United News of Bangladesh

Namibia marked the mass killings of Indigenous people in the early 20th century by former colonial ruler Germany with its first genocide remembrance day on Wednesday. The day was declared a national holiday last year by the government and was commemorated for the first time with a ceremony in the gardens of the national Parliament in the capital, Windhoek. Between 1904 and 1908, tens of thousands of Herero and Nama people were massacred or forced into concentration camps and starved by German colonial forces under the command of Gen. Lothar von Trotha, in what was then German South West Africa.  Namibia votes potentially electing its first female president Germany formally recognized the atrocities as a genocide in 2021 and agreed to pay Namibia 1.1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) over the course of 30 years to fund various projects. Namibia has rejected that and is pushing for more money and formal reparations for the massacres. “Many people from the two communities were forced into concentration camps where they were starved to death and their skulls were taken to Germany for so-called scientific research," Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said at Wednesday's ceremony. “These horrendous acts are now part of our collective history of resistance and resilience.” The killings of Herero and Nama men, women and children have been recognized as the first genocide of the 20th century. Historians say von Trotha, who was sent to German South West Africa to put down an uprising by the Herero people, instructed his troops to wipe out the entire tribe. They say that the majority of the Herero people, about 65,000, were killed as were at least 10,000 Nama. Symbolic candles were lit at Wednesday's remembrance ceremony, which was also attended by leaders and descendants of the Herero and Nama people. Namibia chose May 28 as the day to mark the genocide because it was the date Germany finally gave the order to close down the concentration camps. Germany was the colonial ruler of Namibia from 1884 until 1915, when it gave up the territory to South Africa. Namibia finally gained independence from South Africa in 1990. There have been calls by the affected communities in Namibia for years for the government to declare a remembrance day in honour of those who died.  Horse Therapy Program in Namibia brings joy to children with learning challenges Talks between Germany and Namibia over finding a suitable settlement for Germany's role in the genocide have been going on for a decade. In 2018, Germany also returned more than a dozen skulls and other human remains that were taken from Namibia for pseudo-scientific racial experiments. They had been stored in German hospitals, museums and universities for decades.

In Namibia, Susan de Meyer runs a unique therapy program using horses to support children with learning disabilities. The animals seem to have a calming influence: hyperactive children become more focused, and those who are nonverbal begin to connect and express themselves. Her program, located just outside Windhoek, engages 8 to 10 students each weekday from special needs schools. The children ride, groom, and interact with the horses — often opening up and talking to them. Raised on a farm, de Meyer has always had horses in her life. She believes they offer something truly special: they accept children without judgment. “The horse is the real star here because many of these kids feel overwhelmed around too many people,” she said. Called "Enabling Through the Horse," her initiative is backed by the Namibian Equestrian Federation and has been internationally recognized. Last year, it received an award from the International Equestrian Federation for highlighting the horse’s intuitive and sensitive nature. Equine therapy is increasingly acknowledged for its benefits, particularly for those with autism, ADHD, and other developmental conditions. Animal-assisted therapy more broadly has proven helpful in a range of situations, such as aiding veterans with PTSD or comforting hospital and nursing home patients with therapy animals. Even victims of the 2023 Hawaii wildfires have found comfort through horse therapy during their recovery. De Meyer jokes that she has “two-and-a-half horses”: two full-sized Arabians — Faranah (a white mare) and Lansha (a brown gelding) — and a miniature horse named Bonzi, who is small enough to be eye-level with a kindergartener. She says the larger horses are particularly helpful in therapy because their size boosts children's confidence. “When they pet the horse, the therapy begins. These animals are huge to them, but they’re not afraid — they ride, they give instructions, and they grow more confident.” De Meyer works with children who face a range of challenges, including autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, nonverbal communication, sensory issues, and developmental delays due to fetal alcohol syndrome. Her work has drawn interest from countries in Africa and Asia interested in replicating the model. Chriszell Louw, a teacher at Dagbreek School — one of only two public schools in Namibia for children with intellectual disabilities — says the program has had a visible impact. “One of our students talks constantly, but during these sessions, she sits quietly in her place,” Louw said. “Others have grown more outgoing and joyful. Some were terrified at first, but now they’re eager to come and ride.” De Meyer explains that the program enhances physical skills like coordination, posture, balance, and muscle strength — all of which are critical for children who struggle with traditional classroom learning. One exercise involves children letting go of the reins and stretching their arms out to the sides, balancing with their core as a handler leads the horse. Many smile broadly during this activity, looking like they’re flying. “We’re changing the world for these kids,” de Meyer said.  

Thirteen members of the same family have died in Namibia after eating porridge that authorities believe became toxic when it was mixed with a fermented substance left over from a homemade alcoholic beverage, the state broadcaster reported. The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation said another four people are in a criticial condition in the hospital. NBC, quoting the Namibian health ministry, said at least 20 people consumed the "poisonous or toxic" porridge after it was mixed with sediment from a homemade beer. The victims ranged in age from 2 to 33, NBC said. The incident happened in the Kavango East region in the far northeast of the country.  

