While the US boycotted the G20 in South Africa, China showed up with a green minerals initiative for the Global South. That contrast tells you everything about the shifting global order—and exactly why TBS exists: to surface the narratives and power moves that traditional outlets bury on page twelve.
Let’s dive in.
Warm wishes,
Deepa
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What Matters This Week
Nigeria Rescues Abducted Schoolgirls: Security forces rescued two dozen schoolgirls in Kebbi state, ending the country’s second mass kidnapping in a week. Why it matters: The frequency of these brazen attacks highlights the deteriorating security in the northwest, where armed bandits are increasingly challenging central government authority. (More)
US-Venezuela Tensions Hit Breaking Point: The US has officially designated the "Cartel de los Soles" a terrorist organization and deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Caribbean, prompting President Nicolás Maduro to brandish a sword at a Caracas rally and vow "absolute defiance" against any overthrow attempt. The bottom line: Regional anxiety is mounting, with Colombian President Gustavo Petro warning the escalation is driven by US interests in Venezuelan oil rather than counter-narcotics efforts. (More)
Nauru President Accused of Aid Theft: Parliament accused the President of Nauru of misappropriating millions of dollars in Australian funding. Be smart: Because Nauru is a critical offshore processing center for Australia, evidence of financial malfeasance involving Canberra's money could destabilize the nation's leadership and complicate regional security pacts. (More)
Sudan Peace Push Hits Diplomatic Wall: A US-led diplomatic push to end Sudan's civil war has stalled despite the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) declaring a unilateral three-month "humanitarian truce." The head of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, rejected the proposal from the "Quad" mediators (US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE), calling it "the worst" plan yet and unacceptable due to the UAE's involvement. The US envoy has urged both sides to accept the text unaltered, but with the army accusing the UAE of backing the RSF, the path to a negotiated peace remains blocked. (More)
🔎 What Happened at the G20?
With US President Donald Trump absent—a snub felt acutely by the South African hosts—Beijing stepped into the diplomatic vacuum not just with rhetoric, but with a new architectural framework for the global economy's most critical sector: green minerals.
The News: While the US was absent, Chinese Premier Li Qiang launched an "international economic and trade co-operation initiative on green minerals" in partnership with the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Nineteen nations, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Myanmar, and Cambodia, have already signed on.
Why it matters: Control of the "green supply chain" is the central geopolitical contest of the decade. The West has largely framed critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, rare earths) through the lens of security—trying to "de-risk" from China and secure supply chains for their own green transitions. China, conversely, is pitching this alliance through the lens of development.
Be Smart: China dominates mineral processing but lacks domestic reserves for key inputs like cobalt and nickel. By partnering with the UN and countries like Nigeria and Zimbabwe, Beijing is aiming to lock in upstream access before Western competitors can offer a viable alternative.
Bottom Line: The summit highlighted a widening fork in the road for the Global South: a US model focused on supply chain security, or a Chinese model promising infrastructure and development. For now, Beijing is the one putting a concrete offer on the table.
Tech & Innovation
Africa's Digital Backbone Completed: The core infrastructure of the 2Africa subsea cable, the world's longest open-access system, is now complete, connecting 33+ countries across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia with 180Tbps capacity and projected to add $36.9 billion to Africa's GDP. (More)
West & Central Africa Commit to Halve Internet Costs: Fifteen West and Central African nations adopted the Cotonou Declaration, pledging to halve internet costs by 2028, expand broadband to 90% of the population, establish regional AI centers, and train 20 million people in digital skills. (More)
Vodacom Taps Google Cloud for Pan-African AI Push: Pan-African telco Vodacom is partnering with Google Cloud to migrate its data platforms and integrate generative AI models like Gemini, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and develop new AI-powered services across its African markets. (More)
Business & Finance
Ooredoo Invests $500 Million in International Cable Network: Ooredoo Group announced a $500 million investment in new international cable projects to enhance connectivity between Oman, Iraq, Turkey, and Europe, creating alternative routes and positioning the region as a central data network hub. (More)
EU Pledges €250 Billion for African Green Energy and Digital Infrastructure: The European Union is set to commit €250 billion in investments for green energy development and digital grid modernization across Africa, with a particular focus on Ethiopia, strengthening cooperation and driving sustainable growth. (More)
TotalEnergies LNG Project in Mozambique to Resume Operations: Mozambique's government has agreed to reinstate the force majeure period for TotalEnergies' $20 billion LNG project, allowing the project to restart with a revised budget and targeting first LNG delivery in the first half of 2029. (More)
Politics & Policy Watch
