Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-26 i Saturday Star

The defence counsel for Tiffany Meek claimed there was no “public outcry” opposing her bail yesterday. He submitted this during his cross-examination of the investigating officer in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court as his client’s claim hearing continues. Lawyer Noven Naidoo brought up the fact that the police sergeant previously told the court it would be in Meek’s best interest to stay behind bars. The court heard the public outcry from not only residents from Fleurhof, but South Africans at large, needed to be taken into consideration when making a judgment. The police sergeant said South Africans are angered at Meek, who was initially at the forefront for justice for her son, 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, yet she is now sitting in the dock for murder. Earlier this week, the court asked…

The defence in a trial of four men accused of inciting violence in Phoenix during the July 2021 civil unrest has told a State witness that the evidence he has given to the Durban High Court and the police is false. This was put to Anard Chetty, a State witness, on Friday morning at the Durban High Court. Chetty had told the court earlier this week that on the night of July 11, 2021, he saw and heard the owner of Tees tavern, Trevor Gopal, inciting violence on black Africans, by saying ‘We must put the heat on 'darkie ous' must be put before they put it on them.’ Gopal is the second accused in this matter, charged with incitement to commit public violence. On other charges, murder, two counts…

Hospitals today, schools and spaza shops are next. That's the warning from a group of illegal enforcers determined to drive foreigners out of the country. As anti-foreigner sentiment sweeps across Durban and Johannesburg, they've warned that their campaign will reach other provinces as well. For the past six weeks, the group known as March and March has been stationed outside Addington Hospital, blocking access to anyone they suspect is not South African. Those who are must provide an ID before they can enter the facility, and even then, it’s subject to the group’s discretion, the Independent on Saturday was told this week. Teresa Nortje, the group’s KZN representative, claims foreigners are overburdening public facilities meant for local citizens. She says their “research,” conducted while blocking entrances, shows that at least…

The time was 2pm, the sun was scorching and a retiree named Dewey Butts III was revelling in his version of heaven: a swimming pool crowded with dozens of men and women – every last one of them naked, himself included. Here at the Avalon Resort, a self-styled “clothing-optional” retreat two hours west of DC, the dress code requires no type of dress (or shirt or pants) at all. The 250 rolling acres that include streets with names like “Bare Buns Boulevard,” freedom means moseying about in nothing more than gobs of sunscreen and embracing a lifestyle that dates back nearly 100 years in the US and longer in Europe. Not to worry if you’re feeling a tad self-conscious, say Avalon’s members, largely an older crowd that includes people like…

Renowned jazz vocalist and Pretoria native Tutu Puoane is set to grace stages across South Africa with her much-anticipated tour, showcasing her current project, Wrapped In Rhythm. Puoane reveals that this award-winning double album is a heartfelt homage to the evocative poetry of South African poet and activist Lebo Mashile, featuring a unique blend of jazz, soul, and singer-songwriting that resonates with audiences both locally and internationally. Since relocating to Antwerp, Belgium, in 2005, Puoane explains that she has found herself profoundly inspired by Mashile's anthology, In A Ribbon Of Rhythm. For nearly a decade, the book accompanied her, stirring emotions that encapsulated her experiences as a young black African woman navigating her identity amidst the complexities of living away from her homeland. “Ten years ago, this book had…

ZANDILE Ndhlovu holds her breath. She’s 25m underwater, without oxygen, and face-to-face with a bull shark off Sodwana Bay on KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast. Man and beast engage in a silent stare-off. Then the shark glides away. It’s not a movie scene, but a regular moment in the life of Ndhlovu - South Africa’s pioneering Black freediver, widely known as the “Black Mermaid.” “You can't leave until the bull shark stops the stare-down,” she says, because you have to establish dominance. “And then it eventually leaves, and you just break for the surface because you realise that if you hold yourself and you calm yourself, the animal is calm.” Ndhlovu, known for her blue braids and fearlessness in the ocean, is a research assistant for an award-winning team of scientists featured…

After decades working as a fisherman on a high-altitude Mexican lake, Froylan Correa is now helping to save an endangered amphibian with gills resembling a lion’s mane and a remarkable regenerative ability. The achoque, also known as the Lake Patzcuaro salamander, is a lesser-known relative of the axolotl, the small, friendly-faced amphibian battling extinction in Mexico City. Overfishing, pollution and reduced water levels in Lake Patzcuaro, its only natural habitat, mean that the achoque is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In an attempt to prevent it disappearing, biologists from Michoacana University decided to pay the local Indigenous community of San Jeronimo Purenchecuaro to help the achoque to reproduce. Correa, who knows the lake in the western state of Michoacan like the back of…

