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Category: Foreign

  • Russia sent around 10,000 immigrants to Ukraine front- Official

    Russia sent around 10,000 immigrants to Ukraine front, official says

    Immigrants

    Moscow, June 27, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Russia has so far conscripted and sent around 10,000 naturalised men to fight in its more than two-year-long war against Ukraine, a senior official said on Thursday.

    “We have already caught more than 30,000 (immigrants) who received citizenship and did not want to register for military service, and sent about 10,000 of them to the special military operation zone.’’

    The head of the Russian Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, said at the St Petersburg Lawyers’ Forum.

    Bastrykin was a fellow student of President Vladimir Putin and is considered a close confidant of the Kremlin chief.

    The conscripted men were primarily responsible for digging trenches and building fortifications, according to Bastrykin.

    “You need really strong hands for that,’’ he said.

    In recent months, the security forces repeatedly carried out raids on businesses with migrant labourers primarily from the post-Soviet states in Central Asia.

    Russian media reported that those who already received Russian passports were then often forcibly recruited.

    Others were promised an easier naturalisation process if they are sent to the front.

    According to Putin, a total of 700,000 Russian soldiers are currently on the front line in Ukraine.

    Some of these were recruited in a partial mobilisation in autumn 2022.

    As the measure was unpopular, the Kremlin wants to avoid further waves of mobilisation and find other ways to replenish heavy battlefield losses. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Halima Sheji

     

  • Tehran mayor withdraws from Iran’s presidential race

    Tehran mayor withdraws from Iran’s presidential race

    Withdrawal

    Tehran, June 27, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Iranian presidential candidate Alireza Zakani on Thursday pulled out of the country’s presidential race, becoming the second nominee to announce his withdrawal ahead of the election scheduled for Friday.

    Zakani, 58, the incumbent mayor of the Iranian capital Tehran, announced his pullout on social media X, and asked fellow principlists candidates, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Saeed Jalili, to unite in order to prevent the ascent of a reform-leaning candidate.

    “We must consolidate our efforts to address the rightful aspirations of revolutionary factions, thereby preventing the formation of another Rouhani administration.”

    The announcement came one day after another principlist candidate Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, 53, pulled out from the race. Hashemi is current serving as the vice president.

    Hashemi said his decision aims to “preserve the unity of the forces of the revolution,” and strengthen the principlist front.

    Two other presidential candidates are Masoud Pezeshkian and Mostafa Pourmohammadi.

    Pezeshkian, 70, was Iran’s health minister during 2001-2005 and Pourmohammadi, 64, used to serve as Iran’s interior minister and justice minister.

    Iran’s 14th presidential election, initially set for 2025, was rescheduled following Raisi’s unexpected death in a helicopter crash in the country’s mountainous northwestern region on May 19. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Halima Sheji

     

  • Association calls for review of 2024 Hajj operations

    Hajj
    By Salisu Sani-Idris
    Makkah, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHOUN) has called on the Federal Government to set up an inter-ministerial panel to review 2024 Hajj operations.

    Its National President, Alhaji Abdulateef Ekundayo, made the call on Thursday at a news conference in Makkah, on the outcome of the just concluded 2024 Hajj.

    He said “we call on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, set up an inter-ministerial and credible panel to review this year’s Hajj, with the aim of restoring sanity into future operations.”

    Ekundayo, who emphasised the need for government to investigate the laws and acts that regulate Hajj affairs in the country, added that “we implore those saddled with such responsibilities to
    act now to safeguard Nigerian pilgrims.”

    He decried poor services at tent A, saying” like the previous years, tent A was characterized by lack of transparency, racketeering, profiteering and poor organisation.

    “Some of us paid double camp fees for camp at zone five and zone one on a single pilgrim.

    “Apart from the exorbitant amounts for basic services, many pilgrims couldn’t have access to the services.

    “This is the peak of any contractual breach, and we demand immediate reconciliation and payment of refund to affected members by the management of Ithra Alkhair (service provider).

    “The Mutawwif (Ithra Alkhair) should immediately reconcile with our members to refund money paid for services not rendered both in Muna and Arafat for this year because of their actions and inactions.”

    He urged the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to stop all charges on
    members of the association, including the dollar equivalent service fees based on the new policy of government withdrawal of subsidy on Hajj.

    He said “while we agree that NAHCON has the right to charge licencing fees, we believe the Hajj licence is the most expensive of any licencing regime in Nigeria.

    “How can anyone justify a fee of N1 million for a licence that has only two months validity.

    “What happened to the component of the international pilgrims out of the N90 billion approved Hajj subsidy. Aren’t they Nigerians?.

    “Our members deserve the right for official visa during Hajj because the Ministry of Hajj provides such as a percentage of the total allocation to Nigeria.

