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Biden announces $8 billion in military aid for Ukraine

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By Steve Holland and Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden announced more than $8 billion in military assistance for Ukraine on Thursday to help Kyiv “win this war” against Russian invaders, using a visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to make a major commitment.

FILE PHOTO: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy listens to U.S. President Joe Biden speak during a Ukraine Compact meeting, on the sidelines of the NATO’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington, U.S., July 11, 2024. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo
© Thomson Reuters

 

The aid includes the first shipment of a precision-guided glide bomb called the Joint Standoff Weapon, with a range of up to 81 miles (130 km). The medium-range missile gives Ukraine a major upgrade to the weapons it is using to strike Russian forces, allowing the Ukrainians to do it at safer distances.

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy shake hands during a bilateral meeting, during NATO’s 75th anniversary summit, in Washington, U.S., July 11, 2024. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo
© Thomson Reuters

 

The bomb, capable of striking targets with high accuracy, is to be dropped from fighter jets. Biden will not announce that Washington would let Ukraine use U.S. missiles to hit targets deeper in Russia, a U.S. official said.

Supporting Ukraine, which Russia invaded in February 2022, has been a U.S. top priority, Biden said in a statement.

“That is why, today, I am announcing a surge in security assistance for Ukraine and a series of additional actions to help Ukraine win this war,” said Biden, who leaves office in January.

The bulk of the new aid, $5.5 billion, is to be allocated before Monday’s end of the U.S. fiscal year, when the funding authority is set to expire. Another $2.4 billion is under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which allows the administration to buy weapons for Ukraine from companies rather than pull them from U.S. stocks.

This will provide Ukraine with additional air defense, unmanned aerial systems and air-to-ground munitions, as well as strengthen Ukraine’s defense industrial base and support its maintenance and sustainment requirements, Biden said.

Under his plan, the president said, the Defense Department will refurbish and provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense battery and more Patriot missiles.

Biden ordered the Pentagon to expand training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots, including by supporting the training of an additional 18 pilots next year.

REPUBLICAN CRITICISM OF ZELENSKIY

To combat Russian sanctions evasion and money laundering, the U.S. will act to disrupt what Biden called “a global cryptocurrency network, in coordination with international partners.”

Biden said he will convene a leader-level meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany next month to coordinate efforts of more than 50 countries supporting Ukraine.

Before meeting Biden at midday (1600 GMT), Zelenskiy is due to meet Democratic and Republican leaders at the Capitol.

Ukraine’s defense has largely received bipartisan support in the U.S., but it was not clear how many Republicans would make time to sit down with Zelenskiy amid rising criticism of his government from party leaders, including Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate.

Trump has been criticizing the Ukrainian president as he campaigns for the Nov. 5 election and, at least for now, turned down a request from Zelenskiy for a meeting.

The former president was sharply critical of Zelenskiy on Wednesday, telling a campaign rally in North Carolina, “We continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refused to make a deal, Zelenskiy.”

Trump also blamed Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic presidential opponent, for allowing Russia’s invasion.

Many congressional Republicans have been furious about Zelenskiy’s visit on Sunday to a munitions factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where Biden grew up. The Republican-led House of Representatives Oversight Committee opened an investigation into Zelenskiy’s trip.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican who is not expected to meet Zelenskiy on Thursday, demanded that he fire his ambassador to Washington for planning the Scranton trip, although he told reporters this demand was not a threat to oppose military aid.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Patricia Zengerle in Washington; Editing by William Mallard)

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POWA HONOURS HON DR SAMUEL UDEH WITH AN AWARD OF RECOGNITION; hands over to police, huge sum of cash forgotten by a passenger in a bus

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Joined state police command, IIRS, Insurance companies in policy sensitisation

*Austin Jp*

Imo State Chairman of NURTW Hon Dr Samuel Udeh JP.Fcai (Eze Umuokorobia) was honoured with an award of recognition by police officers wives association (POWA) for his benevolence and philanthropic gesture towards POWA empowerment program and service to humanity.

The award was presented by Mrs Jemimah Aboki Danjuma wife of Imo State commissioner of police Mr Danjuma Aboki, at the command headquarters in Owerri.

Reacting to the award recognition, Chief Samuel Udeh in humility expressed gratitude and appreciation to police wives association of Imo State chapter for the recognition and honour to him.

Hon Sam dedicated his award to Imo State governor His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma (Onwa Onyoko) and reaffirmed his commitment to service for the betterment of our dear State and the society at large.

Also at the event, Ukwenga Samuel Udeh handed over a huge sum of cash forgotten by a passenger in a bus. The money was found by a member of the reformed union in the State under the leadership of Chief Samuel Udeh.

Handing over the cash to Imo CP, Hon Sam said this can only be done from a good spirited Nigerian which was as a result of the several reforms that has taken place in the union under his watch as the state chairman.

