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Relieved after the ceasefire that was agreed at the end of November, which ended almost 14 months of war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese people celebrated Christmas on Tuesday with markets and parades.
He replaces Debretsion Gebremichael, whose immunity from prosecution was removed Thursday.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International said Thursday that scores of civilians were killed in a \"massacre\" in the Tigray region, that witnesses blamed on forces backing the local ruling party.
The \"massacre\" is the first reported incident of large-scale civilian fatalities in a week-old conflict between the regional ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), and the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of last year's Nobel Peace Prize.
\"Amnesty International can today confirm... that scores, and likely hundreds, of people were stabbed or hacked to death in Mai-Kadra (May Cadera) town in the southwest of Ethiopia's Tigray Region on the night of 9 November,\" the rights group said in a report.
Amnesty said it had \"digitally verified gruesome photographs and videos of bodies strewn across the town or being carried away on stretchers.\"
The dead \"had gaping wounds that appear to have been inflicted by sharp weapons such as knives and machetes,\" Amnesty said, citing witness accounts.
Witnesses said the attack was carried out by TPLF-aligned forces after a defeat at the hands of the Ethiopian military, though Amnesty said it \"has not been able to confirm who was responsible for the killings\".
It nonetheless called on TPLF commanders and officials to \"make clear to their forces and their supporters that deliberate attacks on civilians are absolutely prohibited and constitute war crimes\".
Abiy ordered military operations in Tigray on November 4, saying they were prompted by a TPLF attack on federal military camps -- a claim the party denies.
The region has been under a communications blackout ever since, making it difficult to verify competing claims on the ground.
Abiy said Thursday his army had made major gains in western Tigray.
Thousands of Ethiopians have fled across the border into neighboring Sudan, and the UN is sounding the alarm about a humanitarian crisis in Tigray.
LONDON, United Kingdom (AP) - The number of children sickened by measles in 2019 was the highest in 23 years, according to new data published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Mielle Organics is partnering with streaming platform Netflix for their original live-action musical Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.
Harare West legislator Joana Mamombe (MDC Alliance)’s trial for breaching the national lockdown regulations will commence on November 24 . HARRIET CHIKANDIWA Mamombe faces charges of contravening section 4(1)(a) of the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order Statutory Instrument 83/2020 as read with section 3 of Statutory Instrument 110/20 for unnecessary movement during national lockdown. It is alleged that Mamombe violated COVID-19 lockdown regulations by leading a gathering of more than 10 people in May this year. Mamombe, together with fellow MDC Alliance activists Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, are currently appearing in court to answer to a charge of participating in an anti-government protest against hunger during the national lockdown period. The trio is also answering to a charge of publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the State as defined in section 31(a)(ii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the State as defined in section 31(a)(iii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as well as defeating or obstructing the course of justice as defined in section 184(1)(f) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. It is alleged that Mamombe, Marova and Chimbiri, who are victims of torture and abduction, stage-managed their abduction in May this year and lied to their lawyers, relatives and friends that they had been abducted by State security agents.
