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Administrator 24 Jan 2022 : 16:24
verge Environment
Jeff Bezos' Earth Fund commits another $443 million to climate justice and conservation
On Monday, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced his Earth Fund's latest round of grants: $443 million to be spent primarily on land conservation and restoration and efforts to reduce environmental burdens on marginalized communities.
This year, the fund has pledged more than $3 billion for similar initiatives. In 2020, Bezos promised to funnel $10 billion — about 5 percent of his current net worth — toward tackling climate change this decade.
One of the biggest naming rights deals in history
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Tech companies are interested in diabetes tech
Facial recognition taken to court in India's surveillance hotspot
Toshiba halts operations at chip plant after quake
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Home / Unlabelled / ALHAJI OLADIRAN ASHAOLU: Obokun ES Advocates Participatory Community Development
ALHAJI OLADIRAN ASHAOLU: Obokun ES Advocates Participatory Community Development
The Executive Secretary, Obokun Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun, Alhaji Asaolu Oladiran has reiterated the importance of Community Development Associations (CDAs) towards guaranteeing development at the grassroot, saying the complementary roles being played by the various CDAs go a long way to fastrack the desired development.
At a gathering with members of CDAs in the council area, Oladiran eulogised members to continue embarking on viable self-help projects and continue playing their complementary role rather than relying on government for everything.
Stressing the importance of community development council in a community, he said "without community development, national development becomes a mirage".
He added that the complementary role played by the various community development associations go a long way to uplift the states of Nigeria as a nation, imploring members of the CDAs to continue cooperating with the government both at the state and local level.
The Executive Secretary later enumerated some of the achievements of his administration in the last six months among which are; construction of five boreholes, one each at the five wards in the council; procurements and distribution of thousand of cocoa seedlings to farmers; procurements and distribution of drugs to all the health facilities; construction of 20 unit market stalls at Ile Ayo, Olorunsogo; distribution of gift to all royal fathers and community leaders during festivals; and commitment to staff welfare.
At the occasion were members of the management committee: Mr. Kolawole Sunday Oluwole, Mr. Owoeye Ebenezer, Mr. Ogunwuyi Babatunde, Mr. Olajide Agbaje; Council Manager, Mr. Isaac Olayinka, heads of departments, amongst others.
(OsunDefender Online News)
Contact +2347035105413 or [email protected]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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The Seeds of Success
We may never know the full details of Wednesday's successful mission in Colombia that freed 15 hostages, including three American military contractors and former presidential candidate Ingrid Bentacourt.
And that's just as well. With Colombia's FARC terrorists now on the run, there's no point in divulging operational details that might jeopardize future missions. Suffice it to say that yesterday's rescue effort was a turning point in the 40-year war between the FARC and the Colombian government. Less than a decade ago, the marxist-inflenced guerillas seemed to be on the verge of winning; now, after a series of stunning setbacks, the FARC appears headed for defeat.
Colombia's remarkable transition is the result of two, interrelated events. The first is Plan Colombia, the U.S. assistance package aimed at reforming Colombia's military and curbing the narco and terrorist violence that once gripped that country. Despite objections from some Congressional Democrats, the plan was implemented in 2000, with the promise of billions in U.S. military aid that began flowing to Bogata.
The second critical event was the 2002 election of Alvaro Uribe as Colombia's president. Uribe's predecessor tried to make a deal with the FARC--granting the terrorists large swaths of territory. It was a fool's errand; the emboldened terrorists simply stepped up their attacks, overruning several Colombian military bases in or near FARC strongholds.
In fact, the situation was so grim that on Uribe's inaguration day six years ago, the terrorists were surrounding Bogata and Colombia's army had been largely reduced to a garrison force, incapable of sustained operations in FARC territory. Making good on Uribe's promise to take the fight to the enemy would require a massive overhaul of the nation's military.
Under the tutlege of American trainers--mostly Army Green Berets--the Colombians began weeding out corrupt or incompetent officers, while elevating and training a new generation of military leaders. A Green Beret Major, who was interviewed by the Los Angeles Times earlier this year, describe the creation of elite, 28-man commando teams, organized and equipped to carry out long, intelligence-gathering missions in terrorist regions, or lighting strikes against insurgent targets. One of those units carried out during Wednesday's daring rescue mission.
It has been a remarkable transformation. Not too many years ago, a U.S. diplomat in Bogota referred to the Colombian military as the "Apple Dumpling Gang," in reference to a
Disney movie about a gang of bumbling criminals. Compare that to the highly-trained Colombian commando unit that organized and executed the rescue mission.
Much of the credit belongs to President Uribe and his military, who accepted (and institutionalized) U.S. advice and support. As that Army Major told the LAT, it took the Colombians a while to "buy in" on the idea of using highly-trained, small units to take on the FARC, instead of the large, heavily-armed formations of years past.
Toward that goal, the Colombian Army now has significant numbers of elite troops, with skills roughly equal to U.S. soliders who've completed the first phase of Ranger training. That doesn't put them on a par with U.S. Special Forces or the British SAS, but by rest-of-the-world standards, the Colombians are high speed--and getting better by the day.
The rapid improvement of Colombia's military is also a testament to the American training teams that have worked diligently over the past eight years. Readers will recall that Plan Colombia has long been controversial, and a frequent target for criticism by Congressional Democrats. But to their credit, politicians of both parties stuck with the plan, and it paid off in the Colombian jungle on Wednesday.
In spades.
ADDENDUM: Various U.S. officials indicate that our role in the operation was limited to planning and intelligence support. But don't underestimate the importance of that assistance. In fact, there's a parallel from the early 1980s, which also resulted in the successful release of an American hostage. Brigadier General James Dozier was taken captive by Italy's Red Brigades terrorist organization, which staged a number of high-profile kidnappings and executions, including that of former Prime Minister Aldo Moro.
After Dozier's capture, Italian authorities had difficulty in locating the kidnappers and welcomed U.S. assistance. A team from the National Security Agency penetrated Red Brigade communications; that information, along with HUMINT developed by the Italians, led to a daring raid that secure General Dozier's release.
The rescue essentially broke the back of the terrorist group, and the Italians quickly rolled up the remaining cells. Within a decade, the Red Brigades had all-but-disappeared. One of the group's final attacks occured at Aviano AB in 1993. A gunman claiming allegiance to the group tried to spray a U.S. military dormitory with automatic weapons fire; he was quickly captured by Italian police when his getaway driver sped away--before the mission was complete.
Labels: Colombia rescue mission, U.S. hostages
I hope the details of this mission do come out. It sounds like a fascinating, detailed, creative plan that worked beautifully.
Nancy Reyes said...
they're doing the same thing here in the Philippines....and slowly winning...
Like a lot of Bush's anti terrorism, it seems to be below the radar...
But the left in the US concentrates on "political killings"...so they will get the headlines...but a lot of these killings are lawlessness between crooked politicians (e.g. the bomb that killed a Muslim congressman was placed by his rival...and here I lost a relative in the crossfire when someone paid NPA hitmen to get rid of his rival).
I think God and the good guys no matter who sucessfully conducted the raid. But Bettencourt also thank the Iraelis for their part in the resue. No way to deminish Columbian and US covert operations. But this does sounds right down an Israeli operation; REf; Raid on Entebbe. I just haven't heard anything in the news.
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Build the statue: 10 moments that make Divock Origi a Liverpool hero
"I'll take my grandkids to visit the Divock Origi statue one day," is not a statement you'd ordinarily expect to read about a striker that's scored 39 goals in 166 appearances for Liverpool.
Yet that's how Andy Robertson reacted to Origi's latest match-winner, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a Liverpool fan that disagrees with the sentiment.
After all, the Belgium international is clearly a hugely popular figure within the Liverpool dressing room, and an important cog in the side built by Jurgen Klopp, undoubtedly their best of the modern era.
