Liverpool Legend, Carragher's Wife (Nicola) Tests Positive of Covid-19

Jamie Carragher has said that his wife Nicola, recently tested positive for COVID-19, and said that the current football season must finish.

The Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit revealed that his wife is the second person in his family to contract the disease after his aunt also tested positive. 

Carragher gave his thoughts on the pandemic, as well as the debate over what should be done with the football season.

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, he said: “Nobody needs to tell me that the health of those closest to us matters most. My wife, Nicola, has tested positive for COVID-19, though she has thankfully now recovered.

“My aunt was in hospital with COVID-19 last week and is recovering.”

The UK has been on a nationwide lockdown for just over a month, which was extended last week until at least 7 May as the fight against COVID-19 continues.

Carragher discussed the potential return of football, adding: “So while I am eager for the games to return, it goes without saying that nobody wants decisions taken for the wrong reasons, at the wrong time, contrary to government and scientific advice.

“But where football is concerned, I also firmly believe this: although the safety of players, fans, staff and the broader public is top of the agenda in the decision-making process, sporting integrity must be second.”

Football federations across Europe are deciding the next steps to take. 

The Bundesliga could return as soon as 9 May, whereas the Eredivisie has been cancelled, denying league leaders Ajax a 35th league title.

On Thursday, UEFA made an announcement over qualification for next season. They announced that qualifying for next season’s Champions League and Europa League should be determined on ‘sporting merit’.

Carragher said that he welcomes UEFA’s latest decision, praising their merit-based decision. He said: “I would like the Premier League and English Football League to follow UEFA’s lead and make a similarly clear statement.

“That ensures that as well as Champions League and Europa League qualification, there will be title winners, promotion and relegation.”

Rapper, Kanye West officially becomes a Billionaire

Kanye West has officially become a Billionaire, making him the second American rapper to reach that status after Jay-Z.

According to Forbes, ’Ye’s Yeezy brand, which he owns in its’ entirety and falls under the Adidas umbrella, helped push him over the $1 billion marks.

The publication said they dissected the Chicago rapper’s success with Yeezy, while also sharing how they tabulated Kanye’s net worth.

Nonetheless, a decent portion of Kanye’s net worth can be attributed to his royalty agreement with Adidas. West receives a “royalty around 15% of Yeezy revenue from Adidas. Upon closer inspection, it appears some expenses are carved out of that slice, bringing his actual cut closer to 11 percent. At that rate, he would have received royalties of over $140 million from Yeezy sales last year,” the report says.

Kanye West’s team provided a statement of the rapper’s assets, which were listed as $17 million in cash, $35 million in stocks, $81 million in “buildings and improvements,” $21 million in the land, as well as his G.O.O.D. label and publishing rights, which is said to be worth at least $90 million. There was also a sizable deduction for $100 million worth of debts, which included mortgages and advances.

Forbes also noted that they gave Kanye’s net worth a “50 percent haircut” due to the illiquidity of his assets and the “the lack of independent backup.” The team also deducted $100 million for debts, which included mortgages and advances, putting Kanye’s estimated net worth at $1.3 billion.

But Kanye reportedly disagreed with Forbes. “It’s not a billion,” he allegedly texted the reporters Thursday night. “It’s $3.3 billion since no one at Forbes knows how to count.”

Oyo to Return 1800 Bags of Rice to FG

The Oyo State Government on Friday indicated that it might return the 1,800 bags of rice donated to the state by the Federal Government as COVID-19 palliative on the grounds that the rice had been infested with weevils.

The state government took delivery of the three trailer loads of rice through the Nigeria Customs Service on Monday.

The Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Agribusiness, Dr Debo Akande, explained that the 1,800 bags of rice from the Federal Government had spoilt. 

Akande said, “We received these items from the Federal Government via the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and we brought them to the warehouse. It was in the process of further inspection that we discovered that the rice had been infested with weevils.

