The Office of the Chief Justice has confirmed that Supreme Court of Appeal President Mandisa Maya has dismissed former president Jacob Zuma’s latest legal bid to force the removal of prosecutor Billy Downer from his corruption trial. The Office of the Chief Justice has also strongly denied any suggestion that the delays in the SCA dealing with two Zuma appeals – his corruption trial reconsideration application and his bid to appeal a court ruling that he had been unlawfully granted medical parole – had been deliberate.

Cabinet has urged parents to teach their children to reject racism and embrace diversity, as part of the country’s drive to promote nation-building and social cohesion. The Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, addressing a post-Cabinet briefing said, Cabinet strongly condemns the recent incidents of racism, reported at 2 Western Cape educational institutions. Gungubele says the incidents, at the University of Stellenbosch and the Good Hope Seminary High School have no place in an independent and democratic South Africa.

The National Assembly is set for an urgent debate on fuel price hikes, but it’s unsure whether it will have any impact on the massive petrol and diesel hikes expected next week. The price of petrol is set to go up by almost R4 next week, to around R25 per litre. The DA has requested the urgent debate from the Speaker, saying the expected hikes will deal a devastating blow to millions of poor households, already struggling to put food on the table. DA leader John Steenhuisen says the general fuel levy must be scrapped completely.

Gangster movie icon, Ray Liotta died at age of 67. Liotta’s publicist announced that the actor had died in his sleep while filming a new movie, Dangerous Waters. He has played many legendary roles such as Frank Sinatra in the Rat Pack, as well as Henry Hill in the mob classic, Good Fellows.
Depeche Mode has announced the death of their keyboardist Andy Fletcher. In a statement on social media, the 80’s electronic band says they are filled with overwhelming sadness at the passing of the 60-year-old. The band has had 17 Top 10 albums in the UK, finding international renown with songs such as Enjoy the Silence and Just Can’t Get Enough.

A new era has risen for the Philippines as Ferdinand Marcos Jr has been proclaimed president. Following a landslide victory of 59% of the votes, his highly divisive campaign has been dominated by disinformation sought to glorify the regime of his dictator-father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The Marcos family’s return to power has horrified both survivors of Marcos Sr’s 14-year brutal rule, and those who fear the family will once again exploit its power while in office. Marco Jr, on the other hand, has assured the public that he will not compromise the Phillipines’ sovereignty.