December 18, 2025

Federal Government Suspends Enforcement Of Sachet Alcohol Ban

Nigerian FG: Cancels Ban On Every Small-Pack Alcohol Product

December 18, 2025 8:08 pm

Office of SGF halts NAFDAC action on small-pack alcohol sales amid National Assembly concerns, pending final review of proposed ban.

The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has ordered an immediate suspension of all enforcement actions related to Nigeria’s planned ban on sachet alcohol products, officials said on Tuesday December 16, 2025.

The directive effectively pauses implementation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory bodies, pending a full review of the policy. According to Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, any action taken …

Donald Trump Expands U.S. Entry Restrictions To 24 Countries

Donald Trump Expands U.S. Entry Restrictions To 24 Countries

December 18, 2025 7:41 pm

Nigerian nationals are among nations facing visa suspensions as President Donald Trump’s government cites security and screening deficiencies.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday December 16, 2025, signed an expanded entry restriction targeting foreign nationals from 24 countries, citing “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing” that pose risks to U.S. national security and public safety.

The policy, published on the White House website, imposes full suspension on eight countries and partial restrictions on 16 others, affecting immigrant and nonimmigrant visa holders, including B‑1, B‑2, B‑1/B‑2, F, M, and J visa categories.

“Nations about which the United States

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NLC Members Protest In Abuja Amid Rising National Insecurity

NLC Members Protest In Abuja Amid Rising National Insecurity

December 18, 2025 7:25 pm

Nigeria Labor Congress members, including Joe Ajaero and civil society allies, gather for protests against insecurity despite government talks.

Members of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) assembled at the NLC Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday December 16, 2025, to launch nationwide protests over escalating insecurity across Nigeria.

The gathering brought together top labor leaders, civil society activists, and pro-democracy campaigners, including NLC President Joe Ajaero and Omoyele Sowore of the Revolution Now Movement. Their collective presence signals the union’s determination to press the government on security concerns affecting citizens nationwide.

Security forces, including police, civil defense officers, and officials from …

US Hypersonic Missile Can Hit Targets 2,175 Miles Away Today

US Hypersonic Missile Can Hit Targets 2,175 Miles Away Today

December 18, 2025 6:33 pm

U.S. Army says Dark Eagle hypersonic weapon could reach distant targets in under 20 minutes as new details emerge on range speed, and mission role globally.

United States Army has revealed new details about its first operational hypersonic missile, saying the weapon could strike targets as far as 2,175 miles away in less than 20 minutes, dramatically expanding America’s conventional long-range strike capabilities.

The disclosures were made during a recent visit by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, a major hub for US missile development and testing. During the visit, Hegseth also announced that Redstone Arsenal will

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Abia Governor Launches Free Christmas Transit, Electric Buses

Abia Governor Launches Free Christmas Transit, Electric Buses

December 18, 2025 6:13 pm

Abia rolls out the first 20 electric buses with free urban transport for Christmas, aiming to expand its fleet to 100 while boosting tech and healthcare initiatives.

Abia State has announced free urban mass transit for the Christmas and New Year holiday period, coinciding with the rollout of its first batch of state-owned electric buses. Officials say the initiative positions Abia as the first Nigerian state to operate a government-backed electric bus transport system.

Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed the details at a press conference in Umuahia, noting that 20 electric buses arrived in the state in November …

Israelis Detains Over 500 Palestinians For Illegal Residency

Israelis Detains Over 500 Palestinians For Illegal Residency

December 18, 2025 5:54 pm

Israeli authorities arrest 513 Palestinians nationwide amid intensified operations targeting undocumented residency and border security threats.

Israeli authorities detained 513 Palestinians residing in Israel without permits over the past week, amid a nationwide campaign to curb unauthorized movement and bolster security, officials said.

The operation, led by the Israeli Border Police, targeted multiple regions across the country, including Jerusalem, northern, central, southern, and coastal sectors. Authorities also focused on individuals suspected of facilitating illegal residency.

Jerusalem accounted for the largest share of arrests, with 391 Palestinians detained alongside 34 suspected accomplices. In a striking incident over the weekend, Border Police …

President Trump: Signals Major Move To Reclassify Marijuana

US President Trump Signals Major Move To Reclassify Marijuana

December 18, 2025 5:35 pm

U.S. President considers executive order to shift cannabis to Schedule III, potentially easing restrictions, boosting research, and opening investment opportunities.

