Agency Reporter

Douglas Ross, a junior minister for Scotland, resigned on Tuesday, becoming the British government’s first casualty of the brewing lockdown breach issue involving Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s top adviser.

In his resignation letter, Ross, a member of the ruling Conservative Party, said “a vast majority of people” did not agree with the actions of Dominic Cummings, the premier’s adviser at the centre of the controversy.

“I haven’t commented publicly on the situation with Dominic Cummings as I have waited to hear the full details. I welcome the statement to clarify matters, but there remains aspects of the explanation which I have trouble with. As a result I have resigned as a government Minister,” Ross said.

Cummings, PM Johnson’s top adviser, is accused of breaking lockdown rules by driving over 264 miles across the country.

He has defended himself by saying he was doing the best thing for his family, as both he and his wife were feeling ill and had no one to look after their child in London.

His explanations have not significantly changed public opinion on the matter, despite the government – and especially the prime minister – backing him to the hilt.

In his resignation letter, Ross also shared his views on Cummings’ defense.

“As a father myself, my instinct is to always do what is best for my son and wife. We have been fortunate not to have caught this awful virus but if we did, we are prepared to follow the government advice and stay at home to contain this virus,” he said.

“While the intentions may have been well meaning, the reaction to this news shows that Mr Cummings interpretation of the government advice was not shared by the vast majority of people who have done as the government asked.”

Ross stressed that he “cannot in good faith tell them [his constituents] they were all wrong and one senior advisor to the government was right.”

Twenty MPs belonging to the ruling party want Cummings’ resignation, and opposition parties are meeting on Tuesday to look into the matter.

Parts of local media, including the usually Conservative-backing Daily Mail, have also called for his resignation.

– PM ‘regrets’ resignation

In a short statement, Downing Street said PM Johnson “regrets” Ross’ decision to resign.

“The Prime Minister would like to thank Douglas Ross for his service to government and regrets his decision to stand down as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland,” it said.

(www.newsnow.co.uk)

Agency Reporter

An outbreak linked to a church in Frankfurt has so far led to 112 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, as numerous other chains of infection are being investigated, a local official said on Tuesday.

According to Rene Gottschalk, head of the German city’s local health authority, another 150 people are being assessed after they had contact with those who have tested positive.

The service at the Evangelical Christian Baptist Church was attended by 180 people, Gottschalk said.

It took place two weeks ago.

Many of the infections occurred after worshippers left the service.

READ ALSO: Germany, Eastern Europe countries plan gradual removal of border controls

The Frankfurt church community initially insisted that all hygiene and distancing measures currently in place to curb the pandemic were adhered to, but a statement posted on its website on Monday admitted to shortcomings.

“In retrospect, it would be appropriate for us to wear protective mouth-and-nose covers during the service and to refrain from singing together,” it said.

Places of worship have gradually reopened in Germany over the past month, along with various other areas of public life, due to gains made in reducing the rate of infection.

(dpa/NAN)

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that the country’s coronavirus outbreak is going to get much worse, while announcing that lockdown measures are to be eased.

Ramaphosa said a third of the country’s more than 22,000 cases had been recorded in the last week.

Despite that, the president said the current lockdown could not be sustained indefinitely.

He announced that, from 1 June, more restrictions would be lifted.

Ramaphosa was speaking after a mining company in South Africa said 164 workers at a gold mine near Johannesburg had tested positive for coronavirus.

There have so far been 429 recorded Covid-19 deaths in the country.

An overnight curfew will no longer be in place, more businesses will be allowed to open and schools will re-start, the president said.

A controversial ban on alcohol will also end, with limited sales allowed for home consumption only and “only under strict conditions on specified days and for limited hours”, the president said.

Read Also: South Africa cases exceed 900 as Ramaphosa begs G20 for aid to Africa

 

But Ramaphosa said the ban on the sale of cigarettes will remain “due to the health risks associated with smoking”.

He also announced that there would be a phased re-opening of schools because “we are concerned about the growth and development of our children and that an entire generation of learners should not be permanently disadvantaged this pandemic”.

