East Africa braces for a return of the locusts

The first wave of the pests emerged at the end of 2019, numbering in hundreds of billions, multiplying by a factor of 20 per generation, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The second generation in March and April numbered in the trillions. A plague that spread like wildfire — up to now.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar resume diplomatic relations through US-brokered deal

Saudi Arabia restored its severed ties with Qatar on Tuesday, as the two countries signed a US-brokered agreement to end their dispute and resolve the Gulf crisis that broke out three years ago, Axios reports. A Saudi-led coalition cut diplomatic relations with Qatar in 2017 on the grounds of alleged Qatari support for Iran and terrorist organizations.

US Navy prepares to deploy largest type of underwater drone allowed

On December 23, 2020, the US Navy issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the development of the largest type of underwater drone the Navy can deploy, the Eurasian Times reports. Named “Snakehead,” this type of Large Displacement Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (LDUUV) will be launched from nuclear submarines to conduct electronic warfare (EW) as well as carry out intelligence, surveillance, and anti-mine missions.