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Israeli Orders New Evacuation of Part of Gaza Humanitarian Zone as War’s Toll Passes 39,000 Palestinians

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Israeli Orders New Evacuation of Part of Gaza Humanitarian Zone as War’s Toll Passes 39,000 Palestinians

The Israeli military ordered the evacuation Monday of part of a crowded area in the Gaza Strip it had designated a humanitarian zone, saying it is planning an operation against Hamas militants there.

Thousands of Palestinians, many carrying backpacks and accompanied by children, walked down dusty roads under the scorching sun, navigating dilapidated cars with belongings tied on top. Many Palestinians have been uprooted multiple times in search of safety during Israel’s air and ground campaign.

“We do not know where we are walking,” said Kholoud Al Dadas, as she clutched her children. “This is our seventh or eighth time we have been displaced. While we were sleeping in our homes, they started shooting at us, bombing from everywhere.” Moments later, she collapsed in exhaustion.

The Israeli military said it is planning to begin an operation against Hamas militants who have embedded themselves in the area and used it to launch rockets toward Israel. The area includes the eastern part of the Muwasi humanitarian zone in the southern Gaza Strip.

Earlier this month, Israel estimated at least 1.8 million Palestinians are now in the humanitarian zone it declared, covering about 14 kilometers (8.6 miles) along the Mediterranean. That’s the bulk of Gaza’s 2.3 million population. Much of the area is blanketed with tent camps that lack sanitation and medical facilities and have limited access to aid, U.N. and humanitarian groups say. Families live amid mountains of trash and streams contaminated by sewage.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said the toll from Israel’s nine-month war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip has surpassed 39,000 Palestinians killed and 89,800 wounded. The ministry’s count does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. The war began when assault by Hamas militants on southern Israel on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took about 250 hostages. About 120 hostages have since been released or escaped, but 130 are believed to be dead, according to Israeli officials.

Former Policeman Kills 6 People and Wounds 6 Others at a Care Home in Central Croatia, Officials Say

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Former Policeman Kills 6 People and Wounds 6 Others at a Care Home in Central Croatia, Officials Say

An armed assailant, who is an ex-policeman entered a care home for older people in central Croatia on Monday and opened fire, killing six people and wounding six others, police said.

Croatia’s police chief, Nikola Milina, said five people died immediately, while one more person died in a hospital. The suspect fled the scene, but the police soon caught him in a cafe near the facility in the town of Daruvar, he said.

The victims were five residents of the care home and one employee, Milina said.

Police said they were informed of the attack on Monday morning. The suspect is “under police supervision,” said a statement by the regional police office.

N1 regional television reported that the shooter was born in 1973 and that he was a former policeman who took part in the 1991-95 war in Croatia and a relative of one of the nursing home residents. Media reports said that one of those killed was his mother, who had lived in the care home for the past 10 years.

The attack has left the quiet town stunned and grieving.

The mayor of Daruvar, Damir Lnenicek, told N1 that everyone was shocked.

“What is the cause, the trigger, it is difficult to say. That will be determined by the investigation,” said Lnenicek, adding that the tragedy happened in a private home where about 20 people are housed. He said that it is an excellent home.

Daruvar is a spa town in the municipality of Slavonia, with a population of 8,500.

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic said he was “shocked” by the “savage, unprecedented crime.”

“It is a frightening warning and a last call to all competent institutions to do more for the safety of everyone in society, including even more rigorous control of gun ownership,” he said.

Putin’s Court Jails U.S.-Russian Journalist Convicted in a Rapid, Secret Trial, Records Show

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Putin’s Court Jails U.S.-Russian Journalist Convicted in a Rapid, Secret Trial, Records Show

A court in Russia has convicted Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist for the U.S. government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, of spreading false information about the Russian army and sentenced her to 6½ years in prison after a secret trial, court records and officials said Monday.

The conviction in the city of Kazan came on Friday, the same day that a court in Yekaterinburg, a city in Russia, convicted Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich of espionage and sentenced him to 16 years in prison in a case that the U.S. called politically motivated.

