Japan’s leading power generator, JERA Co., Inc., is in advanced negotiations to acquire natural gas production assets in the United States for approximately $1.7 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. This move underscores Japan’s strategic efforts to secure energy resources amid global market volatility and rising demand. The assets in question are owned by GEP Haynesville II, a joint venture between Blackstone-backed GeoSouthern Energy and pipeline operator Williams Companies. JERA has emerged as the top bidder, outpacing several U.S.-based energy firms, though the deal remains subject to finalization. This acquisition would mark JERA’s first venture into shale gas production, granting the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) buyer greater control over its supply chain. The deal aligns with Japan’s broader strategy to diversify energy sources, particularly in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted global energy markets. Additionally, the U.S.-Japan trade agreement, finalized earlier this month, commits Japan to $7 billion in annual energy purchases from the U.S., further bolstering bilateral energy ties. GEP Haynesville II, a major producer in the Haynesville shale basin spanning Texas and Louisiana, is expected to nearly double its output by 2028, according to Rystad Energy. The Haynesville basin’s proximity to LNG export facilities on the U.S. Gulf Coast has made it a highly sought-after asset. While JERA declined to comment, the potential acquisition highlights Japan’s growing reliance on U.S. energy resources to meet its domestic needs and support its technological advancements, including the AI-driven surge in data center power demand.
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Uganda to cut public spending, domestic borrowing in 2026/27 FY
Uganda has unveiled plans to reduce its overall spending by 4.1% in the 2026/27 financial year, according to a Ministry of Finance document released on Wednesday. The East African nation projects its public expenditure for the 12 months starting July 2026 at 69.4 trillion Ugandan shillings ($19.9 billion), a decrease from 72.4 trillion shillings in the previous fiscal year. The government also aims to cut domestic debt issuance by 21.1%, lowering it to 9 trillion shillings, to manage interest payments and maintain sustainable debt levels. Key priorities for the upcoming fiscal year include completing the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) to initiate crude oil production, advancing mineral quantification for iron ore, gold, and copper deposits, and continuing the development of a refinery and the standard gauge railway project. These measures reflect Uganda’s strategic focus on infrastructure development while ensuring fiscal discipline.
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South African inflation surprise makes Thursday’s rate decision a close call
In a surprising turn of events, South Africa’s inflation rate for August 2024 fell to 3.3%, undershooting the 3.6% forecast by economists. This decline, attributed to softer fuel and food prices, has sparked speculation that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) might implement another interest rate cut during its upcoming policy meeting on Thursday. The SARB has already reduced rates three times this year, with the latest cut in July, when it set a new inflation target of 3%. Prior to the release of the inflation data, the consensus was that the central bank would maintain the repo rate at 7%. However, the unexpected drop in inflation, coupled with falling bond yields and a stronger rand, has led some analysts to predict a 25 basis point cut. Razia Khan, chief economist for Africa and the Middle East at Standard Chartered, described the inflation release as a ‘game changer,’ suggesting that the September meeting could be pivotal. While some analysts remain cautious, citing potential price shocks from recent tariffs imposed by the U.S. on South African exports, others argue that a flagging economy provides additional justification for easing monetary policy. The SARB has acknowledged that the impact of these tariffs on growth and inflation could be modest, but this has yet to be reflected in official data. The central bank’s decision will be closely watched as it seeks to balance inflation control with economic stimulation.
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Former CDC head says she was fired for refusing Kennedy’s vaccine changes
Dr. Susan Monarez, the recently ousted head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has revealed that her dismissal stemmed from her refusal to endorse vaccine policy changes unsupported by scientific evidence. In a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday, Monarez disclosed that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanded she approve all recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and terminate key vaccine policy officials without cause. When she declined, Kennedy allegedly threatened her removal, citing frequent communication with President Donald Trump on vaccine policy revisions. Monarez, who served less than a month as CDC director, also accused Kennedy of disparaging CDC staff as ‘horrible people’ and labeling the agency as ‘corrupt.’ Her firing followed a high-profile incident where a man shot 180 rounds at CDC headquarters, killing a police officer in protest of COVID-19 vaccines. Monarez’s departure triggered a wave of resignations, including that of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry, who testified that CDC leaders were reduced to ‘rubber stamps’ under Kennedy’s leadership. Kennedy, a prominent vaccine skeptic, defended his actions, claiming Monarez was untrustworthy. The controversy has intensified the national debate over vaccine policies, with several states adopting independent immunization standards and Florida moving to eliminate vaccine mandates. Republicans on the committee largely supported Kennedy’s decision, accusing Monarez and Houry of resisting changes and obstructing the Trump administration’s agenda. Both former officials denied these allegations, portraying Kennedy as prioritizing politics over science.
