LIVE
Home Blog Page 2477

Nigerians Stranded As NIMC Workers Down Tools Nationwide

Henry Williams
-
0
Nigerians Stranded As NIMC Workers Down Tools Nationwide

The ongoing National Identity Number (NIN) registration appears to be running into more troubled waters, as Nigerians who have turned up for the exercise have been left unattended at various registration centres.

This is because workers at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have embarked on strike across the country.

Some of the agency’s offices monitored by Channels Television on Thursday included Lagos, Abuja, Bauchi, and Taraba, among other states.

At the NIMC office located on the premises of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) office in Alausa, Lagos, hundreds of residents were seen as early as 8am.

However, the workers there refused to attend to the applicants, saying they were on strike to demand better welfare packages from the Federal Government.

One of the workers told Channels Television that the recent increase in the number of visitors at their office for registration of NIN had caused a lot of stress for them.

Apart from the demand for allowance, he said the government does not care about their safety as saying they could get infected with COVID-19 as they attend to hundreds of residents daily without protective kits.

In the nation’s capital, Abuja, the staff also complained about inadequate work equipment to protect them from Covid-19 and poor salary structure, among others.

They claimed that some of their members have contracted the disease and were neglected by the management of the agency.

The workers were also worried about the continuous breach of the Covid-19 protocols, considering the large crowds that show up for registration daily.

They vowed to continue the industrial actions until the issues raised were addressed by the relevant authorities.

The situation was also the same in Bauchi Stated where the staff of NIMC joined their counterparts in other parts of the country to down tools.

According to them, the refusal to work is in compliance with a directive following notice of strike issued by the NIMC Unit of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

How Often Should You Clean Your AirPods and Earbuds?

Olasunbo Okoromi
-
0
How Often Should You Clean Your AirPods and Earbuds?
  • Experts say using AirPods and earbuds can lead to health issues such as excessive earwax, ear pain, and tinnitus.
  • They say it’s important to let your ear canals ventilate after using these devices.
  • Experts also recommend regularly cleaning and disinfecting these earpieces.

Experts say AirPods and earbuds are often overlooked when it comes to routine cleaning, and this can increase health risks to the users.

Excess earwax, ear pain, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and fungal and yeast infections are potential consequences of not cleaning your earbuds.

However, experts note that protecting your ear health is quick and easy once you know the basics of earbud care.

Preventing ear problems

Dr. Sterling N. Ransone Jr., FAAFP, a family physician and president-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians, said there are two parts to the cleaning process, and both are important for preventing ear problems.

Ransone said it’s essential to clean and disinfect the earbud piece and any silicone attachments to remove accumulated earwax and kill potentially harmful bacteria.

He said while earwax is a natural thing that helps protect our ears, it can easily get stuck in earbuds. This creates a hospitable environment for germs to grow, not to mention it muffles your earbud’s sound quality.

Next, Ransone said, it’s crucial to ventilate the external auditory canal (the part between the outer ear and the eardrum) and let it dry out between uses of earbuds.

“When we’re occluding or sealing off that area, moisture builds up, and then when you get more moisture, there’s a potential for more infection, including fungal infections or yeast infections inside your ear,” he told Healthline.

So, how long should you wait between uses?

“I’d say for at least a few hours for a couple reasons,” Ransone said. “One, when we are listening to music or on a Zoom call that is taking forever, a hearing or auditory specialist will recommend up to 18 hours (free of earbuds) to let your hearing calm down.”

“Second, a lot of people will exercise with earbuds as well, and the perspiration increases the moisture in that area. So after your run, take out your earbuds to let the area dry,” he added.

Properly disinfecting your earbuds

Two factors play into the cleanliness of your earbuds: frequency and method.

The gold standard, according to experts, is thoroughly cleaning your earbuds after each use.

Ransone added that it’s reasonable to aim for a minimum frequency of once weekly. That’s what he does.

“If you notice earwax buildup in the types of earbuds that have grooves in them, that’s obviously a sign it’s time for cleaning,” Ransone said.

“But it also depends on the type of earbud,” he said. “A lot of the newer earbuds that are more sound isolating have the little silicone pieces that you can pop off and put back on the earbud.”

The problem is that without regular cleaning, it’s hard to notice such pieces have gone missing.

“I’ve actually had a patient come into the office with complaints of ear pain, and when I looked in the ear I found one of those little silicone things stuck in the ear canal,” Ransone said.

“If we’re in the habit of cleaning up, we’ll also see whether or not those little silicone things are still attached,” he added.

Safely cleaning earbuds at home

Ransone said he favors alcohol wipes for cleaning the earbuds he regularly uses while running.

