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☆ Russia says it's working with a group of countries to build a platform that doesn't need the dollar
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A group of emerging countries are planning a payments platform to bypass the US dollar, Lavrov announced. The initiative follows a BRICS summit call for trade in national currencies. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA group of major emerging countries is working on a way around the dollar — but they face an uphill battle to diminish the greenback's dominance. On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said BRICS countries are developing a payments platform that will allow them to bypass the US dollar, per TASS, a state news agency.

Persons: Lavrov, —, Sergey Lavrov, South Africa — Organizations: Kazan, Service, Russian, Business Locations: Johannesburg, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa

☆ War, what war? Putin looks to woo new business partners willing to overlook its invasion of Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen while visiting the Lakhta Center on June 5, 2024, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Vladimir Putin visited a newly built Lakhta Center, a skyscraper of Gazprom, prior to his meetings at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum SPIEF 2024. Contributor | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesRussia's annual economic forum in St. Petersburg used to be known as the country's "Davos" in a nod to the World Economic Forum that's held in Switzerland every year. A view of the stand of the Russian private bank Alfa-Bank during the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia on June 05, 2024. Guests from foreign countries seen during the first day of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2024.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, SPIEF, Max Hess, Peter Szijjarto, There's, Vladimir Putin's, Yuri Ushakov, Putin, anders Pettersson Organizations: Lakhta Center, Saint Petersburg, Economic, Getty, St ., Economic Forum, Foreign Policy Research Institute, CNBC, Hungarian Foreign, Alfa, Bank, Anadolu, West, International Monetary Fund, U.S, Brics Locations: Saint Petersburg, Russia, Gazprom, St . Petersburg, Davos, Switzerland, Ukraine, Asia, Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, Slovakia, Hungary, Hungarian, St, Moscow, Russian, Germany, France, India, China, Johannesburg, South Africa

☆ Jacob Zuma has made a dramatic comeback in South Africa’s elections. Will he have the last laugh over Ramaphosa?
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Sarah Dean | David Mckenzie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) party faces a mammoth challenge as it needs to form a government with its political rivals after suffering a seismic blow in last week’s election. However, both parties believe in the primacy of South Africa’s constitution and both have promised to crack down on corruption. If the ANC decides to pursue coalition talks with MK, then Zuma will want Ramaphosa out, solidifying his revenge. However, if South Africa’s president maintains his grip on the ANC, a coalition with MK is unlikely. South Africa’s business community and middle class are broadly nervous about an EFF–ANC coalition and its effect on investor confidence.

Persons: Mahlengi, Motsiri, Jacob Zuma, Zuma, Cyril Ramaphosa –, –, ”, Tessa Dooms, ” Dooms, Ramaphosa, Gupta, Ramaphosa’s, Fikile Mbalula, “, John Steenhuisen, Steenhuisen, TK Pooe, Paul Mashatile, Zuma “ unapologetically, Melanie Verwoerd, Verwoerd, Julius Malema, Malema, Floyd Shivambu, Mandela, Klerk, Thabo Mbeki Organizations: South Africa CNN, National Congress, ANC, South, MK, who’ve, CNN, Sunday, Democratic Alliance, White South, DA, EFF, Fighters, Wits School, Governance, Empowerment, ANC’s, National Health Insurance, Freedom Party, IFP, Reserve Bank, Finance, GNU, FW Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa, Zulu

☆ ‘A.N.C. Has Been Humbled’: a Couple’s Vote Explains Why
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Lynsey Chutel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

From their home in northern Johannesburg, the Mathivha family celebrated the latest update: with the majority of votes counted, the African National Congress had earned a mere 41 percent. For the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994, the party once led by Nelson Mandela failed to win an outright majority of the votes in a national election. In the last election, in 2019, the A.N.C. The drop to 41 percent in this election has cost the party its majority in Parliament, which elects the country’s president. Now, it will have to work with smaller opposition parties, like those the Mathivhas voted for instead of the A.N.C.

