How It Is Celebrated – Christmas In Armenia

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November 29, 2021

526 A possible date for the Antioch earthquake in present-day Syria (then the Byzantine Empire) which killed 200,000 people.

851 Muslims in Spain release Eulogius, a supporter of a number of recent Christian martyrs, but require sureties that he will remain in Córdoba. Eventually, they will execute him because of his anti-Islamic agitation.

1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army moves into Manchester and occupies Carlisle.

1780 The Congregational Church of Connecticut licenses African-American Lemuel Hayes to preach, making him the first African-American minister certified by a predominantly white denomination. He will later become the first African-American minister to pastor a white church in the United States.

1877 US inventor Thomas Edison demonstrates his hand-cranked phonograph for the first time.

1935 Physicist Erwin Schrödinger publishes his famous thought experiment “Schrödinger’s cat”, a paradox that illustrates the problem of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics.

1951 1st underground atomic explosion at Frenchman Flat in Nevada.

1958 Chinese missionary John Ding and his wife Zhu Yiming are captured by Communists in Tibet where they had been evangelizing. They are incarcerated. Zhu will die before her husband and he will not be notified for three years. Then he will be given her clothes and will find the toes of her shoes and the knee area of her dress are worn out from much prayer on her knees. Released after twenty-three years in prison, Ding returned to preaching.

Today’s Historical Events

Today In Film & Tv

1945 “The Lost Weekend”, based on Charles R. Jackson’s novel, directed by Billy Wilder and starring Ray Milland and Jane Wyman premieres in Los Angeles (Academy Awards Best Picture 1946).

Today In Music

1994 “My Life” second studio album by Mary J. Blige is released (Billboard Music Award Top R&B Album 1995).

Today In Sport

1987 Joe Montana of SF 49ers completes NFL record of 22 consecutive passes.

Do You Know This Fact About Today? Did You Know?

1972 Co-founder of Atari, Nolan Bushnell releases Pong, the 1st commercially successful video game, in Andy Capp’s Tavern in Sunnyvale, California.

Would You Believe This Fact About Today? Would You Believe?

1781 Crew of slave ship Zong murder about 142 African slaves by dumping them into the sea, to claim insurance.

Handling Harmattan In Nigeria

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November 28, 2021

It’s getting to that time of the year when dust takes over.

The season of Harmattan, from Twi word haramata, originates from the dry and dusty harmattan trade winds which blows from the Sahara desert over West Africa.

It usually comes between the end of November and the middle of March.

In some parts of Nigeria, such as Lagos, harmattan can hardly be felt during these periods.

However, in places closer to the Sahara/Gulf of Guinea which are in the direction of the wind, harmattan effects can be quite severe.

For many states, harmattan is characterised by very cold temperatures, especially in the mornings/nights and very hot weather in the afternoons. The humidity also drops really low and the air is dusty. This means the skin has a tendency to dry up quickly and the wind can be very assaulting to the respiratory system.

Here are some tips on how to handle harmattan.

1. Stay hydrated
It’s normal to become dehydrated and get thirsty very easily at this time, so avoid carbonated drinks at and juices but rather drink at least 1.5 liters of water every day as this will help keep your whole body system working properly.

2. Adjust outfits
The weather is usually really bright and hot in the afternoon but could get very cold at night. To be on the safer side, put on warm clothing when going to bed at night or when going out in the mornings. You can loosen up your clothes as the day heats up.

3. Take vitamin C
This will help to reduce the likelihood of you contracting the flu otherwise known as catarrh. As there are dust and cold everywhere, taking vitamins generally will help combat the negative effects they could have on the body.

4. Moisturise
Let your lip balm and moisturiser/petroleum jelly/oil be your best friends. Always have a lip balm and moisturiser in your bag, pocket or somewhere easily accessible. Apply the balm on your lip and the moisturiser on the skin when any of them are starting to get dry.

5. Be careful with fires
Fires tend to get aggravated during harmattan. Avoid burning indiscriminately and if you have to burn anything, make sure it is attended and well monitored. Most fire accidents happen in this season because everywhere is dry and the fire can travel easily without restrictions.

6. Avoid dusty areas
For asthmatic patients, the dusty winds of harmattan can trigger attacks. This is why they should stay away from dusty areas and have their inhalers on them at all times. Wearing a nose/face mask is advisable during this period when one has to have contact with dusty environment.

7. Wear protective hairstyles
For Nigerian females, harmattan can be terrible for the tips. It can cause dry tips and hair breakage. Wear hairstyles that keep your ends hidden such as braids, tie scarves and keep hair moisturised.

Researchers Discover Columbian Mammoth Tusk In Deep Waters Off California’s Coast

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November 28, 2021

Scientists have found evidence of ancient land dwellers at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

Researchers with Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute say they discovered a Columbian mammoth tusk in the deep waters off California’s coast.

Scientists estimate the tusk is more than 100,000-years-old.

It is over 3-feet-long and was found 185 miles offshore and 10,000 feet underwater.

The researchers note mammoth remains from continental North America are particularly rare.

They plan to use the tusk’s DNA to refine what we know about mammoths in that part of the world.

India, Sri Lanka, The Maldives Navies Form Synergy For Maritime Operation

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November 28, 2021

The navies of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are part of a focused operation which aims for more synergy between the maritime agencies of the three countries in the Indian Ocean Region.

