India's Modi visits Nepal in bid to counter China influence

India's Modi visits Nepal in bid to counter China influence
source: AFP

 AFP / Ashok DULAL Nepali Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli greets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has cast his visit as part of his "neighbourhood first" policy

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the construction of a mega hydropower plant during a visit to Nepal Friday, part of his government's move to counter Chinese influence in its backyard.

Modi and his Nepali counterpart K.P. Sharma Oli laid the foundation stone of the $1.4 billion India-backed Arun Three hydropower plant, a long-mooted project that could be a game-changer for energy-staved Nepal.

"It is one of the biggest projects in Nepal. Along with employment opportunities, this project will create economic and commercial opportunities in Nepal," Modi said in Kathmandu following the inauguration.

The plant is the first of five mega hydropower projects, two of which are backed by Chinese companies, to begin construction, which marks a diplomatic win for India.

China has outspent India in Nepal in recent years, as the impoverished Himalayan nation sandwiched between the two Asian giants has titled relations towards its northern neighbour.

In 2017, Chinese firms pledged more than $8.3 billion in investment, dwarfing Indian commitments of $317 million. In May last year, Nepal signed up to Beijing's ambitious One Belt, One Road infrastructure initiative.

But Modi, who cast the visit as part of his "neighbourhood first" policy, has been keen to show that India can also deliver on big-ticket infrastructure promises.


PIB/AFP / Handout Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Nepal as part of his government's move to counter Chinese influence in its backyard


"Historically India-funded projects, while they seem generous, have struggled to show progress, while the Chinese do it quicker and gain on public opinion," said Kathmandu-based analyst George Varughese.

Nepal suffers from a crippling energy shortage and has been in talks with its two large neighbours for investment in its hydroelectric sector for more than a decade.

The Himalayan nation has enough water to be a hydro powerhouse but it has so far harnessed less than two percent of that potential, according to estimates.

- Big brother -

Modi's visit to Nepal comes a month after newly elected Oli made his first foreign visit to New Delhi.


 AFP / Bikash KARKI Indian Prime Minister Modi is seeking to reset ties with Kathmandu as China's influence in Nepal grows

The neighbours are keen to restore relations that have been strained since 2015 when Nepal passed a controversial new constitution, which sparked deadly protests and triggered a months-long border blockade.

Kathmandu blamed New Delhi for the blockade that caused a severe shortage of fuel and goods as Nepal struggled to recover from a devastating earthquake earlier that year.

Oli, then serving his first term as prime minister, won huge public support as he stoked nationalist anti-India sentiment over the blockade. He used the platform again during his reelection campaign last year.

Many in Nepal remain suspicious of India's "big brother" attitude, and the hashtags #ModiNotWelcomeInNepal and #BlockadeWasACrimeMrModi trended on Twitter as the Indian premier touched down.

Oli, who needs India -- Nepal's largest trading partner -- to realise his ambitious plans to kickstart economic growth, has opted for a more pragmatic approach to relations since he took office again in February.


AFP / Bikash KARKI Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his Nepal visit in the southern city of Janakpur where he offered prayers at a renowned Hindu temple


Modi began his Nepal visit in the southern city of Janakpur where he offered prayers at a renowned Hindu temple. Janakpur was a centre of the deadly 2015 protests, which claimed more than 50 lives.

Modi will visit a second Hindu pilgrimage site near Nepal's border with Tibet on Saturday. Analysts say the strong religious overtones are intended to send a message to his Hindu nationalist base at home, where Modi is fighting a key election in the southern state of Karnataka.

US sanctions hit Iran Revolutionary Guard currency network

US sanctions hit Iran Revolutionary Guard currency network
source: AFP

AFP/File / ATTA KENARE

The US Treasury together with the United Arab Emirates announced action to disrupt an alleged "large scale" currency exchange network run by Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

In the first such action since President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear accord on Tuesday, the Treasury announced sanctions against six Iranian individuals and three companies tied to the IRGC who were part of the network, which it said handled "hundreds of millions" of dollars in exchange transactions.

The Treasury also singled out Iran's central bank as "complicit" in the IRGC operation, alleging the bank gave the operation access to funds held in offshore bank accounts.

"The Iranian regime and its Central Bank have abused access to entities in the UAE to acquire US dollars to fund the IRGC-QF's malign activities, including to fund and arm its regional proxy groups, by concealing the purpose for which the US dollars were acquired," said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.

"We are intent on cutting off IRGC revenue streams wherever their source and whatever their destination," he said.

The individuals and companies included an alleged IRGC "front company" in Tehran, Jahan Aras Kish, and a Tehran money-changer, Rashed Exchange.

The US government made clear Tuesday when Trump announced the end of US participation in the JCPOA nuclear deal that going ahead, Washington was going to ramp up pressure on the IRGC and the Central Bank of Iran.

The new sanctions on the currency network ban US individuals and entities from doing business with them, aiming to lock them out of global dollar networks.

Israel-Iran flare-up raises spectre of major confrontation

Israel-Iran flare-up raises spectre of major confrontation
source: AFP

 AFP / ATTA KENARE Iranians burn US flags during an anti-US demonstration outside the former US embassy headquarters in the capital Tehran on May 9, 2018

Deadly strikes by Israel against alleged Iranian sites in Syria have raised fears of a dramatic escalation in regional conflict, but the situation remains shrouded by contradictory accounts and uncertainty.

Israel says its raids early Thursday were in immediate response to Iranian missiles raining down on the occupied Golan Heights.

But there has been no official statement from Iran, and analysts in Tehran say any missile strikes were conducted by the Syrian military.

Outside observers see a dangerous game of brinkmanship.

"The rules of the game are worked out by trial and error, by push and shove. The pushing and shoving has become more intense. We are getting closer to the brink," said Heiko Wimmen, of the International Crisis Group.

Israel has repeatedly warned it considers an entrenched Iranian military presence in war-ravaged Syria to be a dangerous red line.

In recent years, it has been suspected of carrying out strikes on installations manned by Syrian, Iranian, and allied Lebanese fighters across Syria.

It was only a matter of time before Iran pushed back, said Wimmen.

"The point will come with these actions, where the Iranians will say: we have to push back forcefully, we have to establish deterrence against the Israelis if we want to stay in Syria," said Wimmen.

Israel, too, may feel emboldened by US President Donald Trump's decision this week to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

"Israel has been chomping at the bit to take a big bite out of Iran's forces in Syria," said Nicholas Heras, of the Center for a New American Security.

- 'A nightmare scenario' -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees that decision as a "green light to go after Iran in Syria, the consequences be damned," said Heras.

