Showing posts with label INTERNATIONAL NEWS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label INTERNATIONAL NEWS. Show all posts

Ugandan activists challenge anti-gay law in court

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 KAMPALA, Uganda — Rights activists on Tuesday petitioned Uganda’s Constitutional Court to challenge the validity of an anti-gay measure that allows severe penalties against homosexuality.
The activists — under a group called Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law — hope the court will agree the new law violates Uganda’s constitution by encouraging discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The group has asked the judges to issue an interim order “stopping the police from implementing” the anti-gay law, said Nicholas Opiyo, a Ugandan lawyer who helped to draft the petition.
It also seeks an order barring local tabloid newspapers from printing the names and pictures of known or suspected homosexuals, a key concern for activists in a country where homosexuals report severe discrimination.
Opiyo said it will likely take several months, even years, before judges reach a final decision in the case challenging the anti-gay law, because the court has many other cases before it.
Uganda’s president enacted the law last month, strengthening criminal penalties against homosexuality. Some European countries and the World Bank have since withheld or delayed development assistance to Uganda. The United States has suggested it is considering similar action if the law is not repealed.
The legislation allows life imprisonment for those convicted of engaging in gay sex. It also creates the offenses of “conspiracy to commit homosexuality” and “aiding and abetting homosexuality,” both of which are punishable by seven years behind bars. Those convicted of “promoting homosexuality” face similar punishment.
Despite Western opposition to legislation widely described as draconian, the law is popular among many in this conservative East African country.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said he was enacting the law in order to deter Western homosexuals from promoting homosexuality in Africa. Evangelical Christian clerics who championed the law said it was necessary to protect Ugandan children from being “recruited” by wealthy homosexuals from the West.
But Ugandan gay activists insist they are the victims of a hate campaign orchestrated by U.S. evangelicals who wanted to spread their anti-gay agenda in Africa.
Activists say there have been some allegations of violence and retaliation against people known or suspected to be gay, including evictions by many landlords of their tenants, according to the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law. At least 10 suspected homosexuals have been arrested and more than five evicted by landlords since the law was passed, the group said.
Fox Odoi, a Ugandan lawyer who is one of the petitioners in the case and the only lawmaker who publicly opposed the anti-gay measure, said the legislation is harmful to the lives of Uganda’s homosexuals. “Because a person is homosexual he should go to jail and because you are heterosexual you should walk the streets: What kind of nonsense is that?” he said.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
credt: the washington
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Woman, daughter killed by lightning

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  A  woman, 31, and her eight-year-old daughter died last week while the woman's sister was left battling for her life after lightning struck a tree under which they were sheltering from rainfall.
Junior Dhlamini and daughter Rebecca Magoche died on the spot while Eva Dhlamini, 26, was left fighting for her life at Chikombedzi General Hospital where she was admitted after the incident.
Masvingo police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Peter Zhanero, said tragedy struck after the trio sought shelter under a tree from the heavy rains currently being experienced in the province.
"The trio was working in the field when it started raining heavily and they rushed to seek shelter under a Marula tree which was nearby," Zhanero said.
He added that they were later discovered lying under the tree by a passer-by who notified relatives. The police were also called in, resulting in Eva being rushed to hospital.
"It is not wise for people to seek shelter under a tree when it is raining,” said the police officer.
“We have been taught this since primary school. People should desist from going against this advice and it is advisable to look for secure places when it starts raining."
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Zimbabwean battered to death in Botswana

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A YOUNG family has been left distraught and emotionally marooned in Australia following the battering to death of their father in Botswana early this month.
Zimbabwean engineer Stephen Ticharwa, 40, died in Gaborone last Thursday after suffering blunt force trauma to the head after being repeatedly bludgeoned with a log.
His face was also severely lacerated with broken bottles following an argument over a yet to be explained issue with work colleagues.
                                                                                                 Brutally murdered ... Stephen Ticharwa
  Perpetrators of the attack, some of them believed to be Zimbabwean, have since fled to neighbouring South Africa following the brutal murder.
One of the suspected fugitives Botswana police are reportedly keen to interview has been identified as Philip Mukombe.
While there was no immediate comment from authorities in Gaborone, the family has since confirmed that Stephen’s body was still in Botswana awaiting repatriation to Zimbabwe for burial.
“Indeed the family is in crisis and mourners are currently gathered in Westgate in Zimbabwe,” said a family spokesperson.
“We are terribly pained at the loss of Stephen, particularly after he had said he was raising money to have his children visit him for Christmas at the end of this year.
“His eldest had just started University, studying mechanical engineering in Australia and they were looking forward to meeting and having precious father and son moments as he was also an engineer by profession.”
Compounding complications surrounding the tragedy is the fact that Ticharwa’s children and his ex-wife are stranded in Australia where they are based.
The three children have since launched an online appeal for assistance to cover the costs of travelling to Zimbabwe for their father’s funeral.
Said the eldest son Tinashe: “Our father was murdered in Botswana on 6 March 2014. This is a tragedy that caught us unaware. We hear his body is in Botswana.
“I am 19 and my brother and sister are 16 and 13. I had just started University. My mother is a single woman who has been struggling for our upkeep.
“Friends have come to pay tributes and thank you. We are appealing for your support to help us go bury our father. Whatever amount we get from you would be helpful and airlines have offered us discounted fares.”
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More than 45% of under 5 children in Zambia are stunted

