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☆ When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

People have wanted to reconnect with deceased loved ones for centuries, whether they’ve visited mediums and spiritualists or leaned on services that preserve their memory. In September 2023, it introduced ChatGPT voice, where users can ask the chatbot prompts without typing. HereAfter AI, founded in 2019, allows users to create avatars of deceased loved ones. “Remembering is very important; it reflects the human condition and importance of deceased loved ones.”But she noted the relationship we have with our closest loved ones is built on authenticity. Creating an AI version of that person could for many “feel like a violation of that.”Bill Abney said he feels uneasy about communicating with his late fiancée through AI platforms.

Persons: Ana Schultz, Kyle, ”, Schultz, “, Schutz, they’ve, ” Ana Schultz, ElevenLabs, Joe Biden, Biden, ChatGPT, OpenAI, Danielle Jacobson, she’s, Phil, Cole, ” Jacobson, “ Cole, Replika, Rohit Prasad, Val Kilmer, It’s, Mary, Frances O’Connor, ‘, ’ ”, Bill Abney, Kari, ” Abney, “ I’m, Jodi Spiegel, Sims Organizations: CNN, Davidson College, Tech, Alexa, MARS, Amazon, University of Arizona Locations: Rock Falls , Illinois, Alabama, Johannesburg, South Africa, “, San Francisco, Newfoundland, Canada

☆ Inquiry Into Johannesburg Fire Blames City Officials for Deadly Conditions
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Lynsey Chutel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

An inquiry into a deadly fire in Johannesburg last August that killed 76 people and exposed a housing crisis in South Africa’s largest city placed the blame on officials who ignored “ringing alarm bells” for years. The eight-month inquiry, led by a retired constitutional court justice, released its findings in a report on Sunday. The report said that years of inaction by city agencies had allowed the building to fall into lethal disrepair, and singled out a high-ranking official for blame. In the early hours of Aug. 31, a fire ripped through a derelict building in downtown Johannesburg. Once a women’s shelter, it had been all but abandoned by city agencies although it was owned by the government and managed by the Johannesburg Property Company, a government agency.

Organizations: Johannesburg Property Company Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa’s, South

☆ South Africa’s democracy is turning 30 – but a silent crisis threatens its hard-fought gains
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( David Mckenzie | Sarah Dean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Soweto, South Africa CNN —Seth Mazibuko strides into the intersection of Moema and Vilakazi Street in Soweto, gesturing to the spot that changed South African history. Cars are used as roadblocks on June 21, 1976, during unrest in Soweto, South Africa, stemming from protests against the use of Afrikaans in schools. But as South Africans celebrate 30 years of democracy this week, many educators and activists believe that there is a crisis hollowing out the country’s education system – a crisis that threatens democracy’s hard-fought gains. Despite substantial education funding, South African students consistently rank among the lowest in global assessments of literacy and numeracy skills. South Africa has the highest unemployment rate in the world and many university graduates struggle to enter the workforce.

Persons: South Africa CNN — Seth, ”, Mazibuko, Mike Mizleni, Prince Mulwela, Angie Motshekga, Motshekga, Nelson Mandela, Walter Dhladhla, it’s, Ann Bernstein, Bernstein, Morris Isaacson, “, ‘, ’, General, Mbali Msimanga, Atlegang Alcock, Mandela Organizations: South Africa CNN, Black South, Getty, Keystone, Hulton, “, Morris Isaacson High School, CNN, South, Basic, African National Congress, ANC, of Development, Enterprise, Corruption, South African Democratic Teachers Union, Cape Town Locations: Soweto, South Africa, Moema, gesturing, AFP, Africa, Canada, Kenya, Oshlange, Black, Durban, South Africa's, Johannesburg, Robben, Cape

