*Sunday 23 February 2025* *Headlines* *Magaya Plans To Renovate Mucheke Stadium In Exchange For Commercial Land* *10 People Rescued After Being Stranded On Save River Island* *Zim Woman Gives Birth Outside Cape Town Home While Husband Dies Next To Her* *Wife Stabs Husband To Death During A Domestic Dispute* *End of The Road For Sengezo* *How Nyambirai Snaked His Way Back Into Steward Bank* *What It Takes To Start Small Delivery Business In Zim* *Sudan's RSF, Allies Sign Charter To Form Parallel Government, Two Signatories Say* *Chinese Researchers Find Bat Virus Enters Human Cells Via Same Pathway As COVID* *Thousands Attend Funeral For Slain Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah* *Musk Orders US Federal Workers To Report On Work By Monday Or Resign* *Pope Asks For Prayers In Message From Hospital* *Zelenskiy Says He Is Willing To Give Up Presidency If It Means Peace In Ukraine* *‘Blatant Violation’: Hamas Slams Israel As Release Of Palestinians Delayed* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaatWAaBadmi3bUGfI3K *Stories in Detail:* *Magaya Plans To Renovate Mucheke Stadium In Exchange For Commercial Land* The Prophetic Healing and Deliverance leader, Prophet Walter Magaya seemed not deterred by the disqualification and subsequent embarrassment he suffered as it emerged that he did not have five Ordinary Level (O’ Levels) that were required by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) for one to contest for the presidency, which was ultimately won by Nqobile Magwizi on January 25 this year. Magaya has continued pursuing renovating and constructing a number of stadiums across the country, with Mucheke Stadium mostly likely to be his next stop after Chahwanda in Kwekwe. He is targeting at least 10 stadiums. The big question, however, is ‘what is Prophet Magaya getting out of all these deals?’ The man of God makes it appear like he is doing this for charity but the truth is he is getting commercial land in return. Magaya was recently in Masvingo before he led a delegation of Masvingo city fathers and management to Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe where he showed them the on-going construction, which he said would replicate at Mucheke Stadium if they reached an agreement. Masvingo Deputy Mayor, Councillor Daniel Mberikunashe confirmed to TellZim News that they are likely to give Magaya a piece of commercial land if they agreed on the deal. Mberikunashe said Magaya had since communicated his intention to get land in exchange for the renovation of Mucheke Stadium. “He said he want land but we are yet to decide because we want to first assess his capacity and this is one of the reason we went to his Chahwanda Stadium he is constructing in Kwekwe. We will only enter into an agreement with him once we are satisfied that he has capacity,” Mberikunashe told TellZim News. Speaking to TellZim News during the tour of Chahwanda Stadium by Masvingo councillors and management, Magaya said he will commence work by May 01, 2025 latest once they finalize the agreement. “Yes I was disqualified by ZIFA, but that will not stop me from building stadiums. I want to construct 10 stadiums across the country. I am ready to start construction work at Mucheke stadium as early as the 1st of May if we reach an agreement with the council,” said Magaya. “It is my wish to see Zimbabwe hosting Africa Cup of Nations by 2032 or even the World Cup, hence, the need to build world class stadiums across the country,” he added. Magaya said Chahwanda stadium, which commenced construction in December 2024, will be complete and ready for use by end of March this year. Magaya is also engaging Kadoma City Council so that he can have a similar arrangement as the one he is striking with Masvingo City Council. Kadoma Mayor, Councillor Nijel Ruzariro who was also part of the touring delegation said they can’t wait to partner with Magaya to construct a modern stadium. “As Kadoma City we are ready to support Prophet Magaya. Rimuka Stadium will benefit the people of Kadoma in many ways; firstly it will be a major uplift for the City and it will be the first of its kind in Mashonaland West,” said Ruzariro. *Tellzim* *10 People Rescued After Being Stranded On Save River Island* Ten people, members of three families, who were marooned on an island in the Save River, Birchenough, Chipinge, last Thursday, have been rescued. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) reported that the group had travelled to the island to tend to their fields. While there, they constructed a makeshift shelter to use while weeding their crops. However, when the river flooded, they became trapped on the island. Police said: The ZRP Sub-Aqua team rescued 10 people who were marooned on an island in Save River, Birchenough, Chipinge, on 20/02/25. The victims, who are members of three families, had travelled to the island to tend to their fields. They had built a makeshift shelter while weeding their crops. However, they became trapped when the river flooded. Meanwhile, 49 people have lost their lives in extreme weather incidents recorded since the start of the rainy season. Nathan Nkomo, the chief director of the Department of Civil Protection, said the heavy rains have caused widespread damage to both private property and public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, shops, and a church, with the total value of the destruction exceeding US$330,000. *Pindula* *Zim Woman Gives Birth Outside Cape Town Home While Husband Dies Next To Her* While a pregnant woman in labour was waiting for an Uber to take her to hospital, her husband was brutally stabbed to death in front of her in the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Cape Town. Talent, whose surname has not been revealed, called a ride service to take his partner, Lillian Gono, to hospital because she was about to give birth early on Thursday morning. However, the moment of celebration turned into tragedy when Talent was attacked. Before they could even get into the car, Talent was stabbed multiple times by a group of men. The tragic story was shared on Facebook by Toni Tresadern. When Lillian’s water broke, Talent called an Uber to take her to Dunoon Hospital. When it arrived, Talent went outside to put their hospital bag in the car. As he returned to help his wife into the car, a group of eight men attacked him. Tresadern said they beat him, before stabbing him in the head, stomach and chest. They then fled with his phone and the hospital bag. Lillian, who was struggling with labour pains, struggled down the stairs to find her husband lying in a pool of blood. She gave birth to a baby girl right next to her husband. “He passed away a few seconds after [his daughter] was born,” Tresadern said. Tresadern said she met Talent five years ago when he was selling pumpkins. The couple were originally from Zimbabwe and the newborn baby, who has been named after her father, was their third child. According to Tresadern, the family were to return home in April after securing funds to open a hardware store and welding business. A BackaBuddy campaign has been started to raise funds for Lillian to return home and bury her husband. The campaign was started by Jeannie Ross, who says she met Lilian about five years ago when she hired her as a domestic worker. Since then, Ross says, she and Lilian had become friends. “Lilian now faces an unimaginable road ahead, raising three children without the man who was her anchor,” Ross said in her BackaBuddy post. The target the campaign is aiming for is R35 000. At the time of publishing, R34 770 had been donated. When contacted for comment on Friday morning, the police in the Western Cape said they were unaware of the incident. *Wife Stabs Husband To Death During A Domestic Dispute* A Harare woman appeared in court on Friday facing charges of murder after she allegedly fatally stabbed her husband during a domestic dispute. The suspect, Prisca Takaza (29), was remanded in custody when she appeared before Harare magistrate Isheunesu Matova. According to prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, the now-deceased arrived home intoxicated and joined Takaza in bed. Shortly after, an argument broke out between the couple, with the deceased accusing Takaza of cheating among other accusations. The argument escalated, with the couple shouting at each other, before the deceased allegedly began assaulting Takaza. It is alleged that he choked her, causing her to fall to the floor near a dish filled with kitchen utensils. In an attempt to defend herself, Takaza reportedly grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed her husband once in the chest. Standard *End of The Road For Sengezo* Sengezo Tshabangu, the self-imposed secretary of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), is making a last-ditch effort to salvage his dwindling political career by vehemently denying any affiliation with a faction led by Welshman Ncube. This comes after his recent dismissal from the party following a disciplinary hearing initiated by Ncube’s CCC faction, which he attended under protest. Tshabangu’s troubles began with his unilateral decisions to alter the party’s leadership in Parliament, a move that sparked outrage and accusations of misconduct. He now faces recall from his senatorial position and has been widely labelled as a proxy for the ruling Zanu PF party, accusations he strongly denies. Prior to that, Tshabangu became public enemy number one after controversially recalling and literally firing over 50 CCC MPs and Senators, claiming that those he recalled were illegally ‘imposed’ as party candidates by Chamisa’s faction. Within the CCC, deep divisions have emerged, with factions reportedly led by Jameson Timba and Welshman Ncube. Tshabangu, however, now refers to these factions as CCC-Blue and CCC-Green respectively, further highlighting the fractured state