion, equity and mutual respect,” tournament organizer Scholastic Play By Play Classics said in a press release.

Donda Academy was originally scheduled to play North Laurel on Dec. 11 and will now be replaced by Imhotep Charter. The press release continues:

“While we are firm in our reasoning for this decision, it does not diminish our heartache and regret for Donda’s hardworking athletes who will lose out the most as a result of Kanye’s actions.”

World News

US authorizes evacuation of non-critical staff in Nigeria over risk of terror attacks

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Barely 48 hours after its embassy in Nigeria issued a security alert of a possible terrorist attack in Nigeria, especially Abuja, the United States government (US) has authorized the evacuation of “non-emergency” employees and their family members in Nigeria.

The US state department announced the approval in an update on its Nigeria travel advisory on Tuesday evening, October 25.

The update noted that the US embassy in Abuja will have “limited ability” to provide emergency assistance to US citizens while the consulate in Lagos is still providing routine and emergency services.

“On October 25, 2022, the Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks.

The U.S. Embassy Abuja continues to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. The U.S. Consulate in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria.”

The advisory also indicated that Nigeria is rated Level 3 which means citizens should reconsider traveling to the country. It advised Americans to shelve travel plans “due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime”.

Although Nigeria is a Level 3 country, some states are said to have a higher risk of attacks, and as such, are Level 4 — which means Americans should not travel to such places.

Americans were warned of possible terrorist attacks and kidnapping in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states. Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states — with the exception of Port Harcourt — were also listed as Level 4 “due to crime, kidnapping, and maritime crime”.

The US state department warned that terrorists may attack with little or no warning, and will target public places like shopping centers, malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, schools, government installations, and transportation hubs.

Entertainment, World News

Actress Dame Judi Dench reveals she can’t read or write due to suffering from advanced macular degeneration

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English actress, Dame Judi Dench has revealed that she can’t read or write due to suffering from advanced macular degeneration.

The actress, 87, who is known for her role in films including the Bond franchise, opened up about her health battle to BBC’s Louis Theroux, according to The Sun.

The Academy Award winner refused to give up on acting, saying she won’t be retiring anytime soon despite the condition but admitted ‘it’s bad’. ‘I don’t want to retire. I’m not doing much at the moment because I can’t see. It’s bad,’ Judi said.

Judi said she’s determined to ‘teach’ herself a new way of learning. ‘I have a photographic memory so a person saying to me, ”This is your line…” I can do that,’ she said.

Judi revealed that while out for dinner recently with her partner David Mills, he had to cut up her food for her as she couldn’t see it on her plate. ‘He cut it up and handed something to me on a fork and that’s the way I ate it,’ she explained.

According to the NHS, ‘age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common condition that affects the middle part of your vision. It usually first affects people in their 50s and 60s’.

World News

Rapper Kanye West no longer a billionaire after Adidas terminates deal

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Kanye West has lost his status as a billionaire after Adidas ended a lucrative Yeezy deal in response to his bizarre anti-Semitic scandal , according to Forbes Of West’s estimated $2 billion fortune, a whopping $1.5 billion was attributable to his relationship with Adidas, Forbes said on Tuesday, October, 25.

The loss of the deal effectively erases that massive chunk of his net worth, which is now estimated to be a comparatively paltry $400 million.

The estimated $1.5 billion value of West’s Adidas deal is based on a multiple of the partnership’s annual earnings, according to Forbes.

The publication noted his remaining net worth is tied to his music catalog, real estate holdings, liquid cash, and his 5% stake in Skims, his ex-wife Kim Kardashian’s burgeoning shapewear brand.

“When you part ways with a massive company that is your distribution partner it has to have an impact on your bottom line,” Columbia University sports management professor Joe Favorito told The Post.

West has publicly accused the media for years of underestimating the size of his business empire.

During a controversial interview with NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo earlier this month, an erratic West said “the Jewish underground media mafia” was “attacking” him – in part by misrepresenting his wealth.

“They never call me a billionaire,” West grumbled. “Hey, tycoon, billionaire, visionary, inventor — these are never used.”

In its report, Forbes said that West would contact the publication “every year” to complain about its valuations.

Estimates about the West’s wealth varied widely in recent years. While Forbes placed the number at $2 billion, Bloomberg asserted in 2021 that he was worth as much as $6.6 billion.

Last year, The Post obtained financial documents suggesting the overall value of West’s Adidas segment alone could be as high as $3.7 billion.