"The Israelis believe they are facing a nightmare scenario right now, where Iran is on the march in Syria, with the intention to start a war that will end Israel," he added.


 AFP / MENAHEM KAHANA Israeli Merkava tanks are seen in a deployment area near the Syrian border in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights on May 10, 2018


Syria's south is a complex puzzle: rebels, jihadists, Syrian government troops, Iranian forces, and fighters from Lebanese Hezbollah all have a presence there.

A de-escalation zone agreed last year for southern Syria was meant to reduce violence, but Israel has not been reassured.

Wimmen said two actions could trigger a large-scale confrontation: a missile killing civilians in the Israeli-occupied Golan, or retaliation against Israel by Hezbollah.

But analysts based in Tehran deny Iran is seeking direct conflict with Israel.

Foad Izadi, of the world affairs department at the University of Tehran, said Iran was not in Syria to fight Israel -- however often the Israelis may say otherwise.

"Iran's deterrence against Israel is done in Lebanon with more than 100,000 missiles, not in Syria," he said, hinting at Lebanese movement Hezbollah's stockpile of rockets.

And Mohammad Marandi, an analyst who was part of Iran's negotiation team leading up to the nuclear deal, said the conflict was more about Damascus than Tehran.

"Whatever happens in Syria happens under the command of the Syrians," said Marandi.

"The Israelis want to make this into an Iran-Israel thing, but it isn't. They are provoking the situation to murder Syrians and Iranians who are fighting ISIS and Al-Qaeda," he added.

- The Russia factor -

Several analysts said the key to avoiding a more serious escalation lay with Moscow, which has ties with both Tehran and Tel Aviv.

"Unless Russia steps in, and plays the referee between Israel and Iran, the risk of escalation is certain," said Heras.

But an analyst at London's Chatham House, Yossi Mekelberg, told AFP that the strikes on Iranian targets "were likely undertaken with tacit Russian approval".

"Russia is not happy with Iran gaining too much power, too much influence there," he told AFP.

Israel is thought to have conducted at least three separate attacks against Iranian positions in Syria in recent weeks, with the deadliest killing seven Iranians in a Syrian airbase on April 9.

There are varying death tolls for Thursday's strikes, ranging from three dead acknowledged by Syria's army to 23 killed according to a war monitor.

Marandi said Iranians did not seem to have been among the casualties in Thursday morning's attacks.

"All the Iranians in Syria are in contact with their families, and on social media. Their pictures would be on the internet in a couple of hours," the Iranian analyst said.


AFP / JALAA MAREY Israeli Iron Dome defence system, designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells, stands near the Syrian border in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on May 9, 2018

Still, both sides were quick to claim the clashes had exposed the other side's weakness.

Marandi said most of the rockets from Syria had penetrated Israel's "Iron Dome" defences and hit key sites, including intelligence-gathering centres.

But Israeli Brigadier General Nitzan Nuriel, former director of the counter-terrorism bureau, said the missiles had been intercepted or fallen short.

"Now the ball is in the Iranian side," he said in a conference call with journalists.

"They need to decide if they want to increase the friction and for example ask Hezbollah to do something, or they understand that at this stage they cannot take action against us and need to wait."

burs/er/ecl

Historic Trump-Kim summit set for June 12 in Singapore

Historic Trump-Kim summit set for June 12 in Singapore
source: AFP

AFP/File / Mandel Ngan, - US President Donald Trump says he will meet with North Korea's Kim Jong UN (R) June 12 in Singapore

Donald Trump on Thursday revealed his historic summit with Kim Jong Un -- the first-ever between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader -- will take place in Singapore on June 12.

The location and date of the landmark meeting were announced in a presidential tweet just hours after Trump welcomed to the United States three American prisoners released by Pyongyang.

"We will both try to make it a very special moment for World Peace!" Trump wrote.

The talks, which are expected to last one day, are set to focus on North Korea's rapidly advancing nuclear and ballistic weapons programs.

"I think it will be a big success," Trump said as he boarded Air Force One, on his way to a political rally in Indiana.

US officials said the release of Americans Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul removed a major obstacle to the summit, providing Trump with some tangible evidence that his twin-track policy of engagement and "maximum pressure" was working.

"We're not under any illusions about who these people are. We know who we are dealing with here," said Victoria Coates, of the National Security Council.

"But we got, up front, our people home."

- Neutral setting -

The United States and North Korea are technically still at war -- a stop-gap armistice ended the brutal three-year Korean war in 1953 and around 30,000 American troops remain in neighboring South Korea, which the US supported in the conflict.

Singapore will provide a neutral backdrop for the summit, avoiding some of the security and political challenges associated with a meeting in the Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea.


AFP / Jean Michel CORNU Map locating Singapore, where the historic summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un will take place on June 12


The Southeast Asia city state has long acted as a bridge between the United States and China, with successive prime ministers offering Oval Office occupants their cherished geopolitical counsel.

When Trump and Kim do sit down a month from now, the two relatively untested leaders will be presented with a puzzle that has stymied seasoned diplomats for decades.

A series of US administrations have sent envoys, both official and unofficial, to Pyongyang in the hope of stopping North Korea's provocative nuclear weapons program.

Former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter visited after leaving office, multiple rounds of non-proliferation talks have taken place, and a deal was even signed in 1994.

But despite the optimism of that moment, all efforts to limit North Korea's nuclear program have, to date, failed. And more than two decades and multiple provocative weapons tests after the last accord, the threat from Pyongyang has only grown.

The country is now believed to be on the cusp of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile that could deliver a nuclear warhead to the US mainland.

Trump has vowed that he will not let that happen and has demanded that North Korea give up its nukes.

- 'Cautious optimism' -

So far, the North Korean regime has made vague pledges to "denuclearize" but has not spelled out what that means, when it would happen or how it would be implemented.


AFP / Gal ROMA North Korea nuclear tests

In North Korea's bombastic rhetoric, "denuclearization" has, for years, been a byword for US troop withdrawals from South Korea and an excuse for stalling.

Hardliners in the North are believed to see possession of a nuclear weapon as the only guarantee against US-led efforts to topple Kim's regime.

Coates said there were no preconditions for the talks, which could yet include other regional leaders such as the South Korean president, but concrete steps would be welcome.

"The president's goal is very clear -- the irreversible, verifiable removal of this nuclear weapons program. If he doesn't see material progress to that, there's not going to be a deal for a deal's sake," she said.

Coates said that North Korea handing over details about its existing program would "set us up with a greater chance of success, anything that they would like to do, but we haven't been signaling preconditions up until this point."

