PDP blames sand filling for ocean surge By Agency Reporter

Peoples Democratic Party, Lagos State chapter, has blamed the state government’s sand filling for the ocean surge in the state.

An ocean surge on Saturday sacked communities around Kuramo Beach in Lagos, sweeping 16 people into the Atlantic Ocean.

The PDP, in a statement by its Chairman, Chief Tunji Shelle, called on the Federal Government to stop allowing sand-filling of ocean and lagoons in the state.

It faulted the “unprofessional” manner the ocean and lagoons were encroached upon without due ecological and environmental impact assessment, according to reports by the News Agency of Nigeria.

The party said, “The stoppage of sand filling is in the overall interest of the country and to particularly forestall further loss of lives and property arising from mismanaging the environment.”

It added that direct government’s negligence caused the calamities.

The PDP alleged that the state government had been sand-filling the land for the Eko Atlantic City project, adding that business interests had undermined the safety of the people.

It said, “We are very pained by the wanton loss of lives and property prevalent only along the coastal lines of Lagos beaches.

“We sincerely sympathise with the affected families.”

The party called for a stop to the Eko Atlantic project and immediate compensation to the bereaved families.

Meanwhile, Epe Local Council Development Area has said work on the Epe-Marina Shoreline Reclamation Project will begin in September.

Special Adviser on Markets Development and Revenue Generation to the council chairman, Mr. Abiodun Ajero, said this on Tuesday, according to reports by the News Agency of Nigeria.

Ajero explained that the project would be carried out in collaboration with the state government.

He said, “The affected residents and businesses along the shoreline have started relocating to pave the way for the movement of equipment and personnel to the project site.

“The exercise will stretch from Erepoto to Oluwo Market on the Marina at Epe.”

He said the LCDA had provided an area popularly called ‘Chief’ for displaced sand dredgers and other traders to continue their business.

He said the council was still searching for an alternative location to resettle other affected residents and places of worship.

Ajero said the state government and the council were carrying out the project to enable them to effectively harness the economic and tourism potential of Epe.

He said the focus was on the development of tourism and economic infrastructure in Epe to boost business and leverage sustainable development.

However, Ajero, was silent on the cost of the contract and its duration.

Eight policemen arrested for illegal roadblocks, improper dressing By Mudiaga Affe, Calabar

Eight riot policemen were on Tuesday arrested in parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states for illegal roadblocks and improper dressing.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, had on assumption of office inaugurated a new Police Mobile Force to arrest and institute disciplinary measures against policemen found mounting illegal roadblocks.

A PMF team led by the Commander in charge of Ethics, Doctrine and Monitoring, Mr. Anietie Eyoh, arrested three errant policemen in Uyo and five in Calabar.

Two riot policemen, who abandoned their beat at the National Independent Power Plant to mount illegal checkpoint along the Calabar-Itu Expressway, were arrested while two others were picked up for improper dressing at the MOPOL 11 Command, and one outside in another part of Calabar.

Also, at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar, another riot policeman was arrested for violating the rules on escort of VIPs stipulating that the security personnel must not be less than two in number.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of PMF, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Mbu Mbu, said suspects would undergo in-house trial and if found guilty shall be punished.

He said, “We have our departmental disciplinary procedure. The IG made a pronouncement that had to do with dress code, that they must be combat ready at all times. These are the things that we are now trying to enforce.

“We have forwarded the signals to all field commanders and have given them enough time so that the men would conform to the directive.”

Nyad gives up on latest Cuba-US swim attempt Veteran long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad was plucked from the Florida Straits on Tuesday after giving up on her fourth and likely final attempt to make the 103-mile swim from Cuba to the United States. By Reuters | Eurosport

Eurosport - American long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad shows Portuguese Man-of-War jellyfish sting (Reuters).

Veteran long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad was plucked from the Florida Straits on Tuesday after giving up on her fourth and likely final attempt to make the 103-mile (166-kilometre) swim from Cuba to the United States.

