Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-10-07 i Mercury

MANZI says ‘Oasis Water does not possess any trade secrets, or confidential information’ As a legal battle between Oasis Water Holdings and a former franchisee continues over alleged breach of contract by Oasis, with court papers running into the hundreds of pages, the prepared water company’s CEO and founder has announced his departure on his LinkedIn account. About three weeks ago, Naas du Preez, Oasis Water Holdings director and founder said on his LinkedIn page, “after a journey of almost 19 years as the founder and director of Oasis Water Holdings, I’ve decided that this exciting chapter of my life has come to an end”. Du Preez added that he had achieved his goals, will remain a shareholder, and had already handed over his responsibilities in “an orderly manner before…

The global landscape has become tricky to navigate in recent years. Since Covid-19, and over the past two years of synchronised global central bank rate hikes, there has been an ongoing debate about whether these would result in a soft, hard, or no landing. Additionally, geopolitics continues to complicate the scene. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has started the process of resetting expectations through a massive stimulus package aimed at supporting aggregate demand. Given the multitude challenges, which are cyclical and structural in nature, it is important to reassess and position accordingly, using selective commodity exposure to express views on the most likely outcome, while being mindful of the tail risks. Gold on the rise: Pan African Resources (PAN) Gold has always been seen as a safe haven and desirable asset…

In the realm of herbs and spices, names can sometimes be misleading. Take, for instance, cilantro and culantro. Despite their similar names and related flavour profiles, the two plants are different. We delve into the similarities and differences between culantro and cilantro, demystifying any confusion surrounding the two aromatic herbs. Culantro is a herb native to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and Latin America but is cultivated worldwide, mainly in the tropics. It is also known as Mexican coriander. Culantro is a versatile herb of unique flavour and aroma that adds depth and complexity to many dishes. Cilantro, on the other hand, is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean and Asia and is popular in Indian and Arabic cooking. ​​ While both belong to the Apiaceae family of aromatic,…

The Middle East is presently in violent turmoil. There’s a one-sided war happening. Smack in the centre of so many volatile countries. Many of them are oil producers. The price of food has already accelerated as a direct spin-off of that other war between Ukraine (aka USA/ UK) and Russia. We can now definitely expect the fuel costs to spiral upwards and everything else with it. Now, what has all that to do with the just celebrated “Teachers- Day”, which reminds us of that other battleground, which is also known as the school playground? Educators, in addition to numerous academic and administration challenges, are faced daily with that other satanic serpent termed simply as “bullying”. This pattern of misbehaviour begins most times when the first child perceives that Mummy is…

The DA will refer Busisiwe Mkhwebane to the Parliamentary Ethics Committee for violation of the Code of Ethics for members. The basis of the complaint is a social media post on X (formerly Twitter) making derogatory, racist, and unsubstantiated accusations against individuals of Indian descent and parliamentary staff, blaming them for her repeated failures to convince our courts of the merit of her legal action. The Code of Conduct for members of the National Assembly, among others, requires members to abide by their Oath of Office to uphold the Constitution and laws of the Republic, to maintain public confidence and trust in the integrity of Parliament, and thereby engender the respect and confidence that society needs to have in Parliament as a representative institution; and in the performance of their…

The “risk associated with the ongoing governance and operational shortfalls” that could limit eThekwini Municipality’s ability to deliver infrastructure and services has been flagged by a ratings agency, leading to the city being given a negative credit outlook. The municipality confirmed this following the tabling of a report detailing a negative credit outlook for the city. A report on the city's financial matters and investments was tabled in a council meeting last week and revealed that the city now had a negative credit outlook. It revealed that another contributing factor was the introduction of the Section 154 intervention and how that has been handled. Section 154 refers to the bringing in of experts to assist the metro in addressing some of its challenges. In response to questions regarding the negative…

A parent’s obligation to financially maintain their children does not stop once the child turns 18, but continues until the child is no longer financially dependent on the parent, the court has said after a father claimed he no longer needed to pay maintenance towards his now over 18-year-old child. The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria sentenced the father to 60 days imprisonment for failing to adhere to an earlier court order, which required him to pay maintenance to both his wife and son during ongoing divorce proceedings. The sentence has been stayed. The court had previously ordered the man to make certain payments pending the final divorce settlement. The father has been in arrears for two years, claiming that he had paid R144 000 to his wife in 2022,…

Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke has expressed doubt about the ability of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) to continue as a going concern at the end of the 2023-24 financial year. In her audit 2023-24 report tabled in Parliament, Maluleke said the RAF has an accumulated deficit of R25.5 billion and the total liabilities exceeded its total assets by R25.4bn. “These events or conditions indicate that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the public entity’s ability to continue as a going concern,” she said. The entity received an adverse audit opinion for a second year in a row. But, RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo defended the fund’s financial position, saying it was well documented. “Its liquidity and solvency have been under pressure for decades. This is mainly the result…

Marches are expected across South Africa today as workers unite for a national day of action led by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu). The trade union federation said that the mass demonstrations, coinciding with World Day of Decent Work, were in response to the country’s deepening economic crisis, with joblessness, poverty, and inequality at the forefront of worker’s grievances. Cosatu KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary Edwin Mkhize emphasised that they were prepared for the march. “We are ready for the march. We have invited people who will collect the memorandum and we have mobilised the workers,” said Mkhize. “We expect this march to be very big. The only challenge that we are facing is that the transport [for workers] that we have is not enough. We are receiving calls…

Gauteng police have arrested another drug mule at the OR Tambo International Airport. The 43-year-old Paraguayan national is suspected to have swallowed 20 bullets containing cocaine. The alleged drug mule is the 14th person arrested since the SA Police Service intensified a crackdown on drug trafficking in September. The Paraguayan who was arrested had arrived from São Paulo, Brazil, when he was nailed by police officers. National police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said police officers had arrested three drug mules, including two Dutch traffickers who were found with 80kg of Khat this week. “Today’s arrest is the 14th drug mule to be arrested in recent weeks. “In today’s arrest, SAPS, in collaboration with officials from SA Revenue Service (Sars), arrested a 43-year-old drug mule from Paraguay. “A medical…

OUR thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families of the Lusikisiki massacre victims as they navigate a painful terrain of coming to terms with what has befallen them. It’s unimaginable that so many people, mostly belonging to one family could be killed in such a callous manner. Seventeen people were shot dead at the homestead on September 27. An eighteenth person was declared dead hours later. A two-month-old baby was among those who miraculously survived while 15 women were murdered. The incident happened as the family was preparing for a traditional ceremony. These ceremonies by their nature require that they be conducted in a peaceful environment. How this very important aspect escaped perpetrators shows how broken our societies have become. Secondly, disputes, however big or small, are resolved through…

Tunisians began voting yesterday in an election in which President Kais Saied is seeking a second term, with his main rival suddenly jailed last month and the other candidate heading a minor political party. Tunisia had for years been hailed as the only relative success story of the 2011 “Arab spring” uprisings for introducing a competitive, though flawed, democracy following decades of autocratic rule. However, rights groups now say Saied, in power since 2019, has undone many of those democratic gains while removing institutional and legal checks on his power. Saied, 66, has rejected criticism of his actions, saying he is fighting a corrupt elite and traitors, and that he will not be a dictator. Yesterday’s election pits Saied against two rivals: his former ally turned critic, Chaab Party leader…

Butler: Donald Trump returned on Saturday to the site of a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where an assassin’s bullet almost killed him in July, questioning whether his opponents were responsible and declaring he would “never quit”. “Exactly 12 weeks ago this evening, on this very ground, a cold-blooded assassin aimed to silence me,” the Republican candidate told supporters after taking the stage behind bulletproof glass. Trump’s return to Butler came a month before the November 5 presidential election, the outcome of which US President Joe Biden suggested might not be peaceful. Security was tighter than Trump’s July rally, with sniper squads atop surrounding buildings, and a surveillance drone overhead. | AFP…

London: A record 973 migrants crossed the English Channel on small boats on Saturday, the highest single-day number this year. Tragically, four people, including a 2-year-old boy, died. The UK Home Office reported that over 26 600 migrants have made the journey in 2024. The deaths were likely caused by overcrowding in dinghies. UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called the loss of life “appalling”. The government has pledged to combat people smugglers who organise these perilous journeys. Channel crossings remain a key political issue, with the government under pressure to reduce arrivals in small boats. | AFP…

