Category: Foreign

The coronavirus continued its assault on Italy, the hardest hit country outside of China, with officials yesterday reporting the number of deaths rose to 1,809. It is a 25 per cent increase over the day before and the largest one-day uptick yet of any country.

The 368 deaths Italy reported exceeds the highest single-day number China reported at the height of its outbreak. China’s highest daily toll was on Feb. 13, when the country reported 254 new deaths, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The staggering caseload in Italy topped 24,700, even as the entire country has been locked down for a week. The Vatican said yesterday that its traditional services during the week before Easter, which usually draw tens of thousands of people, would not be open to the public next month, interrupting a historic tradition.

Germany will close its borders with Austria, Denmark, France, Luxembourg and Switzerland in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the country’s interior minister said, following several other European Union member states in restricting the freedom of movement across the continent.

France and Spain have joined Italy in imposing lockdowns on tens of millions of people as Australia ordered self-isolation for arriving foreigners.

Other countries extended entry bans as the world sought to contain the spreading coronavirus.

Panic buying in Australia, the United States and Britain saw leaders appeal for calm over the virus that has infected over 156,000 people globally and killed more than 5,800.

Several countries imposed bans on mass gathering, shuttered sporting, cultural and religious events, while medical experts urged people to practice “social distancing” to curb the spread.

Austria’s chancellor urged people to self-isolate and announced bans on gatherings of more than five people and further limits on who can enter the country.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said from midnight Yesterday international travelers arriving in the country would need to isolate themselves for 14 days, and foreign cruise ships would be banned for 30 days, given a rise in imported cases.

Australia’s latest restrictions mirror those announced by neighboring New Zealand on Saturday.

Travel restrictions and bans, and a plunge in global air travel, saw further airline cutbacks, with American Airlines Inc planning to cut 75% of international flights through May 6 and ground nearly all its widebody fleet.

China tightened checks on international travelers arriving at Beijing airport yesterday, after the number of imported new coronavirus infections surpassed locally transmitted cases for a second day in a row.

Anyone arriving to Beijing from abroad will be transferred directly to a central quarantine facility for 14 days for observation starting March 16, a city government official said.

China, where the epidemic began in December, appears to now face a greater threat of new infections from outside its borders as it continues to slow the spread of the virus domestically.

China has reported 80,984 cases and 3,203 deaths. The country imposed draconian containment policies from January, locking down several major cities.

Spain put its 47 million inhabitants under partial lockdown on Saturday as part of a 15-day state of emergency to combat the epidemic in Europe’s second worst-affected country after Italy.

Streets in Madrid and Barcelona were deserted yesterday. All major newspapers carried a front-page wrapper emblazoned with a government-promoted slogan: “Together we’ll stop this virus.”

Spain has had 193 deaths from the virus and 6,250 cases so far, public broadcaster TVE said yesterday.

France will shut shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities from Yesterday with its 67 million people were told to stay home after confirmed infections doubled in 72 hours.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said the government had no other option after the public health authority said 91 people had died in France and almost 4,500 were now infected.

“We must absolutely limit our movements,” he said.

However, French local elections went ahead.

Britain is preparing to ban mass gatherings and could isolate people aged over 70 for up to four months as part of plans to tackle coronavirus, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

Argentina banned entry to non-residents who have been to any country highly affected by coronavirus in the last 14 days, while Colombia said it would expel four Europeans for violating compulsory quarantine protocols, hours after closing its border with Venezuela.

Starting on Sunday, South Korea began to subject visitors from France, Germany, Britain, Spain and the Netherlands to stricter border checks, after imposing similar rules for China, Italy and Iran which have had major outbreaks.

Visitors from those countries now need to download an app to report whether they have symptoms. South Korea has been testing hundreds of thousands of people and tracking potential carriers using cell phone and satellite technology.

By Our Reporter

Saudi Arabia on Sunday announced the detention of hundreds of government officials, including military and security officers, on charges involving bribery and exploiting public office, and said investigators would bring charges against them.

Scores of the kingdom’s economic and political elite were detained in 2017 at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton hotel in a corruption crackdown that unsettled some foreign investors.

