Russian activists sign open letter calling for end to war in Ukraine

© Provided by The Guardian Photograph: Vasily Maximov/AFP/Getty Images

 

A group of veteran Russian human rights activists plan to publish an open letter calling on Russia to end its war in Ukraine, declaring it “our common duty” to “stop the war, protect the lives, rights and freedoms of all people, both Ukrainians and Russians”.

The “manifesto”, signed by 11 prominent activists including Lev Ponomaryov, Oleg Orlov, and Svetlana Gannushkina, announces the creation of a new anti-war council of Russian human rights defenders and is the broadest collective statement against the war by the Russian human rights community to date.

The activists say they will seek to help Russians avoid taking part in the war against Ukraine and to demand that the Ministry of Defence releases accurate information about the number of Russian soldiers killed in the war.

Massive infrastructural devt differentiates APC from PDP – Fashola

Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Works and Housing, says the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has been delivering infrastructural projects in spite of meagre resources.

He said this at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Pre-Convention Policy Conference on Friday in Abuja.

According to him, the massive infrastructural development differentiates the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The conference, with the theme: “Consolidating Democracy: Scorecard, Impact and the Road Ahead”, is to discuss current and future policy direction of the APC.

Ahmed, please meet Nautica, my fiancé - Ama

The following day, I was playing tennis on campus when Toyin walked over with anger written all over her. She told me Mallam Ahmed suddenly became unreasonable and slapped her for the first time and jilted her afterwards. But then she had discovered he had my residential address.

- AMA

Follow-up the update here on Ama Ebony

CATCH-UP: LAKE ATITLAN

Sunrise on Lake Atitlan

Catch-Up this week spotlights on Lake Atitlan, a place which Writer-philosopher Aldous Huxley called 'the most beautiful lake in the world, and even after almost 90 years, this Guatemalan jewel is as magical as ever.'

According to a USA Today Travel report, Atitlan still flies well under the radar of many travelers, making it an enticing destination for travelers seeking to avoid big crowds.

How to become thoughtful gift giver – Tips

Giving gifts is a beautiful tradition that helps bond people. Choosing the right gift, worthy of its recipient, is an art that can be daunting for someone not skilled in giving gifts.

However, it should also show the effort that you put into thinking of it. Besides, a gift should be practical and not a random trinket you found in a gift shop. In order to check all these boxes and become a thoughtful gift-giver, you need excellent observation skills and some practice.

If you want to learn the art of becoming a thoughtful gift-giver, this guide is a great place to start.

IMAGES FROM AROUND THE WORLD LAST WEEK

Credit: Instagram | Guardian

David Beckham hands over Instagram account with over 71 million followers to doctor in Ukraine

David Beckham

Soccer legend David Beckham has lent his Instagram account to a doctor in Ukraine to put a spotlight on the "amazing work" by medical professionals providing care during Russia's invasion of the country, CBSnews reports.

According to the report, the former English national team and Manchester United star handed over his platform with more than 71 million followers to Iryna, the head of the regional perinatal center in Kharkiv, where she's helping mothers give birth safely.

Iryna, who is only identified by her first name, gave a first-person account of what a day in her life is like on Instagram Stories. Video clips showed her next to new mothers,  pregnant women and babies on oxygen generators donated by UNICEF. She said she works at the hospital "24/7 now" and "I'm here all day.", the report stated further adding that in one of the videos, Iryna discussed how "difficult" the early days of the war in Ukraine were. She said on the first day of the invasion, all pregnant women were evacuated to the basement and eventually, they grew accustomed to it.

Economy: CBN forecasts 3.24% growth in 2022

Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor

   

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has projected that the Nigerian economy will grow by 3.24 per cent in 2022, inspite of rising inflationary challenges occasioned by global socio-economic events.

Mr Godwin Emefiele, the CBN Governor, made this known on Monday while presenting a communique from the apex bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.

He said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also projected the economy to grow at 2.7 per cent, while the Federal Government projected a 4.21 per cent growth.

THIS WEEK: 21ST - 25TH MARCH

20 Years of Achievement: Anniversary of the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre

IHTEF 5.0

WAO! ARTISTS MAKING HITS FROM HOME

From Pro-Sound Network comes a report about artistes making hits from home.

Traditionally, according to the report, ''musicians would go to a recording studio to make their hits, which would be kitted out with all the instruments and technology needed. However, technology became more accessible about 50 years ago and some of the most successful musicians ever were able to build full studios in their homes, a trend that continues today. Even more recently, music-making technology has basically become accessible to basically anyone with a smartphone or laptop (although you arguably are more limited this way)''.

TURNING POINT FAMILY GLOBAL DAILY MESSAGE | 18_03_22

 

Enough of this 'Mind your business' drama - Blessing CEO

Blessing CEO, relationship expert

Popular relationship expert, Blessing Nkiruka Okoro aka Blessing CEO has told her fans and the world by extension via a video where to draw the line between “mind your business”, a phrase currently trending on social media amongst some celebrities. See the video below:

TURNING POINT FAMILY GLOBAL DAILY MESSAGE | 17_03_22