Latest news with #A-team
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Gauteng infrastructure crisis: MEC calls for swift intervention
The MEC for Infrastructure Development and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, met with senior officials this week to refocus efforts on urgent infrastructure problems in the province. The meeting took place at the Tshwane Regional Hub and included the heads of Infrastructure Development and CoGTA, as well as the CEO of the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency (GIFA). Mamabolo called for relaunching the A-team – a group of engineers, artisans, inspectors and planners – to speed up repairs in areas affected by sinkholes, unsafe buildings, and failing infrastructure. ALSO READ: Gauteng police sweep nets over 400 arrests in crime hotspots He said the team must now move from planning to action. 'We can't fix our problems without trust and empower professionals,' he said. The MEC also encouraged better team collaboration, saying, 'We're under one roof now – let's act like it.' As part of their work, the A-ieam will assess more than 4 000 public buildings and assets, worth over R54b. This will help guide future repairs and upgrades. With help from GIFA, they'll also create strong business cases to attract funding. Mamabolo told the team to focus on real results and to be visible in communities. 'We need to see action on the ground,' he said. The A-team gave a progress report so far and promised to speed up their work in the future. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
MEC calls for rapid response to fix Gauteng infrastructure
The MEC for Infrastructure Development and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, met with senior officials this week to refocus efforts on urgent infrastructure problems in the province. The meeting took place at the Tshwane Regional Hub and included the heads of Infrastructure Development and CoGTA, as well as the CEO of the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency (GIFA). Mamabolo called for relaunching the A-team – a group of engineers, artisans, inspectors and planners – to speed up repairs in areas affected by sinkholes, unsafe buildings, and failing infrastructure. ALSO READ: Gauteng police sweep nets over 400 arrests in crime hotspots He said the team must now move from planning to action. 'We can't fix our problems without trust and empower professionals,' he said. The MEC also encouraged better team collaboration, saying, 'We're under one roof now – let's act like it.' As part of their work, the A-ieam will assess more than 4 000 public buildings and assets, worth over R54b. This will help guide future repairs and upgrades. With help from GIFA, they'll also create strong business cases to attract funding. Mamabolo told the team to focus on real results and to be visible in communities. 'We need to see action on the ground,' he said. The A-team gave a progress report so far and promised to speed up their work in the future. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
MEC orders swift action on Gauteng's failing infrastructure
The MEC for Infrastructure Development and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, met with senior officials this week to refocus efforts on urgent infrastructure problems in the province. The meeting took place at the Tshwane Regional Hub and included the heads of Infrastructure Development and CoGTA, as well as the CEO of the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency (GIFA). Mamabolo called for relaunching the A-team – a group of engineers, artisans, inspectors and planners – to speed up repairs in areas affected by sinkholes, unsafe buildings, and failing infrastructure. ALSO READ: Gauteng police sweep nets over 400 arrests in crime hotspots He said the team must now move from planning to action. 'We can't fix our problems without trust and empower professionals,' he said. The MEC also encouraged better team collaboration, saying, 'We're under one roof now – let's act like it.' As part of their work, the A-ieam will assess more than 4 000 public buildings and assets, worth over R54b. This will help guide future repairs and upgrades. With help from GIFA, they'll also create strong business cases to attract funding. Mamabolo told the team to focus on real results and to be visible in communities. 'We need to see action on the ground,' he said. The A-team gave a progress report so far and promised to speed up their work in the future. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
CNA
25-04-2025
- Business
- CNA
GE2025: PSP can play role of loyal opposition, vows to 'speak up fearlessly', says Tan Cheng Bock in party political broadcast
Singapore Worries about the cost of living, housing and jobs will be among issues raised in parliament if PSP candidates are elected, just as its two NCMPs have done in the past five years, says Dr Tan Cheng Bock. 25 Apr 2025 08:22PM (Updated: 25 Apr 2025 08:27PM) SINGAPORE: In a rapidly changing world, a more balanced parliament to represent the views of Singaporeans is needed, said the Progress Singapore Party (PSP). Its founder and chairman Tan Cheng Bock said PSP is ready to play the role of a loyal opposition. "We need more loyal opposition that proposes constructive alternative policies … that speaks up for you … that helps the government find the best way forward for Singapore,' he said during a political broadcast televised on Friday (Apr 25). "PSP's NCMPs (Non-Constituency Members of Parliament) have played that role in the 14th Parliament. The PSP is ready to play that role as elected MPs in the 15th Parliament." PSP secretary-general Leong Mun Wai and first