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North Ireland’s First Astronaut Excited After Selection Process

By
Angel Gimalo
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0

Belfast-born astronaut Dr Rosemary Coogan has said she is thrilled to have been selected as part of the newest batch of European Space Agency astronauts.

“I’m really thrilled to have this opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”

Spending her early years in Northern Ireland and the south of England, Dr Coogan said it was a wonderful feeling after “quite a long selection process” to make the cut among more than 20,000 applicants.

Ms Coogan was one of just 17 chosen out of approximately 22,500 applicants to join the European Space Agency’s astronaut training programme. This included 270 from Ireland.

The scientist, born in Belfast and who spent her early years moving between Northern Ireland and the south of England, was officially named as one of the astronauts at an event in Paris two weeks ago.

Ms Coogan described knowing she was given the opportunity to head into space as a “wonderful feeling”.

“As you might have heard it was a quite a long selection process,” she told BBC Radio Ulster. “I am really thrilled to have this opportunity and I cannot wait to get started.”

Always fascinated with space, which led to her building a career as an astrophysicist, “becoming an astronaut gives me the opportunity to contribute to a whole different side of space science”.

“A lot of what they do at the International Space Station is not only to do with space but directed to the materials that we use on earth and the human body,” she said, adding it was “quite a different side” of the science.

Following a year’s basic training, the continent’s newest astronauts will spend a further two years on mission-specific training.

It is the first time a new ESA astronaut training programme has started since 2008. This cohort will be eligible to fly from some point in 2026.

“I think it is a really good time to get involved in exploration,” she said.

“Of course, the ISS will continue to be fantastic for the next eight or so years (but) “I am really looking forward to the next steps such as assembling the Gateway, the new space station, which will be much closer to the moon.”

Exploring Cape Romano Dome House, U.S.A.

By
Angel Gimalo
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1

Cape Romano Dome House is a unique abandoned modern house, which at the moment slowly is being reclaimed by the sea, and it is located on Caxambas Island, south of Marco Island in Collier Country, Florida, USA.

It was constructed in 1980 by the now-deceased oil producer Bob Lee, as an eco-friendly local landmark which was the dream vacation home for Bob Lee’s family.

The house consists of six white painted concrete stouts that are interconnected, and included three bedrooms and three bathrooms inside.

Before the construction even began in Florida, Bob Lee had made a scale model on his family’s land in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Nevertheless, in 1984, two years after the completion of the vacation home, Bob Lee sold the property to another family who had it just for a couple of years due to their financial decline.

In 1987, Bob Lee repossessed the Cape Romano Dome House which then became their primary residence until the early 1992. Exactly then, Hurricane Andrew struck the oddly shaped home and utterly destroyed the interior which made it impossible for the Lee Family to continue to live in it.

The exterior of the dome house, due to the unique shape where there are no sharp edges or flat surfaces for the wind to catch on, had no damage at all. Compared to the other nearby structures who did not survive Hurricane Andrew, the Dome House was in a far better condition.

Yet, by 2004 the water slowly started catching the pillars which were holding the home, and in 2005 Bob Lee sold the property to a Naples resident, John Tosto. He had plans to preserve the home, however, Hurricane Wilma struck a few months later and made it impossible.

The Collier County Code Enforcement Board decided to demolish the structure, a demolition which has not occurred and at the moment the house is sitting in a 2 meters (6 feet) deep water which is making the sea life very happy because it is yet another reef for them to hide.

Whether something will be left standing in a decade or so, nobody is sure to say, but definitely people will be remembering Bob Lee’s dream house which has been seen by many not just locals, but also tourists who would like to get close to it and be inspired.

Physician Warns On The Dangers Of Smoking

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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2

A consultant and Public Health Physician with the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Professor Tanimola Akande has cautioned that smokers are liable to terminal diseases. The Professor lamented the increase of non communicable diseases in Nigeria.

He was speaking with Journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital, North Central Nigeria at the Inauguration of members of Board of Trustees of a Non Governmental Organisation, Palliative Care Patients Support Foundation held at the Nightingale Hall of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH.

Professor Akande also noted that exposing plastic bottles and sachet water to sun may lead to chemical leaching and release harmful chemicals like dioxin which increases the risk of cancer.

