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Kagame in Azerbaijan; Trump eyes Rubio for top job: Snapshot of stories making headlines today

By Wycliffe Nyamasege
On 12 November 2024 at 11:17

Stay informed with a quick read of the biggest stories shaping the nation, region, and world today.

We bring you top headlines, breaking developments, government updates, and trending topics. Start your day with a comprehensive view of the issues that matter most.

President Kagame Attends COP29

President Paul Kagame arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, to join world leaders for the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29).

During his stay, President Kagame is expected to hold bilateral meetings with various leaders, including Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.

Calls for increased climate financing are anticipated to dominate COP29, which runs from November 11 to November 22, 2024.

President Paul Kagame arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

Trump Expected to name Marco Rubio as Secretary of State

United States President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state.

If confirmed as America’s top diplomat, Rubio would become the face of Trump’s foreign policy, crisscrossing the globe to articulate the president-elect’s America First doctrine. He will be the first Latino to serve in the role.

Donald Trump and Sen. Marco Rubio at a campaign rally on November 4, 2024 in Raleigh, NC.

The Florida Senator has in past years advocated for a muscular foreign policy with respect to America’s geopolitical foes, including China, Iran and Cuba.

Sources close to the Republican also indicate that Trump has Rep. Mike Waltz to be the White House national security adviser.

The reports come just hours after Trump designated Tom Homan, his former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, to serve as “border czar” in his incoming administration, a position that is likely to play a key role in Trump’s campaign pledges to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and deal with illegal migration.

Women in U.S. Stockpile Abortion Pills Over Ban Fears

The Washington Post reports that women are increasingly seeking abortion medication ahead of a Trump presidency, fearing restricted reproductive care access.

Aid Access, a major abortion pill provider, is reported to have received 10,000 requests within 24 hours after Trump’s election—a dramatic surge from the usual 600 per day.

During the 2024 campaign, Trump adopted a clear stance on abortion, emphasizing that abortion laws should be managed by individual states rather than at the federal level.

Although he previously hinted at potentially supporting a 15- or 16-week federal ban with exceptions for cases like rape, incest, or life-threatening conditions, he ultimately confirmed he would not endorse a national abortion ban.

He stated that if a federal abortion ban reached his desk, he would veto it, affirming his position on state-level control over abortion policy.

Jets from US airlines struck by gunfire over Haiti’s capital

Two jets from U.S.-based airlines were hit by gunfire on Monday while flying over Port-au-Prince, Haiti, prompting Haitian authorities to suspend all flights in and out of the capital due to escalating gang violence.

Officials confirmed that a Spirit Airlines flight attendant was injured after Flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale in Florida to Port-au-Princ was struck by several rounds of gunfire while trying to land in Haiti.

An image shows damage to the interior of the Spirit Airlines plane.

JetBlue also temporarily cancelled flights to and from Haiti after damage from a bullet was identified in one of its planes returning from Haiti.

Gang violence in Haiti has intensified due to the country’s ongoing political instability, especially after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. The killing of the Head of the Head of State created a power vacuum that further weakened governance and fueled gang activity.

Kenya is now leading a United Nations-sanctioned multinational mission aimed at restoring law and order in Haiti.

Opposition calls for protests at Mozambique border posts, ports

Tensions in Mozambique continue as opposition presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane calls for gatherings at ports, borders, and major cities starting Wednesday, marking the fourth round of demonstrations against recent election results.

Soldiers on Eduardo Mondlane Avenue in Maputo during demonstrations on November 7, 2024.

Mondlane has led protests since the ruling Frelimo party’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, was declared the winner last month with 70.67% of the vote. Mondlane, representing Podemos, received 20.32%. Mondlane accuses the ruling party of electoral fraud and his claims have intensified public outrage and fueled ongoing unrest.


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