Innehållsförteckning för 2025-08-05 från Mercury

The rand stabilised around R18.00 to the US dollar on Monday following a turbulent weekend when it fell to its lowest level in three months at R18.36/$1 on Friday. The volatility came after investors assessed the grim implications of potential higher tariffs on South African exports to the United States, a move that could significantly impact the nation’s economy. The looming 30% tariff on South African goods—scheduled to take effect on August 7—has raised concerns over the viability of a number of critical export sectors. With US imports including an array of products such as cars, iron, steel goods, wine, and citrus fruits, the ramifications of this tariff could reverberate through multiple layers of the South African economy. The US ranks as South Africa’s second-largest bilateral trading partner, following China.…

The Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) has announced optimistic news for consumers as ample grain harvests are likely to ease food price inflation concerns. Agbiz chief economist, Wandile Sihlobo, on Monday shared that South Africa's projected summer grains and oilseed production for the 2024-25 period has risen by 2% since June, reaching an expected 18.74 million tons—a significant 21% increase compared to the previous year. Sihlobo highlighted the annual uptick across various crops, driven principally by favourable summer rains and expanded planting areas. “There is an annual uptick in all the crops, mainly supported by favourable summer rains and the decent area plantings. This ample harvest will likely add downward pressure on prices, which bodes well for consumer food price inflation,” Sihlobo said. However, he acknowledged that while…

Australia’s long-held ambitions to tap its abundant renewable resources and vast uninhabited landmass to become a global green hydrogen leader are fast unraveling. Despite strong government backing and significant private sector interest, at least seven big hydrogen production projects have been delayed, scaled back, or canceled in the last year. Chief among them was BP Plc’s decision last week to exit a $36 billion (R468bn) facility in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, which had targeted starting production this decade. Around the world, project withdrawals have accelerated as developers struggle to secure customers willing to pay a premium for the fuel. Costs remain persistently high, unlike the sharp price drops seen in solar and wind that have boosted their competitiveness. That’s raised concerns about the feasibility of using renewable energy…

Lately, I’ve been attending AI events, however, very few of them are answering my deep questions about Artificial Intelligence. One of them focused on food and AI, another about a device as an AI companion and the most recent one of them by a global tech giant. At the Food Indaba I was deeply impressed by just the idea of hosting an event about AI and food. One Chef who was a participant in the event highlighted the need to introduced African cruising into AI. The Chef felt that menus about Umphokoqo, umgqusho do not exist in the AI landscape. It was, therefore, his mission to ensure that African menus can be found in AI. At the Food Indaba, Prof Marivate Vukosi delivered a keynote address that highlighted the importance…

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) says South African taxpayers cannot afford to pay for two ministers in one portfolio as it accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of violating his oath of office and failing to uphold the Constitution. This was after Ramaphosa placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave and appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting Police Minister. MKP leader, Jacob Zuma, has also given Ramaphosa until 10am on Friday, August 8, to resign. In a letter dated August 4, Zuma said he will take action against Ramaphosa if he fails to adhere to the demand. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Mangwenya said they were aware of the letter. “The legal team will deal with that letter,” he said. The letter from KMNS attorneys, who act on behalf of Zuma, comes after the…

IT HAS been a tragic start to the week for university students in the Western Cape, after another student was found dead inside their residential rooms, this time at Stellenbosch University (SU). SU yesterday confirmed the death of second-year theology student Chris Scheffers, saying no foul play was suspected at this stage, but the cause of death was being determined. The tragedy comes a week after a fifth-year medical student at the University of Cape Town was found dead inside his room with an inquest docket opened for investigation and a post-mortem to determine the cause of death. Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said of the UCT incident, “Woodstock police registered an inquest following the discovery of the body of a 23-year-old student on July 26 at about 3:34pm in…