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A bright future can be seen spilling out of these children's eyes as the clap in apriciation of the danation of books and desks fron the rotary club of Knwazi
A bright future can be seen spilling out of these children’s eyes as the clap in apriciation of the danation of books and desks fron the rotary club of Knwazi
About 45 percent of children who are below the age of 5 are stunted due to malnutrition in Zambia.
Zambia Civil Society – Scaling Up Nutrition (CSOSUN) Alliance has said children who are undernourished are at a greater risk of having difficulty in learning, playing or engaging in normal childhood activities.
CSOSUN Alliance National Coordinator William Chilufya pointed out that undernourished children are more vulnerable to disease due to weakened immune response.
He told ZANIS in an interview today that a child’s nutritional future begins with the mother’s nutritional status during her adolescence and during pregnancy.
Mr Chilufya explained that the empowering of women especially expectant mothers is critical to the health of the unborn child and to the future generations.
Mr Chilufya further noted that every child has the right to adequate and appropriate nutrition as stipulated under Article 6 and 24 of the Convention on the Right’s of a Child.
Mr Chilufya said the Alliance consider malnutrition as a violation of children’s rights.
He added that empowering women plays a pivotal role of improving nutrition in many households and is cardinal to the growth and development of children.
Mr Chilufya said that the Alliance appreciates the role women play in ensuring that Children do not get malnourished.
He stated that empowering women will help them to expand their ability to make strategic life choices especially on the nutrition of their family.
“As CSOSUN, we feel there is need to empower women to make informed choices such as breastfeeding and nutritious foods during pregnancy and lactating. Considering the important role that women play in improving the nutrition status of children,” noted Mr. Chilufya.
Mr Chilufya said according to the 2013 Zambia Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) progress report, women’s low socioeconomic status and reproductive role expose them to risks of poor health and premature death.
He stressed that the high maternal mortality rate in the country is rooted in gender inequality.
Meanwhile, Mr Chilufya has observed that most girls have no access to sexual reproductive health information and services hence the high cases of adolescent pregnancies.
ZANIS
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Farmers who engage in banana schemes are better off than those who grow maize-Panji Kaunda

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President Michael Chilufya Sata talks to Transport, Communications deputy minister Panji Kaunda (r)
President Michael Chilufya Sata talks to Transport, Communications deputy minister Panji Kaunda (r)
Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda has implored small scale farmers to practice crop diversification and stop depending on maize growing.
Speaking in a telephone interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Kaunda said small scale farmers should venture in growing others crops such as bananas and cassava.
He explained that most farmers fail to diversify from maize because of the farmer input support programme.
Mr Kaunda observed that most farmers depend on farmer input support programme hence their unwillingness to diversify into other crops.
The deputy minister cited banana growing as one of the schemes that can enable small scale farmers earn a living.
He insisted that farmers who engage in banana schemes are better off than farmers who grow maize on an annual bases.
Mr Kaunda explained that banana farmers don’t need to replant compared to maize farmers thereby serving on resources.
He said local farmers should consider engaging in growing crops that will make Zambia become a producing country.
Mr Kaunda said once Zambia becomes a food basket the dollar will be weak compared to the kwacha.
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NGOs registration extended again