Persons: ”, Buhle, Khathu Mathivha, Ms, Mathivha, Nelson Mandela Organizations: African National Congress Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa

☆ South Africa's election portal resumes showing partial results after brief glitch
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Voters during the South Africa general elections on May 29, 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Live updates of partial results from South Africa's parliamentary election reappeared on the electoral commission's website, following a glitch of at least two hours. The prints are closely watched amid early indications that the country's governing African National Congress, the liberation party of Nelson Mandela, could lose its parliamentary majority for the first time in the 30 years since it assumed governance. The electoral commission's portal was briefly blank at 06:08 a.m. London time, but once more displayed results by 08:23 a.m. in London, according to CNBC monitoring.

Persons: Nelson Mandela Organizations: South, African National Congress, CNBC Locations: Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, South Africa's, London

☆ Nelson Mandela’s party has been dealt a seismic election blow. Where does it leave South Africa?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Sarah Dean | David Mckenzie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —South Africa’s ruling African National Congress party is set to fall short of a majority for the first time in 30 years after national elections this week, marking the biggest political shift in the country since the end of apartheid. With results in from 90% of voting districts as of 5.10pm ET, support for the ANC was at 41.04%. The official opposition party, the centrist Democratic Alliance (DA), had 21.72% of the vote. Fed-up voters dealt the party of Nelson Mandela a seismic blow at the polls after years of corruption scandals and economic mismanagement. As a result, the ANC will be forced to form a coalition to stay in government.

Persons: Zuma, Nelson Mandela Organizations: South Africa CNN, National Congress, ANC, Democratic Alliance, weSizwe Party, Fighters, Fed Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa

☆ These are the world’s 20 best cities for foodies, according to Time Out
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Some travelers pick a city break based on the destination’s cultural offerings – shortlisting the best museums and galleries to visit. It’s these gourmand travelers Time Out had in mind when the global media organization put together a new ranking of the world’s best foodie cities. “Food is everything when traveling,” Grace Beard, Time Out’s travel editor told CNN Travel. The city’s Central restaurant, recently named as number one in the 2023 World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, naturally gets a mention too. Alexandr Milodan/iStockphoto/Getty ImagesOther cities on the list include Ho Chi Minh City (number four), Beijing (number five) and Bangkok (number six).

Persons: ” Grace Beard, margherita, Maradona’s, Andrea Viviani, ”, Santa, It’s, Diego Armando Maradona, Roberto Madrid, Cris Bouroncle, Thando Moleketi, Williams, Alexandr Milodan, Ho, Out’s Grace Beard, Beard, Alice Porter Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Santa Maradona, Naples, Getty, De, Liverpool, Michelin, Food Locations: Italian, Naples, “, Lima, Peru, Peruvian, AFP, South African, Johannesburg, Braamfontein, De Beer, African, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing, Bangkok, Portland , Oregon, , Portland, Liverpool, Cities, Italy, South Africa, Vietnam, China, Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mumbai, India, Dubai, UAE, Portland, USA, Medellín, Colombia, Seville, Spain, Porto, Portugal, Marrakech, Morocco, Lyon, France, Sydney, Australia, Montreal, Canada, Osaka, Japan, Copenhagen, Denmark

☆ South Africans Turn Away from Ruling Party, Early Election Results Show
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Lynsey Chutel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

South Africans were on edge Thursday as votes trickled in from a tight national election, with early returns showing poor results for the African National Congress, the party that has governed the country for three decades. — for the first time — would need to form a coalition with one or more rival parties in order to stay in power. In South Africa’s parliamentary system, President Cyril Ramaphosa, the leader of the African National Congress, would need the support of members of the opposition in order to serve a second term. would significantly change South African politics, and also its policies, shifting the country away from a government dominated by a single party to one held together by fragile coalitions. in small municipalities, but has been fraught in large cities like Johannesburg, where it has led to political infighting.

