Category: Foreign

Former German environment minister Klaus Töpfer dies at 85
Former German environment minister Klaus Töpfer dies at 85
Death
Berlin, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) A former German environment minister and longtime politician with the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), Klaus Töpfer has died at age 85.
Töpfer, lead the Environment Ministry from 1987 to 1994, died on Saturday after a short but serious illness, A CDU spokeswoman confirmed his death on Tuesday.
He was credited with leaving a lasting mark on the German environmental party, and was viewed as the “green conscience” of the Christian Democrats for decades.
He remained outspoken in his advocacy for sustainable policies into old age.
He took over the ministry less than two years after it was created in the wake of the April 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the Soviet Union.
The disaster had sent radioactive fallout into the air over Europe.
Then-chancellor Helmut Kohl responded by combining environmental issues and nuclear reactor safety programmes into a single ministry.
As early as 1988, Töpfer was advocating for a future without nuclear energy as well as fewer fossil fuels.
He was replaced as environment minister in 1994 by Angela Merkel, then a rising star in the CDU who went on to lead the country from 2005 to 2021.
Töpfer was born in Silesia, in what is now Poland, in 1938, He moved with his family to the town of Höxter in western Germany after World War II.
After stepping down from the Cabinet, Töpfer went on to work with the United Nations in several capacities between 1996 and 2006.
At the end of his life, Töpfer again lived in Höxter along with his wife. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
MERCY/COO/YEE
=============
(Edited by Cecilia Odey/Emmanuel Yashim)
June 11, 2024
Hezbollah fires dozens of rockets into northern Israel
Hezbollah fires dozens of rockets into northern Israel
Rocket
Beirut/Tel Aviv, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement has fired dozens of Katyusha rockets at targets in northern Israel.
The Israeli military confirmed on Tuesday that it had recorded about 50 missiles fired from Lebanon and there were no injuries from the impacts.
In a statement on Tuesday, Hezbollah said that “in response to an Israeli overnight attack in Hermal, eastern Lebanon, fighters bombed the headquarters of the Artillery Regiment.
They also bombed the Armored Brigade of the 210th Golan Division in the Yardun Barracks with dozens of Katyusha rockets.”
The Israeli attack in an area at the border with Syria caused five deaths, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.
A Lebanese security source said two Hezbollah commanders were among those killed.
Since the war in the Gaza Strip began eight months ago, there have been daily military confrontations between the Israeli army, the Hezbollah militia, and other groups in the border area between Israel and Lebanon.
There have been reports of deaths on both sides.
The mutual shelling had caused severe destruction in towns on both sides of the border.
Around 150,000 people have been evacuated or left the combat zone.
Recently, the situation has escalated even further and there are fears of a larger military confrontation in the region if the Israel-Hamas conflict continues. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
MERCY/COO/YEE
==============
(Edited by Cecilia Odey/Emmanuel Yashim)
June 11, 2024
NiDCOM chief condemns `modern-day slavery’ in form of human trafficking
NiDCOM chief condemns `modern-day slavery’ in form of human trafficking
Trafficking
By Mercy Eletta
Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has condemned in strong terms, modern-day slavery in the form of human trafficking.
Dabiri-Erewa condemned the practice in her remarks in Ghana where she visited 10 Nigerian girls trafficked to that country for prostitution under the guise of their employment as sales girls.
This is contained in a statement by Gabriel Odu of NiDCOM’s Public Relations and Protocol Unit.
The statement indicated that Dabiri-Erewa praised Chief Calistus Elozieuwa, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO)- Ghana, for the effort made by him and his board members to secure the release of the girls.
The NiDCOM CEO emphasised the need for an end to human trafficking in Nigeria, saying: “We must declare a war against human traffickers.”
She urged parents to find out the whereabouts of their children at all times when taken away by relatives or friends.
She also called for collaborative efforts at naming and arresting traffickers.
Dabiri-Erewa further said the rescued girls would be handed over to the officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, which will in turn hand them over to their various states for counselling and rehabilitation.
Speaking at the event, according to the statement, Amb. Adeoye Ifedayo, the acting Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, applauded NIDO-Ghana for rescuing the girls.
Ifedayo stressed the need for stakeholders to make conscious efforts to end human trafficking.
The statement mentioned that Amara Iwuanyanwu, the Deputy Speaker of the Imo House of Assembly, who represented the governor of the state, Hope Uzodinma, reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of the rescued girls.
The delegation from Nigeria consisting of NiDCOM and Imo Stae Government officials met with the top echelon of the Ghanaian Police who pledged to cooperate in the war against human trafficking.
According to the statement, the delegation later met with the girls who were in high spirits and looked forward to returning home.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the news of the situation of the girls went viral after they were intercepted by officials of NIDO-Ghana, preventing them from continuing to their destination.
