Author: newsnote correspondent
In a tragic and shocking turn of events, Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and a trusted ally of US President Donald Trump, has been pronounced dead following a shooting at Utah Valley University. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, sending ripples of grief and alarm through the political landscape and across the nation.The news of Kirk’s death was announced by Trump on his social media platform, where he expressed deep sorrow, describing Kirk as “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk.” Trump highlighted Kirk’s profound understanding of American youth, stating, “No one understood or had the Heart of the…
Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, has issued a compelling call to global investors to tap into South Africa’s “immense tourism potential,” aiming to transform the sector into a catalyst for job creation, economic growth, and inclusive development. Addressing the inaugural G20 Tourism Investment Summit in Cape Town on Wednesday, De Lille unveiled eight flagship projects poised to attract nearly R1 billion in investment. Among these promising ventures is the God’s Window Skywalk in Mpumalanga, which seeks R200 million in funding, and the Hole in the Wall Resort in the Eastern Cape, requiring R141 million. “These are projects from both…
The Cape Flats region in the Western Cape is gripped by fear as residents witness escalating gang violence that continues to plague their communities. In a desperate plea for safety, local leaders are now calling for the deployment of soldiers to restore calm and order in the beleaguered area. This urgency comes in the aftermath of a fatal shooting that rattled the vicinity of the Athlone Magistrate’s Court last week, claiming one life and leaving two others wounded. Abie Isaacs, the Chairperson of the Cape Flats Safety Forum, articulated the community’s plight succinctly, stating, “As we’ve always been saying, the…
Residents of Westbury, a community in Johannesburg, are determined to continue their protests until Mayor Dada Morero personally visits the area to address their urgent concerns. The ongoing water outages have sparked outrage among locals, who have taken to the streets demanding accountability and solutions from the city’s leadership. The protests, which escalated in response to increasing water scarcity, have seen the community come together in a desperate bid for answers. Tensions flared when police responded to the demonstrations using rubber bullets, intensifying the frustration among residents who describe their situation as dire. “All we are asking is for water,”…
In a landmark ruling delivered by the High Court in Johannesburg, seven Chinese nationals have been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of heinous offences related to kidnapping and forced labour. The court’s decision comes in the wake of a highly publicised case concerning the exploitation of Malawian nationals in South Africa. The accused—identified as Kevin Tsao, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying, and Zhang Zhilian—were convicted in March on 158 counts that included kidnapping and forcing individuals into labour without compensation. The grim circumstances of their crimes involved the exploitation of…
A hostage situation in Mamelodi has ended in tragedy after a police constable fatally shot himself following a tense 13-hour standoff with police. The 32-year-old officer was holding his mother and 18-year-old nephew hostage over an undisclosed family dispute when negotiations took a devastating turn. The police negotiators, who were on the scene in the Buffer Zone, Ext 3 area, worked for hours in an attempt to de-escalate the situation and safely resolve the standoff. However, despite their efforts, it was confirmed that the constable, armed throughout the ordeal, took his own life. The emotional toll of the incident deepened…
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani reiterated on Tuesday Qatar’s unwavering commitment to mediation between Israel and Hamas. This declaration comes mere hours after Israeli forces launched airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders in Doha, an act the Prime Minister condemned as treacherous and a significant blow to peace efforts in Gaza. Speaking at a news conference, Al-Thani expressed grave concerns over the continuing violence, stating, “Qatar has spared no efforts and will do everything it can to stop this war in Gaza.” However, he acknowledged a bleak outlook for current peace talks, suggesting that the recent violence has effectively…
In a match full of mixed emotions and needless blunders, Nigeria’s quest for World Cup qualification was dealt a critical setback as they were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night. The Super Eagles, who went into the match as strong contenders, now find themselves facing an uphill battle to secure a spot at the tournament in the United States. The evening took a disheartening turn for Nigeria when captain William Troost-Ekong inadvertently opened the scoring for South Africa with a clumsy own goal just 25 minutes into the match. Troost-Ekong’s misfortune set an…
The Constitutional Court of South Africa is currently deliberating a significant challenge to the National Health Act (NHA) put forth by the Solidarity Trade Union and other stakeholders. At the heart of the debate lies the contentious provisions regarding the “certificate of need”, a regulatory requirement that mandates health service providers to obtain state approval to operate. Sections 36 to 40 of the NHA, which govern this process, are facing scrutiny over allegations of irrationality and arbitrary enforcement, potentially infringing on constitutional rights. The Solidarity Trade Union seeks a confirmation of a declaration of invalidity against these provisions, which the…
Thailand’s Supreme Court delivered a significant verdict on Tuesday, ruling that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must spend one year behind bars after deeming his previous hospital detention unlawful. This ruling has dealt yet another severe blow to the Shinawatra family’s influential legacy, which has shaped Thai politics for over two decades. The court determined that Thaksin, who has consistently been a polarising figure in Thailand, did not meet the medical criteria that would justify his extended stay in a VIP hospital wing instead of a regular prison cell. The judges articulated that the responsibility for Thaksin’s hospitalisation did not…