Former United States President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday at the US National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, describing her as a “very respected” Christian leader.

During his remarks, Trump noted that the First Lady of Nigeria also serves as a Christian pastor at the country’s largest church and commended her reputation and influence.

“We’re honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria. Very respected woman,” Trump said.

“First Lady, please. Where are you? Thank you very much. It’s a great honour. Thank you very much. Very respected person, too. Thank you.”

Tinubu’s attendance at the high-profile event is seen as part of Nigeria’s use of soft power on the international stage. This comes months after Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged persecution of Christians, a decision that sharply strained relations between Abuja and Washington.

After the redesignation, Trump also warned of possible military action in Africa’s most populous nation, citing concerns over religious freedom. The Nigerian government strongly dismissed the allegations, maintaining that insecurity in the country stems from terrorism, banditry, and organised criminal networks rather than religious persecution.

In response to the CPC designation, Nigerian officials stepped up diplomatic engagements with the United States, seeking to challenge genocide claims and reassure Washington of Nigeria’s commitment to protecting citizens of all faiths.

These efforts culminated in a significant security development on Christmas Day, when the federal government confirmed US airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area in Sokoto State.

The strikes represented the first publicly acknowledged US military action on Nigerian soil. The government said the operation targeted terrorist enclaves and recorded no civilian casualties.

Beyond security collaboration, Nigeria has also intensified efforts to manage its image in Washington.

In December, the federal government, through Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm, hired DCI Group, a Washington-based consulting and lobbying firm, under an initial six-month contract worth $4.5 million, with monthly payments of $750,000, according to filings with the US Department of Justice.

The documents indicate that a similar sum would be due if the contract is renewed for another six months.

Under the agreement, DCI Group is mandated to brief US government officials on Nigeria’s actions to protect both Christians and Muslims, counter genocide allegations, and sustain US support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations across West Africa.

Argentina and the United States have reached a sweeping trade agreement aimed at lowering barriers on each other’s goods, a move that supports President Javier Milei’s push to open Argentina’s traditionally protectionist economy while helping the Trump administration address food prices at home.

The deal significantly reduces hundreds of reciprocal tariffs between the two countries and underscores the close political alignment between Milei and US President Donald Trump. While Argentina has long struggled with economic instability and limited global influence, the agreement highlights how Milei’s ideological loyalty has helped deepen ties with Washington despite offering modest economic or geopolitical returns to the US.

Since taking office, Argentina’s libertarian president has reshaped the country’s foreign policy to closely mirror US priorities, openly backing Trump’s assertive stance in the Western Hemisphere. Milei has visited the United States more than a dozen times and is expected to return to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida next week.

Those efforts have delivered tangible results. Last year, as financial turbulence threatened Milei’s free-market reforms and foreign currency reserves ahead of a key midterm election, Trump extended a $20 billion credit line to Argentina. The support helped Milei avoid a currency devaluation and secure a decisive electoral win, sending markets higher.

On Thursday, Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that the trade and investment agreement was signed in Washington.

After initially imposing broad tariffs on global trading partners, the Trump administration shifted course last November, unveiling framework agreements with four Latin American countries, including Argentina.

The White House said reducing tariffs on imports such as Argentine beef and Ecuadorian bananas would both improve access for US exporters and help ease rising consumer prices. The announcement also came as Trump’s tariff policies faced scrutiny from the Supreme Court.

Argentina is the first of the four countries to finalise its deal. Quirno described the agreement as a turning point for Argentina’s international standing and Milei’s efforts to restore credibility after years of economic turmoil.

“Today Argentina sent a clear signal to the world,” he wrote on social media. “We are a reliable partner, open to trade and committed to clear rules, predictability and strategic cooperation.”

Under the agreement, Argentina will remove trade barriers on more than 200 categories of US goods, including chemicals, machinery and medical devices, according to its foreign ministry. More sensitive products such as vehicles, live cattle and dairy will be allowed in tariff-free under government quotas.

These concessions may fuel domestic backlash, as industries long shielded by high tariffs worry about competing with US manufacturers. Local producers are already feeling pressure as Milei opens the market to an influx of cheaper Chinese goods.

In return, Washington will eliminate reciprocal tariffs on 1,675 Argentine products, a move Argentina’s Foreign Ministry says could boost export revenues by more than $1 billion. While the full list has not been disclosed, the White House noted it includes “unavailable natural resources” and pharmaceutical inputs, following Argentina’s agreement to strengthen its intellectual property framework.

The US also agreed to review its 50% tariffs on Argentine steel and aluminium falling short of Argentine manufacturers’ hopes for a full repeal. Meanwhile, the deal increases the quota for Argentine beef imports at reduced tariff rates fourfold, to 100,000 tonnes per year.

