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☆ Amina Agueznay: Moroccan artist awarded prestigious contemporary African art prize
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Callum Sutherland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Norval Sovereign African Art Prize, designed to elevate the work of contemporary African artists, has found its latest artist to thrust into the spotlight. The Moroccan artist was invited to the ksar as architect Salima Naji was renovating its structure. “It’s a collaboration for African artists to expose their work, position them within the global art landscape and also give them the opportunity to exhibit a representation of contemporary African art,” she said. Agueznay is the third artist to win the prize, following Malian painter Famakan Magassa and South African sculptor Bonolo Kavula. She takes home $35,000 in prize money, and has been awarded an artist residency in London, supported by the Outset Contemporary Art Fund.

Persons: Amina Agueznay, “, ” Agueznay, Ashraf Jamal, Salima Naji, Agueznay, Amina Agueznay Agueznay, it’s, ”, Caroline Greyling, Famakan Magassa, Bonolo Kavula, Sotheby’s, who’s Organizations: CNN, Norval Sovereign African Art, Loft Art, The Norval Foundation, Art, Norval Foundation Learning, Norval Foundation Locations: Moroccan, Morocco, Tissekmoudine, ”, Casablanca, Malian, London, South Africa, Cape Town

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Historic hearings are opening on Monday at the United Nations’ top court into the legality of Israel’s 57-year occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. It has built 146 settlements across the West Bank, according to watchdog group Peace Now, many of which resemble fully developed suburbs and small towns. An additional 200,000 Israelis live in settlements built in east Jerusalem that Israel considers to be neighborhoods of its capital. Israel’s annexation of east Jerusalem, home to the city’s most sensitive holy sites, is not internationally recognized.

Persons: Israel, ”, Omar Awadallah, Yuval Shany, It’s Organizations: United Nations ’, International Court of, General Assembly, of Justice, West Bank, Palestinian, Palestinian Foreign Ministry, Hebrew University, Israel Democracy Institute, Hamas, South, African National Congress Locations: HAGUE, Netherlands, Palestinian, Israel, Gaza, Jerusalem, Jordan, Egypt, South Africa, israel

☆ ‘Our people are here to stay:’ World Court hears arguments over Israeli occupation of Palestinian-claimed land
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( David Shortell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Fifty-two countries will participate in arguments at The Hague over the six-day hearing – more than any other case heard by the court in its history. Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel today has full administrative and security control over 60% of the West Bank area while the PA has nominal control over Palestinian population centers. There are an estimated 700,000 Israeli settlers illegally living in the West Bank. All Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law and by much of the international community.

Persons: ”, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Riyad al, ” al, Maliki Organizations: CNN, Court of, Hague, UN, Assembly, Hamas, Israel, West Bank, Palestinian Authority, Maliki, West Bank . Locations: Israel, South Africa, Gaza, Hague, East Jerusalem, Oslo

“Poor Things” and “Oppenheimer” are the leading contenders for the British Academy Film Awards, which will be handed out Sunday in front of an audience of filmmakers, movie stars and the heir to the British throne. The ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall will be a glitzy, British-accented appetizer for Hollywood’s Academy Awards, closely watched for hints about who might win at the Oscars on March 10. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesGuest of honor will be Prince William, in his role as president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. “People keep telling me I should be terribly nervous,” Tennant said about the notoriously pitfall-plagued role of awards show host. I just get to hand them out.”Historical epic “Killers of the Flower Moon” and Holocaust drama “ The Zone of Interest” have nine nominations each for the prizes, officially called the EE BAFTA Film Awards.

