Five UK citizens test positive for coronavirus in France

Five British nationals including a child have tested positive for the new coronavirus in France, the health minister said today, adding that they had all stayed at the same ski chalet.

France has now detected a total of 11 cases of the novel coronavirus, and the new “cluster” is centred on a Briton who had returned from Singapore and stayed in Contamines-Montjoie, near Mont Blanc in the French Alps, Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said.

“They show no serious signs” of a life-threatening infection added Buzyn, herself a doctor.

The Briton at the centre of the new cases is now in Britain and was not counted among the French tally, she told a press conference.

In addition to the five Britons who have tested positive for the virus, six other Britons staying in the same chalet in late January were also hospitalised for observation, the minister said.

Authorities in France and Singapore are now trying to contact people who came into close contact with the initially infected Brit, she said.

He was on a business trip and had stayed at a hotel for an event with 94 other foreigners, according to senior health official Jerome Salomon who attended the press briefing along with Buzyn.

Other “clusters” have been identified in Malaysia and South Korea around people who attended the same event, he said.

Most of the six previous cases in France appear to have been treated successfully, though all are still in hospital.

One man, an 80-year-old Chinese national, is nonetheless “still in critical condition” in a Paris hospital, Salomon said.

The novel coronavirus which erupted in Wuhan, central China, in December has already infected more than 34,500 people and killed more than 700, according to the latest official figures from China.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/five-uk-citizens-test-positive-for.html

Trump fires officials who testified against him on impeachment in a 'revenge' move

Donald Trump exacted swift revenge on two government officials who gave evidence against him during his impeachment hearings.

Just days after his acquittal by the Senate the US President wielded the axe on national security aide Lt Col Alexander Vindman and EU ambassador Gordon Sondland.

The decorated soldier was escorted from the White House, with his lawyers later claiming he was being ousted for ‘telling the truth’.

David Pressman added in a statement: ‘The truth has cost Lt Col Alexander Vindman his job, his career, and his privacy.


‘He did what any member of our military is charged with doing every day: he followed orders, he obeyed his oath and he served his country, even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril.

‘And for that, the most powerful man in the world – buoyed by the silent, the pliable and the complicit – has decided to exact revenge.’

Hours later came Mr Sondland’s turn to receive his marching orders.

Mr Sondland was a crucial witness in the House impeachment inquiry, telling investigators ‘everyone was in the loop’ on the president’s desire to press Ukraine for politically charged investigations.

He described how he came to understand there was a ‘quid pro quo’ connecting a desired White House visit for Ukraine’s leader and an announcement that the country would conduct the investigations the president wanted.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said on Thursday that Mr Trump was glad the impeachment trial was over and ‘maybe people should pay for that’.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/trump-fires-officials-who-testified.html

Over 17 killed as Thai soldier opens fire on citizens

A Thai soldier has killed at least 17 people and wounded more than 20 in a shooting rampage in the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima, according to police.

The suspect of Saturday's attack, identified by police as Sergeant Major Jakrapanth Thomma, remains at large.

The suspect reportedly stole an army vehicle and posted photos and video of himself in full tactical gear as the attack was carried out.

He wrote on his Facebook page earlier in the day that "Death is inevitable for everyone". The suspect also posted a picture of what appeared to be his hand holding a gun.


At one point after the shooting had begun, he wrote online, "Should I give up?" before his account became inaccessible.

The soldier opened fire at different locations in the city, which is more than 250km (155 miles) from capital, Bangkok, police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen said in a message sent to reporters.

The shooter remained in a shopping centre and had not yet been apprehended, the police said.

"We don't know why he did this. It appears he went mad," said defence ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanit.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/over-17-killed-as-thai-soldier-open.html

Bomb explodes near Ekiti governor’s office

The residents of the Okesha area of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, were embroiled in fear today as a bomb went off next door to the governor’s office.

The explosion brought down a building around the area and also affected a section of the state ministry of chieftaincy affairs.

The explosion also damaged parts of the ministry of finance and other buildings on the premises.

The Commissioner of Police, Amba Asuquo, who was at the scene of the blast said preliminary investigation revealed that the bomb might have gone off from the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) office within the premises.


Muyiwa Olomilua, commissioner of information for the state, also confirmed the incident.

