The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has urged carers and mothers to take extra precautions to protect the elderly and children during the rainy season. Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, FCT Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, made the call on Thursday, emphasising the need to safeguard the health and safety of vulnerable groups. “She recommended measures such as providing protective clothing, maintaining a clean environment, and seeking professional medical care in case of illness. “The FCTA also highlighted the importance of preventing mosquito breeding, using insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and boiling drinking water before use. Proper food handling and storage were also emphasised to prevent contamination.”“Dr Fasawe noted that the government has implemented measures to protect vulnerable groups, including a free insurance scheme, advocacy campaigns, and continuous sensitization on immunisation and vaccination.

Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has removed 63,000 accounts associated with the notorious “Yahoo Boys” scam group, the company announced in its Q1 2024 Adversarial Threat Report on Wednesday. The accounts, deleted over the past few weeks, were used for financial sextortion scams and distributing blackmail scripts. Meta reported that a smaller network of 2,500 accounts, linked to around 20 individuals, primarily targeted adult men in the United States using fake identities. Meta said it identified and disabled those accounts through a combination of advanced technical signals and comprehensive investigations, enhancing its automated detection systems. Further, the parent company of Facebook said it removed around 7,200 assets in Nigeria, including 1,300 Facebook accounts, 200 pages, and 5,700 groups that were providing scam-related resources.

Shareholders have criticised the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, for a deliberate attempt at demarketing Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals. The Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN) in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mrs. Bisi Bakare, expressed dismay over recent allegations from the petroleum regulatory agency regarding the quality of diesel produced by Dangote Petroleum Refinery. NMDPRA boss Ahmed has faced backlash for suggesting that the diesel produced by the $20 billion Dangote refinery is of inferior quality compared to imports into the country. Bakare commended Africa’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, for his visionary approach to establishing one of the world’s foremost refineries in Nigeria. The shareholders group strongly condemned what they termed as “unwarranted efforts to demarket the refinery” by regulatory bodies.

Sa’adu Zungur University, Gadau, formerly known as Bauchi State University, has given notice for online screening to all prospective candidates for the 2024/2025 Admission, especially all those who chose the University as their first choice. According to a statement from the University signed by the Registrar, A. G. Hassan, PhD, the online screening for 2024/2025 admission commences on Thursday 25th July, 2024. To this end, all prospective candidatesinto various programmes of the University who scored 140 points and above in the 2024 JAMB/UTME should visit the University’s website at www.basug.edu.ng for thescreening procedure. The Registrar stressed that to be eligible for the screening/admission, a candidate must have obtained a minimum admissible score of 140 points in the 2024 UTME, obtained a minimum of Five relevant O’ level Credits (including English andMathematics) at not more than two (2) sittings. He added that eligible candidates are to create accounts and pay the sum of N2,000;00 only for the screening exercise through the online screening portal on https://basug screened admission cloud.

However from that proposition, emerges the philosophical and practical question as to whether artificial intelligence can ever be sharper than the intelligent humans who provide the intelligent feedstock, upon which artificial intelligence is anchored. In short, artificial intelligence aspires to create and deploy machines which can analyse, predict, reason and adapt just like people or even seek to outperform human intelligence. As with all human inventions, artificial intelligence (AI) can be deployed for virtuous or vicious outcomes.Some far-reaching virtuous examples illustrate the point. Data security concerns pertaining to AI cybersecurity are real given slapdash policies on data collection and surveillance in some jurisdictions. At the end of the day, artificial intelligence tool is not a horsewhip which should be innovatively leveraged, vis-à-vis robust cybersecurity, for the benefit of humanity.

The Federal Government has resumed mass trial of persons allegedly involved in terrorism and suspects of other heinous crimes against the Nigerian State in pursuance of its commitment promoting social justice by entrenching transparent administrative system. This was contained in a statement made available to news men in Abuja on Wednesday by Mr Abu Michael, Head Stratcomm, National Counter Terrorism Centre -Office of National Security Adviser. “More than 300 suspects are on trial with 5 reputable judges manning the 5 courts and Chambers set up for speedy administration of justice on the ongoing trial in terrorism and other related cases in the country. It further explained that between 2017 and 2018, the trials so far resulted in 163 convictions, 882 discharges and 5 accquitals while suspects that were unculpable were being deradicalised, engaged in profitable ventures, and efforts to reintegrate them are being sustained. It stated that the NCTC-ONSA is working assiduously with relevant authorities in fulfilling its mandates and to boosting the efforts of the incumbent administration towards realising good governance and a just society.

