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☆ South Africa Seeks State Power Chief After CEO Says He Was Poisoned
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

JOHANNESBURG—One Monday last month, the chief executive officer of South Africa’s state-owned power company Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., André de Ruyter , woke up for his 5 a.m. gym routine, then headed to an off-site meeting with the chairman of the board. Hours later, he lay shaking in a clinic bed. Blood tests viewed by The Wall Street Journal showed that he had ingested cyanide. Now, the South African government is looking for a successor to Mr. de Ruyter, who says he handed his resignation to the Eskom board chairman hours before he started feeling nauseous and confused in his office on Dec. 12. Mr. de Ruyter says he suspects the cyanide was added to a cappuccino he drank from his personalized mug at his office.

☆ South Africa energy blackouts: Ramaphosa skips Davos to tackle crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

London CNN —South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa was forced this week to cancel a trip to Davos by an escalating energy crisis that is inflicting rolling blackouts on the continent’s most developed economy. At peak times, demand in South Africa averages between 28,000 MW and 34,000 MW. Electricity theft, including by impoverished townships in South Africa, and non-payment by municipal customers have made matters worse. Despite an abundance of sunshine and wind, South Africa still derives about 80% of its electricity from coal. South Africa’s National Energy Crisis Committee, a body run out of Ramaphosa’s office, has proposed several measures to ease the crisis in the short term, including importing energy from neighboring countries and buying excess energy from private producers.

☆ Davos 2023: South Africa plans to end load-shedding in 12-18 months -finmin
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 16 (Reuters) - South Africa has a plan to improve energy provision that will end the need for any power cuts within the next 12-18 months, ITS Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said on Monday. "Eventually in the next 12-18 months we will be able to say load-shedding is a thing of the past. That is the target," Godongwana, told Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss resort of Davos. However, asked whether state-owned power utility Eskom could expect to be allocated more cash for diesel to help reduce the level of power cuts, he said: "I don't think Eskom has a diesel problem, I think Eskom has got a management problem." ($1 = 17.0312 rand)Reporting by Mark John; Editing by Alexander SmithOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/2] A man walks beneath electricity pylons during frequent power outages from South African utility Eskom, caused by its ageing coal-fired plants, in Orlando, Soweto, South Africa, January 16, 2023. REUTERS/Siphiwe SibekoSummarySummary Companies Power cuts to become less severe from TuesdayDepends on generators returning to service as plannedEskom tells politicians power cuts to continue into 2024JOHANNESBURG, Jan 16 (Reuters) - South Africa's state-owned power utility Eskom said it would shorten power cuts from Tuesday morning as 14 generators come back on tap this week, but electricity shortages look set to continue at least into 2024. The past week has seen some of the worst power cuts on record in Africa's most industrialised nation, at least six hours a day for most households and often as much as 10 hours. The company implemented power cuts on more than 200 days last year, the most in a calendar year. The utility said it had procured an additional 50 million litres of diesel, which would be used to manage pumped storage dam levels and limit power cuts.

Jan 17 (Reuters) - Montfort has emerged as the top bidder for Uniper Energy's oil refinery in the UAE that produces low-sulphur fuel oil for the shipping industry, multiple sources familiar with the matter said this week. The companies are finalising the deal, some of the sources said, although one source said the deal has been closed. Other companies that were also in the running were Vitol and BB Energy, the sources said. The Fujairah plant processes mainly African sweet, or low-sulphur, crude oil, producing about 5 million tonnes per year of very low-sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), according to Uniper and Refinitiv data. Montfort has a bunker supplier licence in Fujairah under the entity of Montfort Trading FZE.

☆ South African rand slumps as power crisis takes centre stage
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 16 (Reuters) - The South African rand slumped on Monday as investor concerns mounted over a power crisis that prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to cancel a trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos. The South African rand traded at 17.0775 against the dollar at 1230 GMT, about 1.4% weaker than its previous close. Shaun Murison, senior market analyst at IG, said softer prices for South African exports were also weighing on the rand. Later this week South African mining output (ZAMNG=ECI) and retail sales (ZARET=ECI) for November are due, as well as December consumer inflation (ZACPIY=ECI). The South African government's benchmark 2030 bond was weaker, with the yield up 13 basis points to 9.895%.

