driving

Tanzania’s incumbent president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has been re-elected with 98 percent of the vote in an election denounced by the opposition as a sham.

The government has denied that hundreds of people have been killed in a police crackdown.

So, what’s behind this crisis, and what’s next?

Presenter: Adrian Finighan

Guests: 

Tito Magoti – independent human rights lawyer and activist

Nicodemus Minde – researcher with the East Africa Peace and Security Governance Program at the Institute for Security Studies in Nairobi

Fergus Kell – research fellow with the Africa Programme at London’s Chatham House

FAR-RIGHT activist Tommy Robinson was discriminated against by police owing to his political beliefs when he was nabbed driving a Bentley, a court has been told.

He was stopped at the Channel Tunnel in a Bentayga with £13,000 in cash, his trial heard.

Police were suspicious of his claim he was delivering the car to a pal in Benidorm so detained him under counter-terror laws in July last year.

Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, told Westminster magistrates’ court police had taken a “discriminatory stance”.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, denies refusing to hand over his mobile PIN — an offence under the Terrorism Act.

Prosecutor Jo Morris said officers had legitimate reasons to detain him owing to his “associating with far-right activists”.

The trial continues.

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Truly Adams of Moreno Valley is racing Formula 4 cars in France even though he’s not old enough to obtain a driver’s license in California.

The 15-year-old freshman who’s enrolled in online classes at Epic Charter School in Corona became the first American driver to finish on the podium at the Feed Racing Volant F4 finals last month, taking third place in a field of international contenders at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, one of France’s top F1 racetracks.

Truly Adams races in the Feed Racing Volant F4 Finals in France.

(Troy Adams Coaching)

Adams is bilingual in English and Spanish and learning French to help further his desired career in racing. He’s won kart races in Spain and was the fastest driver at the Mexico F4 Series test. He’s preparing for the 2026 French Formula 4 season next year, which is the path toward being a Formula 1 driver. Entry into the series requires $300,000 in funding, so he’s seeking sponsorships and partnerships.

“I love racing cars because of the thrill of it, passing cars, getting passed, going 130 mph in the straightaway,” he said.

His father, Troy, serves as his driving coach. His mother, Kara, is his driver when he’s in Southern California. In the last year, he’s traveled throughout the United States and to France, Portugal, Spain and Italy for competitions.

“I played every sport growing up — soccer, football, basketball, golf, tennis, rugby, swimming,” he said. “I tried to play the guitar. I tried to play piano. I tried to play everything.”

Racing cars turned out to be what he was most successful at. He has his own YouTube channel highlighting some of his early experiences. Now he uses Instagram @Truly_theTruth.

He said he has begun studying for his California driving test in September of 2026.

Asked what he might tell the instructor in the car, he said, “I’ll tell him I’m a professional race car driver and do you want to go more than the speed limit?”

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email [email protected].

What Luka Doncic did for his Lakers teammates was unique and different but no less impactful. It was a view inside the superstar guard’s way of leading the team.

In a team-building event Doncic organized, he took his teammates to a Porsche Driving Experience after practice Tuesday. He covered the entire cost of the event in which his teammates tested Porsche models on a track.

That so impressed Lakers center Deandre Ayton, bringing a smile to his face when asked about Doncic’s gesture.

“I truly appreciate Luka for that,” Ayton said. “I’ve never done that before, where the star players really look out for the team like that. Something like that is actually crazy. I’ve never heard of it or been in a Porsche before. So it definitely was my first time. I didn’t know that Luka was into cars like that. So, yeah, him and LeBron [James]. It was good seeing them behind the wheel. Seeing LeBron behind a car is dangerous.”

At 7 feet, Ayton was asked if he was comfortable driving the car.

“Yeah, they had some cars where they could hold a 7-footer,” he said. “I don’t know if it was custom or that’s how they’re made or some other factors. But just seeing LeBron James in a sports car pushing, I was like, ‘Yo, he knows cars.’ Him doing his thing, that was pretty cool to see.”

All summer and during training camp, the Lakers have talked about building team chemistry.

They talked about how doing things together off the court is an important part of building chemistry and of learning about a teammate.

Doncic, along with James, is considered one of their leaders and this was seen as magnanimous.

“Yeah, I mean, anytime, some of our max players and guys that have been in the league a while can put something on for the team is great,” Gabe Vincent said. “It’s great when we come together, do something a little bit more extravagant maybe than we would have on our own. Everyone gets to walk away with some cool [stuff].