    “Some of the problems our pilgrims face during Hajj can be easily addressed by us if we can move freely.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

  • Child cancer patients transferred from Gaza to Egypt for treatment

    Treatment

    Al-Arish, Egypt, June 27, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Some 21 children suffering from cancer have been transferred from Gaza to Egypt, the first time Palestinian patients have left the territory in nearly two months.

    An Egyptian Red Crescent official in North Sinai said on Thursday.

    The patients were transferred through the Kerem Shalom crossing under the supervision of the World Health Organisation.

    The official said that the child will be admitted into an Egyptian hospital for treatment.

    On May 7, Israel took control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, in an operation that halted the movement of people and aid deliveries.

    Since then, Egypt has repeatedly said it will not coordinate aid transports through Rafah until the Israeli forces withdraw.

    In late May, Cairo resumed aid delivery through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing, following an agreement between Egypt and the United States. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Halima Sheji

  • IDPs: UN body seeks revalidation of National Action Plan

    IDPs: UN body seeks revalidation of National Action Plan

    Revalidation

    By Fortune Abang

    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has underscored the need for revalidation of the National Action Plan (NAP) to tackle issues affecting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.

    Mr Laurent De Boeck, Chief of IOM Mission in Nigeria disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at the 7th National Humanitarian Coordination Technical Working Group (NHCTWG) meeting to revalidate the NAP on IDPs in Nigeria.

    The event was organised with support of the Swiss government, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and in close coordination with IOM and WFP.

    Boeck, represented by Daniel Salmon, Head of Policy Governance Liaison and Support of IOM, described the national policy on IDPs as a dynamic framework designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective coordination of humanitarian responses to IDPs.

    According to him, the NAP undergoes regular joint reviews to adapt to evolving contexts and ensure continuous improvement, through inclusive and democratic processes.

    “What has been fantastic is the process of people from different parts of Nigeria, from the civil society, governments or international partners all coming together, to discuss the critical matters of internal displacement in Nigeria.

    ”There is over about 3-million IDPs in Nigeria. This document provides us roadmap to go beyond purely humanitarian assistance and look at how to constructively develop sustainable pathways for internal displacement.

    “It sets out the obligations and responsibilities of each government entity under the national policy and relevant benchmarks, timelines and indicators to facilitate monitoring accountability.

    “This document identifies the budgetary requirements for implementation of the national policy to enable necessary allocation and resources of the fund as a result of the collaborative and inclusive process.

    “This involved input and feedback of various stakeholders, including line ministries, institutions, state authorities, UN agency, NGOs and displaced communities through technical working group meetings, bilateral consultations, focus group discussions and validation workshops,” Boeck said.

    In separate interview, Mubarak Yusuf, Head of Nigeria Office/Field Director, International Public Opinion Research and Analysis, said three documents were reviewed for the revalidation and the first document was the NAP on IDP policies.

    He revealed that not less than 200 participants were engaged participated in consulting throughout the whole process.

    He added that one of the gaps in response to issues related to IDP is the reality there is perhaps no national detail, particularly when it comes to IDPs across Nigeria.

    “The NAP is trying to ensure that critical activities of the policy were outlined and this is a process seamlessly that has started right from August 2022 with a number of actors.

    “What we are looking at particularly now is revalidating this document,

    “Also, we are looking at it from the framework of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and poverty alleviation to measure what extent these activities will aid in alleviating poverty, particularly the vulnerable population,” he added (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Halima Sheji

     

  • China to review anti-dumping measures on toluidine imports from EU

    China to review anti-dumping measures on toluidine imports from EU

    Dumping
    Beijing, June 27, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday that it will launch an expiry review of anti-dumping measures on toluidine, an organic chemical imported from the European Union (EU).

    China in 2013 imposed anti-dumping duties on toluidine imported from the EU, with rates ranging from 19.6 to 36.9 percent.

    In 2019, China opted to extend these duties for another five years, according to a statement from the ministry.

    Toluidine is widely used in the production of dyes, medicines and farm chemicals.

    The expiry review, requested by domestic toluidine producers, will determine if terminating anti-dumping measures will lead to continued dumping and harm, the statement said.

    The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said it will maintain the anti-dumping duties during the review, with scope and rates remaining unchanged.

    Currently, the rates are 19.6 per cent for toluidine imports from LANXESS Deutschland, GmbH, and 36.9 per cent for those from other EU companies, the statement said.

    Toluidine imports from Britain would be exempted from anti-dumping measures starting June 28, according to the statement. (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

     

  • German Foreign Office calls on Germans to leave Lebanon

    German Foreign Office calls on Germans to leave Lebanon

    Germans

    Berlin, June 27, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The German Foreign Office in Berlin on Thursday called on all Germans in Lebanon to leave the country, due to the very tense situation on the border between Israel and Lebanon.

