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BY PHYLLIS MBANJE/NQOBANI NDLOVU RIGHTS lawyers yesterday said the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed flaws in the country’s social protection system, which has had catastrophic impact on citizens’ livelihoods. In a statement to commemorate World Day of Social Justice, which is celebrated on February 20 every year, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) implored the government to accelerate efforts to eliminate social injustice and to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a universal agenda. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated the growing digital divide within our society, especially in terms of access to Internet, availability, affordability, and thereby deepening existing inequalities, and this calls us to continuously adapt to digital transformations,” ZLHR said in a statement. The lawyers said government should strengthen the implementation of social protection schemes and protect labour and human rights in the modern era of digital technologies. “Commemoration of the World Day of Social Justice impels us to reflect on the meaning of social justice,” the statement added. This year, the World Day of Social Justice, was commemorated under the theme A Call for Social Justice in the Digital Economy and is being celebrated at a time that the world is struggling with inclusivity, the respect for differences, lack of productive dialogue and intolerance to divergent views. Meanwhile, members of the clergy have also called for dialogue in order to map a post-COVID-19 recovery strategy as the pandemic has left citizens failing to make ends meet. The call came at a time that the government has not announced a post-COVID-19 recovery strategy as the country continued on an extended lockdown. In a pastoral letter last week, the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) said: “The ZHOCD calls upon the government of Zimbabwe to solicit the co-operation of its citizens and key stakeholders towards the co-creation of such a post-COVID-19 recovery strategy …through a broad-based and incisive national dialogue. “We also implore other nations to extend their hand of support, not only to provide vaccines, but also to help Zimbabwe find resources to carry out its key health sector revitalisation and support the resuscitation of the economy.” Follow us on Twitter @NewsDayZimbabwe
Nationwide protests have taken place since October 7 despite the disbanding of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police unit.
The demonstrators have been accused of attacking police stations and personnel.
The rallies which are mostly attended by young people have become avenues to vent against corruption and unemployment.
Rights groups say at least 15 people have been killed the demonstrations began in early October.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug to treat COVID-19: remdesivir, an antiviral medicine given through... View Article
The post FDA approves first COVID-19 drug: the antiviral remdesivir appeared first on TheGrio.
By Joe Biden There is injustice in America. There is discrimination. There is a legacy of racism and inequality that lives still in our institutions, our laws, and in too many people’s hearts that makes it harder for Black people to succeed. These are facts in the United States of America in 2020, and we […]
The post My Plan to Lift Every Voice in Black America appeared first on North Dallas Gazette.
[New Era] SADC countries have individually decided not to get involved in the non-commercial international trade in rhino horn. This questionable decision has happened despite approval for such trade by the UN international wild trade-regulating agency, CITES, and despite the help, it would give to wildlife conservation, the jobs it would create, and the socio-economic benefits it would bring to Southern Africa.
Guinea's opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo declared on Monday declared himself winner of Sunday's vote, defeating Alpha Conde, the incumbent president.
Speaking at a press conference in the capital Conakry a day after the hotly contested election, Diallo said he had emerged \"victorious\" despite \"anomalies which marred the ballot\".
\"I invite all my fellow citizens who love peace and justice to stay vigilant and committed to defend this democratic victory,\" the 68-year-old said, dressed in a sky-blue robe, from his party headquarters.
Outside the building, supporters erupted in joy and chanted \"Cellou, president\". Elsewhere in the city, security forces fired tear gas canisters at crowds assembling in support of Diallo.
Bakary Mansare, the vice-president of Guinea's electoral authority, told AFP that Diallo's self-proclaimed victory was \"null and void\".
\"It is not up to a candidate or a person to proclaim himself the winner outside the bodies defined by the law,\" he said.
Conde's RPG party also said in a statement Monday that it condemned \"with the utmost firmness the irresponsible and dangerous declaration\" by Diallo. It called for its activists to remain calm.
Diallo's announcement sets the stage for a showdown with the government, which insists that Sunday's vote was fair and that the official electoral authority must declare the results.
Signs of a looming electoral dispute began to appear during the vote, however, when Diallo told reporters that Conde could \"cheat\" his way to power.
'Chaos'
Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, a cadre in Diallo's UFDG party, said that results at individual polling states were public, enabling the party's own observers to conduct a count.
\"If we are the winners, we will defend our victory,\" he said. \"We won't wait.\"
Earlier on Monday, Guinea's government said in a statement that the opposition \"clearly intended to create chaos and to call into question the real results that will come out of the ballot box\".
Much of the tension in Guinea relates to President Conde's controversial bid for a third term.
