Latest news with #Saldanha
Sky News
6 days ago
- General
- Sky News
Mother who sold daughter for £800 jailed in South Africa
A mother has been sentenced to life in prison after she kidnapped and trafficked her own six-year-old daughter. Kelly Smith, whose full name is Racquel Chantel Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno Van Rhyn were convicted of the crimes in South Africa after Joshlin Smith disappeared from Saldanha, in Western Cape, last year. The youngster has not been seen since and remains missing following a nationwide police hunt. During the trial, one witness said Smith had told her she sold her daughter to a sangoma, a traditional healer, for 20,000 rand (£830). She added the girl was wanted for her "eyes and skin". The three defendants had previously pleaded not guilty. Smith won sympathy across South Africa in the early days of Joshlin's disappearance and neighbours even helped the police in their search efforts. The mother claimed she had left Joshlin with Appollis on the day she disappeared, before Smith too was arrested. In court documents, the prosecution said Smith had been planning to sell not just Joshlin, but her other two children as well. They also said Smith and Joshlin were seen getting into a white vehicle with a bag of clothes the day the girl was reported missing. Announcing their sentences on Thursday, high court judge Nathan Erasmus said the fact Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn were drug users was no excuse. "There is nothing that I can find that is redeeming and deserving of a lesser sentence than the harshest I can impose," the judge said.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Saldanha and Murthy win RC2.1 class in RAAT Rally of Thailand
Indian rally driver Jason Saldanha and co-driver P.V.S. Murthy dished out a commanding performance in the second round of the RAAT Rally of Thailand to clinch overall second place and a win in the RC 2.1 category to emerge as the front-runners in the 2025 international rally season. In 2023, Saldanha became the first Indian to win a class title in the RAAT Rally of Thailand and has since continued his upward trajectory. Behind the wheel of a 1.4-litre turbocharged Suzuki Swift, a 2WD machine, Saldanha was up against a field packed with more powerful 4-wheel drive (4WD) cars. Yet his strategic driving and relentless pace secured him a place on the overall podium with a timing of 1 hour, 7 minutes and 58 seconds. "The roads were extremely slippery due to the rains. It was one of the toughest events... Just one mistake could have ended it for us," said Saldanha, who hails from Sakleshpur, a small town in Karnataka. Veteran co-driver Murthy, with 25 years of rally experience, played a key role with precise pace notes and steady calls, enabling Saldanha to push the limits safely across all stages. With this result, Saldanha leads the 2025 Overall Championship with a 10-point margin over Thailand's Mana Pornsiricherd, and dominates the RC 2.1 class with 40 points, well ahead of the second-placed driver, who has 15. Held in the scenic Khok Samrong district of Lopburi, the rally attracted 30 competitors from Japan, China, Korea, India, and Thailand and the challenging terrain and unpredictable weather tested the drivers in the high-stakes rally. Round 3 of the RAAT Thailand Rally Championship will be held at Sa Kaeo, Thesaban Mueang, from July 18 to 20.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Experts warn of global shift that could cause car insurance prices to skyrocket: 'Already impacting the industry'
Insurance industry experts are bracing for impact following President Trump's tariff announcements. The president recently signed an executive order delaying 25% tariffs on many imports from Canada and Mexico, per CNN. Meanwhile, tariffs on imports from China have already gone into effect, the New York Times reported. And tariffs of 25% on all foreign steel and aluminum imports still took effect on March 12, per the Times. Mexico and Canada are among the United States' biggest steel trading partners, and Canada is the biggest aluminum supplier, Insurance Business reported. So, additional tariffs on these nations, even if delayed, are a concern for these industries, as are international tariffs more broadly. Kenneth Saldanha, senior managing director at Accenture, revealed that geopolitical instability is impacting insurance companies, including auto insurance. "Ongoing supply chain disruptions — whether from tariffs, COVID-19, or a port strike — are already impacting the industry," Saldanha said, per Insurance Business in February. "These disruptions drive up costs for auto parts, building materials, and other essentials, leading to higher indemnity expenses." Saldanha also mentioned that insurance growth is closely tied to gross domestic product. GDP could be impacted during a global trade war, which means insurance would likely be affected, too. Tariffs could have a negative impact on the environment as well. China and Canada have already announced retaliatory tariffs in response to the U.S., NPR revealed. According to Forbes, scientists suggest that a scenario with retaliatory tariffs can significantly increase the risk that rising global temperatures and extreme weather events will not be addressed properly. If the new tariffs cause car insurance prices to increase, drivers will yet again have to pay more for coverage. A recent report from Insurify indicated that car insurance rates spiked 15% last year. On average, as of the January report, drivers paid $2,313 in most states. Rising prices are particularly concerning for drivers of electric vehicles. EVs can have higher insurance premiums. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, EV insurance can cost up to 20% more than insurance for a gas-powered car, CNBC reported. According to Insurance Business, insurance executives are aiming to keep cost-cutting measures a top priority as the tariffs go into effect. If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. EV drivers can compare rates to find the best insurance deal. Driving history, annual mileage, and other factors are used to determine insurance prices. Despite the potentially higher cost of insurance, choosing to purchase an EV can help car owners save money due to the lack of gas and maintenance required. Some EV models even qualify for a $7,500 tax credit, per Car and Driver — at least as long as this incentive lasts. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
