Mercury的2023-10-24目录

US actor Will Smith made a surprise appearance at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore as part of Jada Pinkett Smith’s press tour for her memoir Worthy, where he expressed his support for her and their marriage after the disclosure in her memoir that they were separated in 2016, said The Hollywood Reporter. At a talkback moderated by CNN’s Laura Coates, Jada’s family members – including her kids Jaden and Willow, her mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris, and Will’s son from his first marriage, Trey – appeared as well. Will told the audience his appearance was about supporting his wife in the same way that she had done for him throughout his career. “I just wanted to come out and be here and hold it down for you the way you…

IFP veteran Reverend Musa Zondi’s return from the political wilderness has been largely welcomed, especially if it averts a potential leadership crisis in the party ahead of next year’s elections. The party announced last week that IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa would take up the National Assembly seat once occupied by the late founder and president emeritus Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Hlabisa was replaced by Blessed Gwala, formerly the chief whip in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, with Gwala now becoming leader of the official opposition in the province. Zondi has taken up the party’s vacant seat at the legislature while the party’s deputy chief whip in the legislature, Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, will become the acting chief whip. Party insiders said the move was designed to prevent any conflict between Hlabisa and the KZN provincial…

NO ONE feels healthy and on top of the world all the time. Emotional ebbs and flows are normal. Good days and bad days come with being human. Give yourself a break. If you are “down” for days, if you are unwilling to get out of bed, unwilling to engage in the regular and “normal” joys and tasks common to all people – like eating, bathing or showering, wearing clean clothing, getting ready for the day, the routines required of the general population – it may be time to seek help. If you are overly tired and unmotivated despite having had a good deal of sleep and find it tough to identify any joyfulness in any of your surroundings or activities or relationships, it may be time to seek help.…

During a recent KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) legislature question-and-answer session with Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, the DA raised the issue of boats that have been lying unused and rotting away since 2017 on the Natal Sharks Board premises. The two boats were procured by KZN’s Department of Education (DoE) to the tune of R4.8 million, with the purpose of carrying learners across often dangerous rivers to schools. Yet, to date, there is no resolution around their ongoing disuse, and they remain on dry land. This while 181 learners could have benefited from the initial ferry programme and while many still can, particularly given the rapidly approaching wet season. It is clear the premier was caught unaware by the DA’s question, given her response that we did not know what we were talking about.…

THE poor service delivery offered by the master’s offices across the country was laid bare before Parliament with the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) calling on the national legislature to intervene as a matter of urgency. The LSSA recently appeared before the justice and parliamentary committee where it listed a litany of problems it experienced with the master’s office. LSSA’s Hussani Goga said the master’s office had not been functioning as it should for a number of years and the Covid-19 pandemic and load shedding exacerbated matters. Goga said they had previously attempted to engage with Justice Minister Ronald Lamola, his deputy John Jeffrey, the department, and the Office of Chief Justice with a view to finding a meaningful solution with little or no success. He cited a lack…

While shopping recently at a Paris running store, a customer stopped in front of a security guard and asked to take a selfie with him. While the security guard was distracted, the customer's friend grabbed a hat from a nearby table and sprinted out of the store. Realising he had been duped, the security guard chased after the thief and caught them a few seconds later. But the guard wasn't upset; instead, he smiled. Employees at Distance, a running store with locations in Europe and Africa, told customers last month that they could steal any item featuring a tag that read, "ROB IT TO GET IT." But there was one condition. Distance hired one of France's fastest sprinters, Méba Mickael Zeze, as its security guard that day. To steal an…

South Africa’s population aged 55 and above is redefining ageing, and reshaping consumer behaviour. This is according to UCT’s Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing’s Forerunners Report (Over 55s), published last week, which found that middle-class South Africans are staying economically active for longer. The report found that those in this age group were also re-imagining traditional models of retirement. As life expectancies continue to increase, the number of South Africans over the age of 55 continues to grow, and older South Africans are among the fastest-growing demographic. The 18-month study was conducted through a survey of 1 900 people, with over 300 interviews conducted by the UCT Liberty Institute. “Through our research, we found that middle-class South Africans want to remain active, with many continuing to work both out of…

THE EFF in eThekwini is gunning for city manager Musa Mbhele and plans to call for his resignation. The party is unhappy with Mbhele’s leadership and cites “poor performance”, saying under his leadership, the performance of the municipality has not improved, party insiders revealed. The Mercury understands that the party has written to several City officials, including the office of the speaker Thabani Nyawose, to lay the groundwork to call for his resignation. The EFF is in a “loose coalition” with the ANC in governing the municipality, hence it has leverage on the matter. Mbhele is also vulnerable as the ANC has stated publicly that he was not its choice for the post. EFF councillors told The Mercury recently that this was about performance. “There are many concerns. Many…

