Connect with us

World

South African President, Jacob Zuma Disgraced Off Podium After Workers Booed Him

Published

on

Zuma

South African President Jacob Zuma made a hasty exit from a May Day rally on Monday after the crowd of workers that he was due to address became rowdy, with some booing and chanting slogans against him.

The labour federation Cosatu abruptly cancelled Zuma’s speech and other addresses at the rally it had organised, as TV footage showed scuffles breaking out in the crowd, apparently between supporters who voiced their backing of Zuma and opponents of the president.

Zuma and his entourage could be seen on live TV leaving the podium and being whisked away from the rally, in the central city of Bloemfontein, in a motorcade.

Cosatu, a key political ally of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), last month called on Zuma to step down after his sacking of the finance minister triggered a sovereign credit rating downgrade to “junk”.

Marches calling on Zuma to quit have drawn tens of thousands of protestors but the ANC has rejected such calls ahead of two conferences this year, one where it will chart its policy direction, the other where it will pick Zuma’s successor to lead the party in 2019 general elections.

The May Day public holiday is an important date in South Africa’s political calendar, when party leaders try to woo a working class that has been hard hit by lay-offs in key sectors such as mining.

Zuma has become a focus of mounting public discontent over government missteps, rising unemployment and a stagnant economy.

Cosatu has signalled its preference for Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, a former trade unionist turned business tycoon who was the ANC’s key negotiator in the talks that lead to the end of white-minority rule in 1994.

At a separate Cosatu May Day rally, in rural Hectorspruit in the eastern province of Mpumalanga, Ramaphosa’s speech was greeted with loud cheers from the crowd, the South African Government News Agency reported.

Weeks ago, Ramaphosa openly disagreed with Zuma’s decision to sack former finance minister Pravin Gordhan, who was widely respected by markets and regarded as a staunch opponent of the corruption that critics say has undermined the ANC’s moral authority.

Zuma is widely believed to want his ex-wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, a former cabinet member who just finished a term at the helm of the African Union, to succeed him.

(Editing

World

10 dead, 30 injured after vehicle drives into crowd in US

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

World

South Korean court issues arrest warrant for impeached president

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

World

Biden declares January 9 national mourning day for Jimmy Carter

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

Most Read...