Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-10-11 i Mercury

Recent Southern African Fraud Prevention Service statistics paint a concerning picture, reporting a 32% increase in fraud incidents and a staggering 54% rise in impersonation fraud victims compared to 2023. As October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we urge the country’s investors to remain vigilant against the rising tide of digital fraud. The digital landscape has become a hunting ground for sophisticated scammers. They're not just after your personal information; they're targeting your hard-earned investments. Globally, we're seeing increasingly clever tactics, from fake investment platforms to impersonation of financial advisers on social media. Social media While social media platforms have become valuable resources for investment tips and financial news, they've also opened new avenues for fraudsters. Social media is well and truly integrated into our daily lives. However, investors need to…

SOCIAL media has been buzzing with the latest beauty trend: hair cycling. Much like skin cycling, a term used for applying different skincare products on specific days, hair cycling is gaining popularity for its systematic approach to haircare. What is hair cycling? Hair cycling refers to a structured routine for caring for your hair and scalp. Dr Nazanin Saedi, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University, said the method had become popular alongside skin cycling due to its similar approach. While skin cycling involves using retinol, exfoliants and hydrators on rotation, hair cycling focuses on alternating between haircare products. Stefani Kappel, a board-certified dermatologist, told Martha Stewart’s blog that hair cycling was essentially an intentional haircare routine. “The practice means creating a specific routine…

As the world celebrates World Egg Day today, it’s time to crack open some new ideas about incorporating this incredible nutrient powerhouse into your meals. Established in Vienna in 1996, World Egg Day is a celebration of the myriad benefits of eggs. Over the years, egg enthusiasts have created an exciting array of dishes that go beyond the humble fried egg. Let’s explore four fun and mouth-watering egg recipes that will change your perspective on eggs! Shakshuka At the heart of Middle Eastern cuisine, shakshuka is a dish that enchants the senses. This captivating dish features soft-cooked eggs poached in a rich, peppery tomato sauce, enticing diners with every forkful. The experience is heightened when paired with crusty bread – perfect for dipping in the fragrant, runny yolk. Serve it…

Yet again, Transnet has been derailed. It bought locomotives from Spain but it can’t use them because they are too big for our lines. Now they are lying idle in some railway yard, collecting dust and rust. Millions of rand down the drain. Not really, though. It must have gone into some crook’s pockets. And the fool who made the deal must be sitting by his swimming pool with his feet up and sipping some expensive French cognac. Not satisfied with the Spanish blunder, Transnet then went to China and bought 160 locomotives from China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation [CRRC]. The locomotives are not even 10 years old and yet several of them are standing idle, broken. CRRC is refusing to supply spares to fix the engines because of some…

During the twentieth century, references to the right-wing or left-wing instantly stereotyped a person’s politics. But with the advent of globalism as the agenda of an assortment of Marxists, so-called progressives, (some) liberals, socialists, secularists and anyone who is anti-nationalist, the label “right-wing” is no longer an apt one for people who are not globalists. Although Donald Trump is a life-long liberal, he has repeatedly described his policies as based on common sense and what is good for America. Upholding history, heritage and the Constitution, rejecting wokeism and open borders, recognising the fallacy of the globalist green deal, lowering taxes and reducing regulations that hamper job creation and raise prices are all sensible policies. Yet Trump is dismissed as “right-wing.” What the policies of globalism have done is cause…

THE ANC’s decision to ditch the DA as a political ally in Tshwane could have an impact on future alliances in other Metros or municipalities where there are discussions about forming governments of unity. This is according to DA provincial chairperson and KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers yesterday. The ANC in Tshwane supported a motion of no confidence that led to the DA’s mayor Cilliers Brink being ousted and replaced on Wednesday by the ActionSA’s Nasiphi Moya. Moya will be leading a multi-party coalition government that will include the ANC, EFF and other smaller parties. DA federal leader Helen Zille criticised the move and threatened to pull out of the Government of National Unity (GNU), sparking tension between her party and the ANC. Rodgers, speaking at a panel discussion hosted…

SA employees reported being depressed, clinically stressed, generally anxious and experiencing burnout in a recent survey. Almost 40% of employees surveyed were afraid that they may soon lose their jobs, and close to one in five often have to do two jobs because workers who resign are not replaced. This was according to a “Working Life” online survey conducted by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), in the lead up to World Mental Health Day observed globally yesterday. This year’s theme focused on mental health in the workplace. The online survey collected over 960 responses. “Work emerged as a consistent stressor for many survey respondents, regardless of their employment sector, which included education, health, NPOs, finance, government, retail and media,” Sadag reported. Over half (52%) of respondents have…

