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☆ India election: Modi’s Muslim remarks spark ‘hate speech’ accusations as mammoth vote deepens divides
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been accused of delivering Islamophobic remarks during an election rally Sunday, triggering widespread anger from prominent Muslims and members of the opposition. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking during a rally in Sydney, Australia, on May 23, 2023. Kalpit Bhachech/Getty Images Narendra Modi, then BJP secretary is welcomed at Ahmedabad Railway Station by the party's followers on January 31, 1992. Kalpit Bhachech/Dipam Bhachech/Getty Images Narendra Modi pictured in India on January 23, 1998. Brent Lewin/Bloomberg/Getty Images India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on June 22, 2023.

Persons: CNN —, Narendra Modi, Islamophobic, Modi’s, Modi, ”, ” Modi, Matthew Abbott, Hiraben, Damodardas, Dipam Bhachech, Lal Krishna Advani, Subhas Chandra Bose, Kalpit Bhachech, Kalpit, Negi Yasbant, Amit Dave, Ajit Solanki, Kevin Frayer, Saurabh Das, AP Modi, Manish Swarup, Lucas Jackson, Barack Obama, Adrien Helou, Reuters Modi, Adnan Abidi, Stringer, Mark Zuckerberg, David Paul Morris, Marco Longari, Angela Merkel, Tobias Schwarz, Emmanuel Macron, Charles Platiau, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, India's, Jair Bolsonaro, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Amit Shah, Money Sharma, Boris Johnson, Phil Noble, Anthony Albanese, Brent Lewin, Pedro Ugarte, Joe Biden, Doug Mills, Paul Mashatile, Jacoline, Imtiyaz Khan, Amr Alfiky, Rana Ayyub, Asaduddin Owaisi, “ Modi, Mallikarjun Kharge Organizations: CNN, CNN — India’s, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Indian National Congress, of India, India's, New York Times, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Getty, Modi, Hospital, Narendra, India Today, AP, Madison, Garden, Reuters, Washington , D.C, French National Space Agency, of Yoga, Meta, Facebook, Bloomberg, European, Saudi Arabia's Crown, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kyodo, British, Summit, Qudos Bank, White, Anadolu Agency, Anadolu, United, United Arab Emirates, Sangh, Hindu, “, Hate Locations: Rajasthan, Sydney, Australia, Gujarat, India, Ahmedabad, Ahmadabad, Varanasi, New Delhi, United States, Washington, Washington ,, Toulouse, France, Xian, AFP, Menlo Park , California, U.S, Pretoria, South Africa, China, Berlin, Paris, Rashtrapati, Russian, Brasilia, Glasgow, Red, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, Abu Dhabi, United Arab, BJP, “

☆ In India’s 2024 election, BJP’s main opposition appears increasingly weak in face of Modi juggernaut
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Helen Regan | Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +21 min

Supporters of India's opposition party, Indian National Congress, during an election rally in Puducherry on April 15, 2024 R. Satish Babu/AFP/Getty ImagesDemocracy under threat? Dipam Bhachech/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Modi worked his way through the ranks of the BJP, establishing himself as a respected politician. Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images Modi hugs French President Emmanuel Macron after a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, on June 3, 2017. Brent Lewin/Bloomberg/Getty Images India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on June 22, 2023. Pedro Ugarte/AFP/Getty Images Modi offers a toast during a State Dinner with President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington, on June 22, 2023.

