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☆ 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

CNN —Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi has threatened to send 20,000 elephants to Germany amid a dispute over the import of hunting trophies. ”Twenty thousand elephants for Germany, this is not a joke,” Masisi told German tabloid Bild. Lenin Nolly/Sipa USA/AP/FileMasisi told Bild that Germany’s Green party could learn to cohabitate with elephants without hunting them. According to the ministry, Germany is one of the largest importers of hunting trophies in the European Union, and African hunting trophies already require import authorization under current rules. Trophy hunting does not come close to diminishing the elephant population, Masisi told broadcaster Sky News.

Persons: CNN —, Mokgweetsi Masisi, ” Masisi, –, Steffi Lemke, Lenin, Masisi, ”, Murat Ozgur Guvendik, “, ” Botswana’s, Botswana’s, Iris Throm, Mary Rice, Rice, Bild, you’d Organizations: CNN, Green, Getty, Botswana’s Ministry of Environment, Tourism, European Union, Germany’s Federal Agency for Nature, Environmental Investigation Agency, Sky News, Convention, International Trade, Fauna Locations: Germany, Berlin, Botswana, Masisi, Anadolu, Angola, Mozambique

☆ Botswana offers to send 20,000 elephants to Germany, saying it should try looking after them instead of criticizing
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Mikhaila Friel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

It came after Germany suggested there should be limits on importing hunting trophies. AdvertisementBotswana's president Mokgweetsi Masisi said he wants to send 20,000 wild elephants to Germany to challenge the country's stance on hunting. However, Kleinschmidt noted that Botswana's environment minister met with the German environment minister last week for an "open and constructive exchange of views." Related stories"Germany is one of the largest importers of hunting trophies into the EU. As the largest existing land animals, elephants are responsible for around 500 human deaths per year, according to BBC Wildlife Magazine.

Persons: Mokgweetsi Masisi, Masisi, —, Steffi Lemke, Massisi, Svenja, Kleinschmidt, There's, Prince Harry, Meghan, London's Organizations: Service, Guardian, Greens, Bild, EU Wildlife Trade, BBC Wildlife Magazine, Metro, Sky News, Botswana's Government Locations: Germany, Berlin, Botswana, Angola, Mozambique, Dumezweni

☆ 8-Year-Old Survives Bus Crash That Kills 45 People
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Russell Goldman | More About Russell Goldman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

An 8-year-old child was the sole survivor after a bus carrying 46 people plunged 165 feet from a bridge into a ravine and burst into flames near South Africa’s border with Botswana, according to a provincial department of transport. The child, whose gender was not disclosed, was receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital, the Limpopo Province department of transport in South Africa said in a statement. Forty-five people, including the driver, were killed. The bus was traveling from Botswana to Moria, South Africa, for an Easter weekend church service when it careered off the Mma Matlakala Bridge after the driver “lost control and the bus fell onto a rock surface,” according to the statement. “Rescue operations continued until the late hours of Thursday evening, as some bodies were burned beyond recognition, others trapped inside the debris and others scattered on the scene,” the department said.

Persons: “ Locations: South Africa’s, Botswana, Limpopo Province, South Africa, Moria

☆ Bus carrying Easter worshippers falls off cliff killing 45 people in South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Amy Cassidy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Dozens of worshippers died after a bus headed to an Easter conference apparently “lost control” and “plunged” off a cliff in South Africa’s Limpopo province on Thursday, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported. An eight-year-old girl who survived has been airlifted to hospital, the public broadcaster reported. The crash happened in the Mamatlakala mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken, where the bus caught fire once it fell, public broadcaster SABC reported. South African Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said the government will repatriate the bodies to Botswana, the broadcaster said. “I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash near Mamatlakala.

Persons: “, ”, Sindisiwe Chikunga, ” Chikunga Organizations: CNN, South African Broadcasting Corporation, SABC, African Transport Locations: South Africa’s Limpopo, Gaborone, Botswana, Mokopane, Mamatlakala

☆ Krystyna Pyszková of Czech Republic crowned Miss World 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Alex Rees | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Besting 111 of her fellow titleholders from across the globe, Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic was crowned Miss World 2024 on Saturday in Mumbai, India, where the international pageant was held this year. Krystyna Pyszková, the newly-crowned Miss World, models during the "Best Designer Award" contest at the 71st Miss World pageant preliminaries on March 2. Chopra Jonas appeared at the pageant in a video message, paying tribute to both Miss World owner Julia Morley and Nita Ambani, winner of the pageant’s Humanitarian Award. Pyszková replaces the outgoing Miss World, Karolina Bielawska, of Poland, whose reign dates back to March 2022. (Due to scheduling issues, no Miss World pageant was held in 2023.)

