UN peacekeepers withdraw operation from Mali
The UN peacekeeping operation in Mali is poised to complete its drawdown, following a decade of multifaceted efforts to support the country. Established by UN Security Council resolution 2100, the mission included more than 15,000 troops and personnel who served in cities and towns around the country. In its decade of operations, MINUSMA aided Mali in tackling multiple challenges. Mali’s foreign affairs minister requested the withdrawal of MINUSMA in a related UN Security Council meeting on June 16. “UN funds, agencies and programmes were in Mali well before the deployment of MINUSMA and will stay in Mali well after the withdrawal,” he said.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
January 01, 2024 08:17 UTC
Milk Punch Is The Brandy Cocktail That Dates Back To The 1700s
Brandy milk punch on cloth - Brent Hofacker/ShutterstockChances are you haven't been scouring the internet for hours in an attempt to find a great curdled milk cocktail recipe. Many bartenders find the technique a bit intimidating (because come on, curdled milk), but all you need to master a clarified milk punch cocktail is your ingredients and a simple cheesecloth. In a nutshell, milk punch is a milk-based bourbon or brandy cocktail. There are two types of milk punch: un-clarified milk punch, which is common in the United States South and does not involve any straining, or clarified (milk-washed) milk punch — also known as the English-style version. To begin the clarified milk punch method, the main ingredients you will need are milk, a type of spirit, and acid.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2024 06:13 UTC
Tinubu to make New Year broadcast Monday
President Bola Tinubu will on Monday, January 1, 2024, deliver a New Year’s Day broadcast to the nation. A statement signed Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, reveals that Tinubu will be live at 7 am on the network service of the Nigeria Television Authority. “Television, radio stations, and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigeria Television Authority and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria for the broadcast,” the statement read. The PUNCH reports that the President delivered his first broadcast on democracy day, June 12. Tinubu also delivered a nationwide broadcast on October 1, 2023, to mark the 63rd Independence Day.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2024 05:02 UTC
Knockout punch?
FEARS that next month’s general elections will be reduced to an undemocratic farce have gained traction with the seemingly wholesale rejection of PTI candidates at the scrutiny stage. This shows a vindictiveness and partiality unbecoming of a neutral poll watchdog tasked with organising free and transparent elections. Cancelling a mainstream party through arrests and intimidation, and now technicalities at the pre-poll stage, flies in the face of democracy. Similarly, the PTI enjoys a significant vote bank, and it must be left to the people’s court to judge its performance. The tribunals should make decisions on merit; any coordinated effort to keep PTI and other candidates out will reek of bias.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2024 01:50 UTC
House rep spokesman commends speaker Abbas over 2024 budget passage
The deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has lauded Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House, respectively, for keeping faith with the promise of passing the 2024 budget before the end of 2023. This is just as Agbese also singled out the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi, and the entire members of the 10th Assembly for their sacrifice and commitment to the task of nation-building. Recall that the lawmakers had during a special plenary session on Saturday, passed the N28.7 trn budget for 2024, which was N1.27 trn more than the N27.5 trn proposed by President Bola Tinubu. Reacting to these developments on Sunday, Agbese saluted his colleagues for going the entire distance to pass the budget as promised. This is the first time the capital component of the nation’s budget is bigger than recurrent,” he added.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2024 01:02 UTC
I was kidnapped, father who accused LAUTECH of baby swap alleges
The 34-year-old had accused LAUTECH Teaching Hospital of allegedly swapping his child at birth in November 2018. He added that he got in touch with the hospital where the test was re-conducted and the result returned the same. “They told me that innocent people would be affected if I continued to take any step in unravelling what was behind my daughter’s case at the LAUTECH teaching hospital. My parents also took care of me and that was how I survived. When contacted in August, the spokesperson for the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Omotayo Ogunleye, said investigations were ongoing to unravel the mystery behind the Adediji case.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2024 00:44 UTC
New Year’s Eve celebrations roll across the world
Organisers worldwide have readied for large-scale celebrations despite the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Fireworks exploded up and down the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, as clocks struck midnight in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In Muslim-majority Pakistan, the government has banned all New Year’s Eve celebrations as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians. During last year’s New Year’s Eve party, a machete-wielding man attacked three police officers a few blocks from Times Square. New Year’s Eve celebrations in the French capital will centre on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, including DJ sets, fireworks and video projections on the Arc de Triomphe.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2023 20:00 UTC
Military, police intensify patrol in troubled Plateau communities