But you can also safely clean your earbuds with any soft wipe, cloth, or cotton swab and a natural disinfectant, such as rubbing alcohol or pure cleaning vinegar.

With the dampened cloth, gently wipe away any earwax, sweat, or dead skin that may get stuck in the small spaces of the earbuds. You may need to use a cotton swab tip to get harder to reach grooves.

“You can clean those silicone things with soap and water and leave them out to dry, but an alcohol wipe is usually how I clean mine after usage,” he said.

Before placing into your ears again, always inspect your earbuds to ensure they’re clear of earwax and moisture.

When not in use, store them in a dry, clean area.

Breaking: No approval for 50% electricity tariff increase —NERC

Itohan Olomu-Agbodo
-
0
Breaking: No approval for 50% electricity tariff increase —NERC

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, on Tuesday afternoon, said it has not increased electricity tariff by 50 per cent.

The Commission, in a statement, said such increment was not contained in the tariff order for electricity distribution companies which took effect on January 1, 2021.

It said the tariff for customers being served less than an average of 12 hours of power supply per day over a period of one month remains frozen and subsidised in line with the policy direction of the Federal Government.

The statement partly read, “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to publications in the print and electronic media misinforming electricity consumers that the Commission has approved a 50% increase in electricity tariffs.

“The Commission hereby state unequivocally that no approval has been granted for a 50% tariff increase in the Tariff Order for electricity distribution companies which took effect on January 1, 2021.

“On the contrary, the tariff for customers on service bands D & E (customers being served less than an average of 12hrs of supply per day over a period of one month) remains frozen and subsidised in line with the policy direction of the FG.

“In compliance with the provisions of the EPSR Act and the nation’s tariff methodology for biannual minor review, the rates for service bands A, B, C, D and E have been adjusted by NGN2.00 to NGN4.00 per kWhr to reflect the partial impact of inflation & movement in forex.

“The Commission remains committed to protecting electricity consumers from failure to deliver on committed service levels under the service-based tariff regime.”

It was earlier reported on Tuesday that the regulator again increased electricity tariff payable by power consumers across the country.

Providing reasons for the latest tariff hike, the commission had said it considered the 14.9 per cent inflation rate rise in November 2020 and foreign exchange of N379.4/$1 as of December 29, 2020.

Greece Okays $1.68 Billion Defense Deal With Israel

Elizabeth Williams
-
0
Greece Okays $1.68 Billion Defense Deal With Israel

The Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that the Greek government has approved a $1.68 billion agreement to purchase training aircraft from Israel and for an Israeli defense contractor to establish a flight school for Greece’s air force.

The deal, which still must be signed by the two countries’ defense ministries, will see Elbit Systems set up and operate a training school for the Hellenic Air Force. It also includes the sale of 10 Aermacchi M-346 aircraft, known in Israel as the Lavi, and for Elbit to upgrade and maintain Greece’s T-6 training planes.

The Defense Ministry said the agreement, which it called “the largest defense procurement agreement between the two countries to date,” was for 20 years. It didn’t specify when the deal would be inked, but said the Greek government’s decision “enables the parties to move forward in the negotiations” before the signing.

This agreement reflects the excellent and developing relations we have with Greece. It is a long-term partnership that will serve the interests of both Israel and Greece, create hundreds of jobs in both countries, and promote stability in the Mediterranean,” Defense Minister Benny Gantz was quoted as saying in a statement.

Gantz said he spoke with his Greek counterpart, Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, by phone after the deal was approved, touting the growing defense ties between Jerusalem and Athens.

Former Turkey Ambassador To Become First Israeli Diplomat In United Arab Emirates

Elizabeth Williams
-
0
Former Turkey Ambassador To Become First Israeli Diplomat In United Arab Emirates

Israel will in the next few days send a diplomat to Abu Dhabi to set up a temporary mission in the United Arab Emirates as a prelude to establishing a permanent embassy, the Kan public broadcaster reported Tuesday.

Eitan Na’eh, the former ambassador to Turkey, will become the first Israeli to have full diplomatic status in the Gulf state following the normalization of ties with Israel last year.

He will head the temporary mission for several months until an ambassador is appointed, according to the report.

Na’eh served as envoy to Turkey from 2016 to 2018 until he was expelled by Ankara in protest to the deaths of dozens on Palestinians in violent clashes with Israeli forces on the border with the Gaza Strip.

Israel established diplomatic ties with the UAE and Bahrain in September as part of a US-brokered agreement known as the Abraham Accords. Since then, the Jewish state has reached an agreement to open reciprocal embassies with both countries, and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani visited Israel in November.

