Safe and Better Nigeria (SBN), a prominent non-governmental organization, has called on the federal and state governments to take crucial lessons from the country’s past destructive floods and make preparations for the anticipated 2024 flood. Nigeria has experienced severe flooding in the years 2012, 2018, 2020, and 2022, which caused extensive damage and loss of lives and property. In a statement released on Friday, SBN’s National Coordinator, Solomon Ikpaka, stated the need for proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of the forthcoming flood predicted to be of high magnitude by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMETH). Ikpaka urged state governments, especially…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell commended Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye for the successful conduct of free and fair presidential elections earlier this year. The meeting, held on July 18, 2024, highlighted the United States’ commitment to its partnership with Senegal, emphasizing mutual interests in democracy, human rights, regional security, and economic prosperity. Spokesperson Matthew Miller of the Office of the Spokesperson detailed the discussions, noting that Deputy Secretary Campbell praised Senegal’s democratic strides and peaceful electoral process, reflecting the country’s commitment to democratic values and governance. The meeting also focused on avenues to enhance bilateral…
US President Joe Biden doubled down on his pledge to stay in the White House race Friday, defying a growing Democratic party revolt that raised speculation he could bow out as soon as this weekend. “The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win,” the 81-year-old said in a statement from the Delaware beach home where he is in Covid isolation. “I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week,” Biden added, as his doctor said the president was bouncing back from the symptoms of the disease. But Biden’s political health appeared to…
The United States and the European Union co-hosted the inaugural high-level Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) Forum event, spearheaded by Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez, and Deputy Director-General for Trade Leopoldo Rubinacci. The virtual forum welcomed ministers and high-level officials from MSP partner countries and mineral-producing nations. The MSP, established in June 2022, aims to strengthen partnerships with mineral-producing countries by promoting high environmental, social, and governance standards. This first forum, following its official launch by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis in April…
Israel threatened reprisals Friday after a drone claimed by Yemen’s Huthi rebels penetrated its vaunted air defences and killed a civilian in a Tel Aviv apartment building near a US embassy annexe. The attack drew condemnation from UN chief Antonio Guterres and an appeal for “maximum restraint” to avoid “further escalation in the region”. The pre-dawn strike came hours before Israel suffered another blow, a ruling by the UN’s top court that its occupation of the Palestinian territories was “illegal” and needed to end as soon as possible. The advisory opinion of The Hague-based International Court of Justice is not…
In a briefing hosted by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at the United Nations, the United States has raised the alarm on Sudan’s escalating famine crisis. With a staggering 25 million Sudanese people confronting acute food insecurity and over 750,000 on the brink of famine, urgent international intervention is imperative. The briefing centered on the alarming findings of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, which has declared Sudan’s situation as dire. Heavy rains have exacerbated the crisis by obstructing crucial routes and isolating areas in need, thereby complicating humanitarian efforts to deliver aid effectively. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the…
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump promised Thursday to bring an end to raging international crises and restore American prestige on the world stage, saying he could “stop wars with a telephone call.” The former president sought to paint a dire picture of the world under his successor Joe Biden, telling the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee that the planet is “teetering on the edge of World War III.” “We will restore peace, stability and harmony throughout the world,” Trump said, without giving any detail on how he might do that. “Under our leadership, the United States will be respected again.…
A drone claimed by Yemen’s Huthi rebels slipped through Israel’s vaunted air defence system on Friday to hit a Tel Aviv building near a US embassy annex, killing one person. The Huthis fired at Tel Aviv a “new drone called ‘Yafa’, which is capable of bypassing the enemy’s interception systems,” the Iran-backed Yemeni movement’s spokesman, Yahya Saree, said on social media. An Israeli military official said a “very big” drone was used in the attack on Israel’s commercial capital, explaining that “human error” led to the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) not being intercepted. The Huthis have launched scores of drone…
A massive global IT outage has sent shockwaves through multiple industries, crippling operations for banks, airlines, telecom providers, broadcast networks, and more. The outage, which originated from technical issues affecting Microsoft 365 and Windows workstations, has caused widespread disruptions on a global scale. In the United States, major airlines such as Delta, United, and American Airlines were forced to ground flights due to a system-wide communication failure. Passengers faced chaos at airports like Edinburgh in Scotland, where automated systems malfunctioned, displaying ominous “server offline” messages. Across the United Kingdom, Govia Thameslink Railway’s services under brands like Southern…
Former US president Barack Obama has told allies that Joe Biden needs to reconsider his reelection bid, the Washington Post reported on Thursday. Obama believes that Biden’s path to victory has diminished and that the 81-year-old should “seriously consider the viability of his candidacy,” the newspaper said, citing people briefed on his thinking. It said there was no immediate comment from Obama, who was in office while Biden was vice president from 2009 to 2017 and who remains hugely influential in the Democratic party. Obama would be the most heavyweight Democrat so far to join a growing chorus in the…
President Joe Biden is encountering criticism and skepticism within his own party regarding his ability to secure a second term, as prominent Democrats voice concerns over his campaign strategy and electability. Following a series of lackluster public appearances and a contentious debate performance, Biden embarked on a concerted effort to bolster his image and rally support among Democratic factions. However, these efforts have reportedly failed to assuage growing unease among party members, who fear that Biden’s candidacy could jeopardize their chances in the upcoming elections. In recent private conversations and public statements, numerous Democratic lawmakers have expressed apprehension about Biden’s…
Promasidor Nigeria Limited has announced the appointment of Francois Gillet as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective July 1, 2024. Francois succeeds Bruno Gruwez, who has decided to pursue new opportunities outside the Promasidor Group. Francois Gillet joins Promasidor Nigeria from Danone, where he served as General Manager in Réunion. Prior to his tenure at Danone, Francois had a distinguished career as a General Manager with Lactalis, a world leader in dairy, in Algeria and Brazil. As a seasoned executive, Francois brings extensive international experience and a proven track record of driving business growth and profitability in the fast-moving…