When most 16-year-olds were learning TikTok dances or stressing over exam schedules, Olamide Balogun was building a business from the floor of her bedroom. Armed with beads, wire, and a vision far bigger than herself, she co-founded Balogun Sisters Jewellery, a brand that doesn’t just accessorise, it amplifies. But this isn’t just another teenage side hustle. For Olamide, jewellery is activism. It’s culture. It’s storytelling. “It doesn’t matter how young you are. If you believe in your idea, just start. “There’s really no ‘perfect’ time. You grow by doing,” she said. And grow she did. What began as a small creative project has evolved into a platform for challenging norms, championing equality, and giving voice to people often left unheard. “Balogun Sisters is a platform for activism. It’s our way…

some cars feel like they want to put you in the hospital when driving fast, and then there are those that give the impression that you’re on an easy drive to buy bread and milk. The BMW M5 is one of those cars. This thing is lightning quick with a sound to match, and after 40 years, BMW have now made the most powerful M5 yet. Big numbers For what is essentially a family sedan, the numbers are rather intimidating, and because it’s a plug-in hybrid, it’s also a new energy vehicle. And hats off to the engineers in Germany who have slotted in the same technology as the BMW M Hybrid V8 endurance racing car. This M5 combines its twin turbo- charged 4.4-litre V8 with 430kW and 750Nm and…

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s controversial decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave and appoint Professor Firoz Cachalia as Acting Minister of Police, effective August 1, has sparked turbulence within the upper echelons of the SAPS. Days later, National Police Commissioner General Fanny Masemola placed Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, head of Crime Detection, on leave, prompting speculation that KZN Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi may be next. These shifts ignited widespread political speculation and disjointed warnings that any move against Mkhwanazi could provoke resistance. While inflammatory rhetoric should not be condoned, it must be understood within the broader political volatility and a society that registers its displeasure with Ramaphosa and his ANC party, which continues to disrespect South Africans. A key question emerges: Is there a connection between these rumblings and…

MOST of us suffer from financial stress from time to time, typically when expenses exceed income. Of course, many are in this stressed state permanently. The causes are numerous, from a lack of job opportunities to societal pressures, but there is one thing that amplifies stress to unbearable levels – debt. Remember what they say about the magic of compound interest on investments? With debt, it works in reverse. If you don’t repay at least the interest amount each month, your debt will compound. And when you have entered that downward spiral and your debt repayments consume such a large portion of your income that you can no longer afford the essentials of food, shelter, and transport, you are in serious trouble. This week, debt counselling firm DebtBusters released its…

French-based Bafana Bafana midfielder and Engen Knockout Challenge graduate Lebogang Phiri recently made a powerful return to the tournament that helped shape his career. Phiri spent some time engaging with players, watching matches, and reflecting on the impact of grassroots football. “This is not just another youth tournament. I don’t think people always realise the gravity of it,” said Phiri. Tournaments like the Engen Knockout Challenge are whereyou get the next top talents and future big-name players. “It’s where players learn to handle pressure, build big-match temperament, and get exposed to the type of support and attention that prepares them for the next level. “If a young player approaches this platform with the right mindset, it can change their career.” As someone who rose through the same ranks, Phiri understands…

Mexican football icon Javier Hernandez apologised on Thursday for making sexist remarks which led to him being sanctioned by Mexico’s football federation and his club Guadalajara. Former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Hernandez, 37, triggered uproar after comments in a TikTok video in which he accused women of “failing” and “eradicating masculinity”. “Embody your feminine energy by caring, nurturing, giving life, cleaning and supporting the home,” Hernandez said in the video. “Don’t be afraid to be women, to allow yourselves to be led by a man who only wants one thing: to see you happy.” The comments prompted an outcry from Mexican football authorities while Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum also weighed in on Wednesday, denouncing Hernandez’s remarks as representing a “very macho idea” of women. Sheinbaum added that while…