These are not my views. I doubt I qualify to state these things: A collection of current views expressed by especially the weekend newspapers of our own Independent Media, coupled with world views on social media, as well as those of many renowned commentators on Youtube, and definitely the viewpoints of many political parties in this country, finally all being shouted out very loudly in all parts of the globe, including America and Israel, by thousands marching in sonorous protests, bring us to the logical conclusion that these are inevitable end days and signal death-throes for the rogue State of Israel! So many fatalities, so much suffering and destruction ! All pointing to a single shell-shocked carry-over of a traumatised people who were slyly manoeuvred…

The absence of eThekwini Municipality’s beaches from the latest Blue Flag programme represents a significant setback for Durban, affecting its potential for economic growth through tourism. The Blue Flag programme is an internationally recognised initiative led by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa), promoting environmental stewardship and advocacy. Back in 2001, Wessa took a pioneering role in South Africa by introducing and successfully implementing the Foundation for Environmental Education’s Blue Flag programme. This initiative’s primary objective is to acknowledge beaches that meet specific criteria, encompassing universal access, efficient waste management systems, the presence of interpretive signage, and control of domestic animals. For a considerable period, eThekwini Municipality’s beaches were proudly included in the esteemed ranks of internationally recognised Blue Flag beaches, delighting both local and global…

Three nurses care for a 10-year-old girl at a clinic treating dozens of patients in Kano, northern Nigeria, amid the country’s worst diphtheria outbreak which has killed hundreds of people since the start of the year. The girl lies in a glass cubicle. “We have to admit her to the intensive care unit,” Usman Hassan, a medic in charge of the clinic at Kano’s largest hospital said. Nigeria is battling to contain the outbreak, which has killed around 800 people and infected 14 000. It has spread to almost half of the country’s 36 states, with Kano accounting for the bulk of cases and deaths. The clinic at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital is one of two health facilities run by the French medical charity MSF in Kano, the epicentre of…

NEW YORK: Sam Bankman-Fried’s lawyers have complained that prosecutors at his fraud trial are portraying the FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder as a “cartoon of a villain”, but have done little to counter unflattering depictions of him to the jury by his former colleagues. Defence lawyers have avoided challenging their accounts of Bankman-Fried angrily snapping at colleagues who questioned company decisions. They also did not challenge testimony by one of the witnesses that his quirky persona was mostly an act. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have said Bankman-Fried looted billions of dollars in FTX customer funds to prop up his crypto-focused trading firm, Alameda Research. He could spend decades in prison if convicted. | Reuters…

Dhaka: At least 15 people have been killed and 100 others injured in Bangladesh after two trains collided yesterday, with officials saying they fear the death toll will rise. The crash in the eastern city of Bhairab saw a freight train smash into a passenger train travelling in the opposite direction, derailing two passenger carriages, officials said. Bhairab lies 60km northeast of the capital Dhaka. Rescuers reported that they could still see bodies crushed and trapped under overturned coaches. At least 100 people were injured. The accident occurred when one train entered the same line as the other. Train accidents are common in Bangladesh. | AFP…

It’s no secret that many of us rely on a cup of coffee to jump-start our day. If you’re a coffee lover looking to shed a kilo or two, you might be thrilled to learn about the potential link between coffee consumption and weight management. Research studies suggest that certain elements in coffee may aid in weight loss. Adding an extra cup of unsweetened coffee each day was associated with a reduced risk of gaining weight over a four-year period, according to a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The benefit, however, was cancelled if a person added a teaspoon of sugar. However, adding milk or non-dairy coffee whitener did not have an effect on weight. Researchers from the Department of Nutrition at Harvard TH Chan School of…

Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi could find himself sidelined for this weekend’s Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks after World Rugby confirmed it would investigate an alleged racial slur uttered by him towards England player Tom Curry. There is no audio available of the alleged comment, but the game’s governing body, said yesterday it was taking the allegation “extremely seriously” and was undertaking an investigation. The Boks beat England in the semi-final 16-15 to progress to the final in Paris against their old foe, New Zealand. During the match, Curry complained to referee Ben O’Keefe that Mbonambi had called him a “white c***”. Curry is heard in videos asking the referee: “Sir, Sir. If their hooker called me a white c***, what do I do?” O’Keefe replied: “Nothing, please.…

