The Nation Newspaper

Category: Foreign

  • Queen agrees ‘transition’ for Harry, Meghan

    Agency Reporter

    THE Queen has agreed a “period of transition” in which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will spend time in Canada and the United Kingdom (UK).

    She said she is “entirely supportive” of their desire for a new role but “would have preferred” them to remain full-time working royals.

    She expects final decisions to be made in the coming days, she said.

    Senior royals have been in talks about Prince Harry and Meghan’s role after they said they wanted to “step back”.

    In a statement, the Queen said the talks at Sandringham, which also involved the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, had been “very constructive”.

    “My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,” she said.

    “Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”

    Read Also: Why Prince Harry is being accused of ‘cheating’

    She said that it has been agreed that there will be “a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK” after Harry and Meghan “made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives”.

    “These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days,” she said.

    The Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge have denied “false” claims in the Times that their relationship was damaged by bullying.

    A statement on behalf of Princes Harry and William described the story’s “inflammatory language” as “offensive”.

     

  • Buhari commiserates with Niger over terrorist attack

    AGENCY REPORTER

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has spoken to Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou on the telephone to commiserate with him, the government and people of Niger Republic, over the terrorist attack of January 9 in the country.

    Suspected Islamic militants attacked a military base in Chinagodrar, Niger Republic, a town bordering Mali, and left scores of soldiers killed.

    The attack also left many of the militants dead.

    Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja yeterday, said Buhari expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims.

    Condemning the heinous attack by the terrorists, the Nigerian leader assured his Nigerien counterpart that Nigeria would continue to work closely with his country and other international partners to overcome terrorism and violent extremism.

    The President reaffirmed that the perpetrators of such cowardly acts and their sponsors deserve no peace and comfort, stressing that “Nigeria stands in solidarity with her allies to ensure that justice is served”.

    Read Also: Niger in national mourning as terrorists attack death toll rises to 89

    Niger on Monday began three days of national mourning after the suspected terrorists killed 89 people in an attack on a military camp near the border to Mali.

    The defence ministry had initially placed the number of dead soldiers at 31 after the attack on the army post in the town of Chinagodrar in western Niger on Thursday night, but the government raised the death toll to 89 late on Sunday.

    Seventy-seven militants were killed during the attack, bringing the total number of deaths to 166, the government said in a statement.

    Terrorist groups are especially active in Niger’s west, not far from the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso. Some of them are loyal to al-Qaeda, while others are tied to the Islamic State.

     

     

  • 26 killed in rain, snow-related incidents in Pakistan

    Agency Reporter

    Heavy rain and snowfall, on Monday continued to wreak havoc by disrupting daily life in different areas of Pakistan, killing at least 26 people in the last 24 hours, local media and officials said.

    According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Balochistan Pakistan’s South-West Balochistan province is the worst hit by the torrential rain and heavy snowfall, where at least 21 people lost their lives in separate incidents.

    At least five people, including two children, were killed and 10 others injured in three different regions of the country’s Eastern Punjab province.

    Earlier, the PDMA imposed a state of emergency in seven districts of Balochistan after heavy rain and snowfall disrupted daily life.

    The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Jam Khan, said the situation was not normal and a high alert had been sent to local officials and rescue teams in respective regions where up to four feet of snowfall was reported.

    “The government is on high alert and official teams are working round the clock for the rescue work.

    READ ALSO: 10 killed, scores wounded in Pakistan bombing

    “We are managing to clear roads from snow and reaching stranded and needy people to provide them with help,’’ Khan said.

    “Heavy snowfall and torrential rain have disrupted daily life by stopping electricity supply and internet service and blocking almost all roads in the affected areas.’’

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department noted that up to 56 mm of rain was recorded in different areas of Balochistan.

    It noted that heavy snowfall and rain were also expected in the upcoming days in different regions, including the provincial capital of Quetta.

    (Xinhua/NAN)

  • Former Pope Benedict breaks silence on celibacy debate after synod

    Agency Reporter

    Former Pope Benedict has defended priestly celibacy in the Catholic Church, in a new book written with a conservative cardinal.

