Washington
What to expect as US-Africa summit kicks off in Washington
The US goals to spice up cooperation with African nations as President Joe Biden hosts dozens of regional leaders on the second US-Africa Leaders Summit this week in Washington, DC.
Starting on Tuesday, the three-day summit will give attention to key challenges, together with the local weather disaster, good governance, meals safety and world well being, in addition to bolstering US-Africa commerce and funding alternatives.
“The summit … is rooted within the recognition that Africa is a key geopolitical participant. The continent will form the long run not simply of the African individuals, but in addition the world,” US Nationwide Safety Adviser Jake Sullivan informed reporters on Monday afternoon.
Forty-nine African heads of state and leaders, in addition to the African Union, had been invited to the summit, Sullivan mentioned throughout a information convention.
The talks – a follow-up to the primary such gathering hosted by former US President Barack Obama eight years in the past – mark the most important worldwide gathering in Washington, DC, since earlier than the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biden has sought to rebuild Washington’s relationship with different nations, in addition to to re-engage with world organisations just like the United Nations, after 4 years of his predecessor Donald Trump’s “America First” method to overseas coverage.
The US position in Africa receded throughout that point, and Biden administration officers have burdened the necessity to strengthen ties with like-minded nations within the area.
“Working intently with Congress, the US will commit $55bn to Africa over the course of the following three years,” Sullivan mentioned on Monday.
China, Russia competitors
The summit comes as China, which the US views as its important world competitor, has persistently outpaced Washington in its investments in Africa. Russia can be making an attempt to rally assist on the continent in response to stress from the US and its allies over the struggle in Ukraine.
Nonetheless, within the lead-up to this week’s conferences, high Biden administration officers performed down their rising considerations about China and Russia. As an alternative, they’ve burdened the significance of together with African nations in world discussions.
“We want extra African voices in worldwide conversations that concern the worldwide economic system, democracy and governance, local weather change, well being, and safety,” White Home Adviser Judd Devermont mentioned on December 9.
In August, the Biden administration launched a brand new technique doc for sub-Saharan Africa, stressing the area’s significance and promising to increase defence cooperation with like-minded nations.
In November, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken additionally mentioned Washington must do issues in a different way to assist Africa with its infrastructure wants. It was time to cease treating the continent as a topic of geopolitics, however fairly as a serious participant by itself, Blinken remarked.
The area wants billions of {dollars} a yr for roads, railways, dams and energy, and within the final decade, it has acquired big sums from China, which usually doesn’t tie cash to political or rights-related circumstances.
Washington has characterised Chinese language lending as predatory and resulting in potential debt traps. It has as an alternative targeted on facilitating personal funding, however officers acknowledge that the US must do extra to hurry up help.
As a part of this week’s summit, Biden will ship a keynote tackle to the US-Africa Enterprise Discussion board on Wednesday, earlier than internet hosting a dinner for the world leaders assembled in america capital.
The US president is predicted to again a everlasting spot for the African Union within the Group of 20, a discussion board for main economies, throughout the summit. Sullivan mentioned Biden additionally would categorical a dedication to UN Safety Council reform, “together with assist for a everlasting member” from Africa.
“It’s previous time for Africa to have everlasting seats on the desk in worldwide organisations and initiatives,” Sullivan informed reporters.
On Thursday, Biden and the opposite heads of state and leaders will maintain talks on selling meals safety, after months of provide considerations and disruptions linked to the struggle in Ukraine. He will even focus on the 2023 elections in Africa and democracy with a small group of leaders, Sullivan mentioned.
“One of many distinctive elements of this summit is the collateral injury that the Russian struggle has inflicted on Africa when it comes to meals provide and the diversion of improvement help to Ukraine,” John Stremlau, a visiting professor of worldwide relations on the College of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, informed The Related Press information company.
“The chance prices of the invasion have been very excessive in Africa,” Stremlau mentioned.
‘Nice alternatives, some dangers’
In the meantime, native officers in Washington, DC, are warning residents to brace for roadblocks and intensified safety as the handfuls of invited leaders transfer across the metropolis for the talks.
The US has invited all African Union members in good standing, which means Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Sudan won’t be represented. Attendees should even have full relations with Washington, which excludes Eritrea.
Some of the intently watched leaders anticipated in Washington shall be Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a one-time US ally whom the Biden administration has accused of backing widespread abuses within the Tigray battle. A breakthrough deal final month led to a cessation of hostilities.
The presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will even be in attendance, as Blinken exerts worldwide stress on Rwanda over its alleged assist for rebels seizing management of territory within the neighbouring DRC.
Different presidents due on the summit embrace Egypt’s Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Tunisia’s Kais Saied, who’ve each confronted criticism for a scarcity of democratic rights of their nations, in addition to Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who arrives days after the US known as his newest election a sham.
The overseas minister of Zimbabwe, below US sanctions, can be anticipated to attend.
Analysts say that African leaders shall be searching for Biden to make some main commitments throughout the talks, together with asserting his first presidential go to to sub-Saharan Africa, in addition to efforts to bolster the continent’s economic system by way of personal sector funding and commerce.
Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, director of the Africa programme on the Middle for Strategic and Worldwide Research, mentioned the US was getting into the summit with a “belief deficit” because of the lengthy wait for the reason that final version in 2014.
“The summit presents nice alternatives, nevertheless it additionally poses some dangers,” he mentioned.
