South Africa unveils National Rail Master Plan to revitalize rail network
via The Namibian5 min read
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has introduced the National Rail Master Plan NRMP, aiming to position rail as the backbone of South Africa's logistics and transport ecosystem. The plan seeks to build a resilient, adaptable, and dynamically scalable rail system to serve the nation's economic and social goals. The Department of Transport Strategic Plan and the NRMP target increasing annual freight volumes on the Transnet rail network to 250 million tonnes by 2030, from the current 160-167 million tonnes. Both documents advocate for the vertical separation of rail infrastructure from operations and the establishment of the Rail Infrastructure Manager Trim as a Transnet subsidiary, which will grant open, non-discriminatory network access to private sector participation and third-party train operating companies. The plan also highlights the importance of the National Rail Bill and the Transport Economic Regulator. Transnet Group CEO Michelle Phillips noted that the organization has faced infrastructure deterioration, equipment shortages, governance failures, and financial constraints. The NRMP proposes a differentiated funding model, with freight rail operating on a commercial, user-pays basis with private sector investment, while passenger rail requires direct government subsidies for affordable mobility. A significant challenge for Transnet includes outstanding advance payments of R4.2 billion for 305 electric and diesel locomotives from CRRC entities, whose contracts are susp
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
A 62-year-old pensioner is scheduled to appear before the Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court on Monday for allegedly violating the Nature Conservation Act of 1975. The charge stems from hunting a specially protected animal without a permit. The pensioner reportedly shot an elephant from a herd of four that entered his crop field at Makwatare cattle post in the Makanga area on Saturday night. According to a Namibian Police incident report, the suspect fired warning shots, but when the elephants did not leave, he fired another shot, striking one of them. The elephant was later found dead in his field. Officials from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism inspected the carcass, noting a bullet wound. The elephant is valued at N$295,000. The rifle used and the recovered elephant tusks will be presented as exhibits, and the case docket will be sent for the prosecutor general’s decision.
The Houston Rockets secured a 115-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, keeping their NBA playoff hopes alive. Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 23 points, as they cut their Western Conference series deficit to 3-1. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama returned for the San Antonio Spurs after a concussion, scoring 27 points, 11 rebounds, and seven blocked shots in their 114-93 win against the Trail Blazers, giving the Spurs a 3-1 series lead. Wembanyama, named the 2026 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, expressed mixed emotions about his return and dissatisfaction with the concussion protocol process. The Boston Celtics also took a commanding 3-1 lead in their series, defeating the 76ers 128-96, spoiling Joel Embiid's return from an appendectomy. Payton Pritchard scored 32 points and Jayson Tatum added 30 for the Celtics. In Toronto, the Raptors leveled their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers at 2-2 with a 93-89 win, with Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram each scoring 23 points.
BreakingMali's defence minister, Sadio Camara, was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing at his residence near Bamako, as the country experienced a wave of coordinated attacks by jihadist militants and separatists. State TV confirmed Camara's death, stating he succumbed to wounds sustained while engaging with attackers. Reports also indicated that the head of the military junta, Gen Assimi Goita, was moved to a safe location after his home was targeted. The attack on Camara's residence, launched by militants affiliated with al-Qaeda in Kati, also killed at least three of his family members and destroyed a nearby mosque, killing worshippers. Fighting was reported in Kati, Gao, Kidal, Sevare, and Mopti. The Azawad Liberation Front FLA claimed an agreement was reached for Russian mercenaries to withdraw from Kidal after clashes, with the FLA later stating they were permanently withdrawing from Kidal and that the city was free. However, Mali's military has not confirmed these claims. The FLA, which seeks a breakaway ethnic Tuareg state in the north, stated their offensive had been planned for months, with goals to control Gao and Timbuktu. State broadcaster ORTM reported 16 people, including civilians and soldiers, were injured, and several "terrorists" killed, adding the situation was "completely under control," though the military confirmed ongoing fighting in Kidal, Kati, and other areas. UN chief Antonio Guterres and West Africa's regional bloc, Ecowas, condemned the violence.
Must ReadLaw enforcement officials have identified Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, as the man arrested after shots were fired inside the Washington Hilton hotel during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. According to sources, Allen told security agents he intended to shoot officials in the Trump administration. Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that preliminary findings suggest Allen was targeting administration officials, likely including President Donald Trump. Investigators are examining reports that the alleged gunman assembled the weapon in the hotel. Police reported that Allen, a guest at the hotel, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives. Interim police chief Jeffery Carroll described him as a "lone actor, a lone gunman." President Trump later posted a photo of a shirtless man, identified as the suspect, on the floor in handcuffs. US media, citing law enforcement sources, report a history of anti-Trump social media posts by Allen. A written document, described as a manifesto and reportedly sent to family members before the incident, indicated the gunman wanted to target Trump administration members "from highest-ranking to lowest." FBI agents and police have searched an address in California linked to Allen. Voter registration records show no party preference, and a Federal Election Commission record indicates a $25 donation to ActBlue for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in October 2024. Allen's LinkedIn profile