LIVE
Home Blog Page 2202

Schools Reopen In Ethiopia’s Tigray Region

Precious Obazee
-
0
Schools Reopen In Ethiopia’s Tigray Region

Ethiopia’s Fana news site reports that schools in Mekelle, the capital of the Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray, have reopened seven months after the raging conflict forced their closure.

The report said some 32 public schools and more than 30 private ones have opened their doors to learners.

The international community has expressed concern over the prolonged conflict that has killed thousands of people and displaced more than two millions others.

Some social media users have expressed concern about the reopening of schools saying the security situation in the region was still volatile.

Human rights groups have accused Ethiopian federal forces, their Eritrean allies, and fighters from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of committing gross rights violations.

29 Refugee Athletes To Send Message Of Solidarity, Hope To The World At The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Emenike Agu
-
1
29 Refugee Athletes To Send Message Of Solidarity, Hope To The World At The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Twenty-nine athletes competing across 12 sports and from 13 host National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will be part of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team (EOR) Tokyo 2020. The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today approved the composition of the team.

The athletes were selected from among the refugee athletes currently supported by the IOC through the Olympic Scholarships for Refugee Athletes programme. They will send a powerful message of solidarity and hope to the world this summer, bringing further awareness to the plight of over 80 million displaced people worldwide.

The list of athletes can be found here.

The 29 athletes met for the first time today in a virtual ceremony during which IOC President Thomas Bach officially announced their participation in the Games in Tokyo this summer.

Addressing the athletes, the IOC President said: “Congratulations to all of you. I speak on behalf of the entire Olympic Movement when I say that we cannot wait to meet you in person and to see you compete in Tokyo. When you, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team and the athletes from the National Olympic Committees from all over the globe, finally come together in Tokyo on 23 July, it will send a powerful message of solidarity, resilience and hope to the world. You are an integral part of our Olympic community, and we welcome you with open arms.”

UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi congratulated the athletes, saying: “I am thrilled to congratulate each of the athletes who have been named in the Refugee Olympic Team Tokyo 2020. They are an exceptional group of people who inspire the world. UNHCR is incredibly proud to support them as they compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Surviving war, persecution and the anxiety of exile already makes them extraordinary people, but the fact that they now also excel as athletes on the world stage fills me with immense pride. It shows what is possible when refugees are given the opportunity to make the most of their potential”

The team will compete under the Olympic flag. At the Opening Ceremony on 23 July, the athletes will enter the stadium in second position immediately after Greece, sending a strong message of inclusion, and showing the world the strength of the human spirit.

Spotlight on the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Tokyo 2020

The selection of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Tokyo 2020 was based on a number of criteria including, first and foremost, each athlete’s sporting performance and their refugee status as confirmed by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Personal background, as well as a balanced representativity in terms of sport, gender and regions, were also considered.

Like all teams at the Olympic Games, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team will have its own entourage to meet all the required technical needs of the athletes. Olympian and former marathon world record-holder Tegla Loroupe will be the team’s Chef de Mission, reprising her role from the Olympic Games Rio 2016, while Stephen Pattison from UNHCR and Olivier Niamkey from the IOC will act as the Deputy Chefs de Mission. They will lead a delegation of 20 coaches and team officials, while Olympic Solidarity will cover travel and all other participation expenses for the team.

The full EOR* delegation will meet for the first time as a team at the Aspire Academy in Doha (Qatar) on 12 and 13 July for their Welcome Experience, before flying to Japan on 14 July. During the Games, the team will be hosted by Waseda University, which will provide accommodation and training facilities, before the athletes move to the Olympic Village for their respective competitions. Both of these training camps have been made possible due to the support of the NOCs of Qatar and Japan.

A strong legacy from Rio 2016

The first-ever IOC Refugee Olympic Team, consisting of 10 athletes, competed at the Olympic Games Rio 2016. The athletes captured the attention of the world through their inspirational journeys and performances. Six of those athletes – swimmer Yusra Mardini, judoka Popole Misenga and runners Anjelina Nadai Lohalith (1,500m), James Nyang Chiengjiek (800m), Paulo Amotun Lokoro (1,500m) and Rose Nathike Likonyen (800m) – will be part of the team again in Tokyo.

Following the success of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Rio 2016, the IOC decided in 2018 that there would be an IOC Refugee Olympic Team Tokyo 2020. Olympic Solidarity was mandated to establish the conditions of participation and define the selection process for the team, in close collaboration with the UNHCR, NOCs and International Federations (IFs).