vice-chairperson Hazel Poa were former NCMPs after being the best-performing opposition party among the losers during the previous election. Dr Tan will contest alongside Mr Leong and Ms Poa as part of PSP's A-team at West Coast-Jurong West GRC. During the broadcast, he touched on challenges Singapore is likely to face. He noted that the job market is changing fast with the rise of artificial intelligence and the gig economy, while the post-war economic order based on free trade, and backed by the United States, "is rapidly unravelling". As free trade is the lifeblood of Singapore's economy, the nation will be "severely challenged" as the world turns more protectionist, he added. Dr Tan claimed that "unlike before", many of the PAP's new candidates are now from the civil service or the military, adding: "A lot of them will be parachuted into parliament alongside ministers in safe GRCs." He asked: "Do you want a parliament made up of a small group of elites that engages in groupthink? Will that be enough to help us chart our way through the challenges that we are about to face?" "What we need is a more balanced parliament that represents the diverse views of Singaporeans," he said. The Infocomm Media Development Authority has allocated airtime on free-to-air television and radio for political parties to deliver their campaigning messages during two political party broadcasts – on Apr 25 and May 1. Each broadcast will be transmitted once on television and once on radio. Political parties that field at least six candidates under a recognised party symbol are eligible for the party political broadcasts. Independents and political parties fielding fewer than six candidates are not eligible for them. In this General Election, eight parties are eligible for the political broadcasts. The duration of airtime allocated for each political party will be based on the number of candidates fielded by it. The allocated airtime will be the same for both party political broadcasts for each political party. Eligible parties have been allocated between four and 14 minutes of airtime, with the Progress Singapore Party being allocated five minutes. With just 13 PSP candidates fielded this election, Dr Tan noted it is impossible for the party to form the government. "But if we are elected to parliament, we will speak up fearlessly. We will push the government to adopt some of our policy proposals, because we believe our proposals will make your life better," he said. PSP's slogan for the election is "Progress For All". Dr Tan said the party believes that Singapore's social and economic progress must be inclusive. "Everyone in Singapore must benefit from our country's progress. Progress should not only benefit an elite class at the top. No one should be left behind," he added. "These are the key beliefs that shaped the PSP's manifesto for this election." The party has put forth 61 policy proposals in its manifesto, addressing the cost of living, healthcare, housing, jobs and wages, among other issues. Such concerns will be raised in parliament if PSP candidates are elected, just as Mr Leong and Ms Poa have done in the last five years, said Dr Tan. He added that PSP's 13 candidates are "well-qualified, competent and have the heart to serve". Other than Dr Tan's five-member line-up at West Coast-Jurong West GRC, the party has fielded a team of four at Chua Chu Kang GRC, and another four candidates at as many SMCs: Kebun Baru, Marymount, Pioneer and Bukit Gombak. Dr Tan said that PSP's candidates could have chosen the "easier path of staying out of politics altogether". "But these men and women are brave. They have put themselves forward to serve Singaporeans and be your voice in parliament," he said. "They are loyal Singaporeans who love Singapore and want the best for our country."
The Guardian
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
If you only read one book this year … make it this one!
According to new data from YouGov, 40% of British adults have not read a single book in the last year, with the median Briton having read or listened to three. In a world where there are so many other distractions and forms of entertainment to choose from, fewer and fewer people are getting stuck into books – yet lots of us would like to be reading more. So we asked authors, booksellers and critics to choose the book they think you should read this year – even if you only read one. James was being hailed a modern classic and a 'masterpiece' before it even hit bookshops last year. US novelist Percival Everett, the author of more than 30 published works, dared to take on the American cultural cornerstone that Hemingway described as 'the best book we've had', Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – only this time from the perspective of the runaway enslaved man, Jim. Everett rescues James from the racial stereotypes of the original, restoring his proper name and humanity. He might not be free, but Everett gives him narrative agency and a pencil with which to write his own story. Don't worry if this is your first proper encounter with Huck. James has all the pace and adventure of the children's classic, but with adult wit, wisdom and furious intent. 