Extremely Dangerous Tornado Hits Northeastern Mississippi

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May 3, 2021

A large and extremely dangerous tornado touched ground in northeastern Mississippi late Sunday as severe weather rolled through the region.

Residents in at least two towns in the area woke up to damaged buildings and downed power lines after the National Weather Service in Memphis issued a string of tornado warnings.

The Weather Service warned residents to take cover in what it called “a life-threatening situation although there was no immediate information about what damage or injuries the tornado may have caused to the town.

The weather service also urged residents in Tupelo, about 23 miles southwest of Sandy Springs, and the surrounding area in neighboring Lee county to shelter because of a “damaging tornado” moving across the city.

Social media images from Tupelo showed roofs of many homes and buildings blown away, power lines and trees downed, and streets swamped with debris.

In a Facebook post the office warned people not get out and drive as there are reports that power lines are down in the roads. Earlier on Sunday, the office warned that the city was in “the path of a powerful storm,” and storm shelters were being opened.

There was also damage reported in Calhoun City, approximately 40 miles southwest of Tupelo.

A third of the town is without power, according to the county sheriff Greg Pollan who said several people were trapped in their homes, and first responders had to extricate them.

The National Weather Service in Jackson also shared social media reports of tornadoes near Yazoo City and Byram earlier in the day.

Desantis Signs Bill Banning ‘Vaccine Passports,’ lifts Local COVID Rules

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Zoe Maven

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May 3, 2021

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Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis on Monday signed an executive order invalidating all remaining local emergency COVID orders, having declare the state’s COVID-19 emergency over.

DeSantis also signed a bill into law which bars businesses, schools and government entities across Florida from asking anyone to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination.

DeSantis was speaking at St. Petersburg restaurant where he signed the bill with House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson at this side.

The provision regulating so-called “vaccine passports” is included into, SB 2006, a bill intended to update the state’s emergency powers in the face of a future public health emergency.

The new law is effective July 1, but DeSantis said he would sign an executive order invalidating all remaining local emergency COVID orders that are still in place after July 1 and suspend immediately any orders related to COVID-19 now.

Under the new law, businesses, schools and governments may not require proof of vaccinations and if they do they can be fined up to $5,000 per incident.

They may, however, institute screening protocols if it is “consistent with authoritative or controlling government-issued guidance to protect public health.”

Licensed healthcare providers are the only entities exempted from the vaccine documentation provision.

Libya’s Top Diplomat Urges Withdrawal Of Foreign Fighters

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Zoe Maven

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May 3, 2021

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Libya’s top diplomat Najla al-Manqoush has called for the departure of foreign forces and mercenaries from the North African country as it heads toward elections later this year.

Al-Manqoush, foreign minister of Libya’s interim government, urged Turkey to implement U.N. Security Council resolutions demanding the repatriation of over 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya.

Her remarks came during a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu who visited the capital of Tripoli with Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and other top military and intelligence officials.

However, the remarks were seen as a rebuke to Turkey, which has deployed troops and Syrian mercenaries to fight along with Tripoli militias since military commander Khalifa Hifter launched an attack on the capital in 2019.

Cavusoglu responded by saying that Turkish forces were in Libya as part of a training agreement reached with a previous Libya administration.

Turkey has been closely involved in Libya. It backed the U.N.-recognized Government of National Accord based in Tripoli against Hifter’s forces. Turkey sent military supplies and fighters to Libya helping to tilt the balance of power in favor of the GNA.

Turkey also signed an agreement with the Tripoli-based government delineating the maritime boundaries between the two countries in the Mediterranean.

DR Congo Declares End Of New Ebola Outbreak

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Zoe Maven

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May 3, 2021

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The Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday officially declared the end of the twelfth epidemic of the Ebola virus, three months after a resurgence in the east of the country in the North Kivu province.

Health minister Jean-Jacques Mbungani declared the end of the twelfth epidemic of the Ebola virus disease in the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said

The health minister said A total of 12 cases had been recorded, with six deaths and hundreds of people vaccinated since the resurgence of the epidemic on February 7 in North Kivu.

The World Health Organization raised the epidemic to emergency status, fearing it would spread. However, biggest outbreak was between 2013 and 2016, which saw 11,0000 deaths in West Africa.

Despite the announcement, the DRC’s government has urged people to stay vigilant and maintain contact with surveillance teams who will continue to work with local health authorities in North Kivu.

The DRC has also been facing the so-called Covid-19 epidemic since March 2019 with 29,965 cases and 768 deaths. A vaccination campaign is underway, which does not attract many people.

Tanzania’s President Samia To Visit Kenya On Tuesday

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Zoe Maven

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May 3, 2021

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Kenya’s presidency said on Monday that Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is traveling to Nairobi Tuesday for a two-day State visit,.

Her visit comes almost five years after her predecessor, the late John Magufuli, made a similar visit. While in Nairobi, Suluhu will address a joint session of Kenya’s parliament.

The trip is in response to an invitation from President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Relations between the two East African neighbors have been affected by protracted disputes over trade in the past.

Past rows include a ban by Kenya on liquefied petroleum gas from Tanzania, which saw Dar es Salam retaliated by blocking Kenyan milk and its products, and cigarettes.

Suluhu made her first trip as President to Uganda on April 11 to sign major oil deals with President Yoweri Museveni and oil major Total.

Chad’s Ruling Junta Appoints Transitional Government

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Zoe Maven

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May 3, 2021

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The ruling junta in Chad, led by the son of late Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Deby, has appointed a transitional government to address international and domestic concerns.

The Transitional Military Council (TMC), chaired by Mahamat and surrounded by 14 generals, is accused by the opposition and civil society of “institutional coup d’état.

