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US Senator Mike Lee, Elon Musk calls for United States to dump NATO
Senator Mike Lee and Elon Musk have called for the United States to consider dumping the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, NATO. The House lawmaker had previously called the alliance which includes the United States and 31 other nations a “Cold War relic.” According to the senator, the NATO alliance
US Senator Mike Lee, Elon Musk calls for United States to dump NATO
Senator Mike Lee and Elon Musk have called for the United States to consider dumping the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, NATO.
The House lawmaker had previously called the alliance which includes the United States and 31 other nations a “Cold War relic.”
According to the senator, the NATO alliance has to come to a halt, describing it as a “great deal for Europe,” but a “raw deal for America.”
Similarly, tech billionaire, Elon Musk in an X post on Saturday night, backed the call for the United States to exit NATO.
An X user, @GuntherEagleman made a post with a caption, “it’s time to leave NATO and the UN”.
Reacting in agreement, the X owner shared the post on his handle and wrote, “I agree”.
NATO, an intergovernmental transnational military alliance has about 32 member states, 30 European and 2 North American.
US Senator Mike Lee, Elon Musk calls for United States to dump NATO
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Kano gov’t allocates N8bn for Ramadan feeding programme
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has revealed that his administration has allocated N8 billion for this year’s Ramadan feeding programme to support the less privileged during the fasting period. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Tofa, on Saturday. According to the statement, the governor who was represented
Kano gov’t allocates N8bn for Ramadan feeding programme
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has revealed that his administration has allocated N8 billion for this year’s Ramadan feeding programme to support the less privileged during the fasting period.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Tofa, on Saturday.
According to the statement, the governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Farouk Ibrahim, revealed this while speaking during the flag-off of the distribution of 1,250 cartons of dates donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, on Friday.
The governor emphasized the government’s commitment to alleviating hunger during the holy month.
“This year, we have allocated N8 billion for the Ramadan feeding programme to ensure that the less privileged have access to food during this sacred period,” Yusuf stated.
He expressed gratitude to the Consul-General of Saudi Arabia in Kano, Khalil Adamawi, for the donation, noting that this was the fourth time the state had received such humanitarian support from the Kingdom.
“The donation comes at the right time when we are making concerted efforts to provide food items to those in need, considering the economic hardship faced by citizens,” he added.
The governor also highlighted the increasing pressure on the state’s resources due to its reputation as the most peaceful state in Nigeria, which has attracted a growing population.
“Kano is the only inland of peace in northern Nigeria, and as a result, the pressure on the government, infrastructure, and healthcare system is enormous,” he said.
The governor used the occasion to appeal to the Saudi Arabian government to consider building a psychiatric hospital and renovating the Displaced Children Camp in Kano to improve the well-being of vulnerable groups.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation, Adamu Kibiya, commended Saudi Arabia for its continued humanitarian support, describing the Kingdom as a strong pillar of humanitarian affairs globally.”
Meanwhile, the Consul-General, Ahmad Adamawi, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Kano State, particularly in humanitarian aid.
Kano gov’t allocates N8bn for Ramadan feeding programme
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Akpabio: Provide evidence of sexual harassment – Igbo group challenges Natasha
Igbo United Professionals, IUP, has challenged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to provide evidence of her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This came after the female Senator threatened to release evidence to prove her allegation against Akpabio. She spoke in reaction to a defence put up by Akpabio’s wife Unoma, in favour of her
Akpabio: Provide evidence of sexual harassment – Igbo group challenges Natasha
Igbo United Professionals, IUP, has challenged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to provide evidence of her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
This came after the female Senator threatened to release evidence to prove her allegation against Akpabio.
She spoke in reaction to a defence put up by Akpabio’s wife Unoma, in favour of her husband.
However, the IPU, in a statement signed on Saturday by its President, Chief Emmanuel Ikechukwu-Jonathan and made available to newsmen in Enugu, said Senator Natasha was diverting attention from her needless action on the floor of the Senate.
