TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Government committed to help Ghanaians in hard times – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has said his government is committed in ensuring that they provide relief for Ghanaians in difficult times.

    The president said, “steps at increasing further our testing capacity have been taken, with the coming on stream of the Veterinary Laboratory in Accra, the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratory also in Accra, the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, and the Veterinary Laboratory in Pong-Tamale, to aid the labours of the Noguchi Research Institute, the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, and the National Public Health Reference Laboratory at the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital.”

    He added, “A number of isolation, quarantine and treatment facilities have also been identified across the country for use. The nation is profoundly grateful to the Church of Pentecost for the generous, Christian gesture of making available its multipurpose Convention Centre, at Gomoa Fetteh, as an isolation centre which can house over one thousand (1,000) persons and three hundred (300) medical staff.”

    He continued: “It is important for every Ghanaian to note that the more people we test for the virus, the more persons we will discover as positive, and, thus, have the opportunity to isolate and treat them. The implementation of this strategy of tracing, testing and treating is our surest way of rooting out the virus.

    I will continue to urge all of us to continue to practice social distancing, wash our hands with soap under running water, refrain from shaking hands, and, wear our masks whenever we leave our homes. Businesses and other workplaces should operate, and observe staff management and workplace protocols of social distancing. This applies equally forcefully to public transport operators and users of our market places. We must observe these measures religiously, as they are the weapons of our battle against the virus.”

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: A weaker response would have jeopardized economic gains – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said he took robust and drastic measures which included the closure of the borders, as part of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic because, in his view, a weaker response would certainly threaten the lives and livelihood of Ghanaians.

    He noted that the impact of COVID-19 cannot be underestimated, hence the tough measures he adopted.

    Speaking in the studios of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) on May Day, the President said: “As government and social partners, it is our collective responsibility to chart our own course out of this pandemic”.

    “It is obvious that a weak response to COVID-19 will jeopardise the gains made to create a buoyant economy and will worsen the lives and livelihood s of all Ghanaians.”

    The President also said he has charged Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to work with the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to draft a policy that will further strengthen the industry and the agriculture sectors of the economy to mitigate and fix the economic damage done by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The President said his administration is determined to deal with the economic impact of the pandemic through innovative ways.

    Mr Akufo-Addo said: “Discussions are ongoing with the World Bank to raise more funds which should be completed soon”.

    “I have charged the Minister of Finance to work with the Bank of Ghana to design innovative policies and find more resources to strengthen the productive sectors of the economy, particularly industry and agriculture. I understand that the process will shortly yield positive results.”

    He added: “The Minister of Finance and his South African counterpart, are leading the efforts of African ministers of finance to take debt reliefs for our economies.

    “The World Bank has granted a debt repayment standstill for the next nine months, which will result in our delayed principal interest payments totalling $500 million.”

    Mr Akufo-Addo further said that job creation is a priority for his government.

    He said several measures have been taken to create jobs for Ghanaians and, or, create the enabling environment for Ghanaians to create jobs and wealth for themselves.

    “Job creation is one of the priorities of this government,” he said, adding that it is a social contract with the people, hence bold steps have been taken to that effect.

    He applauded workers for their contributions toward nation-building as Ghana joins the rest of the world to celebrate them.

    “We recognise and appreciate the efforts and sacrifices they have made toward the construction of the happy and prosperous Ghana we seek, and, on this day, I say Ayekoo to each one of you,” Nana Akufo-Addo said in his May Day message to Ghanaian workers.

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • Ghanaians applaud budgetary allocations without scrutiny Randy Abbey

    Dr Randy Abbey, host of Good Morning Ghana on Metro TV, has stated that Ghanaians always applaud budgetary allocations by various political administrations without tracking the disbursements of funds.

    He said, when the Finance Minister reads the budget and allocate a certain amount to a particular sector, all that the Ghanaian will do is to compare the amount to the previous administration allocated to that sector and decide to offer praises or criticisms without looking at how best the amount will be disbursed.

    Dr Abbey said at the end of the day it will emerge that “even in the fourth quarter five per cent of what was allocated in the budget has not even been released”.

    “People do not even track and say that in 2007, you said you were going to give a certain amount to this sector, you come to tell us what you are going to do in 2008…in 2007 how much of what you said you will do for that sector did you do and why were you not able to do that,” he said on “The KSM Show” on Metro TV [Friday, May 1, 2020].

    He added that all the time the appropriations excite the Ghanaian and not the implementation or tracking of the budgetary allocations.

    Dr Randy Abbey indicated further that in pursuit of power, politicians know what must be done but why they do not do what they know must be done and do not do “is a million-dollar question” that needs to be answered.

    He said, this can be measured when a party is in opposition… “they are very analytical, say all the right things, striking all the right chords and when they get the power, it becomes a different kind of thing”.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Checkout how Reggie Rockstone looked back in the days without dreadlocks

    Legendary musician, Reggie Rockstone, has shared an epic throwback picture detailing how he looked in the good old days without his signature look; dreadlocks.

    It is evident from the picture that Rockstone has always been a hairy man as he is captured in the vintage photo wearing a long afro.

    The picture, he hinted, was taken when he looked all glammed up for a movie audition.

    He disclosed his latest throwback picture has inspired him to author a book which content will include the many things he has done and seen.

    Source: Adomonline.com

  • I will make you smile when football resumes- Mathew Anim Cudjoe tells Kotoko fans

    Ghana youngster and Asante Kotoko whizkid, Mathew Anim Cudjoe says he will be fit and in good shape when the football season makes a return.

    The highly-rated teenager is playing his first season in the Ghana Premier League and has managed to establish himself as one of the best exciting talents in the country before the Coonavirus crisis forced the suspension of the campaign.

    While he stays home to stay safe, he is not being idle but trains under the supervision of a personal coach provided by his management.

    In an interview on the Kotoko Express App, Mathew Anim Cudjoe told his followers and fans of the club that he will be ready to treat them to some good football when the football season resumes.

    “My training is going very well. I am being trained by a professional coach so it has been good. I follow every instruction he gives to me and the advice he gives me on the type of food to eat and when I need to sleep.

    “All these things are building me up very well and when the league resumes I will come good and my fans will be happy”, he noted.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Referees wanted to take pictures with Abedi Pele- Joe Addo

    Former Black Stars defender Joe Addo recalled the moment when referees came up to football legend Abedi Pele, just to take pictures before a game.

    Pele had an outstanding career, lifting the AFCON in 1982 and winning the African Player of the year on three occasions. He was adored by fans and team mates for the skills he showed on the pitch.

    In an interview on Joy FM’s Sports Link on Saturday, Addo narrated an incident involving Gabonese players and referees.

    “I remember in our match against Gabon, the Gabonese players came into the dressing room to take pictures with Abedi Pele. Even the referees wanted to take pictures with him. That was how great he was. He was graceful. He was always willing to take pictures but on the pitch he was always serious.”

    The 48 year old also admitted that Abedi helped him a lot during his professional career.

    “Abedi Pele helped me a lot as a professional. I went to study in school but I was happy that I came back to play professional football. Abedi really helped me in my professional career.”

    Source: footballghana.com

  • How Kevin-Prince Boateng ended Michael Ballacks career

    In 2010, the Ghanaian International was regarded as public enemy number one by the Germans after the injury of Captain Michael Ballack.

    Kevin-Prince Boateng has rough edges and is not suspected of bending like a club.

    While half-brother Jerome Boateng has developed into a diplomat with boring statements and little attack surface over the years, Bad Guy “Prince” always swam against the tide. The fact that his image in Germany has suffered sustained damage is mainly due to a foul. Ultimately, Boatengs action sealed Michael Ballack’s end in the national team.

    May 2010. The English Cup final between outsider FC Portsmouth and favorite FC Chelsea. A good half hour has been played. Like fighting cocks, Boateng and Ballack attacked each other a few times, verbal and physical provocations on both sides. Then the kick. Boateng does not hit the ball, he jumps Ballack onto the ankle with full force. Result: inner ligament tear and partial tear of the syndesmotic ligament.

    Kevin-Prince Boateng accounts in his book

    After the game, Boateng will say it was not intentional. Just a one-on-one battle that occurs several times in every game. Nobody will believe him. Boateng apologizes, but never shows remorse. Neither immediately after the game nor years later. Instead, he kicks in again. With words.

    In his book “Ich, Prince Boateng” with the subtitle “Mein Leben. My game. My billing. ”The professional devotes himself to what is probably his most famous action. And boasts a little for it. After all, German internationals had contacted him and thanked him for his rude attack. Boateng writes about how bad Ballack’s reputation was in the national team at that time. “No one was happy that he was injured, least of all me, but many even found the better option without Ballack.”

    Germany plays a good World Cup without Ballack

    There was something state-bearing about the injury. In a few weeks, Ballack should lead the German national team during the World Cup in South Africa, now the then world-class player missed his last big tournament. Even more. Because the DFB team enthused with the then aspiring Özil, Khedira and Müller against England (4: 1) or Argentina (4: 0) and returned as third in the World Cup, Ballack’s absence was negligible. His career in the national team was over.

    Boateng, on the other hand, contested the World Cup and only failed with Ghana in the quarterfinals after penalties against Uruguay.

    His foul persisted. In the days that followed, he was no longer a perpetrator but a victim. In his biography, he reports hostility, and even death threats are said to have reached him. “I received several letters saying that I wanted to lynch me. A limit was crossed. ”

    There has never been a debate between Boateng and Ballack. In an interview, the malefactor once said: “There is nothing to be clarified. Ballack is not important to me, I am not important to him.”

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Ghana FA holds discussions with clubs over future of Premier League

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has completed a series of meetings with stakeholders on the status and future of the nation’s sport in the wake of the disturbing coronavirus pandemic.

    First and second-tier clubs in both the men’s and women’s leagues as well as the 10 Regional Football Associations (RFAs) participated in the conferences.

    According to a publication on the GFA’s official website, the meetings were meant to “update members on the finances of the GFA, the much-talked-about Fifa Forward operations Funds, the Fifa Covid-19 Emergency Fund and the way forward for Ghana football, among others”.

    The future of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) prominently featured in the discussions as the FA has up to Tuesday to decide the fate of the championship which has ground to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    “I think this has been a very good and useful exercise,” said general secretary Prosper Harrison Addo.

    “We needed to update our members on issues and to seek their views and contributions on various areas of the Association. I would like to thank all the clubs and the RFAs for their participation, contributions and suggestions.

    “We have very resourceful and insightful members who made excellent contributions and provided valuable viewpoints on the development of the game during the engagements.

    “The Executive Council will continue with our engagements with other stakeholders for a clear decision on the way forward and support for our membership in a difficult time like this.

    “The government has been very open and we appreciate their support thus far and we shall continue to engage them until we bring finality to the matter.”

    The FA is yet to provide an update on the future of the league following the discussions.

    The meetings were held via Zoom Video Conferencing.

    Source: goal.com

  • Asem backs M.anifest as he shades Sarkodie in his new song “No Long Talk”

    Hip hop rapper M.anifest, has released another song titled “No long talk”, which has a line which is believed to be a shade to Sarkodie.

    The three have had some frictions for sometime now as they have been involved in several beefs, starting from M.anifest and recently Asem.

    M.anifest just released another hip hop song titled “No long talk” and in the song, it has a line that says “them no be rappers, them be IG models” which is believed to be a shade to Sarkodie, because for sometime now Sarkodie has been posting more pictures on Instagram with poses like a model.

    Asem in a tweet backed M.anifest by saying, “M.nifest is talking that talk on No Long Talk give it to them M dot . ASEM…“

    See tweet below;

    Source: ghbase.com

  • Check out the fleet of cars displayed by Kuami Eugene in his house

    Afrobeat singer, Kuami Eugene who is now tagged as the AfricanSon, has displayed the fleet of cars that can be found in his house.

    The singer in an Instagram post was acknowledging himself for being able to stay home for four months.

    In doing this, he posted a picture of his compound where a fleet of cars were parked including a Benz, Sonata and a few more.

    However some fans were of the view that he intentionally posted that particular picture to show off the fleet of cars he has.

    See photo below;

    Source: ghbase.com

  • Ola Michael shares screenshot of the last conversation he had with late Bishop Bernard Nyarko- Video

    Kumawood actor, Bishop Bernard Nyarko has died. He has parted ways with the living in the evening of May 2, 2020. The cause of his death has been revealed.

    Bishop Bernard Nyarko has been battling with acute illness for the past years, and its just sad that he has to leave us just like that.

    Deep-throat family sources have told them that the late actor died of acute Colon Cancer which he has been battling with these few years.

    Movie Producer, Ola Michael took to his Facebook page to share the last chat he had with the late Bishop Bernard Nyarko.

    He posted,

    “My chat with Bishop Benard Nyarko on 2nd April, 2020. He passed on 2nd May 2020.
    Rest well bro.”

    No photo description available.

    Also watch this video;

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    He said God was taking him through a punishment – Ola Michael reveals about Late Bishop Nyarko #unitedshowbiz

    A post shared by OKAY 101.7 FM (@okay101.7fm) on

    Source: www.ghgossip.com

  • If you want everybody to show you love, just die Medikal

    Reigning VGMA Rapper of the Year, Mr Adu Frimpong who is widely known in showbiz as Medikal has revealed what one can do for everybody to show him or her love.

    According to him, if you want everybody to love you, just die.

    This comes after the death of popular Kumawood actor, Bernard Nyarko. The actor died on Saturday, May 2, 2020.

    Tributes have been sighted from Ghanaians especially his colleagues in the Ghanaian movie fraternity.

     

    Taking to his Twitter handle, Medikal wrote;

    “If you want everybody to show you love, die.”

    Source: www.ghgossip.com

  • Kenya coronavirus cases reach 435, mass testing setback in Mombasa

    Kenya recorded 24 new coronavirus cases bringing the total tally to 435. 17 of the cases were recorded in Nairobi (10 in Eastleigh, 7 in Kawangware). Five in Mombasa. and two in Migori County.

    A 51-year-old woman in Mombasa became the 22nd victim whiles two more recoveries bring the total to 152. These figures were given by Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi in April 2 briefing on the virus situation.

    A total of 1195 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, one of the highest in a day. It also comes two days after mass testing was rolled out in parts of the capital and Mombasa. The exercise, however, suffered an early setback with low turnout, especially in Mombasa.

    According to records, although the target was 24,000 residents, only 131 showed up for the test rolled out on Thursday. The Health CAS cautioned small businesses that seem to have gone back to work, saying “the disease is still with us”.

    Businesses flouting the rules set in place to curb disease spread will be closed. Dr Mwangangi noted that there has been a decrease in the number of patients visiting hospitals for other illnesses.

    While this would ordinarily be good news, the CAS said citizens should not be afraid to seek medical assistance when needed, the Standard Digital portal said in its report.

    Source: africanews.com

  • Imam flogged for holding prayers, defying social distancing order

    An Imam (Muslim CLeric) in Bauchi state has been publicly flogged for defying social distancing order to hold prayers with over 1o people.

    The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Retd.) has placed a ban on religious gathering to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

    A video posted on Instagram by @TundeEdnut shows the Imam being flogged by one of the palace guards of the Emir of Azure, Bauchi State.

    “The emir of Azare, Bauchi state, directed his Dogaris (palace guards) to mete out instant punishment to any Imam who held mosque prayers with more than 10 people and did not maintain any social distancing.

    “One Imam thought he was above the law and held prayers in a jam-packed mosque, but someone reported him to the Dogaris and he was caught and flogged on his yansh,” Tunde Ednut’s caption read.

    Watch the video below:

    Source: mynigeria.com

  • ‘I will rise up again’ – Bishop Nyarko’s emotional sermon that has gone viral

    Ghanaians have been shocked at the news of the demise of versatile veteran actor, Bishop Bernard Nyarko. Many have taken to social media to celebrate the man they describe as a legend, touting him for his excellent acting skills.

    Whilst Ghanaians are yet to know the cause of death of the famous Kumawood actor, snippets of a particular video of him have gone viral.

    The video which was uploaded on January 9, 2020, on youtube, had Bishop speak on the topic, ‘I will rise up again’ to some congregants in a church.

    The actor spoke about foes who are always around us and fake their love for us but wish for our downfall.

    Bishop Bernard Nyarko stated in April 2020, that he was now a full-time man of God, announcing his retirement from the acting industry.

    According to reports, the actor ditched acting for the gospel after he was hit with an unknown illness.

    Watch the sermon below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Davido to drop new album in July

    Nigerian artiste, Davido has hinted at the possibility of dropping a new album in two months time.

    Taking to Twitter, the “D&G” crooner made recourse to a new album in the works, titled, “A Better Time.”

    Just recently, the singer promised to donate all the proceeds from his new song to support international fashion house, Dolce & Gabbana’s Coronavirus Research Fund.

    The visuals from the song hit 1.7 million views on YouTube in less than a week.

    Source: mynigeria.com

  • West Africa’s largest water park sets to launch in Nigeria

    The largest water park in West Africa, Park Vega is set to launch in Nigeria.

    Park Vega is a member of International Association of Amusements & Attractions ( IAAPA) and WWA World Waterparks Association(WWA) and acclaimed to be the first international standard water park in Nigeria and West Africa.

    Experts’ ratings show that the park boasts internationally recognised features and standard facilities of a water park that ranks it matchless. These include: multiple water slides for adults and children, wave pools and splash pad, amongst others.

    Speaking on the project, Public Relations Officer of the park, Anthony Elikene stated that the park which is sited at Delta state has answered government’s call for economy diversification and put Nigeria and West Africa on global tourism map.

    He said, “This is long overdue. Nigerian families deserve to experience undiluted fun without worrying about getting passports, visas and scaling through immigration from both ends. The park is equipped with the best in class equipment compared with any international standard water park in the world. We aim to provide the best day ever experience for friends and family seeking fun, excitement and bonding.”

    Describing the park further, Elikene said , “Sitting on 1,500m2 and containing close to half a million gallons of water, the wave pool mimics the ocean waves by pneumatically producing waves up to 1.1m height. It is the most up to date technology in the international market and the centrepiece of the waterpark, offering hours of splashing fun for all ages and swimming levels.

    “Park Vega’s adult slides are aptly named: space-hole slide, free-fall slide, multi-surf slide, and black hole – wave combo slide. These slides offer different experiences to riders. The space hole slide is probably a favourite slide to many because of the twists and turns before being thrown into a jumbo bowl where centrifugal forces keep guest riders high on the wall for several rotations, then they are plunged into a slash pool.

    “Whether sitting on an inner tube with a friend or riding solo, this slide is so much fun that there are repeat rides.

    The multi-surf slide takes riders on an electrifying head-to-head competition over a series of gut-wrenching bumps propelling guest riders to the finish line to see the fastest.

    “This ride was installed for our competitive guests to enjoy a high-volume of fun.

    The freefall slide packs an extremely thrilling slide that gives riders a momentary feeling of weightlessness and pushes fun-seekers valour to the limits. We believe that the youths will be drawn to this slide.

    “The freefall-slide is designed to have an extra enclosed tube at the top to build anticipation, this is a perfect recipe for those who appreciate the adrenaline rush.”

    He said, “Blackhole-wave combo slide both add remarkable experience to the traditional waterslide. It features a steep drop that takes riders up a nearly vertical wall for a moment of weightlessness before they are swish-swashed down to the shutdown lane.

    “With this slide, guests can enjoy their double raft while sharing laughter with family and friends. The children will experience a very colourful aqua tower and splash pad fitted with over 50 interactive elements such as tipping bucket, bubbler jets, slides, umbrella jets, water guns, water wheels, the pipe falls, net bridge, net climber etc. The kid’s pools have very shallow depth and are finished with anti-slip tiles for all-day safe play.

    “There is also an activity pool which has an obstacle course, water volleyball and water polo for activity fanatics. In addition to all these, Park Vega has a swim-up bar that offers cocktails and mocktails.”

    Source: allafrica.com

  • North and South Korea exchange gunfire at border

    North and South Korea have exchanged gunfire in the Demilitarised Zone which divides the two countries.

    Gunshots fired by North Korea at 07:41 (23:41 BST) hit a South Korean guard post in the central border town of Cheorwon, Seoul’s military said.

    No casualties were reported on the South Korean side.

    In response, South Korea fired “two rounds of gunfire and a warning announcement according to our manual”, the military statement said.

    It added that officials were trying to contact North Korea.

    It is not clear what provoked the initial gunshots.

    This is the first time in five years that North Korean troops have directly fired on the South.

    The demilitarised zone (DMZ) was set up after the Korean War in 1953 in order to create a buffer zone between the two countries.

    For the past two years, the government in Seoul has tried to turn the heavily fortified border into a peace zone.

    This increase in tensions comes a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appeared in public, following an almost-three-week unexplained absence that sparked intense global speculation about his health.

    Source: bbc.com

  • How Bishop Bernard Nyarko stopped kumawood colleagues from visiting him

    It has emerged that actor Bishop Bernard Nyarko before his demise prevented his colleagues from visiting him at the hospital where he was on admission.

    According to reports, the actor who over the years had become favourite of a number of people died at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital formerly the Ridge Hospital where he had been admitted for a while reportedly battling with colon cancer.

    Reacting to the sudden demise of Bishop Bernard Nyarko, versatile actress Nana Ama McBrown who is a colleague in the movie industry said they had made several efforts to visit their colleague at the hospital but all proved futile.

    She indicated that, Bishop Bernard Nyarko kept making up excuses on why they should hold on and at the appropriate time, they will be given an opportunity to visit him.

    Nana Ama Mcbrown said, they were waiting for a response so they could pay their colleague a visit only to hear of his demise.

    Source: My News GH

  • UK government ‘wants to support aviation industry’

    A question from ITV at the daily briefing raised the spectre of aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce considering thousands job cuts, with the British workforce potentially bearing the brunt. It follows the announcement of major job cuts by British Airways and Ryanair.

    BA is looking at cutting 12,000 people from its 42,000-strong workforce, citing a collapse in business. The company thinks it will take several years for air travel to return to pre-virus levels.

    Ryanair is looking at 3,000 job cuts – that’s 15% of its workforce. Boss Michael O’Leary has also said it would take six months to refund passengers for flights cancelled.

    Robert Jenrick, the minister fronting today’s briefing, said the government wanted to support the UK’s aviation industry, which he said was “an extremely important one strategically” as well as an industry which employs “a great deal of people”.

    “If there’s more we can do, we will do so.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Three acts of kindness that won hearts in India

    As India reels from the effects of a nationwide lockdown, here are three heartwarming stories of people going the extra mile to help someone out, or cheer them up.

    “You’ve made my day!”

    India has been in lockdown since 25 March. Many people are stuck at home alone, leaving the elderly especially feeling lonely and cut-off from family and friends.

    So Karan Puri, an elderly resident of Panchkula, a town in the northern state of Haryana, was in for a pleasant surprise when the police came knocking at his door recently.

    In a video that has since been shared widely, Mr Puri can be seen striding towards the gate, saying, “I am Karan Puri, I live alone and I am a senior citizen.”

    But what happens next leaves him stumped. “Happy birthday to you!” As the police officers sing, Mr Puri doubles over in surprise, asking them how they know. He says his children are away and he starts to tear up.

    The police tell him there is no need to feel lonely because they are like his family too, before producing a birthday hat and a cake, which Mr Puri then cuts while the officers resume singing.

    “Thank you!” he tells them at one point. “You’ve made my day.”

    A meal for two

    Doctors in India, like elsewhere, are on the front lines fighting the pandemic, and they are often working around the clock.

    “The anxiety and stress levels at work are immense,” said Kaushik Barua, a 30-year-old critical care resident at a private hospital in the Indian capital, Delhi.

    Mr Barua spoke to the Humans of Delhi blog, which was inspired by Humans of New York.

    “But through this tough journey, I have had the help of one truly kind soul,” he said.

    His landlord, Rohit Suri, has been cooking him meals every day, so he has a plate of hot food waiting for him when he returns home, exhausted, from work.

    The two men have become good friends, as Mr Suri also lives alone.

    “I’m glad I could capture our moment of camaraderie this morning,” says Dr Barua of the selfie that has made it to the popular blog. And, as you can see, they are social distancing in this “Vitamin D selfie”, as Mr Barua and Mr Suri refer to it.

    Dr Barua says he feels especially lucky and grateful because one of his friends, who is also a doctor, was asked by her landlord to vacate her home. Several doctors and nurses in India have complained of this, saying landlords and neighbours were afraid of contracting the virus from them.

    “Mr Suri has been a remarkable human being, the kind that the world needs in such times,” Mr Barua said.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Johnson reveals ‘contingency plans’ made during treatment

    Boris Johnson has revealed “contingency plans” were made while he was seriously ill in hospital with coronavirus.

    In an interview with the Sun on Sunday, the PM says he was given “litres and litres of oxygen” to keep him alive.

    He says his week in London’s St Thomas’ Hospital left him driven by a desire to both stop others suffering and to get the UK “back on its feet”.

    Earlier, his fiancee, Carrie Symonds, revealed they had named their baby boy Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson.

    The names are a tribute to their grandfathers and two doctors who treated Mr Johnson while he was in the hospital with coronavirus, Ms Symonds wrote in an Instagram post.

    The boy was born on Wednesday, just weeks after Mr Johnson’s discharge from intensive care.

    In his newspaper interview, the prime minister describes being wired up to monitors and finding the “indicators kept going in the wrong direction”.

    “It was a tough old moment, I won’t deny it,” he’s quoted as saying, adding that he kept asking himself: “How am I going to get out of this?”

    Mr Johnson had been diagnosed with coronavirus on March 26 and was admitted to hospital 10 days later. The following day, he was moved to intensive care.

    “It was hard to believe that in just a few days my health had deteriorated to this extent,” the prime minister tells the Sun on Sunday.

    “The doctors had all sorts of arrangements for what to do if things went badly wrong.”

    His recovery, he says, was down to “wonderful, wonderful nursing”.

    Mr Johnson says he felt “lucky”, given so many others were still suffering, adding: “And so if you ask me, ‘Am I driven by a desire to stop other people suffering?’ Yes, I absolutely am.

    “But I am also driven by an overwhelming desire to get our country as a whole back on its feet, healthy again, going forward in a way that we can and I’m very confident we’ll get there.”

    Fewer patients hospitalised

    The total number of reported coronavirus-related deaths in the UK now stands at 28,131 – an increase of 621 on Friday’s figure.

    However, England’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said the number of people being treated in hospitals for the virus had fallen by 13% over the past week.

    On Saturday, the government pledged £76m to support vulnerable children, victims of domestic violence and modern slavery, who were “trapped” at home during the lockdown.

    The announcement followed reports of a “surge” in violence in the weeks since the lockdown was introduced.

    Source: bbc.com

  • FLASHBACK: I stopped acting because its full of evil Bernard Nyarko

    The Late Bishop Bernard Nyarko stated in April 2020, that he is now a full-time man of God.

    According to him, he has quit acting and nothing will make him rescind the decision.

    In a viral video, the movie star noted that he is following the footsteps of his colleague actor, Majid Michel.

    He mentioned to a congregation that he was preaching to that the Ghana Movie Industry is evil.

    He explained, “I have stopped because it’s full of evil. Every day you would meet different people, every day you would see different girls. All of them want you to become their friends and some of them are coming from the marine sea, they should take their movie.”

    Former Kumawood actor, Bernard Nyarko, one of the biggest and popular personalities on the screens says he has stopped acting and is never going back to that profession.

    Bishop Bernard, as he is affectionately called in the movie industry, is now a full-time pastor after he was reportedly hit with an unknown illness.

    In the video sighted by ghpage.com, the man of God told his congregation noted that he has followed the footsteps of ace actor Majid Michel.

    Both have now dedicated themselves to the ministry of God.

    In his sermon, he revealed that he stopped acting because the industry is full of evil.

    He went on to explain that in acting, one would meet new people especially women every day and almost all of them want to be your friend, adding that if care is not taken, one will end up having them in your bed.

    “I have stopped because of it’s full of evil. Every day you would meet different people, every day you would see different girls. All of them want you to become their friends and some of them are coming from the marine sea, they should take their movie” he said in the presence of his congregation.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Bishop Nyarko knew the cause of his death – Salinko

    The sudden demise of Ghanaian actor Bishop Bernard Nyarko has thrown Ghanaians into a state of shock, sorrow and disbelief.

    The sad news of the actor’s death made rounds on various social media on Saturday evening, 2nd May, 2020. The news gradually picked up when credible and authentic sources started confirming the sad news.

    Due to the sudden development, Sammy Kay caught up on a phone interview with Actor, Salinko of “boys abre” fame to verify whether the news making rounds is really true, Salinko confirmed the death of Bishop Bernard Nyarko as true and stated that the versatile actor has been ill for some time and got well recently but he has been in and out of the hospital with some lab tests.

    “He knows the cause of his death,” Salinko said.

    His fellow actors and actresses namely, Mercy Asiedu, Yaw Dabo, Xandy Kamel and others have expressed shock and disbelief about the loss of their colleague on their various social media handles.

    Source: sammykaymedia.com

  • Ghana’s coronavirus cases now at 2169 with 1 more death

    Ghana’s Coronavirus case count has risen to 2,169 with 229 recoveries and a death toll of 18.

    The new cases were updated by the Ghana Health Service on May 2, 2020.

    The update means that Ghana has recorded 95 additional cases of COVID-19 since April 28, when the case count was at 2074.

    The latest update comes from the results of 3,552 samples that were tested by the various testing centers across the country.

    18 more people have recovered since the last update.

    Regional breakdown

    The Greater Accra region remains the area with the highest number of confirmed cases followed by the Ashanti Region and the Eastern Region.

    Greater Accra Region 1,852

    Ashanti Region 117

    Eastern Region 87

    Central Region 21

    Oti Region 19

    Upper East Region 19

    Volta Region 16

    Northern Region 13

    Upper West Region 10

    Western Region 9

    Western North Region 4

    North East Region 2

  • Black Stars coach CK Akonnor pockets $50,000 as signing on fee – Report

    New coach of the Black Stars, CK Akonnor will pocket $50,000 as signing on fee, Footballghana.com can exclusively confirm.

    Akonnor, 45, who was drafted to into the national team in October last year as an assistant ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Sao Tome and South Africa has been named as the coach of the senior national team earlier this year after the Ghana Football Association (GFA) failed to renew the contract of Kwesi Appiah.

    After three months of taking up the job, Akonnor signed a two-year deal and submitted the document to his employer, the Ghana FA after weeks of anxiety.

    Akonnor, among other benefits, will be entitled to a $25,000 monthly salary, $50,000 signing-on fee, free accommodation and an official vehicle.

    Though Akonnor had expected to receive the same $35,000 salary and a signing-on fee of $200,000 as his predecessor, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) and the headline sponsor of the Black Stars, Ghana National Petroleum Company, believed that the two coaches did not have the same pedigree to command the same fees.

    Akonnor was expected to be in the dugout for the first time against Sudan in the Afcon qualifiers but the match has been postponed due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

    The former Asante Kotoko and Dreams FC boss has been tasked by the Ghana FA to end the country’s 38 years trophyless jinx in 2021 in Cameroon.

    And after failing to qualify for teh last edition of the FIFA World Cup, the country’s football governing body has charged the gaffer to qualify the country for the Mundial that will be hosted in Qatar in 2022.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • KP Boateng, Jerome Boateng name football role models

    Ghana international, Kevin Prince Boateng and his younger brother, Jerome Boateng has revealed that the football role models.

    The pair who are born to the same father but different mothers began their playing careers in Germany.

    The former AC Milan and Barcelona forward started his career at Hertha Berlin whiles, Jerome, the former Manchester City centre back started his career at Hamburg.

    In an Instagram chat, the brothers revealed their role models.

    According to the Bayern Munich defender, he looked up to Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo when he was playing as a striker but later loved Chelsea and France legend, Marcel Desailly.

    “It used to be Ronaldo. When I was younger I was a striker. Later, when I was a defender, it was Marcel Desailly, also because of his story that he is half-Ghanaian,” Jerome revealed.

    And according to Prince Boateng, he loved Brazil legend, Rivaldo.

    Boateng, 33, added that people told him he had the same stature and physic like the striker.

    “For me it was Rivaldo, everyone used to say I had the same stature and style of play as him, and Zinedine Zidane,” he added.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Were grateful to all our frontline workers for their efforts in keeping us safe Stonebwoy

    Dancehall artiste Stonebwoy has expressed profound gratitude to all frontline workers aiding in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Stonebwoy on behalf of the citizenry commended the efforts of the workers saying they are very much appreciated.

    “We are really really grateful,” he said in an interview on the AM Show, Friday, with Mamavi on the JoyNews Channel.

    He pledged his support to the frontline health workers promising to assist the workers with prayers.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • I thought about kicking my mother out of my house Kennedy Agyapong (Video)

    Ghanaian politician and businessman Kennedy Agyapong has advised the youth strongly against involving their family members, not even parents, in their businesses.

    Mr Agyapong, in an interview with Y FM, said he learned a bitter lesson from that as his own mother betrayed him. He recounts how his late mother connived with sister to almost steal his house in the United States of America.

    According to Mr. Agyapong the issue was resolved in court and his favour thanks to his step father and he thought about kicking his mother out of the house.

    He said ever since then, he has become bitter and has never allowed any family member to come close to his business.

    See video below:

    Source: www.ghgossip.com

  • Im praying for Kennedy Agyapong and Obinim Empress Gifty

    Multiple award-winning gospel musician and songwriter, Empress Gifty, says the only thing she can do to intervene in the feud between outspoken politician, Kennedy Agyapong, and controversial pastor Bishop Daniel Obinim, is to pray for them.

    “I am praying for Obinim and Kennedy Agyapong. That is all I can do for now,” she told Accra-based TV3 when quizzed about the ongoing feud between the duo.

    When queried further by the host, the gospel musician declined to further comment on the issue except to say she is praying for them.

    Mr Agyapong has, in the past weeks, been making allegations of fraud and infidelity against Bishop Obinim with many videos going viral. Bishop Obinim has also been replying with some people including rapper Medikal calling for a truce.

    Source: Adomonline.com

  • GFA allegedly broke amid stand-off with clubs

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is said to be broke with the outfit struggling to pay salary of staff.

    It was revealed during a Zoom Cloud Meeting with owners of Division One League Zone 1 on Wednesday that the association was on its knees with huge financial burden crippling the new Executive Council.

    Supposedly, the Kurt Okraku administration is said to have inherited a depleted account from the Normalisation Committee, putting the finances of the FA in massive distress.

    FA president Kurt Okraku has been holding a high-powered meeting with football club owners in the country amid the Coronavirus crisis which has wrecked havoc globally.

    The association has been in a disbursement stand-off with clubs over a $500,000 stimulus package from world governing body, FIFA to the GFA.

    While the FA is eager to use the cash operational cost, some clubs want the money to be shared for its members a situation which has sparked tension between the two parties.

    But it is now emerging that the Ghana FA is broke as it struggles to pay salary of its staff.

    The Normalisation Committee has been unable to account for over GH¢5m since being replaced by the substantive body, it was disclosed.

    Football in Ghana has remained suspended since March 16, 2020, with clubs struggling to pay staff and players due to the outbreak of the virus.

    The situation has forced the clubs to call on the FA to come to their aid with financial support.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Eminem ‘detained an intruder’ in his living room

    Eminem detained an intruder in his home last month, his representative has confirmed to the BBC.

    The star was awoken by a security alarm in the early hours of the morning, after someone broke into his gated Detroit-area home.

    The 47-year-old found the intruder in his living room. His security guard arrived shortly afterwards, followed by the police.

    The suspect was later arrested and remains in custody.

    It is understood the intruder entered via the rear of the house, while the rapper’s security guard was at the front of the property.

    The star, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, was awoken by a security alarm, and found the suspect in his living room.

    According to a source who spoke to ET Online, Eminem’s guard came to his aid shortly after he detained the intruder.

    Eminem is one of the biggest hip-hop stars in the world, and reached number one in the UK chart earlier this year with his latest album Music To Be Murdered By.

    Shortly after its release, Eminem responded to criticism of his latest lyrics, saying the album was “not made for the squeamish”.

    Last month, Eminem shared a post on social media celebrating the fact he was 12 years sober.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Trudeau announces ban on 1,500 kinds of assault weapons

    Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has introduced a long-promised ban on assault-style weapons following the country’s worst gun massacre in April.

    New rules would make it illegal to sell, transport, import or use 1,500 varieties of assault weapons.

    The ban is effective immediately but there will be a two-year amnesty period for law-abiding gun owners to comply.

    Mr Trudeau also said he would introduce legislation, which has yet to pass, to offer a buy-back programme.

    Unlike the US, gun ownership is not enshrined in Canada’s constitution, but gun ownership is still popular, especially in rural parts of the country.

    Mr Trudeau made a point of saying that most gun owners are law-abiding citizens, but argued that assault-weapons serve no beneficial purpose.

    “These weapons were designed for one purpose and one purpose only — only to kill the largest amount of people in the shortest amount of time,” he said in a press conference on Friday.

    “You don’t need an AR-15 to bring down a deer.”

    The call to ban assault weapons was heightened after a number of high-profile shootings — in 2017, at a mosque in Quebec, in 2018 on a commercial street in Toronto and most recently, in a rampage across the province of Nova Scotia that became the deadliest shooting in Canada’s history.

    RCMP have said that the shooter was not licensed to own firearms, but had what appeared to be an assault-style weapon, as well as other guns. The RCMP did not specify which kind, so it is unknown if it will be covered by the ban.

    Mr Trudeau campaigned on the ban ahead of last November’s election, and he said he was planning on introducing the ban in March, but it was delayed because of coronavirus.

    His government had already expanded background check requirements and made it tougher to transport handguns, prior to November’s election.

    More than 80,000 of these weapons are registered with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

    The government is able to ban the weapons immediately through current regulation, but a buy-back programme would require multi-party support in parliament and would likely cost the government hundreds of millions of dollars.

    The ban is controversial politically. A petition against the ban started by Conservative MP Glen Motz in December has more than 175,000 e-signatures.

    Many of the weapons used in violent crime in Canada were not obtained legally, and Conservative leader Andrew Scheer said Mr Trudeau would do better to focus on stopping guns from coming across the boarder than on banning law-abiding gun owners.

    The Globe and Mail reported that leaked documents show the buy-back programme would be voluntary, and licensed owners would have their guns grandfathered. Mr Trudeau had previously promised the programme would be mandatory.

    On Friday, Mr Trudeau would not confirm whether buy-backs would be voluntary, but reiterated the buy-back programme would have to be supported by other parties, and be fair to everyone.

    “The next steps need to be ironed out,” he said.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Ronaldo has a plan to overtake Pele’s record and be best of all-time – Neville

    Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo “has a plan” to overtake Pele’s goal record and become the “greatest of all time”, according to Gary Neville.

    Ronaldo has enjoyed a hugely successful career at the highest level spanning 18 years, during which time he has established himself as one of the top performers of his generation.

    The 35-year-old has won three Premier League titles, two La Liga crowns, one Scudetto and five European Cups during spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juve, while also picking up five Ballon d’Or awards.

    He left Madrid in 2018 as the club’s all-time top goalscorer, and has also found the net more than any other player in Portugal’s history, with the 2016 European Championship rounding off his impressive trophy haul.

    Lionel Messi is widely considered to be the most talented player of the last two decades, but Ronaldo is seen as the ultimate marksman, and doesn’t appear to be slowing down despite his advancing years.

    Neville says he was in awe of how hard the Portuguese worked behind the scenes to hone his craft at Old Trafford, and believes that his former colleague is now focused on emulating Brazilian legend Pele.

    It is believed that the World Cup winner holds the outright record for career goals with over 1000 to his name, but Neville thinks Ronaldo will stop at nothing to overhaul a legendary figure’s tally.

    “His drive to become the best in the world was out of this world,” Neville told Sky Sports.

    “He was one of the few players that I’ve played with that would publicly announce that individual trophies were important to him.

    “He just wanted to be the very best and what he’s done over the years has been absolutely exceptional. His achievements have been amazing and he’s worked hard for it.

    “It’s an obsession with scoring goals and applying himself every day, being the fittest he can possibly be. I think he’s lifted his professionalism every single year and progressed.

    “I think he has a plan to go on and take over Pele’s record. He wants to be the greatest of all time and that is his sole purpose.

    “Understanding that along the way if he is the greatest of all time, the teams that he plays for will win trophies and be successful.”

    Source: goal.com

  • Manhyia Palace rubbish reports that Kwame Kyei has been told to stop financing Asante Kotoko

    Manhyia Palace has denied reports that Asante Kotoko’s Executive Chairman Kwame Kyei has been stopped from financing the club.

    Last week, the home of the Asante King announced that the businessman’s has submitted a report after the expiration of his three-year tenure.

    Subsequently, a three-man committee has been tasked to probe the club’s affairs during Kyei’s reign.

    This led to speculations that the oil magnate has been told to distance himself from the club until the committee finishes its work.

    But this has been dispelled by Nana Kwame Mensah Aboagye, the Special Assistant of the Chief of Staff at Manhyia.

    ”It is not true, Kwame Kyei is still working for Asante Kotoko and funding all activities,” Nana Mensah told Kumasi-based Light FM.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Michael Jordan was offered $100 million to appear at an event for two hours, he said no

    NBA superstar Michael Jordan may have retired years ago, but his off-court appeal remains as strong as ever.

    The former Chicago Bulls star has largely stayed out of the limelight since he walked away from basketball nearly two decades ago. So much so, he once turned down a jaw-dropping amount of money for a two-hour appearance at an event, his former agent said this week.

    David Falk appeared on WFAN’s “Boomer and Gio,” where he discussed how picky his famous client was when it came to projects.

    “I brought him a deal three years ago for $100 million. All he had to do was, other than giving his name and likeness, make a one two-hour appearance to announce the deal and he turned it down,” Falk said Wednesday, without providing any additional details on the deal.

    “God bless him. He’s been so successful, it gives him an opportunity to do whatever the hell he wants or not to do things he doesn’t want. I really admire that. He’s very, very selective in the things he wants to be involved in.”

    Jordan made headlines last month after his documentary “The Last Dance” was released. The ESPN series premiered on April 19 and will air on Sunday nights over five weeks through May 17.

    The 1990s Chicago Bulls, led by Jordan, remains one of the greatest dynasties in sports history. The ESPN series features never-before-seen footage from the 1997-98 season, along with interviews from a star-studded cast.

    Source: cnn.com

  • Bundesliga restart blow as three test positive for coronavirus at Cologne

    Three people have tested positive for coronavirus at Cologne and will be placed into a 14-day quarantine, the Bundesliga club said Friday in a potential blow to hopes of restarting the German football season this month.

    “Cologne had the entire team and coaching staff, along with the backroom staff, tested on Thursday for COVID-19. Three people tested positive, all are symptom free,” the club said in a statement on its website.

    “After an assessment of the cases by the responsible health authorities, the three people who tested positive will go into a 14-day quarantine at home.

    “Cologne will not confirm any names out of respect for the privacy of those affected.”

    The club said it would continue to train in preparation for the campaign to resume, with further tests to be carried out as part of the league’s health and safety protocol.

    “We now see in everyday life that our concept recognises and reduces risks at an early stage,” said Tim Meyer, head of the German league’s medical task force.

    “We are convinced that with our concept, we can enable players to practice their profession with the best possible protection against infection.”

    The Bundesliga had set a target return date of May 9 but still needs permission from the German government.

    A delay on the decision this week meant a resumption would not be possible before May 16.

    A final decision is expected next Wednesday.

    The German league confirmed Thursday that clubs had started testing players for the virus as part of plans to get the season up and running again.

    It has been suspended since March 13.

    Clubs returned to training at the start of April while adhering to social distancing guidelines and games would be played behind closed doors, with large-scale public events banned in Germany until August 31.

    Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke warned last weekend that “the entire Bundesliga will go down” unless the league restarts.

    Germany’s top clubs are desperate for the season to be completed by June 30 in order to claim an instalment of television money worth 300 million euros ($325 million).

    A return in May would make the Bundesliga the first top league in Europe to resume as Germany cautiously eases lockdown measures.

    Nevertheless, there is heated debate about whether the Bundesliga should resume amid the pandemic which has so far claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people in Germany.

    Paris Saint-Germain were declared Ligue 1 champions on Thursday after French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced sport could not resume in France before September.

    Source: france24.com

  • Ronaldo has a plan to overtake Pele’s record and be best of all-time – Neville

    Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo “has a plan” to overtake Pele’s goal record and become the “greatest of all time”, according to Gary Neville.

    Ronaldo has enjoyed a hugely successful career at the highest level spanning 18 years, during which time he has established himself as one of the top performers of his generation.

    The 35-year-old has won three Premier League titles, two La Liga crowns, one Scudetto and five European Cups during spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juve, while also picking up five Ballon d’Or awards.

    He left Madrid in 2018 as the club’s all-time top goalscorer, and has also found the net more than any other player in Portugal’s history, with the 2016 European Championship rounding off his impressive trophy haul.

    Lionel Messi is widely considered to be the most talented player of the last two decades, but Ronaldo is seen as the ultimate marksman, and doesn’t appear to be slowing down despite his advancing years.

    Neville says he was in awe of how hard the Portuguese worked behind the scenes to hone his craft at Old Trafford, and believes that his former colleague is now focused on emulating Brazilian legend Pele.

    It is believed that the World Cup winner holds the outright record for career goals with over 1000 to his name, but Neville thinks Ronaldo will stop at nothing to overhaul a legendary figure’s tally.

    “His drive to become the best in the world was out of this world,” Neville told Sky Sports.

    “He was one of the few players that I’ve played with that would publicly announce that individual trophies were important to him.

    “He just wanted to be the very best and what he’s done over the years has been absolutely exceptional. His achievements have been amazing and he’s worked hard for it.

    “It’s an obsession with scoring goals and applying himself every day, being the fittest he can possibly be. I think he’s lifted his professionalism every single year and progressed.

    “I think he has a plan to go on and take over Pele’s record. He wants to be the greatest of all time and that is his sole purpose.

    “Understanding that along the way if he is the greatest of all time, the teams that he plays for will win trophies and be successful.”

    Source: goal.com

  • Coronavirus: Millions of children risk missing vaccines, says UN

    Millions of children risk missing “life-saving” vaccines, the UN has warned, after a “massive backlog” of shipments built up due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    The outbreak has had a huge impact on the air industry, drastically reducing commercial and charter flights.

    Dozens of countries are at risk of running out of vital vaccines, the UN children’s agency Unicef says.

    It wants governments and the private sector to free up freight space.

    Immunization programs are one of Unicef’s key activities. The organization estimates that vaccinations for serious diseases like measles, polio, and tetanus save the lives of up to three million children a year.

    With medical researchers hard at work on a coronavirus vaccine, Unicef says the outbreak is disrupting active efforts against other illnesses.

    “Unicef is calling for support to unlock a massive backlog in vaccine shipments due to unprecedented logistical constraints related to Covid-19 mitigation measures including lockdowns in some countries,” said spokesperson Marixie Mercado.

    Warning of a “dramatic decline” in commercial flights and the “exorbitant” cost of securing them, she said: “Countries with limited resources will struggle to pay these higher prices, leaving children vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.

    “Unicef is appealing to governments, the private sector, the airline industry, and others to free up freight space at an affordable cost for these life-saving vaccines.”

    Last month the organisation warned measles outbreaks might occur as a result of vaccine programmes being delayed by the coronavirus outbreak.

    Even before coronavirus emerged Unicef estimated that more than 20 million children a year were missing out on a measles vaccine, with the organisation citing scepticism of vaccines as a factor.

    On Thursday, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg donated $100,000 (£80,000) she won from a Danish charity to Unicef to help its fight against coronavirus.

    Launching a campaign to help protect children’s lives in the outbreak, she said: “Like the climate crisis, the coronavirus pandemic is a child-rights crisis. It will affect all children, now and in the long-term, but vulnerable groups will be impacted the most.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: European Parliament shelters 100 homeless women

    A European Parliament building in Brussels is housing 100 homeless women – many of them victims of domestic abuse – who have been severely affected by Belgium’s coronavirus lockdown.

    The Helmut Kohl building, an office block in the city centre, opened its doors to them on Wednesday.

    Offices have been turned into bedrooms, each for one or two women. They also get meals and medical care there.

    Samusocial, a charity, says the crisis has increased domestic abuse cases.

    The parliament, based in the Belgian capital, teamed up with Samusocial to run the facility, which is much-needed because social distancing has forced many women’s shelters to close.

    “We’ve had many cases of women thrown on to the streets since the lockdown started, because of domestic violence, which is tending to increase,” Samusocial director Sébastien Roy told public broadcaster RTBF.

    The Brussels authorities are also providing emergency accommodation for homeless people in some hotels.

    The European Parliament’s buildings are mostly empty. Sessions are now attended only by a few MEPs in the chamber, with others joining by video link.

    The monthly full session in Strasbourg, eastern France, has been suspended until July. For years the Brussels-Strasbourg shuttle has been criticised, including by MEPs themselves, as a waste of EU money.

    Parliament President David Sassoli, who toured the Helmut Kohl facility, said “this emergency affects all of us” and “in Brussels there is a lot of pain now”.

    “I think this crisis should push all of us, the institutions included, to set a good example.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Comoros announces first coronavirus case

    One of the few African countries without any reports of coronavirus has now confirmed its first case.

    Comoros’ President Azali Assoumani said the patient is a man who came in contact with a French-Comorian national who’d recently travelled to France before being hospitalised on 23 April.

    His condition is improving and the authorities are tracing those who came into contact with him, President Assoumani said.

    Lesotho is the only remaining African country that hasn’t reported any cases.

    There have been reports of people dying from “respiratory distress” in Comoros, but the president last week said no case had been registered in the country’s three islands.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Black African deaths three times higher than white Britons – study

    Coronavirus patients from black African backgrounds in England and Wales are dying at more than triple the rate of white Britons, a study suggests.

    The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said a higher proportion of people from ethnic minority backgrounds live in areas hit harder by Covid-19.

    However, they tend to be younger on average, so should be less vulnerable.

    But the report found various black, Asian and minority ethnic groups were experiencing higher per capita deaths.

    And after accounting for differences in age, sex and geography, the study estimated that the death rate for people of black African heritage was 3.5 times higher than for white Britons.

    It added that for people of black Caribbean heritage, per capita deaths were 1.7 times higher, rising to 2.7 times higher for those with Pakistani heritage.

    The IFS study said given demographic and geographic profiles, most minority ethnic groups are dying in “excess” numbers in hospitals.

    A government review into the issue is currently under way, led by Prof Kevin Fenton, regional director for London at Public Health England.

    Ross Warwick, a research economist at IFS, said there was “no single explanation and different factors may be more important for different groups”.

    “Black Africans are particularly likely to be employed in key worker roles which might put them at risk,” he said, “while older Bangladeshis appear vulnerable on the basis of underlying health conditions.”

    Two-thirds of Bangladeshi men over the age of 60 have a long-term health condition that would put them at risk from infection.

    More than 20% of black African women are employed in health and social care roles while Pakistani men are 90% more likely to work in healthcare roles than their white British counterparts.

    Similarly, while Indian people make up just 3% of the working population in England and Wales, they account for 14% of doctors, according to the research.

    Prof Tim Cook, honorary professor in anaesthesia at the University of Bristol, said the high number of ethnic minority healthcare workers dying from Covid-19 was “striking”.

    BBC News analysis of 135 healthcare workers whose deaths have been publicly announced found 84 were from ethnic minority backgrounds.

    Within this, 29 are reportedly from black communities; 26 from South Asian backgrounds; 23 from East Asian backgrounds, of which 17 are Filipino; and four from Arabic backgrounds.

    In a letter to local trusts and GPs sent this week, the head of NHS England advised staff from black, Asian and ethnic minority groups should be “risk-assessed” as a precaution based on the growing data.

    ‘Economically vulnerable’ Prof Lucinda Platt, from the London School of Economics, said there were also noticeable differences in economic vulnerability between ethnic groups as a result of the lockdown.

    “Bangladeshi men are four times as likely as white British men to have jobs in shutdown industries, with Pakistani men nearly three times as likely,” she said.

    This is partly because of their heavy concentration in the restaurant and taxi sector, she suggested.

    “Household savings are lower than average among black Africans, black Caribbeans and Bangladeshis,” she added.

    “By contrast, Indians and the largely foreign-born other white group do not seem to be facing disproportionate economic risks.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Criss Waddle shows fans the ghetto where he lived before becoming rich Video

    AMG boss, Criss Waddle has shown fans on social media the ghetto where he once lived before achieving his present status.

    The rapper in a video sighted online, decided to show fans where he once lived during his hustling days which was a slam but never gave up on life.

    read also: This Is How Asamoah Gyan Wished Castro A Happy Birthday, But His Mood Sent A Greater Message

    Criss Waddle in the video was heard saying he once lived in this ghetto but never stopped him from achieving his dreams.

    This video was clearly made by the Ceo to motivate his fans not to let their current situation stop them from achieving great heights.

    Watch video below;

    Source: ghbase.com

  • A major feature of a beautiful lady is mouth odour Counsellor Lutterodt

    Controversial Counsellor, Lutterodt says a unique feature of beautiful women is the fact that most of them have bad breath.

    He made this known when he was speaking on How Men Can Spot Beautiful Women For Marriage” on Accra-based Rainbow Radio.

    “One major feature of a beautiful woman is the fact that she has bad breath or bad mouth odour. A beautiful woman also talks any how,” he said.

    He counselled that as a man, there is the need to marry a beautiful lady but that will be possible if you make enough money.

    He called on beautiful ladies not to give themselves up for marriage to poor men because they deserve better.

    Source: MyNewsGh.com

  • DKB launches new attack on FDA for destroying local companies

    Ghanaian comedian, Derrick Kobina Bonney, aka DKB, has attacked the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for sabotaging local companies.

    In a post sighted by Zionfelix.net, DKB said FDA has not done anything to support Ghanaian companies who are capable of producing medicines that can cure the deadly Coronavirus.

    “Meanwhile in Ghana, our FDA is busy destroying the image of the medicine we have that can cure it too. In Ghana envy and jealousy is so extreme, it can stop saving of lives,” he wrote on Twitter.

    His comment comes after a Twitter user shared how Madagascar is treating COVID-19 patients with herbal medicine.

    Same Elinam posted: “Covid19 cure might just be right here in Africa and Madagascar might be d most sought after country soon, their newly launched herbal remedy has cured a whooping 92 from their 124 cases so far. HUGE Nana Addo hope u are watching?

    DKB Blasts FDA For Destroying Local Companies

    The Food and Drugs Authority has not been in the good books of DKB after a ban was placed on celebrities to stop advertising alcoholic products.

    Source: Zionfelix

  • Nigerian government demands bank records of 60 companies, individuals from U.S. banks

    The Nigerian government is demanding records of 60 companies and individuals from 10 banks in the United States as part of its efforts to overturn the controversial $9.6 billion P&ID fine.

    Among the individuals whose bank records are being sought are a former Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan; his wife, Patience Jonathan; among others.

    Earlier in the week, a Bloomberg report showed how Nigeria was seeking documents from banks, including Citigroup Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co., in a bid to overturn a $9.6 billion arbitration award.

    Nigeria has asked a federal court in New York for permission to subpoena information about transactions involving government officials, including Mr Jonathan and his wife. The politicians were in office when the state signed a contract with Process & Industrial Developments Ltd., and later became involved in a costly dispute with the company.

    “There is good reason to believe that ministers at the highest level were involved in a corrupt scheme to steal money from Nigeria,” Attorney General Abubakar Malami said in court filings submitted on March 24.

    Nigeria’s chances of annulling the giant penalty lie on proving the 2010 gas supply arrangement was a sham designed to fail by P&ID and government officials.

    The saga became a full-blown crisis for Nigeria last August when a U.K. judge ruled P&ID could enforce an arbitration tribunal’s 2017 ruling, now totaling $9.6 billion including interest, which found the country breached the agreement.

    PREMIUM TIMES has now obtained a copy of the subpoena filing detailing names of the banks, the companies and the politically exposed Nigerians whose bank records are being sought.

    Subpoena

    The filings were done by Alexander Pencu, a partner of Meister Seelig & Fein LLP, attorneys for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of Nigeria.

    Mr Pencu listed the banks involved to include “Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”) , Allied Irish Banks plc (“Allied Irish”), HSBC Bank USA (“HSBC”), Standard New York, Inc. (“Standard New York”), Deutsche Bank Trust Co. Americas (“Deutsche Bank”), J.P. Morgan Chase (“JPMorgan”), United Bank for Africa (“UBA”), Bank of Cyprus, Fortis Private Banking Singapore Limited (“Fortis”), and Standard Chartered International (USA) Ltd. (‘Standard Chartered”).

    Details of the information being sought are meant for use in “ongoing foreign criminal investigations and criminal proceedings in the Federal Republic of Nigeria (the “Nigerian Proceedings”),” the filing, dated March 25, reads in part.

    “The requested discovery will assist Applicants in the Nigerian Proceedings to investigate and prosecute individuals and entities that participated in, and were enriched by, P&ID’s fraudulent scheme,” it added.

    In the testimony of the subpoena filing addressed to Citibank, for instance, the applicant sought the intervention of the bank or any of its officers to testify in the case.

    “YOU ARE COMMANDED to appear at the time, date, and place set forth below to testify at a deposition to be taken in this civil action. If you are an organization, you must designate one or more officers, directors, or managing agents, or designate other persons who consent to testify on your behalf about the following matters, or those set forth in an attachment,” it stated.

    “You, or your representatives, must also bring with you to the deposition the following documents, electronically stored information, or objects, and must permit inspection, copying, testing, or sampling of the material… ”

    Similar requests were made in the case of the other banks involved.

    According to the U.S. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 45 (c), (d), (e), and (g) (Effective 12/1/13), for a Trial, Hearing, or Deposition, a subpoena may command a person to attend a trial, hearing, or deposition only as, first, “within 100 miles of where the person resides, is employed, or regularly transacts business in person; or within the state where the person resides, is employed, or regularly transacts business in person, if the person is a party or a party’s officer; or is commanded to attend a trial and would not incur substantial expense.”

    In terms of Command to Produce Materials or Permit Inspection, the rule states that appearance is not required. Details showed that a person commanded to produce documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things, or to permit the inspection of premises, need not appear in person at the place of production or inspection unless also commanded to appear for a deposition, hearing, or trial.

    Similarly, a person commanded to produce documents or tangible things or to permit inspection may serve on the party or attorney designated in the subpoena a written objection to inspecting, copying, testing, or sampling any or all of the materials or to inspecting the premises–or to producing electronically stored information in the form or forms requested. The objection must be served before the earlier of the time specified for compliance or 14 days after the subpoena is served, with stipulated rules.

    However, according to the rule, the court for the district where compliance is required–and also, after a motion is transferred, the issuing court–may hold in contempt a person who, having been served, fails without adequate excuse to obey the subpoena or an order related to it.

    The Companies

    The companies whose bank records are needed include Process & Industrial Developments Limited; Process & Industrial Developments (Nigeria) Limited; Industrial Consultants (International) Limited; Lismore Capital Limited; VR Advisory Services Limited; VR Advisory Services (USA), LLC and VR Capital Group.

    Others include Marshpearl Nigeria Limited; Kristholm Limited; Trinitron Nigeria Limited; Albion Marine Company Limited; Marshpearl Nigeria Limited; Holgate Limited; Lurgi Consults Limited; Lurgi Consults West Africa Limited; Rotary Nigeria Limited; Goidel Resources Limited and Kent Marine Limited.

    Also listed in the subpoena are Ecophoenix Limited; Lir Resources Limited; Niric Nigeria Limited; Hobson Industries Limited; MICAD Project City Services Limited; Babcock Electrical Projects Limited; NWMAS Nigeria Limited; Sabiex International Limited; Robey Oil & Gas Limited; Capinero Structures Limited; Pan African Drilling Company Limited; Panceltica Nigeria Limited; Marqott Nigeria Limited; Jamisaq Development Services Limited; Dbrite Imaging Nigeria Limited; Hexing Technical Services Limited; Pinimi Limited; Primetake Limited; Armcon Limited; Defthec Limited; Marshpearl Limited and SES FTF Progress Limited; ICIL Limited; Trinity Biotech; Kore Holdings Limited; Onmipol S.A. and Eastwise Trading Limited.

    Individuals

    Among the politically-exposed persons named in the subpoena are a former oil minister who is now late, Rilwanu Lukman; President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Faka Jonathan; Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former petroleum minister during the tenure of Mr Jonathan; and Allison Amaechina Madueke.

    Others named in the subpoena are Taofiq Tijani; Grace Taiga; Mohammad Kuchazi; one Michael Quinn, who died in 2014; James Nolan; Adam Quinn; and Ibrahim Dikko.

    Also listed is former attorney general and minister of justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke. The request includes “all documents concerning any transactions to, from, or for the benefit of” the aforementioned individuals and companies.

