Serena Williams: 10 Firsts Of Retiring Tennis Star

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August 11, 2022

Serial Grand Slam winner, Serena Jameka Williams announced that she is now on her way to retirement after an illustrious career that began in 1995.

The announcement was made on Tuesday.

William ranks as the second most successful woman in professional tennis, only behind Australian Margaret Court (24) with 23 Major titles and a total of 73 career titles.

The former world number 1, considered one of the greatest tennis player of all time has recently had a deep in form that saw her crash out at the first hurdle at Wimbledon, losing to debutant Harmony Tan in the first round.

Not withstanding, the American has achieved some remarkable successes during her time on the court and as her career winds down, we go back in time to relive some memorable moments in her career.

First Professional Game

Serena Williams played her first professional game in 1995, entering as a wild-card entry against American Annie Miller where she won just two games at the Bell Challenge in Quebec.

First Career Win

At 15, Williams got her first career wins in 1995. Ranked 304, she beat Mary Pierce ranked 7th, and Monica Seles ranked 4th, becoming the lowest-ranked player in the Open Era to defeat two top-10 opponents in one tournament.

Grand Slam debut

William defeated sixth seed Irina Spîrlea in the first round of her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open in 1998 before losing to sister, Venus in the next round. It was also the first time the sisters were meeting in a professional tennis game.

First Grand Slam withdrawal

Still in 1998, Williams withdrew from Wimbledon with two games into the match against Virginia Ruano Pascual after she strained a calf muscle in the first set.

First Singles Title

Serena defeated Amélie Mauresmo in the final of the Open Gaz de France in Paris to win her first singles title in 1999. She and sister, Venus became the first sisters to win a title in the same week after Venus also won the IGA Superthrift Classic in Memphis, Tennessee, on the same day.

First Doubles Title

Serena Williams won her first doubles title at the U.S. National Indoor Championships in Oklahoma City alongside sister, Venus. She also teamed up Belarusian tennis player, Max Mirnyi to win her first mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon and the US Open with Max Mirnyi.

Top 10 debut

Williams made her Top 10 and the number 9 position following a 16-match winning streak that was ended Venus. She had earlier won her first Tier I title, defeating Germany’s Steffi Graf in the final of the Evert Cup in California.

First Grand Slam title

Serena won her first Grand Slam title on home soil at the age of 17, defeating Martina Hingis 6-3, 7-6 (4) to become the first Black woman to win a major tennis championship since Althea Gibson in 1958.

First Olympic medal

Serena’s first Olympic medal came at the Sydney 200 edition in the doubles category. Alongside her ‘partner in crime’, Venus, they defeated Netherlands’ Kristie Boogert and Miriam Oremans in the final 6-1, 6-1

First Child

Williams revealed on April 19, 2017,that she was 20 weeks pregnant and would miss the remainder of the season. She welcomed her first child and daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. with husband, Alexis Ohanian on September 1, 2017.

Out Of Retirement To Face Winner Of Usyk, Joshua Clash, Fans React To Tyson Fury’s Return

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Emenike Agu

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August 11, 2022

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After four months of hanging his gloves, Tyson Fury makes a not-so-surprising return to the ring ahead of his bout against Derek Chisora who the Gypsy King had defeated twice before the upcoming clash between them.

Fury announced Isaac Lowe as his trainer against Chisora as he posts on his Twitter multiple videos of him with his 28-year-old trainer.

Meanwhile, several boxing fans are commenting that the move is just a warm-up for him to face the victor between Oleksandr Usyk, and Anthony Joshua so he will continue to show dominance.

Although all he really desires is to achieve the first heavyweight world champion to have two trilogies one with Deontay Wilder and will strive to get another against Chisora -, it’s on record that Fury is willing to fight on gratis against the champion of the Usyk, Joshua’s bout.

Speaking on the fight, Frank Warren, English promoter states “I want to see Joshua beat Usyk, I’d love to see him in the ring with Tyson”.

A cybercitizen @jacks365 on Twitter reacts to the Fury’s dusting his gloves for Chisora tweeting, “Oh, he’s come out of “retirement”, just in time to face the winner of Joshua vs Usyk”.

Tyson’s father, John Fury is excited about the trilogy between Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora, but warns his son Tyson Fury not to treat the bout as a warm-up for Oleksandr Usyk or Anthony Joshua. Even if Tyson wants to face neither Anthony Joshua nor Oleksandr Usyk the Gypsy King’s father, John Fury will persuade him on going into the bout.

Ten days left. Who will face Tyson? who will be the conquistador?

Blinken Welcomes Engagement In Direct Talks Between Rwanda And DRC

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Elizabeth Williams

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August 11, 2022

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US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, welcomed the engagement in direct talks between Rwanda and the DRC with a view to end the tensions between the two countries.

