Israeli air strikes pound Gaza as truce with Hamas ends

Welcome!!!

Israeli air strikes pound Gaza as truce with Hamas ends

Air strikes, heavy shelling and I'mcasualties reported in Gaza as Israel accuses Hamas of breaking agreement.

Heavy fighting has broken out across the Gaza Strip, as the Israeli military resumed combat operations against Hamas after efforts to extend the truce failed.

The resumption of hostilities came at about 7am local time (05:00 GMT) on Friday, as the deadline for the end of the week-long pause passed.

Blinken urges Israel to protect civilians amid tough Gaza truce talks

list 3 of 3

Israel has lost the war of public opinion

end of list

Israeli air strikes have been reported across the enclave, including the south, which was previously said to be safe for fleeing civilians.

Gaza’s health ministry said that dozens of Palestinians were killed and injured during the initial resumption of Israeli strikes.

Reports of rockets and gunfire had emerged in the hour before the temporary truce expired. Israel said that Hamas had violated the agreement.

Efforts to extend the pause had been ongoing. There was no comment from mediator Qatar, but there are reports that talks between Qatari and Egyptian mediators are continuing.

“Hamas violated the operational pause, and in addition, fired toward Israeli territory,” the Israeli army said in a post on X on Friday. “The IDF has resumed combat against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Hamas did not agree to release further hostages, infringing the terms of the truce. Hamas has yet to respond.

“With the resumption of fighting we emphasise: The Israeli government is committed to achieving the goals of the war – to free our hostages, to eliminate Hamas, and to ensure that Gaza will never pose a threat to the residents of Israel,” Netanyahu’s office said.

“What Israel did not achieve during the fifty days before the truce, it will not achieve by continuing its aggression after the truce,” said a Hamas statement.

A Palestinian man holds a child as people flee following the resumption of an Israeli bombardment in Rafah, the southern Gaza Strip, on December 1, 2023 [Mohammed Abed/AFP]

Heavy bombardment

There are now reports of heavy gunfire and Israeli shelling in the north, central and southern parts of Gaza, Al Jazeera’s journalists in the enclave reported, saying aircraft and drones could be heard overhead.

“The Gaza Strip is under heavy artillery and even aerial bombardment by the [Israeli] occupation forces,” said Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Khan Younis in southern Gaza. “In the coming hours, we might witness a surging increase in the number of Israeli strikes across the territory.”

Our correspondent said that in the north, a residential building was destroyed in the Jabalia refugee camp; in central Gaza, tanks were shelling near Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps; and in the south, a house in Rafah was completely destroyed.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 21 people were killed as Israel resumed its attacks, including two in the north, seven in central Gaza and 12 in the south.

“Right now, sounds of Israeli explosions can be heard in the south, an area that the Israeli authorities had recommended as safe for civilians to flee,” Abu Azzoum said.

“This [resumption of fighting] brings Palestinians only one option – that they will live again under the Israeli bombardment that will destroy all means of life inside the Gaza Strip,” he added.

Israeli forces have been dropping leaflets in Khan Younis warning civilians to evacuate southwards towards Rafah, on the border with Egypt. The city was also targeted by Israeli air raids on Friday.

“People are asking ‘Where should we go?’ Gaza is unprepared for all of this,” said journalist Hind Khoudary, reporting from Khan Younis.

The evacuation warnings suggest Israel is now planning to further target areas in the south of the Strip after concentrating most of its bombardment on the north of the enclave in the weeks before the truce.

The seven-day pause in fighting, which began on November 24 and was extended twice, had allowed for the exchange of dozens of hostages held in Gaza for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and facilitated the entry of humanitarian aid into the shattered coastal Strip.

During the truce, Hamas freed 110 captives, including 80 Israelis. In exchange, Israel released 240 Palestinians, including women and children, many of whom have been held in administrative detention for months without charge. However, during the same period, Israel has arrested nearly as many Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem as it has released.

The pause also allowed desperately needed aid into the enclave, although supplies of food, water, medicine and fuel remain insufficient for Gaza’s 2.3 million people.

“The music industry is a fickle business”- Simi pens open letter to her fans

Welcome!!!

“The music industry is a fickle business”- Simi pens open letter to her fans

The singer delves into the complexities of an industry that often grapples between artistic vision and commercial demands.

