World
Doctor’s Strike In Cameroon Leaves Patients Without Critical Care
A doctors’ strike in Cameroon left patients without critical care in the capital Yaoude, the latest in a string of union actions that have crippled a country in the midst of political crisis.
The doctors union, known as SYMEC, demanded better working conditions and pay and left nurses to attend to sick
Patients in some of Yaounde’s major hospitals.
The strike was not directly linked to other union action, but it adds to the turmoil in the central African
country where protests have erupted since October in the Anglophone south, and northwest regions.
Teachers and lawyers have been on strike for months to protest at what they say is their marginalisation by the French-speaking majority under President Paul Biya’s 35-year rule.
In reaction, the government has shut down the internet in English-speaking areas.
At Yaounde’s Central Hospital, a witness said, patients angrily waited to be seen, clutching prescriptions and test results, but there were no doctors in sight.
“My father had a motorcycle accident and must undergo surgery today.
“`There are no surgeons, we are told that there is a strike, and the nurse told us that they only deal with the sick in-house or by appointment,” said Marianne Balla, who was waiting in the Central Hospital.
The government said the strike was illegal as SYMEC is not a legally recognised union, a charge the union dismissed as untrue.
It was not clear how well observed the strike was in other parts of the country.
Some hospitals contacted by Reuters outside the capital said by telephone that they were operating normally.
The strike comes at a critical time for Biya, who is under pressure to peacefully resolve a growing crisis.
No fewer than six protesters have been shot dead and hundreds others arrested during the rare challenge to state authority ahead of a presidential election in 2018.
In an apparent bid to stamp out online critics, the government has cut internet access in the two English-speaking regions for three months, hobbling business activity and prompting criticism from human rights groups and the UN.
Still, with Biya looking to extend his long rule next year, some expect government crackdowns to continue.
“With elections coming up in 2018, we can expect the situation to get much worse before it gets better,” said Jeffrey Smith from campaign group Vanguard Africa.
World
10 dead, 30 injured after vehicle drives into crowd in US
At least 10 people have been killed after a vehicle drove into a large crowd in New Orleans, a city in Louisiana, United States.
The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in the French Quarter, a popular tourist area, when a car sped down Bourbon Street.
Witnesses told CBS News that the driver reportedly got out and began shooting at pedestrians. Police returned fire, and two officers were injured in the exchange.
Anne Kirkpatrick, the city’s police superintendent, described the attack as “very intentional”.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could,” she said.
Kirkpatrick said attack began at 15:15 local time (21:15 GMT), adding that most of the victims appeared to be local residents, but the identities of those killed or injured are still being determined.
She said numbers could change, but confirmed 10 people were killed and at least 35 others injured.
She said it is unclear how many victims are tourists and how many are locals but added that she believed that the majority are local to New Orleans.
The superintendent said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will take over the investigation into the incident.
Althea Duncan, FBI agent, clarified that the shooting was not a terrorist incident, but noted that “improvised explosive devices” were found on scene.
Duncan said the FBI is working to find out if they are “viable” devices and urged the public to stay away from the area.
Jeff Landry, governor of Louisiana, described the incident as a “horrific act of violence”.
Landry said he is praying for all the victims and first responders at the scene.
World
South Korean court issues arrest warrant for impeached president
A Seoul western district court has issued an arrest warrant against impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol following his botched martial law declaration.
It is the first time authorities have sought to detain a sitting South Korean president.
It is unclear when authorities would attempt to take Yeol into custody. January 6 was given as the deadline to execute the warrant.
“The arrest warrant and search warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, requested by the Joint Investigation Headquarters, were issued this morning,” the Joint Investigation Headquarters, which includes officials from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), police, and the defence ministry, said in a statement on Tuesday.
The warrant comes after Yeol, who is being investigated for power abuse and inciting an insurrection, ignored three summons in the last fortnight.
The president’s legal team has called the warrant “illegal and invalid” and said they would challenge it in court.
World
Biden declares January 9 national mourning day for Jimmy Carter
United States President Joe Biden has declared January 9, 2025 as a national day of mourning for Jimmy Carter.
Carter, the 39th US president, died on Sunday at 100. He was the first ex-US president to become a centenarian.
Biden described Carter as an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.
“With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us,” Biden said in a statement following Carter’s death.
“He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.
“He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together,” he added, referencing Carter’s wife of 77 years who died in November 2023.
Biden ordered that flags be displayed at half-staff at the White House, all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels for a period of 30 days from Carter’s death.
The president said similar arrangements applied to US representatives in foreign countries at embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad.
“I do further appoint January 9, 2025, as a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States,” Biden added.
The president urged Americans and people around the world who share in the grief to honour Carter’s memory on the said day.
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