News
Israeli far-right minister thanks Trump for revoking US sanctions on settlers
By Francesca Hangeior
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, thanked Donald Trump on Tuesday for his “unwavering support” after the newly inaugurated US president lifted sanctions on Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
“Mr President, your unwavering and uncompromising support for the State of Israel is a testament to your deep connection to the Jewish people and our historical right to our land”, the minister wrote on X.
“These sanctions were a severe and blatant foreign intervention in Israel’s internal affairs and an unjustified violation of democratic principles and the mutual respect between friendly nations,” he added.
Trump, inaugurated for a second term on Monday, swiftly revoked his predecessor Joe Biden’s executive order from February 2024.
The order had paved the way for the designation of settlers and groups accused of perpetrating violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
The US Treasury and State departments used it to designate several far-right individuals and groups, including an individual accused of leading a riot in the town of Huwara in which Palestinian homes were torched and a Palestinian civilian was killed.
Biden at the time described settler violence in the West Bank as reaching “intolerable levels”, saying it constitutes a “serious threat to the peace, security and stability.”
Violence has soared in the West Bank since war broke out in Gaza between Israel and Hamas after the Palestinian militant group’s October 7, 2023, attack.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump, telling him in a video message the “best days of our alliance are yet to come”.
Israel’s far-right former national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir, whose party quit the ruling coalition in protest at the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, also welcomed Trump’s decision.
“This is the correction of a long-standing injustice,” he said, denouncing those “who confused friends with enemies” of Israel.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The federal government has endorsed the establishment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic in Gwarinpa, Abuja.
The decision was part of the government’s drive to ensure that every state in the country had at least one federal polytechnic.
The approval of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Polytechnic was conveyed in a letter dated January 9, 2025, by the Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
It was addressed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The FCT Minister’s office confirmed receipt of the letter on January 16, 2025.
In the correspondence, Dr. Alausa urged Wike to identify suitable locations in Gwarinpa for both temporary and permanent sites of the polytechnic.
A joint team from the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education have been listed to inspect the proposed locations before finalizing the site selection.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic is expected to boost technological education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship development, aligning with the government’s commitment to enhancing technical skills and economic empowerment across Nigeria. [With GWG report]
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) reports that the fire incident at its Buguma Wellhead 008, operated by its subsidiary, NNPC Eighteen Operating Ltd (NEOL), was directly caused by the activities of pipeline vandals attempting to compromise the Christmas Tree and steal crude oil.
This unfortunate act of sabotage, which also resulted in severe damage to the well’s back pressure valve, reflects a disturbing pattern of repeated attacks on wellheads in the zone. Since March 2023, crude oil theft on this asset has been persistent, with criminals now resorting to extreme measures, including the use of dynamite to destroy installations and illegally access hydrocarbons.
NNPC Ltd remains committed to combating these fires and mitigating the financial losses associated with these criminal activities, which place a significant burden on the nation’s economy. The company is working closely with relevant security agencies to put an end to these acts of vandalism.
Additionally, NNPC Ltd reaffirms its commitment to supporting communities affected by these destructive activities and will continue to provide necessary relief efforts to mitigate the impact on those affected.
Olufemi O. Soneye
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Ltd.
Abuja
20th January, 2025
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