Microsoft Launches Fund to Improve Affordable Internet in Underserved Markets
MICROSOFT Corp. has launched a new fund to cultivate companies with solutions that bring affordable Internet access to underserved markets. The fund is part of Microsoft’s Affordable Access Initiative, which invests in new last-mile access technologies, cloud-based services and applications, and business models that can reduce the cost of Internet access and help more people affordably get online. “Today there are approximately 4 billion people globally without Internet access,” said Peggy Johnson, executive vice president of business development at Microsoft. Examples of other efforts underway include these:Microsoft’s deployment of TV white spaces technology, which requires that TV frequencies not being used locally to provide affordable, robust Internet access to entire communities. Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative, a multiyear initiative through which Microsoft is actively engaging in Africa’s economic development to improve its global competitiveness through locally relevant innovation, affordable access and skills development.
Source:The Guardian
June 19, 2024 07:01 UTC
Nvidia becomes world’s most valuable company on stock market
Nvidia edged ahead of other tech companies Tuesday to become the world’s most valuable publicly traded company in the latest sign of the might of artificial intelligence. “We believe over the next year the race to $4 trillion market cap in tech will be front and center between Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft,” said a note earlier this week from Wedbush Securities. The company’s GPUs are crucial in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, with its CUDA platform enabling parallel computing. Known for significant growth and innovation, Nvidia’s acquisitions, including Mellanox Technologies and the pending ARM Holdings deal, have bolstered its market reach and technological prowess. The company’s stock, traded under NVDA, reflects its robust position in the tech industry.
Source:Punch
June 19, 2024 00:43 UTC
Fatal blows: The devastating impact of one-punch attacks
Martin Lynn, 33, suffered fatal injuries when he was punched near his home at Larkhill Road in Dublin 9 on 30 July 2023. While it’s estimated there are hundreds of people who have survived one-punch attacks in this country, and dozens who have not, one punch attacks are often only confirmed if there are witnesses. "I have no doubt that there are dozens of one-punch attacks every year in the Republic that we're missing. She says most of the interest in the research into one-punch attacks has come from Ireland. Whether it happens in Australia or Ireland, one thing common to all one-punch attacks is the random outcome.
Source:Punch
June 19, 2024 00:10 UTC
FG declares Friday, Monday for Easter public holidays
The Federal government has declared Friday 29th March and Monday 1st April public holidays for the Easter celebration. Declaring the holidays on behalf of the federal government in Abuja, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, urged Christians and Nigerians as a whole, to emulate the love and sacrifice displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man. In a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Aishetu Gogo-Ndayako, the minister said Easter beyond religious significance, promotes values of love, forgiveness and compassion which are essential for social cohesion and Harmony. He tasks Christians to imbibe these virtues as they impact positively on the socioeconomic development and stability of Nigeria by “fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.”He encouraged all to always display acts of charity and to generally help “alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged among them.” This according to the minister, is in tandem with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu. Dr. Tunji-Ojo wishes “Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration.”He also called on Nigerians to join hands with the government in its quest to bring sustainable development and prosperity for all.
Source:The Guardian
June 18, 2024 19:05 UTC
Mohbad’s family lawyers question toxicology results, demand
The legal team representing the Aloba family has expressed dissatisfaction with the toxicology test results concerning the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad. PUNCH Metro exclusively reported that the US-based lab refuted the claim by the Lagos State Government that the toxicology test was conducted at its facility. The Aloba family and, indeed, the whole world demand to know where the toxicology test was carried out as this has impugned the integrity. “The Aloba Family remains steadfast in their pursuit of truth and justice for Ilerioluwa. Presently, we have an application before the Coroner Court seeking approval to conduct an independent autopsy and toxicology test.
Source:Punch
June 18, 2024 16:51 UTC
At least 13 die as heavy rains hit Central America
Thirteen people have died in flooding and landslides in El Salvador and Guatemala as heavy rains pound Central America, authorities from the two countries said. Dozens to hundreds die each year in Central America as the rainy season leaves extensive damage to countries’ infrastructure. Additionally, the death toll from a landslide in Ecuador rose from six to seven people, with 22 others injured, authorities said Monday. The landslide was triggered by heavy rains in the tourist Tungurahua province in southern Ecuador. ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNECitizens need change of mindset for Nigeria to make progress — Tinubu
Source:Nigerian Tribune
June 18, 2024 15:24 UTC
Rail tracks, electricity cables vandalism are acts of sabotage — Presidency
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the recent acts of rail track and electricity cable vandalism, labelling them as economic sabotage with severe impacts on the national value system. The delegation, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, included Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Honourable Benjamin Kalu, among others. “It is great pride for me to have the best of partners in the National Assembly. Acknowledging the country’s challenges, President Tinubu assured the nation of his determination to address them. After meeting with the National Assembly leaders, President Tinubu proceeded to meet with the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
June 18, 2024 13:23 UTC
137 federal institutions subscribed to student loan – NELFUND
No fewer than 137 institutions across the country have now collaborated with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, data from the NELFUND website on Monday revealed. The data did not, however, disclose the names of the collaborating institutions nor did it specify whether the institutions are Federal Government or state-controlled. President Bola Tinubu, on April 3, signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024, into law. Recall that NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, once revealed that students’ accessibility to student loans would be based on the institution’s responses. He had also noted that over 90 per cent of federal institutions had also collaborated with the Fund.
