Photos Okoro Blessing's 30th Birthday Party:

Nigerian relationship blogger, Blessing Okoro celebrated her 30th yesterday. Some celebrities spotted in attendance were, Mimi Orjiekwe and Mike Ezuruonye among others. She wrote;

bceois30 
#okoroblessing 
#storyteller 
#breakormakeup 
@kathbridesandevents
Let’s do this again when I am 40





Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/photos-okoro-blessings-30th-birthday-party/

Hong Kong extradition: Debate over bill delayed amid protests.

Thousands of protesters and police in Hong Kong are engaged in a stand-off as anger grows over a bill which would allow extradition to China.

Early on Wednesday protesters, some wearing face masks and helmets blocked key roads around government buildings.

Police in riot gear responded by using pepper spray on protesters to disperse them and said they were prepared to use force.

The Legislative Council (LegCo) has now delayed the second reading of the bill.

The pro-Beijing LegCo released a statement on Wednesday saying that the meeting which was planned for 11:00 local time (03:00 GMT), would be "changed to a later time" adding that members would be notified of the time later.

Despite widespread opposition the government had said it will continue to push for extradition.

A final vote is expected on 20 June with LegCo expected to pass the bill, Hong Kong media report.

Thousands of protesters - mostly young people and students - took to the streets and attempted to block access to government buildings ahead of the scheduled debate of the bill.

"This behaviour has gone beyond the scope of peaceful gatherings," the Hong Kong Police Force said in a tweet on Wednesday.

"We call on [protesters] to leave as soon as possible... otherwise we will use appropriate force.

Matthew Cheung, Hong Kong's administration chief, has urged protesters to stop occupying major roads and disperse as soon as possible, the Sing Tao Daily reports.

Mr Cheung said the proposed bill would target only those fugitives involved in serious crimes.

But one young protester, decked in a black mask and gloves, told news site AFP that they would not "leave [until] they scrap the law".

"After last time, we have more experience and it is more organised," said Mr Lee, a 51-year-old accountant.

"We don't know what will happen. But I hope Carrie Lam will change her mind."

Critics of the bill of amendments to the extradition laws cite the alleged use of torture, arbitrary detentions and forced confessions in the Chinese judicial system.

The government has promised legally binding human rights safeguards and other measures it says should alleviate concerns.

Nevertheless, this has led to the largest rallies the territory has seen since it was handed back to China by the British in 1997.

Police said they are also investigating death threats made against Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, and members of the justice department over the bill.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/hong-kong-extradition-debate-over-bill-delayed-amid-protests/

Trump reveals Mexico migrant plan by waving document around

US President Donald Trump has inadvertently revealed some details of his immigration deal with Mexico.

He refused to discuss the plans with reporters, saying they were "secret".

But he said this while waving around a sheet of paper that had the specifics of the deal written on it - which was then photographed by news media.

It described a plan to designate Mexico a "safe third country", among other plans that had already been revealed by Mexico's foreign minister on Monday.

If Mexico were to be a safe third country, migrants' asylum applications would be processed there rather than in the US.

The document said Mexico had committed to immediately examining its laws in order to enable it to become a safe third country if need be.

It also contained references to a regional asylum plan, which would involve several Latin American countries processing migrants' asylum claims in order to stave off US tariffs, and to "45 days".

Mr Ebrard said that Mexico had 45 days to show it was able to stem the flow of US-bound migrants by strengthening its southern border.

It is now deploying 6,000 National Guard personnel to the border with Guatemala.

"You go to the south and the first thing you ask yourself is, 'Right, where's the border?' There's nothing," he said on Tuesday. "The idea is to make the south like the north as far as possible."

If this plan fails, the foreign minister said, Mexico has agreed to be designated a safe third country - something that has been demanded by the US before, but has long been rejected by Mexico.

Mr Ebrard earlier said the US had been insistent on this measure, and that they had wanted this to be implemented straight away.

If Mexico fails to curb migration in 45 days, other countries will be drawn into the matter.

Discussions would take place with Brazil, Panama and Guatemala - the countries currently used by migrants as transit points - to see if they could share the burden of processing asylum claims.

Mr Ebrard also said US negotiators had wanted Mexico to commit to "zero migrants" crossing its territory, but that was "mission impossible".

