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US President Joe Biden met his senior national security team on Monday as concerns of a possible Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel grew.

Mr Biden said he had been briefed on preparations to support Israel should it be attacked, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken said officials were working “around the clock” to prevent an escalation.

Tensions have risen over the last week following the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh, for which Iran has blamed Israel and vowed “severe” retaliation. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the assassination.

Numerous countries, including the US and UK, have also told their citizens to leave Lebanon, from where it is feared Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia and political movement, could play a role in any response.

During Monday’s briefing, Mr Biden was told the timing and nature of an Iranian attack remained unclear, according to US news site Axios. A day earlier, Mr Blinken reportedly told his G7 counterparts that Iran and Hezbollah could attack Israel within 24 to 48 hours.

In a statement released after the briefing, Mr Biden said: “We received updates on threats posed by Iran and its proxies, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions, and preparations to support Israel should it be attacked again.

He added that steps were being taken to respond to attacks on US forces “in a manner and place of our choosing”. On Monday, several US personnel were injured in a suspected rocket attack on a US military base in Iraq.

Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Mr Blinken said officials were “engaged in intense diplomacy pretty much around the clock with a very simple message: All parties must refrain from escalation”.

“Escalation is not in anyone’s interests. It will only lead to more conflict, more violence, more insecurity,” he said.
He added that a ceasefire would “unlock possibilities for more enduring calm not only in Gaza itself, but in other areas where the conflict can spread”.

“It is urgent that all parties make the right choices in the hours and days ahead,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Mr Biden spoke to King Abdullah II of Jordan about “efforts to de-escalate regional tensions, including through an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal”, a statement from the White House said.

A joint statement from the G7 also expressed “deep concern at the heightened level of tension in the Middle East which threatens to ignite a broader conflict in the region”.
“No country or nation stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East.

BBC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has revealed that a total of 4,682,086 registered voters will participate in the upcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

INEC National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun disclosed this in a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja on the final register of voters for Edo and Ondo states.

Edo State governorship election is scheduled to hold on September 21, 2024, while that of Ondo will be held November 16, 2024.

According to Olumekun, Edo State now has 2,629,025 registered voters, of this figure, 1,370,061 (52.11%) are males; while 1,258,964 (47.89%) are females.”

The National Commissioner explained that the new register represents a 4.9% increase over the 2023 general election figure of 2,501,081.

He further revealed that youths between 18 and 35 years account for 983,133 (37.4%), followed by 914,806 middle aged (36 – 49) persons.

Olumekun said together, they constituted the 1,897,939 (72.2 per cent) of registered voters in the state.”

Olumekun said Ondo State now has 2,053,061 registered voters, noting that of this figure, 1,034,006 (50.36 per cent) are males while 1,034,964 (47.89 per cent) are females.

He said the new register represents a 3.0 per cent increase over the 2023 General Election figure of 1,191,344.

The Nigerian stock Market experienced a decline on the first trading day of the week on Monday following the broader global market downturn.

This decline resulted in a N93bn loss in market capitalisation which now stands at N55.40tn.

The All-Share Index fell to 97,582.41 points, down 0.17 per cent from the previous close of 97,741.86 points.

The day trading saw 9,738 transactions totalling N6.217bn, with 324.02m units of shares exchanged. The market breadth was negative, as 23 equities gained while 25 equities saw their prices drop.

Among the top gainers were International Breweries, Presco Plc, and Sovereign Trust Insurance, each posting a 10 per cent increase to close at N4.62, N485.10, and N0.55, respectively.

Conversely, Chams Plc led the losers with a 10 per cent decline to close at N1.98, followed by University Press Plc, which shed 9.92 per cent to close at N2.18, and The Initiate Plc, down 8.26 per cent to end at N2.

The trading volume saw a 54 per cent increase to 324.02m shares, and the number of deals rose by 47 per cent to 9,738. Zenith Bank recorded the highest volume of 37m traded shares, with United Bank for Africa, Veritas Kapital Assurance, and Oando following with 35m, 25.5m, and 20.3m shares, respectively.

This downturn in the Nigerian market is part of a larger global trend. International share markets also tumbled on Monday as investors reacted to fears of a potential recession in the United States.

The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests have reached former Governor Nyesom Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt.

Wike, the Federal Capital Territory minister, had vehemently kicked against the protest in the Nigerian capital.

While the protests seem to have died down in the FCT, the street processions are gradually picking up in Wike’s home state.