Professor Akande, who is a specialist in Health Management explained that People’s lifestyle, especially drinking of alcohol is a contributory factor to chronic diseases such as diabetes.

The don prompted the staff of the Pain & Palliative Care Unit of the UITH with some public-spirited individuals, groups and organisations, to establish the Non Governmental Organisation to harness resources and raise funds for treatment of patients with life threatening ailments in the hospital.

A Palliative Care Physician, Dr Israel Kolawole, who is the President of the NGO,  said the establishment of the Non Governmental Organisation was aimed to cater for the indigents who could not afford the hospital expenses and the rich ones that had been rendered poor because of the financial burden of the care.

Dr Kolawole said that, “majority of our patients are indigent; the rich ones have been rendered poor because of financial burden of care, loss of jobs due to frequent hospitalizations and other challenges of care and stigmatization from their diseases”.

The Anaesthetist turned Palliative Care Physician,  said the Pain and Palliative Care Unit of the UITH was established over 14 years ago to provide care to meet the peculiar needs of patients with Cancer, Covid-19 and other advanced progressive life-threatening diseases.

“Many of the people are living and dying in unrelieved pain with uncontrolled physical symptoms; unresolved psycho-social and spiritual problems, abandoned, in fear, isolation and loneliness,” he said.

Dr Kolawole, explained that the non-governmental organisation courted partnership with public-spirited individuals, groups and organisations to harness resources for community participation, saying that personal resources of members of the organisation were grossly inadequate to support patients.

“For most of them, it is not the fear of death that is most important. After all, we all are going to die someday. But most people want to die with dignity and in peace. The needs of these patients include relief from pain and other distressing symptoms that constitute suffering in order to improve their comfort and quality of life.

“Since our healthcare system in Nigeria runs on cash and carry basis and patients often have to pay for all treatments from their pockets, many of these patients frequently struggle with the financial burdens related to their care and many are out rightly often unable to meet the personal expenses involved in their care”, he said.

Also speaking at the event , the Wife of the Kwara State Governor, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, who spoke through the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Raji Rasaki, identified with the Palliative Care Patients Support Foundation, calling on influential individuals and wealthy people in the society to support the Non Governmental Organisation.

The Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Professor Abdullah Yussuf, lauded the initiative of the Palliative and Care Unit of the University in ameliorating the sufferings of the patients.

He pledged the support of the Teaching hospital to the activities of the Non Governmental Organisation.

Members of the Board of Trustees of the foundation include a Professor of Public Health, Tanimola Akande, Emeritus Professor Luke Edungbola, a former Chief Medical Director of UITH, Professor Suleiman Alege Kuranga, a legal practitioner, Reverend John Olusola Baiyeshea (SAN), wife of a business tycoon, Hajia Bolanle Yusuf, and Dr. Israel Kolawole who is the President of the Foundation among others.

Kwara State Gets Medical Diagnostic Centre

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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4

Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority Healthcare Development and Investment Company (NHDIC), has signed an agreement with the Kwara State Government on its Diagnostics and Oncology Expansion Programme to build, equip, maintain and operate a private modern medical diagnostic centre and cauterization lab in Ilorin.

Kwara State is in the first phase of the programme along with Kaduna and Enugu states, with each centre running as a joint venture between Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the respective states. The programme is designed to curb medical tourism by providing for the people of Kwara and Nigerians with access to world-class healthcare delivery.

The result is the provision of high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare to the local market, creation of jobs and development/training on the required clinical resources. The centre will be located in the existing Harmony Diagnostic Centre Complex along Asa Dam Road in Ilorin, according to specifications of the NSIA. The complex will now be upgraded into what will be called the Asa Dam Medical Village, thereby creating a hub for several medical and pharmaceutical facilities, while positioning Kwara State as a new local alternative for quality healthcare.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Raji Razaq signed the agreement with the NSIA in Abuja on behalf of the Kwara State Government. The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Lolo Cecilia Ezeilo, representatives of Kaduna State and Medical Directors of the Teaching Hospitals and Managing Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Mr Temi Kolawole. Former Managing Director, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, Uche Orji said, “The broader goal of the programme is to establish, in two phases, a portfolio of 23 diagnostic centres, seven cauterization labs and two oncology centres across Nigeria.”

