Evidence Of Porridge-Making In Western Isles 4,000 Years Ago, Found

By

-

September 7, 2022

Possible evidence of porridge-making in the Western Isles 4,000 years ago has been found on pottery recovered from the bottom of lochs.

A team of scientists, led by the University of Bristol, analysed well-preserved pieces of pots recovered from the sites of Neolithic crannogs.

Crannogs were houses constructed on artificial islands in lochs.

Chemical analysis of pottery from four sites on Lewis identified traces of wheat and milk – suggesting the pots were used for cooking porridge, gruel or stews.

The findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications, external.

During analysis, the scientists said cereal biomarkers were widely detected on the pots, providing the earliest biomolecular evidence for cereals in absorbed pottery residues in the isles.

Dr Lucy Cramp, of the University of Bristol, said: “This research gives us a window into the culinary traditions of early farmers living at the north-western edge of Europe, whose lifeways are little understood.

“It gives us the first glimpse of the sorts of practices that were associated with these enigmatic islet locations.”

Cumbrian Agriculture: UK County Show Returns With Two-Day Event

By

Angel Gimalo

-

September 7, 2022

0

More than 30,000 people are expected to visit the Westmorland County Show as it is held over two days again this year.

The annual celebration of Cumbrian agriculture has been extended to consecutive days for the second year after a trial run in 2021 proved a success.

Organisers say the longer show gives exhibitors and farmers more opportunity to showcase their wares.

The gathering is also a major social event on the farming calendar.

Dairy farmer David Galbraith, who will be organising getting 300 cattle onto the showground on Thursday, said he enjoyed the chance to mix with other people in the industry.

“It’s a big event for us and a shop window for us farmers,” he said. “When it comes to exhibiting stock it’s not about the winning, it’s the taking part that’s important.”

The show is home to a huge food hall which celebrates produce from the county, including cakes, gin, beer and cheese.

Lisa Smith, from Ginger Bakers, said: “It’s our county show and we want to be here to see our customers, show off our cakes and have fun.”

Chief executive of the organisers, Westmorland County Agricultural Society, Christine Knipe said this year was a test for the two-day format after extending it because of restrictions around the pandemic last year.

Ms Knipe said: “The show was missed in 2020 as it’s a social hub for our rural communities.

“We are so proud we are a traditional agriculture show with our links to the countryside and the biggest food hall of local foods in the North West of England, all local producers within a 50 mile (80km) radius.”

Pakistan Floods: Biggest Lake, Manchar Recedes As Rescue Mission Continues

By

Angel Gimalo

-

September 7, 2022

0

lake11 — Victims of the unprecedented flooding from monsoon rains receive relief aid, organized by the Islamic group Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, in Sukkur, Pakistan, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. Officials warned Sunday that more flooding was expected as Lake Manchar in southern Pakistan swelled from monsoon rains that began in mid-June and have killed nearly 1,300 people. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

Water levels in Pakistan’s biggest lake are starting to recede, officials say, after last-ditch attempts to prevent it from bursting its banks.

Manchar Lake, in Sindh province, is dangerously full after record monsoons that inundated swathes of Pakistan.

Its banks were deliberately breached to protect surrounding areas and more than 100,000 people have been displaced.

Teams are racing to rescue thousands still stranded in Pakistan’s worst climate-induced disaster in years.

Floods in Pakistan have affected some 33 million people and caused at least 1,343 deaths, Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Agency said.

Officials have said a little over a quarter of a million people are in shelters, a fraction of those who need help.

Damaged infrastructure is also hampering aid and rescue operations, which cannot keep pace with demand. Some connecting roads in Sindh province have either collapsed, are flooded or are backed up for days with queuing traffic.

Manchar Lake straddles two districts – Jamshoro and Dadu – with an urban population of more than 1 million.

Doctors Quarters Of Bama General Hospital Set to Get Facelift

By

Olasunbo Okoromi

-

September 7, 2022

0

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed the immediate rehabilitation of unoccupied and deteriorated bungalows meant for medical doctors, including the chief medical director (CMD), at the General Hospital in Bama.

Zulum visited the hospital around 10pm on Monday night, for on-the-spot monitoring of public healthcare services.

The Governor re-visited the next day and directed relevant officials of the State Government to ensure rehabilitation began Wednesday, expressing his readiness to immediately approve the release of funds after the official assessment of all the buildings and determine the costs.