of the opposition party. The CCC Blue is understood to represent a faction aligned to the party’s founding leader, Nelson Chamisa, while the CCC-Green alludes to Ncube’s historical association with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), which previously adopted green as its party colour. Adding fuel to the fire, Tshabangu has claimed that the terms of office for the entire CCC leadership expired on May 27, 2024, according to the party’s constitution, effectively rendering the party without a legitimate president. In a statement released through his spokesperson, Nqobizitha Mlio, Tshabangu sought to distance himself entirely from the Ncube faction. “Senator Tshabangu is not and has never been a member of CCC-Green and, as the record will show, he was not nominated or deployed as a Senator in Parliament by CCC-Green or by any of its officials, not least by the embattled Ncube,” Mlio asserted. The statement further claimed that Tshabangu has never participated in any meetings or belonged to any structures within the CCC-Green faction, making his expulsion by that faction unlawful. “It is a matter of the public record, which is very easy to confirm or to verify that Senator Tshabangu has never ever attended any meeting of any party structure of CCC-Green nor has he ever belonged to any party structure of CCC-Green from which he can be lawfully expelled by CCC-Green.” Mlio also pointed to ongoing court cases between Ncube and Tshabangu, arguing that these legal battles demonstrate their belonging to distinct and separate party formations within the broader CCC framework. “Indeed, even the court record in which Prof Welshman Ncube and Senator Tshabangu have been litigants against each other since 3 October 2024 will clearly show that they belong to different party formations CCC.” Furthermore, Tshabangu’s camp has accused Ncube of opportunistically claiming CCC leadership solely to gain control of party funds allocated under the Political Parties (Finance) Act. Mlio alleged that “The CCC-Green led Prof Welshman Ncube, whose current preoccupation is grabbing party finances by any means available, and which is largely if not exclusively composed of former members of MDC-Green, and which has particularly become active in the courts and noisy in the media from around 3 October 2024 when Prof Ncube and his cronies started eying to loot party finance due to CCC under the Political Parties (Finance Act).” The dispute between Ncube and Tshabangu has indeed spilled into the courts, further illustrating the deep-seated divisions within the CCC. Mlio emphasized that Ncube and his CCC-Green faction have consistently referred to Tshabangu as “a male adult” in legal documents, never acknowledging him as a member or official of their party. “Ncube and his CCC-Green have never cited Senator Tshabangu as belonging to their party or as their member or their party official,” Mlio stated. “Instead, they have been citing Senator Tshabangu as ‘a male adult’. They have never considered him as one of their number.” The statement went on to accuse Ncube of a shameless pursuit of money, suggesting that this was the sole motivation behind his legal actions against Tshabangu. “Embarrassingly, their love of and shameless quest for money was the only reason Prof Welshman Ncube and his CCC-Green came alive in court on October 3, 2024 and became an active and quarrelsome political outfit, recklessly charging like wounded bulls from court to court in pursuit of Senator Tshabangu.” In response to Tshabangu’s actions, Ncube’s faction has vowed to recall him as a Senator from Parliament, further escalating the conflict. The current crisis within the CCC stems from Tshabangu’s controversial move to “snatch” the party from its founding leader, Chamisa. This action led to the recall of numerous CCC legislators, triggering costly by-elections and further destabilizing the opposition. It is widely believed that Tshabangu was promised millions of dollars under the Political Parties Finances Act after he seized control of the CCC. However, he has reportedly not received any funds to date, as the government has stated that it is awaiting the resolution of the leadership disputes within the party before disbursing any money. The infighting within the CCC has raised serious questions about the party’s ability to effectively challenge the ruling Zanu PF party in future elections. The divisions and accusations of self-interest have eroded public trust and confidence in the opposition, leaving many Zimbabweans disillusioned with the political landscape. As Tshabangu fights to salvage his political career, the future of the CCC hangs in the balance. *How Nyambirai Snaked His Way Back Into Steward Bank* City businessman, Tawanda Nyambirai, the architect behind Steward Bank’s success, has engineered a remarkable return, reclaiming ownership of the institution he once built. His dramatic move comes after a significant restructuring