EcoCash Manipulation Scandal: Unravelling the Digital Heist & Bail Controversies The digital landscape of Zimbabwe, a nation increasingly reliant on mobile money for daily transactions, has been shaken by a series of sophisticated scams targeting E…
EcoCash Manipulation Scandal: Unravelling the Digital Heist & Bail Controversies The digital landscape of Zimbabwe, a nation increasingly reliant on mobile money for daily transactions, has been shaken by a series of sophisticated scams targeting EcoCash, the country’s most widely used mobile financial service. Recent arrests and subsequent legal proceedings have not only exposed vulnerabilities […]
LOS ANGELES — For the first time in World Cup history, FIFA is mandating all soccer players take hydration breaks to protect them from the threats of extreme heat. But the new rule has sparked criticism from two very different groups. Some experts have warned that this summer’s World Cup — co-hosted by the U.S., […]
LOS ANGELES — For the first time in World Cup history, FIFA is mandating all soccer players take hydration breaks to protect them from the threats of extreme heat. But the new rule has sparked criticism from two very different groups.
Some experts have warned that this summer’s World Cup — co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada — could be the hottest in the tournament’s history. In response to concerns about extreme heat, FIFA implemented three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half regardless of temperatures. But some critics say they’re interrupting the game’s flow and give coaches a chance to shift momentum in their team’s favor, while some scientists have said the breaks are too short to make a significant impact on cooling and rehydration when conditions are sizzling.
“When we look at the three minute hydration breaks, we’re really looking at this as a way to mitigate anything that could potentially lead to an incident or an emergency,” said Joshua L. DeVincenzo, assistant director of applied research services at Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness.
Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz speaks with his players during a hydration break during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Ghana and Panama in Toronto, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Here’s a look at the heat risks players face and what the hydration breaks can do:
This World Cup is the first to implement mandatory three-minute cooling breaks midway through each half, regardless of temperatures or whether stadiums are enclosed and/or air conditioned.
The governing body said it was to “ensure equal conditions for all teams, in all matches,” and the rules draw upon the experiences of past tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. last summer where temperatures soared into the 90s F (mid-30s C) and above in many areas.
Some coaches said the breaks make sense when temperatures are extreme, but they questioned whether they were necessary at every match.
Even highly-trained, elite athletes can get heat stress
Athletes pushing themselves physically in hot and humid conditions risk getting what’s called exertional heat illness. It happens when the body’s temperature gets too hot and is accompanied by significant strain on the heart, nerves, muscles and central nervous systems.
Common symptoms include muscle cramps, extreme fatigue, impaired performance, headache, irritability, nausea, dizziness, cramping and dehydration.
When internal body temperature exceeds 105 F (40.5 C), athletes might feel confused, aggressive or lose consciousness, said Yuri Hosokawa, associate professor at the Faculty of Sport Sciences in Japan’s Waseda University, in an email, “all of which are characteristic signs of exertional heat stroke and require immediate medical attention.” She co-signed a letter to FIFA in May urging stricter heat guidelines for player safety, including that cooling breaks be at least six minutes.
Exertional heat stroke while playing a sport is among the leading causes of death in athletes.
Dehydration also exacerbates the risk. Athletes in the heat can sweat 1 to 2 liters (50 to 67 ounces) an hour, and most drink less liquids than they expel. Losing as little as 2% of one’s body weight to dehydration can impair physical performance.
Ryan Calsbeek, professor of biological sciences at Dartmouth College, said the human body performs better when it’s warmer, but there’s a critical threshold above which that improvement in performance not only stops, but precipitously drops off.
“Your body starts to really fall apart, you lose the ability to cool off fast enough,” he said. “And the physiological mechanisms just break down.” That happens when the wet bulb globe temperature, which includes temperature, humidity, cloud cover and wind, reads above about 95 F (35 C), though some people will be more heat tolerant than others.
Referees takes a hydration break during the World Cup Group L soccer match between England and Croatia in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The increased confusion from extreme heat could impact an athlete’s ability to make strategic decisions, he said.
“It’s these marginal differences in performance that I think can determine the outcome of a match,” Calsbeek said. “If you have individuals that do better in extreme conditions, whether it’s extreme heat or high altitude or whatever the case may be, those small differences could play a critical, pivotal role in determining the outcome.”
Hydration breaks should be longer, some experts say
The three-minute mandatory hydration breaks are meant to protect players, and referees, from extreme heat illness and help them maintain their physical performance.
In that time, players can cool off and replenish lost water and salt from sweating, but how effective it is depends on how aggressive the cooling methods are.