A Limpopo police officer has been arrested in connection with allegations of insurance fraud. The officer who holds the rank of Sergeant within the South African Police Services (SAPS) was arrested yesterday morning. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the on-duty sergeant was arrested on allegations that she was fraudulently benefiting from funeral, accidental and life policy covers from various banks and insurance companies. “According to investigations, she (allegedly) started her killing spree in 2019. “Her victims were known to her and were from destitute and disadvantaged backgrounds and some were disabled or mentally challenged.” Mathe said the modus operandi was that she would take out life policies and funeral covers on their behalf and she would be the beneficiary, she would then carry out the murders. “She is…

The Eastern Cape continues to report the highest femicide rates in the country, while Gauteng saw a significant increase in cases during 2020/21. The South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) Gender & Health Research Unit released the results from their fourth national femicide study, which revealed that South Africa continues to have some of the highest femicide rates in the world. A disturbing increase in intimate partner femicide and a decline in convictions was highlighted. The report covered the four surveys from 1999 to 2020/21 – the first year of Covid-19. According to the report, 60% of women murdered in 2020/21 were killed by an intimate partner, an increase from previous years. Despite an overall drop in femicide during the pandemic’s alcohol ban periods, intimate partner femicide increased. Convictions also…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has decided not to prosecute any of the suspects implicated in the controversial Phala Phala case. In a statement yesterday, the NPA said Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Limpopo, Advocate Mukhali Ivy Thenga has taken a decision not to prosecute. The NPA said this decision followed a comprehensive investigation process that was conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI) following a complaint laid by Arthur Fraser with the South African Police Service (SAPS). The criminal complaint was registered against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The NPA said Fraser requested the SAPS to investigate the conduct of the President and that of Major General Wally Roode, alleging that it amounted to the commission of money laundering and corruption. “The investigations also covered any possible…

ORGANISATIONS worldwide are struggling with mental health challenges, with anxiety being described as the top mental health issue in the workplace today. South African organisations and higher education institutions are no exception to this. The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated every year on October 10, is workplace mental health and it highlights the importance of addressing mental health and well-being in the workplace. Deadlines, interpersonal relationships, management of staff, negative characteristics of the workplace, and dealing with work-related issues that arise are considered some of the primary factors leading to work-related mental ill-health. Furthermore, worldwide as well as South African transformations, including technological developments, shifts in the nature of work, demographic changes, financial instability and demands, and re-skilling and upskilling to adapt to new…

PhilippineS President Ferdinand Marcos challenged Chinese Premier Li Qiang over recent clashes in the South China Sea at regional summit talks yesterday as fears grow that conflict could erupt in the disputed waterway. Li met the leaders of the 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) at their gathering in Laos after a day of discussions dominated by the Myanmar civil war. There has been a spate of violent clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels in recent months in waters around disputed reefs and islands in the South China Sea. Marcos raised the issue in the meeting with Li, arguing that “you cannot separate economic co-operation from political security”, a South-East Asian diplomat who attended the meeting told reporters. The Li summit was largely focused on trade and came the…

Myanmar security forces have arrested a prominent democracy activist and protest leader in a night-time raid in commercial hub Yangon, a member of his protest group said. Paing Phyo Min was arrested late on Wednesday after authorities entered a residence in east Yangon’s Thaketa township, Nan Lin of the “Anti-junta Alliance Yangon” protest group said. Paing Phyo Min had not been heard from since. Amnesty International said it understood Paing Phyo Min and Shein Wai Aung, another activist, “were arrested on 9 October and sent to an interrogation centre.” Shein Wai Aung and his father, mother and sister were all uncontactable, Amnesty said. Junta authorities in Yangon were not immediately reachable when contacted by AFP. In 2019, under the quasi-civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, Paing Phyo Min was…

MAPUTO: Vote counting was under way in Mozambique following a peaceful national election, expected to see the ruling Frelimo party extend its 49 years in power. Initial district results are anticipated soon, while official results will take around two weeks. The winner will face challenges including an Islamist insurgency disrupting gas projects and high debt levels. Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo, 47, is favoured to win despite accusations of past election rigging. His main challenger, independent Venancio Mondlane, has energised the youth. President Filipe Nyusi is stepping down after serving two terms. | Reuters…

