Olivia Bennett
Middle East & Africa Desk
Olivia Bennett is the Middle East & Africa Desk editor at The Taiwan Times, covering regional conflict, humanitarian crises and energy markets, with long-established reporting and verification channels on the ground.
Faced with war coverage where positions are polarised and facts are contested, she insists on multiple sources and careful wording, working to keep balanced, neutral narratives on the topics most easily swayed by emotion and propaganda.
She tracks how oil and gas move global inflation and Taiwan’s energy security, while never losing sight of the individual lives behind each conflict.
Areas of expertise
- Middle East
- Africa
- Energy markets
Latest by Olivia Bennett
15 dead, including village head, in Bagudo ethnic clash, Kebbi State Nigeria
Fifteen people, including the head of a village, were killed in an armed ethnic clash in the town of Bagudo in Kebbi State on Saturday, according to local
Tunisia Records Hottest Summer in History Amid Severe Water and Power Crises
Tunisia’s national meteorological service announced that the summer of 2026 has officially broken all historical temperature records, registering as the ho
Papua New Guinea Police Rescue 39 Indonesian Trafficking Victims in Port Moresby
Law enforcement authorities in Papua New Guinea rescued 39 Indonesian nationals during a raid in the capital of Port Moresby, uncovering what investigators
New Taipei Prosecutors Indict Drugged Driver for Murder in Fatal Crash Involving Sisters
A major and shocking road traffic accident occurred in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City. A man surnamed Wang, after consuming the emerging drug etomidate—
Taiwan aims for gold in soft tennis and shooting at Nagoya Asian Games
The Asian Games kicked off enthusiastically in Nagoya, Japan, this year, with the Taiwanese delegation welcoming key events at this moment. Since 2006, Tai
Three cross-generational art giants pass down memories of home and creation
In the history of Taiwanese art, three cross-generational creative giants—Liao Hsiu-ping, Wu Hsuan-san, and Chen Cheng-hsiung—have all left profound cultur
Ineos halts three UK petrochemical plants over surging gas prices affecting thousands
INEOS Group founder Jim Ratcliffe publicly stated in the UK today that, hit by abnormally soaring European natural gas prices, the company will suspend ope
Taiwan Military Unveils VR Air Defense Simulation Highlighting US Aid
The Army today publicly showcased the man-portable air defense missile system simulators acquired from the United States in Tainan, offering the public its
US Presidential Advisor Massad Boulos Holds Talks With Egypt and Sudan on Ending Civil War
Senior U.S. presidential advisor Massad Boulos has held high-level discussions with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Sudanese Foreign Minister
Seven Dead and Thirteen Injured in Bangladesh Gas Cylinder Explosion
A tragic gas cylinder explosion in the industrial and suburban hub of Ashulia, situated on the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka, has left seve
Former Chilean President Bachelet withdraws from UN chief race as Greenspan leads
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet formally announced recently that she is withdrawing from the race for the next United Nations Secretary-General
Nasdaq Hits Record High as AMD Surpasses $1 Trillion Market Cap
The Nasdaq Composite Index closed at 27,122.09 on Thursday, up 2.26% from the previous trading session and reaching a record high. This breakthrough demons
Biagio warns of Beijing pressure as Taiwan upholds defense and dialogue
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim accepted an exclusive interview with the British newspaper *Financial Times* on the 21st of this month, clarifying her stance
Explosion in Korean Demilitarized Zone Injures Three South Korean Officers
An explosion occurred inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the Korean peninsula, injuring three South Korean military officers during a routine o
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Sanctions Legislation Targeting Russia and Iran
Washington has enacted a sweeping new legislative package targeting Moscow and Tehran, marking a significant escalation in U.S. economic pressure against b
Trump's UN General Assembly NYC Mayor Meeting Sparks Intense Political Clash
US President Donald Trump is set to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, an annual diplomatic event that consistently draws global
Iran Sets Seven Conditions for US Ceasefire Talks, Rezaee Announces
Mohsen Rezaee, the newly appointed secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), announced on 28 August 2026 that Tehran has laid out seven
Australia Introduces Strict Visa Restrictions to Curb Surging Migration and Housing Pressures
The Australian government has introduced a series of stringent visa restrictions targeting international students and working holidaymakers, aimed at signi
Lai Ching-te expresses shock over massive culture budget cuts, vows unwavering support
Under Taiwan's current political and economic circumstances, the review of the central government's annual general budget is often the most intense battlef
Trump White House Bans Media Outlets, Sparking Constitutional Crisis Over Press Freedom
The tense relationship between US President Donald Trump and the news media escalated further after the White House officially denied entry to specific med
Tennessee Sheriff's Office Recovers Final Missing Victim from Hurricane Helene
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee has announced the recovery of the remains of the final missing individual tied to Hurricane Helene, bri
Russia Holds Parliamentary Election Amid Strict Control to Legitimize Current Regime
Russia began voting this week in a three-day election for all 450 seats in the State Duma. The election is taking place against the backdrop of ongoing war
Anduril Founder: Taiwan's Freedom and Democracy Is Its Ultimate Defense Weapon
Founder Palmer Luckey of the American defense tech startup Anduril delivered a public address in Taipei today, offering profound insights into the current
Han Kuo-yu compares Taiwan's parliament to a beggar's home, reviving relocation debate.
Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu today officially received a cross-party delegation of British parliamentarians led by British Member of Parliament an