Amid Sudan Crisis, Thousands Flee As Ceasefire Fails To Hold

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April 20, 2023

Fighting in Sudan has entered its sixth day Sixth day as a ceasefire between the army and paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) failed to hold.

This would be the second ceasefire being broken by parties, causing thousands of residents to flee the Capital, Khartoum including some 320 soldiers who were detained in neighbouring Chad.

Chad’s Defence Minister, Bichara Issa Djadallah said they are in the process of welcoming them and were taking all the necessary measures to ensure that they are suitably accommodated.

According to the World Health Organisation, the violent clashes have already left over 270 civilians dead and more than 2,000 injured, with Germany and Japan reportedly planning the evacuation of their citizens.

The United Nations is also meeting on Thursday with the African Union, the Arab League and representatives of other organisations to discuss the situation in Sudan.

In the meantime, the Sudan army on Thursday said 177 Egyptian Air Force troops were airlifted back to Egypt after being held in the northern Sudanese town of Merowe by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In a statement, the Army said the Egyptians were evacuated from the northern town Dongola via four Egyptian military planes, adding that the Egyptians were in Sudan to participate in joint air force exercises.

The Egyptian military did not announce the evacuation but earlier said in a brief statement it was coordinating with authorities in Sudan to secure the return of the troops.

S’Africa Braces For Dark Winter Amid Power Shortages

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Zoe Maven

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April 20, 2023

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Experts are warning that South Africa is in the grip of an energy crisis as persistent and constant electricity blackouts are expected to reach a critical stage.

This comes as winter arrives in the Southern Hemisphere which is sending energy demand soaring.

The crisis has worsened over the past 12 months, with the country spared the debilitating rolling blackouts, known as load shedding, only on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and a handful of other occasions.

Over the past 15 years, South Africa’s electricity crisis has been deepening, with power shortages blamed on insufficient investments in the country’s ageing coal-fired power plants.

To manage the shortfalls, the state-owned power company Eskom imposes daily scheduled rationing to cope with the production shortfalls.

But more recently the power cuts have lengthened, and many people are forced to endure blackouts of up to 12 hours a day.

Under pressure to end the power cuts, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared in February a National State of Disaster, a legal move introduced to prioritise efforts to address the problem.

He also appointed an electricity minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, with the sole task of ending the blackouts.

But Analysts say Ramokgopa, a civil engineer and former mayor of Pretoria, has run into a series of obstacles.

The South African winter, which runs from June to August, can get cold, with temperatures plunging below zero degrees Celsius (in some areas and Ramokgopa has already warned people to brace for a dark and cold winter.

World Population: India Overtakes China, Surpasses 1.4286 Billion

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Angel Gimalo

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April 19, 2023

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India has overtaken China as the world’s most populous nation, according to United Nations data released Wednesday.

India’s population surpassed 1.4286 billion, slightly higher than China’s 1.4257 billion people, according to mid-2023 estimates by the UN’s World Population dashboard. China’s numbers do not include Hong Kong and Macau, Special Administrative Regions of China, and Taiwan, the data showed.

The burgeoning population will add urgency for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to create employment for the millions of people entering the workforce as the nation moves away from farm jobs. India, where half the population is under the age of 30, is set to be the world’s fastest-growing major economy in the coming years.

Asia’s third-largest economy is now home to nearly a fifth of humanity — greater than the entire population of Europe or Africa or the Americas. While this is also true for China for now, that’s expected to change as India’s population is forecast to keep ticking up and touch 1.668 billion by 2050 when China’s population is forecast to contract to about 1.317 billion.

Exploring Civil War Memorial, Singapore

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Angel Gimalo

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April 19, 2023

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The Civilian War Memorial, also known as the Memorial to the Civilian Victims of the Japanese Occupation, is a war memorial and a very important heritage landmark that is located within War Memorial Park on Beach Road, in the southern part of the Republic of Singapore.

Built in 1967 in order to commemorate the civilians who were killed during the Second World War occupation of Singapore by the Japanese Imperial Army.

As there are some estimates that more than 50,000 people have been killed during this occupation between 1942 and 1945, the memorial was unveiled by former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on 15 February 1967, the day that Singapore fell to Japanese forces 25 years before.

Surrounded by a serene park, one can spot right away the four tall pillars that comprise the memorial, pillars which were conceived by Leong Swee Lim who was certainly one of Singapore’s most renowned architects.

The four identical pillars are 70 meters (230 feet) high, and as they are rising towards the sky, they are representing four streams of culture which are merging into one.

As a matter in fact, nowadays, many younger Singaporeans remain unaware of the Civilian War Memorial’s history, even though there are 606 urns that contain the remains of thousands of unknown civilians exhumed by SCCC from the discovered mass graves.

