Covid-19: Remembering our most memorable Christmas. Do not miss out! Part 1

 Last Christmas: Memories of Christmases Past and Hopes of Future Ones

Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' is an undisputed Christmas classic and we always love hearing it every December!

December 25, 2020

''Corona Voice'' - Angola. The tok show with Sofonie Dala. Don't Miss Out. Day 22

There is so much people can do to make this day special at home.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, Christmas celebrations this year have been subdued but that should not stop you from making this festival special for your friends and family. Here is a song from Rosy to share with you all.

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Let's party to rejoice

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Let's party to rejoice

Coronavius leave, leave, you will not affect me

Coronavirus leave, leave, you will not affect me.

After dancing and singing, Rosy decided to share with us how the coronavirus pandemic has affected her life.

Hi, my name is Rosy, I am 6 years old and I live in Angola. I would like to start studying my mother tried to enroll me in school but tuition fees are very expensive.

Rosy how has the coronavirus affected you?

Covid-19 stopped me from going to church and I must always stay at home.

Have you been following the coronavirus prevention measures?

Yes I have

What are the preventive measures against covid-19?

We should always use the mask, wash our hands with water and soap and put the alcohol gel.

Moreover, when you go to the store you have to use the mask, when you see a basin with water you should wash your hands and disinfect them with alcohol gel only after that you can go in to do the shopping.

May this festive season sparkle and shine, may all of your wishes and dreams come true, and may you feel this happiness all year round. Merry Christmas!

For more information click here: https://sofoniedala.blogspot.com/2020/12/corona-voice-angola-tok-show-with_25.html

President João Lourenço leaves UAE back to Luanda

Luanda - The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, accompanied by the first lady, Ana Dias Lourenço, Thursday left Dubai, United Arab Emirates, after fulfilling a three-day official visit to the Arab country.

In the UAE, where he has been since Monday, João Lourenço worked in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

In Abu Dhabi, the Angolan Head of State witnessed the signing of four memoranda of understanding between the two states.

Also in Abu Dhabi, the Angolan leader received, in separate audiences, representatives of different companies of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and with a representative of the UAE Sovereign Wealth Fund.

In Dubai, the last stage of the visit, the Head of State met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoun, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Emir of Dubai.

The meeting marked the highest point of the Angolan Head of State's mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Still in Dubai, João Lourenço was at Expo 2020, where he honoured Angola's national day at the exhibition.

Angola hosts African Jiu-jitsu Championship

Luanda - Angola is to host the 8th edition of the African Jiu-jitsu Championship in both versions (traditional and Brazilian) from19 to 20 February 2022 at Luanda’s Kilamba Multipurpose Pavilion, the head of the Angola Jiu-jitsu Federation, Luís John, told ANGOP on Wednesday.

Angola organizes the fight competition at the invitation of the African Confederation.

This will be the first time the country hosts such an event, after being present in the competition in 2013 and 2015.

 At least 12 nations are expected to take part in the continental competition.

The previous edition of the championship was held in South Africa in 2017.

Russian priest who adopted 70 children jailed for abuse

A Russian court has jailed for 21 years a former Orthodox priest said to have adopted 70 children for a string of child abuse offences.

Nikolai Stremsky was convicted of raping several children and other violent acts in his parish in the Urals in south-west Russia.

Stremsky was reputed to have Russia’s largest family and was decorated with a national Order of Parental Glory.

Barred from the priesthood he has also been stripped of his honour.

As an abbot in the town of Saraktash, Stremsky and his wife ran a foster home from the early 1990s, adopting children from orphanages in the region. Most of the 70 they adopted have since grown up.

He was arrested in 2019 and investigated for offences against seven minors, He condemned the allegations against him as slander.

Last year, one of his grown-up adoptive children and her husband were given suspended sentences for illegally restricting children of their liberty.

Sentencing Stremsky to prison in a penal colony, the court in Saraktash on Friday banned him from working with children for 20 years and removed his national parenting honour.

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Road closed as fire spreads at house in Minions

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service is attending a house fire in Minions.

Two appliances were sent to the site at about 08:21 GMT.

Some parts of the building have collapsed and there is thick smoke on ground level all around incident, the service said.

The main road through Minions has been closed and residents in area are being advised to keep all windows closed and stay indoors.

Firefighters on an aerial ladder platform

Image caption,

The fire has spread to the upper floor and roof, the fire service said

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Pregnant woman among 15 charged for Uganda attacks

A court in Uganda has charged 15 people – including a pregnant woman – with terrorism over their alleged role in several attacks in the country.

Most of the defendants were accused of being members of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant group which is part of the Islamic State group.

The authorities say the group is behind four recent bombings.

Uganda launched a military offensive against ADF in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

The militant group was formed in the 1990s by Ugandans disgruntled with the government’s treatment of Muslims, but it was routed and removed from bases in the western mountainous Rwenzori region, where its fighters had been attacking villages and torching schools in the early 2000s.

Attacks in October and three suicide bombings in the capital, Kampala, in November alarmed the authorities about the group’s changing tactics.

Police told AFP news agency the 15 suspects faced charges of terrorism, aiding and abetting terrorism, and belonging to a terrorist group, and they would remain in custody until their next court appearance on 13 January.

The accused did not enter a plea.

Earlier this month Dr Congo approved a request from Uganda to launch an offensive involving air strikes and ground troops in the eastern region against ADF militants.

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Christmas travel in full swing despite disruption

Almost half of Britons plan to travel to visit friends or family over the festive period, research shows, as people enjoy their first Christmas getaway in two years.

But there are signs that some are taking shorter trips or even cancelling them because of the Omicron variant.

And rail companies have warned of disruption to some services due to high staff absence and strikes.

Covid curbs meant many people cancelled their Christmas plans last year.

But this year there are no restrictions on gatherings, even though experts have urged people to take care when socialising with vulnerable people.

The majority of those planning getaways this year intend to travel by road, with only one in 10 taking public transport, according to the research by Transport Focus.

The RAC expects an estimated 4.1 million journeys by people embarking on overnight stays or day trips to take place on UK roads on Thursday, rising to 5.3 million on Christmas Eve.

• Hundreds of trains cancelled as Covid hits railways

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, told the BBC that Thursday and Friday were expected to be the busiest days on the roads.

The M25, M1, M6, M27, M60 and M62 motorways could all see congestion, but he said the roads would be quieter than usual because so many are working from home.

“You’re not going to see the mass exodus of people rushing out after work that you usually see at Christmas,” he added.

“People working from home have more flexibility, so some might travel in the morning, some this afternoon.”

He added that people were being a “little bit more cautious” because of the spread of Omicron and many were opting for shorter trips of one to three days, rather than a whole week.

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES

Although demand for rail travel is at about 50% of pre-pandemic levels, thousands of people are travelling by train to spend Christmas with loved ones.

However, hundreds of trains have been cancelled because of pandemic-related staff shortages.

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Afcon 2021: Squads for tournament in Cameroon

The 33rd Africa Cup of Nations get under way in Cameroon on 9 January, having been delayed a year by the coronavirus pandemic.

Below are the squads which have been announced for the tournament, which culminates with the final on 6 February.

To allow teams to cater for any Covid cases, coaches can name 28-man squads, with five extra players above the regular tournament regulations.

ALGERIA

To be announced.

BURKINA FASO

To be announced.

CAMEROON

Goalkeepers: Simon Omossola (AS Vita Club, DR Congo), Devis Epassy (OFI Crete, Greece), Andre Onana (Ajax, Netherlands).

Defenders: Collins Fai (Standard Liege, Belgium), Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union, USA), Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Gent, Belgium), JC Castelletto (Nantes, France), Harold Moukoudi (St Etienne, France), Enzo Ebosse (Angers, France), Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo (Montpellier, France), Jerome Onguene (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders, USA).