SAD news broke yesterday about a pregnant Chivhu woman who beheaded her four daughters and set the family house on fire before handing herself to the police following a dispute with her husband over infidelity. EDITORIAL COMMENT It was indeed a sad day for motherhood in the country. No one can ever, even in their wildest dreams, expect such an unthinkable thing to happen. Life is precious and some people spend millions in hospital bills to boost their fertility and chances to have a child, but the Chivhu woman chose to take life. Not hers, but that of four innocent blooming flowers which she compounded by trying to drink poison while she was pregnant, in effect attempting to take two more lives. Cases of both domestic and gender-based violence are increasing, especially during these times when the country is reeling under harsh economic conditions. The situation will likely get worse, hence it is time we invested in counselling. Research has established that violent behaviour is often a result of an individual’s interaction with various situational and individual factors, meaning community and other cultural influences come to play, if not influenced by alcohol or drugs. Studies have also shown that children are the most victims of domestic violence. The violence can cause physical and emotional harm not only to children, but all people close to the disturbing behaviour. Children can suffer emotional stress, depression and even sleeping disorders. In this case, it is not only sad that the children lost their lives, it is devastating and unimaginable for any community. It is difficult to imagine what was going on in the mind of the woman, what sort of demons was she dealing with which made her lose her mind. This goes a long way in explaining the importance of mental health, which we have ignored for generations. Who can imagine a mother slitting her child’s throat in front of the others? Imagine the trauma they went through while watching the gruesome deed. Couples do have misunderstandings and it is very important to seek counselling and monitor each other until the emotional wounds are healed. It is important for people to learn how to diffuse violent situations, which should start with situational awareness and understanding of each other’s state of mind. Government should invest in counselling. In the past, traditional leaders were the custodians of ensuring peace in families, but with the advent of courts, home-grown solutions to solving domestic disputes have been discarded and this has brought about tension. People should seek counselling instead of engaging in needless loss of life. Mental health is an important issue and counselling is one of its biggest remedies. Government should also invest in social workers to conduct counselling in communities. As a country, we cannot afford to ignore this anymore.
As Jamaicans from all age groups continue to struggle to cope with the restrictions on movements and public gatherings, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has recognised that there could be some fallout in terms of how individuals, especially...
The Larry Tutson, Jr. Foundation’s annual toy drive and give-away began to honor of a man who lost his life while helping a dear friend in 2002. He had been shot, and the case has not been solved. While dealing with the grief of losing their son, Mrs. Barbara Smith and her husband wanted to […]
The post South Dallas toy drive revs up for 17th year in honor of Larry Tutson, Jr. appeared first on North Dallas Gazette.
In the midst of flu season, Shelby County’s COVID-19 infections remain steady, according to the director of the Shelby County Health Department. “We are fairly stable with a slight increase in the last week. We are running about 220 to 230 cases per day,” said Dr. Lisa Haushalter, who said numbers of cases may fluctuate […]
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and Huron-Clinton Metroparks announced recently that a multi-year, pilot partnership that focuses on widening access to new programs and recreation for city and suburban families, to use the world-class parks, greenways, and public spaces managed by the two organizations, according to a press release. Through the partnership, Metroparks will create a … Continued
The post The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Huron-Clinton Metroparks Announce Partnership; Widening Access to New Programs and Recreation for City, Suburban Families appeared first on The Michigan Chronicle.
By Demetrius Dillard Special to the AFRO #AFROCoversCOVID Following cornerback Marlon Humphrey’s positive coronavirus test earlier this week, seven other Baltimore Ravens players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Nov. 3. The list includes outside linebackers Matthew Judon and Tyus Bowser, inside linebackers Patrick Queen, L.J. Fort and Malik Harrison, safety DeShon Elliott and […]
The post Baltimore Ravens COVID Update: Seven players quarantined, team enters intensive protocol appeared first on Afro.
