Ghana’s newly elected president, John Dramani Mahama, returns to office facing a critical challenge: the growing threat of terrorism spilling over from the Sahel. As extremist groups make inroads along Ghana’s northern border with Burkina Faso, Mahama must craft a multifaceted strategy to prevent violence from taking root in the country’s vulnerable northern regions. Mahama, who previously served as president from 2012 to 2017, campaigned primarily to address Ghana’s economic crisis. However, his northern roots in Damongo have raised hopes that he will prioritize peace and development in the region. In his victory speech, Mahama emphasized his commitment to meeting…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Russia’s decade-long support for Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad ended in a shocking collapse when a swift rebel offensive toppled his regime in December. The implications of this defeat extend far beyond Syria, threatening Russia’s geopolitical standing, particularly in Africa, where Moscow has aligned itself with military juntas and autocratic governments. The Institute for the Study of War described the event as a “strategic political defeat for Moscow,” noting that Russia’s failure—or unwillingness—to reinforce Assad’s regime as rebels made rapid gains could erode its credibility as a reliable security partner. As Russian forces scrambled to evacuate, convoys clogged Syria’s roads, retreating…
Sensitive data is no longer limited to regulated information such as personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), or cardholder data. The landscape now includes employee communications, IoT sensor data, algorithms, AI models, and even emojis. This data exists across databases, endpoints, cloud environments, and data lakes. Security professionals must adapt to this evolving data landscape to mitigate risks effectively. Hybrid work environments: A major attack surface The shift to hybrid and remote work has expanded attack surfaces. According to Forrester’s Security Survey 2023, 21% of enterprise breaches in the past year originated from external attacks targeting employees’ remote…
Trend Micro guards desktop and mobile devices from ransomware, phishing schemes, spam, and more for one year. TL;DR: Protect your privacy on three devices with a 1-year subscription to Trend Micro Maximum Security for $19.99 (reg. $49.99). Cyber threats have become more sophisticated, and even cautious users can find themselves vulnerable to ransomware attacks, phishing schemes, and identity theft. A single click on the wrong link or a cleverly disguised email can lead to encrypted files, stolen credentials, or compromised accounts. Tech-savvy users know how to spot the signs of a scam or avoid malware, but skilled tech users also know it’s…
When you’re feeling tired, it can be hard to go about your daily activities. And this isn’t an uncommon problem. In fact, up to 45% of people in the U.S. experience fatigue. Health conditions such as insomnia, depression, and stress can all contribute to fatigue. But is it possible that your medication is to blame? Can common medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and antibiotics, make you tired? Let’s review seven types of medication that can cause fatigue. Key takeaways: If you’re feeling tired, it’s possible your medication is to blame. Common culprits include antihistamines, muscle relaxers, and benzodiazepines. Opioid pain medications commonly cause…
Finding the physical location of your Windows 11 product key can be a hassle unless you use several simple commands. The physical location of your Windows product key is often located on a sticker placed in difficult-to-reach spots on your PC. However, with a few commands and a little know-how, you can use the operating system to reveal your Windows 11 product key. The techniques for finding a product key are practically the same as those for Windows 10, but there are subtle differences. This tutorial explains how to find your Windows 11 product key using the operating system and not by relying on the…
Recent seizures of illegal drugs in the Sahel indicate that the conflict-riddled region is becoming a busy route for transnational crimes, including drug trafficking. In 2022, authorities seized 1,466 kilograms of cocaine in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger, compared to an average of 13 kilograms between 2013 and 2020, according to an April 2024 United Nations report. “Although annual estimates were not available for 2023, 2.3 tons of cocaine had already been seized in Mauritania by June 2023,” the report said. “The region’s geographical location makes it a natural stopover point for the increasing amount of cocaine produced in…
A ransomware bug infecting computer systems across Africa is the latest evidence that cybercriminals are using the continent as a testing ground for new attacks. The Medusa virus targets businesses and government agencies, locking users out of the system and threatening to expose sensitive information if a ransom is not paid. It has hit the Kenya Airport Authority, banks in South Africa, and other companies and organizations. The London-based cybersecurity company Performanta studied the attacks and discovered what appears to be a strategy to focus initially on organizations in countries with limited experience in cyber defense, including countries in Africa.…
“Bananas have gone from being the first cultivated fruit to the most consumed and exported fruit in the world.” By Chuck Dinerstein The relationship between humans and bananas spans thousands of years. Using phytoliths—microscopic silica particles—agroarcheologists traced bananas’ domestication to New Guinea 6,800 years ago. These “phytolith passports” reveal their spread to Sri Lanka, Uganda, and Pakistan over millennia. The modern banana originated in Mauritius, sharing its birthplace with the dodo. The Cavendish banana, cultivated in England by gardener Joseph Paxton in the greenhouse of the Sixth Duke of Devonshire, became the dominant variety. Named Musa Cavendishii, this banana was part…
At the UN COP16 summit in Riyadh, global leaders and experts are confronting the urgent connection between desertification, land degradation, and drought—drivers of forced migration and insecurity worldwide. According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), 40% of the world’s agricultural land is degraded, a figure that grows each year. UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw underscored the human cost at the summit’s opening: “Land is not just a means of livelihood. It carries the stories, dreams, and hopes of its people. Yet, fertile soil that once sustained communities is turning barren, forcing millions to leave their homes.” Declining…