The EU pledged a one-billion-euro aid package as G20 leaders have agreed to work together in order to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

As the Islamist group held its first face-to-face talks with a US-EU delegation in Qatar, US President Joe Biden, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and India’s Narendra Modi joined a virtual summit on the looming economic and humanitarian crises sparked by the Taliban’s return to power.

The European Union opened the talks by pledging one billion euros ($1.2-billion), including money for urgent humanitarian needs and Afghanistan’s neighbours who were taking in Afghans fleeing the Taliban.

Draghi had been pushing for the Group of 20 meeting since the August takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban, insisting debate over solutions must go beyond the usual club of Western allies.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend themselves, instead of sending representatives, but Draghi insisted they all agreed on the need to help more.

“Instead of responding and arguing… we now have an awareness of this emergency and of the enormous responsibilities that the G20 has towards the Afghan people,” he told a post-summit press conference.

International aid has been blocked to Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power following the withdrawal of the US and other international troops after 20 years of war.

The country’s assets held abroad have been frozen, while food prices and unemployment are rising, prompting warnings of a humanitarian disaster once winter arrives.

“To stand by and watch 40 million people plunge into chaos because electricity can’t be supplied and no financial system exists, that cannot and should not be the goal of the international community,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters.

The United Nations and Qatar, a key broker in Afghanistan which has also hosted talks between the US and the Taliban, were also invited to Tuesday’s closed-door talks.

The EU emphasised its money would go to international organisations working on the ground rather than the Taliban’s interim government, which no other government has yet recognised.

However, Draghi said that the Taliban were crucial to getting the aid through, saying: “It’s very hard to see how one can help the Afghan people… without some sort of involvement of the Taliban government.

“If they don’t want us to enter, we don’t enter.”

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According to a briefing note published by Draghi’s office, the G20 leaders emphsised the importance of respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially the rights of women and minorities.

They also addressed the issue of security, with the Taliban itself facing a threat from the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), who have launched a series of deadly attacks.

“Afghanistan must not be a safe haven for terrorists and a threat for international security,” the briefing note said, urging the Taliban “to rescind their links with terrorist groups”.

The leaders “discussed the critical need to maintain a laser-focus on our enduring counterterrorism efforts, including against threats from ISIS-K”, a White House statement added.

Turkey’s Erdogan told G20 leaders in an address broadcast on national television that the Taliban “has not yet delivered what’s expected”.

“We have not seen necessary inclusiveness from them on the issue of humanitarian assistance, security, and prevention of Afghanistan being a base of terror organisations and prevention of extremism."

EU promises humanitarian reliefs to Afghanistan 

G20 Leaders Agree To Step Up Afghan Humanitarian Effort

Toby, the world’s oldest white rhino, has died at the age of 54 in a zoo in northern Italy, a spokeswoman for the establishment said Tuesday.

“Nonno Toby” (Grandpa Toby) passed away on October 6, Elisa Livia Pennacchioni of the Parco Natura Viva, a zoo near the northern city of Verona, told AFP.

“He collapsed on the floor on the way back to his nighttime shelter, and after about half an hour, his heart stopped,” she said.

Toby will be embalmed and put on display at the MuSe science museum in Trento, where he will join Blanco, a white lion from the zoo who died five years ago, Pennacchioni said.

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White rhinos normally live up to 40 years when held in captivity, and up to 30 years in the wild, she said.

Toby’s death, which follows the passing of his female partner Sugar in 2012, leaves the Parco Natura Viva with one remaining white rhino: Benno, aged 39.

Toby was a southern white rhino — only one of five rhino species that are not considered endangered, with an estimated population of around 18,000, according to the WWF.

However, there are only two examples left of the northern white rhino subspecies who live in Kenya, which are watched round-the-clock by armed guards, the environmental group says.

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World’s Oldest White Rhino Dies In Italian Zoo Aged 54

“No Time to Die,” the latest installment in the James Bond movie franchise, shot straight to number one in North America’s box office on its opening weekend, netting $55.5 million, according to industry watcher Exhibitor Relations.

