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Central Africans in Bangui express hopes and concerns about the draft of a new Constitution. Undecided voters still have a few days left before casting their ballot on July 30. The campaign is set to end on July 28.
South Africa is one of the hardest-hit countries in Africa with over 740,000 infections.
The country recorded 60 more virus-related deaths on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 20,011.
… bloody, and 14 African Americans received the Medal of … could change this: the African American Burial Grounds Network Act … reflecting the fact that African-Americans were fighting for world … the Spirit of Freedom: African American Civil War Memorial sculpture …
It all started in a church choir in Birmingham, Alabama for Rekeshia Bennett There, she honed her skills and fulfilled her spirit, becoming proficient at her craft at an early age. Church choirs have produced [...]
Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris rode huge margins among Black voters in decisive swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin last week to become the declared winners in an historic and volatile presidential election.
The post Biden, Harris declared White House victors appeared first on The Bay State Banner.
Say goodbye to that brillo pad on your face.
ZIMBABWE has been a very difficult opponent for Algeria in recent years and the Warriors stars believe that they are ready to cause another upset when they go head-to-head in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at the 5 Juillet 1962 Stadium in the capital Algiers tonight. BY HENRY MHARA IN ALGIERS, ALGERIA The match is the first of the back-to-back matches for the two teams, which will also meet at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Monday afternoon. Kick-off for tonight’s match is 9pm Zimbabwean time. Zimbabwe have won one and drawn three of their last four meetings with Algeria since 2004 in the Afcon finals and World Cup qualifying matches. Warriors stars Knowledge Musona, Ovidy Karuru and man-of-the-moment Tino Kadewere believe they have enough arsenal to come from tonight’s match with another positive result. “Mentally, we are ready for the game,” said Kadewere, who made headlines at the weekend in France when he scored a brace for his Ligue 1 side Lyon. “We feel ready because we have been playing games for our team and we are just looking forward to this game tomorrow. The lanky striker, who is looking to spearhead the attack, was part of the Europe-based stars who only arrived in Harare from their bases on Monday evening before connecting to Algiers midnight on the same day. Despite spending almost 24 hours in the air before finally reaching Algiers yesterday morning, Kadewere remains optimistic. “We cannot use that (travelling) as an excuse, we have to be used to all these conditions because that is what we normally do. We are happy to be here, representing our country and we are hoping to do the very best that we can. Those are the negative parts of our preparations, but we don’t want to look at that because if we start looking on things like that, we lose focus.” The last time that Zimbabwe and Algeria met was at the 2017 Afcon finals when the Warriors came within eight minutes to clinch an unlikely victory before the Desert Foxes talisman Riyad Mahrez scored a screamer to snatch a 2-2 draw. “We had a very good outing the last time we played them and we can bring that as a motivation. Algeria have been playing well recently, but anything can happen. We are hoping that we can get a better result than the last one we got against them. But it doesn’t come easy, we have to work hard for it and show what we can do on the pitch,” Kadewere said. “I came here to help my country and I’m really proud to represent Zimbabwe. I will make sure I do my best and put to use the things that I have learnt since I signed for Lyon and try to help my teammates. I hope to take the form that I have been enjoying with my club to the national team,” Kadewere added. The other time that the two teams met in an Afcon finals was in 2004 when Joel Lupahla and Adam Ndlovu’s goals secured a 2-1 victory for Zimbabwe. Earlier that year, the teams had met in a World Cup qualifier in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. In 2015, the two teams met in a World Cup qualifier which ended in a 2-2 draw, with Shingi Kawondera and Pete
Marketing professional. Business owner. Executive Producer. Three unique roles. One fascinating woman. Shannon Couch is the type of high-energy achiever who juggles those roles almost seamlessly. As you may have guessed from the name, The Creative Couch, Shannon is the wife of Jerod Couch, the film maker responsible for the award-winning indie series #WASHED, for which she is an Executive […]
