National Geographic's Chasing Genius Announces First Series Of Challenges Enabling Anyone To Unleash Their Inner Genius And Win $25,000 To Turn Their Ideas Into A Catalyst For Change In The World.
CHASING GENIUS, Part of an Integrated Partnership with GSK Consumer Healthcare, is a Groundbreaking Initiative Designed to Accelerate Transformative Ideas
WASHINGTON, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Based on the premise that transformative ideas can come from anywhere, and from anyone, National Geographic, along with partner GSK Consumer Healthcare, is introducing CHASING GENIUS, a global community that can help change the world. The Chasing Genius Challenge, a competition to find innovative ideas that address some of the world's most critical issues, offers an incredible opportunity to provide real solutions by everyday people. Winners of the Chasing Genius Challenge will receive $25,000 to expand upon their ideas, helping to further creative solutions toward positive global change.
Anyone with an idea that can help make the world a better place can learn more and apply today at www.natgeochasinggenius.com.
CHASING GENIUS is part of a broader, groundbreaking integrated partnership between National Geographic and GSK Consumer Healthcare, the makers of some of the world's best loved health care brands including Sensodyne®, Flonase® Sensimist™ and Excedrin®, that spans premium programming, custom storytelling and consumer engagement designed to inspire consumers to tap into their inner genius.
Click here to read the full report.
The execution of the men in the town of Kumshe, and other scenes showing Boko Haram members callously going about the daily business of their self-proclaimed caliphate are the subject of a VOA four-part video series, “Boko Haram: Terror Unmasked.”
The unedited recordings made little or no effort to hide the group’s most brutal acts. By all indications – time stamps on the videos, references by fighters, events described in news broadcasts heard in the background – the recordings were made in late 2014 and 2015, a period of expansion by Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria.
Attacks On the Press : Journalism on the World's Front Lines
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) - 2013 - Business & Economics
... of one million barrels of oil a day for the Nigerian government and private companies, according to Nigerian writer Orikinla Osinachi.
Read more in Attacks On the Press : Journalism on the World's Front Lines
Author: Committee to Protect Journalists.
Publisher: Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley ; Chichester : John Wiley [distributor], 2013.
Series: Bloomberg.
Summary
The world's most comprehensive guide to international press freedom
From Aleppo to Zacatecas, Beijing to Brasilia, the past decade has seen a sharp rise in the number of journalist imprisonments, assassinations, and disappearances worldwide. Caught between warlords and religious extremists, corrupt police and drug cartels, and hemmed in by increasingly oppressive censorship laws, journalists have never been at such peril, nor asked to pay such a high price for the ethical practice of their profession.
Begun as a simple typewritten list in 1986, Attacks on the Press has grown to become the definitive annual assessment of press freedoms globally. Compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists, it provides up-to-the-minute analyses of media conditions, press freedom violations, and emerging threats to journalists in every corner of the world.
In this 2013 edition, you will find front-line reports and analytical essays by CPJ experts covering an array of topics of critical importance to journalists, including: Journalist casualties at the front lines of conflicts in Syria, Nigeria, Somalia, Afghanistan, and other global hot spots. The curtailment of Internet freedoms across Southeast Asia, with an emphasis on the draconian measures now in place in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. The status of investigations into the disappearances of 35 journalists worldwide, and why more than half of those disappeared went missing in Mexico and Russia. The rise in journalist imprisonments globally, the spate of new anti-terrorism laws that made it possible, and the example set by the U.S. government in the wake of 9/11.
TheVictory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream: My Testimony on the 2015 Presidential Election
Instagram Impersonator of Pastor Folu A. Adeboye Exposed
Nigerian author and Publisher/Editor of Nigerians Report Online, Mr. Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima has exposed a Nigerian fraudster on Instagram who impersonated Pastor (Mrs) Foluke Adenike Adeboye, the wife of the famous Nigerian Pentecostal evangelist, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), the largest Pentecostal church in the world.
Then the impersonator sent a private message to Mr. Michael Chima to pray for him. And afterwards, sent the following messages yesterday, June 1, 2017.
