Russia Bars Eight EU Officials From Entry In Tit-For-Tat Move

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April 30, 2021

Russia’s foreign ministry says it has barred eight European officials from entering the country in retaliation to EU sanctions against Russian security officials over the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

The Russian foreign ministry said those banned included Vera Jourova, vice president for values and transparency at the executive European Commission, and David Sassoli, the president of the European parliament.

Moscow said it was responding to sanctions imposed by the European Council last month against four top Russian security officials over the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a violent police response to protests in his support.

In a statement, the Ministry accused the European Union of unilateral illegitimate restrictive measures targeting Russian citizens and organisations.

It added that such actions by the European Union leave no doubt that their true goal is to restrain the development of the country at any cost.

The list of European officials barred from Russia include officials from France and Germany, as well as Baltic states Estonia and Latvia.

One of Latvian officials, Ivars Abolins, in February supported his country’s decision to drop several Russian television channels.

Another official on the list, Asa Scott of the Swedish Defence Research Agency, helped confirm last year that Navalny was poisoned by the Soviet-era Novichok nerve toxin in August.

The EU and the US have imposed a series of sanctions on Russia over the poisoning and jailing of the critic.

Covid Disruption: Experts In UK Call For Compassion Training For Pupils In Catch-Up Plans

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Precious Obazee

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April 30, 2021

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Experts in the United Kjngdom have called for pupils to receive compassion training under plans aimed at making up for education lost due to the Covid fiasco.

A leading group of academics and psychologists will write to the education recovery commissioner urging him to make sure young people and their teachers are “provided with the mental tools to overcome stress and trauma.

The letter, seen UK media, urged Sir Kevan Collins to include “compassion-based training and coaching” for students and staff in both primary and secondary schools in his catch-up plans.

The group which includes education experts and clinical psychologists, said pupils have experienced “enormous stress, pressure, and disruption” due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which kept most children at home during two national lockdowns and changed the way examination results are graded.

They cited data showing a greater proportion of five to 16-year-olds were identified with mental health problems last July compared to in 2017, as well as a poll suggesting 52 per cent of teachers felt their mental health declined due to Covid.

The letter – signed by around 40 experts – said there were “innumerable mental challenges to be navigated” over bringing pupils and teachers back to a school environment and to make sure their education “will not suffer because of Covid”.

The education recovery commissioner is currently looking at ways to help children “catch-up” after the disruption of the past year.

Members of Kenyan Parliament Disagree on Creation of New Department at Education Ministry

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Precious Obazee

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April 30, 2021

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Some members of Parliament in Kenya have questioned the creation of a new department to spearhead curriculum reforms under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) terming it unnecessary.

In a heated debate in the House, a section of the MPs opposed the appointment of Prof Fatuma Chege as the new Principal Secretary for state department for the implementation of curriculum reforms in the Ministry of Education.

This is despite the House committee on education and research chaired by Busia Women Rep Florence Mutua tabling a report in parliament and recommenfing her appointment.

The report reads in part “The committee recommends that this house approves the nomination of Prof Fatuma Chege, PhD, for the appointment of the position of Principal Secretary for state department for the implementation of curriculum reforms in the Ministry of Education,”.

Uriri MP Mark Nyamita opposed the appointment saying that the Ministry of Education already has the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) which is a fully-fledged institution and deals with curriculum reforms.

The current Education Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr Sarah Ruto was also a former chair at the KICD before her appointment.

Nyamita said the President should instead consider reorganizing the Ministry of Education instead of creating a new department.

Suba East MP Junet Mohamed also questioned the appointment stating that there was no need for an additional state department to do a specific duty which can be done by the existing state department.

However, some MPs supported her appointment but faulted the implementation of the new curriculum in the country.

Majority leader Amos Kimunya moved a motion to postpone the debate saying the House needs to interrogate the issues further. National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi adjoined the debate to resume at a later date.

President Uhuru Kenyatta created the new department and appointed Prof Chege to spearhead the implementation of the new curriculum in the country.

Currently the implementation of the curriculum is at Grade Four. Grade Five is set to be rolled out in July when third term is set to start.