'I hope that I have written the novel that Twain did not,' Everett has said. James is an important novel and also a magnificently enjoyable one. And, handily, it is newly out in paperback. Lisa Allardice, the Guardian's chief books writer A very short novel that contains multitudes. A young Russian composer flees Moscow, heading for Ukraine, desperate to escape Stalin's purge of intellectuals in 1941. Then Russia's war with Nazi Germany begins and his life turns upside down. How will he survive? What means and reserves of character does he have at his disposal? Profound, moving, haunting – full of resonances that are even more valid in today's fraught times. A mini-masterpiece. William Boyd, novelist This novel is the debut of Child's legendary hero: army veteran turned drifter and one-man A-team, Jack Reacher. It is a page-turning delight, a relentless rollercoaster of action and twists that grip you by the throat from the get-go. This book has mystery, danger, conspiracy, adrenaline-pumping action and a larger-than-life hero that you can't help rooting for. In short, it's everything you'd want in a thriller. Go on, dive in! Abir Mukherjee, novelist Last year when I judged the Booker prize, my fellow judges and I picked this novel as our winner. It's a short read, but a beautifully expansive one, offering a perspective that is epic yet intimate, heartbreaking yet awe-inspiring. It reminded me how fleeting life is, but how much each moment can hold. I've never read anything like it. Sara Collins, novelist I'm not usually a fantasy reader, but Yarros's smash-hit romantasy novel got me out of a reading slump very successfully. It has everything you need to keep you gripped: romance, action, adventure and more dragons than you could ever dream of. It's one of my go-to recommendations at the shop now, whether the customer is a fantasy fan or not. Almost without fail, everyone who has picked a copy up has come back raving about it! Ben Johns, co-owner of Simply Books in Stockport Sign up to Bookmarks Discover new books and learn more about your favourite authors with our expert reviews, interviews and news stories. Literary delights delivered direct to you after newsletter promotion One book? As a literary editor whose leisure time is as dominated by reading as my working life, it seems an impossible ask. But one recent title immediately sprang to mind: the Australian author Richard Flanagan's Question 7. It's a unique blend of memoir, history, science and philosophical thought experiment, with the structural cunning, propulsive energy and imaginative beauty of a gripping novel. It hinges on the contingencies of fate: were it not for Hiroshima, Flanagan's father would have perished in a Japanese PoW camp, and he would never have been born. From here, the book opens like a concertina to consider the strange genesis of nuclear weapons, Tasmania's shameful colonial story, his own family line, and a brush with death – thrillingly told – that upended his sense of self. Weaving together imagination and history, Flanagan profoundly conveys how all our lives are an 'ongoing invention'. It's a book that will stay with you for ever. Justine Jordan, the Guardian's fiction editor Cora is a crime-scene cleaner, but her job doesn't bother her, not when she's witnessed her sister's murder. With the killer at large, nobody can reach Cora: not her aunt who's preparing for the Hungry Ghost festival, not her weird colleagues, and especially not the shadow nibbling at her coffee table. Haunted by the taunt 'bat eater' and a series of killings in Chinatown, Cora believes someone is targeting east Asian women, and something might be targeting her. Folk-horror meets crime thriller in a witty, gory, genre-defying novel that takes readers on an exploration of Chinese-American heritage while observing the racism rampant in New York during Covid-19. Brooke Smith, bookseller at House of Books & Friends in Manchester Something about this book really shook me. Sure, it has similarities to Cormac McCarthy's The Road and Mad Max: Fury Road, and it is another cli-fi book, but it manages to be completely its own thing. Mostly because Tim Winton is a deeply humane writer, concerned with moments of connection across divides, with a deep care for nature and an impossibly hopeful desire for humanity to succeed, together. A farmer escorts a child across a dystopian Australia ravaged by the fallout of climate collapse. And when they are captured, the farmer, in order to stay alive, spends one night telling his captor his life story. For sure, we can expect eco-revenge-military cells, tragic love, extreme weather and epic heists, but we also have something deeper: the power of a single story that can change the course of the world. Nikesh Shukla, author and screenwriter Every bookseller knows that no book is meant for everyone – but for anyone who is in a reading rut, Elif Shafak novels are a pretty reliable way of getting unstuck! One of our great storytellers, you could start anywhere in her oeuvre and find a page-turning, plot-driven, politically prescient book that will strike a slightly different chord with every reader. Her latest is a propulsive work of ecofiction that spans Dickensian London and contemporary Kurdistan: River Thames to River Tigris. It's riveting, readable, complex and quietly queer, with characters to fall completely in love with – rich and escapist. Mairi Oliver, owner of Lighthouse Bookshop in Edinburgh Black British Lives Matter is a collection of essays from a selection of experts and public figures, sharing their insights and experiences from the perspective of being Black in modern Britain. At a time when efforts towards equality and anti-racism are being questioned and even threatened, books such as this are not simply nice-to-haves; they are essential. Written with clarity and passion, the essays in this book (including Sir David Adjaye, Nadine White, David Olusoga and Baroness Doreen Lawerence) offer a context for understanding racism while illuminating vital truths about contemporary society, that we can all benefit from. Jeffrey Boakye, author and broadcaster All titles listed are available from the Guardian bookshop