KAMPALA: Uganda celebrated 62 years of independence from British colonial rule on Wednesday, with President Yoweri Museveni calling for wealth creation. During the celebration in the eastern Ugandan district of Busia, Museveni emphasised value addition to agricultural products. “The problem with Africa and other colonies is their focus on producing only raw materials, which has been detrimental to the continent,” Museveni said, noting that Uganda had been adding value to its products to fetch more export revenue. Under government development programmes, about 67% of the population was involved in the money economy. | Xinhua…

The media corps spent most of their interview session with Yusuf Maart at the Taung Village in Nasrec yesterday pinning him down on whether he’ll hoist a trophy this season. The Kaizer Chiefs captain cut a subdued figure, keeping his head down during the session, while the morning sunshine in the south of Johannesburg didn’t help his cause either. In his replies, Maart did his best not to put his head on the block and make daring promises, which would whet the appetite of the starving Amakhosi fans. It’s now been 10 years since Chiefs bagged a trophy, having last tasted success in the Premiership under then-coach Stuart Baxter, whose club captain was Itumeleng Khune. But perhaps for the first time since that 2014/2015 season, there’s a resounding belief around…

“My wife’s daughter (12) lives with us – and not with her dad – and was very warm, loving and friendly to me for three years. This is one year of dating and now we have been married for 2 years. The child could not have been happier or more helpful. But seemingly overnight she has become moody and angry and ignores me which is tough for me but I get out of her way. My wife feels trapped by this change because she doesn’t want friction in the family. There has been no event that seemed to spark this change and she refuses to sit and talk. She’s in her room and comes out for school and that’s about it. It seems like her life is on her phone.”…

The merits and demerits of the summative matriculation examination have been perennially debated, going back to the time of Sir Winston Churchill whose academic struggles are legendary. Given the fact that the matric exam period is highly stressful, and given that in its aftermath some pupils have tragically taken their own lives, such debates are necessary but we need to consider the practicalities of alternative forms of assessment. Ongoing formative assessment has its merits but it cannot replace a final, standardised summative examination such as matric. Formative assessments can be subjective, something that I witnessed in my days as a school inspector for English. At some schools, teachers were openly hostile when I questioned the quality of their tests and assessments in English. My colleagues in other subject disciplines also…

Eskom is seeking a 36.15% electricity price increase for April 2025, sparking concern among South Africans. While price hikes are not new, this increase could impact the energy market’s growth and renewable energy adoption. However, there is positive momentum in the sector due to recent policy changes aimed at liberalising the energy market. The government’s Energy Action Plan and the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act have enabled private power generation and increased Independent Power Producers’ (IPPs) role, creating a diversified and competitive energy market. This diversification aims to reduce reliance on Eskom and drive down electricity costs. Renewable energy, which is significantly cheaper than traditional fossil fuels, offers a promising path. But the sector still faces challenges in ensuring accurate billing and streamlined energy transactions. Local software solutions like Amptera and…

DESPITE uncertain global economic times, the outlook for the South African economy remains positive. This was revealed by the wealth management group Citadel at a presentation to clients on the outlook of the country’s economy, yesterday. George Herman, Citadel’s Chief Investment Officer, said the country’s markets had responded positively to the Government of National Unity (GNU), adding that he expected interest rate cuts of more than 1% in the next year and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to possibly reach the 2% mark. Herman said: “The GNU was the best case scenario for the markets and economy, and financials have responded well. Previously the financial markets had a high risk premium before the 2024 elections and after the formation of the GNU, the risk premium reduced, equity prices went up and…

Civil rights organisation Section27 has hauled President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Constitutional Court over the signing of the Copyright Amendment Bill. The public interest law centre, representing Blind SA, has approached the apex court on an urgent basis accusing Ramaphosa of failing to sign the bill. The significant move comes two years after the Concourt ruled that the Copyright Act was unconstitutional, as it restricted access to reading materials for the blind and visually impaired. The Copyright Act required individuals with visual impairments to obtain consent from copyright holders to convert books into accessible formats like braille or large print. However, the Concourt deemed this requirement unconstitutional and ordered Parliament to amend the Act by September 21, 2024. The court also introduced an exception to copyright for individuals with visual…

