Connect with us

Headline

Sanwo-Olu Cancels Peace Walk, Gives Reasons

Published

on

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has cancelled the peace walk that was meant to herald the healing of the state.

Sanwo-Olu had invited a few celebrities, youths, civil society organizations and the media to join him in the peace walk.

Advertisement

A few people publicly turned down the invitation, despite the governor saying it will signal a new beginning for the state.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Sanwo-Olu explained that the peace walk was cancelled due to the rise in cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

READ ALSO: Anambra APC Crisis: Ngige, Andy Uba Test Might, Hold Separate Caucus Meetings

Advertisement

“We chose to be guided not by our emotions, but expert opinions rooted in science. Between Tuesday 30, November 2021 that I made my address, and now, we have seen a significant rise in cases associated with the Omicron variant of this pandemic.

“Given this development, I am constrained to stand down all preparations for the walk for peace. I will not endanger the life of any Lagosian in my sincere search for peace,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu added that he is “overwhelmed by the outpouring of support the initiative received from far and near. The deluge of support is, however, indicative of one thing: our people know the strategic place of peace to our quest for development.”

Advertisement

Headline

Israeli Strike Kills Al Jazeera Journalist In Gaza

Published

on

By

Al Jazeera on Monday said one of its journalists was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza, two weeks after the broadcaster lost six staff and freelancers in an attack.

Mohammad Salama, a photojournalist and cameraman, was killed in an attack on a medical complex that left 14 people dead, the Qatar-based news network said.

Advertisement

His death was “confirmed,” a spokesperson told AFP.

READ ALSO:Make Al-Makura National Chairman Of Our Great Party, APC Group Urges Tinubu, Others

Earlier this month, four Al Jazeera staff and two freelancers were killed in an Israeli air strike outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, prompting widespread condemnation.

Advertisement

Mahmud Bassal, Gaza’s Civil Defence spokesman, also said the death toll in the latest attack stood at 14, including journalists.

An Israeli explosive drone targeted a building at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, followed by an airstrike as the wounded were being evacuated, Bassal said.

AFP

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Headline

42 Killed In Israeli Attacks, Says Gaza’s Civil Defense

Published

on

By

Gaza’s civil defence agency reported at least 42 people killed in Israeli attacks on Sunday, as the Israeli army prepared for a new assault on the Palestinian territory’s largest city.

Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said there had been several air strikes around Gaza City — which the military is gearing up to capture — including one in the Al-Sabra neighbourhood that killed eight people.

Advertisement

Attacks were also reported elsewhere across the territory, he said, with the “total tally currently rising to 42 dead”.

READ ALSO:Russia, Ukraine Exchange Prisoners Of War, Civilians

The army did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the figure.

Advertisement

The situation is extremely dangerous… Each day, each minute, there are bombings, martyrs, death and blood — we can’t take it anymore,” Al-Sabra resident Ibrahim Al-Shurafa told AFP, explaining strikes and shelling were ongoing.

We don’t know where to go. Death follows us everywhere,” he added.

READ ALSO:Russia Claims More Ukraine Land As Hopes For Summit Fade

Advertisement

Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency or the Israeli military.

The October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Israel’s offensive has killed at least 62,686 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the United Nations considers reliable.

Advertisement

AFP

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Headline

Venezuela Frees Eight Opposition Leaders

Published

on

By

Venezuelan authorities released eight opposition leaders from jail early Sunday, including a former congressman and two Italian citizens, and granted house arrest to five others, an opposition politician said.

Most of those released had been charged with corruption in opposition-run mayoral offices.

Advertisement

Also set free was Congressman, Amirico de Grazia, detained amid protests that erupted during President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection in 2024.

READ ALSO:Russia, Ukraine Exchange Prisoners Of War, Civilians

Today, several families are once again embracing their loved ones. We know there are many left, and we have not forgotten them; we continue to fight for everyone,” two-time former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles said on X.

Advertisement

Opposition leaders Victor Jurado, Simon Vargas, Arelis Ojeda Escalante, Mayra Castro, Diana Berrio, Gorka Carnevalli, as well as Italian nationals Margarita Assenzo and de Grazia were released, Capriles said.

Nabil Maalouf, Valentin Gutierrez Pineda, Rafael Ramirez, Pedro Guanipa, and David Barroso were placed under house arrest.

READ ALSO:US Ambassador To Paris Slams Macron Over Rising Antisemitism

Advertisement

The Italian government confirmed the release of de Grazia and Assenzo, who must appear in court to clarify the conditions of their release. It also vowed to continue working on securing the release of other detained Italians.

We have always said, and we maintain it: we will talk to whomever we need to talk to so that there is not a single political prisoner in our Venezuela!” Capriles added.

AFP

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version