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 Ukraine says Mali's decision to cut ties over attack was hasty, short-sighted Ukraine on Monday condemned Mali's decision to cut diplomatic ties as short-sighted and hasty, saying that no evidence had been provided to show Kyiv had played any role in fighting that killed Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries last month, Reuters reported. The West African country announced on Sunday it was immediately severing relations with Kyiv following remarks by Ukraine's military spy agency about the fighting in northern Mali in late July. During the clashes, Tuareg rebels said they killed at least 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers. The incident appeared to be Wagner's heaviest defeat since it stepped in two years ago to help Mali's military authorities fight insurgent groups. "It is regrettable that ... Mali decided to sever ... relations ... without conducting a thorough study of the facts and circumstances of the incident ... and without providing ...

Several U.S. personnel were injured in an attack against a military base in Iraq on Monday, three U.S. officials told Reuters, as concerns in the region mounted following last week's killing of senior members of militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the suspected rocket attack took place at Al Asad airbase in Iraq. They said they were citing initial information which could change. "Base personnel are conducting a post-attack damage assessment," one of the officials added. Two Katyusha rockets on Monday were fired at the base in western Iraq, security sources said. One security source said the rockets fell inside the base. Last week the U.S. carried out a strike in Iraq against individuals U.S. officials said were militants getting ready to launch drones and posed a threat to U.S. and coalition forces. The U.S. is bracing for Iran to make good on its vow to respond to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh two ...

 BRITISH ARMY CORPORAL resigns due to abuse.   Kerry-Ann Knight received an apology from the Ministry of Defence, as well as a substantial payout after enduring years of “racist and sexist abuse” whilst serving as a corporal Kerry-Ann Knight, 33, took her case to an employment tribunal Kerry-Ann Knight, 33, was forced to resign after facing years of racist and sexist abuse A black soldier who was the face of British Army recruitment campaigns was subjected to years of “racist and sexist abuse” while serving as a corporal, a tribunal has heard. Kerry-Ann Knight has since received an apology from the Ministry of Defence, as well as a substantial payout after she was left feeling that the army was “institutionally racist”. The former corporal, who featured on posters for a £1.5 million military recruitment campaign, told an employment tribunal that colleagues directed slurs about slavery towards her, including references to “lynching” or “tarring and feathering” her. Ms Knig...

 Kim Jong-un attends ceremony to unveil ballistic missile system  The DPRK has showcased a new missile launching system, in a ceremony attended by leader Kim Jong-un. According to the state run Korean Central News Agency, the ceremony unveiled ‘a new-type tactical ballistic missile launcher to be commissioned as a new pivotal attack weapon of the DPRK armed forces.’ The report was accompanied by stills of Kim addressing crowds at the event, held at night in an unidentified location. The missile launchers are shown behind the crowd, with KCNA reporting that 250 have been produced. Additional video footage shows Kim greeting the military, and the crowd applauding as missile launchers drive past. ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE: NORTH KOREA : North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is pictured at the congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang.   BEIJING (Kyodo) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Pyongyang remains resolute for a showdown with the United States regardless of the out...

 French prosecutors have opened an investigation into death threats made against the organisers of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. On Saturday artistic director Thomas Jolly, ceremonies director Thierry Reboul and Alexandre Billard of events agency Ubi Bene, filed a complaint for death threats. Last month, French DJ Barbara Butch, who performed in the opening ceremony's drag queen sequence, lodged a complaint after receiving abuse online. That sequence sparked controversy as some religious officials and conservative politicians in France and abroad saw an offensive reference to The Last Supper. Mr Jolly has said that he was not inspired by the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting showing Jesus Christ and his apostles. Instead, he said the sequence, titled Festivity, was inspired by Greek mythology and intended to be a celebration of diversity, adding his intention was not to "be subversive, nor to mock or to shock". French prosecutors opened the investigation after Mr J...

 TikTok  agreed to permanently remove a feature in a spinoff app in France and Spain that rewards users for watching and liking videos, bowing to pressure from European regulators and strict digital laws within the bloc, the EU and the Chinese-owned company said Monday. TikTok Lite arrived in France and Spain – the only EU countries where it is available – in April this year. Users aged 18 and over can earn points to exchange for goods like vouchers or gift cards through the app's rewards program. "We have obtained the permanent withdrawal of TikTok Lite Rewards program, which could have had very addictive consequences," the EU's internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton, said. TikTok Lite is a smaller version of the popular TikTok app, taking up less memory in a smartphone and is made to perform over slower internet connections. TikTok made commitments to remove the program from the 27-country bloc and not to launch "any other program which would circumvent t...

