Author: newsnote correspondent
MINNEAPOLIS — Federal agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, local and federal officials said, marking the second fatal shooting involving federal agents in the city this month amid a surge in immigration enforcement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said U.S. Border Patrol agents fired in self-defense after a man approached them with a handgun and two magazines during an enforcement operation. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara identified the man as a 37-year-old city resident who was believed to be a U.S. citizen. O’Hara said the man was a lawful gun owner with no criminal record…
A private social worker has told the East London Regional Court that Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema is not a suitable candidate for direct imprisonment following his firearm-related conviction. Malema is appearing in court for pre-sentencing proceedings after being found guilty of discharging a firearm during the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebrations in Mdantsane in 2018. His conviction includes unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, and reckless endangerment. In a pre-sentencing report submitted to the court, social worker Jessie Thompson said no one was harmed during the incident and that the…
Proceedings in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial were briefly delayed on Friday after the defence requested a short postponement to secure a key witness. Defence advocate Charles Mnisi, representing accused number three, told the Gauteng High Court that the witness is expected to be available by Monday. He said only one defence witness is anticipated to testify, although the duration of the testimony is not yet known. The high-profile trial, which relates to the 2014 fatal shooting of Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, has been underway for several years. Five accused are facing charges stemming from the…
The United States has officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday, January 22, marking the end of nearly eight decades of membership in the global health body. The move, initiated by President Donald Trump on his first day in office in 2025, has drawn sharp criticism from health experts and international leaders, who warn it could undermine both American and worldwide efforts to combat pandemics and other health threats. Trump signed Executive Order 14155 on January 20, 2025, formally notifying the WHO of the U.S. intent to withdraw, citing the organization’s alleged mishandling of the…
In a devastating act of violence that has rocked the rural community of Ntabankulu, a suspended deputy principal allegedly stormed his former school on Thursday, fatally shooting three female teachers before taking his own life. The incident at Ntabankulu Primary School has left pupils, staff, and families in deep trauma, prompting calls for enhanced school security across South Africa. The attack unfolded around midday on January 22, when the 52-year-old perpetrator, who had been dismissed from the school and was out on bail facing sexual assault charges involving learners, forcibly entered the premises by cutting through the perimeter fence. He…
DAVOS, Switzerland – In a bold declaration of global harmony, U.S. President Donald Trump inaugurated his new “Board of Peace” on Friday, proclaiming, “We are going to have peace in the world.” The event, held at the World Economic Forum, featured representatives from a diverse group of about 19 countries, but notable absences from key allies raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about the initiative’s viability. Flanked by an eclectic mix of leaders on stage, Trump highlighted the board’s aim to foster international cooperation. Among the attendees was Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, often criticized for his authoritarian style. However, the…
United States President Donald Trump delivered a stark warning to European leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF), claiming the continent is “not heading in the right direction” due to what he described as unchecked immigration from distant countries, rendering some places “not recognisable anymore.” Speaking during a wide-ranging address that lasted over an hour, Trump highlighted America’s economic successes and urged Europe to adopt similar practices. “This afternoon, I want to discuss how we have achieved this economic miracle, how we intend to raise living standards for our citizens to levels never seen before and perhaps how you too…
In a dramatic turn during the ongoing murder trial of former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa, defence witness Sifiso Gwabini Zungu has firmly distanced himself from a signed statement that allegedly links the five accused men to the 2014 killing. Gwabini, testifying at the High Court in Pretoria, denied any knowledge of the document’s contents, which purportedly places all five suspects—Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Ncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, and Fisokuhle Ntuli—at a gathering he hosted at a Vosloorus hostel on the day of the murder. The statement, presented by the state, claims the accused were involved in the crime, with…
British American Tobacco (BAT) has revealed plans to shutter its cigarette manufacturing operations in South Africa by the end of 2026, attributing the decision to the overwhelming dominance of illicit trade in the local market. The multinational tobacco giant claims that illegal cigarettes now constitute up to 75% of sales in the country, making legitimate production unsustainable. BAT’s South African subsidiary, BATSA, confirmed the closure of its Heidelberg facility in Gauteng on January 15, marking a significant shift to an import-only model. The plant, currently operating at just 35% capacity, will cease production entirely, with BAT emphasizing that operations could…
In a presidency defined by audacious moves and unyielding ambition, Donald J. Trump has commemorated his first year back in the White House with sweeping expansions of executive authority and a dramatic overhaul of America’s global relationships. The 79-year-old Republican leader, who reclaimed the Oval Office after a contentious 2024 election, has issued over 220 executive orders—surpassing the velocity of his initial term—to enforce stringent immigration policies, slash federal bureaucracy, dismantle key agencies, and adopt a “spheres-of-influence” foreign policy echoing the historic Monroe Doctrine. Domestically, Trump’s agenda has sparked both acclaim and controversy. Mass deportations have been rolled out amid…