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BY SPORTS REPORTER TANZANIAN side Simba Stars arrived in Harare yesterday, five days before their Caf Champions League first round first leg tie against FC Platinum to be played at the National Sports Stadium in a show of how seriously they are taking this tie. Simba Stars qualified for the first round after they knocked out Plateau United of Nigeria following a 1-0 away win before the nil-all home draw. The Zimbabwe champions on the other hand dispatched Mozambique's Costa dol Sol 4-1 on aggregate. Norman Mapeza's side have it all to do if they are to progress beyond this stage, facing a side leaving nothing to chance. FC Platinum's target is to go beyond the group stage, but even reaching the mini league stage will be a tall order. The Zvishavane-based side will be looking to win the home match without conceding. Unlike FC Platinum, Simba Stars have been involved competitively as the Tanzania top-flight league ran it's full course last season before they began a new one. FC Platinum's only competitive matches since March came against Costa dol Sol. They reappointed Mapeza a week before they face Costa dol Sol in the first leg. The miners will be looking to tap into their experience, having made it into the group stages of the last two editions of the tournament.
Abiy's government and the regional one run by the Tigray People's Liberation Front each consider the other illegitimate.
\t There was no immediate word from the three AU envoys, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano and former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe. AU spokeswoman Ebba Kalondo did not say whether they can meet with TPLF leaders, something Abiy's office has rejected.
\"``Not possible,'' senior Ethiopian official Redwan Hussein said in a message to the AP. ``\"Above all, TPLF leadership is still at large.'' He called reports that the TPLF had appointed an envoy to discuss an immediate cease-fire with the international community ``masquerading.''
\t Fighting reportedly remained well outside the Tigray capital of Mekele, a densely populated city of a half-million people who have been warned by the Ethiopian government that they will be shown ``no mercy'' if they don't distance themselves from the region's leaders.
\t Tigray has been almost entirely cut off from the outside world since Nov. 4, when Abiy announced a military offensive in response to a TPLF attack on a federal army base.
That makes it difficult to verify claims about the fighting, but humanitarians have said at least hundreds of people have been killed.
\t The fighting threatens to destabilize Ethiopia, which has been described as the linchpin of the strategic Horn of Africa.
\t With transport links cut, food and other supplies are running out in Tigray, home to 6 million people, and the United Nations has asked for immediate and unimpeded access for aid.
AP
By SAM MEDNICK Associated Press DORI, Burkina Faso (AP) — Balkissa Barro's been waiting for months to go back to school, but now that she has, the 10-year-old fears classes might once again stop. Children returning to school in Burkina Faso's volatile Sahel region have to practice safety drills to prepare for potential jihadist attacks that have ravaged the West African nation, killing more than 2,000 people this year. For Barro, the simulation of dropping to the ground and hiding under desks brings up memories of when gunmen stormed her village last year and killed seven relatives, forcing her family […]
The post Students in Burkina Faso fear extremists more than COVID-19 appeared first on Black News Channel.
A street in Berlin, Germany, is to be renamed at the beginning of 2021 after Tanzanian politician and leading female activist Lucy Lameck. Councilors in the German capital voted on Wednesday to replace the street name - Wissmannstraße - which honors colonialist Hermann von Wissmann. Wissmann was governor of German East Africa (now Tanzania, Burundi...
The post Berlin set to name street after Tanzania independence heroine Lucky Lameck appeared first on Face2Face Africa.
… L. Fudge of Ohio, an African-American Democrat from Ohio.
Mr. Clyburn … owes a special debt to African-American voters, and that he wants …
Shortages have become ‘’very critical’’ in Ethiopia’s embattled northern region of Tigray, the United Nations says. The region of 6 million people is still sealed off as it faces threats by Ethiopian federal forces.
Martin Plaut is a writer and an expert on Ethiopia. He says what is ‘’ much more likely is that the Tigrayans will head for the hills in the mountains, it's an extremely rough terrain.’’
‘’If he has a quick victory then perhaps he will be able to establish control. Much more likely is that the Tigrayans will head for the hills in the mountains, it's an extremely rough terrain. And they know it very well, they spent 20 years fighting the previous government, which they overthrew in 1991. In the same time they don't control the skies. The skies are held by the jets of the Ethiopian Air force and also, the Tigrayans are said to be under attack from the United Arab Emirates who have drones based in neighboring Eritrea, and they are said to be using these drones against key targets’’, he said.
Plaut noted that the trappings of Tigrayans in the fight is compounding an already dire situation.
