Obama's Library In Federal Court

CHICAGO (AP) — The city of Chicago made its first full-throated response this week to a lawsuit seeking to stop construction of the Obama Presidential Center, saying the buildings would sit on land that wasn't subject to restrictive public-trust laws.

City attorneys made those and other legal arguments in a federal court motion to dismiss a May lawsuit filed by an environmental group opposed to the project in Chicago's historic Jackson Park, chosen as the site for the $500 million presidential museum and library by former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.

CONDITIONAL LOVE

A Kenyan painter’s art questions China’s deepening reach in Africa 

The officials in suits arrived uninvited at Michael Soi’s studio located in the fringes of the industrial area of Nairobi. They were four men and two women, Chinese, and instantly started rifling through the stacks of artwork in the space and tossing paint cans around.

This was in 2015, a year during which China and Kenya were strengthening their bilateral relations with promises of working together in sectors as diverse as agriculture, infrastructural development, tourism, besides peace and security. Soi, a veteran artist known for his politically and culturally charged pieces, said the group started “lecturing” him, chiding him for being “ungrateful” for China’s contributions to Kenya. Soi immediately asked them to leave his space.

Photos Of Senegalese In The 1920s & 1950s

Just like Instagrammers today challenge the stereotypes of Africa in the digital era, the black and white film photography of Mama Casset used the tools of the colonial era to challenge the narrative of a wild Africa. His subjects pout and pose in gestures that challenge the images of Africans created by white photographers at the time (and frankly, some today).

Now, his work is finding a new audience in an exhibition at Madrid’s Círculo de Bellas Artes, “First talents of Senegalese photography,” on until August 26.

Housing Needs In Relation To Household Growth/Size

Housing Need corresponding with Stage I Household Growth. No wife or children

Housing Need corresponding with Stage I Household Growth.
The individual is now married, a bit more privacy is needed

Housing Need corresponding with Stage I Household Growth.
The individual is married. but still awaiting babies, but is able to afford additional room

Housing Need corresponding with Stage II Household Growth. They have one or two kids. At his stage, there's a need irrespective of affordability, the need must be met. The Household needs more space.

Housing Need corresponding with Stage III Household Growth. There are more children as the family is aging and growing. More space is needed whether or not the Family can afford.

Housing Need corresponding with Stage III Household Growth. There are more children as the family is aging and growing. More space is needed whether or not the Family can afford.

STAGE IV

At this Stage the housing need is practically back to Stage II. The children have all finished schooling; they have all declared their own independence. The household is left with Mum and Dad and perhaps a house-help. Do Mum and Dad still need the Housing unit in Stage III? It is not very likely.

In cultures where families are not tied to property ownership, at this stage the elderly move to Homes where they are cared for, that's not for Africans. So we shall not concern ourselves with what would be difficult, if not impossible to be accepted. The shelter "needs" here remain as in Stage III. However the elderlies may have the option of trading their Stage III homes for cash, and reverting to Stage II homes.

Copyright 
All rights reserved. This material, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from THE AUTHOR 

2019: Fresh Crisis Hits PDP

- Another crisis has again hit the People Democratic Party

- The former minister of information, Jerry Gana, led some key members of the party to join SDP

 - They accused Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state of hijacking the party.

The crisis rocking the former ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to abate as three former ministers are leading an exodus of top members of the party after efforts to heal the wounds of the last national convention of the party hit the rocks.

The Nation reports that the ex-information minister Jerry Gana, former education minister, Tunde Adeniran and ex-Niger Delta minister Godsday Orubebe are moving to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) which is merging with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Peoples Salvation Party (PSP) to form a formidable party ahead of 2019 general elections.

Why There Are No Snakes In Ireland

Legend tells it that in addition to introducing Christianity to Ireland, St. Patrick banished all the snakes from the Emerald Isle, chasing them into the sea from atop a cliff where he had undertaken a 40-day fast. As beloved as this element of St. Patrick’s story may be, a brief scientific inquiry and look back through history – such as the one National Geographic conducted in 2014 – reveals what while St. Patrick did a great many things, sending snakes slithering away from Ireland was not one of them.

