In a move to enhance trade relations with African nations, President William Ruto of Kenya has announced the country’s intention to eliminate visa requirements for all African citizens by the end of 2023. Ruto made this announcement during his address at the Three Basins Summit on Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Tropical Forests in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. He emphasized that visa restrictions and tariffs within Africa are barriers that hinder trade and must be addressed. “It is time we realize the importance of trading amongst ourselves and allowing goods, services, people, and ideas to move freely across the continent,” President Ruto…
Author: Editor Francis
The health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza said Saturday that at least 7,703 people have been killed in the war with Israel that erupted on October 7. More than 3,500 children were among the dead, the ministry added. The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel has caused the highest number of fatalities in Gaza since Israel unilaterally withdrew from the territory in 2005. On Friday evening Israel intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip, the army said, striking dozens of Hamas targets, especially underground tunnels. The blistering air and artillery assault destroyed hundreds of buildings and thousands of houses across the…
In a recent announcement at the World Food Prize, Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative, disclosed plans to enhance its efforts in strengthening small-scale farmers’ resilience to climate change and other shocks. This expansion entails the addition of two new Innovation Labs and a collaborative research initiative, increasing the total number of Innovation Labs to 17 across the United States. Over the course of five years, the expansion includes funding of up to $37 million for a new Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Climate Resilient Cereals, led by Kansas State University. This lab…
African Development Bank and Africa Finance Corporation Partner with the US and EU to Advance Transport Infrastructure in Africa The African Development Bank and the Africa Finance Corporation, in collaboration with the United States and the European Union, have expressed their support for Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia in the development of the Lobito Corridor and the new Zambia-Lobito rail line. This partnership was formalized through a seven-sided Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on the sidelines of the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, Belgium. The MoU outlines the commitment of the signatories to collaborate across various sectors…
A company’s stockholders’ equity is recorded on its balance sheet, and the values signify the par value of the stock. When a company or government issues a bond, its par value represents the amount of money the bond will be worth at its maturity date. The par value is the stated value per share, representing the “floor” price share value below which future shares cannot be issued. When interest rates are higher than the coupon or dividend rate, the price falls.Companies set a par value for their common stock because they are often legally required to do so.Par value is…
President Bola Tinubu is currently engaged in discussions with former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Jonathan arrived around noon and was received by President Tinubu before the two leaders convened for a closed-door meeting. While specific details of the meeting have not been disclosed, it is believed to be related to Goodluck Jonathan’s role as the Special Envoy of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He is leading mediation efforts in Mali, which has been under military rule since a coup in August 2020 that removed President Ibrahim Keita from power. In September 2023,…
Former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for investigation. Emefiele had recently been released from detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) when he was apprehended by EFCC operatives less than an hour after regaining his freedom. Sources have disclosed that the EFCC is scrutinizing Emefiele for alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as the head of the central bank. Fresh charges may also be filed against him. The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, was unavailable for official confirmation at the time of reporting.…
During an EU summit in Brussels, European Union leaders have called for humanitarian ceasefires in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. The EU leaders issued a declaration, expressing their deep concern for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. They called for the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure the safe and unimpeded delivery of aid to Gaza’s inhabitants. Criticism has been mounting in the Middle East regarding Israel’s air raids and the complete siege of Gaza, which has resulted in severe shortages of food, water, electricity, and fuel for the 2.3 million people living in the…
Starting on October 30, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), will launch the U.S.-Africa Climate Innovation Week, uniting African leaders and policymakers in the United States to explore innovative climate resilience and adaptation solutions. This initiative was initially unveiled by Vice President Kamala Harris during her March 2023 trip to Africa, saying that the U.S. government’s dedication to addressing climate-related challenges in African nations. USTDA’s Director, Enoh T. Ebong, emphasized that the U.S.-Africa Climate Innovation Week aims to facilitate two-way knowledge exchange and establish connections for U.S. solutions supporting sustainable, high-quality infrastructure aligned with African leaders’ climate adaptation and…
A man wanted for the murder of a Maryland judge who ruled against him in a child custody case has been found dead, officials said Thursday. The body of Pedro Argote, 49, was found in a wooded area near his vehicle last week, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. The sheriff’s office did not provide a cause of death. Law enforcement had been searching for Argote since Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, was shot dead in the driveway outside his home in Hagerstown, Maryland, on October 19 .Just hours earlier, Wilkinson had presided at a divorce hearing in…
In 2021, the United States continued its tradition of providing substantial foreign aid to over 150 countries and organizations, reflecting a commitment to national security, commercial interests, and humanitarian causes. This extensive aid effort, based on data from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), showcased a particular focus on nations grappling with internal conflicts and humanitarian crises. Afghanistan: Emerging as a primary recipient of significant aid, Afghanistan received a substantial $1.5 billion in humanitarian assistance following the withdrawal of American troops in 2021. Ethiopia: The U.S. allocated $1.4 billion for emergency food assistance, addressing the pressing hunger crisis. Jordan: …
In a ruling, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed the decision of the tribunal regarding Atiku Abubakar’s petition. The court deemed his appeal to be without merit. more to come soon..