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UNESCO, tech firms partner to train teachers, students in AI

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, on Wednesday, began training Nigerian teachers and students in the use of artificial intelligence and robotics engineering. The two-day programme, conducted in collaboration with Infinix Nigeria and Google, took place at the United Nations office in Abuja. Addressing the participants, UNESCO’s Head in Abuja, Abdourahamane Diallo, emphasised


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Tinubu determined to eliminate bandits, terrorists, says NSA

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has warned that obstructing security under President Bola Tinubu’s administration will not be tolerated, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. He said this at the Comptroller General of Customs Conference in Abuja, on Wednesday, emphasising the President’s determination to eliminate bandits, terrorists, and other security threats. According to Ribadu,


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Minister begs varsity workers to focus on students welfare

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has urged labour unions, especially those within the educational sector, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and others to prioritise the welfare and education of Nigerian students over strikes. Alausa spoke at the opening of the 359th Quadrennial National delegates


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Edo NULGE restates support for LG autonomy, backs national leadership

The Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees has pledged its support to the union’s national leadership, headed by President-General Akeem Ambali. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Edo NULGE, led by Clifford Dauda, praised Ambali’s ability to unite stakeholders and members from across the country, highlighting this as a


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Armed men attack Obajana transmission station, destroy power transformers

Armed men suspected to be bandits, on Tuesday, attacked the site of the ongoing construction of the 330/132/33kV transmission substation in Obajana, Kogi State. The armed men, shooting sporadically, destroyed a 150MVA 330/132/33kV power transformer, causing a significant setback to the government’s efforts to increase power generation. The Transmission Company of Nigeria disclosed the latest


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Missing man found dead near Ogun stream

A 35-year-old man, Felix Vhimga, has been found dead in a mysterious circumstance in the Ojowo area of Ijebu Igbo in Ogun State. PUNCH Metro learnt that the deceased had gone missing after visiting his brother, Sunday Robert, in the community on Monday. On the completion of his visit, Vhimga was however said to have


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No leader can fix Nigeria with 1999 constitution – Anyaoku

Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on Wednesday, warned that if Nigeria refused to do away with the 1999 Constitution, it would be hard for anyone to fix the country. He described Nigeria as a pluralistic country that needed to address its diversity with true federal constitutions. “To those who think that the trouble with


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Chadian women complain of underrepresentation in December elections

Yaounde, Cameroon — An estimated 8 million voters in Chad go to the polls Dec. 29 in legislative, local and district elections. Female leaders and activists, however, say women candidates are being underrepresented. Chadian officials say the legislative elections will mark an end to a three-year transition from military to civilian rule that began when General Mahamat Idriss Deby seized power in April 2021 following the death of his father, long-serving President Idriss Deby Itno. During the transitional period, Deby said he would make sure women, who constitute more than 51% of Chad's population, were nominated in legislative, provincial and district elections. He said Chad would respect its pledges as a signatory to the Maputo Protocol, a commitment by African nations through the African Union to ensure gender equality in political decision making. But activists say women constitute just over one-third of the candidates in this year’s races, in which 180 political parties have nominated more than 8,500 candidates. They say limiting women from elective positions prohibits a majority of the central African nation’s civilians from participating in their country's development and legislating and voting on laws that will improve living conditions. Ahmed Bartchiret, president of ANGE, Chad’s national elections management body, acknowledged the low number of women running for elected office.  He said women constitute less than 35% of the lists of nominees submitted by political parties, including Deby's Patriotic Salvation Movement, or MPS, for the Dec. 29 elections. ANGE also acknowledged that some nominations, including those of women, were turned down, but gave no further details. ANGE said anyone whose nomination was rejected can take up the issue through the courts. Women’s groups, including the Association of Indigenous Women and People and the Civil Society Group Against Injustice and Inequality, said in a release that ANGE rejected nomination papers of women candidates who could not pay the roughly $250 application fee. Activists, however, say some political parties are still very reluctant to nominate women, at times claiming that women are not educated enough to occupy political office. Amina Priscille Longoh is Chad's minister of women and child protection. Speaking Wednesday on state television, she noted that in some communities, there is resistance to women seeking higher office.   Longoh said Deby’s strong political will to involve more women in politics is facing opposition from communities, traditional rulers and some clerics, who think that women should stay at home to take care of their husbands and children. She said Deby has ordered that a mass education campaign be carried out to advocate for the respect of women's rights and political participation. Longoh also said many women lack the financial means to run in elections. Some Chadian women have complained that Prime Minister Allamaye Halina, whom Deby appointed on May 23 as part of a new civilian government, has reduced the number of female ministers from 12 to eight. Activists say the government has not respected a resolution of the central African nations’ 2022 Inclusive and Sovereign National Dialogue which states that more women should be appointed to government positions. Female leaders say women constitute the majority of Chad’s population and can have more influence than men in peacekeeping processes.