Snakes never came to Ireland

The truth is that there were never any snakes in Ireland to begin with.

There are no signs of snakes in Ireland’s fossil record. In fact, it’s likely that for millennia there weren’t any snakes in either Ireland or Britain, though Britain eventually gained three species of snakes: the Grass Snake, the Adder Snake and the Smooth Snake.

So, how did that happen?

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During the Ice Age, Ireland and England were too frigid to be suitable habitats for cold-blooded reptiles such as snakes. But then, 10,000 years ago, when the glaciers shifted and land emerges connecting Europe, England and Ireland, allowing for migration. Animals that did make it to Ireland during this time period included brown bears, lynx and wild boars.

More Archaeological Discoveries Near Ancient Jerusalem Church

Ancient Biblical Site Near Jerusalem Reveals Byzantine Pool and Rare Greek Coin

Archaeologists Discovered Pool Near Ancient Jerusalem Church

The Byzantine-era pools discovered at the site of Ein Hanya, near Jerusalem.

Archaeologists in Israel have announced the discovery of a large 1,500-year-old pool and elaborate fountain at the site of an ancient church near Jerusalem.

The pool is part of a system of pools unearthed at Ein Hanniya Park between 2012 and 2016, officials said Wednesday. Built during the Byzantine era, the pools date back to between the 4th and 6th centuries AD, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority. Other artifacts found at the site include a rare silver coin from the 4th century BC and an ancient capital, or part of a pillar. Experts say that the capital is typical of royal structures from the First Temple period between 960 BC and 586 BC.

Inside Rio’s favelas, the city's neglected neighborhoods

7 Innovative Ideas In Architectural Design

1. The Urban Forest

(MAD Architects)

MAD Architects, a Chinese firm, has developed a way to reintroduce the reverence of nature to the rapid Westernization and immense population growth of one of China's biggest cities, Chongqing. The Urban Forest, which is intended for commercial and office space, is a swirling skyscraper with no apparent symmetry. Towering above Chongqing at around 116 stories high, (the World Trade Center's twin towers were 110 stories), the Urban Forest is an attempt to combine the careful attention of the green movement the representative power inherent in a skyscraper. Its design "mimics vertiginous hillsides, shifting in a dynamic yet holistic rhythm."An estimated date for the completion of The Urban Forest is unknown, but MAD architects do list it as a "design in progress," having completed the proposal phase.

Eight Issues In Obasanjo’s Statement Nigerian Govt Did Not Respond To:

On Wednesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, responded to the 13-page statement by former President Olusegun Obasanjo which rated the performance of the Muhammadu Buhari administration as below par.

In the explosive statement, Mr. Obasanjo highlighted the widespread discontent with the Buhari administration and advised Mr. Buhari not to seek re-election but to “dismount the horse” with honour and dignity.

While Mr. Mohammed’s response was measured and devoid of raucous counter-attack that is usually associated with such retorts within political circles in Nigeria, he, however, dodged some salient issues raised by the former president in his statement.

Seven Governors, 20 Senators, Others Back Obasanjo, To Oust Buhari

A former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, is mobilising politicians and other Nigerians to sign on to his Coalition for Nigeria project, to oust President Muhammadu Buhari from office.

Many of those consulted by Mr. Obasanjo are said to have signed on to his elaborate plan for a mass movement away from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to “rescue” the country.

Obasanjo Alleged Coalition To oust Buhari In 2019

Ahead of 2019 election, former president Olusegun Obasanjo is reportedly gathering an army of politicians to form a coalition to oust President Muhammadu Buhari as well as revamp politics and economy in Nigeria. The coalition so far has the support of seven governors and twenty senators as well as other notable politicians. 

According to Premium Times, many of those consulted by Obasanjo are said to have signed on to his plan for a mass movement away from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to “rescue” the country.

