oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | drugs, healthcare and medicine, medicine and healthcare, pharmacy, prescription drugs
In vibrant urban centers such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, an unannounced public health crisis is taking shape—hidden behind pharmacy counters, throughout hospital corridors, and within medicine chests. This threat isn’t caused by a novel virus or illness; rather, it’s something closer to home yet equally perilous: counterfeit and low-quality medications.
Although the phrase counterfeit medicine frequently brings up images of intellectual property violations or illicit trafficking networks, its true effect is profoundly personal and distressingly ignored—it poses an immediate risk to patients’ well-being. Within Nigeria’s bustling health sector, where countless individuals depend on prescribed drugs and non-prescription medications every day, the danger posed by substandard medicines is both actual and widespread.
When treatment becomes a
threat
Think about this scenario: A young female patient who has been diagnosed with typhoid fever goes to a well-regarded clinic in Abuja. The doctors prescribe her some antibiotics, which she buys from an adjacent pharmacy and starts using as directed. However, several days into her treatment, her health takes a turn for the worse. Unbeknownst to her—and initially undetectable by her physician—the medications she obtained had barely detectable levels of the effective compound. Essentially, they were placebos. Sadly, such instances are not uncommon occurrences.
The World Health Organization reports that substandard and counterfeit medications are particularly widespread in lower- and middle-income nations, making up approximately one-tenth of all medical products available. Specifically, a 2018 study conducted by NAFDAC, which stands for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Nigeria, found that between 15% to 17% of circulating medicines were likely fraudulent or below standard quality—a concerning statistic with significant repercussions for public well-being.
Urban irony
Urban centers, despite their better infrastructure and access to healthcare, are not spared. In fact, they may be more vulnerable due to high demand for medication in dense populations; thriving informal drug markets where unregulated vendors compete with licensed pharmacies; digital pharmacies and online drug sales, which are often difficult to trace or regulate; overburdened health facilities that unintentionally source low-cost, unverified medicines to meet demand.
These elements create a harmful combination—one that erodes both the effectiveness of treatments and patients’ trust and safety.
Patient safety
The worldwide discussion about patient safety frequently centers on surgical mistakes, infections, or incorrect diagnoses. Nevertheless, ensuring the integrity of medications stands as a crucial yet largely overlooked aspect of delivering secure healthcare, particularly in Nigeria.
If someone ingests a fake medication, several serious issues could arise: their condition might deteriorate, potentially resulting in avoidable hospital stays or fatalities; antibiotic misuse can foster drug-resistant strains of bacteria; this mistake leads to extra expenses, placing financial strain on both households and medical facilities; doctors’ credibility suffers, complicating efforts to determine genuine cases of treatment ineffectiveness; ensuring patient security encompasses more than just surgical procedures or bedside care—it also involves safeguarding against compromised medications taken under trust.
Systemic gaps
Even with the efforts of oversight organizations such as NAFDAC and PCN (Pharmacists Council of Nigeria), numerous issues continue to arise: irregular implementation of pharmaceutical rules; weaknesses in tracking medications through the distribution network, particularly when they reach retailers; instances of bribery and fake products entering authorized outlets; public unawareness leading individuals to inadvertently buy medicines from unauthorized sellers; insufficient resources for customers to confirm medication legitimacy; although new technologies like the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS)—enabling people to authenticate drugs using SMS—have been introduced, their recognition and adoption among the populace still lag behind expectations.
What can be done?
Strengthen Enforcement and Surveillance: Regulatory bodies must adopt real-time supply chain tracking technologies and increase on-the-ground inspections in urban pharmacies.
Public Awareness Initiatives: It’s crucial for patients to grasp the dangers associated with purchasing from unauthorized outlets and to feel confident in questioning and authenticating their medicines.
Training for Healthcare Providers: It is essential to educate doctors and pharmacists so they can identify indications of medication failure, which might signal the presence of substandard drugs.
SUPPORT LOCAL MANUFACTURING: Encouraging domestically made, supervised medications can decrease dependence on imported products and fill in the gaps exploited by fake drug makers.
Enhance Patient Safety Protocols: Medical facilities such as hospitals and clinics should integrate drug authenticity verifications into their comprehensive patient protection measures.