A man who is embroiled in divorce proceedings with his now estranged wife has discovered the hard way that past sins do catch up, as his infidelity and the fact that he had fathered two children behind his wife’s back have cost him the benefits he would have otherwise shared arising from the marriage being in community of property. The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, ordered in favour of the wife that their matrimonial home will now be registered in her name and that he will not benefit from half of its proceeds. He will also lose his half portion of her pension benefits, and the family car will now belong solely to her. The wife turned to the court, where she complained about the husband’s conduct and asked for the…

The right to privacy where certain information is already in the public domain against the right to freedom of expression came under the spotlight in the Constitutional Court, when an insurance broker complained about his private information, including his home address, being published on social media. This legal issue has been determined by the high court, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), and ultimately landed in the apex court. It was sparked when an insurance broker, who is also a farmer, complained after a wildlife conservationist posted pictures on social media of a dead baboon and porcupine found in cages on the broker’s premises. The Eastern Cape farmer, and insurance broker, Herman Botha was livid after conservationist Bool Smuts posted pictures of the dead animals on Facebook. Also included were…

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za A pastor and two security guards have been arrested after allegedly extorting money from two shops owned by Chinese nationals in Milnerton, Cape Town, in the Western Cape. Their arrest comes after eight police officers were arrested on Monday for the same crime. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said the 51-year-old pastor was arrested on a bus to Laingsburg on Wednesday, one of the security officers was arrested at the mall where the extortion occurred, while his colleague was arrested yesterday at his home in Khayelitsha. Traut said one former police officer was also arrested for the crime and he appeared alongside the eight officers. “This brings the total number of suspects to 12 in relation to the incident.” He said the suspects are expected to appear in…

There was absolute joy on the faces of the Springbok Women’s rugby team last Saturday at Athlone Stadium when Siya Kolisi joined them before their match against Australia. It’s not every day that you get a double world champion in your changeroom, and the Bok men’s schedule is hectic at the best of times. Apart from national duty, they are also playing for their clubs around the world. But part of Kolisi’s decision to leave French side Racing 92 and return to the Sharks in Durban was to be back home among South Africans, and make a greater contribution to society. And that includes the Bok Women and helping them to grow and gain a greater share of the public’s attention. Kolisi gave great insight into the team selected against…

The owner of 7-Eleven announced a major restructuring yesterday as it seeks to boost its share price and fend off what would be the biggest foreign takeover of a Japanese firm. Seven & i Holdings rejected a $40 billion (R703bn) takeover bid last month from Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT). The Canadian group has reportedly sweetened its offer since then. CEO Ryuichi Isaka did not disclose details of ACT’s latest proposal at a media conference yesterday, but called the restructuring an “important step towards global growth”. “Managing our business with capital efficiency in mind is a way to go beyond the value of the proposal and to be appreciated by our shareholders,” he said. 7-Eleven “konbini” are a ubiquitous lifeline for Japan’s ageing population and a one-stop shop for everything from rice…

MUMBAI: Mourners gathered yesterday in India’s financial capital, Mumbai, for the funeral of industrialist Ratan Tata, who led one of the country’s biggest conglomerates. Tata, who died aged 86 on Wednesday, transformed the Tata Group into a sprawling international enterprise, with a portfolio ranging from software to sports cars. His coffin, draped in an Indian flag, was flanked by a guard of honour, with a marching band. Mumbai declared a day of mourning. “A titan of Indian industry”, The Hindu newspaper called him on its front page. Tata took over his family’s empire in 1991. His 21 years at its helm saw the salt-to-steel conglomerate expand its global footprint. | AFP…

STOCKHOLM: Swedish police said yesterday that they were investigating a shooting near an Israeli target in the city of Gothenburg, which the national broadcaster said was a unit of Israeli defence electronics firm Elbit Systems. There were no reports of injuries, police said. Elbit Systems Sweden declined to comment. A suspect was apprehended at the scene and a preliminary investigation into suspected attempted murder and serious weapons crime had been initiated, police added. The suspect was under 15 years of age. Police said investigators were not aware of threats against other Israeli targets in the region. | Reuters…

The inedibles are starting to give a good account of themselves. There have been kingfish around in good numbers, with most being taken on lures. One of the biggest game changers in the last few years was the use of quality quick change clips for most fishing facets. These allow you to swap out lures quickly from a plug to a spoon or change from a trace with wire to a full nylon one. On the competition side, it allows anglers to prepare baits on traces and then just clip on and throw to make the most of a bite. If you haven’t tried these yet, get some proper quality clips and see how much more you enjoy your fishing. The upper reaches of KZN have been a bit quiet…