South Africa is seeking new markets in Africa and Asia as it negotiates with the United States over a looming 30% trade tariff, which could cost around 30 000 jobs, officials said yesterday. Government ministers expressed frustration with the United States over the tariff — among those due to take effect against several countries later this week — saying South African exports do not compete with US industry and were only a fraction of that country’s total imports. The 30% tariff is the highest in sub-Saharan Africa and comes as diplomatic relations between South Africa and the US are in tatters over a range of domestic and international policies. “Our foremost priority is protecting our export industries,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his weekly newsletter. “We will continue to…

The Department of Transport has received a clean audit from the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) for the 2024/25 financial year, the first in the department’s 31-year history. Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa welcomed the outcome and said it marked a significant shift towards sound governance. According to the AGSA’s report, the department submitted its Annual Financial Statements (AFS) on time and without any material misstatements. Furthermore, the Auditor-General did not find any significant deficiencies in the department’s financial management processes and noted that there were no findings on the completeness of the performance indicators used for planning and reporting. Creecy and Hlengwa attributed the result to “the department’s commitment to clean governance and accountability,” adding that the department’s leadership had taken internal assurance processes seriously.…

Community members are demanding justice for a mother accused of attempting to force her three-year-old son to smoke drugs from a broken bottle, as captured in a viral video. The Johannesburg Magistrates Court has postponed the case against her and three co-accused, who face charges of attempted murder, child abuse and child neglect, until August 7. Last week, the four suspects were captured on social media video trying to force a toddler to smoke from a broken bottle allegedly laced with hard drugs. Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane yesterday indicated that the suspects have been able to secure legal representation while the State requested a postponement to verify the residential addresses of the accused. “We don’t have much information about the accused who are before the court, amongst…

The complexities of his political journey and its impact on South Africa HARRY Themba Gwala died a frustrated man and under suspension from the SACP for not “listening” (not being obedient). “The Lion of the Midlands” as he was fondly known would not heed a call from Nelson Mandela for people to throw their guns into the sea, feeling that the call comprised his people especially in KwaZulu-Natal and Johannesburg. At the time people were dying frequently at the hands of Inkatha and SADF. “Foreign Minister Pik Botha admitted yesterday that he had authorised the channeling of state money to Inkatha” (Don Nelson, 1994:46). That is one example. However, with this stance Gwala became more respected and loved in those violent torn areas than Mandela. Gwala joined the trade union…

Lando Norris fifth win of the season in Budapest was a victory born not of dominance from the start, but of grit and quiet persistence. From a slow launch off the line to a forceful final flourish, the Briton pieced together another masterpiece under the Hungarian grey clouds, taming the twists of the Hungaroring when it mattered most to hand his team their 200th Grand Prix victory. With 14 races done and dusted and the paddock slipping into its summer pause, McLaren stand tall at the top – commanding both championships. Their run through the first half of 2025 has been a blend of precision, patience and pure performance. The Surrey-based outfit has held control since the opening round, delivering more podium finishes than any other team and stretching out…

It would have taken someone with strong convictions to have placed a bet against Laura Wolvaardt walking away empty-handed from the recent Cricket South Africa Awards. The Proteas Women’s captain has been a perennial winner at the annual end of season ‘Oscars’ since her international debut whilst still a schoolgirl at Parklands College almost a decade ago now. Wolvaardt, along with star allrounder Marizanne Kapp, had to look on as a new brigade of Proteas such as Nonkululeko Mlaba, who claimed four prizes on the night including the coveted SA Women’s Cricketer of the Year, and Annerie Dercksen (ODI Player of the Year) stole the spotlight. But instead of being disappointed about missing out on personnel accolades, Wolvaardt was excited by the youthful energy being infused into the Proteas Women’s…