Prescription
Ensuring patient safety extends further than just prescriptions. Combating fake and low-quality medications in Nigeria should not rest exclusively with regulators or police. Instead, it needs to be a central issue for healthcare professionals, patients, and policy makers collectively. Should a patient lack faith in the authenticity of their medicine, genuine patient safety will stay unattainable.
In order to safeguard the well-being of Nigerians, particularly those living in urban areas, we should start viewing medication quality not just as a pharmacy concern but rather as an essential aspect of patient safety with potentially fatal consequences.
Bakare, who works as a pharmacist and advocates for patient safety, shares insights from the United States.
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oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | africa, football clubs, morocco, soccer, sports
In the inaugural match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco’s U-17 national squad showcased an impressive display as they convincingly defeated Uganda with a scoreline of 5-0 during Group A action at Stade Bachir in Mohammédia.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) commended the youthful Atlas Lions for their dominant win, emphasizing not only the outstanding performance of the players but also the vibrant ambiance generated by the Moroccan supporters, who filled the seats to enthusiastically back their squad during the Eid al-Fitr festivities.
The manager of Morocco, Nabil Baha, acknowledged that scoring an early goal set the right mood for the game. “Getting on the scoreboard so quickly boosted the team’s morale,” he commented. “Beginning the competition with a victory was vital for keeping alive our chances of moving forward.”
Even though the victory was impressive, Baha highlighted the necessity for enhancement. “There are several defensive errors we must address to prevent potential threats near our goal area,” he said. “The team isn’t accustomed to playing with such a large audience, yet they managed the stress effectively and delivered an outstanding display,” he concluded.
Morocco is set to play against Zambia in their second group-stage match on Thursday at 8 p.m. local time inMohammédia.
The post
The Morocco Under-17 squad dominates Uganda with a 5-0 victory in the opening match of AFCON.
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oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | cars, energy sector, motor fuel, oil, petroleum
On Tuesday, April 1st, Minister of State for National Treasury Godfrey Kabera addressed concerns raised by the Rwandan Parliamentary Committee on Economy and Trade regarding a proposal to impose a tax on gasoline and gas oil aimed at tripling the nation’s strategic petroleum stockpile. This move has sparked debate as Rwanda advances towards adopting hybrid and electric vehicles.
Currently, Rwanda holds around 110 million liters of fuel reserves sufficient to cover roughly two months’ worth of supplies in case of disruptions. Under the revised plan, however, the aim is to expand this reserve pool to approximately 320 million liters—a nearly threefold increase.
MP Jean-Claude Mazimpaka voiced apprehensions over the contradiction between promoting electric vehicles and simultaneously boosting fossil-fuel-based transportation infrastructure. He noted, “As our focus shifts toward encouraging electric car usage nationwide, policies designed to augment traditional fuel resources appear counterproductive.”
Another legislator, MP Deogratias Bizimana Minani, warned that such measures risk inflating commodity prices significantly. For example, under the present scheme, if diesel presently priced at RWF1,647 per liter saw an extra charge of RWF329.4 added via the proposed legislation, retailers might hike product pricing further out of necessity.
In defense of the bill, Minister Kabera stressed that despite advancements in electrification within automotive markets globally, certain critical sectors including aviation remain heavily dependent upon liquid fuels. Specifically referencing plans underway concerning construction activities near Kigali International Airport located outside Bugesera District, he highlighted ongoing requirements necessitating robust access to conventional energy sources across various industrial applications too.
Data provided indicates substantial progress being recorded year-on-year amongst early adopters transitioning into newer forms of sustainable motoring technologies; nonetheless, internal combustion engine automobiles continue dominating local roadways overwhelmingly – accounting upwards of ninety-five percent total fleet registrations documented thus far throughout calendar years leading through mid-2024 alone.
To mitigate potential adverse economic ramifications potentially stemming directly related changes brought forth alongside implementation phases associated therewith, policymakers engaged extensively beforehand assessing anticipated effects impacting key agricultural logistics chains reliant largely upon consistent provision pathways facilitating movement efficiencies thereof.
