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Dozens Dead as Gaza Erupts Over U.S. Embassy Move to Jerusalem

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  • Dozens Dead as Gaza Erupts Over U.S. Embassy Move to Jerusalem

Israeli forces shot dead 41 Palestinians as tens of thousands converged on Gaza’s border in the worst single day of violence there since a 2014 war, casting a pall over President Donald Trump’s contentious inauguration of a U.S. embassy in Jerusalem.

Hundreds more were wounded by live fire, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reported. Tens of thousands joined demonstrations in the hours leading up to the inauguration ceremony to be attended by Trump’s daughter and son-in-law.

The U.S. policy shift was a diplomatic victory for Israeli officials, but a blow to the Palestinians, who see it as undermining their claim to establish a capital in the city’s eastern sector and have been carrying out a campaign of protests against Israel in recent weeks. Gaza protesters, egged on by loudspeakers and transported in buses, streamed to the border, where some threw rocks, burned tires, and flew kites and balloons outfitted with firebombs into Israeli territory.

The Israeli military, which has airdropped leaflets warning protesters to stay away from the frontier, said it stopped militants from laying an explosive device along the frontier. Aircraft targeted Hamas security posts after troops were fired upon, it added.

Israel accuses Hamas of using the protests as cover to attack the Jewish state, and has vowed to prevent any attempts to breach the border, the ultimate objective of the protest campaign. It also charged Iran of funding the violence against Israel along the border.

Palestinian Displacement

The “March of Return,” as the weeks-long protest is known, began as an effort by grassroots groups to draw attention to the Palestinians’ demand to return to homes lost in fighting surrounding Israel’s 1948 creation. The campaign, which took shape after the embassy transfer was announced, was quickly co-opted by Hamas, eager to divert popular anger away from its management of impoverished Gaza.

Border confrontations are expected to spill into Tuesday, when Palestinians mark the 70th anniversary of the “nakba,” or “catastrophe,” of their displacement by Israel’s birth.

As the violence unfolded in Gaza, Israeli officials prepared to celebrate the transfer of the embassy to Jerusalem, a move Trump’s predecessors and most other countries have shunned to avoid taking sides in the contest over sovereignty.

‘Security Priority’

Trump, who vowed to move the embassy from Tel Aviv during his campaign, is to address invitees to the designation ceremony via video conference. Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner are among a U.S. delegation that includes Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan.

“Many presidents signed a waiver for national security reasons not to move the embassy,” Mnuchin said at a reception hosted by an Orthodox Jewish group Monday morning. “President Trump is moving the embassy because it’s a national security priority to have the embassy here in Jerusalem.”

When Trump declared Dec. 6 that “it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” he said it wouldn’t prejudge the contested city’s final status, and that he hoped the move would spur the renewal of peace negotiations. Instead, the decision angered much of the Middle East, including U.S. allies, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas responded by breaking off all contact with the Trump administration.

“As the Palestinian people continue to endure 70 years of ongoing Nakba, ethnic cleansing and exile, as well as over 50 years of occupation, the U.S. administration has chosen to celebrate it by moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem,” Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said in a statement Monday. “This infamous hostile act against international law and against the people of Palestine places the U.S. on the side of the occupying power, Israel.”

Palestinans

Clashes Erupt as Palestinians Rally Against US Embassy Move in Jerusalem

Israeli police beefed up their presence around the city, with 1,000 officers tasked with providing security for the embassy opening, spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. Forces include anti-terrorism units, undercover officers and paramilitary border police, with special attention being paid to Arab neighborhoods near the embassy site, he said.

Broken Promises

Before Trump, U.S. presidential candidates for decades had vowed they’d move the embassy, but postponed the move out of concern it would disrupt peace prospects. Moving the embassy is a requirement of a 1990s U.S. law that was regularly waived by Trump’s predecessors going back to Bill Clinton.

The Trump administration bypassed years of construction on a new embassy by repurposing an existing consular building for the time being. Since the compound isn’t large enough to host all the staff currently based in Tel Aviv, officials will commute back and forth.

The opening comes amid heightened tensions across the region. Israeli forces have stepped up attacks on Iranian targets in neighboring Syria over the past week, after saying Tehran-backed troops targeted Israel with a missile barrage. Iranian officials rejected that accusation and are fuming over Trump’s decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and five other world powers.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Lagos Eyes Investment Surge as Sanwo-Olu Unveils Growth Strategy

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is spearheading a bold push to attract significant investment inflow to boost the state’s economic growth.

During a Pre-Summit Investor Roundtable at the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS 3.0), held at Eko Hotels and Suites, the governor outlined strategic opportunities for investors.

With the theme “Invest Lagos – Investment Opportunities,” the summit was organized by the Sterling One Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment.

Attended by business leaders, chambers of commerce, and industry captains, the event underscored Lagos’ potential as a hub for economic activity.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted Lagos’ positive economic outlook, citing an expanding population and sustainable infrastructure as key growth drivers.

Despite challenging business environments, the state’s economy has shown resilience, welcoming new investments while sustaining existing ones.