Has South Africa Truly Defeated Apartheid? U.S.A., 2020 – 63% U.K., 2019 – 62% 60% 49% 40% 20% 1994 2004 2014 2019 Sources: Collette Schulz-Herzenberg, "The South African non-voter: An analysis"; Konrad Adenaur Stiftung, 2020 (South Africa); Pew Research (United States and U.K.)On a continent where coups, autocrats and flawed elections have become common, South Africa is a widely admired exception. −4% −6% Sources: Harvard Growth Lab analysis of World Economic Outlook (South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa) and World Development Indicators (upper-middle-income countries). 50% unemployment rate 40% Black unemployment rate 30% The unemployment gap between Black and white South Africans remains wide. In 2022, about 6 percent of South Africans aged 18 to 29 were enrolled in higher education, according to Statistics South Africa.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, they’ve, Collette Schulz, Konrad Adenaur Stiftung, —, Walter Sisulu, Joao Silva, New York Times Jack Martins, ”, Mandela’s, Wandile Sihlobo, Johann Kirsten, Sihlobo, Kirsten, haven’t, Zinhle Nene, Peter Mokoena, “, Mokoena, Nokuthula Mabe, Mabe, Jacob Zuma, Chrispin Phiri, Cyril Ramaphosa, Israel, Sibusiso Zikode, Zikode, Mr Organizations: African National Congress, Pew Research, Human Sciences Research, World Bank, Black South, Charter, New York Times, University of Cape Town’s Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Economic Empowerment, South, Harvard, Economic, Government, Black, Mr, Stellenbosch University . White, Statistics, Security, JOHANNESBURG Jobs, JOHANNESBURG Sandton Downtown, West University, Education, Statistics South, General Household Survey, of, Stellenbosch University, Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services, Institute for Security Studies, International Court of Justice Locations: Africa, South Africa, Black, States, Soweto, Kliptown, Johannesburg, South, Saharan Africa, Carletonville, JOHANNESBURG, Downtown Soweto, JOHANNESBURG Sandton, JOHANNESBURG Sandton Downtown Soweto, North, Mahikeng, Botswana, Statistics South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Philippines, African, Germany, Russia, India, China, Ethiopia, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Ukraine, New York Times South Africa, Gaza, Durban, South Africa’s

☆ Jane Goodall is world-famous for her work with chimpanzees. Now her focus has turned to a different crowd
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Michelle Cohan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Today, the recently-turned 90-year-old’s work looks a little different – taking place mostly indoors, and with a different crowd. Through her program called “Roots & Shoots,” Goodall empowers young people to create change within their communities. CNN spoke with Goodall recently during a trip to South Africa, where she observed some of the projects local Johannesburg students are heading up as part of Roots & Shoots. Goodall: I think it’s really important, this exchange of information from the elders to the youngers. Goodall: When I began Roots & Shoots in Tanzania in 1991, it was because I was meeting young people then who had lost hope.

Persons: Jane Goodall, ” Goodall, Goodall, Who, I’d, would’ve, ‘ Jane, Young, we’d, ‘, Robyn Beck, it’s Organizations: CNN, CNN CNN, Getty Images CNN Locations: Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania, British, South Africa, Johannesburg, Los Angeles

☆ The key to a long life? ‘Undereating’ and ice baths, says 88-year-old Gary Player, still spritely at 88th Masters
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It’s “so far, so good” for Player, who played his last Masters in 2009 after a record 52 appearances at Augusta National. Player was renowned for his endurance across a five-decade career that reaped 165 tournament wins and nine major championships. “You do things in life for other people, and you try to have fun, and like Gary said, you’ve got to laugh.”Watson, Player and Nicklaus (left to right) drew huge crowds. “If you’re here, you are so blessed, and you should kiss the ground every day,” Player told Masters reporters on the range. “He’s a man who believed in freedom, and what he did for this great country, you can’t describe it.

