Former President Donald Trump referred to the January 6 Capitol rioters as “warriors” and reiterated false claims about the 2020 election being rigged during a rally in Las Vegas on Sunday. Addressing a crowd amidst extreme heat, Trump also announced plans to eliminate taxes on tips for service workers if re-elected, targeting a key voter base in the hospitality-driven city. Trump defended the actions of the Capitol rioters, labeling them as victims of a setup by police. “Those J6 warriors, they were warriors, but they were really more than anything else, they’re victims of what happened. All they were doing…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, says it has arrested three suspects at an illegal oil refinery in Rivers. This is contained in a statement by the corps spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, on Monday in Abuja. Afolabi said that the illegal bunkering activities site was located at Nembe/Odagwa Creek in Etche LGA of the state. He explained that a large dug-out reservoir constructed and padded with tarpaulin which could contain 100,000 litres of illegally refined crude oil was uncovered at the site. He also said that the alleged suspects were currently assisting with all necessary information and would be charged…
In a joint statement released by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of National Defense of the Republic of Niger, significant progress has been announced regarding the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger. The transition, which commenced with the departure of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from Air Base 101 in Niamey on June 7, 2024, marks a milestone in the cooperative efforts between the two nations. The withdrawal process, overseen by the Joint Disengagement Commission, aims to ensure the orderly and safe redeployment of U.S. forces and assets from Niger. This commission, formed to coordinate…
On the occasion of World Ocean Day, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken stated the United States’ commitment to ocean conservation through a series of strategic initiatives and international partnerships. In a press statement released on June 7, 2024, Blinken outlined the U.S.’s comprehensive efforts to address critical challenges affecting coastal communities and marine ecosystems. Central to the U.S. strategy is the advancement of marine protected areas (MPAs) as part of the global 30×30 goal, which aims to conserve or protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030. The U.S. encourages other nations to achieve this milestone in their respective…
The Nigerian Army successfully foiled a kidnap attempt in the Oviri-Ogor community of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State. The incident occurred during a surveillance patrol when gallant troops intervened to rescue victims from gunmen suspected to be kidnappers. The troops also rescued passengers from a kidnapping attempt by Fulani herdsmen on the Ughelli axis of the East-West Road. Reports reveal that the suspected kidnappers trailed one of their victims to his newly completed building along HRM Igere III Road in Oviri-Ogor, only to find him absent. Despite the sketchy nature of the initial report, a community source disclosed…
A group of human rights activists has taken legal action against the Benue State Government, contesting the recent enactment of the Public Order Bill signed into law by Governor Hyacinth Alia. Filed at the High Court in Makurdi, the state capital, the lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the legislation, particularly its prohibition on hawking at public events after 10 PM. Governor Alia approved the controversial Public Order Bill on May 25, 2024, following its passage by the state assembly. Since its implementation, the law has sparked widespread debate and criticism among concerned citizens. The plaintiffs, Bemgba Iortyom and Adebayo Ogorry,…
The United Nations General Assembly, Dan Fogarty, ECOSOC Adviser for the United States, articulated the US position on the recently adopted resolution, “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.” Fogarty began by welcoming international efforts to promote dialogue and intercultural exchange, noting the broad global acceptance of these concepts. He clarified that the US interprets “civilizations” in the resolution to be synonymous with “cultures,” thereby embracing cultural diversity and the organic processes of cultural exchange within and among societies. Highlighting the principles of the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Fogarty reiterated the foundational belief that human…
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) convened its concluding joint meeting with the 2023-2024 Advisory Committees and Councils, marking the start of the EXIM Annual Conference 2024. Held at the Washington Hilton, the event featured key discussions led by EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis, who praised the committees for their valuable contributions to advancing American exports. Chair Lewis emphasized the importance of the insights and recommendations provided by the Advisory Committee, Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee, and the Councils on Climate, China Competition, Small Business, and Advancing Women in Business. “The collective decades of experience and…
Apple on Monday will attempt to persuade doubters on its AI strategy after rivals raced ahead in adopting artificial intelligence. AI and perhaps even a partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI will likely be a driving theme at the kickoff of Apple’s WWDC developers’ conference in Silicon Valley, according to analysts. The conference is Apple’s annual rendezvous for developers who create apps for iPads, Macs and iPhones — and CEO Tim Cook will work hard to convince his audience that the company is a major AI player. While Apple has been quietly including AI features in its hardware for years, it has…
Humanitarian aid to Gaza has recommenced after repairs were completed on a floating pier deployed by the U.S. military, which had been damaged in heavy seas. The U.S. Central Command announced that deliveries restarted at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, with about 1.1 million pounds of aid arriving in Gaza. The aid delivery had been temporarily halted from May 25 after parts of the pier broke off due to rough weather conditions. However, the structure has now been fixed, enabling the continuation of this critical humanitarian operation. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, who oversees the operation, indicated that despite potential future…
In a State of the Union address, President Joe Biden sought to “wake up” Congress, vigorously responding to hecklers and directing criticism at former President Donald Trump without mentioning him by name. The 81-year-old president appeared invigorated, shedding concerns about his approval ratings and the anxiety within his party regarding his political and physical health. Throughout his speech, Biden referenced his predecessor 13 times, aiming sharp critiques at Trump. He also engaged directly with Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and sarcastically challenged GOP members over their refusal to pass a bipartisan border bill. “I know you know…
In one of the deadliest operations of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, an Israeli raid on the Nuseirat refugee camp resulted in the deaths of at least 274 Palestinians, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported on Sunday. The raid, which took place on Saturday, was launched to rescue four Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The freed hostages — Noa Argamani, 26; Almog Meir Jan, 22; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 41 — are reportedly in good medical condition and are currently undergoing medical examinations at a hospital, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The United States provided crucial intelligence that assisted…