Table of contents for 2023-11-27 in Mercury

THE MONETARY Policy Committee (MPC) of the SA Reserve Bank kept the repo rate at 8.5% as the inflation rate (CPI change) during October increased by 0.5% to 5.9%, just below the MPC’s upper target of 6.0%. The CPI report from Statistics SA shows that especially food prices (8.8%), electricity (15.2%) water (7.9%) and petrol (11.9%) all increased much more that the CPI index of 5.9% in October a year ago. The worrying aspect of the increased food basket prices is that certain food product prices had increased with hyper inflation levels over the last year. These include rice (20.8%), bananas (38%), pumpkin (36%), potatoes (64.6%) and sweet potatoes (29.9%). In reaction to the higher inflation risk and the hawkish stance of the US Federal Reserve on US interest rates,…

Intermittent fasting is unlike any other fad diet trend. It is more of a lifestyle habit, which has been around for many years and has been a crucial part of many religions. And in recent years, interest in the meal timing approach to eating has been renewed. What is intermittent fasting? Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern which alternates between periods of fasting with no food or very restricted caloric intake, and periods of unrestricted eating. It has become popular for weight loss, without restricting what is eaten – just when it is eaten. So if you are considering intermittent fasting, here are some things to consider. There are several different ways you can get involved in intermittent fasting. Popular eating schedules are to eat for eight hours a day,…

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa concluded a five-day early election campaign in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday with community members, business and civil society relating their challenges with unemployment, crime and port, road and rail infrastructure. His tour saw him attending events either as leader of the country or his party. Ramaphosa was leading the party’s election campaign in Bhambanana, Jozini yesterday where he held a closed meeting with party and traditional leaders from the area. The area faces many challenges related to water supply and cross-border crimes, with Ramaphosa attending the official opening of the Bhekindoda Water Scheme. During the presidential aspect of his visit, he opened the R300 million Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal at the Port of Durban on Wednesday and did a helicopter trip around Richards Bay on Thursday to see…

The DA rejects the proposed Public Procurement Bill, another disastrous piece of race-based legislation introduced by a failing ANC government. The bill, ostensibly aimed at establishing a more comprehensive framework for preferential procurement, fails to address the core issue of systemic corruption plaguing South Africa’s procurement system, entrenches racial divisions and exacerbates inefficient public expenditure. Instead of creating an enabling environment for economic growth, it is poised to deepen economic stagnation and the cost of living crisis by imposing new, restrictive requirements. The Treasury’s new requirements propose five approaches for providing preference: Setting aside contracts for business owned by preferred groups. Limiting bidders to companies that meet specific criteria, such as BEE ratings/ownership. Points for preferred groups that potentially allow a bid to win even if it is three times…

IT IS with much regret, sadness and a heavy heart that I learnt of another senseless and ruthless killing of a police officer in KwaZulu-Natal. The first was last week. After an argument with a motorist during an alleged road rage incident, Constable Thabani Gwala, was ruthlessly shot dead in Oribi Road, Pietermaritzburg. Last Sunday, Sergeant Riyadh Adams was responding to an armed robbery and was mercilessly shot and killed by fleeing robbers from the Pavilion mall in Durban. What a loss of life. This highlights the state of lawlessness that exists in our so-called “democratic rainbow” nation. The SAPS must ensure that both cases are thoroughly investigated and watertight cases are presented at court for conviction and appropriate sentencing. Unfortunately, it is the time of the year when crime…

Three days after his 37th birthday, Oscar Pistorius received the good news that his parole application was successful. The parole board has granted him parole, but ordered that he will only be released from the Atteridgeville Prison on January 5. He will remain on parole and subjected to parole conditions, up to December 2029, when he will be deemed to have served his entire 13-year-and-five-month prison sentence for the 2013 Valentine’s Day murder of Reeva Steenkamp. The parole board heard submissions from Pistorius, Correctional Services officers and a social worker, regarding his rehabilitation while in prison, as well as from the mother of murdered Reeva, June Steenkamp. Correctional Services, meanwhile, confirmed the placement of Pistorius on parole, coupled with bail conditions. Spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said while Pistorius will not wear…

