CBN must resist further monetary policy tightening – CPPE

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December 17, 2022

The Centre for Pomotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to resist further monetary policy tightening, as inflationary pressures in the Nigerian economy are yet to abate.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), headline inflation accelerated to 21.47 percent in November as against 21.09 percent in October. On a month-on-month basis, it increased to 1.39 percent in November as against 1.24 percent in October 2022.

Muda Yusuf, director, the CEO at CPPE, said sustained tightened policy penalises entrepreneurs, especially the real sector, as it increases cost of credit with heightened prospects of a backlash on growth.

Exploring Siwa Oasis, Egypt

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Angel Gimalo

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December 16, 2022

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The Siwa Oasis is an oasis that is located between the Qattara Depression and the Egyptian Sand Sea in the Western Desert of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

As it is very close to the Libyan border, there is a settlement which is one of the most isolated ones in the country, as there are around 23,000 inhabitants, where most of them are Berbers who have developed a unique culture and distinct language called Siwi.

Extending some 80 km (50 mi) in length and 20 km (12 mi) in width, it stands almost 20 meters (66 feet) below sea level, and there is an abundance of olive and palm trees that are extending over the horizon.

As it is a great historic masterpiece, there are plenty of things which are worth to be seen.

All in all, a different experience from the magnificent Egypt which will take you back in time, and bring you back with the amazing and very friendly local Berber population, simply a perfect spot for the adventurous people who are eager to learn history while exploring the Siwa Oasis.

Once Upon A Time – December 16 – 1689 – English Parliament Passes Bill Of Rights Establishing Limits On Crown Powers

By

Angel Gimalo

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December 16, 2022

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755 An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion during Chinese Tang Dynasty

1598 Seven Year War: Battle of Noryang Point – in the final battle of the war Korean navy decisively defeats the Japanese

1620 Mayflower Pilgrims come ashore in Plymouth Bay, traditionally thought to be at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts

1653 Parliamentarian General Oliver Cromwell appointed as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland

1773 Boston tea party incident – Sons of Liberty protesters throw tea shipments into Boston harbour in protest against British imposed Tea Act

1920 8.5 earthquake rocks the Gansu province in China, killing an estimated 200,000

1944 Nazi Germany launches a counteroffensive against the Allies in the Ardennes region of Belgium, beginning the ‘Battle of the Bulge’

1998 Iraq disarmament crisis: Operation Desert Fox – the United States and United Kingdom bomb targets in Iraq

Historical Events Today
Today in Film & TV
1967 “Playtime”, French film directed by Jacques Tati, starring himself, is released

Today in Music
1893 Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 – “New World Symphony” premieres at Carnegie Hall, New York

Today in Sport
1930 Golfer Bobby Jones is the first to win the James E. Sullivan Award (best US amateur athlete)

1689 English Parliament passes Bill of Rights establishing limits on crown powers and requirement for regular elections

1937 Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe attempt to escape from American federal prison Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay; neither is ever seen again.

Famous Weddings
1771 Chemist Antione Lavoisier (28) marries Marie-Anne Paulze (13), the couple go on to make major discoveries in chemistry together

1944 General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s clerk Rickey marries corporal Pearlie

1950 American child actress Shirley Temple (22) weds 2nd husband US naval officer Charles Alden Black (31), at his parents’ home, Del Monte, California

Disillusioned Tunisians in backsliding democracy to elect parliament

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Henry Williams

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December 16, 2022

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To the outside world, Saturday’s elections in Tunisia raise several red flags: Many opposition parties are boycotting them, foreign media are banned from talking to candidates and critics say the new electoral law makes it harder for women to compete.

But many Tunisians believe their country’s decade-old democratic revolution has failed, and are exasperated with its political elites. They welcome their increasingly autocratic president’s political reforms and see the vote for a new parliament as a chance to solve their financial crisis.

The North African country was the only nation to emerge from the 2011 Arab Spring protests with a democratic government, which replaced longtime autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. But there’s been much backsliding since.

Scandal rocked ANC looks to start key conference

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Henry Williams

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December 16, 2022

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South Africa’s ruling African National Congress party is to start its crucial national conference amid scandal and bitter divisions.

The conference opening in Johannesburg Friday will elect the party’s leadership and adopt key policies for governing the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa is seeking re-election as the party’s leader at the national conference which is held every five years and is the ANC’s highest decision-making body.

The scandal surrounding Ramaphosa and the factional rivalries within the ANC are expected to dominate the conference.

More than 4,000 delegates from across South Africa have gathered in Johannesburg for the five-day conference.

The conference comes as South Africa faces enormous challenges including rolling power cuts lasting more than 7 hours a day, unemployment at 35% and slow economic growth.

Flood of fish released as Huge Berlin aquarium bursts

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Henry Williams

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December 16, 2022

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A huge aquarium in Berlin burst, spilling debris, water and hundreds of tropical fish out of the AquaDom tourist attraction in the heart of the German capital early Friday.

Police said parts of the building, which also contains a hotel, cafes and a chocolate store, were damaged as 1 million liters (264,000 gallons) of water poured from the aquarium shortly before 6 a.m. (0500 GMT). Berlin’s fire service said two people were slightly injured.

Mayor Franziska Giffey said the incident had unleashed a “veritable tsunami” of water but the early morning timing had prevented far more injuries.

