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The South African
a day ago
- Politics
- The South African
Angola: Luanda's Repressive Response Threatens Regional Stability and Provokes Migration Risks
What began in Angola at the end of July as a desperate protest by taxi drivers against the sharp rise in fuel prices and transport fares soon escalated into a crisis with far-reaching consequences for the entire Southern African region. Initially, the demands were economic—a reaction to the unbearable burden of soaring fuel prices and, consequently, increased transportation costs for the population, which exposed deep discontent. People are weary of relentless inflation, high unemployment (especially among the youth), and social inequality, which becomes particularly glaring against the backdrop of the country's oil wealth and major investment projects. The drivers' strike acted as a catalyst for broader unrest, which, according to official police reports, led to tragic consequences: 30 dead, 277 injured, and more than 1,500 detained. Instead of addressing the socio-economic causes of this dissatisfaction, the authorities in Luanda chose the path of forceful suppression and targeted political repression. Leaders of taxi associations, the national secretary for mobilisation of UNITA's youth wing (JURA), Oliveira Francisco, and journalists, including the correspondent for the state television channel TPA, Carlos Tome, were arrested. Particular international concern was caused by the detention of two Russian citizens, Igor Ratchin and Lev Lakshtanov. The Russian embassy received no official notification of their arrests. It was denied contact with them, constituting a gross violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and basic norms of justice, essentially amounting to 'enforced disappearance.' Representatives of the Russian embassy expressed their discontent over Angola's failure to adhere to established diplomatic protocols and its refusal to provide any information about the detainees. The Angolan Bar Association directly accuses the judiciary of returning guilty verdicts without providing evidence. At the same time, the opposition (UNITA) sharply criticises President Lourenço for remaining silent in response to reports of extrajudicial killings during the protests. As reported by Angola 24 Horas, 'the hunger people are experiencing is reason enough to take to the streets in utter desperation,' and the strategy of arresting innocent citizens amid deepening hunger and unemployment could prove costly for everyone. President João Lourenço, who came to power in 2017 promising to fight corruption and institute reforms, is increasingly displaying the hallmarks of a classic authoritarian regime. The U.S. State Department's 2024 human rights report highlights the lack of significant progress in Angola, noting systematic abuses, including suppression of peaceful demonstrations, police brutality, and judicial misconduct. Internal instability in Angola carries immediate and serious risks for the entire Southern African Development Community (SADC). Neighbouring countries—Namibia, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—may face an influx of Angolan citizens fleeing hardship and persecution. Repression, judicial arbitrariness, and disregard for international norms, clearly demonstrated in the case of the detained Russian nationals, sharply elevate political risks for foreign businesses.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
MTNL defaults on bond repayment due on August 24
State-run telecom firm MTNL on Thursday said it has again failed to repay the bond payment due on August 24. The state-owned telecom firm did not disclose the amount. MTNL, in a regulatory filing, said that its fourth semi-annual interest of 7.61% MTNL Bond Series VIIIB is due on August per the structured payment mechanism of tri-partite agreement (TPA) signed among MTNL, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Beacon Trusteeship Ltd, MTNL has to fund the semi-annual interest into the escrow account maintained in Bank of India with an adequate amount 10 days before the due date."In view of the above provisions of TPA, it is informed that due to insufficient funds, MTNL could not fund the ESCROW Account maintained in Bank of India with an adequate amount," the filing said. The debt-ridden telecom firm said all bonds issued by MTNL are sovereign-guaranteed bonds by the government. "However, in case of any default made by MTNL in payment of principal and interest on the bonds issued by it, then the sovereign guarantee will be invoked by the debenture trustee and the government of India is obliged to make the payment to MTNL for the same," the filing said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
MTNL defaults on bond repayment due on August 24
State-run telecom firm MTNL on Thursday said it has again failed to repay bond payment due on August 24. Independence Day 2025 Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji gave India its own currency Swadeshi 2.0: India is no longer just a market, it's a maker The state-owned telecom firm did not disclose the amount. MTNL in a regulatory filing that its fourth semi-annual interest of 7.61 per cent MTNL Bond Series VIIIB is due on August 24. As per the structured payment mechanism of tri-partite agreement (TPA) signed among MTNL, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Beacon Trusteeship Ltd , MTNL has to fund the semi-annual interest into the escrow account maintained in Bank of India with adequate amount 10 days before the due date. "In view of above provisions of TPA, it is informed that due to insufficient funds MTNL could not fund the ESCROW Account maintained in Bank of India with the adequate amount," the filing said. Live Events The debt-ridden telecom firm said all bonds issued by MTNL are sovereign guaranteed bonds by the government. "However, in case of any default made by MTNL in payment of principal and interest on the bonds issued by it then sovereign guarantee will be invoked by the debenture trustee and the Government of India is obliged to make the payment to MTNL for the same," the filing said.
