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Pope Leo XIV has strongly denounced a 'handful of tyrants' ravaging the Earth with war and exploitation, while preaching a message of peace in Cameroon, a region plagued by a longstanding separatist conflict. During his visit to the western Cameroon city of Bamenda, Leo presided over a peace meeting involving leaders from various faiths, aiming to highlight the interfaith movement seeking to end the conflict and support its victims. In his remarks at the St Joseph Cathedral, Leo praised the peace movement and warned against using religion to justify conflicts. He emphasized that 'Blessed are the peacemakers!' but expressed concern over those who manipulate religion for military, economic, or political gain. The pope called for a 'decisive change of course' away from conflict and exploitation, stating, 'The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters!' His comments come amid an ongoing feud with US President Donald Trump, who recently attacked the pope on social media. The conflict in Cameroon has resulted in over 6,000 deaths and displaced more than 600,000 people since 2017. Cameroon, rich in natural resources such as oil, natural gas, cobalt, and gold, has seen its extraction industry dominated by French, English, and increasingly Chinese companies. The pope criticized the exploitation of these resources, saying, 'Those who rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons, thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilisation and death.' Despite a temporary pause in fighting by separatist fighters to ensure the pope's safe passage, the conflict shows no signs of resolution, with peace talks stalled due to mutual accusations of bad faith.

South Africa announced the appointment of Roelf Meyer, a 78‑year‑old former minister and chief negotiator for the apartheid government, as its new ambassador to the United States. The decision, made by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is intended to heal the diplomatic breach that widened after the United States, under President Donald Trump, expelled the previous envoy, Ebrahim Rasool, in March 2025. Meyer replaces Rasool, who was dismissed after publicly labeling Trump’s global movement as “white supremacist.” Since then, Pretoria has lacked formal representation in Washington, a gap the government hopes to close with Meyer’s extensive negotiation experience. The bilateral relationship has deteriorated since Trump assumed office in January 2024, with the U.S. president repeatedly criticising South Africa’s affirmative‑action policies and falsely alleging a “white genocide.” Trump’s administration even offered expedited U.S. citizenship to Afrikaners claiming persecution, while freezing foreign assistance over a land‑ownership law that mandates at least 30 % Black participation in companies. South Africa’s recent actions have further strained ties: filing a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and inviting Iran to a BRICS naval exercise off its coast, prompting Washington to accuse Pretoria of “cosying up to Iran.” The BRICS grouping, of which South Africa is a founding member, is viewed by Trump as an economic challenge to U.S. dominance.In a statement, Ramaphosa described Meyer as “a very loyal and patriotic South African” who is “more than qualified” to re‑calibrate relations with the United States and engage with stakeholders on Capitol Hill and across federal agencies. Meyer, who leads the global consultancy In Transformation Initiative, has a long‑standing record in peace negotiations across Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, Rwanda, Burundi, Kosovo, Bolivia, the Basque region and the Middle East. Domestically, he was the chief negotiator for the white‑minority government during the early‑1990s talks that ended apartheid, later serving as Minister of Constitutional Development under Nelson Mandela and co‑founding the United Democratic Movement before joining the African National Congress in 2006. Critics, notably the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), argue that appointing a former apartheid official signals a willingness to appease Trump’s “white supremacist whims” and that Meyer’s age limits opportunities for younger diplomats. The EFF highlighted his past role in the Department of Law and Order, which enforced apartheid repression. Despite the political controversy, South African analysts stress that the priority for the new ambassador is economic. U.S.–South Africa bilateral trade stands at $26 billion, making Washington Pretoria’s second‑largest trading partner after China. The focus, according to researcher Thembisa Fakude, will be on attracting U.S. investment and creating jobs rather than merely countering Trump’s rhetoric. When Ramaphosa visited the White House in May 2025, he included two white South African golfers in the delegation to soften Trump’s concerns about alleged persecution of white farmers. However, Fakude notes that most South Africans are indifferent to the “artificial” accusations and are more interested in tangible economic benefits. The appointment of Meyer thus represents a calculated diplomatic gamble: leveraging his negotiation pedigree to restore confidence, while navigating domestic criticism and a volatile U.S. political climate.

