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Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Zambian govt argues in court that it was never Edgar Lungu's wish to be buried in SA
JOHANNESBURG - The lawyers for the Zambian government have argued in the Pretoria High Court that it was never former President Edgar Lungu's wish to be buried in South Africa. The court is hearing arguments from the government and Lungu's family over where the head of state should be buried. Lungu died in South Africa in June while receiving medical attention in the country. The Pretoria High Court halted his burial ahead of Monday's court battle. Arguing on behalf of the Zambian government, Advocate Ben Stoop has referenced the minutes of meetings between the family of Lungu and the Zambian government, saying it was clear that the former president did not want to be buried in South Africa, and it was his wish for his remains to be repatriated back home. In June, Lungu's family tried to have him buried in South Africa, saying they did not want Zambia's current president, Lungu's political nemesis, Hakainde Hichilema, present at his funeral. But Advocate Stoop said the family and the State agreed on a programme for the repatriation and the funeral programme, which stipulates that Hichilema would be present when dignitaries are welcomed and during the programme. Stoop further argues that in Zambian law, there is a clear judicial precedent, stating that with a person of significant national interest, the wishes of that person and the family must yield to the broader public interest.
Metro
28-07-2025
- Metro
I spent a weekend in Ireland's best-kept secret — the rain didn't matter at all
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more With long sandy beaches and trendy seafood restaurants, it's easy to forget that Skerries is less than an hour from the bustling heart of Dublin. This small seaside town, which means 'the rocks' in Irish, is an under-the-radar gem on Ireland's east coast. On weekends, I'm told, it's where Dubliners like to escape. I first heard of Skerries when I was watching Sharon Horgan's Bad Sisters, and felt compelled to Google where it was filmed. Up popped a little fishing village and out popped my credit card to book flights. Thankfully, five minutes of fame has not opened the floodgates to an onslaught of tourists. The fact that there are no hotels in Skerries has helped, though there are plenty of rental cottages and a few local guesthouses. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. From wild swimming to walking trails and authentic trad seisiúnta , here's everything there is to do in one of Ireland's best-kept secrets. Home to just under 11,000 permanent residents, Skerries is small. For tourists, that means everything is central. To get your bearings, a solid starting point is a stroll along the coastal path, an easy circular walking route that links the North and South beaches with Martello Tower, a small fort dating back to 1804. There's history everywhere you step. Skerries was once home to St. Patrick's Monastery, the site of a Viking invasion. A plaque on a stone wall above the beach remembers Muriel Gifford, the widow of Irish revolutionary hero Thomas MacDonagh who was executed by the British in 1916. She drowned while swimming in Skerries one year later. The path stretches almost 7km to Balbriggan Beach, past the 18th-Century Ardgillan Castle and Lady's Stairs, two big tourist ticks in the area. On the horizon, the Mourne Mountains provide a moody sense of majesty. Closer to shore, local fishermen return around the headland with their daily catch. I follow my nose down to the harbour to explore Ireland's blossoming food scene. I am in thrall to a local recommendation. So 'you have to try the chowder in Stoop Your Head' is the kind of order I am more than happy to obey. Inside a nautical-inspired building on Harbour Road is a family-run restaurant with a simple but delicious menu. I plump for the chowder (€10.50), a thick creamy bowl bursting with fresh fish that tastes like it jumped right out of the sea and straight onto my table. It's served with the age-old Irish favourite, a chunky wedge of soda bread that I could have easily enjoyed on its own. Outside on the pier, a miniature ice-cream parlour is hidden in a candy-striped shack. Aptly named Storm in a Teacup, it looks like the perfect place for a post-dinner scoop, but as the heavens open, I forgo a cone in search of a nightcap somewhere dry instead. With pubs aplenty in Skerries, there is no shortage of places to wait out the rain. The Snug on New Street is a fantastic find with open fires, cosy rooms and a main bar hosting traditional music once a week. I am fortunate enough to stumble across the bar just as a group of musicians are tuning up and nab myself a bar stool within touching distance of the band. Friendly patrons warmly welcome me to their 'local' and two hours quickly pass in a blur of fiddles, lilts and Tayto crisps. On the short walk home, I find myself slowing down outside an estate agent's window just to 'have a look'. A surefire sign that this place is worth at least one visit. All roads seem to lead back to the harbour, which is where I find breakfast the next morning. Goat in the Boat is a trendy coffee-shop-cum-homewares-store. They also make ice-cream, but I settle for a croissant and hot chocolate to kick-start day two, before heading back inland to