Latest news with #Blessing
France 24
5 days ago
- Business
- France 24
Teachers pay dispute shuts schools for months in Nigerian capital
Affecting more than 400 schools in Abuja, the prolonged closure has left over 50,000 pupils without lessons, according to the teachers' union, in a country where more than 20 million children are already out of school. The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the capital says it will not call off its strike until the 70,000 naira ($45) national minimum wage is implemented and outstanding salaries and entitlements are settled. President Bola Tinubu signed the new wage into law in July 2024, more than doubling the west African country's previous minimum wage of 30,000 naira. The move was meant to soften the effects of rampant inflation that has followed the government's economic reforms over the past two years. Yet implementation has lagged nationwide as local governments have been left to institute the wage hikes. "We went on two warning strikes and we are currently on the third," union leader Abdullahi Mohammed Shafas told AFP. "Despite arguments and promises, the government has not been able to fulfil any till now." Critics have blamed Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, which includes Abuja, for the impasse. Wike says he has approved the new wages, accusing the local government councils of failing to pay. 'Sitting at home' Elisha Goni, a teacher at a public elementary school in Abuja's Garki neighbourhood, said he hardly scrapes by on his 120,000 naira salary -- which would also be bumped up if the new minimum wage is applied. "I can barely cater for myself, not to talk of my family, from the little I am earning," said Goni who lives 50 kilometres (30 miles) from his workplace to evade the expensive rent in the city centre. "Teachers cannot be lecturing on empty stomachs." At a Local Education Authority (LEA) primary school, the gate creaks in the wind as an AFP reporter entered while a security guard dozed off in his wooden chair -- his new routine since the classrooms went quiet early this year. "I used to be busy controlling students from roaming around the gate, helping teachers, watching the kids," the 54-year-old, who gave his name as Abdu, said. "Now, I just sleep after breakfast till lunch. There is nothing else to do." For many pupils, the disruption means more than boredom. Blessing, 10, should have been preparing for her final exam to enter junior secondary school. But instead she sat under the scorching sun, scooping ground chillies into small plastic bags at her mother's roadside milling shop. Her mother Mary, who only gave her first name, said she was considering enrolling Blessing in a nearby private school, "even though it is poorly rated". "At least she won't just be sitting at home," Mary muttered, her eyes fixed on the busy roadside. Nigerian television footage has shown small protests by placard-waving pupils in uniform, chanting that they want to return to school. One of the placards read: "You call us leaders of tomorrow while stopping our school for nine weeks." The strike comes as a further blow to an already creaky education system that sees millions of children fail to attend regularly, while adults contend with Nigeria's worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
News18
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Top Trending Drinks Taking Over Summer 2025
Last Updated: Whether you're sipping on popping boba in the afternoon heat or settling into a mezcal cocktail under the stars, Summer 2025's drinks are all about bold flavour Summer and refreshing drinks go together like sunshine and beach days. When the mercury rises, there's nothing quite like wrapping your hands around an ice-cold beverage that's equal parts thirst-quencher and mood-lifter. And this year, the drink scene is coming in strong—with wild flavour mash-ups, nostalgic throwbacks, and bold, unexpected ingredients that are redefining what we sip on. Whether you're into tangy, sweet, briny, or boozy, there's something trending this summer to suit every palate. Here are the coolest drinks making waves in Summer 2025: Tim Hortons India is stirring up summer nostalgia with a fun twist—introducing Summer Poppers with Popping Boba in three bold and distinctly Indian flavours: Spicy Jamun, Mosambi Litchi, and Aam Panna. Each one is a refreshing nod to local favourites. Spicy Jamun delivers a tangy punch with a spicy kick. Mosambi Litchi offers citrusy coolness with a tropical flair. Aam Panna brings back the beloved raw mango sharpness—now with popping boba that burst on the tongue for extra excitement. Blessing by Fay Barretto (Mr Bartender and the Crew) at Miss Margarita Drawing inspiration from ancient Aztec birthing traditions, this cocktail is as spiritual as it is sensational. Created by mixologist Fay Barretto, Blessing features chamomile-infused mezcal, green apple, green tea syrup, and a surprising splash of pickle juice—tempered with lime and a touch of vegan foamer for texture. Topped with tonic and blended with ice, it's garnished with baby's breath for a delicate visual flourish. The result? Earthy, tart, soothing, and slightly pickled—like a sacred ceremony for your taste buds. Known for its chic, conscious cocktails, The Grammar Room is taking