Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- June 20, 2024
- 69 views
NEW ZEALAND PM TAKES COMMERCIAL FLIGHT TO JAPAN AFTER HIS PLANE BROKE DOWN
NEW ZEALAND PM TAKES COMMERCIAL FLIGHT TO JAPAN AFTER HIS PLANE BROKE DOWN New Zealand’s prime minister was forced to take a commercial flight to Japan after his air force plane broke down while refuelling in Papua New Guinea, his office said Monday. Christopher Luxon switched late Sunday to a scheduled flight from Port Moresby to Tokyo via Hong Kong because of a technical issue with the New Zealand Defence Force Boeing 757 aircraft he had been flying on. A problem with a command module for a small flap on the wing meant the aircraft could not fly as high or as fast as normal, affecting its range, a defence spokesperson said. It was detected while the plane was on the ground in Papua New Guinea. A delegation of business leaders and journalists accompanying Luxon had to wait until Monday to fly on the air force 757 to Brisbane and then catch a commercial flight to Tokyo, the spokesperson said. Luxon is expected to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his four-day visit.In March, the New Zealand leader had to fly commercial to Australia for meetings with Southeast Asian leaders after a problem with the landing gear grounded his defence force plane while still on the tarmac in Wellington.
- Foreign Affairs
- June 18, 2024
- 32 views
FOUR KILLED, 12 INJURED AS VEHICLE IN CONVOY OF MALAWI’S VP KILLED IN PLANE CRASH RAM INTO MOURNERS
FOUR KILLED, 12 INJURED AS VEHICLE IN CONVOY OF MALAWI’S VP KILLED IN PLANE CRASH RAM INTO MOURNERS A vehicle in the convoy of the late Malawian Vice President, Saulos Chilima’s funeral procession has killed at least four mourners and injured no fewer than 12 persons. The vehicle, which was part of a motorcade conveying the remains of the late VP, rammed into mourners on Sunday night in the Ntcheu community, a village in central Malawi. It was gathered that thousands of mourners had lined up in the streets to catch a glimpse of the vice president’s coffin when the incident happened. The spokesman of the Malawian police, Peter Kalaya confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday morning. “Due to the impact, two female and two male pedestrians sustained severe head injuries and multiple fractures and died whilst receiving treatment,” said a police statement. It will be recalled that a military aircraft conveying Malawi’s Vice President and other top government officials went missing last week after it failed to land. After an intense search, the wreckage of the aircraft was discovered with no survivors.The VP and the nine others were on their way to the funeral of a prominent Malawian lawyer, former Attorney General and Justice Minister, Ralph Kasambala in Mzuzu when the plane crashed.
- Foreign Affairs
- June 11, 2024
- 17 views
TRAGEDY IN MALAWI AS VP, EX- FIRST LADY, OTHERS FEARED KILLED IN PLANE CRASH
TRAGEDY IN MALAWI AS VP, EX-FIRST LADY, OTHERS FEARED KILLED IN PLANE CRASH The military aircraft conveying Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima which went missing on Monday have been found. The military plane carrying the VP and nine others, including the former First Lady, Shanil Dzimbiri, failed to make a landing on Monday morning. The VP and the nine others were to attend the funeral of a prominent Malawian lawyer, former Attorney General and Justice Minister, Ralph Kasambala in Mzuzu. President Lazarus Chakwera had ordered regional and national forces to conduct an immediate search and rescue operation to locate the whereabouts of the missing aircraft. It was however gathered that the Dornier 228 military plane was found in the Chikangawa Forest early hours of Tuesday. All passengers on board were reportedly dead. A statement issued on Tuesday morning by the Press Secretary to the President, Anthony Rogbers Kasunda said President Chakwera will address the general public shortly.
