Channel 4 intends to represent the UK as a whole in its content after a failed privatisation effort conducted by the government. Debates about the broadcaster’s privatisation forced it to consider why it existed and gave rise to some positive consequences, said the company’s chief content officer Ian Katz. Changes to content regulations may allow the broadcaster to produce its own programmes, but concerns have been raised that this could damage the independent production sector. Katz said that Channel 4’s freedom to produce programmes was “not something we asked for” and that unintended consequences would be avoided.
Qatar has expressed an interest in hosting the 2025 Rugby League World Cup after France relinquished its rights to stage the tournament. The country, which lacks a rugby league team, is one of four states to have shown interest in hosting the event. South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand have also reportedly put themselves forward. The tournament could be postponed or cancelled if a new host is not found.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is being warned by senior allies that his focus on foreign policy and his forthcoming visit to the G7 Summit in Japan risks diverting him from domestic issues in a year when there is a great need to deliver results. Lula's people are understood to have told him that he should concentrate more on resolving Brazil's economic problems as his constant trips overseas are seen as having delayed decision-making at a time when the economy is flagging.
Qatar is in the running to host the Rugby League World Cup in 2025 after France pulled out due to financial reasons. The International Rugby League (IRL) is considering options for hosting the tournament, with New Zealand, South Africa and Fiji expressing an interest. But IRL Chair Troy Grant said the wealth of Qatar made it an attractive option to host the event. He added, however, that human rights issues, especially regarding women’s rights, would be a “consideration” before any decision is made.
South African Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has denied extensive corruption within the governing African National Congress (ANC) party, while acknowledging a few members may have engaged in “naughty activity” regarding the corruption at state-owned national electricity supplier Eskom. Eskom is more than $20bn in debt and is reportedly in danger of total collapse, raising concerns over frequent and extended power blackouts. Gordhan refuted former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter’s claims that high-ranking politicians were involved in corruption, a development that has led to the ANC’s threatened lawsuit against de Ruyter for defamation.
Rugby Australia has voiced its support for the coming constitutional referendum which asserts that "Aboriginal people should be consulted on matters that affect Aboriginal people". The statement argues that rugby came about because of a desire for a level playing field, with team members rising or falling based on their abilities, efforts and cohesion with teammates. The idea behind the Voice is to give Aboriginal people the ability to speak up on issues that are not currently being addressed, making a "structural change" to the status quo that currently exists. The statement is part of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which asserts that Aborigines are not an innately criminal people, but face structural problems that continue to hold them back.
The South African rand has weakened after worse-than-expected March retail sales data and the dollar hitting a six-week high. Information from Statistics South Africa data indicates that the country experienced a 1.6% drop in year-on-year retail sales during March. Meanwhile, concerns about an ongoing power crisis was heightened after reports of a further delay in maintenance at the country's only nuclear power station.
The venue for the PGA Championship has changed from August to May and, as a result, there is an added challenge of cold weather for this year’s tournament at the Oak Hill course in New York. However, in all other respects the course is similar to what the golfing heavyweights have seen before. The PGA Championship features the strongest field of the year's major competitions, with only Will Zalatoris missing from the top 100 players in the world.
Leaders of the Group of 7 nations are to meet in Hiroshima, Japan, to discuss issues including Russia’s war in Ukraine and China. Although there is little disagreement among G7 members on either issue, there is a difference of opinion between the nations and other countries, including Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa. Eight non-G7 guest nations will attend the summit, which will provide an opportunity for Japan to outreach to the so-called Global South. China will also be discussed at the meeting, with Tokyo claiming that it poses the biggest challenge to “the free and open international order based on the rule of law.”
England flanker Ben Curry is set to miss the Rugby World Cup after he sustained an injury to his hamstring tendon during Sale Sharks' 21-13 Gallagher Premiership semi-final win over Leicester on Sunday. The flanker will miss the final against Saracens at Twickenham on Saturday, and though there is no confirmed timeframe for his recovery, he is expected to be out of action for at least four months. Curry made his England debut against the US last year and was part of Steve Borthwick’s Six Nations squad earlier this year.
The South African government will auction off at least 10 new onshore blocks for shale gas exploration in the environmentally sensitive Karoo region as it seeks alternative energy sources. The country's first competitive auction for oil and gas resources is expected in 2024–2025 and will include areas once occupied by Shell. PASA, the country’s petroleum agency, suggests that the Karoo Basin contains about 209tn cubic feet of technically recoverable shale gas resources. Fracking in the area has previously been delayed for a decade due to environmental and regulatory concerns. It is not currently clear how the costs will compare with traditional energy sources and renewable options.
