Theater Review | ‘Cabaret’ Packs a Powerful Punch
Like many fans of the dramatic arts, seeing PCPA’s production of Cabaret, running at Solvang Festival Theatre through August 25, was not my first (or fifth, or 15th) visit to the Kit Kat Klub. PCPA’s Cabaret, however, features several noteworthy choices that gives their show a distinctive personality. Speaking of Sally Bowles: Six out of five stars for Olson, whose final number, the titular song, is the most diva-on-the-verge-of-a-breakdown rendition I’ve ever seen, all while maintaining incredible vocal power. There’s much to enjoy in PCPA’s production, so if you love Cabaret, leave your troubles outside, because in the Solvang Festival Theatre, life is beautiful! See Cabaret at the Solvang Festival Theatre through August 25, pcpa.org.
Source:Punch
August 07, 2024 08:48 UTC
Violent Protests: We’ll hunt down enemies of Nigeria, vows CDS
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has said that security forces would hunt down enemies of the country. General Musa spoke while presiding over a press briefing of Superintendents of security agencies in the country. According to him, the joint press briefing meeting shows the respect and love security agencies have for the country. The only people we are after are the enemies of the state who should be ready to face the law. We remain professional, and men on the field will remain professional as well.
Source:The Guardian
August 07, 2024 00:11 UTC
Reps reaffirm commitment to ensure success of student loan scheme
The House of Representatives reaffirmed its commitment to overseeing and supporting the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) following the commencement of monthly stipend disbursements to eligible students. NELFUND is also working to expand its payment process to include students from approximately 55 additional tertiary institutions in the near future. Gboyega Isiaka (APC-Ogun), Chairman of the House Committee on Student Loan, Scholarship, and Higher Education Financing, praised the operationalization of NELFUND, calling it a significant advancement in educational support. Plans include expanding NELFUND to 16 additional state-owned tertiary institutions, increasing the total to 86. Institutions yet to submit complete student data are urged to do so to ensure their students can access the program.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
August 06, 2024 22:31 UTC
Stock broking app Punch raises $7 Mn in seed round
Stock broking platform Punch has raised $7 million in a new round from Stellaris Venture Partners, Susquehanna Asia VC, Prime Venture Partners, Innoven Capital, and angels including Kunal Shah (Cred), Vatsal Singhal (Ultrahuman), and Nitish Mittersain (Nazara). The proceeds will be used in research and development (R&D) initiatives aimed at enhancing user experience and covering marketing expenses. Punch’s built-in safety tools help traders adhere to daily and weekly trading limits and mitigate the risk of significant losses. Since 2022, the team has been building and testing Punch, taking a fresh perspective on safety in trading. It allows users to open a demat and trading account directly through the app.
Source:Punch
August 06, 2024 22:12 UTC
Oshinaga challenges entrepreneurs amid global downturn
Segun Oshinaga, President and CEO of Inspirational Global Network, has urged entrepreneurs to maximise their potential despite the global economic downturn. He delivered this message during a two-day workshop for MBA students at the University of Port Harcourt Business School in Rivers State. “Every value starts from the place of an idea,” Oshinaga said. He also advised budding entrepreneurs to identify how they can use their gifts to create value for others in the marketplace. Oshinaga’s insightful session left the MBA students of the University of Port Harcourt Business School inspired to embrace their entrepreneurial journeys with renewed vigour and adaptability.
Source:The Guardian
August 06, 2024 19:07 UTC
Meta apologises for removing Malaysian PM’s posts on Hamas leader
Tech giant Meta apologised Tuesday for removing social media posts by Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, about the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The apology came a day after Anwar’s office summoned Meta representatives to seek an explanation on why the leader’s Facebook and Instagram posts about Haniyeh’s death had been removed. Anwar’s posts included a video showing the premier on a phone call with a Hamas official, offering his condolences. Anwar last week accused the tech giant of “cowardice” for removing his posts. Anwar stressed during a visit to Germany in March that Malaysia’s links were with Hamas’ political wing and not with its military arm.
Source:Punch
August 06, 2024 14:03 UTC
Bangladesh: five things to know
Five things to know:– Political instability –Bangladesh won its independence from Pakistan in 1971 after a brutal conflict that killed an estimated three million people, only to suffer a devastating famine three years later. Bangladesh, home to 170 million people, has seen numerous coups, counter-coups and periods of military rule in the decades since. READ ALSO: Students want ‘Banker to the Poor’, Muhammad Yunus, as Bangladesh new leaderBut the mangroves are under threat. India and Bangladesh jointly opened a coal-fired power plant in 2022 just 14 kilometres (nine miles) from the edge of the Sundarbans despite a backlash from environmental campaigners. Bangladesh has recorded average annual growth of more than six percent since 2009 and overtook India in per capita income terms in 2021.