TEACHERS have rejected the government’s 40% salary hike offer, describing it as a mockery, vowing not to return to work until their employer pays them meaningful salaries. BY HARRIET CHIKANDIWA/LORRAINE MUROMO Government on Tuesday proposed a 40% salary hike for all its workers and a 10% risk allowance to teachers as a way of enticing them to end the job boycott that started in September when schools reopened for examination classes, throwing schools into chaos. According to Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa during a post-Cabinet Press briefing, the 40% salary hike will be awarded to all grades below director level. The offer came after teachers rejected a 20% salary hike last week announced through the National Joint Negotiating Council. But teachers yesterday scoffed at the government offer that will leave them earning $18 237, which they said was grossly inadequate. “Incapacitated teachers have rejected the 40% salary increase offered by Cabinet on Tuesday, the increase is procedurally defective and grossly insufficient in quantum,” Progressive Teacher of Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said. “Salaries and conditions of service are subject to bargaining between the employer and workers and not a product of employer machinations. Government attempts to render unions useless must be rejected in toto.” He said the PTUZ was ready for meaningful dialogue with the government. Government has been resisting increasing salaries for reachers, with Labour minister Paul Mavima, saying such a move would trigger inflation. Schools opened on Monday for the final phase with pupils being turned away because teachers did not report for duty. The teachers are demanding US$520 per month. “We remain worried at government’s reluctance to pay its workers in forex at a time the economy has dollarised,” Zhou said, adding the 40% salary hike would not improve the standard of living for the struggling teachers. “The government is also silent on prioritisation of health and safety of teachers and pupils, more so given cases of COVID-19 in schools. In light of the foregoing, the best foot forward for incapacitated teachers remain the incapacitation modus operandi until we are capacitated.” Zhou urged parents to keep their kids in the safety of their homes. He reiterated that the educators would not be intimidated by the steps taken by government to record names of absent teachers in order to dock their incomes. “We urge school heads to resist submission of names of incapacitated teachers to any office. We urge all teachers to rise and be counted in our incapacitation struggle. The darkest hour is just before dawn,” he said. “We implore government to engage leaders of teacher unions in order to find a holistic solution to the current impasse in schools.” He added: “We reiterate that no amount of threats and brutality can force teachers back to their workplaces. Dialogue and capacitation are the only means available, and the sooner they are employed the better for the education system in Zimbabwe.” Zimbabwe Rural Teacher
By MICHELLE R. SMITH and SEAN MURPHY Associated Press School systems in Detroit, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and suburban Minneapolis are giving up on in-person classes, and some governors are reimposing restrictions on bars and restaurants or getting more serious about masks, as the coast-to-coast resurgence of the coronavirus sends deaths, hospitalizations and new infections soaring. The crisis deepened at hospitals, with the situation so bad in North Dakota that the governor this week said nurses who test positive but have no symptoms can still work. Idaho clinics struggled to handle the deluge of phone calls from patients. The virus is blamed […]
The post Virus surge: Schools abandon classes, states retreat appeared first on Black News Channel.
Following the first sold-out drop, Fenty has teamed up again with Amina Muaddi to launch its second release of shoes curated by the designer.
By CARA ANNA Associated Press NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The sound of heavy weapons erupted across the Ethiopian border town, and immediately Filimon, a police officer, started to run. Now, shaken and scared, he pauses when asked about his wife and two small children, ages 5 and 2. 'I don't know where my family is now,' he said, unsure if they were left behind in the fighting or are somewhere in the growing crowd of thousands of new refugees just over the border in Sudan. In an interview with The Associated Press by phone on Thursday, the 30-year-old gave one […]
The post First witness account emerges of Ethiopians fleeing conflict appeared first on Black News Channel.
After months of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, this week a new Miss USA was crowned. And while many were pleased that she is Black, some viewers were stunned to discover that she may also be a supporter of PresidentDonald Trump. Monday, Asya Branch was crowned Miss USA 2020 in a competition that aired live […]
Mozambique continue their quest to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations when they play Cameroon on Thursday.
For Cameroon, this would be a crucial game if Cameroon were not automatically through as tournament hosts.
Mozambique and Cameroon are the top two in Group F, the pair having four points from their two games. But both sides have issues to deal with.
The Indomitable Lions were only able to summon a reduced squad whilst the visitors have not played an international match of any description for over a year.
Mozambique head coach Luis Goncalves was in a positive frame of mind, ahead of his side's crucial fixture in Cameroon on Thursday. \"I'm feeling well because I'm working with my team, with my boys.\"
The top two sides in Group F of AFCON qualification with four points apiece, the pressure is off Cameroon as they go through automatically as hosts. Goncalves though, is still wary of the Indomitable Lions.
\"Cameroon have very good players. They play in the better leagues in Europe in some of the better clubs.\"
Mozambique will not want any slip-ups with a capable Cape Verde squad in third spot.
As hosts, Cameroon are already guaranteed their spot at the tournament, but are taking part in the group stage and their results do count towards qualification for the other sides.