Adidas acknowledged that its decision to sever ties with West would have a “short-term negative impact” of approximately $250 million to its net income in 2022, due to its proximity to the critical holiday quarter.

In a note to clients, Baird analyst Jonathan Komp estimated the Yeezy partnership generated about $1.8 billion in annual revenue and “high-30% operating margin” for the company.

“After a thorough review, the company has taken the decision to terminate the partnership with Ye immediately, end production of Yeezy branded products and stop all payments to Ye and his companies,” Adidas said in a statement on its decision.

“Adidas will stop the Adidas Yeezy business with immediate effect.”

World News

World’s dirtiest man dies at age 94, months after taking his first bath in decades

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An Iranian man nicknamed the “dirtiest man in the world” for not taking a bath for decades has died at the age of 94.

Amou Haji, who did not shower for about 60 years and was single, died on Sunday, October 23, in the village of Dejgah in the southern province of Fars, IRNA news agency reported on Tuesday, October 25.

Haji had avoided showering over fears of “getting sick”, the agency quoted a local official as saying.

However, a few months ago, villagers, who were fed up, had taken him to a bathroom and forced him to shower.

Mr Haji had an aversion to soap and water. He said he hated even the thought of bathing.

Mr Haji previously said that he chose this way of life after experiencing emotional setbacks in his youth. Since then he became isolated.

As well as cleanliness, Mr Haji also had an aversion to fresh food and drink. His favorite food was rotten porcupine, and he would choose to drink water from a rusty oil can.

Amou Haji also liked to smoke animal faeces out of an old pipe, rather than tobacco.

Mr Haji had spent most of his life in Dejgah village in the province of Fars in southern Iran.

Concerned locals built him an open brick shack to live in after seeing that he was sleeping in a hole in the ground.

A short documentary film titled “The Strange Life of Amou Haji” was made about his life in 2013, according to Iranian media outlets.

Months after being made to shower, Mr Haji passed on at the age of 94.

World News

Adidas finally cuts ties with Kanye West after pressure from the public following antisemitic comments

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Adidas has ended its partnership with Kanye West after he made a series of antisemitic remarks and embraced a slogan associated with white supremacists that earned him widespread condemnation.

The German sportswear giant said on Tuesday, October 25, that it “does not tolerate antisemitism” after the rapper was suspended from Instagram and Twitter over offensive posts.

Adidas added that recent comments and actions from Kanye West had been “unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness”.

The company said it would take a “short-term” hit of €250m (£217m) to its income for this year after deciding to stop the brand’s business with immediate effect.

It is to end production for products under West’s Yeezy brand and stop all payments to the rapper and his companies.

In 2020, the partnership brought in nearly $1.7bn in revenue for Adidas, according to Bloomberg, and was due to expire in 2026.

Adidas put the deal up for review after West’s controversial Paris show earlier this month, where models walked the catwalk wearing “White Lives Matter” shirts.

Adidas’s move comes after Balenciaga, Gap and JPMorgan Chase all cut ties with West. Kanye recently claimed that Adidas could not drop him, despite his comments prompting calls for a boycott.

World News

Rapper, Lil Durk’s attempted murder charge dropped

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A lack of evidence has pushed prosecutors into dropping felonies charges against U.S. rapper Lil Durk who was linked to a 2019 shooting case in Georgia.

Durk surrendered to police in May 2019 in connection with a non-fatal shooting at The Varsity restaurant in Atlanta.

This came after the Police responded to a 911 call on February 5 of that year and found a man with a gunshot wound.

Witnesses told police the wounded man had been involved in an argument with an unknown black male before the shooting.

The man was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent surgery. He ultimately survived. The rapper was originally hit with a slew of felony charges; aggravated assault, criminal attempt to commit murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and more.

Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis who recently filed paperwork with the court declining to move forward with the case against Durk because of “prosecutorial discretion,” declined to elaborate beyond that. Willis noted that while there was probable cause to initially arrest Durk, she decided not to move forward with the case after a thorough review of the facts.

Speaking to TMZ, Durk’s attorney, Manny Arora said Willis simply didn’t have enough evidence to prove her case against the rapper.

Insisting that Durk never committed a crime that day despite his presence at the scene, Arora added it was a “shame” it took 3 years to finally drop the charges, but he’s not surprised since he believes prosecutors often drag out cases to save face.