Persons: “ Oppenheimer, Yorgos, Christopher Nolan’s, “ Oppenheimer ”, Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr, Rosamund Pike, Ryan Gosling, Ayo, Andrew Scott, Cate Blanchett, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba, Prince William, He’ll, Kate, “, Who, David Tennant, ” Tennant, “ Barbie, Greta Gerwig —, Justine Triet, ” Emerald Fennell, “ Saltburn ”, Celine Song, ”, Oppenheimer, Napoleon, Wonka, Fantasia, Vivian Oparah, Sandra Hüller, ” Mulligan, “ Maestro, ” Margot Robbie, “ Barbie ”, Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan, Cooper, ” Colman Domingo, “ Rustin, ” Paul Giamatti, Teo Yoo, “ Ted Lasso ”, Hannah Waddingham, Sophie Ellis, Bextor, ” Samantha Morton, Givanni Organizations: British Academy, Royal, Hollywood’s Academy, British Academy of Film, Television Arts, “, The Associated Press, PBS, BAFTA, BBC Locations: ”, London, Ireland, Ukraine, Mariupol, Saltburn, 1900GMT, U.S, Canada, Australia, South Africa

☆ In the West Bank, an independent Palestine remains a distant dream
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Ramallah and Jerusalem CNN —The world is once again talking about a Palestinian state. Under the Oslo Accords peace agreement, the West Bank has been split into three distinct areas, depending on who is in charge. Israel has full administrative and security control over 60% of the West Bank area, which it continues settling its citizens in. Earlier this month, Biden issued an executive order imposing sanctions on four settlers accused of directly perpetrating violence or intimidation in the West Bank. It was largely here that the plans for a future Palestinian state and its institutions were drawn up.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Khalil Shikaki, ”, Ivana Kottasova, “, Israel, –, Biden, CNN Diana Buttu, , it’s, Buttu, ” Buttu, “ We’re, Jo Shelley, Shikaki, Sojoud, Mahmoud Abbas, ” Shikaki, Adnan Joulani, David, Cameron Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Palestinian Center, Policy, Survey Research, CNN, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Orient House, Palestine Liberation Organization, Israel, International Court of Justice, Oslo Accords, Fatah, PLO, Israeli Police, Palestinian, Society, International Affairs, British Locations: Ramallah, Jerusalem, Palestinian, Israel, United States, Palestine, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, East Jerusalem, Gaza, Oslo, South Africa, Old City, Orient

☆ We've visited 50 states and 91 countries and almost always choose hotels over Airbnbs. Here's why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Initially, we were going to live in a golf community in Palm City, Florida, and also do some traveling. Courtesy of John and Beverly MartinJohn: When COVID hit, we realized we couldn't travel internationally. So we sold our house, bought the Airstream for $50,000, and visited all 50 states and 51 national parks in two years. John: After about a year, we started noticing we could stay at hotels for a similar price to the Airbnbs. Beverly: We've had some amazing stays, like a luxury hotel in Delhi.

Persons: —, John Martin, Beverly, Beverly Martin John, Bev, Beverly Martin Beverly, John, We've, Airbnb, we're, We're, would've Organizations: Service, Beverly, Central America, The, YouTube, Kruger National Park Locations: United States, Palm City , Florida, Beverly, New Zealand, California, Florida, Greece, Panama, Sri Lanka, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Europe, Central, Asia, Norway, Albania, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Santorini, Hyatts, Laos, Delhi, South Africa, Victoria Falls, West Africa

☆ Navalny's Death Leaves Despair and Apathy in Moscow
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

"Navalny's death is terrible: hopes have been smashed," Nikitin said. The West, including U.S. President Joe Biden, blamed President Vladimir Putin for the death. "Navalny's death is very beneficial to Putin's opponents," said Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser. WEST 'NOT OUR FRIEND'At "Patriki", or Patriarch's Ponds, the centre of Moscow nightlife, many young Russians revelled away Friday night just hours after news of Navalny's death. "It is sad of course when anybody dies," Olga Kazakova, a Russian, told Reuters in central Moscow on Saturday.

