Innholdsfortegnelse for 2021-07-16 i Star

Sandile Mchunu sandile.mchunu@inl.co.za TIGER Brands said yesterday that it estimated at more than R150 million the loss of stock because of civil unrest, looting and vandalism to its property in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The largest food manufacturer in the country said a number of its sites in KwaZulu-Natal have been affected by acts of looting and vandalism, resulting in damage to its rice and snacks and treats operations. “It is currently estimated that the loss of stock is in excess of R150m. The loss of profit due to business interruption is still being quantified. The situation in KZN remains volatile, presenting a further risk to other Tiger Brands facilities in the area,” the group said. It said its bakery operations and the distribution of bread have been suspended…

South Africa is still reeling from the biggest fraud in our corporate history – the Steinhoff accounting scandal – and investors and shareholders who lost billions through the company’s fraud haven’t seen recompense or justice. The scandal has raised several questions for me: What are the ethical responsibilities of businesses beyond accounting and legal compliance? Should companies exist purely to turn a profit, or to what extent do businesses have a social responsibility to improve the lives of those within their broader communities? This month is Moral Regeneration Month and I do think we need to find our moral compass again. We can’t rebuild the capacity of the state or corporations without holding our political and private sector leaders to account. If we can’t hold our leaders accountable and responsible…

EDWARD WEST edward.west@inl.co.za TWO LISTED property groups, Safari Investments and Vukile Property Fund, suffered damage to their shopping centres, joining the many other retail store and centre owners that have to repair and rebuild. Safari Investments said yesterday that three of its retail centres in Gauteng had become targets of lawlessness. None of the company’s other investment properties had been affected. Security measures at Thabong shopping centre in Sebokeng had been breached, the centre had been looted and severe damage had been caused to all the shops. The situation remained volatile but was under control. The property was insured from both a capital and an income perspective. A recovery plan was under way to get the centre operational again. Security measures at Denlyn shopping centre in Mamelodi and Nkomo Village…

Boity Thulo calls on South Africans not to give up Jamal Grootboom jamald.grootboom@inl.co.za Local media personality and rapper Boity Thulo called on South Africans not to give up on the country with the looting happening. Parts of South Africa are dealing with thousands of people looting and vandalising shops – leaving many business owners devastated. Mzansi celebrities such as Kelly Khumalo and Jub Jub have shared their views on what is going on. Taking to Twitter on Thursday, the Bakae rapper weighed in and asked Mzansi not to give up. “May we please never give up on us. On South Africa. Please, fam.” Thulo reiterated this statement adding that the government has failed the country. “Don’t give up on South Africa. “Give up on the government that failed a large…

BIDX1 will be selling a commercial building in Greenside in its online multi-property auction on July 29. Well situated in Gleneagles Road, the building has a GLA of 1 552m² consisting of retail, commercial and studio space, and is on two erven of 88m² and 56m². The opening bid price is R12 million. “Tenanted with a rental income of R2.379m per annum – with potential for increased income – this versatile and trendy property has high appeal for the savvy investor,” says MC du Toit, the chief executive of BidX1 South Africa. Greenside is ideally positioned, bordering the suburbs of Parkview, Parkhurst, Emmarentia and Victory Park, and close to Village Green Shopping Centre, Pirates sports and rugby club, Sir Lionel Phillips Park and Parkview Golf Club. Among other properties…

Bongani Nkosi bongani.nkosi@inl.co.za THE number of people who have died in connection with the unrest that engulfed Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal has risen to 117. Acting Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced yesterday evening that 91 of these deaths happened in KwaZulu- Natal and 26 in Gauteng. This was a vast increase from the 72 deaths confirmed by the government on Tuesday. Ntshavheni addressed the media from Pretoria on the lunreststoked by the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma for contempt of court. The Gauteng fatality figures included 10 people who died in a stampede at Ndofaya Mall, Soweto, as well as Ekurhuleni metro police officer Meshack Mahlangu, who was allegedly shot to death during a looting frenzy at the Sam Ntuli Mall in Katlehong. Teenager…

