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Category: Foreign

  • UNHCR: Migrants face ‘unimaginable horrors’ on major routes to Europe

    UNHCR: Migrants face ‘unimaginable horrors’ on major routes to Europe

    Migrants

    Geneva, June 5, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Wednesday called for an expansion of rescue efforts for people on major migration routes to Europe, who are facing “unimaginable horrors.”

    UNHCR special envoy Vincent Cochetel has urged for increased cooperation with local authorities and called for additional funding from donor countries.

    “This includes better access to legal pathways to safety and improving protection services for victims, as well as those at risk of becoming victims along the routes,” Cochetel said in Geneva.

    According to a new UNHCR report, each year hundreds of thousands of people risk their lives to migrate from sub-Saharan countries in Africa as well as from Asia and the Middle East.

    UNHCR said that a lot of those on the move underestimate the journey’s risks and dangers, with many dying while crossing the desert or near borders, while others suffer serious human rights violations.

    “Many don’t go to capital cities where humanitarian actors are based and well represented,” Cochetel said.

    “They embark to secondary routes, reaching smaller cities in hard-to-reach areas” including in the Sahara Desert.

    “This is where services should be located.”

    The UNHCR said three-quarters of the more than 108 million forcibly displaced people worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries.

    According to figures by the UN migration agency IOM, more than 280 million people or 3.6 per cent of the global population are international migrants.  (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UMD/HS

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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Halima Sheji

     

     

     

     

  • Australia drops court case against ‘X’ over church stabbing videos

    Australia drops court case against ‘X’ over church stabbing videos

    Court

    Sydney, June 5, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Australia’s internet watchdog has dropped a court case against Elon Musk’s social media platform ‘X’, eSafety commissioner Julie Inman-Grant said on Wednesday.

    Australia wanted to force ‘X’ to remove footage of a Sydney church stabbing from the platform.

    ‘X’ blocked the posts in Australia pending a legal challenge, before the Federal Court ordered the platform to temporarily hide the video for all users globally.

    Inman-Grant said in a statement a Federal Court case had now been abandoned.

    “Our sole goal and focus in issuing our removal notice was to prevent this extremely violent footage from going viral, potentially inciting further violence and inflicting more harm on the Australian community.

    “I stand by my investigators and the decisions eSafety made.

    “Most Australians accept this kind of graphic material should not be on broadcast television, which begs an obvious question.

    “The question of why it should be allowed to be distributed freely and accessible online 24/7 to anyone, including children,’’ she said.

    The case was seen as a test of Australia’s ability to have social media platforms comply with the country’s laws.

    ESafety remained committed to holding companies to account without fear or favour, ensuring they complied with the laws of Australia and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all Australians, Inman-Grant said.

    “We will not waver from this commitment.’’

    A 16-year-old boy was charged with a terrorism offence after two people were injured in the alleged stabbing at the “Christ The Good Shepherd Church’’ in western Sydney on April 15.

    The church attack came days after six people were killed and dozens injured in a stabbing at a Sydney shopping centre. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/SH
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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Sadiya Hamza

  • EU pressures Israel, Hamas to accept Biden’s peace plan

    EU pressures Israel, Hamas to accept Biden’s peace plan
    Plan
    Brussels, June 5, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The European Union (EU) is urging Israel and the Palestinian militant movement Hamas to accept a plan laid out by U.S. President Joe Biden to end the Gaza war.
    The plan sets out three phases of de-escalation, principally featuring a truce that would become permanent and Israel’s withdrawal from the Palestinian territory.
    The EU gave its “full support to the comprehensive roadmap,” a statement said.
    “Too many civilian lives have been lost.
    “Peace and stability in the Middle East are in the interest of both peoples, of the region as a whole, as well as globally,” it said.
    Qatar, the United States, and Egypt have been mediating between Israel and Hamas for weeks to achieve a ceasefire and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
    Neither Israel nor Hamas have yet officially agreed to or rejected the plan.
    The EU said it was also “increasingly concerned” about rising tensions at the border between Israel and Lebanon.
    “It is concerned about the ever-growing destruction and the forced displacement of civilians on both sides” of the Israeli-Lebanese border.
    “Nobody stands to win from a broader regional conflict. A de-escalation of the situation would significantly contribute to addressing the broader conflict in the Middle East.”
    Since the war in the Gaza Strip began almost eight months ago, there have been daily military confrontations between the Israeli army and Hezbollah in the border area between Israel and Lebanon.
    There have been deaths on both sides and about 150,000 people in both countries have been evacuated or left the combat zone. (dpa/NAN) (www nan.ng)
    UMD/YEE
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    (Edited by Ummul Idris/Emmanuel Yashim)