☆ South Africa name new coaches for test, limited overs teams
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 16 (Reuters) - South Africa have named Rob Walter as their new head coach in limited overs cricket with Shukri Conrad to take over the test team, officials confirmed on Monday. Conrad is an experienced head coach in South African domestic cricket and was most recently in charge of the national Under-19 side. "Their leadership is very strong and they are clear in their minds about how to move South African cricket forward," Nkwe told reporters. Nkwe said it was important to lay the foundations for success in the 50-overs Cricket World Cup in 2027, which South Africa is co-hosting with Namibia and Zimbabwe. "The 2027 World Cup is a must-win and we need to build the systems to be successful there," he added.

☆ Army of pest-munching ducks keep South African vineyard blooming
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

STELLENBOSCH, South Africa, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Flocks of white, black and brown ducks hunt for snails and bugs as they patrol the grapevines at a vineyard in South Africa's winemaking town of Stellenbosch, helping the owners steer clear of pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. Around 500 Indian runner ducks work as a natural pest control at the Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate, but also entertain wine-quaffing tourists. "We call them the soldiers of the vineyards," the managing director of the estate, Corius Visser, told Reuters. Ducks are at the heart of the winery's regenerative agriculture practices, and specifically Indian runner ducks, which have long legs and an upright posture, meaning they are able to reach for snails between the leaves. Nutrient-rich manure from the ducks and other animals ensure the vineyard runs as sustainably as possible.

☆ Hunter Biden asks judge to stop his 4-year-old daughter, who he had with a stripper, from taking his surname, say reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Hunter Biden has requested a judge stop his 4-year-old daughter from taking his surname. Biden said the name would rob the child of a "peaceful existence," the New York Post reported. Biden, in September, asked to have child support payments reduced because his financial circumstances had undergone a "substantial, material change," according to Dailymail.com. Roberts filed a petition for paternity and child support, and a DNA test later proved he was the father. The child was conceived while Biden was in a relationship with Hallie Biden, his brother Beau's widow.

☆ South Africa's president to skip WEF to deal with crippling power cuts at home
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 15 (Reuters) - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will no longer attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos due to the ongoing energy crisis in the country, his spokesman said on Sunday. Power cuts have worsened since Tuesday when struggling state utility Eskom said it would implement its worst-ever outages until further notice. The power cuts are a major source of public frustration with the governing African National Congress (ANC) and a brake on economic growth in Africa's most industrialised nation. "Currently the President is convening a meeting with leaders of political parties represented in parliament, NECCOM (National Energy Crisis Committee) and the Eskom board," Vincent Magwenya, presidential spokesman said. The beleaguered utility supplies the vast majority of South Africa's electricity, relying mainly on an ageing fleet of coal-fired power stations that are unreliable and prone to faults.

☆ MTN Ghana hit with bill of $773 mln for back taxes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 13 (Reuters) - The Ghanaian subsidy of South African mobile operator MTN Group (MTNJ.J) has received a bill for back taxes of around $773 million, including penalties and interest charges, the parent company said on Friday. The Ghana Revenue Authority issued MTN Ghana (MTNGH.GH) with the bill after auditing it for the years 2014 to 2018 and inferring that the company under declared its revenue by about 30% during the period, MTN said in a statement. The carrier, which has a presence in 19 countries in Africa and the Middle East, said it disputes the "accuracy and basis" of the assessment and that it would fight it. "MTN Ghana believes that the taxes due have been paid during the period under assessment and has resolved to defend MTN Ghana's position on the Assessment," the company said. Reporting by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Just a few years ago, the conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas had no idea he would be instrumental in commemorating the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. It really has been my mission over the past several years.”Workers stand beneath "The Embrace" sculpture in Boston Common, waiting for concrete to be poured, on Dec. 14, 2022. John Tlumacki / Boston Globe via Getty Images fileAiming to both inspire visitors and honor the Kings’ legacy, Thomas’ work will be revealed Friday at Boston Common, America’s oldest city park, in downtown Boston. Bettmann ArchiveKing dedicated his life to the civil rights movement, fighting for racial equality and economic justice. A man reaches to touch a detail of the 20-foot-high bronze sculpture "The Embrace," a memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, in the Boston Common on Jan. 10, 2023, in Boston.

