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Author: Cecilia Odey

  • Ukrainian drone attack causes fire at oil depot in Russia

    Ukrainian drone attack causes fire at oil depot in Russia

    Attack

    Moscow, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) A Ukrainian drone attack has on Wednesday caused a fire at an oil depot in Azov in the Rostov region of Russia, regional emergency services were reported by local media as saying.

    Governor of Rostov region Vasily Golubev, said earlier via his Telegram channel that storage tanks containing oil products in Azov ignited following a drone attack.

    Initial reports suggest that no casualties have been reported.

    The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, said that approximately 200 personnel and 49 units of equipment were deployed to extinguish the blaze in the storage tank.

    This has a total capacity of 4,000 cubic meters.

    The fire was contained in an area of 3,200 square meters.

    Four Ukrainian combat drones were reportedly involved in the attack on the oil depot. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Cecilia Odey and Abiemwense Moru

  • Philippines’ Vice President Sara Duterte resigns from Cabinet

    Philippines’ Vice President Sara Duterte resigns from Cabinet

    Resingnation

    Manila, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday tendered her resignation as secretary of the Department of Education, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said.

    In a statement, Garafil said Duterte tendered her resignation as a member of the Cabinet during a visit to the presidential palace on Wednesday afternoon.

    “She declined to give a reason why. She will continue to serve as vice president.

    “We thank her for her service,’’ Garafil said.

    Garafil told reporters that Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos has accepted Duterte’s resignation. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Cecilia Odey and Abiemwense Moru

  • U.S. regulators accuse TikTok of violating child privacy laws

    U.S. regulators accuse TikTok of violating child privacy laws

    Accusation

    Washington, June 19, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has referred a complaint against the popular video-sharing app TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance to the Department of Justice.

    It alleged that they failed to protect children’s privacy.

    The FTC said in a statement that, it uncovered reason to believe TikTok and ByteDance were violating or are about to violate the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

    The regulator did not provide any further details of the alleged violations in its statement.

    The FTC said that it did not typically make referrals of complaints public, but “determined that doing so here is in the public interest.’’

    The FTC is responsible for consumer protection in the U.S. and also played an important role in competition policy.

    TikTok rejected the allegations in a statement on X, noting it had been in talks with the FTC for more than a year.

    “We’re disappointed the agency is pursuing litigation instead of continuing to work with us on a reasonable solution,’’ it said.

    TikTok also said that many of the FTC’s allegations related to past events and practices were factually inaccurate or have been addressed.

    In 2019, TikTok agreed to pay 5.7 million dollars to settle FTC allegations against its predecessor company, Musically, concerning the collection of data from children under the age of 13.

    These collections were done without parental consent, in violation of U.S. law.

    According to the FTC, the current investigation into TikTok and its Chinese-based parent company ByteDance began with an audit to determine whether the platform was complying with the terms of the previous agreement.

    TikTok is currently involved in a separate legal battle in the U.S. over a proposed law that would force a change of ownership.

    U.S. politicians are concerned that the Chinese government could potentially access data from American users through ByteDance and use the app for propaganda.

    TikTok denied the allegations and has taken legal action in the U.S..(dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Cecilia Odey and Abiemwense Moru
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  • Vessel sinks in Red Sea 1 week after Houthi attack

    Vessel

    Cairo, June 19, 2024 (dpa/NAN) A vessel is believed to have sunk in the Red Sea a week after the ship was attacked by Yemen’s Houthi Rebels, UK authorities have said.

    Maritime debris and oil have been sighted in the vessel’s last reported location in the Red Sea.

    The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency, which is part of Britain’s Royal Navy, said this late on Tuesday.

    The vessel was attacked on June 12 while it was sailing off the coast of Yemen.

    It was hit twice but the crew was evacuated, UKMTO said.

    Last week, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said that an unmanned surface vessel launched by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels had hit a Greek-owned and operated ship off the coast of Yemen.

    The hit caused severe flooding and damage to the ship’s engine room.

    The Houthis, had controlled parts of Yemen since 2014, but have been targeting ships bound for Israeli ports or those owned by Israeli companies in the Red and Arabian seas.

    They have also been targeting the Indian Ocean for months, in what they said was retaliation for Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip.

    The militia also attacked U.S. and British ships off Yemen after the two countries began launching strikes on areas under the group’s control.

