The Citizen - December 18, 2024

In this issue

December 18, 2024

'Milkshaker' avoids direct jail

A woman who admitted throwing a milkshake at right-wing Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during the general election campaign escaped jail on Monday.

1 min

Spaza deadline 'locks out many'

21 DAYS: GROUPS CALL FOR EXTENSION AFTER 'CHALLENGES'

2 mins

OpenAI search free to users

San Francisco — OpenAI on Monday said it was making ChatGPT-powered internet search available to all users, escalating its threat to Google's dominance.

1 min

'Odds stacked against ANC'

TRADEMARK: COURT BATTLE FOR NAME AND LOGO OF MK IS NOT WINNABLE, SAY EXPERTS

3 mins

Make-or-break moment as EFF ‘tries to regroup’

With the EFF emerging from its third elective conference over the weekend, attention now shifts to the party's ability to regroup and reclaim lost ground in what could be a make-or-break moment for the party.

2 mins

Bid to breed rare sharks

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION: PUPS BORN IN CAPTIVITY RELEASED INTO THE WILD

2 mins

Judge orders global pulling of Adele's song over plagiarism claim

A Brazilian judge has ordered that a song by British pop superstar Adele, Million Years Ago, be pulled worldwide - including on streaming services - over an ongoing plagiarism claim by a Brazilian composer.

1 min

Bucket toilets fill up

STINK: UNDRAINED SINCE APRIL DUE TO SERVICE PROVIDERS' GO-SLOW

2 mins

Changes to 2-pot retirement system

National Treasury is proposing amending legislation to ensure provident funds can make accurate calculations about how much members can withdraw and the seeding of the savings pot under the two-pot retirement system.

1 min

Anger over fatal train tragedy

DEATH: COMMUNITY REELING AFTER GIRL, 15, RUN OVER IN KEMPTON PARK ACCIDENT

2 mins

Blame game in farmer, community land row

Claimants of farmland outside Hartbeespoort Dam in North West are up in arms demanding that a farmer leave their land.

3 mins

Honorary rangers raise whopping R100m for SANParks

Those opting to venture into SA National Parks (SANParks) territory for their holidays may be unaware of the volunteers keeping operations well-oiled.

1 min

Beware of Xmas scammers

VIGILANCE: YOU MAY BE FLUSH WITH CASH AND RELAXED, BUT DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN

2 mins

Does 'conservation' outweigh concern?

The ethicality of keeping wild animals confined to enclosures for human entertainment has long been debated, with some praising the conservation and educational value of such, while others condemn the perceived mistreatment of the animals concerned.

1 min

Zoo complies, faces ongoing challenges

The Joburg Zoo has reaffirmed its commitment to meet the standards set by the Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria, which conducts regular inspections to ensure the well-being of the animals.

2 mins

Conservation and the ethics of captivity

Joburg Zoo's commitment to animal care through its core pillars of conservation, education, research, and recreation was highlighted by research conducted by the Tourism Research Unit (Trees) in 2019 at North-West University.

1 min

Minstrel funds go missing

R27.3M LOTTERY GRANT WENT TO A MUSEUM THAT REPORT SAYS 'NEVER EXISTED'

3 mins

It's been a December to remember for Mike de Kock

Mike de Kock has been in buoyant mood this week. No wonder, he has just won his own race.

1 min

GBV crisis not a side issue

While South Africa has positioned itself as a global leader in advocating for Palestinian liberation, one critical question remains: who is fighting for the rights of South African women and children?

2 mins

'Our lives in danger'

NOT REHABILITATED: TWO INJURED AFTER FALLING INTO SINKHOLES

2 mins

Whaling activist Watson free

Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, pictures, was yesterday released from detention in Greenland, after Denmark decided to refuse a Japanese extradition request over a 2010 clash with whalers.