”An explosion was reported earlier this morning at the Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) office in Ado Ekiti,” he said.

”An initial on-the-spot assessment confirms that there are no casualties and the area is secured with no further threats. Members of the public are advised to go about their normal duties.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/bomb-explodes-near-ekiti-governors.html

200 women groups protest police brutality in Abuja

A coalition of 200 women organisations on Thursday in Abuja took to the streets to protest against the brutalisation of a lawyer and gender activist, Goodness Ibangha, by the police in Enugu State.

The women under the aegis of the Women Aid Collective also took their protest to the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, demanding justice for the victim.

The protesters displayed placards with inscriptions such as ‘Justice for human rights defendant’, ‘Protect human rights defenders’, Justice for survivors of rape’ and ‘Urgent action now to end police brutality against women rights defenders.’


The leader of the women and founding Director of WACOL, Prof. Joy Ezeilo of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, explained that Ibangha’s offence was that she refused to present a rape victim after she had reported the case to the police and handed over the victim’s details.

She said, “Instead of inviting the victim with the contact she provided the Area Commander, Inspector Chinyere and some other officers kept calling Goodness and trying to coerce her to provide the victim for settlement with the family of the suspect.

“Four police officers – two men and two from Area Command Enugu, stormed our office and still requested that our office should provide the victim again for them. The legal unit of our office told them that we had handed over the matter to them.

“These officers barged into all the rooms in our office and when they saw Goodness, the officers beat her up to a state of near unconsciousness.

“They extended the beating to one Ms Nneka Okwor who pleaded with them to stop beating Goodness. Goodness ran into the toilet to save her life, yet, the officers chased her like a criminal dragged her out and continued beating this helpless and unarmed lady.”

The UNN don demanded that the IG should constitute an independent investigation panel, not controlled by the police and whose membership should include the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations, and internationally recognised independent observers.

The Country Director, ActionAid, Ene Obi, urged women to stand for one another. In addition, she challenged the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to intervene.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/200-women-groups-protest-police.html

Serena Williams’ dad has dementia, brain damage as his wife tries to take over his property

Serena Williams’ father Richard is suffering from irreparable "brain damage" and "dementia", his doctor has revealed in public available court documents.

The court papers also reveal tennis ace and her sister Venus could become embroiled in a court battle with their stepmother.

The 77-year-old is "totally incapacitated to conduct any business", the documents, which include testimony from his own doctor, state.

The former tennis coach has barely been seen in public over the last few years, as he’s been fighting a messy divorce battle with Lakeisha Williams, 40.


He suffered two strokes which left him barely able to speak, Daily Mail reported in 2018.

Richard claims in court documents that Lakeisha forged his signature to change the mortgage deed on his house in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, into her name.

He then claims an associate of Lakeisha’s pretended to be him, so that she could borrow nearly $300,000 of equity on the house from a lender named David Simon to start up a trucking business.

Richard is suing both Lakeisha and David, who have denied wrongdoing have been attempting for over a year to get the case thrown out of court.

Now David is trying to involve tennis stars Serena and Venus and has asked their dad to "describe all income, real property, personal property, or gifts received from Venus or Serena Williams since 2015 until the present".

Richard has refused to give an answer, arguing through his lawyer Thomas Gruseck that it has nothing to do with this case.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/serena-williams-dad-has-dementia-brain.html

Russian sisters separated during WWII reunited after 78 years

Two Russian sisters have been reunited 78 years after they were separated by the turmoil of World War II, thanks to a television show and a police search.

In footage of their meeting late last month provided by the interior ministry, Yulia and Rozalina Kharitonova, now 92 and 94, hugged and kissed as their family members watched in tears.

"I was searching for her, I was always searching for her," said Rozalina, holding her sister's hand.

As teenagers, the sisters lived with their parents in Stalingrad, the city now known as Volgograd that saw one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. They were separated in 1942 as civilians were being evacuated to escape Nazi encirclement.


The younger sister Yulia, who was born in 1928, was evacuated with her mother to the city of Penza some 500 kilometres (310 miles) to the north.

Meanwhile the elder sister Rozalina, born in 1926, was evacuated with her factory workmates to the industrial city of Chelyabinsk some 1,400 kilometres (870 miles) to the northeast in the Urals.

