Índice para 2025-01-17 em Cape Times

Israel airstrikes killed at least 77 people in Gaza overnight on Thursday, residents and authorities in the enclave said, hours after a ceasefire and hostage release deal was announced to bring an end to 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas. The complex ceasefire accord emerged on Wednesday after mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. to stop the war that has devastated the coastal territory and inflamed the Middle East. The deal, scheduled to be implemented from Sunday, outlines a six-week initial ceasefire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, where tens of thousands have been killed. Hostages taken by militant group Hamas, which controls the enclave, would be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel. The deal also paves the way…

Ingredients: Chia Jam 150g frozen mixed berries 50ml water 2.5ml vanilla paste 15ml honey 15ml chia seeds Buttermilk Scones 260g cake flour 15g baking powder 35g castor sugar 2.5ml fine salt 35g chilled butter, cubed 1 egg 30ml honey 150ml buttermilk extra cake flour, for dusting S-cm fluted or round cookie cutter 15ml milk whipped cream, to serve Method: To make the jam, place the berries and water in a small pot over a medium heat. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat, simmer for 10 min to reduce the liquid. Stir occasionally and mash the fruit with a wooden spoon to help it break down while it simmers. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in vanilla, honey and chia seeds. Mix well, then transfer to a…

7 Hours to Die James Patterson with Duane Swierczynski Narrated by Sarah Paulson AudiBle original ON a sunny day in Santa Barbara – an idyllic town in California – Jenna Wade is abducted when she drops her children off for school. Who would risk such a stunt in broad daylight? It is Jenna’s mother, Juliette, with whom the kidnappers interact. It is not very hard to understand why they communicate with Jenna’s mother, and not Jenna’s husband, Daniel. Juliette was wealthy, not the – you live in a nice house and drive a luxurious car type of wealthy. No, Juliette was a very esteemed, retired Investigative Reporter and a widow. Her late husband was the owner of Newton Corp – a multi-billion-dollar company, which made him a very rich man.…

The release of the results of the Class of 2024 provides us with an opportune moment to celebrate the achievements of our learners while also reflecting on the disparities that continue to plague our education system. Despite three decades of democracy, unequal resource distribution in schools remains a persistent challenge, casting a shadow over our aspirations for equity and justice. In schools across the country, particularly those in rural and under-resourced areas, learners face uphill battles that many of us can scarcely imagine. Yet, these learners are expected to sit for the same matric exams as their peers in well-resourced schools, where access to digital devices, textbooks, and modern teaching aids is a given and when the results are released, we make it as if there was no difference in…

Qatar and the US announced a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas, adding that they hoped it would pave the way for a permanent end to the war in Gaza. After mediators said a deal had been reached, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the “final details” were being worked on. Netanyahu spoke with US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump to thank them for their help securing the agreement, his office said. Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who holds a largely ceremonial role, said the deal was the “right move” to bring back hostages seized during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the war. Israel’s ensuing campaign has destroyed much of Gaza, killing 46 707 people, most of them civilians, according to…

Bulgaria’s parliament yesterday voted to approve a conservative-led coalition government, formed in a bid to end the EU nation’s prolonged political crisis. In its worst political turmoil since the end of communism, the poor Balkan country has seen seven snap votes after massive anti-graft protests led three-time premier Boyko Borisov to resign in 2021. Borisov’s conservative GERB party topped the most recent election in October, and announced it had managed to agree with the Socialists and a populist party to form a government, with the backing of a Turkish minority faction. A total of 125 MPs voted in favour of the new government line-up, while 114 voted against it. GERB secured the agreement after Borisov, 65, gave up his initial insistence to take up the premiership for a fourth time…

BEIJING: China has allocated 6.66 billion yuan (aboutR17.4bn) of funds to support rural revitalisation in areas with large ethnic minority populations. These areas have received such central fiscal funds, according to a conference gathering heads of ethnic affairs commissions, which was held on Wednesday. Pan Yue, the director of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, said the funds would support areas with large ethnic minority populations to build on their achievements in poverty reduction and advance rural revitalisation. Greater efforts will be made to improve development policies, laws and regulations concerning ethnic affairs, strengthen local industries and foster handicraft brands unique to ethnic minority groups to boost high-quality development of these areas, Pan said. | Xinhua…

A new year brings resolutions to save and invest, with many unit trusts and investment options available. However, it's easy to get overwhelmed by details and overlook fundamental investment principles. Whether you're already invested for the long term or starting your journey, it's important to regularly remind yourself of these time-tested principles. Know your investment objectives Your investment goals are essential to shaping your portfolio, so it is crucial to have a clear understanding of them. Losing sight of these goals can make it harder to stay committed to your strategy during market fluctuations or times of pressure. Remember, investment objectives are not fixed – they may evolve with changing circumstances. Therefore, it is important to revisit and adjust your portfolio accordingly. To ensure flexibility, document your investment goals, enabling…

