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Corona virus pandemic
German Health Minister predicts COVID-19 vaccine available in coming months.
German Health Minister Jens Spahn says he expects that there will be a COVID-19 vaccine in the coming months.
According to Aljazeera News, UN chief Antonio Guterres warns the coronavirus pandemic not only threatens gains in fighting poverty and building peace, but also risks exacerbating old conflicts and generating new ones.
Aljazeera also said, President Vladimir Putin says Russia has developed the first vaccine offering “sustainable immunity” against the coronavirus, but the WHO says it does not have enough information to evaluate it.
Worldwide coronavirus cases have surpassed 20.4 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. More than 12.7 million have recovered, and more than 745,000 have died.
Spanish region bans smoking amidst the pandemic
The Spanish region of Galicia has with immediate effect banned smoking in public places over concerns it escalate the risk of Covid-19 contraction.
Galicia’s smoking ban was announced in a press conference on Wednesday after experts recommended the measure to the regional government.
The move is supported by health ministry research, published last month, that outlined the link between smoking and the increased spread of coronavirus.
It said the risk was heightened due to smokers not wearing masks. It also said people project droplets when they exhale smoke, and risk infection by touching the cigarette before bringing it to their mouth.
Region of Galicia has issued a blanket ban on smoking in the street and in public places, such as restaurants and bars, if social distancing is not possible.
The north-western region is the first to introduce such a measure, although others are considering following suit.
It comes as Spain faces the worst infection rate in western Europe.
Daily cases have risen from fewer than 150 in June to more than 1,500 throughout August. It recorded 1,690 new cases in the latest daily count on Wednesday, bringing the country’s total to almost 330,000.
Source___BBC
Citizens’ Alliance to distribute over 10,000 facemasks
As part of efforts to tackle the novem coronavirus, Citizens’ Alliance (CA) has Inaugurated what it calls ‘Mask Alliance’ to distribute over 10,000 face masks nationwide to contain the escalation of Covid-19.
“This initiative is part of CA’s resolve to help the government in curbing the spread of this virus that has affected our daily lives,” the party said in a statement.
The Gambia has a total of 1,346 cases and 32 deaths. CA said the numbers involved are alarming and demands that the country come together regardless of party affiliation.
“Covid-19 is a dramatic global public health challenge many countries including economic, and political crisis and The Gambia is no exception. Togetherness is the key to national development — and we call on all stakeholders and possible donors to join CA on this journey and contribute to this humanitarian cause,” the party added.
The party said it is gravely concerned that the country’s entire healthcare system will be overrun with very little resistance.
“With this very scary but real possibility in mind, we believe that it is time for us to come together, bring our resources – human, technical and material – together, to support our government’s efforts to deal with this virus. Infection rates are rising drastically, causing the elderly and the most vulnerable to succumb to this virus. Our morgues or ‘dead houses’ are filled with reports of chaotic scenes
“Families cannot bury their loved ones in the ways of their traditions due to the elevated level of threat this virus poses. The Gambian citizenry has been left with panic and uncertainty as reports of unpaid frontline workers and a large scale of infected medical personnel have flooded the airwaves. There have also been reports of poorly managed treatment centers due to an understaffed medical response team,” CA added.
This, the party added, is why they recognize that “now is not the time for blame games but time for concrete solutions that will preserve lives and safe life.”
Source___Standard Newspaper
Highest spike in Covid-19 deaths in The Gambia
The Gambia recorded the highest single-day spike in Covid-19 deaths with the Health Ministry reporting 9 new deaths on Monday bringing the toll of infection to 32 since the outbreak in March.
According to the Health Ministry while 7 out of the new deaths tested positive, 2 were in determinant.
According to the report, there have been over 100 percent increase in the number of Covid-19 cases confirmed by the country with 111 new cases, taking the toll of confirmed cases to 1,346.
According to Standard Newspaper, twenty-one of the new cases are MRC staff and their close contacts.
The country currently has 335 people in quarantine, 1,087 active cases, 145probable cases and a crude case-fatality ratio of 2.4%
Whereas 13 persons were newly taken into quarantine, 17 new discharges were made with 227 recoveries.
The Ministry also warned that the cost borne by government at designated quarantine facilities is prohibitive and may be unsustainable.
Source___Standard Newspaper
Nigeria running Towards 50,000 COVID-19 Cases With 423 New Infections
According to Channels TV, COVID-19 cases in Nigeria is running faster inching towards the 50,000 mark after the country recorded 423 new cases.
Channels TV said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, which announces national figures, revealed that the new cases were spread across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
They take the country’s total number of cases to 47,290. Out of the number, 33,609 patients have been discharged, while 956 people have lost their lives.
On Tuesday, Lagos, the country’s pandemic epicentre, witnessed 117 new cases followed by the FCT with 40 cases, while Ondo and Rivers states recorded 35 and 28 cases respectively.
Osun State witnessed 24 more cases, Benue – 21, Abia – 19, Ogun – 19, Ebonyi – 18, Delta and Kwara – 17 each, while Kaduna and Anambra recorded 15 and 14 cases respectively.
Other states with new cases are Ekiti – 11, Kano – 9, Imo – 6, Gombe – 4, Oyo – 3, Bauchi – 1, Edo – 1, Nasarawa – 1.
‘I Shall Continue To Offer My Shoulders For You To Climb,’ Atiku Tells Nigerian Youths
Former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar has make known to Nigerian youths of his commitment to supporting them at all times.
Atiku disclosed this on Wednesday in a message to mark the 21st anniversary of the International Youth Day (IYD).
“I shall stay the course and continue to offer my shoulders for you all to climb because as youths, you are Leaders of Today,” he said.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hailed Nigerian youths for their doggedness and drive towards a better nation, saying this year’s theme, “Youth Engagement for Global Action,” captures how important young people are in the scheme of things.
“I salute the Nigerian youth in particular for their commitment and perseverance towards the attainment of a greater Nigeria,” Atiku added.
“This global picture, which has been on my mind, informed my decision of 40% youth inclusion in my 2019 presidential campaign; a promise I am committed to keeping for the futuristic benefit of our great Nation.”
He explained that with the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world, youths have a huge responsibility in fighting the disease as the future of humanity rests on their shoulders.
“Indeed, the survival of humanity rests largely on the shoulders of the youths, as vigour is required to wear out this plague,” the former vice president explained.
“The vigour and spirit that you embody as youth will play a crucial role in the socio-economic survival of the world, and its rejuvenation, post-COVID19.”
Source___Channels TV
Ondo state governor in Nigeria, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has bring into existence the pioneer officers of Ondo State Security network Agency named the ‘Amotekun Corps’.
Akeredolu while inaugurating the corps in Akure, the state capital make known of his excitement with the performance of the pioneer Amotekun Corps officers who just finished their training.
He yen them to put into good use all they were taught during training to ensure the security of life and property in the state.
While soliciting for more funding from the Federal Government to equip the police, governor Akeredolu said that the Amotekun Corps is designed to support the existing security framework in the state.
The Governor stressed that with a workable synergy among the leadership of the security agencies and that of Amotekun, a water-tight strategy capable of arresting crimes even before they occur would be deployed.
Governor Akeredolu also used the occasion to flag off some vehicles, motorcycles, and other communication gadgets to ensure the officers discharge their duties effectively.
Earlier, the Commander of Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Ade Adeleye commended Governor Akeredolu for a dream come true.
He described Amotekun Corps as a child of necessity born out of the need to explore other means of securing communities.
The ceremony was well attended by various stakeholders across the state; from the government to traditional and religious institutions.
Credit___Channels TV
Iraq rejects Turkish military action on its soil after commanders killed in a drone attack in northern Kurdish region.
According to Aljazeera, Iraq has cancelled a ministerial visit and summoned Turkey’s ambassador on Wednesday as it blamed Ankara for a drone attack that killed two high-ranking Iraqi military officers.
Aljazeera further said, Iraqi officials called the attack a “blatant Turkish drone attack” in the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, where Turkey’s military has for weeks raided positions of fighters it considers “terrorists”.
Two border guard battalion commanders and the driver of their vehicle were died from the attack on Tuesday, the army said in a statement, marking the first Iraqi troop deaths since Turkey inaugurated the cross-border operation in mid-June against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) rebels.
Iraq’s foreign ministry – which already summoned the Turkish envoy twice over the military action on its soil – said the ambassador would this time be given “a letter of protest with strong words” rejecting the offensive.
The outrage ministry also confirmed the Turkish defence minister would no longer be welcomed for a planned visit on Thursday.
Source__Aljazeera
Lebanon confirms highest coronavirus cases and deaths
Lebanon confirmed its highest daily toll of deaths and new infections from coronavirus as the country struggle with the aftermath of an enormous port explosion that rocked the capital, Beirut, and overwhelmed hospitals.
Seven people died of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said, and 309 new cases were confirmed.
That brought the toll of infections to 7,121 and deaths to 87 since the start of the country’s outbreak in late February.
BBC said even before the explosion last week there had been a recent increase in infections.
According to BBC, the daily figures are still very low in compay with others countries in the region, they have risen in recent days, straining health facilities already overwhelmed with the influx of the injured from the August 4 explosion.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the chaos caused by the blast that killed more than 200 people, injured some 6,000, and left 300,000 without habitable housing risked accelerating the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. Hospitals, many of which were damaged and their staff injured, were flooded with wounded.
Source___Aljazeera
Three killed in Bangalore fight over Prophet Muhammad post
Three people have been killed in the Indian city of Bangalore after police shot on crowds protesting against an allegedly blasphemous Facebook post.
Dozens gathered outside the house of a local politician whose relative was alleged of making an “offensive” post about the Prophet Muhammad.
BBC said they set fire to vehicles and attacked policemen who arrived on the scene with stones, police told BBC Hindi.
Police in the city have taken into custody the man, and also 110 others who were in the crowd.
City commissioner Kamal Pant said that at least 60 policemen including senior officers were injured in the violence on Tuesday night. Curfew was also imposed in two police districts of the city, he said.
Meanwhile city police tweeted that the situation was “under control”, adding that personnel had fired live ammunition to disperse the crowd only after using tear gas and batons first.
The deaths were confirmed by the home minister of Karnataka state of which Bangalore is the capital.
“I appeal to my Muslim brethren not to fight over someone who has violated the law. Whatever be the matter, we are all brothers. Whoever is responsible we shall ensure that proper punishment is given to those responsible. I am with you,” it said.
Source___BBC
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