International

Venezuela and the United States have reached an agreement allowing Caracas to export crude oil worth up to $2 billion to the U.S., marking a major shift in bilateral relations amid Venezuela’s worsening political and economic crisis. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the deal, describing it as a flagship negotiation that would redirect Venezuelan oil supplies away from China while easing production pressures caused by export restrictions and storage shortages. According to Trump, the agreement reflects Venezuela’s compliance with U.S. demands to open its oil sector to American companies. He added that between 30 million and 50 million barrels of what he termed “sanctioned oil” would be turned over to the United States, sold at market prices, with proceeds managed by the U.S. government. The development follows months of heightened pressure by Washington on Caracas and signals a recalibration of U.S.–Venezuela relations. Trump has previously warned of military intervention if Venezuela failed to grant U.S. firms access to its oil industry. Venezuela has been unable to export millions of barrels of crude currently held in tankers and storage facilities following a U.S. blockade imposed in mid-December. The restrictions intensified pressure on the government of President Nicolás Maduro, whose recent capture by U.S. forces has been denounced by Venezuelan officials as a kidnapping and an attempt to seize control of the country’s oil resources. Read Also: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Strengthen Unity with Launch of AES Television DICON–D7G Begins Local Assembly of DG-103 Rifles, Eyes African Export Market Gombe Tightens Security, Shuts Down Scrap Metal Business Trump said U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright would oversee the execution of the agreement, with oil taken directly from tankers and shipped to U.S. ports. Sources familiar with the talks revealed that some cargoes originally destined for China would now be redirected to the United States, potentially ending Beijing’s position as Venezuela’s largest crude buyer. Following the announcement, U.S. crude prices fell by more than 1.5 percent amid expectations of increased oil supply. Currently, Chevron remains the only company exporting Venezuelan crude to the U.S. under a special authorization, shipping between 100,000 and 150,000 barrels per day despite the blockade. It remains unclear whether Venezuela will gain direct access to sales proceeds, as U.S. sanctions continue to exclude state oil firm PDVSA from the global financial system. Market estimates place the deal’s value at up to $1.9 billion, with Venezuela’s flagship Merey crude trading at a steep discount to Brent prices. Discussions between U.S. and Venezuelan officials reportedly include auction-based sales, new U.S. licenses for PDVSA partners, and the possible future use of Venezuelan oil in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum welcomed the development, saying increased Venezuelan heavy crude supplies would benefit U.S. jobs, fuel prices, and Venezuela’s economy. Industry sources warn, however, that without sustained export routes, Venezuela may face further production cuts due to storage constraints.

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Youssouf, has said there is no evidence to support claims of targeted killings of Christians in northern Nigeria, insisting that the security situation in the region cannot be described as genocide. Speaking with journalists at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Youssouf warned that narratives portraying events in northern Nigeria as “Christian genocide” oversimplify a complex and evolving security landscape. According to him, Muslims were among the earliest and most affected victims of the Boko Haram insurgency. “The first victims of Boko Haram are Muslims, not Christians. And I’m saying it with documented references,” he said. Read Also: Trump’s Adviser Dismisses Allegations of Christian Genocide in Nigeria Youssouf cautioned against the use of what he called “easy words” to describe a multifaceted crisis, noting that the AU has consistently maintained in its reports and communiqués that there is no genocide taking place in northern Nigeria. “The complexity of the northern part of Nigeria should not be taken that easily,” he said. “The African continent is very complex… that is why the AU Commission is very clear about that. We would like to stress again that there is no genocide in northern Nigeria.” Claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria have circulated widely in international media and across social platforms, particularly among some political figures in the United States. In response to these claims, a group of US lawmakers recently urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take diplomatic action over what they described as “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in the country. Following the lawmakers’ petition, US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern (CPC)” over alleged Christian persecution, warning that the Nigerian government could lose US aid if it failed to address the issue. The federal government has repeatedly dismissed the allegations. However, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) maintains that Christian communities in several regions of the country continue to suffer recurrent and deadly attacks.

The Nigeria Muslim Forum UK (NMFUK) is set to host its Annual Conference in Manchester on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, will deliver the keynote address at the event. Themed “Ethical Digital Economy: The Future of Community-Centred Islamic Digital Banking,” the conference will gather thought leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to explore the intersection of technology, ethics, and Islamic finance. Notable speakers include Dr. Abdullahi Bala Lau, National Chairman of JIBWIS (Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah), and Mr. Raza Ullah, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Pfida, a leading ethical finance platform. The conference aims to discuss how Islamic principles can guide innovation in digital finance, explore strategies for promoting inclusion, accountability, and shared prosperity, and foster community cohesion, intercultural dialogue, and collaboration. Read Also: Kukah Warns Against Labeling Nigeria a Country of Concern, Cites Tinubu’s Inclusive Leadership Nigeria’s Islamic finance ecosystem, valued at over $4 billion, is expected to be a key area of focus, highlighting the sector’s potential in supporting national development and financial inclusion. The Nigeria Muslim Forum UK (NMFUK) is a registered charity that supports both UK-based and Nigerian communities through various initiatives. 

Ghana’s former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has passed away at the age of 76. Agyeman-Rawlings, the widow of Ghana’s longest-serving leader, Jerry John Rawlings, died on Thursday morning after a brief illness. Her death was confirmed by Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu. Tributes have continued to pour in across social media for the late first lady, who was widely respected as a politician and advocate for women’s rights. Read Also: Kukah Warns Against Labeling Nigeria a Country of Concern, Cites Tinubu’s Inclusive Leadership Later on Thursday, her family paid a condolence visit to former President John Mahama, leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the political party founded by her late husband. As Ghana’s first lady, Agyeman-Rawlings established the 31st December Women’s Movement, which focused on empowering women economically and promoting grassroots community development. Her advocacy played a key role in shaping Ghana’s 1989 inheritance law and influencing gender equality provisions in the 1992 Constitution. Born in November 1948 in Cape Coast, she studied art and textiles at university before marrying Jerry Rawlings in 1977. The couple had four children, including Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, a serving NDC Member of Parliament. In honor of her contributions to Ghana’s development, the country’s parliament has adjourned its sitting as the nation prepares to mourn one of its most influential female figures.