Category: Foreign

U.S. issues 300 new sanctions that go after Russia’s war economy
U.S. issues 300 new sanctions that go after Russia’s war economy

Sanctions
Bari (Italy), June 12, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The United States said on Wednesday it was imposing sanctions on more than 300 individuals and entities connected to Russia’s war on Ukraine, including financial institutions, the Moscow Stock Exchange, and Chinese companies.
The announcement came a day before U.S. President Joe Biden joins other Group of Seven (G7) leaders for a summit in the Italian city of Bari, in which the war in Ukraine is set to feature prominently.
The sweeping set of sanctions is chiefly focused on trade, finance, and industry.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the sanctions hit “across multiple sectors essential to Russia’s war effort,” including energy, metals, and mining production.
China was singled out for its support of Moscow.
“The United States remains concerned by the scale and breadth of exports from the People’s Republic of China that supply Russia’s military-industrial base,” Blinken’s statement said.
To that end, the US is sanctioning Chinese companies that provide duel-use goods that “fill critical gaps in Russia’s defence production cycle,” he said.
It is not just China, however. Individuals and organizations in countries elsewhere in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean are also subject to new restrictive measures.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Russia “is deeply isolated from the international financial system, leaving the Kremlin’s military desperate for access to the outside world.”
She said the sanctions go after critical supplies Russia needs from other countries.
Several Russian banks also saw their foreign locations put on blacklists to make it harder for financial transactions to be fulfilled.
Other corners of Russia’s financial infrastructure were hit, including the Moscow Stock Exchange and two subsidiaries, and insurance and reinsurance providers.
The Treasury Department said it was trying to choke off military supply chains by sanctioning dozens of individuals and entities in a slew of countries besides Russia and China.
Some of the newly listed targets will help close sanction loopholes or go after evaders, it said.
The department said sanctions affected people and firms in places such as Belarus, the British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, South Africa, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. (dpa/NAN) (www.nan.ng)
YEE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)
June 12, 2024
House Committee says NAHCON has transformed Muslims pilgrimage
Operation
By Salisu Sani-Idris
Madinah (Saudi Arabia), June 12, 2024 (NAN) The House of Representatives Committee on Muslim Pilgrimage says the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has transformed the operations of the pilgrimage this year.
The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Jafar Mohammed, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
He spoke to NAN shortly after members of the committee inspected the Niger and Katsina states pilgrim’s accommodations and feeding arrangements.
‘’We are here to supervise and see what is really happening on ground; regarding the wellbeing of Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. To see how secure and protected are they.
‘’And to the glory of God, with what we have seen based on our interactions with the pilgrims, NAHCON is doing very well.”
He, however, said that if the committee observed that “there is something going wrong, it will ensure that the right thing is done through appropriate corrections.
“But in a situation where we have seen progress, we must commend the efforts of the person and organisation that is responsible for this kind of tremendous progress.”
The Chairman said that right from the beginning of the transportation of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, NAHCON had performed very well.
He also lauded NAHCON efforts for beating the Saudi Arabian 72 hours deadline for entering of pilgrims before the closure of its air space.
“This is a total departure from what we used to see and we have to appreciate the NAHCON under the leadership of Malam Jalal Arabi for that success.”
He called on Nigerian pilgrims to use the hajj period to pray for peace, progress and development of the country.
“We need every pilgrim to put our country first in prayers before any other thing so that we can have peaceful coexistence within ourselves and attain economic prosperity.” (NAN)
SSI/IS
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
June 12, 2024
Cleric urges opportune Muslims to perform Hajj
Hajj
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 12, 2024 (NAN) An Islamic cleric, Malam Kabiru Umar-Wasagu, has urged all opportune Muslims not to refuse to perform Hajj so as not to die like those who did so during the pre-Islamic era.
Umar-Wasagu, the Deputy Imam of Central Mosque, Birnin Kebbi, stated this at a routine enlightenment session shortly after the dawn (Subh) prayer in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the essence of the enlightenment session is to educate the pilgrims on rituals of Hajj towards an acceptable Hajj (Hajj Mabrur).
The cleric, who is also a member of the Da’awah Committee, Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, advised the Muslims especially the wealthy ones to use their resources to perform Hajj or else die as ”in the period of Jahiliya.”