“Most importantly, you get to do it together, you know what I mean? Sharing experiences is one of the quickest ways to grow closer. So, we’re very grateful to Luka for putting that one on. Everyone had a great time. It’s been great to see him get more comfortable.”

Vincent also did his part in a team-building moment.

Over the summer, he invited his teammates to the sand dunes in Manhattan Beach.

It was his show of leadership after so many workouts and his way to help build that team chemistry.

“So, I tried to just get guys together, most of them were young guys, but just get out on the sand, play a little spike ball, and work down the sand a little bit,” Vincent said. “It’s something to get out of this [practice facility] building, you know what I mean? In the summer, we spend so much time in the gym, grinding at the same thing over and over that sometimes you kind of need a change of scenery. So it’s something for us to do that was different, something for us to do together. We had a good time with it.”

Ayton getting more comfortable

After two preseason games and several more practices, Ayton is starting to get more comfortable with his role inside the Lakers’ offense.

He took more shots in the second game against the Warriors, making three of eight from the field, than in the first game against the Suns, missing both shots, and he scored more points against the Warriors (seven) than against the Suns (two). He blocked two shots in each game and has a total of 15 rebounds.

“How comfortable am I getting? Um, real comfortable, to where I am starting to know their plays and where the screens are and in general, Lakers terms and Lakers basketball,” he said. “So, it’s becoming quite easy just to read the floor and what [Lakers coach] JJ [Redick] likes and what he wants us to be known as, especially going into our rhythm offense and transition offense. So, yeah, the terminology and everything is starting to be easy and I feel in control on each end.”

With other tech giants sparring over consumer chatbots, IBM (IBM 1.22%) is quietly positioning itself to dominate a different artificial intelligence (AI) battlefield: the enterprise segment.

The centennial tech titan might seem like an unlikely AI winner, but there’s one key factor that could make IBM the surprise star of the artificial intelligence revolution. IBM’s AI solutions are tailor-made for large corporations.

Image source: Getty Images.

IBM’s secret weapon: Enterprise-class AI

The watsonx platform for generative AI services isn’t trying to write your poetry or plan your vacation. Instead, it’s helping Fortune 500 companies deploy AI with strict attention to data security and regulatory requirements. Combined with Red Hat’s OpenShift platform — IBM’s $34 billion acquisition from 2019 that’s now paying proverbial dividends — the company offers something unique: AI that works within existing enterprise infrastructure.

This isn’t just theory. Banks are using IBM’s watsonx to detect fraud while maintaining compliance with financial regulations. Healthcare systems are deploying IBM’s AI to analyze patient data without violating patient privacy regulations.

It’s all done with auditable data flows. Sure, watsonx will hallucinate from time to time, like any other system based on large language models (LLMs). But when it does, you’ll be able to trace the error back to its original inspiration.

Meanwhile, IBM’s consulting arm helps these enterprises make use of AI solutions. This unique focus on support services creates sticky, long-term business relationships.

The big blue numbers tell the story

IBM’s AI-based Automation segment grew 14% year over year in Q2 2025, while Red Hat revenue continues its double-digit revenue expansion. The enterprise AI market is projected to reach $600 billion by 2028, and IBM is uniquely positioned to capture this opportunity.

Unlike consumer AI companies burning cash on compute costs, IBM’s enterprise focus means higher margins and predictable revenue streams. While others chase the next viral chatbot, IBM is selling the picks and shovels of the enterprise AI gold rush — and that’s exactly why it will thrive. Buying IBM stock today should set you up for robust AI-boom gains.

A mosque bombed in Sudan is the latest atrocity in a conflict that has led to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, says the United Nations.

Meanwhile, a new US-led political initiative gets a cool response from Khartoum.

What’s happening in the conflict – and what are the hopes for peace?

Presenter: Tom McRae

Guests:

Amgad Fareid Eltayeb – executive director of Fikra for Studies and Development

Kholood Khair – Sudanese political analyst

Cameron Hudson – senior associate in the Africa programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

LUKE LITTLER has revealed he has failed his driving theory test once again – and it is frustrating the hell out of him.

The Nuke is the best darts player on the planet but he is not yet ready to get on the roads by himself.

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Having turned 18 last January, he is desperate to enjoy the freedom of being able to drive himself to tournaments and to see pals on his own terms.

Yet the theory test has so far proved extremely difficult for him to master – it has taken him SIX attempts and counting.

After he won the World Matchplay in Blackpool in July, Littler posted on Instagram the score sheet for his fifth test.

On the multiple choice part, he scored 41 out of 50 – the pass mark is 43 – and he got 44 out of 75 for the hazard perception part, which is barely passable.

