Sudan militia leader arrested by ICC for Darfur war crimes

Ali Kushayb, who led state-backed militias in Darfur, has been charged with 50 war crimes and crimes against humanity.
His arrest was dubbed “a great success for the ICC and its efforts to get justice for the victims.”
The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Tuesday that Sudanese militia leader Ali Kushayb had surrendered to authorities in the Central African Republic and was now in its custody.
“Mr. Kushayb is suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Darfur,” said an ICC statement.
“The initial appearance of Mr. Kushayb before the ICC … will take place in due course.”

Kushayb, who led notorious state-backed militias in a brutal campaign through Darfur, has been charged with at least 50 crimes against humanity and war crimes.

He is “alleged to have personally participated in some of the attacks against civilians,” according to the ICC.

The Netherlands’ representative to the ICC described the arrest as “a great success for the ICC and its efforts to get justice for the victims of the crimes committed in Darfur.”

Coronavirus' named children's word of the year followed by Hitler and Christian Ronaldo

Lexicographers have named 'coronavirus' the Children's Word Of The Year after analysing more than 130,000 stories submitted to a BBC writing contest.

Oxford University Press found 459 references to the virus in the Radio 2 Breakfast Show's 500 Words competition.

It stopped taking submissions on 27 February, almost a month before lockdown. Helen Freeman at Oxford University Press said she was surprised by the number of coronavirus mentions.

NHS, virus, antibodies, epidemic, Wuhan, and lockdown were other words mentioned more than usual.

Donald Trump was the person referred to most in the 134,709 stories, followed by Hitler and Cristiano Ronaldo.

South African Air Force headquarters temporarily close after two test positive for Covid-19

South Africa's Air Force headquarters in Pretoria has been temporarily closed after two people working there tested positive for coronavirus.

The building was evacuated on Tuesday as a precautionary measure and will be closed for two days for "deep cleaning", the military said in a statement. The two people have since been quarantined.

The military advised all employees who had contacted the infected people over the last 14 days to get tested.

South Africa has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the continent.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday urged South Africans not to be scared by rising infection rates, after the country recorded more than half of its total number of cases in the last two weeks.

Heavily-pregnant woman who went missing found hanged in field with stab wound

Tshegofatso Pule, 28, went missing on Thursday and was reportedly last seen at her boyfriend's house in Johannesburg, South Africa, but she was found dead four days later.
A heavily-pregnant woman who went missing has been found hanged with a stab wound in her chest.

Tshegofatso Pule, 28, who was eight months pregnant, went missing on Thursday, and was reportedly last seen at her boyfriend's house on the outskirts of Johannesburg.
But her family say she never came home, and according to the Gauteng department of social development, her body has since been found hanged in a field.
Police spokesperson Kay Makhubela said the victim was found by a passerby at around 11am on Monday.
Makhubela added that the mum-to-be had a stab wound to her chest.
The police said: “The deceased is also confirmed to be pregnant. Suspects are unknown at the moment, but the investigations are underway.”
According to The Sowetan, a relative of Ms Pule said she was last seen entering an Uber cab that was called for her by her boyfriend on Thursday night.
He said Ms Pule called them that night, saying that she got into a fight with her boyfriend and was coming back home.
Two days later, her family started an appeal to find her and put out missing person's posters with Ms Pule's pictures on them.
Tributes have been paid to Ms Pule.
Dennyboy Madiro, broke the news to friends on Facebook, stating: "8 months pregnant Tshegofatso Pule was found stabbed and hanging from a tree this morning."
‘Mpho mogotsi’ wrote: “You don't deserve to die like this. Worse whoever murdered you killed 2souls. Rest well Tshegofatso Pule.”
A neighbour, Karabo Makiri, said they were shocked by news.
"She was such a lovely girl who always had a smile on her face. She was friendly but kept to herself," Makiri said.

Ms Pule's death has sparked outrage on social media, with the hashtag #JusticeForTshegoPule surfacing on Twitter.
According to  Savanna News, “Tshego Pule represents all South African women and men who are at risk of being murdered. The major question is whose name will trend with a hashtag next.”
One tweet read: "we have advocated for this for so long with little change, i know some of my fellow women feel defeated right now.

HRDC postpones Btz demos

HRDC Southern Region chairperson Masauko Thawe has postponed to a later date demonstrations in Blantyre. 

 He said they decided not to go on with the demonstrations after noting that Parliament was making some progress on some of the issues they wanted to be resolved.

Protesters had already gathered at Kamuzu Upper Stadium in Blantyre and were mobilising themselves for the demonstrations when Thawe announced the postponement.