    Bloomberg quoted a spokesman for P&ID as denying wrongdoing, arguing that Mr Malami has “manufactured a claim of fraud and bribery” to evade the state’s legal obligation to pay what amounts to about 30% of the country’s foreign reserves. Citigroup and Deutsche Bank declined to comment on the case, while JPMorgan and UBA didn’t respond to emails and calls.

    In his reaction on Tuesday, Mr Jonathan said that he has no account or property abroad.

    “Our attention has been drawn to international media reports to the effect that the Federal Government of Nigeria has subpoenaed bank records for former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan in the United States of America,” a statement, signed by Ikechukwu Eze, spokesman to Mr Jonathan, said.

    “We aver that the Federal Government of Nigeria did not contact Dr. Jonathan or his wife before issuing these subpoenas. If they had, we would have advised them of the fact that you cannot subpoena what does not exist.

    “We also remind the public that on March 5, 2014, during the swearing in of new ministers, then President Jonathan said “I am loyal to Nigeria’s economy. I don’t have accounts or property abroad.”

    Mr Jonathan’s spokesperson said Tuesday that the efforts to check the former president’s accounts were needless because Mr Jonathan had no such accounts in the United States.

    “He has no accounts in the United States of America, and encourages US authorities to cooperate fully with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s subpoena,” the statement said.

    “We would also like to state that during his tenure as President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan extended every courtesy to former Presidents and Heads of state, because he believed and still believes that promoting, projecting and protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and image is the paramount duty of her government, because it is not possible to belittle Nigerians without belittling Nigeria.

    “Finally, we state that the signing of the P&ID contracts preceded the Jonathan administration, and that that government gave appropriate counsel to the incoming government in the handover notes of 2015, which advice, if carried out, would have prevented the current unfortunate circumstances.”

    Source: premiumtimesng.com

  • Imam flogged for holding prayers, defying social distancing order

    An Imam (Muslim CLeric) in Bauchi state has been publicly flogged for defying social distancing order to hold prayers with over 1o people.

    The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Retd.) has placed a ban on religious gathering to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

    A video posted on Instagram by @TundeEdnut shows the Imam being flogged by one of the palace guards of the Emir of Azure, Bauchi State.

    “The emir of Azare, Bauchi state, directed his Dogaris (palace guards) to mete out instant punishment to any Imam who held mosque prayers with more than 10 people and did not maintain any social distancing.

    “One Imam thought he was above the law and held prayers in a jam-packed mosque, but someone reported him to the Dogaris and he was caught and flogged on his yansh,” Tunde Ednut’s caption read.

    Watch the video below:

    Source: mynigeria.com

  • Venezuela prison riot leaves dozens dead

    A riot erupted at a prison in central Venezuela on Friday, killing at least 40 people and injuring 50 more, including a National Guard officer who was wounded by an explosion and the warden, who suffered a knife wound, authorities said.

    The upheaval at the Llanos Penitentiary Center started with an inmate protest demanding that their relatives be allowed to deliver them food and then an armed confrontation broke out between inmates and guards, lawmaker María Beatriz Martínez told The Associated Press.

    The National Guard officer was injured by a grenade explosion, said Martínez, who had access to an early report prepared by the town’s security forces. The prison is located in the city of Guanare, 450 kilometers (280 miles) south-west of the capital of Caracas.

    Venezuela’s minister of penitentiary services, Iris Varela, confirmed the riot, telling the local newspaper Ultimas Noticias that a group of inmates attacked officers standing guard outside the prison.

    The warden was injured by at least one inmate wielding a knife, Varela said.

    A once-wealthy oil nation, Venezuela is gripped by a deepening political and economic crisis. Street violence is common in the nation that has had nearly 5 million residents flee in recent years as public services crumble.

    Venezuela has roughly 30 prisons and 500 jails that can hold an estimated 110,000 inmates. Human rights officials say the prisons are violent and badly overcrowded, with gangs that traffic weapons and drugs in control.

    According to the human rights group Venezuelan Prison Observatory, the Guanare prison was built to hold 750 inmates but is jammed beyond capacity with 2,500 inmates.

    A similar riot occurred a year ago in a nearby jail also in the state of Portuguese, where 29 inmates died at a police jail that housed several hundred detainees. Violence broke out when armed inmates objected to officers entering the jail.

    Source: france24.com

  • ‘Reopen California’ protests urge end to pandemic restrictions

    Protesters marched in several cities across California on Friday demanding the easing of restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak and denouncing Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to shut down some beaches.

    The protests were taking place in at least 11 cities, including the capital Sacramento as well as San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

    Some of the demonstrators waved American flags and carried signs that read “Freedom is Essential,” “Open Our Churches” or “Gruesome Newsom,” while voicing anger at stay-at-home rules put in place to slow the spread of the virus.

    Most of the protesters did not wear any face coverings or follow social distancing guidelines.

    In Huntington Beach, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) south of Los Angeles, some 700 people rallied downtown to denounce Newsom’s order to shut local beaches from Friday in order to avoid a repeat of last weekend when crowds flocked to the shoreline.

    “It was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” protestor Monica Beilhard said, referring to the beach shutdown.

    “It was uncalled for, unnecessary and people out here are making that known,” she added. “And we’re also very much saying enough is enough, we have the right to work… and it’s time for the governor to allow the healthy to be able to get back to business.”

    Officials in Huntington Beach and nearby towns have vowed to fight the beach closure order by taking the matter to court on grounds it is unconstitutional.

    “We believe the governor’s order is unconstitutional, vague and ambiguous,” said Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates. “He doesn’t have a rational basis for this. What he seeks is a remedy to something that wasn’t a problem in the first place.”

    Newsom, who like other governors across the country is facing mounting pressure to lift restrictions, especially as the weather warms up, has vowed not to bow to pressure and insists that his order was driven by public health concerns.

    He told journalists at his Friday news conference that he empathized with protesters but urged them to continue to obey the stay-at-home order.

    He also appealed to them to wear masks and practice social distancing while demonstrating.

    “This disease doesn’t know if you’re a protester — Democrat, Republican, or if you support the election of one candidate or the ouster of another,” he said. “It just knows one thing, and that is its host.

    “Just protect yourself, protect your family… and the people you’re protesting with.”

    Source: france24.com

  • North Korea’s Kim makes first appearance in nearly three weeks

    North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made his first public appearance since speculation about his health began last month, cutting the ribbon at the opening of a fertilizer factory, KCNA reported Saturday.

    Kim attended the event on Friday in Sunchon, near the capital Pyongyang, after nearly three weeks of swirling rumours that the leader of the nuclear-armed nation was seriously ill or possibly dead.

    The North Korean leader had not made a public appearance since presiding over a Workers’ Party politburo meeting on April 11, and the following day state media reported that he had inspected fighter jets.

    At Friday’s event, “all the participants broke into thunderous cheers of ‘hurrah!’” when Kim appeared, the Korean Central news agency reported.

    He inspected the facility and was “briefed about the production processes,” the report said.

    Kim “said with deep emotion” that his grandfather Kim Il Sung and father Kim Jong Il “would be greatly pleased if they heard the news that the modern phosphatic fertilizer factory has been built,” it added.

    Also in attendance were other senior officials, including his sister and close adviser, Kim Yo Jong. Photos from the ceremony were not immediately released.

    Conjecture over Kim’s health had grown since his conspicuous no-show at April 15 celebrations for the birthday of his grandfather, the North’s founder — the most important day in the country’s political calendar.

    His absence unleashed a series of unconfirmed reports over his condition, triggering global fears over the North’s nuclear arsenal — and who would succeed Kim were he unable to lead.

    A top security advisor to South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in said less than a week ago that Kim was “alive and well,” downplaying rumors that he was ill or incapacitated.

    The advisor, Moon Chung-in, told CNN that Kim had been staying in Wonsan — a resort town in the east of North Korea — since April 13, adding: “No suspicious movements have so far been detected.”

    – Rumours of ill health –

    Daily NK, an online media outlet run mostly by North Korean defectors, reported that Kim was undergoing treatment after a cardiovascular procedure last month.

    Citing an unidentified source inside the country, it said Kim — who is in his mid-30s — had needed urgent treatment due to heavy smoking, obesity and fatigue.

    Soon afterwards, CNN reported that Washington was “monitoring intelligence” that Kim was in “grave danger” after undergoing surgery, quoting an anonymous US official.

    US President Donald Trump appeared to confirm that Kim was alive earlier this week.

    On Friday, Trump refused to comment on Kim’s reported re-emergence.

    Previous absences from the public eye on Kim’s part have prompted speculation about his health.

    The North is extremely secretive, and doubly so about its leadership.

    Kim’s father and predecessor had been dead for two days before anyone outside the innermost circles of North Korean leadership was any the wiser.

    In 2014, Kim Jong Un dropped out of sight for nearly six weeks before reappearing with a cane.

    Days later, the South’s spy agency said he had undergone surgery to remove a cyst from his ankle.

    Source: france24.com