The United Artists film, the last to feature Daniel Craig as 007, sees Ian Fleming’s spy hero dragged out of retirement to face off against old foes Blofeld, the criminal network SPECTRE and Safin, played by Rami Malek.

Last week’s leader “Venom: Let there Be Carnage,” was knocked down to second place with a haul of $31.7 million, making a total of $141 million for its first two weeks.

The Sony film stars Tom Hardy as investigative journalist Eddie Brock whose symbiotic bond with an alien named Venom gives him superpowers. Brock must stop serial killer Cletus Kasady, played by Woody Harrelson, who has broken out of prison after merging with another alien.

Third place was held by “The Addams Family 2,” which brought in $10.1 million. The animated feature by United Artists follows the iconically creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky family as they go on vacation.

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In fourth position was Disney’s blockbuster “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” which netted $4.3 million.

The film stars Chinese-Canadian actor Simu Liu, Disney’s first Asian lead, as a former assassin in the shadow of an evil father (Hong Kong legend Tony Leung).

Fifth place was held by “The Many Saints of Newark,” the Warner Bros. prequel to cult television series “The Sopranos,” which took in $1.4 million in its second week.

That was followed by comedy action movie ‘Free Guy’ starring Ryan Reynolds.

7 – “Dear Evan Hansen” ($1 million)

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‘No Time to Die’ Wastes No Time Topping US Box Office

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday declared open a two-day mid term ministerial performance review retreat in Abuja amid rumors of likely ‘sack’ of some more of his Ministers for poor performance.

The retreat, which is being attended by Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and other top government officials, is an annual event convened to assess the performances of top functionaries of the administration.

President Buhari, on September 1, during the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, announced the sack of two of his Ministers.

They were then Minister of Power, Engr. Saleh Mamman and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, informing others that the action would be a continuous one.

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Presidency sources, however, have suggested that the President may be waiting for the outcome of the ongoing assessment process to determine his next step, which may involve easing more of his cabinet members, whose performance and conducts would not meet the administration’s standards, out of office.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ongoing performance review retreat at the State House Conference Hall, President Buhari said he would stay throughout the two-day event to listen to all cumulative assessments over the last two years and some months.

“Two years and some months into the second term, the tradition of subjecting our projects and programs implementation to independent and critical self-review has taken firm roots through sector Reporting during Cabinet meetings and at Retreats,” he added.

President Buhari noted that idea of the assessment is to identify weak areas with a view to strengthening the ability of government to deliver the goods to the people.

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President Buhari on ministers' performance 

Buhari opens Ministers’ performance retreat amid ‘sack’ speculations

More than 120,000 people have been evacuated, coal mines shut and crops destroyed after unseasonably heavy rainfall flooded north China’s Shanxi province over the weekend, state media reported Monday, with more rain forecast.

The deluge comes just months after record floods hit the country’s central Henan province in July — killing more than 300 people — and raises fears about ensuring the supply of energy ahead of the winter.

Many parts of Shanxi, a landlocked province that generally has dry weather, saw record-breaking rainfall over the past week, according to the provincial government, which ordered coal mines to take flood-proofing measures and make emergency plans to be “activated immediately in case of grave danger”.

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At least 60 coal mines in the province — one of China’s top coal-producing regions — have suspended operations due to the floods, according to a local government statement, even as the country faces a power supply crunch.

Beijing recently ordered coal mines to spare no costs to increase production and ensure supply, as well as said it will allow higher electricity prices in a bid to boost generation. Analysts have warned the move could add to inflation concerns.

China has been hit by widespread power cuts amid record coal prices, state electricity price controls, and tough emissions targets that have squeezed the power supply.

More than 1.75 million residents have so far been affected by the floods in Shanxi, which state news agency Xinhua reported had received more than three times the average monthly rainfall for October in just five days last week.

An estimated 190,000 hectares of crops were destroyed and 17,000 buildings were reduced to rubble, the local Communist Party newspaper Shanxi Evening News reported.

