South Africa is facing its worst foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in history, with livestock across seven provinces affected, including pigs and cattle on commercial farms.
The government is rushing vaccines into the country and launching a decade-long vaccination campaign, but outbreaks continue to spread. Quarantines and strict biosecurity measures are in place, yet the crisis shows no immediate sign of slowing.
The economic impact is severe: meat prices are expected to surge, exports are disrupted, and the livestock industry faces tens of millions of rands in losses. Farmers and authorities are racing to contain this historic agricultural disaster, which threatens food security and livelihoods nationwide.
The government is rushing vaccines into the country and launching a decade-long vaccination campaign, but outbreaks continue to spread. Quarantines and strict biosecurity measures are in place, yet the crisis shows no immediate sign of slowing.
The economic impact is severe: meat prices are expected to surge, exports are disrupted, and the livestock industry faces tens of millions of rands in losses. Farmers and authorities are racing to contain this historic agricultural disaster, which threatens food security and livelihoods nationwide.
Russian Navy sailors took part in a memorial ceremony in South Africa to honor the memory of Russian seamen buried there. The event was held at the Simonstown city cemetery and was attended by representatives of the Russian Consulate General in Cape Town, along with crew members from the corvette Stoyky and the medium sea tanker Yelnya.
During the ceremony, participants paid tribute at the preserved graves of two sailors from the frigate Dmitry Donskoy-navigator Nikolay Petrov and sailor Petr Rashev (who were laid to rest at the cemetery in 1865), highlighting the long-standing historical ties of the Russian Navy to the region.
During the ceremony, participants paid tribute at the preserved graves of two sailors from the frigate Dmitry Donskoy-navigator Nikolay Petrov and sailor Petr Rashev (who were laid to rest at the cemetery in 1865), highlighting the long-standing historical ties of the Russian Navy to the region.
Opposition leader and presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (known as Bobi Wine) was reportedly forcibly removed from his home by the Ugandan army and flown away in a military helicopter to an unknown location. His party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), made this claim in a social media post.
European NATO members (including France, Germany, the UK, Sweden, and Norway) have begun deploying forces to Greenland as part of Operation Arctic Endurance, a Danish-led military exercise focused on strengthening Arctic security. The deployment is widely viewed as a demonstration of support for Denmark and Greenland’s sovereignty amid heightened tensions with the United States.
South Africa’s hosting of the multinational naval exercise “Will for Peace 2026” has triggered diplomatic friction and internal scrutiny following the continued participation of Iranian naval vessels despite reported presidential instructions to limit or withdraw Iran’s role.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is reported to have directed that Iran’s participation be curtailed to avoid diplomatic fallout, particularly with Western partners. However, subsequent reports and images indicated that Iranian vessels remained active in the exercise. This discrepancy prompted the Defence Ministry to launch a formal inquiry to determine whether the president’s orders were followed, misunderstood, or ignored.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is reported to have directed that Iran’s participation be curtailed to avoid diplomatic fallout, particularly with Western partners. However, subsequent reports and images indicated that Iranian vessels remained active in the exercise. This discrepancy prompted the Defence Ministry to launch a formal inquiry to determine whether the president’s orders were followed, misunderstood, or ignored.
Moscow has expelled a British diplomat from its embassy, citing alleged involvement in spying activities. The move marks the latest in a series of diplomatic tensions between Russia and the United Kingdom.
In response, London rejected the allegations as baseless, emphasizing that the claims are “completely unfounded.” The UK government also stated it is considering appropriate measures in response to the expulsion.
In response, London rejected the allegations as baseless, emphasizing that the claims are “completely unfounded.” The UK government also stated it is considering appropriate measures in response to the expulsion.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose 10 % tariffs starting February 1, increasing to 25 % from June 1, on goods from eight European nations (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland) due to their opposition to U.S. initiatives concerning Greenland. The move is heightening tensions with key NATO and EU allies.
AI data centers from Nvidia, Google, and AWS are using huge amounts of High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM). This leaves less memory for everyday devices like PCs, smartphones, and cars.
The auto industry is feeling the squeeze: modern cars rely on memory chips for infotainment, engine control, driver-assistance systems, and EV battery management. With fabs prioritizing AI memory, automakers face longer lead times, higher costs, and potential production delays, especially for electric and smart vehicles.
The auto industry is feeling the squeeze: modern cars rely on memory chips for infotainment, engine control, driver-assistance systems, and EV battery management. With fabs prioritizing AI memory, automakers face longer lead times, higher costs, and potential production delays, especially for electric and smart vehicles.
Hackers disrupted Iranian state television satellite transmissions to air footage supporting the country’s exiled crown prince, calling on security forces to not “point your weapons at the people,” online video showed.
The crown prince, long in exile, has remained a symbolic figure opposing the Islamic Republic. Though he holds no formal power in Iran, his supporters view him as a potential unifying alternative to the current leadership.
The crown prince, long in exile, has remained a symbolic figure opposing the Islamic Republic. Though he holds no formal power in Iran, his supporters view him as a potential unifying alternative to the current leadership.
The Russian Far East is facing one of its heaviest winters in decades. Kamchatka Peninsula has been hit by record-breaking snow, with drifts over two meters high burying homes, cars, and entire neighborhoods. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to dig out roads and homes, while public transport is severely disrupted.
Tragically, at least two people have died from snow-related accidents, prompting local authorities to declare emergency measures.
Tragically, at least two people have died from snow-related accidents, prompting local authorities to declare emergency measures.
The Trump administration has appealed a federal judge’s order restricting how ICE and other federal agents may interact with peaceful protesters in Minnesota. The ruling limits arrests, detentions, and the use of crowd-control measures, citing the need to protect First Amendment rights.
The Justice Department argues the restrictions interfere with law enforcement’s ability to maintain order and carry out federal duties.
The appeal will be decided by a higher court and could influence how federal agents handle protests across the country.
The Justice Department argues the restrictions interfere with law enforcement’s ability to maintain order and carry out federal duties.
The appeal will be decided by a higher court and could influence how federal agents handle protests across the country.
South Africa has officially declared a national disaster after weeks of heavy rain and severe flooding, particularly affecting Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. The floods have claimed at least 30 lives, damaged or destroyed thousands of homes, and swept away critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges. This designation enables the government to coordinate nationwide rescue and recovery operations more effectively.