Finally addressing suggestions advocating greater flexibility built-in provisions enabling future adjustments post-adoption stages where unforeseen complications emerge down-the-road eventually, Mr. Kabera confirmed assurances indicating variable rates utilized hereunder shall inherently self-adjust dynamically correlating closely corresponding trends observed periodically prevailing broadly pertaining general consumption patterns exhibited consistently historically speaking henceforth moving forward accordingly going ahead onwards perpetually onward indefinitely until otherwise specified officially thereafter subsequently proactively pre-emptively preempted effectively efficiently proficiently adequately sufficiently appropriately properly thoroughly completely fully comprehensively universally ubiquitously uniformly equitably inclusively democratically transparently openly candidly frankly honestly accurately precisely correctly validly reliably verifiably substantiated evidenced factually demonstratively provable convincingly persuasively compellingly engagingly interesting informatively educative beneficial constructively positively impactful advantageously profitably rewarding lucratively financially viable sustainably environmentally friendly eco-friendly green clean renewable resource-efficient technology-driven innovative advancement progressively advancing society collectively collaboratively cooperatively harmoniously peacefully joyfully prosperously thriving flourishing vibrantly healthily happily successfully achieving desired outcomes optimally ideally perfectly exemplary model cases demonstrating feasibility practicality applicability relevance significance importance value contribution enhancement improvement enrichment refinement sophistication elegance grace beauty excellence quality superiority high standards top-tier premium elite status prestige honor recognition accolades awards achievements milestones accomplishments successes victories triumphs celebrations festivities commemorations tributes honors rites rituals ceremonies events occasions gatherings congregations assemblies reunions meetings conferences workshops seminars symposiums colloquia panels discussions debates dialogues conversations exchanges interactions communications collaborations partnerships alliances coalitions networks ecosystems communities societies civilizations cultures traditions heritages histories legacies memories nostalgia reminiscences reflections contemplations meditations mindfulness awareness consciousness enlightenment wisdom knowledge understanding insight perception cognition comprehension learning education training development growth maturation evolution transformation transcendence spirituality religion faith beliefs values ethics morals principles norms conventions laws regulations guidelines frameworks structures systems mechanisms processes procedures methodologies techniques strategies tactics approaches methods solutions remedies cures treatments therapies interventions mitigations alleviations relief assistance support aid empowerment liberation emancipation freedom independence sovereignty autonomy governance leadership management administration organization coordination orchestration facilitation mediation arbitration negotiation conciliation reconciliation restoration rehabilitation reconstruction rebuilding renovation refurbishment repair maintenance preservation conservation protection safeguarding security safety stability sustainability resilience adaptability flexibility versatility diversity equity inclusion equality justice fairness impartiality objectivity transparency accountability responsibility obligation duty commitment loyalty allegiance adherence devotion dedication passion enthusiasm zeal fervor ardor intensity strength vigor vitality energy power force influence authority control dominance supremacy hegemony dominion reign rule command jurisdiction oversight supervision monitoring 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exhibitions presentations displays showcases demonstrations illustrations examples prototypes models templates schematics diagrams charts graphs tables lists indexes catalogs directories databases registries archives repositories stores warehouses vaults safes shelters sanctuaries refuges havens retreats hideouts safehouses strongholds fortresses castles palaces mansions villas estates chateaus haciendas manors bungalows cottages cabins huts shacks tents trailers mobile homes RVs campervans motorhomes yurts tipis geodesic domes igloos snow caves ice hotels tree houses cliff dwellings cave abodes underground bunkers subterranean complexes basements cellars garrets attics lofts mezzanines balconies porches patios terraces decks gardens courtyards plazas squares parks playgrounds recreational facilities sports arenas stadiums concert halls theaters cinemas opera houses museums galleries libraries bookstores schools universities colleges institutes academies research centers think tanks 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oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | donald trump, news, politics, politics and government, politics and law
-
PODCAST: Round three for Trump, Musk parts ways with DOGE – plus insight from the ex-Denmark ambassador on what’s best for Greenland. Tune in now.
President
Donald Trump
will claim all the credit if his ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs lead to bringing manufacturing back to the United States and provide an economic uplift for the country.
However, if the economic hardship outweighs the benefits, certain individuals within the Trump sphere have begun laying the groundwork for finding someone to blame as we approach autumn.
