TheNewsGuru

Tag: U.S.

  • U.S. kills notorious Islamic State leader in northern Syria raid

    U.S. kills notorious Islamic State leader in northern Syria raid

    A U.S. helicopter raid in northern Syria killed a senior Islamic State leader who was in charge of planning attacks in the Middle East and Europe, Washington said on Monday.

    U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces killed Abd-al-Hadi Mahmud al-Haji Ali and two other operatives of the extremist militia organisation Islamic State, also known as ISIS, in a morning raid, the Pentagon said.

    The man was a senior Islamic State leader and “operational planner responsible for planning terror attacks in the Middle East and Europe,” CENTCOM said in a statement, adding that he was the target of the operation.

    The U.S. military said that the raid was launched after intelligence revealed an Islamic State plot to kidnap officials abroad to use as leverage for the terror group’s initiatives.

    “We know ISIS retains the desire to strike beyond the Middle East,” CENTCOM spokesperson Colonel Joe Buccino said.

    “This raid deals a significant blow to ISIS operations in the region but does not eliminate ISIS’ capability to conduct operations,” Buccino added.

    Earlier on Monday, CENTCOM had said that two armed individuals were killed in the operation, while no civilians were believed to have been  killed or wounded in the raid.

    Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, confirmed to dpa that the operation had taken place.

    Rahman said three people were killed – two on the site of the operation itself and a third – on the outskirts of a village.

    The observatory said the attack took place in the countryside of Jarabulus, east of Aleppo after midnight Sunday.

    U.S. forces were deployed to Syria in 2015 to assist the Syrian Kurds and their allies in the fight against Islamic State.

  • Nigerian-born academic, Nwauwa, receives Professor of Service Excellence award in U.S.

    Nigerian-born academic, Nwauwa, receives Professor of Service Excellence award in U.S.

    Apollos Nwauwa, a U.S.-based Nigerian historian and professor of Africana Studies, has received Professor of Service Excellence award for his outstanding achievement and excellence in public service.

    Nwauwa received the award at Bowling Green State University, Ohio, U.S.

    The Professorship of Service Excellence is conferred upon members of the faculty who hold the rank of professor.

    It is also conferred on members of the faculty who have established outstanding national and international recognition for professional service and/or public service through their work at the University.

    The award was presented to Nwauwa by the university’s President, Dr Rodney Rogers, and Dr Joe Whitehead, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, also of the university at the institution’s just concluded 34th Annual Faculty Award Ceremony.

    Speaking with NAN in New York on Sunday, Nwauwa thanked the university for the honour bestowed on him.

    “To be recognised and honoured with this prestigious award in a clime other than my country of birth is quite humbling, though I knew that I have been contributing my best within the context of my professional calling and to serving the university community and the public the best ways possible.

    “I never expected that my efforts would be considered the best among peers and to be rewarded with the title/award as Professor of Service Excellence.

    “The award means a lot to me, giving my humble beginnings in Nigeria and more so, earning it in an American university,’’ he said.

    Nwauwa attributed the height attained in his profession to the discipline and support from his parents, saying,” I attribute every stride I make in life to my upbringing in a polygamous home in a Nigerian countryside.

    “With a father who was principled and strict but who stressed the importance of hard work and dignity alongside my mother who was so loving and yet spared nothing in putting me aright, I was minted to face the world beyond them.

    “With 17 siblings in the family, rivalry and competition was intense, but we either played it safe and healthy or incurred the wrath of our father.

    “Our school system in the ‘70s complemented the family discipline.

    “I was a product of the boarding house system in high school and the discipline it inculcated in me through the university system prepared me well for my sojourn and success in Canada and the United States.’’

    NAN reports that the Nigerian- born professor who hails from Ekwe in Orlu, Imo State, earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from the then Bendel State University now Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State Nigeria.

    He received his M.A. and Ph.D. in History at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1989 and 1993 respectively and is a member of many learned societies.