He pushed through a new constitution in March which he argued would modernise the country. But it also allowed him to bypass a two-term limit for presidents, provoking mass protests.
Prime Minister Kassory Fofana said that the opposition publishing results ahead of the official results was tantamount to pouring \"oil on the fire\".
Second round
Guinea's acrimonious political campaign saw Conde and Diallo trade insults, and was marked by violent incidents in some parts of the west African country.
But it also raised the spectre of ethnic strife, with Conde accused of exploiting divisions for electoral ends - a charge he denies.
Guinea's politics are mainly drawn along ethnic lines: the president's base is mostly from the ethnic Malinke community and Diallo's from the Fulani people.
A second round of voting, if needed, is scheduled for November 24.
Daymond John, entrepreneur and investor on ABC’s Shark Tank, will be hosting Black Entrepreneurs Day on Saturday. The event, aimed... View Article
The post Daymond John to announce $25,000 grant recipients at Black Entrepreneurs Day appeared first on TheGrio.
Amnesty International said late Tuesday there was “credible but disturbing evidence” that security forces in the megacity of Lagos had fatally shot protesters who were demonstrating against police brutality despite a new curfew going into effect.
The Lagos state commissioner for information, Gbenga Omotoso, said in a statement Tuesday night only that “there have been reports of shooting at the Lekki Toll Plaza following the 24-hour curfew imposed on Lagos.”
“The state government has ordered an investigation into the incident,” he said.
Video shown on Nigeria’s Channels Television appeared to capture audio of live rounds being fired at the scene.
“While we continue to investigate the killings, Amnesty International wishes to remind the authorities that under international law, security forces may only resort to the use of lethal force when strictly unavoidable to protect against imminent threat of death or serious injury,” Amnesty tweeted.
The development came just hours after Lagos state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu warned on Twitter that the growing protests against police brutality in Nigeria had “degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society.”
A police statement also had warned that security forces would now “exercise the full powers of the law to prevent any further attempt on lives and property of citizens.”
The reports of fatal shootings in Lekki come after two chaotic weeks of mounting protests leading to more widespread social unrest. On Tuesday, authorities said nearly 2,000 inmates had broken out of jail after crowds attacked two correctional facilities a day earlier.
The Inspector-General of Police said it was deploying anti-riot police across Nigeria, which is Africa’s most populous nation, and ordered forces to strengthen security around correctional facilities.
The governor of Lagos state said the new curfew would cover the entire city of some 14 million people and surrounding areas. The announcement came after a police station was burned down in the city and two people were shot dead by police.
“Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our state,” the governor said.
Lagos has been the epicenter of the protests, with demonstrators at times blocking access to the airport and barricading roads leading to the country’s main ports.
A curfew also went into effect in Benin City after a pair of attacks on correctional facilities that left 1,993 inmates missing. Interior Ministry spokesman Mohammed Manga said large, armed crowds had attacked the two prisons, subduing the guards on duty. It was unclear what the prisons’ exact populations had been before the attack.
“Most of the inmates held at the centers are convicted criminals serving terms for various criminal offenses, awaiting execution or standing trial for violent crimes,” he said in a statement.
The protests began two weeks ago after a video circulated showing a man being beaten, apparently by police officers of
By Oscar H. Blayton Black folks’ struggle to exist in America is no game. It is deadly serious. The bloody opposition to our survival in this white dominated society is a daunting challenge for all people of color. Since arriving in the Americas as captive and enslaved human chattel, Black folk have suffered every conceivable […]
A local survey has found there is a growing pandemic fatigue and greater complacency in compliance with public health measures, increasing the unnecessary risk of exposure to Covid-19 during the lower lockdown levels.
