'Brighter Grammar' author, Phebean Ajibola Ogundipe dies at 92

Phebean Ajibola Ogundipe, the co-author of the popular English Language textbook "Brighter Grammar" has died at the age of 92.  Mrs Phebean Ajibola, popularly known as PA Ogundipe, was a famous author of English Language books and an educationist.
 She co-authored the Brighter Grammar series with M. Macaulay and C.E. Eckersley. She also co-authored the New Practical English for Senior Secondary series with P.S. Tregidgo.
 PA Ogundipe also wrote other books, including Up-country Girl: A personal journey and truthful portrayal of African culture.
 She was born on May 16, 1927, and died early on Friday, March 27, in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America. She was buried on the same Friday she died.

Coronavirus: US death toll exceeds 5,000

The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic in the US has gone above 5,000, while confirmed cases worldwide are close to reaching one million. There were 884 deaths in the US in 24 hours, a new record, according to Johns Hopkins University, which has tracked virus figures globally.
The latest victims include a six-week-old baby. More than 216,000 are now infected, the world's highest figure.
Reserves of protective equipment and medical supplies are almost exhausted.

James Bond guns stolen in London robbery

Five guns which were used in James Bond movies, including the last weapon brandished by actor Roger Moore while playing 007, have been stolen from a house in north London by suspects with Eastern European accents, British police said on Friday (Mar 27). The deactivated weapons, which police said were believed to be worth more than £100,000, were taken in the theft on Monday night from the house in Enfield.

Japan ‘cannot’ impose lockdown even with spike in virus infections – Prime Minister

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday he “cannot” declare a nationwide lockdown even in the face of a spike in the number of confirmed coronavirus infections.
“If I’m asked whether we can impose a lockdown like France, we cannot,” Abe told an upper house committee.
His comment comes one day after the number of confirmed new daily coronavirus infections in Japan jumped to a daily record of 240, including 78 in Tokyo.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the number of confirmed cases stood at 2,971, including 712 on a cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama in February, while 77 people died of the Covid-19 respiratory illness caused by the virus, according to broadcaster NHK.

Princess Maria Teresa of Spain becomes first royal to die from COVID-19

Spanish Princess Maria Teresa of Bourbon-Parma, who is the cousin of Spain’s King Felipe IV, has become the first royal to pass away due to coronavirus complications.   According to People, María Teresa" who was dubbed the 'Red Princess' because of her outspoken views" died in Paris on Thursday, March 26.
 The princess was a professor at Sorbonne University in Paris, and at Complutense University in Madrid. The princess, a loyal advocate of women's rights throughout her life was never married.
 Her brother Prince Sixto Enrique de Borbon, the Duke of Aranjuez, announced on Facebook that she died after contracting COVID-19.

Coronavirus: French doctor jailed for coughing at police

A French doctor who claimed to have coronavirus and coughed at police responding to a domestic violence callout has received an effective two-year jail sentence, officials told AFP on Tuesday.
The 66-year-old doctor from a hospital in the northern city of Lille was taken into custody at his home on Saturday, a police source said.
His wife told officers the doctor was on medical leave on suspicion he may have contracted Covid-19.

Singapore court upholds law that criminalizes sex between men

A pre-colonial law which ciriminalizes sex between men was upheld by a Singaporean high court on Monday March 30.   The law which does not apply to lesbians was challenged by activists emboldened after India’s decision to scrap similar legislation in 2018.
 Two lawyers who represented three men: Johnson Ong Ming, a disc jockey, Roy Tan Seng Kee, a retired general practitioner and Bryan Choong Chee Hoong, the former executive director of LGBT+ non-profit organization Oogachaga, argued that Section 377A, a rarely implemented law under which a man found to have committed an act of "gross indecency" with another man could be imprisoned for up to two years, is unconstitutional.

Coronavirus: Global cases of COVID-19 exceed 700,000

More than 700,000 cases of the novel coronavirus have been officially declared around the world since the start of the pandemic, which broke out from Wuhan in China in December 2019.  There have been at least 715,204 cases including 33,568 fatalities in 183 countries and territories, according to the Johns Hopkins online dashboard.
 In the United States,143,025 cases and 2,514 deaths have been reported while Italy has 97,689 cases and the world's highest death toll of 10,779, according to the AFP tally.

