TheNewsGuru

Tag: EU

  • EU threatens online platforms with tougher rules on illegal content

    EU threatens online platforms with tougher rules on illegal content

    The European Commission has called on social media platforms to crack down on hate speech, terrorist propaganda and other illegal content, warning that rules may be toughened if the industry fails to regulate itself.

    EU Security Commissioner Julian King said on Monday, after a meeting that included representatives of Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

    “Illegal terrorist content online has incited too many attacks.

    “Today we discussed, with industry, the need for faster action. If possible on a voluntary basis, but if necessary, we’ll look at further steps,’’ King said.

    According to European Commission Vice President Andrus Ansip, if platforms will not act proactively, legislators will.

    Internet regulation is a hot topic in Germany, where a new law compelling online giants to remove hate speech, fake news and other illegal posts has come under fire from both the media industry and political leaders.

    The commission, the EU’s executive, warned ahead of Tuesday’s meeting that greater efforts are required to remove illegal internet content.

    “Even if tens of thousands of pieces of illegal content have been taken down, there are still hundreds of thousands more out there.

    “Also removal needs to be speedy: the longer illegal material stays online, the greater its reach,’’ King, Ansip and three other commissioners said in a joint statement.

    In May 2016, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Microsoft agreed with the commission on a code of conduct aimed at cracking down on illegal hate speech.

    A review of its effectiveness is due to be published later this month.

     

  • IOM, EU evacuate 132 more Nigerians from Libya

    IOM, EU evacuate 132 more Nigerians from Libya

    The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU) on Monday evacuated 132 more Nigerians from Libya.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new batch of returnees arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 5.30 p.m..

    The Nigerians returned aboard a chartered Global Africa aircraft with Registration Number LZ MDO.

    The returnees comprised 35 adult females, 88 adult males and nine children and infants.

    They were received by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Police.

    An official of the IOM, Frantz Célestin, said this was the second chartered flight by IOM in 2018 making it 313 Nigeria returned so far in the new year.

    “Migration is not a problem in itself. It engenders socioceconomic development if properly managed,” he said.

    Mr. Celestin affirmed IOM’s commitment in collaborating with Nigeria in ensuring protection and safe arrival of Nigerian migrants from Libya.

    NAN reports that 6,806 Nigerians have been returned from Libya in 2017 through the efforts of the IOM and EU.

    The Nigerians were stranded in the volatile North African country where they had been stranded enroute Europe and were being subjected to various abuses in the country.

    NAN

  • Uber is a transport line like GIGM, and should be treated as such – EU court ruling

    A European Union (EU) top court on Wednesday ruled that Uber is like God is Good Motors (GIGM) and any other transportation company, instead of an app, and should be regulated as such.

    A Spanish taxi association sued Uber after the ride-hailing firm drew the fury of local taxi drivers and officials for flouting local regulations.

    “The service provided by Uber connecting individuals with non-professional drivers is covered by services in the field of transport.

    “Member states can, therefore, regulate the conditions for providing that service,” said the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice.

    Uber, the biggest name in the growing gig economy, claims in the lawsuit that it is a mere service provider, connecting consumers with drivers in more than 600 cities.

    Uber has run into huge opposition from taxi companies and other competitors who say this allows it to dodge costly regulations such as training and licensing requirements for drivers and vehicles.

    The case was brought by a taxi drivers’ association in the Spanish city of Barcelona, where belief runs high that Uber is a taxi company that should be subject to rules governing such vehicles.

    In a dense legal judgement, the European Court of Justice said Uber was a service that connects “by means of a smartphone application and for remuneration non-professional drivers using their own vehicle with persons who wish to make urban journeys”.

    That means it is “inherently linked to a transport service and, accordingly, must be classified as a ‘service in the field of transport’ within the meaning of EU law”.

    Reacting to the ruling, spokesman for the Elite Taxi association, Ivan Esma, told newsmen, “This will truly represent a social victory, and the whole of society will benefit from this” while adding that “the road will be long” for the ruling to be enforced.

    Meanwhile, Uber has said the ruling would make little difference in practice.

    “This ruling will not change things in most EU countries where we already operate under transportation law,” an Uber spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

    Uber, unlike other transport companies like GIGM, does not employ drivers or own vehicles, but instead relies on private contractors with their own cars, allowing them to run their own businesses.

