SINCERETALK

Our view on the business stories of the day. from News24 Top Stories https://ift.tt/CHRgltz via sinceretalk

The ousting of Thabo Mbeki as party president at the Polokwane conference in 2007 marked the beginning of a period of voter fluidity and decline in the ANC's share of the national vote, writes Oscar van Heerden in his new soon-to-be released book, '2024 - Into the fire'. In this excerpt he analyses the years that saw growth for the ANC, and when the decline set in. from News24 Top Stories https://ift.tt/DrcWIVK via sinceretalk

United States Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) says rioters were forced to "commit crimes" during the Jan. 6 insurrection. The GOP congresswoman made the false claim during the latest episode of her Battleground podcast Wednesday. Former GOP prosecutor Ron Filipkowski shared a clip of the episode via Twitter, writing , Marge has a theory on 'what really happened on J6.' She says the FBI 'set up honeypots and traps to draw people in and take part in making these people commit crimes, and then framing these people to set up a narrative against a president.' READ MORE: 'You pay the price': Nikki Haley denounces Jan. 6 during Iowa visit The hard-right lawmaker said, "You see this should never happen. The federal government should never be weaponized against the people and "set up honeypots and traps to draw people in and take part in making these people commit crimes, and then framing the people to set up a narrative against a presi...

Nebraska State Senator Steve Erdman, a Republican, does not believe the government should be responsible for providing housing — even when it comes to "workforce development." The GOP leader vocalized his position on the issue of the state's lack of housing availability during a state senate floor debate Wednesday. Heartland Signal shared a clip of the senator's speech via Twitter, writing , "Nebraska State Sen. Steve Erdman (R-Bayard) opposes any government funding for housing, including for workforce development. 'I'm not for the government building houses. Not one. If you have a workforce shortage and the housing is not available, build one.'" READ MORE: Have you noticed America is looking like a third world nation? He emphasized, "For anybody who's listened to my comments in the past, you will not be surprised that I'm not for the government building houses. Not one. If you have a workforce shortage and the housing is not ...

As many conservatives continue to express outrage over Target's support of transgender inclusivity, Fox News is urging viewers to boycott the company amid its support of GLSEN , an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization striving to "create safe, inclusive learning environments for K-12 students." However, Media Matters for America reports Fox Corps. — which owns Fox News — "previously said it has 'raised awareness and demonstrated support' for GLSEN. Media Matters shared a clip from a recent segment of Fox News show, Outnumbered, in which co-host Dagen McDowell says, "Target has moved those Pride displays to the back of some stores, but we're now learning the retailer has been donating to an activist group that's trying to push gender ideology into classrooms." READ MORE: 'Culture war issues' are human rights matters worth defending Martha MacCallum replied, "I think it's really important for consumers and parents and anybod...

While the United States House of Representatives was voting to approve a rule to pass an increase to the Treasury Department's borrowing cap on Wednesday, MSNBC anchor Chuck Todd hosted a conversation with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about the American economy's relationship with the perpetually growing $31.47 trillion national debt. "Let's talk about the accumulated debt because we've been telling people for so long that accumulating this debt is gonna become a — you've had former chairman of the joint chiefs saying it was a national security issue. That was in 2011 with Mike Mullen. We've been talking about, 'oh my God, this is going to become a problem at some point,' and yet our economy keeps growing. Our ability to hold more debt continues to grow. Do we have a debt problem in this country or not?" Todd asked. "What say you?" Buttigieg's response delved into the complexities behind what drives the national de...

In 2008, it was already noted that South Africa was heading for a slow-onset disaster unless we could convince our political leadership that we needed to do things differently, writes Anthony Turton. from News24 Top Stories https://ift.tt/gthAaLO via sinceretalk

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday rekindled his "threats" of a "dirty bomb" incident as a potential response to a drone strike on a residential building in Moscow that was reportedly carried out by Ukraine. "Ukrainian citizens need to understand that there are other threats as well, for instance, attempts to disrupt the operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant or use 'dirty' devices related to nuclear technology," Putin said in an interview with Director Svetlana Chupsheva General of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives according to The Washington Examiner . "We have talked about this more than once. We know what they have in mind." Russian forces seized control of the facility in March 2022 shortly after Putin launched his illegal invasion of Ukraine, which has killed tens of thousands of people on both sides and spurned allegations of war crimes at the hands of Putin's troops. READ MORE: 'See you in the H...

