Trade Minister Says Cotton Industry can transform Nigeria’s Rural Economy

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April 8, 2022

The European Union (EU) has expressed determination to partner with Nigeria to tackle maritime threats such as armed robbery at sea, and kidnappings of seafarers in the Gulf of Guinea.

To this effect, the first-ever joint event on strengthening Nigeria and the European Union, EU Cooperation on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea corridor on the West African Coast, was held yesterday, at the Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lagos, with a mandate to improve operational coordination and capacity building exercises.

The visiting European Union countries which included Italy, Spain, Greece and France are also expected to address threats such as illegal fishing, trafficking and transnational crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.

Two ships: Italian Navy Ship, ITN RIZZO and Spanish Navy Ship, ESPS SERVIOLA, who made a port call to the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, as part of the cooperation, are expected to conduct a two-day capacity demonstration and joint training with the Nigerian Navy.

Speaking at the occasion, the Head of the EU delegation and EU Senior Coordinator for the Gulf of Guinea, Nicolas Berlanga, explained that the idea of strengthening cooperation with Nigeria became necessary, in order to ensure coordinated monitoring of the Gulf of Guinea by the EU and its member states.

He said the collaboration would help protect the freedom of investment and improve economic development.

He said: “It is good that we coordinate internally and engage strategically with the Nigerian Navy.

Vandalized Agip Gas Pipeline in Bayelsa Affects Processing Plant

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April 8, 2022

A gas pipeline operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) has been vandalised and set ablaze again, barely one week after it was attacked by vandals, according to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The breach of the pipeline cuts the oil firm’s gas export feed to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas gathering and processing plant.

NAN reported that the vandalised point, within Okaka and Azikoro in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was engulfed in flames on Wednesday.

Idris Musa, the director-General, National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), confirmed the incident to NAN on Thursday.

The spills response agency had on March 30 said that its investigations revealed a rising spate of sabotage-induced oil and gas leaks at oilfields in Bayelsa.

Musa said three sabotage incidents had occurred on oil and gas facilities in Bayelsa within one week.

He advised operators to reinforce surveillance.

Musa said vandals blew up the gas pipeline and it went up in flames shortly after it was fixed a few days ago.

“The Nigerian Agip Oil Company is working actively to depressurise the pipeline in order to affect repairs on it,” he said.

United Nations Suspends Russia From Human Rights Council

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April 8, 2022

The UN General Assembly voted Thursday to suspend Russia from the global organization’s leading human rights body over allegations of horrific rights violations by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, which the United States and Ukraine have characterized as war crimes.

The vote was 93-24 with 58 abstentions, significantly lower than the vote on two resolutions the assembly adopted last month demanding an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, withdrawal of all Russian troops, and protection for civilians. Both of those resolutions were approved by at least 140 nations. Still, the measure received the two-thirds support needed to pass.

Russia is the second country to have its membership rights stripped at the Human Rights Council, which was established in 2006. In 2011, the assembly suspended Libya when upheaval in the North African country brought down longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield launched the campaign to suspend Russia from its seat on the 47-member Human Rights Council in the wake of videos and photos of streets in the town of Bucha strewn with corpses of what appeared to be civilians after Russian soldiers retreated. The deaths have sparked global revulsion and calls for tougher sanctions on Russia, which has vehemently denied its troops were responsible.

Israel has avoided aligning too closely with either side since Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24. It is one of the few countries that maintains relatively warm relations with both Ukraine, a fellow Western democracy, and Russia, which controls the airspace over Syria, in which Israel operates to target Iranian proxies.

But on Thursday it once again joined the bloc of countries that voted against Russia — a stance it has maintained since drawing the Biden administration’s ire for declining to co-sponsor the first UN Security Council resolution against Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February. It has joined the West in condemning Russia in several UN resolutions since.

“Israel today supported a decision by the UN General Assembly to suspend Russia from its membership in the UN Human Rights Council, in the wake of the war in Ukraine, its unjustified invasion of it and the killing of innocent civilians,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the vote.