‘’The BBC reported seeing Ethiopian federal troops now preventing people from crossing the river into Sudan. Which is why the numbers have dropped substantially from about 6.000 a day to about 700 a day. So people are being trapped in the fighting, and that is making their situation even worse. Once they get across the river of course they can get substantial aid and assistance. And the international community is moving heaven and earth to make that happen’’, Plaut added.
More than a million people are now displaced. Fuel and cash are running out. The Tigrayan capital, Mekele cannot be accessed by the UN World Food Program over travel blockages.
Communications links remain severed with the Tigray region since the deadly conflict broke out on November 4. Human Rights Watch is warning that ``actions that deliberately impede relief supplies'' violate international humanitarian law.
[Cameroon Tribune] This, amongst other issues was highlighted during the daily press briefing on the evolution of the disease in the country.
FINANCE minister Mthuli Ncube yesterday dampened the hopes for a merry Christmas for the majority Zimbabweans after he reviewed the tax-free threshold to $10 000, about half the cost of a monthly basket for an average family of five estimated at $20 000 and made it effective January 1 2021. BY TATIRA ZWINOIRA The tax-free threshold was doubled from $5 000 announced in the 2020 Mid-Term Budget and Economic Review last July. Expectations were high that the national budget presented yesterday would give consumers relief after a difficult year, through the review of the tax-free tax bands in line with the poverty line. The $10 000 tax-free bracket means that the majority of Zimbabweans will have a difficulty 2021 because their earnings will not be enough to buy basic commodities, let alone clothing. To make matters worse, the new thresholds will only apply in January instead of November as has been the tradition. Families also budget their year-end salaries to cater for the following year, such as school fees, which have rocketed in the past few months, as schools tried to cushion themselves against rampaging inflation and price hikes. “Government remains committed to improving workers’ disposable income as part of the broader agenda to increase aggregate demand and savings,” Ncube said. “The recent salary and wage adjustments for public and some private sector employees necessitate a corresponding review in the personal income tax framework,” Ncube said. “I, therefore, propose to review the tax-free threshold from $5 000 to $10 000 per month. I further propose to adjust the tax bands to begin at $10 001 and end at $250 000 per month, above which the highest marginal tax rate of 40% will apply. The above measures are effective from January 1 2021. “In addition, I propose to review upwards, the bonus tax-free threshold from $5 000 to $25 000, with effect from November 1 2020.” However, many companies are in distress and very few will afford to pay bonuses. The review of the tax-free threshold comes as the annual inflation rate still remains high at 471% in September which was, however, down from 761% in August and 836% in July. The cost of living for a family of five has risen to over $20 000 and $4 000 per person as at the end of last month from $15 570 in July, according to official statistics. The recent 40% rise in government wages, referred to by Ncube would see the least paid civil servant earning $14 528 while the basic pay for a teacher would be $18 237 a month. As the Zimdollar has continued to depreciate, individuals and families have to prioritise expenditure which has led to a fall in consumer spending and thus lowering economic activity. Treasury has also increased the tax-free threshold for the intermediated money transfer tax (IMTT). “I, therefore, propose to review the tax-free threshold from the current $300 to $500 and the maximum tax payable per transaction by corporates from the current $25 000 to $800 000 on transactions with values exceeding $40 million, with effect from January 1 2021. For transacti
Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti elaborated on upcoming plans for the city, as the community prepares for a second wave of increased transmission. Most recent numbers are projecting over thousands of new COVID-19 cases. The mayor went into detail about this unfortunate turn of events, and what this means for the city of Los Angeles.
The post Los Angeles Facing Economic Shift Due to Limited Stay At Home Order; Mayor Eric Garcetti Launches ‘LA Optimized’ To Keep Businesses Afloat. appeared first on Los Angeles Sentinel.
This pandemic has forced us to rethink how we live our lives. It has also made us realize that health is more important than anything else. We started to emphasize good hygiene to stay safe and avoid contracting the virus. The good news is that the end is near. With Read More
The post 8 Hygiene Practices to Continue Even After the Pandemic - 2020 Guide appeared first on PensacolaVoice Magazine 2020.
In its October World Economic Outlook report, the International Monetary Fund projected a 6.6% contraction in the UAE’s growth this year.
Recovery, the institute said, was not expected before 2021.
Whilst oil price swings and the coronavirus pandemic have hit hard, the UAE capital Abu Dhabi says it remains committed to its economic growth & diversification plans.
Moreover, last month, the agency Fitch reaffirmed the capital’s ‘AA’ rating and outlook as “stable”.
