Earthquake Shakes Southern California During Storm

By

-

August 21, 2023

As people across Southern California sheltered from Hurricane Hilary; another natural disaster hit – a magnitude 5.1 earthquake.

Its epicentre was north-west of Los Angeles and #hurriquake was soon trending on social media.

It did not cause major damage, and the hurricane has also since been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said over 100 fire stations were checking buildings for damage.

Ms Bass said in a tweet that there were no initial reports of structural damage caused by the earthquake or any injuries.

Seismologist Dr Lucy Jones said it was “interesting” to have the earthquake near Ojai, and was the “first time we’ve had a five since 1932 in exactly this location, and even within the Ventura basin”.

She warned more aftershocks were likely over the next few days.

The quake hit at the same time as post-tropical cyclone Hilary, which left many residents unsure where they should seek cover.

One of her neighbours ran out of his house in a panic saying he didn’t know where to go and she could hear other people shouting inside their homes as the quake struck.

Another video from inside a supermarket showed items fall from the shelves as the quake struck, as a man ran with his daughter from the shop.

Transfer: Real Madrid Preparing £103m Bid For Kylian Mbappe

By

Emenike Agu

-

August 21, 2023

0

Real Madrid are ready to submit a 拢103 million bid to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe, this summer.

The LaLiga giants will send in the offer three days before the transfer window ends September 1.

Mbappe has not made secret his desire to leave PSG, although he prefers to join Madrid when his current contract expires in June 2024.

So far, the 24-year-old has refused to sign an extension with the Ligue 1 champions.

Mbappe has also rejected the chance to speak with Saudi club Al-Hilal after they offered 拢259m for him.

Now, Madrid are set to try and get their man one year earlier than planned with a late summer swoop.

Transfer: Iheanacho Set To Return To Premier League

By

Emenike Agu

-

August 21, 2023

0

As the summer transfer window approaches its closing stages, Premier League side Crystal Palace have emerged as a contender for the signature of Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho.

The move is reportedly under discussion, with less than two weeks left in the transfer window for clubs to finalize their squads.

Iheanacho, who was the leading goal scorer for Leicester City last season, finds himself in the spotlight of the transfer market.

Despite his commendable performances, Leicester City were relegated to the Championship last season.

The Sun reports that Crystal Palace has initiated discussions with Leicester City regarding the potential transfer of Iheanacho.

Under the management of Marco Maresca, the Super Eagles striker has been a key contributor for the Foxes, featuring in the starting lineup for the past three games across all competitions.

Iheanacho’s current contract at the King Power Stadium has only one year remaining, but Maresca has suggested that negotiations for a new deal might commence shortly.

In a recent statement, Maresca highlighted the need for discussions involving all parties concerned – the player, the club, and the manager. He emphasized the importance of understanding Iheanacho’s desires and intentions.

Maresca stated, “This is one of the things on the table. It’s one of the things we need to discuss with the player. Most of the time, we think about the club, but we need to see the desire of the player.

“We have to decide between the player, club, and manager. It’s one of the things we need to do soon to clarify the situation.”

Iheanacho’s outstanding contributions last season earned him the award of Leicester City’s Player of the Season.

Cameroon Pip Senegal To 2024 Paris Olympics Men’s Basketball Ticket

By

Emenike Agu

-

August 21, 2023

0

Cameroon national team men’s basketball team are winners of the 2024 Paris pre-Olympics qualifiers, claiming the only ticket on offer from Africa in the men’s event.

Cameroon beat West African powerhouse, Senegal 80-74 in a tense final.

The game which was decided at the Eko Hotel and Suites, was filled with tension and suspense, saw both teams approach the first quarter cautiously, and ended the first quarter 25–25.

In the second quarter, the Central Africans took control of the game

with their points guards looking unstoppable which enabled them to win the quarter 47–33.

Epl: Everton Boss Hints Iwobi Will Spend Time On Sidelines With Injury

By

Emenike Agu

-

August 21, 2023

0

Everton manager Sean Dyche has said he expects Alex Iwobi to spend time on the sidelines after the Nigerian sustained an injury in Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

Iwobi was replaced by Neal Maupay in the 56th minute of the encounter.

