insert_link Namibia Russia declares state of emergency Russia has declared a state of emergency in the border region of Kursk, after Ukrainian troops launched a surprise cross-border assault into the area. Regional authorities say heavy fighting is continuing and Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the attack a major provocation. Megumi Lim reports from Kyiv. The BBC reports that some 3,000 people have had to evacuate the region, as ongoing military altercations have killed at least four […] today8 August, 2024
insert_link Namibia Parliament greenlights Access to Information Act (ATI) implementation The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, thanked Parliament for approving the access to communication regulations and enabling the implementation of the Access to Information Act of 2022. The ATI Act mandates the appointment of an independent information commissioner and deputy commissioner. The legislation, signed by late President Hage Geingob, aims to strengthen public access to information from both public and private institutions. MICT spokesperson, Shoki Kandjimi, unpacks […] today8 August, 2024
insert_link Namibia Electoral Court upholds ECN decision against NEFF The Electoral Court has ruled in favor of the Electoral Commission of Namibia, dismissing a case by the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighter without costs. The ECN cancelled NEFF’s registration due to the party's failure to submit audited annual financial results as required by the Electoral Act. Reacting to the development, Political analyst, Dr. Ndumba Kamwanya said that the dismissal reaffirms the legal framework governing political parties in the country. Dr. […] today8 August, 2024
insert_link World Hamas appoints mastermind of 7 October attacks as new leader Hamas has appointed the mastermind of the 7 October attacks on Israel, Yahya Sinwar, as its new leader. This follows the death of Ismail Haniyeh in an alleged Israeli strike in Iran last week. Sinwar’s appointment reportedly signals Hamas’s continued hardline stance amid ongoing conflict and escalations. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said late Tuesday that Sinwar's promotion was "yet another compelling reason to swiftly eliminate him and wipe this […] today7 August, 2024
insert_link Africa World Food Programme can only secure 20% of drought aid for Southern Africa The United Nations World Food Programme has secured only 20 percent in drought aid for Southern Africa. This is approximately N$ 1.5-billion of its almost eight-billion-target, to address the drought in seven affected countries. The region has been hit hard by the El Niño weather pattern and faces its worst drought in decades. Despite donor support, the WFP can only provide aid to 5.9 million of the 27 million people […] today7 August, 2024
insert_link Business / Economics Finance Minister tables Income Tax Amendment Bill The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi has introduced the Income Tax Amendment Act of 2024 in the National Assembly. The Act provides tax relief to individuals and non-mining companies by amending Schedule 4 of the Income Tax Act of 1981, which addresses tax rates. Shiimi had announced in the February 2024 national budget that all taxpayers would receive relief by adjusting the tax tables by N$50,000, exempting […] today7 August, 2024
insert_link Business / Economics Mining expo focuses on expansion opportunities The 11th edition of the Mining Expo & Conference 2024 is underway in Windhoek, bringing together industry experts in the mining sector. Speaking at the event, Zebra Kasete, Vice President of the Chamber of Mines and Managing Director of Dundee Precious Metals in Tsumeb, highlighted that the surge in the uranium sub-sector is driving expansion opportunities in the mining industry. During the opening of the expo on Wednesday, […] today7 August, 2024
insert_link Namibia Several suspects arrested in connection with student’s death Matheus Sheehama, a 24-year-old student reported missing in Walvis Bay, was found dead at Independence Beach on 6 August 2024. According to the Namibia Press Agency, the body was discovered by passers-by behind the Navy Base. Sheehama had been missing since 27 July after attending a party where he was allegedly assaulted by a group of men following a dispute involving his girlfriend’s brother. Suspects have been arrested and denied […] today7 August, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical WHO warns of rising COVID-19 infections and potential new variants COVID-19 infections are up worldwide, including at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games where over 40 athletes have tested positive, the UN World Health Organisation warned on Tuesday. WHO experts are also concerned that more severe variants of the coronavirus may soon be on the horizon as wastewater surveillance also suggests the circulation of the virus is between 2 to 20 times higher than current figures indicate. COVID-19 is still very […] today7 August, 2024