The International Court of Justice (ICJ) witnessed a heated legal confrontation as Israel’s legal team took the stand to counter South Africa’s allegations of genocide in The Hague on Friday.

Tal Becker, the Legal Adviser in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, presented a robust defense, emphasizing that Israel was engaged in a defensive war against terrorist groups and had not initiated the conflict.

South Africa had urged an immediate halt to Israeli military operations, accusing Israel of mass killings, harm to Palestinians, and explicit genocidal intent by political leaders.

The case, addressing violations of the Genocide Convention, presented evidence of alleged genocidal acts by Israel. However, Becker argued that South Africa’s request to suspend Israel’s military operations was an attempt to deny the country its obligation to defend its citizens.

Becker stated, “The civilians suffering in this war, like all wars, is tragic and heartbreaking.” He contended that Israel’s military actions were directed at defending itself against groups such as Hamas and Palestinian Jihad. The legal adviser described the October 7, 2023 attack as a “wholesale massacre, mutilation, rape, and abduction” of many Israeli citizens.

Israel’s legal team accused South Africa of presenting a distorted factual and legal picture, alleging that the entirety of South Africa’s case was based on a “deliberately curated, decontextualized, and manipulative description of the reality of current hostilities.”

 

Becker asserted that Israel had the “inherent right” to take all legitimate measures to defend its citizens and secure the release of hostages taken in the October 7 attack.

He criticized South Africa, stating, “South Africa is not offering the court a lens, it is offering a blindfold.”

The legal battle at the ICJ continues, with both sides presenting their arguments in a case that could have far-reaching implications for how conflicts involving accusations of genocide are adjudicated on the international stage.

Trevor Noah’s show The Daily Show received nominations for seven Emmy Awards, and the comedian can’t keep calm.

The popular show was nominated for the Outstanding Variety Series, Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, Outstanding Picture Editing For Variety Programming and Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, and Video Control.

According to Deadline, The Daily Show has received the most Emmy nominations since the South African star became host in 2015.

Reacting to the record nominations, Trevor headed to his social media pages to thank The Daily Show team and the Emmy Awards for the recognition. He wrote:

“When @thedailyshow gets nominated for 7 Emmys!!! Just wow!! Thank you for the incredible honour @televisionacad! And a big congrats to @thedailyshow team and to Chris McCarthy and the whole Viacom / Comedy Central fam! I told you we work well together!”

 

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Trevor’s followers also headed to the comments section to congratulate the star on the major fit.

Meanwhile, popular South African website, Briefly News also reported that Blood and Water actor Sello Maake Ka-Ncube has added his thoughts to the trending issue of DJ Zinhle and AKA’s co-parenting relationship.

The top celebrities charted Twitter trends after a video of the two dancing at Kairo’s seventh birthday party.

Another clip showing the Siyabonga hitmaker hanging out with her former lover’s girlfriend Nadia Nakai added fuel to the fire.

Twitter users dragged the star for pretending to love Nadia Nakai for clout.

Zinhle fired back, saying peeps enjoy it when people, especially women, don’t get along.

Tracey Lange Kfm 94.5, radio host is taking her knitting passion to the next level and is inviting her friends to join in for Mandela Day.

Lange hosts the weekday mid-morning show. A selected number of listeners and fans will be able to join a live, interactive, 67-minute online knit along with Lange and celebrity friends on July 18 at 12.30pm.

The virtual event will be a fun and engaging session while guests knit items to be distributed to charities in need of warm winter items.

#GeknitDitMetTraceyLange started in 2020 when Lange took up knitting during lockdown.

She initially started knitting as a way to stay occupied during lockdown, but her hobby soon grew into a larger initiative as her listeners, fans, and followers rallied behind her call to knit for charity.

“A project that started as a way to keep my hands busy and out of the fridge during lockdown has now grown into something much bigger than I could’ve imagined,” said Lange.

“I nearly forgot about the project this year, but the listeners of Kfm 94.5 commented daily from March, asking when they can start knitting to help those in need, proving again just how big the hearts of South Africans are. That the need to help and make the lives of others just a little better is in everyone.”

She said they have already collected many items from people who have already knitted this year and that was before they even knew which organisations would be benefiting from it.

“Mandela Day is such a beautiful reminder to share our humanity and to help our neighbours, and this year’s ‘GeknitDit’ guests are going to be so much fun. I can just imagine what these guys and girls are going to get up to – I can’t wait! Make sure you catch every hilarious stitch on Facebook Live,” said Lange.

Other celebrities getting woven in for the good cause include Stormers and Springbok rugby star Juan de Jongh, YouTube sensation Devdon Did It, singer Amy Jones, actor Tim Theron, comedian Alfred Adriaan, entertainer Loukmaan Adams, and special guest Agne Bezuidenhoudt, fondly known as Ma Agnes – the oldest person in the Western Cape.

Lange will also be joined by Kfm presenters Ricky Schroeder, and EB Inglis, and CapeTalk presenter Lester Kiewit.

On Friday, July 15, reigning Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane represented Mzansi at the 13th Miss Supranational pageant in Strzelecki Park Amphitheatre in Nowy Sącz, Poland.

The 24-year-old stood out from the contestants from 69 countries and was crowned Miss Supranational 2022.

The judges were impressed by her national costume dress that pays tribute to her Zulu heritage.

It was designed by Cape Town-based Lloyd Kandlin, responsible for creating the costume worn by Miss South Africa 2019, Zozibini Tunzi, who went on to become Miss Universe that year.

Kandlin was inspired by the vibrant colours and designs of South African prints.

“The idea with the costume was to find a balance in the chaos of our everyday lives, which is why I’ve used a vibrant print but carefully balanced it in perfect symmetry.”

Watch the video below;

And for the crowning glory where Namibia’s Chanique Rabe handed over the reins, the KwaSokhulu beauty donned a gold dress designed by William de Beer, owner of Willetdesigns Couture.

Said Mswane after the pageant: “I am overwhelmed; at the moment, it still feels surreal. I am deeply thankful to all the amazing people who have supported and uplifted me, I couldn’t have done it without them.

“I want to thank the organisers of Miss Supranational, the Polish people, all my fellow contestants, the Miss South Africa Organisation and my South African fans. This title is not mine alone, it is South Africa’s victory.”

Mswane was crowned Miss Universe 2021 second runner-up in December last year. This August, she will be handing over her Miss SA crown to one lucky lady.