TECHNOLOGY
Poor countries keep paying their debts. That’s actually the problem.
Like many Americans, most countries are in a lot of debt.
Developing countries, alone, carry nearly $31 trillion worth of debt. Enough debt to give everyone in the world a check for $3,750. Or to pay for Jeff Bezos to throw a $50 million wedding in Venice every weekend for the next 11,900 years. Or, at least in theory, to solve world hunger with trillions to spare.
But instead, many countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America are saddled with so much debt that today more than 3 billion people — over one-third of humankind — live in nations that spend more on interest payments than they do on health care or education. This is nothing new. But it’s gotten far worse in recent years as part of a vicious cycle that will be all too familiar to most Americans who’ve ever fallen behind on a credit card bill or a student loan payment.
You take out a new credit card to pretend you can pay the old one. No matter how much you pay off each month, somehow the amount you owe seems to grow larger each year. And if a disaster strikes at the absolute worst possible moment — be it a hurricane or a medical emergency — then forget it.
- Low- and middle-income countries are in a lot of debt. So much debt that many now spend more on interest payments than they do on education or healthcare.
- Once you’re stuck in a debt spiral, it’s almost impossible to climb out. It’s gotten even stickier in recent years as interest rates rose, climate disasters piled up, and the composition of creditors changed to include more private lenders and China.
- Who benefits from the debt spiral? Wall Street lenders tend to charge the highest interest rates, meaning some have gotten rich off of lending to developing countries.
- There’s no silver bullet to fixing the global debt trap. But proposed laws in New York and London, where most sovereign debt is issued, could help prevent the worst abuses. And anything that makes restructuring debt easier could help countries escape the cycle faster.
For poor countries, as with people, debt twists into a financial hole with no end in sight.
“It’s like the Hotel California,” said Penelope Hawkins, senior economic affairs officer at the United Nations focusing on debt and development finance. “You can check out any time you want, but you can never leave.”
And when the crisis gets deep enough, indebted countries stop building hospitals, just like deeply indebted Americans forgo health care and trips to the dentist. The nations defund their schools. Their economies slow. And their credit rating tanks, meaning that any future loans will be even more expensive.
“These aren’t just statistics,” said Joel Curtain, director of advocacy at Partners in Health, which has been pushing for reform to the system for resolving runaway debt. “This crisis is embodied in sickness, ill health, and death.”
To understand a pernicious piece of how this all works, look no further than the handful of Manhattan hedge funds that effectively control the financial fate of some entire countries — just like they may control your mortgage and your own highly profitable credit card debt.
The terms of most countries’ debt contracts — also known as sovereign bonds — are not handled by some international body or within the debtor country, but rather, are split between the jurisdiction of judges in the two largest financial hubs in the world, New York and London. After all, that’s where the money is.
And thousands of miles away, it is ordinary people who face the hidden but profound consequences of that debt deal gone wrong. They are the ones who will hurt the most when the government cuts kick in, when the price of bread doubles, their kids’ classrooms size balloons, and the hospitals go dark.
But as poor countries face down a broader shortage of funding for critical development projects driven by sweeping foreign aid cuts, some activists see a real opening for relief.
There is nothing inherently wrong with having some debt.
It costs money to get ahead. If you want a well-paying job, you probably have to go to college. And if you don’t have family who can cover the bill, then you probably need to take out loans.
The same is true for countries. If you want to grow your economy, you’ve got to build schools, staff hospitals, and invest in infrastructure. And if your country is not wealthy to begin with — if you got the short end of colonialism’s stick — then the only way to pay for that is to take out loans.
“No country has grown without some debt,” Hawkins said. “No country has developed without debt.”
Vietnam, for example, was once one of the poorest countries in the world. But a series of economic reforms in the late ‘80s — accompanied by $26 billion in World Bank loans since 1993 — literally catapulted the country into the global middle class, nearly eradicating extreme poverty in the process.
The problem is, the loans that poor countries take out these days have become so expensive — and the growth they’re supposed to fuel is often so sluggish — that they can never pay them back. The interest adds up before the returns come in.
And yikes, has that bill added up over the years.
Developing countries have seen their total debt balloon by almost 160 percent over the past decade. More than 60 of those countries now spend more than 10 percent of their government revenues on interest payments.
Since you’re a responsible news-consuming citizen, this is the moment when you might be wondering: Doesn’t the US owe gazillions of dollars to its creditors, too?
Yes, in fact, it absolutely does.
While Americans say they care about the debt, they don’t vote like they do, though they probably should! But they don’t, largely because a rich country like the United States gets to borrow in its own currency and it can almost always take out more cheap loans to pay off the old ones.
This means that the national debt rarely affects the lives of ordinary Americans. The US does not need to cut Social Security or stop paying for road maintenance to indefinitely manage its debt. Not yet, at least.
But poorer countries lack that luxury.
Just like low-income Americans often contend with backbreaking interest rates if they want to borrow cash, so too do low-income countries. African nations pay an average of 10 percent interest on their loans, whereas interest rates for rich countries like the US are typically under 3 percent.
And this is where we get to Wall Street. Because private creditors like hedge funds and insurance companies increasingly hold the bulk — about 60 percent in 2023 — of low- and middle-income countries’ external debt, a trend that has been rising since 2010.
That wasn’t always the case. For much of the 20th century, when a developing country needed finance, it usually turned to the Paris Club, an informal grouping of Western creditor countries, or newly formed Western-controlled multilateral institutions like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, while working more sporadically with private creditors like banks.
But in the early 2000s, the Paris Club pulled back on lending after a protest campaign endorsed by Bono and the Vatican caused it to forgive billions of dollars in poor countries’ debt. Then, boom — the Great Recession hit and interest rates plummeted, forcing private creditors to start looking for a new way to earn cash.
They found it in poor countries, where they could charge much higher interest rates than they could in rich countries. In fact, bonds became so unprofitable in places like Germany that they entered negative territory a few years after the financial crisis, whereas interest rates across Africa hovered above 5 percent. The modern sovereign debt business was born. And these private companies made a killing on those high-interest loans.
“It’s good business to lend,” said Martín Guzmán, an economist and former economy minister of Argentina. “Almost too good of a business.”
Few countries know that as well as Argentina does. After years of debt drama, a slew of neoliberal reforms compelled by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a debilitating economic crisis, the country stopped paying off its $100 billion debt on Christmas Eve 2001.
It was the second-largest sovereign debt default in history, one that sent its creditors — from Wall Street barons to pension funds — into a tailspin. Fear of exactly this worst-case scenario illustrates why loans are so expensive for low- and middle-income countries: The higher the risk, the higher the interest rates demanded by lenders. In Argentina’s case, chronic overspending and cycles of inflation have made borrowing especially expensive.
Almost nobody benefits when a country defaults. Lenders have to take a haircut on their loans, while the debtor country has to make painful cuts and becomes a sort of pariah in the global financial world. But there are exceptions.
Most creditors eventually accepted new discounted terms to Argentina’s debt, but others, hoping to make a quick buck and wash their hands of the crisis, sold off their Argentine bonds — or loan contracts — for pennies to the dollar to vulture funds, investors that specialize in hounding debtors for what they’re owed.
You can imagine what came next. The vultures who bought up Argentina’s loans pounced, the most notorious of them being the hedge fund Elliott Management. Elliott sued the bejeezus out of Argentina for nonpayment, even seizing an Argentine naval ship ported in Ghana in an attempt to recoup the loans in 2012.
Argentina has been embroiled in recurrent debt crises for decades now, and thousands of people haven taken to the streets to protest against austerity measures and the International Monetary Fund. Muhammed Emin Canik/Anadolu Agency
Creditors who lend to poor and middle-income countries “want to charge high interest rates, but they also demand to be repaid in full when risks happen,” said Tim Jones, policy director of the longstanding advocacy group Debt Justice. “They want to have their cake and eat it too.”
In the end, Elliott won. After a 15-year battle in New York state court — since about half of all sovereign debt is litigated on Wall Street’s turf — Elliott managed to score a highly profitable $2.4 billion settlement, a 392 percent return on the original value of the bonds, but since Eliott paid very little for those bonds, the company earned a profit of 10 to 15 times what it initially paid.
At the time, Elliott’s CEO, Paul Singer, blamed Argentina for its own “sad path” to financial crisis as a “once very impactful country economically” coming out of World War II. “They are imposing damage on themselves way out of proportion to the cost of paying the debt,” he said.
It’s true that Argentina was in part a victim of its own mistakes. But it’s also true that Argentina, which was once one of the wealthiest countries in the world, has never fully recovered. And it was ordinary Argentinians, not those who were making the decisions, who paid the price.
The real cost of repayment
There is no shortage of reasons that poor and middle-income countries fail to pay off their loans, including the most obvious: overspending.
When the southern African country of Zambia defaulted on its debt in 2020, the IMF and other analysts blamed it on years of unsustainable borrowing, corruption, and poorly targeted infrastructure projects underwritten mostly by private creditors and, increasingly, China. There were also factors mostly outside of Zambia’s control, like a drought the year prior that strained the country’s finances to its breaking point, and an extractive economy based around copper mining that developed under colonialism that forces the country to take out more loans when the price of the commodity drops..
“There is a school of thought that whenever a country is in default, it is all the fault of the lenders, and that is usually not the case,” said Gregory Makoff, a self-professed sovereign debt obsessive, author of Default: The Landmark Court Battle Over Argentina’s $100 Billion Debt Restructuring, and a fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation.
As a result, 3.4 billion people now live in the 46 developing countries that spend more — $921 billion in 2024, a 10 percent increase from 2023 — on interest payments alone than they do on health or education, according to the United Nations.
“It is usually the fault of the borrower,” he said, because the borrower is the one who makes the decision to take out a loan, the one who “uses the funds and has to take responsibility for itself.”
But for every handful of nations that stop paying their loans, dozens dutifully take out new loans to pay off their old ones each year.
One reason that debt burdens are so high today is the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced many countries to take out additional loans to keep their economies and healthcare systems afloat.
Another is interest rates. Remember when the Federal Reserve hiked the price of borrowing to try to quell inflation in the US? That didn’t just impact your mortgage rates — it made borrowing that much more expensive for poor countries too.
Add in the war in Ukraine, which drove up energy and food prices globally, and increasingly frequent climate disasters that force countries to borrow even more just to rebuild, and you’ve got a recipe for the worst sovereign debt crisis in decades.
But even as countries’ debt balloons, defaults like Argentina’s are relatively rare these days, largely because nobody wants to be chased by a vulture fund or find themselves locked out of global financial markets. Instead, many countries are digging deep into whatever savings or spending cuts they can muster to pay off those loans.
“Countries are not defaulting on debts,” Guzmán said. “But they’re defaulting on development.”
Developing countries spent $741 billion more on paying back their loans than they received in new finance between 2022 and 2024, the largest gap in 50 years. But despite these payments, their debt has just grown larger, rising at twice the rate of rich countries.
If you’re an austerity hawk, that might sound like a good thing.
These kinds of cuts are compelled by the IMF not because that institution is mean-spirited, but because it’s a way to bring countries closer to eventually paying off their loans and finding a stronger financial footing in the long term.
If your uncle is “drunk and always is running up his credit card and running personal bankruptcy, are you going to blame his credit card lenders and his mortgage provider for his problems?” Makoff asked. “Or maybe he made some bad decisions.”
At the end of the day, the IMF is brought in to “do math” for countries that have “generally made a lot of bad decisions,” said Makoff. “They make sure the money [that comes] in and out adds up” and do their best to avoid catastrophic social spending cuts in the process.
But for billions of people around the world, this kind of fiscal responsibility can also mean hospitals that don’t get built. Schools that don’t get textbooks. Roads that don’t get paved.
Every dollar of interest lining the pockets of Wall Street’s Bonobos pants and fleece-lined vests is a dollar less for development.
“Western governments tend to only see it as a crisis when people stop paying,” Jones said, but “the real crisis is the fact that they are paying and the cost that’s happening through cuts” to service these debts, which he described as “catastrophic for the future.”
And this is more or less by design. For decades, the US-dominated IMF has required countries looking to restructure their debt to impose cuts to social services.
Increasingly frequent disasters like droughts and cyclones have made it even more difficult for low-income countries like Malawi to climb their way out of debt spirals. Andrew Renneisen/Getty Images
So Malawi’s government has taken out loans. A lot of loans, many of which carry very high interest rates, because lenders don’t trust that the impoverished country will be able to pay them back. Over the past several years, Malawi’s total public debt has soared to above 80 percent of its GDP or around $12 billion, up from 35.5 percent of GDP — under $3.2 billion — a decade ago.
Take Malawi, for example. The landlocked southeast African country, the world’s third poorest per capita, is in the midst of the worst economic crisis in its history. Since 2019, it has faced back-to-back climate disasters, including the region’s worst drought in a century, which has plunged over half of Malawians — most of whom are subsistence farmers — into profound food insecurity.
Long story short, if you want to understand the dystopian and often surreal reality of global debt financing, look at Malawi’s budget for the coming fiscal year. The country will spend just over $440 million — $20 per person — on health care. It will spend just over $770 million on education.