The greediness of the chief looters – the looters of the state’s resources – is to be blamed for hooliganism mushrooming in KZN and some parts of Gauteng. If all those people were employed and earning a decent salary, they would think twice before jeopardising their jobs and tarnishing their images by being involved in criminal acts worth of being jailed in the name of “Free Zuma” protests. With the chief looters’ calibre, this scripture is personified: “...when the wicked rule, the people mourn”. (Proverbs 29:2) Those people are expressing their frustrations and vulnerability to poverty. If their condition is not addressed and fixed from the core, they remain a scourge that we'll have to live with. Our country has turned into a jungle where it’s the survival of the…

Mpiletso Motumi mpiletso.motumi@inl.co.za CELEBRATED singer-songwriter Ntokozo Mbambo will guest judge on the upcoming episode of Idols SA. The gospel maestro has never had to audition for a singing part so the experience was an interesting one for her. “The more I’ve seen it being done, the more I think it is not something I could do. I don’t think I could cope so I take my hat off to anyone who can come to an audition like that. “It takes a whole lot to be able to gather the strength and the courage and take that leap of faith.” Now in its 17th season, Idols SA premièred last Sunday with guest judge Prince KayBee. Mbambo said there were a few things she looked out for when finding a talented voice.…

Catesby Holmes STREET protests erupted across Cuba last Sunday, with crowds of Cubans demonstrating against food scarcity, medicine shortages and economic misery in their island nation. Some demanded “freedom” and the end of “dictatorship” and other anti-government sentiments. In a televised address, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel blamed the spontaneous demonstrations – by far the largest mass protests in decades – on US interference and threatened a “battle in the streets”. Protesters say hundreds were arrested. These four stories describe the conditions in Cuba and the recent history behind this rare public outpouring of anger. Díaz-Canel came into office facing serious problems, including a weak economy and bad relations with the US under then-President Donald Trump. He also faced a new challenge – the internet, which had just become widely…

Lebanese politician Saad al-Hariri abandoned his effort to form a new government yesterday, dimming the chances of a cabinet being agreed any time soon to start rescuing the country from financial meltdown. Hariri announced his decision after meeting President Michel Aoun, saying it was clear they could not agree, underscoring the political squabbling that has blocked the cabinet formation even as Lebanon sinks deeper into crisis. In a country where seats in government and parliament are distributed according to religious sects, Hariri’s exit will further complicate the process of cabinet formation, as he is widely seen as the main representative of the country’s Sunni Muslims. Despite mounting international pressure, led by former colonial power France, a deeply divided ruling class has failed to agree on a new cabinet line-up, with…

Geneva: The World Health Organization’s emergency committee warned yesterday that new and more dangerous Covid-19 variants were expected to spread around the world, making it harder to halt the pandemic. Several countries are battling a new wave of infections fanned by new variants. Four concerning variants of Covid-19 are dominating the global pandemic picture: Alpha, Beta, Gamma and especially the rapidly spreading Delta variant. The experts said many countries were making “increasingly divergent policy decisions that address narrow national needs which inhibit a harmonised approach to the global response”. They underscored the need to vaccinate at least 10% of the population of each country by September. | AFP…

LONDON: From artwork proofs for 1980 hit Fashion to previously unseen photographs, a selection of David Bowie memorabilia goes to auction today from the private collection of an artist who worked with the late music star. Edward Bell designed the cover for Bowie’s 1980 album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), and also worked with the pop chameleon during his Tin Machine band period. The “David Bowie Collection of Artist Edward Bell” sale, run by auction house Halls Fine Art of Shrewsbury, features 139 lots, including portraits of Bowie. Among the more expensive items is the Savage Heart sculpture made for the Tin Machine II album cover artwork, which has a £2 000 to £4 000 (R40 000-R80 000) estimate. | Reuters…

