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 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 Will the Presidency provide full details, including: (i) Dates and durations; (ii) Remuneration amounts; (iii) Invoices,relating to any contracts entered into with: (a) Calabar Africa or Calabar Consulting (b) Vogel Groupfor the period 2021 to date? Will the Presidency provide: (i) Telephone records; (ii) Meeting times; (iii) Meeting minutes,of any engagements between officials in the Presidency, including the President,…

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: A 20‑year power purchase agreement with…

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 MAGA figure to call for Washington to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state and potentially gain a new base at the entrance to the Red Sea. Texas senator Ted Cruz has written to Mr Trump, praising Somaliland as a “critical security and diplomatic partner for the United States” and urging full recognition. Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991,…

By Sean Rayment Rolls-Royce’s plan to power artificial intelligence (AI) with its nuclear reactors could make the corporation the UK’s most valuable company. The engineering firm has signed deals to provide small modular reactors (SMRs) to the UK and Czech governments. AI has boomed in popularity since 2022, but the technology consumes vast amounts of energy, raising both practical and environmental concerns. Rolls-Royce chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic has said the company has the “potential” to become the UK’s highest-valued business by overtaking the largest firms on the London Stock Exchange, thanks to its SMR agreements. “There is no private company…

The Reactor Pilot Program had been announced by the US DOE in June 2025. By Abhishek Bhardwaj The United States has picked 11 advanced reactor projects to begin President Trump’s Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program. The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Tuesday that it will work, alongside the industry, with these 11 projects to construct, operate, and achieve criticality of at least three test reactors using the DOE authorisation process by July 4, 2026. The selection is a major step towards streamlining nuclear reactor testing and opening a new pathway toward fast-tracking commercial licensing activities. “President Trump’s Reactor Pilot Program…

By André Pienaar As war-weary Sudan approaches its third year of brutal civil conflict, President Donald J. Trump has launched an ambitious new initiative to bring peace to a nation that the Biden administration largely ignored. In a critical region that spans the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, increasingly dominated by foreign mercenaries, Islamist militias, and Iranian drones, Trump’s peace plan offers not only a diplomatic lifeline — but a moral reset. Let’s be clear: Sudan’s war is not just a local tribal dispute. It is the latest frontline in a broader global struggle between forces of authoritarian…

By Staff Writer As Sudan descends deeper into civil war, a dangerous new player has emerged behind the front lines: the Islamic Republic of Iran. Through a covert but growing alliance with Sudan’s regular army, Iran has injected advanced weaponry, deadly drones and strategic ambition into an already devastating conflict — with far-reaching consequences for the Red Sea region and beyond. A dangerous alliance resurrected After years of estrangement, Khartoum and Tehran rekindled diplomatic relations in late 2023. The timing was no accident: Sudan’s army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was faltering against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in…

By Isabella Egerton Bahrain and the United States have announced over $17 billion in agreements to boost economic and investment ties across key sectors including aviation, technology, industry, and energy. The deals were unveiled during a high-profile meeting between Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and US President Donald Trump at the White House. Facilitated by President Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the agreements are expected to create approximately 30,000 American jobs, according to a senior White House official. They signal Bahrain’s intent to deepen its economic partnership with Washington while diversifying its own economy. Bahrain’s strategic importance…