He said, “We have been following up the happenings at the hallowed Chamber of the Senate since the Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan feud with the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“From our observations and investigations, the cause of the whole issue started with the reallocation of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat to a different location in the Chamber by the leadership of the Senate due to some Senators who decamped to the All Progressive Congress (APC) from the opposition parties.
“Based on the rules of the Senate, we are made to know that the leadership of the Senate is empowered to allocate and reallocate seats to Senators and this has been happening to other Senators on several occasions. It is not only peculiar to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
The group maintained that the said act displayed by the female Senator was a disgrace and disrespect to the constituted authority of the Senate, which demands a public apology before whatever objection or evidence she is putting forward.
“We also gathered that part of her disaffection with the Senate leadership was because she was dropped from the chairmanship of the Local Content Committee.
“It is pertinent to note that she was appointed as Chairman of a committee immediately she came to the Senate at the mercy of the Senate President, it is a privilege and not a right.
“The rules of the Senate empowers the Senate President to appoint whoever should be a Committee Chairman or a member. So she can’t because she was dropped from the Chairmanship of a committee to disrespect the Senate President,” the group explained.
The group commended Senator Ireti Kingibe for coming out to clarify Nigerians on the true picture of the happenings in the Senate and corroborating the fact that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was flouting the rules of the Senate.
They said that Senator Kingibe’s revelation also laid to rest Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s emotional blackmail against the Senate as an institution and the Senate President.
While calling on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to come forward with evidences of the said harassment, the group said, “Section 131 of the Evidence Act states that any person who desires any Court to give judgment as to any legal right or liability dependent on the existence of facts shall assert and prove that those facts exist.”
“We have seen pictures of the Akpabio family visiting the Akpoti-Uduaghan’s family which implies that they are very close. So, why did she not make use of her cordiality with the Akpabio family to start addressing the challenges she was experiencing if her allegations were anything close to the truth,” IUP queried.
The group commended the wife of the Senate President, Her Excellency, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, for standing by her husband.
Akpabio: Provide evidence of sexual harassment – Igbo group challenges Natasha
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Pope Francis recovering, breathing stable — Vatican
Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for two weeks with double pneumonia, is in a “stable” condition, with no recurrence of the previous day’s breathing crisis, the Vatican said on Saturday. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church is still receiving oxygen but has no fever, has been eating, is alert, and praying, the
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Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for two weeks with double pneumonia, is in a “stable” condition, with no recurrence of the previous day’s breathing crisis, the Vatican said on Saturday. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church is still receiving oxygen but has no fever, has been eating, is alert, and praying, the
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Trump orders new tariff probe into US lumber imports
President Donald Trump of the United States on Saturday ordered a new trade probe that could heap more tariffs on imported lumber. This is adding to existing duties on Canadian softwood lumber and 25% tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican goods due next week. Trump, in his third new tariff probe in a week, signed
Trump orders new tariff probe into US lumber imports
President Donald Trump of the United States on Saturday ordered a new trade probe that could heap more tariffs on imported lumber.
This is adding to existing duties on Canadian softwood lumber and 25% tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican goods due next week.
Trump, in his third new tariff probe in a week, signed a memo ordering Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to initiate a national security investigation into the US lumber imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
The trade law is the one Trump also used to impose tariffs on global steel and aluminum imports.
The probe, it was gathered, covers derivative products made from lumber which could include furniture such as kitchen cabinets, which in some cases are made of the US lumber that had been exported.
According to the order, the Commerce Department investigation must be completed within 270 days.
Trump also ordered new steps within 90 days to increase the domestic supply of lumber by streamlining the permitting process for harvesting lumber from public lands and improving the salvage of fallen trees from forests and waterways.
The order calls for new or updated agency guidance to facilitate increased timber production, including quicker approvals for forestry projects under the Endangered Species Act.
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said the lumber import probe would counteract the actions of big lumber exporters including Canada, Germany and Brazil, which he said were dumping lumber into our markets at the expense of both our economic prosperity and national security.
