Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Foreign

  • One person has died in South Africa student protest

    One person has died in South Africa student protest

    One person has been killed on Wednesday after South African police fired rubber bullets to disperse a group of student protesters, at Wits University in Johannesburg.

    Spokeswoman for the Wits University, Shirona Patel told AFP that: “My understanding so far is that the protestors blocked a public road, the police tried to disperse them, and the passerby was shot in the crossfire,”

    It was reported that the killing of the “passerby” further enraged the protesting students who gathered near the lifeless body of the victim and demanding, at the top of their voices, that police personnel leave the area. A student was reported screaming “Kill all of us”.

    However, Spokeswoman Patel confirmed that the victim of the shootout was not a student of the university.

    In early January, Wits University students began series of protests against government’s action that allegedly excluded some students by a government-sponsored tuition aid scheme.

    The students, who vowed to continue their protest against the financial exclusion of students in the university are demands that Wits University allows all students with outstanding debt to register for the 2021 academic year.

    The university authority however argued that the institution of learning will however become financially unsustainable if it continues to accept students who have historical debt.

    According to the university, outstanding fees owed has accumulated to R1 billion over the past seven years.

    Wits University added that it has made available R20 million for indigent students who are facing financial hardship and R100 million has been allocated to financial aid through bursaries and scholarships.

    Student’s representative put the number of students that are still not registered at about 80, 000 as a result of the “financial exclusion problem”.

    They are demanding that those who owe the university up to 150,000 rand ($9,850) in fees still be allowed to register for the new academic year.

     

  • Former Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi Hospitalised with Heart Problem

    Former Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi Hospitalised with Heart Problem

    A former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has suffered heart problems and is now admitted to hospital in Monaco.

    Spokesman and a doctor to the said 84-year-old media tycoon disclosed to AFP on Thursday that Berlusconi “is at the Cardiothoracic Hospital in Monaco for tests. He will return home within a few days”.

    READ ALSO: US VP kicks as House Impeaches Trump the Second Time

    In a statement, personal doctor, Alberto Zangrillo, told the ANSA news agency that he made an urgent visit to Berlusconi at his home in the south of France on Monday because of an irregular heart beat.

    The former premier was hospitalised for 11 days in September after contracting coronavirus, in what he said was “perhaps the most difficult ordeal of my life”.

    The Former Prime Minister had contracted coronavirus after returning from a holiday at his luxury villa in Sardinia. Two of his children also became infected, as did his companion Marta Fascina.

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    “Thank heavens, thanks to the doctors, I got over what was perhaps the most difficult ordeal of my life. Once again, I seem to have got away with it!” he said as he left hospital.

    In 2016, the three time Prime Minister for the centre-right Forza Italia between 1994 and 2011, underwent open heart surgery.

  • US VP kicks as House Impeaches Trump the Second Time

    US VP kicks as House Impeaches Trump the Second Time

    United States Vice President, Michael Pence has kicked against the decision of 231 lawmakers who voted to impeach President Donald Trump on the grounds of inciting his loyalists to storm the Capitol last week, an incident that threatened the lives of the US lawmakers and halted legislative proceedings.

    Vice President Pence on Wednesday in his protest against the impeachment move urged the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi and Congress to desist from actions that would further divide the country

    Donald Trump would go down in history as the first U.S. President to be impeached twice.

    A growing number of Republicans have also voiced their support for impeachment, including senior House Republican, Liz Cheney but Republican Tom Cole urged others to vote against impeachment because it’s “flawed process” that will fuel divisions.

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    An impeachment of Trump by the House mean the Senate will then hold a trial. A two-thirds majority is required to convict him.

    Pence’s stand is contained in a statement, released by the vice president following efforts by the House to impeach the President.

    Trump is accused of inciting his supporters to storm the Capitol building at a speech before a violent riot kicked off last Wednesday. An impeachment would formally charge the President with inciting insurrection.

    Pence said impeaching the president was not in the best interest of the nation or in line with the constitution.

    “With just eight days left in the President’s term, you and the Democratic Caucus are demanding that the cabinet and I invoke the 25th Amendment. I do not believe such a course of action is in the best interest of our nation or consistent with our constitution. Last week, I did not yield to pressure to exert power beyond my constitutional authority to determine the outcome of the election, and I will not now yield to efforts in the House of Representatives to play political games at a time so serious in the life of our nation,” Pence said.

    He further stressed that the 25th amendment, which the House relied on, was designed to deal with issues of incapacity or disability and not issues or comments that was not favourable as pointed out by Pelosi.