Persons: Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW, Alexei Navalny, Navalny, carnations, Vladimir Nikitin, Nikitin, Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, Putin, Navalny's, Africa's Nelson Mandela, Kira Yarmysh, Yulia, Sergei Markov, revelled, Olga Kazakova, Boris Nemtsov, Guy Faulconbridge, Frances Kerry Organizations: KGB, Reuters, CIA, DEATH, Munich Security Conference, Putin, Kremlin, Ukraine, WEST Locations: Moscow, Russia, Russia's, St Petersburg, Navalny, Avdiivka, West, Ukraine, Kremlin, Basil's

☆ Top U.N. Court Declines Request to Halt Israel’s Advance on Rafah
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Image A destroyed residential building in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday. Credit... Hatem Ali/Associated PressThe International Court of Justice has declined to issue new constraints on Israel’s military to prevent it from pushing into the final stretch of the Gaza Strip where most civilians are sheltering. Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said that a ground invasion is necessary because Hamas battalions remain in Rafah. The trial on the main case concerning whether Israel is committing genocide could take months or years to unfold. “We will fight until complete victory and this includes a powerful action also in Rafah,” he wrote on the social platform X.

Persons: Hatem Ali, Israel’s, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, general’s, Netanyahu, ”, Deir al Organizations: ., Associated, Court of Justice, United Nations Locations: Rafah, Gaza, South Africa, “, Israel, Deir, People

☆ Morocco's hashish dealers boycott Israeli traffickers in solidarity with Gaza, says report
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Dealers of highly-prized Moroccan hashish are severing ties with Israeli drug smugglers. They are boycotting Israeli dealers in protest at the killing of Palestinians in Gaza, said a report. AdvertisementMoroccan hashish dealers are severing ties with Israeli drug smugglers amid the ongoing war in Gaza, per a report in Israeli media. "The hashish dealers in Morocco are not willing to sell us more hashish either directly or through intermediaries," a drug offender from Sharon told Mako , an Israeli news portal, reports. The Moroccan hashish boycott echoes the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Persons: —, Sharon, Mako, siad, Abu Mustafa, Merchants Organizations: Service, Cannabis Museum, Hamas, REUTERS, IDF Locations: Gaza, Morocco, Israeli, Amsterdam, Israel, Gaza City, Moroccan

☆ Why Monster Beverage is the best-performing stock of the last 30 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Natalie Rice | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

It's actually an energy drink company: Monster Beverage . Monster's stock has climbed for decades, along with sales, which have grown consistently for 31 years straight. Between Feb. 14, 1994, and Wednesday, Monster's stock appreciated by about 200,000%. Monster Beverage is a holding company composed of subsidiaries that produce and manufacture drinks including energy, alcohol, teas and coffees. The company attracted the attention of beverage giant Coca-Cola , which entered into a strategic partnership with the company now called Monster Beverage in 2015.

Persons: It's, Rodney Sacks, Hilton Schlosberg, Mark Astrachan, Sacks, Schlosberg, Monster, Nik Modi, Modi, Coke, Monster's, they've Organizations: Monster Beverage, South, Beverage, Energy, Natural Corporation, Capital Markets, Analysts, Nascar

☆ Pro-Palestinian Groups File Legal Action Against German Politician Over Gaza War
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Riham AlkousaaBERLIN (Reuters) - Pro-Palestinian activists have filed criminal charges against a German politician for suspected incitement of hate and denial of war crimes in Israel's war in Gaza, they said on Friday. War in Israel and Gaza View All 209 ImagesThe charges against Volker Beck, a former member of parliament and the head of the German-Israeli Society, were brought by Palestinian solidarity groups Palestine Speaks and Jewish Voice for Just Peace in the Middle East. "This is the first step in holding public figures who publicly make genocidal statements legally accountable," the group wrote on its Instagram. "There is no genocide in Gaza and I do not advocate genocide," he told Reuters, adding that he had filed complaints against the groups for defamation. "These people have a disturbed relationship with the rule of law if they believe that many complaints lead to more investigations."

Persons: Alkousaa, Volker Beck, Beck, Riham Alkousaa, Rachel More, Nick Macfie Organizations: Israeli Society, Palestine, Jewish, Reuters, Court Locations: Alkousaa BERLIN, German, Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Germany, Berlin, South Africa

☆ I grew up in the US, while my wife grew up in the UK. She had a better education and now has a better understanding of the world.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Katy Fleming | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

My wife grew up in the UK and got a better education, becoming a more-rounded adult. I recently married my wife, Kaajal, who was born and raised in London. If my wife and I have children, we'll undoubtedly move to the UK for superior academics to better prepare them for a career. AdvertisementSimilarly to religion, the British school system provides a collective overview of world history and geography starting at a young age. In my personal experience, the UK education system is significantly better than the US education system in preparing students for their careers, instilling well-rounded cultural experiences, and educating on the world map.