    Nigerian drivers on the Uber platform, however, have a way of boycotting the service, citing several reasons.

     

  • Slave trade: NAPTIP, NIS, partner EU, others on trafficking, migration in Nigeria

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, and Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, have partnered with the European Union, EU, the International Organisation for Migration, IOM, and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, on how to combat illegal migration and human trafficking in the country.

    The Director General of NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli, represented by the Director Research/ Programme Development, Godwin Mouka, said there was no better time than now for the country to wake up and combat illegal migration.

    This, Ms. Okah-Donli said, was vital especially with the growing increase of Nigerians illegally travelling abroad through illegal channels.

    She said the Act prohibiting illegal migration /traffic in persons had really assisted the agency in carrying out its professional responsibilities of fighting illegal migration and trafficking in the country.

    She said the Act had also enabled the agency to prosecute traffickers as well as assist trafficking victims.

    The director general said the partnership with foreign organisations had really improved the services of the agency, especially in the area of prosecution.

    She said the agency had been able to embark on public enlightenment campaign, especially in the rural areas urging people to desist from such act as it was punishable by law.

    Ms. Okah-Donli said to enable the agency to carry out its professional responsibilities, it had embarked on training and retraining of personnel for effective and efficient service delivery.

    She said NAPTIP was ever ready to synergise and cooperate with relevant agencies in the discharge of its duties, especially because of the challenge trafficking/ illegal migration posed.

    The Officer-in-charge, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Elisabeth Bayer, said the office was partnering with NAPTIP and NIS to assist the country in combating the menace.

    Mrs. Bayer also commended Nigeria for establishing an Act prohibiting human trafficking and illegal migration in the country.

    Also, the Deputy Head of EU to Nigeria/ECOWAS, Richard Young , said the organisation was in partnership with NAPTIP and NIS to remove the ugly side of illegal migration in Nigeria.

    Mr. Young said that the task of the EU was to minimise the risk involved and the implications of human trafficking and illegal migration.

    He promised to continue to assist Nigeria where and when necessary in its quest to combat the menace that was on the increase.

    The Comptroller-General of NIS, Muhammad Babandede, who was represented by Justina Tekkune, Deputy Comptroller Immigration (DCI), said the partnership was timely and a good thing to happen to Nigeria.

    Mr. Babandede also commended the international organisations for their efforts at making sure that Nigeria overcomes the challenges of human trafficking and illegal migration.

    He promised to sustain the relationship for the good of the service and the country.

    The Head of Missions, IOM, Charles Harns, commended Nigeria for being proactive in combating the challenge human trafficking and illegal migration posed to the country in recent times.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that the partnership will go a long way in reducing human trafficking and illegal migration in the country,” Mr. Harns said.

     

  • Slave trade: Amnesty International accuses EU of abetting migrant rights violations in Libya

    Amnesty International on Tuesday accused European governments of abetting grave human rights violations in Libya through their support for authorities there that often work with people smugglers and torture refugees and migrants.

    Determined to cut African immigration across the Mediterranean, the governments, via the EU, have provided support to Libya, trained its coastguard and spent millions of euros through UN agencies to improve conditions in detention camps where Libya puts the migrants.

    The advocacy group said up to 20,000 people were now held in these centres and subject to “torture, forced labour, extortion, and unlawful killings.”

    “European governments have not just been fully aware of these abuses; by actively supporting the Libyan authorities in stopping sea crossings and containing people in Libya, they are complicit in these crimes,” John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s head for Europe, said.

    The European Union’s executive arm, the European Commission, was not immediately available for comment.

    Libya is the main gateway for migrants trying to cross to Europe by sea, though numbers have dropped sharply since July as Libyan factions and authorities have begun to block departures under pressure from Italy, the main landing point.

    No fewer than 600,000 have made the journey over the past four years.

    Amnesty said the Libyan coastguards – which the EU backs to intercept people heading for Europe, work hand-in-hand with people smugglers, including in torturing people to extort money.

    “By supporting Libyan authorities in trapping people in Libya … European governments have shown where their true priorities lie: namely the closure of the central Mediterranean route, with scant regard to the suffering caused,” said Dalhuisen.

    With Libya being largely a lawless states since the fall of veteran ruler Muammar Gaddafi, some EU officials and diplomats chafe at what they see as being forced to rely on sometimes shady characters in the matrix of alliances between militias.

