Wednesday, December 15 2021
THE BIG ISSUES
LEADING THE AGENDA
Santa, please read this. It has gift ideas for our politicians
This year unleashed all manner of horribilises, but if Father Christmas takes note, 2022 may be a little better
In SA, Omicron is less dangerous than previous variants, new research finds
The study comes as the UK removes 11 countries, including SA, from its travel red list
Let it digest: global clinical trial for oral Covid vaccine kicks off in SA
Pharmaceutical company says an oral vaccine would be easier to distribute
Verdict is in: judiciary meets its own targets — mostly
Constitutional Court falls short on new performance indicators set by the judiciary in the 2020/21 year
There will be no edition on the public holiday tomorrow. Don’t miss our Best of 2021 edition on Friday.
SMART NEWS
IN ONE TAKE
No more dodging bullets as animals find new home
Friends of Rescued Animals arrange a Noah’s Ark-like rescue mission for animals to new digs in Tarlton
WATCH | Boeing 737 takes its last trip — through the streets of Benoni
The former FlySafair carrier, renamed Shirley, will live on as a restaurant and watch over Formula K racing events
Emotions run high as families reunite after two years apart
After festive plans were curtailed last year, families are hoping to resume their traditional holiday activities
Migrants stranded as transport costs to neighbouring countries skyrocket
Homesick workers are forced to spend second Christmas away from home thanks to high fees and restrictions
Some roads still lead to KZN this festive season
Though occupancy is nowhere near what it was before Covid-19, the province expects more than 60%
IDEAS
FEEDING YOUR MIND
We wish you a sensible Christmas and a responsible New Year
This year has been a tough one on all fronts. While we all deserve to let our hair down, we should do so judiciously
PODCAST | ‘Ramaphosa made fundamental mistakes after ascending to power’
Mavuso Msimang discusses the president’s leadership and cautions analysts to keep their emotions in check
How SA’s petrol price is set and why fuel should be deregulated
Regulation dates back to WW2, but efforts at reform have been stalled by vested interests and lack of political will
WORLD
THE NEWS YOU DON'T NORMALLY GET TO HEAR
Beginner’s guide to Web3: crypto heads dream up a new kind of internet
If you’re still trying to get your head around the web, let alone crypto, NFTs and dapps, there’s a hard road ahead
Fired up: Musk wants to turn CO2 from atmosphere into rocket fuel
The TIME magazine Person of the Year’s plan would rely on untested carbon-removal technology
UK Remainers lose voice to pandemic and domestic turbulence
Pro-EU campaigners expected a Brexit reckoning this year, but it hasn’t come to pass and their resolve is weakening
Kenya Uber drivers are gonna rock down to electric avenue
Uber drivers to have access to finance to buy motorbikes made by Opibus, who convert petrol and diesel to electricity
LIFE
EVERYTHING ELSE THAT MATTERS
With venues such as these, who needs to leave town?
If you live in Joburg and are staying at home this month, here are seven must-visit bars that opened in 2021
What a dog show: it’s back to school for Nigeria’s canines
The Lagos Dog Carnival aims to get people to celebrate their pets and learn how to take better care of them
From sake bars to yacht cabins, Singaporeans transform bland public flats
Eighty percent of the country’s 5.5-million people live in utilitarian spaces, but some are taking them to new levels
SPORT
FINISH LINE ESSENTIALS
Even Sunday’s final lap drama hasn’t converted me to F1
Besides Hamilton and Verstappen’s coming together after the start and the final lap, it was like watching paint dry
Villa could consider vaccine status of transfer targets: Gerrard
Manchester United’s visit to Brentford on Tuesday night was postponed due to an outbreak of Covid at Old Trafford
Blast from the past: Brave Bafana hold Germany to a draw
Today in SA sports history: December 15