Sections The three children of the Prince and Princess of Wales hadn’t been seen in a public capacity together since Christmas Day Audi announce organisational restructure ahead of F1 arrival in 2026 5 Winners and 5 Losers from Miami – Who excelled in the Sunshine State Tsunoda concedes he ‘made life much more difficult’ with five-second penalty in Miami after battling for final point Antonelli taking plenty of positives from Miami weekend despite struggles on way to P6 in the Grand Prix ‘We took the tough decision’ – Vasseur defends Ferrari team orders situation in Miami as he acknowledges Hamilton’s frustration Red Bull have had their protest of George Russell rejected by the Stewards following the Miami Grand Prix resulting in the Mercedes driver keeping his podium finish ahead of fourth-placed Max Verstappen The Milton Keynes outfit submitted a protest earlier alleging that Russell had failed to slow under yellow flags which if successful could have led to a penalty that would have promoted the Dutchman to P3 as he crossed the line 2.3s behind the Mercedes READ MORE: Piastri wins from Norris and Russell as McLaren seal commanding 1-2 in Miami Grand Prix When Ollie Bearman's Haas suffered a likely engine failure and became stranded on track Russell elected to pit for fresh tyres under the beneficial conditions brought about by the Virtual Safety Car and he ultimately returned to the track ahead of Verstappen in third when Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto pulled off the road with power unit problems another Virtual Safety Car was deployed with Verstappen – still behind Russell – asking his team to "check if George lifted Russell narrowly finished ahead of Verstappen in Miami Red Bull subsequently launched a protest into the Briton claiming he failed to slow under yellow flags after the Stewards met with representatives from both teams they concluded that the matter should be rejected told media prior to the outcome confirmation: "We felt that Russell has done something that is in breach of the regs as they are written so that's why we put a protest in today The regulations say there should be a reduction in speed and that is why Max flagged it immediately from what he saw within the cockpit." 2025 Miami Grand Prix: Russell emerges from the pits ahead of Verstappen to take P3 The document explaining the Stewards’ decision outlined that Red Bull accepted Russell did lift the throttle but believed this did not slow him down enough and therefore went against the regulations It added that there is no specific wording around whether reducing speed in a yellow flag zone means the "absolute speed" or "the speed relative to the regular racing speed" in that specific part of the track They concluded that Car 63 was "considerably slower than the regular racing speed" when the yellow flag was shown rejecting the protest and labelling it as "not founded" The outcome means that Verstappen stays in P4 for the Miami Grand Prix and is just six points ahead of Russell in the Drivers' Standings. Don't miss your chance to experience the picturesque Imola circuit.. MIAMI LOWDOWN: All the key moments as McLaren and Antonelli shine, Ferrari face tensions and LEGO takes over MONDAY MORNING DEBRIEF: How Leclerc and Hamilton’s opposing Miami strategies culminated in fractious Ferrari radio exchanges HIGHLIGHTS: Piastri leads McLaren 1-2 after thrilling race in Miami Driveable LEGO big builds welcomed to Miami drivers’ parade Cadillac unveil their team logo and brand during dazzling Miami launch event ahead of 2026 entry 'It was frustrating' – Hamilton opens up on tense Miami radio messages during Ferrari strategy debate Stella ‘surprised’ by McLaren advantage after 1-2 in Miami as he hails particular area of engineering 'excellence' 5 Winners and 5 Losers from Miami – Who excelled in the Sunshine State? STRATEGY GUIDE: What are the tactical options for the Miami Grand Prix? © 2003-2025 Formula One World Championship Limited Romania has donated a Patriot air defence battery to Kyiv is training Ukrainian fighter pilots and has enabled the export of 30 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain through its Black Sea port of Constanta since Russia's invasion.The country's president can also veto important EU votes and appoints the prime minister prosecutors and secret service heads.The Trump administration has accused Romania of suppressing political opposition and lacking democratic values after November's election was cancelled on what Vice President JD Vance called "flimsy evidence".Editing by Giles Elgood Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Bucharest-based general news reporter covering a wide range of Romanian topics from elections and economics to climate change and festivals. , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved Become part of the largest racing community in the United Kingdom Red Bull's bid to see George Russell handed a penalty to promote Max Verstappen to third was strongly rejected The FIA has offered a clear explanation as to why a Red Bull protest against Mercedes' George Russell after the Miami Grand Prix was rejected Verstappen finished fourth at the Miami International Autodrome A virtual safety car had compromised the four-time F1 champion's bid for a podium behind the dominant McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris Red Bull sought to promote Verstappen to third by lodging a protest against Russell for not reducing his speed during a yellow-flag period at one stage during the race Verstappen had radioed through to suggest as such Red Bull hinted late in the race that it would take action against Russell when it ordered Verstappen to try and remain within five seconds of the British driver A five-second penalty would have demoted Russell behind Verstappen Red Bull claimed that although Russell lifted the throttle when the yellow flag was displayed so failing to comply with the requirements of Article 26.1 a) of the FIA sporting regulations The rule states that in a single-waved yellow-flag period "any driver passing through a waved yellow-flag marshalling sector must reduce their speed and be prepared to change direction "For the stewards to be satisfied that any such driver has complied with these requirements they are expected to have braked earlier and/or discernibly reduced speed in the relevant marshalling sector." Red Bull suggested that “discernibly reduced speed” should be interpreted as passing the yellow-flag zone at an absolute speed lower than the speed before entering the yellow-flag zone Mercedes argued that the common practice accepted by all teams and the FIA was that significantly lifting the throttle in a yellow-flag zone is considered an appropriate reaction The team also suggested Russell had lifted more than Verstappen had observed from onboard footage and the telemetry from Russell's car it was evident that he "lifted the throttle when passing the yellow-flag zone and this resulted in a reduction of torque of approx a statement added the relevant article in the sporting regulations "requires the driver to have 'discernibly reduced speed' in a yellow-flag zone but does not specify if that means reducing the absolute speed or reducing the speed relative to the regular racing speed in the relevant part of the track "The speed of car 63 [Russell] in the yellow-flag zone was considerably slower than the regular racing speed but the absolute speed while passing through the yellow-flag zone increased slightly "The stewards determine that the requirement of Article 26.1 a) concerning the reduction of speed in a yellow-flag zone can only relate to a reduction relative to the regular racing speed as the reduction of the absolute speed can depending on the part of the track in which the yellow flag is displayed represent a compliance or a non-compliance with the regulations whereas a reduction of the relative speed always signals that the driver has acknowledged and respected the yellow flag the absolute speed can be reduced without necessarily complying with the regulations." with Red Bull's €2,000 deposit for launching the protest forfeited Join RacingNews365's Sam Coop and Nick Golding as they look back on the biggest talking points from the Miami Grand Prix Oscar Piastri taking charge and Max Verstappen needing to change his McLaren approach are major discussions Rather watch the podcast? Then click here! Sign up for the daily digest and/or weekly newsletter and we'll make sure that you are fully up to date with the latest news from the Formula 1 world Find the latest F1 news and news from other motorsport series at RacingNews365.com the world's leading independent F1 website providing daily F1 coverage Check out the 2025 F1 calendar for an overview of all the races, with extensive background and real-time information.  Follow RacingNews365 on your favorite social media channels! You don't have permission to access the page you requested. What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed. GEORGE NEWS - The month of May marks International Internal Audit Awareness Month, a time dedicated to recognising the vital role of Internal Audit professionals and elevating the profession's visibility.  The Internal Audit Department at George Municipality is proud to participate in this global initiative by launching an awareness campaign to showcase the value-added role of Internal Audit within the organisation. Led by JP Rossouw, Chief Audit Executive, the George Internal Audit Team is enthusiastic about promoting the importance of internal audit and encouraging young South Africans to consider a career in this field.  As guardians of good governance and risk management, internal auditors play a crucial role in enhancing processes and adding value to organisations. Throughout May, the Internal Audit Department will collaborate with the Media Office to publish informative content on the municipal social media platforms. This content will highlight the role and responsibilities of internal audit, as well as address frequently asked questions to increase awareness and understanding. In addition to informative content, the Internal Audit Department will host weekly competitions with exciting prizes for participants.  