0 Education official in hot water after allegedly soliciting R5,000 bribe from teacher under investigation By www.iol.co.za Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 11:17:53 GMT Full Article
0 Pay back the money: Fraudster ordered to pay R2,5 million to SARS, a fine of R300,000 or go to jail By www.iol.co.za Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 13:49:53 GMT Full Article
0 Gauteng public schools owe close to R300 million to municipalities, DA demands accountability By www.iol.co.za Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 13:59:19 GMT Full Article
0 Ishiba survived rare runoff to remain Japan's prime minister but will face turmoil By www.voanews.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 06:40:02 -0500 TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, battered in parliamentary elections last month, has survived a rare runoff vote against the opposition to remain the country's leader but he still faces turmoil ahead. One of his top priorities is dealing with the aftermath of a major corruption scandal in the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in which dozens of lawmakers from the party are alleged to have pocketed profits from event ticket sales as kickbacks. Ishiba also now has a much-emboldened, opposition eager to push through policies long stymied by the LDP. Support ratings for his Cabinet have fallen to about 30%. Here is a look at what's happening in Japan's tumultuous politics, and what it might mean for Ishiba and his government as they prepare to navigate a second term of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Why did the vote in parliament take place? A parliamentary vote for a new leader is mandatory within 30 days of a general election. In the past that was mostly ignored as the head of the LDP usually enjoyed a majority in the Lower House, the more powerful of Japan’s two-chamber parliament. This time, though, because Ishiba's LDP and its junior coalition partner lost its majority in the recent election, the runoff on Monday couldn't be avoided — the first in 30 years. What's next for the prime minister? Opposition's top leader, Yoshihiko Noda, has noted that nearly half of all lower house steering committees are now headed by the opposition. That’s a huge change from the pre-election domination of the LDP, which controlled all but three of the 27 committees. “We are going to have a new landscape in Japanese politics,” Noda said. Twelve of the committees in key areas, including budget, political reforms, national security and legal affairs, will be headed by Noda’s Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and two other main opposition groups. What's certain is that the era of LDP’s one-sided rule is over, for now, and the opposition has a chance to achieve policies long opposed by the ruling conservatives, including on issues like gender equality and diversity. Noda last Friday said a legal committee that is now headed by his party’s gender equality chief, Chinami Nishimura, is aiming to achieve a civil code revision to allow married couples the option of keeping separate surnames. That change has been stalled by LDP conservatives for 30 years despite widespread support by the public and a United Nations panel on discrimination against women. Who is the opposition kingmaker? Yuichiro Tamaki is head of the conservative Democratic Party for the People, which quadrupled its seats to 28 in the election. The vote elevated his party from a fringe group to a major player. He is now being cast as a potential key to Ishiba’s survival. A Harvard-educated former Finance Ministry bureaucrat, the 55-year-old Tamaki has seen success by pushing for the raising of a basic tax-free income allowance and an increase of take-home wages. His messages on social media have appealed to younger voters, who have long been ignored by LDP policies catering to conservative elderly. Ishiba apparently seems to find Tamaki’s 28-member DPP an attractive partner to secure a majority. The two parties, which have common ground in some areas — including support for greater nuclear energy use and a stronger military — have started policy talks. Ishiba met with both Tamaki and Noda on Monday but Tamaki may be cautious about moving too close to a scandal-plagued LDP ahead of another election next year. Noda is struggling to form a unified opposition to force a change of government, which he says is his next goal. What does this mean for Ishiba's government? For Ishiba, the “hung parliament” requires him to win over opposition forces so he can push his policies. While considered unstable, it might also provide a chance for a more consensus-based policy making process, experts say. “I’m taking the current situation positively as a chance to get our opposition voice heard more carefully,” Tamaki said. Ishiba also faces challenges of restoring unity in his own party. A number of senior LDP lawmakers are waiting to overthrow Ishiba, though their priority is to resolidify their footholds, not infighting — and nobody is eager to do damage control at this difficult time anyway. “The [Ishiba] administration is quite unstable. ... He will have to get opposition parties' cooperation every time he wants to get a bill approved, which could stall policies,” said University of Tokyo political science professor Yu Uchiyama. And even if Ishiba survives politically in the coming months, there could be a call for his replacement ahead of next elections. “Japan is likely to return to a period of short-lived government,” Uchiyama said. How does this affect Japan's diplomacy, security and ties with Trump? Ishiba congratulated Trump hours after his victory and in a brief telephone conversation, they agreed to closely work together to further elevate their alliance. While experts say Trump understands the importance of U.S.