DEAR President Emmerson Mnangagwa, BY JASMINE OPPERMAN I write this article addressing you as the immediate past chairperson of the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. Your Excellency, I also am addressing you as a neighbour to a country which has been troubled by terrorism, wherein your country Zimbabwe has interests. This year, as the insurgency in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province has intensified, calls for regional intervention have grown louder. This is more than just talk: the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) is actively exploring ways to intervene, including some kind of military response. A virtual meeting of relevant Sadc committees on June 25-26 resulted in some progress. This included, according to sources, commitment from some countries for boots on the ground, but an overall strategy has not been locked down. Your Excellency, the process of doing so is frustrated by the reluctance of some countries to get involved; practical realities, such as who will fund an intervention; and Mozambique’s determination to remain “in charge” of the situation. There is no doubt that some kind of intervention is necessary, to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control. But caution is required. Walking in blindly — without understanding the complexities at play, and without addressing some of the socio-economic factors that underpin and exacerbate the violence — could make the situation even worse. A complex insurgency Your Excellency, the insurgency in Cabo Delgado, a coastal province in northern Mozambique, began in 2017 with an attack on a police station in the town of Mocimboa da Praia. Since then, the insurgency has gone from strength to strength, even though little is known about its motivations or intent. The insurgents go by the name Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama, and have reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. This year, both the frequency and intensity of attacks have increased, and the insurgents have gained access to more sophisticated weaponry. They are yet to attempt to set up any kind of parallel governance structure, but are showing sufficient sophistication to take on Mozambique’s security forces directly. They have also demonstrated the ability to briefly occupy towns such as Mocimboa da Praia and Macomia. Your Excellency, the response from Mozambique’s security forces has been characterised by coercive tactics and human rights abuses, which risks entrenching local grievances against the State. This is a challenge for any potential regional intervention: a close alignment with the Mozambican State could make it difficult to earn trust among affected communities, which is essential for any kind of peacekeeping effort. A recent MediaFax report noted that the Mozambican government’s hardline response had left young men in Cabo Delgado feeling sympathetic to the insurgents; they are more likely to support the insurgency in response to human rights violations by the State than out of any ideological conviction. Your Excellency, Sadc and member countries risk implicating th
By Everson Mushava GOVERNMENT yesterday reviewed salaries for civil servants by 40% effective November 1, which will see teachers earn about $18 237. The amount will be inclusive of a 10% risk allowance aimed at getting the educators back at work. “Noting its obligations to pay a decent wage, government has reviewed upwards the salary increase offer to civil servants to 40% which will be awarded to deputy director grade and below,” Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa told a post-Cabinet Press briefing yesterday. “In addition to the salary increase, the teachers will also be awarded a 10% risk allowance. The new basic salary package for the teacher is now $18 237, which is above the poverty datum line. “This means that the compounded review percentage of the teacher grade salary is 1 284% since the beginning of the year. The lowest paid civil servant will receive a salary of $14 528. This is effective from November 1, 2020.” Teachers last week turned down a 20% salary hike, demanding US$520 which government insisted was unable to pay. They have been on strike since September 28 when schools reopened for examination classes. Schools opened on Monday for the last phase, but students were sent back home after teachers failed to turn up. Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu yesterday said it was too early for teachers to comment on the new offer. “We will need to consult our membership and respond. We need to analyse the indicators from those figures. Any offer should be accompanied with the promise on when we will get to the promised land, that is the US$520 salaries,” he said.
