China’s Low-Cost AI Gains Ground Across Africa as Tech Hubs Shift Away From US Models
Chinese artificial intelligence models are rapidly gaining popularity across Africa, with startups, developers and technology hubs increasingly choosing low-cost, open-source Chinese AI systems over more powerful but often more expensive American alternatives. The shift is being driven largely by affordability and accessibility. Chinese AI developers have released several advanced language models under open or permissive... Read More
Iran, Oman Discuss Charging Up to 7% Fee on Hormuz Cargo Transit
Iran and Oman are discussing a proposal to charge fees of up to 7% of cargo value on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as negotiations continue over reopening and managing one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. (The Guardian) According to officials familiar with the talks, Iran is seeking to impose charges... Read More
Pezeshkian Says US, Israel Thought They Could Take Over Iran ‘in 48 Hours’
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the United States and Israel of believing they could overthrow Iran’s government within 48 hours, saying the two allies had miscalculated the country’s resilience during their recent confrontation with Tehran. Speaking during a public address, Pezeshkian said Washington and Tel Aviv believed Iran would collapse quickly under military and... Read More
China Launches Security Crackdown on Foreign Office Software
China has launched a national security investigation into imported office equipment that operates using foreign-developed software, marking the latest step in Beijing’s efforts to strengthen digital security and reduce reliance on overseas technology. Authorities said the probe will examine whether imported office devices, including printers, scanners, multifunction copiers and other workplace equipment, pose national security... Read More
Sheikh Hasina Vows to Return to Bangladesh in Address From Exile
Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to return to Bangladesh, telling supporters that she remains committed to leading her political movement despite living in exile following her removal from power. Speaking via video link to members of the Awami League, Hasina thanked her supporters for their continued loyalty and insisted that she would... Read More
Tinubu Approves 30–80% Pay Rise for Armed Forces Personnel
President Bola Tinubu has approved a 30% to 80% salary increase for approximately 250,000 personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, with the new pay structure scheduled to take effect from September 1, 2026. The pay review, one of the largest in recent years for military personnel, is expected to increase the annual military wage bill... Read More
NARD Suspends Planned Strike After Villa Meeting With Gbajabiamila
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has agreed to suspend its planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin on August 10 after a late-night meeting with Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting, which lasted for nearly three hours, ended with both sides reaching an agreement... Read More
Families Search for Missing After Deadly Ceuta Crossing as Survivors Queue for Food Aid
Families across northern Morocco are desperately searching for relatives still missing after the deadly migrant crossing toward the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, as survivors line up for emergency food assistance following one of the deadliest migration attempts in recent years. Outside hospitals, police stations and temporary reception centres in Fnideq and surrounding towns, anxious relatives... Read More
NEC Approves $4.5bn Project Gazelle 2 to Refinance NNPC Oil-Backed Loan
Nigeria’s National Economic Council (NEC) has approved Project Gazelle 2, a US$4.5 billion refinancing programme designed to restructure the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd.’s existing US$3.3 billion oil-backed loan, a move expected to unlock about US$3 billion in fresh liquidity for the country. The approval was announced after the council’s meeting chaired by Vice... Read More
INTERPOL Report Says AI Fuels 55% of Africa’s Cybercrime as Losses Reach $484 Million
Artificial intelligence is now being used in 55% of cybercrimes across Africa, according to INTERPOL’s 2026 African Cyberthreat Assessment, which estimates that cyber-related losses on the continent have reached US$484 million over the past year. The report describes AI as an increasingly important tool for cybercriminals, enabling more convincing phishing campaigns, sophisticated online fraud, deepfake... Read More