Persons: CNN —, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, “, ”, Player, Jamie Squire, Overtraining, It’s, Walter Iooss Jr, Quizzed, Nicklaus, –, Watson, Gary, you’ve, ” Watson, Mike Blake, Donald Trump, Dwight D, Eisenhower Organizations: CNN, Gary, Augusta National, REDs, Nicklaus, Reuters, America, ” Locations: Augusta, India, Johannesburg, United States

☆ The beautiful African paradise islands that most tourists don’t know about
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Joe Yogerst | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —A couple of African paradise islands have been on the radar of avid world travelers for some time. Shellfish Bay on the island’s windward side shelters one of East Africa’s most spectacular beaches, a crescent of white sand framed by 100-meter dunes. Bazaruto Island Resort, the island’s top digs, can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling, sailing on traditional dhow boats, guided 4x4 wildlife safaris, sandboarding on the dunes and other outdoor activities. Lamu’s best beaches are on the island’s windward side, around a 30–40-minute walk via Shela village. — and an ancient stone nilometer for measuring the river’s water level — reflect the island’s importance during pharaonic times.

Persons: São Filipe, Denis, Ponta, Ariadne Van Zandbergen, Dar es Organizations: CNN, Ethiopian Airways, oneworld, Getty, UNESCO, Heritage, Cabo Verde Airlines, Overseas, Paris Orly, Animalia Museum, Egypt, Vogue, Reserve, Dar es Salam Locations: Mauritius, Seychelles, Canary, Africa, Madagascar, Addis Ababa, Bazaruto, Mozambique, East, sandboarding, Johannesburg, Vilanculos, Lamu, Kenya, Manda, Malindi, Nairobi, JamboJet, Fogo, Cape Verde, Cabo Verde, West Africa, Pico, Verde’s, Praia, Overseas Territory, Réunion, French Caribbean, L’Hermitage, Saint, Paris, Antananarivo, Elephantine, Egypt, Aswan, Bissagos, Guinea, Bissau, Bubaque, Pemba, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Tanga, Dar, FlightLink

☆ Southern Africa’s drought and floods could push tens of millions into hunger
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Sarah Dean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The country’s top priority “is securing food for all Zimbabweans,” the president told journalists at the state house in Harare. Kb Mpofu/ReutersIn Zambia, Malawi and Central Mozambique, extreme drought has damaged more than 2 million hectares of crops, Oxfam said. Zambia declared its drought a disaster on February 29. In Mozambique — a country accounting for only 0.2% of global emissions — 3 million people face hunger, according to Oxfam. The country’s capital, Maputo, experienced devastating floods in March, after Tropical Storm Filipo hit followed a few weeks later by further intense rainfall.

Persons: South Africa CNN —, Emmerson Mnangagwa, El Niño, Zimbabwe —, Filipo, ” Teresa Anderson, Machinda Marongwe, ” Marongwe Organizations: South Africa CNN, Oxfam, Reuters, Democratic, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, United States Agency, International, Systems Network Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Harare, “, Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, Pumula East, Bulawayo, Central Mozambique, ” Southern Africa, Maputo

☆ Luke Fleurs: Kaizer Chiefs soccer player killed in carjacking in Johannesburg
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Sammy Mncwabe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —South Africa and Kaizer Chiefs soccer player Luke Fleurs has been killed in a carjacking incident in Johannesburg, the club announced in a statement on Thursday. “We are profoundly shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic and untimely passing of one of our players, Luke Fleurs,” Chiefs said. “The Matsatsantsa family would like to send its heartfelt condolences to the Fleurs family, everyone at Kaizer Chiefs Football Club and the football community at large. My thoughts are with the Fleurs and Amakhosi family, and the entire South African football fraternity,” Kodwa added. Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has appointed a team of detectives to investigate Fleurs’ murder and hijacking, police said.

Persons: Luke Fleurs, “, ”, Mavela Masondo, Kodwa, ” Kodwa, Tommy Mthombeni Organizations: CNN, Kaizer Chiefs, ” Chiefs, Premier Soccer League, South, Tokyo Summer Olympics, Chiefs, SuperSport United, Kaizer Chiefs Football Club, ” SuperSport, Twitter Locations: South Africa, Johannesburg, Honeydew, Gauteng, Soweto, “, African

