With her 100th career ODI wicket, Meli Kerr defeated Australian batter Phoebe Litchfield for 45 runs on her first delivery in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup defeat to go 81-2.
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup: Australia vs. New Zealand
United States President Donald Trump has released his 20-point “peace plan” for the Palestinian territory, which features himself as the head of a “Board of Peace” that will act as a transitional government in the enclave, just as you anticipated the prospects for the future of the Gaza Strip would start to look grim. This from the man who has been actively supporting and assisting Israel’s genocide against Palestinians since he assumed former US President Joe Biden’s office in January.
That’s not all, though. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is reportedly playing a significant governing role in the proposed transformation of Gaza, is also on board for the “Board of Peace.” In a region that is already well aware of the phenomenon, importing a Sir Tony Blair from the United Kingdom to oversee a population of Palestinians smacks rather harshly of colonialism.
Despite this, George W. Bush’s buddy and then-chief of the so-called war on terror, George W. Bush, who was in charge of the region’s notorious performance in the 2003 conflict with Iraq, and Blair himself, are already well-known in the region. Blair led the UK to a war that ended with the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, earning him a deserved reputation as a war criminal after making up his mind about the false allegations of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.
In other words, he is not a man who should always appear on a “Board of Peace.”
And while Bush would eventually retire to a quiet life of painting portraits of Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, made a name for himself as the one who could never get rid of, and while doing so, earned a pretty penny.
Blair left his position as prime minister in 2007 and was reincarnated as the Middle East envoy for the “Quartet” of international powers, which purport to work on the Israeli-Palestine conflict on an ongoing basis.
However, the appointment of an envoy with close ties to Israel, the unquestionable aggressor of the “conflict,” also effectively eliminated any progress in the “peace” movement.
Additionally, Blair’s diplomatic activities conveniently overlapped with a number of lucrative business ventures in the region, starting with JP Morgan as a part-time senior adviser in 2008 and moving to the US investment bank. Blair was reportedly paid more than $1 million annually for the latter position.
No one knew which Tony Blair they were seeing when Blair stepped down as Quartet envoy, whether it was Tony Blair the patron of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation or Tony Blair the principal of the consulting firm Tony Blair Associates, as Francis Beckett, said in a statement released in 2016 from Al Jazeera.
But they still pay off, after all. The point of conflicts of interest.
Award-winning journalist Jonathan Cook noted in a 2013 article for the Journal of Palestine Studies that Blair had little to show for his “achievements” as Quartet representative, but that “trumpet one in particular: his success in securing radio frequencies from Israel in 2009 to enable the establishment of a second Palestinian cell phone operator, Wataniya Mobile, in the West Bank.”
However, there was a catch. According to Cook, Israel gave the frequencies away in exchange for a resolution from the Palestinian leadership to drop the Israeli-led war crimes at the UN that occurred during the Israeli-led Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, which in December 2008 killed about 1,400 Palestinians in just 22 days.
What are you aware of? In addition to Wataniya, JP Morgan and other companies were all attracted to the West Bank’s potential to make a significant profit from the opening of the airwaves.
There are undoubtedly many opportunities for the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change to completely alter the world in order to screw up the Palestinians, which is hardly exaggeration to say that Blair will try to capitalize on his upcoming governorship of Gaza.
The “many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas… crafted by well-meaning international groups,” according to Trump’s 20-point plan, are among his main points, omitted, which magically lead to “hope for future Gaza.” After all, why should Palestinians care about having a state and not having Israel repeatedly massacre them when they can benefit from capitalism and foreign investor tyranny?
And Blair may be the face of that oppression, whose association with the Middle East’s massacre of civilians has not prevented him from being once more tapped as a regional peacemaker.
Apart from Trump and the Israelis, Blair has plenty of fans. For instance, Thomas Friedman, a fellow Orientalist and Iraq war cheerleader and former New York Times foreign affairs columnist, once praised Blair as “one of the most significant British prime ministers ever” for choosing to “throw in Britain’s lot with President Bush on the Iraq war,” defying “the overwhelming antiwar sentiment of his own party, as well as public opinion in Britain in general.”
Friedman’s admiration for Blair’s anti-democratic stoicism seemed to be dying: “He had no real support group to turn to.” Even his wife’s involvement in the Iraq War is unknown. (I am aware of the emotion!) “
Perhaps his wife should advise him to pursue painting in place of waiting for Blair and other international war criminals as Gaza’s fate continues to hang in the balance.
Infinix joins millions of Nigerians in observing a country known for its strength, resilience, and progress-seeking nation as it celebrates its 65th anniversary today.
Nigeria is more than just a market; it is home, according to Infinix. The Nigerian people’s creativity, determination, and drive have inspired the brand, which has helped the brand develop. Infinix has consistently provided technology that empowers its workforce to dream big, stay connected, and achieve more in a world where Nigeria rises and redefines its position.
Infinix has achieved remarkable accomplishments in Nigeria over the years, consistently receiving praise for its innovative products that are top-notch and that are in line with the lifestyle of the digital generation. The brand has redefined itself as a lifestyle choice for bold, ambitious Nigerians who fuses high-end technology with local icons and social norms.
Beyond providing devices, Infinix has heavily invested in initiatives that provide opportunities for young Nigerians to succeed in the digital era. The brand has consistently demonstrated its commitment to building capacity, supporting creativity, and positioning Nigerian youth for success in an increasingly technology-driven world, from advancing education and innovation to creating platforms for talent development and global exposure. These initiatives demonstrate Infinix’s unwavering commitment to promoting innovation and empowerment among those who use technology as well as investing in its users.