Persons: ”, Narendra Modi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Indira Gandhi, Gandhi, ” Hazari Lal Rajput, Satish Babu, Modi, Modi’s, Matthew Abbott, Hiraben, Damodardas, Dipam Bhachech, Lal Krishna Advani, Subhas Chandra Bose, Kalpit Bhachech, Kalpit, Negi Yasbant, Amit Dave, Ajit Solanki, Kevin Frayer, Saurabh Das, AP Modi, Manish Swarup, Lucas Jackson, Barack Obama, Adrien Helou, Reuters Modi, Adnan Abidi, Stringer, Mark Zuckerberg, David Paul Morris, Marco Longari, Angela Merkel, Tobias Schwarz, Emmanuel Macron, Charles Platiau, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, India's, Jair Bolsonaro, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Amit Shah, Money Sharma, Boris Johnson, Phil Noble, Anthony Albanese, Brent Lewin, Pedro Ugarte, Joe Biden, Doug Mills, Paul Mashatile, Jacoline, Imtiyaz Khan, Amr Alfiky, Arati Jerath, “, it’s, Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Indira, India’s, Jawaharlal Nehru, gunning, ” Modi, shouldn’t, Mohammad Irfan, —, Arvind Kejriwal, Altaf Qadri, Kejriwal, Atishi, you’re, Jerath, Gandhi ‘, ’ Modi, Christophe Jaffrelot, CNN Modi, Rasheed Kidwai, Rahul, Diptendu Dutta, Mamata Banerjee, Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, ” Kidwai, ” Jerath Organizations: CNN, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Indian National Congress, Getty, Democracy, Modi’s BJP, Pew, New York Times, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Modi, Hospital, Narendra, India Today, AP, India's, Madison, Garden, Reuters, Washington , D.C, French National Space Agency, of Yoga, Meta, Facebook, Bloomberg, European, Saudi Arabia's Crown, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kyodo, British, Summit, Qudos Bank, White, Anadolu Agency, Anadolu, United, United Arab Emirates, Developmental Inclusive Alliance, Indian, Aadmi Party, Delhi, AAP, Aam Aadmi Party, All, Trinamool, West, All India, Congress, “, “ Democracy Locations: India, Uttar Pradesh, Ramlila, Puducherry, Modi’s, Sydney, Australia, Gujarat, Ahmedabad, Ahmadabad, Varanasi, New Delhi, United States, Washington, Washington ,, Toulouse, France, Xian, AFP, Menlo Park , California, U.S, Pretoria, South Africa, China, Berlin, Paris, Rashtrapati, Russian, Brasilia, Glasgow, Red, Ayodhya, Abu Dhabi, United Arab, INDIA, Delhi, India’s, Lok Sabha, Atishi, ”, Manipur, Siliguri, West Bengal, Tamil

☆ Narendra Modi: India’s popular but controversial leader seeking a transformative third term
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +26 min

Varanasi and New Delhi CNN —Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi once famously made a simple election promise: “good days are coming”. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses his supporters during an election campaign rally in Pushkar on April 6, 2024. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking during a rally in Sydney, Australia, on May 23, 2023. Kalpit Bhachech/Getty Images Narendra Modi, then BJP secretary is welcomed at Ahmedabad Railway Station by the party's followers on January 31, 1992. Brent Lewin/Bloomberg/Getty Images India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on June 22, 2023.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Modi, Himanshu Sharma, Getty Images Modi, –, ”, Saba Naqvi, “, Vajpayee, Naqvi, Dileep Patel, John Mees, Akash Jaiswal, “ We’ve, ” Jaiswal, isn’t, Matthew Abbott, Hiraben, Damodardas, Dipam Bhachech, Lal Krishna Advani, Subhas Chandra Bose, Kalpit Bhachech, Kalpit, Negi Yasbant, Amit Dave, Ajit Solanki, Kevin Frayer, Saurabh Das, AP Modi, Manish Swarup, Lucas Jackson, Barack Obama, Adrien Helou, Reuters Modi, Adnan Abidi, Stringer, Mark Zuckerberg, David Paul Morris, Marco Longari, Angela Merkel, Tobias Schwarz, Emmanuel Macron, Charles Platiau, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, India's, Jair Bolsonaro, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Amit Shah, Money Sharma, Boris Johnson, Phil Noble, Anthony Albanese, Brent Lewin, Pedro Ugarte, Joe Biden, Doug Mills, Paul Mashatile, Jacoline, Imtiyaz Khan, Amr Alfiky, Patel, India’s, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv, Rahul Gandhi, Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, “ Narendra Modi, ” Mukhopadhyay, Mukhopadhyay, ” Modi, Keshav Baliram, “ Modi, BJP Modi, Lord Ram, ” Naqvi, Critics, Christophe Jaffrelot, Karan Thapar, ” Jaffrelot, Modi’s, it’s, —, Raj, India Narendra Modi, Kenny Hoston, Ram, ” Raniva, That’s Organizations: New Delhi CNN, Indian, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, India's, Getty Images, Pew, CNN, World Health Organization, New York Times, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Getty, Modi, Hospital, Narendra, India Today, Indian National Congress, AP, Madison, Garden, Reuters, Washington , D.C, French National Space Agency, of Yoga, Meta, Facebook, Bloomberg, European, Saudi Arabia's Crown, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kyodo, British, Summit, Qudos Bank, White, Anadolu Agency, Anadolu, United, United Arab Emirates, Cambridge, today’s Congress Party, Harvard, The Times, Muslim, Australia Locations: Varanasi, New Delhi, Gujarat, Pushkar, India, “ India, United States, Brazil, “, Sydney, Australia, Ahmedabad, Ahmadabad, Washington, Washington ,, Toulouse, France, Xian, AFP, Menlo Park , California, U.S, Pretoria, South Africa, China, Berlin, Paris, Rashtrapati, Russian, Brasilia, Glasgow, Red, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, Abu Dhabi, United Arab, Oxford, Vadnagar, Babri, Kadi, Kashmir, United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Jama

