Fifteen people have died after an electricity transformer exploded on the banks of the Alaknanda River in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. The state’s chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has ordered an inquiry into the incident, with police saying at least 15 people have also been severely injured in the accident. According to reports, the transformer exploded and electrified a bridge that spans the river near Pipalkoti village in Chamoli. “We got a call from the village that a watchman had died of electrocution. When the police went to check they found that 21 people had been electrocuted and severely injured.

"I really don't know. Coming from the US and working with the federation, I found very quickly things happen at a very different pace than what you may be used to or what we may be used to in our culture," he said.

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has issued a marching order to the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) to fix all potholes on roads in the state. The governor asked residents of the state to look forward to the disappearance of potholes on their roads, in line with its earlier ‘zero potholes’ mandate. The people of Oyo State should expect to see most of the potholes disappear. The OYSROMA has promised me that Zero Pothole is possible in Oyo State. “You know, with the rain, we are having a lot of our roads developing potholes and also failing.

“The President covenanted with Nigerians that their welfare and security will be topmost in the Renewed Hope Agenda of his government. “Immediate release of fertilizers and grains to approximately 50 million farmers and households respectively in all the 36 states and the FCT. “President Bola Tinubu has always promised to prioritize the well-being of Nigerians, and he is irrevocably committed to the vow. This warranted the signing of four (4) Executive Orders cancelling some classes of taxes while suspending the implementation dates of others. “I wish to assure Nigerians that President Tinubu will continue to be a listening leader whose ears will not be dull to the views expressed by the citizenry.

Expressing deep concern over the incident, Ereyitomi condemned the burning of the vessel and highlighted the potential consequences on the fragile ecosystem of the Niger Delta region. ADVERTISEMENTAccording to Ereyitomi's statement during the motion, the MT TURA II vessel was carrying a staggering 150,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil at the time of its arrest. This revelation raised serious environmental alarm bells, as the burning of such vessels laden with stolen crude oil can exacerbate the already devastating impacts of oil exploration on the Niger Delta's well-endowed ecosystem. In addition to the investigative committee, the House urged the security agencies of the Federal Government to halt the practice of setting ablaze vessels laden with stolen crude oil. This move aims to curtail the potential negative impact on the delicate ecosystem of the Niger Delta and safeguard the wellbeing of its people.

Singapore passport has been ranked first and most powerful among 199 countries in the world, overtaking Japan which has remained in the first position for five years consecutively. This is according to the Henley Passport Index, which measures global travel freedom in terms of how much visa-free and visa-on-demand access to the world different citizens enjoy. As reported by CNN, Singapore citizens are able to visit 192 destinations visa-free out of 227 around the world, knocking down Japan to third place for summer, 2023. Citizens from that particular magnificent seven enjoy access to 189 destinations without needing a prior visa. The Henley Passport Index is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ranks 199 passports worldwide.

Poultry farms across the country are currently shutting down operations due to the persistent hike in the price of maize – a major feed for birds in the subsector, the Poultry Association of Nigeria said on Monday. He lamented that in the last two weeks, the price of New Hope feeds, a poultry feed, had increased thrice. The farmer, who operates Atade Farms, said, “Maize is like 60 per cent to 70 per cent of the whole feeds. The increase in the price of maize is one of the major factors. Maize is expensive because a few years ago, the importation of maize was limited.

Nigeria won a total of 13 medals at the just-concluded All Africa Para-Badminton Championship held at the MTN Arena, Lugogo stadium, Kampala, Uganda. Chigozie emerged winner in the men’s singles SL4 final after he defeated Uganda’s Hassan Muniru in two straight sets 21-14, 21-5. Also, Olanipekun and Akpan James won another gold for Nigeria in the men’s doubles SL3-SL4, beating Muniru and David Mukisa 21-9, 21-9. Chigozie and Bolaji also won gold in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5, with Okoro Chinyere also clinching gold in the women’s singles SL4+SU5 combine. In other results, Gift Ijeoma won silver in the women’s singles WH2, just as Ohaeri Emmanuel in the men’s singles WH2.

The National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, in Niger State has promised to develop a strategic plan in line with the National Agricultural Policy and Transformation. The acting Executive Director of the institute, Dr Emmanuel Abo, made the disclosure during an interface with the staff of the institute at Badeggi. He stated further that in order to achieve the mandate of the institute and a visionary strategic plan, a paradigm shift was required. This shift, according to him, would be encapsulated in the strategic plan where alternative funding will be sought for research and development activities. The staff of the institute, led by Muhammad Bashar and Phillip Ibrahim expressed optimism of a better NCRI under the new acting Executive Director of the institute.

