Seizure of contraband libido boosters shocks South African military manning border post
In what is believed to be a first, South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers confiscated close to R20 million ($1.5 million) worth of “sexual enhancement drugs” from Mozambican smugglers during border patrols. The “illicit drugs” were found on a taxi, stopped by a 7 SAI section after clearing the...
United Nations seeks $41 billion to support 183 million people worldwide hit by conflict and poverty
The United Nations appealed on Thursday for a record $41 billion to provide life-saving assistance next year to 183 million people worldwide caught up in conflict and poverty, led by a tripling of its programme in Afghanistan. Famine remains a “terrifying prospect” for 45 million people living in 43 countries,...
Media blackouts: Atrocities in Ethiopia are taking place in the dark because no one can document them
Armed with placards that read “Stop BBC,” “Stop CNN” and “Stop FAKE” news on Ethiopia,” supporters of Ethiopia’s government are protesting in cities across the world. Their demand: an end to what they see as biased coverage of the war in Ethiopia. Many blame international media outlets for what Prime...
How US sanctions compromised Iran’s cyberdefence, touched off hacking spree that spills out into physical world
In April 2020 hackers infiltrated the systems of an Israeli water-pumping station and tampered with equipment. Individual pumps started malfunctioning as officials scrambled to keep water supplies flowing for millions of people. After the incident, which has been linked to Iran, officials said the damage could have been much worse:...
Arsenal legends revel in chance for Gunners to make ‘statement of intent’ against Man United
Former Arsenal strikers Ian Wright and Thierry Henry have warned the Gunners about a possible “new manager bounce” when they face Manchester United and fears his former club could get blown away if “main guy” Thomas Partey is stopped. Henry qualified his views with a call to the Gunners to...
How conflict between Yemeni government and Houthi rebels crushed the dreams of four million refugees
As fighting intensifies around the central Yemeni city of Marib, thousands of people are being forced to flee the violence each week. But for many, this is just the latest upheaval in more than six and a half long years of war. Sixty-five-year-old Salih al-Asoudi and his 14-member family have...
Why is Africa increasingly resorting to foreign militaries and mercenaries to provide security?
The African continent is in a situation where governments and states are increasingly turning to private military and security companies, and mercenaries for protection. Recent reports indicate the presence of the Russian Wagner Group in Africa, particularly in the Central African Republic (CAR), and its alleged imminent arrival in Mali....