He got questions wrong back then in relation to hazard awareness, alertness, safety, motorway rules and road and traffic signs.

When he became the sport’s youngest world champion in January after beating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final, he received £500,000 for his exploits at Ally Pally.

The next day he was asked what motor he would buy with his winnings.

Other youngsters in his privileged position would eye up a flash Ferrari or Lamborghini if they were in the same position.

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But he said he would like the cheapest Mercedes-Benz A Class going for about £30,000.

On Wednesday, speaking at a Target Darts pop-up shop in Manchester, he was asked about his driving plans and if he had made any progress thus far.

Littler conceded: “No, not yet. I did do a theory the other week but I didn’t put it on my Instagram.

“Oh, it was a bad one. It was a bad one. I’ll let you know that.”

Asked what exactly he was struggling with, he replied: “The hazard (perception test).

“Is that holding me back from doing my practical? Yeah. I’m trying. I just want to pass. I just want to pass.

“Like I put up on my Instagram the other week, I’ve got a car – and it’s not a Mercedes – but it’s sat there waiting.”

*World-leading darts manufacturer Target Darts opened the UK’s ultimate darting pop-up experience in Manchester to celebrate their biggest-ever product launch. For more details on the lastest darts products, please visit: www.target-darts.co.uk

LOCK, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels star Jason Flemyng has been banned from driving after being caught speeding — at 24mph.

The 58-year-old was pinged in a 20mph zone in his Kia Sorento.

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It was the fourth time Flemyng had been caught speeding in the past year.

He already had 12 points on his licence but had not been banned because of a justice system administrative error.

The actor admitted speeding near his home in Clapham, South West London, on December 5.

He was banned for six months and fined £775.

He told Lavender Hill JPs: “I don’t want to waste the court’s time. I accept what has happened.”

Asked whether he wanted to claim exceptional hardship, the actor, wearing a black suit, said: “Well, my work and what I do for a living, and my charity work, all depend on me driving.

“Maybe I should have thought about that before I drove 24mph in a 20mph zone.”

Flemyng played Tom in Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and has appeared in Snatch and From Hell with Johnny Depp.

In 2009, the actor joined the cast of the ITV science fiction cult drama series Primeval during its third series, as maverick ex-policeman Danny Quinn and he reprised the role in 2011.

He has been married to actress and producer Elly Fairman since 2007, best known for Blitz, and has also starred in BBC drama series Casualty.

Eighty years ago, on August 6 1945, the sky over Hiroshima lit up with the cataclysmic explosion of the atomic bomb Little Boy; a light that was not a sunrise of hope, but a shadow of death and destruction, reducing over 140,000 people to ashes in an instant. This tragedy became a lasting symbol of nuclear horror, a permanent warning to humanity: the power of nuclear weapons can obliterate civilisation entirely.

Now, on the anniversary of that catastrophe, the United States, through attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities and escalating confrontations with Russia, is steering the world toward the precipice of a “Hiroshima II.” These actions, which threaten the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and raise the risk of nuclear war to unprecedented levels, endanger global peace and reveal a dangerous shift in Washington’s foreign policy; one that could imperil the very future of humanity.

Attack on Iran: A blow to diplomacy and a spark for nuclear proliferation

On June 22, 2025, the skies over Iran thundered with Tomahawk missiles and stealth B-2 bombers targeting the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities in an operation dubbed “Midnight Hammer.” Occurring amid the short-lived Iran-Israel conflict from 13 to 24 June 2025, this strike was described by US President Donald Trump as a “decisive victory” to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Yet reports tell a different story: the attack only delayed Iran’s nuclear program by a few months, as the country had already secured enriched uranium in safe locations.

The roots of this aggression trace back to the controversial US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018. Subsequent reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2025 indicated that Iran had enriched uranium to 60 per cent, still below the 90 percent threshold needed for weapons-grade material. Pressure from Israel, especially information presented by Benjamin Netanyahu in February 2025, pushed Washington toward this military strike. But this first direct military assault on another nation’s nuclear program since World War II had profound consequences: Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA and announced it would no longer adhere to NPT restrictions.

The US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities didn’t just torch years of diplomatic efforts; it’s pushed the world to the edge of a nuclear abyss. Since 1968, the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has stood on three shaky legs: stopping the spread of nukes, disarming those who have them, and ensuring nuclear energy stays peaceful. Now, Washington’s unilateral move threatens to kick those legs out from under it. Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, didn’t mince words: the strike could “bring the entire non-proliferation system crashing down.” Iran, now more determined than ever, might follow North Korea’s playbook, chasing nuclear weapons with renewed vigor. That could set off a domino effect, with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, or even Egypt eyeing their own nuclear arsenals to keep the regional balance from tipping.

