Monrovia – The State Department of the United States of America has placed Liberia among 20 countries safe to travel, out of 197 countries in the world. “This report will boost the country image around the globe, the message is clear, Liberia is doing many things right, which our international partners are closely monitoring, we should receive this news with open arms”, a veteran diplomat said. The remaining countries are all now listed as “Reconsider Travel,” or even more restrictive. Every one of the eight most popular international destinations for U.S. travelers — Canada, Mexico, the U.K, Italy, France, the Dominican Republic, Spain and Germany — are listed as “Do Not Travel.”The change “will result in a significant increase in the number of countries at Level 4: Do Not Travel, to approximately 80% of countries worldwide,” the department said in a statement. “This does not imply a reassessment of the current health situation in a given country, but rather reflects an adjustment in the State Department’s Travel Advisory system to rely more on CDC’s existing epidemiological assessment.”Since the global outbreak of COVID-19 in late 2019, there have been 142.2 million cases worldwide and over 3 million deaths.

Ganta, Nimba County – A one-day demonstration fueled by some angry residents over the burning of a warehouse Tuesday paralyzed the commercial city of Ganta in Nimba County. Unending land dispute cases in NimbaSeveral attempts have been made to resolve land dispute cases in the county, but none has yielded any significant final result. The Special Presidential Nimba Land Commission was set up Johnson-Sirleaf. The Commission did not look for who was right or wrong; it was meant to reconcile the people and bring peace.”People in Nimba remain unreconciled as a result of the land dispute. “The land dispute in Nimba has dragged on for too long, sometimes creating constraint for some of the things we want to do.

The ANC political leader said the nation is governed in a way that excludes individuals from the rights and privileges to which all citizens ought to be equally entitled to. Speaking at 17th Commencement Convocation of the United Methodist University at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex Tuesday, Mr. Cummings said every Liberian does not need to work in government. According the ANC strongman, those who have the responsibility to guarantee equality in opportunity are not doing well to ensure the wellbeing of the citizens. “Rather than change, we continue to see opportunities which are conferred by citizenship reapportioned not based on equality in citizenship but a warped sense of partisanship and the corruption of cronyism,” Mr. Cummings said. Mr. Cummings added if the Liberian government continues to look to other countries for feeding and direct their course of development and national decision-making the sense of its independence will be undermined.

MONROVIA – A visiting team from Kroll & Associates, accompanied by a delegation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) met with senior executives of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) to discuss issues of collaboration with the CBL as the Bank prepares to undertake the printing of a new family of Liberian dollar banknotes. The head of the Kroll team, Paul Nash, expressed delight to work with the CBL team and expressed hope that the team will build on the success of the previous collaboration between their respective institutions. Nash said his team is prepared to work along with CBL technicians to discuss all the technical details that would facilitate the process. In response, CBL Executive Governor, J. Aloysius Tarlue, Jr. lauded Kroll Associates and the USAID Liberia team for the partnership. Governor Tarlue said the CBL welcomes the collaboration and is willing to continue on that path.

Rep. Kolubah was suspended on March 25, 2021 by Plenary, the highest decision-making body of the House of Representatives over what it termed as his constant habit of raining insults at President George Weah and exposing the House to public disrepute. However, Justice Nagbe did not grant the writ of probation, rather he cited both parties to a conference this Thursday, April 22. While both parties await the outcome of the conference, supporters from both side of the isle (CPP and ruling party) have begun throwing jibes at each other. However, the CPP lawmakers said the group was supported by the ruling CDC and does not represent majority of District #10, currently represented by Rep. Kolubah. “Disingenuous Comments’In a quick response to the CPP Legislative Caucus, Rep. Acarous M. Gray of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) said the opposition lawmakers were not sincere in their comments and vowed to lead a campaign to remove Rep. Kolubah if he continues his actions.

Bishop Brown observed that there are mounting concerns within the public on the whereabouts of monies printed during the administration of ex-Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and the present regime of President George Manneh Weah. He admitted that though those managing the country’s economy are making frantic efforts to address the situation, genuine concerns being raised by citizens on the printing of new Liberian bank notes must be addressed. Play supervisory roleBishop Brown stated that though members of both Houses have given a partial approval for the printing of the new Liberian bank notes, they (lawmakers) must now play a “supervisory role” over the entire process. He maintained that the Council remains concerned about the issue of accountability relative to the printing of new family of Liberian bank notes. He called on members of the Banking and Currency Committee of both Houses to ask the hard questions and conduct public hearings on speculations and doubts over the previous printing of monies before making a final determination on the printing of new Liberian bank notes.

GRAND BASSA COUNTY – A non-profit organization based in the US, “the Gbawin Literacy Project has made intervention through the donation of several assorted school materials to over 200 less fortunate students at the Barsee-Giah Public School, a government-run institution that is located in remote Barsee-Giah Town, Grand Bassa County, one of the oldest counties in Liberia. Monxhwedy described as terrible and disappointing the learning conditions of school going kids in Liberia and as such, his stay in the United States can never be considered successful without immensely contributing to Liberia’s education. I see myself as an African being birthed in Grenada and so I see quality education for Liberian children and their development into positive future leaders as my own priority. Madam Thomas said for the Liberian society to be transformed, government must invest more in childhood education and provide them the necessary opportunity to explore their talents. According to her, as a professional classroom teacher, she feels passionate and committed to kid’s development in Liberia and to provide every necessary assistance in helping to transform their lives.

