Category: World

A community-led dialogue in Soweto has intensified calls for a people-first approach to South Africa’s energy transition, as environmental activists and residents urge the government to prioritise frontline communities in climate policy decisions. Held at the Soweto Career Centre on 27 May to mark Africa Day, the “Scamtho” event—organised by Earthlife Africa Johannesburg—brought together over 100 participants from local organisations. The gathering served as a platform for residents to voice concerns about the environmental and health impacts of fossil fuel dependency

Zimbabwe’s ambitious land reform initiative, aimed at issuing title deeds to farmers, has come under intense parliamentary scrutiny, with legislators questioning the legal and financial viability of the new tenure documents. During a heated session in the National Assembly, Lands and Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka faced a barrage of inquiries concerning the bankability and constitutional grounding of the title deeds being distributed to A1 and A2 farmers. Minister Masuka defended the government's decision, stating that the issuance of title deeds is

Ghana's gold production is projected to reach approximately 5.1 million ounces in 2025, marking a 6.25% increase from the previous year's record of 4.8 million ounces. This forecast, released by the Chamber of Mines, underscores the nation's sustained position as Africa's leading gold producer. The anticipated growth is attributed to heightened activity in both artisanal mining and the commencement of large-scale operations. Notably, Newmont's Ahafo South Mine and Shandong Gold's Namdini Mine are expected to contribute significantly to the uptick in

A sweeping crackdown on international students under President Donald Trump's administration has triggered a global realignment in higher education, as universities across Europe and Asia move swiftly to attract displaced talent and research funding. The United States, long considered the premier destination for international scholars, is witnessing a sharp decline in its appeal. A survey by the Keystone Education Group indicates that 42% of prospective international students are now unlikely to consider the US for higher studies, citing visa restrictions, safety

Morgan Stanley has firmly denied accusations from the Dutch Public Prosecution Service alleging the financial giant evaded tax on dividends worth nearly $1 billion more than ten years ago. The dispute centres on complex tax structures employed by the bank that Dutch authorities contend were designed to avoid paying the appropriate tax on substantial dividend income. Dutch prosecutors assert that the investment bank engaged in schemes dating back to the early 2010s to shelter dividend earnings from taxation in the Netherlands.

Moscow and its surrounding regions experienced one of the most extensive aerial assaults since the onset of the conflict, as Russia's Defence Ministry reported intercepting 337 Ukrainian drones overnight. The attack resulted in at least three fatalities and significant disruptions across multiple sectors. Russian authorities confirmed that 91 drones were downed over the Moscow region, with 74 of these intercepted as they approached the capital. The remaining drones targeted areas including Kursk, Bryansk, Ryazan, and Nizhny Novgorod. This marks the largest

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, nearing the conclusion of his decade-long presidency at the African Development Bank , has called upon his successor to prioritise Africa's financial sovereignty and ensure the continent's interests are robustly defended on the global stage. This appeal comes as the AfDB prepares to elect a new leader during its annual meeting in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on 29 May. The incoming president will assume office amid significant challenges, notably the proposed $555 million reduction in funding from the United

The Walvis Bay municipal council has approved a N$1.3 billion budget for the 2025/2026 financial year, focusing on infrastructure development, housing, and service delivery improvements. Management committee chairperson Richard Hoaeb presented the budget during a special council meeting, outlining allocations aimed at addressing the town's pressing needs. A significant portion of the budget, N$887 million, is earmarked for capital projects extending beyond a single financial year. For the upcoming year, N$461 million is allocated, with the remaining N$426 million planned for

Over 6,000 delegates from 81 countries convened in Abidjan on Monday as the African Development Bank commenced its 2025 Annual Meetings, focusing on strategies to harness Africa's capital for sustainable development. The five-day event, held at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire, is set to culminate in the election of a new president to succeed Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, whose decade-long tenure concludes in September. The summit's theme, "Making Africa's Capital Work Better for Africa's Development," underscores the continent's pursuit of self-reliance

Boeing has reached a tentative agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to avoid criminal prosecution over two fatal 737 Max crashes that claimed 346 lives in 2018 and 2019. The deal, pending court approval, requires Boeing to pay $444.5 million to victims' families and invest over $455 million in safety and compliance improvements. Additionally, the company will pay a $243.6 million fine, matching a previous penalty from a 2021 settlement. Under the agreement, Boeing will plead guilty to a

A leading candidate for the presidency of the African Development Bank has outlined a strategy urging African nations to mobilise up to $4.5 trillion in domestic private capital to drive the continent’s development agenda, aiming to reduce dependence on expensive international debt. This vision signals a shift towards leveraging Africa’s own financial resources to fund infrastructure, healthcare, education, and energy projects critical for sustainable growth. The candidate, whose campaign emphasises financial innovation and regional collaboration, argues that Africa’s private sector

The African Development Bank is convening in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, this week to elect a new president, as the institution confronts significant financial pressures following proposed reductions in U.S. contributions. The U.S. government's plan to decrease its support to the AfDB and its African Development Fund by $555 million presents a substantial challenge for the incoming president. The successor to President Akinwumi Adesina, who concludes his tenure in September after serving two terms, will need to navigate this financial shortfall.

