Digitisation of Africa’s maritime industry exposes it to increased cyber security threats
The number of cyber-attacks around the world continues to grow and this includes those targeted at the maritime sector. Commercial maritime companies, navies and governments must decide how prepared they are to protect their waters and ports from cyber threats, with African littoral states also forced to confront these new...
Arteta revels in Arsenal win against Villa: We attacked aggressively, won every duel, were creative, a threat
Mikel Arteta highlighted the attributes that contributed to an impressive win for Arsenal against Aston Villa and used it as evidence that some of his younger players are ready. Arsenal produced one of their best performances of Arteta’s reign to beat Villa 3-1. Thomas Partey kicked things off with his...
‘Trafficking in human beings for organ removal’ is big business in North and West Africa – Interpol
Trafficking in human beings for organ removal (THBOR) – a worldwide illicit occurrence – has reached phenomenal levels in North and West Africa, according to International Police (Interpol). Interpol links the phenomenon to impoverished communities and displaced populations, which the agency says are at “greater risk of exploitation.” The Lyon-headquartered...
Government impunity and weak civil society have given way to state surveillance in Africa
African governments are using new technology and laws to increase surveillance of opposition figures, researchers warned on Thursday, calling for restrictions on the sale of tracking tools and tougher privacy protections. Existing laws have largely failed to stop state surveillance across the continent, from monitoring academics in Egypt to tracking...
How Trump administration undermined Western Sahara youth’s hopes of self-rule from Morocco
Western Sahara liberation movement, the Polisario Front’s hopes for independence suffered a major blow last year when the US in the waning days of the Trump administration backed Morocco’s claim to the territory, as part of efforts to get Morocco to recognise Israel. Other countries, including the Polisario’s main ally...
After 30 years in limbo Western Sahara’s liberation movement takes up arms against Morocco
As a glowing sun sank behind the sandy barrier that cuts across the disputed territory of Western Sahara, Sidati Ahmed’s battalion launched two missiles that sizzled through the air and then followed with an artillery attack. Within minutes, a barrage of mortar shells flew in the opposite direction, from Moroccan...
Military and police fuel crime, insecurity and human rights violations in South Sudan
State security forces in South Sudan are responsible for new and potentially arbitrary restrictions against prominent civil society leaders, issuing “credible” death threats undermining peace efforts, UN-appointed independent rights experts said this week. In an alert, the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan alleged “over-zealous” security forces prevented dissent...
Israeli start-up technology firm, Air, unveils flying vehicle to be used ‘like cars’
Israeli start-up Air on Tuesday unveiled its first “easy-to-operate” electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that it aims to sell directly to consumers predominantly in the United States starting in 2024. Air has been working with the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) for two years and expects to obtain...
Ethiopia launch new airstrikes, as UN slashes presence in rebel-controlled Tigray region
New airstrikes hit the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, residents said Wednesday, as video showed injured people with bloodied faces being rushed to vehicles and thick black smoke rising in the sky. Ethiopia’s government said it targeted facilities to make and repair weapons, which a spokesman for the rival Tigray...
Study: Recycled lithium batteries as good as new, raise hope of reduced environmental pollution
Lithium-ion batteries, with their use of riskily mined metals, tarnish the green image of EVs. Recycling to recover those valuable metals would minimise the social and environmental impact of mining, keep millions of tonnes of batteries from landfills, and cut the energy use and emissions created from making batteries. But...
