Innehållsförteckning för 2024-10-22 från Mercury

The State Diamond Trader (SDT) has reported significant financial underperformance in its latest annual report, raising alarms about the health of South Africa’s diamond industry. Against a backdrop of declining production levels and market prices, the SDT fell short of its budgeted purchases target by R290 million, acquiring rough diamonds valued at only R606m. Its sales performance fared even worse, with a staggering shortfall of R309m, as it managed to achieve a sales value of just R631m, equating to a meagre gross margin of R10m. This gross margin is a dismal R34m below the entity’s budgeted expectations. Peter Major, a director of mining at Modern Corporate Solutions, yesterday raised concerns that the situation may reflect deeper underlying issues than what raw figures suggest. “The losses are probably worse. If you…

Maintaining a healthy pH balance is not just about what goes inside our bodies but also how we treat our skin. Yes, the concept of pH balance reaches far beyond diet and into the realm of skincare, an area where balance is not just beneficial but essential for a glowing, healthy complexion. This natural acidity helps to keep the skin’s barrier function in check, protecting against environmental stressors, bacteria, and other pathogens that could contribute to irritation or skin conditions. This fundamental aspect is often overlooked but it's super important. Think of your skin as a special environment that needs just the right balance to stay happy and healthy. Learning about pH balance and using natural products to keep it just right can totally change your skincare game, making your…

A "church coffee morning" in England ended in a bomb scare after a member of the congregation brought a live explosive device to the event. According to Sky News, a military history enthusiast brought three shells – dating back to World War I - to St Paul's Church in Withington, Manchester to show a fellow enthusiast, not realising one of the shells still had a fuse attached. The device was taken to the local fire station where the staff took one look and said: "Back away!" Police were called. A 25m cordon was put in place and an Explosive Ordinance Disposal team arrived. The device was later destroyed in a "controlled environment". The enthusiast said the shells were from a friend who had retrieved them from the site of the…

It is true that the courts said religion should not be mixed with politics, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu should not have approached the media before obtaining verifiable proof. But media reports also stated that the authorities of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which administers the affairs of the temple, have said that it has received several complaints from the pilgrims over the poor quality of “laddu” in the last few years”. (October 4, 2024, the Hindustan Times) Also on the same date, the Supreme Court decided that an independent investigation should be conducted, as the issue affected millions of devotees. So the last word has not been issued on the matter. Then Devan jumps to the local issue and says, “…When Hindus attacked the Muslim…

The national Department of Health has said a chemical agent could be behind the recent series of food poisoning incidents. Environmental inspectors and others began their work in Naledi, Soweto, yesterday to identify the chemical agent. Six children in Naledi died of suspected food poisoning after consuming snacks allegedly bought from a spaza shop in the area. There have been other cases of alleged food poisoning involving snacks bought from foreign-owned spaza shops. The incidents have sparked widespread outrage and led to communities shutting down spaza shops in Johannesburg and destroying their supplies. Spokesperson for the national Department of Health, Foster Mohale, said various authorities and departments had been seized with the matter, including the SAPS, and the metros of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, which deployed their environmental inspectors to investigate…

PUBLIC Works and Infrastructure Services Minister Dean Macpherson says while the construction industry is facing challenges including threats from construction mafia groups and inefficiencies within public sector procurement, it must work with government to deliver tangible projects. The minister was addressing the gathering of the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession in Durban yesterday. The minister said the sector is faced with key challenges that must be dealt with head-on. “I want to discuss not only the challenges we face as a sector but, more importantly, the solutions we can work on together. “It is no secret that the construction industry is under pressure. From the disruption caused by the so-called ‘construction mafia’ to the impact of competitive fee tendering and the inefficiencies within public sector procurement, these…

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has denied the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse’s claims regarding its financial practices. Outa alleged that Sanral had engaged in “creative accounting” by revising its e-toll revenue figures and debt assessments. Sanral has labelled the accusations as “mischievous and misleading”, adding that its financial statements were accurate and complied with the Generally Recognised Accounting Practices (GRAP) framework. In a statement, Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage criticised Sanral for shifting from the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) system to the GRAP framework, arguing that the change allowed the agency to inflate its Gauteng e-toll revenue figures. Outa said Sanral had revised its e-toll revenue for the 2022/23 financial year, from R589 million to R6.5 billion, and for 2021/22, from R569m to R5.3bn. Duvenage said the…

All charges have been withdrawn against one of the suspects implicated in the disappearance of Joshlin Smith. Joshlin’s mother, Raquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appolis, Stevano van Rhyn, and Lourentia Lombaard appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The group faces charges of kidnapping and trafficking in persons for exploitation. The State alleges Joshlin was sold for R20 000. Despite an extensive operation to look for her, there has been no progress made in the search. During yesterday’s proceedings, the State confirmed that the matter was finally ready to be transferred to the Western Cape High Court. “I can confirm the matter has been transferred to the high court for pre-trial on January 31, 2025, in respect of accused one to three,” the court heard. The State also…

Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa yesterday announced that the ministry was preparing for the launch of the next phase of the Independent Power Producer (IPP) programme. The ministry is exploring whether to initiate a mega bid or a series of smaller, focused bids that could be geographically ring-fenced to support specific technologies. “We are having this conversation internally, but hope to have a proposal on the way forward within the next three to four weeks,” Ramokgopa said during a media briefing. These developments are vital for South Africa’s aim to procure 10 000MW of renewable energy capacity. Ramokgopa underscored that creating clear procurement pathways would restore the long-term policy certainty needed for IPPs, their financial backers, and the broader supply chain. “The visibility of a consistent pipeline will…

Pursuit of energy resources, strategic trade routes underpin Israel’s military actions TO DATE, the ongoing war in Gaza has claimed over 42 000 Palestinian lives, with more than 2 000 civilians killed in Lebanon following Israel’s expanded military operations. The destruction is staggering, and yet, rather than condemning these actions, the West has actively facilitated Israel’s aggression through political cover and immense military aid. While Israel publicly claims its objectives are to neutralise Hamas and free hostages, these justifications ring hollow. The reality is far more calculated and insidious. The war is a means for Israel and its Western allies to secure control over critical resources and geopolitical routes, particularly through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the strategic expansion of Israeli influence through projects like the proposed Ben…

As Chinese President Xi Jinping and a host of other leaders gather in Kazan, Russia, for the 16th BRICS summit, the world is once again turning the spotlight on the burgeoning international mechanism to see how it will push forward self-development and respond to global woes. A steadfast champion of BRICS co-operation, Xi once compared its five members back then to the five fingers of one hand: they are short and long if extended, but form a powerful fist if clenched together. Now that hand has grown bigger and stronger, as its membership expanded last year, yet the essence of Xi’s metaphor is just becoming more relevant. With the world trudging on in a new period of turbulence and transformation, the leader of the largest developing country is poised to…

Gunmen in Indian-administered Kashmir opened fire at a construction site, killing seven people and wounding several others, Indian media reported yesterday, updating an earlier toll. The attack on Sunday is one of the worst this year targeting civilians. The contested territory’s chief minister, Omar Abdullah, called the attack late Sunday “dastardly and cowardly”, while India’s interior minister Amit Shah vowed those responsible would face the “harshest” response. Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947, and is home to a long-running insurgency. Attackers targeted workers from outside the Himalayan region, who were reported to be building a road tunnel connecting Kashmir with the far northern Ladakh region, bordering China. New Delhi has pumped billions of dollars into multiple ambitious infrastructure…

CANBERRA: Britain’s King Charles was accused of “genocide” by an Indigenous senator at Australia’s Parliament House yesterday, moments after he delivered a speech in which he paid his “respects to the traditional owners of the lands”. Charles had finished speaking when activist Lidia Thorpe shouted that she did not accept Charles’ sovereignty over Australia. “You committed genocide against our people,” she said. She was stopped from approaching the king, who was unfazed. | Reuters…

