Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-05-29 i Daily News

In an encounter that has sent ripples through South Africa's political landscape, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s meeting with President Donald Trump highlighted the contrasting diplomatic approaches between contemporary leaders and their predecessors. The meeting took on a contentious note as allegations regarding the safety of white farmers in South Africa dominated the discourse, stirring memories of how former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki might have navigated such tumultuous waters. Many reflected nostalgically on Mandela's assertiveness. His royal command might have galvanised a strong stance against Trump’s provocative claims. In contrast, Mbeki’s reputation for diplomatic finesse might have allowed for a more strategic engagement, effectively neutralising Trump's unfounded assertions about the alleged genocide of white farmers. Instead, Ramaphosa adopted a hesitative approach, failing to robustly refute Trump's alarming claim of “over…

SpaceX’s Starship rocket roared into space from Texas on Tuesday but spun out of control about halfway through its flight without achieving some of its most important testing goals, bringing fresh engineering hurdles to CEO Elon Musk’s increasingly turbulent Mars rocket program. The 122 metre Starship rocket lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase, Texas, launch site, flying beyond the point of two previous explosive attempts earlier this year that sent debris streaking over Caribbean islands and forced dozens of airliners to divert course. For the latest launch, the ninth full test mission of Starship since the first attempt in April 2023, the upper-stage cruise vessel was lofted to space atop a previously flown booster – a first such demonstration of the booster’s reusability. But SpaceX lost contact with the 232-foot…

The Irish government approved Tuesday the drafting of a bill to ban the import of goods from Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law, an unprecedented move for a European Union member. The move comes after the International Court of Justice last year said Israeli occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip was illegal under international law, in an advisory opinion the Irish government said guided its decision. “The government has agreed to advance legislation prohibiting trade in goods with illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory,” a foreign ministry spokesperson told AFP. The settlements include residential, agricultural and business interests that lie outside Israel’s internationally recognised borders. Before the cabinet decision, Foreign Minister Simon Harris told reporters he hoped other EU countries would follow Ireland’s lead.…

The temperatures might be dipping, but the fishing scene is still delivering. Stillwaters and dams are alive with activity, and now’s a great time to get your line in the water. Grab your gear, pick your spot, and make the most of the season while it’s on. BASS ANGLERS – MIDMAR’S WHERE IT’S AT While Albert Falls has been a bit quiet, Midmar is showing some real promise. Bass are feeding in the weedy shallows, and weightless soft plastics are producing. For those hunting bigger fish, a hollow body frog on top is your best bet – the strikes have been explosive. CARP CREW – Albert Falls is Rocking The carp bite has been picking up, especially in the lead-up to cold fronts. That pre-front window is proving to be…

The pressure and the increasing need to build a functional and profitable economy are now becoming urgent. Every so often the media informs us of rising living costs, high unemployment, and an economy that is stagnating and in some sectors shrinking. Key to developing a successful economy is the need to develop, innovate, and create among us South Africans. This can happen if our society becomes better skilled in technological advancement and innovation. Unfortunately, we are still importing technological products at hefty prices which are utilised in all segments of the economy. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) aligned qualifications need to be prioritised and South Africans need to become aware of the need for many STEM graduates in South Africa. Recent statistics have revealed that only 7% of Grade…

Asian equities wobbled yesterday as investors struggled to track a Wall Street rally fuelled by forecast-beating US consumer confidence data, with a weak Japanese debt sale adding to worries about rising bond yields. New York investors returned to their desks after a long weekend break in a good mood after Donald Trump delayed until July the 50% tariffs on the European Union he announced out of the blue on Friday, sparking a market rout. The US president’s announcement Sunday delaying them soothed worries about a fresh flare-up in his trade war that has rattled global sentiment, fanned uncertainty and led some to question their confidence in the world’s biggest economy. Buying was also boosted by Trump’s post on social media flagging progress with Brussels. “I have just been informed that…

Britain’s biggest water supplier, Thames Water, was hit yesterday with a record fine of £122.7 million ($165m) over pollution and improper dividend payments, a regulator said. UK water watchdog Ofwat said an investigation into “how the company was managing its treatment works and wider wastewater network uncovered failings that have amounted to a significant breach of the company’s legal obligations”. The penalty is the latest blow to Thames Water, laden with billions of pounds of debt, as it searches for the necessary funding to stave off a costly public bailout. Ofwat said the investigation into Thames Water’s network revealed frequent spills of sewage, the true scale of which was likely “much higher than reported”. “This is a clear-cut case where Thames Water has let down its customers and failed to…

Banyana Banyana kicked off their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) preparations with a gritty 3-2 triumph over Botswana in the Three Nations Challenge opener at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Wednesday. Early strikes from Jermaine Seopesenwe and Adriette Mibe handed South Africa a dream start in the tri-nation series, which also includes Zambia. But Botswana battled back with a goal in each half to keep the contest alive. South Africa, eyes set on continental glory once again and with the Wafcon just weeks away, Banyana used their Challenge clash against Botswana to sharpen their blades – and they cut deep. Having barely unpacked their bags from a double triumph over Malawi last month, Desiree Ellis’ side wasted no time finding their rhythm. Despite limited time in…

The Sharks will play their first-ever home quarter-final in the United Rugby Championship (URC) this weekend, and facing former champions Munster will be a big occasion for the home side. With a spot in the semis up for grabs, the Durbanites will need a team performance at Kings Park to shut out Munster, who have found a nick for winning play-off games away from home. Independent Newspapers looks at five Sharks players who must lead the side’s quest to the top four. Eben Etzebeth He said this week his body feels rested for the play-offs which is an unusual thing considering the long season, but he will want to make up for lost time after his spell on the sidelines when the team forged on in his absence. Etzebeth’s physicality…

THE Supreme Court of Appeal challenge by President Cyril Ramaphosa against the high court judgment that set aside the president’s recognition of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini as King of the Zulu Nation was not about the legitimacy of the king, but about the legality of the process. Advocate Morumo Moerane SC, who argued on behalf of Ramaphosa, said yesterday that the identification of King Misuzulu as Zulu king was done in accordance with Zulu customary law. Moerane said it was the right of the president to (recognise) the king, if he had already been identified by the Royal Family in terms of customary law. The question is not whether King Misuzulu is the suitable king, but whether the president has acted lawfully in confirming the king identified by the royal…

What if emotional exhaustion isn’t always about doing too much, but about absorbing too much that isn’t yours? We’re constantly connected, not just through phones, but through something far more subtle: psychological Wi-Fi. The moment we step into a room, we start picking up on invisible emotional signals. Especially when that energy is shaped by tension, insecurity, and judgment – they travel silently, syncing with our nervous systems, without permission. It’s like emotional second-hand smoke: you didn’t light it, but you’re still breathing it in. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that over one in eight people globally live with a mental health condition. But what if part of that emotional strain isn’t even ours to begin with? We often absorb the moods, frustrations, and insecurities of those around us…

Zelensky’s visit will focus on “German support for Ukraine and efforts to secure a ceasefire” with Russia to end more than three years of war, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said in a statement. During their Berlin talks from noon (1000 GMT), Zelensky and Merz are also expected to discuss EU efforts to levy more sanctions on Moscow amid a lack of progress so far towards ceasefire and eventual peace talks. After a joint press conference with Merz, Zelensky was due to meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was to greet him with military honours at Bellevue Palace. The Berlin visit comes days after Russia launched some of its heaviest missile and drone attacks of the conflict on Ukraine, and as US President Donald Trump has voiced growing frustration with…