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After declaring end to cholera outbreak, Zimbabwe sees new cases

Harare, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe has recorded new cases of cholera several months after declaring the end of an outbreak that killed more than 700 people over an 18-month period.  On Wednesday, Zimbabwe confirmed a new outbreak of cholera has been recorded in the district of Kariba — on the border with Zambia — where 21 cases have been confirmed and one person died.  Dr. Godfrey Muza, the Kariba district medical officer, said the government is working to contain the situation:  "We have set up cholera equipment camp and also some oral rehydration points within the affected villages," said Muza. "We are getting assistance from our local and regional partners like MSF [Medecins Sans Frontieres, also known as Doctors Without Borders] and UNICEF. And our teams are on the ground doing risk communication and community engagement activities on health promotion, hygiene promotion and assisting the community in terms of improving sanction."   In August, the Zimbabwe government declared that the 18-month long cholera outbreak was over. The outbreak  affected up to 35,000 people and claimed more than 700 lives. Zimbabwe has dealt with cholera outbreaks in the past.  In 2008, an outbreak resulted in more than 98,000 cases and more than 4,000 reported deaths.   Independent health experts such as Dr. Norman Matara of Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights said the government needs to address the conditions that enable the waterborne disease to spread.  "In public health, we often say cholera is a disease of poverty which mainly affects people with inadequate access to safe water and basic sanitation," said Matara. "In Zimbabwe, we have witnessed perennial cholera outbreaks in recent years and these outbreaks are being caused by a lack of safe drinking water supply and a broken-down sanitation system which leaves residents in densely populated communities surrounded by flowing sewer. This sewer will then contaminate alternative sources of water such as shower wells, streams, rivers and even boreholes resulting in people drinking or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacteria."  He said that those conditions have been chronic over the years in Zimbabwe, contributing to the repeated outbreaks.  How does Zimbabwe get out of this cycle of recurring cholera outbreaks?  "We need to make sure that our hospitals are well-supposed with the real addressing solutions and medicines so that people can be assisted," said Matara. " ... Also, those high-risk communities, especially in towns and urban cities, we may give them the oral cholera vaccine so that they may be protected. In the long term, the government needs to invest more in proper sanitation facilities and infrastructure as well as making sure that people are provided with clean safe water for drinking and cooking."  Matara said he hopes the current outbreak is contained quickly and does not spread to other parts of Zimbabwe.  But with raw sewage flowing in some streets of Harare, it might be a question of time.  




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Development bank financing pledge gives COP29 summit early boost

BAKU, Azerbaijan — COP29 negotiators welcomed as an early boost to the two-week summit a pledge by major development banks to lift funding to poor and middle-income countries struggling with global warming. A group of lenders, including the World Bank, announced a joint goal on Tuesday of increasing this finance to $120 billion by 2030, a roughly 60% increase on the amount in 2023. "I think it's a very good sign," Irish Climate Minister Eamon Ryan told Reuters on Wednesday. "It's very helpful. But that on its own won't be enough," Ryan said, adding countries and companies must also contribute. The chief aim of the conference in Azerbaijan is to secure a wide-ranging international climate financing agreement that ensures up to trillions of dollars for climate projects. Developing countries are hoping for big commitments from rich, industrialized countries that are the biggest historical contributors to global warming, and some of which are also huge producers of fossil fuels. "Developed countries have not only neglected their historical duty to reduce emissions, they are doubling down on fossil-fuel-driven growth," said climate activist Harjeet Singh. Wealthy countries pledged in 2009 to contribute $100 billion a year to help developing nations transition to clean energy and adapt to the conditions of a warming world. But those payments were only fully met in 2022 and the pledge expires this year. With 2024 on track to be the hottest year on record, scientists say global warming and its impacts are unfolding faster than expected. Climate-fueled wildfires forced evacuations in California and triggered air quality warnings in New York. In Spain, survivors are coming to terms with the worst floods in the country's modern history. Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama said he was concerned that the international process to address global warming, now decades old, was not moving swiftly enough. "This seems exactly like what happens in the real world everyday," he told the conference. "Life goes on with its old habits, and our speeches, filled with good words about fighting climate change, change nothing," Rama added.




