Harvard Faces $2.2bn Funding Freeze After Defying Trump’s Demands
Harvard University faced a $2.2 billion freeze in federal funding on Monday after it declined to comply with a series of broad demands from the White House aimed at combating anti-Semitism on campus. The call for changes to its governance, hiring practices, and admissions procedures expands a list Harvard received on April 3, which ordered officials to shut diversity offices...
Pope’s Death: Italy Declares Five Days National Mourning
In response to Pope Francis' passing, the Italian government has proclaimed a five-day period of national mourning. The flags in front of public buildings are flying at half-mast. Strict security measures are in place in the Italian capital ahead of the funeral services and burial on Saturday. Top-level dignitaries from all over the world are expected to attend. At his own request, Francis,...
Ukraine, Russia Conduct Another POW Swap Amid Ongoing Conflict
Ukraine and Russia conducted their fourth prisoner of war exchange in a week, following agreements made in Istanbul earlier this month. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the swap on social media, stating, “We continue to take our people out of Russian captivity.” Russia’s defence ministry said another group of Russian servicemen was returned from territory controlled by Kyiv. Kyiv also...
US Decision To Provide New Military Aid To Ukraine Only Protracts Hostilities – Ivan Nechaev
The decision by the United States to provide a new military aid package to Ukraine only protracts combat operations and fails to contribute to settling the conflict, Russian Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Ivan Nechaev told a press briefing on Thursday. "On August 8, the United States announced allocating an aid worth $1 billion to Ukraine. Thus, the US total military...
BREAKING: South Africa’s COVID-19 Lockdown Extended By 2 Weeks
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that SA’s lockdown will be extended by two weeks. The lockdown was implemented to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial lockdown would have only been for 21 days, but Ramaphosa, in a televised address to the nation on Thursday evening, said SA was at the beginning of a monumental struggle and could not...
Trump Suggests Potential 80% Reduction In China Tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump indicated on Friday that he may consider reducing tariffs on Chinese imports ahead of scheduled trade talks with Chinese officials this weekend. “80% tariff on China seems right!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, suggesting a potential reduction from current cumulative duties, which can reach as high as 245 percent on some goods. He added that...
Paris Peace Forum: President Buhari Calls For Objective Distribution Of COVID-19 Vaccines
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Paris, France, urged world leaders and global health institutions to follow a regime of enabling access to the COVID-19 vaccines. Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman in a statement, said Buhari, who stated this while delivering a keynote statement at the Paris Peace Forum (PPF), admonished that sidelining countries in terms of reach would...
War: Russia Military Begins Drills On Nuclear Weapons Over Comments By France, UK
Russian forces have started military drills near Ukraine simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons. This is in response to what Russia deems threats from the United States of America, the United Kingdom and their allies. It also concerns the western increased involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Guardian, UK, reports that President Vladimir Putin ordered the drills earlier this month Russian officials...
Trump To Maintain US Food Aid Funding Despite Shutdown
US President Donald Trump appeared to issue a lifeline Friday for low-income Americans reliant on food aid, saying he does not want them to “go hungry” a day before some 42 million people could lose their monthly assistance. In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump said “Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay” the Supplemental...
COVID-19: 25 Million Jobs Could Be Lost, Says Labour Organization
The International Labour Congress says almost 25 million jobs could be lost worldwide as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. He said the finding was according to a new assessment by the ILO. He said, “An initial assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the global world of...
