Latest news with #Stateofthe
Business Mayor
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Mayor
Call of Duty sees boost on Twitch thanks to Verdansk map
The streaming space saw a relatively quiet April, according to StreamElement's latest State of the Stream report. Twitch saw fewer hours watched than in March, which the report attributes at least in part to a lack of 'major' game releases — games like South of Midnight and Oblivion Remastered not being enough to move the needle on viewers at least. The most notable thing about the month is the precipitous spike in viewership for Call of Duty: Warzone, which saw 45 million hours watched in April, a 146% increase. According to StreamElement's report, which was done in partnership with Twitch saw a total of 1.573 billion hours watched in April, less than even February despite have two more days. For daily hours watched, Rainmaker's data shows viewers watched about 52 million hours total per day, lower than any other month in April. Or Perry, StreamElements CEO, attributed the viewership spike to the re-launch of the much-beloved Verdansk map. 'The highlight of April was Call of Duty: Warzone experiencing a whopping 146% surge in viewership on Twitch, driven by the return of an updated version of the fan favorite Verdansk map. Nostalgia is a powerful tool because it makes things feel instantly familiar, with Warzone's latest release standing out by reestablishing that emotional connection while upgrading rather than simply recycling old content.' The rest of the report covers the list of the top 10 streamers on Twitch. Caedrel remains at the top of the list, thanks to his League of Legends commentary streams — he covered the LCK Spring Split in April, and also received the EMEA Masters Trophy his team, Los Ratones, won at the winter event. It's his third month
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
These Joburg areas will experience water outages heading into the weekend
An extensive water outage will affect multiple neighbourhoods in Region B started early Friday morning. Residents in several Johannesburg neighborhoods will experience water outages over the coming days as Joburg Water conducts both emergency and scheduled maintenance work on water infrastructure. An extensive water outage will affect multiple neighbourhoods in Region B started early Friday morning, according to Joburg Water. The utility said the interruption, which began at 6 am on 16 May and continues until midnight on 17 May, is necessary for critical infrastructure repairs. In their daily water supply update, Joburg Water said the reason for the interruption is the repair of a 375mm steel pipe, which requires a complete shutdown of the water supply to the affected areas. The outage will impact the following areas: All streets in Vandia Grove, Beverley Gardens, Bryanston, Parts of Ferndale, Osummit, Bryanbrink, And sections of Kensington B. Joburg Water indicated that alternative water supply arrangements are being finalised, with further details to be communicated directly to the affected residents. The utility said these repairs are essential for improved service delivery. ALSO READ: Morero's vision to make Johannesburg a world-class African city Scheduled maintenance in Region C next week In a separate planned maintenance operation, residents of Olievenpoort extension 40 will experience a shorter water outage on Thursday, 22 May. The interruption will specifically affect properties along Northgate Street and Valley Road. The scheduled maintenance will take place between 8am and 4pm, and involves connecting a new 150mm pipeline to the existing 150mm mainline. No alternative water supply will be provided during this planned outage. Joburg Water advises all affected residents to store sufficient water for use during these interruptions and to follow updates through official channels for any changes to the maintenance schedules. Residents seeking additional information can contact Joburg Water's customer service centre or visit their official website for the latest updates on these and other planned service interruptions. NOW READ: State of the City: Joburg thirsts for solutions as Morero takes the stage
The Citizen
13-05-2025
- The Citizen
Security company and CPF stop land invasion in its tracks in Carlswald
Swift response by Hawkeye Security director Rajan Pillay ensured the removal of about 20 land grabbers in Carlswald on April 26. This happened after Pillay received numerous calls, around 17:25, regarding the potential land grab. The land invasion was taking place at the vacant stand on the corner of 6th and Invicta roads – just behind a petrol station. Pillay said he immediately called for backup from Midrand police and other security partners in the area to remove the land grabbers from the private property, which is fenced off and signed as private property. Also read: Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, talks transformation in property sector at PPRA transformation event He said, upon arrival, structures were already being put up by the trespassers. 'The invaders were transported to the property by trucks loaded with equipment. This seemed like a well-planned and co-ordinated invasion by certain individuals or groups, which are being investigated. The structures were taken down and destroyed immediately.' He said it was a good result, all thanks to the rapid response from his security company, DB security, Community Policing Forum (CPF) members, and members from Jozi Evictions, who helped in removing the trespassers. Pillay also thanked community members who witnessed the incident and reported it, in a bid to ensure relevant stakeholders get involved and attend to it immediately. 'We urge residents to report any illegal land occupation, or suspicious activities, to the Midrand police and security companies, so they can be investigated immediately,' Also read: State of the City: Johannesburg mayor pledges better services, power for informal areas Midrand Sector 2 Crime Forum said: 'Please note that we had an attempted land grab this evening in our sector, but, thanks to several security companies and CPF members, they were dispersed. We ask that residents alert us immediately when they see something like this, so that it can be dealt with before they settle in, whereby it becomes difficult and costly to remove them.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
South Wales Argus
09-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
David Kogan endorsed to chair football regulator but urged to act ‘impartially'
Kogan told MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport committee on Wednesday that he donated to the Labour leadership campaigns of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy in 2020, and has also made financial contributions to other members of the party. He insisted despite those connections to Labour he was not 'susceptible to political pressure'. A release published on Friday morning alongside the committee's report on Kogan stated: 'The committee recognises Mr Kogan's vast experience in the football and media sectors. Culture Media and Sport committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage, pictured, says David Kogan must demonstrate he is his own man (Handout from UK Parliament/PA) 'It however recommends that he takes concrete steps to reassure the football community that he will act impartially and in a politically neutral way, following his disclosure during the meeting of past donations to the Prime Minister and Culture Secretary.' Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage said: 'While Mr Kogan's background and experience make him well suited for the role, his past donations to the Labour Party will inevitably leave him open to charges of political bias in a job where independence is paramount. 'We want to see the new independent football regulator succeed, so it's crucial that nothing undermines the regulator as it gets up and running. 'Mr Kogan must give 110 per cent when it comes to reassuring everyone in the game that he is his own man. The committee looks forward to working with him constructively and holding him to account.' Kogan was announced as the Government's preferred candidate last month. He has negotiated television rights deals on behalf of the Premier League, the EFL, the Women's Super League and UEFA in a 45-year career as a media executive, business leader and corporate advisor. The creation of the regulator is at the heart of the Football Governance Bill which is now at committee stage in the House of Commons. Its remit will primarily be to ensure the 116 clubs in the top five tiers of English football are financially sustainable and accountable to their fans under a licensing system. The regulator will also have 'backstop' powers to impose a financial settlement between the Premier League and the EFL if they cannot agree one themselves. It will also produce a 'State of the Game' report analysing football's financial flows. Kogan pledged in a letter to the committee that he would not make any further donations 'to any political cause' if appointed as chair. He also confirmed that the 2020 donations to Starmer and Nandy were each under the £1500 declaration threshold.
