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.
“We have received about 700 patients last month in our emergency department and about 10 percent of those were wounded by bullets. What we see is that people have great difficulty getting to the hospital when they are wounded. People often arrive late because the situation is simply too dangerous ..
The court enjoys global jurisdiction.
Investigators will now need the authorization of the court’s judges to open a probe. Bensouda appealed for support from Nigeria’s government.
She said the army has dismissed accusations against government troops after examining them.
Boko Haram strictly opposes formal education. In 2015, Nigeria enlisted the support of neighbors Chad, Cameroon and Niger to try and defeat the group.
While the joint operations made the group lose considerable territory, they have not been able to wipe it out.
The ICC has conducted investigations in several African countries. In Sudan, Libya and Ivory Coast, former leaders were indicted for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity after the investigations.
By Edwin Buggage Editor-in-Chief, New Orleans Data News Weekly The Race to Reform the District Attorney’s Office In these historic times, there are many things that are happening that are shifting the cultural landscape and conversations about justice, equity, and fairness. New Orleans, while a jewel of a city in many ways is ground zero for a Criminal Justice System that’s rife with archaic, inhuman practices, that make it the most incarcerated city in the nation, jailing people at twice the national average. The recent race for District Attorney brought these issues front and center, with both candidates pledging to […]
The post Jason Williams Wins District Attorney's Race appeared first on Black News Channel.
The mayor of Zimbabwe's capital Harare has been released on bail after a month behind bars over graft allegations, his lawyer said.
A 12-YEAR-OLD girl drowned while swimming in a pit on Tuesday in Pumula high-density suburb in Bulawayo. BY NIZBERT MOYO Acting Bulawayo chief fire officer Lynos Phiri confirmed the incident yesterday. “It is a 12-year-old girl from Pumula. Her body was retrieved by the fire brigade from a pit on December 8,” Phiri said. Most of the pits were left open after the local authority extracted sand for the rehabilitation of the city road network. Meanwhile, Phiri said they attended to 17 distressed calls from residents due to flooding that was caused by the rains that pounded the city from last week. “We have attended to 17 calls from Emakhandeni, Cowdray Park, Pumula East, Old, Nkulumane, Emganwini, Belmont and Eliona,” he said. Phiri said that the flooding in those areas was mostly caused by poorly constructed durawalls and urged residents to ensure there is smooth movement of water. Follow us on Twitter @NewsDayZimbabwe
BY REX MPHISA A BEITBRIDGE man, who allegedly beat his three-year-old step daughter to death because she was crying when he wanted to catch some sleep has been arrested. Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena yesterday confirmed that Mulaleli Sibanda had been nabbed. Sibanda sneaked out of hospital and went into hiding soon after staff at Beitbridge District Hospital pronounced the victim, Charmaine Moyo dead on arrival. “He is currently detained under guard at the Beitbridge District Hospital. He was arrested in Mberengwa and investigations are ongoing. He is expected in court soon,” Mangena said. On Wednesday last week, Sibanda was sleeping with his wife Phathisiwe Dube and the now-deceased Charmaine when she started crying. He woke up in rage, punched and kicked the toddler until she bled from the mouth, ears and nose. Sibanda then escorted the child and her mother to hospital, but later disappeared. He is also alleged to be a wanted man in Mberengwa for other crimes. In another matter, a gunman John Sithole of Chipinge who last week exchanged gun fire with the police in Dulivhadzimo has been given a pauper’s burial.
