Prince Harry and Meghan crash Zoom call of mental health charity to lift their lockdown spirits

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle surprised a group of mental health charity workers by tuning into their staff video meeting.



Ricky Neal, who works for Crisis Text Line in Atlanta, took to social media on Thursday, May 14, to share a photo of a staff Zoom call where the duke and duchess were royal guests.



"It's not everyday that Meghan and Harry jump into your staff meeting & champion the work you do! Blessed to still be working during these crazy times!" tweeted.







Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, were seen dressed in casual clothing as they spoke to the team members from what appears to be Tyler Perry's Beverly Hills home.



Many royal fans thanked Neal for sharing the surprise video call in the comments, but some eagle-eyed users were quick to comment on the artwork in the background.







"Look at the picture art in the background. Yes, they are at Tyler Perry's house. Thanks for sharing!" one person said.



It is unknown what the video call was about however, Harry and Meghan, who are known advocates for mental health issues, have worked with the charity in the past.



The couple helped launch the Crisis Text Line's UK affiliate, Shout, last May in a joint project with Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Don’t allow Governor Tambuwal mislead you on Infectious disease bill - Reps tell Governors

The house of representatives has asked the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) not to allow Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State "mislead" them on the infectious disease bill.



LIB reported yesterday that Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) asked the national assembly to suspend the infectious disease bill and to give room for consultations with state governments and other stakeholders. The Governors also disclosed that they were briefed about the bill by the Vice Chairman of the forum, Aminu Tambuwal during a virtual meeting.



However reacting to the statement from the forum, the house of representatives claimed that Tambuwal's position on the infectious disease bill is influenced by his “personal and partisan opposition” to the emergence of the current house leadership under Femi Gbajabiamila.



In the statement released by the house of representatives' spokesperson Benjamin Kalu on Thursday May 14, the Governors were told that their opinion will be welcomed by lawmakers. They were however reminded that the role of the national assembly in constitution amendment, is not subject of concurrence of state houses of assembly or state governors.



The statement reads;




“It is rather surprising that the NGF, in arriving at its decision, relied on “an update from the Governor of Sokoto State,” who, apart from being a lawyer, is a former Speaker and an ex-ranking member of the House, who should know better and guide the Forum accordingly.

“We assume that his position was informed by his well-known personal and partisan opposition to the emergence of the current leadership of the house considering his obvious stance in 2015 and 2019 .

“Unlike in a constitution amendment matter, where state houses of assembly have a defined constitutional role to play in effecting any review to it, Bills such as the Control of Infectious Diseases are not by our constitution subject of concurrence of state houses of assembly or state governors. We do believe that our respected Governors are aware of this lawful processes of legislation and should not be misguided by a biased position of a former speaker .

“Notwithstanding, the House expresses its readiness to work with the Committee raised by the NGF to meet members of the Green Chamber on the Bill. The Governors are our critical stakeholders in nation building, and we understand the importance of working with our Governors at critical moments such as this pandemic period.”

Fred Tokars, the Atlanta lawyer who hired a hitman to murder his wife in front of their two young sons, dies in prison aged 67

An Atlanta lawyer, who hired a hitman to kidnap and kill his wife in front of their two young sons, has died in prison at the age of 67.



Fred Tokers masterminded his wife's murder in 1992. He was convicted of the murder in 1997 while he was already serving a life sentence for racketeering.



Tokars died of natural causes over the weekend at a prison in Pennsylvania after experiencing fever for several days, according to his attorney, Jerry Froelich.



Froelich said Tokars suffered from a host of health issues including multiple sclerosis, and hadn't walked in 10 years.



Tokars maintained his innocence in his wife's murder up until his death.



Sara Tokars was kidnapped at her home in Marietta on Thanksgiving weekend in 1992, along with her children Ricky and Mike, who were six and four at the time.







The kidnapper, later identified as Curtis Rower, forced her to drive her SUV down the street and then killed her with a shotgun blast to the head in front of the boys.



Prosecutors said that Tokars had instructed another man to hire Rower to orchestrate the hit after Sara discovered that he was using his law practice for drug dealing and money laundering and threatened to turn him in.



The kidnapping and murder took place just as Sara and her sons were returning from a family trip to Florida.



Her husband had come back earlier but was not at home at the time.







At a news conference before his arrest, Tokars choked back tears as he told reporters: "I emphatically deny any involvement in my wife's murder.



"I became very depressed, and started to think of the lifestyle that I was losing. Not only my wife, but my, my whole lifestyle."



He was eventually sentenced to multiple life terms in prison - both for the murder and for federal racketeering charges.



After his death, his lawyer, Froelich told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "You know, he said he didn't do it."



The attorney added that he always accepted the juries' verdicts even though Tokars never did.



The couple's younger son Mike died last month after suffering from depression.

No conclusion yet on 'mysterious deaths' in Kano - Minister of Health, Ehanire Osagie

The Minister of Health, Ehanire Osagie has disclosed that health officials are yet to arrive at a conclusion on the cause of mysterious deaths in Kano.



The Minister who said this at the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, also disclosed that similar deaths were recorded in eight states of the federation. He assurred Nigerians that investigation which will explain the cause of death will soon be concluded.



On those who claim to have the cure for Coronavirus, Ehanire directed them to approach the the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). He also affirmed that the health ministry will ensure that hospitals across the country continue to deliver routine services in spite of the Coronavirus pandemic.



Osagie said;




“Nobody needs to give you permission to approach NAFDAC.

“Latest statistics from the National Health Management Information System indicates that out-patient visits dropped from four million to about two million and antenatal visits from 1.3 million to 655,000.

“Others include skilled birth attendance, from 158,374 to less than 99,000, while immunisation services reduced by about half.

“All these failings have yet undetermined consequences, which the easing of the lockdown should hopefully address.

“However, the suspected downside of easing restrictions has to be balanced off by citizens, with collective determination by all of us, not only to comply with protective and prophylactic advisories, but to encourage relatives, friends neighbours and customers to do same.

“Face masks should in fact become commonplace, and I look forward to seeing that cooks, stewards and food vendors, for example, wear masks or lose their customers.

“I wish to enjoin workplaces to institute such requirements and ensure that all workers are masked and knowledgeable about COVID-19, and by extension, share it with their families and relations"

Namibia bans new cars for government officials till 2025

The Namibian government has banned government officials from buying new cars till 2025, a decision taken to mitigate the effect of the outbreak of Coronavirus in the country.



President Hage Geingob who made the announcement on Twitter on Thursday May 14, also directed a cap on monthly fuel consumption by public office holders.



He said the decision would save the country 200 million Namibian dollars (US$10.7 million), which will be directed "to urgent priorities, specifically at a time when the country is dealing with the health and economic implications of COVID-19".



The statement read in parts;




“Government will not order a new vehicle fleet for the Executive and Public Office Bearers for the period 2020-2025.

“Savings of 200 million Namibia dollars (about $10.8 million) will be directed to urgent priority areas."













The southern African country of 2.5 million people has so far recorded 16 cases of COVID-19, with no deaths.


Namibian ministers and their deputies each qualify for Mercedes-Benz vehicles upon their appointment. In 2002, then-president Sam Nujoma had banned the use of Mercedes-Benz, insisting that ministers should ride in Toyota Camry cars.

Gombe and Adamawa state governments lift lockdown imposed due to COVID-19

The governments of Adamawa and Gombe states have lifted the lockdown in their states that was initially put in place to curb the spread of Coronavirus.



A statement from Humwashi Wonosikou, press secretary to Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, said churches, mosques, and markets can now open for activities but must observe social distancing and all other COVID-19 precautionary measures.




“Churches, Mosques and the international cattle markets under lockdown can now reopen, but must ensure social distancing with no more than 50 people at a time. Other measures include provision of hand sanitisers or washing of hands and temperature checks at the point of entry.

Government now believes the contagion rate is low enough to justify a cautious easing of the restriction, but warned that citizens must work extra hard on personal hygiene and strict adherence to laid down guidelines.

Governor Fintiri said the easing of the lockdown comes as the state discharge five (5) from its isolation centre after testing negative of the virus. However, the 8pm to 6am curfew will remain in place until further notice.” the statement read



On his part, Inuwa Yahaya, governor of Gombe state said he decided to lift the lockdown because of the pledge from all religious leaders in the state to comply with all health directives on the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, the restriction imposed by the state government to contain community spread of the disease had yielded results.



According to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Adamawa state has 21 confirmed cases while Gombe state has 119.

NFL stars, Deandre Baker and Quinton Dunbar accused of armed robbery, arrest warrants issued

Two NFL players have been accused of armed robbery and warrants for their arrest have been issued.



The players, New York Giants cornerback Deandre Baker and Quinton Dunbar, a cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks allegedly robbed guests at a Maimi party at gunpoint and left with thousands of dollars in cash and wristwatches worth tens of thousands of dollars, according to arrest warrants issued by the Miramar Police Department.



Baker, Dunbar, and a third man then left in high-priced cars (a Lamborghini, a Mercedes-Benz and a BMW), the arrest warrants said.



Baker and Dunbar were both charged with four counts of armed robbery. Baker was also charged with four counts of aggravated assault.



According to the police, an argument broke out at a house in Miramar, where people were gambling and playing cards and video games. Baker then flipped over a table, took out a semi-automatic firearm and pointed it at another guest, before instructing Dunbar and another man, who wore a red mask, to start taking money and valuables from other people at the party.



Law enforcement disclosed that the men made out with more than $7,000 in cash -- along with several valuable watches including an $18,000 Rolex watch, a $25,000 Hublot, and a pricey Audemars Piguet timepiece.



One witness told police they had met Baker and Dunbar at a party a few days earlier in Miami, where he had "lost" around $70,000 on gambling.



Tania Rues, a spokeswoman for the Miramar police, said Thursday night that the two players had not been arrested and that the police were in contact with the N.F.L. and a lawyer who is representing one of the players.



“Obviously, there are attempts to get them to turn themselves in,” she said.