Questions related to internal audit will be circulated to all users via a provided link, inviting everyone to participate and engage in celebrating International Internal Audit Awareness Month. The George Municipal Internal Audit Team comprises of dedicated professionals committed to providing value-added services to the organisation. The team includes Jean-Pierre Rossouw (Chief Audit Executive); Bongiwe Mgwali (Principal Clerk: Internal Audit); Heybré Ellis (Manager: Internal Audit); Zimasa Bulo (Senior Internal Auditor); Kloper Mabunda (Internal Auditor); Natacha Martins (IA Intern) and Xolisile Sotushe (IA Intern) with the support of Moore Southern Cape as a co-sourced Internal Audit Service Provider. The Internal Audit Department welcomes inquiries and encourages individuals to reach out for further information about the role and responsibilities of Internal Audit. ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’  Prince William hailed for 'passionate' football punditry as future King shows his 'relatable' side - 'He is connecting with people'. Prince William has made his feelings clear about his support for Aston Villa after watching the Birmingham-based football club suffer a heartbreaking elimination from the Champions League The Prince of Wales attended both of Aston Villa's quarter-final clashes with Paris Saint Germain (PSG) along with his son Prince George The royals watched Villa suffer a disappointing 3-1 defeat in Paris during the first leg of the quarter-final They attended the second leg at Villa Park where Aston Villa fell just short of overcoming the two-goal deficit after recording a 3-2 victory over PSG The French football team qualified for the semi-finals due to winning the tie 5-4 on aggregate Prince William has taken to social media to pay tribute to Aston Villa The Prince of Wales wrote: "Thank you to everyone who made April so special @EarthshotPrize @footballontnt @AVFCOfficial @scouts @mentivity @united4wildlife" @AVFCOfficial is Aston Villa's official social media account Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News that William and George's shared passion for football is different to the relationship the Prince of Wales had with his father King Charles Fitzwilliams said: "Charles did not project the sort of exuberance that William is passing on to George "This is a new persona within the Royal Family "That is reflected in the sports you like but it does take the royal image to a far more informal place "An enthusiasm for a sport that is so popular does help build a connection." the Prince of Wales joined football pundits Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist ahead of Villa's match against Paris St Germain to discuss tactics TV insiders were highly impressed with Prince William's football knowledge A royal source revealed: "Prince William absolutely loved the experience and would 100% be up for doing it again He is a passionate football fan and has really enjoyed following Aston Villa's success this season." The source added that William believes "the beautiful game has the power to bring communities together" and is pleased his appearance received such a positive reaction AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale JOHANNESBURG - Its been a year since that tragic accident in which 34 construction workers died in the Western Cape five-story block of flats in the Garden Route town imploded READ | George building collapse | Victims, families seek justice, one year on Now Five National Home Builders Registration Council officials have been suspended An investigation has concluded that the collapse was the result of systematic failures across multiple levels of oversight gmun@george.gov.za MORE CONTACTS George Municipality © 2020 | All rights reserved Thembi Simelane on 9 April 2025 briefs the media on the outcomes of the National Home Builders Regulatory Council’s investigation into a building that collapsed in George CAPE TOWN - Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has on Wednesday briefed the media on the outcomes of the National Home Builders Regulatory Council [NHBRC] investigation into the George building collapse collapsed in May last year and killed 34 people It was still under construction at the time ALSO READ: George building collapse: Good Party calls for release of investigation findings On Friday, Simelane shared investigation findings with the parliamentary portfolio committee that officials had not properly registered the development before construction started. Wednesday's briefing follows Simelane's undertaking several weeks ago that she would take the nation into her confidence once the report was finalised. "The investigation into this process revealed significant irregularities in the registration process. The company in question inaccurately presented its capabilities during the registration phase. Among other things, it failed to declare its intention to construct a multi-storey building. This omission by its very nature breached the NHBRC's policies." Simelane says a contractor was allowed to proceed with the multi-storey building construction without the proper enrolment process for such a structure. "Even more disturbing was the unlawful use of other officials' credentials to enrol the first phase of the project. This actually demonstrated the breakdown in NHBRC internal processes." Simelane says there were gaps in the competency of key personnel. "This included unqualified personnel who lacked formal qualifications in engineering or quantity surveying, and they were playing critical roles in areas such as inspection. And if you are not qualified, you really won't even know what to expect, and that's one of the reasons which led to the problems that subsequently befell the George building." Simelane says the investigation revealed that the George Municipality approved the plans when construction had already begun. "This means the work on site started before approvals were finalised. In summary, the investigation concluded that the collapse of a building was as a result of systemic failures across multiple levels of oversight." You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed South Africa (03 May 2025) – There’s something refreshingly brilliant happening in George it’s not just the mountain air or the coast calling It’s coming straight out of the aisles of the Outeniqua Spar where a local supermarket team has taken the internet by storm with their hilarious creative and proudly South African approach to social media you’d expect this to be just another Spar store But scroll through their social media feeds and it’s a different story altogether Taste tests that have customers belly-laughing Letting their Gen Z team run wild with quirky content ideas “You guys have the best social media 😭😭 top tier marketing,” one user wrote it’s admiration for a local store that’s daring to do things differently Whether she’s dramatically taste-testing new products or throwing side-eyes that would make Meryl Streep jealous Anna is winning hearts faster than a two-for-one special “The way I wanna have cocktails with this diva,” someone commented summing up what most of the internet seems to be feeling Others have called her “a living legend” and “such a delight ❤️” having fun and making South Africans laugh during the weekly shop We absolutely love what the Outeniqua Spar team is doing It’s clever content but it’s also about connection It’s reminding us that joy can be found in the every day and that laughter truly is the secret sauce They’re also showing what happens when businesses trust their people lean into creativity and embrace the uniquely South African flavour that makes us all who we are And if that’s what the future of marketing looks like A post shared by @outeniquasuperspar A post shared by @outeniquasuperspar A post shared by @outeniquasuperspar A post shared by @outeniquasuperspar Brent Lindeque is the founder and editor in charge at Good Things Guy Recognised as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s as well as a Primedia LeadSA Hero Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id" "ac0ba087a0ce717ac1620a008687f52c" );document.getElementById("d2d9e305b5").setAttribute( "id" and website in this browser for the next time I comment Would you like to receive truly phenomenal inspirational and good thing stories right to your inbox Then subscribe to our weekly GoodThingsGuy newsletter today I accept GTG’s Privacy Policy GoodThingsGuy is the home of everything good and those are the things that really matter We believe that there is good news all around us and over 1 million readers a month agree with us GoodThingsGuy was officially launched on the 1 August 2015 in order to only promote good news inspirational stories and promote only positive multi-platform media company that distills unique content across multiple media platforms We consider individual and corporate contributions through the website or mail us directly here. Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again The royal siblings stepped out alongside their parents for a special palace event commemorating the end of World War II in Europe Janine Henni is a Royals Staff Writer for PEOPLE Digital covering modern monarchies and the world's most famous families play iconThe King, Prince of Wales and Prime Minister arrive for military procession to mark 80 years since VE Day. Princess Charlotte and Prince George joined the Prince and Princess of Wales at Buckingham Palace today for a significant Second World War commemoration event The young royals were part of a larger family gathering that included King Charles and Queen Camilla and The Duke of Kent were also present for the solemn occasion The Prime Minister attended alongside the Royal Family for this important tribute to those who served during the Second World War The event brought together multiple generations of royals to honour the wartime generation The Royal Family gathered on the Queen Victoria Memorial outside the palace to observe military units processing down The Mall from Whitehall They stood alongside veterans from the Royal British Legion as they watched the solemn procession The event honoured those who served during the Second World War the Royal Family will return to Buckingham Palace before appearing on the balcony to witness a flypast Veterans will observe the aerial display from the palace gardens joined by the Prime Minister and other senior guests The flypast will form a central part of the day's commemorations honouring the wartime generation and the Queen will host a tea party for veterans and members of the Second World War generation Around 50 veterans and people who lived through the war will attend the special reception Guests will include those from British and Commonwealth Armed Forces The Marble Corridor of Buckingham Palace will be decorated with bunting made from recycled fabrics from the Royal estates Family members and carers will accompany the veterans will join Their Majesties at the reception The Prime Minister will also be present to honour those who contributed to the war effort on the home front legend's hit song 'Careless Whisper' has topped the chart for 2025 We've just spent the early May bank holiday counting down your all-time favourite songs And thanks to your votes, George Michael's 'Careless Whisper' was crowned winner by Angie Greaves Just missing out on the top spot was Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' which landed in second place, and another song from George at number three: 'A Different Corner' Andrew Ridgeley described 'Careless Whisper' topping the chart as a "remarkable feat" "I'm not sure that when George and I wrote that in 1981 that we thought that it would be the nation's favourite for so many years "It's a remarkable testament to the song's enduring nature and to the wonderful record that Yog made of it." Wham!'s Andrew Ridgeley has a message for Smooth listeners following Smooth's All Time Top 500 Andrew goes on to thank Smooth Radio listeners for their continued support Elsewhere in the chart, Michael Jackson had two songs in the top ten this year; 'Man In The Mirror' just missing out on the top three at number four, and 'Billie Jean' at number seven In at number five was Simon and Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', followed by Luther Vandross' 'Dance With My Father' 'Careless Whisper' by George Michael Our annual countdown of the nation’s favourite songs took place across the May Bank Holiday weekend, and is available to listen to on catch-up anytime on Global Player – the home of Smooth career reflections & advice for his younger self See more Latest Music News George Michael Ed Sheeran See more Latest Features ABBA TV & Film Country Freddie Mercury Romanians living abroad are poised to help usher the far right into power back home Nationalist firebrand George Simion stormed to first place in Sunday’s presidential vote taking about 40 percent of the overall vote and securing his place in the runoff But his margin of victory among the diaspora was even wider scoring the backing of more than 60 percent of Romanians abroad A potent cocktail of ultranationalist rhetoric anti-establishment messaging and relentless TikTok campaigning helped Simion clean up abroad And with less than two weeks before the second round of the election “I don’t know if those in the diaspora understand that through their vote they can destroy this country,” renowned Romanian economist Cristian Păun warned local media Monday. About four million Romanians live and work abroad seeking better economic and educational opportunities outside the Eastern European country of 19 million people Spain and Germany are home to the biggest numbers of Romanian expats with more than 70 percent of votes cast going to the hard-right leader often low-paid work and have found a political home in the policies and rhetoric of Simion a staunchly anti-establishment rabble-rouser who has blamed many of the country’s woes on its stagnant political class so the ones who left the country because of what they consider to be very low socioeconomic conditions for them,” said Oana-Valentina Suciu an assistant professor of political science at the University of Bucharest Although Romania’s economy has rallied significantly in the decades since it emerged from Nicolae Ceaușescu’s communist dictatorship, the country is still dogged by corruption and lower living standards than wealthier western and northern Europe “Simion was the only one who literally visited poor areas in Romania and Romanian communities in the diaspora so he was the one who apparently paid attention to them — even if actually the solutions that he proposes are completely unrealistic,” Suciu said Simion — who supports U.S. President Donald Trump’s MAGA agenda — wants to unify Romania and Moldova has called to terminate allied military aid to Ukraine and pledged he will break EU law if he disagrees with diktats from Brussels “What he proposes to them seems like a very easy solution for their problems,” Suciu said supporting Simion was less about his actual policies and more to do with opposing the establishment “They [Romanian expats] always go against the system irrespective of who the candidates are,” she said “Usually they go for what they consider to be an outsider.” When Simion faces off against opponent Nicușor Dan in two weeks’ time it will be the first time a candidate from one of the mainstream parties — the social democrats or national liberals — did not make it to the runoff “The vote is a clear rejection of the ruling coalition Both Simion and Dan are seen as ‘anti-system,’ even though they are diametrically opposed politically,” said Oana Lungescu former chief spokesperson for NATO and fellow at defense and security think tank the Royal United Services Institute “Romanians will face a stark choice on May 18 between an ultranationalist and a pro-Western candidate.” Romania’s election last November was annulled after the authorities uncovered a Russia-style influence operation on social media in favor of ultranationalist Călin Georgescu And it appears social media could ultimately play an outsized role in this election too. Simion has used social media to great effect to reach Romanians abroad, with 1.4 million followers on TikTok. As of Monday, his videos have been liked 30 million times. “He [Simion] is highly active on the social platforms especially the ones such as Instagram and TikTok that do not need too much attention you just scroll and see images and messages,” Suciu said a Romanian expat living in Belgium who preferred not to use his surname said Simion’s victory “would’ve been impossible without TikTok.” “He is a TikTok product and launched his whole movement on the back of Covid disinformation Simion’s AUR party fanned conspiracies during the Covid-19 pandemic opposing government measures to limit the spread of the virus and spreading falsehoods about vaccines to ride a wave of anti-science sentiment he kind of exploded during the pandemic … he does lives on TikTok all the time so he kind of gives off this really kind of genuine persona that he built,” Vlad said Most Romanians living in the diaspora were not well-educated and susceptible to Simion’s populist rhetoric and social media outreach it’s actually people who don’t have such a high level of education menial jobs … we’re talking about truck drivers people who look after the elderly,” he said “They were always kind of living in their bubbles in their communities sending all their money they were making back home and … living fairly lonely lives,” he added Simion bypassed traditional media to speak directly to those disenchanted diaspora voters promising to hear their concerns — and they returned the favor on Sunday and potentially all the way to the presidency The hard right cruised to victory in Sunday’s presidential election first round sparking the stunning announcement from socialist PM Marcel Ciolacu The nationalist chief vociferously supports Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni — and he leads the presidential race ahead of May 18’s critical second round “I urge both sides to show restraint,” the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says after discussions with senior New Delhi and Islamabad officials Northern and Western Europe are the best places in the world to be a journalist The George Municipality is proud to announce the appointment of Mr Godfrey Louw as the new Municipal Manager His term will extend until a year after the next local government elections in 2026 a highly experienced and respected public administrator brings nearly 35 years of local government experience with over 15 years in senior management roles His extensive background spans various leadership and administrative positions in municipalities across the country most recently serving as Acting Municipal Manager of George since October 2024 He holds an Honours Degree in Public Administration and a Municipal Minimum Competency (MMC) qualification a combination that provides both academic depth and practical expertise in governance and labour-related matters Mr Louw also held various roles in Saldanha Bay and within the former House of Representatives Administration Executive Mayor Ald Jackie von Brandis welcomed the appointment: “Mr Louw has already demonstrated outstanding leadership steering the municipality with a steady hand since taking over in an acting capacity and an incredible wealth of institutional knowledge to the role We have full confidence in his ability to take George forward with integrity and a firm commitment to responsive and people-centred governance.” Mr Louw’s leadership is expected to further enhance service delivery and support the municipality’s strategic development agenda In the photo: Computerised Learner’s Licence Testing effective Thursday In line with the adoption of modern technology the George Municipality is pleased to announce the implementation of Computerised Learner’s Licence Testing (CLLT) at the George Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) The new system replaces the traditional handwritten learner’s licence test with a fully computerised version the