-Japan relations, he may — as he did in his first administration — pressure Japan to pay more for the cost of 50,000 U.S. troops in Japan or to buy more expensive American weapons. Trump's possible tariff proposals could also hurt Japanese exporters. Ishiba on Saturday renewed his pledge to pursue an ongoing military buildup plan under a strategy that calls for a counter-strike capability with long-range cruise-missiles. He has long advocated a more equal Japan-U.S. security alliance but could face difficulty pursuing those plans. ‘’It will be a fantastic experiment to see if a national unity government can get Japan through until the next election,” said Michael Cucek, an expert in Japanese politics at Temple University in Japan. Full Article East Asia
0 How could US-China rivalry in Africa play out under Trump 2.0? By www.voanews.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:34:38 -0500 Johannesburg — President-elect Donald Trump talked tough on China during his campaign, vowing to impose higher and sweeping tariffs on imports from the Asian giant. Beijing will now also be closely watching the incoming administration’s movements further afield, in Africa, where U.S.-China rivalry is high. Experts disagree on what a second Trump term will mean for Beijing’s ambitions on the continent, with some saying it could be a boon for China – Africa’s biggest trade partner – if the U.S. pursues an isolationist, “America First” agenda that mostly ignores the region. But Tibor Nagy, who served as Trump’s Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 2018 to 2021 has a different perspective. He said Trump grasped how powerful a player China had become on the continent. “It was the Trump administration that was the first to kind of recognize the existential threat that China poses,” Nagy told VOA. “We were on the front lines of that in Africa, and we saw what the Chinese were doing,” said Nagy, who also served as the U.S. ambassador to Guinea and Ethiopia during the administrations of presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Nagy told VOA he does not think the incoming Republican administration will neglect Africa because it sees China as a threat to U.S interests there. He also said the continent is a major source of critical minerals attractive to both superpowers. Nagy credits the first Trump administration with introducing policies on the continent intended to counter China's influence. “We had … the right focus because we made it about the youth. You know, our premise was that Africa is going to be undergoing a youth tsunami with the population doubling by 2050. And that more than anything, what the youth really wanted was jobs,” he said. To this end, Nagy says, the first Trump administration set up Prosper Africa in 2018, an initiative designed to assist American companies doing business in Africa, and he expects the incoming administration will remain engaged there. “Africa remains very much the front lines,” he said. “The United States is extremely concerned about our strategic minerals, and when a hostile power has a lock on strategic minerals, that's really not very good when you need the strategic minerals for your top-end technology and for weapon systems.” But Christian-Geraud Neema, Africa editor for the China-Global South Project, is skeptical and said a second term for Trump could be an opportunity for Beijing. “Looking at his first term, Trump didn't show much interest in Africa, which is likely to be the case still now,” he told VOA. “Only a few countries will matter — countries whose resources or position matter to the U.S. national security interests.” “China will have room to maneuver and increase its influence in so many ways,” he added. Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, echoed this. “I doubt that Africa will be a featured priority for Trump,” she told VOA in an emailed response, adding that the United States’ absence on the continent “will boost the prominence of the Chinese position by its presence.” Lobito corridor future Views on how successfully President Joe Biden’s administration has engaged with Africa are also mixed. Many analysts said regardless of whether the Democrats or the Republicans are in office, the continent is usually an afterthought in U.S. foreign policy, which does not differ much from one administration to the next. The current administration said it was “all in on Africa,” when Biden hosted dozens of heads of state at his first African Leaders Summit in 2022, an event seen as an attempt at reasserting U.S. influence in the face of a rising China. Yet, “African leaders or the African Union were not consulted about the agenda of the 2022 US-Africa Leaders Summit. This was also the case with the US’s Africa strategy,” wrote Christopher Isike, the director of African Centre for the Study of the United States at the University of Pretoria, in an article co-signed by Samuel Oyewole, political science postdoctoral research fellow at the university While Trump never traveled to Africa as president, top Biden administration officials did visit the continent, including the vice president. Biden is also expected to travel to Angola before the end of his term in December. Under Biden, the U.S. agreed to develop the Lobito