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(CNN)Track and field great Usain Bolt has become a father for the first time after his partner Kasi Bennett gave birth to a baby girl on Sunday, his agent confirmed to CNN Sport.
The news was first publicly announced by Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Twitter on Monday.
“Congratulations to our sprint legend Usain Bolt and Kasi Bennett on the arrival of their baby girl!” he said in a tweet.
Bolt, 33, who retired from athletics in 2017, is still the fastest man in history. The 9.58-seconds world record he set over the 100m at the Berlin World Championships in 2009 still stands, as does his 200m world record of 19.19secs, also achieved in Berlin.
An 11-time world champion, Bolt is the only man to win three 100m Olympic titles and won 23 major gold medals during a glorious career.
He completed the historic ‘triple triple’ at Rio 2016 by winning 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay gold at three successive Olympic Games. However, in 2017 Bolt was stripped of his 4x100m gold medal from the 2008 Beijing Games after teammate Nesta Carter tested positive for a banned substance.
The Jamaican ran his last competitive race at the 2017 World Championships in London, where he finished third in the 100m. He has had a brief career as a footballer, joining Australian team Central Coast Mariners in 2018.
Bolt scored two goals on his debut in a pre-season friendly but left the club before making an official appearance after the two parties couldn’t agree to a deal.
(CNN) — It’s difficult to imagine a desert oasis with a magical lake, cascading waterfalls, and a valley of ancient whales failing to be listed among a destination’s top attractions.
But in a place like Egypt, with its ancient pyramids and beautiful beaches, competition is understandably steep.
Located less than two hours south west of Cairo, Fayoum Oasis is undoubtedly one of the country’s hidden treasures.
Made up of many lakes and canals, this large region is an ideal weekend or day trip spot for those keen to escape the bustle of the city.
“Cairo is chaotic and noisy. The closer you get to Fayoum, the quieter and cleaner it becomes,” Cairo-based Italian cinematographer Federico Corno tells CNN Travel. “And then suddenly you see patches of green everywhere.
“People often think about Egypt as just sand, pyramids, the heat or the Red Sea. They don’t imagine green farms, art and pottery, relaxation and meditation.
“In Fayoum, life just kind of slows down and goes back to the natural rhythm it should be.”
Chasing waterfalls
The Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls are thought to be the largest in Egypt.
Courtesy Eihab Boraie
Wadi El Rayan, a protected national park that stretches across nearly 700 square miles, is one of Fayoum’s many highlights.
It’s comprised of an upper and lower human-made lake, with what’s considered to be Egypt’s largest waterfalls in between.
These waterfalls can be hard to spot from the upper plateau, as they’re slightly smaller than other renowned falls.
But viewing the multiple drop-offs from the lower plateau is the best way to witness their collective beauty and experience a unique shower in the middle of a desert.
This site is famously crowded on weekends (during times of unrestricted travel), so it’s best to visit during weekdays.
However, the area is nearly deserted during Ramadan, although a few residents seem to rely on what they catch in the lower lake to break their fast.
The sprawling park also features a variety of distinctive scenic attractions that include moving dunes, natural sulfur springs, mountains, and its best-kept secret, Wadi Al Hitan.
Walking whales
Wati El Hitan, known as the Valley of Whales, is home to the unique Fossils and Climate Change Museum.
Shutterstock
A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005, Wadi Al Hitan, is an open-air museum that offers a puzzling depiction of the evolution of life.
The skeletons of hundreds of gigantic whales, sharks, and infinite fossils fill the desert valley, which is also known as The Valley of Whales, painting a vivid picture of the sheer scale of its wondrous inhabitants of 40 million or so years ago.
From a distance, these incredibly preserved bones resemble winding teeth jutting out of the desert.
This valley is also home to the informative Fossil and Climate Change Museum that mimics the natural surroundings and could easily pass as a dwelling in a “Star Wars” film.
The centerpiece of the one-room museum is the prehistoric Basilosaurus.
This phenomenal 60-foot long fossil, thought to be the largest intact fossil of the ancient whale, is one of several extinct Archaeoceti fossils that can be found in the area.
The Basilosaurus possessed two tiny hind limbs, believed to be useless for movement, that protruded from its flanks, offering evolutionary evidence of the whales’ transition from land to marine life.
Magic Lake
Magic Lake is named after its captivating, color-changing waters.
Shutterstock
The Magic Lake is named as such thanks to its mesmerizing waters, which change color depending on the time of day and amount of sun exposure it gets.
Reaching its shores is just as fun as swimming in its magical waters, as this requires dune bashing the desert in a 4×4.
Looking down from at the lake from the top of the dunes is something of a surreal spectacle, with the calm water serving as a crystal-clear mirror reflecting the sky.
The dunes are also large and steep enough to sandboard down.
Many visitors opt to camp for the night here to catch the magnificent celestial performance that only the milky way can provide.
“The raw sand and the high dunes contrasting with the color of the sky creates some stunning photos. In the summer, the milky way is super clear and looks like someone placed a carpet of stars in the sky,” describes Egyptian travel photographer Amr El Hadeka.
Water wheels of life
The area’s water supply comes from a number of water wheels that redistribute water from canals in the Nile.
Courtesy Eihab Boraie
Bestselling author Paulo Coelho famously wrote about the beauty of Fayoum’s oasis in his classic novel “The Alchemist,” and yet Fayoum is not actually a true oasis.
While an oasis derives water from an underground spring, Fayoum gets its water from the Nile, courtesy of a series of canals known as Bahr Yussef that were built by the ancient Egyptians.
There are around 200 waterwheels scattered across the area that redistribute the water from Bahr Yussef, which is responsible for giving the region its fertility and identity.
These celebrated waterwheels were introduced in the third century B.C. by Ptolemaic engineers, who used the topography of the land to lift water into irrigation canals, using the natural force of the fast-moving streams.
Located in the heart of Fayoum’s colorful downtown area, they’ve become an important landmark, particularly for those who are passionate about history.
Birds of Lake Qarun
Lake Qarun is popular with bird watchers thanks to the 88 species of birds, including flamingos, found here.
@amrelhadeka
Eons ago, Lake Qarun was known as Lake Moeris and the freshwater lake covered the entire Fayoum region.
Connected to the Nile via Bahr Yussef, this protected wetland is a small fraction of what remains of Lake Moeris
Considered the world’s most ancient lake, it’s not suitable for swimming, but Lake Qarun has become a legendary destination for passionate bird watchers.
From large colonies of flamingos to various duck species, it’s a unique ecosystem, supporting over 88 species of birds, and acts as a lifeline for endangered species like the slender-horned gazelle.
The abundance of birds living in this area has also made Fayoum popular among Egyptians for a traditional delicacy — stuffed pigeon.
But this beloved Egyptian dish is unlikely to grace the cover of any food magazines.
It offers a small amount of meat, which tastes like a darker, slightly gamier version of chicken.
However, none of that matters, because it’s the succulent seasoned rice, which absorbs all the savory flavors from within that makes it so popular that people often can’t help but eat more than one at a time.
Tunis Village
The residents of Tunis Villlage create pretty pottery and handicrafts, which is displayed around the area.
@amrelhadeka
Overlooking Lake Qarun, this colorful village teeming with diverse flora and fauna provides one of the most exquisite views Fayoum has to offer.
Aside from its natural beauty, Tunis Village is considered a thriving cultural arts hub due to its artistic residents who’ve shaped the village’s identity, using their skillful hands to create gorgeous pottery and handicrafts.
The village’s popularity has grown among Egyptians and tourists in recent years due to the annual Tunis Village Pottery Festival.
“I love this festival because anyone who does anything artistic can go get a booth and showcase their work alongside the locals,” Amr El Hadeka tells CNN Travel.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on like workshops and performances that give the festival an amazing vibe.
“People come from everywhere and get a chance to learn about the culture and leave inspired.”
The family-friendly festival usually takes place during the first week of November, which is also a great time to catch the variety of birds migrating into the area for winter.
Whether searching for relaxation or adrenaline, art or history, there’s something for everyone in Fayoum.
Visitors can see many of its top sights in one go by taking a 4×4 desert safari day trip, as many of the locations are positioned close together.
It’s surely only a matter of time before Fayoum considered among Egypt’s must see attractions.
Until then, it remains a relatively unknown treasure, filled with beauty and life that predates any pyramid by millions of years.
Shakespeare’s Globe theater faces permanent closure due to Covid-19 lockdown
(CNN) — William Shakespeare’s Globe theater, the famous London playhouse where the playwright’s shows were performed, faces permanent closure as a result of coronavirus lockdown measures, the theater and UK politicians have warned.
Lawmakers on Monday warned the UK government that the historic theater — which has been closed since March due to coronavirus restrictions — was faced with “insolvency and closure” as a result of Covid-19 lockdown’s impact on its finances.
The original Globe theater was built by Shakespeare’s company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, in 1599, but was destroyed by fire in 1613.
Audience members watch a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in Shakespeare’s Globe theatre on the Southbank of the River Thames on July 16, 2013 in London, England.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images
A replica of the playhouse was built in 1997 just meters from the original site on the banks of the River Thames, with historical records used for guidance.
The theater is almost identical in appearance to the original, but with modern features such as a concrete theater pit and roof-based sprinklers.
The building has several features recreated just like the original Elizabethan structure — Shakespeare’s Globe has the first and only thatched roof permitted in London since the Great Fire of 1666.
Shakespeare designed many plays — including “As You Like It,” “Hamlet,” “Twelfth Night,” “King Lear,” “Macbeth” and “Othello” — for performance in the original structure.
But now, the theater has warned that the current closure poses the greatest threat to the playhouse’s future since first opening.
The Globe’s artistic director Michelle Terry said that the theater is not eligible for Arts Council funding, and that the playhouse was faced with having to “balance between surviving and serving” the community.
“A little bit like every freelancer, it’s very hand to mouth. We’re completely dependent on income from ticket sales and everything — retail, education workshops,” she told BBC radio on Tuesday.
“So when that income stops we have the few reserves we’ve got in the bank — it’s sort of like whatever savings you’ve got — that’s how long you’ll last, really.”
Lawmaker Julian Knight, who chairs the UK’s digital, culture, media and sport committee, warned that the closure of the playhouse would be a “tragedy.”
“Shakespeare’s Globe is a world-renowned institution and not only part of our national identity, but a leading example of the major contribution the arts make to our economy. For this national treasure to succumb to Covid-19 would be a tragedy,” he said.
Worldometer is a coronavirus statistics site that has been cited by governments, academics and news outlets. However, almost nothing is actually known about how it operates, where it’s based and who is really behind it. CNN’s Scott McLean investigates.
Source: CNN
(CNN)Video footage of the last known thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger, has been released by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA).
In the 21-second clip the animal, named Benjamin, is prowling around his cage at Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart, Tasmania, according to a press release.
The footage, released Tuesday, was filmed in 1935 for a travelogue called “Tasmania The Wonderland,” just a few months before Benjamin passed away.
Thylacines were large carnivorous marsupials that looked like a cross between a wolf, a fox, and a large cat. They hunted kangaroos and other marsupials as well as rodents and small birds, according to the Australian Museum.
They once lived throughout continental Australia but became extinct on the mainland around 2,000 years ago, perhaps due to competition with dingos and hunting pressure from humans, said the museum.
It was then confined to the island of Tasmania, where the remaining population declined due to the introduction of dogs and hunting by humans, who considered the thylacine a pest.
In the clip, which the NFSA digitized in 4K resolution, Benjamin can be seen pacing around while two men watch on rattling his cage.
The narrator says the thylacine “is now very rare, being forced out of its natural habitat by the march of civilization.”
Benjamin was the last known thylacine in captivity and these are the last confirmed moving images of the species. His death on September 7 1936 is thought to have marked the extinction of the species after another specimen died at London Zoo in 1931.
“The scarcity of thylacine footage makes every second of moving image really precious,” said NFSA Curator Simon Smith in a press release. “We’re very excited to make this newly-digitised footage available to everyone online.”
There are only around three minutes of black and white video of the species that have survived, filmed at both Beaumaris Zoo and London Zoo. No color footage has been found.
The thylacine moved stiffly and generally at a slow pace, hunting alone or in pairs and mainly at night, according to the museum.
While the species is thought to have become extinct when Benjamin died, Tasmania’s Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment released a document in October detailing eight reported sightings in the past few years.
While stories abound that some continue to live in the remote wilds of Tasmania, there has been no hard evidence to support this, only claims of sightings.
Since the catastrophic Arab failure in the 1948 and 1967 wars led to total Israeli control over historic Palestine, the Palestinians have been trying to recover their losses, but to no avail.
Refugees and prisoners in their own homeland, they have tried armed struggle and peaceful negotiations with equal vigour, but have failed to get justice or attain peace.
Both strategies entailed great sacrifice and major concessions, but ultimately neither led to the liberation of Palestine from Israeli domination.
Worse, Israel’s appetite for expansion has grown with every Palestinian concession, and now its delusion of invincibility is driving it to illegally annex almost a third of what the Palestinians assumed would be their future state.
Regardless of whether it actually formalises its de facto annexation or not, Israel is already radically and unilaterally changing the reality on the ground.
So now what? What to do? What not to do?
The right diagnosis is half the cure
It is important to remember that contrary to newspeak there is no “Palestine problem” but rather an “Israeli colonial problem” – the region’s last colonial problem – and the Palestinians may prove to be its only solution.
Since its creation at the end of the 19th century, Zionism has mutated from arguably a legitimate Jewish national movement in Europe to a European colonial enterprise in the eastern Mediterranean.
It led, among other things, to a century-long conflict, multiple wars and hatred, fuelled by ethnic cleansing, dispossession and the displacement of millions of people.
Since then, increased Israeli colonisation, especially in the occupied West Bank, devolved into a reprehensible system of apartheid.
Interestingly, apartheid was born in South Africa in 1948, the same year the Palestinian catastrophe began, and it ended in 1994, a year before apartheid basically started in Palestine with the Oslo-II agreement, which divided the occupied territories into bantustans.
Like South Africa, Israel should be induced to produce its own FW de Klerk to end its apartheid. Such a leader would find the Palestinians ready to reconcile and together with Israel build a better future.
And like South Africa, this does not mean ending Israel. It means liberating Israel from its paranoid garrison mindset that sees hegemony as the only way to survive.
Considering we are all one human race, apartheid is ultimately about hegemony, despite its racial or other pretexts.
It follows that the struggle against apartheid must be a universal, indivisible struggle for justice and freedom – one that opposes anti-Semitism, as it does colonial Zionism.
But what shape and path should it take?
Palestinians have already begun to think about and debate new ideas to end apartheid, which deserve further study and development.
But before we get into what the Palestinians need to do, let us look into what they should not do.
What not to do
Surrender is not an option. Do not even think about it.
Accepting the so-called “deal of the century” put forward by US President Donald Trump and his ally Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to surrender to Israeli hegemony. It means living in captivity in perpetuity.
Without surrender, there is no victory. As long as the Palestinians do not lose, Israel cannot win.
Refusing to give up or give in may not be easy, but it has proven effective in frustrating Israel’s plans, and restraining certain Arab regimes’ predilection for mischief.
Do not despair. Time and history are on your side.
It may not seem that way judging from Israel’s visible confidence, (read arrogance), but even though it is a self-proclaimed country of “immigrants”, it has been bleeding hundreds of thousands of emigrants, mostly to the US.
And a high 40 percent of Israelis are thinking of emigrating, as countless Palestinians risk their lives to reclaim their right of return.
It is the same story repeated over and over again. Most if not all colonial powers lost to the weaker indigenous population over the past century. So will Israel.
To that end, Palestinians have wisely framed their cause in legal terms and extracted many UN resolutions condemning Israel’s violations of international law.
But international law does not deter the strong or save the weak, certainly not when the US flashes its veto at the mere mention of Israel.
Just do not depend on it. Depend on yourselves. And forget about the UN convening an international peace conference without American blessing.
Do not beat yourselves up too much. Be reasonable.
Yes, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has made its share of mistakes, but the Palestinians are not responsible for the contempt and incompetence of certain Arab regimes, or the cynicism of Western powers, especially the US appeasement of Israel.
And stop with the self-pity.
You cannot motivate and energise depressed people. It will not kill you to smile. The best laughs are those mixed with tears. There is much to dread, but there is much more to dream about.
Do not underestimate the moral weight of your cause in the Arab world and beyond, regardless of what the doubters say.
No matter how many dictators recognise Israel, a belligerent apartheid state will never achieve true legitimacy or security regionally.
Never.
Arabs see the struggle for justice in Palestine as a symbol and extension of their own fight for justice.
Syrians, Saudis, Yemenis, Egyptians and others may be engrossed in their own tragedies, as they must be, but polls consistently show that, collectively, Arabs see Palestine as their foremost cause in the struggle against colonialism.
Do not forget that.
Israel has always tried to separate Palestinians from Palestinians and the Palestinians from their Arab neighbourhood.
Do not allow it and do not engage in secret negotiations.
There are more than a few ways to connect and bridge the geographic divide.
As war and diplomacy come to a dead end, and as Israel dashes forward arrogantly grabbing and annexing more Palestinian land, speak up and do not let Netanyahu and Trump get off easy.
Try not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Try not to look back. Look ahead. Look for a third way forward.
Reinventing Palestinian unity
The lopsided peace process has been terribly divisive for the Palestinians. It is what asymmetrical peace processes do. Therefore, abandoning it must lead to some form of national unity.
The dreadful competition between the main political factions has thus far proven detrimental to national unity and elections have been no less divisive.
Instead of uniting against the occupation, the factions have been preoccupied with managing it.
While Fatah and Hamas continue to insist on holding onto their “strongholds”, the separated bantustans in the West Bank and Gaza, some suggest the establishment of an overall political umbrella, perhaps a reformed and expanded PLO, to unite all the Palestinians around the undisputed cause of justice.
But this will require a new generation of Palestinians to step up and take over from the predominantly septuagenarian and octogenarian leadership to chart a fresh, new way forward.
All bureaucratic tasks and responsibilities, whether on the level of the National Authority or the municipalities should be left to technocrats, chosen on the basis of merit not partisanship.
This requires a great deal of maturity, ingenuity and dynamism.
Another interesting idea is for Palestinians to unite behind multiple strategies, instead of being divided behind one failed strategy of negotiations.
This tactical decentralisation means “popular mobilisation” where each Palestinian community should be able to design and embrace strategies of struggle according to its abilities and circumstances.
Palestinians in Gaza may want to retain their deterrence capabilities to defend against another Israeli assault, and Jerusalemites may want to strengthen their city’s Palestinian presence and character.
Likewise, Palestinians in Israel may want to transform Israel’s binationality from demographics to politics. The Palestinians in Jordan may want to work with Jordanians to block Israel’s attempt to make their country the alternative Palestinian state. And the Palestinians in exile may want to promote the cause in foreign capitals. And so on.
These micro strategies should be continuously synchronised and synergised as integral parts of the national struggle for justice and liberation as a whole.
Palestinians should no longer be satisfied with passive “steadfastness”. They need to reactivate and re-energise the popular base.
Boosting Palestinian immunity
Comprising almost half the population between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, the Palestinians need to immunise themselves against persistent Israeli repression and marginalisation.
Palestinians need to offset Israel’s new attempts at dividing and ostracising them by improving business infrastructure and economic life to help people endure.
They need to expand on one of their greatest recent achievements, namely institution building.
This entails deflating an inflated bureaucracy by ending corruption and nepotism and creating partnerships between the public and private sector to improve economic planning and infrastructure development.
Currently, one-third of the national budget goes to the security apparatus, more than both the health and education sectors receive. Given that it serves Israeli more than Palestinian security, there is no reason why it should continue to consume so much of the Palestinian budget.
Boosting national immunity is also about boosting individual immunity in everyday life.
And there is no immunity without national and personal dignity.
A Palestinian may be able to block or defy the humiliation of an Israeli soldier, but may still find him/herself powerless when humiliated by a fellow (armed) Palestinian. Such humiliation is emotional and leads to indifference, even betrayal. This must stop.
And there is no dignity without work. This means there needs to be job creation, the expansion of good productive employment, so that poor Palestinians are not forced to slave away at Israeli settlements.
Palestinians are some of the most educated people in the region. Modest investment in human capital could yield great national advantage in the long run.
Rebuilding alliances
As the PLO hedged its bets exclusively on the US-led peace process, it abandoned much of the international solidarity movement.
Today, Palestinians need to rebuild links to European, Latin American, African and other foreign solidarity movements. These would be essential for their struggle moving forward, just as they were in ending apartheid in South Africa.
Moreover, and unlike many forgotten indigenous populations, Palestinians are not alone. They are part of a vast Arab region, and can draw strength and solace from your Arab hinterland.
Palestinians also have a special connection to the Islamic world, much of which has suffered terribly from Western colonialism.
It is paramount to confront Israel’s peddling of religious justification for its occupation with civic and universal, not religious, arguments.
All colonial enterprises of the past several centuries have used varying degrees of religious justification, and Palestine has been the focal point of interest for all three Abrahamic religions.
But treating Palestine as a “promised land” or “a waqf” turns the divine from a peacemaker to a real estate broker.
Palestine belongs to all its inhabitants, especially its indigenous people.
Cultivating Jewish partners
Winning Jewish support for justice and freedom in Palestine is imperative to dispel Israeli propaganda, and indispensable to roll back Israeli hegemony
Just as white people participated in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and in the civil rights movement in the US, Jews are indispensable in the struggle against apartheid in Palestine.
Throughout their history, Jews have been the victims of racism, suffering greatly from European anti-Semitism. And for long, they have been at the forefront in the fight against racism.
This week, for example, I read an obituary titled, “Denis Goldberg Man of Integrity: South African Freedom Fighter, Anti-Zionist Jew, and True Mensch” written by Ronnie Kasrils, a prominent Jewish South African anti-apartheid activist about a comrade who had passed away. Reflecting on Goldberg’s lifelong anti-racism struggle, Karsils emphasised: “As an anti-Zionist Jew he came to view Israel’s colonial-racism as akin to apartheid South Africa.”
I know many such people, having worked closely with Jewish academics, students, journalists, feminists, editors, publishers, lawyers, unionists, and activists on various progressive causes including that of free Palestine.
Palestinians must take down anyone who peddles anti-Jewish slogans in their name and build on increasing Jewish resentment towards an Israeli leadership that does terrible things in their name.
When former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders accused Netanyahu of “reactionary racism” and grew even more popular in the process, it showed just how far the American Jewish community and the Democratic Party have gone, bearing in mind that most American Jews vote Democrat, not Republican.
Palestinians need to nourish this new spirit and synergy to counter the Israeli-inspired campaign equating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism.
Anti-Zionism has nothing to do with anti-Semitism. After all, Jews were the first to oppose Zionism.
A new Palestinian-Jewish partnership must fight Israeli injustice tooth and nail, exposing the Israeli government’s malign attempts to label movements like Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) as anti-Semitic.
In short, and as I argued recently, it is high time for a Palestinian-Jewish spring.
The endgame
The evolution of this renewed struggle in its totality will determine the outcome – two states or one binational state, not the opposite.
The continuing debate about the singularity or duality of states is not only premature, it may prove divisive and debilitating.
Israel will certainly oppose a one-state solution with the same if not stronger determination it opposes a sovereign Palestinian state with.
The sooner the Palestinian leaders realise there are no short cuts or off-the-shelf solutions the better they will be prepared for the long haul.
That is why the Palestinian endgame should be justice and freedom. They are not only an attainable goal that everyone will rally behind, but also a prerequisite for peace and security in the region.
They require changing Israel’s calculus, not defeating it, or destroying it, as Israeli leaders whine and warn.
This is how major powers gave up their colonialism and how South Africa ended its system of apartheid. They were forced to reconsider the calculus of gain and loss.
In this way, Netanyahu’s Israel cannot have all the land and all the security. It cannot continue to live by the sword and preach Kumbaya to the Palestinians.
In short, it cannot have its cake and eat it too.
If history is any guide, Israel will end its occupation just as all colonial powers of the past century ended theirs.
The sooner the better for both Palestinians and Israelis.
Qatar has announced a series of new measures aimed at stopping the spread of the new coronavirus, including halting most commercial activities until May 30.
All shops, with the exception of food and catering shops, pharmacies, restaurants delivery services and a few other essential services, will also be closed during the same time period, which coincides with the official Eid al-Fitr holidays.
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All industrial activities, contracting companies, and engineering supervisory works – construction sites and engineering offices running under it – are exempted from the orders, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Starting May 22, all citizens and residents should also have the EHTERAZ app on their phones when leaving their homes. The app uses GPS and Bluetooth technology to help track COVID-19 cases, informing users if they come into contact with those who have tested positive.
No more than two people are now allowed to be in the same vehicle. Exceptions for three people are made for private vehicles driven by the family driver, or transportation in taxis. Buses will operate at half capacity.
Decision to suspend all commercial and service activities during Eid Alfitr holiday, with the exception of specific sectors and activities. #Qatar #YourSafetyIsMySafety pic.twitter.com/YgSCOBDj3Q
— وزارة التجارة والصناعة (@MOCIQatar) May 18, 2020
Group exercising will not be allowed. Sport can only be practised near a person’s residence and taking into account all physical distancing measures.
Failure to comply with these measures is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of 200,000 riyals ($54,800).
Qatar, which made the use of wearing face masks mandatory when leaving the house starting May 16, has recorded 33,969 coronavirus cases and 15 deaths.
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera News
Three men suspected of murder have been arrested after the death of a 19-year-old woman in Blackburn, north England – a killing that has shocked the country’s Muslim community.
Aya Hachem, who hailed from a Lebanese refugee family, was a second-year law student at the University of Salford and a volunteer with the Children’s Society charity.
Police have said she was not the “intended target” of the attack, as they sought to ease fears spreading on social media that her death was the result of a racist assault.
“There is no evidence to suggest Aya was the intended target of this attack and every indication is that she was an innocent passerby,” Lancashire police said. “We are aware of rumours circulating on social media, and we would stress that we are not treating the incident as terrorism-related and do not believe it was a racially-motivated attack.
“First and foremost, our condolences are with her family, who have lost their daughter during the holy month of Ramadan.”
Aya was shot in broad daylight while shopping at around 3pm on Sunday. She had been walking to a supermarket when shots were fired from a nearby car.
“Sadly, one of them struck and killed her,” the police said.
The men arrested were all in their 30s.
Terry Woods, of Lancashire Police, said: “This was an appalling and senseless attack on an innocent young woman, whose life was cut short.”
Hachem was the eldest of four siblings and reports have said her body is being flown to Lebanon to be buried.
In a statement, her family said: “Aya has been taken from us in the most horrific circumstances.
“We are absolutely devastated by her death and would like to take this opportunity to plead with any members of the public who may have any information, however small that may bring those responsible to justice.”
Mark Russel, head of Children’s Society, paid tribute, saying: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of one of our young trustees, Aya Hachem. She was a truly remarkable young woman, and an inspiring voice for children and young people. Our thoughts are with her family at this awful time.”
Meanwhile, two fundraising pages have been set up in honour of Hachem.
One raising funds to build a mosque in her name has already achieved the £30,000 target ($37,000), while another, by Global One, a UK-based NGO, seeks to remember Hachem by building water wells for vulnerable women and girls in water-poor communities.
After being idle for almost two months, some large carmakers such as Ford, General Motors and Fiat-Chrysler in the United States are restarting their assembly plants.
Workers are returning to the production line with new protective gear and social-distancing rules.
But questions remain over the global supply chain and how much demand there is amid the economic downturn gripping the world.
Al Jazeera’s John Hendren reports from Chicago, US.
SOURCE: Al Jazeera News
Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has formally resigned more than a week after his coalition government fell apart, in a move that could help end a long-running political crisis in the country.
“I come before you today to announce that the work that you assigned me may not be over but the time to retire from the great theatre of action, take leave from public life and office has finally arrived,” the 80-year-old said in a televised address on Tuesday.
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“I plead with the entire nation and leadership to give my successor utmost support and on my part I wish to assure him of my support at all material times,” he added.
Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa reported that Thabane had formally handed in his resignation to King Letsie III, the top traditional leader of the tiny mountainous kingdom.
Thabane, the leader of All Basotho Convention (ABC) party, was facing mounting pressure to step down over a case in which he and his current wife are suspected of involvement in the 2017 murder of his previous, estranged wife. They both deny this.
The embattled prime minister had promised in January to retire due to old age but had been dragging his feet on when to do so.
Thabane’s ruling coalition collapsed on May 11, and he had been expected to resign by May 22 when a new government is due to be installed.
Finance Minister Moeketsi Majoro, 58, is expected to replace him.
Thabane first served as prime minister between 2012 and February 2015 when a split within the coalition government led to an early general election.
The succeeding government, led by Pakalitha Mosisili of the Democratic Congress party, was also rocked by divisions.
Mosilili lost a vote of no-confidence, and Thabane returned to power after a 2017 vote as the head of the ABC-led coalition which was endorsed by three smaller political parties.
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
Ugandan police have arrested a prominent activist for allegedly inciting violence as she led a group of protesters against what they called “slow distribution” of food and other relief goods to vulnerable people affected by coronavirus-related restrictions, according to local media.
Stella Nyanzi, a vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni, together with a small group of activists, was arrested on Monday as she was marching towards the office of Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda in the capital, Kampala.
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In a petition on Monday, Nyanzi and others had urged the government to revise anti-coronavirus measures that have benefitted the rich and “created an apartheid state and occasioned avoidable suffering upon many vulnerable Ugandans, especially women and low-income earners.”
Through the petition, the activists also called for food distribution for those in need and free face masks for everyone, as well as for the release of political prisoners and those held for violating measures meant to contain COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
Police spokesman Patrick Onyango said Nyanzi had been arrested “for inciting violence”.
“She is exploiting the COVID-19 situation to advance her political motives,” he told Reuters News Agency.
Stella Nyanzi earned a huge following on social media for her bold attacks on President Yoweri Museveni over his crackdown on political dissent [Abubaker Lubowa/Reuters]
Uganda has implemented one of Africa’s strictest lockdowns, including a dusk-to-dawn curfew. It has also closed businesses and schools, banned public gatherings and the use of private and public vehicles other than those of essential workers such as medical staff.
To date, the country has recorded 248 confirmed coronavirus cases and no related deaths according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University,
Nyanzi, an academic and poet, has in recent years earned a huge following on social media for her bold attacks on Museveni over his crackdown on political dissent and decades-long rule.
In August last year, a magistrate’s court convicted her on charges of cyber-harassment and sentenced her to 18 months in jail.
She subsequently appealed her sentence and a judge in February quashed the ruling.
Some doctors and rights activists have criticised the strict lockdown measures, which they say have caused deaths of expectant mothers and patients with chronic diseases who struggled to find transport to hospitals.
Some doctors and rights activists have criticised the strict lockdown measures, which they say have caused deaths of expectant mothers and patients with chronic diseases [Abubaker Lubowa/Reuters]
Watching from afar as much of the world was brought to its knees by the coronavirus, African scientists, engineers and innovators have turned to homegrown solutions to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
By the time the virus hit Africa, where cases have risen relatively slowly, images of overwhelmed hospitals and stories of health workers strapped for protective gear had been streaming in for weeks.
Mehul Shah from Ultra Red Technologies, a 3D printing company in Nairobi, said he and his partner Neeval Shah quickly realised they could be “first responders” in producing locally-made equipment.
In only three days they put together a working design for 3D-printed face shields made up of a visor that clips onto a plastic sheet. They currently produce around 500 a day.
“It’s very important that we can show Kenyans that we can do this here and we don’t need to rely on importation. We have got the innovative know-how and the means to get this done here,” he told AFP.
The team is also helping produce components that would allow ventilators to be used on more than one patient, as well as printing parts for locally-made ventilators.
While Kenya only has 912 cases and 50 deaths after a little over two months, “we are preparing for the worst-case scenario,” Mehul said.
READ ALSO: Scientists In China Believe New Drug Can Stop Pandemic ‘Without Vaccine’
He said it was “a first” to see manufacturers in Kenya and even worldwide collaborating so much.
“All the companies are looking at how they can use their resources to help out. All the competitors who would be fighting against each other are all coming together.”
In Benin, the start-up Blolab — a digital fabrication laboratory – has also been printing 3D face shields.
– Contact-tracing apps –
Developers in Kenya’s thriving tech scene are among several on the continent working on contact tracing apps.
FabLab, an innovation hub in western Kisumu has developed an application called Msafari (Safari means journey in Swahili) which can track passengers on public transport.
With it, passengers entering a minibus taxi — known as a matatu — can input a simple code on their phone along with the vehicle registration number.
“If one of those passengers tested positive we are now able to trace all the contacts who checked in on that particular vehicle, ” said Tairus Ooyi, the lead app developer and data scientist at FabLab.
– Low-cost ventilators –
Another busy area of innovation has been the production of ventilators, which have been in short supply even in rich countries as COVID-19 patients needing oxygen have swamped hospitals.
Most African countries have only a handful of the machines and 10 have none at all, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
In Kenya, engineering students in collaboration with the medical department at the Kenyatta University, produced a low-cost ventilator at a tenth of the price of an imported machine — estimated at $10,000.
Doctor Gordon Ogweno, a medical professor at the university said Kenya had about 50 working ventilators for a population of more than 50 million.
“We are making machines with locally available material … pandemics can come and go but other conditions also require critical care,” he said.
The ventilator is undergoing clinical trials.
In Ghana, the Academic City College in Accra and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi managed to produce a ventilator costing between $500 and $1,000 which takes only an hour to assemble.
A group of Rwandan biomedical scientists at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional College in Kigali have also been testing a locally made prototype ventilator.
Meanwhile in Somalia, which has limited capacity to respond to its growing caseload, 21-year-old Mohamed Adawe has invented an automated resuscitator.
While doctors normally need to pump oxygen via an Ambu bag valve mask by hand on patients struggling to breathe, Adawe’s contraption — made up of a wooden box, pipes and an electric system — pushes oxygen from an air tank into a mask placed over the patient’s mouth.
“I saw people having difficulties in breathing and many have died because they could not get a machine to help them provide vital oxygen,” said Adawe, who is studying public health.
– Drones and robots –
Aside from locally-made items — African countries are also employing other technology to tackle the virus.
Rwanda last week began using four humanoid robots in coronavirus treatment centres to minimise human to human contact. They can screen temperatures and monitor the status of patients.
In Ghana, the US-based company Zipline which uses drones to ferry medicines, blood and vaccines to avoid poor roads, has begun to transport coronavirus tests.
“The government told us that their biggest challenge is that the virus has spread out of the cities, they have suspected cases popping up in the rural areas and the logistics from the rural areas to the cities are very difficult,” said Zipline CEO in Ghana, Daniel Marfo.
AFP
A Chinese laboratory has been developing a drug it believes has the power to bring the coronavirus pandemic to a halt.
The outbreak first emerged in China late last year before spreading across the world, prompting an international race to find treatments and vaccines.
A drug being tested by scientists at China’s prestigious Peking University could not only shorten the recovery time for those infected, but even offer short-term immunity from the virus, researchers say.
Sunney Xie, director of the university’s Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, told AFP that the drug has been successful at the animal testing stage.
“When we injected neutralising antibodies into infected mice, after five days the viral load was reduced by a factor of 2,500,” said Xie.
“That means this potential drug has (a) therapeutic effect.”
The drug uses neutralising antibodies — produced by the human immune system to prevent the virus infecting cells — which Xie’s team isolated from the blood of 60 recovered patients.
A study on the team’s research, published Sunday in the scientific journal Cell, suggests that using the antibodies provides a potential “cure” for the disease and shortens recovery time.
READ ALSO: ‘We Can Get It Done Here’: Africa’s Tech Scene Tackles COVID-19
Xie said his team had been working “day and night” searching for the antibody.
“Our expertise is single-cell genomics rather than immunology or virology. When we realised that the single-cell genomic approach can effectively find the neutralising antibody we were thrilled.”
He added that the drug should be ready for use later this year and in time for any potential winter outbreak of the virus, which has infected 4.8 million people around the world and killed more than 315,000.
“Planning for the clinical trial is underway,” said Xie, adding it will be carried out in Australia and other countries since cases have dwindled in China, offering fewer human guinea pigs for testing.
“The hope is these neutralised antibodies can become a specialised drug that would stop the pandemic,” he said.
China already has five potential coronavirus vaccines at the human trial stage, a health official said last week.
But the World Health Organization has warned that developing a vaccine could take 12 to 18 months.
Scientists have also pointed to the potential benefits of plasma — a blood fluid — from recovered individuals who have developed antibodies to the virus enabling the body’s defences to attack it.
More than 700 patients have received plasma therapy in China, a process which authorities said showed “very good therapeutic effects”.
“However, it (plasma) is limited in supply,” Xie said, noting that the 14 neutralising antibodies used in their drug could be put into mass production quickly.
– Prevention and cure –
Using antibodies in drug treatments is not a new approach, and it has been successful in treating several other viruses such as HIV, Ebola and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Xie said his researchers had “an early start” since the outbreak started in China before spreading to other countries.
Ebola drug Remdesivir was considered a hopeful early treatment for COVID-19 — clinical trials in the US showed it shortened the recovery time in some patients by a third — but the difference in mortality rate was not significant.
The new drug could even offer short-term protection against the virus.
The study showed that if the neutralising antibody was injected before the mice were infected with the virus, the mice stayed free of infection and no virus was detected.
This may offer temporary protection for medical workers for a few weeks, which Xie said they are hoping to “extend to a few months”.
More than 100 vaccines for COVID-19 are in the works globally, but as the process of vaccine development is more demanding, Xie is hoping that the new drug could be a faster and more efficient way to stop the global march of the coronavirus.
“We would be able to stop the pandemic with an effective drug, even without a vaccine,” he said.
AFP
President Donald Trump on Monday made the surprise announcement that he is taking hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug that his own government experts say is not suitable for fighting the novel coronavirus.
Trump, noting that he has tested negative for the virus and shows no symptoms, said he’d been taking the drug as a preventative measure for about a week and a half.
“I take a pill every day,” he said, adding that he combines this with zinc.
Asked why, he said: “Because I think it’s good. I’ve heard a lot of good stories.”
Trump has shown interest for weeks in promoting the use of hydroxychloroquine, even if some doctors think it does not work for coronavirus patients and US government regulators warn it has “not been shown to be safe.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it’s “not a good idea” for Trump to be taking the drug as a potential treatment for the coronavirus.
“I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists, especially in his age group and in his, shall we say, weight group, which is morbidly obese, they say,” Pelosi said during an appearance on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360.”
“So, I think that it’s not a good idea,” she added.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Trump’s decision to take the drug “reckless.”
“It gives people false hope, has people avoid real medical attention, and can actually cause them trouble. It is just dangerous what he did,” Schumer said on MSNBC.
READ ALSO: Scientists In China Believe New Drug Can Stop Pandemic ‘Without Vaccine’
Trump’s latest remarks came out of the blue, immediately grabbing headlines on a day when US deaths from COVID-19 topped 90,000 people — almost a third of the total world toll.
“You’d be surprised at how many people are taking it, especially the front-line workers, before you catch it. The front-line workers — many, many are taking it. I happen to be taking it,” he let slip to reporters attending a White House meeting devoted to the struggling restaurant industry.
“I’m taking it, hydroxychloroquine, right now, yeah. A couple of weeks ago, I started taking it,” he said.
Trump has often played down the dangers of coronavirus, including last week when he said it threatened only a small number of people. He also pointedly refuses to wear a mask, despite federal recommendations to do so and the fact that most of his staff have taken to covering their faces in public.
A personal valet to Trump has tested positive for the coronavirus, as has Katie Miller, Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary.
– ‘Reckless’ –
Trump said his use of the medicine was approved by the White House physician, Sean Conley. However, Trump insisted that he, not the doctor, took the first step.
“I asked him, ‘what do you think?’ He said, ‘if you’d like it.’ I said ‘yeah, I’d like it.’”
Conley later issued a statement saying that he had agreed to Trump using the anti-viral drug “after numerous discussions” between them about the pros and cons.
“We concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risk,” Conley said.
Trump said he has received many “positive calls” from people, whom he did not identify, telling him about the malaria drug. He mentioned a letter he’d received from a New York doctor, also unidentified, who reported giving the medicine to hundreds of patients and “I haven’t lost one.”
By contrast, the government’s Food and Drug Administration warns against giving hydroxychloroquine for either prevention or treatment of the coronavirus, noting reported side effects including “serious heart rhythm problems in patients with COVID-19.” Only emergency use is authorized under temporary rules.
Earlier this month, a medical paper out of New York suggested that combining hydroxychloroquine with the dietary supplement zinc sulfate, which has antiviral properties, could create a more effective treatment against coronavirus.
But Matthew Heinz, an Arizona doctor who served under Barack Obama’s government, said medicines like hydroxychloroquine are not “benign” and open for unregulated use.
“I cannot stress enough how reckless it is to encourage anybody to take hydroxychloroquine or any other unproven remedy,” he said in a statement.
Trump signalled, as he has throughout the crisis, that there was nothing to lose by trying possible treatments.
“It seems to have an impact, and maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t but if it doesn’t, you’re not going to get sick or die,” Trump said. “I take a pill every day. At some point I’ll stop.”
The president said again on Monday that he showed “zero symptoms.”
“Every couple days they want to test me, you know, for obvious reasons. I mean I am the president, so they want to test me. I don’t want to be tested but they want to test me,” he said. “I’ve shown always negative.”
AFP
Beijing on Tuesday accused Donald Trump of smearing China and shirking American responsibilities to the World Health Organisation, after the US president threatened to pull out of the UN health body.
The American leader has been locked in a bitter war of words with Beijing, alleging it covered up the initial outbreak in central China late last year before the disease spread globally, causing economic devastation and claiming lives across the planet.
Trump on Monday called the WHO a “puppet of China” before tweeting a letter he had sent to the organisation’s chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus threatening to make permanent a temporary freeze on funding from the US.
China in response accused Trump of trying to “smear China” and “shirk responsibility and bargain over its international obligations to the WHO”, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press briefing Tuesday.
“The US leader’s open letter you mentioned is full of hints, ‘perhaps’, and ‘maybes’, and tries to use specious methods to mislead the public, and achieve the goals of smearing China’s anti-virus efforts, and shirk responsibility for the United States’ own insufficient response,” Zhao said.
“The US tries to use China as an issue to shirk responsibility and bargain over its international obligations to the WHO. This is a miscalculation and the US has picked the wrong target.”
More than 317,000 people have died of COVID-19 out of nearly 4.8 million infections worldwide, and governments are scrambling to contain the virus while seeking ways to resuscitate their hammered economies.
Zhao added the US was attempting to deflect from its own “insufficient prevention and control” against the virus.
READ ALSO: Trump Threatens To Pull Out Of WHO Over COVID-19 Response, China
With more fatalities and cases in the United States than any other country by far, under-pressure Trump has blamed the WHO for not doing enough to combat its initial spread.
“The only way forward for the World Health Organization is if it can actually demonstrate independence from China,” Trump’s letter read.
China urges the US to “stop shifting the blame” and instead focus on containing the virus, Zhao said at a regular press conference.
Earlier Monday the WHO said it would launch an independent review of the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Beijing has furiously denied the US allegations that it played down the threat, and Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated at the World Health Assembly that his nation had been “transparent” throughout the crisis.
AFP
The World Health Organization said it would launch an independent review of its response to the coronavirus pandemic but President Donald Trump renewed his attack on the global body, branding it a “puppet of China” and threatening a permanent freeze on US funding.
Washington is locked in an increasingly bitter spat with Beijing over the new coronavirus pandemic and has also taken aim at the WHO, which on Monday kicked off its first-ever virtual assembly.
A resolution tabled by the European Union called for an “impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation” of the international response to the pandemic, which has so far infected nearly 4.8 million people and killed more than 317,000.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged there had been shortcomings and told the virtual assembly he welcomed calls for a review.
“I will initiate an independent evaluation at the earliest appropriate moment to review experience gained and lessons learned, and to make recommendations to improve national and global pandemic preparedness and response,” he said.
“But one thing is abundantly clear. The world must never be the same.
“We do not need a review to tell us that we must all do everything in our power to ensure this never happens again,” Tedros said.
READ ALSO: Trump Threatens To Pull Out Of WHO Over COVID-19 Response, China
A wide range of country leaders and health ministers hailed the WHO’s efforts but US health secretary Alex Azar said its “failure” to obtain and provide vital information on COVID-19 had cost lives.
“We must be frank about one of the primary reasons this outbreak spun out of control: there was a failure by this organisation to obtain the information that the world needed, and that failure cost many lives,” Azar said in a video address to the WHO’s main annual meeting.
– ‘Puppet of China’ –
Washington has suspended its funding to the health body, accusing it of being too close to Beijing, and covering up and mismanaging the pandemic.
“In an apparent attempt to conceal this outbreak, at least one member state made a mockery of their transparency obligations, with tremendous costs for the entire world,” said Azar, pointing the finger at Beijing.
The outbreak, which emerged in China late last year, has killed and infected more people in the United States than in any other country by far.
Later Monday, Trump threatened to permanently freeze US funding to the WHO and reconsider its membership unless “substantive improvements” were made within the next 30 days.
“The only way forward for the World Health Organization is if it can actually demonstrate independence from China,” Trump said in a letter to the WHO chief.
“They’re a puppet of China, they’re China-centric to put it nicer,” he said earlier at the White House. “They gave us a lot of bad advice.”
Trump has accused the WHO of blindly taking the word of China, where the SARS-CoV-2 virus was first detected.
Critics say Trump, who had earlier praised China’s response, is trying to divert attention from his handling of the pandemic in the United States, which has suffered by far the highest death toll.
The annual World Health Assembly (WHA) has this year been trimmed from the usual three weeks to just two days, and is focusing solely on the pandemic.
– ‘Contradictory strategies’ –
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the assembly the COVID-19 crisis was a “wake-up call”.
“Deadly global threats require a new unity and solidarity,” he said.
“We have seen some solidarity, but very little unity, in our response to COVID-19. Different countries have followed different, sometimes contradictory, strategies and we are all paying a heavy price.”
The UN head said many countries had ignored the WHO’s recommendations.
“As a result, the virus has spread across the world and is now moving into the global South, where its impact may be even more devastating, and we are risking further spikes and waves,” Guterres said.
Protecting developing countries was not a matter of charity but of enlightened self-interest, he said.
“We are as strong as the weakest health systems,” he warned.
Guterres said lessons learned from COVID-19 would be essential for tackling future crises but called for an immediate focus on unity to get through the present emergency.
“Either we get through this pandemic together, or we fail. Either we stand together, or we fall apart.”
Despite growing tensions between the world’s two largest economies, member states hoped the WHA would adopt a resolution aimed at fashioning a joint response, including commitments on equitable access to potential treatments and vaccines.
Chinese President Xi Jinping voiced support for a joint approach, vowing in his address to make any vaccine his country developed available for all and offered $2 billion in aid.
China currently has five potential vaccines in clinical trials.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted any vaccine must be available to everyone.
AFP
The Nasarawa State government has discharged 19 coronavirus (COVID-19) patients out of the 32 positive cases recorded in the state.
Governor Abdullahi Sule disclosed this on Monday at a briefing with journalists shortly after inspecting the ongoing work at the Infectious Diseases Control and Diagnostic Centre in Lafia, the state capital.
He noted that the 19 patients tested negative after receiving treatment and have been discharged, adding that the state now has 12 COVID-19 active cases and one death.
The governor was delighted that although the government has set up several isolation centres across the state, there were no patients at the facilities.
He said, “We have been very lucky, we have a total of 32 cases. As at this morning (Monday), we have had one death and 19 (recovered patients) that have already been discharged.
“They have turned negative again and they have been discharged. Of the 32 cases, we only have 12 active cases.”
On the progress of work at the centre, Governor Sule revealed that the first phase of the project – the physical structure of the facility – was at 95 per cent completion.
According to him, the government is rushing to complete the project in order to adequately prepare for future emergencies, in terms of mitigating the outbreak of infectious diseases such as Lassa Fever, Ebola, and other viruses that may surface in the future.
The governor explained that the second phase of the project – equipping the facility – would be capital intensive but his administration was committed to completing the project.
“The second phase, which is more important and actually more economically demanding, is the aspect of equipment and we are working on that at the moment.
“It will require a lot of investment in the area of research, testing, and various laboratories,” he added.
Governor Sule noted that the centre would operate in synergy with the Dalhatu Araf Specialists Hospital and the State School of Nursing, all located within the vicinity of the facility.
He said, “There is going to be synergy between the three institutions around. There will also be lots of collaboration, especially with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
“We have been talking to them (NCDC), with the Federal Ministry of Health and the State Ministry of Health, as well as all the other major hospitals that we have around, including our PHC unit.”
Nigeria legends Amuneke and Adepoju impressed with Chukwueze’s progress at Villarreal
The former Super Eagles stars have spoke of their delight with the development of the 20-year-old winger
Nigeria legends Emmanuel Amuneke and Mutiu Adepoju have expressed their pleasure with the progress of Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze.
The 20-year-old winger broke into the limelight at the 2015 U17 World Cup tournament in Chile under the guidance of Amuneke.
The forward helped the Golden Eaglets to clinch the title for the fifth time and subsequently won the Bronze Boot award and the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament.
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After his impressive showing in the competition, he joined the Yellow Submarine’s youth team in 2017 and was promoted to the first team a year later.
The winger, dubbed ‘Arjen Robben’ for his skilful playing style, has continued to deliver eye-catching displays and this season he has scored four goals and provided four assists before the suspension of the league due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Amuneke, who believes in the quality of the forward, has spoken of his delight with his development while backing him to move to a bigger club in future.
“Samuel Chukwueze whom I was privileged to have coached in the U17’s, you can see how good he is and the team he finds himself. Villarreal is a team that likes to give young players opportunities to grow,” Amuneke told Goal.
“I am happy for him and hope he can do more. Chukwueze was in the youth team of Villarreal and I could remember when he was injured, I think two months to the World Cup, I said to the doctor ’he doesn’t need to train just make sure you recover him’.
“He is a player that we need; we know his qualities, we know what he can do. I am happy today he is doing his best.
“I hope he can be in a bigger club where Africans can enjoy him, not only in Nigeria because I believe whoever is playing in La Liga from Africa is representing Africa and that is our joy. So it is good to see our players doing very well in La Liga week-in week-out. They are playing and contributing their part to the development of La Liga.”
Former Real Madrid forward, Adepoju has also praised the progress of Chukwueze at Estadio de la Cerámica, stating the 22-year-old did not disappoint him, following his fine displays at the U17’s.
“I am happy Chukwueze is playing in La Liga. I could remember when he was in the U17 under Amuneke. I could remember the talent he had and the prospect that he was showing then,” Adepoju said.