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Sanco KZN cuts ties with ANC over dysfunctional alliance and service delivery failures




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Travel with ease this summer, thanks to Samsung’s Black Friday Deals




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‘Black Lives Matter’: Women weep as community rallies to rescue illegal miners trapped underground amid police blitz




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Suspects caught: Cape Town police arrest two with firearms in separate incidents




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Mark Lifman murder: Call for a ban on media photographers




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Cabinet congratulates Mozambique’s Daniel Chapo, Botswana’s Duma Boko and US’ Donald Trump and seeks to deepen trade with China




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Access Denied: Gauteng government declines DA's request for forensic reports




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Suspect in custody for the alleged rape and murder of a teenage girl in Limpopo




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Former Standard Bank employee who claimed ‘kidnappers’ made him steal over R500,000 jailed




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Mpumalanga MEC of Economic Development accuses Forestry Minister Dion George of racial segregation, but George rubbishes claims




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Update: SAFA president Danny Jordan and two others in court over R1.3 million fraud and theft charges granted bail




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George deputy mayor, Raybin Figland, cleared of sexting charges




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My fellow South Africans: President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to address the nation on food poisoning deaths




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Woman arrested for killing elderly father with an ice axe after he refused to switch off the lights




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South Africans divided on whether ‘starving and dehydrated’ illegal miners should be rescued




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Missing Limpopo teen found murdered; man last seen with her arrested




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Wholly suspended sentence for Mamelodi man who assaulted woman, insulted and ripped her clothes




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Discovery wants man to pay back R16 million he got after claiming he was unable to work due to depression







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Seplat Energy announces currency exchange rates for Q3 2024 interim dividend

Seplat Energy Plc has confirmed that the below currency exchange rate is applicable in determining Q3 2024 interim dividend to shareholders that will receive the dividend payment in Naira (NGN): The exchange rate for the Naira amounts payable is the NAFEM closing rate for November 11, 2024 Exchange Rate: 1 USD = 1,681.42 NGN

The post Seplat Energy announces currency exchange rates for Q3 2024 interim dividend first appeared on Business Hallmark.




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Tantalizer Plc names new board after significant acquisition by new shareholders

Tantalizer Plc has notified the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) of the recent changes to its Board of Directors Arising from the Private Placement and the subsequent majority shareholding acquired by both Messrs Food Specialties and Organics Limited and Banklink Africa Private Equities Limited, a Board meeting was convened on 15th October, 2024. During this meeting, decisions […]

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  • Business
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  • Tantalizer Plc names new board after significant acquisition by new shareholders

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Trump appoints Elon Musk to lead department of government efficiency

Donald Trump, US President-Elect, has appointed Elon Musk, chief executive officer (CEO) of Tesla and SpaceX, to lead a soon to be established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk, was a staunch supporter of Trump during the electioneering leading up to the November 5 presidential election in which the former president defeated Vice-President Kamala Harris […]

The post Trump appoints Elon Musk to lead department of government efficiency first appeared on Business Hallmark.




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Nigeria’s crude oil production increased to 1.33m bpd in October – OPEC

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has disclosed that Nigeria’s average daily crude oil production rose marginally to 1.33 million barrels per day (bpd) in October 2024. OPEC disclosed this in its monthly oil market report released on November 12. It said the figure was obtained from direct communication with Nigerian officials. The organisation […]

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  • Business
  • Nigeria’s crude oil production increased to 1.33m bpd in October - OPEC

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Julius Berger delivering long lasting projects nationwide – NIPR

– Lauds Oborevwori’s audacious projects in Delta The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has commended engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, for consistently delivering top quality jobs nationwide. The Institute also commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State for the construction of legacy projects across the state. NIPR Vice President, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura […]

The post Julius Berger delivering long lasting projects nationwide – NIPR first appeared on Business Hallmark.




