Weekend News in Tweets: Haiti recovers after Hurricane Matthew & #Khwezi dies

News moves at the speed of social media in today’s world, and that’s especially the case on the weekend. Take a look at the world news you might’ve missed this weekend through the 140-character lens of Twitter.

Welcome to the Weekend News in Tweets (7 October – 10 October 2016).

African news

Ethiopia’s crisis deepened this weekend after the government decreed a six-month state of emergency. The country, which has been experiencing ongoing civil uprisings and protests against the government. According to reports, over 500 people have died since the unrest began in early August 2016.

“A state of emergency has been declared because the situation posed a threat against the people of the country.” https://t.co/wikad6tTEF

— Al Jazeera News (@AJENews) October 10, 2016

Reports from within the country also suggests that the internet is inaccessible.

As per local sources there is no Internet for 5 consecutive days in Addis Ababa, the 4th largest diplomatic city in the world. #Ethiopia

— Ethiopian Press (@abenezer_a) October 9, 2016

The Western Cape’s three major tertiary educations remain temporarily shuttered this week following the #FeesMustFall demonstrations. In Johannesburg’s Wits University, a large police presence remains.

The executive of UCT has made the decision to suspend classes & to close all UCT campuses on Monday, 10 October. https://t.co/ljTSDK5jeD

— UCT (@UCT_news) October 7, 2016

Classes go ahead @WitsUniversity this morning despite some protests in Parktown. Designated area for protest outside canteen and Linder.

— Wits_News (@Wits_News) October 10, 2016

Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo, also known as Khwezi, has died. Known for her role in HIV/AIDS activism, Khwezi died Sunday but the circumstances of her death remains unknown.

Khwezi accused President Jacob Zuma of rape back in 2005. Zuma was acquitted of the charges a year later.

“It is with our deepest sorrow that the Kuzwayo family announces the passing of our daughter Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo. In our family she was lovingly known as Fezeka‚ and in the public domain her supporters called her Khwezi,” her family announced in a statement.

A statement from the family of the woman who accused President Zuma of rape says she died yesterday. #Khwezi pic.twitter.com/9nrYr7tDmc

— thembekile (@ThembiMrototo) October 9, 2016

News abroad

An extremely heated Second Presidential Debate was the highlight of the US’s news this weekend. Trump and Clinton squared off yet again behind the podium, just days after lewd comments made by Trump in 2005 surfaced. Clinton latched onto these remarks, while Trump vowed he would jail Clinton if he won the election.

According to a CNN poll, Clinton beat Trump in the debate by 57% to 34%.

CNN/ORC poll of debate watchers: Hillary Clinton won second presidential #debate 57% to 34% https://t.co/gyn8Jz8gjT https://t.co/O2oAbHkaR4

— CNN (@CNN) October 10, 2016

Hurricane Matthew (now a post-tropical storm) has left much of North Carolina under water, and at least 19 people dead in mainland USA. While Matthew is now predicted to move away from continental America, there is a chance of it clipping the edge of Newfoundland, Canada in the coming days.

Record-breaking flooding is ongoing in North Carolina. Please see statements from @NWSRaleigh @NWSWilmingtonNC @NWSMoreheadCity #Matthew pic.twitter.com/7e8MZEfNHk

— NHC Atlantic Ops (@NHC_Atlantic) October 8, 2016

Always Ready, Always There! MT @NCNationalGuard: #NCNG Guardsmen assist evacuation of a family pic.twitter.com/2twW7XxXuE #HurricaneMatthew

— National Guard (@USNationalGuard) October 9, 2016

In Haiti, the situation is even worse, with over 1000 people succumbing to the storm.

Haiti last suffered a hurricane strike in 2010, with Hurricane Tomas.

RT @AFP: Striking drone footage shows the devastation #Hurricane #Matthew unleashed on #Haiti pic.twitter.com/RyAb3c0FhZ / Tremenda devastación

— Webcams de México (@webcamsdemexico) October 10, 2016

2010’s Hurricane Tomas was the last hurricane to strike Haiti, killing 10

Weekend sport

The first race of the third season of Formula E, saw last season’s bitter rivals, Sebastien Buemi and Lucas di Grassi finish first and second. Taking place in Hong Kong’s city centre, the race also saw Jaguar take the grid as a manufacturer for the first time.

#FormulaE @Sebastien_buemi & @RENAULTedams kick started their title defense with the #HKePrix win, here are the highlights of the race! pic.twitter.com/e6fKCcs49c

— FIA (@fia) October 10, 2016

South Africa beat Australia yet again in a low-scoring ODI in Port Elizabeth. Abbott and Shamsi were the pick of the bowlers. After bowling Australia out for just over 160, South Africa chased the total down with over 15 overs to spare, with six wickets remaining. The final ODI takes place in Cape Town this week.

Outstanding work by the Proteas! Australia are all out for 167. Abbott 4/40, Shamsi 3/36. #ProteaFire #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/IErAsvErul

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 9, 2016

The Springboks experienced their second heavy loss to New Zealand of the season, going down 15-57 in Durban Saturday night. At half-time, the score was 12-9 to the All Blacks.

Congratulations to @allblacks, winning this match 57-15 and @CastleLagerSA champ with a dominant display. The Boks played their best. pic.twitter.com/YQEXSZSCBX

— South African Rugby (@Springboks) October 8, 2016

Congratulations to @AllBlacks, their 9-try record 57-15 win v @Springboks a 17th consecutive win that equals the record for a Tier 1 nation pic.twitter.com/qKNAl55gK9

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) October 8, 2016

Wayne Rooney was booed by fans at England’s match against Malta Saturday, despite the team winning 2-0. Rooney, who has been dropped from Manchester United’s first team, could now also face time on the sidelines in national colours too.

Wayne Rooney, England captain. https://t.co/w7XAZv4Lvz

— Fans Of Sport (@FansOfSport) October 8, 2016

Feature image: UK Department of International Development via Flickr