German president pays respects to slain officer in Mannheim
Officer
Mannheim, Germany June 7, 2024 (dpa/NAN) German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier commemorated the death of police officer Rouven Laur at a ceremony in the western city of Mannheim on Friday.
Laur died in an attack at Mannheim’s market square a week ago.
Steinmeier, state premier Winfried Kretschmann and state interior minister Thomas Strobl all paused for a minute’s silence at 11:34 am (0934 GMT).
Laur died on Sunday, days after he was injured as he sought to intervene when a man attacked several people during a rally by the anti-Islam movement Pax Europa in Mannheim.
Steinmeier laid a floral tribute at the scene as many gathered on the square to mourn the death of the policeman, aged 29.
The 25-year-old Afghan also injured five participants at the rally on May 31. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Sri Lankan president stresses need to advance towards competitive agriculture
Agriculture
Colombo, June 7, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has stressed the need to advance towards competitive agriculture by 2030 through the adoption of modern technology, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said on Friday.
According to the PMD, the president emphasised the importance of focusing on products that can succeed in the competitive export market by prioritising paddy production.
Wickremesinghe highlighted that the future cannot be secured without focusing on competitive products.
He added that it was advisable to discontinue products that could not compete in the export market.
He made the remarks during the progress review meeting of the Agriculture Modernisation Programme, convened at the Presidential Secretariat, the PMD said. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Mr Ali Khwaja, Chairman of KTrade Securities, a Pakistani-based stock and commodity outfit, says the U.S. inflation can impact negatively on the developing world.
Khwaja, who communicated this during a virtual analysis of the KTrade Securities research report, said the highlight had become important because the U.S. grappled with persistent inflation.
He said that no country was immune to fallout of inflation, adding that the U.S. was not immune to fallout either.
“Concerns are about possible 1970-style stagflation amid slowing economy and stubborn inflation.’’
According to him, small and medium businesses can bear the brunt due to compounding impact of high inflation in the mass market.
“Inflation effects often add up; when things become too expensive that people start cutting-down on expenditure and new hiring in businesses, a recession is in sight.
“Next year, when people try to remortgage their homes, they will find it is very expensive, as seven per cent is a very high interest rate.”
He quoted the Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell, to have expressed confidence in curbing inflation, saying it was not as high as it was after the Producer Price Index (PPI).
He cited the recent data from the U.S. Labor Department to have pointed to a 0.5 per cent uptick in the PPI for April and a rebound from the 0.1per cent dip in March.
“Earlier, the U.S. Commerce Department stated consumer prices witnessed a 3.4 per cent year-on-year increase in the first quarter, much higher than the two per cent target.
“These figures dented hope; yet for rate cuts within the year, dealing another blow to market expectations after several wrecked rate-cut prospects since the beginning of the year.
“This will change dynamics, because interest rates are already at 23 year high as the impact of high interest rates has not come to small business owners and real estate owners.
“Debt contracts they had are not up for re-pricing; when re-pricing kicks in later this year, it will be a massive hit to consumers that can lead to recession later this year and through 2025.’’
The chairman explained that the costs of debt servicing are soaring; particularly in currencies across Asian markets, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India which are at historic lows.
“In some cases, central banks have to intervene to defend their currencies; when a protectionism policy is adopted, it will be very difficult to control inflation.
“The reason why the world had a period of low inflation and high growth was because of the benefit of trade.
“Yet over the last five years, protectionism has led to lesser trade, higher tariffs on consumption and higher fuel prices, all of which contributed to higher inflation,” he said.
He decried manipulation of economics for political gains as a way to likely backfire, stating that higher inflation led to political and societal friction by creating a gap between the rich and the poor.
Khwaja also said such could strain the economy of any country.
He quoted Dr Abid Suleri, Executive-Director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), saying if high inflation persists, the new government faces challenges in meeting expectations of the electorate.
“The first thing the new U.S. administration might do after the election is to reassess the real value of dollars.
“It has two options; in my opinion, one is to depreciate the value of U.S. dollar vis-a-vis other major currencies; which is a step no outgoing government will like to take.
“Otherwise, the U.S. itself will become more and more non-competitive; not only against China but also against the EU, Japan and other trading nations,” Suleri said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Border
By Busayo Onijala
Lagos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The African Union (AU) has described borders as instruments of opportunity, playing crucial role in the pursuit of peace and security across the continent.
Dr Sarjoh Bah, Director, Conflict Management Directorate at the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department of the AU, said this in a statement on Friday in commemoration of the 14th Africa Border Day.
Africa Border Day is celebrated annually on June 7, to promote peace, cross-border cooperation and regional integration in Africa.