Persons: —, Cyril Ramaphosa Organizations: African National Congress Locations: Africa’s, Johannesburg

☆ South Africa's ruling ANC set to lose majority in pivotal vote, early projection shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Residents line up to cast ballots in the national election on May 29, 2024 in Matatiele, South Africa. South African's governing African National Congress appears set to lose majority control in the country's most seismic political transition since the end of the apartheid. The International Monetary Fund projects that South Africa's gross domestic product will climb by 0.9% in 2024. The democratic process is going to emerge victorious," ANC leader and South Africa's incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa, 71, said Wednesday on social media. The U.S. dollar was up 1.31% against the South African rand at 8:30 a.m. London time, following the report.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, Cyril Ramaphosa Organizations: Reuters, country's Council for Scientific, Industrial Research, ANC, Democratic Alliance wresting, Marxist Economic, Fighters, African National, ANC —, World Bank, Monetary Fund, South, National Union of Mineworkers, Associated Press, U.S Locations: Matatiele, South Africa, London, Johannesburg

☆ South Africa elections: First results suggest country is in line for biggest political shift since apartheid
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Sarah Dean | David Mckenzie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —Early results from South Africa’s election suggest the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party could lose its majority for the first time in 30 years. With results in from 13% of polling stations at 10 a.m. local time, support for the ANC stood at 42.5%. In past elections, results from rural areas – where the ANC has major strongholds – have come in later, boosting results for the party. South Africa’s electoral commission has seven days to declare the final results by law. This year, the commission has set Sunday, June 2, as the final results day.

Persons: Jacob Zuma, Zuma, Cyril Ramaphosa – Organizations: South Africa CNN, National Congress, ANC, Democratic Alliance, Fighters, ANC –, CSIR, Independent, EFF, weSizwe Party, South Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, –, KwaZulu, Natal, Durban

☆ South Africa election 2024: Polls open in what could be most closely contested election since the end of apartheid
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Sarah Dean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —Millions of South Africans are voting in what is expected to be the most pivotal general election since the end of apartheid. While polling can be challenging in South Africa, most analysts believe that the ANC faces its stiffest challenge yet with a population deeply frustrated by the country’s direction. SOUTH AFRICA GENERAL ELECTION 101 South Africa uses a “proportional representation” system. South Africa is the most unequal country in the world, according to the World Bank. This is the seventh general election South Africa has held since the end of white minority rule 30 years ago.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, Cyril Ramaphosa, ” Ramaphosa, Anders Pettersson, Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto, Zuma, “, ”, John Steenhuisen Organizations: South Africa CNN, National Congress, ANC, SOUTH, Independent Electoral, South, World Bank . Citizens, Workers, African National Congress, Fighters, Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party, Democratic Alliance, Party Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, SOUTH AFRICA, Africa, Alexandra Township, Benoni

☆ Can South Africa’s Opposition Parties Break Through?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Papi Mazibuko, a 50-year-old library assistant, decided it was time to switch teams and vote for the Democratic Alliance, the leading opposition party in the national elections in South Africa on Wednesday. The neighboring municipality, run by the Democratic Alliance, had a good record of delivering basic utilities. South Africa’s opposition has long failed to inspire voters, political analysts say. will fall below 50 percent of the national vote. A record 51 opposition parties on the national ballot are trying to sell South Africans on the idea that the country would be better off without the A.N.C.

Persons: Papi Mazibuko, Mazibuko, John Steenhuisen, ”, Andile Organizations: Democratic Alliance, African National Congress, Fighters Locations: South Africa, Evaton, Johannesburg

☆ Safaris aren't the only tourist attraction in Africa. From cruises to wine tasting, here's what else you can do
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Harriet Akinyi | Penny Sadler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Bungy jumping at Soweto Towers, a decommissioned power station in Johannesburg, South Africa. Explore the beachAfrican beach towns combine beauty and culture, in places like Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Ghana, Namibia and Egypt. In addition to being a popular stop for world cruises, East and South Africa have their own ocean cruise routes which follow the coastlines and visit offshore islands. But South Africa is the continent's crown jewel. The wine country of Franschhoek, outside of Cape Town, South Africa.

Persons: Toubkal, there's, Thomas Janisch, Zina Bencheikh, Madagascar's Tsingy, Carlo Morucchio, Kenya's Masai Mara, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Mombasa's, Samir Hussein, Luciemarie Swanepoel, Jeremy Villasis, Peter Unger, Kate Powell, Intrepid's Bencheikh, Kevin Bubolz, Wrenelle Stander, Michele Westmorland Organizations: bungie, Getty, Intrepid Travel, UNESCO, Heritage, Wireimage, Diamonds, Sainte, Cruises, Stone, Queen, Cruise Line, MSC, Continental, Penguin Locations: Africa, Morocco's, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Nyangani, Zimbabwe, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, Europe, East, Namibia, Victoria Falls, Zambia, Jinja, Uganda, Morocco, Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Ghana, Egypt, Mombasa, Mombasa's Fort Jesus, Fort Jesus, Kaya, Zanzibar's Stone, Madagascar, Swanepoel, Durban, Cape, Kivu, Silversea, Continental Europe, Middle East, Port, Ethiopia, Wesgro, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Cape Town , South Africa

