Hamas has responded to a US-backed cease-fire proposal aimed at ending the eight-month conflict in Gaza. The response, delivered to mediators in Egypt and Qatar, calls for changes before Hamas will agree to a deal. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, both designated as terrorist organizations by the US and the European Union, emphasized the need to halt aggression against the Gaza Strip. “The response prioritizes the interest of our Palestinian people, and the necessity of completely stopping the ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip,” they said in a joint statement. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the US…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
Hunter Biden’s conviction on three felony charges has sparked attention as the first time a sitting president’s child has been found guilty of felonies. However, experts from both political parties suggest that this historic verdict will likely have a muted impact on the 2024 presidential election. GOP pollster Robert Blizzard noted that the conviction is not expected to significantly influence voter behavior. He pointed to the recent felony conviction of former President Donald Trump, which did not substantially shift poll numbers, as an indicator that Hunter Biden’s conviction may similarly fail to move the electoral needle. Republican strategist Rob Stutzman…
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has ramped up security measures in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. Dr. Olusola Odumosu, the FCT Commandant of NSCDC, announced the deployment of 5,112 personnel to ensure the safety of residents and visitors during the festive period. The deployment spans across all six area councils, the city centre, and other critical locations vulnerable to criminal activities. According to the command’s spokesperson, Samuel Idoko, the NSCDC is committed to safeguarding lives and property, as well as protecting critical national assets in the FCT. To enhance security operations, specialised…
The United States Army’s newly established Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) in the Pacific represents a great development in military strategy and technology integration. This innovative unit, stationed in Hawaii, is equipped with advanced technologies, including high-altitude balloons, Precision Strike Missiles, cyber warfare units, and unmanned systems. It marks the first real-world implementation of the lesser-known second pillar of the Australia-UK-US defense pact, Aukus. While Aukus Pillar 1, focusing on nuclear-powered submarines, has received significant attention, Pillar 2, which emphasizes advanced capabilities like hypersonics, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence, is equally crucial. According to the agreement, Australia, the UK, and the…
Russia and Iran’s Strategic Partnership Treaty has encountered an unexpected delay due to diplomatic challenges following the tragic death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials in a helicopter crash in May. Since the onset of the Ukraine war in February 2022, Iran has bolstered Russia’s military efforts by providing equipment such as the Shahed drone, crucial for attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. This military collaboration had strengthen the ties between Moscow and Tehran. In September 2022, discussions on a new treaty were initiated between Putin and Raisi. By January, the Russian Foreign Ministry indicated that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership…
USAID Administrator Samantha Power and World Bank Managing Director Axel van Trotsenburg have discussed partnership opportunities aimed at mitigating lead exposure globally. The discussions focuses on the significance of precise measurement of blood lead levels and environmental lead, alongside effective policy interventions to reduce exposure. During the meeting, Power and van Trotsenburg explored strategies to enhance existing development portfolios with lead mitigation measures. They underscored the need for robust coordination among national governments, development organizations, philanthropies, and the private sector to achieve significant reductions in lead exposure. This partnership aims to address the pressing issue of lead…
Diasporan investors in the Oko-Orisan Waterfront Scheme are facing uncertainty and frustration due to prolonged delays and administrative issues within Lagos State’s land management system. Subscribers to the scheme, which began in 2010, have been left in limbo, awaiting physical allocation of their purchased plots. Investors, including Mr. Hakeem Ibrahim, have stated their plight over the lack of progress and the unresponsiveness of the state government. In an effort to address their concerns, they have formed the Oko-Orisan Waterfront Scheme Subscribers Group to collectively engage with Lagos State officials. Mr. Ibrahim recounted his experience: “In 2012, I bought a piece…
The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed 300 bills and 2,000 resolutions since the return of democratic dispensation in 1999. The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa stated this at a programme to commemorate 25 years of democratic governance on Wednesday in the state. The programme, organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly was themed “Building a Brighter Future: A Journey of Hope and Aspirations”. Obasa revealed that some of the bills and resolutions were historic. He added that many of the bills eventually became laws which had impacted residents greatly as well as people outside of the state. “Particularly worthy…
Teesside University in the United Kingdom has initiated a program to support Nigerian students facing severe financial difficulties by funding their flights home. This comes after numerous students were expelled from their courses and ordered to leave the UK due to unpaid tuition fees.The financial crisis in Nigeria, compounded by the university’s change from a seven-installment to a three-installment payment plan, has left many students unable to cover their expenses. This situation has severely impacted the Nigerian student community, with a local food charity reporting that 75% of its clients are Nigerian students. On May 22, 2024, a group of…
On Democracy Day, Edo State Civil Society Organisations (EDOSCO) took to the streets to protest against the persistent economic hardships facing Nigerians. The protest, which occurred on Wednesday, also included Oberaifo Udoh, the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC). The demonstrators urged the Nigerian government to take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of its citizens. EDOSCO’s spokesperson, Kola Edokpayi, expressed deep frustration with the current state of the nation, specifically criticizing the administration under President Bola Tinubu. Edokpayi pointed to the severe impact of hunger, poverty, and economic decline on the masses. “We are demanding that this…
The Federal Government has announced that the proposed 2024 Supplementary Appropriation Bill will be partially funded with a $2.5 billion loan from the World Bank. This was disclosed by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, during a briefing with the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on National Planning and Economic Affairs. Senator Bagudu explained that President Bola Tinubu had presented a memo to the Federal Executive Council detailing the need for the supplementary budget. The President inherited the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, housed in the National Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority, and identified several key…
Hong Kong shares suffered further losses Wednesday as investors nervously awaited the release of key US inflation data and the end of the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting. The Hang Seng Index fell 1.31 per cent, or 238.50 points, to 17,937.84. The Shanghai Composite Index added 0.31 per cent, or 9.42 points, to 3,037.47, while the Shenzhen Composite Index on China’s second exchange gained 0.58 per cent, or 9.76 points, to 1,693.91. AFP