“On that basis, we formed a committee to re-inspect it so we can be sure of what we have received.

“We don’t want to create another problem while providing solution to another one. We have inspected it; we have done random selection and we have seen that similar things apply across the board.

“We have agreed to return them to the source but if there are good ones with good quality that could be sent to us as replacement, we will be glad to receive them". 

Akande promised that the situation would not in anyway delay the planned distribution of palliatives by the state government.

He added, “We all know that a good number of food items have been received by the Food Security Committee of the Task Force and they would be distributed in the next couple of days. We have in place a robust system for distribution and that we have finalised on it.”

NCDC: Lockdown Will Not Re-Open Anytime Soon.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), says it will take a while before normalcy is fully restored in the country.

As of 11:30 pm on April 23, Nigeria had recorded 981 confirmed cases of COVID-19 out of which 197 patients have recovered while 31 persons have died.

The disease which has spread through 26 states and the federal capital territory, has resulted in several measures put in place to curb its spread.

Some of such measures have disrupted the daily activities of Nigerians as well as impacted terribly on businesses.

Speaking at the presidential task force briefing on COVID-19 on Friday, Ihekweazu said it will take a while for Nigerians to return to their normal lives.

He admitted that the journey has been challenging for Nigerians, adding that the sacrifices made are appreciated by the government.

The NCDC boss urged Nigerians to be patient as efforts are made to ensure the eradication of the virus and to restore normalcy.

“As we travelled round the country over the last four days, we could really see how difficult it has been and how hard Nigerians have been trying to do their very best,” he said.

“We know it is a difficult journey, but we also know that we will eventually exit this stage and we start our normal lives. But that stage is still a while to come and I ask for your endurance, support and patience.

“Lots of effort are going on across the world to find new therapy to find vaccines. Everybody is pushing very hard in this direction. So we need to stay firm and continue trying.

“We need to adopt unprecedented level of caution and continue carrying out the preventive measures that we advise severally.”

The NCDC boss had earlier said COVID-19 will spread to every state in Nigeria.

Sheikh Habib-led Rabito ignores Sultan of Sokoto, announces dates for start, end of Ramadan

The League of Imams and Alfas of South-West Nigeria otherwise known as Rabitot-ul-Aimmah wal ‘Ulama has officially announced its dates for the commencement and end of the glorious month of Ramadan 1441 AH.

The pronouncement is in violation of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III’s order on moon sighting

By virtue of his position as the Amir-ul-Mu’mineen (Head of Nigeria’s Muslim community) the power to commence and terminate Ramadan fast lies with the Sultan of Sokoto, and by extension, the National Moon Sighting Committee.

But the Robitoh, under the leadership of the Mudir of Markaz Ta’alimul Arabiyyah, Agege, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory acted contrary to announce Saturday, April 25, 2020 and Saturday, May 23, 2020 as the beginning and the end of Ramadan 1441 AH

In a statement jointly signed by the Coordinator, Sheikh Habibullah and his Assistant Coordinator, Sheikh Abdul Azeez Abdul Razaq, the Robitoh also announced Sunday, May 24 as the Eid-ul-Fitri 1441 Celebration.

The League of Southwest scholars said the announced dates were based on the findings of Islamic Sharia complemented with Astronomical Calculations.

According to Sheikh Habibullah, “Astronomically, the conjunction that leads to the termination of the month of Sha’ban 1441AH will occur on Thursday 23rd of April, 2020 (equivalent to 29th of Sha‘ban, 1441AH) at 3:26am in South-West Nigeria.

“Thus, leaving the Age of the Moon (A.O.M) i.e. period between conjunction time and the next Maghrib (sunset time 6:54pm) at 15hrs 28mins which is only enough for sighting the Moon by a powerful Telescope or Binocular provided the weather is suitable.