things up a notch this summer with a new menu curated by Harish Chhimwal, focusing on sustainability and local produce. Signature highlights: TGR Tequila Martini with amla brine – a zesty, zero-waste twist on a classic Strawberry & Coffee Sangria – fruity meets bold roast Raspberry Sorbet Spritzer – tart, fizzy, and Insta-ready Salted Plum Negroni – savoury and sharp with a desi twist Each outlet has its own showstoppers: Mehrauli: Coconut Rum Mizuwari, Mezcal Mizuwari Gurgaon: Long Miles Old Fashioned, and the tangy, tropical Gondhoraj & Green Mango Gimlet TGR MEHRAULI 📍 One Style Mile, Mehrauli, New Delhi | ⏰ 11AM–12AM | ₹2400 (for two with alcohol) TGR KHAN MARKET 📍 73B, Middle Lane, Khan Market, New Delhi | ⏰ 8:30AM–12:30AM | ₹2600 TGR GURGAON 📍 HLGF-5, 32nd Avenue, Sector 15, Gurgaon | ⏰ 11AM–12AM | ₹2200 Just Call Me Boogie by Dos Delhi When tequila gets funky Meet the drink that dares to dance: Just Call Me Boogie is an umami-packed cocktail that plays with flavour in all the right ways. Crafted with tequila and kombu (edible kelp), it gets a fresh lift from love apple and green pepper, rounded out with a pinch of Himalayan salt and a creamy goat cheese finish. It's tangy, earthy, a little briny—and totally unforgettable. Timings: 11AM – 12AM Meal for two: ₹2500 Reservations: +91 85277 79328 Whether you're sipping on popping boba in the afternoon heat or settling into a mezcal cocktail under the stars, Summer 2025's drinks are all about bold flavour, inventive pairings, and feel-good vibes. Cheers to staying cool, one sip at a time.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bengals' odds of receiving funding from Ohio for Paycor Stadium renovations has increased
The Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County have been locked in negotiations on their lease involving Paycor Stadium. One of the more recent points in their negotiations has been the hopeful inclusion of funding from the state of Ohio after they initially proposed funding $600 million for the Cleveland Browns' brand-new stadium via bonds that would be paid back. That has since been called into question as it adds a ton of debt onto the state and the estimates for the Browns and Brook Park estimates were 'overly optimistic.' One thing that is for certain is there will be an added way of Ohio getting more tax money from legal gambling. It is just a matter of what it looks like. Dan Monk from WCPO recently wrote this on a promising new proposal, one that could actually mean that the Bengals are in better position to potentially get funding over the Browns: [Bill] Blessing introduced Senate Bill 199 on May 14 to propose a 2% fee on Ohio's sports betting handle, which is the total dollar value of all bets accepted by state-licensed sportsbooks. Ohio's handle was $8.9 billion last year, which means the fee could raise about $180 million per year, if approved. Blessing's proposal came one day after Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, proposed the legalization of iGaming in Ohio in Senate Bill 197. It would allow online betting for casino games, including slot machines, poker and Blackjack, along with state lottery games and horse racing. Supporters claim it will raise up to $800 million in new taxes annually, money that could fund a reduction in state income tax or stadium projects. 'Just in talking with other members, there's a lot of skepticism over [Cleveland's financing plan],' Blessing said. 'They don't like the fact that it's bankrolled by state general revenue funds. I think that's probably one of the reasons why there's a mad dash to do iGaming as a potential alternative.' This could give us a better reason why the Bengals were so taken aback by Hamilton County hiring someone included in the Browns Stadium funding process. If they knew that support was waning for the Browns funding then hiring someone included in a possibly competitive process for funding could be problematic. In fact, the lawyer Hamilton County fired, Tom Gableman, actually had a hand in developing this proposal with Blessings. Essentially, the proposal deals out up to $200 million a year created by this two percent 'privilege fee' on each gambling transaction. The way that $200 is divided up would depend on several factors that favored the Bengals and Hamilton County after an agreement would be set up for a 10 to 20-year lease agreement. 'The way we structured it, there were ten factors to allocate funding,' Gabelman told Monk. 'The age of the stadium, capacity of the stadium, the public use of it, how many years are left in the term, or the new term. The amount of capital repairs put in by the local entity, by the team, and so on. Under those metrics, Paycor gets funded first.' This is still a proposal and is far from being set in stone, but it is a far easier pill for taxpayers to swallow than outright paying for the Browns to make a stadium from scratch outside of Cleveland and footing the entire bill upfront. This would still allow funding to go to the Browns, but it'd be much more of a supplemental payment than the original proposal. That ultimately fits the needs of the Bengals and Hamilton County much better. This all still depends on the two sides coming to an agreement before their deadline, which is less than a month away. Hamilton County's changing negotiators certainly put that process in more doubt than it appears they needed to. Hopefully, it still gets done, and the Bengals stay by the river for generations to come. More from NFL Week 14 injury report: 8 starters miss Bengals' Thursday practice Marvin Lewis a candidate to be Browns GM? Marvin Lewis reveals John Ross had been hiding a shoulder injury NFL Week 14 Bengals vs Bears: Behind enemy lines with Windy City Gridiron Bengals film room: Mistakes and injuries cause defense to fall apart vs Steelers Fantasy Football: Who to start and sit in NFL Week 14 Bengals Bytes (12/8): Getting over the Pittsburgh hangover