The South African rand fell 0.9% against the dollar early on Thursday, and extended its losses further as the US dollar strengthened to a seven-week high due to optimism surrounding US debt ceiling talks. Riskier currencies, such as the rand, often take their lead from global macro factors, as opposed to domestic affairs. This news comes as South Africa's power crisis continues, with state firm Eskom issuing warnings that it could increase power outages to an even higher level.
South Africa's state power utility Eskom may need to implement "Stage 8" power cuts, which would require up to 8,000 megawatts to be shed from the national grid, this winter if its current interventions are not effective, according to a briefing by Group Executive for Transmission Segomoco Scheppers. The country is already facing its worst power crisis on record, with many households and businesses experiencing electricity outages of over 10 hours a day. Scheppers sought to calm fears of a national blackout, saying the risk was "very low".
Lesotho imposes nationwide curfew in attempt to curb violent crime
The Toronto Star
23-05-18 13:53
Lesotho has imposed an indefinite nationwide curfew in an attempt to tackle violent crime, after the killing of journalist Ralikonelo Joki. Joki was shot seven times as he left work at a radio station. Authorities later imposed the 10pm-4am curfew in order to prevent "harm to public safety," according to Police Commissioner Holomo Molibeli. The nighttime restriction has drawn criticism from the Lesotho Law Society and business representatives who labelled it "draconian," as it forces most companies to shut their operations during the curfew. With 2.1 million inhabitants, high crime rates and a rise in COVID-19 cases, Lesotho is facing a crisis.
Eskom, the electricity monopoly in South Africa, has warned that the country could face record levels of blackouts during the winter unless its fleet of power plants can prevent breakdowns. Eskom has already subjected South Africans to 12 power cuts in every 32 hours, and the outages may extend to 16 hours if the worst-case scenario occurs. Eskom has been suffering from a crisis for years, which has been restricting economic growth and threatening inflation as businesses resort to expensive diesel generators. Outages this year have already surpassed records set in 2022, as Eskom struggles to remain operational.
The G7 leaders are set to debate endorsing a proposed Ukraine peace summit with the aim of promoting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal for how to end Russia's war against Ukraine rather than Beijing's proposal. Zelenskyy's 10-point plan includes a demand for Moscow to withdraw all its troops from Ukraine and for the country's full territorial integrity to be restored. China's version requires Russia to withdraw troops before peace negotiations are opened. The move by the G7 is seen as an effort to bolster support for Zelenskyy's peace plan, which has its Western allies concerned over the possible decline in US military support to Ukraine ahead of next year's US election. Ukraine has confirmed that it has contacted Beijing to reiterate that it will not accept a peace agreement involving a loss of Ukrainian territory and that it is interested in getting China involved in implementing the Ukrainian peace formula. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has blamed Ukraine for the lack of progress in peace talks, has so far not indicated that he will accept any solution other than a complete capitulation from Kyiv.
El Nino events, which are characterised by warming of parts of the equatorial Pacific, are far costlier and their economic scars last longer than previously thought, according to a new study by a team of researchers at Dartmouth College published in the journal Science. While the environmental event causes droughts, floods and heat waves on different parts of the globe, the study focused on its lasting economic impact on innovation and technology, arguing that economies bear the scars of El Nino for a decade or more, or even forever. The average El Nino costs the global economy about $3.4tn, the researchers said.
Canadian men's Rugby Sevens Series future on line at relegation playoff in London
CBC
23-05-18 16:25
The Canadian national rugby sevens team is fighting for its future on the World Series, currently held annually in rugby-playing countries around the world. Historically, 16 men's teams have competed at each tournament, with Canada regularly among the participants since its debut in 1999-2000. However, next year the number of teams will be reduced to 12, to match the women's competition and the Olympic field, with Canada one of four currently competing in a relegation playoff for the final 12th spot. If unsuccessful, teams will have to enter their regional competitions instead.
Canada is battling to retain their status as one of the 12 core teams on the World Series Sevens roster, after the men's tournament is reduced from 16 teams to 12, to align with the competition of the women's tournament and Olympic field. In a play-off against Kenya, Tonga and Uruguay at the latest HSBC London 7s, only one team will keep its status, while the remaining three will be required to participate in regional sevens championships in quest of climbing back up. The men's Canadian team has had a season-building experience, having started the season with a record of several losses, and may have to scale-up in terms of recruitment and development to come back to their previous level if Canada ends up being relegated.
Turkey's Karpowership has been granted 20-year access to three ports in South Africa in order to generate power on its floating gas ships and alleviate the country's power crisis. President Cyril Ramaphosa endorsed the plan, which will distribute the power through the South Africa's electricity grid. However, Karpowership has faced obstacles from environmental activists following a government grant to generate electricity for the country.