Source:The Guardian
August 06, 2024 14:00 UTC
The Gaza paracyclist: I was a footballer before losing my leg
Composite: Guardian Design; Supplied imageHazem Suleiman, 26, is a member of and the photographer for the Gaza Sunbirds, a team of paracyclists from Gaza. View image in fullscreen The Gaza Sunbirds in October 2023. I used to do bodybuilding at the gym, but I was an athlete even before joining the Gaza Sunbirds. I was even a footballer in the Palestinian national team before losing my leg. We were ordered to evacuate eastern Khan Younis yesterday, so I’m in the western part of the city.
Source:The Guardian
August 06, 2024 04:08 UTC
Security Forces urge protesters to embrace Tinubu’s olive branch, end protests
As the nationwide protests against economic hardship persist in various parts of the country, security forces have called on protesters and organisers to embrace President Bola Tinubu’s olive branch extended in his recent broadcast and to end their protests immediately to allow for dialogue. The protesters and the organisers have to end the violent protests to allow for peaceful dialogue. Those behind the protests and the protesters should end them and embrace dialogue. Despite these challenges, our security agencies made concerted and frantic efforts to restore calm to the affected areas, successfully re-establishing order. Furthermore, they intercepted 3,650,080 litres of stolen crude oil, 625,518 litres of illegally refined AGO, 450 litres of DPK, and 1,230 litres of PMS, among other items, demonstrating their relentless commitment to upholding national security.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
August 05, 2024 19:12 UTC
Military takeover: Bangladesh PM Hasina resigns, flees country
Bangladesh’s army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said in a broadcast to the nation on state television on Monday Hasina had resigned and the military would form an interim government. Hasina, 76, fled the country by helicopter, a source close to the leader told AFP shortly after protesters had stormed her palace in Dhaka. Hasina’s son had urged security forces to block any takeover before the protesters stormed the palace compound. The military declared an emergency in January 2007 after widespread political unrest and installed a military-backed caretaker government for two years. Hasina then ruled Bangladesh from 2009 and won her fourth consecutive election in January after a vote without genuine opposition.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
August 05, 2024 18:34 UTC
Imane Khelif’s Punch and the Culture Wars
In an Olympic boxing ring in Paris, a well-placed punch has echoed across the world. In 46 seconds, Algerian boxing champion Imane Khelif succeeded in uniting a country often marked by divides and contrasts, where governmental policies, election campaigns and world events previously failed. Khelif has talked about the challenges growing up in rural Tiaret in interviews with various media outlets: “It was very difficult. Sahraoui admits to having mixed feelings about the response to the controversy in Algeria, especially since Khelif’s appearance was openly scorned in the country in the past. Sahraoui said she hoped that when it comes to rights and individual freedoms for all in Algeria, Khelif and her performance will be a step in the right direction.
Source:Punch
August 05, 2024 17:51 UTC
At least 300 dead in Bangladesh anti-government protest— police, doctors
The overall death toll from clashes in Bangladesh has risen to at least 300 people, after 94 died Sunday in the deadliest day in weeks of anti-government demonstrations, according to an AFP tally. “The shocking violence in Bangladesh must stop,” United Nations rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement. “Let’s be clear: The walls are closing in on Hasina: She’s rapidly losing support and legitimacy,” Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Washington-based Wilson Center, told AFP. Hasina has ruled Bangladesh since 2009 and won her fourth consecutive election in January after a vote without genuine opposition. Demonstrations began over the reintroduction of a quota scheme that reserved more than half of all government jobs for certain groups.
Source:The Guardian
August 05, 2024 16:50 UTC
Hungry and angry
Nigerians are hungry, and Nigerians are angry. Why are we hungry in a country that is so immensely blessed? With meagre resources at their disposal, with the naira constantly depreciating in value, Nigerians seek answers. And while they search for answers, those who are supposed to give answers are unavailable, unapproachable, untouchable and unaccountable. We need dialogue between government and the citizen.
Source:The Guardian
August 05, 2024 15:49 UTC
DSS arrests #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest leader in Abuja
Lenin was picked up by the DSS around 2 a.m. on Monday at his residence in the Apo area of the FCT. Speaking with newsmen, the Director of Mobilisation, Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, said Lenin’s house was raided by the DSS. READ ALSO: Real estate operators groan over spike in electricity costHe alleged that the DSS also assaulted him during his arrest. At the briefing, he said the President’s broadcast demonstrated that he is out of touch with reality in the country. “The violence and repressions are just attempts to silence and control us, and the propaganda cannot sway or fool us.”
Source:The Guardian
August 05, 2024 15:01 UTC
‘You will regret this’, UK Prime Minister warns far-right protesters
UK leader Keir Starmer has warned far-right protesters that they will “regret” participating in the country’s worst rioting in 13 years. The unrest, linked to the murder of three children earlier this week, has spread across England, with anti-immigration demonstrators clashing with police and causing destruction. In a TV address, Starmer condemned the “far-right thuggery” and promised to bring perpetrators to justice. “People are fed up with being told you should be ashamed if you’re white and working class but I’m proud white working class,” 41-year-old Karina, who did not give her surname, told AFP in Nottingham on Saturday. At last month’s election, the Reform UK party led by Brexit cheerleader Nigel Farage captured 14 percent of the vote — one of the largest vote shares for a far-right British party.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
August 05, 2024 12:34 UTC