According to Simi, she only published one ballad, not reaching of her goal of many songs and an album.

Simi highlighted the complexities of life and the music industry in her post.

She described the profession as unpredictable and emphasized the hurdles behind the scenes. 

Nigerian music sensation Simi reflects on the unpredictable nature of the music industry, emphasizing its fickle nature.

Simi expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support of her fans while acknowledging the challenges she has faced along her musical journey.

Despite a year that diverged from her plans, she remains grateful and hopeful, With 28.6 million streams and 3.6 million unique listeners, her Spotify figures are impressive.

Simi stated that she had challenges this year, She only released one ballad, falling short of her goal of releasing multiple songs and an album.

In her recent post, Simi openly emphasized the unpredictable nature of both life and the music business. She emphasized the complexities that exist behind the scenes of the industry and characterized it as unpredictable.

She expressed her sincere gratitude for her fans persistent support and emphasized that they have inspired her throughout her artistic career.

Simi also talked about the significance of streaming numbers, acknowledging them as symbols of the devotion and love of her fans.

She emphasized that her relationship with her fanbase is real and goes beyond platforms.

The mother of one revealed her plan to postpone the release of her new song until next year, looking forward to a new beginning.

She shared her excitement for the future and advised her admirers to be ready for it.

Simi wrote:

“My year didn’t go how I planned. I’m not mad about it; I’m just stating for the record. I’d be crazy to give life any ultimatums, because by design, life is unpredictable.

I only put out one song this year. A ballad. In the middle of the year. I had plans for multiple singles and an album. I did. But the music business is so fickle, it’s amusing. The wheels that turn behind the scenes are emotionless.

This epistle is dedicated to my fans. Despite the many long waits you have endured for my sake, you support me. Still.

Again and again. I don’t take you for granted and I hope that’s a truth you don’t forget. I wasn’t going to post this stuff, because I didn’t see the point. But you’re the point.

This is one app. So the numbers are only a symbol and I want to say that I see you. Thank you for seeing me too.

1 pushed my stuff to next year, because I like the idea of starting afresh. So, I hope you’re ready.”

Welcome!!!

Ruthless Super Falcons Dispatch Cape Verde  5-0 In Women’s AFCON Qualifier

  

Uchenna Kanu and Esther Okoronkwo scored a brace each while Monday Gift got a goal as the Super Falcons recorded an emphatic win over the minnows.

Nigeria began their quest for a place in next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a 5-0 thumping of Cape Verde at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Thursday.

Uchenna Kanu and Esther Okoronkwo scored a brace each while Monday Gift got a goal as the Super Falcons recorded an emphatic win over the minnows.

As expected, the record WAFCON holders started the game on a sound note and did not take time before Kanu opened the score sheet. She tapped in from close range just seven minutes into the game.

Although Cape Verde rallied to balance the score, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a stunning 16th-minute save to deny them.

Nine minutes later, the Nigerian girls were the beneficiary of a goalmouth scramble with Gift bundling the ball home to double the Super Falcons’ lead. Rasheedat Ajibade shot inches wide in the 33rd minute.

But Kanu was not done yet. She converted a Toni Payne cross just at the 45-minute mark to make it three for the home side.

Super Sub

Nigeria continued to press the Cape Verdian ladies upon resumption of the second half. But it took a 66th-minute effort from substitute Esther Okoronkwo – who came in for Gift – for the Super Falcons to get their fourth goal on the night off Esther Akudo Ogbonna’s cross.

Okoronkwo bagged her brace for the evening eleven minutes later to give Nigeria a fifth goal.

With the job done, interim coach Madugu Justine brought in Tochukwu Oluehi for Nnadozie in goal while Chiamaka Okwuchukwu made her debut when she came on for Esther Akudo.

The second leg of the game will be played on Tuesday in the coastal city of Praia, the Cape Verdian capital. The winner of both fixtures will feature at the 2024 WAFCON in Morrocco.

Thursday’s game was Madugu’s third for the Super Falcons in the continued absence of Head Coach Randy Waldrum.

COP28 Opens With ‘Historic’ Launch Of Loss And Damage Fund

Welcome!!!

COP28 Opens With ‘Historic’ Launch Of Loss And Damage Fund

The talks in Dubai come at a pivotal moment for the planet, with emissions still rising and the UN on Thursday declaring 2023 on track to become the hottest year in human history.

