Several French Cities To Ban Qatar World Cup Fan Zones, Giant Screens

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October 5, 2022

Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar – September 9, 2022 General view inside the stadium before the match. The match is the first to take place at the stadium, which will host the World Cup 2022 final.

Several major French cities including Lille, Strasbourg and Bordeaux said they will not organise fan zones or put up giant outdoor screens to show Qatar World Cup soccer matches in protest against ecological and humanitarian issues.

Leftist and ecologist mayors in those cities said the loss of immigrant workers’ lives during construction of the stadia in Qatar and the energy that will be wasted to cool the sports arenas means they would not promote the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 event.

“It would be a farce if we were to be complicit with the humanitarian and ecological abuses that are embodied by this World Cup,” ecologist Bordeaux mayor Pierre Hurmic said on BFM TV on Monday.

The small but wealthy Gulf state has faced intense criticism from human rights groups and media over its treatment of migrant workers, who along with other foreigners comprise the bulk of the country’s population.

A Guardian newspaper analysis in Feb. 2021 concluded 6,500 South Asian migrants had died in Qatar since 2010 and the International Labour Organisation has said Qatar is not adequately reporting worker deaths.

Qatar’s World Cup organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), have disputed the claim that “the tournament has cost thousands of people their lives”.

The government has said its labour system is a work in progress, but denied a 2021 Amnesty report that thousands of migrant workers were still being exploited.

“It would be really difficult to have a party while forgetting the dead bodies and the humanitarian situation in the aberration that is the World Cup in Qatar,” Hurmic said, adding that he would not allow giant screens and fan zones.

He said that at a time when French citizens are being asked to be frugal with energy it would be “incongruous” to take part in an energy-wasting event such as an air-conditioned World Cup in a hot desert country.

On Saturday, the leftist mayor of northern French city Lille said it would not show World Cup matches on giant screens to demonstrate its disapproval of the event being held in Qatar.

Martine Aubry called the World Cup in Qatar “a nonsense in terms of human rights, the environment and sport”.

Last week, the city of Strasbourg, home to the European parliament, became the first major French city to ban World Cup fan zones, with its ecologist mayor Jeanne Barseghian denouncing the abuse of workers’ rights and environmental reasons.

The centrist mayor of Reims – citing environmental and human rights issues – has also said he would ban outdoor screens but invited soccer fans to watch the games in local restaurants and bars.

Nigerian ports on alert as Sudan Ebola virus hits Uganda

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Cleopatra Okohai

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October 5, 2022

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The Federal Government has placed the port health services across all borders in the country on high alert following the outbreak of the deadly Sudan Virus, a variant of the Ebola virus disease in Uganda.

The government also said details of inbound passengers from Uganda are being collected and sent to the National Public Health Institute, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

Uganda health authorities on September 20, 2022, declared an outbreak of Ebola disease, caused by the Sudan virus, following laboratory confirmation of a patient from a village in Madudu sub-county, Mubende district, central Uganda.

The case was a 24-year-old male who developed a wide range of symptoms on September 11. He was then referred to the Regional Referral Hospital on September 15, where he was isolated as a suspected case of viral haemorrhagic fever. A blood sample was collected on September 17 and sent to the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Kampala, where RT-PCR tests were conducted and were positive for SUDV on September 19. On the same day, the patient died.

According to the World Health Organisation, the Sudan virus disease is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans. Sudan virus was first identified in Southern Sudan in June 1976; since then, the virus has resurfaced regularly, with seven outbreaks caused by SUDV reported to date, four in Uganda and three in Sudan. The estimated case fatality ratios of SVD have varied from 41 per cent to 100 per cent in past outbreaks.

While speaking in an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, the Director/Senior Technical Assistant to the Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu, said, “The port health services are at high alert at our land borders and airports, and vigilance has been increased. Details of passengers coming in from Uganda are being collected and sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in case there is a need for contact tracing.”

Dr. Isokpunwu, however, noted that there is no suspected case of the disease in the country.

