Landslide has done a big blow to Malin village, near the city of Pune in Maharashtra state of India, killing at least 10 people, buried more than 40 houses and left 160 people trapped.
The first teams of emergency workers who arrived at the disaster happened scene are said to be trying to reach survivors caught under the debris but are being hampered by bad weather.
Reports said that heavy rains had triggered the landslide.
An official of India’s National Disaster Response Force said difficult terrain in the hilly area was making rescue work difficult.
Senior local official, Prabhakar Deshmukh said that rescue workers were being hampered by rains and poor roads leading to the Ambegaon area where Malin is located, some 60km (37 miles) from the city of Pune, south-east of Mumbai, India’s commercial capital.
Reports said debris from a hill near the village collapsed on homes early today when people were sleeping.
Television pictures showed the side of a hill shaved off, with mud and water flowing below.
Local official, Saurav Rao said that heavy machinery and 30 ambulances were being sent to the village.
“The exact number of casualties is not known as we are moving slowly to ensure that those trapped are removed safely,” Rao said.
More than 500 people died and several thousand people remain missing after floods and landslides hit the northern state of Uttarakhand in June last year. [myad]
President Goodluck Jonathan has asked officers and men of Nigeria immigration to be mindful of the way they conduct themselves in their official duties as their attitudes portray the image of Nigeria.
“What affects every traveler is how efficient and committed our immigration officers work at our airports. Visitors that come into the country have different impressions about our immigration officers. So they must improve; they are the image of this country. How they handle visitors matters so much. If they conduct themselves poorly, it reflects on all of us. So their conducts at the airports are keys, besides the passport.”
President Jonathan made these observations today when he launched a new 64 page e-passport at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President said that the most important thing is for Nigeria to have a robust relationship with key countries so that frequent travelers may not need visas.
“One thing one must know today is that it is not the issue of 64-page passport that is key to Nigerians but the security. If our passport could be easily faked by criminals, then we will have problems. One thing again is that how can Nigerians are able to get passport easily especially those living outside this country.
He sounded it that what the immigration should be most concerned with is the issue of the image of the country, adding that the people coming into Nigeria would always perceive the country from the way those in government, in the media and in the civil society paint it with all kinds of colours.
“I want a situation that whenever you travel to another country and you raise your green passport, people will appreciate you and not when you raise your green passport, people will begin to think that that green passport signify some suspicious character.
“We are not helping ourselves when we paint ourselves the colours that we are supposed to bear.”
He appealed to all Nigerians to collectively learn how to love their own things, by painting brighter colours for the nation’s green passport.
Speaking, Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro lauded Jonathan for what he described as his untiring efforts towards the successful implementation of policies and programmes of the Ministry of Interior, as well as the Nigeria Immigration Service, aimed at bringing the dividends of democracy to the door steps of Nigerians.
“the ease with which our citizens at home and in the Diaspora can obtain their Nigerian Passports, across several issuing centers in Nigeria and in 27 Missions abroad, as well as through the on-going e-Passport Intervention Exercise, is a clear demonstration of Government’s deliberate commitment towards entrenching seamless service delivery to Nigerians wherever they are found.
“I must also say a big thank you to our Service Providers and Technical Partners, who have been working assiduously in close collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration to sustain the e-passport technology since it was adopted in Nigeria in July, 2007.”
Moro added that the introduction of the 64-page Nigerian e-passport was a demand-driven initiative to meet the needs of frequent Nigerian travellers.
He explained that based on some recommendations arising from the operational experiences of the Nigeria Immigration Service, his ministry recently approved some reforms on the Nigerian e-Passport, adding that the reforms approved by his ministry according to Moro, include the newly introduced 64 page e-passport. [myad]
The United Nations has frowned at Israel launched which launched a deadly attack on a UN school housing refugees in Gaza despite repeated warnings that civilians were sheltering there.
The UN spokesman, Chris Gunness, in reaction, made it clear that “the world stands disgraced” by the attack, in which 15 were reported killed.
The Israeli military said soldiers had responded after militants had fired mortar shells “from the vicinity of the [UN] school”.
Some 1,200 Palestinians and 55 Israelis have been killed in the conflict.
Most of the Palestinian deaths have been civilians.
Some 53 Israeli soldiers have been killed along with two civilians. A Thai worker in Israel has also died.
Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after a surge in rocket fire from the territory.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, says it will not stop fighting until the blockade, maintained by both Israel and Egypt, is lifted.
The current conflict is now the longest between Israel and militants from Gaza.
A 2012 offensive lasted for eight days, and the 2008 conflict went on for 22 days.
