Latest news with #Sandor
IOL News
27-06-2025
- IOL News
City of Cape Town faces backlash over neglected property and water wastage
The former AL-Noor Child and Youth Care Centre in Woodstock. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers Neighbours living near the former AL-Noor Child and Youth Care Centre for orphans in Woodstock, where operations were shut more than five years ago after the Department of Social Development removed 17 children from its care, said their pleas to the City to fix a burst pipe has fallen on deaf ears. This week the Cape Argus established that the property belongs to the City's Human Settlements division, after claims that it was under the Western Cape Government. Irate residents said they had reported the burst pipe to authorities for years and shared videos of streams of water gushing down the street. One resident, who asked only to be identified as Sandor, said he and his fellow neighbours made numerous calls and complaints to the City about the alarming amount of water, and was forced to contact the media. 'Every time there is a lot of rain, the pressure seems to increase and there seems to be a burst pipe underground,' he said. 'This used to be once the old Bowling Club and then it became an orphanage, which was closed down. 'As far as we understand, someone is supposed to be looking after the premises but there are squatters. 'The ground there is slightly higher than our road and for the past four to five years we have been calling the City as water has been coming through the vibacrete fence. 'The City would send officials and say there is no one on the property for them to obtain the ERF number. 'This is the situation for years and the water just runs into the streets and this is water that is being wasted.' Ward 115 councillor Ian McMahon said they were aware of the community's complaints and would be undertaking to resolve the issue soon. 'Our office was alerted to this leak in January as well as other reference numbers sent to us by residents,' he said. 'I have reached out to the mayco Water and Sanitation to establish why this has not been attended to, and have not heard back yet, but I'm sure it will be shortly. "The rains have caused flooding in parts of Cape Town so I'm sure he is busy with that today. 'The property is owned by the City of Cape Town, there is a legal situation currently in play as the site has been occupied. I'd suggest reaching out to Human Settlements Department for more info on this.' Melt Botes of the Western Cape Government confirmed that according to their records, the property belonged to the City of Cape Town. In 2019, the Department of Social Development removed 17 children from the premises and the owner, Amina Okpara, was arrested. Okpara faced charges of contravention of the Immigration Act and a charge of fraud. AL-Noor Child and Youth Care Centre in Woodstock which was shut down five years ago. Residents have complained of an ongoing water leak for years. Image: supplied She was investigated by the Hawks for allegedly having stolen donations and funding provided to the orphanage. Western Cape Department of Social Development spokesperson, Esther Lewis, said the children were placed in safe homes after the closure, while some have since turned 18 years old. 'The children who were removed in 2019 were of varying ages. Some children were reunified with family members, others remained in alternative safe care, and some will have turned 18 and are no longer in the alternative care system. The Department of Social Development doesn't conduct deportations," she said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
Hamilton Spectator
25-06-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Sorry for what I did': Burlington man who murdered wife to be sentenced July 22
A 73-year-old Burlington man convicted of murdering his wife apologized for what he did during a sentencing hearing in Milton on June 17. Sandor Somogyi briefly addressed the court after assistant Crown attorney Maureen McGuigan and defence attorney Donald Carter presented their sentencing recommendations to Justice Janet Mills. A jury found Sandor guilty of the second-degree murder of his wife Margit Somogyi, 67, on April 29. Margit was found dead in her Regency Court apartment on Jan. 13, 2023. 'I would like to say, I am sorry to my three daughters, also their husbands and my seven grandchildren,' said Sandor. 'I am sorry for what I did.' A conviction of second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence in Ontario, however, what is up for discussion is how long Sandor will be ineligible for parole. McGuigan called for a parole ineligibility period of 16 years. The assistant Crown said this case involved the violent killing of an intimate partner in her own home. She noted intimate partner violence is a chronic issue in Canada, and it is important for the court to denounce this conduct. McGuigan also said Margit died by neck compression, which McGuigan described as 'a terrifying way to die.' She went on to point to a pre-sentence report where, she said, Sandor blamed his wife for their marital problems and presented himself as a victim. McGuigan noted many of the couple's problems seem to have come from Sandor's abuse of alcohol, something he denies. 