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Dozens of Sudanese rallied in Khartoum on Thursday to demand the closure of illegal detention centres. The protests came after the alleged torturing and killing of a man by a paramilitary force whose members once formed the backbone of a militia.
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.
By REGINA GARCIA CANO Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — As the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic stretch into 2021, millions of U.S. renters are bracing for the possibility of having to show up in housing court to avoid getting evicted. But unlike their landlords, only a small fraction of them will do so flanked by an attorney. Fewer than 10 cities and counties nationwide guarantee tenants the right to a lawyer in housing-related disputes, and for people struggling to make ends meet, an attorney is beyond their means, leaving many to skip their court hearings or walk in knowing […]
The post Cities helping renters get right to lawyers in housing court appeared first on Black News Channel.
Liverpool will start 2021 at the top of the English Premier League, but a rejuvenated Manchester United are leading a pack of challengers.
Armed groups have committed massacres and other atrocities, and defence and security forces have also been responsible for grave human rights violations in these provinces as well as in other parts of the country.
\"I am appalled by the increase in brutal attacks on innocent civilians by armed groups, and by the reaction of the military and security forces who have also committed grave violations, including killings and sexual violence.
According to the UN Joint Human Rights Office in the DRC (UNJHRO), between 1 October 2019 and 31 May 2020, at least 531 civilians have been killed by armed groups in Ituri, 375 of them since March, when the violence soared.
In North Kivu, the launch of military operations by the government forces in November 2019led to retaliatory attacks against civilians by the main armed group, the ADF, which by 31 May had killed at least 514 civilians using machetes, axes and heavy weapons, and have been abducting children and attacking schools and hospitals.
Serious violence and killings have also been taking place in Kongo Central and Kinshasa where, between 30 March and 24 April, at least 62 civilians were killed and 74 injured during seven operations conducted by the PNC and the FARDC against militants of the politico-religious group Bundu Dia Kongo (BDK).
All three political powerhouses have shared their New Year messages with South Africa. However, there are some very contrasting messages across the board.
The steady drumbeat of coronavirus-related health and safety news cropping up throughout the NBA can make it hard to keep up with who’s in, who’s out and even who’s quarantining in which city. On Thursday, the league announced that four positive coronavirus results emerged from the 498 NBA players tested since Dec. 30. A few […]
[Radio Dabanga] Khartoum -- The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) has been invited to discuss the formation of a Legislative Council in Sudan, according to new percentages agreed in the Juba Peace Agreement, with the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC).
TEXAS, United States (AP) - New research suggests Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine can protect against a mutation found in the two more-contagious variants of the coronavirus that have erupted in Britain and South Africa.
By CARLEY PETESCH Associated Press DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — As a result of holiday gatherings, African officials warn of a resurgence of COVID-19 on the continent and urge increased testing to combat it. The level of testing across the continent is considerably less than what health experts say is needed to effectively control the spread of the disease. Africa makes up about 3.3% of the global total of confirmed virus cases, but this is believed to be just a fraction of the actual cases on the continent of 1.3 billion people. When the pandemic began only two of Africa's 54 […]
The post Increased testing needed as Africa sees rise in virus cases appeared first on Black News Channel.
U.N. agencies are warning migrants and refugees crossing the central Mediterranean Sea risk losing their lives if European nations continue to prevent search and rescue vessels from saving those in distress.
The U.N. human rights office expresses alarm at recent reports of rescue boats failing to assist migrants in trouble on the central Mediterranean Sea, considered to be one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.
The agency deplores the coordinated pushback of migrant boats by nations and by hard-nosed policies by some European countries intent on preventing private humanitarian search and rescue vessels from supporting migrants in distress.
Colville says his agency is concerned about the many refugees and migrants who are being returned to Libya after they are rescued at sea.
U.N. agencies are calling for the release of all refugees and migrants in Libyan detention facilities.
The story of Montezuma’s treasure has captured the fancy of Mexicans and foreigners alike. Mexico is portrayed as a warrior’s land, no matter how many battles it has won or lost. The country’s glorious history [...]
Dining at your favorite restaurant could potentially put you at a higher risk for coronavirus. A new study conducted by... View Article
The post People who test positive for coronavirus twice as likely to have eaten at restaurant: study appeared first on TheGrio.
AN informal network of European non-governmental organisations, the Zimbabwe Europe Network (ZEN) has called on the European Union Parliament to pass a resolution condemning ongoing human rights violations in the southern African country.
ZEN co-ordinator Hugo Knoppert accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of being a tyrant hiding behind COVID-19 lockdown restrictions to perpetuate human rights abuses.
