An Mi-28 military helicopter has crashed in an uninhabited area of southwestern Russia, killing the crew, two Russian news agencies said Thursday.
It crashed in a forest about 150 kilometres (93 miles) from the Ukrainian border, a local official said
An Mi-28 crashed in the Kaluga region… the crew died,” the TASS news agency said, quoting a source in the defence ministry.
“According to preliminary information, a technical malfunction caused the disaster,” the Interfax news agency said, citing a defence ministry statement.
It crashed in a forest about 150 kilometres (93 miles) from the Ukrainian border, a local official told TASS.
AFP
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The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, has restated commitments towards enhancing the security of lives and property at the sub-national level.
The governors stated this in the wake of the nationwide planned protest by faceless organizers against hardship and inflation bedeviling Nigeria.
They spoke when the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu briefed them during the Wednesday meeting that entered into the early hours of Thursday.
Ribadu, on his part, promised to support the governors in improving security architecture at the sub-national level.
A communique signed by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, “The NGF received a briefing from the National Security Adviser’s (NSA) office on the current security situation in the country. The NSA noted the growing momentum for a planned protest demanding government attention.
“The NSA is committed to supporting the governors in improving security architecture at the subnational level. The governors thanked the NSA and reinstated its commitment to enhance the security of lives and properties at the subnational.”
Present at the meeting were Governors of Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Plateau, Yobe, Imo, Benue, Cross River, Ondo, Zamfara, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Kwara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Oyo, Ogun and Gombe. Also were Deputy Governors of Enugu, Borno State.
Protest: Governors reiterate commitment to protecting lives, property
The Medical Guild of Lagos State has called on the government to pay the reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure allowance (living wage of Doctors) or prepare for crisis.
The Medical Guild is an association of doctors in Lagos State employment.
A statement signed by the Chairman, Medical Guild, Dr Moruf Abdulsalam, on Wednesday, said CONMESS was implemented for their federal counterparts with its accrued arrears from July 2023.
“The non-payment of the reviewed CONMESS allowance has already been implemented for our federal colleagues and in the states of Ekiti, Delta, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Katsina. This has worsened the salary parity between doctors in Lagos State and aggravated the already dire emigration of doctors to federal employment and out of the country.
“Moreover, the current economic starvation and stagflation in the country are biting harder on doctors too,” he said.
The guild also requested the demotion of specialist consultants as a result of incorrect step entry points into the public service, saying this had led to loss of income, low morale, and lack of interest from prospective specialists in joining the state health service.
“We seek employment of Medical Officers on grade level 12/2 and consultants at grade level 15/4 in line with national best practices. Immediate restoration and payment of contributory pension/NHF deductions for our resident doctors as enshrined in the Pension Reform Act of 2014. Full implementation of the September ‘23 Medical Guild position paper, as discussed and assented to by the government of Lagos State,” he stated.
Abdulsalam appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to avert an avoidable grand landscape crisis in the health sector and urgently implement the above-proposed incentives for the Health sector of Lagos State.
“In the build-up to the disputed issues with the government, we would like to place on record that we have and continue to employ all manners of advocacy and constructive persuasion, to avert this looming crisis. The government is yet to bulge. In the coming days, we shall call on the Association’s Congress to determine the next line of action, ” he added.
Dozens of people who joined anti-corruption rallies in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, on Tuesday in defiance of an official ban have been charged and held behind bars, their lawyers said.
Police were out in force on the empty streets of the Ugandan capital Kampala on Tuesday ahead of a planned anti-corruption rally that has been banned by the authorities. (Photo by BADRU KATUMBA / AFP)
About 60 people, including a prominent TV and radio presenter and three young protest leaders, were hurriedly brought before the courts and remanded in custody on charges including being a “common nuisance”, they said.
President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the East African country with an iron fist for almost four decades, had warned at the weekend that the demonstrators were “playing with fire”.
Riot police were out in force across Kampala, manning roadblocks, especially near the business district, while officers sealed off roads to parliament.
Police spokesman, Kituuma Rusoke, had said the authorities would not allow any demonstration that threatened Uganda’s “peace and security”.
Members of the Uganda Police arrest protesters marching to parliament during a planned anti-corruption demonstration in Kampala on July 23, 2024. (Photo by BADRU KATUMBA / AFP)
The call to action over corruption was organised by young Ugandans online, with colourful posters urging people to march on parliament, drawing inspiration from neighbouring Kenya’s mostly Gen-Z-led anti-government protests.
Graft is a major concern in Uganda, with several high-profile scandals involving public officials, and the country is ranked a lowly 141 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s corruption index.
“We are tired of corruption,” protester Samson Kiriya shouted from between the bars of a police van as he was arrested.
‘Flimsy offence’
About 60 people who were detained during the rallies were brought before the courts in separate hearings, their lawyers said.
