Brazil follows at a distance with roughly 21 million tonnes, while India, Australia and Russia each hold significantly smaller but strategically important reserves.

Rare earth elements, which are a group of 17 minerals including neodymium, dysprosium and terbium, are indispensable in high-performance magnets, wind turbines, electric vehicles and advanced electronics.

The USGS notes that global demand continues to rise sharply, driven by clean energy technologies and defence applications, increasing the strategic importance of stable supply chains.

China’s dominance is not limited to reserves. The country also accounts for the majority of global rare earth mining and processing capacity, giving it outsized influence over pricing and availability.

Beyond China and Brazil, several countries are positioning themselves as alternative suppliers.

India holds approximately 6.9 million tonnes of reserves, while Australia, already a key producer, has around 5.7 million tonnes. Russia and Vietnam each account for roughly 3–4 million tonnes, according to USGS estimates.

The United States , with about 1.9 million tonnes, remains comparatively limited in reserves but is investing heavily in domestic production and processing to reduce reliance on imports.

Greenland has also drawn attention in recent years, with around 1.5 million tonnes of estimated reserves, though development remains politically and environmentally sensitive.

In Africa, Tanzania and South Africa hold smaller but notable deposits, underscoring the continent’s growing relevance in critical minerals discussions.

The concentration of rare earth resources, and even more so, processing capacity, however, has raised concerns among Western governments.

The USGS highlights that supply disruptions, whether due to geopolitical tensions, export controls or environmental regulations, could have significant downstream effects on industries ranging from renewable energy to defence manufacturing.

Recent years have seen increased efforts by the United States, the European Union and allies to diversify sourcing, invest in recycling technologies and develop alternative materials.

According to World Bank data on total renewable freshwater resources, Brazil accounts for roughly 5,661 billion cubic metres annually, making it the most water-rich country globally. Russia follows with about 4,312 billion cubic metres, while Canada, the United States and China also rank among the top holders of freshwater reserves.

The concentration of freshwater in a handful of countries underscores a growing global challenge: water is abundant in some regions but scarce in others, often where demand is highest.

After Brazil and Russia, Canada holds approximately 2,850 billion cubic metres of renewable freshwater resources, slightly ahead of the United States at around 2,818 billion cubic metres and China at about 2,813 billion cubic metres, according to World Bank figures.

Further down the list are Colombia (2,145 billion cubic metres), Indonesia (2,019 billion cubic metres) and Peru (1,641 billion cubic metres), reflecting the role of tropical climates and large river systems in sustaining water availability.

India, despite having significant total freshwater resources estimated at around 1,446 billion cubic metres, faces acute water stress due to its large population and rising demand. Myanmar, with roughly 1,003 billion cubic metres, also ranks among the top countries in absolute terms.

Countries with large reserves can, however, still face regional shortages due to uneven distribution or limited storage and treatment capacity. In Brazil, for example, most freshwater is concentrated in the Amazon basin, far from major urban centres such as São Paulo.

Similarly, despite Russia’s vast reserves, much of its freshwater is located in sparsely populated Siberia, limiting its accessibility for industrial and urban use.

The World Bank has warned that global water demand could exceed supply by 40% by 2030 if current trends continue, driven by population growth, urbanisation and agricultural expansion.

Climate change is further intensifying the challenge, altering rainfall patterns and increasing the frequency of droughts in already water-stressed regions such as South Asia, the Middle East and parts of Africa.

China and India , both among the largest holders of freshwater in absolute terms, are also among the most water-stressed countries when measured per capita, reflecting the pressure of large populations and rapid industrialisation.

Governments are increasingly focusing on water management as a strategic issue. Investments in infrastructure, including dams, reservoirs and desalination plants, are rising, alongside efforts to improve water efficiency in agriculture, which accounts for about 70% of global freshwater use, according to the World Bank.

These strategic chokepoints include the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal, the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Malacca, the English Channel, the Bosphorus Strait, and the Strait of Gibraltar. Together they form the backbone of international shipping, connecting the world’s major oceans and trade hubs.

Suez Canal

The Suez Canal in Egypt is one of the most important maritime shortcuts in the world.

Stretching about 193 kilometres, it links the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, allowing ships travelling between Europe and Asia to avoid the long route around Africa.

According to maritime industry data, roughly 50 ships transit the canal daily, and the route carries around 12% of global trade, making it one of the busiest shipping corridors globally.

Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is widely regarded as the most important oil chokepoint on the planet.

The narrow passage connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, through which more than 20,000 ships pass annually.

Energy analysts estimate that around 20% of global oil exports move through the strait, making it vital for international energy markets.

Strait of Malacca

The Strait of Malacca, located between Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, serves as the main shipping corridor linking the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea.

Roughly 260 vessels transit the route daily, according to maritime traffic data.

The passage is especially important for Asian manufacturing economies, including China, Japan and South Korea, which rely heavily on energy imports and global supply chains.

English Channel

The English Channel, separating southern England from northern France , is among the busiest sea routes in the world.

About 400 vessels pass through the channel every day, connecting Atlantic shipping routes to major ports in Northern Europe, including Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg.

The channel stretches roughly 560 kilometres and plays a central role in trade flows between Europe and global markets.

Panama Canal

The Panama Canal, spanning roughly 82 kilometres across Panama, connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

On average, about 32 ships transit the canal daily, according to maritime monitoring data.

The waterway provides a vital shortcut for trade between the United States, Asia and Latin America, significantly reducing travel distance and shipping costs.

Bosphorus Strait

The Bosphorus Strait, running through Istanbul, connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara.

Although only about 30 kilometres long, the waterway handles heavy maritime traffic with around 48,000 ships passing annually, making it one of the busiest natural straits in the world.

The corridor is particularly important for the movement of grain, oil and regional trade from Black Sea countries.

Strait of Gibraltar

The Strait of Gibraltar, located between southern Spain and northern Morocco, forms the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.

Approximately 300 ships transit the strait daily, carrying cargo and oil between Europe, Africa, the Middle East and global markets.

At its narrowest point, the passage is only about 14 kilometres wide, underscoring its role as a major global shipping chokepoint.

Why these routes matter

More than 80% of global trade moves by sea , according to international shipping estimates.

Because many shipping routes converge at a few narrow passages, disruptions caused by conflict, accidents or environmental factors can quickly affect supply chains worldwide.

Industry experts say the concentration of global maritime traffic in these chokepoints highlights both the efficiency and vulnerability of modern trade networks.

The analysis shows that between February 28 and March 10, U.S. and Israeli forces carried out around 5,000 strikes, while Iran launched roughly 3,000 attacks during the same period.

The figures illustrate the scale and pace of operations as both sides exchanged sustained waves of military strikes across multiple days.

The conflict began with a major initial escalation on February 28, when the combined U.S.– Israel strike wave reached roughly 900 attacks, according to the data.

Iran responded with about 550 strikes, marking the opening phase of the confrontation.

After the initial surge, both sides continued launching attacks throughout early March.

Eigenrac Risk Management’s estimated daily counts show the following pattern:

Destructions from tensions

Apart from the UAE and Qatar, Bahrain was caught in the crossroads after an Iranian drone reportedly struck fuel storage facilities near Bahrain International Airport on Muharraq Island.

The attack reportedly occurred late at night on March 12 in Muharraq Governorate, where the kingdom’s main airport and several energy storage sites are located.

Bahraini authorities said the drone hit fuel tanks, igniting a large fire that sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky and prompted emergency warnings for nearby residents to remain indoors and close windows to avoid inhaling smoke from the burning fuel.

Additionally, oil prices have climbed again after three additional cargo vessels were struck in the Gulf . Brent crude surged more than 9% during Asian trading, briefly pushing above $100 (£74.79) per barrel before retreating slightly to around $97.50.

The International Energy Agency, on Thursday, March 12, said the conflict in the Middle East was "creating the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market".

The Ministry of Economy and Finance, through the National Coordination for the Fight Against Fraud (CNLF), handed over 3,255 counterfeit March 8 fabrics to the Ministry of Family and Solidarity on March 9, 2026, in Ouagadougou. The fabrics were seized during anti-fraud operations in Bobo-Dioulasso and are valued at over 3.5 million CFA francs. Instead of destroying the counterfeit goods, authorities decided to donate them to vulnerable and internally displaced women. Finance Minister Aboubakar Nacanabo, therefore, transferred the fabrics to Family and Solidarity Minister Lt.-Col. Passowendé Pélagie Kabré for distribution to those in need.

