The Nation Newspaper

Category: Foreign

  • U.S. agency okays Elon Musk’s brain aid chip for restoring vision

    U.S. agency okays Elon Musk’s brain aid chip for restoring vision

    The United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration has approved Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup, Neuralink, as a “breakthrough device” designation.

    Named as ‘Blindsight,’ the device is designed to restore vision in individuals with complete or partial blindness, including those with non-functional optic nerves.

    Neuralink, on its X page on Tuesday, wrote: “We have received Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA for Blindsight.

    “Join us in our quest to bring back sight to those who have lost it. Apply to our Patient Registry and openings on our career page,”

    Reports indicated that the FDA awards its breakthrough designation to medical devices that treat or diagnose life-threatening conditions, expediting their development and review.

    Musk, while announcing the update, highlighting Blindsight’s potential to restore vision in even the most severe blindness cases on his X social media platform, said: “The Blindsight device from Neuralink will enable even those who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to see.

    “Provided the visual cortex is intact, it will even enable those who have been blind from birth to see for the first time.

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    “To set expectations correctly, the vision will be at first be low resolution, like Atari graphics, but eventually it has the potential to be better than natural vision and enable you to see in infrared, ultraviolet or even radar wavelengths, like Geordi La Forge.”

    The Hearing journal also stated about Neuralink: “The implant is based on a brain-machine interface (BMI) technology, a neural lace technology that acts as a communication bridge between the brain and a wired device. This technology is poised to help those with sensory and motor disorders and other neurological conditions with AI. While research into BMI is still limited, and Neuralink promises to deliver a scalable, high-bandwidth system.

    “Neuralink has three necessary components: a link, neural threads, and a charger. The link is a sealed implanted device that stimulates and transmits neural signals. The neural threads are small and flexible threads that contain many biocompatible thin film materials, which have polyamide as a substrate encapsulating a gold thin film trace.”

  • Obasanjo seeks stronger economic ties among African countries

    Obasanjo seeks stronger economic ties among African countries

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo  yesterday called on African countries to pool their resources together toward forming stronger pan-African economic ties.

    Obasanjo made the call in Lagos at the commemoration of Angola’s National Founder and Hero’s Day 2024, marked annually on Sept. 17.

    The event was held to celebrate the legacy of Angola’s first President, Agostinho Neto, who proclaimed the country’s independence on Nov. 11, 1975.

    The event, with the theme, “Pan-Africanism in the Political Course by Agostinho Neto”, was organised by the Embassy of Angola in Nigeria.

    NNetowho died in Moscow at the age of 56 and was Angola’s president from 1975 to 1979.

    In his address, Obasanjo highlighted various pan-African struggles.

    “One of the things we tend to do as humans is forget the past and our leaders who made sacrifices for what we are enjoying today.

    “We have achieved political and cultural pan-Africanism to an extent, but now we have to focus on the economic liberation of Africa.

    “I want to talk about the economic aspect which seems like we have yet to pay enough attention to until now when our leaders started to introduce African Continental Free Trade Agreements.

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    “Our pan-Africanism must be strong. When we were formulating the charter for a new African Union (AU) from Organisation of African Unity (OAU), we dwelt more on economic ties,” he said.

    Obasanjo, a former AU chairman, stressed the importance of stronger economic ties for the growth of Africa.

    “One of the things we have been doing is struggling for the economic emancipation of Africa but we have not done this too well.

    “We should ask ourselves, why did we have slave trade? It is because some nations want energy to develop their new world and make money.

    “The slave trade was substituted with colonialism and then exploitation to develop other continents. We got others, but they are still withholding economic power.

  • India trains more than 27,500 Nigerians in 45 years, says envoy

    India trains more than 27,500 Nigerians in 45 years, says envoy

    Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria Shri Balasubramanian said yesterday that more than 27,500 Nigerian professionals have been trained across various sectors in 45 years under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC).

    Balasubramanian stated this during the 2024 ITEC Day reception at the High Commission of India in Abuja.

    The high commissioner identified ITEC as a dedicated platform established by India’s Ministry of External Affairs for capacity building.

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    “More than 200,000 officials from no fewer than 160 countries have benefited from this initiative, encompassing both civilian and defense sectors with no charges incurred.

