IGIHE

Author: IGIHE

  • US urges UN to investigate DRC murders

    {The United States on Monday urged the United Nations to establish a special investigation into the murder of two UN experts who had been gathering evidence of mass graves in the Democratic Republic of Congo.}

    US Ambassador Nikki Haley, in Geneva for meetings of the UN Human Rights Council, also said a separate formal commission of inquiry should be set up to report on human rights violations in Kasai province.

    A 16-year-old student and a 30-year-old man went on trial Monday for the murder in Kasai of American Michael Sharp and Swedish-Chilean Zaida Catalan two months ago.

    The United Nations has questioned the Kinshasa government’s handling of the probe that led to the arrest of the two suspects, saying it was hastily done.

    “After the tragic deaths of Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan, they and their families deserve justice,” Haley said in a statement.

    “We owe it to their legacy to end the human rights abuses being carried out by armed groups and the DRC government against the Congolese people.”

    Haley called on countries to support the US push for a special investigation set up by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and a commission of inquiry “into these horrific acts.”

    Last week, a coalition of 262 Congolese and nine international rights groups including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International urged the Geneva-based rights council to set up the inquiry on the Kasai violence.

    The region has seen a major spike in violence since September when government forces killed tribal chief and militia leader Kamwina Nsapu who had rebelled against President Joseph Kabila.

    The unrest has claimed more than 400 lives and forced more than 1.2 million from their homes, according to UN figures. Unconfirmed local statistics put the number of dead as high as 3,000.

    The UN has also reported finding 40 mass graves, which Sharp and Catalan were investigating when they were abducted and killed.

    The rights council has set up similar commissions of inquiry to collect information on atrocities committed in Syria and North Korea.

    Source:News 24

  • Rwanda Day to be held in Brussels

    {It has been confirmed that the next Rwanda Day will be held in Brussels, Belgium on 10th June 2017. The event brings together Rwandan diaspora where they discuss their country’s progress and how to advocate for its development. Participants in the Rwanda Day are given time to ask questions to the president, share ideas and suggestions on Rwanda’s development. }

    Rwandan diaspora in countries bordering with Belgium have also pledged to attend the Rwanda Day to be held over the weekend.

    Rwanda Day was first held in Chicago city in the United States on 10th and 11th June 2011 where president Paul Kagame met over 4000 Rwandans and friends of Rwanda.

    Before joining Rwanda day in Belgium, president Kagame will attend a meeting on European Union developmentin Brussels from 7th to 8th June 2017.

    Rwandans in Belgium started preparations to welcome Kagame last week.

    The leadership of Diaspora Rwandaise de Belgique-Rugali (DRB-Rugali) called on Rwandans to welcome President Kagame.

    President Paul Kagame and First Lady during a previous Rwanda Day.Photo Village Urugwiro

  • South Africa falls into second recession in a decade

    {South Africa has fallen into recession for the first time in eight years after economic growth shrank by 0.7% between January and March.}

    The downturn, due to weak manufacturing and trade, follows a 0.3% fall in GDP in the final quarter last year.

    It is the first time that economic has slowed for two consecutive quarters – the technical definition of a recession – since 2009.

    The value of the rand fell by 1% on the currency markets.

    Analysts had expected GDP to grow by 0.9% during the first quarter. However, Joe de Beer, deputy director general of Statistics South Africa, said: “We can now pronounce that the economy is in recession.”

    He added: “The major industries that contracted in the economy were the trade and manufacturing sectors.”

    {{Junk status}}

    Africa’s third-largest economy is under pressure after President Jacob Zuma fired its respected finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, earlier this year.

    It prompted two credit rating agencies, Standard and Poor’s and Fitch, to downgrade South Africa’s credit worthiness to junk.

    This means it is more expensive for South Africa to borrow money, because it is seen as having a higher risk defaulting on its debts.

    Last week, S&P and Fitch pointed to further concerns about the South African economy, including uncertainty over who will succeed President Zuma as leader of the ruling African National Congress.

    A successor is expected to be chosen in December, but Mr Zuma can remain as head of state until an election in 2019.

    Source:BBC

  • Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari is ‘recuperating fast’

    {Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari is “recuperating fast” from his illness, his wife Aisha Buhari has said.}

    She made the comments after a trip to London, where her husband is being treated for an unspecified illness.