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Motion to remove mayor and speaker of Ekurhuleni fails
Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and council speaker Nthabiseng Tshivhenga have both survived motions of no confidence brought against them during a heated council sitting last week Thursday at the OR Tambo Precinct. The motion against Tshivhenga was the third attempt since her appointment. The DA as the sponsor of the motion cited frustration over what they described as the speaker's inconsistent leadership and alleged bias in managing council proceedings. ALSO READ: Tenants disrupt mayor's address to make demands in Germiston Despite this, the motion failed to secure enough support, with a narrow majority voting to keep Tshivhenga in office. Lucky Dinake, DA City of Ekurhuleni chief whip, expressed disappointment that the speaker still remains in her position. 'During her tenure as speaker of this council, we have witnessed a systematic failure of leadership that has undermined the very foundations of our democratic processes,' said Dinake. He said this is not about politics but principle. 'The speaker has repeatedly demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the rules and procedures that govern this council. 'Council meetings have been manipulated, opposition voices silenced, and crucial debates stifled. 'When members seek to raise points of order, they are ignored. When questions are posed, they are dismissed. When accountability is demanded, it is denied,' said Dinake. ALSO READ: Political parties criticise mayor's State of the City Address He said this was evident in the breakdown of order in the council chambers in November 2023 under her watch. A resolution of council on this matter was adopted in January where it was requested that she offer council a formal apology. 'She blatantly ignored the council resolutions and that speaks volumes about the dismissive attitude the speaker holds toward this democratic institution and its decisions,' said Dinake. Tshivhenga expressed her gratitude to the parties who voted for her. 'We thank all the political parties that have supported me and ensured the motion was not successful.' She expressed that this motion is based on an old issue that was resolved already. ''We can't allow residents to be compromised by allowing councillors to collapse government; that can't be acceptable,' said Tshivhenga. She said where she has done wrong she's always willing to apologise and rectify the mistake. 'Where councillors are aggrieved we are willing to address the issue and we must do so. Councillors need to come through when there is a problem to sit down and talk.' ALSO READ: Mayor stands on his promise to restore service delivery She ensured residents that there is no crisis in Ekurhuleni. 'Motions cause instability as they disturb service delivery.' Xhakaza also faced intense scrutiny as councillors debated the city's service delivery performance under his administration. His motion was sponsored by the Independent Citizen Movement, one of the parties that supported him when he was elected mayor 12 months ago. One of the requests that was made by Mojapelo Lesiba was for the mayor to unite council and ensure all councillors have one mandate which was serving the people and ensuring service delivery was restored. He said the mayor has failed to honour that mandate. 'The mayor has failed to ensure stability in the city, instead he has sown divisions in council,' said Mojapelo. He said the motion might not have passed but it has brought to light the cracks in the city. 'We hope this can be a wake-up call for the mayor to do better and bring the stability that the city needs and also rise to the occasion and provide leadership,' said Mojapelo. ALSO READ: WATCH: Ekurhuleni residents protest ahead of mayor's State of the City address The mayor said his executive has worked hard to turn things around since he came to office 12 months ago. 'It has been a year of stabilisation and strategic repositioning, anchored on a clear two-phase plan designed to repair the institutional damage of the past few years and rebuild public confidence,' said Xhakaza. He said the establishment of the Joint Political Management Committee fostered collaboration and ongoing consultations across all political parties in council. 'This was not just a mechanism for governance, it was a declaration that Ekurhuleni belongs to its entire people and that their needs must rise above partisan interests,' said the mayor. ActionSA opposed both motions on the basis that the motions were brought without any consultation with them or presentation of a viable alternative to reconstitute government in the event of their success. 'As a constructive opposition party in Ekurhuleni, ActionSA remains committed to stability, good governance and service delivery. These motions were reckless instruments of political theatre. 'The city does not need it as it's already grappling with governance challenges and financial strains,' said Phillip Dolo, Ekurhuleni caucus leader. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
