China bird flu death toll rises to 161 in worst outbreak since 2009

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China reported 61 fatalities and 160 cases of human infection from H7N9 bird flu in February, the government said on Monday.

The figure is much higher than in previous years and brings the death toll in this winter’s outbreaks to 161 since October.

While the total for last month was lower than January’s 79, it was the highest number for the month of February since the deadly strain was first identified in 2013, according to data from the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

The death toll from bird flu infections tends to drop towards the end of the winter.

The data highlights the scale of the spread of the virus among humans, even after Chinese disease control experts have warned the public to stay on alert.

South Korea and Japan are also battling their own major outbreaks and have culled millions of chickens.

The H7N9 strain shows little or no symptoms in poultry, a factor which has limited the number of birds culled in the world’s third-largest producer of broiler chickens and the second-biggest consumer of poultry.

The total of 140 for first two months of 2017 alone already surpasses the annual totals for avian flu in China in recent years.

In 2010, 147 people died of the H1N1 strain of the virus.

The post China bird flu death toll rises to 161 in worst outbreak since 2009 appeared first on Vanguard News.

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Delta declares 3-day mourning for late Samuel Ogbemudia

Roma chief slams Spalletti as Juve rumours swirl

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Luciano Spalletti

Speculation linking Roma coach Luciano Spalletti with a shock move to Serie A giants Juventus intensified Saturday after the Italian was slammed by club president James Pallotta.

Roma’s hopes of ending their 16-year wait for the Italian league title appear slim after champions Juventus opened up an 11-point lead at the top of the table thanks to a controversial 2-1 win over AC Milan on Friday.

Although Roma can reduce arrears to eight points with a win at struggling Palermo on Sunday, it appears Spalletti’s second spell with Roma could be about to end.

With Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri reportedly edging closer to replacing Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, Corriere della Sera said Spalletti has given a “commitment” to the Turin giants to take over from next season.

If confirmed, it could help explain Pallotta’s surprising outburst at Spalletti for “making mistakes” regarding summer recruitment, youth players and his decision to keep Egypt winger Mohamed Salah on the bench for 52 minutes of a damaging 2-1 league defeat at home to Napoli last week.

“We have players who are playing a lot because of injuries, and because of the mistakes that were made last summer concerning who should come to the club and who should leave,” Pallotta told Sirius XM.

“We could have and should have changed strategy concerning youth players. Other teams use their younger players to give the regulars a rest.

“Before our game against Napoli, I didn’t feel comfortable seeing the line-up. We only introduced Salah 35 minutes (sic) from the end of the game, but when he came on we created a lot of chances and hit the woodwork twice.

“Maybe he (Salah) should have been on from the start. I think even Luciano admitted as much after the game.”

Roma’s defeat last week was, for many fans, the final nail in the coffin in terms of challenging for a title they last won in 2001. Since then, Roma have finished runners-up no less than eight times.

But Pallotta’s public criticism of Spalletti could spell the end, especially as reports elsewhere suggested the former Zenith Saint Petersburg coach could secure the most prestigious job in Italian league football.

In a report entitled ‘Sleeping with the enemy’, Corriere della Sera claimed Saturday Juventus have “sounded out” Spalletti and obtained a “kind of commitment” that he will succeed Allegri should the current Bianconeri handler quit the club in June, a year before his contract expires.

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China expects ‘relatively stable’ yuan in 2017

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China currency, Yuan. PHOTO: BANK OF CHINA.

China’s central bank governor said Friday the yuan should be “relatively stable” this year after losing seven percent of its value in 2016 amid accusations by US President Donald Trump of currency manipulation.

People’s Bank of China Governor Zhou Xiaochuan said the world’s number-two economy was expected to stabilise after posting its slowest growth in more than a quarter of a century last year, with benefits for the yuan.

“Under these circumstances, we believe this year that the yuan exchange rate will be relatively stable,” Zhou said in Beijing.

He added however that “no one can predict exactly what uncertainties and events” will impact the yuan.

“Of course, the foreign exchange market is always very sensitive, and will follow the overall global economy, as well as continuing fluctuations in China.”

The country has struggled to prop up the yuan in the face of a huge flight of capital as the prospects of better and safer returns overseas entice investors away from the Chinese market.

