Apple officially released the iPhone 16 series, an update to the iPhone 15 lineup from September 2023. The new series includes four models:

The standard iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch OLED display, powered by Apple’s latest A18 processor, and comes with an improved dual-camera system and a new dedicated side button for photography. It also boasts better battery performance compared to its predecessor.

Manufactured in India, Rolled Out Globally
The iPhone 16 is manufactured in India, aligning with Apple's strategy to diversify production outside of China. Global availability for the iPhone 16 Plus, Pro, and Pro Max starts on Friday, September 27, in Macao, Vietnam, and 19 other countries and regions.

Hardware and Performance Upgrades in comparison:

Market Response: A Lukewarm Launch
Despite the upgrades, early sales of the iPhone 16 have underwhelmed. Only 37 million units were sold during the first weekend — a 13% drop from the iPhone 15 launch figures. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, pre-orders for iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max have been lower than expected, particularly in the U.S. and other major markets.

Missing Features and Delayed AI Rollout
A major reason cited for the muted response is the absence of Apple Intelligence (AI) features, which are not expected until October 2024. Many consumers anticipated more advanced AI capabilities at launch, especially as rival companies are aggressively integrating AI into their devices.

China and Global Rivals Intensify Pressure
China’s tech advancement — especially from Huawei — has played a major role in reducing the iPhone 16’s appeal. Huawei’s tri-fold Mate XT, which launched around the same time, has created a buzz that’s overshadowed Apple in its own key markets.

Other competitors like Samsung and Google are also pushing boundaries in foldable phones, AI integration, and hardware design, causing some loyal Apple users to question the company's innovation leadership.

Calls for a Strategic Reset
A growing segment of iPhone users is urging Apple to rethink its release cycle. There’s increasing criticism that annual updates are offering incremental changes rather than revolutionary upgrades. Many feel Apple should pause, innovate, and surprise rather than following a predictable launch schedule.

Apple at a Crossroads
While the iPhone 16 continues to deliver premium design and dependable performance, it lands at a time when consumer expectations are shifting rapidly. With intensifying global competition, demand for deeper innovation, and emerging technologies like AI, Apple may need to recalibrate its strategy to retain dominance in the smartphone arena.

The real estate has the potential for more growth as more people seek affordable housing. The housing experts in the United States of America have posed that there aren’t enough houses in the US. This has also been an issue in many countries.

Global Housing Policy Failures and the Escalating Crisis
The United Nations Habitat feels this has resulted from poor global housing policy failure. The World Economic Forum notes that the housing crisis is getting worse than the previous years as the population growth rate continues to increase in most countries.

Global Population Growth and Its Impact on Housing
As of mid-2024, the global population nearly hit 8.2 billion. This is expected to rise by 2.5 billion people in the next 60 years. Countries that have had a decline in their population are in Europe due to increased mortality rates and lower birth rates to replace the older generation. Other factors such as migration and effects of COVID-19 have contributed to the population decline in Europe. However, it's important to note that nations such as Germany and Switzerland have experienced population growth due to immigrants moving into the country.

Homelessness Around the World
Pakistan has the highest number of homeless people with about 8 million people. According to World Population Review, Grenada recorded the lowest number of 63 homeless people as of the year 2023. Vatican City is the only known country with no homeless people.

The U.S. Housing Crisis and Economic Implications
Despite the US being a global power, it still faces one of its biggest challenges of homeless people, with more than 500,000 people reported as homeless as of 2022. Pew Research's survey on the status of housing in the US states that most people feel the housing crisis is one of the major local issues that need to be addressed. The lack of action to solve the housing problem has continued to accelerate in the US, with few new housing units being constructed.

Rising Rental Costs and Economic Strain on Citizens
Adding ail to the problem is the expensive rent that individuals have to consider when renting a house. Individuals are forced to live on pay-to-pay checks, adding pressure to an already bloomed housing crisis. As a result, most people live in their cars, while another fraction is forced to hoist tents in the streets.

Broader Economic Consequences of the Housing Crisis
The lack of housing in the US has killed the dreams of many Americans and contributed to the country's economic decline due to limited consumption of goods and services. Savings, income, and loans by most individuals are focused on housing, leaving people on pay-to-pay cycles and exacerbating homelessness.

