The Nation Newspaper

Tag: U.S

  • ‘U.S. strike kills dozens ISIS members’

    ‘U.S. strike kills dozens ISIS members’

    U.S. forces killed dozens of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria ( ISIS’ ) members in a strike on two ISIS training camps on Monday in Al Bayda Governorate, Yemen, Pentagon has said.

    The U.S. Department of Defense, in a statement, said the strike disrupted the terrorist organisation’s attempts to train new fighters.

    “ISIS used the camps to train militants to conduct terror attacks using AK-47s, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and endurance training.

    “ISIS has used the ungoverned spaces of Yemen to plot, direct, instigate, resource and recruit for attacks against America and its allies around the world.

    “For years, Yemen has been a hub for terrorist recruiting, training and transit,” Pentagon said.

    In coordination with the Government of Yemen, U.S. forces are supporting ongoing counterterrorism operations in Yemen against ISIS and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

    “This is to degrade the groups’ ability to coordinate external terror attacks and limit their ability to hold territory seized from the legitimate government of Yemen.

    “Strikes against ISIS targets disrupt and destroy militants’ attack-plotting efforts, leadership networks, and freedom of manoeuvre within the region,” Pentagon said.

    NAN

  • Hurricane Nate makes landfall for second time in U.S.

    Hurricane Nate makes landfall for second time in U.S.

    Hurricane Nate has made its second landfall outside Biloxi in the U.S. state of Mississippi, the National Weather Service has confirmed.

    The storm moved ashore at 12:30 a.m. (0530 GMT) as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum winds of 140 kilometres per hour, the agency’s Jackson, Mississippi office said.

    The storm is currently moving north at 31 kilometres per hour, it added.

    Nate is the first hurricane to make landfall in Mississippi since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

    Just hours earlier, Nate had made its first U.S. landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River in southeast Louisiana, the National Hurricane Center reported.

    Nate triggered hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge warnings through a swath of the Gulf states, as residents braced for the third hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland in six weeks.

    Officials warned coastal communities of the storm surge, which is the height of water above dry ground. In Mississippi, the storm surge could reach up to 11 feet, according to the hurricane center.

    Nate is expected to weaken quickly as it makes its way inland and the hurricane center predicted it’s likely to become a tropical storm later Sunday.

    “The good news is that it’s not a Category 2, it’s breaking down…but really it’s going to be about the storm surge threat,” said an official.

  • Niger updates death toll from militant attack to 7

    Niger updates death toll from militant attack to 7

    Four Nigerien troops and three U.S. soldiers were killed in an attack earlier this week in southwest Niger near the border with Mali, the Defense Ministry said on Friday.

    The ministry updated the casualty figures from the ambush on Thursday, adding the death toll of their own forces to the three soldiers already named by the U.S. side.

    Eight other Nigeriens were wounded, as were two members of the U.S. forces who are providing training to the Nigerien Army on combating extremists in the region.

    The joint patrol was ambushed by terrorist elements in a dozen vehicles and on 20 motorbikes,” Niger’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.

    Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou said in an earlier address that the terrorist attack had claimed “a significant number of victims.”

    “Our country has once again been the victim of an attack by terrorist groups,’’ Issoufou said in a speech on Thursday at the opening of an economic forum in the capital Naimey.

    The U.S. Africa Command has said their two injured servicemen have been evacuated to Germany for medical treatment.

    The attack took place around 200 kilometres north of Niamey, near the border with Mali, where the terrorist group al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is active.

    NAN

  • U.S. Republican lawmaker resigns after sex scandal

    U.S. Republican lawmaker resigns after sex scandal

    U.S. Republican Congressman Tim Murphy has announced his resignation after his affair with a young woman came to light, official statement said on Friday.

    “Upon further discussion with my family, I have made the decision to resign my position,’’ Murphy, an eight-term member of the House of Representatives, serving since 2003, said.

    The statement came one day after the 65-year-old said he would not seek re-election to Congress at the end of his current term, which would terminate in 15 months.

    The shifting position was the result of the House Republican leadership urging Murphy, who represents Pennsylvania’s 18th congressional district, to step down, considering him a distraction as the party fights for a major tax reform.

    “I’ve spoken with Tim quite a bit the last couple of days.

