Day: December 30, 2024

United Nations human rights experts have called for Israel to face consequences for what they describe as “inflicting maximum suffering” on Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The experts accuse Israel of repeatedly violating international law, shielded by the protection of its allies. “International humanitarian law establishes universal and binding rules to safeguard civilians and limit methods
UN experts demand accountability from Israel over Gaza actions

United Nations human rights experts have called for Israel to face consequences for what they describe as “inflicting maximum suffering” on Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

The experts accuse Israel of repeatedly violating international law, shielded by the protection of its allies.

“International humanitarian law establishes universal and binding rules to safeguard civilians and limit methods of warfare.

“Israel has openly defied these rules, causing severe civilian suffering in the occupied Palestinian territory and beyond,” the group of 11 experts said in a joint statement.

The statement follows the Gaza war, which began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,208 people, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures.

The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza has claimed over 45,500 lives, predominantly civilians, based on figures from Gaza’s health ministry.

The experts allege that Israel committed crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, sexual violence, and forced displacement.

They also pointed out potential war crimes, such as indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, the use of starvation as a weapon of war and collective punishment.

“Civilians are protected under international law and are not legitimate military targets,” the experts stressed. “Actions aimed at their destruction in whole or in part are genocidal.”

The group urged immediate, independent investigations into these alleged violations. They warned that Israel’s continued immunity from accountability sends a “dangerous message” and demanded that Israeli leaders be held responsible for their actions.

The experts expressed particular concern over Israel’s operations in northern Gaza, describing the military offensive as potentially aimed at displacing the population permanently to pave the way for Gaza’s annexation.

The signatories included special rapporteurs on issues such as displacement, education, health, food security, and counter-terrorism.

Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on the rights of Palestinians, was among them.

Israel has previously criticised Albanese, accusing her of political bias.

UN experts demand accountability from Israel over Gaza actions

A Federal Appeal Court on Monday upheld a jury verdict ordering President-elect Donald Trump to pay $5 million for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. A New York jury found after a nine-day civil trial last year that the former president had sexually abused Carroll at a Manhattan department store in 1996. Trump
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A Federal Appeal Court on Monday upheld a jury verdict ordering President-elect Donald Trump to pay $5 million for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. A New York jury found after a nine-day civil trial last year that the former president had sexually abused Carroll at a Manhattan department store in 1996. Trump

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Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has approved the payment of the 13th-month salary to the state’s civil and public servants. The approval was communicated in a circular issued on the 28th of December 2024 by the office of the Zamfara State Head of Service. “Zamfara civil and public servants, including retirees, will receive a
Zamfara Govt approves 13th month salary for civil servants

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has approved the payment of the 13th-month salary to the state’s civil and public servants.

The approval was communicated in a circular issued on the 28th of December 2024 by the office of the Zamfara State Head of Service.

“Zamfara civil and public servants, including retirees, will receive a bonus of 30 per cent of their basic salary as the 13th-month salary,” the statement disclosed.

The 13th-month salary payment, according to the governor’s spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, is one of several ideas to empower workers and foster economic growth in the state.

He also disclosed that the government has cleared over N10 billion in gratuities owed over the past 11 years, approved a minimum wage of N70,000, and ensured workers’ salaries were paid on time.

Zamfara Govt approves 13th month salary for civil servants

Retiring Spanish football legend Jesus Navas tearfully bid farewell to his playing career on Monday with songs, chants and other tributes at a ceremony at Sevilla’s packed Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium. The 39-year-old winger — Sevilla and the Spanish national team’s most-decorated player — will officially retire when his contract expires on December 31 due to
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Retiring Spanish football legend Jesus Navas tearfully bid farewell to his playing career on Monday with songs, chants and other tributes at a ceremony at Sevilla’s packed Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium. The 39-year-old winger — Sevilla and the Spanish national team’s most-decorated player — will officially retire when his contract expires on December 31 due to

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Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has announced plans by his administration to construct a brand new Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring in the state. Governor Abiodun also announced that the two-time former world heavyweight boxing champion would light the Gateway Games National Sports Festival torch, which has been postponed to May next year. The governor
Ogun will construct Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring — Gov Abiodun

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has announced plans by his administration to construct a brand new Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring in the state.

Governor Abiodun also announced that the two-time former world heavyweight boxing champion would light the Gateway Games National Sports Festival torch, which has been postponed to May next year.

The governor made this known on Monday when he hosted the two-time world heavyweight boxing champion in his office.

He said: “I want to openly request that, besides the fact that today we are going to officially confirm you as our sports ambassador, we want to request that you come back to light up the Gateway Sports Festival torch; you will be the one lighting it up.

“We are going to construct a brand-new Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring, and that boxing ring will be in a stadium here in Abeokuta to ensure that you come home more frequently. Besides the fact that you are now our official sports ambassador, we have decided that we will give you a brand new house in Sagamu.”

The governor added: “We want to plead that you also find ways to support us back home. We believe that we should have tournaments planned leading to the sports festival, and you were expressing how you will participate and what you can do to mentor.

“We leave you to work with our Director-General of the National Sports Commission and the Commissioner for Sports Development on what we can do to ensure that we have activities leading to the sports festival in your boxing arena.

“Proudly, we bid for the National Sports Festival for this year, and we won that bid. The festival was supposed to be in January; however, for some technical reasons, it has been postponed to sometime in May.”