A monthly opinion poll of about 600 Israeli Jews by Tel Aviv University suggests 97% support the current military operation.
Mr Gunness from the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) told the BBC that Israel had been told 17 times that the school in the Jabaliya refugee camp was housing the displaced.
“The last time was hours before the fatal attack,” he said.
“Our initial assessment is that it was Israeli artillery that hit our school.”
He said there were “multiple deaths” including women and children, adding that the attack caused “universal shame”.
Images from the school showed large holes in the walls and roof.
Bob Turner, UNRWA’s Gaza director, said the UN was “confident” Israel was responsible.
He said UN workers had collected fragments of projectiles that suggested they were artillery shells fired from Israeli positions to the north-east of the school.
The Israeli military said the incident was under review.
“Earlier this morning, militants opened fire and fired mortar shells at [Israeli] soldiers from the vicinity of the UNRWA school in Jabaliya,” the military said in a statement.
“In response, [Israeli] soldiers responded by firing towards the origins of fire.”
Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using schools and civilian areas as bases to launch attacks.
Last week, another UN-run school was hit, with Palestinians saying at least 15 people were killed.
But the Israeli military “ruled out” that it was responsible in that case, saying a single “errant” shell had landed in an empty courtyard.
It said it had come under fire from militants using anti-tank missiles in the vicinity of the school.
The UN on Tuesday revealed that a cache of rockets had been found at one of its schools in Gaza – the third case of its kind.
But the organization declined to give the location of the school or say who was responsible for the weapons.
In a statement, UNRWA said the rocket cache was “yet another flagrant violation of the neutrality of our premises”.
“We call on all the warring parties to respect the inviolability of UN property,” it said.
Israel stepped up the intensity of its strikes on Tuesday and overnight into Wednesday, saying it had hit a number of tunnels dug by militants to attack Israel.
But the Israeli military said rockets continued to land in Israel from Gaza.
Palestinian officials said Gaza’s port had been destroyed on Tuesday and its only power plant had been put out of action.
Meanwhile, Palestinian factions Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad are expected to meet in Cairo later to discuss a ceasefire. [myad]
The Nigeria Football Federation has increased Stephen Keshi contract fee to N7 Million (over $44,000) per month.
A top official of the federation put his first contract, which expired after the World Cup N5 Million monthly.
Keshi, who was not considered for the South African post and the NFF are expected to finalise a new deal next week.
The official who has been part of the contract talks said the “Big Boss” wishes to continue as Nigeria coach
“We have had meetings with Keshi and the good news is that he is willing to continue as coach of the Super Eagles,” the official told africanFootball.com.
“He is only concerned that most of the fringe benefits in his contract were not provided and demands better treatment from the Federation.
“I think the first step was a success and we will build on it because the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are not far away.”
The Super Eagles will in early September begin the defence of the AFCON crown won in South Africa last year.
The African champions will play in a group comprising South Africa, Sudan and either Congo or Rwanda. [myad]
Tragedy hit the home of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, in the early morning of today when his son, Hamza, died in a road crash in Abuja even as President Goodluck Jonathan sent his sympathy to the deceased father.
The former minister, who is a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, announced this on his Facebook page. He asked Nigerians to help pray for the repose of the soul of Hamza.
El-Rufai wrote, “From Allah we came and to him we shall return. Please join our family in praying for the repose of the soul of my son, Hamza El-Rufai, who died this morning in a motor accident in Abuja.”
In a condolence message signed by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan expressed the belief that the outpouring of support at this moment by his friends and associates would comfort El-Rufai. He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul. The statement read: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has received with a deep sense of grief and shock, news of the sudden and untimely death of Hamza El-Rufai, son of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. “On behalf of himself, his family and the Federal Government, President Jonathan extends his heartfelt commiserations to Mallam el-Rufai and all members of the El-Rufai family. “The President says although no amount of words can fill the deep gap created by the loss of Hamza, he hopes that the outpouring of support at this moment by friends and associates will comfort Mallam El-Rufai. “President Jonathan prays for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed and also for God’s blessing, comfort and protection for Mallam El-Rufai and the rest of his family.” [myad]
Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, has expressed fear that 2015 general elections in Nigeria portend great danger to the survival of the country because of the way politicians are using religion to further their political ambitions.
Badejo, who spoke in an interview in Abuja, regretted that politicians are promoting religious differences for selfish interest, saying that the signs ahead of the 2015 polls portend great danger going by the attitude of some politicians.
