Ballot boxes vandalised as Russian presidential election begins
The first day of voting in Russia’s presidential election was marred by acts of vandalism at polling stations Friday, with at least nine arrests for pouring dye into ballot boxes and arson attacks. Despite authorities warning that election-day protesters faced heavy punishment, at least nine were arrested for acts of vandalism at polling stations. Close to the border with Ukraine, a wave of Ukrainian drone and artillery strikes killed two people in the Belgorod region. On the eve of the vote, Putin urged Russians to back him in the face of a “difficult period” for the country. It was unclear whether the spate of polling station incidents was a coordinated protest against the ballot or an isolated incident.
Source:Punch
March 16, 2024 02:00 UTC
NITDA opens application for tech startups to win $220,000
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has officially opened the application for tech startups to win as much as $220,000. NITDA while declaring the application open in a post on its X handle on Friday gave Saturday, 23rd March, 2024 as the deadline for registration. If the answer is yes, submit your application to NPI 2.0,” said NITDA. “Here is an opportunity to win up to $220,000 and an all expense paid training programme in Silicon Valley, United States (USA). NITDA added that the goals of NPI are to recognise and reward Nigerian innovators and start-up founders in the tech ecosystem and also act as an early-stage investment catalyst for innovators.
Source:The Guardian
March 15, 2024 23:51 UTC
Embrace traditional medicine like Chinese, Indians, Onaiyekan tells Nigerians
The Catholic Bishop Emeritus of Abuja Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has urged Nigerians to learn from countries like China and India regarding the development of natural medicine. According to him, natural medicine remains a viable alternative for many people who are unable to afford orthodox medicine. Onaiyekan said Nigeria was endowed with natural medicine, urging the Federal Government to acknowledge and develop it through the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency to enable Nigerians to have access to affordable care. It is based on the noble conviction that our nation is endowed with natural medicine which we need to acknowledge and develop. “Secondly, all along, natural medicine remained a viable alternative for many people, often unable to access expensive modern medicine.
Source:Punch
March 15, 2024 21:06 UTC
Ramadan: The holy month of fasting
One of the five pillars of Islam is the observance of full month fasting in the ninth lunar month of Ramadan annually by all Muslim faithful. The Holy Prophet Muhammad says, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained…. During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from dawn to sunset” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim). The month of Ramadan has come to remind us about the revelation of the seal of all Holy Books, Holy Qur’an, that cannot be editioned, reviewed, or revised till eternity. The 313 of them are Messengers, while the stories of twenty-five Prophets are told in the Holy Qur’an, 104 of the Prophets were given Holy Books; and five of them are considered as unique.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
March 15, 2024 17:59 UTC
Digital innovation in wealth management
In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, the wealth management industry is undergoing a profound transformation. Traditional wealth managers are leveraging trends in private equity, digital wealth (WealthTech), and crypto to compete effectively. Digitalised wealth management ecosystems extend the reach of wealth managers globally, enhancing operational efficiency and elevating the client experience. In conclusion, the global asset and wealth management industry has demonstrated resilience in adapting to changing conditions and evolving investor demands. The digital revolution presents an opportunity for wealth management firms to redefine their roles and thrive in a changing financial landscape in Nigeria.
Source:Punch
March 15, 2024 15:19 UTC
Tata Punch Facelift Spied Testing? Expected Launch, Features, And Powertrains
The safety kit of the Tata Punch facelift will be further enhanced by six airbags, electronic stability control, and a 360-degree camera with blind spot monitoring. Also Check Out: Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus S Long Range vs Mahindra XUV400 EC Pro: Which EV To Buy? No Powertrain Changes ExpectedThe Tata Punch facelift will likely continue using the same 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol engine (88 PS and 115 Nm) offered with the existing Punch. However, Tata could provide the Punch CNG facelift with the option of a 5-speed AMT transmission, as recently introduced with the Tata Tiago CNG and Tata Tigor CNG. Expected Price & RivalsThe Tata Punch facelift is expected to be priced from Rs 6 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards.
Source:Punch
March 15, 2024 15:02 UTC
Cricket’s golden girl Etim retires after Ghana heroics
Etim started playing cricket as a student in 2004 and earned her first Female Yellow Greens call up in 2011 while her first T20i game for Nigeria was in January 26, 2019 against Rwanda in Abuja. The 31-year-old announced her retirement after Nigeria stunned Uganda by five wickets to win the third-place match. She was given a guard of honour by her teammates and officials of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, including the president Uyi Akpata, after the game. In December 2023, she reached a record 50 caps for the Female Yellow Greens against Namibia during the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers in Uganda. In her five-year spell playing T20i games for Nigeria, the team won the maiden Nigeria Cricket Federation Women’s T20i invitational tournament in 2019 before she led them to their second title in 2023.
Source:Punch
March 15, 2024 13:10 UTC
The economy was just hit with a one-two punch of bad data
But this week, a one-two punch of bad economic data has some experts waiting for another uppercut. At the same time, producer price inflation, which tends to lead consumer price inflation, also came in above Wall Street’s expectations for the second straight month on Thursday. The Jab: Rising Producer PricesThe quick jab that hit the economy first on Thursday was an elevated producer price inflation reading. After sticking at or below 1.1% since October, including just 1% in January, February’s PPI inflation data is a step in the wrong direction. That marks the fourth consecutive month previous producer inflation data was revised lower.
