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☆ Widening Mideast Crisis U.N.’s Highest Court Expected to Rule on Israel’s War in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Matthew Mpoke Bigg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Protesters gathering outside the International Court of Justice in The Hague this month. The International Court of Justice is set to rule on Friday on South Africa’s demand that Israel immediately suspend its military offensive in Gaza. Decisions by the court, the United Nations’ top judicial body, are binding, but the court has few means of enforcement. Still, a ruling against Israel would add to international pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over the war. Image The judges of the International Court of Justice before the hearing of the genocide case against Israel in The Hague this month.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Israel, ”, Remko De, Yoav Gallant, Avishag Shaar, Khan Younis, Fatima Shbair Organizations: International Court of Justice, Court of Justice, United Nations, Israel, South, Shutterstock South, Yashuv, The New York Times, Hamas, ., Associated Press, . Security, West Bank Locations: The Hague, Israel, Gaza, Remko De Waal, Shutterstock, Shutterstock South Africa, Rafah, United States

☆ World Court rules Israel must prevent genocide in Gaza, falls short of ordering a cease-fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The Peace Palace building of the International Court of Justice a few hours before the court delivers its ruling in the case brought by South Africa against Israel. It comes as Israeli forces continue a military campaign in the Gaza Strip that has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives. The World Court lacks the means to directly enforce its pronouncements, but its rulings can often deal heavy reputational blows to the accused. The World Court called for the immediate release of the captives. They say that Hamas forces have intentionally entrenched themselves in non-combatant facilities in the Gaza Strip, such as schools and hospitals, and are using civilians as human shields.

Persons: Israel, Israel's, John Kirby, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu Organizations: International Court, Israel, South, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Security, Hamas, country's Department of International Relations, Cooperation, United Nations Security Council Locations: South Africa, Israel, Gaza, U.S, Africa

☆ Why both South Africa and Israel are welcoming the UN court’s ruling in a landmark genocide case
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | Abbas Allawati | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A historic ruling by the United Nations’ top court in a genocide case against Israel on Friday was welcomed by the three main parties it involved: Israel, South Africa and the Palestinians. The International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands, ordered Israel to “take all measures” to prevent genocide in Gaza after South Africa accused Israel of violating international laws on genocide in its war in the territory. It rejected Israel’s request for the case to be thrown out, but it also stopped short of ordering Israel to halt the war as South Africa has asked. “I would have wanted a ceasefire,” said South African foreign minister Naledi Pandor after the ruling in The Hague. Mohammed el-Kurd, a Palestinian activist from Jerusalem, said the ICJ failed on South Africa’s “most important request” to suspend the military operations.

Persons: “, Israel, ”, Naledi Pandor, Eylon Levi, ” Avi Mayer, ” Shelly Aviv Yeini, ” Robbie Sabel, Sabel, Yeini, didn’t, Mohammed el Organizations: CNN, United Nations ’, Israel, Court of Justice, Convention, Israel’s Haifa University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, ICJ Locations: Israel, South Africa, The Hague, Netherlands, Gaza, Palestinian, Jerusalem, “

☆ Lavazza calendar: African photographers are celebrating the birthplace of coffee
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Arya Jyothi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Every year since 1993, the Italian coffee manufacturer has produced a photography calendar, featuring images from the likes of Helmut Newton, David La Chapelle and Annie Leibovitz. This year’s edition celebrates the African continent as the birthplace of coffee (widely considered to be Ethiopia). But the theme itself, for me, was so powerful,” said 33-year-old Kenyan photographer Thandiwe Muriu. Photo by Thandiwe Muriu / 2024 Lavazza CalendarFor 31-year-old South African photographer and filmmaker Aart Verrips, the Lavazza project, and its emphasis on Africa and African creatives, is a big step forward in terms of recognition. “I brought that [theme] into every kind of image [for the Lavazza calendar],” said Verrips.