- Foreign Affairs
- May 31, 2024
- 23 views
STORMY DANIELS, WOMAN WHO BROUGHT TRUMP DOWN
STORMY DANIELS, WOMAN WHO BROUGHT TRUMP DOWN The legal saga involving former President Donald Trump and his dealings with porn star, Stormy Daniels, reached a dramatic conclusion Thursday as Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records. This conviction, stemming from a $130,000 payment made to Daniels to conceal their alleged extramarital affair just days before the 2016 presidential election, marks a significant moment in U.S. legal and political history. Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11, opening the door to potential jail time for the former president. The Core of the Controversy The case centered on the payment made by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, intended to prevent Daniels from publicizing her affair with Trump during the critical final stages of his presidential campaign. The payment was not only a personal matter but was deemed a campaign finance violation, as it was an expense aimed at influencing the election outcome and was not reported as such. The Stormy Daniel Legal and Political Ramifications Trump’s conviction carries both immediate and long-term consequences. Legally, the former president faces the unprecedented prospect of imprisonment, pending his sentencing. This outcome also casts a serious doubt on Trump’s integrity and transparency, potentially impacting his influence and the loyalty of his supporters. The political implications are vast, not only for Trump but for the Republican Party as it navigates the repercussions of his actions. The Role of Stormy Daniels Stormy Daniels, once underestimated by many as a peripheral figure unlikely to impact Trump’s career significantly, has proven to be a central figure in one of the most consequential legal battles involving a former U.S. president. Her determination to pursue legal action and her cooperation with prosecutors have highlighted the potential for individuals to hold even the most powerful figures accountable. Broader Implications This case underscores a growing demand for accountability among public figures, a sentiment echoed by movements such as #MeToo. It illustrates the increasing unwillingness of the public and judicial system to overlook or dismiss potentially illegal actions by leaders, driven by societal calls for greater transparency and ethical conduct. Future Political Landscape The ramifications of this verdict reach far beyond Trump himself, affecting the political landscape significantly. As the Republican Party reassesses its strategy and alignment, Trump’s conviction may prompt a reevaluation of how deeply the party ties itself to one individual’s fortunes. The GOP must consider whether continuing to support Trump could harm their appeal to broader voter bases in upcoming elections. Public and International Perception Internationally, this conviction may alter how global leaders interact with the United States. The perception of American democracy and its leaders’ accountability is crucial in diplomatic relations. Trump’s legal troubles and potential imprisonment could serve as a deterrent to other nations, affecting international policies and alliances. Conclusion The conviction of Donald Trump is not just a personal defeat for the former president; it is a landmark moment that may redefine the standards of accountability for political figures in the United States. As the date of his sentencing approaches, all eyes will be on the impact this verdict will have on his future political viability and on the broader political landscape.Stormy Daniels’ role in this historic outcome underscores the significant impact that determined individuals can have in challenging established power structures.
- Foreign Affairs
- May 31, 2024
- 17 views
EX-US PRESIDENT, TRUMP, FOUND GUILTY OF FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS
EX-US PRESIDENT, TRUMP, FOUND GUILTY OF FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS Former US President, Donald Trump, has been found guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying business records in a criminal hush-money scheme to influence the outcome of the 2016 election. The verdict came after a jury deliberated for less than twelve hours in the unprecedented first criminal trial against a US president. It marks a perilous political moment for Trump, the presumptive nominee for the Republican nomination, whose poll numbers have remained unchanged throughout the trial but could tank at any moment. Trump was convicted by a jury of 12 New Yorkers of felony falsification of business records, which makes it a crime for a person to make or cause false entries in records with the intent to commit a second crime. He will be sentenced on 11 July at 10am ET. “This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt,” Trump said at the courthouse after the verdict was read. “This was a rigged trial, a disgrace.” In Trump’s case, the Manhattan district attorney’s office alleged Trump falsely recorded the