Dubai can't shake off the stain of smuggled African gold

Mining ore in the sweltering heat of the Nubian desert is the first stage of an illicit network that has exploded in the past 18 months following a pandemic-induced spike in the gold price. African governments desperate to recoup lost revenue are looking to Dubai to help stop the trade.
#dubai #gold #mining #ore #africangovernments

Intel under fire after letter to Chinese clients

Intel found itself on the back foot in Washington and Beijing on Thursday after issuing a public apology over a letter to its suppliers referencing US sanctions targeting human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang region.
#intel #china #beijing #xinjiang

'Horrified' UN official condemns reported killings of civilians in Myanmar

senior UN official called on Myanmar authorities to investigate the reported killing of at least 35 civilians that opposition activists blamed on government soldiers, saying he was "horrified" at the violence. The ruling military has not commented on the killings near Mo So village in Kayah State on Friday and junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun could not be reached by phone for comment.
#myanmar #un #zawmintun #kayah

Biden signs enormous US military budget into law

President Joe Biden has signed into law a $777.7bn US annual military budget his first in office weeks after Congress overwhelmingly passed the bill amid protests from progressives and anti-war groups who had advocated for cutting military spending.
#biden #usmilitary

SpaceX satellites almost collided with China's space station twice, Elon Musk's 'space junk' criticised

China issued a formal complaint to the United Nations over two near-collisions involving SpaceX's satellites and its Tiangong space station, launching a spate of Chinese criticism against Elon Musk's internet service company.
#china #elonmusk #spacex

CDC investigates 68 cruise ships run by cruise lines amid Covid-19 outbreaks

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now investigating or observing almost 70 cruise ships following Covid-19 outbreaks aboard the vessels, according to the agency's update on Monday.
#uscenterfordiseasecontrol #covid19

Alleged Boko Haram gang member arrested in Gauteng

Gauteng police arrested a 31-year-old man, who is believed to be a member of the notorious Boko Haram gang. The gang was allegedly involved in a spate of robberies, extortion, intimidation and other serious and violent crimes in Mamelodi and surrounding areas. 
#bokoharam #gauteng #southafrica

Bernie Ecclestone: I don't think Lewis Hamilton is coming back to F1

Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone thinks that Lewis Hamilton is not coming back next season amid retirement rumours doing the rounds via media.
#formulaone #lewishamilton

Six of the best for Man City as Arsenal, Spurs cruise

Manchester City opened up a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a first half demolition of Leicester in a thrilling 6-3 win as Arsenal and Tottenham were also comfortable winners on Sunday. Three of the scheduled nine Boxing Day matches were postponed due to coronavirus outbreaks as Britain battles record numbers of cases caused by the Omicron strain of the virus.
#mancity #arsenal #totteham #epl

National flag to fly at half-mast in honour of Tutu, says Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that there will be a period of mourning during which the national flag will fly at half-mast at all flag stations in honour of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
#desmondtutu #cyrilramaphosa #southafrica