Three men from the Free State are expected in court soon after they were arrested on charges of allegedly dealing in gold. The suspects were arrested on Friday. The provincial spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Lieutenant-Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli, said that members of the Welkom Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Hawks Head Office PMD team, Public Order Police, and Protea Coin Security arrested the trio. Mohobeleli said that the investigators had received information about the suspects exchanging gold for cash between the Free State and Gauteng. The investigators managed to obtain a search and seizure warrant. “They had their eyes on a certain house in Parys where these illegal activities were said to be taking place. “Early on Friday morning, law enforcement officers pounced and nine nuggets of…

The South African Local Government Association in KwaZulu-Natal (Salga) has raised concern that the recent high court ruling permitting municipal workers to hold political positions is a blow to the efforts to depoliticise and professionalise the public service. Labour Court Judge Andre van Niekerk recently ruled in favour of the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu), which had challenged the Municipal Systems Amendment Act of 2022 signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in August last year. The act had stated that a staff member was not allowed to hold political office in a political party, whether in a permanent, temporary or acting capacity, this applied to technicians, secretaries, receptionists, clerks, gardeners, drivers and cashiers. The judge found that the inclusion of “staff members” in the act was unconstitutional and ruled…

A JOHANNESBURG husband has been released from his obligation to pay R10 000 in spousal maintenance after presenting evidence in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg that his wife concealed her income. The couple, married out of community of property with accrual, have two children. In May 2021, the wife initiated divorce proceedings, which are still awaiting final determination. During this interim period, she filed a Rule 43 application, resulting in the husband being ordered to pay over R17 000 for the children’s maintenance and R10 000 for spousal maintenance. In August this year, the husband challenged this arrangement in the high court, arguing his wife's improved financial situation meant she could sustain herself. He noted she was operating a business from home, suggesting that…

THE State’s charging of former Eskom CEO Matshela Koko, his family and others before gathering all the necessary evidence is a setback that may give credence to criticism that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had ulterior motives other than seeking justice. By arresting and charging him, Koko himself believes that the NPA did someone “a favour” and is not really interested in the facts, hence he successfully had the matter struck off the roll over unreasonable delays. The NPA can still have the matter re-enrolled, which it confirmed it would do but could not indicate when. This does not inspire confidence in the NPA, especially its recently established Investigation Directorate (ID) to deal with corruption cases emanating from the state capture commission of inquiry. South Africans expected the ID to…

Growing calls for the world to come to grips with the many ways that global warming affects human health have prompted the first day dedicated to this issue at crunch UN climate talks starting next week. Extreme heat, air pollution and the increasing spread of deadly infectious diseases are just some of the reasons the World Health Organization has called climate change the single biggest health threat facing humanity. Global warming must be limited to the Paris Agreement target of 1.5°C “to avert catastrophic health impacts and prevent millions of climate change-related deaths”, according to the WHO. However, under current national carbon-cutting plans, the world is on track to warm up to 2.9°C this century. No one will be completely save from climate change, but experts expect that most at…

NAYPYIDAW: An ethnic minority armed group in Myanmar has seized control from the country’s ruling junta of a lucrative border crossing to China, local media and a security source said yesterday. Clashes have raged across Myanmar’s northern Shan state, close to the Chinese border. This, after an armed alliance of three ethnic minority groups launched an offensive against the military in October. The groups have seized dozens of military positions and a town important for trade with China, choking commerce routes for the cash-strapped junta. | AFP…

SEOUL: The foreign ministers of China, Japan and South Korea agreed yesterday to restart co-operation among the Asian neighbours and pave the way for a summit of their three leaders in the latest move to ease tensions in the vital region. Even as China and the US mend frayed ties, including a summit this month between Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden, Beijing is concerned that Washington and its key regional allies are strengthening their three-way partnership. Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo had agreed on annual summits from 2008 to bolster diplomatic and economic exchanges, but two-way rows and the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted the plan. | Reuters…