Blinken met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Thursday to discuss efforts to end tensions between Rwanda and Congo. Both countries face allegations of supporting rebel groups opposed to each other.

On Wednesday Blinken met with Congolese President, Felix Tshisekedi.

“Coming out of the discussions, both presidents have agreed to engage in direct talks with each other. They’re both ready to resume the talks in the context of the Nairobi Process, with armed groups, and both welcomed the continued US engagement in support of African-led mediation efforts”, said US Secretaty of State, Antony Blinken.

The discussions included Rwandan Foreign Minister, Vincent Biruta, who denounced the close collaboration between armed rebel group FDLR and the Congolese armed forces.

“The presence of the FDLR and the close collaboration with the army of the DRC has always been the most significant cause of insecurity, and this enables the FDLR to conduct terrorist operations on Rwandan territory, something the government of Rwanda cannot accept. And in Rwanda, we always reserve the right to take necessary measures to protect its territorial integrity, its sovereignty, and to ensure the security of its people”, added Rwandan Foreign Minister, Vincent Biruta.

Rwanda was the last stop in the US secretary of state’s African tour that also included South Africa and the DRC.

U.S. Secretary of State In Rwanda On Final Leg Of Africa Trip

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Elizabeth Williams

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August 11, 2022

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Rwanda, the last stop on his three-nation tour of Africa where he has articulated Washington’s new strategy for engaging with sub-Saharan African nations as “equal partners.”

Blinken comes to Rwanda at a particularly difficult time for Africa’s Great Lakes region, with the small central African nation at odds with vast neighbor Congo over allegations that both governments support rebels opposed to each other.

In a meeting on Thursday with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Blinken is expected to discuss efforts to ease the tensions. Rwanda is rejecting a new report by United Nations experts saying they have “solid evidence” that members of Rwanda’s armed forces are conducting operations in eastern Congo in support of the M23 rebel group.

Blinken has said reports of Rwanda’s support for M23 appeared “credible.” After meeting with authorities in Congo on Tuesday, he said the U.S. will support African-led efforts to end the fighting.

Rwandan authorities in turn accuse Congo of giving refuge to ethnic Hutu fighters who played roles in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide that killed ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus. There have long been tensions between the countries. In the late 1990s, Rwanda twice sent its forces deep into Congo, joining forces with rebel leader Laurent Kabila to depose the country’s longtime dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.

Both Rwanda and Congo deny the charges of backing rebel groups, and Rwandan authorities have rejected the latest report by U.N. experts as a move “to distract from real issues.” Rwanda also asserts that its security needs cannot be met while armed fugitives from the genocide continue to operate from inside Congolese territory.

A meeting between Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in Angola on July 6 produced a statement calling for a return to normal diplomatic relations, a cessation of hostilities and the “immediate and unconditional withdrawal” of the M23 from its positions in eastern Congo.

JAMB Trains 180 Educationist On Critical Assessment Competency

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 11, 2022

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Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has trained 180 lecturers and teachers on critical assessment competency.

The Director Psychometric, JAMB, Dr Ariyo Akinyele, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Tuesday.

Akinyele said that the gesture was to enhance the capacity of the participants, who were drawn from various tertiary institutions and secondary schools to be good enough in assessing Nigerian students.

“This training is for non-education lecturers or teachers who find themselves teaching in tertiary institutions or secondary schools.

“We have to train them about assessment; we are looking at critical assessment competency because one should be competent in assessment.

“So they are trained to be good teachers and good assessors of our students,” he said.

Akinyele lamented that many Nigerians, who could not secure jobs, opted for teaching in secondary or tertiary institutions because of the economic situation in the country.

The director said it did not portray a good picture of the country, hence the decision of the board to train such category of lectures and teachers in critical assessment of students.

“At the end of the exercise, the capacity of the participants will be built on good assessments.

“We can see that many of our students are failing examinations not because they are not intelligent rather the assessors themselves have problem.

“So when they do the right thing, you find that there will be improvement and results of the students will be improved,” Akinyele said.

The training was conducted from Aug. 1 to Aug. 5, in Dutse, Jigawa

Israeli Defense System: Iron Dome At 97% Success Rate After 580 Rockets Fired From Gaza

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Elizabeth Williams

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August 11, 2022

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ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN-GAZA-CONFLICT — Batteries of Israel's Iron Dome defence missile system, designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells, are stationed in the southern Israeli city of Sderot on August 6, 2022. - The Israeli military warned deadly aerial operations against militants in Gaza could last a week, as exchanges of fire were ongoing for a second day in the worst escalation since last year's war. Israel has said it was forced to launch a "pre-emptive" operation against Islamic Jihad, insisting the group was planning an imminent attack following days of tensions along the border with Gaza, a Palestinian enclave. (Photo by Jack Guez / AFP)

The Iron Dome missile defense system has achieved a 97 percent success rate intercepting incoming rockets, amid almost non-stop barrages launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group since Friday, the Israel Defense Forces said Sunday.