    Mr Buhari, 74, left for London nearly a month ago – his second trip to the UK for treatment this year.

    His absence has led to some anxiety in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy, with people speculating about whether he will be able to resume his duties.

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is acting president, and has been widely praised for his handling of the country’s economic crisis, following a sharp fall in the price of oil, its major export.

    Mr Buhari took about seven weeks of medical leave in January, and flew to the UK for treatment.

    When he returned home in March, he hinted that he had undergone a blood transfusion, but did not disclose his illness.

    He flew again to London on 7 May for further treatment, and has not indicated when he will return.

    Mrs Buhari said her husband thanked Nigerians for their “constant prayers and said he will soon be with them as he is recuperating fast”.

    She returned to Nigeria after spending about a week with her husband in London.

    {{Buhari’s unhealthy start to 2017}}

    19 January: Leaves for UK on “medical vacation”
    5 February: Asks parliament to extend medical leave
    10 March: Returns home but does not resume work immediately
    26 April: Misses second cabinet meeting and is “working from home”
    28 April: Misses Friday prayers
    3 May: Misses third consecutive cabinet meeting
    5 May: Appears at Friday prayers in Abuja
    7 May: Travels to UK for further treatment
    6 June: Aisha Buhari says his is ‘recuperating fast’

    President Buhari has hinted that he had a blood transfusion

    Source:BBC

  • Mozambique warns of ritual attacks against bald people

    {Police in Mozambique Tuesday warned that bald people could be the targets of ritual attacks, after the brutal killing of two men whose body parts were to be used in witchcraft.}

    The two bald men, one of whom was found with his head cut off and organs removed, were killed in a part of the country already notorious for the persecution of albinos.

    “Last month, the murders of two bald people led to the arrest of two suspects,” national police spokesman Inacio Dina told a news conference in the capital Maputo.

    “Their motivations come from superstition and culture: the local community thinks bald individuals are rich,” he said.

    {{Victims}}

    The killings took place in Milange, in the centre of the southern African country, a few kilometres from the border with Malawi.

    The local police said that the two victims were aged over 40.

    “One of them was found with his head cut off and his organs removed,” said Miguel Caetano, spokesman for the security forces in the central province of Zambezia.

    The suspects arrested are two Mozambicans around 20 years old.

    {{Rituals }}

    According to their statements, the organs were to be used by healers in rituals to promote the fortunes of clients in Tanzania and Malawi, he said.

    It was the first time that bald people have been victims of such attacks in the region, Caetano said.

    In Maputo, the national police spokesman likened the attacks to those on albinos, whose body parts are used in witchcraft rituals.

    According to the UN, more than a hundred attacks against albinos — who have white skin because of a hereditary condition that causes an absence of pigmentation — have been registered in Mozambique since 2014, mainly in the centre and the north of the country.

    Warning comes after two bald men were killed in brutal attacks, with body parts thought to have been used in witchcraft rituals.

    Source:AFP

  • Kenya:FIDA threatens court action over nurses’ strike

    {The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has threatened to sue the government over its failure to end the nurses’ strike that has left several people dead and services paralysed in public hospitals.}

    In a hard-hitting statement, FIDA Kenya chairperson Josephine Mong’are said the action is to protect the women and children of Kenya.

    “It is extremely disheartening to see the nurses go on strike at a time when the country is yet to heal from the doctors’ strike that ended three months ago,” said Ms Mong’are.

    She went on: “FIDA Kenya is disturbed by the inefficient approach with which the government continues to address the problems in the health sector.

    “Ordinary citizens, who diligently pay taxes, are often left helpless and desperate for health services. Maternal and Child Health Care is the most affected. No woman should die while giving life.”

    {{Postpone problems }}

    The federation took issue with the rate at which collective bargaining agreements (CBA) in healthcare services are losing their value.

    It said the CBAs are increasingly becoming a public gimmick meant to deceive Kenyans and a ploy to postpone problems.

    “One is left to wonder whether all relevant stakeholders are usually involved and whether the right technical expertise is put in place during CBA negotiations.

    “It is becoming unbearable to be treated to blame games by the different stakeholders. The Government of Kenya owes it to its citizens to put an end to the … CBAs that lead to hundreds of lives being lost,” said the chairperson.