'In my submission, he lacks insight into the damage he has done to his family,' said McGuigan. 'There is no evidence he was a victim of anyone.' McGuigan also pointed out that Sandor had not pleaded guilty to his wife's murder and avoided taking responsibility for what he had done by forcing a trial during which he claimed that his wife had attacked him, and he had killed her in self-defence . He further testified he did not intend to kill her. The jury's guilty verdict indicates that they rejected both these positions. McGuigan argued during the trial that Sandor had killed Margit because she was trying to kick him out of the Regency Court apartment and because he suspected her of a past infidelity. In his submissions, Carter argued a parole ineligibility period of 12 years was more appropriate. He pointed to an autopsy report that found Margit had an enlarged heart and noted it remains unclear how significant a role it played in her death. Carter also said Sandor had taken responsibility by leaving a note near Margit's body in which he acknowledged killing her. He then left the apartment, told the property manager to call police and then confessed to a police officer that he had killed his wife. The defence attorney also raised concerns about how Sandor would fair in prison noting he does not speak English, which limits his ability to communicate in custody. He also has significant vision issues and no eyewear. Mills is expected to deliver Sandor's sentence on July 22. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Spinoff
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
Fury of the Small: Journey to The Heart and Clover
In episode six, our goblins hit the town, the dance floor and several dead ends as they try to uncover the whereabouts of the halfling bard. Fury of the Small blends radio drama, improv comedy and tabletop roleplaying into a unique audio experience. In our story, four stalwart heroes delve into a goblin den seeking fame and fortune. Months later, four avenging goblins step into the human world seeking retribution. All that follows is decided by the roll of the dice! The fires of grief burn bright in our goblins' hearts as the memories of the massacre begin to fade. But they are alight with a dual purpose: to find Karla Rose and rescue the kidnapped goblin, Sandor. The only question is, how? The answer comes from the unlikeliest of allies – an uncanny power hidden behind a velvet purr and slitted eyes. Smash cut to the streets of Highfalls – a den of vice and villainy. Picture a smuggler's haven, built on rickety stilts clinging to a sheer cliffside, waves crashing far below. Thugs, bandits, pirates, and petty thieves prowl the alleys. But amid the melee beats the heart and soul of the settlement: The Heart and Clover, a nightclub born of your wildest dreams. And somewhere inside, beyond the glamour and the grime, a halfling bard lies in wait. Fury of the Small is a limited series Dungeons & Dragons podcast produced by The Wild Magic Tavern, in partnership with The Spinoff. It stars Brynley Stent, Arlo Gibson, Ella Hope-Higginson, Tom Eason and Paddy Carroll with sound design by Te Aihe Butler.
Tatler Asia
05-06-2025
- Business
- Tatler Asia
World Environment Day: These designers are making a case for sustainable fashion
Vivienne Westwood Above Designer Dame Vivienne Westwood () The late Dame Vivienne Westwood was a singular force in English fashion, whose punk-fuelled rebellion matured into a powerful call for environmental action. Although she launched her eponymous label in the 1970s, her focus pivoted towards sustainability in the 2010s. Her now-iconic philosophy—'Buy less, choose well, make it last'—became a global manifesto for conscious consumption, encouraging quality over quantity. The label kept fabric overstock below five per cent and committed to sourcing 90 to 95 per cent sustainable cotton, alongside responsibly sourced viscose, a strict no-fur policy and a dedication to leather alternatives. Beyond the brand, Westwood was an outspoken environmental advocate, collaborating with organisations such as Greenpeace—designing its Save the Arctic logo—and donating more than £1.5 million (approximately US$1.9 million) to Cool Earth, while also supporting Amnesty International and Friends of the Earth. Nanushka Co-founded by Sandra Sandor in 2005, Nanushka has become a contemporary luxury label known for its 'modern bohemian' aesthetic and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability. A cornerstone of the brand's innovation is Okobor™, its proprietary vegan leather developed over two years using recycled polyester sourced from post-consumer plastic bottles. Since the pre-autumn 2022 collection, all of Sandor's alternative-leather pieces have been crafted using this textile breakthrough. Circularity is at the heart of Nanushka's ethos. Its Anew collections breathe new life into archival designs using leftover materials from the brand's atelier. The label also advocates for more sustainable consumption through collaborations with resale and rental platforms including