NewsRoundUp 040523

NewsRoundUp at this time sets out with the shocking story from Egypt of a Mum allegedly hacking her 5-year-old son to death and then cooking and eating his head. According to the local Egyptian media report which also claims the suspect committed the crime with a machete and cooked and ate part of his head, her arrest has been effected after the boy's horrified uncle found body parts in buckets at the home in Abu Shalabi, Egypt. Officers were shocked when the suspect, Hanaa, confessed that she had eaten part of her son's head because she "wanted him to stay with her forever".

The 29-year-old reportedly killed the terrified boy with four blows to the head before butchering his body in the bathroom. Afterward, she allegedly cooked his head and other parts of his flesh in boiling water on the stove before eating them. Guess what, after her arrest, she claimed to the police in Faqous, Ash Sharqiyah Governorate, that she "suffers from a mental illness" and had not intended to kill her son. But then according to the report, Hanaa and the victim, Youssef, had been living alone after her separation from her husband, who insists that she knew exactly what she was doing.  

Furthermore, we are told that the ex-husband, H.A., informed local media that "When I arrived, the police prevented me from seeing my son because of the horrific scene." He explained further "We separated from each other four years ago because she had land from her father and asked me to leave the house and my family and go with her to live on the land. But I refused, and the relationship ended entirely by her will, and I tried to reconcile with her after the divorce, but she refused and stuck to her opinion. My son was the one who kept me connected to her, and I used to see him regularly and bring him clothes and things he needed. But recently, she was trying to keep him away from me and plant hatred towards me in his heart, so he wouldn't come to me. I was trying to communicate with her family to see my son and make sure he was okay."  According to his lawyer, Samir Mohamed Saleh, the suspect was stone-faced when she told her questioners "I wanted to free him and myself. I wanted to take revenge against his father and be free. His father keeps coming and trying to take him away all the time."  In a statement rolled out by The Public Prosecution Office, the suspect had been detained and that she may be of sound mind but it will be determined in a mental health assessment.

Up next, is the major activities of the 2023 May Day celebration which according to the Organised Labour is particularly, seeking a review of the retirement age for all public servants from 60 to 65 years and from 35 years to 40 years of service. During the celebration held at the Eagle Square, Abuja with the theme, ‘Workers’ Rights and Socioeconomic Justice’ the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, also demanded that an independent panel be set up to investigate the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu and his team over their conduct in the 2023 general elections. The body also demanded an investigation into the sending of N12bn by the Ministry of Aviation to buy ten fire trucks. According to Ajaero equity, fairness and justice underpin the survival of societies and create resilience for nations in the midst of upheavals and turbulence, noting that Nigeria needs the presence of this mass to jump-start the process of development. He said poor wages, abuse of workplace rights and privileges as well as unpaid salaries strip workers of their rights. Likewise, the President of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Festus Osifo, criticized the state of the economy, which according to him is on autopilot, struggling to survive while those engaged to manage it have kept throwing filth and injecting toxins into it, describing as unfortunate, a situation which the country is led by men and women who delight in enacting policies that are detrimental to the progress of the nation, including the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) currency redesigning policy. 

Don’t stop reading just yet because in the spirit of the May Day celebration Nigeria’s Ex-Presidential Candidate, Omoyele Sowore is appealing to the federal government via a social media post to ‘Pay Nigerian workers between N100, 000 to N250, 000 as monthly remuneration”. The minimum wage in Nigeria is currently N30,000, however, there have been calls for the government to increase it as the cost of living has increased. 

In Lagos, where workers converged on the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, also known as Onikan Stadium, to celebrate the day with a list of expectations as the workers who hope that the incoming administration would prioritize issues affecting them and also improve the economy. According to them, the issues include outsourcing and casualization in the sector and delayed and poor retirement packages, among others, which deprive workers of their rights. NAN report that the Chairman, National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employee, Mr Ajila Wasiu, urged the incoming administration to address outsourcing in the sector. “We are in a situation where many workers, more than 60 to 70 per cent in the industry, are either outsourced or contract staff” he said. “This is a situation where you have given your best, and many of us have gone through rigorous activities in bringing up the institutions, to contribute to the growth of the economy. However, it is very unfortunate that at the end of the day, workers in that institution are either contracted or outsourced; and that is unacceptable. The union is making an effort to correct it; it is a work in progress and hopefully, we believe with the general collaboration and in agreement with stakeholders, things will be regularized“ Wasiu added.  According to the State Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers, Lagos Council, Mr. Akintoye Hassan, this year’s May Day was significant not only because it was the election year but because new leadership emerged in the Nigeria Labour Congress, in the person of Mr. Joe Ajaero as president. “It is also a period where we just had the national election in which in this same month a new president, new group of Individuals will be inaugurated to see to the affairs of the nation at the executive and legislative levels. So, we are having a new crop of leadership from both labour and partisan politics; this is a new direction, new people, now coming on board to work together to actually see to the affairs of the nation and workers in general. We urge both parties as stakeholders to work for the benefit of average Nigerians; what we have lacked over the years, especially from the political leaders, is a high sense of sincerity of purpose. “It is high time that we put this behind us; there are lots of challenges facing the nation and even globally including the economic crisis, insecurity and we have a lot to contend with; it is a year for serious assignment for both labour and political leaders “, Hassan submitted. 