Persons: Helmut Newton, David La Chapelle, Annie Leibovitz, Thandiwe, Aart Verrips, Daniel Obasi, Giuseppe e, ”, Thandiwe Muriu, “, ” Muriu, Muriu, ” Verrips, Daniel Obasi’s, Obasi, ” Obasi, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Lavazza Locations: Ethiopia, “, Africa, African, Europe, Badagry, Lagos State

Alabama sophomore Nick Dunlap is turning pro after becoming the first amateur in 33 years to win on the PGA Tour. I’m accepting my PGA Tour membership.”The 20-year-old will make his professional debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Feb. 1. With family, Alabama golf coach Jay Seawell and teammates looking on, Dunlap wiped away tears while thanking those close to him. Thanks to his victory, Dunlap has a PGA Tour card through 2026. Dunlap is the first person to win both the U.S. junior amateur and amateur titles since Tiger Woods.

Persons: Nick Dunlap, Dunlap, I’m, ” Dunlap, Jay Seawell, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, “, ”, ” Seawell, “ I've, Phil Mickelson, Scott Verplank, Tiger, Mickelson, Woods, Phil Organizations: PGA, U.S, Amateur, American Express, PGA Tour, Farmers Insurance, Torrey Pines, American, Masters, British, USGA, Sunday, Alabama Locations: Alabama, British, Tuscaloosa , Alabama, Tucson

☆ US, South Africa Discuss Gaza War Ahead of Ruling on Measures in Genocide Case
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Kanishka SinghWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Thursday with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor about the war in Gaza, a day ahead of a ruling at the World Court on urgent measures in a case in which Israel is accused of genocide. Friday's ruling will not deal with the core accusation of the case - whether genocide occurred - but will focus on the urgent intervention sought by South Africa. Israel rejects the accusations from South Africa and says it has a right to defend itself following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which governs Gaza. South Africa has asked for nine emergency measures, which act like a restraining order while the court hears the case in full, which could take years. The court is not bound to follow South Africa's requests and could order its own measures if it finds it has jurisdiction at this stage of the case.

Persons: Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Antony Blinken, Naledi Pandor, Blinken, Pandor, Kanishka Singh, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: South African Foreign, Israel, International Court of, U.S . State Department, State Department, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, South Africa, Africa, Palestinian, Washington

☆ Initial Ruling Expected in Genocide Case Against Israel: What to Know
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Matthew Mpoke Bigg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The International Court of Justice is set to rule on Friday on South Africa’s demand that Israel immediately suspend its military offensive in Gaza. The ruling is an initial step in a wider case about whether Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in the enclave. Decisions by the court, the United Nations’ top judicial body, are binding, but the court has few means of enforcement. Still, a ruling against Israel would add to international pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over the war. This month, the South African government accused Israel at the court in The Hague of “acts and omissions” that are “genocidal in character” against Palestinians in Gaza.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Israel, ” Organizations: Court of Justice, United Nations, Israel, South Locations: Israel, Gaza, The Hague

☆ Nick Dunlap turns professional, four days after missing out on $1.5 million payday due to amateur status
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —America’s newest golf sensation Nick Dunlap announced he is turning professional Thursday, just four days after missing out on a $1.5 million payday due to his amateur status. The University of Alabama sophomore announced his intention to accept PGA Tour membership at a press conference staged on campus, having become the first amateur to win on the tour in over three decades with triumph at The American Express on Sunday. “It was the easiest, hardest decision that I’ve ever had to make,” Dunlap said Thursday. “I was very fortunate that everyone had the same opinion about it, and my teammates were awesome and very supportive. Yet his shock victory secured him none of the $8.4 million prize purse due to his amateur status, with the $1.512 million winner’s cut instead going to South African runner-up Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who finished a stroke behind.

Persons: Nick Dunlap, I’ve, ” Dunlap, “, Charlene, Jim, Isabella Ellis, Jay Seawell, Orlando Ramirez, Dunlap, Christiaan Bezuidenhout Organizations: CNN, University of Alabama, PGA, American Express, US Amateur, Getty, week’s Farmers Insurance, PGA Championship, Tour Locations: La Quinta , California, Alabama

☆ Jon Stewart returns to 'The Daily Show' — but only on Mondays
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Jon Stewart is returning to "The Daily Show" — but only on Mondays. The comedian helmed the Comedy Central talk show between 1999 and 2015, before passing the torch to South African comedian Trevor Noah. Stewart will serve as "The Daily Show" host on Mondays starting Feb. 12, and appear at least through the 2024 election cycle. Since his 2015 exit from "The Daily Show," Stewart has kept busy as the executive producer of CBS' "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and weekly spots on Apple's streaming service via his show "The Problem With Jon Stewart," which was recently canceled. Stewart is also an avid philanthropist and has lobbied for healthcare benefits for veterans and 9/11 first responders.