The day was initiated by the African Ministers in Charge of Borders on May 25, 2010 and also shines a spotlight on the African Union Border Programme (AUBP).
Bah said since 2007, the AUBP had been the cornerstone of Africa’s collective endeavour to transform borders from barriers into bridges of solidarity.
This transformation, he said, is not just pivotal, but also crucial in pre-empting conflicts, fostering regional cohesion, and propelling continental integration forward.
“We should leverage our Member States and Regional Economic Communities, to transform our borders into arenas of peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement.
“Our borders should not be subjects of contention but rather bedrocks for policy implementation, as encapsulated in the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation (Niamey Convention) and the African Union Strategy for Border Governance,” he said.
Bah said the AUBP’s mission extended beyond conflict prevention, adding that it was a tool for resolving border disputes that have resurfaced, spurred by the allure of newfound natural resources.
According to him, security challenges are predominantly concentrated along border areas which were once overlooked but are now at the forefront of the battle against cross-border crime and terrorism.
“It is imperative that we concentrate our efforts in these regions to cultivate peace, security, and sustainable development.
“The resilience we foster in border communities, fuelled by cross-border cooperation, equips us to combat transnational crime and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” Bah said.
On his part, by embracing cooperative strategies, Africa can ensure effective management of forced displacements, food shortages, humanitarian crises, and resource-related conflicts.
He said while international arbitration remained an option, its protracted and costly nature often strained the camaraderie between nations.
Bah urged member states to prioritise dialogue and cooperation as alternative dispute-resolution methods.
“When necessary, the AU encourages the invocation of the political, diplomatic, and technical resources to secure enduring resolutions to border disputes.
“As we celebrate this year’s Africa Day, let us amplify our efforts to embed our borders at the core of Agenda 2063’s objectives.
“We must unite to forge an integrated Africa characterised by peaceful, open, and prosperous borders that are a testament to our shared vision and collective strength,” he said. (NAN)
OMB/JNC
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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Mogadishu, June 7, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has welcomed the country’s election to the 15-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term starting in 2025.
The president made the welcome remarks in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
According to him, for Somalia to be among the five countries that received the winning votes for UNSC non-permanent would enable the country regain its global status.
Mohamud said the historic vote shows how the world perceives development and governance taking place in the country.
He said that Somalia, alongside Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, and Panama, would for the first time in 50 years, receive the winning votes for UNSC non-permanent seats.
He said the countries would have influence in global affairs in terms of peace and conflicts.
“The diplomatic success we have reached today translates to how the world is witnessing the efforts and development of Somalia, especially the recovery and rebuilding of our country,” he said.
The election is an opportunity for Somalia to take part in the promotion of peace and security in the world, Mohamud said.
Meanwhile, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has also congratulated Somalia on the country’s election as a non-permanent member of the UNSC.
African Union Special Representative for Somalia and Head of ATMIS Mohamed El-Amine Souef said the election is a clear demonstration of the trust and confidence the UN member countries have in Somalia.
“The achievement will embolden Somalia’s drive to secure the safety and prosperity of its people,” Souef said in a statement.
He said Somalia’s historic election will also provide vital lessons for the quest for international peace and security in parts of the world experiencing conflict and instability.
The five countries that were elected on Thursday will join existing non-permanent members Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Biden apologises to Zelensky for months-long delay in military aid
Apologise
Paris, June 7, 2024 (dpa/NAN) U.S. President Joe Biden apologised to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for Washington’s long delay in approving a sweeping new military aid package for his country.
Biden, during a meeting with Zelensky in Paris, said he wanted to “apologise” for the months-long hold-up in a 61 billion U.S.dollars aid package, which was finally passed by Congress in late April.
The U.S. president blamed “some of our very conservative” members of Congress.
“I’m not gonna walk away from you,” Biden told Zelensky during a brief exchange of remarks made in front of reporters.
On Thursday, Biden and Zelensky took part in the commemoration of D-Day, the Allied landings in Normandy, France 80 years ago during World War II.
Zelensky addressed the French parliament on Friday morning.
Biden is due to give a speech on democracy and freedom in Normandy on Friday afternoon. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Brussels, June 7, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The European Commission on Friday told EU ambassadors that Ukraine and Moldova have met the conditions to begin talks on joining the European Union.
We consider that all the steps have been met by the two countries, a commission spokeswoman told reporters on Friday.
Now the decision is in the hands of the member states.
EU leaders had agreed to open talks with the two countries in December, on grounds that they met certain conditions, such as fighting corruption.
In a closed-door meeting, the commission told ambassadors for the 27 EU member states that these conditions had been met.
However, all member states still have to unanimously agree on a plan for the conduct of the talks before they can begin in practice
Kiev had applied for EU membership in February 2022, after Russia escalated the long-running conflict in eastern Ukraine by launching a full-scale invasion of the country.
