News in a nutshell

Bow to 'Madam' Mkhwebane | 'Unidentified Frying Objects' | 'Alex Mafia' ringleader returns | Kenya election court challenge | So sue us, Crikey taunts Murdoch | Only one fluent Kusunda speaker left

Public Protector staff had to bow to 'Madam' Mkhwebane, Section 194 Committee hears

Public Protector employees had to address suspended Public Protector as madam and bow down to her, as more testimony about a culture of fear during Mkwhebane's reign was revealed.

2022-08-22  |  News24

Government defends its decision to end Zimbabwean permits

Home Affairs has filed its opposing to the court application brought by the Helen Suzman Foundation to set aside the government’s decision not to blanket renew Zimbabwean Exemption Permits.

2022-08-22  |  GroundUp News

Do our politicians read? By their books (or empty shelves) shall ye know them

The future of our politics seems certain to be shaped by three characters: Steenhuisen, Malema and Mashaba. Let us examine the books that shaped their minds and the politicians that came before them.

2022-08-18  |  Daily Maverick

Fry's pokes fun at the government's attempt to seize plant-based food with meaty names

Plant-based foods are safe on South African shelves, for now, and one major producer is poking fun at the government's failed attempt to seize vegetarian burgers, nuggets, sausages, and biltong.

2022-08-22  |  Businessinsider

Adriaan Basson | The silent power of Paul Mashatile

Fourteen years ago, after being implicated as the ringleader of the 'Alex Mafia', Paul Mashatile's political career was on the rocks. But the man who works in the shadows is very much back.

2022-08-22  |  News24  | Paywalled

News From Our Continent

Kenya election: Raila Odinga challenges William Ruto win in Supreme Court

Raila Odinga lost the election, with 48.8% of the vote to William Ruto's 50.5%. In a scathing 70-page legal argument, Odinga alleges there was a pre-planned effort to alter the outcome.

2022-08-22  |  BBC News

Four nuns kidnapped in southeast Nigeria on their way to mass

In recent years, armed gangs have been kidnapping people for ransom, mainly in northwest Nigeria. The military has started an air offensive to eliminate the armed groups responsible for kidnappings.

2022-08-22  |  Al Jazeera

World News

Crikey! Standing up for the free press: here’s what abuse of media power looks like in Australia

A small Australian news website publishes legal demands sent by Lachlan Murdoch, the billionaire chair of News Corp and Fox Corporation. 'We’re proud of our moral compass and our editorial mission.'

2022-08-22  |  Crikey

Pakistan’s Imran Khan charged: What happens next?

Pakistan’s political temperature shot up another notch when former Prime Minister Imran Khan was charged by police under anti-terrorism laws after making accusatory comments during a public rally.

2022-08-22  |  Al Jazeera

Almost 9,000 Ukrainian military killed in war with Russia - armed forces chief

Nearly 9,000 Ukrainian military personnel have been killed in the war with Russia, the head of Ukraine's armed forces said on Monday.

2022-08-22  |  Reuters

Health News

Women in Health: Mary Selona is changing ‘the way things are’ – one woman at a time

Mary Selona, a community activist who heads up the Blood River Advice Centre in Limpopo, puts women at the centre in her quest for social justice. She is leading from the front.

2022-08-22  |  Spotlight

Sport

The sky’s the limit as pieces continue to fall in place for Bok women

After the seeds were planted and watered over the years, 2022 seems to be a watershed moment for the Springbok women. Up next for the determined side is the World Cup, in just over a month.

2022-08-22  |  Daily Maverick

Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool: Ten Hag earns huge first win

Man U produced an utterly unexpected 2-1 victory over rivals Liverpool in the Premier League following protests against their American owners and after their worst start to a season in over a century.

2022-08-22  |  Evening Standard

And Then There's This ....

The language that doesn't use 'no'

The Kusunda language has no known origin and a number of quirks, like no words for 'yes' or 'no'. It also has only one fluent speaker left, something linguists are racing to change.

2022-08-10  |  BBC

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