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HRW asks Ukraine to investigate military usage of prohibited mines

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Human Rights SEE has called for an investigation into allegations that the Ukrainian military “apparently used” prohibited antipersonnel landmines in the northeastern district of Izyum while it was under Russian occupation.

More than a month after President Vladimir Putin launched a complete military incursion into the neighbouring Ukraine, on April 1, Russian forces took the city in the Kharkiv area. As part of a counteroffensive in September, Ukrainian forces drove Russian troops back from the area to the northeast.

Steve Goose, director of HRW’s armaments branch, said, “Ukrainian forces appear to have extensively scattered landmines in the Izyum area, causing civilian casualties and posing an ongoing risk.” The report was released on Tuesday.

Close to Russian installations, the rights organisation discovered that Ukrainian forces had fired PFM antipersonnel mines into Russian-occupied territory. PFM antipersonnel mines, often known as “butterfly mines” or “petal mines,” are distinct from other mines in that they are not laid manually. The PFM mines in Izyum “operate only when scattered by aircraft, rockets, and artillery, or when fired from specialised vehicles or launchers,” as the report puts it.

Ukraine signed and ratified the Mine Ban Treaty in 1999, making their usage illegal under international law.

According to the research, “uncleared landmines drive displacement” and make it difficult to provide relief and stop farmers from working the land.

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AFRIMA President speaks on fostering collaboration within African music community as BridgeAfric launches in Malawi |

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The President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Mike Dada, would be sharing his thought at the BridgeAfric’s Southern Africa launch in Malawi on March 23, 2024.

It is in continuation of promoting and showcasing African artistes, providing them with platforms to reach a global audience beyond their home countries,

BridgeAfric is a revolutionary initiative aimed at connecting African artistes and industry professionals across the continent led by the dynamic Victoria Nkong.

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With the theme; importance of fostering collaboration within the African music community, Dada would be speaking on the significance of working together in promoting African music on a global scale.

In his statement, the AFRIMA President noted that there are potential for growth and success that come from uniting artistes, producers, and other stakeholders in the industry.

Dada, who lauded BridgAfric for its efforts in connecting Malawians artistes with industry professionals, helping them to build their careers and reach a wider audience, said he is committed to supporting initiatives like BridgAfric that empower African artists and promote the rich diversity of African music. He believes that by working together, they can create a more vibrant and inclusive music industry that celebrates the talent and creativity of artists from across the continent.

“This is very significant for the growth, development and promotion of the arts and music industry in Africa, especially when you look at it from the point of view of collaborations, the Malawi music industry and connecting to the center of the journey of the ongoing movements and the development of the African industry to the global audience,” Dada submitted.

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South African billionaire commits suicide

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A South African billionaire, Markus Jooste has committed suicide as he was found dead with a gunshot wound near Cape Town.

It was reported that the billionaire shot himself in the head while taking a walk just few minutes from his Stellenbosch home.

The former Steinhoff CEO had been involved in an accounting fraud scandal as he got a hefty fine on Wednesday.

Police are investigating, stating that no foul play is suspected.

“It is alleged that the victim sustained a gunshot wound at around 1520 (local time) at Kwaaiwater and succumbed to death on his way to hospital,” Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut said in a statement.

Jooste’s death comes after a fine from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority for false financial statements linked to Steinhoff’s near-collapse in 2017 due to accounting irregularities. 

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El-Rufai Speaks On Dumping APC For SDP

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A former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has denied rumours of his planned defection of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

El-Rufai made an unexpected appearance at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.

The National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Musa Gabam, and other chieftains of the party received the former Kaduna governor.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday issued by his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai said he only visited the SDP headquarters to return a visit to the party’s chairman.

The former Minister said Gabam was among his friends who took part in the break of the Ramadan fast (Iftar) at his house in Abuja on Tuesday.

El-Rufai said he is known for being open and forthright, adding that his political decisions would not be subjected to speculation.

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