On Tuesday, President Donald Trump went off on the Democrats and their attempts to turn the 2020 election into an all-mail-in affair, complete with all of the opportunities fraudsters needs to tilt the results any way they might choose.

“There is NO WAY (ZERO!) that Mail-In Ballots will be anything less than substantially fraudulent,” tweeted the president. “Mail boxes will be robbed, ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed.”

Instead of giving Trump space to air his opinions and predictions about this scheme, Twitter took it upon themselves to throw their objectivity away and slap a “fact check” label on the tweet. This label linked to a paragraph assuring users that there was “no evidence” of widespread fraud connected to mail-in voting, all but suggesting that the president is lying to the American people.

Predictably, this raised Trump’s ire. “@Twitter is now interfering in the 2020 Presidential Election. They are saying my statement on Mail-In Ballots, which will lead to massive corruption and fraud, is incorrect, based on fact-checking by Fake News CNN and the Amazon Washington Post.”

In addition to sticking their noses in where they aren’t wanted and don’t belong, Twitter actually made a fool of themselves by trying to “fact check” the president.

First of all, since this is the first tweet that they’ve done this to, we assume that every single thing that Trump has written up till this Tuesday is 100% true. That certainly goes against what his critics in the mainstream media have been saying for the last four years.

Second, Twitter is endangering their status as a “platform,” which gives them all kinds of liability protections that would not be available to them if they were deemed a “publisher.” Right now, Twitter is exempt from defamation and libel lawsuits based on what people on their platform say. They aren’t responsible for what’s written there. But if they’re going to wade into the fray and start labeling posts true and false, then that may change in a hurry.

Finally, if Twitter is going to fact-check the President of the United States, they should probably make sure they have their facts straight. In 2005, a bipartisan Commission on Federal Election Reform found that “absentee ballots remain the largest source of potential voter fraud” in the United States. Just this week, in fact, the Alabama secretary of State confirmed that 83% of the voter fraud his state has seen in the last five years has come from mail-in ballots.

Maybe it’s too much to ask that Twitter fact-check their fact-checks. And, to be clear, we’re actually NOT asking them to do so. We’d much prefer they go back to minding their own business and letting people do their own research. But if they want to take on this burden, they need to be prepared. So far, they’ve only succeeded in embarrassing themselves.

People's militia to be created in Belarus

Mass grave of decapitated bodies found in Congo

Criminal cases launched against two opposition MPs

Protesters demanding Armenian PM'ss resignation blocks Noyemberyan-Voskepar road

NATO defense ministers meeting with participation of Ukraine to be held on June 15-16

Turkish Defense Minister visits Azerbaijan

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Karabakh president calls to release opposition politician

Japan seeks to dramatically increase its military potential

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Margaret Atwood reveals burn-proof edition of The Handmaid's Tale

Karabakh MPs issues statement amid Avetik Chalabyan's arrest

China: Taiwan issue does not tolerate external interference

Pashinyan to Kopyrkin: The format of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship is important in Karabakh conflict settlement

G7 countries agree to take action to stop rising energy prices

EAEU starts talks on FTA with Indonesia

EU developing plans to ration gas supplies in event of complete suspension of gas supplies from Russia

President Harutyunyan receives delegation led by Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo

G7 countries pledge to work towards phasing out polluting energy

French Ambassador wishes Azerbaijani government to continue peace talks

Australia warns of regional implications of Solomon Islands security pact with China

Aliyev: There is no word Nagorno-Karabakh, and the last Brussels meeting once again demonstrated this

Aliyev: If we define borders with Armenia, what status of Nagorno-Karabakh can we talk about?!

Azerbaijani ombudswoman demands 'to take thorough measures against Armenia'

G7 countries reach specific agreements on phasing out coal energy

Dollar, euro rise slightly in Armenia

Ilham Aliyev voices another batch of territorial claims against Armenia

AP: Western allies are considering letting 'Russian oligarchs buy way out of sanctions'

Putin supports extension of free trade agreement between Iran and Eurasian Union

Pashinyan: Armenia is interested in concluding agreement between Iran, Eurasian Union

Armenian Defense Minister receives commander of Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh

Turkey expects Sweden and Finland to take 'concrete action'

Boris Johnson says Russia is making slow but palpable progress in eastern Ukraine

Azerbaijani MP appeals to non-existent Human Rights Watch report to accuse Armenia

Sweden, Finland's aspirations to join NATO won't require deployment of additional US troops

Representatives of Resistance Movement organize car rallies in various regions of Armenia

World Bank to provide $500 million to Turkey to support COVID-19 efforts

Armenia PM and French Ambassador discuss Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process

Citizens demanding Pashinyan's resignation block the road to Georgia

Lavrov: Western countries do not abandon attempts to set peoples of former Soviet Union against each other

Protesters block Yerevan-Sevan road

Japan to ease border restrictions further from 10 June

Turkey recruits Afghans to fight on side of Ukraine

Armenia Parliament speaker receives delegation headed by Montenegro President

Reuters: US and Ukraine discuss risk of escalation as new weapons expand capabilities

Mayor of Paris arrives in Yerevan on official visit

Azerbaijani authorities propose to hold meeting of Turkic Speaking Countries in occupied Shushi

Armenia Ambassador to France and Mayor of Cannes discuss Karabakh situation

Pallone says US should not hesitate to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its unprovoked aggression against Artsakh

Food prices in Armenia increased by 14.3%

Armenia PM's wife meets with businessman and co-owner of Franck Muller company

Armenia PM sends congratulatory message to Uruguay President

US to approve supply of long-range missile systems to Ukraine

Armenia President holds number of meetings in Davos, introducing country's development programs

NATO countries informally agree not to supply tanks and combat aircraft to Ukraine

EEU leaders to take part in meeting of Supreme Eurasian Economic Council

WhatsApp to change rules for handling confidential messages

Twitter investors sue billionaire Elon Musk

Hungary needs 3.5 to 4 years to give up Russian oil

German authorities plan to suspend pandemic rules for summer entry

Africa: 1.8 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty due to crisis in Ukraine

Shell is negotiating with consortium of Indian energy companies to sell its stake in Sakhalin-2

Turkish Security Council says 'operation' in Syria 'is not directed against territorial integrity of country'

Former Louvre president faces preliminary charges of fraud and money laundering

Senegal hospital fire kills 11 babies

NEWS.am digest: Azerbaijan returns Armenian soldier, Armenia’s 1st satellite launched into space

Greece tells UN Secretary General Turkey is challenging its sovereignty

Ishkhan Saghatelyan introduces action plan for coming days

Blinken says US considers China long-term challenge to global order

G7 countries could lead way in phasing out coal

Albania offers Naval base to NATO

Resistance Movement rally starts on France Square

Soldier Eduard Martirosov, handed over by Azerbaijani side, already in Yerevan

Twitter to pay $150 million for leaking user data

Resistance movement ends its protest outside government building

EU states announce freezing of about EUR 23 billion of assets of Russian Central Bank

Saghatelyan announces successful rally outside Armenian government building

Over $6.2 million assigned to Armenian National Security Service

Armenia imposes 6-month ban on exports of some agricultural products

Robert Habeck: EU can still strike a deal on an embargo on Russian oil imports

Montenegro President pays tribute to Armenian Genocide victims in Yerevan

Saghatelyan: From now on Pashinyan will see people only from behind iron curtain

Olaf Scholz: 'Putin must not win this war'

Resistance Movement Procession approaches Armenian Government building

Police try to prevent Resistance Movement procession from approaching Armenian government building

Bayramov: We expect that specific document will be presented at next meeting

Dollar, euro continue to fall in Armenia

Macron highlights need to respect sovereign choice of Sweden and Finland

Pashinyan receives director of International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas

Inflation in Zimbabwe exceeds 100% per annum in May

Resistance Movement starts procession in Yerevan

Over half of Americans favor tougher gun laws

Iran offers to organize negotiations between Russia and Ukraine

Azerbaijan FM does not rule out new phone conversations with Armenia FM

Queensland becomes second Australian state to ban Nazi symbols

Montenegro President arrives in Armenia

Putin proposes to form strategy for Eurasian Union economic development

Putin sees no problem in some IT specialists moving from Russia to Armenia

Georgia President calls referendum in South Ossetia provocation by Russia

Putin names share of settlements in national currencies in the EAEU


Goats, cats, and all sizes of dogs strutted their stuff for the residents of Good Shepherd Health Center and Cornerstone Assisted Living on Friday.

Dozens of animals, many dressed in costumes, and their handlers, made their way around the facilities, waving at residents through the windows, as part of a "pet parade," which wrapped up a stretch of activities commemorating National Skilled Nursing Care and Staff Appreciation week at Good Shepherd.

A parade of people and cars was also held Thursday, giving residents a chance to wave and greet participants from the safety of the sidewalk.

Activities Director Jessica Hanson said the staff has been working really hard and thinking outside the box when it comes to keeping the residents busy and content during the COVID-19 shutdown.

"It has not been an easy task, by any means, just trying to keep the folks happy and keep the smiles on their faces," Hanson said. "So, I think this definitely helped. I hope it did, anyway."

Hanson said the community has been very supportive of the residents and staff, with businesses and community members dropping off various donations, such as masks, activities, and snacks.

"I think everyone realized that we're all in this together," said Hanson. "I mean, just...everybody...I don't even know how to thank you."

