Electric vehicles could become economically competitive in Africa sooner than previously anticipated, potentially by 2040, according to a new analysis. This development, coupled with potential interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve and the release of a Venezuelan opposition leader from detention, highlights a dynamic global landscape as of early 2026.
The economic viability of EVs in Africa is driven by the declining costs of batteries and vehicles, alongside the potential for off-grid solar charging, according to MIT Technology Review. While only a small percentage of new cars sold across the continent in 2025 were electric, the analysis suggests that EVs, including two-wheelers, cars, and minibuses, could compete in most African countries by 2040. However, challenges remain, including unreliable grids, limited charging infrastructure, and a lack of affordable financing.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell may set the stage for further interest rate cuts, even before his term ends in May 2026, according to Fortune. While the White House had sought sharp rate cuts, Powell's stance throughout much of 2025 was "wait-and-see." Economists had expected the bulk of reductions to come under his successor, Fed nominee Kevin Warsh. However, deteriorating economic data may prompt the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) to act sooner.
In Venezuela, opposition leader Jesús Armas was recently released from detention. NPR's Leila Fadel spoke with Armas, who expressed, "I feel hope," after being held at a notorious detention center.
In other news, scientists are developing new tools to predict the risk of heart attacks. According to Time, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. since at least 1950. A new generation of tools, including a first-of-its-kind risk calculator, aims to help people understand and act on warning signs years before a worst-case scenario. "This is a disease that's impacted by choices we make in life," said Dr. Matthew Tomey, a cardiologist.
Finally, Dorceta Taylor, the first Black woman to earn a doctoral degree from the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, continues to champion inclusion and fight racism in science, according to Nature News. She created the first comprehensive report for monitoring racial, gender, and socioeconomic diversity in 2014.
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