HEINRICH Klaasen, argubly the world’s most sought- after middle-order batter, announced his return to domestic cricket with a characteristically destructive half- century to guide the Titans to a bonus-point T20 Challenge victory over Boland at Centurion on Wednesday night. Klaasen smacked an unbeaten 71 off 32 deliveries, a knock that saw the right-handed batter hit his signature pull shots over the square-leg boundary as he muscled five sixes and as many fours in his innings. Klaasen has been playing cricket without much rest from the beginning of the year with Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20 through to the end of July, when he represented the Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket in the US. In-between, the 33-year-old had to show up for international series with the Proteas and play…

This year has proven to be as unpredictable as the last, especially for investors seeking to diversify their portfolios and hedge against inflation. The commodities market is emerging as a key area of interest for investors, with the likes of gold, oil, lithium, and hydrogen proving popular. To mark World Investor Week taking place from 7 to 13 October, here are some key market trends and insights for savvy investors. Unlike financial assets the value of commodities is largely determined by supply and demand dynamics. Commodities are playing an essential role in portfolios in 2024, particularly as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. This fundamental difference makes commodities a vital tool for diversification, especially during periods of market volatility. Top performing commodities 1. Gold: Gold continues to live…

One of the biggest lies that the Zionists constantly peddle to the masses and to themselves, is that Palestine was for the Jews, ‘a land without people for people without a land’. This was a political slogan used by the infamous Lord Balfour, who signed the Balfour declaration, officially catalysing the mass displacement of Palestinians and the Nakba event in 1948. According to Israeli historian Ilan Pappe, this fantastical claim that Palestine was an empty, vacant and barren land is simply untrue yet this is not the picture painted if official Israeli sources are anything to go by. Such sources claim “Sixteenth-century Palestine, it appears, was mainly Jewish, and the commercial lifeblood of the region was concentrated in the Jewish communities in these towns.” And that by 1800, “Palestine had…

A week or so ago, I had occasion to drive down from the Midlands to Durban. On such occasions I always take the Old Road, declining to share the N3 with giant coal trucks, giant contraptions delivering new vehicles, other giant trucks carrying commercial goods, and so on - all of which would previously have been transported on the railways before they collapsed. The Old Road is actually a pleasant and relaxing experience, a sort of reliving of one’s youth when that was the only way to the coast - Ashburton, Camperdown, Cato Ridge, Botha’s Hill and so on, glimpses of a Valley of a Thousand Hills. Memories, memories. An easy, relaxed drive in spite of the occasional hairpin bend. It is all at moderate speed and you’re more or…

The visa reforms gazetted this week by the Home Affairs Minister have been widely welcomed as they are expected to boost economic growth in the country. On Wednesday, Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, gazetted the Remote Work Visa which will enable individuals who are employed abroad to work and live in South Africa, while the new Points-Based System for skilled work visas is expected to make it easier for South African companies to attract foreigners with scarce skills. President Cyril Ramaphosa said the “opportunities unlocked by our new system are a passport to faster economic growth and to welcoming more people around the world to our beautiful country”. The presidency said the reforms looked to achieve more rapid and inclusive growth and create jobs by removing the constraints…

THE eThekwini Municipality will have to fork out about R30 million plus interest to pay a service provider after losing an appeal in a legal matter that dates back almost six years. The City is involved in a long-running contractual dispute with the company Daily Double Trading 479 cc/Pholobas Projects that led to some of the municipality’s assets being seized in 2022. The case was heard by three judges, and the judgment was handed down in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on October 7. This followed after the municipality had successfully petitioned the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) for leave to appeal. The saga between the City and the company has been continuing for close to six years. In 2022, the City was left embarrassed after the sheriff of the court…

AUDITOR-GENERAL (AG) Tsakani Maluleke has flagged civil claims against the SAPS as a concern. In her report, Maluleke said SAPS was a defendant in a number of lawsuits. “The ultimate outcome of the matters could not be determined and no provision for any liability that may result was made in the financial statement,” she said. She also raised concern about the failure of the police to provide evidence to support the achievements recorded in the 2023-24 financial year. The SAPS’s annual report stated that 15 139 new civil claims valued at R21.54 billion were registered during the period under review. Briefing the police portfolio committee, Auditor General South Africa official Thabelo Musisinyani said they found a number of targets set for the medium-term strategic framework were not met. Another auditor…