    He has taught at many universities in Africa and America.

    Author and co-editor of more than 10 scholarly books and 40 research articles published in journals worldwide, Nwauwa’s most recent research piece on West African Elites has been published by Oxford University in its reference research encyclopedia on Africa.

    Nwauwa is Editor-in-Chief of Ofo Journal of Transatlantic Studies. He serves on the editorial board of several international journals.

    He has dedicated much of his professional life to giving back to Nigeria and Africa not only in terms of teaching and research but also by his mentoring presence.

    In 2016-2017, he took a one-year leave from his university to teach at the University of Calabar and was honoured with an award by his students for his devotion.

    Thereafter, he served as a visiting fellow at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

    Nwauwa is committed to turning brain drain into brain gain or brain circulation

  • Europe must not become U.S. follower in Taiwan Conflict – Macron

    Europe must not become U.S. follower in Taiwan Conflict – Macron

    French President Emmanuel Macron pointed to the risks Europe faces in the conflict over Taiwan in an interview published on Monday following a three-day state visit to China.

    “The worse thing would be to think that we Europeans must become followers on this topic and take our cue from the U.S. agenda and a Chinese overreaction,” he said.

    The interview was conducted earlier on Friday and published by the French newspaper Les Echos.

    “Europe should avoid falling into the trap of being caught in a foreign crisis.

    “Europe faced the threat of becoming a vassal between the United States and China, while it could instead be a third pole,” Macron said.

    The French president’s comments drew a heated reaction in Germany from across the political spectrum.

    Norbert Röttgen, a foreign policy spokesman for the opposition conservative CDU, told the mass-circulation Bild newspaper: “Macron appears to have taken leave of his senses.”

    He accused him of dividing and weakening Europe with naïve and dangerous rhetoric.

    Bijan Djir-Sarai, general secretary of the liberal FDP, a junior government partner, said the position taken up by Macron was not a sound strategy for Europe, as the US and Europe should work together.

    Speaking to the Tagesspiegel, Metin Hakverdi of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centre-left SPD said: “It is a serious mistake to allow ourselves as the West do be divided in our dealings with Beijing of all things.”

    Dietmar Bartsch of the hard-left Die Linke opposition party backed Macron’s aim of European strategic autonomy, as long as it was linked to becoming a force for peace in the world.

  • Trump released after arrest by U.S. police

    Trump released after arrest by U.S. police

    U.S. former President, Donald Trump, and front-runner for the Republican nomination in 2024, has been released after an arrest by the Police hours before his arraignment.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports how Trump was arrested on Tuesday, and how he pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records when he was arraigned in court.

    Trump appeared at Manhattan Criminal Courthouse in New York for approximately two hours total being processed and arraigned.

    Indicted last week, Trump is the first sitting or former president to face criminal charges, over a case involving a 2016 hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.

    Meanwhile, the White House Press Secretary on Tuesday refused to comment on the indictment and arraignment of Trump.

    Karine Jean-Pierre declined to answer any question on Trump’s arraignment during the media conference.

    According to Jean-Pierre, Joe Biden’s focus is on the American people today, not on his predecessor, and that they will not remark on legal proceedings.

    “This is playing on many of the networks … so, obviously, he will catch parts of the news … but this is not his focus for the day,” she said.

  • BREAKING: Ex-US president, Trump under arrest, pleads not guilty to 34 charges

    BREAKING: Ex-US president, Trump under arrest, pleads not guilty to 34 charges

    Former US President, Donald Trump has been arrested after surrendering himself to the police on arriving at the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports former President Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records.

    Trump is not expected to be handcuffed following his arrest, as he will remain under constant law enforcement protection.

    Trump was indicted on criminal charges in New York for his role in organising hush money payments made to an adult film star during his 2016 campaign.

    “Not guilty,” Trump said when asked how he pleaded in court today.

    The history-making indictment by the Manhattan grand jury on Thursday marks the first time a president has been charged in a criminal matter.

