Luanda (Angola), Dec 3 (AP) President Joe Biden arrived for his long-awaited first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa on Monday to the cheers of thousands in Angola, where he will highlight an ambitious US-backed railway project meant to counter China's influence on the continent of over 1.4 billion people. Biden's three-day visit to Angola will focus largely on the Lobito Corridor railway redevelopment in Zambia, Congo and Angola. It aims to advance the US presence in a region rich in the critical minerals used in batteries for electric vehicles, electronic devices and clean energy technologies. Biden's trip comes weeks before Republican Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, finally delivering on Biden's pledge to visit sub-Saharan Africa. On his way to Angola, he stopped in the Atlantic Ocean island nation of Cape Verde for a brief, closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva. Biden plans to meet with Angolan President João Lourenço in the capital, Luanda, where crowds lined the streets for his arrival, and visit the National Slavery Museum. He also will travel to the Atlantic port city of Lobito for a look at the rail project. He will announce new developments on health, agribusiness and security, White House officials said. Biden had been expected to visit Africa last year after reviving the US-Africa Summit in December 2022. The trip was pushed back to 2024 and delayed again this October because of Hurricane Milton, reinforcing a sentiment among some Africans that their continent is still low priority for Washington. The last US president to visit sub-Saharan Africa was Barack Obama in 2015. Biden did attend a United Nations climate summit in Egypt in North Africa in 2022. “I just kind of push back on the premise that this is some Johnny-come-lately trip at the very end,” national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on board Air Force One on the way to Angola, noting that top administration officials had visited Africa, including Vice President Kamala Harris. “This is something he (Biden) has been focused on since he became president of the United States.” A new strategy Critical minerals are a key field for US-China competition, and China has a stranglehold on Africa's critical minerals. The US has for years built relations in Africa through trade, security and humanitarian aid. The 800-mile (1,300-kilometer) railway upgrade is a different move and has shades of China's Belt and Road foreign infrastructure strategy. The Biden administration has called the corridor one of the president's signature initiatives, yet Lobito's future and any change in US engagement with the continent depends on the incoming administration of President-elect Trump. “President Biden is no longer the story,” said Mvemba Dizolele, director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank. “Even African leaders are focused on Donald Trump.” A fit for Trump's vision? The US has committed USD 3 billion to the Lobito Corridor and related projects, administration officials said, alongside financing from the European Union, the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations, a Western-led private consortium and African banks. “A lot is riding on this in terms of its success and its replicability,” said Tom Sheehy, a fellow at the United States Institute of Peace, a nonpartisan federal research institution. He called it a flagship for the G7's new Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, which was driven by Biden and aims to reach other developing nations as a response to China's Belt and Road. Many are optimistic that the Lobito project, which won't be complete until well after Biden has left office, will survive a change of administration. Blunting China has bipartisan backing and is high on Trump's to-do list. “As long as they keep labeling Lobito one of the main anti-China tools in Africa, there is a certain likelihood that it's going to keep being funded,” said Christian-Géraud Neema, who analyzes China-Africa relations for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Kirby said the Biden administration hopes Trump and his team see the value in Lobito but “we are still in office. We still have 50 days. This is a key major development not just for the United States and our foreign policy goals in Africa, but for Africans.” Only a starting point The Lobito Corridor will be an upgrade and extension of a railway line from the copper and cobalt mines of northern Zambia and southern Congo to Angola's port of Lobito, strengthening a route west for Africa's critical minerals. It also ultimately aims to extend from Zambia and Congo to Africa's east coast through Tanzania and be a coast-to-coast rail link. While Biden's administration called it a “game-changer” for US investment in Africa, it's little more than a starting point for the US and its partners, with China dominant in mining in Zambia and Congo. Congo has more than 70% of the world's cobalt, with most heading to China to reinforce its critical mineral supply chain that the US and Europe rely on. Michelle Gavin, a former adviser on Africa to Obama, said the US had failed to take Africa seriously over multiple administrations, a bipartisan trend. The Lobito Corridor was “not just about trying to blunt China, but trying to imagine, OK, what does it look like if we actually were to show up in a more serious way?” she said. “It's one project. It's one good idea. And I'm very glad we're doing it. It's not enough.” (AP) NB NB (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)Irv Wilson, a former programming executive at NBC and producer of several high profile TV movies that starred Jerry Lewis, Martin Sheen, Telly Savalas, Bruce Dern and Morgan Freeman, died December 26 after a short illness. He was 93. His death was confirmed by his longtime friend, Tom Nunan, on Facebook by writing, “Wilson loved life, and anyone who became close to him knew that a good glass of red wine, a little weed, [his wife’s] cooking, and a Giants game came pretty close to heaven for the well-loved, culturally complex maven.” Born in New York City, Wilson served in the Korean war before returning to the Big Apple to attend NYU via the G.I. Bill. He would go on to spend his career in the entertainment industry, first as a talent agent and producer, then as a TV programming executive for NBC where he oversaw the TV movie department and later, daytime and late night programming. He worked alongside Fred Silverman and Brandon Tartikoff and helped to discover future filmmakers such as Ron Howard while supporting gifted playwrights like Stanley Greenberg. After his network executive life, Wilson returned to producing work under deals at Fries Entertainment and Viacom, where he made several high profile TV movies. He may be best known for executive producing , an ABC made-for-TV play from 1974 about the Cuban Missile Crisis that starred William Devane as President John F. Kennedy and Martin Sheen as Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Nunan says his friend was also proud of his 1980 TV movie for NBC that starred Jason Robards. Wilson was a lifelong Giants fan, even after their move to San Francisco. He was also a news and information junkie and liked to spend much of his retirement debating politics. “He will be missed by many, but remembered by all who met him as simply a wonderful guy, a true character who always managed to get you to pick up lunch,” Nunan said on Facebook. “As he’d put it himself, he was King of the ‘Schnorrers.’ Look it up. It’s Yiddish, the language of giants.” Wilson is survived by Anne Carlucci, his wife of 46 years who was also a prolific TV movie producer; and his daughters Amy, Julie, and Kate. Sign up for . For the latest news, follow us on , , and .
