Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus was sworn into office Thursday, vowing to lead Bangladesh back to democracy after a student-led uprising ended the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina. Yunus, who earlier on Thursday had hailed the overthrow of Hasina as Bangladesh’s “second independence”, swore to “uphold, support and protect the constitution”, in front of political and civil society leaders, generals and diplomats at the presidential palace. “Today is a glorious day for us,” Yunus, 84, told reporters hours earlier when he returned to Dhaka from Europe. “Bangladesh has created a new victory day. Bangladesh has got a second independence.”…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
Vietnam is a country that captivates travelers with its vibrant cities, famous landmarks, and culinary delights. But beyond the well-trodden paths of Halong Bay, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City, lies a wealth of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. For those who seek to explore the quieter, less-commercialized side of Vietnam, these hidden gems offer a journey into the country’s untouched natural beauty and rich cultural tapestry. Here are ten off-the-beaten-path destinations in Vietnam that promise to surprise and enchant even the most seasoned travelers: 1. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Located in Quang Binh Province, Phong Nha-Ke Bang…
President Joe Biden delivered a spirited State of the Union address on Thursday, aiming to “wake up” Congress while engaging in heated exchanges with Republican critics and repeatedly targeting former PreAsident Donald Trump. The 81-year-old president, despite low approval ratings and concerns within his party about his political and physical health, gave one of the most vigorous and politically charged speeches to Congress in recent memory. Throughout the address, Biden referenced “my predecessor” 13 times, avoiding Trump’s name but making him a central focus of his criticisms. He clashed with Republican firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and mocked GOP…
Russia has accused Ukrainian troops of crossing the border into its Kursk region and launching a “massive attack” on Tuesday. This marks the first reported incursion of its kind from Ukraine, putting pressure on Moscow in an area largely untouched by the ongoing two-year war. The Russian Ministry of Defense, the Russian Investigative Committee, and the Russian Ombudsman for Children reported that Ukrainian forces attempted to break through Russian defenses on the borders of the Kursk region, which lies just north of Ukraine’s Sumy region. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the alleged incursion as a “large-scale provocation,” accusing Kyiv of…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has auctioned $876.26 million to 26 qualified banks through the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS). The auction, conducted on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, aligns with the apex bank’s objectives to alleviate demand pressure and support price discovery in the FX market. The CBN’s Financial Markets Department, led by Director Omolara Omofunde Duke, announced the results in a statement on Wednesday. According to the statement, a total of $1.18 billion in bids was received from 32 authorized dealer banks. However, bids valued at $313.69 million from six banks were disqualified due to late submissions and…
Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha and 2023 presidential candidate of the Action Alliance, has firmly condemned recent agitations for a military coup in Nigeria, asserting that such calls are misplaced and outdated. In a press briefing held on Wednesday, Al-Mustapha stressed that military intervention has no place in Nigeria’s political landscape, advocating instead for a tailored democratic system that aligns with Nigeria’s unique cultural and historical context. Speaking on the ongoing hardship faced by Nigerians due to the federal government’s removal of the fuel subsidy, Al-Mustapha emphasized that democracy is the future…
Kenya’s Mobius Motors, the innovative company known for producing rugged, low-cost SUVs tailored for African roads, has announced its closure. This comes a decade after its inception, driven by insurmountable financial challenges, as stated by the company and confirmed by a shareholder source on Tuesday. Founded by a London-born investor who experienced Africa’s notoriously bumpy roads while working for a forestry company in Kenya, Mobius Motors aimed to provide durable, affordable vehicles for the continent. Initially, the company produced a no-frills, boxy SUV priced at 1.3 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $13,000), targeting budget-conscious African consumers. Over time, Mobius introduced updated…
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the United States and Germany’s decision to deploy US long-range missiles in Germany, stating that the move is “reminiscent of the Cold War.” The deployment, set to begin in 2026, could prompt Russia to station similar missiles in response, Putin warned during a press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Moscow. Speaking at Russia’s annual Navy Day in St. Petersburg, Putin expressed concerns over the potential reach of the US missiles, which would place Russian infrastructure within their range. “If the United States of America implements such plans, we will consider…
In 2023, millions of travelers sought Schengen visas to explore Europe’s cultures. Approval rates for these visas vary significantly among the 27 Schengen countries, influenced by social, cultural, and economic connections. Data from SchengenVisaInfo highlights the Schengen states most likely to approve visa applications for different nationalities, a valuable insights for potential travelers. Chinese Citizens: Chinese nationals experienced high approval rates in several Schengen countries. Germany led with a 97.05% approval rate for Chinese applicants, followed by the Netherlands (96.31%), Switzerland (94.78%), Italy (94.02%), and Norway (93.68%). Turkish Citizens: Turkish passport holders found the highest approval rates in…
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, attended the Wisconsin State Fair on Monday to explore the state’s agricultural advancements aimed at enhancing food security. Accompanied by Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture Randy Romanski, USDA State Director for Wisconsin Julie Lassa, Department of Agriculture Board Member Carla Washington, and Wisconsin State Fair Park Board Chair John Yingling, the Ambassador engaged with local initiatives and sampled unique culinary offerings at the Wisconsin Products Pavilion and Central Market. As a steadfast advocate for tackling food insecurity, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield has prioritized this issue throughout her tenure. During her three-year presidency of…
On Tuesday, a UK regulator said it proposed to fine three of England’s biggest water suppliers a combined £168 million ($214 million) for failure over sewage management. Ofwat said that Thames Water, Britain’s biggest supplier, was struggling to stay afloat financially and could be fined the largest amount at £104 million. The regulator’s decision comes as Britain’s water industry faces huge scrutiny, including from the new Labour government and environmentalists, over the pollution of rivers and other waterways. “Ofwat has today proposed that three water companies will be fined a total of £168 million for failing to…
In a bid to bolster financial inclusion in Jigawa State, Nigerian fintech company Fintava and Kano-based agent network Bizipay have joined forces to launch a transformative initiative. This partnership aims to provide banking services to more than 100,000 unbanked individuals across the state, leveraging Bizipay’s extensive agent network. The initiative comes as part of efforts to bridge the financial gap in underserved communities, aligning with the Jigawa State Government’s push towards establishing cashless palliative shops. These efforts were recently inaugurated by Vice President Kashim Shettima to enhance accessibility to essential goods and services. Fintava will play a role…