Nearly half of South Africa’s water infrastructure systems are failing, according to a new government report. The findings raise the stakes for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s policy overhaul aimed at tackling a crisis that resembles the early stages of the country’s national power grid collapse. A national assessment by the water ...
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Record 10 African nations qualify for World CupRecord 10 African nations qualify for World Cup
A record 10 African teams have qualified for this year’s expanded FIFA World Cup, marking a major milestone for the continent’s growing football talent. Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, and Ghana are among those due to compete, as are Africa Cup of Nations finalists Morocco and Senegal. Meanwhile, some emerging teams will ...
China contains ‘Sea of Death’ desert with forestationChina contains ‘Sea of Death’ desert with forestation
China is creating life in its “Sea of Death.” After nearly five decades of effort, the fringes of the great Taklamakan Desert are becoming a forest, NASA satellite data confirmed. The Taklamakan is 25 million years old, and was slowly expanding. But since 1978, Beijing has been planting hardy shrubs ...
New research undermines idea of ‘healthy obesity’New research undermines idea of ‘healthy obesity’
New research further undermined the idea of “healthy obesity.” There is an ongoing scientific controversy over whether obese individuals with no metabolic abnormalities, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or hypertension, should be treated as higher risk. A new study of 157,000 people over 13 years found that obese people, especially ...
Artemis II crew zooms closer to moonArtemis II crew zooms closer to moon
The Artemis II astronauts left Earth’s orbit, and are further than any human has been from home since 1972. After testing vital systems, the crew boosted the Orion capsule to 22,670 mph and escaped Earth’s gravity. The capsule and the moon will pass each other in three days — the ...
US hiring drops in sign of labor market chillUS hiring drops in sign of labor market chill
US businesses are hiring at their lowest non-pandemic rate since 2011, hinting at a deep chill in the labor market. Hiring as a percentage of total employment dropped from 3.4% in January to 3.1% in February, while job openings fell. Overall, 92,000 jobs were lost, and the voluntary quitting rate ...
Venezuela’s March oil exports boomVenezuela’s March oil exports boom
Venezuela’s oil exports in March surpassed one million barrels per day for the first time in months, as US efforts to bolster the sector took hold, although democratic reforms appear far off. Washington pressured Caracas to liberalize the industry — which contributes around half its tax intake and a fifth ...
US data center buildout slows on supply hurdlesUS data center buildout slows on supply hurdles
The US’ AI infrastructure buildout is decelerating as the market struggles to keep up with demand. The last quarter of 2025 saw a slowdown in newly added data center capacity, while nearly half of the projects planned for this year are expected to be delayed or canceled, Bloomberg reported. The ...
Iran’s oil coffers bolstered by warIran’s oil coffers bolstered by war
The US-Israeli attacks may have devastated Iran’s leadership and military, but the conflict has bolstered its oil income. Tehran is earning nearly twice as much from oil sales each day now than before the conflict began, The Economist reported. Iran is now effectively in control of the Strait of Hormuz, ...
The world marks one year since ‘Liberation Day’The world marks one year since ‘Liberation Day’
The US trade deficit increased in February as a rise in imports offset strong exports, new data showed Thursday, exactly one year after President Donald Trump announced his sweeping tariff regime. “Liberation Day” kicked off 12 months of volatile policy and trade patterns that have yet to subside. The US ...