Hormuz attacks threaten Liberian shipping registry

Loading player...
As tensions between the United States and Iran continue, security in the Strait of Hormuz remains under scrutiny. On 3 August, a Liberian-flagged vessel was attacked off the coast of Oman, leaving one crew member missing after a major fire, the latest in a series of attacks on ships flying Liberia's flag. With Liberia operating the world's largest shipping registry by gross tonnage, what do these attacks mean for the country?

And, a newly identified dinosaur species from Zimbabwe, named Musango matusadonaensis, is giving scientists fresh insight into what southern Africa looked like around 210 million years ago during the Late Triassic period.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Bella Twine, Blessing Aderogba and Ayuba Iliya

Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba

Technical Producer: Herbert Masua

Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
6 Aug 11AM English United Kingdom News

Other recent episodes

Surviving an acid attack

Imagine living with the lifelong physical and psychological scars of an attack fuelled by misogyny or romantic rejection. It’s the brutal reality for many women globally, yet the stigma of acid violence forces most survivors into silence. Focus on Africa podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna sits down with two survivors. They…
21 Aug 11AM 22 min

Moroccan Influencer jailed over public indecency

A Moroccan influencer is serving a ten month jail sentence for violating public decency laws. Soukaina Janah was found guilty of inappropriate behaviour while marketing a dress on TikTok. She has also been banned from using her social media accounts for three years. Also, rising water levels in Kenya's Baringo…
20 Aug 11AM 22 min

Uganda to send troops to Gaza

Uganda's parliament has approved plans to deploy it's troops to Gaza under a U.S.-backed International Stabilization Force mission. This is an invitation from President Donald Trump's Board of Peace initiative which is meant to oversee post war transition. The International Stabilisation Force (ISF) would be made up of countries willing…
19 Aug 11AM 22 min

Somalia: Humanitarian agency warns malnutrition

An international medical charity is warning that children in southwest Somalia face alarming food shortages. A survey by Doctors Without Borders found half the children screened were acutely malnourished and one quarter severely malnourished. According to a survey by Doctors Without Borders, that was conducted over 800 households in 14…
18 Aug 11AM 22 min

Vote counting underway after Zambia election

Security officers in Zambia have arrested 11 people including opposition candidate Brian Mundubile. The government claims that they could be planning a revolt. Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema who is running for second, five-year term is taking an early lead in the count. The main opposition party has disputed the results…
17 Aug 11AM 22 min