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Lagos Govt Unveils Guidelines To Tackle Sexual Harassment At Workplace

To combat and prevent sexual harassment at work, the Lagos State government has developed new guidelines.

During a symposium held at Victoria Island’s Civic Centre, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) unveiled the framework.

The event focused on the effects of SGBV on organizational productivity and sexuality.

More than 130 professionals from the trade union, hospitality, FMCG, oil and gas, and banking joined together for the event.

Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the executive secretary of DSVA, described SGBV as a significant economic challenge and a human rights violation.

Survey

According to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, which predicted annual losses of $ 3.0 billion, or nearly 1% of output, she cited.

Additionally, she shared the findings of a recent survey of 549 professionals on workplace harassment.

Over 70% of respondents had direct experience, while 89.3% had a family member who was affected.

Read more about the rescue of six as a two-story building collapses in Lagos.

Only 4.5% of respondents said they had never experienced workplace harassment.

She said, “This reality underscores the urgent need for enforceable workplace policies that promote dignity, respect, and inclusivity.”

Princess Olumegbon, the head of the Lagos Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, stated that SGBV must be addressed both as a societal and economic challenge.

She assured the audience that the House would work to improve the legal frameworks for preventing gender-based violence.

Calls For Zero Tolerance

Goodwill messages were delivered during the symposium’s keynote address, which was delivered by Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) founder Kemi Ibru.

Ibru advocated for the use of zero-tolerance laws and survivor support systems and highlighted the impact of SGBV on productivity.

The official release of the Lagos State Guidelines for Preventing and Addressing Sexual Harassment at Work was a major highlight.

Lauren Goodger shares bloody photo from surgery as she issues warning to fans

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TOWIE cast member Lauren Goodger has been posting about a recent visit to hospital where she had a procedure, with her having shared updates on social media today

Reality TV star Lauren Goodger has shared a warning to fans after undergoing surgery this week. The Only Way is Essex cast member announced earlier today that she is now awaiting the results of a biopsy following the procedure.

Lauren, 39, has revealed that she had three moles removed at a hospital in Essex. She said that one of them was “deep rooted” and it has been sent off for analysis at a laboratory, with her now urging fans to check their own moles.

The former Celebrity Big Brother housemate posted the updates on Instagram. Lauren first shared a selfie of herself wearing a medical gown whilst she lay in a bed. She didn’t provide any details but tagged the hospital in the post.

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Hours later, she teased that she’d had a procedure and issued a warning, suggesting that her next post would contain cuts, blood and stitches. She wrote: “WARNING Caution .. Next slide skip if you don’t like cuts or blood or stitches.”

Lauren then posted a photo that showed a blue sheet that appeared to have blood on it. A hole in the sheet showed stitches over an incision in her skin, with her writing about the surgery in the accompanying caption.

She told her followers that she had three moles removed in the procedure and suggested that the photo documented the removal of a “deep rooted” one. Lauren also said that her moles had changed when she was pregnant.

The caption began: “I’ve had 3 moles removed, this one was cut out and removed as was deep rooted being sent off to the lab.” She went on to encourage others to check their bodies, writing: “So important so check your moles.”

She continued: “I’ve always been a sun worshiper but these changed in pregnancy.” She concluded by telling her followers on the platform: “But all removed now maybe have a few more soon results and stitches out in 2 weeks.”

Lauren is the latest celebrity to encourage fans to monitor their moles. Last month, Love Island star Zara McDermott posted about a form of skin cancer screening and she told her followers: “Check your body as often as possible.”

According to the NHS, a new mole or the change in appearance of an existing one “may be signs of melanoma,” which is a type of skin cancer. It states that melanomas are “more common in areas that are often exposed to the sun”.

It adds: “It’s important to check your moles regularly for any changes.” It also says: “UV light from the sun can increase the chance of a mole becoming cancerous. If you have lots of moles, you need to be extra careful in the sun.”

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The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.

