Table of contents for 2021-05-17 in Cape Times

SPEAR, the only regionally specialised Reit on the JSE focused on Western Cape property, saw its distributable income per share fall 19.94 percent to 73.38 cents in the year to end-February, 2021. The distribution per share fell 35.95 percent to 58.70c. The final dividend per share was down 37.56 percent to 29.36c, and the payout pay-out ratio was 80 percent of distributable income a share, versus 100 percent payout in the prior period. The group, which owns 32 industrial-, retail-, commercial- and hospitality-focused properties, collected 7.79 percent of billings versus the billings as measured as at April 30, 2021. Net asset value fell by 5.57 percent to 1 153c per share. Portfolio occupancy stood at 93.84 percent, and was 100 percent for the Western Cape properties. The…

| Gerry Cupido She’s 55 and the mom of supermodel Kaia Gerber, but Cindy Crawford, who’s considered to be one of the original supermodels, still knows how to work a camera. Earlier this week the mom-of-two took to Instagram to share the image of the latest Vogue Brazil cover. In a message to photographers Luigi and Iango, she says: “Thanks to @luigiandiango for reminding me what I love about modelling – collaboration and big hair! Ha! This shoot for @voguebrasil was so much fun!” Posting images featured in the magazine, Crawford shows off her long legs and slim body in all-black outfits. In one image, she’s almost nude, wearing only a jewelled bra and sheer veil draped over her body. Photographers Luigi and Iango also posted images from the…

Francesca Villette francesca.villette@inl.co.za SCHOOLS in the Western Cape have been asked to prepare for the possibility of a third wave of Covid-19 infections, and to check whether they have sufficient safety materials like sanitiser and detergents. This as the Gauteng Department of Education recently suspended academic activities at Krugersdorp High School and St John’s College in Houghton following the discovery of several cases of coronavirus; and as the Basic Education Department is this week expected to hold high-level meetings to discuss among others, infections trends. Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond yesterday said between May 1 and 10, the province recorded 18 new Covid-19 cases of teachers and non-teaching staff. In the same period, 15 learners reported that they were positive. New statistics are expected to be compiled today,…

Nicola Daniels nicola.daniels@inl.co.za MORE needs to be done to prevent gender-based crime, civic organisation Social Justice Coalition (SJC) said after Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed the quarterly crime statistics which showed that 58% of gender-based violence dockets had not been finalised for more than a year. “In his presentation, (Cele) highlighted that SAPS implemented crime-preventative measures in efforts to combat crime. “These measures have resulted in a significant decrease in aggravated robbery and property-related crimes. “From this, it is apparent that crime prevention is an integral part in decreasing crime, but why has the minister not implemented the same preventative measures to protect women and LGBTQIA+ persons in an effort to fight gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH)?” the SJC asked. “Crime in South Africa is an intersectional issue. This means…

Athandile Siyo, Zanele Mvana and Okuhle Hlati AT LEAST 24 Somali shopkeepers and owners have been killed since January, according to the Somali Community Board of South Africa, which blames police inaction for the unabated extortion of foreign-owned businesses and killings in the townships. The group was commenting after 12 people were killed in Site B, Khayelitsha in suspected gang shootings linked to “protection fees” on Saturday. “Protection fee” refers to the money some business owners, mostly foreign-owned spaza shops, salons and barber shops, are forced to pay to local gangs in townships every month. A gang of about 15 people wearing masks went on a shooting spree in Site B following the murder of a leader in RR Section by members belonging to a rival extortion gang. The…

SOME years ago CapeNature (Western Cape Government) launched a highly successful land acquisition programme called stewardship. It offers incentives to landowners to make land available for conservation. These Contract Nature Reserves are designed to establish areas and inter-linked corridors of land to promote conservation – and it works. To be a steward means to look after something. It also has a theological definition which means roughly the same thing – taking care of God’s work. A slogan for stewardship is “partnerships make it happen”. What the CapeNature model lacks is a grassroots format. A united front whereby everyone (not just farmers) can become directly involved with conservation through various forms of collaboration. This might include joint ownership of land for dual conservation and social purposes, with attendant recreational and residential…

