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"Since this campaign has been (on) everyone is worried. Everyone is worried," said driver Andrew Kiiza.
\t While no one claimed responsibility for the attack, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif pointed the finger at Israel, calling the killing an act of ``\"state terror.''
\t ``Terrorists murdered an eminent Iranian scientist today. This cowardice _ with serious indications of Israeli role _ shows desperate warmongering of perpetrators,'' Zarif wrote on Twitter.
National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda has revealed that Parliament is contemplating crafting a law that will regulate DNA testing in the country amid revelations that there is no such law. BY SILAS NKALA Mudenda said this during a stakeholders meeting with Matabeleland-based civic society organisations and journalists in Bulawayo. He was responding to concerns raised by the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) officials that the country had no law regulating DNA testing. “I was at Nust and the university raised questions on the issue of secrecy of the DNA results with major focus on how they are handled or publicised. “They said a law must be there to pave way for such a process. “I agree with the university. We shall have a process of coming up with that law,” Mudenda said. “They did not write a petition, but they presented an oral petition during my visit there.” The Speakers’ remarks come at a time the government is working on a law that will guide the process of exhumations of the remains of Gukurahundi victims in Matabeleland and Midlands. Nust is expected to conduct the genetic studies. President Emmerson Mnangagwa tasked traditional leaders to oversee the exhumations and reburial of Gukurahundi victims. The genetic studies will assist in exhumations of Gukurahundi victims buried at undignified places across the country. The Speaker said Parliament would soon have a 24-hour television station dedicated to parliamentary proceedings.
AUSTIN – Texas officially dedicated a statue to the late Julius Whittier before Friday’s game with Iowa State, honoring the school’s first Black football...
THE 2021 budget presented by the finance minister Mthuli Ncube to Parliament shows that the minister was living in a ‘fantasy world,’ according to academic, Professor Austin Chakaodza. “Some of the major challenges facing our society are issues of poverty and unemployment. Ninety percent of the people of Zimbabwe were already unemployed before the eruption of COVID-19. The majority of the people continue to lack certain basic capabilities which are encapsulated in the socio - economic rights guaranteed in the constitution,” he said. “They continue to be deprived of basic capabilities - such as the capability to be free from hunger, to live in good health, to be literate and access to a social security safety net. This budget does not fulfil a number of human rights such as the right to food, health, education and training,” Chakaodza said. A big part of Mthuli 2021 budget is a range of new tax measures to fund the ambitious $421,6 billion budget. The highlight of this plan is how the taxman plans to go after the informal sector, which is the bulk of the economy but pays little tax. From new and higher taxes to a new tax unit targeting SMEs, it is a budget that gives away very little, but takes a lot. Here is how some of Mthuli’s measures will affect you. If you are a low-income earner There is not much tax relief for you. The tax-free threshold has only been raised slightly from $5 000 per month to $10 000 per month. Tax bands will begin at $10 001 and end at $250 000 per month. This does little for the poorest workers. For perspective; in October, a Zimbabwean family of five needed $18 750 just to stay above the poverty line. If you earn more than $250 000, you pay the highest marginal tax rate of 40%. If you are expecting a bonus, the bonus tax-free threshold has gone up from $5 000 to $25 000, with effect from 1 November 2020. If you were tired of the 2% tax, sorry The 2% tax on mobile money and other electronic transfers stays. The tax has been unpopular since it came in 2018, but Mthuli says it has “generated substantial resources that have enabled Government to support various infrastructure projects”, including the COVID-19 response. So, the Minister isn’t giving much of this cash-cow away. You will no longer pay the 2% for transactions of up to $500, which is just a small increase from the current $300. For forex transactions, this tax will apply above US$5. The maximum of this tax that your business can pay has been raised from $25 000 to $800 000 on transactions with values exceeding $40 million, with effect from 1 January 2021. If you were planning to import a car Government will now control the importation of cars that are 10 years or older. Owning a car has just slid further from the reach of the majority, who cannot afford new vehicles. According to Mthuli, Zimbabwe has spent around US$1,3 billion importing buses and used cars over the past five years. Cars older than 10 years are now off the Open General Import Licence. This means that, from 2021, you will need a special import licence for older cars.
A LOCAL non-governmental organisation, Practical Action, has urged peasant farmers to integrate traditional farming methods with modern technologies in adapting to climate changes for continued productivity. BY MIRIAM MANGWAYA/ SIZALOKUHLE NCUBE Speaking during a workshop for journalists on sustainable development reporting in Harare yesterday, Practical Action agriculture systems and innovation leader Maria Goss said the organisation was encouraging farmers to make use of renewable power sources so that they continue producing despite the adverse climatic changes. She said the organisation was educating farmers on agro-ecology, a sustainable scientific farming method focused on conserving the ecosystem to attain high yields. “Three quarters of the world’s poorest people are farmers,” she said. “In the face of the changing climate, their traditional approaches to agriculture are not working for them. Small holder farmers are further being marginalised due to the effects global warming.” She said agro-ecology is important in reducing the risk of drought-related farming problems such as enabling moisture conservation, since the natural systems of preserving water had been disturbed over the years. Goss also encouraged policy makers to ensure that they provide the necessary information and early warnings to marginalised communal farmers on climate changes and hazards. Over four million Zimbabweans are in desperate need of food aid, according to the World Food Programme, mainly as a result of successive droughts.
[Cameroon Tribune] It was given by the Cameroon Consumers National Network in a ceremony in Douala on Wednesday, November 25, 2020.
T HE long awaited 2021 National Budget has finally come out and in keeping up with tradition, government has again offered no solutions to the struggling, jobless and starving masses across the country. In fact, they piled on more austerity despite the fact most people are already stumbling in trying to reach the cost of living of nearly $20 000 for a family of five. What is this austerity? First, government has increased presumptive taxes which target informal sector players at a time when 60% of economic activity occurs in that space. And this is important to note as millions of Zimbabweans are using that sector to earn most of their incomes. The groups to be affected by these presumptive taxes include transport operators, hairdressers, informal traders, cross-border traders, restaurants operators and bottle stores, and the cottage industry. Hairdressers, for example, will pay monthly presumptive taxes of $2 500, restaurants and bottle stores $10 000, with the cottage industry paying a similar amount. Cottage industry refers to home owners who run businesses from their homes. Informal traders that rent fixed government spaces will now be required to pay US$30 or its Zimdollar equivalent on a monthly basis. Government has also increased presumptive taxes on self-employed professionals. For example, medical personnel, engineers and legal self-employed professionals will pay $500 000 each in monthly presumptive taxes. Architects and realtors will pay $250 000 and $1 million, respectively. Treasury has also ordered government ministries and departments to increase fees, charges and levies starting January 1, 2021. Treasury has also increased the Petroleum Importers Levy to USD$0.05 for both petrol and diesel which will affect smaller fuel providers as well as increase excise duty on diesel by 5 US cents. The immediate effect will be an increase in fuel which on its own leads to increases in prices of goods and services. And if informal traders are thinking they can dodge these taxes, the Treasury has instructed the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to establish a ‘specialised unit’ that focuses on MSMEs during the first quarter of 2021. The focus of this unit will be on the sector’s contributions to fiscal revenues and make sure it’s commensurate with the level of economic activity. Now, taxes should be paid and even the Bible gives that instruction, but how much should that be given massive unemployment, job losses and income erosion from a depreciating Zimdollar? In its defence, the government is touting the raised the tax-free threshold to $10 000. However, the official cost of living is $20 000 with very few, outside of domestic workers, earning less than that amount. What this means is that the tax-free threshold is essentially moot for the 2,9 million in the formal and informal workforce. Government has also announced that those renting government housing units will now only be allowed to stay at these premises for a period not exceeding two years. As such, current tenants who have exceeded the 24 months, will thus, be
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling late Wednesday, Nov. 25, upholding certain rights to gather for
[UN Women] Galvanizes partners to fund organizations, respond to survivors' needs, prevent violence and collect data to build a post-pandemic \"new normal\" as the 16 days of Activism campaign kicks off
Thanksgiving is over. Many people celebrated with just their household unit, but many others did not. In fact, up to 50 million Americans are traveling over the Thanksgiving weekend, according to the American Automobile Association, or AAA. The comings and goings of US travelers belie the fact that the Covid-19 pandemic continues to surge. The US reported 2,046 deaths Wednesday […]
Two African football giants from Egypt Al Ahly and Zamalek are set to make history as first rival teams from the same country to meet in the African Champions league this Friday.
This year’s final will feature no fans from both sides and will also be decided by one match rather than over two legs since the first final in 1965.
The Africa’s football governing body announced that the match will be held under the slogan no to fanatism and will be behind closed doors to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
Zamalek hope to win their sixth CAF Champions League title and their first since 2002, while their arch rivals eye their ninth title.
The match will be payed at Cairo stadium at 9 pm local time.
This will be the 239th meeting between the two rivals that rallies on tens of million fans in the world.
Al Ahly dominate past win counts with 102 victories against 58 wins for Zamalek.
Al Ahly under the South African coach Pitso Mosimane won the last Egyptian premier league with a clear 21 point ahead of Zamalek. They also defeated the Morocco's Wydad Casablanca by 5-1 aggregate to reach the finals.
Zamalek had an aggregate of 4-1 against the Raja Casablance in the semis.
President Donald Trump finally confirmed Thursday that he will vacate the White House in January after weeks of plunging America into a dark period of uncertainty—where the fate of democracy sometimes seemed to be hanging by a thread—but he largely ignored the mounting challenges his successor is facing as he exits.
African Americans are the most symbolic ethnic group I know. My people love symbolism. Churches, schools, businesses, organizations and sometimes families enjoy giving out trophies, plaques and certificates to people for any and every reason. Elected officials are perhaps the kings and queens of symbolism – “the art or practice of using symbols, especially by […]
The post What Biden and Harris can do appeared first on Florida Courier.
… L. Fudge of Ohio, an African-American Democrat from Ohio.
Mr. Clyburn … owes a special debt to African-American voters, and that he wants …
Maryland reported 2,378 new coronavirus cases on Thanksgiving Day, the fourth-highest single-day total since the onset of the pandemic in March, according to health department statistics released Friday.
SO much was expected from Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube’s 2021 national budget, which was presented yesterday. Yet he delivered very little. Zimbabwe has been badly battered by multiple hardships stemming out of sheer mismanagement, misgovernance and corruption. And when authorities pretend to be delivering policies that help people, but end up glossing over their incompetencies as happened yesterday, we wonder where our citizens will go to get their challenges addressed. Blueprints like the national budget are no laughing matter. They lay a foundation on which over 16 million Zimbabweans live and how future generations will also survive. The budget must not be turned into a machine that generates money for the elite, and takes everything from the poor. This is not how it should be. But it appears Mthuli has chosen to pursue this long chosen path, punishing the poor through policies that ignite price hikes, and taking everything that they have through hostile taxes and fees. In the end, it is the poor and defenceless majority people who suffer. That is why we were so disappointed by yesterday’s budget. Zimbabweans expected a well-considered hike in tax free threshold of up to $20 000, for instance, for people’s wages to make an impact during this festive season when so much is required in terms of preparations for Christmas and budgeting for expenses in January. Yet, Mthuli placed the figure at a paltry $10 000. It means the few who are still formally employed and earning less than $10 000 per month will always be broke before they earn their wages. This is a recipe for disaster in many ways. Poverty levels will remain steep, food insecurity rates will remain high, and millions of people will continue to struggle finding food because the workers who normally support them won’t afford. While inflation has been decelerating, it remains extremely high at 471%, which explains why prices remain high and spending power has been subdued. This in itself is another recipe for disaster. A nation that does not spend is as good as dead and so is its industry. It lacks the catalyst that is vital for stimulating demand to expand businesses, which employ people, encouraging more spending. Clearly, yesterday’s budget missed the point by ignoring this very important fact. By firing the blanks, Mthuli can be guaranteed that job actions that we have seen in 2020 will intensify next year as teachers, nurses and other civil servants feel the pinch of a never ending economic crisis. And even if government cracks down on them and force them to return to work, it will not work. They will simply not deliver. Our children will receive a poor education, with disastrous consequences on future generations. Already, people are dying needlessly in hospitals because morale is low among those still reporting to work, simple. And in a country with over 90% unemployment, very few can afford private health care, which is readily available in United States dollar fees. Government must be serious, the people are suffering. Is Mth
Seniors also are finding themselves at a growing rate of homelessness. The coronavirus outbreak has only exacerbated the housing problem in unprecedented ways.
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CIVIC society organisations have confronted Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda over Parliament’s submissive role to Zanu PF, a situation they claimed was stalling development in Matabeleland region. BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE The allegations came up during Mudenda’s meeting with civic society organisations in Bulawayo during his nationwide tour to educate citizens about the role and operations of the Legislature. Gwanda resident Bekezela Maduma Fuzwayo said Zanu PF had a lot of influence on parliamentary business, blaming it on the alleged marginalisation of Matabeleland as a region. He alleged that most developmental projects were spearheaded by parliamentary committees led by Zanu PF. “We do not see how Parliament is performing its role of oversight. There are many reports that get into Parliament and no actual outcome is seen. It seems the ruling party has more power over Parliament,” Fuzwayo said. “Government leaves many projects unfinished. For example, in Gwanda, we have a court that has not been completed for 15 years now. The road from Gwanda to Maphisa has also not been finished for so many years.” He said in 2018, they had to chase away a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for not taking the people’s views to Parliament after public consultations. But Mudenda dismissed the claims that Zanu PF controlled Parliament business. “There is nothing like that in parliamentary committees. They are composed of MPs from across the political affiliations represented in Parliament. The chairmanship is shared by the Standing Rules and Order Committee which is the executive of Parliament,” Mudenda said. “The opposition MDC chairs seven committees, including one of the most important committees on Public Accounts, which must always be handled by members of the opposition in most jurisdictions throughout the world.” Mudenda said that was the reason why the MDC Alliance MP, Tendai Biti was the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). “Some of the reports that have been published on our website by Biti are very scathing in their oversight response on how the government is operating in terms of the use of public funds,” Mudenda said, adding that PAC worked with the Auditor-General’s Office to expose misuse of funds. “The reports and recommendations have been taken on board, for example, the Nssa forensic report has resulted in the arrest of several high-ranking officials at the National Social Security Authority.” Mudenda said the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy’s report had led to the arrest of the former Energy minister (Samuel Undenge) who is currently languishing in jail. He said reports by the Committee on Health had also exposed corruption at the National Pharmaceutical Company. Follow Praisemore on Twitter @TPraisemore
