Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-10-29 i Mercury

Southern Palladium has announced the completion of a pre-feasibility study for its 70% owned Bengwenyama platinum group metals (PGM) project and has outlined its viability centred on an estimated 29 years life of mine and total mine production of 45 million tons. As at the end of last month, Southern Palladium - which appointed Roger Baxter as executive chairman - had about A$5.43 million (R63.6 million) in cash, excluding funds held by its other 70% subsidiary, Miracle Upon Miracle Investments. Yesterday, Southern Palladium said pre-feasibility studies for Bengwenyama “indicate very attractive economics justifying development” of the project. “The life of mine from the UG2 reef alone is estimated at 29 years with a total of approximately 45 million tons mined for an average annual steady state saleable product of 400…

I’m convinced that you and I have superpowers and the capacity to radically transform our immediate circle of influence. Our capacity for hospitality is a superpower and, as powerful as it is, it goes beyond opening our homes to guests and strangers. It’s opening our hearts to everyone we encounter. It’s simple friendliness. It’s a no-strings attached welcome to all. Our capacity for generosity is a superpower. We have it in us to share, to give, to alleviate burdens for others. It’s extending this natural gift to those who least expect it from us that elevates natural generosity into a superpower. It's a planned, no-strings attached sharing of time and resources. Our capacity to both hear and listen to people is a superpower. When we offer people undivided attention and…

King Charles III went to Samoa with Queen consort Camilla to open the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government of Meeting [CHOGM]. En route to Samoa, he stopped over in Australia to pay a royal visit. Being the first king to visit Australia, he received a warm royal welcome by both the settlers and the aborigines. The Australians bore no grudge against the former colonial power for banishing their forefathers to the penal colony on the other side of the world for such petty crimes as even stealing a loaf of bread. Like the Indian cane cutters who came to Natal to toil in the sugar cane fields, they persevered and through sheer determination and hard work they overcame great obstacles and hardships in a distant, strange land and turned the…

Tensions in the Government of National Unity (GNU) have played out yet again with a public disagreement between Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber and the presidency over South Africa’s visa-free agreement with Ukraine. On Sunday, Schreiber announced a significant agreement for visa-free access for Ukrainian holders of diplomatic, official, and service passports to South Africa, expressing pride in this historic move. “We continue to see Ukraine as a valued ally, who supported us right from the beginning, from the days of our Struggle against apartheid, right through to now,” he said. In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya expressed concerns about the timing of the announcement, asserting that the president had not yet formally authorised Schreiber’s signing of the agreement. “It is unclear how the minister can announce the…

A COMMUNITY meeting attended by non-government organisations (NGOs) has resolved that a herd of about 30 elephants that escaped from a private game reserve near Ulundi last week must be removed dead or alive. This is according to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo, who said they have received an urgent call from the kwaMpumpula community in KwaCeza asking for assistance with the escaped elephants. Ezemvelo said last week that several families from the area were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge with relatives, while others stayed on high alert due to the elephants roaming in the area. Mntambo said the residents feared that they were in danger of an “imminent attack.” He said a herd of elephants had also entered the Esidakaneni area under Inkosi Ndebele, causing…

A five-year-old boy lost his life in a shooting incident in Zwelisha, near Verulam. The shooting incident that claimed the life of Jeremiah Xolo took place on Sunday night. KZN police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said police in Inanda are investigating a case of murder following an incident in which a five-year-old boy was shot and killed by an unknown suspect at Amaotana, Zwelisha, on October 27. “Reports indicate that the boy was sitting with his mother when an unknown vehicle drove by and the child was shot.” According to private security company Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), their control room was inundated with telephone calls reporting the shooting. “Callers reported that a child was shot in the head and was unresponsive,” said Rusa boss Prem Balram. “Upon arrival at…

It’s not only Santa Claus that will bring festive season gifts this Christmas – the Durban ICC will be bringing cheer to children and adults alike with the staging of the hit family show Elf the Musical Jr. The Durban ICC said Elf The Musical Jr, which has had record-breaking runs at Broadway, the West End and other leading theatres globally, will add to the venue’s efforts to continually explore new and innovative revenue-generating streams to diversify its offerings and ensure sustainability. Lindiwe Rakharebe, CEO of Durban ICC, said Elf The Musical Jr was a strategic addition to the Durban ICC’s entertainment portfolio, aimed at attracting a broad audience during one of the busiest periods of the year. “December is peak season for holidaymakers in Durban, with the City bustling…