THE trial of two Beitbridge policemen who allegedly assaulted citizens under the guise of monitoring compliance to the COVID-19 lockdown regulations failed to kick off because their lawyer was absent. BY REX MPHISA Carrotnos Wafawanaka and Hardlife Shoko are accused of assaulting Tafadzwa Mukutiri who sustained serious head injuries on April 17 this year. Resident magistrate Toyindepi Zhou acknowledged receipt of Wafawanaka and Shoko’s Bulawayo lawyer Tatenda Razemba’s letter to the court indicating that he had a commitment at the High Court. “The State has indicated it is ready for trial, but we will note that it is your constitutional right to access legal representation of your choice. I have a letter from your lawyer stating he is committed at the High Court,” Zhou said. Prosecutor Tsitsi Mutukwa suggested that since it was the defence that was not ready, it should propose a date suitable for trial and next Tuesday was agreed upon. Allegations against the two are that they assaulted Mukutiri while he was in handcuffs, accusing him of breaking COVID-19 regulations. Mukutiri, who was in the company of Cyprian Badze and Ronald Kapfunde, was allegedly bashed on the head and sustained deep cuts for which he sought medical attention. The two cops, however, allegedly destroyed his medical affidavit to conceal the crime and ordered Mukutiri to pay a fine. Zhou has already nullified the fine and ordered the police to refund him. Wafawanaka, Shoko and other policemen at Beitbridge Urban face another charge of beating up civilians during arrest while their colleague, Constable Utete from the Canine Unit, faces a charge of setting his dog on non-violent citizens. Up to 20 people were bitten by dogs and treated at Beitbridge District Hospital during the lockdown period. Follow us on Twitter @NewsDayZimbabwe
BY TATIRA ZWINOIRA FINANCIAL services giant, CBZ Holdings (CBZH) on Tuesday said inflation-adjusted post-tax profits slipped to $2,44 billion during the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 after the economy suffered from the effects of COVID-19-induced lockdowns. Zimbabwe’s biggest banking group posted $4,32 billion in post-tax profits during the comparable period in 2019. “The COVID-19 was declared a world pandemic by the World Health Organisation on March 11, 2020 as most countries reported surging numbers of cases. In response, the government adopted restrictive measures to contain the spread of the virus. While necessary, the restrictive measures also led to a disruption of economic activities creating both threats and opportunities to the group’s business model,” CBZH said in a commentary accompanying the period’s financial statements. Revenues declined to $10,4 billion from $11,5 billion previously in response to the total closure of economic activities as government tried to curb the spread of the pandemic. However, the group reported gains in total assets, which nearly doubled to $90,39 billion from $47,23 billion. In line with inflationary increases, lending increased by 262,17% to $22,74 billion compared to $6,27 billion previously. Total deposits more than doubled during the period under review to $64,38 billion from $27,83 billion in 2019. The group said COVID-19 might turn into an endemic disease in the coming year, which might dictate the pace and growth of the economy. “Going into the last quarter of the year, and into 2021, a number of scenarios are shaping up for the global and domestic economies,” the group said. “On the global level, COVID-19 is likely to gradually gravitate towards endemic status, with localised restrictions. Policymakers are expected to maintain expansionary monetary policies in order to continue supporting their economies. In Zimbabwe, the direction of most economic fundamentals largely depends on the government’s pace and approach towards reopening of the economy, in particular how the authorities will seek to boost economic activity in the key growth sectors such as the agriculture, mining, manufacturing and public sector,” CBZH noted. The banking group said policy conduct remained generally difficult and constrained as the continued lack of balance of payments and budgetary support confined authorities to limited domestic resources.
With these words, the president-elect, Joe Biden, set a new tone and a new mood in Washington. No longer will the bully pulpit of the White House be used to spew lies and insults or to fan division and hatred. The White House will once again call on the “better angels” of Americans and not our “darkest impulses.”
The post A White House That Once Again Calls on Our Better Angels appeared first on Los Angeles Sentinel.
In a fight to revive a rare cultural heritage and heal a nation scarred by conflict a Central African Republic band and dancers are trying to revamp the country's traditional music and dance style - known as \"Motenguene\".
Its name translates into \"the dance of the caterpillars,\" and was handed down by the Pygmies, who gathered for food in ancestral forests in the southwest.
In the capital Bangui, the band Zokela gets the audience on its feet with its jangle of guitars.
It is one of four such traditions in the CAR, along with the \"bird dance\" from the north, the \"fish dance\" of the southeast and the \"savannah dance\" of central regions.
Zokela have been trying to revamp Motenguene's image for nearly 30 years.
