World News

Ukrainian, European officials descend on Capitol Hill to press for funding on December 6, 2023 at 12:00 am

Published

2 years ago

December 6, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dispatched his closest political allies, president of the Ukrainian parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and head of his office, Andriy Yermak, to lobby lawmakers on following through on support for Ukraine.

“We are facing a war of attrition again,” Yermak said at the U.S. Institute of Peace, rallying support for Ukraine’s “peace formula” calling for Russia to withdraw from Ukrainian territory.

“It’s very difficult for our people, but Ukrainians are still very motivated.”

The White House has sounded the alarm to Congress that it has run out of funds to supply Ukraine with weapons and is pushing lawmakers to approve $60 billion in aid that is expected to last throughout 2024.

But House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has conditioned moving more Ukraine aid on changes to immigration policy beyond what the White House had proposed in its broader package of $100 billion — to also include aid for Israel and Taiwan.

“I explained that supplemental Ukraine funding is dependent upon enactment of transformative change to our nation’s border security laws,” Johnson wrote in a letter sent to the White House on Tuesday.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a stalwart supporter of Ukraine, told The Hill “we are going to keep pressing,” when asked if Johnson would block aid if there was no resolution on immigration policy.

“This is so important, we will reach agreement.”

Politicians and officials from Poland, and the Baltic States — Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia — met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week, underscoring the urgency of American support. And newly appointed U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron will arrive in Washington on Wednesday to meet with Biden administration officials and lawmakers over the importance of continued support for Ukraine and on the conflict in the Middle East.

Nearly two years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, fractures are emerging in Europe’s solidarity for Ukraine.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is an outlier in the European Union for pushing back against stalwart support for Ukraine, is seeing his position gain more support after far-right politicians have been elected in Slovakia and the Netherlands.

“We are here… to tell our colleagues on the Hill how important today is, the decision you are thinking about, and hopefully soon you’re making the decision,” said Marko Mihkelson, an Estonian lawmaker and chair of the foreign affairs committee.

“Last time the world order collapsed, my country, a Baltic nation, lost its independence for 50 years.”

Mihkelson was in Washington a week after visiting Zelensky in Kyiv, and following a trip to Israel with his foreign affairs parliamentary colleagues from Latvia and Lithuania a week after the Hamas Oct. 7 attacks.

“This is extremely important today to support Ukraine, to support Israel, to support Taiwan, support all democracies around the world to stand against autocracies who would like to run over our rules-based world order.”

Rihards Kols, Latvian parliamentarian and chair of the foreign affairs committee, pleaded with U.S. lawmakers, at an event on Capitol Hill urging support for Ukraine and Israel.

“I’ve seen too much with my own eyes, both traveling to Ukraine, speaking to Ukrainians, traveling to Israel, speaking to citizens of Israel,” he said of visiting the country in mid-October.

“It sickens me to my stomach when there’s the question, do we need to assist? It’s not a question, we must. And that is something that I wish the Senate takes to their discussion and to the U.S. citizens as well.”

Sen Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who attended the event with his European colleagues, told The Hill there’s “good faith” on the part of Democrats and Republicans to come to an agreement on Ukraine aid.

“We’re going to continue to work with our Republican colleagues, they understand how important Ukraine aid is, I think we have the support here to get this done.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has set into motion an expected vote in the Senate on Wednesday to move forward on Biden’s supplemental request.

Cardin, responding to a question on uncertainty over the potential Wednesday vote, said the Senate would “continue to work on this until it gets done.”

“We’re not planning for a defeat, we’re planning for a victory.”

Mihkelson, speaking to The Hill after leaving Washington, said he was optimistic following his meetings with lawmakers — which included House Freedom Caucus members who are largely opposed to Ukraine aid — that Congress will deliver on assistance. But he raised concern about long-term commitments.

“And then it’s a question of generally, strategy of the United States and how can we be sure that support will be prolonged, under the [potentially] new administration as well, next year,” he said.

But Republicans leaving a classified briefing Tuesday afternoon on Ukraine expressed extreme frustration over a breakdown in talks with Democrats over GOP demands for changes to U.S. policy on the southern border.