☆ South Africa prepares for pivotal election that could see ANC lose its grip on power
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Arabile Gumede | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

President of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa at a rally on May 25, 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Some 30 years on from the peaceful transition from apartheid rule to democracy, South Africa could once again be on the cusp of change. Since coming to power in South Africa's first democratic election in 1994, the African National Congress has focused on making inclusivity a core pillar of the country's economy. At the last national assembly election in 2019, turnout was 66%, already 7 percentage points lower than the previous vote. Even with the highest possible voter turnout, the ANC's result is expected to drop below 50%.

Persons: Cyril Ramaphosa, Nelson Mandela Organizations: National Congress, ANC, African, African National Congress Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, South Africa's, Gauteng

☆ South Africa has failed its Black majority. Nelson Mandela’s political heirs may pay the price
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

When South Africans vote Wednesday, an unhappy combination of rampant corruption, soaring joblessness, crippling power cuts and feeble economic growth will likely be top of mind. Black South Africans, who make up 81% of the population, are at the sharp end of this dire situation. ‘Elite enrichment’Under apartheid — and colonial rule before that — Black South Africans were violently oppressed and denied many basic human rights. Millions of South Africans still live in such informal settlements. “The poster child of this is the electricity sector.”For much of last year, South Africans were without power for at least some portion of the day.

Persons: ”, Nelson Mandela’s, —, Cyril Ramaphosa, Leon Sadiki, BEE, Moeletsi Mbeki, Thabo Mbeki, White, “, Tshediso Matona, Anders Pettersson, Black, …, Kganki Matabane, Matthew Parks, Matona, Mbeki, Ricardo Hausmann, Jacob Zuma, Haroon Bhorat, Michele Spatari, ” Bhorat, hasn’t, ANC “, Zuma, Ramaphosa, Cas Coovadia, Hausmann Organizations: Johannesburg CNN, National Congress, ANC, World Bank, Oxford Economics, Harvard University, Democratic Alliance, Bloomberg, Getty, South African Institute of International Affairs, Wits University, CNN, ”, BBEE, Black Business Council, South African Trade Unions, Harvard’s, University of Cape, South Africa’s Free, International Monetary Fund, Fitch, IMF, JPMorgan, Shell, Unilever, Business, Business Unity, Harvard Growth Locations: London, Johannesburg, Sudan, Africa, Alexandra, South Africa, Leon, Isipingo, KwaZulu, Natal, South, ”, University of Cape Town, loadshedding, Namahadi, Frankfort, Business Unity South Africa

☆ Africa’s richest man says he needs 35 visas to travel in Africa – way more than a European visitor
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The 67-year-old entrepreneur’s visa woes have reignited a fresh firestorm about the frustrations of traveling within Africa for Africans. But many African countries still require visas from other Africans and the experience is fraught with discrimination, hostility and sky-high fees. He has also been detained at airports in Kenya and South Africa because of his Nigerian passport. “There’s a fear in richer African countries that people from poorer nations might be looking for a way to permanently move there,” he explains. His new St Kitts passport allows him to go to more African countries than his Nigerian passport.

Persons: Aliko Dangote, ” Dangote, ”, Patrick, Pouyanné, Tayo Aina, Aina, YouTuber, hasn’t, Marco Longari, Alan Hirsch, “, Sotunde, William Ruto, Tayo Organizations: Rwanda CNN, Forum, CNN, African, African Continental Free Trade, Getty, University of Cape, New, Institute, Travelers, East African Community, Kenyan, REUTERS, Reuters Kenyan, St Kitts Locations: Kigali, Rwanda, Nigerian, Africa, “, Benin, The Gambia, Seychelles, Addis Ababa, London, Kenya, South Africa, Caribbean, St Kitts, Nevis, AFP, University of Cape Town, Johannesburg, Southern, West Africa, Abuja, Nigeria, East

