Debmarine Namibia Chief Executive Willy Mertens says any tax relief for the diamond sector must be assessed on a case-by-case basis as the industry battles falling revenues and shifting consumer trends. Mertens notes that targeted tax breaks could help mining operators protect jobs and sustain investment, but cautions that a blanket tax reduction is not appropriate, as the government relies on mining revenue to fund essential public services. His comments come as the diamond market begins to stabilise following years of severe […]

Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi says the provincial government has completed 21 of the 67 directives aimed at strengthening the response to gender-based violence and femicide, with a further 38 underway. He briefed the media yesterday on the province’s 90-Day GBVF Response Plan. This follows presidential directives and a four-point plan to combat the scourge of GBVF in the province. Lesufi acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in addressing forensic backlogs, obtaining outstanding case recovery information, and accelerating municipal safety interventions: The […]

Germany’s Interior minister Alexander Dobrindt has accused violent left-wing groups and troublemakers from migrant communities of hijacking peaceful protests over the weekend. Cost-of-living demonstrations organised by the ‘Gen Z has got this!’ movement turned violent as masked rioters looted shops in Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg. Police had to use water cannons to disperse crowds. At least 60 people were arrested in Berlin alone for offences including property damage, assault, and resistance against emergency forces. Dobrindt has called for harsh […]

A Learjet flying from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas crashed into a Palm Beach County neighbourhood in Florida yesterday, killing all nine people aboard. In a video, the aircraft can be seen nose-diving and erupting into a giant fireball near a major roadway. At least 600 residents were evacuated. The crash is the second deadliest in the US this year, following June’s skydiving plane crash in Butler, Missouri, which killed 12 people. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says this was a […]

Namibian Chamber of Environment CEO Dr Chris Brown has defended marine phosphate mining, saying scientific assessments found its impact on commercial fish species and spawning grounds would be insignificant. He says the seabed can recover after dredging and that strict monitoring can protect marine ecosystems. Brown argues the project offers economic benefits. The post Renowned environmentalist reiterates support for marine phosphate appeared first on Future Media News.

Consumer inflation reached 5.4 percent in September, while fuel prices rose 30 percent year-on-year. The Simonis Storm Consumer Confidence Index fell to a record low of 42.2 in the fourth quarter. The firm forecasts 2 percent economic growth this year and expects inflation to peak at 6.2 percent in March 2027. Future Media News spoke to economist Almandro Jansen. The post Consumer Confidence Index dips below 50 appeared first on Future Media News.

High Court judges Boas Usiku and Gladys Pickering presided over the motion court sessions this morning with 66 applications for default judgments, of which two were on the rule 108 roll to be heard on Tuesday by Judge James Devittie. Commercial banks brought 33 applications and are claiming back ten properties for debt of N$14.4 million, and 23 loans with outstanding payments of N$14.3 million. In Monday’s session, judges Shafimana Ueitele and Thomas Masuku will preside over 32 undefended divorces. […]

Namibia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund has surged past the half-billion-dollar mark, with government moving to table dedicated legislation that will legally protect natural resource revenues for future generations. According to the midterm budget documents, the Welwitschia Fund reached a market value of N$514.6 million Namibian dollars as of late June. That marks a 75% growth from the N$293 million recorded at its launch in November 2022. Angie Scholtz has more. The post Sovereign Wealth Fund surges appeared first on Future Media […]

Former Health Minister Dr Richard Kamwi has praised intensified indoor malaria spraying in high-risk areas. After spending three weeks supporting malaria control efforts in the Zambezi Region, he says community resistance remains a challenge, but awareness campaigns are improving acceptance of the programme. The post Kamwi applauds anti-malaria efforts, but resistance remains appeared first on Future Media News.

The Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, last month announced a N$1.50 increase in the price of petrol, while both grades of diesel remained unchanged. Future Media News spoke to IJG Securities data analyst Ndapewa Jeremia to find out what the firm predicts for fuel prices in November. The post Analysts predict hold on November fuel price appeared first on Future Media News.