insert_link Business / Economics BIZ NEWS: Economic Developments and Global Partnerships: A Roundup of Recent Updates 1. Trans-Kalahari Railway Tender Nears Conclusion for Crucial Botswana Connection The Namibian government is actively engaged in finalizing the awarding of the Trans-Kalahari railway tender, with the goal of establishing a vital connection with Botswana by the end of the current year. The tender, which concluded in November 2023, garnered significant interest from both international and local companies, reflecting a strategic move towards enhancing regional infrastructure. 2. Arcelormittal South Africa […] todayJanuary 30, 2024 5
insert_link World US Defense Secretary returns to work at Pentagon US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has returned to work at the Pentagon after nearly a month's leave due to prostate cancer. His return comes after 3 US troops were killed in a drone attack in the Middle East.Nick Harper reports from Washington. todayJanuary 30, 2024 21
insert_link South Africa City of Johannesburg Chief Whip Injured in South City Shooting During Official Council Business In a startling turn of events, Sithembiso Zungu, the Chief Whip of the City of Johannesburg, sustained injuries in a shooting incident in the southern part of the city. According to spokesperson Vusi Gumbi, Zungu was engaged in official council business when the incident occurred. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation, adding an element of concern to the incident involving a prominent municipal figure. todayJanuary 30, 2024 31
insert_link Namibia Grootfontein Municipality Under Fire for Controversial N$2.9 Million Payout to Former CEO The Grootfontein Municipality has come under scrutiny as it faced criticism for its decision to pay its former Chief Executive Officer, Kisco Sinvula, a substantial amount of N$2.9 million. A council member in the north-eastern town condemned the move, labeling it as a wasteful expenditure of public funds. This settlement is part of a series of negotiated deals, totaling approximately N$9 million, that the municipality has been entangled in since […] todayJanuary 30, 2024 24
insert_link World China’s property giant Evergrande ordered to liquidate A Hong Kong court has ordered the liquidation of property giant Evergrande. This after the indebted developer, with more than $300 billion of liabilities, failed to come up with a restructuring plan. Patrick Fok was outside the court in Hong Kong when the verdict was delivered. todayJanuary 29, 2024 11
insert_link South Africa DA Urges Gauteng Education Department to Mandate Enhanced Safety Measures for School Outings The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng is calling on the provincial Department of Education to mandate schools to implement comprehensive safety measures during outings, following the tragic passing of Latoya Temilton, a Grade Seven learner from Laerskool Queenswood in Pretoria, who drowned during a school excursion. Although the DA acknowledges the department's decision to initiate an independent investigation into the incident, Sergio dos Santos of the DA expresses deep concerns about […] todayJanuary 29, 2024 16
insert_link Namibia State Patient Arrested with 500 Grams of Cannabis During Ambulance Transport A 38-year-old man, under state care and being transported in an ambulance from Windhoek to Outjo, was apprehended on Friday after authorities discovered him in possession of 500 grams of cannabis. Inspector Maureen Mbeha, the Namibian Police Force's head of community affairs in the Otjozondjupa Region, revealed that the arrest took place at 3PM on Friday along the B1 road. The police had set up an unexpected roadblock about five […] todayJanuary 29, 2024 19
insert_link World Japan’s moon probe resumes mission after regaining power Japan’s space agency says its lunar probe has begun functioning again after losing power on the moon’s surface last week. The ‘SLIM’ explorer lost power days after successfully landing on the moon on January 19, but JAXA says it is now operational and restarting its mission. Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo. todayJanuary 29, 2024 14
insert_link South Africa FOLLOW UP: Uncontrolled Fires Persist in Breede Valley and Witzenberg, Cape Winelands; Night Conditions Offer Some Respite In a follow-up to our previous report, wildfires in Breede Valley and Witzenberg within the Cape Winelands district continue to rage uncontrollably. However, more favorable outcomes have been observed due to cooler night temperatures and reduced wind speeds. Jo-Anne Otto, spokesperson for the Cape Winelands District Municipality, notes that the combination of hot, dry weather and available fuel, such as aged fynbos and alien vegetation, remains conducive to the fires. […] todayJanuary 29, 2024 13
