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South Korea Confirms North Korea’s Short-Range Cruise Missiles Test

Angel Gimalo
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South Korea Confirms North Korea’s Short-Range Cruise Missiles Test

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed Wednesday that North Korea test-fired two short-range cruise missiles toward the West Sea last weekend, but the missiles were not ballistic, which would’ve been a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

According to South Korean military officials, North Korea is currently holding its wintertime drills, which are believed to have begun in December and usually run through the end of March.
The last time North Korea test-fired multiple short-range cruise missiles was last April that time toward the East Sea.


The South Korean military’s statement comes after the Washington Post and Reuters cited U.S. officials as confirming the launches and speculated the move was a way to pressure the Biden administration as it reviews its North Korea policy.

  • A missile is seen in this undated picture released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 9, 2020. KCNA via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. SOUTH KOREA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SOUTH KOREA.


But it’s also reported that U.S. President Joe Biden was quoted as saying the launches had little to no impact on the U.S. policy toward Pyeongyang.


Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader’s powerful sister, slammed the drills and sent a mild warning to Washington as top U.S. officials visited Seoul for bilateral talks last week.

Also, North Korea’s First Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui confirmed the regime will continue to ignore any contact from the U.S. even from a “third country” unless Washington withdraws its hostile policies toward Pyeongyang.

Nigeria’s Central Bank, Finance Ministry deny move to liberalise Forex Market

Elizabeth Williams
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Nigeria’s Central Bank, Finance Ministry deny move to liberalise Forex Market

The Nigerian Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, yesterday, made a U-turn on the statement credited to the Minister, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, to the effect that the Federal Government will jettison the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s official foreign exchange (FX) rate for the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I & E) window rate in its transactions.

Central Bank of Nigeria CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, held on to his gun, describing as false the report attributed to the minister suggesting that the Bank has embraced a flexible exchange rate regime and harmonised the different rates. He insisted the apex bank still maintained managed floating, which allows it intervene in the market occasionally.

Emefiele said: “Let me repeat that Nigeria had not changed from its foreign exchange management policy. Nigeria remains on a managed float. What the managed float regime means is that the CBN, being the institution that has the core mandate for forex administration in the country would watch the market and see how the market operates.

He added, “Depending on its reading, it would come from time to time to intervene in the Forex market. It might interest us to know that since January, the CBN has not intervened in I & E window. The market had always operated within the band of about N409/$ and at some time it attains N412/$ and goes to N413/$.

Orders for Manufactured Goods to US tumbled 1.1% last month

Elizabeth Williams
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Orders for Manufactured Goods to US tumbled 1.1% last month

Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods slumped 1.1% in February with demand in a key sector that tracks business investment also dropping.

Orders had been rising for nine consecutive months, including a sizable 3.5% jump in January, according to the Commerce Department.

The size of the drop surprised economists, though it is likely that there was significant disruption from severe winter storms that hit much of the country last month, on top of ongoing supply-chain problems.

The category that covers business investment dropped 0.8% in February following solid gains of 0.6% in January and 1.5% in December.

The volatile transportation sector fell 1.6% with demand for commercial aircraft, a sector plagued by the huge drop in air travel during the pandemic, shooting up 103%. Contributing was beleaguered manufacturer Boeing, which for the first time since December 2019 booked positive net orders.

But orders for autos and auto parts slumped 8.7% with numerous plants shutdown due to a global shortage of semiconductors, a critical component used in cars and trucks.

Airlines Plan ‘Travel Pass’ for International Travelers as NCAA threatens sanction

Elizabeth Williams
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Airlines Plan ‘Travel Pass’ for International Travelers as NCAA threatens sanction

Airlines are considering a standard ‘travel pass’ criteria for international air travelers in the COVID-19 era in Nigeria.

Though the technology-driven pass aims at an efficient travel experience according to the Authority, part of the conditions will include health credentials and COVID-19 vaccination.

Similarly, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) has directed that only results from accredited private laboratories should be accepted from outbound passengers effective March 22, 2021.

Hence, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has threatened to sanction airlines that accept polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results from unapproved laboratories.

The travel pass proposal made headway when the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the arrival at London’s Heathrow Airport of the first traveler using the IATA travel pass app to manage travel health credentials.

Director-General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IATA, Alexandre de Juniac, said the successful implementation of IATA travel pass in this trial with Singapore Airlines passengers demonstrated that technology could securely, conveniently and efficiently help travelers and governments to manage travel health credentials.

Israeli Election Update: Benjamin Netanyahu Claims Win, Majority Uncertain

Elizabeth Williams
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Israeli Election Update: Benjamin Netanyahu Claims Win, Majority Uncertain

Israeli Parliamentary elections on Tuesday resulted in a virtual deadlock for a fourth time in the past two years, exit polls indicated, leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with an uncertain future and the country facing the prospect of continued political gridlock.

