WordPress

Category: Foreign

  • Germany clamps down on online hate crime after nationwide raids

    Raid

    Berlin, June 6, 2024 (dpa/NAN) German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has called for tough action on hate online, after police raids were carried out in all states on Thursday to curtail crime .

    “We must stop the spiral of hatred and violence. The hate that is spread online is the breeding ground for violence,’’ she said.

    Earlier, state and federal police carried out 130 searches and other measures to target people suspected of posting hate speech online.

    Some 70 homes were searched and numerous suspects questioned, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) said in Wiesbaden.

    Faeser explained that the authorities were taking tough action against Islamist and anti-Semitic hate speech that glorifies the terror of Hamas and denies Israel’s right to exist.

    “We are acting just as decisively against right-wing extremist and anti-democratic hate postings, including vile death threats against public officials and elected representatives in our country,” she added.

    “More than half of the hate postings processed could be attributed to the phenomenon of politically motivated crime – right-wing,” the BKA said earlier.

    BKA officials said that around a third of the cases involved politically motivated offences that could not be clearly attributed to a political movement; some cases also involved imported ideologies and religious ideology.

    The BKA added that criminal postings included incitement to hatred and propaganda offences such as the use of swastikas or other Nazi symbols.

    They also included anti-Semitic statements relating to the Middle East conflict, such as the slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” the” BKA said.

    BKA said that the slogan can be understood as a call for the destruction of Israel, expulsion and extermination of the Jewish population.

    However, posts involving threats and insults to politicians, public officials and elected representatives were also tracked. “In some cases, the threats also include concrete execution scenarios,” the BKA added.

    There has recently been a surge in violent attacks on politicians of all parties amid campaigning for the European Parliament elections, taking place on June 6 to 9. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    HS

    ===

    Edited by Halima Sheji

     

     

  • Germany’s Scholz to give government statement on security situation

    Germany’s Scholz to give government statement on security situation

    Statement

    Berlin, June 6, 2024 (dpa/NAN) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to make a government statement on the country’s current security situation in the lower house of parliament on Thursday.

    The statement would be days after he gave the green light for Ukraine to use German weapons to strike targets in Russia.

    Scholz is expected to address both his decision to give Kiev more leeway in its use of German-supplied arms and a recent stabbing attack in the south-western city of Mannheim.

    He changed course on Ukraine policy after long-held concerns about escalating the conflict with Russia and drawing Germany into the war.

    Scholz changed course on Ukraine policy last week to allow the government in Kiev to use German weapons to attack military targets on Russian territory.

    This is particularly to defend its second city of Kharkiv, near the Russian border.

    The opposition then called on the German leader to explain his sudden reversal.

    Left-wing politician Christian Görke said that he would have liked the chancellor to have made a statement last week, instead of announcing lonely decisions to expand the war in Ukraine.

    Several other countries, including the U.S., have recently made similar moves to give Ukraine more room for manoeuvre in its use of Western-supplied weapons.

    It was specified that they should only be used against targets within Ukraine itself.

    Scholz had defended the change of course on Monday and emphasised: “we are certain that it will not contribute to an escalation”.

    The U.S. president has also said it was only a matter of being able to defend a major city like Kharkiv, for example.

    The decision was carefully made with Germany’s friends and allies, Scholz said.

    The chancellor is also likely to address the recent knife attack carried out by a 25-year-old Afghan national during an anti-Islam gathering in Mannheim.

    The attack that sparked domestic political debate about security and the threat of extremist violence.

    Calls have since been growing for the government to again allow deportations to Afghanistan and Syria. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/AMM
    ==========

    Edited by Cecilia Odey AND Abiemwense Moru

     

  • Nigeria, Italy relation built on mutual respect, cooperation-Envoy

    Nigeria, Italy relation built on mutual respect, cooperation – Envoy

    Cooperation

    By Maureen Okon

    Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano De Leo, said that the relationship between Nigeria and Italy is based on mutual respect and cooperation.

    The envoy disclosed this during the 78th Italian National Day celebration, also known as the Festa della Repubblica, marking the abolishment of the monarch system and establishment of a republic in 1947.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports on Thursday that the celebration commenced a day earlier with an art exhibition of the Yoruba cultural heritage by a renowned Italian artist called Luigi Ballarin.

    De Leo said that the day is significant for both Nigeria and Italy, and a symbol of friendship.

    The envoy added that “this year marks the Italian G7 Presidency with the commitment to strengthen ties with Africa and Nigeria specifically.

    “The aim is to strengthen the bridge that makes us grow together through cooperation, development and equal partnership.

