WORLD - The African Mirror

Aug

20

2020

Obama slams Trump as unfit, says U.S. democracy is at risk

WORLD

JOSEPH AX FORMER U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday assailed his successor, Donald Trump, as deeply unfit for the office he occupies and argued that voting for his former No. 2, Joe Biden, was necessary to ensure the survival of American democracy. "He's shown no interest in putting in the work; no interest in finding common ground; no interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends; no interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves," Obama said…

Aug

19

2020

By The African Mirror

Five takeaways from Day Two of the Democratic National Convention

WORLD

JAMES OLIPHANT THE Democratic National Convention has showcased the party's elder statesmen, up-and-coming political stars and delegates from colourful locations across the country all pressing to make Joe Biden the next U.S. president. Here are five takeaways from the second night of the convention: A TENTATIVE TRUCE The Democratic Party's moderates and progressives have declared a truce to establish a unified front against President Donald Trump. But it may last only as long as Biden's presidential campaign, win or lose. That was made apparent in a short address by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive force within the party. In a…

Aug

18

2020

By The African Mirror

Michelle Obama presses fight for Biden with scathing attack on Trump

WORLD

JOHN WHITESIDES and JAMES OLIPHANT FORMER first lady Michelle Obama has launched a blistering attack on President Donald Trump and urged Americans to elect Democrat Joe Biden in November to end the chaos she said had been created during the four years of Trump's presidency. In an impassioned speech capping the first night of the Democratic National Convention, Obama said the Republican Trump "has had enough time to prove that he can do the job" but had failed to meet the moment in a country reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, economic turmoil and racial injustice. "Whenever we look to this…

Aug

16

2020

By The African Mirror

Robert Trump, president’s brother who shunned the spotlight, dies

WORLD

STEVE HOLLAND ROBERT Trump, the younger brother of U.S. President Donald Trump and a business executive who avoided the spotlight, died on Saturday night, a day after the president visited him in a New York hospital. President Trump announced the death in a statement. "It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight. He was not just my brother, he was my best friend," the president said. "He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace,"…

Aug

30

2020

By The African Mirror

India to reopen underground train networks even as coronavirus cases jump

WORLD

NEHA ARORA INDIA will reopen underground train networks and allow sports and religious events in a limited manner from next month as part of the government's efforts to revive the economy, even as coronavirus infections soar. India reported 76,472 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, slightly lower than the numbers seen in the last couple of days, but extending a run that has made the country's outbreak currently the world's worst. The underground train network, a lifeline for millions in the capital city of New Delhi, will be reopened in a phased manner from Sept. 7, the federal home ministry said.…

Aug

30

2020

By The African Mirror

Brazil’s Pantanal, world’s largest wetland, burns from above and below

WORLD

JAKE SPRING THE world's largest wetland is ablaze, but the fire is often invisible. In Brazil's Pantanal, the vegetation compacted under the marshy floodwater during the wet season dries out as ponds and lagoons evaporate, leaving flammable deposits underground that can continue to smoulder long after visible flames die down. Firefighters across Brazil are battling raging towers of flames from the Amazon rainforest to the Cerrado savannah, but the fires beneath their feet are a particular challenge in the Pantanal. The only way to combat an underground fires is to dig a trench around it, said state firefighter Lieutenant Isaac…

Aug

29

2020

By The African Mirror

Iranian musician faces jail over women dancers and singers

WORLD

BAN BARKAWI IRANIAN musician Mehdi Rajabian said he is under house arrest as he awaits trial for working with female dancers and singers, in the country's latest move to stop women artists performing. Rajabian, 30, said he was arrested on August 10 following media reports that his latest project will include women singing and the publication of a video of a woman dancing to his music - both of which can be deemed immoral under Iranian law. Iran's justice ministry and the ministry of culture and Islamic guidance did not respond to requests for comment. "Even if I go to…

Aug

29

2020

By The African Mirror

New march on Washington embraces history on fraught anniversary of King’s speech

WORLD

MAKINI BRICE and NANDITA BOSE THOUSANDS of people took part in a march in Washington on Friday to denounce racism, on the anniversary of the march in 1963 where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr made his historic 'I Have a Dream' speech. "You might have killed the dreamer, but you can't kill the dream," civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton told Friday's crowd. Activists and politicians gave speeches, including Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who appeared in a recorded video. Many referenced John Lewis, the late lawmaker, who spoke at the 1963 march. They also referred to…

Aug

29

2020

By The African Mirror

On India’s COVID-19 frontline, female health workers push for fair pay

WORLD

ROLI SRIVASTAVA RUSHING from one home to another in a village in western India, health worker Ashwini Mhaske cannot afford to take a breather. Working to keep COVID-19 at bay while caring for mothers and babies, Mhaske races between households to meet job targets and earn bonuses for an average monthly wage of 4,000 rupees ($54) that India's army of rural health workers says is derisory. Accredited Social Health Activists - or ASHA workers - are the government's recognised health workers who are usually the first point of contact in rural India, where there is often limited or no direct…

Aug

28

2020

By The African Mirror

Teenager in Wisconsin shootings charged with six criminal counts

WORLD

NATHAN LAYNE KYLE Rittenhouse, a teenager arrested and charged in the shootings in Wisconsin that led to the death of two people and injury of another, faces six criminal counts, according to a court document released on Thursday. The charges against Rittenhouse in Kenosha County include first degree intentional homicide in the death of Anthony Huber, who was carrying a skateboard when he was gunned down. A conviction on that charge alone carries a life sentence. Rittenhouse, 17, is being held in Illinois where he lives. He has a court hearing on Friday for his requested extradition to Kenosha. The…