In addition to the two Gulf states, Israel has recently also reached normalization agreements with Sudan and Morocco.

Israel and Turkey have not exchanged ambassadors since the falling-out in May 2018.

Saudi Arabia To Lift Qatar Embargo, Open Airspace And Border

Elizabeth Williams
-
0
Saudi Arabia To Lift Qatar Embargo, Open Airspace And Border

Kuwait’s foreign ministry announced Monday that Saudi Arabia will open its air and land borders with Qatar in the first steps toward ending a diplomatic crisis that has deeply divided regional US allies since 2017.

The state-run Kuwait News Agency reported the announcement, saying that Saudi Arabia would open its borders with Qatar starting Monday evening.

Qatar’s only land border has been mostly closed since mid-2017, when Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain launched a blockade against the tiny Gulf state, accusing it of supporting Islamist groups in the region and of having warm ties with Iran. The border has opened just briefly during the past three years to allow Qataris into Saudi Arabia to perform the Islamic hajj pilgrimage.

Kuwait has been mediating between Qatar and the four Arab states. On Monday, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser al-Mohammad Al Sabah reportedly traveled to Qatar to deliver a message to Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The lifting of the embargo by Saudi Arabia paves the way for Qatar’s ruler to attend a summit of Gulf leaders Tuesday that will be held in the kingdom’s desert city of Al-Ula. The summit would traditionally be chaired by the Saudi monarch, King Salman, though his son and heir, the crown prince, may instead lead the meeting.

Iran Confirms Enriching Uranium To 20% In Breach Of Nuclear Deal

Elizabeth Williams
-
0
Iran Confirms Enriching Uranium To 20% In Breach Of Nuclear Deal

Iran confirmed Tuesday that it was now enriching uranium to 20 percent purity, well beyond the threshold set by its 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, sparking international concern.

The move at its underground Fordo facility was verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency, a UN watchdog.

It was the most striking violation yet of Iranian commitments under the landmark deal, a process it started in 2019 in response to US President Donald Trump’s dramatic withdrawal from the accord the previous year.

At around 7 p.m. (local time Monday), we reached 20 percent” enrichment, spokesman Behrouz Kamalavandi told state television in an interview aired on Tuesday.

Announcing the move on Monday, government spokesman Ali Rabiei said President Hassan Rouhani had ordered the enrichment “in recent days” in line with a law passed last month by the conservative-dominated parliament.

The law “for the lifting of sanctions and protection of the Iranian people’s interests” mandates Rouhani’s government to “produce and store 120 kilograms (265 pounds) per year of uranium enriched to 20 percent.”

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that “we resumed 20% enrichment as legislated by our parliament,” adding that the IAEA had been “duly notified.”

Nigerian FG Increases Electricity Tariff By 50%

Elizabeth Williams
-
0
Nigerian FG Increases Electricity Tariff By 50%

Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has enforced a new Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO), increasing electricity bill by over 50 per cent across the country.

A revised MYTO and minimum remittance threshold payable by the Distribution Companies and signed by NERC Chairman, Sanusi Garba empowers the 11 DisCos to increase tariff by 50 per cent citing prevailing economic realities, especially inflation and exchange rate.

The document dated December 30, 2020 overruled the previous Order NERC/2028/2020.

Labour unions and the Federal Government had been at loggerhead following increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit as well as the increase in electricity tariff.

After series of outrage and outright rejection by consumers who cited poor power supply and the impacts of Covid-19, DisCos had in October last year started the implementation of a service-based reflective tariff (SRT) structure after backing by an approval from President Muhammadu Buhari.

In the new order, tagged NERC/225/2020, NERC based its decision by current inflation of 14.9 per cent N379.4/$1 exchange rate.

All classes of consumers, except those who enjoy a few hours of power supply would pay more for electricity until June this year.

Why People Who Regularly Eat Chile Peppers May Live Longer

Olasunbo Okoromi
-
0
Why People Who Regularly Eat Chile Peppers May Live Longer

Eating chile peppers may help you live longer and reduce your risk of dying from heart disease and cancer.

Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic reviewed data from more than 570,000 people in the United States, Italy, China, and Iran. They found that people who eat chile peppers may be 26 percent less likely to die from heart disease and 23 percent less likely to die from cancer compared to spice-averse people.

This news comes in contrast to previous studies that have shown a positive correlation between consuming red chile peppers and occurrence of certain types of cancer, including gall bladder, stomach, throat, and mouth cancer.

However, this data comes from animal studies and observational methods, so cause and effect can’t be exclusively determined.