From the collapse of nuclear order to human catastrophe

The fallout from America’s strike stretches far beyond the Middle East. By undermining the NPT, it’s fanned the flames of global nuclear ambition. Allies like South Korea, Japan, and Poland, long sheltered under the US nuclear umbrella, might start questioning their reliance on Washington and consider going their own way. In the Gulf, Saudi Arabia and the UAE could hit the gas on their own nuclear programs, risking a full-blown arms race across the region.

At the 2025 Hiroshima memorial, Mayor Kazumi Matsui sounded the alarm, warning that “nuclear weapons are becoming normalized” amid crises in Ukraine and the Middle East. The Hiroshima Survivors’ Association, known as Nihon Hidankyo and honored with a Nobel Peace Prize, slammed the US for ignoring the scars of Hiroshima’s past. Pope Leo XIV and UN chief António Guterres issued a rare joint plea, urging a return to diplomacy and warning that nukes are once again tools of intimidation, not deterrence.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reports that 2025 has ushered in a new arms race, with defense budgets ballooning and nuclear stockpiles getting modern makeovers. In this tinderbox, one misstep, whether a rash decision or a simple miscalculation, could spark a disaster that wipes out millions and leaves the planet’s ecosystems in ruins for centuries.

The urgent need for multilateral diplomacy

History proves that nuclear stability hinges on global cooperation, not cowboy bravado. Treaties like the NPT and the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) only worked when big players respected each other’s red lines. The US strike on Iran, coupled with escalating tensions with Russia, spits in the face of that principle, shoving the world toward chaos. The only way out is to swap bombs for talks. Urgent negotiations, pulling in Iran, Russia, China, Europe, and others, are the last hope for shoring up the non-proliferation system and cooling global tempers.

Eighty years after Hiroshima, the world faces a gut-check moment. The US, which unleashed the first nuclear horror, is now steering humanity toward another with its reckless policies. Hiroshima taught us that nuclear weapons don’t bring security or triumph, only devastation. If this path continues, the next Hiroshima won’t be one city but the entire globe, with no one left to bear witness.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.

Drivers are being urged to check whether they need to apply for a permit in order to drive abroad, especially in Spain as it can be a legal requirement for motorists

Hiring a holiday car can make your trip much easier and more accessible, especially if you are staying somewhere a little more remote. However it’s important to know the rules of the road in the country you’re in, and if you need permits or not.

Spain is a popular holiday spot for Brits due to its balmy weather and frequent flights that only take a few hours. But now people are being urged to check if they need permits before hiring a car according to the DVLA.

You may need an international driving permit (IDP) as well as other paperwork and passport checks for motorists heading abroad. The permit you may need depends on which country you’re visiting and how long you’re staying too. You also need to have a valid GB driving licence to get an IDP, and paper licences cannot be accepted.

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This document makes sure that you’re legally allowed to drive in countries that may not recognise or allow your UK driving licence. Make sure you’re covered for your next trip and avoid fines and legal issues by applying for an IDP before you travel.

If driving, you must always have your driving licence with you as well as your IDP, and if you are visiting Spain, you may be caught out.

While the DVLA states that in Spain “You do not need an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP.”

So while it’s not a requirement for the country, certain car hire companies may still require one for motorists. It costs £5.50 to buy and if you have a full UK driving licence – either a photocard or paper version – you can apply for an IDP at PayPoint stores.

There are three types of IDPs, each of these offer different levels of coverage for specific countries. It’s important that you choose the right one for your destination(s). The 1949 IDP is the most common, but if you’re planning to drive in countries like Italy or the USA, you may need the 1926 or 1968 versions.

IYou do not need an IDP to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK.

You might need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have either: a paper driving licence, a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man. But it’s always advised to check with the embassy of the country you will be driving in.

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Sudan’s worst cholera outbreak in years is spreading in a country ravaged by conflict.

Health and aid workers are battling desperately to stop it from escalating and crossing into neighbouring countries.

What’s driving the outbreak – and how serious is it?

Presenter: Adrian Finighan

Guests:

Mathilde Vu – Advocacy manager for Sudan at the Norwegian Refugee Council

Simon Mane – Sudan national director at the humanitarian organisation, World Vision International

Mitch Rhyner – Deputy head of mission at Doctors Without Borders, Sudan

Aug. 14 (UPI) — The man charged with purposely driving into a crowd celebrating a soccer win in May was charged Thursday with 24 new counts, a pair of which involve babies.

