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What does Biden’s visit to Berlin mean for NATO and EU?

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US President Joe Biden will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer in the German capital, Berlin, this week, as his presidency draws to an end.

His visit, initially scheduled for last week, included a meeting at Germany’s Ramstein air base, where he was set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders. After Biden’s visit was cancelled, Zelenskyy made stops in London, Rome, Berlin, and Paris to present his “Victory Plan” to European leaders.

With Biden preparing to hand over the reigns to either former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris, governments across Europe have been making plans for both scenarios, but Europe is going to need to reduce its dependence on the US either way.

Euronews spoke with transatlantic expert Rachel Tausendfreund to discuss the US-EU relations amid ongoing discussions about Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.

Tausendfreund stresses that Europe needs to procure more weapons and ammo together and coordinate together.

“Separately, they’re all buying a decent amount of things or producing a decent amount of material,” she says, adding that because NATO member states are working alone, the capacity is “much lower than it should be.”

France supports producing fighter jets and munitions as a European initiative, but there are other countries, such as Germany, who say that weapons should be bought from wherever it is cheapest and most efficient, including from Israel, causing tension between states.

What would it mean for NATO if Trump wins?

“There are two scenarios. The optimistic kind of French scenario is that finally everyone will agree with France that Europe can’t rely on the US forever and therefore need to establish strategic autonomy. And that would also mean less reliance on US systems because you need also political support sometimes to use some of these weapon systems,” Tausendfreund explains.

She says that is an optimistic scenario that is unlikely to happen because countries on the eastern flank of Europe, who feel vulnerable due to their proximity to Russia, lean on their relationship with the US and focus on their own defences, which can lead to continued fragmentation within Europe for NATO member states.

Regarding the future of Ukraine, Tausendfreund suggests that if Trump were to win the election in less than three weeks, there would likely be a decrease in support for Ukraine.

She believes Trump is going to push Ukraine into negotiations almost immediately, using military support as leverage to pressure Kyiv into talks. “By early January, they’ll be forced to negotiate, regardless of the situation,” she says, underlining that it will probably be important to Trump to get some kind of deal so that he can sell it as a win.

The best-case scenario for NATO under a Trump presidency would be to have a strong EU response and coordination with the UK, leading to a Europeanisation of NATO that keeps the alliance robust, according to the expert. NATO states would need to achieve this by increasing capacity and filling in gaps that could be left if the US withdraws support.

“A positive scenario is you have really a Europeanised NATO where the Europeans are providing 60% of the defence and deterrence capability,” Tausendfreund says.

However, if NATO states and the EU doesn’t ramp up its defence capabilities, then it could become very weak by 2025, she warns.

And what about the consequences for NATO if Harris wins?

“I think we’re looking at one maybe two years of solid support, but with an eye to finding an exit strategy,” Tausendfreund says.

She hopes that a presidency under Kamala Harris could encourage the EU to coordinate together to strength the European pillar. She warns that if Europe continues along this path of not being united in making decisions, that the effects will be negative, and can lead to weakened European security, by 2027 or 2028.

“The US simply doesn’t have the capacity to stay focused on Europe to the extent that it has,” she explains.

On the topic of Ukraine, Tausendfreund says that “if Harris wins, you can expect the same level of support rhetorically as we’ve had in the Biden administration. And I actually think another big spending package would be possible, even if the Republicans have control of the Senate, because a significant number of Republicans, maybe not quite a majority, but close, actually support aiding Ukraine, as long as the political pressure is not that high.”

The future of NATO

Either way, the pressure to arm NATO is unlikely to diminish, regardless of who is elected. Without better cooperation between member states, Russia could feel emboldened and “make trouble on the continent,” the expert says.

Ukraine’s potential NATO membership?

“Ukraine will need pretty strong security guarantees from the NATO’s partners, be it in the form of membership or just in the form of bilateral security guarantees. Well, for that to work, these allies have to be credible security givers and they’re the Europeans that have a lot of work to do,” Tausendfreund adds.

And about Zelenskyy’s peace plan?

“It’s an ambitious plan. It’s clearly just putting on paper what he thinks they would need in order to win. I’m not sure that it’s very realistic he’s going to get it. He’s not going to get it from Biden. I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Tausendfreund says. But under a Harris administration, there could be more support.

Security experts are urging Europe to take a more united approach in producing weapons, and say they need to accelerate making tough decisions for the future of NATO.

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POWA HONOURS HON DR SAMUEL UDEH WITH AN AWARD OF RECOGNITION; hands over to police, huge sum of cash forgotten by a passenger in a bus

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January 22, 2025

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Joined state police command, IIRS, Insurance companies in policy sensitisation

*Austin Jp*

Imo State Chairman of NURTW Hon Dr Samuel Udeh JP.Fcai (Eze Umuokorobia) was honoured with an award of recognition by police officers wives association (POWA) for his benevolence and philanthropic gesture towards POWA empowerment program and service to humanity.

The award was presented by Mrs Jemimah Aboki Danjuma wife of Imo State commissioner of police Mr Danjuma Aboki, at the command headquarters in Owerri.

Reacting to the award recognition, Chief Samuel Udeh in humility expressed gratitude and appreciation to police wives association of Imo State chapter for the recognition and honour to him.

Hon Sam dedicated his award to Imo State governor His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma (Onwa Onyoko) and reaffirmed his commitment to service for the betterment of our dear State and the society at large.