☆ Vultures, on the verge of extinction, receive a lifeline in South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Gertrude Kitongo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to four critically endangered species of vulture, and in South Africa, a non-profit conservation and rehabilitation group called VulPro is working to protect these fascinating birds. The operation involved over 50 people, logistics company DHL and WeWild Africa, an NGO specializing in animal rewilding and translocation. It was at that very moment that I actually understood how fragile and misunderstood the species were.”An African White-backed vulture (closest to camera) at the VulPro rehabilitation center near Pretoria, South Africa. Recent efforts have concentrated on the white-headed vulture, with a population of only 3,685 adults continent-wide, according to BirdLife International, and only a small percentage of that figure in South Africa. Poisoning is the most common reason for vultures to require treatment in South Africa, often from ingesting lead in discarded batteries, or bullets in animal carcasses, says Joubert.

Persons: VulPro, ”, Kerri Wolter, Gertrude Kitongo, “, Johan Joubert, Joubert, Wolter, – Organizations: CNN, Reserve, DHL, WeWild, BirdLife International, Shamari Locations: Saharan Africa, South Africa, Eastern Cape, WeWild Africa, African, Pretoria, Africa, West Africa, KwaZulu, Natal, South

☆ Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s director of rugby, suffers chemical burns from detergent in ‘freak accident’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has been hospitalized after suffering chemical burns from detergent in a “freak accident,” South Africa Rugby said in a statement. The 51-year-old is said to be “recovering in hospital following a medical procedure for chemical burns sustained in a freak accident using a powerful detergent product.”“He is otherwise in good health and expects to return to full-time working within weeks,” the statement added. Erasmus coached the Springboks to the Rugby World Cup title in 2019 in Japan – the third time the country had lifted the Webb Ellis Cup – before stepping upstairs to the director of rugby role ahead of the 2023 edition of the tournament. South Africa is next scheduled to play in a two-game series against Ireland in July, first in Pretoria and then in Durban. With Jacques Nienaber installed as head coach and Erasmus overseeing the operation, South Africa retained its World Cup title in France last year, winning its second successive and fourth championship overall after beating New Zealand in the final.

Persons: Rassie Erasmus, Erasmus, Webb, Jacques Nienaber Organizations: CNN, South Africa Rugby, Springboks, Rugby, Ireland, New Zealand Locations: Japan, Africa, Pretoria, Durban, South Africa, France

A key part of that lofty aspiration was the drafting of a convention that codified and committed nations to prevent and punish a new crime, sometimes called the crime of crimes: genocide. Now, in response to Israel's devastating military offensive in Gaza that was triggered by murders and atrocities perpetrated by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, South Africa has gone to the International Court of Justice and accused Israel of genocide. The ICC prosecutes individuals and is separate to the International Court of Justice, which rules in disputes between nations. At public hearings earlier this month and in its detailed written submission to the ICJ, South Africa cited comments by Israeli officials that it claimed demonstrate intent. Both Gambia and South Africa have filed ICJ cases in conflicts they are not directly involved in.

