Latest news with #Cape
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
This week's literary fiction: MEN IN LOVE by Irvine Welsh, SEASCRAPER by Benjamin Wood, MIGRAINE by Samuel Fisher
MEN IN LOVE by Irvine Welsh (Cape £20, 544pp) In 2017, Welsh said he'd never write another novel about the characters from Trainspotting, but who truly believed him? Men In Love follows the old gang of heroin-addicted benefit cheats – Renton, Sick Boy and Spud, together with psychotic hardman frenemy Begbie – into the Nineties, each going their own way after Renton sneakily pockets the shared proceeds of a drugs heist. He's in Amsterdam, Begbie's in jail, Spud is trying to go straight and Sick Boy is prowling for sex... business as usual, then, as Welsh knits their stream-of-consciousness chapters around a farce involving Sick Boy's bid to worm his way into the heart of a civil servant's daughter. Cartoonish and often in terrible taste, it works, because these characters remain alive on the page, more than 30 years on. SEASCRAPER by Benjamin Wood (Viking £14.99, 176pp) I loved Wood's Eighties-set novel, A Station On The Path To Somewhere Better, the chilling story of a boy's catastrophic day out with his estranged dad, a set designer on his favourite TV show. Themes of illusory promise resurface in his new novel, another wrong-footing and enormously compelling coming-of-age narrative. Set in the early 1960s on the Kentish coast, it follows a stifled young man who lives with his mum and earns his keep by scraping shrimp from the beach, dreaming about a girl he doesn't have the courage to ask out. His fortunes change when a Hollywood director pays him an untold sum to scout locations for a new film. The deal isn't all it seems – but nor is this novel, which drifts from quiet lyricism into a weirder, more hallucinatory style as we delve deeper into the protagonist's haunted interiority. MIGRAINE by Samuel Fisher (Corsair £13.99, 192 pp) Fisher's third novel, a standalone follow-up to his 2022 climate dystopia Wivenhoe, transports us to a richly imagined near-future London battered by storms that cause mind-expanding headaches. The narrator, Ellis, having suffered his first migraine, roams the emptied streets in search of an ex-girlfriend who had them frequently. As he searches for her, accompanied by a shadowy bookseller who knows more about Ellis's past than he lets on, the novel portrays the social divisions and conspiratorial worldviews that take root as a result of the city's competing experiences of the mysterious chronic pain. If the texture of Fisher's speculative scenario holds attention, extra compulsion lies in the emerging story of lost love and buried guilt. Elegiac, languid, interrogatory, it resembles a cross between the cyberpunk of William Gibson and the psychogeography of Iain Sinclair.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
GoM to consider proposal to enhance infrastructure, extend time for completion of Ramayapatnam Port works
The Government of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday constituted a Group of Ministers' (GoM) committee to examine the proposal for enhancing the dredging, reclamation and internal & external (road & rail) connectivity works and Extension of Time (EoT) for completion of the Phase-I works at the Ramayapatnam Port and make suitable recommendations. The GoM comprises the Ministers of Finance, Infrastructure & Investment, and Tourism, while the Secretary (Infrastructure & Investment) will be its convener. The government had in February 2020 constituted a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) — the Ramayapatnam Port Development Corporation Limited (RPDCL) — for taking up port development and port-led development. Simultaneously, administrative sanction had been given for phase-I works with a cost of ₹3,736.14 crore, and the same was later revised to ₹4,929 crore as recommended by the technical committee. The construction of the port was being done under the overall supervision of the A.P. Maritime Board (APMB). The scheduled date of completion of the project was June 23, 2025. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the APMB sought the government's guidance on the proposal for enhancement of the existing infrastructure to ensure the port's commercial viability and its ability to handle the projected cargo volume of 34.04 MMTPA — primarily coal and iron ore — stating that it was essential to increase the port's draft from 16m to 18.5m. This would enable the port to accommodate Cape size and Super Cape size vessels, aligning its capabilities with regional and global shipping trends such as additional dredging at approach channel and berth pockets, additional railway lines up to the proposed backup yard behind three multi-purpose berths, development of backup yard infrastructure for storage of cargo, movement of trucks, and operation of material handling equipment, and additional external road connectivity and internal road connectivity within the port. The APMB also requested Extension of Time (EoT) up to April 27, 2026, to the contractor for completion of the works due to analysis of work stoppages, delays in land handover, etc. To consider the proposal, the GoM was constituted and asked to submit its report / recommendations at an early date.