Kurmasheva, a 47-year-old editor for RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir service, was convicted of “spreading false information” about the military, according to the website of the Supreme Court of Tatarstan. Court spokesperson Natalya Loseva confirmed to The Associated Press by phone that Kurmasheva was sentenced to 6½ years in a case classified as secret, with no details available of the nature of the accusations against her.

Asked Monday about the verdict, RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus denounced the trial and conviction of Kurmasheva as “a mockery of justice.”

“The only just outcome is for Alsu to be immediately released from prison by her Russian captors,” he said in a statement.

“It’s beyond time for this American citizen, our dear colleague, to be reunited with her loving family,” Capus said in a statement to the AP.

Kurmasheva, who holds U.S. and Russian citizenship and lives in Prague with her husband and two daughters, was taken into custody in October 2023 and accused of failing to register as a foreign agent while collecting information about Russian military activities.

She was also charged with spreading “false information” about the Russian military, a new offense that was defined extremely and public expression of views not aligning with narratives from the Kremlin line.

The secret trial of Kurmasheva began in June 2023 at Kazan International Airport after she was detained at the airport upon returning from a trip to the United States.

The Associated Press

Homeland Security Secretary Names Independent Panel to Review Trump Assassination Attempt

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Homeland Security Secretary Names Independent Panel to Review Trump Assassination Attempt

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has appointed a bipartisan, independent panel to review the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump that occurred earlier this month, officials announced on Sunday. The panel is tasked with conducting a thorough 45-day independent review of the planning and actions taken by the U.S. Secret Service and state and local authorities before, during, and after the rally, as well as the governing policies and procedures of the U.S. Secret Service.

The Department of Homeland Security stated, “The panel members will have extensive law enforcement and security experience to conduct a 45-day independent review of the planning for and actions taken by the U.S. Secret Service and state and local authorities before, during, and after the rally, and the U.S. Secret Service governing policies and procedures.”

The first individuals named to the panel include former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano; Frances Townsend, former Homeland Security adviser to President George W. Bush; Mark Filip, a former federal judge and deputy attorney general to President George W. Bush; and David Mitchell, former Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security for the state of Delaware.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

The statement added that additional experts might be asked to join the group in the coming days. The panel will have 45 days to review the policies and procedures of the Secret Service before, during, and after the rally on July 13 when a gunman fired at Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

“We formed this bipartisan group to quickly identify improvements the U.S. Secret Service can implement to enhance their work. We must all work together to ensure events like July 13 do not happen again,” members of the independent panel said in a joint statement.

U.S. Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle will oversee the review. “This will be an impartial panel examining what happened and providing recommendations to ensure an incident like it will never happen again,” Cheatle said in a statement. “The Secret Service is continuing to take steps to review and improve upon our procedures to guarantee the safety of those we protect.”

The Associated Press

Nigerian Army Applicant Hacked to Death by Colleagues Over Money

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Nigerian Army Applicant Hacked to Death by Colleagues Over Money

A shocking and gruesome incident has occurred in Zaria, Kaduna State, North of Nigeria where an applicant vying for a spot in the Nigerian Army Depot was allegedly hacked to death by his colleagues over financial disputes. The victim, who hailed from Gombe State, also in the north of the country had reportedly received nearly N1 million from his parents to facilitate his recruitment process.

PUNCH Metro learned on Sunday that the trouble began when the deceased, in a gesture of trust, shared his Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card and password with a friend to withdraw N10,000 for food. However, suspicions quickly arose when the friend, along with others now suspected of involvement in the crime, withdrew a substantial sum of N800,000 from the victim’s account without his knowledge.

The lifeless body of the victim, bearing multiple knife wounds, was discovered on Saturday morning in the PZ area of Sabon-Gari Local Government. The discovery was made by local residents who immediately alerted the authorities. The body was subsequently transported to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria for an autopsy and further investigation.

According to sources, the deceased had confided in his family about the financial demands associated with securing a spot in the Nigerian Army, prompting his parents to raise and send the funds. The revelation of the significant withdrawal led to an altercation, which tragically culminated in the victim’s murder.

