UN human rights chief concerned that the world is forgeting eastern Congo’s escalating violence
Fighting has intensified between security forces and the M23 rebel group, the most dominant in the region with alleged links to neighbouring Rwanda. Attacks by the rebel group forced at least 165,000 people to flee their homes in March, most of them pouring into Goma, whose estimated population of two million people is already overstretched with inadequate resources.
Pushed out of power on charges of graft and rape, South Africa’s ex-president Zuma returns to torment ruling ANC
One big reason is Jacob Zuma, the former president and ANC leader who stepped down in disgrace in 2018 amid a swirl of corruption allegations but has emerged in recent months with a new political party. It intends to be a major election player as the former president seeks revenge against former longtime allies.
Covid cover-up: White House will never earn trust back from Americans by deeming information that it doesn’t like as misinformation
Upon questioning by Representative Debbie Dingell (Democratic-Michigan) and Representative Deborah Ross (Democratic-North Carolina) about communications between Fauci, Collins and Thorp in May 2021, Thorp said they supported an investigation into the origins of Covid-19 at the time and did not dissuade Science from publishing the Bloom letter.
Censorship: Top editors of world leading science newspapers skip probe on Covid origin in tacit admission White House used them to peddle lies
Independent journalist Paul D. Thacker has investigated scientific censorship for The Disinformation Chronicle. He told The Defender, “The science and medical journals did not publish the best research available during the pandemic. They just served as gatekeepers to protect people, institutions and corporations in power.”
Nigerian separatist leader arrested in Kenya will know fate of bail application next month
Justice Binta Murtala Nyako, who denied Kanu bail last month, had wanted to commence his trial on Wednesday. Nyako set May 20 for ruling on Kanu’s application to restore his bail or to be moved to prison or house arrest from custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), a security agency.
Trump lawyers say porn star Stormy Daniels declined subpoenaed at Brooklyn bar, papers left ‘at her feet’
Trump’s lawyers are asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to force Daniels to comply with the subpoena. In their filing, they included a photo they said DellaPorte took of Daniels as she strode away.
PM Rishi Sunak’s plan to deport migrants to Rwanda hits a hurdle in British Parliament
The Rwanda plan is key to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ’s pledge to “stop the boats” bringing unauthorised migrants to the UK across the English Channel, and Sunak has repeatedly said the first flights will take off in the spring.
Despite low unemployment, ex-US President Trump plans middle-class tax cut if elected
Other ideas that Trump’s close economic advisors are discussing include an increase in the so-called standard deduction on year-end tax returns and a cut to the marginal income tax rate for middle-income households, one of the people with knowledge of those conversations said. It was unclear if either of those ideas had been presented to Trump directly.
Questions raised about African navies conspicuous absence in fight against piracy
Western navies and the Indian Navy have stepped in to contain the emerging threat landscape through multinational naval responses – including Prosperity Guardian, Operation Aspides (EUNAVFOR) and Operation ATALANTA (anti-piracy). These efforts are vested in maintaining the integrity of the maritime component underpinning the global economy.
Africa’s threadbare maritime security in Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean exposes weak links
The Houthis have also demonstrated a robust capacity for ballistic missile, drone, and subsea technological disruption. These deployments flag the proliferation of modern materiel to nonstate armed groups. The increased maritime militarisation of nonstate actors and criminal groups poses a direct threat to African assets, infrastructure and national interests elsewhere on the continent.
