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U.S. Venezuela Oil Tanker Seizure Draws China’s Criticism

U.S. Venezuela Oil Tanker Seizure Draws China’s Criticism

December 22, 2025 8:39 am

China’s foreign ministry condemned the U.S. seizure of a Venezuela-bound oil tanker on Monday, calling it a serious violation of international law and asserting that Venezuela has the sovereign right to conduct trade with other nations. The move comes amid escalating tensions over U.S. efforts to enforce sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports.

On Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted the tanker Centuries in international waters off Venezuela. Loaded with approximately 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan Merey crude oil, the ship was falsely flagged as Crag and bound for China. Documents indicate the crude had been purchased by Satau Tijana …

Trump Endorses Bruce Blakeman In New York Governor Race

Trump Endorses Bruce Blakeman In New York Governor Race

December 21, 2025 3:16 am

President Donald Trump on Saturday backed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in New York’s Republican race for governor, stepping in a day after Representative Elise Stefanik ended her bid and reshaped the contest.

Trump announced his support in a post on Truth Social, calling Blakeman a “FANTASTIC guy” and offering what he described as his “complete and total endorsement.” The president praised Blakeman’s record as county executive, highlighting his alignment with Trump on immigration enforcement and public safety.

The endorsement quickly positioned Blakeman as the leading Republican contender following Stefanik’s exit. Her withdrawal removed what had been expected to be …

Nigeria Tax Reform: Presidency Dismisses Alteration Claims

Nigeria Tax Reform: Presidency Dismisses Alteration Claims

December 21, 2025 3:04 am

The Nigerian Presidency has dismissed allegations that the newly enacted tax reform laws were secretly altered, insisting that the legislation was passed in full compliance with established legal and legislative procedures.

The government reaffirmed that the reforms will take effect on January 1, 2026, despite calls from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and several civil society organisations to suspend implementation.

The four tax reform bills—comprising the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act—operate under the unified authority of the Nigeria Revenue Service. …

South Africa Tavern Shooting Leaves Nine Dead Near Johannesburg

South Africa Tavern Shooting Leaves Nine Dead Near Johannesburg

December 21, 2025 2:43 am

South African police have launched an intensive manhunt after nine people were shot dead and 10 others wounded during a late-night attack at a licensed tavern in a township west of Johannesburg, authorities said on Sunday.

The shooting took place shortly after 1:00 a.m. local time in Bekkersdal, a densely populated community near the mining town of Westonaria, according to police statements.

Police said a group of about 12 armed men, traveling in two vehicles, arrived at the tavern and opened fire on customers inside the venue before continuing to shoot indiscriminately as they fled the area.

“The suspects fired …

US Seizes Venezuela Oil Tanker, Escalating Maritime Crackdown

US Seizes Venezuela Oil Tanker, Escalating Maritime Crackdown

December 21, 2025 2:30 am

The United States has seized an oil tanker that recently departed from Venezuela, marking the second such interception this month as Washington escalates enforcement against what it describes as illicit Venezuelan oil shipments.

The operation was carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard in international waters and follows President Donald Trump’s announcement this week that the U.S. would impose a maritime “blockade” on oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela in violation of American sanctions.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Coast Guard, said a specialized tactical boarding team intercepted the vessel during a pre-dawn operation …

Epstein Files Release Sparks Outrage Over Redactions

Epstein Files Release Sparks Outrage Over Redactions

December 21, 2025 2:19 am

The long-awaited release of government documents linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has sparked frustration among survivors, lawmakers, and legal experts, who say the disclosure falls short of the transparency promised by Congress.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released thousands of pages of Epstein-related records on Friday under a congressional mandate, but many of the documents were heavily redacted, and several files were later removed from public view. Critics argue the partial release risks undermining public trust while reigniting speculation around one of the most scrutinized criminal cases in recent history.

The release followed …

ChannelsTV/ISWAP Logistics Intercepted As Nigerian Troops Stop Vans

ISWAP Logistics Intercepted As Nigerian Troops Stop Vans

December 20, 2025 7:13 am

Nigerian troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai have intercepted two pickup vans carrying logistics believed to be destined for Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Borno State, the military said.

The interception was carried out by troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North East, following intelligence reports indicating the movement of supplies from Dapchi in Yobe State toward the Magumeri axis of Borno, according to a military statement released in Maiduguri.

The military said the operation was launched after credible intelligence alerted troops to suspected terrorist supply routes in the area. Acting in coordination with members of …

German Man Convicted Of Drugging And Raping Wife For Years

German Man Convicted Of Drugging And Raping Wife For Years

December 20, 2025 7:01 am

A German court has sentenced a 61-year-old man to more than eight years in prison for repeatedly drugging and raping his wife while she was unconscious, secretly recording the assaults and sharing the footage online, in a case that has drawn comparisons to France’s landmark Pelicot trial.

The verdict was delivered Friday by a regional court in Aachen, western Germany, following a trial that examined years of abuse committed inside the couple’s home. Prosecutors said the crimes occurred without the victim’s knowledge and involved the systematic misuse of sedatives.

The case is one of the most serious domestic sexual abuse …

Osman Hadi Death Sparks Mourning And Protests In Bangladesh

Osman Hadi Death Sparks Mourning And Protests In Bangladesh

December 20, 2025 6:49 am

Bangladesh marked a national day of mourning on Saturday as tens of thousands gathered in Dhaka for the funeral of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in the country’s 2024 student-led uprising, whose killing sparked days of nationwide unrest.

Security was tightened across the capital as Hadi’s funeral prayer was held at the South Plaza of the national parliament complex, Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Police officers equipped with body cameras were deployed at major intersections and around sensitive sites, while the national flag was flown at half-staff on public and private buildings.

Hadi, 32, was later buried at the central mosque …

U.S. Strikes ISIS In Syria After Deadly Attack On Troops

U.S. Strikes ISIS In Syria After Deadly Attack On Troops

December 20, 2025 6:31 am

The United States has carried out a large-scale military operation against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria, launching what officials described as a “massive strike” in response to a deadly ambush that killed two American soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation, carried out late Friday, hit more than 70 ISIS-linked targets across central Syria using fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery, with support from aircraft based in Jordan.

The assault came days after a December 13 attack in Palmyra, where an ISIS gunman opened fire on U.S. personnel. Two American service members and …

Ghana Reparations Slavery Talks Gain New Push

Ghana Reparations Slavery Talks Gain New Push

December 20, 2025 3:19 am

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has met with an international delegation pressing African leaders to intensify calls for reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonial rule, as the African Union works to shape a common position on the issue.

The talks, held in Accra, brought together experts from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. The group urged Mahama to encourage fellow African heads of state to support the reparations campaign and to place unity at the center of the effort, according to a statement released Friday.

The delegation presented Mahama with priority proposals aligned with the African …

UK Government Hack Confirmed As Probe Into Breach Widens

UK Government Hack Confirmed As Probe Into Breach Widens

December 19, 2025 3:30 am

The British government confirmed on Friday that its systems were breached in a cyberattack in October, following media reports that sensitive foreign office data may have been accessed during the incident.

Trade minister Chris Bryant acknowledged the intrusion in a series of broadcast interviews, saying investigators were still determining how the breach occurred, what data may have been affected, and who was responsible.

“There certainly has been a hack,” Bryant told Times Radio. However, he cautioned against premature conclusions, adding that officials could not yet confirm whether the incident was linked to Chinese operatives or to the Chinese state.

The …

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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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