NIGERIAN ARMY TO PARTNER ABIA STATE ON MADE IN ABA PRODUCTS

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, has announced the intention of the Nigeria Army to partner Abia state in patronizing mafe in Aba products.He dropped the cheering news during a visit at the Government House, Umuahia, where he acknowledged the receipt of the letter written by Governor Ikpeazu on the patronage of made in Aba products.

Lt Gen Buratai thanked the Governor for the excellent relationship between the government and people and the Nigerian Army hinting that the purpose of the training programmes by the Nigerian Army is to train the troops.

He gave the assurance that the Army do not intimidate the people as is alleged in some quarters.

“We are looking more inwards rather than going out, trying to conserve scarce foreign currency and do more things.

“I want to acknowledge and say that I received your letter sometimes back on the patronage of certain products that you produce as I can see them in my front.

“And I want to let you know that we have long queued into this. The Army has been partnering and been directing our suppliers to contact the producers to ensure that they get made-in-Nigeria products.

“And this move, I want to guarantee will continue, because we are channeling them home so that our local industries can thrive and serve us better,” the COAS said.

Governor Ikpeazu commended the Chief of Army Staff on his efforts at ensuring the unity of the country and for the various operations going on in the Army aimed at optimizing the capacity of his men.

He called for mutual respect for one another as a way of harnessing all the country’s attributes irrespective of tribe and religion in order to maintain the oneness of the country.

KENYA TO COLLAR LIONS TO ENHANCE PROTECTION

The Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced funding to support the collaring of lions to boost their conservation against a backdrop of multiple threats.

KWS Director General, Kitili Mbathi, said Thursday an initial investment of 30,000 U.S. dollars will support the collaring of lions in parks to help track their movement and identify threats facing the carnivores on a real time basis.

Mbathi revealed that young male lions would be the first to be collared because they have a higher propensity of straying from parks as they explore new territories.

Kenya has fast-tracked the adoption of technology in boosting lions' conservation.

Mbathi said the use of satellite technology to track movement of lions will deter them from straying from sanctuaries.

"The collaring of lions is in response to a spike in cases of the carnivores straying from the national parks this year. It will be possible to locate the strayed lions and return them to the park once we collar them," Mbathi said.

Conservationists say threats facing the carnivores include conflict with human, shrinking habitat and climatic stresses.

According to government statistics, the lion population in Kenya stood at 1,970 in 2016 while a spike in poaching and human intrusion to their habitat threatens their survival.

Earlier this year, several lions strayed from the Nairobi National Park in the Kenyan capital city.

Court Adjourns PDP Leadership Suit Indefinitely

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has adjourned indefinitely the hearing into the leadership crisis surrounding Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

A three-man panel of justices led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa suspended hearing on the matter to await the outcome of a related case pending before another court in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

The decision followed a motion filed by the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the part

The group’s counsel, Akin Olujinmi, asked the court not to attend to the suit filed by the Senator Ahmed Markafi-led faction.

The defence counsel’s argument was based on the fact that the Port Harcourt division of the court has already reserved judgement on the matter.

In that suit, the appellants are challenging a verdict that Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered on June 30, which recognised Sheriff as national chairman of the party.

OBAMA VOWS RETALIATORY ACTION AGAINST RUSSIA FOR MEDDLING IN THE US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Washington (CNN)President Barack Obama on Thursday vowed retaliatory action against Russia for its meddling in the US presidential election.

"I think there is no doubt that when any foreign government tries to impact the integrity of our elections that we need to take action and we will at a time and place of our own choosing," Obama told National Public Radio.

Describing potential countermeasures by the US, the President said "some of it may be explicit and publicized; some of it may not be."

He said he directly confronted Russian President Vladimir Putin about a potential US response, and said his counterpart acknowledged his stance.

"Mr. Putin is well aware of my feelings about this, because I spoke to him directly about it," Obama said.

Obama and Putin conferred on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in China in September. Afterwards, Obama told reporters he raised cybersecurity with the Russian leader.

Intelligence agencies in October pinned blame on Russia for election-related hacking. At the time, the White House vowed a "proportional response" to the cyberactivity, though declined to preview what that response might entail.