In their shows, traditional bead necklaces and antelope skins are usually swapped for city-slicker clothes, while the kora -- a delicate, long-necked harp lute favoured in much of West Africa -- has given way to the electric guitar.
Social fabric
\"We are using this dance to distinguish ourselves a bit from our brothers in Congo, Ivory Coast and Cameroon,\" Saint-Pierre Dibaba Alagomme, the founder of Zokela, tells AFP.
Keeping the sound alive is also vital to the country's social fabric,
The CAR has been ravaged by decades of violence, corruption and nepotism.
In 2013, a coalition of armed groups from the Muslim minority ousted president Francois Bozize, plunging the country into a maelstrom of communal bloodshed.
But the musicians have another battle to fight.
For all the lively rhythms, it's difficult for the music to survive as concerts are poorly paid.
The CAR has no professional record industry and musicians must make do with the meagre fees from playing clubs and private functions such as weddings.
These events bring an average income equivalent to 75 euros (about $90) to be shared by 12 to 15 people.
Royalties
Recordings made in local studios are also considered too amateur for export. To make matters worse, professional musicians are also owed copyright fees dating back over 30 years.
\"It is our duty to promote this sector of activity, but there is one thing that must also be recognised, and that is that artists and cultural actors as a whole, are not receiving their royalties,\" says cultural promoter Yvon Eka.
\"Culture is the identity of a country. The crisis that the Central African Republic is going through today is cultural.\"
This year, The government drew up a national cultural policy to help.
\"We started with the realisation that the public consumes a lot more products from abroad, because there is no promotion of Central African culture as such,\" says Philippe Bokoula, director general of the ministry of arts and culture.
In July, a law was passed to make the Bucada operational.
\"The major part of the finance will come from the state, while we spread awareness among the radio stations and consumers and draw up charts with a scale of tariffs,\" Bokoula says.
Yet, the initiative -- awaited for decades -- remains in limbo, pending the publication of a
President Cyril Ramaphosa says signs of a resurgence in Covid-19 cases in the Eastern Cape should serve as a warning to citizens to remain vigilant.
Ramaphosa said all South Africans should demonstrate their remembrance, of all those who have departed, through five days of mourning.
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Multiple people were wounded Wednesday when an explosive device hit an international ceremony commemorating the end of World War I.
The event was being held at a cemetery in the Saudi city of Jeddah, according to French government officials.
Several countries had representatives at the ceremony, held at a cemetery for dead non-Muslims, the officials from the French Foreign Ministry said.
The identities of the victims were unclear.
Saudi state television broadcast from outside the cemetery and acknowledged that an attack involving an explosive device took place.
However it stressed that things were under control and the security situation was now \"stable.\"
The report said an official statement about the cause and casualty details was upcoming.
The stabbing was carried out by a Saudi man, who was arrested. His motives remain unclear.
France has suffered two deadly attacks by foreign-born Muslims in the past month alone.
A teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded outside Paris for showing caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad to his class for a debate on free expression. Three people were later killed in a church in the southern city of Nice.
The depictions of the prophet sparked protests, leading to calls for boycotts of French products among some Muslims in the Middle East and South Asia.
France has urged its citizens in Saudi Arabia and other Muslim-majority countries to be \"on maximum alert\" amid the heightened tensions.
Wednesday marks the 102nd anniversary of the armistice ending World War I and is commemorated in several European countries.
The French officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, condemned the attack.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the explosion and Saudi officials have not commented on the attack.
MORE THAN seven months into the pandemic, Covid-19 is putting education on hold for more than137 million children - 97...
The post COVID-19: Over 97 per cent of students still out of the classrooms in Latin America and the Caribbean appeared first on Voice Online.
Twilight Centers open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through December 30 Milwaukee Recreation Twilight Centers, safe places for middle and high school students to spend time with friends, are observing updated hours. These hours will be in effect until December 30. The following high school locations (ages 12 – 18) will be open weekday evenings (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) […]
The post Milwaukee Recreation Provides Free Evening Programming for Teens appeared first on Milwaukee Community Journal.
