Business
UK Appoints New Country Director To Lead UK Nigeria Trade And Investment Relations

The United Kingdom has appointed Mark Smithson as the new country director for the Department of Business and Trade in Nigeria.
In this role, Smithson will be responsible for leading trade and investment relations between the UK and Nigeria, with the goal of increasing investment and trade between the two nations.
Smithson, who has experience in both the UK and abroad, will work to support market access and trade policy priorities in addition to his other responsibilities.
The new country director expressed his excitement about his new role and the potential for growth between the two nations. He stated that he is eager to work with the Nigerian government, the private sector, and the UK supply chain to seize the opportunities this partnership offers.
Prior to his appointment, Smithson led the Department of Business and Trade’s capital investment agenda in London, where he focused on large corporations in Europe and the US, as well as institutional investors in Southeast Asia.
He has also served as the head of the Consular Section at the British Consulate General in Barcelona, Spain, and the head of Consular Services at the British Consulate General in Miami.
The UK has also appointed John Humphrey as the trade commissioner for Africa, who will work closely with ambassadors, high commissioners, and the wider diplomatic network to promote UK trade and prosperity in Africa.
Business
SpaceX Capsule Delivers Four Astronauts To International Space Station

In a remarkable crew-swap mission, a SpaceX capsule successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, delivering four astronauts and paving the way for the return of two stuck astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, after nine months in orbit.
The Crew-10 astronauts’ SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday at 7:03 p.m. ET and docked at the ISS approximately 29 hours later, at 12:04 a.m. ET (0404 GMT) on Sunday. The seven-member crew of the ISS, including Wilmore and Williams, welcomed the new arrivals.
Wilmore and Williams, veteran NASA astronauts and retired Navy test pilots, have been stranded on the ISS due to problems with Boeing’s Star-liner capsule. Their return to Earth is now imminent, with a scheduled departure on Wednesday at 4 a.m. ET (0800 GMT), alongside NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
The Crew-10 mission has been marked by controversy, with President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk, also SpaceX’s CEO, urging a quicker launch and claiming that Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, had abandoned Wilmore and Williams on the station for political reasons.
Despite the politics, Wilmore and Williams have continued to conduct scientific research and routine maintenance on the ISS. Williams expressed her excitement about returning home to her family and two dogs, saying, “It’s been a roller coaster for them, probably a little bit more so than for us. “The Crew-10 crew, comprising NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, will spend approximately six months on the ISS.
Business
The Rising Tide of Cyber Threats: How to Protect Your Personal Devices and Prevent Financial Loss

In today’s interconnected world, cybercriminals are be-coming increasingly adept at exploiting vulnerabilities in personal devices to extract sensitive information from unsuspecting victims. As hacking attempts grow more sophisticated, experts are sounding the alarm on the importance of adopting robust security measures to safeguard personal devices and prevent devastating financial losses. The alarming rise in cybersecurity breaches has resulted in staggering financial losses, with the International Monetary Fund reporting that losses from cyber incidents have quadrupled since 2017. While the average loss hovers around $0.5 million, severe at-tacks can have catastrophic consequences, costing companies as much as $2.5 billion once every decade.
The sheer scale of these losses reiterates the urgent need for individuals and organizations to prioritize cybersecurity and protect their personal devices from the ever-evolving threats posed by cybercriminals. As the digital landscape continues to shift and vulnerabilities are exploited, it is crucial that we adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity, rather than simply reacting to threats as they arise. Experts agree that a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity is essential, incorporating robust security measures, regular soft-ware updates, and a healthy dose of skepticism when interacting with online content.
One of the most critical steps in protecting personal devices is to ensure that all software and operating systems are up-to-date. In addition to regular updates, it is essential to adopt robust security measures, such as fire-walls, antivirus software, and encryption. These measures can help to prevent cybercriminals from gaining access to personal de-vices and extracting sensitive information. However, even with robust security measures in place, it is still possible for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities in personal devices. This is why it is crucial to adopt a healthy dose of skepticism when interacting with online content. This includes being cautious when clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown sources, as well as being wary of phishing scams and other types of social engineering attacks.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve and cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, it is clear that cybersecurity must be a top priority for individuals and organizations alike. By adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity, incorporating robust security measures, regular software updates, and a healthy dose of skepticism, we can help to prevent devastating financial losses and protect our personal devices from the rising tide of cyber threats.”
Cybersecurity is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Beckham Anderson, a leading cybersecurity expert. “As cyber threats continue to evolve, it’s essential that we stay one step ahead by adopting a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity. This includes regular software updates, robust security measures, and a healthy dose of skepticism when interacting with online content. “The rising tide of cyber threats poses a significant risk to individuals and organizations alike. However, by prioritizing cybersecurity and adopting a multi-layered approach to protecting personal devices, we can help to prevent devastating financial losses and safeguard our sensitive information. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and proactive in our approach to cybersecurity, ensuring that we are always one step ahead of the cybercriminals.
Business
Nigerian Banks’ Upgrade Chaos: A Call for Customer-Centric Solutions

Nigerian banks’ rush to upgrade their core banking systems has caused confusion and frustration for many customers. With banks upgrading to more secure software, the lack of communication and customer support has left millions unable to access their funds, sparking questions about the bank’s commitment to customer welfare.
Dr. Uju Ogubunka, President of Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN), emphasized the severe impact of these disruptions, stressing the need for better communication and customer preparedness during such transitions. Banks must strike a balance between technological upgrades and customer service to retain trust, especially in an economy facing devaluation pressures.
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