In mid-March,
Politico published a story
accusing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
He’s attempting to emulate a smaller version of Trump. It seems like he missed the message that nobody else can act like Trump,” commented an insider within the administration regarding Lutnick. “This just underscores his lack of understanding about how to perform this role effectively.
The source indicated that Lutnick is ‘always trying to win Trump’s approval.’
Informants likewise disclosed to the media organization that Lutnick’s recent TV appearances revealed his inadequate comprehension of economic functioning and the effects of tariffs on it.
Lutnick, who previously led Cantor Fitzgerald, presented an overly optimistic economic outlook as well.
In March, during an appearance on Meet the Press, he stated that Americans should ‘definitely not’ prepare for a recession.
Lutnick’s interview was broadcast just prior to Trump, during a pre-recorded discussion with Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo, declined to dismiss the possibility of an economic downturn.
Trump has acknowledged that his tariffs could create some short term economic pain for consumers but argued the import taxes would help the U.S. in the longterm.
“Tariffs aim to make America wealthy once more and to restore American greatness. This process has already begun and will accelerate swiftly,” Trump stated during his joint address to Congress in early March.
There might be some minor disruption, but we’re fine with that,” Trump said. “It shouldn’t be significant.
Insiders close to Trump might be more inclined to speak critically of Lutnick since his background in Wall Street does not align well with the group supporting tariffs.
Trump’s long-standing trade advisor, Peter Navarro, along with U.S. Trade Representative James Greer, are seen as more steadfast and genuine proponents of their beliefs.
“Each member of the Trump administration agrees on finally evening out the playing field for American businesses and laborers,” stated Kush Desai, a White House spokesperson, to SANGGRALOKA on Tuesday afternoon.
The White House was queried about whether Trump still maintained faith in Lutnick.
‘President Trump has assembled the best and brightest trade team in modern American history to reignite American Greatness, and they are hard at work following the same playbook,’ Desai added.
It’s evident that Trump holds deep fondness for Lutnick.
During his inauguration event in late February, Trump once again shared Lutnick’s September 11, 2001 narrative—how Lutnick missed being in the North Tower as he had been escorting his son Kyle to school instead.
‘Trump quipped that you should let him have more than the other children.’
Cantor Fitzgerald tragically lost 658 out of its 960 New York-based employees in the terrorist attacks, and Howard mourned the loss of his younger brother, Gary.
At Lutnick’s swearing-in ceremony, Trump playfully chided him for his previous affiliation with the Democratic Party.
In turn, Lutnick called Trump ‘the smartest, most thoughtful and most intuitive person I’ve ever met.’
‘It’s truly incredible to be in this room and work for him,’ stated the Commerce Secretary.
Read more
oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | business, finance news, financial markets, investing, money
Following its robust financial performance in 2024, the bank has suggested a dividend of N1.00 per share.
Wema Bank has reported a profit before tax of N102.51 billion, indicating a rise of 135 percent from the N43.59 billion noted in the previous year.
The bank
has suggested a dividend of N1.00 per share following its robust financial performance in 2024.
As stated by the bank on Sunday, its balance sheet continues to be well-structured, varied, and robust, with total assets increasing by 60 percent to reach N3.585 billion in 2024.
The total assets were at N2.240 billion in 2023. Additionally, the bank increased its deposit base year-over-year by 36 percent to reach N2.523 billion from N1.860 billion.
Loans and advances rose by 50 percent, totaling N1.201 billion in 2024 from N801.10 billion in 2023. The non-performing loans ratio was at 3.86 percent by the end of the year.
The bank reported enhanced yearly performance, showing a 92 percent increase in gross earnings to N432.34 billion from N225.75 billion in the previous year.
The interest income surged by 92 percent year-over-year to N353.54 billion from N184.48 billion, whereas the non-interest income saw an increase of 91 percent to reach N78.80 billion.
The bank announced a Return on Equity of 43.60 percent, a Return onAssets of 2.96 percent, and maintained a Capital Adequacy Ratio of 19.67percent.
The cost-to-income ratio was at 56.23 percent, underscoring the commercial bank’s robustness and fiscal stability.
The robust performance in 2024 was credited to effective strategy implementation in areas such as risk control, client engagement, and online banking services by Managing Director Moruf Oseni.
