- The Guardian
- Issue #2176
NIGERIA: Nigeria has contracted an American PR firm for US$9 million to counter disinformation about Christian persecution and manage the relationship with the Trump administration. The move followed controversial airstrikes on Christmas Day that Trump characterised as protecting Christians from Islamic State militants. Nigeria has repeatedly stressed that violence from armed groups affects all communities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that “terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.” Nigeria has mineral reserves valued at US$700 billion including lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements essential for energy transition technologies, and represents a key battleground in US’s efforts to counter Chinese Belt and Road investments across the country. Nigeria determination to develop domestic refining capacities rather than export raw minerals, created friction with US resource extraction interests, while China’s position as Nigeria’s largest trading partner and infrastructure financier represents what US policymakers view as unacceptable influence in Africa’s most populous state.
VENEZUELA: The first US sale of stolen Venezuelan crude was made to a company whose senior oil trader donated millions of dollars to President Trump’s re-election campaign. John Addison, a senior trader at Vitol, was involved in securing a $250 million deal for Venezuelan oil that launched Trump’s plan to sell 50 million barrels of crude following the kidnapping of President Maduro. Addison donated roughly $6 million to the political action committee backing Trump, including $5 million to MAGA Inc in October 2024, according to OpenSecrets.
GREENLAND: German servicemen stationed in Greenland have been ordered to urgently leave the island. 15 soldiers and officers were given no explanation for the order by German authorities. All planned activities on the ground have been cancelled. There is speculation that Trump’s threats to impose additional tariffs on Germany and a number of other European countries over Greenland might be the reason for the sudden departure. Earlier Trump announced that the US will begin levying 10% import tariffs on the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, and Sweden, which will remain in place until the parties reach agreements on the “full and final acquisition” of Greenland by Washington. According to the White House, this decision will take effect on 1 February, and from 1 June the tariff rate will rise to 25%. Trump has criticised Europe’s intention to send its military to Greenland.
SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Communist Party (SACP) has announced plans to organise a conference of left-wing groups and individuals to discuss how to tackle challenges that face the country. The party’s spokesperson said the conference of the left would be held in a few months and will include non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, working class and all other parties and individuals on the left of South African politics.
BRITAIN: RAF Wyton is a top secret spy base. The base is home to Defence Intelligence and the newly formed Military Intelligence Services, designated to counter threats from China, Russia, and Iran. In a highly embarrassing incident for the spooks, thieves got into the base and stole 56 tons of copper cable reels. They used a truck with a crane to take 16 spools. Reports say the thieves smiled and waved at the guards as they drove out through the main gate.