“SPORT has the power to change the world.” I felt that it was important to revisit these profound words of the late former president Nelson Mandela as Kaizer Chiefs are a day away from playing in their biggest match in history, amid the civil unrest in our country. For almost a week, anarchy has reigned in some provinces in our country, with criminal acts such as looting and vandalism of property. These acts couldn’t have come at a worst time, given that we are still under the dark cloud of Covid-19. I can't help but imagine that a sense of prosperity might engulf us after the final whistle at Stade Mohammed V in Morocco should Chiefs go on to achieve the improbable by winning the African crown. They are the…

Sandile Mchunu sandile.mchunu@inl.co.za LIBERTY Holdings’ share price leapt to a year-high of R85 a share on the JSE yesterday morning after Standard Bank announced its intention to buy the shares that it does not already own in the financial services group for about R11 billion. Standard Bank owns 54 percent of Liberty Holdings. Standard Bank said the integration of the companies would create a strong and established, unified financial services powerhouse in Africa. The offer would be made through a combination of Standard Bank shares and a cash consideration, representing a premium of more than 32 percent to Liberty’s current share price. The deal is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, and it will lead to the de-listing of Liberty. If the transaction is implemented, Liberty’s minority…

Sandile Mchunu sandile.mchunu@inl.co.za STEINHOFF International subsidiary, the Pepco Group, yesterday said trading performance in the third quarter to the end of June improved, compared to the same quarter last year, after the easing of trading restrictions. However, despite the improvement the group still lost 7.5 percent of its trading weeks in the quarter, due to trading restrictions as a result of Covid-19, but was much better than the 18.4 percent lost in the same quarter last year. Pepco Group chief executive Andy Bond said they made good strategic progress in the third quarter, with all three of their brands delivering a resili- ent trading performance as consumers continued to come back to Pepco, Poundland and Dealz, following the gradual easing of Covid restrictions. “We continued to invest in…

Banele Ginindza banele.ginindza@inl.co.za SOUTH Africa’s largest short-term insurer (STI), Santam, has paid R600 million to policyholders in addition to the R1 billion paid in interim relief to 2 500 policyholders in August last year, bringing to R1.6bn total contingent business interruption (CBI) payments to date, it said yesterday. A number of the 2 500 clients who received the R1bn interim relief in August last year had subsequently received additional payments. Most of these beneficiaries were small, medium and micro enterprises in the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors. This comes as the insurer faces off with Insurance Claims Africa (ICA) over at least 850 claims by businesses that have accused Santam of increasing unappropriated profits by more than 20 percent to a record R53.5bn, while suppressing…

Meghan’s friend Priyanka Chopra ignores the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Wimbledon Thobile Mazibuko thobile.mazibuko@inl.co.za Actress Priyanka Chopra, a good friend of Meghan Markle, seemingly ignored the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Wimbledon. And she looked good while at it. Chopra wore a white Fendi dress with a matching scarf and black sandals. The Daily Mail reported that when Prince William and Kate Middleton entered the royal box at Wimbledon Women’s Finals, people clapped for them except for the Baywatch star, who opted to play with her scarf. “In a newly emerged clip, the actress, 38, opted to fiddle with her scarf as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 39, took their seats to rapturous applause from the crowd ahead of the Women's Singles Final on…

Thobeka Ngema thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za THE World Health Organisation (WHO) African Region has noted that the unrest in parts of South Africa, particularly KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, has negatively impacted the government’s response to Covid-19. Although protests began to intensify last week when former president Jacob Zuma spent his first night at Estcourt Correctional Centre for being in contempt of court, it was during this week that unrest, looting and violence spread through the two provinces. It resulted in vaccinations being halted in many parts of KZN and Gauteng. National lockdown regulations were flouted; health care for HIV and other chronic illnesses was affected; and health facilities had to be closed while others operated with skeleton staff. Not all health services were available to those who needed them and emergency medical services…