Source:Punch
March 15, 2024 12:32 UTC
St. John’s earns huge win over Seton Hall in Big East quarterfinals to likely punch March Madness ticket
3 St. John’s Red Storm guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) and St. John’s Red Storm guard Simeon Wilcher (7) react after Luis Jr. scored a basket as time expired ending the first half on March 14, 2024. And now, after this commanding 91-72 win over fourth-seeded Seton Hall, it is headed back to Friday night’s semifinals for the first time since 2000. Nahiem Alleyne added 14 points off the bench and Jenkins had 11 points and four assists in 22 foul-plagued minutes. 3 Seton Hall Pirates guard Dylan Addae-Wusu (0) driving to the basket in the first half against St. John’s on March 14, 2024. St. John’s (20-12) controlled the first 20 minutes, but only led by five, the result of Seton Hall hitting seven 3-pointers.
Source:Punch
March 15, 2024 10:23 UTC
Tata Punch facelift Launch Date, Expected Price Rs. 6.00 Lakh, Images & More Updates
The Tata Punch facelift prices are expected to range between Rs. When will the Tata Punch facelift be launched? The Tata Punch facelift is expected to be launched in late 2024. Also on offer will be a factory-fitted twin-cylinder CNG kit optionIs the Tata Punch facelift a safe car? The Tata Punch facelift will compete against the Hyundai Exter, Maruti Fronx, Maruti Ignis, and the Citroen C3 in the segment.
Source:Punch
March 15, 2024 02:55 UTC
Tata Punch facelift in the works; spied testing in India
The Indian automaker plans to launch the Curvv, Harrier and Safari EV, and also the facelift version of the Punch ICE. As seen in the image, the updated Punch will get a completely revised front fascia with sharper details similar to the recent SUV launches of the automaker. Then, the radiator grille and the bumper will be tweaked to give the Punch a more aggressive and updated stance. At the rear, the Punch facelift will get a redesigned bumper with new detailing, rear wiper with washer, rear spoiler, and tweaked LED tail lamps. Upon arrival, the Tata Punch facelift will compete against the Hyundai Exter, Maruti Fronx, Maruti Ignis, and the C3 hatchback which is expected to receive a facelift soon.
Source:Punch
March 15, 2024 01:00 UTC
Consumer behaviour amidst rising inflation and economic pressures
Consequently, this results in a significant rise in the expenses associated with production and manufacturing in the country, and we have noticed the ongoing constraints on consumer spending and business continuity amidst the rising inflation. Because inflation is still rising and new price level and high cost of producing goods and services have continued to be the trend. But the real inflation rate in the country occasioned by the food inflation could be well above that. The marketplace for business transactions will be extended beyond traditional boundaries with the adoption of technology through e-commerce. By adopting e-commerce, businesses benefit from increased revenues and sales, improved market reach, access to new markets globally and cost savings on marketing and communication expenditures.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
March 15, 2024 00:18 UTC
10 Affordable European countries to study in 2024
We understand, but you shouldn’t overwhelm yourself with worries; there are countries that offer quality education with affordable tuition fees for international students. FinlandFinland is no exception as one of the most affordable European countries with remarkable universities to study. In the aspect of personal development and access to quality teaching, the nation has been at the top of one of the most affordable countries to study abroad. NetherlandsThe Netherlands is a country located in northwestern Europe and one of the most affordable European countries to study. Despite being one of the affordable European countries to study, the quest to ensure that all students experience quality education, and have jobs and cultural experience never wane.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
March 14, 2024 21:30 UTC
From kid gloves to sucker punch: What recent RBI crackdowns on JM Financial, IIFL and Paytm Payments Bank show
When transgressions are systemic than transactional, it’s not a few transactions that need correction rather a procedure itself. “The remedial actions by the entity will also be more robust as all stakeholders will take it more seriously. Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) went belly up in 2018 as the biggest bankruptcy in Indian history. Yes Bank had to be rescued by cobbling up an alliance of banks that invested thousands of crores in equity. To ensure a unified and systemic approach, a unified Department of Supervision was created, bringing all banks, NBFCs and co-operative banks under one umbrella.
Source:Punch
March 14, 2024 19:09 UTC
Christian Mathew reveals method for analysing multilayered composites
In a groundbreaking development for the analysis of deforestation of multilayered composites subjected to sinusoidal loading conditions, Christian Mathew, a student at Virginia Tech, has introduced an innovative method to forecast the behaviour of multilayered composite plates under diverse conditions. His research, with profound implications for industries reliant on laminated composites, promises to revolutionise the design and analysis of composite materials. Composite materials, which amalgamate multiple engineering materials on a macroscopic level, are esteemed for their superior properties. This novel numerical technique, applied to multilayered composite plates, offers a more accurate prediction of their static behaviour, especially under diverse boundary conditions. Multilayered composite structures present challenges due to their inherent anisotropy, heterogeneity, and low ratio of transverse shear modulus to the in-plane Young’s modulus.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
March 14, 2024 18:30 UTC