So, of the three other teams involved in Group F, only one can join Cameroon in the final tournament.
As things stand, Mozambique are in good stead to be that team, leading Group F after two games.
A 2-0 win over Rwanda in their group opener last November was followed by a 2-2 draw with Cape Verde, who will be hoping for a Cameroon win this week.
Cameroon are currently second, two points ahead of Cape Verde and level with Mozambique having also drawn one and won one of their opening matches.
The city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo faces growing insecurity.
Day and night, the killings of civilians have multiplied under the helpless watch of Congolese authorities.
Today, Sharifa Kamana is a widow. Her husband was shot a few meters from home at night.
10 days later, no investigation has been opened yet.
\"We don't know the killers, they go after money changers like my husband. We are currently living in fear. The authorities need to take this situation seriously and know where these weapons come from? How can a civilian live with a weapon illegally without the State knowing about it,\"? Kamana asked.
To battle against the insecurity, a provincial deputy has initiated an operation to collect weapons.
These firearms, ammunition and military effects were handed over to the authorities for a sum up to US$100.
\"I had been keeping this weapon since the M23 took control of the city and I took the opportunity to get it back. I kept it at home waitin g for the right time to avenge my father who was murdered a few years ago here in Goma\", Didier Mwamba told our Congolese Correspondent, Gael Mpoyo.
Patrick Munyomo is the National Deputy and Initiator of the project.
\"What is certain is that now is the time for anyone who has a weapon illegally to hand it over because we are in the process of educating them. After this campaign is over, if a gun is found in someone's home, that person will be brought to justice,'' he said.
During his last visit to Goma, President Felix Tshisekedi promised to defeat the scourge of insecurity once and for all.
Since October, about ten murders have already been recorded in the region.
President Donald Trump is not planning to go softly into that great goodnight. He is reportedly preparing to announce a... View Article
The post Trump considering announcing 2024 bid after certification of Biden win appeared first on TheGrio.
OVER 350 families close to Gwayi-Shangani Dam are facing imminent displacement to pave way for the construction of the largest water body in Matabelaland North province. BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE The Gwayi-Shangani Dam pipeline was estimated to provide 147 mega litres a day and, therefore, ensure bulk water supply in the medium term to Bulawayo and Matabeleland North. Speaking during a tour of the project which was organised by Bulawayo Civic Society Organisation, the project’s assistant engineer Lucio Chayeruka said 350 families would be displaced. “I am aware of the 350 families that are going to be affected by the construction of the dam,” Chayeruka said. “We have done a survey and saw that 350 families need to be evacuated as they are going to be affected by the dam construction. “The matter is now with the Lands and Agriculture ministry, but as it stands, the matter is now urgent so urgent intervention is required.” Chayeruka said the Lands ministry would decide the fate of the families. “It is the sole responsibility of the ministry to decide when and where these families will be resettled. Once we start the construction process, the structures will have to be removed,” he said. Chayeruka decried lack of funding for the delay in the completion of the dam which is currently 39% complete after the contractor, China International Water and Electric Corporation, abandoned the project in January due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project is being constructed to link Cowdray Park and the City of Bulawayo. In 2016, the contractor suspended operations due to lack of funding. “This dam is a US$121 million project. I haven’t seen the bill of quantities, but I know that this is a US$121 million project. Of that US$121 million, so far we have used about 39% of the money,” Chayeruka said. “The issue here is actually of funding as you will see that we have all the materials in place. The only material that we might need to buy is cement and when all funding has been put in place, the dam will only take one year to be completed.” Matabeleland Collectives chairperson Jenny Williams said civil society organisations needed to know if those families were going to be compensated. “It is important for us the civil society to empower the community that is within the 60km radius of the dam and what it will mean for them when the dam is constructed. They need to be empowered to know what is coming their way,” Williams said. “The communities need to be empowered so that people cannot come and take advantage of those communities.” The project is going to help improve the water situation in Bulawayo which is currently facing serious water shortages. lFollow Praisemore on Twitter @TPraisemore