And it will spend over $1.25 billion, more than what it spends on health and education combined, on interest payments. Again, these are just interest payments, which go straight into the pockets of commercial banks and foreign investors who own them.
Given that 75 percent of Malawians live on less than $3 per day, the government can hardly rely on tax revenue, so it will need to borrow even more money to make those payments on time.
And so the cycle continues, and ordinary Malawians suffer the most.
“We don’t have enough doctors. We don’t have enough nurses,” said Makhumbo Munthali, director of partnerships at Partners in Health’s office in Malawi. In Malawi, he said, a generation of trained local health professionals can’t get jobs because the “government is trying to meet austerity measures” imposed by the IMF. Most end up moving abroad for work, leaving the country with just two physicians for every 100,000 people.
“The IMF has been saying that there will be some sort of pain for a while and then later on things will stabilize,” he said. “But that has not been the case.”
Why there’s hope for change
Malawi is far from alone. Almost half of low-income countries are now in or at high risk of debt distress, meaning they’re struggling to pay their loans.
To make matters more complicated, sweeping foreign aid cuts have left many countries scrambling to fill funding gaps this year. Many poor countries normally rely on foreign donors — chief among them, the United States — to subsidize the majority of health and education programs in their country. The United States previously subsidized at least half of all annual health spending in Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan, and Malawi. Countries like Nigeria have already begun taking out new loans to keep their health systems afloat.
And so far, it appears that Trump’s new foreign policy prerogative will mean that when the US does choose to fund development, it will increasingly be in the form of loans, rather than grants. China, an increasingly important lender for poor countries — especially in Africa — also conducts much of its foreign aid this way, and has also faced its own criticism for leading nations into debt spirals.
One of Trump’s first actions upon taking office was to stop all US funding to a program that helped vulnerable countries prepare and adapt to climate change. Many of those countries have no choice but to regularly take out enormous new loans in the aftermath of every new disaster, like Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. It’s a burden that seems to grow every year.
These countries “are piling on debt not to build infrastructure, not to grow, not to develop like other countries,” said Ritu Bharadwaj, a climate finance and resilience expert at the International Institute for Environment and Development, but simply “to rebuild and bring the economy back on track” when disaster strikes.
Sri Lanka, for example, was recently forced to ask the IMF for a multimillion-dollar loan to fuel its recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah last month, even as the country continues to recover after defaulting on its loans in 2022.
At the time, Sri Lanka’s debt crisis forced schools to cancel exams because they ran out of paper. Hospitals canceled surgeries because they ran out of medication. Fuel shortages forced doctors to stitch wounds in the dark and food prices rose by 90 percent, leaving over a quarter of people food insecure.
But if there is one silver lining to the aid cuts, it is that countries struggling widely with debt burdens have gained a powerful new moral argument for changing the system.
An enormous advocacy push managed to erase over $100 billion in poor countries’ debt at the turn of the century. Though the contours of the crisis has changed, advocates say that similar large-scale relief is necessary today. Mufty Munir/AFP
If wealthy countries are unwilling to help subsidize what it costs for poor countries to adapt to climate change, Bharadwaj said, then “we really need to at least provide them a fair chance to do it themselves,” because most developing countries spend far more on interest payments than they’ve ever received in foreign aid.
Even some private creditors are calling for change. At recent meetings with bondholders, UNCTAD’s Hawkins said, some acknowledged that pushing countries to keep paying unsustainable debts ultimately hurts everyone — including creditors who want borrowers to stay solvent enough to keep doing business.
For some activists, the solution starts on Wall Street. Over the past few years, organizers in the financial hubs of New York and London have been exploring changes to local law that could shield vulnerable countries from the most egregious debt litigation.
We’re talking about Elliott Management in Argentina. Or more recently, an entity called Hamilton Reserve Bank, which has refused to agree to a debt restructuring plan for Sri Lanka, instead suing the country for $250 million in a lawsuit still ongoing in New York.
The proposed New York state law would offer countries a framework for obtaining relief and restructuring their debt, with provisions against private creditors that attempt to hold out on a deal. Amid a concerted lobbying effort from Wall Street firms, the deal failed to move forward this year, but will be coming up for a vote again in the year ahead.
Even if this bill — and a similar one in London — passes next year, it’s not going to transform the problem overnight. There’s no silver bullet for dismantling the debt vortex that so many poor countries find themselves in — especially if it doesn’t involve significant loan forgiveness.
But anything that makes it easier for countries to renegotiate their debt — which both the New York and London bills aim to do — would be a big win. Unlike individuals or companies, countries don’t have the option of declaring bankruptcy. So when a nation like Sri Lanka can no longer pay its loans, its only option is to head back to the negotiating table with its creditors.
And even when there are no supervillainous vulture funds involved, such renegotiations are “just a monstrous process for a debtor to go through,” said Jones of Debt Justice, citing Zambia, a neighbor of Malawi that defaulted on its loans in 2020 and has been renegotiating its debt ever since.
”My daughter was born around the time the Zambian process started, and she can now read and write,” he said, noting that if New York or London manages to eke out a restructuring bill, then more countries will feel empowered to apply for debt relief.
Without it, they’ll just keep borrowing, often from multilateral organizations like the World Bank, whose loans are ineligible for restructuring and contingent on painful policies that can stifle development in the long run.
And without comprehensive structural reform and genuine debt forgiveness, those countries will never escape. Every “extension of term” on loan repayments may give them a “breather,” said Hawkins, but only delays the inevitable for countries made insolvent by deals that were often rotten to begin with.
“This idea that we can continue to kick the can down the road” is no longer tenable, she said. “That horizon is coming very much closer to us.”
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TECHNOLOGY
The best electric blankets and heated throws in the UK, tried and tested to keep you toasty for less | Interiors
Aside from hugging a fluffy hot-water bottle, sipping the Christmas whisky and ramping up the thermostat, an electric blanket or heated throw is the best way to ward off the winter chill. When you consider that more than half of a typical household’s fuel bills goes on heating and hot water, finding alternative ways to keep warm – and heating the person, rather than the whole home – seems like a good idea.
The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more.
Many of the best electric blankets and heated throws cost about 2p to 4p an hour to run, so it’s hard to ignore their potential energy- and money-saving benefits.
Electric blankets are ideal for using on your mattress, with the most convenient examples arriving with timers and auto-shut-off features for peace of mind, and dual control panels to keep both sides of the bed happy. Heated throws are better for snuggling on the sofa – they’re practical but also look good, with tactile finishes in materials such as bamboo and pure cotton.
I was tasked with sleeping on the job to discover the best of both, testing the most popular electric blankets and heated throws from well-known homeware brands such as Silentnight, Slumberdown and Dreamland. Here are my top picks.
At a glance
£44 at AO£25 at Asda£139.99 at Boots£79.99 at Amazon£32 at Dunelm£38.99 at Amazon£199.99 at Dreamland
Why you should trust me
I’ve been a lifestyle journalist for more than two decades. Over the years, I’ve tested everything from breadmakers and bedding to beehives and biscuits – thankfully, not all at the same time.
Lately, my focus has been bedding, testing numerous mattresses, pillows, weighted blankets and bed linen – so I know what makes for a decent night’s sleep. Testing electric blankets was the logical next step.
Whatever I’m testing, I’ll find practical and useful ways to rigorously measure the value of the product and dig deep to go beyond the marketing jargon.
How I tested
I used an infrared thermometer to determine how fast the blankets warmed up – and how evenly. Photograph: Emily Peck/The Guardian
Without a Cern-grade laboratory at my disposal, I tested 20 of the most popular electric blankets and throws at home. In bed. In my pyjamas. I wanted to assess how each blanket and throw felt while sleeping or resting, and judge its quality and durability.
Alongside measuring the max temperature each blanket hit, I timed how long it took to get there – I have zero patience when cold, so quick and efficient heating is crucial. Using an infrared thermometer, I measured the temperatures on the highest settings at 10 minutes, 30 minutes and an hour after being switched on. Since the weight of your duvet and room temperature can affect the temperature of electric blankets, I kept things fair by using all the electric blankets on the same bed, and all the heated throws on the same sofa, with a consistent room temperature of 18C.
No one wants a hot back and frosty feet, so I considered how evenly each blanket heated up by taking temperature readings at three different points after an hour on full power. I also used a plug-in power consumption meter to determine each blanket’s hourly running cost based on the Ofgem price cap as of 1 January 2026, which is 27.69p a kWh.
Below you’ll find the 13 best of the 20 models I tested. Those blankets and throws that brands didn’t want returned will be donated to Hope for Food – a Bournemouth-based charity supporting local families in need.
The best electric blankets and heated throws in 2025
Best electric blanket overall:
Carmen C81190 fitted electric blanket
Carmen
C81190 fitted electric blanket
£44
What we love
It’s easy to fit on to the bed and heats quickly
What we don’t love
It doesn’t have a timer
Double, £44 at AO
This electric blanket includes two controllers so you can operate each side of the bed independently – always a good thing when you’re sharing. It comes in both double and king-size versions, and is made from polyester with a cosy fleece finish.
Why we love it
The Carmen feels great, heats up effectively and is great value. It’s one of the easiest blankets to fit on to your bed, with a generous elastic skirt sewn on to it rather than the usual, clumsier straps. The skirt ensures the blanket secures neatly under each side of the mattress and stays in place.
It heats up quickly, reaching an impressive 28.1C in its centre after just 10 minutes – and this was without a duvet on top. I measured the heat at the sides a little cooler, but the temperature increased steadily over an hour, reaching 30.2C in its centre after 30 minutes and up to 33C after an hour. As soon as a duvet was placed on top, it got even warmer and retained its heat effectively long after I had turned off the blanket.
While it’s machine washable, the manufacturer recommends you only do this a total of three times in its lifespan, so it will mostly be a spot clean.
It’s a shame that … there’s no timer. But for peace of mind, it does have overheat protection that will automatically shut it down if the built-in thermal fuse detects a hotspot or fault in the heated cables.
Sizes available: double, king size
Dimensions (double): L193 x W137cm
Number of heat settings: three
Timer included: no, but it does have auto-shut off
Running cost on maximum: 4p/hour (0.078kWh each side)
Temperature after an hour: 33.2C
Guarantee: three years
Machine washable: yes
Carmen
C81190 fitted electric blanket
£44
What we love
It’s easy to fit on to the bed and heats quickly
What we don’t love
It doesn’t have a timer
Best budget electric blanket:
Slumberdown Sleepy Nights
Slumberdown
Sleepy Nights
£25
What we love
Generous straps make it easy to fit on the bed
What we don’t love
It doesn’t include a timer
Note: stock is running low in double and king size. Toasty Nights is a similar blanket with quilting
Super king, £25 at AsdaSmall double, £27 at Amazon
Generous straps for easy positioning and three adjustable heat settings make this electric blanket a good budget buy. It comes in six sizes, can be machine washed for easy maintenance, and arrives with a two-year guarantee.
Why we love it
Feeling super soft against the skin, this microfibre blanket was simple to set up, with bonus points awarded for the long cord.
The lengthy, elasticated straps meant I didn’t have to wrestle too much with the corners of my thick Sealy mattress to position the blanket securely, plus it stayed in place nicely.
The blanket heated up to 22.1C in just 10 minutes and 25C in 30 minutes. After an hour on its highest setting, it reached a comfortable 29.5C – more than enough heat for me.
When I measured the temperature across the blanket, I found it was hotter in the middle than on the sides. However, I didn’t notice any cold spots when my duvet was on top, trapping in the heat.
It’s a shame that … it doesn’t have a timer. The manufacturer suggests leaving this blanket on its lowest setting if you want to keep it on all night.
Sizes available: small single, single, small double, double (currently out of stock), king (currently out of stock), super king
Dimensions (king size): L150 x W142cm
Number of heat settings: three
Timer included: no
Running cost on maximum: 3p/hour (0.094kWh)
Temperature after an hour: 29.5C
Guarantee: two years
Machine washable: yes
Slumberdown
Sleepy Nights
£25
What we love
Generous straps make it easy to fit on the bed
What we don’t love
It doesn’t include a timer
Best quilted electric blanket:
Dreamland Pure Comfort bamboo underblanket
Dreamland
Pure Comfort bamboo underblanket
from £99.99
What we love
It includes breathable bamboo material
What we don’t love
It costs more than your average blanket
King, £139.99 at BootsKing, £99.99 at Amazon
The king-size version of this underblanket has dual control panels for operating each side independently. There are six heat settings to choose from, and three timer options for one, three or nine hours.
Why we love it
This blanket reached 22C at its centre after just 10 minutes, and within an hour, temperatures had risen to a snuggly 32C. I found that the middle and end of the blanket heated well, but the top section remained cool to the touch, working well for under your head.
It costs more than your average electric blanket, but is worth it for the quilted, breathable bamboo finish. The filling, like many other electric blankets, is polyester. The control panels on either side were easy to navigate, even when I was sleepy-eyed.
It’s a shame that … there are no timer options between three and nine hours.