The 26-year-old is expected to undergo a test on Monday (today) to determine the severity of the injury.

Dyche however said the former Arsenal man is not likely to return to action any time soon.

”Alex we’re waiting on, but it looks like a hamstring injury. Dom, we’re hoping it’s just a knock,” Dyche told reporters after the game.

”With Alex, it’s unusual for hamstrings to settle down very quickly so he’s likely to be out — but I don’t know yet.”

Brume Misses Out On Long Jump Medal At World Athletics Championships

By

Emenike Agu

-

August 21, 2023

0

Ese Brume who was vying for honours in the final of the Women’s Long Jump event, was widely tipped to deliver a medal going by her antecedence in every major competition she has represented Nigeria

Sadly, despite a season-best jump of 6.84m, the African record holder finished fourth position, just outside the medal zone.

Interestingly, Brume, a bronze medalist at the Doha 2019 World Championships and a Silver medal winner in Oregon last year, was gearing up to claim the bronze and become the first Nigerian to win three consecutive medals at the World Championships.

However, she was denied that historic moment by Romania’s Alina Rotaru-Kottmann, who saved her best for last with a leap of 6.88m to leapfrog Brume to claim the bronze medal.

Adegboyega Oyetola Redeployed As Minister Of Marine & Blue Economy

By

Angel Gimalo

-

August 20, 2023

0

Ministers-Designate allocated to the Federal Ministries of Transportation, Interior, and Marine & Blue Economy have been reshuffled as follows:

(A) H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy

(B) Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Interior

(C) Hon. Sa’idu Alkali is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Transportation

Furthermore, both Ministers of State in the Oil & Gas sector are now domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources with the following designations:

(i) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri is the Hon. Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources

(ii) Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo is the Hon. Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources

The President approves the renaming of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management as the Federal Ministry of Environment.

All aforementioned changes take immediate effect by these directives of the President.

Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 20, 2023

Ministry Of Marine and Blue Economy – What You Need To Know

By

Angel Gimalo

-

August 20, 2023

0

In a bid to drive the development of marine resources, President Bola Tinubu has introduced a new Ministry of Marine and Blue economy.

The creation of Blue economy, according to analysts, is a good step in the right direction and great news for the long struggling people of Nigeria.

Here are five (5) things you probably don’t know about the newly-established Ministry:

1. The term ‘Blue economy’ in Economics connotes the exploitation, preservation and regeneration of the marine environment. It is generally used in the scope of international development when describing a sustainable development approach to coastal resources.

2. The concept includes a wide range of economic sectors, from the more conventional fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, coastal, marine and maritime tourism

3. According to Rear Admiral Atakpa, a leading Nigerian expert on the blue economy, we must optimise the benefits of traditional and emerging sectors in a sustainable way by using an important tool known as “Marine Spatial Planning (MSP).” The MSP is considered the most important element in the establishment of a functional and virile blue economy, and the most critical requirement next to maritime security,” Real Admiral Atakpa added.

4. Blue economy also attempts to embrace ocean ecosystem services that are not captured by the market but provide significant contribution to economic and human activity. They include carbon sequestration, coastal protection, waste disposal, and the existence of biodiversity.

5. According to analysts, if the ministry is properly harnessed, it will boost Nigeria’s revenue, significantly reduce budget deficits – at a time we are using over 90 percent of our revenue to service our debts. It has just been reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) owes JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs $7.5 billion in what it classified as “securities lending.”

Europe’s Travel Industry Hit By Strike Disruptions

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

August 20, 2023

0

Europe’s travel industry is on high alert for disruption from strikes as passenger numbers globally recover to pre-pandemic levels.

According to warnings from Eurocontrol, which manages European airspace, Last year peak season was hit by cancellations, this summer, air traffic control issues are likely to be the weak spot.

On Aug. 4 Union Syndicate representatives at Eurocontrol suspended tentative plans for industrial action announced on July 7, after long negotiations and an exchange of letters.