    “India extends over 22,500 scholarships annually to individuals worldwide, fostering collaboration and skill enhancement,” he said.

    Balasubramanian added that cooperation between the two countries began in 1979 following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning representing Nigeria.

  • 73 Nigerian students benefited from US opportunity fund programme in 2023

    73 Nigerian students benefited from US opportunity fund programme in 2023

    No fewer than 73 Nigerian students have benefited from the United States financial aid, scholarships and assistantships in 2023, The Nation learnt.

    Last year, the U.S. provided over $30 million (47.7 billion naira) in financial aid, scholarships, and assistantships globally.

    The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, said Nigeria led all African countries in the number of students studying in the U.S. with 17,600 across more than 970 U.S. institutions, with Texas being the top choice.

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    Mills, who spoke at the 23rd Annual EducationUSA College Fair in Abuja  yesterday, stressed that access to quality education is crucial for equitable economic growth.

    He said: “More Nigerians study in the United States than from any other African country.  According to the most recent data, more than 17,600 Nigerian students studied at over 970 institutions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia last year.  If you are wondering which state is the most popular – it’s Texas!

  • Nwoko backs Gambia Foreign Minister, says Commonwealth Sec-Gen

    Nwoko backs Gambia Foreign Minister, says Commonwealth Sec-Gen

    Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta) has thrown his weight behind Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara for the position of the Commonwealth Secretary-General.

    Nwoko is the chairman, Senate Committee on Reparation & Repatriation.

    In a statement  yesterday in Abuja, he said that Tangara had the experience it takes to head the secretariat of the Commonwealth.

    The next Secretary-General is expected to be elected at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held at Apia, Samoa between Oct.  21 and 26.

    Nwoko said the Gambian stood out as one of the most experienced and accomplished contenders for the role.

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    According to him, with an impressive tenure as one of the longest-serving African Foreign Ministers, his expertise in diplomacy, politics and developmental issues is unparalleled.

    “His deep understanding of global challenges, coupled with his unwavering commitment to Africa’s progress, makes him an ideal leader to guide the Commonwealth in this pivotal era’’, he said.

    The lawmaker said during a recent bilateral meeting in Abuja Tangara shared with him, his vision for Africa and the Commonwealth.

    “Tangara emphasised the importance of addressing reparative justice for Africa, mitigating global issues of peace and security, and promoting human rights, climate action, and digital inclusion across our community of nations.

  • Venezuela enduring one of ‘worst human rights crises’, says UN

    Venezuela enduring one of ‘worst human rights crises’, says UN

    Venezuela’s authoritarian government has plunged the South American country into one of the worst human rights crises in recent history, according to a UN report published yesterday.

    “We are witnessing an intensification of the state’s repressive machinery in response to what it perceives as critical views, opposition or dissent,” said Marta Valiñas, chair of the United Nations International Independent Commission of Inquiry.

    The recent repression, due to its intensity and systematic nature, represents a serious attack on the fundamental rights of the Venezuelan people, she said.

    The Commission of Inquiry’s report, which examines the rights situation between September 2023 and August 2024, states that a “new milestone in the deterioration of the rule of law” was reached after the elections in July.

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    The commission said it has reasonable grounds to believe that there was persecution for political reasons during this period.

    Following a presidential election on July 28 that was tainted by allegations of fraud, the electoral authority, which is loyal to the ruling party, declared long-time President Nicolás Maduro the winner.

    The country’s opposition, supported by the United States and countries in Latin American, said there had been widespread electoral fraud and claimed victory for their candidate Edmundo González.

  • UK announces £1.9m funding for Nigeria, Ghana to support tech, innovation

    UK announces £1.9m funding for Nigeria, Ghana to support tech, innovation

    The United Kingdom government has announced a £1.9 million to support economic growth in Nigeria and Ghana.

    The fund is to strengthen technology and innovation in both countries.

    The UK’s Minister for Africa, Lord Collins announced the latest support under a new project (Sankore).

    The funding according to a statement by the UK High Commissioner in Abuja is expected to help strengthen economic growth through science, technology, and innovation in Nigeria and Ghana.

    The statement further reads: “The UK government’s West Africa Research and Innovation Hub (WARIH) has launched Sankore to support economic growth by strengthening technology and innovation across West Africa, in close partnership with country governments.