The third and final One Day International (ODI) between the Proteas and Ireland will be a dead rubber, but South Africa is not leaving anything to chance as they aim for a series clean sweep. The Sheikh Zayed Stadium will host South Africa’s final match of their United Arab Emirates (UAE) tour today (1.30pm start SA time), and after having brushed Ireland aside in the first two matches, the Proteas bring with them confidence and momentum as they look to wrap up in style. Rassie van der Dussen took charge of the team in the second ODI after regular captain Temba Bavuma retired hurt as a result of a dive at the non-striker’s end. With that, he unfortunately re-injured an elbow he had an issue with previously. The 35-year-old will…

October 7th marks International Day for Decent Work with organised labour, led by Cosatu embarking upon a mammoth national strike across the nation. Whilst the 1st of May is better known as Workers’ Day, October 7th is celebrated by workers across the world, to say not only must we celebrate the struggles and sacrifices workers have had to bear for centuries, but also that we should not merely be content with what we have achieved. It is an occasion for workers to say we deserve better. It is our blood and sweat, our monies and ideas that make workplaces, public and private, successful. We deserve to work in decent environments, that motivate the cashier and the farmworker. We deserve to know that the safety of the mineworker and the train…

It’s no secret that doctors warn us about sugar. From childhood, we’ve been told to “cut down on sweets” to protect our teeth, manage weight, and prevent diabetes. But there’s another reason why health experts are increasingly pushing us to rethink our sugar habits – our mental health is at stake. At first glance, sugar seems harmless. It’s everywhere, from the sugary cereal we eat in the morning to the comforting desserts we indulge in after a long day. For many, sugary treats are not just food; they’re a source of joy, a way to celebrate, or even a quick fix for a bad mood. So, it’s easy to overlook the potential damage. But here’s the thing: while sugar can give us that temporary “high”, it often leads to long-term…

This was agonising stuff, followed here of course by a joyful offering of knicker elastic for a fashioning of catapults for the time-honoured celebratory feu de joie in which the street lights are shot out. Seldom has Morningside experienced such celebration, no doubt repeated across the province. It was a thoroughly joyous occasion and a great rugby spectacle. Much more of the same lies ahead. ’Erwego, ’erewego, ’erewego! Fat bears? “FAT bears week”. What is this? How many fat fellows do you know who are of bearish demeanour. Is Sky News attempting to ridicule heavily-set retired folk who are often firm friends and pillars of society? The agency has put out a detailed description of Fat Bear Week, some kind of contest which has been delayed because one…

Living at a time when unprecedented access to information makes studied ignorance inexcusable, it beggars belief that the premier of KZN, Thami Ntuli, finds it necessary to establish a Climate Change Council “to combat extreme weather events” (The Mercury, October 4). Claiming that “we can no longer behave as if everything is normal,” Ntuli shows his ignorance. Floods, droughts, and snowfalls are a natural part of the weather and climate of KZN. Official records in KZN date back to 1848, when flooding occurred. April 1856 saw over 600mm of rain in the Durban area over five days. On August 31, 1868, 255mm fell in a single day; May 31-June 2, 1905, saw the most severe weather ever to have struck the province when gale force winds, hail, heavy snowfalls and…

As we are approaching the first anniversary of the ‘prison break-out’ in Gaza and the invasion of Israel by the Palestinians, where 1200 have been killed — many by the Israel Defence Forces’ indiscriminate firing by fighter jets and armoured tanks — we need to take stock of how these actions have impacted the world. Israel, which mistakenly calls its defence forces the most humane, has a population of 9.5 million people, comprising a mere 0.1% of the total population of the world. It has during the past year invaded and attacked the sovereign states of Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran and killed tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been injured and maimed. Ironically, the United Nations General Assembly (UN GA)…

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) says former KwaZulu-Natal premier Willies Mchunu is welcome to join their fold if he chooses. Mchunu, in a letter to the ANC, announced on Friday that he was resigning as a member, saying the formation of the government of national unity (GNU) and government of provincial unity (GPU) had led him to believe that he could no longer add value to the party. The former premier and South African Communist Party (SACP) leader said that he believed that the ANC should not have entered into a coalition to form the GNU and he was hurt by the criticism he received when he raised this view within the party. Mchunu yesterday told The Mercury that ANC leaders have started engagements with him to debate the reasons…