The royal court said last year it was winding down that campaign after 15 months, but the authorities later said they would start going after graft by ordinary government employees.

An anti-corruption body known as Nazaha tweeted yesterday that it had arrested and would indict 298 people on crimes such as bribery, embezzlement, and abuse of power involving a total of 379 million riyals ($101 million).

Among those implicated are eight defence ministry officers suspected of bribery and money laundering in relation to government contracts during the years 2005-2015, and 29 interior ministry officials in the Eastern Province, including three colonels, a major general and a brigadier-general.

Two judges were also detained for receiving bribes, along with nine officials accused of corruption at Riyadh’s AlMaarefa University which resulted in severe damage to a building and caused deaths and injuries, Nazaha said.The agency provided no names and few other details about the cases.

Brazil

Brazil, the largest country in both South and Latin America, ranking fifth in the world’s largest countries with 8.5 million square kilometers, is one of the most visited countries visited by tourist.

Brazil is one of the best countries to visit in South America, with over 50 tourist destinations. The most visited places are in South and Latin America, like, Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana, Corcovado, and more.

Before you apply for a Brazilian visa, you will need to ensure that you have a valid passport which allows you to apply for any visa.

To be granted a Brazilian visa, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of your return, and always apply for your visa at least eight weeks ahead of your intended flight.

You can apply for Tourist, Business, Transit, Student, Working

Requirements

A completed Brazil online application form for Nigerian citizens.

An application fee (non-refundable)

Proof of flight reservation

Your original passport, with a validity of at least six months from your intended date of return.

Two passport photos (should not have any staples in it) (5 x 6cm), on a white background.

Travel itinerary:  schedule of what your day-to-day plans in the country will be.

Six months bank statements: this shows that you will have sufficient funds for the time that you’re in Brasil.

A letter from your employer that states how much you earn on a monthly base.

Proof of accommodation: hotel reservations (booking papers to say where you’ll be staying, and for how long) or if staying with friends, a letter of invitation stating so.

Proof of health insurance.

Vaccination card.

Proof of payment for visa application, as well as visa processing fee.

THE Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on Sunday said Nigeria is set to host the maiden edition of the Afrika Business and Investment Forum (AFRIBIF) 2020.

According to a statement by Mrs. Olukemi Arodudu, the Director, Investment Promotion of the ministry, the forum will commence from March 23 to 27, at Nicon Luxury in Abuja.

It said the forum, themed: “Reshaping business and investment to meet demands of trade and fourth industrial revolution”, is organised by the ministry in collaboration with CB Network Global Concept.

“AFRIBIF will improve economic, political and social atmosphere in the continent through sharing of business ideas and networking between investors, to create right environment for Africa to leapfrog into fourth industrial revolution.

“It will provide platform to address challenges militating against every aspect of African economies and proffer solutions to exchange controls and taxation issues to bring about benefits in African markets.

“The forum will promote increase direct investment for African countries and enhance research development by both public and private entities.

“Furthermore, explore innovations in the formal and informal sectors, clarify roles of policy in trade and investment issues, and promote accelerated development in all sectors of the African economy,” the statement read in part.

It said foreign and local investors, diplomats, high ranking government officials, the academia are expected to attend the forum.

It added that feature panel discussions, experience sharing, paper presentations and exhibitions would also feature at the forum.

It, however, urged Nigerians to log on www.afribif.com to duly register and participate at the forum.

Our Reporter

Opposition leader Benny Gantz will be asked to form a new government, Israel’s president yesterday, boosting his chances of ousting veteran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

It was a blow to Netanyahu, who is fighting for his political life amid unprecedented political deadlock and a criminal indictment for corruption, which he denies.

But it remains unclear whether Gantz’s centrist Blue and White Party can break a stalemate that has been marked by three inconclusive elections in less than a year.

Netanyahu, 70, is Israel’s longest-serving leader and has been heading the country’s efforts to combat the coronavirus.

But last year, he twice tried unsuccessfully to put together a ruling coalition.

And yesterday, Gantz won support from two key parties, leading President Reuven Rivlin to say that he would get the first chance at forming a government after the latest election on March 2.

“Tomorrow, around midday, the president will assign the task of forming the government to head of (Blue and White party) Benny Gantz,” Rivlin’s office said in a statement.