Bongani Nkosi bongani.nkosi@inl.co.za RELATIVES of the 144 mental health patients who died during the Life Esidimeni saga are counting on the upcoming inquest to uncover all culprits who should be jailed. Christine Nxumalo, a leader of the Life Esidimeni Family Committee, has described the inquest, due to start at the North Gauteng High Court on Monday, as a defining moment towards justice and closure. Nxumalo was speaking at a media briefing in Joburg yesterday. Her sister, Virginia Machpelah, 50, was one of the 144 people who died in the travesty that rocked the Gauteng government in 2015 and 2016. The patients died in the various NGOs and hospitals to which they were moved by the Gauteng Department of Health. The department moved them from Life Esidimeni, a private hospital, as…

Tarryn-Leigh Solomons tarryn-leigh.solomons@inl.co.za ORGANISATIONS providing relief to poverty-stricken communities say they were badly affected in the distribution of meals, as the violent looting continued throughout the week. Trucks carrying food supplies along Gauteng and KZN’s major highways were looted resulting in empty tummies as destinations for deliveries could not be reached. Gift of the Givers has put its entire machinery into action, in spite of severe restrictions on safe mobility, to respond to the gargantuan crisis created by looters, while FoodFoward SA says they will commence operations in Durban and Joburg. Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman said: “Their inhuman activity has robbed babies of formula milk, while the elderly and the physically challenged, orphanages and ordinary civilians, of all economic strata, have been denied access to basic foods…

Minister, during his State of the Nation Address in 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced plans were afoot to build a police investigative university at Hammanskraal in the City of Tshwane. After that announcement by the President, I mused: “The planned university is very important in my view, and those who will go through it will be important too. The university will enable the SAPS to embrace the predictable policing concept as its guiding star. I hope that the proposed investigative university will not be churning out ‘half-baked’ graduates who will be irrelevant and inimical to crime and corruption in South Africa.” Minister Cele, it is axiomatic that our society is crime prone where looting and the destruction of property happens on a whim. Minister, we seriously need to employ scientific…

Mpiletso Motumi mpiletso.motumi@inl.co.za “AFRO Yano” is how music artist Aymos describes his sound. “It is basically amapiano with soul and warmth. To me it feels like Africa,” said the 26-year-old whose real name is Amos Shili. He has always been a fan of amapiano because it is in his “DNA”. “It came from the streets of our neighbourhoods in Mzansi. What makes it special is the lingo … it’s our everyday chats and has become our medium of communication.” The Tembisa-born artist is preparing to release his debut album Yimi Lo, which translates to “This is me”. “I’ve poured all of my soul into it and I can’t wait for my fans to identify Afro Yano among many other amapiano sounds. For now I have a single Jemeni featuring…

IN A groundbreaking conservation feat, the Joburg Zoo’s Amphibian Conservation Project has successfully returned over 400 captive-bred offspring of the rare and endangered Pickersgill’s Reed Frogs back into their natural habitat. About 400 frogs have been released into wetlands on KwaZulu-Natal’s north and south coasts. Scientifically known as Hyperolius Pickersgill, the tiny frogs are only found in KwaZulu-Natal. “The success of this breeding programme demonstrates our … passion for conservation, in particular for these prized amphibians, and we challenge corporate South Africa to be part of this extraordinary project,” says Bryne Maduka, the managing director of Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo. The project was pioneered in partnership with the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the Endangered Wildlife Trust. The zoo team is drafting a husbandry manual with newly discovered information on…

OUR survey found an increase in the proportion of adults willing to get vaccinated from 71% in March to 76% in May. But nearly one in four participants were still hesitant about getting vaccinated. About one in 15 were strongly opposed to vaccinations. This group may not be open to persuasion. We also found a large gap between the proportion of people saying they were willing to vaccinate and those who had taken action. In the survey we used the electronic registration for vaccination as a proxy to measure people’s ability to convert intention into action. In the age group of people older than 60, 78% said they were willing to vaccinate. Nationally, by the beginning of July this year, only 55% of this group had registered for vaccination. This…

Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has broken his silence on a persistent rumour that he soiled himself in a McDonald’s restaurant more than 20 years ago, insisting yesterday it was “utter rubbish”. Social media users have long bandied about a tale that the now-leader soiled himself at the fast-food outlet in suburban Sydney after watching his favourite rugby league team, the Cronulla Sharks, lose the grand final in 1997. “It is the biggest urban myth ever, it never happened,” Morrison said. “Some of the funniest yarns are the ones that aren’t true.” | AFP…

Nairobi: Kenyan police were yesterday holding a man described as a “bloodthirsty vampire” accused of the grisly murders of at least 10 children. Masten Milimo Wanjala was arrested this week over the disappearance of two children, but in a chilling confession admitted to killing many more, police said. The 20-year-old took officers to the site where he had dumped their bodies in a forested area of the capital. Police described his arrest as a major breakthrough in an investigation into a spate of disturbing child disappearances in Kenya – almost two a day recently. A Nairobi court ordered yesterday he be held in custody to give police more time to investigate the case. The murders stretch back five years. Wanjala told detectives he derived “a lot pleasure” from killing.…

Heavy rains and floods lashing western Europe have killed at least 45 people in Germany and left many more missing, as rising waters led several houses to collapse. Unusually heavy rains also inundated Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium, where at least four people were reported dead. Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) states were the worst hit in Germany by the deluge, which has caused rivers to burst their banks and threatens to bring down more homes. At least 18 bodies were recovered in the region around the western town of Ahrweiler alone, police said. Local officials had earlier reported up to 70 people missing. Farther north, the district of Euskirchen in NRW reported 15 dead. Desperate residents sought refuge on the roofs of their homes as helicopters circled above to…

HERMAN GIBBS ON the eve of Kaizer Chiefs’ departure to Morocco, midfield dynamo Happy Mashiane passionately promised his mother that he’d bring the Caf Champions League trophy home. It was a big call by Mashiane, who is a vital cog in the Chiefs midfield that has helped the team grind out one upset result after the other. The 23-year-old Mashiane has featured in four Champions League matches to date, but he is a fine example of the dashing players who have worn the Chiefs jersey with great distinction in Africa. In all competitions this season, Mashiane has scored two and recorded several assists in 25 matches. Three years ago, he was plucked from the club’s youth ranks where Arthur Zwane was the mentor at the time. A year on,…

Siphelele Dludla siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za Business Unity South Africa (Busa) has warned that the state-owned insurance company might not have enough resources to compensate businesses affected by the looting. Many companies have fallen victim to the widespread looting and vandalism of property and equipment after protests for the release of former President Jacob Zuma turned violent. Factories, warehouses, distribution centres and shopping malls were vandalised, looted and set alight by criminals over five days, leaving a trail of destruction running into billions of rand. The SA Special Risks Insurance Association (Sasria) has already indicated that it expected the insurance claims bill for the instability to cost up to R12 billion. Sasria’s current product range offered R500 million primary cover for classes of insurance, including material damage, business interruption, construction and…

GIvEN MAJOLA given.majola@inl.co.za THE FUEL RETAILERS’ Association of Southern Africa (FRA) has warned its members about the risk of filling of containers with fuel at retail service station sites, because this encouraged more acts of criminality during this volatile period. FRA chief executive Reggie Sibiya said that this was because fuel had been used in fuelling fires and the destruction of properties. The local association’s members affected by the looting were said to have been left worse off than the last period of losses caused by the Covid-19 lockdowns. “Our members have been reporting daily such incidents of looting and destruction which are on record. It is also important to realise that our members are basically now at the mercy of communities as they cannot get access to the product…

