Foreign Affairs - Abia ThinkTank News

Feb

20

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

No Evidence USAID Funds Boko Haram – US Ambassador

Foreign Affairs, International, News Flash, World News

No Evidence USAID Funds Boko Haram – US Ambassador The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has said there is no evidence that the United States Agency for International Development is funding Boko Haram or any terrorist group. Mills stated after meeting with the Nigeria Governors Forum in Abuja late Wednesday night that no nation condemns Boko Haram’s violence more strongly than the US. He assured all that if any evidence is found, the US government will work with the Nigerian government to investigate it. Recall that on February 13, Congressman Scott Perry accused USAID of funding terrorist groups,…

Feb

16

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Ukraine Pushes Back As Trump Eyes 50% Of It’s Rare Earth Mineral

Foreign Affairs, International, News Flash, World News

Ukraine Pushes Back As Trump Eyes 50% Of Its Rare Earth Mineral The United States has proposed owning 50 percent of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for possible military support. Under the proposal, Ukraine would transfer partial control of its valuable mineral resources to Washington rather than make financial repayments for all the US support the country has received since the Russian invasion in 2022. According to NBC News, which cited US officials, American troops would only be deployed to the European nation under the proposal if a deal is reached with Russia to end the war. On Wednesday,…

Feb

12

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Nigeria Makes List Of World’s Most Corrupt Country In 2024, Gets New Ranking

FGN, Foreign Affairs, International, News Flash

Nigeria Makes List Of World’s Most Corrupt Country in 2024, Gets New Ranking Transparency International, a global coalition against corruption, has ranked Nigeria as the 36th most corrupt country in the world. Nigeria was joined by Uganda, Mexico, Madagascar, Iraq, and Cameroon in the same spot with a total score of 26 points. The ranking released on Tuesday highlighted the 2024 corruption perceptions index. The list ranks Denmark as the least corrupt country with 90 points, Finland as second with 88 points, and Singapore as third with 84 points. No African country made the top 10 very clean list as…

Feb

09

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Namibia’s Founding Father And First President Sam Nujoma Dies At 95

Foreign Affairs, News Flash, Obituary, World News

Namibia’s Founding Father And First President, Sam Nujoma Dies At 95 Namibia’s founding father Sam Nujoma, who led his country’s fight for independence from South Africa, died Saturday aged 95, the presidency announced. Nujoma had been hospitalised over the past three weeks, battling an illness from which he “could not recover”, President Nangolo Mbumba said in a statement released Sunday. With the “utmost sorrow and sadness” Mbumba said he was announcing “the passing of our revered freedom fighter and revolutionary leader”. “Our Founding Father lived a long and consequential life during which he exceptionally served the people of his beloved…

Feb

08

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Mass Resignation Hit Nigerian Community In UK Amid Corruption Allegations

Foreign Affairs, Labour, News Flash

Mass Resignations Hit Nigerian Community In UK Amid Corruption Allegations The President of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom on Twitter (X), Mr Benjamin Kuti, aka Oluomo of Derby, has decided to step down from his role as the leader of the community. The social media group is made up of over 75,000 Nigerians many of whom are in different parts of the UK and sometimes hold offline meetings and celebrations. Oluomo of Derby quit as the president of the community after a barrage of criticisms from members following the running of the group and handling of finances. Aside…

Feb

03

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Trump Has Agreed To Shut Down USAID – Elon Musk Says

Foreign Affairs, News Flash, World News

Trump Has Agreed To Shut Down USAID – Elon Musk Says Elon Musk says US President Donald Trump has agreed to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID is the world’s premier international development agency. It is responsible for billions of dollars in US aid projects across the world — with most of these funds funnelled into disaster relief efforts while promoting development and global health. Foreign assistance distributed by the agency makes up less than one percent of the US government budget. The Tesla and X CEO said he checked in with Trump a few…

Feb

03

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

“Trade Wars Heat Up: Trump Tariffs Spark Canada’s Retaliation And China’s 75% Counterpunch – Who Will Blink First?” – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Foreign Affairs, International

"Trade Wars Heat Up: Trump Tariffs Spark Canada’s Retaliation and China’s 75% Counterpunch – Who Will Blink First?" Canada’s swift retaliation to the new Trump tariffs, set to take effect this Tuesday, underscores the high stakes of this trade dispute. Historically, Canada has not hesitated to respond to U.S. protectionist measures with counter-tariffs of its own, as seen in 2018 when it imposed tariffs on $16.6 billion worth of U.S. goods in response to steel and aluminum tariffs. This time, Canada’s retaliatory measures are likely to target key U.S. exports, such as agricultural products, machinery, and consumer goods, which could…

Feb

02

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

The Final Frontier Of Finance: How Cryptocurrency Is Revolutionizing Space Trade – By Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Business, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Foreign Affairs, World News

The Final Frontier of Finance: How Cryptocurrency is Revolutionizing Space Trade Cryptocurrency has been gaining traction in recent years, and its potential applications extend far beyond Earth's borders. One exciting prospect is the enablement of interplanetary trade. As space exploration and colonization become increasingly feasible, the need for a reliable and efficient medium of exchange will arise. Cryptocurrency, with its decentralized and digital nature, is well-positioned to fill this need. The concept of interplanetary trade may seem like science fiction, but it's an idea that's being taken seriously by space agencies and private companies. NASA, for example, has already begun…

Feb

02

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Half Truths, Many Lies: Fact-Checking Kemi Badenoch

Foreign Affairs, International, Personality, Politics

Half Truths, Many Lies: Fact-checking Kemi Badenoch Since emerging as the leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, Kemi Badenoch has repeatedly cast a shadow over her Nigerian heritage. She has portrayed her upbringing as a grim tale of poverty, crumbling infrastructure, moral decadence, corruption, police brutality, and failed leadership. Her remarks have ignited firestorms on social media, with several videos going viral. Sunday PUNCH fact checked some of her recent controversial claims. Claim 1 “I grew up in a poor country, and I watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer despite working harder and harder…

Feb

01

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Trump Orders Bombing Of ISIS Targets In Somalia

Foreign Affairs, International, News Flash

Trump Orders Bombing Of ISIS Targets In Somalia The United States military on Saturday conducted air strikes on Islamic State group targets in Somalia, President Donald Trump announced. “This morning I ordered precision Military air strikes on the Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other terrorists he recruited and led in Somalia,” Trump said on Truth Social. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes targeted IS-Somalia operatives in the Golis mountains in semi-autonomous Puntland region. “Our initial assessment is that multiple operatives were killed in the airstrikes and no civilians were harmed,” Hegseth said in a statement. “This action further degrades…