Imo CP commended the driver that found the money and the leadership of the union and said, such a Nigeria deserves a national award.

He said the money will be kept in their custody, while an announcement regarding the money will be put across the media platforms for the owner to come for claim. If after some time and the money wasn’t claimed, it will be paid into federal government account with the teller deposited in court.

Another event that took place at the state command was a seminar on the third party insurance policy, which involved representatives of the stakeholders from Imo State internal revenue service, insurance companies, national union of road transport workers and other related stakeholders were also present at the seminar.

Mr Aboki Danjuma stated that the essence of the seminar with the stakeholders is for them to go and educate their members on the new policy of third party insurance, as implementation and enforcement on the third party insurance will commence from 1st of February 2025 across the federation.The committee that will spearhead the implementation and enforcement were inaugurated at the seminar.

Importance of the third party insurance will be to assist the police in crime prevention. Whenever a vehicle is snatched, or used to commit a crime, it can easily be traced through the third party insurance database collection.

Answering questions from the pressmen after the seminar, Honourable Samuel Udeh said it is a good policy from the inspector general of police. The commissioner of police have said it all, it is now for us in the transport system to adhere to the advice of the commissioner of police and get the third party insurance for our vehicles.

He agreed with the police that the third party insurance will help to put to rest the issue of car theft in Imo State.

With database collection of the vehicles and the owners, together with other benefits of the policy which is paying compensation to accident victims by the insurance company, union will surely educate drivers who are members of the union on wheels to get their vehicles insured.

Chief Sam Udeh used the opportunity to thank the Imo CP for his commitment and dedication in securing Imo. He made a request for the officer in charge of the policy enlightenment to make out time to come to the union office to educate the members of the union, to enable total compliance from the drivers on wheels.

 

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Deacon Famous Discovers Love in Ghana

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Content creator, actor, and friend Udaya Chidiebere Awesome, popularly known as Deacon Famous, has found love in Ghana. Deacon Famous recently took to social media to announce his engagement to Mawusi Faith, a lovely Ghanaian woman from the Volta Region.

In a heartfelt post, Deacon Famous expressed his joy and gratitude, saying: “Mawusi Faith, it’s an absolute delight to embark on this lifelong journey with you. I waited patiently for the right one, and now I’ve found my perfect match.” He also hinted at a possible Ghanaian wedding celebration, exclaiming, “Ghana, we’re coming again!”

Photo source: Instagram

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My daughter planning wedding to pharmacist before murder – Mother of corper beheaded by gospel singer

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Mrs Ojomachenwu Adaidu, mother of Salome, a 24-year-old corps member who was murdered by an Abuja gospel, Timileyin Ajayi, speaks to TEMITOPE ADETUNJI about her daughter’s ambition before she met her untimely death, and asks for justice to be done in matter

What is your relationship with the slain corps member?

I am Mrs Ojomachenwu Adaidu, the mother of Salome Eleojo Adaidu.

Where are you from?

I am from Ogodu in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.

How old are you?

I am 52 years old.

What do you do for a living?

I am into a small business.

Which tertiary institution did your late daughter attend before going for her youth service?

She graduated from Kogi State University.

How would you describe Salome’s personality and values?

Salome was a wonderful child, hardworking and responsible. Every morning, before I even woke up, she would sweep and tidy the house. Among all my children, she was the most hardworking.

Salome was serving as a youth corps member before the incident. Did she ever talk to you about her plans?

Yes, she told me she wanted to become a doctor after her service year.

What went through your mind when you heard the news?

I felt like my world had ended. It’s a painful experience, and it still feels like a bad dream. People tried to console me, saying I have other children, but no one should go through something like this. It has been extremely difficult. What I want is justice for her. (Sobbing) I am currently very ill.

The suspect claimed Salome was his girlfriend. Can you clarify this?

That’s a lie. Salome was not his girlfriend. He didn’t even know her name. You can see in the video that the killer has a beard. My children don’t like men who keep beards, and Salome had no relationship with him. She already had someone she was dating; a pharmacist. I told her we would do the necessary wedding introduction after her service year.

What do you want the police to do as the investigation continues?

I want the police to thoroughly investigate this case and make him confess what happened. He should face justice for what he did. The way he cut my daughter’s body into pieces is the same way I want him to be dealt with. They should cut him too into pieces; I want to see it done.

How many children do you have?

I now have five children, four girls and one boy. I used to have six before losing Salome.

 Aside from being hardworking, what other qualities did Salome have?

She was very kindhearted. Every time, she received her alawee (youth service allowance), she would buy me drugs, foodstuffs, and provisions. She was so generous, and I miss her deeply. Since her father passed, she promised to stand by me and take care of me.

When did Salome’s father pass away?

He died on May 16, 2024. Now, I’ve lost both my husband and my daughter, two people so close to my heart.

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