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Biden To Honour Messi, Denzel Washington, 17 Others With Top US Award

Published

6 months ago

January 4, 2025

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United States President Joe Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honourees on Saturday, bestowing the highest civilian honour in the United States to entertainers, sports stars, politicians, and diplomats.

Among those to receive the honour from the outgoing US president are singer and activist Bono, basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, longtime fashion editor Anna Wintour, football superstar Lionel Messi, actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox, and fashion designer Ralph Lauren.

The honourees “are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world,” the White House said in a statement.

Others recognised this year include chef José Andrés, founder of the World Central Kitchen NGO, and primate researcher Jane Goodall, a leading environmentalist.

Some recipients chosen by the 82-year-old Democrat hold a more political profile, such as billionaire financier and left-wing philanthropist George Soros and Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady, senator, and US Secretary of State who unsuccessfully ran against Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

Soros was honoured for his global efforts supporting democracy, human rights, education, and social justice, according to a White House statement.

Clinton, meanwhile, was commended for her decades of public service, including being the first woman nominated by a major party for the US presidency.

Biden also posthumously awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert Francis Kennedy, better known as “Bobby” Kennedy or “RFK.”

RFK, who served as US Attorney General during his brother John F. Kennedy’s presidency, was assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.

“His legacy continues to inspire those committed to justice, equality, and public service,” Biden said in a statement.

Biden’s selections for the Medal of Freedom reflect his desire to leave a lasting mark before leaving office.

On Thursday, Biden also awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman from Wyoming who served on the House panel investigating the 6th January 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol.

The move drew criticism from Donald Trump, who on Friday described Cheney as “totally corrupt” and accused Biden of rewarding her solely for opposing him.

AFP

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Putin Says Will Speak With Trump On Phone Today

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22 hours ago

July 3, 2025

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he would speak with US counterpart Donald Trump on the phone Thursday, their first publicly announced call in over two weeks.

The two have been in regular contact since Trump took office in January and have discussed issues like the Ukraine conflict and economic cooperation.

Putin did not say what the two would discuss in Thursday’s call.

“I will talk to the US president today,” the Russian leader told the media during a visit to an exhibition centre in Moscow.

Trump confirmed the call on Truth Social, saying it would start at 10.00am (1400 GMT).

The two leaders have praised each other in recent weeks, despite Moscow’s ongoing assault on Ukraine.

Putin said last week that he had “great respect” for Trump and that US ties were improving. Trump said Putin’s statements were “very nice”.

AFP

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NAFDAC Warns Against Use Of Excess Hydroquinone In Cosmetics

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2025

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned users of bleaching creams to refrain from using products containing excessive hydroquinone to safeguard their health.

NAFDAC Bauchi State Coordinator, Mr Hamis Yahaya, advised in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Tuesday.

Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent used to treat hyperpigmentation, such as melasma and age spots.

Yahaya said that the approved quantity of the chemical substance in cosmetics was only two per cent.

According to him, NAFDAC conducts checks on market products to ensure public health and safety.

“The black colour provides natural protection against harmful radiation due to melanin content.

“Applying creams with hydroquinone contents more than two per cent is harmful. Mixing creams by non-experts is wrong.

“Hydroquinone affects the health of the users gradually, including causing cancer,” he said.

Yahaya urged the media to raise awareness about the dangers of cosmetics that could endanger consumer lives.

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AU Helicopter Crashes In Somali Capital – State Media

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

An African Union helicopter crashed Wednesday at the airport in the Somali capital Mogadishu with eight people onboard, state media said.

The aircraft was part of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), tasked with fighting the Al-Shabaab militant group.

The state media agency Sonna said the AUSSOM helicopter, carrying eight people, “crashed during landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Airport this morning after departing Balidoogle”.

“The fire has been contained, and authorities are assessing the situation,” it said in a post on X.

Sonna quoted the country’s civil aviation authorities as saying that “flight operations remain normal”.

There were no further details given, but unverified clips and images shared online showed a plume of black smoke over the city.

The AUSSOM mission faces funding difficulties, even as fears of an Al-Shabaab resurgence are stoked by attacks in the Horn of Africa nation.