Renewed diplomatic activity is gathering momentum as Pakistan assumes a central mediating role in the stalled US‑Iran conflict. A senior Pakistani delegation, headed by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran to convey messages from Washington, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a regional tour that includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye. Iran’s foreign ministry confirmed that Tehran and Washington have maintained contact since the Islamabad talks ended on Sunday, and the White House expressed optimism about convening a second round of peace negotiations in the Pakistani capital. Iran’s warning on the Strait of Hormuz added a sharp edge to the diplomatic push. Adviser Mohsen Rezaei cautioned that continued US enforcement of a naval blockade could prompt Tehran to target American vessels in the strategic waterway. The United States has already tightened restrictions on ships linked to Iranian ports, turning several vessels back before they can dock. In parallel, internal divisions in Washington persisted. The Senate rejected a resolution that would have limited US war powers without congressional approval, underscoring the political friction surrounding the conflict. Key diplomatic developments include: Second‑round talks: The White House announced that a follow‑up peace round with Iran is under discussion and that officials are hopeful a deal can be reached. China’s endorsement: Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart that Beijing supports maintaining the momentum of the ceasefire and ongoing negotiations. Saudi‑Pakistani engagement: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Prime Minister Sharif in Jeddah to discuss regional stability and the US‑Iran dialogue, with Pakistan’s mediation highlighted as a focal point. US‑Qatar dialogue: President Donald Trump consulted with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on regional developments, emphasizing oil market stability and gas pricing. On the US side, the administration imposed fresh sanctions targeting more than two dozen individuals, companies and vessels tied to Iranian oil magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. The US Central Command reported that 10 vessels were blocked from leaving Iranian ports within the first 48 hours of the naval blockade, a clear signal of escalating pressure. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel and the United States share “identical” objectives to contain Iran, while also stating that Israeli military operations would continue unabated. He emphasized the priority of dismantling Hezbollah in Lebanon, marking the first direct talks with Lebanese leaders in decades. In Lebanon, the humanitarian toll deepened. The Health Ministry reported that at least 2,167 people have been killed and more than 7,000 injured by Israeli strikes, with approximately 1.2 million residents displaced since March 2. The UN special rapporteur on housing warned that Israel’s tactics mirror those used in Gaza, calling for an immediate halt to the bombing. Economically, the war’s ripple effects are already manifesting worldwide. World Bank chief economist Indermit Gill warned that the conflict could push the number of people facing acute food insecurity up by about 20 %, adding roughly 300 million individuals to the crisis. Meanwhile, optimism over a potential diplomatic breakthrough sent major US stock indices to record highs on Wednesday. Overall, the convergence of high‑level diplomatic outreach, heightened military warnings, and growing economic concerns underscores a pivotal moment in the US‑Iran war, with Pakistan’s mediation and regional engagements shaping the prospects for a ceasefire.

The Trump administration is formally enlisting foreign governments to support a sweeping reorientation of global development policy, favoring trade over aid. This initiative, set to be introduced at the United Nations later this month, aims to move away from direct aid to poor nations and towards increased trade led by private companies. According to Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the State Department, the initiative rejects what he calls a failed aid model, emphasizing that trade and free market capitalism are the surest paths to prosperity. Pigott also criticized those advocating for 'aid not trade,' suggesting they are supporting a corrupt NGO industrial complex. The initiative's four stated aims include: advancing pro-business reforms in developing economies, facilitating government-to-private sector dialogue to attract investment, highlighting countries that have pursued free-market development, and brokering business partnerships between developing nations and US companies or international organizations. This push comes amid a broader trend of diminishing humanitarian aid globally. OECD preliminary figures show that 26 of 34 donor nations shrank their aid budgets in 2025, with significant cuts in countries like France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Chatham House estimates that the 17 largest donors are on course to cut more than $60 billion in aid between 2023 and 2026. The UK's commitment to aid is set to decrease to 0.3% of gross national income by 2027, its lowest share since 1999. A study published in The Lancet warns that sustained global aid cuts could result in at least 9.4 million additional deaths by 2030. The Center for Global Development estimates that USAID cuts alone may have already contributed to between 500,000 and a million deaths in 2025. The US mission to the United Nations is expected to host a formal signing event for the declaration before the end of April.

