Potential diesel ban, Pentagon’s warfare initiative and Google’s latest AI model
US President Donald Trump speaks on the day he makes an announcement about an energy infrastructure project in Alaska, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, Sept. 30, 2026. Kevin Lamarque | Reuters Hello, this is Justina Lee writing to you from Singapore. Welcome to another edition of CNBC’s Daily…
Nutun eyes global deployment of AI debt collector
Nutun says its agentic AI debt collector Zoey serves to augment the workforce rather than replace it. (Image source: iStock) Global business process outsourcing (BPO) and credit-lifecycle management company Nutun is readying its agentic artificial intelligence (AI) debt collector Zoey for global deployment in November. This, after the South African operations served as an innovation…
Man accused in plot to attack Texas Capitol building is released on bond
The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed Wednesday that officers foiled a plan to attack the Texas State Capitol in Austin. According to Texas DPS, officers received credible information about a person planning a violent attack on the Texas State Capitol on Thursday. Texas DPS said its Criminal Investigations Division special agents worked alongside the…
Apple’s smart-home plan has a launch date
Apple plans to make its long-delayed push into the smart-home market on 13 October with a new hub code-named J490, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The company also plans to announce the first update to the HomePod mini since the device’s 2020 debut and its first new TV set-top…
Flydubai passenger describes putting attacker in chokehold after cockpit stabbing
Passengers on a flight to Israel have recounted how they subdued a pilot after he stabbed the other pilot and appeared to be trying to disable the plane, while others described the “terrifying” moment they thought they would die. Appearing in a bloodstained shirt after the ordeal, Yaniv Hayun told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu…
Africa: Fragmented Policies Hold Back Agroecology Adoption in Africa’s Congo Basin
Yaounde, Cameroon — Agricultural, land, forestry, environmental and trade policies in the Congo Basin remain compartmentalised at country levels, leaving proven agroecological models trapped at pilot stages due to a lack of advisory services, organic inputs, market outlets and sustainable financing. In a declaration made following the Second Congo Basin Convening on Agroecology held in…
VW integrates AirConsole in-car gaming across 2027 lineup
Volkswagen has announced a partnership with Swiss gaming developer N-Dream to integrate the AirConsole casual gaming platform directly into its 2027 model-year vehicles. The in-vehicle entertainment system launches with an initial catalogue of 20 titles, headlined by Tetris, alongside Pac-Man Championship Edition and Uno Car Party. Read: Bandwidth Blog & Smile 90.4FM Tech Tuesday: Rogue…
African Clergy, Scholars Call for Pause On Laws Targeting Sexual Minorities
Twenty-five African and African-diasporan faith leaders, theologians, scholars and constitutional thinkers have launched the African Democratic Covenant, calling on African governments to pause legislation that criminalises sexual minorities and open broader dialogue on democracy, human dignity, sovereignty and constitutional rights. The Covenant was launched on Monday during a virtual press convening attended by journalists across…
Iran says it has received U.S. counterproposal to 7-day ceasefire plan rejected by Trump
An Iranian woman sentenced to death over protests earlier this year has begged the international community to save her life and those of others facing the death penalty, according to an audio message she sent from prison that was shared Wednesday by rights groups. The plea by Mahboubeh Shahbani, 33, from a prison in the…
Africa: The Case for Including More Babies and Young Children in Medical Research
All medicines and treatments have to go through lengthy safety and efficacy testing, but this is particularly tricky – and often delayed – for one important age group. Spotlight explores the complexities of conducting clinical trials involving babies, and why those complexities are worth grappling with. Babies are at risk of developing illness and severe…