Trump's high-profile meeting offers a glimmer of hope of a breakthrough, according to Republican Senator Cory Gardner, who discussed preparations for the summit with Trump at the White House on Wednesday.

"This is a moment for cautious optimism," Gardner told AFP. "The president understands that there is a historic opportunity to achieve what the world has been unable to achieve for decades."

At the same time, Gardner said, Trump's eyes were wide open about the risks of failure and the need to be clear that denuclearization means abandoning nuclear weapons.

"As of last night, there was no nuance in terms of denuclearization," he said.

But before any technical talk about reprocessed fuel rods, separated plutonium or spent fuel removal, Trump will want to answer one basic question -- whether North Korea wants to change.

"This is the key test," said Gardner. "I think that if Kim Jong Un wants to find relief from 'maximum pressure' and be welcomed back to the table of recognized global leadership, it's the only path he has."

Since the foundation of North Korea in 1948, the country has endured war and struggled to balance rival Soviet and Chinese spheres of influence.

Decades of financial stagnation, international sanctions, mass starvation and industrial scale human rights abuses followed.

"The road we have been down is well traveled and it's never ended well. So I hope this time is different," said Gardner.

Hero Southwest pilot: I switched flights with husband that day

Hero Southwest pilot: I switched flights with husband that day
source: AFP

AFP/File / SAUL LOEB Southwest Airlines Captain Tammie Jo Shults (3rd L) -- the pilot who landed a jet after a mid-air engine explosion, shown here shaking hands with US President Donald Trump -- said her pilot husband was meant to fly the plane; they switched schedules

The hero US pilot who landed a stricken Southwest Airlines passenger jet which lost an engine mid-flight was not even supposed to be on the plane -- she has revealed her husband was originally scheduled to man the controls.

In her first television interview since the April 17 incident, Tammie Jo Shults told ABC News that her husband had switched with her at the last minute so she could attend their son's school athletics competition.

The 56-year-old US Navy veteran's husband Dean, also a Southwest pilot, was originally supposed to be the captain on Flight 1380 from New York to Dallas that day.

"I traded for the trip with my husband. I'm not trading with him anymore," Shults laughed in an interview with ABC News' "20/20," excerpts of which were released Thursday.

"Dean, being the amazing husband he is, said, 'You go to the track meet, I'll switch and take your trip.' And so that's why I was on the trip," she said in the interview, which will air in full on Friday.

Shults said everything was normal until the plane reached about 32,000 feet, when she and her co-pilot heard a "large bang" -- the engine exploding -- and rapid decompression began.

"My first thoughts were actually, 'Oh, here we go.' Just because it seems like a flashback to some of the Navy flying that we had done," Shults said.

"We had to use hand signals, because it was loud, and it was just hard to communicate for a lot of different reasons."

The pilots donned oxygen masks and after the safe landing, Shults greeted passengers personally as they filed out.

"My mother had told me, 'If I'm flying, I want to know what's going on.' So I thought I would treat them like I would treat my own family," she said.

The engine explosion on the Boeing 737-700 saw shrapnel shatter a window, partially sucking a 43-year-old banking executive out of the plane. The woman later died.

President Donald Trump met the crew and passengers at the White House, praising the "incredible job" Shults did in landing the plane safely in Philadelphia with 149 people on board.

Calls for restraint after Israeli raids on 'Iranians' in Syria

Calls for restraint after Israeli raids on 'Iranians' in Syria
source: AFP

AFP / JALAA MAREY The reported exchange of fire between Israel and Iranian forces in Syria is a major escalation in tensions

Unprecedented clashes between Israel and Iran over Syria have sparked calls for restraint from world leaders worried about the risk of all-out war, even as both sides say they want to avoid a regional conflict.

All eyes will be on any fresh military activity Friday after Israel carried out widespread deadly raids against what it said were Iranian targets in Syria on Thursday in response to rocket fire towards its forces that it blamed on Iran.

The reported exchange of fire came after weeks of rising tensions and followed US President Donald Trump's decision Tuesday to withdraw from the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a move Israel had long sought.

The bombardment led to calls for calm from Russia, France, Germany and Britain and the European Union, while the United States put the blame squarely on Iran and stressed Israel's right to "self-defence".

Germany and Britain joined the United States in denouncing the rocket fire towards the Israel-occupied Golan Heights they also said was carried out by Iran, while France reiterated its "unwavering support for Israel's security".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran had "crossed a red line" and that the resulting bombardment against targets in Syria "was a consequence".

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani told German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a telephone call that he did not want "new tensions" in the Middle East.

Rouhani did not mention Israel's strikes in Syria, or those against the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.


AFP /


But the chairman of his country's parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, Allaeddine Boroujerdi, condemned the strikes, warning that "Israel has entered a dangerous game".

The Israeli raids in Syria, which a monitor said killed 23 fighters, were one of its largest military operations in recent years and the biggest such assault on Iranian targets, the Israeli military said.

"We hit nearly all the Iranian infrastructure in Syria," Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said.

"I hope we've finished this episode and everyone understood."

Israel carried out the raids after it said 20 rockets, either Fajr or Grad type, were fired from Syria at its forces in the Golan Heights at around midnight.

It blamed Iran's Quds force, adding that Israel's anti-missile system intercepted four while the rest did not land in its territory.

There were no Israeli casualties.

If confirmed, it would be the first time Iran has sought to directly attack Israeli-controlled territory aside from an alleged attempted drone assault in February.

- 'New phase' -

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor reported that dozens of rockets were fired from Syria towards the Israeli-occupied Golan, without saying who fired them.

A senior pro-regime military source in Syria confirmed the salvo of rockets, insisting Israel had fired first.

Later, in the early hours of the morning, explosions were heard in Damascus, while live images were broadcast on television showing projectiles above the capital and several missiles destroyed by anti-aircraft systems.



SANA/AFP / Handout An image released by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) early on May 10, 2018 purportedly shows what the official news agency said was air defence systems intercepting Israeli missiles over Syrian airspace, without specifying the location

Syrian state media said Israeli missile strikes had hit military bases as well as an arms depot and a military radar installation, without specifying where.

The official SANA news agency said "dozens of missiles were shot down by anti-aircraft systems in Syrian airspace", acknowledging a number had reached their targets.

Israel's military later confirmed it had carried out the raids, saying some 70 military and intelligence targets had been struck and all of its aircraft had returned safely.

Syrian air defences, which fired dozens of times on Israeli jets, were also targeted, he said.

