International News
UK Gov’t Announces Cobra Meeting After Violent Unrest Across The Country
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.
President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to take sweeping actions against what he described as “transgender lunacy,” signaling a push to reverse policies protecting transgender individuals in schools, sports, and the military.
Speaking at the AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Trump outlined his administration’s priorities, stating, “I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military, and out of our elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.”
READ MORE: Ex-IMF Chief, Rodrigo Rato Jailed For Money Laundering, Fraud
He also vowed to “keep men out of women’s sports” and asserted, “It will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”
The president-elect’s remarks come amid growing national debate over transgender rights, with states divided over issues such as gender-affirming medical care and the inclusion of books addressing transgender topics in schools.
The controversy escalated last week when Congress passed a defense budget provision blocking funding for certain gender-affirming care for the children of service members.
Trump’s speech drew strong reactions, with critics warning that his policies could strip essential protections from transgender individuals.
Civil rights advocates have raised concerns about the implications of these proposals on marginalized communities.
In addition to his focus on cultural issues, Trump used the event to outline his vision for the nation under his leadership.
He described his presidency as a turning point, promising to address international conflicts and restore American dominance.
“On January 20, the United States will turn the page forever on four long, horrible years of failure, incompetence, national decline, and we will inaugurate a new era of peace, prosperity, and national greatness,” Trump declared, referring to his upcoming swearing-in.
He pledged to end the war in Ukraine, stabilize the Middle East, and avert global conflict. “I will stop the chaos in the Middle East, and I will prevent, I promise, World War III,” he said.
The president-elect also reiterated his commitment to reclaiming control of the Panama Canal and combating crime linked to illegal immigration.
“I can proudly proclaim that the golden age of America is upon us,” Trump concluded.
A Madrid court on Friday handed down a sentence of more than four years in prison to Rodrigo Rato, the former chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Spain’s ex-economy minister.
Rato was convicted of multiple charges, including tax crimes, money laundering, and corruption.
READ MORE: NCDMB Rewards Winners Of 2024 Edition National Undergraduate Essay Competition
The court found Rato guilty of “three offences against the treasury, one offence of money laundering, and one offence of corruption between individuals,” according to an official statement.
Details shortly………..
South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol has been banned from leaving the country, the Justice Ministry confirmed Monday, following a week of political chaos triggered by his brief declaration of martial law.
The ban marks the first time a sitting president has faced such a restriction in the nation’s history.
Recall that on December 3, Yoon ordered special forces and helicopters to the National Assembly in an attempt to impose martial law.
RELATED NEWS: Martial Law: South Korea Opposition Files Impeachment Motion Against President Yoon
Lawmakers swiftly overturned the decree, forcing Yoon to rescind the order. Although he survived an impeachment motion on Saturday, public anger has continued to mount, with large protests demanding his resignation.
Authorities are now investigating Yoon and his close allies for their roles in last week’s events, including allegations of insurrection.
Among those facing travel bans are former Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun, who is in custody, and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min.
General Park An-su, who led the martial law operation, and Defence Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung have also been barred from leaving the country.
General Park was questioned by investigators on Monday as the probe intensified.
Yoon’s impeachment failed after members of his ruling People Power Party (PPP) walked out of the National Assembly, denying the opposition the required two-thirds majority.
In exchange for their support, Yoon reportedly agreed to delegate his powers to the prime minister and the PPP chairman.
“This is an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection and a second coup,” said Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the opposition Democratic Party.
Critics argue that Yoon’s decision to hand power to unelected officials violates the constitution.
“It seems to resemble an unconstitutional soft coup,” said Kim Hae-won, a constitutional law professor at Pusan National University.
“Their attitude of placing themselves above the constitution mirrors that of insurrectionist Yoon Suk Yeol,” added Park Chan-dae.
Despite Yoon’s apology for the “anxiety and inconvenience” caused by his martial law order, his approval rating has plummeted to 11%, according to a recent Gallup poll.
Opposition leaders have announced plans for a second impeachment vote on Saturday, with massive protests expected outside the National Assembly.
The PPP’s claim that Yoon can remain in office while delegating his powers to party officials has also been widely criticized.
“If there are issues with the president, the constitution lays out clear procedures, such as suspension or impeachment,” said Professor Kim Hae-won.
The ongoing crisis has raised concerns about South Korea’s leadership amid tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea.
The Defense Ministry confirmed Monday that Yoon remains the official commander in chief, despite questions about his authority.
“Legally, (control of military forces) currently lies with the commander in chief,” said Defense Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-Kyou.
Christmas: Shettima Assures Of FG’s Commitment To Citizens’ Welfare
Obi’s Inspiring Christmas Message Of Hope For Women’s Football
Yuletide: Adeleke Rejoices With Christians
Archbishop Martins Champions Clamour For Better Life For Nigerians
Tinubu Sends Hearty Christmas Greetings To Christians Worldwide
Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Phyno, Others Dazzle Fans At Flytime Music Festival 2024
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