ALT President holds talks with UNHCR on refugee protection

The President of Burkina Faso’s Transitional Legislative Assembly, Ousmane Bougouma, met a UNHCR delegation in Ouagadougou on March 9, 2026, led by Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Ruven Menkdiwela and Regional Director for West and Central Africa Abdouraouf Gnon-Kondé. The talks focused on strengthening cooperation between UNHCR and Burkinabe authorities to improve protection for refugees, internally displaced persons, stateless people and host communities. Menkdiwela praised the role of parliament in adopting laws that protect vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, and thanked the Legislative Assembly for its commitment to supporting people in need.

Ghana National Day: Foreign Affairs officials attend

Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré and Deputy Minister Bêbgnasgan Stella Eldine Kabré joined the Ghanaian community in Ouagadougou on March 6 to celebrate Ghana’s 69th Independence Day. The event highlighted the long-standing ties between the two neighbouring countries, which share deep historical, cultural and economic links. Officials also welcomed the outcomes of the 13th Joint Cooperation Commission, where seven legal agreements were signed to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Burkina Faso PM meets Moroccan ambassador on cooperation

Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo met Moroccan Ambassador Youssef Slaoui in Ouagadougou on March 10, 2026, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation . Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the strategic partnership between Burkina Faso and Morocco, building on South-South cooperation. They also highlighted the 5th Joint Commission held in December 2025, which marked 60 years of diplomatic relations and led to the signing of 14 agreements in sectors including agriculture, vocational training, trade and security.

Economic governance records 79% implementation from 2021–2025

Burkina Faso’s Economy and Finance Minister Aboubakar Nacanabo chaired the 2026 review of the Economic Governance Sectoral Dialogue Framework in Ouagadougou on March 10. The meeting assessed progress under the 2021–2025 action plan, which recorded a 79% implementation rate despite security and economic challenges. Authorities also reported over 13 trillion CFA francs in domestic revenue mobilisation, surpassing forecasts, and highlighted the country’s removal from the FATF grey list as a key reform milestone.

Back in 2017, Iran’s oil exports were spread across several major global buyers. According to trade data from Visual Capitalist , China accounted for about 26 perrcent of Iranian oil exports, followed by India at 20 percent, the European Union at 19 percent, South Korea at 12 percent, and Turkey at around 10 percent.

Other countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Syria and Taiwan also imported smaller volumes, creating a relatively diversified export market for Iranian crude.

That picture changed dramatically in 2025.

Recent tanker tracking and trade analysis show that China now absorbs roughly 90 percent of Iran’s crude exports, making it by far Tehran’s largest energy customer. The remaining shipments are distributed among a handful of smaller buyers, including Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela, with other destinations accounting for only a small fraction of exports.

The shift toward China has been largely driven by U.S. sanctions on Iran’s energy sector, which were reimposed after Washington withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement in 2018. The sanctions restricted many countries and companies from purchasing Iranian oil or conducting transactions with Iranian financial institutions.

As a result, many traditional buyers, including European nations, Japan and South Korea, sharply reduced or halted imports of Iranian crude.

China, however, continued purchasing Iranian oil, often through indirect channels or discounted contracts. According to analysts at Kpler , Iranian crude has frequently been sold at significant discounts compared with global benchmark prices, making it attractive for Chinese refiners.

The growing dominance of China in Iran’s oil export market reflects a broader strategic partnership between the two countries.

In 2021, Iran and China signed a 25-year cooperation agreement aimed at expanding economic ties, including investments in energy, infrastructure and trade. While many details of the deal remain unclear, analysts say energy cooperation forms a central pillar of the relationship.

For China, securing discounted oil supplies helps meet the country’s vast energy demand. China remains the world’s largest crude oil importer, according to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

For Iran, China provides a critical economic lifeline at a time when sanctions limit access to many other markets.

According to figures from Programs and discussions at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, there are now 10,867 active data centres worldwide. The United States alone accounts for roughly 4,030 facilities, approximately 37% of the global total.

Major hubs such as Northern Virginia, Texas and California continue to attract hyperscale investment from leading cloud and AI providers in the U.S.

America’s dominance is a combination of capital access, strong fibre connectivity, reliable power infrastructure and the presence of the world’s largest technology companies like Google, Meta and Amazon.

The United Kingdom (511) and Germany (479) rank second and third globally, followed by France (343). Europe’s data centre expansion is increasingly influenced by environmental regulations and energy efficiency requirements, particularly under EU sustainability frameworks.

The Netherlands (186), Italy (207) and Spain (192) also remain important connectivity hubs within the region.