“It is also important to mention that the geocentric illumination for this expected new crescent is 00.50% which will make sighting the moon even with telescope still difficult. Whereas, moon sighting with naked eyes is only possible when 17hrs – 23hrs. elapse between conjunction time and the next Maghrib (sunset time).

“This simply will mean that Ramadan will begin on Saturday 25th of April, 2020 in Nigeria. This is because sighting with the naked eyes on Thursday 23rd of April, 2020 is highly uncertain. Thus, Friday 24th of April, 2020 will be the 30th day of Sha‘ban, 1441AH based on the difficulty of sighting explained above ,” he added.

Quoting the Hadith which directs the commencement of fasting at the sight of the new crescent, Sheikh Habibullah Al-Ilory-led Robitoh said:

“However, based on astronomical findings, Ramadan will end on Saturday 23rd of May, 2020. This is because the conjunction that will terminate the month of Ramadan 1441 will occur on Friday 22nd of May, 2020 at 6:38pm leaving the age of the Moon at Sunset (6:57pm) at +00H 21 mins (i.e. sighting is not possible on the day).

“Hence, the sighting of the crescent is only possible on Saturday 23rd of May, and Sunday 24th of May, 2020 will be the official 1st day of Shawwal, 1441AH,” he emphasised.

By Abdul Waheed Shotonwa

Georgia is reopening hair salons, gyms and bowling alleys despite a rise in coronavirus deaths

Undeterred by a barrage of criticism, Georgia is moving ahead with its plan to reopen some nonessential businesses Friday despite an increase in coronavirus deaths in the state.

Gov. Brian Kemp was one of the last state leaders to issue a stay-at-home order effective April 3 to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

This week, he became one of the nation's first governors to ease those restrictions after he announced he's allowing businesses such as gyms, barber shops, hair salons, tattoo parlors and bowling alleys to reopen Friday.

This week, he became one of the nation's first governors to ease those restrictions after he announced he's allowing businesses such as gyms, barber shops, hair salons, tattoo parlors and bowling alleys to reopen Friday.

His decision has pit him against mayors from several cities, including Atlanta, Augusta and Savannah. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms called his announcement perplexing for a state that's still battling a virus that's killed 900 residents and sickened 22,000 others. Nationwide, the death toll is approaching 50,000, according to data from Johns Hopkins.

The move to reopen has left some business owners conflicted.

Hair stylist Sabrina Watkins said since the announcement, at least 15 clients have called her to find out if they can come in, but she has no plans to return to work any time soon.

"How do you get a haircut and stay a safe distance from someone cutting your bangs?" she asked.

Kay Kendrick, chair of the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers, said they have guidelines and safety measures in place for the reopening.

"I am very happy that Governor Kemp decided that we can reopen our salons and spas," Kendrick said. "We have 95,000 licensees under our board, most of whom are independent contractors that have no other source of income."

Kay Kendrick, chair of the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers, said they have guidelines and safety measures in place for the reopening.

"I am very happy that Governor Kemp decided that we can reopen our salons and spas," Kendrick said. "We have 95,000 licensees under our board, most of whom are independent contractors that have no other source of income."

Hackers Targets on WHO is now five folds

Hackers targets WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION... 

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday warned that the number of cyber attacks against it is now more than five times of that directed at the organization in the same period last year.

Saying in a media statement issued Thursday, WHO said that this week, some 450 active WHO email addresses and passwords were leaked online along with thousands belonging to others working on the novel coronavirus response.

“The leaked credentials did not put WHO systems at risk because the data was not recent. However, the attack did impact an older extranet system, used by current and retired staff as well as partners,” it said.

The organization said that it is now migrating affected systems to a more secure authentication system.

What’s more, WHO said that scammers impersonating in its emails have also increasingly targeted the general public in order to channel donations to a fictitious fund and not the authentic COVID-19 Solidary Response Fund.

WHO asks the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent emails and recommends the use of reliable sources to obtain factual information about COVID-19 and other health issues.