*Evening News Round-up: Wednesday 5 February 2025* *Headlines* *War Vet Who Told Mnangagwa To 'Step Down Now' Faces Arrest Over Murder* *Brave Geza Warns Commissioner General of Police Against Targeting Demonstrators* *Harare Commission Of Inquiry: Mayor Mafume Suspends Top Council Official Who Accused Him Of Nepotism, Corruption* *Kariba Dam Water Levels Rise After Recent Rains* *Form Four Student Stabs Another To Death With Okapi Knife* *Nigeria's President Increases 2025 Budget To $36.4 Billion* *More Than 100 Women Raped & Burned Alive In DR Congo, UN Says* *Tunisian Court Hands Lengthy Prison Terms To Top Politicians* *World Reaction To Trump’s ‘Take Over’ & Ethnic Cleansing Plan For Gaza* *Argentina To Withdraw From WHO After Trump Exit, Citing 'Deep Differences'* *USAID Staff Will Be Put On Leave Starting On Friday* *Google Drops Pledge Not To Use AI For Weapons, Surveillance* *Postecoglou: Tel Never Rejected Tottenham* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *Brave War Vet Who Told Mnangagwa 'Step Down Now' Faces Arrest Over Murder* ZANU PF Politburo member and Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, has called for the arrest of war veteran and Central Committee member Blessed Runesu Geza on charges of murder. Ziyambi alleged that Geza was involved in the death of an individual at his homestead several years ago. The case was not thoroughly investigated at the time, but Ziyambi is now pushing for Geza's prosecution. Critics argue that the sudden interest in reopening the case may be motivated by Geza's recent criticism of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Geza has accused Mnangagwa of violating the constitution, exacerbating corruption, and betraying the principles of the liberation struggle. He has also called for Mnangagwa's immediate resignation. Some are questioning why the case is being reopened now, suggesting that it may be an attempt to silence Geza and intimidate others who dare to speak out against Mnangagwa's government. *Brave Geza Warns Commissioner General of Police Against Targeting Demonstrators* In a bold and controversial statement, Central Committee member Runesu Geza has issued a stern warning to Police Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba, cautioning him against using force on citizens exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate. Speaking in the wake of growing tensions within ZANU PF, Geza declared, “Shoot one demonstrator, and we will deal with you.” The warning comes amid heightened political unrest, with war veterans openly challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership and demanding a transition of power to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. Geza also advised Mutamba to steer clear of the ongoing internal disputes within ZANU PF, particularly the conflict between war veterans and the president. “Do not get involved in the fight between war veterans and Mnangagwa,” Geza added, indicating that the police force should remain neutral in party matters. The statement is expected to further inflame an already volatile political climate, as ZANU PF battles internal divisions and external pressure. Analysts suggest Geza’s remarks reflect deeper frustrations within the party, as factions vie for influence and control ahead of the next congress. Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has yet to respond to the comments, and it remains to be seen how Commissioner General Mutamba will handle the situation. This development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing challenges faced by ZANU PF, which continues to project an image of unity while dealing with dissent among its ranks. Political observers warn that these tensions, if unresolved, could weaken the party’s standing ahead of future elections. *Harare Commission Of Inquiry: Mayor Mafume Suspends Top Council Official Who Accused Him Of Nepotism, Corruption* The tensions at Town House are so high that Marara, Tuesday, gave his testimony before the Commission of Inquiry behind closed doors. In his last appearance, Marara had painted a grim picture of the HCC with lawlessness and corruption reigning supreme. Death threats, and attempted murder through poisoning have been reported as officials cover their tracks of corruption. Marara rose to his current position in which he is earning US$12,000 in unclear circumstances. Mabhena Moyo implicated the councillors in the plot to oust Marara who has become a detested figure at the HCC. “Matengarufu said he was being pressured to effect the resolution of 18th of December which was very ambiguous. Pressured by councillors and policymakers. From his side, it was coming from human resources committee members and probably the Mayor,” he said. *NewZW* *Kariba Dam Water Levels Rise After Recent Rains* The water level at Kariba Dam is gradually rising following recent rains, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) said on Monday, offering hope for improved hydroelectric power generation in Zimbabwe and Zambia. According to ZRA’s latest hydrological update, the Kariba reservoir's water level has increased to 476.39 metres above sea level, representing a 6.17% rise in water storage capacity. ZRA chief executive officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa attributed the increase to intensified rainfall in the Kariba catchment area. “The Kariba reservoir is experiencing a gradual rise in water level, mainly due to intensified rainfall around the lake. The