    The event marks the first time in U.S. history a current or former president has ever been charged with a crime.

    Taken together, the charges against Trump carry a maximum sentence of 136 years in prison under New York law but an actual prison sentence if he is convicted would almost certainly be far less than that.

    Trump, a 76-year-old, served as U.S. President from 2017 to 2021. Last November, he announced a bid to regain the presidency in 2024 for a second term in the White House.

  • Donald Trump to turn himself in, faces day in court

    Donald Trump to turn himself in, faces day in court

    Donald Trump, the ex-president, and front-runner for the Republican nomination in 2024, will appear in court on Tuesday to be fingerprinted, photographed, and formally charged in a watershed moment.

    This will be coming ahead of next year’s presidential election.

    Indicted last week, Trump is the first sitting or former president to face criminal charges, over a case involving a 2016 hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.

    He has said he is innocent and is due to plead not guilty.

    Trump, 76, will surrender amid tight security and expected street protests.

    Police made plans to separate supporters and critics outside the barricaded courthouse, where news outlets had lined up overnight to get access.

    Although Trump has drawn tens of thousands of fervent supporters to rallies across the country, it was unclear how many would travel to his heavily Democratic home town, where automobile travel is difficult.

    “We have to take back our Country and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote on social media shortly after arriving in New York from Florida on Monday.

    The arraignment, where Trump will be in court to hear charges and have a chance to enter a plea, was planned for 2:15 p.m. (1815 GMT) on Tuesday.

    “It won’t be a long day in court,” Joseph Tacopina, one of Trump’s lawyers, said on ABC.

    The specific charges reached by a grand jury were due to be disclosed on Tuesday.

    Yahoo News late on Monday said Trump would face 34 felony counts for falsification of business records.

    Any trial is at least more than a year away, legal experts said.

    An indictment, or even a conviction, does not legally prevent Trump from running for president.

    Judge Juan Merchan late on Monday ruled that five photographers will be admitted before the arraignment starts to take pictures for several minutes.

    Trump’s lawyers had urged him to keep them out, arguing they would worsen “an already almost circus-like atmosphere.”

    The District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, who led the investigation, will give a news conference afterwards.

    Trump and his allies have portrayed the case as politically motivated.

    Trump will return to Florida and deliver remarks from his Mar-a-Lago resort at 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday (0015 GMT on Wednesday), his office said.

    Bragg has faced harsh criticism from Trump and his office has received bomb threats in recent weeks.

    Security officials say they were not aware of credible threats surrounding Trump’s courtroom appearance.

    Mayor Eric Adams warned potential rabble-rousers to behave.

    “Our message is clear and simple: Control yourselves. New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger,” he told reporters.

    President Joe Biden, a Democrat who is widely expected to seek re-election and face a potential rematch against Trump, said he had faith in the New York police.

    The case has divided people in New York, where Trump’s name is emblazoned on buildings related to his business ventures.

    “It’s a terrific day. I hope it goes well and that he is eventually found guilty,” said New Jersey resident Robert Hoatson, 71, outside Trump Tower, where Trump stayed on Monday.

    Susan Miller said she hoped the show of support would “give him a little strength.”

    “He’s honest as the day is long,” she said.

    Trump’s lead has widened over rivals in the Republican Party’s presidential nominating contest, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday, conducted after news broke that he would face criminal charges.

    Some 48 per cent of Republicans say they want Trump to be their party’s presidential nominee, up from 44 per cent last month.

    Second-place Florida governor, Ron DeSantis fell from 30 per cent to around 19 per cent.

  • U.S. VP, Kamala Harris shares epic throwback photo of herself in Zambia

    U.S. VP, Kamala Harris shares epic throwback photo of herself in Zambia

    U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday took to Twitter to share an epic throwback photo of her young self in Zambia.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Harris was in Zambia after visiting Ghana and Tanzania as part of her week-long tour of Africa.

