In late February 1990, 16 days after his release from prison, Nelson Mandela descended the steps of a plane in Lusaka, Zambia, which was home to the African National Congress’s exiled leadership at the time. A who’s who of leaders sympathetic to the ANC cause – from Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda to Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe – … Read more
Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu authorities and emergency services prepare for ‘worst storm in recent memory’ as cyclone hits. Cyclone Michaung has made landfall in southern India, after earlier torrential rains sent tall waves crashing into coastal towns, submerging roads and killing at least nine people, including a child. The “severe cyclonic storm”, packing winds … Read more
China says that the United States has undermined ‘regional peace and stability’. China has claimed that a US naval ship has “illegally intruded” its South China Sea territorial waters. A Chinese naval force was mobilised to track the USS Gabrielle Giffords on Monday when it ventured near the waters of the Second Thomas Shoal, Beijing … Read more
Israel’s war on Gaza is escalating, leaving death and devastation across the besieged strip. At least 700 Palestinians have been killed in the past 24 hours – one of the highest daily death tolls since the war began on October 7. From the north to the south, Palestinians in Gaza say nowhere is safe. The … Read more
More than 135 Chinese vessels seen near Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea, the Philippines coastguard says. More than 135 Chinese vessels were “swarming” a reef off the coast of the Philippines in the South China Sea, the Philippines coastguard said on Sunday, amid renewed tensions between the two countries. Coastguard officials described the … Read more
Satellite launch comes as Seoul seeks to bolster its ability to monitor nuclear-armed North Korea. South Korea has launched its first spy satellite using a rocket operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The launch on Saturday came less than two weeks after rival North Korea announced it had successfully launched its own reconnaissance satellite, underscoring the … Read more
Seoul, South Korea – Most mornings, Eun Seo-Ran begins her day at around 7am by brewing tea for herself and her adopted daughter Lee Eo-Rie*. After a cup of black or herbal tea the two work in separate rooms – Seo-Ran as an essayist, while Eo-Rie studies for an exam. Around noon, they cook lunch, … Read more
Israeli shelling kills a woman and her son in Houla as Hezbollah says one of its fighters is also killed. Israeli shelling has killed three people in southern Lebanon, Lebanon’s state news agency reports after the end of a truce between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas prompted a resumption of hostilities at the … Read more
A South African company will be producing affordable HIV-protective vaginal rings for increased accessibility. On Thursday, The Population Council announced that Kiara Health in Johannesburg will begin manufacturing silicone rings in the coming years. The projected annual production is around 1 million, with approval from almost a dozen countries and the World Health Organization. Currently, the nonprofit has about 500,00 rings available to women in Africa at … Read more
India name three skippers for eight-match multi-format tour of South Africa next month, with Rohit Sharma leading the two Tests, Suryakumar Yadav for the T20s and KL Rahul for the ODIs. Skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli will skip the white-ball leg of India’s upcoming tour of South Africa, the country’s cricket board … Read more