He said: “As a Muslim, if you have the opportunity to perform Hajj but you refused, you will die like in the period of fitra or jahiliya (a time when there is no prophecy from God Almighty, this is according to Prophet Muhammad (SAW).”
Umar-Wasagu cautioned those holding strategic offices especially where money flows to exhibit the fear of God Almighty to come and perform Hajj at least once in their life time, assuring that: “This is not optional but obligatory upon them to do so, provided they have the means.”
Speaking on the five pillars of Islam, Umar-Wasagu reminded the pilgrims of the need to strengthen and purify their faith in Allah and stand firm in observing Salat according to the Sunnah of the holy Prophet (SAW).
“For you to become a Muslim, you have to pronounce Kalimah, confirming that there is nobody who deserves to be worshipped except Allah (SWT) and avoid shirk in all ramifications.
“Depend on Allah (SWT) for everything in life, bearing in mind that He is the only one that gives and takes away anything in life.
”Therefore, do not hold on to or rely on anybody for anything that only He (Almighty) has the power to provide,” he cautioned.
The cleric stressed the need for Muslims not to toy with performing obligatory prayers in congregation, adding that it was the only form of Ibadat that a Muslim must perform in all circumstances.
He, therefore, urged Muslims to accord Salat the emphasis it deserved being the biggest form of Ibadat.
Umar-Wasagu, however, said that other three pillars of Islam, Fasting, Zakkat and Hajj “depend on how opportune you are to observe them.”
He said fasting was being observed once a year, adding that a Muslim may have the opportunity to defer it due certain provisions by Sharia.
“You may be alive in the month of Ramadan but inflicted with illness, travelling or a woman who is in her menstrual period and other provisions of the Islamic Sharia, unlike Sallah.
“While Zakkat and Hajj are annual Islamic rituals strictly for those who have the means to observe them. If you don’t have the means, you are exempted,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
KLM/BRM
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 12, 2024
Rwanda: UN war crimes tribunals account for 253 people indicted
Rwanda: UN war crimes tribunals account for 253 people indicted
Crimes
By Cecilia Ologunagba
New York, June 11, 2024 (NAN) All of the 253 people indicted by the UN tribunals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed decades ago in Rwanda and the Former Yugoslavia, have now been accounted for.
Judge Graciela Santana, President and Prosecutor with the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), said this while briefing the Security Council on Tuesday.
She briefed the ambassadors on progress made over the past two years as it moved closer towards wrapping up for good.
The Mechanism was established by the Council to continue essential functions of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which closed in December 2015, and another for the former Yugoslavia, ICTY, which concluded two years later.
“The work of the Mechanism and its predecessors has contributed to justice on two continents, produced an extensive body of international criminal jurisprudence, and created an important reservoir of lessons learned for future courts,” Santana, the IRMCT President, said, underlining the need to safeguard this legacy.
She said that focus had been on providing the Council with timeline projections for completion of all activities, and options for the transfer of those that remained.
A framework document was submitted in April.
Furthermore, budgetary requirements have fallen by more than a quarter, the field office in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, will close in September, and just under half of all posts will be eliminated by December.
“Having now transitioned to our purely residual functions, we have reduced in size and streamlined operations, but remain determined to conclude the final stages of the mandate you have entrusted to us,” she said.
Gotti Santana noted that important work remained to be done, which would require significant resources.
“The Mechanism remains mandated to supervise the enforcement of sentences, with 41 convicted persons currently serving their sentences in 12 states and another seven persons under our jurisdiction.
“In the near term, it is expected that the work related to this function will increase, as more prisoners reach the threshold for consideration for early release,” she said.
Another mandated task involves managing, preserving and facilitating access to the Mechanism’s archives and those of the two former tribunals.
“This function is closely connected with one of my key priorities, namely to consolidate the rich legacy of these courts, which can serve as a powerful resource for combatting denial and revisionism,” she said.
IRMCT Prosecutor Serge Brammertz said the fact that all 253 persons indicted by the tribunals are now accounted for “is an important demonstration of the international community’s determination to secure justice for atrocity crimes,” though adding that more justice is still needed.
Over the past two years, the Prosecutor’s Office has received 629 requests for assistance from UN Member States, providing support to some 219 national case files.
While Rwanda and the countries of the former Yugoslavia are key partners, the Office has also met with prosecutors from Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Belgium, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere.
