Amidst economic challenges, National Assembly increases own budget by over N100 billion

Despite the nation’s economic challenges, federal lawmakers have raised their own allocation in the 2024 budget to an unprecedented N344.48 billion. The lawmakers increased by over 50 per cent the N197 billion proposed by President Bola Tinubu for them in the budget proposal submitted to them in November. Both the Senate and the House of … Read more

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon announces 78 new appointments to Order of Canada

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon has announced 78 new appointments to the Order of Canada — a list that includes activists, authors, artists, Indigenous leaders and other accomplished Canadians. Simon’s office announced three new appointments of “companions” — the highest level of the Order of Canada — 15 officers, including one honorary officer, and 59 members. A number of journalists were … Read more

Ukraine digs in as the West stumbles to keep up with Russian war production

“War,” said British philosopher, mathematician and pacifist Bertrand Russell, “does not determine who is right — only who is left.” Those words might be the perfect lens through which to view what probably lies ahead for Ukraine in the coming year as its troops dig in — and dig deep — along a front roughly 960 kilometres wide. … Read more

Could a Democrat Beat Rick Scott in Florida’s US Senate Race?

When Senator Joe Manchin announced that he wouldn’t seek reelection in West Virginia, Democrats’ uphill battle to maintain their Senate majority in 2024 became steeper. Manchin has long been viewed as the only Democrat who could win in deep red West Virginia—a state Donald Trump carried by nearly 40 points in the last presidential race. … Read more

Colorado leaders ask Congress to demand cease-fire between Israel and Hamas

More than 50 current and former elected officials, community leaders, religious leaders and representatives of nonprofit groups called Thursday for Colorado’s congressional delegation to push more forcefully for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas to stop the killing of civilians. “We must demand a cease-fire,” State Rep. Iman Jodeh said on the west steps of … Read more

Senate asks IGP to compel CAC RG to appear for budget defence

The Senate Committee on Finance has asked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to compel the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Ishaq, to appear before it within 24 hours to defend the commission’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year. Chairman of the Committee, Sani Musa, gave the directive on Wednesday after … Read more

Senate declares Umahi, Gaidam’s seats vacant

The Senate on Wednesday declared the seats of Ebonyi South and Yobe East Senatorial Districts vacant. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the seats vacant during plenary. The seats were declared vacant following appointments of David Umahi and Ibrahim Gaidam as ministers of work and police affairs respectively. Since their appointments as ministers, the two … Read more

Senate talks on war aid, border, drag on

WASHINGTON — White House and Senate negotiators dug in Sunday laboring to reach a U.S. border security deal that would unlock President Joe Biden’s request for billions of dollars worth of military aid for Ukraine and other national security needs before senators leave town for the holiday recess. The Biden administration, which is becoming more … Read more

Colorado Black lawmakers propose study of racial equity, solutions

Several state lawmakers want to zero in on deep-rooted disparities that are holding back Black Coloradans economically, from low homeownership to disproportionately high incarceration rates, and expand the search for solutions. That’s the aim of legislation unveiled Wednesday that would charge History Colorado, the state’s historical society, with undertaking a comprehensive study into the reverberations … Read more

U.S. ‘beginning’ internal discussions about renewing North American trade pact

For anyone with lingering night terrors from the last renegotiation of NAFTA, the notion of reopening the pact might evoke the trailer for a classic horror movie sequel: It’s baaaaa-aaaack.  But this time is different, says the U.S. envoy to Canada. In an interview with CBC News, Ambassador David Cohen said officials in his country have … Read more