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Mourners waving white handkerchiefs gathered at a Lusaka stadium for a state memorial service for Zambia's first president, who died last month aged 97.
In May, Burundi held a presidential election which was won by Evariste Ndayishimiye, candidate of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party.
Ndayishimiye was hurriedly sworn in after the untimely death of president Pierre Nkurunziza in June.
Rights violations continue
The Council encouraged donor countries which had suspended aid to Burundi to continue dialogue towards resumption of development assistance.
A report by a UN watchdog in September said human rights violations were still being committed in Burundi, including sexual violence and murder.
The country was plunged into a crisis in April 2015 when Ndayishimiye’s predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a controversial third term, which he ultimately won in July 2015.
His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup in May 2015.
Hundreds of people were killed and over 300,000 fled to neighboring countries.
At the beginning of last year, Dominican ground tour operator Andy Hogan spent nearly US$60,000 on a brand new safari vehicle – his second – and another US$30,000 or so on a luxurious coach, both for his Lion Tours Safari. In a country where the...
Ace Magashule, who is accused of misappropriating public funds while serving as a provincial governor was forced to quit the post last week
Okmulgee, Okla. – The 65th annual Okmulgee Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo, the nation’s oldest all-black professional rodeo event, has announced plans to proceed with staging this year’s program in August as it considers different scenarios related to the global coronavirus pandemic.
Co-owner Kenneth LeBlanc said the two biggest issues unresolved are if they will be able to attract enough contestants to compete in the two-day event – that is sanctioned by the 35-year-old Bill Pickett Invitation Rodeo Associated (BPIR) – and will they open it to spectators at the Bob Arrington Arena.
LeBlanc said he hopes by the time the rodeo’s Aug 7-8 date arrives that restrictions will have been removed to allow spectators to attend sporting events.
LeBlanc, 67, said they will likely adopt similar strategies being used at other sporting events – including NASCAR, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, World Wrestling Entertainment, professional golf – that are holding events without spectators, for now.
While the rodeo is a break-even operation, LeBlanc said they rely on sponsors, paying spectators, vendors and the participants to help pay for their operating budget.
[Daily Maverick] Super Wednesday delivered reason to celebrate for the ANC and cause for more soul-searching for the DA.
LONDON, England (AP) — Police around the southern English coastal town of Bournemouth urged people to stay away yesterday as thousands defied coronavirus social distancing rules and flocked to local beaches on what is the UK's hottest day of the year so far.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council said services were “completely overstretched” as people sought the sanctuary of the seaside on a day meteorologists confirmed as the hottest of 2020.
Roads, which were gridlocked into the early hours, now have signs telling people the area is full, according to the council.
“The irresponsible behaviour and actions of so many people is just shocking and our services are stretched to the absolute hilt trying to keep everyone safe,” she said.
“Clearly we are still in a public health crisis and such a significant volume of people heading to one area places a further strain on emergency services resources,” said Dorset Police's Sam de Reya.
… adviser Dr. Scott Atlas. Among African Americans, 46 percent of excess deaths …
These cases include more than 150 children in several states, mostly in New York.
Over a third of patients treated for COVID-19 in a large New York medical system developed acute kidney injury, and nearly 15% required dialysis, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.
STATES
Since reopening businesses at the beginning of May, Texas has reported more than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 for five consecutive days as the state fails to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea spoke about social distancing enforcement and police policy Thursday, saying, “Nothing has changed from when this pandemic has started,” during a live twitter QA with members of the NYPD Thursday.
In a statement yesterday, New York State Attorney General Letitia James called on the NYPD to “better address the department’s apparent unequal enforcement of social distancing rules,” in the city.
CHEGUTU-BASED rising sungura artiste Apton Wezulu said accepting constructive criticism from the fans after the release of his debut six-track album Kure Kwegava would help him to improve for his forthcoming album. BY WINSTONE ANTONIO The Alick Macheso-inspired musician, who fronts Orchestra Mutinhimira band, told NewsDay Life & Style that being focused on his vision and support from his wife Precious Chiwunzira gave him the strength to soldier on in the music industry. “After fulfilling my long-cherished dream to release my first album, it is encouraging that I am getting both positive and negative criticism which I think will help me a lot to improve on my craft as I work on my second album titled Tezvara Vangu,” he said. “You know how it is, hailing from the dusty streets of Hartley here in Chegutu, trying to showcase your talent in this competitive industry, you are faced with a lot of criticism, but as someone who accepts constructive criticism I am confident that it will help me to improve my craft.” Wezulu said he was not in the music industry for the love of money or competition. “I am doing music as a hobby and not there to compete with anyone, but to express my ability. I thank my supportive wife Precious and my family for being there for me in this showbiz journey,” he said. “I am back in the studio for the second album. My compositions are inspired by societal issues that shape our ubuntu/hunhu basically inspired by the social experiences that people go through in their day-to-day lives.” Wezulu said he had so far recorded two tracks, title track Tezvara Vangu and Zvipo. His album, Kure Kwegava, which was recorded in Chegutu by his younger brother Promise, who is also a talented instrumentalist, carries songs like Kurambana, Monalisa, title track Kure Kwegava, Rihana, Mudzimai and VaPhiri. Before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, Wezulu and his band had an opportunity to rub shoulders with seasoned artistes like Dendera ace Sulumani Chimbetu, Baba Harare and Simon Mutambi at live shows in the mining town. Follow Winstone on Twitter @widzoanto
This is what Melissa Fleischut, president of the New York State Restaurant Association, told a reporter last month.
