WordPress

Category: Foreign

  • Survey: 40% of Germans support recognition of Palestinian state

    Survey: 40% of Germans support recognition of Palestinian state

    Support

    Berlin, June 7, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Two out of five Germans are in favour of recognising Palestinian statehood, according to the results of a representative survey conducted by the opinion research institute YouGov on Friday.

    According to the survey, 40 per cent of respondents said that Germany should recognise Palestine as a state, while 27 per cent were against and 33 per cent did not say.

    In recent weeks, Norway, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia decided to recognise Palestine as a state, which triggered fierce protests from Israel.

    Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared a fortnight ago that the German government was not currently planning to recognise Palestine as a separate state.

    Divisions are deepening over the war in Gaza. On May 24, the International Criminal Court the highest court of the United Nations (UN), ordered an immediate halt to Israel’s military offensive in the Palestinian city of Rafah in southern Gaza.

    Israel has however continued its offensive on the city where 1.4 million Palestinians from elsewhere in Gaza had previously sought shelter, leading almost 1 million of them to flee again.

    The European Union is now considering imposing economic sanctions against Israel.

    According to the survey, around half (51 per cent) of respondents would be in favour of the EU imposing economic sanctions on Israel, according to the survey.

    However, 26 per cent said they completely or somewhat disagreed with such sanctions.

    For the representative survey, YouGov interviewed 2,295 people eligible to vote in Germany. The survey took place between May 31 and June 5. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    HS

    ===

    Edited by Halima Sheji

  • UN steps up efforts to maintain peace in South Sudan’s state

    Peace

    Juba, June 7, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has stepped up efforts to maintain peace in Malakal town Upper Nile State, following violence that killed  several people last week.

    UNMISS said that it will continue to support efforts to protect civilians and maintain calm through intensive patrols and engagement with affected communities.

    Nicholas Haysom, special representative of the UN secretary-general and head of UNMISS, said in a statement issued in Juba on Friday, the capital of South Sudan, that the situation is currently calm but fragile.

    “We appreciate the coordination and close partnerships with national, state and local authorities who played an important role in ensuring that further escalations in violence do not take place and that people are able to resume their daily activities safely,” Haysom said.

    The clashes erupted on May 30 between the Dinka and Shilluk communities over the disputed Akoka area, with armed Dinka men attacking and killing four Shilluk fishermen who were under civilian protection.

    In retaliation, the Shilluk community moved out of the UN Protection of Civilians Site and killed a driver belonging to the Dinka community in Malakal town.

    The UN mission commended the swift and ongoing responses by state authorities and government security forces in reducing the tensions and keeping the communities safe.

    UNMISS said that it was working closely with government partners and has proactively deployed peacekeepers in and around the UN Protection of Civilians Site in Malakal to make sure displaced people were secured. (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    COO/SH

    =======

    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Sadiya Hamza

     

  • German rights group condemns Scholz’s plan to deport criminals

    Condemn

    Berlin, June 7, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The German refugee advocacy group Pro Asyl has condemned German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s initiative to allow deportations of serious criminals to Afghanistan and Syria.

    “International law clearly prohibits any deportations to Afghanistan and Syria,” Pro Asyl’s managing director Karl Kopp told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper in remarks published on Friday.

    Kopp described Scholz’s proposed plans as unlawful, because both countries were known for their use of torture and inhuman punishments.

    Earlier on Thursday, Scholz proposed to allow the deportation of serious criminals to Afghanistan and Syria again, following the recent death of a police officer who was stabbed at an anti-Islamic rally in Mannheim.”

    “Such criminals should be deported even if they come from Syria and Afghanistan,” Scholz told the Bundestag or lower house of parliament. “Serious criminals and [people posing] terrorist threats have no place here.”

    The chancellor did not explain exactly how he intend to make this possible, but said the Interior Ministry was working on the practical implementation and was already in talks with Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries.

    An Afghan national stabbed several people last week in the south-western city of Mannheim during a rally by the anti-Islam movement Pax Europa, a policeman who tried to intervene later died of his injuries.

    “The attack in Mannheim has shocked us all, but the German government must not undermine international law. Instead, it must rely on the resources of the German constitutional state,” Kopp said.

    “The prohibition on torture applies to everyone including criminals. This important principle must not be undermined,” he added.

    Germany has not sent anyone back to Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.

    Even before that, the agreement was that only men especially criminals and those deemed terrorist threats would be forcibly returned, due to the difficult security situation. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    HS

    ===

    Edited by Halima Sheji

     

     

  • Biden to deliver speech on democracy, freedom in Normandy

    Biden to deliver speech on democracy, freedom in Normandy

    Speech

    Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 7, 2024(dpa/NAN) U.S. President Joe Biden is to give a keynote speech in the northern French region Normandy on Friday.

    The keynote speech in defence of freedom and democracy as part of a visit to France that includes D-Day commemorative events.

    According to the White House, Biden is planning a speech on the power of democracy and the fight against aggressors and autocrats against the historic backdrop of Pointe du Hoc on the northern French coast.