Banele Ginindza banele.ginindza@inl.co.za Shopping centre group Hammerson, which has its primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and secondary listing on the JSE and Euronext Dublin, said rent collection rates continued to improve, with 89 percent of rents collected for 2020, and 68 percent for the first half of 2021. It said Covid-19 related measures remained in place affecting food and beverage, leisure and cinema operators. The group said however it expected these to be lifted in the coming weeks in the UK. Additional restrictions had also been announced in France with from July 21, though it was too early to assess the operational impact. Footfall trends in all territories were encouraging, with seven-day averages currently sitting at around 70 to 80 percent of 2019 levels, following…

MOONBASE 8, M-NET, DSTV CHANNEL 101, 10.30PM A crazy season premiere. Stationed at NASA’s Moon Base Simulator in Arizona, three dedicated astronauts attempt to qualify for their first lunar mission, but the team is faced with a water shortage. JOHN WICK M-NET CITY, DSTV CHANNEL 115, 8.50PM Keanu Reeves stars in this revenge filled action movie. An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to hunt down a group of gangsters that took away everything he held dear. FALSE IDENTITY TELEMUNDO, DSTV CHANNEL 118, 10PM Victoria alerts Diego to the possibility that he will lose custody of Ricas. Meanwhile, Ramona and Mateo convince Amanda to testify on their behalf.…

Samkelo Mtshali samkelo.thulasizwe@inl.co.za As Gauteng grapples with the aftermath of a week of civil unrest, looting, violence and damage to property, the once Sunny KZN province faces a severe racial war. Police Minister Bheki Cele yesterday confirmed that the death toll in the north Durban township of Phoenix now sits at 20 with the number likely to rise as there were still some people reported as missing. Cele was addressing members of the media and the Phoenix community on yesterday amid growing reports of racial tensions between Indians and Africans in the area in the wake of reports of racially motivated violence. Violence has engulfed the predominantly Indian community as armed community members have taken it upon themselves to defend the community, blockading entrance points and reportedly refusing black Africans…

As I reflected this morning, I was confronted by what is happening to our country and whether we can get a new reality. It was in this moment that I thought about former president Thabo Mbeki’s speech that he delivered when asked by the ANC executive committee to step down. At the time, I would think he realised it was not about himself but for the greater good of the people of South Africa. He clearly articulated this in his speech. A quote from his speech is more relevant even today, and it reads as follows: “Gloom and despondency have never defeated adversity. Trying times need courage and resilience. Our strength as a people is not tested during the best of times.” It is essential to note that we are…

ITUMELENG MAFISA itumeleng.mafisa@inl.co.za NELSON Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, says he hopes his grandfather’s birthday on Sunday will be used to unite South Africa following days of looting, violence and racial tension. Mandela died at the age of 95 at his Houghton Estate home. He would have been 102 years old on Sunday, July 18. Chief Mandla said the Mandela name was as relevant today as it was when his granddad was released from prison in 1990. Mandela was involved in various peace talks following his release; part of his peace mission was to stabilise the political tension in KwaZulu-Natal, which had flared up following days of looting and unrest in the country. There were reports of violence between Indians and Africans in Durban. “On the contrary the legacy doesn’t…

Mpiletso Motumi mpiletso.motumi@inl.co.za ITEL’s Vision 1Pro launched in May and I recently received the device for review. The first thing I noticed about the device was how light it was. Compared to other phones of the same size, it weighs 182 grams. It is available in three colours; Ice Crystal Blue, Cosmic Shine and Black. The operating system is Android 10 (Go edition) meaning low data costs to save more money for you. I love the Google Go apps that help save data. The Vision 1Pro is priced affordably at R1 699. Itel is an entry level mobile phone brand that provides budget friendly technological devices for people. The brand is expanding and offering a wider range of options for consumers. I liked the grip of the phone as well.…