The Sunday morning IDF data put the number of rockets and mortars launched toward Israel since Friday evening at 580. Iron Dome, which is used when the incoming projectile is headed for populated areas, intercepted 200 of them.

In addition, 120 projectiles fell short and landed in the Gaza Strip.

The interception rate marks an ongoing improvement since Iron Dome, first deployed in 2011, faced its first major test during the IDF’s Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, when it managed to shoot down 75% of the incoming projectiles at which it was directed.

That rate rose to 80% success rate during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, and 90% during last year’s Operation Guardian of the Walls, the IDF said.

According to IDF Spokesman Ran Kochav, The latest major IDF operation against Gaza terror groups began Friday, to tackle what Israeli leaders said was an immediate concrete threat by the PIJ to Israeli communities. Operation Breaking Dawn began with a targeted strike on PIJ’s northern Gaza commander Tayseer Jabari, who was “responsible for the concrete threat in the last three-four days to fire anti-tank missiles and mow down Israeli civilians or soldiers in the Gaza border area.”

Commonwealth Games: First Batch Of Athletes Arrive To Rousing Reception In Abuja

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Emenike Agu

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August 11, 2022

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The first batch of Team Nigeria’s contingent to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja…yesterday.

• Amusan, Brume jet out to the U.S., AFN officials, remaining athletes return today
• How Ofili wanted to pull out of C’wealth Games

The first batch of Team Nigeria athletes to the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham was yesterday, given a heroic welcome by the Federal Government on their return after a successful outing.

Receiving the athletes and their officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, applauded their excellent performance, which yielded 35 medals, lifting the country to the seventh position on the Games’ honours roll.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, the minister expressed joy on behalf of the country over their outstanding achievement, which was the first in the history of the nation.

“We are proud of you. We are also ready to give you all the support needed to make you soar higher and higher,” he said.

Earlier, Alhaji Abubakar commended Team Nigeria for lifting the country’s flag high among the committee of nations.

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director, National Sports Festival & Para Sports (NSF & PS) Department of the Ministry, Mr. Peter Nelson, reiterated his commitment to ensuring the realisation of the present administration’s policy thrust in the area of youth and sports development.

Speaking on behalf of the athletes, the two-time Commonwealth gold medallist and Tokyo 2020 silver medalist, Blessing Oborodudu, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the Team, describing him as the father of sports in contemporary Nigeria.

She also appreciated Dare, Abubakar and other top management staff of the Ministry, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), as well as their coaches, for giving them much support and the opportunity to do the nation proud at the Commonwealth Games.

World record holder and Commonwealth Games champion, Tobi Amusan, and long jump golden girl, Ese Brume, were not part of the team in Abuja, as they returned to their base in the United States.

While Brume, who set Commonwealth Games record twice on her way to winning the long jump gold medal on Sunday, left Birmingham for the U.S. on Tuesday morning, Amusan and a few others jetted out yesterday.

The duo of Amusan and Brume were said to have headed to the U.S. to prepare for the next stage of the prestigious Diamond League.

The Guardian learnt yesterday that the last batch of Nigerian contingent to Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, including the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigerian (AFN), Samuel Onikeku, and members of the gold-winning women’s 4×100 metres relay team, will hit Abuja today.

MEANWHILE, an official of Team Nigeria has revealed how golden girl, sprinter Favour Ofili, almost pulled out of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

According to the official, Ofili, who won silver in the 200m before helping the women’s 4×100 metres relay team to win gold on the last day of the athletics event, considered the option of withdrawing from the competition following ‘some frustrating issues,’ including being quarantined for COVID 19 on arrival in Birmingham.

“It took a high level of counselling from some of our officials before Ofili agreed to participate in the Games,” the official stated.

The Guardian recalls that Ofili could not travel from the U.S. to Nigeria to attend the National Trials at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, where athletes were selected for both the World Championships in Oregon and the Commonwealth Games due to alleged health-related issues. The Trials in Benin City took place in June.

Israel’s Tourism Industry Continues To Bounce Back – Data

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Elizabeth Williams

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August 11, 2022

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Israel’s tourism industry is continuing to bounce back and slowly heading for pre-pandemic levels, according to figures released by the Tourism Industry this week.

July 2022 had nearly 22% fewer tourism entries than the corresponding period in 2019, a record tourism year for Israel. That year, the country registered a record number of 4.9 million tourist entries, of which 4.6 million were tourists who stayed at least one night, according to government data published in early 2020. Tourism activity in 2019 brought in about $7 billion to the economy that year.

Once the COVID-19 crisis began and lockdowns were imposed, visitor numbers plummeted and businesses were battered. Tour guides struggled and were told to retrain for other professions as recently as six months ago.

