Veteran Ghanaian actor and make-up artist, Asuo Tano, has passed away. Browngh.com has learnt.
The “Kyeiwa†famed actor died in the mid-night of Monday February 25, 2019.
Close sources to Asuo Tano have confirmed the news to this news portal that the actor gave up the ghost while on admission at hospital in Accra.
Read: New ECG meters in Kumasi killing us Kumawood actor laments bitterly
Asuo Tano have starred in several local Ghanaian movies and drama series
More coming shortly…
Manchester United interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopes forwards Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez can “step up” as the Red Devils could be without nine senior players against Crystal Palace.
Ander Herrera, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata were injured during the first half of Sunday’s match against Liverpool.
Marcus Rashford played most of the 0-0 draw with an ankle injury and is a doubt for Wednesday’s fixture.
Teenagers Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and Jimmy Garner will be involved.
Gomes, 18, is the only one of the academy trio to have made a Premier League appearance.
Read: Chelsea: Kepa fined for refusing to be substituted
As well as Herrera, Lingard and Mata, United will be without defenders Phil Jones, Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian, midfielder Nemanja Matic and forward Anthony Martial at Selhurst Park.
Argentina centre-back Marcos Rojo, who has made just three appearances this season, will also be involved after returning from a long-term injury.
“There are not a lot of positives,” said Solskjaer, who is waiting to see how Rashford responds to treatment on his ankle.
The Norwegian said Wednesday’s game gives Lukaku and Sanchez “a chance to play to their potential”.
Read: Brendan Rodgers set to quit Celtic for Leicester City
“The two get on very well,” he said. “Hopefully Alexis and Romelu can step up. We will have a good team out on the pitch.”
Martial was injured during the home defeat by Paris St-Germain on 12 February, and Solskjaer said the Frenchman could return for Saturday’s home Premier League game against Southampton.
Lingard replaced Mata during Sunday’s game but lasted just 18 minutes before suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
“Jesse was eager, ticked all the boxes, maybe it was a couple of days early,” said Solskjaer. “It was Liverpool. He was desperate to play.”
United go into Wednesday’s game fifth in the table, a point behind Arsenal in fourth.
Source: BBC
Brendan Rodgers is expected to become Leicester City’s manager after Celtic gave him permission to speak to the Premier League club.
The Northern Irishman, 46, took training on Monday but the Foxes are keen to install a successor to the sacked Claude Puel as soon as possible.
First-team coach John Kennedy is set to take charge of Celtic for Wednesday’s Scottish Premiership trip to Hearts.
They are eight points clear of nearest rivals Rangers in the league as they chase an eighth successive title in all.
Read: Barcelona coach Valverde explains why KP Boateng doesn’t feature much
Rodgers, 46, has won two Scottish Premierships, three Scottish League Cups and two Scottish Cups since arriving at Parkhead in the summer of 2016.
They reached the group stages of the Champions League in his first two seasons, but were knocked out in the third qualifying round by AEK Athens this term amid unrest between Rodgers and the Celtic board over a failure to strengthen the squad last summer.
Source: BBC
African celebrated actor Van Vicker has congratulated His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for attaining an overwhelming endorsement as flagbearer of Ghana’s biggest opposition party National Democratic Congress.
In a Facebook post captured by Attractivemustapha.com, Van Vicker said he is stupefied and wondered if the other six candidates did not campaign or the delegates just like Ex-president John Dramani Mahama.
Read: Van Vicker cautions fans against imposters as he gets verified on Instagram
The National Democratic Congress went to the polls on Saturday, 23rd February, 2019 to elect a flagbearer for the 2020 general elections where former president Mahama was endorsed by 95.23% with other six candidates including Prof Joshua Alabi, Goosie Tanoh, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, Dr Ekow Spio-Garbrah, Sylvester Mensah and Alhaji Nurudeen managed a little over 4%.
Below is Van Vicker’s Facebook post congratulating His Excellency John Dramani Mahama
Source: Attractivemustapha.com
KF Tirana attacker, Winful Cobbinah says he is satisfied with his side 2-1 win against KF Skenderbeu in the Albanian.
The former Hearts of Oak forward is enjoying an extraordinary moment in the Tirana shirt since joining from Ghanaian giants Hearts of Oak.
“It was an important and highly motivating victory for us. We are in a good spirit and this victory helps us, even more, to continue with this championship,” he said.
Read: Meet Ghana’s top 5 goalkeepers vying for AFCON tickets
“It’s a big boost for us ahead of the derby against Partizan this week, where we hope to win.
“What’s important for us is the fact that we are on the right track and we are doing our best to increase our ranking position.
Read: NC confirms government interference in football, Quist rubbishes OB Amoah’s claims
“It was a plus for me to have scored and I hope to score against Partizan as well.”
The Ghanaian has now made 19 appearances so far this season with 14 starts and has managed to score twice.
Source: footballghana.com
Highlife musician Kwaisey Pee has advised the current crop of musicians to get closer to the veterans and learn from them in other to gain more experience and insight to their trade and become better musicians.
Speaking in an interview with Ghanacreativearts.com, he said that the current musicians are doing their best but upon a sober reflection, he has noticed that they lack some few things.
According to Kwaisey Pee, when his generation started music they got closer to all the big names and top veterans whom they learnt a lot from and groomed some of to achieve their current status.
Read: Surviving as a musician in Ghana today depends on shows – Kwaisey Pee
The musician who has the highest nomination for best male vocalist in category in Ghana, he lamented that the sad aspect of the young crop of musicians is that they feel like they know it all so they end up not learning the significant things about music.
His manager in a separate interview added that it is on record that Kwaisey Pee is the best vocalist Ghana has ever had because for about ten years, he has always been nominated among the best male artiste category for Ghana Music Awards and has won that category more than any Ghanaian musician so he will be glad if those who want to be good vocalists heed to his advise.
source: Ghanacreativearts.com
Black Stars deputy captain Andre Ayew came off the bench to aid Fernabache in the 3-3 draw against Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig.
Nineteen-time champions Fenerbahce, who finished second last season, trailed to goals from home pair Gokhan Gonul and Burak Yilmaz after just 18 minutes.
Yilmaz added a penalty in stoppage time before Fenerbahce who brought on former France midfielder Mathieu Valbuena and on-loan Swansea forward Andre Ayew at half-time responded with three goals in 12 second-half minutes.
Read: Alfred Duncan to miss Sassuolo’s clash against AC Milan in serie A
Miha Zajc started the fightback on 55 minutes, with Sadik Ciftpinar and Hasan Ali Kaldirim also netting past on-loan Liverpool keeper Loris Karius to complete an extraordinary turnaround.
Neither side managed to find a dramatic winner, despite almost 10 minutes of injury time.
Fenerbahce move up to fifth from bottom, a point clear of safety, while third-placed Besiktas remain eleven points adrift of leaders Istanbul Basaksehir
Source: primenewsghana.com
Award-winning Cameroonian bassist, Richard Bona, who is Ghana ahead of the 2019 Stanbic Jazz Festival, scheduled to take place from February 28 to March 2, says he ready for a collaboration with Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy.
“Wherever Stonebwoy is someone should tell him Richard Bona is in Ghana and ready to do collaboration with him. I listen to Ghanaian music and they have such amazing talents,†he told Showbiz at a press launch of the Jazz Festival at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Monday, February 25.
Apart from Stonebwoy, Richard Bona said he is ready to collaborate with any Ghanaian artiste who is good.
This is Mr Bona’s second time at the Stanbic Jazz Festival and he said he had come with more energy this time.
Read: Stonebwoy talks love, more on E with Becks
“It is going to be more music, more dance and fun throughout. Ghana is my second home and I love to perform here always. I am going all out on the day and I will perform all the favourite songs the fans know me for,†he added.
Speaking at the press launch, Head of Marketing at Stanbic Bank, Mr Mawuko Afadzinu, said everything was in place for the fifth edition of the Stanbic Jazz Festival.
“The event is getting better with each edition and this year is going to be massive. We have the best people on board to make sure the event is a success,” he said.
Richard Bona, Salif Keita and UB40 are headlining this year’s Stanbic Jazz Festival which is themed: “Nostalgia.”
Ghanaian artistes billed to perform on the night are Akablay, Blue Rhythm, Jazz Accra, Knii Lante, Steve Bedi, Checheku, Owureku, Francis Osei and Ssue.
Source: graphic showbiz
A bride has caused a stir on social media by ordering her maid of honour to stop dancing during her wedding.
In a video which has been sighted by YEN.com.gh on social media, the bride and her maid of honours were dancing to the delight of the people who had gathered.
In the video, the bride and her maid of honours were dancing nicely as people were cheering them on.
Read: Bride shockingly dies in fatal accident on her wedding day
But from nowhere, the bride turned to her right to warn one of her maid of honours not to dance more than her or she will slap her.
It clearly shows that the bride did not want any trouble with respect to losing her husband.
