The United States does not want to see an escalation of the crisis in the Middle East, a top White House official said Sunday after Israel repelled a massive missile and drone attack from Iran. “We don’t want to see this escalate,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on NBC’s “Meet the Press”. “We’re not looking for a wider war with Iran.” Israel was on high alert Sunday after Iran’s unprecedented attack sparked fears of a broader conflict.   Iran launched its first-ever direct assault on Israeli territory late Saturday in retaliation for a deadly strike by Israeli on Tehran’s consulate in Damascus on April 1. Iran’s retaliation marked a major escalation of the long-running covert war between the regional foes. US President Joe Biden has reaffirmed Washington’s “ironclad” support for Israel, while appearing to guide its staunch ally away from a military response. News outlet Axios said the president had told Netanyahu he would oppose an Israeli counterattack against Iran and that the prime minister should “take the win”. Kirby added in the interview that the United States is “staying vigilant” to any Iranian threats to American troops. “We made it very clear to all parties, including Iran, what we would do … and also how seriously we would take any potential threats to our personnel,” Kirby said. Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel late Saturday, injuring 12 people, the Israeli army said.   But almost all were intercepted before they reached Israeli territory, the army said, with help from the United States, Jordan, Britain and other allies.

  In recent years, the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East has been marked by tensions and conflicts, with Iran often at the center of attention. Amidst these tensions, Israel’s Iron Dome has emerged as a critical defense system, providing protection against missile threats from various adversaries, including Iran. In this article, we delve into the workings of Israel’s Iron Dome and its significance in countering potential attacks from Iran.   Introduction to Israel Iron dome Israel‘s Iron Dome is a sophisticated missile defense system designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 4 to 70 kilometers away. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, in conjunction with Israeli defense forces, the Iron Dome has become a symbol of Israel’s commitment to protecting its citizens against incoming threats. How Does the Israel Iron Dome Work? At the heart of the Iron Dome system are three main components: detection and tracking radar, battle management and weapon control system (BMC), and interceptor missiles. When an enemy projectile is launched, the detection and tracking radar identifies the trajectory and sends this information to the BMC, which analyzes the threat and determines whether it is heading towards a populated area. If the BMC assesses the incoming projectile as a threat, it calculates the optimal interception point and launches an interceptor missile to intercept and destroy the incoming threat mid-air. The interceptor missiles, known as Tamir missiles, are equipped with advanced guidance systems and explosives, allowing them to precisely target and neutralize enemy projectiles. Significance in Countering Iran’s Threats Iran, with its long-standing animosity towards Israel, poses a significant threat to the security and stability of the region. Iran has supported various proxy groups, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, which have repeatedly launched rockets and missiles towards Israeli territory. In this context, the Iron Dome plays a crucial role in deterring and neutralizing potential attacks from Iran and its proxies. Iran’s arsenal includes a variety of short and medium-range ballistic missiles, as well as rockets equipped with advanced guidance systems. These projectiles pose a direct threat to civilian populations and critical infrastructure in Israel. However, the Iron Dome’s ability to intercept and destroy incoming threats provides a vital layer of defense against Iran’s missile capabilities. Challenges and Limitations While the Iron Dome has proven to be highly effective in intercepting incoming threats, it is not without its challenges and limitations. One of the main challenges is the sheer volume of incoming projectiles during periods of heightened conflict. Despite its high success rate, the Iron Dome cannot guarantee a 100% interception rate, and some projectiles may still penetrate Israeli airspace. Additionally, the cost of operating and maintaining the Iron Dome system is significant, leading to debates over its long-term sustainability. According to some analysts, the resources allocated to missile defense could be better spent on other defense priorities or social programs. However, proponents emphasize the invaluable protection it provides to Israeli civilians and infrastructure. Israel’s Iron Dome represents a remarkable technological achievement and a critical component of its defense strategy against threats from Iran and other adversaries in the region. By intercepting and destroying incoming projectiles, the Iron Dome helps safeguard civilian lives and maintain stability in the face of ongoing tensions and conflicts. While challenges and limitations exist, the Iron Dome remains a potent deterrent against potential attacks, underscoring Israel’s commitment to ensuring the security and well-being of its people.

  The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has stated that it will not hesitate to take action against businesses engaging in price fixing. It highlighted the strain this act places on consumers’ well-being and economic stability and urged citizens to report such practices. The FCCPC disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X handle on Sunday. The statement read, “The FCCPC acknowledges that the rising cost of essential goods impacts consumers’ well-being and economic stability. “While we recognise that the commission cannot directly control prices, we are committed to safeguarding consumers’ interests and ensuring fair market practices, necessitating fair pricing. “Arbitrary price increases stemming from untoward practices like price gouging and conspiracy to manipulate supply violate existing laws. “The commission will not hesitate to invoke Section 17(s) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 against any perpetrator of such acts. This section prohibits obnoxious trade practices and unscrupulous exploitation of consumers.” The statement urged Nigerians to stay vigilant and report any unfair trade practices they encounter. It added, “We encourage consumers to remain vigilant and report unfair trade practices to the FCCPC. “Consumers can provide details, including the conduct, location of perpetrators, and other relevant information for investigation, through contact@fccpc.gov.ng. “The FCCPC remains committed to promoting fair competition, protecting consumers, and fostering a regulated marketplace. We appreciate citizens’ vigilance and encourage active participation in reporting any violations.” PUNCH reported in February that FCCPC sealed a popular supermarket in the Garki area of Abuja, Sahad Store, for lack of transparency in the way it was fixing prices for products. Similarly, it also encouraged electricity consumers to report distribution companies that failed to comply with the capping of estimated bills for unmetered customers.

