Author: newsnote correspondent
The Oval Office, typically a space for diplomacy and decorum, became a battleground of contrasting ideologies when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confronted former President Donald Trump over the complex web of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This tense exchange underscored the stakes not just for Ukraine, but for global security, as Zelensky delivered a powerful warning that echoed through the political landscape. Zelensky’s message was clear and urgent: to appease Russia is to invite catastrophe. “If you think that if you will speak very loudly about the war—” he began, only to be cut off by Trump’s irritated retort: “He’s not speaking…
As South Africa’s senior citizens embrace their golden years, a treasure trove of discounts awaits them, enabling them to savour life’s pleasures without the strain of financial stress. These perks, especially invaluable amid the rising cost of living and stagnant pension funds, allow seniors to not only enjoy their lives but also manage their expenses effectively. Below, we explore the array of discounts available to those aged 60 and above, covering everything from entertainment to essential services. 1. For the cinephiles among older residents, the movie scenes have something special in store. Both Ster-Kinekor and Nu Metro roll out appealing discounts. At the iconic V&A…
In a contentious move that has ignited debate both nationally and internationally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has announced a ban on the public format of the annual Budapest Pride parade. This decision, announced on Wednesday, is framed by the government as a necessary measure to uphold ‘child protection’ laws, reflecting the administration’s ongoing campaign to amend the constitution with a focus on safeguarding children. The Budapest Pride parade, a vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community that has unfolded in the Hungarian capital for nearly 30 years, will now face restrictions that government officials claim prevent it from ‘dominating public…
In a comprehensive effort to bolster township economies and ensure food safety, the North West provincial Department of Co-operative Governance has conducted extensive inspections across the region, unveiling alarming findings regarding tuck shops and spaza shops. Out of approximately 4,000 inspections carried out throughout the province, over 250 shops were identified as non-compliant with the recently implemented Standard Draft By-Laws that govern the operation of food outlets. Head of the Department, Dr Ben Bole, confirmed the shutdown of 73 spaza shops deemed hazardous, following a surge in cases involving children who tragically lost their lives after consuming food purchased from…
In a significant escalation of military operations on February 28, the Ukrainian Defense Forces executed precise strikes against key Russian military assets. These operations resulted in the destruction of a thermobaric munitions depot located near Selydove in the Donetsk region, a critical supply point for Russian forces. Furthermore, Ukrainian forces successfully targeted the Ilsky oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai, deep within Russian territory, marking a striking development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Details surrounding the impact of these strikes remain sparse, with no immediate reports on casualties or specific damage assessments from the Russian military. The precise…
In a surprising turn of events, Dana Brown has resigned from her post as the United States’ chargé d’affaires in South Africa, effective immediately. Multiple sources confirm this departure, which comes less than a year after she took up the role in August 2024. A chargé d’affaires serves as the second-in-command to an ambassador, stepping in to handle diplomatic functions when an ambassador is not in place. Brown’s resignation further complicates the diplomatic landscape as the US government has yet to appoint a new ambassador following the resignation of Reuben Brigety in January, a standard procedure during transitions between presidential…
In a heated exchange marked by diverging views on national unity, AfriForum’s CEO Kallie Kriel has firmly rebutted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s claim that lobby groups, including Solidarity, are creating division by their recent visit to the Trump administration in the United States. Ramaphosa’s comments, made during an education summit in Gauteng, pointed fingers at those seeking international assistance instead of fostering a cohesive nation. “What they are doing has spawned divisions in our nation. This is not a nation-building process of running around the world to have your problems solved,” he stated. In response, Kriel argued that the trip to…
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, have been found dead in their home in New Mexico, prompting an investigation by local authorities. The bodies were discovered on Wednesday, along with that of their pet dog, leading police to label the incident as “suspicious.” Initially, reports indicated no apparent signs of foul play. However, a search warrant revealed that a detective deemed the circumstances surrounding the deaths “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.” The police were alerted by maintenance workers who found the entrance door to the couple’s residence unlocked, with…
The Trump administration has ordered the slashing of over 90% of aid contracts from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Following a brief re-entry to their downtown Washington headquarters on Thursday, USAID staff members were met with applause from a gathering of supportive colleagues and members of the public as they left, boxes in hand, to the sound of cheers amidst a cold drizzle. President Donald Trump had imposed a 90-day pause on all foreign aid in January to conduct an extensive review to align projects with his “America First” policy, initiating a shockwave across the humanitarian sector. Thousands…
A meeting of finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of 20 nations failed on Thursday to come up with a joint communique, with a “chair’s summary” issued by the South African host reiterating a commitment to resisting protectionism. This week’s G20 talks in Cape Town were overshadowed by the absence of several key finance chiefs and foreign aid cuts by major economies like the United States and Britain. Finance ministers from the United States, China, India and Japan, among others, skipped the meeting, which was held against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions over trade, the Ukraine war…