Sizes available: single, double, king, super king
Dimensions (king size): L200 x W150cm
Number of heat settings: six
Timer included: yes, one, three or nine hours
Running cost on maximum: 4p/hour (0.129kWh)
Temperature after an hour: 32.2C
Guarantee: three years
Machine washable: yes
Dreamland
Pure Comfort bamboo underblanket
from £99.99
What we love
It includes breathable bamboo material
What we don’t love
It costs more than your average blanket
Best heated throw overall:
Beurer HD150 heated snuggle blanket
Beurer
HD150 heated snuggle blanket
from £79.99
What we love
It feels very smooth and snuggly against your skin
What we don’t love
It can be awkward to fold and a little cumbersome to store
Photograph: Emily Peck/The Guardian£89.99 at Simply Be£79.99 at Amazon
Ideal for the sofa, this Beurer blanket has a very soft and sumptuous fleece finish. Its six heat settings are all adjustable via the central control panel. I tried the XXL design – a little oversized on my three-seater sofa, but ideal for sharing comfortably with another person. It also comes in a smaller 180 x 130cm size.
Why we love it
The soft-to-touch surface of this heated blanket proved just the right level of cosy for a night on the sofa watching Strictly. Plus, it feels padded enough to disguise the heating elements inside the blanket – not something that can be said of all heated blankets.
It heated up fast – reaching temperatures in the low 20s in just 10 minutes – yet it used surprisingly little energy. After an hour, it felt very hot, so I turned it down to setting two, which was more comfortable. Its three-hour automatic switch-off timer means that you can just set and forget about it.
It’s a shame that … it didn’t heat up evenly. While the middle was warm, sections around the edges didn’t feel it at all – which might be a problem if you’re sharing it with a blanket hog.
Sizes available: small, large
Dimensions (large): L200 x W150cm
Number of heat settings: six
Timer included: three-hour automatic switch-off
Running cost on maximum: 2p/hour (0.055kWh)
Temperature after an hour: 32.2C
Guarantee: three years
Machine washable: yes
Beurer
HD150 heated snuggle blanket
from £79.99
What we love
It feels very smooth and snuggly against your skin
What we don’t love
It can be awkward to fold and a little cumbersome to store
Best budget heated throw:
Dunelm fleece electric throw
Dunelm
Fleece electric throw
£32
What we love
It heats evenly and feels a manageable thickness
What we don’t love
There’s no timer
Photograph: Emily Peck/The Guardian£32 at Dunelm
This smooth fleece blanket comes in three attractive colours – taupe, charcoal and navy – to match most neutral decor schemes. A handheld digital LED controller allows you to flick between its six heat levels.
Why we love it
For less than £35, this heated throw is good value – and at this price, you could even buy it as a gift. The deep navy colour looked great on my sofa, and while it’s not the fluffiest heated throw I’ve tested, it felt lovely to touch – neither too thick nor too heavy. It was the perfect size for one person – and will just about cater for two, if you’re willing to snuggle up close.
The blanket warmed up steadily, reaching a comfortable temperature at its max. After 10 minutes on its full heat setting, it measured 19.7C at the centre. An hour in on full power, this rose to 40.3C. While heat wasn’t evenly distributed, this didn’t make much difference to the overall feeling of warmth.
It’s a shame that … it doesn’t have a timer, other than a four-hour automatic shut-off, but you’ll need to make sure you switch it off using the controller and at the plug after use.
Sizes available: one
Dimensions: L130 x W160cm
Number of heat settings: six
Timer included: no, but automatic shut-off after four hours
Running cost on maximum: 3p/hour (0.1kWh)
Temperature after an hour: 40.3C
Guarantee: one year
Machine washable: yes
Dunelm
Fleece electric throw
£32
What we love
It heats evenly and feels a manageable thickness
What we don’t love
There’s no timer
Best heated fleece throw:
Russell Hobbs microfleece heated throw
Russell Hobbs
Microfleece heated throw
from £39.99
What we love
The microfleece finish feels so soft
What we don’t love
Its darker shades might look harsh in some colour schemes
Photograph: Emily Peck/The Guardian£39.99 at Currys£39.99 at Debenhams
With its soft microfleece finish, this heated blanket is large enough to cover one person comfortably and also works well for two. It features one digital control panel with multiple heat and timer functions, and an automatic switch-off function for peace of mind. If you intend to sleep with it, Russell Hobbs recommends using it on a lower heat mode, up to setting three.
Why we love it
The first thing I noticed about this heated blanket, aside from its soft feel, was its generous 250cm cable. It meant I could drape the blanket over me comfortably on the sofa without accidentally tugging the plug out of the wall socket.
The blanket’s microfleece finish felt tactile and comforting, and it was thicker than some of the standard fleece throws I tested, such as the Dunelm fleece electric throw (above). While I could feel the wiring lines inside this blanket, they’re well hidden in the blanket’s sumptuous design.
The white digital control panel here is a little bulkier than some others on test, and stands out against the jet-black finish of the blanket I tested. Nevertheless, it was easy to use, with heat settings ranging from one to nine. If you want to use the blanket for more than an hour, the timer function lets you go up in one-hour increments up to nine hours and then jumps to a single 12-hour setting. On its highest heat setting it reached 29C in 30 minutes and a toasty 41.9C after an hour. In addition, the heat seemed to distribute well across the blanket’s surface.
It’s a shame that … the throw doesn’t come in pastel colours; the darker shades (such as the black I tested) could look harsh against some softer interior schemes.
Sizes available: one size
Dimensions: L180 x W130cm
Number of heat settings: nine
Timer included: yes, one-nine or 12 hours
Running cost on maximum: 4p/hour (0.134kWh)
Temperature after an hour: 41.9C
Guarantee: two years
Machine washable: yes, under 40C
Russell Hobbs
Microfleece heated throw
from £39.99
What we love
The microfleece finish feels so soft
What we don’t love
Its darker shades might look harsh in some colour schemes
Best fluffy heated throw:
Glamhaus heated throw
Glamhaus
Heated throw
from £35.99
What we love
It heats up quickly and feels great against skin
What we don’t love
No storage bag included
Photograph: Emily Peck/The Guardian£35.99 at Robert Dyas£37.50 at Amazon
Available in a choice of jewel-like colours, including deep pink, “scuba” blue and green, this electric over-blanket is reasonably priced at less than £50 (£35.99 at the time of writing). The blanket is made from polyester and has a white fluffy trim that contrasts nicely against the vibrant hue of its main body.
Why we love it
It may be standard polyester, but the velvety fleece-like finish of this blanket feels luxurious to touch. Its white trim instantly made my sofa look festive, but it will look great throughout spring, too, adding an extra layer of cosiness to your living room.
It’s thick and feels more substantial than some other budget heated blankets I’ve tried, so it feels warming even when it’s not switched on. It heated up quickly, too, and within a minute there was a satisfying amount of heat from its centre. The heat felt comfortable rather than scorching, with the heated wires nicely disguised within the throw. The heat also radiates out to the sides effectively, providing an even warmth across the surface. After 10 minutes, I measured the centre of the blanket at 27.2C on its highest setting, and it reached 34.2C after 30 minutes and a sleep-inducing 40.3C after an hour.
The control panel is easy to use and doesn’t give you a bewildering number of heat and timer options – there are six heat settings and a three-hour timer, which feels plenty. It comes with the safety of an auto-shut-off feature and can be conveniently machine-washed at 30C too – both features I’d expect to find in a good-quality heated blanket.
It’s a shame that … it doesn’t come with a storage bag, which would make it neater to store while not in use. It’s hard to fault this blanket, though, as it’s such good value.
Sizes available: one size
Dimensions: L160 x W130cm
Number of heat settings: six
Timer included: yes, three hours
Running cost on maximum: 3p/hour (0.096kWh)
Temperature after an hour: 40.3C
Guarantee: one year
Machine washable: yes, at 30C
Glamhaus
Heated throw
from £35.99
What we love
It heats up quickly and feels great against skin
What we don’t love
No storage bag included
Best heated duvet:
Dreamland Love Mornings heated duvet
Dreamland
Heated duvet
from £199.99
What we love
It offers soothing heat from above, which works well
What we don’t love
Cables will hang out of the end of the duvet cover
King, £199.99 at DreamlandKing, £199.99 at Amazon
Dreamland offers a wide range of heated bedding products – I also have my eye on the brand’s electric heat pads for specific areas, including your feet, neck, back and hands.
Having tried the underblanket (reviewed above), I was keen to see how this heated duvet would compare. Like the underblanket, the duvet is machine washable with the controller removed, and can be tumble-dried, too.
Why we love it
I was instantly impressed by the tidy stitching and smooth finish of this heated duvet, which is filled with polyester and has a 100% cotton cover. With an October chill in the air, I set up the duvet on my bed, under a breathable cotton Nectar duvet cover.
The dual controls lead out at the end of the duvet, so you can run them up the side of the bed to plug it in. This means you’ll be able to use it with a buttoned cover, but not one that has a zip.
Dreamland states the heat-up time as five minutes, and while it was slightly warm after a few minutes, I did have to go hunting for the warmer spots during my tests. After 10 minutes on the highest setting, I measured the temperature at 26.6C at the centre, and after an hour it was 36.3C, which felt comfortable – although this probably isn’t a heat level I’d like to sleep in all night.
The duvet’s dual controls worked well for my partner and me: I could blast the heat on my side while he, who prefers cooler climes, didn’t need to have it on at all.
It’s a shame that … it doesn’t come with a cover. Also, while having the heat filter down from the duvet above me felt cosy on a really cold night, I prefer the heat from an electric blanket underneath.
Sizes available: single, double, king size
Dimensions (king size): L225 x W220cm
Number of heat settings: six
Timer included: yes, one, three and nine hours
Running cost on maximum: 3p/hour (0.101kWh a side)
Temperature after an hour: 36.3C
Guarantee: two years
Machine washable: yes
Dreamland
Heated duvet
from £199.99
What we love
It offers soothing heat from above, which works well
What we don’t love
Cables will hang out of the end of the duvet cover
Best heated throw for one person:
VonHaus pink heated throw blanket
VonHaus
Pink heated throw blanket
from £37.99
What we love
Its silky finish and pretty pink hue
What we don’t love
It could be thicker
Photograph: Emily Peck/The Guardian£37.99 at VonHaus£37.99 at Amazon
With nine temperature settings, this soft and silky pink blanket offers a good range of heat options up to a maximum of 43C. It has a one-hour default timer, plus one that can be set for up to nine hours in total. If you’re going to sleep with it or are using it for extended periods, VonHaus recommends setting the heat to level one for the duration.
Why we love it
Measuring 160 x 130cm, I found this heated blanket just the right size for one. While its vibrant pink finish might not go down so well with some, personally, I didn’t mind it. It’s machine washable at 30C (with the control panel removed) on a gentle cycle and low spin, and the 2.15m cord length should be long enough to reach a nearby socket.
The blanket felt smooth underhand with an almost silk-like finish, but I could feel the wiring inside. Nevertheless, it was subtle, and the blanket’s layers of fabric are well structured to make it easy to fold or lay flat on the sofa or bed. It heated up evenly, but not as quickly or as hot as others on test, reaching 25.5C within 30 minutes and 34C after an hour.
It’s a shame that … the pink colourway may not to be everyone’s taste.
Sizes available: one
Dimensions: L160 x W130cm
Number of heat settings: nine
Timer included: yes, up to nine hours
Running cost on maximum: 4p/hour (0.156kWh)
Temperature after an hour: 34C
Guarantee: two years
Machine washable: yes, up to 30C
VonHaus
Pink heated throw blanket
from £37.99
What we love
Its silky finish and pretty pink hue
What we don’t love
It could be thicker
Best heated cushion:
Beurer HK48 cosy heated cushion
Beurer
HK48 cosy heated cushion
from £34.99
What we love
The fact that it both props you up and heats you up
What we don’t love
The control panel is very basic
Photograph: Emily Peck/The Guardian£42.39 at Lakeland£34.99 at Amazon
This heated cushion, made by German brand Beurer, would make an excellent gift.
Of its two sides, it’s the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 fleecy fabric that warms up for a soothing effect; the other side is a breathable cotton with a removable pad inside. The cover is removable and machine washable on a gentle wool cycle at 30C, but it can only be cleaned up to 10 times in its lifespan. For an extra £9.99, replacement covers are available in five attractive colours, including green, red and orange.
Why we love it
An alternative option to your standard heated throw, this cushion provides a more targeted approach to warming and could work well for general pain relief. It comes with three heat settings, and felt great positioned near the lower back and under the neck, upper legs, knees and ankles.
The cushion was super-quick to heat, reaching 34C in 10 minutes, and a very warm 43.4C after an hour. It never really felt too hot, and the heat seemed to radiate to the sides nicely. The three heat settings are useful, but a timer alongside would have enhanced the design. That said, it does come with a 90-minute auto-shut-off feature.
It’s a shame that … the control panel isn’t a little more hi-tech, but it does the job effectively.
