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Kate Bartlett

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Friday

Africa

South African Paralympic gold medalist who killed his girlfriend will soon be freed

In South Africa, former Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius is to be freed from jail on parole, nearly 11 years on after murdering his former girlfriend.

South African Paralympic gold medalist who killed his girlfriend will soon be freed

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Saturday

Sudan's war passed 6 months, with much of the world consumed by other conflicts

A man stands by as a fire rages in a livestock market area in al-Fasher, the capital of Sudan's North Darfur state, on Sept. 1, in the aftermath of bombardment by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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AFP via Getty Images

Africa

Sudan's war passed 6 months, with much of the world consumed by other conflicts

An estimated 9,000 people have been killed and another 5.6 million forced to flee their homes. NPR has spoken to Sudanese from different walks of life to hear how they're coping.

Sudan's war passed 6 months, with much of the world consumed by other conflicts

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Friday

With Johannesburg's building fire, the misery of gang-hijacked towers comes into focus

Squatters stand on a rooftop overlooking the scene of one of South Africa's deadliest inner-city fires in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday. Jerome Delay/AP hide caption

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Jerome Delay/AP

Africa

With Johannesburg's building fire, the misery of gang-hijacked towers comes into focus

People desperate for housing in a country with sky-high unemployment have taken to squatting in squalid conditions in former office buildings that are rented out by criminal gangs.

With Johannesburg's building fire, the misery of gang-hijacked towers comes into focus

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Thursday

Africa

Deadly Johannesburg building fire brings attention to housing operations run by gangs

A deadly fire in an apartment block in Johannesburg, South Africa, has raised questions about the grip of gangs who illegally occupy and sell off space in empty buildings with squalid conditions.

Deadly Johannesburg building fire brings attention to housing operations run by gangs

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Africa

A catastrophic fire in South Africa has taken the lives of dozens of people

The fire in Johannesburg has killed more than 70 people. Authorities say many of the victims were people without homes, who found shelter in the run-down five-story building.

A catastrophic fire in South Africa has taken the lives of dozens of people

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Friday

Africa

6 countries have been invited to join BRICS, a group of emerging nations

The group invited six new members to join — expanding their reach to cover over a third of the world's population in an attempt to reshape the global world order.

6 countries have been invited to join BRICS, a group of emerging nations

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Thursday

World

BRICS invites six new members to join, covering over 1/3 of the world's population

The BRICS group of emerging economies have invited six new members to join — expanding their reach to cover over a third of the world's population in an attempt to reshape the global world order.

BRICS invites six new members to join, covering over 1/3 of the world's population

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Tuesday

Africa

Group of emerging countries begins a closely watched summit

As South Africa prepares to welcome a number of world leaders for the summit of the group of emerging markets known as BRICS, many new countries are vying to gain membership.

Group of emerging countries begins a closely watched summit

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Wednesday

Putin won't attend a South Africa summit next month, avoiding possible arrest

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) speaks to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a plenary session at the Russia-Africa summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, on Oct. 24, 2019. Sergei Chirikov/AP hide caption

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Sergei Chirikov/AP

World

Putin won't attend a South Africa summit next month, avoiding possible arrest

South Africa says Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the BRICS summit it's hosting in August, putting an end to questions over whether it would act on an arrest warrant for Putin.

Saturday

Sudan's fighting risks reigniting war in Darfur, a site of atrocities 20 years ago

People walk among scattered objects in the market of El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur, as fighting continues in Sudan between the forces of two rival generals, on April 29, 2023. AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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AFP via Getty Images

Africa

Sudan's fighting risks reigniting war in Darfur, a site of atrocities 20 years ago

As fighting in Sudan's capital continues to rage, experts say it's spilling over into the Darfur region and risks fully reigniting a conflict from the early 2000s that left hundreds of thousands dead.

Friday

Here's how NPR reporters around the world are dealing with air pollution

A general view showing buildings shrouded by polluted air in Seoul on April 12, 2023. Jung Yeon-Je/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jung Yeon-Je/AFP via Getty Images

World

Here's how NPR reporters around the world are dealing with air pollution

As Canada and parts of the U.S. confront declines in air quality due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, NPR reporters in Asia, Latin America and Africa share their experiences.