This first of its kind maritime operation – called the ‘Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)’, is being conducted for two days on November 27 and 28, 2021.

“Ships and aircraft of the Indian Navy (IN), Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) are participating and operating over a vast area in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of the three countries in the Southern Arabian Sea,” a statement from the Indian Navy said.

Earlier, a trilateral Table Top Exercise (TTX) between the three nations was conducted on July 14 and 15, 2021.

The three countries also participated in the 5th Deputy National Security Advisors (NSA) level meeting of Colombo Security Conclave on August 4, 2021, wherein ways of enhancing maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region were deliberated upon.

The Indian Navy said the focused operation is being conducted with the aim of keeping this vital part of the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping, international trade and conduct of legitimate maritime activities.

Bach Hopeful Africa Would Host The Olympics By 2036

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November 28, 2021

IOC president says he has a dream that the Olympic games would be hosted in Africa in his tenure

Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has expressed the hope that Africa would bid to host the Olympics by 2036.

Mr Bach said this while responding to questions by young reporters of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) on Thursday in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Mr Bach said it was his dream that Africa would host the games during his tenure.

“At the beginning of my term (in 2013), I had a dream that the Olympic games would be hosted in Africa in my tenure but it is not going to be possible, unfortunately.

“I hope that by 2036 or 2040 – which would be when am out of office – an African country will enter into dialogue with the IOC to organise the Olympic Games.

“It is really important to see the games in Africa, but the ball at the moment is in the court of the African countries,’’ he added.

FIFA May Ban Nigeria If Gernot Rohr Is Sacked Without Due Process – Senate Committee On Sports

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November 28, 2021

Senator Obinna Ogba, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development, has said FIFA may sanction Nigeria if Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr is sacked without the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) carrying out due process.

Rohr’s sack calls increased after the team struggled to earn a draw against Cape Verde in their last group game of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Although Nigeria qualified for the world cup play-offs, the performance did not raise good hopes among football fans who believe the team might not make it out of the play-offs of they meet more composed opponents in front of goal.

Senator Ogba has now warned fans calling for the sack of the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, to exercise some patience as sacking him without due process could have ramifications

“Yes, so many persons have called for his sack. It needs to be discussed because there was an agreement with the sports operators in football.” He said to The Guardian.

“There is a way you will sack him, and if you don’t pay him certain amount of money, FIFA will ban Nigeria and when they ban us, you will complain. Why not allow football operators discuss the issues by finding a way out?

“Mind you, part of the agreement is for him to qualify Nigeria for Nations Cup, and he has done that. No matter how he qualified.

“The next thing is the World Cup, and it is still on. For me, I am not Amaju Pinnick, who is the president of NFF. But I am also a board member, and I can tell you authoritatively that among us, many have asked that he should step aside. But it is not something you say for saying sake.

“It has to be a discussion, meetings, and so many things have to be taken into consideration. Even if it warrants sacking him, we will sack him, otherwise we allow him be,” he stated.

2022 World Cup: Super Eagles Face Egypt Supremacy Battle As CAF Set To Use January Ranking For Seedings

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November 28, 2021

The performance of Nigeria Super Eagles at the African Nations Cup in January will determine whether or not it will maintain the seeded among the top five in African ranking.

Nigeria is rated fifth in Africa in the latest FIFA Rankings while Egypt followed closely in sixth position.

The Confederation of African Football at its Extraordinary General Assembly held in Cairo, Egypt on Friday announced that the draws would be held on January 26.
CAF also announced that the FIFA ranking for the month of January will be used to determine the seeded teams for the playoffs.
The top five teams in the continent will be seeded and will face the non-seed teams in the two-legged fixtures.

The first leg fixtures will take place at the lower-ranked team’s home.
Qualified teams for the playoffs are Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Nigeria. While the lower-ranked teams are Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Congo DR.

Presently, ranked in the top five in the continent are Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Nigeria who are ranked 20th, 28th, 29th, 32nd and 36th in the world respectively.

The Three-time African champions will have to be at its best to avoid dropping to the unseeded second five African countries ahead of the 2022 World Cup playoffs draws.

We Are Committed To Football Development In Africa – FIFA President

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November 28, 2021

President of the World soccer governing body ( FIFA) Gianni Infantino had reiterated the commitment of the body to the development of football in Africa, BSNsports.com.ng can report.

FIFA President promised to “project African football to the top of the world” and laid out plans for FIFA and CAF to raise a minimum fund of USD1bn to make solid and sustainable infrastructural investments in Africa.

Speaking in Cairo during CAF Assembly, the FIFA President emphasized the importance of these investments.

“We are more committed than ever to make sure that we obtain these 1 billion U.S. dollars for the investment in infrastructure in African football because this is what African football deserves.

“This is the year of collaboration, of partnership, of unity between us. We have committed to that; we have committed to invest in infrastructure in Africa,” he said.

” We need to protect the football, and we need to make sure that football remains relevant for our young generation. And I would say particularly in a continent like Africa, where 40% of the population is below 15 years of age,” he said.

“We need to think about the future, we need to think about how we can make our sport more enthusing, more relevant for the young generation, which today has many other things to focus on,” he concluded.

ITTF World C/Ship: Sweden’s Trul Ends Aruna Quadri Run In Quarterfinal

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November 28, 2021