The Nation Newspaper

Category: Foreign

  • IPI Nigeria’s annual congress to hold December 11 in Abuja

    IPI Nigeria’s annual congress to hold December 11 in Abuja

    The Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) will hold its annual general congress on December 11 and 12 in Abuja, the organisation has said.

    Its Secretary, Ahmed Shekarau, announced this in a statement yesterday in Lagos.

    The statement said the annual congress would be a three-part event comprising a conference on December 11, an annual general meeting (AGM) and the election of new officials on December 12, while a dinner will also hold on the night of December 12.

    Read Also: Jimoh Ibrahim, Australia PM to speak at Oxford conference

    Shekarau said all the events would be held at the Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly Sheraton Hotel).

    The statement said the conference, with the theme: Democracy, Media Freedom and the Imperative of Protecting Nigeria’s Civic Space, would enable members and other attendees to brainstorm on some of the challenges affecting journalism practice and how practitioners can survive in challenging environments.

    “The conference will also help journalists to interact with leaders of key security agencies and seek common solutions to incessant clashes between journalists and security agencies.

    “The sessions are designed

  • Hezbollah rocket hits near Tel Aviv after Beirut airstrike

    Hezbollah rocket hits near Tel Aviv after Beirut airstrike

    Lebanon’s Hezbollah fired heavy rocket barrages at Israel yesterday, with Israeli media reporting that a building had been hit near Tel Aviv, after a powerful Israeli airstrike killed at least 20 people in Beirut the day before.

    Israel also struck Beirut’s Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs, where intensified bombardment over the last two weeks has coincided with signs of progress in U.S.-led ceasefire talks.

    Hezbollah, which has previously vowed to respond to attacks on Beirut by targeting Tel Aviv, said it had launched two precision missiles at military sites in Tel Aviv and nearby.

    Read Also: Creative Economy central to our diversification agenda, says Tinubu

    There were no reports from Israel of damage to the sites, but broadcaster Kan showed an apartment damaged by rocket fire in Petah Tikvah, east of Tel Aviv. Footage broadcast by the medical service MDA showed cars ablaze in Petah Tikvah.

    Hezbollah fired 170 rockets at Israel yesterday, according to the Israeli military, which said many had been intercepted, but at least four people had been injured by rocket shrapnel.

     Video obtained by Reuters showed a projectile exploding on impact as it smashed into the roof of a building in the northern Israeli city of Nahariya.

    Israel warned on social media that it planned to target Hezbollah facilities in southern Beirut before strikes which security sources in Lebanon said demolished two apartment blocks.

  • Global civil society unites at COP29 to demand climate action, justice

    Global civil society unites at COP29 to demand climate action, justice

    At the COP29 United Nations climate talks, which concluded on Friday, November 22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan, civil society members from around the world, including Africa Make Big Polluters Pay (MBPP), held a People’s Plenary themed “Pay Up, Stand Up: Finance Climate Action, Not Genocide.”

    In a unified voice, participants condemned the injustices perpetrated by the Global North, including neocolonialism, genocide, and the excessive reliance on fossil fuels.

    They affirmed their commitment to fighting for a better world.

    The plenary featured climate activists from Indigenous communities, women’s groups, labour unions, and people with disabilities, among others from both the Global South and North. They stood together for a more equitable world.

    Gathered in the Caspian Plenary Hall, just outside the negotiation rooms where world leaders failed to reach a global climate finance deal, participants displayed and read out the names of Palestinians killed in Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon, and the civil war in Sudan. They also demanded an end to ecocide worldwide.

    After almost two weeks of negotiations, and despite COP29 being referred to as the “Finance COP,” countries of the Global North and South are in disagreement about virtually all aspects of climate finance, including an acceptable total amount – the Global South wants $5 trillion yearly –  to forms of funding, donors, and recipients.

    Linking the climate crisis to the crisis in her home country, Lebanese activist Baturi Nuru Habin said: “There’s no climate justice with blood on our hands.”

    Christina Chock, who spoke on behalf of the indigenous peoples, said: “We call for the end of inequality and injustice that has allowed for the rich to become richer and the dominant economic systems to destroy our planet. The future belongs to us as indigenous people. We gather here to amplify our voices for our mother earth and our children. We have traveled from distant lands of the seven geographic regions to say to this world that there will be nothing about us, without us.”

    Read Also: COP29: Nigeria seeks global cooperation on climate change impacts

    Anna Bohushenko of Climate Action Network Eastern Europe and Central Asia, added: “We will not stop fighting, not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”

    The session ended with activists pledging to “Stand in solidarity with those facing genocide and stop our governments’ complicity in arming and fuelling genocide.

