Nick Donovan
@nickpdonovan.bsky.social
Corruption, conflict finance, investigative journalist. Winner of Fetisov journalism prize.
Such bellicosity shouldn’t pass without note:
China's consul general in Osaka said of comments on Taiwan from Japan’s new PM: if a "filthy neck sticks itself in uninvited, we will cut it off without a moment's hesitation. Are you prepared for that?"
Per FT.
China's consul general in Osaka said of comments on Taiwan from Japan’s new PM: if a "filthy neck sticks itself in uninvited, we will cut it off without a moment's hesitation. Are you prepared for that?"
Per FT.
November 13, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Such bellicosity shouldn’t pass without note:
China's consul general in Osaka said of comments on Taiwan from Japan’s new PM: if a "filthy neck sticks itself in uninvited, we will cut it off without a moment's hesitation. Are you prepared for that?"
Per FT.
China's consul general in Osaka said of comments on Taiwan from Japan’s new PM: if a "filthy neck sticks itself in uninvited, we will cut it off without a moment's hesitation. Are you prepared for that?"
Per FT.
It’s been a few days now. Time to watch…
November 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM
It’s been a few days now. Time to watch…
To recruit Colombians GSSG partnered with Colombian firm A4SI, reportedly controlled by former Colombian Colonel Álvaro Quijano, who used to work as a foreign legionary in the UAE military. A4SI is owned by Quijano's wife Claudia Oliveros.
Pic: Quijano, via La Silla Vacía
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Pic: Quijano, via La Silla Vacía
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November 5, 2025 at 5:15 PM
To recruit Colombians GSSG partnered with Colombian firm A4SI, reportedly controlled by former Colombian Colonel Álvaro Quijano, who used to work as a foreign legionary in the UAE military. A4SI is owned by Quijano's wife Claudia Oliveros.
Pic: Quijano, via La Silla Vacía
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Pic: Quijano, via La Silla Vacía
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Also in Arabic: the relationship between Alzaabi (owner of GSSG, who provides the Colombian mercenaries to the RSF) and Al Humairi (secretary general of the UAE Presidential Court).
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November 5, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Also in Arabic: the relationship between Alzaabi (owner of GSSG, who provides the Colombian mercenaries to the RSF) and Al Humairi (secretary general of the UAE Presidential Court).
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Alzaabi and Al Humairi have a close business relationship. Al Humairi currently owns 75% of an IT firm, Securetech, while Alzaabi owns 12.5%. Until 2023, Al Humairi also owned 75% of large security guard firm, Securiguard Middle East, while Alzaabi owned 12.5%.
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November 5, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Alzaabi and Al Humairi have a close business relationship. Al Humairi currently owns 75% of an IT firm, Securetech, while Alzaabi owns 12.5%. Until 2023, Al Humairi also owned 75% of large security guard firm, Securiguard Middle East, while Alzaabi owned 12.5%.
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The Sentry (@thesentryorg.bsky.social ) can reveal Alzaabi is the business partner of Ahmed Mohamed Al Humairi, the longstanding secretary-general of the UAE's Presidential Court (formerly the Ministry of Presidential Affairs or Diwan).
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November 5, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The Sentry (@thesentryorg.bsky.social ) can reveal Alzaabi is the business partner of Ahmed Mohamed Al Humairi, the longstanding secretary-general of the UAE's Presidential Court (formerly the Ministry of Presidential Affairs or Diwan).
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Colombian mercenaries are reportedly deployed by UAE-based Global Security Services Group, 100% owned by Mohamed Hamdan Alzaabi. Leaked contracts show GSSG making Colombian recruits sign non-disclosure agreements.
Credit to Santiago Rodríguez Álvarez who broke the story for La Silla Vacía.
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Credit to Santiago Rodríguez Álvarez who broke the story for La Silla Vacía.
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November 5, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Colombian mercenaries are reportedly deployed by UAE-based Global Security Services Group, 100% owned by Mohamed Hamdan Alzaabi. Leaked contracts show GSSG making Colombian recruits sign non-disclosure agreements.
Credit to Santiago Rodríguez Álvarez who broke the story for La Silla Vacía.
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Credit to Santiago Rodríguez Álvarez who broke the story for La Silla Vacía.
