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Ex-Man Utd Star Giggs Faces Retrial In Domestic Violence Case

By
Koko Lawrence
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Former Manchester United and Wales football star Ryan Giggs was ordered on Wednesday by a Manchester judge to go on trial for a second time on domestic violence charges.

The ruling comes a week after Giggs was discharged after a jury failed to reach a verdict on charges of causing actual bodily harm to his ex-girlfriend with controlling and coercive behaviour. Giggs has denied all charges.

Judge Hilary Manley set July 31, 2023, as a date for a trial estimated to last three or four weeks.

Giggs said in a statement on Wednesday that he was “obviously disappointed” in the decision to appear in a retrial.

“I am confident that justice will eventually be done and my name will be cleared of all the allegations,” Giggs added.

“I would like to thank my legal team, my mum, my children, my girlfriend … as well as my closest friends, for their support throughout this period. I understand the level of interest and the scrutiny around this case, but I would like to ask that my family’s privacy is respected in the weeks and months ahead,” he said.

In the meantime, the football star will remain on bail. The 48-year-old was excused from attending the brief hearing that took place at Manchester Crown Court.

Prosecutors say Giggs assaulted Greville, causing actual bodily harm at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, in November 2020.

Moreover, he was also charged with common assault of Greville’s younger sister Emma during the same incident.

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was among those who gave evidence. Giggs also took the stand and while he admitted to being unfaithful in his previous relationships, he denied ever being violent.

During his time at United, the former captain of the Wales national team won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies. He has also made the most number of appearances for the club, a total of 963.

Amid the controversy, Giggs in June stood down as coach of the Wales national team, saying he did not want to jeopardise preparations for the World Cup later this year in Qatar.

Booker Prize: Alan Garner Becomes Oldest Writer To Make Shortlist

By
Koko Lawrence
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British writer Alan Garner, 87, has become the oldest writer to be shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize.

His book Treacle Walker is up against five novels including Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These, the shortest ever to make the cut, with 116 pages.

However, organisers said Treacle Walker is even shorter by word count.

NoViolet Bulawayo, Percival Everett, Elizabeth Strout and Shehan Karunatilaka are also nominated.

Zimbabwean author Bulawayo makes her second appearance on the shortlist with her book Glory.

Garner’s book, about an unlikely friendship between a healer and a young boy, took eight years to write.

On being the oldest ever to be recognised for the prize, he said that “age, in itself, is irrelevant. However, as with all skills, an apprenticeship has to be served with practice, and experience”.

The £50,000 prize winner will be announced on 17 October, Garner’s 88th birthday, at a ceremony at London’s Roundhouse venue.

Nigerians grapple with higher food prices

By
Henry Williams
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The prices of major staple food items continue to trend upward in major markets in Lagos, following the rising cost of goods and services and supply chain disruptions across the globe.

Nigeria is not insulated from the harsh effects of the global economic challenges especially now that inflation has hit the roof at a 17-year high.

One only needs to walk into the local market to feel the harsh effect of the jarring tooth of inflation. For instance, a big bag of pepper that was sold for an average of N25,125 two weeks ago has jumped by 69% to sell for an average of N42,375 across markets in Lagos State.

This is according to the market survey report, carried out by Nairalytics, the research arm of Nairametrics across four major markets in Lagos which comprises Mushin, Daleko, Oyingbo, and Mile 12 Markets.

Similarly, the price of a 400g of Ovaltine refill cocoa beverage rose by 61% to sell for an average of N1,848 from N1,180 recorded two weeks ago. In the same vein, the price of a big bag of ijebu garri went up by 37% to sell for an average of N18,800.

The recent rise in the prices of food items has been attributed to the continuous supply chain disruption in the global market, falling exchange rate, continuous attacks in food-producing regions, cost of operations such as petrol and diesel, amongst others.

But it is not all bad news for foodstuff as a 10kg bag of Royal Stallion rice dropped by 41.7%, to now sell for an average of N6,850 compared to the initial average price of N11,750. Likewise, the price of a kilo of Kote fish (Horse Mackerel) recorded a decline of 20% compared to the previous average price of N2,000, which is now selling for N1,600.

Specifically, the market survey report includes information on food items that recorded price increases, items that decreased in price as well as market insights from traders in the various markets.

Nollywood Actress Adesua Etomi Bags Doctorate Degree

By
Koko Lawrence
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Nollywood actress Adesua Etomi has bagged a doctorate degree from the University of Wolverhampton.