The Netherlands maintained all-win run in the first round Group A match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Cricket beating giant Namibia by five wickets at the GMHBA Stadium in South Geelong in Victoria, Australia on Tuesday.  With the day's feat, the Netherlands brightened their chance to reach the Super-12 stage of the World Cup securing full four points from straight two matches and will face Sri Lanka on Thursday (Oct 20) in their last group match.    Namibia, which came to the limelight upsetting Sri Lanka in the opening first round match, today (Tuesday) opted to bat first after winning the toss and scored 121 for 6 in quota 20 overs with middle order batter Jan Frylinck making the team's highest 48-ball 43 runs with one four and one six. Later, Jan Frylinck was adjudged the most valuable player of the match.  Besides, opener Michael Van Lingen (29), one down Stephan Baard (19), captain Gerhard Erasmus (16) and David Wiese (11) were the other notable scorers for Namibia reaching the double figure.  Bas De Leede grabbed two wickets for 18 runs in three overs. Chasing a target of 122 runs, the Netherlands scored the match-winner 122 runs for the loss of five wickets with three balls to spare. Two openers Max O Dowd and Vikramjit Singh made a good foundation of the Dutch innings contributing 59 runs in 8.2 overs in the opening stand.   Max scored 31-ball 39 runs hitting three fours and two sixes, Vikram made run a ball 30 with two boundaries.  Bas De Leede, who earlier bagged two wickets, scored run a ball 30 featuring two boundaries to be adjudged player of the match.  No other Dutch batter failed to score the double figure run. JJ Smit took two wickets for 24 runs in four overs.

Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bowl first against Namibia in the opening match of the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday. The Netherlands will play United Arab Emirates in the second match of the qualifying tournament, also in Geelong, which will determine four teams to advance to the main event starting later this week. Sri Lanka, the T20 World Cup champions in 2014, sustained a big blow on the eve of the tournament when left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka was ruled out with a quadriceps injury. Lineups: Namibia: Divan la Cock, Michael van Lingen, Stephan Baard, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (captain), Jan Frylinck, J.J. Smit, David Wiese, Zane Green, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo . Read: T20 World Cup 2022: Where to watch live in Bangladesh via TV, OTT, and apps Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan. Umpires: Joe Wilson, West Indies, and Rod Tucker, Australia. TV umpire: Paul Reiffel, Australia; Match Referee: Andy Pycroft, Zimbabwe

Afghanistan gave a perfect farewell present to Asghar Afghan with a thumping 62-run victory over Namibia in the T20 World Cup Sunday. Asghar made 31 off 23 balls in his last international appearance, which lifted Afghanistan to 160-5 after captain Mohammad Nabi won the toss and opted to bat in the Group 2 game. Read:Shakib ruled out of T20 World Cup Namibia batsmen fell against the slower deliveries of Afghanistan fast bowlers and limped to 98-9 with David Wiese top-scoring with 26 off 30 balls. Fast bowler Hamid Hassan, playing his first T20 international in five years, picked up 3-9 while Naveen-ul-Haq polished off the top order to finish with 3-27. Asghar, who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket Saturday, was given a guard of honour by Namibia fielders as he walked out to bat midway through the innings. He belted three fours and a six before scooping a catch to backward point in the penultimate over. Read:England gives old rival Australia 8-wicket thrashing at WCup Afghanistan, who have two tough games in hand against New Zealand and India, have four points from three games. It lost a nail-biting game to Pakistan by five wickets when hard-hitting Asif Ali smashed four sixes in the penultimate over. Namibia have two points from two games after beating Scotland in the opening game.

Namibia reached the main draw of the T20 World Cup for the first time by beating Ireland by eight wickets on Friday and becoming the final team to qualify for the Super 12s. Set a target of 126 to win, Namibia got there with nine balls balls to spare mainly thanks to 53 not out off 49 balls by captain Gerhard Erasmus, who shared an unbeaten 53-run partnership with David Wiese (28). The Namibians previously beat the Netherlands in Group A of qualifying for the country’s first win at a World Cup and went a step further by taking down an opponent seven places higher than them in the ICC rankings. Read: T20 WC: Bangladesh advance to Super 12s as Group B runners up They will join Sri Lanka in qualifying from the group. Sri Lanka was to play the already eliminated Netherlands later Friday. Ireland, looking to qualify for the main draw of the T20 World Cup for the first time since 2012, won the toss and was 55-0 after six overs at the end of the powerplay. Read: Shakib takes most wickets in T20 WC to equal Afridi’s record The team failed to build on its strong start and the runs stopped flowing on a slow pitch after Paul Stirling was out for a 24-ball 38. The Irish finished on 125-8, having been 62-0 after 7.1 overs. Bangladesh and Scotland qualified from Group B to get to the Super 12s, which start Saturday.

Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism on Wednesday called on both the public and holiday makers to observe littering rules in a bid to protect the environment.

With more than 85% of votes counted, Namibia's president was set to win another term Saturday and already was thanking voters.

Namibia has recorded 51 poaching incidences since January, spokesperson of the Environment and Tourism Ministry Romeo Muyunda said Wednesday.