The Nigerian Army and police are currently investigating the incident, but no official comments have been made at the time of filing this report. Authorities are focusing on identifying and apprehending all individuals involved in the crime.

In a separate and equally disturbing event, a police inspector and three civilians were confirmed killed by armed men on Sunday morning in Aba, Abia State. The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the attack, noting that the incident took place in the early hours and involved a violent confrontation. The identities of the victims and the motives behind the attack are still under investigation.

These incidents underscore the increasing violence and insecurity facing Nigeria, as authorities continue to grapple with a range of criminal activities across the country.

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Max Air Flight Grounded After Four Tires Burst During Takeoff in Nigeria

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Max Air Flight Grounded After Four Tires Burst During Takeoff in Nigeria

Max Air’s flight NGL1649, carrying 119 passengers and six crew members, was grounded at Yola Airport, north of Nigeria on Sunday evening after all four rear gear tires burst during takeoff. The incident occurred as the Boeing 737, registered as 5N-ADB, was preparing to depart for Abuja, Nigeria.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the event in a statement released to PUNCH Online by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Bimbo Oladeji, at 11:22 pm on Sunday. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers and crew.

“During the takeoff roll, a loud bang was heard, identified as the bursting of the rear gear tires. Initially, two tires burst. While attempting to taxi off the runway, the remaining two tires also burst, rendering the aircraft completely disabled,” Oladeji stated.

NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. has dispatched a go-team to Yola to investigate the incident thoroughly. The team is expected to arrive on Monday morning.

This incident follows a similar event in May 2023 when the NSIB criticized Max Air for overwriting the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) after an incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The airline was accused of feigning ignorance of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s All Operators Letter (NCAA/FSG/AOL/19/03), which mandates the preservation of CVR information.

Max Air is expected to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the tire bursts and implement necessary safety measures.

Credit: punchng.com

Liputa Fashion Week: Designers Gather in Goma, Congo to Promote Peace

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Liputa Fashion Week: Designers Gather in Goma, Congo to Promote Peace

GOMA, DRC — In the eastern Congolese city of Goma, a region long beset by conflict and strife, designers, models, and artists united on Friday for the annual Liputa Fashion Week, held this year with a powerful message of peace.

The latest edition of Liputa Fashion Week featured designers from eight countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, the United States, Uganda, and Ivory Coast. The event aims to highlight and promote the African fashion industry while serving as a beacon of resilience and unity amidst ongoing turmoil.

Fashion for Peace in Eastern Congo

Eastern Congo has been a hotspot of violence, with various armed groups clashing over control of mineral resources, leading to massive displacement and significant human suffering. In this context, Liputa Fashion Week seeks to stand as a symbol of peace and social cohesion. The organizers emphasized that fashion, and more broadly, culture, can be powerful tools in promoting peace.

Pape Songhé Diouf, a designer from Senegal known as Papino Creations, showcased his designs at the event. “I always say, Africa can build itself up. And this can only be done through culture. Here in Goma, you have your culture. We in Senegal have our culture. Rwanda, Burundi—the same thing. If we unite our culture, I think we will have peace everywhere, everywhere in Africa,” he remarked.

A Message to the World

David Gulu, one of the event organizers, highlighted the importance of Liputa Fashion Week in sending a message of hope and resilience. “We are waiting for our message to be heard, listened to by the international community. We are in the city of Goma, we live here, we want positivity to continue to reign in this region. That is why we continue to hold this, to show that despite what we have suffered, we continue to get up and we remain resilient. We want peace to return and we want to develop our local fashion industry. We also want our place in the international fashion world,” he said.

Showcase of Cultural Diversity

Liputa Fashion Week not only highlighted fashion but also celebrated cultural diversity. Designers and artists from across Africa and other continents participated, demonstrating the unifying power of culture. Fiston Nkake of Goma, who attended the show, expressed his satisfaction at seeing young people mobilize for culture despite the security challenges. “We’re not scared. It’s true, the enemy is at the door of the city of Goma. But that doesn’t matter. We have to defend ourselves; we have to take advantage of the time when we have a truce.”

