In a recent Twitter post, Elon Musk announced a significant milestone for his brain-computer interface company, Neuralink. According to Musk, the first human received an implant from Neuralink over the weekend, with the patient reportedly “recovering well.” The entrepreneur mentioned that the initial results showed promising neuron spike detection. Although Musk did not provide details about the patient, Neuralink had previously expressed interest in recruiting individuals with quadriplegia or ALS for their trials. The company, which aims to link the nervous system to computers, is part of a growing field with over 40 brain-computer interface trials currently underway, as per…
Author: Editor Francis
Zimbabwean opposition figure Job Sikhala will soon walk a free man. A court on Tuesday (Jan. 30) handed the lawyer a 2-year suspended sentence for inciting public violence. The court ruled to free the activist, who has spent nearly 600 days in pre-trial detention. The politician was detained in June 2022 following the killing of an opposition activist, Moreblessing Ali. The former MP was accused of encouraging supporters to violently react to the murder of Ali. Sikhala was convicted of inciting public violence on Jan. 24 in Harare. He had denied the charge. His lawyer said Tuesday that he would…
The naira plunged further at the official window on Tuesday, closing at an all-time-low of N1,482 against the United States dollar. The local unit had closed at 1,348 against the greenback on Monday after the FMDQ Security Exchange reviewed the methodology used for the calculation of its rates. This came as the Central Bank of Nigeria released a circular to authorised dealers on financial market price transparency, warning them against engaging in sharp practices. The bank stated that its attention had been drawn to the practice of some dealers and their customers reporting inaccurate and misleading information on transitions in…
In a recent statement, the UK Home Secretary confirmed the government’s commitment to implementing a wave of new restrictions on immigration, aiming to reduce overall levels of legal immigration into the country. These measures, initially announced in December, include substantial increases in the minimum wage required for obtaining a visa. Outlined by the Home Office on Tuesday, the upcoming changes are as follows: 1. Restrictions On Care Workers: Beginning March 11, care workers will face limitations on bringing family members to the UK. Care providers sponsoring migrants will also be required to register with the Care Quality Commission. 2. Skilled…
Over 320 stranded Nigerians in Libya have been successfully rescued, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in facilitating their return to Nigeria. Libya, torn by war, has become a prominent departure point for migrants, predominantly from other African regions, embarking on perilous sea journeys in pursuit of reaching Europe. According to AFP reports, last year, Libya’s rival administrations agreed to establish an anti-immigration body based in Tripoli to oversee the deportation of foreigners residing illegally in the country. The head of security for Libya’s migration agency, Mohamad Baredaa, disclosed that 163 irregular migrants of…
The State House has addressed former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s recent statement, labelling it “reckless” and falling short of expectations for an elder statesman.Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, released the statement on January 30, 2024. Alhaji Atiku had accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of neglecting security and economic challenges, following a previous allegation regarding NNPC Limited’s crude-for-loan deal. The State House suggested that Atiku’s comments may be rooted in lingering disappointment from his electoral defeat. Contrary to the accusation, the press release emphasised that President Tinubu had been actively engaged in domestic…
Abubakar Momoh, the Minister of Niger Delta Development (MNDD), has emphasized the need for collaboration between the ministry and International Oil Companies (IOCs) to propel the development of the Niger Delta region. Momoh revealed that President Bola Tinubu is endorsing new strategies devised by the ministry’s management, aiming to foster greater synergy for comprehensive regional development. Addressing the financial challenges faced by the ministry, Momoh stated in a release, “This initiative for support from stakeholders like you is very important for the current relative peace and security in the region to be improved upon.” He emphasised the importance of seamless…
In a significant development, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disbursed an additional $64.44 million yesterday, marking the final settlement of verified foreign exchange (forex) owed to foreign airlines operating in the country. This brings the total disbursements to $136.73 million for verified claims within the sector. However, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) contested the CBN’s claim, asserting that over $700 million of airlines’ funds remained trapped in commercial banks. The CBN, through its acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, confirmed the payment in a statement. Mrs. Ali stated, “The CBN Governor, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, and…
In the latest telecommunications statistical indicators released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria has witnessed a consistent rise in active voice and internet subscriptions. The data, adjusted to align with the most recent population growth figures and international best practices, shows a drop in teledensity. Reuben Muoka, the Director of Public Affairs at NCC, conveyed this information in a press statement. The adjustment, reflected in the telecom industry statistical reports for September, October, and November 2023, was based on the Nigerian Population Commission’s projection of the country’s population at 216,783,381 as of 2022, replacing the previous 2017 projection of…
In a sombre turn of events, the Kano State Police Command reported on Tuesday that a 37-year-old security guard at Prestige International College, identified as Nurudeen Shehu, had tragically committed suicide. Confirming the incident, the State Police Commissioner, Usaini Gumel, revealed to reporters that the unfortunate incident occurred within one of the college’s classrooms. Abdullahi Abdulsalam of Rijiyar Zaki had reported the discovery of Shehu’s lifeless body hanging in the classroom around 10:30 a.m. on January 28. In response, the Gwale Division police, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), swiftly entered the classroom, cut the rope, and rushed Shehu’s…
In a bid to address exploitative practices within its education system, the province of British Columbia in Canada has announced a two-year ban on new enrollments of international students, including those from Nigeria. Selina Robinson, the Minister of Post-Secondary Education, revealed the decision on Tuesday, emphasising the need to rectify flaws in an international education system that has not been functioning optimally. The move comes in response to instances of misleading practices, such as a case involving a student from India who expected in-class instruction but discovered on the first day that the entire course would be taught online. This…
Despite the prevailing challenges in the tech job market, Kore.ai, a startup specializing in enterprise-focused conversational AI and GenAI products, has successfully raised $150 million in a recent funding round. Led by prominent investors such as FTV Capital, Nvidia, Vistara Growth, Sweetwater PE, NextEquity, Nicola, and Beedie, the funding brings Kore.ai’s total raised capital to approximately $223 million. The new funding will be allocated to product development and scaling up the company’s workforce, according to Raj Koneru, co-founder, and CEO of Kore.ai. Founded in 2014 by Koneru, who previously launched successful ventures like Kony and Intelligroup, Kore.ai focuses on leveraging…