The Latest Breaking News from Washington D.C.

China rejects Africa 'debt trap' claim ahead of U.S.-Africa summit

China's ambassador to the United States Qin Gang on Monday rejected charges that Beijing had mired African countries in debt during a forum ahead of a U.S.-Africa summit, citing a report that African countries owe three times more debt to Western institutions.

Reuters · Dec 12, 2022

Ex-U.S. pilot held in Australia faces U.S. charges over export of defence services to China

Former U.S. Marine pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan, who was arrested in Australia, faces charges of conspiracy to unlawfully export defence services to China and violating the U.S. arms export control act, according to a 2017 indictment unsealed by a U.S. District Court in Washington.

Reuters · Dec 12, 2022

Armed standoff forces Washington county government campus into lockdown

Law enforcement actively negotiating with armed man who was in lobby of Snohomish County building

The Independent UK · Dec 12, 2022

US commits $55 billion to Africa over the next three years

The White House pledged $55 billion in economic, health and security support for Africa over the next three years on Monday, one day ahead of the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington.

France 24 · Dec 12, 2022

Supreme Court upholds California ban on sale of flavored tobacco products

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a last-minute plea from the tobacco industry and cleared the way for California to enforce a statewide ban on the sale of most flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.

Los Angeles Times · Dec 12, 2022

US hits Zimbabwe president's son with sanctions

The Biden administration is slapping corruption sanctions on the son of Zimbabwe's president as the U.S. prepares to host a major summit of African leaders in Washington

The Independent UK · Dec 12, 2022

US-Africa summit: four things African leaders should try to get out of it

US president Joe Biden will be hosting African leaders at this week’s summit, as a group. This has its advantages. The 50 African leaders have the opportunity to articulate their common interests and adopt common positions at the gathering in Washington, DC.

The Conversation · Dec 12, 2022

U.S. sanctions four Zimbabweans, two entities -U.S. Treasury

The Biden administration on Monday sanctioned four people and two entities in Zimbabwe as part of Washington's efforts to target corruption and human rights abusers, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement.

Reuters · Dec 12, 2022

Libyan accused in Lockerbie bombing to appear in US court

A Libyan intelligence official accused of making the bomb that brought down Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988 is to appear in federal court in Washington to face charges

The Independent UK · Dec 12, 2022

Lockerbie bombing suspect appears briefly in U.S. court

A Libyan intelligence operative suspected of making the bomb that blew up Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, killing 270 people, appeared in a federal court in Washington on Monday, ahead of being formally charged.

Reuters · Dec 12, 2022