They’re Burning Girls’ Breasts in Africa Philip Obaji Jr.

 
  When Grace Tchami started showing signs of puberty at age nine, her mother, hoping to protect her, began to torture her. At about seven o’clock every morning, her mother would take one of the heavy stone pestles used for grinding food and heat it burning hot over a charcoal fire, then press it on Grace’s breasts, attempting to flatten them.

Rebels in Central African Republic kidnap, burn 'witches' in public ceremonies

An anti-Balaka soldier holds a handmade gun as former child soldiers wait to be released in Bambari, Central African Republic, May 14, 2015. REUTERS

Rebels in Central African Republic have kidnapped, burnt and buried alive "witches" in public ceremonies, exploiting widely held superstitions to control areas in the war-torn country, according to a leaked United Nations report.

The report by U.N. human rights officers, seen exclusively by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, contains graphic photographs of victims tied to wooden stakes being lowered towards a fire as well as the charred torsos of those subjected to the ritual.

Over 1mn CAR children in dire need of aid – UNICEF

Nearly three years of shockingly brutal religious conflict in the Central African Republic has left more than a million children in state of humanitarian disaster, the UN body announced, hopeful that the Pope’s Sunday visit to the country will bring some relief.

“The violence that has plagued this country has had a devastating impact on the lives of children,” said Mohamed Fall, UNICEF representative in the Central African Republic (CAR), a mostly Christian state of some 4.6 million people.

South Africa: The justice system is failing women By Kubi Rama

Reeva Steenkamp
Indeed, a television production company is reported to be shooting a reality show on Pistorius’s house arrest. It is alleged Pistorius is earning $25,000 (over R340 000) per episode for a planned 26 episodes depending on rating. The show is entitled “Oscar Shoots for the Moon” with the tagline “Wait until you see what cool and fun adventures Oscar gets himself into next!”

Photos: President Buhari In Paris for United Nations Climate Change Conference

more pics after cut...

Africa without borders could soon be a reality

Agenda 2063 is a call to action to African society to work together to build a prosperous and united Africa based on shared values and a common destiny.

 

African Union Commissioner on Political Affairs, Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, said part of Agenda 2063 was to see free movement for Africans.
He was speaking at the Africities summit in Sandton yesterday.

What does China’s role in Africa say about its growing global footprint? By Mark Esposito and Terence Tse

Asian and African leaders march together, with China’s President Xi at the center.
Image by: Reuters 

The run-up to the sixth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to be held early next month in South Africa is under way. The forum – in its 15th year and the first held under President Xi Jinping’s administration – has been the main venue for setting the investment, trade and integration agenda between China and countries in Africa.

Women scramble for condoms Zimbabwe after pastor anoints them

According to myzimbabwe.co.zw, the Zimbabwean pastor said a congregant brought the condoms asking if it was proper for her to use them.

"I prophesied to a certain woman that her husband would return two years after his mysterious disappearance... the husband called her telling her he would come back home.

South Sudan: Horrid Conditions for Displaced People in Malakal : MSF

Nya and her children live in a 50-person tent in the Malakal Protection of Civilians Camp.

For the first two months of her life, Mary James slept with no blanket on a steel bedframe inside a small, damp shelter in the middle of an overcrowded displaced persons camp. Now, she’s sleeping in an MSF hospital bed, fighting for her life.

Each time the three-month-old exhales, her breath rasps in her tiny, infected lungs. When the infant cries, her body contorts with the effort of breathing. Until recently, she’s been connected to an oxygen machine.

Karabo Mogane Wins 2015 Idol SA

The nation tuned in to their screens to watch the season finale of Idol SA this Sunday – with what many are describing as some of the most amazing events taking place with Idols being broadcast for the first time in 5.1 surround sound.

Standing for the title of the 2015 Idols SA was Karabo Mogane and Mmatema Moremi.

Photos: More Pics from President Buhari and Nigerian Delegate to Iran.

President Buhari, Dr Ali Magashi the Nigerian representative in Iran and the Minister of works, power and housing, Babatunde Fashola and others. More pics after cut..

The Crisis in Burundi Takes a Troubling Turn for the Worse : Global Voices

Burundians living in Nairobi, Kenya and friends of Burundi says no to a third term for President Pierre Nkurunziza. 

Burundi has been in crisis since April, but the country is still too rarely mentioned in international media. However, in the last two weeks of October, the level of violence and random assassinations have reached proportions that make crisis observers fear the worst.

Video: Zimbabwe's Mr Ugly pageant turns ugly

William Masvinu, a three-time Mr Ugly winner who walked off with a $100 second prize this year, cried foul. 

Maison Sere, who was missing several teeth and dressed in torn overalls, beat off five other contestants for the $500 Mr Ugly prize -- a large sum in a country facing massive unemployment.

Video after cut...

Women to blame for rape because of clothes they wear: Grace Mugabe

Mrs Mugabe's disapproval of miniskirts is well-known: last year she expressed her disgust that then vice president Joice Mujuru had (so the first lady said) worn a short skirt. File photo
Image by: PHILIMON BULAWAYO 

The Zimbabwean first lady, 50, told rally-goers in Mberengwa, southern Zimbabwe that "if you are raped, it's your fault", according to an update from the private Newsday online.

Speaking in Shona, she reportedly castigated miniskirts.

Photos: President Buhari Official Visit to Iran.

President Buhari is presently in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran for the 3rd Summit of the Gas Exporting Country's Forum. More pics after cut...