Sizes available: one
Dimensions: H40 x W30cm
Number of heat settings: three
Timer included: no, but it has 90-minute auto-switch off
Running cost on maximum: 0.6p/hour – less than 1p (0.023kWh)
Temperature after an hour: 43.4C
Guarantee: three years
Machine washable: the cover is machine washable at 30C wool cycle; the inner pad is not washable
Beurer
HK48 cosy heated cushion
from £34.99
What we love
The fact that it both props you up and heats you up
What we don’t love
The control panel is very basic
The best of the rest
‘Good for transitional seasons when you don’t want anything too heavy’: the Silentnight luxury heated throw. Photograph: Emily Peck/The Guardian
Slumberdown Elegantly Warm luxury heated throw
Slumberdown
Elegantly Warm luxury heated throw
from £48
What we love
It gets satisfyingly hot
What we don’t love
Its heat settings aren’t as intuitive as we’d like
Photograph: Emily Peck/The Guardian£60 at Argos£48 at Amazon
Best for: those looking for a stylish, neutral colour
This heated throw looks elegant and feels luxurious – just as the name suggests. My review sample arrived in the Mole colourway, which will suit both modern and traditional interiors.
The blanket’s 10 heat settings allow for good control, although I found it difficult to “feel” a difference past heat setting six. The blanket reached a hot 31.9C after 10 minutes of being turned on; and while the borders didn’t get as warm, the heat did seem evenly distributed across the surface.
Made from polyester, the blanket is washable at 40C on a wool cycle, but it can only be air-dried.
It didn’t make the final cut because … when you turn it on, it starts at setting five. It would make more sense if it started at setting one.
Sizes available: one; dimensions: L160 x W130cm; number of heat settings: 10; timer included: yes, up to ten hours; running cost on maximum: 3p/hour (0.104kWh); temperature after an hour: 42.5C; guarantee: two years; machine washable: yes, up to 40C
Slumberdown
Elegantly Warm luxury heated throw
from £48
What we love
It gets satisfyingly hot
What we don’t love
Its heat settings aren’t as intuitive as we’d like
Snuggledown Intelligent Warmth
Snuggledown
Intelligent Warmth
from £100
What we love
Each side can be controlled independently
What we don’t love
Its filling is polyester, which is less breathable
King, £100 at ArgosKing, £125 at John Lewis
Best for: couples who share a bed and can’t agree on temperature
With a sustainable 180-thread-count pure cotton cover, the surface of this electric blanket is luxuriously soft and breathable, while the quilted finish adds extra padding and warmth to the mattress before the blanket is even turned on. The fastening straps for the corners and the blanket’s base material ensure a secure fit to the mattress.
There are two control panels that let you tailor each quarter of the mattress to suit your upper and lower body, so it’s a great option for bed sharers or those who like to keep their feet at a different temperature from the top half of their body. On the highest setting, the blanket radiated an even temperature that felt even warmer once I added my duvet.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it may have a pure cotton cover, but its filling is made from polyester.
Sizes available: single, double, king, super king; dimensions (king size): L200 x W150cm; number of heat settings: nine; timer included: yes, up to nine hours; running cost on maximum: 2p/hour (0.062kWh); temperature after an hour: 27.6C; guarantee: two years; machine washable: yes
Snuggledown
Intelligent Warmth
from £100
What we love
Each side can be controlled independently
What we don’t love
Its filling is polyester, which is less breathable
Silentnight luxury heated throw
Silentnight
Luxury heated throw
from £39.99
What we love
It’s lightweight and heats evenly
What we don’t love
It’s not as thick as some of the throws we’ve tried
£41 at SilentnightFrom £39.99 at Amazon
Best for: smaller sofas and people who don’t want to share
A simple control panel with nine heat settings adjust the temperature of this heated throw, which reached just over 33C after an hour of being plugged in. There’s no timer, but it turns off automatically after two hours, which should be more than long enough to warm you up.
The throw is thin and light, so it would be good for transitional seasons when the weather is a little warmer and you don’t want anything too heavy. The box says it costs 1p an hour to run on the lowest setting, which sounds about right – I measured it as 3p an hour on maximum.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s quite thin, meaning you can feel the wiring inside.
Sizes available: one; dimensions: L160 x W120cm; number of heat settings: nine; timer included: no, but two-hour automatic shut-off; running cost on maximum: 3p/hour (0.102kWh); temperature after an hour: 33.6C; guarantee: three years; machine washable: yes
Silentnight
Luxury heated throw
from £39.99
What we love
It’s lightweight and heats evenly
What we don’t love
It’s not as thick as some of the throws we’ve tried
What you need to know
How much do electric blankets cost to run?
In my tests, the average king-size electric blanket costs 3p an hour to run. This shows that even if used for a few hours a day, it could cut down on your heating use and save you money over the year – depending on how much you spend on the blanket in the first place, of course.
“There are factors to consider when calculating the costs, as not all electric blankets are the same,” says John-Paul Drake, energy expert at Love Energy Savings. “Some come with timers, different heat settings and various efficiency ratings. But it could be wise to take advantage of both an electric blanket and a lower thermostat setting as an optimal way to save money on energy bills this winter.”
How much should you spend on an electric blanket?
Prices for an electric blanket range from about £30 to £140, depending on the size. Expect to pay anything from £20 to £150 for a heated throw.
Are electric blankets safe?
Electric blankets should be used with caution, and never by young babies and toddlers. Most manufacturers do not recommend use by young children, unless they’re supervised by an adult and have a clear understanding of how to use them safely. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines for safe use. Not always obvious on the box, but the latest electric blankets should have passed electrical safety checks. Look for safety marks such as “BEAB approved” (British Electrotechnical Approvals Board) or “KEMA-KEUR safety tested” for peace of mind. For more advice on electric blanket safety, read this advice from London Fire Brigade.
Consider safety features such as an automatic switch-off timer that will turn off the blanket after a set time, or overheat protection, which switches off the device if it senses it’s getting too hot.
An electric blanket should fit securely on your mattress, starting just below the area beneath your pillow to stop your head from overheating. It shouldn’t be folded or creased, as this can damage the wiring inside. The safest place to leave your blanket when it’s not needed is flat on your bed.
Is my electric blanket compatible with my mattress?
Electric blankets are compatible with most mattresses, but can potentially cause damage to some mattresses made from memory foam or latex. “Memory foam mattresses are heat-sensitive, and there has been a concern in the past that they could soften too much when heated by an electric blanket, damaging the foam’s structure and reducing support,” says Chelsea Brown, lead product adviser at Opera Beds.
“Most modern electric blankets shouldn’t reach high enough temperatures for this to be an issue, but you should use them with caution. Memory foam is designed to mould to your body, so directly placing an electric blanket on top can also prevent the mattress from fitting your body snugly. Consider using a mattress topper under the electric blanket or keeping it on a low heat to prevent damage to your mattress.”
Emily Peck is a lifestyle journalist who’s been writing and editing for more than two decades. She covers design and interiors, gardens, technology, wellbeing and fitness for various magazines and newspapers. She recently relocated from London to Dorset
This article was originally published on 27 December 2024. Reviews published in the Filter may be periodically updated to reflect new products and at the editor’s discretion. The date of an article’s most recent update can be found in the timestamp at the top of the page. This article was amended on 23 December 2025; six new products were added after testing, and prices were updated throughout.
Two burglars who used the Grindr dating app to trick victims into letting them into their homes have been jailed.
Rahmat Khan Mohammadi, 23, and Mohammed Bilal Hotak, 27, would arrange to meet victims at their London properties, and persuade them to provide their phone passwords by asking to play music on YouTube.
The Afghan refugees then stole the devices and left before making online or contactless payments, as well as occasionally transferring funds to themselves.
Mohammadi targeted 11 victims in his five-month crime spree between 24 October 2024 and 24 March 2025.
Hotak offended multiple times between 24 October 2024 and 23 December 2024.
Mohammadi was jailed for five years and Hotak for three and a half years at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday.
Sentencing both men, Judge Adenike Balogun said: “I have taken note of the psychological trauma as well as the inconvenience caused to the victims, and the distress that all of them have expressed at allowing you into their homes – into their private space – only to be violated.”
Prosecutor David Patience had alleged that the men were targeted because of their sexuality and the offences could in effect been seen as hate crimes.
The judge said: “I’ve considered that matter very carefully and it seems to me that the presumed sexual orientation of the victims presented an opportunity for you to commit the crime, and in that respect I do find that the victims… were targeted because of their perceived vulnerability.”
However, she said they were not picked because the two men held “hostility” towards the victims’ sexuality.
Rather, it was because they knew that Grindr – an app used for gay introductions – was “an opportunity to gain easy access into the homes of the victims”.
She added: “I suspect you were – and I put no higher than that – banking on the victims not reporting the crime.”
Rahmat Khan Mohammadi. Pic: Metropolitan Police
Frequently using a Grindr profile with no photo, they would send one of someone else if an image was requested by a potential victim.
For several meet-ups Mohammadi would ask to bring a friend which would be Hotak.
Once inside, they would ask the victim to turn on music, usually on YouTube because the phone could not be locked while a video was playing.
Distraction tactics to encourage the victim to leave the room included taking a shower before sex, making a drink and showing one of them where the toilet was.
Mohammed Bilal Hotak. Pic: Metropolitan Police
John Kearney, defending Hotak, told the court that the men chose Grindr because “there is no comeback”.
He said: “The application itself has enabled completely anonymous people to be invited as complete strangers into the homes of the victims”.
One victim spoke about the “severe psychological trauma” of being targeted, and the impact of losing photos of deceased family members stored on his phone.
He said: “The suspects used Grindr, a gay dating app, as a hunting ground.”
Another victim described being led into “a dark wet park late at night,” and encouraged to undress before his phone was taken from him.
He called the theft “invasive and degrading,” and says he remains afraid to date people he has met online.
A jury found Mohammadi, of Weald Lane in Harrow, north-west London, guilty of 10 counts of burgling a dwelling, nine of fraud by false representation and one of theft.
Hotak, of Richmond Road in Hackney, east London, was convicted of five counts of burgling a dwelling, five of fraud by false representation and one of theft.
Mohammadi was acquitted of a further 10 charges and Hotak of 13.
Superintendent Owen Renowden, the Metropolitan Police’s hate crime lead, called their crimes “callous, calculated, pre-planned”.
“Their actions had a devastating impact on their victims,” he said. “Nobody should be made to feel unsafe in their own homes and they will have to live with the trauma these men have caused them.”
A ‘bomb cyclone’ bringing heavy downpours, flooding, and landslides is set to hammer the West Coast on Christmas Eve and further endanger holiday travelers.
The entire California coast is under a severe storm warning this morning, with major coastal cities from San Francisco to Los Angeles expected to see at least two to four inches of rain and near hurricane-force winds reaching 70mph in certain parts of the Bay Area and Northern California.
Some areas inland have been warned that an extreme ‘firehose’ of rainfall could deliver as much as eight to 16 inches of rain throughout California, including in the Los Angeles basin and the Sierra Nevada and Transverse mountain ranges.
A bomb cyclone is an extremely intense storm that forms from a low-pressure system that rapidly strengthens, usually in a day or so. It typically forms over the ocean near the West Coast, bringing extreme weather in just hours.
Between Tuesday and Christmas Day, over 1,300 flights are expected to be cancelled at airports in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and dozens of smaller travel hubs throughout the region.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm warning for much of Northern California and the state’s mountainous areas along the Nevada border.
Meteorologists with AccuWeather have predicted that heavy snow, likely exceeding four feet, could be dumped on the entire region; however, even more is expected at the highest elevations between Wednesday and Friday.
AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno said: ‘We’re probably looking at at least 10 feet of snow this week over the ridges and peaks of the Sierra Nevada.’
A ‘bomb cyclone’ is predicted to deliver several inches of rain throughout California, with the heaviest downpours expected on Christmas Eve
At least one person died in Redding, California, about 160 miles north of Sacramento, after heavy rains pelted northern California with nearly 10 inches of water over the weekend
The heavy rain hitting California right now has been fueled by a strong ‘atmospheric river’ slamming into the West Coast.
This giant river in the sky acts like a long, narrow band of air loaded with a huge amount of water vapor that flows through the atmosphere. The Christmas storm is actually the second atmospheric river to hit California in a week.
A first river brought deadly flooding to Northern California on Sunday and Monday, killing at least one person in Redding, about 160 miles north of Sacramento.
Heavy rains pelted the region with nearly 10 inches of water in just 24 hours during the first storm.
On Christmas Eve, the heaviest rain from this second atmospheric river is expected to pound California, bringing one to three-inch downpours of rain along the coastal plains through midday.
Northern areas such as San Francisco and Sacramento could see ongoing rain adding up to five inches through the end of the week.
Meanwhile, Southern California, including Los Angeles and San Diego, faces a high risk of flash flooding and landslides, with some spots getting between four and six inches of rain on Wednesday, making this one of the wettest Christmas Eves on record.
Strong wind gusts measuring between 40 and 60mph could cause power outages, fallen trees, and dangerous driving conditions throughout the state. Flooding is expected in urban areas, along rivers, and in burn scars from this year’s wildfires.
This week’s storm has been fueled by an atmospheric river, funneling large amounts of moisture over California
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings (Seen in pink) in the California mountain ranges and severe storm alerts (Seen in purple) along the entire coast
Forecasters said this monster storm will officially turn into a bomb cyclone if the air pressure at its center drops really fast over 24 hours this week.
