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Today In History – Oct. 12 – 1894 – Carl Strehlow Arrives Hermannsburg Station To Translate Bible To 3 Aboriginal Languages

Angel Gimalo
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Today In History – Oct. 12 – 1894 – Carl Strehlow Arrives Hermannsburg Station To Translate Bible To 3 Aboriginal Languages

539 BC The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon1492 Christopher Columbus’s expedition makes landfall on a Caribbean island he names San Salvador (likely Watling Island, Bahamas). The explorer believes he has reached East Asia (OS 21 Oct)

1772 Conversion of Benjamin Abbott, who will become an American revival leader. His conversion to Christianity came after fearful mental struggles, influenced by the preaching of Abraham Whitworth.1864 War of the Triple Alliance begins with Brazilian troops under the command of Gen. João Propício Mena Barreto invading Uruguay

1894 Carl Strehlow, German missionary to Australia, arrives at Hermannsburg station where he is appointed head of the mission and will translate the Bible into three aboriginal languages.1900 The first modern submarine is commissioned by the U.S. Navy as the USS Holland, named for its designer John Philip Holland

1915 Ford Motor Company under Henry Ford manufactures its 1 millionth automobile at the River Rouge plant in Detroit

1951 Simon Kimbangu dies after being imprisoned for years by Belgian authorities in Congo Free State. Baptist-trained, he had preached a Christian gospel of one God, healed the sick, and alarmed colonial administrators.1999 The Day of Six Billion: the proclaimed 6 billionth living human in the world is bornToday’s Historical Events
Today in Film & TV
1960 Japanese politician Inejiro Asanuma is assassinated with a sword during a televised debate live on TV by 17-year old nationalist Otoya Yamaguchi

Today in Music
1987 George Harrison releases single “Got My Mind Set On You”, becomes his third solo #11 hit and the last by any of the Beatles

Today in Sport
1968 IXX Summer Olympic Games open at Mexico City, Mexico; first Olympics in Latin America

Do you know this fact about today? Did You Know?
Children’s rhyme “Three Blind Mice” is published in London in a book edited by and possibly written by Thomas Ravenscroft, on this day in 1609Would you believe this fact about today? Would You Believe?
King John of England loses his crown jewels in The Wash as the flood tide swamps his wagons, probably near Fosdyke, perhaps near Sutton Bridge, on this day in 1216

Austria Swears In New Chancellor After Kurz Steps Aside

Zoe Maven
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Austria Swears In New Chancellor After Kurz Steps Aside

Austria got a new chancellor on Monday, two days after former leader Sebastian Kurz resigned amid corruption allegations.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen swore in Alexander Schallenberg, the former foreign minister, as chancellor. Career diplomat Michael Linhart became the country’s new foreign minister.

Schallenberg, told reporters later Monday that he would do “everything to refill the trenches” caused by the recent government crisis and also “do everything in my power to serve our beautiful country of Austria.”

He also said he would continue to work closely with the conservative Kurz. Both share a hard line on immigration.

Kurz, announced Saturday that he would step aside to defuse a political crisis triggered by prosecutors’ announcement that he is one of the targets of an investigation into suspected bribery and breach of trust.

Kurz’s junior coalition partners, the Greens, had demanded his replacement even as Kurz denies any wrongdoing.

Kurz and his close associates are accused of trying to secure his rise to the leadership of his party and the country with the help of manipulated polls and friendly media reports financed with public money. Kurz became the leader of his Austrian People’s Party and then chancellor in 2017.

Although he is stepping down as chancellor, he is keeping his role as party leader and becoming the head of its parliamentary group, keeping him at the heart of Austrian politics while he fights the corruption allegations.

Van der Bellen lauded the two new leaders’ experience in representing Austria abroad, but also stressed the responsibility they have in restoring the Austrian people’s confidence in the country’s government.

Burkina Faso Starts Trial On Killing Of Ex-Leader Sankara

Zoe Maven
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Burkina Faso Starts Trial On Killing Of Ex-Leader Sankara

A military court in Burkina Faso has started the trial of 14 people including former President Blaise Compaore for the killing of influential leftist leader Thomas Sankara, who was ousted as president by Compaore in a 1987 coup.

Compaore is charged with complicity, undermining state security and concealing corpses, according to military documents seen by The Associated Press. He’s being tried in absentia from Ivory Coast, where he has been in exile since he was toppled in 2014.

Ivory Coast has refused to extradite Compaore since Burkina Faso put out a warrant for his arrest six years ago.

Compaore’s former right-hand man Gen. Gilbert Diendere is among the accused and wore a military camouflage uniform at the opening of the trial Monday in Ouagadougou, the capital.

