Connect with us

International News

US House Of Reps Expels Rep. George Santos

Published

on

In an era marking move, the United States’ House of Representatives democratically approved to expel Rep George Santos (Republican, New York) from the house.

The move, finalised Friday makes him the sixth Representative to be so expelled in US history.

The Reps acted on the House’s Ethics Committee investigation, which considered allegations of fraud carried out by Rep Santos campaign, following months of scandals.

The freshman, Republican, Santos, 35, had made public his intention not to seek reelection to the Long Island-area seat he won in 2022.

His stance was that voluntarily relinquishing his position would have amounted to victory for the “bullies”.

As at Thursday, he counted on the power of the electorate to save him. On the floor of the House, Santos said, “I will not stand by quietly. The people of the Third District of New York sent me here. If they want me out, they’re going to have to go silence those people and take the hard vote.”

However, when the matter came up before the House on Friday, members voted 311 for and 114 against to expel Santos.

Seeing that the odds were against him, he left the house angrily before voting on his matter was concluded.

Remarkably, 105 Republicans voted to boot Santos out, while 112 voted for him to remain.

Reps. Bobby Scott of Virginia and Nikema Williams of Georgia were the only two Democrats to vote against expelling Santos.

When journalists sought his reaction after the ballot, Santos countered, “It’s over. What reaction?”

And it seems that he had turned his back on the House. His response to if he would use his privileges as a former congressman to visit the House floor in the future pointed to finality.

“To hell with this place,” he said.

Santos had survived one expulsion attempt last month, as an effort pushed forth by other New York Republicans fell short, with some legislators expressing concern about setting a precedent of removing a colleague from office before they’ve been formally convicted of a crime.

However, a number of votes were expected to flip against him after the congressional report indicated that he expended money on things like Botox luxury shopping and the adult content website OnlyFans.

Following the vote, Santos’s seat will be immediately vacated and the already slim Republican majority under House Speaker Mike Johnson will narrow further.

A special election to fill his seat in the competitive district will likely happen within three months. Johnson and other members of GOP leadership, including Steve Scalise and Elise Stefanik, voted against the expulsion.

 

With agency reports

International News

ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Others

Published

on

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step, issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza.

In a detailed statement, the ICC accused the Israeli leaders of “intentionally and knowingly depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”

READ MORE: Osun Govt Decries Attempted Murder Of Park Mgt  Chairman By Police

The ICC’s move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu and Gallant are alleged to have orchestrated policies that caused severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.

Alongside the charges against Israeli officials, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Deif has long been a central figure in Hamas’s military operations. Israel’s military claims to have killed him in a July airstrike, although this has not been independently verified.

The warrants highlight growing calls for accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The ICC’s actions are likely to provoke heated debate and may complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.

With the warrants issued, global attention now turns to how the international community will respond and whether any practical steps will be taken to enforce them.

Continue Reading

International News

COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations

Published

on

As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP29) nears its conclusion, tensions are rising over a newly published funding proposal aimed at assisting developing nations in addressing climate-induced crises.

The proposal, released by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Thursday, has sparked widespread debate among delegations, activists, and observers at the summit.

The document, spanning ten pages, outlines funding options to support developing countries in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

READ ALSO: Osun Explains N75,000 New Minimum Wage

However, it fails to specify how much wealthier nations are required to contribute annually—a key sticking point that has drawn criticism from the Global South and climate advocates.

Ambiguity in Funding Commitments

Critics argue that the absence of concrete figures undermines the credibility of the proposed framework.

Mohamed Adow, Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, described the proposal as “a blank piece of paper,” highlighting the lack of clarity on financial commitments.

“This is the ‘finance COP.’ We came here to talk about money. The way you measure money is with numbers. We need a cheque, but all we have right now is a blank piece of paper,” Adow remarked during an interview.

The Global South, led by African delegations, is demanding at least $1.3 trillion annually by the end of the decade to adapt to climate change impacts and transition to sustainable energy systems.

Yet, developed nations have yet to commit to a specific annual figure, raising concerns over the summit’s ability to deliver tangible outcomes.

Key Provisions and Concerns

The new text acknowledges the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations and the financial barriers they face, including high costs of capital and limited fiscal space.

READ ALSO: NNPCL Launches Utapate Crude Oil Blend, Eyes Production Expansion In 2025

It proposes the establishment of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, suggesting a framework of “at least USD [X] trillion annually” from 2025 to 2035.

However, the absence of defined numbers has led to frustration among negotiators.

David Tong, Global Industry Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, emphasized the critical role of finance in achieving meaningful progress.

“Without finance, there is no phase-out [of fossil fuels], no energy transition, no adaptation. The ambitious options are simply missing,” Tong stated during a press briefing.

Rising Frustration from the Global South

Delegates from the Global South have expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as weak commitments from developed nations.

Many fear that without concrete financial pledges, the summit’s outcomes may fall short of expectations.

“This summit is about delivering justice to those who suffer most from climate impacts. Wealthy nations must step up and provide the necessary funding,” said an African negotiator, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A Critical Juncture

With less than 48 hours remaining in the summit, the stakes are high. The COP29 negotiations in Baku, dubbed the “finance COP,” are expected to set a precedent for addressing the financial needs of vulnerable nations.

Delegates are calling on world leaders to finalize an ambitious NCQG target and bridge the growing divide between developed and developing nations.

 

 

Continue Reading

International News

Biden Approves Anti-Personnel Mines For Ukraine

Published

on

In a significant policy move, U.S. President Joe Biden has authorised the transfer of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, signaling heightened support for the country amid its ongoing struggle against Russian forces.

The decision underscores the administration’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capabilities as the conflict shows no signs of abating.

This announcement follows reports that Ukrainian forces have employed U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to conduct precision strikes within Russian territory.

These developments have reportedly prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to modify elements of Russia’s nuclear doctrine, further intensifying global scrutiny of the conflict’s escalation.

READ MORE: Vinicius Jr. Honors Cameroonian Roots Ahead Of Brazil’s Clash With Uruguay

In addition to the mines, the U.S. is set to unveil a new $275 million military aid package for Ukraine in the coming days. The package is expected to include a range of munitions and equipment aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s operational readiness.

This move aligns with Washington’s broader strategy to maintain robust support for Kyiv, even as questions loom over potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy with the approaching transition to a new administration.

The U.S. government has remained steadfast in its support for Ukraine, with officials emphasizing that these measures are essential for helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty. The provision of anti-personnel mines, however, marks a controversial step, reflecting the urgency of the situation on the ground.

As the conflict continues, the Biden administration’s decisions will likely have profound implications not only for Ukraine but also for the broader geopolitical landscape, where tensions remain high and outcomes uncertain.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.