    “I think it’s appropriate that he moves on to the next chapter of his life,’’ House Speaker Paul Ryan told a press conference prior to Murphy’s resignation.

    In September Murphy admitted to an affair with a woman half his age.

    The couple’s text message exchanges reported by the U.S. media showed Murphy had asked the woman to abort their unborn child.

    It came as a devastating political blow as Murphy had been an active advocate of anti-abortion laws.

    “I’ve never written them, staffers do them, I read them and winced.

    “I told staff not to write anymore,’’ Murphy said of the anti-abortion statements released in his name after the woman complained of his inconsistent stance.

    NAN

  • Heritage Bank, U.S, others seek alternative revenue sources

    WITH a mandate to promote the diversification of the  economy and develop the external sector through the provision of services in support of non-oil exports, Heritage Bank Plc is pooling resources to better the lot of the creative industry and its practitioners, its Managing Director, Ifie Sekibo, has said.

    Sekibo stated this yesterday at the Exhibition Gallery of National Museum Benin by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in collaboration with the Edo State government, and the Smithsonian Institute, United States (U.S.), which Heritage Bank was the lead sponsors.

    The bank’s role in the creative arts and entertainment industry consists in funding intervention and capacity building.

    Sekibo said funding the industry represents a significant commitment by the bank  to boost  the creative segment of the economy.

    According to him, the bank supports  efforts aimed at the country’s creative industries in a drive to end a period of financial neglect for the sector.

    Represented by the bank’s Executive Director, Jude Monye, affirmed, “the art and culture industry has become one of the major contributors to so many countries gross domestic products (GDP) and Heritage Bank is committed to supporting it because it is part of Nigeria’s heritage.”

    According to him, Heritage Bank has continued to make efforts in supporting ideologies like this, using arts as a tool to promote cultural awareness and to help younger Nigerians form a strong sense of national identity.

    He assured that the bank would always be driven by cultural heritage in delivering distinctive financial services to create, preserve and transfer wealth.

    In his presentation, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, urged states to emulate Edo in collaborating with the federal government to promote culture, tourism and the arts.

    Represented by the Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Yusuf Usman, he said synergy among corporate bodies, states and the federal government would guarantee diversification of Nigeria’s economy while showcasing its rich culture.

    He commended Heritage Bank, Smithsonian Institute, U.S. Embassy and others for the exceptional supports in making a huge success of the Exhibition Gallery at the National Museum Benin by the NCMM.

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, while appreciating the Smithsonian Institution, said the exhibition would add to  the state’s quest to develop tourism as it makes a connection between past and present.

    The governor said art was assuming a wider national importance and the possibility of it being developed as a self-sustaining alternative to oil revenue was now being appreciated across the country.

    Earlier, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Stuart Symington described the occasion as historic to both Nigeria and America.

    The Director Emerita, Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art, USA, Dr. Johnnetta Cole, said that the exhibition was first in Africa and to showcase the rich culture of Benin kingdom.

    The Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewure II, said Benin artworks are largely rituals, some are used for recording history, to place on record events that happened in different periods in Benin history.

    A representative of the Oba, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, said the Benin artworks gained prominence in Europe in 1897 after the kingdom was attacked by the British soldiers, who later took the artworks to Europe.

    The exhibition focused on photographic works of Chief Solomon Alonge, photographer to Royal Court of Benin kingdom during the reign of Oba Akenzua II.

    The high point of the event was the launching of the book “Fragile Legacies,” the photographs of Solomon Osagie Alonge, and a tour of the exhibition area by governor Obaseki.

  • 10,000 Nigerians admitted in U.S. varsities

    Ten thousand Nigerian students are among over one million international students admitted into United States (U.S.) universities this year, U.S. Consul-General in Lagos Mr. John Bray said over the weekend.

    He spoke at a College and Career Fair, organised by Education USA and the Foreign Commercial Service of the U.S. embassy.

    Bray said the fair, which attracted 25 American universities to Lagos, was meant to expose Nigerian students to existing educational opportunities in the U.S.

    His words: “This year, the number of international students in the United States climbed to over one million globally.

    “More than 10,000 of these students are from Nigeria.

    “That is more than the year before but there could be more. Let me say that America remains a leading destination for international students.

    “Nigerians’ interest in studying in the United States is an indication of the strong ties between Nigeria and the U.S.