Corridor and Zambia-Lobito rail line, a project described by the State Department as “the most significant transport infrastructure that the United States has helped develop on the African continent in a generation.” The rail line is seen as part of a transcontinental vision connecting the Atlantic and Indian oceans. The undertaking is to be financed through a joint agreement calling for the U.S., African Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the European Union to support Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. Observers see it as an attempt to compete with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s global infrastructure project the Belt and Road Initiative, which has built railways, ports and roads across Africa. There is concern among some analysts that Trump could pull back from this. “Existing bilateral and multilateral business partnerships … such as the Lobito Corridor … might wane significantly during the next Trump administration,” said Oluwole Ojewale, a Nigerian analyst with the Institute for Security Studies, in an email to VOA. “When that happens China will gain significant mileage in areas where the US Government’s exit creates a vacuum on the continent,” he added. But Nagy disagreed, saying the Lobito Corridor is the “kind of project which would have come right out of the Trump administration.” Therefore, there’s likely to be continuity, he added, noting: “The deal is done. Again, I can't speak for President Trump, or the people who are going to be coming in … but it's logical.” ‘Other Friends’ When asked how African leaders will navigate the next Trump administration, Sun said they could play the U.S. and China against each other. “Africa could highlight its role in the US-China great power competition in order to strengthen its position in the US grand strategy,” she said in an email to VOA. But she is doubtful African leaders will take that route because it “will carry the effect of being forced to choose, which I doubt that Africa will want to do.” However, at least one African politician has already alluded to this option. Kenya’s Raila Odinga, who is in the running to take over as chair of the African Union Commission next year, was blunt in his assessment of how African governments would handle a more isolationist U.S. under Trump. “If he does not want to work with Africa,” Odinga told Agence France-Presse last week, “Africa has got other friends.” Full Article USA East Asia Africa China News
0 Zelensky: Ciidamadeenu waxay dagaal kula jiraan 50,000 oo askarta Ruushka ah By horseedmedia.net Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 19:29:00 +0000 Madaxweynaha Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky ayaa ku dhawaaqay isniintii in ciidamada Ukraine ay isku dhacyo kula jiraan… The post Zelensky: Ciidamadeenu waxay dagaal kula jiraan 50,000 oo askarta Ruushka ah appeared first on Horseed Media. Full Article World News
0 Doorashada Somaliland, Saadaasha Guusha iyo Khatarta Jirta By horseedmedia.net Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 20:59:23 +0000 Waxaa saacado kadib Shacabka Somaliland u dareeri doonaan goobaha codbixinta ee doorashada Madaxweynaha Somaliland iyo ururada… The post Doorashada Somaliland, Saadaasha Guusha iyo Khatarta Jirta appeared first on Horseed Media. Full Article Somaliland
0 November 13, 2024 - 0200 UTC By www.voanews.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 21:00:00 -0500 Full Article Worldwide in Five
0 November 13, 2024 0600 UTC By www.voanews.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 01:00:00 -0500 Full Article Worldwide in Five
0 AFCON qualifier: Super Eagles stars arrive Abidjan ahead of Benin clash By hallmarknews.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 10:35:53 +0000 A number of Super Eagles players, including Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Amas Obasogie, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka, have arrived Ivory Coast on Monday ahead of preparation for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic. Also in camp in Abidjan are Bruno Onyemaechi, Gabriel Osho and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. The Super Eagles Media […] The post AFCON qualifier: Super Eagles stars arrive Abidjan ahead of Benin clash first appeared on Business Hallmark. Full Article Sports AFCON qualifier: Super Eagles stars arrive Abidjan ahead of Benin clash Super Eagles
0 UBA appoints Henrietta Ugboh as non-executive director By hallmarknews.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 18:06:10 +0000 – Owanari Duke Retires from Group Board United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the appointment of Henrietta Ugboh as a Non-Executive Director on the Group’s Board. The appointment, according to a statement from the bank, has been duly approved by the relevant regulatory bodies including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) whose approval […] The post UBA appoints Henrietta Ugboh as non-executive director first appeared on Business Hallmark. Full Article Business Henrietta Ngozi Ugboh UBA appoints Henrietta Ugboh as non-executive director
0 Abuja DisCo meters 88,000 customers, targets 120,000 by December By businessnews.com.ng Published On :: Wed, 18 Oct 2017 03:39:21 +0000 The Managing Director of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Ernest Mupwaya said his company has installed 88,000 meters and would install 120,000 units by December 2017 to tackle complaints on estimated billing. upwaya said this at the opening of a two day workshop on energy theft for judges within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He […] Abuja DisCo meters 88,000 customers, targets 120,000 by December Full Article Energy featured headline
