Author: Prima News

British finance minister Rachel Reeves will ​tell her global counterparts travelling to Washington this week that her approach to ‌dealing with a more uncertain world – which she has dubbed “securonomics” – is the right one, the government said. Reeves, in the United States for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) summit, will again pitch Britain as a “rare safe haven ​for investors” that offers stability amid soaring energy prices. The deadline passed on Monday for the ​start of a U.S. military blockade of ships leaving Iran’s ports, and ⁠Tehran threatened to strike ports of its Gulf neighbours after weekend talks on ending…

The Middle East war highlights how vital the green transition ​in energy is for Europe’s ‌resilience and competitiveness, European Central Bank policymaker Olli Rehn said on Tuesday. “Slowing the ​green transition now would be a ​serious mistake,” the Bank of Finland ⁠governor said. Rehn said it remained ​unclear what effect the war would ​have on inflation over the medium term, although a rise in headline inflation this year ​would be unavoidable. “Interest rate decisions ​are not locked in beforehand,” he said, adding ‌the ⁠ECB was closely monitoring developments in the Middle East conflict and its spillover effects on the economy.…

Australia’s corporates are starting to count the cost of the war in the Middle East, ​with profit warnings from two top companies and a crash in business sentiment pointing to pain from rising ‌prices, raising the risk of stagflation. The country’s top airline Qantas Airways (QAN.AX), opens new tab and second largest lender Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX), opens new tab flagged their earnings could be hurt by soaring fuel prices and the impact on customers, as feared by the country’s central bank. “With the supply shock from the energy market disruption expected ​to result in higher inflation and higher interest rates, an expected slowing…

HSBC Holdings (HSBA.L), opens new tab Chair Brendan Nelson said ‌on Tuesday that a Middle East peace deal was essential to ensure a substantial resumption of global energy flows, with oil-driven inflation looming as a major risk to the world economy. Nelson, speaking at the HSBC Global Investment Summit in Hong Kong, added ​that as long as uncertainty persists, energy prices would remain elevated. Oil prices have surged since the Iran ​war began, and prices remain close to $100 a barrel as investors position themselves for prolonged ⁠tensions around the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global oil and gas typically…

Humanitarian needs in Sudan are worsening as shifting patterns of displacement and return reshape conditions across the country, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said on Monday. “The needs are immense and changing every day, we see people returning to areas where basic services no longer exist, no water, no healthcare, no schools,” said Thierry Balloy, IFRC head of delegation in Sudan. Sudan remains the world’s largest displacement crisis, with an estimated 33 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2026, the Red Cross said. Millions are both fleeing violence and returning to devastated…

Benin’s presidential election candidate Paul Hounkpe on Monday conceded defeat to his rival, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, following voting held on Sunday. The 56-year-old leader of the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin party (FCBE) said in a statement that he was acting “as a statesman committed to republican principles, respect for the popular vote and the stability” of the country. Hounkpe added that he acknowledged “with responsibility” the emerging trend from initial results. He also extended his “republican congratulations” to Wadagni, stressing that “democracy requires mutual respect and rising above partisan divisions.” The FCBE leader, also a former culture…

Pope Leo XIV began an African tour on Monday with a three-day official visit to Algeria, Algerian media reported. The pontiff arrived in the capital Algiers at the invitation of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, marking the first visit by the pope to the North African nation, the state news agency APS said. The pope’s tour will also include stops in Cameroon and Angola, before ending in Equatorial Guinea.

Türkiye has delivered 36 tons of food aid to people in need in Nigeria through its Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), in support of ongoing humanitarian efforts in the country. The aid, sent as part of a program carried out in coordination with the UN, was distributed at the Malkohi Internally Displaced Persons Camp near Yola, the capital of Adamawa State. Many of those living in the camp fled their homes due to attacks by the Boko Haram terrorist group and continue to live under difficult conditions. The distribution ceremony was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Abuja, Mehmet Poroy,…

A researcher at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr Anire Chima-Oduko, has called for urgent improvements in reproductive health services for women living with HIV, warning that gaps in access, quality of care and contraceptive uptake are fuelling unintended pregnancies. Chima-Oduko made the call in Lagos on Wednesday while presenting findings from a study on pregnancy intentions and contraceptive needs among women living with HIV. According to her, current service limitations are contributing to the high rate of unintended pregnancies among women. She said, “There is a need to strengthen reproductive health services for women living with HIV. Addressing gaps…

Years ago, while driving in Lagos, a police officer stopped me. Nothing unusual. He asked for my vehicle particulars, and I handed them over—perhaps not in the most cheerful manner at first. But somewhere between the routine and the silence, a conversation started. I asked him about his work, just casually, and then I mentioned a name—Olatunji Disu. At the time, he wasn’t the Inspector-General yet; I believe he was still a Commissioner of Police. But the moment I mentioned the name, something changed in the officer’s expression. “Ah! That man…” he said, almost cutting himself short. Curious, I asked…