Canada removes anti-vax protesters from border bridge with US

WINDSOR, Ontario (AP) — Canadian police moved in to remove protesters Saturday at a bridge border crossing that has disrupted Canada-U.S. trade.

Protesters at the busiest border crossing between the United States and Canada remained despite new warnings to end the blockade that has disrupted the flow of goods between the two countries and forced the auto industry on both sides to roll back production.

A city bus and school bus arrived on the scene Saturday morning and police moved in formation toward them. One of the protesters used a megaphone to alert others that police were coming for the demonstrators, who are protesting against Canada’s COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. There is also an outpouring of fury toward Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“The Windsor Police & its policing partners have commenced enforcement at and near the Ambassador Bridge. We urge all demonstrators to act lawfully & peacefully. Commuters are still being asked to avoid the areas affected by the demonstrations at this time,” police tweeted.

Police move into position to enforce an injunction against a demonstration which has blocked traffic across the Ambassador Bridge by protesters against COVID-19 restrictions, in Windsor, Ontario.

VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS

About 20 protesters milled about outside early Saturday, while others remained in their pickup trucks and other cars. A judge on Friday ordered protesters at the Ambassador Bridge over the U.S.-Canadian border to end the blockade that has now entered a sixth day.

On Friday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency in the province that will allow his cabinet to impose $100,000 fines and up to one year in jail as punishments against people who continue to illegally block roads, bridges, walkways and other critical infrastructure.

Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz of the Ontario Superior Court issued an injunction giving protesters blocking cross-border traffic until 7 p.m. Friday to clear out. However, the deadline came and went.

Truckers and supporters block the access leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions, in Windsor, Ontario on Friday.

VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS

Windsor police immediately warned that anyone blocking the streets could be subject to arrest and their vehicles could be seized.

The news was met earlier with defiance by protesters.

At the Ambassador Bridge, an unidentified person grabbed a microphone and addressed the crowd, asking if they wanted to stay or leave when the deadline rolled around. By a show of applause, it was agreed they would stay. “OK,” the man said. “Let’s stand tall.” The protesters responded by singing the Canadian national anthem.

The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest U.S.-Canadian border crossing, carrying 25% of all trade between the two countries. The standoff comes at a time when the auto industry is already struggling to maintain production in the face of pandemic-induced shortages of computer chips and other supply-chain disruptions.

Protesters and supporters wave flags at a blockade at the foot of the Ambassador Bridge, sealing off the flow of commercial traffic over the bridge into Canada from Detroit.

COLE BURSTON VIA GETTY IMAGES

While the Canadian protesters are decrying vaccine mandates for truckers and other COVID-19 restrictions, many of the country’s infection measures, such as mask rules and vaccine passports for getting into restaurants and theaters are already falling away as the omicron surge levels off.

Pandemic restrictions have been far stricter in Canada than in the U.S., but Canadians have largely supported them. The vast majority of Canadians are vaccinated, and the COVID-19 death rate is one-third that of the United States.

Gillies reported from Toronto.

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International day of Women and Girls in Science

SA president aims to please all in speech to the nation

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s annual state of the nation address lasted longer than usual – perhaps because it was packed full of “something to appease everyone”.

With good reason. President Ramaphosa has many fires to put out given that his government is in crisis and consequently, as many experts warn, the country is becoming a failing state.

His Thursday evening address included some of the old commitments, including economic reforms and handling the energy shortages that cause blackouts (known as “load-shedding” – a term more agreeable to the government). The fact that South Africa cannot keeps its lights on is not an attractive offer to investors.

The country also needs jobs, a lot of them, and Mr Ramaphosa last night implored the private sector to get involved – committing his government to making conditions more favourable for business.

For those calling for an extension to existing Covid-19 grants given to South Africa’s poorest, he announced the scheme would be extended into next year.

As for innovation, the president promised that his government would work on industrialising the hemp and cannabis industry. Currently it is legal to grow cannabis in South Africa but only for personal consumption. This as-yet untapped market could create more than 130,000 jobs, especially in rural communities where farming is a way of life.

Lastly, the president’s commitment to fight corruption – on that front many will agree that it is time to show and tell. At least three reports have accused some in his government of gross corruption or negligence.

South Africans want to see people being held accountable – which will be the true test of Mr Ramaphosa’s apparent determination to steer the nation out of the muddy waters created by his party’s bad governance.

