WORLD

Interview: Efforts to drive Russia-Africa relations receiving new impetus

In an exclusive interview with our Moscow correspondent Kester Kenn Klomegah, a member of the newly created Public Council under the Secretariat of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, Armen Khachatryan, argues that the first Summit held in October 2019 ultimately seeks to inject a new dynamism into Russia-Africa relations. According to Mr Khachatryan, who is also Deputy Chief Executive Officer and …

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Black Lives Matter movement nominated for Nobel peace prize

Norwegian parliamentarian Petter Eide has nominated Black Lives Matter movement for the Nobel Peace Prize 2021. According to him, the movement had forced countries other than the US to face up to racism within their own societies. “Black Lives Matter has become a very important worldwide movement to fight racial injustice. They have had a tremendous achievement in raising global …

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UN chief publicly receives coronavirus vaccine in New York

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday in New York, a UN statement said. “I was fortunate and grateful to get the first dose of my COVID-19 vaccine today,” Guterres said after getting his shot. “We must get to work to make sure the vaccine is available to everyone, everywhere. Our world …

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South African president urges rich countries to stop “vaccine nationalism”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday urged the world’s wealthiest countries to stop “hoarding” vaccines and called for an end to “vaccine nationalism.” In remarks delivered at the World Economic Forum’s virtual Davos Agenda event, Ramaphosa cautioned that some countries had ordered more supplies of vaccines than they needed, and that this was counterproductive to the global recovery effort. …

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Biden reverses Trump’s visa ban on Africa, Muslim countries

Newly inaugurated US President Joe Biden has reversed placed on some Muslim countries by former US president Donald Trump in January 2017. Citizens of Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen were banned from entering the United States following the ban.  “When visa applicants request entry to the United States, we will apply a rigorous, individualized vetting system. But …

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The world’s most powerful passports for 2021 named

The annual Henley Passport Index has just been released. It ranks passports according to the number of countries their holders can travel to visa-free. The latest ranking named Japan as the country with the most powerful passport in the world followed by Singapore while Germany and South Korea tie for third place Holders of the Japanese passport can travel visa-free …

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Congress clears way for Biden’s inauguration, Trump pledges ‘orderly transition’

After the disruption of its joint session on Wednesday, the United States Congress has reconvened and affirmed President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Donald Trump at the November 2020 elections. The counting of Vermont’s three electoral votes during the ceremonial counting of the electoral votes, at 8pm ET, put Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris over the 270-threshold …

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Former Nigerian president advises US leaders over peaceful transition

Against the background of the mayhem caused by supporters of President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday, former President Goodluck Jonathan has issued a press statement addressed to American leaders. The US capital was engulfed in chaos as Trump supporters breached the hallowed chambers of Congress to stop the ceremonial counting of the electoral votes that will confirm President-elect Joe …

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Biden appoints another Nigerian-American into his administration

President-Elect of the United States, Joe Biden, has named Osaremen Okolo, a Nigerian-American, as his COVID-19 policy advisor. Okolo was among 100 names announced as additional members of the White House staff by the Biden transition team on Wednesday. According to Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the COVID-19 Response Team will “work to quickly implement a comprehensive, whole-of-government COVID-19 …

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Nigerian-Americans celebrate Biden’s appointment of Adeyemo

Adewale Adeyemo

A coalition of 22 Nigerian-American organisations has congratulated one of their own, Adewale Adeyemo, on his nomination as the next US Deputy Secretary of Treasury. Nigerian-born Adeyemo, 39, was tapped for the role by President-elect Joe Biden on 1 December and would be the first African-American to hold the position, if confirmed. The congratulatory message was contained in a statement …

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Biden appoints Nigerian-American US Deputy Treasury Secretary

Adewale Adeyemo

US President-elect Joe Biden on Monday formally appointed Nigerian-born Adewale ‘Wally’ Adeyemo as the Deputy Treasury Secretary, which is the description of the country’s deputy finance minister. The appointment came as part of Biden’s unveiling of his economic team, where he highlighted the historic nature of some of his nominations. Adeyemo (39), who served the US government under President Barack …

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Diego Maradona: Football world loses a legend

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has passed away at the age of 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest, according to multiple reports. He had a heart attack at his home just two weeks after leaving hospital where he underwent brain surgery. Days after celebrating his 60th birthday, the Gimnasia coach had been hospitalised after complaining of low spirits and fatigue …

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Nigeria: Include us on NIDCOM board, Diaspora leader appeals to Buhari

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO, on Monday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to include its representatives on the board of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, in accordance with the act establishing the commission. The Chairman of NIDO Europe, Dr Bashir Olalekan Obasekola, made the call during a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria from his base …

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Nigerian party hailed over Kenneth Gbandi’s appointment as deputy leader

Nigerians in diaspora have praised the appointment of the immediate past Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE), Hon Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi, as the Deputy National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), one of Nigerian opposition parties. With the appointment, announced in a letter jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the party, Chief …

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Nigerian-Americans pledge support to Biden

A coalition of Nigerian-American organisations in the US has pledged its support to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris. This was conveyed in a congratulatory message by the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians on behalf of 18 other professional, religious and socio-cultural bodies. “On behalf of Nigerian-American communities in the United States, please accept our warm congratulations on …

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US elections: China breaks silence, congratulates Biden, Harris

The Chinese government has on Friday, broken its silence on the US elections by congratulating the President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris, according to media reports. The reaction was attributed to China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin. “We respect the choice of the American people. We extend congratulations to Biden and Harris. “We understand the results of the US …

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What Joe Biden’s presidency could mean for Africa

“The morning of 7 November 2020 has shown the world that America’s long nightmare is finally over and better angels of our nature have prevailed,” writes David Monda* from New York. He analyses how the incoming Joe Biden’s administration will most likely interact with Africa, especially in the areas of economic relations and promotion of democracy.  —– The lesser angels …

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What does Joe Biden’s win mean for Africa?

The lesser angels of human nature seemed to have dominated the matrix of American politics for the past four years. However, the morning of November 7th, 2020 was historic for three reasons. On one hand, Americans had just come out in the largest numbers in living memory to vote for their 46th president. Secondly, they had elected the first woman to …

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