SEVERAL artistes across genres and arts promoters have accused government of neglect, plunging them into abject poverty through the strict COVID-19-induced lockdowns. BY SHARON SIBINDI The ban on live music concerts as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus has disrupted most livelihoods including artistes’ capacity to generate income. Musicians usually cash-in on live shows they stage every week from Wednesday to Sunday at several joints, but the COVID-19 lockdown has kept them off the stage. While some artistes have been doing virtual shows and connecting with their fans, others have not been able to stage performances as their projects were put on hold. Seasoned Afro-pop singer Jeys Marabini (pictured) yesterday joined artistes who voiced concern over what they described as the continuous ignoring of their plights. In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style, Marabini implored the government to consider the welfare of artistes under the circumstances. “We wish the government could allow artistes to perform at least once or twice a month so that they can survive,” he said. “Most artistes survive through performances so if the government looks at the situation and tells us how we can make a living through this era the better. Churches are allowed to operate and a certain number is required to attend, why can’t the same happen in the arts sector?” Marabini said it was their wish to be allowed to perform for the same number as that at churches, adding that they and the fans would strictly adhere to COVID-19 regulations. “At least 100 people, observing COVID-19 regulations must be allowed at a concert just like in churches,” he said. Marabini said he was lucky to had taken part in a few national events, but felt for a number of musicians who were not as fortunate as their situation remained dire. “I then get to think of other artistes and some up-and-coming ones who did not stage a single show this year. It is really difficult for everyone including the music industry,” he said. “We also need to know how to survive through this COVID-19 era and music must go on. There should be ways whereby artistes can make money and also a living using their talents. Not that artistes should work for free, producing albums and people are not being paid.” Marabini said music was a career just like other professions such as engineering or teaching hence it was their wish that the government would look into their plight. Follow Sharon on Twitter @SibindiSharon
In a resurgence of the federal death penalty at the end of President Donald Trump’s tenure, his administration has scheduled executions this week for two men convicted in separate Texas murders on military property. Brandon Bernard, 40, and Alfred Bourgeois, 56, are set to die in the federal death chamber in Indiana on Thursday and Friday evenings, respectively. They […]
BY THOMAS CHIDAMBA HUMAN rights defender Farai Maguwu has blasted the centralised government system in the country saying that it was becoming a breeding ground for corruption, which also hinders rural development. Maguwu, who is also the founding director of the Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) told NewsDay in an interview that government should decentralise power to local authorities to ensure that rural areas benefit from their natural resources. “Our system of governance does not promote development but is a breeding ground for corruption, nepotism, and many other isms. Devolution of power is critical, and our national budget ought to allocate resources per district,” Maguwu said. He also said MPs, councillors and rural district councils were not effective on issues of developing communities as their activities were highly politicised. “Local members of Parliament and councillors operate with no budget; they are ceremonial. RDCs are politicised such that they are disconnected from the people they purport to serve. They (political leaders) are starved of resources for local development. A lot of roads in rural Zimbabwe should long have been declared a state of national disaster,” he said. Maguwu said the centralisation of decisions in Harare continued to sideline resources-rich rural communities. He also urged the government to amend the Communal Land Act which he described as “colonial and diabolical” for rural people to enjoy ownership of their land. “The Communal Land Act gives rural dwellers permission to use land and occupy communal land without owning it. That is why more communities are threatened with evictions which undermine development,” he said. Maguwu said government should implement devolution which transfers some political power, administrative responsibilities, and resources to elected local governments. lFollow Thomas on Twitter @chidambathomas
BY MOSES MATENGA OPPOSITION MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa toured the demolished houses in Budiriro high-density suburb in Harare where he came face-to-face with desperate residents, who have been sleeping in the open for two days after their houses were razed down.PPOSITION MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday described the demolition of houses, which exposed residents to rains and diseases as “cruel and heartless” and criticised the government saying that it behaves in an unpleasant old fashioned manner. Government and the opposition party which runs the Harare City Council have been playing the blame game denying responsibility for the demolitions. Over 150 houses were demolished in Budiriro, leaving hundreds of people, including children in the open. Property worth thousands of dollars was also destroyed in the process. Chamisa accused government of masterminding the demolitions. Harare mayor Jacob Mafume, who toured the area with Chamisa, also denied council’s hand in the demolitions. “The council is under control of spooky and shadowy forces that are ruthlessly driving an agenda to punish the people. Council has no police, no teargas canisters and it is clear it is the State that gave the police the greenlight to fight the people. What we can see is the visible hand of the State interfering with the operations of the councils,” Chamisa said. “It is a pattern of corrupted governance software where you use force and violence even where it is not called for. Why were the houses allowed to be built in the first place? Why inflict pain when the weather conditions are unfavourable and the rains are upon us. Can’t you spare a thought for kids and parents? “The heartless and cruel demolition of citizens’ homes is a violation of the dignity and security of persons. This command politics based on iron-fisted governance style must be resisted by us all. Those responsible please stop it,” he said. Ironically, the demolitions took place at a time when the world commemorated International Human Rights Day. Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation executive director Samuel Wadzai said: “Today’s (yesterday) commemorations come on the backdrop of ongoing destruction of houses by local authorities ostensibly because they were constructed outside of city council regulations. These destructions are totally inhumane, particularly due to the fact that beneficiaries of these stands were led to believe that a regulatory process would be undertaken and that there would be no destructions.” Affected residents have vowed to stay put. In a statement earlier, MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, whose party also controls part of Harare City Council said: “Destroying people’s dwellings during the rainy season is just cruel, sadistic, inhumane and degrading. It is unconstitutional and unconscionable. The destroyers were aware of these dwellings all along, but decided to strike now – sad.” l Follow Moses on Twitter @mmatenga
L-R, Randy Russell FHSP's president and CEO, Dr. Katurah-Jenkins Hall, FHSP Board of Trustees chair, Arts Conservatory for Teens' Dr. Alex Harris and Clayton Sizemore, founder of Mindful Movement Florida BY J.A. JONES, Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG - With anxiety still looming over the transfer of power in Washington D.C., the need for communication and […]
ON December 9 2020, consumers and internet users nationwide struggled to access internet services as one of the biggest internet services provider ZOL Zimbabwe’s system was not working. The company issued a statement and this was one of the most widely felt disruptions of internet service platforms since the 2019 national internet shutdown. The disruptions had far-reaching implications on the provision of downstream services. In Zimbabwe, the ability to access critical services such as healthcare, education, banking and commerce can literally depend on the reliability of the internet at all times and the broader business online in the age of the global pandemic, COVID-19. Since the outbreak of the pandemic which limited face-to-face meetings, the majority of organisations are performing their business online. In 2016, the Information Communication Technology, and Cyber Security ministry issued the Postal and Telecommunications (Quality Services) Regulations. These quality service regulations apply to the quality of voice calls, SMS, internet and mobile data, customer services and postal services. It is not enough for both internet service providers (ISPs) and mobile network operators (MNOs), to blame system upgrades for prolonged interruptions of internet services. ISPs should uphold internet services standards to ensure that disruptions of internet services are minimised and consumer rights are protected while engaging on the platforms available. As Zimbabwe, as is the case with rest of the international community, grapples with containing the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, network resilience and responsiveness becomes a strategic national issue. Accordingly, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe second-quarter 2020 industry report noted: lThe COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the critical importance that telecommunications infrastructure plays in keeping businesses, governments, and societies connected and running. lAs a result, many telecom players providing broadband have benefitted from a surge in the traffic of data as shown in the report. l The exercise of the right to freedom of expression and to access information using the internet are central to the enjoyment of other rights and essential to bridging the digital divide. MISA Zimbabwe
The president of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, who is one of the world's longest-serving leaders, will seek a fourth term in elections due next March, the country's ruling coalition said on Thursday.
The 77-year-old has led the central African country, also called Congo-Brazzaville for a total of 36 years since he first became president in 1979.
His bid to run for the top job comes after nominations by the 17 parties that make up his presidential majority.
\"The presidential majority believes that of all its leaders, it is President Sassou Nguesso who holds all the trump cards,\" said Pierre Moussa, acting chairman of the parties in the coalition.
He has yet to announce his candidacy but he could do so during a speech to the Nation on December 19 when he could also set the date of the vote which is scheduled for March 2021.
Bloodshed
The country staged a referendum in 2015 to remove a 70 year age limit and a ban on presidents serving more than two terms.
The move paved the way for Sassou Nguesso to secure a third term in elections in March 2016, which sparked bloodshed.
His rivals, former general Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and former minister Andre Okombi Salissa, disputed the results.
They were arrested, put on trial and each handed 20 years in jail on charges of undermining state security.
Congo is an oil-rich but impoverished country.
It is in the grip of a deep economic crisis, triggered by the slump in oil prices but worsened by long-standing debt and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The tiny New England state has added about 123 new cases per 100,000 people each day over the last week.