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/trump-reveals-mexico-migrant-plan-by-waving-document-around/

Women's World Cup 2019: world champions USA demolish Thailand 13-0.

The us recorded the biggest ever victory in the Fifa Women's World Cup as they crushed Thailand 13-0.

The 2015 winners were 3-0 up at half-time, scored four times in 10 minutes in the second half and then added six more goals in the last 16 minutes.

Alex Morgan scored 5 times for the united states with 2 goals apiece for Rose Lavelle and Samantha Mewis.

Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd also scored to beat Germany's 11-0 win over Argentina.

The United States' previous biggest win in the tournament was a 7-0 success over Chinese Taipei in 1991, while Germany's thrashing of Argentina came in 2007.

How the goals went in
1-0, 12 minutes: An unmarked Alex Morgan nodded in Kelley O'Hara's cross.
2-0, 20 minutes: Rose Lavelle's powerful strike was helped into the net by the keeper.
3-0, 31 minutes: Lindsey Horan scores from six yards out after Wilaiporn Boothduang fails to clear Tobin Heath's free-kick.
4-0, 50 minutes: Samantha Mewis' deflected effort gave her the 800th goal in Women's World Cup history.
5-0, 52 minutes: Morgan tucked in after Thailand failed to clear a free-kick.
6-0, 54 minutes: The ball bounced kindly to Mewis in the box and she struck another.
7-0, 56 minutes: Mewis turned provider this time for Lavelle, who placed in the seventh.
8-0, 74 minutes: A neat turn and finish from Morgan completed her hat-trick.
9-0, 79 minutes: Megan Rapinoe timed her run to perfection and completed a flowing move.
10-0, 81 minutes: Morgan hit a cracking strike from the edge of the box for her fourth of the night.
11-0, 84 minutes: Substitute Mallory Pugh rounded the goalkeeper and rolled the ball in.
12-0, 87 minutes: Morgan's brilliant flick and powerful finish delivered the best goal of the night.
13-0, 90+2 minutes: Carli Lloyd raced through the middle and slotted in from close range.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/womens-world-cup-2019-world-champions-usa-demolish-thailand-13-0/

Climate change: UK government to commit to 2050 target.

Greenhouse gas emissions in the UK will be cut to almost zero by 2050, under the terms of a new government plan to tackle climate change.

Prime Minister Theresa May said reducing pollution would also benefit public health and cut NHS costs.

Britain is the first major nation to propose this target - and it has been widely praised by green groups.

But some say the phase-out is too late to protect the climate, and others fear that the task is impossible.

The UK already has a 2050 target - to reduce emissions by 80%. That was agreed by MPs under the Climate Change Act in 2008, but will now be amended to the new, much tougher, goal.

The actual terminology used by the government is "net zero" greenhouse gases by 2050.

That means emissions from homes, transport, farming and industry will have to be avoided completely or - in the most difficult examples - offset by planting trees or sucking CO2 out of the atmosphere.

The government's advisory Committee on Climate Change recommended the "net zero" target in May.

Its report said if other countries followed the UK, there was a 50-50 chance of staying below the recommended 1.5C temperature rise by 2100.

A 1.5C rise is considered the threshold for dangerous climate change.

Laurence Tubiana, an architect of the crucial Paris climate agreement, told the BBC: "This is a historic commitment that will reverberate right around the world.

"All eyes will now turn on the rest of the EU to match this pledge."

Theresa May said the UK led the world to wealth through fossil fuels in the industrial revolution, so it was appropriate for Britain to lead in the opposite direction.

"We have made huge progress in growing our economy and the jobs market while slashing emissions," she said.

"Now is the time to go further and faster to safeguard the environment for our children. We must lead the world to a cleaner, greener form of growth."

Number 10 said it was "imperative" other countries followed suit, so there would be a review within five years to ensure other nations were taking similarly ambitious action and British industries were not facing unfair competition.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/climate-change-uk-government-to-commit-to-2050-target/

Queen's former Malta home Villa Guardamangia on sale:

The Queen's former Malta home, Villa Guardamangia, has been put up for sale for nearly €6m (£5.3m).

The villa, located on the outskirts of the capital Valletta, is the only place outside the UK that Queen Elizabeth II has ever called home.