system eliminates several risks associated with the manual process including potential corruption and long waiting times for results Jackie von Brandis welcomed the advancement saying: “We are proud to introduce computerised learner’s licence testing at our Driving Licence Testing Centre This innovative step allows applicants to take the test in any of South Africa’s 11 official languages By minimising administrative errors and promoting fairness we are ensuring that only qualified and deserving individuals are issued learner’s licences.” The George Municipality remains committed to delivering efficient and citizen-friendly services through innovation Issued by George Municipality on behalf of the South African Weather Service The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging waves along parts of the Western Cape coastline — including George — valid from Thursday A south-westerly swell with wave heights of 3.5 to 4.5 metres accompanied by strong to near gale force winds (gusting up to 70km/h) is expected to result in rough sea conditions Please avoid risky coastal areas and stay updated through official weather channels Prince William and Princess Kate's children are continuing with their first public appearance of the year It is with great excitement that the department welcomes Mr Tshepo Kau asthe new CEO of George Hospital “Congratulations on your new role as CEO of George Hospital,” says ActingChief Director for Rural Health Services “Ourteam is excited about your arrival and your contribution On behalf of thedepartment and the Rural Health Services team Mr Kau is a seasoned healthcare management professional who has beenrecognised for his role in leading and transforming healthcare facilities inGauteng His qualifications include a BA in Healthand Social Sciences a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management andan MBA with a specialisation in Healthcare Management.  “I am thrilled to step into the role of CEO at George Regional Hospital,renowned for its exceptional quality of care and dedicated team ofprofessionals,” says Mr Kau “I am eager to inspire and lead a motivated,high-performing team introduce innovative processes for continuousimprovement and support the hospital’s mission of delivering outstandingpatient care I am confident we will elevateGeorge Regional Hospital to new levels of success.”  Get quick access to your favorite articles Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers Make your voice heard with article commenting Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell has avoided any sanction after Red Bull protested that he had failed to slow under yellow flags during the Miami Grand Prix Russell was ahead of Max Verstappen's Red Bull in third when Gabriel Bortoleto pulled off the road with power unit concerns leading to a virtual safety car being deployed he got onto the team radio to complain: “Check if George lifted There was no stewards’ investigation carried out on the incident during the race which ended with Russell finishing on the final step of the podium and Verstappen crossing the line just over two seconds behind after being told to stay within five seconds by Red Bull Both Russell and Red Bull were summoned at 1915 local time, although Russell had earlier skipped press conference duties due to “medial reasons” The stewards said in their decision that it was “evident from the onboard footage as well as from telemetry that car 63 lifted the throttle when passing the yellow flag zone” and was “considerably slower than the regular racing speed but the absolute speed while passing through the yellow flag zone increased slightly” saying that the reduction of speed in the zone essentially must be slower than regular race speed and the driver demonstrates their acknowledgement of the yellow flag (by slowing down) “I think there was a situation in terms of yellow flags,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said when asked about Red Bull’s message during the race “I think this is what Max said on the radio to check I don't know…not that we are aware of it.” From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport In order to keep delivering our expert journalism we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker Top right-wing officials across Europe hailed George Simion’s victory in the first round of Romania’s presidential re-run on Sunday as a major boost for nationalist and euroskeptic forces within the EU “Congratulations to George Simion, Vice President of ECR Party, on the excellent result in the first round of the presidential elections! Wishing you the best of luck in the second round!” said Mateusz Morawiecki former Polish prime minister and current president of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament anti-establishment agenda that mirrors MAGA-style rhetoric His victory on Sunday raises the prospect of Romania aligning with anti-Ukraine voices at the EU leaders’ table “In Romania the people finally voted, freely, with their heads and hearts. With all due respect to the ‘gentlemen’ of Brussels and their dirty tricks. Bravo George Simion!” said Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini “Congratulations to our ally George Simion who came out on top in the first round of the presidential election in Romania this evening, with more than 30 percent of the vote,” said Marion Maréchal, a senior official in France’s far-right Reconquête as initial results were announced Sunday evening Simion, founder of the hard-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), won more than 40 percent of the vote Sunday Centrist Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan came in second with just under 21 percent narrowly edging out establishment candidate Crin Antonescu Simion and Dan are set to face off in a runoff election on May 18 “The European Union is concerned at the planned extension of the operation by Israeli forces in Gaza,” a Commission spokesperson says President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the conflict have proved fruitless so far An uptick in gang violence has seen more than a dozen shootings so far this year Russia has yet to prove it wants to end the war GEORGE NEWS - Nuts don’t only have a practical purpose to hold stuff together Local artist Zane Pretorius elevates their status to that of something beautiful by piecing them together to form sculptures His latest - and biggest - piece to date is a magnificent metal elephant he painstakingly created out of 39 000 nuts This lovely piece of art is sure to become a new landmark in the George CBD having found its resting place at Dynarc House on the corner of Courtenay and Meade Street Commissioned by Dynarc CEO Willie van Heerden the elephant is a lovely depiction of the company’s elephant logo Van Heerden says he chose this logo many years ago because it embodies the power of Africa for him A crane truck was used to transport the sculpture from Pretorius’ studio at the back of his home in George South to Dynarc It took him four months of almost non-stop work to complete it but he said he was ecstatic to see it finally standing in the place it was made for He then sprayed expanding foam all over it Then followed a layer of plasticene and clay which allowed him to add life-like detail to the sculpture Plaster of Paris came last to form the mould which was the base to which the nuts were pieced together.  The sculpture was not moulded in one piece but various pieces of it were done separately and eventually welded together the sculpture was lasered and burnt with the help of two friends which will allow it to expand and contract with heat “Nuts give me the space to combine all the sculpting experience I have accumulated giving me a lifelike 3D honeycomb dimensional look I also want the viewer to use their own imagination in what they see,” said Pretorius Standing in a prominent location in one of George’s main streets and opposite the historic Mother Church PHOTO GALLERY: Elephant sculpture at Dynarc House embodies 'power of Africa' Artist Zane Pretorius (right) with Hardy Harry Local artist Zane Pretorius' latest masterpiece a life-sized metal elephant sculpture made from 39 000 nuts He spent four months assembling the sculpture welding the nuts together to create this striking landmark A crane truck was used to lift the elephant onto the Dynarc House stoep ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route GEORGE NEWS - A glimmer of hope has emerged for Ashley Oosthuizen (26) the young woman from George who has spent the past four years in a Thai prison on drug-related charges.  Ashley’s sentence has officially been reduced from 33.4 years to 13.4 years after her charges were downgraded from international drug smuggling to possession Her mother, Lynn Blignaut, shared the news during a live Facebook update from Thailand where she has been living since 2022 to support her daughter.  