🌍 Nigeria's $13B moment

Every week, we read hundreds of sources so you don't have to. TBS pulls from Global South newsrooms alongside mainstream outlets, but with one key difference: we center voices and narratives from our regions, not as footnotes to Western headlines.

This week covers everything from Pakistan's security crisis to Nigeria's financial breakthrough to Syria's economic reopening. The stories that shape our world, told from our perspective.

Let's get into it.

Warm wishes,

Deepa

***

Islamabad Rocked by Deadly Suicide Bombing: A suicide bombing outside district court buildings in Islamabad killed at least 12 people and injured 27, prompting the defense minister to declare the country in a "state of war." Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif blamed "India proxies" for the attack, which the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) later claimed. Why it matters: The incident escalates regional tensions and highlights Pakistan's worsening security crisis, with potential for broader geopolitical fallout. (Live Tracking)

US Deploys Massive Naval Force to Latin America, Heightening Venezuela Tensions: The USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier and its strike group have entered Latin America, ostensibly to combat drug trafficking. Venezuela's Maduro regime announced a "massive deployment" of its own forces in response, while Colombia suspended intelligence sharing with the US in protest of lethal strikes on suspected drug vessels. (More)

COP30 Kicks Off in Brazil, Highlighting Global Climate Divides and China's Influence: The UN's COP30 climate conference has opened in Belém, Brazil, with discussions dominated by China's growing dominance in green technology exports and waning enthusiasm from rich countries for climate action. The summit aims to address critical issues like Amazon deforestation and the displacement of millions by climate-related disasters. The bottom line: Emerging economies are increasingly leading on solutions, but significant challenges remain in achieving global climate goals. (More)

Equinix to Build $22 Million Data Center in Lagos, Nigeria: Global digital infrastructure company Equinix announced a $22 million investment to construct its first new data center (LG3) in Lagos, Nigeria, by Q1 2026, as part of a broader $100 million Africa expansion plan. This facility will address the continent's surging demand for digital infrastructure and enhance regional connectivity. (More)

WIZ.AI Closes Series B to Expand Localized LLMs: Singapore-based AI firm WIZ.AI raised "tens of millions" of USD in a Series B round led by SMBC Asia Rising Fund, with participation from Beacon Venture Capital and others. The funding will be used to enhance its AI platform, which specializes in localized languages for Southeast Asia, and to expand into new markets like Latin America. (More)

Mastercard Targets Password-Free E-commerce in Asia Pacific by 2030: Mastercard announced its ambition to enable password-free and number-free online shopping across Asia Pacific by 2030, leveraging tokenization and biometric authentication to enhance security and user experience in the region's rapidly growing e-commerce market. Why it matters: This initiative aims to combat rising card-not-present fraud and reduce cart abandonment, which currently affects eight in ten shoppers. (More)

Chad Secures $20.5 Billion for National Development Plan: Chad has secured two-thirds of the $30 billion needed for its "TchadConnexion2030" National Development Plan, with $16.4 billion committed by international donors and $4.1 billion from private sector agreements, signaling a major influx of foreign investment and economic transformation. (More)

Guinea Launches World-Class Simandou Iron Ore Project: Guinea has officially launched the Simandou integrated iron ore and infrastructure project, one of the world's largest, with international partners like Rio Tinto and Chinese groups, marking a new era for the country's economy and global iron supply. (More)

Syria Signals Economic Re-engagement with US, International Markets: Syria's Central Bank Governor announced potential economic openness with the United States, revealing interest from 22 US companies and the re-activation of the SWIFT financial messaging system, as efforts continue to lift remaining sanctions. (More)

Pakistan Passes Amendment Bolstering Military's Role: Pakistan's Senate has passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment, concentrating military authority under a new "Head of Defense Forces" and granting lifetime constitutional immunity to five-star army officers. Why it matters: The amendment, passed with 64 votes, formalizes the military's powerful role in politics, weakening civilian institutions and raising concerns about the future of democracy in the nuclear-armed nation. (More)

Argentina Halts China's Space Radar Project in Pivot to US: Argentina's government has suspended the construction of a Chinese-backed space observatory in San Juan province after a key agreement expired without renewal. The decision to halt the estimated $350 million project is a clear signal of President Javier Milei's foreign policy realignment toward the United States. (More) 

World Bank Freezes $750M Kenya Loan, Demands 11 Reforms: The World Bank has frozen the disbursement of a Sh96.9 billion ($750 million) loan to Kenya, conditioning its release on the implementation of 11 specific policy and legal reforms. The required actions range from amending the Competition Act and fully adopting e-procurement to establishing a sovereign sustainability-linked financing framework. (More)

Venezuela's Bolivar Devalues Over 330% Amid Soaring Inflation: Venezuela's bolívar has depreciated 331.31% against the dollar in 2025, with inflation projected to reach 269.90% to 400% by year-end, severely eroding purchasing power. Reduced central bank foreign exchange interventions have accelerated this devaluation. (More)

Sudanese Pound Nears 4,000 Per Dollar as New Banknote Issued: The Sudanese pound has depreciated sharply in the parallel market, with the US dollar reaching 3,800 SDG, following the Central Bank's issuance of a new 2,000 SDG banknote. This move is expected to exacerbate inflation due to foreign currency shortages and unstable monetary policies. (More)

Nigeria's Eurobond Oversubscription Signals Investor Confidence: Nigeria successfully raised $2.25 billion in a dual-tranche Eurobond issuance, oversubscribed by $13 billion, reflecting strong investor confidence in the country's fiscal and monetary policy reforms. This has contributed to Naira appreciation and a seven-year high in external reserves at $46.07 billion. (More)

Guyana Seeks Bids for New Water Treatment Plant: Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) is inviting bids for the design and construction of a new 30 million litres per day (MLD) Surface Water Treatment Plant at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, with bids expected to open on December 16, 2025. (More)

Guatemala Launches Major Power Generation Tender: Guatemala has initiated the PEG-5 tender to contract up to 1,400 MW of guaranteed power and 150 MW of installed power for up to 15 years, with technical offers due by February 12, 2026, and adjudication set for April 16, 2026. (More)

Saudi Arabia Opens Healthcare Sector to $6.5 Billion Investment: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health and Ministry of Investment are seeking cross-border industrial partnerships and investments exceeding $6.5 billion in healthcare infrastructure and digital upgrades, specifically targeting hemodialysis, rehabilitation, assisted reproduction, and diagnostics services. (More)

US Expands Visa Denials for Chronic Health Conditions: New US guidance allows denial of visas and green cards to foreign nationals with chronic health conditions like diabetes and heart disease, expanding the "public charge" criteria. Visa officers are instructed to flag applicants whose medical conditions could require "hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of care" over their lifespan. (More)

US Deports Filipino Seafarers, Raising Due Process Concerns: Over 130 Filipino seafarers have been summarily deported from US ports since April 2025, facing 10-year re-entry bans, allegedly for child pornography offenses without formal charges or legal counsel. The bottom line: This impacts a critical segment of the Philippine economy, with advocacy groups citing breaches of due process and international labor conventions. (More)

🪮 Textured Hair Tips: Clara Moneke demonstrates effective techniques for styling baby hair and sealing braids in this practical guide on video. (More)

🩸Affordable Glucose Monitoring: Researchers at IIT Madras have developed a cost-effective, minimally invasive device for diabetes patients. This new technology provides instant glucose readings via a disposable microneedle sensor patch and a low-power display, making blood sugar monitoring more accessible and comfortable. (More)

🌿 Kidney Health for Latino Patients: A study shows that culturally tailored interventions significantly improve kidney failure management for Hispanic and Latino patients on hemodialysis. Specific dietary advice, such as reducing chicken bouillon and processed foods, and clarifying fluid intake from items like coffee and soup, led to better outcomes. (More)

Not Enough Water to Power AI: India's data center capacity is projected to surge 77% by 2027 and this "explosive growth" means water & electricity consumption is set to double by 2030 straining local resources. Put it in perspective: India has 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of its water resources. (More)

Zeid Hijazi Makes Waves: When Rama Duwaji stepped onto the stage on election night, she wore a laser-cut denim top by Zeid Hijazi, a 26-year-old London-based designer who has become the youngest Palestinian creator ever to exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum. A Central Saint Martins graduate and Fashion Trust Arabia prize winner, Hijazi blends ancestral Palestinian tatreez embroidery with Arab futurism, working with women artisans in Beirut and Amman refugee camps to transform traditional cross-stitch motifs into contemporary couture. (More)

What Happened at Benin City Museum: Protesters disrupted the opening of Nigeria's Museum of West African Art, chanting support for the Oba of Benin—the traditional ruler who claims authority over the city's cultural heritage. The $25 million institution was originally conceived as a home for repatriated Benin Bronzes looted by British forces in 1897, but Nigeria's government granted ownership of the returned artifacts to the Oba instead, forcing the museum to pivot toward contemporary art while the bronzes await a royal museum yet to be built.(More)

🥊 Qawwali performance in a fight cage: A martial arts club in Lahore, Pakistan, hosted the country's first-ever Qawwali performance inside a UFC-style fighting cage, featuring renowned artist Sher Mian Dad Khan. The unusual event went viral, drawing mixed reactions of amusement and criticism online. (More)

💩 Laxatives & Friends: A university student, fed up with a roommate stealing food, set a laxative-laced Jollof rice trap. The plan backfired when the roommate said she ate the food as she was too proud to ask for help after losing her job. The student wrote an insightful piece on how this changed their friendship & built community. (More)

😂 Durian Aroma Triggers Fire Warning: A Malaysian family in Paris inadvertently caused a building-wide commotion after enjoying durian, the famously pungent fruit. Neighbors, mistaking the strong odor for a gas leak, called firefighters, who then went door-to-door investigating the "suspicious smell" resulting in laughs and memes online. (More)