Kaliati hails parliament for setting poll date

 

 

United Transformation Movement (UTM) Secretary General Patricia Kaliati has hailed the National Assembly for setting date for the forthcoming fresh Presidential polls.

 

On Tuesday, the National Assembly set June 23, 2020 as a day for fresh Presidential polls amid protest from MPs from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the United Democratic Front (UDF). 

 

Writing on her official facebook page, Kaliati hailed the MPs for the move.

“Date set. 23rd June it is. If God is for us, who can be against us? Congratulations to all our representatives in Parliament,” wrote Kaliati

JB says 'no Covid-19 in Malawi' as cases have rose to 455

The former State president Joyce Banda, who is also People’s Party (PP) president, has said there is no Covid-19, the strands of coronavirus pandemic in Malawi. 

Banda said this while addressing aTonse Alliance campaign rally in Nkhata-Bay together with opposition torchbearer for fresh presidential lections, Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) 

The former president said Malawi has no coronavirus but its just politcs.

She has since urged the govenment to to use the covid-19 fund for development projects.

Currently Malawi has registered 455 cases

Govt supports bereaved families of Ntcheu road accident

Government through the Ministry of Disaster Management Affairs and Public Affairs on Tuesday (9th June, 2020) provided support towards funeral arrangements to six families whose relations died in a road accident in Ntcheu District.
Six people died and four sustained various degree of injuries on Tuesday when a freight-liner truck which was being driven from Dedza direction heading to Ntcheu, hit a water bowser truck from behind and swerved to the extreme left corner, hitting people who were plying their businesses near Engen Filling Station.
Speaking at Ntcheu District Hospital when he visited the injured and consoled the bereaved families, Minister of Disaster Management Affairs and Public Events Everton Herbert Chimulirenji said President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika was deeply saddened by the loss of lives.
“The President extends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes a quick recovery for the injured,” said Chimulirenji.
Meanwhile, Government, through the Ministry of Disaster Management Affairs and Public Events, has provided financial support towards funeral arrangements.Government has also provided financial support to the injured to carter for their medical expenses.

Sancho confirms that he wants to return to England

Jadon Sancho has made it clear that he wants to return to England this summer, despite the difficulties of doing a deal in the current financial climate. Man Utd have made him their No.1 target... now they have to try and fund the deal.

TUM wants risk allowances before the schools are opened

 

 

Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) has appealed to government to consider paying them risk allowances as schools are expected to re-open next month.

The government through the National Planning Taskforce recommended that all learning institutions re-open on 13 July, 2020.

Concerns have however been raised on the safety of students considering that the country is registering new cases of Covid-19 on a daily basis.

Speaking to Capital FM, TUM Secretary General Charles Kumchenga indicates that there is need for the government to allocate risk allowances for teachers just like other workers.

Magufuli Tells Mask Donors To Use Them On Their Wives And Kids

President of Tanzania, John Magufuli has declared his country Covid-19 free and has told donors to go hang in no uncertain terms.
Magufuli said this feat was achieved through earnest prayers and fasting by citizens.
Said Magufuli, speaking with worshipers at a church in Dodoma.
“The corona disease has been eliminated thanks to God,”
Tanzania’s Covid-19 strategy has been questioned by the World Health Organisation  (WHO), with Magufuli once declaring that no prayerful person would be touched by the virus.
He implored citizens to pray away the virus and has stopped the government from releasing Covid-19 cases in the country.
The last official report by the government was released on the 29th of April and at the time there were 509 cases.
The Tanzanian government also rubbished reports by the US embassy, that the country’s hospitals in Dar es Salaam were overwhelmed with patients.
Magufuli said the Covid-19 cases were grossly exaggerated and even encouraged people to attend church services and mosques.
He said prayers would vanquish the disease.

Said Magufuli on the current situation.

“I want to thank Tanzanians of all faiths. We have been praying and fasting for God to save us from the pandemic that has afflicted our country and the world. But God has answered us.

“I believe, and I’m certain that many Tanzanians believe, that the corona disease has been eliminated by God,”

The worshippers seemed to have swallowed Magufuli’s words and celebrated.