    Pointe du Hoc is a stretch of coast in Normandy where Allied troops landed 80 years ago, on June 6, 1944, now known as D-Day, which marked the beginning of the liberation of France and Western Europe from Nazi rule.

    The Allied forces at the time consisted mainly of U.S., British, Canadian, Polish and French troops.

    Biden had already used a D-Day commemoration at a U.S. military cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer in northern France earlier on Thursday to call for the defence of democracy.

    “We know the dark forces that these heroes fought against 80 years ago, they never fade,” Biden said. He cited the Russian war against Ukraine as an example.

    Biden’s speech at Pointe du Hoc is not part of the official D-Day celebrations, but is likely to be aimed at a U.S. audience in particular.

    Biden is in a tight race with Donald Trump for a second term in the White House.

    Biden is in France for a visit which will last for several days. After his stops in Normandy, he is scheduled to be received as a state guest by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Saturday. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    HS

    ===

    Edited by Halima Sheji

     

  •  Cleric to pilgrims: Perform good deeds in first 10 days of Dhul-Hajj

  • EU, Gallery of Code unveil art-driven initiative for food security

    EU, Gallery of Code unveil art-driven initiative for food security

    Technology

    By Patricia Amogu

    Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The European Union (EU) Commission and the Gallery of Code, have unveiled the S-T-ARTS4AFRICA Programme, an art-driven initiative that will create opportunities for African artists to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to proffer solutions.

    Mr Oscar Ekponimo, the Managing Director of Gallery of Code, a research, development, and consulting agency disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja.

    According to him, the programme, a science, technology, and arts-driven initiative, is a dedicated version of STARTS for Africa, an EU-led intervention with the Gallery of Code serving as the umbrella body for the initiative in Nigeria.

    “STARTS was initiated in 2016 but now there is a dedicated version for Africa.

    “This is the first phase and the first time this is coming up in Africa and a Nigerian has been selected from among 300 applicants.

    “Jibril Baba, a visual artist, has just been awarded a grant that will support his project – a smart technology (model) that will address food storage challenges and boost food production as well as curb rising food insecurity gaps in Nigeria .

    “Prior to selection, every host institution was meant to come up with crafting a challenge and we were to focus on food and water in Nigeria.

    Ekponimo stated that EU is pushing innovations, with an artistic perspective because innovation is more practical and impactful when it is artistically driven.

    “Out of more than 300 applications from all over Africa, Jibril was selected and supported by the EU to implement a model yam barn that will use AI to check and monitor the change in climate conditions and also monitor the air quality around the yam, as well as monitor the product for spoilage.

    “This will automatically control food wastage and address food insecurity.

    “This will be the first of its kind but the project is still at the take-off stage,

    “We have just finished the reflection stage and going further to the actualisation stage and I am happy to say that there will be a final exhibition in Nigeria and Jibrin has also been selected to exhibit an a festival that will hold in Austria from Sept. 4 to Sept 8.” he added.

    Dr Femi Adeluyi, the National Co-ordinator, National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), a new initiate of the Federal Government, said the project “is in full alignment with what President Bola Tinubu wants to achieve by investing in talent (creative industry).

    “This is a really good model which can be further enhanced and made elaborate.

    “Today it’s yams we are focusing on; tomorrow it could be something else and we can leverage on this one.

    “We want opportunities where our artists can showcase our skills and products abroad and then benefit from such investments.

    “This can enhance our socio-economic strength and it shows we have a lot of value that we can bring to the table.

    “This is something that will be adapted and expanded in other countries as well and it will enhance our cooperation with so many other countries who will want to replicate and adapt this initiative in their countries to curb food insecurity.

    “We are looking forward to collaborating with Gallery of Code and our artist, Jibril on this great initiative.” he added.

    Speaking on the initiative, the visual artist, a beneficiary of the S-T-ARTS4AFRICA grant, said the core of the project was inspired by “our traditional past models of how we used to cool water in gourds and looking into more technologically advanced methods of making them work better.

    *It is a prototype yam barn, a modular storage system where the yams will be slotted in using an array of sensors that can check the climate conditions, air quality and equally shield the yams from too much sunlight .

    “During our preliminary research we visited different states in the Northeastern part of the country and discovered that out of 1,500 yam tubers harvested, 600 are lost due to lack of a good storage system.”

    According to him, the production of the yam barn can help reduce wastage due spoilage, hence increase productivity and strengthen the chances of ensuring food security in Nigeria significantly.

    “During crisis, a storage system like this can be worthwhile,” he added.

    Patricia Carvalho, EU R&I Project Manager and Consultant, said via webinar that it would be very intriguing to get to the core of what artists can achieve in promoting food security and availability of clean water using science and technology tools such as AI.

    She applauded the initiative and re-affirmed support for the project. (NAN)

    PAO/YEE

    ========

    (Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

  • Fiji, New Zealand to tackle drug problem in Pacific region

    Fiji, New Zealand to tackle drug problem in Pacific region

    Drug

    Suva, June 6, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon have pledged to bolster efforts to combat the growing drug trafficking problem in the Pacific region.

    Both leaders expressed deep concern over the impact of drugs on the countries at a press conference on Thursday.