Trump, however, has repeatedly accused Beijing of deliberately weakening the yuan to boost exports and has threatened to officially declare it a currency manipulator and slap hefty tariffs on its goods.

Zhou’s remarks came on the sidelines of the annual meeting of China’s Communist-controlled rubber-stamp parliament, where the ruling party approves legislation and sends signals about its plans for the year.

Opening the session on Sunday, Premier Li Keqiang announced a 2017 official economic growth target of “around 6.5 percent, or higher if possible”, citing an even “more complicated and graver situations” this year.

Last year’s growth came in at 6.7 percent, lowest since 1990.

The central bank has quietly tightened monetary policy, raising short-term borrowing rates for the first time since 2013 after an explosion of lending last year to support growth led to concerns of mounting financial risks.

Zhou said monetary policy would remain neutral, adding that there was a danger that too much loosening could fuel asset bubbles.

The financial-asset management market is “somewhat chaotic” and supervision of risks must be strengthened, Zhou added.

Financing must “serve the real economy,” instead of “going here and there without ever reaching the real economy.”

Asked about the dramatic drop last year in China’s massive stockpile of forex reserves, which shrank from a peak of roughly $4 trillion to under $3 trillion last year, he said the country “does not need so much”.

But he said last year’s flood of Chinese investment overseas — which included purchases of Hollywood studios and European football teams — involved some investments that had “no benefit” and should be managed.

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Murray tightens grip on world no.1 ranking

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World number one Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy after winning his ATP final tennis match against Spain's Fernando Verdasco, during the Dubai Duty Free Championships on March 4, 2017. Murray clinched his first title of 2017 and 45th of his career as he dominated Spain's Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-2 to win the Dubai Tennis Championships, claiming the trophy in the emirate for the first time after losing the final five years ago to Roger Federer. / AFP PHOTO / KARIM SAHIB

Andy Murray tightened his grip on top spot in the latest ATP world rankings released Monday following his Dubai Tennis Championships win.

Murray, 29, beat Fernando Verdasco in straight sets in the final while his rivals both suffered setbacks. Number two Novak Djokovic slipped up on the hard courts of Acapulco, where he was beaten in the quarter-finals by Nick Kyrgios, while Stan Wawrinka, in third place, fell at the first hurdle in Dubai against lowly Bosnian Damir Dzumhur.

Latest rankings:

1. Andy Murray (GBR) 12,040 pts

2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 9,825

3. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 5,195

4. Milos Raonic (CAN) 5,080

5. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,730

6. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 4,415

7. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,590

8. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 3,480

9. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,375

10. Roger Federer (SUI) 3,305

11. Gael Monfils (FRA) 3,280

12. David Goffin (BEL) 3,245

13. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 2,925

14. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 2,835

15. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 2,421

16. Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 2,255

17. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,190

18. Jack Sock (USA) 2,060

19. Richard Gasquet (FRA) 1,920

20. Alexander Zverev (GER) 1,895

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My marriage was a sham, says Tonto Dikeh

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Tonto Dikeh (left) with her estranged husband Churchill.

Embattled Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh on Friday said her marriage to Olakunle Churchill was a sham.

She made the revelation on her Instagram @tontolet while responding to advice from her fans persuading her to have a rethink over her marriage.

The Nollywood actress added she had been using her social media platform to lie and paint Churchill the good man he is today, as her union with him ‘was all a sham’.

According to her, all the cars and jewelleries she flashes on social media were not bought for her by him. She wrote: “I posted stuffs my ex-husband bought for me doesn’t make it true. I used my platform to lie, to make him the man he is today.

The mother of one alleged that she treated so many sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) while being married to Churchill.

“Nobody knows how many STDs I have treated or pain I know in marriage. If laughter is all they have then the karma that bites me awaits them all.

“Thank for your love. Yes no marriage is perfect but mine was based on gross lies deceit, scam and many more darkness.

“I loved the man no one begged me to, I take all the blame. So don’t come at me with the bullshit of enjoying this man’s money.

“ I have not started talking, I will bare it all but there is time for everything. I care now for the STD’s because I am no longer naive. I am a mother who wants to live long for my child.

“I am not a saint and cheating is not the only reason I took the forever walk, “she added.

The controversial actress got married in 2015 to Oladunni Churchill,a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, and they have a son from the union.