“We want to help Ukraine and Israel, but we have to have Democrats recognize that the trade here is, the deal is, we stop the open border. They don’t want to do that,” Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said, leaving the classified briefing early.

“There’s no reason to sit and listen to people talking about how important it is to help Israel, Ukraine. We know that, I agree with that fully,” he said. Noting Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) backs Ukraine funding, Romney added, “but he has insisted that we also secure our border and that was in the president’s request from the very beginning of the supplemental.”

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), leaving the briefing after Romney, was downbeat.

“Republicans will have to live with the fact that our sons and daughters will be over, fighting when [Russian President] Vladimir Putin marches into a NATO country. They will rue the day that they decided to play politics with the future of Ukraine security,” Murphy said.

“A cynic would believe that Republicans have made this immigration demand because they want Ukraine funding to go down. We need to have a discussion with Republicans that’s thoughtful and reasonable, and that hasn’t happened yet.”

Ukrainian and eastern European officials are applying a full court press on Washington this week, trying to unstick Senate talks stalled over GOP demands to link Ukraine aid with U.S. policy changes on the southern border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dispatched his closest political allies, president of the Ukrainian parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and head of his office, Andriy…

Business

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT RETURNS FOR ITS 5TH EDITION AT THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT – HOUSE OF LORDS, PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

Published

1 week ago

May 16, 2026

Bolanle Media Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Theme: “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation”

London, United Kingdom — The Global Sustainability Summit (GSS) is officially back for its landmark 5th Edition, continuing its legacy as one of the leading international platforms driving sustainable development, climate action, ethical investment, innovation, and global collaboration.

Convened annually at the prestigious British Parliament, House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, by Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto, the Summit has, over the last four years, successfully fostered international dialogue and partnerships that have contributed to the advancement of global sustainability goals, the establishment of sustainability-focused ministries, departments and policy structures across national and subnational governments, and the attraction of major investors into sustainable development projects, corporations and emerging economies.

This year’s summit, themed “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation,” will explore how emerging technologies, responsible leadership, sustainable finance, innovation, and global partnerships can shape a more inclusive, resilient and environmentally conscious future.

The 5th Edition promises to be the most impactful yet, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, diplomats, investors, academics, innovators, climate experts and youth leaders from across the globe to discuss actionable solutions toward achieving a sustainable and equitable future.

Among the distinguished speakers, delegates and honorees already lined up for the Summit are:

• His Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq — Executive Governor of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum

• His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Otu — Executive Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria

• Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano — Former Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Former Foreign Minister of Mexico

• Lord Marvin Rees, Baron Rees of Easton OBE — Member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom

• Hon. Neema K. Lugangira — Secretary-General of Women Political Leaders (WPL), Brussels and Former Member of Parliament

• Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah — President of the Republic of Namibia

• His Excellency Nangolo Mbumba — Former President of Namibia

• Former President of Tanzania

• Her Excellency Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq — First Lady of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairperson of Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum

• Your Excellency Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, PhD, CON — Executive Governor of Katsina State and Chairman of the Northwest Governors Forum, Nigeria

• Hon. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma — Governor of Khomas Region, Namibia

• H.E. Mr. Veiccoh Nghiwete — High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to the United Kingdom

• Her Excellency Ms. Macenje “Che Che” Mazoka — High Commissioner of Zambia to the United Kingdom

• Ms. Danielle Newman — Partner Lead, ICT, World Economic Forum

• Leanne Elliott Young — Co-founder, Institute of Digital Fashion & CommuneEast

• Ms. Chloe Russell — Producer & Presenter, Art, Science and Nature

• Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger — University of Cambridge & University of Waterloo

• Dr. Alexandra R. Harrington — IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL)

• Professor Payam Akhavan — Massey College, University of Toronto

• Mr. Mallai C. E. Sathya — President, Dravida Vetri Kazhagam and International Movement for Tamil Culture Asia

The Summit will feature high-level panel discussions, strategic investment conversations, sustainability awards, policy dialogues, innovation showcases, youth engagement sessions and international networking opportunities focused on climate resilience, ethical financing, food-water-energy sustainability, circular economy, artificial intelligence, diplomacy and sustainable development.