It cited, amongst other factors, Abu Dhabi’s strong fiscal metrics and reduced exposure to tourism, real estate and retail, compared to neighbouring emirates.
ADIO action
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) is the central government hub supporting investment in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Its vision is to develop a thriving, knowledge-economy for Abu Dhabi that is competitive and diverse, whilst attracting FDI.
How? The entity cites the UAE’s strategic location between East and West, its high ranking in regional reports relating to the ‘Ease of Doing Business’, plus its positioning on global competitiveness and innovation indexes.
Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, is an Emirati-American, London-trained economist who hopes to expand Abu Dhabi’s economy as the Director-General and CEO of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
The former Emirates NBD executive is interested in cultivating a viable ecosystem for SMEs and startups in the UAE’s capital.
With a forward-thinking approach, Bin Hendi links diverse value systems across cultures to attract foreign investment.
Accelerators
A hashtag sculpture at Hub71’s space
Ghadan 21 is a $13 million accelerator program looking to support SMEs in the country which is overseen by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
When Inspire Middle East asked about the impact of Coronavirus on Ghadan 21, Bin Hendi says adaptability is key, with Ghadan 21 being both a proactive and reactive program.
The economist maintains that by adapting policy and with resources such as sovereign wealth funds, support from larger government entities, as well as the private sector, SMEs have the backing support to develop.
The fostering of innovation in the capital has seen the creation of Hub71 , an international tech base, which brings together startups, top VC funds, and investors.
AgriTech explorations
Crops being grown inside hydroponic greenhouses
ADIO has also encouraged innovators to flourish in the Agricultural Technology (AgTech) space, offering incentive programs, including financial incentives, to companies looking to relocate or expand in Abu Dhabi.
Pure Harvest is a farming startup that has reaped the benefit of ADIO’s support & investment.
Using climate-controlled, high-tech, hydroponic greenhouses located outside of the city, the company makes year-round farming possible in the arid desert.
“ADIO’s financial commitment is helping us significantly, as it’s allowing us to add additional technologies to our current deployments here in Al Ain,” Sky Kurtz, the Co-founder and CE
[Thomson Reuters Foundation] Rising global temperatures are predicted to fuel more hunger and inequality among small producers who grow a large share of the world's food - will they be able to adapt?
This Thanksgiving, Rep. Maxine Waters didn’t spend it with her family in California. Instead, the outspoken congresswoman spent the day... View Article
The post Maxine Waters spent holiday away from family to 'kick butt' for stimulus plan appeared first on TheGrio.
Samara Heisz/iStockBy MORGAN WINSOR, IVAN PEREIRA and MEREDITH DELISO, ABC News (NEW YORK) - A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now infected more than 60.2 million people and killed…
By JILL COLVIN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday renewed baseless claims that 'massive fraud' and crooked officials in battleground states led to his election defeat, and said he'll go to Georgia to rally supporters ahead of two Senate runoff elections. 'This has a long way to go,' Trump said on Thanksgiving evening, despite the fact that President-elect Joe Biden won the election. 'This election was a fraud. It was a rigged election.' Trump spoke to reporters at the White House after speaking with U.S. military leaders overseas. After his conversation, Trump took questions for the […]
The post Angry Trump promises rally in battleground state of Georgia appeared first on Black News Channel.
An Iranian scientist named by Israel as the leader of the Islamic Republic's disbanded military nuclear program was killed Friday... View Article
The post Iran scientist linked to military nuclear program killed appeared first on TheGrio.
By ELLEN KNICKMEYER and MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press The Trump administration moved forward Friday on gutting a longstanding federal protection for the nation's birds, over objections from former federal officials and many scientists that billions more birds will likely perish as a result. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published its take on the proposed rollback in the Federal Register. It's a final step that means the change — greatly limiting federal authority to prosecute industries for practices that kill migratory birds — could be made official within 30 days. The wildlife service acknowledged in its findings that the rollback […]
The post Trump administration moves ahead on gutting bird protections appeared first on Black News Channel.
Opinion - Message from Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, UNFPA Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Malawi is to start the commercial production of cannabis for medical and industrial use, according to Reuters, which cited Lilongwe’s new Cannabis Regulatory Authority. The head of the regulatory authority, Boniface Kadzamira, said more than 100 applications have been received for licensing and they are currently under consideration for approval. Fees for licensing marijuana for...
The post Malawi to start commercial production of cannabis appeared first on Face2Face Africa.
AUSTIN – Texas officially dedicated a statue to the late Julius Whittier before Friday’s game with Iowa State, honoring the school’s first Black football...