However, the separation crisis started when it was reported that a certain woman had stepped into the picture, with Tonto Dike removing her husband’s surname from her Instagram account.

The duo have been in a war of words on the social media, with Churchill demanding for exclusive access to his son.

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FG to install 110 rice milling machines to boost its production (Read full details)

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rice

The Federal Government has acquired 110 rice milling machines to be installed in different parts of the country, between now and July, to boost rice production across the country.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, confirmed this development on his Facebook page on Monday, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the presidential aide was quoted at the weekend as saying that Nigeria was the second largest producer of rice in the world.

Shehu, quoting an investigative media reports, revealed that 48,000 new millionaires had emerged in Kebbi State alone last year, for growing rice

According to him, Nigeria has just achieved the record of the second largest producer of rice in the world, following a “rice revolution started just a year ago”.

“A newspaper did an investigation in Kebbi and found out that there were 48,000 new millionaires in Kebbi State alone last year for growing rice.

“This over reliance on oil has killed this country and we cannot continue like this. So, the diversification of the economy means more money will be in the hands of ordinary Nigerians.

And there will be widespread prosperity all over the country.”

The presidential aide maintained that Nigerians should be proud of the ongoing agricultural revolution in the country.

Shehu, however, stated that officials of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture would soon come up with the latest development on rice production in the country.

The statement on the facebook page read: “We are not the first to say that Nigeria has grown to the second position in rice production worldwide.

“The CNN, which is not a frivolous news source, said this. We have reason to believe them because of their global reach.

“While we wait the numbers from the Food and Agricultural Organisation, FAO, we are collating our own figures and in the coming weeks, the officials in the Ministry of Agriculture will be coming up with our own position on rice production.

“Don’t forget that since October last year, Nigeria has been feeding many parts of West, North and Central Africa.

“Many of these countries have been shopping in Nigeria for rice, sorghum, sesame and millet.

“To support the growing rice industry, the Federal Government just acquired 110 rice milling machines which will be installed in different parts of the country between now and July.

“A lot is happening in Nigeria for which we should be proud.’’

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Medview Airline to be listed on NSE on Jan. 31 (Read full details)

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Med-View Airline

Medview Airline, one of Nigeria’s fastest growing flag carriers, will be listed by introduction on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Jan. 31, a senior official said on Sunday in Lagos.

Medview’s Executive Director, Business Development, Mr Isiaq Na-Allah,said the listing would enable the airline to expand its route network and acquire more aircraft to boost its operations.

According to him, Medview is the first airline to list its shares on the local bourse in the last decade.

Harping on the advantages, Na-Allah said the growth projection and market forecast informed the airline’s decision to be listed on the NSE to give members of the public the opportunity to be part of the airline through share holding.

He named Kedari Capital Ltd and Trustyields Securities Ltd as the financial advisers/issuing house and stockbrokers to Medview Airline in respect of the listing.

“Medview Airline (christened “The Airline of Nigeria”), started from a humble beginning 12 years ago as a cargo, tour and charter operator.

“Not contented with tickets and destination sales, the airline ventured into Hajj operations.

“The airline’s forays into pilgrims airlift has revolutionised pilgrims handling and airlift in Nigeria and in the West African sub-region.

“Today Medview is the benchmark and the airline of choice when it comes to Hajj operations in Nigeria.

“It is ranked number one by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria for hitch-free Hajj operations,” Na-Allah said in a statement, copy of which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Buoyed by the success of Medview Travel and Tours, Hajj operations, charter flights, he said the airline upped the ante and went into scheduled operations in 2012, starting with domestic routes.

According to him, just within four years, the airline has become a household name in the aviation industry.

“Within this short period, the airline has eight destinations – Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Yola, Enugu,Owerri and Maiduguri on its domestic network, and had flown over two million passengers.

“To its credit, Medview Airline has recorded a steady growth of 20 per cent in turnover. This gave it the confidence to go international, and now operates flights to London, Jeddah, Accra, Monrovia and Freetown.

“The airline has secured all necessary approvals to link all the countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the next few months,” Na-Allah said.

He said also on the front burner was expansion on the international routes to United States via Baltimore, United Arab Emirates via Dubai with connections to Europe and the Far East through a code share airline partner.

Na-Allah said in recognition that aviation was global, the airline was in partnership with notable brands including Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, Hahn Air, Air Atlanta, Saudia Cargo, Ethiopian Airlines, Euro Atlantics and Amadeus.