The 62-year-old American, who battled squalls, rough seas and jellyfish, had set out from Cuba on Saturday. Nyad spent more than 60 hours in the water before she abandoned the swim.
Mark Sollinger, a leader of the crew and support team accompanying Nyad in five boats as she made the attempted crossing, told CNN a powerful and "extremely difficult Gulf Stream" had pushed her badly off course.
She had planned to land somewhere in the Florida Keys on Tuesday, a day ahead of her 63rd birthday on Wednesday. But it would have taken her another 28 to 40 hours to complete the crossing at the time she finally gave up, Sollinger said.
He said Nyad's lips and face were very swollen and she was suffering from exhaustion. Otherwise, he said, she was doing well for "someone who just spent 63 hours attempting something monumental and extremely dangerous."
He did not give the exact time when Nyad was pulled from the water or pinpoint the location, but those details were expected to be announced later.
If Nyad had completed the swim, she would have owned the world record for the longest "unassisted open ocean swim," which means without a shark cage. Instead of a cage, equipment emitting a mild electric current in the water kept sharks at bay during most of her swim.
Nyad told reporters in Havana last week that she hoped her swim would inspire people her age to continue pursuing their dreams.
"Instead of staying on the couch for a lifetime and letting this precious time go by, why not be bold, be fiercely bold and go out and chase your dreams?" said Nyad, who left competitive swimming 30 years ago and has since worked in television and radio and has been a motivational speaker.
She also hoped the swim would help U.S.-Cuba relations, which have been sour since the Caribbean island's 1959 revolution.
The Cuba-U.S. swim has only been completed once. Australian Susan Maroney was 22 and used a shark cage when she made the crossing in May 1997.
Nyad has now tried to make the swim four times, including twice last year, but never got much more than halfway before she had to give up.
Asked before this latest attempt if it would be her last, Nyad said: "This has to be it, it just has to be."
Waves and stiff winds derailed her first try in 1978, when she was at the peak of her swimming career. Three years before that she swam around Manhattan in under eight hours and, in 1979, she made the 102.5-mile crossing (165-km) from Bimini to Florida.
Nyad's latest swim followed that of Penny Palfrey, a British-born 49-year-old grandmother from Australia, who tried the Cuba-Florida crossing in late June and swam 93 miles (149 km) before the Gulf Stream forced her to stop.
Palfrey holds the record for the longest unassisted swim, 67.5 miles (109 km) in the Cayman Islands last summer.

Unique' new rat species discovered By Press Association

A species of rat has been discovered that cannot gnaw or chew and represents a new step in rodent evolution.

The shrew-like animal, Paucidentomys vermidax, has fang-like upper incisors which are useless for gnawing and no back teeth. It lives exclusively on earthworms.

A newly discovered 'toothless' rat species represents a new step in rodent evolution (Picture: PA) P. vermidax was found in remote rainforest on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
It shares some characteristic with insectivorous shrew rats from the Philippines but has taken an evolutionary step further by completely dispensing with chewing molars.
Dr Kevin Rowe, from Museum Victoria in Australia, a member of the discovery team, said: "There are more than 2,200 rodent species in the world and until this discovery all had molars in the back of their mouth and incisors at the front.
"This is an example of how species, when faced with a new ecological opportunity, in this case an abundance of earthworms, can evolve the loss of traits that were wildly successful in previous circumstances."
P. vermidax is described in the latest issue of the Royal Society journal Biology Letters.
The creature has a rat-like tail but a long, thin nose similar to a shrew's. Its only teeth are its incisors, which in the upper jaw end in twin points. The Latin derived genus name Paucidentomys means "few-toothed mouse" and the species name vermidax means "devourer of worms".
Co-author Anang Achmadi, from Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense in Indonesia, said: "The specialised incisors of rodents give them the distinct ability to gnaw - a defining characteristic of rodents worldwide. In having lost all teeth except a pair of unusually shaped incisors that are incapable of gnawing, this new rat is unique among rodents."
Dr Rowe said the find was a reminder that wild habitats can still harbour undiscovered species.