Lisa Grouette is a Photographer + Breaking News, Crime and Courts Reporter for the Globe Gazette. Contact Lisa at 641-421-0525 or lisa.grouette@globegazette.com. Follow her on Twitter @LisaGrouette

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Many kinds of fish should be biting in Erie area over holiday weekend


Chanceller Rishi Sunak has announced a £9 billion package of support to give self-employed people up to £2,500 a month to help them cope with the effects of coronavirus.

The Chancellor tonight said the scheme, which will be open for at least three months, will cover 80 per cent of a self-employed person's average monthly profits.

But it may not be available until June and will only be available to those who have a tax return for 2019, meaning the newly self-employed will be ineligible.

And Mr Sunak warned that the self-employed could face tax hikes in the future as part of the effort to "right the ship" and repair the battered public finances after the coronavirus crisis is over.

Details of the scheme came as the Department of Health announced a total of 578 people who have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK have died as of 5pm on March 25.

Some 11,658 people have tested positive in the UK as of 9am on March 26.

Mr Sunak's scheme will be open to those with a trading profit of less than £50,000 in 2018-19 or an average trading profit of less than £50,000 from 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.

To qualify, more than half of their income in these periods must come from self-employment.

Up to 3.8 million people will qualify for support, with average monthly payments expected to be £940 per person.

Mr Sunak said the scheme, which will last for at least three months, "is one of the most generous in the world".

"It targets support to those who need help most, offering the self-employed the same level of support as those in work."

He said the measure covers 95 per cent of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment.

But in a hint that the self-employed could be asked to pay more to the taxman in future he said it was "now much harder to justify" the tax breaks on offer to the self-employed if they were receiving the same level of state support.

He said everyone would be "chipping in together to right the ship afterwards" once the crisis is over.

A number of self-employed workers welcomed the Chancellor's measures but expressed concern about having to wait until June to claim.

Louise Barina, a production manager who lives in London, said: "After having spoken to our landlord, he has outright said no, that we can't get a delay on our rent.

"In terms of the payment coming in June, that's really problematic for us as that's obviously three months of payment where we need to find the money for that."

Meanwhile the Department of Health said revising its reporting approach for coronavirus deaths "to ensure data can be verified and published in a timely, consistent way".

A statement on Twitter said: "Figures issued today are recorded as of 5pm on March 24 to 5pm on March 25.

"Going forwards, figures on deaths will be recorded for the 24-hour period as of 5pm the previous day. Figures on tests remain as of the 24-hour period from 9am that day."

The newly launched Reviews of Public Bodies programme will examine the operations of all arm’s-length bodies in England, including the Arts Council, the BFI, the National Lottery Community Fund and Historic England, to assess whether "they should be abolished or retained"


On the Sensex chart, Bajaj Finance was the top loser, dropping 4.63%

A stock broker reacts as he watches share prices on the BSE Sensex in Mumbai down by 700 points on January 6, 2020

On the Sensex chart, Bajaj Finance was the top loser, dropping 4.63%

The BSE benchmark Sensex crashed by nearly 788 points and the NSE Nifty tumbled around 234 points on Monday as heightened tensions in the Middle East kept investors on edge.

The 30-share BSE index ended at 40,676.63, dropping of 787.98 points, or 1.90%. Similarly, the broader Nifty closed at 11,993.05, falling by 233.60 points, or 1.91%.

On the Sensex chart, Bajaj Finance was the top loser, dropping 4.63%, followed by SBI, IndusInd Bank, Maruti, HDFC, Hero MotoCorp, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank and Reliance Industries. Bucking the broader trend, only Titan and PowerGrid ended with gains.

Domestic market witnessed intense selloff in line with global stocks after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran of major retaliation if Tehran carries out any attack against America to avenge the killing of top military commander Qasem Soleimani and hinted at striking its cultural sites. His statement came hours after Iran announced it will no longer abide by the limits contained in the 2015 landmark nuclear deal.

He also threatened to impose “very big sanctions” on Iraq if it follows through on a parliament vote calling for the expulsion of US troops based in the country.

“Indian market is reacting more negatively than other emerging markets due to crude oil impact. Since our dependence on crude imports as a percentage of consumption is the highest, the impact on economy and markets is also higher,” said Rusmik Oza, Sr. VP (Head of Fundamental Research-PCG), Kotak Securities. “Along with crude, the negative impact of currency is also weighing on Indian markets.”

Brent crude oil futures surged nearly 2% to $69.81. The Rupee depreciated 24 paise against the U.S. Dollar to 72.04 (intra-day).

Bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul ended lower. European markets were also trading in negative terrain in early sessions.

While HDFC Bank, IndusIndia Bank, RIL, Tata, SBI gained, leading tech stocks were trading in the red.

A view of the BSE building in Mumbai. | File

While HDFC Bank, IndusIndia Bank, RIL, Tata, SBI gained, leading tech stocks were trading in the red.

Equity benchmark BSE Sensex rebounded nearly 500 points in opening session on Tuesday as global investors calmed on no further escalation in the mid-east tensions.

After hitting a high of 41,135.47, the 30-share BSE index was trading 450 points or 1.11 per cent higher at 41,126.63. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty rallied 132.25 points or 1.10 per cent to 12,125.30.

HDFC Bank was the gainer in the Sensex pack, rallying up to 2.16 per cent, followed by IndusInd Bank, Relinace Industries, Tata Steel, SBI and Axis Bank.

On the other hand, Tech Mahindra, TCS, Infosys and HCL Tech were trading in the red.

In the previous session, the 30-share gauge ended at 40,676.63, dropping of 787.98 points, or 1.90 per cent. Similarly, the Nifty closed at 11,993.05, falling by 233.60 points, or 1.91 per cent.

Meanwhile, on a net basis, foreign institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 103.84 crore, and domestic institutional investors offloaded shares worth Rs 23.70 crore on Monday, data available with stock exchanges showed.

According to traders, domestic investors followed Asian stocks that rebounded after a day of no escalation in the US-Iran tussle.

The Pentagon on Monday distanced itself from U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertions that he would bomb Iranian cultural sites despite international prohibitions on such attacks.

Following the news, Brent crude futures fell 1.20 per cent to USD 68.08.

Bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul were trading in the green.

Exchanges on Wall Street too ended on a positive note on Monday.

Meanwhile, the rupee appreciated 20 paise to 71.73 against the US dollar in morning session.


Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa took to Instagram to share a heartbreaking video of the basketball icon talking about coaching their daughter Gianna

Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa pays tribute to icon and their daughter two months after tragedy

Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa has paid a touching tribute to the icon and their daughter Gianna two months after their tragic deaths.

Vanessa took to her Instagram account on Thursday to share a heartbreaking video of Kobe talking about coaching Gianna.

Gianna, and Kobe lost their lives in a helicopter crash in January, exactly two months before Vanessa posted the tribute.

The 13-year-old was an aspiring basketball player and Kobe, who played for the Lakers, coached her Amateur Athletic Union team.

In the video shared by Vanessa, Kobe said: "She started out playing soccer, which is one of my favorite sports as well.

Image: WireImage) WireImage)

"But then, when she asked about learning the game of basketball, I started teaching her piece by piece, and she started enjoying it and loving it and now she plays every day.

"It's been a joy to watch her grow and to be there every day for that process.

"Her temperament is a lot like mine. She’s extremely competitive, very fiery, and backs down from no challenge."

In the clip Kobe says Gianna is "a good mix of me and good mix of her mama, so that makes her even more competitive than I am."

Vanessa captioned the post with two broken heart emojis.

It comes after she spoke at Kobe and Gianna's memorial last month.

Speaking about Kobe, Vanessa said: "He was mine. He was my everything. Kobe and I had been together since I was 17 years old.

"I was his first girlfriend, his first love, his wife, his best friend, his confidante and his protector. He was the most amazing husband. Kobe loved me more than I could ever express or put into words."

Vanessa also paid honour to Gianna and revealed what she has been missing.

She said: "I miss her sweet kisses, her cleverness, her sarcasm, her wit and that adorable sly side smile followed with a grin and burst of laughter.

"Gigi was sunshine. She brightened up my day every day. I miss looking at her beautiful face. She was always so good, a rule follower. I knew I could always count on her to do the right thing."

Susanna Osborne, more affectionately known as Sukii, serves as an Associate Entertainment Editor for iOne Digital. The Spanish Harlem native got her start in blogging back in 2010 when she began covering Hip Hop’s rising stars for GlobalGrind. Music (and entertainment at large) are spaces Sukii continues to focus on as a writer, but her pen game knows no bounds. Since starting at iOne Digital in 2014, the Spelman College alum has contributed to the majority of iOne brands, often venturing into controversial topics such as women's rights, sex, and race relations. Follow her on Instagram and stay tuned.

Today, fans, family, and loved ones got together at the Staples Center to celebrate the lives of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Bryant. The world was shocked when the two were reported dead, alongside seven others, after a fatal helicopter crash last month. Now, after a private funeral and several tributes, fans of the legend and legend-in-the-making got a chance to say their farewells.

Following a beautiful opening by Beyoncé, who sang her songs “XO” and “Halo,” Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa bravely took to the stage to share some sweet words about her fallen angels. She remembered Gianna as intelligent, silly, and athletically skilled, calling the 13-year-old a “sweet and gentle soul.”