  Iran summoned the French, British, and German ambassadors to Tehran on Sunday over reactions to Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel. “The British, French, and German ambassadors to Tehran were summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the irresponsible positions of certain officials of these countries regarding Iran’s response to the actions of the Zionist regime (Israel) against the nationals and interests of our country,” the official IRNA news agency said. Details later… AFP

  The Federal Road Safety Corps, on Sunday, issued a warning regarding false recruitment information circulating online. Notice of the false recruitment that has been circulating online since April 4, 2024, reads, “FRSC Recruitment Portal 2024: The Federal Road Safety Corps is recruiting skilled experts who have experience and a desire to work with the organisation. Learn more about the Federal Road Safety Corps recruitment portal requirements and how to apply by reading on.” However, the Corps Marshal FRSC, Dauda Biu, in a statement signed by the corps spokesperson, Jonas Agwu, urged the public to disregard the misleading claims of an ongoing recruitment, clarifying that there are currently no recruitment processes underway or planned. The statement read, “The attention of the Federal Road Safety Corps has been drawn to a publication by online platforms misinforming the public about ongoing recruitment of personnel into the services of the corps. “This medium is to let the public know that the corps is presently not recruiting, neither is there any ongoing arrangement to that effect. “The Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, wishes to admonish applicants seeking to join the services of the corps, as well as the general public, to disregard the fake and misleading publications.” He noted that the notice served as a warning for individuals to refrain from engaging with fraudulent entities spreading misinformation, as the corps will not be held responsible for any consequences resulting from such interactions. “The public is hereby warned to desist from any form of engagement with the purported scammers and purveyors of misinformation as the Corps will not be liable should anyone fall victim,” Agwu warned.

  The Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders’Foundation (HURIDE) have called on the chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Chief Emeka Orji, to draft his men to evacuate refuse that litter the streets and roads in the Local Government. The groups in a statement issued weekend in Onitsha, the Anambra State commercial nerve centre said the refuse worsened the poor environment and “no drinking water” in the Local Government and made it an eyesore to behold. In the statement signed by High Chief Dede Uzor A. Uzor, chairman of CD in the South East and Executive Director of (HURIDE) said the refuse constitutes a health hazard to the residents of the Local Government. They said if the Local Government chairman does not make haste to clear the dirt, epidemics of unimaginable proportion might soon befall the people, saying the stench alone oozing out from the dirt was enough to send people packing. The groups reminded the Local Government boss that he was the one who issued directives that the residents should clear the drainage system in front of their houses, and bag them, while they would come and evacuate them. Unfortunately, said the rights groups, for several weeks after the residents had complied with the directive, the dirt is still littered on the streets with some of them getting back into the drainage system. This, they said, amounts to a waste of efforts and resources of the residents in the Local Government and would further block the free flow of movement of the drainage system. Some of the areas where the refuse was littered include Zik Ave, Mbonu Ojike, Uga Street, Uzodinma Street, Bida Street, and all nooks and crannies of Fegge Housing Estate among other places. Said the groups: ” Onitsha South is becoming the worst and dirtiest in the State. We call on the Local Government chairman to step up the clearing of the refuse so that they would not return back to the drainage system and block its free flow now that rainy season is around the corner” They called on Chief Orji to return the Local Government to the era when the streets were being swept daily and constitute her own local traffic control officials like Onitsha North therefore engaging the youths in meaningfully and productively The groups also called on the chairman to prevail on the traders of Bridgehead Market doing business along the newly reconstructed Porthacourt Road and Uga Street not to use iron rods to destroy the new road, High Chief Dede Uzor advised. The rights groups however commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his efforts to resurface Anàmbra State roads which Onitsha South has tremendously benefitted. They said like Oliver Twist, they want more of such reconstruction of key roads in Fegge like Uga Street, Bida Road, Balewa Street and others. Editor’s Note: This photo is for illustration 