"The lord ministered a word to me about you, he said you have a great destiny even more than you think,he said there is an opportunity coming your way this year (2017) that will totally change your life, he said you should sow just any thing he ministered to your heart, into the life of this baby born with tumor on her face and her head by Today before 12:00pm that if this is done as soon as possible, your blessings will overfill the earth..
You are blessed, Kindly pledge your seed directly to the baby's parent bank details stated below Today before 12:00pm
BANK DETAILS
ACCOUNT NO.: 0223249140
ACCOUNT NAME:OLARENWAJU YEMI AMINAT
GTBank PLC
Give as the Lord as prosper you and get back to me for further instruction.Obedience maybe costly, but the end result is priceless.
Mr. Michael Chima was suspicious of the messages, because both Pastor Adeboye and his wife have never made such requests before. He sent N1, 000 (one thousand naira) to the bank account and the Guaranty Trust Bank PLC confirmed the deposit.
Amt: NGN1,000.00 DR
Desc: TRANSFER BETWEEN CUSTOMERS-from : EKENYERENGOZI MICHAEL CHIMA to OLARENWAJU YEMI AMINAT
Then he reported to the RCCG to confirm if the Instagram account belonged to Pastor Adeboye's wife and the church sent him the genuine Instagram account for @PastorFAAdeboye https://www.instagram.com/pastorfoluadeboye/.
There are notorious Nigerian fraudsters engaged in different internet scams by using different impersonations to defraud many people through emails and social network sites. The most infamous are the legendary "419" Yahoo-Yahoo Advance Fee Scam artists and Phishing fraudsters who have used fax and later Yahoo emails to defraud many foreigners in America and Europe from the 1980s to date.
Majority of online scams originate primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom and Nigeria, with Ivory Coast, Togo, South Africa, Benin, the Netherlands, and Spain also having high incidences of such fraud. The scam messages often claim to originate in Nigeria, but usually this is not true.
POPULATION: 21,300,000 Nickname(s): Eko akete, Lasgidi Motto: Èkó ò ní bàjé o!
Lagos’ Resilience Challenge
This bustling megacity must cope with rising sea levels and coastal erosion that threaten to undermine its growth.
Lagos has over 21 million inhabitants and is the cultural and economic heart of Nigeria. With financial, commercial, and tourist centers located on islands in the Gulf of Guinea, Lagos is especially susceptible to damage from rising sea levels and coastal erosion, which have already led to a decline in water quality, the destruction of drainage infrastructure, and an increase in incidences of water and vector borne disease. Coastal erosion has also hurt indigenous communities that depend on coastal resources for survival.
Coastal flooding from storm surges has forced the relocation of resorts, businesses, and artisans from the popular tourist destination of Victoria Island. Recent initiatives involving private sector partners have already led to the reclamation of some coastline on the island, providing a model for future efforts to protect Lagos’ vulnerable shores.
SHOCKS AND STRESSES
CHRONIC ENERGY SHORTAGES
COASTAL FLOODING
DISEASE OUTBREAK
INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE
OVER POPULATION
OVER TAXED
UNDER DEVELOPED
UNRELIABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
POOR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
RAINFALL FLOODING
RISING SEA LEVEL AND COASTAL EROSION
Statement on the Withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement
MONTRÉAL, June 1, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal and president of Metropolis, the 140-member world association of major cities, had this to say about the withdrawal of the United States of America from the Paris accord:
"The Paris Agreement is a diplomatic success story that expresses the international community's unprecedented will to put the world on a path to more sustainable development.
Cities played a persuasive role in the success of the Paris Conference, by affirming the determination of municipal leaders and regional authorities to act together to combat climate change.
The declared intention of the President of the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is causing consternation in the world's major cities.
However, in spite of this setback, cities will not just stand down; they intend to fully shoulder their responsibilities.
Mayors from around the world will be meeting in Montreal from June 19 to 23 at the Metropolis World Congress. Under its theme of Global Challenges: Major Cities in Action, climate change will be at the heart of our deliberations, in collaboration with other networks of cities such as the C40 Climate Leadership Group and ICLEI.
Cities will remain at the forefront of the fight against climate change and will continue to provide constant leadership to maintain the momentum created by the Paris Agreement."
SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

CONTACT: Marc-André Gosselin, Press Officer, Office of the Mayor and the Executive Committee, 514 290-1194.
I’m Bukola Ayinde, Founder of P4:13 Foundation and author of Diary of a Special Needs Mum.
Getting a diagnosis which says your child has Cerebral Palsy is a parent’s worst nightmare. I had my period of living in denial; wishing the problem would go away, like it was all a dream, but the reality stared me in the face.
My husband and I decided to face the challenge before us squarely.
We engaged different specialists; Neurologist, Paediatrician, Physiotherapist, Speech therapist, Occupational therapist, Special Needs Care Givers. At one point we were scouting for a very good physiotherapist.
A parent of a special needs child recommended a young lady to me. I mentioned her name {Bisola Anthonia Abayomi Ojo} to one of my daughter’s therapist who confirmed that the lady was very good at her job. However, she also confirmed that the lady could be arrogant. I spoke with another therapist on the field who also confirmed that the recommended Physiotherapist was good at what she does but she could be rude.
Well, at that point of my life, I didn’t mind if she was going to be rude to me or arrogant as far as she was as good as everyone had said, I was fine with that. All I wanted was to see was my child’s improvement, I could take any sh*t in between.
She came on board as my daughter’s physiotherapist. She was very professional and dedicated, but she didn’t come cheap. She didn’t come cheap at all.
My daughter attended a mainstream school that allowed her to use the sickbay as her pullout room for her physiotherapy session.
In June 2016, my daughter’s school proprietress requested that my husband and I should make out time to see her. When we eventually did a week later, she told us that the physiotherapist had manhandled our daughter and she was going to show us a CCTV recording to prove it.
At the back of my mind I felt the woman was exaggerating because therapy could be demanding at times. My child may cry, if she didn’t like the exercise or if the exercise was tasking.
However, when I watched the video, I was shocked beyond words that someone I trusted with my daughter could treat her worse than an animal. I believe that even an animal shouldn’t be treated that way.
I mean, she came highly recommended; she is a Masters degree holder. She is not an illiterate.
Apparently she didn’t remember that there was a CCTV in the room or she felt nobody would be checking the TV at that particular time.
It was heartbreaking to see my daughter treated by a health worker in such a barbaric act.
I watched my daughter as she fell down several times hitting her head on the tiles. There were times she hit her head on the edge of the wooden bed before falling to the ground.
Her Physiotherapist slapped her three times; the third time with her cell phone. She left her head hanging upside for 5 minutes. She twisted my daughter’s hands several times; at a point she sat on her hands, at another point she tied her hands behind her head. I watched as my daughter fell from her chair while her neck was stuck in between the space at the vertical back rest and the flat wood used for sitting down. I watched on as this lady typed on her phone 90% of the time only taking some time off to torture my daughter. Did I mention that she took out time to take her selfie? Up to five times.
After we watched the recording, my husband could not control his tears. My heart bled.
My daughter’s Neurologist said we cannot ascertain the level of damage to her brain because we did not bring her immediately it happened. He said an MRI would have been done to ascertain any damage.
I got her arrested.
She said she was sorry
She claimed depression and ill health
I didn’t believe her then, I don’t believe her now.
I had to make a decision, to leave my daughter in the hands of her nannies at home (which may be another source of abuse) and follow through to ensure the physiotherapist was duly punished. (Bearing in mind the justice system in Nigeria) or drop the charges lodged at the police station and allow Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board at Yaba to handle the matter.
I dropped the police charges. I decided to stay with my traumatized daughter.
I handed the Physiotherapist over to the Registrar at Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board at Yaba.
Her punishment:
• Three months withdrawal of her practicing license.
• Three months work in a general hospital under supervision without pay
• She was to undergo a psychiatric test
Like seriously? Are you kidding me?
She had been practicing for a year without renewing her license and all you could do was to withdraw her license officially for a mere three months?
She went back to the Registrar at Medical Rehabilitation Therapists to ask for permission to travel to USA to get treatment.
