25th November 2022 |
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Good morning. In the largest operation of its kind carried out by hand in the world, an Island located 50km north of Tahiti has been declared rat-free. The mission required the cutting of some 250km of trails across 1,250 acres of tropical atoll forest, and a team that were willing to suffer the bugs, humidity, rats, and days without showers.
Some rats would be happy people like this don't live where they dwell.
World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo became the first male player to score in five World Cups as Portugal opened its campaign against Ghana, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. Despite his recent struggles and controversies at the club level, Ronaldo spectacularly led the line for his national team in the game on Thursday, which ended in a 3-2 victory for Portugal.
Ghana. There is a high risk of debt distress, according to the finance minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta, and there is an agreement on a debt management strategy with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The depreciation of the Ghanaian cedi was “seriously affecting” the country’s ability to manage its public debt, which has increased to $48.9bn this year, he told parliamentarians, saying the currency has lost more than 50 percent of its value.
Malaysia. Veteran opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim will be the country's new prime minister, after a turbulent 25 year pursuit for the job that saw him jailed twice. Promising to give up his salary as PM, he pledged to fight corruption and focus on the economy. Mr Anwar's Pakatan Harapan (PH) party, which won the biggest share of seats in Saturday's vote, does not have enough seats on its own to form a government. Many of the political leaders have personal and ideological differences which made it hard to find a workable majority. In the end it was left to Malaysia's constitutional monarch, King Abdullah, to summon all the leaders to the palace to try to find sufficient common ground.
1946 Atiku Abubakar Born
Atiku Abubakar was born. He is a Nigerian politician and businessman who served as the vice president of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 during the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. He ran as governor of Adamawa State in 1990, 1997 and later, in 1998, being elected before becoming Olusegun Obasanjo's running mate during the 1999 presidential election and re-elected in 2003. Abubakar has unsuccessfully contested five times for the Office of President of Nigeria in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019. In 1993, he contested the Social Democratic Party presidential primaries losing to Moshood Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe. In May 2022, he was chosen as the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate for the 2023 general election.
NIGERIA
Recovered Loot
The Story
The Federal government has reported that about $1b worth of stolen public assets have been recovered since 2015.
Where are the assets?
The information was made public by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who briefed reporters after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday. According to the AGF, the recovered assets have been deployed to various sectors of the Nigerian economy, including government’s poverty alleviation schemes. He added that part of the decisions at the FEC meeting was the approval of the new Anti-corruption Strategy Document (2022 to 2026), which is aimed at boosting the fight against graft in the country.
How many convictions were made in that period?
The AGF said that more than 3000 convictions have been recorded by the president Buhari administration. While emphasising the significance of the number of convictions made by the current administration, Malami added that previous governments recorded only 109 convictions before 2015. The AGF also noted the government’s concern over cases of budget padding, and added that measures would be explored to address the problem.
"Whichever way one looks at it, budget padding is bad, because if you budget N5 billion for roads and N3 billion of that fund is diverted, it means government has lost that money, and it will take a longer period to complete the project. The government is concerned and will do what is necessary to address the issue", Malami said. SOURCE
AFRICA
Parliament Turns Boxing Ring
The Story
Sierra Leone's parliament was Thursday turned to a boxing ring when its members turned on one another in fisticuffs.
What happened?
The fight ensued while the lawmakers debated a proposed change to the electoral system to allow for proportional representation in next year's election. Video footage available online showed members of the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People's Congress (APC) party engaged in a brawl and throwing chairs. The country's electoral commission had suggested switching to a proportional representation system for next year's local and parliamentary elections, excluding presidential polls.
What's the issue with the proposal?
While the current administration supports the move, the opposition says the proposal is unconstitutional. The proposal's fate is currently hanging in the balance, as it requires the approval of the parliament. According to local reports, it took the intervention of the police - who expelled disruptive MPs from the chamber - to restore calm to the scene. President Julius Bio, who was first elected in 2018, is expected to run for a second term in office in the June 2023 election. SOURCE
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ASIA
China's Covid-19 Crisis
The Story
As people from across the world try to move on from the effects of the covid-19 pandemic, reports from China suggest that recommended precautions are still very much needed.
What's happening in China?
The disease appears to be defying China's control measures, which have been largely unpopular. Despite adopting a zero-tolerance approach to the virus, China on Thursday reported its record number of daily Covid infections, highlighting questions over the effectiveness of the Asian giant's control measures. According to the National Health Commission (NHC), 31,444 locally transmitted cases were recorded on Wednesday, a figure that surpasses the previous peak of 29,317 recorded on April 13 during Shanghai’s months-long lockdown.
What's causing the surge?
The surge is reportedly being fueled by outbreaks in several cities, and comes despite the authorities' refusal to ease tight control measures. In Beijing, there were 1,648 local infections and four covid-related deaths. It is even more worrisome given the fact that it was the city's 3rd day in a row in which more than 1000 cases were recorded. Already, there have been shutting of schools and businesses over the worsening infections rate. Despite the surge in cases, people have continued to express displeasure over the lingering restrictions, a situation worsened by their inability to access prompt medical care or secure enough food and supplies, as well as loss of work and income. SOURCE
POLITICS
Does Obama Need a Passport?
Thomas Jollans: While heads of state on official visits announced through the proper diplomatic channels are generally exempt from any passport or visa requirements, the President of the United States of America does have a passport, which is, at least on some occasions, stamped.
It would be possible for the US president to do his job without a passport, but that's not how the White House and the State Department chose to run things. The British Queen is one rare example of a head of state who does not hold a passport.
Here is a pretty cool 2-minute video about it - Obama's Passport Close Up
Babachir Lawal endorses Obi for presidency, says ‘all other ways lead to perdition’
Court disqualifies Tonye Cole as Rivers APC guber candidate
Sowore: Nigerians will beg me to stay beyond second term if I become president
Terrorists abduct Zamfara villagers, Imo politician, demand new naira
Fuel queues resurface in Lagos, marketers blame depots
Brazil’s Richarlison sparkles in 2-0 win over Serbia
‘Metro Man’, the World Cup’s accidental social media sensation
Dominican deportations to Haiti fuel growing fears, frustration
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship gives African students and recent graduates the opportunity to access training, resources, financial support and a network of mentors to develop their entrepreneurial skills and start building their own venture. The 8-month program develops the exceptional entrepreneurial skillset and mindset of leaders to drive social and financial impact.
Up to 60 Fellows will be selected in the final phase to receive a stipend of $500 CAD. Opportunities to pitch for prizes of up to $15,000 CAD in the pitch competition at the end of the program. Opportunities to travel to the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre to build lasting connections that will help your further your business venture
Application Deadline: December 4, 2022. APPLY HERE
Health dangers of cigarette smoking you need to know. Freshly Pressed
Your Neighbours Matter. Medium
From Kanye West to Jennifer Lopez: 5 absurd requests made by celebrities. Gossip Trip
Why do mosquitoes bite some people more than others? HealthLine
FOOTBALL KNOWLEDGE
The Legendary Cha Bum-kun
TRIVIA
World Cup Quiz
These are the eight groups for the World Cup. Which group has the greatest collective population?
INTERNET GIGGLES
| ANSWER |
|
Group B by a longshot. The US alone is home to 333 million people. |
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Written by Seun, Mercy, Kingsley, and Tosin.
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