The movie star was awarded the honourary degree by the University for her laudable achievements in arts and culture.

Adesua who is an alumna of the university was awarded a doctorate degree in arts.

Among those who attended the ceremony were her husband, Banky W and their son, Jemima Osunde and some family members.

The Nigerian movie star bagged a degree in Drama and Performance from the prestigious university in 2009.

She joins the list of Nigerian celebrities who have bagged doctorate degrees over the last few years.

Some of the celebrities who have bagged doctorate degrees include Peter Okoye, dancer Kaffy, Ireti Doyle, IK Ogbonna and Alexx Ekubo.

Okoye and Kaffy bagged their degrees from Escae-Benin University, Benin Republic.

Albania Orders All Iranian Diplomats, Embassy Staff To Leave

By
Koko Lawrence
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epa10154669 Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama talks during the press conference after the Open Balkan economic Summit for regional cooperation in Belgrade, Serbia, 02 September 2022. EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC

Albania is ending its diplomatic relations with Iran and has ordered Iranian diplomats and embassy staff to leave within 24 hours, after an investigation into a cyberattack in July, Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Wednesday.

“The government has decided with immediate effect to end diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Rama said in a video statement sent to the media.

“This extreme response … is fully proportionate to the gravity and risk of the cyberattack that threatened to paralyze public services, erase digital systems and hack into state records, steal government intranet electronic communication and stir chaos and insecurity in the country,” Rama said.

Rama addresses the situation on Twitter

According to Rama, Iran attacked Albanian government sites as a way to “destroy it, paralyze public services and hack data and electronic communications from the government systems.”

Last month, cybersecurity firm Mandiant estimated that the July attack was conducted by Iran, though Russia was a likely suspect, as noted by a number of US media outlets. The US strongly condemned the cyberattack.

Thorough investigations have been conducted to make sure that there were no irreversible damages were done and to identify the hackers, Rama added. All of the systems are back up and running.

The attack, which occurred on July 15, was not “an individual operation or concerted action by criminal groups, but a State-sponsored attack,” Rama said, adding that this information matched intelligence from Albanian cybersecurity firms.

“The in-depth investigation provided us with indisputable evidence that the cyberattack against our country was orchestrated and sponsored by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Rama said. “It was through the engagements of four groups that enacted the aggression – one of them being a notorious international cyber-terrorism group, which has been a perpetrator or co-perpetrator of earlier cyberattacks targeting Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Kuwait and Cyprus.”

US Air Travel Tops 2019 Numbers For First Time Since Pandemic

By
Koko Lawrence
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The number of Americans traveling by air over the Labor Day holiday weekend exceeded the number of travelers in the same period in 2019 – marking the first time holiday weekend travel volume exceeded that of 2019 since the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, TSA Spokesperson Lisa Farbstein posted on Tuesday. This shows a significant rise to travel activities around the world.

“During the Labor Day holiday, TSA screened 8.76 million travelers between Fri., Sept. 2 and Mon., Sept. 5,” Farbstein shared, adding that the total represented 102% of checkpoint volume for the same pre-pandemic holiday weekend in 2019.

While Labor Day is known as a busy travel period in the US – The American Automobile Association forecasted that one-third of Americans would travel by road, rail or plane over the holiday weekend – travel has mostly rebounded in the USA.

After averaging roughly 2-2.5 million passengers per day at US airports before the pandemic, air traffic dropped to a low of roughly 90,000 per day in April 2020. Travel began rebounding to over 1 million passengers a day in March 2021 and is now very close to pre-pandemic levels, according to TSA figures.

Nigeria positioning as major gas supplier to Europe – Sylva

By
Henry Williams
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Timipre Sylva, minister of state for petroleum resources, says Nigeria is positioning to become a major gas supplier to Europe following the global energy crisis caused by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Sylva spoke on Tuesday during a panel session at the 50th anniversary of Gastech Conference 2022 in Milan, Italy.

The panel had the topic: “Just energy transition for developing nations.”

The minister maintained that funding for gas development actually at this point was a win-win for Europe and Africa.

“Today we are seeing gas being weaponised and every country will at least require some alternative supply. So, we are positioning ourselves to be an alternative supplier to Europe. We are already working with Algeria to build the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline that is going to take our gas all the way to Europe.

“We are also having a partnership with Morocco to extend the West Africa Gas Pipeline to Morocco and across the Mediterranean to Europe.