She lived there between 1949 and 1951, in the early years of her marriage to Prince Philip, who had been stationed in Malta as a naval officer.

The Grade Two listed property has since fallen into disrepair.

It is currently being listed by a luxury real estate agency, which describes it as "an amazing grand Palazzo style property... with documented great historical value."

The listing says the 1,560 sq m (16,791 sq ft) property, which was built around 1900, boasts "many authentic architectural features", high ceilings, stables and "various guest/servant quarters".

"The property is just crying out for a great conversion and will make a superb residence or possibly a commercial venue," it adds.

The Queen and her husband lived in the villa before her coronation. It was at the time the rented home of Prince Philip's uncle.

She has fond memories of her time on the Mediterranean island, living as a naval officer's wife.

"Visiting Malta is always very special for me. I remember happy days here with Prince Phillip when we were first married," she said during a visit to the country in 2015.

Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat gave the royal couple a framed watercolour of the property during the visit.

But rows have broken out in Malta over the property in recent years, amid calls to restore the dilapidated building to its former glory.

Some believe the government should acquire and renovate the villa, while others say private owners should decide what to do.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/queens-former-malta-home-villa-guardamangia-on-sale/

Uber takes its flying taxi ambitions to Australia:

Uber has said Australia will become the first international market for its flying taxi service Uber Air.

The firm has selected Melbourne as the third pilot city for its air taxi programme, joining Dallas and Los Angeles.

Test flights are due to start from 2020, with the aim of launching commercial operations from 2023.

Several companies are developing flying taxis as a future mode of transportation.

Uber said increased air mobility would help ease traffic congestion in cities.

"As major cities grow, the heavy reliance on private car ownership will not be sustainable," said Eric Allison, global head of the firm's aviation division Uber Elevate.

"Uber Air holds enormous potential to help reduce road congestion."

He said the 19 kilometre journey from Melbourne's central business district to the airport would take some 10 minutes with Uber Air, down from up to an hour by car.

Uber is working with Nasa and the US Army on its flying taxis and has two aircraft manufacturers - Embraer and Pipistrel Aircraft - also on board. Last year, the company said it would open a laboratory in Paris to develop flying taxis.

It comes at a testing time for Uber following a disappointing stock market debut last month.

Uber's first earnings report showed the US firm posted a $1bn (£790m) loss, as it faced strong competition in its ride-hailing business, and incurred extra costs related to its Uber Eats delivery service.

Uber is not the only company experimenting with flying taxis, reminiscent of the mode of transport in the American cartoon "The Jetsons".

Tech firms are competing to develop the first viable passenger-carrying sky taxis, while Airbus and a range of start-ups have also been testing self-flying taxis.

Dubai conducted its first test of a drone taxi service in 2017.

Separately, a firm funded by Google founder Larry Page has unveiled an electric, self-flying air taxi that can travel at up to 180 km/h (110mph).

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/uber-takes-its-flying-taxi-ambitions-to-australia/

Trump would 'take' foreign information on rival in 2020 election:

Donald Trump has said he would accept damaging information on his opponent during the 2020 election campaign, even if it came from a foreign government.

In an interview with broadcaster ABC News, the president denied this would count as meddling in an election.

"They have information - i think I'd take it," he aforesaid.

Asked if he thought his son should have called the FBI when he received one such email in 2016, he said: "Give me a break, life doesn't work that way."

However, the president later said he would "maybe" contact the FBI if he were offered information and he "thought there was something wrong".

"You might want to listen, there's nothing wrong with listening," he told the US broadcaster.

"If somebody called from a country... [and said] 'we have information on your opponent' - I think I'd want to hear it."

Mr Trump dismissed concerns that this would amount to electoral interference by a foreign power.

He added: "It's not an interference, they have information, I think I'd take it. If I thought there was something wrong I'd go, maybe, to the FBI - if I thought there was something wrong.

"But when somebody comes up with oppo [opposition] research, right... if you go and talk honestly to congressmen, they all do it, they always have, and that's the way it is. It's called: oppo, research."
Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/trump-would-take-foreign-information-on-rival-in-2020-election/

Hong Kong extradition protests leave city in shock:

Authorities have shut some government offices in Hong Kong's financial district after the worst violence the city has seen in decades.