The exit polls on Israel’s three main TV stations indicated that both Netanyahu and his religious and nationalist allies, along with a group of anti-Netanyahu parties, fell short of the parliamentary majority required to form a new government. That raised the possibility of an unprecedented fifth consecutive election later this year.

The election was seen as a referendum on Netanyahu’s polarizing leadership, and the initial results showed the country remains as deeply divided as ever, with an array of small sectarian parties dominating the parliament.

The results also signaled a continuing shift of the Israeli electorate toward the right wing, which supports West Bank settlements and opposes concessions in peace talks with the Palestinians. That trend was highlighted by the strong showing of an ultranationalist anti-Arab religious party.

After three previous inconclusive elections, Netanyahu had been hoping for a decisive victory that would allow him to form a government with his traditional ultra-Orthodox and hard-line nationalist allies

In an address to supporters early Wednesday, a subdued Netanyahu boasted of a “great achievement” but stopped short of declaring victory.

“We must not under any circumstances drag the state of Israel to new elections, to a fifth election,” he said. “We must form a stable government now.”

Around 64% of the vote had been counted by early Wednesday, leaving the outcome underdetermined

US, Europe, NATO Close Ranks To Counter China’s Aggression

Elizabeth Williams
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US, Europe, NATO Close Ranks To Counter China’s Aggression

The United States and countries around Europe are closing ranks to respond to “aggressive and coercive” behavior by China, days after the U.S. and its allies launched coordinated sanctions against Chinese officials accused of rights abuses in the far-western Xinjiang region.

U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that he wants to work with the U.S.’s partners on “how to advance our shared economic interests and to counter some of China’s aggressive and coercive actions, as well as its failures, at least in the past, to uphold its international commitments.”

Blinken spoke after talks in Brussels with NATO foreign ministers. He will also raise the tense state of relations with China in talks later Wednesday with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

“When we are acting together, we are much stronger and much more effective than if any single one of us is doing it alone,” Blinken said. He noted that alone the U.S. accounts for about 25% of global GDP, but up to 60% with its allies in Europe and Asia. “That’s a lot harder for Beijing to ignore,” he said.

On Monday, the U.S., EU, Britain and Canada imposed asset freezes and travel bans on a group of officials in Xinjiang. China retaliated by slapping sanctions on 10 Europeans, including lawmakers and academics, and four institutions. Beijing said they had damaged China’s interests and “maliciously spread lies and disinformation.”

Initially, China denied the existence of camps detaining Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang but has since described them as centers to provide job training and to re-educate those exposed to extremists. Chinese officials deny all charges of human rights abuses there.

Blinken said in a speech at NATO that Beijing’s retaliatory sanctions “make it all the more important that we stand firm and stand together, or risk sending the message that bullying works.”

But views on the way that business and trade should play out differ across the Atlantic.

All you need to know about Swimmer’s Ear!

webmaster
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All you need to know about Swimmer’s Ear!

Swimmer’s ear is a painful ear condition that is often linked to a dunk in the ocean or the pool, the truth is you can get it on dry land, too.

No matter how you got your swimmer’s ear, once you learn to recognize the signs, you have plenty of options to treat it.

Swimmer’s ear, which has the medical name of otitis externa, is an infection in your ear canal. That’s the tube that runs from the hole on the outside of your ear to your eardrum.

Swimmer’s ear is different from the common ear infection that your young child often gets after a cold. Those are middle ear infections, or “otitis media” in doctor speak, and they happen deeper in the ear, behind the eardrum.

Usually, swimmer’s ear is caused by bacteria, but it can sometimes be brought on by a virus or fungus. Symptoms you may get are:

  • Itchiness in the ear
  • Pain, which can become severe
  • Trouble hearing (sound may seem muffled as your ear canal swells)
  • Fluid or pus draining out of the ear

Here’s one way to tell which type of ear infection you have. If it hurts when you tug or press your ear, you may have swimmer’s ear.

Why Do People Get Swimmer’s Ear?

Most of the time, your ear fights off the germs that cause swimmer’s ear on its own. You can thank your earwax for that. While it doesn’t get much respect, earwax helps protect the ear canal from damage and makes it hard for germs to grow.

But if the skin gets scratched, germs can get into your ear canal and cause an infection. Some common reasons you may get swimmer’s ear are:

Sticking stuff in your ear. If you use cotton swabs, fingers, hairpins, pen caps, or anything else to clean your ears, it can rub away the protective earwax or scratch your skin. Even ear buds, earplugs, and hearing aids can have this effect, especially if you use them a lot.

Moisture trapped in your ear. When water gets stuck in your ear canal after swimming or after you soak in a hot tub or even take a shower or bath — it can remove some of the earwax and soften the skin, which makes it easier for germs to get in.

Humid weather and sweat can cause the same problem. Germs like a warm, wet place to grow, so moisture trapped in your ear is perfect for them.

Other things can play a role in swimmer’s ear, like:

Your age. While swimmer’s ear can happen to anyone, it’s most common in kids and early teenagers.

Narrow ear canals. Kids often have ear canals that are small and don’t drain as well.