Persons: —, Kaajal, fiancée, it's, we'll Organizations: Service, British Locations: London, Pittsburgh, Africa, Mozambique, South Africa, England, , Arkansas, Estonia

☆ World Court Holds Hearings on Israel's Occupation of Palestinian Territories
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Stephanie van den BergTHE HAGUE (Reuters) - A record 52 states will present arguments about the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the U.N.'s highest legal body. The ICJ's six days of hearings starting on Monday come after the U.N. General Assembly asked the court in 2022 for an advisory, or non-binding, opinion on the occupation. It is the second time the U.N. General Assembly has asked the ICJ, also known as the World Court, for an advisory opinion related to the occupied Palestinian territory. “The International Court of Justice is set for the first time to broadly consider the legal consequences of Israel’s nearly six-decades-long occupation and mistreatment of the Palestinian people,” said Clive Baldwin, senior legal adviser at Human Rights Watch. While Israel has filed a written statement with the court, it has not asked to participate in the hearings.

Persons: Stephanie van den Berg, Omar Awadallah, Israel’s, ”, Clive Baldwin, Josie Kao Organizations: HAGUE, Reuters, International Court of Justice, General Assembly, Palestinian Foreign Ministry, Israel, West, General, West Bank, Court of Justice, Human Rights Watch, Governments, Court, United Nations Locations: Palestinian, Israel, Gaza, West Bank, East Jerusalem, Palestine, Egypt, West, Africa, Holy City, Jerusalem, United States, Russia, China, South Africa

Opinion What Sourdough Taught Me, in the Pandemic and BeyondInside one tablespoon of active sourdough starter, the fermented culture made of flour and water used for thousands of years to leaven bread, there are billions of microorganisms. How to create a sourdough starter Repeat until bubbling with life. Add flour, water and salt. Add flour, water and salt. To avoid this exponential growth, a portion of sourdough starter is traditionally discarded at every feeding, which means there’s plenty to go around.

