In Ethiopia war, new abuse charges turn spotlight on Tigrayan former rulers
In the dappled shadows of a glade of cypress and eucalyptus, a deacon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church adjusted his roughly-spun cotton shawl and knelt by a white-washed grave. “He was my best friend,” Betsiha Derresse said. “We did everything together – sleep, work.” In August, civil war reached the...
38 people die in a defunct gold mine collapsed in West Kordofan province in Sudan
Sudanese authorities said at least 38 people were killed on Tuesday when a defunct gold mine collapsed in West Kordofan province. The country’s state-run mining company said in a statement the collapse of the closed, non-functioning mine took place in the village of Fuja 700 kilometres (435 miles) south of...
Gold rush: UN experts say much of illegal gold exported from Congo is overseen by armed groups
Under US law, gold from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its neighbours is considered a “conflict mineral,” meaning companies publicly traded in the US are required to report to the Securities Exchange Commission if they might be using gold mined in conflict areas, but there’s no sanction for...
Smuggled African gold: Is London Bullion Market Association a toothless dog or complicit in illicit trade?
In an unprecedented move, the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), which regulates the world’s biggest gold market, last year threatened to bar its accredited refineries from sourcing metal from countries that didn’t meet its responsible sourcing standards. While it didn’t name any state, Bin Sulayem issued a rebuke on behalf...
Pandemic-induced gold leaks from Africa drive illicit markets as UAE is accused of trading in smuggled minerals
In the moon-like landscape of northern Sudan, informal gold miners toil with spades and pickaxes to extract their prize from shallow pits that pockmark the terrain. Mining ore in the sweltering heat of the Nubian desert is the first stage of an illicit network that has exploded in the past...
Somalia turmoil escalates as troops loyal to PM Roble camp near President Farmajo’s residence
Hundreds of troops loyal to Somalia’s Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble camped on Tuesday near the residence of his political rival President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, a day after the president tried to suspend the prime minister. Roble has called Mohamed’s plan to suspend him a coup attempt. A statement from...
Reports: DR Congo President Tshisekedi ousted by predecessor in a coup after fears of assassination plot
The Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo has reportedly been ousted by his predecessor Joseph Kabila following fears the former had hatched a plot to assassinate the latter. The latest development in DRC’s decades-old political flux and conflicts comes barely two years after Mr Tshisekedi ascended to...
Studies: Zinc is involved in creating physical barriers that make our organs more resistant to infections
Zinc is present in many different foods. Foods with the highest zinc content include oysters, crab and beef. Phytates, which bind to zinc and limit its absorption into the body, are often present in plants — but plant-based foods, such as pumpkin seeds and oatmeal, can still be good sources...
Zinc key to immunity: The mineral fights off infections, extent and consequences of its deficiencies is harder to pin down
Walk down the cold-remedy aisle of almost any pharmacy and you’ll see a shelf full of zinc supplements. Clearly, people must be worried that they’re not getting enough zinc, a nutrient often touted for its ability to quash the common cold and other respiratory illnesses. But do many of us...
Changing Man United from a bunch kickabout individuals to a hungry outfit won’t be easy
Ralf Rangnick questioned the physicality of his players as Manchester United could only manage a draw at Newcastle. The German suffered his first dropped points in charge of the Red Devils, who battled to a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park. Newcastle acquitted themselves brilliantly and often beat the visitors...
