Fireplace: Investigation underway to determine the origin of the fire outbreak

The United States President, Joe Biden, has given prerequisites to toughen Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Biden said US support for Netanyahu is contingent on steps by Israel to address civilian harm and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The US president made the request during a phone call with Netanyahu, which was disclosed by the White House.

Essentially primarily based fully on the respectable files from the White Condominium, the 2 leaders discussed the say in Gaza, with Biden “emphasising that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the general humanitarian say are unacceptable.”

Biden is also said to have made clear the need for Israel to ‘take and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the protection of aid workers.’

The readout added that Biden told his Israeli counterpart that US policy ‘with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps’ and stressed that an immediate ceasefire ‘is vital to stabilise and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians.’

Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Jibrin Barau, emerged on Thursday as acting Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.

He emerged at the inaugural session of the Sixth Legislature of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, which took place at the Global Conference Centre, Abuja.

During the session, he was first nominated as the 1st Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament by Awaji-Inombek D. Abiante and seconded by Senator Ireti Kingibe.

In accordance with the rotational principle established by Decision A/DEC. 6/06/06 of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the speakership of the sixth legislature of the sub-regional body has been zoned to the Republic of Togo.

Nevertheless, for the duration of the inauguration of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS, the Republic of Togo delegation was not present; hence, Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr., a Liberian, was elected Speaker Pro-Tempore.

Snowe Jr. presided over the inaugural session of the parliament, along with the election of the four deputy speakers. He said that in order not to create a vacuum, Senator Barau, as the 1st Deputy Speaker, will act as the Speaker of Parliament pending when the Togolese delegation is inaugurated.

The Honorable Adjaratou Traore Coulibaly (Côte d’Ivoire) emerged as 2nd Deputy Speaker; The Honorable Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin (Ghana) was elected Third Deputy Speaker; and Honorable Billay G. Tunkara (Gambia) emerged as 4th Deputy Speaker.

The opening ceremony was attended by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, His Excellency Bola Tinubu.

In his speech, President Tinubu called on ECOWAS member states to unite, strengthen ties, and reject forces bent on inflicting division throughout the region.

He said regional cohesion is crucial to strengthen the bloc’s resilience and effectiveness at this critical juncture.

Lawmakers from Nigeria, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone have been inaugurated as members of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS.

The ECOWAS Parliament, also known as the Community Parliament, is one of the institutions of ECOWAS. It is the Assembly of Peoples of the Community, serving as a forum for debate, consultation and consensus for representatives of the peoples of West Africa to promote integration.

The ECOWAS Parliament, which was established under articles 6 and 13 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993, includes 115 seats.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has signed a contract settlement with Max air and Air Peace airlines to transport 2024 Hajj pilgrims to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Jalal Arabi, who presided over the exercise at the Hajj Condominium in Abuja, told the airlines to prioritise the protection and welfare of pilgrims.

He said it could possibly even be an understatement to stipulate the importance of air careers in the success of hajj operation.

“You might well presumably be main stakeholders, you are companions in growth and the much that is anticipated of us jointly.

“Here will not be any longer your first time in taking allotment in this laborious accountability but appropriate to affirm that the expectations are composed there for a profitable day out.

“NAHCON is going to enter into settlement with you but majority of the expectation is in accordance to belief.

“I’d like to remind you that you have a duty to uphold no matter what you do, as your actions will outlive you. NAHCON has no doubt in its solutions that you can excel.”

He also emphasised the need for the airlines to take the safety and security of pilgrims seriously.

“The humanity in you tells you that it is your responsibility.

“The more you strive to excel and to demonstrate your worth, the more we will be taking the bullets on your behalf. Do the best you can to stay within bounds.”

Earlier, the NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Mr Anofi Elegushi, said the signing of the settlement marked a significant milestone in the continuing effort to ensure a smooth and seamless pilgrimage experience.

“The signing of this settlement with our airlines is a testament to our commitment to offering the best possible service for our pilgrims.

“As we move forward with the implementation of this settlement, I am confident that our collaboration with the airlines will result in a smooth and impactful experience for our pilgrims.”

Also, Mr Godwin Balang, Director, Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said that hajj is a highly predictable operation and urged the airlines to ensure adequate preparations.

Based on him, the welfare and safety of pilgrims to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is extremely important.

Balang, on the other hand, assured that the authority would continue to collaborate with NAHCON and provide any assistance in that regard.