Still, one of Singapore’s iconic heritage landmarks, the monument is sometimes referred to as the “Giant Chopsticks”, however, the four tall pillars are said to be resembling the four major races of Singapore, Chinese, Eurasian, Indian and Malay.

Since the memorial was officially unveiled, there are commemorations, ceremonies and services being held annually on 15 February in order to remember the civilians who lost their lives during one of the biggest wars that happened on our planet.

With hope that in the future more and more people would learn about the significant importance the memorial has for Singapore, there will be even more people would would like to get to the small nation in Southeast Asia and see the Civilian War Memorial in person.

Once Upon A Time – April 19 – 1897 – 1st Boston Marathon, Won By John J. McDermott In 2:55:10

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Angel Gimalo

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April 19, 2023

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1770 British explorer Captain James Cook first sights Australia. Writes in his log book that “what we have as yet seen of this land appears rather low, and not very hilly, the face of the Country green and Woody, but the Sea shore is all a white Sand.”1775 American Revolution begins in Lexington, Massachusetts. The “Shot Heard Round the World” takes place later that day in Concord1909 Joan of Arc receives beatification by the Roman Catholic Church1995 Oklahoma City bombing, Timothy McVeigh sets a truck bomb at Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 and injuring 5002011 Fidel Castro resigns his position of First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba after 45 years of holding the titleHistorical Events Today Events in 2023
Today in Film & TV
1934 Shirley Temple appears in her 1st feature length film, “Stand Up & Cheer”Today in Music
1774 CW Glucks opera “Iphigenia in Aulis” premieres in ParisToday in Sport
1897 1st Boston Marathon (B.A.A. Road Race), won by John J. McDermott in 2:55:10; the world’s oldest annual marathon inspired by success of the first marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics1943 Bicycle Day – Swiss chemist Dr. Albert Hofmann deliberately takes LSD for the first time

Museum Of Shakespeare To Open In London Next Year

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Koko Lawrence

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April 19, 2023

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A new museum will open in east London next year exploring the life of William Shakespeare.

The Museum of Shakespeare will be a permanent interactive experience within the archaeological remains of The Curtain Playhouse, Shoreditch.

It will focus on the culture of London in the 16th Century and the life and inspirations of the famous playwright.

“This will be Shakespeare as you have never experienced it before,” said Harry Parr, co-founder of the project.

The Curtain Playhouse was a cultural and social centre in London during Shakespeare’s life and housed performances of Henry V and Romeo and Juliet.

An archaeological excavation of the site between 2011 and 2016 revealed its remains, which will be made publicly accessible for the first time in the museum.

The Museum of Shakespeare was designed by creative studio Bompas & Parr in collaboration with Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) and Historic England.

Parr, of Bompas & Parr, said he wanted London to be “a city unrivalled in its cultural importance and reputation for world-class entertainment”.

Visitors to The Museum of Shakespeare will be able to “soak up the sights, smells, sounds and people” who inspired the playwright through a series of interactive displays and workshops, including a projected reconstruction of the playhouse, the creators said.

Dr Callan Davies, of the University of Roehampton and author of What is a Playhouse? said: “It’s fantastic that Elizabethan London’s longest-lived playhouse, which has so many stories to tell about creativity and opportunity, can adapt once more to show how performance worked, why it mattered, and why it still does today.”

The museum is set to open in spring 2024.

Ikpeazu Orders Immediate Reversal Of Hiked ABSU Fees

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 19, 2023

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The Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has ordered an immediate reversal of the tuition fee for Abia State University, Uturu, which was hiked by over 350 per cent.

He gave the order to the management of Abia State University led by Professor Maxwell Ogbulu.

According to the invoices given to some new ABSU students, it was seen that undergraduates in some departments had their fees jump from N122,000 Naira to N500,000.

After the outrageous hike had gone viral across social media, Ikpeazu directed that the management of ABSU immediately cancel the increase in school fees announced.

Ikpeazu who was represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, said the increase which is over 350 per cent is unacceptable to the State Government, especially given the current economic realities in the country.

The state governor further directed the university management to engage with all relevant stakeholders in the university community and have robust discussions before contemplating any hike in school fees.

He assured the people that the State Government will continue to support the institution with subventions and equally assured all students, parents and guardians of the University that their interests will consistently be protected by the State Government.

Global Education Should Include Coding – Software Developer

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 19, 2023

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Veteran software developer, Stanislav Fedorov says students should learn coding at early stages of schooling.

He said children of modern times should learn about the complexities of computer science sooner rather than later in a world where technological advancements are almost exponential.

In 2014, England became the first nation in the world to require that children learn to code at both the primary and secondary school levels. Since then, thousands of computer science teachers have been trained with funding totaling nine figures.

