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
“Sunset Road:” New rom-com feature focuses the lens on Washington’s Red Mountain wine country – Northwest Public Broadcasting
Sunset Road is the name of a slice of pavement that cuts up the flank of Red Mountain, in southeast Washington wine country. It’s also where a new queer rom-com, also called “Sunset Road,” was shot.
In the first scene, Etta Campbell, played by the film’s director, Janet Krupin, is found on the roadside talking to a friend working in New York.
Sam Work Bestie: “Remind me where are you now?”
Etta Campbell: “Washington.”
Sam Work Bestie: “D.C.?”
Etta Campbell: “State.”
Sam Work Bestie: “Oh, Seattle?”
Etta Campbell: “Nope. Three and half hours southeast. It’s Washington wine country I guess?”
The film is based on the plot of “Romeo and Juliet.”
Instead of the Capulets and Montagues, the warring families are upset with wine and what to top it with – corks or screw tops. They have it out at a popular Richland restaurant, called Fiction.
Papa Campbell: “Maybe one of you could tell me why you prefer screw tops over natural cork? I’ve always wondered what in the world you’d …”
Oryn Montgomery: “How about them Mariners?”
Mama Montgomery: “Screwtops are wonderful; they’re the wave of the future.”
Spoiler alert: No one dies in this rom-com.
Director Krupin was raised in the Tri-Cities, and moved to New York City.
She was on Broadway, and side-hustled hosting gigs.
“Like, I was loving it,” Krupin said. “Doing the acting thing.”
But, then came the pandemic.
“I think it was Friday the 13th, I will never forget it,” Krupin said. “They shut down Broadway and then they shut down the restaurants, and those were my two forms of income.”
She moved back home to the Tri-Cities. She worked at Hightower Cellars during the pandemic.
And her comedy was born.
Krupin plays the Juliet-inspired character who falls in love with the warring family’s daughter. Under the string lights of her real-life parents’ house, the pair sip a rosé called “Any Other Name.”
Oryn Montgomery: “Great body.”
Etta Campbell: “Why, thank you.”
Oryn Montgomery: “[laugh] The wine.”
Etta Campbell: “Well, maybe you can tell me what a wine having body even means?”
Oryn Montgomery: “Body is how heavy or thin it feels in the mouth. Uh, this has a silky but substantial mouth feel.”
This “queer romp” is set amid conservative agriculture, east of the Cascades.
Traci Gillig is an assistant professor at Washington State University. She studies gender and media. She said this film doesn’t spotlight hardships for queer people – a rarity.
“And I think also that a lot of what was seen in the past was sort of struggles,” Gillig said, “not that we need necessarily more media representations of those, that sort of space people are living in now.”
The film cast many local actors and business people. Kelly Hightower co-owns a winery featured in the film. She said unlike the warring families in the new film, they use both cork and screw tops.
“When I first saw the movie it made me laugh out loud … It was just so funny,” Hightower said. “I mean actual quotes that actually happened here at the winery.”
The music from the film is recorded by Krupin’s sister, Halley Greg. “Sunset Road” is now on Amazon Prime Video.
* Kyle Norris contributed to this report.
Washington
Washington State Football: Keys to Victory at Oregon State
The Cougars suffered just their second loss of the year last weekend against New Mexico and, by many accounts, it was a shocker. Ranked well within the Top 25 and playing a team with a losing record, albeit on the road, WSU was expected to win. Now at 8-2 Jake Dickert’s squad is tasked with bouncing back and they might have the perfect opportunity to do just that against an Oregon State unit that has been in a tailspin as of late.
Here’s what Washington State needs to do on Saturday to avoid a second straight defeat and get back on the right track.
