geopolitics

Explainer: Why does Russia now want payment in rubles?

Saturday, 23 April 2022

For decades, Russia has been selling natural gas to countries in Europe.

Initially, those countries would pay Russia in their own currencies (Example: Germany using Deutschmarks).

In the modern era, those payments have been made in Euros.

This year, after Russia began its “special military operation” inside Ukraine, member countries of the European Union imposed economic sanctions against most Russian products, but left the door open for members to continue buying natural gas from Russia.

Is the Shanghai lockdown really about COVID?

Wednesday, 20 April 2022

There are some interesting words in the English language. Take the case of the verb “shanghai”. The word is derived from the name of the city on the east coast of China.

In the late 19th century, there was frequent shortages of sailors willing to crew ships to far off destinations, so ship owners would drug sailors and haul them on board. By the time they became woke, they were already en route to China and could not get off, hence the phrase “I was shanghaied”.

Extraordinary renditions go mainstream

Sunday, 27 March 2022

In July 2021, Nigerians woke up to the news that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of a banned separatist movement known as Indigenous People of Biafra, had been arrested and brought to the capital Abuja.

Kanu , who also holds UK citizenship, fled Nigeria in 2017 while out on bail facing charges of terrorism and incitement. He had reportedly been living in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, since his escape.

How did he end up paraded in handcuffs in Abuja? According to his family, Kanu was a victim of extraordinary rendition — they say he was kidnapped in Nairobi by Nigerian authorities.