Pakistan Furniture Council To Participate In Made In Pakistan Expo

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May 5, 2022

Pakistan Furniture Council, in collaboration with Chenone, will also participate in “Made in Pakistan” expo being held at Almaty, Kazakhstan on May 19-23 to showcase Pakistani products and identify new global markets besides luring foreign investments.

Chief Executive Officer PFC Mian Kashif Ashfaq while speaking to a delegation of exporters led by Abdullah Ishtiaq said Thursday that 5-day expo starting from May 19 will provide an opportunity to present a world class range of Pak products and all other allied services.

He said it will also be a platform for import and export mainly with various and flexible pattern of trade.

New Mexico Wildfire: President Biden Approves Disaster Declaration

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Angel Gimalo

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May 5, 2022

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Firefighters slowed the advance of the largest wildfire in the U.S. as heavy winds relented Wednesday, while President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration that brings new financial resources to remote stretches of New Mexico devastated by fire since early April.

U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez announced the presidential disaster declaration during an evening briefing by the U.S. Forest Service about efforts to contain the sprawling wildfire in northeastern New Mexico.

It has fanned out across 258 square miles (669 square kilometers) of high alpine forest and grasslands at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains.

Fire bosses are seizing upon an interlude of relatively calm and cool weather to prevent the fire from pushing any closer to the small New Mexico city of Las Vegas and other villages scattered along the fire’s shifting fronts.

Airplanes and helicopters dropped slurries of red fire retardant from the sky, as ground crews cleared timber and brush to starve the fire along crucial fronts.

Bulldozers for days scraped fire lines on the outskirts of Las Vegas, population 13,000, while crews have conducted controlled burning to clear adjacent vegetation to prevent it from igniting.

Aircraft dropped more fire retardant as a second line of defense along a ridge just west of Las Vegas in preparation for intense winds expected over the weekend.

Nearly 1,300 firefighters and other personnel were assigned to the fire.

Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for an estimated 15,500 homes in outlying areas and in the valleys of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains that border Las Vegas.

The tally of homes destroyed by the fire stands around 170 but could grow higher because officials have not been able to conduct assessment in all of the burn zones.

NASA Climate Research Scientist, Cynthia Rosenzweig Wins World Food Prize

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Angel Gimalo

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May 5, 2022

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A NASA climate research scientist who has spent much of her career explaining how global food production must adapt to a changing climate was awarded the World Food Prize on Thursday.

Cynthia Rosenzweig, an agronomist and climatologist, was awarded the $250,000 prize in recognition of her innovative modeling of the impact of climate change on food production.

She is a senior research scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and serves as adjunct senior research scientist at the Columbia Climate School at Columbia University, both based in New York.

Rosenzweig, whose win was announced during a ceremony at the State Department in Washington, said she hopes it will focus attention on the need to improve food and agricultural systems to lessen the effects of climate change.

The Des Moines-based World Food Prize Foundation award recognized Rosenzweig as the founder of the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project.

The organization draws scientists from around the world and from many disciplines to advance methods for improving predictions of the future performance of agricultural and food systems as the global climate changes.

The foundation credited her work with directly helping decision-makers in more than 90 countries establish plans to prepare for climate change.

In her work, Rosenzweig has studied how farmers can deal with climate change and how agriculture worsens the problem.

For example, she contributed to a research paper published last month that said global agri-food systems create nearly one-third of the total global greenhouse gases emitted by human activity.

OPEC+ Opens Oil Taps Gradually As Russian War Shakes Markets

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Angel Gimalo

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May 5, 2022

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OPEC and allied oil-producing countries decided Thursday to gradually increase the flows they send to the world, even as Europe’s plan to sanction Russian oil threatens to yank millions of barrels off a global market already thirsty for crude.

The cautious approach from the OPEC+ alliance — which includes non-member Russia — will exacerbate a global energy crunch, with prices expected to rise further for oil and the gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel made from it. Those higher prices will worsen global inflation, eating away at people’s ability to spend money that would otherwise support the economic recovery.

At an online meeting, OPEC+ stuck with its road map to gradually open the oil taps, agreeing to add 432,000 barrels per day in June. The plan is to make those regular increases to restore cuts made in 2020 during the worst of the pandemic recession.

Oil prices have risen — more than 40% this year — as the boost in production remains smaller than what the U.S. and other oil-consuming countries are pressing for to ease high prices at the pump.

Bigger surges in oil prices have been held back by COVID-19 lockdowns in China cutting demand and the U.S. and other member countries of the International Energy Agency releasing oil from strategic reserves.

Still, analysts from Rystad Energy foresee the global market potentially losing up to 2 million barrels within six months if the 27 European Union countries approve a proposal to sanction Russian oil. Moscow is expected to see production fall after losing its biggest oil customer — Europe.

