French Aerospace Supplier Boosts Titanium Stocks Amid Ukraine Crisis

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February 25, 2022

French aerospace supplier Safran has enough titanium reserves that can last several months after increasing stocks of the metal since the beginning of the year, the company said Thursday.

Safran, which uses titanium to make landing gears for long-haul jetliners as well as some aero-engine parts, depends on Russia for less than half its requirements, though Russia’s VSMPO-AVISMA corporation remains its largest single supplier.

“We have been watching this situation for several weeks and have decided since the start of the year to increase our stocks of titanium, especially through distributors in Germany,” Chief Executive Olivier Andries told reporters.

The French company – together with General Electric co-owns the world’s largest jet engine manufacturer by units sold, CFM International – is also looking to diversify its sources of the metal.

Western aerospace companies that rely heavily on long-term supply contracts with VSMPO-AVISMA have been increasing buffer stocks in case the metal is thrust into a potential trade war between Russia and the West, experts said.

New Satellite Technology Targeted At U.K. Agricultural Sector

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Angel Gimalo

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February 25, 2022

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A Cornish start-up has developed a technique using artificial intelligence to predict what the surface of the UK looks like under gloomy skies.

The satellite technology is being targeted at the agricultural sector to help farmers better manage their crops.

Cloud too often prevents them from seeing the ground to know where and when to sow seed or apply fertiliser.

Aspia Space’s technology can produce a clear synthetic image of fields in all weathers.

The Penryn-based company is one of a cluster of operators hoping to benefit from the new space economy being built around Spaceport Cornwall, which is due to start launching rockets from Newquay this summer.

President Buhari Signs 2021 Amended Electoral Bill Into Law

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 25, 2022

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021, into law.

Speaking at the event, the president, who highlighted the contents and advantages of the Act, urged the National Assembly to immediately amend Section 84 of the Act, in line with the nation’s 1999 Constitution as amended.

He expressed the hope that the law would promote sound electoral processes and good governance in the country.

“I hereby assent to the Bill and request the Nationally Assembly to consider immediate amendments that will bring the Bill in tune with constitutionality by way of deleting section 84(12) accordingly,” He Said

The leadership of the National Assembly led by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, witnessed the signing of the bill at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja.

Others at the Council Chamber included Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

African Students In Ukraine, Russia Caught In Diplomatic Spat

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Precious Obazee

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February 25, 2022

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Thousands of foreign students are caught up in the crisis in Ukraine, where Russia sent invading forces early Thursday.

According to a report by a Nigerian newspaper website citing data from Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Sciences, Ukraine had more than 76,500 international students as of 2020.

But Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website said the country has more than 240 universities, drawing international students from more than 150 countries every year.

Africans account for at least a fifth of Ukraine’s international students.

Since the Russian invasion, some of African leaders have started taking measures to evacuate their students and nationals while advising them to remain vigilant and be responsible for their security.

Leaving the conflict area has become rather difficult as Ukrainian authorities closed at least three of the country’s airports to commercial traffic as of late Wednesday.

According to local reports, major roads and highways have been clogged with vehicles fleeing major cities.

The National Union of Ghana Students on Wednesday issued a statement urging the federal government in Accra “to accelerate efforts in ensuring the safety of all Ghanaian students” in Ukraine and Russia.

The student union asked that students be evacuated from Ukraine’s eastern provinces, as well as from Russia, “as the country may pose an overall hostile environment to our students.”

On Thursday, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a statement on social media that it would help facilitate Nigerians’ evacuation as soon as airports reopen. More than 4,000 Nigerians are studying in Ukraine.

In a related development,Minister of Education and Technical Education, Tarek Shawqi, said that the number of Egyptian students in the pre-university stage is less than 50 in Russia and less than 10 in Ukraine.

Posting on his Facebook page, Shawqi said these students’ examinations will be postponed and they are welcome to join Egyptian schools if they choose to come back home.