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Irish police find skeletal remains in search for missing boy
Skeletal remains discovered during a police search in Donabate, County Dublin, are believed to belong to Daniel Aruebose, a young boy who has been missing for several years. Gardaí (Irish police) confirmed that the remains, found in an open area in the village north of Dublin, are likely those of the seven-year-old boy. Concerns about Daniel’s whereabouts were raised last month by Tusla, Ireland’s child welfare agency, prompting a weeks-long search. A ‘careful and sensitive exhumation’ will now take place, followed by DNA analysis to formally identify the remains. Daniel lived in The Gallery Apartments in Donabate, where an initial examination was conducted on August 31. Door-to-door inquiries at the complex are ongoing, but no arrests have been made. Ireland’s Minister for Children, Norma Foley, expressed deep sadness over the discovery, emphasizing the heartbreak of losing a child and extending her sympathy to those affected. She praised the diligent efforts of gardaí and other agencies involved in the search. Daniel’s disappearance is the second recent case in Ireland where a child went missing without triggering an immediate investigation. Kyran Durnin, reported missing in August 2024, is believed to have been killed over two years prior. These incidents have sparked public concern over child protection services. Foley acknowledged the shocking lack of intervention in Daniel’s case and pledged a rapid review by Tusla and the National Review Panel. Tusla last had contact with Daniel’s family five years ago, but no further checks were made after he turned two. The agency confirmed no new concerns were raised until August 29, 2025, when the matter was referred to gardaí. Tusla defended the closure of the case as ‘appropriate’ but announced plans to conduct wellbeing checks on 42,000 cases closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Sudanese network of volunteer aid groups wins Norwegian human rights award
In the midst of Sudan’s escalating humanitarian crisis, a network of community-driven initiatives known as the Emergency Response Rooms has been recognized for its extraordinary efforts to alleviate suffering. On September 17, 2024, the Norwegian Rafto Foundation awarded its annual prize to this grassroots organization, praising its commitment to preserving the fundamental right to life. The Emergency Response Rooms, which emerged during the civil war that erupted in 2023, have been instrumental in providing essential services such as food, water, and medical supplies to those displaced by the conflict. Comprising thousands of volunteers, the network operates in areas beyond the reach of international aid, often at great personal risk. The Rafto Foundation highlighted their innovative, community-driven approach as a beacon of hope in a country grappling with widespread famine and displacement. The Sudanese army’s ongoing conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has exacerbated the crisis, leading the United Nations to label it the world’s worst humanitarian disaster. Despite these challenges, the Emergency Response Rooms continue to sustain basic services and uphold human dignity, offering a glimmer of hope for Sudan’s future. The Rafto Prize, which includes a diploma and $20,000 in prize money, has previously been awarded to notable figures who later received the Nobel Peace Prize, raising speculation about the network’s potential for further recognition.
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Escaped monkey who ‘went for a stroll’ is home safe
A curious capuchin monkey named Joey caused quite a stir when he was spotted climbing a fence at Buncrana Pier in County Donegal, Ireland. Joey, a South American capuchin, had escaped from his habitat in the back garden of Killian McLaughlin’s home. McLaughlin, the founder and director of Wild Ireland Sanctuary, immediately returned from the sanctuary’s current location in Burnfoot to retrieve his adventurous primate. Joey, one of the original rescue animals at Wild Ireland, has been with McLaughlin for 25 years. The monkey was first noticed by members of the Buncrana RNLI, who shared a video of Joey on social media with a humorous caption: ‘We’re always on the lookout for new crew members, but we had to turn this little guy away. Is anyone missing a monkey?’ McLaughlin explained that Joey lives with three other capuchin monkeys—Jackie, Max, and Susie—in a secure garden habitat. Capuchin monkeys, known for their distinctive head patterns resembling Capuchin monks’ cowls, are highly intelligent and social animals. McLaughlin emphasized that monkeys do not make suitable pets and expressed gratitude to the RNLI and Garda (Irish police) for their assistance in safely recapturing Joey. Wild Ireland Sanctuary, now home to over 360 rescue animals including bears, wolves, and arctic foxes, relocated to Burnfoot in 2019. McLaughlin, who has a license to keep wild animals, chose to keep the four monkeys at his Buncrana home as they had not fully settled into the new sanctuary.
