A norovirus outbreak on the Caribbean Princess cruise ship has sickened 115 passengers and crew, but onboard activities continue with enhanced sanitation measures in place. The CDC and Princess Cruises are working to contain the virus as the ship completes its Caribbean voyage.
Posts tagged as “South Africa’”
In a major escalation of hostilities, Russia launched a severe overnight bombardment on Ukrainian cities, killing at least nine people and injuring over 70, particularly devastating Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was in South Africa seeking support to end the four-year conflict, announced his immediate return to address the destruction and criticized Russia for its continued aggression. The attack, occurring shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed to have brokered peace agreements, highlights the fragile nature of peace efforts and has drawn international attention and calls for accountability.
American pastor Josh Sullivan was rescued in South Africa after being kidnapped at gunpoint during a church service in Motherwell Township. The rescue operation, led by the Hawks, involved a shootout at a safe house in Gqeberha, resulting in the deaths of three suspects. While the motives behind the kidnapping remain unclear, the successful rescue highlights the challenges faced by religious communities and the efforts of South African authorities to combat organized crime.
Megan Rapinoe, the U.S. Women's National Team's star striker, said farewell to fans in an emotional final game on Sunday. She provided the long pass to set up a goal and took the corner that resulted in the second goal, before being given a standing ovation as she left the field. Rapinoe has been a leader both on and off the field, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations of soccer players.
At least 58 people have died and 43 have been injured in a devastating fire in a five-story building in Johannesburg, South Africa, that had been taken over by homeless people. Firefighters are searching the building floor-by-floor and the death toll is expected to rise. Robert Mulaudzi, a spokesman for the emergency services, said he had "never come across something like this" in his 20 years of service. The South African government has promised to provide assistance to those affected by the tragedy.
Singer-songwriter Sixto Rodriguez, referred to as "the greatest protest singer and songwriter that most people never heard of" in a 2013 Associated Press story, died Tuesday in Detroit. His albums flopped in the US in the 1970s, but he became a star in South Africa, inspiring white liberals horrified by the apartheid regime. His legacy would take off back home after the Oscar-winning documentary "Searching for Sugar Man" followed two South African fans who set out to discover what happened to their musical hero.
Caster Semenya, a two-time Olympic champion, won a major legal victory when the European Court of Human Rights ruled that she was discriminated against by sports rules requiring her to medically reduce her natural hormone levels to compete. The court found that the rules, introduced by World Athletics, raised “serious questions” about their validity. Semenya has vowed to continue fighting for her right to compete without restriction and to go for another gold at the 2021 Olympics in Paris, though the implications of the ruling remain unclear.
At least 16 people, including three children, have died in a tragic gas leak in South Africa on Wednesday. Two people were taken to the hospital for treatment, and the cause of the leak is still under investigation. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences and promised to investigate the incident and take steps to ensure similar tragedies do not occur in the future.