BANGKOK: Thai police have arrested 18 people and seized luxury goods after receiving nearly 5,600 complaints about an alleged pyramid scheme, estimating that investors have lost at least 1.61 billion baht ($48 million). The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) seized assets worth 225 million baht, including 29 cars, three houses, and luxury watches. The case involves the iCon Group, which recruited individuals to sell beauty products and health supplements with promises of quick profits. All 18 arrested, including founder Waratpol Waratworakul, deny the charges, claiming that it is a legitimate business model that complies with Thai laws on direct selling. | Reuters…

Three from four wins is not something to be scoffed at and was it not for another dubious red card, South Africa could've had a full house of wins in the United Rugby Championship (URC). But, there were enough positive signs in the wins from the Stormers, Sharks and Lions to make up for the tough loss the Bulls suffered overseas. The coastal sides returned to winning ways in front of their home fans as the Stormers and Sharks picked up valuable victories in Cape Town and Durban, respectively, to get them away from the bottom three spots in the tournament. Players from the two sides dominate the Independent Newspapers team of the week after not featuring at all last week. The Stormers had a second-half grind and thanks to…

As Manchester United gear up for a critical Uefa Europa League encounter against Fenerbahce in Istanbul this week, manager Erik ten Hag has expressed his excitement at the prospect of facing former United boss Jose Mourinho. Ten Hag described Mourinho as “an example for many, many managers,” highlighting the Portuguese's remarkable track record in football. Mourinho, who joined Fenerbahce in June following his departure from Roma, faces his old club after a turbulent start to the Premier League season for United. The team has come under scrutiny, having drawn their first two matches in this season's Europa League, but Ten Hag maintains an optimistic outlook heading into Thursday's high-stakes showdown. Speaking on Sunday, Ten Hag said, “It’s a big game for both of us. “I really enjoy facing him and…

When Shein became popular in South Africa in 2020, it was known as a cheap retailer because of its fast fashion. It was mostly loved by people who would shop for cute outfits and accessories at affordable prices. Over the years, we saw it become popular even among celebrities like The Real Housewives of Durban star Slee Ndlovu. Rapper Cassper Nyovest is also one of the celebrities who buy from Shein. In a recent X post, in which he wears white shorts, a black and blue T-shirt and a black cap, the multi-award-winning musician revealed that his outfit was from Shein after a follower asked him where he got the cap. “Shein, ma (my) dawg. The whole fit from Shein. Well, except (the) kicks and jewellery, of course.…

Things we can do for someone under stress – family, friend, co-worker – that are unlikely to require an apology from us sometime later: Offer of uninterrupted time to be a listening ear, time to be with, to be alongside a person who is in need of support. Express sincere and accurate affirmations. Avoid hyperbole, false or manipulative praise and words of false comfort. Honest, kind affirmations, expressed from your joyful heart with no expectations of return favours, will impart courage to a person in a time of need. Offer practical help and assistance to complete specific, necessary tasks to be addressed even during tough times. Things that we do for someone under stress – family, friend, co-worker, that are likely to require an apology sometime later: Taking over…

The escalation of motor vehicle tyres being spiked on the country’s roads must be addressed with stealth by making use of new-age technology, such as drones, strategically located cameras, and a ruthless police contingent, who will do “whatever it takes” to emasculate and destroy this criminal vermin. There is no time to waste... we are all at risk, fearing to go out at night or working late at the office. Surprisingly, since the newly appointed GNU government has taken office, Minister Mchunu has been worryingly quiet. He needs to come out with the firepower at his disposal to eliminate this new wave of oppression by criminals against law-abiding citizens. I fear that if this trend is not arrested, vigilantes and desperate citizens will take the law into their own…

THE Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) has questioned why food prices have remained stubbornly high despite favourable economic conditions. The Pietermaritzburg-based non-profit organisation said food prices are not coming down despite there being a marked improvement in input costs due to fuel price decreases, over 200 days of no load shedding, an interest rate cut and a stronger rand. The Competition Commission of South Africa, which released their Essential Food Price Monitoring report earlier this month, also agreed saying they had noted high food prices. Mervyn Abrahams, programme co-ordinator of the PMBEJD, said it was concerning that food prices were not coming down. “Input costs have come down, but food prices are still high. When fuel prices go up, we immediately see an impact and food prices go…

The daughter of the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has died. Princess Sibuyiselwe Angela Buthelezi died in a Cape Town hospital yesterday morning. She had been admitted to the hospital a week ago. One of the three surviving children of Prince Buthelezi and his late wife, Princess Irene Mzila, Princess Buthelezi was a member of the IFP. The 55-year-old also represented the IFP in Parliament. The news was announced and confirmed by Inkosi of the Buthelezi clan, Prince Zuzifa Buthelezi in a statement. “In the early hours of this morning, the Buthelezi family received the devastating news of the untimely passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Sibuyiselwe Angela Buthelezi. “It is with deep pain that we share this loss with the nation. RH Princess Angela, the youngest child of the late…

The Msunduzi Municipality has revealed that its reservoirs are struggling to reach the required capacity to supply residents due to recently imposed water curtailment measures. The situation has resulted in significant water outages across many parts of the city. The municipality said the water curtailment measures, which included a reduction in pressure in the reticulation network, aimed to reduce the amount of water used by residents. Just days after the measures were first implemented, thousands of residents were left without water, some for days at a time. The curtailment measures were introduced in both eThekwini and Msunduzi after the uMngeni-uThukela Water Board was instructed by the Department of Water and Sanitation to reduce the amount of water it was abstracting from the system. The municipality detailed the challenges they are…

AS THE world braces for the 2024 US presidential elections, the possibility of a second Donald Trump presidency looms large over Europe. Trump’s foreign policy during his first term was marked by a deep scepticism toward multilateral alliances, with Nato at the centre of his criticism. One of Trump’s main grievances was the failure of many Nato members to meet the alliance’s defence spending commitment of 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP). As a result, he threatened US withdrawal from Nato, a scenario that would devastate the European security architecture. If Trump were to secure a second term, Europe might once again face the spectre of an American pull-back from Nato, a move for which the continent appears ill-prepared. At the 2014 Nato Summit in Wales, members agreed that…

Up to 1 000 women and children needing medical care will soon be evacuated from Gaza to Europe, the head of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Europe branch said in comments published yesterday. Israel, which is besieging the war-devastated Palestinian territory, “is committed to 1 000 more medical evacuations within the next months to the EU”, Hans Kluge said. He said the evacuations would be facilitated by the WHO and the European countries involved. On Thursday last week, UN investigators said Israel was deliberately targeting health facilities in Gaza, and killing and torturing medical personnel there, accusing the country of “crimes against humanity”. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territories, said in May that around 10 000 people needed evacuating from Gaza for urgent medical care.…

A US and a Canadian warship sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait together on Sunday, less than a week after China conducted a new round of war games around the island, with Beijing denouncing the mission as “disruptive”. The US navy, occasionally accompanied by ships from allied countries, transits the strait around once a month. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, also says the strategic waterway belongs to it. The US Navy’s 7th Fleet said yesterday that the destroyer USS Higgins and the Canadian frigate HMCS Vancouver made a “routine” transit on Sunday “through waters where high-seas freedom of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law”. The transit demonstrated the US’s and Canada’s commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all countries, it said. China said…

BEIJING: China yesterday condemned an attack on its consulate in Mandalay and urged Myanmar authorities to make every effort to arrest the perpetrators, its foreign ministry said. Myanmar has been in turmoil since February 2021 when the military ousted an elected civilian government in a coup, abruptly ending the impoverished country’s tentative steps towards becoming a full-fledged democracy. Last week’s incident follows a surge in anti-China sentiment on social media in Myanmar, after its recent pressure on rebel groups to halt their fighting against the military regime. A blast on Friday partially damaged the consulate premises. | Reuters…

Maputo: Police in Mozambique fired teargas yesterday to disperse a small crowd where shops were closed ahead of a planned protest against alleged electoral fraud. Several dozen people, including journalists, scattered as heavily armed police walked down a main street. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane called the protest to contest early results showing the ruling Frelimo party ahead. Tensions rose after two Mondlane associates were shot dead in Maputo on Saturday. The EU, AU, and UN condemned the incident, urging authorities to identify the perpetrators and restore peace in the region following the violence.…

The T20 Challenge is heading towards its business end, and the Titans are looking to dethrone the Lions off their crown. The first of three play-off qualifiers will get underway on Tuesday with the top two sides in the competition (Lions and Titans) vying for a place in the final. The Lions finished top of the log with 22 points, with the Titans following closely on 21 from seven matches. The perks of also finishing in the top two will also mean that the side that comes at the wrong end of the stick on Tuesday will get a second shot against one of the North West Dragons or Western Province, who qualified third and fourth, respectively, in the eliminator play-off on Friday. The Titans are the most successful franchise…

We all know natural beauty exists in every person but to maintain it, you need to spend some money. This is because skincare, haircare, perfume and make-up are expensive. In a study conducted by Wethrift, it was found that South Africa is one of the most affordable countries for beauty. Although it was number six in the overall survey, South Africa ranked number one in skincare and make-up, 25th for perfume, and 31st for haircare in individual categories. Canada is topping the list with a total price of $257.11 (R4530), followed by Romania with $343.38 (R6050) and India with a total of $343.38 (R6067)” At number four is the US with a total of $355.00 (R6238), followed by Portugal with $360.08 (R6327.) and South Africa with a total…

When will the public get full certainty and reassurance about the National Health Insurance? Apparently, the government does not realise the extent of the fear that exists. Older people are especially worried. What they understand is that the government wants to take control of all medical services. The same government whose Department of Health has turned some government hospitals into unsanitary dens. Remember the Helen Joseph Hospital? The hospital in Tembisa where millions of rands disappeared? The large number of hospitals where there are serious staff shortages and a lack of essential equipment and medication? The already worried public must now read about court cases by medical practitioners and other institutions, such as Solidarity, to stop the government’s craziness. Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, pays little attention to all…

THE sanctity of human life in South Africa is defined by the gun or other deadly weapons of choice like knives, machetes or axes, and whose hand it is in. Thirty-six people are dead in a fortnight of mass killings. A blood bath in Lusikisiki claimed the lives of 18 people. Six community policing forum patrollers were gunned down in Qumbu, while 5 people were knifed to death in Bergville. Seven people were shot and killed in Orange Farm. Several deep-rooted societal problems — cultural, economic, psychological, and environmental — could be at the nexus of such brutal behaviour. In Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, he defines the basic needs or physiological requirements of every human as food, water, shelter, sleep and sex. Let's start with the migration of people from…

In a bold move, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has officially opened criminal charges of fraud and corruption against the National Treasury. This significant development unfolded yesterday as MK Party leader David Skosana and party MP Des van Rooyen led a delegation of MPs to the Brooklyn police station to file the charges pertaining to the controversial Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS). The IFMS, awarded to Oracle in 2017, promised to overhaul municipal financial management in South Africa. However, years into its conception, the system has not been operational, costing the South African taxpayer millions. Speaking to SABC News, Van Rooyen expressed the party’s discontent with the matter. “Now, because we are dealing with a ministry, so here we are saying the executive authority, as well as the accounting officer,…

WHILE the number of people living with HIV in KwaZulu-Natal has dropped from 1.99 million in 2017 to 1.98 million in 2022, the province still has the second highest HIV prevalence, at 16%, in the country. This is according to the Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) Sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI). The SABSSM VI survey, conducted between 2022 and 2023, aimed to maintain surveillance of HIV infection and behaviours in South Africa, evaluate the progress of the South African national HIV and AIDS, STI, and TB Strategic Plan, and monitor HIV indicators for national and international reporting. The survey’s key objectives included estimating HIV prevalence and incidence, viral load suppression, and exposure to HIV-related services among adults and children. It also assessed progress towards…

An Eastern Cape businessman found guilty of defrauding the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has been fined almost half a million rand. A company director was found guilty of defrauding the UIF’s Covid-19 Temporary Employee-Employer Relief Scheme (TERS) and was fined R450 000. Luyanda Brian Vava, 34, and his business entity, Widelink Technologies Pty Ltd, were convicted and sentenced by the East London Commercial Crimes Court on seven counts of fraud. The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) arrested Vava in April 2024, almost four years after the fraud. Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said in 2020, during the Covid-19 lockdown, employers were allowed to claim from TERS on behalf of staff if they could not pay their workers or if they were not able to work…