China’s gaming industry has witnessed remarkable growth over the decades, even in the face of strict government regulations. In 2022, authorities imposed measures limiting online gaming time for minors. Children under 18 were only allowed to play games once per day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and not at all from Monday to Thursday. These rules were introduced to combat gaming addiction, protect youth health, and ensure focus on national priorities like military preparedness.

One major health concern was a 2018 report linking increased screen time to a rise in near-sightedness among Chinese youth.

Loosening Restrictions and Embracing Technology
However, recent policy shifts have relaxed some of these restrictions, leading to a revival in gaming activity and investment. With the widespread implementation of 5G, faster connectivity has enhanced online gaming experiences, making them more accessible to a broader audience, including youth.

By 2023, China had over 668 million internet users playing online games, and the industry was valued at US $42 billion.

Key Players in China’s Gaming Ecosystem
Several major companies are driving this growth: 

Globally renowned titles like Fortnite and Minecraft continue to dominate, with strong player bases within China.

Black Myth: Wukong — A Cultural and Commercial Breakthrough
In 2024, China’s gaming industry saw a landmark moment with the launch of Black Myth: Wukong, an action role-playing game inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Developed over six years by Feng Ji, a former Tencent game designer, the game has sold over 10 million units by the end of August, making it the fastest-selling game of all time in China.

The game has drawn global acclaim for its storytelling, visuals, and culturally rooted design, proving that local mythology and global gameplay standards can coexist to deliver blockbuster success.

Cultural Alignment: A Winning Formula Amid Regulation
While Chinese regulations still require licensing of all commercial game titles and restrict minors to three hours of gaming per week, Wukong demonstrates that innovation rooted in cultural heritage can break through regulatory barriers and win over both domestic and international markets.

It is also a strong example that the future of China’s gaming industry lies not only in tech and market expansion, but also in creativity, cultural resonance, and strategic compliance with national policies.

Africa is home to some of the richest deposits of minerals in the world, positioning the continent as a critical player in the global resource economy. From gold and uranium to diamonds, bauxite, sulphur, gypsum, titanium, zinc, iron, copper, natural gas, coal, silver, and lithium, Africa’s underground wealth is immense. However, despite its abundant resources, Africa continues to face enormous challenges in transforming its mineral riches into widespread prosperity for its people.

The Abundance of Africa’s Mineral Resources
Across the African continent, valuable minerals are found in nearly every region. These resources have the potential to transform African economies, drive industrialization, and lift millions out of poverty. The discovery of lithium, increasingly referred to as the "mineral of the future" for its crucial role in green energy, has only intensified global interest in Africa’s mineral sector. Zimbabwe, for instance, has emerged as the top lithium producer in Africa and ranks sixth globally.

The Struggle for Technological and Political IndependenceDespite holding these treasures, Africa largely lacks the technological capacity and industrial frameworks needed to exploit them independently. As a result, many African nations have been forced to rely on foreign companies for mining operations. Unfortunately, the partnerships forged have often favored external interests over African communities. Corrupt agreements between foreign mining companies and local leaders have further undermined the continent’s ability to harness its mineral wealth for public good.

Minerals as a Curse: Cases Across Africa
Instead of prosperity, minerals have frequently brought turmoil to African countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Namibia, Mali, and Zimbabwe. Rather than being engines of economic growth, mineral wealth has sometimes fueled conflict, inequality, and environmental degradation. The growing green energy sector's demand for lithium, for example, has prompted a new wave of exploitation, often under a shroud of secrecy and without adequate benefit to local populations.

Deplorable Working Conditions and Widening Inequality
While vast fortunes are extracted from African soil, the people working in the mines continue to live under deplorable conditions. The revenues generated from mineral exports have barely trickled down to uplift national economies. Instead, they have widened the gap between the wealthy elite and the poor majority. Endemic corruption among African leaders has deepened disenchantment and weakened the public’s trust in their governments.

A Call for Reforms: Burkina Faso’s Bold Step
Recognizing the pitfalls of resource mismanagement, Burkina Faso has set a powerful example by banning the export of gold as it seeks to reform its mining sector. This move signals a broader need for African countries to rethink and reform the governance of their mineral wealth. Comprehensive policy overhauls and stricter regulations are urgently required to protect national interests, promote fair distribution of resources, and ensure that mining drives sustainable development across the continent.