GOLD deliveries to the State-run Fidelity Printers and Refiners (FPR) slowed to 14,76 tonnes during the nine months to September, from 20,64% tonnes delivered to the facility during the same period last year, official data has shown. BY FIDELITY MHLANGA Experts blamed the COVID-19-inspired national lockdown for the slowdown. FPR statistics also showed that large-scale gold mines had overtaken artisanal miners in shipments to the formal gold market after selling 976,66kg of the bullion during the period, compared to 385,47kg from small-scale miners. Authorities had targeted a 35-tonne gold output this year. However, with only two months before year end, analysts yesterday said there were little chances miners will ramp up output to achieve this target. Lack of imported inputs because of the closure of foreign manufacturers and inability by FRP to match prevailing gold prices on the parallel market, are among the factors that will militate against this target, according to experts. Small-scale gold producers funnel most of their output to the parallel market where it fetches higher prices than those prevailing at FPR. Economic analysts also said the decline was unavoidable given that during the initial stages of the lockdown announced by government to limit the impact of COVID-19 in March, FPR struggled to pay producers. “Small-scale and artisanal miners look for alternative parallel market buyers who pay in cash,” economist Victor Bhoroma said. “Small-scale miners want instant gratification. Any procedures that delay payment will be detrimental to deliveries,” he told NewsDay Business. Bhoroma said the decline in gold deliveries would have dire implications to foreign currency inflows to the economy as the bullion contributes significantly to exports. He said without leakages, gold could easily earn the country US$2,5 billion annually. Investment analyst Enock Rukarwa said COVID-19 only added to a crisis that was already affecting domestic trade. “COVID-19-induced restrictions might be igniting dents in deliveries emanating from supply chain disruptions and thin accessibility to markets, but factors like payment delays and parallel market premiums cannot be underestimated,” Rukarwa said. “Gold being the anchor for our export receipts, a bearish sentiment in this sector is disastrous,” he said. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has reviewed its contentious foreign currency retention threshold for gold to 70% from 55%, to improve shipments to the formal market. However, deliveries have not responded positively. The apex bank has also given small-scale gold producers 100% foreign currency retention to plug leakages. The country’s gold export receipts to August declined by 4,9% to US$641,3m, from US$674,4m earned during the comparative period in 2019. Gold and tobacco are the country’s top forex generators, but revenues continue to decline. In 2019, gold export receipts went down 28% to US$946m from US$1,33bn prior year. Tobacco also dropped by 7% to US$846,7m from US$907,8m in 2018.
By The Associated Press undefined Q: HOW WILL THE ELECTION AFFECT CONTROL OF CONGRESS? The makeup of Congress will be determined by the general election, with both parties needing a majority to control the House or Senate. Democrats seem to have a good chance at winning a Senate majority, while their control of the House is not in serious doubt. Republicans hold the Senate 53-47. Democrats must gain at least three seats to win control, or four if President Donald Trump is reelected and Vice President Mike Pence can break a tie. Only one-third of the 100 Senate seats up […]
The post How will the 2020 election affect control of Congress? appeared first on Black News Channel.
Today (Oct.22), the company announced it is opening up the vault to bring back the classic 1994 Retro Himalayan Parka into its Icons Collection. The Himalayan Parka was first introduced as part of The North Face's Expedition System, specifically for high-altitude expeditions.
HELSINKI-A fish that slipped into a funk during the coronavirus pandemic got a chance to cheer up for his 16th birthday. Staff at Sea Life Helsinki threw a week-long birthday celebration for Mikko the grouper beginning on Oct. 12, after he became listless when the aquarium closed during the country's lockdown measures. To kick off his party, the fish enjoyed […]
Tech analyst John Prosser claimed that Apple is already working on the 120Hz display and that there is about a 50 percent chance that the iPhone 13 will feature a built-in fingerprint display. BUT, when it comes to the USB-C port, Prosser says that it's "not happening (ever)."
In the spring of 2020, nursing homes were in the news and under considerable scrutiny because so many had patients with COVID-19. Many went into lockdown to keep their residents and staff safe. Nursing homes had been under the microscope long before the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 that resulted in the respiratory illness COVID-19, hit this country. […]
The post A Nursing Home That Turned It Around appeared first on BlackDoctor.org.
Beverly Thomas is 73 years old and has lived in the Bonton neighborhood of South Dallas almost her entire life. She’s never owned a car. “The thing is, I’ve never learned how to drive,” Thomas says. She’s always used city buses and DART trains to travel to places, but in the last few years, she’s not as comfortable using public transportation. Thomas says she gets anxious about being bothered by […]
Voting is one of the most powerful things people of color can do to change the world we live in
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Anti-Police Brutality Protest Sees Police Brutality
National armed forces opened fire on Nigerian youth in Lagos at an anti-police brutality demonstration on Tuesday — injuring around 50 people and shooting at least 20 dead, as per unconfirmed reports
Amnesty International which has already condemned the use of excessive force by the Nigerian police to subdue protesters, stated there was ``\"credible but disturbing evidence'' of the incident.
\"While we continue to investigate the killings, Amnesty International wishes to remind the authorities that under international law, security forces may only resort to the use of lethal force when strictly unavoidable to protect against the imminent threat of death or serious injury,\" Amnesty tweeted.
#EndSARS, #EndSWAT and Police Reform.
The escalation in violence comes two weeks after the #EndSarsNow movement took to the streets across Nigeria, following the circulation of video showing a man being beaten, apparently by police officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, known as SARS.
