developing countries

The UAE's president held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the Emirates' state news agency, discussing bilateral relations between the two countries. Details of the conversation were not immediately released. The contacts come as the Abraham Accords partners navigate regional tensions, and observers are watching closely for signs of how the Gulf state's relationship with Israel will develop.

US officials say that if Iran acquired nuclear weapons, no country could prevent it from controlling the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint through which a large share of the world's oil passes. The warning underscores Washington's argument for preventing Iran from developing nuclear arms amid ongoing tensions over its nuclear programme.

D+C, the Development and Cooperation publication, examines how governments abroad pursue legal cases against human rights activists. The piece looks at the mechanisms used to prosecute or criminalise rights defenders and what this means for civil society internationally. It is drawing attention amid ongoing concern about shrinking space for activists in many countries.

British authorities are investigating whether a foreign state was involved in an alleged plot targeting a UK airbase. The suspects detained in the case have been released without charge, though the inquiry into possible foreign state involvement continues. Officials have not publicly named any country, and details about the suspects or the specific base remain limited as the investigation proceeds.

US President Donald Trump has turned down Iran's most recent proposal for a ceasefire, according to NPR reporting. The rejection signals that diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities between Washington and Tehran have stalled, at least for now. The development is drawing attention amid ongoing tensions, with observers watching for whether negotiations resume or the conflict escalates further in the coming days.

Bloomberg reports that Chinese officials are studying new policies aimed at boosting the country's economy and stabilizing the struggling housing market. The move signals renewed policy attention to the property sector, which has weighed on growth amid weak home sales and developer debt problems. Markets are watching for concrete measures such as financing support or demand-side incentives.

Ukraine's digital minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, says Kyiv wants European countries and companies to use Ukraine as a sandbox for developing and testing artificial intelligence technologies. The proposal positions the country, which has built deep digital expertise during the war, as a live testing environment for EU AI innovation and regulation.

China's national science month has concluded, reportedly reaching audiences in the billions under the banner theme of innovation. The annual campaign promotes science education and public engagement with technology across the country, and state media are highlighting its scale and its alignment with China's push for technological self-reliance and innovation-driven development.

A U.S. appeals court has upheld the government's designation of AI company Anthropic as a supply chain risk. The ruling keeps in place the decision, which stems from Pentagon-related concerns about the firm and affects its standing in federal procurement. The designation is a significant blow for one of the country's leading artificial intelligence developers and raises questions about how similar rulings could shape the AI industry's relationship with government contracts.

Japan is converting defunct golf courses into large-scale solar farms, as the country lacks open land for renewable energy projects. With mountainous terrain, limited flat space and a push to expand renewables, closed golf courses offer rare large, sunny, pre-cleared plots near existing power infrastructure, making them an increasingly attractive option for solar developers.

India has developed a satellite-guided weapon that reportedly extends the Indian Air Force's strike range, a topic being analysed by Major Gaurav Arya on The Chanakya Dialogues. The discussion highlights how precision-guided, satellite-navigated munitions allow Indian aircraft to hit targets from greater distances, strengthening the country's stand-off strike capability and its broader defence modernisation push.

Al Jazeera journalists reported from near the front line in Ethiopia's Afar region, where fighting has spread as the country's conflict extends into new territory. The coverage shows the impact on communities in the region and highlights growing concerns about the widening front in Ethiopia. The report drew attention from international audiences following developments in the country.

An analysis by the Observer Research Foundation argues that diversifying staple crops toward millets would strengthen food security, improve nutrition, and support sustainability across the Global South. The piece frames millets as climate-resilient, nutrient-rich grains that could reduce dependence on rice and wheat, urging developing countries to prioritise them in agricultural policy.

Ghana is overhauling its approach to nutrition, moving away from dependence on donor funding towards government-owned care programmes. The shift means national institutions are taking direct responsibility for financing and delivering nutrition services. Development sector observers are watching closely, as the change reflects a broader debate about sustainability of aid-funded health initiatives across Africa and what it takes for governments to own their programmes long term.

A large 'hybrid storm' is forecast to form over the United States, combining features of different storm types as it develops. USA Today reports the system could bring widespread weather impacts across parts of the country. Forecasters and readers are watching how the unusual hybrid system will evolve and which regions will be hit hardest.

Development funders are being urged to put endowment money into Ukraine now rather than waiting, with the argument that early investment can fuel the country's recovery while the war continues. The call frames long-term institutional capital as a way to support reconstruction, economic stabilization and private-sector rebuilding in Ukraine.

The Atlantic Council argues the United States needs a coherent strategy toward the Global South on technology, framing it as essential to American competitiveness. The piece suggests Washington must engage developing nations on digital and tech issues or risk ceding influence to rival powers seeking those markets and partnerships.

The European Union is drawing attention to a new form of 'associate membership', with Canada named as the first country set to hold the status. The arrangement would give a non-EU country closer ties to the bloc in specific areas without full membership. Questions remain over what rights and obligations it involves, and why Canada was chosen as the first partner.

A commentary published by the Belgian critical-media outlet Investig'Action argues that Switzerland is no longer a genuinely neutral country, questioning its traditional stance of political and military neutrality. The piece, circulating in French-language discussions, suggests that recent developments have eroded the country's long-standing neutral position. Little further detail is available beyond the article itself, and reactions so far appear limited.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development has published an analysis of Brazil's efforts to build a workable financing model for regenerative landscapes. The piece examines how restoration and sustainable land use across the country could be funded at scale, a question central to Brazil's climate and deforestation debates.

Open-source AI platform start-ups in China are competing to become the country's answer to Hugging Face, the dominant global hub for sharing machine-learning models and code. With Chinese developers facing restricted access to Western platforms, several domestic players are positioning themselves as home-grown alternatives, reflecting Beijing's broader push for technological self-reliance in artificial intelligence.

The New York Power Authority is set to assume majority ownership of the Rich Road Solar development in Canton, in New York's North Country. The move makes the state public power authority the lead owner of the renewable energy project, though further details on the terms and timeline were not provided in initial reports.

China is establishing a new military support base in Laos, extending its defense presence in Southeast Asia. Bloomberg reports the development as a further expansion of Beijing's regional military footprint, a move likely to draw scrutiny from the United States and neighboring countries watching China's growing strategic reach beyond its borders.

Elite Realty Invest has announced its entry into the US property market with three residential developments in Nashville, Tennessee. The move marks the firm's first expansion into American real estate, betting on continued demand for housing in one of the country's fastest-growing cities. Details on project sizes, investment values and timelines have not yet been disclosed.

A technical university in Zagreb is set to launch Croatia's first degree programme in video game development. The course would give students formal training in game design and production in a country whose gaming industry has so far developed without a dedicated university-level qualification. Details on the curriculum and start date have not been widely reported yet.