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    “As you know fully well, the 25th Amendment was designed to address presidential incapacity or disability. Just a few months ago, when you introduced legislation to create a 25th Amendment Commission, you said, “(a) President’s fitness for office must be determined by size and facts.” You said then that we must be ‘very respectful of not making a judgment on the basis of a comment or behaviour that we don’t like but based on a medical decision.’ Madam Speaker, you were right. Under our constitution, the 25th Amendment is not a means of punishment or usurpation. Invoking the 25th Amendment would set a terrible precedent,” he stated.

    According to Vice President Pence, after the events of last week, the administration’s energy was directed towards ensuring an orderly transition. He called for support to unite the country and lower the existing temperature.

  • US: Trump Still Disagrees with Election Results After Congress Certifies Biden-Harris

    US: Trump Still Disagrees with Election Results After Congress Certifies Biden-Harris

    Shortly after the Congressional certification of Biden-Harris’ victory, Trump was said to have issued a statement through a senior aide saying there would be “an orderly transition on January 20.”

    According to Trump, “Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th.

    “I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted.

    “While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again!”

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    The much awaited certification by the Congress of the United States of America (USA) for the victory of President-elect Joe Biden and his Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris in the November 4 presidential election finally arrived after a tumultuous day at the Capitol Hill.

    The Congress quashed the objections to the Electoral Votes of Pennsylvania and Arizona and upheld that Democrat indeed won the election, thereby putting an end to the direct struggles by President Donald Trump to upturn Biden-Harris’ electoral win.

    The Congressional affirmation was coming hours after supporters of President Donald Trump violently took over Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

    When the dusts of the violence settled down, four people were confirmed dead by Washington D.C. Police, while others sustained various degrees of injuries.

    At the resumed Congressional session much more later, lawmakers overwhelmingly certified Biden-Harris’ electoral victory.

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    In his closing remarks, the outgoing Vice President Mike Pence, who presided over a Joint Session of the US Congress, said after banging the gavel: “The whole number of electors appointed to vote for President of the US is 538, of which a majority is 270.

    “Joseph R Biden of the state of Delaware received for President of the US, 306 votes.

    “Donald J Trump of the state of Florida has received 232.

    “The announcement of the state of the vote by the President of the Senate shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of the persons elected president and vice president of the United States, each for the term beginning on the 20th day of January, 2021”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • U.S. Africa Command Strike Kills Three al-Shabaab in Somalia

    U.S. Africa Command Strike Kills Three al-Shabaab in Somalia

    In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AfriCom) conducted two airstrikes in Somalia on Jan. 1, 2021.

    According to a statement by AfriCom, both strikes targeted al-Shabaab compounds in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow, Somalia. Current assessments indicate the strikes killed three and wounded one al-Shabaab members and destroyed six and damaged one al-Shabaab compound buildings.

    The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this operation. We take significant measures to comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict during the course of our operations while we continue to disrupt and apply pressure to the al-Shabaab terrorist network.

    “This action clearly demonstrates our continuing commitment to Somalia and our regional partners,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joel Tyler, director of operations for U.S. Africa Command. “We retain the means and the will to strike the al-Shabaab terrorist network when necessary to protect the region and ultimately, our own nation.”

    U.S. Africa Command and its international partners recognize the importance of stability in Somalia. Violent extremist organizations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to U.S. and regional security interests.

    “Al-Shabaab remains a threat to Somalia’s future and U.S. interests, and we will continue to disrupt their efforts to terrorize innocents,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Task Force-Quartz commander. “Our strikes help keep these terrorists off balance to help our partners then address deeper problems such as governance and development.”

    U.S. Africa Command remains committed to working with East African countries to help provide political, economic, and physical stability in the region and to work with international and African partners to achieve long-term security goals in Somalia for the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.

    See video of the mission strike posted at: https://go.usa.gov/xA9ZV

  • U.S-Backed Somalia Government truck Al-Shabaab Compound

    U.S-Backed Somalia Government truck Al-Shabaab Compound

    In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AfriCom) conducted one (1) airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab compound in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, Dec. 24.

    In a statement, AfriCom confirmed the initial assessment concluded the strike damaged the compound and several al-Shabaab fighters fled, thwarting nefarious activity.

    The command currently assesses no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this operation. Efforts to disrupt enemy operations, as well as monitor and apply pressure to the al-Shabaab network continue.

    “U.S. Africa Command continues to maintain a sharp focus on East African threats,” said U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Heidi Berg, U.S. Africa Command director of intelligence. “Al-Shabaab seeks to not only destroy governance and security in Somalia, but target innocent civilians in Kenya and elsewhere. We will continue to monitor and maintain pressure to the network.”

    U.S. Africa Command and its international partners recognize the importance of stability in Somalia. Security is one critical stabilizing pillar alongside governance and economic opportunity.

    U.S. Africa Command remains committed to working with East African countries to help provide political, economic, and physical stability in the region.

    U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with international and African partners to ensure long-term security in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.

