Politics
Biden says Trump economic plan will be ‘disaster’
Biden says Trump economic plan will be ‘disaster’
Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Tuesday branded his successor Donald Trump’s economic plans a “disaster,” in a speech hailing his own legacy.
Biden said Trump’s threats to slap huge tariffs on imports were a “major mistake” and challenged Trump to build on what he said were the successes of his own administration.
The lame-duck president’s speech comes after Trump won a second term largely on the back of US voters’ anger at high costs of living under Democrats.
“I pray to God the president-elect throws away Project 2025. I think it’d be an economic disaster for us and the region,” Biden said at the Brookings Institution in Washington, referring to a conservative blueprint for a second Trump administration.
Coughing frequently because of a cold, Biden said US consumers would pay the price for the tariffs that Trump has vowed to slap on US neighbors Mexico and Canada and on Asia-Pacific rival China.
Together they are the three biggest US trading partners.
“I believe this approach is a major mistake,” Biden added.
At a separate event Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Trump’s tariffs could “derail the progress that we’ve made on inflation, and have adverse consequences on growth.”
She warned at the Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council Summit that sweeping tariffs could raise prices significantly for US consumers and pile pressure on companies which rely on imports.
Shadow president
The White House touted Biden’s speech as a “major address on his economic legacy” as the 82-year-old looks to the history books with fewer than six weeks left in office.
Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race against Trump in July due to concerns about his age and passed the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Trump comfortably defeated at the November polls.
Trump’s inauguration is not until January 20, but he has already become something of a shadow president, making pronouncements on the economy and foreign policy and being feted by world leaders.
Biden has kept a relatively low profile, but he came out swinging in defense of his own record before an audience of economists.
He contrasted his “middle-out, bottom-up economic playbook” with what he called Trump’s failed promise of “trickle-down economics” in which tax cuts for the wealthy are supposed to boost incomes.
Biden also touted achievements including the US economy’s recovery from the Covid pandemic and his huge investments in green technology and industry.
“President-elect Trump is receiving the strongest economy in modern history,” said Biden.
But the departing president said he regretted not signing his name to Covid stimulus checks sent out to Americans, like Trump had done.
Biden ended his speech with a broader plea for US leadership in a troubled world, even as Trump has repeatedly signaled his intention to take a more isolationist stance.
“If we do not lead the world, what nation leads the world?” he said.
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU FORWARDS NEW AMBASSADORIAL LIST TO SENATE, NOMINATES DAMBAZAU, IBAS, CHIOMA OHAKIM AND OTHERS
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4-DEC- 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh set of ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, featuring a mix of distinguished public figures and seasoned professionals drawn from across the country.
Among the notable nominees are former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State.
The President formally transmitted two comprehensive lists containing 34 career and 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of nominees awaiting Senate confirmation to 68.
The newly submitted lists mark another significant step in the administration’s ongoing diplomatic restructuring, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s representation and presence across global missions.
The Senate is expected to commence screening and confirmation proceedings in the coming days.
Judge rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s brother court appearance
IMO ON GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT AS GOVERNOR UZODIMMA KICKS OFF 2025 IMO ECONOMIC SUMMIT.
IMO ON GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT AS GOVERNOR UZODIMMA KICKS OFF 2025 IMO ECONOMIC SUMMIT.
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