And also she wanted to tell her maid of honour that if she wants to dance, she should organize her own wedding.
source: yen.com.gh
Two 3rd year female students of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, namely: Mercy Adoley Quaye and Irene Okai have displayed ingenuity by developing an alcohol detecting device that will help curb drink-driving. The device was showcased at the 4th Innovation and Career Fair organised for students of the University.
According to Mercy Adoley Quaye and Irene Okai, they developed the device because driving under the influence of alcohol has caused and is still causing much danger to lives and property in the society. They also believe that drunk driving does not only put the driver at risk but also innocent passengers, pedestrians and other road users. According to the two students, the device has a mechanism that detects the presence of alcohol and takes measures when the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) crosses the acceptable threshold. A Short Message Service (SMS) would then be sent to relatives or the station master (in the case of commercial vehicles), when the presence of alcohol crosses the threshold value. The system will then lock the engine and prevent it from starting when the presence of alcohol is detected.
Nkana FC will arrive in Ghana on Wednesday ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup game against Asante Kotoko
The Zambian side defeated Asante Kotoko by 3-1 at the Nkana Sports Stadium in Kitwe on Sunday in the first leg
The team will embark on their journey on Tuesday and arrive on Wednesday with a 38-man contingent according to Chief Executive Officer of the club Charles Chakatazya.
Read: Nkana FC’s Richard Ocran and Mussa Muhamad suspended for Asante Kotoko away clash
Speaking to Oyerepa FM, Charles Chakatazya is expecting a warm reception from their Ghanaian counterparts when they arrive in the country
“We are leaving Zambia tomorrow Tuesday and will arrive in Ghana on Wednesday with about 38 people
“Football in Africa is a uniting sport now, you become a family throughout Africa and so we expect everyone to behave same way”
“The football days where we were mistreating each other is long gone but for now we just need to be receiving each other well and treating each other well.
Read: CAF Confed Cup: Kotoko will beat Nkana in Kumasi – Former coach
“So we are expecting the same treatment from Kotoko when we get to Ghana.”
Asante Kotoko have already expressed their gratitude to Nkana FC for the warm reception given them during their stay in Kitwe ahead of the first leg between Nkana
Asante Kotoko have also indicated they will give same preferential treatment to Nkana in Ghana
Kotoko team is expected to arrive in Ghana on Tuesday.
Source: footballghana.com
Thirteen (13) brilliant undergraduate Law students from the University of Ghana have been awarded scholarships by the Lebanese Community in Ghana. The award which marked the 7th presentation since the introduction of the Lebanese scholarship scheme, was done by His Excellency Maher Kheir, Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana who presented the cheque to Prof. Kofi Quashigah.
In a short address, Professor Quashigah, Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law who represented the Provost of the College of Humanities, expressed sincere gratitude to the Lebanese community for their continuous support and cooperation. Professor Quashigah noted that beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme have all soared to greater heights since its inception. He therefore charged the current recipients to emulate the shining example of the previous beneficiaries by remaining focused.
Professor Quashigah revealed that the scholarship scheme was highly cherished by the Law School since it motivates and challenges the students to learn harder, gives them the opportunity to have social interactions and provides them with internship opportunities. The scheme according to the Dean, also brings honour and recognition for the great strides students put in their academic work.
In brief remarks, H. E. Maher Kheir, the Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana was full of praise for the hospitality he had enjoyed since his arrival as an Ambassador. He expressed his excitement to lead the delegation and introduced members from the Lebanese community who were part of his entourage.
H. E. Maher Kheir added that the Lebanese embassy was proud to collaborate with the Lebanese community to promote the vision of making tertiary education accessible to many Ghanaian students. He mentioned that over one hundred students had received scholarships to further their education. The Ambassador hinted that the Embassy of Lebanon was working hard to extend the scholarship scheme to other tertiary institutions and disciplines. He was optimistic that these activities will help deepen the relationships between the two countries.
In brief remarks, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, Director of Public Affairs, expressed appreciation to the Ambassador and the Lebanese community for instituting the scholarship scheme. According to Mrs. Amoa, the scheme was a source of pride as the University of Ghana and the Lebanese community have been able to sustain their cordial relationship over the years. Mrs. Amoa commended H. E Maher Kheir for continuing the good work of his predecessor. She was optimistic that the relationship between the University and the Lebanese community will help forge good relationships between Lebanon and Ghana.
Earlier, Ms. Christine Baning, Head of the Students Financial Aid Office in welcoming the Lebanese delegation, noted that the award which was merit-based, served as a motivation for the awardees to maintain academic excellence. She was grateful to the Ambassador and the Lebanese Community for continuing the scholarship scheme.
Ms. Keziah Hillary Engmann on behalf of her colleague beneficiaries, extended appreciation to the Lebanese Community for the opportunity offered them through the scheme. She paid glowing tribute to the immediate past Ambassador, H. E. Ali H. Halabi for the immense support and the cordial relationship he shared with beneficiaries in the past years and lauded H. E. Maher Kheir for the interest shown in continuing with the scholarship scheme.
Outlining the numerous benefits they had enjoyed from the scholarship scheme, Ms. Engmann noted that the scholarship had encouraged them to strive for excellence in their studies and also motivated them to contribute their quota to society in the near future.
A colourful cake, decorated with colours of both the Lebanese and Ghanaian flags was presented by the Ambassador, after which it was jointly cut by Ambassador Kherson and Prof. Quashigah. The cake was shared by all present.
Beneficiaries of the scholarship are Abena Fosua Nyameye Korankye, Aning Andrews Kweku Benin, Clement Ocran Biney, Emmanuel Dei-Tumi Jnr, Amanda Nuarko, Emmeline Ziwu and Kyere Maureen. Other recipients were Christine Selikem Lassey, Frederick Agaaya Adongo, Prosper Batariwah, Martinson Kwadwo Yebaoh Bediako, Danielle Karikari-Darko and Keziah Hillary Engmann. Some former beneficiaries of the Lebanese scholarship were present at the ceremony.
source: ug.edu.gh
The presentation was made by Mr. Cyrus de Graft-Johnson, Citizenship Manager, Barclays Bank Head Office. He was accompanied by Mr. Baaba Abdul from the Barclays Bank, University of Ghana Campus Branch.
In his remarks, Mr. de Graft-Johnson said Barclays Bank Ghana Ltd. has introduced a concept “Ready to Workâ€, which he explained was a platform to equip students with employable skills. He said the website is still being updated and will ready by the end of March due to an internal transition exercise, adding that “the Ready to Work” training at the University of Ghana would take off on 26th February 2019.
The beneficiaries are Ernest Kofi Adjei Adomako, Theophilus Adu-Gyamfi, Randy Bannerman-Thompson, Wisdom Nanor, Kingsley Delanyo Adjei, Augustina Adzakey, Timothy Musah, Rena Darko, Redeemer Nana Ama Kumah and Oscar Bismark Tetteh.
The ceremony was witnessed by Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, Director of Public Affairs, Prof. Godfred Bokpin, Ag. Dean of Student Affairs, Mr. Benedict Fosu, Senior Assistant Registrar, Office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic & Student Affairs, and the Head of the Students Financial Aid Office, Mrs. Christine Baning.
source: ug.edu.gh
R&B star R Kelly has been released from a Chicago jail after posting his $100,000 (£76,000) bail, a Cook County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman said.
Earlier on Monday he pleaded not guilty to 10 charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against four women, three of whom were minors at the time.
The 52-year-old, dressed in a blue coat, did not speak to media as he was escorted from jail by his lawyer.
Read: R Kelly on $1m bail over abuse charges
He had turned himself in to police on Friday and spent the weekend in jail.
The singer has faced decades of sexual abuse claims without being convicted, and has denied all previous allegations.
Cook County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Sophia Ansari confirmed on Monday night R Kelly had raised the $100,000 bail, which was 10% of the $1m bond set by a judge over the weekend.
His court appearance and plea came weeks after the documentary series Surviving R Kelly aired. It contained allegations of abuse from many women including the star’s former wife.
Read: R Kelly: Singer charged with sexual abuse in Chicago
He is being tried for sexual assaults alleged to have happened since 1998. He met one of the four women at a restaurant on her 16th birthday, and another – who was also 16 – when she asked for his autograph.
The court ordered the singer, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, to surrender his passport and to have no contact with anyone under the age of 18.
He had reportedly struggled to pay the $100,000 bail payment required to leave Cook County Jail.
Later on Monday, high-profile attorney Gloria Allred said in a news conference that she was now representing more than six women who allege the singer abused them.
R Kelly is next scheduled to appear in court on 22 March.
Source: BBC
India says it launched air strikes against Kashmiri militants in Pakistani territory in a major escalation of tensions between the two countries.
A top Indian minister said strikes targeted a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) group in Balakot.
Pakistan said it scrambled fighter planes in response.
Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours have been strained since a suicide attack earlier this month that killed more than 40 Indian troops.
India accuses Pakistan of allowing militant groups to operate on its territory and says it played a role in the 14 February attack – claims that Pakistan denies.
Tuesday’s strikes are the first launched across the line of control – the de facto border that divides India-administered Kashmir from Pakistan-administered Kashmir – since a war between the two countries in 1971.