  • Slovenia officially recognises Palestinian state

    Slovenia officially recognises Palestinian state
    Palestine
    Ljubljana, June 5, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) The Slovenian Parliament has voted to approve the proposal of recognising the statehood of Palestine, a move the legislative body said would hopefully help stop the violence in Gaza.
    Fifty-two parliamentary members out of 90 seats voted for the recognition, making Slovenia the fourth European country after Spain, Norway, and Ireland in recent weeks to make the decision.
    “The Republic of Slovenia recognised Palestine as an independent sovereign state,” Parliamentary Speaker Urska Klakocar Zupancic said after the vote.
    “The recognition of a Palestine state enhances the reputation of Slovenia as a state that respects international law and the United Nations resolutions.
    “At the same time we would exert pressure on both sides: on Israel to stop attacks on Gaza and on Hamas to release hostages,” Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon told Parliament before the vote.
    “We are working towards peace and the solution of two states,” she added.
    Most members of the main opposition party, the center-right Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), did not attend the parliamentary session but proposed a referendum to postpone the parliament vote by at least 30 days.
    Their proposal was rejected earlier on Tuesday by a majority in parliament.
    The SDS claims that the recognition of Palestine will not stop the war in Gaza but will only hurt Slovenian interests.
    Norway, Ireland, and Spain made a coordinated announcement on May 22, declaring their recognition of Palestine as a state effective May 28.
    But their decision was condemned by Israel.
    On Monday, over 20 UN experts and special rapporteurs called for all countries to recognise a Palestinian state.
    So far, over 140 countries have already recognised a Palestinian state, representing more than two-thirds of the United Nations membership. (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/YEE
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    (Edited by Ummul Idris/Emmanuel Yashim)

  • German far-right AfD politician attacked with a knife in Mannheim

    German far-right AfD politician attacked with a knife in Mannheim

    Attack

    Mannheim (Germany), June 5, 2024 (dpa/NAN) A politician with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was attacked with a knife in the western German city Mannheim late Tuesday evening, dpa has learned from security sources.

    The man was injured, as dpa learned on Wednesday, and the perpetrator was detained.

    The Mannheim police only confirmed that there had been a police operation, but said they would provide information in the morning.

    According to the AfD district association, the incident took place near the market square.

    The AfD candidate was stabbed after confronting someone who was stealing an electoral poster. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/YEE
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    (Edited by Cecilia Odey/Emmanuel Yashim)

  • U.S. President Biden to meet Ukraine’s Zelensky in France

    U.S. President Biden to meet Ukraine’s Zelensky in France
    Meeting
    Washington, June 5, 2024 (dpa/NAN) U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while the pair are in France, the White House said.
    Biden will discuss with Zelensky the “state of play in Ukraine, and how we can continue and deepen our support for Ukraine,” White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.
    On Thursday, both Zelensky and Biden will take part in the commemoration of the Allied landings in Normandy 80 years ago in World War II.
    French President Emmanuel Macron will receive Zelensky at the Élysée Palace on Friday, according to the Élysée.
    The two planned to discuss the situation in the defence against the Russian invasion and the needs of Ukraine, it said.
    Biden and Zelensky would also meet at the summit of the G7 leading industrialised nations from June 13 to 15 in the southern Italian region of Apulia.
    The G7 is an informal forum of the heads of state and government of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
    The European Union is also represented at the meetings. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/YEE
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    (Edited by Ummul Idris/Emmanuel Yashim)

  • NATO chief criticises China for boycotting Ukraine peace summit

    NATO chief criticises China for boycotting Ukraine peace summit
    China
    Brussels, June 5, 2024 (dpa/NAN) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has criticised China for boycotting the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland from June 15 to June 16.
    Stoltenberg said it was regrettable that China had decided not to participate, local media reports.
    Switzerland has invited around 160 countries to the event to discuss possible ways to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine.
    China announced a week ago that it would not participate.
    Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning in Beijing stated that there is a significant disparity between the conference’s design and China’s expectations, as well as the general expectations of the international community.
    Stoltenberg said China’s cancellation was not surprising.
    He explained that not only did China fail to condemn the invasion, but President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed an agreement just before it, promising each other an unlimited partnership.
    Stoltenberg said that since the invasion, China has been selling advanced technology, microelectronics, and other equipment to bolster the Russian war economy, enabling Russia to continue the war against Ukraine.
    Switzerland has confirmed that more than 80 countries will participate in the peace conference.
    Russia, which invaded Ukraine more than two years ago, has not received an invitation. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/SH
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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Sadiya Hamza

  • Clean energy: 3 Nigerian coys receive $17m support from UK 

    Clean energy: 3 Nigerian coys receive $17m support from UK

    Support

    By Ismail Abdulaziz

    Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Three Nigerian companies have received 17 million dollars in UK investment to strengthen the clean energy sector.

    A statement by Ndidiamaka Eze, Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer/Communications Lead, Prosperity and Economic Development, indicated that the support was given to the companies under the UK-funded Manufacturing Africa Programme.

