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Finland President Alexander Stubb boosts ties with Trump with round of golf in Florida

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) listens to Finland's President Alexander Stubb (second from left) during a meeting in Paris, France, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
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The meeting comes a day after Trump’s VP J.D. Vance accused Denmark – Finland’s close ally – of doing a poor job keeping Greenland safe

Finnish President Alexander Stubb made a surprise trip on Saturday to meet US President Donald Trump at his estate in Florida, where the two leaders discussed strengthening their countries’ bilateral partnership and played a round of golf.

“President Stubb and I look forward to strengthening the partnership between the United States and Finland, and that includes the purchase and development of a large number of badly needed Icebreakers for the US, delivering Peace and International Security for our Countries, and the World,” Trump said in a social media post.

The two presidents met for breakfast, played golf and had lunch together. They also discussed foreign policy issues, including Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Stubb in Helsinki last week.

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The Finnish president’s office said in a statement that Stubb’s unannounced visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, Florida, was informal.

The meeting took place a day after Trump’s US vice-president, J.D. Vance, made an uninvited visit to Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Finland’s close Nordic ally Denmark. Vance accused Denmark of doing a poor job keeping Greenland safe.

Trump has expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, part of a growing international focus on competition to control the Arctic. Denmark’s government opposes such a move, as do most Greenland residents.

Finland is the world’s leading producer of icebreakers. About 80 per cent of the ships have been designed by Finnish companies, and around 60 per cent of them have been built at Finnish shipyards.

In November, Canada, Finland and the administration of former US president Joe Biden signed a deal called the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) to work “together to develop world-class Arctic and polar icebreakers through the exchange of knowledge, information, and resources”.

Before his visit, Stubb had said he hoped to play golf with Trump and that icebreaker diplomacy could help Finland maintain good relations with the US and Trump.

Finland shares the European Union’s longest border with Russia. After Russia invaded Ukraine, the country made a foreign policy U-turn after decades of military non-alignment, deciding to join Nato together with Sweden.

Trump’s frequent criticism of Nato allies and his shift toward normalising relations with Russia have some European countries scrambling to boost their own defence spending.

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Anambra 2025: Defections Rocks APC as Party Heavyweights Quit Guber Race

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April 4, 2025

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Ahead of tomorrow’s Gubernatorial primary elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) may be facing serious internal crisis after two front line aspirants announced their withdrawal from the race.

In separate letters, Sir Paul Chukwuma and Hon Chuma Umeoji both announced their decision to step away from the race.

They both cited personal reasons for their decision.

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Sheikh Hasina’s extradition discussed during PM Modi, Muhammad Yunus’s meeting: Foreign secy Vikram Misri

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April 4, 2025

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Bangkok [Thailand], April 4 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met with Bangladesh’s chief advisor Muhammad Yunus for the first time since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. in their meeting that was held on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, the two leaders discussed Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, the Foreign Secretary of India, Vikram Misri said.

 

Addressing a special briefing on PM Modi’s visit to Thailand, Misri stated “There were talks on Sheikh Hasina’s extradition. Can’t say more on that.”

Further, Misri said that PM Modi has expressed India’s concerns over the safety and security of minorities, including Hindus in Bangladesh during his meeting.

“PM Modi reiterated India’s support for democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. He underlined India’s desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh. The PM also urged that any rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided,” foreign secretary Vikram Misri said.

Misri further said that the situation of minorities, including that of Hindu minorities were raised by India.

“The PM also urged that any rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided. On the border, strict enforcement of the law and prevention of illegal border crossing are necessary to maintain border security and security. The PM also underlines India’s concerns over the safety and security of minorities, including Hindus in Bangladesh,” he added.

PM Modi is in Bangkok for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.

In a post on X, he said, “With fellow BIMSTEC leaders at the Summit being held in Bangkok, Thailand. We reaffirm our commitment to boosting cooperation across diverse sectors. May our efforts bring a positive difference in people’s lives.”

The 6th BIMSTEC Summit marks a significant regional engagement between India and its neighbouring countries in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) group.

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Court stops pro-Wike rally in Bayelsa

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April 4, 2025

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The Bayelsa State High Court, sitting in Yenagoa, has issued an order restraining associates of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), from holding a planned mega rally in the state.

Ekwutosblog reports that the proposed rally was scheduled for April 12, 2025, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

Hon. Justice I.A. Uzakah, on Thursday, granted the Motion Ex-Parte in Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/133/2025, filed by the State’s Attorney General, Biriyai Dambo, SAN.

Lead convener of the NEW Associates, organizers of the rally, Mr. George Turnah, and the FCT Minister, Wike, were listed as the first and second defendants/respondents in the suit.

The other defendants were the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Police Command.

The matter was, thereafter, adjourned to April 11, 2025, for hearing.

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