“Our national colleagues know that there are persons who committed genocide living in their countries with impunity, some in plain sight. And they know that every single case is about victims and survivors who are still waiting for justice to be done,” he said.
Today, bringing perpetrators to justice was now the responsibility of national courts, he said, and while countries had achieved significant results, more accountability was urgently needed.
“Rwandan authorities are still seeking to bring to justice more than 1,000 fugitive génocidaires. Likewise, prosecutors in the former Yugoslavia still have thousands of suspected war criminals to investigate and prosecute.
“Domestic authorities in third-party Member States, particularly in Europe and North America, are also prosecuting these cases under ‘no safe haven’ policies,” he said.
Brammertz insisted that “continuing this work is essential – for the victims and survivors, of course, and for Member States, who have made accountability a priority at the national level, to secure the rule of law and promote reconciliation.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
CIA/COF
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Edited by Christiana Fadare
June 12, 2024
Transportation of Kebbi pilgrims to Nigeria begins June 22 –Official
Transport
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board says the transportation of its pilgrims back to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia begins on June 22.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the board on Tuesday set up an 11-man committee on transport.
The committee had also visited the Mu’assasa in Makkah to ensure the conclusion of arrangements for the success of the operation.
NAN recalls that pilgrims from Kebbi were the first to be transported from Nigeria on May 15 to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj exercise.
The Secretary of board, Alhaji Sani Abarshi, led the delegation to Mu’assasa to ensure smooth flow of the exercise.
The secretary assured that arrangements were on top gear towards ensuring the success of the exercise right from the first to the ninth flights, with the first plane expected to take-off on June 22.
NAN reports that the members of the committee included; Alhaji Usman, Director Personnel Management and Alhaji Umar Ladan, Director, Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Others were; Alhaji Yahaya Yahaya, Deputy Director, ICT, Alhaji Faruku Jabbo, Assistant Director ICT, Alhaji Misbahu Aliyu-Mai-Mai, Alhaji Sanusi Zaki-Jimsy and Sheikh Kabiru Wasagu, Staff Officer of the board. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
KLM/BRM
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 11, 2024
Climate change, women’s rights top discussions at HRC56
Climate change, women’s rights top discussions at HRC56:

Climate
By Busayo Onijala
Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Rights of women and impacts of climate change on food and health security will be major subjects of discussion at the upcoming 56th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The President of UNHRC, Amb. Omar Zniber, made this known during a virtual news conference on the agenda of the council’s 56th Regular Session to hold from June 18 to July 12 in Geneva.
Zniber said that, at the session, there would be important panels on the adverse impacts of climate change as well as presentations on country situations.
”Our session will also have to develop very numerous interactive dialogues with special rapporteurs on the adoption of wrap-up reports, and we forecast a number of between 20 and 25 resolutions to be adopted.
“There will be a presidential discussion on the trilogy, meaning the impact of climate change on food and health security.
“This session is called for, to have an in-depth debate to exchange suggestions, recommendations and observations about these subjects which are a matter of concern,” Zniber said.
He said that the purpose of the presidential discussion was to have a co-ordinated approach on the subjects so that the council would be more vocal and active when dealing with them.
According to him, millions of populations worldwide are living in food insecurity.
“Likewise, when it comes to the question of health, with all the developments we have witnessed these past few years, it is unfortunate that a huge part of the world’s population has no access to modern medicine.
“As a human rights council, we have to care about that, particularly as climate change is impacting severely on populations already suffering from these difficult situations.”
He said that climate change was deteriorating the environment and biodiversity.
Zniber said that from human rights perspective, the council should run at the best speed when tackling the issues.
According to him, the second important event at the session will be on June 24 and devoted to celebration of women in diplomacy.
He said that issues of gender parity and equity in the world of diplomacy was fundamental.
“We will celebrate this day and particularly insist on what can be done to make gender equity a full reality within the international organisation.
“The president of the general assembly has established gender equity and parity as one of his major priorities as it is the case for me,” Zniber said. (NAN)
OMB/IGO
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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
June 11, 2024
Blinken says Netanyahu backs U.S. proposal for ceasefire in Gaza
Blinken says Netanyahu backs U.S. proposal for ceasefire in Gaza
Netanyahu
Tel Aviv, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports the plan presented by the U.S. for a ceasefire in the Gaza war, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu last night, and he reaffirmed his commitment to the proposal,” Blinken told journalists in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.
