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Nagasaki driver returns 25-yr ‘partner’ RX-7 to Mazda at ceremony on 80th birthday

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4 months ago

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Naoko Nishimoto shares her thoughts in front of her longtime "partner" Mazda RX-7, in the city of Nagasaki on Dec. 18, 2024. (Mainichi/Kazuki Kawashima) © The Mainichi
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NAGASAKI — A decades-long driver of a Mazda RX-7 sports car fulfilled a pledge to turn in her license on her birthday on Dec. 18 and passed the vehicle along to its maker.

At the ceremony held in a local Mazda dealership, Nagasaki resident Naoko Nishimoto commented with her hand on the hood, “Thank you so much for the 25 years we have shared our lives together, ‘Seven.'”

“Seven” is the name she gave her beloved coupe.

When Nishimoto was working as a clerk at the age of 55, she was looking to buy a new car and fell in love with the RX-7 when she first happened to see it in the anime series “Initial D”. “Its outline is beautiful,” she thought. She immediately bought a brand-new silver model for around 3 million yen (about $19,300 at the current rate).

After she had used the vehicle for daily outings like trips to the supermarket and racked up about 77,500 kilometers over 25 years of use, she made up her mind to give up her driver’s license in December 2022, when she turned 78. After her search for the car’s next owner was reported in the news, Mazda Motor Corp. put in an application.

A young designer at Mazda gave Nishimoto a sketch of the adored cruiser during the ceremony. “The RX-7 was the first car I was responsible for marketing after joining the company. Ms. Nishimoto lovingly drove this car for 25 years, and we will maintain and handle it with care from here on,” Mazda President Masahiro Moro wrote in a letter that was also passed to her.

“For the two years after I decided to let it go, I had particularly fond memories of riding in Seven to photograph seasonal flowers and scenery. I loved the feeling of oneness with the car,” Nishimoto said.

The car will hereafter undergo maintenance before beginning its second life as a promotional vehicle.

The RX-7 integrated Mazda’s technical prowess and included a high output, low noise and vibration rotary engine. Around 810,000 of the vehicles were produced between 1978 and 2002. Having plenty of overseas fans, the car was featured in “Fast and Furious,” and it has been immortalized in the street-racing manga, anime and game series “Initial D” as the car owned by the protagonist’s rival.

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I got married to man who wasn’t financially sound – Michelle Obama admits

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April 3, 2025

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Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama has admitted that Barack Obama was “not financially sound” when she met him.

The couple met in 1988 when Barack took a job at a law firm in Chicago where Michelle was already working.

Speaking on the podcast she hosts with her brother, Craig, Michelle spent much of their most recent episode discussing the importance of having a partner with financial stability.

Talking with British author Jay Shetty, Craig put the question directly to his famous sister.

He asked, “Would you be attracted to a guy who’s not financially sound when you meet him?”

Michelle immediately responded, “Uh, I married one.”

Craig then laughed and admitted to his sister that he’d set her up.

“Don’t you like that alley-oop I just threw you? In basketball, you just point—you don’t even have to say it,” he said.

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Nnamdi Kanu detained, prosecuted for making same remark as DSS DG, Ajayi – Ejimakor

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April 2, 2025

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Aloy Ejimakor, the Special Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has reacted to the comment by the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi, that Nigerians should defend themselves.

Ejimakor said Kanu was detained and is being prosecuted for making the same comment Ajayi made.

He disclosed that the same remark from Kanu led to the proscription of IPOB and hounding of Igbos as terrorists.

On Tuesday, the DSS DG said Nigerians must take responsibility for their own security, as the military, police, and intelligence agencies do not have the capacity to protect every community from terrorist attacks in Nigeria.

Speaking at a public engagement, the DSS DG made reference to past incidents in Bauchi State, where local communities successfully fought off Boko Haram insurgents without waiting for security forces.

Ajayi urged Nigerians to rethink their approach to self-defence, emphasising that communities must serve as the “first line of defence” against terrorists and other criminals

Reacting, Ejimakor posted on X: “Defend yourselves” is the same thing MAZI NNAMDI KANU said that was twisted to justify his extraordinary rendition & charging him for ‘incitement of violence.’

“It’s also the same thing that led to the proscription of IPOB & the hounding of young Igbos as terrorists. #Injustice.”

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Don’t ever have s$x with a drunk person no matter how much pressure they put on you to do so. They might turn it to r@pe- legal practitioner, Deji Adeyanju, advises

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2 days ago

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April 2, 2025

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Deji Adeyanju, a legal practitioner, has issued a crucial warning regarding sexual activity and consent, emphasizing the importance of refraining from engaging in sexual activity with someone who is intoxicated

Adeyanju took to his X page to stress that individuals under the influence of substances cannot provide informed consent, and engaging in sexual activity with them can have severe consequences, including potential claims of sexual assault or rape.

 

Never engage in sexual activity with someone intoxicated: Prioritize the well-being and safety of all individuals involved.

Ensure enthusiastic and informed consent*: Obtain clear and willing consent from all parties before engaging in sexual activity.

Prioritize well-being, safety , and autonomy:Respect the autonomy and boundaries of all individuals involved in any social interaction.

Adeyanju’s advice serves as a reminder of the significance of consent and respect in all interactions, promoting a culture of safety, respect, and enthusiastic consent.

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