NIDO-Ghana officials then promptly alerted NiDCOM back in Nigeria, leading to the swift intervention, the statement added. (NAN) (www.nan.ng)
YEE
====
(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)
June 11, 2024
Man who murdered pregnant woman jail for life in Denmark
Man who murdered pregnant woman jail for life in Denmark
Woman
Copenhagen, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) A man in Denmark has been sentenced to life imprisonment and subsequent preventive detention after stabbing a heavily pregnant woman to death in 2016, the district court in Glostrup announced the sentence.
The now 30-year-old man is said to have stabbed the woman 11 times with a knife in a park near Copenhagen and then cut off a piece of her nose, according to the court’s statement.
The man denied the crime and his defence lawyer said that he would appeal against the judgement.
The murder weapon has still not been found and there is no technical evidence such as fingerprints or DNA to prove the man’s guilt.
In 2020, the police deployed an undercover investigator as a cellmate of the suspect, who was serving a prison sentence for the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend.
The undercover investigator recorded the man describing how he had killed the pregnant woman, which contributed to the court’s decision to find him guilty. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
UMD/EAL
========
Edited by Ummul Idris/Ekemini Ladejobi
June 11, 2024
UN Security Council backs Israel-Hamas ceasefire plan
UN Security Council backs Israel-Hamas ceasefire plan
Ceasefire
United Nations, June 11, 2024 (Reuters/NAN) The United Nations Security Council has backed a proposal outlined by President Joe Biden for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and urged the Palestinian militants to accept the deal aimed at ending the eight-month-long war.
Hamas welcomed the adoption of the U.S.-drafted resolution, saying in a statement that it is ready to cooperate with mediators over implementing the principles of the plan “that are consistent with the demands of our people and resistance.”
Russia abstained from the UN vote, while the remaining 14 Security Council members voted in favour of the resolution supporting a three-phase ceasefire plan laid out by Biden on May 31 that he described as an Israeli initiative.
“Today we voted for peace,” U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the council after the vote.
The resolution welcomes the new ceasefire proposal, states that Israel has accepted it, calls on Hamas to agree to it, and “urges both parties to implement its terms without delay fully, and without condition.”
Algeria, the only Arab member state in the council, supported the resolution because “we believe it can represent a step forward toward an immediate and lasting ceasefire,” Algeria’s UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama told the council.
“It offers a glimmer of hope to the Palestinians,” he said, adding: “It’s time to halt the killing.“
The resolution also provides details on the proposal and indicates that “if the negotiations take longer than six weeks for phase one, the ceasefire will continue as long as negotiations continue.”
However, it did not contain enough detail for Moscow.
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia asked what Israel had specifically agreed to and said the Security Council should not be signing up to agreements with “vague parameters.”
“We did not wish to block the resolution simply because it, as much as we understand, is supported by the Arab world,” Nebenzia told the council.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan was present for the vote but did not address the council.
Instead, senior Israeli UN diplomat Reut Shapir Ben Naftaly told the body that Israel’s goals in Gaza had always been clear.
“Israel is committed to these goals – to free all the hostages, to destroy Hamas’ military and governing capabilities, and to ensure that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future,” she said.
“It is Hamas that is preventing this war from ending. Hamas and Hamas alone,” she added.
The council in March demanded an immediate ceasefire and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas.
For months, negotiators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar have been trying to mediate a ceasefire.
Hamas says it wants a permanent end to the war in the Gaza Strip and Israeli withdrawal from the enclave of 2.3 million people.
Israel is retaliating against Hamas, which rules Gaza, over an Oct. 7 attack by its militants.
More than 1,200 people were killed and no fewer than 250 were taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies.
More than 100 hostages are believed to remain captive in Gaza.
Israel launched an air, ground, and sea assault on the Palestinian territory, killing more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. (Reuters/NAN) (www.nan.ng)
YEE
====
(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)
June 11, 2024
Singapore Airlines compensates passengers after turbulence incident
Compensation
Bangkok, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Singapore Airlines has offered compensation to passengers who suffered injuries during a flight that hit major turbulence last month.
A 73-year-old man died of a suspected heart attack and more than 50 others were injured in severe turbulence during a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore on May 20.
The Boeing 777-300ER plane carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members plummeted almost 1,800 metres over the west coast of Myanmar and had to be diverted to Bangkok for an emergency landing.
“Singapore Airlines (SIA) deeply apologised to all passengers for the traumatic experience on board flight SQ321 on 20 May 2024,” the airline said in a statement published on Facebook on Tuesday.
The airline confirmed that compensation would be offered to passengers.
“For passengers who sustained minor injuries from the incident, we have offered 10,000 dollars in compensation,” the carrier wrote.