Former Royal Marine Paul Doyle has been charged with dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm with intent after 134 people were hurt when a car slammed into people celebrating a Liverpool Premier League title football win.

Among the new counts, two of the victims have been revealed to be babies, with five of the people allegedly struck by Doyle aged between six months and 17 years old.

Originally charged with seven counts relating to six people, the 24 added charges were applied before the hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, raising the total against Doyle to 31.

Once in court, Judge Andrew Menary KC postponed the plea hearing to Sept. 4 due to Doyle’s legal team not receiving an opportunity to review crucial evidence that was to be presented to the court. The eventual trial is expected to last around a month to resolve.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has reminded motorists that they might need a specific document while travelling abroad in a car this summer

The DVLA has issued a warning for drivers planning to travel this August, with a crucial heads-up about International Driving Permits (IDP).

Motorists looking to take the wheel while abroad are being reminded that they might need an IDP, which is a document that translates domestic driving licences for use overseas. While many EU countries don’t demand an IDP post-Brexit, there are a host of holiday hotspots where the rules still apply.

Hitting the road without an IDP could lead to fines, points on your licence, or even having your car impounded. It comes after a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.

READ MORE: Brit couple’s son boards flight to wrong country while lost at busy Spanish airportREAD MORE: Tourists issued travel warning amid soaring 40C temperatures

In a recent social media update, the DVLA advised: “If you’re hiring a car abroad, you should check with your car hire company if you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) before travelling.”

According to the GOV.UK, whether you’ll need an IDP depends on your destination and the duration of your stay, reports the Express. Authorities have clarified that UK licence holders don’t need an IDP for most EU nations, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein.

However, depending on their destination, drivers may need one of three types of IDP: 1926, 1949, or 1968. The 1968 IDP is particularly common and might be necessary for countries including Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Denmark.

The United States might soon insist that drivers have a 1968 IDP to take the wheel. The GOV.UK has issued guidance stating: “You should check if the individual state authority says you need an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP.”

They further advise: “You may need both your driving licence and an IDP to hire a car in the US. If you have a paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident.”

For just £5.50, motorists can get their hands on an IDP at various PayPoint locations. Once obtained, this essential document remains valid for one to three years, potentially covering multiple trips abroad.

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LIFE’S biggest moments you’ll never forget include holding your newborn, seeing your child’s first steps – and getting the keys to your first home, according to new research.

The study, conducted across the UK, revealed the memories Brits treasure most – with events like driving solo, falling in love, and a child’s first day at school all ranking high.

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The poll of 2,000 adults also found people in the UK experience around five unforgettable moments each year.

Saying goodbye to a loved one and hearing a child say their first words also made the top 25.

Other standout moments include passing exams, learning to ride a bike, and being told “I love you” for the very first time.

“These simple yet powerful experiences often stay with us for life.

The research was commissioned by Samsung to celebrate the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold7 – its slimmest foldable phone yet, built for capturing life’s biggest (and smallest) memories.

As part of the campaign, the tech giant released a touching poem, Life Unfolds Fast, written by Georgie Jones and narrated by Martin Kemp.

The accompanying film showcases real-life moments from people of all walks of life – and intimate snapshots from Martin’s own family history.

Martin Kemp said: “Some of my life’s greatest memories are those simple moments at home – playing with my kids in the garden, holding Harley and Roman as babies, and singing with my wife in the car.

“These are moments that truly define our lives.

“Sharing these personal glimpses allows people to see how small, intimate moments become the big memories we want to go back to over again.”

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The majority of adults (76 per cent) said unforgettable experiences shape who we are, while 85 per cent regularly look back at special memories on their phones.

Whether it’s to lift their mood, reflect on happy times, or share with loved ones, phones have become the modern memory box.

In fact, 60 per cent said their digital memories are just as precious as physical keepsakes like photo albums or letters.

But it’s not all picture-perfect. Nearly half of those surveyed admitted they worry about forgetting key life events.

For 46 per cent, the biggest concern is losing memories involving loved ones – such as family milestones or meaningful conversations.

That’s why so many turn to their phones, with 41 per cent using photos and videos to hold onto those treasured experiences.

However, 49 per cent confessed they feel anxious when their phone storage gets full, fearing they might miss capturing something important.

The average Brit replays special videos or looks at meaningful photos about four times a month.

And some are proper memory collectors – with one in eight claiming to have more than 10 hours of footage saved on their phone.

Looking ahead, the most anticipated future milestone is seeing someone close to them achieve something they’ve worked hard for – from graduating to landing a dream job.