Also at the event, Ukwenga Samuel Udeh handed over a huge sum of cash forgotten by a passenger in a bus. The money was found by a member of the reformed union in the State under the leadership of Chief Samuel Udeh.

Handing over the cash to Imo CP, Hon Sam said this can only be done from a good spirited Nigerian which was as a result of the several reforms that has taken place in the union under his watch as the state chairman.

Imo CP commended the driver that found the money and the leadership of the union and said, such a Nigeria deserves a national award.

He said the money will be kept in their custody, while an announcement regarding the money will be put across the media platforms for the owner to come for claim. If after some time and the money wasn’t claimed, it will be paid into federal government account with the teller deposited in court.

Another event that took place at the state command was a seminar on the third party insurance policy, which involved representatives of the stakeholders from Imo State internal revenue service, insurance companies, national union of road transport workers and other related stakeholders were also present at the seminar.

Mr Aboki Danjuma stated that the essence of the seminar with the stakeholders is for them to go and educate their members on the new policy of third party insurance, as implementation and enforcement on the third party insurance will commence from 1st of February 2025 across the federation.The committee that will spearhead the implementation and enforcement were inaugurated at the seminar.

Importance of the third party insurance will be to assist the police in crime prevention. Whenever a vehicle is snatched, or used to commit a crime, it can easily be traced through the third party insurance database collection.

Answering questions from the pressmen after the seminar, Honourable Samuel Udeh said it is a good policy from the inspector general of police. The commissioner of police have said it all, it is now for us in the transport system to adhere to the advice of the commissioner of police and get the third party insurance for our vehicles.

He agreed with the police that the third party insurance will help to put to rest the issue of car theft in Imo State.

With database collection of the vehicles and the owners, together with other benefits of the policy which is paying compensation to accident victims by the insurance company, union will surely educate drivers who are members of the union on wheels to get their vehicles insured.

Chief Sam Udeh used the opportunity to thank the Imo CP for his commitment and dedication in securing Imo. He made a request for the officer in charge of the policy enlightenment to make out time to come to the union office to educate the members of the union, to enable total compliance from the drivers on wheels.

 

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Deacon Famous Discovers Love in Ghana

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4 days ago

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January 18, 2025

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Content creator, actor, and friend Udaya Chidiebere Awesome, popularly known as Deacon Famous, has found love in Ghana. Deacon Famous recently took to social media to announce his engagement to Mawusi Faith, a lovely Ghanaian woman from the Volta Region.

In a heartfelt post, Deacon Famous expressed his joy and gratitude, saying: “Mawusi Faith, it’s an absolute delight to embark on this lifelong journey with you. I waited patiently for the right one, and now I’ve found my perfect match.” He also hinted at a possible Ghanaian wedding celebration, exclaiming, “Ghana, we’re coming again!”

Photo source: Instagram

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My daughter planning wedding to pharmacist before murder – Mother of corper beheaded by gospel singer

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4 days ago

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January 18, 2025

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Mrs Ojomachenwu Adaidu, mother of Salome, a 24-year-old corps member who was murdered by an Abuja gospel, Timileyin Ajayi, speaks to TEMITOPE ADETUNJI about her daughter’s ambition before she met her untimely death, and asks for justice to be done in matter

What is your relationship with the slain corps member?

I am Mrs Ojomachenwu Adaidu, the mother of Salome Eleojo Adaidu.

Where are you from?

I am from Ogodu in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.

How old are you?

I am 52 years old.

What do you do for a living?

I am into a small business.

Which tertiary institution did your late daughter attend before going for her youth service?

She graduated from Kogi State University.

How would you describe Salome’s personality and values?

Salome was a wonderful child, hardworking and responsible. Every morning, before I even woke up, she would sweep and tidy the house. Among all my children, she was the most hardworking.

Salome was serving as a youth corps member before the incident. Did she ever talk to you about her plans?

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Yes, she told me she wanted to become a doctor after her service year.

What went through your mind when you heard the news?

I felt like my world had ended. It’s a painful experience, and it still feels like a bad dream. People tried to console me, saying I have other children, but no one should go through something like this. It has been extremely difficult. What I want is justice for her. (Sobbing) I am currently very ill.

The suspect claimed Salome was his girlfriend. Can you clarify this?

That’s a lie. Salome was not his girlfriend. He didn’t even know her name. You can see in the video that the killer has a beard. My children don’t like men who keep beards, and Salome had no relationship with him. She already had someone she was dating; a pharmacist. I told her we would do the necessary wedding introduction after her service year.

What do you want the police to do as the investigation continues?

I want the police to thoroughly investigate this case and make him confess what happened. He should face justice for what he did. The way he cut my daughter’s body into pieces is the same way I want him to be dealt with. They should cut him too into pieces; I want to see it done.

How many children do you have?

I now have five children, four girls and one boy. I used to have six before losing Salome.

 Aside from being hardworking, what other qualities did Salome have?

She was very kindhearted. Every time, she received her alawee (youth service allowance), she would buy me drugs, foodstuffs, and provisions. She was so generous, and I miss her deeply. Since her father passed, she promised to stand by me and take care of me.

When did Salome’s father pass away?

He died on May 16, 2024. Now, I’ve lost both my husband and my daughter, two people so close to my heart.

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