By Thursday morning the crowds had largely dispersed around government headquarters - where police and protesters had pitched battles on Wednesday.

The protesters are angry about plans to allow extradition to mainland china.

Despite the widespread opposition, the government has not backed down.

However, Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo) delayed a second reading of the controversial extradition bill and it is unclear when it will take place.

The second reading, or debate over the extradition bill was originally scheduled for Wednesday.

In an attempt to prevent lawmakers from participating in the debate, activists in the tens of thousands blockaded key streets around the government headquarters in central Hong Kong. Police were also out in riot gear.

Later the tensions boiled over as protesters tried to storm key government buildings demanding the bill be scrapped.

Police responded by firing tear gas and rubber bullets to block them and get them to disperse. After hours of chaos, the crowd eventually dissipated overnight.

Rights group Human Rights Watch accused the police of using "excessive force" against protesters.

Seventy-two people aged between 15 and 66 were injured in the violence, including two men who were in critical condition and some 21 police officers, nine of whom were taken to hospital.

Two protesters have now been arrested for rioting, according to news site SCMP.

An SCMP reporter said they were detained while trying to get a check-up in hospital. They had reportedly revealed to medical officers that their injuries were a result of the protests.

It is not clear if they are the same men who were described as critical.

A Telegram group administrator has also been arrested for conspiracy to commit public nuisance, local news outlets reported.

Ivan Ip was said to be the administrator of a group chat on Telegram - which has been used as one of the main channels of communication by protesters - which had 30,000 members.

Reports say he is being accused of plotting with others to charge the LegCo building and blocking other neighbouring roads.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/hong-kong-extradition-protests-leave-city-in-shock/

Conservative leadership: 10 rivals face first ballot of Tory MPs.

Conservative MPs will begin the process of choosing their new leader and the next prime minister later when a primary round of voting is held in Parliament.

Voting will take place by secret ballot in the Commons, with a result expected some time after 13.00 BST.

Any of the 10 candidates who fails to secure at least seventeen votes will be eliminated from the contest.

Further ballots will be held next week, with the two most popular MPs moving to a run-off of Tory party members.

The winner of the contest to succeed Theresa May is expected to be announced in the week of 22 July.

Boris Johnson - who launched his leadership campaign on Wednesday - is regarded as the frontrunner in the contest, with many more endorsements from MPs than any of his rivals.

In his pitch to MPs, the former foreign secretary pledged to take Britain out of the EU by the end of October. He gave little detail of his plan but stressed it was not his aim to leave without a deal.

He also defended what he called his straight-talking style, saying the public wanted to hear what politicians genuinely thought. But he dodged questions on whether he had ever taken cocaine.

One rival, the Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who also launched his leadership bid on Wednesday, described Mr Johnson as "yesterday's news".

"We need tomorrow's leader, today," he said. "Not the same old insiders with the same old school ties - but a new generation, with a new agenda."

Mr Javid, Michael Gove, Dominic Raab and Jeremy Hunt have all received enough public endorsements to suggest they will make it through to the next round.

The remaining five candidates - Matt Hancock, Rory Stewart, Andrea Leadsom, Mark Harper and Esther McVey - are hoping to make it through and to build momentum.

More than a quarter of the 313 Conservative MPs eligible to vote have yet to state openly whom they are supporting - and, with it being a secret ballot, MPs could in theory vote differently to their declared intention.

The BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg said there was plenty of time for the maths in the contest to change fundamentally but the first round of voting should provide a better idea of how the numbers are shaping up.

The leadership race has so far been dominated by Brexit and arguments over whether a deal can be renegotiated with the EU by 31 October, and whether talking up a no-deal Brexit is a plausible promise.

On Wednesday afternoon, MPs rejected a Labour-led effort to take control of Parliament's timetable, thereby blocking the latest attempt to stop a no-deal Brexit.

The Commons opposed the move by 309 votes to 298, prompting cheers from the Tory benches.

If passed, it would have given opponents of a no-deal Brexit the chance to table legislation to thwart the UK leaving without any agreement on the 31 October deadline.

Conservative former minister Sir Oliver Letwin, who has been behind a series of cross-party attempts to block a no-deal, said Parliament may have run out of options.

