TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ban

  • FG lifts ban on three foreign airlines

    FG lifts ban on three foreign airlines

    The Federal Government has given approval to Lufthansa, Air France/KLM to operate international flights into the country.

    Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, made the disclosure in a tweet on Tuesday.

    Sirika also added that Qatar Airways has been granted approval to resume flights to Abuja.

    The Minister hinted at the possibility of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Port Harcourt International Airport and Enugu Airport accommodating foreign travellers before year end.

    The tweet read, “We are working with Ministry of Health, CACOVID & The PTF to open Kano, Port Harcourt & possibly Enugu airports before the end of the year. Also Lufthansa, Air France/KLM have been given go-ahead to resume. Qatar Airways is approved to start Abuja. Thank you for your patience.”

    Recall that the federal government had in September barred some airlines from entering the West African nation as it resumed international flights operations.

    The airlines include Air France, KLM Royal Dutch, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, RwandAir, Air Namibia, Royal Air Maroc and TAAG Angola.

    Some of the airlines were denied permission to enter because Nigerians with tourist visas have been banned from entering those countries. The ones that fell under this category were: Air France, KLM Royal Dutch, Lufthansa and Etihad Airways.

  • US Suspends Ban on TikTok Downloads

    US Suspends Ban on TikTok Downloads

    The ban on TikTok downloads in the United States scheduled to start on Sunday (September 20) has been averted as progress was made on a deal that will see ownership of the company change hands.

    Recall that President Donald Trump recently placed a ban on the app over concerns about the security of American users’ data.

    As part of the deal rescuing TikTok, US tech company, Oracle, is joining hands with retail giant, Walmart, to form a new entity called TikTok Global, which will be headquartered in the country. The deal will, however, see ByteDance, the app parent company, hold its majority ownership position.

    Oracle and Walmart are planning to own a combined 20 per cent of the new TikTok entity, officials at TikTok said. Beijing-based ByteDance is expected to own about 80 per cent of the company, but since 40 per cent of ByteDance is owned by US investors, TikTok Global says it is majority-owned by American investors.

    US President Trump has given tentative approval to a deal that will keep TikTok alive in the US, resolving months-long confrontation after months of battle over the risks it poses to the country.

    “I have given the deal my blessing,” Mr Trump said. “I approve the deal in concept.”

    TikTok, which has over 100 million active monthly users in the United States, is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance. For months, the Trump administration has been pushing TikTok to sever its ties to ByteDance.

    Officials in the White House and some Democrats in Washington fear China’s authoritarian regime could access Americans’ data through the app and use the information to blackmail or launch disinformation campaigns.

    Under the new arrangement, Oracle will host all of TikTok’s U.S. user data and will safeguard the TikTok’s computer systems so as to ensure the country’s national security requirements are fully satisfied.

    Analysts say Oracle’s cloud computing business will receive a major boost as a result of the deal. Oracle has been lagging behind competitors, like Amazon, Microsoft and Google for the cloud storage business.

    Also, Walmart stands to benefit from the deal by tapping into a vast consumer base of mostly young people who use the app.

    Besides being a major investor in the new TikTok company, Walmart said it will bring its e-commerce retail capabilities to the app, which could allow TikTok users to shop on Walmart online store through TikTok.

  • U.S. agrees to review ban on Nigerian migrants

    U.S. agrees to review ban on Nigerian migrants

    The U.S. government says it is reevaluating its ban on some categories of Migrant Visas for Nigerians having been satisfied with the country’s level of compliance with information sharing and other concerns.

    Amb. Mustapha Sulaiman, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the end of the inaugural meeting of the U.S./Nigeria Forum in Abuja on Wednesday.

    According to Sulaiman, the forum will serve as a platform where both countries can progressively improve on bilateral relations and address concerns for the benefit of citizens.

    The permanent secretary said that the U.S. was reviewing the ban on Nigeria because it had met almost 90 per cent of the requirements set by the U.S. government.

    According to him, the U.S. placed a ban on some categories of migrant visas in January because the requirements set by the U.S. were far from being met.

    “We have accomplished so much within a very difficult year, but essentially we want to acknowledge the recognition and put on record Nigeria’s response to the concerns by the United States government in respect of the immigrant visa restriction that was imposed on Nigerians.

    “I want to say that we appreciate the acknowledgement and the commendations from the United States government in respect of this response.

    “From the assessment of the recipient of our response, I think we have accomplished almost 90 per cent of the requirements that have been set in that regard.

