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US dockworkers’ strike paralyzes shipping, threatens economy

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The dockworkers union is fighting for higher wages and to stop port automation projects © Stephen B. Morton/AP Photo/picture alliance

Dockworkers at major ports along the US east coast have walked off the job after wage negotiations failed. The shutdowns could cost the economy billions of dollars a day and stoke inflation.

US dockworkers went on strike on Tuesday, halting the processing of consumer goods at major US ports along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts.

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) said the walkout marks the first “coast-wide strike in almost 50 years” for the organization.

The ILA union said in a statement that all ports from the northernmost US state of Maine to Texas were shut down at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (4:01 UTC).

Some 45,000 port workers were represented in the negotiations between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) employer group for a new six-year contract ahead of the September 30 deadline.

“We are prepared to fight as long as necessary, to stay out on strike for whatever period of time it takes, to get the wages and protections against automation our ILA members deserve,” Harold Daggett, head of the 85,000-member union, said in a statement.

“USMX owns this strike now. They now must meet our demands for this strike to end,” Daggett said.

The strike is expected to affect a wide range of products, from food to automobile shipments, across dozens of ports. The disruption could cost the US economy billions of dollars a day, threaten jobs, and stoke inflation.

Seeking protections from automation

US media reported that the ILA is asking for a 77% wage increase over six years. So far, USMX has offered a 50% increase.

“USMX brought on this strike when they decided to hold firm to foreign-owned Ocean Carriers earning billion-dollar profits at United States ports, but not compensate the American ILA longshore workers who perform the labor that brings them their wealth,” Daggett said in reference to shipping giants like Danish Maerks and others who are on the opposite side of the negotiation table.

The union is also fighting to stop port automation projects that it says will result in job losses for its members.

Biden says he will not intervene

The strike comes just weeks ahead of the US presidential election, where the cost of consumer goods and the economy have been main topics for voters.

US President Joe Biden, who has defined himself as a close ally of organized labor, has so far ruled out federal intervention, citing the need to respect collective bargaining rights.

US Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne Clark urged Biden on Monday to reconsider his position, saying it “would be unconscionable to allow a contract dispute to inflict such a shock to our economy.”

But White House officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity they are hoping for a short strike.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said officials there were prepared for the strike. “We don’t anticipate shortages of essential goods anytime soon,” she said, downplaying a potential crisis in the delivery of goods.

“People do not need to rush out to the grocery store and stockpile goods like they did during the pandemic,” Hochul added.

jcg/nm (Reuters, AFP)

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Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.

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Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.

The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.

The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.

During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.

Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.

“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

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Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos

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Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.

According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.

He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.

“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.

The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said

The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.

“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said

According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.

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Catholic Priest Collapses And D!es In Front Of Congregation While Walking To Tabernacle To Return Holy Communion

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A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.

The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.

“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.

The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.

The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.

Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.

A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.

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