CALLS for the government to take the gloves off and declare a state of emergency are gaining traction and momentum. The country last experienced tough emergency regulations during the apartheid era in the late 1980s. Industries hit hard by the property destruction and looting frenzy have increased their call for the government to introduce the draconian law. The freight and sugar industries have called on the government to suspend some social rights in order to regain control of the situation. While looting and destruction of property had largely subsided in Gauteng yesterday, it continued unabated in parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Sector leading organisations such as the Beer Association of SA, Consumer Goods Council of SA and the Durban Chamber of Commerce have been calling for the declaration of at state of…

IT NEVER ceases to amaze that some of the very people who receive Nobel Peace Prizes turn around and sanction just the types of atrocities they would have been expected to condemn. Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi is one of the most obvious who comes to mind. Her defence of the Myanmar military’s treatment of the country’s Rohingya minority, and her failure to condemn the gross abuses of human rights committed against them, led to calls for her prize to be withdrawn. More recently, the atrocities committed in Tigray by members of Ethiopia’s armed forces who were operating under the command of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, are equally concerning. Abiy was touted as the new beacon of hope for democracy and good…

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden welcomed outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House yesterday with both hoping to rebuild ties frayed under former president Donald Trump. The US and Germany are key Nato allies but are at odds over a host of tough issues, including the Nord Stream 2 pipeline being built from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, which Washington fears will increase European reliance on Russian gas. They were to discuss joining forces to fight threats to democracy around the world, ending the pandemic and halting climate change, officials said. | Reuters…

NEW YORK: Johnson & Johnson is voluntarily recalling five Neutrogena and Aveeno brand aerosol sunscreen products after detecting a cancer-causing chemical in some samples. The New Jersey-based company said on Wednesday that consumers should stop using the products and discard them after internal testing identified low levels of benzene in some samples. J&J is also notifying distributors and retailers to stop selling the products, and arranging for their return “out of an abundance of caution”. Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, a substance that could potentially cause cancer depending on the level and extent of exposure. J&J said that benzene was not an ingredient in its sunscreen products, and it was investigating the cause of the contamination. | Reuters…

Many Colombian ex-soldiers accused of involvement in the assassination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise went to Haiti to work as bodyguards, but others knew a crime was being planned, Colombia’s president said yesterday. Haitian authorities have said Moise was shot dead at his home on July 7 by a group of assassins including 26 Colombians and two Haitian Americans. Eighteen Colombians have been detained, and three others were killed by the police. “There was a big group that was taken on a supposed protection mission, but within that group there’s a smaller group, which were those who apparently had detailed knowledge of what was to be a criminal operation,” Colombian President Ivan Duque said. “Does that excuse the rest of the group? Unfortunately no, because they are also participating…

STUART HESS stuart.hess@inl.co.za FORMER international fast bowler Roger Telemachus told the Social Justice and Nation Building hearings that he nearly came to blows with former Proteas coach Mickey Arthur during the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies. Telemachus, who played 37 one-day and three T20 internationals in an international career that spanned nine years, said the incident with Arthur happened before South Africa’s semi-final with Australia. The incident was the culmination of a bitterly disappointing and difficult period for Telemachus, who earlier in that tournament had informed Arthur, captain Graeme Smith and team manager Goolam Rajah that he wanted to leave the competition and return to South Africa early. In his testimony to the commission, chaired by ombudsman Adv Dumisa Ntsebeza, Telemachus said Arthur had informed him a…

FORMER champions Louis Oosthuizen and Jordan Spieth sparkled in the morning sunshine as the 149th British Open started at Royal St George’s yesterday. South African Oosthuizen, the winner in 2010, made six birdies in a flawless 64 to finish on six-under par, one shot ahead of American Spieth, the champion in 2017. Brian Harman matched his compatriot Spieth with a 65 to share second place, one clear of Canadian Mackenzie Hughes, South African Dylan Frittelli and veteran American Stewart Cink, another former champion. Oosthuizen, 38, struck his irons beautifully to pick up three birdies around the turn and added three more on the closing holes to make a strong start to his bid for a second major title. “Probably in my mind it was the perfect round I could have…