Efforts were underway Friday afternoon to save an additional 400 to 500 smaller fish housed in aquariums underneath the hotel lobby. officials said Without electricity, their tanks were not receiving the necessary oxygen for them to survive.

President Biden to deepen Africa relations with visit next year

By

Henry Williams

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December 16, 2022

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President Joe Biden said Thursday he will visit sub-Saharan Africa next year, the first U.S. president to travel there in a decade. He announced the trip — still unscheduled — as he wrapped up a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit by stressing he’s serious about increasing U.S. attention to the growing continent.

His promise of a personal visit came as Biden declared to the 49 leaders gathered for the summit that “Africa belongs at the table” in every conversation of global consequence.

The Biden administration used the summit — a follow-up to one held in 2014 by Barack Obama — as the latest part of a charm offensive with leaders of African nations. The administration is looking to strengthen relations with those nations as China has surpassed the U.S. in trade with Africa and is aiming to grow its military presence.

The continent is crucial to global powers because of its rapidly growing population, significant natural resources and sizable voting bloc in the United Nations. Some leaders who took part in summit made clear they want the Biden administration to steer away from forcing them to choose between the U.S. and its global competitors when it comes to trade matters.

Possible winter escalation in wake of Ukraine stalemate

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Henry Williams

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December 16, 2022

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With the war in Ukraine grinding through its 10th month, both sides are locked in a stalemated battle of attrition, which could set the stage for a new round of escalation.

Many observers see the current deadlock as beneficial to Ukraine, allowing it to receive more state-of-the-art weapons from the West and prepare for new counteroffensives. In Russia, there is a growing sense of desperation among hard-liners about what they see as President Vladimir Putin’s hesitancy and lack of a clear strategy.

Military analysts note the fighting is likely to intensify again shortly as the soil freezes. Many point to Russian-occupied areas in the south as the most likely place for the next Ukrainian attack.

Meanwhile there are those who believe that NATO is fighting a proxy-war with Russia using Ukraine as a tool. They accuse NATO of being the protagonists and not making any efforts to end the war through negotiation.

Ticket Bank Offers Free Access To London Theatre Shows

By

Koko Lawrence

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December 16, 2022

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Free tickets to music, theatre, dance and comedy in London is coming for those who can’t afford to go.

The Ticket Bank is a new initiative that will provide free tickets to cultural events across London for people feeling the squeeze in the cost-of-living crisis.

Before a show begins, the unsold tickets will be offered to those in need for no charge. It connects the people to homeless charities, foodbanks and other charities working with the cultural sector.

For many people facing financial insecurity, culture is one of the first parts of their life to give way.

The Ticket Bank has already been signed up to by major London arts organisations like the Barbican, The National Theatre, the Roundhouse, and the Almeida Theatre.

Organised by Cardboard Citizens, the initiative is working with homeless charities like Centrepoint, The House of St Barnabas, and Positive Action in Housing, as well as The Longford Trust and the Network of Food Banks.

“Access to art and culture are essential to the human condition, a human right. If people can’t afford these riches, society is poorer off,” says Chris Sonnex, Artistic Director and joint CEO of Cardboard Citizens.

Scientist calls for evacuation of Laboratories from residential areas

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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December 15, 2022

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A laboratory scientist, Dr. Donald Ofili has said that laboratories should not be located in estates where people are living.

Ofili warned that laboratories should not be located in residential areas because they handle infectious materials.

According to him, a laboratory should be located in areas not close to where people are living.

Dr. Donald Ofili who is the Director and Deputy Registrar, MLSCN Accreditation Service Abuja, disclosed this during an interview with Newsmen, stressing that there are certain places where laboratories should not be located because they handle pathogens and may expose people living close to them to danger.

Experts say laboratories are typically home to a variety of health and safety risks, as they often deal with a variety of chemicals and equipment that have the potential to be harmful.

Ofili explained, “Laboratories should not be set up in residential areas. Don’t put a lab in an estate where people are living. Don’t put a lab in a building where people are living. A lab should be independent because they handle pathogens, and handle infectious materials.

“It shouldn’t be in the same parameters where human beings are living. Again, no two laboratories should be sited in the same place.

“There must be a lot of space, 200 meters away from the next laboratory. Even as a private laboratory, you are serving Nigeria, you are serving society. So, you should not have two laboratories close to each other.

The laboratory scientist said the laid down standard must be followed when setting up a laboratory.

“We have guidelines for setting up laboratories. People should consult the guidelines before setting up a laboratory. The laboratory should not be opened for business without the required materials because you heard that laboratory is money making, it should not be so”, he added.

Ofili disclosed that the Federal Government was working out a policy to ensure that all laboratories in the country were accredited by 2025.

He, however, said the registration of a laboratory was compulsory even before the owner commences operation.

“All laboratories must be registered so that they will enter our database for proper monitoring and inspections.

“Accreditation in Nigeria as we speak is voluntary. But very soon, accreditation will be mandatory because the government is working out a policy that says all laboratories must be accredited by 2025,” he said.

Continuing, he stressed that the laboratory cycle must ensure quality at all times.

He said, “In medical laboratory practice, 99 percent quality is not enough, one percent error can take a life.

“It puts the life of the patient at risk. In laboratory services, one percent error is dangerous. You must have the culture of going the extra mile in medical laboratory practice.

“The practitioners of a medical laboratory must understand the value of assuring that every result that leaves the lab is saying exactly what it should say.”