South

The Dar Petroleum Operating Company is a consortium of several international oil companies, including the China National Petroleum Corporation, a state-owned entity that has a 41 percent stake in the group; and Petronas, a company owned by the Malaysian government that has a 40 percent stake, according to Africa Oil and Power, which tracks investment in the energy sector across the African continent. Both Petronas and the China National Petroleum Corporation have appointees serving in senior management roles in Dar Petroleum. The consortium’s links to the government and to the conflict have long been known. In March 2018, the United States slapped sanctions on Dar Petroleum, along with 14 other oil operators that it said were important sources of cash for the government. The government of South Sudan later denounced the decision. A spokesman for China National Petroleum Corporation declined to comment on the Sentry report. Petronas did not respond to requests for comment, and … [Read more...] about South Sudan Oil Consortium Funded Militias Accused of Atrocities, Report Says

DAKAR, Senegal — Nigeria plans to repatriate at least 600 of its citizens living in South Africa after recent attacks in and around Johannesburg that targeted Nigerians and other African immigrants and left at least 10 people dead. The announcement, made by President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria and Godwin Adama, the Nigerian consul general in Johannesburg, is the latest effort to respond to a conflict that has consumed the continent’s two largest economies and angered people across Africa. “We have made arrangements for the immediate voluntary evacuation of all Nigerians in South Africa who are willing to return home,” Mr. Buhari said on Twitter, adding that he is very worried about “the recurring issue of xenophobia.” “If nothing is done to stop it,” he added, “it could negatively affect the image and standing of South Africa as one of the leading countries in Africa.” South Africans began attacking immigrants and … [Read more...] about Nigeria Plans to Airlift Its Citizens Out of South Africa After Xenophobic Riots

Police are calling for witnesses to come forward after 20 kangaroos were killed by a vehicle in “acts of animal cruelty” in the New South Wales town of Merimbula. Authorities believe one vehicle drove through the suburb of Tura Beach between 10.30pm and 11.30pm on Saturday night, targeting and killing the animals. Twenty kangaroos, including joeys, were killed and three remaining joeys are in veterinary care, said Janine Green, a volunteer with Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (Wires), who discovered the kangaroos. Green alleged the culprit drove a white ute with a spotlight to intentionally run over the animals. “They were driving around and around and had a spotlight. So the kangaroos were just startled and standing there,” she said. “They were driving up on the footpaths … It was football final night so a lot of people would have been drinking. So lucky nobody was walking home. “The people here actually love kangaroos. They … [Read more...] about Driver allegedly kills 20 kangaroos and joeys on NSW south coast in ‘acts of animal cruelty’

A woman in South Korea has reportedly killed herself after discovering she had been secretly filmed in a hospital change room, amid growing public alarm at the voyeurism epidemic gripping the country. The woman, referred to in local news reports as “A”, was found deadat her home in the south west of the country last week. Her family said she had suffered “nightmares and trauma” after finding out that she had been filmed at the hospital without her knowledge. A statement from her family said she had made an “extreme choice”. A clinical pathologist at the same hospital was arrested in August for allegedly filming female co-workers in the employees’ changing room. Police allege he made a hole in the changing room wall to film the four victims. They are investigating a link between the allegations against the pathologist and the woman’s death. The woman is among thousands of South Korean victims of “molka”, in which women are … [Read more...] about South Korea: woman reportedly kills herself after being secretly filmed by doctor

SEOUL, South Korea — A key ally of President Moon Jae-in of South Korea on Monday stepped down as justice minister, handing a victory to South Koreans who have been holding enormous rallies for weeks demanding his removal. The minister, Cho Kuk, has been plagued by allegations of ethical lapses and financial wrongdoing in his family ever since Mr. Moon appointed him to the post in early August. Since then, prosecutors have opened an investigation into the accusations, and for weeks huge crowds have gathered in the capital, Seoul, to oppose Mr. Cho’s appointment. Although Parliament refused to endorse Mr. Cho’s appointment, Mr. Moon formally made him justice minister last month, saying he needed Mr. Cho to push through his plans to overhaul the national prosecutors’ office, the same agency investigating Mr. Cho’s family. People who supported Mr. Moon and Mr. Cho have since staged large counter-rallies, accusing prosecutors of using their investigation to … [Read more...] about South Korean Politician Resigns After Weeks of Protests