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Cyclone death toll jumps to 111 in Madagascar

At least 111 people in Madagascar are now known to have died since Cyclone Batsirai hit the Indian Ocean island nearly a week ago.

Many homes simply crumpled in the ferocious winds, leaving around 30,000 people living in emergency shelters, according to the national emergency agency.

Southern African nations were already reeling from January’s Tropical Storm Ana.

Storms are common in this part of the world but the climate crisis has caused them to become more destructive.

It has also worsened drought, which has hit southern Madagascar hard, in turn making the humanitarian response after these storms even more urgent.

In Madagascar, 87 of the 111 deaths resulting from Cyclone Batsirai were in the south-eastern district of Ikongo, the national disaster agency says.

Whereas all 55 people killed by Tropical Storm Ana were in another part of Madagascar further north, Reuters reports.

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Adwoa Safo is sabotaging gov’t business – Michael Okyere Baafi alleges

A Deputy Trade and Industry Minister, Michael Kofi Okyere Baafi, is accusing the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo of sabotaging government business.

The New Juabeng South MP said the former Deputy Majority Leader’s continuous absence in Parliament is making government business in the chamber difficult.

Speaking on Kumasi-based Hello FM, Michael Kofi Okyere Baafi said Adwoa Sarfo is causing the NPP problems.

“All the problems government is facing are attributable to Adwoa Safo. Clearly, her intention and posture show that she wants to sabotage NPP.”

He disclosed how they had to beg Adwoa Safo countless times to come to Parliament due to their limited numbers.

The New Juaben South MP said the Dome-Kwabenya MP, fully aware of her critical role in getting government bills passed in Parliament has decided to frustrate the government.

He further revealed that Adwoa Sarfo insists she will not come to Parliament if she is not given the Deputy Majority Leader position.”

“All 136 NPP MPs are always in Parliament except for Adwoa Safo. One person cannot hold the party to ransom,” he fumed.

Sarah Adwoa Safo had been absent from Parliament for a while following an extension of her leave which was granted by the President.

She had become the subject of public debate some months ago following allegations that she was impersonated during Parliamentary proceedings on November 30, 2021 because the Majority side needed the numbers at all cost to approve the government’s 2022 budget, which they did despite the disapproval by the minority side.

The controversy was deepened by the fact that videos and photos of a woman believed not to be the Dome Kwabenya MP from the proceedings in Parliament went viral on social media.

In the video, the woman was seen wearing a nose mask, leaving the chamber right after the headcount which led to the approval of the budget statement.

Meanwhile, Madam Adwoa Safo has been away from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection Ministry as well, after President Akufo-Addo directed the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, to temporarily serve as caretaker Minister in October 2021.

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Tanzanian MPs decry rising use of emergency contraceptives

Tanzanian MPs say the use of emergency contraceptives, known as P2, is on the rise among to prevent pregnancies among girls and women aged between 14 a

A recent report by members of a parliamentary health committee into the rise in HIV infections found that girls and young women were focused more on preventing pregnancies than infections.

Male latest condoms offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases and are 98% effective in stopping pregnancies.

The committee has recommended that vendors of emergency pills give complimentary condoms to their customers, and advise them to use them to prevent HIV infection.

About 1.7 million people in Tanzania are living with HIV, out of a total population of almost 60 million.

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BURKINA FASO: Former president Campaore given 30-yr sentence for Sankara assassination

Former president of Burkina Faso Blaise Compaore has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the assassination of Thomas Sankara in 1987.

Campaore was convicted in a court proceedings that relied on video conferencing because he has been exiled in Cote d’Ivoire since 2014.

It remains to be seen how the Burkinabe authorities will obtain his extradition from Cote d’Ivoire to serve his prison term in Burkina Faso.

Several other officers who served in Campaore’s administration have also been sentenced. Hyacinthe Kafando, former commander of Campaore’s guard was also sentenced to 30 years in prison. Several other former officials include Gilbert Diendere, Campaore’s Chief of Staff who received 20 years.

The trial is expected to bring finality after nearly 34 years when Campaore overthrew Thomas Sankara from office during which coup d’etat the latter died mysteriously.

Campaore ruled Burkina Faso for 27 years during which time he won questionable re-election on three occasions.

His attempt to amend the constitution to extend his 27-year term caused the 2014 Burkinabé uprising. On 31 October 2014, Compaoré resigned, whereupon he fled to the Ivory Coast.

DNT News with correspondence reports from Julius Ouya

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