Category: World

Kenya’s banking sector is under pressure as impaired loan ratios hover at elevated levels even though pre-tax profits and capital buffers point to resilience, according to a recent assessment by ratings agency Fitch Ratings. The sector’s net impaired loans to equity stood at around 23 per cent in the first half of this year, reflecting persistent debt servicing challenges.Fitch estimates that the sector-wide ratio of impaired loans to gross loans was about 17.1 per cent at the end of September,

President Donald Trump has pledged a one-time payment of $2,000 to moderate- and middle-income Americans, to be funded by revenues from the tariffs his administration has imposed. He proposed the payment in remarks signalling the effort will begin around mid-2026. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that the payout would depend on congressional approval and suggested the benefit might instead be delivered through tax reductions rather than direct checks.The payment would be characterised by Trump as a ‘dividend’ to citizens from

David Richardson has announced his departure as the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency after just six months in the role. His resignation marks a swift exit for the seasoned public servant, raising questions about the agency's leadership during a period of heightened national challenges.Richardson, who took over the role in May 2025, following the resignation of the previous administrator, had been tasked with navigating FEMA through a turbulent landscape marked by escalating natural disasters and mounting

A significant consultative meeting aimed at addressing Africa's veterinary medicine regulation challenges is taking place in Nairobi from 17 to 19 November 2025. The event, led by AU-IBAR, AU-PANVAC, GALVmed, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, and several key partners, has brought together national regulatory authorities, Chief Veterinary Officers, regional bodies, manufacturers, and technical organisations. The central focus of the discussions is the long-standing issues that hinder access to quality veterinary medicines and vaccines across the continent.In her opening remarks, Dr. Huyam

The United Nations World Tourism Organization has named Khaby Lame, the world's most-followed TikTok star, as its newest ambassador. The move marks a significant step in the growing role of digital creators and influencers in shaping global tourism trends and promoting international travel.Lame, known for his humorous and minimalist videos that simplify complex tasks, has amassed over 200 million followers on TikTok. His viral content, which involves silent, relatable gestures that mock overly complicated solutions, has made him an

Iran has launched an ambitious cloud-seeding operation as its water crisis intensifies, with authorities warning that the capital may face rationing or even evacuation if supplies cannot be sustained. The move comes against a backdrop of six years of dwindling rainfall and widespread depletion of reservoirs, particularly around Tehran, where dam-levels are at historic lows and domestic pressure on water supplies has escalated.A specialised aircraft under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy’s “Atmospheric Water Technologies Organisation” was deployed over

Between 1991 and 2023, catastrophic events have left an indelible mark on global agriculture, causing losses exceeding $3.26 trillion, a report from the Food and Agriculture Organization reveals. These disasters have not only disrupted food systems but also devastated the livelihoods of farmers and communities dependent on agricultural output.The FAO's findings highlight that over the past three decades, agriculture has borne the brunt of a changing climate and more frequent natural disasters. In total, 4.6 billion tonnes of cereals,

Federal agents have arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to ramp up immigration enforcement across the country. The deployment marks a significant escalation in the administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants and highlights a growing focus on cities with higher immigrant populations. This move reflects the administration's strategy of targeting so-called “sanctuary cities,” areas where local authorities limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.The decision to station additional agents in Charlotte follows months of tensions

US President Donald Trump has confirmed his intent to sue the BBC for up to $5 billion, following a controversial incident involving a video edit that misrepresented his comments. The dispute stems from a video posted by the British broadcaster, which Trump claims distorted his remarks, resulting in what he described as unfair damage to his reputation.The controversy erupted after the BBC aired a clip from a press conference in which Trump allegedly appeared to downplay the significance of the

China’s dominance in the global rare earths market has been challenged by its recent move to curb exports of these crucial minerals. The decision has sent shockwaves through industries dependent on rare earths, which are essential for technologies ranging from electric vehicles to smartphones. In response, the United States and its allies are now looking for alternative sources, with Latin America, particularly Brazil, emerging as a potential new supplier.China controls roughly 60% of global rare earth production and over 90%

Cairo-based African Export‑Import Bank has outlined a bold agenda at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, urging the continent to seize the dual opportunity of sustainable development and industrialisation through a just energy transition. Under its new president George Elombi, the institution emphasised the urgency of aligning Africa’s low-carbon ambitions with its economic growth pathways.Afreximbank is advocating for climate finance mechanisms that recognise Africa’s unique context: a continent responsible for under 4 per cent of

The African Development Bank has approved a USD 310 million financing package to FirstRand Bank aimed at scaling up lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, women entrepreneurs and agribusinesses across South Africa. The funding represents one of the most significant private-sector-focused interventions in the country’s development finance space this year and reflects a deliberate pivot towards inclusive growth and gender-responsive financing.The financing has been structured into three main components: a USD 200 million credit line for general MSME

A civilian death and multiple injuries have reignited tensions along the frontier between Cambodia and Thailand, casting doubt on a peace understanding signed in October. Cambodia reported that one resident of Prey Chan village in its Banteay Meanchey province was killed and three others wounded when gunfire erupted across the border near Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province. Cambodia’s Prime Minister informed that the incident occurred in the late afternoon, and described it as unprovoked action by Thai forces. Thai military representatives

The Trump administration has unveiled a controversial twist on its stance towards the H-1B visa program, a cornerstone of the US's immigration policy for skilled workers. The proposal, set forth by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, appears to strike a delicate balance between maintaining the flow of skilled foreign workers and the administration's "America First" agenda. Under the new policy, foreign workers would be brought to the US on a temporary basis, tasked primarily with training American workers in critical industries,

Nigeria will kick off its 2025 oil licensing round in December, according to an announcement made by the country’s oil regulatory body in London. This new auction, which is expected to attract significant attention from both local and international energy companies, forms a key part of the Nigerian government’s strategy to revitalise dormant oil assets and bolster production levels.The licensing round is aimed at unlocking valuable offshore and onshore blocks that have been under-utilised for years. With the nation’s oil

UNESCO's General Conference has officially recognised Kiswahili as one of its official languages, a significant move towards enhancing linguistic diversity within the organisation. This decision marks a milestone in the global promotion of African languages and elevates Kiswahili to a prominent status in international discourse.The decision, which was made during the 41st session of the UNESCO General Conference, reflects the growing importance of Kiswahili not only as a widely spoken language across East Africa but also as a symbol of

The U. S. Senate is making significant strides towards bringing an end to the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history, following a pivotal agreement by a bloc of moderate Democrats to advance a bill without securing an extension for crucial healthcare subsidies. This decision has sparked backlash within the party, particularly among progressive members, who view the move as a concession to Republican demands that could undermine public health initiatives.The shutdown, which has been ongoing for weeks, has caused

Belgium has become the latest nation to fall prey to a series of mysterious drone incursions that have unsettled Europe’s security landscape. This wave of drone activity, which has increasingly targeted critical sites across the continent, has prompted fears about potential espionage, sabotage, and escalating tensions in the region.For weeks, drones have been spotted hovering near strategic locations in various European countries, including military bases, nuclear plants, and key infrastructure. The sudden surge in these incidents has left authorities perplexed,

The Trump administration has urged U. S. states to reverse the full payments of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, which were issued under court orders last week. This push comes after the U. S. Supreme Court intervened, issuing a stay on the judicial rulings that mandated the expanded benefits. The move has reignited a fierce legal and political battle surrounding the administration’s efforts to overhaul the nation’s anti-hunger program, which serves approximately 42 million Americans.For months, the Trump administration