NBBF Name 12 For Fiba African World Cup Qualifiers

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June 28, 2022

The Nigeria Basketball Federation has released a 12-man roster for the third window of the FIBA African World Cup qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda between June 27 and July 5, 2022.

The team made up of Ikenna Ndugba (Greensboro Swarm, NBA G League), Uchenna Iroegbu (Free agent), Michael Okiki (Gombe Bulls), Ben Emelogu (Rouen Metropolitan, France), Michael Oriakhi (Rivers Hoopers), Michael Gbinijie (Santa Cruz Warriors, NBA G League) and Ibe Agu (Customs, Abuja) will be coached by Alan Major and assisted by Ogoh Odaudu.

Other players on the list are Chimezie Metu (Sacramento Kings), Victor Koko (Rivers Hoopers), Christian Mekowolu (Casademont Zaragoza, Spain), TK Edogi (Kolin, Czech Republic) and Emmanuel Omogbo (H.Izrael, Israel). NBBF President, Engr Musa Kida announced that Major will deputise for the team’s Head Coach, Mike Brown that just got named Coach of the Sacramento Kings.

Currently ranked first in Africa, Nigeria will open its campaign against Cape Verde on Friday, 1 July before taking on Mali on Saturday. The last game will be against Uganda on Sunday, 3 July at the BK arena in the capital city of Kigali. Nigeria sit atop group A with five points from three games.

During this window, 16 teams will compete for the second leg of matches earlier decided in November 2021 and March 2022. The top three teams from each group will advance to the second round where each team will play six games. The two top teams in each group, along with the best third-placed team, will qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

Health Specialist Tackle Breast Cancer In Nigeria

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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June 28, 2022

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Health experts across the country, are set to identify and explore barriers in the use of the Harmonised National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for tackling cancer. Dr Nwamaka Lasebikan, President, Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologist of Nigeria (ARCON), made this known in a statement in Abuja.

Lasebikan said that the group would host experts at a symposium where they would brainstorm on the use of the NCCN Harmonised Guidelines in Nigeria.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. However the mortality rate and probability of surviving for more than five years in lower and middle income countries like Nigeria, falls short of what obtains in high income countries” she said.

Lasebikan said that the one day symposium themed: “Optimising the Standard of Care for Breast Cancer in Nigeria” would hold on June 30, 2022 in Enugu State.

She said the meeting would be hybrid, to allow for maximum participation of key stakeholders offering care in the oncology space.

According to her, ARCON was established in 2016, and it is a community of more than 100 professionals, specialist and trainees.

She explained that their aim was to promote ethical and evidence based standards of care for cancer, and to develop robust and competent cancer health solutions, together with the government of Nigeria.

Lasebikan said that another objective of the group was to liaise with international bodies with similar goals, and sensitise the Nigerian population about cancer and ways to combat the scourge and stigma.

She further stated that the aim was to encourage and advance the knowledge and practice of the science of radiation and clinical oncology through research, education, training, and knowledge dissemination via conferences, workshops, amongst others.

According to Lasebikan, health experts expected at the symposium are NMA President, Dr Uche Ojinma, representative from the Federal Ministry of Health, the Director, National Cancer Control Programme, and Paulette Ibeka, from Clinton Health Access Initiative,

Others, she said, were members of the African Cancer Coalition Network (ACCN), who led the development of the NCCN Harmonised guidelines, and also Prof. Obinna Onodugo, Chief Medical Director, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital UNTH, Enugu.

She listed others to include; Dr IK Obi, Commissioner for Health, Enugu State, Prof E. R. Ezeome, President Elect, West African College of Surgeons (WACS), and Dr JOT Onyia, Chairman NMA, Enugu State, and many others.

Wimbledon: Serena Williams And Rafael Nadal Set For Centre Court On Day Two

By

Emenike Agu

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June 28, 2022

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even-time champion Serena Williams makes her singles comeback at Wimbledon on Tuesday, as Rafael Nadal continues his pursuit of a calendar Grand Slam.

American Williams, 40, plays France’s Harmony Tan on Centre Court, 12 months on from tearing her hamstring in her first-round match at SW19.

Women’s world number one Iga Swiatek opens play on the main show court against Croat Jana

Men’s second seed Nadal, a two-time winner, then meets Francisco Cerundolo.

A 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, Williams made her long-awaited return to action in the doubles at Eastbourne last week alongside Ons Jabeur, after ending speculation over her future in the sport by accepting a Wimbledon wildcard.

She is one short of Australian player Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles wins.

“I didn’t retire. I just needed to heal physically, mentally. I had no plans, to be honest. I just didn’t know when I would come back,” Williams said.

“I didn’t know how I would come back. Obviously Wimbledon is such a great place to be, and it just kind of worked out.”

French Open champion Swiatek, 21, enters Wimbledon on an impressive 35-match winning run which has taken her level with Venus Williams for the longest WTA victory streak this century.

The Pole’s match against world number 252 Fett is followed by 22-time major winner Nadal’s return for the first time since 2019, after the Spanish world number four was able to recover from treatment on a chronic foot injury in time for the Championships.