At a high‑profile meeting in Downing Street, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told senior executives from Meta, Google, TikTok, X and Snap that the status quo "can’t go on like this" and that immediate, tangible steps are needed to protect children online. Government ministers are now weighing a legal under‑16 age restriction for all social‑media platforms, alongside proposals to curb addictive design elements such as infinite scrolling, autoplay videos and push notifications. During the discussion, Starmer urged the tech leaders to act with "more urgency on internet safety for children" and warned that continued inaction places young users at risk. He emphasized that a world where access is limited but safety is ensured is preferable to one where "harm is the price of participation." While the companies present offered no comment, they have already rolled out a suite of child‑safety tools: Meta’s teen‑account option for users under 18, TikTok’s family‑pairing feature that lets parents set screen‑time limits, and compliance with the UK’s Online Safety Act. The legislation obliges platforms to suppress violent, hateful or abusive content and to keep explicit material, self‑harm, suicide and eating‑disorder content off children’s feeds. The government’s child online‑safety consultation has already attracted 47,000 responses. It explores a formal minimum age of at least 16, as well as restrictions on features that encourage endless usage. The consultation closes on 26 May, after which ministers have pledged “swift action” on the findings. In the House of Lords, a peer‑led amendment to the education bill seeks to introduce a default ban, giving ministers a 12‑month window to decide which apps fall under the age limit. Although MPs have rejected the amendment twice, Conservative peer John Nash is pressing to reinstate the clause. Starmer remains cautious about a blanket ban, fearing it could push teenagers onto the dark web or leave them ill‑prepared for responsible digital use at 16. Nonetheless, Australia’s recent nationwide ban has shifted the political calculus: more than 60 Labour MPs signed a letter in January urging the UK to follow suit. Child‑safety advocates are divided. The Molly Rose Foundation, founded after the tragic death of Molly Russell, warns that an under‑16 ban would punish children for industry failures and calls for stronger enforcement of the Online Safety Act instead. Conversely, Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, and Children’s Commissioner for England Rachel de Souza support the introduction of smartphones for under‑16s with built‑in social‑media restrictions.

In a bid to regain control over their digital lives, people are attending 'cybersecurity disguised as a party' events, where they learn how to mitigate their vulnerability to surveillance through major tech services.Imani Thompson, a 26-year-old cybersecurity organizer, leads these events, which include activities like DJ sets and dancing, to make learning about digital security more approachable and fun. The events, organized by groups like the New York City-based tech organizing coalition Cypurr Collective, aim to help attendees understand how to protect their personal data and break free from the grip of big tech companies.61% of Americans are concerned about their digital security, but only 33% are actively doing something about it, according to a YouGov poll. These tech privacy-focused conferences, workshops, and meetups are giving people the support and agency to protect their information without giving up the tech that underpins modern life.The services people rely on to message their friends, shop, or navigate a new city can make our lives easier and more connected, but they also leave us extraordinarily exposed. The data that tech companies sweep up from our online activities allows them to infer precise details about us, which is then broadcast to thousands of companies worldwide through real-time bidding auctions.To combat this, activists are teaching communities how to regain agency over their digital lives by using more secure, transparently run platforms or even building their own digital tools. Organizations like Resist Tech Monopolies (RTM) in Seattle and Co-op Cloud, an international tech federation, are part of this movement.RTM has seen an explosion of interest recently, with a growing number of people from political and grassroots groups wanting to train their members or community on digital security. The group offers community events like book clubs, movie nights, and open office hours, as well as regular 'discover tech' events that introduce community members to tech concepts.By using libre software and open-source projects, people can contribute to building and sharing tools that are democratically designed and communally maintained. This approach not only protects users from surveillance but also allows them to collaborate on new tools that are transparent, sustainable, and free from corporate control.