    A further escalation could also lead to air traffic from Rafic Hariri Airport in Beirut being completely suspended, according to new travel and security advice posted by the ministry on X.

    “It would then no longer be possible to leave Lebanon by air.’’

    The security situation in the region is highly volatile; the military clashes in the border area between Lebanon and Israel have increased in intensity in recent weeks.

    “After the Palestinian Hamas launched a major attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah and other armed groups have also been firing mortar shells, anti-tank weapons and rockets at Israel from Lebanese territory since October 8, 2023.

    “Accordingly, a further escalation of the situation and expansion of the conflict cannot be ruled out.

    “This applies in particular to the southern parts of Lebanon up to and including the southern urban areas of Beirut and the Bekaa Plain, including the Baalbek-Hermel district,” the travel and security advice stated.

    The Foreign Office had already called on German citizens and their relatives to leave the country a few days after the Hamas attack on Israel prompted the Gaza war in October. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Halima Sheji

     

     

     

  • Bolivian general arrested after military tries to storm government

    Bolivian general arrested after military tries to storm government

    Arrest
    Rio de Janeiro, June 27, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Juan  Zúñiga, the General Commander of the Bolivian army, has been arrested following an apparent coup attempt, local media reported on Thursday.

    Zúñiga, who led the apparent attempt to storm the government palace in La Paz, was accused of terrorism and armed insurrection against the security and sovereignty of the state.

    The public prosecutor’s office had previously issued an arrest warrant.

    The Bolivian military on Wednesday occupied the square in front of the government palace in the de facto capital with armoured vehicles and tried to breach doors, live images on Bolivian television showed.

    “Enough of the impoverishment of our homeland, enough of the humiliation of the military.

    “We have come to express our displeasure,’’ Zúñiga told media representatives, speaking of attacks on democracy without elaborating. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Sadiya Hamza

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  • EU nations bordering Russia, Belarus ask bloc for financial boost

    EU nations bordering Russia, Belarus ask bloc for financial boost

    Boost

    Brussels, June 27, 2024 (dpa/NAN) EU member states Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are calling on the bloc to provide more support for military and civilian protection for their borders.

    The call is in the light of their geographical proximity to Russia and Belarus.

    In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel, the four Eastern European countries, that either border Belarus and Russia or both.

    According to the letter, our countries can feel what it means to be the EU’s frontline states, more than two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

    Stressing their unwavering support to Ukraine, the countries said, ”We need to spend more and coordinate on defence initiatives within the EU and with NATO.

    “This remains the foundation of collective defence, combining our capabilities to protect, deter and defend our people and our territory.

    “We are fierce supporters of Ukraine’s military efforts and invest massively in our armed forces, defence production and protection of our borders with Russia and Belarus.’’

    The letter still, much more needed to be done and in a more concerted way.

    Among other things, they named instrumentalisation of migrants, sabotage, disinformation as well as cyber-attacks as specific threats coming from Russia and its ally Belarus, issues that ultimately affect the entire EU.

    They said in the letter signed by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina.

    Poland and the Baltic states have been some of Ukraine’s most outspoken supporters following the Russian invasion.

    Their plea came ahead of an EU leaders’ summit scheduled for Thursday and Friday where they are to agree on the package deal.

    The package deal would be to divide up the European Union’s top jobs following the recent European elections.

    EU leaders would also debate the Israel-Hamas war, financing the defence industry, economic competitiveness, as well as adopt a strategic agenda for the next five years.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected in Brussels to sign a security agreement with the EU and to brief EU leaders on the situation on the front line in Ukraine. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Bashir Rabe Mani

     

  • 3 killed in Israeli strike on outskirts of Damascus

    3 killed in Israeli strike on outskirts of Damascus

    Strike

    Beirut, June 27, 2024 (dpa/NAN) At least three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus, a war monitor reported on Thursday.

    It added that 11 others were wounded as a result of shrapnel that fell on houses from a Syrian air defence missile that was launched to confront the Wednesday night attack.

    The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of sources across the country, said the strike targeted the Jihad al-Bina Foundation, which is affiliated with the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and Iranian groups.

    The target was about 700 meters from the Sayyida shrine, an important Shiite religious site frequently visited by Iranian and Lebanese loyal to Hezbollah.

    It also said explosions were heard at the Tal Sahn radar site, east of the town of Malah in the eastern countryside of Suwayda.

    It is not known whether it was the result of Israeli targeting or from Syrian rockets which were launched from the site to confront Israeli missiles.

    There was no comment by the Israeli army.

    Israel’s air force repeatedly bombs targets in neighbouring Syria in an attempt to prevent Iran and its allied militias from expanding their military influence in the country.

    There have been more attacks since the Gaza war began on Oct. 7. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/BHB
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    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Buhari Bolaji