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Nigerian Army Applicant Hacked to Death by Colleagues Over Money

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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’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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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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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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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.

Uganda Court of Appeal to Hear 25 Criminal Cases, Murder and Defilement Dominate

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The Uganda Court of Appeal is preparing to hear 25 criminal appeals in a three-day session in Kampala, starting July 22 and concluding on July 24, 2024. The session, presided over by Justices Fredrick Martin Stephen Egonda-Ntende, Cheborion Barishaki, and Dr. Asa Mugenyi, will address a range of criminal cases, with murder and defilement cases dominating the docket.

According to the cause list signed by Deputy Registrar Lillian Bucyana, murder and defilement top the list with six cases each, followed by robbery with four cases, abuse of office with three, and rape with two. The remaining cases include appeals on giving false information, trespass and malicious damage, false pretense, and grievous harm.

Notable appeals include two appellants seeking to overturn life sentences for murder and aggravated robbery. The state is also appealing in two cases: one against an acquittal for abuse of office involving a former Principal Civil Engineer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, and another against a stay of proceedings in a trespass and malicious damage case.

The appeals to be heard were filed between 2014 and 2023. Bucyana noted that while the general policy for cause listing is “first in, first out,” exceptions exist. The Court of Appeal prioritizes appeals from the Anti-Corruption Division, regardless of the appeal’s age, once the lower court record is available.

This session highlights the ongoing challenges in Uganda’s criminal justice system, particularly concerning violent crimes and crimes against children. It also demonstrates the court’s efforts to address a backlog of cases spanning nearly a decade.

As the Court of Appeal prepares to hear these cases, its decisions will likely have significant implications for the appellants and the broader interpretation of criminal law in Uganda. The focus on serious crimes such as murder and defilement underscores the court’s role in addressing critical issues affecting public safety and the protection of vulnerable populations.

The outcome of these appeals may set important precedents and contribute to the development of Uganda’s criminal jurisprudence. Moreover, the court’s handling of cases from various years reflects its commitment to addressing both recent and long-standing legal disputes, ensuring that justice, though sometimes delayed, is not denied.

Chicago Postal Worker Fatally Shot While Delivering Mail, Community Mourns

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Octavia Redmond, a 48-year-old postal worker known as the “mother of the neighborhood,” was fatally shot while delivering mail in Chicago’s South Side on Friday. The incident has shocked the local community and prompted a large-scale investigation.

According to Chicago Police, the shooting occurred around noon on South Harvard Avenue. Witnesses reported hearing up to ten gunshots as an unknown assailant in a white Dodge Durango fired multiple times at Redmond before fleeing down 121st Street.

Authorities are treating the case as a potential targeted attack. Sources familiar with the investigation told Fox 32 that the killer appeared to have trailed Redmond, and she was found with all her possessions intact, suggesting the motive was not robbery.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service Chicago Division is offering a reward of up to $250,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. The suspect’s vehicle was found torched on Saturday, complicating the investigation.

Redmond was remembered fondly by residents on her route. Kim Sanders, who worked in the neighborhood, told ABC7, “I’m still looking for my morning smile or my afternoon smile. Now, I got to adjust to somebody else.” Others described Redmond as always smiling and often giving small gifts to clients on her route.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of postal workers in Chicago. Elise Foster, Branch 11 President of the National Letter Carriers Association, expressed outrage and fear among her members, stating, “We are under attack here in Chicago.”

As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a beloved figure. A flag hung at half-staff outside a South Side union hall in memory of Redmond, whose husband also works as a mail carrier. The tragic event has left many questioning the safety of federal employees and calling for stronger protections for postal workers.

One Dead After Plane Used for Skydiving Crashes in New York

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Officials in New York have launched an investigation Saturday after a person died in a small plane crash in Niagara County.

The single-engine Cessna 208B—a plane used for skydiving—crashed near Lake Road near Youngstown, New York, shortly before 1 p.m., according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The airplane from the Skydive the Falls skydiving center had released all divers and was heading back to land when it crashed, according to a news release from the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday.