Chevon Booysen chevon.booysen@inl.co.za A JOHANNESBURG family is preparing for the return of the body of 24-year-old Kgothatso Mdunana, who died in Hangzhou, China, when she fell from a 13th-floor apartment window on April 30 while visiting a friend. The body of Mdunana, a final-year civil engineering student at Shandong University, will soon be returned home for burial, her family said. In a crowdfunding campaign, the family had hoped to raise R350 000 for repatriation costs, but donors and good Samaritans rallied to exceed that target and donations streamed in, garnering R616 097 by yesterday. In their Backabuddy campaign, the family said they were not prepared for the high costs of repatriation fees as Mdunana’s travel insurance had expired. Backabuddy’s Zane Groenewald said more than 250 local and international donors contributed…

Nicola Daniels nicola.daniels@inl.co.za KENSINGTON police have been slammed by a resident, Junaid Abbas, who has been the victim of crime, with several cases open, but said police did nothing with the information he provided to catch the perpetrators. “I have a strong suspicion of corruption at Kensington SAPS after my experiences. “My car was broken into over 10 times and even after I caught the perpetrator on two occasions and identified him to the police he is still at large. “He even walks past my house occasionally. I’m concerned for the safety of my belongings when I’m not home. “I’ve lodged a complaint with the SAPS and was called in but even after giving an image and information on where he could be found no action was taken,” said Abbas.…

Staff writer THE NSPCA says it will not take responsibility for any “shirked duties” by the City regarding its Urban Baboon Programme. The City on Friday said it had advised NCC Environmental Services, contracted to manage the City’s Urban Baboon Programme, to no longer use paintball markers to keep baboons out of urban areas. This after the NSPCA announced it no longer supported the use of paint- ball guns, following reports of inju- red baboons a result of the practice. “Given the latest developments, residents and business owners in areas adjacent to baboons’ natural habitat should note that baboons will frequent their areas more often than before,” the City said. Keeping baboons out of urban areas reduces their risk of death and injury by human-induced means, such as car…

As most of us do, we leave things for the last minute. As a result, after spending three years in Beijing, visiting the southern city of Kunming, the Terracotta Army near Xi’an, the Great Wall, the skiing resort in Yanging and the Beijing National Stadium was on my to-do list for my last semester. However, Covid-19 happened and these plans had to be shelved. Each of these cultural sites holds a special significance in the life of Chinese people. For example, Beijing National Stadium, or the Bird’s Nest as it is informally called, is a stadium with a capacity of 91 000 and is said to be the world’s largest steel structure. The most complex stadium ever constructed, the stadium is also on the north-south axis of the city and…

Six opposition rebels have been killed after days of clashes in Myanmar, an anti-junta defence force made up of civilians said yesterday. Britain and the United States condemned the military’s violence against civilians. The country has been in uproar since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a February 1 coup, triggering a massive uprising which authorities have sought to quell with lethal force. Some in the anti-junta movement have set up local militias armed with home-made weapons to protect their towns from security forces - which have killed at least 790 civilians. In the western state of Chin, the town of Mindat has emerged as a hotspot for unrest, where some residents have formed the Chinland Defence Force (CDF). “Six members of our CDF who tried…

WASHINGTON: US media are not trustworthy at the moment, telling “all lies, all the time”, says Suzanne Massie, a US historian who advised President Ronald Reagan on Russia. Massie researched Russia as a scholar, travelled there many times, and, in the final years of the Cold War, became first an adviser to Reagan, then informal intermediary between the White House and Moscow. “We cannot read our own media because it is all lies now, all the time.” Incumbent US president, Joe Biden, is “no president, but a puppet”, she said and “Washington is now a swamp”.…

Khartoum: Sudan’s army said Saturday it had handed prosecutors the results of a probe into the recent killing of two demonstrators who were calling for justice for violence during protests in 2019. On Tuesday evening, hundreds of protesters had gathered outside the army headquarters in Khartoum to demand justice for the victims of the 2019 violent dispersal of a mass sit-in in the same area. The 2019 sit-in initially demanded long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir step down and later the transfer to civilian rule. At the rally last Tuesday, security forces dispersed protesters, killing two and wounding dozens.…

