Page 6 - South Africa

SC recommends setting up commission to probe human rights violations in J&K

Article 370 case verdict: In a ruling, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul recommended setting up a commission on the lines of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Elevator plummets at a platinum mine in S Africa, kills 11 and injures 75

An elevator suddenly dropped around 200 metres (656 feet) while carrying workers to the surface in a platinum mine in South Africa, killing 11 and injuring 75 14 of them critically, the mine operator said. It happened Monday evening at the end of the workers' shift at a mine in the northern city of Rustenburg. All the injured workers were hospitalised. Mine operator Impala Platinum Holdings CEO Nico Muller said in a statement on Tuesday that it was "the darkest day in the history of Implats". He said an investigation had begun into what caused the elevator to drop and the mine had suspended all operations on Tuesday. Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe said there would be a government investigation into the tragedy. He visited the mine and was briefed, the government said. All 86 workers killed or injured were in the elevator, Implats spokesperson Johan Theron said. Some of the injured had "serious compact fractures", he said. Theron said the elevator dropped .

Underdeveloped nations fighting drugmakers over access to TB, HIV drugs

South Africa, Colombia and other countries that lost out in the global race for coronavirus vaccines are taking a more combative approach towards drugmakers and pushing back on policies that deny cheap treatment to millions of people with tuberculosis and HIV. Experts see it as a shift in how such countries deal with pharmaceutical behemoths and say it could trigger more efforts to make lifesaving medicines more widely available. In the COVID-19 pandemic, rich countries bought most of the world's vaccines early, leaving few shots for poor countries and creating a disparity the World Health Organization called a catastrophic moral failure. Now, poorer countries are trying to become more self-reliant because they've realized after COVID they can't count on anyone else, said Brook Baker, who studies treatment-access issues at Northeastern University. One of the targets is a drug, bedaquiline, that is used for treating people with drug-resistant versions of tuberculosis. The pills are

China's Li calls for steps to implement consensus reached at G20 Summit

Noting that the road to global economic recovery is still difficult, Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called on the G20 member nations to take more practical steps to implement the consensus reached at this year's New Delhi summit of the forum to ensure development and prosperity. Li, who deputised for Chinese President Xi Jinping at the virtual meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, also urged the member countries to accord high priority to development cooperation and oppose the politicisation of development issues. While many leaders who attended Wednesday's virtual summit spoke on the Israel-Hamas conflict calling for extending timely humanitarian assistance, not allowing the violence to spread, and finding a long-term solution to the Palestine issue, Li reportedly focussed on development cooperation among the member countries of the G20. Excerpts of Li's speech reported by the state-run Xinhua news agency late Wednesday night did not refer to the ...

Brics has vital role in int'l efforts to achieve peace in Gaza: SA prez

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the BRICS nations to combine their efforts to bring about a just and lasting peace in the war between Israel and Hamas. Ramaphosa was addressing a virtual Extraordinary Joint Meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Leaders and Leaders of invited BRICS members on the situation in the Middle East on Tuesday. He also proposed the deployment of a UN Rapid Deployment Force in Palestine, with a mandate to monitor the cessation of hostilities and protect civilians as well as comprehensive dialogue led and owned by Palestinians and Israelis themselves and facilitated by the United Nations. Besides leaders of BRICS countries, leaders of the new BRICS partners - Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates - also attended virtually, as did United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. As an important voice of the Global South representing a large part of humanity, we believe tha

Kolkata weather forecast: Will rain hamper AUS vs SA World Cup semi-final?

Cricket World Cup 2023, South Africa vs Australia weather forecast Kolkata: The 2nd semi-final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata may be affected by rain today & can be shifted to a reserve day on Friday

Gupta coal mine and terminal to be retained by SA govt after court decision

The Optimum Coal Mine and Terminal, once owned by the Gupta brothers, are to be retained as South Africa's state property after a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) decision in favour of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The business rescue practitioners of the Guptas' mining company Tegeta Exploration and Resources, Optimum Coal and Optimum Coal Terminal, the National Union of Mineworkers and two companies belonging to former Gupta business associate Daniel McGowan had appealed an earlier high court decision to allow the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the NPA's to preserve the Gupta mine and coal terminal, the weekly Sunday Times reported. The coal assets, estimated in March last year to be worth more than USD 219 million, are part of several Gupta-owned assets seized by the NPA after the three brothers and their families fled the country to avoid charges of corruption. They are believed to be in self-exile in Dubai as the authorities of the two countries continue engagement for their

Brics Summit hosting costs huge, but benefits ours: South Africa govt

The cost of hosting the 15th BRICS Summit was fully justified as it brought to the country great economic benefits, the government said in a statement on Thursday. The South African government spent over R104 million, or about 48 million US dollars, in hosting the summit this year in July. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in a statement on Thursday made the remark in reaction to the opposition Democratic Alliance claiming that the expenditure on BRICS could have been better spent on addressing the crippling cost of living crisis that South Africans are currently battling. DA MP Emma Louise Powell, who described the amount as "staggering," said it got even worse when it included an additional R75 million about 4 million US dollars spent by the South African Police Service (SAPS) on protecting attendees at the summit, despite most international delegations being accompanied by their respective national security agencies. "We now know that between SA

World Bank approves $1 billion loan to help South Africa's energy sector

The World Bank approved a $1 billion loan for South Africa on Wednesday to help it address an energy crisis that has peaked this year with the country's worst electricity blackouts. The energy problem has forced the country to lean on its highly polluting coal-fired power stations. South Africa has experienced scheduled, rolling blackouts for months because of problems generating enough electricity for its 62 million people. The state-run power utility, Eskom, generates approximately 80% of the country's electricity through its coal stations, but they have failed to meet demand due to mismanagement, corruption and regular breakdowns. South Africa's commitment to its climate change targets are in danger of being affected in the short term, with President Cyril Ramaphosa announcing in April that it may delay shutting down some of its coal stations because of the electricity supply problems. The loan endorses a significant and strategic response to South Africa's ongoing energy crisis,

S Africa to topple Nigeria to regain mantle as continent's biggest economy

The IMF's World Economic Outlook envisions South Africa's gross domestic product reaching $401 billion based on current prices in 2024, compared with Nigeria's $395 billion

Russian Prez calls for more say for India, S Africa in key int'l decisions

India, Brazil and South Africa should be represented at the UN Security Council and their weight in making key international decisions should increase, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. Addressing the plenary meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi on Thursday, Putin also noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi India was becoming more powerful year after year. "Such countries that acquire significant weight in international affairs simply by virtue of their potential and also have the possibility and influence of the settlement of key international issues should be represented in the UN Security Council," Putin was quoted as saying by Russia's state-run Tass news agency. "What countries are these? This is India: the population is already more than one and a half billion people, (with) seven-plus per cent economic growth. This is a powerful country. It is becoming more powerful year after year under the leadership of Prime Ministe

TCS expands partnership with Africa's Standard Bank Group for security ops

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Monday said it has expanded partnership with Africa's Standard Bank Group for security settlement operations. The Indian IT major will use their TCS BaNCS Global Securities Processing Platform for centralising and standardising operations in over 15 markets of Standard Bank Group (SBG), the company said in a statement. TCS BaNCS Global Securities Processing Platform is a SWIFT-certified single consolidated solution to help both buy-side and sell-side firms implement robust, error-proof trade processing, clearing and settlement, custody, portfolio accounting, and corporate actions administration, as per the company. The platform has been deployed in seven markets while the rest will be covered by March 2024, the statement said. "With this rollout, SBG will be able to offer a consistent experience and service level across markets and enable enhanced data strategies," TCS Global Head for Financial Solutions Venkateshwaran Srinivasan said. We selecte

IBSA countries laud G20 summit in India, extend support to Brazil

The IBSA ministers reaffirmed G20's role as the premier forum for international economic cooperation

India, Brazil, South Africa seek result oriented process for UNSC reforms

The ministers emphasized that while a comprehensive reform of the United Nations system remains a crucial international undertaking

Women's Reservation Bill: Where else have seats been reserved for women?

Parliament special session: In 2018, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) report, only 24 per cent of parliamentarians were women

Project Cheetah: The second phase to commence in shadow of deaths

As the first lot of eight cheetahs completes one year on Indian soil, only six of them are alive to celebrate their journey. Two female cheetahs lost their lives to the new habitat

Voice of Africa to grow stronger with AU inclusion in G20: SA top official

The voice of Africa and the Global South will "grow stronger" after the African Union's inclusion in the G20, a top South African official said on Saturday. Vincent Magwenya, a spokesperson for South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa said, the African Union joining the bloc signals a "very positive step" towards the reforms that have been sought in the United Nations Security Council and various global multilateral institutions. The voice of the continent and the Global South will "grow stronger" globally, he told reporters on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. "We are very thankful and delighted about the leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi has demonstrated," Magwenya said when asked about India's role in the inclusion of the 55-nation grouping in the G20. Modi has sought to "define this summit around the inclusion of the Global South, smaller developing countries," he said. The inclusion of the African Union also signals a "very positive step towards the kind of reforms we have

Post-Covid global reconstruction unique opportunity: S African President

As the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 on Saturday, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa called for accelerating the transition to low carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies. In a post on X, he also said that South Africa calls for an enhanced and expanded "Global Partnership for Sustainable Development" backed by the suggestions outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) on Financing for Development. Ramaphosa expressed delight over the African Union becoming a member of the G20. Responding to Ramaphosa's post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "With the African Union strengthening the G20 family, we will cement partnerships that prioritise all-round development, leading to a better planet". In a significant milestone under India's G20 presidency, the 55-member African Union on Saturday became a new permanent member of the grouping of the largest economies of the world. It is the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inceptio

'Post Covid global reconstruction chance to create sustainable societies'

As the African Union became a permanent member of the G20, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosaon Saturday said the "global reconstruction" post the Covid 19 pandemic has brought a unique opportunity to accelerate transition to low carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the South African President expressed delight over the African Union becoming a member of the G20. "Global reconstruction in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies. Developing economies are bearing the brunt of climate change, despite carrying the least responsibility for this crisis," Ramaphosaon said on Saturday. "As African and other developing economy countries, we face the task of meeting our climate commitments in the midst of significant developmental challenges like poverty, inequality and unemployment. "Climate change, environmental degradation, ...

Voice of Africa, Global south will grow with AU inclusion: SA delegate

Hours after the African Union joined the G20 on Saturday, a senior delegate from South Africa said the voice of the continent and the Global South will "grow stronger" globally after the AU's inclusion. Speaking to PTI, the delegate who is in New Delhi currently for the G20 Summit, said that South Africa always expected that AU's inclusion will happen. "We are very happy, especially considering that South Africa has always supported the inclusion of AU in the G20, which would give our continent a voice on a bigger platform globally, not only for the African continent but the Global South [as well]," she told PTI, on the condition of anonymity. On India's Presidency of the G20, she said it was heartening to see AU's permanent membership of the G20 happen at the New Delhi Leaders' Summit. The African Union became a new permanent member of the G20 on the first day of the summit being held in New Delhi. It is the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999. The