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US moves soldiers to remote island amid fears of foreign military

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2 months ago

September 18, 2024

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READ MORE: Russian soldiers execute Ukrainian with a medieval-style SWORD

An increase in Russian military planes and vessels near American territory has pressured the US to relocate 130 soldiers along with mobile rocket launchers to a desolate island in Alaska.

Eight Russian military planes and four navy vessels – including two submarines – have come close to the ‘last frontier’ in the past week as Russia and China have conducted joint military drills, beginning on September 10.

A Pentagon spokesperson said there was no cause for alarm as the aircrafts have yet to breach U.S. airspace.

‘It’s not the first time that we’ve seen the Russians and the Chinese flying in the vicinity and that’s something that we obviously closely monitor,’ Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a news conference.

‘It’s also something that we’re prepared to respond to,’ he added.

Russia and China began the military exercises in the Pacific and Arctic oceans on September 10.

As part of a ‘force projection operation,’ the U.S. Army sent soldiers to Shemya Island – some 1,200 miles southwest of the Alaskan capitol – on September 12.

The soldiers brought two HIMARS to the derelict island and the U.S. military deployed a guided missile destroyer and a Coast Guard vessel.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command tracked and detected Russian military planes operating off Alaska over a four-day span with two planes each day beginning on September 11.

The planes operated in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone – a zone beyond U.S. sovereign airspace – but within which the U.S. expects aircraft to identify themselves.

The Russian Embassy in the U.S. did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The number of such invasions have fluctuated yearly, NORAD reports. The average was six to seven interceptions a year though last year, 26 Russian planes came into the Alaska zone and so far this year there have been 25.

In such encounters it is common for the U.S. military to provide photos of the Russian warplanes being escorted by either U.S. or Canadian planes.

However none were released in the past week and a NORAD spokeswoman, Canadian Maj. Jennie Derenzis, declined to say whether jets were scrambled to intercept the Russian planes.

The U.S. Coast Guard said Sunday its homeland security vessel – the 418-foot Stratton – was on routine patrol in the Chukchi Sea when it tracked four Russian Federation Navy vessels about 60 miles northwest of Point Hope, Alaska.

The Russian vessels, which included two submarines, a frigate and a tugboat, had crossed the maritime boundary into U.S. waters to avoid sea ice, which is permitted under international rules and customs.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan called for a larger military presence in the Aleutians while advocating for the U.S. to respond with strength to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

‘In the past two years, we´ve seen joint Russian-Chinese air and naval exercises off our shores and a Chinese spy balloon floating over our communities,’ Sullivan said in a statement.

‘These escalating incidents demonstrate the critical role the Arctic plays in great power competition between the U.S., Russia, and China.’

Sullivan said the U.S. Navy should reopen its shuttered base at Adak, located in the Aleutians. Naval Air Facility Adak was closed in 1997.

EVENTS

NLC announces indefinite strike action

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2 days ago

November 11, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

NLC announces indefinite strike action

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NLC announces indefinite strike action

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has ordered its members in states that are yet to commence the implementation of the new minimum wage to commence an indefinite strike, beginning from December 1, 2024.

The directive is part of the resolutions of the NLC after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the weekend.

“The NEC notes with deep frustration the persistent delay and outright refusal by some state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act. This betrayal by certain governors and government officials across the country flies in the face of both legality and morality, as workers continue to be denied their rightful wages amidst rising economic hardship. It is a blatant disregard for the law and the lives of millions of Nigerian workers, who are being exploited by the very leaders sworn to protect them.

“The NEC therefore resolves to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee that will among others commence a nationwide assessment, mobilization and sensitization campaign, educating workers and citizens on the need to resist this assault on their dignity and rights. Furthermore, the NLC shall initiate a series of industrial actions in all non-compliant states and shall not relent until the minimum wage is fully implemented across Nigeria.

“To this end, all state Councils where the National Minimum Wage has not been fully implemented by the last day of November, 2024 have been directed to proceed on strike beginning from the 1st day of December, 2024. Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have,” the NLC communique read in part.

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Travellers must report reckless driving to curb crashes — FRSC

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3 days ago

November 9, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

Travellers must report reckless driving to curb crashes — FRSC

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The Plateau State Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission, on Friday, concluded a series of activities aimed at reducing road accidents during the 2024 ember months with a call on travellers to report reckless driving in order to achieve the objective.

The campaign, tagged “Speak Up Against Dangerous Driving: Crashes Kill More Passengers Than Drivers,” kicked off on November 6, 2024, in Jos, the state capital, with a press briefing, town hall meeting, fliers distribution to the members of the public as well as motorcade carnival to sensitise the people.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Sector Commander of the FRSC in the state, Maxwell Plateau, emphasised the need for behavioural change among drivers.

He stressed that passengers have the right to a safe drive and encouraged them to caution drivers who violate road rules.
We must appreciate the selfless services the transport subsector in the country ensures that the movement of people, goods, and services get to their destinations safely.

“However, we must be deliberate in playing our role to maximize safety. As such, FRSC will, at this critical moment, intensify, increase visibility, provide prompt response to rescue, and add more gravity to the enforcement of traffic rules and regulations to ensure our safety. However, passengers also have their own roles to play.

EVENTS

MINISTER OF STATE WORKS ON THE SPOT ASSESSMENT OF ILLELA-BADAGRY SUPERHIGHWAY

Published

3 days ago

November 9, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

MINISTER OF STATE WORKS ON THE SPOT ASSESSMENT OF ILLELA-BADAGRY SUPERHIGHWAY

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MINISTER OF STATE WORKS ON THE SPOT ASSESSMENT OF ILLELA-BADAGRY SUPERHIGHWAY

Minister of State Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo has expressed satisfaction with the level of progress so far made on the Multi-Million Naira Illela-Badagry Superhighway conceived to connect Northern with the Southwestern part of Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.

This is during an on the spot assessment to illela Amarawa the originating point of the legacy Project.

Contract for the construction of the 3 lane carriageway was awarded on 14th August, 2024 by President Bola Tinubu led Administration to create jobs, connect Communities and fast track economic development of the Country in line with his renewed hope Agenda on Road infrastructural development.

Work on the phase One 1A covering 120km that stretches 4 Local Government Areas of Sokoto State commenced on the 4th November as directed by the Minister of Works David Umahi.

The Minister of State Works Bello Muhammad Goronyo embarks on an on the spot assessment to ensure total compliance by the Contractor handling the Project

On the recent revocation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road Project, the Minister lamented that, after eight Years the Federal Government can no not be hold to ransom by underperforming Firms.

Goronyo stated that the Ministry will re-award the contract to a more serious company in due course to facilitate movement of goods and services.

Representative of the Contracting Firm Willie Barkhursen and Federal Controller of Works incharge of Sokoto State Maigwandu Kasim assured that, the Project is being executed according to specifications and would be completed within the agreed 24 Months period.

A joint reconnaissance survey is ongoing under the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure safety of workers and equipment