That could mean putting wet, cold towels on the exposed parts of a player’s body, such as the neck, head, back and arms. If done well, that could reduce their body temperature by about 0.22 F (0.12 C) per minute, said Douglas Casa, CEO of the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute who also co-signed the letter to FIFA.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente talks with players during a hydration break in the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
“Some people can tolerate a little more fluids comfortably and then do intense exercise. Some people can’t because it sloshes around in their stomach and they don’t feel super comfortable, so they might not drink as much in such a short period of time,” he added.
The time, he said, dictates the volume of impact, whether from fluid or cooling, and “that’s why we’re suggesting doing something like five or six minutes, because it just makes such a big impact when you’re dealing with a change of that magnitude.”
But how much time a player needs to recover also varies. “Depending on your body, you might need more or less time. But those kinds of breaks are crucial so that your body isn’t just being forced to keep trying to play catch up… to keep trying to cool you down without any kind of rest or a break,” said Bharat Venkat, director of the Heat Lab at the University of California, Los Angeles.
As our planet gets hotter, mandating hydration breaks and changing where, when and how sports are played will be necessary.
“No matter what sport you play, there’s going to be adjustments that have to be made in the face of climate change,” he said.
The Mozambican government has today approved authorisation to revise the road code, introducing a points-based driving licence system and the use of surveillance cameras for road traffic enforcement. “The law authorises the government to revise the Road Code with a view to adapting its rules to the dynamics of national and international road traffic, technological […]
The Mozambican government has today approved authorisation to revise the road code, introducing a points-based driving licence system and the use of surveillance cameras for road traffic enforcement.
“The law authorises the government to revise the Road Code with a view to adapting its rules to the dynamics of national and international road traffic, technological advances and sustainable mobility,” government spokesperson Salim Valá said at the end of the weekly Council of Ministers meeting.
At the meeting in Maputo, the Council of Ministers considered and approved the draft law authorising the government to revise the Road Code, adopted in 2011, repeal existing legislation and adapt complementary laws, before submitting it to parliament.
Among the measures planned is the introduction of a “points-based driving licence system, already in use in other jurisdictions”, Valá, who is also Minister of Planning and Development, said.
He also noted plans to “strengthen mechanisms for monitoring and controlling road traffic offences, align the Road Code with national criminal law, and introduce surveillance cameras on public roads for traffic enforcement purposes”. Valá stressed that the use of cameras on roads will be “strictly for traffic control purposes”.
The revision of the Road Code, which will still be developed by the government, will also allow for the inclusion of “new types of vehicles, namely electric, gas-powered and hybrid vehicles”, as well as strengthening controls on drivers, particularly in passenger and freight transport.
At least 25 people died in Mozambique in a single week at the end of May due to road accidents, with authorities sanctioning 2,513 drivers for various traffic offences, according to earlier reports.
“Road accidents caused 25 deaths in the last week (4–10 May). The most serious crash occurred on Saturday, killing 16 people, 11 of them children,” the National Road Transport Institute (INATRO) said in a statement.
On 4 December, the Mozambican government said it wanted “zero tolerance” for traffic offenders in order to reduce road accidents, Transport and Logistics Minister João Matlombe said.
“If we introduce zero tolerance for anyone driving without a licence, we will significantly reduce accidents,” he said.
On 27 November, the President warned police to take measures to curb road fatalities, also linking the problem to corruption within the force, saying he did not understand how commanders could “sleep” amid the situation.
“Comrades, what are you waiting for to take corrective measures to stop road accidents? It does not make sense for you to sleep while innocent lives are being lost on public roads, due to criminal and complicit protection by those who could control and prevent these accidents,” Daniel Chapo said.
On the same occasion, the head of state said that between January and September there were 408 road accidents nationwide, down from 459 in 2024, causing 662 deaths, compared with 555 fatalities in the same period in 2024, figures which show that road accidents are “more deadly” than malaria, which recorded 308 hospital deaths in 2024.
HARARE — Zimbabwe’s improved macroeconomic stability under the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency regime is strengthening corporate planning, investment appetite and long-term industrial expansion, according to senior executives at Delta Corporation. Delta finance director Alex Makamure said the relative stability of the domestic currency since its introduction in April 2024 has eased one of the most […]
HARARE — Zimbabwe’s improved macroeconomic stability under the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency regime is strengthening corporate planning, investment appetite and long-term industrial expansion, according to senior executives at Delta Corporation.
Delta finance director Alex Makamure said the relative stability of the domestic currency since its introduction in April 2024 has eased one of the most persistent constraints on business operations: exchange rate volatility and unpredictable pricing conditions.
Speaking during a media interview at the company’s Southerton manufacturing plant ahead of the upcoming Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo (ZICE 2026), Makamure said firms can now focus more on growth-oriented strategies rather than short-term currency risk management.