The planned surge in Argentine beef imports is likely to revive opposition from US cattle ranchers and Republican lawmakers, who voiced strong objections last October when Trump first proposed boosting imports to curb domestic prices.

That proposal came on the heels of the $20 billion financial lifeline and direct US purchases of Argentina’s dollar-denominated bonds assets many investors had labelled “junk” as well as interventions to support Argentina’s weakening currency.

Critics from Trump’s MAGA base questioned why US resources were being used to support a distant country that competes directly with American farmers in key markets such as soy, corn, wheat, meat and oil.

Democrats were equally critical, accusing Trump of using taxpayer money to reward a political ally. That opposition persists, with Senator Elizabeth Warren, the leading Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, calling on Thursday for Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to end the $20 billion bailout.

Russia and Ukraine have carried out an uncommon exchange of prisoners of war and civilians following two days of US-mediated peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi, even as the talks concluded without a major diplomatic breakthrough.

In the swap, 157 Ukrainians, including seven civilians, were returned home, alongside 157 Russian soldiers. It marked the first such exchange between the two sides in four months.

Delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the United States participated in the discussions held in the United Arab Emirates’ capital. Despite intensive engagement, progress proved limited, with negotiations reportedly stalled over territorial demands on Ukraine and the issue of security guarantees to prevent renewed Russian aggression if a peace deal is reached.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the difficulty of the talks, saying he was seeking quicker outcomes.

Prisoner Exchange After Long Pause

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Zelensky said the exchange followed a lengthy break since the last swap in October.

“We are returning our people home – 157 Ukrainians. Soldiers of the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Service. And civilians are also returning with the defenders,” he wrote on social media.

Ukrainian officials said 139 of those freed had been held in Russian captivity since 2022. Zelensky reiterated his commitment to securing the release of all Ukrainians still detained by Russia.

Russia’s defence ministry confirmed that Kyiv had returned 157 Russian prisoners of war. It also said three Russian civilians described as being “illegally held” were handed back. The civilians were residents of the western Kursk region, parts of which Ukraine occupied during its 2024–25 incursion.

Talks Continue, But Key Obstacles Remain

The Abu Dhabi meetings — the second round of talks in recent weeks — are part of US President Donald Trump’s push to bring the four-year war to an end. Negotiations have been led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Describing the discussions, Witkoff said they had been “detailed and productive”, while stressing that “significant work remains.”

Territory remains the most contentious issue, with Russia insisting that Ukraine hand over the remaining parts of the eastern Donbas region still outside Moscow’s control. Ukraine, meanwhile, is pressing for strong security guarantees from the US and European allies to deter future attacks.

No formal details from the talks have been released.

Fighting Continues Despite Diplomacy

The negotiations took place as Russia resumed intense attacks on Ukraine, ending a brief pause that Trump had requested during a spell of extreme winter weather.

Russian strikes have heavily targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving thousands without electricity, heating and water in sub-zero conditions — underscoring the urgency, yet fragility, of ongoing diplomatic efforts.

A senior figure in Russia’s military establishment has been seriously wounded after being shot multiple times in Moscow, marking the latest attack on a high-ranking defence official since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev was rushed to hospital following the shooting, which took place inside a residential building in the north-western part of the capital. Authorities have not yet disclosed his medical condition.

Alexeyev is a senior official within the Main Directorate of the General Staff (GRU) and has been under European Union sanctions since 2018, when the intelligence agency was accused of involvement in the nerve agent attack in Salisbury, UK.

Investigation Underway

Confirming the incident, Svetlana Petrenko of Russia’s Investigative Committee said: “The victim has been hospitalised at one of the city’s hospitals.” She added that a criminal investigation has been opened on charges of attempted murder.

The shooting occurred on Friday morning in a residential complex along Volokolamsk Highway. As of now, authorities have not identified the attacker or established a motive.

Key Role in the Ukraine War

Lt Gen Alexeyev has been a prominent figure during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In 2022, he took part in negotiations with Ukrainian officials during the siege of Mariupol. He was also dispatched in June 2023 to hold talks with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late Wagner Group leader, during the short-lived but violent mutiny against the Kremlin.

Pattern of Targeted Attacks

Alexeyev is the latest in a series of senior Russian military officials to be targeted. Ukraine has previously acknowledged involvement in some attacks on Russian military figures, though no claim has been made in this case.

Russian intelligence recently said it foiled an attempted attack on a soldier in St Petersburg last month. Earlier this year, an Uzbek national was sentenced to prison over the 2024 killing of General Igor Kirillov, who died in an explosion outside his Moscow apartment. Ukraine’s SBU intelligence agency said it was responsible for that attack.

Kirillov had headed Russia’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection troops.

In another incident, Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov, a senior GRU officer overseeing operational training, was killed in December 2025 when a bomb detonated beneath his car in Moscow, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee.