South Africans go to the polls on May 29 in the most fiercely contested election since the end of apartheid 30 years ago. “The ANC came to see me because they couldn’t win Napier,” he explains. Napier is not Cape TownNapier, like all South African urban areas, still bears the scars of apartheid. The DA may win in towns like Napier, but across the nation, it looks unlikely to increase its vote share much beyond 23%. The people of quiet towns like Napier enter this year’s election with more than a little apprehension about their political futures.

SEOUL, South Korea — The Japanese and South Korean leaders raised sensitive topics like Taiwan, North Korea and the South China Sea as well as ways to boost cooperation when they individually met China’s premier Sunday on the eve of a fuller trilateral meeting. It was unclear how serious discussions the three leaders had on those thorny issues, which are not among the official agenda items for Monday’s three-way gathering in Seoul, the first of its kind in more than four years.

Cairo, Egypt – Visa, a global leader in digital payments, is thrilled to announce its participation at GITEX Africa 2024, set to take place from May 29 to 31 in Marrakech, Morocco. Visa's presence at GITEX Africa as a financial innovation partner, underscores its steadfast commitment to driving financial inclusion, fostering innovation, and championing a cashless economy across the continent. Collaborating closely with African fintech startups, Visa aims to leverage its expertise in digital payments to expand access to financial services for underserved communities. At GITEX Africa, Visa will unveil its cutting-edge solutions designed to tackle Africa's unique challenges, showcasing its dedication to propelling innovation within the fintech ecosystem. This move aligns with Visa’s mission to drive financial inclusion and innovation in Africa.

Now within days instead of weeks, Comguard can deliver Exalt systems to customers throughout the Middle East and North Africa, enabling customers to build or expand networks more quickly and cost-effectively. Comguard's wireless division provides wireless network infrastructure, including installation, sales, engineering, and project management for the deployment of network systems. About ComguardComguard is a leading Value added Distributor in the IT security space and has a reach across the Middle East and North Africa region. Exalt wireless systems extend or complement network fiber and replace now-outdated copper, enabling customers to accelerate time-to-market, optimize network performance, and reduce network infrastructure costs. Learn more at www.exaltcom.comJoin usLinked InTwitterExalt Communications and the Exalt logo are trademarks of Exalt Communications, Inc.

Jet2.com Launches Largest Winter Sun Flight Program From London StanstedFavoriteJet2.com has unveiled its most extensive winter sun schedule to date, set to operate out of London Stansted for the winter season of 2025/2026. The airline plans to connect travelers to 14 sought-after destinations across Europe and North Africa, ensuring a variety of options for winter escapes. This expansion represents Jet2.com’s commitment to providing extensive travel options during the colder months, making it easier for passengers to enjoy a sunny getaway from the convenient location of London Stansted. Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said:“Our Winter 25/26 Sun programme represents our biggest programme to date, and we are very pleased to be putting 14 sunshine destinations on sale from London Stansted Airport. We are confident that our Winter 25/26 season will be a fantastic success, and we cannot wait to unveil more details of the exciting programme from London Stansted Airport very soon.”Ciaran Brannigan, London Stansted’s Commercial Director, said:“We are delighted that Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have added additional winter capacity for 25/26.

BHUBANESWAR: Even as a few non-resident Odias have enrolled themselves to vote in Odisha, an expat undertook a 20-hour journey from Dubai to Sambalpur, to cast his vote in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Priyadarshee Panigrahi, voted in the third phase polls at Bhutapada in Sambalpur on Saturday. Residing in Dubai since 2008, Panigrahi said it was his duty to vote, like every other citizen of the country. After taking a flight from Dubai to Kolkata, he reached Sambalpur by road on the day to vote. My late father had represented Sambalpur in the Odisha Assembly twice.

