Headline
US Makes U-turn, To Attend G20 Summit In South Africa
In an 11th-hour about-turn, the United States has told South Africa it wants to take part in this weekend’s G20 summit in Johannesburg, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Thursday.
President Donald Trump’s administration had said it would not take part in the November 22-23 meeting and that no final statement by G20 leaders could be issued without its presence.
It has clashed with South Africa over various international and domestic policies this year, extending its objections to Pretoria’s G20 priorities for the meeting of leading economies being held for the first time in Africa.
“We have received notice from the United States, a notice which we are still in discussions with them over, about a change of mind about participating in one shape, form or other in the summit,” Ramaphosa told reporters.
“This comes at the late hour before the summit begins. And so therefore, we do need to engage in those types of discussions to see how practical it is and what it finally really means,” he said.
READ ALSO:South Africa’s Ramaphosa Tells Putin ‘War’ Must End
There was no immediate confirmation from US officials.
Ramaphosa said: “We still need to engage with them to understand fully what their participation at the 11th hour means and how it will manifest itself.”
In a note to the government on Saturday, the US embassy repeated that it would not attend the summit, saying South Africa’s G20 priorities “run counter to the US policy views and we cannot support consensus on any documents negotiated under your presidency”.
Ramaphosa said earlier Thursday that South Africa would not be bullied.
“It cannot be that a country’s geographical location or income or army determines who has a voice and who is spoken down to,” he told delegates at a G20 curtain-raiser event.
There “should be no bullying of one nation by another”, he said.
– ‘Positive sign’ –
Ramaphosa said the apparent change of heart was “a positive sign”.
READ ALSO:Drama As South African President, Ramaphosa Cries Out Over Missing iPad On Television
“All countries are here, and the United States, the biggest economy in the world, needs to be here,” he said.
South Africa chose “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” as the theme of its presidency of the G20, which comprises 19 countries and two regional bodies, the European Union and the African Union.
Its agenda focuses on strengthening disaster resilience, improving debt sustainability for low-income countries, financing a “just energy transition” and harnessing “critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development”.
After early objections from Washington, it vowed to press on with its programme and its aim to find consensus on a leaders’ statement on the outcome of the discussions.
“We will not be told by anyone who is absent that we cannot adopt a declaration or make any decisions at the summit,” Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said Thursday.
Trump has singled out South Africa for harsh treatment on a number of issues since he returned to the White House in January, notably making debunked claims of white Afrikaners being systematically “killed and slaughtered” in the country.
READ ALSO:Drama As South African President, Ramaphosa Cries Out Over Missing iPad On Television
He expelled South Africa’s ambassador in March and has imposed 30 percent trade tariffs, the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
US businesses were well represented at a separate Business 20 (B20) event that wound up in Johannesburg Thursday.
The head of the US Chamber of Commerce, Suzanne Clark, thanked South Africa for fostering “real collaboration between G20 nations during a time of rapid change” during its rotating presidency, which transfers to the United States for 2026.
“The US Chamber of Commerce will use our B20 leadership to foster international collaboration,” Clark said.
The United States has significant business interests in South Africa with more than 600 US companies operating in the country, according to the South African embassy in Washington.
G20 members account for 85 percent of global GDP and around two-thirds of the world’s population.
Headline
UK Supported US Mission To Seize Russian-flagged Oil Tanker – Defense Ministry
The British Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday that it provided support to the United States in its operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic.
US seized the tanker, which was being shadowed by a Russian submarine on Wednesday, after pursuing it for more than two weeks across the Atlantic as part of Washington’s efforts to block Venezuelan oil exports.
According to Britain, its armed forces gave pre-planned operational support, including basing following a US request for assistance.
READ ALSO:UK Introduces Powers To Seize Phones, SIM Cards From Illegal Migrants
The UK also said a military vessel provided support for the US forces pursuing the tanker, and the Royal Air Force provided surveillance support from the air.
Defence Secretary John Healey stated that the operation targeted a vessel with a nefarious history linked to Russian and Iranian sanctions evasion networks.
“This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting,” he said in a statement.
READ ALSO:Venezuelan Deportees: US Embassy Gives Reason For Reducing Visa Validity For Nigerians
According to him, the US was Britain’s closest defence and security partner.