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is owed about R14 billion by clients including R4 million by current and former parliamentarians. This was revealed by Minister Dean Macpherson in written response to parliamentary questions from ANC MP Carol Mokgadi Phiri. Macpherson said the department was faced with significant and structural weaknesses. “We should not underestimate the scale of the problem we face in bringing this department into financial and operational viability. This is also not something that is going to be done quickly, but given a term in government, I believe we can bring the department and its entities into a full clean audit, coupled with a healthy financial outlook,” he said. Macpherson stated that the financial problems faced by the department included an overdraft of more than R3…

The recent release of the Volt Typhoon III report has unveiled troubling truths about the United States’ cyber operations, casting a long shadow over its claims of moral superiority in cybersecurity. This report exposes the US not only as a participant but also as an orchestrator, effectively weaponising its cyber capabilities to frame other nations for its espionage activities. The implications of these revelations are profound, demanding accountability, and a re-evaluation of the US’s role in the global cyber landscape. At the heart of the Volt Typhoon III report is the assertion that US cyber forces engage in deceptive practices that undermine international stability. By conducting operations designed to blame other countries for cyber intrusions, the US not only diverts attention from its actions but also contributes to escalating tensions.…

Distrust of the US has been growing across sub-Saharan Africa for decades, with recent developments widening the country’s credibility gap and offering little hope for improvement. Earlier this month, US President Joe Biden postponed a trip abroad scheduled for October13-15, which included stops in Germany and Angola, opting instead to focus on preparations for Hurricane Milton’s arrival in Florida. Biden briefly visited Germany on October 17-18, but his first trip to Africa as president has been postponed until December after the US elections. For some African observers, the delay underscores the low priority of African affairs within US political strategy. Meanwhile, signs of dissatisfaction among African nations regarding US involvement are growing. In August, Niger shut down the last US military base in the country, declaring its military co-operation agreement…

Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin faced growing pressure yesterday to quit from leaders of the revolution that toppled autocratic ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August, who argue he was her appointee. Shahabuddin, 74, widely known as “Chuppu”, was elected by parliament in 2023 by Hasina’s now ousted Awami League, but while the post is largely ceremonial, his potential removal from the role has sparked fears of a constitutional vacuum. The interim government is led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus as its “chief adviser”. Government spokesperson Syeda Rizwana Hasan, a minister in Yunus’s cabinet, said there was “an ongoing discussion regarding the removal” of Shahabuddin. “The demand for his removal stems from claims that he does not align with the spirit of the movement,” said Hasan. Earlier this month, Shahabuddin…

MOSCOW: US entrepreneur Elon Musk has promised to cut US budget spending by at least $2 trillion (about R35.4 trillion) if Republican candidate Donald Trump wins the presidential election in November. Musk was one of the headliners of Trump’s campaign rally held at the Madison Square Garden arena in New York. Fellow billionaire entrepreneur Howard Lutnick, who delivered a speech just before Musk, asked him how much the country’s budget spending, which amounts to $6.5 trillion, could be cut. “I think we can do at least $2 trillion,” Musk replied. Musk’s critics point out that this position is contrary to the interests of the companies owned by the entrepreneur. | Xinhua…

NEW YORK: New York City saw a big turnout in early voting for the 2024 general election, following the general trend. By the time polls were closed on Sunday, a total of 257 860 New Yorkers voted in the first two days of early voting for 2024, which started on Saturday, according to data issued by NYC Board of Elections. The first day of early voting logged 140 145 votes, nearly 50 000 more than that the votes logged on the first day in 2020. In some voting sites, voters waited up to 40 to 50 minutes to take their turn to vote. Onondaga, Oneida, Madison, Cayuga and Cortland Counties of New York State all saw a big increase in early votes on Saturday. | Xinhua…

Manqoba Mngqithi has urged his Mamelodi Sundowns’ troops to quickly bounce back from their loss away to Polokwane City, given that they do not have time to feel sorry for themselves. The Brazilians' perfect start to the Betway Premiership came to an end on Sunday afternoon as they suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Polokwane at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. And while the loss came in just their fifth league game of the season – after winning the first four – it seems Polokwane has shown to the rest of the teams in the league that Sundowns are there for the taking. As such, Mngqithi and his troops have all to do going forward as they are still expected to win an unprecedented eighth title in a row by…