As of October 2, Uganda has recorded 43 cases of Ebola.

The case fatality count has also risen to nine, according to the Ministry of Health in Uganda.

The Ebola outbreak updates posted on the Ministry of Health Twitter page, @MinofHealthUG, showed 882 contacts listed for follow-up, and there are 24 active cases on admission.

In a separate interview with our correspondent, a medical laboratory scientist at the Department of Microbiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Obinna Chukwudi, said the current rise in the toll of the Ebola virus in Uganda is a call for concern because of the peculiar nature of the strain.

Chukwudi tasked the government to “set up a strong surveillance system across the borders and other entry ports to ensure that travellers into the country are properly tested to avoid community spread.”

“Increase our awareness campaign by educating Nigerians on the outbreak. Also, stressing the need for all Nigerians to continue with their protective equipment and shun activities that will expose them to the virus.”

According to the WHO, the Ebola Virus is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope, or porcupines found ill, dead, or in the rainforest.

“The virus then spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with either the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from SVD or objects that have been contaminated with body fluids (like blood, faeces, vomit) from a person sick with SVD or the body of a person who died from SVD.

“The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days. People infected with the Sudan virus cannot spread the disease until they develop symptoms, and they remain infectious as long as their blood contains the virus. Symptoms of SVD can be sudden and include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, later followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, and symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function.

“The diagnosis of SVD can be difficult, as early nonspecific manifestations of the disease may mimic other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, and meningitis. Confirmation is made using numerous diagnostic methods, including RT-PCR. Supportive care—rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids—and treatment of specific symptoms improve survival.

“There are no licensed vaccines or therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of Sudan virus disease,” it said.

Association Urges Buhari To Appropriate Budgetary Allocation To Health

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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October 5, 2022

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As Nigeria marks her 62nd independence, the Nigerian Medical Association has tasked the President Muhammadu Buhari, with appropriate budgetary allocation to the health sector and Universal Health Coverage.

The NMA also urged the President to stem the tide of medical brain drain amongst other germane issues in the health sector.

The association made this known in a congratulatory message signed by its President, Dr. Uche Ojinmah to President Buhari on the occasion of the 62nd independence anniversary of Nigeria.

Dr. Ojinmah also urged Nigerians to insist on credible polls ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The congratulatory message read as follows, “Mr President, on behalf of the National Officers’ Committee and the entire members of the Nigerian Medical Association, I bring you warm greetings on the 62nd Independence Anniversary celebration of our dear country, Nigeria. I, therefore, congratulate our great citizens here in Nigeria and the Diaspora. Nigeria is a blessed nation endowed by God with abundant human and material resources. Our greatest asset is our people and our diversity. I thank God for keeping us together despite the turbulences and upheavals we have experienced as a people. I pray for God to grant us the nation of our dreams.

“As the parasol for all medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria, the NMA is the custodian of the people’s health and the leading professional Association suitably placed to continue to engage our governments at all levels to make adequate provisions for the health of our people. This advocacy is inherent in our constant calls for appropriate budgetary allocation to Health, Universal Health Coverage and stemming the tide of medical brain drain amongst other germane issues in the health sector for which the NMA is a champion.

“As we approach the next general elections in 2023, I urge Nigerians to be determined to make the age of 62 the best for Nigeria by insisting on credible polls. The insistence on credible polls starts with participation in the electoral process by registering and obtaining a Permanent Voters Card, setting an agenda for the candidates and demanding accountability from elected officials. I am glad that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, has reiterated his determination to leave a legacy of transparent, free and fair polls.

“Congratulations Mr President, for your efforts in governance and May God crown your efforts with success. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

45,000 Recipients Enlist For Basic Health Care In Oyo State

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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October 5, 2022

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Oyo State Government has enlisted 45,000 poor and vulnerable people under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund scheme in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, disclosed this at the launch of the programme recently at the Aafin Primary Healthcare Centre in Atiba Local Government area, Oyo State.

