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Foreign

Iran says efforts continue to revive nuclear negotiations

 

Negotiations

Tehran, Nov. 14, 2022 (Xinhua/NAN) The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday stressed that efforts were still underway to continue the talks on the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal, according to the official news agency IRNA.

Making the remarks in an address to reporters at a weekly news conference in Tehran, Nasser Kanaani added the channels for exchanging messages between Iran and the other sides were still active.

He noted that Iran had submitted constructive initiatives to the other sides to help proceed with and conclude the process of reaching an agreement on the nuclear deal’s revival.

Commenting on the recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron about the reduced likelihood of the nuclear deal’s revival.

Kanaani said that Iran maintained that there was no relationship between the negotiations and any other development.

Macron on Monday said he did not believe any new proposals could help revive a nuclear deal.

This is formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with Iran in the near future.

He added the current political situation in Iran had fragilised the likelihood of reaching a deal.

Also on Monday, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said there was no link between the EU’s recent anti-Iran sanctions and the JCPOA’s issue.

He added that  work on achieving an agreement with Iran on the deal’s revival continued.

Making the remarks before a meeting of the EU foreign ministers, Borrell said the process of reviving the JCPOA was not on the right course and has reached an impasse, but work continued on it.

The talks on the JCPOA’s revival began in April 2021 in Vienna.

No breakthrough was achieved after the latest round of talks in early August. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Chioma Ugboma

 

Foreign

German upper house blocks replacing jobless benefit with basic income

 

Benefit

Berlin, Nov. 14, 2022 (dpa/NAN) The upper house of the German parliament has blocked a government bill aimed at providing a basic income to certain categories of people currently drawing unemployment benefits.

The Bundesrat, the members of which were drawn from the 16 states, on Monday,  rejected the measure, dubbed Bürgergeld at  a special session in Berlin.

It prevented it from taking effect from the start of 2023 as planned by the centre-left coalition government.

The opposition conservative parties opposed the measure, which would replace unemployment benefits paid out to the long-term jobless, known in Germany as Hartz IV.

Employment Minister Hubertus Heil, is a member of the Social Democrats (SPD), the largest party in the three-way coalition.

It had announced before the Bundesrat vote that the government would call on the committee that mediated between the two houses of parliament, with a view to finding a compromise.

The measure has to be approved by the end of November if it would  go into force at the start of 2023.

While accepting a rise in the basic long-term jobless benefit, opposition parties were blocking moves to ease pressures on the jobless to find work during the first six months of unemployment.

They also objected to the levels of assets and size of homes to be permitted for recipients. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Chioma Ugboma

 

Foreign

Turkish police publish new details of attack in Istanbul

 

Attack

Istanbul, Nov. 14, 2022 (dpa/NAN) Turkish police have published further details after an attack that left six people dead in Istanbul and announced the arrest of a suspect.

The police had announced on Monday that the suspected attacker was Syrian and had admitted to having linked to the Syrian Kurdish militia,  the People’s Defence Units (YPG).

Turkey equated the YPG with the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The PKK is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the EU and the U.S.

The Kurdish militia YPG, on the other hand, was not considered to be a terrorist organisation by the U.S. but was a partner in the Syrian civil war in the fight against the terrorist militia Islamic State.

Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu rejected Washington’s words of condolence following the attack.

Soylu repeated his accusation that Washington supported terrorist organisations in northern Syria and stated on Monday.

“We do not accept the condolences of the U.S. ambassador, we reject them.’’

The U.S. consulate and embassy, like other foreign embassies, had strongly condemned the attack and offered condolences to the victims.

Turkey often targeted alleged PKK posts in Iraq and Syria’s north and had been maintaining military posts in northern Iraq since 2016.

The conflict had cost tens of thousands of lives since it began in 1985.

According to the police, the assassin also confessed to haven  entered Turkey illegally via Syria.

There were 46 arrests in connection with Sunday’s attack.

Earlier, Soylu had spoken of 22 arrests together with the main suspect.

