Seven arrested in 255 million rand SA audit scandal
The Hawks have arrested six of seven people allegedly involved in the 255-million rand Free State audit scandal. News24 reports that the suspects were arrested this morning by a multi-disciplinary team in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Free State. The arrests come...
World Bank announces $12bn plan for poor countries to buy Covid vaccines
The World Bank has announced plans for a $12bn initiative that will allow poor countries to purchase Covid-19 vaccines to treat up to 2 billion people as soon as effective drugs become available. The Guardian reports that in an attempt to ensure that low-income...
Congolese activist goes on trial over French museum protest
A Congolese activist and four others go on trial in France's capital, Paris, on Wednesday for trying to take an African funeral staff from France's indigenous art museum. The AFP reports that it was part of a protest against colonial-era plundering. Emery Mwazulu...
Namibia to ratify continental medicines agency treaty
The National Assembly will this week be expected to discuss and ratify an agreement to establish a continental medicines regulatory authority in Namibia. The Namibian newspaper reports that the agency, which is to be known as the African Medicines Agency is aimed at...
Japan Airlines scraps ‘ladies and gentlemen’ in favour of gender-neutral greetings
Japan Airlines is replacing “ladies and gentlemen” in its in-flight and airport announcements with gender-neutral expressions, beginning in October. Reuters reports that the formerly state-owned airline will use phrases such as “all passengers”, “good morning” and...
Cold front looms for Cape provinces
The South African Weather Service has warned of an intense cold front that is expected to make landfall in the Cape provinces tonight and continue until Friday, 2 October. The public and small stock farmers have been told to expect snowfall, strong winds, heavy rain,...
Merkel accuses China of ‘cruel treatment’ of minorities
German Chancellor Angela Merkel today accused China of poor and cruel treatment of minorities and underlined deep concerns over the crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong. The AFP reports that in a speech at the Bundestag a day before an EU summit, Merkel vowed to bring up...
Chris Hani’s killer expected to apply for parole
Chris Hani’s killer Janusz Walus is set to file an application in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria next month. He wants to be released on parole and serve the rest of his sentence in Poland. He was sentenced to life for killing Hani in Boksburg in 1993....
Farmworker killer gets life imprisonment over lover’s death
A farmworker who last month admitted to killing his girlfriend in 2016, was on Wednesday sentenced to life imprisonment. Nampa reports that Benedictus Kooper admitted to murdering his girlfriend Kalista Erastus, at Farm Vuurslag in the Gobabis District on 03 October...
UN says Covid-19 has underlined the fragility of food systems
The United Nations says the coronavirus pandemic has underlined the fragility of food systems and worsened food loss and waste in many countries. Newsflash reports that globally, around 14-percent of the food produced is lost between harvest and retail. UN...