Category News

Tinubu Receives Letters Of Credence From 17 Ambassadors, Four High Commissioners

By in News, Nigeria News

At the State House in Abuja on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu received Letters of Credence from 21 new foreign ambassadors.

This was made known by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement.

17 ambassadors and four high commissioners made the pledge to strengthen bilateral ties and intensify engagements across key sectors during a ceremony held in the Council Chamber.

President Tinubu stated after receiving their credentials that the country was still fully committed to promoting international peace, harmony, and prosperity.

I warmly welcome you to the State House and congratulate you on your appointment as Nigeria’s government’s official representatives.

Nigeria values long-standing relationships and strategic partnerships in all of the world. Your accreditation today confirms the breadth of our bilateral ties and our shared commitment to grow cooperation and partnership in mutually beneficial fields, he said.

Read more about Tinubu’s swearing in of General Christopher Musa as defense minister.

New foreign envoys send Tinubu letters of credence. Credit: @aonanuga1956/X

The President urged diplomats to strengthen their cooperation in fields of trade, energy, agriculture, education, technology, defense, and cultural exchange.

Security threats, climate pressures, economic instability, and humanitarian issues are all a part of the global community’s constantly evolving challenges. To promote peace, stability, and prosperity, Nigeria is prepared to work closely with your governments.

I can assure you of the government of Nigeria’s full cooperation as you begin your partnership duties. I’m confident that your tenure in Nigeria will be fruitful because my doors are open and will remain open for constructive engagements, Tinubu said.

Suzuki Hideo, the ambassador of Japan, praised the diplomats’ recent accomplishments and praised Nigeria’s strategic significance in ECOWAS and Africa.

“We are honored and overjoyed to have received our Letters of Credence today,” the statement states. For everyone, it’s a historic moment,” Hideo said.

Hideo noted that Nigeria’s support of ECOWAS’ economic growth and stability had earned it acclaim worldwide.

List of Newly Accredited Envoys

Ambassadors who gave their Letters of Credence include:

Suzuki Hideo (Japan)

Brah Mahamat (Chad)

Rodolf Estime Lekogo (Gabon)

Mehmet Poroy (Türkiye)

State of Palestine, Muhannad M. A. Alhammouri

Spanish artist Felix Costales

Indonesia’s Banbang Suharto

Ba Abdoulaaye Mamadou (Mauritania)

Austrian Peter Guschelbauer

Thailand’s Thirapath Mongkolnavin

Sweden’s Anna Westerholm

Czech Republic’s Tomas Vyprachticky

(Liberia) John Ballout Jr.

Poland’s Michal Cygan

Italy’s Roberto Mengoni

Slovak Republic’s Martins Podostavek

Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja (Iran)

The four High Commissioners are:

(Bangladesh) Miah M. D. Mainul Kabir

Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmod (Ghana)

Abheshek Singh (India)

Emmerdale Dylan’s grim fate after car attack – everything you need to know

By in Entertainment News, News

Everything you need to know about Emma Dylan’s grim fate following a car accident is The Mirror.

Skip to the main article

Will Dylan survive after being viciously knocked down and given something in Emmerdale spoilers ahead?

Will Dylan be run over in Emmerdale and pass away?

  • Emmerdale viewers were in shock as Dylan was callously run over by Ray and left for dead in scenes that aired on Thursday night. At the end of the episode the drug dealing teenager was seen looking battered and bruised on the floor after being knocked unconscious in the attack and with blood on his face as he lay helplessly on the floor.
  • After Dylan finally attempted to expose what they had been doing to him and Marlon’s daughter April, soap villains Celia and Ray plotted a deadly and violent revenge against him.
  • In a twist on the “accident,” Ray was clearly intent on endorsing Dylan when he kneeled down and administered something to the injured Dylan. But what will happen next and will he survive?
  • April finally admitted everything to her family about her ordeal, including the drug dealing with Dylan after Ray and Celia duped them into paying off a “debt” in court.
  • April finally disclosed what Celia and Ray had been up to and what she had endured as the situation escalated into sexual exploitation and she believed she killed Callum’s client.
  • They were shocked, but they were determined to contact the police when soap baddie Celia showed up and threatened Marlon’s wife Rhona.
  • Finding out doesn’t mean Dylan’s agonizing ordeal end for Marlon and Rhona. In fact, it could be the beginning of a sinister situation that has dragged the entire family into.
  • Celia threatened to slit Rhona’s throat if she didn’t comply, among other horrible things, by digging her nails into Rhona’s cheek. After explaining that she meant business, Celia then called Ray and made a video call so they all sat in shock as Dylan was brutally run over.
  • Rhona and Marlon must now make a terrible choice because of this. Do they confront the police and threaten the entire family? Or do they maintain silence? What danger do they currently face?
  • Dylan fights for his life in a hospital after being slammed down by Ray’s car and given a substance that might have been heroin.
  • He is still alive, but he is going to fight for his life while he is coma. How will Ray respond when he learns that Dylan is still alive? Will he have to take his place at the end, and what will happen if Dylan wakes up and recalls everything?
  • READ THE FULL STORY: Does Dylan die in Emmerdale? Teen’s fate teased as Ray and Celia take deadly revenge
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Putin challenges US pressure on India over Russian oil during state visit

By in News, World News
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has questioned Washington’s position regarding Moscow’s oil purchases, citing US imports of Russian nuclear fuel as he made his state visit and aims to strengthen ties between the two countries.

Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, welcomed Putin to a warm welcome at the Indian airport on Thursday evening, highlighting their close relationship.

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Donald Trump, the president of the United States, is under increasing pressure to impose punitive tariffs on Indian goods due to New Delhi’s purchases of discounted Russian crude.

Prior to his arrival, Putin questioned the logic behind Washington’s criticism in an interview with Indian broadcasters.

He continued, “India should still enjoy the same privilege if the US has the right to purchase Russian fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants,” adding that “the US still purchases nuclear fuel from us for our own nuclear power plants.”

Modi said on social media that their relationship “has been thoroughly tested and has had a significant impact on our people” and that he was “delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin, to India.”

After getting engaged on the tarmac, the two drove back together to Modi’s house for a private dinner.

Neha Poonia, a journalist for Al Jazeera from New Delhi, claimed the reception delivered a message clearly.

Over Russia’s massive invasion of Ukraine, she said, adding that Modi wanted to say that “he won’t give into pressure from Donald Trump,” and that the president’s warm reception [shows] that he is not a pariah, that there are countries that will accept him despite pressure from western nations.

Putin defended the energy relationship, telling Indian media that political unrest or the tragic events in Ukraine do not affect cooperation with India.

He claimed that unnamed actors were trying to “contrain India for political reasons” as a result of its expanding international presence.

The visit highlights India’s delicate balancing chess between Washington and Moscow. Russia’s oil imports increased from 2.5 percent of total crude purchases before 2022 to nearly 36 percent, making it the second-largest buyer of Russian crude in the world right now.

By purchasing discounted Russian crude, Indian refiners have saved about $12.20 per barrel.

Trump has, however, started imposing tariffs of 50% on Indian goods in retaliation, and recent US sanctions have started obstructing Indian refiners to reduce their purchases.

The largest private refiner in India, Reliance, has already announced that it will no longer export petroleum products made of Russian crude.

Putin and Modi are scheduled to announce agreements spanning defense cooperation, shipping, healthcare, and labor mobility at a formal summit on Friday.

US senators unveil bill to keep Trump from allowing AI chip sales to China

By in News, World News
by Reuters

A bill that would enact a bipartisan group of US senators, including renowned Republican hawk Tom Cotton, would impose a 2.5-year suspension on Beijing’s access to artificial intelligence chips.

The SAFE CHIPS Act was filed by Democrat Chris Coons and Republican Senator Pete Ricketts on Thursday.

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Buyers in China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea would be required to submit requests for US AI chips that are more advanced than the ones they are currently able to obtain for 30 months to the Commerce Department, which oversees export controls. The Department of Commerce would then be required to provide Congress with updates on any proposed rule changes before they become effective.

According to Ricketts, “[Beijing has access to]the best US] AI chips is essential to our national security.”

The legislation, which was co-sponsored by Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Andy Kim, was a rare effort to stop Trump from lifting China’s tech export restrictions further.

Trump’s Commerce Department imposed and then reinstated restrictions on Nvidia’s H20 AI chips in response to new Chinese export restrictions on rare earth metals, a move that Republican Representative John Moolenaar, who chairs the House Select Committee on China, criticized.

Trump pushed back a year to a rule that would have temporarily restricted US tech exports to Chinese companies, and he has pledged to nix a Biden-era rule that would have restricted exports of AI chips to countries in part due to concerns about chip smuggling to China.

Four countries pull out of Eurovision 2026 after Israel is allowed to compete

By in Entertainment News, News

After the European Broadcasting Union approved of Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, several nations, including Ireland, have decided to boycott the event.

Four countries have decided not to compete in Eurovision next year, after it was ruled that Israel were allowed to take part. Ireland, The Netherlands, Slovenia and ‘big five’ country Spain have all pulled out of the music competition, as the conflict in Palestine continues.

The European Broadcasting Union, which organises the Eurovision Song Contest, met on 3 December to decide if Israel would be allowed to take part in this year’s competition. The discussion was held as calls to expel Israel from the contest became increasingly frequent.

Israel’s entry into competition was approved by the EBU. Spain announced its withdrawal from the contest minutes after the announcement was made. Alfonso Morales, the country’s national broadcaster’s secretary general, expressed concern about allowing Israel’s broadcaster KAN to participate.

READ MORE: Eurovision 2026: Several countries WITHDRAW as Israel allowed to competeREAD MORE: Love Island star to represent country at Eurovision in move that will deliver global fame

Despite the ceasefire and the peace process being approved, the situation in Gaza and Israel’s use of the contest for political purposes, according to Morales.

One of the contest’s Big Five, Spain, receives the most financial support, earning a final spot automatically. Italy, France, the UK, Germany, and France are the other countries. Austria, Germany’s host country this year, and Germany and Italy have both stated that they are considering resuming their travels.

