International

Hamas : US sends carrier strike group to support Israel – Officials

Published

8 months ago

October 8, 2023

Hamas : US sends carrier strike group to support Israel – Officials

United States Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, said Sunday he has ordered the Ford carrier strike group to sail to the Eastern Mediterranean to be ready to assist Israel after the surprise attack by Hamas that has left more than 1,000 dead and thousands wounded on both sides.

The USS Gerald R. Ford and its approximately 5,000 sailors and deck of warplanes will be accompanied by cruisers and destroyers in a show of force that is meant to be ready to respond to anything, from possibly interdicting additional weapons from reaching Hamas and conducting surveillance.

The large deployment, which also includes a host of ships and warplanes, underscores the concern that the United States has in trying to deter the conflict from growing. The Israeli government formally declared war Sunday and gave the green light for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas.

READ ALSO:

Preliminary reports indicate that at least four American citizens were killed in the attacks and an additional seven were missing and unaccounted for, according to a U.S. official. The numbers were in flux and could change as a fuller accounting is compiled., according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss initial reports received by the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. Most, if not all, of those reported dead or missing are dual U.S.-Israeli citizens, the official said.

Along with the Ford the U.S. is sending the cruiser USS Normandy, destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt and the U.S. is augmenting Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.

“The U.S. maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this deterrence posture if required,” Austin said in a statement.

In addition, the Biden administration “will be rapidly providing the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions. The first security assistance will begin moving today and arriving in the coming days,” Austin said.

The Norfolk, Virginia-based carrier strike group( was already in the Mediterranean. Last week it was conducting naval exercises with Italy in the Ionian Sea. It’s the United States newest and most advanced aircraft carrier and this is its first full deployment.

Hamas : US sends carrier strike group to support Israel – Officials

(AP)

International

Gaza: France supports ICC decision seeking warrant arrest against Netanyahu

Published

12 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Gaza: France supports ICC decision seeking warrant arrest against Netanyahu

France broke away from its Western allies and expressed support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the court announced its decision to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defence minister and Hamas leaders.

“Regarding Israel, it will be up to the court’s Pre-Trial Chamber to decide whether to issue these warrants, after examining the evidence put forward by the Prosecutor to support his accusations,” the French foreign ministry said Monday.

READ ALSO:

“France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all situations.”
Paris also said it has been warning “for many months” the need for strict compliance with international humanitarian laws and “in particular of the unacceptable level of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and the lack of humanitarian access.”

France’s move marks a major split between its position and that of its Western allies, including the UK, Italy, and US — where President Joe Biden called the decision “outrageous.”

France has been one of the few Western countries willing to take a tougher stance on Israel, including criticizing the US decision to veto ceasefire resolutions in the UN Security Council early on and calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Gaza: France supports ICC decision seeking warrant arrest against Netanyahu

International

UK deports YouTuber Tiamiyu who claimed Nigerians jet out under study disguise

Published

20 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Emdee Tiamiyu

UK deports YouTuber Tiamiyu who claimed Nigerians jet out under study disguise

The United Kingdom has deported Nigerian YouTuber Emdee Tiamiyu to Nigeria based on allegations of his involvement in a huge fraud.

Tiamiyu became a controversial figure when he granted the BBC an interview saying many Nigerians disguise with student visas to emigrate to the UK not for academic pursuit but to work and bring their families to the country.

This interview reportedly influenced the UK government’s decision to impose restrictions on Nigerian students, specifically barring them from bringing family members to the UK unless they are enrolled in PhD programmes.

Tiamiyu was earlier arrested on allegations of fraud, a case that has sparked widespread discussions across social media platforms.

READ ALSO:

He was accused of defrauding the UK government of £160,000, funds that were intended for resettlement purposes but allegedly used by Tiamiyu to construct a house in his native Ogun State in Nigeria. The UK government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the deportation or the specifics of the fraud allegations.

The situation has potential implications for bilateral relations and the international student community in the UK.

As the news of Tiamiyu’s deportation circulates, reactions on social media have been mixed.

UK deports YouTuber Tiamiyu who claimed Nigerians jet out under study disguise

International

Tragic moose attack claims life of photographer in Homer, Alaska

Published

21 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Tragic moose attack claims life of photographer in Homer, Alaska

In a heartbreaking incident in Homer, Alaska, a 70-year-old man, Dale Chorman, was fatally attacked by a mother moose while attempting to photograph her newborn calves on Sunday. Chorman, accompanied by a friend, was walking through the brush searching for the moose and her offspring when the protective mother charged at them.

According to Alaska State Troopers, the moose kicked Chorman, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident occurred around 11:52 a.m., and by the time first responders arrived, the moose had already left the area. Chorman’s family has expressed a wish that the animal not be found, highlighting the tragic and natural aspect of the encounter.

READ ALSO:

This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of approaching wildlife, especially mothers with their young. Moose calving season, which runs from mid-May to mid-June, is a particularly sensitive period for these animals. Wildlife experts and authorities have long urged the public to maintain a safe distance from wildlife to avoid such tragic encounters.

Dale Chorman is remembered by his family as a loving husband, devoted father, and cherished friend, leaving behind a community that deeply mourns his loss. His death underscores the importance of respecting wildlife and the inherent risks of close encounters with these animals.