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  • Rain-triggered flooding maroons half a million in Bangladesh

    Rain-triggered flooding maroons thousands in Bangladesh

    Flooding

    Dhaka, June 5, 2024 (dpa/NAN) More than half a million people have been marooned after vast swathes of land were inundated in north-eastern Bangladesh.

    A district of Sylhet by sudden flooding triggered by heavy rain upstream, officials said on Friday.

    The government opened nearly 550 temporary shelters as the flooding affected some 533,202 residents in remote villages and townships in the district, according to the local administration.

    “We are trying to move the flood-affected people to safety,” said Sheikh Rasel Hasan, chief administrator of the district.

    He added that some 4,802 villagers were shifted to the shelters in the last couple of days.

    The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said the major rivers, Surma and Kushiyara were breaking their banks because of heavy rainfall in the hills across the border.

    “The major rivers in the north-eastern region of the country are in a rising trend, which may remain steady in the next 24 hours,” the BWDB said in its morning bulletin Friday.

    If there is no further rain and an onrush of waters from across the border, the situation may improve in seven days, Dipok Ranjan Das, a hydrologist in the district, said.

    He said there was no rain reported in Sylhet for Friday.

    A 10-day forecast for the overall nationwide situation by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre said that water in the major Brahmanputra-Jamuna and Ganges-Padma river systems would continue to decrease.

    Natural calamities like flooding and cyclones are common in Bangladesh. A month-long flooding affected an estimated 7.2 million people in nine north-eastern districts in the monsoon of 2022.

    A tropical cyclone lashed the Bangladeshi coastline earlier this week, killing at least 13 people and damaging thousands of thatched houses alongside other infrastructure. (dpa/NAN) (www.nan.ng)
    COO/YEE

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    (Edited by Cecilia Odey/Emmanuel Yashim)

  • Hamas insists on permanent ceasefire, withdrawal for deal to end war

    Hamas insists on permanent ceasefire, withdrawal for deal to end war
    War
    Beirut, June 5, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Palestinian Islamists Hamas say they are sticking to their demands and will only agree to a deal to end the Gaza war if it includes a permanent ceasefire.
    In addition, the Israeli military would have to withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip, a representative of the Islamist organisation emphasised at a press conference in the Lebanese capital Beirut.
    If the Israeli side does not agree to these points, no agreement could be reached.
    Hamas is waiting for the Israelis’ response.
    Hamas representatives have made similar demands several times in the past.
    Earlier on Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden unexpectedly presented details of a draft agreement to end the war in three phases, starting with a complete and unrestricted ceasefire of six weeks.
    During this period, a certain group of hostages would be released.
    In return, Palestinians imprisoned in Israel would be released too.
    In the next phase, the fighting would then stop permanently and the remaining hostages would be released.
    In a final phase, according to the draft, the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip should begin.
    Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel traveled to Qatar on Wednesday for mediation talks.
    He is expected to meet with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and the head of the U.S. foreign intelligence service CIA, William Burns, according to Egyptian local media.
    For months, Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt have been indirectly mediating between Israel and Hamas in order to achieve a ceasefire and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.  (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/IKU
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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Tayo Ikujuni

  • Flood situation in southern Germany remains tense

    Flood situation in southern Germany remains tense

    Food

    Nuremberg, June 5, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The flood situation in the southern German state of Bavaria remains tense.

    Even though the situation seems to be slowly easing in many places, there are fears that there could be more deaths due to several missing persons in addition to the five confirmed flood victims.

    The search for a missing fire-fighter in western Bavaria continues on Wednesday, the police said.

    The 22-year-old has not yet been found, said a police spokesman in Kempten.

    Police were to search for the missing man on land and with drones.

    The young man’s rescue boat had capsised in a water in Offingen on Saturday night.

    The police also said other four rescued workers on board were able to save themselves and remained unharmed.

    The the police spokesman said there was still hope that he would be found alive.

    “But the chances are getting a little slimmer by the day,” he said.

    Elsewhere in Bavaria, the water level is falling very slowly at a high level, a spokeswoman for the city of Regensburg said on Wednesday morning.

    The Flood Information Service (HND) said the level of the River Danube in the area was still over 6 metres, normally it is around 3 metres.

    On Tuesday evening, the emergency services evacuated around 30 houses along a road by the river because the subsoil was continuing to soften due to the high groundwater level.

    “The stabilisation of the protective walls would continue to be the focus of disaster control on Wednesday. That is our weak point,” the spokeswoman said.