    She flew into Zambia from the Tanzanian commercial capital of Dar es Salaam, where she met President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday.

    Arriving in Zambia, the U.S. Vice President visited the National Assembly of the southern African nation where she took a replica photograph she took there years ago.

    See before and after photo shared by Kamala Harris on Twitter below:

    She tagged the before photo as Young Kamala Harris at the National Assembly of Zambia and the after photo as Vice President Kamala Harris at the National Assembly of Zambia.

    While the before and after photo of Harris has generated much reactions on social media, TNG reports the U.S. VP will meet with President Hakainde Hichilema and participate in other events.

    She is due to leave Zambia on Saturday and arrive back in the United States on Sunday.

    Harris is the latest U.S. government figure to visit African countries, after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as Washington strives to counter-balance growing Chinese and Russian influence on the continent.

  • U.S. announces increase in visa application fee

    U.S. announces increase in visa application fee

    The U.S. government has announced an increment for its non-migrant visa application fee effective from March 30.

    The U.S. Mission in Nigeria, which said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, disclosed that the increases were published in the Federal Register on March 28.

    According to the U.S. government, the changes is in line with the Department of State’s commitment to facilitating legitimate travel to the United States for both immigrant and nonimmigrant travellers.

    “The Department of State published a Final Rule regarding increases to certain non-immigrant visa application (NIV) processing fees and the Border Crossing Card (BCC) for Mexican citizens age 15 and over.

    “These increases were published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2023 and will be effective on May 30, 2023.

    “The fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs), and other non-petition based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from 160 dollars to 185 dollars,” it stated.

    The mission said that the fee for certain petition-based non-immigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) would increase from 190 dollars to 205 dollars.

    “The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) will increase from 205 dollars to 315 dollars.

    “NIV fees are set based on the actual cost of providing NIV services and are determined after conducting a study of the cost of these services

    “The Department uses an Activity-Based Costing (ABC) methodology to calculate, annually, the cost of providing consular services, including visa services.

    “The fees for most non-petition based NIVs were last updated in 2012, and certain other NIV fees were last updated in 2014,” it stated.

    According to the mission, other consular fees are not affected by this rule, including the waiver of the two-year residency required fee for certain exchange visitors.

    “The U.S. government also noted that Visas for work and tourism are essential to President Biden’s foreign policy, recognising the critical role international travel plays in the U.S. economy.

    “Fee information can be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, travel.state.gov, and on the websites of U.S. embassies and consulates,” it stated.

    Read full statement below:

    The Department of State is committed to facilitating legitimate travel to the United States for both immigrant and nonimmigrant travellers.

    The Department of State published a Final Rule regarding increases to certain nonimmigrant visa application (NIV) processing fees and the Border Crossing Card (BCC) for Mexican citizens age 15 and over.

    These increases were published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2023 and will be effective on May 30, 2023. The fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs), and other non-petition based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from $160 to $185.

    The fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190 to $205. The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) will increase from $205 to $315.

    NIV fees are set based on the actual cost of providing NIV services and are determined after conducting a study of the cost of these services. The Department uses an Activity-Based Costing (ABC) methodology to calculate, annually, the cost of providing consular services, including visa services. The fees for most non-petition based NIVs were last updated in 2012, and certain other NIV fees were last updated in 2014.

    Other consular fees are not affected by this rule, including the waiver of the two-year residency required fee for certain exchange visitors.

    Visas for work and tourism are essential to President Biden’s foreign policy, and we recognize the critical role international travel plays in the U.S. economy.

    Fee information can be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, travel.state.gov, and on the websites of U.S. embassies and consulates.

  • Guber polls: U.S to impose visa sanctions on election offenders

    Guber polls: U.S to impose visa sanctions on election offenders

    The United States Government says it will impose visa sanctions and available actions on those who undermined the Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections held on March 18.