China operates 368 data centres, placing it fourth globally. Notably, the country is home to the largest single data centre in the world , located in Hohhot, spanning approximately 10.7 million square feet, according to infrastructure reports referenced by GBC Engineers.

China ’s strategy includes redistributing computing capacity to energy-rich inland regions to support long-term digital expansion.

India now hosts approximately 277 data centres, reflecting rapid digital growth and government-backed initiatives to strengthen domestic AI and cloud infrastructure. At the India AI Impact Summit 2026 , experts highlighted rising demand from fintech, e-commerce, and AI model development as key growth drivers.

Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region are Australia (268), Japan (255), and Indonesia (185), which are expanding capacity to support 5G networks, enterprise cloud adoption and regional data localisation requirements.

Canada has 288 facilities, benefiting from stable energy systems and climate advantages that lower cooling costs.

Brazil leads Latin America with 199 data centres, driven by digital banking, retail platforms and cloud service expansion.

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, headlined the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

He delivered a show rooted in Latin culture and identity, featuring a dynamic setlist performed primarily in Spanish, and incorporating theatrical elements, surprise moments, including a live wedding and celebratory visuals.

The broadcast drew viewership that exceeded even last year’s record held by Kendrick Lamar.

Before Bad Bunny’s performance, the all-time viewership leaderboard was led by:

These figures reflect total audiences across broadcast and streaming platforms, showing how the halftime show has grown into a peak cultural moment that extends far beyond football.

As a Puerto Rican, Bad Bunny received a lot of pushback , especially from President Donald Trump, when he was announced to headline the Super Bowl. He was alleged to be an immigrant and was not fit to represent Americans, especially as an artist with all his songs in Spanish.

Additionally, the musician has been very vocal about Trump's immigration laws and enforcement.

The heavy pre-performance commentary appears to have fuelled curiosity, drawing global audiences eager to see how he would deliver on the moment.

The Super Bowl halftime show is the major musical performance that takes place during the intermission of the Super Bowl, the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL).

It’s one of the most-watched entertainment events in the world , with performances that draw massive global audiences and often rival the game itself in cultural impact.

The show takes place between the second and third quarters of the Super Bowl, traditionally to give players a break and entertain viewers during the break.

Originally, it featured marching bands and simple pageantry, much like a college football halftime show, but it has evolved over the decades into a high-production pop spectacle with major global stars.

A turning point came in 1993 with Michael Jackson , whose halftime performance transformed it into a major pop culture event.

Since then, artists like Beyoncé, U2, Prince, Rihanna and Kendrick Lamar have headlined, making it a coveted spotlight in music and entertainment.

The annual list reflects millions of user reviews, bookings and travel activity, ranking the most-loved destinations across the globe.

Here’s a look at the Best Honeymoon Destinations in the World for 2026 :

TripAdvisor describes these destinations as “some of the most romantic places on earth,” based on millions of verified traveller reviews. Oceanfront dining, sunset cruises and spa experiences make them natural choices for honeymooners.

Other top-ranked destinations show the variety couples are seeking:

TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards rely on real guest reviews from travellers worldwide, making this ranking an authentic reflection of honeymoon preferences in 2026. The awards depend on overall traveller satisfaction, including amenities, experiences, food, service and romantic appeal.

England and Wales account for the majority

The largest share of both EU-born residents and EU passport holders lives in England and Wales:

This reflects patterns seen in national census and survey data, where major urban and economic centres such as London, Manchester and Birmingham attract large migrant populations for employment , education and family reasons.

Scotland’s EU community

Scotland also hosts a substantial EU population :

Scotland’s figures reflect both long-term settlement and movement of EU nationals across the UK over recent decades.

Northern Ireland’s unique numbers

Northern Ireland shows an interesting contrast:

This disparity is largely driven by the Ireland-Northern Ireland Common Travel Area and post-Brexit arrangements, which allow many residents of Northern Ireland to hold Irish (and therefore EU) passports even if they were born outside the EU.

What the figures say

Taken together, these numbers show that the UK remains home to a substantial EU community, despite changes in free movement following Brexit.

What’s particularly striking is the gap between the number of people holding EU passports and those born in the EU, suggesting that many people who moved to the UK years ago or whose families have lived in the UK for generations maintain EU citizenship.

The Migration Observatory notes that passport and birth data together offer a more nuanced picture of migration and identity, capturing both recent arrivals and longer-term residents who retain ties to EU countries.