Richards Bay co-coach Ronnie Gabriel admitted disappointment after his side’s MTN8 campaign ended with a heavy 4-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, describing the goals conceded as “cheap” and preventable. The Natal Rich Boyz were outclassed at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday, where a dominant Sundowns side booked their place in the semi-finals. Iqraam Rayners netted twice, while Siyabonga Mabena scored a deflected strike and Simphiwe Mcineka turned the ball into his own net to cap off a difficult afternoon for the KZN side. While Gabriel acknowledged the gulf in class, he was frustrated with the manner in which his team conceded. “All credit should go to Sundowns, but I felt we also gave away cheap goals – I mean, you look at the set-piece goal, an own goal and a…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has underscored the country’s commitment to maintaining market access in the face of the United States' recent decision to impose a 30% tariff on South African imports. This significant shift in trade policy highlights the urgency for South Africa to navigate increasingly turbulent international trade waters and adapt its export strategies. In his latest newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa articulated a dual approach: not only will the government engage with the US to ensure mutually beneficial trade relations, but it will also accelerate the diversification of its export markets by boosting intra-African trade. Recognising the US as South Africa's second-largest trading partner, Ramaphosa acknowledged the measure's potential to disrupt industries heavily dependent on exports to the US, thereby affecting thousands of jobs and the country’s fiscal stability. "Our…

The government is feeding South Africa’s chickens to eagles swooping in from the United States. Not for the first time, the country’s poultry industry is being sacrificed to secure a trade deal with the US. Worse, it is happening without consultation with the industry on the details or implications of what it is proposing, or possible alternatives. No trade deal has yet been concluded, and there is little information about what South Africa is putting on the table. Yet, as it attempts to avert the 30% tariffs on all South African exports that President Donald Trump has threatened, the government is hinting at yet another blow to the country’s poultry producers. A statement by trade minister Parks Tau gave little away. Outlining what South Africa had proposed – so far…

South Africa’s biggest paper and plastics packaging business and recycler Mpact maintained its interim dividend at 30 cents a share despite lower profit as it is confident of an improved performance in the second half. This was according to financial director Hannes Snyman, who, along with CEO Bruce Strong, was interviewed at the release of the results for the six months to June 30. Underlying earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation fell by 14.5% to R625 million and operating profit lower by 25.5% to R315m. Headline earnings per share decreased to 93 cents from 128.1 cents. Strong said the lower earnings were primarily the result of persistent and lagging demand in South Africa due to the weak macroeconomic environment, traditionally lower sales in the first half in the plastics business,…

The South African automotive industry is reeling from the announcement of a potential 30% tariff on automotive exports to the United States, expected to take effect in the coming days. This move by President Donald Trump has sparked warnings from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition of up to 30 000 job losses, with industry leaders voicing deep concerns over the implications for the nation’s economy. Renai Moothilal, the CEO and Executive Director of the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (Naacam), on Monday said that they were deeply concerned about the potential impact on South African automotive exports to the US. “In 2024, South Africa exported R28.7 billion worth of automotive products to the US, of which R4.4 billion was attributable to automotive components,” Moothilal said.…

The Presidency has said findings by the United States of America’s State Department that farm attacks are not ordinary crimes, lacks credibility and has accused the country of ignoring reliable information in order to sustain a disinformation campaign against South Africa. The US State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) claimed that attacks on farms display a distinctly brutal pattern. The bureau said this was uncovered during its recent visit to the country as part of the US President Donald Trump's executive orders to learn more about the rural farm attacks and the breakdown of the rule of law. While AfriForum welcomed the findings, Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said there is no credibility that can be attached to the report. He said the bureau visited Cape Town…

A radio advertisement regarding new smart technology, which is said to be capable of doing a health assessment by measuring blood pressure came under the spotlight of the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) following a complaint by a member of the public. The commercial features Afrikaans dialogue between “Johan” and “clever Werner” of Momentum. Werner proceeds to promote the advertiser’s new smart technology with a “selfie video”. Werner notes that this technology measures heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen, and stress levels on your smartphone. The complainant submitted that smartphone applications, such as the one promoted, do not “measure” blood pressure. They can only calculate it by using data provided. It is dangerous to claim that this application can “measure” high pressure, as mistakes could lead to death, the complaint read. The…

’ A groundbreaking effort to tackle rhino poaching has seen Wits University working with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to insert radioactive isotopes into rhino horns to deter and detect poaching activities. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the South African Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment reported 103 poached rhinos. In a statement on its website, Wits University said the Rhisotope Project aims to create a powerful deterrent for traffickers. “After six years of intensive research and testing, the Rhisotope Project has officially reached operational status — where rhinos will effectively be protected through nuclear technology.” The university said six months ago, low levels of radioactive material were embedded into the horns of 20 rhinos living in the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere. Experimental results on the blood…

