Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Peter Rothpletz

Creator

Peter Rothpletz

Peter Rothpletz is an American writer and contributor to the Mail & Guardian. An alumnus of Yale University's Journalism Initiative, he primarily reports on international affairs, civil conflict, and radical extremism.

Peter Tonon prays over the body of his mother Lieselotte Tonon, 85, at a socially-distanced viewing at the Clayton and McGirr Funeral Home on June 09, 2020 in Freehold, New Jersey. (John Moore/Getty Images/AFP)

Death in small-town America

As the coronavirus continues its deadly march, funeral directors in small-town America quietly attend to burying the dead

There is little effort made to encourage men to report physical abuse to the police, says the writer (John McCann/M&G)

Scores dead as Greece wildfires blaze through villages

On Monday night, firefighters fought against the flames, which were fanned by winds of up to 100km per hour

People in places such as China believe that tiger bones have medicinal and spiritual properties.

SA’s lion trade endangers big cats abroad, says environment agency

South Africa’s sanctioned, annual export of 800 lion skeletons directly exacerbates the plight of wild tigers.

James Aguma with Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

Suspended SABC CEO James Aguma resigns, faces no charges

Interim board chairperson Khanyisile Kweyama says all 10 charges against Aguma will be dropped.

Crack attack: A rift across the Larsen C Ice Shelf

Breakaway iceberg as big as Jamaica

And it could mean that the Antarctic ice shelf is becoming unstable

The three women

Trump Jr escalates Russia scandal

Many White House aides who previously dismissed “Russia stories” as “conspiracy bullshit” now struggle to call the recent coverage “fake news”

(Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Trump Jr’s leaked emails escalate Russian collusion scandal

“This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump.”

It is in everyone’s interests to make the African Union Transitional Justice Policy work. (Reuters)

G is for Globalism

Critics may say the muppets are little more than politicised stuffed animals, but to dismiss the power of Sesame Street is a mistake.

If I become a dictator for once bear with me.

Lungu’s power grab: Complete

Speaking to local press outlets upon his arrival in Lusaka, Lungu announced his intention to “up the game” of policing operations.

President Donald Trump insists CNN has “been exposed” for peddling “fake news” and “garbage journalism.”

Trump body-slams, punches CNN in latest tweet

The footage is a short, modified clip of Trump’s cameo at WWE WrestleMania, dating back to 2007.

Police Minister Fikile Mbalula at the ANC’s national policy conference.

Mbalula addresses ANC unity, semantics and concubines

The police minister spoke before the press early on Sunday, briefing those present on topics that dominated the ANC’s fifth policy conference.

Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe is expected to give evidence before the Zondo commission. (Mujahid Safodien/AFP)

Treasury announces SAA bailout to settle R2.3bn debt

Government officials have moved to transfer an undisclosed sum from the National Revenue Fund to South African Airways

Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene. (Reuters)

Nhlanha Nene to head Wits Business School

"​Former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene was named interim director of the Wits Business School late Friday."

Forgotten people: On Youth Day

Julius Malema and the art of electioneering

In the last four years, the Economic Freedom Fighters have shown exceptional political acumen in capitalising on civil unrest.

Speaking at an investment conference in Riyadh, due to end on Thursday, the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged there would be “no rupture” in ties with Ankara. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia demands Qatar close Al Jazeera, sever ties with Iran

The Gulf crisis escalated late Thursday, as Kuwait presented Qatar with a 13-point list of demands from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt.

Mkuseli Apleni, who was appointed to the position in 2010, successfully challenged the suspension in the high court in Pretoria. (Gallo)

MPs call for Gigaba testimony after home affairs minister, DG fail to appear

Citing a schedule conflict, Hlengiwe Mkhize and Mkuseli Apleni failed to testify before a parliamentary portfolio committee.

A file photo of a journalist. Daily Sun journalist Ricky Dire was arrested and assaulted after allegdely taking photos of police receiving bribes.

Uganda offers sanctuary to refugees while global leaders renege on aid promises

2 000 people a day flee conflict in South Sudan, DRC and Somalia, putting pressure on Uganda’s resources

Salvini needs to choose between revolution and the restoration. Whether to leave Berlusconi

Malema targets ANC, Zuma and white capital in Youth Day speech

As Malema spoke, a pair of makeshift coffins were passed through the Boipatong crowd. One read "Rest in Pain Zuma"

Former president Edgar Lungu’s body is still in South Africa because of a row between Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and the Lunga family over where he should be buried. Photo: File

Edgar Lungu suspends 48 MPs in latest power grab

Zambia’s capital city of Lusaka is on edge after forty-eight UPND members of parliament were suspended.

(Reuters/Joshua Roberts)
Video

Trump tweet inspires new ‘COVFEFE Act’

A congressman has introduced a bill that aims to preserve President Trump’s tweets to make sure they are archived as part of his presidential records