Foreign News
EU Suspends Budget Support, Security Cooperation with Niger
…EU Budget to Niger
The European Union (EU) says it has suspended its financial support and cooperation on security with Niger with immediate effect following the military coup there.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell disclosed this in a statement.
The coup leaders declared General Abdourahamane Tiani as head of state on Friday, ousting President Mohamed Bazoum.
Read Also: Coup: UN Chief Demands Immediate Release of Detained Nigerien President
The EU, the United States, and other countries have called for the unconditional release of Bazoum from detention and the restoration of democratic order in the country.
“In addition to the immediate cessation of budget support, all cooperation actions in the domain of security are suspended indefinitely with immediate effect,” Borrell said.
Niger is a major recipient of Western aid and a key partner of the European Union in helping contain irregular migration from sub-Saharan Africa.
The EU also has a small number of troops in Niger for a military training mission.
The European bloc has allocated 503 million euros ($554 million) from its budget to improve governance, education and sustainable growth in Niger over 2021-2024, according to its website.
…EU Budget to Niger
(Reuters/NAN)
ECOWAS Leaders Meet on Niger Coup
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government are meeting in Abuja, at an extraordinary summit on the socio-political situation in the Republic of Niger.
President Bola Tinubu, who is also the Chairman f the ECOWAS, is hosting the meeting to continue to dialogue on the way out of the impasse that the military takeover has thrown the region into.
ECOWAS nations, including Niger republic, would likely impose sanctions on the military headed by the former head of the presidential guard, Gen.
Abdourahamane Tchiani.
The African Union (AU), ECOWAS, UN, EU and Niger’s former colonial ruler France, have condemned the takeover, insisting on return to constitutional rule in the country.
Though funding is still unclear, the ECOWAS leaders have agreed on a regional security force to intervene against jihadists and military coups.
The AU’s Peace and Security Council “demands the military personnel to immediately and unconditionally return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority, within a maximum period of 15 days”, it said in a communiqué after a meeting on Friday.
The AU’s Peace and Security Council condemned the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum, who was taken into custody on Wednesday by the coupists.
The takeover was justified by the junta as a response to the deteriorating security situation in the country.
In light of the unfolding events, the AU’s call for the military to restore constitutional authority and return to their barracks is aimed at upholding democratic principles and preserving stability in Niger.
A communiqué is expected at the end of the one-day meeting.(NAN)
Foreign News
51 killed by Severe Storms in Spain
At least 51 people have died in the severe storms in Spain, specifically in the Mediterranean region of Valencia, the Spanish news agency Europa Press reported on Wednesday.
The report cited the regional government in Valencia.
Torrential rain and widespread flooding have wreaked havoc across Spain, and several people are reportedly still missing, according to the authorities.
Rescue operations are ongoing in many areas.
The situation is particularly dire in the Mediterranean coastal regions of Andalusia, Murcia and Valencia, which are very popular with holidaymakers.
The regional leader of Valencia, Carlos Mazón, has called on residents to move to higher ground.
In some areas, residents were trapped in their homes and sent emergency messages via social media, the newspaper El País reported.
In addition to heavy rainfall, there was also hail and strong gusts of wind, according to the national weather service AEMET.
“The hailstones were the size of golf balls. It seemed like the end of the world,’’ farmer Mercedes González, 46, told El País.
The storms have caused rivers to overflow, flooding streets, homes, and fields, with cars and trees swept away by the floodwaters.
The area of rain is expected to move north-east today.
However, a severe weather warning remains in place for large parts of the country.
The weather service said that the situation across Spain would not fully calm until Thursday.
In the south and east of Spain, motorways and rural roads had to be closed in many places.
Air and rail transport were also affected. Classes were cancelled at numerous schools and universities.
Due to a landslide, a high-speed train travelling from Málaga to Madrid derailed shortly after departure with 291 passengers on board.
However, there were no injuries reported, Spain’s state-owned railway Renfe said.
The storm with heavy rain had already hit Mallorca and other Balearic Islands on Monday.
The situation there has eased, although a yellow storm warning was still in force for some areas, including Mallorca.
Heavy rainfall events have become more frequent and intense worldwide, largely due to climate change.
As global temperatures rise, warmer air holds more moisture, leading to increased precipitation levels.
However, flooding is not solely a result of changing weather patterns.
Other human activities, such as urban development, deforestation, and inadequate infrastructure, also contribute significantly to flood risks. (dpa/NAN)
Foreign News
WHO Accuses Israel of Denying Medical Specialists’ Entry to Gaza
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has accused Israel of barring medical specialists from entering Gaza to support clinics in the besieged enclave.
The WHO said since August, eight organisations and over 50 specialised personnel had been affected by Israel’s blockade.
The specialists were intended to provide crucial support for various medical services, as well as psychological support for healthcare workers at facilities including the European Gaza Hospital and the Nasser Hospital, the WHO said.
It was reported that among the organisations denied entry was the U.S.non-profit Palestinian American Medical Association, which supports Palestinians in need of medical care.
According to the WHO, this marks the first instance in which Israel has denied entire organisations the ability to participate in relief efforts for the Gaza Strip.
The WHO reported that in the past week, support teams conducted 25 per cent fewer operations than usual.
With only 17 out of 36 clinics and 43 medical practices remaining partially operational, the WHO emphasised the irreplaceable role of these external teams in providing essential medical services.
The WHO called for full access for emergency aid teams. (dpa/NAN)
Foreign News
Germany must Ensure Ukraine War Does not Spread to NATO – Scholz
It is Germany’s responsibility to make sure that a war between Russia and Ukraine does not become a war between Russia and NATO, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
He said this as he repeated his “nein” to sending long-range weapons to Kiev.
“I don’t consider this to be a proper delivery and that’s how it will stay,” Scholz said after a European Union summit in Brussels.
Scholz rejected key points in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “victory plan” out of concerns of future escalation.
Zelensky presented his “victory plan” at the meeting and called on Scholz, again to send him Taurus cruise missiles.
The Ukrainian leader believes a deterrent missile arsenal could force Russia into peace negotiations.
Scholz also maintained his stance against a quick invitation for Ukraine to join NATO, as outlined in Zelensky’s plan.
The United States also opposes a fast-track NATO entry for Ukraine.
The chancellor referred to the resolutions of the most recent NATO summit in Washington, which offers Ukraine a general assurance that it could no longer be stopped on its way into the defence alliance.
He further said all allies must agree that NATO conditions are met for an invitation.
These include reforms in the areas of democracy, the economy and the security sector.
Scholz also used the occasion to take a swipe at his main opposition in the Bundestag or German parliament, Christian Democratic (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz.
He complained that Merz flip-flopped on Taurus deliveries, taking a no-delivery position before key elections in east Germany and changing his position after that. (dpa/NAN)