“For those who sustained more serious injuries from the incident, we have invited them to discuss a compensation offer to meet each of their specific circumstances when they feel well and ready to do so.”
The airline will offer an advance payment of 25,000 dollars to passengers who have been medically assessed and determined to have sustained serious injuries requiring long-term medical care and are requesting financial assistance to address their immediate needs.
Additionally, the airline said it offered a full refund of the air fare to all passenger who were on flight SQ321, including those who did not suffer injuries and that all passengers were provided 1,000 dollars to cover their immediate expenses in Bangkok.
“All passengers will also receive delay compensation in accordance with the relevant European Union or United Kingdom regulations.”
The airline said it has also covered the medical expenses of injured passengers and arranged for their family members and loved ones to fly to Bangkok upon request.(dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
HS
==
Edited by Halima Sheji

June 11, 2024
U.S. push for Gaza ceasefire, peace deal in Israel visit
U.S. push for Gaza ceasefire, peace deal in Israel visit
Ceasefire
Tel Aviv, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken met the Israeli President, Isaac Herzog on Tuesday to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The negotiation was part of the efforts by the U.S. Qatar and Egypt on Gaza, the meeting was delayed for months.
Antony Blinken’s trip to the Middle East aimed to garner support for the latest proposal for a ceasefire in three phases.
The UN Security Council clarified the multi-stage plan presented by U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday in New York.
According to the U.S. only the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement had not agreed to the plan.
However, the government of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has not given its clear and public approval to the plan either.
Antony Blinken arrived in Egypt on Monday for the first leg of the tour and later held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
According to a statement by the U.S. State Department, Blinken told Netanyahu that “the United States and other world leaders will stand behind the comprehensive proposal outlined by President Biden”.
Blinken in the statement also “updated the prime minister on ongoing diplomatic efforts to plan for the post-conflict period”.
He also met opposition leader Yair Lapid on Tuesday and is due to hold talks with Israeli lawmaker Benny Gantz.
Benny Gantz had just quit the Israeli emergency government formed following the Oct. 7 attacks.
Antony Blinken’s Middle East tour is expected to last until Wednesday and also includes a stop in Qatar. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
MERCY/COO/YEE
=============
(Edited by Cecilia Odey/Emmanuel Yashim)
June 11, 2024
Hajj, Zakkat opportunity for few privileged Muslims – Cleric
Muslims
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 11, 2024 (NAN) An Islamic cleric, Malam Lukman Hamidu-Yauri, has charged pilgrims to be grateful to God Almighty for the opportunity to perform Hajj.
He said performing Hajj and Zakkat are only for the few privileged Muslims.
Hamidu-Yauri, who is also a member of the Da’awah Committee, Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, stated this at a routine enlightenment session shortly after the dawn (Subh) prayer in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday.
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).
“You should be grateful to your creator, who has chosen you out of millions of people to come and perform one of the pillars of Islam. Only the privileged few are usually given the opportunity,” he said.
The cleric tasked the pilgrims on purity of intention to be able to earn the desired reward from the Almighty Allah, saying that worship (Ibadat) “is due to Allah (SWT) alone.”
Taking his text from the Hadith of the holy Prophet (PBUH), the cleric said on the day of judgement (day of Qiyamah), a knowledgeable person would be brought before Allah (SWT) and Allah will ask him.
“We have given you knowledge, what did you do with it. The man will reply, I have used it to teach people your religion.
”I have done this and that. Then the Almighty will say, no, you taught them to gain recognition from the people and you have gotten it.
“A wealthy person will also be brought before Allah (SWT) and he will be asked, we have enriched you with money, what did you do with it? The man will reply, I have used it to assist people, feed the needy among others.
“But Allah will say no, you have done that not for my sake but for people to see and hail you and they did,” the cleric noted.
He added that the third person would also stand before his creator and Allah (SWT) would ask the same question and the person would give an answer similar to the duo but without any fruitful result.
Hamidu-Yauri stressed the need for the people to appreciate God Almighty, saying,”If God showers His blessing upon you, accept the gift, appreciate and pray to God to increase you in faith.”
On his part, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar-Walid urged the pilgrims to remain disciplined and obey all the constituted authorities
He cautioned them against using their Ihram illegally to perform another Dawaf, warning, “this is illegal and not encouraged.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
KLM/BRM
==============
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 11, 2024
Acceptable Hajj sure path to paradise – Sheikh Gadon-Kaya
Hajj
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Sheikh Abdallahi Gadon-Kaya, one of the famous Islamic scholars, says an acceptable Hajj (Hajj Mabrur) is a sure and genuine path to paradise.
He stated this while presenting a lecture on rituals of Hajj to the Kebbi pilgrims at Hotel Number One in Qudai, Makkatul Mukarrama, otherwise known as Kebbi House on Monday.
