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Between Meetings With Sowetan | Your Daily Lunchtime Read
Your daily leisurely read.

MAHLATSE’S DAILY WORLD CUP TALKING POINT | Wait finally over as tournament kicks off at Azteca
Famed venue will be packed with a wall of green supporters behind Mexico as they face Bafana Bafana.
SOCCER FEVER: Madlanga Commission goes green and gold for Bafana’s World Cup opener
In a rare break from the usual sea of dark suits, the commissioners and evidence leaders at the Madlanga Commission arrived decked out in Bafana Bafana colours on Thursday, showing their support for South Africa before the Fifa World Cup 2026 opener against Mexico.

Madlanga Commission: How Ramaphosa dashed Sandile Khumalo’s Bafana dream
Advocate Sandile Khumalo will be watching Bafana Bafana from home after the president extended the commission’s lifespan.
RACE READY: Comrades marks 50th edition of ‘up run’ with big focus on safety
The 50th Comrades “up run” will be the shortest in recent history, with organisers introducing expanded safety measures for the country’s most iconic race.

News24 | Cherry’s pick: Cape octopus predicts the winner of Bafana vs Mexico
Paul the octopus made headlines 16 years ago for his ‘superpower’ in predicting football results. Now, Cherry, the Two Oceans Aquarium’s resident octopus, has made her own prediction for Thursday night’s opening game between Bafana Bafana and Mexico.
Military helicopter crash in Pakistani Kashmir killed 22, security sources say
At least 22 personnel were killed in Wednesday’s military helicopter crash in Pakistani Kashmir, security sources said on Thursday, as funeral processions were held in the territory’s capital Muzaffarabad.
Sweden drops plan to lower age of criminal responsibility to 13 years old
Sweden’s right of centre government will drop its controversial plan to cut the age of criminal responsibility to 13-years-old from the current 15-years-old, it said on Thursday.

Rapper Emtee granted bail after spending a night behind bars
Mthombeni Ndevu, popularly known as ‘Emtee’, has been granted bail of R1,000 after spending a night at Midrand police station.

German union calls for swift action to secure VW’s Osnabrueck plant
Workers at Volkswagen’s plant in Osnabrueck say they expect swift action from management to secure the future of the site ahead of the scheduled end of production next year.
Iran war likely to spike Ethiopia’s spending in next financial year
The Ethiopian government predicts economic growth of 10.1% next year
Ten-year-old American fashion designer shuttles between school and runways
At four years old, Max Alexander told his parents he was a dressmaker. By age 10, he was showing a collection at Paris Fashion Week.

Magesi’s Freese counts on home ground advantage to see off Milford
Dikwena tša Meetse need a victory to retain their Premiership status
India monsoon slows; below-average rain seen over next two weeks
India is expected to receive below-average rainfall over the next two weeks, especially in central and northern regions, as “western disturbances” have slowed the progress of the annual monsoon, two senior weather bureau officials said on Thursday.

Lenacapavir: Looking for ‘Lena’ in South Africa
Find out who can get Lenacapavir in South Africa, how it works, where to find it, and why many call it ‘Lena’.

Mexico’s star players — what Bafana are up against in World Cup opener
Coach Javier Aguirre has set Mexico up for uncompromising football that gives precious little away, making fast counterattacks count

WATCH | Free State pupil, 22, arrested for ‘assault’ on student teacher
A 22-year-old pupil was arrested for assaulting a student teacher and will appear in court.
News24 | DA’s Rasilingwane vows to end Ekurhuleni’s chaos, targets ANC in two-horse mayoral race
DA mayoral candidate for the City of Ekurhuleni, Khathu Rasilingwane, says the battle for control of the metro is a two-horse race between her party and the ANC.

WATCH LIVE | Madlanga commission of inquiry continues
The Madlanga commission will hear witness testimony on Thursday