    Benedict’s defense appears to be a strategically timed appeal to Pope Francis to not change the rules.

    The Pope wrote the book, “From the Depths of Our Hearts,” with Cardinal Robert Sarah, 74, a Guinean prelate who heads the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

    Excerpts were published on the website of the French newspaper Le Figaro.

    The Vatican had no immediate comment on the book, which is due to be published on Monday.

    In October, the final document of an assembly of Roman Catholic bishops, or synod, from the Amazon proposed that married men in the remote area be allowed to be ordained priests, which could lead to a landmark change in the Church’s centuries-old discipline of celibacy.

    READ ALSO: Ex-pope Benedict denies covering up sexual abuse

    Pope Francis will consider it, along with many other proposals on issues that emerged during the synod, including the environment and the role of women, in a document of his own, known as an Apostolic Exhortation.

    It is expected to be issued in the next few months.

    In 2013, when he became the first pope in 700 years to resign, Benedict, who lives in the Vatican and is now 92 and in failing health, vowed to remain “hidden from the world”.

    But he has given interviews, written articles and contributed to books, in effect breaking that pledge and cheering conservatives, some of whom do not recognise Francis’ legitimacy.

    Massimo Faggioli, a theologian at Villanova University in the U.S., called it “a serious breach” by the former pope, who vowed “unconditional reverence and obedience” to his successor.

    In his part of the book, Benedict says celibacy, which became a stable tradition in the Church only about 1,000 years ago, carries “great significance” because it allows a priest to concentrate on his vocation.

    He says “it doesn’t seem possible to realise both vocations (priesthood and marriage) simultaneously.”

    In a joint introduction, both men say they could not remain silent about the October synod, which at times led to clashes between progressive and conservative Catholic media outlets, underscoring the polarisation in the 1.3 billion-member Church.

    The proposal calls for older married men who are already deacons in the Church, have a stable family relationship and are proven leaders in their communities to be ordained as priests after adequate formation.

    This solution to the shortage of priests, backed by many South American bishops, would allow Catholics in isolated areas to attend Mass and receive the sacraments more regularly.

    For his part, Sarah says making exceptions to the celibacy rule would be “a lie” that would set a dangerous precedent.

    (Reuters/NAN)

  • UK princes William, Harry denounce ‘offensive’ newspaper report

    Agency Reporter

    Britain’s Prince William and his younger brother Harry publicly denounced an “offensive” newspaper report about their relationship on Monday as the royals met for crunch talks to discuss the future roles of Harry and his American wife Meghan.

    The Times, citing an unnamed source, reported that Harry and Meghan had been pushed away by “a bullying attitude” of William who had not been welcoming to Meghan.

    “In spite of clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between The Duke of Sussex and The Duke of Cambridge,” said the statement issued by the offices for William and Harry.

    “For brothers, who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful.”

    The shock announcement by Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, has exposed divisions in the Windsor family and prompted soul-searching over what it means to be royal in the 21st century.

    The couple consulted neither the queen nor Charles on the announcement, made on Instagram and their own website, a step seen as impertinent and premature by a family whose roots go back through a thousand years of European history.

    Meghan is currently in Canada with their infant son Archie. She may join the discussion by telephone.

    She and Harry say they want a “progressive” new role for themselves and financial independence, which could mean working in the U.S. where Meghan is from.

    But it was unclear how they will pull off a partial pullback from royal roles – which some media have dubbed “Megxit” in a play on Britain’s tortuous Brexit departure from the European Union – or who will pay for a transatlantic lifestyle.

    READ ALSO: Prince William’s celebrate birthday with flashback

    When the most powerful members of the so-called royal “Firm” meet at the queen’s Georgian mansion, Elizabeth, 93, and her son Charles, 71, will have to grapple with much more than family issues: their decisions could shape the monarchy’s future.

    The queen will have to find a way to harness Harry and Meghan’s global appeal, especially among young people, while giving them the freedom they crave and ensuring the bill to the British taxpayer is as modest as possible.