Prosecutors in Manhattan on Tuesday smacked down former President Donald Trump's attempts to relocate the Stormy Daniels hush money trial from New York to federal court. The case is part of the thirty-four-count indictment filed against Trump by Bragg in April. "Defendant's alleged criminal conduct here is similarly divorced from any official duty or responsibility: the pre-election scheme and $130,000 payment to an adult film actress predated defendant's inauguration, and his post-inauguration actions all derived from this pre-inauguration conduct, rather than any presidential duty, because defendant sought to conceal facts and to reimburse payments that preceded his time in office," District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office wrote in filings obtained by The Hill . READ MORE: Legal reporter shreds Trump judge’s 'inappropriate' sermonizing about Alvin Bragg’s politics Although the outlet noted that "under federal law, federal officers can move ...

Right-wing Republican members of the United States House of Representatives have drummed up an extensive list of excuses about why they oppose the deal struck by Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) and President Joe Biden to raise the debt ceiling. The latest example came from Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Wisconsin) late Tuesday afternoon when Grothman groused that the bill is too lenient toward economically disadvantaged Americans. "They left low-income housing untouched. I think as far as discouraging work and discouraging marriage, I think low-income housing is even a more dangerous program than, uh, than the food stamps," Grothman asserted. READ MORE: Republican whining it’s 'almost 'impossible' for 'white guys' to get Biden appointments has bigoted past "So I'm including low-income housing in the mix of having work requirements. The amendment is drafted, just includes Section Eight housing, which is an error on my part cuz there are ...

Many House Republicans are furious with Speaker Kevin McCarthy after they realized President Joe Biden was able to negotiate an excellent deal to avert a debt default — one that is good for the nation and the world but does not give the far-right everything they wanted. Now some of these extremist House Republicans are threatening to invoke a parliamentary procedure they included in their agreement to support Kevin McCarthy as Speaker, even if it did take 15 tries. Called the “motion to vacate the Speaker,” under the McCarthy House rules just one person can invoke the procedure, forcing a vote on McCarthy’s future. It would need just a simple majority to get rid of the embattled McCarthy, and in theory with such a narrow margin, Democrats could easily join with Republicans to boot him. The question then would become, who becomes Speaker? Here are the Republicans who say they are open to or willing to boot McCarthy. READ MORE: Watch: Fox News Smacks Down Far Right Republican Com...

Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura (I) on Tuesday praised incumbent Governor Tim Walz (D) right before Walz signed the nation's 23rd law legalizing recreational cannabis. Ventura, Heartland Signal recalled, "became a vocal pro-cannabis advocate after the plant stopped his wife Terry's seizures despite the couple having to travel to Colorado to get it." Ventura referenced his family's experience in his brief remarks. READ MORE: Watch: Minnesota Republican fears cannabis legalization would put 'drug dogs' out of work "Thank you on behalf of myself and First Lady Terry Ventura," Ventura began. "This is a huge day in our family's life because prohibition will now end. It's gone on longer than I've been alive, the prohibition of a plant made by God. Well, we were always told everything was here for us to use. Now in Minnesota, we will be able to use this plant. After years of prohibition, we didn't want any families ...

Far-right House Republican Ralph Norman of South Carolina spent a good portion of Tuesday complaining about the debt ceiling bill, legislation that was brokered by President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy to avert a national and global financial meltdown, but even Fox News isn’t interested in his complaints. “It’s an insult, to get a 100-page bill, and be asked to decide on it on the spot,” Congressman Norman lied while at the Freedom Caucus’s press conference Tuesday. “I won’t buy a microwave, unless I get it in writing,” Rep. Norman said, although it was unclear what “it” is. READ MORE: House Republicans Tied to J6 Admit Goals: Defeat Debt Ceiling Agreement, Kill Economy, Help Trump Win in 2024 That video on social media went viral, with nearly one million views in just six hours. Congressman Norman previously has claimed children are being aborted after being born while also voting against legislation to protect child sex abuse victims , refused to wear a mask during...