He maintained that he wanted the rehabilitation to start during his stay in Bama for some days, for the ongoing humanitarian and developmental activities.

Zulum also directed that the hospital’s perimeter fence be raised higher with barbwires and lightning installed around the quarters and the general premises, to improve security.

During the visit, Governor Zulum discovered only two medical doctors and 10 nurses and midwives in operation at Bama’s General Hospital, the governor urgently ordered for recruitment of 30 healthcare personnel combining medical doctors, nurses and midwives as well as pharmacists and lab technicians.

Speaking during the Governor’s visit on, a highly respected medical professional, Dr Olugbenga Aina, said the hospital had received a substantial amount of drugs which Zulum had released for free prescription to patients.

The doctor said the hospital was able to meet the needs of numerous patients, which made it necessary for the hospital to make fresh request.

Zulum therefore approved release of additional drugs and medical reagents used for diagnostic purposes, to the General hospital.

Exploring Illimani, Second Highest Peak In Bolivia

By

Angel Gimalo

-

September 7, 2022

0

Illimani is the highest mountain that can be found in the Cordillera Real, which is a sub-range of the Andes, located in the western part of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

As it is the second highest peak in the country, the first, unfortunately, unsuccessful attempt for ascending the mountain was in 1877 by the French explorer Charles Wiener, accompanied by J. de Grumkow and J. C. Ocampo. Even though they failed to reach the top, still, they succeeded to reach the southeastern sub-summit, naming it Pic de Paris, and left a French flag on top of it.

Still, the first recorded ascent was made in 1898 by the British climber William Martin Conway and two Swiss guides, A. Maquignaz and L. Pellissier, nonetheless, on their way to the top a piece of Aymara rope from the native Aymara people was found, which means that it could be possible that someone reached the top before them.

At a height of 6,438 meters (21,122 feet) above sea level, and due to the elevation it has, it can be seen from La Paz and El Alto cities. The word ‘Illimani’ in the Aymara language means “water bearer”, which is true due to the fact that the snow cap melts and the water goes downstream allowing the people to use it for different reasons.

Recently, the mountain peak has been quite interesting for climbers to try to ascend it, something what they are trying from La Paz, from where there are two basic approaches to the west side, and both will take the climbers to Puente Roto, which is the place for the first camp.

After this, there is some hiking for about 10-25 minutes towards the west face of the Illimani, toward a flat area that will allow a very nice camp, and from there everyone can enjoy in the ascent and the gorgeous views not just of the peak, but also from the surrounding mountain ranges as well as the bigger cities.

Once Upon A Time – Sept. 7 – 1822 – Pedro I, Son Of King Joao VI Declares Brazil’s Independence From Portugal (National Day)

By

Angel Gimalo

-

September 7, 2022

0

70 Roman army under General Titus occupies and plunders Jerusalem

1714 Treaty of Baden signed by the Holy Roman Empire and France, ending the War of the Spanish Succession; French retain Alsace and Landau, Austria gets east bank of Rhine

1812 Battle of Borodino: Napoleon Bonapartre wins a pyrrhic victory against Russian General Mikhail Kutuzov in the most ferocious battle of the Napoleonic era, 70,000 are killed

1822 Pedro I, son of King Joao VI declares Brazil’s independence from Portugal (National Day)

1888 Edith Eleanor McLean is 1st baby to be placed in an incubator at State Emigrant Hospital on Ward’s Island, New York

1909 Eugene Lefebvre becomes first pilot to die in an airplane craft, while test piloting new French-built Wright biplane at Juvisy

1940 Beginning of The Blitz as the German Luftwaffe bomb London for the 1st of 57 consecutive nights losing 41 bombers as the Nazis prepare to invade Britain

HISTORICAL EVENTS TODAY

TODAY IN FILM & TV

1980 32nd Emmy Awards: “Taxi”; “Lou Grant”; Ed Asner & Barbara Bel Geddes win. Notable for going ahead despite 51 of the 52 nominated performers boycotting the event due to a strike by members of the Screen Actors Guild.