He appreciated Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq for his cooperation and willingness to partner with the NSIA on this new journey, which will upgrade the existing healthcare infrastructure in Kwara state. The project is estimated to cost the NSIA around $5-7 million and is set to commence before the end of the year.

Best Selling Daily Devotional, Rhapsody Of Realities Available In Record Breaking 7,858 Living Languages Of The World

By
Koko Lawrence
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2

The best-selling daily devotional, Rhapsody of Realities, celebrates a record breaking feat, as the President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, announced at the Global Communion Service of the ministry on Sunday December 4, the availability of the study guide in all known 7,858 living languages of the world.

Since its inception in 2001, the devotional, authored by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has broken through every form of geographical and linguistic constraint to become the most widely distributed and most translated book in the world.

The daily devotional which is often referred to as the “Messenger Angel,” is a life guide designed to enhance spiritual growth and development by bringing a fresh perspective from God’s Word every day.

With billions of copies in distribution, the best-selling daily devotional features the day’s topic, a theme scripture, the day’s message, the daily confession and the Bible reading plan segment, bringing the richness of God’s Word into the lives of millions on a daily basis.

George Clooney Helps Wife Amal Steal The Show At Kennedy Center Where He’s Honored

By
Koko Lawrence
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1

Despite the shiny medallion placed around his neck at The Kennedy Center, George Clooney was outshone by his wife, barrister and human-rights activist Amal Clooney, on Saturday night.

A member of the 45th class of honorees for the lifetime artistic achievement award given by The Kennedy Center Honors, Clooney walked the red carpet, looking dapper in a black tuxedo.

Accompanied by his parents, Nick and Nina, as well as Amal, Clooney took posing on the red carpet as an opportunity to laud his wife, fluffing the train of her dress as she gleefully smiled for photos.

Amal wore an off-the-shoulder red gown by Valentino’s Spring 2022 Couture collection.

The event, held at the United States Department of State, culled many other artists, all of whom were honored alongside Clooney. They included Amy Grant, Gladys Knight, Tania León, and the members of the band U2: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.

Clooney said of receiving the honor, “Growing up in a small town in Kentucky I could never have imagined that someday I’d be the one sitting in the balcony at the Kennedy Center Honors. To be mentioned in the same breath with the rest of these incredible artists is an honor. This is a genuinely exciting surprise for the whole Clooney family.” 

As described on its website, The Kennedy Center Honors “have been compared to a knighthood in Britain, or the French Legion of Honor — the quintessential reward for a lifetime’s endeavor.”

Once Upon A Time – December 5 – 1848 – US President James K. Polk Triggers Gold Rush Of 1849 By Confirming A Gold Discovery In California

By
Angel Gimalo
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1

771 – Charlemagne becomes the sole King of the Franks after the death of his brother Carloman

1349 – 500 Jews of Nuremberg massacred during Black Death riots

1456 – Earthquake strikes Naples; about 35,000 die

1848 – US President James K. Polk triggers gold rush of 1849 by confirming a gold discovery in California

1933 – Prohibition ends in the US when 21st Amendment to the US Constitution ratified, 18th Amendment repealed (5:32 PM EST)

1969 – Four-node ARPANET network is established

More Historical Events

December 5 in Film & TV

2001 – “Ocean’s Eleven” directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Julia Roberts premieres in Westwood, California

December 5 in Music

1973 – Paul McCartney & Wings release album “Band on the Run” in the US

December 5 in Sport

2017 – Russia is banned from the next Winter Olympics in South Korea over state-sponsored doping

More Facts

1717 – English pirate Blackbeard ransacks the merchant sloop “Margaret” and keeps her captain, Henry Bostock prisoner for 8 hours before releasing him. Bostock later provides 1st record of Blackbeard’s appearance, and the source for his name

1945 – Flight 19 the “Lost Squadron” of 5 torpedo bombers and 14 airmen is lost east of Florida in the supposed Bermuda Triangle

Famous Weddings

1926 – Gangster Carlo Gambino (24) weds his first cousin Catherine Castellano

1932 – “East of Eden” director Elia Kazan (23) weds playwright Molly Day Thatcher (25)

1943 – Singer and actress Dinah Shore (27) weds actor George Montgomery (27)

V.P Osinbajo Calls For Collaboration Between Nigerian, Canadian Filmmakers

By
Koko Lawrence
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1

The Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, has called for collaborations between filmmakers in Nigeria and Canada, even as he promised to fast-track the co-production treaties between the two countries.

