When Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and China’s Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met in Beijing for the 22nd Intergovernmental Russian-Chinese Commission on Energy Cooperation, the tone of the discussions made one thing clear. Moscow and Beijing are not simply trading energy, they are deliberately building a long-term partnership rooted
China’s Ministry of Commerce has announced that from 1 January 2026, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers will be required to secure export permits before shipping their cars overseas. The policy marks a decisive shift in Beijing’s oversight of its fast-growing EV industry, intended to encourage the “healthy and sustainable” development of
President Xi Jinping called on the nation to persevere and move forward resolutely in the pursuit of Chinese modernisation. Speaking at a reception in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Xi—who also serves as
Last week, a significant policy change occurred when former US President Donald Trump signed an executive order implementing a substantial $100,000 (£74,000) fee for applicants to the H-1B visa program. This program has historically served as a primary pathway for skilled workers, especially those from developing nations like Nigeria, to
Three years into Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s leadership, Burkina Faso grapples with a tension between its pursuit of national sovereignty and the safeguarding of civic freedoms. Traoré, who was 37 when he seized power, has emulated the revolutionary image of Thomas Sankara, a figure revered by many Africans. He champions anti-imperialism
Africa’s burgeoning youth population, projected to exceed 830 million by 2050, presents a unique opportunity. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform economies and societies worldwide, the critical question for Africa is not its engagement with AI, but rather how it can leverage AI to foster local innovation and ensure
Egypt’s manufacturing landscape is entering a transformative phase, with Chinese investors at the forefront. The announcement by China’s Sailun Group to establish a $1 billion tyre plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCEZ) is indicative of this shift. Beyond its headline value, the project highlights how Egypt is leveraging strategic
Volkswagen Group expects a €5.1 billion ($5.98 billion) hit to 2025 profits after Porsche delayed its all-electric vehicle rollout, cut medium-term return targets, and abandoned a joint project in its original form. The group has lowered its operating margin outlook to 2–3% and will take write-downs and impairment charges totalling
Global oil demand has continued its steady rise in 2025, averaging 104.4 million barrels per day through 17 September, up 520,000 barrels year on year, driven by strong industrial activity and robust transport demand outside the US. In contrast, US container arrivals and cargo flights are slowing, slightly limiting domestic
Under the new agreement, travelers can book a single ticket for flights across both airlines’ networks, eliminating the need for multiple check-ins and reducing the hassle of baggage transfers. This collaboration is set to significantly improve the travel experience for passengers flying between India, Uganda, and onward destinations. Expanding Networks