Persons: Krystyna Pyszková, Francis Mascarenhas, Aché Abrahams, Lesego, Jessica Gagen, ”, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Chopra Jonas, Julia Morley, Nita Ambani, Pyszková, Karolina Bielawska Organizations: CNN, Miss, 71st Miss Locations: Czech Republic, Mumbai, India, Africa, Americas, Caribbean, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Lebanon, Trinidad and Tobago, Botswana, England, United Kingdom, Poland

☆ South African innovator’s medicine-dispensing lockers win prestigious prize
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

London CNN —A South African entrepreneur who designed a smart locker system that improves access to healthcare has won a major award for African engineering. In June, the usual iteration of the Africa Prize will also go ahead, during which four finalists will battle it out for a £25,000 ($31,600) prize. “There isn’t enough funding available for African startups,” she tells CNN. “We don’t want all the funding to come in the form of grants, as we see in the Africa Prize. We want investors to start to believe that they can also make money by investing in African startups.

Persons: Pelebox, King Charles III’s, Anne, James Oatway, Royal Academy of Engineering Hutiri, ’, ”, Aisha Raheem, Farmz2U, Samuel Njuguna, Rebecca Enonchong, It’s, That’s, “ Organizations: London CNN, UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering, Africa, Engineering Innovation, Academy, SMS, Royal Academy of Engineering, “, CNN, Chura, The Academy Locations: African, London, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Africa, Nigerian, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt

☆ Retiree Travels the World As a House-Sitter, Rents Own Home on Airbnb
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Claire Turrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I resigned from my job and booked my first house sit that winter in Breckenridge, Colorado. How to choose a good house sitI have now completed over 25 house sits. When I take on a house sit, I make sure I'm close to public transport or have access to a car. However, I've been so busy with house sits recently I haven't stayed there for almost a year. My last house sit in Naples, Florida, included two dogs, two cats, a guinea pig, two geckos, and a tortoise.

Persons: —, Bernadine, you'd, would've, I'd, wouldn't, shih, I've, haven't Organizations: Service, Business, Lady, Social Security, Virgin Islands, New Zealand Locations: Bernadine Swale, Swale, Denver, Breckenridge , Colorado, New Zealand, New York, Botswana, St Croix, Virgin, Caribbean, Japan, States, Airbnb, United States, Naples , Florida

☆ Lion attacks: How to stay safe on safaris in Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

It was July of 2022, and the co-founder of Discover Africa Safaris was out in the bush near the Khwai River in northern Botswana. African lions are fully capable of attacking, killing and even eating humans, and it’s generally estimated about 250 people a year die in lion attacks. WLDavies/E+/Getty ImagesOnly about 23,000 lions remain in sub-Saharan Africa, found mostly in Eastern and Southern Africa, Muruthi said. Before your trip, It's important to study up on safety tips -- such as remaining inside your safari vehicle when lions and other wild animals approach. Secondly, fleeing indicates to the lion you’re frightened and now possible prey, turning what might have initially been a mock charge to test you into a real attack.

Persons: Steve Conradie, Discover Africa Safaris, — “, ‘, ” Conradie, “, ”, ’ Steven Conradie, …, Conradie, Philip Muruthi, He’s, Muruthi, Masai, ’, ” Muruthi, Paul A, Andre Van Kets, Van Kets, Martin Harvey, It’s, you’re, don’t, they'll, Robert Muckley, There’s, Anup Shah, ” Van Kets, I’d, — Organizations: CNN, Discover, Lion Recovery, African Wildlife Foundation, Masai Mara, Reserve, East, ” Lions, International Union for, Nature, Sacramento Zoo, PLOS, Africa Tourists, Bank, Kenya Geographic, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Lions, … Locations: Discover Africa, Botswana, South Africa, Africa, Zimbabwe, Hwange, Kenya, Saharan Africa, Eastern, Southern Africa, Tanzania, East Africa, California, Namibia

☆ Pirelli calendar 2024: Idris Elba and Angela Bassett headline ‘Timeless’ show of Black excellence
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Tom Page | Alex Rees | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Supermodel Naomi Campbell holds time in her hand in a backstage image from the 2024 Pirelli calendar photoshoot. The 50th edition of the prestigious calendar is photographed by Ghanaian Prince Gyasi, the first Black photographer to receive the commission. Alessandro Scotti Gyasi directs actor Angela Bassett for the 2024 Pirelli calendar. Alessandro Scotti Gyasi (back to camera) frames his subjects, including artist Amoako Boafo (center). Alessandro Scotti Film director Jeymes Samuel receives an eye test and some direction from Gyasi during the Pirelli calendar photoshoot.

