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Author: Ummul Idris

  • Mob kills man in Pakistan over blasphemy allegation

     

    Blasphemy

    Islamabad, June 21, 2024 (dpa/NAN) A mob in Pakistan has killed a man over alleged desecration of the Quran.

    The incident took place in Madyan, a popular hill station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, north-western Pakistan, according to local media.

    Hundreds of men stormed and vandalised a police station where the man was kept after he was handed over by the locals.

    Videos of the incident circulating on social media showed scores of men beating and then torching the body of the man.

    A police spokesman, Mr Wajid Rasool, said that the man accused of blasphemy was a tourist from the Sialkot district of the Punjab.

    “We have started investigations into the incident and are tracing those who attacked the police station,” he said.

    Blasphemy is a sensitive topic in Pakistan, and those accused can become targets of extremist Muslim vigilante groups.

    In some cases, they have been gunned down, burned alive or bludgeoned to death.

    In May, a mob vandalised a Christan neighborhood in Sargodha and tortured a man over an allegation of blasphemy.

    The man died in a hospital some weeks later.

    In one of such incidents in 2020, a Pakistani-U.S. citizen was shot and killed inside a courtroom during his trial. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

     

  • Ukraine says over 52,000 troops trained by EU

    Ukraine says over 52,000 troops trained by EU
    Troops
    Kiev, June 21, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Over 52,000 Ukrainian troops have been trained under the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM), local media reported on Friday.
    Ukrainian soldiers, sergeants and officers have participated in the training programme, according to the country’s defense ministry.
    Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Balanutsa urged the EU to extend the training mission as the Ukrainian army is forming new brigades.
    The two-year EUMAM was launched on Nov. 15, 2022.
    The mission includes training on demining, medical assistance, maintenance and repair, among others, and is conducted on the EU’s soil. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/AMM
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    Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru

  • China says EU to blame for escalating trade frictions

    China says EU to blame for escalating trade frictions
    Trade
    Beijing, June 21, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN)  China’s commerce ministry on Friday said the European Union (EU) is to blame for escalating trade frictions, which could lead to a “trade war.”
    “The responsibility lies solely with the EU side,” the ministry said in a statement commenting on concerns from the European side over possible escalations of trade frictions.
    China does not want to see the ongoing trade frictions with the EU, the ministry stressed, pointing out that it was the European side that “regrettably” kept provoking trade disputes.
    Since the beginning of this year, the EU imposed 31 restrictive trade and investment measures against China, 25 of which were trade remedies, seriously undermining China-EU economic and trade cooperation, according to the ministry.
    Meanwhile, China has demonstrated an open and cooperative attitude and explicitly sought to solve the issues through dialogue and consultation, said the ministry.
    China has always followed the rules of the World Trade Organisation and used trade remedy measures with prudence and restraint, it said.
    In face of the EU’s protectionism, China is determined to safeguard its legitimate and lawful interests, and hopes the EU will handle the differences through dialogues and prevent trade frictions from escalating, the ministry noted. (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannes.ng)
    UMD/HA
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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

  • European Commission approves German subsidies for hydrogen pipelines

     

    Subsidies

    Brussels, June 21, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The European Commission has given Germany permission to invest about three billion Euros in its hydrogen infrastructure to build long-distance pipelines.

    The commission on Friday said that the positive effects of the government subsidies would be greater than the potential damage that could be caused by distortions of competition.

    Germany and other countries are investing in hydrogen as a potentially climate-friendly fuel for use in industry and transport.

    The European Union generally has strict rules about state support for companies through direct subsidies or tax benefits.

    The rules are aimed at ensuring companies from different EU countries can compete fairly within the bloc’s single market.

    The European Commission monitors compliance with these rules.

    So-called “green” hydrogen produced using renewable energy from wind and solar power is intended to replace fossil fuels such as diesel for trucks or coal in blast furnaces for steel production.

    The first major pipeline in Germany is due to go into operation in 2025, and a complete core network should be ready by 2032.

