Category: World

  Gulf tensions are sharpening the risks for African health systems already reliant on imported medicines, as disrupted shipping routes, higher freight bills and delayed emergency supplies expose how vulnerable the continent remains to external shocks while governments push to expand local drug production. The strain has moved beyond theory. Aid officials said this week that cholera supplies for countries including Chad and South Sudan were being held up because stocks stored in Dubai were caught in a logistics backlog linked to

African Development Bank Group is set to launch the 2026 edition of its Africa’s Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook report on 30 March at its headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, placing the continent’s growth prospects, debt strains and inflation risks under fresh scrutiny at a time of heightened global uncertainty. The event is expected to draw policymakers, investors and development specialists looking for updated guidance on how African economies are navigating a difficult external environment while trying to sustain reform and

  Safe-haven demand pushed the US dollar towards its strongest monthly advance since July, as investors sought liquidity and relative shelter from a widening Middle East energy shock while also scaling back expectations for Federal Reserve easing this year. The dollar index was trading near 100.17 on March 27 and was up about 2.6 per cent for the month, a move that outpaced most major peers. Currency markets have been driven by a mix of geopolitics, oil and interest-rate repricing. Escalating tension

  Seychelles has used two high-level forums in Malabo to press for stronger backing for small island states and to elevate youth priorities within the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, with Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Minister Barry Faure taking a visible role in both meetings. The government said Faure addressed the Small Island Development States forum and later served as rapporteur at the youth forum, a position that gives Seychelles a hand in shaping recommendations for the summit of

A decision by Donald Trump to extend a pause on military strikes targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure into April has injected a fresh layer of uncertainty into a conflict that has already rippled across the Middle East, disrupted oil markets and heightened global inflation concerns. The move follows nearly four weeks of escalating hostilities involving Iran, regional militias and US-backed forces, with attacks on energy installations, shipping routes and strategic facilities intensifying fears of a broader regional war. Thousands of casualties have

Crowds are expected to gather across major cities this weekend under the banner of “No Kings”, a decentralised protest movement that organisers say could mark one of the largest coordinated demonstrations in years, driven by mounting political polarisation and public frustration over executive power. Activists behind the campaign describe it as a response to what they view as expanding authority within the executive branch and a perceived erosion of institutional checks and balances. Demonstrations are planned in Washington, New York, Los

Quebec’s National Assembly has unanimously demanded the resignation of Air Canada chief executive Michael Rousseau, intensifying political pressure after his failure to speak French in a public message addressing a fatal aviation incident linked to LaGuardia Airport. The 92–0 vote, adopted across party lines, marks a rare show of unity in Quebec politics and underscores the sensitivity of language rights in the province. Lawmakers argued that the airline’s leadership had fallen short of expectations for a company historically rooted in a

Kenya will incorporate nuclear energy into its electricity mix as part of a broader strategy to expand generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts, President William Ruto has said, signalling a shift in policy aimed at supporting industrial growth and stabilising long-term energy supply. The announcement reflects mounting pressure on the East African economy to secure reliable and affordable power as demand rises across manufacturing, digital infrastructure and urban expansion. Kenya’s current installed capacity stands at roughly 3,300MW, with a heavy reliance on

Escalating conflict across key maritime corridors has exposed the Middle East’s dependence on imported food, with shipping disruptions forcing governments and logistics firms to reassess supply chains under mounting pressure. The warning comes from Vincent Clerc, chief executive of A. P. Moller-Maersk, who signalled that instability in the Gulf is tightening global shipping capacity and complicating the steady flow of essential commodities into the region. He described a “pressing need” for imports, pointing to structural vulnerabilities that have long been masked

India has purchased its first shipment of liquefied petroleum gas from Iran in several years, following a temporary easing of United States sanctions on Tehran’s oil and refined fuel exports, signalling a cautious shift in regional energy trade flows. The cargo marks a notable development in India’s energy procurement strategy, which has been shaped by geopolitical constraints since Washington reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018. The latest transaction reflects a narrow window created by the US decision to relax restrictions under

Altérra has joined forces with General Atlantic to back Wireless Logic in a deal aimed at expanding infrastructure that supports connected devices across energy, transport and industrial systems, as investors increase focus on digital tools that can improve resource efficiency and emissions tracking. The investment underscores a broader shift in capital markets towards climate-linked digital infrastructure, where connectivity platforms are seen as critical enablers of data-driven optimisation. Wireless Logic, a UK-based provider of Internet of Things connectivity services, operates a platform

Police are investigating whether an arson attack on Jewish community ambulances in London is linked to Iranian state activity, as security officials warn of a persistent threat from hostile plots directed at the United Kingdom. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said officers were pursuing “multiple lines of inquiry” following the incident, which targeted emergency vehicles used by a Jewish volunteer service. The attack has raised concerns among counter-terrorism units, with investigators assessing whether it forms part of a broader pattern of

New Zealand’s approach to easing the strain of elevated fuel costs has been tightly focused on working households, reflecting mounting concern within government ranks about rising public debt ahead of an election cycle. The policy stance has drawn scrutiny as it leaves beneficiaries and pensioners outside the core relief measures, even as transport costs continue to weigh heavily across income groups. Authorities have framed the targeted assistance as a calibrated response designed to balance immediate cost-of-living pressures with longer-term fiscal discipline.

