Intel Tops Expectations As Chip Demand High

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April 23, 2021

US semiconductor giant Intel on Thursday said it took in more money than expected in the first quarter amid “explosive” growth in demand for computer chips.

Intel revenue was $19.7 billion during the first three months of this year, up nearly $1 billion from the same period in 2020, according to its earnings report.

“Intel delivered strong first-quarter results driven by exceptional demand for our leadership products and outstanding execution by our team,” chief executive Pat Gelsinger said in a release.

The results come as trends in remote work, school and socializing driven by the pandemic have revived interest in laptop and desktop computers and increased the need for data centers, all of which demand chips.

The chip industry is seeing a cycle of “explosive growth” and this year is on track to be one of the biggest ever for personal computer shipments, according to Gelsinger.

“Overall, Intel had a good quarter as it is taking advantage of the huge uptick in overall chip demand for computers,” said analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights and Strategy.

“I’m very pleased to see Mobileye keep blowing away its numbers as it did last quarter.”

Mobileye, an arm of Intel specializing in technology for automated driving systems in vehicles, brought in $377 million in the quarter, up 48 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Intel shares slipped nearly 3 percent in after-hours trades that followed release of the earnings figures, which showed it made a profit of $3.4 billion, a 41 percent decline from the same quarter a year earlier.

While Intel remains one of the world’s leading chip companies, it has lagged behind rivals in the fast-growing segment of mobile devices, and its chips are being phased out by Apple, which is developing its own microprocessors for its Mac computers.

“This is a pivotal year for Intel,” said Gelsinger, fresh in his role as chief executive.

“We are setting our strategic foundation and investing to accelerate our trajectory and capitalize on the explosive growth in semiconductors that power our increasingly digital world.”

Intel has unveiled plans to spend $20 billion building two new plants in Arizona as part of a plan to boost production at home and in Europe.

A global chip shortage has ramped up pressure to reduce reliance on factories in Asia.

Dior To Launch Inter-Season Collection In Athens In June

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Koko Lawrence

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April 23, 2021

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French fashion house Dior will hold a runway show on June 17 in Athens to launch its inter-season collection by designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, it said Friday.

After several online-only fashion weeks in recent months, it was not clear if an audience would be present for the latest “cruise collection” show in Greece, with Dior saying only that it would be held with restriction measures in place.

So-called cruise collections fall between usual spring/summer and autumn/winter collections — and French houses often visit other countries for the launch.

“The house has chosen Athens for its 2022 cruise collection.

Last summer, Dior launched its cruise collection in Piazza del Duomo in Lecce, Italy with only “friends and family” invited.

Nollywood Actor Arrested For Allegedly Defiling Minor

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Koko Lawrence

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April 23, 2021

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A Nollywood actor has been arrested by the police in Lagos for defiling an underage girl.

Police said 48-year-old Olarenwaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha has been defiling the 14-year-old victim since she was seven years old.

James was reported to the police on April 19 by one Princess Adekola Adekanya at Sabo Police Station and transferred to the Gender Unit of the State CID, Panti, Yaba Lagos for proper investigation

The suspect confessed to the crime and was also captured by a CCTV camera in the house of the complainant.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered for proper investigation as he promised to do justice in the matter.

Viral Amputee Sachet Water Seller, Celebrates Birthday In Grand Style.

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faith Jegede

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April 23, 2021

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After going viral for her efforts to cater for herself despite her disability, fortune smiled on Mary Daniels who received over 14 million Naira in donations from well meaning Nigerians.

Mary was also hosted by former Imo state chief of staff, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu amongst other prominent Nigerians.

Her story has since turned around as she celebrates her birthday today with beautiful pictures. she posted the pictures on her instagram page expressing appreciation for the turn around with the caption

“A big happy birthday to me! My name is Mary Daniels, your popular pure water hawker. today marks my first special birthday since grace smiled on me. i am most grateful to all those who in different ways bleaased and enriched me, i say you will never lack in your lives”.

Time Running Out For Missing Indonesian Submarine

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Zoe Maven

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April 23, 2021

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Rescue teams from several countries were battling against time on Friday to find a missing Indonesian Navy submarine lost in the Bali Sea with 53 crew which is rapidly running out of oxygen if not already.

According to reports, Search helicopters and more navy ships left Bali and a naval base in Java at first light heading to the area where contact was lost with the 44-year-old KRI Nanggala-402 on Wednesday.

Indonesia’s navy said it was investigating whether the submarine lost power during a dive and could not carry out emergency procedures as it descended to a depth of 600-700 metres which is well beyond its survivable limits.

Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono said an aerial search had earlier spotted an oil spill near the submarine’s last location and that an object with “high magnetic force” had been spotted “floating” at a depth of 50-100 metres.

Officials say if the submarine was still intact, it would only have enough air to last about another 15 hours until early Saturday morning as the diesel-electric powered submarine could withstand a depth of up to 500 metres but anything more could be fatal.

An Indonesian defence expert Connie Rahakundini Bakrie said the crew could still be found alive but that if the submarine is in a 700-metre sea trough, it will be difficult for them to survive because underwater pressure will cause cracks and ruptures of the steel hull.

Germany’s Parliament Approves Act For Covid-19 Emergency Powers

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Zoe Maven

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April 23, 2021

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German parliament’s upper house has approved a controversial Infection Protection Act, being the last hurdle before the passage of the law with the president’s signature.