Before her appointment Prof Chege, chaired the CBC taskforce committee and was the deputy vice chancellor in charge of administration at the Kenyatta University.

University Of Lagos Unveils Dates For 51st Convocation

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Precious Obazee

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April 30, 2021

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The University of Lagos has announced June 30 to July 9 as days set aside for activities lined up for its 51st Convocation ceremony (2019).

According to a statement issued by the principal assistant registrar , Corporate Affairs of the institution, Nonye Oguama, a pre-convocation news conference that will herald activities lined up for the ceremony has been slated for June 30.

According to the statement, there would be a rehearsal for hooding ceremonies on July 1 at the School of Post Graduate Studies, various faculties and the Distance Learning Institute (DLI).

The statement added that Friday, July 2, has been set aside for the convocation ceremonies, special Jumat Service, while a Thanksgiving Service would hold on July 4.

According to the statement, there will be an Opening of Exhibition and Commissioning of projects, that will be preceeded by a convocation lecture on Monday July 5.

On Tuesday July 6, there will be a congregation for the award of first degree, diploma certificates and prizes to graduating students of the Faculties of Education, Social Sciences, Arts, Environmental Sciences and Sciences.

The congregation for the award of first degrees, diploma, certificates and prizes to graduating students of the Faculties of Law, Engineering, Management Sciences, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences Dental Science, Pharmacy and DLI will come up on Wednesday, July 7.

The statement added that the ceremony for Post Graduate Degrees and Masters will also hold on the same day.

It revealed that the recognition and service award ceremony would hold on Friday, July 9.

In a related development, the statement said the university had set aside May 10 for resumption for the second semester of the 2020/2021 academic year and it would be fully physical.

The statement, however, noted that in cases where there would be large classes, it would go virtual. It noted that registration of courses would commence on Friday, April 30 to June 20.

Meanwhile, the Senate of the institution has appointed Obinna Chukwu as its new Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services.

Chukwu, a professor of marine sciences and one time Dean of School of Postgraduate Studies , is the current Director, Academic Planning, (Office of the Vice Chancellor) and the immediate past Director, Director Quality Assurance and SERVICOM Unit.

Also, a professor of political science and the immediate past Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Solomon Akingboye, has been elected as Senate representative in the institution’s Governing Council.

Massive Tech Show Set To Return In Person In 2022

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Koko Lawrence

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April 30, 2021

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The Consumer Electronics Show will resume its in-person event in Las Vegas in January after the pandemic forced it to become virtual this year, organizers have said.

The Consumer Technology Association said the show which traditionally draws tens of thousands of industry professionals and technology firms large and small would be held in Las Vegas January 5-8, with two preceding media days.

The trade group said some 1,000 companies have committed to being present at the gathering including Amazon, Daimler AG, Dell, Google, Hyundai, IBM, Intel, Lenovo, Samsung Electronics and Sony.

“We’re thrilled to return to Las Vegas — home to CES for more than 40 years — and look forward to seeing many new and returning faces,” said Gary Shapiro, president and chief executive of the association.

“Hundreds of executives have told us how much they need CES to meet new and existing customers, find partners, reach media and discover innovation.”

The trade group said it would be including some aspects of the online event from the 2021 show including an “anchor desk,” which helps guide participants, and a number of online conference sessions, keynotes and product announcements.

The show traditionally includes product innovations in computing, automotive tech, smart cities, digital health and other sectors.

Anne Douglas, Widow Of Hollywood Legend Kirk, Dies At 102

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Koko Lawrence

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April 30, 2021

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Anne Douglas, a philanthropist and widow of Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, died Thursday at her home in Beverly Hills, her family said. She was 102.

Kirk Douglas, who died in February 2020 at the age of 103, met his future wife in Paris in 1953, while filming “Act of Love.”

After a whirlwind courtship, the couple got married in Las Vegas on May 29, 1954.

“It wasn’t romantic, but it was legal and her new husband vowed that someday he would marry her again in a big celebration,” the Douglas family said in their statement.