“Gigi was very competitive like her daddy, but Gianna had a sweet grace about her. Her smile was like sunshine. Her smile took up her entire face like mine — Kobe always said she was me. She had my fire. My personality and sarcasm. She was tender and loving on the inside. She had the best laugh. It was infectious. It was pure and genuine,” Vanessa said of their daughter.

She remembered Kobe as a doting father who put his family first. She described him as a romantic and said she dreamed of growing old with him.

“God knew they couldn’t be on this earth without each other. He had to bring them home to heaven together,” Vanessa said, adding “Babe, you take care of our Gigi.” May Kobe and Gianna rest in peace. Our prayers are with Vanessa and the girls at this time.


The Dutch foreign minister is scheduled to hold meetings with President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

The talks will be focused on bilateral, regional and international issues.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited The Hague in November to attend the third round of political talks between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Netherlands. The Iranian diplomat held a meeting with Blok on issues of mutual interest.

Relations between Tehran and Amsterdam have soured in the past few years following the European country’s expulsion of two Iranian diplomats in June 2018, and Tehran’s reciprocal measure in February 2019.

MNA/IRN83680586

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Netherlands' Foreign Minister Stef Blok is slated to pay an official visit to Iran on Friday and Saturday and hold talks with senior officials of the Islamic Republic on issues of mutual interest.

- Politics news -

In a statement on Wednesday, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Dutch top diplomat will meet with President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

The talks will be focused on bilateral, regional and international issues, according to the statement.

The visit would come as relations between Tehran and Amsterdam have soured in the past few years following the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats from the Netherlands in June 2018 and Tehran's reciprocal measure in February 2019.

After Iran's expulsion of two Dutch diplomats, the Netherlands summoned its ambassador to Tehran to hold consultations, and summoned the Iranian ambassador, describing the act as "unacceptable" and "having negative consequences" for bilateral relations.

The Dutch foreign ministry had earlier in June expelled the two Iranian diplomats.


A Gokwe man, Evans Ngwenya (20) allegedly fatally struck his Zambian business partner, Paul Banda, with a log and fractured his skull following a dispute over the sharing of profits after the two had sold fish.

The Chronicle reports that Banda succumbed to the injuries upon admission to Siabuwa clinic. The publication also reports that the duo had a dispute at Sengwa Fishing Camp in Binga.

Ngwenya who is now facing a murder charge in connection with Banda’s death has since approached the High Court seeking bail pending trial.

The State, however, opposed the bail application arguing that there was no guarantee that Ngwenya would not abscond once released on bail. Representing the State, Ms Nokuthaba Ngwenya said:

The applicant is said to be from Gokwe and had visited Binga on fishing expedition and police are still making efforts to confirm his village of origin. It would, therefore, be risky to release him on bail because there is a likelihood of absconding.

She added that there was overwhelming evidence against the accused and the investigations have been completed hence releasing him would not serve justice.

The amount of money which te duo was fighting for is not known.

More: The Chronicle

A Zimbabwean man allegedly killed his Zambian business partner by striking him with a log following a heated dispute over the sharing of profits after the two had sold fish.

The 20-yer-old, Evans Ngwenya allegedly struck Paul Banda twice with a log and struck his skull following a dispute at Sengwa Fishing Camp in Binga.

Banda succumbed to the injuries upon admission to Siabuwa clinic.

Ngwenya was ccharged with murder and has since approached the High Court seeking bail pending trial.

In his bail application, Ngwenya offered to pay $200 bail and to continue residing at his given address until the case has been finalized.

He also offered to surrender his canoe as surety.

The State opposed the bail application, arguing that there was no guarantee that the accused person wouldn’t flee if given bail

“The applicant is said to be from Gokwe and had visited Binga on fishing expedition and police are still making efforts to confirm his village of origin. It would therefore be risky to release him on bail because there is a likelihood of absconding,” said Ms Ngwenya.

According to court papers, Ngwenya and Banda went on a fishing expedition at Sengwa Fishing Camp in Binga district where they had an altercation after arguing on the fish sale profits.

During their fight, Ngwenya picked a log and struck Banda twice on the head.

He sustained head injuries and he was taken to Siabuwa Clinic the following day where he succumbed to the injuries.

A report was made at the police leading to Ngwenya’s arrest.

According to the post mortem report the cause of death was skull fracture and assault.

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General News of Friday, 21 February 2020

Source: presidency.gov.gh

2020-02-21

play videoPresident Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says investor confidence in Ghana’s economy is growing following the competent management of the economy exhibited since 2017.

According to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, “in three years we have reduced inflation to its lowest level (7.8% in January 2020) since 1992. For the first time in over forty (40) years, we have had a fiscal deficit below five per cent (5%) of GDP for three years in a row.”

Additionally, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, indicated that “for the first time in over twenty (20) years, the balance of trade (that is the difference between our exports and imports) has been in surplus for three (3) consecutive years. Our current account deficit is shrinking, interest rates are declining, and the average annual rate of depreciation of the cedi is at its lowest for any first-term government in the Fourth Republic.”

He made this known on Thursday, 20th February, 2020, when he delivered a Message on the State of the Nation, in Parliament.

Economic growth, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said, has rebounded to place Ghana among the fastest growing economies in the world for three years in a row at an annual average of 7%, up from 3.4% in 2016, the lowest in nearly three decades.

“The international investor community has recognised this development, resulting in Ghana, today, being the largest recipient of foreign direct investment in West Africa. The sovereign credit rating agencies have upgraded our ratings, and also improved the outlook for this year, notwithstanding the fact that it is an election year,” he said.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo added, “This is a massive vote of confidence in the current management of the economy, as best illustrated by Ghana’s successful issue of the longest-dated Eurobond ever issued by a sub-Saharan African country, with investors placing fifteen billion United States dollars ($15 billion) of orders for Ghana’s forty-one (41) year Eurobond.”

The seven (7) year Bond, he explained, attracted the lowest coupon rates ever for Ghana at 6.375%, compared with the 9.25% Ghana had to pay for a similar Eurobond issue in 2016.

“No wonder Bloomberg, the reputable global financial media house, earlier this week, highlighted Ghana as the top candidate for an economic leap in Africa. This expression of confidence is important because it will lead to enhanced investments in our economy, and the accompanying greater numbers of jobs,” he added.

Business News of Friday, 21 February 2020

Source: classfmonline.com

2020-02-21

Akufo-Addo, Prez Ghana

President Nana Akufo-Addo has said Ghana, “for the first time in over 40 years”, has maintained “a fiscal deficit below five per cent of GDP for three years in a row”.

Delivering his State of the Nation Address to a one-sided Parliament on Thursday, 20 February 2020, Mr Akufo-Addo also said “in three years, we have reduced inflation to its lowest level (7.8% in January 2020) since 1992”.

“For the first time in over 20 years, the balance of trade (that is the difference between our exports and imports) has been in surplus for three (3) consecutive years.

“Our current account deficit is shrinking, interest rates are declining, and the average annual rate of depreciation of the cedi is at its lowest for any first term government in the Fourth Republic.

“Our economic growth has rebounded to place Ghana among the fastest growing economies in the world for three years in a row at an annual average of 7%, up from 3.4% in 2016, the lowest in nearly three decades”, the President said.

According to him, the international community has taken note of his government’s performance, “resulting in Ghana, today, being the largest recipient of foreign direct investment in West Africa”.

“The sovereign credit ratings agencies have upgraded our ratings, and also improved the outlook for this year, notwithstanding the fact that it is an election year.

“This is a massive vote of confidence in the current management of the economy, as best illustrated by Ghana’s successful issue of the longest-dated Eurobond ever issued by a sub-Saharan African country, with investors placing fifteen billion United States dollars ($15 billion) of orders for Ghana’s forty-one (41) year Eurobond.

“The seven (7) year Bond attracted the lowest coupon rates ever for Ghana at six point three-seven-five percent (6.375%), compared with the nine point two-five percent (9.25%) Ghana had to pay for a similar Eurobond issue in 2016. No wonder Bloomberg, the reputable global financial media house, earlier this week, highlighted Ghana as the top candidate for an economic leap in Africa.

“This expression of confidence is important because it will lead to enhanced investments in our economy, and the accompanying greater numbers of jobs”, he said.


Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed an executive order Friday pushing the state’s May 5 presidential primary to June 2, joining a growing group of governors who’ve postponed elections amid the coronavirus outbreak.

He said in the order that Secretary of State Connie Lawson had made known to him the “extreme difficulty” the state would face in holding the primary as scheduled while also complying with coronavirus guidance.

He, like many of his fellow governors, had already shuttered bars and restaurants in the state.

Indiana will now join the swelling rank of states that have pushed back their presidential primaries, including Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky, Connecticut, Louisiana and Georgia.

Indiana has 79 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far, according to the state Department of Health.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that his state was postponing its May 5 primary until June 2, making it the seventh state to postpone its presidential primary due to the spread of the coronavirus.

“It needed to be pushed back in order to, again, ensure the safety of our county employees, our poll workers and the voters themselves,” Holcomb said in a Friday press conference.

Indiana joins six other states who have already postponed their elections: Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Kentucky, Maryland and Ohio.

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson also said she’d recommend to the state election commission that they suspend absentee balloting rules to allow all Indiana voters to vote absentee should they so choose, along with other recommendation that would make it easier for Hoosiers to vote. Indiana typically requires an excuse to vote via mail absentee ballots. Lawson said the recommendation would only apply to the June 2 elections.

Lawson said the election commission would meet March 25 to discuss the proposals.