Air pressure is basically how heavy the air is pushing down on everything. In storms, the center has lower pressure, lighter air pushing down, which pulls in winds and makes the storm stronger.
For this second atmospheric river to develop into a bomb cyclone, that pressure has to fall by at least 24 millibars in one day. Millibars are a unit experts use to measure air pressure.
This would be the equivalent of the storm suddenly sucking in large amounts of air quickly, which makes it explode in power, bringing hurricane-force winds and heavier rain to the West Coast this week.
AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham warned: ‘Regardless of whether the storm rapidly strengthens and experiences the required 24 millibars of pressure drop in 24 hours (0.71 of an inch of mercury), the storm will intensify enough to create strong winds along the coast of Northern and Central California.’
Over 1,500 flights had already been delayed globally as of Tuesday morning, with Flight Aware’s Misery Map revealing that flights between New York and Los Angeles were the most affected domestic trips so far.
Sun King, an off-grid solar energy company that designs and sells solar products, has launched a pay-as-you-go (PayGo) installment payment model for smartphones, allowing customers to purchase smartphones without paying the full cost upfront.
The company is extending the model, which it has long applied to solar home systems, to enable customers to acquire smartphones from global brands such as Samsung, Tecno and Infinix through small, periodic payments.
Sun King’s expansion into smartphone financing comes as rising smartphone prices continue to deepen Nigeria’s digital access gap, pushing millions of people out of the digital economy. Currency depreciation and inflation have driven up smartphone prices, making even entry-level devices increasingly unaffordable for low-income households, students and informal workers.
“For years, we have helped Nigerian households and businesses overcome the barrier of high upfront costs for reliable and sustainable solar power,” said Omoyemi Tuga, vice president for pay-as-you-go sales in West and Central Africa at Sun King. “We are now extending the same approach to smartphones.”
Tuga said combining installment payment plans with the company’s nationwide sales network, which spans all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory through community-based agents and retail outlets, would make it easier for customers to own smartphones.
Founded in 2007, Sun King designs and sells off-grid solar products to households and small businesses across Africa and Asia, targeting markets with limited or unreliable electricity access. In October, the company, as part of its efforts to strengthen its operations, set up its largest manufacturing plant in Kenya. It also closed a $40 million equity round in December to accelerate the distribution of its solar system in Sub-Saharan Africa.
For its smartphone PayGo model, the company said it has a range of entry-level and mid-range devices, including the Samsung A06, Tecno Pop 10, and models from Infinix’s Smart and Hot series. Sun King agents or retail shops handle onboarding in person, allowing customers to begin using their devices after making the initial payment.
“For many Nigerians, a smartphone is the primary way to get online, study, find work, run a business, or access everyday services,” the company said. “However, the upfront cost keeps many people, especially young people, women and low-income families from owning the devices they need.”
It argued that its financing model removes one of the biggest barriers to digital participation. Sun King’s new expansion pushes it to join existing players offering smartphone financing in Nigeria through a pay-as-you-go model. Other companies, such as Kenya-based M-KOPA, have long used a similar financing model to sell smartphones and other devices across African markets, including Nigeria. Local players like CD Care also offer device financing and after-sales services through installment plans, targeting consumers who cannot afford upfront purchases.
Sun King did not disclose key commercial details for its PayGo model for smartphones, including interest rates, repayment duration, default thresholds or enforcement mechanisms for the instalment plans.
Across Uzbekistan, a network of about a hundred banks of high-resolution roadside cameras continuously scan vehicles’ license plates and their occupants, sometimes thousands a day, looking for potential traffic violations. Cars running red lights; drivers not wearing their seatbelts; and unlicensed vehicles driving at night, to name a few.
The driver of one of the most surveilled vehicles in the system was tracked over six months as he traveled between the eastern city of Chirchiq, through the capital Tashkent, and in the nearby settlement of Eshonguzar, often multiple times a week.
We know this because the country’s sprawling license plate-tracking surveillance system has been left exposed to the internet.
Security researcher Anurag Sen, who discovered the security lapse, found the license plate surveillance system exposed online without a password, allowing anyone access to the data within. It’s not clear how long the surveillance system has been public, but artifacts from the system show that its database was set up in September 2024, and traffic monitoring began in mid-2025.
The exposure offers a rare glimpse into how such national license plate surveillance systems work, the data they collect, and how they can be used to track the whereabouts of any one of the millions of people across an entire country.
The lapse also reveals the security and privacy risks associated with the mass monitoring of vehicles and their owners, at a time when the United States is building up its nationwide array of license plate readers, many of which are provided by surveillance giant Flock. Earlier this week, independent news outlet 404 Media reported that Flock left dozens of its own license plate reading cameras publicly exposed to the web, allowing a reporter to watch themselves being tracked in real time by a Flock camera.
Sen said he found the exposed Uzbek license plate surveillance system earlier this month, and shared details of the security lapse with TechCrunch. Sen told TechCrunch that the system’s database reveals the real-world locations of the cameras, and contains millions of photos and raw camera video footage of passing vehicles.
The system is run by the Department of Public Security in Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tashkent, which did not respond to emails requesting comment about the security lapse during December.
Representatives of the Uzbek government in Washington D.C. and New York also did not respond to TechCrunch’s emails about the exposure. Uzbekistan’s computer emergency readiness team, UZCERT, did not respond to an alert about the system, except for an automated reply acknowledging receipt of our email.
The surveillance system remains exposed to the web at the time of writing.
The system refers to itself as an “intelligence traffic management system” by Maxvision, a Shenzhen, China-based maker of internet-connected traffic technologies, border inspection systems, and surveillance products. In a video on LinkedIn, the company says its cameras can record the “entire illegal process,” and can “display illegal and passing information in real-time.”
According to its brochure, Maxvision exports its security and surveillance tech to countries across the globe, including Burkina Faso, Kuwait, Oman, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan.
Image Credits:TechCrunch (screenshot)
TechCrunch’s analysis of the data inside the exposed system revealed at least a hundred cameras located across major Uzbek cities, as well as busy junctions and other important transit routes.
We plotted the GPS coordinates of the cameras, and found banks of license plate readers in Tashkent, the cities of Jizzakh and Qarshi in the south, and Namangan in the east. Some of the cameras are located in rural areas, such as on routes near the once-disputed parts of the borders between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Image Credits:TechCrunch (screenshot)
Image Credits:TechCrunch (screenshot)
In Tashkent, the country’s largest city, the cameras can be found at more than a dozen locations. Some of these cameras are even visible on Google Street View.
The cameras, some which watermark their footage with the name of the Singapore camera maker Holowits, capture video footage and still images of vehicles violating rules in 4K resolution.
Image Credits:TechCrunch (screenshot)
The exposed system allows access to its web-based interface, which contains a dashboard allowing operators to examine footage of traffic violations. The dashboard contains zoomed-in photos and the raw video footage of violations, as well as surrounding vehicles. (TechCrunch redacted the license plates and vehicle occupants prior to publication.)
Image Credits:TechCrunch (screenshot)
The exposure of Uzbekistan’s national license plate reading system is the latest example of a security lapse involving road surveillance cameras.
Earlier this year, Wired reported that more than 150 license plate readers around the United States and the real-time vehicle data they collect were exposed to the internet without any security.
Exposed license plate readers are not a new phenomena. In 2019, TechCrunch reported that over a hundred license plate readers were searchable and accessible from the internet, allowing anyone to access the data within. Some had been exposed for years, despite security researchers warning law enforcement agencies that these systems could be accessed from the web.
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For the first time this year, we invited our readers to vote for our first-ever Techloy Readers’ Choice Smartphone Awards. After more than a week of voting, the polls are closed, and the results are finally in. We gave you the chance to crown your champions across every major smartphone category, and you definitely delivered.
So, based on your votes, here are the smartphones that defined 2025.
Best Camera Phone
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Video Credit: Samsung
If you really think about it, it shouldn’t be all that surprising. For years, Samsung has arguably had a winning formula when it came to taking pictures or recording videos. The S25 Ultra carried over much of the camera hardware from last year’s flagship, boasting a 200MP main camera, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto (5x optical zoom), and 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom).
The refinement in its “Galaxy AI” post-processing is likely what sealed the deal for most people, offering cleaner low-light shots and more natural skin tones than ever before.
Best Budget Smartphone
Winner: Google Pixel 9a
Video Credit: Google
The Pixel 9a is Google’s latest budget offering, starting at $499. That’s $300 less than the base Pixel 9 while still offering most of the same experience. This time around, it actually outperforms its pricier sibling in endurance, boasting a massive 5,100mAh battery compared to the standard Pixel 9’s smaller cell.
Combined with the Tensor G4 chip and Google’s renowned HDR algorithms, it still feels remarkably close to a flagship while costing significantly less. Plus, with Google regularly selling these at a discount price from what was announced, the device is truly a masterclass in value.
Best Flagship Killer / Upper Mid-Range
Winners: OnePlus 13
The OnePlus 13 takes the crown this year, dominating the “bang-for-buck” category with a flagship experience at a price that still undercuts the industry heavyweights.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, it delivers top-tier performance, but what really won people over is its stunning 2K 120Hz display and ridiculously fast 100W charging. It’s the kind of phone that feels premium without making your wallet cry, and clearly, that hit the sweet spot for a lot of voters.
Best Foldable Phone (Book-Style)
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Video Credit: Samsung
I’ll be honest, this was also a favourite of mine, so I’m kind of glad it won. For nearly 10 years, companies have been trying their hands at foldables, but it wasn’t until this year, with this phone, that it all actually made sense. The Z Fold 7 finally felt like a genuine buy for me, compared to previous editions. Thankfully, the fans agree with me.
The Z Fold 7 took home a landslide victory in the foldable space. This year, Samsung finally addressed the “bulk” issue, delivering a significantly thinner and lighter chassis that rivals traditional slabs. The addition of an anti-reflective internal screen coating and a more durable hinge mechanism made it the clear choice for productivity enthusiasts who want a tablet in their pocket.
Best Foldable Phone (Clamshell)
Winner: Motorola Razr Ultra (2025)
Motorola continues to hold the edge in the flip-phone world. The Razr Ultra 2025 stands out due to its industry-leading 4.0-inch cover display that supports nearly every app in the Play Store without needing to unfold the phone.
Its chic design and nearly invisible crease gave it the win over the Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Best Gaming Phone
Winner: ZTE Nubia RedMagic 10S Pro
Video Credit: Redmagic
For the hardcore mobile gamers, there was only one choice. The RedMagic 10S Pro is a beast, featuring an active internal cooling fan that spins at 22,000 RPM and dedicated shoulder triggers.
With a completely notch-less display (thanks to the under-display camera) and a specialised gaming OS that allows for extreme overclocking, it’s built for performance above all else.
Best Battery Life
Winner: OnePlus 15
The OnePlus 15 claimed the endurance title this year, largely due to its new silicon-carbon battery technology. By squeezing a 6,000mAh capacity into a slim frame, it easily pushes through two days of heavy use.
When it finally does die, the 100W SuperVOOC charging gets you back to 100% in under 30 minutes.
Most Innovative Phone
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold
Innovation was at an all-time high this year, but nothing turned heads like the Galaxy Z TriFold Special Edition. As the world’s first commercially available triple-folding phone, it transforms from a standard smartphone into a massive 10-inch workstation.
Though currently available only in South Korea (with global expansion planned for early 2026), it represents a leap in engineering, proving that the future of mobile tech is more flexible than we ever imagined.
Best AI Phone
Winner: Xiaomi 17 Pro Max & Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Tie)
When it came to AI features, Xiaomi didn’t hold back. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max earned a ton of praise for its HyperOS AI, especially how effortlessly it connects your phone with the rest of your devices.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra continues to be the gold standard for all-around AI capabilities, from upgraded Circle to Search to its powerful generative editing tools.
Two phones, two very different strengths, but both clearly stood out to you as leaders in smartphone AI this year.
Best Overall Flagship
Winner: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Finally, taking the top spot as the Best Overall Flagship of 2025 is the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max. This year felt like a turning point for Apple, driven heavily by the maturation of “Apple Intelligence.” Built on the advanced 3nm A19 Pro chip with a record-breaking 12GB of RAM, the 17 Pro Max handles on-device AI tasks with unparalleled fluidity.
While others might beat it in specific niche specs, the combination of the improved 18MP front-facing camera, the slim “Air-inspired” titanium build, and an ecosystem that just works makes it the most well-rounded device on the market.
Hello!
Welcome back to Francophone Weekly by TechCabal, your weekly deep dive into the tech ecosystem across French-speaking Africa. Previous editions have been published on the web, but email versions of the newsletter will land directly in your inbox every Tuesday at noon. By default, this newsletter is in French—but don’t worry, you can click the button below to switch to the English version.
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Remarque : Aujourd’hui, le 23 décembre, marque la dernière édition hebdomadaire francophone de l’année. Le bulletin d’information reprendra le 6 janvier 2026.