Signs he's thinking about dumping you

Ever wonder if your man is secretly hoping to end your relationship? Kate Taylor, relationship expert at match.com, reveals the clues you’re about to lose him – and how to get things back on the right track

1. Critical conditions
The Everly Brothers nailed it – ‘starting to criticise little things’ you do is the most common sign your man has lost that lovin’ feeling. When you find yourself berated for everything, from the way you chew your food through to your choice of career, take notice. This behaviour has been identified by psychologists as, ‘building a case against the partner you want to leave’, and is often a way of removing guilt (for example, if your man has found someone else).
Block his exit: Instead of apologising, bite back with a sassy, funny reply. ‘Forgive me, O Great One,’ and go about your life as you like. This show of self-confidence will re-ignite his respect for you.

2. The ‘eye-narrow’
Ex FBI-interrogator Joe Navarro has written many books on body language, and has identified that when we look at something that arouses uncomfortable feelings in us – like guilt, or displeasure, or upset – we unconsciously narrow our eyes. Next time your partner greets you, look at his eyes: if he seems to squint, pay attention. But if he greets you with raised eyebrows and dilated pupils, chill – they’re universal signs he’s seen something he likes.
Block his exit: Disarm him by asking if there’s anything he’d like to talk about. Squinting eyes are a sign of repressed feelings – encourage him to open up.

3. His feet face the door
Again according to Navarro, our feet are the most honest part of our bodies. From childhood, we’ve been taught to ‘put on a happy face’ about things, but we don’t consciously control our feet. When you’re with your man, see where his feet are facing because that’s a sign of where he wants to go. If they’re towards you – awesome! But if they’re pointing out of the door, be prepared for the rest of him to follow.
Block his exit: If your man’s toes want space, give it to them. Back away for a week and keep yourself busy with your own fun life. A little distance might be all it takes to get him walking back your way.

4. He starts breaking dates
When a man cancels plans with you, pay attention. Barring emergencies – his mum’s ill, he’s in hospital or his favourite team are playing at home – his number one place to be should be by your side. If he begins to avoid opportunities to get together, it’s a sign he’d rather be somewhere else.
Block his exit: Never nag him if he cancels a plan, because then he’ll feel more justified for doing it. Instead, express sadness and then go about your life. Avoid clingy texts. If he cancels two dates in succession, pull back for a week.

5. He changes his pattern
If your man doesn’t text you for a day, it’s no big deal. But if he has always texted you every day then suddenly stops, sit up. Any violent change in pattern could signal something’s changed in his heart, too. Do take into account what else is going on in his world (women often forget this) – is his work hectic, his home-life disrupted? If so, relax. But if there seems to be no reason, pay attention.
Block his exit: Keep your interactions with him light and fun. Don’t initiate! If he’s weighing up whether or not he wants to be your man, give him space to do it. Don’t trust your instincts to bridge the gap.

6. He avoids intimacy
He stays up later than you do, doesn’t sleep over, or offers his cheek to be kissed rather than his mouth. Oops. When a man’s sex drive diminishes, it’s a signal his feelings are flaccid. Another sign: when he cuddles you, he pats you on the back. This is a body-language giveaway that always means, ‘I want this hug to end now.’
Block his exit: Never, ever nag. Pretend you haven’t noticed the lack of passion, and just watch him for other signals listed here. If he has two or more of them, realise he’s drifting away. Sit him down for the Talk.

7. His friends seem uncomfortable around you
When his friends go from welcoming to distant, it means they feel uncomfortable – usually because your man has told them he’s unhappy with you. They won’t speak out, but they’ll back away from you out of mixed loyalties and a terror you’ll ask them why your man seems so miserable lately.
Block his exit: Realise anything you say to his friends will get reported back to him, so don’t interrogate them about your bloke. Instead, try to relax and have fun like normal. Even if it doesn’t stop him leaving, it will ensure his friends all beg him to take you back.