Buhari Sacks 17 Permanent Secretaries

President Muhammadu Buhari seems to be driving his reforms very fast as reports have emerged that he has ordered the mass retirement of 17 Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

Although no reason has been given for the decision, a very close associate of the President told Channels Television on Tuesday afternoon that the retirement takes immediate effect.

This is coming barely 24 hours after the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was fired and replaced by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Magu.

Over the last months, the Permanent Secretaries had been holding several meetings with the President, an indication that they were giving the President their last briefs.

Analysts see this move as part of the President’s plans to shrink the ministries to cut overhead costs for his government.
SOURCE:Channelsnews

Breast-feeding mom in Charlotte fends off home intruders

(CNN)A man has been charged in the home invasion and shooting of a North Carolina mom last week.

Semantha Bunce, 21, a combat medic in the National Guard, was in her Charlotte home breast-feeding her 4-month-old son in her bedroom when intruders barged in Tuesday, November 3, according to CNN affiliate WSOC.

As the intruders broke into the home and opened fire, Bunce fired back with her own weapon.

"I think it was a shock to the intruders just as much as it was to her," her husband, Paul Bunce, told the affiliate.

Her son was unharmed in the shooting, police said.

She remains in the Carolinas Medical Center recovering from injuries from at least two gunshot wounds.

Family members told WSOC that she has at least on more surgery ahead of her.

A friend has established a GoFundMe account to help with her impending expenses.

Semantha's husband told WSOC that his wife's National Guard training allowed her to protect herself and her son.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the undying support," Semantha said on her Facebook page.

"It means the absolute world to me and my family to have your support during this time of tragedy," she continued.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have charged Reco Latur Dawkins Jr., 23, with attempted first degree murder, felony breaking and entering and conspiracy in connection to the incident.

Dawkins will have his first court appearance Tuesday.

The world's best and worst places to live

(CNN)Yet again, the Nordic countries have dominated a list of the world's most desirable places to live.

But before the rest of us get too jealous, the experts warn that the Nordics shouldn't sit back and relax just yet.

The UK-based Legatum Institute has just released its annual Prosperity Index, which ranks 142 countries across 89 variables under eight sub-indexes: the economy; entrepreneurship and opportunity; governance; education; health; safety and security; personal freedom; and social capital.

Scandinavia is doing great but not that great

For the seventh consecutive year, Norway topped the list as the most prosperous country in the world.

It scored the highest in many variables including "trust in others," "satisfaction with freedom of choice," "civil liberty and free choice" and "satisfaction with standard of living."

Denmark and Sweden came third and fifth.

10 photos: Finland's reasons to be happy

Finland and Iceland ranked ninth and 12th on the list.

On the flip side, the research company says that the Nordics still have some catching up to do.

Economy-wise, they haven't been doing as well as many other advanced countries.

Among the top 20 most prosperous countries, Finland and Iceland are the only countries whose economy sub-index ranks outside the top 30.

Norway, Sweden and Finland have all seen their economy ranking slip in recent years.

China is rich, not prosperous

The strongest economy is Singapore, which ranked 17th in the overall Prosperity Index.

The city-state performed well overall. It appeared in the top 15 for all except two sub-indexes: personal freedom and social capital.

China came third in terms of economy, but remained relatively low in the overall ranking: 52nd place.

Measuring China's varied economic growth indicators 02:01

It came a poor 100th place on safety and security and 120th on personal freedom.

"The Prosperity Index is an answer to a problem," said the Prosperity Index's program director, Nathan Gamester, during the launch ceremony.

"The way we've traditionally measured how successful countries are is too narrow."

"Of course wealth is important but it doesn't tell the whole story."

Indonesia is the index's biggest success story.

In the past seven years it has moved up 21 places to 69th position -- the fastest mover on the list.

The world's getting more dangerous

Another key finding of the annual index is that the world has become a more dangerous place since the survey was first carried out in 2009.

Africa and the Middle East have witnessed major decline in the safety and security sub-index.

Behind the scenes of CNN's journey into Syria 02:31

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan and Syria were named the most dangerous places in the world. Their overall prosperity rankings are 137th, 141st and 136th respectively.

The United States (no.11 in the overall ranking) is the most unsafe country among the chart's top countries, taking the 33rd spot.

The report says the United States is the only western country to register "high levels of state-sponsored political violence" -- a level of 3 (on a 1 to 5 scale), equivalent to countries such as Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and El Salvador.

The index also quotes Amnesty International's report that the United States has the same level of political violence as Saudi Arabia.

Hong Kong was hailed as the safest place in the world for the third year in a row.

10 most prosperous countries

Norway has been ranked once again as the world's most prosperous country.

1. Norway

2. Switzerland

3. Denmark

4. New Zealand

4. Sweden

6. Canada

7. Australia

8. Netherlands

9. Finland

10. Ireland

10 least prosperous countries

Central African Republic is ranked the least prosperous country.

142. Central African Republic

141. Afghanistan

140. Haiti

139. Chad

138. Burundi

137. Democratic Republic of the Congo

136. Syria

135. Yemen

134. Sudan

133. Angola

SOURCE: CNN