Orlando Pirates fans are eagerly anticipating the chance to see 19-year-old teenage sensation Mohau Nkota in action against hosts TS Galaxy in today's Betway Premiership clash at the Mbombela Stadium. Nkota, who has quickly become a fan favourite, helped Pirates maintain their perfect Premiership win record with a stunning performance that included both goals in the 2-1 victory over AmaZulu at Orlando Stadium on Friday. Nkota's impressive performance would have been good enough to earn him another starting berth for tonight's encounter. With their perfect record on the line, the stakes are combined with the challenge from rivals Mamelodi Sundowns, who recently suffered a shock loss. This has kept the pressure firmly on Jose Riveiro and his team, reminding them that they have the capability to halt Sundowns' ambitions of…

IF YOU’RE planning to visit Spain or the Spanish Islands, it might be better to wear a sombrero and pass yourself off as a local. Anger against “over-tourism” is growing, according to the BBC. Locals in the Basque city of San Sebastian are carrying banners such as: “We are in danger — degrow tourism!” Next month, anti-tourism protesters will gather in Seville. Thousands turned out recently on the Canary Islands. This year’s protests began in April. They continued in many of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Some protesters squirted foreign visitors with water pistols and shouted: “Tourists go home!”. There have also been faeces smeared on to tourists’ door locks. Yes, invest in a sombrero — or perhaps in a bullfighter’s outfit. Jolly briefing This was surely an unusual…

From the Bee Gees’ How Deep Is Your Love to Neil Diamond’s Love on the Rocks; from Rod Stewart’s Have I Told You Lately That I Love You to Mariah Carey’s Without You; from Elton John’s Don’t Go Breaking My Heart to KC and the Sunshine Band’s Please Don’t Go - music has defined love. And Hans Christian Andersen was on track when he proclaimed, “Where words fail, music speaks”. So maybe rock band Queen’s hits I want to Break Free and Another One Bites The Dust, are symbolic of the dissolving of Siya and Rachel Kolisi’s marriage. Pardon my banter, but I just thought we needed a seasoning of persiflage as our nation mulls over the unexpected split of a Xhosa boy and a Grahamstown white girl. Siya Kolisi…

While the Minister of Health says the cause of death of the children in Naledi has been identified as organophosphate poisoning, it is still not known how the children came into contact with the chemical. The six children in Soweto - Karabo Rampou, 9, Njabulo Msimanga, 7, Ida Maama, 7, Monica Sebetwana, 6, Katlego Olifant, 7, and Isago Mabote, 8, died allegedly after consuming snacks from a spaza shop. While it was initially suspected that the food they consumed was contaminated, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi yesterday said the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) had concluded that the children died as a result of ingesting organophosphate. “Organophosphate is not one substance but a group of substances, which are usually used in agriculture or as pesticides. The organophosphate identified…

After five consecutive decreases, with petrol and diesel now at their lowest levels since February 2022, fuel prices are set to increase again in November. However the price hikes should be relatively modest, with the latest data from the Central Energy Fund suggesting an increase of around 30 cents for 95 unleaded petrol and 18 cents for 93 unleaded. This follows a R1.14 decrease in October. Diesel prices are looking likely to rise by about 23 cents in the case of 500ppm and 22 cents for the cleaner 50ppm. The official petrol and diesel prices for November will be announced by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy early next week. The new prices would come into effect on November 6. In terms of contributory factors, the risk remained low…

Mandla Mandela has maintained that the denial of his visa application to the UK was an infringement of his movement and an attempt to undermine the work of the Anti-Apartheid Movement in the UK. Mandela was forced to address the Sheffield and District African Caribbean Community Association (Sadacca) virtually this month after being unable to enter the UK as he awaited the issuing of his visa. He addressed the scheduled speaking tour titled “Dismantling Apartheid from South Africa to Palestine”. His visa application has since been denied. In a letter sent to Mandela, the UK government said they assessed his presence in the UK as “not conducive to the public good on the grounds that you have engaged in unacceptable behaviour”. “You have made multiple statements that explicitly support Hamas…

The decision by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board to permit fireworks sales at its Durban premises has caused an uproar, with an environmentalist and opposition party questioning the controversial move. The Sharks Board is facing growing demands to reverse its decision this week ahead of Diwali, the festival of lights. The environmental entity has leased out a building at its premises in Durban to a business selling fireworks. According to a notice, the sale began on Sunday and ends on Thursday. As a state entity that falls under the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea), the board is tasked with the protection of marine life. Following these revelations, a ratepayers’ group, an opposition party and an environmental organisation have spoken out against the decision, stating it reflects…

