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Odinga has called for protests every Monday and Thursday, accusing President William Ruto of stealing last year's election and of failing to control the surging cost of living.
The president also stressed the importance of keeping the economy open after months of stifling movement restrictions.
He urged citizens not to drop their guard and continue adhering to the health rules, such as wearing face masks and respecting curfew times.
South Africa has recorded just over 800,000 coronavirus infections - more than a third of the cases reported across the African continent - and over 20,000 deaths.
AFP
FC Platinum striker Silas Songani has returned to the national team after Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic has named him among a squad of 34 locally-based senior players that will commence preparations for next month’s African Nations Championship (Chan) in Cameroon. BY SPORTS REPORTER Songani returned from a stint in Denmark to join FC Platinum, who are also playing in the Caf Champions League, and is looking to make a big impression. The squad will begin preparations on Monday and will break for the festive period before resuming just before New Year. Loga’s squad is dominated by players that have received national team call ups before while some of the players have featured in the Chan qualifiers. “The Warriors technical team has named 34 players in the provisional squad for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals. The team begins preparations on December 6, 2020 until the December 20, 2020 when they will break for the festive holiday. Camp will then resume on December 28, 2020 until the games begin on January 16, 2021 in Cameroon,” a media statement by Zifa yesterday read. Zimbabwe face the hosts in the tournament curtain-raiser as they seek a fast start in a tournament they have performed relatively well over the years. The locally-based players will be looking to market themselves to more lucrative leagues when they play at the finals. Squad: Goalkeepers Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders), Simbarashe Chinani (Dynamos), Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Petros Mhari (FC Platinum) Defenders Xolani Ndlovu (Chicken Inn), Peter Muduwa (Highlanders), Partson Jaure (Dynamos), Valentine Musarurwa (Harare City), Ian Nekati (Chicken Inn), Qadr Amini (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Frank Makarati (Ngezi Platinum), Raphael Muduviwa (FC Platinum), Pawell Govere (Golden Eagles), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders) Midfielders Juan Mutudza (Dynamos), Valentine Kadonzvo (Chicken inn, Ralph Kawondera (FC Platinum), Trevor Mavunga (Triangle), Phenias Bamusi (Caps United), Wellington Taderera (Ngezi Platinum), Devon Chafa (Ngezi Platinum), Kelvin Madzongwe (FC Platinum), Silas Songani (FC Platinum), Collins Duwa (Triangle United), Tichaona Chipunza (Chicken Inn), Ishmael Wadi (Caps United), Leeroy Mavunga (Caps United), Nqobizitha Masuku (Highlanders), Tatenda Tavengwa (Harare City), King Nadolo (Dynamos) Strikers Obriel Chirinda (Chicken Inn), Stanley Ngala (FC Platinum), Thomas Chideu (Harare City), William Manondo (Harare City)
Ethiopian forces blocked people from the country's embattled Tigray region from crossing into Sudan on Thursday at the busiest crossing point for refugees, Sudanese forces said.
Their account follows allegations by refugees in previous days of Ethiopian forces stopping people from fleeing the month-old deadly conflict in Tigray.
The Sudanese forces, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the events, said people tried to cross from Ethiopia around 6 a.m. to Hamdayet in Sudan but were stopped, and refugees waiting on the Sudan side became upset and began throwing rocks.
The Sudanese forces then cleared the area, and on Thursday evening they confirmed that the border crossing remained closed.
Tensions have been rising at the border in recent days as the flow of Ethiopians crossing has slowed to hundreds per day from several thousands.
A senior Ethiopian government official who has served as spokesman during the conflict did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
End fighting
The European Union's crisis management commissioner Thursday urged the Ethiopian government to restore communications in its northern Tigray region and called on both sides to cease hostilities.
\"I urge... the Ethiopian authorities to lift the communication blockade,\" Janez Lenarcic said at Um Raquba camp in neighboring Sudan, where he spoke with Ethiopian refugees who had fled their homeland over the last month.
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last month ordered military operations against the northern Ethiopian region's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), in response to what he said were attacks on Ethiopian federal army camps.
Tens of thousands of refugees have since poured into eastern Sudan, with many complaining that they have not been able to re-establish contact with those left behind or lost on the scramble to leave due to a communications blackout.
\"I spoke with a number of refugees in this camp today and what is perhaps most painful to hear is that they have zero information... about their relatives and friends who stayed behind,\" Lenarcic said.
Abiy on Saturday claimed the conflict was over after federal troops took control of the Tigrayan capital, Mekele, but the TPLF threatened a full-scale counter-offensive on Wednesday.
Lenarcic also urged Ethiopia's government to provide access for humanitarian workers and goods, while calling on both sides to \"cease the hostilities\".
Ethiopia has formally granted the United Nations access to deliver aid to Tigray.
ONE of the most unique characteristics of pigeons is that they live as a couple and mate their entire life. GUEST COLUMN:TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA They are a monogamous lot. If the female pigeon hatches one egg, it kills the chick. They always ensure they live as a couple. It is in their DNA. They don’t have the capacity to prostitute. But human beings have the intrinsic propensity to do wrong. They have the proclivity to prostitute and, therefore, there is need for some form of regulation. In the same vein, while article 14 of the world soccer governing body Fifa statutes stipulates that member associations should manage their affairs independently without undue influence from a third party, there is need for some form of control of these member associations. After all, there is nothing like absolute freedom. So, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) — the supreme sports governing body cannot be said to be out of order by acting the way it did — suspending Zifa general-secretary Joseph Mamutse to institute investigations into a number of issues understood to be holding back the development of the game in Zimbabwe. For development to take place in any society, there is need for supervision and SRC — by suspending the Zifa boss to pave way for investigations — is simply performing its mandate as stipulated by the law. Section 30 of the SRC Act allows it to act the way it did. If the Act empowers SRC to register and deregister member associations, there is no justification whatsoever to say that the supreme sports governing body cannot launch an investigation into the conduct of a member association. The SRC did not fire the Zifa chief. It simply asked him to step aside to pave way for investigations into a number of key issues. It would have been problematic if it had fired Mamutse, but the fact that he was only suspended pending investigation, the Gerald Mhlotshwa-led board cannot be said to be out of order. They genuinely believe their actions are meant to help clean up the game dogged by a host of problems for decades which have alienated it from the corporate world. SRC believes that if it folds its arms and watch the game stagnate due to questionable leadership and lack of transparency, it would be tantamount to abrogating its responsibility as a sports regulating body. It is its belief that it will get the backing of Fifa in its bid to reposition Zimbabwean football. While its actions are legitimate and take into consideration the national interest, there are fears that they could backfire as Fifa is likely to impose sanctions on Zifa which would mean the banning of all national teams and local clubs from international competitions. Last year, the SRC wrote to Fifa general-secretary, Fatma Samoura, requesting authority to invoke its powers to remove the entire Zifa leadership from office and replace it with a normalisation committee that would have run the game for a specified period. However, the world soccer governing body trashed the SRC request, saying the conditions prevailing in Zimbabwean football at the t
CONFEDERATION of Zimbabwe Miners (CZM) president Rangani Chauke has called on government to urgently regularise the operations of artisanal miners to avoid disasters and integrate the sector into the mainstream economy. By Stephen Chadenga Chauke’s call came in the wake of a rise in the number of fatal accidents involving gold panners in disused mines shafts. Cases of trapped artisanal miners were on the rise with 30 illegal miners feared dead after a shaft from which they were panning gave in at Ran Mine in Bindura recently. “As miners’ bodies, we have always reiterated that the formalisation of artisanal miners is a matter of urgency to avoid the unnecessary loss of lives,” Chauke said in an interview yesterday. “Regularisation of the sector would not only improve safety of miners, but would decriminalise the activity. “That is why we have always said the Mines and Minerals Bill should address the formalisation of the sector.” He said, despite contributing immensely to gold production in the country, artisanal mining continued to be a dangerous enterprise claiming many lives every year. Chauke said there was need to bring legality and stability to the sector to avoid negative consequences associated with artisanal mining. “There is need for laws and support from government on the legal and policy frameworks that ensure safety and good standards in the formalisation process,” he said. CZM is an association of small-scale-miners. In recent years, artisanal miners have resorted to mining in decommissioned mine shafts. Government continues to dither on plans to regularise artisanal mining.