Annika Bizon from Samsung said: “Our research shows that over 40 per cent of us take photos and videos for the sole purpose to not forget our best memories.

“It allows you to capture and revisit the memories you never want to forget, feeling their warmth and emotion time and time again.”

The campaign encourages people to reflect on their own milestones – big or small – and not to let life’s most precious moments pass unnoticed.

Because sometimes, it’s not just the big wins we remember most – but the quiet, everyday moments that unfold in between.

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Call her Emma Walks-on.

Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in all eight “Harry Potter” films, lost her driving privileges for six months Wednesday in Britain after racking up more than a dozen points on her driving record in the space of two years.

She was also ordered to pay more than $1,400 (1,044 pounds), according to multiple media reports Wednesday. Watson didn’t attend the hearing at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court, about 30 miles northwest of London. She had previously pleaded guilty to the offense via mail.

The “Beauty and the Beast” actor, 35, already had 9 points on her record, the BBC reported, tied to offenses in October 2023, November 2023 and January 2024.

The most recent citation came on July 31, 2024, for driving her Audi A3 38 mph in a 30 mph zone, according to the Mirror. That’s the same car that reportedly got towed in February 2024 after Watson didn’t see a “no parking” sign, blocked a driveway, went to meet her mom at a pub across the street and trapped a couple of cars in a gated compound for more than three hours.

Also, in a strange coincidence, actor Zoe Wanamaker, who appeared as flying-broom instructor Madame Hooch in 2001’s “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” got the same treatment for almost the same offense shortly after Watson’s license was pulled, the Sun reported Wednesday. The actor, who works primarily in television, most recently got popped for going 46 mph in a 40 mph zone. She too hit 12 points on her record with her fourth speeding citation.

Wanamaker was fined $885 (660 pounds) and hit with $488 (364 pounds) in court costs, per the Sun. Watson’s total payment included court costs as well.

Speeding offenses in Britain carry 3 to 6 points each, depending on the circumstance, and stay on a driver’s record for four years. Driving under the influence — called “drink driving” or “drug driving” in the U.K. — carries up to 11 points, as do violations including vehicular manslaughter, racing on the highway and “dangerous” or “furious” driving. Serious violations stay on a driver’s record for up to 11 years.

HBO on Tuesday released this image of actor Nick Frost as his “Harry Potter” character, Rubeus Hagrid.

(HBO)

Watson, who last appeared on the big screen as Meg in 2019’s “Little Women,” followed by a role in the promotonal short film “Paradoxe” for a Prada campaign in 2022, is studying for the equivalent of a Ph.D in creative writing at Oxford University. She graduated from Brown University in Providence, R.I. with a bachelor’s degree in 2014.

Also on the “Harry Potter” front, as the wizarding tale prepares for its TV series reboot, HBO on Tuesday released a first-look photo of “How to Train Your Dragon” actor Nick Frost done up as Hagrid. Robbie Coltrane, who played half-giant gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid in the movies, died in October 2022 of multiple organ failure after two years of illness.

John Lithgow will play Dumbledore in the streaming series while newcomers Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout will play Hermione, Harry and Ron, respectively.

Former England captain Paul Ince has been charged with drink-driving after crashing into a central reservation, police said.

The ex-Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder was arrested after a black Range Rover crashed at 17:00 BST on Saturday on Chester High Road in Neston, Wirral.

Cheshire Police said the 57-year-old has been bailed to appear at Chester Magistrates’ Court on 18 July.

The former Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool manager, who also played for West Ham United and Inter Milan, won 53 caps for his country and played at Euro 96 and the World Cup in 1998.

He became the first black footballer to captain England in 1993.

After retiring, he moved into management, most recently working for Reading between 2022 and 2023.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said officers “were called following reports of a collision on Chester High Road, Neston”.

“The incident involved a black Range Rover which had collided with the central reservation barrier,” the spokesperson said.

“Officers attended the scene and arrested a 57-year-old man.”

As Sudan’s war effects spill into Chad, the country faces the world’s most underfunded refugee crisis. Nearly a million Sudanese, mostly women and children, have fled, but aid is vanishing, disease is looming, and the system is on the verge of collapse. In this episode of Talk to Al Jazeera, Ahmed Idris speaks to a United Nations lead official in Chad and to a Sudanese refugee activist who fled the same forces now threatening his people. As the world looks away, they warn that the cost of inaction may soon be counted in lives.