This led to the creation of the Olympic Scholarships for Refugee Athletes programme, which awarded grants to 56 eligible athletes, providing them with the financial support that enabled them to train for the Games while continuing their sporting career and building for their future. The grants were extended for a further year following the postponement of Tokyo 2020, bringing the total investment by Olympic Solidarity in support of refugee Olympic scholarship-holders preparing for the Olympic Games to USD 2 million since Rio 2016.

The historic participation of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team at the Olympic Games Rio 2016 also prompted the creation of the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) in September 2017, as the next chapter in the IOC’s long-term commitment to supporting the protection, development and empowerment of displaced young people through sport 365 days a year across the globe.

Working closely with UNHCR, the IOC’s partner for the last 25 years, and in cooperation with the Olympic Movement, international organisations, the private sector, including Worldwide Olympic Partner Airbnb, non-governmental organisations and other foundations, the ORF has supported 12 programmes in eight countries (Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Rwanda, Turkey and Uganda), with new initiatives to be launched this year in Colombia and France. As a result, 200,000 young people are currently benefiting from sports programmes designed to improve their well-being and social inclusion. The goal of the ORF is to provide one million young people affected by displacement with access to sport by 2024.

This strong grassroots impact goes hand-in-hand with the sense of solidarity and support generated from seeing the world’s top refugee athletes compete at the Olympic Games.

Cultural Library Opens In New York To Promote Nigeria’s Heritage

Precious Obazee
-
0
Cultural Library Opens In New York To Promote Nigeria’s Heritage

A cultural library to promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and arts in the U.S. has opened at the Nigeria House in New York.

The Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Lot Egopija, disclosed this to the journalists on the sidelines of the 12th Annual New York City Multicultural Festival.

The festival is organised annually by African Chorus Ensemble, founded by a U.S.-based Nigerian art and culture proprietress, Joyce Adewumi who is also the library’s Cultural Ambassador.

Egopija said the library was opened for people to be better informed about aspects of Nigeria’s culture such as music, dress, food, artifacts, respect and ability to co-exist in spite of the country’s multi-ethnic nature.

Egopija stated that the library is opened for Nigerians and other interested nationals; we want the second and third generations of American-Nigerians to come over and use the cultural artifacts in the library.

English Cathedral Singers Call For Re-Think On Singing Restrictions

Angel Gimalo
-
0
English Cathedral Singers Call For Re-Think On Singing Restrictions

English Cathedral singers have added their voices to growing criticism of the Government’s restrictions on singing.

While many areas of life have re-opened, only six people can sing together indoors under remaining restrictions, affecting amateur choirs up and down the country.

The Very Rev Adrian Dorber, Chair of the Association of English Cathedrals, said the measures were “draconian” and “punitive” considering that sports stadiums and pubs have all been allowed to re-open.

The Government has restricted communal singing indoors because of concerns that it creates a greater risk of transmission.

Its website says that “singing, shouting and physical activity increases the risk of transmission through small droplets and aerosols”.

But Rev Dorber argued that public singing could be conducted safely.

“Music is a vital part of church worship, it brings a richness to the liturgy, our services can become flat and monotone without congregational singing,” he said.

“We appreciate public health concerns but now that sport stadiums can have fans, pubs and bars are open again and more and more of us are vaccinated, it seems punitive of the authorities to stamp down on singing especially on amateur choirs and church congregations.

“There is very little definite, published and properly peer-reviewed evidence to support these draconian measures.

Fiction, Memoirs, Poems Spring From 1,000-Word Challenge

Koko Lawrence
-
0
Fiction, Memoirs, Poems Spring From 1,000-Word Challenge

A. Stella Oloye, a Washington, D.C-based writer working on an Afrofuturism novel, was at a low point this spring when she learned of an online challenge she likens to a “gift from God”: #1000wordsofsummer.

The rules: Set down 1,000 words a day for 14 days. Fiction or nonfiction, poetry or dialogue, inspired or uninspired, for a future book or simply for the sake of writing.

“I was feeling really isolated plugging away, 2,000 words a day in the first quarter of the year, and had been looking for a writing community to stave off my lonely writer blues,” she told The Associated Press recently. “So when the 1,000 words of summer challenge crossed my (Twitter) timeline, I knew I had the opportunity to pair some much-needed community with targeted accountability to finish what I’ve started. I joined to combat the end-of-the-road fatigue I was experiencing.”

Organized and presided over by Jami Attenberg, #1000wordsofsummer has grown from around 2,000 participants in 2018 to more than 14,000 this year, drawing in emerging writers such as Oloye and such established authors as Attenberg, Roxane Gay and Deesha Philyaw.