PDP, LP knock APC over alleged plot to intimidate PEPCPhoto Credit: Guardian NigeriaRemoving Tinubu legally won’t lead to anarchy, Labour Party affirmsPeoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, said threat by lawyers of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), addressed in a letter to the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), is a pre-emptive move to intimidate the judiciary. Tinubu, Obi congratulate The Guardian at 40Photo Credit: The Guardian NigeriaPresident Bola Tinubu has sent his felicitations to the Publisher of The Guardian newspaper, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, on the occasion of the newspaper’s 40th anniversary. He said prior to subsidy removal, Nigeria consumed 65 million litres of petrol per day. “In January, it was 62 million litres; February, 62 million litres; March, 71.4 million litre; April, 67.7 million litres; May 66.6 million litre; June, 49. Farouk estimated July consumption at 46.3 million litres.

Town planners have been urged to resist being used by corrupt individuals,who are bent on bringing the profession into disrepute. Atebije urged members to make integrity their watchword, noting that there was a need for a critical reform of their images and perception as professionals before the members of the public. Individually and collectively he said town planners were faced with the problem of character, attitude, corruption, poor remuneration and other vices. Without town planners, it would have been worse,” he saidThe president appreciated the leadership of the FCT for giving them a location for the National Secretariat and urged members to seek partnership towards developing the site. Adebayo urged members to take advantage of the green area to accommodate the climate drive by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank.

Jump to another team All teams Argentina Australia Brazil Canada China Colombia Costa Rica Denmark England France Germany Haiti Italy Jamaica Japan Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Nigeria Norway Panama Philippines Portugal Republic of Ireland South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland USA Vietnam ZambiaCoach Jitka KlimkovaGroup Fifa rank Rank A 26New Zealand’s World Cup record so far reads 15 games played, won none, but a warm-up win over Vietnam has boosted morale. Read the team guide here. Star playerAli RileyStrengthsKey players such as CJ Bott and Ria Percival have timed their recovery perfectly; the tactical acumen of veteran defender Ali Riley and home advantage. WeaknessesAn inability to score goals that may require taking a chance on relative newcomers such as Gabi Rennie and Milly Clegg.

Mesfun Berhane from the Agriculture and Land Department at the Central Region reported that praiseworthy water and soil conservation is being carried out with a view to redressing the environment. Mesfun, the popular campaign for water and soil conservation is focused on the construction and renovation of agricultural terraces. Indicating that there was a plan to construct 3 thousand 370 meter cubes of stone water diversion schemes, Eng, Mesfun said that in the past six months, 3 thousand 774 meter cubes have been constructed, which was above the plan. In the Central Region, there are 133 big and small dams, and over 1 thousand 500 hectares of vegetable and fruit farming are being cultivated through irrigation. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

A Kano-bound aircraft was diverted on Sunday to land at Murtala Muhammed Airport. FAAN expresses regret for any inconvenience caused by the diversion of the two Kano-bound aircraft to Lagos, due to the unserviceability of the runway lights at Runway 06/24 of Kano airport. “However, it was observed that the entire runway circuit was affected, resulting in the failure of the Runway 06/24 edge light, the Taxiway Alpha edge light, PAPI, and signage. “FAAN regrets any inconvenience caused by the diversion of the two Kano-bound aircraft to Lagos, due to the unserviceability of the runway lights at Runway 06/24. “Night operations have since resumed, as new cables were installed on Sunday, 16th July 2023, restoring all runway lights before the commencement of night operations.”However, FAAN reaffirms its commitment to core values and the safety of the airports.

The High Commission of India in Nigeria has assured of its country’s preparedness to collaborate with the Nigerian energy sector in ensuring a smooth energy transition agenda. The High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Shri G. Balasubramanian, stated this while touring the Indian pavilion at the just-concluded NOG Energy Week Conference & Exhibition 2023. He mentioned that India is playing a significant role in renewable energy and promised to collaborate with Nigeria, emphasizing the immense opportunities for both countries to leverage on. Regarding the growth of the Indian economy, the High Commissioner affirmed that innovation, investment banking, and technology are key drivers. The NOG exhibition aimed to showcase Indian technology and innovation for mutual benefit, he concluded.