"On October 31, the UK leaves the EU regardless of whether we do or don't have a deal in place unless somebody does something to alter that," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

"We have run out of all the possibilities any of us can - at the moment anyway - think of for Parliament to be able to insist on having a view," he added.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/conservative-leadership-10-rivals-face-first-ballot-of-tory-mps/

Gulf of Oman tanker attacks: US says video shows Iran removing mine.

The United States of America military has released a video which it says shows Iran's Revolutionary Guard removing an unexploded mine from the side of an oil tanker damaged in an attack in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday.

US officials also shared a photo of the Japanese tanker, apparently showing the unexploded mine before it was removed.

A Norwegian tanker was also damaged.

The US accused Iran of being behind the mine attacks. Iran said it "categorically rejects" the allegation.

The blasts came a month after four oil tankers were damaged in an attack off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. The US blamed Iran for that attack, but did not produce evidence. Iran also denied those accusations.

Tensions between the two countries have escalated significantly since US President Donald Trump took office in 2017. He abandoned a nuclear deal that was brokered by the Obama administration and imposed heavy sanctions on Iran.

Oil prices jumped as much as 4% after Thursday's incident in the Gulf of Oman, which lies at one end of a vital shipping lane through which hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of oil pass every year.

According to the US account of events, US naval forces in the region received distress calls from the Norwegian-owned Front Altair at 06:12 local time (02:13 GMT) and from the Kokuka Courageous at 07:00, following explosions, and moved towards the area.

It said the USS Bainbridge observed Iranian naval boats operating in the area in the hours after the explosions, and later removing the unexploded mine from the side of the Kokuka Courageous.

The crews of both vessels were evacuated to other ships nearby. Both Iran and the US later released pictures showing rescued crew members on board their vessels.

The operator of the Kokuka Courageous, BSM Ship Management, said its crew abandoned ship after observing a fire and an unexploded mine.

The Kokuka Courageous was about 20 miles off the Iranian coast when it sent its emergency call.

The Front Altair was carry naphtha, a petrol product, from the United Arab Emirates to Taiwan. The Kokuka Courageous was carrying methanol from Saudi Arabia to Singapore.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/gulf-of-oman-tanker-attacks-us-says-video-shows-iran-removing-mine/

Christchurch attack: Brenton Tarrant pleads not guilty to all charges.

The main suspect in the Christchurch attacks in March, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Brenton Tarrant is charged with the murder of 51 people, 40 counts of attempted murder and one terrorism charge in New Zealand's deadliest peace time mass shooting.

Appearing via video link from prison, the 28-year-old Australian Saturday silently as his lawyer read out his plea.

The 15 March attack saw a gunman open fire on Muslims during Friday prayers.

This is the first time a terrorism charge has been brought in New Zealand.

A number of the survivors of the attack and relatives of the victims were in court for the hearing, the BBC's Sydney correspondent Hywel Griffith reported.

As lawyer Shane Tait read out his client's not guilty pleas, a number of those present gasped and became tearful.

High Court Justice Cameron Mander said the trial had been set for 4 May next year, and that Mr Tarrant would be remanded in custody until a case review hearing on 16 August.

At his last court appearance in April, he was ordered to undergo mental health assessments to determine whether he was fit to stand trial.

Judge Mander said in a statement on Friday: "No issue arises regarding the defendant's fitness to plead, to instruct counsel, and to stand his trial. A fitness hearing is not required."

Last week, a restriction on publishing photos of the suspect's face was lifted.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/christchurch-attack-brenton-tarrant-pleads-not-guilty-to-all-charges/

Swiss women strike for more money, time and respect:

Women across Switzerland are preparing for a nationwide strike in protest against what they say is the country's unacceptably slow pace to equality.

Friday's protest comes 28 years after similar action saw half 1,000,000 women take to the streets in 1991.

Swiss women have long campaigned to accelerate the pace of gender equality.

They joined millions of other women in Europe after World War One ended in 1918 in demanding the right to vote - but did not get it until 1971.

At the time of the 1991 strike there were no women in the Swiss government, and there was no statutory maternity leave.

Appenzell, the last Swiss canton to refuse women the right to vote, had just been ordered to change its policy by Switzerland's Supreme Court.

Some things have changed: there have since been eight female government ministers and the right to maternity leave is now enshrined in law.

