Latest news with #philanthropist
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Lion kills businessman at luxury safari lodge in Namibia after he stepped out of tent to use toilet
A lion killed a man at a luxury lodge in the remote northwest of Namibia, authorities said. The victim — identified by local media as well-known businessman Bernd Kebbel — was camping with other tourists at the tented resort when the early morning tragedy unfolded, police said. Kebbel, 59, was camping with his wife and friends near Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in the Sesfontein area when he was attacked by the animal, the Namibian newspaper reported. He was attacked when he stepped out of his tent to use the toilet, environment ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela told local news outlet Informante. Other campers managed to scare off the lion but Kebbel was already dead by then, he said. Police were "attending the scene and a full report will be submitted in due course," spokesperson Elifas Kuwinga said. A lion is pictured at the Hoanib River drainage in northern Namibia, Feb. 8, 2023. Chen Cheng/Xinhua via Getty Images According to the Daily Mail, Kebbel was a philanthropist who supported wildlife conservation in Namibia and once owned Off-Road-Centre, which sold accessories for safari vehicles. Desert-adapted lions roam the remote northwest of the country where mountains and sand dunes meet. In 2023, they were estimated to be around 60 adults and more than dozen cubs. But their numbers have dipped in recent months following a drought-induced drop in prey and conflict with humans. Last August, Namibia authorized the culling of hundreds of animals, including elephants, as part of a plan to feed people in the drought-stricken country. The mauling marks at least the second deadly lion attack in Africa in less than six weeks. In April, a lion killed a 14-year-old girl outside Kenya's capital in a ranch to the south of Nairobi National Park.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Wealthy philanthropist who spent fortune supporting Namibian desert lions is killed by one after leaving his tent to use the loo
A wealthy philanthropist who spent large sums of money supporting the Namibian desert lions has been killed by one of the predators after leaving his tent to use the toilet. Businessman Bernd Kebbel, 59, was asleep with his wife Conny, 57, on a wildlife expedition at a camp in the north of the country, blissfully unaware that a hungry lioness was stalking him. As the father-of-two climbed down a ladder from the safety of his rooftop tent, mounted on the top of a 4 x 4, the man-eating beast was lying in wait in the dark and attacked him. His desperate screams woke up the rest of the shocked camp who rushed to his rescue in the darkness and bravely chased off the lioness before it could devour its victim. However the Namibian police, investigating the case, said that nothing could be done to save the keen outdoorsman who was killed almost instantly in the savage lightning fast attack. His blood-soaked body was covered up until the authorities could arrive and it is feared that the lioness, named by locals as Charlie, may be hunted and shot dead. The tragedy happened when Mr Kebbel got up in the early hours of Friday morning, unaware that the watching lioness had creeped into the sleeping camp. According to initial reports, Mr Kebbel climbed down a ladder from the tent on the roof and was then attacked and dragged away by the lioness whose jaws tore into his neck and throat. A Namibian lion expert who spoke on the agreement of anonymity said: 'Thankfully it would have been quick as a human is no match for a lioness that is in its prime. 'There are only about 60 desert lions in this region of Kunane where the attack happened and in this particular area around the Hoanib Camp maybe a dozen at the very most. 'The desert lions have adapted to the harsh and burning desert environment and have become extremely adept night-time hunters as there is no cover for them during the day. 'They are quick and fast and extremely strong and do not get much opportunity to hunt so can become very hungry – hungry enough to risk attacking a feared human.' It is understood that Mr Kebbel and Conny's two children, Dieter and Heidi, both in their late twenties, are now flying home to comfort their devastated mother at their home in the Namibian capital, Windhoek. For many years, Mr Kebbel owned the Off-Road-Centre in Namibia's main city Windhoek which bought and sold 4 x 4 safari vehicles and also sold the accessories required in the wild. A Namibian lion expert who spoke on the agreement of anonymity said: 'The desert lions are quick and fast and extremely strong and do not get much opportunity to hunt so can become very hungry – hungry enough to risk attacking a feared human' (file image) Lion expert Izak Smit said that the nation's most famous expert in the field, Dr Philip 'Flip' Stander had even named an adult male Kebbel in his honour. Mr Smith said it was to recognise the large sums of money Mr Kebbel had paid into looking after lions but, tragically, Kebbel had become a 'problem animal' after allegedly killing the local wildlife. A big game hunting firm had even offered a £50,000 licence to rich hunters in order to kill the predator, but before the offer was taken up the magnificent solitary male was poisoned by the local farmers. There are about 38,000 free roaming lions left in Africa, mostly in conservation areas, with the Namibian Ministry of the Environment & Tourist estimating they have just 800. The majority are in the Etosha National Park, with about 110 in the North-West including the Kunene Region where Mr Kebbel was killed while on one of his many wild safaris. Weighing 170kgs, the