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THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has reportedly refused to restore water supplies to Binga Rural District Council until the local authority has paid at least $300 000 of its $1,5 million debt. BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE Zinwa cut off water supplies to Binga in September, forcing residents and business operators to turn to boreholes and other unsafe water sources. Binga Residents Association vice-chairperson Samson Sibanda said Zinwa recently met council officials and indicated that it would restore water supplies after the local authority has paid at least $300 000 towards settling the bill. “We met and agreed on the way forward for water to be reopened. Council is the one that owes Zinwa money and not the residents. For water to be reopened Zinwa said they require at least $300 000 from the council,” Sibanda said. “Residents of Masoja area who are affected by the water cut started to protest and demonstrate saying they had been paying council and the issue has to be resolved immediately.” Binga district development co-ordinator Farai Marinyame confirmed that stakeholders met on Wednesday to try to resolve the crisis. “I was not on the ground, but there was a meeting between Zinwa, residents and the council to solve the ongoing water crisis. For now there is still no water as council is still negotiating with Zinwa so that they take that project,” Marinyame said. “The main problem is that residents are not paying up.” Binga RDC chief executive officer Joshua Muzamba said he was still out of Binga. “I am still out of Binga, just look for those on the ground who can give you information,” he said. Zinwa spokesperson Marjorie Munyonga, who previously pleaded with residents to pay up, yesterday said she was out of office and was yet to be briefed on the latest developments.
Many people have been killed since clashes began on Monday. Scores too had been killed in the run up to the vote as protestors marched against Conde's bid for a third term.
By ELLEN KNICKMEYER and KATHLEEN RONAYNE Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Joe Biden is confronting the harsh political realities of combating climate change. The Democratic presidential nominee has spent months touting a $2 trillion plan to boost investment in clean energy and stop all climate-damaging emissions from the U.S. economy by 2050. The plan implied that he would wean the U.S. off oil and gas, but Biden wasn't so explicit about the industry's fate — until Thursday night. During the final moments of the presidential debate, Biden said he would 'transition away from the oil industry.' President Donald Trump, […]
The post Biden's warning on oil tests voter resolve on climate change appeared first on Black News Channel.
UN chief António Guterres is encouraging Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan to persevere with efforts to overcome their differences and reach agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Negotiations centre on the pace at which Ethiopia fills the 74 billion cubic metre reservoir behind the dam and the impact that could have on water supplies downstream in Sudan and Egypt.
UN experts say that Egypt wants to put international pressure on Ethiopia to agree to a proposal - put forward by the United States and World Bank - on the dam's first filling and annual operation.
Egypt also insists that Ethiopia must not start filling the reservoir until an agreement is reached, in line with its interpretation of the Declaration that Ethiopia is contesting.
According to news reports, Egypt also dismissed the Ethiopian proposal on the initial filling, writing a letter to the Security Council on 1 May calling on Ethiopia to respect its obligations and resume talks.
By Olayiwola Balogun -The #EndSARS protest of the past weeks in Nigeria is threatening the unity of Africa’s most populous nation, as agitation by many of the ethnic nationalities seeking self rule is taking a global dimension. Nigerians in the Diaspora are out protesting across major cities of the United Kingdom, Europe and America demanding […]
The post Nigerians in Diaspora react to President Buhari’s speech on #EndSARS protest appeared first on African Voice Newspaper.
By CALVIN WOODWARD and HOPE YEN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A more measured President Donald Trump does not necessarily mean a more truthful one. In the final debate of the presidential campaign, he was loose with facts on the crisis of the time — the pandemic — and much else. Trump did, though, exploit confusion sowed by Joe Biden during the primaries, when the Democrat occasionally made his position on energy sound more to the left than it actually is. Trump accurately called out Biden when Biden denied he had ever vowed to ban fracking. That was never Biden's […]
The post AP FACT CHECK: Trump and Biden in their last clash on stage appeared first on Black News Channel.
… vote was so close.
But African-Americans may be more motivated this … racism and police violence against African-Americans.
