The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC) Deputy Chief Executive Officer Nisha Biswal reaffirmed DFC’s commitment to global health partnerships and pandemic preparedness during her visit to Paris on June 20. Attending the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, Biswal highlighted DFC’s collaboration with Gavi and other stakeholders to enhance Africa’s vaccine manufacturing capabilities. In a significant move to boost vaccine production in Africa, Biswal participated in the launch of Gavi’s African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA). This initiative aims to support the African Union’s goal of manufacturing at least 60 percent of…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
In observance of Pride Month, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will host a convening and reception to honor leaders championing LGBTQI+ equality within the U.S. government and globally. The events are scheduled for Thursday, June 27, at the Department of State. The convening, titled “Convening on U.S. Foreign Policy: National Security, Inclusive Development, and the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons,” will start at 1:00 p.m. EDT in the Burns Auditorium. This will be followed by a reception with remarks at 6:00 p.m. EDT in the Benjamin Franklin Room. Both events will be accessible to pre-registered press and live-streamed…
The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) and the Government of Cabo Verde have announced a partnership aimed at bolstering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country. The five-year, $10 million initiative was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on June 20, 2024. Under this agreement, USADF will contribute $1 million annually, matched by the Government of Cabo Verde, to provide grants and technical assistance. The funding will support various initiatives including the development of agriculture and fisheries value chains, the enhancement of farmers’ and fishermen’s cooperatives, training and technical assistance programs, renewable energy capacity building, and…
No fewer than 2.1 million persons aged between 15 and 64 years in the South-South region use psychoactive substances, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said. Stella Ngwoke, the Commander, NDLEA Command in Port Harcourt Ports, disclosed this in Onne on Wednesday at an event to mark the 2024 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse. Ngwoke, who quoted statistics from the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, said that about 14.3 million persons aged between 15 and 64 used illicit drugs in the country. “We are talking about drug use for non-medical purposes. It has also been discovered…
The U.S. Department of State has been awarded the 2024 Presidential Federal Sustainability Award for Advancing Carbon-Free Electricity. This prestigious recognition honors the efforts of the United States Embassy and Consulates in Japan, which have become the first multi-post diplomatic mission to achieve 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) for their operations. This accomplishment was spearheaded by innovative employees from Mission Japan and the Office of Management Strategy and Solutions’ (M/SS) Greening Diplomacy Initiative (GDI). By meeting the President’s mandate to operate on 100 percent CFE by 2030 a full seven years ahead of schedule, the mission is now…
Iranians vote on Friday to elect a new president from six candidates, including a lone reformist who hopes he can challenge the dominance of conservatives in the Islamic republic. A presidential election had not been due until 2025 but was brought forward after ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash last month. The snap poll comes at a challenging time as Iran grapples with the economic impact of international sanctions amid heightened regional tensions over the Gaza war between Israel and Tehran’s ally Hamas. In April Iran fired more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel…
A fire incident was contained at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery located in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos. The fire broke out at the refinery’s effluent treatment plant (ETP) early Wednesday morning, causing a cloud of thick smoke to billow into the sky. Anthony Chiejina, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Dangote Group, confirmed the incident in a statement. He assured the public that the situation was under control and that there was no cause for alarm. “We have swiftly contained a minor fire incident at our effluent treatment plant (ETP) today, Wednesday, 26th of June,” Chiejina stated. Despite the fire…
In a recent ActiVote poll conducted between June 5-21, former President Donald Trump has surged ahead of incumbent President Joe Biden among independent voters, showcasing a lead as the 2024 presidential election approaches. The poll, which surveyed 2,029 likely voters, revealed that in a two-way matchup, Trump commands 61 percent of the independent vote, while Biden trails at 39 percent. Even in a three-way scenario including independent candidate Robert D. Kennedy Jr., Trump maintains a strong lead with 47 percent of independents supporting him, compared to Biden’s 28 percent. This latest poll follows previous surveys indicating a competitive race between…
Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, has pleaded guilty to violating the Espionage Act in the U.S. territory of Saipan. Despite his plea, Assange maintained his stance as a journalist protected by the First Amendment. “Working as a journalist, I encouraged my source to provide information that was said to be classified in order to publish that information. I believe the First Amendment protected that,” Assange stated. He acknowledged the violation of an espionage statute but stated the difficulty of contesting the case. During the court proceedings, when asked if he was satisfied with the outcome, Assange responded, “It might…
The upcoming Biden-Trump debate, hosted by CNN on Thursday night, is set to be a defining moment in the neck-and-neck race for the White House. Historically, presidential debates have often been remembered for personality quirks and memorable gaffes rather than substantial policy discussions. However, this debate is different; it comes at a critical time for a nation deeply divided both internally and externally. The United States is currently navigating a host of challenges. Domestically, the country is contending with economic difficulties, including high prices and rising borrowing costs, along with ideological battles over reproductive rights and immigration policies. On the…
Finance Minister Wale Edun announced improvement in the country’s economic indicators, showcasing positive trends during a State House briefing. Edun, speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu, highlighted key advancements in Nigeria’s financial health. Edun presented a memorandum on strengthening the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and addressed the volatile indices that previously clouded the economic outlook. He stated the administration had corrected practices that burdened the economy, leading to a notable 15% decrease in the country’s total debt stock in US dollar terms during the first quarter of 2024. This reduction, viewed as…
Ukraine has successfully destroyed columns of Russian soldiers using US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) after receiving permission from its allies to strike military targets across the border into Russia. Ukraine received the green light last month from its allies to use provided weapons for targeting Russian soil, reversing a previous restriction. According to a Ukrainian artillery commander with the call sign Hefastus, HIMARS units began their operations in the northern Kharkiv region as soon as the permission was granted. “The HIMARS were not silent for the whole day,” Hefastus stated. Hefastus reported that Ukrainian forces managed to destroy…