Police clashed with protesters in Berlin on Wednesday as they tried to disperse a rally against the coronavirus lockdown while parliament debated the controversial law.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government had asked parliament for temporary powers to enforce a nation-wide coronaries lockdown after several regions failed to impose agreed curbs.

The draft law presented to the cabinet, says a compulsory national emergency-brake will be introduced if the number of new infections per 100,000 residents in a district or city exceeds 100 for three consecutive days within a week.

The measures include curfews between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., as well as limiting private gatherings to one household plus one other person.

No shops barring the essential ones will remain open. Opening of cultural and recreational facilities such as theatres, museums and zoos will be prohibited.

Also, Schools will have to return to distance learning if the virus incidence rises above 165 per 100,000 for three consecutive days.

The change to the law will apply until June 30.

Millions Face Hunger As Myanmar Crisis Worsens – UN

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Zoe Maven

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April 23, 2021

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The United Nations says at least 3.4 million more people will struggle to afford food in the next three to six months with urban areas worst affected as job losses mount.

According to a World Food Programme (WFP) analysis, areas affected are manufacturing, construction and services and food prices rise while more poor people have lost their jobs and are unable to afford food.

WFP country director Stephen Anderson said in a statement that concerted response is required now to alleviate immediate suffering, and to prevent an alarming deterioration in food security.

The WFP said market prices of rice and cooking oil had risen by 5 per cent and 18 per cent since the end of February, showing families in the commercial capital of Yangon were skipping meals, eating less nutritious food, and going into debt.

The agency added it plans to expand operations, tripling to 3.3 million the number of people it assists, and is appealing for $106 million.

Food insecurity is rising sharply in Myanmar in the wake of the military coup and deepening financial crisis with millions more people expected to go hungry in coming months,.

Myanmar’s army seized power on Feb.1, plunging the Southeast Asian nation into turmoil and cracking down on mass protests and reportedly killing over 700 people.

Iran Urges Boosting Trade, Security Cooperation With Pakistan

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Zoe Maven

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April 23, 2021

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called for the enhancement of security and economic cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad.

Speaking while with visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Rouhani said Security is a common concern for the two countries, and it is essential to boost cooperation in this regard.

The Iranian President urged for the promotion of Tehran-Islamabad ties in trade, energy and border markets, adding it is necessary for both sides to implement the signed agreements to further cooperation.

He also stressed the need to promote security along the Iran-Pakistan borders, adding that Iran stands ready to work with Pakistan towards the peace process in Afghanistan.

On his part, the Pakistani Foreign Minister, expressed happiness and hailed the relations between the two countries as “cordial” while calling for the promotion of all-out ties.

Iran and Pakistan will hopefully witness a new chapter in their ties, especially in the fields of trade and economy, said Qureshi.

He also backed the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as a “big diplomatic achievement”.

The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to establish joint border markets in efforts to strengthen cross-border economic exchanges.

The agreement, which was signed by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Qureshi, aims to promote economic relations between the two countries and the welfare of border residents.

The border markets will be administrated based on the agreements and protocols between the two sides.

French Fishermen Block British Shipments In Brexit Protest

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Zoe Maven

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April 23, 2021

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French fishermen on Thursday blocked lorries carrying UK-landed fish as they arrived in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Europe’s largest seafood processing centre.

The men have been angered by the slow issuance of licenses to fish inside British waters after Brexit and gathered as part of a protest action against the delay.

Britain’s post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union allowed the bloc’s fishermen to keep fishing deep into British waters, but only once they had received a license.

Bruno Margolle, who heads the main fishermen’s cooperative in Boulogne-sur-Mer said least 80% of the French fleet in the northern Hauts-de-France region, were still waiting, months after these licenses were expected to be issued.

He said many of the skippers struggling to obtain a license were unable to meet the British demand for electronic data showing they had fished in UK waters during the five years running up to Britain’s 2016 referendum on EU membership.

Margolle added that French fish stocks risked being depleted if French fishermen could not cross into British waters with some fishermen keeping their boats tied up in port.

The British government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) says Britain maintains an evidence-based approach to licensing EU vessels using information supplied by the European Commission,

Meanwhile, The French government late on Thursday urged the European Commission to take “firm and determined action” to ensure Britain applies the deal.

Three Of Seven Kidnapped Clergy In Haiti Freed

By

Zoe Maven

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April 23, 2021

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Three of seven Catholic clergy who were kidnapped in Haiti earlier this month have been released, amidst a rise in violence and ongoing political crisis.

Father Loudger Mazile, spokesman for the Bishop’s Conference for the island nation, said the French were not released and that here were no lay people among those released.

A total of 10 people were abducted in Croix-des-Bouquets, a town northeast of the capital Port-au-Prince, in mid-April, including the seven clergy—five of them Haitian, as well as two French citizens, a priest and a nun.

The kidnapped victims were reportedly on their way to the installation of a new parish priest when they were abducted, with the kidnappers demanding a $1 million ransom for the group.

Authorities suspect an armed gang called “400 Mawozo”—which is active in kidnappings—is behind the abduction, according to a police source.

Kidnappings for ransom have surged in recent months in Port-au-Prince and other provinces, reflecting the growing influence of armed gangs in the Caribbean nation.

Haiti’s government resigned and a new prime minister was appointed in the wake of the clergy kidnappings, and President Jovenel Moise said it will help address insecurity and continue discussions on political and institutional stability.