of EcoCash Holdings Zimbabwe Limited (EHZL)’s shareholding, culminating in Nyambirai assuming control of the bank he founded. Nyambirai now also serves as group chief executive officer of EHZL. Nyambirai’s connection to Steward Bank began with its transformation from TN Bank, which he also led. Following the sale of TN Bank to Econet Wireless in 2012, Nyambirai’s association with the bank continued through his leadership of TN Asset Management (TNAM). He explained the complex series of events that led to his return and ultimate acquisition. “I developed TNAM to be the second largest asset manager in Zimbabwe after Old Mutual, by Funds under Management,” he said. “As TNAM, we were the underwriters of the EcoCash Holdings Zimbabwe Limited Rights Offer last year.” This underwriting, he explained, led to TNAM acquiring a 25 percent shareholding in the bank holding company after the transfer of fintech assets, including EcoCash, to Econet. He noted that Econet’s strategic focus had shifted towards fintech, creating an opening for him. “Therefore, there was an opportunity to increase my stake beyond 25 percent,” Nyambirai stated. “I was always sentimentally attached to the bank as its founder. I had the capacity to increase my shareholding. So, I took the opportunity.” Crucial to Nyambirai’s plan were recent shareholder changes at EHZL. He now controls over 50 percent of the bank holding company, with 25 percent subject to regulatory approval from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. He outlined the new shareholder structure: “The top seven shareholders of the Bank Holding Company are as follows: 1 TN Asset Management Nominees 53.261 percent, 2 Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited 12.351 percent, 3 Econet Global Limited 9.01 percent, 4 Stanbic Nominees (private) Limited (NNR) 3.519 percent, 5 Stanbic Nominees (private) Limited 3.41 percent, 6 Old Mutual Life Assurance Company of Zimbabwe Limited 3.037 percent, 7 Econet Wireless Zimbabwe SPV Limited 2.47 percent.” This significant shift in ownership prompted a board restructuring, with several directors resigning, including chairperson Sherree Gladys Shereni. Dr. Titus Murefu has been appointed the new chairman. Nyambirai’s appointment as Group CEO solidifies his control and signals a renewed focus on his vision for the institution. His return comes at a critical juncture for both the Zimbabwean economy and EHZL. Analysts suggest that his extensive experience in building and scaling financial institutions will be invaluable in navigating the current economic complexities. Nyambirai’s vision involves transforming the bank into a “CyberTech banking group.” He described a future where “the traditional branch will be replaced by a banking kiosk from which customers will transact using computers, smart phones and iPads and ATMs. Picture the set up in modern phone shops that you find abroad. Then you will get the picture I am trying to paint.” He also plans to enhance the online banking platform to allow for automatic account opening and emphasised a renewed focus on customer service, guided by the values of Innovare, Dignitas, Industria, Fides, Originalis and Humilitas (IDIFOH). Reflecting on his past decisions, Nyambirai said: “Selling the bank was one of my best decisions ever and buying it back is a good decision.” He emphasised the importance of making “good timely data driven decisions, even if the decisions seem to go against the grain,” and added, “I have learnt never to allow my detractors to define me.” He acknowledged the regulatory hurdles in Zimbabwe’s financial sector, citing “an ever-shifting regulatory environment” and the impact of sanctions. “The biggest risk in the Zimbabwean financial services sector is regulatory,” he asserted. However, he sees opportunities in technology. “If we innovate enough and quickly enough, we may still become a great bank,” he stated. Addressing stakeholders directly, Nyambirai acknowledged the need for workforce adjustments. “The bank is over employed. We must right size,” he said. However, he pledged to explore all options to save jobs before resorting to retrenchments. He plans to establish a private equity/venture capital fund to support retrenched employees in becoming entrepreneurs. “The message to employees is that retrenchments are coming. But they will come with a silver lining. This will be a chance of a lifetime to become a well-capitalised entrepreneur,” he said. He also assured shareholders of his commitment to strong returns. “I will ensure delivery of a good return to the shareholders,” he stated. Nyambirai’s view of financial inclusion extends beyond simply opening bank accounts. “To be meaningful, financial inclusion must empower citizens with resources that they can use to conduct trade and commerce,” he explained. He emphasised the importance of lending to productive sectors of the economy to create jobs and empower citizens. He confirmed that