Read: Pulwama attack: Google searches ‘hijacked’ to link Pakistan flag to toilet paper
Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told a news conference that the strikes had killed a “large number” of militants, including commanders, and had avoided civilian casualties.
“Credible intel [intelligence] was received that JeM was planning more suicide attacks in India. In the face of imminent danger, a pre-emptive strike became absolutely necessary,” he said.
Pakistan’s army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said the strikes caused no casualties. He tweeted that the Indian jets were forced to make a “hasty withdrawal” and dropped their payload in an open area.
Indian aircrafts intruded from Muzafarabad sector. Facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot. No casualties or damage.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 26, 2019
The latest incident follows the suicide attack on an Indian security convoy in Pulwama, in Indian-administered Kashmir, earlier this month.
Analysts say the exact location of Balakot is unclear. Neither India nor Pakistan have officially confirmed whether the strikes took place within Pakistan-administered Kashmir or if Indian planes crossed the international border and bombed inside Pakistan itself.
But residents in several towns in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province told BBC Urdu they were woken by loud explosions early on Tuesday.
What happened in Pulwama?
Read: Saudi Arabia signs $20bn in deals with Pakistan
On 14 February, 46 Indian paramilitary police were killed in a militant operation there. It was the deadliest attack on Indian forces in Kashmir for decades.
The assault was claimed by Pakistan-based JeM and prompted a spike in tensions.
Pakistan denied involvement, while India said its neighbour had had a “direct hand” in the attack and accused it of providing sanctuary to the militants.
Both India and Pakistan claim all of Muslim-majority Kashmir but control only parts of it. The nations have fought three wars and a limited conflict since independence from Britain in 1947 – and all but one were over Kashmir.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi should “give peace a chance”. He added that if India provided “actionable intelligence” regarding the Pulwama attack that proved Pakistani involvement, “we will immediately act”.
On Saturday, Mr Modi had called on Mr Khan to join India in fighting poverty and illiteracy, instead of the pair fighting each other.
Source: BBC
Theresa May is facing the threat of a revolt by Remain-supporting ministers ahead of a crucial cabinet meeting on her Brexit negotiations.
Three say they will resign unless the PM agrees to take no-deal off the table, and there are suggestions that more are prepared to follow suit.
The BBC’s Nick Watt says the feeling is Mrs May will “lean into” their demands and Brexiteers have been told to expect a “very difficult message”.
No 10 would not comment on the reports.
The government position is set to be thrashed out at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, where Brexit is the only item on the agenda.
Read: Theresa May under pressure to consider Brexit delay
After that, the prime minister will make a statement to the Commons, updating the whole House on her negotiations.
She has just returned from a summit in Egypt where she held a number of meetings with EU leaders and continued to press for more concessions to placate critics of her deal, in particular on the Irish border backstop.
News of the growing unrest within the cabinet came after Labour announced a significant shift in its policy – a decision to back another referendum if its own alternative Brexit plan is rejected.
What are the ministers demanding?
Mrs May’s Brexit deal was comprehensively rejected by MPs on 15 January and she has said they’ll get a second chance to vote on it – possibly with some changes – by 12 March.
But writing in the Daily Mail, ministers Richard Harrington, Claire Perry and Margot James said Mrs May must promise now that she will rule out the possibility of the UK leaving the EU without a deal if her agreement is rejected again, and instead seek a way to delay.
If she does give such a commitment, they write, it “would be greeted with relief by the vast majority of MPs, businesses and their employees”, adding that the UK risked being “swept over the precipice” in the event of no-deal.
If she does not give in, they said, it would be in the “national interest” for them to resign and instead back a move to force a delay upon her.
That move comes in the form of an amendment – a legislative tool – being put before the Commons by Labour’s Yvette Cooper and Conservative Oliver Letwin on Wednesday.
If passed, it would give MPs the power to demand a delay to Brexit if a deal cannot be agreed by 13 March.
Three other senior cabinet ministers, Greg Clark, Amber Rudd and David Gauke, have already signalled they could also be prepared to vote for the Cooper-Letwin option if there is no breakthrough in the next few days.
Mrs May has long resisted any suggestion that the UK’s departure from the EU could be postponed beyond 29 March.
Read: Brexit must not be frustrated, Theresa May vows
But one of the ministers who is threatening to resign told BBC Newsnight they were now hearing “good mood music from Downing Street” about the possibility of a shift in the prime minister’s position.
How has Labour’s position changed?
Labour has said it will support the Cooper-Letwin amendment, making its chances of success far higher.
But leader Jeremy Corbyn also wants to use Wednesday to put his own plan for Brexit – which includes a “comprehensive customs union” with the EU and “close alignment” with the single market – before the Commons.
He told his MPs on Monday night that if – as expected – that plan is rejected, the party will formally throw its weight behind another public vote.
Exactly what form of fresh referendum Labour would back – or when it would like one to happen – is not clear though.
Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC that the precise question would be decided by Parliament, but he said: “It should be between a credible leave option or remain. If the prime minister gets a deal through, it should be subject to the lock of a public vote.”
Source: BBC
Further defining his reputation as a dual threat, LeBron James became the first player in league history to rank in the top 10 in both the NBA’s all-time assists and scoring lists.
| John Stockton | 15,806 |
| Jason Kidd | 12,091 |
| Steve Nash | 10,335 |
| Mark Jackson | 10,334 |
| Magic Johnson | 10,141 |
| Oscar Robertson | 9,887 |
| Isiah Thomas | 9,061 |
| Chris Paul | 9,006 |
| Gary Payton | 8,966 |
| LeBron James | 8,535 |
Read: Chelsea: Kepa fined for refusing to be substituted
Already ranked No. 5 in all-time points coming into Monday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Los Angeles Lakers star entered into a class of his own by finding Kyle Kuzma for a layup with 6 minutes, 58 seconds remaining in the first quarter to put L.A. up 15-14. It was the 8,525th assist of his career, passing Andre Miller for No. 10 in all-time helpers.
James ended the night with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists — his 79th career triple-double, which breaks a tie with Wilt Chamberlain for fifth-most in NBA history.
Next up for James is a pair of Hall of Famers who faced off in the 1996 NBA Finals: Michael Jordan and Gary Payton.
Jordan is No. 4 in all-time scoring, with 32,292 points. James ended the night with 32,162 points. Payton is No. 9 on the all-time assists list, with 8,966.
Source: ESPN
A committee chaired by the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Perry Okudzeto has been set up to come up with a roadmap to enable the proposed special competition by the Normalisation Committee to come off.
This is the outcome of a meeting between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture as well as the NC and the Ghana League Clubs Association to resolve the impasse between the two bodies over the organisation of the special competition.
Sports Minister, Issac Kwame Asiamah and Alex Agyekum, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee, on Monday, met the two parties and successfully mediated, paving the way for the two sides to agree that the competition is held.
As part of the agreement, a committee was set up to set out the roadmap for the competition which will be held at a date to be announced soon.
Other members of the committee are Mr. O.B Amoah, MP for Aburi and the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Madam Lucy Quist, the Vice President of the Normalisation Committee, Kudjoe Fianoo (Chairman of GHALCA), Kurt Okraku (representing the Premier League clubs), Randy Abbey (representing the Division One League clubs) and the acting General Secretary of the Football Association, Alex Asante.
Read: GFA denies $7.2 million AFCON budget
The Premier League clubs and the NC have disagreed on a number of issues since the NC proposed the organisaion of the special competition, which is intended to bring back football activity on the local scene which has been put on hold since last June after the investigative expose, Number 12.
The disagreement has been over the financial details, payment of players as well as venues and fixtures for the competition among other things.
Two former regents of Dagbon have been elected to occupy the vacant skin gates of Mion and Savelugu as paramount chiefs in the Dagbon State.
This follows the offering of cola nuts as a symbol of acceptance of the nomination of the two elderly sons of Yaa Naa Muhamadu Abdulai and Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II, in line with the customs and traditions of Dagbon.
Read: Yaa Naa calls for equitable distribution of oil revenue
It also formed part of the recommendations of the Asantehene-led Committee of Eminent Chiefs, as contained in the road map to peace.
The nominees, the former Bolin-lana, Mahamadu Abdulai, and the former Kampakuya-Na, Abdulai Yakubu Andani, were offered the cola by their grandfather, Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II, last Sunday.
Read: Yaa Naa makes first cabinet appointments
The two royals will later avail themselves to be enskinned by the Yaa Naa in Yendi.
Skin Gates
There are three skin gates in the Dagbon Namship — Mion, Savelugu and Karaga. At the moment, all three are vacant, following the death of substantive chiefs for the Mion and Karaga skins. The former Yo-Na (Savelugu Chief), Abukari Mahama, is the current occupant of the Yani Skin.
Read: Yaa Naa Abubakari gives Bolin Lana, Kampakoya Naa new positions in Dagbon state
An occupant of any of the three skin gates has the potential to become a Yaa Naa in future.