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Donald Trump has indicated that talks between the United States and Iran have reached what he described as “major points of agreement”, raising the prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough after a prolonged period of tension between the two countries. Speaking after a fresh round of discussions, Trump said negotiations held on Sunday were constructive and would continue into the following day. He added that if momentum is maintained, a deal could be reached “very soon”, signalling renewed optimism

Two pilots were killed after an Air Canada aircraft collided with a ground vehicle at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, triggering a major emergency response and raising fresh concerns over airside safety at one of the United States’ busiest aviation hubs. Authorities said the incident occurred during ground operations, when the aircraft was moving on the runway or taxiway area and struck a service vehicle. The impact led to fatal injuries for both pilots on board, while the condition of other personnel

A man has admitted orchestrating a large-scale fraud that used artificial intelligence to generate songs and automated bots to stream them on digital platforms, earning more than $8 million in illicit royalties, according to prosecutors. Michael Smith, 52, entered a guilty plea in a United States federal court to charges linked to wire fraud and money laundering after authorities uncovered what they described as one of the most sophisticated streaming manipulation schemes to date. Investigators said the operation involved producing vast

President Donald Trump has ordered a five-day pause on planned military strikes targeting Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure, signalling a temporary shift in Washington’s approach amid rising tensions with Tehran and mounting concerns over broader regional escalation. Announcement, delivered through official channels, comes at a moment when military planners had reportedly finalised options aimed at crippling segments of Iran’s energy grid. The delay introduces a narrow diplomatic window, with officials indicating that the pause is intended to allow for reassessment

Australia’s sweeping restriction on social media access for under-16s is reshaping online safety discussions, with early enforcement drawing both support and scrutiny as Canada and other countries weigh adopting similar measures. The law, passed in late 2024 and enforced in phases since early 2025, requires major platforms to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts without verified parental consent. The policy places the burden on companies to implement robust age-verification systems, with significant penalties for non-compliance. Authorities argue the measure responds

Daily life across Cuba has become increasingly precarious as prolonged power cuts, dwindling fuel supplies and unreliable access to water combine to strain households already grappling with a fragile economy. Residents in Havana and provincial cities describe a routine shaped by uncertainty, with electricity outages stretching for hours and, in some regions, extending through entire days. The disruptions have intensified following tighter constraints on oil shipments, a development that has further weakened the island’s already stressed energy infrastructure and left authorities

Kenya has moved to grant amnesty to its citizens who were recruited to fight for Russia in the war against Ukraine, signalling a shift towards rehabilitation over prosecution as authorities confront a growing trend of foreign recruitment tied to economic vulnerability. The announcement followed high-level diplomatic engagements led by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who confirmed that Kenyans identified as having travelled to join Russian military operations would not face immediate criminal charges upon their return. Instead, the government intends

Pressure is mounting on the UK government to tighten import rules that domestic retailers say are distorting competition, as calls grow to align with measures already being advanced in the United States and European Union targeting low-cost e-commerce shipments. Industry groups representing high street chains and independent businesses have urged ministers to reconsider the “de minimis” threshold that allows low-value goods entering the country to avoid customs duties and, in some cases, streamlined checks. Retailers argue that the provision has been

Escalating missile exchanges between Iran and Israel have entered a more intense phase, with sustained barrages causing injuries, infrastructure damage and widespread disruption across multiple regions. Authorities in Israel reported dozens wounded after waves of projectiles struck urban centres, marking a sharp rise in the scale and frequency of attacks as the confrontation stretches into its fourth week. Air raid sirens sounded across major cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, forcing residents into shelters as defence systems worked to intercept incoming

Iran has signalled that Japanese-linked vessels could be allowed through the Strait of Hormuz, opening a narrow diplomatic channel for one of Asia’s biggest energy importers as the waterway remains severely disrupted by the war involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Kyodo reported on Saturday that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was prepared to support the transit of Japan-related ships after consultations between officials from the two countries. The offer matters far beyond Tokyo. Japan gets about 90% of

Ireland’s sovereign credit rating has been raised by S&P Global Ratings, reflecting what the agency described as a robust fiscal position and resilience in the face of global trade pressures that have unsettled many export-oriented economies. The upgrade signals confidence in the State’s public finances, underpinned by strong tax receipts and a growing fiscal buffer built in part from windfall corporate tax revenues. S&P noted that despite Ireland’s exposure to international trade volatility, particularly through multinational-driven exports, economic performance has remained

Chicago’s public transport operator has filed a legal challenge against the administration of Donald Trump, accusing federal authorities of unlawfully withholding billions of dollars earmarked for modernising and expanding the city’s rail network. The Chicago Transit Authority argues that the suspension of funds has stalled critical infrastructure upgrades, including improvements to ageing elevated tracks and subway systems that serve one of the largest urban transit networks in the United States. The lawsuit, lodged in federal court, seeks to compel the

Russia has summoned Israel’s ambassador in Moscow following an airstrike in southern Lebanon that reportedly killed journalists linked to Russian state broadcaster RT, escalating tensions between the two countries and adding a new diplomatic dimension to the widening regional conflict. The Russian foreign ministry said the strike targeted a media presence and described the deaths as unacceptable, demanding a full explanation from Israeli authorities. Officials in Moscow indicated the move was intended to convey “strong protest” and to seek accountability for

South Africa has approved anti-dumping duties on selected steel imports from China and Thailand, seeking to protect domestic producers after an official investigation concluded that foreign suppliers had been selling products at unfairly low prices, placing sustained pressure on local manufacturers. The decision follows a probe by the International Trade Administration Commission, which determined that certain categories of flat-rolled steel products were entering the market at prices below their normal value. Authorities said the pricing practices eroded profitability for domestic firms,

Iran will not play any of its World Cup matches on United States soil if it qualifies for the expanded 2026 tournament, the country’s football chief has indicated, deepening uncertainty over one of Asia’s leading teams amid escalating geopolitical tensions. The statement follows Iran’s early qualification for the finals, making it among the first nations to secure a place in the 48-team competition jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, the worsening diplomatic standoff between Tehran and Washington