Kirk Douglas, one of the last superstars of Hollywood’s golden age of cinema renowned for performances in “Spartacus” and “Paths of Glory,” fulfilled that promise in 2004 for their 50th anniversary.

The couple were married for 66 years and had two sons, Peter and Eric. Their family also included two other sons, Michael and Joel, children from Kirk Douglas’s first marriage.

Anne Douglas was born Hannelore Marx in Hanover, Germany on April 23, 1919. She was a student in Belgium when the Nazis bombed Brussels in 1940.

Anne escaped by car with friends, headed toward France. But her German papers were a liability, and she married a Belgian to obtain nationality.

Months after their arrival in Paris, the Germans occupied the city. When the Nazis decreed that movies must be shown with German subtitles, Anne’s knowledge of German, English, French and Italian enabled her to find work with a French film distributor.

After the war, she continued her career in the industry, working for American network NBC, then for John Huston on the production of “Moulin Rouge,” before meeting Kirk.

Anne Douglas was active in diplomacy and philanthropy, including visiting 44 countries as a goodwill ambassador for American values, work for which she was honored by the State Department’s United States Information Agency.

Her philanthropy benefited causes including performing arts, women’s cancers research and homeless women.

After learning of unsafe playgrounds at Los Angeles schools, Anne was determined to fix them.

“She convinced her husband the only way to fund the massive endeavor was to auction most of their art collection at Christie’s,” the family said, adding that the effort had resulted in 403 refurbished play spaces.

“I often wonder what would have happened to me if I hadn’t married Anne,” her husband had said. “I might not have survived without her business acumen and her finely-honed instincts.”

Bafta Suspends UK Actor Noel Clarke Over Harassment Claims

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Koko Lawrence

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April 30, 2021

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The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) said Friday it treated sexual misconduct claims against actor and producer Noel Clarke with “utmost seriousness” after suspending his membership and a recent prize.

Around 20 women made allegations against the “Star Trek” and “Doctor Who” actor in a Guardian article published Thursday, including some who gave their names on the record.

The newspaper said the women had worked with Clarke and variously accused him of sexual harassment, groping, bullying, and taking sexually explicit images without consent, between 2004 and 2019.

Bafta immediately moved to suspend his membership of the academy in light of the report, and the prize it awarded him earlier this month for outstanding British contribution to cinema.

But the organisation faced questions about why he was given the prize despite claims already circulating against him, which he has “vehemently” denied.

Bafta said it was not aware of the allegations when it decided on the award in March, and only later received what it said were anonymous emails detailing second-hand accounts.

“We want to reassure you that we have treated this matter with the utmost seriousness, care and proper process at every stage,” it said in a letter to members.

“The allegations against Mr Clarke are extremely serious and the behaviour they allege are contrary to Bafta’s values and everything it stands for.

“But no matter how abhorrent these allegations are, they cannot be dealt with without due process,” it added.

“Had the victims gone on record as they have with The Guardian, the award would have been suspended immediately.

“Had we been in receipt of this, we would never have presented the award to Noel Clarke.”

Clarke, who is currently appearing in ITV series “Viewpoint”, gave an impassioned speech at the awards ceremony in support of diversity in the entertainment industry.

“In a 20-year career, I have put inclusivity and diversity at the forefront of my work and never had a complaint made against me,” he said in response to the allegations.

“If anyone who has worked with me has ever felt uncomfortable or disrespected, I sincerely apologise.

“I vehemently deny any sexual misconduct or wrongdoing and intend to defend myself against these false allegations.”

Clarke starred in 2013’s “Star Trek Into Darkness” and wrote and featured in the main role in Britain’s “Hood” trilogy of films, which shines a light on inner-city life in west London.

Two production companies — Sky and Vertigo Films — said they were now dropping their collaborations with him.

President Buhari Re-Appoints Heads Of NCAC, NTDC, NFVCB

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Koko Lawrence

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April 30, 2021

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President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reappointment of Segun Runsewe as Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), for another term of four years.

Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, confirmed this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

He said the president also reappointed Folorunso Coker, as Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), and Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), for another term of four years each.

According to the presidential aide, the president also approved the appointment of Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed as the Chief Executive Officer/Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria.