The possible installation of tracking devices in firearms is what Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu believes may help combat the theft and loss of police guns in the country. Kamogelo Mogotsi, spokesperson for Mchunu, said the use of technology was being considered to curb the disappearance of firearms. “With regards to measures on decreasing these figures, one priority which the Ministry has emphasised is the use of technology in policing - be it in crime detection or administratively,” she said. “The possible installation of tracking devices on firearms is a conversation that has been initiated along with other possible ways in which to ensure proper safekeeping of firearms and ammunition.” Mogotsi was commenting after Mchunu revealed last week in a response to a parliamentary question that between October 1, 2023,…

The judgment in the bail appeal of Durban businessman Thoshan Panday is expected to be handed down today. The 52-year-old businessman was initially denied bail following his arrest on September 5, 2024, on allegations that he defrauded the South African Revenue Services (SARS) of R7.3 million. He subsequently lodged an appeal for bail in the Durban High Court. Last Thursday, Durban High Court Judge Esther Steyn reserved judgment in the matter until today. According to the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Panday did not appear in court last week in connection with the tax matter. He was said to be recovering in a private hospital where he is being treated for a medical condition. IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame confirmed that the Durban Magistrate’s Court transferred Panday’s…

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has announced the arrest of three suspects linked to the Lusikisiki massacre that claimed 18 lives in the Eastern Cape. A total of 15 women and three men were killed a week ago. The youngest victim was a 14-year-old boy. Mchunu made the announcement of the arrests yesterday after joining scores of relatives, loved ones, neighbours, church members and more at the mass memorial service where the victims were remembered. “Three people have been arrested; they were nabbed due to dedicated and expert police officers led by National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola. Authorities are closing in on a fourth suspect, whose name and surname are already known to the police,” said Mchunu. The suspects were scheduled to appear in court today. Mchunu said police will…

Israeli air attacks battered Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight and early yesterday, the most intense bombardment of the Lebanese capital since Israel sharply escalated its campaign against Iran-backed group Hezbollah last month. During the night, the blasts sent booms across Beirut and sparked flashes of red and white for nearly 30 minutes visible from several kilometres away. It was the single biggest attack of Israel’s assault on Beirut so far, witnesses and military analysts on local TV channels said. Yesterday, a grey haze hung over the city and rubble was strewn across streets in the southern suburbs, while smoke columns rose over the area. Videos posted on social media showed fresh damage to the highway that runs from Beirut airport through its southern suburbs into downtown. Israel said its air force…

At least five people have died and over 100 000 remain stranded as devastating floods ravage northern Bangladesh, officials said yesterday. In Sherpur, one of the hardest-hit northern districts, surging water levels have submerged new areas, displacing thousands of families. Local authorities fear widespread damage to agriculture, particularly rice fields. Many homes and roads are under several feet of water, cutting off villages. “I’ve never seen such flooding in my life,” said Abu Taher, a district resident. Army personnel, using boats and helicopters, have joined rescue efforts, delivering emergency supplies and evacuating those trapped. Collapsed bridges and submerged roads hinder local authorities’ access to affected areas. The low-lying nation of 170 million has experienced multiple floods this year, underscoring its vulnerability to climate change. A 2015 World Bank Institute analysis…

Sacramento: A critical shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids is affecting US hospitals following Hurricane Helene’s impact on Baxter International’s North Carolina plant. The facility, which produces 60% of the nation’s IV fluids, remains closed due to severe flooding and damaged bridges. Many hospitals expect to receive only 40% of their usual supply from Baxter. Healthcare systems are implementing conservation measures and exploring alternative hydration methods to cope with the shortage. Other manufacturers like Braun and ICU Medical are increasing production to meet demand. The Food and Drug Administration is working with Baxter and considering temporary IV fluid imports. | IANS…

NEW DELHI: India’s ruling party is projected to have lost two key provincial elections to the main opposition Congress party and its allies, exit polls showed, suggesting another setback after the party fared poorly in national elections. Local media reported that Congress had a clear advantage in exit polls in the northern state of Haryana, indicating an end to a decade of rule by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state. Exit polls, conducted by private polling firms have a patchy record in India, which analysts say poses a particular challenge due to its large and diverse voting population. | Reuters…

