13:39 08/06/2015
Jerusalem - A new study says that Israelis and Palestinians would gain billions of dollars from peace.
The
RAND Corp. study published on Monday indicates over the next decade
Israelis would gain $120bn from a peace deal. The Palestinians would
gain $50bn, marking a 36-percent rise in their average per-capita
income.
In contrast, a return to violence would see the Israeli
economy lose some $250bn in foregone economic opportunities, while the
Palestinians could see their per-capita gross domestic product fall by
as much as 46%.
The findings are in line with long-time arguments that peace is in the economic interest of both sides.
C
Ross Anthony, director of RAND's Israeli-Palestinian Initiative, says
he hopes the research will offer "alternatives to the current
destructive cycle of action, reaction and inaction."
Monday, 8 June 2015
National mourning begins in Ghana after deadly blaze
14:59 08/06/2015
Accra - Flags flew at half mast in Ghana on Monday as three days of mourning began to honour more than 150 killed in a petrol station fire during heavy flooding in the capital, Accra.
The government asked the public to wear black as a mark of respect to those who died, as the Red Cross said that 9 250 people have been affected by both tragedies.
President John Dramani Mahama will attend a service in memory of the victims on Wednesday near the site of the fire at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, his office said in a statement.
The government said it has begun to distribute relief materials, including food, water and non-food items to those hit.
"We have been able to identify a total of 9 250 people who were affected by the flood and fire, 1 125 houses were damaged while 67 people were hospitalised as of the weekend," Red Cross disaster management coordinator Francis Obeng told AFP.
A final death toll and full assessment of damages caused by the disaster is expected in about a month's time, he added.
UN agencies have been drafted in to work with national bodies helping those affected by the tragedy, which Mahama described as "catastrophic and almost unprecedented".
A fire and explosion at the Ghana Oil Company (GOIL) filling station on Thursday killed scores of people seeking shelter from torrential rains that caused widespread flooding.
The fire is thought to have spread from a nearby residence and destroyed a nearby pharmacy and several neighbouring buildings.
At least two days of heavy rains last week left many suburbs submerged and people stranded, with roads blocked and cars swept away or overturned by the flood waters.
Rainwater filled open drains blocked with rubbish and waste, causing them to overflow, according to locals.
Accra - Flags flew at half mast in Ghana on Monday as three days of mourning began to honour more than 150 killed in a petrol station fire during heavy flooding in the capital, Accra.
The government asked the public to wear black as a mark of respect to those who died, as the Red Cross said that 9 250 people have been affected by both tragedies.
President John Dramani Mahama will attend a service in memory of the victims on Wednesday near the site of the fire at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, his office said in a statement.
The government said it has begun to distribute relief materials, including food, water and non-food items to those hit.
"We have been able to identify a total of 9 250 people who were affected by the flood and fire, 1 125 houses were damaged while 67 people were hospitalised as of the weekend," Red Cross disaster management coordinator Francis Obeng told AFP.
A final death toll and full assessment of damages caused by the disaster is expected in about a month's time, he added.
UN agencies have been drafted in to work with national bodies helping those affected by the tragedy, which Mahama described as "catastrophic and almost unprecedented".
A fire and explosion at the Ghana Oil Company (GOIL) filling station on Thursday killed scores of people seeking shelter from torrential rains that caused widespread flooding.
The fire is thought to have spread from a nearby residence and destroyed a nearby pharmacy and several neighbouring buildings.
At least two days of heavy rains last week left many suburbs submerged and people stranded, with roads blocked and cars swept away or overturned by the flood waters.
Rainwater filled open drains blocked with rubbish and waste, causing them to overflow, according to locals.
Angolan president heads to China as low oil price bites
16:15 08/06/2015
Luanda - Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos headed on Monday for his first official visit to China in seven years as his country, which is Africa's second largest oil producer, struggles with falling oil prices.
Dos Santos, who has ruled since 1979, only makes rare trips abroad from the former Portuguese colony, which remains one of the world's poorest countries despite its natural resources.
Dos Santos was invited for a three-day visit to China by President Xi Jinping, reported the government daily Jornal de Angola, adding the stopover would seek to bring a "new impetus" to relations.
Beijing has extended nearly $15bn of credit to Angola since 2004, including help to finance major infrastructure projects such roads, rail lines and even new cities.
Angola draws about 70% of its income from oil, and falling prices have hit government revenue hard.
The country saw a decade of strong growth after the civil war ended in 2002, with development boosted by oil reserves. The government was also courted by China, the United States and Europe.
Dos Santos could seek new credit from Beijing, according to reports in the Portuguese press.
Official figures say that about 54% of Angolans live on less than two dollars a day.
Luanda - Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos headed on Monday for his first official visit to China in seven years as his country, which is Africa's second largest oil producer, struggles with falling oil prices.
Dos Santos, who has ruled since 1979, only makes rare trips abroad from the former Portuguese colony, which remains one of the world's poorest countries despite its natural resources.
Dos Santos was invited for a three-day visit to China by President Xi Jinping, reported the government daily Jornal de Angola, adding the stopover would seek to bring a "new impetus" to relations.
Beijing has extended nearly $15bn of credit to Angola since 2004, including help to finance major infrastructure projects such roads, rail lines and even new cities.
