insert_link World US set to execute prisoner by nitrogen gas for first time Alabama is set to become the first US state to use nitrogen gas to execute a prisoner on death row. It will be the second time the state has tried to execute Kenneth Smith - after a lethal injection failed in 2022. Smith was convicted for his role in a 1988 murder for hire plot. Our US correspondent Kate Fisher reports. todayJanuary 26, 2024 12
insert_link Namibia Oshana Governor Encourages Utilization of Government Subsidies for Agricultural Gains Governor Elia Irimari of Oshana has urged residents to take advantage of government subsidies provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform. He emphasized the importance of maximizing harvest outcomes, particularly through the use of available tractors. The region has 30 operational tractors distributed among its 11 constituencies. Irimari highlighted that three constituencies have received three tractors each, while the remaining eight constituencies share the rest. To enhance […] todayJanuary 26, 2024 9
insert_link South Africa The wind is hampering efforts to contain a serious fire near Kluitjieskraal in the Western Cape A change in wind direction is hampering efforts to control the Kluitjieskraal fire near Wolseley in the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Western Cape. The fire in the Suurvlakte area split into two lines, one line on the Wolseley side of the Obiqua Mountain and another on the Wellington side. The municipality’s spokesperson, Jo-Anne Otto, says the fire on Wolseley’s side in the Verrekyker area just above the Kluitjieskraal moved rapidly […] todayJanuary 26, 2024 5
insert_link South Africa ActionSA formally lodges a complaint to the Human Rights Commission against WesBank ActionSA says it has officially lodged a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission to investigate Wesbank. The is over allegations that the finance provider is using a specific system to overcharge black clients. Wesbank has refuted allegations of discrimination against customers based on race, gender, or age. ActionSA’s spokesperson, Lerato Ngobeni, says they cannot condone nor tolerate the covert racism the bank represents. todayJanuary 26, 2024 8
insert_link World Four months in jail for Navarro found guilty of contempt of U.S. Congress Peter Navarro, long-time trade advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump, was sentenced to four months in jail on Thursday. He'd been found guilty of two counts of contempt of Congress for not appearing at a January 6th committee hearing. Caroline Malone reports from Washington. todayJanuary 26, 2024 13
insert_link Namibia Ministry Encourages Stability for Effective Food Parcel Distribution to Marginalized Communities Rebekka Namwandi, the Deputy Director of Marginalised Communities in the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare, is urging members of marginalized communities to stay in one place for more effective distribution of quarterly food allocations. Namwandi acknowledged the nomadic lifestyle of some community members, which complicates the allocation process. She emphasized the difficulty and costliness of reaching nomadic populations, as regional planners often find vacant villages. In […] todayJanuary 26, 2024 8
insert_link South Africa South African Federation of Trade Unions is not surprised by the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to leave the repo rate unchanged The South African Federation of Trade Unions is not surprised by the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to leave the repo rate unchanged at 8.25-percent. This is the fourth hold since May last year. Saftu’s spokesperson, Trevor Shaku, says it was clear that the committee was going to leave the repo rate unchanged, precisely because they operate by incentivising those who trade in money to hold onto Rands, to […] todayJanuary 26, 2024 16
insert_link World Global shipping “not in crisis” just yet, says the UN Consumers may be faced with higher food prices due to delays along the world's major shipping corridors. Speaking at the United Nations on Thursday, Jan Hoffmann the Chief of Trade Facilitation said three of the world's shipping lanes have seen major decreases in traffic. Hoffman's briefing comes as attacks on shipping vessels by Houthi militia in the Red Sea continue unabated. Jody Jacobs reports from the UN in New York. todayJanuary 26, 2024 4
insert_link Namibia Namibia Champions Transformation of CPA into Global Inter-Parliamentary Organization In a significant move, Namibia is at the forefront of advocating for the conversion of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association from a charitable organization into an international inter-parliamentary entity. The recent meeting of the CPA Africa region's budget committee, hosted by the Namibian parliament, delved into discussions, including the resolution to elevate the CPA's status. Lukas Sinimbo Muha, Chairperson of the National Council, highlighted the alignment of this initiative with the […] todayJanuary 26, 2024 18