desert lionesses can run at up to 50mph and measure two metres long, not including the tail. Meanwhile, their powerful jaws have teeth up to four inches long. With very little water in the desert areas along the Skeleton Coast and in the mountains, inland the lions get their liquid from the bodies of prey like ostrich and antelope and seals. But, as villages move further and further into lion territory, creating increased human/lion conflict, the predators often attack livestock and villagers reply by shooting, snaring or poisoning them. The violent death of Mr Kebbel was confirmed by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Namibian Police who said that it happened near the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp. A Namibian police spokesman said: 'There were brave efforts by fellow campers who drove the animal away but it was too late to save him from the fatal injuries inflicted to his neck' Mr Ndeshipanda Hamunyela, a spokesperson for the tourism ministry, confirmed that officials had been dispatched to the site, adding: 'We can confirm that Mr Kebbel was killed. Our team is on the ground investigating'. He added, however, that it was too early to make a decision on what would happen to the lioness and they would rely on an experts report. Close friend Sharon Baines said on social media: 'What a shock Bernd & Conny as you were just settling in to enjoy the best years of life and everyone is just devastated right now. 'Gentle Bernd your smile and humility will be remember and you made the world a better place. Conny, Heidi and Dieter, there are no words, but we wish you strength and love'. Another post from Marius Burger read: 'Desert lions adapted to survive in the harshest of terrain so are very dangerous as they can be starving and just desperate to find fresh prey. 'Sadly this lioness has tasted human blood and flesh and will have lost its natural fear of a human. There will be little choice than to hunt it down and euthanise it'.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Wealthy philanthropist who spend fortunes supporting Namibian desert lions is killed by one after leaving his tent to use the loo
A wealthy philanthropist who spent large sums of money supporting the Namibian desert lions has been killed by one of the predators after leaving his tent to use the toilet. Businessman Bernd Kebbel, 59, was asleep with his wife Conny, 57, on a wildlife expedition at a camp in the north of the country, blissfully unaware that a hungry lioness was stalking him. As the father-of-two climbed down a ladder from the safety of his rooftop tent, mounted on the top of a 4 x 4, the man-eating beast was lying in wait in the dark and attacked him. His desperate screams woke up the rest of the shocked camp who rushed to his rescue in the darkness and bravely chased off the lioness before it could devour its victim. However the Namibian police, investigating the case, said that nothing could be done to save the keen outdoorsman who was killed almost instantly in the savage lightning fast attack. His blood-soaked body was covered up until the authorities could arrive and it is feared that the lioness, named by locals as Charlie, may be hunted and shot dead. The tragedy happened when Mr Kebbel got up in the early hours of Friday morning, unaware that the watching lioness had creeped into the sleeping camp. According to initial reports, Mr Kebbel climbed down a ladder from the tent on the roof and was then attacked and dragged away by the lioness whose jaws tore into his neck and throat. A Namibian lion expert who spoke on the agreement of anonymity said: 'Thankfully it would have been quick as a human is no match for a lioness that is in its prime. 'There are only about 60 desert lions in this region of Kunane where the attack happened and in this particular area around the Hoanib Camp maybe a dozen at the very most. 'The desert lions have adapted to the harsh and burning desert environment and have become extremely adept night-time hunters as there is no cover for them during the day. 'They are quick and fast and extremely strong and do not get much opportunity to hunt so can become very hungry – hungry enough to risk attacking a feared human.' It is understood that Mr Kebbel and Conny's two children, Dieter and Heidi, both in their late twenties, are now flying home to comfort their devastated mother at their home in the Namibian capital, Windhoek. For many years, Mr Kebbel owned the Off-Road-Centre in Namibia's main city Windhoek which bought and sold 4 x 4 safari vehicles and also sold the accessories required in the wild. Lion expert Izak Smit said that the nation's most famous expert in the field, Dr Philip 'Flip' Stander had even named an adult male Kebbel in his honour. Mr Smith said it was to recognise the large sums of money Mr Kebbel had paid into looking after lions but, tragically, Kebbel had become a 'problem animal' after allegedly killing the local wildlife. A big game hunting firm had even offered a £50,000 licence to rich hunters in order to kill the predator, but before the offer was taken up the magnificent solitary male was poisoned by the local farmers. There are about 38,000 free roaming lions left in Africa, mostly in conservation areas, with the Namibian Ministry of the Environment & Tourist estimating they have just 800. The majority are in the Etosha National Park, with about 110 in the North-West including the Kunene Region where Mr Kebbel was killed while on one of his many wild safaris. Weighing 170kgs, the desert lionesses can run at up to 50mph and measure two metres long, not including the tail. Meanwhile, their powerful jaws have teeth up to four inches long. With very little water in the desert areas along the Skeleton Coast and in the