“ZEN calls upon the EU Parliament to adopt a resolution condemning the recent human rights violations in Zimbabwe,” Knoppert said.
“Therefore, ZEN welcomes recent statements by the EU delegation, EU embassies, and individual diplomats, and urges them to continue to speak out on human rights and democracy issues.”
Knoppert urged the EU institutions to use the upcoming planning summit of their Multi-annual funding framework to rethink its strategies of engagement and supporting Zimbabwe.
INDIAN Diaspora Day 2021 will be celebrated today. The day also commemorates the late political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa on January 9, 1915.High Commissioner of India to Jamaica Rungsung Masakui told JIS News that several Indian nationals who have made Jamaica their home will be recognised for their contribution to society.
RAUL DOMINGUEZ Associated Press SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Becky Hammon would have preferred a victory over history after becoming the first woman to coach an NBA team. The assistant coach took over the San Antonio Spurs in the second quarter after coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in a 121-107 loss to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. 'I try not to think of the huge picture and huge aspect of it because it can be overwhelming,' Hammon said. 'I really have had no time to reflect. I have not had time to look at my phone. […]
The post Hammon first woman to coach NBA team; Lakers beat Spurs appeared first on Black News Channel.
In its investigation, TNH obtained information drawn from leaked WHO documents that suggests how some health workers and civil servants profited from response funds; and how, in the rush to scale up a response in an active conflict zone, the WHO paid millions of dollars in inflated per diems to Congolese security forces.
The authors of the draft review commissioned by the UN and NGOs - obtained exclusively by TNH - warn that \"practices implemented during the Ebola response will inevitably have a direct impact on the ability of aid organisations to control corruption within their programmes\".
The UN's emergency aid coordination body, OCHA, acknowledged there had been challenges in the Ebola response - Ituri and North Kivu provinces are relatively remote and located inside an active conflict zone.
In January, David Gressly, the UN's former emergency Ebola response coordinator, told TNH that the attack on the WHO doctor may have been motivated by a desire to divert resources to local health workers.
The outbreak that erupted in North Kivu and Ituri was the first in an active conflict zone, and response operations had to be shut down on numerous occasions because of attacks against clinics and health workers, leading to fresh spikes in Ebola cases and deaths.
Both sides - Boko Haram and the Nigerian military - continue to commit war crimes, including against children, regularly.
The military, itself responsible for abuses, has unlawfully detained thousands of boys and girls coming out of Boko Haram territory, often with no evidence the child was affiliated with the group, much less that they committed crimes.
Many children have been subjected to beatings and other forms of torture to extract \"confessions\" of involvement with Boko Haram.
And it should fulfil its responsibility to \"promote physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration\" of children who have suffered during the conflict, whether at the hands of Boko Haram, Nigerian military, or both.
That means children coming out of Boko Haram territory must be able to access education and psychosocial support, not be locked away for years in grossly inhumane detention cells.
This Black Coffee Retailer Saw A 350% Spike in Sales After Being Forced to Close Its is difficult to start a business but it is arguably even harder to maintain an existing business.
For one coffee retailer, the pandemic has brought the opposite effect and increased sales tremendously.
Forbes reported that the coffee retailer has seen an 85% decline in overall sales forcing Konte to drastically reduce his workforce.
As of right now, the coffee retailer has reopened some of its retail locations with a 40% decline in customer traffic.
However, their flagship location in Oakland has seen a huge spike in sales since its reopening with an astonishing 350% increase in e-commerce sales due to stay-at-home restrictions forcing loyal customers to stay indoors.
[Radio Dabanga] Merowe / Khartoum -- In the localities of Merowe and Ed Debba in Northern State, \"fevers accompanied by bleeding and a decrease in blood platelets\" resulting in the death of 10 people and leaving hundreds in critical condition were reported yesterday.
Co-owners Amanda-Jane Thomas and Shanita Nicholas have created a hub for the community to get a cup of coffee and more.
The post Sip & Sonder—Not Your Average Coffee Shop appeared first on Los Angeles Sentinel.
MONTEGO BAY, St James - Coming on the heels of the recent inaugural flight from Lagos, Nigeria, to Montego Bay, Jamaica, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is optimistic that Jamaica could see a biweekly flight service established between the two countries.