The Palestine Solidarity Group (PSG) a non-denominational, humanitarian organisation, based in Pietermaritzburg is holding a placard demonstration against the atrocities carried out against the Palestinian people. The event will take place outside the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Thursday, October 26, 2023 starting at 12.15pm. The PSG invites political, religious and community organisations as well as individual members within Msunduzi to join them in the demonstration to condemn this humanitarian crisis. We will also be calling for a just and peaceful settlement for the people of Palestine. There will be messages of support from different organisations and copies of the memorandum will be distributed to media houses.…

The bombing of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and a critical breach of the Geneva Convention. It is indeed a war crime of the highest order. Gaza is burning in a fiery inferno, as hate consumes lives by overpowering reason, so the massacre of innocent civilians continues unabated. The grizzly display of hatred in the occupied divided land is truly revolting. Hate is a contagious strong emotion. Its mental venom can pollute your spirit, poison your soul and seep into all of the relationships that surround you. Hate, when left unchecked, will certainly drain your spirit, tarnish your soul and darken your days. The savagery in occupied areas is chilling, it is equivalent to an H bomb, as nuclear fission is what ignites…

ntombi.nkosi@inl.co.za Three police officers and a civilian, will be appearing in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court this week on charges of corruption following their arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption unit on Saturday. The Hawks confirmed that the four – two members from the Silverton K9 unit, a member from Crime Intelligence and a businessman – are reported to have participated in corrupt activities when they solicited a bribe to the tune of R580 000. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said this was for a complainant to avoid arrest. “It is alleged that three officials went to the complainant’s residence to enquire about her passport and the alleged fraudulent stamps. “They later arrested her, and during questioning, hints relating to the case being dropped if money exchanged hands were uttered by…

Police Minister Bheki Cele says almost 100 people have been arrested for a spate of tavern shootings in the country since July last year. Cele said one investigation led to a successful prosecution, but did not give more details on it. However, Cele said a total of 92 people were arrested for tavern shootings and these were related to 71 cases that were investigated by members of the police. Since last year there have been a spate of shootings at taverns, and in one of the major incidents more than 16 people were shot dead in Soweto. But the suspects were released by the court due to a lack of evidence. In another shooting in Pietermaritzburg, four people were killed at a tavern. The police managed to arrest four suspects…

thami.magubane@inl.co.za ETHEKWINI Municipality has defended its senior officials against claims by the DA that they failed to act following alleged fraudulent payments of R17 million. Last week, the DA in eThekwini opened a criminal case against three top officials in connection with the matter, eThekwini Municipality city manager Musa Mbhele, chief financial officer (CFO) Sandile Mnguni and head of housing Lawrence Pato. The party said it had opened the case with the police after they had been informed verbally that no case had been opened. But the municipality said yesterday that a criminal case had been opened with the police at the direction of its senior officials and some officials had been suspended in connection with the “irregular” transfer of the money. The R17m had been set…

The eight officers accused of assaulting a motorist at the side of the N1 highway in Johannesburg earlier this year, are back at work. SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the men have returned to work, but are office-bound. She added that the disciplinary processes were under way. “In line with the SAPS disciplinary regulations, suspension is for 60 days; thereafter, the suspension is automatically lifted if the internal process is still under way,” Mathe said. “The internal departmental investigation has been finalised, and the Divisional Commissioner for Protection Security Services has appointed functionaries to proceed with the disciplinary process,” Mathe said. The eight accused officers, Shadrack Molekatlane Kojana, Johannes Matome Mampuru, Pomso Joseph Mofokeng, Harmans Madumetja Ramokhonami, Phineas Molefo Boshielo, Churchill Mpakameseni Mkhize, Lesibana Aggrie Rambau and Moses…

“I AM being tortured. My back is full of weals.” Looksmart Ngudle died two days after dropping his comrade Govan Mbeki a note with those words written on it. It is unfortunate that the generations before 1994 were deprived of a rich history. Let aside the painful side of it. What was done to Ngudle was the beginning of what was to be suffered by the people who gave their all to the freedom and liberation of South Africa. It exposed the evilness and atrocities of the apartheid regime. Those still alive did not admit their involvement at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The first thing that needs to be applauded about this combatant is the fact he did not focus on his English name. Should he have done so,…

Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry said yesterday that more than 5 000 people have been killed in the besieged Palestinian enclave since Israel launched its withering bombing campaign more than two weeks ago. Alarm has surged about the spiralling humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid the war sparked by the October 7 Hamas attack that, Israeli officials say, killed more than 1 400 people who were gunned down, stabbed or burnt by the Islamist militants. Hamas also took more than 200 hostages. On a day when Israel’s army reported more than 300 new strikes within 24 hours, Gaza’s health ministry said the death toll had surged above 5 000, more than 2 000 of them children, in figures AFP has not been able to independently verify. Thousands of buildings have been destroyed…

Two Texas jurisdictions will consider measures this week to outlaw the act of transporting another person along their roads for an abortion, part of a strategy by conservative activists to further restrict abortion since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade. Commissioners in Lubbock County are slated to vote on the proposal. A few hours north, the Amarillo City Council will weigh its own such law, which could lead to a future council or city-wide vote. Lubbock and Amarillo are the biggest jurisdictions of the 10 places in Texas that have considered restrictions on abortion-related transportation since the June 2022 end of Roe, which had granted a nationwide right to abortion. Five cities and counties in the state have passed bans. Lubbock and Amarillo are traversed by major highways…

NICOSIA: Police in Cyprus arrested 10 individuals yesterday suspected of running a crime gang trafficking migrants, as the island saw a fresh spike in arrivals at the weekend. Cyprus, which lies at the crossroads of three continents, has seen irregular migration rise since 2017. Cypriot officials have expressed concern that the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Middle East could lead to a surge in people fleeing the area. About 264 Syrians arrived at the weekend after setting off from the Lebanese coast, the interior ministry said. Police said the trafficking suspects were arrested in the western Paphos district and one suspect was found with a large amount of cash. | Reuters…

Kano: Nigerian security personnel have arrested 76 young people, accusing them of organising a gay wedding in Gombe state, a security spokesperson said yesterday. Same-sex marriage is illegal in Nigeria under a 2014 law. Gombe is one of the majority-Muslim northern states where Islamic Sharia law runs parallel to the state justice system. An official paramilitary outfit on Saturday raided a resort in Gombe and rounded up suspects – 59 men and 17 women – over the “gay party”. The would-be groom was arrested; the bride-to-be fled with other guests. Homosexuality is punishable by death under Sharia in northern Nigeria, but that sentence has never been enforced. | AFP…

Temba Bavuma was so ill during the Proteas demolition of England this past weekend, that the South African skipper left Wankhede Stadium and retuned to the team’s hotel to rest, recuperate and watch his teammates emphatic victory. Bavuma’s availability for today’s crucial World Cup clash against Bangladesh remains in doubt but yesterday the team revealed that his condition is “improving”. The 33-year-old was ruled out of Saturday’s crushing 229-run triumph over England due to illness shortly before the toss, with Reeza Hendricks being rushed into action. Hendricks was a dutiful substitute with the classy right-hander setting up the Proteas’ victory over the reigning champions with a polished 85 upfront and would slot comfortably back in alongside Quinton de Kock at the top of the order again. It remains to be…

The Proteas may be riding the crest of the wave after their comprehensive victory over England on Saturday but they face a tricky assignment against Bangladesh at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai today. The Tigers have certainly stuck their claws into the South Africans in previous World Cup encounters, which have gone on to have disastrous effects for the Proteas. We take a look back at previous World Cup encounters between these two teams. ICC World Cup, Bloemfontein, February 22, 2003 Bangladesh 108 (Ntini 4/24) South Africa 109/0 (Kirsten 52*, Gibbs 49*) South Africa won by 10 wickets A home World Cup for the Proteas and a comprehensive victory in the City of Roses. Makhaya Ntini set it up with the ball before openers Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs clinically…

AmaZulu are looking to ride the good vibes of their morale-boosting win over Kaizer Chiefs as they prepare for the visit of another Soweto Giant, Orlando Pirates Usuthu host the Buccaneers at the Moses Mabhida Stadium today (kick-off 7.30pm) looking to emulate their performance from over the weekend. Head coach Pablo Franco Martin’s side shocked Amakhosi to progress to the next stage of the Carling Knockout on Saturday, a true mark of progress and the danger the side poses. The Spanish mentor appears to have established full control of the KwaZulu-Natal club’s changing room with performances and results beginning to take shape. Martin believes that the display from his team at the weekend has not only raised their own expectations but also shown that they are capable of beating anyone.…

