馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Argentina grapples with 'World Cup villain' label after Spain loss
via The Namibian3 min read
Argentina faced criticism for perceived dirty tactics and poor sportsmanship during their 1-0 loss to Spain, solidifying a 'World Cup villain' image that developed throughout the tournament. While critics, including former Germany player Thomas Hitzlsperger and British television personality Piers Morgan, described their performance as "disgusting" and "tetchy, petulant and distasteful," Argentines argue their actions stem from passion. Lawyer Leo Simone stated, "They confuse arrogance with pride," while construction worker Maximiliano Heredia noted, "We鈥檝e always been criticized, we鈥檙e used to it." Journalist Pedro Rosemblat embraced the criticism, stating, "Our rebelliousness irritates them, enrages them鈥hey call us cocky, cheaters, dirty. And we love it." Sports journalist Ezequiel Fernandez Moores acknowledged some criticism was justified, noting that local football codes of provocation and mockery do not translate globally, though he found the team turning their backs on Spain during the trophy presentation "not right." Simone defended Argentina's physical play, comparing it to other South American football and suggesting Spain also used tactical fouls. Venezuelan neurologist Evelio Rubio highlighted the unique passion for football in Argentina. The team and fans also faced accusations of racism, including past chants mocking French players and an incident during the World Cup where an Argentine supporter made a racist remark to a Black US influencer. FIFA condemned rac
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel secured victory in Tuesday's 26.1km individual time-trial at the Tour de France, finishing 28 seconds faster than reigning champion Tadej Pogacar. This win, Evenepoel's second successive stage victory and fourth overall in the Tour, reduced Pogacar's overall lead to 4 minutes 32 seconds. Denmark's Mattias Skjelmose placed third, over a minute behind. The victory was particularly special for Evenepoel as it occurred on Belgium's national holiday, with his family present. However, the day was bittersweet for Evenepoel's Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe team as his teammate Florian Lipowitz crashed out of the race while in fifth place overall, sustaining an injury to his left arm. Both Pogacar and Isaac del Toro, who is now more than two minutes behind Evenepoel, also had close calls at the same bend where Lipowitz fell but managed to stay upright. Evenepoel gained significant time on the uphill section of the course, maintaining his lead through the descent and flat run to the finish.
Namibia is awaiting South Africa to enact enabling legislation, anticipated by mid-2027, to facilitate the mutual transfer of sentenced prisoners between the two nations. Commissioner General of the Namibian Correctional Service, Raphael Hamunyela, stated that Namibia has finalized its part of the agreement, but South Africa currently lacks the domestic law required for such transfers. The South African government announced that its Ministry of Correctional Services signed an agreement on cooperation with Namibia, similar to a recent one with Botswana, to advance interstate prisoner transfers. However, transfers will only commence once the necessary legislation is in place, with proposed amendments to the Correctional Services Act currently under review. South Africa's Minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald, and Namibia's Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, signed the agreement during the fourth session of the South Africa-Namibia Binational Commission. This framework also includes technical cooperation in areas like training and exchange of best practices. The South African ministry noted that foreign nationals often prefer to serve sentences in their home countries for rehabilitation, and such transfers could ease budgetary pressure. Namibia already has transfer arrangements with Angola and Botswana. As of February 17, 465 foreign nationals, including 450 from the SADC region, are detained in Namibian prisons, contributin
Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has declared that the era of 'business as usual' for rural development is over, urging regional councils to enhance project implementation and ensure public resources yield measurable community benefits. This message was delivered by deputy minister of urban and rural development Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele at the 2026 Annual Rural Development Progress Review and Planning Workshop in Swakopmund. Sankwasa expressed concern over incomplete projects, unspent development funds, and idle rural development centers, viewing these as missed opportunities that erode public trust. He emphasized that future resource allocation will prioritize regional councils demonstrating sound planning, innovation, and effective implementation. Infrastructure projects, including schools, community facilities, and water schemes, must be durable and provide lasting benefits, with public servants upholding integrity, accountability, and transparency. Regional councils are responsible for timely project completion and full utilization of allocated funds to improve Namibian lives. Sankwasa noted the ministry's N$10 million allocation for food-for-work and cash-for-work initiatives this financial year, aimed at providing temporary income support and strengthening vulnerable households' resilience. The workshop coincides with the government's review of the national rural development policy and strategy, offering stakeholders a platform to exchange ideas and