The trial, expected to last several months, is seen as a significant step toward determining the circumstances surrounding Sankara’s death, which has been shrouded in secrecy for nearly 35 years.

Mariam Sankara, the slain leader’s widow, attended the opening of the trial.

Compaore’s lawyers said the former president will “not surrender” or attend the trial as he was never summoned for questioning before being charged, according to a statement.

Sankara, with a reputation as ‘Africa’s Che Guevara,’ has had a lasting impact on the country, changing its name from the French colonial Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, which means “land of honest men” in the local Moore and Dioula languages.

The trial comes as Burkina Faso is experiencing escalating violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State, which has killed thousands, displaced more than 1.4 million people.

Political analysts say the trial of those charged with Sankara’s death is a significant, symbolic step, although its impact will be limited given that Compaore, the main accused, will be absent.

Tunisia Gets New Government, Appoints More Women

Zoe Maven
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Tunisia Gets New Government, Appoints More Women

Tunisia got a new government on Monday after more than two months without one, with the prime minister naming her Cabinet, including a record number of women.

The ministerial appointments announced by Prime Minister Najla Bouden filled a vacuum that had persisted since President Kais Saied abruptly dismissed his former cabinet and suspended parliament 11 weeks ago, concentrating all executive powers.

His critics and constitutional lawyers have likened his actions to a coup.

Bouden who was appointed on Sept. 29 by Saied as Tunisia’s first female prime minister, said during the swearing-in ceremony of her new ministers that their main priority would be fighting corruption.

The new Cabinet has an unprecedented 10 women, including the prime minister. They include Leila Jaffel, new at the Ministry of Justice, and Sihem Boughdiri Nemseya, reappointed as finance minister.

Saied had previously promised a new government for July. But he then partially suspended the constitution on Sept. 22 and gave himself the power to rule by decree. He has argued that pandemic-hit Tunisia is in crisis and that the measures are temporary.

Protests for and against Saied have attracted thousands of people in recent weeks.

India, China Army Talks To Defuse Border Tensions Fail

Zoe Maven
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India, China Army Talks To Defuse Border Tensions Fail

Talks between Indian and Chinese army commanders to disengage troops from key friction areas along their border have ended in a stalemate which has failed to ease a 17-month standoff.

The continuing standoff means the two nations will keep troops in the forward areas of Ladakh for a second consecutive winter in dangerously freezing temperatures.

In a statement, India’s defense ministry, said it gave constructive suggestions but the Chinese side was not agreeable and could not provide any forward-looking proposals.

 A statement from a Chinese military spokesperson on the other hand said the Indian side sticks to unreasonable and unrealistic demands, adding difficulties to the negotiations.

The commanders from both armies met for the talks Sunday after a gap of two months at Moldo on the Chinese side in the Ladakh area.

Since February, both India and China have withdrawn troops from some faceoff sites on the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso, Gogra and Galwan Valley, but they continue to maintain extra troops as part of a multi-tier deployment.

Sunday’s talks came amid frustration expressed by the Indian army chief at what he called the massive deployment of troops and weaponry by the Chinese side.

The Chinese statement from Senior Col. Long Shaohua of the Western Theater Command said “China’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty is unwavering, and China hopes India will not misjudge the situation.”

The troops from both sides used to retreat to their traditional summer holding positions around this time, but since the faceoff started in May 2020 have continued to remain close to the disputed border.

Both countries have stationed tens of thousands of soldiers backed by artillery, tanks and fighter jets along the de facto border.

Huge Fire Extinguished At Oil Facility In Southern Lebanon

Zoe Maven
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Huge Fire Extinguished At Oil Facility In Southern Lebanon

Firefighters in Lebanon extinguished a huge blaze that broke out in a storage tank at one of the country’s main oil facilities in the country’s south Monday.

Energy Minister Walid Fayad said the fire broke out when workers were transferring gasoline from one storage tank to another in the coastal town of Zahrani.

Fayad told reporters at the facility that the situation was now almost under full control, stating earlier that the storage tank was for the Lebanese army.

He said nearly 250,000 liters of gasoline were burnt during the blaze, which lasted more than three hours. No one was reported hurt.

The fire came as cash-strapped Lebanon struggles through a serious power crisis partly due to severe shortages in fuel that have resulted in electricity cuts lasting up to 22 hours a day.

State-run National News Agency said it was not immediately clear what caused the fire.

In the meantime, Lebanese troops had closed the highway linking Beirut with southern Lebanon that passes through Zahrani.

The road was reopened after the fire was extinguished.