“The depth of our defence relationship with the US is an essential part of our security, and today’s seamlessly executed operation shows just how well this works in practice,” he added.
The British government said that the Bella-1 tanker, now renamed Marinera, is sanctioned by the US under its counter-Iran sanctions,
The MoD statement said the support was provided in full compliance with international law.
Headline
Russia Deploys Navy To Guard Venezuelan Oil Tanker Chased By US In Atlantic
Russia has deployed naval assets to escort a sanctioned oil tanker across the Atlantic following reported moves by the United States to seize the vessel.
US forces were said to be preparing to board the ship, which has a history of transporting Venezuelan crude oil and was last believed to be sailing between Scotland and Iceland.
CBS News reported that Russia stepped in to protect the tanker, raising the prospect of a direct confrontation between the two powers at sea.
READ ALSO:Russia Calls up 135,000 Military Personnel
By sending naval ships into the North Atlantic, Russian President Vladimir Putin is signalling to United States President Donald Trump that any US action would carry consequences, coming after the US president threatened that he might use the military to seize Greenland.
The tanker, currently empty, previously operated under the name Bella 1. Last month, the US Coast Guard attempted to board it in the Caribbean with a warrant over alleged breaches of US sanctions and claims that it had shipped Iranian oil.
The vessel later changed course, renamed itself Marinera and reportedly reflagged from Guyana to Russia.
READ ALSO:Venezuela Frees Eight Opposition Leaders
Trump last month said he had ordered a ‘blockade’ of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, a policy the government in Caracas branded ‘theft’.
Ahead of the US seizure of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, Trump accused the country’s government of using ships to smuggle drugs into the United States.
Two US officials told CBS News on Tuesday that American forces were planning to board the Marinera, adding that Washington would prefer to seize the tanker rather than sink it.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it expects Western countries to respect principles of freedom of navigation.
(Daily Mail News)
Headline
UK Introduces Powers To Seize Phones, SIM Cards From Illegal Migrants
The United Kingdom has rolled out expanded enforcement powers allowing authorities to confiscate mobile phones and SIM cards from migrants who enter the country illegally.
The new measures, which do not require an arrest, came into force on Monday at the Manston migrant processing centre in Kent and represent a significant tightening of border controls.
According to the Home Office, the powers are intended to support intelligence-gathering operations aimed at disrupting criminal networks that organise and profit from dangerous Channel crossings.
Officials at the centre are equipped with technology that enables them to extract and analyse data from seized devices, a move the government says will help track and dismantle smuggling rings.
READ ALSO:Russia-Ukraine War: Pope Leo Calls For Global Christmas Truce
Under the revised rules, migrants are permitted to be asked to remove outer garments if there is suspicion that phones are being concealed.
In certain circumstances, officers may also check mouths for hidden SIM cards or small electronic items.
The National Crime Agency said information recovered from devices could accelerate investigations and improve the effectiveness of action against organised crime groups.
Border Security Minister Alex Norris said the policy was necessary to regain control of the UK’s borders and confront human trafficking operations.
“We are committed to restoring order and tackling the people-smuggling gangs behind this lethal trade,” Norris said.
READ ALSO:
“These stronger laws give authorities the tools to disrupt, intercept and dismantle these networks more quickly and effectively,” he added.
The legislation also introduces tougher criminal penalties linked to illegal crossings.
Individuals found storing or supplying boat engines for unauthorised journeys could face prison terms of up to 14 years, while those involved in researching equipment or plotting routes may be liable to sentences of up to five years.
Government officials stressed that the powers would be exercised with discretion.
READ ALSO:UK Unveils Record-breaking Bid For 2035 Women’s World Cup
The Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, said devices could be returned depending on individual circumstances and the relevance of the information obtained.
“If a device may contain intelligence that helps combat smuggling, it is right that it can be seized,” Tapp said, adding that the approach would not undermine compassion toward migrants.
However, humanitarian organisations have expressed unease about the impact of the policy.
The Refugee Council warned that mobile phones often serve as vital lifelines for migrants, enabling contact with family members and access to support services, and urged authorities to ensure the measures are applied in a proportionate and humane manner.
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