    “UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins announced the call for creative proposals for the project from non-profit organisations (including UN Agencies) at a press conference today, 17th September 2024, in Accra. 

    “The Sankore call for proposals will support the UK government’s partnership with the government in Nigeria and Ghana on science, technology, and innovation, facilitate commercialisation of innovative solutions, improve innovation policy, and enhance government digital service delivery.

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    “Named after a West African medieval centre of learning, Sankore will establish new partnerships worth up to £1.9 Million with non-profit organisations (including UN agencies) in Ghana or Nigeria.

    At the launch of the call for proposals, UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, said: “This initiative is all about how we can work together to strengthen the global technology sector, creating opportunities for rapidly growing economies with lots of potential to compete on the world stage. The Sankore grant fosters partnerships at its heart, with a strong message that we go far when we go together.”

    Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji said: “The Sankore project is a pivotal opportunity for Nigeria to enhance its innovation landscape, by strengthening industry-science linkages and developing an enabling policy environment. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to developing practical solutions that lead to sustainable and inclusive growth.”

    Also commenting, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, said: “Sankore exemplifies the UK’s commitment to driving innovation and sustainable development in Nigeria. The project will strengthen partnerships between businesses and innovators as well as drive the development of innovative solutions that address critical gaps in priority economic sectors. The project will build on the UK’s wider efforts to support economic growth, create job opportunities, and propel Nigeria’s technology and innovation ecosystem.”

  • JUST IN: Trump launches new cryptocurrency platform

    JUST IN: Trump launches new cryptocurrency platform

    Donald Trump on Monday offered few details about a new cryptocurrency business that the Republican former president, his family and associates unveiled in a live event on X Spaces.

    Trump engaged in a wide-ranging discussion that touched on the second apparent assassination attempt against him on Sunday and his shift from being a cryptocurrency skeptic to embracing it.
    But neither he nor his family provided much detail about the business – World Liberty Financial – including how it was formed, financed or what services it would provide.

    It is unusual for a presidential candidate to launch a new business so close to an election, but Trump has been looking to court digital asset advocates and their dollars ahead of Election Day on Nov. 5.

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    After previously deriding cryptocurrencies as a scam, Trump has embraced digital assets during his re-election campaign, promising to make the United States the “crypto capital of the planet” with light-touch regulation and a national stockpile of bitcoin.

    Trump’s two eldest sons, Eric and Donald Jr, have promoted the project in recent weeks, promising it will “transform” the world of digital asset finance, without elaborating.

    REUTERS

  • Starmer looks to Italy on how to stop migrant boats

    Starmer looks to Italy on how to stop migrant boats

    Sir Keir Starmer has suggested he will study Italy’s asylum processing deal with Albania as part of a “pragmatic” approach to tackling migrant boats crossing the English Channel.

    Speaking to reporters, the prime minister said he had discussed the “concept” of Italy’s deal during talks in Rome with Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni.

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    Meloni said Sir Keir had shown “great interest” in the planned scheme, under which some migrants rescued in Italian waters will be sent to the Balkan country to have their asylum claims processed.

  • Putin orders military to boost troop numbers as Ukraine fighting continues

    Putin orders military to boost troop numbers as Ukraine fighting continues

    Russian President Vladimir Putin  yesterday ordered the country’s military to increase its number of troops by 180,000 to a total of 1.5 million, as Moscow’s military action in Ukraine drags on for more than 2 ½ years.

    Putin’s decree, published on the official government website, will take effect Dec. 1. It sets the overall number of Russian military personnel at nearly 2.4 million, including 1.5 million troops, and orders the government to provide the necessary funding.

    The previous increase in Russian troop numbers came last December, when a decree by Putin set the total number of Russian military personnel at about 2.2 million, including 1.32 million troops.

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    The most capable Russian troops have been pressing an offensive in eastern Ukraine, where they have made incremental but steady gains in the past few months.

    In June, Putin put the number of troops involved in what the Kremlin calls the “special military operation” in Ukraine at nearly 700,000.

    After calling up 300,000 reservists in the face of Ukraine’s counteroffensive in the fall of 2022, Russian authorities have switched to filling the ranks of troops fighting in Ukraine with volunteer soldiers, who have been attracted by relatively high wages.