Ashley now qualifies for a royal pardon – a decision that could be announced as early as July if final court documents are received in time who was originally handed the death penalty in 2020 after unknowingly accepting a package containing MDMA later confessed online to being part of a drug ring insisting Ashley did not know about his activities In this week’s George Herald and online read more about Ashley’s emotional journey and her family’s call for her to be extradited to South Africa In the photo: Various exhibitors on the GR&KK stand at WTMA 2025 along with the Garden Route District Mayor Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism – the official tourism bureau of George Municipality proudly participated in the World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2025 held from 9 to 11 April at the Cape Town International Convention Centre Representing the region as part of the Garden Route and Klein Karoo stand the team joined forces with surrounding Garden Route towns and tourism exhibitors to promote the destination to a global audience of travel professionals WTM Africa is a premier international travel trade event that connects tourism buyers and sellers from across the globe Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism engaged in over 30 high-level meetings with international buyers “Participating in WTM Africa offers us valuable insights into emerging travel trends and buyer expectations from across different markets,” said Sharon House “It’s an excellent opportunity to showcase the diverse experiences our region offers and to connect buyers with the right local businesses We also support them with professional media content to help sell the destination more effectively.” In celebration of the destination’s new brand naturally” gift bags filled with destination maps and brochures The event also offered an invaluable opportunity to reconnect with buyers who had previously attended familiarisation (FAM) trips to the region strengthening existing relationships and fostering future collaborations Local tourism enterprises added strength to the region’s presence at the show The Wilderness Hotel and Redberry Farm exhibited on the shared stand while Views Boutique Hotel and Spa and Oakhurst Farm Cottages participated independently further showcasing the diversity of George’s tourism offerings The stand also featured George’s immersive 360-degree VR experiences allowing buyers to virtually explore the region’s highlights The Garden Route District Municipality played a pivotal role in the success of the stand contributing significantly to the stand fees and enabling subsidised participation coordinated by a regional committee made up of tourism office representatives offered affordable participation packages starting from R26,000 With features such as individual exhibitor desks lockable storage space and activation slots the stand once again sold out well ahead of the event A highlight of this year’s event was the visit by the Garden Route District Executive Mayor Ald who officially welcomed exhibitors and lent support to this longstanding marketing initiative Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism remains committed to positioning the region as a top-tier travel destination and WTM Africa continues to serve as a vital travel trade platform for connecting with global partners and promoting tourism growth Marcel Ciolacu quits after coalition candidate fails to make it to run-off against nationalist George Simion Romania’s pro-EU prime minister, Marcel Ciolacu, has resigned after his ruling coalition’s candidate crashed out of a presidential election rerun decisively won by a far-right Trump admirer dramatically deepening the country’s political turmoil “Rather than let the future president replace me told reporters after a meeting at the headquarters of his Social Democratic party (PSD) Ciolacu said the PSD would withdraw from the pro-western coalition – effectively ending it – while cabinet ministers will stay on in an interim capacity until a new majority can be negotiated after the presidential run-off on 18 May Sunday’s first-round vote was convincingly won by ultranationalist George Simion, 38, who sports Maga caps, pushes a socially conservative agenda and has called for the “Melonisation” – referring to Italy’s far-right prime minister – of Europe Simion’s score of 40.96% was almost double that of the second-placed finisher The two will face each other in a runoff that raises the prospect of another disruptive nationalist joining the EU leaders’ club The coalition candidate, Crin Antonescu, finished third in a bitter blow to the government, formed after December elections by the leftist PSD, the centrist Liberals and ethnic Hungarian UDMR to keep the EU and Nato member on a pro-western track Simion’s Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) and two other sovereignist parties won more than a third of parliamentary seats and forming a new majority without the far-right bloc will be hard – even more so if Simion is elected president A Simion victory – and a likely change of government – could lead to Romania, which shares a border with Ukraine veering away from the mainstream and becoming another disruptive force within the EU alongside Hungary and Slovakia It would also be welcomed by conservative nationalists in Europe and beyond – including senior Trump administration figures such as the US vice-president JD Vance – who accused Bucharest of denying democracy after the original ballot was cancelled “The problem now isn’t that Romania is in a hard place should George Simion win,” said the political scientist Cristian Pîrvulescu “The anti-European group within the EU will become more substantial.” View image in fullscreenGeorge Simion socially conservative agenda and has called for the ‘Melonisation’ of Europe Photograph: Action Press/Rex/ShutterstockThe French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said Romania’s voters had sent “a very nice boomerang” to the European Commission president echoing claims Brussels was behind the cancellation of the original vote last year Simion said after the result that his win was “not just an electoral victory It is the victory of those who have not lost hope The far-right candidate added: “I am here to serve Romanians He said he believed in an EU “that thrives as a nest for its diverse and sovereign nations – not as a rigid system enforcing one-size-fits-all policies” whose AUR has grown from an anti-vax movement into the country’s second-largest party finished first in 36 of 47 electoral districts and secured 61% of the large overseas vote a 55-year-old mathematician who founded the Save Romania Union party (USR) and campaigned as a pro-EU called the runoff a battle “to convince Romanians that Romania needs its pro-western direction” Free newsletterA digest of the morning's main headlines from the Europe edition emailed direct to you every week day He said the two weeks leading up to the runoff would be “difficult against this isolationist candidate … It will not be a debate between individuals it will be a debate between a pro-western direction for Romania and an anti-western direction” View image in fullscreenExperts say Nicuşor Dan may struggle to beat George Simion in the run-off vote Photograph: Mihai Barbu/AFP/Getty ImagesExperts have said Dan may struggle to beat Simion in the runoff because of disagreements between the independent candidate and the mainstream PSD and Liberal parties that could easily deter their voters from switching allegiance Romania’s president has a semi-executive role with considerable powers over foreign policy defence spending and judicial appointments They also represent the country on the international stage and can veto important EU votes Simion promised on Sunday to make Georgescu prime minister early elections or forming a new government coalition Simion denies his policies are far-right but has described his party as “natural allies” of Trump and promised an alliance of EU countries “in the spirit of Maga” but consistently opposed military aid to Ukraine Prince William and Kate Middleton's youngest son seemed to steal the limelight from the senior members of the British royal family at the VE Day anniversary with his cheeky antics on Monday In one of the videos that has gone viral in the UK Louis is seen imitating his brother Prince George doing his hair The video shared by multiple news outlets have garnered thousands of views with royal fans  posting funny comments about how he was annoying George King Charles and other senior royals joined veterans and crowds to watch a grand military parade and flypast at the start of four days of commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day The government has planned a series of events in the run-up to the anniversary of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender that took effect on May 8 More than 1,300 members of Britain's armed forces marched through central London from outside parliament to Buckingham Palace The seven-year-old royal sat next to Prince William and his siblings Charlotte News | UK Prince Louis ensured all eyes were on him with his antics at Buckingham Palace on Bank Holiday Monday The royal, who turned seven last month, sat next to Prince William, 43, ahead of the military parade and flypast celebration to mark the 80th anniversary of the Victory in Europe Day and sternly brushing down the shoulder of the future King’s jacket Louis sat next to his older siblings Charlotte on the front row of a specially built dias on the Queen Victoria Memorial outside the Palace as thousands of people packed the streets The youngster also observed a smartly dressed George flicking his hair out of his eyes with his hands and promptly mimicked the gesture Fans shared their appreciation of the cute moment when a video of it was shared on X, with one writing: “Prince Louis copying his brother Prince George is so funny.” “God love that child!” another added and a third enthused: “He is the sweetest thing!” Hundreds of street parties are also being held across the country while a procession of 1,300 Armed Forces members made their way from Parliament Square to the Mall The royal family also watched a flypast of the Royal Air Force plans from the Palace balcony before King Charles hosts a tea party for WWII veterans Armed forces from Nato allies joined the procession in London to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe as Sir Keir Starmer said this week’s events are a reminder that victory was “not just for Britain” France and Germany took part in the military procession in London on Monday as part of the events The words of Sir Winston Churchill’s 1945 victory speech There was a display by the Red Arrows as part of a flypast by 23 current and historic military aircraft Blood-red poppies pour over Tower of London to mark VE Day Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Enter the AXA Startup Angel competition to win £25,000 The royal family are said to be hoping the fallout from Harry’s bombshell security interview will not ‘distract’ from the VE Day celebrations. The events will start the build-up to Thursday which marks exactly 80 years since the Allies formally accepted Germany’s surrender Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin Rihanna shows off baby bump at star-studded Met Gala 2025 as