The Cleveland Clinic’s review also found chile pepper consumers have a 25 percent reduced risk of death from any cause.

“The multiple benefits and the magnitude of their benefits are striking,” said Penny M. Kris-Etherton, PhD, RDN, Evan Pugh University professor of nutritional sciences and chair for the Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health.

However, it’s important to note that it’s not the chile peppers themselves but rather the capsaicin they produce that helps reduce risk.

“Capsaicin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, offering potentially protective benefits for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity,” said Mary-Jon Ludy, PhD, RDN, FAND, an associate professor in the department of nutrition at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

Capsaicin is also what gives peppers their heat and spice profiles.

“The scope of this research — including more than half a million participants from four countries on three continents — is very commendable,” Ludy said.

Potential downsides of eating chile peppers

The drawbacks of eating hot peppers also come from their capsaicin content.

Capsaicin binds to the pain receptors in your mouth, causing the characteristic burning sensation we associate with spicy foods.

“Readers may wish to incorporate chile peppers in their diet,” Kris-Etherton said. “However, I suggest they do this wisely… go slowly.”

She advised against going overboard on eating chile peppers because consuming too many may cause problems.

Experts say eating too much capsaicin can lead to irritation of the mouth, stomach, and intestines.

“People may develop vomiting and diarrhea. Inhaling sprays containing capsaicin can cause coughing, difficulty breathing, production of tears, nausea, nasal irritation, and temporary blindness,” Kris-Etherton said.

Expert advice on adding chile peppers to your diet

“Chile peppers are great for growing in garden beds during the summer or indoor containers year-round,” Ludy said. This way, you’ll always have access to fresh or freshly dried peppers.

You can use chile peppers as seasoning in foods instead of salt. Consider sprinkling them onto vegetables, adding into soups and stews, and using in marinades or dry rubs for lean protein foods.

“Fresh and dried chile peppers can be eaten in a variety of ways,” Ludy said.

“Cooks can use chile peppers to season vegetables, stir-fries, soups, sauces, and curries,” she told Healthline.

“Diners can simply add chile pepper flakes to pastas, pizzas, or salads at the kitchen table,” Ludy said.

“For those who don’t enjoy the burn, pairing chile peppers with healthy fats (like avocados and nuts) can help since capsaicin is a fat-soluble compound,” she said.

Should you take a supplement?

The best way to add capsaicin into your diet is to eat a variety of capsaicin-producing peppers, experts say.

“I recommend that people eat chile peppers as chile peppers that are incorporated in their diets, and not as chile pepper supplements or capsaicin supplements,” Kris-Etherton said.

Ludy’s answer on whether to use capsaicin supplements is also a clear no.

Ludy said the research on capsaicin and weight management has shown that mixing chile peppers into a meal can burn more fat.

I don’t enjoy playing Mr Bean, it’s stressful and exhausting- Rowan Atkinson

Koko Lawrence
-
0
I don’t enjoy playing Mr Bean, it’s stressful and exhausting- Rowan Atkinson

Popular British actor, Rowan Atkinson, has said he finds portraying the role, Mr Bean, stressful and exhausting. He has further hinted that he will never play the role again.

However, the 65-year-old comic actor is in the middle of developing an animated movie of the popular character, but said he finds ‘the weight of responsibility not pleasant’, meaning he ‘doesn’t much enjoy playing him’.

Atkinson portrayed the titular role in the successful series from 1990 until 1995, before later taking on the films Bean Movie in 1997 and Mr Bean’s Holiday in 2007, dailymail.co.uk reports.

He said, “I don’t much enjoy playing him. The weight of responsibility is not pleasant. I find it stressful and exhausting, and I look forward to the end of it.”

Speaking in an interview with this week’s issue of Radio Times, Rowan said, “Having made an animated television series, we are now in the foothills of developing an animated movie for Mr Bean – it’s easier for me to perform the character vocally than visually.

 “I don’t actually like the process of making anything – with the possible exception of Blackadder, because the responsibility for making that series funny was on many shoulders, not just mine.”

The Johnny English star is not surprised about the success of his character, saying, “Mr Bean’s success has never surprised me.

Watching an adult behaving in a childish way without being remotely aware of his inappropriateness is fundamentally funny. The fact the comedy is visual rather than verbal means it has been successful internationally, too.”

Rowan wrote and starred in Blackadder between 1983 and 1989 and said the most optimistic he could be about a revival is that it is ‘certainly not impossible’. 

1...2,4762,4772,478...2,555Page 2,477 of 2,555
Kingschat

© 2025 LN247. All Rights Reserved