Conflict and Hope

Despite a recent ceasefire, violence in the Congo conflict has intensified in recent months. The region remains unstable, and the recent symbolic truce has not halted new reports of displacement and violence. This has led to questions about the international community’s response and the effectiveness of aid efforts.

As the fashion week ended, it served as a reminder of the resilience of the Congolese people and the unifying power of culture. Liputa Fashion Week continues to shine as a symbol of hope and peace in a region that desperately needs it.

Source: newsghana.com.gh

Ghana to Host ECOWAS Parliament

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Ghana to Host ECOWAS Parliament

The ancient city of Winneba in the Central Region, Ghana is set to host the delocalized meeting of the Joint Committee of Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources, Energy and Mines, and Infrastructure of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The delocalised conference concept, which aims to host regional lawmakers outside traditional capital cities, is aimed at bringing governance closer to the people and creating opportunities.

Scheduled from Monday, July 29 to Saturday, August 3, 2024, the meeting will focus on the theme, “Plastic Waste Management Challenges and Prospects in the Implementation and Community Activities.” This will be Winneba’s third time hosting the meeting, following the 2021 and 2023 editions.

An invitation sent to Members of the ECOWAS Parliament on July 12 in Abuja, Nigeria, outlined the discussions focusing on environmentally sound management of plastic waste in the sub-region.

“The aim of the meeting is to inform Members of Parliament about strategies and mechanisms developed by ECOWAS for the developmentally sound management of plastic waste in the ECOWAS region and enable them to make recommendations to the ECOWAS Commission,” the invitation letter signed by the Acting Secretary General to the ECOWAS Parliament, K. Bertin Some, stated.

ECOWAS hopes this meeting would “improve community legislation to ensure the coordinated implementation of environmental management policies and integrated management plans for chemicals and plastic waste.”

Member of Parliament for Effutu and the host constituency, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said in a statement that the meeting provides an opportunity for the region to showcase the investment potential in the area. Highlighting Effutu as a “burgeoning hub for tourism,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin, who is also the Third Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, stated, “We are excited to unveil several important projects that promise significant returns and contribute to our community’s development.”

Credit: newsghana.com.gh

Ghana Increases Export of Petroleum Products to Neighbouring Countries

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Ghana Increases Export of Petroleum Products to Neighbouring Countries

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) of Ghana has expanded its export agreement to include Senegal and Gambia for the importation of petroleum products from Ghana. This development adds to the existing list of countries—Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo—that import petroleum products from Ghana.

In the year 2023, the volume of petroleum products re-exported and transited to these neighboring countries amounted to 385,154,100 litres.

Delivering his welcome address at the Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GhIPCon), themed “The Petroleum Industry: Building a Future for Growth, Efficiency, and Sustainability,” Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid highlighted the increase in the volume of export as a testament to NPA’s success in curbing illicit fuel activities in the country.

The industry currently registers over 3,000 service providers with high local participation, delivering over four million metric tonnes of petroleum products annually for both Ghana and beyond. This growth has positioned the industry as a key contributor to Ghana’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“We estimate that the sector had a monetary value of over GHC 71 billion, representing about 84% of the country’s 2023 GDP. In the past seven years, the industry returned an average annual value of over GHC 35 billion,” Dr. Abdul-Hamid said.

Given the dynamic nature of the downstream petroleum industry, NPA is committed to using technology and innovation to remain competitive. Dr. Abdul-Hamid emphasized the importance of formulating and implementing innovative policies to ensure industry efficiency and consumer value.

He announced the introduction of a new transparent automatic price adjustment formula, replacing the current one. The new system will reform from an annual regulated price with special thresholds to a bi-weekly and daily regulated price system.

Dr. Abdul-Hamid also mentioned that the authority has declared zero tolerance for petroleum products with high sulfur content. Currently, countries like Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Morocco import fuels with a maximum sulfur content of 50 ppm, aiming for a cleaner and more sustainable environment.

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