In July the union said it was considering taking industrial action at Eurocontrol’s Network Manager Operations Centre, which oversees traffic across the European airspace, giving a six-month window for action but no specific dates.

ISSUES ACROSS THE REGION

In Belgium, Ryanair (RYA.I) pilots went on strike on July 15-16 to demand higher wages and better working conditions. Belgian media reported around 120 flights were cancelled.

Also, Pilots held another strike on July 29 and July 30, saying management had failed to address their demands. The union has said further action could be taken.

Ryanair pilots residing in Belgium called a new strike for Aug. 14 and Aug. 15.

According to the Chaleroi airport website, 88 Ryanair flights to and from the airport on Aug. 14-15 were cancelled due to the strike.

In Britain, ASC, Menzies Aviation and GGS staff, who work for airlines including British Airways, cancelled walkouts scheduled to take place from July 28 to Aug. 1 and from Aug. 4 to Aug. 8 after they voted to accept a 15% pay rise, the Unite trade union said.

Another Airline, Easyjet, cancelled 1,700 flights, mostly from Gatwick, in July and August.

Gatwick airport workers employed by Wilson James have suspended their August strike to allow members to vote following a “greatly improved offer”, Unite union said on Aug 15.

Two days later, the same union confirmed Red Handling employees at the same airport had called off their August strike after receiving a “significantly improved pay offer.”

230 Gatwick airport employees and members of Unite were set to go on strike for eight days during August.

At Luton Airport, workers from GH London Ground Handling Services announced 24-hour strikes that will affect passengers flying with Wizz Air on Aug. 30 and Sept. 6 and 13, Unite union said on Aug. 16.

Also in Italy, about 1,000 flights were cancelled on July 15 due to a nationwide airport staff strike, local media reported. Up to 100% of workers participated in the strike, trade unions said in a press release.

Air traffic control company ENAV (ENAV.MI) has confirmed there will be no strikes in the Italian air transport sector between July 27 and Sept. 5 due to a summer exemption provided for in industry regulations.

Portugal

Meanwhile, Easyjet(EZJ.L) cancelled 350 flights arriving to or departing from Portugal ahead of a cabin staff strike on July 21-25, the SNPVAC union of civil aviation flight personnel said, the union’s third strike since the start of the year.

On July 21, almost 100% of EasyJet’s cabin staff in Portugal walked out, and the union threatened more strikes in the coming months if the company kept rejecting the raises they demand.

Enugu Govt. Partners Ethiopian Airlines To Train Youths

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

August 20, 2023

0

The Enugu State government, South East Nigeria, has concluded plans to enter into a partnership agreement with a major international airline-Ethiopian Airlines, as part of measures to grow the aviation sector in the state, and boost its economy through diversification.

The relationship will also foster mutual economic growth in aviation, including exploring different available opportunities such as the training of Enugu youths at the Ethiopian Airlines Aviation University and other areas of interest.

Federal Govt. Inaugurates Enugu Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Station

This was disclosed by the airlines’ officials when the state governor Peter Mbah played host to a delegation from Ethiopian Airlines led by the outgoing Traffic and Sales Manager, Henok Sirak, at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu, on Saturday.

“Our meeting with the governor was a productive meeting aimed at strengthening ties and exploring avenues for mutual benefits,” Sirak said.

The discussions which centred around collaborative opportunities and strategies to enhance the airlines’ operations within the state, further underlined the commitment of the parties to forge a common front that would contribute to the growth and development of the state’s economy.

Responding, governor Peter Mbah expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting, describing it as a pivotal step towards the realisation of the administration’s economic development plan.

While wishing the outgoing manager well, Governor Mbah pledged that his administration would work with the new manager, Zeleke Flate, who was introduced to him at the meeting by the outgoing manager, to ensure that both parties benefit from the partnership.

The visit ended with a symbolic gesture from the Ethiopian Airlines crew, as they presented the governor with a model aircraft bearing the Ethiopian Airlines logo and an exchange of gifts.