UN population estimates show the global population stood at 8.23 billion in mid-2025, continuing its decades-long upward trend.
India remains the world's most populous country, followed by China and the US, with the three nations accounting for nearly 39.2% of the global population.
The latest estimates also highlight shifting demographic trends, including declining fertility rates, longer life expectancy, and ageing populations worldwide.
US President Donald Trump had been “within reach” in Turkey but Iran did not target him in order to preserve good relations with neighboring countries, an Iranian official said Wednesday.
“Trump was within reach for retaliation over Khamenei, but in order to preserve friendship and good neighborly relations with neighbors, we did not target him,” Ezzatollah Zarghami, a member of Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace, said on X.
The former head of Iran’s state broadcaster also called for Turkey’s ambassador to be summoned over what he said was Trump issuing orders to attack Iran while in Turkey, where the US president attended a NATO summit.
https://t.co/WntEScvZL9
The US launched a wave of retaliatory airstrikes targeting over 80 Iranian sites—including coastal radar, drone launch facilities, and fast boats—along the Strait of Hormuz. This military action followed Iranian attacks on commercial oil tankers in the region. Iran responded by striking US military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Xenophobic violence is no longer only a domestic law-and-order concern; it is placing South Africa’s regional trade relationships, diplomatic credibility and continental standing at risk.
With billions of dollars in trade flowing between South Africa and its neighbours, even limited disruption caused by consumer backlash, logistical delays and declining trust could carry serious economic consequences.
South Africa must therefore combine lawful migration enforcement with decisive prosecutions, diplomatic engagement and firm protection of constitutional. Source: @fwdeklerkfdn
@chanduuu_cs we've put multiple layers of defense in place: username keys limit who can reach you, we limit how many new people any account can contact, and our systems detect and block abuse patterns. if something feels off, report it in the app.
Sub-Saharan Africa is the most aid-dependent region globally. On average, aid accounted for about 3% of GDP in 2024—well above other regions, making the current drop in aid especially consequential. https://t.co/rpCXbdfbnG
WATCH | A group of Vatsonga people will be marching to the Human Rights Commission in Johannesburg tomorrow to hand over a memorandum of concerns over alleged tribalism. For more news, visit https://t.co/TS6YUmN424
Zimbabwe is considering using future mineral revenue to fund road and railway projects with China. Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said the government has started talks with China Railway about resource-backed loans to improve transport infrastructure. The country needs about $34 billion to fix and improve its roads, railways and transport system. Zimbabwe is Africa’s top lithium producer. Lithium is a critical mineral used in batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones and other electronic devices. Chinese firms have invested heavily in Zimbabwe’s lithium industry. The government also says it will stop exports of raw lithium concentrate from January 2027 so more processing can happen inside Zimbabwe.
The above idea is not going to work and it will backfire in less than 10 years. Zimbabwe must increase production and productivity per capita to get the nation back to finance its on projects. Also revenue collection must be well increased and more efficiency. And learn more from China to be self sufficient
Zimbabwe is on track to produce enough fertilizer locally. During his recent visit to China, Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube toured Dalian Jinzhou Heavy Machinery Group, where fertilizer production equipment is currently being manufactured for Zimbabwe. 🇨🇳🇿🇼
Leveraging the country's abundant coal resources as feedstock and backed by strong Chinese investment, Zimbabwe is poised to drastically cut fertilizer imports, strengthen food security, and accelerate local industrial growth. In the long run, Zimbabwe is well-positioned to emerge as a regional fertilizer exporter.👏
The Government of South Africa rolls out the red carpet for Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, while Deputy President Mashatile is in Beijing deepening ties with China. Pretoria calls this "non-alignment." We call it what it is: a choice. The South African people deserve an honest conversation about who their government is choosing to stand with. #NotSoNonAligned
1/3 @MoPSEZim is rolling out nationwide Train-the-Trainer Workshops on Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in line with the Heritage-Based Curriculum. With support from Qurious Mind, teachers are gaining practical skills in coding, robotics & AI