Persons: Reich, Mary Ellen O’Connell, Notre Dame University's, Israel, “, Joan E, Donoghue, ”, Marieke de Hoon, Said O’Connell, Malcolm Shaw, Serbia “, —, Radovan Karadzic, Ratko Mladic, Jean Paul Akayesu, Omar al, Bashir, Danica Kirka Organizations: —, United Nations, Nazi, Notre Dame, Notre Dame University's Kroc, International Court of, Criminal, ICC, International Court of Justice, University of Amsterdam, of Islamic Cooperation, Rwanda —, Yugoslav, Bosnian, Associated Locations: HAGUE, Netherlands, Nazi Germany, Germany, Eastern Europe, Russia, Gaza, South Africa, Israel, Pretoria, Africa, ”, Rome, Serbia, Srebrenica, Bosnian, Moscow, Ukraine, Gambia, Myanmar, That's, Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Arusha, Tanzania, Darfur, Cambodia, Khmer Rouge, London

☆ South African Government Seeks to Halt Auction of Mandela Items
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Matt Stevens | More About Matt Stevens | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The South African Heritage Resources Agency is seeking to prevent an auction of dozens of Nelson Mandela’s personal belongings, saying on Thursday that it has filed court papers to appeal a ruling that had allowed the sale of the items to go forward. Guernsey’s auction house in New York said this week that it planned to auction about 70 of Mr. Mandela’s items on Feb. 22 as part of a fund-raising effort to support the establishment of a memorial garden near where Mr. Mandela, the former South African president, is buried. South African officials had blocked an earlier effort to sell the items on the grounds that some of them are objects of national heritage. But the organizers of the planned sale, led by Mr. Mandela’s oldest daughter, Dr. Makaziwe Mandela, won a court judgment last month. In its ruling, a three-judge panel of the High Court in Pretoria found that the government’s claim to the items as heritage objects was “overbroad.”

Persons: Nelson, Mandela, Mandela’s, Makaziwe Mandela, ” Organizations: African Heritage Resources Agency, South Locations: New York, Pretoria

☆ ‘Anything can happen.’ Inside the ‘real-life reality show’ of the nine-month cruise
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +24 min

Welcome aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, which set sail a month ago and has unexpectedly captured the internet’s imagination. It all started when Fletcher, a 39-year-old photographer from the UK, happened upon a TikTok video from a world cruise passenger. Anthony AntoineIt’s possible to join the Ultimate World Cruise at several points along the journey – there’s no requirement to sign up for the whole nine months. He understands.”So far, while his world cruise dispatches have racked up millions of views, Sebastian has yet to uncover the “hot goss” he promised. Passenger Angie Linderman, 38, also had an emotional path to boarding the world cruise.

Persons: Michael Bayley, –, Beth Anne Fletcher, “ It’s, Fletcher, Fletcher isn’t, she’s, Brooklyn Schwetje, “, ’ ”, Madison’s TikToks, She’d, I’d, ”, I’ve, I’m, We’ve, She’s, Oosthuizen, she’d, TikTokers, Madison Schwetje, ” Fletcher, it’s, Renske Lammerding, ‘, Dad ’ Joe Martucci, Audrey, Joe, Audrey Martucci Joe Martucci, Martucci, Martucci’s, ’, ‘ Dad, Dad ”, “ Hey, ” –, Hunnicut, Jenny Hunnicutt, Anthony McWilliams, Angie Linderman, Jenny Hunnicut, Shannon Marie Lake, boomer, Lake, Julian Mendoza, @cooljul1, Daniele Salvatore Arbisi, @singing.sailor, Stig Nilsen, Salvatore Arbisi soundtracked, Nilsen, seafarer, they’d, Anthony Antoine It’s, influencer Marc Sebastian, Simon & Schuster, Jean, Francois Monier, McWilliams, Marc Sebastian, Sebastian, goss, Anthony Antoine The, “ We’re, “ I’ve, ” McWilliams, ‘ Lean, ” McWilliams ’, he’s, Linderman, ” Linderman, Taj Organizations: CNN, Royal Caribbean, Caribbean, Royal Caribbean International, CNN Travel, Royal, ’, Madison, Housewives, Seas, “ Pirates, Royal Caribbean Cruise, Simon &, Getty, British, Antarctica Locations: Brooklyn, Royal Caribbean, TikTok, Pretoria ”, @iambrandeelake, Lake, Norwegian, Caribbean, Shannon, AFP, Antarctica, “, Machu Picchu, China

☆ Video gamers may be risking hearing loss or tinnitus, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Kristen Rogers | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“One study showed that individuals who play video games for longer times are at higher risk of developing hearing loss or tinnitus.”Tinnitus refers to an internal sensation of a ringing, buzzing or roaring sound in one or both ears. That’s why the study’s authors wondered what the relationship with hearing loss and tinnitus might be — especially since many games also have loud sudden sounds such as gunshots or engines revving. “This can result in temporary hearing loss or ringing in the ears,” she added. But hearing damage is permanent, and exposure to high-intensity sounds when young could make kids more vulnerable to developing age-related hearing loss later, so the authors have urged the importance of prevention. “Key warning signs of hearing loss include experiencing tinnitus, difficulties hearing high-pitched sounds or difficulties following conversations,” Dillard said.