Nearly 200 nations agreed Thursday to launch a fund to support countries hit by global warming, in a “historic” moment at the start of UN climate talks in the oil-rich UAE.

The announcement came as the Emirati host of the COP28 talks declared that fossil fuels must be part of any climate deal negotiated over the next two weeks.

The talks in Dubai come at a pivotal moment for the planet, with emissions still rising and the UN on Thursday declaring 2023 on track to become the hottest year in human history.

The formal establishment of the “loss and damage” fund long sought by climate-vulnerable nations provided an early win at COP28, where sharp divisions over the phasing out of fossil fuels were immediately apparent.

“We have delivered history today,” said COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber as delegates embraced and cheered.

Jaber said it was “the first time a decision has been adopted on day one of any COP and the speed in which we have done so is also unique, phenomenal and historic.

“This is evidence that we can deliver. COP28 can and will deliver,” he said.

Leaders have been urged to move more quickly to a clean energy future and make deeper cuts to emissions, with the world off-track to keep global temperature rises below agreed levels.

A central focus of COP28 will be a stocktake of the world’s limited progress on curbing global warming, which requires an official response at these talks.

Help our People’ 

Double the size of last year’s COP27, the conference is billed as the largest ever with 97,000 people, including Britain’s King Charles III and some 180 other heads of state and government expected to attend.

The UN and hosts the UAE say the talks will be the most important since Paris in 2015, and climate finance for poorer nations has been a key agenda item.

The UAE sees itself as a bridge between the rich developed nations most responsible for historic emissions and the rest of the world, which has contributed less to global warming but suffers its worst consequences.

The UAE announced $100 million toward the loss and damage fund with the European Union following with $246 million.

More pledges are expected in coming days, but the amounts fall well short of the $100 billion developing nations say are needed.

“The progress we’ve made in establishing a loss and damage fund is hugely significant for climate justice, but an empty fund can’t help our people,” warned Madeleine Diouf Sarr, chair of the Group of the 46 Least Developed Countries.

The 50-year-old Jaber is both COP president and head of UAE’s national oil giant, raising concerns over a conflict of interest amid calls for a phasedown of fossil fuels to be negotiated in Dubai.

On the eve of COP, Jaber was forced to deny that he used the COP presidency to pursue new fossil fuel deals, allegations first reported by the BBC.

In his opening address, Jaber told delegates they must “ensure the inclusion of the role of fossil fuels” in any final climate agreement and praised oil companies for coming to the table.

“They can lead the way. And then leading the way will ensure that others follow and catch up,” he said.

But UN climate chief Simon Stiell told the meeting: “If we do not signal the terminal decline of the fossil fuel era as we know it, we welcome our own terminal decline.”

And Pope Francis, who cancelled his trip to COP28 due to illness, urged participants to reject “the vested interests of certain countries or businesses”, in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Silence for Gaza

Finding a common position on the future of fossil fuels will be difficult at COP where all nations — whether dependent on oil, sinking beneath rising seas or locked in geopolitical rivalry — must take decisions unanimously.

The UAE hopes to marshal an agreement on the tripling of renewable energy and doubling the annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.

Nations will navigate a range of thorny issues between November 30 and December 12, and experts say building trust could be a huge challenge.

At the opening of the conference, delegates paused for a minute’s silence for civilians killed in the Gaza conflict.

On the sidelines, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will hold talks with diplomats on the release of hostages held by Hamas, his office said.

Neither US President Joe Biden nor Chinese President Xi Jinping are attending, though Washington is sending Vice-President Kamala Harris.

But the US and China, the world’s two biggest polluters, did make a rare joint announcement on the climate this month that spurred optimism going into COP28.

Over 50 Bandits Killed In Taraba – Police

Welcome!!!

Over 50 Bandits Killed In Taraba – Police

The bandits were neutralised by police operatives in collaboration with other security agencies.

No fewer than 50 suspected bandits terrorising communities across the Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State in what is a breakthrough in the fight against banditry. 

While the feat was achieved on Tuesday in the North-East state, the spokesman of the Taraba State Police Command Abdullahi Usman told Channels Television on Thursday that the bandits were killed by police operatives in collaboration with other security agencies.