Away from Nigeria on this year’s May Day Celebration at this point, Cleveland reports that World’s workers rally on May Day shows France braced for protests. French unions pushed the president to scrap a higher retirement age. South Koreans pleaded for higher wages. Spanish lawyers demanded the right to take days off. Migrant domestic workers in Lebanon marched in a country plunged in an economic crisis. While May Day is marked around the world on May 1 as a celebration of labor rights, Monday’s rallies tapped into broader frustrations at the state of today’s world. Climate activists spraypainted a Louis Vuitton museum in Paris, and protesters in Germany demonstrated against violence targeting women and LGBTQ+ people. Celebrations were forced indoors in Pakistan and tinged with political tensions in Turkey, as both countries face high-stakes elections. Russia’s war in Ukraine overshadowed scaled-back events in Moscow, where Communist-led May Day celebrations were once massive affairs. Across Asia, this year’s May Day events unleashed pent-up frustration after three years of COVID-19 restrictions. This year’s events had bigger turnouts than in previous years in Asian cities, as activists in many countries argued governments should do more to improve workers’ lives. France’s powerful unions were joined by environmental activists and other groups fighting for economic justice, or just expressing anger at Macron and what is seen as his out-of-touch, pro-business leadership. Activists opposed to the Paris 2024 Olympics and their impact on society and the environment are also expected to join the fray. Police are deploying in force for France’s protests, and have come under fire for plans to use drones to film eventual disruptions in some cities. In Turkey, police prevented a group of demonstrators from reaching Istanbul’s main square, Taksim, and detained around a dozen protesters, the independent television station Sozcu reported. Journalists trying to film demonstrators being forcibly moved into police vans were also pushed back or detained. The square has symbolic importance for Turkey’s trade unions after unknown gunmen opened fire on people celebrating May Day at Taksim in 1977, causing a stampede. Dozens were killed. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has declared Taksim off-limits to demonstrations, leading to frequent clashes between police and protesters trying to reach the square. Meanwhile, small groups were allowed to enter Taksim to lay wreaths at a monument there. In Pakistan, authorities banned rallies in some cities due to a tense security situation or political atmosphere. In Peshawar, in the country’s restive northwest, labor organizations and trade unions held indoor events to demand better workers’ rights amid high inflation. In the eastern city of Lahore, where political parties are barred from holding rallies ahead of a local May 14 poll, a workers’ march will converge on the Punjab Assembly. In the southern port city of Karachi, the country’s ruling party is hosting a seminar and several public rallies are taking place. More than 70 marches were held across Spain, led by the country’s powerful unions, who warned of “social conflict” if Spain’s low salaries for the EU average did not rise in line with inflation. They also praised incentives to move Spain to a four-day working week to relieve the strain on workers. Blue-collar workers led the protests, but white-collar professionals were also making demands in a country that still bears the scars of previous recessions, and where the working day is traditionally very long. The Illustrious College of Lawyers of Madrid urged reforms of historic laws that require them to be on call 365 days of the year, regardless of the death of family members or medical emergencies. In the last few years, lawyers have tweeted images of themselves working from hospital beds on IV drips to illustrate the problem. In South Korea, tens of thousands of people attended various rallies in its biggest May Day gatherings since the pandemic began in early 2020. “The price of everything has increased except for our wages. Increase our minimum wages!” an activist at a Seoul rally shouted at the podium. “Reduce our working hours!” In Tokyo, thousands of labor union members, opposition lawmakers and academics gathered at Yoyogi park, demanding wage increases to offset the impact of rising costs as their lives are still recovering from damage from the pandemic. They criticized Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s plan to double the defense budget, and said the money should be spent on welfare, social security and improving people’s daily lives. Kishida has promised to focus on raising wages. In Indonesia, rally-goers demanded the government repeal a job creation law they argue would benefit business at the expense of workers and the environment. “Job Creation Law must be repealed for the sake of the improvement of working conditions,” said protester Sri Ajeng at one rally. “It’s only oriented to benefit employers, not workers.” In Taiwan, thousands of workers took to the streets to protest what they call the inadequacies of the self-ruled island’s labor policies, putting pressure on the ruling party ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Gathering in the capital, Taipei, members of labor groups waved flags that represent their organizations. Some medical workers wearing protective gear held placards with messages calling for subsidies, while others held banners criticizing President Tsai Ing-wen’s labor polices. In Lebanon, hundreds of Communist Party and trade syndicate members, as well as a group of migrant domestic workers, marched through the streets of downtown Beirut. The country is in the throes of a crippling economic crisis and spiraling inflation, with some three-quarters of the population now living in poverty. In North Korea, the country’s main Rodong Sinmun newspaper published a lengthy editorial urging workers to lend greater support to leader Kim Jong Un, fulfill their set production quotas and improve public livelihoods. Protests in Germany kicked off with a “Take Back the Night” rally organized by feminist and queer groups on the eve of May Day to protest against violence directed at women and LGBTQ+ people. Several thousand people took part in the march, which was largely peaceful despite occasional clashes between participants and police. Numerous further rallies by labor unions and left-wing groups are planned in Germany on Monday. 