☆ Just one G-7 leader will join the Davos elite this year as regular people battle cost-of-living crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Congress Center, the venue for the World Economic Forum (WEF), center, in Davos, Switzerland, on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. It is not the first time the summit has been sparsely attended by leaders from the powerful political union. That included former U.S. leader Donald Trump, who attended twice during his one term in office, unlike his predecessor Barack Obama, who never attended. His own predecessor, Angela Merkel, was a regular Davos presence during her 16-year term, most recently challenging the increasing "own interests first" mentality of some nations in 2019. "I expect it is partly reputational risks, given the current situation, of enjoying the high life in Davos," he said.

☆ South Africa's president says energy workers face so much danger that some wear bulletproof vests to work, days after a prominent CEO's poisoning was revealed
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

South Africa's energy sector has been rocked by the poisoning of the CEO of its biggest provider. Eskom's CEO Andre De Ruyter had been leading a crackdown on corruption in South African energy. South Africa's president said this week that some managers in the sector wear bulletproof vests to work. His wife also has two protectors and his children go to school with protectors as well," Ramaphosa said in the address without identifying who the manager is, per South Africa's Times newspaper. Such thefts, De Ruyter said, have a major impact on the energy available in South Africa, which has faced rolling blackouts in recent years.

☆ The 7 cities you 'must visit before you die,' according to 50 travel experts—only one is in the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Sharael Kolberg | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

As travel journalist of over 20 years, I recently interviewed more than 50 travel enthusiasts, experts and agents. New York City, U.S.Jonathan de Araujo, owner of The Vacationeer Travel Agency, calls the Big Apple "a city of superlatives." Just a short walk from the 9/11 Museum, New York City tourists can take a ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty. "It's now as much a part of New York City history as the Statue of Liberty," he says. Cape Town, South AfricaTom Marchant, founder of luxury travel company Black Tomato, calls Cape Town "the perfect destination for thrill seekers."

☆ Fact Check-Photo shows crowd gathered on South African beach, not migrants on shore of British seaside town
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Social media users are sharing an image of a crowd standing on a beach and are claiming it shows migrants in Skegness, a seaside town on Britain’s east coast. But the photo was taken in Durban, South Africa, after three people were killed by a large wave in December 2022. It can be traced back to a security service in South Africa which uploaded a series of photos showing its involvement in responding to an incident on a Durban beach in December 2022 (here and here). Based on local reports, (here and here), an unexpected large wave killed three people at the beach on Dec. 17. The image shows a crowd gathering on a beach in Durban, South Africa, not migrants standing on a beach in Skegness in Britain.

☆ A sanctioned Russian ship moved cargo under the cover of darkness at a port in South Africa, and the local government won't say what was being unloaded, the Wall Street Journal reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Rebecca Cohen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A sanctioned Russian ship reportedly moved cargo during a blackout at a South African port. The Wall Street Journal reported that South Africa's defense minister told the paper that Washington "threatens Africa, not just South Africa, of having anything that is even smelling of Russia." "There is no publicly available information on the source of the containers that were loaded onto the Lady R," a US official also told the Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal reported that the ship's locator was turned on again two days later when it was 100 miles east of Simon's Town. The US also sanctioned Russian oil last year, causing major price drops for the export, and banned imports of Russian gold.

☆ Chinese travelers say new restrictions are 'unfair' — but they're angry at some countries more than others
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

But it's not out of spite, said several Chinese travelers who spoke to CNBC. 'I think it's unfair'Reactions from Chinese travelers who spoke to CNBC were varied, ranging from indifference to confusion to anger. Last week, the European Union recommended that its members require Chinese travelers to take Covid tests before entering. Rein said Chinese travelers are now headed to Singapore and Thailand because "both countries are welcoming us." Of the top destinations Chinese nationals searched after the border reopening announcement, those are the only two that haven't imposed new restrictions on incoming Chinese travelers.

☆ South Africa’s Eskom says police investigating alleged poisoning of CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Cape Town Reuters —South African power utility Eskom on Sunday said police were investigating whether an attempt was made to poison its outgoing chief executive officer, Andre de Ruyter. Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan also told Reuters on Sunday the alleged incident “will be thoroughly investigated” and anyone responsible charged. After officially taking charge in January 2020, De Ruyter led a company-wide clampdown on corruption and organized criminal behavior, including sabotage of infrastructure, at Eskom plants. “Eskom cannot comment further on the poisoning incident involving the group chief executive, which occurred during December 2022, as the matter is subject to police investigation,” the utility’s head of security said in a statement. The alleged cyanide poisoning was first reported by specialist energy publication EE Business Intelligence on Saturday.