The Zahrani Oil Installation is about 50 kilometers south of Beirut. It is close to one of Lebanon’s main power stations, which stopped functioning two days ago due to a fuel shortage.

Earlier in the day, the head of the civil defense, Raymound Khattar, told the local MTV station that he believes there were 300,000 liters of gasoline in the tanker.

Khattar added that workers focused on extinguishing the fire and cooling down a nearby tanker to keep it from igniting.

Early Results Show Record Low Turnout In Iraq’s Election

Zoe Maven
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Early Results Show Record Low Turnout In Iraq’s Election

Voter turnout in Iraq’s elections was 41 percent, according to preliminary results announced Monday, which is an indication of widespread distrust of the country’s leaders and the vote for a new parliament.

The weekend’s election was held months ahead of schedule as a concession to a youth-led popular uprising against corruption and mismanagement. However the vote was reportedly marred by widespread apathy and a boycott by many.

The Independent High Electoral Commission on Monday said preliminary results show turnout from Sunday’s election was 41 percent. That’s down from 44 percent in the 2018 elections, which was an all-time low.

Tens of thousands of people protested in late 2019 and early 2020, and were met by security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas. More than 600 people were killed and thousands injured within just a few months.

Although authorities gave in and called the early elections, the death toll and the heavy-handed crackdown – as well as a string of targeted assassinations – prompted many protesters to later call for a boycott of the vote.

More definitive results were expected later Monday, with groups drawn from Iraq’s majority Shiite Muslim factions expected to come out on top as has been the case since 2003.

Influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who was the major winner in the 2018 elections, was expected to sweep up more seats. However, none of the parties were expected to win a clear majority, and negotiations to choose a prime minister tasked with forming a government were expected to drag on for weeks or even months.

The election was the sixth held since the fall of Saddam Hussein after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Many were skeptical that independent candidates from the protest movement stood a chance against well-entrenched parties and politicians, many of them backed by powerful armed militias.

Kwara Rated First, Best In UBEC Project Execution

Rhoda Onuzulike
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Kwara Rated First, Best In UBEC Project Execution

The National All Progressives Congress (APC) Media has rated Kwara State as first among its equals in the North-central states based on the approach it adopted in the ongoing school infrastructural development.

The national team, led by Dr. Tom Ohikere, was on a nationwide tour of APC states that received UBEC grants to assess how the funds are being utilised.

Giving a preliminary report on their findings, Ohikere stated, “We have seen evidential achievements of the UBEC/SUBEB projects spread across the three senatorial districts. We were amazingly stunned by the quality of the projects executed.

“The construction and reconstruction of blocks of classrooms were massive. The training and retraining of teachers have been given a top-notch priority. And this is aimed at equipping the teachers to give standard education to our children.

“Furthermore, the salaries, allowance, leave bonus and arrears, alongside the implementation of promotion of teachers are done at appropriate time, as we have seem from our own findings.

“We note that this is largely due to proper monitoring that we have seen in the state.”

“This is a legendary and commendable effort, given the fact that you (Kwara) operate with an overburdened financial base.

“From what we observed, your whole approach to infrastructure development in schools is first among the equals in the north central,” he added.

The report presentation was well attended by government functionaries, including Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Chief Whip Kwara House of Assembly, Hon. Ali Amuda; Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Baba Saliu Boriya; Hon. Awolola Ayokunnumi; Commissioner for Education, Sa’adatu Modibo Kawu; and her counterpart in Finance, Florence Olasumbo Oyeyemi; Special Adviser Political Communication, Alhaji Basir Adigun; Special Adviser Political, Abdullateef Alakawa; Special Adviser on Strategy, Saadu Salau; state Secretary for APC, Mustapha Isowo; the Publicity Secretary, Tajudeen Aro; and Alhaji Gali Alaya; among other dignitaries.

Dr. Ohikere however observed that the government needs to improve on few areas like the enhancement of the curriculum of the state School for Special Needs; capacity building for the education secretaries in various local governments and the media unit in the kwara SUBEB, announcing that they resolved to partner with the International Institute of Journalism to train some selected states on the specified fields. 

He added that after a thorough inspection and evaluation, they have nominated Katsina and Jigawa from North-west; Kwara and Nasarawa from North-central; and Osun and Ogun from South-western zone to be recognized at the National Day of Public Commendation on APC revolution of basic education come November, this year.

In his remarks, The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, appreciated the team for their objective assessment of the projects executed and assured them that actions will be taken to effect some of their recommendations.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq

AbdulRazaq, who spoke through the Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi, said no effort will be spared in the ongoing strive to reposition the education sector, even as he called on all relevant stakeholders to key in.

