The U.S. Department of State recently concluded its annual TechWomen program, bringing together emerging women leaders in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), fields from over 20 countries for a cultural and professional exchange. The month-long program connected participants with mentorships from prominent American women across the tech industry and academia. Through these partnerships, the visitors aimed to build skills, networks and ideas to advance gender equity and opportunity in their home communities and encourage more girls to pursue STEM careers. “TechWomen was an answer to former President Obama’s 2009 call for increased U.S. engagement with the Muslim world in…
Author: Editor Francis
In a strategic move to address global telecommunications challenges, Deputy Assistant Secretary Steve Lang is spearheading the U.S. delegation at the World RadiocommunicationConference 2023 (WRC-23) in Dubai The delegation, comprising nearly 200 participants, includes key figures such as Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nathaniel C. Fick and Department of Commerce Assistant Secretaries Alan Davidson and Michael Morgan. WRC-23, convened every four years by the International Telecommunication Union, aims to update the international Radio Regulations—an instrumental treaty governing the coordination and utilization of the global radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbital resources. The conference is a pivotal opportunity…
President Joe Biden extends warm congratulations to Joseph Boakai on his election as the next President of Liberia. The recently concluded free and fair elections, including the presidential runoff, showcase the dedication of Liberians to expressing their voices through the democratic process. President Biden looks forward to collaborative efforts in strengthening the bonds between the United States and Liberia in the years to come. In his statement, President Biden also commends outgoing President Weah for prioritizing the will of the people over political considerations, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful transition of power. This commitment to democratic values aligns with…
The South African government on Monday called on the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by mid-December. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said it would signal a “total failure” of global governance if the ICC does not do so. “The world cannot simply stand by and watch. The global community needs to rise to stop this genocide now,” said Ntshavheni. Israel says it is defending itself following the October 7 attack by Hamas which killed 1,200 people but the South African government has repeatedly described the Israeli campaign in Gaza as…
In a recent interview with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Former President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged the likelihood that his eight-year administration might have been influenced by a powerful political clique, commonly referred to as a “cabal.” Buhari, in response to questions about the grip of power during his tenure, admitted, “it must have been” when questioned about the role of a cabal in his administration. While reflecting on his time leading the country, Buhari expressed uncertainty about individuals who breached the law being allowed to “walk away.” He maintained that he did his best during his presidency, leaving the…
The Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Commissioner Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende from the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, has initiated a sweeping cleanup campaign. The primary focus is on addressing the pressing issues of street begging and the reprehensible exploitation of infants for alms across the state. This strategic endeavor reflects the government’s resolute dedication to ensuring safety, dignity, and cleanliness for all residents of Lagos. Commissioner Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende underscored the transformative impact of this campaign, stating, “Our aim is to create a safer and more dignified Lagos, a city where every resident feels valued and respected.…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has, for the second consecutive time, deferred the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting initially scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. The MPC meeting, responsible for setting critical monetary rates, has not taken place since the last session on July 25, almost four months ago, according to the schedule published on the bank’s website. The newly appointed CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso, who assumed office in September, is yet to preside over the MPC meeting. The official announcement did not provide a specific date for the rescheduled meeting. Investors have been keenly awaiting the…
The Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, announced that the Federation Account has experienced enhanced revenue inflow since the removal of the subsidy, increasing from an average of N650 million monthly to over N1 trillion in the last four months. The minister shared this information on Monday during the opening ceremony of a four-day retreat organized for members of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in Asaba. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of Finance, Special Duties, Mr. Okokon Udo, Edun emphasized that the government recognized the unsustainability of petroleum subsidy, which had been eroding revenues that could have been…
South Africa will chair an extraordinary virtual meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) on Tuesday “on the situation in Gaza and the Middle East”, the South African presidency announced in a press release on Monday. Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate, the Kremlin said. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, “as chairman of the BRICS group of nations”, convenes “an extraordinary joint meeting” on the situation in Gaza on Tuesday at 12 p.m. GMT. The other heads of state of the BRICS will participate in this virtual meeting, as well as the leaders of the countries invited, during…
In a joint statement released by the Governments of the United States of America, Norway, and the United Kingdom, known as the Troika, deep concern is expressed over the increasing violence and human rights abuses in Sudan, particularly the actions of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in West, Central, and South Darfur. Credible reports indicate mass killings, ethnic targeting, violence against traditional leaders, unjust detentions, and hindrance of humanitarian aid. The Troika unequivocally rejects any military resolution to the conflict and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The statement urges both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF),…
Leaders from over a dozen African countries will convene in Germany for the G20 Compact with Africa conference, a two-day event aiming to enhance private investment in the continent. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte are among the attendees, reflecting the increasing global interest in Africa’s economic potential. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the host of the summit, will engage in bilateral talks with African countries on Sunday, followed by a German-African investment summit on Monday morning in Berlin’s Marriott Hotel. The conference underscores the geopolitical competition between Europe, the…
The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia has clarified the visa cancellation of Air Peace passengers, stating that the visas were revoked because they failed to meet the entry requirements of the country. In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the embassy explained that the passengers submitted incorrect information, which did not comply with the applicable rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred on Monday when 264 passengers on an Air Peace flight arrived in Jeddah but had their visas canceled by Saudi authorities. The embassy revealed that the passengers had obtained a category of visa that did…