He said: “the airline holds the necessary certification as a full-fledged carrier including Air Transport Licence (ATL), Air Operators Certificate (AOC), Air Carrier Permit (ACP) and the International Organisation Safety Assessment (IOSA) issued by the International Airlines Transport Association (IATA).”

According to him, the airline currently boasts of over two million passengers on its domestic routes and over 200,000 passengers on its international routes.

He said Medview Airline had conveyed 300,000 pilgrims to perform Hajj since 2007, while it had also carried 46 million tonnes of cargo annually since 2009.

Medview Airline to be listed on NSE on Jan. 31

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Brazilian army moves to stem prison violence (Read full details)

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Police fire tear gas grenades at the inmates gathering on the roofs of the Alcacuz Penitentiary, near Natal, on January 19, 2017. Stick-wielding inmates hurled stones and lit fires Thursday in the jail where dozens were previously massacred, as authorities struggled to contain a spreading wave of gang violence. The governor of the surrounding Rio Grande do Norte state, Robinson Faria, called for the armed forces to deploy in the streets of Natal after rioting spread beyond the prison.<br />ANDRESSA ANHOLETE / AFP

Brazilian authorities have launched a major operation to stem the prison violence that has hit the country, seizing weapons and drugs at a facility where nearly three dozen inmates died in a riot this month.

The defense ministry said 335 soldiers were involved in the search of Monte Cristo Farm Penitentiary in northern Roraima state that began Friday morning.

It said 136 bladed weapons and a combined 1.2 kilograms (2.6 pounds) of cocaine and marijuana were confiscated.

“Weapons, ammunition and knives in prisons are factors that do nothing but increase tragedy, adding unacceptable savagery,” Defense Minister Raul Jungmann told journalists.

The list of items seized also included 29 televisions, 43 antennas, 11 DVD players, 54 refrigerators and 16 mini-ovens, which the inmates had managed to bring into the prison.

The search was the first stage of a major government operation aimed at quelling the country’s rash of prison violence — which has left 140 dead already this year.

In the coming weeks authorities will likely carry out similar raids in other facilities.

Jungmann stressed that officials had “no contact” with Roraima detainees.

Deadly prison riots between criminal groups have unleashed an unprecedented wave of unrest in Brazil’s overcrowded and dilapidated prisons.

Violence has been particularly pronounced in the northern region bordering Peru and Colombia, where much of the cocaine supply flows from.

Brazilian army moves to stem prison violence

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Brazilian army moves to stem prison violence

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Police fire tear gas grenades at the inmates gathering on the roofs of the Alcacuz Penitentiary, near Natal, on January 19, 2017. Stick-wielding inmates hurled stones and lit fires Thursday in the jail where dozens were previously massacred, as authorities struggled to contain a spreading wave of gang violence. The governor of the surrounding Rio Grande do Norte state, Robinson Faria, called for the armed forces to deploy in the streets of Natal after rioting spread beyond the prison.<br />ANDRESSA ANHOLETE / AFP

Brazilian authorities have launched a major operation to stem the prison violence that has hit the country, seizing weapons and drugs at a facility where nearly three dozen inmates died in a riot this month.

The defense ministry said 335 soldiers were involved in the search of Monte Cristo Farm Penitentiary in northern Roraima state that began Friday morning.

It said 136 bladed weapons and a combined 1.2 kilograms (2.6 pounds) of cocaine and marijuana were confiscated.

“Weapons, ammunition and knives in prisons are factors that do nothing but increase tragedy, adding unacceptable savagery,” Defense Minister Raul Jungmann told journalists.

The list of items seized also included 29 televisions, 43 antennas, 11 DVD players, 54 refrigerators and 16 mini-ovens, which the inmates had managed to bring into the prison.

The search was the first stage of a major government operation aimed at quelling the country’s rash of prison violence — which has left 140 dead already this year.

In the coming weeks authorities will likely carry out similar raids in other facilities.

Jungmann stressed that officials had “no contact” with Roraima detainees.

Deadly prison riots between criminal groups have unleashed an unprecedented wave of unrest in Brazil’s overcrowded and dilapidated prisons.

Violence has been particularly pronounced in the northern region bordering Peru and Colombia, where much of the cocaine supply flows from.

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