One estimate proclaimed that 40 percent of restaurants in New York are unlikely to reopen after the pandemic is over.
Over 660,000 people employed in restaurants in New York state alone have been furloughed.
Though Georgia Governor Brian Kemp re-opened much of the state last week, over 120 restaurants in Atlanta are refusing to open their dining rooms until they believe it’s safe.
Many elected officials and civil rights groups are focused on Black owned businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
[MAP] Rabat -- Morocco has recorded 5,875 new cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) over the past 24 hours while 5,744 Covid-19 patients have recovered in the same period, the ministry of health said on Saturday.
‘Hola Guyana,’ the sole Spanish/Latin radio programme on the local airwaves, on Wednesday marked a year since it first aired in Guyana.
The article ‘Hola Guyana’ celebrates first anniversary appeared first on Stabroek News.
Calling it a “dark and shameful week,” South African president Cyril Ramaphosa denounced the latest surge in violence against women, including the murder of a woman eight months pregnant.
But his remarks ring hollow when a “new government report” released in September also declared gender-based violence a national crisis.
Nomakhosazana Xaba, in her late 20s, says this violence now resembles a country at war against its women.
After the September report, President Ramaphosa announced a five-point plan to tackle violence against women, including media campaigns, strengthening the criminal justice system, and providing training for healthcare workers and counsellors.
Commenting on the recent surge of violence, he blamed the sale of alcohol during lockdown level 3.
By Readawne Henery
Taxi drivers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri are looking forward to the resumption of scheduled flights after being out of work for over six months.
The article CJIA taxi drivers anxiously awaiting resumption of flights appeared first on Stabroek News.
ZANU PF MP for Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe Prosper Machando has warned youths that they risk being beaten up if they dared protest against government. BY RICHARD MUPONDE Machando said this last Thursday in Harare while addressing a National Association of Youth Organisations (Nayo) indaba. “Adding a voice to national issues is not bad, but very good so that we are heard, but the way we do it is questionable,” Machando said. “If the government says demonstrations are not allowed, they are not allowed and if you demonstrate, you will be beaten up and arrested. “I cannot lie to you that for you to be heard, you have to demonstrate. We cannot lie to you so you praise us here when we all know if you get onto the streets, you will be beaten up.” Vungu MP Omega Sibanda (Zanu PF) said journalists who chose to behave like activists would “face the wrath of the law”. He said this in reference to the continued harassment of journalists by State security agents. “Some of these scribes have become activists. If you want to be a scribe, be a scribe. Once you want to join the two and become an activist, you will face the wrath of the law,” Sibanda said. Seasoned journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has been in and out of remand prison on charges of inciting public violence. Chin’ono is accused of breaching his bail conditions by tweeting about the court outcome of businesswoman Henrietta Rushwaya’s gold smuggling scandal. He had been ordered not to post on Twitter. This followed his earlier arrest in July this year ahead of the foiled anti-government protests of July 31. The statements by the two MPs were made despite the fact that country’s Constitution stipulates freedom of assembly, the right to demonstrate peacefully, as well as media freedom. — newzimbabwe.com
Lesotho could be forced to reinstate the ban on the sale of alcohol after complaints from the South African government about the smuggling of the product from Lesotho.
Lesotho's Health minister, Nkaku Kabi, this week said his South African counterpart Zweli Mkhize had raised concerns over Lesotho's decision to resume alcohol sales.
Mr Kabi said the South African government had asked Lesotho to re-think its policies on the sale of alcohol \"to maintain cordial relations between the two countries\".
\"I am told that there are South African citizens who stand on the other side of the border so that Lesotho citizens can sell them alcohol through illegal means,\" Mr Kabi said.
