From piracy and migrant smuggling to disruptions affecting global shipping routes, countries bordering one of the world’s busiest waterways are seeking closer cooperation to stay ahead of fast-evolving maritime threats. As maritime tensions ripple across parts of the Middle East, security officials from Ethiopia, Yemen, Djibouti and Somalia gathered in Nairobi this week to tackle…
There have been reports of poor conditions on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, which the US Navy says will soon be brought home from the Middle East. The aircraft carrier was originally expected back in May – but the US war with Iran has kept it at sea for around 250 days straight. BBC Verify…
BEIJING, CHINA – 2026/07/18: Shoppers stroll along a landscaped path near the POLÈNE luxury goods store in Sanlitun, carrying bags and enjoying the bustling scene. Sheldon Cooper | Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images China’s economy lost momentum across the board in July, as consumer spending stalled and urban investment contracted at a faster…
The prolonged disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has exposed how vulnerable Africa’s economies are to geopolitical shocks. Fuel prices have remained elevated, squeezing economies that depend heavily on petroleum imports from the Middle East. These include Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. This vulnerability also puts at risk the continent’s…
The hidden economics of ageing, migration and family responsibility Ask an older African a simple question: Who will look after you when you grow old? For generations, the answer came without hesitation: our children. It was never a legal contract or financial product, but an unwritten agreement between generations. Parents raised their children believing that…
Huawei hosted the Huawei eKit Forum as a breakaway session at Huawei South Africa Connect 2026, bringing distribution partners together under the theme “Grow with Huawei eKit: Distribution Solutions & Partner Program”. The forum introduced the HUAWEI eKit 4+10+N SME Intelligence Solutions, an extensive portfolio of over 400 products built for South Africa’s SME market,…
Washington DC — A farmer in Kenya gets weather and planting advice on a basic phone. A teacher in Nigeria uses a chatbot to help students catch up in math. South Africa’s revenue authority uses data analytics to better target tax audits. These are not futuristic examples from Silicon Valley. They are early signs of…
FNB is partnering with the University of Johannesburg Business School to expand the 2026 FNB App Academy. (Image: Supplied) First National Bank (FNB) has partnered with the University of Johannesburg’s Business School (JBS) to strengthen the 2026 FNB App Academy programme. This will expand access to digital education and create new pathways for young people…
Crude oil prices jumped Tuesday as doubts grow that the U.S. and Iran will meet for peace talks, stoking fears that the war in the Middle East will resume after the ceasefire ends tomorrow. Brent crude futures, the international benchmark, rose 3% to $98.37 per barrel by 1:55 p.m. ET. U.S. oil futures advanced nearly…
From election support in the Central African Republic to patrols in the disputed Abyei region, UN peacekeepers are operating in increasingly volatile environments – but shrinking resources and new threats, including drone warfare, are testing their ability to keep communities safe. Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, senior Headquarters and field officials warned that peacekeeping…