Dans nos éditions précédentes, nous avons examiné comment les écosystèmes technologiques africains francophones repensent progressivement la croissance, en accordant davantage d’attention à la dette, aux marchés de capitaux locaux et au financement au-delà des capitaux propres de démarrage. La semaine dernière, nous avons approfondi la conversation en nous concentrant sur le Sénégal et les institutions qui sont à l’origine de ce changement sur le terrain. L’une des figures clés de cette initiative est Elena Dia, qui dirige l’animation de l’écosystème au sein de la Délégation générale pour l’entrepreneuriat rapide des femmes et des jeunes (DER).
Grâce à son travail, la DER s’éloigne du soutien générique à l’entrepreneuriat pour se tourner vers des programmes plus spécifiques à chaque secteur et adaptés aux besoins réels des fondateurs. Dans cette interview, Mme Dia partage les leçons tirées de ces dernières années et décrit à quoi pourrait ressembler une approche plus structurée de la création de start-ups en Afrique francophone.
Cette interview a été légèrement modifiée pour plus de clarté.
‘We don’t want generic programmes anymore; we want to deliberately build champions’ — Elena Dia
Elena Dia, responsable de l’unité Animation de l’écosystème, DER Sénégal/Source de l’image : LinkedIn
Lina Kacyem: Qu’est-ce qui a motivé votre transition du secteur bancaire au travail dans l’écosystème entrepreneurial ?
Elena Dia: Quand j’étais en banque, j’ai fait beaucoup de rotations — trésor, FX sales & trading, ALM, capital market, et surtout de l’investissement bancaire. J’ai eu un véritable « crush » sur la finance de projet. J’ai compris que je voulais un métier où la finance rencontre le développement et l’approche projet. C’est comme ça que ma transition vers l’écosystème entrepreneurial a commencé.
LK: Quels défis avez-vous constatés quand vous avez rejoint la DER ?
ED: Je suis arrivé à la DER dans ce rôle ou je dirige la cellule animation de l’écosystème, qui est en fait en charge de tous les projets programmes en lien avec l’innovation et la tech. Le plus difficile était de trouver assez de bons profils pour les programmes que nous mettions en place. On voit souvent les mêmes startups dans plusieurs programmes, car beaucoup d’accompagnements ciblent le même niveau de maturité et il n’y avait pas assez de profiles adéquats pour les programmes. Il manque des “vrais” programmes d’accélération longs et intensifs, comme Station F en France qui est un programme de deux ans, tu vois, avec du suivi personnalisé, et caetera.
LK: Quelles initiatives ont eu le plus grand impact ?
ED: Par rapport à ça, il y a deux programmes principaux que je pourrais citer. Le premier, c’est Line Stack Invest. C’est un programme qu’on avait mis en place avec l’Ambassade de France, avec 1 million d’euros (1,2 million de dollars) de l’Ambassade pour des activités d’animation de l’écosystème, donc des programmes d’accélération, celui dont je te parlais tout à l’heure, de l’incubation, il y a un roadshow international, il y a de la mise en relation avec des investisseurs étrangers à travers la plateforme Euroquity de BPI France, et 1 million d’euros (1,2 million de dollars) pour du financement direct de startup. Je trouve que c’est un très bon modèle de programme dans le sens où on était vraiment dans un partenariat déjà avec l’Ambassade, et donc on a eu beaucoup d’échanges de bonnes pratiques, et on était vraiment en mode projet, et on avait des KPI très spécifiques. Et je pense qu’honnêtement, ce programme-là est l’une des raisons pour lesquelles le Sénégal est devenu un écosystème très dynamique par rapport même à d’autres pays francophone qui ont des économies plus grandes ou plus dynamiques.
Et le deuxième, pour les PMEs et les startups, avec un focus sur l’inclusion financière, on a un très beau programme avec la Fondation Mastercard qui s’appelle BE YES. C’est un programme où on met en place des espaces de créativité partout dans le Sénégal, des plateaux d’innovation, où en fait l’objectif c’est que les jeunes aspirants entrepreneurs puissent venir se former à de la technologie innovante dans les Fab Labs. Donc on a par exemple de la broderie numérique, on a de l’imprimante 3D, on a aussi des formations un peu plus génériques, genre marketing digital, création de logos, site web, etc. C’est aussi un très beau programme d’inclusion qui couvre un petit peu des territoires dans l’InnoTech en dehors de Dakar, parce qu’effectivement, on a du mal à sourcer des profils InnoTech à Dakar, donc je te laisse imaginer la situation dans le reste du Sénégal. Donc voilà, ces deux programmes-là, je pense, ont eu beaucoup d’impact et c’est un petit peu des modèles de ce pourquoi la DER existe et ce pourquoi la DER est une institution, vraiment un très bel instrument.
(InnoTech = Innovation et Technologie)
LK: Comment conçoit-on de nouveaux programmes ?
ED: Pour structurer des programmes, on a beaucoup de chance à la DER vu qu’on a maintenant huit ans d’existence, donc beaucoup de learnings sur l’écosystème et aussi beaucoup de learnings sur tous les secteurs. Donc, ça nous aide beaucoup. Il y a des programmes qu’on a débuté et fini. Il y a beaucoup d’existants sur lesquels se baser pour structurer de nouvelles choses. Quand on structure des choses en lien avec l’écosystème tech par exemple, quelque chose que je suis en train d’essayer de mettre en place pour l’année prochaine typiquement, c’est de mettre en place des programmes d’accompagnement, donc technical assistance, mais plus sectoriels. Pourquoi ? Parce que comme je te disais tout à l’heure, les programmes qu’on a délivrés pour le moment étaient plutôt génériques en vrai. C’est l’entrepreneur s’adapte à la formation plutôt que le contraire. Là, ce que je souhaiterais faire, c’est délivrer des programmes qui vont être beaucoup plus tailor-made, un peu beaucoup plus comme du comme du advisory, et deuxièmement, c’est de mettre des programmes qui vont être beaucoup plus sectoriels. Donc là, typiquement, je suis en train d’essayer de structurer un programme sur l’industrie musicale parce que j’aimerais bien que d’ici deux/trois ans, je puisse regarder mon portefeuille et me dire grâce à ces programmes, j’ai maintenant six champions dans l’industrie musicale, j’ai six champions sur le digital and green innovation, j’ai sept champions sur autre chose. Le but est de construire des champions par chaîne de valeur. C’est ce que je souhaiterais faire plutôt que de faire un programme multisectoriel et voir en fait ce qui va se passer. Voilà, c’est un peu l’approche structurante qu’on souhaiterait mettre en place l’année prochaine par rapport à par rapport aux learnings qu’on a eu jusqu’à présent.
LK: Comment fonctionne le modèle de financement de DER sans licence bancaire ?
ED: J’adore cette question sur notre modèle opérationnel et notre mécanisme de financement. En fait, c’est assez simple. Nous avons deux produits principaux : le Guichet Autonomisation et le Guichet Soutien au TPME.
Le Guichet Autonomisation est celui où nous nous concentrons vraiment sur l’inclusion financière. Nous proposons des tickets allant de 50 000 FCFA à 2 millions de FCFA (90 à 3 570 dollars). Ce qui est formidable avec ce produit, c’est que pour les montants inférieurs à 2 millions de FCFA (3 570 dollars), nous n’avons pas besoin de passer par la banque centrale. Par conséquent, nous n’avons pas besoin d’utiliser des comptes bancaires standard dans les banques commerciales. Cela nous donne beaucoup de flexibilité.
L’ensemble du processus est numérisé. Par exemple, nous avons développé un outil interne chez DER. Cela nous a pris beaucoup de temps, mais nous en sommes très fiers. Cet outil nous permet, sur la base du profil de l’entrepreneur, d’effectuer une notation en ligne. Nous saisissons toutes leurs coordonnées, ainsi qu’un questionnaire auquel ils répondent, et l’outil de notation en ligne détermine si, sur la base de leur demande (par exemple, s’ils demandent 1 million de FCFA (1 785 dollars)), ils sont éligibles à 100 %, 80 % ou 50 % de ce montant. C’est donc déjà très bien et très utile. Et comme je l’ai mentionné, comme il s’agit d’un outil interne, lorsque nous constatons des limites ou des éléments à corriger, nous pouvons le mettre à jour naturellement sans passer par un fournisseur externe.
Un autre avantage est que ce produit utilise l’argent mobile. Nous utilisons des portefeuilles électroniques du début à la fin. L’entrepreneur reçoit les fonds via Orange Money ou Wave et peut également effectuer ses remboursements via ces mêmes plateformes. La DER est une institution de service public, et ce niveau de numérisation nous permet d’atteindre les entrepreneurs dans les 552 communes du Sénégal. Sinon, nous devrions demander aux entrepreneurs de se déplacer pour recevoir leur financement, puis de se déplacer à nouveau chaque fois qu’ils doivent effectuer un remboursement, potentiellement tous les mois. Cela représente une énorme perte de temps.
Nous sommes également censés répondre aux contraintes spécifiques des femmes entrepreneurs. Et en effet, les femmes sont confrontées à des contraintes différentes, en particulier dans les zones rurales. Peuvent-elles laisser leurs enfants pour faire tous ces trajets ? Bien sûr que non. C’est donc quelque chose que je trouve très innovant et qui exprime vraiment la beauté de notre modèle. C’est la partie Autonomisation.
Le deuxième produit est le Guichet Soutien au TPME. C’est là que nous travaillons sur des projets plus structurés, à partir de 2 millions de FCFA (3 570 dollars). Comme nous traitons des montants plus élevés, nous utilisons généralement les systèmes bancaires traditionnels, ce qui signifie que l’entrepreneur doit ouvrir un compte bancaire auprès de l’une de nos institutions financières partenaires et présenter un plan d’affaires complet.
L’inconvénient est que nous ne contrôlons pas l’ensemble de la chaîne de A à Z, comme nous le faisons avec le Guichet Autonomisation. Ainsi, en cas de retard au niveau de nos partenaires financiers, DER dépend entièrement de leurs délais de traitement et de décaissement, car nous ne disposons pas d’une licence bancaire. Nous nous occupons du traitement des demandes, mais le décaissement est effectué par nos institutions financières partenaires. Cela signifie que l’entrepreneur n’ouvre pas de compte chez DER, il ouvre un compte à la Banque Nationale pour le Développement Économique (BNDE), par exemple, qui est l’une de nos institutions financières partenaires, avec Pamecas, le Crédit Mutuel du Sénégal (CMS), l’Association Sénégalaise pour le Soutien et l’Encadrement des Petites Entreprises (ASSEP) et La Banque Agricole (LBA), avec lesquelles nous travaillons également beaucoup.
Dans ces cas, comme nous ne contrôlons pas l’ensemble de la chaîne, nous dépendons nécessairement de nos partenaires. Cependant, nous avons mis en place des processus pour faciliter le travail. Nous développons actuellement un système d’interconnexion avec toutes les institutions financières partenaires avec lesquelles nous travaillons. Cela signifie que nous serons en mesure de connecter nos systèmes d’information afin de traiter les demandes plus facilement. Ce projet est encore en cours, mais des mesures importantes sont prises et je pense que les perspectives sont très bonnes pour rationaliser véritablement le guichet TPME.
LK: Quelles synergies existent avec des institutions comme FONSIS ?
ED: J’aime beaucoup cette question car, oui, il existe de nombreuses possibilités de collaboration entre les différentes structures étatiques. Il n’y a pas que le Fonds souverain d’investissements stratégiques (FONSIS) : il y a aussi l’Agence de développement et d’encadrement des petites et moyennes entreprises (ADEPME), par exemple, qui fournit une assistance technique ; il y a le FGIP (Fonds de garantie pour les investissements prioritaires), qui fournit des garanties ; il y a le Bureau de mise à niveau ; il y a vraiment beaucoup d’institutions. Nous travaillons déjà beaucoup avec toutes ces institutions, mais il y a bien sûr encore beaucoup à faire.
Avec le FONSIS en particulier, nous mettons en place un nouveau processus. Je vais vous donner un exemple pour vous expliquer. Pour nos startups, je mets en place un ticket d’environ 50 000 à 60 000 euros (58 695 à 70 400 dollars), et l’objectif est que ce financement par emprunt ait un effet de levier afin que la startup puisse ensuite lever des fonds si elle le souhaite, sous forme de dette ou de capitaux propres, en fonction des partenaires de l’écosystème, qu’il s’agisse de sociétés de capital-risque ou d’autres types d’investisseurs. FONSIS fournit des financements par emprunt et par capitaux propres, ce qui en fait une étape naturelle pour les start-ups que nous soutenons. Notre objectif est de nous aligner sur les indicateurs clés de performance (KPI) de FONSIS afin de pouvoir alimenter leur pipeline avec des start-ups pertinentes.
Nous acquérons également une connaissance approfondie de tous les différents fonds gérés par FONSIS. L’organisation gère plusieurs véhicules distincts, notamment FONSIS lui-même, WeFunds et des instruments financiers islamiques. En comprenant l’orientation de chaque fonds, nous pouvons nous assurer de leur envoyer les profils les plus adaptés.
LK: Quelles opportunités et quels risques voyez-vous pour l’écosystème du Sénégal ?