“YOU could write a book about this,” said Aitana Bonmati on Wednesday as she reflected on the last few weeks in her life after scoring the goal which took Spain into the final of the Women’s Euro 2025. At the end of June the world’s leading women’s footballer was lying in hospital with viral meningitis and it looked like she might not be able to play for Spain at the tournament in Switzerland. Now she is preparing to lead her team into Sunday’s final against England in Basel, in a rematch of the 2023 World Cup decider which Spain won, after converting the only goal of the last-four clash with Germany late in extra time. “When the ball went in I started running around like a crazy person. I didn’t…

South African travellers are facing major disruptions as the FlySafair strike continues to cause widespread delays and flight cancellations. Airports are in chaos, with long queues, stressed-out passengers and limited rebooking options. But while the situation may feel overwhelming, there are steps you can take to make the process smoother. “Rebooking a flight during irregular operations like strikes is a serious test of patience and planning,” said Mummy Mafojane, general manager at FCM South Africa. “Even with today’s tech, passengers often find themselves stuck in endless queues or waiting hours on hold with airlines.” With so many travellers affected by cancellations, especially those on time-sensitive business trips or travelling to remote destinations, knowing how to respond quickly and strategically is key. Here are Mafojane’s expert tips for navigating flight cancellations,…

A major security failure at OR Tambo International Airport - where a passenger boarded a flight with two grenades - has triggered alarm over passenger safety, raising serious questions about airport screening, oversight, and South Africa’s ability to protect travellers at one of its busiest national key points. The dummy grenades, packed in checked luggage, were only discovered after the flight landed in Ethiopia, prompting serious questions about how the items slipped past security at the country’s busiest airport. The SA Cabin Crew Association has described the incident as deeply troubling, warning that it may signal wider systemic failures - or even a dry run for something worse. IOL reported on Thursday that a passenger passed through security at OR Tambo International Airport carrying two training hand grenades in their…

The secondment of a senior Free State provincial government official among the accused in the R25 million fraud case involving Gupta-linked Nulane Investments as Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality acting chief financial officer (CFO) has been withdrawn. Free State Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and Human Settlements MEC Saki Mokoena had initially seconded the department’s deputy director-general responsible for its specialised support, advice, and intervention unit Seipati Silvia Dhlamini. This month, Mokoena seconded Dhlamini as the municipality has been without a CFO for months after the contract of Matholase Mazinyo expired in March and was not renewed. Free State Cogta and Human Settlements Department spokesperson, Zimasa Mbewu, said Mokoena has withdrawn the secondment of Dhlamini, and Thuso Ronald Marumo, formerly CFO of the Moqhaka Local Municipality in Kroonstad, has been seconded…

A RARE painting of Mahatma Gandhi, believed to be the only oil portrait that the Indian independence leader ever sat for, has sold at auction in the UK for £152,800 ($205,000). The 1931 painting by British-American artist Clare Leighton fetched more than twice the estimated price when the auction closed recently in London, Bonhams auction house has revealed. "Thought to be the only oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi which he sat for, this was a very special work, which had never before been offered at auction," said Rhyanon Demery, Bonhams' head of sale. She added the painting "was a testament to Gandhi's power to connect with people far and wide, and presented a lasting document of an important moment in history". Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in India's…

The inaugural Connie Chiume International Youth Film Festival, held in tribute to the late acting legend Connie Chiume, has emerged as a powerful cultural intervention, uniting learners, educators, mentors, and emerging creatives from across the country. The festival took place over the weekend of July 18 and 19, 2025, at the Sibikwa Arts Centre in Benoni, marking a significant milestone in the quest to energise South Africa's creative economy for under-represented youth. Developed by the Connie Chiume Foundation, the festival laid the groundwork for education, access, and visibility, addressing the existing divide between aspiring filmmakers from townships and rural areas and the professional film industry. Over two jam-packed days, the festival offered an engaging hands-on program that equipped young talents, many of whom were first-generation storytellers, with essential skills, tools,…

In an outstanding display of talent and artistry, South Africa triumphed at the Dance World Cup 2025 held in Burgos, Spain, securing a remarkable total of 62 medals — 22 gold, 21 silver, and 19 bronze. This exceptional achievement not only highlights the country's vibrant dance scene but also sees South Africa crowned as World Champions in both the Street Dance and Commercial categories. One of the key contributors to South Africa's stellar performance was K&J Dance Unlimited from Cape Town. This dynamic dance group made waves on the international stage, bringing home an impressive haul of two special awards, along with two gold medals, two silver medals, and five bronze medals. Their success was underpinned by the sheer excellence of their routines, with a staggering 21 of them placing…

As part of the ongoing campaigns commemorating Nelson Mandela Month, The Star and Saturday Star have launched a heartwarming initiative, visiting schools to provide much-needed school shoes to underprivileged learners. This act of kindness has ignited joy and hope in the hearts of many, particularly at Cosmo City Secondary One, where the atmosphere was filled with laughter and gratitude from both teachers and students alike. Anna Mamabolo, an administrator who is deeply involved in supporting orphan learners in the area, voiced the challenges that many students endure daily. “Cosmo City as a whole is in the middle of Honeydew, Kysands, and Lion Park, so our underprivileged children use buses to come to school. Some of them do not have parents; they live with their grandparents. Some stay alone. So we…

South African National Parks, which runs some of the world’s premier wildlife reserves, said it’s in discussions with Rand Merchant Bank over the sale of bonds to fund conservation including boosting the number of endangered rhinos. The notes, if sold, would build on a $150 million (R2.74 billion) bond sold by the World Bank in 2022 that pay out returns determined by the rate of growth in Black Rhino populations in two South African reserves. One of those, the Addo Elephant National Park, falls under SANParks management. “SANParks is in discussions with RMB about various conservation-outcome bonds, including expanding upon the World Bank rhino bond,” it said in a response to questions. Further details, including the size of the potential bond issue, will be shared when discussions are further advanced,…

Swathed in vibrant woollen blankets against the biting winter chill, jockeys – some no more than boys – thundered down a dusty track carved between the undulating hills of the tiny kingdom of Lesotho. Spectators lining the ridges cheered on the riders as their horses sprinted down one of Africa’s highest tracks, more than 2 200m above sea level. Horse racing in Lesotho, a country ringed by South Africa, is not just a sport, it is a cultural carnival where wagers are the real blood sport. The weekend edition in the village of Semonkong in central Lesotho carried extra weight; it was the premium fixture of the season and timed to mark King Letsie III’s birthday. Preparations started before the crowd arrived, with the horses, also wrapped in blankets and…

Hot on the heels of the new Lepas brand’s L8 flagship SUV, which made its global debut last month, the first example of the Lepas L4 compact SUV has rolled off the assembly line. As with the L8, the new L4 has been confirmed for South African introduction. The Chery-owned Lepas brand is set to debut locally in the first quarter of next year. A midsize L6 model will also be launched globally, with local introduction also a possibility. Lepas has not yet released detailed specifications for its new L4 compact model, but reports from abroad indicate that it will be based on the Chery Tiggo Cross, which is known as the new-generation Tiggo 4 in most overseas markets. Power is likely to come from a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine,…

A major disruption is unfolding in global white-collar employment. According to Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei, up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs could vanish in the next five years due to advances in artificial intelligence (AI). As detailed in an article on US news website Axios, “Behind the Curtain: A White-Collar Bloodbath”, this isn’t science fiction – it’s a forecast from one of the leading minds in the AI field. South Africa, already battling youth unemployment and graduate underemployment, is ill-prepared for this transformation. According to StatsSA, South Africa’s youth unemployment rate stood at 45.5% in Q1 2024, and even university graduates struggle to find meaningful, skills-aligned work. Our economy continues to rely heavily on labour- intensive sectors like mining and retail while offering limited pathways into knowledge work.…

Even though consumers seem to be feeling somewhat less financially stressed lately, there is no doubt that money worries still take a substantial toll on their daily lives. Debt review company DCGsa paints a sobering picture of debt in South Africa through a collation of numbers on its website: R2.56 trillion in loan balances, R208 billion in overdue payments, and 17.97 million accounts in arrears. DebtBusters' latest annual Money-Stress Tracker, now in its fourth iteration, found that 70% of respondents have felt money stress this year, which, although an eight-percentage-point decrease since 2023, is still a worrying picture. The results of the survey, conducted in May and June, among 27 000 respondents not currently in debt review, found that nine out of ten who experience money stress say it affects…

The chill of mid-winter has settled over South Africa, and while most people are focused on beating the cold, there’s another familiar season quietly sweeping in: tax filing. But what if, instead of bracing yourself for stress or paperwork, you saw your tax return for what it is, a chance to take control of your financial story? A tax return isn’t just paperwork; it’s a financial tool. It allows individuals to recoup costs that they’ve already incurred in the course of earning their income. If you’re not claiming what you’re allowed to, you’re leaving money behind.” Tax isn’t a once-off event. It’s a moment to review, realign, and unlock real value. And in today’s digital world, the right mix of human insight and tech-savvy support has never been more important.…

Water polo’s new national franchise tournament is set to make a splash after borrowing from the concept of SA20 cricket’s draft system, and could also tap into the pool of rugby talent in SA. The inaugural event of the new Winter Series, sponsored by leading automation manufacturer Jendamark, will see 112 of the country’s elite senior players drafted into four men’s and four women’s squads that are set to churn up the water of the Newton Park Indoor Pool in Gqeberha from August 8 to 10. Treading water The franchise system is designed to help level the playing field and offer an alternative to the regional dominance of Western Province and Gauteng teams in inter-provincial competition. It also marks the first national tournament run under the auspices of the newly…

Arsenal on Thursday announced the signing of Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, taking their spending during the summer transfer window close to £140 million. The Spain under-21 international joins for an initial fee of around £13 million, with performance-related add-ons, and is understood to have agreed a five-year deal with an option of a further year. The 21-year-old, Arsenal’s fifth signing in recent weeks, is set to provide cover for William Saliba and Gabriel at the heart of the Gunners’ defence, but can operate anywhere along the back line. Mosquera, who played 41 times for Valencia last season, has joined Arsenal for their tour of Singapore and Hong Kong. “It means a lot to me,” he told the club website. “There’s been a lot of hard work behind all of this.…

Zimbabwe’s ruling party (Zanu–PF) says South Africa should not be intimidated by a proposed US bill that could empower President Donald Trump with “superpowers” to impose sanctions on ANC leaders. Zanu–PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said the US should not “misdirect itself” in its diplomatic relations with South Africa. “These issues could be resolved without resorting to sanctions. But if America decides to go its own way, so be it - we’ve had over two decades of experience dealing with sanctions,” Mutsvangwa said. He made the comments yesterday at the ANC’s 2025 Liberation Movements Summit in Kempton Park. He said the US’ previous sanctions on Zimbabwe had not derailed the country’s progress. “They have not stopped Zimbabwe from making progress. On the contrary, we are now potentially the most dynamic economy…

As Washington sharpens its trade weapons, South Africa is already charting a new course - one that looks beyond the White House and deep into emerging markets across the globe. Facing a looming 30% tariff hike from the United States, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says the country is not waiting to be bruised. Instead, it's hustling to diversify its trading partners, secure new agricultural markets, and shield local exporters from the fallout of a rapidly souring diplomatic relationship. “The real solution lies not just in playing defence, but in going on the offensive. This is why we are doubling down on market access expansion,” said Steenhuisen, who is the leader of the DA in the Government of National Unity. The tariff deadline will come as the country waits for the…

Chitlada and Vichit Apisukh never took a vacation. Not when the young Thai immigrants met and married in Hawaii nearly 55 years ago. Not when they moved to Florida to start a family and open a restaurant north of Orlando. Not when they travelled around half the country, Japan and Thailand to support their children’s athletic ambitions. Only after selling their business and emptying their nest did the Apisukhs finally take a trip for themselves. Now they can’t stop. “Life is about moving and seeing new things,” said Chitlada, the matriarch of the family, which includes daughter Lanna and son Jade. “You have to get up and go while you can, because you never know when your last day is.” While many friends in their peer group are slowing down,…

A 60-year-old farmer in China has built his own "Big Black Fish" – a homemade submarine that can accommodate two people, dive eight metres and stay underwater for 30 minutes at a time. Zhang Shengwu, a villager in China's eastern Anhui province, recently launched his five-ton sub into the river near his rural home, state broadcaster CCTV reported Thursday. Footage from CCTV showed Zhang piloting the seven-metre (23-foot) steel craft from its hatch while surfaced and diving down with the hatch closed. After seeing footage of submarine construction on TV in 2014, Zhang, a former carpenter who also worked in shipping, decided to start building his own. "I've been around the water for many years and seen iron boats and wooden boats, but I had never seen a boat that…