They included well-known television and radio presenter Faiza Salima as well as a social media influencer and a doctor, lawyer Ashraf Kwezi told AFP.
Members of the Uganda Police use their shields to surround a protester during a planned anti-corruption demonstration in Kampala on July 23, 2024. – Police were out in force on the empty streets of the Ugandan capital Kampala on Tuesday ahead of a planned anti-corruption rally that has been banned by the authorities. (Photo by BADRU KATUMBA / AFP)
“The three were charged with a flimsy offence of being a common nuisance… and disorderly after they participated in the protest today but they denied the charges,” he said.
Three protest organisers named as George Victor Otieno, Kennedy Ndyamuhaki and Aloikin Praise Opoloje who were arrested as they marched to parliament have also been charged.
The resident of the Uganda Law Society, Bernard Oundo, told AFP that 50 people were charged at one hearing in a Kampala court and are due to reappear between July 30 and August 8.
Another five were charged in a separate hearing at another court, their lawyer Patience Muwanguzi said.
Members of the Uganda Police arrest protesters marching to parliament during a planned anti-corruption demonstration in Kampala on July 23, 2024. (Photo by BADRU KATUMBA / AFP)
“This was a rushed trial. They were arrested and taken to court in a very short time and remanded to prison without securing them bail,” she told AFP.
“We will ensure these people receive justice.”
– Crackdown on opposition –
Human Rights Watch Uganda researcher Oryem Nyeko condemned the multiple arrests, and said they were “a reflection of where Uganda is at the moment as far as respect for those rights is concerned”.
On the eve of the rally, Ugandan authorities had besieged the headquarters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) of former presidential candidate Bobi Wine and arrested three of his party’s MPs.
A heavy police presence remained in place around the offices in a Kampala suburb on Tuesday, an AFP journalist said.
“Salutations to all who have courageously marched and are still marching against corruption and misrule —- even in the face of very brutal actions by the military and police!” Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, posted on X.
Ugandan authorities have frequently cracked down on the NUP and Wine, a popstar turned politician who challenged Museveni unsuccessfully in the last elections in 2021.
– Sanctions –
Corruption is endemic in Uganda, where several high-profile figures have recently come under the spotlight in graft scandals.
Earlier this year, the United States and Britain slapped sanctions on several Ugandan officials including parliament speaker Anita Among and three former or current ministers for alleged involvement in corruption.
The ministers are on trial accused of stealing iron sheets destined for the poor under a government-funded project and redirecting them to politicians and their families, but no charges have been laid against the speaker.
Four legislators from Uganda’s ruling party and two senior civil servants are also in custody for allegedly embezzling large sums of money meant to compensate farmers who lost property during the 1980s bush war that brought Museveni to power.
“We are not relenting until we have the corrupt out of office,” protester and human rights lawyer Ezra Rwashande told AFP during the rallies.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has directed its 104 affiliated youth organizations to remain on standby consultation ahead of the nationwide protest scheduled for August 1.
Frustrated Nigerians, who are dissatisfied with the state of the economy and the hardship in the land, have vowed to hit the streets in protest.
The youth body stated it would, in the next four days, consult widely with various stakeholders, including government officials, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the media, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues.
However, the federal government has warned that there would be dire consequences for the stability of the country if the nationwide protest being planned by some Nigerians goes ahead.
In a communiqué issued on Thursday following an emergency meeting of its National Executive, 36 State Chairmen, and other stakeholders held via Zoom from Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday, the NYCN expressed concern over the severe socio-economic challenges and widespread hardship faced by citizens, especially the youth.
The communiqué, signed by its President, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, stated that the youth body would hold a world press conference on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, to address the nation on current issues and its stance on the upcoming protest.
The communiqué reads: “On July 24, 2024, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) convened a crucial meeting with its National Executive, 36 State Chairmen, and other key stakeholders to deliberate on the state of the nation and the looming nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, 2024.
“The meeting was held via Zoom and lasted for several hours, addressing the urgent concerns of Nigerian youths and the overall socio-economic and political climate of the country.
“NYCN leaders acknowledged that the current socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria, including rising inflation, insecurity, unemployment, and the general hardship experienced by citizens, particularly the youth, have reached alarming levels.
“After extensive deliberations, the following resolutions were adopted: The NYCN commits to, in the next four days, consult widely with various stakeholders, including government officials, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the media, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues.”
NYCN reaffirmed its commitment to representing the interests of Nigerian youths and advocating for positive change in the nation.
Protest: Be on standby – NYCN tells 104 affiliated youth organisations
President Bola Tinubu has called on all security agencies to cease inter-agency rivalry and collaborate effectively to combat the criminal elements and activities plaguing the nation.
Speaking through the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, at the inauguration of the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu emphasized the urgency of uniting against organized threats posed by non-state actors.
