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Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alexander Manninger dies in train collision
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who represented Austria at Euro 2008, died on Thursday after his car was struck by a train, Red Bull Salzburg announced. The 48-year-old's death occurred while he was crossing tracks in the Salzburg region, according to the Austrian news agency APA. Red Bull Salzburg, the Austrian Football Association, and Arsenal all expressed their condolences. Police are investigating the cause of the accident, in which no other injuries were reported. Manninger played 64 matches for Arsenal from 1997 to 2002, winning the Premier League and FA Cup. He also earned 33 caps for Austria, participating in the 2008 Euros. His career included stints with Red Bull Salzburg, Sienna, Juventus, Udinese, and Augsburg, and he signed a short-term deal with Liverpool in 2016.
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Dr. Mark Ofua, a wildlife conservation expert and veterinarian, has urged the Federal Government to enact and enforce laws protecting snakes and other wildlife species to reduce the spread of Lassa fever and other zoonotic diseases in Nigeria. Speaking on World Zoonoses Day, Ofua warned that the indiscriminate killing of natural predators like snakes leads to a proliferation of disease-carrying rodents, particularly multimammate rats that transmit the Lassa fever virus. He emphasized that snakes play a crucial role in controlling rat populations and that protecting them allows nature to manage these pests effectively. Ofua also called for public awareness campaigns to change perceptions about animals such as snakes, owls, and cats, which he considers important in preventing rodent-borne diseases. He highlighted that the widespread use of rodenticides is harming birds of prey like owls and eagles, as they consume poisoned rodents and die, further weakening natural pest control. Additionally, Ofua advocated for stricter regulation of the bushmeat trade, specifically banning the hunting, selling, and importing of primates due to the risk of Ebola transmission. He stressed that wildlife conservation is a strategy for sustainable resource management and public health protection, stating that healthy ecosystems are effective natural barriers against zoonotic disease outbreaks.
Must ReadStandard & Poor's has upgraded Nigeria's sovereign credit rating from B- to B, with a stable outlook, marking a significant endorsement of the country's economic reforms. This upgrade, following similar positive actions by other international rating agencies, signals to global investors that Nigeria is rebuilding macroeconomic credibility after years of policy distortions. While a 'B' rating is still speculative and far from investment grade, it indicates that difficult economic decisions are yielding measurable results. Key reforms include the liberalization of Nigeria鈥檚 foreign exchange market, which, despite initial challenges like Naira depreciation and inflation, has improved market functioning and strengthened external reserves. The removal of fuel subsidies is another bold fiscal reform, redirecting public resources towards infrastructure, education, and healthcare. The Central Bank of Nigeria has also played a crucial role in restoring monetary policy credibility through tighter policies, improved transparency in foreign exchange operations, and enhanced coordination with fiscal authorities. Fiscal reforms, such as improved revenue mobilization and tax administration, along with increased oil production and domestic refining capacity, have contributed to stronger fiscal metrics. However, challenges remain, including high inflation, low government revenue, high debt servicing costs, infrastructure deficits, unemployment, poverty, and governance weaknesses. To achieve a
The Labour Party has denied reports suggesting it failed to upload the names of its presidential and vice-presidential candidates before the Independent National Electoral Commission's nomination portal closed. National Publicity Secretary Ken Asogwa stated on Wednesday that these reports are "patently false and misleading" and urged members and supporters to disregard them. Asogwa clarified that the party successfully submitted the names of all its nominated presidential, vice-presidential, and National Assembly candidates four days before the July 14 deadline set by INEC. He confirmed that the presidential and vice-presidential candidates' names were uploaded on July 10, in compliance with the electoral body's timetable and guidelines. The party criticized the media organization that published the report for not verifying the information with the Labour Party leadership. Asogwa expressed confidence that the upcoming publication of the final list of validly nominated candidates for the 2027 general elections by INEC will resolve the issue, dismissing the report as a deliberate attempt to discredit the party. This clarification comes as political parties finalize candidate nominations for the 2027 general elections, following INEC's extended deadline for submissions.