News18
4 days ago
- Business
- News18
MTNL defaults on bond repayment due on Aug 24
Agency: PTI New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) State-run telecom firm MTNL on Thursday said it has again failed to repay bond payment due on August 24. The state-owned telecom firm did not disclose the amount. MTNL in a regulatory filing that its fourth semi-annual interest of 7.61 per cent MTNL Bond Series VIIIB is due on August 24. As per the structured payment mechanism of tri-partite agreement (TPA) signed among MTNL, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Beacon Trusteeship Ltd, MTNL has to fund the semi-annual interest into the escrow account maintained in Bank of India with adequate amount 10 days before the due date. 'In view of above provisions of TPA, it is informed that due to insufficient funds MTNL could not fund the ESCROW Account maintained in Bank of India with the adequate amount," the filing said. 'However, in case of any default made by MTNL in payment of principal and interest on the bonds issued by it then sovereign guarantee will be invoked by the debenture trustee and the Government of India is obliged to make the payment to MTNL for the same," the filing said. PTI PRS TRB view comments First Published: August 14, 2025, 22:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Daily Mail
29-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
NHS trusts budget nearly £2million for 'woke' staff events including 'International Pronouns Day' and talks on 'embracing your Afro hair' and 'breaking the rainbow ceiling'
The NHS has allowed trusts to spend almost £2million on 'staff networks' which have hosted a series of ' woke ' events over the past two years, the Mail can reveal. New figures show the health service budgeted more than £1.8million for the internal staff groupings, which are usually linked to race, sexuality, gender, disability or religion. More than 154 NHS Trusts responded to Freedom of Information requests from the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) revealing how the networks have hosted hundreds of events between 2022 and 2024. They included a Eurovision Viewing Party at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, and an event on 'Embracing Asexuality' at the The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in Essex. NHS staff also attended a talk on 'Embracing your Afro/Curly hair' at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and another on 'International Pronouns Day' at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. A talk on 'Breaking the Rainbow Ceiling' was held at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Trust, while King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust hosted an event on 'pride crafting'. The NHS said many of the events are run at 'no or very low cost', but the TPA said it was 'astonishing' to see staff spending their time at such events instead of focusing on frontline care. It comes after thousands of junior doctors carried out a five-day walkout, after talks between the Government and British Medical Association (BMA) soured over a dispute about pay. The BMA is demanding a 29.2per cent pay rise. More than 1,000 events were held by staff networks between 2022 and 2024, the FOI revealed, at 80 trusts. In total, £1,834,005.6 was provided to the networks in funding, but it is not clear how much was actually spent over the period. Joanna Marchong, investigations campaign manager of the TPA, said: 'Taxpayers will be dismayed to see NHS trusts pouring more money into staff networks year after year, while waiting lists spiral and junior doctors strike over pay. 'With patients on waiting lists, it's astonishing to see staff spending their working hours at Eurovision parties, open mic nights and summer picnics. 'There is a time and a place for staff engagement and with resident doctors walking out and the NHS haemorrhaging money, now isn't the time. Ministers must get a grip and put patients before perks.' Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice told the Mail: 'Herein lies the problem with our NHS: wasteful spending on pointless woke activities and a bloated middle management, meanwhile frontline services are left underfunded and struggling. 'Reform UK would cut waste and unnecessary management, as well as purposeless DEI initiatives, and pump every penny straight into frontline care where it belongs.' Tory shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew said the figures were 'alarming', adding: 'The first priority of the NHS should be to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients, and taxpayer's cash should be spent on improving that - not splashing hundreds of thousands of pounds on sideshows and distractions. 'The Conservatives - under Kemi Badenoch's leadership - are the only party that are serious about delivering the reform the NHS needs, from our common sense proposals to ban doctors from striking, to pushing for improvements in productivity and innovation.' [must keep] An NHS spokesman said: 'Staff networks can play an important role in retaining staff and reducing absenteeism, improving care and savings costs. 'Many staff events – including ones highlighted here – are run at no or very low cost, but where employers do invest in staff it is important that care is taken to ensure it represents good value for taxpayers' money.' NHS England describes staff networks as 'an important mechanism' to 'help us to shape our organisational culture to create a fairer and inclusive work environments for all'. Many NHS trusts have staff networks representing those who are BAME (Black, Asian, and minority ethnic), LGBT+, women, or who have a particular religion or belief.
