World News

‘Wake up!’ European lawmakers warn Washington over Ukraine aid delays on January 19, 2024 at 10:30 am

Published

1 year ago

January 19, 2024

European lawmakers visiting Washington this week issued dire warnings to Democrats and Republicans that the U.S. needs to help Ukraine secure victory over Russia this year or risk losing European assistance in a potential conflict with China over Taiwan.

The plea came from a delegation of chairs of foreign affairs committees from six countries in Europe and Canada, meeting with U.S. lawmakers in between their fraught negotiations over border security policy that is holding up a major funding package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

“The reality is the U.S. also needs a wake up call,” said U.K. Member of Parliament Alicia Kearns, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

“If Taiwan is invaded, the U.S. will need to lead on it alongside Japan, Korea and Australia, and we in Europe will have to lead on Ukraine, and we’ll have to turn around and say to the U.S. we cannot give you what you want in support for Taiwan.”

The European lawmakers framed their message as tough love for an ally that is engulfed in partisan chaos.

”When it comes to the Democrats, our message has been, use some muscle, stop bunkering down, don’t let the Republicans set your agenda on foreign policy,” Kearns continued.

“You put the word China in anything, it passes on the Hill.”

And while the Europeans defended their contributions and commitments to Ukraine – $160 billion between Europe, Canada and Japan — they also conceded that there is no substitute for America’s military support for Ukraine, or its leadership on the global stage.

“It’s painful that you have to spend 80 percent of your energy waking up Washington, to be Washington,” said Žygimantas Pavilionis, Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee in the Lithuanian Parliament.

“It takes years to wake up Washington, so please guys, wake up!”

The delegation, which included lawmakers from Canada, the Czech Republic, Spain, France and Lithuania, said they were optimistic that Republicans and Democrats are committed to delivering on President Biden’s $60 billion request to support Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia.

“Not a single Republican that met with us said to us that the money isn’t there for Ukraine. Not a single Republican said they are negotiating to reduce down the Ukraine amount,” Kearns said.

“And we met with, trust me, ones who would like to never hear the word Ukraine again.”

During their trip, the delegation met with lawmakers including Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Reps. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), Thomas Kean (R-N.J.), Bill Keating (D-Mass.), Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Brian Mast (R-Fla.) and Andy Harris (R-Md.).

Republicans writ large have increasingly soured on Ukraine support over the past year, with many arguing taxpayer dollars should be focused on domestic issues. Former President Trump has repeatedly promised to end the war if he returns to the White House, raising fears that he will pressure Ukraine to cede territory to Russia.

However, the group of European lawmakers, speaking in a roundtable meeting with reporters on Thursday, did not express major concerns about a second Trump term, pointing to areas for cooperation on priorities like Iran that link to other global conflicts.

But they were critical that U.S. lawmakers seemed dismissive of the impact of campaign rhetoric, saying Trump’s threatening U.S. commitments to NATO undermine America’s reliability overseas, and embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“You make a flippant comment for domestic benefit… the repercussions are serious,” Kearns said. “And we can’t afford Biden sitting there on his hands bunkering down because he is fearful of what the Republicans will or won’t do or how they’ll use it against him. That’s been my biggest concern and the message we’re trying to land.”

The European lawmakers will be watching Biden closely as he hosts the NATO summit in Washington in June, concerned the U.S. may fall short on commitments to Ukraine.

The president and his senior aides have pushed back against calls to give Ukraine an invitation to join the alliance – a point of conflict that played out publicly during the Vilnius summit last year. But the European lawmakers are concerned that without major commitments from the U.S., Putin will grab the initiative.

“Europe is united on the end state, the end state is to have a Russia that cannot reinvade a neighbor within the next two to five years — which they are currently on track to be able to do — but actually not be able to invade a neighbor for the next 20 years,” Kearns said.

The $60 billion proposed by Biden for Ukraine is expected to cover Kyiv’s needs for at least a year, a commitment that European leaders welcomed. But with the war in a stalemate, and likely to drag on for months more, future U.S. support is anything but certain.

Ali Ehsassi, Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee for the Parliament of Canada, said the divisiveness among U.S. lawmakers over Ukraine — and global engagement in general — was “unsettling” and “nerve wracking.”

“We want to have assurances that this is a sturdy alliance that will continue to brainstorm together,” Ehsassi said.

“I’m sure Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi also see where those cracks are and that’s not a good thing either. So I’m very much concerned about the symbolism as well, and how it ricochets in foreign capitals.”

News

Pope Francis is Now in Stable Condition

Published

3 weeks ago

February 22, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, remains in critical condition at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for over a week. The pontiff’s health has taken a turn for the worse, raising concerns among the faithful worldwide.

Current Status

As of Saturday, February 22, 2025, Pope Francis experienced a prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis that required high-flow oxygen treatment. The Vatican reported that his condition had deteriorated since Friday, emphasizing that “the pope is not out of danger”.

The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is experiencing more discomfort than the previous day. His prognosis remains guarded, indicating the seriousness of his condition.

Medical Challenges

Pope Francis is battling a complex set of medical issues:

The pope’s medical team faces the challenge of balancing various medications to combat these issues while monitoring for potential complications, such as sepsis.

Treatment and Outlook

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis will remain hospitalized for at least another week. He is receiving targeted drug therapy and high-flow oxygen as needed. While he is not on a ventilator and can breathe independently, his condition requires close monitoring.

Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope’s personal physician, stated, “He is not out of danger,” highlighting the delicate nature of the pontiff’s health.