Persons: Jon Stewart, Trevor Noah, Noah, Stewart, Stewart's, Chris McCarthy, Jon, Stephen Colbert Organizations: Central, Paramount, Comedy, YouTube, Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios, CBS Locations: African

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amateur champion, is the first amateur winner since Phil Mickelson at the Tucson Open in 1991. Playing in just his fourth tour event, he became only the seventh amateur winner since 1945 — and the third since 1957. He's also the youngest winner in the event's history, and he became the youngest amateur to win on the tour since 1910. If he turns pro and joins the PGA Tour, he still gets in the Masters and U.S. Open, along with the remaining seven $20 million signature events on tour. “I think I hit somebody” with the second shot, Dunlap said.

Persons: — Nick Dunlap, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, . Dunlap, Phil Mickelson, Bob Hope, Dunlap, ” Dunlap, ”, He's, Jay Seawell, Tiger Woods, doesn't, doesn’t, “, ” Bezuidenhout, congrats, hadn't, Sam Burns birdied, It’s, Burns, “ I’m, ” Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Kevin Yu Organizations: PGA, American Express, of Alabama, U.S, Amateur, Tucson, PGA West, U.S . Amateur, U.S . Junior, South, FedEx, Alabama, Masters, PGA Tour Locations: QUINTA, Calif, ., Dunlap, British, Coachella

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rory McIlroy won the Dubai Desert Classic for a record fourth time after reeling in Cameron Young early in the final round then holding off Adrian Meronk down the back nine to seal a one-stroke victory on Sunday. Among his 38 wins as a professional, he had also won the Tour Championship and Wells Fargo Championship three times. Young started Day 4 with a two-stroke lead but was trailing McIlroy — his playing partner in the final group — after making bogey at No. McIlroy broke a tie with South African great Ernie Els, who had also won the Dubai Desert Classic three times, and has started 2024 with a second and first. “A couple little things still to work on,” McIlroy added, “but these weeks are great.

Persons: — Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young, Adrian Meronk, McIlroy, Young, McIlroy —, Tommy Fleetwood —, ”, ” Meronk, Ernie Els, “ It’s, ” McIlroy Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Sunday, Wells Fargo, Dubai Invitational, South, Dubai Desert Locations: DUBAI, United Arab, Nos, Meronk, European, Dubai

☆ A 20-year-old amateur golfer just won a PGA Tour event. But he’s not allowed to collect the $1.5 million prize
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Kevin Dotson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

But despite besting a host of pro-golfers, he won’t be able to take home the $1,512,000 prize due to his amateur status. “I’ve learned so much today, and I’m so grateful to be here,” Dunlap said in an interview posted by the PGA Tour page on X, formerly Twitter. “To see some of the people rooting for me was really special.”Dunlap is the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event since 1991, when a young Phil Mickelson won the Tucson Open. Dunlap is also the youngest amateur to win a tour event since 1910. In an interview with PGA Tour Radio after his win, Dunlap admitted that he was unsure what he would do next.

Persons: Nick Dunlap, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, won’t, “ I’ve, ” Dunlap, “, Phil Mickelson, Dunlap, Ryan Sun, Tiger Woods, ” Organizations: CNN, University of Alabama, American Express, PGA West, South, Tucson, La Quinta, AP, US Amateur, Tiger, US Junior Amateur, Tour Radio Locations: La Quinta , California, South African, Huntsville , Alabama

☆ This train goes nowhere. Now it’s a luxury attraction
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Tom Page | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —South Africa is home to some of the most luxurious, nostalgic train journeys on offer anywhere in the world. But for certain enthusiasts, a train going nowhere is the country’s star attraction. Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge is a hotel in Skukuza in Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. “The culture of steam trains and the culture of historical trains I think is beginning to re-emerge,” says Mabena. “We don’t have a moving steam train, but one day, I think we will.”