    “Italy offers a model of cooperation and development that bears the name of a great Italian, Enrico Mattel, the founder of ENI, known in Nigeria as Agip and NAOC, with a historic presence in Nigeria.

    “Over the years, we have witnessed the growth of cultural exchanges, trade partnerships, and investments between the two countries.

    “We have worked together and will continue to address common challenges such as terrorism, migration and climate change.’’ (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    ETIM/KOLE/HS

    ======

    Edited by Remi Koleoso/Halima Sheji

     

     

     

     

  • Germany’s Scholz promises aid for recent flood victims

    Germany’s Scholz promises aid for recent flood victims

    Flood

    Berlin, June 6, 2024 (dpa/NAN) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised on Thursday that the state would help those affected by recent flooding in the south of the country, noting that the extent of the damage was significant.

    “As with previous floods, we will assess the damage together with the federal states and organise help,’’ Scholz pledged in a statement to the Bundestag, or lower house of parliament.”

    The chancellor also thanked everyone who had provided assistance.

    “We come together in times of need. That’s the way it should be. That’s Germany,’’ he said.

    Over the past days, several locations in the southern German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg have experienced the kind of rainfall that they statistically see only every 50 to 100 years.

    Six people have died in the flooding so far.

    Scholz acknowledged that the federal and state governments needed to be better prepared for such disasters.

    He said coastal and inland flood protection would be improved.

    Flood polders and retention basins must be established throughout the country, even if this is not popular, he noted.

    Progress was also being made on introducing natural disaster insurance, Scholz said, noting that he planned to discuss the issue with federal states on June 20.

    “House and apartment owners must be able to insure themselves against damage caused by natural disasters,’’ Scholz said.

    Regular German building insurance covers storm and hail damage, but not flooding, while homeowners in flood-prone areas are often unable to obtain additional cover.

    At present, the government usually steps in, costing the state millions of euros. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/AMM
    =========

    Edited by Cecilia Odey and Abiemwense Moru

  • German rail services resuming after flooding in Bavaria

    German rail services resuming after flooding in Bavaria

    Resumption

    Munich, June 6, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Long-distance railay services are operating again in much of southern Germany following the recent flooding, according to the latest service updates.

    By Thursday, flood-related restrictions had been lifted on the Ulm-Augsburg-Munich route in Bavaria, while a previously restricted route between Augsburg and the town of Donauwörth no longer listed any disruptions or closures.

    However, the Eurocity Express connection from Munich to the Swiss city of Zurich remained closed, as did the Intercity Express route between the cities of Nuremberg and Würzburg.

    The detour is expected to add around 25 minutes to the journey.

    Delays and cancellations due to route closures continued to hamper regional rail traffic in Bavaria on Thursday. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/IKU
    ======

    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Tayo Ikujuni

     

  • Ukraine damages Russian oil refinery in Rostov with drone attack

    Ukraine damages Russian oil refinery in Rostov with drone attack
    Attack
    Moscow, June 6, 2024 (dpa/NAN) A Ukrainian drone attack has damaged a refinery in southern Russia, the governor of the Russian region of Rostov, Vasily Golubiev, said on Thursday.
    He said no one was injured, although the attack on the plant in the city of Novoshakhtinsk caused a fire that spread over 50 square metres.
    However, the fire looked larger in videos that were shared in social networks during the night.
    Russian Telegram channels reported that local residents had noticed the use of air defence and heard explosions.
    The Novoshakhtinsk refinery, located close to the Ukrainian border, was previously under aerial attack in April.
    Ukraine has been attacking Russian fuel production sites for several months, in an attempt to interrupt Moscow’s supplies by using drones capable of travelling longer distances, carrying small explosive charges.
    Russia said Ukraine also attacked a fuel depot in the Belgorod region during the night.
    Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military also reported Russian attacks during the night using 18 combat drones and two Iskander missiles.
    Kiev said 17 drones had been shot down.
    Russia aimed the two Iskander-M ballistic missiles at the southern Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, Kiev said, without providing any information about damage caused.
    Ukraine has been fending off a full-scale Russian invasion for more than 27 months.
    Russia occupies almost a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which it illegally annexed in 2014. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/IKU
    ===
    Edited by Ummul Idris/Tayo Ikujuni

  • Scholz vows to protect Germans after Ukraine weapons u-turn

    Protection

    Berlin, June 6, 2024 (dpa/NAN) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised the citizens that he would do everything in his power to ensure that Germany is not drawn into Russia’s war on Ukraine.

    Scholz said in his address to the parliament on Thursday.

    His comments came days after he authorised Kiev to deploy German weapons on Russian territory, a decision long resisted by Berlin over fears it could draw Germany into the war.