“This is a chance to point out Africa that the US actually desires to take heed to them,” he added. “However now that now we have excessive expectations, the query shall be: What shall be completely different now?”
Washington
Off-duty Washington County deputy had been under the influence of alcohol when he crashed into car full of children, charges say
AFTON, Minn. — An off-duty Washington County deputy crashed into a car full of children while under the influence of alcohol, charges filed on Thursday reveal.
Campbell Blair, 58, is charged with one count each of criminal vehicular operation causing substantial bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol and carrying a pistol while under the influence of alcohol, according to the criminal complaint filed in Washington County.
The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash occurred Sunday around 10:39 a.m. in Afton on Highway 95 at Scenic Lane.
Blair had been driving a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek northbound on the highway when he crossed over the center line and collided head-on with a 2022 Ford Expedition, the patrol said. Troopers believe both vehicles involved had been going around 55 mph at the time of the crash and report that no brake marks were observed.
The driver and passenger in the Ford, a 38-year-old Lake Elmo man and 36-year-old Woodbury woman respectively, suffered injuries not considered life-threatening. There were also five children between the ages of 2 and 9 in the car at the time of the crash who were not injured. One of the victims told investigators they had been on their way to the apple orchard to celebrate her youngest child’s birthday.
Blair, who was off-duty, was wearing a Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputy uniform and had his pistol in the front passenger seat, charges say. He told a trooper that he had worked at Regions Hospital from 9 p.m. the night prior until 7 a.m. the day of the crash. He claimed he had been called to return to work at Regions.
Later, investigators learned that Blair had not been called back into work and was not scheduled to work again until later that evening.
“It was unknown why Defendant was in full uniform with his duty vest and pistol,” the complaint says.
Charges say Blair was observed by several witnesses weaving over lane lines and driving erratically prior to the crash.
At the hospital, Blair denied drinking any alcohol. He agreed to give a preliminary breath test, and “provided a weak sample with a result of .092,” charges say.
A search warrant was obtained to take Blair’s blood sample.
“We are aware of the motor vehicle injury crash involving an off-duty Washington County deputy,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement shared with WCCO. “The Minnesota State Patrol is currently investigating the incident, and we will take all appropriate actions in accordance with our policies and procedures pending the investigation’s outcome.”
Authorities say the driver of the Ford broke multiple bones and had to undergo hospitalization for surgery.
Washington
4 Third Basemen the Washington Nationals Need To Pursue This Offseason
There is a lot to like about the Washington Nationals in the future. They are loaded with young talent up and down the roster, whether it is in the lineup or on their pitching staff.
However, there are a few areas of concern heading into the offseason. One of the positions that could use an upgrade is third base.
Who could the Nationals look to add to their roster at the hot corner? Here are four players they need to pursue in the winter to upgrade their lineup.
One of the most accomplished players hitting free agency, the Houston Astros star is going to get paid a large sum of money. A two-time World Series champion and turning 31 right before the 2025 campaign, he can lock things down at third base for years to come.
His market is going to be robust as the clear-cut No. 1 option at the position that is hitting the market. A ton of teams are going to try and land him and it will take a ton of money to pry him away from the Astros.
If Washington wants to go to the top of the market, there isn’t a better option that will be available. However, it could be argued that they would be better off spending top dollar at first base; at least there are options in-house at third who could handle innings here such as Jose Tena, Ildemaro Vargas and prospects Brady House and Cayden Wallace.
The veteran hitting free agency is not yet a sure thing. The Arizona Diamondbacks have a $15 million club option that can be exercised and retain him for 2025.
Even if that does occur, Suarez could be made available on the trade market. Rumors swirled about him being a trade candidate ahead of this past summer’s deadline when he was struggling.
He ended the season on a high note, restoring his value. The Nationals won’t find a better answer to their home run problem at third base than the veteran righty, who has hit 21+ home runs in every season since 2016, excluding the COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign. In only 57 games that season, he did launch 15 homers.
Intra-divisional trades are quite rare. Seeing the NL East rival New York Mets make a deal to strengthen Washington’s outlook would certainly be a surprise, but if the right deal is there to be made, why not pull the trigger?
Baty is someone that could be mentioned in trade rumors all winter given the emergence of Mark Vientos at third base. While there are some concerns about Vientos’s glove long-term, the bat certainly plays.
Anyone acquiring Baty would be buying low after his chance to lockdown third base long-term in Queens didn’t come to fruition. But, it wasn’t long ago that he was a top 100 prospect in baseball.
A change of scenery could help him get back on track and he would fit in perfectly on the timeline the Nationals are now operating with.
Washington has aspirations to turn things around quickly. For that to happen, they need some veterans who can lead the young guys, showing them exactly what it takes to succeed at the Major League level.
While not exclusively a third baseman, Enrique Hernandez can fill the void there adequately, providing leadership and guidance while also possessing World Series experience. After logging 529 solid innings at the hot corner with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he can keep the seat warm until a young guys is ready.
After that, he can shift into a super-utility role, as he has logged at least one inning at every position except catcher in his professional career. Hernandez would provide insurance in the outfield and middle infield and is once again proving to be a clutch postseason performer.
Washington
VOA reporter shares early voting experience in Washington, DC
Early voting is underway in Washington, DC with voters casting their ballots ahead of Tuesday’s November 5th general election. VOA’S Anthony LaBruto gives viewers an inside look at some of the specifics of the voting process as he casts his ballot for the first time in the U.S. capital.
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