MONROVIA – QNET, a pioneer of the direct selling industry in many emerging economies has rubbished claims of being ‘a scam company’ in Liberia. She further explained: “Direct selling companies the world over find that they are competing with the influx of flashy new businesses that offer side hustles. QNET, the global direct selling industry is worth more than US$180 billion and has been steadily making inroads into the Africa and Middle East regions. In fact, both these regions are seen as the new frontier for the direct selling industry. Both sub-Saharan Africa region and the Middle East are growth markets for QNET, which most recently opened an office in Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa.

“I tell ZOA thank you. We the women from the Muslim religion, for women to stand to speak, it used to be difficult. Muslim women for you to pass among public, you will kneel down before you pass. “Let me tell ZOA thank you. We still want to learn more and we want to tell your thank you and you people should continue with the project”.

Participants spanning global health experts, students, and professionals from across the global health community will share knowledge on global health issuesMonrovia – Liberia’s former President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Global Public Health Expert and Senior Research Associate at the Johns Hopkins University, Mr. Tolbert G. Nyenswah will this weekend speak at a global health event. The event which is organized by the Global Health Science and Practice Technical Exchange (GHTechX), is curated through a partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, and the Global Health: Science and Practice Journal. Furthermore, Mr. Nyenswah will share experiences on how these lessons can help countries address new health challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19. The virtual event anticipates thousands of attendees from across the World at this fully global event. Participants spanning global health experts, students, and professionals from across the global health community will share knowledge on global health issues.

Voinjama, Lofa County – The Gbowee Peace Foundation in collaboration with the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund recently ended a weeklong refresher training for peace brigades in Liberia’s northern Lofa County. The Gbowee Peace Foundation says its latest training is aimed at reducing the impact of violent crimes against women across Liberia, especially rural settlements, where SGBV and other domestic crimes are on the increase. “Gbowee Peace Foundation decided to build on the idea of the Women Mass Action for Peace, where in 2003 the women gathered to advocate for peace and justice, and ensured they got it,” said Mr. David Konneh, Program Manager of the Gbowee Peace Foundation. Elizabeth Smith, of AFELL, presented on Domestic Violence, Rape, and Human Rights and warned the women against contributing to SGBV regarding their female children. They promised on carrying out inspections at nearby towns and villages, and talk to the people on rape, domestic Violence, child abandonment, tribalism, and child abuse.

Police in Monrovia are investigating students of two high school students of the Cy-Ed Christian School of Excellence for the murder of 16-year-old school mate on campus with a 9mm pistol. Mr. Sylvanus Turay expresses regrets over son’s actions, weeps bitterlyRegretWith tears profusely rolling down his cheek, Mr. Turay regretted the incident involving his son. He clarified that every child of the Ireland’s family, including Daniel, Aaron, Nathaniel, Hannah are “like my own”, while the deceased parents are like a brother and sister to him. I want to say a big sorry to the Ireland’s family and everybody connected to the Ireland’s family-all of us. It was observed that the 14-year-old student was shot twice at a very close range (on the left and right).

Bomi County — A severe night-time storm that swept across Zepeh Clan, Senjeh District, Bomi County on Tuesday, April 13 left widespread damage, blowing off roofs and leaving some homes uninhabitable. Families in Gayah Hills Town in Zepeh Clan area were left to pick up the pieces after the violent storm compounded their already desperate living conditions. And I don’t know what I will do to rebuild my home, she said.”Another victim, Kemah Scott, said the storm destroyed everything she had. Gayah Hills Town is one of the oldest towns in Bomi County situated in the Western part of Liberia. During the Ebola crisis in 2014, the town lost the only resident doctor to the virus and its livelihood ran into complete shatters.

MONROVIA – A panel of 12 jurors has found one of Liberia’s most notorious armed robber Mulbah Kesselle guilty of armed robbery. The 12-member jury panel found Kesselle guilty of armed robbery along with his accomplice identified as Patrick Smith. But despite been found guilty by the jurors for armed robbery, defendant Kesselle still faces another indictment at the Criminal Court ‘B’ in Monrovia for alleged murder. This is the second time that defendant Kesselle has been found guilty of armed robbery. But he was later released on the order of the court (Criminal Court ‘D’) without serving his sentence.

Gbarnga, Bong County – Cuttington University is expected to honor its former student and Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Honourable Sidie Mohamed Tunis, this weekend at the university’s Suakoko campus, the university has disclosed. And, according to the university, the honor is meant to acknowledge his ascendency since his graduation in 1989. He served as Majority Leader in the Fifth Parliament of the second Republic of Sierra Leone and as a ranking member of the Sierra Leone delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament prior to his election as Honorable Speaker of the Fifth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament. Sidie Tunis served as the main opposition Minority Whip (2012-2017), chaired the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Trade and Industry, and conducted oversight on communications, infrastructure and extractive industry. In March 2020, he was elected Speaker of the 5th Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, a position he now occupies with a four years mandate.