Background
The road map to peace in Dagbon was fashioned by the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, chaired by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The rest are the Yagbonwura, Tuntumba Boresa Sulemana Jakpa I, the Paramount Chief of the Gonja Traditional Area, and the Nayiri, Na Bohugu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, the Paramount Chief of the Mamprugu Traditional Area.
The committee, on November 16, 2018, made a declaration to bring finality to the decades-old conflict between the Abudu and the Andani Royal families in the Dagbon chieftaincy divide when they presented the road map to peace in the troubled kingdom to the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at the Flagstaff House in Accra.
The committee was set up by former President John Kufuor in 2002 to find a lasting solution to the dispute after the killing of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II in Yendi in March 2002.
President Akufo-Addo, at the investiture of Yaa Naa Abukari in Yendi on January 18, 2019, had also entreated the new Overlord of Dagbon to put the two former regents at their rightful positions as part of the processes to total peace and unity in Dagbon.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
Former Ghana U17 striker Caleb Gomina scored a beautiful goal for Portuguese third-tier side Sanjoanense in their 3-0 win over Cinfães.
The 22-year-old on two occasions lobbed the ball over his on-rushing markers before firing a thunderbolt into the net.
Gomina’s golazo capped the demolition exercise on the road.
It was his sixth goal of the season in 19 league appearances.
Read: Mathew Amoah opens up on his unsuccessful stint at Dutch side Hereenven
Gomina is on loan from Portuguese Liga outfit Moreirense.
Watch Caleb Gomina’s goal:
Source: Ghanasoccernet
Former Ghana forward Mathew Amoah has revealed the reason for his struggles during his time at Dutch side Hereenven.
According to the 38-year old, he did his best at the club but could not just get his game on for Hereenven.
In June 2012, Amoah signed with Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen. However, after one season in which he played no single match for the club, he was released in June 2013.
Read: Bernard Kumordzi happy to score his first goal for the season for KV Kortrijk
“That was disappointing, of course, it was not what I expected from it, I did my best, but did not come up with plans,” Amoah says on the website of Heerenveen. “I’ve had a good time outside football, but it’s a warm family club.”
Read: Barcelona coach Valverde explains why KP Boateng doesn’t feature much
“I got to know beautiful people, I got a lot of attention with Pele van Anholt, we regularly went out to eat together, so we ate something with chicken. Amoah came into action in a cup match against Hollandia. “If I finally had a base position, I helped kill one after another.”
“You will just see that I had to shoot three or four in that match, Amoah concludes, who switched to Heracles Almelo after a season in Heerenveen.
Source: Ghanasoccernet
Ghana midfielder Alfred Duncan will miss Sassuolo’s trip to the San Siro to play AC Milan in the serie A on Saturday due to suspension.
The swashbuckling midfielder was red carded in the final minute of the Nerovredi’s 1-1 draw against SPAL on Sunday.
Duncan has been Sassuolo’s key player this season and his absence will come as a big blow to manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Read: Bernard Kumordzi happy to score his first goal for the season for KV Kortrijk
This could have also been an opportunity for the Ghanaian to show his class against AC Milan, who are keen on signing the 25-year old in the summer transfer window.
Sassuolo are currently 11th on the serie A table and still have a chance of claiming an European spot as the gap.
Midfielder Alfred Duncan will be expected to return for the game against Napoli at the Mapei Stadium on March 10th.
Source: Ghanasoccernet
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected the presidential and parliamentary election results being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
PDP had Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.APGA has handed over Imo election to God Araraume The National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, in a press briefing currently ongoing said the results being announced by INEC are inflated in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Read: Nigeria election 2019: Muhammadu Buhari takes early lead
#NigeeiaDecides2019 Prsss Conference https://t.co/hqddTpUGKl
— Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) February 25, 2019
According to Secondus, the results have been fraught with “irregularities†and therefore, “incorrect and unacceptable.†According to him, “Our collation centres have the original results from all the polling units in the country.That is from where are going to reclaim our results,†he said. “The results are incorrect and unacceptable to our party.
Read: Incumbent Macky Sall wins Senegal presidential election – PM
Officials of the APC working with INEC have decided to alter results to affect our people. This must now be resisted by every well-meaning Nigerian. “INEC must live up to its responsibility. They are under pressure. We have the facts and when the time comes, we begin to release them.â€
Source: vanguardngr.com
Work on the three footbridges along the Adentan stretch of the N4 Highway is at various levels of completion.
The underground utility and communication cables are the main challenges impeding progress.
Read: Highway Authority to repair defective Nogahill footbridge soon
When this reporter went on a tour of the three footbridges along the Adentan stretch, workers were busy at post, with excavators and diggers lifting debris as concretes were being mixed.
The Site Engineer and Project Manager of Core Construction Limited, Mr Emmanuel Gasper, in an interaction, said about 60 per cent of construction work for ramps to the footbridge near the West Africa Senior High School (WASS) had been completed.
Read: Minister orders Adenta footbridge contractors to work day and night
He said the major challenge was the cables from the utility and telecommunication companies that were obstructing digging on the right hand side of the highway towards Aburi.
He said his company was, however, receiving assistance from the third party companies to resolve it.
Mr Gasper said there had also been slight reviews of the construction works in areas where the cables could not be re-located.
Read: Contempt of court looms over construction of Madina-Adentan footbridges
The columns had been completed with workers working on the steel materials to fill it with concrete for the decking of the ramps to that particular footbridge.
Progress report
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Project Manager of Justmoh Construction Ltd, Mr Abdul Kadir, and the consultant on site, Mr Zakaria Abdul-Jalilu, said the company usually did monthly progress reports.
The progress report for the month was not yet ready as of the time of the visit.
Read: Residents want Government to start work on footbridge within 10 days
However, as of last month, 23 per cent of the construction work for the ramps had been completed, he said.
At that site, the main challenge was a transformer and an Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) high tension pole which posed danger to workers because it was close to where the excavation for the columns had to be done.
Mr Abdul-Jalilu said officials of the ECG had come to conduct an assessment to pave the way for the relocation of the transformer.
On site, a wooden and metal form works were being undertaken for concrete to be cast for the ramps on one side of the highway.
No challenge
The Foreman of the First Sky Construction Ltd on site, Mr Ben Akanwam, said construction of pillars for the ramps had been completed on the left hand side of the highway towards Aburi.
“We are left with about two columns to finish. We have, however, completed all the pillars on the left hand side.
“It took us just a short time to complete the work. We have had no interference or challenges and that has made us proceed in a fast manner,” he said.
Background
A series of highway knockdowns on the Adentan stretch of the N4 resulted in the death of many people, including a WASS student, which sparked spontaneous reaction from the youth and residents on November 8, 2018, during which they blocked the highway, burning tyres and pelting the security personnel who came to restore order with stones and water sachets.
In the aftermath, the government was pushed to re-award the contracts for the completion of the ramps to the footbridges to the three companies.
On Tuesday, December 4, 2018, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo visited the construction sites of the footbridges and urged the contractors to finish the works on time.
The contractors then told the President that work would be completed in six months.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
President Muhammadu Buhari has taken an early lead as votes are being counted in Nigeria’s general election, amid allegations of manipulation.
Mr Buhari has won seven of Nigeria’s 36 states, while his rival Atiku Abubakar took four states and the capital Abuja.
As results came in, Mr Abubakar’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) alleged that there had been irregularities in the vote.
Party chair Uche Secondus called the count “incorrect and unacceptable”.
Read: Nigeria elections: Buhari ahead after first results
He said there had been an “attempt by the government and other agencies to manipulate the result”, but did not give any evidence.
The EU, US and African Union have all expressed concern about delays and logistical problems with voting on Saturday, but no independent observers have suggested fraud.
Mr Buhari, a member of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) party, is seeking re-election but faces a strong challenge from Mr Abubakar.
Each party says the other is working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) to influence the vote, which was initially scheduled for 16 February but delayed at the last minute.
Mr Buhari has promised to build on his accomplishments in office so far, while Mr Abubakar, a business tycoon, has accused the president of wasting his term.
Whoever wins in Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy faces a range of problems including power shortages, corruption, security threats, and an economic slowdown.
What are the allegations?
Final results are not expected until later in the week. But Mr Secondus has criticised the initial tallies, saying the government was using “impeachments, manipulation, incarceration” to influence the outcome.
In turn, the federal government accused the PDP of trying to “scuttle the polls” and prompt a constitutional crisis.
The initial vote was postponed early on 16 February, five hours before polls were due to open. Voters were also choosing members of the House of Representatives and Senate.
Read: Incumbent Macky Sall wins Senegal presidential election – PM
Most of the country was calm but there were reports of attacks by the Boko Haram Islamist militant group in the north, and voter intimidation and attempts to steal ballot boxes, especially in the southern states of Rivers, Lagos, and Anambra.
A coalition of civil society groups reported that a total of 16 people were killed around the country – fewer than in previous elections.
Two people were arrested in Lagos after a group of armed young men attacked voters, eyewitness Ralph Onodike told the BBC.
“What they were saying was that if you were not [voting for the ruling party] APC, you’ll be attacked,” he said.
How does the election work?
The candidate with the most votes is declared the winner in the first round, provided that person gains at least 25% of the votes in two-thirds of Nigeria’s states. There are 73 registered candidates, but Mr Buhari and Mr Abubakar have dominated the presidential election.
Both are from the mainly Muslim north of the country and both are in their 70s, while more than half of Nigeria’s 84 million registered voters are under 35.
What are the main issues?
Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer but corruption and a failure to invest the proceeds from the industry have hampered development.
A slow recovery from a recession in 2016 means there are not enough jobs for the large number of young people joining the employment market. About a quarter of the working age population is unemployed.
Election in numbers
* 73 million have voters’ cards
* 51% of the electorate under the age of 35
* 73 registered presidential candidates
* 120,000 polling stations
Mr Buhari has quelled a militant Islamist rebellion in Nigeria’s north-east, but Boko Haram remains active. There has also been an upsurge in violence in the country’s Middle Belt as traditional herders and more settled farmers have clashed.
Until 1999 Nigeria was governed by either short-lived civilian administrations or military rulers. But this year marks 20 years since the return of democracy.
Mr Buhari was elected in 2015 – the first time an opposition candidate had defeated an incumbent to become president.
Ghanaian striker Dauda Mohammed has opened his scoring account with Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem in their 3-0 away mauling of FC Emmen in the Eredivise.
The Ghanaian who lasted 68nminutes of the game opened the scoring in the 13th minutes of the game with a wonderful finish to register his first goal for his new side.
Read: On-loan striker Mohammed Dauda interacts with Vitesse Arnhem
Martin Ordegaard and Navarone Foor added two quick goals to leave the scoring at 3-0 after regulation time.
Source: footballmadeinghana.com
Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited (CBG) has launched an ultramodern branch to offer its cherished customers seamless banking experience. The branch, located at Labone, is a new addition to the CBG branches across the country.
Read: Former workers of Consolidated Bank given Provident Fund, Pension contribution
Opening the branch to the public, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CBG, Mr. Daniel Wilson Addo explained that the branch has been furnished to provide services to its loyal customers in a comfortable, cosy and friendly atmosphere.
“As a Ghanaian and CEO of CBG, today is a very proud day for me. CBG started the banking journey with a huge task of satisfying our many banking clients, amidst an internal restructuring phase. Today as I speak to you, I am extremely confident that the brand will grow from strength to strength as customers have access to their funds and maturities are quickly settled when they are due.â€
Mr. Addo stated that the opening of the new branch was to help customers enjoy a convenient banking experience.
“We decided to open this branch so our customers can enjoy a pleasurable banking experience with real convenience. We are currently present in all sixteen regions of the country and it is our resolve to ensure a seamless banking experience across all our branches,†he said.
Read: Consolidated Bank very liquid – Governor
For his part, Mr. Joseph Michael Korleytey, a proud customer, said he was satisfied as a CBG customer as the bank provides for all his needs.
“I have successfully transitioned my relationship from the former bank to CBG and I can tell you that my business and family life has been boosted,†he noted.
He added “CBG really places customers at the heart of its business. I feel the warmth in all my interactions with the staff.
Source: Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited
Ghanaian youngster Jonah Osabutey was on target for Werder Bremen Under-23 in their 1-1 stalemate with SV Drochtersen over the weekend.
The 20-year-old opened the scoring on 36 minutes but that was enough after Oliver Ioannou canceled out with five minutes left on the clock.
Read: Edwin Gyasi reveals suffering racial abuse from Levski Sofia fans in derby defeat
The Ghanaian played full throttle for the side’s developmental squad as the share the spoils against their neighbors in the first regional league game of the year.
The former Tema Youth forward joined the side in the summer last year.
Source: Ghanasoccernet
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde says, Kevin-Prince Boateng ‘knew what his role would be” in response to questions about the striker’s lack of playing time since arriving at the Catalan club.
Kevin signed for Barcelona on loan from Sassuolo last month and has struggled to command more game time, having made just two appearances in all competitions.
Read: Kevin-Prince Boateng left out of Barcelona squad to face Sevilla
The 31-year-old has played 163 minutes and has been benched five times. In Barcelona’s last two games Lyonand Sevilla, Kevin was not named in the matchday squad.
“It is true that he is not participating much, he knew what was his role and have come to help us accepting these circumstances, which is clear to all.”
Kevin scored five goals in 15 games for Sassuolo before his move to Barcelona.
Source: Ghanasoccernet
Ghana’s Normalisation Committee may head to FIFA over government interference after the country’s Sports Ministry bypassed the interim body to organise a special competition for local clubs.
The world governing body will view the latest development as direct government interference and may be forced to step in.
The latest decision is a massive slap on the competence of the four-member committee, who have been unable to reach an agreement with clubs over the competition.
Massive power play and ego-infested machination could be triggered and deepened, with the interim body unlikely to let it slide as its dent their competences for the top job.
Read: GFA denies $7.2 million AFCON budget
The interim Ghana FA has been told to focus on reviewing status and activate the processes for elections, in what appears a damning assessment of their tenure so far.
The country’s sports minister has thus set-up a seven-member committee chaired by his deputy Perry Okudzeto to resolve the outstanding issues of regulations, financial package and the management of the competition.
However, this could spark anger within the ranks of the Normalisation Committee as they are likely to view the setting up of the committee as governmental interference in their work.
The government may win the battle in the end as they are providing the funding for the competition but it is unclear how FIFA will view the latest development if it is brought to their attention.
The decision to form a new team to oversee the management of the Special Competition is a damning indictment on the Normalisation Committee, who has been on a turf war with Premier League clubs in recent weeks.
Read: Akufo-Addo insists competitive football will return soon
The Special Competition has been dogged with several delays amid transparency issues and lack of respect from the interim body.
Both the Normalisation Committee and clubs held separate meetings with the Parliamentary select committee on sports to find a solution to the impasse which has delayed the start of local football.
It appears the minister of youth and sports Isaac Asiamah had enough of the squabble, opting to set aside the NC and form a new team to oversee the running of the competition.
It’s unclear how the latest development will be viewed by neutrals but will surely spark a wave of controversy in the West African nation.
The Normalisation Committee has up to March 31 to wind up their activities.
Source: Ghanasoccernet
A 56-year-old Chemical Seller, Mohammed Afful who allegedly defrauded Ms Hanna Stella Bruce Adjei of GH¢61,000.00 under the pretext of facilitating the purchase of 2014 Toyota Corolla model but failed has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.
Afful who has denied the charge of defrauding by false pretences was said to have gone into hiding since 2017 after collecting the money. Afful was however arrested from his hideout the Central Region.
Read: National Security officer in court for fraud
The court presided over by Mrs Jane Harriet Akweley Quaye admitted Afful to bail in the sum of GH¢65,000.00 with two sureties who are to be gainfully employed and to reappear on April 8.
Chief Inspector Emmanuel Ohene Agyei, prosecuting, said the complainant works with the Pharmacy Council whiles Afful is a Chemical Seller and also deals in the sale of vehicles.
Read: Russia charges US investor with fraud in high-profile case
He said in the year 2017, Afful went to the Pharmacy Council in Accra to renew his license of which the complainant assisted him.
The Prosecution said Afful overheard the complainant talking about the purchase of a car and informed the complainant that he as well deal in vehicles and that anytime she needed one she should not hesitate to contact him.
He said the complainant informed Afful that she needed a 2014 Toyota Corolla Model to buy of which Afful promised to import one at a cost of GH¢40,000.00 from Togo for her.
Read: Please bring back my money – Whiteman cries as he begs fraudsters
Chief Inspector Agyei said after collecting the money Afful promised to supply the vehicle within a week.
He said three days later Afful called the complainant that due to the depreciation of the cedi, he needed extra GH¢3,000.00 so the complainant should top up the money which she did through MTN Mobile Money.
The Prosecution said after a week, Afful called the complainant that he has imported the vehicle and that she needed to pay GH¢18,000.00 as custom duty on the vehicle.
He said two days later, Afful asked the complainant to meet him at Dansoman to pick up the car up but to the amazement of the complainant the vehicle was a 2010 Model so she rejected it.
The Prosecution said Afful then told the complainant that he was going to sell the 2010 model and purchase a 2014 model for her.
Prosecution said Afful after selling the 2010 model in June 2017, went into hiding and blocked his mobile number.
He said in June last year the complainant reported the incident to the Police but the Afful could not be traced.
However, on February 15 this year, the Police had information that Afful was hiding in a village known as Wasabiampa in the Ajumaku District in the Central Region.
Prosecution said the accused on seeing the complainant with Policemen, took to his heels but he was chased and arrested.
He said in his caution statement Afful admitted the offence and pleaded with the Police to give him time to refund the money.
Source: ghananewsagency.org
The family of British ISIS bride Shamima Begum “support” but “do not recognize” their deeply damaged daughter, who should not be stripped of UK citizenship, their lawyer told CNN on Monday.
