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300 Families From Rabie Ridge Go to Court to Fight Eviction

[GroundUp] The City of Johannesburg says the land occupation is stopping a housing development




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John Hlophe's Meddling in Eviction Matter Slammed By Appeal Court

[GroundUp] The Supreme Court of Appeal has found that the former judge's inappropriate interventions resulted in a flawed judgment




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SA Strengthens Bilateral Ties With Egypt

[SAnews.gov.za] International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister Ronald Lamola, along with a business delegation, will today undertake a working visit to Cairo, in the Arab Republic of Egypt, to co-chair the South Africa-Egypt Political Consultations.




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Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Targets Immigrant-Owned Spaza Shops

[GroundUp] "These are politically motivated actions against us. There are many more pressing issues facing this city."




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Cabinet Apprised of Interventions to Deal With Foodborne Illnesses and Fatalities

[SAnews.gov.za] President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation soon on the interventions government is undertaking to deal with foodborne illnesses and fatalities that have transpired in the country.




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Cabinet Welcomes Historic Issuing of Muslim Marriage Certificates

[SAnews.gov.za] Cabinet has welcomed the historic issuing of the first batch of 33 Muslim marriage certificates by the Department of Home Affairs.




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South Africa Calls for Calm Amid Post-Election Tensions in Mozambique

[SAnews.gov.za] South Africa has reiterated its call for calm and restraint following post-election protests in Mozambique.




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SA to Mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

[SAnews.gov.za] Cabinet has approved the conceptual approach to this year's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign.




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Hyundai Ioniq 9 3-row EV SUV teased, debuts Nov. 21

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 will debut at the LA auto show on Nov. 21 The Ioniq 9 will be an electric three-row crossover SUV built in Georgia The Ioniq 9 will share its underpinnings with the Kia EV9 and arrive in 2025 Hyundai on Wednesday released the another teaser for the Ioniq 9, a three-row electric SUV the automaker will unveil at the 2024 Los...




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VW ups investment with Rivian to $5.8B, forms technology joint venture

VW Group and Rivian collaborate on electrical architecture and software development First Rivian to use jointly developed systems will be R2 due in 2026 First VW Group models will use the the systems from 2027 Volkswagen Group has decided to deepen its ties with U.S. electric vehicle startup Rivian, with the two companies announcing on Tuesday...




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2025 Polestar 2 drops the best-driving, highest-range versions

The 2025 Polestar 2 lineup shrinks to just one configuration, dropping the less-expensive, higher-range models. First spotted by Car and Driver, the 2025 Polestar 2 will only be available in Performance Pack spec. That means the base single-motor version, as well as the non-Performance dual-motor version, are history. The single-motor version...




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Volkswagen's stake in Rivian grows to $5.8B, joint venture now formed

VW's taking a larger stake in Rivian, now up to $5.8 billion Rivian and VW's joint venture has formally been created The Rivian R2 in 2026 and a Volkswagen in 2027 will be the first vehicles to feature the new joint-venture electrical architecture The Volkswagen Group on Tuesday announced that it would up its investment in Rivian as the two...




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2026 Honda Passport revealed with bigger, brawnier design

Redesigned 2026 Honda Passport revealed ahead of launch in early 2025 2026 Honda Passport comes standard with 285-hp V-6 2026 Honda Passport pricing will start in mid-$40,000 range A new generation of the Honda Passport two-row midsize SUV is headed to showrooms early next year as a 2026 model. Buyers will be able to choose from a base RTL model...



  • Los Angeles Auto Show

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Polestar drops price on 3 SUV, streamlines 2 liftback lineup

The Polestar 3 has been given a price cut for 2025, while the Polestar 2 is a lot more expensive The 2025 Polestar 3 now starts at $68,900 The 2025 Polestar 2 now starts at $66,200 Swedish performance EV brand Polestar is bringing down the starting price of some of its models in the U.S. while raising it on others. The U.S.-built Polestar 3...




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2025 Mercedes-AMG GT 43 dons turbo-4, $107,050 price tag

Redesigned Mercedes-Benz AMG GT enters second year on the market with new powertrain options New entry-level model packs 416-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4 New ranger-topper packs electrified twin-turbo V-8 powertrain with combined 805 hp Mercedes-Benz AMG redesigned its GT sports car for the 2024 model year, and for 2025 it has some new models in the...




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China's CATL open to building US battery plant if Trump allows

Chines battery supplier CATL could build a plant in the U.S. The decision would hinge on whether Trump's administration allows the Chinese to enter the market CATL wanted to invest in the U.S. but to date the government's said no Chinese battery supplier CATL is open to building a U.S. factory if the incoming Trump administration allows it, the...




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2025 Hyundai Ioniq 9 teased ahead of November 21 debut

Hyundai on Wednesday confirmed that the Ioniq 9 electric three-row SUV will debut on November 21 at the 2024 Los Angeles auto show. Hyundai used the same event in 2021 to preview the Ioniq 9 with the Seven concept. Hyundai in July said the Ioniq 9 will reach the U.S. as a 2025 model, though a firm date for the start of sales hasn't been announced...



  • Los Angeles Auto Show

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Obaseki embarks on post-tenure medical vacation

The immediate-past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation. This is for him to rest and undergo a medical check-up, after a successful two-term as governor of the state. This was disclosed in a statement by his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, on Wednesday. The former governor completed his two-term administration on November


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FG pegs power sector investment gap at $10bn

The Federal Government says it will collaborate with the private sector in raising a portion of the $10bn needed to ensure the provision of consistent and reliable electricity across the country. This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to address the country’s chronic power supply challenges and is expected to span a period


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  • Business & Economy

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Makinde presents N678.86bn budget, targets infrastructure, education growth

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, presented a proposed budget estimate of N678,086,767,322.18 to the state House of Assembly for legislative consideration and approval. Makinde, while presenting the budget, tagged, “Budget of Economic Stabilisation,” said it was 35 per cent higher compared to the 2024 budget. He said, “Out of the budget, capital expenditure


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Gunmen kill two soldiers at Abia army checkpoint

Two soldiers were killed early Wednesday morning when gunmen attacked an army checkpoint at the Imo/Abia boundary community of Ekenobizi in Umuopara in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State. A military officer who spoke to PUNCH Metro on condition of anonymity said the attack came at about 6.18 am from the gunmen who


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NAHCON to provide N90bn Hajj subsidy documents

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, on Wednesday, failed to give an accurate account of how the N90bn subsidy paid by the Federal Government for the 2024 Hajj exercise was utilised. The House of Representatives, in July 2024, set up the panel, following the adoption of a motion titled, “Urgent need to investigate the National


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Babalola: Unending controversy over INEC’s electoral commissioner

In this report, Peter Dada writes on the forthcoming Ondo governorship election, highlighting the controversy that has trailed INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for the poll On Saturday, over two million registered voters would go to the polling centres to cast their votes for the governorship candidates of their choice, to decide who will steer the


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UCH disconnected over N400m debt – Ibadan DisCo

The University of Ibadan College Hospital has been disconnected from the national grid over an outstanding N400 million debt. The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company said the disconnection became unavoidable following the failure of UCH to pay the debt. Speaking with our correspondent, the spokesperson of IBEDC, Busolami Tunwase, said the university did not fulfil its


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  • Business & Economy

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NRC expands Abuja-Kaduna train services

The Nigerian Railway Corporation has expanded its train operations on the Abuja-Kaduna route, increasing the number of services from four to six during weekdays, specifically from Monday to Friday. A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, Yakub Mohmood, on Wednesday, disclosed the new update. This expansion is aimed at meeting the growing demand


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NBC, WIMBIZ support female entrepreneur with N1m grant

The Nigerian Bottling Company has partnered with Women in Management, Business, and Public Service to support female entrepreneurship, including awarding an N1 million grant to a pastry chef. In a statement, NBC said it awarded an N1m grant to a pastry chef and entrepreneur, Achiv Ngusurun, in recognition of her innovative business approach at the


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Nigeria’s $700bn mining potential draws global interest

Nigeria’s push to revamp its mining sector is generating heightened interest from global investors as President Bola Tinubu’s administration drives reforms to unlock an estimated $700 billion in untapped mineral resources, diplomatic sources said. Last week, Nigeria launched a four-day mining investment roadshow in South Africa, aiming to attract $500m in foreign investment for its


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Umahi queries contractor over failed Abuja-Minna road

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has decried the deplorable condition of the Abuja-Minna federal road, saying he did not see any work done by the contractor handling the project. The minister who travelled by road from Abuja to attend a stakeholders’ engagement on the construction of the 125KM three-lane single carriage of the Niger


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Eagles battle Cheetahs for 2025 AFCON ticket

For the third time in six months, Nigeria and the Benin Republic will do battle on Thursday (today) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, as they seek to seal their automatic spots for the 2025 AFCON, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. After beating the Cheetahs 3-0 during the first leg at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, in


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Tinubu determined to eliminate bandits, terrorists, says NSA

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has warned that obstructing security under President Bola Tinubu’s administration will not be tolerated, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. He said this at the Comptroller General of Customs Conference in Abuja, on Wednesday, emphasising the President’s determination to eliminate bandits, terrorists, and other security threats. According to Ribadu,


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Minister begs varsity workers to focus on students welfare

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has urged labour unions, especially those within the educational sector, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and others to prioritise the welfare and education of Nigerian students over strikes. Alausa spoke at the opening of the 359th Quadrennial National delegates


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Edo NULGE restates support for LG autonomy, backs national leadership

The Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees has pledged its support to the union’s national leadership, headed by President-General Akeem Ambali. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Edo NULGE, led by Clifford Dauda, praised Ambali’s ability to unite stakeholders and members from across the country, highlighting this as a


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Don backs establishment of Kaduna varsity

A Professor in the Department of Geography at the Kaduna State University, John Laah, has defended the proposed Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, stressing that it would benefit all Nigerians, not just the people of Southern Kaduna. During an interactive session with journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday, Laah, speaking on behalf of the


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Tinubu’s policies threatening industries, workers — Chemical union

The Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has decried the policies of the Bola Tinubu-led government, saying that they are adversely affecting chemical and non-metallic products in Nigeria. National President of the association, Mr Segun David, made the remarks at the opening session of the 29th Annual National Management/Industrial Relations Seminar on


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EFCC seizes Okowa’s passport, grants him bail

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has withheld the international passport of the former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa. Okowa was arrested by the anti-graft agency on November 4, 2024, over an alleged diversion of N1.3tn derivation fund. The N1.3trn amounted to a 13 per cent derivation fund from the federation account between 2015


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Armed men attack Obajana transmission station, destroy power transformers

Armed men suspected to be bandits, on Tuesday, attacked the site of the ongoing construction of the 330/132/33kV transmission substation in Obajana, Kogi State. The armed men, shooting sporadically, destroyed a 150MVA 330/132/33kV power transformer, causing a significant setback to the government’s efforts to increase power generation. The Transmission Company of Nigeria disclosed the latest


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Chadian women complain of underrepresentation in December elections

Yaounde, Cameroon — An estimated 8 million voters in Chad go to the polls Dec. 29 in legislative, local and district elections. Female leaders and activists, however, say women candidates are being underrepresented. Chadian officials say the legislative elections will mark an end to a three-year transition from military to civilian rule that began when General Mahamat Idriss Deby seized power in April 2021 following the death of his father, long-serving President Idriss Deby Itno. During the transitional period, Deby said he would make sure women, who constitute more than 51% of Chad's population, were nominated in legislative, provincial and district elections. He said Chad would respect its pledges as a signatory to the Maputo Protocol, a commitment by African nations through the African Union to ensure gender equality in political decision making. But activists say women constitute just over one-third of the candidates in this year’s races, in which 180 political parties have nominated more than 8,500 candidates. They say limiting women from elective positions prohibits a majority of the central African nation’s civilians from participating in their country's development and legislating and voting on laws that will improve living conditions. Ahmed Bartchiret, president of ANGE, Chad’s national elections management body, acknowledged the low number of women running for elected office.  He said women constitute less than 35% of the lists of nominees submitted by political parties, including Deby's Patriotic Salvation Movement, or MPS, for the Dec. 29 elections. ANGE also acknowledged that some nominations, including those of women, were turned down, but gave no further details. ANGE said anyone whose nomination was rejected can take up the issue through the courts. Women’s groups, including the Association of Indigenous Women and People and the Civil Society Group Against Injustice and Inequality, said in a release that ANGE rejected nomination papers of women candidates who could not pay the roughly $250 application fee. Activists, however, say some political parties are still very reluctant to nominate women, at times claiming that women are not educated enough to occupy political office. Amina Priscille Longoh is Chad's minister of women and child protection. Speaking Wednesday on state television, she noted that in some communities, there is resistance to women seeking higher office.   Longoh said Deby’s strong political will to involve more women in politics is facing opposition from communities, traditional rulers and some clerics, who think that women should stay at home to take care of their husbands and children. She said Deby has ordered that a mass education campaign be carried out to advocate for the respect of women's rights and political participation. Longoh also said many women lack the financial means to run in elections. Some Chadian women have complained that Prime Minister Allamaye Halina, whom Deby appointed on May 23 as part of a new civilian government, has reduced the number of female ministers from 12 to eight. Activists say the government has not respected a resolution of the central African nations’ 2022 Inclusive and Sovereign National Dialogue which states that more women should be appointed to government positions. Female leaders say women constitute the majority of Chad’s population and can have more influence than men in peacekeeping processes.




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Experts push contract farming to boost Africa food systems, farmers’ income

Nairobi — As African farmers struggle with unpredictability caused by climate change, some are looking into contract farming, which involves growing a certain crop for a price set in advance. About 400 people attended the International Conference on Contract Farming in Nairobi this week to learn more about the practice.  Peris Wanjiku, the conference director, said such agreements can help solve the challenges that many smallholder farmers face in Africa.  "It's always important to farm with a plan. I believe it's not enough to simply plant a crop, whatever it is, without knowing where it will end up," Wanjiku said. "Farmers should know beforehand what to grow and where to sell. This is why contract farming is so important, as it provides the framework for certainty and sustainability. "But it's not only about the traditional farmer. I believe we can extend the benefit of contract farming to those who may not be farmers themselves right now, but they own a piece of land."    Experts say the growing interest in contract farming is associated with increasingly complicated systems in food production, marketing and distribution, which has made it difficult for farmers to meet consumers' demands.  Contract farming, experts say, is an instrument that manages and reduces production risks for both parties.  Wilson Milito Ole-Rampei, a vegetable farmer in Kenya, is attending the conference and is optimistic that the practice would help him.   "I will benefit because if, for example, I am growing vegetables, we will arrange with them to get a market. They will give me their technical advice, then our arid land will be used. Because of [a] shortage of rain, we will do irrigation. I would have knowledge of what I am growing," Ole-Rampei said.    An economist for the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization, Lan Li, said contract farming is often a good deal for small-scale farmers.   "It sets the agreements on what products to produce, quantity, and price," Li said. "As such, it helps secure more stable income and better production planning for producers. It can improve access to inputs for small-scale holder farmers, technical assistance training, and financing solutions."  African farmers have seen reduced harvests due to global warming and drought. For many, a lack of knowledge and skills also contributes to low food production.  In areas where farmers can produce enough food, they sometimes face obstacles such as bad roads or insecurity that prevent them from getting to market.   Carole Kariuki, head of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, said the private and public sectors need to collaborate to improve the agriculture sector.  "The private sector is doing its best. It's filling that gap where it can, but we cannot do it all, and we need the government to be able to go back and say we can get agriculture extension officers helping out small farmers and all the farmers in the country. Contract farming holds immense potential to transform African agriculture,” she said.  Contract farming can have drawbacks, such as making farmers less able to sell to alternative buyers when produce prices increase. In addition, there are environmental risks from growing only one crop for a long time.   Buyers, meanwhile, can face high transaction costs from contracting with many farmers.  But Kariuki believes the benefits outweigh the risks. She called contract farming a model to lift up small-scale farmers, boost food production, and drive sustainable growth.