    Though Elizabeth and her husband Philip challenged royal convention in their youth, she has served dutifully since 1952, earning the admiration of most Britons – including many republicans.

    Prince Charles has long sought a leaner royal family, though it is unclear how Harry and Meghan would fit into that model – especially if they essentially become Hollywood superstars.

    The couple’s ambition to break out of their gilded royal casts has become a feast for British tabloid newspapers with which Harry and Meghan have repeatedly clashed.

    Harry remains deeply affected by the hounding role the media played in the life and death of his mother, Princess Diana.

    (Reuters/NAN)

  • Assange appears in London court for U.S. extradition hearing

    WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, on Monday appeared in the Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London, where the hearing on his extradition to the United States began.

    The hearing was delayed for more than an hour, which, according to Assange’s lawyer, Gareth Peirce, was due to the fact that there were some complications at Belmarsh prison, where the WikiLeaks founder is being held.

    Peirce also said that the defence still had limited opportunities to communicate with and transfer case materials to her client because of prison rules.

    In December, the court ruled that Assange’s extradition case would consist of three separate stages, with hearings scheduled throughout January and February.

    Assange, who was initially accused of sexual harassment and rape in Sweden in 2010, was in hiding at the Ecuadorian embassy in London from 2012 to 2019.

    READ ALSO: Julian Assange sentenced to 50 weeks for skipping bail

    In April, UK Police entered the embassy to arrest the WikiLeaks founder and he was eventually sentenced to 50 weeks in prison for breaching bail conditions.

    In May, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted Assange on 17 additional charges under the espionage age and demanded his extradition.

    If convicted of these charges, the WikiLeaks founder faces up to 175 years in prison.

    The UK Home Secretary at the time, Sajid Javid, approved the extradition request, stating that he did not believe Assange would face death or torture if extradited.

    At the hearing, District Judge, Vanessa Baraitser, ruled that the next one would take place on Jan. 23 and that Assange would take part via video conference.

    (Sputnik/NAN)

  • India orders antitrust probe against Amazon, Walmart’s Flipkart

    India’s antitrust body on Monday ordered an investigation into alleged competition law violations by Amazon.com Inc and Walmart’s Flipkart, the latest setback for U.S.-based e-commerce giants operating in the country.

    The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it was ordering a wider probe following a review of allegations that Amazon and Flipkart were promoting some “preferred sellers” and in turn hitting business of other smaller sellers.

    However, the two companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the antitrust move.

    Report says the investigation order comes in a week when Amazon chief Jeff Bezos is expected to visit India for a company event and potential meetings with government officials.

    The complaint against the two giant companies was filed by Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, a group representing small- and medium-sized businesses.

    The group alleged that several of Amazon and Flipkart’s preferred sellers were affiliated with or controlled by the companies themselves, either directly or indirectly.

    READ ALSO: India to strengthen security at U.S., Israeli embassies amid Iran’s retaliation threat – Source

    “The CCI also wants its investigations arm to probe the e-commerce companies’ discounting practices as well as their relationship with such sellers.

    “The Commission is of the opinion that there exists a prima facie case which requires an investigation,” it said.

    The investigation is the latest setback for Amazon and Walmart’s Flipkart, which Indian brick-and-mortar traders allege violate the country’s foreign investment rules and burn billions of dollars to offer steep discounts that hurt smaller traders.

    However, both the companies denied those allegations.

    (Reuters/NAN)

  • China bans human rights watch boss over protest support

    China has said that Human Rights Watch Director, Kenneth Roth, was denied entry to Hong Kong over his organisation’s support of protesters in the city.

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Geng Shuang, said on Monday that non-profits instigate protesters to “engage in extreme violent crimes’’ and “bear great responsibility for the current chaos in Hong Kong’’.

    “These organisations deserve sanctions and must pay their dues,’’ Geng said.

    Geng added that China has the right to allow or refuse individuals’ entry into the country.

    Earlier, Roth said he was denied entry on Sunday to Hong Kong where he was scheduled to launch the organisation’s latest world report this week.

