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632 dead, 153 injured in massive Morocco earthquake

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No fewer than 632 people have been confirmed killed and over 153 injured after powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco on Friday night, the country’s Interior Ministry reports on Saturday.

The ministry added that the quake struck 72 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of Morocco’s tourist hotspot, Marrakesh at 11:11 pm while strong tremors were also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira, and as far as Algeria and Portugal.

“The quake killed 296 people in the provinces and municipalities of Al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant. Hundreds others died in other provinces,” the ministry statement said.

According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter of the quake was in the High Atlas mountains located about 72 kilometers (44.7 miles) southwest of Marrakech, a city of some 840,000 people and a popular tourist destination. State-run Al-Aoula television has reported nearly 300 deaths.

The agency further stated that the earthquake was the strongest to hit that part of the North African nation in more than 120 years, while Marrakech’s historic walls, a set of defensive ramparts first laid out in the early 12th century, have been damaged.

A local resident, Abdelhak El Amrani, who spoke to AFP, was reported as saying:

“We felt a very violent tremor, and I realised it was an earthquake. I could see buildings moving. We don’t necessarily have the reflexes for this type of situation. Then I went outside and there were a lot of people there. People were all in shock and panic. The children were crying and the parents were distraught.

“The power went out for 10 minutes, and so did the telephone network, but then it came back on. Everyone decided to stay outside.”

Residents of Marrakech report that some buildings had collapsed in the old city which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with local television showing pictures of a fallen mosque Minaret with rubble lying on smashed cars.

Local media also reported that roads leading to the mountain region around the epicentre were jammed with vehicles and blocked with collapsed rocks, slowing rescue efforts.

Metro

Wanted Zambian MP who escaped from prison custody captured in Harare

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A fugitive Zambian Member of Parliament (MP), Emmanuel Banda, who escaped from custody at the Chipata Prison in Eastern Province has been captured in Harare, Zimbabwe, where he had been in hiding in a rented apartment.

Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister, Jack Mwiimbu, who confirmed the apprehension of the Petauke Central lawmaker during a media briefing held at the Ministry Headquarters in Lusaka on Tuesday, said Banda had escaped from lawful custody in August this year where he was facing aggravated robbery charges and was being held by Zambia Correctional Service while awaiting court appearance as he had been committed to the high court.

Zambia Monitor reports that after Banda’s escape, his wife, Lombe Chali, was arrested and charged with aiding a prisoner to escape, with the police assuring the public that no stone would be left unturned as they worked to ensure justice was served.

While addressing the press conference, Mwiimbu said:

“Emmanuel Jay Jay Banda was renting a flat in Harare and did not give himself up willingly during his arrest by the Zimbabwean law enforcement agencies.”

The Minister also accused the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) of knowing the whereabouts of Banda and were allegedly communicating with him during the time of his disappearance which can be seen from the several statements which had been made.

Mwiimbu said the PF members that include former president Edgar Lungu had made statements accusing government’s involvement in his disappearance and suggesting that they knew about Banda’s whereabouts.

“Now that he has been captured, Emmanuel Banda will now tell us the truth about how he escaped from custody. We learnt of Emmanuel Jay Jay Banda’s whereabouts two weeks ago and discovered that he was enjoying good health,” he stated.

Mwiimbu stated that the Zambian authorities were collaborating very well with their Zimbabwean counterparts, saying Banda was apprehended by security officials from that country.

He also emphasized that the Zambian government was putting up measures to ensure Banda’s return to Zambia had no security lapses.

“The government wants to know who facilitated his escape, who has been facilitating his wife’s visit to Harare to those flats now that he has been captured,” Mwiimbu said.

In May 2024, Banda was reported missing and his vehicle found abandoned with shattered windshield and a note apologising to Zambians.

Following his escape, the Zambia Police placed a K2 million bounty on Banda, who had escaped from lawful custody while receiving treatment at Chipata General Hospital in Eastern Province.

According to Mwiimbu, Banda now faces an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody.

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Metro

Nigeria: Tinubu lobbies G-20 leaders for UN Security Council permanent seat

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Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, has resorted to lobbying world leaders at the ongoing 19th G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the country to get a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Tinubu, who made the demand while delivering a speech on Tuesday, said there was an urgent need for the UN Security Council to reform its structure to ensure its continued relevance in global interventions.

The President who reiterated Nigeria’s readiness and capability to represent Africa within the United Nations, called on the G20 Leaders to champion the idea of admitting the country into the Council.

“The UN Security Council should expand its permanent and non-permanent member categories to reflect the world’s diversity and plurality. Africa deserves priority in this,” he said.

“Africa deserves priority in this process, and two permanent seats should be allocated to it with equal rights and responsibilities. Nigeria stands ready and willing to serve as a representative of Africa in this capacity.”

The President noted that the G20 nhbow wears a toga of a forward-looking international institution that upholds reform-minded multilateralism and specially commended the decision by the G20 to grant permanent membership to the African Union and for its consistency in sustaining the tradition of inviting guest countries to join the group.

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