Prison riot in Ecuador kills at least 17 people

In Ecuador, the second deadly prison brawl to hit the nation this week, at least 17 people have died.

The coastal city of Esmeraldas, close to the Colombian border, was the scene of the fighting on Thursday. According to reports, police discovered dead prisoners inside their cellblocks, and images of victims lying face-down on the ground with blood-stained torsos were shared on social media and verified by the AFP news agency. At least two of them were killed.

A local police chief reported that a prison riot in southern Ecuador earlier this week resulted in the death of 14 people and the injury of 14.

According to Police Chief William Calle, prisoners in the port town of Machala, south of Guayaquil, killed a guard and kidnapped officers on Monday, according to Ecuavisa.

Ecuador’s prison system has a long history of deadly violence.

In Guayaquil in 2021, the largest prison massacre in Ecuador, between rival rival gangs, led to the deaths of more than 100 prisoners and injured more than 50 others.

Since February 2021, there have been about 500 inmates killed, often in gruesome ways, with their bodies dismembered and burned in gang wars inside the country’s prisons.

After the release of narcotics boss Jose Adolfo Macias, also known as Fito, in 2013, gang members held a television presenter at gunpoint live on air while detonating bombs on the outside.

The military was given the order to take control of the prisons after President Daniel Noboa declared a “state of internal armed conflict.” Eight penitentiaries, including the Machala prison, were then returned to police control last month, though.

Colombia and Peru, the two biggest cocaine exporters in the world, have recently seen violence in Ecuador as rival gangs with ties to Colombia and Colombia fight for control.

Former Arsenal youth striker Vigar dies after injury during game

Chichester City FC and former Arsenal academy striker Billy Vigar has died after sustaining a “significant brain injury”.

Vigar, 21 and born in Worthing, was injured during a game at Wingate and Finchley on Saturday in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

It is thought the injury was caused when he collided with a concrete wall, but the club has not confirmed this.

“After sustaining a significant brain injury last Saturday, Billy Vigar was put into an induced coma,” the family said.

“On Tuesday, he needed an operation to aid any chances of recovery. Although this helped, the injury proved too much for him and he passed away on Thursday morning.

Vigar was a graduate of the Arsenal academy, leaving the club in 2024, and also had spells at Derby County, Hastings United and Eastbourne Borough.

A statement from Arsenal said everyone at the club was “deeply sorry” to hear of his death.

“Billy joined our academy on schoolboy terms aged 14, after being scouted at his hometown club Hove Rivervale FC and excelled as a striker at Hale End, scoring 17 goals in his debut season,” the club said.

“In 2020, his performances earned him a scholarship and joined us full-time for the 2020-21 season, his intake including current players Charles Sagoe Jr, Remy Mitchell and others such as Omari Hutchinson, Charlie Patino and Brook Norton-Cuffy.

“Quick, powerful and fiercely determined, his first season as a scholar was blighted by a serious hamstring injury, but he made up for it in his second, scoring four goals in 18 under-18 appearances and signed professional terms for the club at the end of that 2021-22 season.

“Billy went on to appear for us in the PL2 and EFL Trophy and proved to be an asset across the forward positions and even deputised in defence – his versatility illustrating his commitment to the coaching staff and his team.

“As well as his significant talent, Billy will always be remembered for his love of the game, pride at representing our football club – he once called the day he was spotted by our scouts as ‘the most Important of his life’ – and a character beloved by team-mates and coaches alike.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the Vigar family and his many friends at this extremely difficult time.”

Derby County said in a statement: “All at Derby County are deeply saddened by the passing of Billy Vigar.

“Billy spent the second half of the 2022-23 season with the academy on loan from Arsenal, making several appearances for the Under-21s.

“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”

A spokesperson for Hastings said: “All of us at Hastings United are devastated to learn of the passing of Billy Vigar.

“We will always remember Billy’s time at Hastings United with fondness. Our thoughts are with Billy’s family [and] friends at this time.”