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Shanxi’s meteorological bureau said Sunday there would be more rain in the coming days, urging farmers to “rush to harvest when the weather is clear”.

Authorities have not yet published a death toll.

Video footage published by the Shanxi Evening News showed rescuers wading through murky waters and floating on rafts down flooded urban streets.

Meanwhile, state broadcaster CCTV showed workers repairing a broken dam, and railway tracks left suspended over water after part of the bridge they were on collapsed.

Thousands Evacuated As Floods Hit Northern China

 A US nuclear submarine was damaged after hitting an unidentified object while operating underwater in Asia, the US Navy said Thursday.

The USS Connecticut, a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, “struck an object while submerged on the afternoon of Oct. 2, while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region,” the navy said in a statement.

It said there were no life-threatening injuries, but USNI News, a site specializing in navy news, reported that about a dozen sailors were hurt “with moderate to minor injuries.”

USNI News also said the submarine was operating in the South China Sea, where the US Navy has sought to challenge China’s disputed territorial claims on small islands, reefs and outcrops.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, parts of which are also claimed by four Southeast Asian countries as well as the self-ruled island of Taiwan.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Friday that Beijing was “extremely concerned” about the collision and accused the US of deliberately concealing the nature of the incident.

Washington should provide “detailed clarification” of the event, including information about what the submarine collided with, whether it caused nuclear leakage and whether it damaged the local marine environment, Zhao said at a regular press briefing.

He accused the US of long “disturbing the peace” in the South China Sea “under the banner of freedom of navigation.”

The US Navy said the extent of the damage is being examined and the incident investigated.

“The submarine remains in a safe and stable condition. USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant and spaces were not affected and remain fully operational,” it said.

USNI News said the vessel is now headed to the US base at Guam.

US Nuclear Sub Damaged In Underwater Collision

On Friday, Barcelona president Joan Laporta, stated that he hoped Lionel Messi would change his mind about leaving the club and offer to play for free.

Messi left Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain in August after the former couldn't renew his contract due to La Liga’s strict salary limits.

“There came a time when both parties saw that it would not be possible. There was disappointment on both sides,” Laporta told Catalan radio station RAC1.

“He wanted to stay but they also had a lot of pressure because of the offer they had. They knew if he didn’t stay, he would go to PSG.”

Laporta continued: “I hoped Messi would do a u-turn and he would say he would play for free."

“I would have liked that and I would have been all for it. It is my understanding La Liga would have accepted it. But we cannot ask a player of Messi’s stature to do this.”

Laporta reiterated the club’s atrocious financial situation meant they were unable to keep Messi on the same terms.

Barca recorded losses of 481 million euros ($556 million) last season, with a gross debt of 1.35 billion euros.

“We had the conclusions of the audit (on Wednesday) and the investment in Leo would have put us at risk,” said Laporta, who also suggested Barcelona could yet sign up to a deal with investment fund CVC Capital Partners.

La Liga told Barca in August they could keep Messi if they agreed to the deal, which involved the league selling 10 percent of the commercial business, including television rights, for the next 50 years, in exchange for 2.7 billion euros.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao rejected the offer.

“We do not need more debt,” said Laporta. “I understand La Liga clubs are suffering. We have not ruled ourselves out of this operation but they have to change it. They are trying to reformulate the deal.”

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Laporta also confirmed his support for Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman, whose future has been uncertain in recent weeks.

“I think he deserves a margin of confidence,” said Laporta. “I asked him if he trusted the team and he said, ‘Of course I trust them. I need to get the injured players back’. He wants to continue at all costs and show this team is competitive.”

I Hoped Messi Would Offer To Play For Free, Laporta

 State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma has called on the Nigerian Army troops to target criminal elements in the state and ensure they are brought to justice.

Governor Uzodinma stated this while flagging-off exercise ‘Golden Dawn’ At 34 Artillery Brigade Forward Operation Base at Orlu, Imo State on Wednesday..

The governor noted that the Army, its sister services and other security agencies must continue to consolidate on the gains so far made in curbing the activities of criminals who are hell bent on causing pain and hardship on the people.