Bruce Springsteen Plans Broadway Return Of His One-Man Show

Koko Lawrence
-
0
Bruce Springsteen Plans Broadway Return Of His One-Man Show

Bruce Springsteen will return to Broadway this summer for a limited run of his one-man show “Springsteen on Broadway.” Performances at the St. James Theatre begin June 26 with an end date set — at least for now — for Sept. 4.

“I loved doing ‘Springsteen on Broadway’ and I’m thrilled to have been asked to reprise the show as part of the reopening of Broadway,” the rocker said in a statement.

“Springsteen on Broadway” debuted in 2017 and was extended three times, finally closing in late 2018. Columbia Records put out a two-disc soundtrack of “Springsteen on Broadway”.

In the show, Springsteen performs 15 songs — including “My Hometown,” “Thunder Road,” and “Born in the USA” — and tells stories about growing up in New Jersey. Some of the stories will be familiar to readers of his autobiography, and he even reads from it. His wife, Patti Scialfa, accompanies him for “Brilliant Disguise.”

Royal Frocks, Diana’s Wedding Dress On Display In London

Koko Lawrence
-
0
Royal Frocks, Diana’s Wedding Dress On Display In London

The voluminous ivory dress Princess Diana wore to marry Prince Charles in 1981 has gone on display at her former London home, as part of a new exhibition showcasing a selection of gowns worn by members of Britain’s royal family.

“Royal Style in the Making” looks at the works of designers and their royal clients, and features outfits created for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and Diana, as well as sketches, fabric swatches and photographs from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection.

Among the most recognisable frocks is Diana’s taffeta and lace wedding gown, made up of a bodice, full skirt, puffed sleeves and 25-foot train. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the dress is on loan from Diana’s sons, Princes William and Harry.

“Now we’re all familiar with that iconic shape, so typical of early 80s fashion, big puff sleeves, very romantic and vintage inspired,” said Matthew Storey, curator of the exhibition.

“But when you come to the exhibition what you appreciate are the details, the antique lace, the modern lace that was designed to imitate it, which lines the entire 25-foot long train, all of which is garnished with thousands of iridescent sequins so the whole dress sparkles.”

Among other items on show is a rare surviving toile for a gown worn by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother for King George VI’s coronation in 1937.

Storey said one of his favourite exhibits was a blue and gold 18th century style dress designed for Princess Margaret by stage designer Oliver Messel.

“She wore it to a costume ball at the Mansion House in 1964 in aid of one of her favourite charities, the St John ambulance,” he said.

The exhibition, which opened last week and runs until January, is at Kensington Palace, where Diana lived until her death in a Paris car crash in 1997.

Oxford Professor Sued By Museum Of The Bible Over Papyrus Fragments

Angel Gimalo
-
0
Oxford Professor Sued By Museum Of The Bible Over Papyrus Fragments

The Museum of the Bible has launched a £5m lawsuit against a former Oxford classics professor over the sale of biblical papyrus fragments that are alleged to have been stolen.

Dr Dirk Obbink, 64, is accused of selling ancient Bible fragments belonging to the Egyptian Exploration Society without permission.

He was a general editor of the Oxyrhynchus Papyri at the Egyptian Exploration Society until 2016.

The professor was arrested last year on suspicion of theft and fraud but was released as the police investigation continues.

He denies the allegations and has in the past claimed that he is the target of a “malicious attempt to harm my reputation and career”.

The lawsuit against him has been brought by Hobby Lobby, the retail chain that founded the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC.

The claim filed by the company in New York states that it was involved in seven private sales of priceless papyri and ancient objects by Obbink between 2010 and 2013, The Sunday Times reports.

At least 32 items in its collection have been identified as being allegedly stolen by the professor.

According to the claim, Obbink said the papyri had come from private collectors.

“Some of the fragments were stolen by Obbink from the Egyptian Exploration Society, the custodian of the largest collection of ancient papyri in the world,” the claim says.

It goes on to claim that Obbink “acted throughout his career as a private dealer of papyri fragments and other antiquities to the world’s greatest museums and private collectors.”

It adds, “That some unknown number of the fragments were stolen renders all the fragments unsaleable and worthless to Hobby Lobby.”

Last year, the museum sued auction house Christie’s for allegedly deceiving the company about the legality of the sale of a rare cuneiform tablet.

Earlier this year, the museum announced that it was returning thousands of manuscripts and papyrus fragments to Egyptian authorities after questions were raised about the legality of their acquisition.