 NAF, NCCSALW UNITE AGAINST SMALL ARMS PROLIFERATION In a move towards enhancing national security, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar and the National Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Johnson Kokumo (Rtd), have reiterated their commitment towards curbing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country. This much formed a major part of their discussion when DIG Kokumo recently paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Headquarters, Abuja. During the visit, DIG Kokumo expressed his gratitude to the CAS for the ongoing support and for obliging the Centre the use of NAF facilities to store recovered arms and light weapons. While highlighting some of the achievements of the Centre, the National Coordinator revealed that they have arrested some imposters parading themselves as overseeing the proliferation of small arms and light wea...

  Wonder if this ruling will immediately stop Google from gaming election-related search results. FTA: Google acted illegally to maintain a monopoly in online search, a federal judge ruled on Monday, a landmark decision that strikes at the power of tech giants in the modern internet era and that may fundamentally alter the way they do business. Judge Amit P. Mehta of U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said in a 277-page ruling that Google had abused a monopoly over the search business. The Justice Department and states had sued Google, accusing it of illegally cementing its dominance, in part, by paying other companies, like Apple and Samsung, billions of dollars a year to have Google automatically handle search queries on their smartphones and web browsers. “Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly,” Judge Mehta said in his ruling. The ruling is a verdict on the rise of giant technology companies that have used their roots in the inter...

 EndBadGovernance Protest: Abiodun Calls for Understanding, Lauds Ogun Youths for Being Law-Abiding ...inaugurates Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology Governing Council The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has called for the patience and understanding of Nigerians, saying that what the present administration needs is time and support for the impact of the current economic policies to be felt by all and sundry. Prince Abiodun also lauded students and youths in the state for being law-abiding and for taking the path of constructive engagement to voice their discontent during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests. The Governor spoke on Monday during the inauguration of the Governing Council of the Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology, Ijebu-Ode, which took place at the Exco Chamber, Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Prince Abiodun noted that although the current economic reality is not peculiar to Nigeria, governments a...

 Protests: Tinubu postpones FEC Meeting, Summons Service Chiefs The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting earlier scheduled for Monday afternoon has been rescheduled. Ministers who had arrived for the meeting were seen departing the Council Chambers Presidential Villa venue at about noon. However, only few ministers actually arrived for the meeting as at the time it was rescheduled. Daily Trust gathered that the rescheduling of the meeting might not be unconnected with a security meeting that is currently ongoing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting is being chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

 "Ignore this pix. This was photoshopped. This is not our dress code. Handiwork of mischief makers.  Thanks."

 Protest: Tinubu called for revolution against Jonathan, he shouldn't blame others now that he's facing same thing– Afenifere Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has warned President Bola Tinubu to stop directing blames away from himself following the #Endhungerprotest against his administration. Afenifere reminded Tinubu that he called for a revolution against former President Goodluck Jonathan, hence should not apportion blame now. Prince Justice Fakiyesi, National Publicity Secretary of the Afenifere faction loyal to the Acting Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said the president’s speech did not address the real issues of the nationwide hunger. Read the statement below… “It is the same thing that happened under former President Goodluck Jonathan and he (Tinubu) called for a revolution or protest and when he is facing the same thing and even worse, he is blaming other people. “We never believed that just calling for dialogue would change anything. He has never changed. “I...

 Fubara Signs Executive Order To Establish Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday signed Executive Order Number 2, 2024, to establish the Rivers State Investment Promotion Council. The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogi Iboroma, presented the draft order to Governor Fubara for his assent at the executive council chamber in Government House, Port Harcourt. In his remarks, Governor Fubara said that this action aligns with the recommendations of the committee that organized the State Economic and Investment Summit in May. He emphasised the importance of having a one-stop shop for investors to make inquiries and receive advice on investments. Governor Fubara said the initiative demonstrates his administration’s commitment to enhancing the state’s economic landscape. He announced that the agency’s board will be formed in the coming days and expressed optimism about attracting robust investments in agriculture...

 Russia Breaks Silence On Use Of Its Flag By Protesters In Nigeria The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has denied any involvement with the use of its flag by a group of protesters in northern Nigeria. Protesters were seen marching on the streets, carrying Russian flag and chanting slogans, while others held placards with various messages. Russia, a global power with significant geopolitical influence, has been accused of involvement in recent political upheavals in several West African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This has sparked concerns about external interference in regional affairs. But in a statement on Monday, the embassy emphasised that Russia does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, including Nigeria, and that the protesters’ actions do not reflect any official Russian government policy or position. The statement said, “The Embassy has noted the reports in Nigerian media and the circulation of videos and images in digital media depic...