President Donald Trump said Monday December 15, 2025, that he is “looking very strongly” at an executive order to reclassify marijuana, a move that could dramatically reshape the U.S. cannabis industry, reduce criminal penalties, and unlock federal research funding long blocked by current restrictions.

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump described the potential change as a step toward enabling “tremendous amounts of research that can’t be done unless you reclassify.” Under the current U.S. Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is classified

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Fidelity Bank Restricts Accounts Without Tax IDs In 2026 Act

Fidelity Bank Restricts Accounts Without Tax IDs In 2026 Act

December 18, 2025 4:51 pm

Nigerian Fidelity bank cites new tax law, warns customers to link TIN or NIN before January 1, 2026 or face transaction limits nationwide across all branches.

Fidelity Bank Plc has warned customers that bank accounts not linked to a Tax Identification Number or National Identity Number will face transaction restrictions starting January 1, 2026, as Nigeria moves to tighten enforcement of tax compliance laws.

The bank disclosed the plan in a notification sent to customers this week, citing requirements under the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025. The law mandates that all bank accounts belonging to taxable individuals must be

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U.S. Lawmaker Moore Cite IDP Camp Attacks After Nigeria Tour

U.S. Lawmaker Moore Cite IDP Camp Attacks After Nigeria Tour

December 18, 2025 11:30 am

U.S. Congressional delegation says findings from Benue State challenge claims of nonreligious violence and will be formally submitted to President Trump this month.

United States delegation of lawmakers has concluded a fact-finding visit to Nigeria, saying its on-the-ground observations raise serious questions about claims that the country’s violence is driven solely by climate change or economic disputes.

Speaking after the visit, U.S. Representative Riley Moore said the delegation would now compile a formal report for President Donald Trump, outlining its findings and recommendations. Moore said the report is expected to be delivered before the end of the month.

The five-member

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Trump Says Birthright Citizenship Was Meant For ‘Slaves’ Only

Trump Says Birthright Citizenship Was Meant For ‘Slaves’ Only

December 18, 2025 11:16 am

President Trump argues the Constitution never intended automatic citizenship for children of wealthy foreigners as court challenge and Congress scrutiny today.

President Donald Trump said America’s Birthright Citizenship Policy was originally designed to protect the children of enslaved people, not to grant automatic citizenship to the children of foreign nationals with no lasting ties to the United States.

In an interview with Politico, Trump said the provision, rooted in the aftermath of the Civil War, has been widely misused and should ultimately be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. He argued that wealthy foreigners are exploiting the policy to secure

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Bondi Beach Hanukkah Attack Prompts Hate Speech Crackdown

Bondi Beach Hanukkah Attack Prompts Hate Speech Crackdown

December 18, 2025 2:37 am

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged tougher action against hate speech on Thursday following a deadly attack on a Jewish holiday gathering at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, as mourners gathered to bury the youngest of the victims.

The promise came as family, friends, and members of the Jewish community said farewell to 10 year old Matilda, one of 15 people killed when gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration on Sunday. Authorities say the attack shocked the country and intensified fears about rising antisemitism.

Matilda’s white coffin was decorated with yellow toy bees, a reference to her middle name, Bee. …

Hainan Free Trade Port Signals China Trade Ambitions

Hainan Free Trade Port Signals China Trade Ambitions

December 18, 2025 2:22 am

China has formally separated its southern island province of Hainan from the mainland customs system, creating a sweeping duty free zone aimed at attracting foreign investment and strengthening Beijing’s bid to join a major trans Pacific trade pact.

The move, announced on Thursday, turns the island into the Hainan Free Trade Port, a project Chinese officials describe as a test case for deeper economic opening and a potential Hong Kong style commercial hub. Hainan’s economy is roughly comparable in size to that of a mid ranked country, and its land area is similar to Belgium.

Under the new system, goods …

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𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬, 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤, is a nonpartisan online news portal founded on the truth to provide you with weekly, insightful articles written with precision and current updates on current events from Africa in particular and the rest of the world in general. All of our reports undergo extensive fact-checking to ensure their veracity, and we adhere strictly to the facts, no matter whose ox is gored.

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