With an uncanny knack of saving his best moments for when Liverpool really need him, he's secured cult hero status at Anfield for life. Here are 10 of his greatest moments.
Starting as he meant to go on, Origi scored his first goal for Liverpool with a 96th-minute equaliser at home to West Brom.
This was still in the early days of Jurgen Klopp's reign, when the club wasn't anything like the force it was today.
The recently appointed manager was roundly mocked for taking his players to applaud the fans after drawing 2-2 with Tony Pulis' Baggies, but it helped build an affinity with the Anfield faithful that's undeniable today.
Origi scored in five successive games for Liverpool in November and December 2016, starting with a Fernando Torres-esque peach of a strike to break the deadlock against Sunderland.
"I always believed in him, in his quality and ability to score important goals!" tweeted fan account @The_Red_Post at the time. Little did they know what was to come.
Divock Origi's goal against Sunderland!
What a strike!
I always believed in him, in his quality and ability to score an important goals!#LFC pic.twitter.com/40a9G9jGVh
— The Red Post (@The_Red_Post) November 27, 2016
One of the weirdest goals ever scored, and to win it in the very last second of a derby. Of all the players to be in the right place at the right time after Jordan Pickford made a hash of it, with the ball bouncing off the crossbar and back into the six-yard box, it had to be Origi.
It remains his own personal favourite goal. For a player that's scored two of the most celebrated goals in Liverpool's long and storied European Cup history, that's quite something.
"Definitely the Everton one. It's the goal they speak about most in the city. It's amazing. I love it. It shows the heart of the supporters. It's Liverpool, you know," the Belgian responded when asked to pick one out.
📅 #OnThisDay in 2018, Divock Origi secured another win over Everton in unforgettable fashion…
Absolute scenes 🤯pic.twitter.com/JYWlI1jmV8
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) December 2, 2021
Everton (again)
Origi has scored five goals against Everton, more than any other club. They must be sick to the back teeth of him in the blue half of Merseyside, which only heightens his cult hero status for the Reds.
His fourth and fifth goals came in a particularly sweet 5-2 victory at home to Everton in April 2019. He led the line brilliantly for Klopp's side that day, scoring Liverpool's third (and his second) after just half an hour after doing superbly to take down Dejan Lovren's pass from deep.
We were approaching the final stretch of the most relentless title race English football has ever seen when Rafael Benitez's Newcastle looked set to deal Liverpool a bitter blow.
Salah had been substituted off with a head injury, and twice the Magpies pegged Liverpool back. The scores were tied at the 86th minute when Origi leapt to nod home, sending Klopp's men temporarily back top of the table ahead of City.
Guardiola's men held their nerve to leapfrog them, needing 98 points to lift the Premier League trophy, but Liverpool's brilliant Belgian kept them believing.
Three days later, he did something even better.
Roses are red, Liverpool had three, corner taken quickly…
📆 #OnThisDay May 7, 2019
"Corner taken quickly…
ORIGI!"
🔥🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/HynK0oex1v
— GOAL (@goal) May 7, 2020
After the madness against Barcelona in the semi-final, Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Tottenham in the Champions League final was almost anticlimactically straightforward and professional.
Klopp's men looked in control from the moment Mohamed Salah converted an early penalty. But there was always going to be tension as Liverpool approached the closing stages with a narrow one-goal margin.
That all broke in the 87th minute when Origi perfectly placed a shot in the bottom corner. The moment that sealed the deal. Let's talk about six, baby.
Origi against Tottenham? No problem whatsoever pic.twitter.com/pdWJob390F
— Leo (@lfcIeo) October 27, 2019
It was only the fourth round of the League Cup, with Arsenal and Liverpool fielding two heavily-rotated XIs at Anfield, which perhaps explains how and why the match turned out to be a bonkers ten-goal thriller.
A 5-5 draw, subsequently won on penalties by Liverpool after a 94th-minute equaliser, is the kind of match a 10-year-old football obsessive would dream up.
