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Epoch Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Former Tibet Official Receives Suspended Death Sentence for Corruption
A former Chinese official, whom the United States and Canada sanctioned for aiding the Communist Party's human rights abuses, has been given a suspended death sentence for taking bribes. Wu Yingjie, former Party chief in the far-western region of Tibet, was found guilty of taking approximately 343 million yuan (about $47.7 million) in bribes while serving in various positions in Tibet between 2006 and 2021, according to a statement issued by the Supreme People's Court, China's highest court, on July 15. Wu was given a death sentence with two years' probation, and the authorities will confiscate his personal assets, the court said. This means that if Wu demonstrates good behavior over the next two years, his death sentence could be reduced to life imprisonment. Wu, 68, was among the highest-profile figures to be purged under Xi Jinping, the Party's top leader. Wu had been placed under investigation by the country's top anti-corruption agency since July 2024. In December 2024, Wu was expelled from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for so-called seriously violating the law and regulations, including meddling in engineering projects in exchange for cash bribes, state media reported at the time. The harsh sentence adds to the signs that the CCP hasn't eased the anti-corruption campaign, which was launched shortly after Xi took control of the Party in 2012. The campaign has taken down some of Xi's most powerful rivals. However, in recent years, amid intensified power struggles within the party, it has also been directed against those within Xi's inner circle. Wu climbed the political ladder during his nearly 50 years in Tibet, starting in the educational bureau and later moving to the propaganda department. In 2005, he became a member of the Party committee, according to publicly available information in China. His political career reached its peak in 2016, when he was appointed as Tibet's Party secretary, a role that he held for five years. In 2021, Wu was appointed to the National People's Congress, China's rubber-stamp legislature, and subsequently served in the People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body. As part of the actions to mark Human Rights Day, on Dec. 9, 2022, the United States imposed sanctions on Wu for his involvement in the CCP's rights violations in Tibet, alongside another senior Chinese official, Zhang Hongbo. The U.S. Treasury Department said at the time that Tibetans have been subject to serious human rights abuses in the region, including 'arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, and physical abuse,' as part of the CCP's efforts to 'severely restrict religious freedoms.' In addition, the State Department announced sanctions against Tang Yong, former deputy director of Chongqing Area Prisons in southwestern China, in response to the CCP's ongoing persecution of the spiritual group Falun Gong. The move drew the ire of Beijing. China's foreign ministry announced sanctions against two Americans: Miles Yu, a key China policy adviser to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Todd Stein, then-deputy staff director at the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China. In December 2024, Canada added Wu and seven other Chinese officials to its sanctions list for their involvement in the CCP's repressions against Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Falun Gong practitioners. Beijing retaliated by sanctioning 20 Canadian individuals and two organizations that have been vocal about the CCP's human rights violations, drawing condemnation from Ottawa.
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Here is when the three-week holidays end for the third term
There will be one public holiday in the term, with Heritage Day falling on Wednesday, 24 September. Find out more... After a three-week break, schools are set to reopen next Tuesday, with students expected to return. According to the Department of Basic Education, the third term will commence on 22 July 2025. The term will last for 11 weeks and conclude on Friday, 3 October. There will be one public holiday in the term, with Heritage Day falling on Wednesday, 24 September 2025. Students will have one day of rest and return to school on Thursday, September 25, to complete the week. Here's a comprehensive overview of the key dates on the 2025 school calendar to help parents stay ahead of the game. FIRST TERM: Schools start: 15 January 2025; Schools close: 28 March 2025; Public holidays: New Year's Day (1 January 2025), Human Rights Day (21 March 2025); and School holidays: 29 March to 7 April 2025. ALSO READ: Water and electricity cut at almost 300 Gauteng schools over non-payment SECOND TERM: Schools start: 8 April 2025; Schools close: 17 June 2025; Public holidays: Good Friday (18 April 2025), Family Day (21 April 2025), Freedom Day (27 April 2025), Workers' Day (1 May 2025), Youth Day (16 June 2025); Special school holidays: 29 April to 2 May 2025; and School holidays: 18 June to 8 July 2025. THIRD TERM: School start: 22 July 2025; School closes: 3 October 2025; Public holidays: National Women's Day (9 August 2025), Heritage Day (24 September 2025); and School holidays: 6 to 10 October 2025. FOURTH TERM: School start: 13 October 2025; School closes: 10 December 2025; Administration days: 11 to 12 December 2025; and Public holidays: Day of Reconciliation (16 December 2025), Christmas Day (25 December 2025), Day of Goodwill (26 December 2025). NOW READ: Gauteng schools urged to settle electricity and water bills
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- The Citizen
School closes Friday for three-week break: Educational activities to keep kids busy
Public school students across South Africa will have three weeks to rest before the third term begins in July 2025. The first semester of the year in South African public schools will officially end on Friday, 27 June 2025. According to the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the third term will commence on Tuesday, 22 July 2025. Three weeks break Public school students across all provinces will have three weeks to rest before the third term begins. This period allows pupils to recharge ahead of another academic stretch, which will run until 03 October 2025. According to the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (Isasa), schools that follow the three term calendar will break on 27 June 2025 for half-term and return on 7 July 2025. Their second term will end on 8 August 2025. Giving them more than three weeks of break before the third term commences on 3 September 2025. ALSO READ: Teacher shortage deprives Gauteng pupils of these vital tech skills How to spend your holidays As children will be home for three weeks during these winter school holidays, here are a few educational activities for the whole family. Museum visits: Explore