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is investigating allegations that some inmates, especially those who are wealthy, were receiving preferential treatment at KwaZulu-Natal prisons. One of the inmates identified in the probe is Durban businessman Thoshan Panday, whose appeal for bail was dismissed recently by the Durban High Court. Panday, 52, was arrested for allegedly defrauding the South African Revenue Services (SARS) of R7.3 million. He was denied bail a week later in the magistrate’s court and took the decision on appeal to the high court. Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said yesterday that National Commissioner, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, has taken decisive action in response to recent allegations regarding preferential treatment of affluent inmates, specifically Panday, at Westville Correctional Centre. According to reports, allegations have been raised that…

A pivotal figure who challenged both apartheid and homophobia IT HAS been an eventful year, with historical highlights in our country. This year marks 30 years since we were declared a democratic state and the same year we held our 7th general elections, the results of which produced a Government of National Unity (GNU). October 2024 also marks 34 years since Africa’s first Gay Pride march, which took place on October 13, 1990 in Johannesburg. The march was organised by Simon Tseko Nkoli, together with Beverly Ditsie, Edwin Cameron, and other activists who were part of the GLOW (Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwatersrand) collective. On this day, about 800 members of the LGBTQA+ community gathered to celebrate their queer identities and speak against the discrimination they continued to…

Oil prices tumbled yesterday with markets relieved that Israel’s strikes on Iran had avoided the country’s energy infrastructure while the yen fell to a three-month low after Japan’s ruling party suffered an election drubbing. Israel carried out air strikes on military sites in Iran on Saturday in response to Tehran’s October 1 missile barrage, itself retaliation for the killing of Iran-backed militant leaders and a Revolutionary Guards commander. Iran has downplayed the attack, saying it caused “limited damage” to a few radar systems, signalling what analysts say is the Islamic republic’s reluctance to escalate further. Oil prices fell as much as five percent in early trade before paring some of their losses. “Israel’s strike, carefully avoiding energy sites, has softened fears of a full-scale conflict with Iran,” said Stephen Innes,…

Lithuania’s incoming Social Democratic government will target defence spending of at least 3.5% of its gross domestic product, the party’s leader said yesterday. The Baltic country of 2.9 million people, which neighbours Russia, will spend about 3% of GDP on its armed forces this year, according to Nato estimates, making it the military alliance’s sixth-biggest spender as a share of its economy. Three-quarters of Lithuanians think Russia could attack their country in the near future, a Baltijos Tyrimai/ELTA opinion poll found in May, following its attack on Ukraine in 2022. “Our election manifesto says that it should be not less than 3.5%, and this is unavoidable ... security and defence will receive as much money as needed,” Social Democrat leader Vilija Blinkeviciute said after her party’s landslide election victory on…

SEOUL: The South Korean military has been proved to be the “principal” of the drone incursion into the capital city of North Korea, reports said yesterday. The act was aimed at scattering anti-North Korea leaflets, according to the final investigation results released a day earlier by the Ministry of National Defence. The KCNA report offered a record showing that after taking off at Paekryong Island at on October 8, the drone flew over Jangyon County of South Hwanghae Province and the waters around the Cho Islet and then to the waters around Namjoap Islet, before it flew over Chollima District. | Xinhua…

GABORONE: Botswana has officially launched its latest innovation in electric transportation, the Electric Boat (eBoat), marking a significant milestone in the country’s commitment to achieving e-mobility. This initiative adds to a series of green transport products unveiled by the government recently, as highlighted by President Mokgweetsi Masisi in a speech delivered on his behalf by Vice-President Slumber Tsogwane on Sunday. Tsogwane said that Botswana was aligning with the goals that aim to increase the use of renewable energy sources across various sectors, including the production and distribution of goods and services. | Xinhua…

Chelsea showcased a blend of youthful exuberance and tenacity during their thrilling 2-1 victory against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge, propelling them closer to a coveted spot in the Premier League's top four. With an average age of just 23 years and 89 days, the Blues proved that age is merely a number when it comes to fighting spirit and skill on the pitch. In a match defined by high stakes and intensity, it was 22-year-old Cole Palmer who emerged as the hero, netting the winner in the second half to bring his tally to 19 goals in just 15 league games at Chelsea's home ground. Reflecting on the match, Palmer acknowledged the challenges posed by the youthful squad. “I feel like we've got to show personality because we're so…