    However, EU leaders meeting for their final gathering this year in Brussels on December 14 to 15 will recommit themselves to this strategy, which they see as bearing fruit in the form of fewer sea crossings.

    The presidency of Libya’s UN-backed government said in November it was a victim of illegal migration, not a source of it, and appealed to foreign powers to help stop flows from migrants’ countries of origin.

  • Slave Trade, Human Trafficking: AU, EU must collaborate to tackle menace in Libya – Onyeama

    Slave Trade, Human Trafficking: AU, EU must collaborate to tackle menace in Libya – Onyeama

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama has called for a joint declaration by the African Union and European Union on the issue of slave trade and other crimes against humanity in Libya.

    Onyeama who made the call at the Ministerial meeting of the just concluded 5th African Union- European Union Summit in Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire, said, “this should be a red line for us and indeed for mankind.”

    According to a statement by Sarah Sanda, Special Assistant to Onyeama on Media, the Minister also called for increased Foreign Direct Investment in Africa by European countries as a way of creating millions of new jobs for youths in Africa.

    “The AU-EU collaboration should focus more on addressing issues of youth unemployment and the associated skills gap, by promoting quality education and skills development, entrepreneurship, industrialisation as well as access to finance, safe and orderly regular migration and better alignment of skills with labour market needs between the two continents”, she quoted the Minister as saying.

    “We are also encouraged by EU support of 7.5m Euros for the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) negotiations, which have been very useful in providing technical support and expertise towards realising the target for the conclusion of the negotiations by the end of 2017, as well as the 20bn Euros spent by the European Union in Africa every two years as stated by Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative and Vice President of the EU Commission.”

    He commended the on-going civilian and EU-led operations in Africa, particularly in the area of anti-terrorism and harped on the need to build capacities of security personnel through increased financial support to the Multi -National Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) operations.

    While acknowledging that the EU has been very supportive in promoting Article 4 of the Africa Agenda 2063 for a peaceful and prosperous Africa, Onyeama emphasised, “our partnership should continue to ensure the full functioning of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), especially the operationalisation of the African standby Force (ASF), as well as promote conflict preventive diplomacy”.

     

  • 2015 Presidential Election: EU denies favouring Buhari, praises Jonathan for conceding defeat

    2015 Presidential Election: EU denies favouring Buhari, praises Jonathan for conceding defeat

    The European Union, EU, has denied favouring President Muhammadu Buhari above other candidates during the 2015 Presidential Elections in Nigeria.

    Santiago Fisas, the former Chief Observer of the 2015 EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), and Member of the European Parliament, said this in Abuja on Sunday while making clarification on EU assessment of the 2015 Elections.

    Mr. Fisas said that the EU was more interested in deepening democracy and the electoral process than who emerged as the president.

    “The international community is not in favour of any candidate above others,” he said.

    He, however, commended former President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting defeat and sacrificing his personal ambition for the interest of Nigerians.

    “The election was done in a proper way and I praise former President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting defeat.

    “I think it has proved that he is a man of the state, that he put the interest of Nigeria before his own interest.

    “That is an example in Nigeria and for many countries in Africa to follow, he accepted that he lost election to another party’’, he said.

    Mr. Fisas said that the mission was in Nigeria to assess the present electoral reform process and the extent to which previous EU Election Observation Mission recommendations had been addressed,

    He commended the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) for what it described as its increasing initiatives, including an improved continuous voter registration and the merging of accreditation and voting process for off-cycle elections.

    The Mission Head, however, identified areas of failures which he said required urgent attention.

    The areas according to him, include, provisions empowering INEC to sanction campaign violations, increase transparency in the publication of results and reinforce policies to better integrate women and youth into political life.

    “We know to run for election in Nigeria is quite expensive. We also know that campaign is costly so I believe that political parties should help women in campaigning.

    “It is very important to promote the participation of women in politics from the local election.

    “Security is important and the people must be free to go to vote.

    “It is important that Nigeria merge the accreditation and voting on the same moment, this is important for the comfort of the people,’’ he added.

    He also advised political parties to ensure internal democracy by ensuring that their primaries were done in a democratic way,

    According to him, it is important to know the background of the candidates and be sure they are the right people to run for election

    He commended the National Assembly for the progress made so far in constitutional and electoral amendment.