Here's how NPR reporters around the world are dealing with air pollution

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Thursday

As Sudan's conflict continues into its second week, here's what to know

Smoke is seen in Khartoum, April 22. The fighting in the capital between the Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces resumed after an internationally brokered cease-fire failed. Marwan Ali/AP hide caption

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Marwan Ali/AP

World

As Sudan's conflict continues into its second week, here's what to know

With fighting continuing between rival generals, thousands are fleeing the country and embassies have shut. U.N. Secretary General António Guterres warns the violence may spread to other countries.

As Sudan's conflict continues into its second week, here's what to know

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Wednesday

Residents in Khartoum live in fear and desperation as fighting rages on

Smoke is seen rising from Khartoum's skyline on Sunday. The Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary group battled for control of the chaos-stricken nation, signaling they were unwilling to end hostilities despite mounting diplomatic pressure to cease fire. Marwan Ali/AP hide caption

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Marwan Ali/AP

World

Residents in Khartoum live in fear and desperation as fighting rages on

As rival military factions fight on the streets of Sudan's capital, three women describe what life is like for them. "I think we can die at any time. Nobody can feel safe in Khartoum now," one says.

Saturday

Animals

The slither of a deadly Cobra in a cockpit prompted an emergency landing

Of all the things to go wrong midair in the cockpit of a plane, finding an unwanted poisonous snake under the pilot's seat must surely be one of the worst scenarios.

The slither of a deadly Cobra in a cockpit prompted an emergency landing

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Wednesday

He felt the slither of a venomous snake in the cockpit — then turned the plane around

During his flight on Monday, "As I turned to my left and looked down, I could see the head of the snake receding back underneath my seat," pilot Rudolf Erasmus says. "At which point there was a moment of stunned silence, to be brutally honest." He turned the plane around and landed safely at a nearby airport. Rudolf Erasmus hide caption

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Rudolf Erasmus

World

He felt the slither of a venomous snake in the cockpit — then turned the plane around

South African pilot Rudolf Erasmus made an emergency landing after discovering a Cape cobra accompanying him in the cockpit on Monday. The snake has not been found again since the plane landed.

He felt the slither of a venomous snake in the cockpit — then turned the plane around

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Friday

Cyclone Freddy shattered records. People lost everything. How does the healing begin?

Malawi (pictured above) and Mozambique were devastated by the Cyclone Freddy, which lasted at least 36 days and made landfall twice in Mozambique. Thoko Chikondi/AP hide caption

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Thoko Chikondi/AP

Goats and Soda

Cyclone Freddy shattered records. People lost everything. How does the healing begin?

The countries hit by this unprecedented storm now must help survivors who may have lost nearly everything. We talk to an aid worker on the ground in Mozambique for insights.

Tuesday

Weather

Southern Africa's Cyclone Freddy set to be one of the longest and strongest ever

Cyclone Freddy is tearing its way through Southern Africa and is on track to be one of the longest lasting and strongest cyclones on record.

Southern Africa's Cyclone Freddy set to be one of the longest and strongest ever

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Saturday

Africa

South Africa joins Russia and China in naval exercises

South Africa goes ahead with its plans to hold a naval drill with Russia and China, just days before the first anniversary of the Ukraine war.

South Africa joins Russia and China in naval exercises

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Tuesday

Africa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa finds out this week if he faces impeachment

Cyril Ramaphosa came to power pledging to tackle corruption, but after allegations against him, he faces a fight for his political life

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa finds out this week if he faces impeachment

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Friday

Africa

South Africa's president is facing calls for his resignation

Cyril Ramaphosa is also facing the threat of impeachment over charges of alleged corruption and a story that centers on a sofa stuffed with cash.

South Africa's president is facing calls for his resignation

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Wednesday

Africa

Ethiopia's federal government and Tigrayan forces reach a deal

A deal has been reached between Ethiopia's warring parties — the federal government and Tigrayan forces — for a permanent cessation of hostilities.

Ethiopia's federal government and Tigrayan forces reach a deal

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