… fueled by new buyers, including African-Americans as the fastest growing demographic …
We must change our behaviour now to prevent a resurgence of the virus and manage outbreaks wherever they occur, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his address on Thursday night.
In 2009, a newlywed Jackie Aina was a military reservist in Hawaii who was bored sick and unhappy in her marriage. She quit college after two years to enlist in the military seeking new adventures. YouTube was gaining popularity at the time and Aina whiled away her boredom watching beauty vloggers. Little did she know...
The post Meet Jackie Aina, the Nigerian-born YouTube beauty influencer pushing for inclusion appeared first on Face2Face Africa.
The focus is to educate and inform our community.
PLANS by three of the country’s biggest foreign-controlled firms to invest fresh capital into their local operations represent the earliest pointers to a potential bounce back next year following a turmoil-filled 2020, researchers at IH Securities said on Monday. BY SHAME MAKOSHORI Swiss-headquartered foods and beverages giant, Nestle and Jersey-based Caledonia Mining Corporation have announced combined investments totalling US$62,5 million into Zimbabwe in the past week. Caledonia operates Blanket gold mine, one of the country’s biggest bullion extraction outfits. Platinum miner, Zimplats has also been making aggressive expansion moves at its Ngezi operation. Foreign firms hold the key to the development of frontier markets and the attitude of those already invested shapes perceptions across fund managers and individual investors seeking opportunities in a given destination. In a two-page paper titled Macro-Economic Update, Zimbabwe 2021 National Budget Review, IH said the optimism demonstrated by the three firms received a boost when Finance minister Mthuli Ncube attempted in next year’s fiscal plan to make interventions that may steer industries back to improved production. The past two years have been difficult for Zimbabwe, which has battled acute foreign currency, fuel and power shortages. These were compounded by inflationary surges in the past 12 months, together with exchange rate volatilities that only cooled off after the central bank introduced the forex auction system in June. At the beginning of the year, Zimbabwe’s fragile economy was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced government to shut down businesses, as authorities tried to prevent contagion. However, IH’s paper said stability would only be sustained if the exchange rate continued on a positive trajectory. “The 2021 budget attempts to solve the underlying problem of productivity through several measures, the main lever of which is stabilisation of the local currency,” IH said. “Trading updates for 3Q20 (third quarter 2020) have consistently shown recovering retail volumes from the sharp decline in 1H2020 (first half 2020) implying some recovery in consumer demand. Interestingly, companies servicing the infrastructure industry such as Proplastics and Lafarge have also shown improved order books implying growth in capital spend. We also note signs that some foreign-based parent companies, including Nestle, Caledonia and Zimplats, have indicated intent to increase investment in their local subsidiaries. The relatively stable environment in H2 set up by a surprisingly stable forex auction market and a resultantly stable Zimbabwe dollar has improved business and consumer confidence,” the paper said. Last week, Caledonia said it had spent US$60 million developing its flagship central shaft project, which is due to be commissioned in 2021. “We have invested approximately US$60 million in this project since we first announced it in 2015 and it has been owner-built and fully funded through internal cashflow and has been completed at a cost that is w
Some call it a plague. Yoav Motro calls it a war. The enemies are huge armies of desert locusts destroying farm and grazing lands across nine East African countries. In Ethiopia alone, the locusts have [...]
Celebrations could be premature in the Western Cape hot-spots that avoided tough lockdown restrictions - as more regions may soon get the 'NMB treatment'.
By Associated Press Undefined WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a lower federal court to reexamine California restrictions on indoor religious services in areas hard hit by the coronavirus in light of the justices' recent ruling in favor of churches and synagogues in New York. The high court's unsigned order, with no noted dissent, leaves the California restrictions in place for now. But it throws out a federal district court ruling that rejected a challenge to the limits from Pasadena-based Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry, which has more than 160 churches across the state. Last […]
The post Justices order review of California virus rules for churches appeared first on Black News Channel.
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - The top U.S. envoy on Venezuela called on the incoming Biden administration yesterday to use the leverage he believes has been gained from years of tough sanctions aimed at ousting socialist President Nicolas Maduro and urged against offering him any “giveaways.”