The Governor stated that exercises such as this will play a key role in crushing the activities of hoodlums, kidnappers, cultists among other criminal elements.

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He assured his people that the state will continue to support the Army, sister services and other security agencies who strive to ensure that there is peace in Imo.

Uzodinma also mentioned that the work of the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade and his officers and soldiers in restoring peace to the state did not go unnoticed.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Raymond Utsaha explained that the ‘Golden Dawn’ is a Nigerian Army exercise aimed at emplacing measures to curb the activities of criminal elements during and after the Yuletide season to guarantee public safety and continuity of socio-economic activities.

The exercise is also geared towards consolidating the ongoing operations against proscribed groups within Imo State in particular and the South East in general.

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Governor of Imo state addressing security operatives on establishing peace and order within his 

'Go After Criminal Elements In Imo State', says Uzodinma

Spain brought Italy’s record 37-match unbeaten run to an end on Wednesday with a 2-1 win to reach the Nations League final.

Ferran Torres’ first-half brace won the Final Four clash for Spain at the San Siro, where Luis Enrique’s side will face either France or Belgium in Sunday’s final.

Lorenzo Pellegrini pulled a goal back with seven minutes left but the European champions failed to complete what would have been a memorable comeback.

Italy, who beat Spain in the Euro 2020 semi-finals, had to play over half the match with 10 men after Leonardo Bonucci was sent off in the 42nd minute for elbowing Sergio Busquets in the face during an aerial challenge.

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The match was played in a strange atmosphere as AC Milan fans in the stadium harangued Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma throughout his return to the San Siro following his move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Donnarumma, who is considered one of the world’s best goalkeepers and won the Player of the Tournament award at the Euro, left Milan as a free agent in the summer and his departure left a bad taste in the mouth of supporters who loudly booed and whistled his every touch of the ball.

World champions France take on Belgium at Juventus’ Allianz Stadium in Turin on Thursday night.

Spain wins Italy ending italy's unbeaten streak 

Spain Ends Italy’s Unbeaten Run, Reach Nations League final

Senator representing Abia-South Senatorial District on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party in the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has earned his colleagues’ criticisms over an interview he granted Channels Television.

In the said interview, the Senate Minority Leader had alleged that the All Progressives Congress’ senators conspired to shortchange the host communities when the Senate passed the Petroleum Industry Bill.

Speaking at the Wednesday Plenary, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, faulted the interview granted by the Minority Leader on Tuesday.

Omo-Agege claimed under a point of order that Abaribe, in the interview, alleged that APC senators conspired to shortchange the host communities when the Senate passed the PIB.

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He said that there was no time the APC senators conspired to reduce the five per cent equity share approved for the host communities in the joint committee’s report to three per cent

Reacting, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said members of the Ninth Senate did not vote along party lines.

“When the Senate takes a decision, we should inform the public correctly because it is our duty to give the correct information to the public.

“I will encourage us to talk less to the Press on ways that will give the Press a wrong impression. We should concentrate more on talking to our colleagues in the Senate.

“I would have loved to give the Minority Leader an opportunity to speak, but this is a matter of privilege. I hope all of you have learnt a lesson or two from this.

“There is no point giving wrong information because we never vote along party lines,” Lawan said.

The Senate President encouraged them to rather discuss among themselves if they feel dissatisfied with what is happening, either within the country or in the chamber.

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senator of the federal republic of Nigeria

Senator Abaribe under fire over media interview

Germany’s Benjamin List and David MacMillan of the United States on Wednesday won the Nobel Chemistry Prize for their development of a precise new tool for molecular construction which has helped make chemistry greener, the jury said.

The duo was awarded “for their development of a precise new tool for molecular construction: organocatalysis. This has had a great impact on pharmaceutical research, and has made chemistry greener,” the Nobel Committee said.

Prior to their work, scientists believed there were only two types of catalysts, metals and enzymes.

In 2000, the researchers, working independently of each other, developed a third type, called “asymmetric organocatalysis”, which relies on small organic molecules.

