U.S., Canada and Africa

[Liberian Observer] The Orator of Liberia's 177th Independence Day, Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey, in a thought-provoking speech, shed light on the historical ties between Liberia and the United States, questioning the nearly two centuries of imbalance or unequal benefits of this longstanding relationship.

[VOA] Nairobi, Kenya -- The U.S. government has sanctioned three rebel leaders accused of fomenting political instability, conflicts and civilian displacement in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

[FrontPageAfrica] Monrovia -- In an unprecedented move, American representatives have walked out of ceremony marking Liberia's 177th Independence Day celebration in protest of the national's orator's "provocative" statement.

[Daily Maverick] Minister Parks Tau is also holding meetings in Washington with Biden administration officials to try to ensure that South Africa is not dropped from the trade agreement.

[SAnews.gov.za] The Working on Fire-Kishugu Joint Venture (WOF-Kishugu JV) is deploying a team of more than 200 firefighters and management to the Canadian province of Alberta to assist with fire fighting efforts.

[allAfrica] With Africa hardly top of mind in Washington right now, it is easy to overlook the vital discussions taking place this week between the Biden-Harris administration's foreign policy, economic and trade A-team and their African counterparts. Cabinet ministers from 32 African countries along with private sector and civil society leaders are participating in the 21st AGOA Forum, named after the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The trade legislation, enacted by Congress in 2000, mandates these get-together

[allAfrica] The trade legislation known as AGOA is the focus of discussions this week in Washington, DC between senior U.S. officials and Africa trade ministers, along with key regional economic organizations, labor and civil society groups and private sector representatives. The African Growth and Opportunity Act, which extends duty-free treatment to goods from eligible sub-Saharan African countries, was first enacted in 2000 and renewed by Congress in 2015 with the to create jobs in Africa and the United States

[USTR] Washington, DC -- Thank you very much Florie for your remarks and for that introduction. Good morning, everyone. Wonderful. It's a pleasure to be here with all of you today.

[Ex-Im Bank] Washington, DC -- The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) announced the membership of its 2024-2025 Advisory and Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committees yesterday in an open meeting. The EXIM Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the membership of both mandated committees. Peter Harrell, former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Economics and Competitiveness will serve as Chair of EXIM's Advisory Committee and Jude Kearney, Managing Partner at ASAFO & Co.

[The Herald] Liverpool's new head coach Arne Slot has included promising teenage footballer Trey Nyoni in the squad that is set to embark on a pre-season tour of the United States of America next week.

[CAP] Congress faces a critical opportunity to support workers in the United States and Africa while diversifying supply chains and protecting the climate by authorizing a strengthened African Growth and Opportunity Act next year.

[State Department] Washington, DC -- SECRETARY BLINKEN: Morning. Thank you very much.

[The Herald] Zimbabwe's Ambassador to the United States Tedious Chifamba has hailed youth empowerment organisation Annot Inc, for spearheading an initiative which seeks to transform education in Zimbabwe's rural areas.

[VOA] Progress toward achieving a world free of hunger has stalled, while efforts to improve the nutritional status of billions of people have been setback 15 years as global crises deepen in some of the world's poorest countries, according to a new report published Wednesday on the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.

[This Day] What a difference a debate can make! It just made a big difference in the United States in the lead up to that country's November 5, 2024 general elections. For months, the White House fended off insinuations that President Biden at 81, had become too old for the job, and that the Democrats should look in another direction.

[This Day] The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has projected that the Naira would appreciate to N1,000 per Dollar.

[DW] Joe Biden and his US administration sought to strengthen America's ties with Africa. His decision to bow out has attracted a lot of praise, and many Africans seem excited about Kamala Harris replacing him in the race.

[Daily Maverick] New Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau is fighting for SA's continued participation in Agoa at the Agoa Forum in Washington this week.

[allAfrica] Washington, DC -- As starvation and desperation in Sudan continues to escalate after a year of conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is asking the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to participate in ceasefire talks in August mediated by the United States.

[DW] The talks in Switzerland, supported by the United States, seek a nationwide cease-fire in Sudan. The Sudanese Armed Forces, which opposes the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary, has not yet commented on the matter.

[CFR] As diplomacy ramps up, so too must humanitarian innovation.

[State Department] Washington, DC -- Over the past 15 months, the horrific conflict in Sudan has pushed millions to the brink of starvation and displaced nearly 10 million people. It continues to cause immeasurable suffering for the Sudanese people. The United States remains committed to working with partners to end this devastating war.

[This Day] *Refinery to disrupt refined product flows in Atlantic Basin, says S&P

[Accra Times] After his bad debate night with former president Donald Trump, several top Democratic voices called for him to step aside from the race citing his age and health condition.

[Africa Check] IN SHORT: When looking at popular conspiracy theories, the name Bill Gates is usually close at hand. But like so many others, this bizarre claim that the billionaire philanthropist is pushing "maggot milk" is entirely fabricated.

[VOA] Nairobi -- Kenyans watching the U.S. presidential race say they agree with President Joe Biden's decision to not seek a second term. But some say that choosing a replacement capable of defeating his opponent, former president Donald Trump, is going to be a big task for the Democratic Party.

[New Republic] Executive Mansion, Monrovia -- President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has held a strategic meeting with renowned entrepreneur and the world's wealthiest businessman Elon Musk.

[Daily Maverick] I've spent a lot of time in introspection, almost a full minute, reflecting and asking myself the tough questions: am I an Ass-man or Sass-man?

[Daily Maverick] Joe Biden's withdrawal from the US presidential race on Sunday ended a weeks-long agonising struggle by Democrats to convince him to take one for the team after his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump on 27 June.

[Afropop] Greetings from Night 3 of the six-night "outdoor" portion of Montreal's Nuits D'Afrique Festival. As ever, the festival is a firehose of great music, much of it new to us, wonderful encounters with old and new friends and...well, you can imagine.