insert_link World Maldives to woo Indian tourists back amid ongoing diplomatic spat A key tourism body in Maldives says it plans to hold road shows in India, as part of a pan to woo Indian tourists back to the island nation.At the start of the year, a diplomatic spat between the two countries escalated after a few Maldivian ministers posted derogatory comments online about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Thousands of Indians responded with a #BoycottMaldives campaign on social media. todayApril 12, 2024 23
insert_link South Africa S.A’s Transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga says the discontinuation of e-tolls is a triumph for democracy S.A Transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga says the discontinuation of e-tolls is a triumph for democracy. She oversaw the actual switching-off of the e-tolls at the South African National Roads Agency’s Central Operations Centre in Gauteng yesterday evening. She also visited the gantries on the N1 South Buccleuch Interchange. There has been an outcry over motorists still being liable to pay their e-toll debts. Chikunga says determining the fate of outstanding […] todayApril 12, 2024 24
insert_link South Africa City of Tshwane in South Africa’s Moody’s Outlook Shifts from Negative to Stable The City of Tshwane in South Africa has greeted an improved outlook from Moody's Ratings, transitioning from negative to stable. This positive shift comes after a notice last month indicating the city's rating was under review for a potential downgrade. The development is expected to assist the municipality in stabilizing its finances and accessing capital funding for infrastructure projects. Jacqui Uys, Mayoral committee member for Finance, attributes this positive change […] todayApril 12, 2024 21
insert_link Namibia Cabinet Directs Collaboration for Electoral Act Amendment on Public Servant Resignations Cabinet has instructed the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to collaborate with the Ministry of Justice in revising Section 77 (4) (a) of the Electoral Act. Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, announced this directive, emphasizing that the amendment aims to clarify the process of public servants resigning upon election or nomination to the National Assembly and regional councils. The proposed amendment seeks to establish clear legal […] todayApril 12, 2024 12
insert_link World South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol vows to reform state after election loss South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol is vowing to reform state affairs following his party’s crushing parliamentary election defeat on Wednesday. The ruling PPP’s loss to the opposition Democratic Party is seen as a major blow to Yoon’s administration. Chris Gilbert reports. todayApril 12, 2024 7
insert_link Namibia Vice President Addresses Severe Drought Concerns, Pledges Mitigation Efforts Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah underscores the Namibian government's commitment to devising strategies to alleviate the impact of the ongoing drought. Speaking at a Swapo Party central committee meeting, she expressed deep concern over the lack of significant rainfall, highlighting the imminent threat to both people and livestock. With poor rainfall projections, Namibia anticipates a dire agricultural harvest, mirroring challenges faced by neighboring SADC countries like Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, which […] todayApril 12, 2024 8
insert_link South Africa Ratings Afrika’s recent report has shed some light on the financial struggles faced by South Africa’s municipalities Ratings Afrika's recent report has shed some light on the financial struggles faced by South Africa's municipalities, attributing these challenges to weak governance. The report underscores the persistent issues surrounding financial sustainability, which in turn lead to inadequate service delivery for a significant portion of the population. The organisation's analyst Leon Claassen raised concerns about the potential for certain municipalities to become dysfunctional if these issues are not addressed effectively: […] todayApril 12, 2024 11
insert_link World FBI warns of coordinated attack on US, following Moscow concert hall killings The FBI is warning of a possible coordinated attack on the United States. It comes in the wake of an attack in Russia, with ISIS gunmen killing at least 144 people at a concert venue last month. Nick Harper reports from New York. todayApril 12, 2024 10
insert_link South Africa South African city of Ekurhuleni’s New Mayor Prioritizes Sustainable Basic Services Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, the recently elected mayor of the South African city of Ekurhuleni, emphasizes that his primary focus is ensuring the consistent provision of essential services throughout the metro. He takes office as the fourth mayor in less than four years, succeeding Sivuyile Ngodwana of the African Independent Congress, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence last month. Xhakaza, representing the ANC, expresses confidence in his ability to […] todayApril 12, 2024 13