    Luxon highlighted that Fiji and New Zealand police forces have been working closely together on tackling drug problem, which is “a big challenge.”

    Luxon visited the Fiji Police Detector Dog Unit and urged continued investment in detector dogs to strengthen efforts against drug trafficking.

    He reiterated New Zealand’s commitment to assisting Fiji and the region in combating narcotics.

    Rabuka highlighted the recent significant drug bust in Fiji, emphasising the scale of the problem.

    Earlier this week, the Fijian cabinet endorsed the National Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023-2028.

    Key focus areas under the strategy include reducing demand for narcotics, reducing supply, reducing harm and legislative reform.

    Others are data collection, analysis, and information sharing, the establishment of a drug addiction treatment centre, partnership, coordination, and international cooperation.  (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UMD/AMM

    ==========

    Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru

     

     

     

     

  • Independent state: Palestine seeks Nigeria’s support

    Independent state: Palestine seeks Nigeria’s support

    Support

    By Maureen Okon

    Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria Abu Shawesh, has called on the Federal Government to use her political weight to convince more countries to recognise Palestine as an Independent state.

    The envoy made the call at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja when he addressed newsmen on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war development.

    The envoy said recognising Palestine as a state would ease the challenge faced by its citizens in procuring visas.

    He said as a heavy weight in international affairs, Nigeria’s voice could go a long way in influencing more recognition for the State of Palestine.

    Shawesh said that heavy political weight can hang the balance not only in African continent, but all over the globe.

    According to him some European Union (EU) member states recognise Palestine as a state

    “Now we have over 20 or 27 European countries voting for a state of Palestine.

    “In the past 10 days some European countries have recognised Palestine as a state and this is an important move for the visa procurement’’, he told newsmen.

    NAN reports that Slovenia became the latest EU country to recognise an Independent State of Palestine after its parliament approved the move with a majority vote earlier on Tuesday.

    It would be recalled that Slovenia government last week decided to recognise Palestine as an Independent and sovereign state following the steps of Spain, Ireland and Norway as part of a wider effort to coordinate pressure on Israel to end the conflict in Gaza.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    ETIM/BEN/HS

    ========

    Edited by Benson Ezugwu/ Halima Sheji

  • UN inaugurates project to help Somalia improve food security

    UN inaugurates project to help Somalia improve food security

     

    Project

     

    Mogadishu, June 6, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and its partners have inaugurated an initiative, the Jowhar Offstream Storage Programme (JOSP), in Somalia to improve food security and climate resilience.

     

    The JOSP aimed to build resilience against climate shocks in communities along the Shabelle River by enhancing access to water, reducing drought and flood risk and boosting agricultural production.

     

    “The programme is expected to enhance access to water for 368,887 people across five districts, reduce flood risk for 1.5 million people, and mitigate drought impact for 1.65 million people,” FAO said.

     

    According to FAO, increased local food production is expected to generate more than 50 million U.S. dollars per season in production value and income.

     

    “It will also lead to savings of up to 36 million dollars per year in humanitarian assistance costs as the food security situation improves.”

     

    The programme is a collaborative effort between the government of Somalia, FAO, and its UN partners, the International Organisation for Migration.

     

    Others partners are the UN Settlement Programme, the UN Industrial Development Organisation and the UN Environment Programme.

     

    Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia Salah Ahmed Jama, called the JOSP initiative a testament to the power of collaboration in averting humanitarian needs and driving the country toward a better future.

     

    Jama said community ownership and integration were essential, noting that the community must understand that the programme belonged to them and that a sense of ownership was crucial for its success.

     

    “We need to change the perception that the canal is a government project so people recognise it as their own.

     

    “This programme should pave the way for new initiatives and demonstrate to donors the great potential of investing in Somalia,” he added.

     

    Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mohamed Abdi Hayir, said JOSP would significantly impact the regions by reducing upstream flooding and supplying water to downstream communities. (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    UMD/AMM

    =========

     

    Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru

     

     

     

     

  • Spain to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ

    Spain to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ

    Genocide

    Madrid, June 6, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Spain announced that it will join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the ongoing Israeli aggression in the besieged Palestinian Gaza Strip.

    Spain made this decision so that “peace returns to Gaza and the Middle East,” Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares explained in a press conference on Thursday.

    “A large-scale war that does not distinguish between civil and military objectives” is taking place and the risk of escalation is increasing,” he said.

    South Africa submitted the case in late December 2023, accusing Israel of committing acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip in violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention.

    On Jan. 26, the ICJ ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide, to ensure that its military does not commit genocide.

    It further called on Israel to halt incitement against Palestinians as a group and to take immediate measures to ensure humanitarian aid.

    On May 24, the ICJ ordered Israel to stop its military offensive in Rafah in southern Gaza with immediate effect.

    “The ICJ precautionary measures are very far from being fulfilled,” Albares remarked.

    “Spain does not rule on the crime itself, that is the Court’s job,” he said.

    We intervene in the lawsuit, supporting the court in the interpretation of the precautionary measures and helping to apply them.

    Albares added that Spain will present a report to the court to justify its participation in the case.  (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UMD/HS

    ==

    Edited by Ummul Idris/Halima Sheji