Relebohile Mofokeng is the youngest jewel of Orlando Pirates. But that doesn’t bother him as he knows he must be at his best week in and week out. The 19-year-old yet again defied his age in the 3-1 win over Stellenbosch FC on Saturday, coming off the bench to assist the second goal and score the winner. Prior to his cameo, Mofokeng sent the stadium into a frenzy when coach Jose Riveiro sat alongside him on the bench for final instructions. The Vaal-born attacker is not loved by chance. His match winning goal against Stellies is all but a replica of what he did in the Nedbank Cup final. Mofokeng also came off the bench against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Ke Yona Cup final and scored the winner in stoppage…

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on Friday fined two banks, HSBC and Bidvest Bank, for non-compliance with the provisions of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (Fica) following inspections conducted by the banking sector regulator. The SARB said in a statement that it had imposed administrative sanctions on HSBC Bank, Johannesburg branch, because of its non-compliance with Fica, following an inspection by the central bank conducted in 2021. The Prudential Authority (PA), which operates within the administration of the SARB, supervises and enforces compliance with Fica-accountable institutions. “The administrative sanctions imposed on HSBC are due to its failure to comply with certain provisions of the FIC Act and consist of three cautions and a financial penalty totalling R9.5 million, of which R4m is conditionally suspended for a period of 36…

Apart from thinking outside of the box (kindly forgive the cliché) my challenge to myself, my sons, and those whom I have the joy of teaching, is to think alone. Have thoughts, plans, aspirations that are not determined or shaped by commercials, fads, friends, or even by immediate and extended family. This is a tough but liberating challenge. I encounter people who appear terrified to allow an independent thought to cross their beautiful minds. They give a sideways or backward glance seeking affirmation before the thought is permitted to step out. The joy of owning their own thoughts, exploring unique possibilities even within their own heads, it appears, will not be theirs. The fear cripples one and leads to conformity. Seth Godin, a speaker and top-selling writer, used the…

I am watching videos trickling out of Palestine and crying like a fool instead of being productive and efficient. How much easier life would have been if we were the perpetrators of this genocide. Imagine! No guilt! No care in the world! Instead of watching Palestinians die and sobbing over them, I would be scrolling through Instagram and reacting with hearts to the hilarious antics of the IDF soldiers recorded during their stint in Gaza. Kill the bastards! Yeah! How I yearn for the wonderful, comforting feeling of playing the victim. How fabulous would that be, I wonder! Knowing that the entire world is wrong, but not us. Imagine being devoid of such bothersome feelings as compassion and humanity. Why did we have to have these qualities? They are…

With the matric exams less than two weeks away, concern has been raised about the “poor state” of some Durban schools which have been impacted by vandalism, theft and lack of parental involvement. Parents and opposition parties said that visits to some schools in the city had revealed facilities that were falling into a state of disrepair and not conducive to teaching and learning. Some of these schools had performed poorly in the last matric examinations. The matric exams will begin on October 21. The DA recently visited schools in the uMlazi District to assess the state of readiness ahead of the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) final examinations. DA KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson for Education Sakhile Mngadi said last week they visited a school in uMlazi District where they found…

Tourism bodies and businesses say a bumper crowd at the MTN8 final in Durban at the weekend reaffirmed the city as a premier sporting event destination. The final, which was contested by Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, was held at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night. Over 60 000 spectators watched on as Pirates clinched the title. Both eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba and KZN Premier Thami Ntuli said the event provided an important boost to the tourism economy. Ntuli applauded the partnership between MTN and the Premier Soccer League, which brought the high-profile event to KwaZulu-Natal. He said he was pleased with the overwhelming influx of fans from other provinces who travelled to KZN for the event. “Hotels and accommodations in eThekwini were fully booked, which resulted in a…

The wind energy industry is hoping to take centre stage in the country’s efforts towards a just energy transition with wind projects, which are estimated to produce 1.3 gigawatts of energy, currently under construction. Speaking at the recent Windaba 2024 conference, South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) CEO Niveshen Govender said over the past decade, wind energy had established itself as a vital component of South Africa's energy transition. “Our industry has achieved remarkable milestones, contributing to over 3.5 gigawatts of installed capacity. (To date) the wind industry has 1.3 gigawatts of wind projects currently in construction. We have a pipeline of 53 gigawatts of wind projects under development in the country. “The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill (ERA) around the unbundling of Eskom and regulatory reform, is laying the groundwork…