“I can walk normal almost every single day. That for me is the main issue. When I wake up, I don’t have this pain that I was having for the last year and a half, so I’m quite happy about that,” said Nadal.

On Court One, Italy’s 2021 men’s runner-up Matteo Berrettini faces Chilean Cristian Garin, before 2019 women’s champion Simona Halep meets Karolina Muchova.

Men’s Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas closes play against Swiss player Alexander Ritschard.

UK-Built Forum Satellite To Measure Greenhouse Effect

By

Angel Gimalo

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June 28, 2022

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A spacecraft measuring Earth’s warming ‘greenhouse’ effect in its greatest ever detail will be built in the UK.

The Forum satellite will be assembled by aerospace giant Airbus at its factory in Stevenage.

It will monitor far-infrared radiation coming up from our planet’s surface.

It’s this particular type of light that makes molecules of gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapour vibrate, leading to a heating of the atmosphere – a key aspect of climate change.

Forum is an Earth observation mission of the European Space Agency (Esa). Its procurement contract with Airbus is worth €160m (£140m).

The paperwork was signed at the House of Commons on Monday night in the presence of Minister for Science, Research and Innovation George Freeman.

He described Forum as another brilliant Esa project that played to UK strengths in climate change studies and satellite manufacturing.

“Capturing Earth observation data and developing a whole series of applications from it – we’re very good at all that stuff. So, I think we’re poised for a very exciting time,” he told his audience.

Forum is an acronym that stands for Far-infrared Outgoing Radiation Understanding and Monitoring.

The near-one-tonne satellite is expected to be launched on a Vega rocket in 2027.

Gabriel Jesus: Manchester City And Brazil Forward Having Medical At Arsenal Before 拢45m Move

By

Emenike Agu

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June 28, 2022

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Gabriel Jesus is having a medical at Arsenal before a £45m move from Manchester City.

The 25-year-old Brazil forward has been wanted by a number of clubs, both in the Premier League and in Europe, but has opted to join the Gunners.

Jesus has made 236 appearances and scored 95 goals for City since moving from Palmeiras in January 2017.

He has won four Premier League titles during his time at Etihad Stadium, plus three League Cups and the FA Cup.

His playing time next season was likely to be limited after City signed Norway forward Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

Jesus previously worked with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the latter’s time as a coach at City. The Spaniard is trying to boost his side’s attacking options following the departures of forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on free transfers.

The club have already signed midfielder Fabio Sierra from Porto for 34.2m Pounds this summer and have also been linked with Leeds Units playmaker Raphina

Arsenal finished fifth in the Premier League last season and narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Champions League to north London rivals Tottenham.

Arteta had to rely on his younger players for goals during a lacklustre campaign in attack – 20-year-old England international Bukayo Saka was the club’s top scorer with 12 goals.

Jesus played 28 times in the Premier League last season, scoring eight goals and registering nine assists.

He has won 56 caps and scored 19 goals for Brazil, having made his senior debut in September 2016.

Independence: October 19, 2023 Proposed As Date For Scottish Referendum

By

Angel Gimalo

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June 28, 2022

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Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon has proposed 19 October 2023 as the date for another referendum on independence.

Sturgeon said the question would be the same as in the last referendum in 2014: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”.

Sturgeon said had written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ask for formal consent for the vote to be held.

She said she would press on with her plan if this was not granted by the UK government.

But she stressed that any referendum would need to be “indisputably lawful” and constitutional – with the Supreme Court being asked to rule on the potential legal issues around holding a vote without UK government approval.

The UK government said it would examine the first minister’s proposals, but stressed that its position that “now is not the time” for another referendum had not changed. It has also said that it is “clear” that the constitution is reserved to Westminster.

Mr Johnson said: “We’ll study it very carefully and respond properly. I think the focus of the country should be building a stronger economy. That’s what we’re doing. I certainly think that we’ll have a stronger economy and a stronger country together.”

Researchers say Nigeria has basic technology to produce vaccines

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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June 28, 2022

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A group of multidisciplinary biomedical and healthcare researchers has said that Nigeria has the basic technology to produce vaccines.

The team led by the acting Head of Department, Microbiology, Adeleke University, Ede, Dr. Oladipo Kolawole, is under the coordination of the Vice-Chancellor, Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Prof. Julius Oloke, Deputy Coordinators; Prof. Olubukola Oyawoye of Federal University, Oye Ekiti and Prof. Olatunji Kolawole of the University of Ilorin.

Kolawole, the founder of Helix Biogen Institute told our correspondent that the team’s laboratory had the required technology.

Kolawole was reacting to a report on Monday where the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said Nigeria did not have the basic technology to produce vaccines.

Ehanire was quoted in Abuja at the bi-weekly Ministerial Press briefing on COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in the country.

He said, “The urgency is now to have the technology to know how to produce vaccines.

“So we have brought together all our experts, including the producers of vaccines and manufacturers to find a way to have the technology in case of future outbreaks.’’

However, Kolawole, said, ‘‘The government doesn’t have the basic technology but we have the basic technology in our lab at the Helix Biogen Institute.