Persons: Prince Gyasi, Idris Elba, Angela Bassett, Pirelli, Naomi Campbell, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Ghana’s Asante, Marcel Desailly, Amanda Gorman, Margot Lee Shetterly, Gyasi, “ I’m, It’s, ’ ”, “, Dali, ”, Ghanaian Prince Gyasi, Alessandro Scotti Idris Elba, Gysai, Alessandro Scotti Gyasi, Bassett, Oscar, Alessandro Scotti, Amoako Boafo, Desailly, Nana Osei Tutu II, Asante, Jeymes Samuel, Alessandro Scotti Angela Bassett, Alessandro Scotti Pirelli, wasn’t, ” Gyasi Organizations: CNN, Pirelli, Puma, Balmain, GQ, Alessandro Scotti Idris Elba braves, Alessandro Scotti Former France Locations: Elba, France, Ghanaian, Accra, Ghana, West Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Botswana, Seychelles, Gyasi

A South African company will make vaginal rings that protect against HIV, which AIDS experts say should eventually make them cheaper and more readily available. The Population Council announced Thursday that Kiara Health of Johannesburg will start making the silicone rings in the next few years, estimating that 1 million could be produced annually. The nonprofit council owns the rights to the rings, which are now made by a Swedish company. About 500,00 rings are currently available to women in Africa at no cost, purchased by donors. Last year, activists charged the stage in a protest during last year's biggest AIDS meeting, calling on donors to buy the silicone rings for African women.

Persons: Ben Phillips Organizations: Population, World Health Organization, WHO, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: Johannesburg, Swedish, Africa, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Uganda, Zimbabwe

☆ Kenya to sell 35 state companies as Africa seeks to jumpstart IPOs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Duncan Miriri | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NAIROBI, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Kenya's President William Ruto said on Thursday the government was poised to privatise 35 state companies after enacting a law last month to guide the process. Kenya last privatised a state-owned company in 2008 with an initial public offering (IPO) for 25% of the shares in telecommunications firm Safaricom (SCOM.NR). "We have identified the first 35 companies that we are going to offer to the private sector. Kenya's President William Ruto speaks during the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit at United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 18, 2023. "If well harnessed, stock exchanges can be the engine that transforms Africa into a global economic powerhouse and financial centre of the world," the president said.

Persons: William Ruto, Ruto, Njuguna Ndung'u, Ndung'u, Caitlin Ochs, Bourses, Thapelo, Ducan Miriri, Marc Jones, Aaron Ross, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: African, Nairobi . Finance, Reuters, Sustainable, United Nations, REUTERS, Botswana Stock Exchange, Bharti Airtel, Thomson Locations: NAIROBI, Kenya, Nairobi, New York City , New York, U.S, Africa, Uganda, London

LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Chilean copper miner Antofagasta (ANTO.L) last week inked the first major 2024 concentrates supply deal with China's Jinchuan Group. Indeed, it's far from certain there will be a single benchmark for next year due to a shifting copper concentrates landscape. Annual "benchmark" copper smelter treatment chargesSPLIT BENCHMARK? Other members of China's Copper Smelters Purchase Team, a grouping of the country's biggest players, have rejected Jinchuan's terms as a benchmark. Its new Manyar copper smelter will start ramping up from May.

Persons: Freeport, Chen Yunian, Jinchuan, it's, Jan Harvey Organizations: China's Jinchuan, TC, Freeport McMoRan, HK, Study, China's, Copper, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Antofagasta, Jinchuan, Freeport, Indonesia, Panama, Peru, Chile, China, Jiangxi, Canada, Botswana

☆ Omicron, Now 2 Years Old, Is Not Done With Us Yet
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Carl Zimmer | More About Carl Zimmer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

By November 2021, nearly two years after the coronavirus emerged in Wuhan and spread across the world, the surprises seemed to be over. Researchers in Botswana and South Africa alerted the world that a highly mutated version of the virus had emerged and was spreading fast. Omicron, as the World Health Organization called the variant, swiftly overtook other forms of the virus. In the two years since its emergence, Omicron has proved to be not only staggeringly infectious, but an evolutionary marvel, challenging many assumptions virologists had before the pandemic. “It was almost like there was another pandemic,” said Adam Lauring, a virologist at the University of Michigan.