    The U.S., Britain and other Western countries had launched operations to protect ships in the region. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Dianabasi Effiong

  • Commission to punish EU countries for excessive new debt

    Commission to punish EU countries for excessive new debt

    Punishment

    Brussels, June 19, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The European Commission could threaten France, Italy and Belgium, among other EU member states, on Wednesday, with legal action over their accumulation of excessive new debt.

    The EU executive arm expected multiple EU countries to breach regulations on budget deficits and national debt levels, according to an economic forecast published in May.

    As well as a decision on excessive new debt levels, the commission was also expected to make a proposal to design the European Union’s budget for 2025.

    The EU decided to suspend the debt and deficit regulations in the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

    With the rules now back in place, after some reforms were negotiated, any EU country that breached the debt and deficit limits risked legal punishment, should the commission decide to act.

    This is primarily to ensure the stability of the eurozone with the aim of the excessive deficit procedure to bring countries to a sound financial position.

    This started a process where an EU country must introduce countermeasures to reduce its debt and deficit under the supervision of the commission for four years.

    Under certain conditions, for example if a country commits to growth-promoting reforms and investments, the plan can be extended to seven years.

    The commission can also temporarily take into account the increase in interest payments when calculating the adjustment efforts.

    According to the reformed rules, EU member state may not accumulate debt in excess of 60 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

    Highly indebted EU countries with debt levels over 90 per cent of GDP have to reduce their debt ratio by one percentage point annually,

    It also said that countries with debt levels between 60 and 90 per cent by 0.5 percentage points to also reduce debt ration.

    In addition, the general government deficit namely the gap between income and expenditure of the public budget, which was primarily covered by loans, must be kept below 3 per cent of GDP.

    According to the commission’s economic forecast, France at 5.5 per cent, Italy at 4.4 per cent and Belgium at 4.4 per cent will breach this deficit limit in 2024.

    Also included were Austria, Finland, Estonia, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovakia also have deficits that were too high, according to the rules.

    Spain is at exactly -3.0 per cent. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Sadiya Hamza

  • Scottish Greens to propose abolishment of monarchy

    Scottish Greens to propose abolishment of monarchy

    Abolishment
    London, June 9, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The Scottish Green manifesto for Britain’s upcoming general elections would propose removing the “pomp and pageantry” of the monarchy, co-leader Patrick Harvie has said.

    Speaking ahead of the party’s campaign launch in Edinburgh on Thursday, Harvie has said his party would set out plans for a written constitution and a republic which can elect and remove heads of states.

    The manifesto plans were set to propose the abolition of “unelected heads of state and a permanent written constitution” in an independent Scotland.

    He said: “the monarchy is a badly outdated and fundamentally undemocratic institution. It represents a different era and feels increasingly irrelevant and ridiculous in the 21st century.

    “Yet in a matter of weeks the full pomp and pageantry of monarchy will be on display when the King does the state opening of a new government.

    “We should be able to challenge power and elect or remove our head of state through the ballot box, like most countries do.”

    He went on to demand a written constitution which would be used to avoid the kind of power grabs and stunts we have seen from Westminster.

    “The Scottish Greens are the only party that is calling for an independent Scottish republic where power lies with the people rather than being banned down like a family heirloom.”

    The United Kingdom is set to hold general elections on July 4.(dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Ismail Abdulaziz

  • Putin arrives in North Korea on state visit

    Putin arrives in North Korea on state visit

    Visit

    Seoul, June 19, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea for a two-day state visit.

    Putin was received by North Korea’s ruler Kim Jong Un at the airport in Pyongyang, the Russian news agency Interfax reported on Wednesday.

    According to observers, the two-day visit will also focus on further arms deliveries from Pyongyang, which Moscow intends to use in its war against Ukraine.

    The main part of the visit begins on Wednesday.

    The day would begin with a meeting between Putin and Kim on Kim Il Sung Square, Pyongyang’s urban and symbolic centre.

    Long negotiations were then planned, first in one-on-one talks, then on a larger scale.

    In addition to several meals together, a wreath-laying ceremony and a joint concert visit have also been announced.

    The last time Putin was in North Korea was in 2000, when he was received by Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il.

    He said after a long break in the relationship, the two countries have recently moved closer together not least because of the Ukraine war.(dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Ismail Abdulaziz

  • German coys see strong growth opportunities in India

    German coys see strong growth opportunities in India

    Opportunities
    New Delhi, June 18, 2024 (dpa/NAN) India still offers significant growth opportunities for many German companies, according to a survey published on Tuesday by the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) and the auditing firm, KPMG.