The government proclaimed the dissolution of the police unit which has been accused of human rights crimes including abuse, torture and killings but has since created the Special Weapons and Tactics team (SWAT) in its stead further inciting the youth to seek complete police reform.
Netflix just dropped some first-look photos for the highly anticipated special from comedian Sarah Cooper. The internet sensation, who has... View Article
The post Netflix reveals celeb guests, photos for 'Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine' appeared first on TheGrio.
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian protesters demanding an end to police brutality defied a curfew as gunfire rang out where they were setting up a blockade Wednesday, a day after shots were fired into a crowd of demonstrators singing the country’s national anthem. That disturbing turn drew global outrage. It’s not clear if any protesters […]
The Banksy-Designed Stab-Proof Vest That Stormzy Rocked At Glastonbury Gets Nominated For Major Design Award
Violent Political Tactics?
The Ivorian ruling party is accusing the opposition of political foul play as more clashes took place Tuesday 15 days before the presidential election in regions that seem to reveal a strategic pattern, More seemingly political-sourced clashes took place Tuesday between unknown persons and students of the powerful Fesci union — as some Ivorian authorities point out that the conflicts appear to follow a pattern.
Sidi Tiémoko Touré, Ivorian Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, gave a pubic address, \"You have certainly noted that violence is localized in certain localities, most of them close to certain opinion leaders, Daoukro, Bonoua in the case of Mrs Simone Gbagbo. Violence, it must be noted, orchestrated and manipulated by these different political leaders of the opposition.\"
The Elections Must Go On
The minister added that all arrangements will be made to ensure the security of the voting exercise at the appropriate time, \"We have an appropriate mechanism to address these different types of community violence and those at the grassroots level will face justice as the perpetrators.\" About 20 people have died since August in violence related to the presidential election which will hold on October 31 amid mounting political tensions.
DAWN Properties Limited shareholders on Tuesday approved a historic resolution which will see the company being acquired by hotel group African Sun Limited in exchange for shares in the hotelier. BY Taurai Mangudhla An extraordinary general meeting held in the capital approved two major resolutions, effectively completing the voting process. This was despite reports the deal is under investigation by markets regulator, Security Exchange Commission amid concerns minorities will be prejudiced as shares are being sold below prevailing market rates. In terms of the proposal, the entire issued ordinary shares of Dawn will be acquired in exchange for an issuance of the African Sun Limited ordinary shares listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange through an issuance of one African Sun ordinary share for every 3,988075746 Dawn ordinary shares held, company secretary Markus de Klerk said in a circular on results of the extraordinary general meeting (EGM). “Shareholders are advised that all resolutions put to the vote at the EGM of shareholders of Dawn Properties Limited held on October 19 2020 were passed,” de Klerk said. The first resolution was that the proposed transaction being the offer made by African Sun to acquire up to 1 005 of the issued share capital of Dawn by means of a share swap through the issuance of 616 126 718 new African Sun ordinary shares to Dawn shareholders at a swap ratio of one African Sun ordinary share for every 3,988075946 Dawn ordinary shares. The resolution clearly specified that Dawn shareholders who accept the offer will become shareholders in African Sun and Dawn may become a subsidiary of African Sun. The second resolution was in respect of directors’ authorisation and empowerment to take all steps and actions to give effect to the first ordinary resolution and to implement the transaction including signing all resolutions and agreements for the purpose. Both resolutions sailed through with a 91,11% vote inclusive of Arden Capital Limited’s votes and 86,15% exclusive of Arden Capital Limited’s votes, respectively. Arden Capital, formerly Brainworks, is the majority shareholder in Dawn with just under 52% shareholding. Dawn owns hotels that are being leased by African Sun. African Sun is also controlled by Arden Capital. Dawn recently announced plans to terminate its listing on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE). In a half year results statement for 2020, Dawn said the board received an offer from African Sun Limited to acquire 100% of the issued shares of Dawn in May this year. African Sun has stated that upon completion of this transaction, Dawn will be delisted from the ZSE.
A celebration of Black hair is at the forefront of the conversation for the latest photography book by Atlanta husband... View Article
The post How husband and wife duo are using the power of imagery to celebrate Black beauty appeared first on TheGrio.
Guinea's electoral body has called opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo's self-proclaimed victory in the first round of a presidential election \"void\".
“Despite the serious anomalies that marred the smooth running of the … election and in view of the results that came out of the ballot boxes, I am victorious in this election in the first round,” Diallo told supporters on Monday, a day after the vote was held.
Diallo's supporters chanted \"Cellou, president\". But elsewhere in the city, joyous celebrations by supporters devolved into clashes with security forces.
Diallo, 68, is the main challenger to Guinea’s 82-year-old incumbent President Alpha Conde, who is seeking a controversial third term after he pushed through constitutional reforms in March.