0 Fossil fuel demand to by 25% by 2040 – OPEC By businessnews.com.ng Published On :: Wed, 18 Oct 2017 23:26:36 +0000 Fossil fuel demand will reduce by nearly 25 percent in the next two decades, the Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo has said. Speaking at the SPE Kuwait Oil & Gas Show and Conference in Kuwait City, yesterday, Barkindo however said fossil fuels will remain a dominant in […] Fossil fuel demand to by 25% by 2040 – OPEC Full Article Energy featured headline
0 Over 1,000 firms bid for 2017 railway projects By businessnews.com.ng Published On :: Fri, 20 Oct 2017 01:11:00 +0000 Over 1000 companies expressed interest in 17 categories of projects for the 2017 capital projects of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). The Managing Director of the NRC, Engr. Fidet Okhiria disclosed this on Tuesday while declaring open the process for the opening of bids for the projects. The formal opening of bids held at the […] Over 1,000 firms bid for 2017 railway projects Full Article Industries featured headline
0 Spain's Valencia struggles to get children back to school after deadly floods By www.voanews.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 07:02:04 -0500 CATARROJA, Spain — Thousands of students in Spain's eastern Valencia region returned to classes on Monday, two weeks after floods killed over 200 people and devastated towns in the area. Controversy over the regional government's handling of the floods still rages, and a teachers' union accused it of exaggerating the number returning and leaving the clean-up to teachers and pupils. Twenty-three people remain missing in the Valencia region after heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, sending tides of muddy water through densely populated city suburbs, drowning people in cars and underground car parks, and collapsing homes. A total of 47 schools in 14 affected municipalities reopened to more than 22,000 children on Monday, the region's education department said. Last week, it said it expected around 70% of students in the worst-affected areas to return this week. "The schools that have opened their doors today have followed cleaning and disinfection protocols to ensure maximum safety for students, teachers and staff," it added. But the regional teachers' union STEPV said it believed that the numbers returning on Monday were lower, without providing an alternative figure. Spokesperson Marc Candela said many schools were not ready to resume lessons, adding: "Teachers and parents are cleaning the schools with their own materials such as brooms." Educators wanted professional cleaning crews to sanitize facilities, as was done during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. Parents are also worried about their children's emotional states, said Ruben Pacheco, head of the regional federation of parents' associations, FAMPA: "Families are exhausted, suffering psychologically, and nothing should be decided without consulting them so as not to generate more discomfort than they've already suffered." Candela said the department had held an online course for teachers last week with recommendations for psychological care, but had not dispatched additional counselors. Carolina Marti, head teacher at a school in Castellar-Oliveral, said it had received 60 children from neighboring towns, while five teachers were on medical leave. She said children and teachers were struggling to reach the school as many roads remained impassable. Full Article Europe
0 Migrant caravan of 3,000 heads north in Mexico By www.voanews.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 17:19:54 -0500 A caravan of approximately 3,000 migrants set off on Tuesday from southern Mexico, headed toward the United States on the day when U.S. voters were deciding between U.S. presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Immigration has been a key issue in the U.S. election campaign. Before heading northward, the migrants gathered in Tapachula, the capital of the southern Chiapas state, carrying banners with messages such as "NO MORE MIGRANT BLOOD" and images of the Virgin of Guadalupe, an important religious and cultural symbol in Mexico, according to Reuters witnesses. "We want U.S. authorities to see us, to see that we are people who want to work, not to harm anyone," said Honduran migrant Roy Murillo, who joined the caravan with his two children and his pregnant wife. In recent years, several caravans with people hoping to enter the United States have attempted to reach the U.S.-Mexican border, traveling in mass groups for safety. Most have dispersed along the way. "I'm afraid to travel alone with my family. Here, the cartels either kidnap you or kill you. ... That's why we're coming in the caravan," Murillo said. Murillo recounted his unsuccessful attempts to secure an asylum appointment through a mobile app developed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. Tapachula, a mandatory crossing point for tens of thousands of migrants, has become one of Mexico's most violent cities in recent months, with migrants frequently targeted by organized crime, according to official data. "I feel suffocated here. That's why we decided to leave," said 28-year-old Venezuelan migrant Thais, who spoke on condition that her surname not be used due to safety concerns. She joined the caravan with her husband and 3-year-old daughter. "I wish Mr. Trump and Ms. Kamala would see that we are human beings, that we want to live and support our families," she added. Voters cast ballots on Tuesday in the race between Vice President Harris, a Democrat seeking to become the first female U.S. president, and Trump, a Republican immigration hard-liner aiming to regain the presidency. Full Article Americas USA Immigration