Begum left London four years ago to join ISIS in Syria, and the UK government plans to revoke her citizenship to prevent her from returning home. While Begum’s family has yet to make contact with the 19-year-old – who earlier this month gave birth to a son and is sheltering in a Syrian refugee camp – it is concerned that the UK is acting illegally by stripping her of citizenship.
Read: Venezuela crisis: US planes carrying aid arrive in Colombia
“Begum would be traumatized and – it’s fair to assume — would be damaged,” family lawyer Tasnime Akunjee said. “But we don’t leave damaged children… in a war zone to fend for themselves.
“Particularly when her child is only a week old, is a British citizen, and we’re very concerned about bringing him back as a primary issue,” Akunjee added.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid’s decision to revoke Begum’s citizenship has sparked debate about its legality, and speculation that the politician is pandering to the damning coverage of Begum in the right-wing press.
Read: British journalist John Cantlie believed to be alive, still held by ISIS
According to the Home Office, British citizenship can be revoked, unless it renders “the individual stateless.”
Begum’s family is of Bangladeshi origin. However, the Bangladesh foreign ministry said Begum is not a Bangladeshi citizen – nor has she ever visited the country.
“She is a British citizen by birth and has never applied for dual nationality with Bangladesh… There is no question of her being allowed to enter into Bangladesh,” the ministry said in a statement.
Last year, hundreds of Britons returned to the UK having fought with groups such as ISIS, and Akunjee questioned where Begum fell in the scale of “dangerousness.”
“The idea that Shamima Begum… radicalized as a child, with a very small child of her own, poses a greater risk than those 400 returnees… is something we’d like to raise,” he said.
He added that the family was not concerned with how “remorseful” Begum was, but instead the prospect of her statelessness.
Akunjee said Begum’s previous interviews with British newspapers – in which she said she had no regrets – needed to be assessed in the light of her position within a refugee camp packed full of ISIS supporters.
Citizenship status a ‘can of worms’
Hashi Mohamed – a lawyer who helped write a report on deprivation of nationality with the UK’s previous reviewer of terrorism legislation, David Anderson – told CNN that the attempt to revoke Begum’s citizenship was an “unprecedented” reworking of British immigration law.
Mohamed said Javid’s move had opened a can of worms that risked creating a “two-tiered British nationality,” which could mean that “if you were born and bred in the UK, but your parents were born somewhere else and had dual nationality – then your nationality as somebody born and raised in the UK is at risk.”
The citizenship of Begum’s son is still up in the air, with Javid suggesting in Parliament last week that children of jihadists who lose their citizenship could still be British.
Begum’s ISIS-member husband is a Dutch national, and the teenager suggested this might be another route to citizenship.
“Another option I might try with my family is my husband is from Holland and he has family in Holland,” Begum told ITV last week. “Maybe I can ask for citizenship in Holland. If he gets sent back to prison in Holland I can just wait for him while he is in prison.”
Begum was just 15 when she and two other classmates – all from east London’s Bethnal Green Academy – traveled to Syria to join another friend who arrived months earlier.
Her case was catapulted into the national spotlight earlier this month after The Times found her living in a Syrian refugee camp, telling the UK newspaper: “I don’t regret coming here.”
At the time nine months pregnant, Begum said her two other children had died in infancy from malnutrition and illness.
Source: cnn.com
Delegation from Ghana’s Parliament led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Honorable MP for Effutu Constituency were advised by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres at the Inter-Parliamentary Union Annual Hearing on Emerging Challenges to Multilateralism at the UN headquarters in New York to re-establish trust in the people they lead. This year’s Hearing was from 21-22 February, 2019.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union was formed in 1889, a period when there was no platform for governments and members of parliament to work together globally. The IPU was instrumental in the world’s first permanent international organization and the origin for today’s multilateral cooperation between countries.
In fact the Inter-Parliamentary Union was critical in setting up the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague in 1899 and key in the creation of the League of Nations in 1919 and the United Nations in 1945.
The President of the 73rd General Assembly, Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, in her opening remarks, expressed her admiration and gratitude to all women members of parliament across the globe for their strength even in the midst of been targeted and victimized.
Ms Espinosa Garces admitted that, the resurgence of isolationism and extreme nationalism are threats endangering the efficiency of multilateralism.
Read: 2020 polls: Mahama deceiving himself Ex-member of Parliament
Greater cooperation and revitalization of multilateralism and the collective efforts of Parliamentarians at national levels are sensitive to ensuring peace and security, disarmament, gender equality and the participation of young people in policy making. Multilateralism is not an option but the only way to achieve collective results. She said.
Ms. Gabriela Cuevas Barron, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union on her part stressed on the importance of multilateralism as it is the best tool to achieving peace and provision of safe world, fight climate change and ensure gender equality.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations in his remarks reminded the elected parliamentary officials from around the world gathered for this year’s Inter-Parliamentary Union Annual Hearing that “Parliaments can be bastions of democracy and crucial links between the national and the global. Through legislation and spending decisions, parliamentarians can contribute significantly to the Sustainable Development Goalsâ€.
He went on to reveal the growing mistrust people have in leadership in solving their many problems. “People, sectors and regions are being left behind creating a sense of frustrationâ€. He continued by saying “This in turn has been a factor in reducing trust in governments, in political establishments and in international organizationsâ€.
The UN Chief then told the members of parliament as a matter of duty to re-establish the trust in people in solving the world’s emerging challenges.
The Leader of Delegation from Ghana, Honorable Alexander Afenyo-Markin, on the floor of the session raised a critical point, that, to make the UN agenda relevant, there was a need to seriously address instances when important issues of global relevance are blocked by some member states and super powers largely due to conflict of interest.
Delegation from Ghana were Hon. Afenyo Markin (Efutu Constituency), Hon. Elvis Donkoh (Abura- Asebu-Kwamankese Constituency), Hon. Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie (Ablekuma North Constituency), Hon. Dr. Francis Bawaana Dakura (Jirapa Constituency) and Hon. Linda Ocloo (Shai Osudoku Constituency)
source: Frederick Ameyaw
Giants Zamalek are among top Egyptian clubs keeping close eyes on Ghanaian youngster Nana Kwame Acheampong.
Acheampong, 21, currently at lower-tier side Telephonat Beni Suef SC, has attracted huge interest from the five-time CAF Champions League winners with manager Christian Cross delegating scouts to monitor his performance.
Smouha and other top clubs are rumoured to be keenly following the progress of the defensive midfielder and are prepared to ward off a fight from the White Knights.
Acheampong is a tough tackling midfielder cast in the mould of Michael Essien and moved to Egypt from Ghanaian lower-tier side Miracleland FC.
Read: GFA denies $7.2 million AFCON budget
His arrival at the club has marked a new era of greatness in midfield for Telephonat as he has hogged and redefined the defensive midfield role at the club, starring in all three of their opening league games of the season.
His performances in games he has featured in has drawn him raving reviews with pundits from the second-tier league predicting his meteoric rise to the top-tier of club football in the North African country.
He is expected to follow in the footsteps of Ghanaian footballers like Mensah Akwetei who earned his name impressing for giants Al Ahly.
Acheampong will be hoping to enjoy another full 90 minutes of action when
Telephonat Beni Suef SC host Naser Malawy in Thursday in the Egyptian second Division League.
source: sportsworldghana.com
Former President Jerry John Rawlings was compelled to park his car and step into the middle of the road to direct traffic as the level of lawless on Accra-Aflao road gets ugly.
Careless drivers who ply the road often create four lanes on a single lane road causing traffic to build up unnecessarily especially at the junction that leads to Prampram in the Greater Accra region. These impatient drivers do create needless obstacle which impede flow of traffic.
So when the former president bumped into the indiscipline act near the Pampram stretch of the road, where commuters had been stuck in traffic for over an hour, he was compel to help save the situation.
Read: Rawlings congratulates Mahama, but says his win is just the first step
Former President Rawlings, according to a close associate, has noticed the indiscipline on several occasions and therefore decided to “step out and direct traffic and bring a sense of orderlinessâ€.
He has since made a passionate appeal to a joint police and military operation to be posted to the area to manage traffic and ensure discipline.
source: 3news.com
Accra Hearts of Oak coach Kim Grant has hinted that they will beef up the team in the next transfer window.
The Phobians signed six new players and promoted four from their youth team in the January transfer window but their boss says they still need reinforcement.
“We are looking to the future, myself, the CEO, and the players. When the next window opens, we will strengthen the team with new additions.†Grant told footballmadeinghana.com
“The players should start believing that they are good players and be positive. The fans should also know we are doing something usefulâ€
Accra Hearts of Oak have come good in the managerial aspect since the appointment of Mark Noonan and Kim Grant.
A Swedish man has been jailed for stealing seventeenth-century crown jewels from a cathedral in broad daylight.
Last July, two thieves took two gold crowns and an orb from a Strängnäs Cathedral last July and fled the scene by bicycle and motorboat.
Nicklas Backstrom, 22, later confessed after his DNA were found on the 65 million kronor ($6.9m; £5.3m) regalia.