Midfielders: Jean Onana Junior (Bordeaux, France), Malong Kunde (Olympiakos, Greece), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli, Italy), Samuel Gouet Oum (Mechelen, Belgium), Martin Hongla (Hellas Verona, Italy), James Lea Siliki (Middlesbrough, England), Yvan Neyou (St Etienne, France).

Forwards: Ignatius Ganago (Lens, France), Christian Bassogog (Shanghai Shenua, China), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich, Germany), Stephane Bahoken (Angers, France), Karl Toko-Ekambi (Lyon, France), Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys, Switzerland), Vincent Aboubakar (Al Nasr, Saudi Arabia), Clinton Njie (Dinamo Moscow, Russia).

CAPE VERDE

Goalkeepers: Vozinha (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Marcio da Rosa (Montalegre, Portugal), Keven Ramos (Mindelese, Cape Verde).

Defenders: Stopira (Fehervar, Hungary), Steven Fortes (Oostende, Belgium), Jeffry Fortes (De Graafschap, Netherlands), Steve Furtado (Beroe, Bulgaria), Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers, Republic of Ireland), Joao Paulo Fernandes (Feirense, Portugal), Diney Borges (AS Far, Morocco), Ponck (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey), Dylan Tavares (Neuchatel Xamax, Switzerland).

Midfielders: Kenny Rocha (Oostende, Belgium), Nuno Borges (Casa Pia, Portugal), Patrick Andrade (Qarabag, Azerbaijan), Jamiro Monteior (Philadelphia Union, USA), Nenass (Aalesund, Norway), Marco Soares (Arouca, Portugal).

Forwards: Ryan Mendes (Al Nasr, UAE), Willy Semedo (Pafos, Cyprus), Gilson Tavares (Estoril-Praia, Portugal), Willis Furtado (FK Jerv, Norway), Julio Tavares (Al Faisaly, Saudi Arabia), Garry Rodrigues (Olympiakos, Greece), Lisandro Semedo (Fortuna Sittard, Netherlands), Djaniny Semedo (Trabzonsport, Turkey).

COMOROS

Goalkeepers: Salim Ben Boina (Endoume, France) Ali Ahamada (Unattached), Moyadh Ousseni (Frejus, France).

Defenders: Nadjim Abdou (FC Martigues, France), Bendjaloud Youssouf (Chateauroux, France), Abdallah Ali Mohamed (Stade Lausanne, Switzerland) Kassim Mdahoma (US Avranches, France), Younn Zahary (SO Cholet, France), Chaker Alhadhur (Ajaccio, France), Mohamed Youssouf (Ajaccio, France), Kassim Abdallah (Marignane Gignac, France).

Midfielders: Fouad Bachirou (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus), Youssouf M’Changama (Guingamp, France), Yacine Bourhane (Go Ahead Eagles, Netherlands), Nakibou Aboubakari (FC Sete 34, France), Iyad Mohamed (Auxerre, France), Rafidine Abdullah (Stade Lausanne, Switzerland).

Forwards: Faiz Selemani (KV Kortrijk, Belgium), Mohamed El Fardou (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Nasser Chamed (Gaz Metan Medias, Romania), Ahmed Mogni (FC Annecy, France), Faiz Mattoir (SO Cholet, France), Ali M’Madi (SAS Epinal, France), Said Bakari (RKC Waalwijk, Netherlands), Moussa Djoumoi (AS Saint-Priest, France), Mohamed M’Changama (FC Nouadhibou, Mauritania).

EGYPT

To be announced.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

To be announced.

ETHIOPIA

Goalkeepers: Teklemariam Shanko (Sidama Coffee, Ethiopia), Fasil Gebremichael (Bahir Dar Ketema, Ethiopia), Jemal Tassew (Adama Ketema, Ethiopia).

Defenders: Asrat Tunjo (Ethiopian Coffee, Ethiopia), Suleiman Hamid (St George, Ethiopia), Remedan Yesouf (Wolkite K, Ethiopia), Desta Yohannes (Adama K, Ethiopia), Aschalew Tamene (Fasil K, Ethiopia), Yared Bayeh (Fasil K, Ethiopia), Mignot Debebe (St George, Ethiopia), Menaf Awol (Bahir Dar K, Ethiopia).

Midfielders: Amanuel Yohannes (Ethiopian Coffee, Ethiopia), Gatuoch Panom (St George, Ethiopia), Shemeles Bekele (El Gouna, Egypt), Mesoud Mohammed (Jimma AJ, Ethiopia), Fitsum Alemu (Bahir Dar K, Ethiopia), Firew Solomon (Sidama Coffee, Ethiopia), Bezabeh Meleyou (Fasil K, Ethiopia).

Forwards: Abubeker Nassir (Ethiopian Coffee, Ethiopia), Getaneh Kebede (Wolkite K, Ethiopia), Amanuel Gebremichael (St George, Ethiopia), Shemeket Gugsa (Fasil K, Ethiopia), Mujib Kassim (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Mesfin Taffese (Hawassa K, Ethiopia), Dawa Hotessa (Adama K, Ethiopia).

GABON

To be announced.

THE GAMBIA

Goalkeepers: Baboucarr Gaye (Rot-Weiss Koblenz, Germany), Sheikh Sibi (Virtus Verona, Italy), Modou Jobe (Black Leopards, South Africa).

Defenders: Pa Modou Jagne (FC Dietikon, Switzerland), Omar Colley (Sampdoria, Italy), James Gomez (AC Horsens, Denmark), Noah Sonko Sundberg (Ostersund, Sweden), Bubacarr Sanneh (Unattached), Ibou Touray (Salford City, England), Saidy Janko (Real Valladolid, Spain), Mohammed Mbye (Solvesborg, Sweden).

Midfielders: Ebrima Sohna (Fortune FC, The Gambia), Dawda Ngum (Bronshoj, Denmark), Sulayman Marreh (Gent, Belgium), Ebrima Darboe (Roma, Italy), Yusupha Bobb (Piacenza, Italy), Ebou Adams (Forest Green Rovers, England), Musa Barrow (Bologna, Italy), Ablie Jallow (Seraing, Belgium), Steve Trawally (Ajman, UAE), Ebrima Colley (Spezia, Italy).

Forwards: Lamin Jallow (Fehervar, Hungary), Bubacarr Jobe (Norrby, Sweden), Assan Ceesay (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Muhammed Badamosi (Kortrijk, Belgium), Modou Barrow (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, South Korea), Dembo Darboe (Shakhtyor Soligorsk, Belarus), Yusupha Njie (Boavista, Portugal).

GHANA

To be announced.

GUINEA

Goalkeepers: Aly Keita (Ostersund, Sweden), Ibrahima Kone (Hibernians, Malta), Moussa Camara (Horoya, Guinea).

Defenders: Saidou Sow (St Etienne, France), Ibrahima Conte (Niort, France), Florentin Pogba (Sochaux, France), Ousmane Kante (Paris FC, France), Mohamed Aly Camara (Young Boys, Switzerland), Pa Konate (Botev Plovdiv, Bulgaria), Issiaga Sylla (Toulouse, France), Antoine Conte (Universitatea Craiova, Romania), Mikael Dyrestam (Sarpsborg 08, Norway).

Midfielders: Amadou Diawara (Roma, Italy), Ibrahima Cisse (Seriang, Belgium), Mory Konate (Sint-Truidense, Belgium), Ibrahima Sory Conte (Bnei Sakhnin, Israel), Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig), Mamadou Kane (Neftci, Azerbaijan), Morlaye Sylla (Horoya, Guinea), Aguibou Camara (Olympiakos, Greece), Naby Keita (Liverpool, England).