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Search for ancient Egyptian gold bracelet missing from Cairo museum
Egyptian authorities have initiated a comprehensive search for a priceless 3,000-year-old bracelet that has gone missing from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The bracelet, a rare gold band embellished with spherical lapis lazuli beads, dates back to the reign of King Amenemope, a pharaoh of the 21st Dynasty who ruled from 993 to 984 BC. The artifact vanished from the museum’s restoration laboratory, prompting immediate action from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The case has been handed over to the police, and an image of the bracelet has been distributed to all Egyptian airports, seaports, and land border crossings to prevent any smuggling attempts. A specialized committee has also been formed to conduct a thorough inventory and review of all artifacts in the restoration laboratory. The ministry delayed announcing the disappearance to facilitate the investigation, though it did not specify when the bracelet was last seen. According to the Egyptian newspaper Al-Misri al-Yawm, the disappearance was discovered recently as museum staff were preparing to ship dozens of artifacts to Rome for an upcoming exhibition. The Egyptian Museum, the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, houses over 170,000 artifacts, including Amenemope’s gilded wooden funerary mask. This incident occurs just six weeks before the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which will showcase the treasures from King Tutankhamun’s tomb.
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Obama says US faces ‘political crisis’ after killing of Charlie Kirk
Former U.S. President Barack Obama has issued a stark warning about an impending “political crisis of the sort that we haven’t seen before” following the tragic killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Speaking at an event in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Obama expressed his horror at the incident, despite his disagreements with Kirk’s views. He criticized former President Donald Trump and his allies for their divisive rhetoric, contrasting it with the unifying approaches of past Republican leaders. Obama emphasized the importance of national unity and respecting differing opinions during times of heightened tension. The White House swiftly responded, labeling Obama as the “architect of modern political division.”
Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been formally charged with Kirk’s murder and other offenses, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. Robinson allegedly claimed he acted due to Kirk’s “hatred.” In the aftermath, Trump allies blamed left-wing activists and Democratic rhetoric for the killing, while Vice-President JD Vance called for exposing those who celebrated or condoned Kirk’s death.
Obama praised Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for their measured responses to political violence, contrasting them with Trump’s approach. He recalled how past presidents, including George W. Bush, sought to unite the nation during crises. Obama also criticized Trump’s administration for targeting political opponents with inflammatory language, warning of the broader societal implications.
The White House dismissed Obama’s remarks, accusing him of fostering division during his presidency and inspiring Democrats to vilify their opponents. Despite the tradition of former presidents avoiding harsh criticism of their successors, Obama has recently been vocal in his opposition to Trump’s policies and the Democratic Party’s response.
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India steel exports face EU carbon tax hit, US tariffs impact minimal, official says
India’s steel sector is bracing for significant challenges from the European Union’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), even as it remains largely unaffected by U.S. tariffs, according to Sandeep Poundrik, India’s steel secretary. Speaking at the FT Live Energy Transition Summit India on Wednesday, Poundrik highlighted that approximately two-thirds of India’s steel exports are destined for Europe, making the EU’s carbon tax a critical concern. The CBAM, which imposes higher taxes on high-carbon goods like steel, aluminum, and cement, could severely impact India’s export competitiveness. Poundrik emphasized that Indian steel production, predominantly reliant on blast furnaces with high emissions, faces additional scrutiny as the industry expands its capacity. He also expressed concerns about cheap imports and anticipated government action on import tariffs, known locally as safeguard duty, to protect domestic producers. Last month, India proposed an 11%-12% import tariff on certain steel products to curb shipments from China, the world’s top steel producer. While the U.S. tariffs pose minimal direct impact due to negligible exports, the EU’s carbon tax underscores the urgent need for India to address its carbon-intensive production methods and align with global sustainability standards.