Soldiers and other security agents, including the police, on Sunday intensified patrol in troubled communities of Plateau state. The PUNCH reports that terrorists attacked 25 communities in Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin Local Government Areas and killed over 150 persons on Christmas Eve. Some of the displaced persons who spoke with our Correspondent on Sunday lamented the tragedy that had befallen them. However, the Spokesman for Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, said the security patrol and surveillance in Plateau communities will continue until permanent peace is restored. The patrol will continue until permanent peace returns to Plateau.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2023 18:22 UTC
New year: China, New Zealand, Australia, others celebrate 2024 with fireworks
As major countries of the world await with eagerness to celebrate 2024, a few nations have already begun their celebrations. China, New Zealand, Australia and Kiribati were one of the first nations to ring in 2024 as ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza cast a pall over celebrations and heightened tensions across parts of the world. Residents of Auckland welcomed in the new year with a fireworks display over Sky Tower, New Zealand’s tallest structure. Jubilant crowds began bidding farewell to the hottest year on record Sunday, closing a turbulent 12 months marked by clever chatbots, climate crises and wrenching wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Sydney’s spectacular show lit the fuse on 2024, a year that will bring elections concerning half the world’s population and a summer Olympiad celebrated in Paris.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 31, 2023 18:21 UTC
A reflection on purpose (I)
That why, or purpose, is defined in almost all dictionaries as the “…reason for existence.” When we apply the powerful concept of purpose to our lives and organizations, they transform. Not discovering and living in and by purpose will result in:1) Living haphazardly without a definite direction for your life. If you are not willing to make the sacrifice, then keep searching.” – Quintina RagnacciTO BE CONTINUEDFOR ENQUIRIES AND COMMENTS PLEASE SEND EMAIL TO [email protected]A REFLECTION ON PURPOSE Part 2Last time we began looking at purpose. “Living with purpose also helps you define and set a system of core values that will guide you throughout the coming years. You did not qualify to be given a purpose because your purpose pre-dates you so there is nothing to boast about or feel inferior about.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 31, 2023 17:15 UTC
Gas Explosion Rocks National Arts Theatre in Lagos: Fire Contained
A gas explosion has occurred at the National Arts Theatre in the Igamu area of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria. The fire resulting from the explosion has been successfully contained, with reports indicating that gas cylinders within the National Arts Theatre complex were the cause. The incident took place around 10 pm on Saturday, prompting the deployment of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service personnel, led by Director Magaret Adeseye, who confirmed that a burst gas cylinder was responsible but assured that the situation is now under control. Fortunately, there are no reported casualties at the time of this update. However, the occurrence may impact any scheduled New Year’s Eve events at the venue.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2023 16:39 UTC
Amotekun’s many battles with herdsmen, bandits
The Ondo State Farmers Association also said over 30 farmers have been killed by herdsmen. A day with AmotekunFor several months, this reporter sought approval from the leadership of Ondo Amotekun to go with them on one of their operations to no avail. Quickly, the Amotekun men moved in that direction and ran towards where the voices came from but didn’t find anyone. Despite the constant change in tactics, it didn’t look like the security outfit was any close to arresting any herdsmen. That road is now lonely, Amotekun men have practically been overpowered in that place because it’s like the epicenter of herdsmen.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2023 16:21 UTC
Nadal to play former US Open champion Thiem in comeback match
Rafael Nadal speaks during a press conference at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on December 31, 2023. Photo: AFPRafael Nadal will face former US Open champion Dominic Thiem in the first round of the Brisbane International in a tough return to the ATP Tour after almost a year off due to injury. Thiem, a former world number three who was beaten by Nadal in the 2018 and 2019 French Open finals, battled through two tough qualifying rounds to make the main draw. The two men have played 15 times, with Nadal winning nine and Thiem six. However, the Austrian has won their past two encounters at the ATP Tour Finals in 2020 and the Australian Open the same year.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2023 13:39 UTC
Red alert in Antarctica: the year rapid, dramatic change hit climate scientists like a ‘punch in the guts’
“There’s no sea ice at all,” she says. The usually stable sea ice that colonies rely on to rear their young in the Bellingshausen Sea just wasn’t there, likely causing a “catastrophic breeding failure”. A study by Australian researchers in September found hemispheric wind patterns this year and last would usually have been associated with above-average sea ice cover. Sea ice on the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula and a map from the University of Colorado National Snow and Ice Data Centre showing the extent of sea ice on 24 September 2023. Reducing fossil fuels may not save the west Antarctic ice sheet, but other climate impacts can be avoided through decisive action.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2023 13:27 UTC
Bandits Attack Plateau Community Again, Kill Father, Son
“Two lives lost in a recent assault on Durbi village, Shere district, Jos East local government area. This incident follows the tragic Christmas Eve attacks in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi, resulting in over 190 casualties. Transition Implementation Committee chairman Markus Nyam confirmed the attack, revealing that assailants killed a father and his son on Saturday night. Vigilantes engaged the attackers, leading to one assailant’s death, while the Joint Security Task Force Operation Safe Haven responded to prevent further harm. Ongoing efforts by state officials, including service chiefs, indicate a response to the escalating situation.”
Source:Punch
December 31, 2023 11:14 UTC