☆ South Africa crime wave: This cash van guard is just one of the victims
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( David Mckenzie | Sarah Dean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —For South Africans, normality is a sliding scale. In October, a heavily armed gang blocked off one of the busiest highways near Johannesburg as it blew up a cash-in-transit vehicle – a security van carrying cash. Cash-in-transit, or CIT, heists are one of the most dramatic illustrations of a crime wave that has shocked even the most hardened South Africans. His argument is not entirely factual: crime affects South Africans from all walks of life, not just those earning a comfortable living. The South African police minister, Bheki Cele, recently highlighted what he called the successes of the Crime Intelligence division in tackling organized crime and rooting out corruption within the ranks of the force.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, ”, Byron Blunt, Ngwenya, —, “, Petrus Mthembu, SAPS, Athlenda Mathe, Bheki Cele, Joe van der Walt, Esa Alexander, Gareth Newham, What’s Organizations: South Africa CNN, heists, CIT heists, National Congress, ANC, CNN, “, CIT, Motor Transport Workers Union, South African Police Service, Reuters, Hawks, AK, South, Crime Intelligence, Focus Group, ” Police, Town, Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, Institute for Security Studies Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa, R350,000, Makhado, Limpopo, Cape Town , South Africa

☆ How photographer and style icon Trevor Stuurman is showcasing African artistry to the world
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Kamayah Scruggs | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —South African photographer, visual artist and fashion icon Trevor Stuurman has become one of the country’s most sought-after creatives by unapologetically challenging the global perception of African cultures through his powerful visual storytelling. This narrative shift was fully on display with his work on Beyoncé’s Grammy-nominated visual album “Black is King,” in 2020, which Stuurman knew would reach a massive audience. In 2021, Stuurman photographed the “Coming to America 2” x Uoma Beauty “Black is Magic” collection to showcase African creativity and contemporary cultures. “Everyone has the artistic ability, but not everyone has the professional tool set to execute and build a long-lasting career,” Stuurman said. “[The Manor] is about extending the table and creating a table as opposed to asking for a seat at the table.”Watch the full episode of African Voices Changemakers featuring Trevor Stuurman.

Persons: Trevor Stuurman, unapologetically, ”, Stuurman, ” Stuurman, Elle Magazine’s, Trevor Stuurman “, Shaka iLembe, Naomi Campbell, Gigi, Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Barack Obama, “ Organizations: CNN, South, Beyoncé’s, United Nations, Gates Foundation, Disney, creatives, ” Locations: South Africa, “ Africa, London, Kimberley, Johannesburg, Cape Town

☆ Water trickling and taps running dry are part of daily life in South Africa’s biggest city
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Sarah Dean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

It’s ironic, because Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city, has plenty of water at the moment — authorities and water companies just can’t seem to get it to where it’s needed. South Africa is naturally dry, and the climate crisis has hit the nation many times with crippling drought. “But there have been multiple times where we’ve been without water for five, seven days,” he said. Ravin Singh founded the Water Crisis Committee civic group last September, after his neighborhood northeast of downtown Johannesburg was suddenly hit with prolonged outages. Now Joburgers also talk about “water shedding.”But Singh concedes that people could be doing more to lower water consumption, voluntarily.

Persons: Duane Riley, we’ve, I’ve, ” Riley, Joburgers, ”, Riley, “, Ravin Singh, Singh, “ Young, ” Singh, Senzo Mchunu, Mchunu, Rand Water Organizations: Johannesburg CNN, South Africa’s, CNN, Getty, Water, Sanitation, Johannesburg Water, Rand, Cape Town Locations: Johannesburg, South, Africa, Southern Africa, Soweto, Kensington, Blairgowrie, AFP, City, Ekurhuleni, South Africa, African, Cape

☆ British Airways is spending $9 billion to help make it the world's favorite airline once again after years of slumping popularity
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Pete Syme | Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewBritish Airways unveiled a host of new initiatives at a media event in London on Monday, as part of a $9 billion "transformation." The UK flag carrier was named the world's best airline by Skytrax in 2006, but its reputation has since faltered. With a new seat design, new routes, and upgrades to the Airbus A380, here's how BA is changing. British Airways is rolling out the new seat design to its Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets, used on its short-haul flights. The business-class configuration on BA's new short-haul seats.