“The security situation in the country is a complex blend of threats posed by well-organized non-state actors,” Tinubu stated. “Addressing it requires a concerted approach by all stakeholders within the security architecture.” Read also: Trump attacks VP Kamala Harris, labels her a ‘left-wing extremist’
He urged law enforcement agencies to adopt a coordinated and collaborative approach, stressing the importance of eliminating inter-agency rivalries for effective operations.
“In line with our policy objective of reforming the Nigerian Police Force, we are committed to investing further in the Nigeria Police Force through procurement of sufficient arms, weapons, and other critical equipment, as well as recruitment and continuous training to boost the number, quality, and preparedness of our police personnel,” Tinubu affirmed.
Highlighting the government’s determination to tackle all forms of insecurity, Tinubu pointed out the increasing threats posed by cybercriminals.
He underscored the need to enhance collaboration between the National Cyber Crime Centre and the Office of the National Security Adviser for more effective monitoring of online activities.
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The Defence Headquarters has said that the proposed nationwide protest is intended to replicate what happened in Kenya.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, said based on intelligence at its disposal, the proposed nationwide protest would be hijacked by some unscrupulous elements.
He said, “The aim of the protest is to show you what is happening in Kenya. And I would add that what is happening in Kenya in terms of the protest, one, is violence. Two, it remains unresolved as we speak now.
“So did you see from that? Based on what has been gathered, there are plans by some unscrupulous elements to hijack this protest and make sure that it turns violent. When it turns violent, I want to tell you what we have seen as it would likely happen. Indeed, we need to count our blessings.”
More Details later….
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The Bauchi State Government has warned any individual or group planning to organise any protest, saying there would be no protest taking place in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Kashim, while speaking against the backdrop of the planned nationwide protest, dismissed any speculation of protests occurring within the state’s borders.
“On the part of the government, we completely dissociate ourselves from any protest. We are not aware, we are not welcoming any protest, and it’s not going to happen in Bauchi State,” Kashim said.
While highlighting the state’s reputation for peace and tranquility, Kashim emphasized that the government is resolute in maintaining the atmosphere, cautioning the organizers to stage the protest elsewhere and not in Bauchi State.
Hardship: ‘It will never happen’ – Bauchi govt vows to stop planned protest
Former US President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, launched a fierce attack on Democratic presidential nominee and vice president, Kamala Harris, branding her a “left-wing extremist” and the “ultraliberal driving force” behind Joe Biden’s policies.
At a campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, Trump claimed Harris would be the most left-wing president “times 10” if elected.
Trump criticized Harris’s record on abortion and immigration, accusing her of supporting the “execution” of babies and overseeing the “deadly destruction” of the US border.
He also mispronounced her first name repeatedly and claimed she was ranked the most liberal member of the US Senate, making Senator Bernie Sanders appear moderate by comparison.
Read Also: Governors meet on local council autonomy, minimum wage
Harris had previously accused Trump of supporting a nationwide abortion ban and wanting to roll back freedoms and rights. Trump responded by calling her a “radical-left lunatic” who would destroy the country if elected, vowing to prevent that from happening.
“She is a radical-left lunatic who will destroy our country if she ever gets the chance to get into office. We are not going to let that happen.
“If you want socialist healthcare, nation-wrecking inflation, the death of American energy, and a lying, radical left-liberal, San Francisco extremist as your commander-in-chief, then Kamala Harris is your candidate,” Trump said.
This marked Trump’s first public campaign event since Biden exited the presidential race and endorsed Harris.
The Republican nominee’s aggressive rhetoric sets the tone for a contentious election season.
The post Trump attacks VP Kamala Harris, labels her a ‘left-wing extremist’ appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has convened emergency meetings with its state chairmen to strategize against the upcoming nationwide protests.
Ajibola Basiru, National Secretary of the party, announced the decision following the 153rd NWC meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday where efforts to avert the protests were discussed.
Basiru conveyed the committee’s appeal, stating, “The NWC joined the president to passionately appeal to those who are planning protests to shelve their plans and have confidence and belief in the government to address most of the economic challenges facing the nation.”
He highlighted ongoing efforts by the government to tackle economic issues, noting, “Mr President is gradually implementing programmes and policies that would, in the nearest future, bring succor and relief to the citizens.” READ ALSO:APC urges Nigerians to shun planned #EndBadGovernance protest
Acknowledging the global nature of many economic challenges, Basiru emphasized the constitutional and political dimensions of the grievances raised, suggesting they require constitutional amendments and policy adjustments.
In urging protesters to trust the government’s commitment to economic revitalization, Basiru also emphasized vigilance among parents and citizens to prevent any potential unrest.
“The NWC further called for an emergency meeting of Chairmen of the APC in all the 36 states of the federation for further discussions,” Basiru concluded.
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