Ivory Coast international Anicet Oura landed the telling blow for Stellenbosch in a counter-attack against AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday. The youthful Stellenbosch side is well-known for its ability to transition defence into attack, and it proved a useful weapon in a match where they were under the whip for sustained periods. Oura, the left wing in a three-man attack, rounded off a fine attacking move, which Stellenbosch sprung from deep inside their half. Stellenbosch enjoyed only 37% possession, but they threatened whenever they entered the final third. At 15-7, they lagged in the shots at goal count, but they fared better with the shots on target (4-3). Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker said he was pleased with the way his team counter-attacked and praised goalkeeper…

Experts say a new approach is needed to address crime in South Africa as it is having a major impact on businesses and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The issue was discussed at a seminar held by the Institute for Security Studies on Thursday. This follows a World Bank report released last week, titled “Safety first: the economic cost of crime in South Africa” which stated that crime costs up to 10% of South Africa’s GDP. Bénédicte Baduel, a senior economist at the World Bank in the South African Country Office, said: “Organised crime is on the rise in South Africa since the Covid-19 pandemic, especially with kidnappings and car hijackings. One in every eight businesses is affected by crime. Businesses are spending a large part of their profits on security. With…

Durban residents may face the possibility of water restrictions in the near future following a directive by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to the uMngeni-uThukela Water board to reduce the amount of water it is abstracting at the Umgeni Catchment. The uMngeni-uThukela Water board said due to increased demand for water, it had been abstracting more from the system – an additional 140 million litres each day – and had been directed to stop this. The water board said it had engaged its customers, including eThekwini Municipality (its biggest customer) about the directive from the national DWS and the possible impact. The water board said the change would result in Durban losing close to 100 million litres of supply, but this process would take place gradually over…

THE media is saturated with allegations that certain Cabinet ministers demanded a R500 million bribe from a R5 billion UIF jobs deal contract that was later cancelled. In the aftermath of the cancellation, a political war of attrition is in progress between the disgruntled accuser and those accused of attempting to solicit a bribe. In the undeclared war, truth has become the first casualty as evidence pertaining to the claims that ministers were seeking kickbacks has never been unearthed or presented to the media and other interested parties. Are we witnessing a war of revenge, based on crudity, to extract retribution on issues that could not be solved amicably? It boggles my mind that any senior Cabinet minister would seek a bribe, placing in jeopardy their seniority and critical role…

There were rats, rats, The size of bloomin’ cats In the store, in the store. There were rats, rats, The size of bloomin’ cats In the quartermaster’s store… THOUSANDS of rats – dead and alive – are being washed up on the beaches of Queensland, Australia, according to the BBC. The state has been battling a plague of rats and mice for months now as they move to the coast in search of more food, available from a bountiful harvest. They’re also chomping away at things like the insulation on electric wiring in motor vehicles. “Mate, there’s rats everywhere,” says Derek Lord, of Normanton. “We have hire vehicles and they literally destroyed a car overnight, taking all of the wiring out of the engine bay.” He adds that his pet…

A PECULIAR case of missing expensive wristwatches, gold and silver jewellery as well as other valuable objects and R3.8 million in cash from a man’s home after his now estranged wife had kicked him out of the matrimonial dwelling is part of the ongoing saga in their divorce proceedings. The husband, who cannot be identified as divorce proceedings are pending, is on a quest to try to find out what happened to his belongings, including very expensive heirlooms. He suspects that his wife, through a male friend, disposed of the items. He is embroiled in lengthy legal proceedings at the Western Cape High Court in a bid to get closer to the truth. In the latest application, he turned to court for an order for a temporary stay of…

A North West woman who stands accused of orchestrating the deaths of her relatives to cash out on life insurance policies will spend another week behind bars. Segomotsi Agnes Setshwantsho made her second appearance in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court on Friday and her application for bail commenced. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Henry Mamothame explained that Setshwantsho’s defence attorney read an affidavit stating reasons why she should be granted bail. Mamothame said the State is expected to call on the investigating officer to take a stand in opposing bail when the matter sits again. Setshwantsho faces charges of murder, fraud and defeating the ends of justice after a relative tipped police off about her relatives’ deaths. It was previously reported that the investigation into the allegations were led by Sergeant Keshi…