The children of well-known former Constitutional Court Judge Yvonne Mokgoro, who passed away in May last year, turned to court in a bid for the Master of the High Court to accept what they said is the last will and testament of their mother, made in 2021. Judge Mokgoro made an earlier will in 2014, but her children told the Kimberley High Court that the earlier will fell away as she made another will seven years later. While both wills are basically the same, the only difference is in clause three of both wills. In the 2014 will in reference to this clause, the late judge left her share in a property to her life partner, David Mmelesi. In terms of her 2021 will, she left her share to her…

In deciding whether the right to graze cattle is afforded protection under the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA), the Constitutional Court has afforded a broader interpretation to the Act to include not only the right to reside on land but also associated uses such as grazing and cultivation. This followed an appeal before the apex court by three brothers against a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judgment which denied them the right to graze cattle on the land they are staying on. The SCA judgment followed an earlier Land Claims Court judgment, which ruled in favour of the Mereki brothers. They are occupiers in terms of ESTA and reside on a farm owned by a trust in the North West Province. The trust bought the farm in 2003…

Springbok Women’s performance coach Swys de Bruin will continue to use utility player Nadine Roos across the backline, splitting her playing time between scrumhalf, fullback and flyhalf. “With Nadine at nine, 10 and 15, she knows her role now. I said to her at a stage it’ll be about 70% nine, 20% 15 and even flyhalf a bit again. “So, she’s happy with that role and the rest of the team are happy,” De Bruin said, in the aftermath of the emphatic 41–24 victory over the Black Ferns XV. In fact, he is happy with the versatility of the squad as a whole, with the World Cup in England just a few weeks away. “I think we’re very settled now. I think we’re at the point where all 32 players…

Mohammed Siraj was the hero as India beat England by just six runs in a thrilling fifth Test at the Oval yesterday to end a dramatic series level at 2–2. England arrived on the final day of the series needing just 35 runs with four wickets in hand to complete a remarkable chase of 374. But they were blown away with Siraj taking three wickets for nine runs to finish with figures of 5/104. “It just shows that both the teams came with their A-game and I am happy to get over the line in this one,” India captain Shubman Gill told Sky Sports. “When you have got bowlers bowling a spell like Siraj, captaincy seems easy.” The series was also a personal triumph for Gill, who scored 754 runs,…

Despite their rollicking start to the Currie Cup season, with two bonus-point wins, 112 points scored and only 23 conceded, the Bulls are wary of getting too far ahead of themselves at this early stage of the campaign. Last year’s Currie Cup performance remains a stark reminder of the pitfalls of failing to maintain high standards throughout the tournament, after a similarly bright start ultimately yielded no silverware. It is a lesson not lost on Bulls assistant coach Kennedy Tsimba. “This is just the first couple of steps in a campaign that has been looking promising, but we do know that each week brings its different challenges,” Tsimba said, yesterday. “It’s about not getting ahead of yourself and understanding that there are teams that are going to give us different…

ALL Blacks head coach Scott Robertson named one uncapped player in his squad for the Rugby Championship, which kicks off this month with back-to-back Tests against Argentina yesterday. Waikato Chiefs flanker Simon Parker was included for the first time and will be in contention for the All Blacks’ opening match against the Pumas in Córdoba on 16 August. “Simon Parker had an impressive Super Rugby season with the Chiefs and brings a valuable skill set and physicality that we are looking forward to working with,” said Robertson, whose nickname is Razor. “He has the ability to play blindside or No. 8 and has gained experience in a number of New Zealand representative teams, so we believe he is ready for the step up.” Robertson also named three uncapped players…