Syria said it was the Israeli strikes that marked a "new phase" of direct involvement in the country's seven-year conflict.

Its army said three people had been killed.

In a rare if not unprecedented move for an Arab country, Bahrain backed Israel's right to "defend itself" after the strikes.

- Russia hotline -

Bahrain is a close ally of Saudi Arabia and the two countries, whose foreign policies are often in lockstep, view Iran as the chief threat to the region.

Israel has long warned it will not accept Iran entrenching itself militarily in neighbouring Syria, where the Islamic republic is supporting President Bashar al-Assad's regime in the civil war.

It has been blamed for a series of recent strikes inside Syria that have killed Iranians, though it has not acknowledged those raids.

The Jewish state says it has conducted dozens of raids in Syria to stop what it says are advanced arms deliveries to Iran-backed Hezbollah, another key foe of Israel.

Israel had been preparing itself for weeks for possible Iranian retaliation.

Trump's withdrawal from the nuclear deal has added to tensions and led to a new level of uncertainty over how Iran will respond.

At a rally in Indiana on Thursday Trump said he still wanted intrusive inspections of Iran's nuclear sites to continue despite his decision to withdraw from the pact.

European allies are scrambling to save the hard-fought deal but have found themselves increasingly critical of Washington's stance.

In an interview with the French daily Le Parisien, France's foreign minister condemned Washington's decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran as "unacceptable" move that unilaterally punished European companies for trade with Iran.

burs-mjs/dwo/dv/jta/sls

NASA program to track greenhouse gas is canceled

NASA program to track greenhouse gas is canceled
source: AFP

AFP/File / Walter Diaz A chunck of ice falls from the Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park, near El Calafate in the Argentine province of Santa Cruz, on March 10, 2018

A NASA program that cost $10 million per year to track carbon and methane, key greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, has been cancelled, a US space agency spokesman said Thursday.

The end of the program -- called the Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) -- which tracked sources and sinks for carbon and made high-resolution models of the planet's flows of carbon -- was first reported by the journal Science.

"Now, President Donald Trump's administration has quietly killed the CMS," the report said, describing the move as the latest in a "broad attack on climate science" mounted by the White House.

The journal said NASA "declined to provide a reason for the cancellation beyond 'budget constraints and higher priorities within the science budget.'"

It also quoted US space agency spokesman Steve Cole as saying there was no mention of the CMS in a budget deal signed in March, which "allowed the administration's move to take effect."

Cole, responding to a request for comment from AFP, said Trump proposed cutting the CMS project and four Earth science missions last year.

After much deliberation, Congress decided they wanted those four space missions to be funded, writing them into the budget bill they passed in March 2018, he said.

But since CMS was not among them, it was cut as proposed, Cole said, describing the entire process as a joint effort by lawmakers and the executive branch.

Existing grants would be allowed to finish but no new research would be supported, he said.

Trump has already announced the US pullout from the 2015 Paris climate accord, a deal signed by more than 190 nations to slash polluting emissions from fossil fuels.

Cole told AFP that Trump has proposed cancelling another Earth science mission, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3 (OCO-3), for next year, though it did receive funding for fiscal year 2018.

According to Kelly Sims Gallagher, director of Tufts University's Center for International Environment and Resource Policy in Medford, Massachusetts, the CMS cuts jeopardize efforts to verify the emission cuts agreed to in the Paris climate deal.

"If you cannot measure emissions reductions, you cannot be confident that countries are adhering to the agreement," she told the journal Science.

Canceling the CMS "is a grave mistake."

Cole, however, said in an email that the "winding down of this specific research program does not curb NASA's ability or commitment to monitoring carbon and its effects on our changing planet."

"In fact, GEDI, a new ecosystem carbon-monitoring instrument, is set to launch to the International Space Station this summer."

Calls for restraint after Israeli raids on 'Iranians' in Syria

Calls for restraint after Israeli raids on 'Iranians' in Syria
source: AFP

AFP / JALAA MAREY The reported exchange of fire between Israel and Iranian forces in Syria is a major escalation in tensions

Unprecedented clashes between Israel and Iran over Syria have sparked calls for restraint from world leaders worried about the risk of all-out war, even as both sides say they want to avoid a regional conflict.

All eyes will be on any fresh military activity Friday after Israel carried out widespread deadly raids against what it said were Iranian targets in Syria on Thursday in response to rocket fire towards its forces that it blamed on Iran.

The reported exchange of fire came after weeks of rising tensions and followed US President Donald Trump's decision Tuesday to withdraw from the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a move Israel had long sought.

The bombardment led to calls for calm from Russia, France, Germany and Britain and the European Union, while the United States put the blame squarely on Iran and stressed Israel's right to "self-defence".

Germany and Britain joined the United States in denouncing the rocket fire towards the Israel-occupied Golan Heights they also said was carried out by Iran, while France reiterated its "unwavering support for Israel's security".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran had "crossed a red line" and that the resulting bombardment against targets in Syria "was a consequence".

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani told German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a telephone call that he did not want "new tensions" in the Middle East.

Rouhani did not mention Israel's strikes in Syria, or those against the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.


AFP /


But the chairman of his country's parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, Allaeddine Boroujerdi, condemned the strikes, warning that "Israel has entered a dangerous game".

The Israeli raids in Syria, which a monitor said killed 23 fighters, were one of its largest military operations in recent years and the biggest such assault on Iranian targets, the Israeli military said.

"We hit nearly all the Iranian infrastructure in Syria," Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said.

"I hope we've finished this episode and everyone understood."

Israel carried out the raids after it said 20 rockets, either Fajr or Grad type, were fired from Syria at its forces in the Golan Heights at around midnight.

It blamed Iran's Quds force, adding that Israel's anti-missile system intercepted four while the rest did not land in its territory.

There were no Israeli casualties.

If confirmed, it would be the first time Iran has sought to directly attack Israeli-controlled territory aside from an alleged attempted drone assault in February.

- 'New phase' -

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor reported that dozens of rockets were fired from Syria towards the Israeli-occupied Golan, without saying who fired them.

A senior pro-regime military source in Syria confirmed the salvo of rockets, insisting Israel had fired first.

Later, in the early hours of the morning, explosions were heard in Damascus, while live images were broadcast on television showing projectiles above the capital and several missiles destroyed by anti-aircraft systems.


SANA/AFP / Handout An image released by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) early on May 10, 2018 purportedly shows what the official news agency said was air defence systems intercepting Israeli missiles over Syrian airspace, without specifying the location

Syrian state media said Israeli missile strikes had hit military bases as well as an arms depot and a military radar installation, without specifying where.