    “Continue fighting for the $5 trillion per annum climate debt owed by the Global North to the Global South and commit to pushing our governments to deliver an ambitious grant-based climate finance outcome at this COP29 for real solutions that serve justice.

    “Commit to fighting for the right of everyone to live with dignity and in harmony with the planet, through a vision of a better world and continue to build and use the collective power of our movement of movements, to mobilise and act in support of each other both inside and outside of climate movement.”

  • Trump holds first meeting with NATO chief Rutte since election

    Trump holds first meeting with NATO chief Rutte since election

    NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday, a spokesperson for the transatlantic military alliance said on Saturday.

    “They discussed the range of global security issues facing the Alliance,” the spokesperson, Farah Dakhlallah, said in a brief statement.

    On Friday, NATO did not respond to requests for comment on Dutch media reports that Rutte – a former prime minister of the Netherlands – had flown to Florida on a Dutch government plane to meet Trump.

    Read Also: ‘Navigating uncertainty: Trump’s global legacy and Nigeria’s strategic challenges’

    Rutte was widely regarded as one of the best European leaders at forging a good working relationship with Trump during his first, 2017-21 term as U.S. president.

    NEWSNOW

  • Trump picks billionaire investor Scott Bessent as Treasury secretary

    Trump picks billionaire investor Scott Bessent as Treasury secretary

    US President-elect Donald Trump has picked hedge fund manager Scott Bessent to serve as Treasury secretary in a blitz of announcements after his choice for attorney general said he was withdrawing.

    The 62-year-old Bessent, founder of the investment firm Key Square Capital Management, was tapped to execute an economic agenda expected to be built around cutting taxes and imposing tariffs.

    “Scott is widely respected as one of the world’s foremost international investors and geopolitical and economic strategists,” Trump said in a statement late on Friday.

    “He will help me usher in a new Golden Age for the United States, as we fortify our position as the world’s leading economy,” he said, adding that Bessent would also help “reinvigorate the private sector, and help curb the unsustainable path of federal debt”.

    The choice for Treasury secretary, a protracted process, was the most anticipated by the US business and finance community, given Trump’s plans to remake global trade through tariffs and extend and potentially expand the raft of tax cuts enacted during his first term.

    The head of the Treasury Department will have broad oversight of tax policy, public debt, international finance and sanctions.

    Bessent, a Wall Street financier who once worked for George Soros, was an early backer of Trump’s 2024 bid, donating at least $3m to the campaign, according to records from the election commission.

    He has called for rolling back government subsidies, deregulating the economy, raising domestic energy production, and has also defended the use of tariffs.

    Read Also: Trump gets warm welcome at UFC fight night

    The market’s surge after Trump’s election victory signalled investor expectations of “higher growth, lower volatility and inflation, and a revitalized economy for all Americans”, he wrote in an opinion piece published in The Wall Street Journal.

    Trump’s announcement capped a flurry of appointments to fill his cabinet after Matt Gaetz announced that he was withdrawing from consideration for attorney general following renewed focus on sexual misconduct allegations against him.

    Russell Vought was chosen to lead the Office of Management and Budget, the same position he held during Trump’s first presidency.

    Trump also picked Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer for labour secretary and said he would nominate Scott Turner, a former football player who worked in his first administration, to serve as housing secretary.

    NEWSNOW

  • Dubai Racing Club announces Zoho as exclusive technology partner

    Dubai Racing Club announces Zoho as exclusive technology partner

    Dubai Racing Club (DRC) has named Zoho Corporation, a leading global technology company, as its exclusive technology partner for the next two years

    This partnership will focus on digitising DRC’s operations, to enhance the club’s high-profile events and ensure a seamless, world-class experience for visitors, participants, and staff.

    The announcement was made during a signing ceremony at Meydan Racecourse, attended by His Excellency Ali Al Ali, CEO and Board Member of the Dubai Racing Club, and Prem Anand Velumani, Associate Director of Strategic Alliances, MEA at Zoho.

    As the organiser of major events, including the prestigious Dubai World Cup, the DRC will leverage Zoho’s comprehensive suite of digital solutions through Zoho One, the operating system for businesses, to streamline key operations. By implementing Zoho One, the club will enhance various aspects of its event management, from ticketing and sales to logistics and customer relationship management (CRM).

    HE Al Ali commented on the partnership: “We are pleased to welcome Zoho as our official technology partner this season. Technology is a cornerstone of our long-term vision for the Dubai Racing Club and the continued development of the horse racing industry.

    “Zoho brings a wealth of expertise, and we look forward to collaborating with their team to create tailored solutions for our clients. From sophisticated CRM systems and streamlined accreditation processes to innovative mobile applications designed to enhance the experience for horse owners and racegoers, we are focused on setting new benchmarks for excellence. This partnership brings us one step closer to establishing Meydan as one of the most technologically advanced racecourses globally.”