I called to check on the case, and I was told she had travelled for treatment
I was told not to worry as she cannot practice anywhere else in the world without a letter from the board.
Some months later, I was told by a reliable source that she was not taking any major treatments but attending a Masters programme in US.
So she got away with child abuse, assault, battery, in fact attempted murder.
This is only possible in Nigeria right?
I went back to Medical Rehabilitation Center, I was shocked to find out that the case had gone cold.
What stops her from coming back into the country and working with other children?
How many Nigerians ask for practicing license before employing a professional?
I strongly believe that the least the board should have done was to declare her unfit to work with children.
In respect to my daughter, the signs were there: She had been withdrawn for a while in fact she had stop smiling, interacting with anybody in the house or attempting to answer questions in school. I kept asking the care giver that followed her to school about the sudden change. The caregiver said she had no idea. I came up with my own theory and I brushed it aside.
How would I have known that a health worker, someone I trusted with my child could be so cruel? The Physiotherapist had been with us for over two years. I can only imagine….
Well, I pulled my daughter out of school and started her own mini school at home. I let go of my current caregivers for good reasons and got new ones. With care and love, she added weight, came out of her shell and got better. Right now she attends a school three times a week and we are making progress.
Child abuse is real…from the people you least expect. Protect your children.
UNFPA Ambassador Stephanie Linus Visits Democratic Republic of Congo on International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
As part of her commitment to raising awareness on maternal health issues, the UNFPA Regional Ambassador for West and Central Africa Stephanie Linus visited the Democratic Republic of Congo in commemoration of the International Day to End Obstetrical Fistula.
The theme of this year’s commemoration was tagged “hope, healing and dignity for all”, and it featured several activities aimed at giving hope to girls and women around Africa. From 23rd to 25th May, Mrs. Linus participated in a span of activities which included the screening of her award winning movie ‘DRY’, a private luncheon with African Ambassadors in the DRC and a visit to women repaired of fistula at the Biamba Marie Motombo Hospital in Kinshasa.
While speaking to the Ambassadors, Mrs. Linus requested them to work through their governments to do more for the girl child with emphasis on education, ending child marriage, ending obstetric fistula, improving access to health care.
The over 300-persons audience at the private viewing of DRY consisted of African Ambassadors in the DRC, Donors, Regional Director of UNFPA for the East and Southern Africa Region, UN heads of Agencies and Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ministers and High Ranking Government Officials, Young parliamentarians of DRC, Representatives of International and National NGOs, Members of the Civil Society and various media representatives. During her address, Mrs Linus declared that the theme of the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula “hope, healing and dignity for all” is food for thought and that it is time to act and actively seek ways to do more to change unhealthy behaviors, to improve health systems, and improve human rights for all. “Women should not die while giving life. Girls have rights that need to be respected-education, decent jobs, chose who to marry and when to have children and how many of them. Every woman and girl has a right to be treated with respect and dignity”, she stated.
She challenged the audience to constantly ask themselves the question – What is it that I can do more and do better?
Mrs. Linus also met young artists in the National Institute of Arts in Kinshasa whom she encouraged to look around, pick up the issues that are affecting the society and pass messages to end those ills through arts, music, movie and drama.
Stephanie Linus was named the UNFPA Regional Ambassador in March 2017 in recognition of her far reaching advocacy for the rights of girls and women. As Regional Ambassador, Mrs. Linus will help advocate and raise awareness on maternal health issues across Africa, whilst encouraging policies and laws that protect the rights and dignity of the girl child.
Future of Africa's Youth Does Not Lie in Migration To Europe, Adesina Tells G7
ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire, 29 May 2017 / PRN Africa / -- The future of Africa's youth does not lie in migration to Europe, but in a prosperous Africa, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has said.
Adesina, who spoke at the G7 Summit in Taormina, Italy, at the weekend, stressed the need for African countries to create greater economic opportunities for its youth to stay home and live a meaningful life.
“We must turn rural areas from zones of economic misery to zones of economic prosperity. This requires new agricultural innovations and transforming agriculture into a sector for creating wealth. We must make agriculture a really cool choice for young people. The future millionaires and billionaires of Africa will come initially from agriculture,” Adesina said.