The demonstrators have now gathered at the former governor’s mansion in the state capital as the protests enter Day 6.

In response, the Nigerian Police Force has deployed additional personnel to the area to maintain order and ensure the safety of all parties involved.

The protesters had earlier stormed the Government House on the first day of the protests where they publicly embarrassed Governor Sim Fubara who tried to give them money for ‘pure water.’

Watch the video below:

A tailor behind the spread of Russian flag in Kano, North West Nigeria, has been arrested.

Leadingreporters gathered that thousands of Nigerians who joined the #EndBadGovernance protest are waving the foreign flags in different parts of the country.

The trend started last week in few places where protest held, but by Monday, the number of those waving the flags increased by a wide margin.

This development comes after President Bola Tinubu warned protesters against being used to promote an unconstitutional agenda.

“Let us work together to build a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come. Let us choose hope over fear, unity over division, and progress over stagnation. The economy is recovering; Please, don’t shut out its oxygen. Now that we have been enjoying democratic governance for 25 years, do not let the enemies of democracy use you to promote an unconstitutional agenda that will set us back on our democratic journey. Forward ever, backward never!” he had said

On Monday, the police cracked down on a tailor in Kano, including some of the youths using the flag to protest.

The tailor simply identified as Ahmed was said to be in possession of some Russian flags at the time of his arrest.

He has since been taken into custody for interrogation.

The Nigerian Defence on Monday issued stern warning to citizens agitating for military rule in the country.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Mustapha who gave the warning while addressing journalists shortly after an emergency meeting with President Bola Tinubu, also said that those flying the Russian flag in Nigeria have committed a treasonable offence.

Leading reporters reports that while some of the EndBadGovernance protesters were flying the Russian flag in some northern states, others were heard calling on the military to take over leadership via coup.

Responding to the moves by aggrieved Nigerians protesting against hunger and high cost of living, General Christopher vowed that the law would catch up with such people.

Specifically addressing the call for coup, Musa said the military had accepted democracy and regime change would never be allowed in Nigeria, warning those behind the call to desist.

“All of us have seen it where foreign flags have been flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that is totally unacceptable. We are warning in clear terms and the President has also said we should convey this, that we will not accept anybody, any individual flying any foreign flag in Nigeria.

“That is a treasonable offence, and it will be viewed and treated as such. So nobody shall allow himself to be used by any individual.

“Also the issue of coups, Nigeria is a sovereign nation, Nigeria is a democratic nation all security agencies are here to defend democracy and ensure that democracy continues to strive.

“We will not accept anyone pushing or taking any action, seemingly or for whatever reason, to want to push for any change of government. Democracy is what we stand for, democracy is what will continue to defend”, he said.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested criminal elements who diverted 1200 bags of rice which the federal government sent to Katsina State.

Beyond the diverted rice, the saboteurs also diverted 48 bags of rice kits.

The Spokesman for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, gave the figure at a press briefing in Abuja today.
Afunanya disclosed that in July, the DSS arrested several criminal elements involved in oil theft, kidnapping, burglary, cultism, terrorism and insurgency.

Others arrested by the security agency included: high terrorist leaders, logistic facilitators, gun runners and improvised explosive devices.

The Spokesman said beyond the arrests, semi-automatic double barrel, cartridges, pump action rifles, locally-made pistols, IED initiators, AK47 rifles, magazines and batteries were seized by the DSS operatives.

Details later…

Bangladesh’s army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman said Monday he would form an interim government following the resignation of Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, who had fled the capital in the face of overwhelming protests.

“I am taking full responsibility,” the general said, dressed in military fatigues and a cap, although it was not immediately clear if he would head a caretaker government.

“We will form an interim government. The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, and many people have been killed — it is time to stop the violence.

“I hope after my speech, the situation will improve,” Waker said in a broadcast to the nation on state television.

He said he would talk to the president to form the interim government and had held talks with the main opposition parties and civil society members — but not Hasina’s Awami League.

Waker is a career infantry officer who has spent nearly four decades in the military, serving two tours as a United Nations peacekeeper as well as in the prime minister’s office.

“If the situation gets better, there is no need for emergency,” he said, vowing the new authorities would “prosecute all murders” following weeks of deadly protests.

“Now the task of the students is to keep calm and help us,” he added.

Bedecked with medal ribbons on his green uniform, the mild-looking and spectacle-wearing officer was appointed to the military’s top job as the Chief of Army Staff earlier this year.