Once Upon A Time – Feb. 25 – 1964 – Muhammad Ali Wins First World Heavyweight Boxing Title

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Angel Gimalo

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February 25, 2022

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1570 Pius V excommunicates Queen Elizabeth I of England for heresy and persecution of English Catholics during her reign. Also absolves her subjects from allegiance to the crown.

1862 First Legal Tender Act 1862 is passed by the US Congress, authorizing the United States note (greenback) into circulation, the first fiat paper money that was legal tender in America

1910 Dalai Lama flees Tibet for British India to escape Chinese troops

1934 Sir Leonard Woolley ends his archaeological dig at Ur, having uncovered much information that would help Christians understand the ancient texts of Scripture.

1956 Nikita Khrushchev denounces Joseph Stalin at the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union

1995 Samandar Singh, hired to kill Sister Rani Maria for exposing exploitive money-lending practices, stabs the nun repeatedly in Indore, India. He will serve eleven years for her murder and be “adopted” by Rani Maria’s sister, also a nun, who forgives his action.

HISTORICAL EVENTS TODAY

TODAY IN FILM & TV

1950 “Your Show of Shows” with Sid Caesar & Imogene Coca premieres on NBC. Writers include Mel Brooks, Neil Simon and Woody Allen.

TODAY IN MUSIC

1957 Buddy Holly & Crickets record “That’ll Be the Day”

TODAY IN SPORT

2018 Winter Olympics: Marit Bjoergen (Norway) becomes the most successful winter athlete of all time (15 medals) with gold in the 30k cross country

DO YOU KNOW THIS FACT ABOUT TODAY?

1964 Muhammad Ali [Cassius Clay] wins his first world heavyweight boxing title when Sonny Liston fails to come out for round 7 at the Convention Center, Miami Beach

WOULD YOU BELIEVE THIS FACT ABOUT TODAY?

1836 Showman P. T. Barnum exhibits African American slave Joice Heth, claiming she was the 161-year-old nursemaid to George Washington

FAMOUS WEDDINGS

1828 6th US President John Quincy Adam’s son John marries in the White House

1921 Actor Jack Haley (22) weds Florence McFadden

2011 Actor and comedian Kelsey Grammer (57) weds Kayte Walsh (29) at the Longacre Theater in Manhattan, New York

Nigerian Professor Breaks 148-Year-Old Record At University of South Africa

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Precious Obazee

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February 25, 2022

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A Nigerian Mathematician, Professor Oghenetega Ighedo, has broken a 148 year-old record to become the first black woman graduate with a PhD in Pure Mathematics at the University of South Africa (UNISA).

It is the first time such achievement would be attained in South Africa’s foremost university since it was established 148 years ago.

Before her academic pursuit in South Africa, Ighedo, an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of South Africa (UNISA), she was already an accomplished researcher in Nigeria where she bagged MSc in Pure Mathematics from the University of Ibadan and a BSc in Industrial Mathematics from Delta State University.

The renowned scholar attributes her success to her mother who was also once a Mathematics teacher. Ighedo said she was inspired by her mother who has since retired.

She also noted that the dearth of black and women pure mathematicians influenced her decision to study the course.

She further encouraged young women not to be deterred by challenges on their path to academic excellence.

Teachers, Professors In Sudan Strike Amid Pay Disputes

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Precious Obazee

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February 25, 2022

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Industrial action embarked on by primary and secondary teachers in South Kordofan as they demand their full financial dues, has entered its fifth day.

Head of the teacher’s union in South Kordofan, Bahloul, told Radio Dabanga that the primary and secondary teachers in various localities across South Kordofan, have been owed back-payments from as far back as 2020.

He also stated that a salary top-up which was meant to come in effect had also not been received, leaving the teachers in a state of complete financial insecurity.

Bahloul explained that their strike scheduled for next Thursday will turn into an open strike if they do not receive their full financial dues adding that all the governors in South Kordofan would be punished for not acknowledging their financial grievances.

Professors at the Sudan University of Science and Technology participated in an open strike on Wednesday, to protest the stubbornness of the authority and their refusal to implement the decision made by Sudan’s former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, on their salary structure.

