President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off on Thursday in the first presidential debate of 2024. This will be the first in U.S. history between a sitting and former president and CNN is hosting the debate. This is also the first time in more than three decades that a presidential debate isn’t organized by the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates. It’s also the earliest presidential debate in modern history, coming before either candidate has officially been nominated by their parties. There will be no live studio audience, which is a major change from past debates. What time…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
Bolivian authorities on Thursday paraded handcuffed detainees in front of the media, announcing 17 arrests after a botched coup d’etat that has deepened political turmoil in a country mired in severe economic crisis. Tensions have been rising in recent weeks in the Andean nation over surging prices, shortages of dollars and fuel, and a feud between Arce and the powerful former president Evo Morales ahead of 2025 elections. Riot police kept close watch over government buildings a day after army chief Juan Jose Zuniga deployed troops and tanks to the heart of the capital La Paz, where they tried to…
Two people were shot dead and two others gravely wounded on Thursday in an area known for drug trafficking near the Gare de Midi train station in Brussels, police said. The incident occurred between 1am and 2am near a cafe in the Saint Gilles district of the Belgian capital and the suspect or suspects fled, a police spokesman said. In total, three people were wounded. Two are in a life-threatening condition, while a third is stable, the local police department said. Brussels region authorities this year identified Saint Gilles as a drugs hotspot along with 14 others…
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Condemns Torture on International Day in Support of Victims. On June 26, 2024, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken delivered a message on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, condemning the use of torture globally. Blinken stated the United States’ unwavering stance against torture and recognized the courage, dignity, and humanity of victims and survivors. Despite the absolute prohibition of torture under international law, Blinken highlighted the ongoing use of torture by governments as a tool of repression against detainees, human rights defenders, marginalized populations, and dissenting voices.…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, on Wednesday, said it sezed 10,000 kg of marijuana and secured the conviction of 241 suspects in Ondo State between June 2023 and May 2024. The NDLEA Narcotics Commander in Ondo State, Mr Kayode Raji, said this after a sensitisation walk around parts of Akure metropolis on Monday to commemorate the 2024 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Raji said that the command during the period under review also rehabilitated over 20 persons and counselled 18 others through its drug demand reduction programme in the state. The Narcotics…
Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) addressed the Africa Chiefs of Defense (CHOD) Conference on June 25, 2024, stating the importance of U.S.-Africa collaboration in fostering global security and development. In her remarks, Coleman emphasized the integration of diplomacy, defense, and development—the 3D’s—as the foundation of American foreign policy. Coleman lauded the major strides in development across Africa, noting remarkable improvements in health, governance, and economic growth. She stated the critical role of USAID in supporting sustainable development and emergency response efforts, such as in Somalia and Nigeria, where USAID has actively…
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC) Deputy Chief Executive Officer Nisha Biswal reaffirmed DFC’s commitment to global health partnerships and pandemic preparedness during her visit to Paris on June 20. Attending the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, Biswal highlighted DFC’s collaboration with Gavi and other stakeholders to enhance Africa’s vaccine manufacturing capabilities. In a significant move to boost vaccine production in Africa, Biswal participated in the launch of Gavi’s African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA). This initiative aims to support the African Union’s goal of manufacturing at least 60 percent of…
In observance of Pride Month, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will host a convening and reception to honor leaders championing LGBTQI+ equality within the U.S. government and globally. The events are scheduled for Thursday, June 27, at the Department of State. The convening, titled “Convening on U.S. Foreign Policy: National Security, Inclusive Development, and the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons,” will start at 1:00 p.m. EDT in the Burns Auditorium. This will be followed by a reception with remarks at 6:00 p.m. EDT in the Benjamin Franklin Room. Both events will be accessible to pre-registered press and live-streamed…
The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) and the Government of Cabo Verde have announced a partnership aimed at bolstering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country. The five-year, $10 million initiative was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on June 20, 2024. Under this agreement, USADF will contribute $1 million annually, matched by the Government of Cabo Verde, to provide grants and technical assistance. The funding will support various initiatives including the development of agriculture and fisheries value chains, the enhancement of farmers’ and fishermen’s cooperatives, training and technical assistance programs, renewable energy capacity building, and…
No fewer than 2.1 million persons aged between 15 and 64 years in the South-South region use psychoactive substances, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said. Stella Ngwoke, the Commander, NDLEA Command in Port Harcourt Ports, disclosed this in Onne on Wednesday at an event to mark the 2024 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse. Ngwoke, who quoted statistics from the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, said that about 14.3 million persons aged between 15 and 64 used illicit drugs in the country. “We are talking about drug use for non-medical purposes. It has also been discovered…
The U.S. Department of State has been awarded the 2024 Presidential Federal Sustainability Award for Advancing Carbon-Free Electricity. This prestigious recognition honors the efforts of the United States Embassy and Consulates in Japan, which have become the first multi-post diplomatic mission to achieve 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) for their operations. This accomplishment was spearheaded by innovative employees from Mission Japan and the Office of Management Strategy and Solutions’ (M/SS) Greening Diplomacy Initiative (GDI). By meeting the President’s mandate to operate on 100 percent CFE by 2030 a full seven years ahead of schedule, the mission is now…
Iranians vote on Friday to elect a new president from six candidates, including a lone reformist who hopes he can challenge the dominance of conservatives in the Islamic republic. A presidential election had not been due until 2025 but was brought forward after ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash last month. The snap poll comes at a challenging time as Iran grapples with the economic impact of international sanctions amid heightened regional tensions over the Gaza war between Israel and Tehran’s ally Hamas. In April Iran fired more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel…