Danish queen tests positive for Covid day after Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral

 The Queen of Denmark has tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time this year, the Danish Royal Court has confirmed.

Queen Margrethe II has cancelled her appointments for this week after the diagnosis on Tuesday evening.

The 82-year-old monarch was one of 2,000 guests who attended Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral on Monday.

She is Europe’s longest-serving head of state following the British monarch’s death.

She and Queen Elizabeth were third cousins, both being descended from Queen Victoria.

Queen Margrethe has been vaccinated against Covid and last tested positive in February this year when she presented mild symptoms.

In a statement on the palace website, a spokesperson said she would be recovering at Fredensborg Palace, north of Copenhagen.

Her son and heir, Crown Prince Frederik, and his wife Mary, the Crown Princess, will take her place in hosting members of the government, the Danish parliament, and Danish members of the European Parliament at a reception on Friday in Copenhagen.

In recent days, Queen Margrethe was pictured at several events in London to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

At Westminster Hall on Sunday, on the eve of the late Queen’s funeral, she joined the crown prince to pay her respects at the lying-in-state.

At Westminster Abbey the following day, she sat in the same section as monarchs from other European nations, including King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Prince Albert II of Monaco and King Philippe of Belgium.

In a letter of condolence to King Charles on the death of his mother, she wrote: “She was a towering figure among European monarchs and a great inspiration to us all.”

She became queen in 1972 at the age of 32 after the death of her father, King Frederick IX.

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UK Finance Minister, Kwasi Kwarteng, Under Fire For Smiling During Queen’s Funeral

 On Monday, September 19, 2022; people from all walks of life attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at the Westminster Abbey in London.

Millions across the world followed the event on TV, online and across social media platforms as the world paid its last respects to the monarch who reigned for seven decades.

The event as expected was strictly by invitation, so much so that, even some world leaders were not invited – among others, Vladimir Putin and Emerson Mnangagwa, presidents of Russia and Zimbabwe respectively.

Per GhanaWeb’s checks, four Ghanaians were formally invited to the event for different reasons. Ghana’s First Couple were in London for the event as were two other personalities with Ghanaian parentage who are British.

Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, a one-time equerry of the Queen was in attendance, escorting the cortege on its last journey from the Westminster Abbey to the Royal Vault. The fourth Ghanaian was Kwasi Kwarteng.

Kwarteng, who is British-born but with Ghanaian ancestry, and the current UK Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister), was also in attendance.

He, however, courted controversy on social media after he was captured in a viral video smiling at a point during the ceremony – specifically when a two-minute silence had been declared for the memory of the queen.

Angry social media users – especially on Twitter – called for his head for desecrating what was a solemn occasion for the nation.

Others also alleged that Kwarteng was smiling at himself because he was most likely picking a personal call and had been told something that gave his cause to smile at a rather off time.

Kwarteng, as a senior member of Prime Minister Liz Truss’ government had a prominent seat at the venue of the service.

Below are some of the critical tweets:

 

 

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Nigeria court remands Chinese man over girlfriend’s killing

 A Magistrates’ Court in the northern Nigerian city of Kano has remanded in custody a Chinese businessman who is accused of killing his Nigerian girlfriend.

The suspect, Geng Quanrong, allegedly forced himself into the young woman’s family house, attacked her and slit her throat with a knife last weekend.

The killing sparked public outrage across Nigeria – with social media users and the victim’s family calling for justice.

Mr Geng, 47, was arraigned on Wednesday and government prosecutors accused him of murder.

But they asked the court to grant them time to prepare proper charges. The suspect has not yet entered a plea.

A spokesperson for the judiciary in Kano state told the BBC the case had been adjourned to 13 October.

The victim, Ummukulthum Sani Buhari, 22, was taken to a local hospital after the stabbing. Doctors confirmed she was dead on arrival.

The suspect was arrested as he attempted to flee the scene – after residents raised the alarm. Since then he has been in police custody.

It is unclear what exactly triggered the incident on Friday night, but residents and family sources say the estranged lovers had started having problems when the deceased indicated she was no longer interested in marrying the Chinese man.

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Global Leaders to Receive Presidential Awards During 2022 African and Caribbean International Leadership Conference at National Press Club

 The Caribbean and African Faith Based Leadership Conference (CAFBLC) will honor national and international leaders for their exceptional service to the global African diaspora at the 2022 African and Caribbean International Leadership Conference and Awards Gala on Thursday, September 29th. This significant event, held in collaboration with the United States 51st Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, will take place at the National Press Club. This year’s theme is: “United in Faith for Social Change”.

The award recipients will receive awards, including the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, signed by U.S. President Joe Biden. The honorees consist of renowned global leaders, volunteers, leaders in community development, diplomats, elected officials, and corporate and spiritual leaders who, operating primarily from a faith perspective, have made an immensely positive impact on major issues such as religious liberty, civil rights, humanitarian concerns, social justice, economic development and mission partnerships.

Dr. Agorom Dike, President and CEO of the Caribbean and African Faith Based Leadership Conference, stated that “the agenda of the conference is to promote transformational leadership and economic development through faith-based partnerships”. He describes the awards gala as a way to champion the extraordinary work and volunteerism of the recipients by honoring them and allowing them to speak on panels. Additionally, the event fosters learning, networking, partnerships, and serves as a gateway for people who desire to connect with the African and Caribbean communities.

“We issue the Global Humanitarian Leadership Award and certify the U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for members, among others of our community, and those who positively impact our constituency – the diaspora,” said Dr. Dike. “This year, we have a prestigious roster of recipients who will receive their awards signed by Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States of America”

Among the top honorees are: His Royal Majesty Okatekyie Asafo Boakye III, King of the Sanzule Kingdom – in Western Ghana; Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, President of Howard University; Cardinal Modiri Patrick Shole, President & Founder of Saucic – South Africa; Pastor Frances Mambu, General Overseer of Faith Healing Bible Church in Sierra Leone; Congresswoman Karen Bass, United States House of Representatives – California; Ambassador Sonia Johnny, Senior Legal Advisor for Organization of American States – St. Lucian; Ghanian Prophet Dr. Kofi Danso, General Overseer of Miracle Arena for All Nations – Toronto, Canada; Nigerian-American leader Dr. Manny Ohonme, President & CEO Samaritan’s Feet International; Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Weaver, President & CEO PanAfrican Collective –USA; Ambassador Dr. Erieka Bennett, Convening Founder & Head of Mission Diaspora African Forum-USA; Ambassador Curtis Ward, former Jamaican Ambassador to the United Nations and the President of the Caribbean Research and Policy Center; Angeles Echols-Brown, Founder of Educating Young Minds, curriculum and e-learning developer, and author – California; Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, social activist and Senior Pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church – Dallas, TX.; and Ron Busby Sr., President and CEO of U.S. Black Chamber, Inc. Other Presidential Lifetime Honorees will be listed in our website at cafblc.com

Other distinguished honorees include:

• Evangelist Steven Sebyala, Founder and President Church of Christ, Uganda
• Hazel Trice Edney, President and CEO of Trice Edney Communications, USA
• Sierra Leonean, Rev. Dr. David Vandy, International Multimedia Broadcaster for Voice of America.
• Reverend Steve Mensah, Charismatic Evangelical Ministry CMA, Accra, Ghana.
• Bishop Dr. Never Muparutsa Chairman of Christian Denominations of Zimbabwe
• Bob Marshall Sr., Vice President of Wells Fargo
• Dr. Ambassador Hugues Sanon, Corp Special Envoy, Global Relations to the UN, Global Ambassador for FDFW
• Honorable Ali Gedikoglu, Founder and Chairman of COJEP International Conseil Pour La Justice L’Egalite’ et la Paix France
• Pastor Paul Nya, General Overseer for Praise Chapel in Togo, West Africa

Dr. Felicia Bassey-Akamune, Conference Co-chair and CEO of Milestone Medical Outreach urges people to join the conference in making a difference.

“Together we can strategize, bring hope, and change lives through access to quality healthcare, awareness and education to underserved residents throughout the United States, Africa and other places around the world,” she said.

The schedule for September 29th Includes:

8:00 AM to 3:00 PM International Leadership Conference

5:15 PM to 6:00 PM Press Conference

6:00 PM to 700: PM – Red-Carpet VIP Networking Reception

7:15 PM to 11:45 PM International Leadership Awards Gala

On Saturday, October 1st  – 7:30 AM -10:00 AM, delegates are invited to join at the CBC Prayer Breakfast and Day of Healing.

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Ukraine war: Putin orders partial mobilisation after facing setbacks

Russian President Vladimir Putin is calling up thousands of extra troops to fight in Ukraine after suffering setbacks on the battlefield.

Mr Putin said the partial mobilisation was necessary to ensure Russian territorial integrity.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said it showed Mr Putin wanted to drown Ukraine in blood – including that of his own soldiers.

The announcement applies to 300,000 military reservists.

They make up a fraction of about 25 million Russian reservists – people who have done their military service which is compulsory in Russia.

It is unclear how much military experience those being called up will have.

Russian commentators have raised questions about the move, pointing out that the signed decree says nothing about a cap on numbers or about any exceptions, such as not recruiting students or conscripts.

Instead, these details are left to regional heads to decide how to meet quotas. In theory, the net could be cast far wider than the Kremlin has specified.

However Russian officials said it would announce “very soon” those who would be exempt from its partial mobilisation.

In a televised address, Mr Putin also said the West were engaging in “nuclear blackmail”. He said Moscow had “lots of weapons to reply” and would use all available means to protects its territory.

Mr Putin said a threat to retaliate further was “not a bluff”.

According to thinktank the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has 5,977 nuclear warheads – the devices that trigger a nuclear explosion – though this includes about 1,500 that are retired and set to be dismantled.

Of the remaining 4,500 or so, most are considered strategic nuclear weapons – ballistic missiles, or rockets, which can be targeted over long distances. These are the weapons usually associated with nuclear war.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called the mobilisation “a sign of panic” while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the latest announcements “an act of desperation”.

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New York AG sues Donald Trump Over Misleading Asset Valuations

 The culmination of a years-long probe by the New York attorney general into dealings by the former president and his family has been cited as the basis for a civil suit filed today.

In addition to Trump, the suit names the Trump Organization and three of the former president’s adult children — Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump — who are senior executives at the company.

The lawsuit is the latest legal threat to Trump as he weighs another run for the presidency in 2024. Trump has been under intense scrutiny ever since his Florida home was searched last month by FBI agents who unearthed highly classified documents taken from the White House. The Justice Department continues to probe his actions preceding the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol as well.

James’ case also comes just before the Trump Organization goes on trial on criminal tax-fraud charges next month. The company’s longtime Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg, who pleaded guilty to similar charges in August, agreed to testify for the prosecution as part of a deal with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Trump has denied the allegations against him and long argued that the New York civil and criminal investigations were politically motivated. Like most elected officials in state, James and Bragg are both Democrats. Trump sued James in federal court, claiming her “harassing and overreaching” probe was tainted by her political animus toward the former president. A judge dismissed his case in May.

James has said she started the probe after Trump’s longtime lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen testified to Congress in 2019 that the Trump Organization regularly manipulated asset valuations to get favorable loans or tax benefits. Her office reviewed hundreds of thousands of Trump Organization records and interviewed numerous employees and lawyers involved in the company’s asset valuations to build her case.

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