insert_link South Africa DA to Introduce Bill Criticizing National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Act for Failing to Tackle Corruption in S.A In South Africa, the DA plans to introduce a Private Members Bill, criticising the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Act as inadequate in addressing corruption. They argue the act's provision to make the Investigative Directorate permanent does not tackle issues like insufficient funding and political control over the NPA. The party’s Glynnis Breytenbach says the proposed bill aims to establish an independent anti-corruption commission with secure tenure and direct funding from […] todayAugust 20, 2024 12
insert_link World British tech entrepreneur among 6 missing after Sicily yacht sinking British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch is among 6 people missing after a luxury yacht sank off the coast of Sicily. Lynch co-founded the software firm Autonomy, before selling it to Hewlett-Packard in a multi-billion dollar deal. 15 people were rescued and one person has been confirmed as dead. Our Europe correspondent Giles Gibson has more. todayAugust 20, 2024 54
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s ban on poultry from the Brazilian state severely impacts local poultry industry Hume International has reported that South Africa's ban on poultry from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, has severely impacted the local poultry industry. The ban, effective from this month, restricts imports of poultry produced after June 17. Hume International criticises the blanket ban, noting that it contravenes international trade statutes and could lead to higher food prices. The organisation's, Roy Thomas told SABC News that South Africa, […] todayAugust 20, 2024 22
insert_link Africa DRC to Receive First Mpox Vaccine Doses Next Week Amid Global Health Emergency Reuters has it that the Democratic Republic of the Congo expects to receive its first mpox vaccine doses by next week, thanks to support from the United States and Japan, according to the Congolese health minister. Last week, the World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years due to the rapid spread of a new variant, clade Ib, across Africa. todayAugust 20, 2024 23
insert_link World US Republicans Accuse Biden of “Impeachable Conduct” But Impeachment Vote Unlikely The US Republican Party has released a new report in which it claims President Joseph Biden has engaged in what it calls "impeachable conduct". Despite that, Congress is unlikely to hold an impeachment vote without enough support for it to succeed in the House. Here with the report, is Mitch McCann: todayAugust 20, 2024 16
insert_link Africa Senegal Establishes Expert Commission to Review and Rebalance Oil and Gas Contracts Senegal has formed a commission of legal, tax, and energy experts to reassess and potentially renegotiate its oil and gas contracts in the national interest, as announced by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Reuters says, this move follows President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's election victory in March, who has pledged to audit and, if necessary, renegotiate contracts with foreign operators to better serve Senegal's interests. todayAugust 20, 2024 14
insert_link Business / Economics Walvis Bay Corridor Group Warns Diaspora Transport Sector of Mpox Outbreak The Walvis Bay Corridor Group has issued a warning to the transport and logistics sector abroad about the Mpox outbreak. The group highlights that the outbreak is nearing trading partners in the Southern African Development Community, with cases already reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa. Maria Paulus: Marketing and Communications Manager at the group. todayAugust 20, 2024 45
insert_link South Africa AfriForum Applauds Gauteng High Court’s Decision to Block NERSA’s Appeal for Electricity Tariff Hikes AfriForum has welcomed the Gauteng High Court’s decision to block energy regulator NERSA's appeal for municipal electricity tariff hikes. The court deemed the planned increases unlawful, rejecting NERSA's application. AfriForum’s Morné Mostert emphasises the need for municipalities to submit cost-of-supply studies to justify tariff hikes. He says the court ordered that unauthorised rates be reverted pending submissions reviews: todayAugust 20, 2024 28
insert_link World Blinken pushing for peace, amid concern of increasing violence in Middle East U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel pushing for a peace deal with Hamas. He says this is the best, and possibly last opportunity ... but distance remains between the two sides. Corresponding for us is Caroline Malone. todayAugust 20, 2024 12