Category: World

China has announced plans to send a special diplomatic envoy to the Middle East as Beijing seeks to mediate escalating hostilities linked to military strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks across the region. Foreign minister Wang Yi said the envoy would travel to several regional capitals to promote dialogue and reduce tensions following a widening confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The move marks one of Beijing’s most visible diplomatic interventions since the outbreak of the crisis, which has

President Donald Trump has pledged that the United States will ensure safe passage for oil shipments from the Middle East, seeking to prevent a global energy shock as war between Iran and Israel expands across the region and threatens vital maritime routes. Speaking as tensions intensified around the Strait of Hormuz, Trump signalled that Washington would take steps to safeguard tanker traffic and stabilise energy markets. The pledge followed warnings from Iran’s leadership and military commanders that shipping through the narrow

  Iran’s sweeping digital shutdown has crossed the 100-hour mark, cutting tens of millions of people off from the global internet and intensifying fears of deeper isolation as military tensions and internal unrest grip the country. Connectivity across Iran has plunged to only a fraction of normal levels, leaving citizens unable to communicate freely with the outside world and severely restricting the flow of information. Network monitoring groups tracking global connectivity reported that internet traffic in Iran collapsed to around one to

Escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran sent shockwaves through global energy markets and maritime trade as Tehran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping lanes, while Donald Trump vowed Washington would do “whatever it takes” to prevail in the widening confrontation. Energy prices surged and financial markets swung sharply after military strikes and retaliatory threats raised fears that a major supply artery for crude oil and liquefied natural gas could

Landmark agreements, product unveilings and policy signals at the IESA Vision Summit 2026 have sharpened the country’s bid to emerge as a significant player in the global semiconductor value chain, as industry leaders and policymakers mapped out the next phase of chip manufacturing, design and talent expansion. Held against a backdrop of supply chain realignment and geopolitical competition in advanced technologies, the annual gathering of the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association drew executives from domestic conglomerates, multinational chipmakers, equipment suppliers and

Kenya holds sufficient petroleum stocks to cushion the country and its regional partners from supply disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has said, seeking to calm fears of shortages and price spikes. Wandayi stated that the country’s strategic and commercial fuel inventories remain within statutory requirements, with diesel, petrol and jet fuel volumes adequate to meet domestic consumption and transit demand to neighbouring states. Kenya serves as a key fuel corridor for

Artificial intelligence chatbots are increasingly being used as informal mental health advisers, but new academic research has raised concerns that such systems may breach core ethical standards even when designed to emulate trained therapists. A study led by researchers at Brown University examined how large language models, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, respond to therapy-style prompts. The researchers compared chatbot outputs with responses from licensed psychologists and trained peer counsellors. Their findings identified 15 categories of ethical risk, ranging from inadequate crisis management

United Arab Emirates authorities have issued a forceful denial of a Bloomberg report that questioned aspects of the country’s air defence capabilities, describing the coverage as inaccurate and misleading while reaffirming the state’s commitment to safeguarding its territory through advanced military systems. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the agency’s assertions did not reflect the strength or sophistication of the federation’s defence architecture. Officials stressed that the country operates a layered and integrated air defence network designed to address a range

Vodafone will begin linking mobile base stations in Germany to Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellites this year, marking the first phase of a wider plan to extend coverage across parts of Europe and Africa where fibre and microwave backhaul remain patchy. The partnership centres on Amazon’s Project Kuiper constellation, a network of thousands of low Earth orbit satellites designed to deliver broadband connectivity from space. Vodafone said the technology would initially be used to connect remote radio masts in Germany and

Apple has introduced its latest budget-friendly smartphone, the iPhone 17e, delivering a meaningful upgrade to storage, performance and everyday features while keeping the entry price at $599. The new model is positioned as the most accessible way for consumers to join the current iPhone ecosystem with modern capabilities that until now were reserved for more expensive models. The phone is set to go on sale from 11 March, with pre-orders opening on 4 March across more than 70 markets globally. The

France will expand its nuclear arsenal to reinforce Europe’s deterrence posture as uncertainty grows over the durability of United States security guarantees, President Emmanuel Macron has said, signalling a significant recalibration of Paris’s strategic doctrine. Macron declared that France would “adapt and strengthen” its nuclear forces in response to a deteriorating security environment, pointing to Russia’s war in Ukraine and mounting questions in European capitals about Washington’s long-term military commitments to Nato. He framed the decision as part of France’s responsibility

  Spain has formally prohibited the United States from using its military bases on Spanish soil as launching points for attacks on Iran, a move that forced the departure of several U. S. aircraft and highlighted growing diplomatic strain between Madrid and Washington amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. Spain’s decision applies specifically to operations directed at Iran and reaffirms its interpretation of sovereignty and international law regarding the use of its defence infrastructure. The government in Madrid said the use

China has condemned air and missile strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran, declaring they violate international law and heighten the risk of a broader regional conflict. Beijing’s foreign ministry said the attacks undermine the sovereignty of a UN member state and threaten stability across West Asia at a time of already acute tensions. Speaking in Beijing, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China “strongly opposes the use of force” and urged all parties to

Federal authorities are stepping up efforts to draw major technology companies into closer cooperation with surveillance and intelligence operations, relying on a mix of legal compulsion, regulatory leverage and private negotiations that civil liberties advocates argue could erode constitutional safeguards. Interviews with policy analysts, court records and public disclosures from technology firms show a pattern in which agencies expand demands for user data, metadata and technical assistance, often under sealed orders or national security authorities that limit public scrutiny. While governments