Source:Punch
June 18, 2024 09:44 UTC
Two men stab sex worker to death in Abuja hotel
A woman identified as Zara Tua has been stabbed to death by two men who had checked her into a hotel. The incident was said to have occurred on Sunday night at a hotel in the Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory. A resident living close to the hotel who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the lady was a sex worker. The source said, “We woke up this morning to the news of the death of a commercial sex worker in a hotel in Kubwa here. “A disagreement later ensued between the trio which led to Zara Tua being stabbed with scissors.
Source:Punch
June 18, 2024 01:45 UTC
Best New Bartenders 2024: Meet the Finalists
Six years ago, Punch launched the Bartender in Residence program with a simple mission: Elevate and amplify rising talent in the bartending community through a combination of editorial coverage, social media, live events and more. The individuals listed below have been selected as 2024 Best New Bartenders finalists. Each possesses a distinctive creative point-of-view behind the bar paired with a genuine desire to push the industry forward. From this talented group, 10 will be named the Best New Bartenders of 2024. Check back on August 13 for the final list.
Source:Punch
June 18, 2024 00:13 UTC
The war between Russia and Ukraine is set to grind on as a diplomatic conference packs little punch
It did not resolve the bedrock — and seemingly intractable, for now — issue: Ukrainian land occupied by invading Russian forces. Zelenskyy has previously presented a 10-point peace formula that, among other things, demands the expulsion of all Russian forces from Ukraine and accountability for war crimes. That means the Kremlin’s forces have difficulty generating momentum at scale, allowing Ukraine to hold them to incremental gains for now. ___Derek Gatopoulos and Yehor Konovalov in Kyiv, Ukraine, and Litvinova in Tallin, Estonia contributed. ___Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Source:Punch
June 17, 2024 21:44 UTC
Police officer removed from duty after ramming runaway cow
An officer who tried to intercept a fleeing cow by hitting it with a vehicle in England has been removed from duty, police said in a statement on Sunday. Surrey Police said on Sunday that the officer driving the car had been “removed from frontline duties pending the outcome of these investigations.”. The cow ended up with its head and upper body trapped under the police car. On Saturday, police said that after several unsuccessful attempts to recover the cow and taking public safety into account, a decision was made to intercept the cow using the police vehicle. The 10-month-old cow, christened “Beau Lucy,” was examined by a vet and reunited with its owner, who said the animal was “doing better.”.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
June 17, 2024 18:09 UTC
India sacks head coach after World Cup hopes dashed
India's Croatian coach Igor Stimac looks on before the 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC qualifiers football match between Qatar and India at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on June 11, 2024. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)India’s head coach Igor Stimac has been sacked after the team’s poor performance in World Cup qualifiers, the football federation said Monday. India’s 2-1 defeat to Qatar earlier this month dashed their dreams of reaching the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the World Cup for the first time. “Noting the disappointing outcome of the Senior Men’s National Team’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign, the members unanimously agreed that a new Head Coach would be best placed to take the team forward,” the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said in a statement. After India’s defeat to Qatar, Stimac condemned what he called an “irregular” goal.
Source:Punch
June 17, 2024 16:34 UTC
Saudi stops stoning ritual for five hours over heatwave
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has stopped pilgrims from proceeding to the Jamarat Bridge for the ritual of throwing stones from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. due to extreme heatThe Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman, issued the directive in a statement on Monday in Mina, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Sulaiman stated that the measures became necessary to ensure the well-being of pilgrims amidst high temperatures and to prevent heat stress. He urged the Office of Hajj Affairs and service providers to ensure compliance, adding that they would be held responsible for any violations thereof. NAN reports that the Jamarat are three pillars located in Mecca and are an important part of the Hajj pilgrimage for Muslims. Over 1.83 million pilgrims performed this year’s hajj, according to the Saudi Gazette.
Source:Punch
June 17, 2024 16:22 UTC
Eight dead, 25 injured in India train crash
Eight people have died and about 25 have been injured in a train crash in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. The accident occurred when a goods train hit a stationary passenger train, the Kanchenjungha Express, in the New Jalpaiguri area on Monday morning. Dramatic footage from the accident site showed one wagon of the express train suspended in the air. Federal Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that relief teams were working in close coordination with railway officials to carry out rescue operations. Last year, a devastating crash involving three trains in the eastern state of Odisha had killed around 290 people and left more than 1,000 injured.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
June 17, 2024 15:08 UTC