0 Temple of Satan gains ground in Chile as faith in traditional religions wanes By www.voanews.com Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 04:21:57 -0500 SANTIAGO, Chile — It's Friday night in Santiago, and 15 people gather around a table, sharing a bottle of wine as the smell of tobacco and incense fill the air. Black candles burn on top of an altar decorated with chalices and knives. The members of the Temple of Satan are about to start a ritual. Five years after the Satanic Temple of the United States made headlines — and unleashed a wave of panic — when it was designated a church, a similar organization in Chile, a conservative country where half of its population of 18 million identifies as Catholic, is asking the government to be recognized legally as a religious association. Scholars, believers and residents consulted by The Associated Press note that Chile, where a long-lasting tradition of Catholicism has played a leading role in public discussions, is experiencing a crisis of faith, following revelations of multiple sexual abuse scandals within the Catholic Church over the years. "These types of organizations now feel that they have greater support to challenge what was virtually impossible before," said Luis Bahamondes, a professor at the Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Chile. And that's because, "until very recently, the Catholic Church enjoyed an unprecedented power. It had an opinion on everything: politics, economics, geopolitics, sexuality and education." No sacrifices, devil worship Despite its name, the Temple of Satan: Satanists and Luciferians of Chile does not embark on sacrifices nor ask its congregants to worship the devil. Among its 100 members are people who work as publicists, firefighters, police officers, lawyers and psychologists, and who have found in the organization a way to defy moral norms, dogmas and religious impositions. While they embrace the term Satanist, they don't revere or believe in Satan. Instead, they worship rationality, individualism, pleasure and the mundane life. Rather than gods, they praise humankind. "You are the owner of your present and future, there is no God that makes decisions for you," said Haborym, a spokesperson for the group, during a walk through tombs and mausoleums at the General Cemetery of Santiago. He noted that the figure of Satan is purely symbolic and their rituals are performed "to bring out the emotions and leave the intellect aside." Haborym and other members of the Temple of Satan in Chile spoke on condition their real names not be used, particularly with many holding public-facing jobs, citing growing threats. While Hollywood movies like "Rosemary's Baby" and TV series such as "True Detective" helped to portray the idea of Satanists as linked to sacrifice, evil, pain and death, modern groups like Chile's Temple of Satan are strongly against animal abuse, prohibit the affiliation of people with criminal records, see pleasures as a delight rather than a sin, and do not express their opinions unless asked. "We don't want people killing in the name of Satan," said Haborym. How to join In order to join Chile's Temple of Satan, applicants are requested to go through a lengthy process that includes filling out a form, showing proof of not having a criminal record, being interviewed by a special commission and, finally, being evaluated by a psychologist. Once they are accepted, members can choose a new name — normally that of a demon or fallen angel — with which they will be identified inside the temple and among other associates. Founded in 2021, Chile's Temple of Satan has 100 members, and more than 400 people applied to join in the past few weeks, said Haborym. The interest spiked at the end of July, when the group formally requested that the country's Ministry of Justice legally recognize it as a religious association. A media frenzy followed, unleashing a heated debate and causing a stir among Chile's main religious denominations. "The history of Satanism is well known [and] it has often been the cause of tragedies," the leaders of several churches in Chile, including the Catholic, Anglican, Jewish and Evangelical, said in a joint statement. Following in the steps of the Church of Satan, founded in 1966 by Anton Szandor LaVey, modern Satanists praise skepticism and logic over celestial or supernatural beings. Its followers are free to formulate their own beliefs, rites and spiritual practices. Many self-described Satanists and Luciferians are atheists. Others say they are witches or believe in the power of magic. "We do accept that there are certain bases, both academic and esoteric, that give meaning to our existence and reality," said Azazel, who quit Judaism four years ago and, one year later, founded the Temple of Satan of Chile. His words resonate in the darkness of the chamber and are interspersed with chants, clapping, mantras and readings of passages from the Satanic Bible and the Bible of the Adversary, the main guidelines of the group. Disappointed worshippers Just like Azazel, others have turned to the Temple of Satan out of disappointment with traditional