Wondering what Labour Day is truly about? Well, courtesy of Business Standard we bring you the History, Evolvement, Importance, and Celebration of May Day. May 1st is generally celebrated as Labour Day, a holiday globally that perceives the achievements of the labour movement. The celebration of the labour movement's accomplishments on May 1 is a worldwide holiday. It is celebrated as a public holiday in more than 80 nations and is also known as International Worker's Day or May Day. In many countries, this holiday, which is also known as Labor Day, celebrates the contributions that people who work to society, highlighting the significance of work and the progress that the labour movement has made.  The celebration of Labor Day is a call to action for social and economic justice and is the result of a prolonged struggle for improved working conditions and worker rights. On this day, workers join together, reflect on their progress, and reaffirm their commitment to creating an equitable and fair world. Historically, the origins of Labor Day can be traced back to the latter part of the 1800s, when labourers in industrialized nations began to band together to fight for various rights, including a fair wage and improved working conditions. On September 5, 1882, the Central Labor Union of New York City organized the first celebration of Labor Day in the United States. In 1894, following the Pullman Strike, the holiday turned into a government one post the deaths of different labourers. Labour Day has developed into a global occasion celebrated on various dates, serving as a symbol of labour movement’s victories and the continuous battle for labourers' rights. On Labor Day, it is encouraged to remember the contributions that laborers have made to society and to renew hopes for a more equitable world. Labour Day is a significant event that recognizes and praises the fundamental commitments of laborers to society. The day recognizes the significance of fair labor practices and worker rights as well as the value of work. Its origins can be traced back to efforts to create necessary working conditions and secure better wages. In addition, Labor Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for economic fairness, equality, and social justice.  It provides an opportunity for labourers to join in fortitude, offers thanks for the progress made, and ponders further progress needed. In general, Labor Day serves as a reminder of the achievements of the labor movement and the power of collective action in the fight for economic and social justice.

Now if you are thinking of schooling at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University you need to know that the institution is now ready to rusticate students over kissing, touching, and other violations of the university's code of conduct. According to media reports, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, Bauchi, has said it would henceforth rusticate any student who violates the university code of conduct and dress code as contained in the revised student’s handbook. 

The revised rules are contained in an internal memo signed by the dean of Students Affairs of the university, Professor U.S. Abdullahi, dated April 27, 2023, and addressed to the president of the Students Union Government and all students of the university. The dean warned the students and members of the university community against violating the rules, approved during the 161st regular Senate Meeting of the institution held on April 13, 2023. According to the memo with REF: ATBU/SAD/SUG/VOL 11/0113 posted on the Facebook page of the university, any student found guilty risks one or two semesters of rustication, depending on the offense. “I write to inform you that the University Senate has approved the revised Student Handbook at its 161st Regular Senate Meeting held on Thursday, April 13, 2023," the memo reads. The following are extracts of the 30 most salient misconducts from the revised Handbook. All students and members of the University community are requested to avoid such types of misconduct," The memo said unwelcome touching, kissing, hugging, massaging, or sitting on the laps of the opposite sex attracts two semesters of rustication. The memo further said multi-colored hair for females, dreadlocks, sagging, engaging in reckless driving, tattoos, and extra piercing in the nose, eye, and mouth attract one-semester suspension. Other offenses include wearing tattered jeans, backless clothes, off-shoulder clothes, hair braiding for male students, and bum shorts, among other offenses that also attract one-semester suspension. The secretary general of the student union government, SUG, ATBU chapter AbdulRauf Al-Amin, who confirmed the authenticity of the memo, said the new rules are not alien to the students. “We received the memo from the university last week, which I personally shared with the students across various platforms; most of the things contained are not new, it was only reviewed,” he said.