Speaking ahead of the Summit, Convener Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto noted:

“As the world rapidly evolves through artificial intelligence and technological innovation, we must ensure that sustainability remains people-centered, environmentally responsible and economically inclusive. The Global Sustainability Summit continues to serve as a bridge connecting governments, institutions, innovators and investors to accelerate practical sustainability solutions globally. Our fifth edition is not only a celebration of progress made over the years, but also a renewed call for global collaboration and actionable impact toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Net Zero ambitions.”

The Global Sustainability Summit continues to position itself as a catalyst for transformative partnerships and sustainable global progress, reinforcing the urgent need for collective action toward a more resilient and sustainable future.

More announcements regarding additional speakers, partners and summit activities will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

News

US May Completely Cut Income Tax Due to Tariff Revenue

Published

6 months ago

November 30, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

President Donald Trump says the United States might one day get rid of federal income tax because of money the government collects from tariffs on imported goods. Tariffs are extra taxes the U.S. puts on products that come from other countries.

What Trump Is Saying

Trump has said that tariff money could become so large that it might allow the government to cut income taxes “almost completely.” He has also talked about possibly phasing out income tax over the next few years if tariff money keeps going up.

How Taxes Work Now

Right now, the federal government gets much more money from income taxes than from tariffs. Income taxes bring in trillions of dollars each year, while tariffs bring in only a small part of that total. Because of this gap, experts say tariffs would need to grow by many times to replace income tax money.

Questions From Experts

Many economists and tax experts doubt that tariffs alone could pay for the whole federal budget. They warn that very high tariffs could make many imported goods more expensive for shoppers in the United States. This could hit lower- and middle‑income families hardest, because they spend a big share of their money on everyday items.

What Congress Must Do

The president can change some tariffs, but only Congress can change or end the federal income tax. That means any real plan to remove income tax would need new laws passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. So far, there is no detailed law or full budget plan on this idea.

What It Means Right Now

For now, Trump’s comments are a proposal, not a change in the law. People and businesses still have to pay federal income tax under the current rules. The debate over using tariffs instead of income taxes is likely to continue among lawmakers, experts, and voters.

News

Epstein Files to Be Declassified After Trump Order

Published

6 months ago

November 20, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to declassify all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in 2019 continues to fuel controversy and speculation.

The order, signed Wednesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, instructs the FBI, Department of Justice, and intelligence agencies to release documents detailing Epstein’s network, finances, and alleged connections to high-profile figures. Trump described the move as “a step toward transparency and public trust,” promising that no names would be shielded from scrutiny.

“This information belongs to the American people,” Trump said in a televised statement. “For too long, powerful interests have tried to bury the truth. That ends now.”

U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that preparations for the release are already underway. According to sources familiar with the process, the first batch of documents is expected to be made public within the next 30 days, with additional releases scheduled over several months.

Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the decision as a bold act of accountability, while critics alleged it was politically motivated, timed to draw attention during a volatile election season. Civil rights advocates, meanwhile, emphasized caution, warning that some records could expose private victims or ongoing legal matters.

The Epstein case, which implicated figures in politics, business, and entertainment, remains one of the most talked-about scandals of the past decade. Epstein’s connections to influential individuals—including politicians, royals, and executives—have long sparked speculation about the extent of his operations and who may have been involved.

Former federal prosecutor Lauren Fields said the release could mark a turning point in public discourse surrounding government transparency. “Regardless of political stance, this declassification has the potential to reshape how Americans view power and accountability,” Fields noted.

Officials say redactions may still occur to protect sensitive intelligence or personal information, but the intent is a near-complete disclosure. For years, critics of the government’s handling of Epstein’s case have accused agencies of concealing evidence or shielding elites from exposure. Trump’s order promises to change that narrative.

As anticipation builds, journalists, legal analysts, and online commentators are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential information releases in recent history.