Vigar made 32 appearances for Eastbourne while on loan from Arsenal during the 2023-24 season.

Eastbourne said: “Both footballing and non-footballing club staff are shocked and deeply saddened at the news, and our thoughts are with Billy’s family at this terrible time.”

The FA said in a statement: “We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, loved ones and everyone at Chichester City FC at this incredibly difficult time.”

Save 50% on ‘bright and fresh’ Marc Jacobs perfume shoppers say you can ‘smell all day’

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Marc Jacobs’ Daisy Ever So Fresh perfume has just received a huge 50% price cut, slashing it to under £50 as shoppers say it smells ‘bright and fresh’ and lasts ‘all day’

When it comes to perfumes, the criteria we’re always looking for is a great smell and a long-lasting scent. And really, what more could you need from a fragrance?

Luckily, it seems Marc Jacobs’ Daisy Ever So Fresh manages to tick off all those boxes and more. Not to mention it’s currently got a more than impressive discount applied to it, as LookFantastic has slashed the price by 50% for a limited time.

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Usually priced at £95 for a 75ml bottle, it’s currently reduced to just £47.50. The 50ml bottle is the only one with 50% discount applied, however the 30ml bottle is now £49.60 down from £62, and the 125ml bottle has been slashed to £93.60 from £117, so you can still make decent savings on the perfume.

The Daisy Ever So Fresh is one of the latest additions to Marc Jacobs’ Daisy perfume collection, and combines soft floral notes with fresh and zesty citrus scents. The top notes include mandarin, mango and pineapple, whilst the heart notes are rosewater and orange blossom essence.

Finishing off with base notes of cashmere woods, the perfume is perfect for transitioning from summer into autumn, bringing a fresh and fruity summer feel with warm and cosy undertones. If you love a fresh and zesty perfume, there are several other scents with similar notes to shop too.

Kayali’s Marrakesh Orange Blossom 24 Eau de Parfum is £79 for a 50ml bottle, and combines notes of orange blossom, pink pepper and bergamot with cedar, neroli and Turkish rose. Meanwhile The 7 Virtues Clementine Dream Eau De Parfum is £85 for a 50ml bottle, and combines mandarin oil and vibrant cassis with delicate florals, vanilla and upcycled black amber for a warm and zesty scent.

Finally we also love Phlur’s Tangerine Boy Eau De Parfum, which is slightly pricier at £99 for 50ml. However this is the one to go for if you want something super zesty and fresh, with top notes of lemon, ginger and black pepper, heart notes of apple, tangerine and jasmine, and base notes of amber and moss.

However if you want to pick up the Daisy Ever So Fresh, it’s also gotten rave reviews from shoppers, who loved its smell and longevity.

One said the perfume was “bright and fresh” and added: “Bought as a gift for a friend and she loved it. Could smell it on her all day.”

Whilst a second wrote: “Lighter weight perfume lovely for work or everyday not over powering but a lovely smell and a beautiful bottle!”

A third agreed: “Smells lovely and fresh always get compliments when I wear it.”

One reviewer did mention about the Daisy Ever So Fresh: “It’s a lovely fresh scent, perfect for everyday wear. However as it’s quite light I wouldn’t say it’s very long lasting.”

Whilst another agreed: “Great smell but unfortunately it doesn’t last that long.”

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However others disagreed, writing: “This has a lovely scent to it, not too heavy. For me, the scent lasted a long time and wasn’t like some scents that disappear quickly.”

Why have Spain and Italy sent ships to assist the Gaza Sumud flotilla?

Italy and Spain have decided this week to dispatch naval vessels to assist the Global Sumud Flotilla on its way to break Israel’s siege of Gaza.

The unprecedented move to support a flotilla headed towards the Palestinian enclave comes after repeated attacks against the Sumud Flotilla, including a drone attack early on Wednesday.