    Read Also: Zoho launches customizable low-code IoT platform for efficiency, customer delight

    The DRC will leverage Zoho’s web and mobile applications to improve accessibility and communication across platforms. Zoho CRM will play a pivotal role in managing ticketing and sales, offering a seamless and personalised experience for attendees. Zoho’s apps will also support critical operational functions such as accreditation, simulcasting, parking and barricade management, and order management, all of which will be fully digitised to enhance accessibility and efficiency.

    “We are thrilled to be the exclusive technology partner of the Dubai Racing Club, an iconic institution that plays a central role in global equestrian sports,” said Prem Anand Velumani, MEA at Zoho. “This partnership presents an exciting opportunity to demonstrate how Zoho’s comprehensive suite of solutions can support DRC’s operations and its commitment to excellence.

    “By utilising Zoho’s customisable tools, DRC will be able to digitise and optimise critical operations, driving greater collaboration, agility, and a seamless guest experience. We are proud to help position the DRC at the forefront of digital transformation in the regional and global equestrian sports industry.”

    Zoho’s solutions will also streamline guest and VIP stand management, ensuring a smooth experience for high-profile visitors. Zoho’s apps will assist with venue navigation, while an all-in-one analytics dashboard will provide the DRC’s internal team with real-time data to evaluate performance and track ROI across all operational areas. This integrated approach will allow the DRC to optimise its event management processes and deliver an exceptional experience for participants, staff, and guests alike.

    The two-year partnership will see the DRC fully harness Zoho’s suite of solutions to drive digital transformation across all aspects of its operations. As the club continues to grow, Zoho’s innovative digital solutions will play a pivotal role in ensuring the optimisation and success of every operational facet—from event coordination to customer engagement.

    Known for hosting some of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world, the DRC attracts audiences and participants from around the world. The Dubai Racing Club’s next meeting at the Meydan Racecourse is scheduled for November 22, 2024.

  • Former UK deputy PM John Prescott dies at 86

    Former UK deputy PM John Prescott dies at 86

    Former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom who served under Tony Blair and helped transform the country’s Labour Party, John Prescott, is dead.

    Prescott’s family announced his passage on Thursday.

    He was aged 86.

    “We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away yesterday (Wednesday) at the age of 86,” the statement read.

    Prescott who was a former merchant seaman and trade union activist who served as a member of parliament for Hull in northern England for four decades, died “peacefully” at a care home, according to his wife Pauline, and two sons.

    “He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery,” they added.

    The privately educated lawyer who appointed working-class Prescott to help appease the Labour left as he moved the party to the centre ground, Blair said he was “devastated” at Prescott’s death.

    “There was no one quite like him in British politics,” he told BBC radio.

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    Keir Starmer, who became Labour’s first prime minister since 2010 after a landslide general election win in July, called Prescott “a true giant of the Labour movement”.

    “He was a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist. During a decade as deputy prime minister, he was one of the key architects of a Labour government that transformed the lives of millions of people across the nation,” he added.

    “So much of John’s work set the path for those of us fortunate enough to follow. From leading climate negotiations to fighting regional inequality, his legacy will live on well beyond his lifetime.”

    Prescott, who was appointed to the House of Lords, suffered a stroke in 2019 and had been suffering from Alzheimer’s.

    He stopped being a member of the upper chamber of parliament in July because of his health problems.

    Prescott served for 10 years as Blair’s deputy following Labour’s landslide 1997 general election win. During a campaign stop in north Wales, he punched a protester who threw an egg at him.

    He also acted as a mediator between Blair and his finance minister Gordon Brown, who also helmed the transformation of Labour in the 1990s and had designs on power.

  • French Embassy, FIN present Digitalism

    French Embassy, FIN present Digitalism

    In an ode to Nigerian Alté culture, the French embassy in Nigeria, the French Institute in Nigeria (FIN), Abba Makama, and Anthony Dike, have partnered to present a four-in-one event, titled, Digitalism.

    The event which will be held at O’DA Gallery in Lagos on Saturday, November 23, 2024, will kick off at 5 pm and run till 11 pm.

     ‘Digitalism’ will feature virtual and augmented reality experiences, a documentary screening and panel discussion, and a vinyl DJ set by Jomi Marcus-Bello. The aim of the event is to get the audience to explore and reflect on what it means to be an alternative in the digital age.

    The highlight of the event will be the Lagos premiere of the documentary ‘The Kids Are O.K’ by Nigerian film director, Abba Makama.

    Read Also: French Embassy, AFRIFF to boost Nigerian creative industry

    The documentary explores the different forms taken by ‘alté’ culture in Nigeria, and more specifically in Lagos. In opposition to the ‘mainstream’, ‘alté’ culture is expressed in fashion, music, sport, and gender identity. The documentary sets out to meet the various players who identify with this movement, questioning their place in society and trying to define what unites them.

    The screening will be followed by a discussion and a question and answer session moderated by the director of The Republic journal, awake Lawal alongside film director, Abba Makama; Jomi Marcus-Bello (WAF), Kunle Tejuosho (Jazzhole) and creative director/designer/stylist, Ashley Okoli.

    The French embassy in Nigeria and the French Institute in Nigeria are organising this event as part of Novembre Numérique, an annual international event launched by the Institut Français, celebrating digital culture and innovation. Novembre Numérique examines the place of digital technology in our societies, provides training in new uses, and showcases the richness and diversity of digital creation.

  • Oyetola meets Liberian minister in London over IMO Council seat

    Oyetola meets Liberian minister in London over IMO Council seat

    Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola has met with the Liberian Minister of Transportation, Sirleaf Ralph Tyler, in the quest to ensure Nigeria gets re-elected into the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Category C seat.

    In a post on X by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) yesterday, Oyetola is soliciting the support from other maritime nations at the ongoing 133rd Session of the IMO Council in London.

    ]The NPA post reads: “Nigeria’s  quest to regain its place in ‘Category C’ of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) receives a boost as Alh. @GboyegaOyetola, Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, meets Minister of Transport (MoT) for Liberia, Hon. Sirleaf Ralph Tyler, soliciting the support of other maritime nations at the ongoing 133rd Session of the IMO Council in London.

    “This development is coming on the heels of Oyetola’s inauguration of an Inter-Ministerial Committee for the actualisation of the noble quest to solidify Nigeria’s standing in the comity of Maritime nations.

    “This is in keeping with the resolve of His Excellency, President @officialABAT (GCFR) to convert Nigeria’s maritime potentials into actualities for national economic prosperity.”

    It added: “Only last week, President Tinubu signed the instruments of accession for six Conventions of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to infuse the governance best practices necessary for Nigeria’s access to the technical, human capital, and institutional development assistance that election into the ‘Category C’ confers.

    Read Also: Oyetola meets Liberian Minister in London over IMO council seat

    “The IMO ‘Category C’ comprises 20 countries that have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.

    “With this renewed move to get re-elected into the keenly contested ‘Category C’, Nigeria is poised to win back the prestige and concomitant benefits earned in 1975, 2001, and 2005, when the maritime country played a pivotal role in global maritime policy shaping.”

  • U.S., allies shut Kyiv embassies after Ukraine fires ATACMS at Russia

    U.S., allies shut Kyiv embassies after Ukraine fires ATACMS at Russia

    •’Moscow has every right to attack NATO targets now’

    The United States shut its embassy in Kyiv yesterday morning due to what it called the threat of a significant air attack, a day after Ukraine used American missiles to hit a target inside Russia in what Moscow described as an escalation in the war.

    The Italian and Greek embassies said they too had closed their doors. The French embassy remained open but urged its citizens to be cautious.

    Later, after an air raid siren in the early afternoon jangled nerves in the capital, Ukraine’s military spy agency said Russia was trying to sow panic by circulating fake online messages about a massive looming missile and drone attack.

    “The enemy, unable to subdue Ukrainians by force, resorts to measures of intimidation and psychological pressure on society. We ask you to be vigilant and steadfast,” it said.

    A U.S. government source said the embassy closure was “related to ongoing threats of air attacks”.

    Ukraine on Tuesday used U.S. ATACMS missiles to attack an arms depot inside Russia, making use of newly granted permission from the outgoing administration of U.S. President Joe Biden on the 1,000th day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    Read Also: Oyetola meets Liberian Minister in London over IMO council seat

    Russia has been signalling to the United States and its allies for weeks that if they give permission to Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with Western-supplied missiles then Moscow will consider it a major escalation.

    “Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place,” the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs said in a statement on the embassy’s website.

    “The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.”

    The Kremlin said it had no comment.

    Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said in an interview published yesterday that Moscow would retaliate against NATO countries that facilitate long-range Ukrainian missile strikes against Russian territory.

    In the early afternoon, the Ukrainian air force told people to seek shelter because of a missile threat. Senior officials told people not to ignore the alert.

    That came shortly before Kyiv’s top military spy agency GUR issued a warning about a Russian psychological operation it said involved fake messages claiming to have been sent by the agency.

    “A message is being spread via messengers and social networks … about the threat of a ‘particularly massive’ missile and bomb strike on Ukrainian cities today,” GUR said in a statement.