Zawya
11-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Gauteng rental market booms as semigrants return for affordable living
Gauteng's rental market — the largest in South Africa — is gaining momentum as returning semigrants and new arrivals seek affordable living options in the country's economic heartland. With nearly 38% of households renting, and demand rising faster than supply, the region is fast becoming a hotspot for both tenants and savvy property investors. This growth is being fuelled in part by a reported reverse semigration trend, with many who had previously moved to the Cape now returning to Gauteng. According to the Wise Move 2025 Migration Report, an estimated 25% of those who left for the Cape have since headed back. Much of this shift is driven by Gauteng's comparatively lower cost of living and greater economic opportunities. Property prices are approximately 27% lower than in the Cape (average R1.3m vs R1.8m), and rentals around 20% more affordable, with PayProp citing average monthly rents of R9,201 compared to R11,285 in the Cape. The rental market is often where people returning or moving to the metros turn to before they even start thinking about purchasing property. Gauteng, as the biggest economy in the country, is therefore also the largest rental market with about 37.8% of households renting according to TPN. Despite the high demand, rents have remained affordable, increasing by only around 2.9% on average over the last year according to PayProp. That said, many areas have seen increases of 3% - 5% due to higher demand and a lack of stock, thus presenting opportunities for rental investors, according to rental agents from Seeff. Aside from more affordable rentals, the costs of living are also slightly lower in Johannesburg and Pretoria, according to The Gauteng metro areas also offer a much wider range of more affordable rentals including more entry-level housing. Investor hotspots emerge Christa Roos, licensee for Seeff Helderkruin, says she has observed an influx of people heading to areas in the valley (Kloofendal, Helderkruin, Wilro Park and Roodekrans), largely due to the good value for money. Rental properties move very quickly in the R15,000-plus market. Joburg South and Alberton are very popular due to affordability, especially in the R4,500 to R8,000 per month range, says Ruth Sturgess from Seeff, adding that there are investor opportunities to earn steady rental incomes from R6,000 to R12,500 (family houses in Kibler Park). According to Carin Buitendach from Seeff Boksburg and Benoni, these areas are very popular for their affordability in the R5,000 to R7,000 per month range, with top-end rentals reaching R15,000 for a freestanding house rented out by Seeff. Rents grew by about 5% over the last year, and there is opportunity for investors to earn steady monthly rentals of R6,000 to R6,500. Randburg offers a broad middle-class appeal, and a great choice of affordable rentals in the R7,000 to R14,000 per month range while larger homes tend to rent out in the R25,000 to R35,000-plus range. The Joburg North West area offers affordability for those who commute for work into Randburg and Sandton. Rochelle Holland, Seeff's sales and rentals manager for the area says people often rent before they buy in the area. There is also an opportunity for rental investors in the R500,000 to R950,000 price brackets as these are very popular rentals and can earn a steady income of R7,000 to R12,000 monthly. The Eagle Canyon Golf Estate is also very popular for rentals, priced mostly in the R20,000 - R30,000 range with high-end homes renting out for up to R60,000 - R70,000 by Seeff. The northern suburbs of Sandton/Bryanston/Fourways is also hugely popular with a mix of status and wanting to be close to business areas driving demand, according to Seeff Sandton. The R10,000 - R20,000 bracket is the most popular, especially for sectional titles while luxury homes range between R45,000 and R60,000, and super homes well above this. In the Pretoria metro, areas such as Centurion are popular for their proximity to the metro and Midrand, according to Tiaan Pretorius, manager for Seeff Centurion who says correctly priced rentals can go within hours or days. Prices start from R5,000 with the highest demand in the R14,000 to R25,000 range. Rental escalations have been in line with the CPI at between 3% and 5%. The Pretoria East rental market has been particularly busy this year with Seeff recording some of its best months, according to PG van der Linde, rentals manager for Seeff Pretoria East. The R12,000 to R20,000 bracket has been most active. He says an added boost has come from people who are still hesitant to buy and choose to rent for the meantime. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
PSU railway stock receives order from African Rail Company; share price zooms 138% in 3 years
Railway Stock News: A PSU railway firm has received an order from African Rail Company for supply of 2 fully overhauled ALCO locomotives for deployment in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana. As per the exchange filing, the size of the contract is 3.6 million USD (CIF). The railway company aims to execute the contract/order within nine months. This railway company is none other than RITES Limited. Shares of RITES Limited closed in red today (Friday, July 4). The stock fell 0.65 per cent and closed at Rs 284 apiece. According to the NSE, this railway stock has a total market cap of Rs 13,649.15 crore. In an exchange filing, the company said, 'Supply and commissioning of the overhauled in-service Cape Gauge ALCO Diesel Electric Locomotives fitted with new Cape Gauge Bogies, Traction Motors, Control System, Air braked, etc. overhauled at nominated facility and warranty support with the deputation of RITES technical team.' RITES Ltd is a component of the BSE 500. According to the BSE analytics (as of July 4), shares of RITES Limited gave a positive return of 1.75 per cent and 4.40 per cent in the last 1 week and 2 weeks, respectively. In the last 1 year, the railway stock fell 23.73 per cent. However, in the past 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years, shares of the company gained 55.05 per cent, 138.49 per cent, and 117.10 per cent, respectively. RITES Limited paid dividend of Rs 1.90 in January. Last year, the company paid dividends of Rs 4.75 in February, Rs 2.50 in August, Rs 5 in September, and Rs 1.75 in November. RITES Ltd issued bonuses in the ratio of 1:4 in 2019 and 1:1 in 2024 for the shareholders.