    The Public Affairs Department of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

    This is also as the U.S government urged the Nigerian authorities to hold accountable and bring to justice any individuals found to have ordered or carried out efforts to intimidate voters and suppress voting during the election process.

    The statement read “Nigeria carried out the second round of its electoral process with gubernatorial and state assembly elections on March 18.

    “The United States is deeply troubled by the disturbing acts of violent voter intimidation and suppression that took place during those polls in Lagos, Kano and other states.

    “Members of the U.S. diplomatic mission observed the elections in Lagos and elsewhere and witnessed some of these incidents first-hand.

    “The use of ethnically charged rhetoric before, during, and after the gubernatorial election in Lagos was particularly concerning.

    “We commend all Nigerian political actors, religious and community leaders, youth, and citizens who have chosen to reject and speak out against such violence and inflammatory language, affirming Nigerians’ commitment to and respect for the democratic process.

    “We call on Nigerian authorities to hold accountable and bring to justice any individuals found to have ordered or carried out efforts to intimidate voters and suppress voting during the election process.

    “The United States likewise will consider all available actions, including additional visa restrictions, on individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Nigeria.”

    According to the Embassy, following the Feb. 25 national elections, the United States joined other international observers in urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve voting processes and technical elements that experienced flaws in that voting round.

    The Embassy stated that the March 18 elections appeared to have had significant operational improvements, as polling stations generally opened on time and most results were visible on an electronic viewing platform in a timely manner.

    “The United States renews its call for any challenges to election results to go through established legal processes, which must not be interfered with.

    “We further call on Nigerians to work together as they participate in and continue to strengthen the country’s vibrant democracy,” the Embassy stated.

  • FG directs implementation of 5-year U.S visa policy

    FG directs implementation of 5-year U.S visa policy

    The Federal Government has directed the full implementation of a new visa reciprocity policy for citizens of the U.S. with effect from March 1.

    This is contained in a statement by the Media Adviser to the Minister of Interior, Mr. Sola Fasure, in Abuja on Friday.

    According to Fasure, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, gave the directive following the approval for the implementation of the new Bilateral Consular Policy Agreements between both countries.

    The adviser said that the agreements, among others, include: The reciprocity of five-year tourist visa validity for U.S. citizens pursuant to Section 30 of the Immigration Act, 2015.

    Others are Extension of visa validity to three years for Diplomats and government officials between the citizens of both countries.

    Consequently, the minister directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to commence the implementation of the policy from March 1.

    It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the new Nigeria Visa Policy (NPV) in 2020, which amongst other things, promoted tourism.

    According to him, Tourist Visa falls under the Short Visit Visa (F5A) category.

    This, he said, was a policy in line with the President’s desire to boost cultural exchange and business between both nations.

    He added that as part of the agreement, the U.S. would implement a similar policy for Nigerians wishing to travel on Tourist Visas to the U.S., and for diplomats and officials visiting the country.

    Fasure said that the U.S., as part of the agreement, would extend Tourist Visa Validity for Nigerian citizens to five years.

    The minister also enjoined all registered voters in Nigeria to come out on the election day to exercise their franchise.

    He also promised a safe and secure environment before, during and after the general elections.

    Aregbesola said that while exercising their civil democratic right for the elections, it was important that all hands be on deck to make the exercise peaceful, safe and successful.

    “Internal movements have been restricted to the polling units. There will also be no movement of persons across national borders.

    “Law enforcement agencies are required to use all means necessary in providing security for lives and property at the polling units, in the streets and at the borders.

    “Every threat must be contained and assurances must be given for lives and property and for the success of the elections.”

    He also assured that the federal government has put in place all necessary measures to ensure the security of lives and property and the success of the elections.

    The minister further enjoined Nigerians to be calm and peaceful in their conduct, quietly cast their votes and shun any act capable of putting the nation’s democratic festival in jeopardy.

    He also admonished Nigerians to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agency or on the N-Alert application online.

    He wished all Nigerians a very peaceful and successful election.