The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has announced an additional $35 million in emergency health assistance to support the ongoing response to the clade I mpox outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa. This new funding, pending Congressional Notification, raises the total U.S. government support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other affected countries in the region to over $55 million. The newly announced assistance will allow USAID to continue collaborating with affected nations, regional entities, and global health organizations to mitigate the impact of the rapidly evolving outbreak. The support includes…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
In a recent UN Security Council briefing, Ambassador Robert Wood, the U.S. Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs emphasized the urgent need for political unity in Libya. Speaking on August 20, 2024, Ambassador Wood expressed deep concern over the ongoing political stalemate in Libya and warned against the dangers of further division. He urged all parties within Libya to engage in dialogue to achieve a peaceful compromise that would reunify the country. Ambassador Wood stressed the importance of supporting the Secretary-General’s efforts, aligned with Security Council Resolution 2702, to develop a credible roadmap toward free and fair national elections. These…
Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group, majority-owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump, have plummeted to record lows following his return to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. On Tuesday, Trump Media shares dropped to $21.33, marking a decline of over 4%. The stock closed down 1.8% at $21.84, continuing its eighth consecutive session of losses. The decline in shares is also attributed to Trump’s recent slip in polls and election betting markets as he campaigns for a second term in the 2024 presidential race. Retail traders have viewed Trump Media’s stock as a proxy for…
The United Kingdom has enhanced the Nigerian Armed Forces’ operational capabilities by donating a counter-insurgency (COIN) training facility. Located in Ogun State, the facility was officially handed over on Tuesday in a ceremony attended by high-ranking military officials from both countries. The UK Ministry of Defence funded the construction of the facility, which was built by a team of Royal Engineers from the British Army in collaboration with Nigerian Army Engineers. This training centre is specifically designed to enhance the realism of military exercises, ensuring Nigerian soldiers are better prepared for modern warfare challenges and future deployments. Speaking at the…
Russia is preparing for “decades” of Western economic sanctions as it continues to navigate the challenges brought on by its invasion of Ukraine, according to a senior foreign ministry official. Dmitry Birichevsky, speaking at a forum in Moscow last week, indicated that the sanctions are likely to persist regardless of any future peace settlements in Ukraine. “This is a story for decades to come,” Birichevsky said, noting that the sanctions are not just a response to the Ukraine conflict but part of a broader strategy by the West to exert economic pressure on Russia. He suggested that the sanctions’ ultimate…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a new record-breaking remittance inflow of $553 million in July 2024, marking 130% increase from the corresponding period in 2023. This figure represents the highest monthly total on record, underscoring the CBN’s successful efforts to enhance liquidity in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market. According to a statement by the apex bank’s acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Ali, the substantial growth in remittance receipts can be attributed to various policy measures introduced by the CBN. These measures include the issuance of licenses to new International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), the implementation of a…
A Nigerian national, Yomi Olayeye, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a $10 million unemployment fraud scheme in the United States. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts disclosed that Olayeye, 40, was detained on August 13, 2024, at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Olayeye, also known as “Sabbie,” faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The charges relate to his alleged participation in a fraudulent scheme that targeted COVID-19 pandemic assistance programs between March and July 2020. According to federal prosecutors, Olayeye and…
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss critical international issues, including the Gaza ceasefire deal, humanitarian aid, and political crises in Sudan, Yemen, and Venezuela. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield and Secretary-General Guterres reached a consensus on the urgent need to finalize and implement the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement, as outlined in UN Resolution 2735. The pair emphasized that immediate action is required to execute this deal and ensure that humanitarian aid flows into Gaza as part of its initial phase. The meeting also highlighted the critical need for continued UN support…
Russia has introduced a new decree allowing foreign nationals who oppose Western liberal values to apply for temporary residence more easily. Signed by President Vladimir Putin, the decree aims to attract individuals from countries with differing “spiritual and moral values” compared to those promoted by Western nations. Starting next month, Russia will begin issuing three-month visas through an expedited and simplified process. This new policy allows applicants to bypass the usual requirements of demonstrating knowledge of the Russian language, history, and laws. Instead, applicants can apply based on their rejection of what Russia describes as “destructive neoliberal ideals” prevalent in…
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has cautioned that the ongoing Israel-Hamas talks in Qatar may represent the last opportunity to establish a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages. Speaking ahead of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Blinken emphasized the urgency of the negotiations, describing them as “decisive” in the effort to achieve lasting peace. The talks, mediated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, center around a bridging proposal aimed at overcoming final differences between the parties. This proposal builds on the three-stage plan introduced by President Joe Biden in May,…
Hamas has rejected a new U.S. proposal aimed at achieving a ceasefire and securing the release of hostages in Gaza, citing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s alleged efforts to undermine the negotiations. The refusal comes after days of talks in Doha, which the White House had described as making significant progress. Hamas criticized the proposal for aligning with Netanyahu’s demands, specifically pointing out its failure to include a permanent ceasefire or the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Additionally, the proposal would grant Israel control over key areas, such as the Netzarim Corridor and the Rafah Crossing, which Hamas…
A recent election forecast predicts a highly competitive 2024 U.S. presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. According to The Economist’s forecast model, Harris is projected to secure 272 electoral votes, while Trump is close behind with 266, indicating a potentially narrow outcome. The forecast, developed by Columbia University, uses a combination of national and state-level polls, economic indicators, historical voting trends, and demographic data to simulate over 10,000 possible election outcomes. The model identifies key battleground states—Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Michigan—as critical to determining the winner, with Pennsylvania being the…