1 min

No mercy for state capture looters

It's no surprise that Business Unity South Africa (Busa) has headed for the hills over the controversy generated by its getting into bed with a company which facilitated state capture, McKinsey.

1 min

Rangers set good example for SA

In a country where needs far exceed the capacity of a taxpayer-funded government to meet them – even assuming there was no theft or corruption – it is heartening that ordinary citizens are prepared to do their bit to help.

1 min

Malema's Xmas gift for GNU

SO, delivery by the man in red is a myth after all. This is not a reference to Father Christmas, who can reliably be expected to make his annual appearance next week.

2 mins

Transformation can be good, bad

According to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, pictured, the DA wants to \"preserve apartheid era standards\", while the ANC and its cronies want \"transformation ahead of all else\".

1 min

Wasted 12 years of schooling

Here's a lot of fuss made over changes to our education system, but regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain: our education system sucks.

2 mins

The world is on fire, literally and figuratively

If enough people perform truly humane acts, positive change may result, writes Frank Sterle Jnr.

1 min

Xmas in the tropics

The worst thing about Christmas is that you have to go shopping and buy stuff for people you don't care about - like your friends and family - because you know that if you don't, you won't get any stuff from them.

3 mins

TikTok appeals for stay of ban

Washington - TikTok asked the US Supreme Court on Monday to temporarily block a law that would force its Chinese owner to sell the popular online video-sharing platform, or shut it down a month from now.

1 min

New hope for citadel

Fully restoring Syria's war-damaged Krak des Chevaliers fortress, one of the world's most famous Crusader castles, may finally be within reach if the new authorities allocate the necessary resources, according to its director.

1 min

Christmas threatened

A white Christmas may increasingly become a nostalgic memory as the northern hemisphere sees ever fewer snowy winter days due to climate change, with Europe warming quickest, a report warned yesterday.

1 min

Restoring Italy's cathedral statues

In a workshop in the Milan suburbs, sculptor Giovanni Calderino completes his latest project - a battered statue from the top of the Italian city's Gothic cathedral and its gleaming white replacement.

2 mins

Erdogan boosts his standing

After backing the rebels who overthrew Bashar al-Assad and brokering a key Horn of Africa peace deal, Türkiye's Recep Tayyip Erdogan has boosted his international standing, leaving him well-placed to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, analysts say.

1 min

Mexico soothes Trump

TOUGH: US NEIGHBOUR BIDS TO AVOID INCOMING IMMIGRANT CRISIS

2 mins

Deputy PM in Canada quits

Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland quit Monday in a surprise move after disagreeing with Justin Trudeau over US president-elect Donald Trump's tariff threats.

1 min

Iran to reopen diplomatic mission in Syria

Iran's foreign ministry said yesterday that its embassy in Syria would reopen once the \"necessary conditions\" are met, after the diplomatic mission was vandalised following the ouster of Tehran ally Bashar al-Assad.

1 min

Spy claims are absurd - China

TIES: PRINCE ANDREW'S CONFIDANT YANG SUSPECTED

1 min

Japan's focus is renewables

Japan wants renewable energy to be its top power source by 2040 in a push to reduce dependence on coal and gas and become carbon neutral by mid-century, government plans showed yesterday.

1 min

More gadgets of 2024

Standout devices redefined performance, design and innovation.

3 mins

Ultimate gift guide

PERFECT: FASHION-FORWARD COLLECTION

3 mins

Tyme valued at R26bn with Nu's backing

Tyme Group, a digital lender controlled by South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe, raised $250 million (R4.5 billion) in a funding round that made it one of Africa's few unicorns.

1 min

JSE's worst investment

SPOILER: READ ON TO SEE WHO, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF STEINHOFF, IT IS

2 mins

Shareholder rejects R120

BARLOWORLD: CONSORTIUM'S OFFER IS UNDERVALUED, ACCORDING TO SILCHESTER

3 mins

Batch of new licences greets crypto boom

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has issued a batch of new crypto asset service provider (Casp) licences in recent months, bringing the total number of licences issued to 248.