The official SANA news agency said "dozens of missiles were shot down by anti-aircraft systems in Syrian airspace", acknowledging a number had reached their targets.

Israel's military later confirmed it had carried out the raids, saying some 70 military and intelligence targets had been struck and all of its aircraft had returned safely.

Syrian air defences, which fired dozens of times on Israeli jets, were also targeted, he said.

Syria said it was the Israeli strikes that marked a "new phase" of direct involvement in the country's seven-year conflict.

Its army said three people had been killed.

In a rare if not unprecedented move for an Arab country, Bahrain backed Israel's right to "defend itself" after the strikes.

- Russia hotline -

Bahrain is a close ally of Saudi Arabia and the two countries, whose foreign policies are often in lockstep, view Iran as the chief threat to the region.

Israel has long warned it will not accept Iran entrenching itself militarily in neighbouring Syria, where the Islamic republic is supporting President Bashar al-Assad's regime in the civil war.

It has been blamed for a series of recent strikes inside Syria that have killed Iranians, though it has not acknowledged those raids.

The Jewish state says it has conducted dozens of raids in Syria to stop what it says are advanced arms deliveries to Iran-backed Hezbollah, another key foe of Israel.

Israel had been preparing itself for weeks for possible Iranian retaliation.

Trump's withdrawal from the nuclear deal has added to tensions and led to a new level of uncertainty over how Iran will respond.

At a rally in Indiana on Thursday Trump said he still wanted intrusive inspections of Iran's nuclear sites to continue despite his decision to withdraw from the pact.

European allies are scrambling to save the hard-fought deal but have found themselves increasingly critical of Washington's stance.

In an interview with the French daily Le Parisien, France's foreign minister condemned Washington's decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran as "unacceptable" move that unilaterally punished European companies for trade with Iran.

burs-mjs/dwo/dv/jta/sls

Salah promises Liverpool fans: this is 'just the start'

Salah promises Liverpool fans: this is 'just the start'
source: AFP

AFP/File / Lindsey PARNABY Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has scored 43 goals in his first season for the club

Mohamed Salah has reassured Liverpool fans his stunning first season is "just the beginning" of his time at the club despite speculation over interest from Real Madrid.

The Egyptian collected awards in Liverpool on Thursday after being voted player of the season by both the club's fans and his teammates before boarding a flight to collect the Football Writers' Association's award in London.

The 25-year-old has scored 43 goals in all competitions since arriving from Roma last summer, a return that has seen him heavily linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid, who face Liverpool in the Champions League later this month.

But Salah, who needs just one more goal to become the outright record-holder for the most strikes in a 38-match season in the Premier League, appears content with life at the club.

"I'm very happy here, everything is fine," he said. "Of course I have got ambitions for the future with Liverpool. As you can see we had a great season, now we are in the Champions League final and everyone is excited.

"It is just the start. This is my first year here and it is the same for some other players. It is just the beginning."

Liverpool cannot focus all of their energies on Real just yet, with the battle for a place in next season's Champions League still not settled.

A point in their final match, at home to Brighton on Sunday, will be enough to secure a top-four finish, after which all eyes turn to Kiev.

Salah, who was last month crowned Professional Footballers' Association players' player of the year, won the writers' award ahead of Kevin De Bruyne and Harry Kane.

Speaking in London, he said: "I was here four years ago (with Chelsea) and a lot of people were saying he couldn't play in the Premier League. I left Chelsea but it was always in my mind to come back to make them wrong. So I make them wrong.

"I'm not the same player. I improved a lot in Rome but I can't say everything is me. The team-mates are maybe different. The coach is tough and they always help me inside and outside the pitch."

Malaysia king to pardon Anwar, paving way for return to politics

Malaysia king to pardon Anwar, paving way for return to politics
source: AFP

 AFP/File / Manan VATSYAYANA Anwar Ibrahim is newly installed Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's former nemesis turned ally

Malaysia's king has agreed to pardon Anwar Ibrahim immediately, the country's newly installed prime minister said Friday, paving the way for the jailed leader to return to politics and potentially become premier.

It was the latest dramatic development after Mahathir Mohamad's alliance inflicted a shock defeat on the long-ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, ending the corruption-riddled regime's six-decade stranglehold on power.

Mahathir -- who had retired in 2003 as premier but made a comeback in a bid to oust the coalition he once headed -- was sworn in Thursday, becoming the world's oldest elected leader at 92.

Mahathir, who had ruled with an iron fist for over two decades, cut ties with BN due to allegations that the coalition's leader and his ex-protege Najib Razak oversaw the pillaging of sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.

The elderly politician joined forces with parties that opposed him while in power and agreed that if elected, he would hand over the premiership to Anwar, his former nemesis and leading member of the People's Justice Party.

The party is in the alliance that won power at the hard-fought poll.

Mahathir previously said he would likely remain prime minister for two to three years, before transferring power to Anwar.

One of Malaysia's most charismatic politicians, Anwar was heir-apparent to the premiership until Mahathir sacked him in 1998 and he was subsequently jailed for sodomy and abuse of power.

Anwar and Mahathir's stormy relationship has loomed large over Malaysia's political landscape for two decades.

But in a remarkable turnaround, the pair reconciled and joined forces as allegations mounted over 1MDB and Najib became increasingly authoritarian, jailing opponents and introducing laws to stifle dissent.

Anwar, now 70, was jailed again in 2015 during Najib's rule -- after making historic gains as the head of the opposition at the 2013 elections -- and had been due to be released next month.

- 'Victory for the people' -

But Mahathir told a press conference that King Sultan Muhammad V, in a meeting with opposition leaders, had agreed to grant Anwar a royal pardon.


AFP / Manan VATSYAYANA, Manan VATSYAYANA Mahathir Mohamad, 92, who was sworn in as the world's oldest leader Thursday


"The (king) has indicated he is willing to pardon Datuk Sri Anwar immediately," Mahathir told a press conference, using a Malay honorific to refer to Anwar.

The royal pardon would mean he could return to politics straight away. Without it, he would be banned from political life for five years.

"He should be released immediately when he is pardoned," Mahathir added.

It was not clear when Anwar, who is currently in hospital for treatment to his shoulder, would be freed.

In a statement, Anwar thanked "the people of Malaysia for their courage in making a change which is a victory for the people."

"The new government vows to uphold democracy, justice and human rights for all," said the statement, delivered by vice-president of his party, Tian Chua, who was visiting the leader in hospital.

Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, president of Anwar's party and his wife, told AFP the process to have him freed was already under way.