Top Foreign Diplomats, Envoys Condemn Terror Attack In Tel Aviv

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April 8, 2022

Senior foreign officials and ambassadors to Israel condemned the deadly terror attack in Tel Aviv, Israel on Thursday night.

Two people were killed and numerous others wounded in the shooting attack on Dizengoff Street as it was crowded with Israelis marking the end of the work week at restaurants, bars and cafes. The terrorist, a Palestinian from Jenin in the northern West Bank, was killed Friday morning in a firefight with security forces.

In a statement following the attack, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US “stands resolutely” with Israel “in the face of senseless terrorism and violence.”

“Americans are, once again, grieving with the Israeli people in the wake of another deadly terrorist attack, which took the lives of two innocent victims and wounded many more in Tel Aviv,” Blinken said on Twitter.

“Our hearts go out to the families and other loved ones of those killed, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” he added.

“We are closely following developments and will continue to be in regular contact with our Israeli partners, with whom we stand resolutely in the face of senseless terrorism and violence. May the memories of those who passed be a blessing.”

Ambassador Tom Nides, the US envoy to Israel, also condemned the attack.

“Horrified to see another cowardly terror attack on innocent civilians, this time in Tel Aviv. Praying for peace, and sending condolences to the victims and their families. This has to stop,” he tweeted.

Echoing Blinken, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the UK stood with Israel “against this abhorrent violence.”

“Appalled by the latest reports from Tel Aviv, where innocent people enjoying a Thursday night with friends and family were targeted by gunfire,” she remarked.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock labeled the perpetrator a “coward.”

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said he was “deeply shocked by the reports of another heinous terror attack.”

He added: “In these dark hours we stand by the people of Israel.”

“My solidarity is with the people of Israel, who have every right to live their lives free from terror and fear,” tweeted German Ambassador to Israel Susanne Wasum-Rainer. “We stand by your side.”

Tor Wennesland, the UN envoy for Middle East peace, said he was appalled by the attack and condemned the Gaza-ruling Hamas terror group for celebrating it.

“There is no glory in terror. These acts must stop now & be condemned by all,” he tweeted.

Once upon a time – April 8 – 1913 – Opening Of China’s 1st Parliament Takes Place In Peking (Now Beijing)

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Angel Gimalo

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April 8, 2022

1767 Ayutthaya kingdom falls to Burmese invaders

1807 Thomas Campbell sails from Ireland for Philadelphia. In America, he will become a leader in a movement back to Bible essentials.

1886 William Ewart Gladstone introduces the first Irish Home Rule Bill into the British House of Commons.

1898 Battle of Atbara River, Anglo-Egyptian forces crush 6,000 Sudanese

1913 Opening of China’s 1st parliament takes place in Peking (now Beijing)

2004 Darfur conflict: The Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement is signed by the Sudanese government and two rebel groups

Today In Film & TV

1990 “Twin Peaks” created by David Lynch and starring Kyle MacLachlan premieres on ABC-TV

Today In Music

1876 Amiliare Ponchielli’s opera “La Gioconda” premieres in Milan

Today In Sport

1974 Hammerin’ Hank Aaron hits 715th HR, off of L.A. Dodger Al Downing, breaking Babe Ruth’s record in Atlanta

Do You Know This Fact About Today?

2021 Egyptian archaeologists announce their most important find since Tutankhamun’s tomb – discovery of a lost ‘golden city’ the 3,000-years-old ancient city of Aten near Luxor

Would You Believe This Fact About Today?

1766 1st fire escape patented, wicker basket on a pulley & chain

Rising Rivers Force More Sydney Flood Evacuations

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April 8, 2022

Hundreds more Sydney residents have been ordered to leave their homes on Friday, some for the second time in a month, as rivers burst their banks even as an intense weather system that dumped more than a month’s rainfall over a few hours began to ease.

