World News

Fears grow of a wider Middle East conflict on December 26, 2023 at 9:50 pm

Published

2 years ago

December 27, 2023

Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel for the strike, which killed a senior Iranian officer and marked Tehran’s most personal loss yet in the Israel-Hamas war.

“Tel Aviv is waiting for a tough countdown,” said Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

The strike also comes amid mounting civilian deaths in Gaza, with any potential fallout threatening to undo a strenuous effort from the U.S. to ensure the war does not expand beyond Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The U.S. itself is getting dragged deeper into the conflict as Washington fends off relentless attacks from Iranian-backed groups in Iraq and Syria. Militias carried out their deadliest attack since the Gaza war began when a Christmas Day drone strike critically wounded an American soldier and injured two others.

Although analysts don’t expect the breakout of a wider war anytime soon, the events show the conflict is showing no signs of cooling down as New Year’s approaches.

“Everybody is playing a chess game,” said Barbara Slavin, a distinguished fellow at the Stimson Center and the editor of the think tank’s Middle East Voices blog. “You have so many different players now.”

But Slavin does not see a dramatic shift in the calculus anytime soon.

“The major casualties of this war have taken place in Israel and in Gaza, and the West Bank,” she continued. “These other attacks, while they’re kind of scary, are really very much symbolic, more symbolic than part of a broader conflict at this time. It can always change — can always escalate — but I don’t see this developing into World War III.”

The Israeli strike in Damascus on Monday killed Brig. Gen. Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a senior adviser to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who was responsible for coordination between Syria and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed military and political group in Lebanon.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said his forces are fighting in a “multi-arena” war following the deadly Oct. 7 attacks from Hamas, which left more than 1,200 dead in southern Israel. Hamas, which is fighting to stay alive in Gaza, is funded by Iran.

“Anyone who acts against us is a target, no one is immune,” Gallant said on Tuesday.

Mousavi had been close to Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was slain by the U.S. in 2020 during the Trump administration, and his death this week prompted an outpouring of grief from Iran and its allies, just as Soleimani’s death did nearly four years ago.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Monday that Tehran would definitely retaliate for the strike, according to Iranian state-run media.

“His martyrdom is another sign of frustration and weakness of the occupying Zionist regime in the region,” Raisi claimed.

Hezbollah has also strongly denounced the strike on Mousavi, state media reported. Analysts expect that if Iran responds to the Israeli strike, it will do so with Hezbollah and other proxy groups.

Trita Parsi, the executive vice president at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said Israel likely conducted the strike to send a message to Iran: that senior Iranian officials can and will be targeted for their involvement with proxy groups.

But Parsi assessed that Iran will not respond to Israel directly or with an escalatory attack, arguing “they’re playing the longer game” against the U.S. and Israel.

“They’re building up the capability of the Houthis, Hezbollah and others,” he said. “We’re likely going to see more attacks on the U.S. … rather than the Iranian strike.”

Israel has killed several high-ranking Iranian officials in the past decade as the two countries have been locked in a shadow war for years. But Tehran has rarely directly ordered a strike on Israel or Israeli positions, usually acting instead through its proxies.

The entire Middle East region is tense, with Iranian-backed militia groups having now attacked U.S. troops around 100 times since Oct. 17, shortly after the Israel-Hamas war began.

So far, American troops have suffered only minor injuries in the attacks in Iraq and Syria. But the Christmas Day strike saw an explosive drone hit an air base in northern Iraq, leaving one U.S. soldier in critical condition. The U.S. responded with retaliatory strikes that killed one militant and injured another 18.

When asked if the events over the holiday could lead to escalations in the Middle East, the Pentagon referred to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s Monday statement. Austin said the U.S. does not seek escalation but is “committed and fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities.”

The Houthis, an Iranian-backed rebel group in Yemen, also continue to be a threat against ships and merchant vessels in the Red Sea. They have mainly harassed commercial boats, but a few weeks ago they damaged a ship with a missile and hijacked another last month. The U.S. set up a maritime task force last week to deter the Houthis, but the group is promising to keep up its pace of attacks in the Red Sea.

Analysts say the only way for tensions to ease across the Middle East is if the war in Gaza reaches a cease-fire or significantly slows down. The war’s high death toll — more than 20,000 Palestinian people killed, according to Hamas health officials — has sparked outrage across the world, but particularly among Arab nations, Iran and Iranian allies.

The U.S. is pushing Israel to move the war into a lower-intensity phase, a diplomatic campaign that bore some fruit earlier this month when Israeli officials signaled they would do so when the time was right.

But it’s not clear when that would happen. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this week that fighting is picking up in southern Gaza, where nearly two million Palestinian civilians have fled.

And Netanyahu emphasized that Israeli soldiers “need to keep going until the end.”

“We are not stopping and we will not stop until we are victorious, because we have no country but this one, and we have no other way,” Netanyahu said before the Knesset.

Parsi, from the Quincy Institute, said that “every day we’re getting closer and closer to all-out war” in the Middle East, which he said will likely get more aggressive until Israel slows down its assault on Gaza.

“It’s an extremely dangerous, escalatory cycle that we’re in,” he said, “and the most obvious and most effective way of stopping and preventing a regional war is the one step that the administration is least inclined to pursue. And that is to actually have a cease-fire in Gaza.”

An Israeli strike Monday that killed an Iranian officer in Syria is the latest development to renew fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East as the war in Gaza continues to rage with a mounting death toll. Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel for the strike, which killed a senior Iranian officer and…

Business

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

Published

3 weeks 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.