MELBOURNE: A British yachtsman has been placed in mandatory coronavirus quarantine in a hotel in Sydney after being rescued from his sinking craft in rough waters, Australian police said yesterday. Australian media said the 40-year-old was sailing to Sydney from Tahiti. Police in New South Wales said they launched a 26-hour rescue effort from midnight on Friday, after receiving reports of a 15m yacht taking on water about 95 nautical miles off the coast of Newcastle. Police escorted the man to mandatory quarantine after border processing formalities, they said, but did not disclose his name.…

A 59th-minute goal from Ben Malango earned Raja Casablanca a vital 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates in their Caf Confederation Cup quarter-final first-leg clash at Orlando Stadium yesterday. There is no doubt that Raja will be the happier team with the outcome. Not only did they avoid defeat, but they also scored a vital away goal. Malango was gifted the ball following a defensive lapse in concentration from Nathaniel Nyauza ,with Pirates defender Bongani Sam also unable to recover following his defensive partner's error. Vincent Pule had put the Sea Robbers ahead in the 38th minute with a well-executed goal from a one-on-one situation after taking advantage of lax defending from the visitors and rolling the ball into the net. The first half was a fairly tame affair…

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has told his players he will leave the La Liga club at the end of the season, Spanish media reported late on Saturday. Radio station Onda Cero said Zidane informed the players about his decision before last weekend’s 2-2 La Liga draw at home with Sevilla, where Real missed the chance to top the table. Newspaper Marca said he addressed the team on May 8, a day before that game. Real were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by third-tier Alcoyano in January, and were defeated comfortably by Chelsea in their Champions League semi-final. When asked earlier on Saturday whether he would remain in charge next season, Zidane did not give any guarantees. “I don’t know what’ll happen. I’m here, we’re playing tomorrow and…

Vuyolwethu Fundam Vuyolwethu.Fundam@africannewsagency.com Do you get enough sleep but still feel exhausted? I do, and I’ve always been curious as to why. Snacking on unhealthy foods such as chips or chocolate, it turns out, can make us feel sluggish and unproductive. Experts suggest that snacking healthily helps boost your energy levels. Here’s how you can snack smarter to avoid feeling lethargic: Eggs Eggs are an excellent way to replenish your energy. They are high in protein, which gives you a steady supply of energy. They contain vitamin B, which aids in the digestion of food for energy. They also have amino acids for the restoration of muscle energy. Spinach Spinach is a source of iron which transports oxygen throughout your body to keep your organs alive. It is also an…

From page 1 In a video on social media earlier this month, Koen said he had received “continuous attacks” in relation to what he studied and where he studied and he wanted to set the record straight. “I will not allow for this onslaught to continue. It is quite clear this is the only strategy certain individuals can follow,” he said. Koen said in 1999 he was accepted by the University of Hull in the UK for an external MBA programme. He said the university approved all his qualifications and he submitted his dissertation in 2002. “It is unacceptable the continuous attacks that I have been enduring the past four-and-a-half years. Enough is enough. There is a fine line between playing politics and defamation of character.” DA national spokesperson Siviwe…

Tarryn-Leigh Solomons tarryn-leigh.solomons@inl.co.za The funeral service for former Robben Island prisoner and Umkhonto we Sizwe soldier Nicklo Pedro will take place on Saturday, May 22. A drive-by memorial for Pedro was held in Mossel Bay yesterday, the day he would have celebrated his 54th birthday. He lost his battle with cancer on Saturday, May 8. Henriette Abrahams, a friend of Pedro’s family, said the torture Pedro had endured at the hands of apartheid security police officer Jeffrey Benzien had haunted him until his death. Pedro, an activist who had campaigned for political change when he was a pupil at Sao Bras Secondary School in Mossel Bay, was recruited into Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) while studying at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Like other UWC students who had joined…

Staff writer INDEPENDENT Media has called on other South African media houses to join it in denouncing media oppression and advocate for the freedom of the press. The country’s largest print media house made the call after the bombing of the building housing the Al Jazeera and AP news agency offices in Gaza. This, according to Independent Media, was a deliberate attempt to silence the media covering the events happening in Palestine. “Independent Media outright denounces this action. Earlier this month, the world celebrated World Press Freedom Day (May 3). Yet, many of our international colleagues were unable to participate, since their ability to report on news or opinion has been severely restricted or denied outright. Independent Media also calls on authorities to take the necessary steps to end the…

