
China’s retreat from big loans turns Africa into net repayer
China has transitioned from a net provider of funds to a net collector in Africa as large infrastructure loans reach maturity, with Beijing focusing on smaller, selective projects.

China has transitioned from a net provider of funds to a net collector in Africa as large infrastructure loans reach maturity, with Beijing focusing on smaller, selective projects.

A detailed Australian survey reveals organised anti-wind and solar campaigns have successfully eroded community support, while enthusiasm for electric vehicles surged following Donald Trump's attack on Iran. Despite this, home batteries and rooftop solar maintain high 'deep support'

The UK's National Audit Office (NAO) will investigate the controversial Lower Thames Crossing project amid concerns over rising costs and public funds being used for a privately run asset. Campaigners are urging for the investigation to be fast-tracked before more money is wasted.

Keir Starmer defended his £298bn defence investment plan in the Commons, facing criticism over a projected £4.7bn funding gap that critics say will burden his successor, Andy Burnham. The plan aims to raise defence spending to 2.7% of GDP by 2030, falling short of a Nato target.

Labour and Reform MPs Hamish Falconer and Robert Jenrick express anger over the cancellation/delay of transport projects in their constituencies, including the A46 Newark bypass, to fund a £15bn increase in UK defence spending. East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward also criticizes the lack of consultation.

Labour minister Hamish Falconer and Reform MP Robert Jenrick express anger over the cancellation or delay of local transport projects, including the A46 Newark bypass, to fund a £15bn increase in the UK's defence spending plan. East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward also criticizes the lack of prior consultation on the cuts.
Despite President Trump's anti-climate policies, US development agencies like MCC, DFC, and EXIM Bank continue to fund climate-friendly projects globally, highlighting embedded climate action in economic activity.

China's significant economic presence in Latin America, built over two decades through trade and investment, faces challenges. Donald Trump's return as US president raises questions about whether this economic power can translate into lasting political influence, with Panama's shift potentially signaling a changing regional environment.
India's central sector infrastructure projects exceeding Rs 150 crore each have a cumulative cost overrun of Rs 5.65 lakh crore as of April 2026. A total of 1,981 projects are monitored with a revised cost of Rs 42.78 lakh crore, showing steady implementation with Rs 20.36 lakh crore expenditure.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to fast-track clean energy and infrastructure projects by curbing judicial reviews. The proposals aim to designate key projects as 'critical national importance' and introduce fixed legal challenge windows to speed up delivery and bolster energy security.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for careful use of petrol, diesel, and gas. He stated that reducing reliance on imported fuel will help India manage the ongoing war's effects. The Prime Minister also highlighted India's focus on energy security and investments in solar power. Several infrastructure projects worth around Rs 9,400 crore were inaugurated in Telangana.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for careful use of petrol, diesel, and gas. He stated that reducing reliance on imported fuel will help India manage the ongoing war's effects. The Prime Minister also highlighted India's focus on energy security and investments in solar power. Several infrastructure projects worth around Rs 9,400 crore were inaugurated in Telangana.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for careful use of petrol, diesel, and gas. He stated that reducing reliance on imported fuel will help India manage the ongoing war's effects. The Prime Minister also highlighted India's focus on energy security and investments in solar power. Several infrastructure projects worth around Rs 9,400 crore were inaugurated in Telangana.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for careful use of petrol, diesel, and gas. He stated that reducing reliance on imported fuel will help India manage the ongoing war's effects. The Prime Minister also highlighted India's focus on energy security and investments in solar power. Several infrastructure projects worth around Rs 9,400 crore were inaugurated in Telangana.

TikTok is investing US$25 billion in data infrastructure projects in Thailand, the company’s biggest investment announced to date in Southeast Asia, as China’s technology giants continue expanding their footprint in the region. The investment would be used to install additional servers and expand data storage and processing infrastructure across Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao provinces to support rising demand for digital services, according to an announcement by Thailand’s Board of...

As Hong Kong prepares for another major push in public works, one question deserves far more attention than it has received: are we buying infrastructure in a way that is sustainable for the construction industry and the public as a whole? In his February budget, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced that HK$150 billion (US$19.1 billion) will be transferred from the Exchange Fund to support the Northern Metropolis and other infrastructure projects in the coming two years. This major...

China's top leadership has pledged a holistic approach to responding to external economic shocks and safeguarding energy security following a Politburo meeting. The Communist Party body, led by President Xi Jinping, committed to advancing water, power and computing infrastructure projects while accelerating major projects ready to break ground, as fallout from US-Israel conflict with Iran continues impacting the global economy.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced Canada's first sovereign wealth fund, the Canada Strong Fund, with an initial C$25bn ($18.4bn) contribution. The fund will invest in energy, infrastructure, mining, agriculture and technology, and allow Canadians to invest directly. The move aims to boost Canada's economy amid US tariff threats, with Carney stating Canada must "invest and build at an urgent pace" following changes in the US relationship. Critics including the Montreal Economic Institute and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre have warned the fund risks limited returns and questioned borrowing to invest.