From 4h ago 14.16 BST Scholz rebukes Putin as 'cynical' over Russian president's comments on civilian casualties German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has sharply rebuked Russian president, Vladimir Putin, over his “cynical” comments about civilian casualties. “It doesn’t get more cynical than that,” Scholz said, highlighting that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022 has caused a significant number of civilian casualties. Updated at 15.22 BST4h ago 14.16 BST Scholz rebukes Putin as 'cynical' over Russian president's comments on civilian casualties German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has sharply rebuked Russian president, Vladimir Putin, over his “cynical” comments about civilian casualties. “It doesn’t get more cynical than that,” Scholz said, highlighting that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022 has caused a significant number of civilian casualties. 6h ago 12.07 BST Russian state-owned news service Tass reported earlier that air defence shot down an object over the airspace of Rostov.

INEC Chairman, Yakubu MahmoodThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a statement after The Guardian in its report on Wednesday, October 18, disclosed that the credibility of the agency sunk after the 2023 elections. Secondly, the report blames the pre-election cases arising from the conduct of primary elections by political parties on INEC. Therefore, the number of election petitions filed in respect of all elective offices will certainly outnumber the total number of constituencies/elective offices. Over the last three electoral cycles, the number of election petitions may be rising but not the number of upturned elections. As of Monday 16th October 2023, out of 82 Governorship election petitions, 72 (87.8%) were either dismissed or withdrawn by the petitioners.

He stated this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja (NAN) as he bowed out after 8 years of leading NOTAP. NOTAP is responsible for monitoring, regulating, facilitation and domesticating the inflow of foreign technologies in Nigeria. “NOTAP, in the course of discharging one of its responsibilities of encouraging development of indigenous technologies, noted the weak Intellectual Property culture in the Nigerian knowledge system. “The synergy with the departments helped in creating intellectual property awareness and patent support services for Nigerian researchers in the country. “NOTAP has fostered partnerships with industries via NOTAP- industry partnership, all aimed at improving Nigeria’s economic development.

It has been stressed that formalisation of faecal sludge management in Bauchi State is a step forward towards creating a value chain for faecal sludge that requires the involvement of all the key and relevant stakeholders which include government, pit latrine emptiers, households/facilities owners and all partners in the WASH sector among others. The assertion was made by the Director-General of the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), Dr Ibrahim Kabir in a paper he presented on the formalisation of the sector. The paper was presented during an interactive session with officials from UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi field office and other relevant stakeholders on faecal sludge with the target of sustainable and safe faecal sludge management in the state. It also highlighted some quick actions to put in place towards realisation of the initiative which includes engagement and sensitisation of all actors in the chain, capacity building and formation of Unions and developing a business model that will attract investors and more actors in the faecal sludge management. The UNICEF representative commended the Director General for a wonderful presentation and expressed optimism that the initiative will make a positive impact on faecal sludge management and acknowledged his Agency’s commitment towards creating a value chain to faecal sludge management.

A statement by Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale said the president celebrates the elder statesman whose visionary leadership has shaped major milestones in Nigeria’s history. The president extolled Gowon for institutionalising the peace process in Nigeria with lasting legacies, such as laying the foundation for Nigeria’s federation through the creation of states. Other milestones of the former head of state include fostering cohesion, encouraging inter-ethnic warmth and understanding by establishing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the president said. ADVERTISEMENTTinubu said Gowon also sustained the pillars of harmony between Nigerians with the National Prayer Movement that continues to inspire neighbourliness and patriotism. Tinubu said that the courage, passion and wisdom that Gowon consistently exuded from his youth, being Nigeria’s youngest leader at 32, had kept him steadfast and relevant at the age of 89.

Reclusive billionaire Ty Warner said he’d be “delighted” to reconnect with a former Beanie Babies worker — after she called him out for a “gut punch” by diminishing her role in fueling the plush toy’s craze, The Post has learned. “Lina joined Ty Inc. and proved herself to be a talented young woman,” he told The Post. “[It] felt like a punch to the gut if I’m going to be honest,” Trivedi recently told The Post. 5 Lina Trivedi, who helped create the Beanie Baby boom, wants to explore reuniting with Ty Warner to revitalize the brand. 5 Apple’s Beanie Bubble movie portrays Ty Warner as controlling and credits Livedi and other women with helping to create the Beanie craze.

Halima Shehu, the national coordinator/chief executive officer of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA), says there are different categories of Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) that will be disbursed to vulnerable and low income households across the country. She said enrollees of the first category of the conditional cash transfer would receive ₦5,000 each, as part of the efforts by the federal government to alleviate poverty. President Bola Tinubu‘s request for the approval confirmed his determination to sustain the conditional cash transfer scheme initiated by his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. Mrs Shehu further explained that the disbursement of the conditional cash transfer to the beneficiaries will be supervised by development partners and the World Bank for proper transparency and accountability. This is how transparent the conditional cash transfer is.”N-Power beneficiariesMrs Shehu noted that the N-power empowerment initiative of the federal government was designed to benefit each enrollee for two years.