Siphokazi Vuso and Odwa Mkentane ANOTHER qualification saga has hit the DA-led City, which has had to institute disciplinary action against a metro police department employee for allegedly not having a matric certificate. In a post on social media on Friday, it was alleged that Anika Kotze, who works for the City’s metro police department as a constable, did not have a matric certificate and that her seniors were apparently aware of this. Metro police chief Wayne le Roux yesterday said: “Since the department became aware of this matter, an investigation was launched, which has resulted in disciplinary action being instituted against the member. “The member has since been removed from operational uniform duties and placed in a non-operational capacity until the conclusion of the disciplinary process.” Good party…

Luthando Tyhalibongo | City of Cape Town spokesperson IT IS curious that the article “City slated for ’dodgy’ land deal” (May 12, 2021) includes all City comment, except for the material part that highlighted the complainant’s oversight into the matter when he was in charge of that portfolio. The response stated: “It is important to note that Mr Herron, as the City’s Member of the Mayoral Committee for the Transport and Urban Development Authority at the time, as well as the staff member who regularly represented him at various engagements, were invited to many meetings on this matter and were privy to the relevant information, including that the support and proposal for the City to acquire the land was made by his department.” This material context about the…

Athandile Siyo athandile.siyo@inl.co.za A shop operator was saved by the police from an angry mob after he allegedly raped a six-year-old girl in Kanana informal settlement near Gugulethu. Police said members of the Public Order were called to diffuse a violent clash after residents looted a spaza shop at about 5.30pm on Thursday. Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said: “It is alleged that a 16-year-old foreign national male raped a six-year-old girl in a local spaza shop. When it became known to the community, they vented their feelings and started looting the shop. “Police members rushed to the scene and intervened. The suspect was arrested and detained at Gugulethu SAPS. Once charged he will make a court appearance in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court. Gugulethu (police are) investigating a charge of…

own correspondent THE emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic has raised many challenges regarding treatment and spawned the use of unproven therapies. Professor Lucille Blumberg, the Deputy Director of the South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), breaks down the causes, the risks and how to tackle unproven Covid-19 cures. • How widespread is the use of unproven Covid-19 treatment in Africa? It is difficult to estimate how widespread the phenomenon is. Many medical products are purchased outside of formal pharmacies and there is no documentation of their use. It is thus difficult to confirm if they are being used for Covid-19. Some of the drugs are ivermectin, colchicine, chloroquine, dihydrochloroquine, hydrogen peroxide, antimalaria drugs such as artemisinin. Ivermectin is a very effective drug for river blindness and for some…

ANXIOUS South Africans who lack information on the vaccine programme have not registered for the next round of the roll-out process. This, together with delays in vaccinating healthcare workers will delay the next round of the roll-out, starting today, with the target group of those aged 60 and over or those with comorbidities. Many in this target group have not registered or have not received information on how to go about the process. There are approximately 5 million South Africans over 60 and only 1 million have registered on the government’s system. This will delay the vaccine programme and ultimately push back the date when the country can achieve herd immunity against a pandemic that is already seeing parts of the country experience a third wave. There are 500 000…

Israeli air strikes killed 33 Palestinians, including 13 children, in Gaza early yesterday, Gaza health officials said, and militants fired rockets into Israel as hostilities stretched into a seventh day. The pre-dawn attacks were on houses in the centre of Gaza City, health officials said. A spokesperson for the Israeli military said he would look into these reports. The death toll in Gaza jumped to 181, including 52 children, since the fighting erupted last Monday. In Israel, 10 people including two children have been killed in rocket attacks by Hamas and other militant groups. With no sign of an end to the worst outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian violence in years, the United Nations Security Council was due to meet later on Sunday to discuss the situation. Both Israel and Hamas, the…

Members of Colombia’s national police force who are responsible for abuses or acts of violence amid protests will be punished to the full extent of the law, the head of the force said. Demonstrators and human rights groups have repeatedly accused police officers of killing civilians, excessive use of force, sexual abuse and the use of firearms, both during current protests and previous ones. Accusations of an abuse of a minor in the city of Popayan have sparked violent protests there this week. “We are the first to reject illegal behaviour by an officer and we will ask for forgiveness when there’s a judicial decision,” national police director General Jorge Luis Vargas said said. Vargas said 122 disciplinary proceedings have been opened against police since protests began last month,…