Governor Abiodun further noted that the state is blessed with many talents across music, arts, and sports who are excelling and placing the state on the world map.

He added that the state is extremely proud of Anthony Joshua’s achievements on the world stage, saying that his administration would support his career in every way it can.

Earlier in his remarks, Anthony Joshua noted that he would work towards promoting Ogun State to the rest of the world by showcasing the numerous talents in the state.

Ogun will construct Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring — Gov Abiodun

The Federal Ministry of Finance has disclosed the inauguration of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, as a step towards promoting transparency and accountability in the public service. This is contained in a press release issued to journalists on Monday by the ministry’s Director, Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga. The statement revealed that the ministry’s
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The Federal Ministry of Finance has disclosed the inauguration of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, as a step towards promoting transparency and accountability in the public service. This is contained in a press release issued to journalists on Monday by the ministry’s Director, Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga. The statement revealed that the ministry’s

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An Israel Defense Forces, IDF, soldier, Sgt. Uriel Peretz, 23, was killed, and eight others were wounded during operations in northern Gaza on Monday. The IDF reported that the soldiers were targeted by anti-tank fire while inside a building in Beit Hanoun. Among the eight wounded soldiers, three are in serious condition, while the remaining
IDF soldier killed in Gaza

An Israel Defense Forces, IDF, soldier, Sgt. Uriel Peretz, 23, was killed, and eight others were wounded during operations in northern Gaza on Monday.

The IDF reported that the soldiers were targeted by anti-tank fire while inside a building in Beit Hanoun.

Among the eight wounded soldiers, three are in serious condition, while the remaining five are in moderate or good condition, according to the IDF.

The death of Sgt Peretz brings the toll of IDF fatalities in the ongoing ground operation in Gaza to 395.

The military also reported three rockets fired from Gaza toward Israeli communities on Monday. Two were intercepted by air defences, and one struck an open area, causing no injuries or major damage.

The IDF has faced fierce resistance from Hamas operatives in northern Gaza, particularly in Jabalia, where fighting has intensified.

Overnight, the military said its 162nd Division conducted ambushes that killed “many dozens of terrorists” with gunfire and tank shelling.

Separately, the IDF released footage showing Hamas operatives planting explosives near the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia. According to the military, the bombs were placed just 45 meters (148 feet) from the hospital.

The IDF stated that it had operated in the hospital last week, killing several terrorists who attempted to flee and neutralising explosives planted in the area. The military condemned Hamas for using civilian institutions as shields, calling it a violation of international law.

DAILY POST had earlier reported that the IDF completed a major raid at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, where it apprehended 240 suspected terror operatives and killed 19 others. The military described the hospital as a stronghold for Hamas fighters.

Efforts were made to evacuate 350 patients, caregivers, and medical personnel from the facility before the operation, in coordination with the Defense Ministry.

The intensified ground operations, coupled with an uptick in rocket fire, come as negotiations over a potential ceasefire and hostage releases continue.

IDF soldier killed in Gaza

The Benue State House of Assembly has passed the 2025 appropriation bill of N550.1 billion into law. The bill was passed after scaling the third reading during a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, on Monday. The passage of the appropriation bill followed the presentation of the report of the House Committee
Benue Assembly passes N550bn appropriation bill into law

The Benue State House of Assembly has passed the 2025 appropriation bill of N550.1 billion into law.

The bill was passed after scaling the third reading during a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, on Monday.

The passage of the appropriation bill followed the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Appropriation by its chairman, Cephas Dyako.

Governor Hyacinth Alia had recently presented to the assembly the budget proposal christened “Budget of Human Capital Development, Food Security and Digital Economy.”

The bill was read and adopted clause by clause before the Committee of the Whole House while the clerk of the house, John Hwande, read the bill for the third time.

Also, during plenary, the House approved all six recommendations made by the Ad Hoc Committee constituted to investigate the controversies surrounding the recruitment of primary school teachers by the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, arising from the briefing and interaction with the executive chairman of the board, Dr Grace Adagba.

The approved recommendations include: “That the Board do reassess the recruitment process and ensure compliance with extant laws based on fairness, equity and justice to reflect state character; that the Board do ensure that applicants are shortlisted and employed strictly in their local governments of origin, taking note of the financial autonomy granted to local governments; that the House do constitute a compliance committee to monitor the implementation of all House Resolutions and recommend sanctions where necessary; that all government appointees do desist from actions that undermine the authority of the Honourable House; and that the House do lift all suspensions placed on the recruitment exercise for the interest of the applicants.”

Two bills—the Rev Fr Moses Orshio Adasu University and the Benue State University of Agriculture Science and Technology Ihugh Bill—also enjoyed third reading at the plenary and were passed.

Addressing the House, Speaker Dajoh disclosed that during the second sitting, the Benue State House of Assembly received 16 bills and passed nine while four are in committees and five are pending.

He said the assembly received 13 reports, out of which one has been conclusively debated while 12 are still pending.

The Assembly received and deliberated on 17 substantive motions and adopted 31 major resolutions; it received seven major communications, including requests to revise the 2024 Supplementary Budget and confirm the governor’s nominees for appointment as chairman and members of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission.

The House subsequently proceeded on recess, marking the end of the Second Sitting of the Second Legislative Session of the Tenth Assembly.

Benue Assembly passes N550bn appropriation bill into law