'SOLID' Hydrogen Phone Shipping This Summer

Boutique Android phone makers didn't have a good 2017, but RED aims to reverse that trend with its high-end Hydrogen handset, which founder Jim Jannard talks up in a recent post on the company's forums. The chunky, unique device will ship in the summer, but those who have pre-ordered will be able to test out its "4-view" display in April.

Jannard crows about the quality of the display, the quality of the audio, the quality of the build, the versatility of the module system, and the "cool as hell" scalloped sides. He admits it's big: 2 ounces more than other 5.7" devices, as well as broader and thicker. "Think SOLID," he concludes. At least that leaves room for a big battery (4500mAh) and dual SIM slots.

Climate Change Exposed Iron and Bronze Age Artifacts

Glacial archaeologists are racing melting ice in Norway to rescue thousands of ancient artifacts exposed by climate change—revealing something surprising about a mysterious and little-known ice age.

A team of scientists from Norway and the United Kingdom working in the mountains of Oppland, Norway, have discovered more than 2,000 artifacts, including Iron Age and Bronze Age weapons, remains of pack horses and even prehistoric skis. Many are made from organic materials (like wood or animal hide) that archaeologists rarely have a chance to study; in pretty much every other environment, they would have decomposed. A paper describing the research was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

Glacial archaeologists systematically survey the mountainous areas of Oppland, Norway.Johan Wildhagen

Radiocarbon dating during the course of the research placed some of the objects, like the nearly 200 arrows, as far back as 4000 B.C. Ancient hunter-gatherer communities in the region lived off reindeer and became proficient farmers, even at an elevation of more than 8,000 feet.

A Ghanaian Launches A Water Bicycle

A 27-year-old Ghanaian who resides in Takoradi in the Western Region gained recognition for his creation of a bicycle which is purposely designed to be used on water surfaces. He revealed that the creation of his invention started in August, 2017 and with a lot of effort and hard work, he managed to finish his project and tested it in a shallow dam in his area. 

Now, the young inventor believing in his finished work, decided to test it out on the sea to prove to the world that his invention has come to stay. In the many pictures that the young man sent to NAIJ.com, some people were seen taking turns to experience the unique invention. 

Speaking in a telephone conversation with NAIJ.com, Frank Darko revealed that he wanted his invention to help the school children who had to swim to school, find an easier path to their classes.

Frank Darko during the invention

Plane Skids Off Turkish Runway

A Pegasus Airlines Boeing 737 passenger plane was stuck in mud on an embankment after landing at Trabzon's aiport on the Black Sea coast on Sunday.

Terrifying images captured Saturday night at Trabzon airport on Turkey’s northeast coast showed a passenger plane teetering precariously on a steep slope, its nose pointing toward the waters of the Black Sea below, after the jet skidded off the runway as it was attempting to land.

Mass Burial Of Victims Of Herdsmen Killings In Benue State, NIGERIA

Housing: Why Educators, Health Professionals, and All Should Care About It

Lessons Learned from MacArthur's Investment in Housing Research

When cities strive to improve the lives of their residents, they often focus on issues such as schools, parks, jobs, or, health. Yet often overlooked is something equally fundamental. Trace the lineage of many social welfare issues today, and you will likely uncover a history of substandard, unaffordable housing. As research increasingly shows, housing that is safe and affordable and in a strong and thriving neighborhood is a launching pad to upward mobility for families.

For more than a decade, MacArthur has supported research on the role of housing as a platform for opportunity among families. As the following summary of findings from more than 20 studies shows, housing shapes our lives in critical and long-lasting ways. Through this and others' work, our understanding has expanded and continues to grow, providing greater nuance and insight into the specific pathways through which housing makes a difference in people's lives and in communities. These pathways include housing stability, affordability, quality, and location.

The findings are organized for audiences who regularly see the direct impact of poor-quality, unaffordable housing but who at the same time may not realize housing's role in those outcomes: educators, health professionals, and economic development experts.