Meanwhile, speculation was mounting about Najib's future with a senior member of his party, former sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin, calling for "big changes" to be made without delay.

Najib's premiership has been battered by a massive financial scandal, in which he was accused of overseeing the plunder of billions of dollars from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. He and the fund deny any wrongdoing.

- Target the corrupt -

Asked about 1MDB Friday, Mahathir accused Attorney-General Mohamed Ali Apandi -- who cleared Najib over the scandal -- of having "undermined his own credibility".

"He in fact has hidden evidence of wrongdoing and that is wrong in law," he said, adding his new government would target those linked to the old regime suspected of corruption.

In 2016, Apandi said the Saudi royal family was the source of $681 million that mysteriously appeared in Najib's bank accounts, and closed the 1MDB probe.

Apandi came to office after Najib sacked the previous attorney general, who was believed to be aggressively investigating the matter.

Mahathir also said there was widespread fraud during the election campaign and it would be investigated.

His comments might raise eyebrows, however.

Critics say there was much electoral fraud during Mahathir's time in power, while corruption and cronyism flourished, and his government was accused of pushing policies that favoured the Muslim Malay majority and exacerbated racial tensions.

Still, analysts say the attempted cheating at Wednesday's poll was worse than anything seen before.

BN was accused of serious gerrymandering while activists said the coalition hurled cash and gifts at voters and there was a litany of problems with the electoral roll, including dead people appearing on the list.

But voters turned out in droves, determined to push out the government, with the opposition boosted by the presence of standard-bearer Mahathir, who has a huge following among the Malays.

Southgate to name England World Cup squad on May 16

Southgate to name England World Cup squad on May 16
source: AFP

AFP/File / Ben STANSALL England manager Gareth Southgate plans to name his 23-man World Cup squad on May 16

Gareth Southgate will name his England squad for the World Cup in Russia on May 16.

Southgate will reveal his 23-man group for the finals on Wednesday and is scheduled to discuss his selection in a press conference at Wembley the following day.

World governing body FIFA has set June 4 as the date when all final squads for the tournament must be submitted.

Southgate has already been forced to rule Liverpool duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joe Gomez out of his plans.

Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first leg of the Reds' Champions League semi-final against Roma.

Gomez has undergone ankle surgery on an injury suffered in England's friendly against Holland in March.

England warm up for the World Cup with friendlies against Nigeria at Wembley on June 2 and Costa Rica at Elland Road on June 7.

They kick off their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on June 18 in Volgograd and also face group matches against Belgium and Panama.

Hollywood glitters as 'Star Wars' stages 'Solo' premiere

Hollywood glitters as 'Star Wars' stages 'Solo' premiere
source: AFP

AFP / Frederic J. BROWN Actor Mark Hamill arrives for the premiere of 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' in Hollywood, California on May 10

Lucasfilm brought the biggest party in the galaxy to Hollywood on Thursday as rapt devotees gathered under the Millennium Falcon for the world premiere of the latest "Star Wars" spin-off.

"Solo: A Star Wars Story," which gets its US release on May 25, tells the coming-of-age tale of smuggler Han Solo before he was the galaxy's most adored scoundrel.

The glittering array of stars in Hollywood Boulevard included cast members Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton and Paul Bettany.

"One of my favorite movies growing up was 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.' I think this movie has a little bit of the fun of that film," said Ehrenreich, who plays Solo, on the red carpet.

Hollywood's A-list -- "Star Wars" alumni or otherwise -- turned out for the second in the "anthology" series of spin-off films that started in 2016 with "Rogue One."

Among them were Mark Hamill, Ewan McGregor, Sofia Vergara, Alexandra Daddario, Benjamin Bratt and Johnny Knoxville.

The Disney-owned Lucasfilm delighted fans in April with a sneak peak of one of the most hotly-anticipated scenes from the movie, the first meeting between the young Solo and Glover's Lando Calrissian.


GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP / Frazer Harrison Emilia Clarke and Alden Ehrenreich attend the premiere of "Solo: A Star Wars Story" in Los Angeles, California


"A very slow week, but hopefully it will speed up as soon this movie comes out," joked Glover, whose rap alter ego Childish Gambino has racked up a record-breaking 70 million YouTube views in just four days with his latest single "This is America"

Glover said the best thing about playing Lando was the fans, who began recognizing him as the galaxy's sexiest gambler the very day he was announced for the part, when he went for a pizza.

- Bumpy ride -

The trailers have also offered a glimpse of the pivotal moment in "Star Wars" lore when Han beats Lando in a card game to win the Millennium Falcon starship, a full-size version of which was constructed for the premiere.

"Everything about this movie is getting you ready for what you already know," said Emilia Clarke -- Daenerys Targaryen on HBO's "Game of Thrones" -- who plays Qi'ra, Solo's friend since childhood.

"And I think that the way that we get there is satisfying."

The movie, which comes just five months after "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," has endured a journey to screen that has been bumpier than the Falcon completing the Kessel Run.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Ron Howard was brought in last year to replace sacked directing duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller.


GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP / KEVIN WINTER Chewbacca attends the premiere "Solo: A Star Wars Story" at the El Capitan Theatre on May 10, 2018 in Hollywood, California

The pair behind the acclaimed "The LEGO Movie" and "21 Jump Street," were dropped after clashing with Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy and writer Lawrence Kasdan, according to reports.

"This is showmanship at its best and it's what 'Star Wars' fans deserve, this kind of excitement. But I'm also really glad that we worked very hard to make this release date," said Howard.

"It was a big challenge. The movie was not compromised one bit and I'm so glad because it really feels like a summer movie to me."

Solo's Wookiee companion Chewbacca is played by six foot 10 inch (2.08-meter) Finnish basketballer Joonas Suotamo who took over from Peter Mayhew, starting with "The Force Awakens" (2015).

"I just approached it as another adventure happening at a different time in Chewbacca's life," Suotamo said.

"It was interesting to approach this time when Chewbacca doesn't know Han, he doesn't know all these people, he's in a really bad spot and he's looking for a way out."

Experts are predicting an opening weekend domestic box office of around $137 million, some way short of the $155 million recouped by "Rogue One" and a figure dwarfed by Marvel twice already this year.