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Minister for Community Development, Mother and Child Health Dr. Joseph Katema
Minister for Community
Development, Mother and Child Health Dr. Joseph Katema
Government has again extended the registration period for Non governmental organizations (NGOs) under the NGO Act no.16 of 2009 by sixty days effective 4th February to 5th May 2014.
Community Development,Mother and Child Health Minister Joseph Katema has made in the announcement in a statement issued to QFM News.
Dr Katema said the extension is to allow the NGOs that collected registration forms but were unable to submit them before the deadline on 3rd February to do so.
He said NGOs that did not commence the registration process before the deadline of 3rd February,2014 can apply for registration as long as they complete the process with the stipulated timeframe.
Dr Katema has warned that the NGOs that will not abide by the provisions of the law as stipulated in Section 10 on the prohibition of operation by an NGO not registered in accordance with the Act, will face appropriate action as stipulated by law.
He however clarified that those that wish to register new NGOs can proceed to do so as the deadline for registration does not apply to them.
[QFM]
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You’re free to leave, Tsvangirai tells rivals

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MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Saturday told rivals pushing for his ouster that they were free to quit if they no longer wanted to continue working with him. The former premier told supporters at a rally held at Huruyadzo Shopping Centre in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza that he would embarrass his rivals if they dared challenge him for leadership at the party’s congress.
The rally followed Friday’s decision to suspend deputy treasurer Elton Mangoma who is charged with bringing the party into disrepute.
Mangoma’s offence was to tell Tsvangirai that he had become a liability after losing three consecutive elections to Zanu PF while his colourful private life was not helping matters either.
Secretary general Tendai Biti immediately called a press conference to declare that Mangoma’s suspension was unconstitutional and, therefore, null and void.
But as the party looks to be heading for another bitter split after the acrimonious 2005 departure of a group led by Welshman Ncube, Tsvangirai signalled he was prepared to forge ahead without Biti, Mangoma and their supporters.
“Kana pane asingade kuita fall in line, be out of line,” he said.
“I have not run out of manpower, but ndirikuti kana muchida struggle yekuti uyai tiite change, ngatibvisei Zanu PF, let’s work together. But if you do not want to work with me, you are free to leave.”
Biti, Mangoma, youth assembly chairman Solomon Madzore, Harare provincial chairman Paul Madzore and Warren Park MP Elias Mudzuri did not attend the rally again.
Mangoma’s lawyer Jacob Mafume said his client stayed well clear of the gathering because of “rogue elements that are prone to violence.”
“Our client could not attend the rally because of some rogue elements that are intent on hurting him as was the case at Harvest House recently. He will attend other rallies as he is still a member of the party because his reported suspension is null and void,” said Mafume.
The leadership renewal group want Tsvangirai to step down and allow the party to call an extraordinary congress to elect a new leadership.
But the former trade unionist vowed to stay put, warning his rivals they would be humiliated if they dared challenge him for the leadership at the party’s next congress.
“Isu ana Tsvangirai tinoenda ku congress. Kana pane aneshave rekudyiwa, anouya,” he declared.
“There are some who wish this party away. Everyday, they are saying what they want, even journalists, they are writing what they want . . . but we are saying, they cannot destroy our collective spirit.”
Top officials who attended the rally included Nelson Chamisa, Tracy Mutinhiri, MDC-T and Fidelis Mhashu.
They all took turns to describe Tsvangirai as “godfather”, “father figure” and “a great leader”.
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War vets clash with a Chinese company over gold claims

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War vets in Shurugwi have clashed with a Chinese company over gold claims, which the Chinese say they bought from another foreign businessman. According to reports Jin Yang Africa (Private) Ltd purchased over 140 claims at Bonza Gold Mine in Shurugwi from Francis Bester. The dispute arose after the Chinese evicted four war vets from some parts of the mining claim that had access to a lode of gold.
A Monday NewsDay report said government officials moved in to solve the squabble between the Chinese and the MECA Syndicate, which is the operating name of the four war vets. According to the report the Chinese company was told that it must give 51% percent shares of the company to the war vets in line with Zimbabwe’s indigenisation and empowerment laws. It was also resolved that the war vets should continue to operate on the land until the matter was finalized. Bester was urged to surrender all the land he was not working on.
Commercial Framers Union President Charles Taffs said, as long as there is ‘no clarity on the land ownership such clashes are bound to occur.’ Taffs added: ‘This problem is not just in the mining sector; it is also in the agricultural sector.’
‘In my sector it is even affecting production because everyone operates with the fear that anytime they can be evicted. The government needs to listen and take advice so that we can move forward.’
On seizing the land government just parceled out pieces of it to its cronies but the white farmers retained the title deed, a legal document that entitled them to the land. Since then the ownership has been a serious problem as no one knows who is legally entitled to what. The government has previously announced handing out some 99 year leases to some farmers but they have found it difficult to obtain bank loans because the leases show that the land officially belongs to the state. Banks won’t lend to borrowers with no collateral back up for the loan.
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