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Tag: New York

“Tinubu Addresses UN General Assembly on West Africa’s Harrowing Migration Crisis”
By Milcah Tanimu
Speaking before world leaders in New York, President Tinubu highlighted the pressing issue of illegal migration in West Africa, emphasizing its profound impact on regional security and prosperity.
He somberly stated, “Our entire region is entangled in a prolonged struggle against violent extremists. Amid this turmoil, a sinister trade inhumanely thrives. Along this path, human lives are commodified – men, women, and children alike.”
President Tinubu underscored the astonishing risks involved in these perilous journeys, spanning the harsh Sahara desert and treacherous Mediterranean Sea, where “thousands gamble with their lives in pursuit of a brighter future.”
Additionally, he lamented the unfortunate reality that many migrants often find themselves in low-paying jobs upon reaching their intended destinations, fueling instability in African nations and compounding regional challenges.
President Tinubu noted, “Simultaneously, mercenaries and extremists, armed with deadly weapons and toxic ideologies, encroach upon our region from the north.”
He emphasized that this detrimental flow not only destabilizes West Africa but also carries far-reaching consequences for the entire African continent.
In a resolute call to action, President Tinubu declared, “African nations will bolster their economies to prevent our people from risking their lives in foreign lands. We will also commit ourselves to dismantling extremist groups within our borders.”
September 20, 2023
New York City Prohibits Use Of TikTok On Govt-owned Devices
New York City on Wednesday banned TikTok on government-owned devices, citing security concerns, joining a number of U.S. cities and states that have put such restrictions on the short video sharing app.
TikTok, which is used by more than 150 million Americans and is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, has faced growing calls from U.S. lawmakers for a nationwide ban over concerns about possible Chinese government influence.
TikTok “posed a security threat to the city’s technical networks,” the administration of New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement.
New York City agencies are required to remove the app within 30 days and employees will lose access to the app and its website on city-owned devices and networks. New York State had already banned TikTok on state-issued mobile devices.
TikTok said it “has not shared, and would not share, U.S. user data with the Chinese government, and has taken substantial measures to protect the privacy and security of TikTok users.”
Top U.S. security officials including FBI Director Christopher Wray and CIA Director William Burns have said TikTok poses a threat. Wray said in March that China’s government could use TikTok to control software on millions of devices and drive narratives to divide Americans, adding the app “screams” of national security concerns.
Former President Donald Trump in 2020 sought to bar new downloads of TikTok, but a series of court decisions blocked the ban from taking effect.
Many U.S. states and cities have restricted TikTok on government devices. Montana recently passed a bill banning the app across the state, a rule set to go into effect on Jan. 1 and being challenged legally.
August 17, 2023
US Returns Over 40 ‘Stolen’ Antiquities to Italy
In an effort to combat its reputation as a global hub for illicit art trade, New York authorities have returned more than 40 stolen antiquities worth nearly $3.5 million to Italy. The restitution ceremony, attended by Italian officials, marked the return of 42 exceptional artifacts, some dating back 2,500 years.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated that the return of these artifacts is part of ongoing efforts to counteract decades of organized antiquities smuggling networks that have impacted Italy. Since assuming office in 2022, Bragg has overseen the repatriation of over 200 antiquities to Italy.
Vincenzo Molinese, commander of Italy’s Carabinieri Art Squad, praised the successful collaboration between the United States and Italy that led to the recovery of these valuable pieces.
Among the items returned is a vase from the Apulia region in southern Italy, dating back to 335 BC. This vase, used for mixing water and wine, was stolen from a burial site and smuggled abroad by Giacomo Medici, a notorious trafficker of Italian antiquities. The vase was located and seized from a private collection in New York last month, following its transit through London.
New York prosecutors have been active in repatriating looted artifacts from various countries since 2017, spanning pieces originating from ancient Greece, the Roman and Byzantine empires, Iraq, China, India, and Southeast Asia. This ongoing effort reflects a commitment to addressing the global trade in stolen cultural heritage.
August 9, 2023