Angola draws about 70% of its income from oil, and falling prices have hit government revenue hard.
The country saw a decade of strong growth after the civil war ended in 2002, with development boosted by oil reserves. The government was also courted by China, the United States and Europe.
Dos Santos could seek new credit from Beijing, according to reports in the Portuguese press.
Official figures say that about 54% of Angolans live on less than two dollars a day.
Obasa emerges Lagos Assembly Speaker
He is Mudashiru Obasa from Agege Constituency 1, reports Punch.
Obasa emerged on Monday during the inauguration of the 8th Assembly.
Rivers APC to sue Khan for alleged electoral fraud
Okoro Chinedu
13:54 08/06/2015
Lagos - The Rivers State All Progressive Congress has hinted at suing State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Gesila Khan, days after the Inspector of General of Police Solomon Arase, ordered the official’s investigation for allegedly electoral fraud.
She is to be investigated alongside Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Austin Eni Okojie, following the contentious elections held in the respective states.
“Surely, there is no escape route for this evil woman (Khan), as we are making arrangements to sue her for the deaths and pains she brought to Rivers State and her people by organising the worst election in the annals of elections in Nigeria,” State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said in Port Harcourt.
“The final destination of Mrs Khan should be no other place than the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos and that is where we will make sure she spends the greater part of her years for the shame and pains she has undeservedly inflicted on Rivers State.”
Ikanya said the party welcomed the probe.
“The news of the probe ordered by IGP Arase came to us as a big relief. We commend the IGP for this bold step. We have shouted ourselves hoarse since the March 28 and April 11 elections, calling for the investigation of the Rivers REC, a disreputable woman who is supposed to be in jail for the needless pains she has caused Rivers State people by brazenly manipulating the results of the last elections in the State to favour the then-ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidates.”
APC is contesting the election of Nyesom Wike as Rivers governor.
Lagos - The Rivers State All Progressive Congress has hinted at suing State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Gesila Khan, days after the Inspector of General of Police Solomon Arase, ordered the official’s investigation for allegedly electoral fraud.
She is to be investigated alongside Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Austin Eni Okojie, following the contentious elections held in the respective states.
“Surely, there is no escape route for this evil woman (Khan), as we are making arrangements to sue her for the deaths and pains she brought to Rivers State and her people by organising the worst election in the annals of elections in Nigeria,” State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said in Port Harcourt.
“The final destination of Mrs Khan should be no other place than the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos and that is where we will make sure she spends the greater part of her years for the shame and pains she has undeservedly inflicted on Rivers State.”
Ikanya said the party welcomed the probe.
“The news of the probe ordered by IGP Arase came to us as a big relief. We commend the IGP for this bold step. We have shouted ourselves hoarse since the March 28 and April 11 elections, calling for the investigation of the Rivers REC, a disreputable woman who is supposed to be in jail for the needless pains she has caused Rivers State people by brazenly manipulating the results of the last elections in the State to favour the then-ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidates.”
APC is contesting the election of Nyesom Wike as Rivers governor.
PDP salutes Mark, Ekweremadu, Tambuwal, others
The party said it was particularly satisfied that the outgoing PDP leadership in the National Assembly laid solid foundation on which the nation’s legislature can always leverage for greater productivity in the interest of all.
The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the party noted that it was proud of them, especially in stabilising the upper house, which contributed immensely in deepening the nation’s democracy.
The party also commended the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, for their efforts in steadying the ship of the last House despite unpredicted daunting challenges.
PDP added that the leadership of the party notes the efforts of the last National Assembly under Senator Mark in ensuring unity among lawmakers and leading the federal legislature to provide the much needed direction for national development.
Showering encomiums on Ihedioha and other PDP leaders in the House of Representatives for their steadfastness to the party and the nation at large, the party said:
“The leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and members of our great party nationwide appreciate the commitment of our leaders and members in the seventh National Assembly for their selfless contributions to the development of our nation.”
- NAN
Suspected Boko Haram members kill security operative
14:59 08/06/2015
Kaduna - Two suspected members of the Boko Haram on Sunday killed a security operative in Kaduna State, reports Leadership.
The operative was killed after a joint team of security operatives engaged the suspects in a serious gun battle.
The security operatives had stormed the Ungwan Keke-B village in Chikun local government area of the state to arrest the Boko Haram suspects.
The operatives arrived at the village at about 1:00am and went straight to the home of the suspected terrorists and opened fire on them.
The suspects escaped after several hours of the gun battle with the operatives.
The operatives, however, arrested wives of the suspected members of the sect.
Read more at Leadership.
Kaduna - Two suspected members of the Boko Haram on Sunday killed a security operative in Kaduna State, reports Leadership.
The operative was killed after a joint team of security operatives engaged the suspects in a serious gun battle.
The security operatives had stormed the Ungwan Keke-B village in Chikun local government area of the state to arrest the Boko Haram suspects.
The operatives arrived at the village at about 1:00am and went straight to the home of the suspected terrorists and opened fire on them.
The suspects escaped after several hours of the gun battle with the operatives.
The operatives, however, arrested wives of the suspected members of the sect.
Read more at Leadership.
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