TheRealReal and Rent the Runway. Sandor has pledged to reduce Nanushka's greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, with a long-term ambition of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Brunello Cucinelli Above Brunello Cucinelli wins Community and Social Justice award at the 2017 Green Carpet Fashion Awards () Italian designer Brunello Cucinelli masterfully fuses timeless style with humanistic values. From the brand's headquarters in the restored medieval village of Solomeo, Italy, Cucinelli champions a philosophy of 'humanistic capitalism'—placing equal weight on profit, human dignity and cultural preservation. Renowned for its fine craftsmanship, the brand responsibly sources raw materials such as its signature high-quality cashmere. Cucinelli has also set ambitious sustainability targets, including reducing direct emissions by 70 per cent by 2028 and achieving net-zero by 2050. Environmental initiatives include the use of renewable energy, strict waste management protocols and eco-conscious dyeing processes. Beyond fashion, the brand reinvests a portion of its profits into cultural initiatives—from art restoration and education to the revitalisation of public spaces in Solomeo. Gabriela Hearst Gabriela Hearst launched her eponymous label in 2015, drawing inspiration from her family's 17,000-acre ranch in Uruguay, where durability and craftsmanship were everyday values. Her philosophy of 'honest luxury' centres on timeless design and environmental responsibility. Today, 30 per cent of the label's materials are made from deadstock fabrics. Collections often feature merino wool sourced from her family's farm, alongside material innovations such as Inversa™ Python leather—an alternative crafted from invasive species to help preserve biodiversity. In 2019, she made fashion history with the first-ever carbon-neutral, plastic-free runway show. Her boutiques also reflect this commitment to sustainability, with her New York flagship constructed using 90 per cent reclaimed construction waste. During her three-year tenure as creative director of Chloé, Hearst led the French maison to become the first European luxury fashion house to receive B Corp certification. Marine Serre Since winning the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers in 2017, Marine Serre has become a standout voice in the sustainability movement, recognised for her crescent moon logo and futuristic, upcycled fashion. Half of each of her collections are crafted from repurposed materials—think vintage scarves, denim and neoprene scuba suits. The other half incorporates lower-impact textiles such as biodegradable yarns and GOTS-certified organic cotton. At her 3,000-square-metre Paris atelier, Serre merges large-scale textile upcycling with creative design and public workshops aimed at sharing sustainable practices. She's also expanded her vision into furniture and accessories, bringing her circular philosophy to a wider lifestyle offering.
Euronews
28-05-2025
- Euronews
Severe flooding cripples Romania's historic Praid salt mine
Heavy flooding in Romania's Harghita County — the worst in the past three decades — has led to critical conditions at the historical Praid salt mine, one of Europe's largest salt reserves and a major tourist attraction in the country, authorities said. According to County Prefect Petres Sandor, the inflow of water is uncontrollable. "We lost the fight with nature. The water has started to enter the salt mine again, with a flow that cannot be controlled at the moment," Sandor told local press. "Authorities will carry out an expertise as soon as possible to establish the condition of the walls, the pillars inside the mine, and to decide what to do next," he added. The Praid salt mine dates back to Roman times. In recent times, the attraction on the Via Transilvanica long-distance trail also served as a medical centre and a tourist destination, including an adventure park, a cinema, a small museum and other facilities, all located some 120 metres underground. The authorities are yet to determine the extent of the salt mine emergency and the impact of the flooding. "The situation is complicated. When water comes into contact with the salt, it immediately melts it and makes a hole," Sorin Rindasu, head of the Emergency Situations department in the Romanian Waters Administration, said. The flow of the Corund stream increased, resulting in the water further pouring into the mine, he added. Authorities say that although the situation is critical, the flooding will not destabilise the entire mine. "it would take quite a while for the water to dissolve so much salt inside to pose a problem of stability, we are talking about months, years, not days, weeks, in any case," Sandor said. In recent years, water leaks have already posed a problem to the mine, and authorities have carried out works to prevent infiltration. The Romanian government offered assistance to the region to deal with the emergency situation, and the ministry of economy assured the residents that it would make further investments to reduce the impact of the salt mine's flooding on Romanian tourism and reopen the mine for visitors.