It was a smooth start to the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, which commenced yesterday with English Paper 3, despite the inclement weather, including heavy rain predicted until Wednesday. KwaZulu-Natal Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said it was a super start to the 2024 matric exams yesterday. “The department checked with all 12 districts and there were no delays even with the rain,” he said. South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) provincial secretary, Nomarashiya Caluza, stated she had checked seven regions, and all the exams started well. “Roads to schools are still accessible, and we are just praying that the weather improves for the better so that the writing of exams will not be affected going forward,” she said. Caluza mentioned that the union is also monitoring a community faction…

THE Border Management Authority (BMA) is struggling to secure the nation's borders effectively as it grapples with a staggering budget shortfall. This was revealed by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber in response to parliamentary questions from ActionSA MP Lerato Ngobeni. He said the resources currently available to the BMA were woefully inadequate for the task at hand. Schreiber revealed that 672 border law enforcement officers were stationed at critical entry points across South Africa. This included a deployment of 616 officers along vulnerable land borders and 56 at maritime border areas. The officers are armed with 127 firearms and four rifles, with plans for an additional distribution of 400 pistols to enhance their operational capacity. Schreiber said a total of 4354 soldiers and 2337 police officers were supplementing the efforts…

IN LIGHT of recent economic developments that suggest consumers should be enjoying lower food prices, the call by the Pietermaritzburg-based Economic Justice and Dignity Group for the absence of food price reductions to be investigated is welcomed. In the current economic landscape – with a stronger rand, decreasing petrol prices and the absence of load shedding – consumers should be experiencing relief at supermarket tills. However, food prices remain unyielding. This raises troubling questions regarding the integrity of retailers. Are these businesses, perhaps, colluding to maintain inflated prices at the expense of the consumers they are supposed to serve? The absence of price reductions in basic foods is a signal that something is amiss. It is alarming that when economic conditions favour lower prices, staples like bread, maize and cooking…

Asian markets started the week on a mixed note yesterday as traders weigh Chinese central bank interest rate cuts aimed at reigniting the world’s number two economy, while gold hit a record high on geopolitical concerns. Another record day on Wall Street on Friday was unable to inspire a similar rally at the start of the week, with traders also gearing up for the latest company earnings season. The People’s Bank of China said it had slashed two key rates to all-time lows as part of a drive by authorities to revive spending and achieve their 5% annual economic growth target. The move comes after figures last week showed the economy expanded at its slowest quarterly pace since the start of 2023, but better than forecast. Zhang Zhiwei, president and…

WASHINGTON: US billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has pledged that the America political action committee (PAC) that he created to support Donald Trump’s presidential campaign will pay $1 million lottery-style every day until election day to a random person from swing states who signed America PAC’s petition encouraging people to register to vote. The petition is aimed at supporting the US constitution’s two first amendments regarding free speech and the right to bear arms and is open for signing to any person who is a registered voter. Democrats are as eligible as Republicans and are only required to sign the petition to participate in the draw. Musk has rallied heavily behind the Republican candidate on his social media platform X. | Sputnik…

MOSCOW: Co-operation between Russia and North Korea is in line with international law and was not directed against the security interests of South Korea, Russia’s embassy to South Korea cited ambassador Georgy Zinoviev as saying yesterday. South Korea’s foreign ministry summoned Zinoviev in protest over what it has called the dispatch of North Korean troops to Russia for deployment in Ukraine and pledged a joint international response. Zinoviev also said at a meeting with first vice-foreign minister Kim Hong-kyun that Moscow and Seoul had opposing positions on the causes of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. | Reuters…

Jakarta: A shallow 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck an island in eastern Indonesia yesterday, the US Geological Survey said. The onshore quake hit the island of Tapat in the Molucca sea at a depth of 10km, it said. There were no immediate reports of casualties on the island which has a population of around 50 000. Indonesia’s meteorology agency said there was no tsunami threat. The vast archipelago nation experiences frequent earthquakes due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an arc of intense seismic activity where tectonic plates collide, that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. | AFP…