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'What's the point of going to work when you're starving?' - Mass nurse sit-in sees healthcare paralysed amid surge in patients in South Kivu

'What's the point of going to work when you're starving?' - Mass nurse sit-in sees healthcare paralysed amid surge in patients in South Kivu

"The collective of healthcare workers in Uvira, South Kivu province, has held a sit-in for a week, demanding respect for their rights and guaranteed salaries, paralysing the system and leaving patients almost unattended. Footage captured on Thursday shows patients waiting for treatment outside the Uvira Central Bureau of Health Zone and South Kivu Provincial Health Division. Some were seen lying in the facility's hall, and others, with more critical wounds, resting on mattresses on the ground. "A minimum service is being organised; that is, a doctor in charge who saw us," shared a patient. "Back then, they used to visit the patients three times a day [...] But currently, that's not the case. They just pretend to treat the patients, and only once instead of three times," he continued. The patient, however, expressed sympathy for health workers, attributing responsibility for the sector's challenges to government policies that undermine their labour. "Why not address the situation for those in healthcare, considered a key driver of the system?" he emphasised. Olivier Ndugu, spokesperson for the Union of Nurses in South Kivu, highlighted the root causes of the ongoing protest, including sudden suspensions and frozen bank accounts, while emphasising the workers' demands for rights, salaries, and bonuses. "We suffer the same things as the sick people in the community. We ourselves have families, we ourselves are sick, we are already adults," Ndugu remarked. "If we go two years, three years, or even eight months without being paid, the temptation becomes real - a devil that could even lead someone to divert medication. What’s the point of going to work when you’re starving?" he added. The sit-in reportedly began last Thursday, with protesters calling for their demands to be met. The action comes amid a widespread healthcare strike across South Kivu, ongoing since early November, leaving patients untreated and wounded soldiers from the conflict in urgent need of care, according to local reports. The crisis exacerbates as threats, violence, and unpaid wages drive many health professionals from the region, creating a severe shortage of qualified staff. The government has repeatedly highlighted the humanitarian crisis in South Kivu, urging the UN and international community for more funding. It warns that the health system is nearing collapse due to rising numbers of displaced people and funding shortfalls that have forced cuts in humanitarian support."

‘Preserve future for generations to come!’ – Zacatecas farmers take stand against overexploitation ahead of water law reform

‘Preserve future for generations to come!’ – Zacatecas farmers take stand against overexploitation ahead of water law reform

"Farmers in Zacatecas on Thursday called on the Mexican federal government and the Chamber of Deputies to audit transnational mining, soft drink, and brewing companies for their alleged excessive use of the country's aquifers, before approving reforms to the General National Water Law. Footage shows farmers driving their tractors in protest outside Grupo Modelo’s brewery in Calera, Zacatecas - the world's largest - against the proposed law. If passed, farmers fear the reform could devalue their land by preventing them from inheriting or selling water rights, while giving the government full control over water resources. They also warn that reviewing concession titles could affect existing permits. Alberto Santiago Murillo, president of Zacatecas' agricultural and livestock associations, said the reform criminalises farmers.  "We feel attacked… economically penalised and criminalised," he said. "The law should punish polluters and support those of us producing food and strengthening the national food security plan.” Morena, the ruling party promoting the law in the Chamber of Deputies, said the bill will be amended following farmers’ protests and technical observations. Morena coordinator Ricardo Monreal said changes will specifically address the ban on transferring water rights between private parties, a key concern for the agricultural sector."

Tucker Carlson Eggs On Piers Morgan To Say Gay Slur In Revolting Interview

Tucker Carlson Eggs On Piers Morgan To Say Gay Slur In Revolting Interview

Tucker Carlson dared Piers Morgan to utter a gay slur on camera while the two were discussing the “suppression of free speech” in the United Kingdom. The topic came up during Wednesday’s episode of Carlson’s eponymous talk show when he mentioned a story from The Daily Mail about a female assault victim who was convicted of a hate crime after calling her attacker a “f**got” in text messages to a friend. The article said the 34-year-old woman, Elizabeth Kinney, had to pay a fine and was sentenced to serve a “12-month community order” among other penalties. Arguing that “you’re allowed to be homophobic if you want in a free country,” Carlson then bluntly asked Morgan, “Would you say the word ‘f**got’ on camera?” The TV host, who said he hadn’t heard about the story, quickly replied, “No.” “Why? You don’t want to get arrested, do you?” Carlson prodded. Morgan began to respond before the conservative political commentator scoffed and interjected, “Ohhh, because it’s so harmful to people? Is it like gay-bashing? What’s wrong with that?” The “Piers Morgan Uncensored” host argued that you don’t need to say “derogatory stuff” about the LGBTQ community to “make the point that women’s rights should be protected.” Morgan flipped the question back to Carlson, asking him whether he would use the word. “F**got? I just did,” Carlson shot back, before spewing out the word a few more times. “I’m using it because you’re not allowed to because you’re ...” “I am allowed to [use it], I don’t want to,” Morgan replied. “I’m allowed to, I just choose not to.” Tucker Carlson and Piers Morgan during an episode of "The Tucker Carlson Show" that aired on Wednesday. The disgraced former Fox News host then declared that he’s not “anti-gay” and “never [has] been,” adding, “I can use any freaking word I want.” “How about this? Let my life, the way that I actually live and treat people be the testament to my heart. That’s how I feel. And if I’ve mistreated someone that is a sin —,” Carlson continued. Morgan interrupted, telling him that he doesn’t believe that Carlson would use the word directly to a gay person’s face. “Not in a mean way,” Carlson responded. “Just like the only people who say the ‘N-word’ are Black. Period.” Carlson noted that he’s “spent a lot of time around gays” while working in the TV news industry, and he alleged that “they’re the only ones” that have ever used the word “constantly.” “But I’m not allowed to use it, but you are?” Carlson questioned. “I don’t play those games, dude.” Carlson, who was fired from Fox News in April 2023, has a history of pushing inflammatory conspiracy theories and making defamatory remarks, including sending a racist message to a producer in the hours following the violent January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. The political pundit claimed that “ being racist is not a crime ” in his biography, “Tucker, by Chadwick Moore,” that was released in July 2023. “Maybe [it is] a moral crime, but not a statutory crime — so if I was racist, I would just say so,” he added. Watch Carlson’s interview with Piers Morgan below.