(Monrovia, September 28, 2023)- The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) expresses its support for the United States Government’s new visa restrictions targeting individuals who pose a threat to Liberia’s burgeoning democracy. In a press release issued on Thursday, September 28, 2023, the PUL calls upon all Liberians to prioritize their nation’s interests above political parties or individual affiliations. It emphasizes that intentionally provocative rhetoric may result in politicians and their families being included on the list of individuals prohibited from traveling to the United States of America. Furthermore, the Press Union of Liberia has emphasized that the American government has not called for Liberian politicians to withdraw from ongoing political discussions regarding the right to lead the country. On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, the United States announced a new visa restriction policy aimed at individuals undermining democracy in Liberia.

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Secretary Blinken clarified that certain family members of these individuals may also face these restrictions. “The visa restriction policy announced today will apply to specific individuals and is not directed at the Liberian people or the Government of Liberia. The U.S. visa restriction policy, as outlined by Secretary Blinken, has generated extensive public reactions. Announcement garners reactionsThe visa restriction policy, as announced by Secretary Blinken, has sparked widespread reactions in the public space. It reminded journalists affiliated with politically owned media outlets that they are not exempt from the visa restriction policy, particularly those using their platforms to attack opposing candidates.

By Euronews with agenciesPresident Joe Biden has warned that former president Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement is a threat to democracy in the USUS President Joe Biden speaking in Arizona on Thursday issued one of his most dire warnings yet against Donald Trump and his allies. Biden described Trump’s “Make America Great Again” or MAGA movement as an existential threat to the political system in the United States. There’s an extremist movement that does not share the basic beliefs in our democracy,” he said. His visit came just a day after Biden visited Detroit, walking the picket line in support of their labour union. Biden himself is dealing with difficulties in Washington where he is facing both an impeachment inquiry and the prospect of a government shutdown on Sunday.

The wife of Gabon’s ousted president Ali Bongo Ondimba has been charged with “money laundering” and other offences, the public prosecutor said Friday, a month after a coup toppled her husband. Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin, who is Franco-Gabonese, and one of the couple’s sons have been accused by the coup leader of having pulled the strings in the oil-rich country. Their eldest son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, has already been charged with corruption and embezzling public funds with several former cabinet members and two ex-ministers. Bongo, 64, who had ruled the central African country since 2009, was overthrown by military leaders on August 30, moments after being proclaimed the winner in a presidential election. The result was branded a fraud by the opposition and the military coup leaders, who have also accused his regime of widespread corruption and bad governance.

Angolan authorities charge journalist with criminal defamation over corruption reportNew York, September 20, 2023—Prosecutors should drop the criminal defamation, insult, and forgery charges against Angolan journalist Liberato Furtado Pereira and stop retaliating against the journalist for his public interest reporting, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Furtado, a reporter for privately owned Radio Luanda, is expected to appear before the district court in Luanda, the capital, on Thursday, September 21, to face charges of criminal defamation, insult, and forgery. If convicted of criminal defamation, Furtado faces up to 1.5 years in prison, according to the penal code. “Instead of targeting the media, Angola should repeal its criminal defamation and insult laws that are relics of the country’s colonial past and used as blunt censorship tools against journalists.”Furtado was formally accused of criminal defamation, insult, and forgery on April 21, 2021. According to a March 9, 2022, affidavit by the police’s Criminal Investigation Service reviewed by CPJ, the bank authenticated the bank receipt Furtado used as the basis of his reporting after initially stating it was fake.

The Department of Health and Human Services says orders can be placed at COVIDTests.gov starting Sept. 25, and that no-cost tests will be delivered for free by the United States Postal Service. Twelve manufacturers that employ hundreds of people in seven states have been awarded funding and will produce 200 million over-the-counter tests to replenish federal stockpiles for government use, in addition to producing enough tests to meet demand for tests ordered online, the department said. Federal officials said that will help guard against supply chain issues that sparked some shortages of at-home COVID tests made overseas during past surges in coronavirus cases. But they will include instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates, the department said. Read more of this storyVisited 10 times, 2 visit(s) today

*By Paul EjimeFrance and the United States were two countries that championed so-called international condemnation of and outrage against the 26 July 2023 military coup in Niger. In diplomatic parlance, Niger and its leaders “are strategic allies” to France, its Western allies and the United States. But it has now emerged that ECOWAS is “on its own” as far as the military intervention in Niger is concerned. ECOWAS has to re-evaluate its partnerships, review its strategy, and prioritize the use of diplomacy, especially on the Niger crisis. Therefore, we urge the Biden administration to advocate for exemptions for humanitarian assistance and critical commodities such as food and medicine to be integrated into current ECOWAS sanctions,” said the Congress members.