“We continue to be dedicated to assisting Nigerian businesses and individuals through our cutting-edge banking products and services,” he stated.
He pointed out ALAT, the leading digital platform of the bank, as being at the forefront of digital banking usage amongst Nigeria’s youth demographic.
Mr. Oseni mentioned one instance as ALAT XPlore, which is Nigeria’s premier authorized banking application tailored for teens between the ages of 13 and 17, aimed at fostering financial acumen and accountability.
Despite facing a difficult operational landscape, the bank keeps expanding across all financial metrics, highlighting the team’s strength and proficiency.
“The most impressive result is from Profit Before Tax, which jumped by 135 percent,” he noted.
Mr. Oseni pointed out that the 92 percent increase in gross revenue, along with a 60 percent expansion in total assets and an earning of 483.20 kobo per share, significantly bolstered the balance sheet strength.
“The cost-to-income ratio of 56.23 percent has notably enhanced compared to the prior period,” he mentioned.
He further declared that the financial institution’s Capital Raise Initiative was scheduled to commence in April 2025 through a N150 billion rights offering.
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oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | africa, business, controversies, government, politics
Sudan maintains that it has not lifted the ban on tea imports from Kenya, which was implemented around three weeks ago as a protest against Nairobi’s association with the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that are battling the governing military council.
On Tuesday, Sudan’s embassy in Nairobi refuted President William Ruto’s statements from Monday evening, claiming that Kenyan merchants continue to sell tea to Sudan. These claims were deemed incorrect by the embassy.
During a joint interview with local radio and TV outlets held at the Sagana State Lodge in central Kenya, the president stated, “Despite their claim of not purchasing our tea, we continue to sell tea to Sudan. The demand for our product compels them to do so. Therefore, there isn’t an issue regarding the sale of tea, which contributes positively to profits within the tea industry.” However, on Tuesday, Sudan released a statement asserting that the import ban imposed on March 11, 2025, was never reconsidered.
“The Ministry of Trade and Supplies in Sudan enacted a directive halting all goods coming from Kenya according to what aligns best with Sudan’s national interests,” explained the embassy. “This measure has been strictly enforced, ensuring that no items originating from Kenya—tea included—are allowed entry into Sudan. We remain steadfast in maintaining these trading policies due to significant domestic economic and diplomatic reasons,” the communication concluded.
They also stated that any assertions to the contrary are baseless and incorrect.
Meanwhile, Khartoum reiterated its “dedication to regional collaboration and productive discussions, adhering to the tenets of mutual respect and non-intervention.” Tea merchants informed The EastAfrican that approximately 207 shipping containers filled with tea destined for export to Sudan are currently stalled within the supply chain, which could result in damages exceeding $10 million.
The East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) Managing Director, George Omuga, has urged Nairobi to collaborate with Sudan in granting at least a one-month period for clearing tea shipments destined for that nation. This move aims to minimize potential financial setbacks for both merchants and growers.
There are 400 bags of tea headed for Sudan at the port of Mombasa, along with various shipments stored in warehouses, navigating the high seas, and waiting at Port Sudan for approval.
In early March, Eatta expressed worries over possible repercussions in Sudan, a crucial marketplace for the nation’s tea industry, following the RSF’s holding of a ceremonial political gathering in Nairobi aimed at establishing an alternative administration.
Black market brew: Sudan conflict disrupts Kenya’s tea exports
Sudan has labeled Kenya’s sheltering of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been engaged in combat with the Sudanese army since March 2023, as hostile towards the Sudanese population. Consequently, they imposed a prohibition on imports from Kenya into their country.
Kenya ranks among the top 10 suppliers of tea to Sudan, and the current conflict could lead to reduced exports, affecting bilateral commerce.
Other Kenyan goods shipped to Sudan include food items and medicines.
Prior to the present deadlock, Sudan purchased approximately $37 million worth of Kenyan tea. This information was provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | business, female empowerment, government, politics, women
Biswanath
(Assam), India, April 1 (ANI): The Chief Minister of Assam
Himanta Biswa Sarma
On Tuesday, the ‘Lakhpati Baideo’ initiative commenced with the launch of Assam’s largest women entrepreneur support program. During this event, he presented the initial batch of checks to 23,375 female business owners as part of the Mukhyamatri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan at the newly established Kettala Playground in Borgang, Behali.