Over 30 000 jobs likely to be impacted by the unilateral US tariffs on SA products About 30 000 jobs in various sectors are likely to be impacted by the unilateral 30% import tariffs to be imposed by the United States on South African products, which is set to come into effect before the end of this week. This was announced on Monday as the government seeks to craft an export diversification strategy leaning heavily towards China's R20 billion market through the offered China-Africa Trade partnership and a special industrialisation memorandum of understanding exclusively with South Africa. Simphiwe Hamilton, the director-general of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), confirmed that thousands of jobs were on the line in a variety of industries that export goods to the…

When an employee leaves an organisation, most leaders focus on succession, handovers and HR paperwork. But behind the scenes, another risk often goes unchecked: the “shadow employee”. Retaining access to company systems long after they’ve left, these ex-staff members pose a serious cybersecurity threat that can lead to data breaches, financial loss and reputational damage, even if everyone parted ways with smiles, hugs and pizza. According to a recent study, 89% of former employees keep valid logins, while 45% retain access to confidential data after departure. Most disturbingly, almost half admitted to continuing to access company systems after leaving. “The shadow employee phenomenon is more common than many realise, particularly in organisations with high staff turnover or fragmented and cloud-based systems,” said Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy and Evangelist…

Ongoing shareholder troubles at JSE-listed Eastern and Central Europe property group MAS continued on Monday after its major shareholder, Prime Kapital Investments (PKI), launched a voluntary offer to acquire MAS shares not already held by it. The offer comes barely a month after MAS shareholders overturned resolutions by PKI at an extraordinary shareholder meeting regarding the sell-off of MAS’s assets and the payment of a special dividend with the proceeds. Just a week ago, a previous bidder for MAS, South African REIT Hyprop, withdrew its offer because MAS and PKI, as the main shareholder, refused to provide documents about a development joint venture (DJV) between PKI and MAS. PKI stated on Monday that their current offer is not contingent on PKI gaining control of MAS. The only condition is that…

The humble roll of toilet paper has been a steadfast fixture in our bathrooms for as long as we can remember. But in an age of environmental awareness and a push for better personal hygiene, its days might be numbered. There is a growing movement away from the traditional dry wipe towards a more thorough, eco-conscious clean. Around the world, a simple yet game-changing bathroom innovation is gaining traction: the bidet shower. Also known as the Muslim toilet shower, this small device offers a more comfortable and environmentally friendly alternative to paper. Bidets can reduce toilet paper use by up to 75% The change isn't just about a gadget; it's about a complete shift in how we approach a daily ritual. It’s also a key feature of the high-tech washlet…

Poor service delivery, politics, and whistleblowing have turned the local government sphere into a “war zone,” resulting in the deaths of close to 150 municipal workers in the past six years. The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) revealed that since 2018, about 148 municipal workers have been assassinated. It stated that whistleblowing is now the leading cause of these killings and called for municipal workers, especially those who work in procurement, to be provided with protection even beyond their workplace. The union indicated that the statistics were gleaned from several reports compiled by a non-governmental organisation. Samwu general secretary Dumisani Magagula detailed the extent of the problem and the threat faced by municipal workers during an interview with a television news channel. He stated that the data was compiled…

South Africa’s national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, is in Lesotho, meeting with the Police Chief, Advocate Borotho Matsoso, after claims that Basotho-styled military training camps were operating in South Africa. The one-day meeting is under way in Maseru following claims by Lesotho authorities who insisted they had credible information about Basotho undergoing military-style training in certain farms within South Africa as part of the growing campaign to fight for contentious land in South Africa’s provinces. The claimed land included parts of the Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Masemola is leading a delegation of senior officials from various government departments under the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS). The delegation of senior officials from South Africa includes the Deputy National Commissioner of Policing and…

Disaster management teams in KwaZulu-Natal have been placed on high alert following a warning from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) indicating a high risk of veld fires in parts of the province. The warning, issued yesterday, forecasts “an extremely high Fire Danger Index (FDI) value exceeding 75.” The risk period extends until 6pm today. According to SAWS, dry, warm and windy conditions, with gusts exceeding 40 km/h and low humidity, could lead to the rapid ignition and spread of fires. In response, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, said disaster response units across the province had been instructed to coordinate closely with municipalities. “Last year’s veld fires caused millions of rand in damage to crops, infrastructure, and livestock, and tragically led to the…

