Ecuadorian cocaine barons exploit poorly policed banana export routes to traffic dugs to Europe
Drug traffickers’ infiltration of the industry that is responsible for about 30% of the world’s bananas has contributed to unprecedented violence across this once-peaceful nation. Shootings, homicides, kidnappings and extortions have become part of daily life, particularly in the Pacific port city and banana-shipping hub of Guayaquil.
Philanthropist Alycia Barnard shares experiences on how Ukraine war opened her eyes to plight of women, children in Africa
To make good her promise for humanitarian support Alycia, through Worldwide Inc, disbursed cucumbers seeds in first week of September to support agriculture in Uganda. “We’re sending 50 packs of [cucumber] seeds to Uganda.” Ordinarily, one packet contains 1,000 seeds – roughly enough to cover two acres of farmland.
Retracing how Zimbabwe’s president nicknamed The Crocodile ‘won’ an election he’d already stolen
Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), capitalised on that discontent. In the run-up to the elections, it made the cost of living crisis a central plank in its campaign, blaming the ruling ZANU-PF – in power for more than four decades – for running down a once-thriving, agriculture-driven economy.
Agony of women footballers in England: As a 16-year-old, how do you live in such climate of neglect without relying on others?
The disparity between the top and bottom half of the WSL was most evident when Reading were relegated last season. The club could not commit financially to the women’s team and announced they would go part-time. There was a mass exodus of players – 13 released upon the expiry of their contract – and staff, including manager Kelly Chambers.
Report: Why women footballers in England juggle multiple jobs to pay bills compared to male counterparts
Players have been thrust into the spotlight – Russo described it as a “shock” after the Euros – and have been advised to keep their feet on the ground and let their football do the talking. But equally, they have to strike while the iron is hot and maximise their commercial opportunities, fully aware their careers on the pitch are short and they do not get paid as much as their male counterparts. It matters more to their livelihoods and futures.
Amhara insurgency tests Ethiopian government’s mettle even before embers of Tigray rebellion die
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had set his sights on welcoming back foreign investors and kickstarting the economy. Instead, earlier this month, he found himself putting down yet another regional rebellion. Across Amhara, the Fano – a historical term in Amhara for “freedom fighter” – ambushed federal military units and took control of government buildings as civilian protesters blocked roads and hurled rocks.
Beware, the red meat allergy caused by lone star tick is a serious health concern that has no cure
It’s common for health reports of “new” health risks to go viral, which has been true of late for tick-induced meat allergies. An internet news search returned more than 13,000 page hits for “alpha-gal syndrome” in the 30 days prior to this writing — nearly as many as a search on “breast cancer.
Post-Covid in-person school attendance in US tanks, over 6.5 million students listed as chronic absentees
All told, an estimated 6.5 million additional students became chronically absent, according to the data, which was compiled by Stanford University education professor Thomas Dee in partnership with The Associated Press. Taken together, the data from 40 states and Washington DC, provides the most comprehensive accounting of absenteeism nationwide.
Inside Moon’s drug empire: Unification Church founder built global empire from fishing and gun manufacturing
Dora Irrazábal, a prosecutor who led the probe into the blaze, said the townspeople and church management were “at war” when she arrived in Puerto Casado. She said Lorenzo Myung, whom she recalled as an “aggressive” man, accused locals of stealing church property but provided no evidence. Locals, meanwhile, accused Irrazábal of being a church stooge after she flew in on a church plane.
FBI arrest of Paraguayan TV queen and politician exposed extent of Unification Church’s role in drug trafficking, money laundering
Last November, Alvarenga, Tarrago’s accomplice, was sentenced to two years of US probation for running an unlicensed money transmitting business. Months later, on March 29, he was arrested in Asunción, accused by Brazilian law enforcement of leading an outfit that shipped at least 17 tonnes of cocaine to Europe over two years. He is in jail awaiting extradition to Brazil.