The preliminary committee for the professors at Sudan University of Science and Technology said that the committee of professors voted to strike by 71 per cent.

The committee stated that the disastrous financial impact for the university professors threatened the entire educational process.

The committee confirmed the continuation of the strike until their salary demands are met.

Gianni Infantino Launches School Football Project in Senegal

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 24, 2022

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FIFA President, Gianni Infantino joined hundreds of school children to celebrate the launch of a new football development project in Dakar, Senegal.

The Lycee Lamine Gueye has a capacity of 3,000 students and the project is part of the FIFA Forward programme, following a Memorandum of Understanding with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the African Union in February 2019.

The project includes the construction of a new pitch, an outdoor futsal court and the renovation of changing rooms for boys and girls.

It will also allow the community to benefit from facilities as it hosts training sessions for clubs and schools in the Dakar-Plateau area, inter-school (UASSU) and inter-university competitions and pupils from surrounding colleges.

Ghanaians Government Asks Stranded Nationals To Seek Shelter

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 24, 2022

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The Ghanaian government has asked its citizens in Ukraine to shelter themselves in their homes or go take shelter in government places of shelter.

This comes as the row between Russia and Ukraine took a different dimension today after Russia launched a full military attack on Ukraine earlier today.

Ghana’s foreign ministry has advised Ghanaian students in Ukraine to seek shelter in their homes or in designated government places of shelter, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

According to the ministry, over a thousand Ghanaian nationals are currently studying or working in Ukraine adding that it is “gravely concerned” for their safety.

However, Ghana’s national student union wants the government to go a step further and evacuate Ghanaian students from the conflict zone until calm is restored.

Ukraine Tension: Nigeria To Evacuate Nationals, Students

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 24, 2022

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The Nigerian Government has promised to embark on the evacuation of Nigerians living in Ukraine as soon as the airports in the country are open.

The Federal Government made the promise on Thursday in a statement by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, following the invasion of Ukraine by neighbouring Russia.

The government also assured Nigerians of its commitment to ensuring the safety of the lives of citizens living in Ukraine.

It added that measures were actually being taken to safeguard the lives of Nigerians in Ukraine.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has received with surprise, reports of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been reassured by the Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine of the safety of Nigerians in that country.

“And measures are being taken to keep them safe and facilitate the evacuation of those who wish to leave.

“The Federal Government wishes to assure families with loved ones in Ukraine that as soon as the airports in the country are opened, it will assist in facilitating the evacuation of Nigerians who are willing to leave.

“In the meantime, the Nigerian Mission has confirmed that military action by the Russians has been confined to military installations.”

Earlier, the House of Representatives called for the immediate evacuation of Nigerians in Ukraine.

The lawmakers were concerned there are many Nigerian students in Ukraine who could be caught in the crossfire.

The motion was moved by representative Ahmed Munir during plenary on Thursday.

But some lawmakers feared that it may be too late as the evacuation should have been done long ago.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, agreed with a lawmaker, Leke Abejide, to interact with the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema to evacuate Nigerians from Ukraine by Monday, February 28.

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs was then mandated to liaise with the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

In Ukraine, the Nigerian Embassy urged Nigerians in the country to remain calm and take responsibility for their personal security and safety.

“The Embassy urges Nigerian nationals resident in Ukraine to remain calm but be very vigilant and be responsible for their personal security and safety,” the notice read.

“The Embassy wishes to add that should any of Nigerian nationals considers the situation as emotionally disturbing, such nationals may wish to temporary relocate to anywhere considered safe by private arrangements.

“They should, however, ensure that they do all the needful to validate all their resident documents for ease of return to the country when desired.

“In addition, in case of students seeking such temporary relocation, they are enjoined to seek proper clearance and guarantee from their respective institutions, authorities/agents on the way forward in respect to their studies during this period and/or thereafter.

“For those who still consider it appropriate to remain in the country, be assured that the embassy remains open for its consular duties and responsibilities at all times. It will always avail you of updates when necessary.”