The KwaDukuza Local Municipality is expected to hold another special council meeting to elect a mayor and deputy following the last minute cancellation of a meeting set for last week. The ANC regional task team coordinator Nkosenhle Mngadi said the reason for the cancellation was because of Luthuli House’s intervention in the matter. He said the national ANC had reminded the provincial structure about interviews, which first had to be conducted by a team from the National Working Committee (NWC). Mngadi said the party’s Secretary General (SG) Fikile Mbalula, called them and asked them to hold the appointment because it would be unprocedural to choose a mayor and deputy without due process being followed, including interviewing the candidates. “I think it was an oversight from our side. Our SG called…

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have taken formal steps to introduce a Private Member’s Bill aimed at tightening parliamentary oversight over the country's foreign borrowing. According to party MP Sinawo Tambo, the proposal is already being processed through the Bills Office and is “at an advanced stage.” The legislation seeks to ensure that all foreign loan agreements receive prior approval from Parliament and are fully disclosed to the public. The party wrote to the National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza in June, notifying her of their intention to table the Public Finance Management Amendment Bill, 2025. “It aims to strengthen democratic oversight and ensure that all foreign loan agreements undergo prior parliamentary approval and are subject to full public disclosure before conclusion. The policy rationale and urgency for this amendment are…

The MTN8 quarter-finals offered a revealing glimpse into the state of South African top-flight football, with the big guns flexing their muscle while others floundered. Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates underlined their dominance, Stellenbosch FC showed grit, and Sekhukhune United were fired to glory by veteran Bradley Grobler’s brilliance. As some clubs celebrated progress, others were left confronting uncomfortable truths ahead of the new season. Cardoso tight-lipped amid transfer speculation The absence of Footballer of the Season Lucas Ribeiro Costa, all-time record scorer Peter Shalulile and dynamic right-back Khuliso Mudau raised eyebrows during Mamelodi Sundowns’ 4-0 win over Richards Bay. However, coach Miguel Cardoso refused to be drawn on the trio’s future. Known for his candidness, Cardoso instead said, “I will not discuss them, but all dossiers will be dealt…

The emergence of recently crowned 100m world backstroke champion Pieter Coetzé as one of the best swimmers in the world right now has given the country’s medal prospects in the pool at LA 2028 a major boost. The 21-year-old Tuks psychology student in Pretoria is fresh from becoming the only man to reach the podium in all three backstroke events at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, which featured the cream of the world’s swimming talent. Coetzé powered his way to South Africa’s first medal of the championships, claiming gold in the 100m backstroke. He fought off Olympic champion Thomas Ceccon and France’s Yohann Ndoye-Brouard in the second half of the final to reach the wall in a sensationally quick new African record time of 51.85 seconds. His time was…

AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane has pointed to costly turnovers and lapses in concentration as the key reasons behind their narrow 3-2 MTN8 quarter-final defeat to Stellenbosch FC on Sunday. Usuthu bowed out of the competition at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town after a thrilling encounter that saw the hosts edge past them in extra time. The result ended AmaZulu’s hopes of progressing to the semi-finals, joining Richards Bay, TS Galaxy and Polokwane City among the weekend’s casualties. Zwane, now in his first full season at the helm, admitted the gameplan was clear – frustrate Stellenbosch in non-threatening areas and hit back on transition. For large parts of the match, the plan appeared to work, but sloppy play in key moments let them down. “We always knew that…

Will he? Won’t he? Liverpool’s attempt to sign star striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle – in a second blockbuster deal of the transfer window for the league champions – has become the trending transfer saga. By all accounts, the lethal Swedish finisher has informed the Tyneside giants that he wants out, after refusing to extend his contract, with Merseyside his preferred destination. He missed out on their recent pre-season tour of South Korea, prompting fears among Newcastle fans that they had seen the last of the lanky striker in the iconic black-and-white kit. It is clear his head has been turned by the attentions of the Reds, who have embarked on a massive spending spree expected to top €500m by the close of the window. Yet Liverpool’s recent £110m…