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US Senate Ratifies Finland and Sweden’s NATO Accession

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The US Senate has ratified Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO, the most significant expansion of the 30-member alliance since the 1990s amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Senate voted 95 to 1 in favor of the two Nordic countries’ accession on Wednesday, making the United States the 23rd of the 30 NATO countries to formally endorse it so far, after Italy approved it earlier in the day and France on Tuesday.

“This historic vote sends an important signal of the sustained, bipartisan US commitment to NATO, and to ensuring our alliance is prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow,” Biden said in a statement.

President Joe Biden hailed the Senate’s quick ratification process – the fastest since 1981.

Senators from both parties strongly endorsed membership for the two countries, describing them as important allies whose modern militaries already worked closely with NATO.

“The qualifications of these two prosperous, democratic nations are outstanding and will serve to strengthen the NATO alliance,” said Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, urging support before the vote.

The sole opponent was Republican Josh Hawley, who agreed that the US should focus on protecting its homeland but said that Washington should concentrate on the challenge from China rather than Europe.

Senate leader Chuck Schumer said it was a signal of Western unity after Moscow launched a war on Ukraine on February 24.

“This is important substantively and as a signal to Russia: they cannot intimidate America or Europe,” Schumer said.

“Putin has tried to use his war in Ukraine to divide the West. Instead, today’s vote shows our alliance is stronger than ever,” he said.

All 30 members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization must agree if Finland and Sweden, officially non-aligned but longtime adjunct partners of the alliance, are admitted.

According to a NATO list, seven-member countries have yet to formally agree to the new double-entry: the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Turkey.

Turkey has raised a challenge, demanding certain concessions from Finland and Sweden to back their memberships.

Ankara has demanded the extradition of dozens of government opponents it labels “terrorists” from both countries in exchange for its support.

Turkey said on July 21 that a special committee would meet Finnish and Swedish officials in August to assess if the two nations are complying with its conditions.

Ratification could take up to a year.

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Headlines

Gombe gov. congratulates new NUJ National President

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Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has congratulated Alhassan Yahya on his election as National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Yahaya, in a congratulatory message issued to newsmen on Thursday in Gombe, expressed joy over Yahya’s ‘resounding victory’ at the just-concluded 8th Triennial Delegates’ Conference in Owerri, Imo.

The governor, in the statement issued by his Media Aide, Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli, described Alhassan’s victory as a remarkable achievement and source of immense pride for the state and the entire journalism community.

He praised Alhassan’s journey and impressive rise in the NUJ leadership.

“From your humble beginning at the chapel level, to the state, zonal and now the national level, you have showed consistency, demonstrated unmatched courage, integrity and passion for journalism and the welfare of journalists.

“Your election as the national president of NUJ is a reflection of the trust journalists across Nigeria have in your capacity to lead.

“Your commitment, integrity and vision have made you a shining example of what it means to be a leader in the field of journalism and I commend you for these sterling attributes,” he said.

Yahaya, while expressing confidence in Alhassan’s ability to unite and lead the union toward progress and professionalism, assured him of the support, solidarity and goodwill of the government and people of the state.

“We are confident that under your leadership, NUJ will witness a new era of progress, unity and professionalism that will further elevate the role of journalism in promoting national development,” he said.

The governor acknowledged the vital role of a united and committed press in advancing democratic ideals and national development.

He also praised journalists for the peaceful conduct of the election, while wishing the new NUJ leadership a successful and impactful tenure.

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Headlines

Gombe gov. congratulates new NUJ National President

Published

on

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has congratulated Alhassan Yahya on his election as National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Yahaya, in a congratulatory message issued to newsmen on Thursday in Gombe, expressed joy over Yahya’s ‘resounding victory’ at the just-concluded 8th Triennial Delegates’ Conference in Owerri, Imo.

The governor, in the statement issued by his Media Aide, Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli, described Alhassan’s victory as a remarkable achievement and source of immense pride for the state and the entire journalism community.

He praised Alhassan’s journey and impressive rise in the NUJ leadership.

“From your humble beginning at the chapel level, to the state, zonal and now the national level, you have showed consistency, demonstrated unmatched courage, integrity and passion for journalism and the welfare of journalists.

“Your election as the national president of NUJ is a reflection of the trust journalists across Nigeria have in your capacity to lead.

“Your commitment, integrity and vision have made you a shining example of what it means to be a leader in the field of journalism and I commend you for these sterling attributes,” he said.

Yahaya, while expressing confidence in Alhassan’s ability to unite and lead the union toward progress and professionalism, assured him of the support, solidarity and goodwill of the government and people of the state.

“We are confident that under your leadership, NUJ will witness a new era of progress, unity and professionalism that will further elevate the role of journalism in promoting national development,” he said.

The governor acknowledged the vital role of a united and committed press in advancing democratic ideals and national development.

He also praised journalists for the peaceful conduct of the election, while wishing the new NUJ leadership a successful and impactful tenure.

 

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Crime

Court remands man for allegedly causing death of his unborn child

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An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan on Thursday ordered the remand of a 52-year-old man, Taiwo Olaniyan, in Agodi correctional facility for allegedly causing the death of his unborn child.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, who did not take the defendant’s plea for lack of jurisdiction, ordered his remand in Agodi correctional facility, Ibadan.

Ogunkanmi held that the defendant would remain in custody pending receipt of advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

She, thereafter, adjourned the matter till Dec. 12 for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Cpl. Akeem Akinloye, had arraigned the defendant, who resides at Apata area of Ibadan, on a three-count charge bordering on assault and causing death of an unborn child.

Akinloye told the court that the defendant had, on May 2018, assaulted his wife, Rukayat Babajide, by inflicting injury on her.

He said that the defendant caused the death of the foetus due to his assault on his wife during pregnancy.

The prosecutor said that the couple had been married for 14 years, with two children.

According to him, the offences contravene Section 316 and punishable under Sections 319, 328 and 355 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

NAN reports that if found guilty of the charges, the defendant maybe sentenced to three years imprisonment under section 355, while section 328 stipulates life imprisonment and section 319 death sentence for any convicted offender.

 

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