The government touts the British industrial competitiveness scheme (Bics) as "bold action" to sharpen the United Kingdom’s industrial edge, offering up to a 25% reduction in electricity bills for firms operating in eight "modern" sectors of its industrial strategy. Union leader Gary Smith of the GMB immediately challenged the claim, warning that gas‑intensive industries such as ceramics and brickmaking have been "shamefully ignored" and left out of the support package. At a cost of roughly £600 million a year for 10,000 companies, the scheme is widely viewed as a modest drop in the ocean. While the rollout has been broadened from the originally announced 7,000 firms and now includes a back‑dated claim period starting in April 2025, the financial scale remains limited. Eligibility is deliberately intricate: firms must belong to a "frontier" or "foundational" industry and meet strict electrical‑intensity thresholds for specific product lines. Those that qualify receive relief from three policy charges on their electricity bills, including two green levies, amounting to up to £40 per megawatt‑hour. Two broader observations emerge. First, the programme marks the clearest governmental admission to date that the UK’s business energy costs – the highest among developed economies – are eroding competitiveness. The stated ambition is to bring electricity prices for the targeted sectors in line with European averages. Second, policymakers are beginning to untangle the web of levies that inflate bills. The carbon price support mechanism, a charge on generators passed through to consumers, is slated for abolition by April 2028, after it helped phase coal out of the grid. Nevertheless, the £600 million figure underscores a deeper debate about how to fund the energy transition and new grid infrastructure. Countries such as Germany absorb a larger share of policy costs through general taxation to keep industry competitive, whereas the UK has traditionally shifted those costs onto electricity bills. The Bics announcement signals a tentative shift toward rebalancing, but the scale remains modest. In an ideal, fiscally unconstrained scenario, a broader scheme could run into the billions and target a wider swath of industry. Treasury officials, however, remain skeptical that a larger outlay would generate sufficient long‑term growth and tax revenue to justify the expense, a view reportedly shared by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Ultimately, Bics can be seen as an unsatisfactory stopgap. It acknowledges that soaring electricity prices are a structural problem but confines the remedy to a narrow slice of the economy, leaving the broader competitiveness challenge largely unaddressed.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various industries is revolutionizing the concept of 'creative destruction' in capitalism. This phenomenon, where outdated technologies are replaced by new ones, can be brutal, especially when machines exhibit cognitive skills, enabling them to think and learn. In an ideal scenario, policymakers would have ample time to adjust and mitigate the transition's impact. However, the current economic landscape, marked by weak growth and high energy prices due to the conflict in the Middle East, complicates matters. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led to shortages of raw materials and higher energy costs, which, coupled with the availability of labor-saving technology, could lead to rapid and large-scale job destruction. The Incentive to adopt machines over human labor will increase as businesses seek to cut costs amid economic uncertainty. The International Monetary Fund's recent downgrade of growth forecasts and warnings of a global recession further exacerbate this trend. As a result, companies will be more inclined to adopt AI, potentially leading to a significant rise in unemployment. While AI optimists argue that new technologies will create more jobs than they destroy in the long run, there are concerns that this time may be different. The impact of AI could be more transformative and disruptive than previous technological advancements. Moreover, there's a risk that the jobs destroyed by AI may be better paid than those created, potentially leading to a decline in living standards. The article concludes that the future depends on whether AI will enhance or replace human jobs. Policymakers have a narrow window to prepare their economies and societies for the challenges posed by AI, focusing on reskilling, reindustrialization, and redistribution. Failure to act quickly may result in the benefits of AI being captured by a small minority, while the majority faces the consequences of mass unemployment.

The chief executive of Stack BTC, a bitcoin company promoted by Nigel Farage, has departed as the venture seeks to assure investors of its potential for long-term value. Stack BTC was launched earlier this year with significant fanfare, counting Farage and former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng among its initial shareholders.The company, originally founded in 2021 by Jai Patel under the name Kasei Investment Holdings, has undergone a rebranding. Its aim is to encourage investments in cryptocurrencies, particularly targeting individuals over 45. However, its previous iteration, Kasei, faced liquidation last year due to adverse market conditions and an inability to raise further capital.Stack BTC's strategy involves accumulating bitcoin and operating as a venture capital firm, investing in smaller companies and reinvesting revenue in bitcoin. The company's share price is expected to correlate with the price of bitcoin. Farage invested £215,000 in the company, and on paper, the value of his stake appears to have increased by more than £200,000.Jai Patel's departure was announced on Wednesday, with the company stating that the move is part of efforts to strengthen the executive team and deliver long-term value for shareholders. Patel has been replaced by David Galan, a former real estate executive with experience in capital markets and mergers & acquisitions.CryptoUK's Ian Taylor expressed skepticism about the company's prospects, suggesting that the involvement of Farage and Kwarteng may deter potential investors. Taylor noted that the company's approach appears to be a PR branding exercise rather than a genuine investment opportunity.