Persons: Kruger, Jerry Mabena, ” Mabena, ”, Thuli, Mnisi, “, Vusi Mbatha Organizations: CNN, UNESCO, Heritage, Motsamayi Tourism Group, Staff, Kruger, Park, Bridge Gardeners, springbok, Rand, South African Railway Locations: South Africa, Skukuza, Kruger, Selati

South Africa’s genocide case has put the spotlight on a deeper fault line in global geopolitics. Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP/Getty ImagesReactions from the Global North to the ICJ case have been mixed. “This war is a war that is not only between Israel and Hamas,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog told MSNBC in December. “It’s a war that is intended – really, truly – to save Western civilization, to save the values of Western civilization.”So far, no Western countries have supported South Africa’s case against Israel. Traditionally, the West has wielded significant influence in international affairs, but South Africa’s move signals a growing assertiveness among Global South nations that threatens the status quo, says Adekoya.

Persons: CNN —, Israel, ”, Nesrine Malik, ” Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Jaafar Ashtiyeh, Biden, ” Remi Adekoya, Nelson Mandela, Yasser Arafat, ” Hugh Lovatt, Garry Andrew Lotulung, ” Lovatt, Lovatt, Israel –, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Alaister Russell, Isaac Herzog, Hage Geingob, Berlin’s, Namibians, ” Adekoya Organizations: CNN, Israel, International Court of Justice, Guardian, Hamas, West Bank, Getty, US, UN, University of York, Palestine Liberation Organization, North Africa, European Council, Foreign Relations, Global, Arab League, ICJ, West, ”, International, MSNBC, ZDF, Dhaka Tribune, Germany Locations: South Africa, Johannesburg, Israel, The Hague, Gaza, South, Africa, Sudanese, United States, Europe, Ramallah, West, AFP, England, PLO, East, Indonesian, Jakarta, Indonesia, Anadolu, China, Soviet, Ekurhuleni, Germany, German, Germany’s, Namibia, Namibian, Bangladesh, Pakistan

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

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

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

☆ David Teeger: Cricket South Africa denies antisemitism accusations after stripping teenager captaincy
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Zayn Nabbi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Cricket South Africa (CSA) has denied accusations of antisemitism made by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) after David Teeger was removed as captain of the SA Under-19 team. Teeger, who is Jewish, was stood down as captain because of fears over “protests related to the war in Gaza” during the Under-19 men’s Cricket World Cup, which gets underway in South Africa on Friday. The 19-year-old Teeger has made comments in the past in support of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The SAJBD met with CSA earlier this week and later released a statement saying that the only explanation for Teeger losing the captaincy was “plain antisemitism” – a claim that CSA denies. The timing of CSA’s decision to remove Teeger’s captaincy occurs as the South African government accused Israel of genocide in an unprecedented case at the United Nations’ top court.

Persons: David Teeger, Teeger, ”, “, David, David himself, I’ve, Israel Organizations: CNN — Cricket South Africa, South African Jewish Board of Deputies, SA, Cricket, Israel Defense Forces, CSA, Africa, SA Jewish, Deputies, CNN, International Cricket Council, ICC, “, U19, ” CSA, SA U19, ” CNN, South African, Rising, Palestine Solidarity Alliance, United Nations ’ Locations: Gaza, South Africa, Israel

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

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

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

☆ Passengers found a live snake in an overhead bin like a real-life 'Snakes on a Plane'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewAn AirAsia Thailand flight from Bangkok to Phuket erupted into chaos after passengers discovered a live snake in an overhead luggage bin, according to CNN. A video appearing to be from the incident, shared by the Malaysian news outlet UtusanTV on TikTok, shows the small snake slithering above the overhead bin. In the video, a flight attendant can be seen trying to capture it with a water bottle, before switching to a garbage bag. AdvertisementTikTok users in the comments referred to the 2006 movie, "Snakes on a Plane," which starred Samuel L. Jackson and involved dozens of venomous snakes being released onto a passenger plane. Phol also told CNN that certain passengers were relocated from the area as a precautionary measure, and that the flight landed without incident.

Persons: —, Samuel L, Jackson, Phol Poompuang, Phol Organizations: Service, AirAsia, CNN, Business, Business Insider Locations: AirAsia Thailand, Bangkok, Phuket, Malaysian

☆ Opinion | Team Biden Needs a Reset on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Daniel Levy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

It’s true that in recent days, Israel has signaled a certain shift in its war strategy, using fewer troops and focusing more on central and southern Gaza. These steps appear partly driven by the need to keep down Israeli losses in the close quarters of urban combat, to offer some relief to Israel’s suffering economy — and possibly in preparation for an escalation on Israel’s northern border. Such shifts don’t seem intended to dial back the snowballing regional tensions, nor will they prevent the increasing humanitarian suffering. The first and most critical shift required is for the administration to embrace the need for a full cease-fire now. The Biden administration does not need to support the South African claims, but it can and should commit to being guided by any findings of the court.

Persons: Biden, Antony Blinken, Israel, Netanyahu, ” Organizations: International Court of Justice, International, of Justice Locations: Israel, Gaza, Washington, South Africa, United States, ” Washington

☆ Auction of Nelson Mandela Items Set After Court Fight With Government
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Matt Stevens | More About Matt Stevens | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Nelson Mandela’s eldest daughter is moving forward with an auction next month of the former president’s personal belongings after a two-year legal battle with the South African government, which had tried to block such a sale saying the items were artifacts of national heritage. The proposed sale had drawn attention when it was announced in 2021. South African officials balked, objecting in particular to the sale of a key to the Robben Island prison cell where Mr. Mandela was held. Proceeds from the auction are intended to finance a memorial garden honoring Mr. Mandela, who dedicated most of his life to emancipating South Africa from white minority rule, the organizers said. He died in 2013 at 95, 23 years after his release from prison and 19 years after he was elected president.

Persons: Nelson Mandela’s, Mandela Organizations: South Locations: South Africa

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 2024 Grammy Awards are fast approaching — and it is never too early to plan your viewing experience. The 66th annual Grammy Awards will take place Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Lipa and Rodrigo both have three Grammys; Lipa is nominated for two awards and Rodrigo is nominated for six. Period,” Recording Academy CEO and President Harvey Mason jr. told AP at the time. “What’s not going to happen is we are not going to give a Grammy or Grammy nomination to the AI portion.”___For more coverage of this year’s Grammy Awards, visit: www.apnews.com/GrammyAwards

Persons: Noah, He's, WHO'S, “, SZA, Victoria Monét, Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Brandy Clark, Jon Batiste, Jack Antonoff, Gracie Abrams, Fred, Roll, Coco Jones, Noah Kahan, Eilish, Rodrigo, Lipa, ”, Harvey Mason, “ What’s Organizations: ANGELES, Recording Academy, CBS, Paramount, Showtime, Hulu, YouTube, WHO, Academy, Lipa, Associated Press, Twitter, Ethio Jazz, AP Locations: Los Angeles, Dua Lipa

☆ Four Dead in Arizona Hot Air Balloon Crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Daniel Trotta(Reuters) - Four people including the pilot died and another person was critically injured when their hot air balloon crashed into the Arizona desert on Sunday after eight skydivers had successfully jumped out of the basket, investigators said. "The balloon impacted desert terrain following an unspecified problem with its envelope," the NTSB said, referring to the outer bag of the balloon. "It is important to clarify that the skydiving was intentional and was successfully completed by all skydivers before any issues with the hot air balloon were evident," the Eloy Police Department said in a statement. Survivor Valerie Stutterheim, 23, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was in critical condition, police said. The company operating the flight, Droplyne Hot Air Balloon Rides, had a perfect safety record, according to its website.

Persons: Daniel Trotta, skydivers, Wiescholek, Kaitlynn Bartrom, Atahan Kiliccote, Cornelius Van Der Walt, Valerie Stutterheim, Droplyne, Eloy, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S . National Transportation Safety, NTSB, Eloy Police Department, Police, South, Company Locations: Arizona, Eloy, Phoenix, Washington, Union City , Michigan, Andrews , Indiana, Cupertino , California, South African, Scottsdale , Arizona, Moab , Utah, Carlsbad , California

☆ South African foreign minister discusses Hague case against Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSouth African foreign minister discusses Hague case against IsraelSouth Africa's Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tells CNBC's Steve Sedgwick there is support for the view that the case brought against Israel in the Hague is substantive.

Persons: Enoch Godongwana, Steve Sedgwick Organizations: Israel South Africa's Finance, Israel Locations: Hague

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