“When I heard he was in Villarreal’s second team, I believed he’s going to get into the first team and he’s going to make waves in La Liga. He has not disappointed me. “
Besides Chukwueze, a number of African players are impressing in the Spanish top-flight like Nigeria’s Kenneth Omeruo and Chidozie Awaziem, who are on the books of Leganes as well as Ramon Azeez, playing for Granada and Ghana’s Thomas Partey, who is doing well for Atletico Madrid.
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Adepoju, now La Liga ambassador, is delighted with the influx of African players in the division but feels more still needs to be done to ensure African players embrace the Spanish top-flight.
“I am so happy because in the past when we were playing, we had so many Nigerians and Africans in La Liga and all of a sudden due to some circumstances there were no Nigerians in La Liga and as La Liga ambassador I was thinking what could be happening? Could it be that we were not having Nigerian players good enough to play in La Liga? Then we had Chukwueze, Ramon Azeez, I am just so happy and having Omeruo and [Chidozie Awaziem] in Leganes I am so happy there are Nigerians there,” he continued.
“Also seeing Thomas Partey and other African players playing in La Liga it’s just a great thing which means Africans are getting things done very well, although not as much as we would have wanted it to be but at least we are having African players in La Liga which is very good.”
Dest agent confirms Barcelona and Bayern Munich interest in Ajax’s USMNT starlet
The Dutch giants may face a fight to keep hold of their young prospect, who enjoyed a fine debut season at the Johan Cruyff Arena
Barcelona and Bayern Munich are interested in signing Ajax full-back Sergino Dest this summer, his agent has confirmed.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Dutch giants having graduated through the club’s youth ranks.
He made 35 appearances in all competitions for Erik Ten Hag’s senior side before the Eredivisie season was curtailed last month because of the coronavirus crisis.
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His impressive performances saw him win the Marco van Basten award for Ajax young talent of the year.
The right-back was also handed his USMNT debut in September, featuring in friendlies against Mexico and Uruguay after impressing for the U20 squad at the World Cup during the summer.
His performances for club and country have caught the eye of rival clubs, with European heavyweights Barca and Bayern seemingly at the front of the queue, though Dest’s agent and lawyer Joes Blakborn is keen to stress that no formal bids have yet been made.
“It [interest from Barcelona] is not yet concrete,” Blakborn told Voetbal international.
“They have not officially reported to me or Ajax. However, information has been provided in the past. Sergino is one of the full-backs in Europe that they are following. He is an option should Nelson Semedo leave. But I think Sergino is an option for more clubs.
“Bayern Munich still want to take Sergino from Ajax, but at the moment both parties are still far apart. We can’t do anything about that at the moment.”
Though he was born and raised in the Netherlands, Dest qualified for the United States through his father and represented the country at youth level.
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Following his international debut in September, the Netherlands approached Dest over the possibility of switching allegiance as he had yet to represent the United States in a competitive game.
However, the following month Dest committed his international future to the USMNT, admitting it was a “tough” decision and revealing he had informed Oranje boss Ronald Koeman personally.
Despite helping Ajax to the top of the table when the Eredivisie was initially postponed due to coronavirus in March, Dest missed out on a winner’s medal as the league was declared void, with no champions, promotion or relegation.
Ronaldo’s Man Utd to Real Madrid hints revealed by Nani as exit was planned months in advance
The former Red Devils winger says that a fellow Portuguese would admit to having transfer thoughts long before a big-money deal was done
Cristiano Ronaldo dropped hints about leaving Manchester United long before a record-breaking move to Real Madrid was pushed through, former team-mate Nani has revealed.
The Portuguese superstar was snapped up by the Red Devils from Sporting in the summer of 2003.
Six memorable years would be spent at Old Trafford, with a five-time Ballon d’Or winner collecting the first of his Golden Balls while in England – along with three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown.
Editors’ Picks
- Joelson Fernandes: Teen wing wizard following in Ronaldo’s footsteps at Sporting
- Garner, Levitt & the Man Utd youngsters tipped to join the first team next season
- ‘They could have asked for £100m’ – Arsenal must now sell Aubameyang on the cheap after ‘crazy’ mistake says Aliadiere
- The goalkeeper who has caused civil war at Bayern… and he’s not even joined yet
A reputation was established as one of the finest players on the planet, with that standing having been enhanced since to now sit alongside the all-time greats.
Ronaldo has strived for continuous improvement throughout his career, with the 35-year-old needing to be tested and challenged.
That mindset has led him from his homeland to Juventus via Manchester and Madrid, with Nani conceding that a switch to Santiago Bernabeu was mulled over months before an agreement was reached.
He told United’s official podcast: “We would stay at the end of training to do competitions and they [Anderson & Ronaldo] were my team-mates, everyone has best friends or some they feel more comfortable with and they were my support.
“Some days he [Ronaldo] was telling us openly ‘I’m here six or seven years now, I think it’s enough for me’, he said that a couple of times.
“But it was always ‘I will see, I will see, I will see’ but we never thought it [Real Madrid move] would happen so fast. After we won the league in the second year he left, he produced a great season so we were still surprised.”
Four years after Ronaldo departed, Sir Alex Ferguson walked away from United as he headed into retirement.
Nani wanted to make a move of his own at that point, but hung around for another 12 months before eventually returning to Sporting on loan in 2014.
He added: “When he [Ferguson] wanted to leave I felt like I wanted to leave too. I was there so many years and now it’s a new coach and I think it’s time for me to challenge myself in a different team.
“Then I had a big injury, I recovered and went to the World Cup and the season after I was ready in my mind to leave the club. That’s it.”
Nani, who is now on the books of MLS side Orlando City, took in 230 appearances for United, and added on his decision to sever ties with the Red Devils: “I’ll tell you the truth. It will never be the same after leaving Manchester United to play for another club. It’s not the same.
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“As a club, as a structure, the quality: everyone knows that. I’m not offending anybody. Everyone knows that: that’s why Man Utd is Man Utd, all over the world.
“It was great to come back to Sporting because I came back home, close to my family and my friends. It was good to breathe a little bit, to recover and get some energy back and motivation, to find a new challenge.
“To tell the truth, it was a great season for Sporting for me that year. I played very well and in the Champions League I scored a couple of goals. I enjoyed the football a lot in that time.”
‘Barcelona said I wouldn’t play much but I didn’t give a sh*t!’ – Song explains Arsenal exit to become a millionaire
The former Cameroon international was given the opportunity to head for Camp Nou in 2012 and, after six years in north London, jumped at the chance
Alex Song has revealed that Barcelona told him he would not see much game time when heading for Camp Nou from Arsenal in 2012, but the Cameroonian “didn’t give a sh*t” as a lucrative contract had been agreed with the Liga giants.
After six years in north London, a combative midfielder secured himself a shock switch to Catalunya.
Barca parted with £15 million ($18m) in a transfer fee, but Song was more concerned with the pay rise he would be getting in new surroundings.
Editors’ Picks
- Joelson Fernandes: Teen wing wizard following in Ronaldo’s footsteps at Sporting
- Garner, Levitt & the Man Utd youngsters tipped to join the first team next season
- ‘They could have asked for £100m’ – Arsenal must now sell Aubameyang on the cheap after ‘crazy’ mistake says Aliadiere
- The goalkeeper who has caused civil war at Bayern… and he’s not even joined yet
That convinced him that the time was right to leave Arsenal, despite the fact that he faced fierce competition in Spain and would take in few starts across 65 appearances for the Blaugrana.
“When FC Barcelona offered me a contract and I saw how much I would earn, I didn’t think twice about it,” Song told professional basketball player and fellow countryman Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors in an Instagram Live session.
“I thought my wife and children should have a comfortable life. I met the sporting director and he said I wouldn’t play many games, but I didn’t give a sh*t. I knew I was going to be a millionaire.”
Cars proved to be a regular theme throughout Song’s career, with the 32-year-old revealing that he made sure to upgrade his own wheels when discovering what Thierry Henry was driving upon his arrival at Emirates Stadium in 2006 – only to backtrack on that decision pretty quickly.
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“I was going to training [at Arsenal] and I saw Thierry Henry arriving in a magnificent car. I told myself that I wanted the same car at all costs. I went to the dealership and bought the same one,” Song, who recently severed ties with Swiss side FC Sion, said.
“But I had to return it after two months because all my money was being spent on petrol.”
Song took in 215 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 10 goals, and returned to English football with West Ham amid his struggles for minutes at Barca. He did, however, manage to secure a Liga title and a Spanish Super Cup during his time in Spain.
Popular Cameroonian pastor, Frankline Ndifor, who claimed he could cure coronavirus is dead.
The Pastor, who was also a presidential candidate in the country’s last election, a week ago prayed for the healing of some coronavirus patients who turned up at the Kingship International Ministries Church.