religions. The new congregants include not only occultists and esotericists, but also Catholics, Jews, Protestants and Evangelicals. "In Satanism there are no solutions or absolute truths. You are your own god and you create your own reality," said Kali Ma, a dentistry student who was born and raised in a Jehovah's Witness family. "If we compare both, Jehovah's Witnesses are the real sect," she said. "They don't let you do certain things, they tell you how to dress, what to do, how to behave, whether or not to grow a beard." Nestor da Costa, an expert in secularism and religion at the Catholic University of Uruguay, said the influx of people seeking answers through different perspectives might be linked to the search for less dogmatic approaches. "It may be a readjustment of the religious side of people who leave Catholicism but continue to believe in something," he said. It is unclear if the Chilean government will legally recognize the Temple of Satan as a legitimate religious association, but its very existence has already helped to spark a discussion that until recently was unthinkable in this conservative society. Demanding recognition is the ultimate expression of everything praised by Satanic aesthetics: the rebellion against the status quo and the breakup with deep-rooted traditions. "We comply with everything that is requested of us as a religious entity," says Haborym. "So there would be no reason to reject us beyond the fact that we're a controversial figure." Full Article Americas
0 Gunmen kill 10 in central Mexico bar attack By www.voanews.com Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 12:04:34 -0500 Mexico City — Gunmen in a truck pulled up to a bar in central Mexico and opened fire, killing 10 people, authorities said, in an area that had been spared the worst of the country's raging criminal violence. Security camera footage published by local media showed the perpetrators leaping from the vehicle and bursting into the venue as terrified customers fled or dived to the floor. The attack late Saturday on Los Cantaritos bar in Queretaro's downtown district left 10 people dead and at least seven injured, according to the city's public security department chief Juan Luis Ferrusca. "Emergency services arrived at the scene and confirmed that at least four people armed with long weapons had arrived on board a pickup truck," Ferrusca said in a video on social media. One suspect was detained and the vehicle used in the attack was found abandoned and set on fire, he said. The victims included three women, according to the Queretaro state prosecutor's office, which said forensic experts were examining the scene of the attack and the vehicle. Queretaro, the capital of Queretaro state, is considered one of the safer cities in Mexico, which has been plagued by years of drug cartel-related violence. "The entire security system of Queretaro is mobilized to find the criminals" behind the attack, state governor Mauricio Kuri said on social media platform X. "We will continue to shield our borders and maintain the security of our state," he said, adding, "Those responsible for this brutal act will be punished." Queretaro, a city known more for its colonial architecture than for its crime, is around 200 kilometers northwest of Mexico City. Across Mexico, spiraling violence, much of it linked to drug trafficking and gangs, has seen more than 450,000 people murdered since 2006. Tackling the murders and kidnappings that are a daily occurrence is among the major challenges facing President Claudia Sheinbaum. The former Mexico City mayor, who became the country's first woman president on October 1, has ruled out declaring "war" on drug cartels. Instead, she has pledged to continue her predecessor's strategy of using social policy to tackle crime at its roots, while also making better use of intelligence. The northwestern cartel stronghold of Sinaloa has seen a surge in violence since the July arrest of drug lord Ismael Zambada in the United States unleashed a wave of gang infighting. There has also been a spike in bloodshed in the southern state of Guerrero, the scene of long-running gang turf wars. Authorities said Thursday that the bodies of 11 people, including two minors, were found abandoned in a pickup truck in the state capital Chilpancingo. They were part of a group of 17 people -- reported to be traveling merchants -- who were declared missing last month. Full Article Americas
0 6.8 magnitude earthquake shakes Cuba after hurricanes and blackouts By www.voanews.com Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 13:32:36 -0500 Havana — A 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook eastern Cuba on Sunday, after weeks of hurricanes and blackouts that have left many on the island reeling. The epicenter of the quake was located approximately 40 km south of Bartolomé Masó, Cuba, according to a report by the United States Geological Survey. The rumbling was felt across the eastern stretch of Cuba, including in bigger cities like Santiago de Cuba. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Residents in Santiago, Cuba's second largest city, were left shaken on Sunday. Yolanda Tabío, 76, said people in the city flocked to the streets and were still nervously sitting in their doorways. She said she felt at least two aftershocks following the quake, but that among friends and family she hadn't heard of any damages. "You had to see how everything was moving, the walls, everything," she told The Associated Press. The earthquake comes during another tough stretch for Cuba. On Wednesday, Category 3 Hurricane Rafael ripped through western Cuba, with strong winds knocking out power island-wide, destroying hundreds of homes and forcing evacuations of hundreds of thousands of people. Days after, much of the island was still struggling without power. Weeks before in October, the island was also hit by a one-two punch. First, it was hit by island-wide blackouts stretching on for days, a product of the island's energy crisis. Shortly after, it was slapped by a powerful hurricane that struck the eastern part of the island and killed at least six people. The blackouts and wider discontent among many struggling to get by has stoked small protests across the island. Full Article Americas