check out the sights. It's not your typical Irish breakfast, but it does me just fine. Skerries Mills Museum is only a few minutes' walk from the beach. Tickets are €8 if booked in advance, and you get to see two working windmills and a watermill on a tour that takes about an hour. A café on site is famous for its scones, and there's a farmers' market on Saturdays full of local foods and crafts. As I am a day early, I settle for an extra-large slice of cheesecake before wandering back to the harbour. The pace of life feels gloriously slow in Skerries. There is little traffic and each road looks unique with brightly coloured houses, the odd thatched cottage and an array of quaint old pubs. Even in the pouring rain, people smile and take the time to say hello to a drenched tourist. Due to the weather, I reluctantly leave my swimsuit languishing in the bottom of my bag, but looking out across the blustery Irish Sea, it is easy to imagine a sunny day with kayakers and kitesurfers jockeying for space on the water; eager toddlers queuing at the ice-cream shack for the Flavour of the Day, and revellers spilling out of bars on to the streets. More Trending I'm already planning a return visit for the annual Trad Music Festival that takes place on the first weekend in June. Until then, I make the most of a break between showers to snap a few soggy selfies on the waterfront before grabbing lunch at Hit the Road Jacques, and then doing just that. Despite not seeing the sun, I had a truly wonderful trip to the Irish seaside. From authentic watering holes, to watersports and windmills, Skerries is a well-kept seaside secret that is worth its salt all year round. Just don't tell anyone. Flights from London to Dublin can cost as little as £16 one-way with Ryanair. From there, it's a 50-minute drive to Skerries, or just over an hour on the 33A bus from the city centre. Once you're there, the Redbank Guest House has 18 rooms starting from £65 per person per night in summer. Sunset Crag rental apartment is available on Airbnb for £129 per night in June 2026. MORE: I flew 4,600 miles to a Jamaican resort that offers more than just 'fly and flop' MORE: Is it safe to travel to Greece? Latest tourist advice amid 'unpredictable' wildfires MORE: I stayed in one of the world's biggest Four Seasons resorts — it was the ultimate reset
Scotsman
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
'Won't hold me back' - Scotland back row on the traumatic injury that forced team-mates to look away
Back-row forward still experiences pain but hopes to return to his best on tour Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... When Andy Onyeama-Christie fractured and dislocated his left ankle last October playing for Saracens against Harlequins, the effect it had on the other players on the pitch was startling. 'It was almost like a horror movie,' Saracens' director of rugby Mark McCall said. 'Players just couldn't look.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The injury to the Scotland flanker at the Stoop came in two separate movements. A tackle by Quins hooker Jack Walker floored Onyeama-Christie and he knew something was broken. But as his team-mate Nick Tompkins tried to alert the referee to stop play, the Harlequins second row Stephan Lewies attempted to clear out Tompkins and succeeded in kicking Onyeama-Christie's fractured ankle. Andy Onyeama-Christie is back in the Scotland squad and trained this week at Oriam ahead of the summer tour. | SNS Group / SRU He later reflected that it was 'the worst pain imaginable' and also experienced the trauma of looking down to see his foot pointing the wrong way. 'I've been in the wars' Happily, Onyeama-Christie recovered far quicker than expected even if some of the pain has lingered. He joined up with the Scotland squad in Edinburgh this week and will fly with them to New Zealand for a summer tour which begins with a non-cap clash with the Māori All Blacks in Whangārei a week on Saturday and continues with Test matches against Fiji in Suva on July 12 and Samoa at Eden Park, Auckland on July 18. 'I'm feeling happy to be back in here,' said Onyeama-Christie at the team hotel on the western outskirts of Edinburgh. 'I have been in the wars a fair few times over the last couple of seasons but am feeling good and hopeful.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Andy Onyeama-Christie of Saracens is carried off after being injured during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and Saracens at the Stoop on October 13, 2024. | Getty Images If anyone deserves an injury-free run it is the combative Sarries forward who has missed more than his fair share of important fixtures in recent seasons. He twice broke his arm in a 12-month period between 2023 and 2024, causing him to miss the Rugby World Cup and last summer's Scotland tour. In between, he impressed enough in last year's Six Nations to suggest he could be a real asset in the Scotland back row. Then came the horrendous setback at the Stoop which put paid to hopes of playing in this year's Six Nations. He made his return for Saracens in a friendly against Edinburgh at Hive Stadium on March 14 and has played eight competitive games since, starting twice. He's still not back to where he wants to be but is way ahead of schedule. The pain still lingers 'No, I don't think I am at my best physically,' he says with admirable candour. 