    The survey gathered that data from 85 Indian subsidiaries of German corporations as well as companies with India-related activities in Germany.

    The results revealed that 78 per cent of those surveyed expected rising sales, and 55 per cent anticipated higher profits for the current financial year.

    The participants stated that India’s attractiveness was due to its low labour costs, political stability, and skilled workforce.

    However, they also pointed out that bureaucratic hurdles, corruption, and the tax system pose major challenges.

    “The long-term outlook is positive, with most of those surveyed planning to make new investments in the next five years.”

    The chief executive of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, Stefan Halusa, highlighted the increasing importance of India as a regional production centre and global development location.

    India is presently the world’s fifth-largest economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), a key indicator of economic performance.

    According to experts, India, with its strong economic growth that is attracting many investors, will soon overtake the German economy.

    Halusa expects that there would be continued economic stability, even after the loss of absolute majority by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party in the parliamentary elections, resulting in the need for a coalition government.

    The Chief executive officer specifically expected continuity in terms of infrastructure investment and incentives to promote industrial job creation.

    The survey took place between April 9 and May 20. (dpa/NAN (www.nannews.ng)
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    (Edited by Cecilia Odey/Emmanuel Yashim)

  • Politicians raise alarm over EU law to curb child sexual abuse online

    Politicians raise alarm over EU law to curb child sexual abuse online

    Alarm

    Brussels, June 18, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Lawmakers from across the European Union have called on member states to vote against plans by the bloc’s executive to require tech companies to monitor their platforms for child sexual abuse content.

    The 36 lawmakers cited data security concerns in their distress calls.

    In an open letter made available to dpa, the politicians said they were convinced the proposed measures were incompatible with EU basic rights.

    The European Commission in 2022 presented the proposed Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse, designed to curb the spread of material showing the sexual abuse of children.

    The law would make it compulsory for social media platforms to scan private encrypted chats on social media platforms for certain identifiers.

    According to them, this might flag child grooming or the sharing of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and to report any suspicious activity.

    Under current law, this monitoring of online activity is voluntary.

    Critics have slammed the proposed measure as “chat control.”

    They saw it as an attempt to scan all online communication, including encrypted messages, raising fears of mass surveillance.

    EU member states representatives are expected to discuss the issue on Wednesday.

    The open letter calling on members to vote against the proposal was signed by lawmakers from national parliaments as well as the European Parliament.

    This includes monitoring from Germany and Austria.

    In the letter, the lawmakers call for the protection of the right to anonymous and pseudonymous use of the internet as well as for a strengthening of end-to-end encryption.

    In order to effectively combat child sexual abuse, more resources and targeted coordination among European law enforcement authorities are needed, they said.

    “Instead of effectively protecting children from sexualised violence online, the compromise draft continues to massively encroach on the protection of everyone’s digital privacy,” co-initiator Tobias Bacherle, a lawmaker for the German Green Party said. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Vivian Ihechu

  • Ex-Thai PM faces defamation of monarch charge

    Ex-Thai PM faces defamation of monarch charge

    Charge
    Bangkok, June 18, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Former Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has been charged with defaming the monarch, the Bangkok Post reported on Tuesday, citing the attorney-general’s official spokesman.

    Shinawatra, 74, appeared in a Bangkok court and was released on bail of 500,000 baht (13,600 dollars), the report said.

    Thaksin was accused of defaming the monarch, known as lèse-majesté under the Thai criminal code, during a 2015 interview in South Korea.

    Thai prosecutors took up the case again last year after he returned from 15 years in exile.

    He faced a sentence of up to 15 years in prison in a country where lèse-majesté was regarded as a serious offence.

    Thaksin, Prime Minister between 2001 and 2006, will also have to answer computer crime charges related to inputting information into a computer system seen as a threat to national security.

    The Bangkok Post reported.

    He has denied all charges.

    The billionaire prime minister was ousted in the coup in 2006.

    He was subsequently charged with corruption and abuse of power, as well as failing to respect the monarchy.

    He fled the country in 2008 to avoid a prison sentence.

    Thaksin was arrested and tried on his return to Thailand in 2023.

    King Maha Vajiralongkorn cut his sentence to one year from the eight imposed by the court, and he was released in February.

    Thailand permits prisoners older than 70 to apply for parole or a royal pardon. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Sadiya Hamza