singer's third pregnancy with A$AP Rocky announced Rihanna debuts baby bump on star-studded Met Gala blue carpet Stacey Solomon 'regrets doing reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason Stacey Solomon 'regrets reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason In a dramatic scene resembling a famous episode from the past Kenya’s President William Ruto recently had a shoe tossed at him while addressing the dissatisfaction over rising living costs Thanks for signing up for our daily insight on the African economy We bring you daily editor picks from the best Business Insider news content so you can stay updated on the latest topics and conversations on the African market Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected George Municipality remains committed to ensuring equitable access to essential services the Indigent Support Programme has been expanded to provide relief to more households in need more residents will qualify for support to reduce their water only households earning up to R5 460 per month could receive support The income limit for full support (Level 1) has increased to R6 000 A new Level 2 category has also been introduced for households earning between R6 001 and R9 000 These Level 2 households will receive a 50% subsidy on refuse removal and property rates for properties valued under R230 000 Further amendments include a new sliding scale for credit control purposes overdue payments will now be recovered through pre-paid electricity purchases on a sliding scale: 55% for 30 days overdue Pre-paid electricity meters will only be blocked in special cases thus reducing financial strain on vulnerable households Executive Mayor Von Brandis in tabling the 2025/26 Draft Budget at a Council meeting on 27 March 2025 said: “We have listened to our residents and taken action “This initiative is a testament to our commitment to social equity while ensuring the long-term sustainability of municipal services.” Cllr Iona Kritzinger encourages residents to apply for either Level 1 or 2 Indigent support online at the main municipal building or at the Municipal area offices Officials will be available to help those who need assistance “The municipality is committed to helping residents who are financially vulnerable and these changes will make it easier for low-income families to afford essential services I want to stress that these changes will only take effect from 1 July 2025 and that qualifying for support is not automatic Each application will be carefully assessed by the Credit Control Steering Committee to ensure fairness and sustainability It is also important that residents keep their current municipal account payments up to date – only those who meet the criteria and demonstrate commitment to maintaining their accounts will be considered for assistance.” The FIA have announced the result of Red Bull’s protest against George Russell for allegedly failing to slow under yellow flags during the Miami Grand Prix Russell had beaten Max Verstappen to the final position on the podium behind the McLaren team-mates pipping the reigning World Champion by two seconds was in jeopardy when Red Bull alleged that he had not slowed sufficiently when Oliver Bearman’s Haas ground to a halt triggering the second of three Virtual Safety Car periods in Miami Russell was able to claim a cheap pit stop in the process as the Mercedes driver dived into the pits for medium tyres and returned to the track ahead of Verstappen in P3 Verstappen was quick to come over the radio and query whether Russell had sufficiently slowed under the double waved yellows Russell held on to that final podium spot to the chequered flag Article 2.5.5 b) of the International Sporting Code This particular section reads: “Double Waved Yellow Flag: Any driver passing through a double waved yellow flag marshalling sector must reduce speed significantly and be prepared to change direction or stop.” 👉 The results of the F1 2025 championship 👉 The updated Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship standings The FIA heard evidence from Red Bull and Mercedes the former claiming that while Russell lifted the throttle when the yellow flag was displayed Red Bull argued that ‘discernibly reduced speed’ meant ‘passing the yellow flag zone at an absolute speed which is lower than the speed before entering the yellow flag zone’ as Verstappen countered that it was ‘common practice accepted by all teams and the FIA’ that ‘significantly lifting the throttle’ through a yellow flag zone is considered an ‘appropriate reaction’ Russell had therefore complied with the relevant regulations he said that he saw the single yellow and had ‘significantly lifted the throttle to react to the yellow flag’ Mercedes also stated that the Briton’s lift was ‘more significant’ than what could be observed by other cars ruling that the ‘protest is rejected as it is not founded’ Their statement read: “It was evident from the onboard footage as well as from telemetry that Car 63 lifted the throttle when passing the yellow flag zone 25 percent and this resulted in a reduction of torque of approx a) requires the driver to have “discernibly reduced speed” in a yellow flag zone but does not specify if that means reducing the absolute speed or reducing the speed relative to the regular racing speed in the relevant part of the track ‘The speed of Car 63 in the yellow flag zone was considerably slower than the regular racing speed but the absolute speed while passing through the yellow flag zone increased slightly ‘The Stewards determine that the requirement of Article 26.1 a) concerning the reduction of speed in a yellow flag zone can only relate to a reduction relative to the regular racing speed as the reduction of the absolute speed can in a braking zone the absolute speed can be reduced without necessarily complying with the regulations.’ Read next – Miami GP: Piastri continues winning streak after more Verstappen v Norris fireworks © Planet Sport Limited 2025 • All Rights Reserved A palace insider previously told PEOPLE that William and Kate view raising George Prince Louis stole the spotlight during VE Day celebrations – by teasing his older brother in full view of cameras The seven-year-old appeared to playfully imitate George as the siblings watched the military procession from the Queen Victoria Memorial then smoothed down his own in an exaggerated fashion captured on camera and widely shared on social media One joked: “Prince Louis getting ready like he’s got a royal Zoom call in 5.” Another wrote: “That kid is going to be a real source of entertainment… as long as you’re not related to him.” Louis’s behaviour quickly drew comparisons to his previous high-profile appearances, including his infamous balcony mischief at Trooping the Colour and the Platinum Jubilee where he was seen covering his ears during the flypast and making faces at the crowd It came as the royal family – including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte the King and Queen – joined veterans to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe the family remained seated among guests at the Queen Victoria Memorial where William was seen quietly explaining parts of the parade to Louis who nodded along before returning his attention to George El candidato presidencial George Simon sale de una cabina antes de emitir su voto en la primera vuelta de la repetición de las elecciones presidenciales en Mogosoaia A woman holds up a mobile phone backdropped by depictions of Romanian historical figures outside the headquarters of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) shortly before polls close in the first round of the country’s presidential election redo in Bucharest Presidential candidate Nicusor Dan speaks to media after polls closed in the first round of the country’s presidential election redo in Bucharest Presidential candidate George Simion addresses supporters via video link after polls closed for the first round of the country’s presidential election redo in Bucharest Presidential candidate Nicusor Dan gestures as he addresses supporters after polls closed for the first round of the country’s presidential election redo in Bucharest A man wears a t-shirt showing Calin Georgescu winner of the first round of last year’s voided election outside the headquarters of presidential candidate George Simion after polls closed during the first round of the country’s presidential election redo in Bucharest holds a religious icon as he walks with Calin Georgescu winner of the first round of last year’s annulled election after casting his vote in the first round of the presidential election redo in Mogosoaia The 38-year-old leader of the hard-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians will face a pro-Western reformist in a May 18 runoff that could reshape the European Union and NATO member country’s geopolitical direction the Romanian people lived the lie that we are a democratic country,” Simion who came fourth in last year’s race and later backed Georgescu Born in 1986 in Romania’s eastern city of Focsani Simion took a bachelor’s degree in business and administration in Bucharest and later a master’s degree at a university in the northeastern city of Iasi researching communist-era crimes He also became involved in soccer ultra groups which rose to prominence in a 2020 parliamentary election by proclaiming to stand for “family and freedom,” and has since doubled its support to become Romania’s second largest party in the legislature It opposes same-sex marriage and has close ties to the Romanian Orthodox Church Simion supports Trump and told AP last week that the AUR party is “perfectly aligned with the MAGA movement,” referring to the U.S president’s Make America Great Again movement He labelled the canceled election last year a “coup d’etat,” and adopted stronger populist rhetoric and religious messaging to tap into Georgescu’s electorate He has branded Romania’s current political system as a “hybrid regime” that failed to deliver democracy after the 1989 revolution toppled communism and they were not allowed to make this change,” he told the AP “This is