    ” The people-to-people exchanges are an important component of strengthening our bilateral relations,” he said.

    The annual event recorded a large turnout of students, their parents and guardians, admissions officers from 25 American colleges and universities, including The George Washington University, Drexel University, University of Wisconsin and Western Kentucky University.

  • Boko Haram: Nigeria, 3 others to get $54m U.S aid

    Boko Haram: Nigeria, 3 others to get $54m U.S aid

    The U.S. Government has announced 54 million dollars in addition to humanitarian assistance to Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and the four countries affected by the Boko Haram violence.

    U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Mr Thomas Shannon jr, disclosed this at a symposium on Nigeria tagged ‘Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects for Advancing Durable Peace, organised by the U.S. Institute of Peace, Washington, D.C.

    Shannon said that the U.S. Government’s humanitarian assistance to the four countries totalled about 700 million dollars  since 2015

    He said: “On security issues, Nigeria is an important leader and partner in the Lake Chad Basin, collaborating with its neighbors to defeat the scourge of Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa.

    “The United States supports this and other efforts to bring security and stability to citizens affected by violence.

    “At the United Nations last week, the U.S. government announced $54 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the Lake Chad region, bringing the total to almost $700 million over the past two years”.

    According to the U.S. envoy, while humanitarian support is an immediate necessity, it cannot be a long-term solution.

    “When Nigeria’s northern governors came to this institution in late 2016, the clear consensus was that addressing the war and poverty plaguing northeast Nigeria required robust initiatives for education, reconciliation and political inclusion.

    “I am pleased the working group here today is bringing together your collective years of experience as spiritual leaders, military commanders, journalists, election officials, human rights advocates and educators to develop strategies to address these enduring challenges.

    “The United States is proud to be your partner in these vital efforts,” he said.

    “Your work to defuse conflicts over a range of issues, from elections to land use, inspires us all,” Shannon commended.

    He recalled his bilateral meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama on the sidelines of the 72nd UN General Assembly last week, saying they had robust engagements about the Boko Haram crisis and other pressing issues.

    Shannon said: “My meeting with the Nigerian Foreign Minister last week was a great opportunity to learn more about what else the Nigerian government is trying to accomplish on the security front.

    “It is clear to me that Nigeria is well aware that the fight against terrorism will be won not only by the military’s conduct on the battlefield, but also by its conduct off the field.

    “Nigeria understands that human rights abuses and impunity tarnish its international reputation, undermine the trust of its citizens, impede counterterrorism efforts, and ultimately hinder our ability to fully partner with Nigeria.”

    According to him, however, a military response alone will not lead to sustained peace in the Northeast.

    “A holistic response is required. One that sets the conditions for the safe return of refugees and displaced persons.

    He commended the Institute and the Senior Working Group for their dedication and determination to create a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

  • U.S. position on IPOB, unfortunate, unacceptable – FG

    U.S. position on IPOB, unfortunate, unacceptable – FG

    The Federal Government has described as “unfortunate” and “unacceptable,” the position of the US Government over the declaration of the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB )  as a terrorist group.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the government position Wednesday night in London when he featured on BBC Television programme, “Focus on Africa”.

    The Minister, who stressed that the Federal Government was right in declaring IPOB a terrorist organisation, noted that he could not make up with the US seemingly disagreement with the position.

    “It is very unfortunate, if countries decide to pick and choose which organisations are terrorists and which are not, bearing in mind that terrorism has no boundary.

    “I think what we should do is that every country should work together to ensure that terrorism does not thrive,” he said.

    Speaking on why the Government labelled IPOB a terrorist group, the Minister said, “the acts and utterances of IPOB were acts and utterances of terrorists”.

    “For instance, Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader was caught on tape, saying that they want Biafra and not peacefully, but by force.

    “He declared that if they do not get Biafra, Somalia will be a Paradise with the kind of mayhem they will unleash on Nigeria.

    “The group openly embraced arms and ammunition and the leader set up Biafra National Guard, Biafra Secret Service and openly attacked army formations”.

    When asked by the anchor of the programme, Peter Okwoche, why “other militarised group” like the Fulani herdsmen had not been classified as terrorist group, Mohammed said that “acts of criminality should not be confused with terrorism acts”.