Persons: ”, —, Seamus Blackley, . Kan, they’ve, “, Caesar, cura, Jesus, John, we’ve, Thomas White, Gazans, Alice Spearman, Germany Chiara G, Netherlands Anna Celda Czechia Veronika Moravcikova, Allie Wist, we’re Organizations: U.S, International New York, Penn, Ala . Iowa Miss, Okla . Texas Colo, Okla . Texas Colo . Puerto Rico Wyo, Utah Idaho Mexico Ariz, Great, Netherlands France Belgium Denmark, Poland Latvia Slovenia, Poland Latvia Slovenia Italy Croatia, . Connecticut Massachusetts Rhode Island New Jersey New Hampshire Vermont Pennsylvania, . Connecticut Massachusetts Rhode Island New Jersey New Hampshire Vermont Pennsylvania Maryland Delaware D.C, Maine Virginia, Maine Virginia West Virginia Ohio, Maine Virginia West Virginia Ohio North Carolina Michigan Indiana South, Maine Virginia West Virginia Ohio North Carolina Michigan Indiana South Carolina Kentucky Tennessee Wisconsin Illinois, Alabama Iowa Mississippi Minnesota Florida Arkansas, Canada Louisiana Nebraska Kansas Oklahoma, Canada Louisiana Nebraska Kansas Oklahoma Texas Colorado, Canada Louisiana Nebraska Kansas Oklahoma Texas Colorado Puerto Rico Wyoming, Portugal Spain, Supermarkets, United Nations, BBC, Alice Spearman Canada Locations: Barthelme, Conn, R.I . N.J, N.H . Vt, Md, Del, D.C, Maine Va, W.Va . Ohio N.C, Mich, Ind, S.C . Ky, Tenn, Wis, Ill, Ala . Iowa, Minn, Fla, Canada, Okla . Texas, Okla . Texas Colo . Puerto Rico, Mont, N.M, Utah Idaho Mexico, Ore, Calif, Iceland, Portugal Spain, Netherlands France Belgium, Netherlands France Belgium Denmark Luxembourg Sweden Germany Brazil Switzerland, Poland Latvia, Poland Latvia Slovenia Italy, Poland Latvia Slovenia Italy Croatia Hungary Bulgaria Greece Hawaii, Argentina, China Bhutan India South Africa, Malaysia Singapore, Australia, . Connecticut Massachusetts Rhode Island New Jersey New Hampshire Vermont, . Connecticut Massachusetts Rhode Island New Jersey New Hampshire Vermont Pennsylvania Maryland Delaware, Maine, Maine Virginia West Virginia, Maine Virginia West Virginia Ohio North Carolina, Maine Virginia West Virginia Ohio North Carolina Michigan Indiana South Carolina Kentucky Tennessee Wisconsin, Maine Virginia West Virginia Ohio North Carolina Michigan Indiana South Carolina Kentucky Tennessee Wisconsin Illinois Georgia, Alabama Iowa Mississippi Minnesota, Canada Louisiana Nebraska Kansas Oklahoma Texas, Canada Louisiana Nebraska Kansas Oklahoma Texas Colorado Puerto Rico, Canada Louisiana Nebraska Kansas Oklahoma Texas Colorado Puerto Rico Wyoming Montana New Mexico, Utah Idaho Mexico Arizona Nevada Washington Oregon California Iceland, Portugal, Portugal Spain France The Netherlands Belgium Denmark Luxembourg Sweden Germany Brazil Switzerland, China Bhutan India, Africa, Uruk, France, Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Ukraine, Gaza, Germany, Netherlands

☆ Brazil's Lula Slams Israel on Gaza War, Says UN Failed
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

CAIRO (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday that the United Nations has failed to resolve international conflicts and harshly criticized Israeli actions in Gaza. Lula said there would not be peace without the establishment of a Palestinian state and called for an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. War in Israel and Gaza View All 209 Images"The killing must be stopped," he said. Lula said the permanent Security Council should be expanded and its veto powers abolished. Brazil has supported South Africa's case brought before the International Court of Justice against the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, he added.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Abdel Fattah al, Lula, Sisi, who's, Israel, Lisandra Paraguassu, Peter Frontini, Anthony Boadle, Andrew Cawthorne, Nick Macfie Organizations: United Nations, Arab League, . Security, Security, International Court of Justice Locations: CAIRO, Gaza, Brazil, Palestinian, Israel, Palestine

☆ Eddy Kenzo, Uganda’s first Grammy nominee, recounts his journey from sleeping on the streets to global stardom
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Vanessa Offiong | Daniel Renjifo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

I’ve always known that I’ll make it in music because I could feel the creativity in me. But I knew that one day if I ever went into a studio, I would produce good music. Eddy Kenzo (center) pictured here in Uganda with members of the Ghetto Kids dance group, during a music video rehearsal in 2023. Eddy Kenzo, pictured here attending the 65th edition of the Grammy Awards show on February 5, 2023, became Uganda's first-ever Grammy nominee last year. A Grammy nominee is a Grammy nominee.

Persons: Miriam Makeba, Eddy Kenzo, Uganda’s, Matt B, ”, Edrisah Kenzo Musuuza, Kenzo, CNN’s Larry Madowo, Larry Madowo, I’ve, Badru Katumba, ’ I’ve, It’s, Matt Winkelmeyer, Matt, Greg Organizations: CNN, Best, Big Talent Entertainment, Uganda National Musicians Federation, Getty, EK, The Recording Academy Locations: Uganda, Kampala, AFP, Chicago, Los Angeles

☆ Middle East Crisis Israeli Forces Enter Hospital Complex in Southern Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Vivian Yee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Relatives of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas at a rally near the International Criminal Court at The Hague on Wednesday. The hostage families, numbering about 100 people and accompanied by two former hostages who were released in November, said they had come to try to make sure that justice would be done. “It’s important to use the international tools that are more often used against Israel,” he added, of the effort to seek international justice. The Israeli government does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction and is not a signatory to its founding treaty. Their mother mostly stays home surrounded by friends, they said, and their father prays much of the time while they “do the journeys.”

