Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
Ireland's death toll doubles and US becomes world's coronavirus epicentre: Today's Covid-19 main points
IRELAND HAS SEEN its biggest rise in deaths from the coronavirus in a single day, after ten new deaths were confirmed by the Department of Health last night. The death toll here has now more than doubled to 19, while the number of cases now stands at 1,819. Also last night, the Dáil passed new emergency measures dealing with issues such as a nationwide rent freeze, a ban on evictions, measures to allow the re-enlistment of former members to the Defence Forces, as well as retired health workers to be re-hired.On the international front, the US has now become the epicentre of the disease globally, surpassing China and Italy as the country with the highest number of confirmed cases of the illness.
Here are today’s main Covid-19 points:
A further ten deaths from Covid-19 and 255 new cases in the Republic of Ireland were confirmed last night.
Emergency measures addressing resources within six departments, including housing and health, were passed in the Dáil last night.
The government has said that nearly all Covid-19 unemployment benefit claims it received up to close of business yesterday will be paid by next Tuesday.
Internal bank documents reveal that AIB’s Covid-19 mortgage break originally required customers to have two months of savings to qualify before the bank met with the Minister for Finance.
The Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has reminded people of all ages to follow guidelines on social distancing amid reports of young people being admitted to intensive care with the coronavirus.
Homeless charity DePaul is to open a 100-bed cocooning unit in conjunction with the HSE and the Dublin Region Homeless Executive.
Here are the main international points:
The US has overtaken China and Italy as the country with the most coronavirus infections, with over 83,000 people there having tested positive.
China has banned foreigners from entering the country, while foreign-nationals with valid visas and resident permits will be blocked from returning to the country from midnight tonight.
EU leaders have failed to agree a continent-wide stimulus package to help fight the virus, and have set a fortnight to come up with a stronger response to the economic havoc wrought by the pandemic.