his plans encompass both short-term and long-term goals. *Ecocash Holdings to rebrand* Meanwhile Econet Wireless Zimbabwe says EcoCash Holdings is in the process of changing its name to remove the reference to EcoCash, as the company no longer owns EcoCash and the other fintech businesses. This follows shareholder changes whereby Nyambirai’s TN acquired 53,3 percent of the Bank Holding Company, of which 25 percent was already held in line with the Banking Act and Regulations. The remaining 28.3 percent, is subject to a pending Application to the Registrar of Banks to hold in excess of the permitted 25 percent limit, before beneficial ownership is transferred. According to a joint statement published today, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited and Econet Global Limited currently have a shareholding position in the Bank Holding Company of 12.4 percent and 12.5 percent, respectively and intend to maintain a strategic shareholding in the Bank Holding Company. In April 2024, Econet Wireless and EcoCash Holdings concluded a Scheme of Reconstruction whereby all the Financial Technology Businesses, namely EcoCash (Private) Limited, VAYA Technologies Zimbabwe (Private) Limited, Econet Insurance (Private) Limited, Econet Life (Private) Limited, MARS Zimbabwe (Private) Limited and Maisha Health Fund (Private) Limited, were transferred from EcoCash Holdings to Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited. “As a result of this reorganisation, EcoCash Holdings Zimbabwe Limited retained its status as a ‘Bank Holding Company” with Steward Bank Limited as its only asset,” reads part of the statement. In terms of operational continuity, the companies said the Fintech businesses have been operating as subsidiaries of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited since April 2024, and their performance was reported in the company’s public financial reports for the half year ended August 2024 under the Mobile Money and Insurance segments. According to the joint statement, Eddie Chibi continues as chief executive officer of the Financial Technology Businesses that are now held as subsidiaries of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe. “All existing fintech, mobile money, and banking services operations continue uninterrupted,” reads the statement. Already, Nyambirai has made board changes with several directors resigning, including chairperson Sherree Gladys Shereni. Dr Titus Murefu has been appointed the new chairman. His appointment as Group CEO solidifies his control and signals a renewed focus on his vision for the institution. He also plans to enhance the online banking platform to allow for automatic account opening and emphasised a renewed focus on customer service, guided by the values of Innovare, Dignitas, Industria, Fides, Originalis, and Humilitas (IDIFOH). *What It Takes To Start Small Delivery Business In Zim* THE rise of online shopping and food delivery in Zimbabwe has opened up a promising opportunity: running a small delivery business. It sounds simple — buy a bike, get a phone and start making deliveries. But, as with most things in Zimbabwe, the reality is more complicated. Before you hit the road, you will need cash, paperwork and a good dose of patience. *Costs* A delivery business starts with one essential tool: a vehicle. In Zimbabwe, most small-scale operators choose motorcycles for their fuel efficiency and ability to weave through traffic. Here is what that investment looks like: Motorcycle — A second-hand bike costs between US$700 and US$1 500. A brand-new one? Expect to pay upwards of US$2 000. A small delivery van — ideal for bulkier orders — will set you back at least US$5 000. Licensing and registration — Registering your business with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority costs US$100 to US$200, depending on your structure. Then there is commercial vehicle registration and licensing, which adds another US$100 to US$300. Insurance — Third-party insurance for a motorcycle costs about US$50 a year. Comprehensive coverage, which is a good idea if you do not want to be left stranded after an accident, is around US$250. Vans cost significantly more to insure. Delivery box and branding — A secure delivery box costs around US$100, and if you want to look professional, adding branding brings the total to US$150. *Running the business* You have bought your bike, your paperwork is sorted and you are ready to roll, but now comes the tricky part — making it a business. Fuel and maintenance — A motorbike burns through about US$5 to US$10 worth of fuel per day, depending on mileage. Maintenance — oil changes, tyres and servicing — adds another US$200 to US$500 per year. Payment systems — Zimbabwe is largely cashless. To get paid efficiently, you will need an EcoCash or ZIPIT account. If you want to cater for businesses, a point-of-sale machine costs around US$300. Marketing — Word-of-mouth is great but a basic social media presence is essential. A Facebook page is free, but running adverts to attract customers might cost US$50 to US$200 a month. A website? That is another US$200. Permits and compliance — If you are handling food deliveries, some cities require health clearances, which cost around US$50. If you plan to scale up, renting a small office or storage space starts at US$150 per month in Harare, for example. *Can you make money?