mountains, inland the lions get their liquid from the bodies of prey like ostrich and antelope and seals. But, as villages move further and further into lion territory creating increased human/lion conflict, the predators often attack livestock and villagers reply by shooting, snaring or poisoning them. The violent death of Mr Kebbel was confirmed by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Namibian Police who said that it happened near the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp. A Namibian police spokesman said: 'There were brave efforts by fellow campers who drove the animal away but it was too late to save him from the fatal injuries inflicted to his neck' Mr Ndeshipanda Hamunyela, a spokesperson for the tourism ministry, confirmed that officials had been dispatched to the site, adding: 'We can confirm that Mr Kebbel was killed. Our team is on the ground investigating'. He added, however, that it was too early to make a decision on what would happen to the lioness and they would rely on an experts report. Close friend Sharon Baines said on social media: 'What a shock Bernd & Conny as you were just settling in to enjoy the best years of life and everyone is just devastated right now. 'Gentle Bernd your smile and humility will be remember and you made the world a better place. Conny, Heidi and Dieter, there are no words, but we wish you strength and love'. Another post from Marius Burger read: 'Desert lions adapted to survive in the harshest of terrain so are very dangerous as they can be starving and just desperate to find fresh prey. 'Sadly this lioness has tasted human blood and flesh and will have lost its natural fear of a human. There will be little choice than to hunt it down and euthanise it'.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Australia Delists Cyprus-Based Businessman Igor Makarov from Sanctions List
Australia officially removed Cyprus-based businessman and philanthropist Igor Makarov from its autonomous sanctions list, becoming the second Western government after the United Kingdom to reverse sanctions imposed following Russia's 2022 Ukraine invasion. The decision followed a comprehensive official review, with Makarov welcoming the recent courtesy of Igor Makarov SYDNEY, May 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Australia has officially removed Igor Makarov, a Cyprus-based businessman and philanthropist, from its autonomous sanctions list, making it the second Western government, after the United Kingdom, to reverse sanctions initially imposed in response to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Notably, neither the United States nor the European Union have sanctioned Makarov. The decision follows a comprehensive review by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of Makarov's application for delisting. As of this publication, Mr. Makarov's name no longer appears on the country's Consolidated List of sanctioned individuals and entities subject to travel bans and asset freezes. Makarov, a Cyprus citizen and founder of the ARETI International Group, was initially designated by Australian authorities in April 2022 under the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011. The move was part of a sweeping package of international sanctions targeting individuals alleged to have ties to the Kremlin or to have benefited from Russia's war efforts. In a statement following the announcement, Mr. Makarov welcomed the decision: Background on Igor Makarov Born in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Makarov began his professional life as a champion cyclist before founding ITERA, a Cyprus-based group of companies, which mainly operated as one of the first private natural gas companies in the former Soviet Union. ITERA played a pivotal role in facilitating gas exports from Central Asia to Europe throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. The company was sold in 2013, after which Makarov launched ARETI, a Cyprus-based International Group of companies with interests in energy sector across Europe, North America, Central Asia, and the Middle East. ARETI has no operations or affiliations in Russia. Mr. Makarov became a citizen of Cyprus in 2011 and officially renounced his Russian citizenship in 2023. Beyond business, Makarov is a prominent figure in international cycling. He has served on the Management Committee of the International Cycling Union (UCI) since 2011, and founded the Swiss-based professional cycling team KATUSHA, which competed internationally from 2009 to 2019. Under his leadership, KATUSHA ranked among the top cycling teams in the world for several consecutive years. In Cyprus, Makarov is well known for his philanthropic and sports-related initiatives, particularly in promoting cycling and healthy lifestyle. He has sponsored numerous charity events and was awarded the prestigious Aristeidis Konstantinidis Award in recognition of his contributions to the development of cycling on the island. Contact Details: Company Name: ARETIContact Person's Name: ARETI PR TeamCompany website: Contact Email Address: pr@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Dolly Parton's Extraordinary Career Highlighted In New Exhibit At Country Music Hall Of Fame