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After declaring end to cholera outbreak, Zimbabwe sees new cases

Harare, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe has recorded new cases of cholera several months after declaring the end of an outbreak that killed more than 700 people over an 18-month period.  On Wednesday, Zimbabwe confirmed a new outbreak of cholera has been recorded in the district of Kariba — on the border with Zambia — where 21 cases have been confirmed and one person died.  Dr. Godfrey Muza, the Kariba district medical officer, said the government is working to contain the situation:  "We have set up cholera equipment camp and also some oral rehydration points within the affected villages," said Muza. "We are getting assistance from our local and regional partners like MSF [Medecins Sans Frontieres, also known as Doctors Without Borders] and UNICEF. And our teams are on the ground doing risk communication and community engagement activities on health promotion, hygiene promotion and assisting the community in terms of improving sanction."   In August, the Zimbabwe government declared that the 18-month long cholera outbreak was over. The outbreak  affected up to 35,000 people and claimed more than 700 lives. Zimbabwe has dealt with cholera outbreaks in the past.  In 2008, an outbreak resulted in more than 98,000 cases and more than 4,000 reported deaths.   Independent health experts such as Dr. Norman Matara of Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights said the government needs to address the conditions that enable the waterborne disease to spread.  "In public health, we often say cholera is a disease of poverty which mainly affects people with inadequate access to safe water and basic sanitation," said Matara. "In Zimbabwe, we have witnessed perennial cholera outbreaks in recent years and these outbreaks are being caused by a lack of safe drinking water supply and a broken-down sanitation system which leaves residents in densely populated communities surrounded by flowing sewer. This sewer will then contaminate alternative sources of water such as shower wells, streams, rivers and even boreholes resulting in people drinking or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacteria."  He said that those conditions have been chronic over the years in Zimbabwe, contributing to the repeated outbreaks.  How does Zimbabwe get out of this cycle of recurring cholera outbreaks?  "We need to make sure that our hospitals are well-supposed with the real addressing solutions and medicines so that people can be assisted," said Matara. " ... Also, those high-risk communities, especially in towns and urban cities, we may give them the oral cholera vaccine so that they may be protected. In the long term, the government needs to invest more in proper sanitation facilities and infrastructure as well as making sure that people are provided with clean safe water for drinking and cooking."  Matara said he hopes the current outbreak is contained quickly and does not spread to other parts of Zimbabwe.  But with raw sewage flowing in some streets of Harare, it might be a question of time.  




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Sierra Leone begins to vaccinate health care workers against Ebola

Authorities in Sierra Leone have launched an Ebola vaccination campaign targeting at least 5,000 health workers. Many health workers caught the Ebola virus during the outbreak that hit West Africa a decade ago. Victoria Amunga reports from Kenema, Sierra Leone. Camera: Jimmy Makhulo.




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Senate urged to work on anti-online piracy bill

As the Senate continues to take action on the Site Blocking Bill, a consumer group again called on the chamber to pass the measure to protect the creative industry and ensure the digital security of Filipinos.