Japan Temperature hit 41.1 degrees as heat waves continue

Dozens of people have died across Japan as the country continues to swelter under scorching summer temperatures. At least 44 people have died since July 9, with 11 dying on Saturday alone according to Kyodo News, as temperatures remained around 38 degrees Celsius (99F) in central Tokyo Monday. In nearby Kumagaya, the mercury rose to 41.1 degrees (105.98F), the highest ever on record in Japan, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, almost 12 degrees hotter than average temperatures at this time of year. The Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics are due to start two years on Tuesday. The authorities have forecast extreme high temperatures -- exceeding 35C (95F) -- for most of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu islands, with northerly Hokkaido the only one of the country's four main islands to escape the scorching heat. "Potential for heat illness is higher than usual," the agency said in a statement, adding that people should "take appropriate measures," including drinking lots of water, staying away from direct sunlight and using air conditioners. outdoor thermometer reads 41.0 degrees Celsius (105.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in Kumagaya city, north of Tokyo, Monday, July 23, 2018. According to AccuWeather analyst Joel N. Myers, the death toll is "likely already in the hundreds despite the official toll of somewhat more than two dozen," and may rise beyond that. "The elderly and those with pre-existent conditions, such as asthma and heart failure, are likely to face declining health due to exacerbation of their conditions due to weather," he said in a statement. "Heat exhaustion and stroke, dehydration, migraines, loss of sleep and mood alteration can all occur due to dangerous heat. Historical data shows that more people are likely to be involved in vehicle crashes due to heat-related impacts, such as decreased ability to concentrate, the poor quality of sleep they get and impaired mood, etc." No relief According to Myers, in parts of Japan which do not often experience high temperatures, air conditioning is less prevalent, meaning people do not have cool locations to go for relief. A government survey published last year found only around 42% of public elementary and middle schools had air conditioning, and most apartment buildings do not have centralized climate control systems. Cultural sensitivity over wastefulness has harbored a general apathy towards air conditioning over the years, which has been further fueled by environmental concerns and a government led "Cool Biz" campaign which urged businesses to set thermostats at 28C (82.4F) to avoid wasting energy. Hot summer Last month was the fifth hottest June on record, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. All 10 warmest Junes have occurred since 2005, with the hottest ever in 2016. Globally, the average land and ocean surface temperature for the first three months of the year was the sixth highest such period since global records began in 1880. Much of the northern hemisphere has been experiencing a scorching summer characterized by heatwaves and extreme weather. Asia has been particularly hard hit. At least 21 people died as a result of flash flooding this month, and more than 190,000 people were relocated in and around Shanghai, where Tropical Storm Ampil is striking the east coast of China. Hundreds of thousands have also been evacuated in the Philippines, with monsoon rains exacerbated by multiple storms, causing flooding and other dangers. Japan's heatwave comes after the country experienced some of the worst flooding in recent years when a unique set of weather conditions led to a massive amount of rain pummeling an area not prepared for it. Volunteers assisting in recovery efforts from the floods are increasingly experiencing difficulties and delays due to the extreme heat. "I've never experienced a summer this hot before," said Tomoko Takemoto, a Tokyo office clerk. "It's still July, I wonder what will happen in August." She said she was concerned about her dog, saying it was impossible to walk her after 6 a.m. because it was too hot and left the animal exhausted. IT professional Atsuhiko Takahashi said he felt "like I'm going to faint. It is too hot, I can't stand." "I worry about my child. In the past, parents encouraged their children to play outside, not stay home all the time, but now we say don't play outside during the day time," he added.

BREAKING NEWS: Winnie Nelson Mandela Ex-wife is Dead

Nelson Mandela’s ex-wife, Winnie Mandela, is dead. According to South African media, the former wife of South Africa’s first black president died at the age of 81. More to follow…

Federal Polytechnic Auchi to become A University Soonest

The Bill seeking upgrade of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, to a university on Thursday passed second reading at the House of Representatives. The sponsor of the Bill, Rep. Johnson Oghuma (Edo-APC), said when passed, the Bill would reduce the number of prospective undergraduates in Nigeria. Oghuma said that the bill would achieve global standards where polytechnics were being converted to universities to bridge the gap and harmonize standards of tertiary education. “In developed nation’s like America and United Kingdom, most polytechnics have been converted to universities of technology and helped to upgrade education generally.” He added that the measure was also to achieve one of the set goals of government of upgrading education standards in science, engineering and technological training in the country. Another aim, according to him, will be to provide the much-needed space for post-graduate studies which no polytechnic provides. The lawmaker disclosed that as currently placed, Auchi Polytechnic had all it took in terms of manpower and facilities, to take off as a full-fledged university. He also said that youths from that catchment area would now have a place to go and study to meet their various lifetime aspirations previously denied them due to quota and catchment policy in the country. The bill was subsequently passed by members when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara. The bill was later referred to the Committee on Tertiary Education Services for further action.