Infinix has also advocated for young people’s empowerment by supporting young entrepreneurs, influencers, and tech enthusiasts, giving them platforms for self-expression and development while ensuring that technology is used as a source of opportunity. Through active community involvement, from sponsoring entertainment shows to working with local talent, it continues to celebrate the creativity and enthusiasm of the country’s young people.
As we observe Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day, Oluwayemisi Ode, Integrated Marketing Communications & PR Manager at Infinix Nigeria, made a point about how the shared values of resilience, creativity, and progress are still a source of inspiration for the brand. This spirit drives our company’s mission at the very core. Our goal has always been to develop tools that enable the use of modern technology in everyday Nigerians. We firmly believe in a young, vibrant Nigeria, and we will continue to develop technology that is in line with its aspirations.
Infinix reiterates its commitment to supporting the country on its path of development and transformation as Nigeria honors this milestone.
Mount Maunganui’s first T20I
New Zealand 181-6 (20 overs): Robinson 106 (66), Dwarshuis 2-40
Australia 185-4 (16.3 overs): Marsh 85 (43), Henry 2-43
By six wickets, Australia won.
Tim Robinson’s century was in vain as Australia won the first T20 match in Mount Maunganui by six wickets.
Rachin Ravindra, an all-star pitcher, was declared out of the series after suffering a significant laceration to his face during fielding practice on Tuesday, making Robinson a late addition to the team.
To save New Zealand from a top-order collapse, Robinson, who is playing his 13th T20I, scored an unbeaten 106 runs on 66 balls, including six fours and five sixes.
Before Robinson’s maiden international century helped the Black Caps resurrect their innings at 6-3 following Josh Hazlewood’s removal of Tim Seifert in the opening over and Devon Conway and Mark Chapman’s two strikes in two balls, the Black Caps defeated them to reach a 6-3 lead.
With 21 balls left, Australia overtook the field thanks to Tim David and Marcus Stoinis.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), according to Binta Bello, the agency’s director general, has detained five suspected traffickers and rescued 24 human trafficking victims.
The feat was accomplished when it led a high-powered special operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, according to a statement released by NAPTIP’s national press officer, Vincent Adekoye, on Wednesday.
A retired senior uniform officer with one of Nigeria’s top law enforcement organizations, who was allegedly a prominent member of the trafficking syndicate operating in the South West region, was one of the suspect human traffickers detained at the airport, according to the statement.
The Director General’s recent anti-human trafficking efforts and attack onslaught against human trafficking, which targeted recruitment centers, trafficking spots, and routes within Nigeria, were described by the organization as a continuation of the development.
In response to the increased reports of Nigerians being recruited and exploited both domestically and abroad, Bello had ordered a few months ago to increase surveillance and monitoring of all areas of the nation, with particular attention given to motor parks, waterways in the coastal states, and international airports.
Following a tip-off from concerned stakeholders and partners, who received information about the influx of suspected human trafficking victims at Abuja’s international airport and the unhygienic practices of some suspected traffickers.
NAPTIP claimed that the human trafficking activities had been “completely disrupted” after almost six hours of operation.
The victims were traveling to Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Afghanistan when they were recruited from Kano, Kastina, Oyo, Ondo, and Rivers States, where they were between the ages of 15 and 26.
Some of the victims were said to be unaware of the location of their intended country of destination, despite the fact that many of them could not communicate in any other language besides their dialect.
They informed my mother that I would be traveling to Europe to work and make money. One of their parents commented, “My parents were happy and they gave me permission to follow them.”
One of the victims, who had promised to bring her father’s falsehood charges against her, staged yet another mild drama at NAPTIP’s headquarters. After the Director General had personally given the victims a series of video clips of some stranded Nigerians and those who were being abused at the destination countries, he had offered them some insight.
While watching the video of those girls who were being abused and beaten by the traffickers, the victim said, “I struggled to hold my emotions.” I won’t go if that’s what awaits me there. Because my father deceived me, I’m really angry with him. My father informed me that his friend works for me at a Baghdad supermarket. It is in Iraq, he didn’t tell me. I am aware that Iraq is currently a bad place to work because of the Iraqi crisis, but I am unaware that Baghdad is there. I appreciate DG and her officers’ rescue, but I still need my passport and want to return to my hometown. The victim, whose father was one of the traffickers arrested, gave in her native dialect as she pleaded for help. “I will definitely make it here rather than suffer in another country,” she said.
Kogi mourns as the boat accident’s death toll rises to 26.
The Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, who spoke about the development, expressed concern over the continued deception, recruitment, and exploitation of Nigerians through various forms of exploitation.
We were able to detain five suspected members of the trafficking gang, who had been recruiting and facilitating human trafficking to various tension-strengthening nations, particularly in the Middle East, for exploitation, today, which impressed me with the outcome of the operation.
We have decided to turn our attention to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport because we have observed that these traffickers are finding it difficult to leave their homes. We will continue this raid until this illegal and unpatriotic activity is stopped.
“It shocked me that a father, a retired law enforcement officer in the senior cadre, defrauded his daughter and sold her out in Iraq for exploitation,” he said. This is incredibly unbelievable. All of them will face the law and be thoroughly investigated.
I sincerely thank and appreciate the support of the NAPTIP Director General, the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Manager, and all the wonderful staff members of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria. I appreciate the assistance of the airport security personnel, immigration officers, airport security personnel, and airline operators.