The overall employment of web developers and digital designers is expected to increase by 23% between 2021 and 2031 which according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Fedorov said Coding helps children develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills by breaking down complex problems into smaller pieces. It teaches students to see problems as improvement opportunities rather than obstacles.

He further said as students learn to code, they will develop confidence and improve their social skills.

Through troubleshooting, problem-solving, creating and refining their own projects, they will naturally boost their self-assurance and self-worth.

He added that by working with their peers, students will have opportunities to practise communication, cooperation, and teamwork, which can further enhance their social skills.

Rivers Varsity Matriculates 8,441 Students

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 19, 2023

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The management of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworokwo, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, matriculated a total of 8,441 candidates who satisfied the minimum requirements for admission into the various programs offered in the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Nlerum Okogbule, disclosed this in his address at the 41st matriculation of the university in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

This is as the vice-chancellor also warned students against indecent dressing and engaging in examination malpractices.

Okogbule urged the new students to take their studies seriously, saying “The key to success in any institution is hard work and unwavering focus on your academic assignment’.

He congratulated the new students for their success in the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Examination and the Post UTME screening test organised by the university leading to their entry.

NUC Accredits All 24 Courses Of Rivers Varsity

The VC further warned that the university has zero tolerance for all forms of anti-social activities such as membership of secret cult groups and examination malpractices.

“The penalty for involvement in any of these activities is rustication from the university, and I do not waste time in doing this once a student is found culpable.”

Continuing, he said, “Desist from indecent dressing and acquaint yourselves with the code of conduct in this University as properly spelled out in the students’ handbook.”

Giving the breakdown of the admitted students into the various faculties, he said “College of Medical Sciences (502), Agriculture (345), Communication and Media Studies (666), Education (466), Engineering (1,611).

“Environmental Sciences (352), Humanities (773), Law (250), Management Sciences (891), Science (1, 737), and Social Sciences (848).”

Chelsea Suffer Debut Season Flop Despite Huge Outlay

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Emenike Agu

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April 19, 2023

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Champions League – Quarter Final – Second Leg – Chelsea v Real Madrid – Stamford Bridge, London, Britain – April 18, 2023 Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly before the match

Chelsea’s American owners saw their last hope of any glory in their first season crumble on Tuesday when the club they bought in a deal worth 4.25 billion pounds ($5.28 billion) last year were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid.

Marooned in the unfamiliar bottom half of the Premier League, Chelsea are at risk of their worst domestic league finish in nearly 30 years and they also fell at the first hurdle in the FA Cup and League Cup.

Their only chance of qualifying for next season’s lucrative Champions League by winning the competition has also now evaporated after Real’s 4-0 aggregate quarter-final win following a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

The prospect of a drop in income is raising fears among Chelsea fans that some of the club’s best young players will be sold to meet financial rules.

The spectacular slump in the 2022/23 season – during which Chelsea have had three different coaches – stands in contrast with the string of heady campaigns under previous owner, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

He was forced to sell the club by Britain’s government last year following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Chelsea were the most successful team in England in the period between Abramovich buying the club in 2003 and its sale in 2022, a run that included two Champions League triumphs in 2012 and 2021 and five English league titles.

That track record – and the surge in global support for the west London club along the way – explained Chelsea’s appeal to a consortium led by LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and backed by Clearlake Capital, a private equity firm.

BIG SPENDERS, LOW SCORERS

On top of the deal to buy the club last May, they have invested a further 550 million pounds on players, spending in the January transfer window more than all the clubs in the top divisions of Spain, Italy, Germany and France combined.

But somehow they failed to buy someone capable of scoring goals on a regular basis with a gamble on former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failing at almost the first test.

Chelsea have scored 30 goals in 31 league games so far. By contrast, table-topping Arsenal have scored 74 and second-placed Manchester City have found the net 78 times.

Tuesday’s blank was the fifth in six games in all competitions.

With no spearhead for their attack, Chelsea’s managers this season – Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and now caretaker boss Frank Lampard – have all struggled to turn a collection of expensive stars and home-grown talent into a cohesive team.

Chelsea fans have turned their frustrations on the owners of the club and some were photographed remonstrating with Boehly in his executive box after last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion. British media said an upset Boehly talked to players in the dressing room after that result.

Now he and his fellow owners – none of whom had experience of running a major soccer club before they bought Chelsea – face the huge decision of who to hire as the club’s next coach.

Candidates include former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique, who coached Spain at the World Cup in Qatar. Such a high-profile manager would represent a big change in approach after the hiring of Potter from modest Brighton last September.

Regardless of who takes over, a return to Europe’s biggest stage seemed a distant prospect for the disappointed Chelsea fans streaming out of Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.