Nigeria tanker truck blast toll rises to 86: rescuers

Nigeria tanker truck blast toll rises to 86: rescuers
Firefighters extinguish fire from a tanker that exploded in Suleja, Nigeria, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 20 January 2025
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Nigeria tanker truck blast toll rises to 86: rescuers

Nigeria tanker truck blast toll rises to 86: rescuers

LAGOS: The death toll from the explosion of a petrol tanker truck in Nigeria that killed people rushing to gather fuel has risen to 86, emergency services said Sunday.
"The final death toll from the tanker explosion is 86," said Ibrahim Audu Husseini, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency in Niger state.
The truck carrying 60,000 litres of gasoline exploded after flipping over on a road in the centre of the country on Saturday, authorities said.


Sweden to summon Israeli ambassador over Gaza

Palestinians inspect the damage at school used as a shelter by displaced residents that was hit by Israeli military strike.
Palestinians inspect the damage at school used as a shelter by displaced residents that was hit by Israeli military strike.
Updated 6 min 34 sec ago
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Sweden to summon Israeli ambassador over Gaza

Palestinians inspect the damage at school used as a shelter by displaced residents that was hit by Israeli military strike.
  • Kristersson told Swedish news agency TT that the EU should impose sanctions and exert diplomatic pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza

COPENHAGEN: Sweden’s foreign ministry will summon Israel’s ambassador in Stockholm to protest against a lack of humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Monday.
Last week, under growing international pressure, Israeli authorities allowed a trickle of aid into the Palestinian enclave but the few hundred trucks carried only a tiny fraction of the food needed by a population of 2 million at risk of famine after nearly three months of blockade.
Kristersson told Swedish news agency TT that the European Union should impose sanctions and exert diplomatic pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“We have been incredibly clear about that, ourselves and together with many other European countries,” Kristersson told TT.
“That pressure is now increasing, no doubt, and for very good reasons,” he said.
The Swedish prime minister’s office confirmed to Reuters that Kristersson had made the statement.
Israel launched an air and ground war in Gaza after Hamas militants’ cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which killed some 1,200 people by Israeli tallies and saw 251 hostages abducted into Gaza.
The Israeli campaign has since killed more than 53,900 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and devastated the coastal strip. Aid groups say signs of severe malnutrition are widespread.


World Food Programme chief rejects Israeli claims of Hamas stealing aid

World Food Programme chief rejects Israeli claims of Hamas stealing aid
Updated 9 min 44 sec ago
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World Food Programme chief rejects Israeli claims of Hamas stealing aid

World Food Programme chief rejects Israeli claims of Hamas stealing aid
  • ‘No evidence’ militant group is involved in truck hijackings, Cindy McCain tells CBS
  • Aid vehicles being swarmed by ‘desperate’ people after months-long blockade

LONDON: UN World Food Programme chief Cindy McCain has rejected Israeli government claims that Hamas is looting aid trucks arriving in Gaza, The Independent reported.

The widow of late US Sen. John McCain has repeatedly advocated for Israel to allow more aid into the Palestinian enclave, which was placed under a months-long blockade in March.

The first aid trucks began arriving in the territory last week, but the Israeli government accused Hamas of disrupting the distribution process, claiming to have killed six people affiliated with the group near an aid point at the Kerem Shalom crossing on Friday. Hamas said the armed men were guarding against looting.

An Israeli military spokesperson told Reuters: “Hamas constantly calls the looters ‘guards’ or protectors’ to mask the fact that they’re disturbing the aid process.”

Speaking to “Face the Nation” on CBS on Sunday, McCain was asked by host Margaret Brennan: “Have you seen evidence that it is Hamas stealing the food?”

McCain replied: “No. Not at all. Not in this round. Listen, these people are desperate, and they see a World Food Programme truck coming in, and they run for it. This doesn’t have anything to do with Hamas or any kind of organized crime, or anything.”

She described the situation in Gaza as a “catastrophe,” and said the WFP would continue work urgently to transport food and fresh water into the enclave.

So far, the aid trucks that have entered Gaza are “a drop in the bucket as to what’s needed,” she told CBS.

“Right now, we have 500,000 people inside of Gaza that are extremely food insecure, and could be on the verge of famine if we don’t help bring them back from that.”

Contrary to Israeli claims that many of the aid trucks entering Gaza are being hijacked, McCain said they are being swarmed by “desperate” people. “Having been in a food riot myself some years ago, I understand the desperation,” she added.