List and MacMillan, both 53, will share the 10-million-kronor ($1.1-million, one-million-euro) prize.

“I thought somebody was making a joke. I was sitting at breakfast with my wife,” List told reporters by telephone during a press conference after the prize was announced.

He added that usually when the prize is announced, his wife jokes that he should keep an eye on his phone for a call from Sweden.

“But today we didn’t even make the joke,” List said.

“It’s hard to describe what you feel in that moment but it was a very special moment that I will never forget,” List said.

MacMillan is a professor at Princeton University in the US, while List is a director at the Max Planck Institute in Germany.

“Many research areas and industries are dependent on chemists’ ability to construct molecules that can form elastic and durable materials, store energy in batteries or inhibit the progression of disease,” the Nobel committee at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said in a statement.

“This work requires catalysts, which are substances that control and accelerate chemical reactions, without becoming part of the final product,” it added.

List was the first to prove that the amino acid proline could drive an aldol reaction, which is when carbon atoms from two different molecules are bonded together.

“Compared to both metals and enzymes, proline is a dream tool for chemists. It is a very simple, cheap and environmentally friendly molecule,” the Academy said.

Ahead of this year’s announcement, analysts said the field was wide open.

According to Clarivate, which maintains a list of potential Nobel Prize winners, more than 70 researchers had what it takes to be considered for the prize in chemistry, given the thousands of citations they have received in scientific papers.

Thought to be among the favourites for the medicine prize that was announced on Monday, the pioneers of the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines, Hungarian biochemist Katalin Kariko and US immunologist Drew Weissman, were also seen as potential candidates for chemistry.

But many experts also that it is a little too early for the generally cautious Nobel Committees to give the nod.

Last year, the Nobel went to Frenchwoman Emmanuelle Charpentier and American Jennifer Doudna, for developing the gene-editing technique known as CRISPR-Cas9 — DNA snipping “scissors”.

The Nobel season continues with the two most closely watched prizes, literature on Thursday and peace on Friday. The winner of the economics prize will be announced on Monday.

The medicine prize kicked off the 2021 Nobel season on Monday, going to David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian for breakthroughs that paved the way for the treatment of chronic pain.

The physics prize followed Tuesday when half was awarded to US-Japanese scientist Syukuro Manabe and Klaus Hasselmann for climate models, and the other half to Italy’s Giorgio Parisi for work on the theory of disordered materials and random processes.

Duo Wins Nobel Chemistry Prize For Work On Catalysts

On Monday, the South-South governors approved the establishment of a joint regional security outfit to address insecurity in their region.

Months after the South-East and South-West governors launched regional security outfits, the South-South governors on Monday approved the establishment of a joint regional security outfit to address insecurity in their region.

In a statement signed by the South-South leaders’ chairman, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, said, “Bearing in mind that most of the BRACED states have established their state security’s organs, we approved the regional security architecture, which will be launched very soon.” 

The decision to establish a security outfit was part of the resolution reached at the end of their meeting held on Monday at Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

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This development came months after the South-East governors established a security outfit for the region, soon after launching of the South-West regional security outfit named Amotekun.

The security outfits were established as the agitation for state police heightened amidst wanton security crises across the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari has yet to assent to the various requests by governors for the creating of state police to address the dynamic security challenges faced by different states.

In April, the South-East Governors’ Forum reiterated its support for establishing state police to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.

The governor noted that the forum had set up a committee to work out acceptable modalities for state policing and would submit the same to the National Economic Council (NEC).

Governors Kayode Fayemi, Rotimi Akeredolu, and Darius Ishaku had separately called for the creation of state police.

However, Governor Babagana Zulum talked down on setting up state-controlled police, arguing that governors like him would promote tribal sentiments.

The governor, whose state is among the worst-hit by raging insecurity caused by the Boko Haram insurgency, said decentralizing the police comes with serious implications as ethnic contention were still rife in the nation.

south-south governors  posing for a picture after holding a meeting

South-South governors launch own regional security outfit

Nigerian newspapers,on one page.