But Saleh Kebzabo, the main opponent of Marshal Déby, recognised the new authorities on Sunday and two members of his party, the National Union for Democracy and Renewal (UNDR), were appointed to the posts of Minister of Livestock and Deputy Secretary General of the government.

Another opponent of Idriss Déby Itno, Mahamat Ahmat Alhabo, of the Party for Liberties and Development (PLD), was appointed Minister of Justice.

However, a list announced Sunday evening on state television by the army spokesman, General Azem Bermandoa Agouna shows most of the regal ministries remain in the hands of the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), which is the party of the late president.

Several former ministers of the last government of Idriss Déby Itno have been reappointed in their previous portfolio or appointed to another ministry.

Spokesman for the last government, Chérif Mahamat Zene is appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position he previously held from 2018 to 2020.

President Mahamat Idriss Déby, has also created a new Ministry of Reconciliation and Dialogue, having recently promised to organise an inclusive dialogue.

The CMT has promised “free and democratic elections” in 18 months but in the meantime, the Transitional Charter provided for the establishment of a transitional government, whose members are appointed and dismissed by the President of the CMT.

Bill Nelson Officially Takes Up NASA Administrator Role

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Angel Gimalo

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May 3, 2021

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Former Florida senator Bill Nelson was sworn in Monday as head of NASA, hailing a “new day” for space exploration as the United States seeks to return to the Moon.

With his hand on a Bible, Nelson took the oath of office from Vice President Kamala Harris as he officially took up the role of NASA Administrator.

“It’s a new day in space,” he said, after bringing a Moon rock to the event.

Nelson, 78, who traveled into space in 1986, takes over the agency with the United States hoping to put astronauts back on the Moon by 2024.

Humans last stepped foot on the Moon in 1972 during the Apollo program.

Under the Artemis program, NASA wants to establish a sustainable presence, complete with a lunar space station, to test new technologies that would pave the way for a crewed mission to Mars.

In 2019, then vice president Mike Pence challenged NASA to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon by 2024, and President Joe Biden’s government has backed the same timetable.

Charlie Bolden, administrator under Barack Obama, attended Monday’s ceremony, while former administrator Jim Bridenstine, who served under Donald Trump, joined by video call.

Nelson said their presence was “to show the continuity and the bipartisanship, with which you run the nation’s space programme particularly NASA.”

Northern Ireland Marks Centenary As Crises Simmer

By

Angel Gimalo

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May 3, 2021

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Northern Ireland marked its centenary on Monday under coronavirus restrictions, simmering post-Brexit unrest and a leadership crisis marring the anniversary in the British-ruled province.

Northern Ireland, home to 1.9 million people was created in 1921 as Ireland freed itself from British rule following a war for independence.

Commemoration events have been cancelled due to Covid-19 curbs and the weeks leading up to the anniversary have witnessed the worst rioting in the region for years.

First Minister Arlene Foster last Wednesday announced her resignation after a reported coup in her Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), where rancour is brewing over the consequences of Brexit.

Throughout its history, Northern Ireland has been bitterly contested between pro-UK unionists and pro-Ireland nationalists, who do not recognise its legitimacy and regard Monday as the anniversary of the unjust “partition” of Ireland.

Indy 500 Legend Bobby Unser Passes On At 87

By

Angel Gimalo

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May 3, 2021

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US motorsport legend Bobby Unser, a three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 who won the race in three different decades, has died aged 87.

A statement from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday said Unser had passed away at his home in New Mexico on Sunday.

The charismatic racing driver won the Indy 500 in 1968, 1975 and 1981, making him one of only two men to win the race in three different decades.

Unser was part of a successful racing family — younger brother Al won the Indy 500 four times, in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. Four other members of the family also raced in the Indy 500.

Team boss Roger Penske paid tribute to Unser — who delivered a controversial victory in the Indy 500 to Team Penske in 1981 — as a “true racer.”

“There simply was no one quite like Bobby Unser,” Penske said. “Bobby was a ferocious competitor on the track, and his larger-than-life personality made him one of the most beloved and unique racers we have ever seen.

“Beyond his many wins and accomplishments, Bobby was a true racer that raised the performance of everyone around him.”

Unser’s 1981 victory in the Indy 500 is regarded as one of the most controversial in the event’s history.

Unser took the checkered flag on the day with Mario Andretti finishing second, only to be stripped of the title after race officials said he had passed cars illegally while exiting the pit area during a caution.

A protracted appeals process finally ended five months later with Unser being reinstated as the race winner.

The win would ultimately prove to be the last of Unser’s IndyCar career, which included 35 wins and two championships.

The Indy 500 was a favourite hunting ground with Unser posting 10 top-10 finishes in the race in 19 starts.

However the 1981 controversy left him disillusioned with racing and prompted his retirement from the sport.

“Yes I am very bitter,” he said at the time. “The damage has already been done… Racing has gotten old, but Indy has gotten me down. And if I were drawing a picture of my future, I’d paint Indy right out.”

5 Million Nigerians To Benefit From Digital Upskilling Programme

By

Angel Gimalo

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May 3, 2021

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The Federal Government is partnering with Microsoft Corporation to accelerate Nigeria’s resolve towards a more digital economy.

This is in line with the Economic Sustainability Plan of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, said a statement by Laolu Akande, the spokesman for the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

In a dual announcement on Monday by both the government and the tech giant, no less than five million Nigerians would benefit from a digital upskilling programme.

Locations in each of the six geopolitical zones would also enjoy active internet connection and cloud services courtesy of the digital transformation plan.

Speaking in a formal video announcement of the partnership with the tech giant, Professor Osinbajo stated that the government was committed to leveraging innovation and technology to bring better outcomes across a wide area of governance concerns.