recent rainfall activity has had a positive impact on the hydrological outlook, and we expect this trend to continue through the first quarter of 2025,” he said. Kariba Dam is a crucial source of hydroelectric power for both Zimbabwe and Zambia. The increase in water level is expected to improve power generation, which has been affected by previous low water levels. As of yesterday, Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) was generating 185 megawatts (MW) from Kariba, far below its installed capacity of 1,050MW. Munodawafa said the rise in water level was a positive development that could ease power supply challenges in both countries. “The increase in water level is a welcome development, and we expect it to have a positive impact on power generation. The authority remains committed to monitoring and managing water resources efficiently,” he said. ZRA also reported an increase in Zambezi River inflows at the Chavuma and Victoria Falls gauging stations, further indicating a recovery from the drought conditions experienced in recent months. “This is due to the recent dissipation of the El-Niño-induced drought, which caused substantial moisture loss from both the ground and the atmosphere,” Munodawafa said. The rise in Kariba’s water level comes as the region continues to experience fluctuations in rainfall patterns, affecting both agriculture and energy supply. The ZRA has assured stakeholders that it will continue to monitor hydrological conditions to ensure the sustainable use of water resources for power generation and other needs. *Form Four Student Stabs Another To Death With Okapi Knife* Police have arrested a 19-year-old after he fatally stabbed a fellow form four student with an okapi knife in the stomach. This followed a dispute between the suspect and the now-deceased whom he accused of assaulting his younger brother. “Police in Masvingo arrested a form four student (19) in connection with a case of murder which occurred near a High School in Masvingo on 03/02/25. “The suspect stabbed another form four student (18) with an okapi knife on the stomach after an argument. “The suspect had accused the victim of assaulting his young brother,” said police in a statement. The victim was pronounced dead on arrival at a local clinic in Zimuto. *NewZW* *Nigeria's President Increases 2025 Budget To $36.4 Billion* Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has increased the size of the 2025 budget to 54.2 trillion naira ($36.4 billion) from 49 trillion naira, he said in a letter to the Senate published on Wednesday. The president said the increase was due to additional revenue from the government's revenue collecting agencies, such as the tax authority, customs and other agencies. He added that extra revenue from Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was 1.4 trillion naira while Nigeria Customs Service fetched 1.2 trillion naira and other agencies got 1.8 trillion naira. In December, the government said the 2025 spending plan included a budget deficit of 3.89% of gross domestic product, approximately 13.0 trillion naira. *Reuters* *More Than 100 Women Raped & Burned Alive In DR Congo, UN Says* More than 100 female prisoners were raped and then burned alive during a jailbreak in the Congolese city of Goma, according to the UN. Hundreds of prisoners broke out of Munzenze prison last Monday, after fighters from the M23 rebel group began to take over the city. Between 165 and 167 women were assaulted by male inmates during the jailbreak, an internal UN document seen by the BBC says. The report states that most of the women were killed after the inmates set fire to the prison. The BBC has not been able to verify the reports. Goma, a major city of more than a million people, was captured after the Rwanda-backed M23 executed a rapid advance through eastern DR Congo. The city was plunged into chaos, with bodies lying in the streets and missiles reportedly flying over residential homes. Footage from last week's jailbreak showed people fleeing from the building as smoke rose in the background. Heavy gunfire could also be heard. In a separate video, people believed to be the escaped prisoners, filed through Goma's streets. More than 2,000 people were killed as the M23 clashed with the Congolese forces and their allies, DR Congo's government has said. The UN says at least 900 people were killed and almost 3,000 injured. It was unclear why the UN and DR Congo's death tolls vary. Earlier this week, the rebels announced a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds. However, the M23 launched a new offensive on Wednesday, reportedly capturing the town of Nyabibwe. Nyabibwe is about 100 km (60 miles) from Bukavu - the east's second-largest city, and the reported target of the rebels' most recent advance. The Congolese authorities have enlisted hundreds of civilian volunteers to help defend Bukavu. Back in Goma, where residents are adapting to life under the M23, there are fears of a cholera outbreak. Stephan Goetghbuer, a regional lead from the charity Medicine Sans Frontieres, said: "Access to water has been cut for days, corpses have been lying in the streets and waterborne diseases such as cholera are a real threat. "Some of our cholera treatment centres are full and have been expanded." *BBC* *Tunisian Court Hands Lengthy Prison Terms To Top Politicians* A Tunisian court sentenced a number of top politicians, former officials and journalists to long prison terms on Wednesday, defence lawyers said, the