WHO Calls on Trump to Reverse Withdrawal Decision

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider his recent decision to withdraw the United States from the global health body.  This move follows Trump’s executive order, signed shortly after his inauguration, formally starting the process of ending the country’s membership.   Trump justified his decision by citing concerns about the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the organization’s alleged failure to implement necessary reforms.  SEE ALSO: Joseph Aoun elected Lebanon’s new president He also criticized what he described as the unequal financial contributions, claiming the United States pays significantly more compared to China.   In a statement, the WHO expressed regret over the decision, noting the United States has been a key member since its founding in 1948.  The organization highlighted the decades-long partnership between the U.S. and WHO in tackling global health challenges, including the eradication of smallpox and efforts to eliminate polio.   WHO emphasized its role in protecting global health through disease prevention, health system strengthening, and crisis response in vulnerable areas.  READ ALSO: Oxfam challenges governments to bridge extreme wealth gap It also pointed to ongoing reforms aimed at improving accountability and effectiveness.   The organization expressed hope for renewed dialogue with the U.S. to maintain their partnership, which it described as vital for global health security and the well-being of millions around the world.

US Presidential elections: Trump Debates Biden

Expected to entail much fireworks and exchange of exquisite knowledge of governance, statecraft and foreign policy, the much anticipated debate between incumbent President Joe Biden and his rival, former President Donald Trump did not live up to the billing as it turned out to be a lacklustre and tepid geriartic display. If the debate would be a sole determinant of the election however, then it was as good as won barely twelve minutes into the debate as President Biden, who walked into the debating hall looking fragile and forlorn froze midway into his response to a question clearly indicating that he had had a mental ceisure. The debate was anchored by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, both of the CNN. It is the first debate, preparatory to the US presidential election scheduled for November 2924. Biden stuttered and coughed intermittently and was barely audible as he blinked and closed his eyes, trying most times to remember his facts. Things improved, however, at the eighteenth minute as President Biden showed a flicker of his old self while discussing border patrol. Clearly, Biden has lost his mojo. He was forlorn, frequently forgot his facts, and blanks out repeatedly. Trump was however, brazen and outlandish about claims about his record of service as President which prompted Biden to state repeatedly that “this guy lies” or “I have never heard anyone tell more lies in my life.” Trump avoided providing answers to most questions that either exposed his criminality or his stance on controversial issues like the invasion of the Congress or the two state solution between Israel and Palestine. A viewer who spoke to Nigerian Anchor on his opinion about the debate roundly condemned the two candidates as grossly unfit to occupy the coveted office of President of the United States of America. The responder states that while President Biden appeared quite infirm and weak to still function as President, Mr. Trump was unapologetically narcissistic and still in denial of all his crimes even after his conviction by the US judicial system. Chris Wallace, top show host and former presidential debate anchor, described Joe Biden’s second term candidacy as “an accident happening in slow motion,” which the Democrats failed to do anything to mitigate.

Palestinian War: Israel Seeks $10bn Emergency Relief From US

Israel has asked the United States for $10 billion in emergency aid amid the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the New York Times newspaper reported. The White House is reportedly preparing an assistance package for Israel, which also contains aid to Ukraine, funding to reinforce the U.S.-Mexico border, and aid to Taiwan, the newspaper said late on Monday night. On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington was considering Israel’s requests for additional military aid to conduct its operation in the Gaza Strip. On Tuesday, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that U.S. President Joe Biden during his visit to Israel scheduled for Oct. 18 would get an update from Israeli officials about their strategy against Hamas in Gaza, including the pace of their military operations. Last week, a United States official told Sputnik that Washington had not made a decision on whether it would tie in assistance for Ukraine and Taiwan in a supplemental funding request it was preparing to submit to Congress seeking additional aid for Israel. U.S. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said the U.S. military would need additional support from Congress to be able to provide security assistance to Ukraine and Israel simultaneously. On October 7, Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, prompting retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip. The conflict has left thousands of people dead and injured on both sides.

BlueStream Group pledges 100% scholarship, grants to Nigerian students

A Group, Bluestream Educational Ltd says it is set to offer 100 percent educational scholarships and grants to Nigerian students to further their education at home and abroad. AbdulKareem Ogirima, the Group’s Managing Director spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of an educational fair on Saturday in Abuja. The fair was organised by the group in collaboration with some top universities in Turkey, U.S. U.K., and Canada. Ogirima said that the gesture was part of the Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), adding that Nigerian students were one of the brightest in the world and deserve quality education. He explained that in addition to the scholarships Bluestream Educational Ltd was giving grants to students free of charge no strings attached as long as they are brilliant or show evidence that they deserve such and it is within their budget. “Our resolve, as part of our CSR is to continue to assist students with the needed information on gaining admission, scholarships and sponsorships. “We are indeed proud of the performances of Nigerian students and this is what spurs us to do even more. “We are committed to solving the challenges faced by our students who are seeking admission into various universities around the world. “So far, we have helped over 1,000 students to gain admission, and also assisted a number of them to get scholarships, this we do with our partners in the U.S., Canada, UK, Turkey, and other countries. “This year’s edition will see us give 100 percent educational scholarships to students who perform excellently well in our in-house examinations. “We are in partnership with some Turkish universities including; Sabanci University, Isik University, Istinye University, Istanbul Ozyegin University, Bahcesehir University, to mention a few,” he said. He said the group also offers personalised services based on the student’s budget or academic performance (secondary school transcripts). He added that their services also include; assisting students improve their scores in IELTS Exam organised by the British Council, TOEFL, IGCSE O & A Levels, GRE, IJMB/JUPEB, JAMB, WAEC, Adult Education, etc. Ogirima commended the student loan policy of President Bola Tinubu-led administration. He said that if well-articulated, the policy would go a long way in improving access to education by Nigerians just as it is done in the U.K. and U.S. “For us in Nigeria, we are just starting but at least, we know now that the government is talking about student loans which is the way to go. “The idea will further assist indigent students gain quality education, which is in line with the Federal Government’s policies on inclusive, affordable, and accessible education. “Student loan is not out of place given our current realities and challenges in higher education (HE/FE) pursuit. But it has to be well articulated and domesticated with the government’s sincerity of purpose. “It is a huge investment that should be given all the attention and seriousness it deserves,” he said. BlueStream Group Ltd is a multinational company that focuses its services on Education, Health, Travel, and Hospitality.