At the crossroads where Floyd … of police officer Derek Chauvin, African-American Pastor Rozenia Fuller explains what …
BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA A 23-YEAR-OLD Goromonzi man is battling for life at Marondera Provincial Hospital after his wife allegedly poured hot cooking oil on his manhood following a domestic dispute. Moreblessing Muteswa (23), of Tafirenyika village under Chief Chikwaka, is expected to appear in court soon over the attempted murder of her husband, Tinotenda Mutsetse.Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident. According to police, on September 13 at around 4pm, Muteswa gave her husband US$5 to buy meat before he proceeded to Majuru Business Centre, where he bought beer.The complainant returned in the evening visibly drunk without the relish, resulting in a fistfight. The following morning, a fight broke again between the two, resulting in the suspect pouring hot cooking oil on her husband’s manhood.Mutsetse sustained serious burns and was rushed to Marondera Hospital, while his wife was arrested and charged with attempted murder.
At the outset of the pandemic, more African Americans in Mississippi were being infected and killed by coronavirus than white... View Article
The post Mississippi health official links rise in white virus cases over Black cases to mask views appeared first on TheGrio.
Image: Dado Ruvic, Reuters
Facebook is acquiring Giphy, a popular website for making and sharing animated images, or GIFs, and will integrate it with its rapidly growing Instagram photo-sharing app, Facebook said in a blog post.
In 2015, Giphy rebuffed a Facebook offer, choosing instead to continue integrating its products with multiple social media platforms, according to news site TechCrunch.
Giphy will become part of Instagram, the photo-sharing site owned by Facebook.
“People will still be able to upload GIFs; developers and API partners will continue to have the same access to Giphy’s APIs; and Giphy’s creative community will still be able to create great content,” said Vishal Shah, Instagram’s vice president of product, in the blog post.
Facebook’s blog post said 50% of Giphy’s traffic already comes from Facebook’s apps, with half of that coming from Instagram.
… become more “anti-racist” than African-Americans, but you’re doing the …
Friday (Oct.23), Sony confirmed its new strategic creative partnership with the Houston rapper and his popular Cactus Jack brand.
The commitment by Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to help increase opportunities and recognize the plight of African Americans as outlined in an exclusive editorial with Black Press USA resonated quite loudly with African American publishers and national board members from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).
By Dorothy J. GentryContributing Writer More than 500 people joined the nation in protesting police brutality, the murder of unarmed black man George Floyd and racial oppression during its recent Black Lives Matter protest in Cedar Hill. Residents of this southern Dallas County city – which is 54 percent black – marched from the Cedar Hill Walmart near Uptown to the Cedar Hill Government Center, which houses the police department. They held signs – black, white, other races, young, old and more – and engaged in chants including “Black Lives Matter!” Once assembled in front of the Government Center, residents heard from various speakers including Mayor Stephen Mason, Police Chief Ely Reyes, and 18-year-old Janell Baker, a Cedar Hill resident who is the 2020 Salutatorian of the School of Science and Engineering at Townview. “I’ve never been one to delight in the workings of the American political system but I’ve always been one to stand up for what I believe in; and what I believe is that right now in this country we need drastic change” said Baker who will be attending Stanford University in the fall. “The truth is that for over 400 years, black people in America have been enslaved, oppressed and treated as if we are less than human, she said. “And the main problem we are facing currently is that the criminals who are committing these acts of hate are not being held accountable and for the most part are getting away with no punishment at all.” This “complete lack of accountability” Baker told the crowd assembled, “is the complete lack of accountability that screams to people in this country that black lives do not matter which is why everyone has the responsibility to scream the opposite. “Our lives do matter. Our lives have value and we deserve to be loved and celebrated.” Residents and police were urged to continue the dialogue and building good relationships. The Tri-City Chapter of the NAACP – serving Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville and the surrounding communities – was also present and encouraged residents to join the organization and help continue fighting for racial progress. A protester holding an 8 minutes, 46 seconds poster A protestor holding a Black Culture... poster Cedar Hill Mayor Stephen Mason addressing protesters at BLM Rally Protestors Raise Fists at BLM Rally Protestors at the Cedar Hill BLM Rally A protestor holding an I Can't Breathe poster A protestor holding a My Breath Matters poster A protestor kneeling at the Cedar Hill BLM Rally A protestor holding a Stop Killing Blacks... poster Janell Baker, Salutatorian Class of 2020, School of Science and Engineering, Townview, speaks to protesters at Cedar Hill BLM Rally Cedar Hill Police Chief Ely Reyes speaks to the BLM Rally protesters assembled in front of Cedar Hill Government Center
FORMER Highlanders coach Reuben Tsengwa has died. BY SPORTS REPORTER Tsengwa died on Thursday of a yet to be confirmed ailment. Highlanders chairman Kenneth Mhlophe confirmed Tsengwa’s death in a statement yesterday. “We have learnt with sadness the passing on of a Bosso son Reuben Tsengwa who died yesterday at the age of 60. Tsengwa, a Bosso junior product himself, also served the club as juniors coach before deputising Methembe Ndlovu in the first team in 2006. He also had a short stint as the first team head coach before he left the club in 2009,” Mhlophe said. Burial arrangements are yet to be announced and mourners are gathered at Number Q44 Mzilikazi, Bulawayo.
