Category: World

A powerful tornado has caused widespread destruction across southern Brazil, with Parana state bearing the brunt of the damage. The violent storm, which struck unexpectedly, left thousands of residents in peril, forcing local authorities to declare a state of emergency as recovery efforts began.The tornado touched down in multiple regions of Parana, particularly affecting towns and rural communities. High winds, reaching speeds of up to 180 km/h, uprooted trees, tore off roofs, and flattened homes, with reports of significant damage

The ongoing government shutdown has forced airlines to cancel hundreds of flights, deepening travel chaos across the United States. Major airports in New York City, along with others nationwide, have been hit with severe delays and cancellations, as air traffic controllers and federal aviation staff are affected by the furloughs.The Federal Aviation Administration has significantly reduced staffing levels in several air traffic control centres, leading to an immediate impact on flight operations. The reduction in workforce has forced airlines

Hundreds of dogs are being evacuated from inaccessible villages in western Alaska following catastrophic flooding triggered by the remnants of Typhoon Halong, with local animal-rescue organisations racing to reunite pets with their families amid the human-evacuation effort.The village of Kipnuk and several surrounding communities in the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta were hit by high storm surges and floodwaters after the extratropical transition of Typhoon Halong, forcing displacement of more than 1,500 residents.  In that context, the Bethel-based shelter Bethel Friends of Canines

Nigeria has successfully raised $2.35 billion through the sale of 10-year and 20-year Eurobonds, marking a significant achievement in its financial strategy. The transaction, announced on Wednesday, attracted a staggering $13 billion in orders, the largest-ever demand for Nigerian sovereign debt. The sale, conducted through the country's Debt Management Office, highlights strong investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic recovery prospects despite ongoing challenges.The sale included two tranches: a $1.25 billion 10-year bond with a coupon of 8.375%, and a $1.1 billion

Kenya's leading telecommunications provider, Safaricom, has announced a significant 55 per cent increase in its half-year profits for 2025, driven by robust growth in data services and mobile transactions. The company, which holds a dominant position in East Africa’s telecom market, has seen a notable recovery in its performance following challenges in its Ethiopian venture.The surge in profits comes as Safaricom has navigated through the hurdles posed by its operations in Ethiopia, which had been a significant strain on its

The International Monetary Fund has commenced its 2025 Annual Research Conference, a high-profile event gathering economists, policymakers, and financial experts. This year’s theme, "The Evolving Landscape of Global Trade and Financial Systems," is expected to delve into the complexities surrounding international trade, global economic policies, and emerging financial trends.Held in Washington, D. C., the conference is hosting a mix of seasoned experts from various sectors, including finance, academia, and governmental bodies. Leading discussions are several thought leaders, with topics

A Washington D. C. jury has cleared former Department of Justice paralegal Sean Charles Dunn of a federal misdemeanor assault charge after he hurled a submarine-style sandwich at a U. S. Customs and Border Protection agent on 10 August, a moment captured on video and processed through a high-profile federal court trial. The verdict follows a grand jury’s refusal to indict Dunn on felony assault charges, triggering a downgrade to misdemeanor prosecution.The incident unfolded on 14th Street NW in

CEOs across Africa are signalling substantial confidence in their firms’ growth prospects, driven by plans for increased hiring and investment in artificial intelligence, according to a newly published survey by KPMG. The study shows that 79 % of surveyed executives believe their own organisations will grow, while 88 % plan staff increases within the next year.The survey, covering more than 130 executives across the continent, reveals that 61 % of CEOs intend to boost spending on AI, while 62

Storm-hit regions across the Philippines are grappling with immense destruction after Typhoon Kalmaegi claimed at least 114 lives and left 127 people missing, as the system gains strength while crossing into the South China Sea en route to Vietnam. The tragedy marks one of the deadliest disasters of the year in the archipelago, with authorities in the central province of Cebu reporting the vast majority of casualties. Local officials describe flattened homes, streets choked with debris and flood-waters receding to

The African Union and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at bolstering health systems across the continent, particularly in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The agreement, inked on 3 November 2025 in Geneva, commits both parties to deeper collaboration including data-driven accountability, domestic resource mobilisation and integrated development planning.Under the pact, the AU and the Global Fund will target implementation of the AU’s “Roadmap to

