Login to BlackFacts.com using your favorite Social Media Login. Click the appropriate button below and you will be redirected to your Social Media Website for confirmation and then back to Blackfacts.com once successful.
Enter the email address and password you used to join BlackFacts.com. If you cannot remember your login information, click the “Forgot Password” link to reset your password.
Congo is seeking to eliminate armed groups in its restive east, and introduced martial law in North Kivu and Ituri provinces
Abiy's government and the regional one run by the Tigray People's Liberation Front each consider the other illegitimate.
\t There was no immediate word from the three AU envoys, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano and former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe. AU spokeswoman Ebba Kalondo did not say whether they can meet with TPLF leaders, something Abiy's office has rejected.
\"``Not possible,'' senior Ethiopian official Redwan Hussein said in a message to the AP. ``\"Above all, TPLF leadership is still at large.'' He called reports that the TPLF had appointed an envoy to discuss an immediate cease-fire with the international community ``masquerading.''
\t Fighting reportedly remained well outside the Tigray capital of Mekele, a densely populated city of a half-million people who have been warned by the Ethiopian government that they will be shown ``no mercy'' if they don't distance themselves from the region's leaders.
\t Tigray has been almost entirely cut off from the outside world since Nov. 4, when Abiy announced a military offensive in response to a TPLF attack on a federal army base.
That makes it difficult to verify claims about the fighting, but humanitarians have said at least hundreds of people have been killed.
\t The fighting threatens to destabilize Ethiopia, which has been described as the linchpin of the strategic Horn of Africa.
\t With transport links cut, food and other supplies are running out in Tigray, home to 6 million people, and the United Nations has asked for immediate and unimpeded access for aid.
AP
'The Minnesota Twins will advance social equity by leveraging our resources to ensure every child has the same opportunity for success.'
Source
RENOWNED music promoter and Mokoomba band manager Marcus Gora yesterday called on artistes to invest in diverse management as well as marketing teams to ensure sustainable growth of their brands at a time lots of talent is emerging and fighting for recognition on the music scene. BY KENNEDY NYAVAYA Gora made the remarks speaking at the Managing your Music as a Business workshop that was organised by Gateway Stream (a subsidiary of the Rainbow Tourism Group) that recently launched a mobile and web music application (Gateway Stream Music Application) that presents an interactive platform for musicians and users. He said through working with the internationally-acclaimed Mokoomba band, for over a decade he had learnt that building a strong brand required different professional hands. “One of the things that I want to emphasise is that, it is important for an artiste that whichever direction you want to take to create a good team around you, you need to gather appropriate people to make it,” he said. “Inasmuch as doing it yourself is attractive and it can work, but in our environment it is a bit difficult to do everything for yourself, you need people to partner with so that you can multiply your power.” Gora said lack of understanding and requisite knowledge on how to effectively negotiate and earn fully from one’s artistic worth had seen artistes sell their souls for peanuts. “Some of the mistakes that we make, we are not an empowered negotiator…someone can come and present a deal, but if there are issues that may tie you up for 10 years or a lifetime they would have been done and well documented and we do not want to keep on making those mistakes,” he said. Gora said the local music scene needed more platforms like the Gateway Stream Music Application to professionally publish and for musicians to earn from their talents. “As an industry we ought to be thankful that there are things like Gateway Stream that are coming up because it broadens the opportunities and platforms that are there for artistes. We have a problem in Zimbabwe with gatekeepers choosing who can be heard and when, which affects our work,” he said. In a recent interview, Rainbow Tourism Group’s corporate communications and innovations manager Pride Khumbula said through the Gateway Stream Music Application musicians were able to upload their music, set prices, manage inventories and receive revenue for all purchases through a revolutionary wallet function. “The Gateway Stream Music App will give artistes access to consumers and ensure that they can earn revenue from their trade, reducing the risk of losing earnings through piracy,” she said. Follow Kennedy on Twitter @ken_nyavaya
In its October World Economic Outlook report, the International Monetary Fund projected a 6.6% contraction in the UAE’s growth this year.
Recovery, the institute said, was not expected before 2021.
Whilst oil price swings and the coronavirus pandemic have hit hard, the UAE capital Abu Dhabi says it remains committed to its economic growth & diversification plans.
Moreover, last month, the agency Fitch reaffirmed the capital’s ‘AA’ rating and outlook as “stable”.
It cited, amongst other factors, Abu Dhabi’s strong fiscal metrics and reduced exposure to tourism, real estate and retail, compared to neighbouring emirates.
ADIO action
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) is the central government hub supporting investment in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Its vision is to develop a thriving, knowledge-economy for Abu Dhabi that is competitive and diverse, whilst attracting FDI.
How? The entity cites the UAE’s strategic location between East and West, its high ranking in regional reports relating to the ‘Ease of Doing Business’, plus its positioning on global competitiveness and innovation indexes.
Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, is an Emirati-American, London-trained economist who hopes to expand Abu Dhabi’s economy as the Director-General and CEO of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
The former Emirates NBD executive is interested in cultivating a viable ecosystem for SMEs and startups in the UAE’s capital.
With a forward-thinking approach, Bin Hendi links diverse value systems across cultures to attract foreign investment.
Accelerators
A hashtag sculpture at Hub71’s space
Ghadan 21 is a $13 million accelerator program looking to support SMEs in the country which is overseen by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
When Inspire Middle East asked about the impact of Coronavirus on Ghadan 21, Bin Hendi says adaptability is key, with Ghadan 21 being both a proactive and reactive program.
The economist maintains that by adapting policy and with resources such as sovereign wealth funds, support from larger government entities, as well as the private sector, SMEs have the backing support to develop.
The fostering of innovation in the capital has seen the creation of Hub71 , an international tech base, which brings together startups, top VC funds, and investors.
AgriTech explorations
Crops being grown inside hydroponic greenhouses
ADIO has also encouraged innovators to flourish in the Agricultural Technology (AgTech) space, offering incentive programs, including financial incentives, to companies looking to relocate or expand in Abu Dhabi.
Pure Harvest is a farming startup that has reaped the benefit of ADIO’s support & investment.
Using climate-controlled, high-tech, hydroponic greenhouses located outside of the city, the company makes year-round farming possible in the arid desert.
“ADIO’s financial commitment is helping us significantly, as it’s allowing us to add additional technologies to our current deployments here in Al Ain,” Sky Kurtz, the Co-founder and CE
Guwahati, Assam - Several Indian states, especially those ruled by parties opposed to prime minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have withdrawn permission from the country's top federal investigation agency to carry out probes [...]
LOCAL digital storyteller and founder of FotoKulture, a conceptual and portraiture art company Ernest Muvunzi says through his photographic skills he seeks to inspire and remind people living in the high-density suburbs (ghetto) that there is nothing shameful about their daily lifestyle. BY KENNEDY NYAVAYA High-density suburbs across the country have for long been branded havens of crime and drug abuse among other sorts of immoral activities. In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style, Muvunzi said using one perspective to depict life in the high-density suburbs had tainted the beauty they convey. “Photography can be used to dispel widespread and often baseless negative perceptions that ghettos are dingy, filled with decadence and retrogressive behaviour,” he said. “My main wish is to inspire the ghetto demographic that there is nothing wrong or shameful about living in the ghetto and I want my work to show them how beautiful their life is so that no one should define the narrative better than them.” The 25-year-old Dzivarasekwa-bred artist who is a product of the ghetto, said he was a self-taught photographer whose work was highly concept, portrait art-based and used grungy township motifs. “In an attempt to reflect the beauty from what is generally viewed as unpleasant, my main drive is to rewrite the African narrative because those who have made it in life have made those who have not, most particularly in the ghetto, lose the belief in where they belong,” he said. “Many people shy away from associating with the ghetto and always want to capture their moments only when they are miles from the dusty township surfaces.” Muvunzi, who is also a professional graphic designer, said living his early life in the rural areas before coming to live in the ghetto exposed him to the dynamic nature of life. “People, who do not come from where we come from think that because we are living in poverty and marginalised communities we are always sad and gloomy, but actually that is the opposite. That energy got me inspired and my work tries to portray the happy side of the ghetto,” he said. Muvunzi worked with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe as creative designer in 2016 before doing photographic work for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and later joined the National Taskforce on Command Agriculture as their photographer and graphic designer. Follow Kennedy on Twitter @ken_nyavaya
Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, says that the ticketing system for breaches of the coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines will be ready soon.\tHolness, who was responding to questions during the recent sitting of the House of Representatives, said the...
HIGH Court judge Justice Felistas Chatukuta has ruled in favour of Kubatana Arts and Craft Centre Co-operative and barred the Institute of African Knowledge from constructing a museum at the co-operative’s stand in Warren Park, Harare. BY CHARLES LAITON Justice Chatukuta’s order was issued on Wednesday this week, days after Justice Sylvia Chirawu Mugomba issued another order interdicting the City of Harare from evicting members of the co-operative from stand number 5797, where the government intended to set up a Museum of African Liberation. Justice Chatukuta issued the order following an application for an interdict by the Arts and Craft Centre after the City of Harare went to the centre armed with an eviction and demolition notice. In its application, the co-operative cited Institute of African Knowledge, Tonderai Katsande, City of Harare, Local Government and Public Works minister July Moyo and Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga as co-respondents. Last week Thursday, Kubatana Arts and Craft Co-operative Society also took the City of Harare to court seeking an order declaring null and void the cancellation of an agreement of sale relating to the same piece of land. Chairperson Gideon Chidongo said the co-operative had been occupying the stand since 1992, but efforts to have the same stand transferred into its name had been futile. Chidongo said the co-operative was shocked when on November 11, 2020, the City of Harare delivered a notice cancelling the agreement of sale for the stand and ordering members to vacate the premises. “This is an application for an order declaring the cancellation of an agreement of sale between respondent and the applicant relating to Stand 5797 Warren Park Township, Harare, null and void,” the notice read. Chidongo said he paid the purchase price in instalments and referred the court to attached copies of receipts for the deposit and final payment for the stand. Said Chidongo: “Applicant connected water and provided sewage reticulation to the said stand and installed electricity on it.” He said the co-operative constructed toilets and some buildings on the stand designed for the purpose of operating an art and craft centre and had been enjoying undisturbed use of it. The decision by council to dispossess him of the land purchased 28 years ago was motivated by ulterior motives, he said.
GOVERNMENT is considering cutting the sizes of stands in low-density suburbs to create room for more human settlement saying there was a lot of space which was underutilised. BY RICHARD MUPONDE The move, which is not a policy position, is a proposal to landlords to fully utilise their land and derive value from it. In an interview yesterday, National Housing and Social Amenities minister Daniel Garwe said the issue was a suggestion to make landowners see that they were seating on gold. “There is no land appropriation or acquisition,” Garwe said. “That is far-fetched. We are saying, ‘people, you are seating on gold and you don’t realise that because you are holding on to land for prestige’. If you have, let’s say five acres, why don’t you dispose of four acres either by outright disposal or wait for any investments to come.” He said there were good examples of such a practice in the neighbouring South Africa, where plush houses are seating on small pieces of land. “For example, we have the plush suburb of Sandton. Most of those houses sit on 500 square metres or less. It is not about a big stand, but the quality of the houses. So it should be understood that this is not a policy position, but a conversation,” he said. Garwe first revealed the issue at a Parliament pre-budget seminar last week. He said his ministry was working closely with the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) so that the land is subdivided and increase the number of houses in low-density areas. “Those who live in Borrowdale are aware that the stands are five acres, two acres and the minimum 100 square metres. “A house and every activity in that space occupies less than 2 000 square metres, so the other is dead space. We are now working closely with ZIDA to motivate the development of such dead spaces so that we increase the number of human settlements, the number of houses, clusters including in all low-density suburbs,” he said. The minister’s sentiments come at a time local authorities are saddled with huge housing waiting lists, with Harare City Council alone recording over one million. ZIDA, which was established by the government and is supervised by the Office of the President and Cabinet, will help push for investments in the areas, Garwe said. Harare has run out of land after barons parcelled out large tracts of State land to unsuspecting home seekers, who established illegal settlements.
ST GEORGE’S (CMC): The newly elected leader of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Franka Bernardine, has resigned. Bernardine, who was elected to lead the party on November 3, attributed her decision to medical reasons. “It is...
By The Associated Press undefined NEW YORK (AP) — The S&P 500 rose to a record high Friday as investors continue to look forward to the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine and relief for the global economy. The benchmark index rose 8.70 points, or 0.2%, led by gains in technology companies, and closed at an all-time high of 3,638.35. The Nasdaq also closed at a record helped by gains in Apple, Tesla, Zoom and other tech companies. Positive developments on the vaccine front have driven double-digit gains in the major indexes this month as investors look forward to progress in […]
The post Stocks rise on Wall Street as S&P 500 hits record high appeared first on Black News Channel.
AFTER WEEKS of conflict, Ethiopia’s prime minister has declared the “final phase” of his army’s...
The post Ethiopian PM declares final phase of his army's operation in Tigray appeared first on Voice Online.
President Donald Trump got snippy with a reporter who was pressing him on claims about whether he'd be conceding to... View Article
The post Trump snaps on reporter: 'Don't ever talk to the president that way' appeared first on TheGrio.
After months of delay, the membership of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) will vote for a new President-elect next week.\tThe exercise will be conducted face-to-face and online between Monday, November 30, and Thursday, December 3....
By Associated Press Undefined BREDA, Netherlands (AP) — Rose Lavelle scored against the Netherlands again, Kristie Mewis scored in her first appearance for the United States in six years and the U.S. women won a rematch of last year's World Cup final by the same score, 2-0, on Friday. The older sister of starter Sam Mewis came in as a second-half substitute and scored in the 70th minute. It was Kristie Mewis' second goal for the team, after her first in 2013. The United States hadn't played in 261 days because of the coronavirus pandemic. The top-ranked Americans have won […]
The post US women beat Netherlands 2-0 in World Cup rematch appeared first on Black News Channel.
Holly Springs, Miss. – Rust College has announced the retirement of Dr. Ishmell Edwards, vice president for college relations and director of athletics, as of June 1, 2021. Edwards’ retirement caps a higher education career spanning five decades, including leadership as director of student activities, associate dean of students, dean of student affairs and director […]
With both Guyana and Suriname having realized significant fortune-changing oil discoveries in recent years, two of South America’s poorest countries that have for decades been locked in a border dispute characterized by awkward confrontations could be positioning themselves to engage in a collaborative initiative that could set both countries on a path to comprehensive economic transformation.
The article President’s Suriname visit brings MOU on Corentyne River bridge appeared first on Stabroek News.
The Trinidad and Tobago government today criticised the international community, most notably the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees(UNCHR) regarding the controversy that has erupted here after 16 Venezuelan nationals, including children, deported last weekend, returned to the island late Tuesday.
JUST over eight hours before legislators in the Lower House passed the Dogs (Liability for Attacks) Bill on November 17, a woman was attacked and bitten by a pack of the animals during her usual early morning run in Portmore, St Catherine.The woman, who opted not to be named, received bites on both legs resulting in her having to pay a doctor $34,500 for treatment and $8,000 to fill a prescription.
FOOD For the Poor has committed to planting one million fruit and timber trees over the next three years.This is in support of the Government's target to plant three million trees over three years, under a national tree-planting initiative launched by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in October 2019.
Ten-year-old Samarwat Tkhal fled fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray region this month -- now she sells food to survive, among tens of thousands of fellow refugees building a new life in neighbouring Sudan.
Tkhal, wearing a red T-shirt and yellow trousers, wanders the dusty streets of \"Village Eight\", a transit point just across the border into Sudan that has rapidly swelled into the size of a small town.
It is the first stop for many of the Ethiopians fleeing their homeland.
Tkhal holds up a box of chocolate cakes, as she shyly approaches potential customers.
\"My father gives me a box of 50 cakes every morning that I sell,\" she said. \"I work from morning to night.\"
Over 43,000 refugees have crossed into Sudan since fighting broke out in Tigray on November 4, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said Friday, as he visited Sudanese camps crammed with those fleeing the conflict in northern Ethiopia.
While praising Sudan for upholding its \"traditional hospitality to people in need\", Grandi warned that the host country also \"urgently requires international assistance to support its efforts.\"
- Heavy fighting -
Hundreds have been killed in fighting between the federal government of Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and dissident forces of the regional ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
On Friday, Abiy is due to meet African Union envoys to discuss the worsening conflict, after he ordered the army to launch a final offensive against Tigrayan forces.
But while conflict rages at home, many of the refugees in Sudan are already eking out a living in their new surrounds.
Taray Burhano, 32, walks the streets selling cigarettes -- one-by-one, not by the pack.
\"I'm not making a fortune,\" said Burhano, who, like many, escaped with only what he could carry for the hard trek across the baking hot bush.
\"But at least I don't sit around and think about what happened to us.\"
Once a sleepy settlement, Village Eight is now a busy centre.
- Entrepreneurs -
Chekhi Barra, 27, sits on the ground waiting for clients.