The doctor who treated Ndifor, Dr Gaelle Nnanga told the Voice of America that the Pastor died less than 10 minutes after suffering severe respiratory difficulties resulting from COVID-19.
He told VOA that he took a medical team to the late Pastor’s house after he got calls from some members of Ndifor’s Kingship International Ministries Church that he was having severe respiratory difficulties.
Meanwhile, health officials have asked those who had contact with the pastor to report to hospitals to be tested for COVID-19.
Ndifor has been buried in front of his residence Saturday by workers of Cameroon’s COVID-19 response team in Douala.
Ndifor came 7th out of nine candidates in 2018’s presidential election with 23,687 votes.
So far, Cameroon has recorded 3,529 confirmed cases of coronavirus with 140 deaths recorded.
Five new cases of COVID-19 infection have been recorded in Kwara State.
This brings the total of confirmed cases to 63, according to the COVID-19 Kwara update table.
Out of the confirmed cases, 47 are active cases while 15 patients have been discharged and eight test results are being awaited.
So far, total tests done stand at 872 with 800 confirmed negative and only one death recorded.
Maj.-Gen. Edet Akpan, a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is dead.
Akpan, the fourth NYSC DG, died in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
Adenike Adeyemi, Director, Press and Public Relations of NYSC, made the announcement in a statement on Monday.
The spokesperson noted that the deceased repositioned the scheme on the path of growth.
Adenike recalled that Akpan’s administration – 1984 to 1988 – led to the introduction and institution of the NYSC flag and anthem which are still in use.
She added that Akpan’s tenure established NYSC farms across Nigeria and “enhanced the Community Development Service (CDS) of corps members”.
Adeyemi said that the scheme was “consoled by the fact that he lived a worthy life”.
NYSC said Akpan touched so many people and institutions, “the hallmark of a purposeful life that shall outlive him”.
Meanwhile, NYSC DG, Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Shuaibu, has given an update on mobilization and orientation of corps members.
Twilight actor, Gregory Tyree Boyce, 30, and his Nigerian girlfriend, Natalie Adepoju, 27, have been found mysteriously dead in their condo in Las Vegas.
According to the Las Vegas Medical Examiner’s office, the couple were found dead on Wednesday but the news of their death was announced on Monday.
The Medical examiner’s office also stated that the cause of their deaths was yet to be revealed pending toxicology results.
A source who spoke to TMZ said a white powdery substance was found at the scene, but authorities are yet to confirm.
”Boyce and his girlfriend were found after his cousin noticed his car was still at the house when he was supposed to be out for some errands.
“He was a person who loved life, was super positive and the life of the party.
“He was one of my funniest friends in LA and made my experience there really memorable.
“I will definitely miss him,” the source added.
However, Natalie’s family while confirming her death in a statement described her as a loving daughter who would be dearly missed.
The statement reads” Natalie was a loving daughter, niece, sister, cousin, and friend.
“She had so much life to live, and we are saddened that her life was cut short.
“Natalie leaves behind her one and only baby boy, Egypt, her father, two brothers and one sister, and a host of family and friends who love her dearly.
“She will be dearly missed.”
Boyce was best known for his role as Tyler Crowley in the popular Twilight movie.
The actor is survived by his 10-year-old daughter, Alaya.
Coronavirus: Nigerian Army General arrested, popular Islamic cleric convicted
A Mobile Court in Kaduna State has convicted a popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yusuf Sambo Rigachukun and his son, for violating the quarantine order on COVID-19.
Also convicted was a Nigerian Army General.
Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Aisha Dikko, made the announcement in a statement on Monday.
The cleric and his son were arrested at Kaduna State University (KASU) junction, for violating the stay at home order and not wearing face masks.
The preacher explained that he was on his way to the Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC) for a radio programme.
The commissioner said the duo were charged for not wearing face masks and were fined N5,000 each.
“In addition, the court asked the cleric to perform community service, by informing the public on how to stop the spread of COVID-19,”,the statement added.
Aisha Dikko added that the Kakuri Mobile Court also arrested an Army General at the Toll Gate area of Kaduna-Abuja expressway.
Dressed in full uniform, he was arrested while driving in from Abuja with three other passengers who were not wearing face masks.
The official noted that the General identified himself and said he was coming from Abuja on official duty.
“However, the court tried and convicted the other three passengers, for not complying with the stay at home order and wearing face masks”, she said.
Aisha Dikko disclosed that 75 culprits were convicted out of the 105 people who violated the ban on inter-state travel.
They were nabbed at the border between Kaduna and Abuja, as well as the Kaduna-Katsina state border.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Hafiz Inuwa on Tuesday morning confirmed the death of the National Spokesman of Ijaw Interest Advocate, Mr. Famous Belief Wonikiri-Ebi, also known as Izanzan Camp.
CP Inuwa confirmed the death in a telephone chat with DAILY POST.
The deceased was shot dead in the presence of his wife by gunmen along Onos School Road in Udu Local Government Area on Monday evening.
CP Inuwa said, “I heard about it. We (Police) heard about it,” saying that the police is investigating the matter.
According to CP Inuwa,”Since I got the information, we discussed with the Area Commander and DPO of the area with a view to gather more information as to what happened, the motive they had behind his killing and what have you.
“It’s just too early to comment on what led to the killing and what we are doing.
” But we actually heard about it that, he was shot. After he was shot, he was rushed to the hospital and the people who shot him, we learnt they took away his car after shooting him. One Toyota Camry.
“So, we are just going about it with a view to see what happened but it’s a case of armed robbery that we learnt. It’s like when they met him, he struggled with his assailants before they shot him. That’s the information we heard, but we are now treating it as a case of armed robbery and murder and God willing, we will get to the root of the matter.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya also confirmed the report.
She said, “They said the man was shot last night. That they wanted to seize his vehicle, and he resisted, and they shot him.”
Mother ties up her 10-year-old son in a sack for four days over allegations he is possessed with an evil spirit (video)
A middle-aged woman, simply identified as Iya Ayo, was arrested for tying up her 10-year-old son, Ayo, in a sack and locking him up in a wardrobe for four days in the Fesojaye community, Owode, in Osun State,
The woman reportedly tied up her son last Thursday until on Sunday May 16 when a neighbor heard his cry for help. The neighbor immediately alerted the leaders of the community who in turn alerted the police, The woman was arrested and her son freed.
When interrogated, Iya Ayo who is separated from Ayo’s father, said her son was possessed with an evil spirit and was in the habit of stealing people’s money.
Confirming the incident to LIB, the spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Yemisi Opalola, said the woman was arrested and made to sign an undertaking never to maltreat the child. Opalola said efforts are being made to search for the father of the child so the woman can hand Ayo over to him. She added that the police are closely monitoring the situation.
”We went to arrest her and she told her part of the story, how the boy has been disturbing her. In a nutshell, the police told her to go and look for the father of the boy if she cannot take care of the child again. She promised to do so. The DPO also followed up yesterday to ensured that the father is found. There is no way the police can keep the child with them. They have made her to write an undertaking even with a surety who promised she will never do it again.’‘ she said
Watch a clip from the moment the boy was rescued below;
Twilight actor, Gregory Tyree Boyce and his Nigerian girlfriend Natalie Adepoju mysteriously found dead at their home
Twilight fans are mourning the death of Gregory Tyree Boyce, 30, and his Nigerian girlfriend Natalie Adepoju, 27, after they were mysteriously found dead in their condo in Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Medical Examiner’s office confirmed that the couple were found dead on May 13. The cause of their deaths have not been revealed.
A source told E! News that “Greg’s cousin woke up and noticed that Greg’s car was still at the house. He was worried because Greg was to be in LA. His cousin went to check on him and found them.”
The source says that prior to his death, Gregory was “really focused and handling a lot of business.” And though he had moved to Las Vegas to help his mother, the insider reveals Gregory “would commute to LA for acting jobs and to see his daughter.”
A second source adds, “Greg was definitely a person who loved life and [was] super positive… super animated, really witty, he was the life of the party. I will definitely miss him. He was one of my funniest friends in LA and made my experience there really memorable.”
Insiders told TMZ that an unknown white powdery substance was found at the scene, but authorities are yet to confirm.
Boyce was known for his role as Tyler Crowley in the first Twilight franchise movie.
His Nigerian girlfriend, Natalie Adepoju who has been dating the actor for just over a year has a young son named Egypt, while Boyce is survived by his 10-year-old daughter, Alaya.
In a statement shared to a GoFundMe, her family described her as being a “loving daughter, niece, sister, cousin, and friend.” They continued, “Natalie had so much life to live [and] we are saddened that her life was cut short. Natalie leaves behind her one and only baby boy Egypt, her father, two brothers and one sister, and a host of family and friends who love her dearly.”