Adeosun said that this was part of Gov. Seyi Makinde led administration’s efforts to provide free medical services for the people.

According to her, “The vision of the state government was to achieve Universal Health Coverage for all residents of the state where no one was left behind in accessing healthcare.”

Adeosun extolled the state government for availing the residents of the state of the opportunity under the BHCPF scheme.

She enjoined the enrollees to take advantage of the opportunity under the access to care scheme without paying out of pocket.

The SSG performed the symbolic distribution of BHCPF ID cards to the enrollees.

She reiterated the commitment of Makinde’s administration to achieving UHC.

Also, Dr. Sola Akande, the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Health Insurance Agency said, “Oyo State is about to witness the final push toward Universal Healthcare in Oyo State and Nigeria at large.”

Akande said at the official flag-off ceremonies of access to care under BHCPF, that the Federal Government, through the National Health Insurance Authority, has made available a total amount of N450 million in the first tranche and N264 million in the second tranche for enrollment of 37, 500 lives.

He announced that through the innovation of the agency, the same amount of money would be used to enroll 45,000 residents of the state into the scheme.

The Secretary to the State Government also assured successful enrollees that they could access care without paying out-of-pocket through the ID card issued to them by the agency.

The Basic Healthcare Provision Fund’s primary objective is to help achieve Universal Health Coverage and enhance access to primary healthcare services for Oyo State citizens, especially the poor and the vulnerable, women, children under five, and children in orphanages.

Present at the flag-off ceremony were the Oyomesi led by High Chief Yusuf Ayoola, the Oosorun of Oyo; the General Manager, NHIA, Lagos office, Mr. Olufemi Akingbade; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Adesoji Adeyanju; the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muyideen Olatunji, among others.

As the state flagged off access to care, under BHCPF, the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency has insured 22,018 lives into 127 PHCs across 33 LGAs.

It has also paid capitation into all of these facilities for effective healthcare service delivery to enrollees.

Reps Urge Proactive Prevention Of Ebola Outbreak

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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October 5, 2022

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The Nigerian House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian government to set up surveillance against the recurrence of the Ebola virus in the country.

This was contained in a motion of urgent national importance brought to plenary by Hon. Dachung Bagos.

The House said that considering the fact that the virus has been ravaging Uganda for two weeks undetected, there was need for Nigeria to take urgent action to spare its citizens the outbreak of the virus.

The House therefore mandated the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to ensure intensive observation of travel protocols for inbound passengers from red flagged countries.

“The House mandates NCDC to set up a national emergency response to control the likely spread of the Ebola virus”.

“It also mandates the ministry to activate strategies to monitor adherence of the virus and ensure that citizens comply with advisory aimed at curtailing its spread in Nigeria.

“Investigations are ongoing to determine the scope of the outbreak and the possibility of its spread as the importation of cases to neighbouring countries can not be ruled out at this stage.

“Further aware that the information available is that the overall risk has been assessed to be high at national level, the possibility that the event started two weeks before the identification of the index case is worrisome. The Ebola virus is giving a lot of people concern not only in Nigeria but round the world as it has a high fatality rate” the motion said.

Backing the motion, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila said: “The motion moved by Bagos regarding the creation is good, God forbid if there is an outbreak of Ebola again so that we are not caught napping.”

Ex U.S President Trump Sues CNN For Defamation, Seeks $475m In Damages

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 4, 2022

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Former U.S president Donald Trump sued CNN on Monday, accusing the cable television news network of defamation and seeking $475 million in punitive damages.

Trump, in the lawsuit filed in a US District Court in Florida, accused CNN of waging a campaign of “libel and slander” against him because it “fears” he will run for president again in 2024.

CNN has sought to use its massive influence — purportedly as a ‘trusted’ news source — to defame the plaintiff in the minds of its viewers and readers for the purpose of defeating him politically,” Trump’s lawyers said in the 29-page complaint.