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On Monday, the Los Angeles Rams claimed former Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. off the waiver wire. This came just a day after the former first-round pick of the 2023 NFL Draft was waived after playing just two defensive snaps in five weeks. Los Angeles may be just the place to rejuvenate the young defensive back’s career after a less-than-stellar start at the professional level. Former First Rounder Emmanuel Forbes Joins Rams Forbes’ addition to the Rams secondary adds more youth and talent to the mix. However, the former Mississippi State Bulldogs’ biggest red flag is still his status as an undersized player at the cornerback position. Forbes stands at six feet, average for the modern NFL corner. However, his 180-pound frame is around 10-15 pounds lighter than the ideal weight for the position. His physical advantage comes from his speed and long arms, which allow him to deflect passes in coverage. The Rams’ newest edition bolsters a secondary that ranks around the league average. The team ranks 17th in passing yards allowed, 11th worst in passing touchdowns allowed, and 10th in interceptions. With the team in a playoff push, Forbes’ raw talent can aid the Rams in press coverage and off-man schemes. By coming to LA, Forbes also rejoins former teammate safety Kamren Curl . Curl and Forbes both played together in Washington from 2023-2024. Head Coach Sean McVay’s team was able to revive the seemingly dead career of another first-round pick. When quarterback Baker Mayfield was without a team after being dropped by the Carolina Panthers, the Rams claimed the former Sooner off waivers. Mayfield’s five-game stint in Tinsel Town included a game-winning drive against the Las Vegas Raiders two days after signing, as well as a 51-14 win over the Denver Broncos. Mayfield’s run with the Rams revitalized his career, leading to him signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023. If the Rams can work their magic on Forbes, they can turn another doomed career around. This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.Melania Trump announces first big hire for second stint as first lady
mysticenergy LandBridge Company LLC ( NYSE: LB ) recently came to the public trading forum on June 28, 2024 , hitting the ground running with a 274% price return. Despite the outstanding performance, LandBridge currently trades at a significant premium to its peer Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of ORCL either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has paid glowing tributes to one of Nigeria’s most outstanding oil and gas merchant, Prince (Engr.) Arthur Eze, as he marks a glorious 76th birthday. Dr. Gandule, in a congratulatory message to the oil mogul, said, “Engineer Arthur Eze is an uncommon Ndigbo son with a towering figure such as an Iroko which sprouts from an oily mangrove. “Prince Eze has been consistent as the northern star in the firmament of Nigeria’s socio – economic and philantropic orbit. He has indeed been a shining star worthy of emulation. “My Prince, your philanthropic activities has immensely benefitted the hewers of wood and fetchers of water in our nation and beyond. “I celebrate your day, your track record of compassion, and genial spirit of generosity. “I bring you warm felicitations on this auspicious occasion and I pray that Almighty Allah continues to grant you good health, wisdom and long life to keep up the great job you have been doing for us and for all humanity. “The story of oil and gas exploration in Nigeria, Africa and beyond cannot be told without you.”
Lei Jun has expressed his excitement for the YU7, highlighting that this is just the beginning for Xiaomi's foray into the automotive industry. With a vision to create sustainable, environmentally friendly vehicles, Xiaomi is set to make a significant impact on the automotive world.Pierce's 20 lead Presbyterian past Youngstown State 67-42
VMMC inaugurates new MAGITING ‘70 Wellness Wing with Newport World Resorts
Gov. Newsom called a special session to prepare $25 million for legal battles with the incoming Trump administration. Republicans dismiss the session as a political stunt. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.In a moment of spontaneity, John decided to embrace the unexpected twist of fate and welcomed the teddy bear into his home. Naming him "Dee Dee" after the famous cartoon character, John found himself enjoying the quirky presence of his new, not-so-utilitarian companion.The use of windshields on electric scooters has become increasingly common among riders seeking protection from wind and cold weather while commuting. However, these windshields can obstruct the rider's field of vision and compromise their ability to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions. Moreover, poorly installed or inadequately secured windshields may detach while in motion, posing a significant risk of accidents and injuries.
$1000 Invested In Datadog 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today