He said the coordinated operation followed an outcry by locals which led to the ambush and killing of the bandits.

“Taraba State Police Command received information that some unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in their hundreds invaded Tonti village under Maihula District Bali LGA Taraba State. The bandits invaded the village around 5:30hrs during the time that the Muslim faithful were saying their morning prayers, and started shooting sporadically".

“On receipt of information, the Commissioner of Police Taraba State Police Command Joseph Eribo ordered the deployment of a tactical team from Bali Division to the area in collaboration with the Army, vigilantes, and hunters. On arriving at the village, the bandits engaged the joint team in a gun duel.

“In the process, many of the bandits were subdued and neutralised due to the firing power of the operatives and others escaped with various degrees of injuries as a result of gunshots. Investigation revealed that over fifty of the bandits were neutralised.”

According to him, there is a manhunt in the area to arrest the fleeing bandits.

However, 12 locals were shot to death by the bandits before the arrival of the security personnel, the police spokesman added.

Already, police authorities in the state have deployed a special strike force to the area for robust patrol mainly to stem the tide of banditry in and around the place.

Taraba is among several states in northern and central Nigeria where bandit gangs operate, raiding villages, killing and abducting residents as well as burning and looting homes.

The criminals have been notorious for mass kidnappings of students from schools in recent years. Hundreds of thousands of people have also been displaced in rural areas in the northern and central parts of Nigeria, where bandit militias raid villages to loot and kidnap scores of residents to hold them for ransom in forest hideouts.

70-Year-Old Ugandan Woman Gives Birth To Twins

Welcome!!!

70-Year-Old Ugandan Woman Gives Birth To Twins 

"At 70 years when I'm considered weak, unable to get pregnant and deliver, or look after a baby, and here is a miracle of the twins."

A Ugandan woman aged 70 has given birth to twins, her doctor said Thursday, in what the mother hailed as a miracle.

Safina Namukwaya described her joy at the arrival of the twins who were born on Wednesday at a medical facility in the capital Kampala, where she had received fertility treatment.

“This is extraordinary achievement, delivering twins to Africa’s oldest mother at 70 years,” Doctor Edward Tamale Sali, who supervised her pregnancy and delivery, told AFP.

He said mother and babies — a boy and a girl — were still in the care of the Women’s Hospital International and Fertility Centre that he founded, but were in good health.

“There is no way to express my joy at this moment,” said Namukwaya, who lives in the rural of Masaka about 120 kilometres (75 miles) west of Kampala.

“At 70 years when I’m considered weak, unable to get pregnant and deliver, or look after a baby, and here is a miracle of the twins,” she told AFP by phone.

Namukwaya said she previously gave birth to a girl in 2020, after being mocked as “cursed woman” who had previously failed to produce a child.

She said her first husband had died in 1992, leaving her without children, and she met her current partner in 1996.

But Namukwaya voiced dismay that her partner has not visited her since she came to the hospital for the delivery.

“Maybe he is not happy that I delivered twins because men don’t want to know you are carrying more than one child in a womb for fear of may be responsibilities that come with that.”

Source: Channel TV

Meet December Repair Deadline For Port Harcourt Refinery, Afenifere Urges FG

Welcome!!!

Meet December Repair Deadline For Port Harcourt Refinery, Afenifere Urges FG 

Petroleum minister had in August pledged that the Port Harcourt refinery would be back on stream by December.

Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has urged the Federal Government to meet the December deadline for the operationalisation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

The Pa Reuben Fasoranti-led group, in a statement after its meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, this week, said meeting the December deadline will cushion the biting effect of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit also known as petroleum on Nigerians.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, had in August pledged that the Port Harcourt refinery would be back on stream by December

According to the minister, the measure was part of the government’s commitment to ending petroleum product importation.

With the removal of petrol subsidy in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, the price per litre of petrol rose from N184 to over N600 in most parts of the country.

With the December deadline already here, Afenifere, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Jare Ajayi, urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to meet the deadline.

Afenifere “urged the government to ensure that the deadlines given are adhered to”.

“For instance, the December deadline given for Port Harcourt Refinery to resume production should be met. This is to bring the cost of petroleum products down as the high costs of these products are contributing to the soaring prices of commodities and services in the country,” the statement partly read.