\"Until a solution to the fighting is found, something has to be done,\" he said, adding that while aid is trickling in, people need more than what is provided.
Barra fled with his wife and son from their home in the town of Mai-Kadara, where Ethiopia's rights watchdog this week said at least 600 civilians were massacred.
Using the little cash he took with him, Barra invested in a box of 100 bars of soap, a basic necessity that he knows will generate a profit when sold individually.
\"I sell them for twice as much as I bought them,\" he said.
Despite losing their homes and businesses, the new Ethiopian arrivals to Sudan are not wasting their time.
Sylvia Tahai immediately resumed her work -- selling coffee.
\"As soon as I arrived, I went to buy coffee, cups, sugar and a coffee-maker\", the 23-year-old said, as customers crowded around her traditional Ethiopian flask brewing on a charcoal brazier.
Buhano Amha, 28, has built a stall where he sells tomat
Jamaica's chief anti-corruption agency, the Integrity Commission, is to receive a massive cash injection from the United Kingdom as it moves to further strengthen its operations.The British Government is to provide the commission with approximately $108 million (�550,000) over the next two years to enable significant capacity-building at the anti-corruption agency.
Students of Brickdam Secondary located in East La Penitence are being targeted and robbed by criminal elements in the vicinity of the school, according to the teachers.
The article Brickdam Secondary students targeted by criminals, police to up patrols appeared first on Stabroek News.
Dear Alma, I really enjoy your column and I’m glad to read you’re a homegirl. Which is why I’m sending you this question. I have been divorced for the past six years and I don’t have any kids. Just to tell you a little about myself, I grew up with four siblings and my mom […]
The post Ask Alma appeared first on The Toledo Journal.
The ruling by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals was a complete repudiation of President Trump’s effort to halt Pennsylvania’s certification process. Mr. Trump committed to leave the White House in January if the electors vote, as expected, for President-elect Joe Biden on Dec. 14.
Banks and financial institutions are increasingly being confronted for their lack of diversity on every level.
As we all get in gear for holiday shopping, it's important that we not only remember to shop small but that we also remember to shop Black — especially this year.
The 2020 CAF Champions League final in Cairo will see Egyptian giants Al Ahly, coached by Pitso Mosimane, take on bitter rivals Zamalek.
The 2020-21 farming season started badly in Chiredzi after a 21-year-old Hippo Valley man was struck and killed by lighting on Sunday night this week. BY GARIKAI MAFIRAKUREVA According to a police report, the deceased, Herbert Mukwetura of Chishamiso village, was in the company of four workmates on their way to work at Tongaat Huletts Hippo Valley Mill. Mukwetura died on the spot, while his colleagues were immediately rushed to Hippo Valley Medical Centre for treatment, where they were said to be in a stable condition. The report further states that the five were struck by a bolt of lightning on a flyover on their way to the mill. These were the first rains in Chiredzi. Violent thunderstorms characterised by strong winds have so far destroyed infrastructure and a number of residents were left homeless in various provinces across the country including Gwanda since the onset of the rain season. In Chipinge, roofs of two classroom blocks at Chisavanye Primary School in ward 22 of Musikavanhu constituency were blown away two weeks ago. Climate experts predict higher than average rainfall in the 2020-21 cropping season. According to the latest Global Agricultural Geo-monitoring Initiative global outlook report, Southern Africa may receive more rainfall compared to the 2019-20 farming season pointing towards greater chances of a La Nina. The Meteorological Services Department has since issued a warning to the public about weather-related hazards including floods, hailstorms, and lightning among others as the rainy season starts. Having experienced Cyclone Idai in 2019, climate change and disaster preparedness now becomes important themes for discussion in Zimbabwe. Follow NewsDay on Twitter @NewsDayZimbabwe
By NICOLE WINFIELD and TRISHA THOMAS Associated Press ROME (AP) — The Vatican's Santa Marta hotel was built to sequester cardinals during papal elections. It's now sequestering soon-to-be cardinals in town for this weekend's ceremony to get their red hats: A handful are in protective coronavirus quarantine, confined to their rooms on Vatican orders and getting meals delivered to their doors. The 10-day quarantines, with COVID-19 tests administered at the start and finish, are just one example of how Saturday's ceremony to elevate new cardinals is like nothing the Holy See has ever seen. 'They told me it would be […]
The post New cardinals quarantine in pope's hotel ahead of ceremony appeared first on Black News Channel.
