🇳🇦NamibiaSouthern Africa
Evenepoel wins Tour de France individual time trial, Pogacar's lead cut
via The Namibian3 min read
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.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
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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