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New: The Emirati businessman supplying Colombian mercenaries to Sudan's RSF militia is the business partner of the UAE's top bureaucrat, equivalent to US White House Chief of Staff.
Video: Colombian mercs firing mortars in El Fasher, via La Silla Vacía.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
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Video: Colombian mercs firing mortars in El Fasher, via La Silla Vacía.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
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November 5, 2025 at 5:15 PM
New: The Emirati businessman supplying Colombian mercenaries to Sudan's RSF militia is the business partner of the UAE's top bureaucrat, equivalent to US White House Chief of Staff.
Video: Colombian mercs firing mortars in El Fasher, via La Silla Vacía.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
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Video: Colombian mercs firing mortars in El Fasher, via La Silla Vacía.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
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I hope your kids inherit the cassette!
Actually I slightly misremembered- it was this LC song, also a chefs kiss
Actually I slightly misremembered- it was this LC song, also a chefs kiss
October 7, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I hope your kids inherit the cassette!
Actually I slightly misremembered- it was this LC song, also a chefs kiss
Actually I slightly misremembered- it was this LC song, also a chefs kiss
A pub sign in Wiltshire.
October 5, 2025 at 9:16 PM
A pub sign in Wiltshire.
Missed opportunity as judge squashes Trump’s weirdly drafted complaint against NYT as ‘Improper and impermissible.
Obvs should have ended with THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
Obvs should have ended with THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
September 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Missed opportunity as judge squashes Trump’s weirdly drafted complaint against NYT as ‘Improper and impermissible.
Obvs should have ended with THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
Obvs should have ended with THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
In our time. BBC.
Sure Melvyn Bragg’s retirement will leave big boots to fill, but can we not just fill them with Alice Roberts? Great presenter, similar polymath/autodidact tendencies, also has nice vowels (as Economist says was important for Bragg).
Sure Melvyn Bragg’s retirement will leave big boots to fill, but can we not just fill them with Alice Roberts? Great presenter, similar polymath/autodidact tendencies, also has nice vowels (as Economist says was important for Bragg).
September 16, 2025 at 6:50 AM
In our time. BBC.
Sure Melvyn Bragg’s retirement will leave big boots to fill, but can we not just fill them with Alice Roberts? Great presenter, similar polymath/autodidact tendencies, also has nice vowels (as Economist says was important for Bragg).
Sure Melvyn Bragg’s retirement will leave big boots to fill, but can we not just fill them with Alice Roberts? Great presenter, similar polymath/autodidact tendencies, also has nice vowels (as Economist says was important for Bragg).
I was wrong. Thanks! I misremembered from this Julian Barnes book; it was the same rescue ship, the Argus, but seen twice. Barnes was discussing whether the painting was of the first sighting (futile waving, false hope) or second (rescue, but to face the world and explain the horror).
September 16, 2025 at 6:10 AM
I was wrong. Thanks! I misremembered from this Julian Barnes book; it was the same rescue ship, the Argus, but seen twice. Barnes was discussing whether the painting was of the first sighting (futile waving, false hope) or second (rescue, but to face the world and explain the horror).
Or you could go here for a light bite
September 14, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Or you could go here for a light bite
Interesting claim here about CiA decrypting encrypted messages.
September 12, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Interesting claim here about CiA decrypting encrypted messages.
I *could* try and find out exactly who Charlie Kirk is, and why some British politicians are Princess Di-ing after his killing…
…Or…
I could read this about Tolkien’s languages and influences on a train to go north and walk along Hadrian’s Wall.
…Or…
I could read this about Tolkien’s languages and influences on a train to go north and walk along Hadrian’s Wall.
September 11, 2025 at 6:38 AM
I *could* try and find out exactly who Charlie Kirk is, and why some British politicians are Princess Di-ing after his killing…
…Or…
I could read this about Tolkien’s languages and influences on a train to go north and walk along Hadrian’s Wall.
…Or…
I could read this about Tolkien’s languages and influences on a train to go north and walk along Hadrian’s Wall.
Even the people involved realise what’s going on.
August 8, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Even the people involved realise what’s going on.
Even the crypto CEOs are describing the situation as (very similar to) a ponzi.