Read: Trump: North Korea ‘could be great power’ without nuclear weapons
Two other people have been arrested as part of an investigation by police.
The royal jewels are adorned with gold, precious stones and pearls, and come from the 1611 funeral regalia of Sweden’s Charles IX and Kristina the Elder.
On 31 July 2018, they were taken from a locked display in a daytime robbery that was the subject of much international attention.
A police spokesperson at the time described them as “invaluable items of national interest”.
Read: Tokyo to overrule referendum on US base
Backstrom was also found guilty of attempted robbery for three other royal objects left behind in the cathedral worth 26.5 million kronor.
He has denied the charges, but admitted to supplying the bike and boat used as getaway vehicles by the thieves.
The royal heist was the second to take place in the region around Lake Mälaren in recent years.
In 2013, a crown and sceptre used for the burial of King Johan III was stolen from Vasteras Cathedral. It was later recovered in two rubbish bags on a countryside road following an anonymous tip-off to police.
Source: BBC
The Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II, has called for the equitable distribution of oil revenues in the country.
According to him such a decision would not only help to accelerate development in communities where oil was found but would also benefit the entire country.
Read: Yaa Naa makes first cabinet appointments
Yaa Naa Abukari made the call when the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Dr K.K. Sarpong, paid a courtesy call on him at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi last Friday.
Dr Sarpong congratulated him on his ascension to the Yani Skin and also briefed him on progress the corporation was making in the exploration of crude oil in the Northern, Savannah and North East regions.
Read: Yaa Naa Abubakari gives Bolin Lana, Kampakoya Naa new positions in Dagbon state
Yaa Naa Abukari expressed appreciation to Dr Sarpong for the visit and entreated him to ensure that the corporation engaged chiefs in their activities in the area to keep them abreast of issues about the oil find.
Optimism
Dr Sarpong said exploration of oil in the area was being pursued with high hopes of discovery in commercial quantities for national development.
The three regions, which form about 52 per cent of the onshore Voltaian Basin that stretches across 104,000 square kilometres (km2) of land, is believed to be a potential hub of commercial quantities of oil.
Read: Yaa Naa pledges doing away with progress retarding customs
He said the first part of the process towards exploration had been completed.
“The first stage that we set out during the two-day seismic survey is completed. We are interpreting the results in China after that we will decide on what to do next by covering the areas of prospects with a three-day survey this year,†the chief executive indicated.
Commitment
Dr Sarpong said the government was committed to ensuring that oil resources were properly harnessed to facilitate development in host communities and the country at large, stressing that “The NPP-led government is very committed to ensuring that the oil funds are properly used for the benefit of every Ghanaian.â€
While commending the Yaa Naa for providing the necessary support to the corporation for the commencement of the exploration exercise last year during his tenure as the Yoo Naa (Chief of Savelugu), he appealed to chiefs in the area to cooperate with the government in its oil exploration efforts.
Background
The GNPC last year began the exploration of oil in the then Northern Region.
About 16 districts are said to have huge potential of the natural resource that is yet to be harnessed.
President Akufo-Addo in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2018 announced that a pilot survey in the Voltaian basin for possible onshore discovery had established the presence of a working petroleum system.
The announcement followed a directive the President gave in July 2017 to the GNPC to pay particular attention to the onshore oil potential which appears to be yielding dividends as the corporation had begun prospecting for oil in the Voltaian basin.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
The first results from Nigeria’s presidential vote have been declared.
So far, two of Nigeria’s 36 states have been declared, and President Muhammadu Buhari has taken the most votes in both of them. They are Osun State and Ekiti State.
Taken together, the president has 566,865 votes and his main rival Atiku Abubakar has 491,409.
Read: Nigeria polls: INEC warns against declaration of unofficial results
The candidate with the most votes is declared the winner in the first round, as long as that person gains at least 25% of the votes in two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states.
Nigerians went to the polls on 23 February, with President Muhammadu Buhari (APC) expected to face a strong challenge from Atiku Abubakar (PDP) in the presidential contest.
Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno glared across a ring and through the charged Las Vegas air at one another at last.
The much-hyped American, the youngest heavyweight champion in history, against a loved but un-fancied Briton bidding to be the first man to bring the world heavyweight title back to his homeland in a century.
Their contest had been arranged and cancelled five times, owing to Tyson’s contractual issues, a car crash, a divorce and even injuries sustained in a street fight.
But when it did happen on 25 February 1989, news channels honed in, boxing edged into public small talk and more than two million people tuned in to BBC Radio 2 in the early hours to see if Bruno could upset a 22-year-old many felt invincible.
Some 30 years to the day later, Garry Richardson – who was ringside for the broadcast in Las Vegas – sat down to recount the mayhem with Bruno for a BBC Radio 5 live special.
Read: Leicester City sacks Claude Puel
As the infamous Rocky theme tune ‘Eye of the Tiger’ fell silent, Radio 2’s coverage began with Richardson simply stating: “Thank you for joining us for the biggest fight in British boxing history.”
Bruno, 27 at the time, was A-list and his meeting with Tyson had dragged boxing into the mainstream, with television news bulletins and prime time talk shows devoting time to the colossal challenge he faced.
A Bruno appearance from Las Vegas via satellite into the late Terry Wogan’s chat show show even saw his two young daughters – Rachel and Nicola – brought on camera to surprise him.
“The week of the fight you’re supposed to be tapering down but we had a lot of press conferences, with Don King promoting and controlling it, it was like he was fighting not me or Mike Tyson,” Bruno reflects.
“It was highly stressful and very demanding. Every minute you had to do some radio, talk to press, go on TV, do chat shows, it was very draining.”
Tyson had been out of the ring eight months, while Bruno had not fought in twice as long.
Their lengthy lay-offs owed partly to frequent postponements. Tyson had been embroiled in promotional disputes, broken his hand in a street fight, crashed his BMW into a tree and engaged in divorce proceedings with wife Robin Givens.
Bruno was patient, insisting he was “kryptonite” in the face of a fighter promoter King was intent on hyping as Superman.
King himself went too far, causing controversy in a charged fightweek when he told media Bruno would be returned to Britain “in an incapacitated state”.
Bruno’s insisted “dreams do come true”, lending hope to the 2,000 Brits paying hefty prices for tickets.
But sentiment was lacking from Tyson’s end and the man priced at around 1-8 favourite appeared in fight mode for what Bruno recalls was a “pressured” weigh in.
“He had a lot of entourage around chatting a lot of rubbish but it’s a fight and a war,” adds Bruno. “He was looking at me trying to intimidate and I was looking at him the same.
“He was a fiercesome, dangerous sort of guy and had an intimidation he put on people. Not me though. But the way the TV built him up in America, I can see the point of view of people saying he had a presence.
“I met him when we were younger and spent about three weeks at a gym. We were sparring together. I got to know him from there. I didn’t really see him as the knockout specialist or ‘baddest man on the planet’. I saw him as a normal human being.”
And so to fight night, where Bruno would earn around £2m, roughly a third of Tyson’s pay packet.
Among the 10,000 ringside at the Las Vegas Hilton were Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sting, Pierce Brosnan, Jon Bon Jovi, Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston, to name just a few.
Bruno had spoken openly of how much he missed home during two months in the US. Now, as he walked to the ring, millions turned their radios on at their bedside in his homeland.
His manager Terry Lawless simply said he needed “the biggest” shock in boxing history.
BBC Radio 2 commentator Ian Darke offered a dose of reality and hope in one swift line: “Of course we don’t think Frank can do it but there’s always that tantalising little chance that one punch could stun the world.”
After striding less than 100ft to the ring, Bruno – who had lost his only other world title shot against American Tim Witherspoon – was made to wait by the undefeated champion.
“It’s nerve wracking but I was hungry, ready for business,” he explained to Richardson. “In someone’s back yard they will do everything to make you unstable. Send people to your room, keep you waiting, it’s all tactics but I had to try and stay calm and get on with it.
“If you know the nature of the beast, that is what he tried to do, intimidate people so the fight was won before a punch was thrown. In the ring he walked around me like a wild animal to intimidate but that is what he was all about.”
And so to the opening bell and Darke’s Radio 2 commentary: “A right puts Bruno down in the opening seconds. He’s up at two but that’s a bad sign. What a terrible start for Bruno.”
Just 12 seconds had elapsed when Bruno was crashed to the canvas near the ropes. The destruction job many had predicted appeared set to play out.
“I just gritted my teeth, had to show some guts and determination and I wanted to hit him harder than I had ever hit anybody,” says Bruno. “It was pride, ego, and embarrassment, all fed into one.”
Read: Hockey: Ghanaian star Nafisatu Umaru joins Italian Club
There was nowhere to hide against the 5ft 10in wrecking ball. Fast forward to the present day and video footage of Tyson training with Kevin Rooney still circulates on social media, showcasing an ability to rapidly shuffle across a ring at pace to cut off space.
There was a swarm about his work and Bruno, desperate, held and hit to draw a point deduction. He looked set to succumb until a left hook landed cleanly.
