Category: World

The African Development Bank has confirmed it will finance $500 million towards the construction of a new international airport in Ethiopia. Once completed in 2029, the project is expected to become the largest airport on the continent. The new infrastructure forms part of Ethiopia’s broader ambitions to boost its position as a key hub for aviation in Africa, with an emphasis on increasing regional connectivity and expanding the country’s international trade and tourism potential.The airport, located in the capital

Nagasaki has marked the 80th anniversary of the devastating U. S. atomic bombing that killed tens of thousands of people and left lasting trauma. On 9 August 1945, the city became the second to suffer the horrors of nuclear warfare, after Hiroshima, with many survivors, known as hibakusha, urging younger generations to fight for a nuclear-free world.The bomb, code-named "Fat Man," was dropped by the U. S. during the final stages of World War II, ultimately leading to Japan’s surrender.

Tensions over the future of Gaza escalated this week as China strongly condemned Israel's proposals to expand control over the region. The Chinese government has called on Israel to abandon its plans, asserting that Gaza is an integral part of Palestinian territory. This intervention comes amid increasing international scrutiny over the situation in Gaza, with many nations expressing concern about the potential implications of further Israeli expansion.Beijing's position on the Gaza Strip is rooted in its longstanding support for Palestinian

Ethiopia’s energy authorities have raised fresh allegations against Egypt, accusing it of attempting to block the progress of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, one of the continent's most ambitious infrastructure projects. The accusations come ahead of what Ethiopia says will be a significant step in its development, as the country gears up for the operationalisation of its colossal hydroelectric power facility on the Blue Nile.Asheber Balcha, CEO of Ethiopia Electric Power, voiced strong criticisms, asserting that Egypt has been engaged

Hunan, a central province in China, has emerged as a vital player in the country's trade and economic relations with Africa, defying the common association of Beijing or Shanghai as the primary hubs for these dealings. With its strategic location and evolving infrastructure, Hunan is positioning itself as a key partner in China's broader strategy to expand its influence on the African continent.Over the past few years, China’s deepening ties with Africa have sparked a surge in trade and investments,

The South African rand strengthened in early Thursday trading, buoyed by an uptick in gold prices and a softer US dollar, following the implementation of steep tariffs by the United States. The commodity-linked currency, which often moves in tandem with the price of gold, saw a brief rally as traders sought refuge in the precious metal amidst economic uncertainty. Investors were particularly focused on the U. S.'s latest tariff impositions, which have created ripples in global markets.Gold, regarded as a

France is grappling with its most severe wildfire in decades, marking a stark return to the destructive forces of nature. The fire, which broke out in the southern regions, has already scorched thousands of hectares, making it the largest blaze since 1949. That year, devastating fires near Bordeaux claimed 82 lives and ravaged 50,000 hectares of land. This new disaster is showing no signs of slowing down, with thousands of people displaced and emergency services working around the clock to

The European Union has revived a contentious proposal, "Chat Control," which seeks to mandate the scanning of private communications on messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram. The plan aims to detect and prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material, a move that has sparked intense debate regarding the balance between privacy rights and safeguarding vulnerable individuals. The proposal has drawn widespread opposition from privacy advocates, tech companies, and human rights groups.Under the revived Chat Control proposal, technology

The Africa Debate conference, a pivotal event focusing on trade and investment across the African continent, is set to take place on 30 September 2025 in Dubai. Organised by Invest Africa in partnership with the UAE government, this flagship conference aims to address critical issues surrounding economic growth, investment opportunities, and regional collaboration in Africa.Held in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, the conference will bring together top-level representatives, business leaders, and policymakers from both Africa and the

Ethiopian Airlines has posted an 8% rise in annual revenue for the 2024/25 financial year, driven by a significant increase in passenger numbers and the expansion of its route network. Despite facing operational challenges on some routes due to ongoing conflicts, the airline's strategic decisions have enabled it to maintain growth momentum.The company has reported an increase in the volume of passengers, which reflects a strong rebound in demand for air travel. This growth can be attributed to the airline's

Passengers at Heathrow Airport were left in disarray as travel chaos escalated across multiple terminals. With major delays disrupting air travel, many travellers abandoned their vehicles on the roads leading to the airport in favour of walking to packed terminals.Footage shared on social media showed vast queues stretching for hundreds of metres, with hundreds of passengers trying to check in and pass through security. Long-standing congestion affected both private vehicles and public transport, exacerbating an already challenging travel experience. Motorways

The governments of Rwanda and the United States have formalised a migrant resettlement agreement, under which Kigali will take in up to 250 individuals deported from the US. The deal, confirmed by officials from both countries, represents a significant step in Washington's broader efforts to manage its immigration challenges, particularly regarding the removal of people without legal status.Under the terms of the agreement, the migrants will be relocated to Rwanda as part of a broader initiative aimed at addressing the

A zoo in northern Denmark has made an unusual appeal to the public, requesting donations of small pets such as hamsters, rabbits, and guinea pigs to feed its carnivorous animals. The request has stirred a mix of surprise and concern among pet owners, animal rights activists, and the general public.The facility, located in the town of Aalborg, operates a variety of exhibits housing apex predators, including large cats, birds of prey, and other carnivores. According to the zoo, the animals'

The U. S. Office of Special Counsel has initiated a formal investigation into Jack Smith, the prosecutor overseeing key legal cases against former U. S. President Donald Trump. This move marks a significant escalation in a series of actions targeting Smith, widely viewed as a central figure in the growing legal battle surrounding Trump.The investigation stems from allegations of misconduct during Smith’s tenure as special counsel, and the timing of this inquiry has raised questions about its political motivations. Critics

FBI Director Kash Patel has uncovered thousands of documents stored in burn bags within a previously undisclosed room at FBI headquarters. The materials, related to the 2016 Trump–Russia investigation and including a classified annex to the Durham report, are now undergoing declassification and have been submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee Chair, Chuck Grassley.Patel asserts that the files were deliberately concealed by former FBI leadership and ignored by previous administrations. The classified annex reportedly contains intelligence suggesting government officials inside

Russia has renewed efforts to revive the dormant Russia–India–China trilateral dialogue, prompting cautious signals from India and prompt endorsement from China. Moscow’s deputy foreign minister, Andrei Rudenko, has confirmed active negotiations with Beijing and New Delhi around restarting consultations among the trio, all founding members of BRICS, to address global strategic concerns. China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian framed the initiative as beneficial not only to the countries individually but to peace and stability in the region and beyond.

Zambia’s government is pushing for a 12-month extension to its current loan arrangement with the International Monetary Fund, according to an official cabinet statement released on Wednesday. The proposal, if approved, would see the existing agreement, set to expire at the end of October, continue until October 2024.This decision follows a series of critical economic challenges faced by the southern African nation, which is heavily reliant on copper exports and has struggled with high public debt. The government’s request is

Concerns over the soaring costs of accommodations for the COP30 climate summit have led the United Nations to call for urgent talks. Held in Brazil later this year, the event’s sky-high prices threaten to exclude delegates from poorer nations, raising alarms within the international community about equity and accessibility at the high-profile climate negotiations.The meeting, convened by the UN's climate office, was prompted by reports from various delegates who warned that the prices for lodging in the host city, which