“We have our in-house technology to design vaccine candidates, remember we were able to make the WHO list. We were not able to synthesize in the country that is, we need to make it in liquid form to know the best conditions for production, but all other steps were carried out here.’’

He complained that it was the same way when coronavirus started in 2020, saying the Federal Government said there were no molecular biologists in the country.

Kolawole revealed that he had finished the first phase of the animal trial using mice to access its safety.

‘‘We have finished the first phase of the animal trial using mice for accessing the safety. It was safe, we are in contact with CEPI to help out with the immunogenicity study and they have sent some forms to us. We will soon be accessing the immunogenicity of the candidate vaccine and we are collaborating with researchers in Kenya for the trial in monkeys, which will start any time soon,’’ he said.

The research effort, which concluded with its animal trial based has been listed by the World Health Organisation as number 61 out of 185 vaccine candidates globally.

The PUNCH had reported that Oladipo said it was unfortunate that the government and private individuals had not shown enough support to what he and his colleagues were doing.

“All we’ve got are commendation from Minister of Science and Technology as well as posts from former vice president, Atiku Abubakar on his Facebook and Twitter accounts, but no financial support. The team is focused. We will keep moving and pushing until we get there. Though the pace might be slow but slow and steady win the race.

“We have three candidate vaccines for Lassa Fever Virus, one for Hepatitis E, and one for Cholera. Although the team is working on a pan-coronavirus vaccine which is different from the ones we had before, that is 70 per cent completed,” he added.

Monsoon Rains Expected In Pakistan From June 30

By

Angel Gimalo

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June 28, 2022

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The Met Office on Tuesday informed that moist currents from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are likely to enter in upper parts of the country from 29th June (Wednesday) which may intensify and expand to southern parts of the country by the end of this week.

The monsoon season will set in and as the temperatures again soaring across Pakistan.

Rain-windstorm/thundershower is expected in Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Hafizabad, M. B Din, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, T.T Singh, Okara, Sahiwal and Bahawalnagar from 30th June to 04th July.

Isolated heavy falls are also expected during the period.

Rain-windstorm/thundershower (Isolated heavy falls) are expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Dadu, Zhob, Ziarat, Barkhan, Loralai, Kohlu, Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Naseerabad and Sibbi from 1st July to 05th July.

Possible Impacts:

Heavy falls may generate urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad from 02nd to 04th July & in Karachi and Hyderabad from 03rd to 05th July.

Fishermen are advised to remain careful due to rough sea conditions from 03rd to 05th July.

Flash flooding is also expected in local nullahs of Kashmir, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Naseerabad, Awaran, Barkhan and Kohlu during the forecast period.

Heavy rainfall may trigger landslides in Kashmir, Galliyat and Murree.

The rising temperatures are likely to subside during the forecast period. Windstorms may damage loose structures at vulnerable locations.

Rainwater will be beneficial for the sowing of rice crop.

Travelers and tourists are advised to remain extra cautious during the forecast period.

Heavy Rains Affect Six Provinces In Northwest Turkey

By

Angel Gimalo

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June 28, 2022

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Turkey’s Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said Tuesday that one of the missing men is a digger operator who was swept away by floods in Duzce province and the other a resident in a village in Kastamonu province.

Heavy rains affecting six provinces, caused rivers to overflow and bridges to collapse Monday.

Authorities evacuated stranded locals and said a potentially deadly disaster was averted because residents followed meteorological warnings.

Floods in three northwestern Turkish provinces last August killed 82 people.

Once Upon A Time – June 28 – 1846 – Saxophone Is Patented By Antoine – Joseph “Adolfe” Sax

By

Angel Gimalo

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June 28, 2022

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1389 Ottomans defeat Serbian army in the bloody Battle of Kosovo, opening the way for the Ottoman conquest of Southeastern Europe

1519 King Carlos I elected Holy Roman Catholic Emperor Charles V

1838 Coronation of Queen Victoria in Westminster Abbey, London

1919 Treaty of Versailles, ending WWI and establishing the League of Nations, is signed in France

2021 Tigray Defense Forces retake Tigray’s regional capital of Mekelle in Ethiopia’s Tigray War. The Ethiopian government declares a unilateral ceasefire to save face but neither side sticks to it.

HISTORICAL EVENTS TODAY

TODAY IN FILM & TV

1951 “Amos ‘n’ Andy” premieres on CBS TV

TODAY IN MUSIC

1928 Louis Armstrong makes 78 recording of “West End Blues”

TODAY IN SPORT

1958 US Open Women’s Golf, Forest Lake CC: Mickey Wright wins 1st of 4 Open titles by 5 from Louise Suggs; 1st player to win Open & LPGA in same year

MORE FACTS…

1846 Saxophone is patented by Antoine-Joseph “Adolfe” Sax

1820 Tomato is proven to be non-poisonous by Colonel Robert Gibbon eating a tomato on steps of courthouse in Salem, New Jersey

FAMOUS WEDDINGS

1919 33rd US President Harry Truman (35) weds Elizabeth Truman (34) in Independence

1930 Film director David Lean (22) weds his first cousin Isabel Lean

1934 Novelist Kenneth Patchen (22) weds Miriam Patchen in nearby Sharon, Pennsylvania