Johnstown, PA (15901)TodayPartly to mostly cloudy. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..TonightShowers and thundershowers this evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

A controversial bill being pushed by lefty legislators in Albany is trying to make the Empire State less “white,” critics say. 5 A bill sponsored by Queens Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas (pictured) and Queens Sen. Michael Gianaris would separate categories for Middle Eastern and North African New Yorkers when collecting demographics data. Hans PenninkBoth pols argue “MENA” individuals don’t benefit from so-called “white privilege” – and instead face discrimination daily by falsely being associated with the 9/11 terror attacks. González-Rojas said the state can’t wait for the next Census in 2030 for MENA individuals to be fairly counted. A Hochul rep declined to comment on the MENA legislation beyond saying the governor would “review it” if it passes both houses of the state Legislature.

“Cartier being so much driven for women of activity, and also having more than two thirds of our colleagues being women, it’s kind of natural,” said Cyrille Vigneron, president and CEO of Cartier SA, on why they choose to invest in women. “Carmina from InvestEd is very innovative, very passionate around student loans,” observes Wingee Sin, director of the Cartier Women’s Initiative. The supermodel is also an entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded Kode with Klossy, a nonprofit that gives coding summer camps to young women, helping them pursue their passions in a tech-driven world. “We wanted Saib’s brand and packaging to be female-focused so women can use it without shame or hesitation,” Park says. GeekPack has taught over 8,500 women these skills, and Taylor’s vision is to reach a million women by 2030.

Police investigated after woman dies in custodyThe woman had been held since Thursday and died in Caernarfon the following dayA police force is under investigation after a woman died in custody. North Wales Police referred itself to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), as is mandatory. It said the woman was in her 40s and died in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, just before 17:30 BST on Friday. She had been held since Thursday afternoon but became unwell, the force said. Deputy Chief Constable Nigel Harrison added: "Our thoughts remain with her family."

Before Mark Robinson, North Carolina’s GOP candidate for governor, even stepped on stage at the state party’s convention Saturday, several state candidates took time in their own speeches to energize the crowd by vouching for Robinson’s gubernatorial bid. AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. “North Carolina is literally on the cusp of exploding economically,” Robinson said. Doug Burgum also was a keynote speaker at Saturday’s dinner, where he started off his speech calling Robinson the state’s next governor.

The author of Vandal Heaven is a talented explainer, with a masterful command of a wide range historical sources. As the capital of the Vandal kingdom, Carthage repeatedly defeated costly Roman seaborne expeditions to recapture it. The fall of Carthage to Belisarius in 534 spelled the doom of Vandal North Africa. Readers who lack a background in ancient history will find Vandal Heaven entirely understandable, but even specialists with a deep understanding of the subject will read it with enjoyment. ---///---Note: Vandal Heaven is also available in e-editions.

“During our visit to Morocco, we had a very unsatisfactory discussion on the phone with the British ambassador. Yet, when I pressed the British ambassador to explain why and how this might be the case, no satisfactory answer was forthcoming,” conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski said at a parliament meeting. Nearly a week later, the British ambassador has neither confirmed nor denied the accusations. Someone should remind him that Britain has since 1895 recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara territory as per the Moroccan British treaty. Mr Martin should have better made his position clear on Morocco’s Sahara before telling stories to Moroccans in Jamaa El Fna square.

Morocco’s phosphates and fertilizers giant OCP signed a deal with USAID to work on joint projects focusing on African agricultural development. The agreement was signed during a visit to University Mohammed VI Polytechnic by Samantha Power, USAID Administrator. In the same vein, OCP Group, through OCP Africa, will invest $30 million to support efficient fertilizer use across sub-Saharan Africa, complementing USAID’s $40 million investment to expand Space to Place, announced at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in Nairobi on May 7. “OCP Group is an important partner as we grapple with a very significant global food crisis. The agreement will use geospatial technology to provide farmers on the ground with recommendations on how to more efficiently use fertilizers.

An illegal gold mine collapsed in northern Kenya, leaving at least five miners dead, police said Saturday. The collapse of the Hillo mine in the Dabel area near the Kenyan border with Ethiopia on Friday was attributed to a landslide. No other miners have been found and it was not clear if anyone else was missing in the collapse. Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki in March declared the area disturbed and banned mining activities after clashes over a mining dispute led to the deaths of seven people. Residents told media outlets that mining had continued despite the March ban and blamed authorities for allowing it.