    In concrete terms, companies are to be supported in the form of state guarantees, through which they can obtain favourable loans.

    This could cover losses that are expected at the start of the project. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Ese E. Eniola Williams

     

  • U.S. concerned about Putin’s threat to deliver arms to North Korea

    U.S. concerned about Putin’s threat to deliver arms to North Korea
    Arms
    Hanoi, June 21, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The U.S. said it was concerned about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threat to supply North Korea with weapons, warning it would “destabilise” the Korean peninsula.
    “Depending on the type of weapons provided, such a move may violate UN Security Council resolutions which Russia itself supported.
    “The U.S. would continue to work with its allies in the region, including South Korea and Japan, to respond to the threat posed by North Korea,” Matthew Miller, U.S. State Department’s spokesman, said.
    During a state visit to Pyongyang on Wednesday, Putin signed a partnership agreement with North Korean strongman Kim Jong Un that includes a vow of mutual aid if either country is attacked.
    Speaking in Vietnam on Thursday, Putin threatened to deliver high-precision weapons to North Korea as a response to Western arms deliveries to Ukraine.
    Meanwhile, the South Korean Government  has expressed concern over the Russia-North Korea strategic partnership.
    Seoul said that the security commitments violated UN sanctions imposed on Pyongyang.
    South Korea also suggested it could reconsider its long-standing policy of not supplying weapons to Kiev.
    According to Putin, South Korea will be making a “big mistake” if it supplies arms to Ukraine.
    “If that happens, then we will make corresponding decisions that would not please the current leadership of South Korea,” Putin said.
    Putin called Seoul’s concerns unfounded.
    He said that South Korea had nothing to fear as the pact would only apply if either Russia or North Korea would be attacked by a third party.
    “As far as I know, (South Korea) is not planning any aggression against North Korea. There is no need to fear our cooperation.”
    Putin also said that he would not deploy any North Korean soldiers in Ukraine.
    North Korea, ruled by Kim Jong Un, is subject to far-reaching UN sanctions and import bans due to its nuclear weapons programme. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannes.ng)
    UMD/IGO
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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Ijeoma Popoola

  • WHO issues warning on counterfeit diabetes drugs worldwide

    WHO issues warning on counterfeit diabetes drugs worldwide
    Warning
    Geneva, June 21, 2024 (dpa/NAN)  Counterfeit diabetes drugs have been in circulation since 2022 in a problem affecting all regions of the world, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned.
    The health authority in a statement referred specifically to findings in Britain, the U.S. and Brazil since October 2023.
    The drug concerns Ozempic, a medicine containing the active ingredient semaglutide, which is also approved in the EU for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
    The counterfeit version looks identical to the real medicine.
    Because the product also suppresses the appetite, it is increasingly being prescribed for weight loss.
    But counterfeit drugs may not contain the right amount of active ingredients and could therefore lead to uncontrolled sugar in diabetics, the WHO said.
    It added that they may also contain other active ingredients that pose health risks.
    The WHO called on doctors, pharmacists, regulatory authorities and the public to be vigilant.
    People should only buy medicines on prescription from pharmacies and not online, the WHO said.
    Users should ensure that the dosage scale on insulin pens is displayed correctly, the label looks correct and there are no spelling mistakes on the box, it added. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannes.ng)
    UMD/SH
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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Sadiya Hamza

