This is so much fun. Thank you for sharing my interest in the world. May we have a quiet weekend, worldwide (one is allowed to dream, right?) Let’s start with Africa, Morocco:

Friday, July 24, 2026

Africa

Morocco — Africa’s first large battery factory

The African Development Bank has approved a €100 million loan—about $114 million—to help build Africa’s first battery “gigafactory” in Morocco. The $1.3 billion project will manufacture lithium iron phosphate battery components and cells, which are used in electric vehicles and energy storage.

This matters because Africa possesses many of the minerals needed for batteries but has traditionally exported raw materials rather than manufacturing the finished products. Morocco hopes the factory will create skilled jobs and give the continent a larger role in the growing electric-vehicle industry.

Nigeria — Army expanding amid continuing violence

Nigeria’s government has approved the creation of four additional army divisions and plans to recruit 28,000 more soldiers. The expansion is intended to strengthen the response to Islamist insurgents, armed criminal groups, kidnapping networks, and communal violence in several regions.

Increasing the size of the army may improve its reach, but Nigeria’s security problems are also tied to poverty, weak local government, unemployment, and competition over land. More troops alone may therefore not solve the underlying causes.

Zambia — Election campaign gathers momentum

Zambians will vote in presidential and parliamentary elections on August 13. President Hakainde Hichilema is considered the favorite against an opposition that remains divided.

The election is being watched closely because Zambia is one of Africa’s major copper producers. The country has made progress restructuring its debt. However, voters are still concerned about the cost of living, jobs, electricity shortages, and whether the benefits of the copper industry are reaching ordinary households.

South Africa — Interest-rate surprise shakes the currency

South Africa’s central bank unexpectedly kept its main interest rate unchanged, causing the rand to fall sharply. The bank lowered its inflation forecast but raised its economic-growth estimate for 2026 from 1.2% to 1.4%.

The decision reflects a difficult balance: lower interest rates could help businesses and families, but they could also weaken the currency and make imported fuel and food more expensive.

Asia

Bangladesh — President resigns

Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin has resigned, officially citing serious health problems. He was associated with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose removal reshaped the country’s political system.

Although Bangladesh’s presidency is largely ceremonial, the resignation carries symbolic importance during a fragile political transition. The country is trying to restore stability while addressing demands for institutional reform and accountability.

Japan — Yen falls to its weakest level in decades

Japan’s finance minister says the government is prepared to take “decisive action” after the yen fell to its lowest level in roughly 40 years.

A weak yen helps Japanese exporters because their overseas earnings become more valuable, but it also makes imported food, energy, and raw materials more expensive. That can place additional pressure on families already dealing with higher prices.

Japan — Technology shares fall

Japan’s Nikkei stock index dropped more than 2%, with technology companies hit by concerns about the enormous cost of artificial-intelligence development. Investors are questioning whether the money being spent on data centers, chips, and AI infrastructure will produce profits quickly enough.

Similar worries are affecting markets beyond Japan because AI investment has become one of the strongest forces driving global stock prices.

Asian markets — Oil prices create renewed pressure

Shares fell across much of Asia as Brent crude oil approached $100 per barrel amid the continuing Middle East conflict. Higher oil prices are particularly difficult for countries such as Japan, South Korea, and India, which import much of their energy.

Expensive oil can raise transportation, manufacturing, electricity, and food costs throughout the region.

Australia and the Pacific

Australia — National emergency-alert system being tested

Australia is preparing to test AusAlert, a new national mobile warning system. Compatible phones, tablets, and some smartwatches will receive a brief siren and emergency message.

The system is intended to provide faster warnings during bushfires, floods, cyclones, and other emergencies. False online claims have circulated that it will track users, but the system broadcasts alerts to devices within an affected area rather than monitoring individuals’ movements.

Australia — Environmental challenge to gas-project extension

Environmental and Indigenous-heritage groups have completed arguments in a Federal Court challenge to the extension of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas facilities until 2070.

The groups say the approval could damage the climate and nearby Murujuga rock art, one of the world’s most important collections of ancient Indigenous engravings. The case could influence how Australian governments weigh energy development against climate obligations and cultural heritage.

Pacific — China’s missile test continues to divide regional governments

Pacific Island countries remain divided over how strongly to respond to China’s recent test of a nuclear-capable missile in the Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and several smaller states have expressed concern, while others with closer economic relations with Beijing have been more cautious.

The disagreement shows how competition between China and Western-aligned countries is placing small Pacific nations in a difficult position. They want investment and development assistance but also want the Pacific to remain peaceful and nuclear-free.

Chinese research ships attract scrutiny

Two Chinese icebreakers that regularly stop in Australian ports on their way to Antarctica are being monitored by U.S. authorities during their Arctic voyage.

The vessels are officially used for scientific research. However, polar research is becoming strategically important because melting ice is opening new shipping routes and increasing competition over resources and military access in the Arctic.

Europe

Ukraine — War expands around Black Sea ports

Russia says it struck the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Izmail, and Mykolaiv overnight, targeting fuel and loading facilities. Ukraine, meanwhile, has increased drone attacks against Russian ships and infrastructure around occupied Crimea.

The widening battle over ports matters because the Black Sea is essential for Ukrainian grain exports and international food supplies. Damage to ports and shipping routes can affect prices far beyond Europe.

European economy shows modest improvement

Business activity in the eurozone returned to growth in July for the first time in four months. New orders increased, and the closely watched purchasing-managers index rose more strongly than economists expected.

The improvement is encouraging, but high energy prices, inflation, and the Middle East conflict could quickly weaken the recovery.

International Criminal Court faces leadership vote

Countries belonging to the International Criminal Court are voting on whether to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies.

The vote is important for the credibility of the court, which investigates genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Existing arrest warrants and investigations would remain valid even if Khan is dismissed.

South America

Same old, same old

Middle East

Iraq drawn further into regional conflict

Explosions were reported near a base hosting U.S. forces in Irbil, in Iraq’s Kurdish region. The attack came amid renewed fighting involving Iran and the United States.

Iraq has repeatedly tried to avoid becoming a battlefield between larger powers. Attacks on foreign forces risk drawing the country into another conflict despite the Iraqi government’s efforts to maintain relations with both Washington and Tehran.

Non-Political Good News From the United States

Retired research chimpanzees headed for sanctuary

Twenty-three retired research chimpanzees are being transferred from a facility in New Mexico to Chimp Haven in Louisiana. The animals have not been used in invasive research since 2015, but some have remained at the original facility because of health and transportation concerns.

At the sanctuary, they will have larger social groups, outdoor areas, and specialized lifelong care.

Good News From Around the World

Morocco’s battery project could keep more value in Africa

The Moroccan battery factory is not merely an industrial story. It represents a possible change in how African countries participate in the global economy—from exporting minerals to producing high-value technology.

Should the project succeed, it could encourage more battery, electric-vehicle, and renewable-energy manufacturing across the continent.

That’s what I found newsworthy today.