He noted that the stabilisation of the exchange rate environment has improved corporate visibility, enabling companies to better plan production cycles, allocate capital, and undertake long-term investment decisions with greater confidence.
“Since the introduction of the ZiG in April 2024, the issues around exchange rate volatility and currency instability have been largely contained,” he said. “That stability allows businesses to plan, save and invest more effectively, and ultimately position themselves to realise growth opportunities.”
Stability Driving Industrial Planning
Makamure emphasised that currency predictability remains a critical foundation for industrial recovery and expansion in Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector. He said previous periods of rapid currency fluctuations had significantly distorted pricing structures, weakened balance sheet planning and undermined investment certainty.
With improved stability, he said, the private sector is now shifting focus towards expansion and efficiency gains rather than defensive financial positioning.
From Delta’s perspective, this shift is already translating into renewed capital expenditure and capacity enhancement projects.
Major Reinvestment in Brewing Capacity
Delta Corporation, Zimbabwe’s largest beverage manufacturer, is responding to rising demand pressures by committing US$35 million towards upgrading its brewing operations and expanding packaging capacity.
Makamure said the investment is necessary to address supply constraints in the lager beer segment, where existing capacity—expanded just over two years ago—has already been fully utilised.
“These are significant investments that demonstrate our commitment to the market and to this country,” he said.
The expansion reflects broader sectoral trends in which stable macroeconomic conditions are beginning to unlock delayed investment pipelines across manufacturing and consumer goods industries.
ZiG and the Industrialisation Agenda
The Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), introduced by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in April 2024 and backed by a mix of foreign currency and gold reserves, has undergone periods of volatility since its launch, including corrective adjustments in late 2024. However, by 2026, it has shown increased stability, with inflation trends easing into single digits in local currency terms.
This stabilisation has been widely viewed by sections of the private sector as a turning point for medium-term economic planning, particularly in capital-intensive industries such as manufacturing, mining and agriculture.
ZICE 2026 to Drive Investment Dialogue
The remarks come ahead of ZICE 2026, a government-backed industrialisation platform organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Africa Economic Development Strategies (AEDS) and ZimTrade.
The conference, scheduled for 23–24 July at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), is expected to bring together policymakers, private sector executives, financiers and development partners to discuss industrial growth, value addition and export competitiveness.
Unlike traditional conferences, organisers say ZICE 2026 will focus on deal-making, including structured business-to-business engagements and investment matchmaking sessions aimed at unlocking concrete projects.
Key focus areas include manufacturing expansion, agro-processing, mineral beneficiation and industrial modernisation, with emphasis on aligning Zimbabwe’s industrial base to regional and global trade frameworks such as AfCFTA, SADC and COMESA.
Organisers say the event is intended to move beyond policy dialogue and toward practical investment mobilisation that supports Zimbabwe’s long-term industrial transformation agenda under Vision 2030.
Police in Harare have arrested four foreign nationals and 42 workers after busting an illegal alcohol manufacturing operation in Southerton, where products and equipment worth over US$1 million were seized. Investigations into the case are ongoing, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi has confirmed. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of four foreign nationals […]
Police in Harare have arrested four foreign nationals and 42 workers after busting an illegal alcohol manufacturing operation in Southerton, where products and equipment worth over US$1 million were seized.
Investigations into the case are ongoing, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi has confirmed.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of four foreign nationals in connection with the manufacture of illicit alcoholic beverages, including Bouncer Vodka, Kitoko Brandy, Challenger Gin, 8PM Whisky, Royal 69 Liquor, Sixer Banana Spirit and Ice Cane Spirit at a factory located along Brodie Avenue, Southerton, Harare, on June 16, 2026,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
He added that 42 workers were also arrested for operating without food handlers’ medical certificates and without appropriate protective clothing.
“The arrest led to the recovery of substantial quantities of ethanol, blended alcoholic products, bottling and packaging equipment, storage tanks and packaging materials. The total value of the seized equipment, products and raw materials is estimated to be over US$1 million,” he said.
Police investigations revealed that detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics unit acted on a tip-off on Tuesday and raided the premises, where they discovered that the suspects were unlawfully producing alcoholic beverages.
The suspects failed to produce food premises sanitary certificates and were allegedly blending ethanol with various flavourings to produce the illicit brands.
According to police, the alcohol content declared on the packaging was not supported by assay reports from the Government Analyst, raising concerns over the safety and authenticity of the products.
Comm Nyathi warned individuals and companies against engaging in the unlawful manufacture, distribution and sale of foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages that do not meet statutory health and safety standards.
He urged the public to report suspected illicit manufacturing activities, counterfeit products or unsafe food and beverage processing operations to their nearest police station or through the National Complaints Desk.