    He, however, called for expedited action of the amendment process, noting “for election reform to be effective, amendments need to be adopted as soon as possible’’.

    Mr. Fisas said that there was the need for the implementation to start well before 2019 general election.

    He also harped on the need for an inclusive, transparent and credible election, to ensure public and political confidence.

    This according to him is crucial for Nigeria’s democracy.

     

  • Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu petitions UN, US, EU others over alleged invasion of his country home

    Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu petitions UN, US, EU others over alleged invasion of his country home

    The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has petitioned the United States of America, USA, European Union, EU, and the United Nations, UN over the alleged invasion of his country home by operatives of Nigerian Army last Sunday.

    In the petition dated September 14 and signed by his counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu accused the Nigerian military of intimidation, torture, arrest, abduction and killing of people of the South East.

    The letter was addressed to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, the European Union High Commission, the Presidents of United States of America, Russia and Israel.

    In the petition, the IPOB leader urged the UN, EU, US and other countries on the invasion of the military in the region.

    Kanu stated that while innocent blood are being wasted in the region, the 1999 Constitution as amended did not allow the deployment of soldiers in the region in a manner presently done by the federal government.

    According to Kanu without the intervention of the comity of nations, the killings and torture would continue.

    The letter reads: “Unarmed civilians largely made up members of the Indigenous People of Biafra are now being tortured and murdered in cold blood on a daily basis.”

    “We have no doubt that the undisclosed reason for deploying troops to south eastern states by the President Buhari-led administration is to attack unarmed and defenseless members of the Indigenous People of Biafra who are merely exercising their constitutional guaranteed rights to self-determination.

    “The situation in the south east of Nigeria is serious and demand your urgent action Sir.

    “The modus operandi of the Operation Python Dance II presently adopted by the military deployed in the south east offends all known rules of professional engagement even in a war zone.”

  • Google escapes $1.3 billion tax bill in France

    Google was left off the hook in one of its many court battles when a Paris court dismissed a $1.27 billion tax bill levied against the tech giant, according to media reports.

    Paris’ administrative tribunal ruled Wednesday that Google’s advertising business doesn’t have a taxable presence in France, absolving it of responsibility for five years of back taxes for a period ending in 2010, CNET reported.

    The tax authority had accused Google of routing ad sales in the country through its Irish-based subsidiary.

    In a statement, Google said the ruling “has confirmed Google abides by French tax law and international standards,” adding, “We remain committed to France and the growth of its digital economy”.

    The ruling is a victory amid a series of legal challenges Google has faced across Europe on concerns including taxes, competition and privacy.

    Last month, the European Union slapped Google with a $2.72 billion fine for favouring its own shopping services in its search results over those of rivals.

    TheNewsGuru reports the fine is the biggest antitrust penalty the EU has ever applied to a single company, exceeding the $1 billion fine handed to Intel in 2009, which left Google bitter.

    Also, according to CNET, the EU has also taken aim at Google for its Android operating system, expressing concern that consumers will automatically use Google’s built-in apps, rather than explore other options.

    The Competition Commission has also found the internet giant systematically abuse its dominance in search to promote its own shopping services.

     

  • Google bitter over $2.74 billion EU fine

    Google is presently wiping off bitter tears after being slammed with a recording-breaking fine of $2.74 billion by the European Union (EU).

    TheNewsGuru reports Google was recently fined a whooping amount of $2.74 billion by the EU for abusing its dominance within the Commission’s domain.

    Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc. late Friday confirming the development said the European Commission’s antitrust fine will reduce second-quarter profit by about $2.74 billion.

    “It’s not tax deductible, so the charge will reduce Alphabet’s net income and earnings per share by the full $2.74 billion amount,” Alphabet said in a statement.

    According to a report by Bloomberg, the company plans to report the fine in a separate operating expense line on its income statement.

    According to data compiled by Bloomberg, analysts expect Alphabet, the owner of Google, to report second-quarter net income of $5.78 billion.

    Meanwhile, analysts have dismissed the EU fine as a threat to Google’s stock position.

    However, several raised concerns about the potential impact of any forced changes to Google’s shopping service, a growing revenue source.

    Googel has a 90-day ultimatum to find ways to give equal treatment to smaller price-comparison services that compete with the Google Shopping ads that appear when people search for products.