Donald Trump's net worth has surged to an estimated $6.1 billion, marking a significant increase from previous valuations. This financial ascent is largely attributed to his stakes in Trump Media & Technology Group and the $TRUMP cryptocurrency, ventures that have drawn scrutiny over their speculative nature and potential conflicts of interest. Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, has achieved a valuation of approximately $2.6 billion. Despite reporting minimal revenue and substantial losses, the company's stock has

Sebastião Salgado, the Brazilian photographer whose haunting black-and-white images chronicled the human condition and environmental fragility, died on 23 May 2025 in Paris at the age of 81. His death was attributed to leukaemia, a condition linked to malaria he contracted during a 2010 assignment in Indonesia. Born on 8 February 1944 in Aimorés, Minas Gerais, Salgado initially pursued a career in economics, earning a master’s degree from the University of São Paulo. His trajectory shifted in the early 1970s when,

The African Development Bank has successfully issued a €1 billion five-year social bond, maturing in May 2030, with a fixed annual coupon of 2.500%. This benchmark transaction, aligned with the Bank's Sustainable Bond Framework, aims to finance projects that promote inclusive growth and social development across its regional member countries. The issuance attracted robust investor interest, with the order book exceeding €1.5 billion, reflecting strong demand from a diverse investor base. The bond was priced at a spread of mid-swaps

The village of Harrison Hot Springs in British Columbia has long been regarded as a focal point for Sasquatch lore, with many locals firmly convinced of the creature’s existence. This belief is deeply intertwined with the region’s First Nations heritage, where storytelling has preserved and passed down accounts of large, mysterious beings inhabiting the dense forests. The local narrative embraces Sasquatch not only as a cryptid of curiosity but as an integral part of cultural identity and natural history. Sasquatch, often

Ukraine and Russia have carried out the largest prisoner exchange since the onset of the war in 2022, with each side releasing 307 individuals. This significant development follows earlier phases of a broader agreement initiated during peace talks in Istanbul, aiming to exchange 1,000 prisoners from each side. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the return of 307 Ukrainian military personnel, while the Russian Defence Ministry reported a corresponding release of Russian prisoners. This exchange marks a rare moment of cooperation amid

Guinea's media regulator concluded the "Forum on the Future of the Press," an event aimed at revitalising the country's media landscape. However, six prominent news outlets remain blocked, highlighting the ongoing challenges to press freedom under the military-led government. The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology revoked the broadcasting licences of FIM FM, Espace FM, Sweet FM, Djoma FM, Djoma TV, and Espace TV, citing "non-compliance with the content of the specifications." These outlets have been off the air since December

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Senate has voted overwhelmingly to revoke former President Joseph Kabila's parliamentary immunity, paving the way for his prosecution on charges including treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The decision, passed with 88 votes in favour and five against, follows allegations that Kabila supported the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which has intensified conflict in eastern Congo. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba announced that the government has gathered substantial evidence implicating Kabila in supporting the M23 insurgency, responsible

Uganda has formalised an $800 million financing agreement with the Islamic Development Bank to support a suite of infrastructure projects aimed at bolstering the country's trade capabilities and economic integration within East Africa. The agreement, signed during the IsDB's annual meeting in Algiers, encompasses investments in railway development, health, transport, and energy sectors. A significant portion of the funding is earmarked for the development of a railway line intended to connect Uganda to Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway , facilitating access

A growing crisis in African agriculture, driven by climate change and biodiversity loss, is jeopardising Europe's access to essential food imports, including cocoa, coffee, and maize. New research indicates that over half of the European Union's imports of these staples originate from countries ill-equipped to handle escalating environmental challenges. A report by UK-based consultancy Foresight Transitions reveals that the EU's dependence on climate-vulnerable nations for key commodities is intensifying the risk of supply chain disruptions. The study highlights that 96.5% of

President Donald Trump has signed the Take It Down Act into law, criminalising the distribution of nonconsensual intimate images, including those generated through artificial intelligence. The legislation mandates online platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of a victim's request, with enforcement overseen by the Federal Trade Commission. The Act, formally titled Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks, received overwhelming bipartisan support, passing the House with a 409-2 vote and the Senate unanimously.