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Category: Foreign

  • 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

  • Explosions hit ammunitions depot in Chad, causing casualties

    Explosions hit ammunitions depot in Chad, causing casualties

    Explosions

    Yaounde, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) A huge fire at an ammunition depot occurred Tuesday night in the Chadian capital, N’Djamena, causing casualties, the country’s president, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno reported.

    “A fire in ammunitions depot at the strategic reserve camp caused human and material damage.”

    Peace to the souls of the victims, sincere condolences to the grieving families and speedy recovery to the injured,” Mahamat Deby said on his social media platforms early Wednesday.

    “An investigation will be opened to determine the causes and apportion responsibilities,” he added.

    Local media reported that the fire was followed by many explosions at the camp, located in the city’s Goudji neighbourhood.

    The explosions triggered stored heavy weapons that landed in inhabited neighbourhoods, reports said. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Sarafina Christopher and Abiemwense Moru

  • India’s Assam flood worsens, death toll rises to 31

    India’s Assam flood worsens, death toll rises to 31

    Floods

    New Delhi, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) The ongoing flood situation in India’s north-eastern state of Assam continues to worsen and so far has claimed 31 lives, officials said on Wednesday.

    According to police on Tuesday night, a landslide triggered by rains killed five people, including a minor, in the Badarpur area of Karimganj district about 281 km southeast of Guwahati, the main city of Assam.

    Officials said the victims were identified as a 55-year-old woman and her three daughters aged 18, 16 and 11.

    The body of a three-year-old baby boy was also retrieved from the debris.

    Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said the floods have affected a population of 161,209 in 15 districts batting the inundation.

    Karimganj is the worst affected district with 152,133 people reeling under floodwaters.

    It has also affected a crop area of 1,378.64 hectares in the affected districts.

    “Currently, 470 villages across 28 revenue circles are submerged in water,’’ ASDMA said.

    The local government has opened 43 relief camps and distribution centres in the affected areas and the majority of them have been set up in Karimganj.

    Officials said the relief efforts were underway, with 5,114 people taking shelter in 43 relief camps.

    Officials said the extent of damage to infrastructure, including embankments, roads and bridges, has added to the difficulties in providing aid and assistance to the affected population.

    The flooding hit the twin states of Assam and Manipur following heavy rains in the aftermath of cyclone Remal which made landfall between the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh last month. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Ekemini Ladejobi

  • 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

  • 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

  • Ramaphosa takes oath of office for 2nd term as South African president

    Ramaphosa takes oath of office for 2nd term as South African president
    Oath
    Johannesburg, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Cyril Ramaphosa, leader of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), took oath as the nation’s president for the next five years on Wednesday at Pretoria, the administrative capital.
    Ramaphosa, 71, was re-elected as South African president by the National Assembly on June 14 with 283 votes against the other nominee, Julius Malema from the Economic Freedom Fighters, who received 44 votes.
    Under the South African Constitution, once elected as president by the National Assembly, the president-elect must assume office within five days.
    In the general elections on May 29, the ANC secured 159 out of the 400 seats in the National Assembly.
    This is the first time the ANC is falling below the 50 per cent needed to maintain its 30-year-old outright majority in the lower house of parliament. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannes.ng)
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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Sadiya Hamza

  • 41 Jordanian pilgrims to be buried in Saudi Arabia – Ministry

    41 Jordanian pilgrims to be buried in Saudi Arabia – Ministry
    Pilgrims
    Amman, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Jordan’s Foreign Ministry said 41 burial permits have been issued for Jordanian pilgrims to be buried in Mecca as they died from extreme heat during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
    The ministry said it has located 84 out of the total 106 Jordanian pilgrims registered missing in Saudi Arabia, according to Sufian Qudah, the ministry’s spokesperson.
    The Saudi authorities have been providing necessary medical care for the 84 pilgrims, some of whom were in critical condition, Qudah said.
    He added that the Jordanian diplomatic mission in Mecca continued to provide consular services to the pilgrims and monitor their situations in coordination with relevant Saudi authorities.
    The spokesperson added that search operations are ongoing for the remaining 22 missing Jordanian pilgrims.
    The official called on all Jordanians performing Hajj rituals to contact the ministry if assistance is needed, including reporting missing persons or transporting bodies in case of death. (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannes.ng)
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    Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru

  • China unveils new measures to deepen reform of STAR market

    China unveils new measures to deepen reform of STAR market

     

    Market

    By Vivian Emoni

    Beijing, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) China’s top securities regulator on Wednesday rolled out new measures to deepen the reform of the Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR) market to better serve sci-tech innovation.

     

    The new measures were also to promote the development of new quality productive forces, according to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC).

     

    The measures include further supporting the listing of enterprises making breakthroughs in new industries, new business patterns, new technologies, and improving the pricing mechanisms for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs).

     

    Efforts will also be made to improve the financing of listed companies on the STAR board, optimise the trading mechanisms, strengthen monitoring, forestall market risks, as well as encourage merger, acquisition and restructuring,” the CSRC said.

     

    “Since its launch in 2019, the STAR market has become the preferred listing destination for “hard-tech” companies, with its magnetic appeal continuing to grow.

     

    “As of May 31, 2024 a total of 572 companies have been listed on the STAR market with a combined market capitalisation of 5.17 trillion yuan (about 726.5 billion dollars).

     

    “The total amount raised through IPOs has reached 909.1 billion yuan,’’ CSRC said.(Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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  • UN says Israel violates use of precision bombs in Gaza war

    UN says Israel violates use of precision bombs in Gaza war
    Bombs
    Geneva, June 19, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Israel has not been paying sufficient attention to the protection of civilians when using precision-guided bombs during the Gaza war, the UN Human Rights Office said on Wednesday.
    “The requirement to select means and methods of warfare that avoid or at the very least minimise to every extent civilian harm appears to have been consistently violated in Israel’s bombing campaign.”
    Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in Geneva that his office has investigated six Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip between October 9 and December 2.
    It assumes that bombs of the types GBU-31, GBU-32 and GBU-39 were used, which can penetrate concrete and destroy several floors of a building.
    They were used to attack residential buildings, a school, a refugee camp and a market, the office said.
    At least 218 people had been killed.
    In an attack presumably with nine GBU-31 bombs on December 2, the destruction affected an area with a diameter of 130 metres, the UN agency said.
    It noted that it had destroyed 15 residential buildings and damaged 14 others.
    The section of international humanitarian law governing combat situations states that civilian facilities must be spared as much as possible during attacks.
    If the presence of combatants is suspected, attacking forces must weigh up whether the damage caused does not outweigh the desired gains.
    The presence of one or more terrorists or those involved in the massacres in Israel on October 7 in a building does not make an entire neighbourhood a legitimate target for an attack, the agency stated. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannes.ng)
    UMD/IS
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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Ismail Abdulaziz