FORMER Simba FC player Simba Nhivi has warned FC Platinum to bring their A-game if they are to progress past the Caf Champions League first round stage. BY HENRY MHARA The Norman Mapeza coached side easily advanced to the first round following their 4-1 aggregate win over Costa Do Sol of Mozambique. However, as expected, the competition is getting tougher with each stage reached and will have to navigate past the Tanzanian champions in their bid to make it to the competition’s group stages. Nhivi who played for Simba FC in 2017 reckons that the team is experienced in the Caf Champions League having perennially participated in the competition. “Simba is the biggest team in Tanzania if not Yanga (Young Africans) and they are a very competitive side with foreigners almost in every position who can score if given an opportunity,” Nhivi told NewsDay Sport. “You cannot underestimate the team at all. They have quality and can be a threat if not handled well. You need to be professional in your approach when playing such teams.” The last time FC Platinum played a team from Tanzania was in 2015 when they faced off with Young Africans in a Caf Confederation Cup first round tie with the latter winning 5-2 on aggregate. “Simba has a strong technical department as well and have been regulars in the Champions League now. FC Platinum are playing a good side but they (FC Platinum) also have quality on their side. They can beat any team if they believe in themselves and have more desire to win this game.” FC Platinum plays host to the first round first leg at the National Sports Stadium on December 22, before travelling to Da-es-Salam for the reverse fixture a fortnight later. “The return of Mapeza has energized the Platinum side and he is a very qualified and professional who is not new to these kinds of games. Champions league is a tough competition because it's played by respective league champions. Whoever wants it more on the day and who is better prepared mentally physically and tactically will win,” Nhivi added. Mapeza returned to Mandava at the end of November to replace Pieter de Jongh who was shown the exit door because he didn’t have the requisite coaching papers to coach in the Caf Champions League. The former Warriors coach enjoyed a happy return to the club that he guided to two league titles after leading the side to a 2-1 away win over Costa Do Sol. FC Platinum won the return match 2-0, played at the National Sports Stadium, to progress to the first round. The club has set reaching the group stages of the competition as this season’s main target. Follow Henry on Twitter @henrymhara
Dr. Anthony Fauci is attempting to assuage the discomfort of Black people who are averse to taking the COVID-19 vaccine by noting a Black woman scientist
Teenagers are facing a particular set of serious issues in the midst of the pandemic, and many may not know where to find a helpful advisor as they wrestle with family illnesses, inability to find jobs in the midst of the shutdown, difficulties in applying for college or uncertainty on how to continue a university […]
The post College Student Advises Local High Schoolers on How to Survive Pandemic first appeared on Post News Group.
I'm confident I finally figured it out. After extensive research, interviews, historical analysis, and a comprehensive look in a borrowed crystal ball, I'm 91.2% sure I have found the underlying reason for our juvenile delinquency paradigm. I have dubbed my discovery 'ghettoinitis.' Once I formally make my presentation before the medical and scientific communities, I […]
The post Ghettoinitis appeared first on Milwaukee Community Journal.
[Council on Foreign Relations] Beach Gray, PhD, is a Senior Open Source Analyst at Novetta, specializing in Russian disinformation and media influence. Neil Edwards is an Open Source African Media Analyst at Novetta.
The \"Black Panther\" star faced backlash after posting a controversial clip from a self-described \"prophet.\"
BY FREEMAN MAKOPA VETERAN musician and promoter Clive Malunga yesterday challenged the government to run institutions based on non-partisanship after his Jenaguru Arts Centre built 25 years ago in the capital was on Thursday demolished by Harare City Council. In an interview, Malunga said the government has to put mechanisms that protect the arts industry. “We are not in Gaza or Palestine where Israelites destroy people’s things and we are not at war with each other. So, the government should make sure these institutions are not run based on partisanship where people look at where you come from or who you support. There is unfairness in all this,” he said. “Zimbabwe unlike other countries has vast land and if they wanted to give someone that land they should have just given them another piece rather than destroying our centre. The government should put in place mechanisms that protect the arts industry and if we had that in place we would not have these mishaps.” But acting council spokesperson Innocent Ruwende claimed Malunga had encroached onto private land. “The only issue here is that he (Malunga) encroached on land which is meant for other things that is why the buildings were demolished. It doesn’t matter if he has letters, but if he doesn’t have the offer letter it means the land is not his,” he said. Malunga, however, vowed to stay put at the centre, although it will no longer accommodate students. “We still have the arts centre, but it is now small to cater for all the students, like we have traditional dance groups that we have been teaching from various parts of the country and now we are unable to help them achieve their goals because we now have a small place,” he said. “People in power should make sure institutions are fair because the blame will always go to the ruling party Zanu PF and MDC (but) the forums should not be used at national entities. Anyone who wants to do this should go and do it at their parties. People should not label others or me as a sell-out because I am not a sell-out.” Malunga said the centre was demolished without giving him an opportunity for negotiations. “I have a letter which I wrote to the city council pleading with them to develop it so that I start my Jenaguru project. It’s now 25 years since its inception in 1995,” he said. “I have written them letters and applied to buy the land, but they just placed me on a waiting list, in which I was ready to follow all normal procedures to acquire the place, but they told me at first that the place was meant for a technical college and to my surprise they are saying someone has bought it.” Malunga said he had explored several avenues that include travelling abroad to source funds in order to develop the centre, adding that he had high hopes that the place will go a long way in uplifting untapped talent. “The place has been playing a crucial role in ensuring that people realise their talents, while at the same time we were sending people to other countries to pursue their dreams,” he said. “Notwithstanding all that they just sent me
BY SHELTON MASINA A MAN from Dekezi area in Filabusi under Chief Sibasa went berserk beheading one of his three wives after he found her having sex with a local herdman. Zama Mafu, allegedly beheaded his wife with an axe on Wednesday after finding her having sexual intercourse with one of the local herdman from the area. According to a close family member who narrated the tragic event on condition of anonymity, Mafu was greatly distressed after finding one of his wives intimate with a herdman. “This did not go well with Mafu because he failed to control his temper and murdered his wife with an axe,” a family source said. “Mafu was practicing polygamy and he built one of his homesteads in Dekezi a place commonly known as Nyoni. I really do not know what prompted him to do such a horrific act in our area. He was always sober-minded and rational,” one of his friends who identified himself as Xolani said. It is alleged that after Mafu beheaded his wife with an axe, he committed suicide by drinking cattle dip. He died upon admission at Filabusi Hospital. “After beheading his wife, he committed suicide by drinking cattle dip and died upon admission at Filabusi Hospital,” a close family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. Efforts to get a comment from Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele were fruitless as he was not picking calls.