Gantz won support on Sunday from two key parties in his bid to oust Israel’s longest-serving leader and form a new government.

Our Reporter

OYO State Governor Seyi Makinde, Nigerian foremost business magnate Dr. Adedeji Adeleke and former Anambra Governor Peter Obi have been conferred with “Outstanding Leadership Award 2020” in the United States (U.S.).

The award was also conferred on Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of Nigerians Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) by the Nigerian American Awards (NNA) at the awards night in Florida, U.S.).

The Chairman of NNA Dr Afolabi Andu, in a statement yesterday said the award was instituted by the Nigerian-American Business Forum (NABF), a group of accomplished and influential professionals based in the U.S.

“The award was instituted by NABF to recognise the contributions of Nigerians who are doing their best to change the narratives of the country.

“The forum was primarily established to bridge the gap between Nigerian-American-based businesses and their home-based counterparts in the public and private sectors.

“We commend the awardees for their excellent representation of the Nigerian Diasporas and contributions to Nigeria’s development,” he said.

He explained that award was conferred on Makinde for exemplary leadership and outstanding performance that brought about transforming governance landscape in his state.

Adeleke, Chairman of Pacific Holdings and proprietor of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun, was conferred with “Business Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 award” for outstanding business performance and exemplary entrepreneurial leadership in Nigeria.

Read Also: Tribune staff, 66 others make Makinde’s caretaker LCDA list

Obi bagged “Lifetime Achievement Award 2020” for outstanding entrepreneurship, exemplary leadership and visionary excellence” for the transformation of Anambra during his tenure as governor of the state.

Dabiri-Erewa was conferred with the “Visionary Leader of the Year 2020 award” for exemplary leadership and outstanding success recorded in handling affairs at NIDCOM.

Adeleke, who was represented by Mr. Alani Ogunlade, expressed appreciation to NABF and NAA for the gesture while commending the forum for attracting investments to Nigeria in spite of challenging investment environment.

Speaking, Obi commended the organisers for the award and urged Nigerians in Diaspora to always promote the interest of the country, saying the task of developing Nigeria was for all Nigerians.

Obi, who also received the award on behalf of Makinde, testified that the Oyo governor had been on right track in changing governance and the state’s development landscape.

Also speaking, Dabiri-Erewa expressed optimism that organised Diaspora group like NABF could assist in re-channeling the energy among them homewards, for the development of Nigeria.

She said Nigeria Diaspora remittances currently estimated at 26 billion dollars per annum, was second only to oil, as source of national revenue and most of the remittances were informal and uncategorised.

 By Our Reporter

UNITED States (U.S.) Federal agents have arraigned 24 individuals, including some Nigerians, for their involvement in a large-scale Atlanta, United States-based fraud and money laundering operation.

The scheme, according to a report by an online publication, The Will Nigeria, targetted American citizens, corporations and financial institutions throughout the U.S.

The defendants allegedly used business email compromise schemes, romance fraud scams, and retirement account scams, among other frauds, to dupe numerous victims into losing more than $30 million.

“Fraud schemes, like the ones perpetrated and facilitated by these defendants, inflict considerable losses on citizens, companies, and the financial system,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.

“Some of these schemes target the elderly and often deplete the victims’ entire life savings. These arrests affirm the Department of Justice’s commitment to prosecuting those who prey on our most vulnerable citizens.

“No one deserves to have their hard-earned money stolen from them, so identifying and arresting these defendants makes everyone in the community safer,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama.

“Foreign nationals arrested in this scheme will be placed into removal proceedings upon completion of their criminal sentence,” he said, making reference to the foreigners, including Nigerians, among the defendants.

Pak, in the indictment and other information presented in court, said: “The defendants served as money launderers for other individuals throughout the world, who conducted cyber-enabled fraud, including business email compromise schemes, romance scams and retirement account scams, targetted at companies and individuals across the U.S.

He added that the defendants and their co-conspirators laundered over $30 million in fraud proceeds. The defendants created multiple sham companies that did not have physical premises, earn legitimate income or pay wages to employees.

In turn, the defendants opened business bank accounts at multiple financial institutions to facilitate receipt of the fraudulent money.