Persons: ”, Dr, Lauren Dillard, De, Swanepoel wasn’t, Dillard, ” Dillard, Janet Choi, Choi wasn’t, ” Swanepoel, Swanepoel, “, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, BMJ Public, University of Pretoria, WHO, University of Colorado School of Medicine, “, World Health Organization, International Telecommunication Union, US Centers for Disease Control, University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine Locations: South Africa

☆ U.S. slams 'meritless' Israel genocide suit, reigniting tensions with South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The International Court of Justice, the U.N.'s highest legal body, will this week hear a case brought by South Africa that accuses Israel of committing genocide against Palestinian people during the assault on the Gaza Strip. Ambassador Reuben Brigety accused South Africa of running guns for Russia via a mystery merchant ship, a South African inquiry found no evidence of the alleged arms shipment, but ties between the two historical allies remained taut. "Over the past two years a succession of frustrations, including South Africa feeling it is being pushed on Russia-Ukraine, the U.S. Ambassador's statements on South African domestic security and on its relationship with Russia, and U.S. policy on China in Africa, have all contributed to the worsening of this relationship," Vandome said. 'Solidarity against apartheid oppression' South Africa's close relationship with Russia is based on a multitude of factors past and present.

Persons: John Kirby, Kevin Lamarque, Israel, Reuben Brigety, Cyril Ramaphosa, Chris Vandome, Vandome, Sergey Lavrov, Naledi Pandor Organizations: White, Reuters, U.S, Court of Justice, Palestinian, . National Security, Chatham, CNBC, South, Russian, African Foreign, Pretoria Ihsaan Haffejee, Anadolu Agency, Getty, United States Trade, Solidarity, Congress, ANC, Party Locations: Washington , U.S, South Africa, Gaza, Israel, Washington, Pretoria, Russia, China, African, Ukraine, Africa, U.S, Palestine, PRETORIA, Pretoria Ihsaan

☆ De Winton’s golden mole rediscovered after nearly 100 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —A blind golden mole that glides through sand has been rediscovered in South Africa, 87 years after wildlife experts feared it had gone extinct. A beach in the northwest of South Africa where De Winton's golden moles are living. The challenge was pinpointing if De Winton’s golden mole was one of them. Common species, such as Cape golden mole and Grant’s golden mole were easily identifiable, but since there was only one De Winton’s golden mole reference DNA available, the team could not confidently identify it. De Winton’s golden mole is the 11th of its “most-wanted lost species” rediscovered since the program launched in 2017.

Persons: CNN —, JP Le Roux, eDNA, De, ”, Samantha Mynhardt, Jessie –, Nicky Souness, Cobus Theron, Christina Biggs, “, Theron Organizations: CNN, Wildlife Trust, University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University, EWT Locations: South Africa, Port Nolloth, Cape

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Researchers in South Africa say they have rediscovered a species of mole with an iridescent golden coat and the ability to almost “swim” through sand dunes after it hadn't been seen for more than 80 years and was thought to be extinct. The De Winton's golden mole -- a small, blind burrower with “super-hearing powers” that eats insects -- was found to be still alive on a beach in Port Nolloth on the west coast of South Africa by a team of researchers from the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the University of Pretoria. With the help of a sniffer dog, the team found traces of tunnels and discovered a golden mole in 2021. But because there are 21 species of golden moles and some look very similar, the team needed more to be certain that it was a De Winton's. Golden moles are native to sub-Saharan Africa and the De Winton's had only ever been found in the Port Nolloth area.

