Latest news with #BRDC
The South African
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Central African Republic delays election for the 6th time since 2022
The Central African Republic (CAR) has postponed its August 2025 local elections to December, causing ongoing tensions, opposition boycott calls, and deepening mistrust in the electoral process. At a meeting of the Strategic Committee on 11 July 2025, Prime Minister Félix Moloua confirmed the postponement. Furthermore, the presidential and parliamentary votes scheduled for December 2025 will now coincide with the elections. The Central African Republic has not held a local election since 1988, and multiple postponements have occurred since 2022. The National Elections Authority (ANE) brought up issues with technology and budget deficits. ANE failed to finish the electoral register by the 29 May 2025 deadline. The administration was unable to gather the electorate by the decree's deadline of 4 June 2025. A United Nations (UN) expert, Yao Agbetse, expressed concern about serious issues impacting ANE operations. In addition, election funding only covers local elections; it does not cover the costs of presidential and legislative campaigns. Furthermore, staff deployment inaccuracy and contracting delays have seriously hampered the preparations. The opposition alliance, BRDC (Republican Bloc for the Defence of the Constitution), has suggested talks with President Touadéra and called for a comprehensive overhaul of the electoral authority. To increase transparency, Touadéra started biometric voter registration in 2024. UN experts and Security Council briefings indicate calls for 'urgent institutional reform' and improved preparations ahead of elections planned for December 2025. As of mid-2025, several registration centres had remained closed due to insecurity, and the electoral register had not been finalised in multiple prefectures, according to UN expert Yao Agbetse. The BRDC criticised ANE, questioning its ability to manage the electoral process and calling for its restructuring. The rebel leaders Ali Darass and Sembe Bobo formally dissolved their armed factions on 10 July 2025. They pledged to promote reconciliation during a ceremony officiated by President Touadéra. According to the UN, elections are crucial to preserving peace and establishing a democratic government. The Central African Republic continues to rank among the world's poorest nations despite its wealth of mineral resources. It is recommended that international partners increase their backing for reliable electoral procedures. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
George Russell talks us through a lap of Silverstone ahead of British Grand Prix
George Russell took pole position for last year's British Grand Prix. Here, ahead of his home race, the Mercedes driver takes the PA news agency on a lap of Silverstone. Abbey and Farm Curve A qualifying lap at the British Grand Prix is one of the most exhilarating of the year. It is probably only beaten by Monaco. In a Formula One car, the first two corners are flat-out at 190mph. I could even do them with one hand. Village and The Loop I brake about 60 metres before Village, which means it is a fast entry, before swinging back over to the other side of the track for the left hander at Loop – the second slowest corner on the track. A good slingshot on the exit is pivotal as the Aintree kink takes us on to the long Wellington Straight. Brooklands, Luffield and Woodcote Silverstone can be windy because it is built on the site of a World War II Royal Air Force bomber station. It is very flat, too, so I am always watching out for the flags. On the top of the British Racing Drivers' Club building at Brooklands there is a Union Jack. I know if the flag is flying strongly, I can go in hotter because there will be a ton of downforce and the grip will be immense. But if the flag is drooping, I will have to bring it back a touch – braking maybe just two metres earlier – because there is a chance the car might snap and the likelihood of a mistake is greater. The subsequent long-righter hand through Luffield and Woodcote is probably my least favourite on the track. It goes on forever, but is crucial because it sets me up for the old pit straight and Copse. Copse Corner I remember the first time I ever drove at Silverstone, I was in a Formula Four car and I would approach Copse at 130mph before braking and shifting down the gears. But in Formula One, I take it on at 190mph, and the minimum speed through the bend is more than 180mph. It is insane. Imagine you are in a rugby scrum and everybody is trying to push you in one direction. It is a constant force, but its abruptness means it can also feel like a rugby tackle which goes on and on. My legs are flying one way, my bottom is clenching, and my neck, which is being exposed to 50 kilograms of G-force, just wants to fly off. I might be in and out of the corner in a second, but in that brief moment I tense and I don't breathe. Maggots, Becketts and Chapel Curve This is the best sequence of corners in the world and the most impressive place ever to watch an F1 car. I approach at 195mph and decelerate to 145mph through the left-right-left sequence. It feels like a slalom with such incredible flow but I know the tiniest of errors will cost me. Hangar Straight and Stowe Stowe is my favourite part of the circuit and one of five corners in F1 that never ceases to amaze me. The car just feels alive. The right hander is so wide it allows me to attack it at more than 190mph. My speed drops to about 150mph as I rise over a small crest where I am aware of the thousands of British fans on the exit. Vale, Club Corner and Hamilton Straight I come into the final two corners knowing this is my last chance in the lap. Braking earlier at Vale allows me good momentum on the exit of Club and on to the Hamilton Straight. This approach will not compromise turns one and two which is ideal for the race. But in qualifying, where the finish line arrives earlier, I can carry more speed on the entry to Vale because I do not need to worry too much about my exit and the following lap.