reimbursements he made to his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who paid the adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 for her silence about her affair with Trump, as “legal expenses”. The prosecution alleged the falsifications were made to conceal Trump’s violation of New York state election law, which makes it a crime to promote the election of any person to office through unlawful means. Prosecutors argued in part that those unlawful means were the $130,000 payment to Daniels, which was in effect an illegal campaign contribution, because it was done solely for the benefit of his 2016 campaign and exceeded the $2,700 individual contribution cap. The Manhattan district attorney’s office called 20 witnesses who, over the course of four weeks, gave evidence of how Trump plotted with the tabloid mogul David Pecker and Cohen to bury accounts of affairs with Daniels and the Playboy model Karen McDougal. The witnesses – some friendly to Trump, others openly hostile – said Trump’s worry over the Daniels story intensified after the October 2016 release of the infamous Access Hollywood tape, in which Trump was caught on a hot mic bragging about sexual assault. The recording featured Trump boasting about being able to grab women “by the pussy” without their consent because he was famous. Trial witnesses testified the Trump campaign worried that his efforts to dismiss the tape as “locker room talk” would fail if more boorish behavior came to light. When the Daniels story threatened to become widely known weeks before the 2016 election, Cohen moved into action and paid Daniels $130,000 to buy the exclusive rights to her story – in order to suppress its publication. After the 2016 election, prosecutors argued, Cohen worked out an illicit repayment plan in which he would be paid $420,000, an inflated sum that “grossed up” for tax reasons the $130,000 and other items Cohen billed. The trial saw prosecutors elicit testimony from Cohen, Daniels and a parade of Trump’s confidants and employees, as they sought to establish that Trump concealed the alleged payoff scheme in an effort to ensure he would not lose support from female voters. Cohen proved to be perhaps the most legally consequential witness for the prosecution, as he recounted how he used a home equity loan to raise the $130,000 he then wired to Daniels’ lawyer through a shell company. Cohen did so in the belief that Trump would reimburse him, he testified. In January 2017, Cohen said, he discussed with Trump and the former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg about being repaid for the $130,000, an overdue bonus and other expenses he incurred doing work that benefited the…
- Foreign Affairs
- May 22, 2024
- 10 views
UK GENERAL ELECTION HOLDS JULY 4
UK GENERAL ELECTION TO HOLD JULY 4 United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday set a general election date for July 4, ending months of speculation but not doom-laden forecasts about the size of the government’s expected defeat. The poll will be the first time Sunak, 44, faces the public while in charge after he was appointed leader of the largest party in parliament by Conservative MPs in October 2022. The vote – the third since the Brexit referendum in 2016 – comes as Sunak seeks to capitalise on better economic data to woo voters hit by cost-of-living rises. Halving inflation within a year from historic highs of above 11 per cent at the end of 2022 was one of the former financier’s five key pledges. That happened last year and on Wednesday rates slowed to a near three-year low at 2.3 per cent in March, prompting finance minister Jeremy Hunt to declare: “This is proof that the plan is working.” Sunak, in a Downing Street statement made in driving rain after he gathered his top ministers, said he had spoken to the head of state King Charles III and requested the dissolution of parliament. “The king has granted this request and we will have a general election on July 4,” he said, adding: “Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future.” Political commentators have increasingly suggested that Sunak, trailing badly in the polls to the main opposition Labour Party, could try to seek a bounce from the healthier outlook. However, critics point out that it has more to do with changes in the global economy than government policy. Sunak had previously batted back all efforts to name a date, saying only that he would go to the country in the second half of this year. Speculation mounted again after Sunak and his top officials on Wednesday refused to deny fresh talk that he was about to call an election on the back of the more positive data. Rumours went into overdrive when Foreign Secretary David Cameron was recalled from a trip to Albania and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps delayed a trip to Eastern Europe to attend a cabinet meeting.Hunt also cancelled a scheduled television interview for Wednesday evening, ITV’s political editor said, as journalists, photographers and camera crews flocked to Downing Street.