Diamond's Back: LisaRaye Announces She's Joined OnlyFans
By Atlanta Daily World Staff Report via NNPA ATLANTA – In one of the most unique get-out-the-vote efforts this year, 18 Georgia NAACP branches over 19 counties have launched an ambitious plan to get more than 40,000 African American voters to the polls across the state on the last Saturday of early voting. It’s called […]
The post 18 Georgia NAACP Branches to ‘Party at the Polls’ in Pivotal State appeared first on Afro.
In light of the proliferation of North-South Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), that is, agreements between the developed countries and the less developed, it is important that trade policy negotiators look at data provisions in these agreements with a tooth-comb.
Perhaps EAC and other African countries can draw inspiration from the EU, who have the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) which have a framework for protections of citizens’ personal data as well as measures aimed at preventing transfer of data to third countries.
Could the developed countries then be exploiting this lacuna in the EAC data protection regime, in the trade agreements?
For instance, the US-Kenya FTA, according to the US Department of Commerce, aims to, among other things, “establish state of the art commitments to ensure Kenya refrains from imposing measures that restrict cross-border data flows and does not require the use of installation of local computing facilities”.
This is all the more reason these agreements and others that will come to the African continent should be thoroughly scrutinised with the needs of the African countries in mind given the insufficiency of data security laws on the continent.
By Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson30th Congressional District Texas in the US House of Representatives One veteran lost to suicide is too many. This year, on any given day, it is estimated that over 20 veterans take their lives. Families lose loved ones, communities lose neighbors, and our nation loses heroes. I have dedicated my career to supporting our veterans – first as the Chief Psychiatric Nurse at the Dallas VA Medical Center and now as a Member of Congress fighting on behalf of those served. As the granddaughter, daughter, niece, wife, and sister of veterans, I recognize the importance of supporting our servicemen and women both on and off the battlefield. It is more important now than ever before that we commit the necessary resources and care to overcome this national crisis. That is why I worked with my colleagues in Congress to pass legislation designating the three-digit 9-8-8 as the new, simpler number for the National Suicide Hotline. When enacted, this bill will make it easier for veterans to access help and treatment during a time of need. We owe our veterans a limitless debt of gratitude for the many sacrifices they made on behalf of our country. Although the month of September has been dedicated as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month--the need to address Veterans’ issues are ongoing. Let us continue to show our support for the men and women who have worn the uniform. Congresswoman Eddie B Johnson represents the 30th congressional district of Texas in the United States House of Representatives, where she chairs the House Committee on Science Space and Technology.
HARARE town planner Priscilla Charumbira, arrested on Tuesday for criminal abuse of office after she allegedly unprocedurally approved a change of land use of open spaces, was yesterday remanded in custody to today after she challenged her placement on remand. BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE Through her lawyer Lovemore Madhuku, Charumbira (53) argued that there was no legal basis for placing her on remand. She argued that the facts and evidence placed before the court did not constitute an offence. Magistrate Bianca Makwande will rule on her application today. The accused, who is wife to Chief’s Council president Fortune Charumbira, said the office she occupied did not directly interact with the Local Government minister, hence could not be charged for failing to seek ministerial approval. She said she signed some of the documents which had been approved by other officers that include one Nyabezi. But the State, represented by George Manokore, said the document before the court showed that Charumbira was an accomplice in the matter. It is alleged that sometime in 2016, Charumbira in her capacity as the city planner unlawfully supervised the approval of change of use for land in Sunningdale and along Samora Machel Avenue without the approval of the Local Government ministry.