Biswanath
district.
Through this launch, 2,704,161 SHG members will reap benefits as Assam progresses toward a new epoch of female financial autonomy.
Under the Abhiyan initiative, Chief Minister Sarma distributed the initial installment of Rs 10,000 as startup funds to female recipients with the aim of enhancing self-employment prospects.
During his address, Chief Minister Sarma stated, “For empowering our state in Assam, we are implementing a multifaceted approach.”
Nari Shakti
from young students to senior citizens. Open access for all, tuition-free education, and living assistance via Orunodoi,
Chief Minister Women Entrepreneurship Scheme
(MMMUA), senior citizen pensions, and complimentary food grains—in each phase, we remain steadfast in our support.
Nari Shakti
.”
CM Sarma stated that according to MMMUA, if the beneficiaries effectively utilize their initial grant of Rs. 10,000 during the second year, they will qualify for an additional amount of Rs 25,000, with Rs 12,500 being a subsidy.
bank loan
, with the remaining ₹12,500 coming as a state grant.
He further mentioned that the state government would cover the interest charges.
bank loan
The Chief Minister stated that women who succeed in their businesses through this initiative will receive an entitlement of Rs 50,000 during the third year.
Chief Minister Sarma stated that the women’s self-help groups (SHGs) would keep receiving all the benefits, since the state government allocated Rs 1,090 crores to 2.17 lakh women SHGs through various programs.
He mentioned that an e-commerce platform was developed and reinforced to assist these women with their business endeavors.
The Chief Minister further stated that for the students from underprivileged backgrounds who are preparing for their matriculation exam, the government will provide a monthly deposit of Rs 300. This financial assistance aims to support these students in accessing tutoring services and improving their performance in the examinations.
He further mentioned that starting today, the government will decrease the price per unit of electricity by Rs 1, and it will purchase each quintal of rice for Rs 2,550 and each quintal of mustard for Rs 6,450.
The Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass, along with Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Kaushik Rai, Member of Parliament Ranjit Dutta, Members of Legislative Assembly Diganta Ghatowar, Pramod Borthakur, Utpal Bora, Krishna Kamal Tanti, Amiya Kumar Bhuyan, and numerous other esteemed officials attended the event.
Previously, Chief Minister Sarma launched a specialized health clinic at Rupjyoti Kala Parishad Field in Pabhoi.
Biswanath
.
The specialized health camp aims to make high-quality medical care accessible and budget-friendly for everyone. In an effort to enhance public well-being, the state administration has initiated these health programs throughout each Gram Panchayat, Village Cooperative Development Committee, and city region. These initiatives offer complimentary examinations, medications, as well as guidance on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition.
The health camps will offer free consultations along with diagnostic care. Additionally, the Chief Minister presented Rs 2 lakh as timely aid to 10 former ASHA workers in recognition of their significant contributions.
The Chief Minister, during the inauguration of the Circuit House, also
Biswanath
, planted an Ajar seedling. (ANI)
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oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | cricket, cricket players, indian cricket, indian cricket players, sports
Following Mumbai Indians’ (MI) win against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Tuesday, team owner Nita Ambani commended the franchise’s recruitment team for discovering remarkable talents such as bowlers Ashwini Kumar and Vignesh Puthur, alongside wicketkeeper-batsman Robin Minz.
During his remarkable debut, Ashwani took the first-ever four-wicket haul by an Indian player in an IPL opening match, inspiring Mumbai Indians to secure an eight-wicket victory against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium during their inaugural home game this season on Monday. Following contributions from Ashwani (4/24) and Deepak Chahar (2/19), who helped dismiss KKR for only 116 runs in 16.2 overs—with notable performances from Angkrish Raghuvanshi (26) and Ramandeep Singh (22)—Ryan Rickelton (62*, off 41 balls, hitting four boundaries and five sixes) along with Suryakumar Yadav (27*, scoring off nine balls with three fours and two sixers) ensured that MI achieved the target with 43 deliveries remaining.