Residents of the Para community in the Oke-Aro area of Ogun State have expressed concerns over the danger a dumpsite located in the area posed to their health. Our correspondent who visited the area on Monday observed that the dumpsite is located by a canal beside a filling station along the major road. The community’s leader, Samson Gbadamosi, told our correspondent that residents have been enduring the menace posed by the dumpsite for over 20 years. “I want the government to remove this dumpsite or relocate it inside because it’s too much,” Gbadamosi said. Most of us have children that refuse to visit us because of this dumpsite, please help us,” Gbamiboye lamented.

Decisive, far-reaching efforts to cut methane emissions from fossil fuel production and use must go hand-in-hand with decarbonisation of our energy systems to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. The imperative of cutting methane from fossil fuels, builds on findings from the IEA’s recently updated net zero pathway to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. As methane emissions lead to ground-level ozone pollution, immediate action would also deliver public health, food security and economic benefits. “Early actions by governments and industry to drive down methane emissions need to go hand-in-hand with reductions in fossil fuel demand and CO2 emissions. The Global Methane Assessment formed the scientific underpinning of the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) by illustrating that there are readily available measures to achieve its goals.

PetroQuest: SomaliaPetroQuest is offering an investment opportunity for three blocks – PSA Blocks 131, 190 and 206 – offshore Somalia. Tower Resources: NamibiaIn Namibia, Tower Resources offers an opportunity for Blocks in the Northern Walvis and Dolphin Graben Basin. Atlas Oranto Petroleum International: Equatorial GuineaAtlas Oranto is also offering an opportunity in Block P; Block EG-02; and Block EG-H in Equatorial Guinea. CoMiCo: DRCCoMiCo has an investment opportunity in the frontier Cuvette Centrale Block in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have a right to deliver oil and gas directly to customers, making it an ideal investment opportunity.

When asked about the potential for a smaller EV, and possibly reviving the Nano brand, Shailesh Chandra remained non-committal. “With the upcoming Harrier EV, I can look at providing all options for consumers, including a 4x4 option. But going forward, most international EVs are using prismatic cells.” The upcoming EV is an electrified version of Tata’s compact SUV, the Punch. So the Punch EV, which is coming, will be styled to look more like an EV,” he said. Tata Motors aims to debut its new 1.5-litre TGDI turbo-petrol engine in the upcoming Tata Sierra, following which, it will be offered in the Safari and the Harrier.

Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun has said that African countries are often in debt distress because they failed to cut social spending. According to Adeosun, “The long periods needed to carry out debt restructuring, such as that in Zambia, have their roots in lack of action before a default takes place. She pointed to a “failure to manage the pre-period,” adding that countries in debt distress are often reluctant to admit it due to the need to cut social spending, especially the democratic one. “The lack of international mechanisms for sovereign debt restructuring hampers the prospects for Africa achieving sustainable public finances or being able to contribute to the clean energy transition. “We have no framework for debt restructuring across sovereigns, and the result is too little debt restructuring, too late.

Celebrating its second birthday, let’s recap all that has happened with the Tata Punch in the past year. Price IncrementsAt launch, the Punch was priced between Rs 5.49 lakh and Rs 9.39 lakh (ex-showroom). At launch, the Tata Punch only came with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine which made 86PS and 115Nm. Following its pre-production showcase at the Auto Expo in February 2023, the Tata Punch is now available in a CNG version as well. A New Foe AppearsSince its launch to this year in July, the Tata Punch had no direct rival.

No fewer than 40 travellers are feared dead after three vehicles were involved in a ghastly motor accident due to a collision along Potiskum/Nangere Road in Yobe State. An eyewitness told newsmen on Wednesday that a trailer, which was conveying traders to the popular cattle market in Potiskum, caused the accident. “We counted 40 dead bodies, while over 30 people sustained serious injuries,” sources disclosed. As of the time of filing this report, there has been no reaction from the police or the Federal Road Safety Corps. The accident occurred in Nangere, a local government area in the state.

The Green Silk Road serves as an effective solution for implementing the UN’s 2030 Agenda. China has actively promoted the Green Silk Road through the establishment of guidelines and partnership agreements. These programs focus on managing environmental risks associated with overseas BRI projects and supply chains, further underlining China’s commitment to sustainability. A key aspect of China’s commitment to sustainability within the BRI is the shift away from coal-related investments. The Green Silk Road within the BRI represents a forward-looking commitment to sustainability, environmental protection, and global cooperation.