Pakistan says border control ‘sovereign right’ as UNHCR flags at-risk Afghans amid expulsions

Pakistan says border control ‘sovereign right’ as UNHCR flags at-risk Afghans amid expulsions
Updated 25 min 27 sec ago
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Pakistan says border control ‘sovereign right’ as UNHCR flags at-risk Afghans amid expulsions

Pakistan says border control ‘sovereign right’ as UNHCR flags at-risk Afghans amid expulsions
  • Afghan journalists, activists, minorities, artists, ex-government workers among 110,000 declared at “high-risk”
  • Foreign office says over 44,000 Afghans approved for relocation to Western nations remain in Pakistan 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office said on Monday the country had a “sovereign right” to secure and regulate its borders, as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) identified around 110,000 Afghans who faced the risk of persecution at home if deported. 

Facing economic and security crises, Pakistan launched a repatriation drive targeting “illegal” foreigners in November 2023, with approximately 1.3 million Afghan refugees, both undocumented and those with Afghan Citizen Card holders, deported since. 

Pakistan has vowed to continue with the deportations until all “illegal” foreigners have been expelled. As of October 2023, there were over 4 million Afghans, registered and illegals, residing in Pakistan.

According to the latest UNHCR Resettlement Factsheet, some 110,000 refugees and asylum-seekers have high-risk profiles with increased international protection needs and vulnerabilities that could qualify them for resettlement in a third country. The agency has said all returns should be voluntary, dignified, and sustainable.

Speaking to Arab News on Monday, foreign office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the illegal foreign repatriation plan (IFRP) was consistent with both Pakistan’s obligations under international law and its domestic legal framework. 

“The right to secure and regulate our borders is a sovereign right and an internationally recognized practice, which is by no means unique to Pakistan,” he said, adding that IFRP was neither an “indiscriminate nor an arbitrary measure,” and that Afghans would always be welcome to visit Pakistan through a proper visa regime, whether for business, tourism, or education.

Khan said Pakistan had urged all concerned nations to expedite the repatriation process for Afghans awaiting resettlement in third countries.

“On Afghan nationals awaiting evacuation to a third country, we are in touch with those countries and urged them to expedite the process of evacuation,” the FO spokesman said. 

“We are engaged with relevant UN bodies for the protection of people in vulnerable situations, and our legal safeguards and remedies remain functional and effective to address any complaints.”

UNHCR Pakistan spokesperson Qaiser Khan Afridi said approximately 600,000 Afghans had entered Pakistan following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul and the withdrawal of US and allied forces in August 2021, with about 490,000 seeking asylum through UNHCR due to the absence of a national refugee law.

“We conducted a verification exercise a year ago and ... around 110,000 have high-risk profiles and qualify for resettlement in a third country,” Afridi told Arab News.

He said these were people who could not return to Afghanistan due to “vulnerabilities and safety concerns.”

“There are journalists, human rights activists, religious minorities, ethnic minorities, musicians, singers, or some people who have worked in previous governments, or they are female only families,” the UNHCR official added.

“We spoke with the Pakistani government, urging them not to send these people back to Afghanistan as their lives are at risk,” Afridi said, adding that the UN agency had also requested that the Pakistan government establish a mechanism to allow these individuals to live in the country temporarily.

According to the foreign office, over 44,000 Afghans approved for relocation to Western countries were still in Pakistan, awaiting resettlement.

The resettlement program has been active since the 1980s, with over 20,000 vulnerable refugees sent to third countries since.


UK must restart processing of Syrian asylum claims: Charity

UK must restart processing of Syrian asylum claims: Charity
Updated 35 min 17 sec ago
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UK must restart processing of Syrian asylum claims: Charity

UK must restart processing of Syrian asylum claims: Charity
  • More than 7,000 Syrians remain in ‘indefinite limbo’
  • Britain paused claim decisions after fall of Assad regime in December

LONDON: Government ministers in the UK are facing calls to restart the processing of Syrian asylum applications after new figures revealed that more than 7,000 people remain in “indefinite limbo.”

After the fall of the Assad regime in December, the UK paused decisions on Syrian asylum and permanent resettlement claims, the BBC reported.

The pause has remained in place for five months, but now many Syrians living in Britain have been left in limbo, awaiting decisions on their applications.

The Refugee Council charity has called for the resumption of claim processing on a case-by-case basis, while the government said decisions were paused “while we assess the current situation.”