Dressed the way you would want to be addressed? Certainly, an act of this played out in a report published by News.Com about Kerolay Chaves, a lady who went shopping at a supermarket but was reportedly kicked out of the store for indecent dressing. According to her “I was kicked out of a store over my shorts — I’m a victim of ‘hot phobia. I think all these insults have more to do with the 'hot woman phobia' I face on a daily basis." The report has it that Kerolay was confidently strolling through a grocery shop in Brazil, wearing a nearly see-through white tank top without a bra and denim shorts so high-cut that they verge on bikini bottoms. 

The 21-year-old shopper claims that she was minding her own business when she noticed other customers serving her hostile looks and aggressive insults — before she was kicked out by supermarket staff. 

“Just came from the supermarket and was bullied for wearing ‘too short clothes’,” Chaves shared on Instagram. “Some people looked with prejudice, others cursed me and, finally, I was kicked out of the site.” Chaves was distraught by the treatment she received at the shop, turning to her 437,000 followers for support. “Do you believe it? I think it’s absurd that we women are still treated this way just because we dress how we want,” she declared. “Truth is, we go through it because we’re too hot, that’s all.” But she didn’t receive the responses she evidently expected, as most commenters seemed to agree with the judgmental crowd at the store. “No need to go to a supermarket dressed like that,” wrote one critic in a comment below the post on Instagram. “You are embarrassing the decent people who are often there with children.” Another agreed with the shop’s decision to remove her from the premises. “I guess the same way a shirtless man would get kicked out of the spot happened to you,” they joked. Chaves later said: “I felt offended by the gratuitous hate I received both in the market and in my Instagram post. “I think all these insults have more to do with the ‘hot woman phobia’ I face daily.” This article was originally published by the New York Post.

In Japan we hear that the country has approved the abortion pill for the first time.

Japan’s new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo on October 4, 2021. (Photo by Toru HANAI / POOL / AFP)

The abortion pill will become available in Japan for the first time after the health ministry approved the drug used to terminate early-stage pregnancy. Abortion is legal in Japan up to 22 weeks but consent is usually required from a spouse or partner, and until now a surgical procedure had been the only option. The ministry said in a notification to healthcare officials on Friday it had approved the drug made by British pharmaceutical company Linepharma. The drugmaker filed its product, a two-step treatment of mifepristone and misoprostol, for approval in Japan in December 2021. Similar medication is available in many countries including France, which first approved the abortion pill in 1988, and the United States, where it has been available since 2000. The approval of the pill to end pregnancies up to nine weeks follows a ministry panel endorsement, which was postponed for a month as thousands of public opinions were submitted. National broadcaster NHK said the total cost of the abortion pill and a medical consultation would be around 100,000 yen ($700). Abortions are not covered by public health insurance. Surgical abortions can cost around 100,000 to 200,000 yen. Mifepristone has been at the centre of a high-profile US court battle in recent weeks. The US Supreme Court has temporarily preserved access to the widely used abortion drug, freezing rulings by lower courts that would have banned or severely restricted its availability. Campaigners in Japan are also pushing for better access to the morning-after pill, which prevents pregnancy. Emergency contraception cannot currently be bought in Japan without a doctor’s approval. It is also the only medicine that must be taken in front of a pharmacist to stop it from being sold on the black market. According to Wikipedia, abortion in Japan is allowed under a term limit of 22 weeks for endangerment to the health of the pregnant woman, economic hardship, or rape. Chapter XXIX of the Penal Code of Japan makes abortion de jure illegal in the country, but exceptions to the law are broad enough that it is widely accepted and practiced. Exceptions to the prohibition of abortion are regulated by the Maternal Health Protection Law that allows approved doctors to practice abortion on a woman if the pregnancy was the result of rape or if the continuation of the pregnancy endangers maternal health because of physical or economic reasons. Anyone trying to practice abortion without the consent of the woman will be prosecuted, including the doctors. If a woman is married, consent from her spouse is also needed to approve abortions for socioeconomic reasons, although the rule doesn't apply if she is in a broken marriage, suffering abuse, or other domestic issues. Despite the partner’s consent not being necessary for unmarried women and women who were impregnated by abusive partners or through rape, many doctors and medical institutions seek a signature from the man believed to have made the woman pregnant for fear of getting into legal trouble, rights advocates say.