Milwaukee, WI – On Monday, January 18, 2021, from 11 AM — 3 PM, several Milwaukee groups will offer a Food Giveaway, COVID-testing and much more in honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. The volunteer led community event is sponsored by the Lovell Johnson Quality of Life Center, Jump at the […]
The post MLK Day of Service Event to Honor Dr. King (Free COVID Testing, Food, etc.) appeared first on Milwaukee Community Journal.
ZANU PF should be blamed for the Budiriro house demolitions. The land barons who sold those stands to home-seekers are known ruling party activists. It is impossible for anyone to claim ownership of land unless they are connected to people in high offices. There are many legalities involved. The COVID-19 movement restriction law imposed in March, 2020 is a legality. The January court judgment which deemed the Budiriro houses illegal is not the only legality, otherwise how were these people supposed to vacate their settlements under lockdown? Right now, hundreds of houses have been demolished, but travel/movement restrictions are still in place. Zupco is still the only public transport available. And the rainy season. The move is grossly inhumane. The city council itself cannot claim higher moral ground on the issue of these urban illegal settlements. The council has the habit of leaving land barons developing illegal land, then impose the corrective measure of Operation Murambatsvina on residents years later. When did the city council discover these settlements? They were developed right under their nose. Even the notorious land barons are a product of council graft. These moves always stink of political agendas. But we have a national health emergency! Let us not be funny. Mambara
Vaccine distrust and COVID-19 could spell double tragedy for minority groups.
The congresswoman is calling for more support, especially for women of color, who've been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19-related economic crisis.
Legislators in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday voted to remove the National Assembly speaker, as the political rift between President Felix Tshisekedi and supporters of his predecessor Joseph Kabila deepens.
After parliament became a scene of brawls between MPS this week, they voted in favour of a petition to force out the National Assembly's pro-Kabila speaker, Jeanine Mabunda.
The petition was launched by Tshisekedi loyalists after the president announced on Sunday that he would seek to forge another coalition within the FCC, which controls 300 of 500 seats in parliament, or would otherwise dissolve the assembly.
The coalition, formed in 2018 after Tshisekedi's election, has prevented the president from passing much-needed reforms.
A total of 484 MPs out of 500 were present at a tense session late Thursday debating whether to oust the assembly's speaker Mabunda, with 281 voting in favour and 200 against.
'Dictatorial regime'
The speaker asked the assembly to reject the petition against her due to \"purely technical and non-political\" reasons.
But the FCC accuses Tshisekedi of breaching the constitution.
The party says Tshisekedi is plotting to establish a \"dictatorial regime, in the service of personal power\".
Kabila, who is still only 49 after ruling for 18 years, retains huge clout through political allies and appointees in the military.
On Thursday Tshisekedi met with around 50 high-ranking army officials, who \"reaffirmed their determination to only carry out his orders\", the presidency said on Twitter.
Tshisekedi also met with military leaders last week, the head of the elite Republican Guard ordering his troops \"not to plot\" against the president.
On Monday, pro-Tshisekedi MPs trashed furniture on the National Assembly's podium, and on Tuesday, legislators on both sides brawled in the building's lobby, prompting the police to intervene.
Tshisekedi has been verbally supported by other countries, including the United States, France and Belgium.
