In a targeted airstrike on Monday, Israel leveled a building within Iran’s consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus, resulting in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi of Iran’s elite Quds Force. The attack, widely attributed to Israel by media outlets from both Iran and Syria, has heightened tensions in the Middle East and raised concerns about potential escalation of hostilities in the region. The assault claimed the lives of three senior commanders, with Gen. Zahedi’s death confirmed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, which also reported the loss of seven military advisers. Iranian ambassador…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
On March 19-20, 2024, the U.S. Department of State, in collaboration with the Department of Defense, convened and hosted 161 participants from 60 countries for a two-day inaugural plenary meeting of States endorsing the Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy. The event was held at the University of Maryland, College Park, and included representatives from endorsing States and observers. The Declaration, endorsed by 54 States, is a commitment to 10 foundational measures of responsible behavior. These measures provide a basis for an international framework of responsibility that enables States to harness the benefits of AI…
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has issued a public apology to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) following uproar over a controversial Easter message posted on social media. Govima had earlier reported about the controversial message shared on the FIRS’s social media platforms with the caption “Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes,” which drew sharp criticism from Nigerians, particularly Christians, who found it provocative and insensitive. CAN immediately demanded a public apology from the FIRS, expressing dissatisfaction over the message and urging both public and private institutions to be mindful of religious diversities in the country. In response,…
In the ongoing criminal hush money case involving former President Donald Trump, Judge Juan Merchan has expanded the existing gag order to include family members of both the district attorney and the judge himself. This comes after prosecutors raised concerns about Trump’s targeted attacks on the judge’s daughter and its potential impact on trial witnesses’ safety. The judge’s ruling, issued late Monday, marks a notable escalation in efforts to maintain the integrity of the judicial proceedings. The expanded gag order now encompasses family members of District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Judge Juan Merchan, in response to mounting apprehensions voiced by…
The Biden-Harris Administration is intensifying its efforts to bolster access to essential medicines worldwide as part of a comprehensive global health initiative. Since assuming office, the administration has made it a priority to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and expand access to medical countermeasures (MCMs) on a global scale. Through strategic investments and collaborative partnerships, the United States is leading the charge in addressing pressing health challenges and enhancing pandemic preparedness. A recent fact sheet released by the White House showcase the administration’s commitment to this mission. Central to these efforts is the administration’s focus on innovation and research. Substantial investments in…
Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Chair, Reta Jo Lewis, spearheaded efforts to fortify trade relations between the United States and South Africa during the Atlanta Phambili summit convened by Prosper Africa. The mission, aimed at bolstering bilateral ties between the two nations, brought together key figures including U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Reuben E. Brigety II and U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh Ebong. During the event, Chair Lewis stated EXIM’s commitment to leveraging financing tools to foster trade and investment between the United States and South Africa. At Spelman College, she engaged in an investor roundtable,…
In the face of swirling rumors regarding potential political mergers and the formation of mega parties, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Yekini Nabena, has sternly stated the unassailability of President Bola Tinubu’s envisioned eight-year tenure. In a statement issued from Abuja, Nabena staunchly dismissed any notions of an upheaval in leadership, drawing parallels to former President Muhammadu Buhari’s completion of two terms in office. “If former President Muhammadu Buhari could complete his eight years in office, by the grace of God Almighty the incumbent President Bola Tinubu will do the same,” Nabena…
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a left-wing pan-Africanist, was sworn in Tuesday as Senegal’s youngest president after sweeping to a first-round victory on a pledge of radical reform 10 days after he was released from prison. The 44-year-old has never before held an elected office but several African leaders attended the ceremony in the new town of Diamniadio, near the capital Dakar. “Before God and the Senegalese nation, I swear to faithfully fulfil the office of President of the Republic of Senegal,” Faye said before the gathered officials. He also vowed to “scrupulously observe the provisions of the Constitution and the laws”…
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said they discovered 1,665 fake A-level results during the 2023 Direct Entry (DE) registration. This announced by the Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, during a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Colleges of Education Students in Abuja. According to Prof. Oloyede, out of the identified fake results, 397 were from Colleges of Education, 453 were university diplomas, and the remainder were other A-level certificates. He expressed concern over the prevalence of corruption within the A-level results verification regime, and stated the need to safeguard the integrity of academic…
Members of the Traditional Council of Chiefs, Ewu-Urhobo in Delta State, are urging for the immediate release of the detained monarch of Ewu Kingdom, Clement Ikolo. This comes after the alleged connection of the monarch to the recent communal crisis resulting in the tragic killing of 17 military personnel in the Okuama community of the Ughelli Local Government Area. In a statement released on March 30 and provided to PUNCH, the council said that the monarch, Clement Ikolo, had no involvement in the ongoing feud between Okoloba and Okuama communities, nor the tragic incident with the military personnel. Ikolo, one…
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has said that early detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can help people on the autism spectrum reach significant gains in their abilities. This is contained in a message the first lady sent on World Autism Awareness Day, marked every year on April 2. “The journey for families with loved ones who are autistic can be challenging. Today, I salute and celebrate their unwavering love and dedication. “I also recognise the crucial role of community organisations in providing support, resources, and opportunities for individuals with autism and their families.…
A child opened fire Tuesday at a primary school in Vantaa outside the Finnish capital Helsinki injuring three others, police said, adding that the attacker was in custody. “All those involved in the shooting incident are minors. According to the police’s current information, there are three injured,” a police statement said. AFP