Author: damazah@gmail.com

A divide between reality and rhetoric in prioritising STEM in secondary schooling is very much the case, new research suggests. In particular, the University of the Sunshine Coast study found that in high school, technologies subjects – which the national curriculum expects students to study from Year 7 to the end of Year 9 – were often only offered as electives from the first year of high school. “This is concerning because it potentially limits children getting early access to STEM education and pathways,” lead author Dr Natalie McMaster says. “Developing a country’s STEM capacity is vital for economic growth,…

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of KOGI state with the four rescued victims who were abducted while writing NECO Exams in Olowa, Dekina LGA of the state. By Boluwaji Obahopo ‎Governor Ahmed Ododo on Friday declared that the rescue of the four victims abducted from Government Secondary School, Olowa Agbajo, in Dekina Local Government Area would not halt the ongoing manhunt for those behind the attack. ‎The governor said security agencies had been directed to sustain operations until every member of the kidnapping gang was arrested and brought to justice, insisting that his administration would not negotiate with or pay ransom…

The nationalisation came after Parliament on Wednesday passed legislation allowing the government to bring the steel industry into public ownership under circumstances where it met a public interest test.Jingye is seeking compensation, having previously said the business was losing £700,000 a day. The BBC has been unable to get a response from Jingye itself to Thursday’s announcement.Small Business Minister Blair McDougall told the House of Commons on Thursday that the government will appoint an independent valuer in the autumn “to make a judgment on any compensation that is due, and that could be nil”.By taking British Steel into public ownership…

Allergen Labels Oluchi Chibuzor  The Codex Alimentarius Commission has agreed to adopt new international guidelines on the use of precautionary allergen labelling (PAL), marking an important step towards making “may contain” statements more meaningful, science-based and consistent for consumers with food allergies around the world. The new science-based recommendations promote more consistent use of precautionary allergen labelling, helping consumers make more informed food choices This is as food allergies affect an estimated 4.3 per cent of the global population, with reactions ranging from mild symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis.  This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Food And Agriculture…

For the first time in history, astronomers have detected a sugar molecule floating among the gas clouds of interstellar space.Erythrulose has four carbon atoms, and on Earth, it occurs naturally in some fruits. Its presence 26,000 light-years away could help untangle the mystery of the origin of life on our planet.The study was published this week in Nature Astronomy. The team, led by Izaskun Jiménez Serra, analyzed data captured by radio telescopes in Spain to identify the molecule’s signature in the microwave frequencies it produces as it rotates.Sugar molecules are essential for life. They fuel cells and are part of…

An artist’s impression of an exoplanet orbiting its star. Credit: NASA/JPL-CaltechScientists have discovered a rocky planet that is likely to have an atmosphere — and could be a host for life.In a paper published this week in Science1, researchers report their observations of helium escaping from the atmosphere of a rocky exoplanet called LHS 1140b. The finding indicates that LHS 1140b has a helium-rich upper atmosphere, supporting previous evidence that small, rocky planets can have atmospheres. And because LHS 1140b is located in the ‘habitable zone’ — the region surrounding a star in which an orbiting planet can maintain liquid…

The World Matchplay Darts 2026 is just around the corner and Luke Littler is looking to become the first player to go back-to-back in a decade.If Littler completes the feat, he will be the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2016 to retain his title at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. However, he will have the likes of Luke Humphries, Gary Anderson, James Wade, Nathan Aspinall, Gian van Veen, and Van Gerwen himself right in the battle as 32 of the world’s best do battle. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Phil Taylor wins his 16th and…

If Frances Ruffelle fancied putting on a one-woman cabaret show, it would be pretty good. The West End and Broadway star has certainly pulled together a decent set of original songs to flesh out I Can Die Too.Written by a dozen or so songwriters and brightly arranged by musical director Frew, they have the 1980s/90s pop feel of Cyndi Lauper, Britney Spears and Ultravox; a touch of torch song here, a slice of synth ballad there. Backed by cello, violin, keys and drums, Ruffelle is in her element singing them: nothing histrionic and the good judgment to know when the…

Chiemelie Ezeobi  The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP), Thursday said the late Mary Habila, who was allegedly found dead in the House of the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, did not appear on the database of registered physiotherapists in Nigeria after it checked through appropriate regulatory channels. In an official statement on their X handle, formerly known as Twitter, the association said the development highlighted the need for public officials, particularly those in high public office, to exercise due diligence before presenting or associating individuals with regulated professions. According to the NSP, information released to the public should be accurate…

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has insisted that the Falkland Islands are “British” and accused Argentina of exploiting football to make a political statement after its players displayed a banner asserting the country’s claim to the disputed territory following their World Cup semi-final victory over England. Her remarks came as FIFA confirmed its independent disciplinary committee was assessing match reports and the surrounding circumstances to determine whether Argentina breached its rules prohibiting political messages on the field of play. Backing calls for an investigation, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government maintained that the Falklands’ status was not up for debate.…