    In Passau near the border with Austria and the Czech Republic, the water levels on the Danube and the River Inn slowly fell on Wednesday. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/SA

    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Salif Atojoko

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  • NCWS annouces death of its National President

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    NCWS annouces death of its National President
    President
    By Justina Auta
    Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN) The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) on Wednesday, announced the passing of its National President, Hajiya Lami Adamu-Lau, who died in the early hours of eEdnesday , after a brief illness in Kebbi .
    This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Naomi Agbo, Head of Administration in Abuja.
    “Hajiya Lami Adamu-Lau was a dedicated leader and champion of women’s empowerment who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
    “Her tireless efforts and contributions to the betterment of our society will never be forgotten,” she said.
    Agbo, described the late National President as a shining example of dedication and service to humanity, whose impact will continue to be felt for years to come.
    According to her, Adamu-Lau will be buried according to Islamic rites  in her hometown in Lau, Taraba.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  in April 2022, Lau  emerged the new national president of the NCWS, after winning unopposed.
    She initiated a lot of empowerment programmes that ameliorated the sufferings of many indigent women across the country.
    She also embarked on several sensitisation exercises on ending Gender Based Violence (GBV) and harmful traditional practices in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    JAD/EBI/SH
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    Edited by Benson Iziama/Sadiya Hamza

     

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    (more…)

  • C’River partners research institutes for agric dev

    Partnership

    By Christian Njoku

    Calabar June 5, 2024 (NAN) The Cross River Government has entered a partnership agreement with the Lake Chad Institute of Research and the Ahmadu Bello University Institute of Research to boost agriculture.

    The partnership is aimed at providing improved maize, wheat and cowpea seeds to boost productivity.

    Speaking at a brief ceremony to sign the pact, Gov. Bassey Otu, reiterated the importance of agriculture to the economy of the state and the livelihood of the people.

    Otu said that the state government was committed to subsidising factors of production within the agriculture sub-sector.
    He said that already, the state government had conducted soil mapping to determine soil textures in various locations, and to optimize crop cultivation.
    “The essence is to determine the crops that will yield better in particular soil textures,” he said.
    The governor said that his administration was implementing policies aimed at ensuring massive food production in the state.
    “Our Project GROW initiative is aimed at  enabling farmers to access finance in order to embark on sustainable and profitable agriculture.
    “Our focus on agriculture is to promote low risk and to enthrone productivity and sustainability,” he said.
    Speaking earlier, Alhaji Baba-Gana Kabir, the Executive Director, Lake Chad Research Institute, said that the state was making history in agriculture within the Southern region of the country.

    Kabir said that the partnership with Cross River would be of immense benefit to the state.

    He said that the institute had a proven record of integrity in crop research in the country, especially in the northern region.

    “One of our core mandates is the genetic improvement of crops such as maize, cowpea, sorghum, groundnut, cotton, sunflower among others.

    “We are also involved in the genetic improvement of medicinal crops. We have varieties that can do very well in almost all ecologies,” he said.

    The executive director said that Nigerians should prioritise agriculture in the interest of food production and economic recovery.

    Also speaking, Mr Johnson Ebokpo, the Cross River Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation, expressed the state government’s commitment to its part of the pact.
    He said that the partnership was dear to the heart of the state, and that the Otu-led government would fulfill its part in the interest of the people. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    CBN/BEKl/AZU
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    Edited by AbdulFatai Beki and Azubuike Okeh

  • Repentant Boko Haram members helping in counterinsurgency – Yobe govt

    Repentant Boko Haram members helping in counterinsurgency  – Yobe Govt

     

    Counterinsurgency
    By Nabilu Balarabe
    Damaturu, June 5,2024 (NAN) The Yobe Government on Wednesday said repentant Boko Haram members are assisting in counterinsurgency operations in the state.

    Retired Brig.-Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam, the Special Adviser on Security to Gov. Mai Mala Buni, made this known while briefing newsmen in Damaturu.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abdulsalam was reacting to concerns raised by some residents over the involvement of repentant insurgents in security operations in Geidam town.

    “ There is no government that will take any decision that is to the detriment of its people. Government is committed to ending insurgency so that we can have peace.

    “ We have these repentant Boko Haram insurgents called ‘ hybrid force’ that have been assisting security agencies in conducting operations in Damaturu, Goniri and Buni Yadi.

    “ First, they assist with information about insurgents, through their sources that are still with Boko Haram and ISWAP.

    ”Secondly, they assist with information about Boko Haram and ISWAP collaborators and suppliers,” he said.

    The official said repentant Boko Haram operatives were deployed to Geidam to assist in containing the infiltration of terrorists and their collaborators in the commercial town.

    “ In Geidam, there are people engaging in business activities on behalf of Boko Haram. There are those that supply food, fuel and other essentials to the insurgents.

    “ The hybrid forces had identified persons having links with Boko Haram leadership and their supply chain, As a result of this, 12 people have been arrested, interrogated in Geidam and transferred to Damaturu,” Abdulsalam said.

    Abdulsalam called on residents of Geidam to cooperate with security agents in dislodging terrorists and blocking their supply routes.