Dolly Parton attends the opening of her new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in ... More Nashville, TN (May 19, 2025) (Photo by) Hundreds of invited guests gathered at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville to see Dolly Parton and get a preview of a new exhibit honoring her. Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker looks back at her career with a special focus on some of the obstacles she faced along the way. It's interesting to note, a number of those obstacles involved other people advising her against many of the decisions that would turn out to be pivotal to her career. Entrance to "Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker" exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum ... More in Nashville, TN Fortunately, the little girl with the big dream, has always relied on her own instincts and had the strength and fortitude to dismiss naysayers. Her ability to 'trust the voice inside' paved the way for her incredible rags-to-riches journey and led to her becoming a global superstar, exceptional businesswoman, and committed philanthropist. 'Each step of the way Dolly had to fight for something,' says Michael McCall, Associate Director of Editorial for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. 'She had to go against someone telling her, 'No, don't do that,' and she just wouldn't take no for an answer. Whether it was somebody telling her to tone down how she dressed or not to 'go pop,' or not to start Dollywood because she'd lose her fortune on it, and on and on. She continuously overcame people telling her not to do something.' A costume sketchon display at the new Dolly Parton exhibit at the at Country Music Hall of Fame and ... More Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by) Display from the "Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker"exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and ... More Museum Display from "Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker" at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum At a ceremony the night before the exhibit opened to the public, an excited crowd heard Alison Krause do beautiful versions of two of Dolly's iconic songs: 'The Seeker' and 'Coat of Many Colors.' Most are familiar with the auto-biographical 'Coat of Many Colors' which tells the story of a young Dolly who grew up with eleven brothers and sisters in poverty-stricken East Tennessee. When it came time for a new coat, her mother could only afford to make one out of colorful rags. Dolly went to school so excited about the coat, only to find the other kids laughing and making fun of her. Jerry Douglas, Alison Krauss, Stuart Duncan, Russell Moore and Ron Block of Union Station perform at ... More the opening "Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker' at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. (May 19, 2025) (Photo by) When Krauss finished the song, she told everyone: 'The only thing that gets me through that song is to think about her wearing that little coat to the bank.' The room burst into applause. Dolly later headed to the podium saying she was both happy and proud to be there. 'I'm like Minnie Pearl,' she said. 'I'm so proud to be here! I really am.' Dolly Parton speaks onstage at the opening of Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum's new exhibit ... More 'Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker' (Photo by) She expressed how thankful she is to have grown up in a world where dreams 'can' come true. 'It's a long way from the top of the Smoky Mountains to the top of the world. And thanks to you and all of the fans and the people that have helped me along the way, I've made it. And I'm so grateful!' She noted she was happy to share artifacts for the new exhibit but admitted to holding some of her things back. 'You're going to see a lot of things as you go through the exhibit. But I've left a few things for myself. You know, I'm building a hotel up the road here. It's called the SongTeller Hotel and attached to it will be my own museum. That'll open in the spring of next year.' Her 12-story hotel will be located at 211 Commerce Street in Nashville. Dolly Parton at the opening of Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum's new exhibit honoring her ... More life and career. May 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by) Dolly is extremely busy with multiple projects including her upcoming Broadway show. It's set to premiere with a series of shows in Nashville this summer, before making its way to New York i 2026. She's been intimately involved with every aspect of the production from writing to casting to, of course - creating the music. Dolly says her nearly six-decade career hasn't come without sacrifice and mentioned a song she's written, explaining a little of what that means, is set to be featured in the show. She shared a few lyrics- touching on missed vacations, time with family, and working around the clock. Then she continued with: 'Empty or full, I carried my pail, But you don't drink the water, if you don't dig the well. Grindstones and rhinestones have made up my life, And you ask…was it worth - the sacrifice? Well, I reckon it was, cause I'm here tonight!' Everyone cheered and applauded. Dolly thanked everyone again, then headed into the museum to get her first look at her new exhibit. She seemed very pleased with the way it tells part of her story. Dolly Parton gets her first look at a new exhibit honoring her at the Country Music Hall of Fame® ... More and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. (May 19, 2025) (Photo by) Dolly Parton and her niece, Rebecca Seaver (who is her Dolly's Director of Museum and Archive ... More Services) attend the opening of Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum's new exhibit 'Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker' (Photo by) You can see Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker now through September 30th with regular admission to the museum. However, you must reserve a separate ticket for the Dolly exhibit (at no extra cost). Those tickets are based on availability, as only a limited number are available daily (between 9 AM and 3:30 PM CST). It's highly recommended that you secure your tickets well in advance.
