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A large construction crane on Friday crashed into Mecca Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia as it was filled with worshipers during a heavy rainstorm.
Saudi authorities said at least 87 people had been killed.
The accident occurred while the authorities were in the midst of extensive preparations for the commencement of the 2015 hajj – the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, billed to commence in few weeks.
Already, many pilgrims have arrived the country to perform the hajj exercise.
A large construction crane crashed into the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca on Friday as it was packed with worshipers during a heavy rainstorm, and the authorities there said at least 87 people had been killed.
The accident happened as the Saudi authorities were in the midst of extensive preparations for the hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the holiest sites in Islam, which begins in the next few weeks.
Photographs posted on social media showed the aftermath of the disaster, with bloodied and stunned pilgrims on the floor of the mosque where twisted pieces of the large red crane had come crashing through the building.
News accounts from Mecca quoted the Directorate of the Saudi Civil Defense as saying that at least 183 people were reported injured in the collapse and that the area had been entirely sealed off.
The cause was not immediately clear, but the Al Jazeera television network said the crane had fallen in the midst of a severe rainstorm, suggesting weather may have played a role.
An Al Jazeera correspondent there, Hasan Patel, said witnesses had told him the crane smashed into the third floor of the Grand Mosque about 5:45 p.m. He said the mosque was packed with people in advance of the 6:30 p.m. prayer.
The holy city has been in the midst of numerous construction projects to accommodate an ever-increasing flow of visitors, particularly during the hajj season. The Grand Mosque has been ringed by cranes for the past few years as part of an ambitious enlargement.
The Saudi authorities are sensitive to crowd control calamities during the hajj season, when the country is visited by up to 3 million pilgrims.
A 2006 stampede on a bridge that is part of the pilgrimage route left nearly 300 people dead, and a 2004 stampede there killed more than 200. The worst stampede, in 1990, left 1,400 people dead.
Curled from New York Times
A Kenyan man accused of posing as a gynaecologist and allegedly raping women in his clinic after sedating them has appeared in court in Nairobi.
A national manhunt started after video footage broadcast on Kenyan TV appeared to show an unidentified man assaulting an unconscious woman on a clinic bed.
Mugo wa Wairimu has denied the allegations and said the report was an evil plot by his enemies.
Kenya’s Medical Practitioners’ Board says he is not a registered doctor.
The accused man was arrested on Thursday at a hotel outside Nairobi after members of the public called the police.
They accused him of operating a number of clinics in Nairobi without a valid licence.
He was taken to court to be charged but the prosecution said investigations were not complete.
Mr Wairimu will be detained for two weeks while police carry out further enquiries.
The BBC’s Odhiambo Joseph in Nairobi says the court was told that releasing Mr Wairimu might endanger his life because of growing public outrage, something his lawyers did not oppose.
Mr Warimu was not asked to enter a plea.
Four women have lodged official complaints with the police so far over claims of sexual abuse.
Citizen TV said on their report, which was broadcast on Sunday, that they do not know the identity of the woman in the video, which was filmed by a suspicious staff member, or if she is aware of the alleged assault.
Curled from the BBC
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Nigerian Islamist Group, Boko Haram Friday bombed Nigeria’s largest Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Yola, Northeast Nigeria.
A statement by the spokesman of Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), Sani Datti says “so far seven (7) persons lost their lives and twenty (20) persons were injured in the bomb blast that occurred in Malkohi Internally Displaced Persons camp Yola, Adamawa state.”
“Among the injured seven (7) were treated and discharged while thirteen (13) persons including four (4) NEMA officials are still receiving treatment at Federal Medical Center, Yola.”
“The Bomb, which was planted inside a Tent, went off this morning at around 10: 50am.” The statement says.
Head of Security at American University of Nigeria (AUN), Lionel Rawlings, has confirmed to journalists that student volunteers were injured at the scene by flying debris.
“None was in direct contact with the explosion, but there was flying shrapnel. We dodged the bullet,” he said.
Officials said the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device left near tents in the camp, south of the city and near an army barracks
Governor of Adamawa State, Jibrilla Bindow, was quoted at a meeting of Northern Nigerian Governors saying children were among the dead.
The attack came 2 days when Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, General T. Y Burutai was celebrating the recapturing of Gomborun Ngala town, alongside other soldiers, by hoisting Nigerian flag in the town.
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) has held a two day (Wednesday &Thursday) convention and election into offices following the expiration of two years tenure of the outgoing executives.
The Association is headed by wife of the Inspector General of Police Mrs. Agharase Arase.
The event took place on Wednesday and Thursday at POWA National Secretariat, Hera Okiro House, Asokoro FCT Abuja.
The annual convention also featured discussions on security awareness during which members were admonished on the need to be conscious of their environment considering the prevailing security situation in the country.
The elected POWA officials are Mrs. Esther Orobosa Etim, National secretary. Mrs. Zainab Hamisu, National Assistant Secretary. Mrs. Bukola Towuru, Publicity Secretary. Mrs. Bahago Ahmed Hauwa, Treasurer and Mrs. Veronica Ogochi, Financial Secretary.
Mrs. Arase posited that her administration will work with the new executives to ensure that welfare of officer’s wives is improved on, and to develop children within the Police community through counseling, skill acquisition and economic empowerment.
The convention had over 300 POWA members in attendance.
By Longtong Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) – The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu has sought for more military collaboration in securing Nigeria’s oil pipeline.
A statement by the Acting Director, Defense Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar, explained that the Group Managing Director(GMD) said this, when he visited the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin on how to work out modalities involving the military in protecting Nigeria’s strategic assets.
The statement quoted the NNPC’s GMD to have said his visit to the CDS was a follow up to a proposal of the corporation to the President, Muhammadu Buhari, to partner the Army Corps of Engineers for pipeline maintenance and security; pointing out that, the corporation was taking a holistic step to ensure that the best hands were used to protect the pipelines.
It also added that, NNPC would be engaging the services of the Navy and Air Force in a collaborative effort in the fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other maritime crime.
“We are trying to equip the Navy a lot more with boats for patrols; we are trying to get trackers and central system to be able to monitor every vessel that comes in and out of the country.”
Dr. Kachikwu also revealed that last year, the country lost 250,000 barrels on the average, daily, which is basically one-fifth of the total national production; adding that the ugly trend had reduced since he became the GMD of the NNPC, but admitted also that, a lot more still required to be done to finally curb the menace.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin noted that “already the Nigerian Navy has put up a lot of initiatives that will ensure that issues of pipeline vandalism, piracy and oil theft are addressed.”
He explained that military needed some support in order to put a stop to oil bunkering and other forms of criminalities which Nigeria lost billions to it; emphasizing that, it was the duty of the military to safeguard Nigeria’s strategic assets.
BY RICHARD CHIDZA
Yesterday, Mujuru all but plunged into the country’s political minefield with a blueprint that forms the foundation of her party.
Mujuru has been long linked to the People First, a movement of axed Zanu PF members, but kept her cards close to the chest.
In a policy document titled Blueprint to Unlock Investment and Leverage for Development (BUILD) to be released today, Mujuru said she has been hard at work since her last message in June and now she is sharing her vision for a better Zimbabwe.
“We are national democrats, guided by the values of the liberation struggle of self-determination, self-dignity, self-pride, expressed through the adoption of market-driven policies under a constitutional democracy, with the State acting as facilitator and regulator to allow for a level playing field and provide equal opportunities for all,” she said.
Mujuru added that under her stewardship, Zimbabwe would commit to upholding human and property rights in an envisaged government committed to the rule of law.
“Our fundamental premise is that all people are created equal under God,” she said.
“The law should, therefore, be applied equally to all citizens and offices in the land.”
The former VP said her policies are informed by “our desire and determination to see our nation move forward as a proud member of the community of nations, to create a just and equitable society and desire and determination to see our nation grow and create equal opportunities for all”.
Mujuru also punched holes into President Robert Mugabe’s most contentious land reform and indigenisation policies.
“A wholesale review of the Indigenisation Act will be effected,” she said.
“We shall emphasise economic empowerment that attracts investment and promotes the broad-based socio-economic infrastructure development objectives of BUILD.
“All persons who call Zimbabwe home shall be entitled to access land and participate in its sustainable utilisation.”
Mujuru said her envisaged government would establish a well-resourced Land Commission, with a mandate to rationalise existing farm sizes.
“We shall give immediate value to agricultural land by promoting a transparent land policy framework that attracts investment, creates, promotes and supports security of tenure and bankable leases,” she said.
Mujuru said unlike Mugabe’s current bloated Executive, her administration would be made up of “a small, but effective government structure” and an apolitical civil service in which the roles of “ministers, deputy ministers and heads of ministries are clearly defined”.
In the wake of a litany of government audits that have reportedly caused consternation and instability in the civil service, Mujuru said her government would “commission a biometric skills audit to inform a manpower planning and development strategy to ensure effective delivery, high morale and also link it to curriculum development in the education sector”.