“We believe that Europe needs this gas and it is a win-win for all of us and it is in their interest to reduce this discriminatory investments that their banks are doing.”

Sylva said, during a recent meeting with a European delegation to Nigeria, he had advised them to provide appropriate policy framework for their banks to enable investment in oil and gas.

Buhari presides over FEC meeting

By
Henry Williams
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President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday presided over the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC)

The meeting which is also attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, is the highest policy making body of the federal government.

Correspondents report that issues around the 2023 budget billed for submission to the National Assembly, this September and the report of government team negotiating with the Academy Staff Union of Universities are on the front burners.

The Cabinet is also expected to deliberate of the report of the Ebele Okeke’s White Paper committee recently submitted to the government, with a view to aligning decisions with the 2023 budget.

The meeting is also being attended by some Ministers, including Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Adamu Adamu, (Education), Hadi Sirika( Aviation) and Rauf Aregbesola, ( Interior)

ECOWAS launches forum to boost research, innovation

By
Henry Williams
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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on Tuesday, launched a forum that is aimed at boosting the visibility of scientific research and innovation by member countries.

Omar Touray, president of the ECOWAS Commission, speaking at the launch of the first edition of Forum for African Research and Innovation (FARI) in Abuja, said the forum is in response to initiatives on science and technology at the global and continental level.

He stressed that from past centuries to the present, sciences have contributed enormously to the change of humanity, adding that it continues to shape the world through technological innovations and constantly evolving derivative applications that impact all business sectors around the world.

He said: “FARI is therefore a regional platform for exchanges and discussions between scientists, technologists, innovators, decision-makers, the private sector, technical and financial partners, pupils/students and the populations. It aims to be unifying, innovative but also and above all to carry a mission to promote the products of researchers in the region.

“In addition to bringing added value to scientific and technological integration efforts, the FARI also offers real opportunities for economic and social benefits. It promotes scientific tourism and helps create temporary jobs in the host country and fight against poverty.”

Touray said the FARI-2022 will take place from 17 to 21 October 2022 in Abuja, and will have in attendance over 60 experts from15 ECOWAS member states, African and global organisations and institutions.

He said the forum would also have in attendance start-ups from the region who will exhibit their products; 12 ministers in charge of Science and Technology, Representatives of African and global organizations and institutions; among several others.

In his remarks, Nigeria’s minister of science and technology, Adeleke Mamora, said Nigeria, with her huge population, can no longer afford to be a consuming nation, but a productive one.

The minister expressed optimism that the forum will present an avenue for exchange of ideas and discussions among scientists, innovators, policy makers, the private sector, technical and financial partners

Mamora said the globalisation of research and development has increased policy debate and made Africa to be ambitious in providing more critical mass for excellent research, adding that the forum will therefore equally provide an opportunity for international science, technology and innovation cooperation and networking within the ECOWAS member states.

“Our dear country is poised to continuously achieve research excellence, attract and retain adequate human resources for science, technology and innovation, foster competitiveness and innovation, and build science and technology capacities in the country. We are calling on all private concerns to join us in this endeavour,” he said.

Chairman, Senate Committee On Health Flags-Off Free Medical Outreach In Kwara

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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The Senator representing Kwara Central, Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe has flag-off the ceremony of the free Medical Outreach for the people of his constituency at Ogidi Banni Health Centre, a gesture that he facilitated as part of his ongoing 2022 Capital Projects.

The lawmaker noted that some of the political office seekers have no legitimate and verifiable business rather than claiming to be politicians and it is on that basis that they see public offices as platforms where they can enrich themselves further, rather than platforms to contribute towards the development of their society.

Oloriegbe, who is the Chairman Senate Committee on Health, also implored electorates not to vote based on the mentality of sharing money but on competence, intellectual, capacity and ability, which are the key ingredients expected of politicians seeking people’s mandate.

The medical doctor politician who also offered brief medical consultation services for the patients at the outreach program appealed to the politicians to get proper education before venturing into politics. In his address at the gathering, he spoke on the prevention and management of Diabetes, challenging people of his constituency to always engage in routine medical checks to guarantee healthy living.

Diabetes test kits worth seventy-five thousand Naira were distributed to over a hundred beneficiaries to continue testing and managing the disease to reduce the scourge in the society.

The free Medical Outreach continued at Okaka Health Centre in Ilorin South, followed by Oke Suna Health Centre in Ilorin East on Wednesday, with a closing date on Thursday at Alapa Health Centre in Asa Local Government.

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