A passenger plane crashed on takeoff in Kathmandu on Wednesday, with the pilot rescued from the flaming wreckage but all 18 others aboard killed, police in the Nepali capital told AFP. Nepal has a woeful track record on aviation safety and the Himalayan republic has seen a spate of deadly light plane and helicopter crashes over the decades. The Saurya Airlines flight was carrying two crew and 17 of the company’s staff members, Nepali police spokesman Dan Bahadur Karki told AFP. The plane crashed at around 11:15 am (0530 GMT), the military said in a statement, adding that the army’s quick response team had been lending assistance with rescue efforts. That accident was Nepal’s deadliest since 1992, when all 167 people aboard a Pakistan International Airlines plane died when it crashed on approach to Kathmandu airport.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria is not just catching up with the rest of the world, but also poised to overtaking them in terms of economy and technology. The Vice President called on Nigerian youths to embrace the initiative, which he said, is important for the nation’s economic future. He commended the partnership with Gluwa, stating that it aligns with President Tinubu’s agenda to revolutionise the nation’s digital technology sphere. Earlier, Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, noted the importance of the initiative, describing it as a rare opportunity at the doorstep of the youths. Explaining that Jigawa has a history with ICT education, the governor said the new initiative aligns with both the Federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Jigawa’s 12-point Agenda.

Indian police shot dead two protesters and arrested more than 130 others during street rallies sparked by a ruling party official’s remarks about the Prophet Mohammed, authorities told AFP Saturday. In India and neighbouring countries, Muslims took to the streets in huge numbers after Friday prayers to condemn the remarks, with police firing on a crowd in the eastern Indian city of Ranchi. “Police were forced to open fire to disperse protesters… resulting in the death of two,” a police officer in Ranchi told AFP. Cities around India saw sizable demonstrations on Friday, with some crowds burning effigies of Nupur Sharma — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokeswoman whose comments set off the furore. [ad]Diplomatic stormSharma’s remarks have embroiled India in a diplomatic storm, with the governments of nearly 20 countries calling in Indian envoys for an explanation.

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday appealed to Nigerian youths to shelve their plans to carry out protests. Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed this while addressing State House correspondents after a meeting with the President. According to Idris, the President does not see any need for protest, he has listened to them, and asked them to await government’s response to all their pleas. “Mr President has asked me to again inform Nigerians that he listens to them, especially the young people that are trying to protest. You can see how the President is working, it was transmitted only yesterday and today it has been passed.

• Warns Host Communities Not To PanicThe Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), yesterday, urged members of its immediate host communities not to panic, as the Academy would conduct a yearly range classification for Nigerian Army personnel and introductory shooting exercise for cadets of 73 regular course holding between November 20-30 this year. Academy Public Relations Officer, Major Mohammed Maidawa said, in a statement, that inhabitants of Mando, Tsamiya, Kauya, and Afaka general area should steer clear of the NDA open range at Afaka. The statement read: “NDA wishes to inform the public especially inhabitants of Mando, Tsamiya, Kauya, and Afaka general area that it will be conducting its Annual Range Classification for Nigerian Army (NA) personnel of NDA and Introductory Shooting Exercise for Cadets of 73 Regular Course scheduled to hold between November 20-30, 2023 at NDA Open Range Afaka. “The NDA assures the public that all necessary safety measures has been put in place for the successful conduct of the exercises. “However, we advise members of the public and neighboring communities to avoid trespassing in the general area throughout the exercise”.

Two border guards and a suspected rebel were killed on Monday in a gunbattle in Indian-administered Kashmir, the Indian army said. [ad]“Two BSF (Border Security Force) soldiers were martyred and a terrorist was killed in the gunbattle,” army spokesman N.N. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the two won independence from British rule in 1947. Several rebel groups have for decades been fighting an estimated 500,000 Indian soldiers deployed in the restive territory, demanding either independence for the region or its merger with Pakistan. Tens of thousands have died in the fighting since 1989 when the armed rebellion against Indian rule over the Himalayan territory began.

Pyrogenesis, a Consortium of companies has expressed its readiness to partner Oyo state Government on rural electrification, jobs creation, and food production as well create employment through renewable energy. Its Chief Executive Officer, Simon Ighofose made this known at a press conference held at ATMAN Corporation headquarters in Ido, Oyo state. Ighofose disclosed that partnership with the state government would be of greater benefit not only to the farmers but the entire people in the state. He added the Consortium specializes in converting farmland waste to power generation aside oil and gas. We have let them realise that their farmland waste can be converted into use as source of energy.

The death toll from a landslide in southern Ethiopia has risen to at least 146, a local official said Tuesday, warning that the number could rise. The landslide occurred around 10:00 am (0700 GMT) on Monday following heavy rains in a mountainous area of South Ethiopia regional state. “The number of dead from the sudden landslide that happened in Geze-Gofa district of Gofa zone has passed 146,” a statement from the Gofa zone Communications Affairs Department said, quoting local official Habtamu Fetena. Related News Ethiopia landslide kills at least 55The photographs showed people using their bare hands to dig through the dirt in search of survivors. The South Ethiopia regional state has been battered by the short seasonal rains between April and early May that have caused flooding and mass displacement, according to the UN’s humanitarian response agency OCHA.

At least 50 people have been killed in landslides in southern Ethiopia, according to local officials. The local authority said the search for survivors was “continuing vigorously” but that the “death toll could yet increase”. “There was a heavy rain yesterday [Sunday] night and some people died from a landslide,” government spokesperson for the Gofa district in the South Ethiopia regional state, Kassahun Abayneh, said. SNNPR is among the areas of the country that have been hit by particularly heavy rain and flooding in recent months, according to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha). In May 2016, at least 50 people were killed in floods and landslides following heavy rain across the south of the country.