However, women in Switzerland still earn on average 20% less than men, they are under-represented in management positions, and childcare remains not only expensive, but in short supply.

Last month, a survey by the International Labour Organisation put Switzerland bottom of the list in pay rates between men and women in senior roles.

Journalist Beatrice Born, who was six months pregnant with her first child when she joined the strike back in 1991, will be striking again on Friday.

When she returned to work following the birth of her daughter in 1991, she got something of a shock. No-one, it seemed, had expected her back, and certainly not full-time. "The resistance was huge," she says.

Paola Ferro, one of the organisers of the 1991 strike, will be back on the streets on Friday, too.

She agrees that some progress has been made in the past 28 years, but points to the wage and pension gap. Swiss women's pensions are 37% lower than men's, primarily because women take time out from work to raise their children.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/swiss-women-strike-for-more-money-time-and-respect/

US watchdog calls for Trump aide Kellyanne Conway's removal:

A United States government oversight agency has said White House aide Kellyanne Conway should be fired for partaking in banned political activities while in office.

The office of Special Counsel said Mrs Conway violated the Hatch Act, which bans federal employees from campaigning for candidates while on the job.

The watchdog cited "numerous occasions" in which she violated the law, calling her a "repeat offender".

The White House dismissed the advice as "deeply flawed" and "unprecedented".

The allegations stem from statements Mrs Conway made on television during the 2017 Alabama special Senate election in which she advocated for and against certain individual candidates.

The president, vice-president and some other high level officials are not bound by the 1939 Hatch Act.

In a statement announcing the recommendation, the independent Office of Special Counsel (OSC) said that her "violations, if left unpunished, would send a message to all federal employees that they need not abide by the Hatch Act's restrictions.

"Her actions thus erode the principal foundation of our democratic system - the rule of law."

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/us-watchdog-calls-for-trump-aide-kellyanne-conways-removal/

Disappeared Argentina activists' son finds family after 40 years:

A man whose parents were abducted by Argentinean secret service agents in 1977 has been reunited with his biological family.

Javier Darroux Mijalchuk was just four months old when his father and pregnant mother disappeared in Buenos Aires.

He was later adopted by a family who didn't know his background.

But a few years ago, he started to doubt his true identity, and sought help from the human rights organisation Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo.

The group tracks down the children of dissidents killed or forcibly disappeared during Argentina's military dictatorship, which lasted from 1976 to 1983, and introduces them to their biological families.

Mr Darroux is the 130th child that the organisation has identified, after carrying out DNA tests.

Speaking to reporters, he thanked his uncle Roberto Mijalchuk, who he said had been searching for him for the past four decades.

"The restitution of my identity is, for me, a tribute to my parents, a caress to the soul, a symbol of memory, truth and justice," Mr Darroux said.

"It's a symbol that, if I have to define it with a moment, there isn't a more significant one than the embrace with uncle, when after 40 years of searching he could say: 'Are you Javi?' and embrace like nobody has ever done before, and no one will be able to do again."

He added that he would now try and find out more information about his parents, Juan Manuel Darroux and Elena Mijalchuk.

Some 30,000 people were murdered by the military junta in Argentina.

Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo's leader, Estela de Carlotto, was reunited with her own missing grandson in 2014.

A year later, one of the group's co-founders Delia Giovanola was also reunited with her grandson.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/disappeared-argentina-activists-son-finds-family-after-40-years/

Boris Johnson tops first ballot in Tory leadership contest:

Boris Johnson has secured the highest variety of votes in the first MPs' ballot to select the conservative party leader and next prime minister.

Three contenders - Mark harper, Andrea Leadsom and Esther McVey - were knocked out in the secret ballot of Tory MPs.

Mr Johnson received 114 votes, considerably more than his nearest rival Jeremy Hunt, who came second with 43. Michael Gove was third with 37.

Seven candidates progress to the next round of voting next week.

The two who prove most popular after the last MPs' ballot will go to Conservative Party members in a final vote later this month.

The winner of the contest to succeed Theresa May is expected to be announced in the week of 22 July.

Sources close to Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg he was "mulling over" whether to withdraw from the contest after coming sixth with 20 votes.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who came fifth with 23 votes, is understood to be staying in the race for now. Some have suggested his candidacy - with support from Mr Hancock - could take on Mr Hunt to become second in the ballot.