Persons: —, Sean Doyle, Pete Syme, it's, There's, that's, Neil Chernoff, Francisco —, Chernoff Organizations: Service, British Airways, Skytrax, Business, Airbus, Delta Air Lines, Boeing, Washington Dulles, Dubai Airport, Beta Locations: London, Dallas , Los Angeles, Miami, Dubai, Johannesburg, South Africa, Boston, Washington, Singapore, London Heathrow, Malaysian, Kuala Lumpur, London Gatwick, Bangkok

☆ Ghana’s parliament passes anti-homosexuality bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( David Mckenzie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Johannesburg CNN —Ghana’s parliament on Wednesday unanimously passed a controversial anti-homosexuality bill that has drawn international condemnation. The bill, which was introduced in the parliament in 2021, not only criminalizes LGBTQ relationships, but also those who support LGBTQ rights. The bill in Ghana still needs to be signed off by the country’s president before it becomes law. “Approaches rooted in inclusion of all people have been crucial to Ghana’s progress in the HIV response,” Byanyima said in a statement. “Evidence shows that punitive laws like this bill are a barrier to ending AIDS, and ultimately undermine everyone’s health.”

Persons: “, ”, Sam George, Volker Türk, Winnie Byanyima, ” Byanyima, Byanyima Organizations: Johannesburg CNN —, Twitter, CNN, United Nations Locations: Johannesburg, Africa, Ghana

☆ Getting the chance to play at The Masters isn’t easy. Just ask LIV Golf’s Joaquin Niemann
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

It’s the final two sets of criteria that are most pertinent for Niemann and LIV Golf players. Though exact criteria differs between the four major championships, all incorporate world ranking points as a viable qualifier. Why is that an issue for some LIV Golf players? Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesHow are LIV Golf players making it to the majors? Meanwhile LIV Golf players without such past glories to stamp their tickets to major championships are, like Niemann, crossing the globe in pursuit of alternative routes in.

Persons: LIV, LIV Golf’s Joaquin Niemann, Tiger Woods, Jon Rahm, Ross Kinnaird, Nick Dunlap –, –, Niemann, It’s, Greg Norman, Gary Davidson, Peter Dawson, LIV Golf, ” Dawson, OWGR, Tom Dulat, “ It’s, it’s, ” Niemann, “, ”, don’t, Mike Ehrmann, Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune, Fred Ridley, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Rahm, Mike Blake, Reuters Rahm, Koepka, Cameron Smith, Adrian Meronk, Tyrell Hatton, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, DeChambeau, Reed, Dean Burmester, David Puig jetted, Burmester, December’s Organizations: CNN, PGA, Augusta National, PGA Championship, British, Amateur, American Express, LIV Golf, LIV, OWGR, Hero Dubai, CBS, Golf, Augusta, Reuters, 152nd, Puig, Malaysian, Royal Locations: Augusta, Asia, Pacific, America, Saudi, Dubai, Chilean, South Africa, Malaysia, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur, Scotland

☆ South Africa Approaches World Court Over Israel's Rafah Offensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's government said on Tuesday that it had asked the World Court to consider whether Israel's decision to extend its military operations in Rafah required the court to use its power to prevent further breach of Palestinians' rights. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) last month ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent its troops from committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, in a case brought by South Africa. Israel is planning to expand its ground assault into the city of Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians have sought refuge from the offensive that has laid waste to much of the Gaza Strip since Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7. War in Israel and Gaza View All 206 Images(Reporting by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Alexander Winning)Photos You Should See View All 22 Images

Persons: Nellie Peyton, Alexander Winning Organizations: Court of Justice Locations: JOHANNESBURG, Rafah, Israel, Gaza, South Africa

☆ A strange wall submerged in the Baltic Sea may be the oldest man-made megastructure in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Mikhaila Friel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A Stone Age hunting wall was discovered in Europe's Baltic Sea. The wall was estimated to have been built more than 8,500 years ago to hunt reindeer. AdvertisementA Stone Age wall discovered in the Baltic Sea may be the oldest man-made megastructure in Europe. Researchers believe this particular hunting wall was used to catch reindeer, which used the region as a habitat 11,000 years ago, according to the article. It could also allow scientists to find other Stone Age walls submerged by water.