When asked whether Netanyahu would pledge his continued commitment in the event that the Palestinian militant Hamas movement agreed to the plan, Blinken replied in the affirmative.
At the end of May, U.S. President Joe Biden surprisingly presented a three-stage plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza war.
The plan envisages the release of a certain group of Israeli hostages during the complete ceasefire.
In return, Palestinians imprisoned in Israel would be released.
In the next phase, the fighting would then cease permanently and the remaining hostages would be released.
According to the draft, the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip would begin in a final phase.
Blinken also held talks with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and other high-ranking Israeli government representatives.
“And I think there is a strong consensus, again, behind moving forward with the proposal,” he continued.
According to the U.S., only Hamas has not yet agreed to the plan.
However, the Netanyahu government has not yet given its clear and public approval to the plan either.
The UN Security Council has now backed the plan.
On Monday, it adopted a resolution to this effect. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
UMD/AMM
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Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru
June 11, 2024
EU plans to extend protection for Ukrainian war refugees until 2026
EU plans to extend protection for Ukrainian war refugees until 2026
Refugees
Brussels, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The European Commission has planned to extend emergency rules to shelter people who fled the war in Ukraine until March 2026, in a move announced on Tuesday.
The EU stands united in protecting people who fled from Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said in a statement.
The Ukrainians who fled to the EU after the full-scale invasion of Russia in 2022 were granted immediate protection.
The protection was after EU member states set up a temporary regime designed for cases of mass influxes of people.
In addition, people under temporary protection were entitled to social benefits, housing, access to education and work permits, among things.
The proposal is designed to avoid the lengthy national asylum seeking procedures required to process large numbers of displaced people.
Furthermore ,extension of the temporary rules are possible for up to one year.
The existing regime was set to end in March 2025.
EU justice and home affair ministers were to examine the extension on Thursday and Friday in Brussels.
The commission reported almost 4.2 million Ukrainians are currently residing in the EU under these rules with Germany hosting the most people at 1.2 million. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
COO/BHB
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Buhari Bolaji
June 11, 2024
Gaza: Guterres urges all parties on ceasefire agreement
Gaza: Guterres urges all parties on ceasefire agreement
Ceasefire
Cairo, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged all parties involved in the war in Gaza to reach a ceasefire agreement.
“The horror must stop, it’s high time for a ceasefire along with unconditional release of hostages,” he told a humanitarian aid conference for the Gaza Strip held by the Dead Sea in Jordan.
“I urge all parties to seize this opportunity and come to an agreement,” Guterres added.
“The speed and scale of carnage and killing in Gaza is beyond anything in my years as Secretary General,” he said.
“Nowhere is safe, conditions are deplorable.”
The conference is organised by Jordan, Egypt and the UN.
It aims to find ways in which the international community can respond more effectively to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
UMD/EAL
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Edited by Ummul Idris/Ekemini Ladejobi
June 11, 2024
Avian influenza outbreak no threat to Australia’s egg supply
Avian influenza outbreak not threat to Australia’s egg supply
Outbreak
Canberra, June 11, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Australia is not at risk of an egg shortage in spite of an outbreak of avian influenza, the agriculture minister has said.
Murray Watt on Tuesday said there was no reason for Australians to be worried about a national shortage of eggs after the highly pathogenic H7N3 strain of bird flu.
Watt said the flu was detected at five farms in the state of Victoria.
He told state media Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television that 1 million hens have been euthanized or otherwise affected by the outbreak, representing approximately four per cent of Australia’s national flock of egg-laying chickens.
In response, Coles one of Australia’s two largest supermarket chains had limited the number of eggs customers can buy to two cartons in all stores across the nation except in Western Australia (WA).
However, Watt said there was no cause for alarm about the supply of eggs.
“Every day Australia produces 18 million eggs and there’s no risk to that supply stopping any time soon,’’ he said.
Watt said that the outbreak would have affected more farms if not for a quick quarantine response from the Victorian government but said he could not guarantee that it has been entirely contained.
“I can’t rule out that it’d be spreading further, but obviously every effort is being put in by the Victorian government, backed by ourselves,’’ he said.
He said the strain of avian influenza that has been detected in Victoria is not the deadly strain that has been detected elsewhere in the world and said Australians can continue to eat eggs safely. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
COO/
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Edited by Cecilia Odey
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June 11, 2024