    Roth said he was blocked at Hong Kong airport from entering for the first time, having entered freely in the past.

    During seven months of sometimes violent anti-government protests, the Chinese-ruled city has barred several activists, foreign journalists and an academic.

    “This year, the new world report describes how the Chinese government is undermining the international human rights system.

    “But the authorities just blocked my entrance to Hong Kong, illustrating the worsening problem,’’ Roth said in a post on his Twitter account.

    He added that Hong Kong immigration officials had cited only “immigration reasons”.

    Speaking at a daily news briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, said Human Rights Watch had encouraged radicals in Hong Kong “to take violent and extremist actions”.

    “They have instigated the activities of Hong Kong separatists and hold a major responsibility for the current chaos,” Shuang said.

    Human Rights Watch, based in New York, is scheduled to release its 652-page World Report 2020 at the Foreign Correspondent Club in Hong Kong on Jan. 15.

    READ ALSO: China says delegation set to travel to U.S. to sign trade agreement

    Roth will launch the report on Jan. 14 at the UN in New York, the organisation said in a statement.

    “This disappointing action is yet another sign that Beijing is tightening its oppressive grip on Hong Kong and further restricting the limited freedom Hong Kong people enjoy under ‘one country, two systems’,’’ Roth said.

    Human Rights Watch said a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs official had threatened to impose unspecified “sanctions” against it and several U.S.-based pro-democracy organisations in early December.

    Neither Beijing nor Hong Kong authorities have since provided further details, it added.

    Many people in Hong Kong are angered by what they see as Beijing’s ever-tightening grip on the city, which was promised a high degree of autonomy under a “one country, two systems” framework when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

    Beijing denies interference and blames the West for fomenting the unrest.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • Niger sacks army chief after deadliest attacks in years

    Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou has replaced the head of the army after two of the country’s deadliest attacks in living memory killed at least 160 soldiers, the government said.

    This had prompted a rethink in the battle against militants groups, the official added.

    Ahmed Mohamed led the army for over two years, a period marked by a steep rise in attacks by militants linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda.

    This had culminated in a daytime raid on a remote army base on Thursday that killed at least 89 soldiers.

    That attack came less than a month after another on an outpost that killed 71 soldiers and raised questions about Niger’s ability to contain the spread of militant groups across its western border from Mali and Burkina Faso.

    Read Also: Britain summons Iranian ambassador for detention of diplomat

    Maj.-Gen. Salifou Modi was appointed Mohamed’s successor on Monday, the government announced after a cabinet meeting.

    Niger said it would launch a new military offensive against militants, but past campaigns have failed to curb violence in spite of the presence of French and American troops.

    Attacks in Niger have raised fourfold over the past year, killing more than 400 people, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a non-profit research organisation.

    Military campaigns by armies in the Sahel, a semi-arid swathe of land beneath the Sahara, have also been marred by human rights abuses, which analysts say have pushed some civilians into the arms of the militants.

    In addition to the militants attacks, countries in the region, especially Mali and Burkina Faso, have struggled to cope with deadly ethnic clashes between rival farming and herding communities.

     

     

    NAN

  • Britain summons Iranian ambassador for detention of diplomat

    The British government has summoned Iran’s ambassador to London over the “unacceptable” arrest of the British ambassador to Tehran, who attended what was advertised as a vigil for last week’s Ukrainian plane tragedy.

    “I would say this was an unacceptable breach of the Vienna Convention and it needs to be investigated.

    “We are seeking full assurances from the Iranian Government that this will never happen again,” a spokesperson for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday as reported by the Press Association.

    Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned British Ambassador Rob Macaire on Sunday, accusing him of attending an “illegal demonstration” in Tehran on the evening prior.

    READ ALSO: US tried to kill Iranian commander in Yemen same night as Soleimani strike – Officials

    Macaire had defended his conduct, insisting he had attended what he thought would be a vigil for the 176 victims of last week’s downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight outside of Tehran.

    He said he left the event as soon as it became a protest but was then briefly arrested.

    (dpa/NAN)