* Let us do some quick math. Most small operators charge US$2 to US$5 per trip within Harare. If you are doing 10 deliveries a day, that is up to US$1 500 a month before expenses. After fuel, maintenance and other running costs, you are left with US$700 to US$1 000 — not bad, but not exactly a goldmine. The real money comes with volume. A delivery business in Zimbabwe is possible, but it is not easy. Success depends on cutting costs, marketing smartly and building a loyal client base, one parcel at a time. *Sunday Mail* *Sudan's RSF, Allies Sign Charter To Form Parallel Government, Two Signatories Say* Sudan's Rapid Support Forces signed a charter with allied political and armed groups late on Saturday to establish a "government of peace and unity", signatories al-Hadi Idris and Ibrahim al-Mirghani told Reuters. Among the signatories to the charter is Abdelaziz al-Hilu, a powerful rebel leader who controls vast swathes of territory and troops in South Kordofan state, and who has long demanded that Sudan embrace secularism. Such a government, which has already drawn concern from the United Nations, is not expected to receive widespread recognition, but is a further sign of the splintering of the country during a civil war that has lasted almost two years. The RSF has seized most of the western Darfur region and parts of the Kordofan region in the war, but is being pushed back from central Sudan by the Sudanese army, which has condemned the formation of a parallel government. Idris, a former official and head of an armed group, said the government's formation will be announced from inside the country in the coming days. According to the text of the charter, the signatories agreed that Sudan should be a "secular, democratic, non-centralised state" with a single national army, though it preserved the right of armed groups to continue to exist. The charter said the government did not exist to split the country, but rather to unify it and to end the war, tasks it said the army-aligned government operating out of Port Sudan had failed to do. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the paramilitary RSF, which has been accused of widespread abuses including genocide, was hit with sanctions by the U.S. earlier this year. Dagalo had previously shared power with the army and civilian politicians as part of an agreement following the ouster of Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The two forces ousted the civilian politicians in a 2021 coup before war erupted between them over the integration of their troops during a transition to democracy. The conflict has devastated the country, creating an "unprecedented" humanitarian crisis and driving half the population into hunger, with famine in multiple areas. The signing took place in a closed event, in contrast to a flashier kick-off earlier this week in Nairobi. Both events were hosted in Kenya, drawing condemnation from Sudan and domestic criticism of Kenyan President William Ruto for plunging the country into a diplomatic melee. The Sudanese government has accused the United Arab Emirates of backing the RSF militarily and financially, charges U.N. experts and U.S. lawmakers say are credible. The UAE denies the accusation. Sudan earlier this week passed changes to the country's constitutional document, giving the army expanded powers. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan says the army would be announcing its "war cabinet" soon. *Reuters* *Chinese Researchers Find Bat Virus Enters Human Cells Via Same Pathway As COVID* A newly discovered bat coronavirus uses the same cell-surface protein to gain entry into human cells as the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, raising the possibility that it could someday spread to humans, Chinese researchers have reported. The virus does not enter human cells as readily as SARS-CoV-2 does, the Chinese researchers reported in the journal Cell, noting some of its limitations. The scientists said that like SARS-CoV-2, the bat virus HKU5-CoV-2 contains a feature known as the furin cleavage site that helps it to enter cells via the ACE2 receptor protein on cell surfaces. In lab experiments, HKU5-CoV-2 infected human cells with high ACE2 levels in test tubes and in models of human intestines and airways. In further experiments, the researchers identified monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs that target the bat virus. Bloomberg, which reported on the study earlier on Friday, said the paper identifying the bat virus had moved shares of COVID vaccine makers. Pfizer shares closed up 1.5% on Friday, Moderna climbed 5.3% and Novavax was up about 1% on a down day for the broader market. Asked about concerns raised by the report of another pandemic resulting from this new virus, Dr. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, called the reaction to the study "overblown." He said there is a lot of immunity in the population to similar SARS viruses compared with 2019, which may reduce the pandemic risk. The study itself noted that the virus has significantly less binding affinity to human ACE2 than SARS-CoV-2, and other suboptimal factors for human adaptation suggest the "risk of emergence in human populations should not be exaggerated." *Reuters* *Thousands Attend Funeral For Slain Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah* Tens of thousands of people in Lebanon paid their last respects to Hezbollah’s late leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli attack in the southern suburbs of the capital, Beirut, last September. The public funeral, delayed for security reasons, began at 1pm local time (11:00 GMT) on Sunday at Beirut’s Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, which has a capacity of about 50,000 people. The event kicked off with a speech by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that was read out at the funeral. Then, the decorated coffins of Nasrallah and his heir apparent Hashem Safieddine – killed in another Israeli air attack a week later were slowly driven into the stadium. Both coffins were draped with yellow clothes – the colour of the Iran-backed group. At the sight of the coffins, the crowd erupted in cheers and then followed the journey into the stadium in silence. In a televised speech, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the group would keep following the path of Nasrallah. “We will uphold trust and walk on this path, we will uphold your will,” Qassem said referring to Nasrallah, adding: “You are still with us: your… path and struggle live within us” and “I am loyal to the legacy Nasrallah”. Hezbollah organisers had installed thousands of extra seats on the stadium’s pitch and many more outside, where mourners were able to follow the ceremony on a giant screen. Giant portraits of Nasrallah were plastered on walls and bridges across south Beirut. Reporting from the site of the funeral procession, Al Jazeera correspondent Zeina Khodr said Nasrallah was like a “father figure” for Lebanon’s Shia community, among whom Hezbollah has a “significant following”. “Nasrallah was not just a leader for them, he was a father figure, a man who protected them, because this is a community in Lebanon that has long felt marginalised,” she said. “What they are trying to say is we are still strong, we still have political strength,” Khodr said, referring to the mourners. Hezbollah official Ali Daamoush told reporters on Saturday that about 800 personalities from 65 countries will attend the funeral in addition to thousands of individuals and activists who came from around the world. “Come from every home, village and city so that we tell the enemy that this resistance will stay and is ready in the field,” Daamoush said, referring to Israel. According to Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem, the funeral was a “show of force”. “It also reflected that the logistical part of Hezbollah is back in action,” Hashem said. “The power to mobilise people from different areas in Lebanon … gave a kind of an impression that this party is back in action the way it was.” The funeral also sent a political message, he added. “Hezbollah is trying to say that despite all the impacts of the Israeli war, despite what happened in Syria, Hezbollah’s main arsenal isn’t weapons, it is [its] people,” said Hashem. “Hezbollah wanted to raise in a clear way in front of everyone, not only as a local message, but also as a regional message, that if Hezbollah is not part of any settlement, of any arrangement in Lebanon, it could be part of a disruption.” Nasrallah, the face of Hezbollah for more than three decades, and Safieddine had temporarily been buried in secret locations over fears their funerals could be targeted by Israeli forces. Nasrallah will be buried in a piece of land near the airport road in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Safieddine will be laid to rest in his hometown of Deir Qanoun en-Nahr in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Lebanese state media reported that Israeli planes flew at low altitude over Beirut during the funeral ceremony. “The hostile warplanes flew at low altitude over the skies of Beirut and its suburbs,” the National News Agency said, hours after it reported Israeli air attacks in the area between Qleileh and Sammaaiyah in south Lebanon’s Tyre district. The Israeli military said it targeted rocket launchers in southern Lebanon which it said threatened its civilians. “A short while ago, the IDF [Israeli military] conducted a precise intelligence-based strike on a military site containing rocket launchers and weapons in Lebanese territory, in which Hezbollah activity was identified,” a military statement said. “Additionally, several rocket launchers that posed an imminent threat to Israeli civilians were struck in southern Lebanon.” A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since November 27, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah that escalated into a full-scale conflict in September. Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, but the deadline was extended to February 18 after Israel refused to comply. The Israeli army withdrew from southern Lebanese towns on Tuesday, but maintains a military presence at five border outposts. *Aljazeera* *Musk Orders US Federal Workers To Report On Work By Monday Or Resign* The Trump administration sent emails on Saturday evening to U.S. federal government employees telling them to detail their work accomplishments from the previous week by Monday night or risk losing their jobs. The emails came shortly after Elon Musk, the billionaire head of the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency, posted on the social media site X that not responding to the email request would be viewed as a resignation. "All federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week," Musk posted on X. "Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation." Musk issued his post just hours after President Donald Trump posted on his own social media network, Truth Social, that DOGE should get more aggressive in its attempts to downsize and reshape the 2.3 million-strong federal workforce. As of Saturday evening, emails were sent to employees across federal agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others with the subject line, "What did you do last week?" The email, seen by Reuters, asks employees to reply with five bullet points summarizing "what you accomplished at work last week," and to copy their managers. It was sent from a human resources address from the Office of Personnel Management, and gives employees until 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday to respond. It is unclear what legal basis Musk has to terminate federal workers if they fail to respond to his request and what would happen to employees that cannot detail confidential work. Some federal judiciary employees received the email on Saturday from OPM, even though the court system is not part of the executive branch, people familiar with the matter said. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the judiciary's administrative arm, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Workers at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also received the email, according to people with knowledge of the matter. However, most agency staff had been ordered not to perform any tasks since early this month, creating a conundrum. The agency is also under temporary court order not to resume mass firings pending the outcome of legal proceedings. A spokesperson for DOGE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The AFGE, the union representing federal employees, said in a statement it will challenge any "unlawful terminations." "Once again, Elon Musk and the Trump administration have shown their utter disdain for federal employees and the critical services they provide to the American people," said Everett Kelley, the AFGE's president. The Trump administration's fast-paced and controversial process to reduce government spending by shrinking the federal workforce spearheaded by Musk and his young aides at the cost-cutting DOGE has led to haphazard firings that resulted in numerous mistakes and forced several agencies to quickly rehire vital employees, such as those working on nuclear safety, defense and power generation. The first wave of job cuts has targeted workers who are easier to fire, such as probationary employees on the job for less than two years or those who have started new roles within an agency. The indiscriminate firings have led to DOGE terminating people whose jobs are not funded by taxpayers and have begun to anger people across the country who are concerned about a loss of services and the impact of federal job losses on local economies. Trump has repeatedly talked about Musk as the functional leader of DOGE, which is not a cabinet-level department, but the White House said in a court filing this month that Musk had no authority over DOGE and was not an employee of the program. Some federal agencies sent follow-up emails to employees advising staff not to respond to the email over the weekend as they assess its validity and devise a protocol for responding to the message. "To be clear, this is irregular, unexpected and warrants further validation by management," said one email sent to NOAA employees and seen by Reuters. The Executive Office for United States