FINANCE Minister Enoch Godongwana has said that out of 5 303 public entities, 404 owed the SA Revenue Services (Sars) a whopping R5.9 billion debt in PAYE and VAT. Godongwana said R2.4bn was owed in PAYE and R3.5bn in VAT. “Of the R5.9bn debt, R1bn is under dispute, leaving a balance of R4.9bn undisputed, of which R2.9bn is older than three years,” he said. This takes place as 4 899 (92%) public entities and departments paid their PAYE, VAT and other tax obligations on time. Godongwana would not name the defaulting public entities. This was due to the taxpayer confidentiality provision of the Tax Administration Act. “We are unable to provide any further specific taxpayer information, including the list of the defaulting taxpayers. “Sars information is limited to employer accounts…

THE South Africa Tobacco Transformation Alliance condemns the poor planning that has become a hallmark of public hearings on the Tobacco Control Bill over the past few weeks. At yesterday’s hearings, in the Tshwane city centre, poor planning resulted in dozens of people being denied the opportunity to express their rejection of the bill and police had to be called in to control access to the venue. As a result, members of the public – the vast majority of them clearly opponents of the bill – were told to fill in forms expressing their opinions. The alliance criticised yesterday’s hearing saying members of the public were entitled to express their views, and to express them verbally in public hearings such as the one held yesterday. “Unfortunately, there has been a…

THE 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign kicked off on Saturday as recent crime stats revealed that from July to September this year, 1 514 incidents of attempted murder were committed against women. During the same period 14 401 females were assaulted and 293 children were killed. This year marks the 25th anniversary since South Africa initiated the campaign. The theme is “Accelerating actions to end gender-based violence and femicide: leaving no one behind” with a sub-theme “Safe access for women to clean water: a basic human right”. Childline KwaZulu-Natal acting director Adeshini Naicker said while the idea behind the campaign was brilliant, the country needed to ask if it was actually impactful. “Are the numbers dropping? On the surface it does not…

A Palestinian farmer was killed yeserday after he was targeted by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip’s Maghazi refugee camp, the Palestinian Red Crescent said, underlining the fragility of the truce between Israel and Hamas. There was no comment from Israel on the report but there were fears it could jeopardise the third phase to swop 50 hostages held by the Palestinian militant group for 150 prisoners in Israeli jails over a four-day period. A senior Palestinian source said the third phase looked “complicated”. Asked by Reuters if the farmer’s killing could delay a third batch of releases, the source replied: “I don’t know.” Maghazi, in the central part of the Gaza Strip, is a long-established home to the families or descendents of refugees from the 1948 war over the…

India recorded 31 new Covid-19 infections in the past 24 hours, while the active cases stand at 249, said the Union Health Ministry yesterday. The death toll was recorded at 533 298, according to the ministry’s data updated at 8 am. On Saturday, the country saw a single-day rise of 42 new Covid infections, while the active cases were recorded at 241. This comes amid the rise seen in several countries, including the US, the UK, France, Malaysia, Australia and the Philippines. Sars-CoV-2 virus is circulating, evolving and changing, said Maria Van Kerkhove, interim-director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention at World Health Organization (WHO), at a recent discussion on the body’s social media channels. Van Kerkhove, who was WHO’s technical lead during the pandemic, said that…

ATHENS: A cargo ship carrying salt sank off the Greek island of Lesbos yesterday, with all but one of its 14-strong crew still missing, the Greek coast guard said. The Comoros-flagged ship “Raptor” had departed from El Dekheila port in Egypt and was sailing to Istanbul when it reported a mechanical failure and issued a distress call early yesterday, the Greek coast guard said. Eight of the crew were Egyptians and the rest were Syrian and Indian nationals. The coast guard had rescued one person, who was airlifted by helicopter in gale force winds. | Reuters…

London: Greece’s prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said yesterday that he would push for the return of the Parthenon Marbles when he meets UK leader Rishi Sunak in Britain this week. The sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, were taken from the Parthenon temple at the Acropolis in Athens in the early 19th century by British diplomat Thomas Bruce, the earl of Elgin. Greece maintains the marbles were stolen, which Britain denies, and the issue has been a source of contention between the countries for decades. Mitsotakis, who is due to see Sunak today, likened the collection to the Mona Lisa painting being cut in half. | AFP…