“That stops today with a pair of Trumpian actions designed to both bolster supply of and demand for American timber and lumber,” he said.
Trump orders new tariff probe into US lumber imports
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US delivers $4 billion in military aid to Israel
United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio on Saturday signed a declaration to expedite delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel. In a statement, Rubio said the Trump administration, which took office on January 20, has approved nearly $12 billion in major foreign military sales to Israel. He added that the administration
US delivers $4 billion in military aid to Israel
United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio on Saturday signed a declaration to expedite delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel.
In a statement, Rubio said the Trump administration, which took office on January 20, has approved nearly $12 billion in major foreign military sales to Israel.
He added that the administration will continue to use all available tools to fulfill America’s long-standing commitment to Israel’s security, including means to counter security threats.
The US Secretary of States said he had used emergency authority to expedite the delivery of military assistance to Israel to its Middle East ally, now in a fragile ceasefire with Hamas militants in their war in Gaza.
The Pentagon on Friday said the State Department had approved the potential sale of nearly $3 billion worth of bombs, demolition kits and other weaponry to Israel.
The administration notified Congress of those prospective weapons sales on an emergency basis.
This is sidestepping a long-standing practice of giving the chairs and ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees the opportunity to review the sale and ask for more information before making a formal notification to Congress.
The announcements on Friday marked the second time in recent weeks that President Donald Trump’s administration has declared an emergency to quickly approve weapons sales to Israel.
US delivers $4 billion in military aid to Israel
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Trump signs executive order designating English as official language of United States
United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the country. The order, which was signed on Saturday, allows government agencies and organisations that receive federal funding to choose whether to continue to offer documents and services in languages other than English. This rescinds a mandate from
Trump signs executive order designating English as official language of United States
United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the country.
The order, which was signed on Saturday, allows government agencies and organisations that receive federal funding to choose whether to continue to offer documents and services in languages other than English.
This rescinds a mandate from former United States president Bill Clinton that required the government and organisations that received federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.
“Establishing English as the official language will not only streamline communication but also reinforce shared national values, and create a more cohesive and efficient society,” according to the order.
“In welcoming new Americans, a policy of encouraging the learning and adoption of our national language will make the United States a shared home and empower new citizens to achieve the American dream.
“Speaking English not only opens doors economically, but it helps newcomers engage in their communities, participate in national traditions, and give back to our society,” the order also stated.
Trump had few days ago planned to sign the executive order.
The United States, in its nearly 250-year history, is said to have never had a national language at the federal level.
Trump signs executive order designating English as official language of United States
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Israel agrees on US plan for temporary ceasefire in Gaza
The office of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday said Israel will adopt the proposal by the US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza for the Ramadan and Passover periods. The PM’s office stated that on the first day of Witkoff’s proposal, half of the hostages held
Israel agrees on US plan for temporary ceasefire in Gaza
The office of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday said Israel will adopt the proposal by the US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza for the Ramadan and Passover periods.
The PM’s office stated that on the first day of Witkoff’s proposal, half of the hostages held in Gaza, both alive and dead, will be released, adding that the remaining hostages will also be released after a permanent ceasefire was agreed.
Netanyahu’s office added that Witkoff made the proposal to extend the current ceasefire after realizing more time was needed for talks on a permanent ceasefire.
According to Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem earlier on Saturday, the group rejected Israel’s formulation of extending the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, but did not explicitly mention Witkoff’s plan.
Netanyahu’s office further stated that Israel would immediately conduct negotiations on Witkoff’s plan if Hamas agreed to it.
“According to the agreement, Israel can return to fighting after the 42nd day if it feels that the negotiations are ineffective,” Netanyahu’s office said.
Two Palestinian officials familiar with the negotiation said that Israel refused to enter the second phase of the agreement or start negotiations about it.
Instead, Israel requested an extension of the first phase, conditioned on the handover of a number of alive prisoners and bodies for each week of extension.
