Author: Alfred Benny Mcdonald

Oil dropped for a second day on Wednesday, as an industry report pointed to ample supplies in the United States and anticipation of further interest rate hikes sparked concerns over weaker fuel demand and the economic outlook. U.S. crude stocks rose by a more-than-forecast 10.5 million barrels, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute (API) figures, ahead of official Energy Information Administration (EIA) data out at 1530 GMT. “Simply put, the U.S. is swimming in oil,” said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM. Brent crude futures slid 81 cents, or 0.9%, to $84.78 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude…

For Damar Hamlin’s teammates, peers and everyone in the NFL community, going back to work is not business as usual. Players returned to practice with heavy hearts on Wednesday, two days after Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated on the field during Buffalo’s game at Cincinnati. Hamlin, the 24-year-old Bills safety, remains hospitalized in critical condition, but his teammates are set to play the Patriots on Sunday, and all games for Week 18 remain on schedule. Some players across the league have expressed concern about playing this weekend because they’re still processing what happened to Hamlin.…

New York, Brussels (21/12 – 60). Tajikistan regime’s crimes committed against humanity breeds an atmosphere of fear and oppression amomgst the Pamiri community was the verdict of a United Nations human rights mission conducted by Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor, after a recent visit to the country earlier this month. She described the situation of human rights defenders in Tajikistan as an atmosphere of corruption and the fear of persecution. She called on the government to treat human rights defenders as allies, not opponents. There is a violent repression of the ethnic and religious minority – Pamir Ismailis – and it…