Impact on Vatican Activities

In light of the pope’s condition, all public engagements on his schedule have been suspended through Sunday. The Vatican is carrying on with its Holy Year celebrations without the pope’s presence.

As the Catholic world watches and prays for Pope Francis’s recovery, the Vatican continues to provide updates on his condition. The situation remains fluid, and both positive and negative outcomes are possible given the complexity of the pope’s health issues.

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Business

HRM Queen Shanta Lana Hereford Delivers Powerful Speech on Global Peace

Published

3 weeks ago

February 20, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

New Delhi, India – February 16, 2025 – Her Royal Majesty Queen Shanta Lana Hereford, a distinguished global leader and advocate for peace and economic empowerment, was a special
guest speaker at an international event hosted by the EurAsia Afro Chamber of Commerce. The
hybrid event, aired live from New Delhi, India, gathered influential leaders, policymakers, and business executives from around the world to discuss global cooperation, economic diplomacy, and sustainable peace.

Queen Shanta delivered a compelling speech titled “Creating a Framework for a Global Peace Charter,” emphasizing the need for a justice-centered, faith-driven approach to global peace. She outlined a transformative vision, calling for governments, businesses, and faith leaders to unite to draft policies integrating equity, economic accountability, and environmental stewardship into global governance.

“The pursuit of peace is not just the absence of war; it is the presence of justice, dignity, and
opportunity for all, ” Queen Shanta stated. “We must move beyond just talking and establish
actionable frameworks that empower nations and communities to achieve lasting prosperity and peace.”

The EurAsia Afro Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of its founder and chairman, Dr. Rohit Gupta, is dedicated to fostering economic and cultural collaboration between Africa, Asia, and Europe. The organization aims to create a strong, interconnected business network
bridging these regions, facilitating pathways for economic prosperity and diplomatic relations.
As a prolific leader within the African American diaspora and a global advocate for its
advancement, HRM Queen Shanta Lana Hereford is actively exploring opportunities for trade
and commerce between Africa, Asia, Europe, and other international communities.

Through her affiliations with organizations such as The African Diaspora Collective, The Atlanta Black Chambers, The Black Achievement Fund, The National Business League, The 10K Project, and many others, she is championing economic initiatives that build sustainable supply chains and foster strategic partnerships.

Her mission is to create economic opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and business leaders in America, who have historically been excluded from global trade discussions. By forging these international connections, Queen Hereford is working to ensure that Black communities in the U.S. not only have a seat at the table but play a key role in shaping the future of international commerce, economic empowerment, and global policy.

The event featured several other distinguished guests, including:
● Dr. Rohit Gupta: Founder and Chairman of the EurAsia Afro Chamber of Commerce,
Dr. Gupta has been instrumental in promoting cross-continental business relationships
and trade.
● H.E. Bishop Dr. Samsher Khan: Founder of the BSK Prayer Tower and IRKT, Bishop
Dr. Khan serves as a Peace Ambassador for the International Human Rights
Commission (IHRC) and holds the position of Asia’s Social Media Editor. He is dedicated
to promoting peace and spiritual well-being across communities.
● Madam Sadhvi Pragya Bharti: Sadhvi Pragya Bharti is a spiritual leader, humanitarian,
and national media panelist known for her advocacy of social and educational reforms
rooted in spirituality and justice.

The event underscored the importance of strategic economic partnerships as a tool for
peacebuilding, aligning with Queen Hereford’s global mission of self-determination and
economic sovereignty for Black and Indigenous communities worldwide.

As part of her continued advocacy, Queen Hereford urged global stakeholders to collaborate on
drafting a Global Peace Charter, organizing annual Global Peace Assemblies, and
implementing economic policies that uplift marginalized communities.

This event marks a significant milestone in international diplomacy, reinforcing the role of
economic and cultural cooperation in shaping a peaceful and prosperous future for all.

For media inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact:
H.E. Roselyn Omaka
National Press Secretary, Nation of Cherut
Email: nps@nationofcherut.org
Phone: 281.301.5535

News

Terror Attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas Linked

Published

2 months ago

January 2, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

The start of 2025 has been marred by two horrific terror attacks in the United States, one in New Orleans and another in Las Vegas, both occurring on New Year’s Day. These incidents have left communities reeling and have raised concerns about potential connections between the suspects involved.

In New Orleans, a truck driven by 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar plowed into a crowd celebrating on Bourbon Street, resulting in at least 15 deaths and over 30 injuries. Eyewitnesses reported that Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran from Texas, deliberately targeted pedestrians while flying an ISIS flag from his vehicle. Following the attack, he exited the truck armed with an assault rifle and opened fire on police officers before being killed in the ensuing confrontation. Authorities discovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) within his vehicle and in the vicinity of the attack site, further confirming the premeditated nature of this act of terrorism.

Simultaneously, a separate incident unfolded in Las Vegas when a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel. The driver, identified as Matthew Livelsberger, also had a military background and was reported to have detonated the vehicle packed with firework mortars and fuel, resulting in his death and injuring seven others. Investigators are exploring whether Livelsberger and Jabbar had any prior connection, as both men served at the same military base at different times.

While the FBI has confirmed that they are investigating both attacks as acts of terrorism, they have not established a definitive link between the two incidents. However, similarities in their execution—both suspects rented vehicles from the same company—have prompted further scrutiny into their backgrounds and any potential accomplices.

As investigations continue, authorities are urging anyone with information about either suspect to come forward. The tragic events have sparked discussions about security measures in public spaces, particularly as cities prepare for large gatherings in the coming months.

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