The Nation Newspaper

Category: Foreign

  • Saudi Arabia warns against misuse of visas for Hajj pilgrimage

    Saudi Arabia warns against misuse of visas for Hajj pilgrimage

    Saudi Arabia has accused tourism companies from other countries of misleading visit visa holders into participating in the Hajj pilgrimage.

    The Security Spokesperson of the Saudi Interior Ministry, Talal Shalhoub, said that those companies issued visas not intended for Hajj, and encouraged them to violate regulations by staying in Mecca two months before the Hajj season, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

    Read Also: 600 Egyptian pilgrims confirmed dead in Saudi Arabia

    The spokesperson emphasised that a Hajj permit is not merely a transit card but a crucial tool that facilitates access to pilgrims and identifies their locations to provide necessary care and services.

    The spokesperson underscored that individuals without a Hajj permit face challenges in accessing essential services and healthcare during the pilgrimage.

    According to Shalhoub, 83 per cent of the total mortalities during the Hajj season this year, amounting to 1,079 out of 1,301, were those without Hajj permits.

  • UK is running out of jail space

    UK is running out of jail space

    Prisons are expected to reach full capacity within days, warned the Prison Governors Association (PGA) in England and Wales yesterday.

    “As this happens, courts and the police will no longer be able to freely and lawfully detain offenders,” said PGA in an open letter to political leaders in the UK.

    “This will put the public at risk, as people who should be in prison are left to roam the streets,” added the PGA.

    Read Also: UK’s Princess Anne in hospital after suspected horse incident

    The latest data released by the UK’s Ministry of Justice shows that the prisoner population in the UK has reached 87,395, just 1,383 short of the total usable operational capacity.

    On May 15, the UK government triggered Operation Early Dawn, delaying the start of some court cases across England.

  • Kenya’s Ruto calls storming of parliament national security threat

    Kenya’s Ruto calls storming of parliament national security threat

    Kenya’s President William Ruto has called the storming of parliament a national security threat and vowed that such unrest will not happen again “at whatever cost”.

    Ruto spoke in a national address hours after part of the parliament building was burned as thousands of protesters against a new finance Bill pushed their way in and legislators fled.

    It was the most direct assault on the government in decades.

    Journalists saw at least three bodies outside the complex where police had opened fire, and medical workers reported five others killed. Clashes spread to other cities.

    “Today’s events mark a critical turning point on how we respond to threats to our national security,” Ruto said, calling the events “treasonous”.

    Kenya’s defence minister said the military had been deployed to support police during the “security emergency” and “breaching of critical infrastructure”.

    Read Also: Ruto agrees ‘for conversation’ with Kenyan protesters over tax hikes

    Protesters had demanded that legislators vote against the Bill imposing new taxes on East Africa’s economic hub, where frustrations over the high cost of living have simmered.

    Youth who had voted Ruto into power with cheers for his promises of economic relief have taken to the streets to object to the pain of reforms.

    But legislators voted to pass the Bill, then fled through a tunnel as protesters, many of them youth, outmanoeuvred police to enter. The fire was later put out.

    At least five people were shot dead while treating the wounded, the Kenya Medical Association and other groups said in a joint statement.

    It said more than 30 people were wounded, at least 13 with live bullets.

  • China, Nigeria will explore cooperation in digital economy, green economy – Ms Yan Yuqing

    China, Nigeria will explore cooperation in digital economy, green economy – Ms Yan Yuqing

    The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing, has disclosed that China and Nigeria will collaborate to explore opportunities in the digital, green, and blue economies.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 25, Yuqing revealed that China is open to increasing imports of Nigerian agricultural products.

    She noted Nigeria’s call for enhanced partnership in mining and solid mineral development and expressed willingness to work with Chinese companies to establish manufacturing firms in Nigeria for both local consumption and export.

    Yuqing added: “The two sides stand ready to create an open, transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment for the corporate cooperation between the two countries, strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, oppose trade protectionism, and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. Both governments committed to intensifying efforts to protect the rights and dignity of each other’s citizens living in their country and create a business-friendly environment for their business.