why I’m running again as a duty towards democracy to restore the will of the Romanian people.” A Simion presidency would pose unique foreign policy conundrums His activities in Moldova led to an expulsion and multiple entry bans on allegations of trying to destabilize the country He is also banned from entering neighboring Ukraine for “systemic anti-Ukrainian” activities “It is in their interest to have good relations with us,” he said of the two countries Simion sparked controversy after remarking during a protest that those responsible for barring Georgescu’s second bid for presidency should be “skinned in a public square,” prompting prosecutors to launch a criminal probe for inciting violence He denied the accusation saying it was a political metaphor Observers have long viewed him of being pro-Russian and warn that his presidency would undermine both Brussels and NATO as the war rages on in Ukraine He refuted the accusations as a “smear campaign” by leftists and said Russia has been the “main threat” to Romania in the last 200 years and remains so today “This is why we need a strong NATO and we need troops on the ground in Romania in Poland and in the Baltic states,” he said although he was against sending further military aid to Ukraine “The danger is not who will be the next president of Romania but … those who want to create a distance and to form two different opposing geopolitical blocs” between the European Union and the U.S. not toward the European institutions,” and that he is “totally aligned” with the position of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who was the only EU head of government to attend Trump’s inauguration in January a Romanian member of the European Parliament said Monday that a Simion presidency would be “bad news” for Romania and Europe and accused the AUR leader of having ”disdain for democratic processes.” “George Simion is not a conservative politician and serve as a strategic victory for Russia,” he said “He offers no viable solutions to Romania’s challenges.” an associate professor of political science at the University of Bucharest accusations that Simion is extremist or pro-Russian are overblown He says a Simion presidency could look similar to Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán who has long been a thorn in the side of Brussels “My main criticism has to do first with his values He’s a strong opponent of any sort of what people are considering to be identity politics so he’s going to push back very hard on LGBT issues and gender issues,” Tufis told AP He added that Simion lacks a strong team to deal with major crises “When it comes to dealing with geopolitical crisis they are completely and utterly unprepared,” he said opposes military aid to neighbouring Ukraine is critical of the EU leadership and says he is aligned with the US president's Make America Great Again movement Far-right Trump ally leads first round of Romania’s rerun presidential election, partial count shows BBC Sport football news reporterPublished29 April 202538 CommentsUpdated 1 May 2025Chelsea academy graduates usually have a couple of well-trodden pathways - breakthrough The Blues have sold on more than 40 homegrown players in the past decade and have made £315m from selling academy-developed talent in the last four seasons alone - £100m more than Manchester City But their latest high-profile prospect Tyrique George has bucked that trend so far and can look at Levi Colwill Trevoh Chalobah and Reece James showing the way to first-team success George's strike against Fulham on 20 April saw him become Chelsea's youngest goalscorer in the Premier League since Callum Hudson-Odoi netted against Burnley in January 2020 The winger's breakthrough season has included Carabao Cup games against Barrow and Morecambe substitute league appearances against Arsenal and Brighton and almost 600 minutes in 10 Conference League games including a goal in the quarter-final first leg win at Legia Warsaw He looks well placed to start away at Djurgarden in the Conference League semi-final on Thursday - and could add to his growing reputation is disrupting that typical 'Chelsea' narrative thanks to a level of dedication unusual even in this era of academised youth development the last Chelsea player to come through the youth system into the first team without a loan was Hudson-Odoi in January 2018 - a player George grew up idolising Tyrique George pictured with private coach David 'Guru' Sobers George was promoted from the academy team to the first team on 19 December six months after he and defender Josh Acheampong signed new deals in June 2024 That decision to sign a three-year contract raised eyebrows among multiple academy sources at Chelsea Internal talk was that he might get lost among £1bn of talent - including another summer influx of talented young forwards - signed since the change of ownership in 2022 Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca gave George a chance in pre-season and sources say the Italian's backing helped keep him at Stamford Bridge And FootballTransfers.com says George's rapid progress has seen his estimated transfer value increase from £2m in December to more than £10m now George was first spotted by Chelsea playing for TFA Totteridge FC in Whetstone He signed up through their development centre programme before becoming a fully fledged academy player at the age of eight - taking a picture with then-first team breakthrough stars Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Lewis Baker on his signing day a source told BBC Sport that in those early years George was a 'middling' player in his age group until around the age of 10 It was at that point George's dad hired a goalkeeper as well as a personal coach to raise his game alongside his work at Chelsea George would train with Chelsea and then from the age of 13 on Fridays he would play against men in nine-a-side matches at either Vauxhall or Nine Elms Power League in South London he would train again and go through post-match analysis with Sobers from his Power League matches the evening before before going back to Chelsea on Sunday to play "I used to spend hours travelling on public transport to do two-hour sessions with Tyrique as I thought I could help him," Sobers told BBC Sport "We would spend hours doing one-versus-one and I enjoyed the fact that he would push himself so much I'd be a 'bad' referee when he played against 18 year olds so he would get kicked - but have to get up and win the ball back "We did tactics on his Friday session during these matches especially when coming back to their own age group." George also trained for several years with Unique FA but under the proviso that he would play with players a few years older than himself Sobers still works with George and added: "Ty became unfazed by anything but it was on him how relentless he was at repetition and doing the fundamentals "He was non-stop and we pushed him but he always wanted to work hard and we didn't force him it was all him wanting to be exceptional while staying humble "He already showed he had the mentality by facing men even when small for his age group A late growth spurt was the missing piece of the puzzle." Why are Chelsea stockpiling so many young players Sancho met George in 2017 at Goals five-a-side pitches in South London George had a chance meeting with current Chelsea on loan winger Jadon Sancho who was on the verge of joining Dortmund from Manchester City George explained: "It was me and my dad going to training Sancho said earlier in the season: "Tyrique George has the world at his feet He deserves every bit of success coming his way." Marc Cucurella and Tosin Adarabioyo as key influences over his early career at Stamford Bridge Europe's third-tier competition and domestic cup games helped George build experience before his Premier League debut in January got four assists and made a total of 21 appearances across all competitions this season George said: "The trust Enzo has in me gives me a great feeling He knows me from training with him all season." impressing in his interviews with the club of his knowledge of players He will have known George racked up a combined 33 goals and assists last season while being nominated for goal of the season for a strike against Crystal Palace Those with knowledge of George's journey say he has received additional encouragement behind the scenes since the change of ownership to the Boehly-Clearlake regime - with director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields cited as a key advocate behind-the-scenes George has also no doubt benefited from Mykhailo Mudryk's absence - as he remains provisionally suspended - after allegedly failing a drugs test Fellow academy graduate Colwill said of George this month: "We know how good a player he is so to come in and score hopefully gives him that confidence boost and hopefully he keeps pushing to try to get into our side "He's here because he is an amazing player Get Chelsea news sent straight to your phone To load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browser View comments | 38Top storiesHis stats are better but will Yamal build legacy to rival Messi 'Calamity keeper' or 'human wall' - which Donnarumma will Arsenal face Premier League reaction & Champions League race latest as Forest draw at Palace The final series of Man Like Mobeen has arrived John Simm stars in the provocative 90s drama Warm-hearted comedy with Ben Miller and Sally Phillips Follow two ambitious river restoration projects Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week Trailblazer Zhao set to take snooker to 'another level' in China Alexander-Arnold leaves as modern Liverpool great - but fans will feel hurt Zhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights VideoZhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights 'Scheffler and DeChambeau wins further raise US PGA excitement levels' Match-fixing scandal to Crucible champion - fall and rise of Zhao 'We need to take a look at ourselves' - Arsenal stalling at wrong time Palmer's brilliance could be key moment in Chelsea's Champions League quest