Source: VOA NewsThe United Auto Workers’ strike against the three biggest U.S. automakers reached into its third day on Sunday with no resolution in sight, although union negotiations with General Motors were set to resume. About 12,700 UAW workers were on strike at three factories, one each owned by Ford, Stellantis, and GM, in the most significant U.S. industrial labor action in decades. It was the first time the UAW union had gone on strike simultaneously against all three automakers. UAW President Shawn Fain told MSNBC on Sunday that progress in the talks has been slow. Union talks with Stellantis and Ford were set to resume on Monday.

“The coups in West Africa are a major concern, but, for us, we are resolved to protecting the Constitution and the will of the people. “Our mandate is to protect the territorial integrity of the State, and we are focused on that. So, when you hear any news of coup, you should be assured that the Ghana Armed Forces is not interested in governance. “It’s mostly the press who put the fear of military coup in the people, but I want to assure you that we have the interest of the nation at heart. Everybody should be rest assured that the military is focused on protecting the territorial integrity of the nation, and not anything that will bring destruction,” Vice Admiral Amoama stated.

Some $6 billion of Iranian assets once frozen in South Korea is in Qatar, an Iranian official said ahead of a highly-anticipated and planned prisoner swap between Tehran and the United States. “We hope to have total access to the Iranian assets today,” said Nasser Kanani, referring to $6 billion in Iranian funds to be unfrozen as Iran releases five US citizens. “We witnessed freezing of parts Iranian assets in some countries including South Korea,” Kanaani said. We expect these two issues to fully take place based on the agreement.”He said two of the Iranian prisoners will stay in the US. There was no other information immediately released by the agencies and US officials did not acknowledge the comments.

Thousands of supporters of the former ruling Unity Party (UP) locked down the entire city of Monrovia in their campaign launch that drew thousands of supporters. The entire city of Monrovia was covered with Green, the color of the party as many walked from far and near to move on the grounds of the ATS where the occasion of the launch took place. The convoy of the political leader of the party, affectionately call Rescue 1, Ambassador Joseph Nyumah Boakai was greeted with huge supporters who lineup the streets of the city. Earlier, other executives of the party including Rescue 2,, Jeremiah Kung; running mate to Ambassador Boakai and Rescue Mother, Grand Bassa County Senator Karnga and others were overwhelmed sue to the crowd who turned out despite of the heavy down pull or rains. Visited 22 times, 22 visit(s) today

TEHRAN, Sep. 17 (MNA) – Fourteen people on a small jet died when the plane crashed in Brazil’s northern Amazonas state on Saturday, the state’s governor said. The accident took place in the Barcelos province, some 400 km (248 miles) from the state capital, Manaus, Reuters reported. “I deeply regret the death of the 12 passengers and two crew members who were victims of the plane crash in Barcelos on Saturday,” said Wilson Lima, Governor of Amazonas state on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Our teams have been working from the outset to provide the necessary support. In an interview with O Globo newspaper, Governor Lima said that the bodies had already been removed from the aircraft and that the victims were Brazilian tourists.

MONROVIA – The Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) says the mission has embarked on the deployment of approximately 100 election observers to oversee Liberia’s upcoming presidential and legislative elections, following an invitation from the Liberian government. During the press conference, Schieder revealed that the EU EOM had already deployed 20 Long-Term Observers throughout Liberia the previous week. Schieder reassured that the mission would remain in the country until the completion of the electoral process. The EU Mission will issue preliminary findings two days after Election Day and a Final Report with recommendations for improvement at a later stage. The international community, as in Liberia’s past three post-war elections, is closely following the 2023 electoral process.

TAIPEI — Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has disappeared from public view for more than two weeks and his unexplained absence has triggered speculation about his fate. Analysts say Li’s disappearance, which follows a series of abrupt purges of top-level officials in recent months, reflects Chinese President Xi Jinping’s desire to strengthen his control over China’s military. Li, who became China’s defense minister in March, made his last public appearance Aug. 29, when he delivered a keynote speech at the third annual China-Africa Peace and Security Forum. Reuters reported that the investigation is related to the procurement of military equipment without specifying the types of equipment involved in the case. Currently, Li is still listed as China’s defense minister and a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Military Commission.