World News

Nigerian and Ghanaian nationals arrested in Libya for allegedly running a brothel

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Security forces in Libya have arrested five Nigerian and Ghanaian nationals for allegedly running a brothel in a rented apartment.

According to Migrant Rescue Watch, the suspects were arrested in Tajoura, a town in north-western Libya, on Monday, October 24, 2022.

“Security forces in Tajoura, Libya arrested 5 undocumented migrants, pimps of Ghanaian and Nigerian descent for running an illegal prostitution brothel in an apartment.

During raid officers seized home made alcohol, illicit drugs, fake money & unauthorized wireless radio devices” the agency tweeted.

World News

NAFDAC warns Nigerians against fake antibiotic in circulation

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Nigerians have been alerted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) about a fake Augmentin 625mg tablets in circulation within the country.

The health agency in a statement released on Monday October 24, said the falsified antibiotic has the batch number 562626, a manufacturing date of April 2021 and expiry date of April 2024.

The product also has a fake NAFDAC registration number of 04-1928. The statement read; “No inscription “manufactured by” is written on the label, only the address.

Manufacturing and Expiry dates do not meet the acceptable format. No MAS scratch number for verification. The logo “gsk” is not properly positioned as on the original.

“Please note that the genuine Augmentin 625mg has legible product labeling information including date markings – expiration and manufactured dates, batch number and NAFDAC registration number.

“NAFDAC’s advice to wholesalers, distributors and pharmacies is that medicines should be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers, increased vigilance is hereby encouraged within the supply chain to avoid infiltration of the falsified product.

The products’ authenticity, physical condition and labels should be carefully checked. “NAFDAC implores healthcare providers to ensure vigilance to prevent the administration of the falsified products on unsuspecting patients.

Members of the public in possession of the above suspected counterfeit product are advised to discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“Healthcare providers and the public should notify the nearest NAFDAC office of any information concerning the distribution, sale, and use of the falsified version of the Augmentin product.”

World News

Rishi Sunak to become next UK PM after Johnson pulls out

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Rishi Sunak is favourite to become Britain’s next prime minister after Boris Johnson pulled out of the Conservative Party leadership race to replace Liz Truss, who resigned last week.

Sunak, the 42-year-old former finance minister, could be named leader as soon as Monday to replace Liz Truss, becoming Britain’s third prime minister in less than two months.

With the endorsement of nearly 150 conservative MPs, Sunak, who served as Chancellor under Johnson has emerged as the frontrunner in the Tory leadership race.

The multi-millionaire former hedge fund boss will be tasked with rebuilding Britain’s fiscal reputation through deep spending cuts as it slides into a recession, dragged down by surging energy, food, and mortgage rates.

He will also preside over a party that has bounced from one crisis to the next in recent months, badly split along ideological lines, and a country that is growing increasingly angry at the conduct of its politicians.

“The United Kingdom is a great country but we face a profound economic crisis,” Sunak said in a statement declaring his candidacy on Sunday.

First, he must defeat the last candidate in the contest, Penny Mordaunt, who is fighting to secure the support of 100 lawmakers to get on to Monday’s ballot.

Mordaunt, who is leader of parliament’s House of Commons, has so far received the backing of around 25 politicians. More than 150 have backed Sunak.

“He’s not taking anything for granted at all,” interior minister Grant Shapps, a supporter of Sunak, told BBC television.

“He’s speaking to colleagues throughout this morning. And of course, we’ll be hoping to attract sufficient numbers to ensure that this can be put to bed.”

World News

UK warns of possible attack in FCT, restricts access to British high commission

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Just like the United States, the United Kingdom (UK) has also issued a terrorism alert to citizens in Nigeria.

UK warned of an increased threat of terrorist attack in the federal capital territory (FCT) and also admonished its citizens to stay alert, “consider movements carefully, follow the local news and the advice of security authorities”.

UK citizens were warned against visits to markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, football viewing centres, displacement camps, transport terminals (including train networks), government buildings — and schools.

The British High Commission in Abuja also said that from Monday, October 24, only critical staff will be allowed access to its facility.

Parents were also warned against sending their children to school.

World News

539 stranded Nigerians couldn’t get UAE work permits – NEMA

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The National Emergency Management Agency has revealed that most of the Nigerians who were evacuated to the country after being stranded in the United Arab Emirates complained of not being able to get a work permit because of a new policy by the government of the Middle East country.

About 542 Nigerians were evacuated from the UAE and arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday, October 23.