Anti-Poverty Groups Criticise Rich Countries Over G7 Tax Deal

Zoe Maven
-
0
Anti-Poverty Groups Criticise Rich Countries Over G7 Tax Deal

Anti-poverty campaigners have criticised a deal reached by seven wealthy countries to impose a minimum tax on multinational companies, saying it would benefit rich nations at the expense of the poor.

Finance Ministers from the Group of Seven advanced economies agreed on Saturday to back the creation of a global minimum corporate tax rate of at least 15%.

This was to squeeze more money out of multinationals such as Amazon and Google and reduce their incentive to shift profits to low-tax offshore havens.

Oxfam and Eurodad, a network of development agencies, said the new regime would entitle big companies’ home countries, often in the United States or Europe, to a larger share of the tax, leaving little for poor states where multinationals also operate.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which helped drive wider tax reform, denied the deal would unfairly benefit the United States.

A recent study suggested the European Union could get an extra 50 billion euros in tax from multinationals if a minimum global corporate tax of 15% was agreed.

The proposal is part of a reworking of rules for taxing multinationals and big technology firms such as Alphabet and Facebook, which now often pay very little tax, despite huge revenues, by setting up offices in low-tax countries such as Ireland, Luxembourg or the Netherlands.

Nigerian Navy Makes History As It Launches Landing Ship Tank

Angel Gimalo
-
0
Nigerian Navy Makes History As It Launches Landing Ship Tank

The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Monday launched a new Landing Ship Tank (LST) at Damen Shipyard, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

 A Landing Ship Tank is the naval designation for ships first developed during World War II (1939–1945) to support amphibious operations by carrying tanks, vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto shore with no docks or piers. This enabled amphibious assaults on almost any beach.

The LST had a highly specialized design that enabled ocean crossings as well as shore groundings.

The construction of the ship began about two years ago and when commissioned, it will replace the first set of LSTs of the navy, NNS AMBE and NNS OFIOM, which have been decommissioned.

The introduction of the LST to the navy inventory will bolster its sealift capability.  Specifically, it would enhance the transportation of troops, military hardware, vehicles in the conduct of maritime security operations launched from sea as well as supply of relief material during period of national emergency.

Furthermore, the vessel will serve as a critical component of naval power projection for enhanced maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.

In its secondary role, the LST will play a critical role in the protection of maritime assets and preservation of law and order at sea, thus contributing significantly to promotion of global maritime commerce, peace and safety.

The new LST has a complement of 32 crew and 250 embarked persons and a length of 100.08m. She is powered by 2 Caterpillar/Cat 3516 C-rating engines and 4 Caterpillar C-18 generators.

Furthermore, she has an endurance of 15 days @ 15 knots. If she is to be used for humanitarian missions/evacuation, she can accommodate over 450 persons on its upper and lower decks in short trips.

The bid opening process for the procurement of the LST was held on December 19, 2017 and supervised/conducted by a team from the Bureau of Public Procurement as well as a technical committee of the navy.

According to naval Director of Information, Commodore Suleman Dahun, “The Shipbuilding companies that participated were Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands, Anadolu Deniz of Turkey and Indian Shipyards GOA of India. 

On June 13, 2019, the Nigerian navy and Damen Shipyards signed the final general arrangement plan and specifications on the LST 100 and this date of June 13, 2019 became the effective date of contract for the LST 100.

 “The contract duration as agreed by both parties was approximately 36 months from the effective date of contract. The Keel laying ceremony for the LST 100 was held on the December 9, 2019 at the Damen-Albwardy Shipyard in Sharjah the UAE. The immediate past CNS Vice Admiral IE Ibas placed the Nigerian Navy insignia into the keel and sealed it.

  “Over the last two years, several Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) with regards to various components of the LST 100 has been jointly and successfully completed by the Nigerian navy and Damen shipyards. Most notable among these FAT’s was the main propulsion engines tested in 2019/2020 and the Remote Weapon system, which was also successfully tested in March, 2021”.

A Damen shipyard is one of the biggest multinational shipbuilding groups in the world, operating more than 50 shipbuilding and repair yards worldwide. On the African continent, they operate a full shipbuilding yard in South Africa and in Port Harcourt Nigeria; they operate a fully equipped maintenance yard.

The LST contract is being handled by DSNS (Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding) the naval shipbuilding arm of Damen shipyards and the ship is being constructed at the Damen-Albwardi Shipbuilding Yard in Sharjar in the UAE.

1...2,2012,2022,203...2,555Page 2,202 of 2,555
Kingschat

© 2025 LN247. All Rights Reserved