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Category: Foreign

  • Nusuk card didn’t stop illegal migrants from accessing Hajj camp- NAHCON

    Card

    By Salisu Sani-Idris

    Mina (Saudi Arabia), June 19, 2024 (NAN) The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says the Nusuk card introduced by Saudi authorities to prevent illegal migrants from gaining access to pilgrims’ tents at the sites of hajj rituals didn’t achieve its essence totally.

    Dr Aliyu Tanko, the Chairman, Committee on Movement of Pilgrims, said this in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday at Mina in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nusuk card is a crucial document introduced by Saudi authorities for identification of pilgrims to enable them again access to sites of hajj rituals.

    The introduction of the card became necessary due to the increased incidence of fake pilgrims and illegal migrants during the core hajj rites period in the past.

    Tanko said, “Unfortunately, even before the arrival of Nigerian pilgrims at the ritual sites, illegal migrants have already gained access to the area.

    ” To be frank with you, even before we left Makkah to Mina with our pilgrims, illegal migrants have gained access to the area, in spite of the introduction of the NUSUK card for easy identification of real pilgrims.

    ” And that has clearly shown that the NUSUK card introduced by the Saudi authority to prevent illegal people from gaining access to tents in Mina, Arafat and Muzzalifah has failed.

    ” Therefore, the essence of the card has not been achieved, even though it has worked to some extent but the objective of stopping fake pilgrims and illegal migrants has not been totally achieved.”

    Tanko, however, said that with the support of the Saudi authorities, the commission was able to overcome most of the challenges anticipated during the hajj.

    He said, ” To Allah be the glory, we have come to the end of the 2024 Hajj rites in Mina and the pilgrims have returned to Makkah, which signaled the conclusion of the exercise.

    ” The 2024 Hajj came with a lot of things and we have overcome all the challenges we anticipated.

    ” Therefore, we have recorded tremendous successes.”

    NAN reports the NAHCON officials on Monday intercepted two illegal migrants of Nigerian descent, Muhammed Umar and Nazifi Tasi’u GARBA,. over infiltration of the pilgrims’ tents amidst concerns regarding overstretched accommodation and petty theft.

    Consequently, the suspects were handed over to the Saudi Police, where their biometrics were obtained and a fine of 10,000 Saudi Riyals was imposed on each of them to be paid whenever they were leaving the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • U.S. wants to avoid ‘greater war’ along Lebanon-Israel border – Envoy

    U.S. wants to avoid ‘greater war’ along Lebanon-Israel border – Envoy

    War

    Beirut, June 18, 2024 (Reuters/NAN) The United States is trying to avert a greater war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement, U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein said on Tuesday.
    He spoke in the wake of an escalation in cross-border fire between the foes along Lebanon’s southern frontier.
    Iran-backed Hezbollah has been trading fire with Israel for the last eight months in parallel with the Gaza war.
     Last week, the group fired the largest volleys of rockets and drones of the hostilities so far at Israeli military sites, after an Israeli strike killed the most senior commander yet.
    Hochstein, special envoy to U.S. President Joe Biden, said he had been dispatched to Lebanon immediately following a brief trip to Israel because the situation was “serious”.
    “We have seen an escalation over the last few weeks. And what President Biden wants to do is avoid a further escalation to a greater war,” Hochstein said on Tuesday.
    He had met the head of Lebanon’s army earlier on Tuesday and spoke to reporters following a meeting with parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who heads the armed Amal movement, which is allied to Hezbollah and has also fired rockets on Israel.
    The U.S. and France are engaged in diplomatic efforts to secure a negotiated end to the hostilities along Lebanon’s border.
    Hezbollah says it will not halt its attacks unless there is a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
    “Whether diplomatically or militarily one way or another, we will ensure the safe and secure return of Israelis to their homes in northern Israel.
    “That is not up for negotiation. Oct. 7 cannot happen again anywhere in Israel or on any of Israel’s borders,” Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said.
    He added that Israel was “impeding Hezbollah’s military buildup and their stockpiling of weapons for terror against Israelis”.
    Hezbollah began trading fire with Israel on Oct. 8, a day after its Palestinian ally Hamas attacked southern Israel, sparking the Gaza war.
    Tens of thousands of people have fled both sides of the border.
    Hochstein urged Hamas to accept a U.S.-backed proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, which he said “also provides an opportunity to end the conflict across the Blue Line”, a reference to a demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel where parts of the international border are disputed.
    Hochstein met caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who told him that “Lebanon does not seek escalation”, according to comments issued by Mikati’s office.
    The increase in attacks last week was followed by a brief respite during the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday, which concludes on Tuesday.
    Hezbollah announced a drone attack against an Israeli tank on Tuesday afternoon – its first announced attack since Saturday.
    The group used more of its extensive arsenal against Israel last week, prompting United Nations officials in Lebanon to warn over the weekend that the “danger of miscalculation leading to a sudden and wider conflict is very real”.
    UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Tuesday that he too was worried about the escalation, and called “for a cessation of hostilities and for actors with influence to take all possible measures to avert a full-scale war”. (Reuters/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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    (Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

  • Putin seen as making crony appointments to defence ministry

    Putin seen as making crony appointments to defence ministry

    Cronies

    Moscow, June 18, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed three new deputy ministers to the country’s defence ministry, including a woman who is believed to be a distant relative.

    Anna Tsivileva, whose maiden name is Putina, is to be responsible for housing construction and social security for members of the armed forces.

    Another new deputy minister, Pavel Fradkov, is the son of former intelligence chief and prime minister Mikhail Fradkov.