"After being separated in their youth, these women never lost hope of seeing each other again over 78 long years," police spokeswoman Irina Volk said in a statement.

The two women met again in Chelyabinsk, Volk said, after Yulia's daughter asked police for help to track down her mother's sister.

Rozalina had already tried to find her sister, without success, through a television show that looks for missing family members.

Russian police found out that Rozalina had appeared on the show and made the connection, contacting both women and organising a reunion.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/russian-sisters-separated-during-wwii.html

Supreme Court affirms 12-year jail term for Taraba ex-gov, Nyame

The Supreme court has affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal which reduced the jail term of former Taraba governor, Jolly Nyame, from 14 years to 12 years.

The Apex court also removed the N495 million imposed by the court.

The court of appeal in abuja had earlier ordered the former Taraba state governor to pay the fine for alleged misappropriation of funds while he was governor of taraba state from 1999 to 2007.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/supreme-court-affirms-12-year-jail-term_8.html

Baby narrowly escapes death as stray bullet is fired by 'police officer'

A baby has narrowly escaped death after a stray bullet was fired by a police office and hit him (slightly)

The incident reportedly happened at Mkpogu community of Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt.

According to Twitter user @chiukwujioke, the victim of the stray bullet is his colleague’s daughter and the incident occurred,  February 6.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/baby-narrowly-escapes-death-as-stray.html

One killed in failed attempt to kidnap Taraba college provost

One person has been confirmed dead in an attempt to kidnap the Provost of Taraba College of Education Zing, Dr Mike Dio-Jen, at his residence in Jalingo.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday at the Green Beach area of Kona ward, in Jalingo.

NAN reports that the kidnappers who came in their numbers fired several gunshots at the gate of the provost’s house and forced their way in.

They, however, met stiff resistance by security operatives, guarding the provost’s house and this led to the death of the gateman of the house, while the kidnappers fled the area through a nearby river.



The remains of the slain gateman, Mr Shawulu Yeshi, who was a staff of the college, have been deposited at the morgue of Federal Medical Centre, in Jalingo.

The police spokesman in Taraba, ASP David Misal, confirmed the incident, saying the police were investigating the case.

Misal added that the police would do their best to see that crime was nipped in the bud in the state.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/one-killed-in-failed-attempt-to-kidnap.html

Amotekun: Recruitment forms to be rolled out next week

The Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has said the recruitment forms for the Operation Amotekun outfit will be ready next week.

The governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Security Matter, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, said the recruitment on the operation process had begun.

He said, “We are yet to issue out forms and if there is any form that is out now in Ondo State, it is illegal, we have drafted the forms but we have not issued them out.

“The forms would be out next week. What we want to do is to first recruit. after the recruitment, we will issue out the forms.

“All the traditional rulers and community leaders in the state would be made to sign as guarantors of whoever we want to recruit in their communities.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/amotekun-recruitment-forms-to-be-rolled.html

Man O’War official kills colleague over N1,000 debt

Police have arrested a Man O’war volunteer, Toyeeb Daodu, for allegedly beating his colleague, Ibrahim Aliu, to death in Ope-Ilu, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

City Round learnt that the incident happened around 7pm on Thursday following an altercation between the duo over N1,000.

Daodu, 19, had reportedly borrowed the sum from Aliu some days ago but failed to repay it promised, prompting Daodu to mount pressure on him.

Aliu was said to have asked for the money when he met Daodu at a bus stop in the area and he (Daodu) angrily settled the debt.

Afterwards, he reportedly told Aliu to leave the spot, but the latter declined. The suspect resorted to violence punching Aliu in the chest.

The victim fell and was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead.

“It was money that led to this tragedy. The suspect owed the victim N1,000 which he did not return on time. Because the victim was pestering him, he paid the money in anger.

“They were both at a bus stop that evening. He asked the victim to leave after paying the debt. In the ensuing argument, he pummelled the young man who became unconscious immediately and died afterwards. They were both Man O’War volunteers,”  a source said.



source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/man-owar-official-kills-colleague-over.html

Fire destroys staff quarters in Niger school

Property worth millions of naira were burnt beyond recognition as fire razed the staff quarters of the Maryam Babangida Girls Science Secondary School.

Property burnt included a private car parked in one of the garages of the quarters, furniture and other household equipment as well as food items.