latest move in what critics say is an attempt to stamp out opposition to President Kais Saied. Among those sentenced on charges of conspiring against state were Rached Ghannouchi, veteran head of the Islamist-leaning Ennahda party, who was handed a 22-year term, and former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, who received 35 years. Ghannouchi, 83, has been in prison since 2023, receiving two sentences of a total of five years in separate cases. Mechichi has been living abroad since 2021, a few months after Saied sacked him and shut the elected parliament, a step the opposition described as a coup. "These are unjust and political rulings that aim to eliminate political opponents", said Mokthar Jmai, one of the lawyers, adding that they would appeal against the sentences. Ennahda called the trial a blatant violation of the independence of the judiciary, saying in a statement that it came in the context of further attacks on rights and freedoms. A total of 41 people were charged in the case. Jmai said the court handed a 27-year sentence to journalist Chahrazad Akacha, who has fled abroad, and gave a five-year sentence to another journalist, Chadha Haj Mbarak, who was already jailed. "My sister is innocent, and this sentence is harsh for a journalist who was just doing her job", said Bassam Haj Mbarak, Chadha's brother. The court also sentenced Lazhar Longo, a former intelligence director and Mohamed Ali Aroui, a former interior ministry spokesman, to 15 years in prison each. Most political party leaders in Tunisia have been jailed in what they say are fabricated cases. They accuse Saied of tearing apart the democracy built after a 2011 revolution that toppled long-ruling autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, of seeking to impose one-man rule, and of filling prisons with politicians and journalists. Saied denies conducting a coup and says his actions were needed to save Tunisia from years of chaos. He has called his critics criminals, traitors and terrorists and warned that any judge who freed them would be considered to be abetting them. *Reuters* *World Reaction To Trump’s ‘Take Over’ & Ethnic Cleansing Plan For Gaza* United States President Donald Trump has unveiled his shocking plan to take over the Gaza Strip after Palestinians are forcibly moved out of the besieged enclave, spurring fears he would back an ethnic-cleansing campaign. During a news conference with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Trump suggested Palestinians would “love to leave” Gaza, saying he foresees long-term US ownership of the Strip while it’s being rebuilt, claiming to bring jobs and economic prosperity while transforming it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”. Trump’s comments drew sharp responses in the US and abroad. Here are some key reactions from around the world: Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the call for Palestinians in Gaza to be ethnically cleansed was an “expulsion from their land”. “Trump’s remarks about his desire to control Gaza are ridiculous and absurd, and any ideas of this kind are capable of igniting the region,” Abu Zuhri said. “We consider them [the plan] a recipe for generating chaos and tension in the region because the people of Gaza will not allow such plans to pass.” Another senior Hamas official, Izzat el-Reshiq, said the proposal “will only put oil on fire”. “These statements reflect confusion and deep ignorance about Palestine and the region. Gaza is certainly not a common land and it is not a property that can be bought and sold. American bias towards Israel and against our Palestinian people and against their just rights continues,” he said. Secretary-General Hussein al-Sheikh said the PLO rejects all calls for the displacement of the Palestinian people from their homeland. “The Palestinian leadership affirms its firm position that the two-state solution, in accordance with international legitimacy and international law, is the guarantee of security, stability and peace,” he said on X. President Mahmoud Abbas strongly rejected any plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza, saying “we will not allow any infringement of the rights of our people, which we have struggled for decades and made great sacrifices to achieve”. US politics, Canada’s multiculturalism, South America’s geopolitical rise—we bring you the stories that matter. “These calls represent a serious violation of international law,” he said. “Peace and stability will not be achieved in the region without establishing a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital on the borders of 1967, based on the two-state solution.” Former Israeli minister for national security Itamar Ben Gvir said that “encouraging” people from Gaza to migrate from the enclave was the only correct strategy at the end of the war in Gaza. He also urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to adopt that policy “immediately”. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed Trump’s plan with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa. They spoke about the importance of moving forward with recovery projects in Gaza without Palestinians leaving the territory. “Iran does not agree with any displacement of Palestinians and has communicated this through various channels,” a senior Iranian official said. “There are Israeli plans to take full control of the occupied West Bank and attempts to displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, adding “practicing a policy of collective punishment is a method that Russia rejects”. The Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added Russia believes a settlement in the Middle East is only possible on the basis of a two-state solution. “This is the thesis that is enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolution, this is the thesis that is shared by the overwhelming majority of countries involved in this problem. We proceed from it, we support it and believe that this is the only possible option.” China’s Foreign Ministry said it opposes the forced transfer of the people of Gaza and hopes all parties will take ceasefire and post-conflict governance as an opportunity to bring the Palestinian issue back to a political settlement based on the two-state solution. “They [Palestinians] must be allowed home, they must be allowed to rebuild, and we should be with them in that rebuild on the way to a two-state solution,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy added Palestinians have a future in their homeland. “We’ve always been clear in our belief that we must see two states. We must see Palestinians live and prosper in their homelands in Gaza and the West Bank.” Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, said Trump’s plan was “unlawful, immoral and completely irresponsible”. “What he proposes is … nonsense,” Albanese said at a news conference in Denmark’s capital Copenhagen. “It will make the regional crisis even worse. It’s incitement to commit forced displacement, which is an international crime. The international community is made up of 193 states and this is the time to give the US what it has been looking for: Isolation.” Paul O’Brien, executive director at Amnesty International US, said removing all Palestinians from Gaza was “tantamount to destroying them as a people”. “Gaza is their home. Gaza’s death and destruction is a result of the government of Israel killing civilians by the thousands, often with US bombs,” he said. *Aljazeera* *Argentina To Withdraw From WHO After Trump Exit, Citing 'Deep Differences'* Argentina will pull out of the World Health Organization (WHO), a presidential spokesperson said on Wednesday, following President Donald Trump's executive order last month to pull the United States out of the global health group. Trump, who Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei considers a close ally, moved to exit the organization on his first day in office on January 20. Milei ordered Argentina's withdrawal because of "deep differences" regarding the WHO's management of health issues, notably the COVID-19 pandemic, presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni said, citing Argentina's months-long lockdown under the previous leftist government. Adorni also cited a "a lack of independence from the political influence of other states." Trump similarly claimed the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises, and that it required "unfairly onerous" payments from the United States, its biggest funder. *Reuters* *USAID Staff Will Be Put On Leave Starting On Friday* Thousands of employees at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will be placed on leave from Friday night, the agency says. A USAID statement said the order would affect all "direct-hire personnel" except those on "mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs". It follows a string of cuts President Donald Trump has made to government-funded programmes since returning to office last month. His administration has said USAID is wasting money and needs to align with its policy priorities. Trump's earlier decision to freeze foreign assistance has upended the global aid system, with effects already felt in countries such as Syria and Afghanistan. In a statement on its website on Tuesday, USAID said it would work with the US Department of State to arrange and pay for return travel for its many personnel posted outside the US within the month. Those employees who are part of the exceptions will be told by 15:00 EDT (20:00 GMT) on Thursday. The statement concludes with the message: "Thank you for your service." The agency, which provides humanitarian aid to more than 100 countries, employs 10,000 people worldwide. Two-thirds of those people work overseas, according to the Congressional Research Service. Given that some of its staff work in countries where conflict is taking place, it was not immediately clear how they would be withdrawn. Since returning to the White House last month, Trump and his allies have prioritised slashing government funding - and have applied their focus to USAID. Earlier this week, Trump's top diplomat, Marco Rubio, became the acting head of USAID as part of its reported merger into the state department. Questions remain about whether the administration has the authority to shut down programmes without consulting Congress. Democratic lawmakers called the reported merger an "illegal, unconstitutional" move. On Tuesday, many USAID staffers received an email notifying them they had been placed on paid administrative leave. The email, obtained by BBC News, told employees they must remain "available" by telephone and email during business hours, but were not allowed to enter USAID buildings. Elon Musk, the billionaire Tesla CEO who was appointed to run a new agency to identify spending cuts in the US government, has suggested USAID should be shut down entirely, as it is "beyond repair". Many have cautioned that closing the agency's doors