Hamas, however, rejected and insisted on adhering to the agreement, entering the second phase, and obliging Israel to what was agreed upon.
Israel agrees on US plan for temporary ceasefire in Gaza
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Again, US federal workers hit with emails demanding job details
The administration of President Donald Trump of the United States has sent out a second round of emails demanding all federal employees to summarize their work over the past week after the first effort a week ago fizzled. It was gathered that the emails from the government’s human resources arm, the US Office of Personnel
Again, US federal workers hit with emails demanding job details
The administration of President Donald Trump of the United States has sent out a second round of emails demanding all federal employees to summarize their work over the past week after the first effort a week ago fizzled.
It was gathered that the emails from the government’s human resources arm, the US Office of Personnel Management, were sent to multiple agencies, asking workers to list five things they accomplished during the week.
The move marks a renewed push by billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, team to assess the performance of government employees as the administration looks to mass layoffs to dramatically trim the federal footprint.
“The President has made it clear that this is mandatory for the executive branch. “Anyone working on classified or other sensitive matters is still required to respond if they receive the email, but can simply reply that their work is sensitive,” Musk wrote on X.
The tech billionaire attempted a similar tack last week, along with a threat that noncompliant workers could be fired, but he was stymied when some agencies such as the State and Justice Departments told their employees to stick to the chain of command.
The Office of Personnel Management, OPM, informed agencies that responding to the emails was voluntary.
However, Musk, with Trump’s backing, continued to press for the emails as a means they said to hold workers accountable.
Both men suggested that some federal employees on the payroll do not exist.
The second round of emails is said to not include any threat of retaliation for noncompliance but says workers are expected to send responses at the beginning of each work week.
Again, US federal workers hit with emails demanding job details
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US judge declares Trump’s firing of watchdog agency head illegal
A United States’ judge on Saturday declared President Donald Trump’s firing of the head of a federal watchdog agency illegal. District Judge, Amy Berman Jackson in Washington had previously ruled that Hampton Dellinger, the head of the Office of Special Counsel who is responsible for protecting whistleblowers, could remain in his post pending a ruling.
US judge declares Trump’s firing of watchdog agency head illegal
A United States’ judge on Saturday declared President Donald Trump’s firing of the head of a federal watchdog agency illegal.
District Judge, Amy Berman Jackson in Washington had previously ruled that Hampton Dellinger, the head of the Office of Special Counsel who is responsible for protecting whistleblowers, could remain in his post pending a ruling.
Jackson stated that his efforts to protect federal employees generally, and whistleblowers in particular, from unlawful treatment will continue.
According to lawyers for the Trump administration, the order keeping Dellinger in place is an encroachment on Trump’s authority over officials serving in his administration.
Jackson, who was named to the bench by President Barack Obama, rejected the argument, saying that the statute is unconstitutional and that the Special Counsel’s job is to review unethical or unlawful practices directed at federal civil servants and help whistleblowers act without suffering reprisals.
“It would be ironic, to say the least, and inimical to the ends furthered by the statute if the Special Counsel himself could be chilled in his work by fear of arbitrary or partisan removal,” Jackson wrote.
The Trump administration had previously urged the US Supreme Court, which has already delayed a ruling in the case, to get involved earlier this week.
The US president has also requested to rein in the independence of federal agencies like the Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission and Federal Communications Commission and a ruling in Dellinger’s case could help determine the extent of his authority to do so.
Jackson said her ruling was extremely narrow and did not diminish Trump’s powers.
Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris said earlier that Dellinger’s continued work as special counsel was harming the Trump administration, pointing to Dellinger’s role on Tuesday in halting the firings of six probationary government workers the administration had sought to fire.
Jackson said in her ruling Saturday that upholding Trump’s ability to fire Dellinger would give him a constitutional license to bully officials in the executive branch into doing his will.
US judge declares Trump’s firing of watchdog agency head illegal