    “Deepening political mutual trust, enhancing military cooperation, and jointly safeguarding national peace and stability. In the political arena, the Government of the Nigerian side acknowledges that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.

    Nigeria opposes any separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” in any form, and any external attempts to interfere in China’s internal affairs, and Nigeria will also support the efforts made by the Chinese government to realize national reunification.

    “The two sides agreed to work towards good governance and democratic values, peace, security and stability in the Sahel region and recognize Nigeria’s leading role in the fight against terrorism and other related transborder crimes.

    Read Also: China ready to expand import of Nigeria’s agricultural products

    “China commends His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership role in ECOWAS and his efforts towards bringing about stability in the region.

    “The two sides agreed to support each other’s efforts to promote reunification, ethnic unity and social harmony, endeavour to enhance political mutual trust, and further support each other on matters related to its core interests and major concerns.

    China expressed its commitment to support Nigeria in upgrading its science and technology in the military sector, equipment, and capacity building of intelligence to respond more effectively to traditional and non-traditional security challenges at home and aboard, as well as at the regional and international levels, and to safeguard peace and stability of the country”.

    The Consul General concluded: “Embarking on a new journey and welcoming new development, the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Nigeria has yielded fruitful results in recent years. A number of exemplary projects such as Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lagos Light Rail “Blue” and “Red” Lines, and the Lagos-Ibadan Railway have increasingly played significant roles in Nigeria’s economic and social development.

    “The momentum of industrial development and investment in the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone and the Lekki Free Trade Zone continues to move forward. In the field of new energy, the complementary advantages of both parties are evident, and green sustainable development offers new ideas and directions for economic cooperation between the two countries, with the benefits of development continuously reaching the people of both nations.

    “Looking ahead, the peoples of China and Nigeria once again stand at a new starting point. As long as the two countries continue to regard each other as important strategic partners and continuously facilitate synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC conference outcomes, with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Eight Priority Areas proposed by President Tinubu, and jointly promoting high-quality, practical cooperation in an all-around manner.

    “Under the strong drive of the “four engines” of infrastructure, trade, finance, and new energy, the two countries will leverage their respective advantages and achieve coordinated development across various fields. High-level, all-round cooperation will deepen and solidify bilateral relations.

    “Taking the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit in Beijing this September as an opportunity, both countries will explore broader regional cooperation mechanisms, jointly address global challenges, and promote the building of a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.”

  • ‘Women still largely excluded from diplomacy’

    ‘Women still largely excluded from diplomacy’

    In spite progress, women are still largely excluded from positions of power and diplomacy, with the highest levels of influence and decision-making still predominantly occupied by men, says UN Women data.
    A new UN Women data on gender parity across leadership positions showed that globally, women’s underrepresentation in decision-making remained a stark reality.
    The new data was published by UN Women in commemoration of the International Day for Women in Diplomacy, marked on June 24.
    In 2022, the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), by consensus, declared the June 24 as the International Day of Women in Diplomacy to recognise and celebrate the ways in which women are making a difference in the field of diplomacy.

    Read Also: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)


    In a statement, UN Women said male dominance in diplomacy and foreign affairs extended to the Permanent Missions to the UN, where women remained underrepresented as Permanent Representatives.
    “As of May 2024, women held 25 percent of Permanent Representative posts in New York, 35 percent in Geneva, and 33.5 per cent in Vienna.
    UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, was quoted in the statement to have said the UN Agency’s work was guided by the belief that when women lead, the world is better for all people and the planet.

  • 20 bodies found in South Korea’s battery plant fire site

    20 bodies found in South Korea’s battery plant fire site

    Over 20 bodies were found in South Korea’s battery plant fire site, in which 23 workers had been believed to be trapped.

    Yonhap news agency said this yesterday citing police and the fire authorities.

    The fire broke out at a primary battery plant in Hwaseong, around 45 km south of the capital Seoul, at about 10:31 a.m. local time (0131 GMT).