Kampala, Uganda – It was June 5 when Ugandan soldiers arrived in Kasenyi, a town on the shores of Lake Albert in Ituri province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Uganda’s army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, posted a video on X showing what he said were residents “enthusiastically” welcoming the soldiers, as Chris Magezi, an aide to Kainerugaba and at the time acting spokesperson for Uganda’s People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) said the army had “occupied” it together with another Congolese town, Tchomia.

When Kampala first deployed troops to eastern DRC in November 2021, they were in pursuit of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group with Ugandan roots whose strongholds were located in Beni territory, in DRC’s North Kivu province. The group initially fought against the Ugandan government in pursuit of regime change, but from the 2010s onwards, it began aligning itself with the Islamic State Central Africa Province. In Uganda, the government accused the ADF of being behind several high-profile assassinations, while both countries blamed it for massacring civilians.

In 2021, during that first joint military operation between the Ugandan and Congolese armies, towns like Kasenyi remained unaffected.

But today, the Ugandan army’s footprint has expanded well beyond its original mission and into Ituri, by its own admission. This is despite the fact that the ADF, which has since dispersed and relocated far from its traditional bases, is not active in Kasenyi or other areas where the military has recently been operating, observers note.

In a statement in February, General Kainerugaba declared that Uganda would secure the entire border it shares with DRC: “That is our sphere of influence. Nothing will happen there without our permission,” he said on X.

On social media, Kainerugaba has frequently inserted himself into conversations about internal conflicts and the regional dynamics of the Congolese crisis.

He has openly expressed support for the M23 rebel group that has made rapid advancements in eastern DRC this year, seizing control of the capital cities of both North and South Kivu provinces.

M23 is reportedly backed by Rwanda and Uganda, according to various United Nations reports, though both countries have denied these allegations.

Economic interests

The expansion of the Ugandan army’s area of operation reflects Kampala’s shifting priorities in eastern DRC, according to army spokesperson Felix Kulayigye. He said the army is protecting Congolese communities as well as Uganda’s economic interests in the neighbouring country.

“Who is consuming Uganda’s products? Can commerce take place where there is instability? If we have commercial interests in eastern DRC, are those protectable or not?” Kulayigye told Al Jazeera.

From the start, Uganda’s military presence in DRC has carried an economic subtext.

According to a 2023 report by Deutsche Welle, as part of the agreement with the Kinshasa government to combat the ADF, Uganda was granted permission to build tarmac roads connecting key towns in DRC – routes designed to boost the movement of goods and deepen Uganda’s trade footprint in the region.

Although the text of the agreement was not released to the public, Ugandan soldiers, military equipment and road construction equipment entered all entered DRC in November 2021.

Solomon Asiimwe, an international relations lecturer at Nkumba University in Kampala, says although Uganda’s pursuit of the ADF may have appeared to be security-driven, the overriding factor was economic, though this was “hidden under the carpet”.

While some Congolese may be angered by Uganda’s expanded deployment, he suggests they should also consider the benefit of a steady supply of goods from Uganda. “Even Congolese have interests in supplying minerals to Uganda; they benefit from infrastructure and peace,” he said.

Eastern DRC’s market has become a battleground of its own. A recent analysis by The East African valued regional exports to the DRC at $2.9bn over nearly three years, with Uganda commanding a 68 percent share. Kenyan financial institutions have also staked their claim, entering DRC through bank acquisitions and the market was highly profitable – until M23’s advance this year halted their expansion.

But this trade has a dark side. Over the years, analysts and UN reports have accused both Uganda and Rwanda of acting as conduits for smuggled Congolese minerals and agricultural products such as cocoa and coffee. The International Court of Justice in 2022 ordered Uganda to pay the DRC $325m in reparations for the illegal exploitation of natural resources during its military presence in eastern DRC between 1998 and 2003; Kampala has paid several instalments since.

Analysts argue that mineral exploitation is visible in export data of these countries: for instance, Uganda’s gold exports reached $3bn in 2024, despite the country lacking any significant large-scale gold deposits.

‘Violation of Congolese sovereignty’

Ugandan army spokesperson Kulayigye said his country’s expanded deployment in Ituri was requested by Congolese authorities seeking help in fighting other armed groups destabilising the province.

“We had an additional mission at the request of Congolese authorities to deal with negative elements within Ituri,” he said.

Al Jazeera reached out to Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya to respond to this claim, but he did not reply to our questions at the time of publication.

Meanwhile, Congolese experts were sceptical, questioning both the legality and legitimacy of Uganda’s expanded mission.

“Uganda doesn’t have an agreement with the Congolese army to be in some parts of Ituri,” said Reagan Miviri, a conflict researcher at Ebuteli, a Kinshasa-based think tank. “They entered Congolese soil without permission. This is a violation of Congolese sovereignty.”