The Gauteng High Court Pretoria has found that a woman cannot blame a gambling establishment for the fact that she had slipped and injured herself as she left a toilet on the premises. The regular customer of the Gold Valley Lounge in Pretoria turned to the court to claim damages after she said she broke both her ankles and injured her arm when she slipped after using the toilet on the premises. Lephoto Malindi said Gold Valley Lounge had a duty to warn patrons that the floor of the toilet was wet and slippery. The gambling lounge is situated at a shopping centre. One of Malindi’s complaints was that there were no signs or warnings placed on the scene to alert people of a dangerous or slippery floor. In defending…

The Electoral Court has dismissed the African Transformation Movement's (ATM) bid to set aside the May 29 national and provincial elections which it claimed were rigged. The ATM had asked the Electoral Court to declare that the polls were not free and fair as it was announced by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). The ATM was one of many parties that participated in the 2024 elections. It won two seats in Parliament and also secured a seat in the Eastern Cape Legislature. The party, however, accused the IEC of failing to uphold the ethics of the electoral process and rigging the elections. It argued that there were purported inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the voters' roll, discrepancies related to the ballot boxes, alleged malfunctions of the voter management devices,…

AWARD-WINNING teen author and activist, Stacey Fru, now has her sights set on becoming an engineer, after claiming the top achiever spot in her school with seven distinctions in the 2024 matric exams. Stacey, 17, achieved distinctions in English, Further Studies English, Mathematics, Further Studies Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Orientation and History. So far she has been accepted at all the universities she applied to and has until today to make a decision. At just seven years old, the Johannesburg-based literary prodigy was cast into the spotlight after writing her first book, Smelly Cats. She had written the book on her own and became the youngest author to have her work officially approved as learning material for primary schools in South Africa. In addition to her literary accomplishments, Stacey is…

Making Money Out Of Property In South Africa Jason Lee Loot.co.za (R289) Struik Publishers WHETHER you are a seasoned investor or just starting out in the property game, Jason Lee’s Making Money out of Property in South Africa delivers on its promise. Lee’s updated edition of Making Money out of Property in South Africa reaffirms its status as a go-to-guide for South Africans looking to profit from the property market. With over 60 000 readers backing its value, the book offers a step-by step approach to understanding the inside trade into property investments and an in-depth look at the latest tax regulations. Lee, an attorney and seasoned property advisor, takes readers through the entire investment process covering everything from scouting the right deals, negotiating contracts to determining whether to sell…

Now is the perfect moment to assess the lessons we have learnt, evaluate performance and focus on how South Africa and our Government of National Unity (GNU) can apply these critical lessons to build resilience, avoid mistakes and safeguard the future of SA Inc. Progress is evident, from a logistics point of view. A growing political maturity is emerging in some critical areas, fostering positive change, boosting confidence and introducing new dynamics. Policy reforms are unlocking new opportunities, opening the way for some of the national institutions to deliver improved operational performance as the nation continues to work towards stabilising the economy. The Presidency has renewed its mandate to the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) for 2025. This in itself illustrates that the crisis in logistics continues, emphasising the need…

Britain’s economic growth rebounded less than expected in November, official data showed yesterday, dealing a fresh blow to a Labour government that is battling headwinds. Gross domestic product expanded 0.1% in the month after GDP contracted 0.1% in October, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. Analysts’ consensus forecast had been for growth of 0.2% in November. The data offsets a slight reprieve for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Finance Minister Rachel Reeves when official data revealed an unexpected fall to UK inflation in December. Britain’s economy has stagnated since Labour won a general election in July last year, which saw the party end 14 years of rule by the Conservatives having pledged to drive growth. But Reeves has faced calls from the main opposition Conservatives to resign following…

HONG KONG: Jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai testified yesterday that he brokered meetings between former Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen and US establishment figures, with prosecutors alleging he colluded with foreign forces. Lai, 77, who has been behind bars since December 2020, is one of the most prominent figures to be prosecuted under Hong Kong’s national security law, which Beijing imposed in 2020 following huge anti-government protests in the city. Western countries and rights groups have demanded his release. | AFP…

DHAKA: Bangladesh reported yesterday its first fatality from the human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Sanjida Akhter died on Wednesday in Dhaka’s Infectious Diseases Hospital, where she had received treatment since Sunday. The hospital said yesterday that the woman had several underlying conditions, including obesity, kidney issues and lung complications. The death comes days after Bangladesh reported its first case of HMPV infection this season, with the woman testing positive for the virus. The Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) said the woman also tested positive for Klebsiella Pneumoniae, a variant of pneumonia. The patient had no history of overseas travel, it said. The IEDCR said that the HMPV has been identified almost every year in winter since 2017. | Xinhua…