Mr Johnson, a former foreign secretary who served for eight years as London mayor, said he was "delighted" to win but warned that his campaign still had "a long way to go".

Foreign Secretary Mr Hunt said: "Boris did well today but what the result shows is, when it comes to the members' stage, I'm the man to take him on."

Environment Secretary Mr Gove said it was "all to play for" and he was "very much looking forward" to candidates' TV debates on Channel 4 on Sunday and on BBC One next Tuesday.

All 313 Conservative MPs voted in the first ballot, including Mrs May, who refused to say whom she had backed.

The fourth-placed candidate, former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab, said he was "proud and honoured" and he had a "good base to build on".

Mr Javid said: "I look forward to continuing to share my positive vision and my plan for uniting the country."

Mr Hancock thanked his supporters, saying it was "terrific to have more votes from colleagues than I could have hoped for".

And International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, the seventh-placed candidate, told the BBC's Politics Live he was "completely over the Moon" to have got through the first vote.

He said he had had only six declared votes ahead of the poll, but "more than three times that" had voted for him in the secret ballot.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/boris-johnson-tops-first-ballot-in-tory-leadership-contest/

Hong Kong extradition protests: Government to delay bill, reports say.

The Hong Kong government is set to delay a highly controversial plan to permit extraditions to China, local media report.

Chief executive Carrie Lam has refused to scrap the bill, but in recent days a number of advisers have urged her to suspend it.

Hundreds of thousands of people have protested against the bill and further demonstrations are planned for Sunday.

Ms Lam is expected to hold a press conference on Saturday afternoon.

The government has argued the proposed extradition bill will "plug the loopholes" so that the city would not be a safe haven for criminals.

But critics say it would expose people in Hong Kong to China's deeply flawed justice system and lead to further erosion of the city's judicial independence.

Hong Kong is a former British colony, but was returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" deal that guarantees it a level of autonomy.

The changes would allow for criminal extradition requests from authorities in mainland China, Taiwan and Macau - decided on a case-by-case basis by Hong Kong courts.

It comes after a high-profile case where a Hong Kong man was accused of murdering his girlfriend on holiday in Taiwan but could not be extradited.

Hong Kong officials, including Ms Lam, say the bill is necessary to protect the city against criminals.

But many fear the law could be used to target political opponents of the Chinese state.

Opposition activists also cite the alleged use of torture, arbitrary detentions and forced confessions in mainland China.

A large-scale march, which organisers said drew more than one million people, was held last Sunday.

Then on Wednesday tens of thousands gathered to blockade streets around government headquarters to try to stop the second reading, or debate, of the extradition bill.

Tensions boiled over and 22 police and 60 protesters were injured. Authorities say 11 people were arrested.

The police, who used tear gas and rubber bullets, have been accused of excessive force by some rights groups.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/hong-kong-extradition-protests-government-to-delay-bill-reports-say/

Venezuela crisis: Migrants dash to cross Peru border.

Thousands of Venezuelans have rushed to cross into Peru in a bid to beat the introduction of tougher migration laws.

From midnight local time (05:00 GMT) on Saturday, Venezuelans need to have a valid passport and visa to enter Peru.

The new requirements prompted a dash to the border from those fleeing Venezuela's years-long economic crisis.

Some four million people have fled Venezuela since 2015, according to the United Nations.

The country's imploding economy has resulted in high unemployment and shortages of food and medicine, and hundreds of thousands of people are said to be in need of humanitarian aid.

Prior to Saturday's deadline, Venezuelan citizens wanting to enter Peru only require a national ID card.

Nearly 6,000 Venezuelans entered through the border town of Tumbes on Thursday, officials said, which is almost three times the daily average.

Marianni Luzardo was travelling to Peru's northern border with her two daughters on Friday. "In Venezuela it is almost impossible to get a passport," she told the Associated Press. "We need to get to Peru soon."

Peru's President Martin Vizcarra defended the tougher migration restrictions on Thursday.

"Our country has opened its arms to more than 800,000 Venezuelans," he told reporters at an event in the northern city of Piura. "I think it's completely logical and justified to ask them to bring visas to ensure better control of who enters."

