South Africans vote in pivotal local elections
Voters in Africa’s wealthiest country have a pivotal election of their own today, with over 250 local contests nationwide. The elections are widely seen as a referendum on the African National Congress (ANC), the party that has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid, amid frustration over pervasive corruption, crumbling public services, and rising migration. The ANC has seen its standing slide in recent years. In 2024, it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years and, in the 2021 municipal elections, saw its support fall below 50%. Polls show its support could fall below 40% in today’s contests, likely losing ground to the rival Democratic Alliance and former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe party. But the ANC remains the largest party in South Africa, and its loss could lead to unstable governing coalitions in many cities and strain ties that carefully bind the national government.
Meloni wants to tax wealthy residents who leave
The Italian PM’s government has drafted a special levy on wealthy residents leaving the country as part of next year’s budget. The so-called “exit tax” amounts to a 26% capital gains tax on people with $1.3 million or more in assets who decide to relocate abroad. The measure isn't estimated to yield much revenue — $4.5 million in its first year — but it comes as Meloni faces Italians frustrated by surging inflation. Wealth taxes have become a contentious issue worldwide in recent years. France established its own exit tax in 2012, and voters in California considered a measure to tax billionaires in yesterday’s midterms (the result is still too early to call). But Meloni’s proposal could also rattle the country’s wealthy expats. Some 4,000 emigrated to Italy in under a decade, drawn by a flat tax on foreign income that the country introduced to boost its sluggish economy.
Russia’s return to hockey tournament gets icy reception
Six countries competing in next year’s ice hockey world championships said they will boycott games against Russia after a court ruling last week said the country must be allowed to participate. Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Latvia all said they would refuse to face the hockey powerhouse. Since the invasion in 2022, Russian teams and athletes have been banned from competing under their national flag at most international sporting events. But nearly five years into the war, those restrictions have slowly been rolled back – Russian athletes were allowed to compete under their flag at the Winter Paralympics this year for the first time in a decade, and at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Adding to the drama, Ukraine has qualified for the hockey tournament for the first time in 20 years. But as the lowest- ranked team, they could be bumped from the competition to make room for Russia. Do you think Russian athletes should be banned from international sports? Let us know here — include your name/location, and we may publish your response.