Of course, it was Origi with the goal. Do you even need to ask?
Alright, the second goal in a routine League Cup win at Preston is hardly destined to live long in the memory – especially in comparison to some of the other stages he's lit up – but the nonchalance behind it was pure Origi.
READ: Liverpool's Divock Origi, a brilliant backheel & pure nonchalant beauty
It's deep into injury-time at Molineux. The game remains goalless. Chelsea lost in the early kick-off and it looks as though Liverpool have missed their chance to move top.
Wolves have defended diligently and it looks as though Klopp's men will pay the price for a shocking Diogo Jota miss.
The clock reads 93:35 when Virgil van Dijk plays out a brilliant pass out to Mohamed Salah out on the right. The Egyptian takes a perfect touch to burst past the covering defender, before darting into the box and cutting it to Origi. You know the rest.
𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲. 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆.
It's time to enjoy that 94th minute winner from Divock all over again, Reds! 😍 pic.twitter.com/c00VEwq3hZ
"He doesn't need a lot of run-up, he doesn't need a lot of time to get into a game, especially not in this game today. It was his game, he could be Divock Origi 100%. In and around the box, use your body, use your technique, finish the situations off," Klopp said after the game.
Can't argue with that.
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Divock Origi Liverpool


A wedding day is one of the most important days of anyone's life. It is essential that this special day is made as memorable as possible. At Q Gardens we have a team dedicated to make every aspect of your day perfect. We have flexible accommodation to suit your precise requirements and menus to suit every palate and pocket. The special couple can even have their own bar and bar staff for themselves and their guests. We are here to create a wedding package that exactly suits your requirements.
Weddings at Q Gardens The Venue are about you, your partner and creating the perfect day. We know that it's the little details that make all the difference, so from your drinks reception to the personalised table decorations, our staff will make sure your day is truly unforgettable.
To make sure your day is just the way you want it, we offer different packages for you to choose from.
Package includes 36 day guests & 80 evening guests, table linen, chair covers & DJ.
Package includes 36 day guests & 80 evening guests, arrival drink, table linen, chair covers & sachets, candy cart or chocolate fountain, post box & DJ.
Package includes 36 day guests & 80 evening guests, table linen, chair covers & sachets, candy cart or chocolate fountain, canapés, arrival drink, prosecco toast drink, centre pieces, post box & DJ.


but what ones that try to kill you?
Imaginary killers? Sounds like a fun book. I will have to look it up.
Ooh, interesting! Haven't heard of this one. Great pick!
Yes, I found this one by trolling through another blog. It caught my attention immediately. Imagine friends that want to kill you? Wow.


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Nepal to construct 29 storey building, tallest in country
Likewise, State Minister for Local Development and Federal Affairs, Kunti Kumari Shahi, urged the bodies concerned to abide by building code and criteria.
KATHMANDU: Nepal on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for a 29-storey building in the capital city which will be the tallest structure in the country after construction.
The Rs 7-billion Kathmandu View Tower will emerge at the Old Bus Park here and is expected to complete in three years.
Nepal, which was hit by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake in April killing nearly 9,000 people, lost thousands of buildings and historical monuments including the tallest 215-feet Dharahara built 200 years ago by Nepal's first Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa.
Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun laid the foundation stone for constructing the Tower, is a public-private partnership (PPP) venture being constructed by the Kathmandu Metropolitan Corporation and Jaleshwor Swachchhanda Bkoi Builders.
Pun said at the function: "Constructing different-purpose buildings like residence, business buildings, among others, in order to manage the increasing population of Kathmandu Valley has become a big challenge."
Multi-purpose building could be an alternative to this, he added.
On the occasion, the Vice President expressed hope that the government would take initiative to settle the problem seen in course of the Constitution-writing through political and diplomatic means.
Chairman of the construction company, Manoj Kumar Bhetwal, said the tower would be a modern building that will blend international standard and Nepal's traditional craft.
After completion, this would be the tallest structure in Nepal.
Kathmandu View Tower