WHEN COVID-19 broke out, we all thought it was going to be another manageable ailment, until everything came to a halt. SUCCESS LIFE:Jonah Nyoni Now, we are slowly going back to business, but it seems life will not go back to normal any time soon. As highlighted in previous articles, occupational safety and health is now a central point in the corporate space. Time is ticking and we should now be thinking of what we will do whether COVID-19 goes away or stays longer. Governments across the globe are easing restrictions and we need to be thinking of ways of being effective in the “new normal”. As we think about how to strategise, the PWL Global Insurance says there are five priorities that we should consider as we craft our strategies: Realign your cost structure and sharpen productivity Supercharge digital transformation to create a digital enterprise Carve out new revenue streams Prepare your workforce for the new world Strengthen capital efficiency. Flexibility Most institutes have the same way of doing specific things and it’s hard to tell them that their year-to-year template is no longer relevant. In some institutes, you take a report that was written three years back, there are still clauses that are still being used, but with little success. Piloting Generally as we plan, we usually have short, medium and long-term plans. Before anyone takes on a long-term plan, it would be ideal to test it before they commit to it entirely. Make a short-term action plan as a pilot programme or experimental way so as to see the possible benefits or losses. This test run tells us what works and what does not work. Involvement Having tabled your strategic plan as a company, you need a progressive and a probing debate on the same document. It’s unfortunate that some leaders draft a document somewhere and shove it into the throat of employees to swallow without expecting to be questioned how realistic the plan is. Is it SMART enough? Does it bring solutions to specificities? Corporate audit Ask yourself: Where am I? At times we tend to think of ourselves as what we are really not. As a company, make both an internal and external audit. What did we lose? What kept us afloat? What do we need to stay relevant? This gives you a picture of how you are perceived in the minds of people against what you think of yourself. This helps to make necessary adjustments. Adopt a post-COVID-19 mentality The strategic plan becomes futile, especially with leaders that are hinged on maintaining and managing systems. Life has changed. COVID-19 has redefined rules of operation. Besides, life has its sharp turns, twists and changes and the leader should know what to do. As others ask the question: What? The leader asks: Why? That gives the proper answer it could to a current issue or for future encounters. “Why” gives purpose to the programmes you are doing. Is it significant? how is it positively affecting humanity? The “why factor” liberates leaders from just doing a project because it’s their work requirement. They do it because it’s relevant an
FORMER Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko and his son Siqokoqela have taken the Botswana-headquartered Choppies Enterprises, its distribution centre and Nanavac Investments to court demanding an outstanding US$44 million for their 51% shares in the company. BY SILAS NKALA The family held shares in the supermarket chain before it was pushed out in January last year. Through their lawyer Zibusiso Ncube, Mphoko and his son filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court seeking an order declaring their entitlement to payment of the true value of the 51% shares they held before being booted out. The Mphokos also claimed interest at the rate of 5% per annum from January 9, 2019, when they were unlawfully divested of their shareholding, to date of full payment. In their declaration of the claim, the Mphokos submitted that at all material time, they were the majority shareholders of Nanavac Investments, holding an aggregate of 51% shares. “First applicant (Siqokoqela) held 25,5% shares and second applicant (Phelekezela) held 25,5% shares in first defendant (Nanavac Investments), while the second defendant (Choppies Enterprises) held the remaining 49% of the first defendant (Nanavac Investments)’ shares,” reads the declaration. “In about 2018, a dispute arose between first applicant and second defendant resulting in the second and third defendants instituting legal proceedings against first plaintiff and his wife and the first defendant at the High Court. The second defendant instituted malicious and false criminal complaints to the police, resulting in the institution of magistrates’ court proceedings against the first plaintiff and his wife.” They said the proceedings resulted in their arrest and detention and on January 9 in order to secure freedom, the Mphokos signed a deed of settlement with Choppies Enterprises in terms of which they disposed of their shareholding in Nanavac Investments to Choppies Enterprises. “The deed of settlement between the parties provided that the two plaintiffs were to be paid US$2,9 million by second defendant for the acquisition of plaintiffs’ full rights and title to the first defendant’s shareholding,” they said. “The payment of first applicant’s salary which was due from first defendant had been unlawfully stopped and threats of foreclosure on a mortgage bond in which first applicant had acquired funds from a local bank which the plaintiff could only service if he was not in detention and was receiving his salary from first defendant, the second plaintiff made him sign the deed of settlement in fear of the continued persecution of his son and his daughter in law by second defendant.” The Mphokos said the unlawful deed of settlement understated value of the shareholding they owned in that US$2,9 million offered for the shares constituted about 7% as opposed to 51% of the value of the shares in Nanavac Investments, which was given as US$44 million at the Botswana Stock Exchange. “The second defendant paid the sum of US$2,9 million in local currency, where shareholding was purportedly being acquired
[Atlantic Council] The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) invests in companies and projects in lower and middle income countries, including emerging economies in Africa, to address critical global and regional challenges.
