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UK Gov’t Announces Cobra Meeting After Violent Unrest Across The Country

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Downing Street has announced an emergency response meeting for Monday following the arrest of over 150 individuals due to violent unrest in various UK towns and cities over the weekend.

This development comes after Sir Keir Starmer denounced an attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham, vowing that those responsible for the unrest would face “the full force of the law.”

Police were called to violent incidents in Rotherham, Middlesbrough, Bolton, and other locations across the UK on Sunday.

Watch Video: violent Protest And Riots Have Broken Out Across Britain

The Cobra meeting follows some of the most severe rioting seen in the UK in recent years, triggered by the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport last week.

In the days following the stabbings, violence has erupted in various parts of England and Northern Ireland, which politicians attribute to misinformation on social media and far-right groups stoking tensions.

Cobra meetings, named after Cabinet Office Briefing Room A in Whitehall, involve a committee of ministers, civil servants, police, intelligence officers, and other relevant officials to address emergency situations.

Monday’s meeting aims to update the government on the weekend’s violence and plan the response for the coming days. It will include relevant ministers and police representatives.

Sources indicate that this meeting is part of ongoing efforts, including a previous meeting between the prime minister and police chiefs last Thursday, and a senior ministers’ meeting on Saturday.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted the role of social media in exacerbating the situation, calling it a “rocket booster” for spreading misinformation and organizing violence.

She urged social media companies to take responsibility and ensure that online criminal activity is addressed.

When questioned about Tommy Robinson, the founder of the far-right English Defence League, spreading misinformation online, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper refrained from commenting on specific individuals but emphasized, “if it’s a crime offline, it’s a crime online.”

“You can’t have people inciting and organizing violence from behind a screen without facing consequences,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme.

In a televised address on Sunday, the prime minister warned those involved in the unrest that they will “regret” their actions.

Sir Keir said: “People in this country have a right to be safe, and yet we’ve seen Muslim communities targeted, attacks on mosques… Other minority communities singled out, Nazi salutes in the street, attacks on the police, wanton violence alongside racist rhetoric, so no, I won’t shy away from calling it what it is: far-right thuggery.”

The Home Office, in a statement, announced the introduction of new measures to enhance protections for mosques, including the option for “rapid security” deployment to quickly restore worship services.

In Rotherham, anti-immigration demonstrators injured at least 10 police officers, with one left unconscious after being struck with planks of wood and sprayed with fire extinguishers, according to South Yorkshire police.

The officer who was knocked unconscious suffered a head injury, and at least two others are suspected to have broken bones.

While hotel employees and residents, including asylum seekers, were “terrified,” no injuries were reported among them.

Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, noted that there were “240 people” in the hotel during the attack and expressed concern for the asylum seekers, who have already faced violence and persecution in their home countries. “I can’t imagine how terrified they must have been,” he said, confirming that all asylum seekers were safely evacuated.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the violence as “utterly appalling” and assured that police have the government’s full support to take “the strongest action” against those responsible.

At a second hotel in Tamworth, Staffordshire, officers responded to “violent acts of thuggery” on Sunday evening, according to Staffordshire Police.

One officer was injured as individuals threw missiles, smashed windows, and started fires at the site.

David Felton, Assistant Chief Constable of Cleveland Police, reported that 43 people have been arrested following the “staggering” violence. He also confirmed that police will maintain a presence in the area throughout the day.

 

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International News

ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Others

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step, issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza.

In a detailed statement, the ICC accused the Israeli leaders of “intentionally and knowingly depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”

READ MORE: Osun Govt Decries Attempted Murder Of Park Mgt  Chairman By Police

The ICC’s move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu and Gallant are alleged to have orchestrated policies that caused severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.

Alongside the charges against Israeli officials, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Deif has long been a central figure in Hamas’s military operations. Israel’s military claims to have killed him in a July airstrike, although this has not been independently verified.

The warrants highlight growing calls for accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The ICC’s actions are likely to provoke heated debate and may complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.

With the warrants issued, global attention now turns to how the international community will respond and whether any practical steps will be taken to enforce them.

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International News

COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations

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As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP29) nears its conclusion, tensions are rising over a newly published funding proposal aimed at assisting developing nations in addressing climate-induced crises.

The proposal, released by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Thursday, has sparked widespread debate among delegations, activists, and observers at the summit.

The document, spanning ten pages, outlines funding options to support developing countries in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

READ ALSO: Osun Explains N75,000 New Minimum Wage

However, it fails to specify how much wealthier nations are required to contribute annually—a key sticking point that has drawn criticism from the Global South and climate advocates.

Ambiguity in Funding Commitments

Critics argue that the absence of concrete figures undermines the credibility of the proposed framework.

Mohamed Adow, Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, described the proposal as “a blank piece of paper,” highlighting the lack of clarity on financial commitments.

“This is the ‘finance COP.’ We came here to talk about money. The way you measure money is with numbers. We need a cheque, but all we have right now is a blank piece of paper,” Adow remarked during an interview.

The Global South, led by African delegations, is demanding at least $1.3 trillion annually by the end of the decade to adapt to climate change impacts and transition to sustainable energy systems.

Yet, developed nations have yet to commit to a specific annual figure, raising concerns over the summit’s ability to deliver tangible outcomes.

Key Provisions and Concerns

The new text acknowledges the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations and the financial barriers they face, including high costs of capital and limited fiscal space.

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It proposes the establishment of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, suggesting a framework of “at least USD [X] trillion annually” from 2025 to 2035.

However, the absence of defined numbers has led to frustration among negotiators.

David Tong, Global Industry Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, emphasized the critical role of finance in achieving meaningful progress.

“Without finance, there is no phase-out [of fossil fuels], no energy transition, no adaptation. The ambitious options are simply missing,” Tong stated during a press briefing.

Rising Frustration from the Global South

Delegates from the Global South have expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as weak commitments from developed nations.

Many fear that without concrete financial pledges, the summit’s outcomes may fall short of expectations.

“This summit is about delivering justice to those who suffer most from climate impacts. Wealthy nations must step up and provide the necessary funding,” said an African negotiator, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A Critical Juncture

With less than 48 hours remaining in the summit, the stakes are high. The COP29 negotiations in Baku, dubbed the “finance COP,” are expected to set a precedent for addressing the financial needs of vulnerable nations.

Delegates are calling on world leaders to finalize an ambitious NCQG target and bridge the growing divide between developed and developing nations.

 

 

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International News

Biden Approves Anti-Personnel Mines For Ukraine

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In a significant policy move, U.S. President Joe Biden has authorised the transfer of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, signaling heightened support for the country amid its ongoing struggle against Russian forces.

The decision underscores the administration’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capabilities as the conflict shows no signs of abating.

This announcement follows reports that Ukrainian forces have employed U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to conduct precision strikes within Russian territory.

These developments have reportedly prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to modify elements of Russia’s nuclear doctrine, further intensifying global scrutiny of the conflict’s escalation.

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In addition to the mines, the U.S. is set to unveil a new $275 million military aid package for Ukraine in the coming days. The package is expected to include a range of munitions and equipment aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s operational readiness.

This move aligns with Washington’s broader strategy to maintain robust support for Kyiv, even as questions loom over potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy with the approaching transition to a new administration.

The U.S. government has remained steadfast in its support for Ukraine, with officials emphasizing that these measures are essential for helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty. The provision of anti-personnel mines, however, marks a controversial step, reflecting the urgency of the situation on the ground.

As the conflict continues, the Biden administration’s decisions will likely have profound implications not only for Ukraine but also for the broader geopolitical landscape, where tensions remain high and outcomes uncertain.

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