Mauritius is emerging as a primary beneficiary of the 2026 Middle East crisis, with ship refueling activity at Port Louis surging by 42% in March. As vessels reroute away from the Strait of Hormuz to avoid the Iran-US conflict, the island has seen fuel volumes jump to over 109,000 tonnes. This shift is turning the "small island nation" into a vital global maritime hub.

This pivot toward African resources is also visible in Nigeria, where Australian miner Chariot Resources has confirmed high-grade lithium discoveries across six new licenses. The find marks a major entry for Western capital into a sector often led by local and Chinese players. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo is tightening its own grip on wealth, receiving its first batch of gold ingots to build national reserves.

However, global tensions are creating sharp new risks. President Trump has ordered a US Navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to stop "illegal tolls," a move that could further disrupt 20% of the world’s oil supply. This instability is felt in South Africa too, where Elon Musk is accusing officials of bribery in a heated dispute over Starlink’s operating license and local ownership rules.

Chariot Resources Limited has discovered lithium-rich minerals in Nigeria after the approval of six mining licenses. This makes it the first ASX-listed lithium company to enter Nigeria’s lithium sector. The licenses include four for exploration and two for small-scale mining.

Laboratory analysis confirmed high-value spodumene at the Fonlo and Iganna projects. The samples showed lithium oxide grades ranging from 2.66% to 5.96%. These results de-risk the company's acquisition of a 66.667% stake in C&C Minerals, its Nigerian joint venture entity.

The company plans to advance drill-ready targets and accelerate exploration across its portfolio. The discovery strengthens Nigeria's ambitions to become a lithium supplier, as the region already produces spodumene for the Chinese market but remains mostly undrilled.

🇪🇺 Europe set to copy Egypt’s Suez Canal tolls with £20bn new waterway plan amid Strait of Hormuz tensions

Europe is considering a £20 billion plan to build a new canal to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. The project aims to copy the Suez Canal’s toll model to secure trade routes. This move comes as the U.S. Navy begins a blockade and Iran continues to demand illegal fees from vessels.

The proposed waterway would allow ships to avoid the volatile Middle East corridor. By creating a controlled passage, Europe hopes to stabilize supply chains and generate revenue through transit fees. This highlights a shift toward infrastructure that ensures energy security.

🇿🇦 Elon Musk launches fresh attack on South Africa’s telecom rules, alleges bribery in Starlink dispute

Elon Musk has accused South African officials of asking for bribes to grant Starlink a license. He claims race-based ownership rules are being used to block the service. Musk stated he was offered chances to bypass these rules by misrepresenting ownership but refused.

The dispute involves Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment policies. These rules require foreign firms to meet local ownership quotas for licenses. Musk argues these policies block innovation, while the government says they are needed to address economic inequalities.

🇨🇩 First batch of gold ingots delivered to DRC central bank under new reserve programme

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s central bank has received its first batch of refined gold ingots. This marks a new effort to rebuild monetary gold reserves through a state-led purchasing program. The goal is to strengthen economic sovereignty by keeping gold within the country.

The program uses DRC Gold Refinery SA and DRC Gold Trading SA to turn artisanal gold into standard bars. This system aims to formalize supply chains and ensure gold is traceable. By doing this, the government hopes to reduce the amount of gold leaving through informal channels.

Feeling too dependent on AI? 5 ways to keep your brain sharp

Relying on AI can lead to "cognitive offloading," where our brains stop doing the hard work. To fix this, you should try writing your first draft alone. This forces your brain to think and create before the AI takes over. It helps keep your natural problem-solving skills strong.

Another tip is to "fact-check" everything the AI says. Instead of just accepting its answers, you should look up the information yourself. This keeps your critical thinking sharp. You should also try to solve small tasks manually to ensure your brain stays used to active effort.

Finally, set specific times to work without any AI tools. Use these moments to brainstorm or plan projects using only your own thoughts. By limiting how often you use these tools, you ensure that you remain the leader of your work and that your brain stays healthy and alert.

5 major African cities where owning a home is better than renting in 2026

The 2026 market shows that buying a home is now more financially sound than renting in several major hubs. Low price-to-rent ratios indicate that property costs have stabilized while rents climb, allowing buyers to build equity faster and secure a more sustainable investment.

Source: Numbeo

🇺🇸 Trump says US Navy will begin blockade of Strait of Hormuz 'effective immediately'

President Trump has ordered the U.S. Navy to start a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to stop Iran from collecting "illegal tolls" on ships. The move follows the failure of peace talks in Pakistan and aims to restore free trade through one of the world's most vital sea routes.

The U.S. Fifth Fleet has been ordered to intercept vessels and perform mine-clearing operations. Trump warned that "no one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage," as the Navy seeks to stop Iranian revenue. The blockade is set to begin effective immediately.

The U.S. stated the move is necessary because the UN and other nations have failed to stop the "tolls" that are driving up global prices. The administration insists that the Navy will provide security only for those who refuse to pay the Iranian government.

🇲🇺 Vessels avoiding damage from the Iran war are turning to a small island nation in Africa

The conflict between the U.S. and Iran is pushing ships toward African ports as safe alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz. Mauritius has emerged as a top refueling hub for diverted cargo vessels. Bunker calls at Port Louis rose 42% in March, increasing from 207 to 294 vessels.

Fuel demand in Mauritius grew from 69,680 tons to 109,708 tons as tensions escalated. Namibia’s Port of Walvis Bay is also seeing a surge in ship-to-ship bunkering. These shifts show how global companies are prioritizing safety over old routes to avoid disruptions and damage.

Togo is also offering its Port of Lomé as a strategic node for redirected trade. While some African-linked ships have resumed transit through the Strait after a fragile ceasefire, others have been rerouted. The corridor remains volatile, impacting 20% of total oil shipments.

The Eiffel Tower was originally intended for Barcelona. The Spanish city thought it was too ugly, so Gustave Eiffel pitched it to Paris instead. French critics weren't too thrilled either, but it's one of the most famous landmarks in the world today.