Charting a New Course for Africa’s Future
Africa’s minerals hold the promise of immense prosperity, but only if managed wisely. The continent’s leaders must rise to the challenge of breaking free from cycles of exploitation and dependency. By strengthening governance, embracing technological innovation, and prioritizing the welfare of their citizens, African nations can finally turn their natural wealth into a true catalyst for growth, empowerment, and global influence.

China has harnessed its manufacturing capabilities of electric vehicles, outmaneuvering its European competitors. So how did China get to this point? To note first is China’s technological advancements, making it one of the most advanced technological countries. Coupled with a large industrial complex and cheap labor force, it is now hard for any country to compete with.

A Journey from Unknown to Unstoppable
Forty years ago, the auto industry in China was virtually invisible on the world stage. Today, China supplies cars to nearly half of the global market. This transformation makes it increasingly difficult for competitors such as the United States of America and European countries to keep up with China’s EV manufacturing industry. In 2023 alone, China made sales of 5 million cars to the global market.

Policy-Driven Success: Fueling an EV Powerhouse
A booming economy and government policies favoring industrial growth have supercharged China’s automotive sector. Strategic subsidies, like the $3.7 billion provided to BYD between 2018 and 2019 have fostered a fertile environment for numerous EV brands to emerge and thrive (Kiel Institute).

Growing Anxiety in the West: Can They Keep Up?
Fears are rising in the United States and Europe that their domestic auto industries could soon be overwhelmed. Chinese EVs are not only more affordable but are also matching — and in some cases exceeding — Western standards in quality. Chinese EV exports grew by a staggering 70% from 2022 to 2023, capturing the attention of younger American consumers.

Tariffs as a Defensive Shield: A Double-Edged Sword
To shield their industries, the U.S. and European nations have slapped heavy tariffs on Chinese EV imports. However, these protectionist measures may be backfiring — hurting local industries that now struggle to compete both in quality and price.

China’s Relentless March Forward: Dominating Despite Barriers
Despite mounting tariffs and political headwinds, China’s EV export momentum shows no signs of slowing down. As Western carmakers retreat from global leadership in EV manufacturing, China continues to tighten its grip on the future of transportation.

The Uncertain Road Ahead for Western Auto Industries
If Western countries continue relying on tariffs instead of innovation to respond to China’s rise, they risk losing their relevance in the global auto market. China's unstoppable manufacturing machine, backed by scale, technology, and aggressive policy support, could redefine the future of global mobility.

Social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Threads, and WeChat have long served as spaces for communication, connection, and content sharing. Traditionally, they have helped people foster relationships—some purely social, others evolving into professional or familial ties. However, in recent months, Kenya has witnessed a transformative shift in the role of social media, moving beyond interpersonal communication to becoming a central tool in political mobilization and civic engagement.

Social Media and Kenya’s Youth-Led Protest Movement
Over the past two months, Kenya has experienced nationwide protests, with Nairobi at the epicenter. In a historic first, protesters breached the walls of parliament, signaling an unprecedented level of public discontent and civic defiance.

The driving force? Kenya’s Generation Z—a digitally native, politically conscious cohort that has organized leaderless, non-partisan, and peaceful protests. Their organizational prowess has baffled traditional power structures, especially the government’s security agencies, which are struggling to contain a movement without a central command or conventional leadership hierarchy.

The protests have been coordinated almost entirely through social media, especially X Spaces and TikTok, which have become digital town halls for dialogue, planning, and mobilization. These platforms have not only provided a space for coordination but also helped educate the public on governance, policy matters, and constitutional rights.

The Shift: From Communication to Accountability
What makes this movement unique is how Kenyan youths have turned social media into a platform for governance accountability. They are challenging the political status quo, demanding better services, transparency, and responsiveness from their elected officials. This grassroots digital movement is less about political ideology and more about demanding a functioning, people-centered government.

A Ripple Effect Across Africa
Kenya’s example is inspiring youth across the continent. From Uganda to Nigeria to Ghana, young people are beginning to question their leaders more openly, hold them accountable, and use social media to organize, speak out, and act.

This marks a turning point in Africa’s democratic journey, where digital literacy and access to social platforms empower citizens to shape national narratives, influence policies, and foster a new age of civic participation.