According to NEMA, the evacuees who returned on board the Max Air flight consisted of 79 males, 460 females, and three infants.

Speaking to the media, the Head of the Media Unit, NEMA, Manzo Ekeziel, said plans were in place to see the return of more Nigerians stranded in the UAE.

He said, “The Federal Government received communication and decided to support them back to the country. I don’t know if there’s any diplomatic row or not.

He continued, “There are some of them that could not come in today but arrangement is on for them to be transported, maybe tomorrow. I’m not sure of the total number of those still left behind.

“One of the evacuees, Blessing Okorie, from Ebonyi State, interacted with, blamed a new visa policy; and that they could not get a work permit.

“She said she travelled to that country with valid papers but after some time, according to her, the government of the UAE came up with a new visa policy that made her unable to get a work permit. Because of that, she was sacked from where she was working and, according to her, she had to hustle.”

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission revealed that the evacuees were given $100 each to facilitate their return home.

World News

Terrorists planning to attack Abuja – US govt raises alarm

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The United States embassy in Nigeria has warned Americans in Nigeria to be cautious of their movement in response to elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja.

In a security alert issued today October 23, the US embassy advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel or movement, stay alert and avoid crowds.

The security alert in part reads

“There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations.

The U.S. Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice.

Actions to Take: Avoid all non-essential travel or movement. Stay alert. Avoid crowds.Review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency. Carry proper identification.”

Several attacks including the attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre as well as the one on the Presidential Guards Brigade in Abuja, have been recorded in recent times.

Politics, World News

Boris Johnson drops out of UK Prime Minister race

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Former prime minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson has ruled himself out of returning to the job.

This week speculations of Johnson’s impending move to replace Liz Truss intensified after she resigned following just 45 days in office.

Truss had replaced Johnson who was forced out of office in July following a series of scandals.

In the wake of Truss’ resignation, Johnson had reportedly undertaken consultations to see if he has support to return, meaning he would need to secure 100 nominations from Conservative lawmakers.

Despite some Conservative lawmakers publicly expressing their support for the former prime minister, Johnson in a statement on Sunday, October 23 withdrew his interest, saying he has enough support but has decided it is not the right thing to do.

“In the last few days I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who suggested that I should once again contest the Conservative Party leadership, both among the public and among friends and colleagues in parliament.

I have been attracted because I led our party into a massive election victory less than three years ago – and I believe I am therefore uniquely placed to avert a general election now,” the statement reads.

“A general election would be a further disastrous distraction just when the government must focus on the economic pressures faced by families across the country.

I believe I am well placed to deliver a Conservative victory in 2024 – and tonight I can confirm that I have cleared the very high hurdle of 102 nominations, including a proposer and a seconder, and I could put my nomination in tomorrow.

“There is a very good chance that I would be successful in the election with Conservative Party members – and that I could indeed be back in Downing Street on Friday.

But in the course of the last days, I have sadly come to the conclusion that this would simply not be the right thing to do. You can’t govern effectively unless you have a united party in parliament.

“And though I have reached out to both Rishi (Sunak) and Penny (Mordaunt) – because I hoped that we could come together in the national interest – we have sadly not been able to work out a way of doing this.

Therefore I am afraid the best thing is that I do not allow my nomination to go forward and commit my support to whoever succeeds. I believe I have much to offer but I am afraid that this is simply not the right time.”

Johnson’s withdrawal leaves the race open to Sunak, former finance minister, and Mordaunt, leader of the House of Commons.

Lifestyle, World News

UAE imposes visa ban on Nigerians

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United Arab Emirates Immigration authorities have imposed a visa ban on Nigerians and are now rejecting visa applications.

This was conveyed in a notice issued to UAE’s trade partners in Nigeria including travel agencies on Friday October 21.

No reason was given for the visa ban, but the United Arab Emirates Immigration authorities said all applications are on-hold until issues between the UAE government and the Nigerian government are resolved.

It read;

“All Dubai applications submitted are now rejected. It is general for Nigerians and approvals are on hold at the moment.

“Kindly advise your clients to resubmit applications when the issue is resolved between both governments.”

Punch reported that a source at travel agency, Wakanow confirmed the development.

The source said; “It is true, it was issued yesterday. The Dubai immigration did not state when the ban would be lifted but for now, everything is on hold.”

A customer representative from Air Peace, however said the airline is still flying to Dubai with those who already have a valid visa.

The representative added that if any changes were to occur as regards flight for Nigerians, it would be duly communicated.

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