Day: October 4, 2024

Botafogo left-back Alex Telles has been drafted into Brazil’s squad for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Friday.

The 31-year-old replaces Atletico Mineiro’s Guilherme Arana, who suffered a left hamstring injury during his side’s 2-1 home victory over Vasco da Gama in the Copa do Brasil.

Telles, whose career has included spells at Manchester United, Inter Milan and Sevilla, among other clubs, has been capped 12 times for Brazil since his international debut in 2019.

His recall came less than 24 hours after Gleison Bremer was cut from the squad due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Beraldo replaced the Juventus central defender.

Brazil will meet Chile in Santiago on October 10 and Peru in Brasilia five days later.

The five-time world champions are currently fifth in the South American qualifying group having won just three of their first eight games. Chile and Peru are ninth and 10th, respectively.

Source:
The Namibia News Agency

The Ministry of Agriculture , Water and Land Reform has deployed water tanker trucks to communities affected by shortages in the Oshikoto Region . Minister of Agriculture , Water and Land Reform , Calle Schlettwein in a press statement on Thursday said the ministry is addressing the critical water supply challenges affecting communities in the Oshikoto Region , which began on Tuesday . Schlettwein said the ministry urgently needs to alleviate the water situation in constituencies such as Eengodi , Okankolo , Nehale Lyampingana and parts of Omuthiya and Omuntele . ‘ These constituencies are currently experiencing significant disruptions in water supply , impacting more than 300 villages and public institutions such as schools , hospitals and police stations ,’ he said . Schlettwein further stated that the ministry ‘ s Directorate of Water Supply and Sanitation Coordination , in collaboration with regional stakeholders , is working on implementing short – term , medium – term and long – term solutions to resto
re and ensure sustainable water access in the affected regions . ‘ Efforts are also underway to secure two more water tankers from stakeholders to ensure continuous water distribution across all affected areas ,’ Schlettwein said . He added that the minister has availed sufficient water storage tanks at the Oshikoto Regional Office and Onankali settlement , where the agriculture ministry ‘ s office is located . ‘ These water storage tanks are being distributed to the villages to address immediate storage needs ,’ said Schlettwein . The minister further emphasised the construction of mini desalination plants at Akazulu , Otatashe , Onelago and Oshikondailwa . ‘ Contractors are on – site to fast – track construction , ensuring these facilities are operational as soon as they are finalised ,’ he said . Schlettwein added that to ensure the long – term sustainability of water supply in Oshikoto , the ministry is accelerating the implementation of major water infrastructure projects such as the Oshakati Water Purif
ication Plant , the King Kauluma – Omutsegwonime Water Supply Scheme , the Oshivelo – Omutsegwonime Water Supply Scheme and Omutsegwonime Phase 1 . ‘ We call on all affected communities to remain patient as we work tirelessly to resolve the situation ,’ he said .

Source: The Namibia News Agency

The UN Security Council met Friday on the sabotage of the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines, on the occasion of the two-year anniversary of the attack on the pipelines in the Baltic Sea, at the request of Russia.

Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s representative to the United Nations, lamenting the lack of collective decision or council statements on the matter, criticized his Western colleagues’ “duplicitous manoeuvres to obstruct the work of the Security Council,” and said Russia will not be deterred in establishing the truth, determining who is responsible for the explosions and punishing them.

Nebenzia expressed disappointment over the national investigations by Denmark and Sweden. “The only conclusion that was drawn, following 18 months of work, was that the Nord Stream pipelines had indeed been deliberately destroyed using explosive devices. Yet, it appeared not possible to continue criminal proceedings within the Danish and Swedish jurisdictions,” he said.

The ongoing investigation by the German authoritie
s was much like the completed investigations by Denmark and Sweden and is being conducted in “a completely non-transparent manner,” he said, adding that German authorities’ failure to date to provide information, not even interim results, raises doubts and has resulted in media conjecture, which must be countered with facts.

He noted that Moscow’s requests for legal assistance, as an affected party, sent to all three states were simply ignored, and all attempts by Russia to reach a council agreement calling on Germany to make the probe transparent and expedite its investigation were “always blocked by the U.S. and its allies.”

Mozambique’s delegate also criticized the national investigations, saying there is “international speculation that the investigation is being deliberately protracted due to the potential diplomatic repercussions and the risk of escalation should the perpetrators’ identities be revealed.” He called for a transparent and conclusive investigation.