OPEC has made it clear to European officials that the oil cartel is not going to increase production to compensate for lost Russian oil. Some OPEC members already can’t meet their oil production quotas.

Russia is the world’s largest oil exporter with some 12% of global supply, and fears its oil and natural gas could be cut off have kept energy prices high.

Before the invasion of Ukraine, Russian sent around 3.8 million barrels of oil per day to the European Union, where refineries turn it into gasoline and diesel fuel.

Ukraine Invasion: Europeans Weigh Costs Of Cutting Russian Energy

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Angel Gimalo

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May 5, 2022

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Across Europe, rising energy prices are testing the resolve of ordinary consumers and business owners who are caught between the continent’s dependence on cheap Russian energy and its revulsion over President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Governments are trying to replace energy supplies from Russia, mindful that their regular payments are funding a war that has seen thousands of civilian deaths and widespread destruction.

They also face a nerve-wracking showdown with Moscow over its demands for payments in rubles, and the possibility that Russia will block supplies, as it did to Bulgaria and Poland last week.

European Union countries import 40% of gas and 25% of oil from Russia, and the current EU timetable doesn’t foresee energy independence from Moscow for another five years. As atrocities unfold, the EU is looking to sharpen sanctions.

The EU’s executive commission on Wednesday proposed phasing out imports of crude oil within six months and refined products by the end of 2022.

It must be approved by all 27 member countries, which will be a battle because some are more dependent on Russian oil than others. Still, oil is easier to replace than natural gas, which is used to generate electricity and power industries.

In a poll of 1,230 random voters published last month by German public broadcaster ZDF, 28% said the country should halt natural gas and oil imports immediately, even if it means supply problems, while 54% said it should only happen if the supply is largely secured, and 14% opposed a ban.

U.S – Africa Business Summit 2022 to be Hosted in Morocco

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Elizabeth Williams

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May 5, 2022

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Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) will organize the next edition of the U.S -Africa Business Summit on July 19 – 22, 2022 in Marrakech, Morocco. The Summit will build on the momentum of last year’s virtual Summit, which focused on the unique opportunity for the new U.S. Administration and its African partners to reset and redefine their relationship as they work together to shape the path for economic recovery needed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CCA says it is delighted to co-host and partner with the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco to bring the 2022 Summit to Marrakech. The 2021 Summit was a tremendous success and the caliber of engagement by U.S. and African business and government leaders was outstanding.

President and CEO, Corporate Council on Africa, Florizelle Liser said The partnerships forged, investment opportunities identified, and deals closed are still being cited by attendees. We believe the 2022 Summit in Morocco will be even more successful and serve as a significant opportunity to expand and deepen the U.S.-Africa trade, investment, and business relationship.

Following a strategic selection process, CCA’s Board of Directors selected the Kingdom of Morocco as the host for the 2020 Summit, but due to the global pandemic, it was canceled. Having signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and a leading investor in Africa, Morocco has demonstrated its commitment to promoting economic development in the continent.

Imo Govt. Orders Immediate Renovation of Schools, Health Centres

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 5, 2022

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Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo has directed immediate renovation of primary and secondary schools as well as health centres in the state.
The governor gave the directive on Wednesday at an interactive session with traditional rulers, chairmen of local government councils and other stakeholders in the state, at the Government House, Owerri.

Uzodimma, who expressed satisfaction with the level of work on the ongoing construction and renovation projects, directed that attention be shifted to renovation of the 305 health centres and rural schools in the state.
He said that the essence of the interactive session was to acquaint the stakeholders with progress reports on the government’s grassroots development initiative.

“The report presented to me earlier by the Executive Secretary of Imo State Healthcare Development Agency (ISPHCDA), Rev. Maria-Joannes Uzoma, indicates that work has been completed on 240 health care centres.
“I wish to commend the efforts made by all those involved in the projects, considering the fact that the projects were embarked upon late last year.
“I urge the technical team to fast-track the remaining 65 centres and bring the chapter to a glorious end.

“The aim is to develop the rural area alongside the urban cities, and with the collaborative efforts of the communities, we will deliver on this,” he said.
According to the governor, the government will, in no distant time, roll out modalities for the reconstruction of rural primary and secondary schools across the state,” he said.

ASUU Strike: Our Leaders No Longer Bother About Us But 2023 Elections– NANS

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 5, 2022

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The President, National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade Sunday Asefon, on Thursday, accused Nigerian leaders of ignoring the plights of Students who are at the receiving end of the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

Comrade Asefon who also said that the leaders have diverted attention to the 2023 general elections, reassured that his Union would disrupt the forthcoming primary elections of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, if the industrial action is not called off.