    She reminded the government that it has a constitutional responsibility to protect the right to life and provide the highest attainable healthcare for Kenyans.

    “We call upon the President and his government to take a decisive action to end the strike and restore the public health care system,” added Ms Mong’are.

    The nurses’ strike entered its third day on Wednesday, with over 25,000 nurses boycotting work.

    Patients left alone in a ward following the nurses' strike that entered its third day on June 7, 2017.

    Source:Daily Nation

  • More 200 homes connected with solar energy in Rubavu and Nyamasheke

    {The Police Week activities continued Tuesday in Rubavu and Nyamasheke Districts where close to 200 households were installed with solar energy systems courtesy of Rwanda National Police.}

    In Rubavu District, the official handover of the 64 solar energy systems was presided over by the Western Region Governor Alphone Munyentwari together with the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), in charge of Administration and Personnel Juvenal Marizamunda.

    The homes that were connected to solar are located in Rugongwe Village of Yungwe Cell in Kanama Sector. The handover was preceded by community work – Umuganda – where residents partnered with police in clearing roads connecting to Rugongwe Village.

    In his address, Governor Munyentwari hailed RNP for the activities conducted in police week saying that thousands have been connected to solar energy which will contribute to their welfare and security in general.

    DIGP Marizamunda recognized residents’ efforts in contributing to their own safety saying that RNP is committed to continue ensuring their security and welfare.

    “You have maintained a high level of hygiene in your village and the rate of crimes is very low, this is something to highly commend. RNP is committed to continue supporting you in all ways possible,” said the deputy Police Chief

    He highlighted the effects of drug abuse saying that consumption of illegal substances has ill-effects on individual development and the country in general. He reminded them to be alert at all times and report cases of human trafficking where they are suspected.

    In Nyamasheke, the handover was presided over by the District Mayor Aime Fabien Kamali along with Commanding Officer of Canine Brigade, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benoit Kayijuka where 113 homes in Ruhengeri village, Bisumo cell of Cyato sector.

    During the handover event, both ACP Kayijuka and Mayor Kamali reminded residents about their role in crime prevention.

    At both sites, the cheerful residents who are also beneficiaries expressed their gratitude towards President Paul Kagame and attributed the new achievements to him.

    Part of the ongoing Police Week activities is to connect over 3500 homes to solar powered energy systems including health centers in remote areas as well as construction of toilets for needy families, and clean water among many other activities.

    Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), in charge of Administration and Personnel Juvenal Marizamunda addresses the residents during the event.

    Source:Police

  • Are friends better for us than family?

    {The power of friendship gets stronger with age and may even be more important than family relationships, indicates new research by a Michigan State University scholar.}

    In a pair of studies involving nearly 280,000 people, William Chopik found that friendships become increasingly important to one’s happiness and health across the lifespan. Not only that, but in older adults, friendships are actually a stronger predictor of health and happiness than relationships with family members.

    “Friendships become even more important as we age,” said Chopik, assistant professor of psychology. “Keeping a few really good friends around can make a world of difference for our health and well-being. So it’s smart to invest in the friendships that make you happiest.”

    For the first study, Chopik analyzed survey information about relationships and self-rated health and happiness from 271,053 participants of all ages from nearly 100 countries. The second study looked at data from a separate survey about relationship support/strain and chronic illness from 7,481 older adults in the United States.

    According to the first study, both family and friend relationships were linked to better health and happiness overall, but only friendships became a stronger predictor of health and happiness at advanced ages.

    The second study also showed that friendships were very influential – when friends were the source of strain, participants reported more chronic illnesses; when friends were the source of support, participants were happier.

    Chopik said that may be because of the optional nature of relationships – that over time, we keep the friends we like and make us feel good and discard the rest. Friends also can provide a source of support for people who don’t have spouses or for those who don’t lean on family in times of need. Friends can also help prevent loneliness in older adults who may experience bereavement and often rediscover their social lives after they retire.

    Family relationships are often enjoyable too, Chopik said, but sometimes they involve serious, negative and monotonous interactions.

    “There are now a few studies starting to show just how important friendships can be for older adults. Summaries of these studies show that friendships predict day-to-day happiness more and ultimately how long we’ll live, more so than spousal and family relationships,” he said.