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Libya deports seven Nigerians, others over law violations

The Libyan Department for Combating Illegal Migration has deported seven Nigerians, three Bangladeshis, and three Ghanaians detained at the Qanfoudah Immigration Detention Centre for allegedly violating the country’s laws. The deportees were flown out of Libya via Benina International Airport in Benghazi. in a statement on their X handle on Tuesday, confirmed that these individuals […]

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  • Libya deports seven Nigerians others over law violations

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UBA partners Mastercard to launch special debit card with benefits to mark its 75th anniversary

  United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s global bank, has partnered with Mastercard to launch a commemorative debit card in celebration of UBA’s 75th anniversary. This collaboration, according to a statement, aims to honor UBA’s long-standing customer relationships and enhance their banking experience with a range of offers and discounts across multiple platforms. UBA’s […]

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Gov Adeleke presents N390bn budget to Osun assembly 

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state on Wednesday presented the total sum of Three Hundred and Ninety Billion, Twenty Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Naira Only (390,028,277,740.00) to the state House of Assembly as 2025 budget. Governor Adeleke who tagged the 2025 budget as “Budget of Reconstruction and Recovery” […]

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  • Gov Adeleke presents 390bn budget to Osun assembly

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Life insurance possible motive for murder of ‘Noem My Skollie’ actor




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HONOR’s impressive growth and insights from industry leaders at Africa Tech Festival 2024




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Simelane sidesteps VBS bank questions




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Water availability could ‘deteriorate rapidly’, warns minister Majodina




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Activism against gender-based violence sparks urgent calls for action and reform




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Monkey Shoulder’s Brushstroke Battle Culminates in a Bold, Creative Celebration at Kunye




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Titans star Dewald Brevis smashes Dolphins as Western Province get Proteas boost




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State accountability urged amid pesticide-related child deaths




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Biden, Xi to meet in Lima on sidelines of APEC summit in Peru

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet November 16 on the sidelines of the 2024 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC summit in Lima, Peru, the White House announced Wednesday. The meeting follows the leaders' last in-person engagement a year ago on the sidelines of the APEC summit in California, and their 2022 meeting in Bali on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Biden and Xi are expected to revisit areas of cooperation, particularly the resumption of military-to-military contacts, efforts to combat the global fentanyl crisis and nascent work to deal with the risks of Artificial Intelligence, or AI, a senior administration said in a briefing with reporters Wednesday. The U.S. president will also express "deep concern" over Beijing's support for Moscow's war against Ukraine, and the deployment of North Korean troops to aid Russia, said the official, who requested anonymity to speak on the upcoming meeting. The official said Biden will also reiterate his "longstanding concern" over China's "unfair trade policies and non-market economic practices" that hurt American workers. The official added Biden will raise Chinese cyber-attack efforts on U.S. civilian critical infrastructure as well as Beijing's increased military activities around Taiwan and the South China Sea while also underscoring the importance of respect for human rights. The meeting is likely to be the last between Biden and Xi ahead of the incoming administration of Donald Trump in January. The president-elect has appointed ardent China critics in key foreign policy positions that could lead to a more confrontational U.S. posture toward Beijing. They include Republican Congressman Mike Waltz as Trump's pick for national security adviser and Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state. Whatever the next administration decides, they're going to need to find ways to manage the "tough, complicated relationship" between the U.S. and China, the official said in response to a question from VOA. "Russia, cross-strait issues, the South China Sea and cyber are areas the next administration is going to need to think about carefully, because those are areas of deep policy difference with China, and I don't expect that will disappear," the official said. Xi is also likely anticipating what the Trump administration plans to do about global trade, particularly whether he will enact promises to impose steep tariffs on all Chinese goods.




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Storm outside PAR strengthens as it approaches PH, may arrive Thursday

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Man-yi, which will be assigned the local name “Pepito,” continues to intensify as it moves near the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Thursday said Man-yi was last spotted some 1,375 kilometers (km) east of northeastern Mindanao, still outside the PAR. It packs maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center, with gusts of up to 105 kph. Man-yi is moving southwestward at 25 kph, with strong to gale-force winds extending outwards up to 380 km from the tropical storm’s center. It […]...

Keep on reading: Storm outside PAR strengthens as it approaches PH, may arrive Thursday




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US tourist arrested for defacing Tokyo shrine

TOKYO — A 65-year-old American tourist was arrested for allegedly etching letters onto a traditional wooden gate at a Tokyo shrine, police said Thursday, the latest example of bad behavior by visitors flooding back to Japan post-pandemic. The traveller reportedly used his fingernails to scratch one of the gate’s pillars as a prank at Meiji Jingu, one of the capital’s most famous shrines. A police spokeswoman told AFP the man was arrested Wednesday “on suspicion of damaging property” at the shrine complex in the city center. READ: 100-year-old ginkgo trees could get the axe under disputed plan for Tokyo’s Jingu […]...

Keep on reading: US tourist arrested for defacing Tokyo shrine