She said her government would establish a think-tank to be called the “Presidential Economic and Advisory Centre for Excellence (PEACE)” which would be made up of experts from various sectors, to advise, assist, comment on and support government policy formulation, implementation and review.
The former Vice-President said under her leadership, government would repeal draconian legislation such as the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act as well as the Public Order and Security Act.
“We shall ensure that government’s role is to facilitate, promote and regulate a level and sustainably stable economic playing field,” Zimbabwe’s first female Vice-President said.
Mujuru’s blueprint, which is likely to rival Mugabe’s Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset), is extensively detailed and touches on all facets of Zimbabwean life, including water, sanitation, manufacturing, health, mining, tourism and conservation, environment and security as well as international relations.
“We shall enforce, promote and respect property rights and address historical compulsory acquisition through fair and transparent compensation,” she said.
Mugabe’s former deputy also promised a “compassionate, national and spiritual healing programme … addressing trauma emanating from pre and post-independence conflict,” something Zanu PF may find unpalatable.
Mujuru said her government would also amend the Electoral Act and fully fund commissions such as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to enable them to fully discharge their mandate as prescribed by the Constitution.
PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo yesterday said all was now set for the launch of the political party, although he would not be drawn into disclosing the dates.
“We do not have a date as yet for the official launch of the party, but it is now very close. Just be patient, a little more,” Gumbo said.
Mujuru was fired from both her government and Zanu PF positions together with more than 140 other ruling party stalwarts last December on allegations of plotting Mugabe’s downfall. Since then, she has kept a low profile and has publicly denied the allegations levelled against her, challenging her detractors, including First Lady Grace Mugabe, to prove their claims in a court of law.
A few weeks ago, she rejected a government pension and retirement package offer, on the grounds that she did not want to be tied to anything linked to the Zanu PF government, which observers said was a telltale sign she was ready for a return to public life.
Curled from: www.newsday.co.zw
IMF: Ghana Public Debt ‘Exceeds Pre-HIPC Levels’
The country’s public debt now exceeds pre-HIPC levels, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report after a review of Ghana’s performance under the bailout deal.
The IMF is projecting that Ghana’s debt levels – which has hit about 90 billion Ghana cedis as at June this year – could increase further in the coming months.
According to a GNA report, Ghana’s debt at the time of joining the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative in April 2001 was 6,025.6 million dollars (about 24 million Ghana cedis currently). Debt-to-GDP ratio then was about 110 percent.
The Washington-based lender is forecasting that Ghana’s debt could cross the dreaded 70 percent of GDP mark by the end of this year. The IMF projects a 75 percent debt-to-GDP ratio for the country by the end of 2015.
Many economists believe a debt-to-GDP ratio exceeding 70 percent spells doom for an economy.
The IMF says Ghana’s economic growth prospects will depend on how fast the ongoing power crisis will be addressed.
“Economic growth prospects will depend on how fast the ongoing electricity crisis is addressed. A new decline in commodity prices would weigh on the fiscal and external balances”, the IMF said.
According to the Washington-based lender, fall in the prices of gold, cocoa and crude oil on the world market could put the country’s fiscal gains made over the last few months into jeopardy.
The situation, according to IMF, could reduce Ghana reserves and weaken the cedi against major trading currencies even further.
On the central bank, the IMF said the Bank of Ghana should be ready to tighten policy more aggressively if inflationary pressures do not recede.
It gave a thumbs up to a recent decision by the Bank of Ghana to introduce new liquidity management instruments to improve monetary policy transmission and support more effective implementation of the inflation targeting framework.
The IMF says authorities must pursue reforms aimed at deepening the foreign exchange market, which, combined with soothing interventions of BoG backed by increased external reserves, should help reduce the volatility of the exchange rate over time.
Meanwhile, government has always maintained it is working hard to contain the rising public debts.
The Finance Minister Seth Terkper told Joy Business government is currently working towards borrowing cheaper funds to finance expensive debts.
Mr Terkper has also argued that recent loans contracted by government are being spent on self-financing projects – that is the projects will pay for the loans.
The IMF in June this year said Ghana has fallen into the league of high-risk debt distress countries.
IMF’s Communication Director, Gerry Rice, told Joy Business’ George Wiafe that Ghana must be cautious with borrowing through the Eurobonds issue in order not to escalate its indebtedness.
“For countries at high-risk distress like Ghana, reducing the debt burden and associated vulnerability is a priority so the authorities have to be very selective with regards to new non-concessional borrowing since that can escalate,” Rice had explained.
SOURCE: http://www.ghanaweb.com/