Move Past Last Week
First and foremost, the Cougs need to forget the loss last weekend. The New Mexico debacle is over and done with, and it ought to be treated as such. Dwelling on the misfortunes that plagued them a week ago will only spell bad news against an Oregon State squad that is desperately looking to salvage whatever it can from a season. If WSU comes into this one and lets that loss give them a disadvantage in any aspect, that might be all OSU needs to get a leg up. Essentially, they can’t let the Lobos beat them twice.
In order to mentally rebound from the toll of their second loss the best thing for WSU might be to get back to the basics in all phases of the game. The offense needs to rediscover and reaffirm what has made it so competitive all year. The defense has to wash their collective minds of the poor showing in Albuquerque. If Dickert can get the team back to what they were before last week… and there’s no reason to believer he can’t… they’ll be just fine.
Tackle, Tackle, Tackle
It’s no secret that one of the main issues last weekend for the Cougars was an inability to bring ball carriers down. Some of that can be blamed on the dynamic play of Deveon Dampier but a lot of it can be attributed to not wrapping up and failing to be sound in their tackles across the board. A repeat of that showing against Beavers playmakers such as Anthony Hankerson or Trent Walker could again yield some ugly results.
Fortunately for Washington State, they have the right guys to fix those errors. Senior linebacker Kyle Thornton is one of the best out there when it comes to making stops. He has 53 tackles this season (36 solo) and has been the enforcer for the team in the middle of the field for several seasons. Redshirt Sophomore “Buddah” Al-Qudah is also excellent in this department with a team-leading 58 stops. If these two can do what they are best at and get everyone else to follow suit, the Cougs will find a lot more success this Saturday.
Keep the Chains Moving
A surefire way to keep OSU on its toes is to keep its defense tired and to do that, Washington State needs some long, sustained drives. Moving the sticks, especially on third down, will help that happen. The Beavers allow their opponents to convert 45% of the third downs they attempt and, while that rate is somewhat high, the Cougars should aim for much more than that. Getting the Oregon State defense fatigued will go a long way.
John Mateer and company need to make sure, when they do get into third down scenarios, that they are manageable. Positive pushes on early downs is a must. Whether it be Mateer running himself, completing short and high-percentage throws to his pass catchers or strong rushes from running back Wayshawn Parker, the offense needs to stay on schedule. Little things like this will make all the difference against a foe that is struggling.
More Reading Material From Oregon State Beavers On SI
Week 13 – Oregon State vs Washington State: How To Watch, Preview, Time/Date, Storylines
State of the Beavs: Huge Beaver Basketball Matchups This Week + Hosting Wazzu at Reser
WATCH: Trent Bray Talks Oregon State’s “Disappointing” Performance At Air Force
Washington
How to watch the Orlando Pride-Washington Spirit NWSL final
The 2024 NWSL Final is as big as it gets.
Battling for the playoff title are the top two teams during the regular season, both of which survived the early stages of knockout-round postseason play.
The Orlando Pride, winners of the NWSL Shield for the best regular-season record, are the No. 1 seed that will take on the No. 2 Washington Spirit.
Orlando is led by the Brazilian icon Marta, while Washington is pioneered by rising U.S. women’s national team forward Trinity Rodman.
Here’s how and where to watch the 2024 final:
When is the 2024 NWSL Final?
The 2024 final between Orlando and Washington is slated for Saturday, Nov. 23.
What time is the 2024 NWSL Final?
Kickoff time is slated for 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT.
Where is the 2024 NWSL Final?
CPKC Stadium, home of NWSL side Kansas City Current in Missouri, is the neutral venue for the game.
How, where to watch the 2024 NWSL Final on TV
The Orlando-Washington NWSL final will be broadcast by CBS.
How, where to watch the 2024 NWSL Final online
The Orlando-Washington NWSL final will be available to stream on Paramount+.
How many NWSL championships do the Orlando Pride have?
The Orlando Pride has not yet won an NWSL championship through the playoffs.
How many NWSL championships do the Washington Spirit have?
The Washington Spirit have won one NWSL title, which transpired in 2021. It finished as runner-ups in 2016.
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