“As a part of its concerted effort to tilt the political balance to the Left, CNN has tried to taint the plaintiff with a series of ever-more scandalous, false, and defamatory labels of ‘racist,’ ‘Russian lackey,’ ‘insurrectionist,’ and ultimately ‘Hitler,’” the complaint said.

Trump, who requested a jury trial, had a caustic relationship with CNN and other major news outlets like The New York Times during his presidency, branding them “fake news” and repeatedly raging against them on social media.

Nigerian Govt Sues Meta, Demands N30bn Penalty

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 4, 2022

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The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) says it has lodged a suit against Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp platforms) and its agent AT3 Resources Limited at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.

According to a statement on Tuesday by the apex regulatory body for Nigeria’s advertising ecosystem, ARCON is seeking a declaration among others that the continued publication and exposure of various advertisements directed at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms by Meta Platforms Incorporated without ensuring the same is vetted and approved before exposure is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the extant advertising Law in Nigeria.

ARCON stated that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts had also led to loss of revenue to the Federal Government.

ARCON is seeking N30bn in sanction for the violation of the advertising laws and for loss of revenue as a result of Meta Incorporated’s continued exposure of unapproved adverts on it’s platforms.

The statement read in part, “ARCON reiterates that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigeria’s advertising space.”

According to ARCON, the Council is not regulating the online media space. Rather, it’s focus is on advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act

British-Built Rover: Engineers Seek For New Destination

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 4, 2022

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Engineers are looking for a new destination for a British-built rover that was meant to go to Mars.

They’ve got their eyes on the Moon.

The four-wheeled vehicle was originally developed to help bring back rocks from the Red Planet.

But officials at the US and European space agencies (NASA and ESA) scrapped that idea in the summer, preferring to send helicopters to do the job instead.

This has left the UK team at aerospace company Airbus scrambling to find an alternative place to send its technology, which has been tested in recent weeks in a Bedfordshire quarry.

1,400-Year-Old Royal Hall Unearthed In Rendlesham, United Kingdom

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 4, 2022

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A royal hall of “international importance” that dates back 1,400 years has been unearthed on private land.

The Hall of the first Kings of East Anglia was discovered in Rendlesham, Suffolk, over the summer.

Prof Christopher Scull said it was the “most extensive and materially wealthy settlement of its date known in England”.

It was discovered by a community dig as part of Suffolk County Council’s Rendlesham Revealed project.

An Anglo-Saxon iron knife was excavated from the boundary ditch in Rendlesham

The authority said the hall was “recorded in the writings of The Venerable Bede of the 8th Century”.

The hall, which was 75ft (23m) long and 33ft (10m) wide, was set within a larger settlement of more than 124 acres (50 hectares).

For 150 years, between AD 570 and AD 720, it was the centre from which a major province of the East Anglian kingdom, focused on the valley of the River Deben, was ruled.

Bede’s writings identified Rendlesham as the place where the East Anglian King Aethelwold stood sponsor at the baptism of King Swithelm of the East Saxons, between the years AD 655 and 663.

North Korea Fires First Missile Over Japan Since 2017

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 4, 2022

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North Korea has fired a ballistic missile over Japan, in what appears to be a deliberate escalation to get the attention of Tokyo and Washington.

The missile travelled 4,500km (2,800 miles) before falling into the Pacific Ocean – far enough to hit the US island of Guam if it took another trajectory.

It is the first North Korean missile launch over Japan since 2017.

Japan issued an alert to some citizens to take cover. The US and South Korea responded with joint bombing drills.

The South Korean joint chiefs of staff said four aircraft from each side had taken part in the exercise, firing at a mock target on an uninhabited island in the Yellow Sea. A statement said the drill demonstrated Seoul and Washington’s will to respond sternly to the threat from Pyongyang.

The UN prohibits North Korea from testing ballistic and nuclear weapons. Flying missiles towards or over other countries without any pre-warning or consultation also contravenes international norms.

Most countries avoid doing it completely as it can easily be mistaken for an attack. While it is not as big as a nuclear test – which could be next – it can be considered hugely provocative.