According to Miviri, Kinshasa has been silent on Uganda’s expanded operation, not because of approval but because it doesn’t want to have to confront both Uganda and Rwanda at the same time.

But he admits that in many areas where Uganda has deployed, it has more presence than the Congolese army.

Kambale Musavuli, a Congolese political analyst, calls Uganda’s growing military presence an occupation – one that “should alarm every Congolese and African who believes in sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

In response to criticism from analysts, Kulayigye said he was “disappointed by intellectuals” who sit in comfort talking about nothing, while on the ground, “people are dying at the hands of militias”.

Reminders of Congo wars

For Congolese observers, Uganda’s behaviour follows a historical script. From 1996 to 2003, Uganda and Rwanda intervened heavily in DRC, initially backing the rebel group that overthrew longtime dictator Mobutu Sese Seko and installed Laurent Kabila – only to later turn against him. Both countries subsequently supported various rebel factions attempting to oust Kabila.

Though international pressure forced Uganda and Rwanda to formally withdraw at the beginning of the century, both nations maintained ties to rebel groups, including M23, which was born out of the unresolved issues of the 1990s Congo wars.

In January and February this year, M23 captured key cities including Goma and Bukavu in eastern DRC, which they still hold. The UN accused Rwanda of deploying up to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers in the DRC, which helped rebels capture the cities, while Uganda has been accused of allowing M23 to get supplies and recruits through its territory.

“It’s a continuation of a pattern we have seen for decades, where neighbouring countries exploit instability in eastern Congo to pursue military and economic interests under the guise of security operations,” said Musavuli.

In the aftermath of the Congo wars, several reports emerged, including from the UN, that Rwanda and Uganda were targeting Hutu civilians and looting and smuggling resources like coffee, diamonds, timber and coltan from the DRC.

Josaphat Musamba, a Congolese researcher at Ghent University in Belgium, sees direct links between today’s conflicts and the wars of the 1990s in a cast of characters that remains strikingly familiar: Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and former Congolese President Joseph Kabila – who is now based in Goma, an area under M23 control – were key players in those earlier conflicts.

“If you look at [today’s M23] commanders, you can connect them to those who were fighting in the First Congo War,” Musamba said. “All of them were working with Rwandan officers like James Kabarebe. I know two or three commanders of M23, and one of them was part of James Kabarebe’s bodyguard,” he claimed.

Kabarebe, now Rwanda’s state minister for regional integration, was a central figure in the rebellion that toppled Mobutu. He later served as army chief of staff under Laurent Kabila, the former Congolese leader and father of Joseph Kabila. Kabarebe was sanctioned by the US government for being “central to Rwanda’s support for the March 23 [M23]”.

Researchers also note that after M23’s first rebellion in the DRC failed in 2012-2013, many rebels fled across the borders to Rwanda and Uganda.

Congolese researchers say that while Kampala and Kigali may claim to be addressing security threats and rebel groups in eastern DRC – like ADF and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), whose remnants were linked to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda – they are effectively carving out zones of control and economic exploitation in eastern DRC, just as they did in the 1990s.

The Congolese people, meanwhile, remain displaced, impoverished and without security. The UN said in April that renewed fighting with M23 this year had displaced nearly four million people in North and South Kivu alone.

“I don’t believe that Uganda [soldiers] have good intentions, especially in the operation in Ituri,” said Miviri. “I don’t understand why they are there.”

It was a successful day all round for Mercedes with 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli finishing third for his first podium in Formula 1.

Antonelli – at 18 years and 294 days old – becomes the third-youngest podium finisher of all time behind Verstappen and Lance Stroll.

Starting fourth, he overtook championship leader Piastri at the start and dealt with pressure from the Australian in the closing stages of the race.

“It was so stressful but super happy,” Antonelli said. “The last stint I pushed a bit too hard behind Max and I killed a bit of the front left and I struggled a bit at the end, but I’m really happy to bring the podium home.”

“This track has been good for us and the car has been incredible all weekend. Hopefully we can carry the same momentum into the next few races.”

Russell said Mercedes performed so strongly at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve because a “smooth” track and “low-speed” corners suited the characteristics of the car.

Next on the calendar is Austria from 27-29 June and the Red Bull Ring will be a very different challenge to Montreal.

“It’s going to be on old tarmac, more high-speed corners and it’s going to be hot as well,” Russell said.

“We’ve got three things working against us. I’m not going to sit here and say Mercedes is back because we were the quickest team here last year but we didn’t win the championship. We know where we need to improve.”