The fire was put out by the state fire service after raging for three hours.

Punch was at the scene of the incident on Thursday and saw neighbours teamed up with firefighters to control the inferno but they could not salvage their property.

The cause of the fire had yet to be known but some people suspected it could have been as a result of a power surge.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/fire-destroys-staff-quarters-in-niger.html

Real Madrid crash out of Copa Del Rey

Real Madrid were knocked out of the Copa del Rey on Thursday as Martin Odegaard put on a creative masterclass against his parent club to lead Real Sociedad to a thrilling 4-3 victory.

Madrid conceded as many goals in 69 minutes as they had in their last 11 matches, torn apart at the Santiago Bernabeu by an electric La Real side, who deservedly advanced to the semi-finals.

Odegaard, on loan from Real Madrid but allowed to face his own club, scored the opener before the superb Alexander Isak hit two to give Real Sociedad a remarkable 3-0 lead.

Marcelo and Rodrygo both scored late in the second half and while Mikel Merino also added a fourth for the visitors, a Nacho Fernandez header set up a pulsating final three minutes, in which Andoni Gorosabel was also sent off.

Ten-man Real Sociedad held on for a sensational win to progress to the last four while Madrid’s run without success in Spain’s domestic cup extends to six years.

The only consolation might have been the display of the 21-year-old Odegaard, who is beginning to live up to the hype after signing for Madrid aged 15.

On loan at Sociedad, the plan was for Odegaard to stay one more year at Anoeta but this glittering display, that earned him a standing ovation from the home fans when he went off, may well persuade Madrid to recall him early.

Their 21-game unbeaten streak comes to an end after an uncharacteristically careless performance in which a rotated side highlighted the importance of the likes of Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Thibaut Courtois.

Courtois’ replacement Alphonse Areola was at fault for at least one of the goals while Marcelo was typically unpredictable at left-back, a position the more dependable Ferland Mendy has made his own in recent weeks.

Eden Hazard is training again but the wait for his return goes on while Gareth Bale was again left out of the squad completely.

Yet Zinedine Zidane’s changes should take nothing away from Real Sociedad, who showed why they were pushing for a place in La Liga’s top four earlier this season, before a dip in form has seen them slip to eighth.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/real-madrid-crash-out-of-copa-del-rey.html

Two dead, 20 trapped underground in Zimbabwe mine collapse

At least two Zimbabwe miners were killed and 20 others trapped underground after a shaft collapsed in a gold mine in the centre of the country on Thursday.

The incident occurred overnight at the Globe and Phoenix mine in the town of Kwekwe, around 200 kilometres (120 miles) west of Harare.

Authorities were first alerted early Thursday after the miners, who were working illegally, failed to surface at the end of their shift.

“We received the news about the unfortunate incident a few hours ago and we are running around coordinating a rescue mission,” the chair of provincial civil protection unit, Fortune Mpungu, told The Herald newspaper.


Both the police and the mines ministry later confirmed the incident.

Two miners died while one was injured and taken to hospital, police spokesman Paul Nyathi said.

It was not immediately clear whether the others had been recovered.

“So far we don’t know what really happened or how many people were affected,” said the mine ministry’s permanent secretary Onesimo Moyo, adding that an inspection team had been dispatched to the area.

Mining is a major source of foreign currency for Zimbabwe.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/two-dead-20-trapped-underground-in.html

Presidential aide blasts Shehu Sani.. calls him a political blogger

Bashir Ahmad, Personal Assistant on New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari and Senator Shehu Sani on Thursday tangled over the comment made by the president which says 90 percent of Boko Haram’s victims are Muslims.

Senator Shehu Sani said the statement by President Buhari was correct but the hatred against Christians by the terrorist group cannot be denied.

“It’s true that d (the) majority of d (the) victims of d (the) insurgents are Muslims; It’s also true that d (the) victims of their violence cuts across people of all faiths & of no faith; But it’s undeniable that d insurgents harbour an ideologically gruesomely murderous hatred against all Christians,” Shehu Sani wrote on Twitter, Thursday.


Reacting to the statement made by the former lawmaker, Bashir Ahmad wrote: “Dear former Senator sir, you pretty know that those insurgents see everybody, both Christians and Muslims including you (if you’re not part of them) as completely an unbeliever. As a political ‘blogger’ please use your influence to correct the stereotype. Be a good Ambassador.”