  • US AFRICOM Activates Joint Task Force-Quartz

    US AFRICOM Activates Joint Task Force-Quartz

    U.S. Africa Command commander, U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend directed the formation of Joint Task Force- Quartz to oversee Operation Octave Quartz, a mission designated to reposition forces from Somalia.

    “I directed the activation of a joint task force, JTF-Quartz, built around the headquarters of Special Operations Command-Africa, to oversee Operation Octave Quartz, the directed re-positioning of U.S. forces from Somalia to other bases in East Africa,” said Townsend.

    Townsend traveled to East Africa Dec. 14-17 and met with U.S. commanders and forces supporting the mission and operations in East Africa.

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    “JTF-Quartz is commanded by the SOCAF commander, Maj. Gen. Dag Anderson. I have just returned from visiting him at his forward headquarters in East Africa where I met with Dag and his commanders to review their posture and plans. JTF-Quartz is ready to go,” said Townsend.

    Townsend also met with African partners, providing reassurance of sustained commitment to East Africa security.

    “To be clear, the U.S. is not withdrawing or disengaging from East Africa. We remain committed to helping our African partners build a more secure future,” Townsend said. “We also remain capable of striking Al-Shabaab at the time and place of our choosing—they should not test us.”

    The JTF will relocate forces while maintaining pressure on violent extremist organizations in the region and supporting enduring partners.

    “We will execute this mission swiftly, methodically, and with additional forces to protect both our partners and US forces,” said Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Task Force – Quartz commander. “Enemies should expect continued pressure and swift retribution if they choose to attack.”

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    U.S. military assets have moved into the region to support the operation, to include the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4).

    The repositioning of forces will be completed in a deliberate, conditions-based manner.

    U.S. Africa Command remains committed to East Africa and Somalia, to include maintaining regional security, training, as well as continuing to pressure Al Qaeda’s franchise al-Shabaab. U.S. Africa Command will ensure a focus on the continuity of operations and support in Somalia and the East African region.

  • For Nigerians Travelling to the US, Visa Reciprocity Fees No Longer Applies

    For Nigerians Travelling to the US, Visa Reciprocity Fees No Longer Applies

    The United States’ government has aborted its immigration policy that required payment of reciprocity fees by Nigerian citizens seeking a visa to the United States.

    The cancelled reciprocity fees for Nigerian citizens, which was made known in a statement by the Spokesperson in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferdinand Nwoye, will take effect from December 3, 2020.

    Describing the move as a positive development, Nwonye disclosed that the Nigerian government has also reciprocated the gesture of the US.

    He said the Nigerian Government has also removed the excess visa application, processing and biometric fees for United States citizens applying for Nigerian visas.

    “Prospective Nigerian travellers to the United States are hereby advised to visit: www.travel.state.gov for details,” the statement read.

    It would also be recalled that the Nigerian government increased its visa fees for Americans travelling to Nigeria a day after the United States announced increment in its visa fees for Nigerians as a way of retaliating Nigeria’s high fees.

    Nigerians whose American visas have been approved had paid extra fees ranging from $80 to $110 (N28,800 to N39,600), depending on the type of visa being applied for, the State Department said.

    Nigeria has now reduced the visa fees for Americans travelling to Nigeria from $180 to $150.

  • At Last, Trump Succumbs, Says Transition to Joe Biden Can Begin

    At Last, Trump Succumbs, Says Transition to Joe Biden Can Begin

    The United States President Donald Trump has taken a massive step towards admitting defeat in the country’s last presidential election Monday night by saying he was allowing the transition to Joe Biden to begin – but immediately claimed he could still overturn his defeat at the hands of voters.

    MailOnline reports that General Services Administration Chief, Emily Murphy, told President-elect Biden in a letter that he could start accessing federal resources to begin the presidential transition process early Monday evening.

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    Murphy, in a letter to Biden, announced the move, but dedicated a considerable portion to defending her own reputation and claiming she had been threatened and harassed.

    Her letter, notably, does not go so far as “ascertain” that Joe Biden is the winner of the election, despite networks calling the race 16 days ago, numerous states certifying their tallies, and Biden winning 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232. She also called him “Mr.” instead of president-elect or vice president.

    It came just over an hour after Michigan certified that Biden had won the state, putting another nail in the coffin of Trump’s bid to overturn the election result.

    The move ends much of the controversy over Trump’s refusal to concede and means that a concession would be purely symbolic.

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    It allows Biden to get the same intelligence briefing as Trump, order FBI background checks on his picks for office and talk to senior officials in key roles – most notably, Dr. Tony Fauci.

    But Trump tweeted defiantly that he had ordered Murphy to start the transition “for the sake of the country” and claimed he was sure he would win “the good fight.”