Persons: hadn't, “, Samantha Mynhardt, ‘ you’re, Winton's, Mynhardt, ”, Esther Matthew Organizations: —, Wildlife Trust, University of Pretoria, Associated Press, ___ AP Locations: CAPE, South Africa, Port Nolloth, African, Saharan Africa, Guatemala, Djibouti, ___, africa

☆ Olympian Oscar Pistorius Granted Parole 10 Years After Killing Girlfriend
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Former South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius will be released from jail in January 2024 after being granted parole on Friday. Pistorius was convicted of murdering his girlfriend in 2013. Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko/ReutersJOHANNESBURG—Former Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius, who was convicted of murdering his girlfriend, was granted parole on Friday after serving half of his 15-year sentence. Pistorius will be released from prison on Jan. 5, according to a statement from South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services, after a decision issued by the parole board at Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where Pistorius has been incarcerated since 2016.

Persons: Oscar Pistorius, Pistorius, Siphiwe Organizations: South African Paralympic, Reuters, Olympic, South, South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services, Atteridgeville Correctional Locations: Reuters JOHANNESBURG, South Africa’s, Pretoria

Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius leaves court after appearing for the 2013 killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, June 14, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/Files Acquire Licensing RightsJOHANNESBURG, Nov 24 (Reuters) - South Africa's former Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius, jailed in 2014 for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, will get another chance for an early release at a parole hearing on Friday. He was sent back to jail for six years in 2016 after a High Court sentence, which was less than half the 15-year minimum term sought by prosecutors. Several factors are typically taken into account by a parole board before inmates are released on parole. Pistorius was denied parole in March after it was ruled that he had not completed the minimum detention period required to be considered for parole.

Persons: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp, Siphiwe, Pistorius, Steenkamp, Singabakho Nxumalo, Conrad Dormehl, Bhargav Acharya, Olivia Kumwenda, Ken Ferris Organizations: North, North Gauteng High Court, REUTERS, Rights, Paralympic, Appeal, South Africa's Department of Correctional Services, Correctional, Reuters, Atteridgeville Correctional, Constitutional, Thomson Locations: North Gauteng, Pretoria, South Africa, Rights JOHANNESBURG, Atteridgeville

☆ Oscar Pistorius, Olympic Athlete Convicted of Murder, Will Be Released on Parole
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Lynsey Chutel | More About Lynsey Chutel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Oscar Pistorius, a once inspirational figure who gained international fame as an Olympic sprinter for South Africa before he was convicted of murdering his girlfriend, will be released on parole, the authorities said on Friday. A parole board granted Mr. Pistorius’s petition on the basis that he had served half of his 15-year sentence he received for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home a decade ago, making him eligible for parole according to South African law. The Department of Correctional Services said in a statement that Mr. Pistorius was a “first-time offender, with a positive support system” and therefore met the requirements for parole, after a hearing at the Atteridgeville Correctional Center outside South Africa’s administrative capital, Pretoria. Before his downfall, Mr. Pistorius was celebrated in South Africa and around the world as an athlete who had overcome personal adversity as a double amputee and fought for the right to compete in the Olympics, earning the nickname the Blade Runner for the carbon-fiber prosthetic blades that he used to race.

Persons: Oscar Pistorius, Pistorius’s, Reeva Steenkamp, Pistorius Organizations: of Correctional Services, Atteridgeville Correctional Center Locations: South Africa, Africa’s, Pretoria

☆ Oscar Pistorius granted parole, to be released from prison nearly 11 years after murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oscar Pistorius, the disgraced South African Paralympian who murdered his girlfriend on Valentine's Day 10 years ago, was granted parole at a hearing on Friday and will be released. Pistorius was told at a hearing in Pretoria, the administrative capital where he has been held, that he will be released on Jan. 5, 2024. Tania Koen, a lawyer who has represented the Steenkamps throughout the parole process and Pistorius' appeals, confirmed to NBC News that parole was granted. As a condition of the parole process, Pistorius met with Steenkamp's father, Barry, in June 2022. When he shot Steenkamp he had assumed it was a burglar, he said.