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) says its legal team is studying the decision after the party’s last-minute court bid on Saturday to block today’s Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interviews failed. The party went to court on an urgent basis to prevent the interviews after the Western Cape High Court interdicted its parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, from participating in the interview process. Hlophe was impeached as a judge in March for gross misconduct. The JSC refused the MKP’s request last week to postpone the interviews.MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the party was disappointed with the outcome of the urgent application in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg. “The party applied to court to nullify the irrational decision of the JSC, which has stubbornly refused to postpone the interviews pending various related court…

THE horrific mass shooting in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, that left 18 people dead and others wounded, is yet another reminder of the deep-seated violence plaguing the province. The victims, mainly women, were shot in what should have been a moment of community bonding in preparation for a traditional umemulo or ukukhululwa kwezila ritual. The tragedy marks another dark chapter in a province that has, in recent years, seen escalating violence, crime and insecurity. The calls for more effective policing in the wake of such a devastating event are predictable. After all, it is the police who must bring perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of citizens. The Eastern Cape, with its rocketing murder and sexual offence rates, demands urgent intervention. The mass shooting adds to the horrifying statistic…

The southern French city of Marseille has been shaken by two apparently drug-related killings, including the murder of a 15-year-old boy who was “stabbed 50 times” and burned alive, prosecutors said yesterday. Marseille, France’s second-largest city but also one of its poorest, is plagued by drug-related violence. The historic port city on the Mediterranean coast has in recent years witnessed a turf war for control of the highly profitable drug market between various clans including DZ Mafia and Yoda. The problem was once again thrust into public eye this week, with Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone telling a news conference yesterday that victims and perpetrators of such violence were getting increasingly younger. The 15-year-old teenager was murdered on Wednesday in a case Bessone described as one of “unprecedented savagery”. On Friday,…

North Korea is convening a key parliamentary meeting today to revise its constitution. The Supreme People’s Assembly is expected to remove unification-related clauses and clarify territorial boundaries, including the maritime border. This follows Kim Jong-un’s redefinition of inter-Korean relations as between “two hostile states” nine months ago. Kim ordered a constitutional review, including removing peaceful unification clauses. South Korea’s unification ministry suggests North Korea may scrap previous inter-Korean agreements, including the 1991 Basic Agreement. The revision may remove references to shared ethnicity and race, focusing on forceful absorption of the South in case of conflict. North Korea may also ambiguously outline its maritime border position, leaving room for future legislative actions. Since 1972, North Korea has amended its socialist constitution 10 times, with the last revision in September last year.…

Frankfurt: The German government has revised its economic forecast, now expecting a 0.2% contraction this year, down from the previous 0.3% growth projection. Germany, the only major advanced economy to contract last year, continues to face challenges including weak consumer spending, an industrial slowdown and cooling export demand. Despite current difficulties, the government remains optimistic for next year, predicting 1.1% growth. Economy Minister Robert Habeck emphasised the importance of the proposed “growth initiative” in driving recovery. This includes tax relief, reduced energy prices for industry, and less bureaucracy. | AFP…

Bangkok: Flash flooding in popular Thai tourist hot spot Chiang Mai has killed three people, a health official said yesterday, as visitors evacuated hotels through knee-high muddy water and shops closed in the city centre. Two elephants also drowned in rapidly rising floodwaters north of the city, their sanctuary said on Sunday. In the centre of Chiang Mai, people waded through brown floodwaters in the night bazaar, and water flowed into the central train station, which has now been closed. Thailand’s northern provinces have been hit by large floods since Typhoon Yagi struck the region in early September. | AFP…

The Proteas Women’s team are preparing for a trial by spin when they face England in a crucial ICC Women's T20 World Cup match today (start 4pm). It will be the first time these two sides meet since the Proteas’ historic semi-final victory in last year’s T20 World Cup at Newlands in Cape Town. The conditions expected today in Sharjah will, however, be entirely different to that balmy afternoon under the watch of Table Mountain. The temperatures in the UAE have consistently hovered around the 40 degrees Celsius mark, while the humidity levels have also peaked. This has caused the pitch at the Sharjah International Stadium to dry out and has offered the spinners plenty of assistance thus far - as was also seen earlier this month when Afghanistan’s Men’s…