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My first mission on day one as President— Kamala Harris

Published

3 months ago

August 31, 2024

By Mario Deepromoter

Vice President Kamala Harris gave her first in-depth media interview since becoming the Democratic nominee for president, answering questions Thursday from CNN’s Dana Bash.

Pressed by Bash about what she would do on “day one,” Harris focused on what she said was her agenda to bolster the middle class.

“Day one it’s going to be about, one, implementing my plan for what I call an opportunity economy,” she said. “I’ve already laid out a number of proposals in that regard, which includes what we’re going to do to bring down the cost of everyday goods, what we’re going to do to invest in America’s small businesses, what we’re going to do to invest in families, for example, extending the child tax credit to $6,000 for families for the first year of their child’s life to help them buy a car seat, to help them buy baby clothes, a crib.”

Harris added that she would also begin pushing her plan to build more affordable housing across the country.
‘My values have not changed’

In one exchange, Bash asked Harris about policy changes on issues like her past support for the Green New Deal and for a ban on fracking since running in the Democratic primary for president in 2019.

“Dana, I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed,” Harris responded.

She went on to note her commitment to fighting climate change and to try to address the current wave of undocumented immigration.

“We have set goals for the United States of America — and by extension, the globe — around when we should meet certain standards for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as an example. That value has not changed,” she said. “My value around what we need to do to secure our border. That value has not changed.”

On Israel, Harris puts hope on ceasefire agreement

Bash asked Harris if she would consider withholding weapon shipments in an effort to influence Israel as it wages a retaliatory war against Hamas in Gaza that has killed 40,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials.

“Let me be very clear. I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself, and that’s not going to change,” she said.

At the same time, Harris took issue with the number of civilian Palestinians that have been killed in Israel’s military operation in Gaza.

“Israel has a right to defend itself, we would. And how it does so matters,” she said.
As for whether she would change U.S. policy if elected president, Harris kept focus on the need for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

“We have got to get a deal done. This war must end,” she said, adding that she ultimately supports a two-state solution.

Going on the attack on securing the border

Echoing her stump speech, Harris sought to flip the script on the surge of undocumented immigration that occurred under the Biden administration by blaming Trump for torpedoing a bipartisan Senate compromise to beef up border security and overhaul the asylum process.

“Donald Trump got word of this bill that would have contributed to securing our border, and because he believes that it would not have helped him politically, he told his folks in Congress, ‘Don’t put it forward.’” Harris said. “He killed the bill, a border security bill that would have put 1,500 more agents on the border, and let me tell you something, the Border Patrol endorsed the bill.”

“He killed the bill,” she said of Trump, adding, “I will make sure that it comes to my desk, and I would sign it.”
Pressed by Bash on whether she still supported the idea that the border should be “decriminalized,” as she indicated by raising her hand during a 2019 debate, Harris offered a different view on Thursday.

“I believe there should be consequence. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be consequence,” she said.

Pledge to appoint a Republican to Cabinet position

Harris said that if she is elected in November, she would pick at least one Republican Cabinet member in her administration.

“I think it’s important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences,” she said. “And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican.”Not taking Trump’s bait

Bash asked Harris to respond to the incendiary comments Trump made earlier this month during an appearance at the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists. During a contentious interview, Trump said that Harris had purposefully misrepresented her ethnic background and only recently “became a Black person.”

But Harris made clear that she wanted no part of what she regarded as a “tired,” racially motivated attack.
“Same old, tired playbook,” she said. “Next question, please.”

“That’s it?” Bash asked.

“That’s it,” Harris responded.

News

#OndoDecides2024: APC congratulates Aiyedatiwa, applauds Ondo electorate

Published

1 hour ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The All Progressives Congress has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election in the just-concluded governorship election.

Aiyedatiwa won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

He defeated his closest rival — Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 117,845 votes.

In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Sunday, and made available to PUNCH Online, the party described Aiyedatiwa as a “clear attestation” that his administration’s policies “resonated deeply with the electorate.”

The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election.

“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.

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NiDCOM rescues 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana

Published

1 hour ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

*** says 163 victims saved between July, November

By Francesca Hangeior

The Nigerian in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has successfully facilitated the rescue and repatriation of 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana, bringing the total number of victims returned over the past five months to 163.

This was revealed in a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols.

The operation, executed through collaborative efforts, involved the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit, Rescue Live Foundation International, NIDO Ghana, and NiDCOM.

The latest group of rescued women, aged 19 to 30 years, hails from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna, and Rivers States.

It was gathered that they were lured to Ghana under false pretenses of employment but were subjected to exploitative conditions and coerced into secrecy oaths while their traffickers profited from their ordeal.

NiDCOM’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her gratitude to key supporters, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for their roles in ensuring the safe return of the victims.

She also praised Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman of Rescue Live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit for their commitment to prosecuting the traffickers.

Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes combating human trafficking and safeguarding citizens’ rights.

Upon arrival in Nigeria, the women were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for rehabilitation and reintegration.

NiDCOM representative Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the women, noted that they willingly sought assistance after learning about previous rescue efforts in Ghana’s Kpone Katamanso and Tema regions.

Chief Callistus Elozieuwa highlighted the support provided to the women in Ghana, including temporary shelter, before their return to Nigeria.

Valentine Okike Uzo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State, commended Governor Nwifuru’s dedication to supporting indigenes both at home and abroad. He assured that measures are in place to ensure proper rehabilitation for those returning to Ebonyi State.

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Dabiri-Erewa celebrates Chidimma’s emergence as First Runner up, Miss Universe

Published

1 hour ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina for emerging second at Miss Universe 2024, describing it as a reward for her doggedness and resilience.

In a congratulatory statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Commission, the NIDCOM boss was excited that despite all odds, Chidimma remained focused and attained her goals.

Dabiri-Erewa said though Chidimma Adetshina as Nigeria’s representative, finished as the first runner-up at the 73rd Miss Universe Competition held in Mexico, her courage, determination and support from Nigeria eventually paid off. She was also named Miss Africa and Oceania 2024.

Dabiri-Erewa recalled Adetshina’s controversial official withdrawal from the Miss South Africa 2024 contest, of which she had advanced to the final stage ,some few months back, noting that Nigeria warmly welcomed her, after being literally forced out of South Africa.

While in Nigeria, accompanied by President Silverbird group, Mr Guy Murray Bruce, Chidinma was warmly received at the NIDCOM Lagos office, and thereafter hosted to a grand reception at Idris Olorunnibe’s “The Temple,” Victoria Island ,with music legend, Dbanj in attendance.

Describing her as brilliant, focussed and determined, she urged others to emulate the spirit of Nigerianess in Chidimma by being proud of the country and not run it down under whatever guise.

The competition, described as one of the most thrilling in recent years, celebrated the talents, intelligence, and elegance of women from around the globe.

Nigeria came second behind Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, who won the keenly contested crown from Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.

It will be recalled that Chidimma was rejected by South Africa who expressed worries and questioned her nationality.

Due to that, Adetshina came to Nigeria to represent Taraba State and won the title of Miss Universe Nigeria.organised by the Silverbird group.