Former Zambia Women’s national team player, Melissa Kape Saili, believes host nation Morocco may just edge the highly anticipated Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) final against reigning champions Nigeria. Speaking exclusively to Showmax Premier League ahead of the monumental clash, Saili offered a compelling analysis of the tournament’s standout teams and the remarkable growth of women’s football across the continent. "That’s going to be a cracker of a match," said Saili when asked about the final showdown. “Obviously Morocco have the 12th player with their fans and them playing at home. Nigeria come with experience, having won this competition numerous times. They going to go to any extents to make sure they return the glory that they’ve always come up with in this tournament." Despite Nigeria's formidable record, Saili…

The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) is celebrating a historic achievement as the national team secured its best ranking in 25 years at the recent International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) held in Australia from 10 to 20 July. Competing against high school students from over 100 countries, the South African contingent finished in an impressive 38th place, showcasing the exceptional talent and dedication of its young mathematicians. Every year, the IMO presents a formidable challenge, testing the mathematical prowess of students through complex problems over two intense days. Each participant tackles three problems for 4½ hours each day, demonstrating not only individual expertise but also the ability to perform under pressure. This year, South African students faced tough competition from powerhouse teams, including those from the People’s Republic of China, the…

Activist Tommy Garnett’s decades of work paid off when Sierra Leone’s Tiwai island – a lush forest home to one of the world’s highest concentrations of primates – landed a spot on the UN cultural agency’s World Heritage list. The 66-year-old and the conservation group he founded are the reason Tiwai, which was nearly destroyed during Sierra Leone’s 1991-2002 civil war, still exists. “I feel very happy, relieved, hopeful,” the environmentalist told AFP from the verdant island, ahead of the announcement. The Gola-Tiwai complex, which also includes the nearby Gola Rainforest National Park, will be Sierra Leone’s first UNESCO site. UNESCO director general Audrey Azoulay called Gola-Tiwai “a jewel of biodiversity, a sanctuary for rare species and a model of community management.” The wildlife and fauna in the two areas…

A friend of mine is looking to buy a new set of wheels, something modest, second-hand, and reliable enough to handle Jozi’s stop-start traffic and the odd weekend road trip. The excitement is palpable. I mean, who doesn’t get amped about the freedom of finally having your own car? But in this economy, with dodgy deals popping up, buying a used car has become a risky affair. From fly-by-night online dealers to scams that vanish with your deposit and dreams, the second-hand market isn’t what it used to be. Shir Amram from Montana Capital Car Title Loans has seen the mess left behind, buyers out of pocket, scrambling for emergency loans just to recover from a financial knock they didn’t see coming. Here are seven red flags that Amram says…

NESTLED at the foot of Table Mountain lies the Green Point Track, home of Schotsche Kloof Walmers RFC, a significant venue not only in the realm of rugby but as a bastion for non-racial sport in South Africa. This historic ground has witnessed legends, most notably Fagmie "Fluffy" Solomons, whose skills electrified the pitch during the politically charged 1980s when rugby transcended mere sport to become a symbolic platform for change. Solomons, a flyhalf characterised by his vision and creativity, was a beacon for a generation that could only dream of watching their hero parade his skills with the likes of the Du Plessis brothers and Rob Louw in the Currie Cup down at Boundary Road in Newlands. Our generation was deprived of witnessing Solomons in his prime, which forced…

Alexander Isak has reportedly told Newcastle he wants to explore a move away as the club confirmed he was not part of the squad travelling to Asia for pre-season friendlies. The Daily Mail said Thursday that Newcastle bosses “are aware of Isak’s wish to consider his options this summer”. It came hours after the Saudi-owned Premier League club said the 25-year-old forward would miss the Asia tour “with a minor thigh injury”. Isak’s 23 Premier League goals last season made him one of the world’s hottest properties and he has been linked with English champions Liverpool. The Mail said Liverpool were still interested in acquiring the Sweden international despite announcing the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike on Wednesday. Ekitike’s arrival, for a reported initial fee of £69 million,…

As international travel surges, so too does cybercrime aimed at unsuspecting travellers. From stolen passport scans to hacked frequent flyer accounts, criminals are cashing in on a booming black market of personal travel data, and the cost of your identity on the dark web might be far lower than you’d expect. A recent study by cybersecurity experts NordVPN and Saily has uncovered just how vulnerable travellers are. Stolen travel documents are being bought and sold online for as little as $10 (R177), while verified EU passports can command prices of over $5 000 (R88 513). Fake visa stickers, forged bank statements and loyalty accounts loaded with travel miles are also being traded for hundreds of dollars. Even confirmed Booking.com reservations are being resold for upwards of $250 (R4 426). “The…