Ahmed until his appointment, was the Director of Culture in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Bauchi State.

Alibaba Freezes Executive Pay Amid China’s Curbs On Big Tech –Sources

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Koko Lawrence

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April 30, 2021

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Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding has frozen pay for senior executives in 2021 and is instead giving junior staff bigger salary increases, sources said, in an effort to preserve its workforce amid a regulatory clampdown.

Hundreds of top-tier executives at Alibaba are not entitled to salary hikes this year, unless they performed extraordinarily, four sources familiar with the matter said.

The Hangzhou-based company, though, has offered considerable wage increases to junior staff, they said.

The pay moves mark a departure from the usual for Alibaba, which has been the focal point of China’s months-long crackdown on the mainland’s big and powerful technology companies on worries about their market dominance and ability to sway public opinion.

Its management level executives, over the years, received on average a 5% to 10% pay rise annually and were also given stock incentives, one source said.

In a statement to Reuters, Alibaba did not directly comment on the pay freeze for executives, but said: “Talent is Alibaba Group’s most important asset. We have a robust and competitive compensation system that reflects our priorities in cultivating our next generation of talents.”

The sources declined to be named as they were not allowed to speak to media.

Alibaba’s Hong Kong-listed shares (9988.HK) fell more than 2.5% on Friday, in line with a weak broader market (.HSI).

Alibaba, which runs businesses from e-commerce to cloud computing to logistics to entertainment, employed more than 252,000 staff as of 2020. It usually decides pay rises for most employees in April.

The Alibaba business empire has come under intense scrutiny in China since billionaire founder Jack Ma’s stinging public criticism of the country’s regulatory system in October.

It was fined a record 18 billion yuan ($2.78 billion) earlier in April after an anti-monopoly probe found the e-commerce giant had abused its dominant market position for several years.

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation has taken aim recently at China’s large tech giants in particular, mirroring increased scrutiny of the sector in the United States and Europe.

Coach Full Of Praises For NFL No.1 Pick Trevor Lawrence, Says Life Built On A Foundation Of Faith

By

Koko Lawrence

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April 30, 2021

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The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence as the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft Thursday, making him the face of their franchise under new coach Urban Meyer, the former coach at Florida at Ohio State.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney – who coached Lawrence for three seasons – told the Sports Spectrum podcast that the Jaguars are getting a “special” player. Lawrence led the Tigers to the College Football Playoff three straight seasons, winning the national championship in 2018.

“The good Lord was in a good mood when He made him. He must have had football on His mind that day because, man, you look up the epitome of quarterback, he’s just the poster child [in] every area,” Swinney told Sports Spectrum.

“… But what I love about him more than anything is he’s faith-driven. He has built his life on a foundation of faith. [He has a] great mom and dad, great people around him, but he’s strong in his faith. He’s an inside-out kid. … In this world of outside-in, you know, people are paralyzed by other people’s opinions and what some person says on social media and all this stuff. He’s not affected by that.”

The 6-foot-6 Lawrence has no weaknesses as a quarterback, Swinney added.

“If there’s 100 boxes on the wish list of a quarterback, he checks them all,” Swinney said. “… He’s got size. He’s tough. He’s a leader. He’s smart. He prepares. He loves to prepare. He’s a grinder. He’s humble.

“Even though he looks like Hollywood, there’s no Hollywood in him,” Swinney said, referencing Lawrence’s long hair. “He’s low maintenance. He’s a great teammate. He can make every throw that you could possibly want. … He’s just so unique. He’s fast – people don’t realize how fast he is. But he can leave people. … He’s been in the spotlight since the ninth grade. He’s been a starter since the ninth grade. And he’s grown up in a social media [environment]. … He’s been the guy with enormous expectations forever.”

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and quarterback Trevor Lawrence celebrates their 29-23 win over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider

Asked what he will tell Lawrence and other Clemson players who are drafted, Swinney said, “Don’t ever let the light on you become brighter than the light in you.”

“Be who you are,” Swinney said. “Be who God created you to be.”

The Jaguars will open the 2021 regular season in September.