Persons: virologists, ”, Adam Lauring Organizations: Alpha, World Health Organization, University of Michigan Locations: Wuhan, Botswana, South Africa

☆ Morocco win but other heavyweights humbled in World Cup qualifiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

CAPE TOWN, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Ghana and South Africa both suffered embarrassing defeats in World Cup qualification on Tuesday while top contenders Cameroon, Guinea, Senegal and Zambia also found it tough on the road as they all dropped points. On a busy day of 15 matches across the continent, there were also wins for Burkina Faso, the Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia and Uganda. But it was the Comoros, with a population of around a million, and Rwanda, ranked 140 in world football, who tore up the form book in beating Ghana and South Africa respectively. It was Rwanda’s first victory in their last 11 home matches and took them top of Group C, where they lead not only South Africa but also Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The next round of African qualifiers will be played in June, with the continent now turning its focus to January’s Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast.

Persons: Moroni, Myziane Maolida, Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha, Patson Daka, Hakim Ziyech, Bertrand Traore, Dango Ouattara, Tunisia’s, Youssef Msakni, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: Cameroon, Burkina, Ocean, African, Nations, Rogers Mato, Cape Verde Islands, Niger, Ethiopia, Malawi, Sao Tome, Thomson Locations: CAPE, Ghana, South Africa, Guinea, Senegal, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia, Uganda, Comoros, Rwanda, Cameroon, Africa, Butare, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Togo, Botswana, Somalia, Libya, Mauritius, Angola, Cape, Eswatini, Qatar, Tanzania, Dar, Lilongwe, Sao Tome e Principe, Ivory Coast, Cape Town

☆ Soon You May Know Exactly Where Your Diamond Was Mined
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Victoria Gomelsky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

He moved to the city, a diamond trading hub, after leaving De Beers, where he had worked for 16 years, including five years in Gaborone, Botswana’s capital. Greg Kwiat, chief executive of Kwiat Diamonds, a diamond jewelry brand in New York City, said the company’s Mine to Shine traceability program, introduced in June, was likewise based on a desire to show how diamonds positively affect the communities in Africa where they are mined. Consumers who buy Kwiat diamonds are able to follow their stones from the mine through the stages of cutting and setting into jewelry. “Right now, we’re sharing videos and imagery of the process as it’s occurring,” Mr. Kwiat said. In 2003, a coalition of governments, civil society and diamond industry established the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, aimed at preventing the flow of conflict diamonds.

Persons: Mr, Moltke, De, ”, Greg Kwiat, Kwiat, “ Organizations: Diamond Center, De, Kwiat, Consumers Locations: Antwerp, Belgium, De Beers, Gaborone, Botswana’s, “, Clearwater, Fla, New York City, Africa, Kimberley

☆ Four goals for Egypt's Salah but shock setback for Nigeria
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

CAPE TOWN, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Mohamed Salah scored four times and took his goal tally for Egypt past 50 as they began their World Cup qualifying campaign with an expected victory over tiny Djibouti while Nigeria were held to a shock home draw by Lesotho on Thursday. Nigeria, without injured Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, were held to a 1-1 draw at a rainy Uyo by the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho, who are 113 places below them in the FIFA rankings. Burundi also won in Group F, edging the Gambia 3-2 in their match played in Tanzania because of Burundi’s lack of a suitable stadium. The first two rounds of African qualifiers are played from Wednesday to next Tuesday, and will resume next June. Editing by xxOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, Motlomelo Mkhwanazi, Jose Peserio, Jonathan Muiomo, Riyad, Djamel Belmadi, Denis Bouanga, Kevin Denkey Organizations: Egypt, Lesotho, Qatar, Napoli, FIFA, Africa, Nations, football, Kenya, Major League Soccer, Belgian, U.S, Thomson Locations: CAPE, Djibouti, Nigeria, Cairo, Egypt, Lesotho, London, Kelechi, Mozambique, Botswana, Algeria, Somalia, Algiers, Gabon, Franceville, Burundi, Gambia, Tanzania, Sudan, Togo, Benghazi, Libya, Canada, Mexico