South African museums to delve into history, science, and culture. Arts and crafts: Engage in creative activities like painting, drawing, or beading, which can be done at home. Cooking and baking: Learn new recipes and cooking skills with children, or explore baking projects like decorating gingerbread houses. Visiting the library: Pupils can visit local libraries to borrow books and engage in reading, which can be a great way to enhance language and knowledge. Outdoor activities: Enjoy winter weather with activities like hiking, camping, or cycling. Try activities like zip-lining, rock climbing or bounce houses. ALSO READ: MP Department of Education slated for R22 million annual school rent Here's a comprehensive overview of the key dates on the 2025 school calendar to help parents stay ahead of the game. FIRST TERM: Schools start: 15 January 2025; Schools close: 28 March 2025; Public holidays: New Year's Day (1 January 2025), Human Rights Day (21 March 2025); and School holidays: 29 March to 7 April 2025. SECOND TERM: Schools start: 8 April 2025; Schools close: 17 June 2025; Public holidays: Good Friday (18 April 2025), Family Day (21 April 2025), Freedom Day (27 April 2025), Workers' Day (1 May 2025), Youth Day (16 June 2025); Special school holidays: 29 April to 2 May 2025; and School holidays: 18 June to 8 July 2025. THIRD TERM: School start: 22 July 2025; School closes: 3 October 2025; Public holidays: National Women's Day (9 August 2025), Heritage Day (24 September 2025); and School holidays: 6 to 10 October 2025. FOURTH TERM: School start: 13 October 2025; School closes: 10 December 2025; Administration days: 11 to 12 December 2025; and Public holidays: Day of Reconciliation (16 December 2025), Christmas Day (25 December 2025), Day of Goodwill (26 December 2025). NOW READ: Bela Act guidelines issued, minister accused of 'worthless' delays
The South African
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Here's why South Africa celebrates Youth Day
South Africans are currently enjoying a long weekend – and a Monday off from work – thanks to the Youth Day public holiday. Double bonus: That means a short work week ahead! Youth Day is the day on which South Africans honour the youth that were ambushed by the apartheid regime police in Soweto on 16 June 1976. On the day over 500 youths were killed. On the morning of 16 June 1976, thousands of black students went on a protest rally from their schools to Orlando Stadium. They were protesting against an official order which made Afrikaans compulsory in black township schools throughout the country. The use of local languages was prohibited in these schools whilst the constitution supported that Afrikaans and English be made the official languages of the country. The rally was meant to be a peaceful protest with the intentions to plea with government not to make Afrikaans compulsory in schools. However, things got out of control when the police were called in to disperse the crowds and riots broke out. Although the protests of 16 June 1976 resulted in a number of casualties, the youth of 1976 played a role in fighting and overcoming the inequality and oppression caused by apartheid. Following the advent of democracy in 1994, the new democratic government declared 16 June as National Youth Day and June as Youth Month. Although South Africans will enjoy fewer public holidays in 2025, there will be more long weekends this year than in 2024. Mzansi had 14 public holidays in 2024, but there will only be 13 days this year – and only 12 will be actual days off work. Of course, the fewer days off, the better for business in the country. Working South Africans will not get a day off to celebrate National Women's Day in 2025 because the public holiday falls on Saturday, 9 August. The Public Holidays Act (Act No 36 of 1994) determines that whenever any public holiday falls on a Sunday , the Monday following it will also be a public holiday. However, for public holidays that fall on a Saturday , it's just a 'normal' weekend day. The exciting news is that there are FIVE long weekends in 2025. The first was thanks to Human Rights Day on Friday, 21 March which gave South Africans 21-23 March off. The second was the Easter weekend with a four-day 18-21 April break to enjoy your chocolate. The third was thanks to Freedom Day falling on Sunday, 27 April, meaning Monday, 28 April was a holiday – and another three-day weekend. As mentioned, Monday, 16 June (Youth Day) means another three-day long weekend, while the fifth and final long weekend in another four-day one with Christmas and the Day of Goodwill (Boxing Day) falling on a Thursday and Friday, respectively. Diarise the following public holidays in 2025 and plan your vacations accordingly! Wednesday, 1 January: New Year's Day Friday, 21 March: Human Rights Day Friday, 18 April: Good FridayMonday, 21 April: Family Day Sunday, 27 April: Freedom Day
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
SACR spends R159m celebrating commemorative days
SEDIBENG.- The Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) has wasted over R159m celebrating commemorative days in the past eight years while the province struggles with a persistent unemployment crisis. This was revealed to Sedibeng Ster by the DA's Kingsol Chabalala, who added that lavish spending amid rising joblessness raises serious concerns about the provincial government's commitment to addressing pressing economic challenges faced by the people of Gauteng. In response to questions asked by the DA in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), Gauteng MEC for SACR, Matome Chiloane, revealed that the money was spent entertaining citizens at events held to celebrate Human Rights Day, Freedom Day, Youth Day, Women's Day, Heritage Day and the Day of Reconciliation. 'Instead of spending copious amounts of money on food and busing people to events, it would have been more prudent to invest that money in creating sustainable jobs to benefit our residents both in the short and long term. There are numerous projects that this funding could support, which would improve the lives of our citizens and help reduce the current unemployment rate of 34.4%,' Chabalala said. Moreover, Chabalala said that these funds could have been better utilised to enhance sports facilities in schools and communities. 'This could include building multi-purpose courts for various sports and swimming pools in township areas. Additionally, investing in support for Gauteng athletes and individuals pursuing careers in the creative arts would be a more effective use of money than spending it on celebration. The DA has been advocating cost-effective ways of celebrating commemorative days in the Gauteng Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Portfolio Committee for the department. We will keep pushing for this through the committee to ensure the department stops wasting millions on these events while our people starve and our sports infrastructure crumbles.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