“What I am afraid of now is the tendency of politicians to begin to stoke the fires of religious differences as a pillar of their agenda.
“Politicians are now saying that this person should not be there because he did this and he did that to Christianity; we do not need that,” he said.
He enjoined both Christians and Muslims to desist from making religion to look as if it is the problem of the country, adding: “Religion is a blessing; it is religion that helps us to modify the tendencies and excesses that we have.
“Politicians should mention their agenda, put it to people, sell it to the people and then hope to be elected.
“That is something we should look after in the South West of Nigeria.” [myad]
A 16-year old Nigerian female weightlifter, Chika Amalaha is found to have been involved in drug scandal in the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and has been provisionally suspended from the Games. She tested positive in a doping test taken after she won gold in the women’s 53kg category, the Commonwealth Games Federation announced earlier today. Amalaha provided an ‘A’ sample on July 25 which revealed traces of diuretics and masking agents. She will have a ‘B’ sample tested at a laboratory in London on July 30. Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper said: “We (have) issued a formal notice of disclosure to an athlete following an adverse analytical finding as a consequence of an in-competition test. “That athlete is Nigerian weightlifter Chika Amalaha who was tested on July 25th. That athlete has now been suspended from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.” Amalaha snatched a best of 85kg before managing 111kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 196kg, to become the youngest Commonwealth weightlifter gold medallist. [myad]
Nigeria sprinter, Blessing Okagbare, has won gold medal for the country in the ongoing Commonwealth games, in Glasgow, Scotland even as the minister of sports, Dr. Tanmmy Danagogo commended her for the victory.
Okagbare on Monday night set a new Commonwealth Games record in Glasgow when she finished at 10.85 seconds winning the gold medal.
She beat Veronica Cambell-Brown to emerge the fastest woman in the Commonwealth and also broke Debbie Fergusonl’s 10.91 seconds of 12 years.
Reacting to the victory at the sideline of the games, the minister said that he very excited at this victory for Nigeria.
“Blessing Okagbare like our other medalist, has really made Nigeria proud. Nigerians are very happy that we are doing well.”
The excited minister said he has directed the sports ministry to ensure that any Nigerian athletes who wins gold, silver or bronze medals at the games, be paid their bonus instantly.
The Federal Government had last week pledged different sums of money to athletes who win gold, silver or bronze medals at the Glasgow Games as a way of motivating the athletes.
Under the arrangement, any athlete who wins a Gold medal will go home with $7,000, Silver medalist will get $4,000 while any athlete who wins Bronze medal will go home with $3,000.
“We want to make the athletes happy by paying them the money that the Federal Government promised on the sport. We do not want them to collect it after the games but as soon as they win they get their money. This will serve to further motivate them,” the minister said.
Danagogo said the reward is outside what the government would do for the athletes when they return to Nigeria after the games.
“This is an instant bonus to be given on the ground by the ministry of sports”, he said adding that “government will still honour and compensate athletes when we return.” [myad
President Goodluck Jonathan has sent a word of encouragement to the security forces both in Nigeria and Cameroon to remain resolute, and not be discouraged by the desperation of the agents of evil represented by Boko Haram. He believes that with the continued cooperation between Nigeria’s security forces and their counterparts in neighbouring countries, the war against terror will surely be won. The President, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Kano and Adamawa States as well as the kidnap of the Lamido of Kolofata in Northern Cameroon, Lamido Seini Lamine and the wife of the Vice Prime Minister of Cameroon. This is even as he sympathized with the families of all those who lost their loved ones in the Kano and Adamawa attacks, wishing the injured speedy recovery. President Jonathan regretted the deployment of young women as suicide bombers which he said represents a new low in the inhuman campaign by these terrorists and an expression of utter disregard for the dignity of the female gender as well as a wicked exploitation of the girl-child. He stressed that the abduction of the Lamido of Kolofata and the wife of the Vice premier of Cameroon underscored the regional security threat that Boko Haram has become. He commended the recent resolve by the Defence Ministers of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Benin and Niger to further strengthen existing partnerships in order to forestall the desperate attempt by misguided elements to turn the sub-region into a battleground for terrorism and radical extremism. [myad]
President Goodluck Jonathan has a handshake with Editor-In-Chief/Chief Executive of Greenbarge Reporters, Yusuf Ozi-Usman, when he hosted Muslims in the federal capital territory, Abuja, led by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo and the minister of the FCT on Sallah Day, known as Eid-el-Fitri.
Yusuf Ozi-Usman in a handshake also with Vice President Namadi Sambi
President Jonathan receives giant Sallah Greeting card from Vice President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
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