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Israel is widely believed to be behind the attacks. However, in keeping with many of its suspected overseas operations, the government has not commented. Israeli rhetoric against the flotilla, however, has escalated.

Early in the voyage, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the activists on board “terrorists” and said they should be treated as such. More recently, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has repeatedly urged the flotilla to unload its cargo in Israeli territory, described the effort to deliver aid as a “jihadist initiative”.

So how much danger is the flotilla in, and will the Spanish and Italian naval ships make any difference?

Here’s what we know:

How much risk is there to the flotilla?

The Global Sumud Flotilla has said it expects an “imminent” Israeli attack now that it is nearing Gaza. Israel itself has said it will “not allow any vessel to enter the active combat zone” and breach its naval blockade of Gaza.

Three previous attempts to similarly deliver aid to Gaza this year have been intercepted by Israeli forces.

In May, the Conscience was attacked and forced to return to port in Malta after being targeted by drones. An attempt in June was also blocked by Israel when the Madleen was intercepted in international waters and its crew detained. A third attempt in July by the Handala was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters and its crew detained.

The British-flagged yacht Madleen was seized by the Israeli military as it approached Gaza in June [File: Nir Elias/Reuters]

What have the Italian and Spanish governments said?

Speaking outside the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has been among Israel’s most prominent critics, told reporters: “The government of Spain demands that international law be complied with and that the right of its citizens to navigate the Mediterranean under safe conditions be respected.”

The position of Italy and its right-wing government, which has often backed Israel, is less clear. Despite the presence of a number of Italian citizens, including parliamentarians, on board the flotilla, Italy’s military support for the mission appears conditional.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the flotilla’s mission as “gratuitous, dangerous and irresponsible” and, speaking outside the UN on Wednesday, urged the flotilla to hand over its aid in Cyprus to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which would then distribute it. That was rejected by the Global Sumud Flotilla.

But Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on Wednesday said sending the navy ship was “an act of humanity”.

“It is not an act of war. It is not a provocation. It is an act of humanity, which is a duty of a state towards its citizens,” he said in parliament.

Giorgia Meloni leans her head on her hand at the US cabinet table.
While Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has dispatched vessels to assist the Global Sumud Flotilla, she has described its mission as ‘gratuitous, dangerous and irresponsible’ [Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters]

How popular is support for Palestine in Spain and Italy?

Both Spain and Italy have large pro-Palestinian movements that have been galvanised by Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Mass protests and port blockades were held in Italy over the weekend, highlighting mass support for the Palestinian cause in the country, even as the Italian government refuses to follow many of its European neighbours in recognising Palestinian statehood.

In Spain, support on the streets for Palestine has translated into official government support – with Sanchez becoming one of the most vocal world leaders in criticising Israel. The prime minister has approved a full arms embargo on Israel and has called for Israel to not be allowed to compete in international sport.

A cycling team named after Israel led to large protests in this month’s Vuelta race across Spain – demonstrations that were backed by Sanchez.

So what are the ships and why are they there?

Italy originally sent the naval frigate Virginio Fasan, which neared the flotilla before being replaced by the frigate Alpino.

The Italian navy has said the vessel sent by Italy would not have any escort duties.

The Spanish patrol vessel Furor sailed from the Spanish port city of Cartagena on Thursday, headed for the eastern Mediterranean.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Spain had accepted a request from Belgium to assist Belgian citizens on board the flotilla and was holding conversations with Ireland on the same topic. He added that the Global Sumud Flotilla was a humanitarian mission and did not pose a threat to anyone.

Is international law on the flotilla’s side?

Under international law, civilians engaged in delivering humanitarian aid, such as the volunteers on board the flotilla, are protected under the terms of the Geneva Convention.

According to the flotilla’s organisers, any attack on the flotilla would constitute a breach of both international law and the provisional order instructions of the International Court of Justice in January 2024 instructing Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The flotilla receives additional protection under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. This guarantees freedom of navigation and “innocent passage” in territorial waters as long as the flotilla does not threaten peace or security.