ASSURED of a tilt at the WBC bridgerweight world title after winning the division’s interim title with a unanimous points victory over Saned Gashi on Saturday night, Kevin Lerena gave every indication he still harbours dreams of mixing it with the big boys. Speaking after the fight at a packed Emperors Palace Convention Centre in Gauteng, Lerena threw down a challenge to the heavyweights, no doubt inspired by the presence of the former undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis at ringside. “All I have to do is (to) keep winning and if anyone in the heavyweights wants to fight this little southpaw cruiserweight, I am here for the taking. I’ve got no fear. I’ve got balls. And I am ready to fight.” He called for the WBC bridgerweight champion Lukasz…

Summer is the perfect time to cool down with crisp and refreshing cocktails. I do not know about you, but I live in KwaZulu-Natal – Durban to be exact – and our summers can be pretty miserable. Here’s how I deal with that weather: I visit my favourite bars and restaurants, and do a bit of travelling, all while sipping on my favourite summer beverages. You can also find me making some of these drinks while I enjoy summer from the comfort of my home. Summer cocktails keep you cool on a swelteringly hot day, and they are a great way to get the party started. Whether you are grilling with your family, lounging lakeside, or just trying to cool off with a cocktail, you will want to keep a…

The government's implementation of the Energy Action Plan has come into question in dealing with the crippling power cuts, which came back with a vengeance following the implementation of Stage 6 load shedding on Black Friday. Eskom ramped up its rotational load shedding from Stage 4 to Stage 6 on Friday, the first time since September 15. However it returned to Stage 4 early on Sunday as the power utility said it had replenished the emergency reserves. Political parties were up in arms over the deteriorating generation capacity, calling for the separation of Eskom to allow for private competition in energy generation. DA MP Kevin Mileham said the return to Stage 6 load shedding exposed the government’s failure to add new generation capacity, or to launch Bid Window 7, in…

I AM the manager at several high-rise accommodation buildings in the Durban CBD. Over the past few months, I have had to appoint private plumbers, at immense cost, to clear the municipal drains outside my buildings as the eThekwini Municipality just ignores our reports and never responds. This is becoming more problematic by the day as the infrastructure deteriorates. At the end of the last month, we reported the blockages of the drains outside the hotel, which had the sewer backing up into the building. This building houses more than 600 people and food outlets too. On November 1, after I was forced to appoint a private plumbing company to clear the drains, I took the liberty to get them to also use their cameras to find the cause of…

IN AN OVERWHELMING majority, South African parliamentarians recently passed a motion to close the Israeli embassy in South Africa by a vote of 248 in favour (EFF, ANC, PAC, Al Jama-ah, NFP and ATM) and 91 against (DA, IFP, FF+ and ACDP). The motion, which the EFF initiated and was backed by the ANC, accurately reflects the (views of the) people of South Africa and our support for human rights, international law and justice for the Palestinians people. We commend the EFF, ANC and all other parties that in unison, voted in support of morality and our interconnected humanity. In 2017, the ANC resolved to downgrade diplomatic relations with Israel. Subsequently, in 2018, the government withdrew its ambassador from Israel. Last week, ahead of the Parliamentary vote, the Israeli ambassador…

We (each of us) teach and train others how to treat us. The behaviours, conversations and attitudes we accommodate will become the currency of the relationship. Once in place they will be a challenge to modify. Set healthy boundaries early. It is worth it. Begin relationships in the manner you want them to continue. Different people will bring vastly different lenses and expectations to relationships no matter how similar people’s upbringings and history may be. No matter how well people know each other, assumptions about others will usually prove to be inaccurate. Respecting that others will see and experience the world differently from what you experience is among the greatest gifts you can give to other people, and to yourself. People with boundary issues (those who allow others to determine…