TODAY IN MUSIC

1996 Rap artist Tupac Shakur shot multiple times in a drive by shooting in Las Vegas, dies 6 days later

TODAY IN SPORT

1896 A. H. Whiting wins the 1st automobile race held on a closed-circuit track in Cranston, Rhode Island

MORE FACTS

1813 “Uncle Sam” 1st used to refer to the US, by Troy Post of New York

1902 In Australia, the whole nation observes a ‘day of humiliation’ and prays for rain, as a terrible drought kills livestock and threatens crops; rain begins to appear on 10 September

FAMOUS WEDDINGS

1943 American “Gilda” actress Rita Hayworth (24) weds American actor-director-wunderkind Orson Welles (28); divorce in 1947

1945 “Star Trek” actor DeForest Kelley (25) weds Carolyn Dowling (25)

1963 Future US politician Nancy D’Alesandro marries Paul Pelosi in Baltimore

ANHEJ Partners with NGO To Hold Medical Outreach In FCT

By

Olasunbo Okoromi

-

September 7, 2022

0

The Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ), in partnership with a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Excellent Leadership For Sustainable Development and Good Governance, has concluded plans to hold a medical outreach for journalists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a press release by the association president, Nigerian Health Journalists, Hassan Zaggi, said the medical outreach is aimed at providing journalists who due to the nature of their work do not have time to go to the hospital regularly for routine checks, especially the condition of their eyes.

“Concerned by the burden of work on journalists, with immense pressure on their eyes through the use of laptops, IPhones, desktops and other electronic gadgets, the medical outreach is a timely opportunity to conduct vital checks and eyes screening.”

Mr Zaggi noted that the medical outreach which will be comprehensive, will see our partner, Excellent Leadership For Sustainable Development And Good Governance, bringing a consortium of health experts, who are specialists in different fields.

“The outreach will be conducted from 10am to 6pm on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at Radio House, Abuja, the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) and Federal Radio corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Chapel are also part of the collaboration.”

He advised Journalists in the FCT to take advantage of this opportunity and come out to check their vital signs and most especially, the condition of their eyes which is the gateway to their body.

All Eyes On Amusan, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce As Diamond League Final Begins

By

Emenike Agu

-

September 7, 2022

0

World women 100m hurdles record holder, Tobi Amusan, is among athletes expected to light the Diamond League final, which holds today and tomorrow in Zurich, Switzerland, writes nbcsports.com.

The Diamond League Final, the last top-level track and field meet of 2022, boasts the busiest single day of competition this year, world records and undefeated seasons on the line, as well as spots at next year’s world championships at stake.

Also lined up in the star-studded grand finale are world champions, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (100m), Faith Kipyegon (1500m) and Noah Lyles (200m). They are either the second- or third-fastest performers in history in their events, with each arguably having the best season of their careers and could inch closer to a world record.

Mondo Duplantis (pole vault), Ryan Crouser (shot put), Yulimar Rojas (triple jump) and Amusan (100m hurdles) could improve their own world records. Shericka Jackson, who won 100m silver and 200m gold at July’s World Championships, is entered to race both events over a 90-minute span tomorrow.

All of the aforementioned athletes have byes into next summer’s World Championships in Budapest as reigning world champions.

Diamond League Final winners also earn byes into worlds, provided they are not from the same country as the reigning world champions.

The five events to watch out for are:

Women’s 100m Hurdles
This has arguably been the best year in the event’s history, though it has been overshadowed at times by the dominance of Sydney McLaughlin in the 400m hurdles and Fraser-Pryce and Jackson in the 100m and 200m.

Nigeria’s Amusan broke the world record at the world championships (12.12 seconds). Olympic gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico then beat Amusan two weeks ago. American Keni Harrison, an Olympic and world silver medalist and the former world record holder, is the third woman to break 12.30 this year. All three are in the Zurich field, along with world silver medalist, Britany Anderson of Jamaica and 2019 World champion Nia Ali.

Men’s Pole Vault
Duplantis improved the world record by one centimeter on five occasions since the start of 2020, but his first defeat of 2022 came in Brussels last week. Ernest John Obiena of the Philippines was the man to end Duplantis’ bid for the second undefeated championship season for a male pole vaulter in the last 50 years.

Obiena isn’t in the Zurich field, but there is still intrigue. Duplantis will be on world record watch, and America’s Chris Nilsen can earn a world championships berth if he can upset the Swede.

Women’s 1500m
Kipyegon ran the second-fastest women’s 1500m in history in her last outing in Monaco on August 10. American Allie Wilson, the lead pacer in Monaco, who took Kipyegon to 800 meters in 2:01.64 (nearly three seconds ahead of world record pace), is in the Zurich field. As are world silver and bronze medalists, Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia and Laura Muir of Great Britain, who were not in Monaco.

