eNews Channel Africa

ROME - An Italian court is set to rule in the case of a bridge collapse eight years ago which killed 43 people and shone a spotlight on Italy's crumbling infrastructure. The Morandi Bridge in Genoa, part of a key highway connecting France and Italy, gave way in torrential rain on August 14, 2018 sending dozens of vehicles tumbling into the abyss. Thursday's verdict concludes a four-year trial largely focused on maintenance of the bridge, which was inaugurated in 1967.

TOKYO - Robotic transporters carrying silicon wafers whizz by on overhead rails at a new factory that Kioxia, one of Japan's most valuable companies, hopes can help it meet overwhelming AI-driven demand. The global race to build artificial intelligence data centres has turbocharged business for chipmakers, creating shortages and sending prices soaring for memory components in particular. And Kioxia is reaping the rewards.

JOHANNESBURG - The Supreme Court of Appeal has granted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) leave to appeal Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso’s acquittal. Omotoso and his two co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, were acquitted on 32 charges, including rape, sexual assault, human trafficking and racketeering. The NPA’s previous application for leave to appeal was dismissed by the Gqeberha High Court in April last year.

PRETORIA - The Madlanga Commission has postponed the testimony of alleged underworld figure Vusumuzi "Cat" Matlala. Matlala, who is linked to the controversial irregular R228 million South African Police Service tender awarded to his company, Medicare24 was scheduled to give testimony on Wednesday but his legal representative filed an application for a postponement.

PRETORIA - Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s appearance before the Madlanga Commission has been postponed to 1 September. The commission ordered Matlala to file his statement no later than 29 July. Matlala’s legal team requested the postponement, arguing that he could not testify at this stage because his rejected plea agreement contained confidential information.

NEW DELHI - Indian badminton star Pusarla Venkata Sindhu said that "everybody is beatable" as she targets a medal at the world championships on home soil in New Delhi next month. Sindhu won the world title in 2019 and also captured Olympic silver in Rio in 2016 and bronze in Tokyo five years later. The 31-year-old is a massive star in her home country and will be the focus of attention at the world championships from August 17 to 23.

JOHANNESBURG - Former Police Minister Fikile Mbalula insists he played no role in investigations or prosecutions linked to Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases during his tenure. Mbalula testified before the Khampepe Commission, which is investigating delays in the handling of TRC cases. The commission is probing allegations that, in the post-apartheid era, senior police officials and prosecutors deliberately delayed or obstructed investigations into TRC-referred cases.

PRETORIA - Musa Khumalo has been appointed acting City Manager for City of Tshwane. This follows the suspension of Johann Mettler earlier in July. Mettler has been placed on precautionary suspension pending misconduct allegations. READ: DA claims Tshwane council manipulated vote to suspend Mettler The City says the council approved Khumalo’s appointment on a month-to-month contract for up to three months. Khumalo previously served as the City’s Group Head for Shared Services.

JOHANNESBURG - Trade union federation COSATU has thrown its weight behind its affiliate, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), in opposing De Beers' plans to cut more than 1,200 jobs at its Venetia Mine in Limpopo. The mining giant recently announced it would suspend production at South Africa's largest diamond mine for two years, citing weak global demand for diamonds.

LOS ANGELES - The Writers Guild of America (WGA) filed a lawsuit to block Paramount Skydance's proposed takeover of Hollywood studio Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing the $110 billion acquisition would violate federal antitrust law and harm writers. This latest hurdle comes a day after California and 11 other states launched separate suits to block the merger. With Tuesday's lawsuit, one of Hollywood's powerful labour unions hopes to undo the US Department of Justice's approval.