By Sean Rayment The British government’s plans for a major expansion of nuclear power have been given a boost with a series of transatlantic deals for new modular reactors announced ahead of Donald Trump’s visit. The UK and US governments have promised to fast-track safety checks and announced several new private sector investment deals, with Labour emphasising the potential benefits for jobs and growth. In the biggest and most advanced commercial project, Britain’s largest energy supplier, Centrica, will partner with the US reactor firm X-energy to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, in an investment that could…

In his new book, The Mad and the Brave, journalist Colin Freeman explores the foreign volunteers who joined Ukraine’s International Legion – men and women driven by courage, madness, and a search for meaning. By Colin Freeman Coming up with a title for a new book is never easy. First, it has to say what it’s about – secondly, it has to do so in just a few catchy, zeitgeisty words. So I was rather chuffed when I thought up the original title for my book on Ukraine’s International Legion, which I was going to call It’s Not Like Call of Duty.…

By Staff Writer Stan Miller, chief executive of United Group and an independent non-executive director on the board of South Africa’s MTN Group, is facing scrutiny after reports alleged he discussed removing a senior media executive in Serbia whose outlets have been critical of the government of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and supportive of the opposition. The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and its Serbian partner KRIK published a leaked audio recording on 27 August of a meeting between Miller and Vladimir Lučić, head of state-owned Telekom Srbija, a close political ally of President Vučić. OCCRP reported: “Rumours that…

By Sean Rayment Nato jets shot down Russian drones that “repeatedly violated” Poland’s airspace during an overnight bombardment of Ukraine. Polish, Dutch and Italian fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept at least 19 drones as citizens were urged to stay at home. It marks the most serious clash between Russia and the alliance since the start of the war in Ukraine, dragging the conflict into uncharted territory. Politicians and analysts believe it was a deliberate attempt by the Kremlin to test Nato’s response. Footage showed damage to a home struck by a drone in western Poland, its roof missing. No…

By the Editorial Board | National Security News General Sir Richard Barrons has issued the kind of warning that democratic societies too often ignore until it is too late. Writing recently in the Financial Times, the former head of UK Joint Forces Command argued that Britain has reached a critical juncture. The threats facing the country are existential, the margin for delay is evaporating, and only decisive action can secure the nation’s future. The message is direct: if Britain wishes to avoid war, it must prepare for it. A world growing more dangerous For decades after the Cold War, British policymakers…

By Isabella Egerton Russia and Belarus have launched the Zapad 2025 drills, with full-scale exercises scheduled for 12-16 September. Troops began arriving in Belarus last month, but this year’s drills are notably smaller than in previous editions. Zapad, which takes place every two years, is closely watched in the West for its proximity to NATO borders and its history of serving as a rehearsal for Russian military action. The 2021 drills preceded the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched partly from Belarusian territory. This year, Moscow’s limited capacity is on display. With forces tied up in Ukraine, Russia has sent only about 2,000…

By Sean Rayment Royal Marine recruits are increasingly turning to Christianity – and are even using their assault course’s water tank to perform baptisms, National Security News has learnt. Commando fledglings attempting to earn the coveted green beret are now regularly attending Sunday services at the training centre in Lympstone, Devon. In the past 18 months, church attendance at the base has risen rapidly and now often exceeds the chapel’s 150-person capacity. At least 26 recruits underwent full-immersion baptism earlier this year in the training centre’s Regain Tank – a 4ft-deep pool with ropes suspended above it, which candidates must traverse as…

By the Editorial Board of National Security News Phillip van Niekerk’s Right of Reply (BizNews, 03 September 2025) dismisses our reporting (“MTN’s man in Washington DC”) as a “black ops” and an “apartheid smear campaign.” However, Mr van Niekerk’s rebuttal says everything our readers need to know about him. Mr van Niekerk admits that the core facts of our reporting are accurate – he does indeed have an undisclosed role as a paid MTN consultant in Washington DC. Mr van Niekerk denies he has been collecting intelligence for MTN in Washington DC, but admits he is an “analyst” who, in…

By Staff Writer The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted a series of questions to the South African Parliament concerning the activities of business intelligence consultant Phillip Van Niekerk, his firm Calabar Africa, and related engagements involving MTN and government entities. Presidency Minister of State Security Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) These questions are directed at the Presidency, the Minister of State Security, and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). The DA has requested disclosure of all contracts, remuneration, meetings, and surveillance activities involving Van Niekerk, Calabar Africa, and the Vogel Group since 2021.

By Staff Writer The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted extensive questions in the South African Parliament regarding the growing scandal in Washington DC centred on the activities of business intelligence consultant Phillip Van Niekerk and his lobbying and research firm, Calabar Africa. The DA has asked the President, the Minister of International Relations, and the Minister of Intelligence for urgent clarification of their relationships with Van Niekerk, Calabar Africa, and his business partner, former South African diplomat Andrew Nhlapo, in Washington DC. According to a former South African diplomat, Van Niekerk and Nhlapo regularly brief visiting ANC ministers at the…

By Staff Writer Microsoft Corporation has become the first of the global technology giants to join the World Nuclear Association (WNA), marking a pivotal step for nuclear power, which the company recognises as essential to its carbon-free energy strategy. The move highlights nuclear’s critical role in powering the AI-driven digital economy while supplying reliable, carbon-free electricity to modern data centres. The announcement coincides with the 50th World Nuclear Symposium in London. Microsoft will also participate in the WNA’s Energy Users Summit, exploring partnerships and opportunities with the nuclear and broader energy-intensive sectors. Microsoft’s energy commitments: The company’s initiatives will be led…

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. Few cases illustrate this more starkly than that of Phillip van Niekerk, a former South African journalist turned Washington-based consultant. Through his firm, Calabar Africa, van Niekerk advises MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecom operator and parent of MTN Dubai, which holds a 49 per cent stake in MTN Irancell — a joint venture with sanctioned Iranian shareholders tied to the…