Sierra Leone lifts ban on pregnant girls attending school

A ban on pregnant girls attending school was overturned in Sierra Leone on Monday March 30, following a fight spearheaded by human rights activists for five years.  The ban was introduced in the country in 2015 after a rise in rape, abuse and poverty during the deadly Ebola outbreak fueled a spike in teenage pregnancies.
 While the government insisted that pregnant girls will be stressed out with attending school, exposed to ridicule and indirectly encourage other girls to get pregnant, critics held that the ban increased stigma and set thousands back in their studies.

R Kelly seeks release from jail citing coronavirus risk

R&B singer R. Kelly has cited the novel coronavirus in asking a federal judge to free him from a federal jail in Chicago as he awaits trial on child p.o.r.n.ography and other charges, a court filing by his lawyers saying scant precautions to stem the spread of the virus behind bars put Kelly's life at risk.

Spain records its highest number of deaths and new Coronavirus infections as 849 people die and cases rise 9,222 in one day

Spain has recorded its highest number of deaths and new Coronavirus infections as 849 people die and cases rise 9,222 in one day.  The country registered the new deaths between Monday and Tuesday, taking its total from 7,340 to 8,189. While the number of confirmed cases rose by 9,222, taking the total from 85,195 to 94,417.

Champions League & Europa League suspended 'until further notice'

All Champions League and Europa League matches have been suspended "until further notice" by Uefa because of the global coronavirus pandemic. All national team games in June have also been postponed, including play-off matches for Euro 2020 - already postponed to 2021 - and qualifying matches for the Women's Euro 2021.
The European governing body's 55 member associations met on Wednesday. The Premier League is suspended until at least 30 April.

Niece dies, 16 members of family infected after attending funeral of aunt killed by coronavirus

An 86 year old woman, Sheila Brooks from the UK died last month from coronavirus and now the family has come out to encourage people to take social distancing measures seriously after losing two loved ones to coronavirus and almost 16 relatives have become infected with the virus. Sheila died on February 9 from Covid-19 and her funeral was held on March 13.

Country music legend Joe Diffie, 61, dies of complications from coronavirus

Grammy-winning country music legend, Joe Diffie has died from complications of coronavirus at 61.  A spokesperson revealed that he died on Sunday from complications related to the deadly disease.
 “Grammy-winning country music legend Joe Diffie passed away today, Sunday, March 29, from complications of coronavirus (COVID-19),” the statement read simply. “His family respects their privacy at this time.”

Tokyo Olympics Organizers considering July 2021 for Opening Ceremony

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics which has been postponed by one year due to the coronavirus pandemic could start in July 2021.  Last Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee and Japanese organizers agreed to postpone the Games to 2021 but left the new date in question.
 The 2020 Olympics was initially set to start on Friday, July 24, and end on Sunday, August 9, before it was postponed to 2021.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle respond to President Trump after he said they must pay for their own security in the US

Yesterday, Donald Trump delivered a bombshell by announcing that the United States government will not pay for the security of British Royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid their reported move to the US from Canada.  President Trump was reacting to report that the pair have relocated to Los Angeles after their initial plan to permanently reside in Canada.

Coronavirus lockdown could last for six months or more - Top Medic officer warns

Citizens of Britain have been warned that the coronavirus home lock-down could last for the next six months after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote to every household warning the 'national emergency' is going to get worse, with emphasis placed on social distancing, use of sanitizers and staying at home.
Boris Johnson, who is under isolation after testing positive to the virus, had previously voiced optimism that the UK can end the outbreak within '12 weeks' but medical professionals see that optimism as too far fetched after the official UK coronavirus death toll rose by 209 in the last 48 hours from 1,019 to 1,228.

Do you know.....

More countries move to punish April Fools’ day jokes about coronavirus

Every April 1 is celebrated as April Fools’ Day but this year some countries have warned their citizens against making April Fool’s Day pranks that are related to coronavirus. Countries like Thailand and India threaten jail time for those who go ahead with such an expensive joke amid the coronavirus pandemic.
This move is in a bid to prevent the spread of rumors which could put lives at risk. At a time like this, many people are relying on the internet and media for vital information about coronavirus. There are fears that jokes could fan the spread of misinformation.

Spain turns hotels to hospitals as Coronavirus death toll rises

The Spanish Government is ordering the closure of all hotels across the country by next Thursday so they can be converted into hospitals after the country’s death toll rose by 169 in a day to 1,002. The Ministry of Health in Spain published the regulation on Thursday night in an extraordinary Official State Gazette notice.
The new measure orders ‘the suspension of opening to the public of all hotels and similar lodgings, tourist accommodation and other short-term accommodation… situated on national territory,’ the official notice reads.