Gambaryan, an American citizen, has been in detention since February, with both he and Binance denying the charges against him

Before the European colonization of Africa, empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai thrived

US chipmaker AMD announced on Thursday its third-generation commercial artificial intelligence mobile processors. The new Ryzen AI PRO 300 Series is designed to transform business productivity with Microsoft’s Copilot+ features, including live captioning and language translation in conference calls and advanced AI image generators. The processor has up to three times the AI performance than the previous generation, it said, touting its latest offering. According to the chipmaker, the new Ryzen offers up to 40% higher performance, and up to 14% faster productivity performance, than Intel’s Core Ultra 7 165U, comparing its product with those by one of its chief rivals. “Enterprises are increasingly demanding more compute power and efficiency to drive their everyday tasks and most taxing workloads,” said Jack Huynh, senior vice president and general manager of Computing and Graphics Group at AMD. “Our third generation AI-enabled processors for business PCs deliver unprecedented AI processing capabilities with incredible battery life and seamless compatibility for the applications users depend on,” he added.

In operations against the terrorist groups Boko Haram and ISWAP (the West African branch of ISIS) in Nigeria, 165 terrorists and armed gang members were neutralized in one week. Edward Buba, Director of Media Operations for the Nigerian Defense Ministry, stated that the military conducted operations nationwide targeting terrorism and armed gangs. He noted that 165 terrorists and gang members were killed, and 238 terrorists were arrested. Buba also reported the rescue of 188 individuals taken hostage by armed gang members and terrorists, along with the seizure of 153 weapons, numerous motorcycles, and significant ammunition. Nigeria has long faced attacks from armed gangs, Boko Haram, and ISWAP across various regions. Despite the death penalty for kidnapping, incidents of abduction for ransom are common, with armed individuals typically targeting villages, schools, and travelers in the northern parts of the country.

For years, the international shipping industry has faced criticism for its slow progress in reducing the significant carbon emissions produced by vessels transporting everyday goods like food, cars, and clothing. Now, the new head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, is subtly urging companies to take action. “There is more that can be done,” he stated during an interview at Germany’s Hamburg Sustainability Conference. “The low-hanging fruit is there.” Dominguez, who became secretary general at the start of the year, highlighted strategies like using satellites for optimal routing based on weather, cleaning ship hulls to reduce water friction, and “slow steaming”—operating vessels below their maximum speed to cut fuel use and emissions. While acknowledging that many companies are making efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, he stressed that achieving the IMO’s target of a 30% emissions reduction by 2030 requires immediate implementation of all available measures. A significant overhaul of shipping fuel is essential for decarbonization, as the industry predominantly uses heavy fuel oil, which emits carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Cleaner alternatives like hydrogen, ammonia, and biofuels are in development but face challenges of cost, scalability, and sustainable production. The shipping sector currently accounts for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and these figures are projected to rise sharply without significant changes. Unlike other sectors like power and ground transportation, which have made strides in decarbonization through electrification, shipping has lagged behind. Last year, the IMO set a goal to achieve net-zero emissions by around 2050, highlighting the considerable work ahead. The organization is also being urged to implement a carbon tax, similar to initiatives in the European Union, where large ships are already taxed on their carbon dioxide emissions. Dominguez clarified that he doesn’t prefer to call it a tax, given the sensitivity surrounding the issue. He mentioned that several scenarios are being considered, including carbon efficiency ratings for ships and setting fuel standards. The IMO committee will meet in April to discuss these measures, with formal adoption expected in the fall, and any decisions would take effect in 2027, allowing time for adjustments. In the meantime, Dominguez emphasized that shipping companies should maximize emission reductions, including the use of liquid natural gas (LNG) as a fuel. While LNG can improve engine efficiency and lower emissions, concerns remain about methane leaks, which can undermine any benefits gained. Environmentalists argue that relying on LNG allows fossil fuel producers to maintain the status quo, delaying a necessary transition to renewable energy sources.

The appeal process began on Thursday for 37 people sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over an alleged coup attempt in May.

Floods in South Sudan have displaced over 241,000 people and affected nearly 900,000 others, with aid agencies warning of the worst flooding in decades.

The World Health Organization has declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time.

Egypt, Eritrea and Somalia leaders convene in Asmara for crucial talks on regional security and stability amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa.

Young African women recruited for jobs in Russia have reported being deceived into assembling drones intended for use in the conflict in Ukraine. Initially lured by social media ads promising free flights, lucrative salaries, and job training in hospitality and catering, many arrived to discover they were to work in a drone production facility instead. In interviews with The Associated Press, several women shared experiences of long hours under constant surveillance, unmet wage expectations, and exposure to hazardous chemicals that have left them with severe skin issues. These women were part of a Kremlin initiative to address labor shortages amid wartime production demands. Recruitment has targeted women aged 18 to 22 from countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, as well as from Sri Lanka. The Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, approximately 1,000 kilometers east of Moscow, has become a focal point for this recruitment effort. One woman, who left a job in her home country, recounted her initial excitement upon arriving in Alabuga, only to realize that the promise of a bright future was merely a facade. “The company is all about making drones. Nothing else,” she said, expressing regret about her decision to come. The recruitment campaign, dubbed “Alabuga Start,” involved completing a simple online game and a basic Russian vocabulary test. However, the reality revealed a grim working environment where foreign workers were often mistreated and denied the freedoms enjoyed by their Russian counterparts. The women live in guarded dormitories and are closely monitored while working, with their communications severely restricted. Reports indicate that about 200 African women are currently employed in the Alabuga facility, alongside vocational students as young as 16. The plant is primarily engaged in producing Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which have been employed in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Despite an initial promise of $700 a month, many women reported receiving much less, with various deductions reducing their take-home pay. The workers have described grueling shifts of up to 12 hours, with inadequate time off. One woman lamented, “The African women are maltreated like donkeys, being slaved.” Human rights organizations have raised alarms over these practices, highlighting the potential for trafficking if the recruitment methods are found to be exploitative. Betty Amongi, Uganda’s Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, has voiced concerns regarding the welfare of the women, urging thorough investigations into the recruitment efforts. As the conflict in Ukraine continues, Russia’s reliance on foreign labor to bolster its military production raises questions about the ethical implications of such recruiting tactics. The situation has caught the attention of the international community, with calls for accountability and safeguards to protect vulnerable workers from exploitation.

Dallol, Ethiopia, has earned the title of the world’s hottest inhabited place