  • Chinese investment promotes Namibia’s econ. dev’t-  Minister

    Chinese investment promotes Namibia’s econ. dev’t-  Minister
    Investment
    Windhoek, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Namibia’s mining industry is one of the largest contributors to the country’s economy, with Chinese investment playing a significant role in the development of the uranium mining sector.
    Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, said this at a press conference held in Windhoek the capital of Namibia.
    In 2023, the mining sector contributed up to 14.4 per cent of Namibia’s gross domestic product, Alweendo said.
    He said that Chinese investment has been instrumental in establishing Namibia as one of the world’s largest producers of uranium.
    Alweendo said, A“I am honored to be here today to recognise the Rossing uranium mine, the longest-operating and largest open-pit uranium mine in the world, with more than 40 years of operation.
     “I hope you will continue to operate for another 40 years.”
    In 2019, Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto officially handed over Rossing to China National Uranium Corporation Limited (CNUC) that holds 68.62 per cent of its equity.
    The CNUC released a report at the conference, detailing the company’s actions and contributions over the past year toward Namibia’s economic, environmental and social sustainable development.
    Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping, expressed optimism about Chinese investments in the southern African country in the future, saying that more Chinese enterprises are expected to seek investment opportunities in Namibia this year.
    ”Chinese investment aligns with the interests of both countries and their peoples, and bilateral cooperation has promising prospects,” he said.  (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/BRM
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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Bashir Rabe Mani

  • UN urges enhanced protection of healthcare, relief workers in Somalia

    Protection
    Mogadishu, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) The United Nations in Somalia has called for greater protection for healthcare professionals and humanitarian workers who provide critical services to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in the country.
    In a statement issued to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict that falls on Wednesday, the UN said attacks against healthcare and humanitarian workers are on the rise in Somalia.
    James Swan, the UN secretary-general’s acting special representative for Somalia, said although many of these incidents go underreported but women and girls in the country continue to be exposed to many forms of sexual violence.
    “The sexual violence are higher in the areas affected most by conflict and insecurity.
    “As the health professionals operate in those areas, they often risk their own lives,” Swan said in a statement in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
    According to the World Health Organisation’s surveillance system in Somalia, at least 10 healthcare workers were injured in attacks launched by non-state actors on healthcare facilities between January 2023 and May 31, 2024.
    It added that the figures are believed to be significantly underreported.
    “I pay tribute to the health workers who assist survivors in the aftermath of rape and other forms of sexual violence.
    “And I call for enhanced protection of all those who dispense critical care to those in need,” Swan added.
    Since 2015, the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict has been observed annually on June 19.
    The event marks the UN Security Council’s adoption of a resolution recognising sexual violence as a weapon of war and a threat to international peace and security. (www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/EAL
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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Ekemini Ladejobi

  • China opposes UK sanctions against Chinese firms over Russia

    China opposes UK sanctions against Chinese firms over Russia
    Sanctions
    Beijing, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) China on Wednesday voiced firm opposition to the United Kingdom’s decision to sanction five Chinese firms over the so-called Russian involvement.
    In spite of China’s representations and the sound development momentum of China-UK economic and trade relations, the UK insisted on listing Chinese companies in the latest round of sanctions against Russia.
    Such move would have a negative impact on the bilateral economic and trade relations, said a spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Commerce.
    UK’s unilateral sanctions have no basis in international law and no mandate from the United Nations, which is a typical act of “long-arm jurisdiction,” said the spokesperson.
    “China urges the British side to bear in mind the overall interests of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, immediately correct its erroneous practices, and unconditionally cease the inclusion of Chinese enterprises on its sanctions list.
    “China will safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises resolutely,” the spokesperson said.  (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannes.ng)
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    Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru

  • Torrential rains kill 11 in Abidjan

    Torrential rains kill 11 in Abidjan
    Rain
    Abidjan, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) No fewer than 11 people were killed in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire’s economic capital in torrential rains a week ago, authorities said.
    “The provisional report shows 11 victims dead and identified, several others not yet identified and seven injured noted and taken into account,” said Mysss Belmonde Dogo, the minister of National Cohesion, Solidarity and the Fight against Poverty.
    The provisional toll “is already heavy,” he said, adding that the government is mobilising resources to provide support to the affected families next week.
    Between Thursday and Saturday, torrential rains fell on several localities in Cote d’Ivoire, including Abidjan, where several neighborhoods were under water, over 300 people were taken to safety and 18 others were evacuated to health centers.
    Cote d’Ivoire has been experiencing a long rainy season this year, with the peak in June, according to local media reports. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/EAL
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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Ekemini Ladejobi