Belgian special forces, with backing from French naval units, have boarded and seized an oil tanker believed to be part of Russia’s clandestine “shadow fleet” in a maritime security operation in the North Sea. The vessel, identified by prosecutors and sanctions monitors as the Ethera, was intercepted in Belgium’s exclusive economic zone and is being escorted to the port of Zeebrugge for formal seizure and criminal investigation, authorities confirmed. The action, carried out under what officials have termed “Operation Blue

Kenya’s government has moved to repurchase about $415 million of its outstanding Eurobonds due in 2028 and 2032, a strategic manoeuvre designed to ease looming repayment pressures and recalibrate the nation’s external debt profile. The tender offer, which attracted substantial investor interest, comes amid broader efforts to manage refinancing risk and sustain fiscal stability as the East African economy navigates tight debt dynamics. Officials confirmed that all valid tenders for the 7.25 per cent notes maturing in 2028 were accepted

A wave of class-action lawsuits filed by individual customers against large corporations has brought Washington’s tariff reversal into a new legal front, as shippers and retail buyers press for restitution of fees they say were unlawfully imposed. Plaintiffs have targeted delivery giant FedEx and eyewear maker EssilorLuxottica, which owns the Ray-Ban brand, arguing that costs passed on to consumers after a Supreme Court ruling invalidating former President Donald Trump’s broad tariff regime should be refunded. The legal actions follow a

A Bolivian Air Force Hercules cargo aircraft carrying newly printed banknotes veered off the runway at El Alto International Airport on Friday evening and crashed onto a busy highway in the city of El Alto, adjacent to La Paz, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens, officials said. Flames engulfed parts of the aircraft and several vehicles were destroyed as the C-130 transport plane barreled down Costanera Avenue before coming to rest in a field. Debris and banknotes were

A 20-year-old woman has taken the stand in Los Angeles County Superior Court to describe what she says was a damaging childhood addiction to social media platforms owned by Meta and Google, in a landmark civil trial that could reshape how tech companies are held accountable for harm to young users. Known in court as Kaley G. M., the plaintiff testified that heavy use of YouTube from age six and Instagram from age nine contributed to long-term mental health issues,

Paramount Skydance has emerged as the probable victor in a high-stakes contest to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, as streaming giant Netflix declined to increase its offer, effectively withdrawing from the pursuit and handing momentum to its rival. Paramount’s revised proposal of $31 per share in cash and commitment to cover substantial termination and regulatory fees was judged superior by the Warner Bros Discovery board, setting the stage for a deal valued at roughly $111 billion, though regulatory hurdles remain. This

Smartphone shipments across Africa expanded significantly in 2025, with the continent receiving 84.4 million units over the course of the year, marking a 13 per cent year-on-year increase according to market analytics firm Omdia. This performance outpaced many global markets and reflected a phase of recovery and transition as mobile users increasingly adopt smart devices over basic handsets. Fourth-quarter data showed shipments rising 14 per cent to 23.1 million units, underpinned by broader device financing schemes, improved currency stability in

Ellah Lakes Plc, the Lagos-listed agro-industrial group, confirmed its bid to raise up to ₦235 billion through a public offer for subscription did not reach the minimum subscription threshold required to proceed with share allotment, leading to a full refund of investor funds. The offer, which targeted up to 18.8 billion ordinary shares priced at ₦12.50 each, opened in November and closed in December but failed to attract sufficient subscriptions to meet regulatory standards for allotment. As a result, the

A ship widely reported to be carrying Russian-sourced oil to Cuba altered its course and pulled away from its planned voyage, underscoring a deepening energy crisis on the Caribbean island that has disrupted daily life and public services. The vessel, identified by maritime intelligence firms as the Sea Horse and believed to be laden with nearly 200,000 barrels of gasoil, a diesel-type fuel essential for transport and electricity generation, was last tracked drifting in the North Atlantic after abandoning its

Diplomats from Iran and the United States are preparing to examine a detailed framework for a possible agreement in Geneva, as both sides signal cautious openness to narrowing differences over sanctions relief and nuclear restrictions. The discussions come amid renewed diplomatic activity between Tehran and Washington, with officials framing the meeting as a substantive step rather than a symbolic encounter. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed Tehran on Wednesday evening for Geneva to take part in the negotiations, according to state

Bill Gates apologised to employees of the Gates Foundation for his past meetings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, telling staff he “took responsibility for his actions” while maintaining he saw nothing illicit during their interactions. A spokesperson for the philanthropic organisation confirmed that Gates addressed the issue during a town hall meeting, acknowledging that his association with Epstein had caused harm to the foundation’s reputation and distress among staff. The spokesperson said Gates expressed regret for the judgment that led

UAE and Czech Republic have stepped up efforts to widen economic cooperation across advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital industries, with ministers from both countries reviewing a slate of joint projects targeted for rollout in 2026. Talks between UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela focused on expanding collaboration in sectors described as central to the “new economy”, including artificial intelligence, fintech, smart mobility, aerospace and sustainable technologies. Officials said

Wayve has secured more than $1bn in fresh capital as it accelerates plans to bring fully autonomous vehicles to public roads in Britain, marking one of the largest single funding rounds for a European artificial intelligence company. The London-based start-up said it had raised $1.05bn in a round led by Japan’s SoftBank Group, with participation from Nvidia and Microsoft. The deal values the company at about $11bn, underlining investor confidence in its data-driven approach to self-driving technology and in the UK’s