☆ 35 elephants suddenly dropped dead in 2020. Their case has finally been solved.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In 2020, 35 elephants dropped dead in Zimbabwe over a month timespan. Between August and September 2020, 35 elephant carcasses were retrieved from various safaris and protected lands in Zimbabwe — with eleven of these animals dying within a 24-hour period. AdvertisementAdvertisementThey concluded that most, if not all, the elephants died as a result of septicemia, or blood poisoning, caused by the bacteria. The 35 deaths in Zimbabwe also coincided with a mass die-off of elephants in Botswana in 2020. At least 350 elephants died within a three-month timespan, and researchers at the time concluded that blue-green algae contaminated local water sources and poisoned the elephants.

Persons: —, Dr, Chris Foggin, Foggin Organizations: Service, Nature Communications, Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, CNN Locations: Zimbabwe, Africa, Asia, Victoria Falls, Botswana

Cheetahs are usually daytime hunters, but the speedy big cats will shift their activity toward dawn and dusk hours during warmer weather, a new study finds. While cheetahs only eat fresh meat, lions and leopards will sometimes opportunistically scavenge from smaller predators. But the new study found that on the hottest days, when maximum daily temperatures soared to nearly 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit), cheetahs became more nocturnal — increasing their overlapping hunting hours with rival big cats by 16%. In addition to competition with lions and leopards, cheetahs already face severe pressure from habitat fragmentation and conflict with humans. The fastest land animal, cheetahs are the rarest big cat in Africa, with fewer than 7,000 left in the wild.

Persons: ”, Briana Abrahms, Bettina Wachter, Wachter, Kasim Rafiq, Rafiq —, it's Organizations: Cheetahs, Royal Society, University of Washington, “, Cheetah Research, Leibniz Institute for Zoo, Wildlife Research, Botswana Predator Conservation, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: “ Lions, Namibia, Botswana, Africa, Zambia

☆ Scientists solved the mystery of African elephant die-offs. The threat may not be over
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Thirty-five African elephants in northwestern Zimbabwe dropped dead under baffling circumstances between late August and November 2020. And the extreme conditions that scientists project will occur with more frequency as Earth warms could mean more elephant deaths in the future. Foggin said there was no proven connection between the Zimbabwe and Botswana elephant deaths. An embattled species under threatThe African elephant is a flagship species that faces significant pressure from poaching and habitat loss. Additionally, exporting wildlife samples for analysis involves obtaining multiple permits from different entities — a process which can take months,” the study said.

Persons: —, “, ”, Chris Foggin, ” Foggin, cyanobacterial, Foggin, Pasteurella Organizations: CNN, Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, Nature Communications, International Union for Conservation of Locations: Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls, Botswana, Kazakhstan

☆ In diamond centre Antwerp, Russian gems are already shunned
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Julia Payne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/5] Cut diamonds are seen at the diamond exchange in Antwerp, as the G7 weighs a ban on Russian diamond imports to reduce revenues for Moscow's war in Ukraine, Antwerp, Belgium, October 30, 2023. Other diamond firms in Antwerp, the world's biggest centre of trade in rough diamonds and cutting of the biggest gems, were asked to avoid Russian stones. Now, Western powers want to make the boycott official with a formal ban on Russian stones. Imports of Russian rough diamonds are now at less than 5% of pre-war levels, the source said. Most proposals under consideration by the G7 now focus on rough diamonds of 1 carat and above initially.

Persons: Johanna Geron, Thierry Tugendhaft, Van Cleef, Tugendhaft, De Beers, It's, Julia Payne, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European, World Diamond Council, EU, Thomson Locations: Antwerp, Ukraine, Belgium, Rights ANTWERP, Russia, Paris, Tiffany's, Cartier, Canada, Lesotho, South Africa, Botswana, India, United States, Japan, European Union, France, Antwerp . New

☆ The best places — and best times — to take a safari
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Harriet Akinyi | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

KenyaFor more than 25 years, professional safari guide Geoff Mayes has taken tourists to the best parks in Africa. Amboseli National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its massive elephant population and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. In those three, one can track mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Another park to consider is the Kidepo Valley National Park, with its sweeping plains and valleys overshadowed by the brooding Mount Morungole. ZimbabweApart from the renowned Hwange National Park, I have also visited Matobo National Park, which has a wide diversity of fauna and plenty of white rhinos.