Ireland likewise endorsed Spain’s boycott. The televised competition will not be shown either on RTVE and RTE, both of the nations’ national broadcasters. Given the horrific loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continue to put the lives of so many civilians in danger, Ireland’s RTE said in a statement.

The continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory and the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict are both deeply concerning, according to RTÉ.

Additionally, the Netherlands has chosen not to participate. Universal values like humanity and press freedom have been seriously compromised, according to Taco Zimmerman, general manager of Dutch broadcaster Avrotros.

Slovenia will also abstain from attending the event. If Israel is present, RTV Slovenia board chairwoman Natalija Gorscal declared: “We will not participate in the ESC.” in honor of the 20, 000 Gaza deaths.

According to the British Red Cross, the death toll in Gaza as of 29 October is over 61,000, including over 17,000 children, since 7 October 2023. They also stated that 2 million Palestinians are facing extreme hunger.

In 2024, calls for Israel’s expulsion from Eurovision first arose. Israel’s continued involvement has caused a number of protests. However, some people still appear to be in favor of their participation. Israel’s Yuval Raphael won the contest this year, taking home the overall win.

The contest is supposed to take place in Vienna, Austria, in 2026, which is the 70th year of Eurovision. If Austria decides to withdraw, it is unknown where the contest will take place. Iceland and Belgium are also considering leaving, along with Austria, Germany, and Italy.

EBU President Delphine Ernotte Cunci responded to the calls for Israel to leave, saying, “These discussions have resulted in significant changes to the Eurovision Song Contest rules, ensuring it continues to be a forum for unity and cultural exchange.

Continue reading the article.

Who was Yasser Abu Shabab, Israel-backed militia leader killed in Gaza?

By in News, World News

The death of Gaza militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab, who had been receiving support from his Popular Forces organization and Israeli media, is the final chapter of a man who attempted to stand up for Israel against Hamas but who was widely derided as a collaborator.

Before joining a militia last year, Abu Shabab, who was in his early 30s and from the Bedouin Tarabin tribe in southern Gaza, was largely unheard in the Palestinian enclave. By the end of May, the organization had become known as the “Popular Forces,” a well-armed group of at least 100 fighters operating in Gaza’s under-terrorized areas.

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The organization presented itself as a nationalist Palestinian organization dedicated to combating Hamas despite operating between a criminal gang and an Israeli proxy force.

Even though the group’s end goal was never fully understood, that branding served an Israeli purpose, especially once it became clear that the Popular Forces lacked any form of widespread appeal.

Abu Shabab was a criminal, according to many Palestinians, because he had been incarcerated by the Palestinians in Gaza for a number of years on drug-related charges before escaping prison in the beginning of the Gaza war.

His subsequent alliance with Israel, which killed more than 70 Palestinians and 120 others in a genocide in Gaza, immediately disqualified for the majority of Palestinians, including his own tribe, who claimed in a statement that his death marked “the end of a dark chapter that does not represent the history of the tribe.”

Ideological ambiguity

It’s challenging to pin down Abu Shabab’s ideology because many observers believe he was motivated by power rather than a particular political stance.

Given the reports of his connections to ISIL (ISIS), which are mostly related to cooperation in smuggling from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula to Gaza, rather than any shared ideology, the initial branding of his group in the language of “anti-terrorism” is ironic.

Abu Shabab’s social media background and background, with English-language posts and even an opinion piece published by the Wall Street Journal, have always been at odds with one another.

In that article, Abu Shabab claimed that his Popular Forces were “ready to build a new future” and that they were in charge of a significant portion of southern Rafah.

The article he was quoted as saying, “Our main goal is to separate Palestinians from the fire of war from Hamas.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged in June that his government was using armed clans to fight Hamas while Abu Shabab made an effort to minimize his ties to Israel.

Even after previous unsuccessful attempts to collaborate with local organizations like the South Lebanon Army in Israel’s northern neighbor, security officials gave rise to the idea of using such forces, according to Netanyahu.

Looting

The Popular Forces has attempted to present itself as a group supporting the US- and Israeli-backed GHF in distributing much-needed aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

Abu Shabab shared images of its forces dispersing aid with CNN and that he was in charge of “a group of citizens from this community who have volunteered to protect humanitarian aid from corruption and looting.”

However, security sources in Gaza confirmed to Al Jazeera Arabic that Abu Shabab and the Popular Forces had since been accused of looting aid convoys, with an internal UN memo claiming him to be “the main and most influential stakeholder behind systematic and massive looting.”

As Gaza experienced a famine brought on by Israeli restrictions on aid entry and the destruction of Palestinian infrastructure, those accusations made it seem like Abu Shabab was merely an Israeli proxy.

Perhaps it isn’t surprising that few Palestinians in Gaza, even those opposed to Hamas, are teary about Abu Shabab’s murder.

Similar to Abu Shabab’s origins and his role in the war, the circumstances surrounding that killing continue to be murky.