
-
Maresca non-committal over Sancho's future at Chelsea
-
WHO facing $2.5-bn gap even after slashing budget: report
-
Real Madrid coach Ancelotti tells tax trial did not seek to defraud
-
Chinese tourists pine for Taiwan's return as Beijing jets surround island
-
Singapore detains teenage boy allegedly planning to kill Muslims
-
What is the 'Qatargate' scandal roiling Israel?
-
AI coming for anime but Ghibli's Miyazaki irreplaceable, son says
-
Swedish insurer drops $160 mn Tesla stake over labour rights
-
Hunger returns to Gaza as Israeli blockade forces bakeries shut
-
Rubio heads to Europe as transatlantic tensions soar
-
Like 'living in hell': Quake-hit Mandalay monastery clears away rubble
-
'Give me a break': Trump tariffs threaten Japan auto sector
-
US approves $5.58 bn fighter jet sale to Philippines
-
Tsunoda embracing pressure of Red Bull debut at home Japanese GP
-
'Outstanding' Hay shines as New Zealand seal Pakistan ODI series
-
El Salvador's Bukele flaunts 'iron fist' alliance with Trump
-
Stock markets mixed as uncertainty rules ahead of Trump tariffs
-
China probes for key target weak spots with 'paralysing' Taiwan drills
-
'Top Gun' and Batman star Val Kilmer dies aged 65: New York Times
-
US lawmakers seek to rename street for Hong Kong's jailed Jimmy Lai
-
Greece to spend big on 'historic' military shake up
-
Trump faces first electoral setback after Wisconsin Supreme Court vote
-
Hay shines as New Zealand beat Pakistan for ODI series win
-
Israel says expands Gaza offensive to seize 'large areas'
-
Curry drops 52 as Warriors win, Jokic bags career-high 61 in Denver loss
-
South Korea mobilising 'all resources' for violence-free Yoon verdict
-
Myanmar quake victim rescued after 5 days as aid calls grow
-
Real Madrid coach Ancelotti tax fraud trial set to begin
-
Warner showcases 'Superman' reboot, new DiCaprio film
-
'Incredible' Curry scores 52 as Warriors down Grizzlies, Bucks edge Suns
-
Asian markets edge up but uncertainty rules ahead of Trump tariffs
-
Nintendo's megahit Switch console: what to know
-
Nintendo to unveil upgrade to best-selling Switch console
-
China practises hitting key ports, energy sites in Taiwan drills
-
Oil, sand and speed: Saudi gearheads take on towering dunes
-
All eyes on Tsunoda at Japan GP after ruthless Red Bull move
-
'Image whisperers' bring vision to the blind at Red Cross museum
-
Hay shines as New Zealand make 292-8 in Pakistan ODI
-
Other governments 'weaponising' Trump language to attack NGOs: rights groups
-
UK imposes online entry permit on European visitors
-
How a Brazilian chief is staving off Amazon destruction
-
Meme politics: White House embraces aggressive alt-right online culture
-
China launches military drills in Taiwan Strait
-
US senator smashes record with 25-hour anti-Trump speech
-
Brazil binman finds newborn baby on garbage route
-
US senator smashes record with marathon anti-Trump speech
-
Trump advisor Waltz faces new pressure over Gmail usage
-
NHI Announces $63.5 Million Senior Housing Investment
-
Miami Church Covers 100% of Uber Rides to Easter Service-Tips Included
-
Niger junta frees ministers of overthrown government

Water cuts add to frustrations ahead of S.Africa vote
Anger is mounting in some Johannesburg districts left without water for more than a week, fewer than three months before general elections marked by voter discontent with South Africa's failing infrastructure.
With power cuts and potholes already part of daily life, recent water shortages have increased the frustration of many over poor service delivery -- a key election issue -- in the country's most populous city.
"I haven't had a bath, or a shower or even a wash, for the past 11 days," complained white-haired Cecilia Walsh, as she took out jerry cans from her car before queueing behind a water tanker sent by the city.
"At least now I can give my dog some water... I might get a bucket bath a bit later."
South Africa is the continent's most industrialised nation, but access to basic services such as water, electricity and refuse collection is a recurring source of anger for many of the 62 million inhabitants.
Shouting "We want water" and holding placards reading "No water, this stinks!", a few dozen people protested in a northern Johannesburg district on Tuesday as, some 500 kilometres (300 miles) away in the port city of Durban, students and civil servants demonstrated against blackouts.
"We pay our taxes, now show us what it's for," said Johannesburg protester Niamh Faherty.
"We've waited long enough, it's been 10 days...and we still don't have any water, I mean you can imagine with the two young kids, and it's just frustrating," said Nkosinathi Khumalo, another demonstrator.
- Crippling power cuts -
Due to a shortfall in energy production and frequent breakdowns at its ageing power stations, South Africa has for years suffered from economy-crippling, rolling power cuts that at their worst last up to 12 hours a day.
These eased in recent months, but water troubles soon appeared, further fuelling widespread frustration at the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
Struggling in the polls, the party risks losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since the advent of democracy in 1994 amid accusations of mismanagement and corruption, and high rates of crime, poverty and unemployment.
Some 27.5 million South Africans are registered to vote in national and provincial elections on May 29.
"It's just a shame that we can't sort out our own infrastructure in this place," said Andrew McPhail, another Johannesburg resident who has been without water for a week.
- Pipes and pools -
Tens of thousands of others have been affected by the water crisis that hit around 30 affluent, predominantly-white northern suburbs, where many live in houses with gardens surrounded by high-walls and electric fences to dissuade burglars.
Some have been drawing water from their swimming pools to wash and flush toilets.
Authorities have cited an array of causes for the shortage: dilapidated pipes, a rise in consumption linked to a heatwave and electrical faults affecting pumps.
Built over a massive gold deposit, Johannesburg does not have any major natural water source, such as a river or lake, so the high-lying city is largely supplied by pumping from elsewhere.
Tim Truluck, a local councillor of the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, told AFP that it recently took more than a year to replace the pipes in a single Johannesburg suburb, at a cost of about $5 million.
Renovating the entire network would take decades, he said, describing the job as "massive and at the moment insurmountable".
In a retirement home on the outskirts of the city, residents aged 84 on average and often bedridden, have been washed and treated for nine days using water from a well or donations from neighbours.
"There are lots of unanswered questions, and it's difficult to explain it to the elderly who are really suffering," said director Minda van Niekerk.
D.Cunningha--AMWN