adminVolunteer editors against Wikipedia blackout
WASHINGTON. – The shutdown of Wikipedia, one of the Internet’s most-visited sites, is not sitting well with some of its volunteer editors, who say the protest of anti-piracy legislation could threaten the credibility of their work. “My main concern is that it puts the organisation in the role of advocacy, and that’s a slippery slope,” said editor Robert Lawton, a Michigan
Nigeria orders probe into fuel corruption
ABUJA. – Nigeria’s graft watchdog has launched an investigation into corruption surrounding government subsidies on imported fuel, which critics say have bled billions of dollars from the treasury into the pockets of fuel importers. The move follows a week of protests after President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration tried to axe the popular subsidy to tackle corruption and waste in
No going back, says Uhuru Kenyatta
NAIROBI. – Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta maintains that not even a war crimes case at The Hague can pull him out of the race to succeed President Mwai Kibaki. Kenyatta, who is awaiting a verdict from the International Criminal Court Pre-Trial Chamber on whether he should face trial over the 2008 post-election violence, said he would press on with his
‘Occupy’ protestors target White House
WASHINGTON – Protestors linked to the “Occupy” movement apparently threw a smoke bomb over the White House fence, capping a day of protests in Washington, the Secret Service said. No arrests were made after demonstrators from the Occupy DC group marched on the White House, and protesters were peacefully dispersed, as officers dealt with the device, a Secret Service
Cuba prepares for Dilma Rouseff’s visit
HAVANA. – Cuban leader Raul Castro met with Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota on Tuesday to prepare President Dilma Rouseff’s visit on January 31, official broadcaster NNTV reported. During the talks, president Castro and Patriota praised the “excellent” relations between the two countries and discussed the details of Rouseff’s visit to Cuba, NNTV said. Cuban
Kenya tourism, environment under human siege
RIFT VALLEY, Kenya. – Several years ago, Lakes Kamnarok and Ol Bollosat in Kenya were vibrant water bodies that supported and shaped the ecosystems around them. But today they are shells of their former selves, due to heavy siltation caused by human activities. “Siltation is still happening, the lake is drying up and this is threatening Lake Kamnarok and the
‘Single UN flag’ proposed timelines
l 1997: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan commissions “Renewing the United Nations – A Programme for Reform” in a bid to improve UN co-ordination. This notes that “separate UN entities . . . pursue their activities separately, without regard to or benefiting from each other’s presence”. It rules that “all UN entities . . . at country level will operate in common premises
UN integration: Mission Impossible?
LONDON. – Putting all UN operations in a country under a single management structure is not as simple as it might sound.
In some countries, different parts of the UN may be negotiating with rebels to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid, while their colleagues might be involved in planning military assaults against the very same groups. Neutrality, impartiality and
Keeping Tonga language alive
Tichaona Zindoga Features Writer
Last year, a major milestone was achieved for minority languages in general and Tonga in particular, when the latter was officially tested at Grade Seven for the first time. The response was resounding, especially in Chief Mola’s area in Kariba
Immigrants’ rebate explained
The immigrant’s rebate is a duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) concession granted to individuals on their personal and household effects – including one motor vehicle -imported into Zimbabwe, subject to satisfying certain conditions laid down in the Customs and Excise (General) Regulations, 2001. This, therefore, means that individuals who qualify under this rebate