South African High Commissioner to Lesotho, Sello Moloto, yesterday said SADC countries had to agree on a coordinated response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A CONCESSION woman has been arrested after she assaulted her husband’s girlfriend. BY SIMBARASHE SITHOLE Lucia Marichata (33) of Laxaflow Farm pleaded guilty to an assault charge and was remanded in custody to today for sentencing by Concession resident magistrate Nixon Mangoti. Prosecutor Moses Kuimba told the court that on November 12, Marichata discovered that her husband was having an affair with Prisca Chapfukidza. The furious Marichata stormed Chapfukidza’s homestead wielding a log and assaulted her. Chapfukidza sustained a deep cut on the head and was rushed to Concession District Hospital for medical attention. In mitigation, Marichata begged the court for mercy, saying she acted in anger because Chapfukidza was destroying her marriage. “Your worship, the complainant is destroying my marriage because she is having an extramarital affair with my husband. I was angry and I assaulted her. May you please forgive me because I was just trying to protect my marriage,” Marichata said.
[Monitor] Court of Appeal judge Kenneth Kakuru has urged government to construct more prison facilities to decongest the already existing ones that carry about three times their required capacity.
President Kenyatta spoke Thursday evening during a virtual high level meeting on development financing in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic convened by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Jamaican counterpart Andrew Holness and the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterress.
The Kenyan President told the meeting attended by a cross-section of world leaders including several Heads of State that the current health crisis will constrict global growth this year leading to financial market volatility and increased debt risk especially in developing countries.
To address the socioeconomic challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, President Kenyatta said the global community needs to focus on the implementation of the United Nations Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Specifically, the Kenyan Head of State advised world leaders to concentrate on expansion of global liquidity, addressing debt vulnerability especially for developing nations and enhancement of external financing to ensure inclusive growth and continued job creation.
Speaking on behalf of the African Union, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Covid-19 is a real threat to collective ability of the global community to achieve SDGs especially for developing countries.
Leaders from across Africa gathered in Lusaka, Zambia, to pay tribute to Kenneth Kaunda to whom many said they owed their nations' independence to.
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said the person would be charged with contravention of the regulations in terms of the Disaster Management Act, and may possibly face a fine.
The EFF has joined other political parties in reacting to the death of former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda, who passed away at age 97
SINCE the disputed 2018 elections, Zimbabwe has been undergoing difficult circumstances characterised widespread poverty, unemployment, hyperinflation, fuel and drug shortages and the COVID-19 crisis has laid bare the government’s limitations. The euphoria that characterised President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ascendancy to power has vanished. However, Alliance for People’s Agenda (APA) believes “the elected must govern and if they can’t, they must be voted out in the next election”. NewsDay (ND) reporter Cliff Chiduku sat down with APA secretary-general Albert Gumbo (AG) to discuss the state of affairs in Zimbabwe and many other issues. Below are excerpts: CLIFF CHIDUKU ND: You have maintained a low profile since the 2018 harmonised elections? AG: We allowed breathing space for Zimbabweans to reflect on their choices and also set about rebuilding our structures. Zimbabweans must get to a point where they understand we need a complete break from the past. APA’s view is we are in a marathon, not a sprint. ND: At one time APA leader Nkosana Moyo was quoted urging Zimbabweans and the rest of the world to give Mnangagwa a chance, do you still hold that belief? AG: No, he didn’t say that. He clearly said, President Mnangagwa would govern differently, nothing more, nothing less. It is quite fascinating how, even when corrected, people choose to believe the lie that most suits their narrative. ND: Prior to the 2018 elections, Mnangagwa professed a zero tolerance to corruption and it seems he has not lived by his word, what should we do to root out corruption? AG: Elect an administration that respects the Constitution and one which believes in sound economic management! Those two points are part of APA’s pillars. Nkosana Moyo demonstrated his ability to walk away from privilege and power by walking away from government on principle. He was not afraid to lose the creature comforts that come with government positions. You need to elect a people whose driving ambition is their sense of duty not those who believe that proximity to power gives them access to the country’s purse strings. ND: Soon after his ascendancy, Mnangagwa had goodwill from the international community, but it seems this has all vanished, what went wrong? AG: You cannot build a country on an unconstitutional act. We were the only party that warned about a slippery slope to anarchy after the coup and declined to attend his (Mnanagwa) inauguration. If you are willing to break the rules to ascend to power, it is pretty clear that you will break them again to retain power. So what went wrong is pretty much Zanu PF continued to show its true colours. The very public shooting of citizens, threats to lawyers and doctors who attended to them, the arrests of journalists and activists all point to a regime that remains true to its core values. ND: Mnangagwa invited all presidential candidates who participated in the July 2018 elections to dialogue, which culminated in the formation of Political Actors Dialogue (Polad). At one time you were part of the process, but you decide
(Jamaica Star) Hoodlums posing as taxi drivers and passengers have been preying on unsuspecting commuters in the Corporate Area, abducting and relieving them of their money, phone and other valuables.
The article Jamaica: Criminals posing as cabbies - Passengers abducted and robbed by imposters appeared first on Stabroek News.