'The injury was a weird one but I got over it quicker than expected. It was supposed to be nine months' recovery and I got it in six which was brilliant and meant I could play some games at the end of the season for Saracens. 'I still get frustrated with it. Some will say that will last my whole career. Others say once I get over this season it will start easing off, so it is what it is. My main aim is to not let it hold me back. When I start training and playing I forget about it. The main thing is to stay on top of the rehab.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It still feels sore and it means his preparation for games now takes longer but it's getting better. 'It's the ankle itself. It gets stiff more than it would before. It gets more painful and I have to warm up properly. I used to be able to run out onto the pitch but now I need a bit of time to do bits around it and warm up. It's not a major concern of mine. Like I say, when I play I don't think about it which is great. Compared to when I first returned to playing it is ten times better. Andy Onyeama-Christie playing for Saracens against Toulon in the Investec Champions Cup round of 16 in April. He returned to action for quicker than expected. | Getty Images 'I have played a good few games [since the injury]. People say it takes three or four games to get up to match fitness after pre-season. My vision of it is I am really excited for the tour and getting some games out there and then will take my time off and relax a bit and go into a good pre-season with Saracens. I don't know how it will go but a big part of it is to accept what has happened and get on with it. 'I might well get back to my best on this tour. I had a lot of appearances off the bench after I returned and only had two starts. Sometimes you need more and more minutes to get back right.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Return to New Zealand after learning from All Blacks great Having made his Scotland debut as a replacement against France in the 2022 Six Nations, Onyeama-Christie has had to be patient as injuries have conspired against him. He has eight caps now and is looking forward to adding to the tally next month. 'I am so proud to be back in the environment and it has been a long time since I have been,' said the player who qualifies for Scotland through his maternal grandparents. 'I know how proud I am and my family is to get back with Scotland.' Andy Christie has not played for Scotland since the 2024 Guinness Six Nations. | SNS Group Going to New Zealand holds extra appeal to Onyeama-Christie who played over there in his early days as a pro and was taken under the wing of Rodney So'oialo, the great All Blacks back-rower. 'I spent three months in Wellington when I was 19 at the end of my first season at Saracens in the senior academy. I had a couple of niggles so they sent me out there to get some more game time. I was part of the Wellington academy but played club rugby for Petone. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Rugby Confidential: Inside the minefield facing free agents this summer, Bath bolter lined up for England call and Saracens star signs new deal
On Sunday afternoon, the man with the microphone at the Stoop took after the post-match proceedings and directed everyone's eyes towards Danny Care in the middle of the pitch. This was the Care's retirement day. There was sorrow about the departure of a club legend but he bowed out on his own terms and the mood felt more like a celebration.
France 24
18-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Care 'incredibly blessed' as Harlequins edge Exeter in his final home game
Care, 38, was introduced as a 64th-minute replacement at the Stoop when his side trailed by one point but a late penalty from England fly-half Marcus Smith sealed victory for Harlequins. Former England scrum-half Care announced Tuesday he would retire from rugby at the end of this season. Care won 101 caps for England over 16 years and called time on his international career after last year's Six Nations. He featured at two Rugby World Cups and was a member of England's Grand Slam-winning team of 2016, also lifting Six Nations titles in 2011 and 2017. Care has played nearly 400 times for London club Harlequins, winning the Premiership twice and the Challenge Cup in 2011. He is also Quins' all-time leading appearance-maker in the professional era. "I came here as a 19-year old, so I'm incredibly blessed with what I've achieved," said Care after Sunday's match. "I owe this club so much as they've stuck by me through thick and thin with the crowd singing my name loudly which is far more than I deserve." He added: "I haven't cried in years but I've cried about 20 times this week." Harlequins coach Danny Wilson said: "Danny has had a phenomenal career with close to 400 games. He is a top bloke and a true Quins legend and I don't think his feats will be repeated again." Cadan Murley, Will Porter and Smith scored Harlequins' tries, with Smith converting all three and landing what proved to be a decisive penalty. Tommy Wyatt, Rus Tuima and Stu Townsend scored Exeter's tries with Henry Slade adding two conversions and a penalty. This may have been Exeter's 13th defeat in 17 Premiership matches his season but boss Rob Baxter was encouraged by way his the southwest side competed against Quins. "Today we had the emotion and togetherness to stay in the fight with our discipline much improved," he said. © 2025 AFP