Skin reactions and conditions. Sometimes hair products, cosmetics, and jewelry can irritate your skin and raise the odds of getting swimmer’s ear.

How to Diagnose and Treat Swimmer’s Ear

If you have ear pain, don’t wait — see your doctor right away. Getting treatment quickly can stop an infection from getting worse.

During your appointment, your doctor will look in your ear and may gently clean it out. This will help treatments work better.

Then, you’ll probably get eardrops that may have antibiotics, steroids, or other ingredients to fight the infection and help with swelling. In some cases, you may need to take antibiotic pills, too.

Swimmer’s Ear Complications

Most of the time, swimmer’s ear starts to feel better within 2 days of starting treatment. But sometimes, it can get worse or lead to other problems, such as:

Long-term swimmer’s ear (chronic otitis externa). This is when swimmer’s ear doesn’t go away within 3 months. Your doctor may need to test a sample of any fluid in your ear to help you decide on the best treatment.

Other infections. Sometimes, the bacteria can spread deeper into your skin or to other parts of your body. One rare condition is malignant otitis externa, which happens when the infection moves into bone and cartilage in your head.

Treatment for these infections is with more powerful antibiotics, either by mouth or through a needle (IV).

Russia Foreign Minister In Seoul For Talks With South Korean Counterpart

Angel Gimalo
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Russia Foreign Minister In Seoul For Talks With South Korean Counterpart

Russia has been strengthening its ties with China in opposition to U.S. moves in the Indo-Pacific region.

The foreign minister of Russia, Sergei Lavrov, is in Seoul for talks with his South Korean counterpart.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov’s first visit to Seoul in eight years comes amid what seems to be cooperation between Moscow and Beijing, against the U.S. and its allies.

  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov listens for a journalist’s question during his annual roundup news conference summing up his ministry’s work in 2019, in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 17, 2020. Lavrov particularly noted Washington’s reluctance to extend a key nuclear arms pact. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

During a virtual meeting with Korean correspondents in Moscow last week, Lavrov was vocal about the U.S.’ so-called Indo-Pacific Strategy, as well as the “Quad” coalition of the U.S., India, Australia and Japan, which Moscow apparently doesn’t want Seoul to join.

He claimed that the move is based on building a bloc against specific countries.

Lavrov also called South Korea a “crucial, promising partner” in the Asia-Pacific region.

It’s very likely that he will bring up these issues when he sits down with South Korea’s foreign minister Chung Eui-yong on Thursday.

    National Examination Council Finally Releases 2019/2020 Niger State Candidates Results

    Precious Obazee
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    National Examination Council Finally Releases 2019/2020 Niger State Candidates Results

    Two months after the National Examination Council, NECO, released the results of internal examinations, the candidates of public schools in Niger State finally got their results.

    The council withheld results of no fewer than 3000 candidates of the public schools in the state for the inability of the government to pay the candidates’ examination fees.

    The State House of Assembly, last week raised the alarm in a motion of public interest by Hon Malik Bosso, over the sufferings of the 3000 candidates due to non release of their results, and the House set up a committee to look into it.

    Investigations revealed that the government paid some money to the council immediately and promised to meet up with the remaining obligations next month before the council released the results at about 5pm Tuesday.

    Governor Wike Offers Foreign Scholarship To Three NYSC Presidential Honour Awardees

    Precious Obazee
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    Governor Wike Offers Foreign Scholarship To Three NYSC Presidential Honour Awardees

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has offered foreign scholarship to three indigenes of the State who are recipients of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Presidential Honour Award.

    He said the state was proud of the selfless and humanitarian service rendered by the three awardees during their NYSC programme.

    Wike announced the award of foreign scholarship during a courtesy call on him by the recipients of the presidential honour at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The governor said while the Federal Government deserves commendation for offering the awardees automatic employment, the State government has decided to offer them scholarship for Masters and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in any university of their choice anywhere in the world.

    He stated that once the awardees present their letter of admission to the Secretary to the State Government, their tuition will be paid in full to prevent them being abandoned by the next administration.

    However, the governor said if they want employment, then the State government will offer them automatic employment in the State civil service.

    He said his administration will not relent in promoting human capital development in all sphere of human endeavour in the State.

    Governor Wike added that the state government has approved funds to the Ministry of Education to pay the tuition of Rivers State indigenes studying medical sciences at the PAMO University.

    Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Chief Chinwendu Chukwu, said the awardees who served in Jigawa, Yobe and Bayelsa States respectively, distinguished themselves by rendering selfless humanitarian service during their national service programme.

    Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Gilbert Kiaka Goodnews, explained that during his national service, he was able to offer free ICT training to over 200 students in Bayelsa State.

    He said another recipient of the presidential honour, Worlu Aruchi Rachael, a lawyer, offered free legal services to 22 inmates and secured their release from jail in Yobe State.

    Goodnews further explained that the third recipient, Jasper Deebari Uchenna during his national service discovered that most streets in the Jigawa State were not named and decided to name them.

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