    The younger Fradkov is to manage the army’s property and assets.

    The former deputy finance minister Leonid Gorin was appointed as first deputy defence minister by presidential decree.

    According to Russian media research, Tsivileva, 52, is related to the Russian president through her father.

    Her husband is Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev.

    Together they owned a large coal company.

    Both are on the sanctions lists of the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries because they have profited from their closeness to the Russian government.

    Tsivileva most recently headed a state fund to support the soldiers deployed in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

    In a Telegram post, she thanked Putin for the trust and responsibility he had placed in her, the newspaper Izvestia reported on Tuesday.

    At the beginning of his new term of office in May,

    Putin dismissed his long-serving defence minister Sergei Shoigu.

    Several men close to him are being investigated for corruption.

    The Russian president appointed the economic expert Alexander Beloussov as the new defence minister.

    Independent experts cited by Izvestia noted that the new deputy ministers are not part of Beloussov’s team, but rather come from Putin’s immediate circle.

    Economist Konstantin Sonin wrote on X that Putin had “doubled down on loyalists with no expertise or experience in the relevant government positions.” (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    (Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

  • China slams NATO’s Stoltenberg for comments on role in Ukraine war

    China slams NATO’s Stoltenberg for comments on role in Ukraine war

    Criticism

    Beijing, June 18, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed sharp criticism on Tuesday of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s statement that allies in the alliance should impose a cost on China for its support of Russia in the war in Ukraine.

    NATO should engage in self-reflection, rather than smear China, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in Beijing.

    During a visit to the United States, Stoltenberg said China was ostensibly keeping out of the conflict, while in reality fuelling the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

    “And at the same time, it wants to maintain good relations with the West. Well, Beijing cannot have it both ways.

    “At some point – and unless China changes course – allies need to impose a cost,” Stoltenberg said.

    Lin responded that China was not party to the Ukraine crisis and was committed to promoting peace talks.

    Beijing is seen in the West as Russia’s staunchest ally, offering support on the international stage while remaining ostensibly neutral.

    The U.S. has imposed sanctions on a number of Chinese companies for supplying Russia with technology for manufacturing arms.

    Lin called on the “relevant parties” to stop deflecting the blame and fuelling the flames and to take concrete actions to promote the political settlement of the crisis. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    (Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

  • 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)

  • International relations experts expect more from AU PSC 

     

    International relations experts expect more from AU PSC

     

    Empowerment

    By Busayo Onijala

    Lagos, June 18, 2024 (NAN) International relations experts have called for  empowerment of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) to enable it to surpass its achievements in the last 20 years of establishment.

    They made the call in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

    NAN reports that 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the AU PSC.

    The PSC, launched in 2004, is the decision-making organ of the AU for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.

    It aims to promote durable peace and security in Africa through inclusive and smart partnerships, and preventive diplomacy.

    Prof. Femi Otubanjo, a researcher at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), said the PSC had been active in making peace in South Sudan, the Great Lake regions, and between Rwanda, Uganda and Congo DR.

    Otubanjo, however, said that  the council did not have  great results to show for its efforts.

    He said that the council would  need to improve its commitment to peacekeeping and peace management in Africa.

    Also, Prof. Joshua Bolarinwa, Head, Security and Strategic Studies Division of NIIA, lauded some of the achievements of the council, but said that they were not highly significant considering  visible conflicts and problems  in Africa.

    Bolarinwa, who is  a member of the AU Network of Think Tanks for Peace (NeTT4Peace) Strategy Group, said  that the council members had moved forward in terms of policies, theories and frameworks.

    “They have been doing their best to make sure elections are done the right way and democracy is better protected and sustained,” he said.

     

    He, however, noted that in recent years, there had been regressions to democracy in Africa with the resurgence of coups and return to military rule by some nations.

    Bolarinwa said that the council was still looking into the situation.

    According to him, the PSC  is making progress but  there are  challenges and more work in store for it.

    The  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AU PSC has made efforts in deploying peace support operations  to stabilise fragile regions, protect civilians and prevent escalation of situations.

    Some of such operations include the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia and the Africa-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

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    Edited by Victor Adeoti

  • 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

  • 8 dead in hospital fire in Iran

    8 dead in hospital fire in Iran
    Fire
    Tehran, June 18, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Eight people have died due to fire outbreak in a hospital in Iran.

    The fire broke out in a hospital in the city of Rasht near the Caspian Sea in the north of the country, the state news agency IRNA reported on Tuesday.

    According to initial findings, the dead were patients in an intensive care unit.

    Dozens of firefighters were deployed, as the head of the emergency services in the city said in an interview with state television.

    The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

    Around 140 patients were rescued, the report said.

    There were concerns that there could be more victims.(dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Tayo Ikujuni

  • Putin praises North Korea’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine

    Putin praises North Korea’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine

    Support
    Moscow, June 18, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Ahead of his visit to North Korea on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Pyongyang for its support in Moscow’s fight against Ukraine.

    Putin praised North Korea’s “unwavering support for Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine,” using the Kremlin’s wording to refer to the war, in a letter published in Pyongyang’s official newspaper Rodong Sinmun.

    The Russian leader also thanked North Korea for its solidarity on important international issues.

    He added that it was committed and like-minded and ready to counter the West’s aspiration to restrain the establishment of a multipolar world order.

    According to Putin, both countries have plans to collaborate on building a security architecture in Eurasia.

    And also countering Western sanctions, and establishing independent transaction systems.(dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Sadiya Hamza