by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | africa, crime, cybercrime, financial crime, police and law enforcement
In a major cross-border effort, law enforcement agencies from seven African nations have apprehended 306 individuals and confiscated 1842 gadgets as part of an extensive international crackdown on cybercrime, specifically focusing on fraudulent activities and scams conducted online.
Known as Operation Red Card, this initiative was active from November 2024 until February 2025. It aimed at disrupting cybercrime organizations that bilked more than 5000 individuals via mobile banking fraud, fraudulent investments, and deceptive messaging apps, as reported by infosecurity-magazine.com.
In Nigeria, law enforcement apprehended 130 individuals, among whom were 113 foreigners, for their involvement in illicit investment scams and illegal online gambling operations.
Officials discovered that criminals channeled illegal funds into digital assets to hide their monetary tracks.
The investigations revealed indications of human trafficking, with certain people being forced to take part in the fraud schemes.
The authorities confiscated: 26 cars; 16 residences; 39 parcels of land; along with 685 electronic gadgets.
In Rwanda, authorities detained 45 people in 2024 who were behind a social engineering scheme that tricked victims out of over $305,000.
Fraudsters pretended to be telecom staff members and misleadingly told their targets they had won lotteries to obtain confidential data.
Some pretended to be hurt relatives asking for urgent financial aid.
The authorities retrieved $103,043 and confiscated 292 devices.
In South Africa, law enforcement apprehended 40 people and seized more than 1000 SIM cards, alongside 53 desktop computers and towers, all connected to an advanced SIM box scam operation.
This configuration enabled cybercriminals to mask international calls as local ones, making widespread SMS phishing campaigns possible.
In Zambia, authorities arrested 14 individuals who were part of a cybercrime group involved in malware attacks.
The perpetrators dispatched phishing messages with harmful links, which contaminated the victims’ devices and seized control over their messaging and banking applications. This allowed them to infiltrate financial accounts and propagate more fake links.
The operation was conducted via INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC), an initiative aimed at aiding law enforcement agencies as they work to counteract cyber threats.
Under the AFJOC initiative, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provided £2.6 million for Operation Red Card to boost Africa’s ability to detect and prevent cybercrimes, thereby enhancing law enforcement capacities across the continent.
The seven participating nations—Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia—are continuing their collaboration on intelligence-driven cybercrime investigations.
“The success of Operation Red Card highlights the effectiveness of global collaboration in tackling cybercrime, which transcends national boundaries and can lead to severe consequences for people and societies,” stated Neal Jetton, who leads Interpol’s cybercrime division.
The retrieval of substantial assets and equipment, along with the apprehension of major suspects, clearly indicates to cyber criminals that their actions will face serious consequences.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | business, cloud computing, cloud services, technology, technology companies
By Kehinde Ogundare, National Director, Zoho Nigeria
The entrepreneurial zeal in Nigeria is unmistakable. Despite operating within a vibrant yet fiercely competitive marketplace, companies here have immense promise, ready to emerge as major players regionally and globally. Yet, actualizing this potential involves tackling a difficult environment characterized by scarce IT assets, intricate operational challenges, and entrenched conventional business methods. To achieve lasting expansion, Nigerian enterprises must embrace digital change, where cloud technology plays an essential role in facilitating progress.
As Nigeria’s middle class grows and its populace becomes more technologically adept, the country presents a promising environment for creativity and growth. However, numerous companies still rely on outdated, hands-on methods, which hampers their potential for expansion and competitive edge. In this scenario, cloud solutions and advanced digital resources prove essential.
The requirement for digital evolution
Conventional growth strategies struggle to adapt quickly enough to changing markets. Relying on manual procedures creates inefficiencies, insufficient data analysis impedes well-informed decisions, and constrained IT capabilities impede creative progress. To surmount these challenges, companies should embrace digital solutions that simplify processes, mechanize routine tasks, and offer practical analytics.
The process of digital transformation doesn’t revolve around implementing new technologies just because they’re available; rather, it focuses on achieving efficient expansion. For companies aiming to grow within the current digital landscape, scalability is essential as it allows them to broaden their audience, stay ahead in competition, and address shifting consumer expectations. By leveraging digital resources, organizations can enhance their influence, boost income generation, and streamline expenses, thus securing enduring stability.