A bomb was planted on Istanbul’s popular Istiklal Avenue, a pedestrian street that is one of the most famous in the city.

At least six people were killed and 81 injured on Sunday in what Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan denounced as a vile attack.

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay later said he assumed it was a terrorist attack.

The Turkish government had previously said it suspected a woman had taken part in the attack, which occurred at around 4:20 pm (1320 GMT).

Istiklal Avenue was the target of a terrorist attack in 2016 when a suicide bombing killed four people and injured 39 others.

According to the Turkish government, the bomber had links to the Islamic State but the terrorist group didn’t claim responsibility for the attack. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Chioma Ugboma

 

 

 

Foreign

G20 summit will be tough ride, says German Chancellor

G20 summit will be tough ride, says  German Chancellor

Summit

Singapore, Nov. 14, 2022 (dpa/NAN) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expected some very difficult negotiations at the upcoming G20 summit on the Indonesian island of Bali.

Scholz said in Singapore on Monday that he and other world leaders would work very hard to achieve results on climate change, health, hunger crises and the economic situation.

But the consequences of Russia’s war on Ukraine were also on the agenda.

“This is going to be a tough ride, adding that it is difficult to foresee what the final outcome will be,’’ he stressed.

Scholz was still planning to fly from Singapore to Bali late on Monday to attend the summit of leading economic powers in Nusa Dua.

He made his comments at a news conference with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, whose country is also attending the summit as a guest.

The head of government of the South-East Asian city-state does not expect a breakthrough on any of the difficult summit issues.

“We are in danger. On climate, we are heading in the wrong direction.

“On geostrategic issues, the problems are worsening rather than improving.

“We need to make progress,’’ he said.

Earlier, Scholz said at a business meeting focusing on reducing Germany’s economic dependence on China that Asian and Pacific countries should intensify economic cooperation,

“The Asia-Pacific region is much more than China,’’ Scholz told the conference of German business interests in the region.

It was the second day of an Asia trip by Scholz that will culminate in the G20 summit in Bali.

“My message is: Germany would like to strengthen economic ties with your region,’’ the German leader told participants.

He attended together with German Economy Minister Robert Habeck.

Scholz stressed that, while he was not striving for an uncoupling from China, the recent Communist Party’s Congress in Beijing had shown how much the country had changed during the past five to 10 years.

“Our political and economic approach must take this into account,’’ Scholz said.

China would naturally remain an important economic and trade partner for Germany, the chancellor said.

“But it always takes two to tango.’’

Scholz announced that reducing unilateral dependencies on certain raw materials and important technologies would play a special role in Germany’s national security strategy, which is currently being developed.

He said in order to ensure secure supply chains, trade relations would have to be broadened.

In his speech, Scholz also referred to the global impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Strengthening our cooperation is crucial because we all feel the geopolitical ground shifting beneath our feet,’’ he said.

He added that the war threatened the global peace order.

“That is why it is so important that we do not let Russian President Vladimir Putin get away with his imperialist aims.’’

Scholz arrived in Singapore on the heels of talks with the government in Vietnam.

This is Scholz’s third trip to Asia in 11 months, following two brief visits to Japan and China.

Unlike his predecessors, Scholz deliberately did not pick China for his first Asian visit, but rather democratic G7 partner Japan. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Sadiya Hamza

Foreign

Don’t ‘make mistake’ of underestimating Russia – NATO chief

Warning

The Hague, Nov. 14, 2022 (dpa/NAN) NATO should not make the mistake of underestimating Russia in spite of recent retreats in Ukraine and the withdrawal from Kherson, alliance Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, warns.

“The Russian armed forces retain significant capabilities as well as a large number of troops,’’ Stoltenberg said during a visit to the Netherlands.

“Russia has demonstrated their willingness to bear significant losses and they have also shown extreme brutality,’’ the alliance chief said, referencing horrific scenes in Ukraine’s liberated eastern regions.

The top NATO official was speaking after a meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister, Wopke Hoekstra and Dutch Defence Minister, Kajsa Ollongren, to discuss the alliance’s ongoing support to Ukraine.