But he added that “no parent will be forced to send their child to school if they are worried about safety at school”.

The president has been under pressure to ease lockdown measures to restart the economy.

However, he warned the public that the worst is still ahead.

“We should expect that these numbers will rise even further and even faster,” he said.

“The coronavirus pandemic in South Africa is going to get much worse before it gets better,” he added.

At least 40,000 people could die with coronavirus in South Africa by the end of the year, scientists warned last week.

The Mponeng mine is the deepest gold mine in the world. Operations have been halted after 164 cases of coronavirus were detected there. Most of those who tested positive were not showing any symptoms.

 

 

Russian President Vladmir Putin has congratulated African countries and leaders on the occasion of the Africa Day celebration, hailing the close relationship between the continent and Russia.

In a message signed by Putin and obtained from the Russian Embassy in Abuja yesterday, Putin said the day symbolises the aspiration of the countries of Africa to freedom, peace and prosperity.

He added that the celebration was significant to both Russia and Africa as it reaffirms the relationship of the duo which dates back to the colonial era.

“This holiday assumes special significance in the run-up to the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and people celebrated this year.

“Decades ago, when many African Peoples were just embarking on the path of sovereign development, our country provided them with active political support, extensive assistance in the social and economic sphere, and training of civilian and military personnel.

Read Also: Putin warns Russia’s coronavirus situation getting worse

 

“Today, African countries are Russia’s significant and promising partners, who enjoy well-deserved authority on the global arena and play an active role in addressing topical international issues,” he said.

Putin noted that the Russia-Africa Summit which held in 2019 in Sochi, turned out to be an exclusively important milestone in the development of Russian-African relations.

According to him, the dialogue between Russia and Adrican countries has been brought to a qualitatively new level.

“The Russia-Africa Partnership Forum established during the Summit will undoubtedly contribute to building up mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and coordinating efforts to counter the threats and challenges of our time.

“Including the COVID-19 pandemic, which has become a serious test for our Countries and Peoples.

“I whole-heartedly wish you good health, prosperity and every success in your state activities, and peace and prosperity to all your compatriots,” Putin said.

 

THE United States (U.S.) Department of the Treasury has called on the African Development Bank (AfDB) to carry out an independent probe into alleged ethics breaches by its president, Akinwumi Adesina.

In a letter obtained by AFP yesterday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin expressed “deep reservations” about the outcome of an internal inquiry clearing Adesina, and urged the appointment of an independent outside investigator.

The letter, dated May 22, was sent to the chair of the AfDB’s board, Ivorian Planning and Development Minister Niale Kaba.

Adesina is seeking a second five-year term at the helm of the AfDB, one of the world’s five largest multilateral development banks.

Whistleblowers last month submitted a 15-page report to bank governors detailing alleged embezzlement, preferential treatment for fellow Nigerians in senior appointments and the promotion of people suspected or convicted of fraud and corruption.

The bank’s ethics committee totally exonerated Adesina, saying the complaint “rested on no objective, solid facts”.

Read Also: Vote of Confidence passed on Adesina by AfDB Board excite Buhari

 

Adesina himself has dismissed the allegations as “spurious and unfounded” and “blatantly false.”

A former Nigerian agriculture minister, Adesina, 60, is the only candidate in an election which was set for late May but which has been postponed to August because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He has received the backing of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

In October 2019, the AfDB raised $115 billion (105 billion euros) in fresh capital, an operation deemed a personal success for Adesina.

The bank had been shaken by a series of high-level departures soon after his arrival, with complaints of Adesina’s “authoritarian” leadership style.

Adesina is the first Nigerian president of the AfDB, in which Nigeria is the top stakeholder with nine percent.

Mnuchin’s letter came after the whistleblowers called for an independent inquiry after their complaint gained no traction.

The internal probe was tainted by “irregularities and manipulations”, a group of anonymous “concerned staff members of the AfDB” said in a letter to bank governors.

The AfDB has 80 state shareholders, 54 of which are African. The others are from the Americas, Asia and Europe.