But inbound tourism has been bouncing back slowly. Between January and May 2022, about 785,000 foreign tourists entered Israel, up from about 400,000 in all of 2021, according to the Tourism Ministry.

In July, some 249,000 tourists entered the country, compared to 49,000 in July 2021, but below July 2019 with roughly 340,000 tourist entries. The highest number of tourists arriving in July was from the United States, with 81,800 arrivals, representing almost a third of all tourist arrivals to Israel.

EU Proposal: US Says Conclusion of Nuclear Deal With Iran To Be Quick

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Elizabeth Williams

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August 11, 2022

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The United States has indicated it was prepared to “quickly” conclude a deal with Iran over its nuclear program, on the basis of a drafted agreement submitted earlier in the day by the European Union representatives in the negotiations.

“For our part, our position is clear: we stand ready to quickly conclude a deal on the basis of the EU’s proposals,” the State Department said, indicating the deal’s restoration was up to Iran.

“They (Iran) repeatedly say they are prepared for a return to mutual implementation,” the spokesperson added. “Let’s see if their actions match their words.”

Major power talks involving Britain, China, France, Germany, Iran and Russia, as well as the United States indirectly, and aimed at reviving an agreement over Tehran’s nuclear program resumed, on Thursday in Vienna, months after they had stalled.

The US, which abandoned the original nuclear deal four years ago under former president Donald Trump, described the tabled draft as “the best and only basis on which to reach a deal.”

The draft in question has been described by EU officials as a “final text,” with one official speaking on condition of anonymity saying “The negotiation is finished, it’s the final text… and it will not be renegotiated.”

“Now the ball is in the court of the capitals and we will see what happens,” the European official added. “No one is staying in Vienna.”

European Union’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell added on Twitter: “What can be negotiated has been negotiated,” adding, however, that “behind every technical issue and every paragraph lies a political decision that needs to be taken in the capitals.”

Buhari urges Minister to end Brain Drain in Health sector

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Cleopatra Okohai

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August 11, 2022

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President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire to look into ways of turning the brain drain bedeviling the country’s health sector into brain gain by engaging top Nigerian medical experts in the diaspora in knowledge and skills repatriation.

Buhari said that the Federal Government was addressing the ‘brain drain’ in the health sector caused by the massive exodus of medical practitioners from Nigeria to other countries.

The president said the FG has so far disbursed N100bn to indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare investors as loans to expand their capital base and boost local production of medicines and consumables.

According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari said this when he received the new executive members of the Nigerian Medical Association, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He urged the association and other stakeholders in the health sector to support initiatives by the Federal Government and work with the Committees set up to chart a fast track to a health system that best meets the needs of Nigerians in the 21st Century.

The President also commended the NMA, which is the umbrella body of all medical practitioners in Nigeria, for consistently choosing the peaceful resolution of differences on matters pertinent to the national health system.

‘‘I commend our medical professionals for their contribution to Nigeria’s exemplary management of the COVID-19 pandemic, the control of malaria, HIV, and Tuberculosis, and other feats also achieved by Nigerian doctors in the diaspora.

‘‘Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been praised internationally and your members are key parts of this success.

‘‘I recall that in the last quarter of 2021, the immediate past NMA Executives visited me and presented recommendations for the health sector, which included, the review and amendment of the National Health Insurance Scheme Act; upgrading and equipping existing health institutions; loans to fund hospital equipment; the repeal and re-enactment of the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act; and Appeal for more funding for the four newly established Universities of Medical Sciences.

‘‘I am pleased to inform you that most of these recommendations have been addressed, whilst further action is being taken to study those involving cross-cutting administrative processes with legal implications,’’ Buhari said.

The President also used the occasion to congratulate a former President of the body, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, the President-elect of the World Medical Association, the first Nigerian to hold the position.

While wishing him a successful tenure, the President expressed hope that Enabulele would use his position to support improvement in health care delivery in Nigeria and lower-income countries.

He also wished the new executive members of NMA a successful tenure, urging them to earnestly continue to serve as arbiters of peace and progress.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who led the medical practitioners to the audience, affirmed that the doctors have been good partners with his ministry, helping to regulate the health profession as well as providing quality healthcare services.

In his remarks, the President of the NMA, Dr. Uche Rowland Ojinmah, said the new National Officers Committee was elected on the 21st of May, 2022. He commended President Buhari for his assent to the National Health Insurance Authority Act, noting that it will help “improve the health indices of our nation”.

Dr. Ojinmah enjoined the president to ensure full and appropriate implementation of the NHIA Act; provision of “adequate work equipment, conducive work environment, and necessary budget support;” as well as elongation of the retirement age for medical consultants to 70 years and 65 years for non-consultant doctors and other healthcare workers.

Others include implementation of the Hazard Allowance circularised in December 2021 with the arrears; as well as the setting up of a Health Bank.