The South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) denounces the South African government’s latest submission against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This document, known as a memorial, attempts to bolster South Africa’s baseless genocide charges, first lodged against Israel in December 2023. This latest legal manoeuvre not only distorts international law but also trivialises genuine cases of genocide throughout history. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola’s recent claims about South Africa providing “forensic detail” about the charge in the legal papers cannot disguise the fundamental emptiness of these accusations. The term genocide, as precisely defined under international law, refers to the systematic and deliberate destruction of a specific ethnic, national, or religious group. Israel’s defensive operations in Gaza, initiated only after Hamas’ brutal 7 October 2023 attack,…

The DA wholeheartedly supports the adoption of the Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report (BRRR) recommendation for a comprehensive skills audit of top management within the SAPS and station commanders nationwide. This essential audit aims to verify that SAPS leadership and station commanders possess the competencies required to build a professional, capable police force that can respond to both current and future challenges. By assessing the skills of these key leaders, SAPS will be better positioned to develop an agile and well-prepared management team that can confront the growing complexities of policing in South Africa. The DA firmly agrees that this is a pivotal step toward enhancing leadership effectiveness, fostering continuous development, and ensuring SAPS aligns with its strategic goals. In addition, the BRRR calls for SAPS to prioritise comprehensive training…

The 252 bank cards found in possession of a police constable, who was arrested for the alleged theft of a hijack victim’s bank card, were allegedly stolen during the looting of the Absa and African Bank branches at Bridge City Mall in KwaMashu during the 2021 July unrest. This was revealed during the bail application of Constable Minenhle Makhaye in the Durban Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Makhaye was arrested for the alleged theft of a bank card belonging to the mother of Zarah Ramsamy, 11, who was killed in a hijacking last month. It is alleged that the hijacked vehicle, was abandoned in Cato Manor, and Makhaye had been told to drive the vehicle to Malvern SAPS. Makhaye took the bank card during this trip and used it to purchase alcohol.…

South Africa has returned to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), situated at The Hague in Netherlands, to file its memorial in the ongoing case against Israel. In the memorial, South Africa intends to provide facts and evidence to prove that Israel is committing the crime of genocide in Palestine. The Presidency said the case will continue until the international court makes a finding. “While the case is in progress, we hope that Israel will abide by the court’s provisional orders issued to date,” Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated last month. He added that the case represented a growing global effort towards ensuring peace in the Middle East, and several countries, namely, Nicaragua, Palestine, Türkiye, Spain, Mexico, Libya and Colombia, have joined South Africa’s case against Israel. Dr Atilla Kisla,…

The National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) is urging the National Treasury to increase funding for shelters that care for abused women and children, amid widespread gender-based violence (GBV) in the country. The call comes as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to present the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement tomorrow in Cape Town. The NSMSA recently held the annual GBV Shelter Indaba, which revealed the severe underfunding of shelters. The board chairperson at NSMSA, Dianne Massawe, called for financial support from the government, highlighting that shelters are a safe haven for GBV victims, especially for women who have endured abuse from their intimate partners. “While the Indaba clearly showed the critical role that civil society plays in addressing this issue, which could have implications for more than half…

National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola says while recent mass shootings in the country were a concern, the police service was continuously improving their methods for fighting crime. Masemola yesterday highlighted that since May 2023, police have arrested over 900 000 individuals through Operation Shanela, which focuses on combating crime in high-density areas. “The ongoing mass shootings in provinces like the Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape are a concern and requires us as the police to ramp up our efforts to put a stop to these shootings that are often perpetuated with illegal, unlicensed and high calibre firearms,” he said. Speaking on the arrests for the mass shootings, he said: “For example, in the Eastern Cape, another mass murder claimed the lives of five family members last…

Michael Lomas, the ex-Eskom contractor arrested in connection with R1.4 billion fraud at the power utility has reserved his right to bail for now and will remain in custody. The accused made his fourth appearance in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court yesterday following his extradition from the UK in September. The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) said the matter was transferred to the Johannesburg High Court and will be back in court on December 3, 2024. Lomas is among 12 accused in the matter. IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame said that the accused was served with the indictment. Lomas is facing 65 counts of corruption linked to the R1.4 bn that was meant for the upgrade of Eskom’s Kusile power station in Mpumalanga between 2014 and 2017. It was previously…