Stoltenberg welcomed a 120-million euros ($120 million) contribution from the Netherlands to support Ukraine.

Hoestrka also announced 20 million euros in funding for NATO’s assistance fund for Ukraine.

Another 25 million euros is to go towards combat food rations, first aid, ambulances, fuel trucks and drone jammers for Ukraine, Ollongren added. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Abdulfatah Babatunde

Foreign

Family of jailed Egyptian dissident hunger striker says he is alive

Family of jailed Egyptian dissident hunger striker says he is alive

Hunger

Cairo, Nov. 14, 2022 (dpa/NAN) Family members of a prominent jailed Egyptian pro-democracy campaigner said they received a letter on Monday from him proving he was alive and drinking water again after going on a total hunger strike this month.

Alaa Abdel-Fattah, a key figure in Egypt’s 2011 anti-government uprising, began a partial hunger strike in April.

According to his family, he stopped drinking water to coincide with the start of a global climate conference in Egypt.

But Egyptian authorities said the 40-year-old activist, who was also a British citizen, was in good health and cast doubts about his protest.

Abdel-Fattah’s sister, Sanaa, tweeted on Monday that they had gotten a note from prison proving he is alive.

He said he’s drinking water again as of Nov. 12, Sanaa said.

He said he would say more as soon as he could.

“It’s definitely his handwriting. Proof of life, at last.”

Abdel-Fattah’s aunt, Ahdaf Soueif, said that in his short letter, he said he is getting medical attention.

Started on Saturday, “ I started drinking water. Vital signs today are good,” Soueif quoted Abdel-Fattah in the letter.

Abdel-Fattah was sentenced in December to five years in prison on charges of spreading fake news, an accusation his family dismisses as politically motivated.

Western leaders have called on Egypt to release him.

Egypt’s rights record under incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi has drawn international criticism amid a crackdown on dissidents.

Al-Sissi took over in 2014 a year after the army, then led by him, deposed Islamist president Mohammed Morsi following mass protests against Morsi’s divisive rule. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Sadiya Hamza

 

Foreign

Balance of power in next U.S. Congress still undecided

 

Power

Washington, Nov. 11, 2022 (Xinhua/NAN) The balance of power in the next U.S. Congress is still undecided as of late Thursday night, two days after the 2022 midterm elections.

Senate races in the states of Arizona and Nevada has yet to be called while Georgia’s contest was heading to a runoff next month.

With the three races still undetermined, CNN had projected Republicans to have at least 49 seats in the 100-member Senate in the next two years while Democrats would control at least 48 others.

Meanwhile, in the 435-seat House races, Republicans were projected to have won 211 versus 197 for Democrats, with more than two dozen races still too early to call, CNN projected.

In the 435 House races, Republicans were projected to have won 211 versus 197 for Democrats with more than two dozen races still too early to call.

The new congress would convene for the first time on Jan. 3, 2023.

In the  2022 midterms, 36 out of 50 states and three U.S. territories elected governors. Numerous other state and local elections were also contested. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Chioma Ugboma

 

 

Foreign

S/Korean govt. warns of economic slump for 6th month

S/Korean govt. warns of economic slump for 6th month

Economy

Seoul, Nov. 11, 2022 (Xinhua/NAN) A monthly economic report of South Korea has warned of an economic slump for the sixth consecutive month with high inflation and sluggish export.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance said this in a report on Friday.

The report by the ministry, called Green Book, showed concerns continued over the economic slowdown due to faltering export and high inflation caused by external factors which had also affected economic sentiment.

The ministry noted that volatility in the global financial market and downside risks of the global economy continued on the back of geopolitical risks in Europe.

It noted that interest rate hikes in major economies countered inflation.

However, it added that modest improvements had lasted in employment and the face-to-face service industry.

The country’s consumer prices soared by 5.7 per cent in October from a year earlier, after rising by 5.6 per cent in the previous month.