Job Vacancy For Driller at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Driller

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Minimum 2 year continuous oil or gas drilling rig work experience (Land and Offshore).
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Assistant Driller at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Assistant Driller

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Minimum 2 year continuous oil or gas drilling rig work experience (Land and Offshore).
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Derrick-man at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Derrick-man

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Minimum 2 year continuous oil or gas drilling rig work experience (Land and Offshore).
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For PumpMan at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: PumpMan

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Minimum 2 year continuous oil or gas drilling rig work experience (Land and Offshore).
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For MotorMan at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: MotorMan

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Minimum 2 year continuous oil or gas drilling rig work experience (Land and Offshore).
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Crane Operator at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Crane Operator

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Minimum 2 year continuous oil or gas drilling rig work experience (Land and Offshore).
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job VACANCY fOR Roughnecks at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Roughnecks

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Minimum 2 year continuous oil or gas drilling rig work experience (Land and Offshore).
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Mechanic at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Mechanic

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Minimum 2 year continuous oil or gas drilling rig work experience (Land and Offshore).
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Electrician at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Electrician

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Minimum 2 year continuous oil or gas drilling rig work experience (Land and Offshore).
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Rustabout at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Rustabout

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Minimum 2 year continuous oil or gas drilling rig work experience (Land and Offshore).
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Deck Pusher at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Deck Pusher

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Minimum 2 year continuous oil or gas drilling rig work experience (Land and Offshore).
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Radio Operator at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Radio Operator

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Minimum 2 year continuous oil or gas drilling rig work experience (Land and Offshore).
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Logistics Manager at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Logistics Manager

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Possess relevant qualifications
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the emai

Job Vacancy For Finance Manager at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Finance Manager

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Possess relevant qualifications
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Medical Doctor at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Medical Doctor

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Possess relevant qualifications
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Storekeeper at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Storekeeper

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Possess relevant qualifications
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.
• Familiarity with function, safe use and basic maintenance of variety of machines and tools.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Cook at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Cook

Location: Rivers

Requirements

• Possess relevant qualifications
• Strong project or task management skills, including scheduling, execution and follow-up.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in team environment.

Application Closing Date
4PM; 11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng with Position of Interest as Subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For IT Manager at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into the this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: IT Manager

Location: Ikoyi, Lagos

Requirements

• At least 5 years managerial experience in a mid-sized company and familiar with server management, wireless networking/routing and IT hardware management.
• Candidate must be a proficient person who can work without much supervision. Job is a permanent role and candidate must be available to start immediately.

Remuneration
Salary range is Negotiable based on experience.

Application Closing Date
11th May, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: career@ppnl.com.ng

Job Vacancy For Project Manager - Structural Engineering at Julius Berger Nigeria Plc

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (Julius Berger) is a leading construction company offering integrated solutions and related services. Julius Berger specializes in executing complex works that require the highest level of technical expertise and Nigeria-specific know how.

We appreciate your interest in our company. Our success largely depends on the passion, precision and competence of our employees from. Become part of our team and help us in the realization of innovative and pioneering engineering projects. Experienced professionals and young professionals, we offer opportunities in technical and commercial fields. Take the chance and apply online with us.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Manager - Structural Engineering

Location: Lagos

Tasks

• Execution project management for a turnkey large-scale project in building construction
• Interface Management Project Management Construction Site and Departments (Architecture / Structural Design / Building Services / Work Preparation / Costing)
• Coordination and testing of quotation calculations as well as services of work preparation and formwork preparation
• Preparation and conduct of meetings with project participants and customers
• Price negotiation with subcontractors and suppliers
• Cost, appointment and supplement management
• Lead, lead, motivate from a larger team of employees
• Handling and care of Nigerian customers
• Preparation of special proposals

Conditions

• Completed degree in Civil Engineering / Architecture or equivalent qualification
• Several years of professional experience in a similar position
• Ideally, foreign experience
• Good knowledge of MS Office, knowledge of RIBiTWO, Primavera skills are an advantage
• Very good knowledge of English
• Independent, interdisciplinary working method
• Open to other cultures
• High level of motivation, commitment

Offer

• A demanding and varied activity
• Accommodation is provided
• Attractive compensation options

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Vacancy For Production Manager (m/w) - Furniture Production at Julius Berger Nigeria Plc

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (Julius Berger) is a leading construction company offering integrated solutions and related services. Julius Berger specializes in executing complex works that require the highest level of technical expertise and Nigeria-specific knowhow.

We appreciate your interest in our company. Our success largely depends on the passion, precision and competence of our employees from. Become part of our team and help us in the realization of innovative and pioneering engineering projects. Experienced professionals and young professionals, we offer opportunities in technical and commercial fields. Take the chance and apply online with us.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Production Manager (m/w) - Furniture Production

Location: Abuja

Tasks

• Management and control of the entire production
• CNC programming
• employee responsibility
• quality control
• material orders
• Optimization of production processes

Conditions

• Successfully completed training as an engineer, wood technician or joiner work experience
• Good English knowledge
• Experience with the work within an ERP system (preferably with the industry program Kuhnle)
• Experience with CAD drawing programs (preferably Auto CAD or Palette CAD)
• Knowledge in the field of CNC programming and CNC machining (preferably NC-Hops and NC-Studio)

Offer

• A performance-based compensation with a low tax burden
• An interesting job in an experienced team in an international environment
• Free, furnished accommodation in corporate camps

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Would you like to support us in this demanding task in a challenging environment? Then convince us. We look forward to receiving your complete application with details of your possible starting date and salary expectations.

Job Vacancy For Senior Commercial Manager at Julius Berger Nigeria Plc

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (Julius Berger) is a leading construction company offering integrated solutions and related services. Julius Berger specializes in executing complex works that require the highest level of technical expertise and Nigeria-specific knowhow.

We appreciate your interest in our company. Our success largely depends on the passion, precision and competence of our employees from. Become part of our team and help us in the realization of innovative and pioneering engineering projects. Experienced professionals and young professionals, we offer opportunities in technical and commercial fields. Take the chance and apply online with us.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Commercial Manager (m / f)

Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers

Tasks

• Commercial project management
• Negotiations with builders, subcontractors and authorities
• Preparation of control talks
• Processing all business tasks
• Preparation of quarterly and annual financial statements
• Creation of various analyzes and evaluations

Conditions

• Completed business studies or comparable education (industrial or bank clerk)
• At least 5 years of project management (construction)
• Experience in English speaking countries is an advantage
• Very good knowledge of English (word / writing)
• Good SAP knowledge and safe handling of common MS Office software

Offer

• A performance-based allowance and expatriation allowance with low tax burden
• An interesting job in an experienced team in an international environment
• Free, furnished accommodation in corporate camps

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Vacancy For Junior Building Clerk at Julius Berger Nigeria Plc

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (Julius Berger) is a leading construction company offering integrated solutions and related services. Julius Berger specializes in executing complex works that require the highest level of technical expertise and Nigeria-specific knowhow.

