Plus: Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter reviewed, and precious advice for British football fans ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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| Hello. A judge in New York has sentenced Sam Bankman-Fried, the start-up founder who became a crypto billionaire, to 25 years in prison following a conviction for fraud and money laundering. Natalie Sherman brings you inside the court. In South Africa, former President Jacob Zuma has been barred from running in May's general election. Damian Zane explains what's at stake in the upcoming vote. We're also reviewing Beyoncé's latest album and taking a look at April's most anticipated film releases. | |
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| 'Crypto King' given 25-year sentence | | Judge Lewis Kaplan said Bankman-Fried had a drive to be politically influential. Credit: Reuters/Jane Rosenberg | In November, a jury took less than five hours to find disgraced crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried guilty of fraud and money-laundering. The man who was once counted among the world's youngest billionaires has now been sentenced to 25 years in prison. |
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| | Natalie Sherman, business correspondent |
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| | Bankman-Fried arrived in court shortly after 09:40 in a baggy beige prison jumpsuit. The weight he has lost behind bars is visible and his distinctive curly hair, cut short for trial, has returned. The crowd of onlookers in the packed overflow room included family and friends, as well as customers who have lost access to millions following the collapse of FTX - including Sunil Kavuri.
Though he has been one of the most vocal victims, he chatted with SBF's parents while waiting. He told me afterwards that SBF's father, Joseph Bankman, was eager to note that money would be recovered in the bankruptcy. Kavuri does not share that view, but he believes Bankman-Fried is being made a scapegoat for problems at FTX for which the responsibility is more widely shared. |
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| QUESTIONS ANSWERED | South Africa's election heats up |
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| | | The MK party is seen as a rival to the ruling ANC, and is popular in ex-President Jacob Zuma's home region. Credit: Reuters |
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| South Africa's general election is still two months away, but the race is heating up. The ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has been in power since the first post-apartheid election in 1994, could get less than 50% of the vote for the first time in 30 years. Meanwhile, former President Jacob Zuma has just been barred from running. |
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| What is at stake for the ANC? | The ANC, now led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is under growing pressure. High unemployment, which hit 32% last year, persistent economic inequalities, corruption allegations and frequent power cuts have reduced its popularity. High levels of violent crime - on average 130 rapes and 80 murders a day in the last three months of 2023 - have also dented confidence in the authorities. | How is the ANC addressing those issues? | The party says poverty levels have fallen, a greater proportion of South Africans live in decent homes and access to healthcare has improved. The ANC has promised to create millions more jobs over the next five years, to boost investment, support the private sector and end corruption. | What does the opposition propose? | The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) wants to liberalise the economy, including a move towards greater privatisation. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) - the third largest party in parliament - instead wants to nationalise key parts of the economy. Meanwhile, disgruntled former President Jacob Zuma - who was ousted by Mr Ramaphosa amid corruption allegations that he denies, and was later jailed for defying a court order - has been campaigning for new uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party. | | | The ban on Zuma: The former president's name was the first on the MK's candidate list, but the electoral commission received objections to him potentially becoming a member of the National Assembly. Violent crime: South Africa's murder rate has reached a 20-year high and guns are the weapon of choice. | |
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THE BIG PICTURE | The mercenary hired to kill Pablo Escobar |
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| | | A young Peter McAleese's ID card during his mercenary days in Africa in the 70s. Credit: Two Rivers Media | In 1989, a team of British mercenaries was hired to kill Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar by a rival cartel. The daring - but ultimately unsuccessful - attempt was led by Scotsman Peter McAleese, who has died at the age of 81. |
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FOR YOUR DOWNTIME | Spring flicks | From a game of love and tennis to the Omen prequel, 10 films to watch in April. | |
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In History newsletter | The past comes to life through the BBC's unique audio, video and written archive, each Thursday. | |
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MORE BBC NEWSLETTERS | | US Election Unspun: Cut through the noise in the race for the White House, every Wednesday. Subscribe. | | Future Earth: Essential global climate news and hopeful developments, every Tuesday. Subscribe. | | Football Extra: Latest news, insights and gossip from the Premier League, weekdays. Subscribe. | |
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