Blues legend murdered national anthem after Portstewart ballroom demanded he play it
One of the last surviving live recordings from a recently demolished Portstewart dance hall featuring an English blues musician mocking the national anthem has resurfaced.
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Daily Maverick
10 minutes ago
- Daily Maverick
SA loses as its entrepreneurs move companies to Estonia
The Baltic country's e-Residency programme offers access to a highly efficient digital-first business environment with alluring prospects for local tech companies. Imagine being a very small country (a landmass about the size of Gauteng) with 1.3 million residents and a declining population rate, no significant natural resources except some shale gas, and a previously hostile neighbour in the form of the Soviet Union, which fell in 1991. That's Estonia, whose strategy to increase its tax base has involved establishing an e-residency programme to lure foreign businesses in return for exporting its world-leading digital government services. For a growing number of South African tech entrepreneurs, the key to unlocking global markets, EU-based investment and a bureaucracy-free future doesn't lie in Sandton or Stellenbosch – it's in Tallinn. Estonia's fabled e-Residency programme, once a curiosity for digital nomads and crypto-optimists, has found a surprising following in South Africa's start-up scene, and 436 of Mzansi's finest are already enrolled. But although the Baltic republic promises digital freedom and access to European capital, the decision to incorporate one's company offshore isn't as simple as clicking 'register' for the government's e-Residency programme. 'E-residency is just an access to our digital ecosystem,' says Katrin Vaga, a former journalist who heads PR for the programme. 'It's not tax residency, it's not a golden visa; it's not even about physically moving to Estonia. It simply gives entrepreneurs a secure way to operate in our digital-first business environment.' This digital infrastructure, built over two decades, allows foreign founders to register and run a European company entirely online – and in English. For software developers, marketing consultants and other knowledge workers, it's a frictionless gateway to EU business. 'It's a 15-minute process,' Vaga explains. 'From application to launching a company. It's all remote, all online, all verified with a secure digital ID.' One standout feature is Estonia's 0% corporate tax on reinvested profits. 'It's built for start-ups,' she says. 'If you're reinvesting into growth, you don't pay corporate tax until you distribute dividends.' Next stop, EU funding Access to European venture capital is the big draw. 'If you want to raise funding from European sources, it derisks the project to be based in the EU,' says Dr Armid Azadeh, founder of the Namibian medtech solution company OnCall. '[Venture capital funders] are more comfortable when the intellectual property is domiciled in a jurisdiction they understand and trust.' This isn't just about Estonia. It's about a broader initiative by African start-ups to move their intellectual property (IP) offshore to investor-friendly territories – from Mauritius to the Netherlands – so that global funders will take them seriously. Renier Kriel, founder of The Founder Collab and a stalwart of the local start-up scene, says all South African company founders who have to raise venture capital want to take their IP offshore because funders are typically 'not comfortable for IP to stay in South Africa'. The trend is driven less by tax arbitrage and more by South Africa's cumbersome exchange controls and employment legislation. 'Moving money out of South Africa is a major pain,' Kriel says. 'You need approval. It slows down everything.' Add to this labour regulations that, though protective of workers, can be punitive for start-ups. 'The cost of 'mishiring' is massive,' Kriel adds. 'We need specific reform for hi-tech or early-stage businesses. The current laws create less employment because of the cost of hiring.' The combination of local friction and global opportunity makes Estonia's promise deeply appealing. 'You get to tailor your lifestyle,' says one Estonian e-Resident entrepreneur quoted in Vaga's documentation. 'I pay more taxes than I maybe would have back home, but I have a bigger market and more business opportunity. And I save so much time that actually I still win.' But Estonian e-residency isn't a silver bullet. 'It doesn't make sense for everyone,' Vaga cautions. 'If you're bootstrapped, already have reliable banking, or you want a physical shop in Europe, it's probably not for you.' How Estonia stacks up Estonia is now part of an elite club of favoured offshoring destinations, each with distinct strengths and pitfalls. London offers prestige, investor networks and familiarity. But it also comes with high operational costs, post-Brexit trade frictions and looming tax changes for non-domiciled founders. Delaware is ideal for US expansion and venture capital fundraising, thanks to flexible corporate laws and low state-level taxes. But the complexity of US federal tax and substance rules can trip up founders. Amsterdam provides full EU access, a deep talent pool and vibrant start-up culture, but it is costlier than Estonia and requires a more involved set-up process. Mauritius remains a go-to for African-facing businesses with its 3% effective tax rate and strong treaty network – though it requires real substance (offices, local directors) to stay compliant. Estonia, through its e-residency programme, wins on speed, cost and digital ease. 'You can run a company entirely remotely from anywhere,' says Vaga. 'And your encrypted digital signature is accepted across the EU.' That said, it's not perfect. 'Banking can still be a hurdle,' she concedes. South Africa risks losing more than tax revenue when founders go offshore. It loses jobs, IP and long-term innovation. 'If we want to compete with Mauritius or Estonia, we need to reform exchange controls and court major investors – show them we can be a real partner in building wealth,' says Kriel. 'Cut the red tape, combine the SDL [skills development levy], UIF, PAYE and income tax into one simplified system. If we want to compete with the places [venture capital funders] like, we need to make it easier to build here.' For the right type of business, mostly digital, lean and global in mindset, Estonia offers a near-frictionless way to plug into the EU economy. The e-Residency programme isn't for everyone. But for the increasing number of South African entrepreneurs stuck between red tape locally and global opportunity, it might just be the digital lifeline they've been waiting for. 'It's not about escaping,' says Vaga. 'It's about enabling.' DM
Scottish Sun
29 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
English tidal lido right on the beach that you can only visit twice a day