He even went on to commend the priest and worshippers for not wearing protective masks and gloves.
He said the health minister had told him that they only have 4 Covid-19 patients in Dar es Salaam.
President Magufuli warned Tanzanians to be careful about donations, saying some of the protective equipment given by donors is spreading the coronavirus instead.
“I want to urge you Tanzanians not to accept donations of masks, instead tell the donors to go and use them with their wives and children,”

Burundi gvt says president Nkurunziza has died of heart attack

Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza has died of heart attack, the government has confirmed. He died at the age of 55. A statement confirming his demise says he succumbed on June 8.
He was seeing out his 15-year-rule ahead of handing over to president-elect Evariste Ndayishimiye. The former general was declared winner of May 22 elections which the opposition unsuccessfully challenged.
The first lady was recently flown to the Kenyan capital Nairobi for medical reasons with some media alleging that she had contracted COVID-19.
Nkurunziza himself had become subject of virus speculation. A media outlet that focuses on the country reported that he had been hospitalized for the virus.

Parliament finally sets June 23 as the date for the fresh elections

 

Parliament has finally set June 23 as the date for the fresh elections, amid protests from the government side.
The motion for setting the Presidential Elections date was moved by Mzimba North MP Yeremia Chihana and seconded by Lilongwe Mpenu MP, Eisenhower Mkaka.
Meanwhile, DPP MPs have chased First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Madalitso Kazombo out of the House. This comes after Parliament adopted Msukwa's motion to gazette the date for the fresh election.  

Lallana agrees to short-term extension to Liverpool contract

Adam Lallana has agreed a short-term extension to his Liverpool contract that will enable him to complete the remainder of the 2019-20 season with the club.

The midfielder will remain with the Reds until the end of July to see out the current campaign as a member of Jürgen Klopp’s squad.
Lallana will then bring his six-year spell at Anfield to a close at the conclusion of the season upon the expiry of his contract.
Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “I know how highly sought after Adam is in this moment by other clubs who want him for next season, so for him this is a commitment to us and we are very appreciative to him for it.
“This is absolutely how it should be, too, because I am so pleased he will be with us to finish the job this season and have the farewell he deserves so much.
“It is not possible for me to find words in the English language to properly explain the importance of Adam Lallana during my period of being manager of this club.
“But, to be honest, now is not the time for these words. Because of this news – that he stays until we finish this campaign – I can say all the things I want and need to when our season is concluding next month.
“What I can say – and want to say – now is even the way he has handled this extension tells you all you need to know about the person and his character. A top-class professional and an even better person.
“Adam always puts the club first – always! In the conversations we have had, he has been the first to express that my priority as a manager needs to be the players who are at this club for longer than just the rest of this season.
“He wants to be here to finish the job and do it properly, but it says everything about him that his biggest concern was blocking the progress and opportunity of a player who is under contract for next season also.
“But his role is too important to lose him before this season is done. So, it’s fantastic we can delay our messages of gratitude and good luck until the end of July now.”
Lallana moved to Liverpool from Southampton in June 2014 and has since made 178 appearances, scoring 22 goals.
The playmaker has collected winners’ medals for the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup during his time with the Reds.

LAUNCH OF COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION OF NYASA BIG BULLETS AND BE-FORWARD WANDERERS STADIA

PRESS RELEASE

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is pleased to announce the launch of commencement of construction of Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers stadia on Thursday 11th June, 2020 from 1PM. The two stadia are expected to be constructed at Zingwangwa ground and Soche in Blantyre respectively.

This grand launch shall be presided over by the State President, His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika. After unveiling of the plaques at the two construction sites, the State President will proceed to Bangwe Desert Ground where he will launch the commencement of the construction works expected to be completed within 104 weeks.

Government realizes that sports, in particular football, offers good entertainment to the general public, unifies people, promotes good health and is capable of generating revenue for individual players, government as well as other stakeholders.

The Ministry therefore, wishes to extend its invitation to the general public to be part of this memorable event.

SECRETARY FOR YOUTH SPORTS AND CULTURE

MINISTRY OF YOUTH SPORTS AND CULTUR

Man Utd make decision on Dean Henderson's future amid transfer speculation

Henderson is being tracked by a number of top clubs as a result of his impressive loan spell at Sheffield Utd, but his path to the first-team at Old Trafford is blocked by David de Gea.
Man Utd are looking to put any transfer speculation surrounding Dean Henderson to bed, by offering the goalkeeper another new contract.

The 23-year-old has been on the books at Old Trafford as a professional now since 2015 but is yet to make his first-team debut for The Red Devils.
He only signed a new deal last summer before being loaned out to Sheffield Utd for the season, where he has caught the eye of a number of top sides with his impressive performances.
With his path to the first-team blocked by David de Gea at Old Trafford, there were rumours Henderson could complete a permanent switch to Bramall Lane in the summer.
But reports from ESPN state that Henderson will be offered fresh terms to show how highly they value the stopper.