2 mins

How to stay on the safe side

Shun view that if US does well, the index implies the world is doing well.

3 mins

Metair seals AutoZone deal as part of its rescue plan

JSE-listed Metair has completed the acquisition of Autozone, having received all the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities and lenders, the group announced.

2 mins

Desalination plant for Cape

DRAFT REPORT: OPERATIONAL BY 2030

2 mins

Players believe in Pep

FODEN: MANCHESTER CITY SQUAD STILL STANDING BEHIND THEIR COACH

2 mins

Amorim shows his 'brutal' side

Ruben Amorim (above) is celebrating his biggest win since arriving at Manchester United - with perhaps a hint of relief after making the most \"brutal\" call of his brief reign so far.

1 min

Liverpool to rest some of their stars

Liverpool - Arne Slot (right) says he is not surprised that Liverpool are flying on all fronts just months after he replaced Juergen Klopp as he prepares to rest some stars for their League Cup quarterfinal against Southampton.

1 min

Nohamba nearly back to his best

JAQUE FOURIE: FLYHALF HAS THE QUALITY TO REBOUND

2 mins

Proteas wilt against English

A second-innings collapse saw the Proteas fall in a convincing 286-run defeat to England on day three of the one-off women's Test in Bloemfontein yesterday.

1 min

Southee will never forget journey

Tim Southee said he would never forget his \"incredible journey\" after the New Zealand great confirmed yesterday he had retired fully from international cricket.

1 min

Nabi wants more Christmas gifts

AMAKHOSI: COACH NEEDS TO STRENGTHEN HIS SQUAD

1 min

Williams bags Caf Awards double

Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was named Caf Goalkeeper of the Year and Caf Interclub Player of the Year at the Confederation of African Football Awards in Marrakesh, Morocco on Monday night.

1 min

US golfers set for Cup payday

Los Angeles - US golfers will be paid to play in the Ryder Cup for the first time after the PGA of America unveiled a program on Monday that will give each team member a $200,000 stipend and $300,000 to distribute to charity.

1 min

Pakistan win nailbiting opener

Opening batter Saim Ayub and all-rounder Salman Agha carried Pakistan to a narrow three-wicket victory over South Africa, with just three balls to spare, in the first one-day international (ODI) in Paarl last night.

1 min

Players feeling the workload

Most top South African rugby players don't currently have an off season and it is starting to show in how the franchises are struggling with the enhanced player workload.

1 min

HIGH PRAISE FOR RONWEN

Shotstopper has shown his vision and ball distribution are second to none.

2 mins

More wins for Aldo, Candice

Trainer Candice Bass-Robinson looks to have some decent horses in her yard and testament to that is borne out by the fact that she came away with a treble at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday - and one of them was the Grade 3 SplashOut Victress Stakes over 1800m.

1 min

Lyle plans to be riding on Sunday

Lyle Hewitson is hoping to be back in the saddle this weekend after doctors cleared him of any serious injuries following his nasty fall at Sha Tin on Sunday.

1 min

Botes not forgot at Vaal

FORM: LIGHTLY WEIGHTED CARE FORGOT SHOULD HAVE THE EDGE

2 mins

Back Bowman for a reliable profit

Reliable Profit has evolved into a serious player on Sha Tin's dirt course and the Reliable Man gelding is chasing a fourth consecutive win on the alternate surface in the first section of today's HK$1.17 million Class 4 Ngan Shing Handicap over 1650m.

2 mins

R800,000 boost for TAB pools

The good times are rolling for TAB soccer customers and they will keep rolling all the way into 2025 with top matches virtually daily across a range of pools and numerous chances to win huge amounts of cash, including six cash-boosted bets this weekend and later in the month guaranteed Soccer 13 pools of R32 million (26 December) and R22 million (29 December)!

2 mins

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