Plus, the free lidos, sea pools and splash parks for summer IN THE WAVE English tidal lido right on the beach that you can only visit twice a day Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONE of the prettiest pools in the UK is near a popular seaside town - but you will have to time it well to jump in. Found in the historic fishing village in West Cornwall, Mousehole Rock Pool in Cornwall is open for 24 hours a day, but when you can swim in it depends on whether the tide is in or out. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The man-made tidal pool is on the edge of Mousehole in Cornwall Credit: Alamy 4 The pool is open 24 hours a day but is only suitable for swimming at certain times Credit: Alamy Mousehole Rock Pool is a tidal swim spot that you can only visit twice a day - because it's best to go in high tide. During high tide, the pool is exposed to the sea for a few hours on either side, making it accessible for swimming. The pool can drain with the falling tide and will become shallower. The tide varies throughout the year, but in summer, Mousehole usually has two high tides a day - in mid-morning and the evening. The best time to visit the tidal pool is just after high tide and you can check these with the 7-day tide forecast before going. Mousehole Rock Pool was built in 1969 for the local children to teach them how to swim, and has remained popular ever since. Anyone who ventures there will discover the stunning views across Mount's Bay towards St Michael's Mount and the Lizard. There's also the Rock Pool Cafe Mousehole which has reopened after winter break. It's situated above the Mousehole Rock Pool cafe so you can take in the views over the bay. The pool recently went under repairs to plug a leak as it wasn't holding water during low tide. The secret UK beach without the crowds – it has a free sauna and the largest tidal pool in the country 4 Mousehole is a charming village in Cornwall Credit: Alamy The repairs were spearheaded by the Friends of Mousehole Rock Pool. Volunteers with the support of local businesses have already emptied the community pool The first phase of the repair work had been due to start in March 2021 but was delayed. It took place on July 10, 2022 with a second repair day was also held later that year to repair the rock pool and again in 2023. More work is needed to maintain the pool as the plans going forward are to restore the access area for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The village of Mousehole, just less than three miles south of Penzance and is especially popular during the summer. However during the winter, Mousehole is considered one of the most magical place to visit because of its Christmas light display. Its annual Christmas lights adorn the harbour, usually from mid December. But there's not just a couple of lights - there's an estimated 7,000 bulbs that light up every evening and around 30,000 tourists head down to the coast to see them each year. And more UK lidos, sea pools and splash pads that are free to get into – perfect for the hot weather. Plus, the 'national treasure' beach lido in the UK's trendiest seaside town – that you can't swim in.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
India tour of England: Former England cricketer hails Sai Sudharsan's technique, calls him 'special talent'
Sai Sudarshan (ANI Photo) Former England cricketer Alec Stewart has praised young Indian batter Sai Sudharsan's potential for Test cricket, highlighting his quick learning ability and diverse shot selection as key attributes that could help him succeed in the longer format following Virat Kohli's retirement. Sudharsan, who has already represented India in ODIs and T20Is, is eyeing his Test debut during India's upcoming five-Test tour of England starting June 20, which marks the beginning of India's World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle under new captain Shubman Gill. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Sudharsan's first-class cricket record shows 1,957 runs in 29 games at an average of 39.93, including seven centuries and five fifties. His highest score stands at 213. His recent performance in the Indian Premier League strengthened his credentials, where he claimed the Orange Cap and Emerging Player of the Season award with 759 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.21. Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy Surrey's association with Sudharsan began in 2023 when he had played fewer than 10 first-class games and was yet to make his international debut. Before his Surrey debut against Northamptonshire, he played for the team's second XI at Guildford to familiarize himself with English conditions and the Dukes ball. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Device Made My Power Bill Drop Overnight elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Pre-Order Undo "Sai came as an unknown, and his experience of the English game was very limited. Vikram Solanki was massive in recommending him to me, and I have so much respect for Vikram. From his first training session, you could see that he was a special talent, and he has not looked back. He loves to bat - whether in the nets or the middle - and just fitted into our set-up perfectly," Stewart said. Stewart specifically noted Sudharsan's technique in handling English conditions. "If you go too hard and get too far out in front of yourself, when the ball seams, you are not in control, then your bat can get outside of your eyeline, whereas he plays it under his eyeline, plays it under his eyes, and plays it late. And even if he does nick it a little bit, like Kane Williamson, for example - you can nick it, but it still falls short of slip and that again is a real attribute of Sai's. " Quiz: Who's that IPL player? Regarding Sudharsan's ability to play on English pitches, Stewart added: "The pitches are quicker here, certainly at The Oval, and to succeed, you have to be able to play off the back foot. You have got to be selective to pull, hook, cut or let go. He gets out of the line of the short ball well but can also play the uppercut over the slips. He has got a full array of shots, and he gets them in the right order." Sudharsan's dedication to improvement was evident when he took some Dukes balls back home after his county stint. Stewart commented on this, saying: "I did not charge him for them and just let him have them. But, no... he had that forward-thinking mindset and trained with those balls, so that when he comes back to us, or hopefully is picked for India on tour, he will have had nice practice against the Dukes cricket ball as well. Some of those will probably be worn out by now because I gave them to him last year, but he is a quick learner and he practises with a purpose. Yes, he likes volume, but he also likes to improve." Major League Cricket: Liam Plunkett on how cricket can boom in the USA Stewart advised Sudharsan against trying to be the next Virat Kohli, suggesting instead that he focus on being the "best version of Sai Sudharsan." The five-Test series in England will run from June to August 2025, with matches scheduled across Leeds, Birmingham, London, and Manchester. India's Test squad for the England series includes Shubman Gill as captain, Rishabh Pant as vice-captain, and players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja , Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav.