Persons: I've, revel, Harriet Akinyi, Geoff Mayes, Mara —, Masaai Mara, Mara, you'll, Barack Obama, It's, Luis Davilla, There's, Kruger, Addo, Nogaya, Jason Edwards, Dennis Kahungu, Christopher Kidd, Photodisc, Weaver, Clair, Nxai, Patrick J, Cecil Rhodes, Westend61 Organizations: Mara, Reserve, Kenya —, UNESCO, Heritage, Netflix, National Parks, Kruger, Park, Photodisc, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Queen Elizabeth, Lake, CNBC Travel, Getty, Nature, Kalahari Game Reserve, Kenya, Tourists Locations: Africa, Mugie Conservancy, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Nairobi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Solio Conservancy, Africa Kenya, Johannesburg, iMfolozi, Addo, Uganda Uganda, Kyambura, Lake Mburo, Mburo, Ihema, Inti St, Botswana Botswana, Okavango, Matobo

☆ Options for G7 discussion for a ban on Russian diamonds
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Enforcement would be government regulated through customs at a single point of entry for rough diamonds and several G7 entry points for polished stones. The proposal said a single entry point would be needed for rough diamonds without specifying where. Antwerp would be the favoured option for Belgium and the city also already handles most of the rough diamond trade. WORLD DIAMOND COUNCILThe World Diamond Council, which includes the world's largest rough diamond producer by value, De Beers, has proposed a version of the ban that is largely self-regulating. Any diamond sellers would then have to include with the stone they sell a declaration called the "G7 Diamond Protocol Declaration" that the diamond is not Russian.

Persons: De Beers, Sellers, De, WDC, Julia Payne, Jan Strupczewski, David Evans Organizations: Reuters, World Diamond Council, Belgian, Export Promotion Council, WORLD DIAMOND, Diamond Council, Russian, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Belgium, India, France, BELGIUM, Antwerp, Russian, Botswana, INDIA, Surat, Mumbai, FRANCE

☆ Botswana reassessing HB Antwerp deal after Lucara Diamond cuts ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Brian Benza | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An over 1,000-carat uncut stone by Lucara Diamond is pictured during a press availability in New York City, New York, U.S., September 20, 2021. Lucara Diamond said on Thursday it had ended its agreement with HB Trading BV, a unit of HB Antwerp, following what it called "a material breach of financial commitments by HB". Diamond processor and trader HB Antwerp earlier this month removed one of its three co-founders, Oded Mansori, from management following differences over strategy. Mansori, who co-founded HB Antwerp in 2020 with partners Shai de Toledo and Rafael Papismedov, said he was taking them to court over his removal. HB and Lucara first entered into a diamond sales agreement in 2020, which was extended for 10 years in 2022.

Persons: Lucara Diamond, David, Dee, Delgado, Mokgweetsi Masisi, Masisi, Oded, Shai de Toledo, Rafael Papismedov, Lucara, Brian Benza, Nelson Banya, Mark Potter, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, HB Antwerp, HB Trading, HB, Okavango Diamond Company, Lucara, Thomson Locations: New York City , New York, U.S, Rights GABORONE, Belgian, Botswana

☆ Remembering Namibia’s record-breaking 142-0 Rugby World Cup defeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Namibia has always been an underdog at the Rugby World Cup. Facing host Australia in Adelaide, Namibia was beaten 142-0, the largest winning margin in Rugby World Cup history. “But what an occasion just to be at a World Cup, no matter what the score was. David Davies/PA Images/Getty Images‘What chance did we have?’Expectations were realistic amongst the Namibian squad heading into the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty ImagesIn the end, the margin of the defeat of 142 points was a record for a Rugby World Cup match.

Persons: Eben Izaacs, England –, Chris Latham, Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Mat Rogers, ” Izaacs, David Davies, Jurgens van Lill –, –, “, ”, team –, Webb Ellis, ” van Lill, Latham, Stirling Mortlock, Rogers, van Lill, Izaacs, Mat Rogers –, Christophe Simon, – Izaacs, Nathan Sharpe, Kees, hasn’t, Deon Mouton, Cliff Loubser, Gerswin, we’ve, Allister Coetzee, ” Van Lill’s Organizations: CNN, Rugby, CNN Sport, Australia –, England, Namibia, Adelaide Oval, Namibian, Australia, rugby, team, Argentina, Getty, Springboks Locations: Namibia, Qatar, Botswana, Gabon, South Africa, Australia, Adelaide, Argentina, Ireland, AFP, France, Italy, New Zealand, America, England, Uruguay

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