Export declined by 5.7 per cent over the year to 52.48 billion dollars in October, marking the first slide in 24 months.

Sentiment among consumers over economic situations slipped 2.6 points from a month earlier to 88.8 in October.

The number of those employed totalled 28,418,000 in October, up 677,000 from a year earlier.

The employment rate for those aged 15 or higher rose 1.3 per cent to 62.7 per cent last month.

The report noted that credit card spending increased 10.1 per cent in October compared to the same month of last year after expanding 18.4 per cent in August and 12.0 per cent in September, respectively.

Revenue among department stores gained 7.0 per cent last month, but revenue for discount outlets sank 0.5 per cent. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Salif Atojoko

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Foreign

China marginally reduces coronavirus quarantine guidelines

 

Coronavirus

Beijing, Nov. 11, 2022 (dpa/NAN) Coronavirus quarantine restrictions for people arriving in China and for those who had been in close contact with someone infected were to be eased slightly,  the country’s Health Commission announced on Friday.

The new rules meant that people who travelled to China were now only required to be isolated in special quarantine hotels for five days, as opposed to the previous seven.

A requirement to follow that up with a three-day quarantine in one’s own home remained, though there were exceptions if one had no access to a private dwelling.

In those cases, the hotel quarantine would stretch to eight days.

A further relaxation meant that people departing China now only needed to present one test showing a negative coronavirus result,  48 hours before departure. Previously, two were required.

Additionally, people who had been in close contact with someone who had tested positive for the virus now only needed to isolate for eight days, instead of 10.

Whereas most of the rest of the world had switched policies in the last year or so, in an attempt to restore normalcy and live with the virus.

China continued to pursue a strict zero-COVID policy, which meant widespread lockdowns, mass testing, contact tracing and mandatory quarantines when cases flared up.

In spite of those policies, case counts had been on the rise in recent weeks, partially due to the fact that the dominant Omicron variant remained so contagious.

The Health Commission noted 10,500 new cases on Friday, an unusually high count.

According to estimates from groups outside China, about four million people – responsible for about 10 per cent of the country’s economic output are currently affected by movement restrictions.

Many other rules applied. People were  required to display the results of a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on their smartphones if they wished to move about outside their home to shop for example.

It must not be older than 48 to 72 hours.

Those results were regularly controlled at checkpoints. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Chioma Ugboma

 

Foreign

Pilot complacency partly to blame for 2021 Indonesia jet crash – Report

Pilot complacency partly to blame for 2021 Indonesia jet crash – Report

Crash

Jakarta, Nov. 10, 2022 (dpa/NAN) The captain’s reliance on the autopilot system may have contributed to a passenger plane crash that killed all 62 people on board in January 2021, Indonesia’s transportation safety body said on Thursday in its final report on the accident.

The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) reported that the Sriwijaya Air pilot may have failed to take corrective action when the plane’s throttle system malfunctioned because he was complacent about the aircraft’s automatic system.

“Complacency about the automation system and confirmation bias may have led to reduced monitoring of instruments and other circumstances,’’ KNKT said in the report.

The Boeing 737-500 plummeted into the Java Sea minutes after take-off from Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Jan. 9, last year.

Investigators said the aircraft had problems with its automatic throttle system.

Its left-engine throttle lever moved backward, causing the engine to have less power and the plane to roll onto its side before it crashed, the investigation report said.

Sriwijaya Air flight 182 was en route from Jakarta to Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan province on Borneo Island when it crashed.

Pilots on earlier flights had reported that the throttle system of the aircraft had malfunctioned, but those problems had been reported as successfully fixed, the report said.

The accident was the fourth major air crash in Indonesia in six years.

In October 2018, a Boeing 737 MAX belonging to Indonesia’s largest budget carrier, Lion Air, crashed into the Java Sea, killing all 189 people on board.

The aircraft’s faulty new anti-stall system was blamed for the crash, as well as that of another 737 Max in Ethiopia that killed 157 people in March 2019. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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(Edited by Cecilia Odey/Emmanuel Yashim)