    “ The major requirement of Boko Haram is fuel, food and medicine. That is why they attack hospitals, break shops and steal materials.

    “ So these are the logistics they need that they continue to disturb us and innocent individuals,” Abdulsalam said.(www.nannews.ng)(NAN)

    NB/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Police arrest 32-year-old woman over alleged child abuse

    The suspect

    Police arrest 32-year-old woman over alleged child abuse

     

    Arrest
    By Deborah Akpede
    Lagos, June 5, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Lagos State has arrested a 32-year-old woman, Funmi Faith, for allegedly maltreating and inflicting injury on a child.

    The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed her arrest in a post shared on his verified X handle at @benHundeyin on Wednesday.

    In a video that went viral, the woman after beating the girl and inflicting several injuries on her body asked her to bathe outside.

    Hundeyin said that the suspect was apprehended on Tuesday.

    “The woman captured in a now viral video maltreating a female child has been arrested.

    “She was arrested by the Oke-odo Police Divisional on June 4,” he said.

    The image maker said that the child has been handed over to the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development for proper care and shelter.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    DOA/CEO/IKU

    Edited by Chidi Opara/Tayo Ikujuni

     

  • U.S. President Biden in France for state visit

    U.S. President Biden in France for state visit
    Visit
    Paris, June 5, 2024 (dpa/NAN) U.S. President Joe Biden landed in France on Wednesday for a visit to meet European leaders and mark the D-Day landings.
    French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal received Biden at Paris Orly Airport on Wednesday morning.
    Biden is set to attend ceremonies in Normandy on Thursday to mark the Allied landings in Normandy 80 years ago during World War II.
    The arrival of the troops marked the start of the successful campaign to liberate Europe from Nazi Germany.
    On Friday, Biden is scheduled to give a speech in Normandy in defence of freedom and democracy.
    On Saturday, Biden is to be welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron as a state guest at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
    During his visit to France, Biden is also due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.(dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/IKU
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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Tayo Ikujuni

  • Court orders substituted service on Ganduje, others

    Court orders substituted service on Ganduje, others
    Order
    By Ramatu Garba
    Kano, June 5, 2024(NAN) A Kano State High Court on Wednesday, granted an order seeking to serve the Chairman All Progressive Congress(APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who is charged with alleged bribery and misappropriation.
    The Kano State Government dragged Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Umar, his Son, Umar Abdullahi to the court over eight counts of misappropriation, and diversion of funds during his eight-year tenure in office.
    Others charged with Ganduje are Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited and Lasage General Enterprises Limited are charged with eight counts of bribery allegations, Misappropriation and division of public funds running into billions of Niara.
    Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, gave the order following an application made to that effect by the counsel to the State government, Zahradeen Kofar-Mata who held the brief of the lead  prosecution counsel, Ya’u Adamu.
    Earlier, the 6th respondent’s counsel, Mr  Nureini Jimoh, SAN, had challenged the appearance of the lead prosecution counsel and his team on the grounds that there was a fiat given to a specific person and only that person can appear in this case.
    He objected to the motion exparte seeking to serve the respondents through substituted means.
    The prosecution counsel, told the court that since his appearance has been challenged by the 6th respondent’s counsel Zahradeen Kofar-Mata, will move the application of motion exparte.
    ” My lord Kofar-Mata has a fiat to appear in any matter concerning financial crime.
    “I urge the court to allow us move this motion,” he said.
    Kofar-Mata, then moved the motion exparte filed and dated May 29, supported by seven paragraphs, seeking to serve the respondents through substituted means by publishing same in two national  newspapers.
    Adamu-Aliyu ordered all parties involved to present their individual fiat to the court and adjourned the matter until July 11, for hearing.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    RG/SH
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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • 2 arraigned for allegedly stealing phones

    2 arraigned for allegedly stealing phones

    Phones
    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
    Ibadan, June 5, 2024(NAN) Two men – Ezekiel Abiodun, 34 and Abiola Amoo, 43, on Wednesday appeared before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan for allegedly stealing cell phones.
    The duo of no fixed addresses, were charged with stealing and receiving stolen property, to which they pleaded not guilty.
    The prosecutor, Insp Olusegun Adegboye, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences on May 29, at Sanyo area, Ibadan.
    Adegboye alleged that Abiodun stole Infinix phone worth N177, 000 and another phone worth N28,000 belonging to one Taiwo Salami.
    He said that Amoo on the same day received the stolen phones from Abiodun, knowing same to have been stolen.
    He said the offences contravened Sections 399(9) and 427 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
    Magistrate Sofia Babalola granted the defendants bail in the sum of N250, 000 each and two sureties each in like sum.
    She adjourned the case until June 11 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    CC/FAT/IKU
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    Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Tayo Ikujuni