The defendants also opened personal bank accounts to receive fraudulent funds, often using false identities and victims’ identities.

After funds were deposited into the defendants’ bank accounts, the money was quickly withdrawn from the accounts and circulated among the defendants.

The following individuals have been charged with money laundering conspiracy: Darius Sowah Okang, (a.k.a Michael J. Casey), Richard Resser  (a.k.a Thomas Vaden),  Michael Lawson (a.k.a Matthew Reddington); and Michael Little, 29, of Stone Mountain, Georgia; Dominique Raquel Golden (a.k.a Desire Tamakloe), Mellissa Moore (a.k.a Nicole Nolay ), Raquel Roberts, (a.k.a Maria Henderson), and Raquel Golden, 29, of Houston, Texas.

Others include Blessing Oluwatimilehin Ojo, (a.k.a “Timmy,” 34, of Nigeria); George Kodjo Edem Adatsi, 36, of Atlanta, Georgia; Desire Elorm Tamakloe, (a.k.a “Chubby”) 25, of Smyrna, Georgia); Solomon Agyapong (a.k.a “Gumpe) 31, of Marietta, Georgia; Afeez Olaide Adeniran, (a.k.a  “Ola,”) 31, of Atlanta, Georgia; Francesco Benjamin, (a.k.a  “B-More)” 30, of Atlanta, Georgia; Jonathan Kojo Agbemafle, (a.k.a  “Skinny”) 26, of Kansas City, Missouri; Joshua Roberts, (a.k.a “Onyx”) 28, of Houston, Texas; and Hamza Abdallah (a.k.a Reggie Lewis) 30, of McDonough, Georgia.

Also included are: Prince Sheriff Okai, 26, of Mableton, Georgia; Kelvin Prince Boateng, 24, of Atlanta, Georgia; Monique Wheeler, 29, of Atlanta, Georgia; Matthan Bolaji Ibidapo (a.k.a “B.J.”) 27, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Stephen Abbu Jenkins, (a.k.a “Face”) (a.k.a Steve Jenkins) 53, of Atlanta, Georgia; Kahlia Andrea Siddiqui, 28, of Chamblee, Georgia and Alexus Ciera Johnson, 26, of Mableton, Georgia.

Others mentioned in the court charges are: Abubakar Sadik Ibrahim, 26, of Mableton, Georgia; Emanuela Joe Joseph, 34, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Obinna Nwosu, 26, of Douglasville, Georgia; Ojebe Obewu Ojebe, 27, of Atlanta, Georgia; and Gregory Thomas Hudson, 38, of Powder Springs, Georgia.

In addition, two related cases charging additional defendants with various counts of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and conspiracies to commit these offenses are currently pending in federal court in Atlanta.

These defendants include: Benjamin Ibukunoluwa Oye, 26, of Sandy Springs, Georgia; Tyler Keon Roussell, 25, of Atlanta, Georgia; Christopher Akinwande Awonuga, 27, of Fayetteville, Georgia; Casey Broderick Williams, 26, of Covington, Georgia; Macario Lee Nelson (a.k.a “Mac) 24, of Atlanta, Georgia and Chadrick Jamal Rhodes, 28, of Atlanta, Georgia.

Also in the charges are: Chadwick Osbourne Stewart, 40, of Atlanta, Georgia; Oumar Bouyo Mbodj, 28, of Kennesaw, Georgia; Seth Appiah Kubi, 60, of Dacula, Georgia; Ahamefule Aso Odus, 27, of Atlanta, Georgia; Paul Chinonso Anyanwu, 27, of Hampton, Georgia; and Egale Veonzell Woods, Jr., 41, of East Point, Georgia.

Included are Chineda Obilom Nwakadu, 25, of McDonough, Georgia; Chukwukadibia Ikechukwu Nnadozie (a.k.a “Chuka,” a.k.a  Michael McCord) 27, of Fayetteville, Georgia; Uchechi Chidimma Odus, (a.k.a “Uche”) 23, of Atlanta, Georgia; John Ifeoluwa Onimole, 27, of Powder Springs, Georgia; and Oluwafunmilade Onamuti (a.k.a Mathew Kelvin) 26, of Duluth, Georgia.