The bill had been developed with disregard to the legitimate concerns and recommendations of experts, says the South African Medical Association. from News24 Top Stories https://ift.tt/SvTtyuH via sinceretalk

A new survey suggests that vapes may be used as a gateway to start smoking more often than they are used as a means to stop smoking in South Africa. from News24 Top Stories https://ift.tt/pIDntek via sinceretalk

A lack of clarity, consultation, and comprehensive reform measures undermines the credibility and integrity of the electoral system, writes Lilitha Zulu. from News24 Top Stories https://ift.tt/5vnbHaw via sinceretalk

Both Democrats and Republicans need to deliver votes to get the debt limit deal negotiated by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. As such, no one is going to admit they lost the debate. Yet it is conservatives crying the most about the results, as the bulk of their priorities—clearly spelled out in a debt limit bill passed a few weeks ago—were tossed aside in the final deal. A spin war is fully engaged. Democrats are mostly relieved at McCarthy’s inability to get the bulk of his priorities enacted and pushing the next hostage negotiation past the 2024 elections, while mourning some policy losses. Republicans, for their part, are divided between those declaring glorious victory and the MAGA Republicans seeing the deal for what it is: their loss of leverage for key priorities for the rest of the current congressional term. Let’s look at more reactions. First up, the Bronx’s Rep. Ritchie Torres: \u201cPOTUS out-negotiated MAGA.\n\nRepublicans demand: only 1-year...

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Sunday warned that Republican state legislators had made a "shameless power grab" by passing a pair of bills aimed at allowing the state government to take control of elections in the Democratic stronghold, which includes Houston. Senate Bill 1933 passed on Sunday as the state's legislative session came to a close, with lawmakers sending to GOP Gov. Greg Abbott's desk a bill that could give Secretary of State Jane Nelson—who was nominated by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate—the authority to run elections under circumstances in any county with more than 3.5 million residents. The legislation was passed two days after Senate Bill 1750, which also applies to counties above that population threshold and would abolish the nonpartisan county elections administrator position. Harris County, which President Joe Biden won by 13 points in 2020, is the only county is Texas with a population above 3.5 million, making both b...

This past fall, a police report in Foster County, North Dakota claimed that a 42-year-old man named Shannon Brandt had run over 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson after he allegedly accused the teen of being part of a "Republican extremist group." The case drew outrage among right-wing media personalities, many of whom linked Ellingson's killing to President Joe Biden's speeches slamming "MAGA Republicans" as an inspiration. But as the New York Times reports, this narrative around the murder has largely turned out to be untrue, as police subsequently determined that Brandt's actions were not politically motivated. What's more, the Foster County prosecutor who brought charges against Brandt never mentioned anything about Ellingson being targeted for violence due to his political beliefs. Nonetheless, the national attention from Fox News created a firestorm in McHenry, North Dakota, a tiny town of just 64 residents. Or as Ashley Brandt-Duda, Brandt...

In a video released on Sunday by humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers, kidnapped South African Gerco van Deventer has pleaded for assistance to gain his freedom. from News24 Top Stories https://ift.tt/mUsLkBW via sinceretalk

South African regulators have now defined crypto as a financial asset, write Lerato Lamola-Oguntoye and Analisa Ndebele.debele from News24 Top Stories https://ift.tt/qnSjhfY via sinceretalk

The Cape Town Stadium, in the past four weeks, has put together an impressive case to become South Africa's rugby mecca. from News24 Top Stories https://ift.tt/vkdXis9 via sinceretalk

Conservative Margaret Hoover joined CNN's Jim Acosta on Sunday, where she and her spouse John Avlon addressed the impeachment vote for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton . Avlon commented that both Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) supported Paxton and asked local lawmakers not to impeach him. In the end, the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of impeachment. "There's something to be said about the Texas Republican Party," said Hoover. "Ted Cruz doesn't have a lot of sway with many Republicans anywhere. No one. He's barely held onto that senate seat with begrudging Republican support in his own state. And Donald Trump , same thing. There is a real — for the state that was a republic before it became a state, there was a real sense of fierce independence and not having anybody else tell us how we're going to run our business, how we're gonna run our government and how we're gonna run our parties. And, so, I do think that the Texas Repub...

CNN's Jim Acosta and John Avlon compared notes on Republicans speaking on raising the debt ceiling over the weekend only to realize that the far-right members refuse to support the deal between Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden. Acosta cited an interview he conducted Saturday with Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) , who said he's voted for shutdowns and would vote again this week. After ranting about cutting spending, Acosta said, "Well, you can have the argument about cutting spending during the budget and appropriations process, but as you know, Congressman, the U.S. has never missed making payments on its bills before. In the last 45 years, Congress has raised the debt ceiling 65 times. So, again, I go back to the question: is it responsible — I understand what you're saying about how much your daughter spends, but we're not talking about $15. We're talking about the American economy. Is it responsible to be the deciding vote to send the country in...