    “And I am sure that if you follow the information that has been passed on the level of compliance, for instance sharing of information, we have done so much in that regard.

    “That is why I believe the U.S. government is having the comfort to even reevaluate. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been candidates for reevaluation.

    “If we have to rate ourselves, from what has been done so far, we should be about 90 per cent compliant.

    “The consular forum was agreed on earlier in the year during the Bi- National Commission of the United States and Nigeria which was held in Washington January, February and that agreement is what is coming to push now.

    “We have just had the maiden consular forum meeting today and I want to put it on record that it has been a very successful meeting with various issues that were discussed,” Sulaiman said.

    Sulaiman commended all stakeholders that workéd hard to ensure that Nigeria made appreciable progress to earn the commendations from especially the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the U.S Embassy in Nigeria.

    Also speaking, U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard commended Nigeria on the progress made in information sharing and other concerns raised by the U.S. government, which led to the ban.

    Leonard explained that the Presidential Proclamation enjoins the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State to prepare a report addressing the measures that have been taken which is then submitted to the White House for reevaluation.

    She said that contrary to reports, the ban Presidential Proclamation did not mean that no Nigerian could ever enter into the U.S .

    She said fortunately the bi-national commission meeting was held at about the same time of the proclamation which allowed Nigeria’s Foreign Minister and the U.S Secretary of State to make public statements on what it entailed.

    “I have to congratulate Nigeria on its progress on greater information sharing with the United States.

    “We have reviewed the Federal Government’s report on information sharing and we are inspired by the strides that Nigeria has made to improve access to stolen and lost travel documents.

    “And I am particularly encouraged by the Sept. 7 announcement that the U.S provided interpol router is successfully connected to Nigeria’s Immigration Service and National center bureau in Abuja.

    “Washington is extremely pleased about that development in particular,” Leonard said.

    On the imposition of visa restriction to those who undermine electoral process, Leonard said the U.S “takes it very seriously”.

    She said anyone found guilty would be subjected to the sanctions.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that President Donald Trump had on on Jan. 31 expanded his administration’s curbs on immigration visas to Nigeria and six other countries for failing to meet U.S Security and information sharing standards.

  • Messi ban now over – AFA president

    Messi ban now over – AFA president

    Lionel Messi can play in Argentina’s opening 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier next month, Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), said on Thursday.

    Tapia said this was because the statute of limitations (barring him from playing) has run out on the ban he was given during last year’s Copa America

    Messi was banned for one game after being sent off in the Copa America third-place playoff against Chile and for levelling accusations of “corruption” at South American football chiefs.

    Messi had been expected to serve the ban by missing Argentina’s qualifier against Ecuador, which is scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires on Oct. 8.

    However, Tapia said he had consulted with South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) President Alejandro Dominguez.

    “…. he confirmed the statute of limitations had expired and that he (Messi) is able to play,” Tapia was quoted as saying by AFA on twitter.

    The FC Barcelona forward was shown the red card after clashing with Gary Medel.

    Afterwards, he alleged the tournament had been fixed in favour of hosts Brazil, who beat Argentina in a controversial semi-final on their way to claiming the title.

    Argentina, who last won the World Cup in 1986, kick off their qualifying campaign with a double-header at home to Ecuador and away to Bolivia.

  • Kaduna bans tricycles from city roads

    Kaduna bans tricycles from city roads

    The Kaduna State Government has banned tricycle operators from plying major roads within the metropolis, in line with the ongoing transport sector reform.

    Hajiya Aisha Sa’idu-Bala, Director-General, Kaduna State Transport Regulatory Authority (KADSTRA), announced the ban in a statement in Kaduna.

    She said all tricycles, “Keke”, are banned from the Kawo-Ali Akilu- Ahmadu Bello-Command Junction routes with effect from Aug. 31.

    She said the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency (KASTLEA) would ensure strict compliance to the new Keke regulations.

    Sa’du-Bala said the State Government has developed new regulations for commercial transport operators in the state.

    She said that a Route and Tricycle Licensing System was being introduced to allow buses and tricycles to operate in designated areas of the metropolis.

    “This is amied at regulating and improving transport operations for increased safety, decongestion of traffic and bringing order in transport operations for passengers and operators alike,” she said.

    The director-general said that KADSTRA began registration of Keke operations in July and would end in September.

    She advised all commercial transport operators to ensure they are duly registered to operate.