ED: Alors en termes d’opportunités, disons que le travail d’Ecosystem Building que la DER a mis en place, il est un petit peu « vieux » ou obsolète maintenant, vu que d’autres challenges se presentes. Le Sénégal, notamment à travers l’action de la DER, a été précurseur, donc nos startups ont maintenant 5–7 ans de maturité. On a des belles success stories, aussi bien les startups que les SMEs. On commence à avoir des exits également. C’est preuve de tous ces indicateurs qui vont définir le dynamisme ou non d’un écosystème entrepreneurial. Moi, mon objectif en tout cas personnellement, c’est que Wave, qui est le premiere licorne sénégalaise, ne soit qu’un exemple parmi d’autres et que les startups que nous avons accompgnes figurent parmi ces exemples la d’ici 5 ans. Ce serait un énorme gain pour l’ecosystem de voir Logidoo ou PAPS être a ce stade la ou du moins pas loin. Nous avons cette opportunité-là parce que nous avons été un peu précurseurs.
Du côté du risque, on est forcément affecté par l’environnement macro qui se passe. Le risque majeur, c’est la diminution des financements des bailleurs (USAID, coopérations bilatérales). Il faut donc diversifier les sources de financement. En termes de funding beaucoup de programmes d’assistance technique, d’incubation, d’accélération dans notre écosystème sont financés souvent par des donneurs bilatéraux, la coopération bilatérale. C’est un sujet un peu délicat en ce moment. Par exemple l’USAID a été dissoute alors qu’ils avaient un très beau programme d’investissement sur l’entrepreneuriat au Sénégal. Les coopérations bilatérales sont en train d’avoir beaucoup de cuts, beaucoup moins de budget. C’est un risque qui n’est pas unique au Sénégal, mais présent dans tous les écosystèmes du continent. C’est aussi une opportunité de se réapproprier peut-être un petit peu nos écosystèmes, de chercher des sources de financement autres, de diversifier surtout. Parce que si l’écosystème s’effondre, ça veut dire que le risque de diversification n’a pas été pris en charge de manière assez efficiente.
LK: Quels conseils donneriez-vous aux institutions et personnes qui construisent un écosystème ?
ED: La recommandation que je pourrais donner, c’est d’avoir le mindset projet. Un écosystème, c’est tellement complexe comme son nom l’indique. Il y a plusieurs acteurs, des agendas différents, et bien plus encore. Ce que nous avons vu qui a été vraiment utile, c’etait de prendre l’écosystème de manière globale et de faire de l’écosystème un projet avec un lead, mais de manière très inclusive. Par exemple, La DER était en lead avec des partenaires comme l’ambassade de France. On était très inclusif aussi dans l’approche, on avait un comité de pilotage qui était mixte : la DER, l’ambassade de France, Senstartup qui est l’association des start-ups, des universités, des incubateurs, des SAE, etc. C’était vraiment très inclusif. Le mindset projet doit venir avec un budget déterminé, avec des lignes de budget spécifiques et des activités déclinées. Ça peut changer forcément comme tous les projets en fonction de ce qu’on trouve sur place. Il est impératif aussi d’avoir un cadre de mesure, pour mesurer l’impact, car ça permet aussi de montrer des avancées de façon concrète. On peut partager des donnees telles que : le nombre de start-up financées, nombre de ces start-ups ont ensuite réussi à lever des fonds sur la base de notre ticket de financement, quantité et qualité des mises en relation, etc.
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When OnePlus launched the Pad Go in 2023, its appeal was simple: a lightweight tablet that delivered acceptable performance and display quality at a budget-friendly €230. It was designed to be easy to carry, easy to recommend, and easy on the wallet.
The OnePlus Pad Go 2 takes a different approach. Priced closer to €350, it targets a higher tier with a larger 120Hz display, a newer chipset, and a much bigger battery. These upgrades are meaningful, but they also come with clear compromises in weight and portability.
This comparison examines whether the Pad Go 2’s move upmarket results in a better tablet overall, or whether the original Pad Go remains the more sensible choice for users who valued affordability and true “grab-and-go” convenience.
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/1. Display
The display upgrade is the most significant differentiator between these two tablets. The Pad Go 2 has a substantial 12.1-inch screen, dwarfing the original Pad Go’s 11.35-inch panel. This new screen offers a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, a noticeable step up from the previous 90Hz standard.
Brightness sees a massive leap as well. The Pad Go 2 hits a peak of 900 nits, making it usable in bright environments where the original’s 400-nit panel struggles. For visual fidelity, the newer model renders the original obsolete.
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Verdict:The Pad Go 2 renders the original obsolete in visual fidelity and outdoor usability.
/2. Performance
Under the hood, the engines drive two very different experiences. The Pad Go 2 utilizes the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra (4nm) chipset running Android 16, marking a generational leap in efficiency.
While the Pad Go relies on the older Helio G99 (6nm) and Android 13, the new model ensures significantly better longevity and gaming performance. The Pad Go 2 manages multitasking and heavier applications with superior stability, whereas the original is strictly suited for basic tasks.
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Verdict: The Pad Go 2 is the clear winner for longevity and gaming; the original is now strictly for light use.
/3. Battery
OnePlus increased the fuel tank significantly in the new model. The Pad Go 2 houses a massive 10,050 mAh battery, a major increase over the original’s 8,000 mAh unit. This guarantees extended screen-on time for long media sessions.
However, a crucial critique remains: both tablets rely on the same 33W charging speed. Because the Pad Go 2’s battery is much larger, it requires significantly more time to reach a full charge. This stagnation in charging tech creates a friction point for power users.
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Verdict: The Pad Go 2 wins on endurance, but the original Pad Go charges faster.
/4. Portability
The “Go” branding implies portability, but the Pad Go 2 compromises on this front. It weighs approximately 597g, making it noticeably heavier than the 532g of the Pad Go.
The larger footprint also makes the new device less distinct from standard full-size tablets. Users seeking a truly lightweight, grab-and-go slate will find the original model far more accommodating for one-handed use and travel.
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Verdict: The original Pad Go retains the true “Go” spirit; the new model is closer to a standard, heavy table
The Verdict
If your priority is content consumption, the upgrade is non-negotiable. The 900-nit brightness, 120Hz refresh rate, and massive battery create a superior viewing experience.
The original remains the better option for pure portability and value. It is lighter, charges faster relative to its capacity, and saves you over €100 while still handling basic video duties.
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December 23, 2025
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Nigeria is currently in talks with Google for a new subsea cable that seeks to strengthen its digital and connectivity backbone. This is according to a Bloomberg report on Tuesday.
In an interview in Abuja, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), noted that Nigeria wants to increase its existing subsea cable links with Europe through the proposed infrastructure. He added that such investment is needed to help transform Nigeria into a digital hub in Africa and support the vision for a $1 trillion digital economy.
While the proposed deal is a plus for internet access, the NITDA boss tagged Nigeria’s current reliance on cables that follow the same path “a single point of failure.” In such a case, damage causes significant internet disruption, which affects economic activities.
DG, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi
According to the report, a Google spokesperson confirmed that talks between both parties are at an advanced stage. This development builds on Google’s plan to bridge the digital divide in Africa. In September, Google revealed plans for four new infrastructure hubs in Africa to connect its latest underwater fibre-optic cables.
The development comes at a time when Nigerian and other African countries are suffering from internet blackouts due to subsea cable damage. In a continent that has the world’s fastest-growing population, issues with seamless internet connectivity pose a threat to innovation and restrict access to advanced technology such as artificial intelligence.
Aside from the ongoing talks with Google, Abdullahi said that Nigeria is talking to other tech giants alongside. Nigeria is also seeking to drive investment in digital infrastructure. This will provide improved access to reliable cloud and computer power needed to broaden the use of high-tech tools.
Also Read: Meta completes 2Africa subsea cable system, the first cable to connect Africa to the world.
Subsea cables to the rescue for Nigeria and Africa
In its move to ensure every Nigerian is digitally connected, the federal government, in partnership with the World Bank, invested $2 billion in 90,000 kilometres of subsea cable network across the country. The infrastructure, whose rollout is underway, forms part of Nigeria’s continued push for a digital economy.
While subsea cables are described as the real backbone of the digital economy, they’ve been faced with challenges such as vandalism, cable cuts and other disruptions.
For instance, data by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) revealed that about 150 to 200 cable cuts occur globally yearly, causing connectivity disruptions across all sectors of the global economy, including banking and telecoms.
To bridge the gap, Nigeria and Africa as a whole recently recorded a milestone in digital connectivity.
Last month, Meta Inc. completed the core 2Africa Subsea Cable system, an infrastructure that links East and West Africa to the Middle East, South Asia and Europe. The subsea cable, the first to connect Africa to the rest of the world, seeks to transform connectivity for 3 billion people, including Africa’s 1.4 billion people, over the next 10 years.
The 2Africa Subsea Cable reaches 3 continents and lands in 33 countries, connecting over 3 billion people.
The subsea cable marks a defining moment for Africa’s economy and community development, and the facility represents a major change in international bandwidth for Africa, with technical capacity that far exceeds previous systems.
According to Meta, the subsea cable on the West segment stretched from England to South Africa, and landed in countries such as Senegal, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, DRC, and Angola. In addition, the cable supports 21 terabits per second (Tbps) per fibre pair, with 8 fibre pairs on the trunk.
Like Arnie’s pulverised cyborg at the end of T2, the Terminator franchise has lumbered on long past the point of being properly functional. Every film since Judgment Day has been a disappointment or an outright disaster, and its video game spinoffs haven’t fared much better. While some half-decent ones have emerged, such as 2019’s Terminator: Resistance, there hasn’t been a great Terminator game in about 30 years.
So it makes perfect sense for Terminator 2D: No Fate to attempt to fix our broken future by travelling back to the past. Developer Bitmap Bureau appeals to the series’ heyday by retelling the story of Judgment Day through a medley of retro 80s and 90s playstyles. The result is a charming and frequently thrilling action throwback, though ironically it is at its strongest when it strays furthest from James Cameron’s film.
Terminator 2D begins several years before the events of the film, charting Sarah Connor’s doomed attempt to sabotage Cyberdyne systems before her incarceration at Pescadero Hospital. These early levels, which see Sarah running and gunning her way through a gang of outlaws, police, and hazmat-wearing researchers, are among the game’s best. Bitmap Bureau does a remarkable job capturing Linda Hamilton’s gritty performance in a handful of pixels, while the scenarios eke impressive variety from simple arcade fundamentals.
Gaming greatness … Terminator 2D: No Fate. Photograph: Bitmap Bureau/ Reef Entertainment
The momentum carries on into the future, where you spend a couple of levels fighting the armies of Skynet as adult John Connor in nuclear-blasted LA. Terminator 2D ramps up the spectacle here, with laser weapons and incendiary grenades deployed against Chrome-plated T-800s and several enormous mini-bosses. The section culminates in a thrilling boss fight against a flying Hunter-Killer drone, at which Bitmap Bureau throws all the fireworks its 16-bit aesthetic allows.
No Fate loses some of its thrust once it catches up with Judgment Day. The midsection replicates key scenes from the film in playable form, such as the chase sequences that bookend the story. But these feel overly constrained by the game’s self-imposed limitations and aren’t very exciting to play. Better served are Arnie’s bar-fight scene and Sarah Connor’s escape from Pescadero, which employ beat ’em up principles and stealth respectively. While stylish and capably designed, these ideas deserve more room to breathe.
T2D regains its earlier verve in its concluding levels, though the story reaches its denouement quicker than the actual film. Fortunately, as is always the case in Terminator, the end is not really the end. Like its arcade forebears, No Fate places heavy emphasis on replay value. Not only do its harder modes challenge you with adjusted enemy placements, completing the story mode unlocks new pathways that explore alternate futures hinging on Sarah’s choices.
While No Fate doesn’t move the needle for Terminator games as much as I’d like, it succeeds in resetting the clock for the series’ interactive arm. It’s a pointed reminder that Terminator has gaming greatness within it.
Terminator 2D: No Fate is out now; £24.99
TECHNOLOGY
Time really does feel slower on the treadmill! Scientists reveal how running tricks your brain into overestimating duration
Nothing ever feels quite as slow as a minute on the treadmill.
Now, scientists have confirmed that running really does alter how we perceive time – making us overestimate how long we’ve been working out.
Researchers asked 22 participants to look at an image on a screen for two seconds and then judge whether a subsequent image appeared for the same amount of time.
The task was performed under a range of different conditions including standing still, walking backwards and running on a treadmill.
Analysis revealed that, when running, participants overestimated the passage of time by around nine per cent.
This means that, if you’re out for a jog or getting some miles in at the gym, what feels like a minute would actually correlate to 54.6 seconds.
Previous research has suggested that this phenomenon is down to an increased heart rate during exercise.
But the new study suggests the effect is mainly driven by the large amount of brain power required to manage the balance and coordination required for running.
The study found that compared to standing still, participants overestimated how quickly time passed when they were running
Writing in the journal Scientific Reports the team, from the Italian Institute of Technology, said: ‘Having an accurate perception of the passage of time is essential for many everyday activities, [but] the subjective feeling of events’ duration often does not match their physical duration.’
This can include everyday experiences like waiting for a bus or for your microwave meal to be ready – both of which typically feel ‘longer’ than they are.
Meanwhile time is also known to ‘fly’, for example when you are having fun or on holiday.