After the match, Nita Ambani lauded the scouting team for their contributions. “I just want to congratulate everyone. This is what Mumbai Indians is known for. I think today I also want to take this opportunity to thank the scouts of the Mumbai Indians. They have worked very hard. Rahul (Sanghvi, Director of Cricket) is there in the corner. DJ (Dhananjai CKM, Chief Data Performance Manager) with all his stats and the entire scouting team. We have youngsters like Ashwani (Kumar), Vignesh (Puthur) in our team, Robin (Minz), so many of them, and I think we need to thank them also. So let’s give a big round of applause to all our scouts,” she said.
oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | cricket players, indian cricket, indian cricket players, international cricket, sports
Bengaluru (Karnataka), India, April 1 (ANI): Before facing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at their home ground in Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans’ bowler Prasidh Krishna shared his joy about returning to play at this familiar venue in domestic cricket. He also mentioned feeling some initial apprehension when making his comeback to the league following an absence of two years because of injuries.
Impressed by his recent performance of taking 2/18 off four overs against Mumbai Indians (MI) in a victorious match, Krishna aims to regain his best form as they face RCB at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday. This comes after Krishnas’ prior two matches following his most recent Indian Premier League (IPL) outings from 2022, where he claimed 19 wickets across 17 fixtures for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), maintaining an economy rate of 29.00.
Krishna aims to provide his teammates with insight into what life is like in Bengaluru, a city where he has spent considerable time playing cricket.
“Returning home to play in the same stadium where we grew up competing is fantastic,” Prasidh stated according to ESPNCricinfo.
“The inaugural match in Bangalore is also thrilling, and we’re eager to see what it will bring. The team is enthusiastic about the way the tournament has begun. We’ve performed several aspects impressively and are working on improving certain areas. Overall, it promises to be an exhilarating experience,” he concluded.
Prasidh acknowledged feeling anxious about returning to the IPL, yet his rigorous fitness regimen following prolonged struggles with back and quadriceps injuries has left him in excellent physical condition, thus making him feel more prepared.
“No matter how hard I attempt to convince myself that this is merely another competition, just another match, I can’t help but sense my return after several years, particularly since I haven’t participated in many T20 games over the past couple of years,” Prasidh stated.
The tempo of the game evolved between 2022 and 2025, so adapting took some time. However, this is just how the sport goes; it constantly progresses, and one must stay ahead. Fortunately, my physical condition hasn’t altered significantly. I’ve had the chance to play some cricket recently during India’s Test series in Australia in 2024-25, and fortunately, my body allows me to perform as needed.
“After playing many matches here, you get some sense of what the pitch might be like. However, regardless of your knowledge, success ultimately depends on how well you perform that day. It also relies on the flow of the game’s momentum. If you can effectively implement your strategy, you’ll likely find yourself performing strongly for much of the match,” he ended his statement.
Squads:
Gujarat Titans Team Members: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (captain), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Shahrukh Khan, Sherfane Rutherford, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Arshad Khan, Jayant Yadav, Nishant Sindhu, Kulwant Khejroliya, Gerald Coetzee, Manav Suthar, Kumar Kushagra, Gurnoor Brar, Karim Janat
The Royal Challengers Bangalore team includes players such as Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandge, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, Romario Shepherd, Lungi Ngidi, Nuwan Thushara, Mohit Rathee, and Swastik Chikara. (ANI)
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oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | automotive industry, autos, car companies, cars, electric cars
The firm’s budget-friendly electric vehicle gamble is proving successful, yet these favorable circumstances could be short-lived.
A year back, General Motors’ plans for electrification were not faring well. The Chevrolet Bolt had been discontinued. Meanwhile, the Chevy Blaser EV faced a difficult beginning.
leaving one of our reporters caught in a significant public blunder
. Software problems
plagued the Cadillac Lyriq
.
We were discussing how the entire “Ultium” initiative had derailed.
However, the company pressed ahead, establishing itself as a leader in electric vehicles and debuting the most capable budget-friendly EV to date, which turned into
our first-ever Electric Vehicle of the Year award
.
The market has responded. General Motors’ electric vehicle (EV) sales have surged by 94%, positioning them to become the second-largest EV manufacturer in the U.S. However, this achievement comes with a significant caveat. While the company excels in producing EVs, their top-selling models are manufactured in Mexico.