US Moves to Designate Muslim Brotherhood a Terrorist Organization: The White House has initiated the process to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a global terrorist organization, a move that will freeze assets, impose travel bans, and criminalize material support for the group and its affiliates worldwide. Why it matters: The designation targets the group's entire global network—including financial, charitable, and ideological entities—and is expected to trigger unprecedented intelligence cooperation with allies like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. (More)
Philippines Detains 7 in Graft Probe: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the detention of seven individuals linked to a major corruption scandal, marking a significant escalation in his administration's crackdown. The bottom line: The move signals a potential strategy to restore public trust, though observers are watching to see if the investigation reaches high-level political allies. (More)
Iran Explores Joining Pakistan-Saudi Security Pact: Iran is exploring joining the strategic defense pact recently signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, a move aimed at creating a regional security framework independent of foreign intervention. Why it matters: The potential formation of a Tehran-Islamabad-Riyadh security axis would mark a fundamental realignment of power in the Middle East and South Asia, challenging traditional security architectures and reducing reliance on the U.S. (More)
Currency Tracker
Argentina Hikes Interest Rate to 97%: Argentina's central bank raised its benchmark Leliq rate by 600 basis points to 97% in an emergency meeting to defend the peso. (More)
Malawi Mandates Hard Currency Payments for Tourists: Malawi's government now requires foreign tourists to pay hotel bills in hard currencies like USD and EUR to boost dwindling foreign exchange reserves. Be smart: This policy directly impacts the tourism sector and exporters, requiring immediate adjustments to payment and repatriation processes. (More)
Nigerian Naira Stabilizes Amid Rising Reserves: Nigeria's naira strengthened by 3.5% against the US dollar over the past ten months, reaching N1,450/$ in the parallel market, while foreign reserves grew to $46 billion. (More)
Opportunity Board
Nigeria's 2025 Oil and Gas Bid Round Opens Soon: Nigeria's Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission will formally open its 2025 bid round on December 1, offering approximately 24 oil and gas blocks to investors. (More)
Indonesia Seeks Private Investment for $1 Billion Clean Energy Projects: The Asian Development Bank's $470 million loan to Indonesia's state electricity corporation is expected to mobilize over $1 billion in private investment for 1,800 megawatts of utility-scale solar and wind power projects. (More)
Grenada Invites Proposals for Hospital Finance Consultancy: Grenada's Hospitals Statutorisation Transition Team is inviting proposals from qualified consultants to conduct a comprehensive review of hospital services financing, with submissions due by December 31, 2025. (More)
Visas & Immigration
Longer Path to Residency, Stricter Visas in UK: Significant immigration changes in 2025, including a new 10-year waiting period for permanent residency for most, increased Skilled Worker visa salary thresholds to £41,700, and a ban on dependants for most student and care worker visas. Why it matters: These sweeping changes make UK migration more expensive and complicated. (More)
US H-1B Visa Program Under Fire Amid Fraud Allegations: A former US economist alleges widespread fraud in the H-1B visa program, claiming Chennai received 220,000 visas against an 85,000 cap, with 71% of all H-1B visas going to India. This comes as the Trump administration tightens H-1B rules, including a potential $100,000 additional payment for certain petitions filed after September 21, 2025. The bottom line: These allegations and potential policy shifts could severely impact Indian professionals seeking to work in the US. (More)
US Terminates TPS for Burma, Beneficiaries Face January 2026 Deadline: The Department of Homeland Security will not extend Temporary Protected Status for Burma (Myanmar), which expires on November 25, 2025, granting beneficiaries a transition period until January 26, 2026. Be smart: This termination directly impacts the legal status and ability to live and work for thousands of Burmese citizens in the United States, requiring them to secure alternative legal immigration pathways. (More)
Read, Watch, Listen
📚 Read: Gallivant by Michelle Simone “SiiM” Clarke. Just launched in Kingston, Jamaica, this tender memoir and travelogue by architect Michelle Simone Clarke weaves together poetry, recipes, and postcards from her journeys across 13 countries in Asia & Europe. A perfect addition to your coffee table or kitchen library. (More)
🎧 Listen: Big Daddy by Tems. Surprise-drop from Tems with her new EP, "Love Is A Kingdom," released just last week and Big Daddy is smooth and casual for evening drives home from work. (More)
📺 Watch: 3 COLD DISHES. Produced by Burna Boy, this thrilling movie follows three young women seeking vengeance after experiencing violence and betrayal. (More)
Smart Reads
When Buddhism Becomes a Weapon: This essential long-read traces how "militant monks" in Sri Lanka and Myanmar are weaponizing a philosophy of peace to incite violence against minorities. (More)
Global Setback to HIV Response: A new UN report warns that sharp cuts to international funding have disrupted the global response to HIV, threatening to reverse years of progress in the Global South. (More)
The Green Aid Crisis: With government subsidies dwindling, climate leaders in the Global South are increasingly forced to turn to private markets to bridge the funding gap for sustainability projects. (More)
The Toxic Price of Mining in SE Asia: Satellite imagery has exposed a hidden crisis in the Mekong Basin, identifying over 2,400 unregulated mining sites currently leaching cyanide and arsenic into the region's vital waterways. (More)