A 33-year-old man has appeared in the Qumbu Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape following a fatal shooting that claimed the lives of six patrollers. The man is facing charges that include six counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder. He was remanded in police custody and the matter will be heard on October 16 for bail consideration. Police said the court ordered that the identity of the accused be withheld due to the nature of the investigation. The shooting incident on October 6 took place at Lugongozo Junior Secondary School in Tina Falls, near Qumbu. It is alleged that just before 11pm, a group of at least eight men, who were armed with rifles and handguns opened fire on a group of community patrollers. At the time,…

While Rivers of Living Waters Church leader Bishop Bafana Stephen Zondo will be back on Monday in the Sebokeng Magistrates Court to face eight counts of sexual assault, his rape trial in Pretoria will only resume next year. His Gauteng High Court, Pretoria trial is scheduled to run from March 3 until 20, when it will be Zondo’s turn to present his defence. He earlier pleaded not guilty to 10 sex-related charges, and although he did not divulge his defence, it became clear during the prosecution’s case that he claims his alleged victims are lying - either in a bid to extort money from him or to start their own rival church. The last witness the prosecution called was well-known forensic psychologist Professor Gerard Labuschagne, who provided psychological insights into…

The country loses nearly 50% of its treated water supply before it reaches consumers WE KEEP stressing that South Africa is a water-stressed country and that we are reaching the limits to what the resource can offer in terms of demand and growth. Yet it is unfortunate and unacceptable that in these times nearly 50% of all treated water supply by our municipalities is lost before it reaches paying or needy customers as a result of failing infrastructure together with poor governance, vandalism and theft. The issue is that in some areas these losses reach levels of nearly 70%. The situation is so alarming and together with poor water use behaviour, puts our habitats and security at risk. On October 7, we marked World Habitat Day and as we enter…

US Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has erased Republican rival Donald Trump’s advantage in the vast middle of American society: suburban residents and middle-income households, an analysis of Reuters/Ipsos polling shows. Since President Joe Biden ended his flagging re-election bid on July 21, Vice-President Harris has pulled into the lead in both the large demographic groups, reinvigorating Democrats’ prospects in the November 5 election, though the race remains close. Suburbanites, who make up about half the US electorate and are as racially diverse as the nation at large, are a key prize. Biden beat Trump in suburban counties by about six percentage points in the 2020 presidential election. Before he dropped out, Trump was leading him 43% to 40% among suburbanites in Reuters/Ipsos polls conducted in June and July. Harris…

The third African Business and Human Rights Forum opened on Wednesday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, with delegates calling for embedding the principles of equity, fairness and inclusion in the continent’s private sector. The theme for the two-day forum, convened by a consortium of UN agencies and regional blocs, is “Promoting responsible business conduct in a rapidly changing world”. Over 500 participants, including policymakers, industry executives, diplomats, representatives of academia and civil society, are attending the forum that aims to foster dialogue and peer-to-peer learning on adopting business models that advance ethical and sustainable practices. Kenyan Attorney General Dorcas Oduor said African countries should enact policies and laws that advance rights-centred commercial activities to foster peace, harmony, inclusivity and sustainable growth on the continent. Oduor said that Kenya was…

BERLIN: The German government has downgraded the forecast for the country’s economic growth, projecting a decline by 0.2% , Economy Minister Robert Habeck said this week. The government had hoped for economic growth of plus 0.3%. This will be the second-consecutive year in which the economy declined, although the government expects a 1.1% growth of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) next year due to the new measures to support the economy. The minister cited demographic changes, Germany’s difficult competitive position and weak demand as factors negatively affecting GDP growth. | Sputnik…

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden’s decision to remain in the US – resulting in the postponement of a summit in Germany organised by Ukraine’s Nato allies – was not due to Hurricane Milton, said ex-defence analyst Karen KwiatkowskI. She expressed concerns that Biden may not fully grasp the situation in Ukraine and could inadvertently embarrass the US. Kwiatkowski said that the Biden administration must resolve new issues in Ukraine while mitigating previous policy failures. She said Nato allies understood that timely military support to save Ukraine may not arrive, and there was an urgent need for a post-war Ukraine plan. | Sputnik…