Persons: Raoul Wallenberg, “, ”, Amit Levy, Naama Levy, Mr, Levy, Moshe, Avinatan, Noa Argamani, Israel, Karim Khan, Dana Pugach, Shani Yerushalmi, Eden Organizations: Hamas, The Hague, Criminal, for Human Rights, Nova, International Court of Justice Locations: The, Gaza, Israel, Israeli, Canada, Nahal, Hague, South Africa, The Hague, Paris, Washington

☆ BRICS nations to see highest surge in millionaire count over the next decade — exceed the rise in G7 countries
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Millionaire count in the BRICS countries — which together hold $45 trillion in investable wealth — is forecast to rise by 85% over the next 10 years, the investment migration consultancy noted in its report published in partnership with global intelligence firm New World Wealth. The 85% forecast for BRICS will be the highest wealth growth of any bloc or region globally. "The 85% forecast for BRICS will be the highest wealth growth of any bloc or region globally," Andrew Amolis, wealth analyst at New World Wealth told CNBC. The UAE followed in third place with a 77% wealth growth. Other members in the BRICS coalition, such as South Africa and Iran, have seen a decline in their millionaire populations since 2013.

Persons: Michel Temer, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Jacob Zuma, Narendra Modi, Andrew Amolis, Dominic Volek Organizations: India's, United, Henley & Partners, Wealth, CNBC, Amolis, European Union, Henley, Partners, UAE Locations: South, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Canada, France, Japan, Italy, U.S, United Kingdom, Southeast Asia, UAE

LOISABA CONSERVANCY, Kenya (AP) — Conservationists in Kenya are celebrating as rhinos were returned to a grassy plateau that hasn't seen them in decades. The rhinos were taken from three parks that are becoming overcrowded to the private Loisaba Conservancy, where herds were wiped out by poaching decades ago. Kenya now has around 1,000 black rhinos, the third biggest population behind South Africa and Namibia. There are just over 6,400 wild black rhinos left in the world, all of them in Africa, according to the Save the Rhino organization. Tom Silvester, the CEO of Loisaba Conservancy, said Kenya's plan is to get its black rhino numbers to 2,000 over the next decade.

Persons: “ It’s, ”, Daniel Ole Yiankere, David Ndere, ” Ndere, Tom Silvester, Silvester, ___ Odula Organizations: Conservancy, Loisaba, Rhinos, Kenya Wildlife Service, Rhino, Loisaba Conservancy, ___ AP Locations: LOISABA CONSERVANCY, Kenya, Nairobi, ”, South Africa, Namibia, Africa, Loisaba, ___, africa

☆ Richard Branson and Oppenheimer's grandson urge action to stop AI and climate 'catastrophe'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Richard Branson believes the environmental costs of space travel will "come down even further." Dozens of high-profile figures in business and politics are calling on world leaders to address the existential risks of artificial intelligence and the climate crisis. Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, along with former United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon, and Charles Oppenheimer — the grandson of American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer — signed an open letter urging action against the escalating dangers of the climate crisis, pandemics, nuclear weapons, and ungoverned AI. Signatories called for urgent multilateral action, including through financing the transition away from fossil fuels, signing an equitable pandemic treaty, restarting nuclear arms talks, and building global governance needed to make AI a force for good. The letter was released on Thursday by The Elders, a nongovernmental organization that was launched by former South African President Nelson Mandela and Branson to address global human rights issues and advocate for world peace.

