World News

Israel’s war on Hamas poses major test for US-led Abraham Accords on October 21, 2023 at 10:00 am

Published

3 years ago

October 21, 2023

But American lawmakers argue the accords — brokered during the Trump administration that established ties between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in 2020 — are still an important step toward Israel’s integration in the region. And they still think the ultimate goal, a breakthrough on ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, is possible.

Democrats and Republicans are pointing to Iran — the financial and military backer of Hamas — as the overarching threat, the glue binding the countries that signed the accords, and potentially motivation for more countries to join.

“Every single country said, ‘Please don’t leave us, we are worried about the threat from Iran,’” Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) told The Hill, about her experience leading the first-ever Abraham Accords caucus trip to Morocco, Bahrain, UAE, and Israel.

“I believe as we move on a little bit further, we will be able to work together because everyone is worried about that terrorist threat.”

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) was in Saudi Arabia on the weekend of Oct. 7, the day Hamas launched its attack on Israel, meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the future of a ground-breaking peace agreement with Israel.

“We had left the meeting the night before with such optimism, and then when we found out about the attacks on Israel, it really struck us that this has just made our task that much harder,” she told The Hill.

“Obviously we were very sad about what was happening in Israel, the dynamics in the Middle East are very difficult, very difficult … it just really was difficult for us to face that next day knowing that, where we thought we were making advances, now it’s probably going to be on hold for just a bit.”

U.S. officials have said there is no direct evidence of Iran’s involvement in the terrorist attack against Israel. But some experts and lawmakers theorize that Hamas and its patron Iran are seeking to rupture rapidly advancing agreements between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

“Literally, we have the Abraham Accords moving with Morocco, with UAE and Bahrain, continued engagement, normalization in the region, and Hamas determines this is against their self-interest, and they literally slaughter 1,400 individuals to try and deter all of that dialogue,” Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said.

Hamas’s attack was months in the planning, reportedly consisting of detailed intelligence of secret Israeli army installations along the Gaza Strip and that culminated in the brutal killing of civilians at a music festival and in the communities in the area.

Hamas is holding more than 200 people it took from Israel as hostages in the Gaza Strip. And Israel estimates 1,400 were killed — with bodies still being identified, some burned or mutilated beyond identification.

Condemnations surrounding Hamas’s assault quickly came out from the U.S. and other Western and democratic countries. And in a sign that the Abraham Accords had shifted things slightly in the region, the UAE condemned Hamas publicly as launching attacks against Israel.

“To me it is actually quite remarkable,” said Ghaith al-Omari, a senior fellow with The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. “If you look at the statements of Abraham Accord countries, UAE and Bahrain specifically condemn Hamas. Morocco made a less explicit statement but a quick statement that was also quite strong, and that was a really marked difference from some of the other Arab countries.”

But al-Omari, speaking to The Hill Wednesday morning, warned that quickly changing developments on the ground often frustrate the best efforts at diplomacy.

Later that day, an explosion occurred at a hospital in Gaza, killing and wounding hundreds. Arab nations surrounding Israel quickly and unequivocally blamed the Israel for carrying out an attack.

Israel rejected blame and released intelligence assessments — which have since been supported by the U.S. — saying a misfired rocket launched from the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad landed on the hospital.

“Everybody here believes that Israel is responsible for it. The Israeli army says it is not. But to be honest, try and find anybody that’s going to believe it in this part of the world,” Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said in an interview with CNN.

Protests against Israel have intensified in the Middle East and worldwide as Palestinian civilian casualties from Israeli airstrikes increase, giving fuel to the entrenched, historical view in the region of Israel as an occupier and aggressor.

After the Gaza hospital explosion, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, along with the leaders of Jordan and Egypt, called off a summit with President Biden the day before he was set to leave for the region, saying they could not participate in a meeting they didn’t believe would end the war.

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a member of the Abraham Accords caucus, said the reaction from the Arab world was not “unexpected.” But he said the utility of the accords should not necessarily be viewed in terms of Arab support for Israel, but in Arab efforts to prevent Israel’s war against Hamas from expanding into a wider conflict, in particular with Iran.

”Everything’s relative here, right? So far, this hasn’t expanded to a bigger conflict. And one of our goals here is to make sure that it doesn’t, make sure that Iran doesn’t get involved, that Hezbollah [in Lebanon], that this doesn’t expand to a conflict in the north of Israel. And so far that’s the case.”

In his prime-time address Thursday night, Biden made the case for U.S. leadership in supporting Israel and supporting Ukraine in its defensive war against Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of limiting the spread of a bigger war.

“If we walk away and let Putin erase Ukraine’s independence, would-be aggressors around the world would be emboldened to try the same. The risk of conflict and chaos could spread in other parts of the world, in the Indo-Pacific, in the Middle East, especially in the Middle East,” he said.

“Iran is supporting Russia in Ukraine, and it’s supporting Hamas and other terrorist groups in the region. And we’ll continue to hold them accountable, I might add.”

Biden has directed two U.S. carrier strike groups to the Mediterranean as a show of force to deter Iran and its proxies in the region from instigating a larger war with Israel as it focuses on eliminating the threat from Hamas.

The Pentagon said Thursday that a U.S. navy destroyer had intercepted missiles and several drones shot by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen toward Israel.

The U.S. has also thwarted drone and missile attacks on its bases in Iraq, without assigning responsibility. But there’s concern that Iranian-backed militias in Iraq are working to attack the U.S. for its support of Israel.

Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho), the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he believes that rapprochement between Israel and its Arab neighbors “struck the match” for the Hamas attack on Israel. Risch, along with other GOP lawmakers, have called out Iran as the party overall responsible for Hamas’s terrorism.

“The Iranians are using Arab allies, namely Hamas and [Palestinian Islamic Jihad] and Hezbollah as their agents to foment this, there’s no question about it,” he said.

Risch had met with Crown Prince Mohammed earlier this year and said he has plans to meet with the Saudis again to talk about establishing relations with Israel.

Saudi Arabia holds massive military, financial and spiritual influence in the region — as custodian to Islam’s most holy city, Mecca. Establishing relations with Israel would lead to a tectonic shift in attitudes in the region.

“If there is, and I think there will be eventually, normality between Israel and Saudi Arabia, this is going to put Iran on an island, and they can’t stand that,” Risch said

Arab nations are publicly isolating Israel as it responds to Hamas’s unprecedented terrorist attack, testing the boundaries of the U.S. led-Abraham Accords that was meant to usher in a new era of peace in the region. But American lawmakers argue the accords — brokered during the Trump administration that established ties between Israel, the United…

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

7 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.