Category: World

US population growth slowed markedly last year as a sharp deceleration in immigration offset steady gains from births exceeding deaths, according to newly released data from the US Census Bureau, underscoring how migration flows have become the decisive swing factor in the country’s demographic trajectory.The population expanded at a slower pace than in the preceding year, reflecting fewer arrivals from abroad and a natural increase that remains modest by historical standards. Census estimates show that net international migration contributed less

Signs are emerging that President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration drive is carrying political risks, with polling shifts, street protests and unease among key voter blocs suggesting the strategy is beginning to dent public support. The administration has intensified workplace raids, expanded detention capacity and accelerated deportations while federal authorities have moved forcefully to disperse demonstrations against the sweeps, framing the approach as a necessary restoration of law and order.Polling released over the past several weeks shows a narrowing of Trump’s

France has moved to sharply restrict children’s access to social media after lawmakers approved legislation that would bar users under 15 from creating or holding accounts without verified parental consent, marking the most far-reaching national intervention of its kind in Europe.The bill, passed by the National Assembly after months of debate over online harms, places legal obligations on major platforms to prevent under-age access and to implement robust age-verification systems. Companies that fail to comply face escalating penalties, including fines

Soybean and corn futures edged higher in global trade as a softer US dollar improved export competitiveness and intensifying heat across Argentina raised questions over yield prospects, even as ample worldwide supplies continued to cap gains and keep prices well below the highs seen during 2022.Soybeans led the advance, with prices supported by currency moves that made US shipments more attractive to overseas buyers and by weather maps pointing to prolonged hot conditions across key Argentine growing regions. Corn followed,

AfricAI has secured exclusive continental rights from Micropolis Robotics to commercialise and deploy advanced autonomous robotics platforms across Africa, under a multi-year agreement that industry analysts describe as a pivotal development for robotics infrastructure on the continent. The deal prohibits Micropolis from direct sales or appointing alternative distributors in the territory, establishing AfricAI as the central execution, localisation and go-to-market partner for Micropolis’s robotics systems across industrial, security, logistics and infrastructure sectors.The pact positions AfricAI at the forefront of Africa’s

South Africa’s vast grasslands have become the testing ground for what is being described as a global first in community-led carbon markets, as farmers and pastoral groups begin to earn tradable carbon credits through regenerative land management verified under a new international standard. The initiative centres on Verra’s recently approved methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management, which allows greenhouse gas reductions and soil carbon gains from grazing optimisation and related practices to be formally quantified and credited.The move places South

A sweeping winter storm delivered an unusual alignment of heavy snowfall across five of the largest metropolitan areas on the US East Coast, marking a weather milestone highlighted by meteorologist Andrew Markowitz, known online as “Snowstradamus”. Writing on X, Markowitz said the storm marked the first instance in 3,655 days in which Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC each recorded at least six inches of snow during the same event, a span of just over a decade.The

Harare’s local authorities have escalated flood warnings and emergency preparations across the capital following prolonged heavy rainfall that has overwhelmed drainage infrastructure and triggered flash floods in multiple low-lying suburbs. Officials have urged residents and motorists to adjust travel plans, heed evacuation guidance where issued and monitor weather conditions as water levels continue to rise across a city whose ageing systems have struggled under intensifying storms.City officials, led by Acting Town Clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo, reported daily flash flooding

Power outages spread across large parts of the US East Coast on Sunday as a powerful winter storm pushed heavy snow, freezing rain and ice from the Mid-Atlantic to New England, disrupting daily life for millions, straining energy infrastructure and forcing widespread travel cancellations. Utilities warned that restoration efforts could take days in some areas as hazardous conditions slowed repair crews and fresh snowfall compounded earlier damage.The storm system, driven by a clash between Arctic air and moisture-laden Atlantic winds,

Rescue teams continued combing rough waters off the southern Philippines after a passenger ferry capsized and sank, leaving at least 15 people dead and more than 300 pulled to safety, according to officials coordinating the response. Several passengers remained unaccounted for as the operation entered a critical phase, with authorities warning that changing weather and strong currents were hampering search efforts.The wooden-hulled ferry went down during a routine inter-island crossing in the waters south of Mindanao, an area where ferries

US President Donald Trump has launched a high-stakes $5 billion legal challenge against JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its chief executive, Jamie Dimon, claiming that the country’s largest bank cut off banking services to him and his businesses for political reasons. The lawsuit, filed in Miami-Dade County, Florida, alleges the bank closed multiple accounts in 2021 and placed the president and his companies on an informal “blacklist” that hampered their ability to secure financial services elsewhere, inflicting reputational and financial