    The bodies were estimated to be of the 23 workers, who had failed to be reached after the outbreak of fire, among the combined 67 workers on duty.

    Fire-fighters went inside the factory and searched the possible victims after extinguishing a large blaze at about 3:10 p.m. local time (0310 GMT).

    Read Also: Abuja. The vice-president spoke shortly after he was decorated with the emblem of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day by the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion

    The fire authorities mobilised 159 fire-fighters and 63 pieces of equipment, but they struggled to extinguish the fire because of the difficulty in putting out the flame of lithium batteries.

    Some 35,000 lithium batteries were estimated to be stored on the second floor of the three-story reinforced concrete factory with a total floor area of 2,300 square meters or so.

    Before the internal search operation, one person died after having been found in cardiac arrest.

    Two others were seriously wounded, while four suffered minor injuries such as smoke inhalation.

  • UK’s Princess Anne in hospital after suspected horse incident

    UK’s Princess Anne in hospital after suspected horse incident

    Princess Anne, sister of King Charles III, was in hospital yesterday with “minor injuries and concussion” after apparently being injured by a horse.

    The incident took place at Anne’s country home Gatcombe Park, in southwest England, late on Sunday, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

    It is the latest health issue to hit the British royal family this year, after both Charles and his daughter-in-law Catherine, Princess of Wales, were diagnosed with cancer.

    “Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery,” the statement added.

    “The king has been kept closely informed and joins the whole royal family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to the princess for a speedy recovery.”

    Read Also: Prince William parleys  England squad before Euro 2024

    The 73-year-old royal, a keen horsewoman who competed at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, will remain at the hospital “unless or until her medical team advises otherwise”.

    The palace did not give details of the incident but sources in the princess’s medical team said her head injuries were consistent with an impact from a horse’s head or legs.

    Anne’s husband Tim Laurence was at Gatcombe Park when the incident occurred and accompanied her to hospital, said the palace.

    Her daughter Zara Tindall and son Peter Phillips were also on the estate at the time.

  • Russia blames U.S. for Crimea deaths, vows response

    Russia blames U.S. for Crimea deaths, vows response

    Russia has blamed the United States and vowed “consequences” for a Ukrainian missile strike on Sevastopol in occupied Crimea on Sunday, which officials said killed four people – including two children.

    Around 150 more were injured in the attack as missile debris fell on a beach nearby.

    Russia’s defence ministry said the missiles used by Ukraine were US-supplied ATACMS missiles, and claimed they were programmed by US specialists.

    Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the strike “barbaric” and accused the U.S. of “killing Russian children”.

    Read Also: Why we killed retired Army general, by suspects

    He pointed towards comments by President Vladimir Putin, who recently vowed to target countries supplying weapons to Ukraine.

    Moscow said Sunday’s deaths and injuries were caused by falling debris, after its air defences in Crimea intercepted five missiles loaded with cluster warheads launched by Ukrainian forces.

    Footage carried on Russian state TV showed chaos on the beach in the Uchkuyevka area, as people ran from the falling debris and some injured people were carried away on sun loungers.

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  • Reps deputy speaker urges African Union to embrace democracy

    Reps deputy speaker urges African Union to embrace democracy

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has called for the democratisation of the African Union and more involvement of the legislative arm in the budgeting process in the continental body.

    Kalu also advocated for a special fund targeted at funding education on the African continent, while also detailing strategies adopted by the Nigerian government to improve education in the country.

    The Deputy Speaker was speaking at the ongoing 3rd Ordinary Session of the 6th Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament in Johannesburg, South Africa after being inducted as a member of the continental body.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, said Kalu outlined some of the measures to include increased funding for schools, scholarships and the passage of the students loan scheme bill, which has since been assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    He said: “Permit me to reflect briefly on our experience in Nigeria. It is remarkable to note that this theme aligns quite substantively to the legislative priorities established under our leadership at the Nigeria House of Representatives and more fervently with President Bola Ahmed Tnubu’s focus on prioritising education as a major catalyst to economic development.