He expressed his delight at the steps the Chairman of the state SUBEB, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, has been taking to place Kwara high and be value driven with regard to project execution, citing a number of cases that guided his conviction about his capability to deliver on any given task.

Adaramaja, on his part, said the team’s appraisal and commendation were premised only on the 50 per cent projects executed, which his agency categorised as phase one, adding that the phase two will kick-start by November and will attract more laurels to the state.

The SUBEB Chairman thanked the state government for its consistent support, narrating how Governor AbdulRazaq has been committed to move the education sector to greater heights in the state.

Anambra Notifies Civil Aviation Authority On Oct. 21 Flight Operations’ Commencement

Angel Gimalo
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Anambra Notifies Civil Aviation Authority On Oct. 21 Flight Operations’ Commencement

Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport will commence flight operations on the twenty-first of this month.

Governor Willie Obiano disclosed this when he joined the Anglican Bishop of Afikpo Diocese, Right Reverend Paul Udogu to celebrate his fifty years birthday.

The service was officiated by the Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Igboezunu Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area.

Governor Obiano reassured that his administration will finish on a very strong note, saying that they have written to Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority concerning the commencement of flight operations at the airport, assuring that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority will soon come for another inspection.

While expressing satisfaction with the components of the airport, the Governor reminded the people of Anambra of the need to vote for APGA in November sixth governorship election for enhanced development of the State.

The Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba thanked Governor Obiano who he maintained performed creditably, praying that God’s will shall prevail in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State.

He called on eligible voters to participate actively in the election and assured of sustaining prayer for both the State and nation.

Earlier in a sermon, the Archbishop of Bendel Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Ugheli, Diocese, Most Reverend Cyril Odutemu said that Anambra State is moving geometrically in development, prayed for continuity, saying that the State always stand out in all ramifications which he explained is the reason God had always chosen the people of Anambra in strategic positions, calling on the celebrant not to forget his community Aguleri.

The service was jointly facilitated by Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexender Ibezim, Bishop of Niger West, Right Reverend Johnson Ekwe and Litany of clergy.

The APGA Flag bearer for the next month’s governorship election Professor Chukwuma Soludo and wife Nonye, his running mate, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, among others attended the service.

Unveiling of a book written by the celebrant Right Reverend Paul Udogu and prayers featured at the event.

Right Reverend Udogu was born on 9th October 1971.

US Economists David Card, Joshua Angrist, Guido Imbens Win 2021 Nobel Prize In Economics

Angel Gimalo
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US Economists David Card, Joshua Angrist, Guido Imbens Win 2021 Nobel Prize In Economics

The Nobel Prize for economics this year recognizes pivotal research that upended long-standing beliefs about the effects of minimum wage increases and influxes of immigrant workers.

United States-based economists David Card, Joshua Angrist and Guido Imbens were awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize in economics for their pioneering the use of “natural experiments” to understand the causal effects of economic policy and other events.

Natural experiments use real-life situations to work out effects on the world, an approach that has spread to other fields and revolutionised empirical research.

One such experiment by Canada-born economist Card on a minimum wage increase in the US state of New Jersey in the early 1990s prompted researchers to review their view that such increases should always lead to falls in employment.

“Natural experiments are everywhere,” Eva Mörk, a member of the Prize Committee for the Alfred Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, told a news conference of the effect the method has had across all the social sciences.

Past Nobel economics prizes have been dominated by US institutes and this was no exception.

Card currently works at the University of California, Berkeley; Angrist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge and Dutch-born Imbens at Stanford University.

“I was just absolutely stunned to get a telephone call, then I was just absolutely thrilled to hear the news,” Imbens said on a call with reporters in Stockholm, adding he was thrilled to share the prize with two of his good friends. Angrist was best man at his wedding.

The prize, formally known as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, is the last of this year’s crop of Nobels and sees the winners share a sum of 10 million Swedish crowns ($1.14m).

Empirical contributions
Card took half the prize “for his empirical contributions to labour economics”, the academy said.

Angrist and Imbens shared the other half “for their methodological contributions to the analysis of causal relationships”.

The prestigious prizes for achievements in science, literature and peace were created and funded in the will of Swedish dynamite inventor and wealthy businessman Alfred Nobel.

They have been awarded since 1901, though the economics prize – created through a donation from Sweden’s central bank on its 300th anniversary – is a later addition that was first handed out in 1969.

While the economics award has tended to live in the shadow of the often already famous winners of the prizes for peace and literature, laureates over the years include a number of hugely influential economists, such as the Austrian-British Friedrich August von Hayek and American Milton Friedman.

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