Officials have said US actions against Russia may not be revealed publicly.

Speaking Thursday at the White House, Press Secretary Josh Earnest declined to say whether the US had already begun its response to Moscow's actions.

"The President determined once the intelligence community had reached this assessment that a proportional response was appropriate," Earnest said. "At this point, I don't have anything to say about whether or not that response has been carried out."

•  

REAL MADRID BEAT CLUB AMERICA TO REACH THE FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP FINAL

Real Madrid on Thursday beat Club America 2-0 to reach the FIFA Club World Cup final.

The European champions have also extended their unbeaten run to 36 games.

Karim Benzema set the Spanish giants on the lead with a brilliant finish after a Toni Kroos’ pass.

Cristiano Ronaldo sealed the win by netting a second in added time amid some confusion.

Real Madrid have consequently secured a place in Sunday’s final against Kashima Antlers.

Kashima had made history by becoming the first Japanese team to reach the final of the global competition after beating Atletico Nacional 3-0 in Osaka.

Shoma Doi converted a historic penalty on 33 minutes, just before Yasushi Endo and Yuma Suzuki bagged two late second-half goals to send the J-league champions into the global club showpiece final.

PREVENTING FLU DURING PREGNANCY

Postnasal drip, a cough, sore throat and a red nose — you know how lousy it feels to be sick. Barreling through a day of work, household activities and child care while under the weather is difficult enough when you're not pregnant. Add frequent urination, nausea, low back and hip pain and trouble sleeping and you've got some miserable days ahead. Here’s help navigating cold and flu season during pregnancy.

To avoid getting sick:

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Disinfect surfaces in your home, especially when someone in your family has a cold
• Don’t share drinking glasses or utensils
• Get the flu shot
• Care for yourself by eating well, getting enough sleep and exercising

If you’re sick during pregnancy, to safely feel better:

• Stay hydrated and loosen congestion by drinking water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey
• Drink warm liquids, such as chicken soup, to help ease congestion
• Gargle with saltwater to soothe a sore throat
• Try over-the-counter saline nasal drops or sprays to relieve nasal congestion
• Take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) for fever and pain relief
• Use a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier to add moisture to your home and loosen congestion
• Get plenty of sleep to help your immune system fight the infection

If you want to take an over-the counter cold medication, talk to your health care provider. He or she might recommend an oral antihistamine, such as chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton).
The flu (influenza) during pregnancy is another matter. If you start developing symptoms such as a fever over 100.4 F (38 C), a dry cough, achy muscles, chills and sweats, call your health care provider. Having the flu during pregnancy poses a serious threat to your health and your baby’s health. Taking an antiviral drug might help lessen symptoms if taken within 48 hours of the first signs or symptoms of the flu.
Remember, while most people bounce back from colds in a week to 10 days, it might take you longer to recover during pregnancy. In the meantime, hunker down as much as you can and focus on symptom relief.
SOURCE: MAYOCLINIC

FLIP OR FLOP' STARS SPLIT AFTER EXPLOSIVE FIGHT

"Flip or Flop" stars Tarek and Christina El Moussa portray the chipper, nearly perfect all-American couple on TV but we've learned they're now separated ...after a scary incident involving guns and a feared suicide attempt.

Their ordeal started, at least publicly, in May when deputies responded to "a call of a possibly suicidal male with a gun" at the couple's Orange County home. According to law enforcement, a massive presence showed up -- 11 deputies and a helicopter.

Witnesses told cops they saw Tarek grab a gun from his safe, run out the back door and flee down a hiking trail. Shortly after, Christina was seen running out of the house crying and shaking.

Within minutes, the helicopter spotted Tarek on a trail and deputies told him to drop his weapon. Tarek complied and told deputies he had no intention of hurting himself. He said he wanted to "blow off some steam," and only brought the gun for mountain lions and rattlesnakes.

Deputies went back to the house and ended up seizing 5 guns, including an AR-15.

Christina and Tarek tell us they decided to separate while they reevaluate their marriage. As far as the incident goes ... they'll only say it was an "unfortunate misunderstanding."

They add ... they're committed to co-parenting, and ... "will continue to work through this process civilly and cooperatively, and plan to continue our professional life together."