The article Biden must use sanctions as leverage against Venezuela’s Maduro, U.S. envoy says appeared first on Stabroek News.
… the interview when asked about African Americans potentially being skeptical about taking … , particularly in the African American community, we are -- African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans …
Many African Americans are weary of the treatment.
Ramaphosa was adamant that public behaviour needs to change immediately to prevent the spread of the virus, and blasted defiance of the laws.
A significant number of black Americans are skeptical about the coronavirus … trial to try to change Black Americans’ minds. https://t … overcome high vaccine hesitancy among Black Americans, @HarvardChanDean says “the best messengers …
On Friday, the music was blaring from one of those handcarts offering CD’s for sale.
The article Doesn’t it feel like Christmas? appeared first on Stabroek News.
For society to address systemic racism, the education system in which Black Americans consistently underperform whites must be considered. Postponing in-person instruction and preventing parents from seeking alternatives for in-person instruction is to systematically discriminate against Black Americans, who disproportionately attend public schools.
SAO PAULO, (Reuters) - São Paulo’s Butantan Institute biomedical centre yesterday received 1 million doses of a Chinese COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech Ltd that is undergoing late-stage testing by the institute at 16 locations in Brazil.
The article Brazil gets Chinese COVID-19 vaccine doses, Senate OK’s British vaccine funding appeared first on Stabroek News.
Growing Food Insecurity Threatens West Africa
With these words, experts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Food Crisis Prevention Network and Sahel Club sounded the alarm on Thursday. It is estimated that more than 16 million people have been facing a situation of acute food crisis in West Africa and the Sahel since October,
And the already dire situation could get even worse in West Africa as unless swift action is taken, up to 24 million people could go hungry between June and August 2021, one of the most difficult periods to obtain food just before harvest season begins in the fields.
The Problematic Presence of Islamist Terrorism
There is a lack of resources, mainly due to challenges of insecurity which have gradually grown more complicated to overcome in affected nations. In Nigeria alone, where Islamist extremists have been wreaking havoc in the north of the country, the number of people threatened by hunger could reach 13 million, i.e. half of the total West African population.
In the Sahel, four million refugees displaced as a result of jihadist terrorist attacks are also at risk of food insecurity.
In spite of the diverse efforts of various governments and their international allies, the next six months could be catastrophic for millions of people.
FORMER Zimbabwe international bowler Njabulo Ncube has been appointed as the Mountaineers coach for the 2020/21 domestic cricket season. He takes over from Shepherd Makunura who is now in charge at Southern Rocks, who are making their return to top-flight cricket for the first time since the 2013/14 season. The 31-year-old Ncube, who represented Zimbabwe in one Test and one ODI, is one of the highly regarded up-and-coming coaches on the local scene. After helping Rising Stars to the Pro50 Championship title while serving as the national academy side’s assistant coach in 2017/18, their first year of competing in the List A tournament, he went on to assume a similar role at Tuskers up until his latest move. His departure has seen veteran player John Nyumbu being promoted to the role of player/assistant coach at the Bulawayo-based side. Stuart Matsikenyeri, Walter Chawaguta and Douglas Hondo will remain in charge at Eagles, Rhinos and Tuskers respectively. The provincial sides will have the following serving as assistant coaches-cum-team managers: Erick Chauluka (Eagles), Steady Musoso (Mountaineers), Mufaro Chiturumani (Rhinos), Stanley Chioza (Southern Rocks) and Mbekezeli Mabuza (Tuskers). Elton Chigumbura is now a player/assistant coach at Eagles, with Shingi Masakadza, Chris Mpofu and Cephas Zhuwao taking up similar roles at Mountaineers, Rhinos and Southern Rocks. — Zimcricket
… tried to heal after nine African Americans were shot dead at church …
By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A mysterious object temporarily orbiting Earth is a 54-year-old rocket, not an asteroid after all, astronomers confirmed Wednesday. Observations by a telescope in Hawaii clinched its identity, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. The object was classified as an asteroid after its discovery in September. But NASA's top asteroid expert, Paul Chodas, quickly suspected it was the Centaur upper rocket stage from Surveyor 2, a failed 1966 moon-landing mission. Size estimates had put it in the range of the old Centaur, which was about 32 feet […]
The post NASA: Mystery object is 54-year-old rocket, not asteroid appeared first on Black News Channel.
