Economy and TradingPolicy

Morocco’s Economic Reform Push: Gen Z Protests Drive Urgent Job Creation Agenda

Morocco’s finance minister describes recent Gen Z protests as a critical “wake up call” for the kingdom. The government now prioritizes accelerated economic reforms and immediate job creation for youth amid growing pressure.

In a striking admission of urgency, Morocco’s government has acknowledged that recent protests by younger generations have served as a powerful catalyst for economic change. Finance and Economy Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui characterized the demonstrations as a “wake up call” that demands immediate action on job creation and economic reform, signaling a significant shift in the kingdom’s approach to addressing youth unemployment and economic stagnation.

The Gen Z Wake-Up Call: Protests Force Policy Reevaluation

InternetPolicy

Afghanistan VPN Usage Soars 35,000% Amid Social Media Ban

Following government-imposed social media restrictions, Afghanistan has witnessed a staggering 35,000% increase in VPN usage. The ban affects platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and X as authorities implement content controls across the country’s internet infrastructure.

Afghanistan’s social media restrictions trigger VPN surge

Afghanistan has experienced a dramatic 35,000% increase in VPN usage following government-imposed restrictions on popular social media platforms. The unprecedented spike occurred between October 6-7, 2025, according to data from Proton VPN Observatory, highlighting citizens’ desperate attempts to maintain online access amid growing internet censorship.

Arts and EntertainmentInfrastructure

Google Invests $15 Billion in Indian AI Infrastructure Hub to Boost Global Network

Google is investing $15 billion to establish a 1-gigawatt AI infrastructure hub in Visakhapatnam, India. The project represents Google’s largest investment outside the United States and will feature full AI stack capabilities. The hub will serve both Indian and global markets with advanced AI processing and connectivity solutions.

In a landmark move for artificial intelligence infrastructure development, Google has announced a massive $15 billion investment to establish a comprehensive AI hub and data center in Visakhapatnam, India. This strategic initiative represents Google’s single largest investment outside the United States and underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its global AI capabilities while navigating India’s evolving regulatory landscape. The 1-gigawatt facility will serve as both a regional powerhouse and global connectivity node, positioning India as a crucial link in Google’s international AI network.

Massive Scale and Strategic Location

CybersecurityEducation

Kildare Student Wins International Quantum Cybersecurity Award for Post-Quantum Encryption Research

Celbridge transition year student Addison Carey has won a Gold Medal at Africa’s largest science fair for her quantum cybersecurity project. Her research focuses on developing efficient approaches to lattice-based cryptography to protect against future quantum computer attacks. The award highlights Ireland’s growing presence in international STEM competitions.

Addison Carey, a transition year student from Celbridge Community School in Kildare, has achieved international recognition by winning a Gold Medal at the prestigious Eskom Expo International Science Fair in Johannesburg. The young innovator represented Ireland with her groundbreaking project focused on strengthening quantum cybersecurity for the digital future, addressing one of the most pressing challenges in modern data protection.

Quantum Computing Security Breakthrough

EnergySustainability

Brazil Leads Global Push to Quadruple Clean Fuel Production by 2035 at COP30

Brazil is collaborating with Japan to secure international support for quadrupling sustainable fuel production by 2035. The initiative will debut at November’s COP30 summit in Belém, with India and Italy already signaling participation in the clean energy effort.

Brazil is spearheading an ambitious global initiative to quadruple sustainable fuel production by 2035 through a partnership with Japan, positioning the clean energy commitment as a centerpiece of the upcoming COP30 climate summit. The South American nation aims to unveil the formal pledge during the world leaders summit in Belém on November 6-7, according to sources familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity to discuss private details.

Global Alliance for Clean Fuel Expansion

International Business and TradePolicy

USMCA Renewal Critical for North American Trade Partnership

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement faces renewal negotiations amid increasing trade tensions. With $2 trillion in regional trade at stake, business leaders emphasize the deep economic integration that makes separation from key trading partners both painful and nearly impossible.

As the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement approaches its scheduled review next year, business leaders and policymakers face critical decisions about the future of North American trade. The agreement, which succeeded NAFTA and represents one of the Trump Administration’s signature achievements, now faces renewal talks amid global economic uncertainty and increasing tariff pressures on Canada and Mexico. According to recent analysis of the USMCA framework, the trilateral partnership supports nearly $2 trillion in annual trade, making its continuation vital for American economic interests.

Deep Economic Integration Makes Separation Impossible