0 Locals move to protect Chile's giant desert geoglyphs scarred by off-roaders By www.voanews.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 07:32:17 -0500 IQUIQUE, Chile — Over a thousand years ago, the hundreds of giant geoglyphs carved into the desert in northern Chile were a bustling scene. They marked sources of water in the vast arid landscape and were where locals came together to trade skins, animals and fish. Now the carvings are scarred with hundreds of tire tracks from motorcycles and off-road vehicles tearing through the art creations in the landscape and permanently disfiguring them. "It's practically destroyed by motorcycles, off-roaders," said Jose Barraza, general director of the regional national patrimony office. He said various groups were trying to preserve the site to prevent any more destruction - but also without restoring it to its former glory, to show the error of people's ways in the future. "[It] will be an example that shows future generations what not to do with our heritage, no matter how painful or how much anger, discomfort or resentment we feel towards it," he said. Local resident Angelo Araya says the community has been working with a local museum and authorities to try and "put an end to the destruction." The goal, Araya says, is to stop motorcycle and off-road vehicles from damaging the site further and "to make everyone aware that this is not just a heritage site, but that it belongs to all of us." The site has gone through many phases, going from a place to barter, to an abandoned site, to one where people were looking for gold. Eventually Chile's national forests association CONAF turned the area into part of the Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve. Sand board instructor Franco Diaz said the government should physically close off access to the sites as the geoglyphs are difficult to spot. "If a jeep driver goes behind the hill, he won't notice if there's a geoglyph," Diaz said. "They should close the perimeter and protect these sites that are over 1,000 years old." Full Article Americas Arts & Culture
0 EU Green Diplomacy Weeks in ASEAN 2024 kicks off with a fun run and green events By www.philstar.com Published On :: Sun, 27 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0800 Around 500 participants took part, including representatives from ASEAN, the EU and its Member States, youth and individuals with special needs. The event took place along Jalan Sudirman, leading to Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan, Jakarta. Full Article
0 Paris agreement climate goals 'in great peril' — UN By www.philstar.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 17:12:00 +0800 The Paris climate agreement's goals "are in great peril" and 2024 is on track to break new temperature records, the United Nations warned Monday as COP29 talks opened in Baku. Full Article
0 2024 Cross-Border Reporting on Climate Change Workshop By www.eastwestcenter.org Published On :: Thu, 07 Sep 2023 21:02:04 +0000 2024 Cross-Border Reporting on Climate Change Workshop grandyd Thu, 09/07/2023 - 11:02 Sep 10, 2023 India Nepal Pakistan Environment & Climate Media Full Article
0 US-Korea Commercial Relations Beyond Washington & Seoul Application By www.eastwestcenter.org Published On :: Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:52:41 +0000 US-Korea Commercial Relations Beyond Washington & Seoul Application jacksonl Wed, 03/08/2023 - 05:52 Mar 26, 2023 South Korea Economics Education & Exchange Governance Science & Technology Full Article
0 Summer Institute 2023: Women in Buddhism Application By www.eastwestcenter.org Published On :: Tue, 08 Nov 2022 19:20:08 +0000 Summer Institute 2023: Women in Buddhism Application watanabe Tue, 11/08/2022 - 09:20 Dec 1, 2022 Arts & Culture Education & Exchange Gender Equality Full Article
0 2024 Resilient Pacific Islands Leaders (RPIL) Fellowship By www.eastwestcenter.org Published On :: Thu, 16 Feb 2023 00:56:22 +0000 2024 Resilient Pacific Islands Leaders (RPIL) Fellowship hasegaws Wed, 02/15/2023 - 14:56 Oct 19, 2023 Pacific Leadership Full Article
0 2024 Changing Faces Women's Leadership Seminar By www.eastwestcenter.org Published On :: Wed, 06 Dec 2023 02:14:11 +0000 2024 Changing Faces Women's Leadership Seminar grandyd Tue, 12/05/2023 - 16:14 Feb 5, 2024 Gender Equality Leadership Full Article
0 Summer Institute 2023: Modern China in Three Keys Application By www.eastwestcenter.org Published On :: Wed, 02 Nov 2022 20:48:20 +0000 Summer Institute 2023: Modern China in Three Keys Application watanabe Wed, 11/02/2022 - 10:48 Nov 2, 2022 China Arts & Culture Education & Exchange Full Article
0 Summer Institute 2024: Modern Southeast Asia Application By www.eastwestcenter.org Published On :: Thu, 10 Aug 2023 23:03:30 +0000 Summer Institute 2024: Modern Southeast Asia Application watanabe Thu, 08/10/2023 - 13:03 Nov 1, 2023 Southeast Asia Arts & Culture Education & Exchange Full Article