A man was found dead after his car was swept away by floodwaters in the city’s southwest, police said, while television footage showed submerged roads and inundated homes and businesses.

Australia’s east coast has been hammered by three separate wild weather patterns in the past six weeks with several regions still battling to clear tonnes of debris after devastating floods submerged entire towns.

Addressing a Media briefing, New South Wales emergency services Acting Commissioner Daniel Austin said, “Whilst the rainfall has started to ease in most places, we do expect to see those river levels continue to rise for some time before they start to ease back over the next 12 to 24 hours.”

The torrential rain has raised the risks of flash flooding and landslips, with Sydney having already received more than its average annual rainfall.

Many residents in the city’s western suburbs, who were asked to evacuate in early March, were ordered to move out again this week. More than 4,000 residents are facing flood evacuations.

Sydney, which recorded its wettest March on record, received around 170 mm (6.7 inches) of rain on Thursday, official data showed.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecast rainfall of up to 50 mm (2 inches) on Friday and warned major rivers in the western suburbs should surpass their peak levels later in the day. Warragamba Dam, Sydney’s major water supply, began to overflow on Friday.

The La Nina weather phenomenon, typically associated with increased rainfall, has dominated Australia’s east coast summer.

Pakistan’s Khan Vows To Fight On After Court Rules Against Him

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April 8, 2022

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan vows to fight on after the Supreme Court ruled he acted unconstitutionally in blocking an attempt to oust him – a decision that could end his premiership in days.

Last Sunday, political allies of the former cricket star dissolved parliament to thwart an opposition no-confidence vote Khan had been expected to lose after coalition partners deserted him to rob him of a majority.

The Supreme Court ruled late on Thursday that Khan’s manoeuvre was unconstitutional, ordering that parliament be reconvened by Saturday and for the no-confidence motion to go ahead as planned.

The court ruling is the latest twist in a crisis that has threatened political and economic stability in the nuclear-armed country of 220 million people, with the rupee currency hitting all-time lows on Thursday and foreign exchange reserves tumbling.

Political chaos would worry the powerful military, which has stepped in to remove civilian governments and rule on three occasions, citing the need to end political uncertainty.

Khan said on Twitter late on Thursday he had called a cabinet meeting for Friday, after which he would address the nation.

He signalled his defiance with a cricketing term: “My message to our nation is I have always and will continue to fight for (Pakistan) till the last ball,” he said.

Khan, who opposed the U.S.-led intervention in Afghanistan and has developed relations with Russia since he became prime minister in 2018, has accused the United States of supporting a plot to oust him. Washington dismissed the accusation.

Australia’s Government Prepares To Call Election

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April 8, 2022

Australia is expected to trigger a national election in the coming days, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison seeking to clear thorny political issues as his three-year term nears its end.

On Thursday, Morrison’s conservative government changed position and agreed to spend hundreds of millions of dollars more on aid for flood victims in Queensland state, where the centre-left Labor Party must gain seats to win a general election.

The latest polls show Morrison’s Liberal Party lagging behind Labor.

Refugees detained for two years in a hotel in Melbourne under Australia’s tough border policies were also suddenly released into the community on Thursday.

The Park Hotel shot to international prominence when tennis star Novak Djokovic was detained there briefly in January.

It was used to detain refugees medically transferred from Australia’s offshore processing centres for asylum seekers who attempt to reach Australia by boat.

A lawyer for the refugees, some held in immigration detention for nine years, said their release into the community on temporary visas was “a last minute political fix on an election eve”.

But the Liberal Party is under new pressure from independent candidates who are critical of the treatment of asylum seekers, including in two seats in the biggest city, Sydney, previously held by Liberal prime ministers.

Independent lawmakers in seats previously held by the Liberals have said the Djokovic detention saga had caused a flood of letters from voters concerned over the detention of refugees.

Jamal Khashoggi’s Fiancee Vows To Seek Justice

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April 8, 2022