Persons: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp, Pistorius, Steenkamp, Tania Koen, wouldn't, Steenkamp's, Barry Organizations: South, Valentine's, NBC News, Olympics Locations: Pretoria, Gauteng Province, Johannesburg

[1/4] Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius leaves court after appearing for the 2013 killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, June 14, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/Files Acquire Licensing RightsJOHANNESBURG, Nov 24 (Reuters) - South African former Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius, jailed nine years ago for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, was granted parole on Friday effective from Jan. 5. His total sentence was lengthened to six years in 2016, less than half the 15-year minimum term sought by prosecutors. In 2017, the Supreme Court more than doubled his total sentence to 13 years and five months, saying the six-year jail term was "shockingly lenient". Pistorius was denied parole in March after it was ruled that he had not completed the minimum detention period required to be considered for parole.

Persons: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp, Siphiwe, Pistorius, Steenkamp, Mr Pistorius, Rob Matthews, I'm, Oscar, Matthews, Bhargav Acharya, Tannur Anders, Nick Macfie, Toby Chopra, Andrew Heavens Organizations: North, North Gauteng High Court, REUTERS, Rights, Paralympic, Appeal, Department of Correctional Services, Pistorius, Rehabilitation, Constitutional, Thomson Locations: North Gauteng, Pretoria, South Africa, Rights JOHANNESBURG

Steenkamp's family believes he intended to shoot the 29-year-old model and law graduate after becoming enraged in a nighttime argument. Pistorius' parole comes 10 years after the killing. Matthews noted that Pistorius' parole was granted a day before the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Steenkamp family lawyer Tania Koen encapsulated it when she spoke about Pistorius' possible release earlier this year and if it was right. She said that no prison sentence for him, no matter how long, would ever really make any difference to Steenkamp's family after her death.

Persons: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp, Pistorius, didn't, he’s, —, Reeva, Steenkamp, Reeva's, Barry Steenkamp, “, ”, Barry, Rob Matthews, Matthews, Tania Koen, ” Koen Organizations: —, of Corrections, South Africa's, Women, AP Locations: CAPE, South Africa, Pretoria, U.S, South, africa

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Oscar Pistorius could be granted parole on Friday after spending nearly 10 years in prison for murder. Serious offenders in South Africa must serve at least half their sentence to be eligible for parole, which Pistorius has done. Prosecutors argued that Steenkamp had fled to the toilet cubicle during a late-night argument and Pistorius killed her in a rage. Steenkamp’s mother, June Steenkamp, will not oppose Pistorius’ parole, her lawyer said in a message to The Associated Press. June Steenkamp attended Pistorius’ first parole hearing in March to oppose Pistorius' release but will not attend on Friday, said her lawyer, Tania Koen.

Persons: — Oscar Pistorius, Pistorius, he'd, Reeva Steenkamp, Steenkamp, Steenkamp’s, Barry Steenkamp, Pistorius ’, Tania Koen, Koen, It's, ” Pistorius Organizations: Prosecutors, Associated Press, British, of Corrections, Correctional, AP Locations: CAPE, South Africa, Pretoria, africa

☆ S.African lawmakers vote to suspend diplomatic ties with Israel, shut embassy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Supporters of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) and various political parties including civil society groups gather in solidarity with the Palestinian people outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, October 20, 2023. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCAPE TOWN, Nov 21 (Reuters) - South African lawmakers voted on Tuesday in favour of closing down the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and suspending all diplomatic relations until a ceasefire is agreed in its war with Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Monday, the Israeli ambassador in Pretoria was recalled to Tel Aviv for consultations ahead of the vote, which on Tuesday was resoundingly adopted by a 248-91 margin. Reporting by Wendell Roelf; editing by Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Siphiwe, Cyril Ramaphosa's, resoundingly, Nelson Mandela, Pemmy Majodina, Wendell Roelf, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: National Congress, ANC, REUTERS, Palestinian, Hamas, Court, Fighters, EFF, Nations, Thomson Locations: Pretoria, South Africa, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, Africa, Hamas

[1/3] Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba looks on during his meeting with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor, as they hold a joint press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, November 6, 2023. Jacoline Schoonees/DIRCO/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsPRETORIA, Nov 6 (Reuters) - South Africa is recalling diplomats from Israel to assess its relationship with the country amid a rise in civilian casualties from its war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, its foreign minister said on Monday. South Africa does not have an ambassador in Israel. The country is "extremely concerned at the continued killing of children and innocent civilians" in the Palestinian territory, the foreign minister said. Over 1,400 people were killed by Hamas in the deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, which South Africa has condemned, while also calling for the return of hostages.