New York: Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant was inducted posthumously into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, part of a star-studded group that also included Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. Bryant was inducted as part of the Class of 2020, almost 16 months after he and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were killed in a helicopter crash along with seven others in southern California. Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, took the podium Saturday to speak movingly about his love for basketball, his family, his teammates and his fans. “You did it. You are in the Hall of Fame now. You are a true champion, not just an MVP. You are an all-time great,” Vanessa said. San Antonio Spurs star Duncan, Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics big man Garnett, two-time…

akarta: Seven Indonesians drowned after an overloaded boat capsized because of tourists attempting a selfie in a reservoir on Java island, police said yesterday. The accident happened when all 20 passengers suddenly moved to the one side of the vessel to take a group photo on Saturday in the Boyolali regency, said Central Java police chief Ahmad Lutfi. “The cause of the accident was overcapacity,” Lutfi told reporters. “The 20 people took a selfie on the right side then the boat lost balance and flipped.” Police added that 11 people were rescued but seven were found dead. Rescuers were searching for two people still missing.…

Morgan Bolton Rain played havoc in the early moments of the MotoGP category of the French Grand Prix yesterday in Le Mans, with the riders pitting to change to their wet-tyre set-ups, with several crashes resulting, but unfortunately the chaos was not enough to help Brad Binder break into the top 10. Brad had another weekend to forget on his KTM, starting 21nd on the grid after a poor qualifying session. With the white-flags calling in the riders as early as the fourth lap, there was an opportunity for Brad to take advantage of the change-up and the wet conditions, and make something of a terrible weekend for the team. The 25-year-old did well to stay on his bike as his counterparts battled to tame the conditions, but could only…

Kerry Vermeulen Medical expenses are taking an increasingly bigger chunk of our budgets, with private medical cover being an unavoidable expense for most. However, you can claim certain of these medical costs from the tax collector, offering some relief. Here’s how to maximise your tax refund. Medical scheme tax credits Previously, medical aid contributions were deducted against income. The medical tax credit system now provides for a monthly credit against your tax owing to the South African Revenue Service (Sars). If you and your dependants belong to a medical scheme, then you will receive a R332 medical tax credit every month in 2022 (R319 in 2021) for the first two members and a further R224 in 2022 (R215 in 2021) every month for every other member or dependant on…

From page 1 on our councillors and the crude language being used.” Mckenzie said the ANC was attempting to use the Palestinian issue as a voting tool. “I’m not interested in those games. The messages are quite clear. My response was clear despite the ANC’s attempt to confuse, the Muslim community has consistently supported the DA.” Attempts to reach the Muslim Judicial Council yesterday were unsuccessful. In New York, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres told the Security Council that hostilities in Israel and Gaza were “utterly appalling” and called for an immediate end to fighting. The New Unity Movement has condemned the latest atrocity by the Israeli state visited upon innocent Palestinians living in Jerusalem. “Worshippers attending prayer services were attacked by heavily armed Israeli police inside the Al Aqsa Mosque.…

Baldwin Ndaba baldwin.ndaba@inl.co.za FORMER president Jacob Zuma faces the daunting task in the Pietermaritzburg High Court today of defending himself against allegations that he survived on bribes while the MEC of a provincial government and deputy president of South Africa. Zuma is due to stand trial on charges of racketeering, two counts of corruption and 12 counts of fraud – nine of which are for allegedly making false income tax returns. He is expected to conduct his own legal representation. Part of the corruption charges against him include upgrades made at his Nkandla homestead in March 2001, which were allegedly paid for by his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik, as part of a bribe. Zuma is charged along with French company Thales, which sought arms deal bids while Zuma…

Staff writer THOUSANDS of people over the age of 60 will begin receiving the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine today. This comes as the country moves into phase 2 of the vaccination drive. Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said more than 130 sites would be active from this week to carry out vaccinations. Government aims to vaccinate more than 10 million people during the second phase which runs until October. The country’s vaccination programme began with health-care workers who were administered the one-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine as part of the Sisonke programme, which ended on Saturday. A total of 478 452 health-care workers have been vaccinated so far. The SA Medical Research Council last week moved to assure as yet unvaccinated health-care workers that they would be added to the second…

Staff writer AN investigator working for the International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF) has been seriously injured by poachers who poured petrol over his vehicle and set it alight with him restrained inside. While travelling from Beitbridge to Harare last Sunday, the 28-year-old Zimbabwean was stopped before having his hands tied with his shoelaces to prevent him escaping the fire. The IAPF said the investigator was able to extricate himself but not before suffering burns to around 30% of his body. No other IAPF rangers or staff were involved in the assault and normal operations continue in support of Zimbabwe’s natural environment, communities and wildlife. The attack appears to be in retaliation for arrests made involving suspected rhino poachers. The investigator was rushed to Beitbridge hospital before being airlifted to Harare…

Ingredients: 2 shallots, very thinly sliced 1 cup neutral oil, for frying 250g white button mushrooms 2 tsp garam masala 1 tsp turmeric 1 Tbsp ginger, grated 1 tsp garlic, grated ½ cup fresh coriander, finely chopped 1 Tbsp lemon juice ⅓ cup Greek-style yoghurt 2 cups white rice 3 Tbsp ghee 1 large onion, sliced into half moons 1 Tbsp breyani spice mix (or garam masala) 1 tsp brown mustard seeds 1 cinnamon stick 5 whole green cardamom pods 250g portabellini mushrooms, sliced Salt and pepper, to taste Method: Place neutral oil in a small saucepan. Add shallots when oil is hot enough for them to sizzle gently. Fry until shallots are golden brown. Strain shallots and transfer to a paper towel. Season with salt and let cool.…

Siphokazi Vuso siphokazi.vuso@inl.co.za HOUSING activists have welcomed what they said was a long overdue City plan to use the Dillon Lane site in Woodstock for the development of social housing in a well-located urban centre. The City yesterday announced that the Municipal Planning Tribunal had approved key aspects of the City’s development application for the planned social housing project. Human Settlements Mayco member Malusi Booi said the rezoning and subdivision were approved. The project is expected to provide 160 opportunities to qualifying beneficiaries. It forms part of the City’s planned development of more than 2 000 affordable housing opportunities on well-located pieces of land in and near urban centres across the metro to enable greater spatial equality. “Our intention has always been to develop affordable housing opportunities in urban…

Natalie Thurtle One of the first patients I see is Aliya*. She cries out as we edge her jeans off as gently as possible to examine her. She is 12 years old. She has a dark bruise the size of a man’s fist on her upper thigh. Except it was not a fist that caused this, it was a rubber bullet. Aliya has been shot with a rubber bullet while walking with her mother near her home. I ask her weight in order to calculate the correct dose of pain relief for her. She weighs just 28kg, and she has been shot. She cannot walk, meaning that we worry that she has a fracture in her femur. We transfer her to hospital for an X-ray. My colleague Andy is…

World doesn’t need to choose between Israel’s right to exist, Palestinian self-determination SOUTH African Muslims observed Eid celebrations on Friday, the festival marking the end of Ramadaan, the holy month of fasting, tempered by the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, which has affected the country badly. They are also disheartened by the latest Israeli/Palestinian situation – fast degenerating into a “senseless civil war”, pitting Jews against Arabs and vice versa. As President Biden’s Peace Envoy, Hady Amr, touched down in Israel on Saturday, the conflict had claimed 133 Palestinian and 10 Israeli lives, left thousands injured plus the destruction of property and infrastructure. Imagine celebrating your most important religious festival with armed police entering your place of worship, preceded by days of tensions with threatened “evictions” of citizens from a nearby…

Firefighters put out a blaze early yesterday at one of the Philippines’ largest hospitals that had prompted the evacuation of dozens of patients from the facility, which also treats patients with Covid-19. No casualties were reported in the fire at the government-run Philippine General Hospital in the capital, Manila, which was extinguished at dawn. Its cause is not known. On Twitter, Vice President Leni Robredo made an appeal for “big, industrial fans” to clear the smoke caused by the fire. Hospital authorities could not immediately be reached for comment. Some patients were transferred to nearby hospitals, including two who needed surgery and 12 babies from the neonatal intensive care unit, CNN Philippines said, citing hospital officials. Hospital staff said the fire started in an operating room supply area soon after…