0 Summer Institute 2024: Infusing Korean Studies in American Undergraduate Higher Education By www.eastwestcenter.org Published On :: Wed, 10 Jan 2024 22:29:46 +0000 Summer Institute 2024: Infusing Korean Studies in American Undergraduate Higher Education watanabe Wed, 01/10/2024 - 12:29 Feb 22, 2024 South Korea Arts & Culture Education & Exchange Full Article
0 2024 Jefferson Fellowships By www.eastwestcenter.org Published On :: Wed, 21 Feb 2024 01:32:17 +0000 2024 Jefferson Fellowships grandyd Tue, 02/20/2024 - 15:32 May 9, 2024 Media Full Article
0 2024 Pacific Islands Leadership Program with Taiwan (PILP) By www.eastwestcenter.org Published On :: Fri, 19 Jan 2024 19:50:14 +0000 2024 Pacific Islands Leadership Program with Taiwan (PILP) concepcl Fri, 01/19/2024 - 09:50 Jan 22, 2024 Pacific Leadership Full Article
0 2025 Melvin M.S. Goo Writing Fellowship By www.eastwestcenter.org Published On :: Tue, 15 Aug 2023 00:21:47 +0000 2025 Melvin M.S. Goo Writing Fellowship grandyd Mon, 08/14/2023 - 14:21 Sep 11, 2024 China United States Media Full Article
0 Sheldon Tatchell takes the crown as 2024’s Entrepreneur of the Year By www.iol.co.za Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 12:54:59 GMT Full Article
0 Farmers face uncertainty as weather conditions threaten 2024/25 crop yields By www.iol.co.za Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 13:44:17 GMT Full Article
0 Lee shatters record with stunning 150 By www.iol.co.za Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 14:20:00 GMT Full Article
0 Floyd Shivambu aims for two-thirds majority in 2029 elections By www.iol.co.za Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 19:06:10 GMT Full Article
0 Newly appointed secretary-general, Shivambu eyes 2026, 2029 local and national elections By www.iol.co.za Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 06:59:14 GMT Full Article
0 SIU investigates corruption allegations against SASRIA following July 2021 unrest By www.iol.co.za Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:16:49 GMT Full Article
0 GEPF portfolio grows to record R2.38 trillion in 2023/24 despite volatile economic conditions By www.iol.co.za Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:29:18 GMT Full Article
0 Los cielos nuevos y la tierra nueva, 3ª Parte By feeds.gracia.org Published On :: Wed, 31 May 2023 00:00:00 PST La enseñanza bíblica en profundidad de John MacArthur lleva la verdad transformadora de la Palabra de Dios a millones de personas cada día.Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
0 Proveyendo sombra para nuestros hijos, 1ª Parte A By feeds.gracia.org Published On :: Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:00:00 PST La enseñanza bíblica en profundidad de John MacArthur lleva la verdad transformadora de la Palabra de Dios a millones de personas cada día.Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
0 Proveyendo sombra para nuestros hijos, 1ª Parte B By feeds.gracia.org Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2023 00:00:00 PST La enseñanza bíblica en profundidad de John MacArthur lleva la verdad transformadora de la Palabra de Dios a millones de personas cada día.Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
0 Proveyendo sombra para nuestros hijos, 2ª Parte A By feeds.gracia.org Published On :: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 PST La enseñanza bíblica en profundidad de John MacArthur lleva la verdad transformadora de la Palabra de Dios a millones de personas cada día.Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
0 Proveyendo sombra para nuestros hijos, 2ª Parte B By feeds.gracia.org Published On :: Mon, 12 Jun 2023 00:00:00 PST La enseñanza bíblica en profundidad de John MacArthur lleva la verdad transformadora de la Palabra de Dios a millones de personas cada día.Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
0 Proveyendo sombra para nuestros hijos, 3ª Parte A By feeds.gracia.org Published On :: Tue, 13 Jun 2023 00:00:00 PST La enseñanza bíblica en profundidad de John MacArthur lleva la verdad transformadora de la Palabra de Dios a millones de personas cada día.Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
0 Proveyendo sombra para nuestros hijos, 3ª Parte B By feeds.gracia.org Published On :: Wed, 14 Jun 2023 00:00:00 PST La enseñanza bíblica en profundidad de John MacArthur lleva la verdad transformadora de la Palabra de Dios a millones de personas cada día.Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
0 Proveyendo sombra para nuestros hijos, 4ª Parte A By feeds.gracia.org Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2023 00:00:00 PST La enseñanza bíblica en profundidad de John MacArthur lleva la verdad transformadora de la Palabra de Dios a millones de personas cada día.Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
0 Proveyendo sombra para nuestros hijos, 4ª Parte B By feeds.gracia.org Published On :: Fri, 16 Jun 2023 00:00:00 PST La enseñanza bíblica en profundidad de John MacArthur lleva la verdad transformadora de la Palabra de Dios a millones de personas cada día.Click the icon below to listen. Full Article
0 La responsabilidad del cristiano en una sociedad pagana, 1ª Parte A By feeds.gracia.org Published On :: Mon, 19 Jun 2023 00:00:00 PST La enseñanza bíblica en profundidad de John MacArthur lleva la verdad transformadora de la Palabra de Dios a millones de personas cada día.Click the icon below to listen. Full Article