The governor emphasized reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business. He mentioned that digitizing services had reduced bureaucratic hurdles, fostering a stable business climate.

Sanwo-Olu assured potential investors of the state’s commitment to creating a supportive environment that ensures returns and security for investments.

“In the last five years, Lagos’ GDP has grown by 50 percent,” Sanwo-Olu stated. “We aim to sustain this growth and ensure the gains of the past years are not reversed.”

Sanwo-Olu identified sectors ripe for investment, including transportation, tourism, health insurance, and waterways. He expressed the government’s dedication to advancing development plans in these areas.

Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, highlighted Lagos’ economic strides, noting that the state’s GDP had increased from N27 trillion to N41 trillion in five years.

She detailed strategic investments, particularly the allocation of N550.7 billion for infrastructure in 2024, and the commitment of N44.33 billion to food security initiatives.

Sterling Bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, pointed out that economic growth in Africa is often hindered by an unstable investment climate.

The summit aimed to build investor confidence by fostering trust and transparency in business environments.

“Lagos remains a leading destination for investors,” Suleiman noted. “The state provides clarity and access to markets, maintaining consistency in its investment strategies.”

Sanwo-Olu’s administration continues to focus on diversifying Lagos’ economy through strategic investments in various sectors.

The state’s proactive approach has positioned it as a global city and an emerging African financial center.

The governor’s initiative is expected to further solidify Lagos’ reputation as a prime investment destination, paving the way for sustained economic growth and development.

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Vice-President Harris Gathers Momentum as Democratic Nominee

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Kamala Harris

Vice-President Kamala Harris has secured the support needed to become the Democratic nominee for president.

This was after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election, endorsing Harris as his successor.

According to CBS News, Harris has received endorsements from over 1,976 delegates, surpassing the threshold needed to clinch the nomination in the first round of voting at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) scheduled for August.

Delegations from at least 27 states have expressed full support, showcasing a strong backing across the nation.

In her address to campaign staff in Wilmington, Delaware, Harris expressed gratitude for the widespread support, adding that she committed to uniting the party and the country.

“We have 106 days until Election Day, and in that time, we have some hard work to do,” she stated.

Harris laid out her vision for America, contrasting it with that of her likely opponent, Donald Trump.

Speaking on the direction of the campaign thus far, she said “Our campaign has always been about two different versions of what we see as the future of our country. One focuses on the future, the other focuses on the past.”

She acknowledged the accomplishments of the Biden administration, highlighting her pride in serving as vice-president.

“My time serving as vice-president was one of the greatest honors of my life,” Harris said, underscoring her dedication to continuing the work they started.

In a phone call to his campaign team, Biden praised Harris, urging his supporters to rally behind her. “I’m hoping you’ll give every bit of your heart and soul that you gave to me to Kamala,” he said.

Despite stepping back from the race, Biden vowed to remain actively involved in supporting Harris and emphasized the importance of defeating Trump, calling him “a danger to this nation.”

Harris’s nomination marks a significant milestone, but challenges remain. The campaign will focus on addressing key issues such as healthcare, climate change, and economic inequality.

With millions of dollars pouring into her campaign since Biden’s announcement, Harris aims to capitalize on the momentum and build a coalition that appeals to a broad spectrum of voters.

As the DNC approaches, Harris is expected to formally accept the nomination, solidifying her position as the Democratic leader.

The coming months will be crucial as she works to unite the party and reach out to undecided voters. With her historic nomination, Harris stands poised to make a lasting impact on the future of American politics.

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President Declines Nomination, Endorses Harris for 2024

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In a significant political announcement on his X.com account, President Joe Biden has decided to forgo the opportunity to seek re-election in 2024, instead throwing his full support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

The surprise move, shared with the public this morning, represents a pivotal moment in the Democratic Party’s journey toward the upcoming presidential election.

In his statement, Biden said that his choice to step aside is driven by a desire to concentrate on his remaining duties as President.

He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve alongside Harris, calling her selection as his Vice President in 2020 “the best decision” he has made. “My fellow Democrats,” Biden began, “I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

The President’s announcement signifies a strategic shift in the 2024 election landscape. By endorsing Kamala Harris, Biden not only aims to consolidate support within the party but also to set the stage for a unified front against former President Donald Trump.

“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” Biden declared. “Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”

This endorsement comes as a surprise to many, given Biden’s earlier commitment to seeking re-election.

However, it reflects a broader strategic maneuver to ensure party unity and strengthen the Democratic position in the face of a formidable opponent. By focusing on Harris, Biden aims to leverage her growing popularity and political acumen to fortify the party’s chances in the upcoming election.

Kamala Harris, who has served as Vice President since January 2021, will now be thrust into the spotlight as the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Her campaign is expected to build on the legacy of the current administration while addressing key issues facing the nation.

The move also raises the stakes for the Republicans, who will need to prepare for a robust campaign from a seasoned political leader in Harris.

As the 2024 election cycle ramps up, Biden’s endorsement is likely to reshape the dynamics of the race, influencing both Democratic strategies and Republican responses.

The coming months will be critical as Harris and her team work to solidify their platform and rally support from voters across the nation.

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