would have devastating effects on vulnerable populations across the world. USAID's activities range from providing prosthetic limbs to soldiers injured in Ukraine, to clearing landmines and containing the spread of Ebola in Africa. Democrats in Washington DC have been particularly critical of the move. "[USAID is] a foreign policy tool with bipartisan origins that is critical in this dangerous global environment," New Jersey Democratic Senator Andy Kim, who previously worked at USAID, wrote on social media. "Gutting it means gutting our ability to compete and keep America safe." The agency, founded in 1961, has bases in 60 countries and works in dozens of others. USAID managed more than $40bn (£32.25bn) in fiscal year 2023, according to the Congressional Research Service. *BBC* *Google Drops Pledge Not To Use AI For Weapons, Surveillance* Google has dropped a pledge not to use artificial intelligence for weapons or surveillance in its updated ethics policy on the powerful technology. In its previous version of “AI Principles”, the California-based internet giant included a commitment not to pursue AI technologies that “cause or are likely to cause overall harm”, including weapons and surveillance that violates “internationally accepted norms”. Google’s revised policy announced on Tuesday states that the company pursues AI “responsibly” and in line with “widely accepted principles of international law and human rights”, but does not include the previous language about weapons or surveillance. “We believe democracies should lead in AI development, guided by core values like freedom, equality, and respect for human rights,” Google DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis and research labs senior vice president James Manyika said in a blog post announcing the updated policy. “And we believe that companies, governments, and organizations sharing these values should work together to create AI that protects people, promotes global growth, and supports national security.” Google did not immediately respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment. Google first published its list of AI principles in 2018 after employees protested against the firm’s participation in the United States Department of Defense’s Project Maven, which examined the use of AI to help the military identify targets for drone strikes. US politics, Canada’s multiculturalism, South America’s geopolitical rise—we bring you the stories that matter. Google opted not to renew its contract with the Pentagon following the backlash, which saw a number of staff members resign and thousands of others sign a petition decrying the company’s involvement in the project. The tech giant announced later that year that it would no longer compete for a $10bn cloud computing contract with the Pentagon because it “couldn’t be assured” that it would align with its AI principles. Google’s updated ethics policy comes after the chief executive of parent company Alphabet Inc, Sundar Pichai, joined tech leaders, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg, in attending the January 20 inauguration of US President Donald Trump. Hours after taking office, Trump rescinded an executive order by former US President Joe Biden that established certain guardrails for the rapidly developing technology. Biden’s order required companies developing AI to share the results of safety tests with the government before releasing new technologies to the public. *Aljazeera* *Postecoglou: Tel Never Rejected Tottenham* Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has denied reports that Mathys Tel initially rejected the club before his deadline day move to north London. Last week, reports emerged that the 19-year-old forward refused to move to Spurs even after meeting chairman Daniel Levy in Germany. But Tel was pictured flying to London on Monday before completing a transfer deadline-day move from Bayern Munich, joining initially on loan but with Spurs holding a £47.5m option to buy in the summer. When asked about whether Tel rejected Spurs, Postecoglou said: "I think people need to understand that you are talking about a 19-year-old who has to make a major decision for his career and it's not that he rejected us or rejected anyone else. "I think he just wanted to be comfortable with his decision. I don't think he wanted to be pushed in a certain direction and it's credit to him. "I had a conversation with him and it was purely around the football and I think he'll find a really good place for him here." Postecoglou has previously said he only wants to sign players committed to the club's project, despite them currently sitting 14th in the Premier League table. When asked if he felt Tel was committed to Spurs, Postecoglou said: "Yes, 100%. I am more than 100% sure because he took so much time, was so diligent about finding out everything. He had other options so it gave me more confidence that we are getting the right kind of mentality, the right kind of player. "He is very ambitious. He has a great self-belief and confidence. He feels he can reach the top of the game and he has chosen us which is great vindication of what we are doing." Tel could make his debut as Spurs defend a 1-0 lead against Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday night in the second leg of the Carabao Cup. Postecoglou confirmed Tel and new defensive signing Kevin Danso will be available but key defensive duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero remain out. *BBC*