When Cape Town construction worker Jean registered as a stem cell donor, he never imagined he'd be the one-in- 100 000 match that would give someone a second chance at life. For Jean, life was simple yet fulfilling - a steady job, weekends spent with friends, good food, and karaoke. But in 2021, the seemingly small decision to register as a stem cell donor changed everything. “When I got the email from DKMS Africa saying I was a match for a blood cancer patient in need of a stem cell transplant, I was in shock but also overwhelmed with emotion. I didn’t hesitate for one second to say yes,” Jean said. Being a match is rare, with the odds being as low as one in 100 000. “It’s an incredible…

The recently negotiated ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel offers a glimmer of hope after 15 months marked by “unprecedented and relentless atrocities,” according to aid relief organisations. This accord, achieved after intense mediation efforts from Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., presents a vital opportunity for humanitarian access to the besieged region of Gaza, which has been devastated by conflict. However, humanitarian organisations emphasise that the real challenge lies ahead. They stress the urgent need for a massive scale-up of aid to meet the dire conditions that persist on the ground. Claire Waterhouse, the head of operational support for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Southern Africa said: “MSF welcomes the news of a ceasefire, and we hope to see it respected adequately from its date of enforcement. Any ceasefire agreed to…

Good Girl Aria Aber Hogarth WHAT it means to be good – or not – is the infected wound at the center of Aria Aber’s debut novel, Good Girl. The narrator is a forlorn young woman named Nila Haddadi, and the story she tells sounds like a howl of despair transposed into the key of poetic retrospection. Indeed, the fact that this harrowing story recalls events from more than a decade ago provides the only reassurance that the narrator survived her teens. Nila’s Afghan mother gave birth to her in Berlin during a burst of international optimism when the wall fell. But her neighbourhood had already become a canker of xenophobia in the reunified city. “I was born inside its ghetto-heart,” Nila says, “as a small, wide-eyed rat.” She quickly…

The Lost House Melissa Larsen Loot.co.za (R541) Minotaur A young woman with a haunting past returns to her ancestral home in Iceland to investigate a gruesome murder in her family. Forty years ago, a young woman and her infant daughter were found buried in the cold Icelandic snow, lying together as peacefully as though sleeping. Except the mother’s throat had been slashed and the infant drowned. The case was never solved. There were no arrests, no conviction. Just a suspicion turned into a certainty: the husband did it. When he took his son and fled halfway across the world to California, it was proof enough of his guilt. Now, nearly half a century later and a year after his death, his granddaughter, Agnes, is ready to clear her grandfather’s name…

The SA20 is geared towards being a fun social event as much as it is a cricket tournament. There was a massive crowd at Newlands on Monday night for the Western Cape derby between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals, with it being virtually the last day of the school holidays no doubt contributing to the good turn-out. But while the action was red-hot on the field, there were also a number of sporting heavyweights in the stands watching the game, including Proteas legend Jacques Kallis, SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith and former Springbok World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar. It seemed as if almost everyone in high society was in attendance, with Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie also present, and this has been the case around the country due to the short…

AT a Niamey market, mother of five Rakia Abdou haggles hard for a sack of rice, a staple out of reach for many in Niger due to record inflation. “The prices of local food are falling but those for imported products are still high,” she said at the Wadata market, lightly coated in dust carried by the wind of west Africa’s Harmattan dry season. It is almost a year since the lifting of heavy sanctions on Niger imposed by regional West African bloc Ecowas to protest against the overthrow of civilian president Mohamed Bazoum in 2023. But constantly changing prices mean that many of Niger’s 26 million inhabitants face the grim daily choice of having to adapt or even go without. Four days after military officers seized power, the Economic…

SAO PAULO: At least three people were killed and 12 others arrested in a police operation targeting a criminal ring in a slum in northern Rio de Janeiro, local authorities said. The Rio de Janeiro Public Security Secretariat said an operation was launched to combat extortion and money laundering linked to Comando Vermelho, one of Brazil’s most powerful criminal groups, sparking clashes with suspected members. The exchange of fire left three suspected criminals dead while one police officer was injured, local media reported. Residents said members of the criminal group blocked streets with barricades and spread oil on the pavement to stop the police, according to the reports. The police operation forced the closure of two primary healthcare clinics in the area and caused several bus lines to be rerouted.…

DAMASCUS: Spain’s foreign minister raised his country’s flag at their Damascus embassy yesterday more than a decade after Madrid suspended diplomatic activity and as Western countries resumed ties following President Bashar al-Assad’s ousting. Spain closed the mission in March 2012, a year after Assad began brutal repression of anti-government protests, triggering more than 13 years of war. “Raising the Spanish flag again is a sign of the hope we have for Syria’s future, of the commitment we convey to the Syrian people for a better future,” said Jose Manuel Albares at the embassy, where the Spanish national anthem was played. Albares met representatives of the new administration and of civil society. | AFP…