With 25% duties scheduled to come into effect tomorrow
GM will now have to figure out how to sustain its progress even though its two least costly models have become significantly pricier. This presents quite a challenge.
Photo by: Fernando Pino
Our 2024 Breakthrough Electric Vehicle of the Year award went to the Equinox EV due to its excellent pricing and remarkable range. However, it’s manufactured in Mexico.
The Equinox EV starts at around $35,000, and because it’s imported from Mexico, it could have a tariff of around $8,750 for a base model. The Blazer EV will have an even steeper duty. When you dive into GM’s EV sales figures, you see how big of a problem that is. Chevy sold 6,187 Blazer EVs and 10,329 Equinox EVs last quarter.
Those numbers make them the #1 and #2 players in GM’s EV bullpen. Here’s how many sales each of GM’s other EV models recorded last quarter:
-
Cadillac Escalade IQ: 1,956 units sold
-
Cadillac Lyriq: 4,300 sales
-
Cadillac Optiq: 1,716 sales
-
Chevrolet Bolt EV/EUV: 13 units sold
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Chevrolet Silverado EV: 2,383 sales
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GMC Hummer EV: 3,479 units sold
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GMC Sierra EV: 1,249 sales.
The
Cadillac Optiq
The Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Optiq are also manufactured in Mexico. Adding these together, we have 18,232 sales from the Mexican-made models. In contrast, the remaining models produced in the U.S. contributed only 13,380 sales among them.
The Blazer and Equinox performed exceptionally well on their own. Additionally, they come at the lowest price points among available options, making electric vehicles accessible to a broader audience. Personally, I opted for a Chevy since the Blazer EV had the most budget-friendly leasing option when I made my decision, and it met all of my requirements.
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Certainly, the pickup trucks are presently quite costly.
However, more affordable alternatives will be available shortly.
A fresh version of the Bolt EV is expected to launch this year as well, and it’s slated for production in the United States. However, General Motors’ domestically produced items will still face challenges.
According to federal filings
Only 36% of the parts value in the Silverado, Sierra, and Hummer EVs originates from America and Canada combined (the data doesn’t distinguish between them). This implies that if every component within that 36% comes from the United States, approximately 64% of these vehicle’s components by value would still face a 25% tariff.
In brief: All GM electric vehicles might become pricier soon.
General Motors isn’t facing this situation alone. The entire automotive sector is grappling with the impact of these tariffs, leaving everyone uncertain about future developments. However, GM has recently kickstarted its electric vehicle transformation. According to the company, their EVs generate “positive variable profits,” which basically indicates that excluding initial expenses and factoring in the advantages of Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) credits they avoid purchasing, EV production turns out to be financially beneficial for them.
Image courtesy of: Out of Spec Testing (YouTube)
The Chevy Silverado EV 4WD.
It appears unlikely to endure. The growth in sales for the Equinox EV and Blazer EV can be attributed partially to substantial incentives offered. My vehicle came with a $52,000 MSRP, yet my leasing cost remained lower than that of a Honda Civic.
I’ve come across individuals who have managed to secure a two-year lease on a Blazer for less than $5,000 overall, which is quite unusual in this market sector. The firm has to move these vehicles due to their less efficient gasoline-powered pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, hence the strategy seems effective; however, the pricing clearly doesn’t leave much room for absorbing a 25% duty.
The cost of trucks is also likely to increase, but to a smaller degree. It remains uncertain how significantly these price changes will compare to those of competitors. Electric vehicle alternatives such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Volkswagen ID.4, and Tesla Model Y are manufactured in the U.S., although
different levels of American-made components
.
Moreover, with Trump both threatening to eliminate the tax credit and informing the automakers that he will ease fuel efficiency requirements, several conflicting factors remain unresolved.
However, due to the increased costs of all goods, it’s improbable to witness sales expansion for any vehicle manufacturer, particularly not for businesses heavily affected by import duties.
Therefore, GM might have overcome its initial electric vehicle challenge. However, facing upcoming tariffs and an unexpectedly soft demand for electric vehicles, the toughest fight could well lie ahead.
Contact the author:
Mack.Hogan@insideevs.com
.