    However, a crossection of commercial tricycle operators noted with concern the ban.

    Some of the operators told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that the regulation would further truncate their sources of livelihood,

    Mallam Danjuma Isa, a commercial Keke operator, said although, he resides at Unguwar Dosa, he operates mainly on the Barnawa-Kasuwa axis and Ahmadu Bello way.

    “But with this development, operators will be restricted to their neighborhood meaning, those who reside at Kaduna North can only operate there and same with those who leave at the Southern part of the city.

    Also, Simon Dauda, a commercial Keke operator, said the development would grossly affect his income, adding, “as a father of four, this is my only source of income that caters for my family.”

    Dauda said the development would also compound traffic flow as parts of the metropolis would be overcrowded with vehicular movement since Keke operators can no longer ply the major roads.

    He said the Government should reconsider its decision bearing in mind the imminent implications.

  • Poland re-introduces ban on flights from US, France, Spain, 43 other countries

    Poland re-introduces ban on flights from US, France, Spain, 43 other countries

    Poland will ban flights from 46 countries, including France and Spain, as of Sept. 2, according to a draft regulation published on Thursday.

    The ban is coming as the country grapples with a spike in coronavirus infections.

    The move follows targeted measures to reintroduce restrictions on public life in the worst affected parts of the country, as the government tries to tackle the spread of the virus without resorting to a complete lockdown.

    “Due to the threat of spreading SARS CoV-2 virus infections, it is necessary to exercise the right to introduce air traffic bans… in order to minimise the threat to public health,’’ the regulation said.

    Poland closed its borders and suspended flights in March to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

    However, it progressively loosened restrictions on public life, with shopping centres, hotels and restaurants all reopening in May.

    Polish national airline, ‘PLL LOT’ resumed international flights on July 1, almost four months after suspending them.

    Other countries affected by the ban are popular tourist destinations like Montenegro and Croatia as well as Romania, the U.S., Israel, Mexico and Brazil.

    Poland has reported 64,689 cases of the novel coronavirus and 2,010 deaths.

  • Ban BBNaija now!-Cleric urges FG

    Ban BBNaija now!-Cleric urges FG

    Ven. Ifeanyi Akunna, Vicar of Anglican Church of the Epiphany, Abuja has called on the Federal Government to ban Big Brother Nigeria (BBNaija) reality show and other similar programmes in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that BBNaija is a reality show in which contestants live in an isolated house for a period of time and compete for a large cash prize.

    Akunna made the call in message entitled: ‘A House Built on Faulty Foundation’ made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that such programmes promote immorality and erode the moral foundations upon which Nigerian youths should build on.

    The cleric also tasked the government on restoring moral values and the dignity of education in Nigeria.

    Akunna added that the addiction of Nigerians to reality shows like ‘Big BBNaija does not add to their moral value.

    Akunna emphasised that the plan and work of Satan was to constantly pollute the hearts and minds of viewers of the programme with nudity and porn concept to divert them from the ways of God.

    “All who watch the reality programme should desist from it and ask God for forgiveness as it does not promote a healthy relationship with God, neither does it promote healthy marital values.

    “These things contribute to the faulty foundations upon which people build their lives and future.

    “Any foundation that is not built on Jesus Christ must surely collapse — as only Jesus is the sure anchor of our lives and souls,” he said.

    He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to scrap the programme and censor programmes that do not teach moral values.

    “Our relevant broadcast authorities should work to ensure that any content that does not promote moral values in the Nigerian society should not be broadcast,“ he said.

    Akunna regretted that the media and the entertainment industry in Nigeria had paid no attention to the damaging effects of their contents.

  • International flight: Nigeria vows to retaliate EU, other countries’ ban

    International flight: Nigeria vows to retaliate EU, other countries’ ban

    Ahead of the August 29 restart of international flights, the Federal Government has pegged the number of inbound passengers at 1280, Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika said at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 Control briefing on Thursday.

    According to the PTF, the 1280 passengers are those that will be allowed to fly into two airports authorised to operate international flights for now – the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja.

    The Task Force also said it will ban countries that have banned Nigeria and its residence from flying into it.

    It, however, disclosed that a decision has not been taken on the amount to be paid by international passengers for COVID-19 test upon arrival.

    Sirika, who was represented by the Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Musa Nuhu, said: “Since the announcement of the resumption of international flight from 29th August was made, we have ramped up preparations. We have been preparing and we are almost there, a few logistics to be resolved within the next few days.