Persons: —, Jacob Geersen, Marlize Organizations: Service, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Leibniz Institute, New, Stone, University of Johannesburg, National Academy of Sciences Locations: Baltic, Europe, Germany, Rerik

At the center of that growth are newer genres of Afrobeats — the renowned blend of distinct West African music styles — and amapiano, which fuses South African kwaito with African jazz, house music and soulful vocals. The 2022 track became the first led by an African artist to hit 1 billion Spotify streams and has the record for the most weeks — 64 — spent on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart. And some tracks meld the genres under the African music umbrella. That reach is particularly interesting considering that African music is produced for its people, embodying all aspects of their lives from their culture and experiences to their struggles, LeriQ says. The continent leads mobile device web traffic in the world, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration, translating to more market opportunities for artists.

Persons: ”, Burna Boy’s, Rema’s, Selena Gomez, —, Joey Akan, ‘, Burna, ’, Musa Keys, Boy, Istanbul's, Rema, Davido, Tina Davis, Olamide's, Angélique Kidjo, LeriQ, Nay, Mitego, Chika Anene, gatekeepers, Eric Wainaina, G’bemi Ereku, Nigeria —, Jhello, ” ___ Mureithi, Maria Sherman Organizations: FIFA, International Federation of, Phonographic Industry's, Spotify, Afrobeats Intelligence, UEFA Champions League, Pew Research, U.S . International Trade Administration, United, Afro Nation, AP Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Nigerian, Saharan Africa, African, South Africa, Africa, Tanzania, Abuja, Kenyan, Lagos, United States, Statista, Nairobi, Kenya, Johannesburg, Los Angeles

☆ BRICS: South Africa says countries are clamoring to join the China and Russia-backed group
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Nearly three dozen countries are seeking entry into the China and Russia-backed BRICS economic group, member state South Africa said Wednesday, weeks after the body expanded its membership for the first time in more than a decade. Thirty-four countries have submitted an expression of interest in joining the bloc of major emerging economies, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor told reporters, without naming the nations. BRICS, which since 2011 had been made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, roughly positions itself as the Global South’s answer to the Group of Seven (G7) major developed economies. The group took shape as a summit-level gathering between Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009 and expanded to include South Africa two years later. Six new BRICS countries were invited during the 2023 summit last August.

Persons: Naledi Pandor, Xi Jinping, Putin, Pandor Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, African Foreign, United Arab Emirates, United Nations Security Council, Finance Locations: China, Hong Kong, Russia, South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia, Egypt, United States, Washington, Brazil, India, Beijing, Ukraine, Johannesburg, Russian, Kazan, Argentina

☆ South African Foreign Minister: States Must Stop Funding Israel's Military
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - All states have an obligation to stop funding and facilitating Israel's military actions in Gaza after the World Court indicated that those actions could plausibly be genocidal, South African foreign minister Naledi Pandor said on Wednesday. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent its troops from committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, in a case brought by South Africa. South Africa has for decades been a strong advocate for the Palestinian cause, comparing the plight of Palestinians to that of Black South Africans under apartheid. Israel has strongly denied allegations of genocide and rejects the comparison to the apartheid era. (Reporting by Anait Miridzhanian and Nellie Peyton; Editing by Alexander Winning)

Persons: Naledi Pandor, Anait Miridzhanian, Nellie Peyton, Alexander Winning Organizations: Court, Court of Justice, Black South Locations: JOHANNESBURG, Gaza, Israel, South Africa, Black

☆ Zuma’s Enduring Appeal Threatens His Old Allies’ Hold on South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

When the African National Congress suspended former President Jacob Zuma this week, a top party official portrayed him as a traitor to the ongoing struggle for Black prosperity in South Africa and a symbol of corruption that the organization is looking to move past. But to Vincent Mthembu, a longtime A.N.C. activist on the local level, Mr. Zuma was the only hope for the party, which has governed South Africa for 30 years, and the country. “He is the people’s president,” Mr. Mthembu, who owns a construction business in Johannesburg, said on Tuesday. “Whatever that he was doing was enriching Black people.”Many countries seem to have their Donald J. Trumps these days — brash, populist leaders who, no matter how many corruption allegations or legal troubles they face, attract fiercely loyal supporters.