I Didn't Call For Military Take Over Says Ike Ekweremadu

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has denied calling for military intervention in the affairs of Nigeria. Ekweremadu said this in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, when Governor Seriake Dickson hosted him and other African lawmakers attending the 74th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Africa Region) Executive Committee to a dinner, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu. He maintained that his comments on the floor of the Senate, though “unambiguously in defence of democracy,” were either being twisted or misconstrued by some persons. While reinstating his respect for the Nigerian Armed Forces, Ekweremadu stated that comments made by lawmakers in the course of their duty should be situated within the proper context before any form of reaction. He added that parliamentarians had a duty to continue to defend democracy in the country, making him to clearly caution fellow politicians against the mistakes of the past, which inevitably led to the abrupt end of the previous republics. Ekweremadu said, “Of course, some people took it out of context and said I was calling for a military coup. I never called for a military coup. I never said the military was planning any coup. Even the military’s statement admitted that my statement was only cautionary and that we were sincere. But they went as far as saying that the international community should ignore my words of caution.” The Deputy Senate President added, “I hold the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces in high regard. They have defended our democracy, our people and have acquitted themselves creditably. If they need anything now, it is encouragement because this is not the best of times for them. But we do hope that when parliamentarians make statements, they (the military) should be able to know exactly what they said before reacting so that we don’t overheat the system.”

Check out Why Zodwa Wabantu the south Africa Naked Dancer was deported from Zambia

Controversial South African dancer Zodwa Wabantu, has been deported from Zambia on the grounds that her performance would “undermine national values”

Her promoter Lucky Munakampe told AFP, “I can confirm that Zodwa has been deported back to South Africa by the immigration department,” he gave no reason for her deportation. Zambia’s religious affairs minister Godfridah Sumaili told AFP last week that Zodwa would not be allowed to perform in the country. In his words, “Zambia is a Christian nation where morality and ethics have to be followed. We don’t expect a woman to dance without underwear. If she is ready to come with her panties, fine, we will welcome her”. The dancer had been due to perform on Saturday in Lusaka at the launch of a music album organised by a local entertainment company, Sunset Sound Production.

The organisers of the show said in a statement earlier this week that Zambia’s National Arts Council had rejected their application. “The Council stated that… Zodwa’s performances were not in the public interest and undermined our national values,” the statement said.

Zodwa who was sent back when she landed at the Kenneth Kaunda international airport in the morning told her fans that she feels she has become a pawn in a fight between Zambian authorities and her promoters in the country. The er*tic dancer went ahead to promise her fans that she would be back and that it was just a matter of time.

Usher and Grace announced their Separation

After nearly 10 years together, Usher and his wife Grace Miguel announced their separation. The couple released a joint statement confirming their split. The duo have been married for two years and started dating in 2009. The split comes after several people have accused the singer of giving them herpes .. This is reported to be Usher’s second marriage. He and ex-wife Tameka Foster share two sons, Usher Raymond V, 10, and Naviyd Ely, 9.

Meet 6 Nigerians Who’s Names Are On Guinness World Record

Meet 6 Nigerians Who’s Names Are On Guinness World Record So far, at least 6 Nigerians have been able to add their names to the all famous Guinness Book of World Record with the latest addition being Olawunmi Treasures Bayode; 1. Olawunmi Treasures Bayode The 40-year old father of three began reading at 1:30 PM on Monday, February 26, 2018, and has set a record of 150hours, a total of 5 days beating Nepali Deepak Sharma’s record of 113 hours 15 minutes in 2008. Bayode set the record at exactly 3:30 on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at the YouRead/Herbert Macaulay library, Yaba. Read also Nigerian Reads Aloud For Over 5 Days Straight, Bids For Guinness World Record 2. Kafayat Shafau Kafayat Shafau is popularly known as Kaffy. She broke the world record in longest dance with a time of 52 hours and 3 minutes in 2006. She did this with her team, Imagneto, at the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon. The renowned fitness and dance instructor, Kaffy has her own dance school. The 36-year-old has now been married for four years with two children. 3. Chidera Anemege Popularly known as Chiddy of Chiddy Bang, rapped his way into the Guinness book of records in 2011. He is the current holder of the longest rap freestyle by an individual. He set the record at the MTV O Music Awards in Las Vegas, the U.S.A. Chiddy freestyled for 9 hrs, 18 mins and 22 secs. He even had to keep rapping while using the toilet twice, to set the record. 4. Obi Ajuonuma Obi Ajuonuma is popularly known as DJ Obi, he broke the world record for the longest ever DJ set. He started on 22nd of June and continued until 11.30pm on 2nd July, 2016. Thereby completing a 240-hour marathon on the decks at a Lagos cafe, smashing the previous record of 200 hours set in Dublin by a Polish DJ called Norbert Selmaj in November 2014. He reportedly set the record in honour of his father, Levi Ajuonuma, who was a TV producer, before dying in the Dana aeroplane crash of 2012. His record is yet to be ratified. 5. Harrison Chinedu A Nigerian footballer, Harrison Chinedu has walked his way into the Guinness book of records, for something strange. He broke the previous record for the ‘farthest distance walked with a ball on the head’. He walked a total distance of 48.04 kilometres in 6 hours, 15 minutes on the 6th of March, 2016 to beat the record formerly held by Indian soldier Naib Singh who walked a total distance of 45.64km in his country in 2014. 6. Adetunwase Adenle Adetunwase Adenle is reportedly the only Nigeria citizen who has four Guinness world records to his name. The class room teacher and artist holds the record in different categories. He holds the record of the biggest painting that has been painted by the largest number of people and this painting is as big as a football field. It measures about 63.5m (208 ft 3.99 in) x 49.3 m (161 ft 8.94 in) and it was painted by 350 volunteers and this painting represents the map of Nigeria. Other times Nigeria’s name got on the world record book was for the biggest football jersey in the world. And when 300,000 students from the 600 public secondary schools in Lagos brushed their teeth simultaneously at different locations to defeat India who had set the previous tooth brushing record and put Nigeria on the map.