  The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged President Bola Tinubu to disclose the agreements and spending details of loans obtained by the administrations of Nigeria’s past presidents since May 1999. SERAP urged Tinubu “to direct appropriate ministries, departments and agencies to provide our organisation with copies of the loan agreements obtained by the governments of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.” This was disclosed in a statement issued by the organisation’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, which was made available to PUNCH Online on Sunday. SERAP is also seeking “the spending details of any such loans as well as the interests and other payments so far made on the loans.” Nigeria’s four past democratically-elected presidents include Obasanjo, who ruled for eight years from 1999 to 2007. Obasanjo’s administration was succeeded by the late Yar’Adua (2007 – 2010); followed by Jonathan (2010 – 2015); and then the immediate past president, Buhari, whose administration ruled from 2015 – 2023. The organisation stated that “widely publishing the agreements would allow Nigerians to scrutinise it and to demand accountability for the spending of the loans.” SERAP lamented that the details provided may help to explain why “despite several billions of dollars in loans obtained by successive governments, millions of Nigerians continue to face extreme poverty and lack access to basic public goods and services.” This latest demand by SERAP is coming two weeks after it gave the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other 35 state governors one-week ultimatum to provide the loan agreements and spending details of the loans obtained by their states and the FCT. As contained in the latest sub-national debt – domestic and external debts, which were released by the Debt Management Office as of December 30 and June 30, 2023, respectively; PUNCH reports that “for the sub-nationals, Plateau got N16.32bn; Rivers borrowed N7.07bn; Zamfara, N14.26bn; and the FCT under the leadership of Nyesom Wike borrowed N6.75bn from domestic creditors,” amongst others. However, in its response, the Zamfara State Government refuted the DMO’s report that it borrowed N14.26 billion, adding that it has “never applied for loans or approached the state Assembly or National Assembly for such a request.” Also, the Kaduna State Government, through the Ministry of Finance, denied procuring a fresh $17.69m loan. “We did not borrow the said amount or any other amount as reported. The claims are entirely false and fabricated,” said the state Commissioner for Finance, Shizzer Bada. However, SERAP demanded that Tinubu establish an “independent audit on the spending of the loans obtained by the governments of the former presidents,” and make its results available to the public. “Democracy requires accountability and accountability requires transparency. “Nigerians are entitled to information about what their government is doing in their name. This is part of their right to information,” SERAP said. The statement noted that publishing the agreements and details of spending of the said loans “would demonstrate” Tinubu’s “oft-expressed commitment to openness in government and to promote accountability,” adding that it would also “improve public accountability” in the MDAs. Quoting the DMO, SERAP said that “the total public domestic debt portfolio for the country is N97.3 trillion ($108 billion). The Federal Government’s debt is N87.3 trillion ($97 billion).” It said that the interest paid on loans by the FG in 2015 was $5.5 billion; in 2016, $4.4bn; in 2017, Nigeria paid $5bn as interest; in 2018, $6.5bn was paid; while $6.2bn was paid in 2019. “We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest,” the organisation said. It noted that Tinubu’s administration “has a responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in how any loans obtained by the Federal Government are spent, to reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.” “Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Freedom of Information Act, and the UN Convention against Corruption, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to Nigeria is a state party. “The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities,” the statement concluded.

  Sunday 14 April 2024 N’Assembly 20-agency plan may hinder Oronsaye report implementation 85% of Nigerians still enjoying electricity subsidy – FG Security Operatives Arrest 20 Suspects Over Invasion Of Oyo Govt Secretariat Six Killed In Sydney Shopping Centre Attack – Police Troops Kill Bandits In Zamfara, Recover Weapons, Assets Integrating Western Education With Almajiri System Solution For Northern Out-Of-School Children – Minister Lagos-London Flights: Nigerian Airlines Must Be United To Compete With Foreign Carriers, Says Air Peace Chairman FG Will Sustain Onslaught Against Bandits In Zamfara, Tinubu Assures Gov Lawal New National ID Card To Be Issued Via Banks, Says FG Two Dead, 13 Wounded In Ogun Road Crash Gunmen Attack Ortom’s Former Chief Of Staff, Abduct Wife, Maid Tinubu: Rumble in the North as Defense Minister fires back at northern elders 10 Years of Chibok Abduction: Parents of kidnapped children heartbroken – again Electricity Workers Demand Withdrawal Of New Tariff I Can’t Believe That After 10 Years, We Are Still Talking About Chibok Girls In Captivity — Aisha Yesufu APC clears Aiyedatiwa, 15 others for Ondo guber primaries New National ID card to be issued via banks — FG PDP NEC: Atiku, Wike camps go into trenches   Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  The Israeli security cabinet has authorized the three-man war cabinet to decide on Israel’s response to the Iranian attack following a late-night meeting Saturday. The authorization comes after Israel faced more than 200 “threats,” according to the Israel Defense Forces. The war cabinet comprises Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and Benny Gantz.   Meanwhile, Israel’s Home Front Command has cancelled its request for residents across the country to stay close to shelters. The reversal comes hours after the Israel Defense Forces instructed residents of several parts of northern Israel to stay near protected spaces and mandated that residents wait in “the most protected area possible” for at least 10 minutes “upon the activation of sirens.”