- Foreign Affairs
- May 22, 2024
- 5 views
UK UNIVERSITY ORDERS NIGERIAN STUDENTS TO LEAVE SCHOOL, COUNTRY OVER UNPAID FEES
UK UNIVERSITY ORDERS NIGERIAN STUDENTS TO LEAVE SCHOOL, COUNTRY OVER UNPAID FEES Nigerian students at Teesside University in the United Kingdom have been told to quit the school and return to Nigeria over unpaid fees. According to BBC, Teesside University said the move was in line with the UK’s immigration regulations. “Teesside University is proud to be a global institution with a diverse student population but is also very aware of its visa issuance and compliance obligations. “These strict external regulations ensure that the university fully supports a robust immigration system and are outside of the university’s control,” BBC said, quoting a university spokesperson. The university said it had “no choice” as failure to pay was a breach of visa sponsorship rules. It said it had made every effort to help the affected students, including with bespoke payment plans. Meanwhile, many students who protested outside the campus on Tuesday accused the university of being “heartless” and unfair. Adenike Ibrahim told the BBC she was close to handing in her dissertation when she was kicked off her course because she could not make a payment. Despite having now paid her fees in full, she will have to leave the UK with her young son and cannot re-enrol. “I did default [on payments], but I’d already paid 90 per cent of my tuition fees, and I went to all my classes,” she told the broadcaster. “I called them and asked to reach an agreement, but they do not care what happens to their students.” Reacting to the development, the Home Office said the decision to offer or withdraw visa sponsorship rested with the sponsoring institution. It said that when a visa was shortened or cancelled, individuals should “take steps to regularise their stay or make arrangements to leave the UK.” In a letter, the Home Office told the students they had no right to appeal. As of the time filing the report, the Nigerian Government under President Bola Tinubu is yet to response to the students’ ordeal in the UK.This development comes amid Nigeria’s foreign exchange crisis and soaring inflation, which surged 33.69 per cent in April.
- Foreign Affairs
- May 21, 2024
- 9 views
WE’VE NO HAND IN HELICOPTER CRASH THAT KILLED IRANIAN PRESIDENT – ISRAELI OFFICIAL
WE’VE NO HAND IN HELICOPTER CRASH THAT KILLED IRANIAN PRESIDENT – ISRAELI OFFICIAL In response to the recent helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, an Israeli official has firmly denied any involvement by Israel. According to Sky News, the official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, stated unequivocally, “It wasn’t us.” The crash, believed to be caused by adverse weather conditions and poor visibility, occurred amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, particularly over Tehran’s nuclear program, which Israel opposes vehemently. Iran’s influence in the Middle East, through support of proxy groups like Hamas, the Houthis, and Hezbollah, has further strained relations with Israel. Despite these tensions, Israel has reiterated its denial of involvement in the tragic incident. The statement underscores the delicate nature of relations between the two nations, highlighting the deep-seated animosity and mistrust that have long characterized their interactions.As investigations into the crash continue, both Israel and Iran are closely monitoring developments, wary of potential escalations in an already tense region.
- Foreign Affairs
- May 21, 2024
- 6 views
IRANIANS MOURN AS PRESIDENT, EBRAHIM RAISI, IS BURIED
IRANIANS MOURN AS PRESIDENT, EBRAHIM RAISI, IS BURIED Iranians are mourning the death of President Ebrahim Raisi who was killed in a helicopter crash along with his foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian in a mountainous and forested area in the country’s East Azerbaijan province amid dense fog. Six other people in the helicopter, including crew members, were also killed. The late president, alongside his entourage, was returning to Tehran from a ceremony to inaugurate a dam on Iran’s border with the Republic of Azerbaijan. Thung Khe Pass, White Stone Slope, Hoa Binh, Flycam – Nếm TV Mr Raisi, 63, was a hardline cleric and his election as president in 2021 consolidated the control of conservatives over every part of the Islamic Republic. On Monday, the Iranian Red Crescent confirmed that the bodies of the president and others who died in the crash had been recovered and search operations had ended. Iranian news outlet Tasnim, which is affiliated with the country’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, reported that President Ebrahim Raisi’s funeral will be held today (Tuesday) 9:30 Iran time in Tabriz. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning following the death of President Raisi. In a message issued on Monday morning, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed his great sadness over the death of President Raisi in the incident that took place in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province a day earlier. Iran state TV said the helicopter crashed into a mountain. While there is no official statement on the cause, images of the crash site captured by ISNA, Iran’s state students’ news agency, showed heavy fog lingering over the area. Multiple outlets, including Reuters, said the helicopter was a US-manufactured Bell 212, a model that first entered service in 1968 and stopped being made in 1998. Iran’s former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said the US sanctions — which prohibit Iran from purchasing US-built aircraft — could be partly to blame. In a phone interview with state TV on Monday, Zarif said the sanctions prevent Iran from having good aviation facilities. “One of the main culprits of yesterday’s tragedy is the United States, which … embargoed the sale of aircraft and aviation parts to Iran and does not allow the people of Iran to enjoy good aviation facilities,” Zarif said. The US has imposed various sanctions against Iran since the seizure of the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979. Economic sanctions, including those targeting the aviation industry, were reinstated in 2018 after the US withdrew from its nuclear deal. According to the Washington Institute, a US think tank, Iranian airlines are prohibited from purchasing aircraft that contain more than 10% US parts. Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s Military Chief of Staff, has ordered an investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash, according to the ISNA news agency. Bagheri ordered “A high-ranking committee to launch an investigation into the cause of the president’s helicopter crash”, the report said. Mohammad Mokhber, Iran’s first Vice President, has been appointed as Acting President of the Islamic Republic. He is expected to serve as caretaker president for some 50 days before a mandatory presidential election for a new Iranian president. The interim president, in his maiden cabinet meeting, said the country would continue moving forward despite the death of President Ebrahim Raisi. Iran’s veteran nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri, a harsh critic of the West, was also named acting foreign minister to replace the top diplomat killed in the crash. Bagheri, 56, had served as deputy to the late foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Tinubu, world leaders react President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and…
- Foreign Affairs
- May 20, 2024
- 7 views
CONGOLESE ARMY FOILS COUP ATTEMPT AGAINST PRESIDENT FELIX TSHISEKEDI
CONGOLESE ARMY FOILS COUPLE ATTEMPT AGAINST PRESIDENT FELIX TSHISEKEDI Congo’s army said it had foiled a coup attempt early Sunday and arrested the perpetrators, including several foreigners, following attacks on the presidential palace and the residence of a close ally of Congo’s president that left three people dead in the capital, Kinshasa. At first, local media identified the armed men as Congolese soldiers, but then reported they were linked to self-exiled opposition figure Christian Malanga, who later posted a video on Facebook threatening President Felix Tshisekedi. Malanga was killed at the presidential palace after he resisted arrest by guards, Congolese army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge told The Associated Press. Tshisekedi was reelected as president in December in a chaotic vote amid calls for a revote from the opposition over what they said was a lack of transparency. The Central African country has witnessed similar trends of disputed elections in the past. Ekenge said on state television Sunday that the attempted coup d’état was “nipped in the bud by Congolese defense and security forces (and) the situation is under control.” Among the perpetrators were three Americans, including the son of Malanga, Ekenge later told the AP. This also came amid a crisis gripping Tshisekedi’s ruling party over an election for the parliament’s leadership, which was supposed to be held Saturday but was postponed. Clashes were reported Sunday between men in military uniform and guards of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and a candidate for speaker of the National Assembly of Congo, at his residence in Kinshasa, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the presidential palace and where some embassies are also located. Kamerhe’s guards stopped the armed men, Michel Moto Muhima, the politician’s spokesperson said on social media platform, adding that two police officers and one of the attackers were killed in the shootout that started around 4:30 a.m. Footage, seemingly from the area, showed military trucks and heavily armed men parading deserted streets in the neighborhood as the army said the situation has been brought under control. Meanwhile, the self-exiled Malanga appeared in the live-streamed video at the presidential palace surrounded by several people in military uniform and said: “Felix, you’re out. We are coming for you.” On his website, the opposition leader’s group — the United Congolese Party (UCP) — is described as “a grassroots platform that unifies the Congolese Diaspora around the world opposing the current Congolese dictatorship.” Tshisekedi hasn’t so far addressed the public about Sunday’s events. On Friday, he met with parliamentarians and leaders of the Sacred Union of the Nation ruling coalition in an attempt to resolve the crisis seizing his party, which dominates the national assembly. He said he would not “hesitate to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections if these bad practices persist.”The United States Embassy in Congo issued a security alert Sunday, urging caution after “reports of gunfire.”