    Idowu Sowunmi with agency reports

  • More World Leaders Celebrate Biden-Harris’ Electoral Victory Over Trump

    More World Leaders Celebrate Biden-Harris’ Electoral Victory Over Trump

    President Emmanuel Macron of France and many other world leaders have congratulated Joe Biden as the President-elect of the United States of America.

    Macron, in a statement, said: “The Americans have chosen their President. Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris!

    “We have a lot to do to overcome today’s challenges. Let’s work together!”

    To President Muhammadu Buhari, Biden was being elected as the US President “at a time of uncertainty and fear in world affairs.”

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    Buhari said: “Your election is a significant reminder that democracy is the best form of government because it offers the people the opportunity to change their government by peaceful means.

    “The most powerful group are not the politicians, but voters who can decide the fate of the politicians at the polling booth.

    “The main fascination of democracy is the freedom of choice and the supremacy of the will of the people.”

    “Respect for the will of the people is the very reason why democracy remains the best form of government, despite its limitations from one polity to another, and from one society to another.”

    “I am thrilled by the fact that you are an experienced politician who had served as Congressman for 40 years and a Vice President for eight years. This is a remarkable track record that gives us hope that you will add value to the presidency and world affairs.”

    Buhari also noted that “with your election, we look forward to greater cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, especially at economic, diplomatic and political levels, including the war against terrorism.”

    On international affairs, Nigerian President urged Mr. Biden to “deploy your vast experience in tackling the negative consequences of nationalist politics on world affairs which have created divisions, conflicts and uncertainties.”

    The Nigerian leader also called on Biden “to introduce greater engagement with Africa on the basis of reciprocal respects and shared interests.”

    Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose 2019 call with President Donald Trump sparked impeachment investigations, took to Twitter to congratulate President-elect and his running-mate, Kamala Harris.

    According to him, “Congratulations to @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris! #Ukraine is optimistic about the future of the strategic partnership with the #UnitedStates. 🇺🇦 and 🇺🇸 have always collaborated on security, trade, investment, democracy, fight against corruption. Our friendship becomes only stronger!”

    Also, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa said: “We congratulate President-elect @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris and the American people on your election. We look forward to working with you and deepening our bonds of friendship and cooperation.”

    On his part, President George Weah of Liberia said: “Congratulations to U.S.President-elect Joe Biden on his historic win. He assumes the leadership of the United States at a very challenging time for the country and the world as we all face a global health crisis. I urge all Americans to forge together in peace and unity.

    “As the traditional ally of the United States, Liberia stands ready to further enhance and rekindle our long, historic and unique bilateral relations.
    Congratulations!”

    Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a statement, described Biden-Harris’ victory as historic.

    “Today marks the dawning of a new day of hope for America. A record-shattering 75 million Americans cast their ballots to elect Joe Biden President of the United States – a historic victory that has handed Democrats a mandate for action.

    “In President-elect Joe Biden, Americans elected a leader ready on Day One to finally begin to crush the coronavirus so we can safely reopen our economy and schools. In President-elect Biden, the American people delivered a mandate for lower health costs, a mandate for creating bigger paychecks by rebuilding America’s infrastructure, and a mandate for cleaner government that works for the public interest, not the special interests. And in President-elect Biden, they have elected a unifier who values faith, family and community, and who will work tirelessly to heal our nation.

    “President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris won with a strong margin, and they will have a strong Democratic House Majority by their side. Working together, we have the opportunity to deliver extraordinary progress For The People,” Pelosi said.

    A former British Prime Minister Theresa May also wrote: “Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. Your election marks a new chapter in the history of your country and in the special partnership between our two nations. #democracy The UK & US will always work together to defend our shared values.”

    Also commenting on the election, a former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: “The voters have spoken, and they have chosen @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris to be our next president and vice president.

    “It’s a history-making ticket, a repudiation of Trump, and a new page for America.

    “Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. Onward, together.”

    A former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu, also wrote: “Congratulations to @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris !

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    “@JoeBiden is the 46th President of the United States! This is the will of the American people. Real democracies respect the will of the people and the institutions that uphold that will. Anyone else’s opinion is irrelevant now. Americans themselves have spoken.

    “In a democracy, no one should be bigger than the voters. America has held elections for 200 years. The Democrats were crushed when @HillaryClinton lost in 2016 and @realDonaldTrump won, but they accepted it. Now that Trump has lost and @JoeBiden won, the same must happen.

    “If Trump had won, would the election have been “rigged” and ballots sweepingly described as “illegal”? The whole world is watching the planet’s most powerful country. If this is happening there, what moral standing would it have to censure others on democracy?

    “The votes have spoken and, although Trump has the right to go to court, his effort should be channeled in a more professional and responsible manner, not wholesale denunciation of a system that WORKS and always has.”

    Idowu Sowunmi