As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is looking to President Joe Biden for support. In an op-ed published Sunday, foreign affairs commentator and US editor for The Guardian Simon Tisdall argues Biden has no choice but to support Zelenskyy achieve victory over Russian President Vladimir Putin. This comes after Russian state news outlet TASS recently reported the country "is warning Western countries 'of enormous risks' if Ukraine is supported with F-16 fighter jets in the near future." READ MORE: Former GOP strategist praises Biden’s 'alpha move' in Ukraine while slamming MAGA response Now, Tisdall writes, ' The F-16 U-turn, confirmed at last weekend's G7 summit in Hiroshima, paves the way for training Ukrainian pilots and the provision of 'fourth-generation' jets by Nato allies." The editor argues, however, "Zelenskiy has been asking" the United States "for fighter planes si...

A group of 33 players have been selected for the second Springbok preparation camp in Durban for three days next week. from News24 Top Stories https://ift.tt/9s8tVZE via sinceretalk

When Netball SA unveiled the final squad for the upcoming World Cup, a few youngsters who had come through the development ranks made the cut in the 15-player squad. from News24 Top Stories https://ift.tt/kwGJAHu via sinceretalk

The list of GOP presidential candidates is getting longer and longer, as both Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and United States Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) recently joined the growing field announcing their bids within days of each other. Some GOPers have made clear it's time to move on from former President Donald Trump, while others continue to ride the MAGA train. CNN host Michael Smerconish asserted during a segment of his show, Smerconish , Saturday, that "perhaps the primary field is so large because" other GOP candidates are betting on Trump to face criminal prosecutions, Mediaite reports. READ MORE: 'We lost some seats we should have won': Republicans scramble for 'quality' candidates ahead of 2024 "Why are so many Republican candidates now challenging Donald Trump for the GOP presidential nomination? Think about it," Smerconish told his viewers. "He's a former president, essentially a GOP incumbent who's consistently poll...

United States Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), known as former President Donald Trump's former doctor, called Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment a "witch hunt" Saturday. Jackson's assertion comes after former President Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., said the same, writing , "What the RINOs in the Texas State House are trying to do to America First patriot Ken Paxton is a disgrace. MAGA stands with @KenPaxtonTX against this RINO/Dem led witch hunt!!!" The GOP lawmaker repeated Trump Jr.'s words, expressing his outrage over the impeachment via Twitter, writing , "Ken Paxton is the BEST Attorney General in the entire country. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who fights for Texans harder than him. This WITCH HUNT is a disgrace. Dade Phelan ought to be ASHAMED of himself!!" READ MORE: Ken Paxton’s campaign against election crimes ensnared a Texas justice of the peace three times The Texas Tribune reports : Armed w...

According to a legal analyst and a crisis management consultant, Ivanka Trump's moves away from her family , including her indicted former president father, is part of a planned effort to rebrand herself -- but it may not be of any help as she faces a criminal investigation of the Trump Organization. As Insider's Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert wrote, "She hasn't changed her name, but Ivanka Trump's image has undergone a major makeover in recent years, as she has slowly separated herself from her father's brand. But, despite the rebirth, Donald Trump's elder daughter remains deeply entwined in his businesses — and legal troubles." In an interview, attorney and legal analyst Andrew Lieb noted the former White House adviser's move to retain separate counsel from her brothers Eric and Donald Trump Jr. , saying it made sense, but her efforts to not be associated with the scrutiny her family is under comes too late. "It's a little late in th...

A Republican congressman on Saturday avoided directly answering a question on the GOP's credibility when it comes to the debt ceiling. Rep. Tim Burchett, of Tennessee, appeared on CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta, and was asked about issues surrounding the debt ceiling. While Burchett said the debt ceiling debate was plagued by "rumors" about what might be in the final deal, he noted that he does believe negotiators are "close" to reaching one. "I feel like they're close to a deal but they're not quite there," he told Acosta. "I think a lot of the rumors going on are made to scare people. You have people in their 20s, basically, in the White House putting things out that aren't accurate, and just things that they would like to see in it. I think speaker McCarthy is keeping to his word in what he said in the things that he put in there and that he'd like to keep in there. I think those are still in there." Burchett added that ...