Women’s 100m
Fraser-Pryce’s bid for her first full, undefeated 100m season was denied by Jackson in Brussels last week (by one hundredth). Fraser-Pryce’s unprecedented streak of four consecutive sub-10.70 performances also snapped. She gets Jackson again here, assuming Jackson sticks to racing both the 100m and 200m in Zurich. Sha’Carri Richardson, Aleia Hobbs and TeeTee Terry, the three fastest Americans over the last six years, will clinch a world championships spot with an upset win over the Jamaicans.

Men’s 200m
The meet finale features all three World Championships medalists — Americans Lyles, Kenny Bednarek and Erriyon Knighton — and the Olympic champion — Canadian Andre De Grasse.

Lyles, after breaking Michael Johnson‘s American record at the world championships (19.31), has spoken about chasing Usain Bolt‘s world record of 19.19. Lyles has been consistently spectacular this summer, clocking 19.67, 19.62, 19.31, 19.46 and 19.56. Not even Bolt broke 19.50 multiple times in one year. This could be Lyles’ most important 200m until next summer’s worlds.

Super Falcons Depart USA, Shift Focus To Japan Friendly

By

Emenike Agu

-

September 7, 2022

0

Nine-time African champions and FIFA World Cup ever-present, Super Falcons of Nigeria have flown out of the United States of America after a two-match tour in which they lost the second narrowly to three-time world champions USWNT.

Mexico –based forward Uchenna Kanu became the first Nigerian to score against the USWNT in 20 years when she slotted into the net in the 50^th minute for the equalizer in the two teams’ second encounter at the Audi Field in Washington on Tuesday. The Americans won the first session in Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday by four goals.

An own goal by defender Oluwatosin Demehin in the 25^th minute had put Nigeria behind in the game, just minutes after goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a double save from marauding USWNT attackers.

Rose Lavelle restored USA’s lead in the 66^th minute when she nodded in at the far left of Nnadozie’s goal off a pull-out by Megan Rapino.

The delegation of Super Falcons departed from the United States on Wednesday, with focus now shifted to the friendly with Japan scheduled for next month.

The Falcons will take on the Senior Women National Team of Japan in a prestige international friendly match at the Noevir Stadium, Kobe on Thursday, 6^th October. The date falls within one of the FIFA Women International Windows for this year.

Nadeshiko Japan, which is the alias of the Women National Team of Japan, are rated 13^th in the world. Both teams have clashed only once at competitive level – at the 2004 Olympic Women’s Football Tournament. Nadeshiko pipped the Falcons 1-0 at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus on 14^th August 2004.

Two back-to-back friendlies in 2013 were won 2-0 each by Nadeshiko.

Japan’s entertaining girls won the FIFA World Cup in Germany in 2011, beating Team USA in a pulsating penalty shoot-out after regulation time ended 2-2. Nadeshiko thus became the first team from Asia to win a senior FIFA World Cup trophy.

The Super Falcons have participated in every FIFA Women’s World Cup finals since the competition began in 1991, reaching the quarter finals in 1999. They are one of the 32 teams that will take part in the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals set for nine cities in Australia and New Zealand 20^th July – 20^th August 2023.

New UK chancellor Kwarteng trends in Ghana

By

Henry Williams

-

September 7, 2022

0

The UK’s new chancellor of the exchequer, or finance minister, who has become the first black person to take on such a high-profile role in British politics, is trending in Ghana.

Conservative politician Kwasi Kwarteng was born in the UK in 1975, but his parents came to the UK from Ghana in the 1960s as students.

Despite his Ashanti name meaning born on a Sunday, he was actually born on a Monday, he has previously told the BBC.

Described by a previous colleague, Rory Stewart, as “incredibly intellectual”, Mr Kwarteng, 47, attended the prestigious Eton College after gaining a scholarship, and later went on to study at Cambridge University and Harvard.

He also holds a PhD in economic history, in the tradition of his father, who was an economist.

His appointment has been reported widely in Ghanaian media and some Ghanaians online have been celebrating the historic moment.

“Congratulations Kwasi Kwarteng …. Ghana is really proud of you,” one person tweeted.

“I feel proud to have a Ghanaian, Kwasi Kwarteng, in the helm to scrutinise UK public expenditure”, another said.

However, Mr Kwarteng has come under criticism in other quarters for what some view as his right-wing politics including his views on a low-tax economy.