    She said that the companies in the programme’s portfolio are Arnergy, Koolboks, and BURN Manufacturing.

    She added that the fund would boost Nigeria’s efforts to expand access to renewable energy solutions.

    “These investments will provide energy for more Nigerians, reduce carbon emissions, lead to the creation of 1,100 jobs, and support thousands of livelihoods.

    “The three companies are sustainability trailblazers,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that BURN Manufacturing is at the forefront of clean cook-stove innovation.

    It secured 12 million dollars in carbon investment from Key Carbon Ltd.

    Their new local assembly facility in Dawakin Kudu, Kano state will boost distribution efforts of electric cook stoves and biomass stoves across East and Central Africa.

    Arnergy is a leading renewable energy company in Nigeria that specialises in designing and manufacturing technology-enabled solar micro-grid and rooftop solutions.

    With a recent 3 million dollars bridge-financing from a Shell-backed impact investment company, the company has already raised 7.5 million dollars in their Series B fundraising.

    Koolboks is revolutionising access to refrigeration services, particularly for underserved communities and women entrepreneurs through its solar-powered cooling systems.

    Their pay-as-you-go technology and accessible business model have attracted a 1.5 million Euro subsidy from Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA), for launch and expansion in Uganda.

    At the ceremony, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, stated that the UK government supports Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

    Baxter said the fund would enhance Nigeria’s commitments toward boosting private-sector-led economic growth.

    “We’re funding the Manufacturing Africa programme to provide free advisory services to companies raising finance to expand their capabilities and create new jobs in Nigeria.

    “It’s great to see these companies realise their goals with UK support,” Baxter said.

    Lolade Alonge, Business Communications Manager at Koolboks said: “Manufacturing Africa’s financial advisory support when raising our ‘Series A’ came in very handy and has helped us secure funds that will assist with our expansion plans.”

    He said Manufacturing Africa has supported 31 Nigerian companies in boosting investment in many sectors including agro-processing, industrial parks, pharmaceuticals, vehicle manufacturing, e-mobility, and renewable energy.

    The programme has also helped to attract 85 million dollars into Nigeria’s manufacturing sector since 2020. (NAN)

    IS/VIV

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    Edited by Vivian Ihechu

  • Cleric to pilgrims : Steer clear of acts capable of nullifying Hajj

  • ECOWAS harmonising framework, policy for its standby force —Commissioner

    Logistics

    By Muhammad Nur Tijani

    Kano, June 4, 2024(NAN) The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it is working towards harmonising framework and policy documents for the management of logistics for its Standby Force (ESF).

    The Standby Force constitutes the use of force as a last resort if diplomacy fails.

    Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, made this known at a four-day workshop to review the documents, in Kano on Tuesday.

    Musah, who was represented by Dr Cyriaque Agnekethom, Director Peacekeeping and Regional Security, said that the documents spelled out the logistics requirements by the Troop Contributing Countries, ECOWAS, and other partners.

    He explained that the workshop was organised to review and harmonise the documents to address emerging contemporary security challenges.

    He recalled that the Commission had earlier recruited a consultant in 2019 to develop the policy and guiding documents for the management of ECOWAS Logistics Depots (ELDs).

    He explained that the ESF logistics concept was created in 2005 to provide a platform for the coordination of all key logistics support and procedures for the ECOWAS Standby Force.

    According to him, both documents were reviewed during internal expert workshops and are now ready for an independent expert validation.

    “The documents are expected to be rich enough to address contemporary challenges and in tune with international best practices.”

    The commissioner further said that the logistics concept also provided a conceptual understanding of sustained operations, considering that the dynamics of the contemporary security environment and peace support in the region had continued to evolve.

    This, he said, underscores the need to adapt the original ESF logistics concept to accommodate emerging realities.

    He added that to deploy the ESF efficiently, when necessary, ECOWAS had established a Multidimensional Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, and a Humanitarian Logistics Depot in Senou, Mali.

    Earlier, Dr. Sani Adamu, acting Head of ECOWAS Peace Support Operations, decried the challenges of peace keeping operations over the years.

    He said that it was for this reason that ECOWAS decided to put in place an effective framework to enhance the ESF’s deployment capacity.

    Adamu said that the overall objective of the workshop was to review and harmonise the policies in line with UN and AU standards of procedures.

    He said that the participants would review the logistics concept, existing statutes, policies, and other strategic instruments relating to ESF’s objectives as an instrument for conflict prevention and management.

    “It was also organised to update, harmonise, and finalise the policies on ECOWAS logistics bases, in line with AU and UN principles.

    “It was also to review and adopt a standard organogram for the ELD, among others,” he explained.

    A participant, Mr Francis Babatunde, said the two documents, if reviewed, would enhance the deployment capacity of ESF for strategic roles towards a formidable regional security framework. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MNT/YEN/FDY

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    Edited by Mark Longyen and Philip Yatai