Phillip van Niekerk – MTN’s man in Washington DC
By Staff Writer MTN’s paid consultant in Washington DC straddles the line between opinion writing and influence operations, raising questions about disclosure and national security. Journalism without disclosure The boundaries between journalism, lobbying and foreign corporate influence are increasingly blurred….
UK and EU condemn deadly Russian strikes on Kyiv
By Isabella Egerton The UK and European Union have summoned senior Russian diplomats after overnight Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv killed at least 18 people, including four children, and left dozens more injured. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy…
UN nuclear watchdog chief said to receive 24/7 security detail due to Iranian threat
By Sean Rayment The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is reportedly receiving 24/7 protection from armed Austrian security units following death threats from Iran. Rafael Grossi has been placed under the protection of Austria’s Cobra special forces…
UK sanctions Iranian oil magnate and companies over “destabilising” activities
By Isabella Egerton The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Iranian oil magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani and four companies linked to him, accusing them of fuelling Tehran’s overseas operations and contributing to instability in Ukraine, Israel, and the wider Middle…
Top UK intelligence official has warned that the sale of Thames Water to a Chinese – controlled company could threaten national security
By Sean Rayment One of Britain’s most senior intelligence officials has warned the government that the sale of Thames Water to a Chinese-controlled company could pose a risk to national security. Sir Simon Gass, who served as chairman of the…
Tehran’s terrorism in Australia: a worldwide threat to the democracies
By André Pienaar Australia’s intelligence community has squarely identified Iranian state-sponsored antisemitic terrorist attacks in Australia, highlighting Tehran’s growing global terrorist threat—and underscoring the urgent need for collective defence by the democracies. This follows the United Kingdom’s designation of Iran as…
US Republicans urge Donald Trump to recognise Somaliland in the Horn of Africa
By Ben Farmer Republican heavyweights are increasing calls for Donald Trump to recognise a breakaway statelet on the Horn of Africa as an ally against Chinese influence. The head of the Senate Foreign Relations Africa Subcommittee has become the latest…
505 American families who lost loved ones brought Anti-Terrorism Act claims against MTN
By Sean Rayment Hundreds of US veterans wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan along with families of those killed in combat are taking legal action against a telecommunications company accused of paying protection money to insurgents. More than…
Iranian security agencies have issued death threats against dozens of journalists critical of the regime
By Sean Rayment Staff in Europe and North America have been told: “Stop reporting on Iran or you and your immediate relatives will die.” The campaign of systematic intimidation began shortly after Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear bases, with the Tehran authorities…
MTN faces US grand jury criminal probe over company’s alleged role in killings of Americans and Israelis globally
By Staff Writer The announcement that South Africa’s MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecoms operator, is under criminal investigation by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) grand jury should reverberate far beyond Johannesburg. It is more than another potential case of…