☆ South Africa elections: A guide and everything you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Sarah Dean | David Mckenzie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —South Africans go to the polls on May 29 for what will likely be the most pivotal general election since the end of apartheid. This is the seventh general election South Africa has held since the end of white minority rule 30 years ago. South Africa general election 101 • South Africa uses a “proportional representation” system. This year South Africa received its lowest score on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. Democratic Alliance (DA) party leader Johan Steenhuisen speaks to supporters during a party event on May 9, 2024, in Soweto, South Africa.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, Cyril Ramaphosa, Jacob Zuma, What’s, Ramaphosa –, –, “, Ramaphosa, ”, John Steenhuisen, Johan Steenhuisen, Anders Pettersson, Zuma, Julius Malema, Malema, Floyd Shivambu, Steenhuisen Organizations: South Africa CNN, National Congress, ANC, Independent Electoral, •, “, Democratic Alliance, White South, Party Charter, uMkhonto weSizwe Party, Economic, Fighters, EFF, MK, Finance, Constitutional, Social Research Foundation Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa, China, Cuba, Soweto

☆ Is the Party That Ended Apartheid Losing Its Grip on South Africa?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The stadium boomed with chants like “We thank you, A.N.C., today we are joyful!” and it was hard to miss the gestures of solidarity with other liberation movements. Hanging high above the crowd was a Cuban flag, a reminder that Cuba was an important ally in the A.N.C.’s armed struggle. The spectators, who included officials from the liberation movements that now govern Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola and Mozambique, soaked up the event as if it were a spiritual experience. South Africa today struggles to provide the most basic needs for its people. The murder rate is among the highest in the world (six and a half times higher than in the United States), and most South Africans live in poverty.

Organizations: International Court of Justice Locations: Cuban, Cuba, Palestinian, Gaza, Israel, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, United States, Johannesburg

☆ Jacob Zuma not eligible to run for parliament, South Africa’s top court says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( David Mckenzie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —South Africa’s apex court has ruled that former president Jacob Zuma is not eligible to run for parliament in next week’s critical general election. He was found guilty of contempt of court by the same constitutional court for his refusal to testify to an anti-corruption commission. It is that sentence that barred him from running, the court ruled on Monday. A contempt of court sentence is an extremely important sentence, and it is a sentence that cannot be treated lightly. While the court ruled that Zuma is not eligible to run for MP, his party will still contest the election and his face will remain on the ballot.

Persons: Jacob Zuma, Zuma, “, ”, Leona Theron, Neeshan Balton, Ahmed, Nelson Mandela Organizations: South Africa CNN, National Congress, ANC, WeSizwe Party, CNN Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, KwaZulu, Natal

☆ Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi: 28 of her artworks mysteriously disappeared three decades ago. They’ve finally returned home to South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Gertrude Kitongo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —It was a phone call that changed everything. “We have some good news.”Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi had been waiting to hear those words for more than 30 years. Origins of an artistSebidi was born in 1943 near Hammanskraal, South Africa, north of Pretoria. One of artist Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi's early works, which often depict traditional, rural scenes of a time before European colonization came to the African continent. “We need those freedoms.”Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi’s exhibition is on display at the University of Johannesburg Art Gallery until May 17, 2024.

Persons: ”, Helen Sebidi, ” Sebidi, Sebidi, “, John Koenakeefe Mohl, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi “, Mark Read, Everard, “ Helen, Read, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi's, Helen Sebidi “, –, – Sebidi, Kim Berman, ’, Helen Sebidi's, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi Sebedi, Gabriel Baard, ” Baard, ” Berman, Thabo Mbeki –, Jesper Osterberg, Gabriel Baard Baard, Everard Read, Helen Sebidi’s Organizations: South Africa CNN, South, CNN, Johannesburg Art Foundation, Everard Read, Galleries, Federated Union of Black Artists, Millary Colony, Arts, Nyköping Folk, School, University of Johannesburg, “, Smithsonian, Folk High School, Swiss Air Freight, University of Johannesburg Art, Swedish Embassy Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Sweden, Hammanskraal, Pretoria, New York, Swedish, Nyköping, Black, “, Stockholm, Sebidi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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