    “We have closely coordinated our response with our allies. Just as we always do’’, Scholz told lawmakers in the Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, following his government’s change of course.

    After long-held concerns about escalating the conflict with Russia and drawing Germany into the war, Scholz altered his policy on Ukraine last week to allow the government in Kiev.

    It is for the government to use German weapons to attack military targets on Russian territory, in particular to defend its second city of Kharkiv, near the Russian border.

    Several other countries, including the U.S., have recently made similar moves to give Ukraine more room for manoeuvre in its use of Western-supplied weapons.

    It is after the previously specifying that they should only be used against targets within Ukraine itself.

    In Germany, the opposition subsequently called on Scholz to explain the sudden reversal.

    In the Bundestag, Scholz said that Russia had opened a new front against Kharkiv, home to millions and close to the Russian border.

    Together with its partners, Germany had reaffirmed Ukraine’s right under international law to defend itself against attacks on its territory, cities and citizens, he said.

    That is why “Ukraine can also use the weapons supplied by us and our allies always in accordance with international legal obligations,’’ he said.

    As chancellor, Scholz said he is responsible for ensuring “that no child born in Germany today will ever have to experience war in our country. That is my absolute priority.’’

    He said he wanted to reassure citizens who are fearful that the war could escalate and jeopardise German security and peace.

    “There is nothing naive or disreputable in worrying about peace, as is sometimes portrayed,’’ he added, referring to fierce debates over how much Berlin should support Ukraine.

    Earlier, on Thursday, Scholz added that it was right for Germany to consult closely with its partners and allies “again and again and again’’ before making such far-reaching decisions.

    He promised Germans that they could rely on the fact that “we will act prudently. That we carefully weigh up all the risks.’’

    He underlined, “I stand by this as chancellor, committed to peace and Germany’s security.’’

    Before Scholz’s address, left-wing politician Christian Görke said he would have preferred Scholz’s statement to come last week, “instead of announcing lonely decisions to expand the war in Ukraine.’’

    The chancellor also addressed the recent knife attack carried out by an Afghan national during an anti-Islam gathering in Mannheim.

    It killed a policeman and has sparked a debate about security and the threat of extremist violence.

    Meanwhile, calls have since been growing for the government to again allow deportations to Afghanistan and Syria, a move that Scholz told the Bundestag he supported. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/HS
    ======

    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Halima Sheji

     

  • Floods in Germany’s Bavaria disrupt European Parliament elections

    Floods in Germany’s Bavaria disrupt European Parliament elections

    Floods

    Nuremberg, Germany, June 6, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The recent floods in Germany’s state of Bavaria has affected voters for the European Parliament elections, with a number of polling stations forced to relocate and reports of lost voting documents.

    Bavaria’s state election officer, Thomas Gössl, on Thursday said that town halls were not yet usable in some affected regions, which is why provisional municipal administrations have been set up.

    However, conversations with the election officers in these areas have shown that the election can be conducted properly, he said.

    According to Gössl, voters who had lost their voting documents due to the floods or have not received them should contact their local authority promptly to request and collect new documents.

    Gössl said new voting cards can still be issued in Bavaria until 12 pm (1000 GMT) on Saturday. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    UMD/HS

    ===

    Edited by Ummul Idris/Halima Sheji

     

     

     

  • Germany’s Scholz supports deporting criminals from Syria, Afghanistan

    Germany’s Scholz supports deporting criminals from Syria, Afghanistan
    Criminals
    Berlin June 6, 2024 (dpa/NAN) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to allow the deportation of serious criminals to Afghanistan and Syria again.
    “Such criminals should be deported even if they come from Syria and Afghanistan,” he said this on Thursday.
    “Serious criminals and terrorist threats have no place here.”he added.
    The chancellor did not explain exactly how he intends to make this possible.
    According to him,the Interior Ministry is working on the practical implementation and was already in talks with Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries.
    His comments come after a recent stabbing attack in the south-western city of Mannheim.
    At a rally organised by the anti-Islam movement Pax Europa, an Afghan injured several people, including a police officer who later died.
    The attack triggered a debate about easing the current ban on deportations to Afghanistan.
    Scholz also said that the glorification and celebration of terrorist offences would no longer be tolerated.
    “That is why we will tighten our deportation regulations so that a serious interest in deportation arises from the creation of terrorist offences,” Scholz said.
    “Anyone who glorifies terrorism is against all our values and should be deported.”  (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/BHB
    ==
    Edited by Ummul Idris/Buhari Bolaji

  • Cleric identifies permissible among non-permissible acts in Hajj