Kenya’s President Ruto tightens screw on media as says his minister trades vulgarity with ‘his freedom of expression’

Kenya’s President Ruto tightens screw on media as says his minister trades vulgarity with ‘his freedom of expression’

In 2012 when Ruto and President Kenyatta were indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity committed during the 2007 General Election, there were fears that he had retained hitmen who hunted down and eliminated journalists he believed had incriminating evidence the international court would have used to nail them. These claims, however, have never been proved although a number of journalists disappeared without trace during those heady days.

Read more
Russian propaganda finds fertile ground in Africa as Wanger mercenaries battle to upstage France

Russian propaganda finds fertile ground in Africa as Wanger mercenaries battle to upstage France

Russian propaganda has found fertile ground in Africa among grievances over France’s decades-old track record of military intervention and heavy-handed diplomacy, officials said. Reuters spoke to more than a dozen French officials who described France’s increasingly urgent efforts to counter Moscow’s influence, which Paris believes undermines a long-term diplomatic effort aimed at overcoming the past and how it is perceived in Africa.

Read more
It’s unlikely bloodthirsty generals will lay down arms, Sudan needs African Union boots on the ground

It’s unlikely bloodthirsty generals will lay down arms, Sudan needs African Union boots on the ground

The African Union (AU) established the Expanded Mechanism to connect disparate peace processes and drew up a roadmap for resolving the conflict. East Africa’s Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) adopted a similar roadmap and added Ethiopia to the delegation led by Kenyan President William Ruto.

Read more
Titanic search: If it’s on seabed, the problems are magnified as most ships can only search in shallow waters

Titanic search: If it’s on seabed, the problems are magnified as most ships can only search in shallow waters

“If it’s relatively calm, and [Titan] has been able to get to the surface, the submersible will have radar reflectors, radio transmitters and strobe lights to assist in visual searches,” he says. “But it’s still difficult to find things on the surface – especially if it’s rough.” Yard agrees: “It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack,” he says. Even if you nail down where to look, “it’s still a lot of water to cover.”

Read more
Hope rekindled after underwater noises heard from submersible missing with five aboard near Titanic site

Hope rekindled after underwater noises heard from submersible missing with five aboard near Titanic site

Questions remain about how teams could reach the lost submersible, which could be as deep as about 12,500 feet (3,800 metres) below the surface near the watery tomb of the historic ocean liner. Newly uncovered allegations also suggest there had been significant warnings made about vessel safety during its development.

Read more
How clothe makers pre-pollute unborn babies with toxic chemicals used to add better smell on textiles

How clothe makers pre-pollute unborn babies with toxic chemicals used to add better smell on textiles

The chemical cocktails in fragrances are often toxic as they are derived from petroleum and coal tar, and not made from the essential oils of flowers or sweet-smelling plants. As soon as you smell an air freshener, scented candle or laundry detergent, you have already absorbed the chemicals into your body as they enter through your lungs.

Read more
New investigation lays bare how textile firms add dangerous chemicals to clothing for fragrance to boost profits

New investigation lays bare how textile firms add dangerous chemicals to clothing for fragrance to boost profits

Although Europe practices precautionary principles, the US assumes chemicals are safe until proven otherwise. Unfortunately, it may take many years before science can prove a toxin triggers negative health effects, unnecessarily exposing you to danger. Laundry detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets also add fragrance to your clothing, much of which may be vented to your neighbourhood through your dryer, contributing to declining air quality.

Read more
Biden administration comes under scrutiny as court in Missouri rules on US social media censorship

Biden administration comes under scrutiny as court in Missouri rules on US social media censorship

The Republican attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana filed the lawsuit last year, alleging that the Biden administration fostered a sprawling “federal censorship enterprise” that pressured social-media platforms to scrub away dissenting views, including criticism of mask mandates and objections to Covid-19 vaccination.

Read more
US President Biden’s son Hunter to plead guilty to tax offences and possession of firearm as a drug user

US President Biden’s son Hunter to plead guilty to tax offences and possession of firearm as a drug user

The gun charge states that Hunter Biden possessed a handgun, a Colt Cobra 38 special, for 11 days in October 2018 despite knowing he was a drug user. The count carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, but the Justice Department said Hunter Biden had reached a pretrial agreement. This likely means as long as he adheres to the terms of the agreement, the case will be wiped from his record.

Read more
Greek leader Kyriakos Mitsotaki blasts critics of rescue effort for sunken vessel with 750 migrants on board

Greek leader Kyriakos Mitsotaki blasts critics of rescue effort for sunken vessel with 750 migrants on board

Greek authorities continue to face criticism, however, over their failure to act more quickly. They say the migrants insisted they didn’t need any help, but non-governmental organisations say they received a number of calls for help.

Read more