    Friendships often take a “back seat” in relationships research, Chopik added, which is strange, especially considering that they might be more influential for our happiness and health than other relationships.

    “Friendships help us stave off loneliness but are often harder to maintain across the lifespan,” he said. “If a friendship has survived the test of time, you know it must be a good one – a person you turn to for help and advice often and a person you wanted in your life.”

    “Friendships become even more important as we age,” said William Chopik, a Michigan State University assistant professor of psychology whose study suggests friendships may actually be more important than family relationships.

    Source:Science Daily

  • Starving prostate cancer with what you eat: Apple peels, red grapes, turmeric

    {When you dine on curry and baked apples, enjoy the fact that you are eating something that could play a role starving — or even preventing — cancer.}

    New research from The University of Texas at Austin identifies several natural compounds found in food, including turmeric, apple peels and red grapes, as key ingredients that could thwart the growth of prostate cancer, the most common cancer afflicting U.S. men.

    Published online this week in Precision Oncology, the new paper uses a novel analytical approach to screen numerous plant-based chemicals instead of testing a single agent as many studies do, discovering specific combinations that shrink prostate cancer tumors.

    “After screening a natural compound library, we developed an unbiased look at combinations of nutrients that have a better effect on prostate cancer than existing drugs,” says corresponding author Stefano Tiziani, assistant professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dell Pediatric Research Institute at UT Austin. “The beauty of this study is that we were able to inhibit tumor growth in mice without toxicity.”

    During the past decade, some cancer research has highlighted the potential therapies found in plants, including chemicals found in foods such as turmeric, apple peels and green tea. These compounds minimize one of the risk factors for cancer, inflammation within the body. People who have chronic inflammation because of chronic infection, autoimmune disease or conditions such as obesity have a higher cancer risk because of damage to normal cells.

    The researchers first tested 142 natural compounds on mouse and human cell lines to see which inhibited prostate cancer cell growth when administered alone or in combination with another nutrient. The most promising active ingredients were then tested on model animals: ursolic acid, a waxy natural chemical found in apple peels and rosemary; curcumin, the bright yellow plant compound in turmeric; and resveratrol, a natural compound common to red grapes or berries.

    “These nutrients have potential anti-cancer properties and are readily available,” says Tiziani. “We only need to increase concentration beyond levels found in a healthy diet for an effect on prostate cancer cells.”

    The new research paper also demonstrates how the plant-based chemicals work together. Combining ursolic acid with either curcumin or resveratrol prevents cancer cells from gobbling something that they need to grow, glutamine. This is a neat solution: blocking the uptake of a nutrient needed by prostate cancer cells with nutrients that are commonly in the human diet.

    Source:Science Daily

  • 4 ways you waster money without knowing it

    {We’ve all thrown money away at some point, without really realising it. Wastefulness is bad though, because what you waste now, you could need tomorrow; besides, you worked hard for the money, so why waste it?}

    I’m going to share 4 ways we all mostly waste money, and hopefully, we’ll realise just how it happens, and learn to control it more.

    {{Sales promos }}

    Sales promos are designed to generate more sales and profit for a business. When a company starts one, it’s simply looking to get you to buy more, and part with more of your hard-earned money. Typically, sales promos ask you to buy more and win something exciting, or discount on prices. It sounds good, but it’ll drive you to buy more than you are used to buying, even things you don’t really need. When you buy stuff you have little need for, it’s wrong investment, and a wrong investment is a waste of money.

    {{Unused memberships }}

    Depending on your type of job, it’s mostly difficult to keep up with certain side tasks and leisure, like going to a gym or clubbing for example. In most parts, these two things require registration and membership for one to enjoy them. Now, imagine paying so much for these, and then, not having the time to enjoy them; would be a waste.

    {{Food waste}}

    Nobody likes to buy food and then throw them away, unless there’s something wrong. In a lot of societies, consistent power supply is still a myth and this does not help with food storage. Sometimes, you buy so much because there’s electricity at that point, but then, that changes sooner or later. This often leads to unexpected wastage of food.

    {{Poor negotiation power }}

    Price negotiations are important because you can save a lot of money through it. Imagine paying for a car at a price nearly double the original cost. Negotiation can change that, and save you some money. If you don’t do this, you need to learn to.

    Source:Elcrema