BODIES of Covid-19 victims have been found dumped in some Indian rivers, a state government has said – the first official acknowledgement of an alarming practice it said may stem from poverty and fear of the disease in villages. Images of corpses drifting down the Ganges River, which Hindus consider holy, have shocked a nation reeling under the world’s worst surge in infections. Media have linked the recent increase in numbers of such bodies to the pandemic, but the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, home to 240 million people, has until now not publicly revealed the cause of the deaths. “The administration has information that bodies of those who have succumbed to Covid-19 or any other disease are being thrown into rivers instead of being disposed of as per proper…

Kabul: The jihadist Islamic State claimed it carried out this week’s attack on a mosque on the outskirts of the Afghan capital that left 12 worshippers dead, Site Intelligence Group reported. The explosion inside a mosque in the Shakar Darah district of Kabul province during Friday prayers shattered the relative calm of a three-day ceasefire agreed between the Taliban and Afghan government. IS said its fighters had placed an explosive device inside the mosque and detonated it after worshippers arrived to offer prayers on the second day of the Eid al-Fitr holidays, the US monitor of jihadist groups saidon Saturday. The bombing killed the imam of the mosque.…

Tehran: Iranian newspapers voiced concern yesterday about the potential turnout for next month’s presidential poll, a day after candidate registration ended. The reformist press was particularly worried, arguing that a low turnout would favour the conservative camp as in legislative elections last year. According to the election committee, close to 600 hopefuls including 40 women have registered for the June 18 vote to elect a successor to moderate President Hassan Rouhani. The Shargh daily, “various polls” show that “more than half” of eligible voters are expected to stay away.…

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes his team were "the better team football wise" despite losing to 2-0 to Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg in Cairo on Saturday evening. The South African champions dominated possession for long periods and created a couple of chances to score an all-important away goal, but unfortunately did not utilize their opportunities. Against a quality team like Al Ahly it would prove suicidal as the Red Devils scored through a wonderful strike from Mohamed Taher before a calamitous mistake from Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango gifted Salah Mohsen the opportunity for a tap in during the closing stages to allow Pitso Mosimane's team to take a two goal cushion into the second leg in South Africa on Saturday. "Like…

In the end, her challengers stumbled at the final hurdle yesterday, and Lee-Anne Pace held on to win her fourth national open title when she won the Investec South African Women’s Open Championship title by one stroke at Westlake Golf Club. She carded a level-par 72 in the final round after a weekend of trying conditions, and that was enough to ward off the threat posed by the young German Leonie Harm, who also shot level-par in the final round which left her just short at three-over for the tournament. In a share of third place were another German, Karolin Lampert, and South Africa’s Nicole Garcia on five-over. “It’s really very special for me,” said Pace of the tournament co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Ladies Tour and the Ladies European Tour.…

Cricket Australia has said it was open to hearing any new information regarding the 2018 Cape Town scandal in the wake of batsman Cameron Bancroft’s comments suggesting that the team’s bowlers were aware of the ball-tampering tactics. Following an investigation former Test opener Bancroft was banned for nine months for his role in the incident, while then-captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner were stripped of their leadership positions and handed year-long suspensions. The CA review had at that time cleared the rest of the team and the support staff from any wrongdoing or knowledge of the damaging incident, but Bancroft’s interview to The Guardian on Friday has reopened old wounds. “CA has maintained all along that if anyone is in possession of new information in regards to the…

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was inducted posthumously to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, as the class of 2020 was enshrined after months of delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The five-time NBA champion died last year aged 41 in a helicopter crash alongside his daughter and seven others, shocking the world of professional sport and sending his legions of fans into mourning. Bryant’s widow Vanessa, who started dating Kobe when she was 17, offered an acceptance on his behalf as presenter Michael Jordan stood nearby. “Dear Kobe, thank you for being the best husband and father you could possibly be,” she said. “Thank you for never giving up on us. Thank you for all of your hard work.” The 18-time All-Star joined the NBA…