One lucky home in England got a huge Valentine’s Day surprise. It wasn’t an unexpected bouquet or a box of heart-shaped chocolates from a secret admirer, but a piece of art by the artist Banksy on the side of their building.

The work of art that now adorns a wall in Bristol, the home city of the artist known as Banksy, shows a stenciled girl firing an explosion of red flowers into the air using a slingshot. Kelly Woodruff, who co-owns the property had no idea her house had been hit by the artist until she was tagged in a photo on Facebook with someone asking if that was her house. “And we were like, ‘woah it is’,” she told The Guardian. “We are super excited.”

The pseudonymous artist confirmed the work was his by posting two images of it on his official Instagram account. Even before it was official, though, crowds had reportedly gathered to see what is now being called “the Valentine’s Day Banksy”.

Amidst the hubbub, the home owner is now trying to figure out how to protect and preserve the valuable piece of art that is on the side of her house. “There isn’t a handbook for these kind of scenarios,” she told The Guardian. “[W]e’ve never been in this situation so any advice is welcome.”

Contact us at letters@time.com.

(Newser) – The family who owns a house in southwest England where an artwork from Banksy appeared in time for Valentine's Day has covered the mural after it was defaced. Temporary fencing was also added Saturday to the home in Bristol and closed-circuit television has been installed to protect the artwork, which shows a young girl firing red flowers from a catapult. The elusive artist confirmed the mural as his creation on his official Instagram account on Feb. 14, reports the AP. It was later defaced by someone who wrote "BCC wankers," notes the Guardian, which has an image of the damage. Says a local, "It’s a real shame, but it was always going to happen, unfortunately."

Kelly Woodruff, the daughter of Edwin Simons, who owns the rented home on which the artwork appeared, said the family felt a “strong responsibility” to ensure that the artwork could be enjoyed by the general public. “Due to the mindless vandalism to the artwork, the family have taken the very difficult decision to cover the artwork to try to protect it,” she said. “All measures are temporary and we ask that the public are patient while we work out the best way to clean the damage, restore and protect it for the future, so everyone can enjoy Banksy's work.”

(Read more Banksy stories.)


Twelve more persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Friday. Of the new cases, six persons are from Kasaragod, five from Ernakulam and one from Palakkad. Total 40 persons have tested positive for COVID-19, out of them three have been discharged, the Chief Minister said.

There are 44,390 people under surveillance in the state. Of these, 44,165 are in isolation at home and total of 225 people are hospitalized. Vijayan said, "On Friday, 56 people were admitted. 13,632 people have now been admitted into isolation. 5570 people ...

Vijayan said all government offices in Kasaragod district would be closed for a week from tomorrow | PTI photo for representation

Twelve fresh cases of novel coronavirus were reported in Kerala on Friday, taking the total number of Covid-19 cases to 37, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

While five cases were confirmed in Ernakulam, six were reported in Kasaragod and one case in Palakkad district, Vijayan told reporters after a COVID-19 review meeting here.

"Totally, 44,390 people are under observation, of which 44,165 are in home quarantine and 225 in isolation wards in hosiptals," he said.

Vijayan said all government offices in Kasaragod district would be closed for a week from tomorrow, while all places of worship and clubs will be shut.

Shops would remain open only from 11 am to 5 pm.

"We need to impose such restrictions in Kasaragod. We have issued an order. Two MLAs are under observation as they had come in contact with a positive case," he added.

Three positive cases had been treated and discharged from hospitals earlier.


Rajiv Bansal

Air India

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New Delhi, Senior IAS officerwas on Thursday named the Chairman and Managing Director of national carrierThe Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Bansal's appointment as CMD of Air India in the rank and pay of an Additional Secretary.At present, Bansal, a 1988 batch officer of the Nagaland cadre, held the post of Additional Secretary,and Natural Gas. He succeeds Ashwani Lohani.In August 2017, he was given the additional charge as Air India's CMD.Additionally, he has had an earlier stint with the(MoCA) between 2006 and 2008.

New Delhi: Senior IAS officer Rajiv Bansal was Thursday named the CMD of national carrier Air India. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Bansal;s appointment as CMD of Air India in the rank and pay of an Additional Secretary.

At present, Bansal, a 1988 batch officer of the Nagaland cadre, held the post of Additional Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. He succeeds Ashwani Lohani. In August 2017, he was given the additional charge as Air India’s CMD.

Bansal has had an earlier stint with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) between 2006 and 2008.

Now Bansal will have his task cut out as the government is going for 100% disinvestment of the national career. Very soon the government will put up Air India for sale. The move is being opposed by 14 unions of Air India. So Bansal will have to handle everything carefully.

Agencies


The United Nations (U.N) has said that the fight against AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa has stalled as more and more countries in the region shift their attention to controlling the spread of COVID-19.

The U.N says that countries in the region have diverted resources meant to fight AIDS in controlling the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result, AIDS virus-related illnesses could claim more than half a million people.

In a joint report, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNAIDS warned that interruptions to HIV/AIDS treatment could “set the clock back by more than a decade to 2008 when more than 950,000 AIDS deaths were observed in the region”.

In 2018, an estimated 470,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa, the report says.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO says; “The terrible prospect of half a million more people in Africa dying of Aids-related illnesses is like stepping back into history.”

We must read this as a wake-up call to countries to identify ways to sustain all vital health services, he added

Ghebreyesus says that there is need to ensure that global supplies of tests and treatments for both HIV and Tuberculosis reach the countries and communities that need them most.

“We should save people from Covid-19 and HIV and other life-threatening diseases.”

A six-month disruption in treatment services could lead to an excess of 471,000 to 673,000 AIDS-related deaths in one year, the report says, making it inevitable that the world would miss the global 2020 target of fewer than 500,000 fatalities from the disease worldwide.

According to WHO statistics, an estimated 25.7 million people in Sub- Saharan Africa were living with HIV in 2018, with 16.4 million (64 per cent) receiving antiretroviral therapy.

These people now risk having their treatment interrupted, the agencies warned, “because HIV services are closed or are unable to supply antiretroviral therapy because of disruptions to the supply chain, or because services simply become overwhelmed”.

The report also highlighted that disrupted services could reverse gains made in stemming mother-to-child transmission of HIV

Since 2010, new HIV infections among children in Sub-Saharan Africa have declined by 43 per cent (from 250,000 in 2010 to 140,000 in 2018), thanks to the high coverage of HIV services for mothers and their children in the region

Every death is a tragedy, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima, observed.

“We cannot sit by and allow hundreds of thousands of people, many of them young, to die needless deaths.”

If HIV health services were stopped by COVID-19, the study indicates that several countries could see a drastic rise in new infections among children.

Byanyima says that the pandemic must not be an excuse to divert investment from HIV.

“There is a risk that the hard-earned gains of the Aids response will be sacrificed to the fight against Covid-19, but the right to health means that no one disease should be fought at the expense of the other.”

eashimwe@newtimesrwanda.com

Gains made in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission could be reversed due to interruptions caused by Covid-19.

New infection in children is expected to go up by 104 per cent.

Since 2010, HIV infection among children in Sub-Saharan Africa has declined by 43 per cent, from 250,000 in 2010 to 140,000 in 2018.

A new projection by a group of five teams convened by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS shows an urgent need to strategise to mitigate and overcome interruptions in health services during the Covid-19 crisis.

A six-month disruption of antiretroviral therapy could lead to at least 500,000 more deaths from Aids-related illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa between 2020 and 2021.

This would mean setting the clock on HIV-related deaths back to where they were in 2008. During the year, more than 950,000 Aids-related deaths were recorded in the sub-Saharan region.

According to WHO, an estimated 470,000 people died of Aids-related illnesses in the region in 2018.

People living with HIV are likely to get seriously sick if they contract the coronavirus when their immune system is compromised.

The projection estimates that failure to take urgent action could lead to more deaths for another five years.

“The terrible prospect of half a million more people in Africa dying of Aids-related illnesses is like stepping back into history,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

“We must read this as a wake-up call to countries to identify ways to sustain all vital health services.”

The WHO boss commended countries already taking steps such as ensuring that people can collect bulk packs of treatment and other essential commodities, including self-testing kits from drop-off points.

“This relieves pressure on health services and the health workforce. We must also ensure that global supplies of tests and treatment continue to flow to the countries that need them,” Ghebreyesus said.

Kenya is among the countries that have allowed people living with HIV to get bulk stocks of ARVs that last them three months.

Health facilities in Nairobi have already implemented the directive, and some are dispensing drugs that can last up to six months.

Previously, only a few individuals with stable immunity were allowed to pick up enough drugs to last more than one month.

"To reduce clinic attendance and drug pickup frequencies, up to three-month multi-month dispensing of ARVs should be considered for all people living with HIV regardless of age and viral status," Nascop head Dr Catherine Ngugi said in a circular to all county executives for health.

It is estimated that in 2018, 25.7 million people were living with HIV and 16.4 million (around 64 per cent) in sub-Saharan Africa were undergoing antiretroviral therapy.

But according to the WHO, they are now at risk of having their treatment interrupted either because of the closure of HIV services, lack of ARVs caused by disruptions in the supply chain or overwhelmed services due to competing needs to support the Covid-19 response.

The research teams used different mathematical models to analyse the effects of possible disruptions to HIV testing, prevention and treatment services caused by Covid-19 in three or six months on Aids mortality and HIV incidence in Sub-Saharan Africa.