The Home Office lacks “stable, objective information available to make robust assessments of risk” relating to Syrians, a source told the BBC, adding that Britain’s policy on the matter “will remain under constant review.”

The newest figures, for the end of March, show that 7,386 Syrians in the UK are awaiting an initial decision on their asylum claims.

After the UK paused decisions on Syrian asylum applications, the number of claims filed by Syrian nationals fell by 81 percent, figures show.

Those claiming asylum often lack the right to work in Britain, but are provided with government-funded accommodation and financial support.

This leaves many Syrians “stuck in limbo” and increases the burden on the taxpayer, said Jon Featonby, chief policy analyst at the Refugee Council.

At the end of March, more than 5,500 Syrians were living in UK government-funded accommodation.

The British government has pledged to clear the large backlog of overall asylum claims, but Featonby said the Syrian issue is creating a “blockage” in the system.

He added that many Syrians also fear the UK government changing its position on the Syrian Arab Republic and judging it a safe country. This could lead to the rejection of thousands of asylum applications.


Riyadh to host Apex Legends and FC Pro finals at Esports World Cup 2025

EA’s top circuits arrive in Riyadh as ALGS and FC Pro take the stage. supplied
EA’s top circuits arrive in Riyadh as ALGS and FC Pro take the stage. supplied
Updated 36 min 23 sec ago
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Riyadh to host Apex Legends and FC Pro finals at Esports World Cup 2025

EA’s top circuits arrive in Riyadh as ALGS and FC Pro take the stage. supplied
  • The addition of two of EA’s most prestigious competitive circuits further elevates the Esports World Cup’s standing as a premier global platform for elite esports
  • The 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup will bring together 2,000 top players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries

RIYADH: The Esports World Cup Foundation and Electronic Arts have confirmed that the Apex Legends Global Series Midseason Playoffs and the FC Pro World Championship for EA SPORTS FC 25 will take place this summer at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh.

The addition of two of EA’s most prestigious competitive circuits further elevates the Esports World Cup’s standing as a premier global platform for elite esports. Both tournaments have previously headlined packed arenas and now join a growing lineup that continues to attract the industry’s most influential titles and top-tier talent.

Apex Legends returns to Riyadh after a successful 2024 debut that featured a dramatic 13-game final in which 12 teams were still in contention for the title. The 2025 ALGS Midseason Playoffs will run from July 10-13, bringing 40 of the world’s best squads to compete for a $2 million prize pool.

The event opens with Pool Play on July 10 and 11, dividing teams into two groups of 20 for 10 matches. The top seven from each group will advance directly to the Match Point Finals on July 13. Teams ranked eighth to 17th will battle for the final six spots through the Last Chance Semifinals on July 12.

The tournament winner will take home $600,000 and earn 1,000 valuable ALGS Championship Points toward year-end qualification.

The FC Pro World Championship will be staged from Aug. 7-10, featuring the best EA SPORTS FC players competing for a $1.5 million prize pool. A Last Chance Qualifier will precede the main event from July 31 to Aug. 3, offering 512 participants a final shot at reaching the Play-Ins. From there, 48 players will contend for the last four spots in the championship.

The Group Stage begins Aug. 7, with 32 players advancing into playoff action on Aug. 9. The tournament concludes on Aug. 10 with the quarterfinals, semifinals, a third-place match and the grand final. The eventual champion will claim $250,000.

The return of the Last Chance Qualifier follows one of the most memorable stories from EWC 2024, when Joao “jafonsogv” Vasconcelos made an incredible run from qualifier to champion.

With more than 500 players expected to take part in this year’s LCQ, the stakes are higher than ever. Among the returning stars will be defending champion Anders Vejrgang, who headlines a field representing some of the world’s most prominent football and esports clubs.

“The ALGS and FC Pro are two of the most competitive and globally recognized circuits in esports,” said Fabian Scheuermann, chief games officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation. “Together with EA, we’re opening doors for players at every level — from grassroots to elite — to compete on the world’s biggest stage. We’re looking forward to football and esports clubs coming together at the Esports World Cup through FC Pro, and excited to bring ALGS to Riyadh after the incredible response last year. This is the future of esports as a global sport — and we’re just getting started.”

The 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup will bring together 2,000 top players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries. More than 25 tournaments will be contested across 24 different games, with a combined prize pool exceeding $70 million — the largest in esports history.