Europa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney VideoEuropa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney Ask Me Anything the new BBC Sport service designed to serve you Bayern's 'James Bond' - how Kane clinched his first trophy Nine bolters with a shot of making the Lions squad How 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool VideoHow 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool Still number one & 'sparring' with Draper - return of Sinner Saints 'punch' favourites Leinster in game for the ages VideoVardy the best £1m ever spent - Shearer Poppy's tears Elton John & Happy Gilmore - McIlroy on Jimmy Fallon show Two opposing views on football's transgender ban Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. I did not wear a paper bag over my head like many others who had no option because they would be fired from work or get beaten up if they openly expressed who they were the struggle was clear to see as we got insulted had objects thrown at us and some got physically assaulted that fight is still on because we are still not free Some who choose to hate came out to the sidelines of our celebration today Some who choose to hate want to paint over the rainbow crossing in the road that we walked across earlier today you just make the fight for equality stronger And you remind us that we must never ever take the freedom we have won for granted people are raped and killed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity The South African police are responding to this specific type of violence but not doing enough and much more needs to be done The first casualty of the new US government was PEPFAR (The US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS relief) Our community has survived two pandemics in my lifetime – AIDS and COVID AIDS took a lot longer to grip the attention of the world and for medication to be developed because it was associated with people like us and nobody cared enough until it was not just us The DA-run Western Cape Government Department of Health and Wellness has ensured that the purchase of antiretroviral treatment and clinical staff are mainly funded through the Province’s own budget Anyone who accessed this care in the Western Cape from non-profit organisations that are now closed can access medication and care from the nearest primary health care facility and specific clinical needs can be referred within the Western Cape health care system The South African Constitution guarantees our protection but in practice the governments at all three spheres must make sure that what is protected is our lived reality I am very proudly the first openly gay Minister of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment in South African history Today I introduced to Cape Town Pride my husband Craig is the only same sex husband in the National Cabinet and the first in South African history Celebrate today this truth: We are proudly everywhere registered non profit organisation in South AfricaReg No: 011-895 NPO George Municipality Appoints Michael Rhode as New Director for Electrotechnical Services George Municipality is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael J Rhode as the new Director for Electrotechnical Services With over 20 years of experience in managing electrical distribution and energy engineering operations within utility environments in Local Government Michael brings a wealth of expertise to the role Michael has worked in various municipalities across the Western Cape he served as the Director of Technical Services at Knysna Municipality from June 2013 to December 2024 he managed the Technical Services Directorate He was also instrumental in dealing with the Knysna fire disaster during his tenure there His extensive experience includes similar roles at the City of Cape Town Michael is no stranger to George Municipality having previously served as the Director of Electrical Engineering Services from 2003 to 2007 Eng (Elec) degree from Stellenbosch University His diverse skill set and leadership experience position him as a key asset in advancing George Municipality’s electrotechnical infrastructure development and service delivery goals The Municipality extends its warmest welcome to Michael J Rhode and looks forward to his contributions to the community Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. 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Read our Privacy notice The Prince of Wales told of his son’s interest in learning about the Second World War and a centenarian performed a magic trick for the Queen as veterans attended a Buckingham Palace tea party A 98-year-old former prisoner of war, a 99-year-old who served with the Desert Rats and took part in the D-Day landings, and a 100-year-old woman who worked in the Special Operations Executive (SOE), known as Churchill’s Secret Army, were among 30 veteran guests of honour, according to the Royal British Legion (RBL) which helped organise the event The King told one veteran: “It’s so special to get you here on this sort of occasion Prince George joined William and his mother the Princess of Wales along with the King and Queen and other members of the royal family The Prince of Wales told 101-year-old Alfred Littlefield that George is “interested” in learning about those who served in the war told the PA news agency: “The prince said George is very interested in finding out about the veterans “George even asked my grandfather how old he was during his service.” She said Mr Littlefield was very happy that George had taken an interest in the past Royal Engineers veteran Mr Littlefield said: “I’m very proud.” William smiled as he shook hands with veterans and said it was “very important” for George and the “next generation” to hear the stories from those who fought in the war who joined the Merchant Navy aged 18 in 1944 that his son was “very keen” to ask the former serviceman some questions Kate asked for a copy of a book written by a Second World War evacuee Margaret Wood was evacuated from Chingford in east London at the start of the war to the Midlands, where she remained until May 23 1945. She said the princess had asked for the book during their conversation at the Palace tea party. Ms Wood said: “I have written a book about my time as an evacuee and it was published. She asked for a copy. “My mother also wrote about it and it was her reaction to sending her children away.” Ms Wood said of Kate: “She is just an ordinary lady, just a mum.” As she chatted with veterans, Kate joked of her son: “He’s going to have to practise his shooting like you.” Norman Brown, 101, said he performed a magic trick to the Queen while talking to her. The trick involved tying string on Camilla’s finger before whipping it off. Mr Brown said: “I was dared to show the magic trick to the Queen, so I did it. “She loved it, so I’m glad, I’m chuffed to be here, very proud.” Joy Trew, who signed up to join the war effort aged 17 and served in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, said Charles tucked her blanket into her wheelchair during Monday’s military parade in London to prevent her from getting chilly. “He bent down and tucked me in,” she said. Of the procession, Ms Trew, who grew up in Bristol but now lives in Wells in Somerset, said: “I said to him (the King) a lot of the women look formidable and he said ‘yes’.” The 98-year-old said she discussed parenting with Charles and told him she had tried to be a strict mother to her children. Robert Piper, 99, from Southwater in West Sussex, said of the King: “He is a very interesting person and he seems very understanding. “We spoke for a while about my service and the memories I have of the war.” Mr Piper said he has “lots of memories” of the war, which come back to him at night. He added: “The men I served with gave it their all for this country, it’s right they’re still remembered and I hope the young generations keep remembering them. “Today has been superb but very overwhelming.” Henry Ducker, 104, from Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, said Camilla spoke with him about her father. He said: “It was an honour to talk with her, she was quite funny, very humorous. “We had quite a laugh, she is a lovely woman.” Camilla’s father, Major Bruce Shand, served with the 12th Lancers during the Second World War and was awarded the Military Cross in 1940 during the retreat to Dunkirk, and again in 1942 for his efforts in North Africa. Veterans enjoyed sandwiches, scotch eggs and scones at the tea party. Also on the menu were potted shrimps with brown bread and butter, egg and bacon quiche, vegetable pasties and sausage rolls, along with lemon and carrot cake, chocolate cake, treacle tarts and strawberries and cream. They dined on large tables in the Marble Hall which was decorated in bunting made from fabrics recycled from the royal estate. The veterans had a prime spot on the Buckingham Palace garden steps as a flypast went over. Many looked up and smiled and applauded, while Army veteran Joe Mines, 100, waved as the planes went over. Among them was Ruth Barnwell, 100, who joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service aged 17 when her brother’s friend was killed on HMS Hood, which was sunk by the German battleship Bismarck during the Battle of the Denmark Strait on May 24 1941. Regarding the commemoration, she told PA: “It was great. Really great. Today has been wonderful.” Politicians including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, London mayor Sadiq Khan, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch were also there. They were joined by actor Timothy Spall and were serenaded by a brass band as they waited for the aircraft. RBL director general Mark Atkinson said the charity was “proud” to take a place “at the heart of these national celebrations and commemorations as this really will be one of our last opportunities as a nation to pay tribute to those veterans still with us today”. British and Commonwealth armed forces veterans from the Royal Navy, the British Army and the Royal Air Force, plus Wrens, SOE members, D-Day veterans and Desert Rats were among those attending the tea party.