From the projection, a six-month disruption shows that Aids-related deaths in one year will range from 471,000 to 673,000.

This means that it will be inevitable for the world to miss the global 2020 target of fewer than 500,000 Aids-related deaths worldwide.

More sporadic interruptions of ART supply could lead to drug resistance, with long-term consequences for future treatment success in the region.

UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima has warned against using Covid-19 as an excuse to divert investments meant to go towards HIV programmes.

“There is a risk that the hard-earned gains of the AIDS response will be sacrificed to the fight against Covid-19, but the right to health means that no one disease should be fought at the expense of the other,” Byanyima said.

“Every death is a tragedy. We cannot sit and allow hundreds of thousands of people, many of them young, to die needless deaths.”


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Members of an international criminal group, smuggling people from mainland Europe to the United Kingdom, had been intercepted at Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport, the Finnish Border Guard said on Thursday.

The human traffickers were identified when a Swedish citizen and a Kuwaiti, who had used another person’s Swedish passport, were arrested at the airport in January.

The two men were on their way from Paris via Helsinki to London, the Border Guard said.

According to a preliminary investigation launched by the Crime Prevention Unit of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District, it was not the Swedish man’s first such journey to Finland.

Between December 2019 and January 2020, he is suspected to have smuggled two other foreigners from Finland to the UK by using other people’s passports.

The investigation has also found that the Swedish citizen caught in Finland had applied for asylum in the UK as a Kuwaiti by providing false personal information to the local authorities.

The criminal offences under investigation in Finland are part of a series of operations, in which people have been smuggled from mainland Europe through various countries to the UK, the Border Guard said.

The acts are suspected to have been carried out by an influential professional smuggling ring in Sweden and the UK.

The criminal gang is suspected of having charged the trafficked persons around 8,000 euros ($8,600) for each trip.

During the investigation, close international cooperation was established with the support of Europol (the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation) and Eurojust (a European Union agency dealing with judicial cooperation in criminal matters).

Members of the smuggling ring have been caught in both Sweden and the UK, where local authorities conducted home searches and arrests.

A suspect in Finland, the Swedish citizen has been imprisoned since the end of January 2020 on suspicion of organising a serious illegal entry.

The investigation into the other members of the criminal ring continues in Finland and abroad, the Border Guard said.

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Police suspect an international criminal gang has been trafficking people from mainland Europe to Britain via Finland.

A gang suspected of smuggling people from mainland Europe to Britain was uncovered in January when a Swedish citizen and a Kuwaiti citizen were stopped by border guards at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in possession of another Swedish citizen’s passport.

The two men were on their way from Paris to London via Helsinki, according to a statement issued by the Finnish Border Guard.

The Guard’s Crime Prevention Unit launched a preliminary investigation, and discovered that the Swedish man had visited Finland on at least two previous occasions. He is now suspected of smuggling two other people from Finland to Britain between December and January using other people's passports.

Police suspect the involvement of a people smuggling ring active in at least Sweden and the United Kingdom.

They believe the smugglers charge up to 8,000 euros per person transported from mainland Europe through various countries to the United Kingdom.

The initial investigation also revealed that the Swedish citizen stopped in Finland had applied for asylum in the United Kingdom as a Kuwaiti, providing false personal information to the UK authorities.

The false identity used by the suspect in Britain was revealed when his fingerprints were compared to the fingerprints of another Kuwaiti person, and they were found to be exactly the same. Authorities suspect the man created a false identity for himself in order to gain access to a disguise for people smuggling activities.

International cooperation

During the investigation, close international cooperation was established between Finnish authorities and police forces in other parts of Europe, with the support of Europol and Eurojust, an EU agency which oversees judicial cooperation between member states.

Authorities in both Sweden and Britain conducted home searches of suspected members of the smuggling ring and made a number of arrests.


A Chinese man named Wang was reported to have contracted paragonimiasis, a parasitic infection, in Suqian, Jiangsu province of China after his regular diet consisted of water snails, crayfish, and raw snake’s gallbladder.

The Chinese man visited a respiratory doctor, Dr. Zhao Haiyan, after experiencing breathing difficulties, only to find that his lungs were infested with live snakes and worms. CT scan footage revealed a line-shaped infection in the man’s lungs. Paragonimiasis can be contracted from the consumption of unclean water containing tapeworms. Given that Wang ate raw seafood, he might have been infected by pathogens from such food.

Line shaped infection in Wang’s lungs (Photo Credits: Daily Mail)

When the doctors asked about his dietary habits, Mr Wang said that he enjoyed having seafood, such as crayfish and river snails. He also confessed that he even gobbled down a raw snake gallbladder once before.

Wet Markets in China

Generally, wet markets refer to the markets that sell fresh meat, fish, etc, but in China, these markets are known to sell the meat of wild animals, which are known sources of several deadly pathogens like the Wuhan Coronavirus. The scientific reports suggest that a 55-year-old woman from China’s Hubei province may have been the first person to have contracted COVID-19 through one such wet market.

Huanan Seafood Market in China’s Wuhan is believed to be the epicentre of coronavirus. Earlier, the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations to act against China’s wet markets.

Shruti Haasan shares 'creepy yet cute' COVID-19 meme, says 'bat haters - bats are not the problem' |

The novel coronavirus that originated from a wet market in China has affected 42,533 people in India alone. According to reports, scientists believe that the Covid-19 causing coronavirus first lurked in a bat in China and hopped to another animal, before getting passed on to humans. Ever since the global coronavirus pandemic, there has been antipathy and fear towards bats. Actress Shruti Haasan on Monday took to her Instagram to share a 'creepy yet cute' meme featuring the mammal and called out 'bat haters'.

Sharing the meme on her social media, she caprtioned it: "ME 🖤thanks @nerm for this 😁 now on a side note - bat haters - bats are not the problem - how we’ve lived and how we have been in interaction with other species is - just saying . Ok bye"

Check out her post here:

Reacting to the picture, a user wrote, "so true! Bats are not guilty. Its how humans have jeopardised the ecology around us. Bats have become mere medium but surely not the devil."

Another commented, "That bat definitely does not have Covid-19. It is ridden with cuteness"

"Something interesting and yes this is the way we have to follow in the future don't interfere mother nature and the species," read a comment.

For the unversed, scientists believe that the novel coronavirus first lurked in a bat in China and hopped to another animal, before getting passed on to humans.

Various reports suggest that a 55-year-old man from China's Hubei province was the first person to have contracted Covid-19 through a 'wet market'. Huanan Seafood Market in China's Wuhan is believed to be the source of the coronavirus pandemic that began in December last year, crossing from animals to humans.


As India gears up to host the Trumps, US President Donald Trump is on his first official trip to the country along with US First Lady Melania Trump and daughter Ivanka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Ahmedabad International Airport to receive Donald Trump and his family.

The two world leaders will hold a roadshow where a group of 15 students from Sabarmati Gurukulam, will perform Mallakhamba. After this, Modi and Trump will head to Motera Stadium, the world’s largest cricket ground, to take part in the ‘Namaste Trump’ event.

Being aboard the Air Force One flight, the American President is accompanied by a high-level delegation. Grand preparations have been made for the high-profile visit, expecting thousands of people coming to the streets of Ahmedabad to greet Narendra Modi and Donald Trump.

Later on, Trump along with US First Lady Melania will travel Agra to visit Taj Mahal, before arriving in the national capital. In New Delhi, Melania Trump will be visiting the city’s government schools. The two days official visit, 24 and 25 February, is a new seed to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two nations.

Have a look at the warm welcome given to Donald Trump:

Just before Trump’s arrival to India, see how via tweets, Modi welcomes the US President:

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday will leave shortly for Ahmedabad, which is the first stop of US President Donald Trump's first official trip to India.

Trump, accompanied by his wife First Lady Melania, daughter Ivanka and a high-level delegation is scheduled to reach Ahmedabad around noon.

Modi along with Trump will address the 'Namaste Trump' event in the Motera Stadium, the world's largest cricket ground with a seating capacity of 1.10 lakh people.

Grand preparations have been made for the high-profile visit with thousands of people expected to line up the streets of Ahmedabad to greet the two leaders during their roadshow.

A group of 15 students between eight and 15 years of age, from Sabarmati Gurukulam, will perform "Mallakhamba" during the roadshow.

The US President will also visit Sabarmati Ashram. Three special chairs have been placed in the ashram on the riverside for Modi, Trump and his wife Melania.

Security personnel on Sunday conducted final rehearsals on the scheduled route.

Later, Trump will travel to Agra, where he and his wife will visit the historic Taj Mahal before arriving in the national capital.

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Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested a juvenile, who had escaped from the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kearney, following a pursuit near Grand Island.

At approximately 2:45 a.m. Monday, a trooper was notified that the escapee was possibly traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 in a stolen vehicle. The trooper located the vehicle, a Chevrolet Impala, traveling eastbound and speeding near Wood River at mile marker 299. The trooper was able to confirm that the vehicle was stolen and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed.

The trooper initiated a pursuit. During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle reached speeds of more than 125 miles per hour. At mile marker 318, another trooper was able to successfully deploy spike strips to bring the suspect vehicle to stop.

A 17-year-old male was immediately taken into custody. He was cited for theft of a motor vehicle, operating a vehicle to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, no operator’s license, and several traffic violations. The juvenile was lodged at the Kearney YRTC.