    Read Also: Nigeria has 40.2m agriculture households – NBS

    “This involves increased funding for schools, scholarships, and initiatives like free school meals. This commitment has also informed the initiation and passage of the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act in 2023 and its ensuing operationalisation earlier this year after being assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “The purpose of this act is to create seamless access to credit facilities for quality higher education, ensuring that all Nigerian students have the opportunity to achieve their academic potential regardless of their financial background.

    “I also want to share our experience from Nigeria regarding strengthening infrastructure, ensuring educational continuity during crises, and leveraging technology for remote learning. Nigerian regulators in the public education sector are paving the way with innovative licenses that power the next level of innovation from its vibrant edutech industry.

    “A prime example is the MIVA Open University, which received an Open Distance eLearning Licence from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to operate online classes.”

    In addition to the efforts, Kalu also said that Nigeria is championing lifelong learning opportunities through initiatives like vocational training and adult literacy programmes.

    The Deputy Speaker also mulled the creation of a dedicated fund to assist various continents to achieve their education needs.

    While emphasising the need for proper democratisation of the African Union, the Deputy Speaker called for the input of the legislative arm in the union’s budget process.

    “My office, the Office of the Deputy Speaker in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, has already sponsored draft legislation that institutionalises a national apprenticeship scheme for the country and has passed the second reading. This demonstrates our commitment to equipping our citizens with the skills necessary for a dynamic and evolving economy.

    “We must also focus on the education of people with physical disabilities, ensuring that our educational systems are inclusive and accessible to all. Furthermore, it is crucial that we insist on utilizing an African model of learning to pass knowledge.

    “Our knowledge acquisition model should be tailored to suit the African dynamics, ensuring that our educational methods are relevant and effective in our unique continent. With all of these in mind, we must advocate for a specific target percentage of national budgets dedicated to education.”

  • Over 21,000 children missing in Gaza, says Save the Children

    Over 21,000 children missing in Gaza, says Save the Children

    AS many as 21,000 children in Gaza are estimated to be trapped under the rubble, detained, buried in unmarked graves, or separated from their families, Save the Children said yesterday.

    The British advocacy group said the latest waves of displacement caused by Israel’s offensive in Rafah – where thousands of Palestinians were seeking refuge – have separated more children from their families.

    In its newly published report, Save the Children said it was “nearly impossible to collect and verify information under the current conditions in Gaza”.

    “Save the Children estimates approximately 21,000 children are missing in Gaza,” the report said.

    “At least 17,000 children are believed to be unaccompanied and separated and approximately 4,000 children are likely missing under the rubble, with an unknown number also in mass graves.”

    An unknown number of children have been “forcibly disappeared” including some who were “detained and forcibly transferred out of Gaza”, with their whereabouts remaining unknown.

    Read Also: Netanyahu opposes Israeli military ‘tactical pauses’ for Gaza aid

    More than 14,000 children have been killed in Gaza since the war broke out on October 7, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry and UNICEF.

    Gaza’s Education Ministry put the number of children killed at 15,000 earlier this month.

    Save the Children’s regional director for the Middle East, Jeremy Stoner, called for an independent investigation to be conducted and for those responsible to be held accountable.

    “Families are tortured by the uncertainty of the whereabouts of their loved ones,” he said. “No parent should have to dig through rubble or mass graves to try and find their child’s body.

    “Gaza has become a graveyard for children, with thousands of others missing, their fates unknown.”

    At least 37,600 Palestinians have been killed since the war started following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel which killed more than 1,200 people. The report said 33 Israeli children have been killed during the conflict.

    It added that about 250 Palestinian children are also missing from the occupied West Bank in the Israeli military detention system. Their families are unable to confirm their locations and well-being due to an increase in restrictions on visits since October.

    Save the Children also called for a ceasefire.

    “We desperately need a ceasefire to find and support the missing children who have survived and to