In his heyday, supremely gifted footballer Kaizer Motaung earned the moniker Chincha Guluva because of his ability to leave his markers in his slipstream, as they couldn’t live with his swift changes of direction when he set off on an attacking foray. The time is now long overdue for the Kaizer Chiefs supremo Motaung to apply that moniker to the day-to-day running of his club, otherwise the wave of hooliganism that reared its head for the umpteenth time this past weekend will continue in the future. The hooliganism has been orchestrated by frustrated Amakhosi fans who are now nine seasons without a trophy. The Chiefs coaches bear the brunt of the frustration. On Saturday, former coach Molefi Ntseki was for the third time escorted off the field by private security…

AS the summer holidays approach only beaches on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast have been awarded Blue Flag status, with none of Durban’s beaches holding this prestigious international certification for the 2023/24 period. Five beaches in eThekwini, including Ushaka, North, Point, eManzimtoti and uMhlanga Main, last held full Blue Flag status in 2021. The Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (Wessa), that has been locally managing the certification in partnership with the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) since 2001, announced on Friday that Marina, Trafalgar, Southport, Umzumbe and Hibberdene beaches, which fall under the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, were awarded the full Blue Flag status – the only beaches to hold the status in KZN. Other beaches on the south and north coast are pilot sites. Wessa said 48 beaches across…

A VERY bad day indeed it was for the Poms on Saturday – an absolute shellacking from our guys in the Cricket World Cup in India, then losing to our guys in the dying minutes of the Rugby World Cup semi-final, having led for most of the match. An unnerving game that was. We just couldn’t get anything right – high ball, line-outs, nuffink. Okay, it was raining, but we’ve played in the rain before. We’re in the final – yay! But against the Kiwis, who absolutely trounced the Argies. Oh boy! We’ve got exactly five days to get the collective kop right. We must do it! Great stories YESTERDAY we discussed a pub in Essex, England, called the Cauliflower, a three-storey Victorian gin palace that stands in Ilford beside…

I can’t believe it. The entire country is in a frenzy. The Boks have beaten the old enemy, the English, in the Rugby World Cup semi-final. Never since the ANC swept into power in1994 had the country seen such an outpouring of jubilation and national pride. The country came to a standstill at 9pm on Saturday. Even the roads were empty. The only people busy were the barmen and waiters in the crowded clubs, bars and taverns. All eyes were on the television screen as beer after beer flowed down the throats of rugby-crazy fans. Enthusiastic rugby fans watched in breathless anticipation as the Boks took on England in the semi-final. One more crunch match and the Springboks could retain the Web Ellis trophy in Paris on Saturday. But standing…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the first phase of conducting lifestyle audits on members of his Cabinet will be finalised by the end of the financial year. He said since the process to conduct lifestyle audits on ministers was not legislated, they had to consider various mechanisms on how it would be done. One of the options was to use internal resources of the state and bring in external experts to help with other aspects of it, including data analysis. He said they would use the State Security Agency or the Special Investigating Unit, working with external service providers. Ramaphosa was replying to a written parliamentary question by DA leader John Steenhuisen on this process, following the president’s promise in 2018 to conduct lifestyle audits. The president also said…

There are currently 3 265 disciplinary cases still outstanding in the public service, which has seen South African taxpayers spend nearly R70 million in salaries for suspended government workers. This came to light in a response to a Parliamentary question from DA MP Dr Mimmy Gondwe, where Public Service and Administration Minister Noxolo Kiviet said there were currently 427 public servants on suspension with full pay, at least 42 occupying senior positions. The minister noted that the oldest outstanding cases dated back to 2016. Suspensions were across government departments and ranged from 30 days to 1 846 days. In one case, an employee in the Department of Public Service and Administration, on suspension for two years and seven months, earned close to R4.4 million. Gondwe said…

TWO judges expressed their concern over the perception that some magistrates are keen to knock off early on Fridays to start the weekend and that they, thus, adjourn their courts early. This was after a magistrate was apparently hasty to go home at 3pm on a Friday. The judges, however, also did not spare a senior prosecutor, who used “rude and unprofessional language” in a letter in which she complained about the magistrate. This came to the fore during a review application by the State in a case where four murder accused were granted bail in the Ficksburg Magistrate’s Court in the Free State. The high court of that division was asked to look into the conduct of the magistrate. A senior prosecutor claimed the magistrate who heard the…