The Star
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Springboks wanted to be brave and bold with ball in hand against Barbarians, says captain Jesse Kriel
Ashfak Mohamed | Published 2 hours ago It rained almost non-stop in Cape Town this week, and when more grey skies greeted the Mother City on Saturday, you were expecting the worst as a rugby fan. Despite the Barbarians being in town for what is usually a festival-type running-rugby game, the slippery conditions would've been expected to affect both teams' approach at Cape Town Stadium. But the Boks actually didn't hold back in that regard in their 54-7 victory over the invitation side to entertain the 45,000-strong crowd. As early as the fourth minute, there were an array of impressive passes from the home side that would've been expected from the visitors. The South Africans put together a series of phases, with Lood de Jager running hard a few times, debutant prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye showcasing his deft handling skills, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu slinging out a long pass to Kurt-Lee Arendse out wide. Lively scrumhalf Morné van den Berg also kept the tempo going with some slick clearances from the base, and the one audacious dummy from Feinberg-Mngomezulu had his Cape fans dancing in the stands. Fullback Aphelele Fassi also entered the attack chat, and delivered two delicious grubbers that set up the first two tries by Malcolm Marx and Cheslin Kolbe. Arendse and Kolbe were energetic throughout the eight-try rout, and that attack-minded theme continued into the second half, with captain Jesse Kriel breaking the line, and centre partner Damian de Allende pushing through a deft grubber for Arendse's touchdown. The Tony Brown playbook was on full show, and the growth in the Bok game in such dreary conditions speaks volumes about how they are pushing the envelope ahead of the blockbuster two Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand in September. 'I'm obviously very happy with all of that. I think it actually started in the week. On Wednesday, we spoke about our mindset and mentality going into training – whether we are going to let the weather affect us or not. I think it was nothing different today,' Kriel said in the post-match press conference. 'We came in here positive. We wanted to be brave and bold with the ball in hand, and I think we looked dangerous with turnover ball. 'It's always great if you get the ball into guys like Fassi, Cheslin and Kurt-Lee's hands. 'They are special rugby players, and they can make something out of nothing. Ja, I think we saw a lot of that today.' Bok coach Rassie Erasmus said afterwards that he was 'satisfied' with the performance, but felt that they had gone a bit too far on attack at times in the wet weather. But the South Africans are on the right trajectory heading into next Saturday's first Test against Italy at Loftus Versfeld. 'We won't get carried away with a game like this. We know it's a festival game and we are playing at home against a team that only practiced a few times together,' Erasmus said. 'But certain things came through. We want to get better in the next matches that we will play, where we are trying to focus a lot on us. 'When we hit the Rugby Championship – and Georgia will also be a grind… 'If the weather was drier, I think some of the line-breaks and half-gaps that we got, we were a bit ambitious in trying to offload and just force the last pass. In dry weather, I think that could've stuck. 'But after halftime, when the guys spoke about that, they toned it down a little bit, and we played a little bit more conservatively and got more points. 'So, I guess we'll get used to this weather if we get that again, but we can't wait to play on a dry pitch and still improve on our attack.' Points-Scorers Springboks 54 – Tries: Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe, Vincent Tshituka (2), Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Lood de Jager, Damian de Allende. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2), Manie Libbok (5). Barbarians 7 – Try: Melvyn Jaminet. Conversion: Jaminet (1).