Persons: Dmytro Kuleba, Naledi, Jacoline, Naledi Pandor, Cyril Ramaphosa, Pandor, Carien du Plessis, Tannur Anders, Bhargav, Promit Mukherjee, Christina Fincher Organizations: Ukrainian Foreign, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Palestinian, Hamas, ., Cairo Peace, United Nations, Ukrainian, Thomson Locations: Pretoria, South Africa, Handout, Rights PRETORIA, Israel, Africa, Palestine, Cairo, Gaza, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Olympics no longer Semenya's major goal amid court fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Hugo Boogaerdt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"My last chance to win at the Olympics was in 2016 – Paris is not my goal," Semenya told Reuters. That decision could yet be appealed and is not a judgement against the World Athletics regulations. Semenya believes World Athletics’ regulations are a "racial issue". World Athletics has denied this is the case. "World Athletics has only ever been interested in protecting the female category.

Persons: Semenya, Nick Said Organizations: World Athletics, hyperandrogenism, Reuters, Sport, Athletics, Thomson Locations: PRETORIA, Paris, Semenya, Swiss, Africa

☆ Australia-based Wallabies lacked work ethic at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Australia-based players in the Wallabies squad for the disappointing World Cup campaign lacked the ability to train at the same level as their team mates at European clubs, according to assistant coach Pierre-Henry Broncan. "The team's youth did not work at this World Cup, it did not lack experience but collective experience," he told French sports newspaper L'Equipe. "We lost the World Cup the week we lost Tupou and Skelton. They have been preparing for this World Cup for four years. "If he senses a real desire from Rugby Australia to create a high-performance environment, I think he will be there."

Persons: Siphiwe, Pierre, Henry Broncan, Eddie Jones, Will Skelton, Richie Arnold, that's, Jones, Skelton, Taniela Tupou, Tupou, Frenchman, Fabien Galthie, Broncan, Eddie, Nick Mulvenney, Ed Osmond Organizations: Australia Wallabies, St Peter’s, Rugby, South, REUTERS, Rights, Wallabies, Castres, Australia, French, L'Equipe, Fiji, Rugby Australia, Thomson Locations: Sunninghill, South Africa, Pretoria, Australia, France, Fiji

☆ South Africa to host US-Africa trade summit despite Russia spat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

South Africa's economic hub, Johannesburg, will host the U.S.-sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum from Nov. 2 to 4, U.S. and South African officials said in a joint statement on Wednesday. "As President Biden has said, the future is Africa," United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in the statement. Despite Pretoria's declared neutrality, perceived close ties between Russia and South Africa, an important U.S. trading partner in Africa, have ruffled feathers Washington. Pointing to South Africa's joint naval operations with China and Russia in February, and plans to host Russian President Vladimir Putin at a BRICS bloc summit, they also suggested South Africa's trade benefits under AGOA could be revoked. The lawmakers appeared to back up an explosive accusation by the U.S. ambassador to South Africa that a Russian vessel under sanctions collected weapons at a South African naval base last year.

Persons: Katherine Tai, Biden's, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Tai, Pretoria's, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Ebrahim Patel, Joe Bavier, Grant McCool Organizations: Trade, REUTERS, Saharan, Saharan Africa Trade, Economic Cooperation, United States Trade, U.S . House, U.S . Senate, U.S, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Russia, Washington JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, U.S, Africa, South, Johannesburg, Saharan Africa, Ukraine, Washington, China, Russian, AGOA, United States

☆ 8 major takeaways from the explosive new book about Elon Musk that lifts the lid on the world's richest person
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Grace Dean | Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Gianliuigi Guercia/Getty ImagesOne character who appears frequently throughout the book is Elon Musk's father, Errol Musk. "It turned out to be a really bad idea," Elon Musk told Isaacson. "It was mental torture," Elon Musk told Isaacson. But the years that he spent with his father have somewhat shaped Elon Musk's personality, according to the book. Ex-wife Talulah Riley also told Isaacson that Errol Musk's treatment of his son "had a profound effect on how he operates."

Persons: Elon, Elon Musk's, Gianliuigi Guercia, Errol Musk, Elon Musk, Isaacson, Kimbal Musk, Maye Musk, Kimbal, Grimes, Justine Musk, Errol, he'd, Talulah Riley, Errol Musk's, he's Organizations: Elon Locations: Pretoria

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