Two men, convicted of the 2019 murder of KwaZulu-Natal North Coast taxi boss Dustin Joash Pillay, have been sentenced to life and an additional 10 years’ imprisonment. The third accused, Mfanufikile Dlamini, died before the start of the trial. The Durban High Court convicted Cebo Xulu and Thokozani Mthethwa of murder, three counts of attempted murder, possession of stolen property, three counts of malicious injury to property, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Pillay was a member of the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association which operated in the Shakas- kraal/Ballito area. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Pillay had been at the Shakaskraal taxi rank with three others – Mlungisi Ngcobo, Ntandoyekhaya Makhanya and Bonginkosi Duze – when Xulu and Mthethwa drove up alongside them. The NPA’s spokesperson in…

The death toll from the heavy rains that lashed the province at the weekend has risen to five. The KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department said yesterday that four of those who died were from the Machibini area, in Hlabisa, with three of them being children under the age of 3 years old. A fourth child, 12, died in the Mapheleni area in Mtubatuba. The department also said that eight injured people were taken to Hlabisa Hospital. The eThekwini Municipality said mayor Mxolisi Kaunda yesterday visited households in Molweni to assess the damage and to facilitate necessary interventions following the heavy rains. “There are no fatalities or missing persons recorded. However, according to the preliminary assessment done by Disaster Management officials, about 239 people were affected by the heavy…

OPPOSITION parties that did not participate in last Thursday’s special sitting of the National Assembly in the Cape Town City Hall, for a debate and vote on the nomination of the new public protector, advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, are threatening to reduce our representative democracy to a prank on the public. Disapprovingly, the DA, EFF, UDM, ATM, Cope and PAC members did not participate in the vote. In the coming weeks, South Africa will endure senseless chatter on the process and effects of sanctioning parliamentarians who spewed unpalatable insults at Gcaleka, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and other members of Parliament. Also, other senseless chatter will be about admonishing those absent from the opposition parties for failing to represent the people, as required by the Constitution. Regrettably,…

A Pakistani court indicted former prime minister Imran Khan and his deputy in an official secrets acts case yesterday, his party said, in another blow for the jailed former cricket star ahead of a general election expected in January. The charge is related to a classified cable sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington early last year, which Khan is accused of making public. Khan denies that and said its contents appeared in the media from other sources. A special court indicted Khan and his party’s deputy leader, former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Quershi, his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) told media, adding that the case would begin on Friday. It said it would challenge the indictment. Khan said the cable was proof of a US conspiracy to push…

Switzerland moved rightwards in an election on Sunday, giving the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) more seats in Parliament as concerns about rising immigration outweighed those about the environment, final results showed yesterday. While the swing was unlikely to alter the make-up of the country’s governing Federal Council consisting of seven members from four different parties, including two from the SVP, analysts said it pointed to a shift in the political climate. The result suggests a move away from progressive themes like the environment and transport, and a return to conservatism after a period marked by crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The SVP cemented its place as the biggest group in Parliament’s lower house, increasing its share of the vote to 28.6%. The outcome…

Buenos Aires: Preliminary results from Sunday’s presidential elections in Argentina have revealed that the two main candidates are heading for a run-off vote in November as neither could secure the threshold to be elected. With most of the ballots cast on Sunday now counted, neither left-wing candidate Sergio Massa nor the far-right Javier Milei could garner more than 45% of the votes. Frontrunner Milei was leading in the polls, but Massa, the incumbent Economy Minister, has received 36.2% of ballots so far. Milei has received 30.2% of the votes. Former Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, who had pledged to restore “order” to the country, garnered 23.8% of the votes. | IANS…

BRUSSELS: EU countries adopted a framework yesterday to impose sanctions on members of a junta that seized power in Niger in July. The new framework will allow the EU to sanction individuals and entities responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Niger, undermine the constitutional order, or constitute serious violations of human rights or international humanitarian law, the EU Council said. The EU aims to mirror and strengthen any measures taken by the west African regional body Ecowas. With the restrictive measures, the EU could freeze assets of targeted entities and individuals and hand them travel bans. | Reuters…

Jose Riveiro is thrilled that his Orlando Pirates players are always ready to raise their hands whenever they are called upon, saying that will only make them better as a team. Pirates continued with their domestic Cup competition dominance last Friday, beating Cape Town Spurs 2-0 to progress to the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout where they will face Richards Bay. It was an emphatic win for the Bucs that didn’t only add more misery to Spurs’ start to the season, but one that also kept their chances of winning a fourth successive Cup competition alive. Riveiro achieved the feat in some style with what could be largely be considered a “B team”, including handing first starts of the season to the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch and Evidence Makgopa. The…