THE drama that unfolded at Waddilove High School in Marondera was informative of the confusion in those that are superintending over the education system in the country. After the outbreak of COVID-19 at the school, with 45 pupils affected, authorities at the Methodist Church of Zimbabwe institution wanted to close it down and remove all pupils from the premises. Clearly panicked government officials, who were more worried about saving face, ordered the school to remain open, because it had made a determination without consulting them. When the school asked parents to pick up their children, they were treated to the sight of 15 government vehicles determined to block them from doing so, despite the obvious threat to the pupils of an outbreak in a closed and crowded environment. Eventually, common sense prevailed and government officials gave in, allowing parents to drive away with their children. The number of schools hit by the coronavirus is rising every week, John Tallach in Ntabazinduna, Matabeleland North, Goromonzi High School in Mashonaland East, Chinhoyi High School in Mashonaland East and Mtshabezi High School in Matabeleland South are among the most affected. This covers the length and breadth of the country, and yet government remains adamant that schools must remain open. It is not surprising that Parliament, has been harping that the government immediately shuts down schools. The MPs correctly blame the rising COVID-19 cases on government’s failure to adequately prepare for the reopening of schools. In fact, government’s lack of preparation or the absence of a strategy to deal with possible outbreaks at school is evident in the blundering response to the situation at Waddilove: rush in, make noise, be seen to be active but offer no solution and then slink away and let the schools and parents bear the burden of dealing with the situation. It has been evident that Zimbabwe is on a wing and a prayer since its reported its first casualty in March, journalist Zororo Makamba. While some facilities have improved since then, the lack of a clear plan of action is evident, nine months later. And parents are being forced to keep their children in schools, which have become new mini-epicentres in spite of the dangers. Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa this week said instead government would intensify monitoring and implementation of COVID-19 regulations as opposed to shutting down the institutions. This is basic, and government should have been doing this well before ordering schools to reopen. Why should we trust that government will finally do this after failing for the last nine months? Children are our future, and government’s intransigence will cost the country dearly. Close the schools until it is safe to reopen.
All of Southern California could soon be under much tighter coronavirus restrictions, after Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, Dec. 3, announced a new stay-at-home order that will go into effect in areas where local intensive care bed availability is low — as coronavirus hospitalizations continue surging statewide. The order, once it goes into effect, would […]
A deal still appears out of reach as Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi discuss stimulus proposals. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris announced her top aides, including her chief of staff. The White House communications director for the Trump administration resigned.
TURKEY giants Galatasaray have relaunched their bid to sign Warriors midfielder Marvelous Nakamba from Aston Villa, targeting to clinch a deal for the January transfer window. BY FORTUNE MBELE A Turkish publication claims that the giants have been encouraged in their pursuit by Nakamba’s quest for game time having been limited to two league appearances so far this season. Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor expressed interest in Nakamba before the start of the season but it’s the William D’Avilla-coached side who have so far refused to give up despite having failed with an earlier attempt to sign the midfielder. Nakamba has started for Villa in the League Cup and his Premier League appearances have been from the bench. A Turkish publication, Dirilis Postası published an article indicating Galatasary are still interested in Nakamba and are proposing a loan deal while offering an annual salary of €850 000, which is half of what he earns in England. Villa would have to pay the difference. Galatasaray’s interest on Nakamba dates back to when he was still in Belgium playing for Club Brugge. The publications says: “After successfully playing in Club Brugge for two years, a Galatasaray claim was made for Nakamba, who took the road to Aston Villa for 12 million euros last season. “It was understood that the famous manager William D'Avilla, who had brought players such as Onyekuru, Ndiaye, Etebo and Garry Rodrigues to Galatasaray, will put an end to the transfer. It was emphasised that the 26-year-old Zimbabwean player, who played in only two matches this season in the Premier League, wanted to go to a team where he could find more game time, and the deal would be made on loan,” the publication states further. A deal with Galatasaray in the English summer transfer could not be concluded as Aston Villa decided to keep Nakamba in their squad for the current season but chances are the Warriors’ defensive linkman might make a move next month. Follow Fortune on Twitter @ fmbele