    “We are going to start partially with Lagos and Abuja airports and we are going to restrict the number of passengers coming in initially to about 1280 both to Lagos and Abuja airport while other logistics are being put in place before we ramp the number of passengers that will be allowed to come in.

    “So, we are working on the logistics and the process on how to determine which flights will be allowed to come and that should be done by tomorrow and hopefully, by Monday we will get everything in place.”

    On the ban placed on Nigerians from flying into certain countries, the minister said: “There are certain countries that have placed a ban on Nigeria and its residents from going to their countries; in this process, we are going to determine who and who will be allowed to fly into Nigeria and the principle of reciprocity will be applied.

    “The conditions you give Nigerians who travel to your country will be applied. If you ban us from coming to your country, the same will apply the other way.

    “We are working on the comprehensive list but the list that is out is when the European Union (EU) opened their borders effective July 1, Nigeria was one of the 54 countries that were not allowed to enter EU.

    “By my understanding, they said as the situation changes, they will look at it and change it but so far, we don’t have any contrary information to that first list where Nigeria is banned and not allowed entry into the EU but we are also looking at other countries and as we open our airspace, we are going to apply the issue of reciprocity to those countries.”

    On efforts made to ensure smooth operation when flight resumes, he said: “We had a meeting with foreign airlines yesterday via zoom and we gave them our requirements on the resumption of flights and for those who will ultimately be allowed to resume flight operations to Nigeria and so far, we have gotten a positive response from quite a number of them in meeting our requirements.

    “So, we are almost finished discussing with the health authorities on the protocols for people coming in on the test of COVID-19 and hopefully by the close of work tomorrow, everything will be ready and the information will be officially given to all the airlines on the requirements for people to come into Nigeria.”

    The minister spoke on what will happen to flight crew members on arrival, whether they will be quarantined or not.

    He said: “The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) does not recommend quarantine of crew. What we have in place is that the crew goes to the hotel, they stay in their hotel rooms and they isolate from mixing and whenever they are ready, they go to the airports and they jump into the plane and go.

    “Most of the crew stay in Nigeria for just a day and some airlines and countries demand that the crew have a COVID test before they fly and they are also required to provide their health information.”

    On the amount to be paid for the COVID-19 test after eight days on arrival by international passengers, the National Coordinator, Dr. Sani Aliyu said: “We are still working on the platforms and as soon as that is available, it will probably be a competitive process and hopefully, that will reduce the cost for passengers.”

  • BREAKING: FG lifts ban on airline that flew Naira Marley to Abuja

    BREAKING: FG lifts ban on airline that flew Naira Marley to Abuja

    The Federal Government has lifted the ban placed on a private airline, Executive Jet Services, which flew musician, Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley, to Abuja to attend a concert mid-June.

    The airline had acted in contravention of the restriction on interstate movement and closure of airports in existence at the time.

    The airline had been suspended but giving an update on Monday during a Presidential Task Force briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the ban has been lifted.

    On Monday, June 15, 2020, Sirika suspended Executive Jets for lying about its operations and for violating the ban that has shut Nigeria’s airspace since March, in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

    Marley’s concert in Abuja on Saturday, June 13, sparked outrage on social media platforms for its violation of social and physical distancing protocols.

    It was also staged at a time when interstate travel by land and air is still prohibited by federal and state governments.

  • Man City back to Champions League after ban lifted

    Man City back to Champions League after ban lifted

    Manchester City’s two-year ban from European football has been overturned by the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS), the Lausanne based court said on Monday.

    The decision means Pep Guardiola’s team will compete in next season’s Champions League.

    CAS ruled that City did not breach Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules by disguising equity funding as sponsorship.

    The court also reduced a fine for failing to cooperate with UEFA to 10 million euros (£8.93 million) from 30 million euros.

    “Most of the alleged breaches reported by the (UEFA) Adjudicatory Chamber of the CFCB were either not established or time-barred,” CAS said in a statement.

    UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, had ruled in February that City had committed serious FFP breaches and failed to cooperate with its investigation.

    Missing out on the Champions League would have cost City, who have denied wrongdoing, as much as 100 million pounds in prize money and broadcast revenue, as well as matchday and other revenues.

    The FFP regulations are designed to stop clubs running up big losses through spending on players.

    They also ensure sponsorship deals are based on their real market value and are genuine commercial agreements — and not ways for owners to pump cash into a club to get around the rules.