☆ South African utility says police are investigating the alleged poisoning of its CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Andre de Ruyter, chief executive officer of Eskom Holdings, at a conference in October 2022. South African power utility Eskom on Sunday said police were investigating whether an attempt was made to poison its outgoing Chief Executive Officer Andre de Ruyter. Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan also told Reuters on Sunday the alleged incident "will be thoroughly investigated" and anyone responsible charged. The alleged cyanide poisoning was first reported by specialist energy publication EE Business Intelligence on Saturday. The South African police services did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

☆ The CEO of an African energy giant was poisoned with cyanide slipped into his coffee, just days after he resigned
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The CEO of South Africa's biggest energy company, Eskom, was poisoned in December, the firm said. Numerous reports say CEO Andre De Ruyter had cyanide slipped into his coffee at the company's HQ. After drinking the coffee, De Ruyter became "weak, dizzy, and confused," EE Business Intelligence reported, citing an unnamed source. "This attempt on his life will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible must be charged," Pravin Gordhan, the government minister overseeing South Africa's energy sector told the Financial Times. Since taking over as CEO of Eskom, De Ruyter has attempted to crack down on corruption within South Africa's energy sector, EE Business Intelligence reported.

☆ South Africa's Eskom says police investigating alleged poisoning of CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( Wendell Roelf | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan also told Reuters on Sunday the alleged incident "will be thoroughly investigated" and anyone responsible charged. Faced with political pressure, De Ruyter resigned on Dec. 14 after failing to solve a crisis in Eskom that has led to record power cuts in Africa's most industrialised economy. After officially taking office in January 2020, De Ruyter led a company-wide clampdown on corruption and organised criminal behaviour, including sabotage of infrastructure, at Eskom plants. The alleged cyanide poisoning was first reported by specialist energy publication EE Business Intelligence on Saturday. Reporting by Wendell Roelf in Cape Town and Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo; editing by Barbara LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ South Africa dig in after Australian declaration
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

His decision left the unfortunate Usman Khawaja stranded five runs short of his maiden test double century on 195 not out. Khawaja's tally was 164 more runs than Dean Elgar had managed in four innings in the series so far and the South Africa captain continued his poor run of form by gloving a short Josh Hazlewood delivery behind for 15. South Africa survived the remainder of the early pace offensive but Sarel Erwee followed his opening partner back to the dressing room for 18 when he left a Nathan Lyon delivery that clipped the side of his off stump. Heinrich Klaasen departed for two in the next over to give Cummins his first wicket as the Australian bowlers continued their series-long domination of the South African batsmen. Matt Renshaw was earlier welcomed back into the Australian dressing room after being isolated from his team mates following a positive COVID-19 test on Wednesday.

☆ Leading WHO advisers call for 'realistic' COVID data from China at key meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Jennifer Rigby | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] The World Health Organization logo is pictured at the entrance of the WHO building, in Geneva, Switzerland, December 20, 2021. REUTERS/Denis BalibouseLONDON, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Leading scientists advising the World Health Organization said they wanted a "more realistic picture" about the COVID-19 situation from China's top experts at a key meeting on Tuesday as worries grow about the rapid spread of the virus. The WHO has invited Chinese scientists to a virtual closed meeting with its technical advisory group on viral evolution on Tuesday, to present data on which variants are circulating in the country. Speaking to Reuters ahead of the meeting, she said some of the data from China, such as hospitalisation numbers, is "not very credible". A WHO spokesperson said that a "detailed discussion" was expected about circulating variants in China, and globally, with Chinese scientists expected to make a presentation.

☆ How tech groundbreaker Greg Smithies went from Elon Musk's inner circle to tackling real estate's $18 trillion carbon-emissions problem
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-02 | by ( Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Greg Smithies leads the biggest fund focused on the decarbonization of real estate. Smithies has worked on sustainability issues and with Elon Musk's The Boring Company. But Smithies is no stranger to investment-led decarbonization efforts, having tackled the problem for much of his career. "At the end of the day, software isn't going to solve the climate crisis," Smithies said. But above all, he's focused on the money and the potential savings that low-carbon technology can have on real estate.

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