Persons: Jacob Zuma, Vincent Mthembu, Zuma, ” Mr, Mthembu, Donald J Organizations: African National Congress Locations: South Africa, Johannesburg

☆ South Africa's Ruling ANC Suspends Membership of Ex-Leader Zuma
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Nellie PeytonJOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) said on Monday it had suspended the membership of former president Jacob Zuma after he announced he would vote for another party in this year's general election. His suspension reflects deep-seated divisions in the party of liberation hero Nelson Mandela that has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid. "The formation of the MK party is not an accident," the ANC said in a statement. The MK party is named after the ANC's former armed wing, in a challenge to the long-dominant movement. Zuma has been at odds with the ANC's leadership since he was forced to quit as party leader in 2018.

Persons: Nellie Peyton JOHANNESBURG, Jacob Zuma, Zuma, Nelson Mandela, Cyril Ramaphosa, Nellie Peyton, Alexander Winning, Andrew Heavens Organizations: National Congress, Analysts, ANC, Forces, Natal Locations: South Africa, KwaZulu

It was time, the witness said, to tell the whole truth about the awful things he had done. Moments before testifying this week at an inquiry into one of South Africa’s deadliest residential fires, he pulled an investigator aside and said he needed to change his story. He was the one, he said, who had started the Aug. 31 blaze that engulfed a five-story building in downtown Johannesburg. After that confession at the inquiry, Mr. Mdlalose was arrested by the police, who are running a parallel criminal investigation into the fire, and charged with 76 counts of murder. While Mr. Mdlalose’s confession at the inquiry is inadmissible, prosecutors said, his confession will bolster the criminal investigation.

Persons: Sithembiso Mdlalose, Mdlalose Locations: Johannesburg

☆ Man Arrested on 77 Counts of Murder in Johannesburg Building Fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Lynsey Chutel | John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The South African police have arrested a man who confessed to having caused a fire that killed 77 people in a derelict building in downtown Johannesburg last year after a drug dispute led him to strangle a man and set the body alight, a police spokeswoman and a victims’ advocate said on Wednesday. The man, a 29-year-old whose name has not been released, was arrested on Tuesday on 77 counts of murder and 120 counts of attempted murder, said Col. Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, a spokeswoman for the police in Gauteng Province, which includes Johannesburg. Colonel Nevhuhulwi initially gave the figure as 76 counts, but then clarified that it was 77. The man made his confession during a hearing of a special commission investigating the fire, which tore through an overcrowded four-story building in the early hours of Aug. 31. The commission was later told that the exact death toll was unclear because of how badly some of the bodies were burned.

Persons: Dimakatso, Nevhuhulwi, incriminated, ”, Andy Chinnah, Norton Rose Fulbright Organizations: South, Norton Rose Locations: Johannesburg, Gauteng Province

☆ South African police arrest suspect in connection with building fire that killed 77
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Mariya Knight | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

CNN —Police in Gauteng have arrested a suspect in connection with the fire that tore through a five-story building in central Johannesburg last year and killed 77 people, South African public broadcaster SABC reported Tuesday. Gauteng police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhlwi said the suspect was arrested after he confessed before the Commission of Inquiry into the building fire, and that the 29-year-old man will appear in court soon on charges of arson, 76 counts of murder and 120 counts of attempted murder, according to SABC. This is a developing story and will be updated.

Persons: Dimakatso Nevhuhlwi Organizations: CNN — Police, SABC Locations: Gauteng, Johannesburg, African

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