As the festive season draws near, a time filled with joy, celebration, and giving, it is also an unfortunate period when the shadows of deceit loom larger than ever. This festive cheer attracts not just the spirit of goodwill but also fraudsters intent on taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers. The recent warnings from the Banking Ombudsman revealing a concerning increase in complaints about tap-and-go transactions involving lost or stolen cards should serve as a crucial wake-up call for all shoppers. The holiday season typically witnesses a surge in consumer spending as people reach for their wallets to purchase gifts, decorations, food, and other seasonal delights. However, it is vital for consumers to be extra vigilant during this time. Fraudsters are waiting to pounce on those who may let their guard…

A nail-biting US presidential campaign heads into its final week, with polls showing little daylight between the two candidates as they ramp up appeals to their respective bases to turn out and vote. More than 41 million Americans have already cast early ballots ahead of Election Day on November 5, in what is expected to be one of the tightest elections of modern times. Outgoing president Joe Biden was to join them in casting his own vote yesterday, the White House said. On the campaign trail, both candidates return to key battleground states, with Democrat Kamala Harris heading to Michigan, where she faces opposition from Arab Americans outraged over US support for Israel. Republican Donald Trump, 78, will head to Georgia, where he will address a gathering of pastors and…

Tokyo: Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba vowed yesterday to stay in office despite his gamble of snap elections backfiring, with his party’s ruling coalition falling short of a majority for the first time since 2009. Ishiba called Sunday’s election days after taking office on October 1, but voters angry at a slush fund scandal punished his Liberal Democratic Party, which has governed Japan since 1955. Ishiba, 67, said he would not allow a “political vacuum” in the world’s fourth-biggest economy. He said the biggest election factor was “people’s suspicion” after the party scandal, which helped sink his predecessor Fumio Kishida. “I will enact fundamental reform regarding the issue of money and politics,” Ishiba said. | AFP…

ISLAMABAD: Four terrorists were killed in two military operations in Pakistan’s north-west Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, said that personnel of security forces engaged with terrorists in two separate locations in the province. The ISPR said that the first engagement occurred in North Waziristan district of the province, and after intense exchange of fire, two terrorists were killed. In another operation, two terrorists were killed, and three others were injured in the Khyber district of the province. | Xinhua…

The T20 Challenge drew to a close with the Lions successfully defending their title against their neighbours and rivals, the Titans. Set to be a blockbuster final, showcasing 12 titles between two of the best sides not only in the competition but also in the history of this tournament, the 2022/23 champions were simply outplayed in every department and rightfully suffered an eight-wicket hiding. While the tournament was shorter in comparison to last season, the mix of Proteas and domestic talent led to standout performances throughout. Here are the key players who shone during the competition. Kwena Maphaka is maturing with more game time The former SA Under-19 sensation has been on an upward curve in his young career. At the tender age of 18, he is already a two-time…

The box office Springbok squad currently in Jersey is hard at work, preparing for their upcoming tour opener against Scotland. The ensemble features the same cast that delivered a stunning 48-7 victory over Argentina, and it is unlikely that coach Rassie Erasmus will change the script ahead of a crucial clash. In the emphatic Rugby Championship clincher held in Mbombela, the Boks showcased their prowess, and now Erasmus has opted for the same match 23 for the three-match tour, supported by an additional 12 players. The team, having last played on 28 September, will face Scotland on November 10, prompting Erasmus to take them to an exclusive training resort on the largest island in the English Channel. He aims to shake off any rust and prepare for what is essentially…

Hildah Magaia is back in the Banyana Banyana fold, and she’s ready to embody her nickname, ‘The Breadwinner’, when they face England tonight at 9.45pm. Banyana will visit the reigning European champions in an international friendly in Coventry on the back of losing 5-0 to Denmark last Friday. Coach Desiree Ellis’ troops were put to the sword by the Danes after the relatively inexperienced side put their feet off the gas in the second half, conceding all five goals. As Banyana gears up for what promises to be a formidable challenge against England, Ellis will take comfort in the availability of four international players for the clash. US-based duo Magaia and Linda Motlhalo arrived in the UK on Saturday, and they were joined by Mexico-based pair Thembi Kgatlana and Sinoxolo…