Shakira: Singer settles Spanish tax fraud case with €7.5m fine
Colombian pop star Shakira has reached a deal with Spanish prosecutors to settle a tax fraud case, just as her trial was about to begin. The singer has paid a €7.5m (£6.5m) fine – prosecutors had wanted to jail her for eight years and fine her €23.8m (£20.8m) if found guilty. She had faced tax […]
White House criticises Elon Musk over ‘hideous’ antisemitic lie
The White House has accused Elon Musk of repeating a “hideous lie” about Jewish people, after the X owner appeared to respond approvingly to an antisemitic post on the platform. On Wednesday, Mr Musk replied to a post sharing an antisemitic conspiracy theory, calling it “actual truth”. Mr Musk has denied that the post was […]
Unpacking Voter Apathy in Swellendam: Exploring the Nexus of Service Delivery, Indigent Relief, and Youth Engagement
In the picturesque town of Swellendam, recent voter registration drives have revealed a disconcerting trend of low turnout, particularly among the youth. Electoral Commission (IEC) officials and local leaders are grappling with the myriad factors contributing to this apathy. Among the chief concerns are service delivery issues, discontent with a council policy on indigent relief, […]
Thapelo Amad’s Political Odyssey: From Accidental Mayor to Premier Aspirant
Thapelo Amad, a figure whose political trajectory has been marked by unexpected twists and surprising alliances, has emerged as a key player in South African politics. Having served as the Mayor of Johannesburg for just over three months, Amad now sets his sights on a new goal – becoming the Premier of Gauteng. His political […]
Red flags for South Africa’s economy
The BankservAfrica Economic Transactions Index (BETI) dropped in October 2023 to its lowest level since November 2022, which is alarming news for the South African economy in Q4. “Reaching an index level of 131.0, lower than the revised 133.5 reported in September 2023, and only 0.1% higher compared to a year ago, these concerning figures […]
Unraveling the Standard Chartered Currency Manipulation Scandal
In recent developments, the financial sector is abuzz with discussions surrounding the Standard Chartered currency manipulation scandal. After eight years of litigation, the Competition Commission and the British multinational bank have reached a settlement, with Standard Chartered agreeing to pay a substantial amount of R42.7 million. This settlement marks the bank as the second commercial […]
Political Turmoil in Israel: Yair Lapid Urges Netanyahu’s Immediate Resignation Amidst Ongoing Conflict
The political landscape in Israel is undergoing a seismic shift as Yair Lapid, the Israeli opposition leader, has called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s immediate resignation amidst the ongoing conflict with the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. Lapid’s plea, made during an interview with Israeli news channel N12, has sparked a contentious debate within the country’s […]
The IEC’s Approach to Voter Registration
In a bid to enhance civic participation among South Africa’s youth, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) recently addressed its strategies for the upcoming voter registration weekend. Contrary to popular assumptions, the IEC asserted that young people are not heavily swayed by social media influencers and celebrities. Furthermore, the commission highlighted the skepticism prevalent among the […]
WHO says Gaza hospital unable to bury dead bodies
Thousands could be trapped inside Gaza’s largest hospital due to nearby fighting, while officials have warned of rotting bodies piling up there. Al-Shifa Hospital, which is also tackling power cuts and a lack of fuel, is “nearly a cemetery”, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. The hospital’s manager said it was under a “blockade”, […]
Disney boss declares new era after job cuts
The big problems at Disney have been fixed, the boss of the entertainment giant has told investors. Boss Bob Iger said he believed the company was entering a new “era of building”, after a painful year focused on job cuts and restructuring. He said the moves were paying off in bigger savings and other growth. […]