Forwards: Seydouba Soumah (Kuwait SC, Kuwait), Morgan Guilavogui (Paris FC, France), Mamadou Diallo (Grenoble, France), Jose Kante (Kairat, Kazakhstan), Mohamed Bayo (Clermont France), Sory Kaba (OH Leuven, Belgium).

GUINEA-BISSAU

To be announced.

IVORY COAST

Goalkeepers: Sylvain Gbohouo (Wolkite Ketema, Ethiopia), Badra Ali Sangare (JDR Stars, South Africa), Abdoul Karim Cisse (Asec Mimosas, Ivory Coast), Ira Eliezer Tape (San Pedro, Ivory Coast).

Defenders: Serge Aurier (Villarreal, Spain), Eric Bailly (Manchester United, England), Willy Boly (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Wilfried Kanon (Pyramids, Egypt), Odilon Kossounou (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Simon Deli (Adana Demirspor, Turkey), Ghislain Konan (Reims, France).

Midfielders: Habib Maiga (Metz, France), Maxwel Cornet (Burnley, England), Serey Die (Sion, Switzerland), Ibrahim Sangare (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro (Lazio, Italy), Franck Kessie (AC Milan, Italy), Hamed Traore and Jeremie Boga (both Sassuolo, Italy), Max Gradel (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jean Michael Seri (Fulham, England).

Forwards: Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace, England), Jean Evrard Kouassi (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal, England), Sebastien Haller (Ajax, Netherlands), Christian Kouame (Anderlecht, Belgium), Yohan Boli (Al-Rayyan, Qatar), Karim Konate (Asec Mimosas, Ivory Coast).

MALAWI

To be announced.

MALI

To be announced.

MAURITANIA

To be announced.

MOROCCO

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Sevilla, Spain), Monir El Kajoui, Hatayspor, Turkey), Anas Zniti (Raja Casablanca, Morocco).

Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Sofiane Alakouch (Metz, France), Souffian El Karouani (NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands), Adam Masina (Watford, England), Sofian Chakla (OH Leuven, Belgium), Samy Mmaee (Ferencvaros, Hungary), Romain Saiss (Wolves, England), Nayef Aguerd (Rennes, France).

Midfielders: Aymen Barkok (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina, Italy), Faycal Fajr (Sivaspor, Turkey), Azzedine Ounahi (Angers, France), Ilias Chair (QPR, England), Imran Louza (Watford, England), Selim Amallah (Standard Liege, Belgium).

Forwards: Munir El Haddadi (Sevilla, Spain), Zakaria Aboukhlal (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Barcelona, Spain), Sofiane Boufal (Angers, France), Ryan Mmaee (Ferencvaros, Hungary), Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla, Spain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Hatayspor, Turkey).

NIGERIA

To be announced.

SENEGAL

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea, England), Alfred Gomis (Rennes, France), Seny Dieng (Queens Park Rangers, England).

Defenders: Bouna Sarr (Bayern Munich, Germany), Saliou Ciss (Nancy, France), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, Italy), Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiakos, Greece), Abdoulaye Seck (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Abdou Diallo (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Ibrahima Mbaye (Bologna, Italy), Fode Ballo-Toure (AC Milan, Italy), Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace, England).

Midfielders: Pape Matar Sarr (Metz, France), Pape Gueye (Marseille, France), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City, England), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Moustapha Name (Paris FC, France), Mamadou Loum (Alaves, Spain), Joseph Lopy (Sochaux, France).

Forwards: Boulaye Dia (Villarreal, Spain), Sadio Mane (Liverpool, England), Habib Diallo (Strasbourg, France), Bamba Dieng (Marseille, France), Ismaila Sarr (Watford, England), Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Mame Baba Thiam (Kayserispor,Turkey), Keita Balde (Cagliari, Italy).

SIERRA LEONE

To be announced.

SUDAN

To be announced.

TUNISIA

To be announced.

ZIMBABWE

To be announced.

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