The cleric quoted the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as saying: “Acceptable Hajj (Hajj Mabrur) has no reward except paradise.”
Gadon-Kaya, who summarised the entire Hajj exercise in ten steps, observed that every pilgrim that had the opportunity to come to perform Hajj, “God Almighty wants him to enter paradise with ease.
He said, “Therefore, just feel in your mind that after the completion of your Hajj exercise, you will become a companion of paradise. So, we should be happy for this great opportunity from our creator.”
The cleric recalled that many famous Islamic scholars who published numerous books didn’t have the opportunity to perform Hajj, citing Sheikh Uthman Danfodiyo as an example of such scholars.
“Hence the need for you to appreciate God Almighty for this great opportunity,” he said.
Gadon-Kaya enumerated the ten steps to include; intention after wearing of Ihram, entering Makkah, circumambulation (Dawafil Ifadha/Dawafil Hajj), farewell circumambulation (Dawafil Wadah), trekking between the mount of Safa and Marwa (Sa’ayi) and going to Muna.
Others according to him are; standing at mount of Arfat, going to Munzalifa, stoning of Jamrat with pebbles, slaughtering of animal (sacrifice) for those pilgrims that perform Tamatu’i or Qirani form of Hajj, while the last and the tenth is cutting of hair.
While advising the pilgrims to hold on to the steps for smooth and easy exercise, Gadon-Kaya urged them to be orderly and ensure respect for constituted authority towards a successful Hajj operation.
He said the entire Hajj exercise was being conducted in just four or five days, from 8th to 13th of Dhul-Hajj, advising that pilgrims should use the knowledge acquired from different clerics to put the steps into practice.
The cleric reminded the pilgrims that standing on the Day of Arfat remained the vital organ of Hajj, recalling that the Prophet (PBUH) said : “Hajj is Arafat (Al-Hajju Arafat)” meaning without Arfat there would be no Hajj at all.
“The Prophet (PBUH) said Allah (SWT) accepts supplication on Arfat day and the best of supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafat.
“Supplication on Arafat day starts by Zuhur prayer after pilgrims jointly prayer Zuhur and Asr prayer in a short form (qasru). The Prophet raised his hand after Zuhur prayer supplicating to Allah, he did not bring down his hand until after Magrib,” he said.
Gadon-Kaya cautioned the pilgrims against wasting time doing nothing on Arafat day, saying, ”instead, they should devote their time for supplication, begging God Almighty to bless them with good here and good in the hereafter.”
He also urged them to pray for their leaders to be able to fix the nation’s economy, urging, “you should also pray for prevailing peace across Nigeria.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
KLM/BRM
============
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mnai
June 11, 2024
Electronic case system crucial to efficient justice delivery — Official

3rd from right, Justice Edward Asante, CCJ President, with participants at the ECMS sensitization and training program in Lomé, Togo, on Monday.

Adoption
By Mark Longyen
Abuja, June 10, 2024(NAN) The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Edward Asante, says the adoption of electronic case management system (ECMS) by the court is crucial to efficient contemporary justice delivery.
Justice Asante stated this at the unveiling of the ECMS sensitization and training programme on Monday in Lomé, Togo, the court stated.
Asante explained that the programme was for lawyers from member states, stressing that it marked a crucial step in improving access to justice and efficiency of judicial procedures within the ECOWAS region.
“The main objective of this programme is the sensitisation and training of lawyers and government agents from ECOWAS member states on the use of the new electronic filing and case management system.
“The adoption of the ECMS marks a crucial step in improving access to justice and efficiency of judicial procedures within the ECOWAS region,” the CCJ President said.
Asante disclosed that the Court accelerated its transition towards digitalisation of judicial procedures by adopting practical guidelines for ECMS and virtual hearings following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The notable innovations include electronic filing of documents, electronic service of notices of registration and the holding of virtual hearings, which all represent a significant advancement in the court’s modernisation of judicial processes.
“Furthermore, it aims to make the court more accessible and efficient by allowing lawyers to file documents, receive notifications, and attend virtual hearings via a secure web interface,” he added.
Asante said the initiatives aimed to equip legal practitioners with the necessary knowledge to use the ECMS effectively.
He stressed that the court had played a central role in interpreting and applying Community legal texts and protecting human rights since 2005.
The CCJ president said the Lomé programme was the first in a series of sensitisation and training programs, with two others slated for Accra, Ghana (for anglophone lawyers), and Praia, Cape Verde (for lusophone lawyers).
He, therefore, encouraged all the participants to seize the opportunity of the training and fully engage in it.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CCJ is ECOWAS’ judicial organ, mandated to resolve disputes related to its treaties, protocols and conventions, and also entertain individual human rights violations complaints.
It was established under the Lagos Treaty of 1975 and became operational in 2001.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
YEN/BRM
============
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 10, 2024