The pilot, who was the only person on board, was conducting parachute operations prior to the crash, Tammy L. Jones, a spokesperson for the FAA, told CNN Saturday.

It is unclear how many divers were on board before the crash, Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti said at a news conference Saturday.

A brush fire also reportedly began around the crash site, according to the release. The initial responding crew had to put out “a significant fire at that point,” Filicetti said.

The sheriff called the plane crash “an unfortunate incident” and added that local and federal law enforcement partners are working to determine what led to the crash.

“Well, I think this is like any other emergency-type incident. … You get here, you want to try to preserve life. Unfortunately, in this case, we couldn’t do that,” Filicetti said.

A National Transportation Safety Board investigator is expected to be traveling to the crash site on Saturday, NTSB spokesperson Peter Knudson told CNN.

The investigator will document the airplane wreckage, which will then be moved to a secure facility for further evaluation, Knudson said. The investigation will involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft, and the operating environment.

The pilot’s name was not released pending family notification, according to the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office’s statement.

CNN says it has reached out to the sheriff’s office for comment.

Panama to Begin U.S.-Funded Deportation Flights for Darien Gap Migrants

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Panama’s government plans to initiate deportation flights for migrants who have crossed the treacherous Darien jungle within the next two to three months, according to Roger Mojica, the country’s chief of migration. This development comes as part of a recent agreement between Panama and the United States, with the U.S. set to fund these deportation efforts.

Mojica revealed during a conference call on Friday that preparations are underway to establish the necessary infrastructure for the deportation program. “We are establishing the needs, equipment and requirements that Panama has to face in order to start the program, and we are in conversations with the United States,” he stated.

The initiative aligns with the agenda of Panama’s new president, Jose Raul Mulino, who has pledged to curb unlawful immigration. Mulino’s administration has begun working closely with the U.S. to control passage through the Darien Gap, a dangerous jungle region connecting Central America to Colombia.

The Darien Gap has seen a surge in migrant crossings, with a record half a million people traversing the jungle in 2023. So far in 2024, Panamanian authorities estimate that 213,702 migrants, including many children, have made the perilous journey.

This move comes amid heightened focus on immigration issues in the United States, a primary destination for many of these migrants. The topic has gained particular traction in the lead-up to U.S. elections, with Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump advocating for stronger border controls and mass deportations.

Credit: Reuters

Wildfires in Alberta, British Columbia Prompt Evacuation Orders

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Wildfires raging through the northern part of Canada’s Alberta have forced evacuations of three communities, a provincial body said on Saturday, as the oil-rich province continues to fight five different “wildfires of note” in separate areas.

A wildfire of note is often considered to be of significant threat to public safety, communities, and critical infrastructure.

The evacuation orders have been issued across John D’Or, Fox Lake, and Garden River communities in northern Alberta, covering close to 62,000 hectares and comprising 5,000 inhabitants. No threat to oil sands production was mentioned.

Alberta is in the grip of 158 wildfire events, of which 55 are out of control, which means a fire is expected to continue growing and a perimeter has not yet been established. Not all out-of-control wildfires require evacuation of people.

“Fire activity is expected to remain intense throughout the weekend as the hot and dry weather continues,” said the Alberta government’s wildfire service in a statement.

There are over 200 firefighters and support staff; 10 helicopters and 43 pieces of heavy equipment working on this complex, it said, adding the fire was caused by lightning.

Meanwhile, evacuation orders have been issued in British Columbia, where up to 319 active wildfires are burning. Evacuation orders have been issued on Saturday due to an uncontrolled wildfire blazing between two lakes, BC Wildfire Service said on social media.

The provincial government reported that 11 evacuation orders have been issued in the last 24 hours within three “wildfires of note” in the northern region – the Shetland Creek, Aylwin Creek, and Komakuk fires.

No new evacuation orders have been issued in the southern part of the province, the provincial government said.

Source: Reuters

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