EDITORIAL COMMENT ZIMBABWEANS have suffered a lot at the hands of the Zanu PF-led regime. Honestly, the legislation of a law that curtails freedom of expression is the least they deserve at this juncture. The proposed legislation, the brainchild of Pupurai Togarepi the Zanu PF chief whip, which Justice permanent secretary Virginia Mabiza was at pains to justify, should not be allowed to see the light of day. Mabiza reportedly said it is the prerogative of the State to engage other nations on matters to do with international relations, hence the law would criminalise acts such as communicating with foreign governments without approval, making statements which may harm the country and conniving with hostile governments to harm the nation. At face value, the proposed legislation appears to be a brainwave. But the question that begs an answer is: Is the law necessary in a constitutional democracy where freedom of expression is enshrined in the supreme law of the land? The answer is an emphatic no. No because communication which exposes human rights violations and other ills highlights the shortcomings of a sitting government for the good of the country and this should be viewed as patriotism of the highest order. Yes loyalty to the State of Zimbabwe which we all owe our allegiance to. We wish to make it clear to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his acolytes that the nation owes allegiance and should be patriotic to the State, and not his administration, which is the author of the mess the country is mired in as we speak and that exposure of malpractices is an obligation of all patriotic Zimbabweans. It should not be viewed as bravery as is the case in the country. Bravery yes because you have put yourself at the mercy of the government and are bound to face the wrath of the entire State arsenal. It’s like one has committed treason yet government should be answerable to the electorate. Curtailment of freedoms is not a new phenomenon in the country as during the tenure of the late former President Robert Mugabe we watched in servile acquiesce a media organisation being closed by then Information minister Jonathan Moyo under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. That Act has been repealed, but Mnangagwa’s administration wants to smuggle it back masked as patriotism law. The citizenry can’t be fooled for the umpteenth time, once bitten twice shy. Watch the space, media houses won’t be spared by the proposed draconian law. Mnangagwa should be stopped lest we continue gravitating towards a one-party State. In the 1980s, the nation was patriotic but that has since changed because a sense of belonging and ownership that used to be the hallmark of our nation has been lost as people watch in awe while the elite plunders national resources which are supposed to be shared by all and sundry. Mnangagwa should not be allowed to silence the voice of the people which he aptly referred to as the voice of God. What has befallen our listening President, we wonder.
SOUTH AFRICA-BASED Zimbabwean secessionist Mthwakazi Democratic Alliance leader Hloniphani Ncube has launched the #PunishZimLootersChildrenabroad to prod countries hosting Zimbabwean top officials’ children to deport them on account of their fathers’ gross human rights abuses and corruption. BY SILAS NKALA Ncube launched the campaign last Wednesday after former South African opposition Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane joined forces with Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema (pictured) to draw the world’s attention to the Zimbabwean crisis through a similar social media campaign, #ZimbabweanLivesmatter. Following pressure from Maimane and Malema, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa immediately appointed two special envoys to fly to Harare in a bid to try to resolve the crisis. Ncube said Zimbabwean “looters’ children in the diaspora” should not be spared as they were benefiting from their parents’ ill-gotten wealth while innocent citizens were struggling to feed their families under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. “The struggle towards removing the looters in Zimbabwe must be extended towards their children residing in foreign land enjoying the taxpayers’ money, while their parents are busy abducting civilians, killing innocent infants and arresting innocent journalists who are fighting against corruption and looting of State coffers,” he said. “I urge the foreign governments who are against human rights violations to punish the children of the looters by cancelling their residence permits as well as their study permits. The children of the coup regime cannot live a good life while innocent people are punished by their relatives. All democratic forces must join hands and stop the influence of the looters, including those who are connected to them.” Ncube said businesses of corrupt Zimbabwean politicians in foreign lands should be shut down until human rights issues are addressed. “Innocent infants are dying. Journalists and activists are in hiding as the coup regime is after their blood. It’s time we have a direct confrontation with them and teach them how it feels to be punished for standing for our rights. Those who violate civil rights must not be allowed to live a peaceful life,” Ncube said. Human rights activist Effie Ncube said everything has to be done to rid the country of injustice, oppression, repression, the erosion of the rule of law and the escalation of human rights abuses. “The circumstances are such that you cannot ignore what is taking place in the country with the hope that it will self-correct or it will be corrected by those in power,” he said. Ibhetshu Likazulu secretary-general Mbuso Fuzwayo added:“It is fair to have them back so that their criminal parents can stop externalising money, but build good health centres and competent government schools. It is unfair for them, but their thieving parents have destroyed the jewel of Africa.”
Anika Frazer watches the last sunset for 2020 from the Sir Florizel Glasspole Highway in east Kingston yesterday as the year, defined by the novel coronavirus pandemic, drew to a close.(Photo: Garfield Robinson)�
