G7 — group of leading economies that convenes on global challenges including economic resilience, security, AI, and health crises.
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that Russia's hybrid attacks against Europe and France have intensified, and said he ordered a plan to protect critical infrastructure and defence industry sites. He said France had been targeted by such attacks in recent weeks and that Russia's intent is to intimidate Europe and break support for Ukraine.
18 September 2026 · Joy Online →
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that Russia's hybrid attacks against Europe and France have intensified, and said he ordered a plan to protect critical infrastructure and defence industry sites. He said France had been targeted by such attacks in recent weeks and that Russia's intent is to intimidate Europe and break support for Ukraine.
18 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Only 8.4% of Japanese workers use AI in their jobs, compared to 50% in the US and 32% in the UK, reflecting a conservative, consensus-driven corporate culture that slows decision-making despite acute labour shortages and productivity problems.
13 August 2026 · Joy Online →
British Steel has been taken into public ownership to protect jobs and safeguard "a vital national capability". The move gives the UK government power to decide the future of the Scunthorpe steelworks, which employs roughly 2,700 people, after Parliament passed legislation allowing nationalisation under a public interest test.
16 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The 2026 G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains addresses global challenges including economic resilience, security, artificial intelligence, energy transition, and climate action, with decisions that have direct consequences for communities far removed from the diplomatic rooms, as exemplified by everyday struggles of Ghanaian traders and families.
27 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Japan has quintupled visa fees for all foreigners, effective 1 July, with single-entry visas rising from 3,000 yen to 15,000 yen and multi-entry visas from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen. The Foreign Minister said the first revision in nearly 50 years reflects inflation and exchange rate fluctuations, and authorities cite alignment with other G7 economies as justification.
22 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Trump told Axios in a Friday interview that while he may have viewed Anthropic as a national security threat a week ago, he no longer does. The company disabled access to its advanced AI models for all users after Trump ordered it to block foreign nationals, and senior staff met with Trump administration officials this week to discuss the dispute.
22 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Israeli jets struck southern Lebanon on Wednesday, drawing fresh criticism from US President Donald Trump, who told Netanyahu to be "more responsible" and said Israel had been fighting Hezbollah for "too long." The Israeli military said it is targeting the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.
17 June 2026 · Joy Online →
G7 leaders called for a strong and coordinated response to the Ebola outbreak in Congo, urging nations to dedicate resources to contain the virus to as small an area as possible.
17 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The UK government has watered down plans to ban imports of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil in third countries, instead phasing in sanctions over coming months amid concerns over supplies and price rises following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Ukraine's sanctions commissioner said he understands the rationale but disagrees with the approach, citing concerns that temporary exemptions may generate additional revenues for Russia's war machine.
20 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The UK government has relaxed sanctions on Russian oil refined into diesel and jet fuel in third countries, effective Wednesday, citing growing supply concerns and rising fuel prices. The move also loosens restrictions on Russian liquefied natural gas transport, allowing imports of jet fuel from India and other refiners despite the government's stated commitment to impose severe economic pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine.
20 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Brent crude oil dropped from $112 to $109 per barrel after US President Donald Trump announced he was holding off a military attack on Iran planned for Tuesday, at the request of Gulf states. Energy markets have been volatile following Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes, a key shipping route through which about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes.
19 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Oil prices rose after US President Donald Trump warned Iran the "clock is ticking" over stalled peace talks. Brent crude increased 1.7% to $111.13 and US-traded oil rose 2.1% to $107.62, amid broader concerns about inflation and a backdrop of tensions in the Middle East.
18 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Africa Forward Summit, held in Nairobi under presidents Ruto and Macron, marks the first time the flagship gathering has taken place outside France or Francophone African countries since its inception in 1973, signaling a shift in France's approach to African partnerships as the continent's economic importance grows.
13 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a speech defending his leadership and vowing to tackle growth, defense, Europe relations, and energy issues, following devastating local election losses and mounting pressure from within the Labour Party to resign.
11 May 2026 · Joy Online →
According to Dr. Kofi Anokye Owusu-Darko, the EU, US, China, ASEAN, and the Andean Community have each developed their own AI regulatory frameworks reflecting their distinct political philosophies and strategic interests, but Africa has not yet decided what its own rules should govern or whether it has fully confronted this question.
29 April 2026 · Business & Financial Times →