Osinbajo stated this in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, during a session with some Nigerian leaders in the filmmaking industry in Canada, shortly before he attended the screening of a movie titled, ‘Two weeks in Lagos’, directed by Kathryn Fasegha.

The vice president, who was on a three-day visit to Canada, applauded the team for making Nigeria proud in the Diaspora, while encouraging them to keep up the good work.

Following a request for co-production treaties between the two countries, Osinbajo said, “On the part of the government, I am ready to see what can be done to fast-track production treaties between Nigeria and Canada.”

Earlier, the Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada, Adeyinka Asekun, had told the Vice President that the co-production treaties will help Nigerian filmmakers at home and in Canada to collaborate, and improve the capacity of the industry.

He added that Nollywood was an employer of labour, and could add substantially to the gross domestic product of the country.

On her part, Fasegha, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Balm of Gilead Production, told the VP that the co-production agreement will be of great benefit to the average Nigerian filmmaker and help build the economy. She also stated that while there were big filmmakers who had made it big in Nigeria, there were a lot more who were struggling to find funding to produce their movies.

Austin Odigie, a member of the Canadian Media Producers Association and Senior Producer, Broadlens Studios Inc, said the co-productions will enable Nigerian as well as Canadian producers to work together, and invariably increase the capacity of Nollywood in Nigeria and Canada.

A professor of Film Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, Prof Aboubakar Sanogo, also stressed the need for Nigeria, which is home to the biggest movie industry in Africa, to have a co-production agreement with Canada.

England 3-0 Senegal: Saka Seals Victory As Three Lions Roar Into Quarter Final

By
Emenike Agu
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2

Saka ensured England’s victory was all but sealed when he made it 3-0 in the 57th minute before he was substituted moments after.

England are through to the quarter-final stage of the ongoing World Cup in Qatar and they did it in a stunning style, hammering Senegal’s Teranga Lions 3-0 Sunday night at the Al Bayt Stadium.

While many had thought the reigning African champions will give the Three Lions a run for their money and some even predicted an upset, Gareth Southgate’s men showed they meant business with an emphatic victory.

After surviving the early threats from Senegal, England got in front in the 38th minute through an unlikely source in Jordan Henderson before Harry Kane doubled the advantage with the last kick of the first half.

Bukayo Saka ensured that England’s victory was all but sealed when he made it 3-0 in the 57th minute before he was substituted moments after.

Battle of Lions

Both England and Senegal won two games apiece in the group stage going into Sunday’s Round of 16 ties.

The game against Senegal was the eighth time England will be facing an African team in the World Cup and they have been unbeaten in all the previous ties, meaning the onus was on the Teranga Lions to rewrite history.

Indeed, the African champions started brightly, with pockets of chances here and there.

They came really close to taking the lead just after the half-hour mark, but they were denied by fantastic goalkeeping by Jordan Pickford, who stopped a goal-bound effort by Boulaye Dia.

Kane and Maguire celebrate England's win over Senegal at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar [PHOTO: @England]
Kane and Maguire celebrate England’s win against Senegal at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar [PHOTO: @England]

After the early danger signs, the first goal did arrive, but it wasn’t for Senegal as England got in front with their first dangerous attack of the game.

Messi Scores His 1,000th Career Game

By
Emenike Agu
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1

Lionel Messi scored in the 1,000th game of his remarkable career on Saturday to give Argentina the lead in their World Cup last 16 clash with Australia as he seeks the only major trophy to elude him.

The 35-year-old is Argentina’s all-time top scorer, with 94 goals, and was making his 169th appearance for his nation.

He curled a shot past keeper Mat Ryan in the 35th minute, marking his first goal in a World Cup knockout match, his third in Qatar so far, and taking his total at the global tournament to nine, one more than former Argentina great Diego Maradona.

Julian Alvarez doubled Argentina’s lead in the 57th minute.

Messi joined Barcelona’s youth set-up at 13, becoming their top scorer also, with 672 goals in 778 games, before moving to Paris St Germain last year.

In total, he has scored 789 career goals. Messi is playing at his fifth World Cup and has said it will be his last, making it all the more important for him to win the trophy if he is to match the legacy of Maradona, his great predecessor in the No. 10 shirt.

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