He spoke during the breakfast programme of the Channels Television ‘Sunrise Daily,’ accusing the Federal Government of a lack of commitment and sincerity in resolving the impasse between it and the striking university workers.
The NANS President who equally threatened that the University of the Streets protest which kicked off at the University of Benin on Wednesday would spread nationwide, also said “If we fail to fight now, our unborn generation will inherit this problem. ASUU strike is over 40 years in our university system and no government has been able to find a solution to it.

“Education is the bedrock of our lives and our leaders who we elected into various political offices are no more discussing that, rather, their focus now is on the 2023 elections. They are only interested in their parochial and selfish interests. This month of May is very significant, after this, the next thing they would be talking about is February and March next year, which is the general election. There is a tendency that they would forget us if we keep quiet.

“It is very unfortunate that most of our leaders who received free education have turned deaf ears to the plight of the sector which produced them. In their time, they protested because there was no chicken in their meals, not because the universities were locked or dilapidated.

“I am not even sure that the government is aware of our threat to disrupt primary elections of APC and PDP. I am yet to get a call from the government. The bible said that people will not believe until they see the signs, maybe FG is waiting for the signs which will surely come if nothing is done to end the lingering strike. Part of the signs is what happened in Benin yesterday. Students are resuming back to the streets and in a couple of days, you will hear our stories across the nation.

“We made a request to be part of the negotiation to end the ASUU strike and FG has not yielded to that call,” he said
He equally vowed to match action for action should the Federal Government attempt to hijack the planned national protest as it did to EndSARS, assuring that the Union is fully prepared for peaceful protests.

This is even as the Director-General, National Institute of Labour Studies, Issa Aremu, who also spoke during the programme called for the constitution of the National Labour Advisory Council to wade into the issues resulting in frequent industrial actions in the universities.

ASUU Strike: Students in Edo Protest Seeks FG Intervention

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 5, 2022

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Students from the various institutions of higher learning in Edo State on wednesday, protested the continued strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The protest caused a major chaotic traffic situation in several parts of Benin City, the state capital for several hours as the students urged the federal government to intervene, vowing to continue a daily stay in the city centre until their demands are met.

The students, who mobilised themselves from University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAU), Federal Polytechnic Auchi, carried placards with various inscriptions and blocked the Oba Ovonramwen Square popularly called Ring Road to express their grievances which resulted in traffic jams around the axis, including Akpakpava, mission road.

Speaking on the issue, National Vice President, Special Duties of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Idiahi Thomas, faulted Nigeria’s educational sector, saying: “Our leaders have bastardised it, and as it is, Nigerian students are at home and yet the government officials are busy purchasing forms for over N100 million, an amount presidents of other countries cannot earn constitutionally throughout their whole tenure. If the federal government does not want us to remain here, they know obviously what to do. You are taking a course of four to five years, then spend six to seven years. Post Graduate students who are supposed to spend 18 months are spending two to three years and some get frustrated and abandon them.”

A student Union leader from Ekpoma, Abumere Joseph said “We are tired of staying at home, for the past three months we have not attended classes. I was supposed to graduate in April but as it is now, I don’t know when I will graduate. I have been in one level for close to two years, so we are tired.”

On his part, the President, Students Union Government (SUG) of UNIBEN, Foster Amadin said the strike is “suffocating the dreams of Nigerian students while the government is going about their electoral processes and the striking lecturers are going about their individual businesses.”
A civil right leader, Kola Edokpayi said the government does not respect the wishes of the people of Nigeria lamenting that “Our students are at home, yet the Minister of State for Education was able to buy a presidential nomination form of N100 million.”

Cocoa Farmers Reassure Nigeria To Become Highest Producer In West Africa

By

Elizabeth Williams

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May 5, 2022

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Cocoa farmers in Nigeria under the aegis of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), have pledge to increase the country’s cocoa production in conjunction with other value chain stakeholders from the present about 340,000 metric tonnes to 500,000 metric tonnes by 2024.

According to CFAN President, Adegoke Adeola, the new project, is to make Nigeria the highest cocoa producer in West Africa by the year 2027.

He stated this while speaking at the flag off of the free distribution of the Cocoa GAP handbook to smallholder cocoa farmers in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

This ambition, according to him is anchored on improved cocoa variety, national cocoa farm irrigation, the improvements of the livelihood of the smallholder cocoa farmers via the collection of $400 Living Income Differential(LID) and the overall improvements of the cocoa sector from research, Inputs, production , value addition , processing to export.

He noted that Ondo state CFAN has been the life wire of CFAN at the national level due to many years of its strong leadership presence established via its constant mass mobilisation of cocoa farmers and other activities carried out at various farm gate level in the State with the support of Harvestfield Industries Limited and other CFAN partners.

He acknowledged the giant stride recorded in the cocoa sector by the various past governments of Ondo State, especially the feet recently recorded by the Governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu, for making Ondo State to remain the highest cocoa producing State in Nigeria.