Three juvenile escapees remain at large. Anyone with information about these juveniles should contact Kearney Police at 308-237-2104, the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office at 308-236-8555, or the Nebraska State Patrol Troop C at 308-385-6000.

An escaped juvenile from the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center-Kearney was arrested Monday after a chase on Interstate 80 that reached 125 mph.

About 2:45 a.m. Monday, the Nebraska State Patrol was notified that a 17-year-old male from the center had escaped and was believed to be heading east on Interstate 80 in a stolen Chevrolet Impala.

A trooper spotted the Impala near Wood River, about 25 miles east of Kearney, but the youth refused to pull over. Not quite 20 miles farther east, near Grand Island, another trooper deployed stop sticks, bringing the car to a halt.

The teen was taken into custody, issued a number of traffic citations and returned to the Kearney youth center.

Three other male juveniles who also escaped remain at large. Anyone with information on their whereabouts should contact Kearney Police at 308-237-2104, the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office at 308-236-8555 or the Nebraska State Patrol Troop C at 308-385-6000. — Nancy Gaarder

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The Clark County Combined Health District identified 20 cases of coronavirus linked to the Dole Fresh Vegetables packaging plant in Springfield.

Of the 20 cases, 12 are Dole employees (10 confirmed and two probable); eight are contacts of employees (five confirmed and three probable); and three cases involve people who do not live in Clark County, according to a statement released by the district Tuesday evening.

This cluster of cases at the Dole plant may have some wondering, can the coronavirus be transmitted through food?

Complete coronavirus coverage

Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, not through food, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Currently, there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food, the CDC said. Before preparing or eating food it is important to always wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds for general food safety. Throughout the day use a tissue to cover coughing or sneezing and wash hands after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, or going to the bathroom.

It may be possible that a person can get the coronavirus by touching a surface or object, like a packaging container, that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging, like packaging coming from the Dole plant.

RELATED: Outbreak of 20 cases linked to Dole plant

The health district said it has been working closely with Dole to monitor and contain the outbreak since the first case was detected April 22, and said Dole has “gone above and beyond the required safety precautions” and assisted with contact tracing and telling those affected to stay home and to quarantine.

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CLARK COUNTY, Ohio -- Health officials have identified 20 cases of COVID-19 linked to a Dole Fresh Vegetables packing plant in Clark County, Ohio.

Of the 20 cases, 12 are Dole employees (10 confirmed and two probable); eight are contacts of employees (five confirmed and three probable); and three cases involve people who do not live in Clark County, according to a statement released by the Clark County Combined Health District Tuesday, May 19.

The health district on Monday announced it was monitoring the first workplace outbreak in Clark County, and Tuesday, officials identified Dole as the company, according to the Springfield News-Sun.

In a statement to local news station WDTN, Dole maintained that the company has been in constant contact with the packing location since the potential outbreak was initially reported back in April:

“In addition to implementing all public health recommended precautions—social distancing, extensive hand washing, wearing of face masks at all times in our facilities, mandated self-quarantining of employees and contractors exposed to COVID-positive individuals, and increased frequency of deep cleaning and sanitation at the facility, especially in high touch areas—Dole has additionally welcomed CCCHD to come into and inspect the Springfield Salad Facility. Following the inspection, during which CCCHD noted the many protective procedures implemented by Dole, the facility implemented additional protocols based on their suggestions to further increase the safety of our employees and contractors. These include greater distancing and separation of workers in our facility, table dividers installed in our cafeteria and similar dividers in our packing room for added protection."

Despite implementing additional safety measures, 10 Dole salad plant employees and contractors at the Ohio packing plant tested positive for COVID-19, according to the statement.

“We cannot state with certainty how the transmission occurred, but these results lead us to believe that the plant is not the source of transmission. No matter how the transmission occurred, however, Dole will continue to place employee health and well-being above all else in our efforts to keep fresh salads on shelves across the nation,“ the statement concluded.


EASTENDERS star Jake Wood has poked fun at his Love Island lookalike Ollie Williams.

Fans have been floored by the millionaire's resemblance to the soap Lothario ever since he was announced to be going into the villa earlier this week.

6 Jake couldn't resist poking fun at his Love Island doppelganger Credit: Instagram

Now the Max Branning actor has acknowledged his doppelganger - and was unable to resist a cheeky jibe about the 23-year-old heir's wealth.

Taking to his Instagram page, 47-year-old Jake shared a popular meme that has been circling social media in recent days.

In the image, the Love Island promotional shot of topless Ollie is twinned with a picture of Jake dressed as suave businessman Max in Albert Square.

Above the pictures it is written: "Good to see Max from EastEnders going into the villa! #LoveIsland".

6 Jake plays Max Branning in EastEnders Credit: Getty - Contributor

6 He shared this caption alongside the meme

Jake captioned the meme: "FYI I’m the one on the right who doesn’t own a beach in Cornwall" alongside two crying with laughter emojis.

The post comes after Ollie told The Sun Online that he could miss out on his £15million inheritance if he has sex on TV.

The blonde hunk's family run the Lanhydrock Estate in Cornwall, and has been warned by his dad to behave himself or face the consequences.

He told us: "Dad said he would write me out of the will. I said to him, ‘OK, brilliant’.

6 Ollie is risking his inheritance by appearing on Love Island Credit: ITV

"Mum was like, ‘Oh my God’."

Ollie’s Instagram is full of pictures showing off his luxury lifestyle of fancy cars, holidays and yachts.

But Ollie insists he will be keeping his wealth secret from co-stars so he does not attract any gold diggers.

He explained: "In the past, girls have never known about my money. They’ve never known until I have taken them home.

6 He plans to keep his lavish lifestyle top secret Credit: instagram.com/olliesjwilliams

Meet Love Island 2020 contestant Ollie Williams

"I’m not a snob. And I don’t brag. I’m very humble and understated.

"The only way you find out is when you come down the drive. They see the estate and go, ‘What the f***’.

"It is the kind of reaction I get and it can be quite fun."

Love Island returns to our screens this Sunday 12 January, with other confirmed contestants including Rochelle Humes' lookalike sister and Lewis Capaldi's ex.

Fans were quick to point out the similarities between the actor and the newest Islander

EastEnders star Jake Wood has laughed off comments which claim he's the 'spitting image' of Love Island newbie, Ollie Williams.

Earlier this week, TV fans couldn’t help but notice the Max Branning actor’s resemblance to the posh islander Ollie.

Finally acknowledging the similarities, Jake shared a hilarious Instagram post which included a meme which has been circulating on Twitter .

In the image, the Love Island promotional shot of topless Ollie is twinned with a picture of Jake dressed as the womanizing businessman Max in Albert Square.

Image: Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/REX) Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/REX)

"Good to see Max from EastEnders going into the villa! #LoveIsland".

And 47-year-old Jake cheekily added: "FYI I’m the one on the right who doesn’t own a beach in Cornwall" with two laughing faces.

This comes after the 23-year-old revealed that he could face losing his £15 million inheritance if he has sex on the ITV2 dating series.

The Love Island contestant is heir to the Lanhydrock Estate in Cornwall, and is set to take over his father's title of Lord of the Manor of Lanhydrock.

Before entering the villa, he admitted his dad Andrew would be furious if he ever got frisky on-screen.

He told The Sun : "Initially, Dad said he would write me out of the will,” admitted Ollie.

"He was jesting, of course. But as the process got more and more serious Dad is saying, ‘if you get through, I hope you take me to South Africa with you’. He is now on board."

Ollie, who has never watched Love Island, admitted his mother is more of a fan.

Image: Raquel Fernandes/ITV/REX) Raquel Fernandes/ITV/REX)

"Mum is huge addict of the show," he said. "Dad has been forced to watch the odd episode."

Ollie said of the estate: "The house and the gardens are bequeathed to the National Trust. We live behind the house as a family. In the 1950s, it became very difficult to run a historic house fully staffed. And that’s the only real way to keep it alive.

"So it’s preserved as it was when we left it and we can still use it for functions and family parties. Our family home is not small. It’s called The Old Vicarage. It does the job. We don’t have any staff – apart from your regular cleaner."

Image: Instagram) Instagram)

Ollie, who claimed he is a changed man after cheating on his previous girlfriend of four years several times, applied for the show after growing tired with life and work on the estate.

He admitted he keeps his vast fortune quiet when he starts dating a girl.

"In the past, girls have never known about my money – until I have taken them home," he said. "I’m not a snob. And I don’t brag. I’m very humble and understated.

"The only way you find out is when you drive down the driveway and they see the estate – and go what the f***?"


Jan. 3 (UPI) -- South Korean boy band Ateez is giving fans a glimpse of its "Answer" performance.

The K-pop group released a teaser for the song Friday titled "'Answer' performance preview."

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The video shows the members of Ateez perform a dance routine under a large piece of suspended fabric. The set later lights up, unveiling the full stage.

"Answer" appears on Ateez's forthcoming EP, Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer. Ateez will release the EP and the full "Answer" music video Monday.

Ateez shared a tracklist for Action to Answer last week. In addition to "Answer," the EP will include the songs "Horizon," "Star 1117," "Precious" and "Outro: Long Journey."

Ateez released a trailer for "Outro: Long Journey" Wednesday on New Year's Day.

Ateez consists of Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho, and debuted as a group in 2018. The group is known for the singles "Pirate King," "Treasure," "Illusion," "Wave" and "Wonderland."

Jan. 6 (UPI) -- South Korean boy band Ateez is back with a new music video.

