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UNESCO postpones world heritage meet in Russia indefinitely

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UNESCO postpones world heritage meet in Russia indefinitely

UNESCO postpones world heritage meet in Russia indefinitely

A meeting of the UN cultural agency’s World Heritage Committee scheduled to have been hosted by Russia in June has been postponed indefinitely, a source said Thursday, after weeks of intense diplomatic wrangling prompted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian ambassador to UNESCO had proposed postponing the meeting, to have been hosted by the Russian city of Kazan, and its indefinite postponement has now been formally agreed, a senior UNESCO source told AFP, asking not to be named.

READ ALSO: 2023: Again, PDP Extends Sales Of Nomination Forms

The ambassador, as the current president of the World Heritage Committee, had made the proposal in a letter to fellow committee member states and it was formalised as no objections were forthcoming, the source added.

The meeting is notably tasked each year with deciding which sites and monuments will be given the organisation’s coveted World Heritage status — and which could be stripped of the label if countries have fallen short on looking after them.

The meeting from June 19-30 was one of the few international events that Russia was still scheduled to host after President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.

But a coalition of mainly Western nations — led by the UK — had launched a campaign urging the current committee members not to let Russia host the event.

The issue became particularly controversial as UNESCO has made clear the invasion has caused damage to almost 100 cultural sites in the country.

“This consensus makes it possible to approach things calmly and to avoid that world heritage, which is normally a cause for harmony, does not find itself caught up in a war,” said one diplomat at the Paris-based cultural agency, who asked not to be named.

The UK and its allies had earlier this month called for a different solution, urging that the committee meeting take place, but not in Russia or under a Russian presidency.

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Kidnap victim rescued with machete wounds in Suleja

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Kidnap victim rescued with machete wounds in Suleja

By: Zagazola Makama

A 45-year-old man, identified as Samuel John, has been rescued by a joint team of police and vigilantes after being abducted and severely injured by suspected kidnappers in the Polosa area of Suleja, Niger State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, June 27, when hoodlums reportedly stormed the community and whisked the victim away from his residence.

According to the sources, a vigilante member, raised the alarm, prompting an immediate response from security operatives attached to the ‘B’ Division Suleja and members of the local vigilante group.

The combined team pursued the kidnappers into the surrounding bush. On sighting the advancing security team, the assailants attacked the victim with machetes, inflicting deep cuts on his head and both hands before abandoning him and fleeing the scene.

The victim was quickly rescued and rushed to the General Hospital Suleja, where he is currently receiving medical attention.

Kidnap victim rescued with machete wounds in Suleja

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Abducted Sharia Court judge escapes from kidnappers in Zamfara

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Abducted Sharia Court judge escapes from kidnappers in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Alkali Usman, a Sharia Court judge attached to the Higher Sharia Court in Birnin Tudu, Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, has escaped from captivity after being abducted by unknown gunmen.

Zagazola Makama learnt from reliable sources that Usman, who was reported kidnapped on June 26, returned home safely on Friday morning, June 27, at about 10:00 a.m., according to local sources.

Upon his return, the judge was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where he received medical attention and was subsequently discharged.

He was later debriefed by security operatives and reunited with his family.

Authorities have not disclosed the circumstances surrounding his escape.

Abducted Sharia Court judge escapes from kidnappers in Zamfara

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Soldier handed over to police for allegedly stabbing ex-colleague to death in Borno

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Soldier handed over to police for allegedly stabbing ex-colleague to death in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

A serving soldier has been handed over to the police in Maiduguri for allegedly stabbing a dismissed military personnel to death during an argument in the Kasuwan Fara area of the Borno State capital.

Zagazola Makama report that the suspect, identified a Lance Corporal of the 7 Division, was brought to the police by a senior officer on June 27.

Sources said that the incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. on June 26, when Suleiman allegedly stabbed the victim, Musa Adamu, a dismissed soldier, in the chest with a jackknife following a heated disagreement.

The victim was rushed to the Borno State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. His remains have since been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.

The police have transferred the case and the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation and possible prosecution.

Soldier handed over to police for allegedly stabbing ex-colleague to death in Borno

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