A sprawling winter storm stretching across the southern and eastern United States has crippled highways, shuttered schools and sent air travel into disarray, as forecasters warned of heavy snowfall and a destructive ice belt cutting from east Texas through the Carolinas.The U. S. National Weather Service said a wide swathe of the country faced hazardous conditions, with snow totals measured in tens of centimetres in parts of the Plains and Midwest and a prolonged spell of freezing rain threatening power

Michigan’s cherry growers are turning to a small falcon with a big appetite for problem birds, placing nesting boxes for American kestrels across orchards to curb fruit damage and reduce contamination risks without chemicals. The approach, adopted over several growing seasons, reflects a broader shift towards nature-based solutions as producers balance yields, food safety and environmental pressures.Kestrels, among North America’s most widespread raptors, prey on starlings, robins and other birds that peck cherries and leave droppings capable of carrying pathogens

 Mistral AI, the French artificial intelligence company behind a fast-growing portfolio of large language models, is in discussions to establish a Global Capability Centre in Bengaluru, a move that would place advanced engineering and research operations in one of Asia’s most competitive technology hubs. People familiar with the matter say the plan, still under evaluation, reflects the company’s need to scale product development while drawing on a deep pool of specialised talent.The proposed centre would focus on core engineering, model

Apple is confronting a shareholder campaign seeking a comprehensive audit of the company’s exposure to China, sharpening a debate over supply-chain concentration, intellectual property protection and geopolitical risk as ties between Washington and Beijing remain strained. The proposal, scheduled for consideration at Apple’s annual meeting set for February 2026, has been filed by a coalition led by the National Legal and Policy Center, which argues that the company’s disclosures do not adequately capture the scale of potential disruption facing its

Global internet traffic surged to unprecedented levels during 2025, underlining how live sport, high-definition streaming and expanding artificial intelligence workloads are reshaping the world’s digital infrastructure. Network operators and exchange operators recorded sharp spikes during major live events, with a Champions League match night in December emerging as one of the heaviest traffic moments ever observed on public internet exchanges.Data collated from large internet exchange platforms showed aggregate traffic volumes climbing steadily through the year before hitting a new peak

South Africa’s currency advanced to its strongest level in roughly three years as a softer US dollar, firm commodity prices and cautious optimism about domestic reforms combined to lift investor appetite for emerging-market assets. The rand strengthened through the week against the greenback and traded at levels last seen before the global tightening cycle gathered pace, reflecting both external tailwinds and renewed focus on policy signals from Pretoria.Early trading showed the rand gaining alongside peers as markets reassessed the outlook

Mozambique has secured a fresh boost for its offshore gas ambitions after the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank approved a $150 million senior loan for the Coral North floating liquefied natural gas project. The decision, taken on January 14, signals renewed momentum for the country’s flagship gas developments and underlines lender confidence in large-scale energy infrastructure anchored in the Rovuma Basin.The financing is earmarked for the Coral North Floating LNG facility, an offshore project designed to monetise

A Milan-based scent technology start-up says it has entered the consumer fragrance market with a countertop device that uses artificial intelligence to blend more than 100 aromas on demand, signalling a push to personalise a category long dominated by mass-produced perfumes. ININUM said the system combines software-led scent design with refillable Eau de Parfum pods developed and produced in Italy, and will be sold from $299, with higher tiers adding features for enthusiasts and professional users.The company describes the device

US immigration authorities began enforcing a new round of visa suspensions on Monday, implementing a policy that affects travellers from a broad set of countries spanning South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. The measures, announced earlier by the United States government, apply from the start of the business day and immediately alter entry conditions for thousands of prospective visitors, students and temporary workers.Officials said the suspensions were introduced under existing immigration and national security powers, citing concerns

A $50 million initiative bringing together the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and OpenAI is being positioned as a practical push to embed artificial intelligence into public health delivery across multiple African countries, with backers arguing the effort could help overstretched systems do more with limited resources while raising questions about data governance and long-term capacity.The collaboration, branded Horizon1000, is designed to fund pilots and scale-ups that apply AI tools to areas such as disease surveillance, maternal and child health,

Africa’s fashion sector gathered fresh momentum in Nairobi as Core Fashion Kenya, working with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, convened designers, manufacturers, policymakers and investors during the Hub of Africa Fashion Week to map pathways for scaling an industry valued at about $31 billion. The discussions centred on moving beyond fragmented national markets to build continent-wide supply chains, strengthen manufacturing depth and unlock export growth while embedding sustainability and decent work.Organisers said the forum brought together decision-makers from