Mozambique sex workers say they are struggling to survive

In Mozambique, prostitutes continue to work in the midst of a health crisis.
This is Tete, where the red light areas are as busy despite the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Even during the state of emergency, at dusk, the sex workers come out parading as they search for clients
It is risky but they say they are aware of the disease and are taking preventive measures
“We wash our hands with soap and water and we always wear a mask. We also have soap and water for our guests, when they enter the room they have to wash their hands. At the time of the relationship, we each wear a mask. “.
While the Province has already confirmed cases of the new Coronavirus, two of them are sex workers – a Mozambican and a foreigner
“Right now our business is not good because of the Coronavirus, all the stands are closed, so these men don’t come here.
This is our concern, we support it and that is why we are asking the government to intervene in order to find a “solution to this problem”.
The mayor of Tete, César de Carvalho, is aware of the problem combined with illegal activity and so many foreign prostitutes. He is calling for multidimensional action to put an end to it.
“We’re going to have to get started all together, the immigration services, the police, and the municipality to control foreign women but it is not easy, it is not something that begins today and will end tomorrow. This is a problem that will take time but that can be resolved. “
Besides the city of Tete, where the activity also takes place in broad daylight, the same business buzzes in the city of Moatize which is 21 kilometers from the provincial capital. In vulnerable situations, these women have no other choice but to continue risking their lives to earn their daily bread.

Coronavirus in Africa: 196,368 cases; 5,364 deaths; 86,111 recoveries

There are now more than over 190,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the continent, with a number of African countries imposing a range of prevention and containment measures against the spread of the pandemic.
According to the latest data by the John Hopkins University and Africa Center for Disease Control on COVID-19 in Africa, the breakdown remains fluid as countries confirm cases as and when. As of May 13, every African country had recorded an infection, the last being Lesotho.
We shall keep updating this list largely sourced from the John Hopkins University tallies, Africa CDC and from official government data.
SUGGESTED READING: Africa’s COVID-19 deaths pass 100,000 mark

Major African stats: June 9 at 7:00 GMT:

• Confirmed cases = 196,368
• Number of deaths = 5,364
• Recoveries = 86,111
• Active cases = 104,893

Countries in alphabetical order

• Algeria – 10,255
• Angola – 92
• Benin – 288
• Botswana – 42
• Burkina Faso – 890
• Burundi – 83
• Cameroon – 8,060
• Cape Verde – 567
• Central African Republic – 1,850
• Chad – 839
• Comoros – 141
• Congo-Brazzaville – 683
• DR Congo – 4,106
• Djibouti – 4,278
• Egypt – 35,444
• Equatorial Guinea – 1,306
• Eritrea – 40
• Eswatini – 340
• Ethiopia – 2,156
• Gabon – 3,101
• (The) Gambia – 28
• Ghana – 9,910
• Guinea – 4,216
• Guinea-Bissau – 1,389
• Ivory Coast – 3,881
• Kenya – 2,872
• Lesotho – 4
• Liberia – 370
• Libya – 332
• Madagascar – 1,094
• Malawi – 443
• Mali – 1,547
• Mauritania – 1,104
• Mauritius – 337
• Morocco – 8,302
• Mozambique – 433
• Namibia – 31
• Niger – 973
• Nigeria- 12,801
• Rwanda – 451
• Sao Tome and Principe – 513
• Senegal – 4,427
• Seychelles – 11
• Sierra Leone – 1,001
• Somalia – 2,368
• South Africa – 50,879
• South Sudan – 1,604
• Sudan – 6,242
• Tanzania – 509
• Togo – 497
• Tunisia – 1,087
• Uganda – 646
• Zambia – 1,200
• Zimbabwe – 287

Job seekers injured at Katoto

Several job seekers have been injured at Katoto Secondary School in Mzuzu as they pushed their way into the premises for interviews.

The Ministry of Health is currently recruiting healthcare workers at Mzuzu Central Hospital.

Applicants are expected to undergo interviews for the posts of health surveillance assistant at Katoto Secondary School.

Albert Ngolombe, one of the applicants for the position, says authorities delayed opening the gate, prompting the job seekers to start pushing their way into the premises. He says others jumped over the fence and got injured in the process.

One of the applicants is feared dead, but Mzuzu Central Hospital spokesperson Arnold Kayira says he does not have any information on hand; hence, cannot confirm or deny the death.

He, however, confirmed that several applicants have been rushed to the hospital, with some requiring x-rays and operations

Ntcheu accident claims 5 lives

Five people have died while others have sustained various degrees of injuries after two vehicles collided this morning in Ntcheu district.

A survivor to the accident Amos Selemani has told Zodiak Online that a truck with alleged break failure hit an on coming vehicle before it rammed into pedestrians on one side of the road.