We appreciate your interest in our company. Our success largely depends on the passion, precision and competence of our employees from. Become part of our team and help us in the realization of innovative and pioneering engineering projects. Experienced professionals and young professionals, we offer opportunities in technical and commercial fields. Take the chance and apply online with us.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Junior Building Clerk (m / f)

Location: Abuja

Tasks

• Support of the commercial manager on major projects
• Preparation of control talks
• Collaboration in the handling of all business tasks
• Assistance in the preparation of the quarterly and annual financial statements
• Creation of various analyzes and evaluations

Conditions

• Completed business studies or comparable education (industrial or bank clerk)
• Professional experience in a comparable capacity is an advantage
• Good knowledge of English (word / writing)
• Good SAP knowledge and safe handling of common MS Office software

Offer

• A performance-related remuneration and expatriation allowances with low tax burden
• An interesting job in an experienced international team
• Accommodation is provided in company-owned camps
• Medical care on site

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Vacancy For Technical Office Engineer at Julius Berger Nigeria Plc

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (Julius Berger) is a leading construction company offering integrated solutions and related services. Julius Berger specializes in executing complex works that require the highest level of technical expertise and Nigeria-specific know how.

We appreciate your interest in our company. Our success largely depends on the passion, precision and competence of our employees from. Become part of our team and help us in the realization of innovative and pioneering engineering projects. Experienced professionals and young professionals, we offer opportunities in technical and commercial fields. Take the chance and apply online with us.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Technical Office Engineer

Location: Lagos

Tasks

• Internal technical service on a large construction project. The project team consists of European and Nigerian employees
• Preparation of quality assurance systems
• Cost and quality control
• Performance reports and general in-house reporting, monitoring performance targets
• Control of the work calculation
• Control of suppliers, subcontractors and the associated logistics

Conditions

• University degree in Civil Engineering (Bachelor / Master / Dipl. Ing. FH / TU)
• Several years of professional experience in the international field
• Skilled knowledge in MS Office and RlBitwo
• Ideally you already have international experience
• Good English language skills
• Good cost and leadership awareness

Offer

• A performance-related remuneration and expatriation allowances with low tax burden
• An interesting job in an experienced international team
• Accommodation is provided in company-owned camps
• Medical care on site.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Would you like to support us in this demanding task in a challenging environment? Then convince us. We look forward to receiving your complete application with details of your possible starting date and salary expectations.

Job Vacancy For Julius Berger Nigeria Plc Internship Civil Engineering Programme 2018

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (Julius Berger) is a leading construction company offering integrated solutions and related services. Julius Berger specializes in executing complex works that require the highest level of technical expertise and Nigeria-specific knowhow.

We appreciate your interest in our company. Our success largely depends on the passion, precision and competence of our employees from. Become part of our team and help us in the realization of innovative and pioneering engineering projects. Experienced professionals and young professionals, we offer opportunities in technical and commercial fields. Take the chance and apply online with us.

We invite applications from suitably qualified candidates for:

Title: Internship Civil Engineering Program

Location: Abuja

Tasks

• We offer students of the Civil Engineering Degree program (specialization: Surveying, Civil Engineering and Road Construction, Structural Engineering, Construction Management, Structural Engineering) the opportunity to support us as part of an internship abroad at our major construction sites in Nigeria.
• The operation is carried out by our Nigerian parent company Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.:
  • Offer processing
  • Work preparation
  • Support the construction manager
  • Technical support

Conditions

• Completed undergraduate studies Bachelor of Engineering or Master's Degree
• Good English language skills
• Initiative
• Interested in working in multi-cultural, international project teams
• Duration of use: 5-6 months
• Matriculation

Offer

• Remuneration and expatriation allowance
• Takeover and flight costs
• Visa and vaccination
• Free accommodation in private camps

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Please indicate your available period in the Cover Letter.

Job Vacancy For Project Leader - Road Construction/Infrastructure at Julius Berger Nigeria Plc - Lagos & Abuja

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (Julius Berger) is a leading construction company offering integrated solutions and related services. Julius Berger specializes in executing complex works that require the highest level of technical expertise and Nigeria-specific know how.

We appreciate your interest in our company. Our success largely depends on the passion, precision and competence of our employees from. Become part of our team and help us in the realization of innovative and pioneering engineering projects. Experienced professionals and young professionals, we offer opportunities in technical and commercial fields. Take the chance and apply online with us.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Leader in Road Construction / Infrastructure

Locations: Lagos & Abuja

Tasks

• Leading and coordinating major projects in the infrastructure / road sector
• Technical and commercial responsibility of infrastructure projects
• Leadership of an international and Nigerian team
• Preparation and conduct of meetings with project participants and customers
• Supervision of subcontractor services
• Monitoring and steering cost, deadline and supplementary claim management
• Responsibility for contracting
• Responsible for implementation of HSE and QA / QC guidelines

Conditions

• Degree in Civil Engineering (FH / TU)
• Several years of experience in a comparable capacity (at least 10 years)
• Ideally, foreign experience
• Very good knowledge of English
• Good knowledge of MS Office, knowledge of RIBiTWO, Primavera skills are an advantage
• Independent, interdisciplinary working method

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Would you like to support us in this demanding task in a challenging environment? Then convince us. We look forward to receiving your complete application with details of your possible starting date and salary expectations

Job Vacancy For Internal Service Engineer (Offspring) at Julius Berger Nigeria Plc

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (Julius Berger) is a leading construction company offering integrated solutions and related services. Julius Berger specializes in executing complex works that require the highest level of technical expertise and Nigeria-specific knowhow.

We appreciate your interest in our company. Our success largely depends on the passion, precision and competence of our employees from. Become part of our team and help us in the realization of innovative and pioneering engineering projects. Experienced professionals and young professionals, we offer opportunities in technical and commercial fields. Take the chance and apply online with us.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Internal Service Engineer (Offspring)

Location: Lagos

Tasks

• Use on a large infrastructure project with an international team
• Support of the technical office engineer on the project
• Cost and quality control
• Performance reports and general in-house reporting
• Support in the control of suppliers, subcontractors and logistics

Conditions

• University degree in Civil Engineering (Bachelor / Master / Dipl. Ing. FH / TU)
• First professional experience in the field of internal service
• Proficient knowledge of MS Office
• Ideally you already have international experience (internship)
• Good English language skills
• Good cost and leadership awareness

Offer

• A performance-related remuneration and expatriation allowances with low tax burden
• An interesting job in an experienced international team
• Accommodation is provided in company-owned camps
• Medical care on site

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online