The K-pop group shared a video Monday for the new single "Answer."

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The "Answer" video features dramatic and elegant imagery, including a scene where the members of Ateez face a mirror image of themselves wearing matching black outfits. The group also performs hard-hitting dance routines.

"Answer" is the title track from Ateez's new EP, Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer, also released Monday. The EP is the final installment in the group's Treasure series of albums and EPs.

In addition to "Answer," Treasure Epilogue includes the songs "Horizon," "Star 1117," "Precious" and "Outro: Long Journey."

Ateez consists of Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho. The group debuted in October 2018 and is known for the singles "Pirate King," "Treasure," "Illusion," "Wave" and "Wonderland."


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A jury for a Derby murder trial has now been sworn in.

Three men from the city are accused of killing 57-year-old Simon Jones.

John Williams, Kirk Guy and Jacob Ali have all previously pleaded not guilty to murdering the former RAF man, of Belper, who died after being stabbed close to Chaddesden Park.

They also deny conspiracy to commit robbery.

His son daughter and son-in-law were all at Derby Crown Court to see the jury members be sworn in.

(Image: Derbyshire Constabulary)

Sat across from them in court room four were family and friends of the three defendants, who are all in custody.

Guy, 34, of Haydn Road, Derby; Williams, 24, of Waterford Drive, Chaddesden, and Ali, 20, of Ashworth Avenue, Derby, also in Chaddesden, were all smartly dressed in suits for the swearing in of the jury.

Mr Jones, a grandfather-of-three, was found injured in a car park in Chaddesden just before 10pm on Saturday April 20.

He was taken to hospital but later died.

His family have previously described him as “a true gentleman who was adored by everyone”.

Peter Joyce QC, prosecuting, is expected to open the trial on Thursday.

It is scheduled to last up to six weeks.

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The family of a man who was stabbed to death in Derby bravely listened to his last moments as a harrowing 999 call was played in court.

The son and daughter of Simon Jones heard how former armed forces member John King tried in vain to save their dad by performing CPR on him on the driveway where had collapsed.

Moments earlier the 57-year-old had been stabbed three times to the legs in a car park. He managed to stagger to Mr King’s front door before banging on it and then collapsing.

A haunting 999 call to the emergency services heard Mr King’s son – Dean King – talk the call handler through what his father was doing to try and keep Mr Jones, himself a former RAF man, alive.

Three men are on trial at Derby Crown Court after being charged with murder and conspiracy to rob.

Kirk Guy, John Williams and Jacob Ali, all of Chaddesden, deny the charges.

The harrowing 999 call

In the call, Dean King tells the operator: “Someone keeps banging on the door saying ‘help me, help me’.

“I don’t know what to do.”

The operator replies: “Can you see anybody?”

Mr King says: “I am talking to the person that’s with him he says he’s been stabbed, there’s a lot of blood, he’s not conscious, I don’t think he’s breathing.

“My dad is going to perform CPR, he’s been in the armed forces and knows how to do CPR.”

The operator asks: “Can his (Mr Jones’) friend (Mr Calladine) help?”

Mr King replies: “He is too traumatised, he’s running around in the road.”

The operator says: “I have officers travelling to you.”

Mr King says: “He’s (Mr Jones) started breathing, my dad can’t see a wound, he’s trying to find a wound now.

“He (Mr Jones) keeps gasping for air.

“There’s movement but it’s very weak.”

The operator asks: “Where is his friend (Mr Calladine) now?”

Mr King replies: “He’s run off towards the park I think.

“There’s lots of blood, it’s dripping all down the driveway.

“My dad says he’s breathing but it’s very weak.”

Moments later the emergence services arrive and take over trying unsuccessfully to save Mr Jones’ life.

Elsewhere during today's proceedings, the jury was told that Williams - the man who is alleged to have physically stabbed Mr Jones - later sent damning messages over Facebook which “are akin to a confession” that he was responsible for the death.

In them, the 24-year-old thanks his girlfriend for sticking with him and tells her she is “not going to have him around for a long time”.

And in a message to his step-brother, he asks his sibling to look after his young son and “teach him how to be a man”.

Peter Joyce QC, prosecuting, said after the stabbing of Mr Jones, at around 9.45pm on April 20 last year, Williams moved to a friend’s address in Belper to “lie low”.

Facebook messages

He said: “In a Facebook message that is clearly from Williams to his girlfriend, he says ‘my baby girl I am sorry for everything. I did not mean to put you through all this and (after) everything I have done you still stick by me. I am sorry you are not going to have me around for a long time’."

Mr Joyce continued: "Why is he saying that? We say it is because he knows exactly what he has done and that he is not going to be around in her life.

“It is akin to a confession to his girlfriend.”

Mr Joyce said four minutes after sending that message, Williams then sent a Facebook message to his step-brother.

He said: “In it he says ‘My brother make sure you look after JJ [his baby son]’. He then says to him ‘teach him how to be a man, love you bro’.

“This is a very, very, small child. He then instructs him (his step-brother) at the end to ‘delete all these messages’.”

(Image: Derbyshire Constabulary)

The trial has already heard how Mr Jones travelled to the car park with Mr Calladine to carry out a drug deal on the evening of April 20, 2019.

Mr Calladine, who worked for Mr Jones’ bailiff company, had allegedly set the exchange up with Guy two days earlier while the pair were at the Atlanta Gym, in Dunton Close, Derby.

The court heard the deal involved “several thousands of pounds of cocaine”.

But the prosecution claim Guy arranged for Williams and Ali to rob them of the drugs instead.

Chaddesden Park

Opening the case on Thursday, Mr Joyce said Calladine was robbed at knifepoint and ran away so Williams approached Mr Jones who was in the passenger seat of his VW Transporter gang and stabbed him.

Mr Jones, having suffered fatal stab wounds to his legs, managed to stagger out of the car park leaving a trail of blood and to the front door of the King family in nearby Chaddesden Lane.

The occupants rang 999 and tried in vain to save the victim who was pronounced dead just over an hour later at the Royal Derby Hospital.

Mr Joyce told the hearing that in the aftermath of the stabbing the knife was taken back to Ali’s address, in Chaddesden, where is was cleaned using bleach in a mop bucket.

He said it was then wrapped and transported to an address in Alvaston where it was later discovered concealed in a water tank and recovered by police.

The mobile phone stolen from Mr Calladine was found in shrubbery in Kiwi Park, also in Alvaston.

(Image: CHRIS NEILL/MAVERICK PHOTOGRAPHY)

Mr Joyce said: “The prosecution case is that it was Williams that actually stabbed Simon Jones and that the others, Guy and Ali, either intended to assist him or intended to both rob him and cause him really serious injury or to kill him in the course of the robbery.

“Guy set it up, Ali drove Williams to the scene and Williams was the killer.

“It does not matter for the purposes of this case whether the drugs were taken in the VW Transporter van to Chaddesden Park belonged to Carl Calladine or Simon Jones.

“What matters is that Guy, Ali and Williams knew the cocaine would be there and intended to steal it.

“There was no indication (in arranging the drug deal) that Mr Jones would even be there that night.

“But when Mr Calladine runs away Mr Williams goes to the van and sadly, so sadly, there was someone else there and that’s Simon Jones.

“And for being there, Simon Jones pays with his life.”

Members of Mr Jones family as well as supporters of Guy, 34, of Haydn Road, Williams, 24, of Waterford Drive, and Ali, 20, of Ashworth Avenue, all in Chaddesden, were all in court to hear the case opened.

His family have previously described him as “a true gentleman who was adored by everyone”.

The trial, which is scheduled to last up to six weeks, continues.


A shooting immediately after a burial service at Forest Law Memorial Park in Cypress on Friday scattered attendees and left a man with multiple gunshot wounds.

At around 3:30 p.m., police said around two dozen people were just heading back to their cars from the service at the cemetery at 4471 Lincoln Avenue ending when two men got into an argument.

The fight escalated and one of the men pulled out a gun, then fired. The victim was hit multiple times in his torso, said Sgt. John Faessel of the Cypress Police Department.

Within minutes, dozens of attendees fled the area. When police arrived, they found no one at the burial site, Faessel said. But some officers were redirected to the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Moody Street. They found the injured man there.

Despite being shot multiple times, the man did not have any life-threatening injuries, Faessel said.

Detectives believe the shooting was the result of a personal conflict between the two men.

“From what we understand, the people involved all know each other,” Faessel said. “There wasn’t some unknown person who showed up.”

While the suspect was known to the people at the funeral, police haven’t identified him or released a description. It’s not clear whether witnesses to the shooting have helped in the investigation.

“This isn’t completely out of the ordinary,” Faessel said of the shooting.

He noted detectives were looking into the possibility of an inter-family conflict that led to the violence.

“You can imagine a scenario were there’s family issues at play, or you can image a scenario where people who may want to pay their respects to the deceased family member aren’t necessarily there to pay their respect to other family members,” he said.

Police were still looking for the suspect. They asked anyone with information about the shooting to call the Cypress Police Department Criminal Investigation Bureau at (714) 229-6631, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

A 28-year-old man was shot in his torso and hand inside a Cypress cemetery Friday afternoon, but was expected to survive.

Firefighter-paramedics were called about 3:30 p.m. to the Forest Lawn cemetery-mortuary at 4471 Lincoln Ave., but while en route, they were redirected to the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Moody Street, where they found the victim in a vehicle on the side of the street, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Daniel Yeh.

