Iran faces ‘greatest financial offensive ever’, says US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

Iran faces ‘greatest financial offensive ever’, says US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

The US announced a host of sanctions against Iran and threatened its supporters in what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said was “the single greatest financial offensive ever”. Labelling it an “economic D-Day” for Iran, Bessent said the US would sever all economic ties with the country and added that any nation financially partnering with Iran…

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Africa: Health Financing Crisis Deepens As Expert Warns Francophone Africa Faces Rising Vulnerability

Africa: Health Financing Crisis Deepens As Expert Warns Francophone Africa Faces Rising Vulnerability

Abuja — A leading African public health expert, Dr. Mayaka Ma-Nitu, has warned that Francophone Africa is becoming increasingly vulnerable to health emergencies due to chronic underfunding, declining external donor support and weak domestic investment in healthcare systems. Speaking on the growing crisis in health financing across the continent, Dr. Ma-Nitu said many French-speaking African…

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Nominee for top intel post faces lawmakers eager to see him replace the current leader

Nominee for top intel post faces lawmakers eager to see him replace the current leader

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, Jay Clayton, is likely to get a friendly reception from lawmakers Wednesday at his confirmation hearing as both parties are eager for him to take over from the current acting intelligence chief. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles…

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Africa: Health Financing Crisis Deepens As Expert Warns Francophone Africa Faces Rising Vulnerability

Africa Faces Mounting Risks Just As Growth Gains Take Hold

Washington DC — Sub-Saharan Africa’s economies entered 2026 with significant momentum. The region had notched its fastest growth rate in 10 years–4.5 percent in 2025–buoyed by reduced macroeconomic imbalances, rising investment levels, and a generally supportive external environment. Countries such as Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, and Rwanda led the charge, with growth exceeding 6 percent….

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Naspers feels heat as Tencent faces AI reality check

Naspers feels heat as Tencent faces AI reality check

Investors are becoming wary of AI companies’ spending on AI. (Graphic: Nicola Mawson | GenAI and Freepik) The concerns US investors have over the sustainability of hyperscalers’ artificial intelligence (AI) spending has crossed the Pacific, to not only weigh on Naspers subsidiary Tencent, but also on the JSE-listed company. These worries are reflected in the…

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