The researchers, led by Tommaso Bartolini, found that while running led participants to overestimate time by nine per cent, walking backwards also caused them to produce a similar distortion of seven per cent.
Although running elevated heart rate substantially more than walking backwards, the time distortion was nearly identical, they said.
This strongly suggests the effect is not driven by physiological exertion – such as heart rate – but instead by the cognitive effort needed to control movement.
‘The results of the current study suggest that we should be very cautious in interpreting perceptual timing biases observed during physical activities as reflecting physiological alterations,’ they wrote.
‘The results also encourage the scientific community investigating time perception… to consider the potential confounding role of cognitive factors implicated in the execution of complex motor routines.’
Scientists have confirmed that running really does alter how we perceive time – making us overestimate how long we’ve been working out (file image)
Previous research has revealed that time really does fly when you’re looking forward to something exciting such as a holiday.
Researchers from Al-Sadiq University in Iraq surveyed more than 1,000 people living in the UK and 600 people in Iraq, asking if they believed Christmas or Ramadan came more quickly each year.
They also measured participants’ memory function and attention to time passing, as well as age, gender and social life.
Analysis revealed that 70 per cent and 76 per cent of people respectively reported that Christmas or Ramadan seemed to come quicker every year.
They were more likely to report this perceived acceleration if they paid more attention to time, were more forgetful of plans, or reported a love of the holiday.
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Time really does feel slower on the treadmill! Scientists reveal how running tricks your brain into overestimating duration
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Google has officially integrated Opal, its experimental vibe coding tool, directly into the Gemini web app. The move quietly but fundamentally changes what Gemini is. It’s no longer just a place to ask questions or generate text. It’s now a tool for building working software.
With Opal built in, users can create small web apps, called Gems, simply by describing what they want in plain English. There’s no coding required. Instead of writing logic or designing interfaces by hand, users explain the outcome they want and let Gemini handle the rest.
This is where vibe coding comes in. Rather than focusing on syntax or programming rules, vibe coding shifts software creation toward intent. You describe behavior, purpose, or flow, and the system translates that into a working application. While products like Cursor or Lovable are aimed at developers and technical teams, Opal inside Gemini is designed for everyday users. Google takes care of hosting, deployment, and infrastructure automatically in the cloud.
Screenshot: Ejiro Onose / Techloy.com
The workflow in Opal seems intentionally simple. It starts with a prompt. You might type something like, “Create a stock portfolio tracker that pulls real-time prices.” Opal then generates both the backend logic and a visual interface. Unlike traditional AI tools that return code snippets, Opal produces a live, interactive web app. From there, refinement happens either visually or conversationally. You can adjust steps in a visual editor or ask Gemini to make changes, such as changing colors or adding new data fields.
For non-technical users, the usefulness is immediate. A freelance trader can spin up a custom crypto price tracker in minutes. A home cook can build a daily recipe tool that avoids specific allergens. These are not mockups or demos. They are deployed apps that work in a browser.
Right now, Opal is available as a Google Labs experiment on the Gemini web app in more than 160 countries. Google is also letting users remix existing Gems, which means starting from a prebuilt app and customizing it instead of building from scratch. That lowers the barrier even further and speeds up experimentation.
Taken together, this integration shows where Google wants Gemini to go. Not just as an assistant that answers questions, but as a layer that helps people create tools for themselves. If vibe coding takes off at this scale, building simple software may no longer be something you learn. It may be something you describe.
Google has launched a vibe coding app that basically lets you build apps without code
You type a plain-language description of the app you want to build, and Opal turns it into a working web app.
December 23, 2025
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The United States has announced a new visa restriction that will affect Nigerians who plan to travel, study, or move there beginning next year.
A notice from the U.S. Mission in Nigeria states that the American government will partially suspend visa issuance to citizens of 19 countries, including Nigeria, starting January 1, 2026. This move comes after a presidential order to tighten U.S. border and immigration rules.
Under the new rule, Nigerians applying for visitor visas, student visas, exchange programmes, and most immigrant visas may face rejection, even if they successfully complete the application process and attend interviews.
What changes for Nigerians in January
The restriction does not apply to everyone. Nigerians who already have valid U.S. visas as of January 1, 2026, will still be allowed to travel, and none of those visas will be cancelled due to the policy. The suspension only affects individuals outside the United States who do not hold a valid visa when the rule takes effect.
Certain categories are also exempt. These include Nigerians with dual citizenship who apply using a passport from a country not on the restricted list, U.S. permanent residents, and individuals travelling for specific international sporting events. Special immigrant visas linked to U.S. government employment are also excluded.
This announcement creates new uncertainty for students and young professionals. Nigerians can still apply and schedule interviews for study, exchange, or short-term travel visas. However, visa approval is no longer guaranteed, even for qualified applicants with good intentions. This means many applications could be denied.
Also read: US visa: Nigerian applicants directed to list social media usernames in last 5 years
The timing matters. Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest sources of international students and visitors to the United States. The restriction could slow academic admissions, disrupt exchange programmes, and limit short-term business or conference travel for Nigerians.
There are wider issues too. Families waiting for immigrant visas may experience increased delays. Additionally, U.S. organisations that depend on Nigerian students and workers might see fewer of them participating. For those applying, not knowing how long the suspension will last makes it harder to plan.
For now, the U.S. Mission has made it clear that the policy is not retroactive. Anyone holding a valid visa before the deadline is unaffected. But for new applicants from Nigeria in 2026, the path to the United States just became significantly narrower.
Fake adverts for weight loss drugs by a company pretending to be health and beauty retailer Boots have been removed from TikTok after the firm complained.
The adverts for prescription-only weight loss drugs appeared to show smiling healthcare professionals from the British retailer – but in reality they were made with AI.
It is illegal to advertise prescription-only weight loss drugs to the public.
A spokesperson for Boots told the BBC the firm was “aware” of the videos and had complained to TikTok, which said it had removed the videos.
A TikTok spokesperson said it did not allow “harmful or misleading AI-generated ads” on its platform.
But the BBC found while the videos were removed, the account – seemingly located in Hong Kong – was not.
It was able to re-upload the exact same videos despite the originals being removed.
TikTok was again notified of this, and the user was subsequently deleted.
Weight-loss jabs have been available on the NHS in England since the end of June, but they are not available over-the-counter and patients must meet strict criteria in order to be eligible for a prescription.
Before the fake Boots account was removed, its videos linked to a website where weight loss drugs could be bought.
It featured testimonies from customers and doctors which were either made with AI or taken from other websites.
The TikTok videos showed what appeared to be health workers drinking from a vial of blue liquid.
This would then appear to jump forward several months, with the workers apparently having lost a drastic amount of weight.
“AI now makes it trivially easy to generate a convincing series of videos or images showing an apparent change in a plausibly real generic health professional, or to impersonate specific health professionals wholesale,” AI expert Sam Gregory told the BBC.
“The underlying question is how quickly and comprehensively platforms act when they detect – or are notified of – scams that clearly breach their terms of service.
“Major brands like Boots will get prioritised over an individual business owner who’s been targeted.”
Other videos uploaded by the same account on TikTok seemed to have used content originally posted by real people, showcasing their weight-loss journey, but repurposed and used without permission.
All of the videos used similar branding and names to that of the official Boots account on TikTok – using the handle “@BootsOfficial”.
Boots said it only runs adverts on social media through its actual account @BootsUK.
The website also included warnings from the MHRA, the UK’s governmental body that ensures medicines and medical devices are safe, about purchasing counterfeit products.
A spokesperson for the body told the BBC weight loss medicines “should only be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional”.
“Taking these medicines sourced in any other way carries serious risks to your health with no guarantees about what they contain,” they said.
TikTok said it would continue to “strengthen” its detection methods for AI-generated content and it does not allow “the depiction, promotion, or trade of controlled substances”.
TECHNOLOGY
Biography aims to fill gaps in story of ultra-libertarian Telegram founder Pavel Durov | Russia
Tech visionary, Kremlin dissident, FSB agent, free speech absolutist, health guru. These are just some of the labels admirers and critics have attached to Pavel Durov over the past decade.
The Russian-born tech entrepreneur founded Russia’s version of Facebook before going on to create the messaging app Telegram, launch a cryptocurrency ecosystem and amass a multibillion-dollar fortune, all while clashing repeatedly with authorities in Russia and beyond.
But much of Durov’s real story – and the logic that drives him – remains obscured.
A new biography aims to change that.
The Populist, by the independent Russian writer Nikolay Kononov, traces the 41-year-old’s rise from a St Petersburg schoolboy science protege to the founder of Telegram, one of the world’s most influential communications platforms, which has more than a billion users.
Kononov describes the book as the product of a 14-year attempt to map Durov’s strategy and mindset, drawing on conversations with Durov himself and people who worked with him, as well as rivals and critics.
The book’s title, he said, refers to a thread running through Durov’s life: his desire to address Telegram’s millions of users directly, allowing him to bypass institutions, the press and any system of representation.
“Durov is one of the first digital populists,” Kononov said in an interview, explaining that “from the very beginning, as soon as he started making his digital products, he programmed into them the ability to write and communicate his ideas directly to his audience.”.
Durov delivering a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in 2016. Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters
Both VKontakte, Durov’s first venture, and Telegram have at times pushed messages from Durov directly to all users, including users who had not opted in, outlining his libertarian worldview.
“He sees himself as a visionary. And obviously wants to be heard,” the author said.
That strategy has helped promote Durov’s central promise – almost absolute freedom of expression – even as Telegram has become a go-to tool for dissidents, extremists, scammers and war propagandists.
If Durov’s public brand is built on libertarianism, Kononov says his private management style points in the opposite direction: power concentrated in one man’s hands, with few visible checks.
“He is essentially the only one making all the product decisions at Telegram,” Kononov said. “Marketing, PR – it’s a one-man show.”
The portrait he draws is of a tech founder whose worldview has not wavered over the years, remaining most comfortable within an ultra-libertarian, anti-institutional strand of the right that is often misogynistic and, at times, conspiratorial.
“What surprised me most is that Durov hasn’t changed or evolved in all the years that I have interviewed him,” Kononov said.
Durov is not an outlier, Kononov writes, but part of a broader new wave of moguls – most visibly in the US – who pair technological dominance with an outsized sense of personal mythology and a deep suspicion of government constraint.
Like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and Jeff Bezos, he has shown a strong interest in longevity science as well as pronatalism, the belief that having as many children as possible is a social or civilisational duty.
Durov does not drink or use drugs, Kononov says, regularly dispenses spartan health advice – often alongside photos of him shirtless – and has said he has fathered dozens of children through sperm donation.
Demonstrators with an icon-stylised painting of Durov protest against the blocking of Telegram in Russia during a May Day rally in Saint Petersburg in 2018. Photograph: Olga Maltseva/AFP/Getty Images
One of the book’s most striking sections tells for the first time of Durov’s tense early meeting with President Vladimir Putin in 2014, held behind closed doors.
Kononov writes that Durov described the encounter as a one-way conversation, in which the Kremlin leader reprimanded him over illegal content on Vkontakte and suggested that Durov leave the country.
Under pressure from the authorities, Durov sold his stake in Vkontakte, left Russia and eventually settled in Dubai, where he founded Telegram.
But the clearest mark on Durov in recent years, Kononov suggests, came not from Russia but from France.
Durov, who also holds French citizenship, was detained and held for three days in France in August last year as part of an investigation into crimes linked to Telegram, including the circulation of child sexual abuse images, drug trafficking and fraudulent transactions.
His detention came as a shock to the tech mogul. In interviews conducted in Paris after his arrest, Durov described to Kononov a harsh, disorienting ordeal – a permanently lit cell and little sleep – that rattled a man who had spent years insulating himself from the reach of the state.
It also appears to have sharpened his hostility towards the west. Kononov says Durov now frames Europe as sliding toward “total digital control”, and increasingly conspiratorial rhetoric.
Most recently, Durov appeared to endorse a conspiracy theory promoted by the far-right blogger Candace Owens, suggesting that Paris was behind the killing of Charlie Kirk.
“What interests me about Durov is that, on the one hand, he clearly has a very high IQ,” Kononov said. “But at the same time, he is prone to conspiracy theories.”
Kononov is adamant, however, that Durov’s views should not be conflated with formal political allegiances.
One of the most persistent claims surrounding Durov is that he is secretly aligned with Russian security services.
But Kononov said that in the course of his research, he found no evidence that Durov has worked with, or on behalf of, the Russian state. “He has a huge number of flaws – but not the sin of Telegram acting as a backdoor for the FSB,” Kononov said.
Kononov argues that what Durov has ultimately learned is the need to compromise – with both Russian and western authorities – when it serves his interests and allows Telegram to continue operating.
Kononov recalls Durov once telling him: “I never waste time on things that are unnecessary or that cannot be useful to me personally.” That self-serving mindset, Kononov said, ultimately ended their personal relationship.
About a year ago, the writer asked Durov whether he saw a contradiction between Telegram’s highly centralised, almost authoritarian internal structure and his professed devotion to freedom of expression. After that, Durov stopped responding.
“He quickly realised it wasn’t going to be a book to his liking,” Kononov said.