Latin American countries host the vast majority of Venezuelan migrants and refugees. Colombia has the most at 1.3 million, followed by Peru with 768,000, according to UN figures.

Under the government of Nicolás Maduro, the economy has collapsed and shortages of food and medicines have become widespread.

In parts of the oil-rich country, fuel has become scarce and drivers queue for days at petrol stations. There are also frequent blackouts.

The government says the shortages are caused by US sanctions. The opposition argues that they are the result of mismanagement and corruption by consecutive socialist governments.

The crisis deepened in January after Juan Guaidó, the head of the National Assembly, declared himself interim president, arguing that Mr Maduro's re-election last year had been "illegitimate".

He has since been recognised by more than 50 countries, including the US and most of Latin America. But Mr Maduro retains the loyalty of most of the military and important allies such as China and Russia.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/venezuela-crisis-migrants-dash-to-cross-peru-border/

Hong Kong extradition bill: Protesters vow to push ahead.

Protesters in Hong Kong have vowed to push ahead with a rally on Sunday, despite the government's decision to suspend its controversial bill to allow extradition to mainland China.

Protest leaders urged Chief Executive Carrie Lam to resign and permanently scrap the plan.

The proposed bill led to mass demonstrations and sparked some of the worst violence seen in years.

Protesters are concerned at increased influence by Beijing in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is a former British colony, but was returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" deal that guarantees it a level of autonomy.

Jimmy Sham, from protest group the Civil Human Rights Front, said Sunday's rally would go ahead as planned, likening the announced suspension to a "knife" that had been plunged into the city.

"It's almost reached our heart. Now the government said they won't push it, but they also refuse to pull it out," he said.

Ms Lam said she had heard the calls for her government to "pause and think".

"I feel deep sorrow and regret that deficiencies in our work – and various other factors – have stirred up substantial controversies," she added.

She said that the urgency felt to pass the bill before the legislative year ends "perhaps no longer exists".

But she stopped short of saying the bill would be permanently shelved.

The government had argued the proposed extradition bill would "plug the loopholes" so that the city would not be a safe haven for criminals, following a murder case in Taiwan.

Critics have said the legislation would expose people in Hong Kong to China's deeply flawed justice system and lead to further erosion of the city's judicial independence.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/hong-kong-extradition-bill-protesters-vow-to-push-ahead/

Gulf of Oman: Saudi Arabia blames tanker attacks on rival Iran.

Saudi Arabia has blamed its rival Iran for the recent attacks on oil tankers along a key shipping route in the Gulf.

Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman says his country "won't hesitate" to tackle any threats, as tensions continue to rise in the region.

On Thursday, 2 tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman, a month after four others were targeted off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

The US has also blamed the attacks on Iran, which denies any involvement.

"We do not want a war in the region... but we won't hesitate to deal with any threat to our people, our sovereignty, our territorial integrity and our vital interests," Prince bin Salman told the pan-Arab daily newspaper Asharq al-Awsat.

"The Iranian regime did not respect the Japanese prime minister's visit to Tehran," he added. "While he was there [it] replied to his efforts by attacking two tankers, one of which was Japanese."

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih earlier called for a "swift and decisive" response to the attacks.

On Saturday, the head of the world's biggest international shipping association said some firms have ordered their ships not to enter the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman as a result of the attacks.

Jakob Larsen, head of maritime security at BIMCO, told the BBC military escorts for tankers could be organised if the situation worsened.

The US has produced a video it suggests shows Iranian forces in a small boat taking an unexploded mine off the hull of one of the ships following Thursday's attacks. But it has not provided evidence for Iran's alleged involvement in the previous attacks within UAE territorial waters.

Relations between the US and Iran have deteriorated significantly since US President Donald Trump took office in 2017. He abandoned a nuclear deal and significantly tightened sanctions on Iran.

The UK has said responsibility for Thursday's attacks "almost certainly" lies with Iran.

It repudiated Iran's assertion that Tehran formally summoned the UK ambassador to complain about London's reaction.

However, a UK Foreign Office official said the ambassador did meet a senior Iranian to discuss the issue.

Iranian media said the official told the ambassador that Iran strongly condemned Britain for echoing the US in holding it to blame for the attacks.

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/gulf-of-oman-saudi-arabia-blames-tanker-attacks-on-rival-iran/