Wall Street’s surge in equity valuations, largely driven by a small group of technology giants, has raised concerns about the shallow nature of the rally and the potential risks that may follow. Leading the pack are companies such as Nvidia, Microsoft and Amazon. com, whose combined market capitalisations and dominant positions in artificial-intelligence-driven sectors are exerting an outsized influence on the broader market. Analysts note that the broader index gains owe little to widespread corporate strength, raising questions about the

Sky enthusiasts worldwide are preparing for what scientists describe as the largest and brightest full moon of the year. On 5 November 2025, the moon will reach its full phase while positioned at perigee—its closest point to Earth—amounting to a lunar distance of approximately 356,980 km. This alignment marks the second in a series of three consecutive supermoons and the most extreme of the year.Called the “Beaver Moon” in traditional North American lunar naming, the 5 November event will

Belgrade’s governing party has introduced legislation designed to fast-track the development of a luxury hotel complex linked to the son-in-law of former United States President Donald Trump, signalling the project is gaining momentum despite mounting controversy. The law would relax planning and heritage oversight on the site of the former Yugoslav Ministry of Defence buildings, allowing the U. S.-based investment firm Affinity Partners, headed by Jared Kushner, to proceed under accelerated terms. This move raises questions about transparency, cultural protection

Chinese authorities have agreed to suspend implementation of a new wave of export controls on rare-earth metals and to cease investigations into U. S. semiconductor companies, signalling a de-escalation in trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. According to a White House fact sheet, the measures to be paused were those announced by People's Republic of China in October and would have expanded export licences and extraterritorial jurisdiction on materials such as gallium, germanium, antimony and rare-earth metals.The

Fintech firm Afriex has announced a strategic collaboration with payments giant Visa to deliver real-time cross-border transfers to over 160 markets, marking a significant expansion of its global payments network. The platform will integrate with Visa’s “Visa Direct” service through Afriex’s financial institution partner, enabling eligible Visa endpoints to receive funds instantaneously, according to the announcement.Afriex’s chief executive, Tope Alabi, emphasised that “for the millions of families and businesses who depend on remittances, speed and transparency matter most. Working with

Major banks in Nigeria posted solid earnings in the quarter ending September 30 as elevated interest rates and assets repricing lifted income streams, though underlying risks linger. Leading the pack, United Bank for Africa Plc recorded a profit after tax of ₦537.53 billion, up 2.3 per cent from the same period last year. Gross earnings rose 3.0 per cent to ₦2.469 trillion while net interest income climbed 6.2 per cent to ₦1.172 trillion, supported by deposit growth and disciplined

US retail giant Walmart has chosen the upper-level of Clearwater Mall in the Strubens Valley area of Roodepoort, Johannesburg, as the site for its first branded store on the African continent. The cornerstone agreement was confirmed by mall owner Hyprop Investments and partner retailer Massmart, signalling a strategic push by Walmart into the broader Africa market.The move brings the hallmark “Every Day Low Prices” shopping model to South African consumers, promising stable pricing rather than traditional promotion-driven offers.

The White House announced a policy that prohibits credentialed reporters from freely entering Room 140, a section of the West Wing known as “Upper Press” housing senior communications staff, unless they first secure an appointment. The directive originates from the National Security Council, which cited the protection of “sensitive material” now routinely handled in that zone.Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and her deputy Steven Cheung are among the officials whose offices lie within the restricted zone. Previously, accredited journalists could

Chicago futures for soybeans surged as trade diplomacy between the United States and China paved the way for a revival of American oilseed exports. The most-active contract on the Chicago Board of Trade reached the highest level in 15 months and is on track for its largest monthly gain in nearly four years.China’s state-owned enterprise COFCO confirmed the purchase of three cargoes of U. S. soybeans — a small but symbolically important step. One trader estimated the deal at

Texas has approved a significant $1.1 billion loan for a proposed natural gas-fired power plant in the Permian Basin, marking the largest financial commitment under a state programme designed to secure the state’s energy future. The funding, provided at low interest rates, aims to address the rising demand for electricity driven by both industrial growth and the increasing need for energy to power emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.The planned facility, which will utilise natural gas, is set to become a

Gold prices escalated early on Saturday, drawing fresh investor interest as the U. S. Federal Reserve’s quarter-point rate reduction to the 3.75 %-4.00 % range reinforced the appeal of non-yielding assets. Spot gold edged up 0.3 % to US$4,034 an ounce, and bullion is positioned to record a third consecutive monthly gain driven by both bargain buying and institutional demand.The backdrop includes a sharp rise in quarterly demand to 1,313 tonnes, the highest level in the historical series for