The part of Bashir Ahmad’s statement which insinuated that the former lawmaker could be part of a terrorist group, however, stirred a reaction from Senator Shehu Sani and he wrote: My Brother(Bashir Ahmad), just a look at my face and your face, my hair and your Goatee, the one that closely looks like an Insurgent is clear. My regards Sheikh Albashiru.”

“The notorious Muhammed Yusuf didn’t have a goatee like me, his face wasn’t much different from yours, sir. And addressing me as Sheikh Albashiru is an honour, will never be an insult when my knowledge makes people recognize me as Sheikh, then I’ve made it in this life,” Bashir Ahmad replied.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/presidential-aide-blasts-shehu-sani.html

Chaos in British parliament as fox is seen wandering

A fox has caused chaos after wandering into Parliament and climbing to the third floor of an office building.

Police tried to capture the animal after staff spotted it on a staircase in Portcullis House, but the crafty animal managed to evade capture.

Taking to Twitter journalist Kate Ferguson said: "There is a fox lose in parliament! Cops are trying to shoo it out but it's on the upper floor of PCH now".

She then updated her followers and added: "The fox has now scarpered up to the third floor. Police with big gloves have gone in pursuit."

Ms Ferguson's final post showed the fox being carried outside set free on the pavement outside.

Conservative MP Julia Lopez also took to Twitter and said: “Team Lopez: just leaving Westminster office for the night and see a fox climbing escalator into Portcullis House!

The fox has been taken out of Parliament. Excellent work! pic.twitter.com/o8L7vQKopn

— Kate Ferguson (@kateferguson4) February 6, 2020

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/chaos-in-british-parliament-as-fox-is.html

Bobbi Kristina Brown’s ex Nick Gordon’s cause of death ‘confirmed as accidental heroin overdose’

Bobbi Kristina Brown’s ex-boyfriend Nick Gordon’s cause of death has been confirmed as an ‘accidental heroin overdose’.

The 30-year-old died in Florida on 1 January, after having a series of heart attacks when he was rushed to intensive care, with doctors unable to revive him.

 According to his autopsy report, obtained by E! News, he died of ‘heroin toxicity’, which his death listed as ‘accidental’.

The publication states he was hospitalised for seven hours, and Narcan – a drug used to reverse the effects of an overdose – is thought to have been found in his system.


Nick died on New Year’s Day, with his brother confirming the news to People. ‘We are devastated by the loss of my beautiful brother,’ he said in a statement.

‘He leaves a void in the hearts of my family and his friends. Nick’s battle in life was not an easy one. ‘I will be forever grateful that my God afforded a small moment at the very end of Nick’s life, and I was able to hold his hand as he journeyed on.’

 His attorney later told E! News: ‘My heart is heavy today after learning that my longtime client Nick Gordon died at the young age of thirty.

‘While I cannot speak to the specific circumstances of his death, I can say that it’s been truly heartbreaking to have witnessed firsthand the total devastation that drug addiction has wreaked upon a group of young friends, all of whom were loved and had immense potential.’

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/bobbi-kristina-browns-ex-nick-gordons.html

Trump confirms US killed Al Qaeda chief in Yemen

The White House announced on Thursday, that US counterterrorism operation in Yemen had killed Qassim al-Rimi, the head of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the first official confirmation since a drone attack on 25 January.

“At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, the United States conducted a counterterrorism operation in Yemen that successfully eliminated Qasim al-Rimi,” the White House said in a statement.

“His death further degrades AQAP and the global al-Qa’ida movement, and it brings us closer to eliminating the threats these groups pose to our national security.”

The Trump administration gave no further details about the killing or the military operation. The counter-terrorism strike reportedly occurred on 25 January. Yemeni tribal leaders said the drone strike destroyed a building housing al-Qaeda militants.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/trump-confirms-us-killed-al-qaeda-chief.html

President Buhari departs for Addis Ababa today

President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja today to attend the 33rd Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The President will join leaders from the 55-member countries of the African Union to participate in the Summit with the theme, “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development.”

The President will attend the 29th Forum of Heads of State and Government of Participating States of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the 27th Session of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (AUDA-NEPAD).

The meetings will precede the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/president-buhari-departs-for-addis.html