The move sparked mass protests and subsequent crackdowns, which killed dozens of people.
But Mamadi Kaba, a spokesman of Guinea electoral commission said on Monday: \"I would therefore like to reassure the people of Guinea who voted yesterday in peace, without violence, that no provisional results have been proclaimed for the time being.
\"The Independent National Electoral Commission is the only institution empowered to proclaim provisional results.\"
Although Sunday, the day of the vote, was mostly calm, Diallo's self-proclaimed election victory has set the stage for a showdown with Conde.
The government insists the vote was fair and that the official electoral authority must declare the results.
Conde's RPG party said in a statement Monday that it condemned \"with the utmost firmness the irresponsible and dangerous declaration\" by Diallo.
It called for its activists to remain calm.
A RECORD 10 Zanu PF candidates have submitted CVs to contest in party primary elections scheduled for this weekend for the Marondera East seat. BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA The seat fell vacant following the death of Patrick Chidakwa. This is the second time Zanu PF has had a huge number of candidates battling it out in primaries. Goromonzi South recorded 13 candidates in 2018. Last weekend, Zanu PF convened a provincial elections committee meeting in Marondera where it was announced that 10 candidates had shown interest in contesting in the primaries. Provincial secretary for administration Kudzai Majuru said all was set for the vetting process. “We are waiting for the vetting process to be concluded before we get a final date for the primary elections,” he said. Those who submitted their CVs include Paradzai Bhasikoro, Tatenda Watambwa, Farai Mabvuwe, Taurai Chikukwa-Songore, Harold Gamu, Jeremiah Chiwetu, Sami Mahufe, Fiona Tangawashe, Richmond Chikowore and Ngonidzashe Mandaza. The late Chidakwa took over from Chiwetu in the primary elections held in 2018 after having been a councillor in Marondera Rural District Council. Meanwhile, Zanu PF has invited CVs from party members interested in contesting for the Marondera Central seat that fell vacant after the recall of MDC Alliance legislator Caston Matewu.
#EndSARSNow: NGO SAYS JUSTICE \"NEEDS TO BE SERVED\" IN NIGERIA
The anti-police brutality movement #EndSARSNow that has seen Nigerian youth take to the streets over the last two weeks, erupted Tuesday evening when armed security forces opened fire on a group of demonstrators in Lekki, Lagos city.
The exact number of resulting wounded and fatalities is still unconfirmed.
Amnesty International is currently taking steps to get official figures - according to Director in Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, who gives insight into the incident based on the human rights organisation's credible sources on the ground.
Osai Ojigho : The eyewitness accounts that we received last night and the views that we got and various other sources that were shared point to the fact that they were military officers. So it is important that they actually investigate this and find out what happened. What were they doing there? Were they there to protect the protesters? Were they there to stop something from happening? Were they given orders to shoot at unarmed people? It would be important for the authorities to give that information today. But for us where we sit, people have died, people have been injured and justice needs to be served.
In order to attain a just conclusion to these events, the human rights lawyer outlines the necessary legal avenues to take.
Osai Ojigho : So the first thing is the individual culpability of officers and commanders who have actually perpetrated these acts of violence against protesters and the populace. because it is not only protesters who have been affected. Earlier on in the protests, there were also individuals who were not part of the protesters who were hit by stray bullets. That is 1.
The second is Nigeria needs to recognise that it has an international obligation under international human rights law to ensure that the safety and security of people within its territory are protected.
President Muhammadu Buhari had previously issued a statement last week denouncing excessive force used by the police - and also acknowledged officers in the country who are upright. Many now speculate on his stance since Tuesday's shootings and many others question the silence from other Africa leaders.
Osai Ojigho : It would be good to see the political leadership in the African Union and ECOWAS actually come out to say, \"Nigeria, we are seeing what is happening. You need to preach nonviolence.\" This is not a time to be silent.
Not at all silent and still raising their voices - undeterred by the very same police brutality they seek to end in the country, are Nigerian youth and the NGO Director applauds their resilience.
Osai Ojigho : The events of the last two weeks, on the one hand, have been inspiring to see people come out to express themselves. The overwhelming support they've received all over the world has been an eye-opener and it was a positive feeling - you know, that Nigerians are coming out and they are speaking truth to power.
By Joyce Foreman Dallas ISD District 6 We’re off and running in a new school year, with students attending classes either in person or online. While we remain constrained to conducting much of the district’s business in a virtual format because of the coronavirus, there is still the opportunity to move forward to meet the […]
The post Off to a Good Start appeared first on North Dallas Gazette.