The strength of cloud-based systems
Cloud-based platforms remove the necessity for significant capital expenditures on infrastructure, providing companies with advanced technological tools that are both adaptable and expandable. These systems automate routine processes, optimize work procedures, and boost efficiency, thereby freeing up important assets so enterprises can concentrate on their strategies and interactions with customers.
A comprehensive SaaS platform provides a cohesive environment for overseeing every aspect of a company’s operations. Through an centralized collection of tools, this system streamlines processes, minimizes manual input, and enhances teamwork among staff members. This leads to decreased overhead expenses and quicker strategic choices, facilitating swifter growth into emerging markets.
Zoho’s focus with their software lies in contextual intelligence, utilizing AI to deliver real value to customers. Given that customer experience holds significant importance in today’s market, Zoho’s AI-driven analytics empower companies to customize engagements, predict requirements, and enhance connections with clients. Additionally, Zoho remains dedicated to protecting customer privacy, ensuring that enterprises can use data ethically which helps build confidence and enduring allegiance.
An all-encompassing strategy for expanding a business
Zoho’s strategy of refining every part of the technological framework—from infrastructure to applications—guarantees smooth interoperability and peak efficiency. This comprehensive method leads to superior tech solutions for companies in Nigeria, allowing them to concentrate on what they do best without getting bogged down by intricate technical challenges.
For businesses in Nigeria, digital transformation is not an option but a must-have now. Adopting cloud-based solutions allows them to surmount conventional hurdles to expansion, grow more effectively, and realize their complete capabilities.
The future of Nigerian enterprises lies in digitization. By embracing the cloud, companies can turn obstacles into chances, thereby facilitating enduring expansion within a progressively cutthroat worldwide market.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | food and drink, health, meals, meat, money
What defines an ideal banh mi? Should it overflow with meats, pâté, and cold cuts, or should it maintain a lighter, more balanced approach?
VnExpress
After the recent Banh Mi Festival in Ho Chi Minh City, readers shared their thoughts on their perfect version of a banh mi sandwich. At this event, certain well-known brands were charging up to VND73,000 ($2.85 USD) for a filled serving.
Reader
Hien Le Thanh
thought that a banh mi with such a high price tag was excessive:
A banh mi costing VND73,000 comes loaded with an abundance of meat and has a remarkably rich taste. It’s quite substantial for one person to consume entirely on their own. In my opinion, this particular banh mi mirrors others in terms of its composition. Personally, I favor a well-balanced stuffing accompanied by generous portions that should be served warm, crunchy, and aromatic.
Reader
Jen
added:
A VND73,000 banh mi, which is loaded with meat, has become quite famous. This sandwich was once favored by western travelers looking for bigger servings; however, nowadays, local youth also appreciate it. Despite this popularity, most individuals find they can typically consume just about one-third of the sizable banh mi due to its generous size.
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At a store in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll find two portions of a banh mi filled with cold cuts along with two levels of pate. The image was captured by VnExpress/Quynh Tran.
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For reader
nguyendinhvu2010
, the ideal banh mi begins with its fragrance:
As you stroll by a banh mi cart, the blend of freshly baked bread, pâté, barbecue pork, and butter emits an enticing aroma that beckons you closer. When you grasp the sandwich in your hand, you ought to sense its warmth and listen for the crisp sound. However, the real delight comes with the initial bite—the harmony of sweet, salty, and creamy flavors renders every banh mi distinctively special.
Reader
Quang Nguyen
reminisced about his most memorable banh mi experience:
The finest version I experienced was in Da Nang. It boasted just the right size, featuring a touch of tartness and spiciness, along with a crunchy exterior, flavorful filling, and fresh herbs such as coriander, Thai basil, and cucumber.
Another reader,
Nguoi nhap cuoc
reminisced about a banh mi from decades past:
Those who resided in the vicinity of Thu Duc both prior to and following 1975 would recall an older gentleman with one blinded eye peddling banh mi using a bicycle equipped with a sizable wooden crate secured at the rear.
In those times, food was hard to come by, yet his banh mi remained consistently warm and crispy. His signature dish included pressure-cooked sardines swimming in rich tomato gravy. The more affluent customers would often buy an entire banh mi, whereas many others opted for only half due to cost constraints. Whether it was chilly outside or raining heavily at night, his banh mi was always a delightful find. To ensure freshness, he carried a charcoal stove on his bicycle specifically for reheating the sandwiches when needed.