Minister of Police Bheki Cele said he was appalled by the rate at which police officers were being killed in the country after burying two officers on Saturday in two provinces. In KwaZulu-Natal, Constable Sphesihle Cele, 26, who was in his first year of service, was shot and killed on November 16 when he and his colleagues responded to a complaint of a man carrying a firearm inside a tavern in Empangeni. The young officer was killed by the armed man and died on the scene. The shooter was also shot and killed by police. In Gauteng, Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale together with SAPS national commissioner General Fannie Masemola led proceedings for the funeral service of the late Constable Marven Maphoro. Constable Maphoro was also shot and killed…

East Coast Radio (ECR) wants to provide sustainable support to underprivileged families during the six-week festive period. It said Statistics SA reveal that approximately 2.1 million people in South Africa go to bed hungry every day. “With the pause of feeding schemes at school during the December break, thousands of children in underprivileged communities face the risk of going hungry. In response to this pressing need, ECR proudly introduces “The Big Favour – The Season of Sharing’ campaign”. The station said the primary objective was to match the needs of individuals and non-profit organisations with those who have the resources to create impactful change. “The initiative aims to distribute food parcels designed to sustain a family of four, encompassing essential food items. Each grocery hamper costs R1 100, and every…

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) continues to search for a teenager who went missing while surfing at Jabula Beach in St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday. Jan Hofman, NSRI St Lucia Station Commander, reported that their duty crew were alerted by the SAPS about a drowning in progress at 4.22pm. NSRI St Lucia rescue swimmers, SAPS, and iSimangaliso Wetland Park rangers were dispatched to the scene. A 14-year-old male was rescued from the water by local Good Samaritan Dali Ncebo Xulu and after medical assessment by NSRI medics, was released without needing further medical care. Xulu has been praised for his life-saving action. However, a 17-year-old local male remains missing, with no sign of him being found during an extensive sea and shoreline search, Hofman added. The search, involving police…

KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development MEC Siboniso Duma says he is committed to engaging with organised labour after the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) said it would “gatecrash” a meeting he has planned with his staff. Nehawu said Duma, who is also the provincial chairperson of the ANC, has been in office for 16 months but attempts to engage with him have been fruitless. The union last week wrote to Duma – with its note circulating on social media – saying it was growing frustrated with the inability to engage with him. The letter was in response to a meeting scheduled by Duma between him and all Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) entities and their staff scheduled for tomorrow at Midmar Dam in Pietermaritzburg. “The union wrote…

Armed clashes erupted in Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown yesterday in what the government said was an attack on a military armoury, as it imposed an immediate national curfew. Witnesses said they heard gunshots and explosions in the city’s Wilberforce district, where the armoury is located along with a number of embassies. Other witnesses said they heard exchanges of fire near a barracks in Murray Town district, home to the navy, as well as outside another military site in Freetown. Video posted on social networks showed groups of men on the streets who were described as escaped prisoners. Automatic weapons fire and explosions could be heard on soundtracks posted on social networks. The streets of the capital were otherwise empty, the witnesses said. “I was awakened by a loud sound of…

AMSTERDAM: Veteran Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders has vowed to be prime minister of the Netherlands eventually, following an election in which his party won the most seats. In a post on X that expressed frustration at other parties for their apparent unwillingness to co-operate with his Freedom Party (PVV), Wilders said at the weekend he would “continue to moderate” his positions if necessary to gain power. “The PVV will be part of government and I will be prime minister …” Wilders wrote. Although his Freedom Party (PVV) finished well ahead of rivals in the vote on an anti-immigration platform, his party is forecast to take only 25% of the seats in Dutch parliament. | Reuters…

MOSCOW: Russia thwarted a Ukrainian attack on Russian regions involving at least 24 drones and two missiles. This was according to the Russian defence ministry yesterday. The ministry said that Ukrainian drones were shot down over Moscow, Tula, Kaluga, Smolensk and Bryansk. It also said Russian air defences shot down two Ukrainian S-200 surface-to-air missiles that had been adapted to hit land targets. The missiles were shot down over the Sea of Azov, the ministry said. One person was injured in Tula when an intercepted drone hit an apartment building, the region’s governor, Alexei Dyumin, said. | Reuters…