The Citizen
04-05-2025
- The Citizen
Heartbroken Ekurhuleni family demands justice after girl's death
What should have been a joyous Easter weekend filled with celebration and delight was marred by tragedy for a Dalview, Ekurhuleni, family. Faith Chifamba is mourning the loss of her 10-year-old daughter Blessing Onoh, who was struck by a car and killed on Good Friday, April 18. The 41-year-old single mother told the Brakpan Herald that Blessing and her two sisters, aged 12 and 17, were returning home that afternoon after shopping at the Mall@Carnival. Faith requested that the names of her other children not be disclosed. The siblings were crossing Heidelberg Road, near the Airport Drive intersection, to catch a taxi when the driver of the car allegedly swerved to avoid hitting another vehicle. According to the family, Blessing had almost safely reached the other side of the road when the car hit her. The driver allegedly offered no assistance to the injured girl or her traumatised sisters and fled the scene. 'My child was lying under his car and he just drove away,' says an emotional Faith. 'There were motorists in three different cars that chased after him and caught him. He was then handed over to Brakpan police,' she says. Faith adds that she is forever grateful to these strangers who assisted. None of Faith's children had a cellphone with them at the time of the accident, and her 12-year-old daughter quickly hurried home. 'She came to fetch me while her older sister stayed with Blessing. She (the older sister) was trying to get motorists to stop and get help for Blessing,' says Faith. Blessing would later be declared dead on the scene. Faith described Blessing, who was a Grade Four learner at a school in Springs, as a gentle and loving child who cherished their relationship. 'She was such a sweet girl who loved her mommy,' said Faith. The 48-year-old driver was arrested on a charge of culpable homicide and appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate's Court last Tuesday, where he was granted bail and the case was postponed to later this month. The family is devastated that the man is out on bail because of his initial attempt to flee. They are demanding justice. They are also heartbroken that Blessing's life has been reduced to the financial value of the bail amount. There were claims that the man was an undocumented foreigner, but Brakpan police have confirmed that he is legally in the country. The family met with an official from the Brakpan Magistrate's Court on Friday to better understand what transpired in court. This meeting left them more hurt and confused as they were informed there was a watching brief acting on behalf of the family during Tuesday's court proceedings. This legal practitioner allegedly told the prosecutor that the family did not oppose bail, which the family has denied. Faith is adamant she was not approached by any lawyer or legal practitioner on the day, nor spoke with such a person. Blessing's death has also sparked an outcry in the community and an online petition for immediate revocation of the man's bail is gaining traction. The petitioners are also demanding full prosecution and appropriate charges against the man for fleeing the scene of a fatal accident. The Brakpan Herald is awaiting comment from the National Prosecuting Authority. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Fatal high-speed chase in Jackson County under investigation
JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a high-speed chase that ended tragically in Jackson County. According to a news release, on Wednesday at approximately 9:30 p.m, the Chattahoochee Police Department was in pursuit of a fleeing vehicle. During the pursuit, the vehicle was traveling west on US 90 before making a turn south and then back east on Old Spanish Trail in Sneads. The driver of the fleeing SUV, a 40-year-old man from Camilla, Georgia, reportedly lost control and crashed, authorities wrote. The driver reportedly collided with pipes and a concrete manhole cover, causing the SUV to overturn. Enjoy St. Andrews Marina with Blessing of the Fleet The vehicle came to a final rest on its roof. While overturning, the driver was ejected, the SUV came to a final rest in a ditch, and it burst into flames, authorities said. Pursuing officers were able to pull the passenger, a 32-year-old man from Leesburg, Georgia, from the vehicle. Officers then began life-saving measures on the driver, but the efforts were unsuccessful. Authorities confirmed, the driver was pronounced deceased on the scene, and the passenger was airlifted to Tallahassee Memorial. The investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