Afterward, I didn’t see him or his banh mi bike anymore. I was told he had passed away, and nobody continued his work. By then, banh mi carts could be found all around.
One notable characteristic of his cart was a manually operated horn connected to the bicycle’s handlebars. This would announce his arrival long before he got close, as the distant blaring could be heard clearly. That noise served as a fragment of the city’s history.
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | commerce, medicine and healthcare, news, news media, transportation
Tanger Med has climbed higher in the international port rankings, now standing at 17th position globally—a gain of two places compared to the previous year. As reported by Alphaliner, the port experienced an 18.8% surge in container throughput, marking the second-largest growth rate internationally, following closely after Long Beach and Los Angeles.
In 2024, Tangier Med managed to process an all-time high of 10.24 million TEUs due to improved infrastructure, state-of-the-art machinery, and streamlined marine activities. This achievement makes it the sole port from both the Mediterranean region and Africa to be listed among the world’s top 30 ports.
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Tanger Med records remarkable expansion, places 17th globally
appeared first on
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | climate, meteorology, rain, vietnam, weather forecasts
This year, Vietnam can expect more moderate weather conditions, featuring hotter periods that will arrive later than typical along with above-average precipitation, as stated by the meteorological service.
The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has stated that from April through June, the ENSO climate event—known as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, characterized by abnormally high sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean—is anticipated to remain neutral with a likelihood of 70-80%, affecting weather conditions across Vietnam.
Cold air waves will gradually weaken. Heatwaves in the northern and central regions will arrive later and be less intense than in previous years.
The temperatures in these regions are anticipated to rise starting from May.
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A construction worker braving the intense heat in Ho Chi Minh City on April 9, 2024, as the temperature climbed above 40 degrees Celsius. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran
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In the Central Highlands and southern regions, heatwaves are forecast to begin later than usual in April bringing fewer days of extreme heat.
Generally, temperature levels throughout the nation will remain near their historical norms, with the exception of the northwestern region, where they could increase by 0.5-1 degrees Celsius higher than usual during May.
Even with the more favorable forecast, northern and central Vietnam will likely face extended periods of elevated heat during July and August, with conditions slowly improving as we move into September.
The wet season starting in April will result in substantial rainfall across the northern areas, north-central zones, Central Highlands, and southern parts of the region, with especially intense showers predicted for May and June.
It is anticipated that in the northern region, precipitation will be typical in April with amounts ranging from 70-120 mm in the flatlands and over 150 mm in the mountains.
In May, we can expect a rise in precipitation of around 5-10%.
In June, rainfall is expected to reach 250 mm, with certain elevated regions potentially getting up to 500 mm.
In the central area, precipitation in April should remain near average but might rise by 5-15% in May, totaling around 200 millimeters.
In the Central Highlands and southern areas, precipitation levels are expected to range from 5-15% higher than average during April and May.
From July through September, six storms are predicted to form over the East Sea, with three of them possibly reaching Vietnam’s shores.
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Ha Long was left devastated following Typhoon Yagi in September 2024. Image courtesy of VnExpress/Giang Huy
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In July and August, the northern region is expected to experience between 250-500 millimeters of rain. Precipitation levels for September should fall within the 150-250 millimeter range, consistent with typical amounts.
In the Central Highlands and southern regions, precipitation levels will range from 250 to 400 millimeters.
Vietnam endured
19 heatwaves last year
with temperatures surpassing long-term averages by 0.5-1.5 degrees Celsius.
On April 28, Dong Ha city in Vietnam’s central Quang Tri Province experienced a high of 44 degrees Celsius, marking the highest temperature observed in the month of April nationwide since 1976.
Last year, there were also 10 typhoons and one tropical depression recorded over the East Sea, out of which five made landfall.
Typhoon Yagi
was the most devastating, hitting Quang Nginh Province and Hai Phong City in the northern region with gusts of up to 166 km/h.
As Vietnam enters yet another uncertain year, officials caution that although severe heat might subside, the dangers posed by intense rainfall, storms, and floods continue to be significantly elevated.