Moldova, where the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria had been a persistent security concern since a war in the early 1990s was asked to join a month later.
Georgia, which fought a war with Russia in 2008, also applied in March 2022.
While, EU leaders formally recognized Ukraine and Moldova as candidate for membership one year ago, in June 2023.
The Commission had granted candidate status to Georgia in December 2023, at the same time as agreeing to open talks with Ukraine and Moldova.
The other official candidates are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey.(dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Paris, June 7, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the French parliament that Europe was a continent at war and that Russia would not stop its aggression at the borders of his country.
“We live in a time when Europe is no longer a continent of peace, unfortunately,” Zelensky said in an address to French lawmakers on Friday.
“Again, Europe’s cities are being destroyed and villages are burned,” he said of Russia’s bombing of Ukraine. He also decried the abduction of Ukrainian children in occupied territories.
“This is against Ukraine now. But this can be aimed at other countries tomorrow, and we already see clearly the direction of the aggression the Baltic countries, Poland, the Balkans,” he said.
“The Russian regime does not see any limits and even Europe is no longer enough,” Zelensky said, pointing to Russian military actions in Syria and Moscow’s growing footprint in the Sahel region of Africa.
Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin was also trying to weaken countries through food and energy insecurity.
He said the world has been too afraid to forcefully respond to Putin. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The ECOWAS Court has dismissed a suit instituted by a Liberian, Mr Jack Rockson, and a company, Global Agriculture Development, challenging the Liberian government’s violation of their rights to property.
Delivering judgment in Abuja, Justice Edward Asante, held that the Liberian government did not violate the applicants’ rights to own and possess property under Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The court’s President and Judge Rapporteur, leading a three-member panel, comprising Justices Gberi-Be Ouattara and Dupe Atoki, dismissed all the claims of the applicants.
Justice Asante also ordered all the parties in the suit to bear their own costs.
The court noted that it had jurisdiction to entertain the suit and also dismissed the applicants’ demand for one million dollars compensation for Rockson, who owns 5 per cent shares in Global Agriculture Development.
It also dismissed the applicants’ demand for a total of 20,700,383 dollars with interest per annum from November 2015 to Global Agriculture Development for loss of profit on its investment in a cocoa farm.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the applicants had filed the suit marked: ECW/CCJ/APP/31/17 before the court on Aug. 18, 2017.
Their lead counsel, Mr Celestus Ejezie, had in his submission, alleged violation of his clients’ right to possession and enjoyment of their property as guaranteed under Article 14 of the African Charter.
He had argued that the First Applicant, Mr Rockson, obtained an allocation for land in Todee District of Liberia and leased it to Global Agriculture Development for the cultivation of a cocoa farm.
The applicants’ counsel claimed that the delay and/or neglect by the President of Liberia to sign and release the title deeds to the land prevented the applicants from defending the land and the farm against encroachment and vandalisation by third parties.
Ejezie had, therefore, prayed the court to declare that the delay and/or neglect by the Liberian government to sign and release Mr Rockson’s title deeds infringed on his right to property.
He also requested the court to declare that the government’s failure to protect the cocoa farm from vandalism violated the applicants’ right to property, including the loss of expected profits, totaling 20,700,383 dollars.
The Liberian government had, in its defense, however, told the court that merely forwarding the title deed to the office of the President was not a guarantee that it would be signed as necessary due diligence needed to be conducted.
It argued that the destruction of farmlands was carried out by private individuals, and that the relevant state agencies were notified for necessary action. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Strasbourg, June 7, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Council of Europe experts are calling on Germany to take stronger measures against human trafficking, in a report released on Friday.
The report said that the German authorities should punish traffickers more effectively and provide victims with more help and higher compensation.
Prostitution is the area most affected by human trafficking, though the number of people who were exploited in labour relationships had increased, the report said, referring to extensive investigations in the meat industry and beverage logistics.
The Council of Europe saw some positive developments in Germany since the last evaluation, with significantly more people being convicted of human trafficking.
However, there is cause for concern that many sentences are suspended and court proceedings take an excessively long time.
The panel also criticised the low compensation payments to victims.
Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office said that it is very difficult to detect human trafficking offences and they assume a high number of unreported cases.
Most of the victims come from Germany, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and are often promised legal, well-paid work, before being forced into prostitution or exploitative labour conditions, sometimes by force.
Mostly this is due to the victims’ lack of prospects and poverty and the demand for prostitution and cheap labour, the report said.
The Council of Europe is independent of the EU. Together with its Court of Justice, is committed to protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Its 46 members include all 27 EU countries plus Britain and Turkey. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
