Trump called himself ‘acting president’ of Venezuela
President Trump declared himself the “acting president” of Venezuela on Sunday, implying he’d run the country until a political transition happens. He gave no clear timeline for when that might be. The statement came days after Saturday’s military operation that toppled President Nicolás Maduro.
Trump told reporters Venezuela would hold elections “at some point.” When asked if that meant months or years, he said “much longer,” then also said they could happen “very soon.” Make of that what you will. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has since walked back Trump’s claim about directly governing Venezuela, though the administration still insists it’s taken charge. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez—formerly one of Maduro’s people, now backed by Washington—has been warned she’d face worse consequences than Maduro if she doesn’t do what America wants. Trump said Rubio talks regularly with Rodríguez and outlined plans to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry. The US Senate voted 52-47 to advance a resolution limiting further military action, though it faces obstacles in the House and would need a two-thirds majority to override Trump’s expected veto.
Nigeria is preparing to regulate AI
Nigeria is close to passing legislation that would make it one of Africa’s first countries with proper AI regulations. The National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill would give regulators serious powers over data, algorithms and digital platforms—filling a gap that’s existed since the government published its AI strategy draft back in 2024.
If the law passes, it would create a National Artificial Intelligence Council with broad authority to approve or block AI solutions, whether they’re built locally or imported. Any company—Nigerian startups or foreign firms—offering AI products and services here would need to register with the council and get official approval before launching.
The bill splits AI applications into risk categories. High-risk stuff in healthcare, finance, public services and national security would face tighter scrutiny. But critics say the legislation hands too much power to one agency. The Central Bank, Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigerian Communications Commission and Data Protection Commission already have overlapping roles. Giving regulatory primacy to NITDA could create more bureaucratic tangles. Startups are worried about navigating approval processes from agencies that don’t coordinate well. Lawmakers said back in November they’d complete the third reading before sending it to President Tinubu. If he signs it, the regulations would roll out between 2026 and 2029.
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Trump slapped a 25% tariff on anyone doing business with Iran
President Trump announced Monday that any country trading with Iran will face a 25 per cent tariff on everything they sell to the United States. No phase-in period, no exemptions—effective immediately.
Trump posted on Truth Social that the tariffs would hit “any and all business being done with the United States of America,” calling the order “final and conclusive.” He didn’t explain how they’d actually enforce this. The problem? Iran’s trading partners include some of America’s biggest economic relationships. China, India, Turkey, the UAE—all do business with Tehran. China alone imported about $22.4 billion in goods from Iran as of 2022, according to World Bank figures, and they’re still secretly buying Iranian oil despite US sanctions.
This new tariff could push the rate on Chinese goods to at least 45 per cent, up from 20 per cent now. India traded $1.68 billion with Iran in 2024-2025, according to their commerce ministry. China’s embassy in Washington said Beijing “firmly opposes all illicit unilateral sanctions” and warned that tariff wars don’t have winners. Trump floated the tariff threat whilst also suggesting military intervention to “rescue” protesters in Iran, where more than 500 people have been killed in recent weeks. A communications shutdown has mostly cut off people in Iran from the outside world.
Nigeria’s fuel import bill dropped by more than half
Nigeria spent $6.71 billion importing refined petroleum products in the first nine months of 2025. That’s down 54 per cent from the $14.58 billion spent in the same period two years earlier, according to Central Bank data.
The drop happened in stages. Fuel imports fell from $14.58 billion in January-September 2023 to $11.38 billion in 2024, then to $6.71 billion last year. Breaking it down by quarter for 2025: $3.26 billion in Q1, $1.80 billion in Q2, and $1.65 billion in Q3.
Nigeria’s petrol market still works on an import-parity framework: prices get shaped by the possibility of importing, not just whether cargoes are actually arriving. Imports still serve as backup for stock shortages, demand spikes and logistics problems. The Petroleum Industry Act built liberalisation and competition into the system.
The spending decline follows several changes: subsidy removal in 2023, tighter foreign exchange controls, and the $20 billion Dangote facility ramping up production.
Read Also: US revokes over 100,000 visas since Trump’s return to White House
The US has cancelled over 100,000 visas since Trump resumed
The United States has cancelled more than 100,000 visas since President Trump returned to office, and roughly 8,000 of those were student visas, according to court documents the State Department filed. The cancellations hit people across different visa categories and nationalities.
Tourist visas, student visas, work visas—the State Department says they’re revoking them for security concerns and immigration violations. But people whose visas got cancelled and advocacy groups are challenging the moves in court, arguing there’s no proper due process or legal justification.
Immigration lawyers say their clients are confused. Valid visas got suddenly cancelled with no clear explanation and no way to appeal. Universities are particularly alarmed about the student visa cancellations. They worry this will scare off international students who might choose to study elsewhere. State Department officials defend the revocations as necessary for enforcing immigration laws and protecting national security.
Critics call it discriminatory and say it’s damaging America’s relationships with other countries. Several governments have filed diplomatic complaints about how their citizens are being treated. Businesses also warn the crackdown could push skilled workers to other countries. The administration says it will keep reviewing existing visas and adding more restrictions on new applications, especially from countries it considers security risks.