    He explained further: “When an organisation decides to not just attack the Army but set up its own parallel government;

    “When an organisation openly solicits for arms all over the world; when an organisation starts issuing out its own passports and currency and does not recognise the democratically elected government, then it becomes a different thing”.

    The minister said that Nigeria is so fragile and an attempt to allow such excesses from IPOB to continue could attract reprisal attacks from other parts of the country and set the entire country on fire.

    The President General of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, who was earlier interviewed on the programme, said that the labelling of IPOB as a terrorist group was “extremely unfair and lopsided.”

  • Hurricane maria lashes Dominican Republic

    Hurricane maria lashes Dominican Republic

    Hurricane Maria thrashed parts of the Dominican Republic with heavy rain and high winds as it passed off its east coast on Thursday after making a direct hit on Puerto Rico.

    This has caused severe flooding and cut power to almost all the island.

    Hurricane Maria has killed at least 10 people as it raged through the Caribbean region, the second major hurricane to do so this month.

    It ripped roofs off, almost all structures on the island country of Dominica, where seven people were confirmed dead and the number is expected to climb when searches resume at daybreak.

    Maria was ranked a Category four storm, near the top end of the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale.

    It went with sustained winds of up to 155 miles per hour (250 km per hour), when it hit Puerto Rico on Wednesday as the strongest storm to hit the U.S. territory in nearly 90 years.

    According to the U.S. National Hurricane Centre, it tore roofs from buildings, snapped power lines and turned roadways into torrents laden with debris as it cut a diagonal swath across the island.

    “The entire island of 3.4 million people was under a flash flood warning early on Thursday as the storm was forecast to dump 20 to 30 inches of rain on much of Puerto Rico through Friday.’’

    The island’s Governor, Ricardo Rossello, said the only fatality immediately reported was a man struck by a piece of lumber hurled by high winds.

    “It’s nothing short of a major disaster,” Rossello said in a CNN interview.

    He said that it may take months for the island’s electricity to be completely restored.

    Earlier, he imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew for the island.

    Maria is likely estimated to strengthen over the warm waters as it heads Thursday towards the Turks and Caicos territories, endangering low-lying islands with enormous storm surges.

  • Why can’t U.S. live with a nuclear-armed N/Korea?

    Why can’t U.S. live with a nuclear-armed N/Korea?

    SIR: What drives a country into possessing weapons of mass destruction that could kill millions of people, and wipe an entire city off the map in one trip? Power, prestige, or protection? How about we go with pride—and the license to bully?

    The U.S. is famous for its enviable status of being the first country to assemble an atomic bomb. Impressively, the U.S. of course, was the first to use it. In its self-appointed role as the world’s police, the United States and its allies feel justified to own a stockpile of nuclear weapons—yet refuse to allow the North Koreans boost what’s left of their already damaged public image by inventing nukes of their own.

    Pakistan, Israel and India (the supposed ‘friends’ of the West) threw caution to the wind and acquired nukes for themselves. Interestingly, they weren’t bullied into getting rid of their nuclear projects. Maybe, because they drink at the same bar with their betters. The North Koreans, are the isolated nerds who are constantly flattered as the world’s most hated nation—with the most sacrilegious government—and a monster ego! Hence, allowing the creepy loners keep their nuke could be terrifyingly dangerous. Much more dangerous now that they’ve procured a ballistic missile that could badly hurt the United States.

    With an imminent regime change, should the U.S. invade North Korea in a bid to forcefully rid them of their nukes and topple the government of Kim Jong Un, it will require a lot more than war threats or heavy sanctions (which they’ve grown quite accustomed to) to get the resilient North Koreans to forfeit what seems to be their only plausible lifeline.

    No one would hurriedly classify North Korea’s leader as a drunken fool who’s merely aiming to attack America just because his ego said so. Kim Jong Un is fully aware that an attack on the United States will be met with destructive consequences. He isn’t suicidal! The North Koreans are unlikely to use their nukes, unless they run out of options if the U.S. carries out their threat of military action. Waging a war, or tempting the North Koreans to strike first, only endangers the lives of U.S. citizens which are bound to be lost in the event of a North Korean attack.

    Why can’t the U.S. learn to live with a nuclear-armed North Korea the same way it has lived with a nuclear-armed Russia, China, India, Pakistan and Israel?

     

    • Nimi Princewill

    princewill.nimi@yahoo.com