(Just because the ponzi like activity is spread between many different companies, doesn’t lessen the risk of running out of new idiots IMO).
(Just because the ponzi like activity is spread between many different companies, doesn’t lessen the risk of running out of new idiots IMO).
August 8, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Even the crypto CEOs are describing the situation as (very similar to) a ponzi.
(Just because the ponzi like activity is spread between many different companies, doesn’t lessen the risk of running out of new idiots IMO).
(Just because the ponzi like activity is spread between many different companies, doesn’t lessen the risk of running out of new idiots IMO).
How can I avoid this poly-ponzi?
(FT article describing how real world companies are investing in bitcoin to boost their share prices.)
(FT article describing how real world companies are investing in bitcoin to boost their share prices.)
August 8, 2025 at 7:20 AM
How can I avoid this poly-ponzi?
(FT article describing how real world companies are investing in bitcoin to boost their share prices.)
(FT article describing how real world companies are investing in bitcoin to boost their share prices.)
I actually wrote up a thread on her last evening. Based on her PS’ memo, let me dig it up….
August 2, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I actually wrote up a thread on her last evening. Based on her PS’ memo, let me dig it up….
The numbing power of repetition. Financial Times only puts the new (extraordinarily high in recent history) US tariff regime on page 4.
August 2, 2025 at 6:45 AM
The numbing power of repetition. Financial Times only puts the new (extraordinarily high in recent history) US tariff regime on page 4.
Sure put pension funds in private assets please!
Private Eye raised qu’s about this long ago. Caveat Emptor but look at this retail investor screwing deal by Private Equity, 18% compound debt makes shares worthless.
Founders will survive - related party transactions paid rent to their properties.
Private Eye raised qu’s about this long ago. Caveat Emptor but look at this retail investor screwing deal by Private Equity, 18% compound debt makes shares worthless.
Founders will survive - related party transactions paid rent to their properties.
July 22, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Sure put pension funds in private assets please!
Private Eye raised qu’s about this long ago. Caveat Emptor but look at this retail investor screwing deal by Private Equity, 18% compound debt makes shares worthless.
Founders will survive - related party transactions paid rent to their properties.
Private Eye raised qu’s about this long ago. Caveat Emptor but look at this retail investor screwing deal by Private Equity, 18% compound debt makes shares worthless.
Founders will survive - related party transactions paid rent to their properties.
If they were responsible the impunity the Recces felt was brazen. The police opposed bail for the Recces because the police investigating Mathipa’s death had themselves been threatened , and the police alleged an assassination attempt by a hired hitman !
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www.news24.com/southafrica/...
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www.news24.com/southafrica/...
July 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM
If they were responsible the impunity the Recces felt was brazen. The police opposed bail for the Recces because the police investigating Mathipa’s death had themselves been threatened , and the police alleged an assassination attempt by a hired hitman !
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www.news24.com/southafrica/...
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www.news24.com/southafrica/...
Mathipa requested phone records after elite special forces soldiers were named in court papers as being seen at the mall at the same time. The SANDF said they were training.
In August 2023 he headed out on the motorway north of Joburg, he reportedly told colleagues ‘the guys’ wanted to talk.
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In August 2023 he headed out on the motorway north of Joburg, he reportedly told colleagues ‘the guys’ wanted to talk.
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July 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Mathipa requested phone records after elite special forces soldiers were named in court papers as being seen at the mall at the same time. The SANDF said they were training.
In August 2023 he headed out on the motorway north of Joburg, he reportedly told colleagues ‘the guys’ wanted to talk.
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In August 2023 he headed out on the motorway north of Joburg, he reportedly told colleagues ‘the guys’ wanted to talk.
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2nd case: policeman Lt Col Frans Mathipa was investigating the disappearance/abduction of alleged ISIS financier Abdella Abadiga and his bodyguard from a shopping mall in Dec 2022. Abdiga had earlier been sanctioned by US Treasury in March 2022. home.treasury.gov/news/press-r...
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July 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM
2nd case: policeman Lt Col Frans Mathipa was investigating the disappearance/abduction of alleged ISIS financier Abdella Abadiga and his bodyguard from a shopping mall in Dec 2022. Abdiga had earlier been sanctioned by US Treasury in March 2022. home.treasury.gov/news/press-r...
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