Author Archives: colindonohue

The Fate of Zimbabwe

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In early November, the Zimbabwean military marched into the capital city of Harare and ousted President Robert Mugabe. Although the military claimed removing Mugabe was not a “coup”, many of the the senior military staff are now being placed in high political offices. Among them is ex- Army General Constantino Chiwenga. Chiwenga is being given the position of co-Vice President along… Read more »

Several killed as DR Congo tries to halt anti-Kabila protests

France 24 At least seven people were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday amid protests against President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to step down from power, a UN spokesperson said. Security forces shot dead at least seven people in Kinshasa, said Florence Marchal, spokeswoman for the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo. Another person was killed in a protest… Read more »

Johannesburg: Train collision leaves hundreds injured

Al-Jazeera About 200 people have been injured when two passenger trains collided in a suburb of South Africa’s main city Johannesburg, emergency services network ER24 said. “The exact details surrounding this incident are not yet known but local authorities are on the scene and will be launching an investigation into the matter,” ER24 said in a statement on Tuesday.

Scores killed, several injured in Kenya bus crash

France 24 Thirty-six people were killed and 11 injured early Sunday morning in a head-on collision between a bus and a lorry on a road in central Kenya, police said. “The death toll is now 36,” said Rift Valley traffic police chief Zero Arome, explaining the initial toll of 30 had risen, “after six passengers succumbed to injuries in hospital.”… Read more »

Zimbabwe’s ex-army chief sworn in as vice-president

France 24 Zimbabwe’s former army commander who led a military takeover that helped end Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule was Thursday sworn in as one of the country’s two vice presidents. General Constantino Chiwenga, 61, took the oath of office in Harare, pledging to be “faithful” to Zimbabwe and to “obey, uphold and defend the constitution”. “I will discharge my duties with all… Read more »

Royal Dutch Shell Controversy

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Earlier this year, I was assigned to research a major MNC (Multi-National Corporation). I chose to research Royal Dutch Shell because of its vast oil empire throughout the world and connection to even our own town. But as I dug deeper into that “empire”, I found some starling controversies. There are many allegations, mostly from Amnesty International, that the giant… Read more »

Trump and the Ethics of Foreign Aid

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Al-Jazeera One of US President Donald Trump‘s first acts in office was to sign an order tying US foreign aid to the issue of abortion. Under the new policy, “Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance”, any foreign aid organisation that wants US funds cannot “perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in foreign countries”. For Trump supporters,… Read more »

Amnesty: Shell involved in Nigeria abuses in 1990s

Al-Jazeera Amnesty International has obtained internal documents pointing to complicity by Royal Dutch Shell in crimes committed by the Nigerian military during the 1990s. The rights group released a report on Tuesday that alleges that the British-Dutch oil giant and the Nigerian government operated as business partners, having regular meetings to discuss the protection of their interests.

Kenyatta sworn in but Kenya’s opposition leader vows to hold own ceremony

France 24 Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn-in for a second five-year term in front of a rapturous crowd on Tuesday as riot police teargassed people trying to reach an area where the opposition planned a rival gathering. Kenyatta won a repeat presidential election on October 26 that was boycotted by opposition leader Raila Odinga, who said it would not be free… Read more »