The representative of France said Russi
a’s characterization of the explosions as a terrorist attack requires the establishment of facts.

The delegate of the United States denied Russia’s accusation that Washington was involved in the explosions, saying, “There is no shred of evidence of U.S. involvement and there never will be because the United States was not involved.”

Condemning attacks against critical civilian and energy infrastructures anywhere, Malta’s representative voiced support for all national investigations into the incident.

Between Sept. 26 and 29, 2022, four leaks were detected in the Nord Stream offshore natural gas pipelines, near the island of Bornholm in Denmark, which run from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea. After the incident, Danish, German and Swedish officials launched separate investigations into the leaks.

In February, Danish and Swedish authorities informed the Security Council that they had closed their respective investigations, citing insufficient grounds to pursue a criminal case.

Source: The Namibia
News Agency

Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu says his administration will continue to ensure that tertiary education remains relevant and takes its pride of place.

Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance at a public lecture to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The event was organised by the UNILAG Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association, on Thursday.

It had the theme: ‘The Nigerian Power Industry: Past, Present and Future’.

Sanwo-Olu was the special guest of honour at the event.

He said that his administration’s was committed to promoting innovative ideas and practical knowledge for students in tertiary institutions to compete favourably with their counterparts globally.

‘The theme is apt as the faculty has become a beacon of theoretical excellence.

‘It talks about the past and future of Nigeria’s power industry.

‘I call on government officials, industry experts, lecturers to hold the hands of students for a practical work on sites to gain more experience.

‘Th
e future is about our students. As alumni, we need to leave legacies behind, and our students need to use these opportunities to develop their skills,’ Sanwo-Olu said.

Mr Dideolu Falobi, Chairman, UNILAG Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association, appealed to the alumni to leverage their positions and resources to make the faculty the ‘Harvard of Nigeria’.

Folabi said: Let’s provide offices, classrooms, laboratory equipment and resources.

‘Since its inception, we have enhanced infrastructure, facilitated new projects, and supported students through learning facilities, research and non-engineering skills,’ he said.

Prof. Samson Adeosun, Dean Faculty of Engineering, UNILAG, urged the alumni to continue to support in shaping the future of engineering education.

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Adeosun said that there was need to embrace emerging technologies, foster sustainable solutions and cultivate global partnerships.

‘Let us face the future together
and meet its challenges by performing more novel, exciting scientific research and providing more state of-the-art learning experiences,’ he said.

In her opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, called on the alumni to collaborate with the university to train engineers and advance Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Deputy Governor of Ogun, who is an alumnus of the faculty, was at the event, among other dignitaries.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has warned terrorists and insurgents to surrender or face renewed onslaught of the military.

President Tinubu gave the warning while declaring open the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Inaugural Annual International Lecture on Thursday in Abuja.

The Lecture with theme, ‘Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024): Dissecting Nigeria’s Challenges – Genesis, Impacts and Options’ was conceived by the management of NAN as part of efforts to tackle the menace of insecurity in the Sahel and Nigeria.

He was represented by the National Security Adviser (NSA) Malam Nuhu Ribadu.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Government has extended its condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Siphiwe Sibisi, affectionately known as General GTZ, who passed away at the weekend.

Sibisi was a beloved figure in the music industry, widely recognised for his role in the iconic kwaito group Chiskop.

He passed away on Sunday after a long battle with cancer.

‘As a country, we sadly mourn the loss of Siphiwe Sibisi, a talented artist whose work will forever be remembered. His contribution to the music industry is immeasurable, and we send our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones during this time of grief. May his soul rest in peace,’ Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Acting Director-General, Nomonde Mnukwa, said.

Formed in 1998, Chiskop featured Sibisi alongside the late Mduduzi Tshabalala (Mandoza), Sizwe Motaung (Lollipop) and Sibusiso Thanjekwayo (SB Bless).

The group played a pivotal role in shaping South Africa’s music, culture, and entertainment industry through their dynamic contribution t
o the kwaito genre.

Their music became a cultural force, resonating with millions and leaving a lasting legacy that transcended generations.

Sibisi’s passing marks the end of an era for many South Africans who grew up listening to Chiskop’s groundbreaking sound, which helped define the kwaito genre and shape the nation’s cultural identity.

Source: South African Government News Agency