Persons: Richard Branson, Ban, Charles Oppenheimer —, J, Robert Oppenheimer —, Nelson Mandela, Branson, MIT cosmologist Max Tegmark, Jaan Tallinn Organizations: Virgin Group, United Nations, Elders, South, Life Institute, MIT, Skype

☆ Israel Says South Africa Serving Hamas in Latest Bid to World Court
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - South Africa's latest request to the World Court against a possible offensive by Israel in southern Gaza serves Hamas and is an attempt to stop Israel from defending itself, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. South Africa on Tuesday asked The International Court of Justice (ICJ) to consider whether Israel's plan to extend its offensive in Gaza into the city of Rafah requires additional emergency measures to protect Palestinians' rights. "South Africa continues to represent the interests of the Hamas terrorist organization and is trying to deny Israel the fundamental right to defend itself and its citizens," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat. The 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. The court has not yet ruled on the core of the case brought by South Africa - whether genocide has occurred in Gaza.

Persons: Lior Haiat, Israel, Haiat, Maayan, Diane Craft Organizations: Israeli Foreign Ministry, Tuesday, International Court of Justice, Israel, Foreign, Hamas Locations: JERUSALEM, Israel, Gaza, Hamas, South Africa, Rafah, Africa

☆ Israeli strikes deepen panic in Rafah as UN aid chief warns a ground offensive could result in ‘slaughter’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

It remains unclear how or when a ground offensive would unfold, and that uncertainty is adding to anxiety among Palestinians in Rafah about where to go and what to do. Israeli military action in Rafah “has already led to and will result in further large scale killing, harm and destruction,” the government said in its request to the World Court. “We cannot afford an Israeli attack on Rafah… We cannot stand by and let this continue,” he said. Palestinians inspect damaged buildings after Israeli airstrikes on Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on February 12, 2024. They told us this area was safe… they told us Rafah was safe.

Persons: Leo Varadkar, Peter Lerner, ”, “ We’re, … We’re, We’ve, Mo’men, Martin Griffiths, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Lerner, Gaza ”, UN’s Griffiths, Ashraf Amra, Antonio Tajani, King Abdullah II, Israel “, Varadkar, Karim Khan, Daniel Hagari, Abed Rahim Khatib, Khan Younis, We’re, Jarwan, ” Nahla, Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, United Nations, International Court, Reuters, ” United, Israel Defense Forces, Residents, Getty, Criminal, European Union, Foreign Ministry, Criminal Court, ICC, Palestine Red Crescent Society, Israeli Air Force, World Health Organization Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Israel, Gazan, ” Israel, Palestinian, ” United Nations, Hamas’s, South Africa, Rafah “, Deir, Balah, Deir al, Anadolu, European, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, China, Italian, ”, Palestine, Al

The latest COVID-19 wave in the U.S. appears to have peaked and started retreating, but concerns over a new variant are always lurking. Data indicates the latest increase in COVID-19 activity was significantly lower – and significantly less dangerous – than the COVID-19 surges the U.S. saw early in the pandemic. There are also concerns beyond just surviving a coronavirus infection, such as long COVID and the risks posed by reinfection . Meanwhile, as is always the case with COVID-19, there’s the possibility a new variant could change everything. Yet despite those changes, existing immunity from vaccines and previous infections still provides good protection,” the CDC said.

Persons: That’s, ” Maria Van Kerkhove, we're, ”, reinfection, ” Van Kerkhove, ” JN Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, CDC, Washington Post Locations: U.S, –, COVID, South Africa

☆ China and Russia no longer perceived as top security threats, research finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

China and Russia are considered less of a threat to Western populations now than a year ago, as public concern pivots to non-traditional risks such as mass migration and radical Islam, new research said. Public perception of traditional hard security risks remains higher now than three years ago but has fallen since 2022, the year Russia invaded Ukraine, survey results from the Munich Security Index 2024 showed. Top of the agenda will be the ongoing wars between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas, as well as NATO expansion and a potential return of Donald Trump to the White House. In the polling of 12,000 people across G7 countries plus Brazil, India, China and South Africa, few Western respondents believed that their country would be more secure and wealthy in 10 years' time. By contrast, most of those in emerging economies thought they would be better off financially and in political terms.

Persons: Donald Trump Organizations: Munich Security Locations: China, Russia, Ukraine, Munich, Israel, Brazil, India, South Africa

☆ 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

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