Exploding cash machines
The week's news at a glance.
Johannesburg
Thieves in South Africa have been blowing up ATMs to get at the cash inside. Police say the tactic is a South African innovation: In most other countries, criminals haul away the entire machine and pry it open in privacy. South Africa is unique in having one of the world’s widest income disparities between rich and poor, plus a vast supply of powerful mining explosives. So far, the criminals have tended to use either too little dynamite to open the safe, or so much that the bills are blown to bits. “They relatively seldom get their hands on the money,” said Ian Janse van Vuuren of the Banking Risk Information Center. “They’re still in the experimental phase.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Gavin Newsom mulls California redistricting to counter Texas gerrymandering
TALKING POINTS A controversial plan has become a major flashpoint among Democrats struggling for traction in the Trump era
-
6 perfect gifts for travel lovers
The Week Recommends The best trip is the one that lives on and on
-
How can you get the maximum Social Security retirement benefit?
the explainer These steps can help boost the Social Security amount you receive