 NORMALCY RETURNS TO LAGOS AFTER FOUR DAYS HUNGER PROTEST   Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu chaired the Executive Council Meeting on Monday as full government activities resumed following a four-day hunger protest across Nigeria.   President Bola Tinubu had urged protesters to cease demonstrations and engage in dialogue in a broadcast on Sunday. In response, Governor Sanwo-Olu praised the Lagos protesters for ending their actions in line with the President's appeal.   Speaking to journalists at the Lagos House in Ikeja, Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso confirmed that Lagos is currently peaceful and that government operations have fully resumed.   "Lagos is peaceful, and that is what Lagosians want," Omotoso said. "The Governor has resumed the business of the state, and government workers are back at their desks. Members of the public are returning to engage with government services", he said   Omotoso emphasized Lagos's role ...

 PRESS RELEASE  5th August, 2024 The editors, Nationwide protests: Declaration of 24-hours curfew in Katagum to prevent escalation. The recent nationwide protests have unfortunately led to incidents of vandalism, destruction of public property, and looting. It has been observed that some restive youths in Azare town, Katagum LGA, took advantage of the situation to vandalize a Government’s lodge facility and loot public properties.  Additionally, in Bauchi metropolitan area, security forces have successfully dispersed individuals causing disturbances in Gombe Gate and Abujan Kwata. So far, three (3) suspects have been arrested and a flag (suspected to be Russian Flag). These recent events indicate that certain elements are attempting to disrupt public order in the state. To address the security challenges in Azare and its environs, the Bauchi State Government has decided to impose a 24-hour curfew in the affected areas, effective from Monday, 5th August, 2024. The Commissi...

 Withdrawal of US Forces, Assets from Niger Complete, Statement Says The United States has completed the full withdrawal of military forces and assets from its last base in Niger, according to a joint statement published by the US Africa Command on Monday, Sputnik reported. “The US Department of Defense and the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Niger announce that the withdrawal of U.S. forces and assets from Air Base 201 in Agadez is complete,” the statement said. The statement added that the US and Nigerien militaries will continue coordinating over the coming weeks to ensure the full withdrawal is complete. The airbase, which is located in Central Niger, was used by the US military to maintain a joint defense posture against the Islamic State and al-Qaeda (both terrorist groups banned in Russia) in the region, the statement said. In early July, the United States completed withdrawal from Air Base 101 near Niamey, while most US troops in the country, or about 500 so...

 Egypt President Sisi welcomes Foreign Minister of Türkiye amid normalization of relations Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al Sisi met with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration Badr Abdel Atty and the Turkish Ambassador in Cairo. Fidan’s visit aims to strengthen diplomatic ties between Turkey and Egypt, which have seen significant improvement in recent years, in addition to discussing the preparation for an upcoming visit by el-Sisi to Ankara. The meeting focused also on the latest regional developments and warnings of the dangerous escalation in the region.

 UK PM Starmer to hold emergency meeting as riots intensify British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will hold an emergency meeting with police chiefs today after days of violent anti-immigration protests intensified, with buildings and vehicles torched and hotels holding asylum seekers targeted. Riots have erupted across towns and cities in the last week after three girls were killed in a knife attack in Southport in northwest England, with 420 people arrested so far. The murders were seized on by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim groups as misinformation spread online that the suspected attacker was a radical Islamist who had just arrived in Britain. Police have said the suspect was born in Britain and are not treating it as a terrorist incident. Interior minister Yvette Cooper said rioters had felt “emboldened by this moment to stir up racial hatred”, with bricks thrown at police officers, shops looted and mosques and Asian-owned businesses attacked. Over the weekend riots broke out in ...

 897 migrants intercepted off Libyan coast: IOM The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday that 897 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya during the week that ended on Saturday. The humanitarian agency reported that among those intercepted were 54 women and 29 children. It also said five bodies were recovered off the Libyan coast, Xinhua reported. Since the start of the year, a total of 12,584 migrants have been intercepted, while 411 have died and 512 are missing at sea, according to IOM data. The Libyan coast has been a major departure point for migrants seeking to reach Europe, with thousands making the perilous journey each year. Libya has faced instability since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, creating a vacuum exploited by human traffickers.