The victim was taken to a hospital, according to the Cypress Police Department.

The suspect fled the scene and no description was released.

Investigators believe the shooting was an isolated incident with no ongoing danger to the public. Police urged anyone with information on the shooting to call the Cypress Police Department Criminal Investigation Bureau at (714) 229-6631, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.


SINGAPORE: Singapore’s prime minister warned on Saturday that the negative economic effects of the coronavirus outbreak will likely be deeper and more prolonged than the 2008 financial crisis, Reuters reported.

“The economic hit will likely be more serious than the global financial crisis, and longer-lasting too, even beyond the end of the pandemic,” Lee Hsien Loong said in a Facebook post. He said the pandemic will likely last at least this year, and possibly longer.

With 200 infections, the Asian travel hub has signaled that there is a chance of a recession this year and has cut its growth forecasts.

Lee’s comments came a day after Singapore revised its electoral boundaries, in a move usually seen as a precursor to calling a vote. Singapore must hold elections by early 2021. Before the virus hit the Asian city-state late in January, the government had been expected to call a vote within a few months.

SINGAPORE: The economic fallout from the coronavirus could be more serious than the damage done by the 2008 global financial crisis for Singapore, according to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

"We can’t tell when the pandemic will end, but it will likely last at least this year, and quite possibly longer, ” Lee said in a Facebook post. "The economic hit will likely be more serious than the Global Financial Crisis, and longer-lasting too, even beyond the end of the pandemic.”


AbaThembu nation's acting King Azenathi Dalindyebo appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate's Court on Monday for assault.

He was arrested last Thursday for allegedly attacking his father King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo's advisor, Babalo Papu.

Azenathi's court appearance comes a week after his father appeared in court for assaulting him at the family's royal palace.

AbaThembu nation's acting King Azenathi Dalindyebo briefly appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and pointing a firearm.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the case was postponed to 5 August for further investigation.

Azenathi was arrested on Thursday for allegedly attacking his father King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo's advisor, Babalo Papu, on Tuesday.

Papu approached the police on Wednesday to open a criminal case after he was allegedly assaulted by some members of the royal family, including Azenathi.

When asked for comment, police spokesperson Sibongile Soci would not be drawn into discussing other suspects in the case.

Azenathi's uncle and advisor Siganeko Dalindyebo is on record as admitting that he defended himself from Papu during the altercation.

READ | AbaThembu royal family members accused of assaulting king's advisor

Azenathi's court appearance comes exactly a week after his father, Buyelekhaya, appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate's Court for assault.

The assault case was opened by Azenathi on 13 March after Buyelekhaya allegedly trespassed on the Bumbane Great Place palace, outside Mthatha, and allegedly used an axe to attack Azenathi at around 03:00.

Buyelekhaya has since disowned his son and is demanding a paternity test.

Acting King Azenathi Dalindyebo, his mother and his uncle are under investigation for assault.

Police confirmed that the king's spokesperson, Babalo Papu, was rescued from an alleged attack.

The latest drama comes in the midst of a war between Azenathi and his father, AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.

Babalo Papu, an advisor to AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, has approached police to open a criminal case after he was allegedly assaulted by some members of the royal family - including acting King Azenathi Dalindyebo.

Papu has accused Azenathi Dalindyebo, his mother Buyiswa Majiki and Azenathi's spokesperson, uncle and advisor, Siganeko Dalindyebo, and others of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).

Majiki is an Eastern Cape High Court judge and the former wife of Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.

READ | King Dalindyebo gets backing of AbaThembu faction in royal DNA drama

Called for comment, on Thursday Majiki said: "Indeed it came to my knowledge that a criminal case has been opened against me but I have no knowledge of these allegations or circumstances surrounding the case."

The matter was reported to the Madeira police station in Mthatha on Wednesday evening, according to police.

It came a day after the police were called to a Maiden Farm address and rescued Papu from an alleged assault by a group of men, police spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci said.

On Thursday, Soci said: "[Police] can confirm that a case of assault GBH has been opened for investigation. The complainant will be interviewed further to ascertain other information that has surfaced regarding the investigation."

Siganeko Dalindyebo confirmed he was involved in the alleged assault, saying he found Papu talking to his wife on his premises.

I felt cornered in my own space from my own enemy. Prince Siganeko Zanothando Dalindyebo

Both Papu and Siganeko find themselves on opposite ends of the father-and-son battle for kingship. Papu acts as an advisor to Buyelekhaya and Siganeko to Azenathi.

"I, Prince Siganeko Zanothando Dalindyebo, feel I was provoked by Babalo and the people who he was conniving with and gave him my wife's cellphone number. I felt it was an attack on my integrity and manhood and to the safety of my family and those close to me, by finding my sole enemy inside my premises."

"How naïve can he be as a person to go to a home of a person [when] he knows they don't get along, based on the Dalindyebo succession debate, communicating with my wife and entering my gate? He can't expect me to feel safe. I felt cornered in my own space from my own enemy. I felt I should protect myself and loved ones from my enemy," Siganeko said.

Siganeko said his wife spend most of the time alone in Mthatha. He is based 50km away at Bumbane Great Place where he serves as a traditional leader and as one of the advisors to acting king Azenathi.

Meanwhile, Soci said: "SAPS can confirm a complaint was received yesterday at about 15:00 and police were dispatched to the scene at Maiden Farm. Upon arrival, they found a visibly assaulted man and intervened by removing the injured person from immediate danger and also ensured that his vehicle was removed from the premises."

Soci earlier said Papu had been advised to open cases of assault, crimen injuria and malicious damage to property against the "people who assaulted him and damaged his vehicle".

Contacted for comment, Papu responded with a short statement he had posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday night: "I am in good shape, I cannot go into details or merits of this matter as advised by my legal counsel.

"I can only confirm that I was brutally attacked by Sganeko, Azenathi, Azenathi's body guard, [whose name was withheld] and one more guy I still need to find his name (sic).

"This is all I can say, thank you very much nge calls, sms, What'sApp shows that I am not alone (sic).

"Thank you and goodnight to all. Babalo Batembu Papu."

News24 tried several times to get comment from Azenathi for his side of the story. Attempts included several phone calls and text messages to him since Tuesday. His phone was off and his spokesperson, Siganeko, declined to speak on his behalf, saying the acting king should speak for himself.

Father-and-son war

The latest drama came a day after AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate's Court for assault. He disowned Azenathi and his claim to the throne, demanding a paternity test.

The assault case was opened by Azenathi on 13 March after Dalindyebo allegedly trespassed on the Bumbane Great Place palace, outside Mthatha, and allegedly used an axe to attack Azenathi at around 03:00.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the case was postponed to 7 December for further investigation.

Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo is currently staying at Nkululekweni residence in Mthatha, following his early release from prison in December. He only served four years of his 12-year sentence when President Cyril Ramaphosa granted him special remission parole as part of a larger category of offenders.

He had been sent to jail in 2015 for arson, kidnapping, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and defeating the ends of justice. He was found guilty of terrorising his subjects in the 1990s.

The father-and-son war dates to 2016 when Azenathi went against his incarcerated father's advice and ascended to the throne.

The king wanted his wife to act on his behalf and had written a series of prison letters advising the then University of Free State student, Azenathi, to focus on his studies.


(BBC) – Head of the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Programme, Dr Mike Ryan, says the whole world needs to be on alert to fight the coronavirus.

Dr Ryan says an international team of experts is being assembled to go to China and work with experts there to learn more about how the disease is transmitted.

The WHO will meet on Thursday to discuss whether the virus constitutes a global health emergency.

The Chinese city of Wuhan is the epicentre of the outbreak.

But the virus has spread across China and to at least 16 countries globally, including Thailand, France, the US and Australia.

More than 1 hundred and 30 people have died in China and close to 6 thousand have been infected.

There is no specific cure or vaccine. However, a number of people have recovered after treatment.

Scientists in Australia have managed to recreate the new coronavirus outside of China, raising hope that it could be used to develop an early-diagnosis test.

The coronavirus outbreak in China has become a global cause for concern, with cases reported in Australia and France. The death toll has risen to 81, while 3,000 people have been infected with it, according to BBC.

Here are five must-read stories on coronavirus:

New virus detected

In January, Chinese officials reported the outbreak of coronavirus, which was discovered in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. Experts initially said they didn't know how easily the virus could spread or where it originated.

This saw authorities in the US, Thailand and South Korea screen visitors from Wuhan. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) advised against travel restrictions for China.


Zoo Knoxville has shut its doors to the public during the COVID-19 outbreak, but the animals inside still need care.

Zoo representatives said that with the shutdown, they have lost their primary source of income.

According to the zoo's website, they are losing, on average, $22,500 per day which would normally go towards caring for the animals.

"We are working round the clock to find options. Our community has asked how they can help and we have set up an emergency relief fund," zoo representatives said.

Go

to donate and help care for our area's zoo animals.

Zoo Knoxville is calling on the public's help after a proposed relief package excludes certain businesses.

Federal lawmakers are considering a multi-billion dollar package to help those impacted by the economic crisis in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Zoo Knoxville, zoos, museums and other cultural institutions are not included in the pending legislation.

"We are acting as one voice nationwide," the zoo said in a release. "Guests through the gates are our primary source of funding."

The zoo said 86 percent of its funding comes from visitors coming to the attraction.

To read more about the petition, click a href="https://www.aza.org/legislative-education-center#/42"target="_blank">here.