Darke’s thrilling commentary continued: “What an opening round this is. A left hook from Bruno wobbles Tyson and they give one another a glance at the bell.”
Bruno recalls: “I did rock him. Only for a little bit. His leg buckled, he dipped a bit. I was trying to follow up. His height being a bit smaller was his advantage as he ducked and weaved to recover for a bit. It was a good moment.”
Success though was fleeting. A bloodied Bruno was punched illegally after the bell signalled the end of the third, prompting no action from referee Richard Steele.
“That was in Tyson’s favour fighting in America, having a referee there and whatever,” adds Bruno. “If you watch the fight he was doing some tricky business. This is not cricket or badminton, it’s different rules.
“The corner were saying to put pressure on him. But all the combinations of the fight being postponed, it was all getting to me.
“I went in there to make a fight of it and did, so I have nothing to feel ashamed of. He was very ferocious, nasty, vicious and a unique boxer. He was an animal and that’s what you have to be to get into the ring.”
Bruno was under a blanket of pressure and in the fifth round those ringside conveyed the message of doom to those listening back in the UK, with Darke explaining: “Bruno is like a tree about to fall on the ropes.
“Mike Tyson has retained the undisputed heavyweight championship on a fifth round stoppage. Britain still does not have a world heavyweight champion this century.”
Referee Steele concluded Bruno was “courageous” but “a beaten fighter” when the end came.
Bruno left the ring commended for his efforts, while Tyson would famously lose his aura of invincibility at the hands of James ‘Buster’ Douglas 12 months later.
“It was unbelievable to be involved in,” added Bruno. “I left school, was diagnosed dyslexic, tried to work a normal job on a building site, as a metal polisher, as a shop assistant and went into boxing. It was a gamble. I had a good innings and eventually got my dream of fighting for the world championship.”
And six years later, he would lift a world title, out-pointing Oliver McCall at Wembley Stadium to reign for six months before losing the belt in his final contest to none other than Tyson.
“Sometimes we have a journey, you get kicked down as you get near the top of the hill,” adds Bruno. “Hearing the decision when I won was ecstasy. That title, you can’t get that in shops, you have to earn it.
“Boxing has been good to me and I’m still ducking, diving and making a crust. I’m content.”
The taskforce of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) recently confiscated alcoholic beverages and carbonated drinks from some retail shops and warehouses in the Kumasi Metropolis.
The consumable products were seized during a special enforcement and compliance exercise by the tax authority for being made available for sale without the tax stamp affixed on them.
Read: GRA resorts to prosecution as Tax Amnesty slows revenue
They included alcoholic wines, energy drinks, canned soft drinks and canned hard liquor drinks, majority of which were imported into the country.
Some of the retail shops and points which had their products seized included the Game Stores and Shoprite at the Kumasi City Mall, as well as a warehouses belonging to the Proconcession (Ghana) Limited at Adum.
Leader of the taskforce, Spio Abaidoo, said the GRA would continue to ensure compliance of the Excise Stamp Act 873 of 2013 since enough education had been carried out.
Read: Oil, LPG marketers engage Ghana Revenue Authority
According to him, provisions of Excise Stamp Act 873 require specified excisable products that are imported or locally produced to be affixed with the tax stamp, but some manufacturers and importers had failed to comply, a situation which has culminated in the enforcement of the law.
He disclosed that owners of the goods seized would be made to face sanctions prescribed by Act 873 since the grace period is over.
Read: Ghana Revenue Authority gets 10,000 NABCO personnel for tax collection
Mr. Abaidoo asked retailers, shop owners and the entire public to stop patronising products without the tax stamps on them, adding that the authority will no longer spare defaulting retailers and distributors.
Source: dailyguidenetwork.com
A new Nokia smartphone fuses together shots taken simultaneously by five rear cameras to offer owners what it says is “the richest image capture possible”.
This lets it preserve details in the highlights and shadows that would otherwise be lost as well as giving more control over depth-of-focus edits than rival devices, it claims.
It can also produce photos with up to 240-megapixel resolution.
Experts, however, warn that it may be a challenging device to market.
“Most store sales people are not that well trained when it comes to explaining the differences between one smartphone camera system and another,” explained Francisco Jeronimo from market research firm IDC.
“But this is not just about selling this device.
“It’s about building awareness for the brand by bringing innovation to the portfolio. And it may act as a halo product that drives sales of the firm’s other mid-range phones, which are its focus.”
Although labelled as Nokia, the handsets are made by HMD Global – a Finnish start-up that has been in business since 2016.
The company had a 3.3% market share in the UK in the last three months of 2018 – according to IDC – making it the fourth bestselling brand after Apple, Samsung and Huawei.
The Nokia 9 PureView was unveiled ahead of the start of the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona and is priced at $699 (£536).
The Nokia 9’s five cameras are each 12 megapixels and are complemented by an infrared sensor for depth readings.
Two cameras use a red-green-and-blue (RGB) sensor to capture colour. The other three are monochrome, allowing them to capture nearly three times as much light as there is no need to filter it for the different wavelengths.
Depending on the lighting conditions, the cameras are triggered up to four times in quick succession.
The device then selects one of the colour shots to act as the primary image, and adds detail taken from the other stills.
HMD boasts that by doing this the device can preserve detail within 12.4 stops of dynamic range – a sensitivity measurement where each stop represents a doubling of the brightness level from just-above black to just-below blown-out white.
This still falls short of many dedicated digital cameras, but is a “significantly wider range than any other smartphone out there,” according to HMD.
The advantage to owners is that they have more control when editing the exposure of the resulting Raw files because more of the information in the highlights and dimmest parts should have been preserved.
In addition, the phone creates a depth map of the full scene made up of 1,200 planes ranging between 7cm (2.7in) and 40m (131ft).
The company says this compares favourably to competing high-end smartphones that only create 10-layer maps that only cover part of a shot.
In both cases, the devices interpolate between the planes to allow users to determine how out-of-focus the blurred parts of their shots should appear.
But in theory, having the extra data should allow the Nokia 9 to get closer to mimicking the effect traditionally produced by using a more expensive lens and bigger sensor.
The multi-camera set-up is based on technology developed by Light, a Silicon Valley start-up that released the L16 in 2017.
The 16-camera device aimed to offer the benefits of a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera in a much smaller package.
But reviews criticised it for producing inconsistent results with images that were sometimes badly stitched together, featured digital artefacts and suffered from depth-mapping errors.
It never sold well, but Light always suggested it was a stepping stone to bringing its know-how to smartphones.
The Nokia 9 tie-up appears to be the first handset to take advantage of this.
The handset attempts to tackle some of the problems experienced by the L16 by only using cameras with an identical standard wide angle field-of-view.
As a result, users do not have the option of switching to a wider-angled view or a telephoto zoom, which would be more flattering for portraits, as is the case with most smartphones that offer a choice of cameras.
Furthermore, owners have to wait several seconds for each shot to be processed before they can edit it.
This is in part because the device relies on a last-generation Snapdragon 845 processor. But HMD said the time required to have optimised the software for Qualcomm’s newer Snapdragon 855 chip would have delayed bringing the phone to market.
In brief tests, the BBC experienced problems with the depth-mapping in several shots, resulting in parts of the image being blurred that should not have been. However, HMD said an updated version of the camera software would be released with the phones.
“Having used the L16, I was disappointed – I struggled to take pictures that were better than a high-end smartphone,” commented Ben Wood from the tech consultancy CCS Insight.
“So, the Nokia 9 PureView is the big test for Light’s computational photography approach.
“The sheer engineering effort to integrate the platform is impressive but the proof of whether it was worth it will come from the results the Nokia 9 PureView can deliver given the enormous expectations it sets.”
Last week, Light also announced that it had partnered with Sony to offer its technology to other smartphone-makers.
It showed off other camera formations and added that its current chipset could capture data from up to six lenses at once.
“Smartphone-makers don’t seem to be able to help themselves with regards to putting more cameras on a device,” Mr Wood added.
“But I think others will wait to see how the Nokia phones get on before they commit.”
Source: bbc.com
Medeama have adopted the Akoon stadium in Tarkwa as their new home ground with the Tarkwa NA Aboso Park set to be closed down for reconstruction, GHANAsoccernet.com can confirm.
The new facility is located close to giant mining firm Goldfields in Tarkwa and will host the Mauve and Yellows for the next two years.
Read: Dreams FC will surmount challenges – Kurt Okraku
The famous Tarkwa NA Aboso Park will be demolished to pave way for the construction of a 10,000 seater capacity.
Fans of the club have been saved from traveling long hours to watch their team with club officials confirming the Akoon stadium will host the club.
“The Akoon stadium will be our new home ground. The club Licensing Board has given its seal of approval and we’re happy to stay within Tarkwa. We want our fans to stay close to the team and we are happy with the choice.” Chief Executive James Essilfie told the club’s website.
Medeama’s new stadium will act as an economic invigorator and will contribute to strengthening the image of the mining town.
The revamped venue will also feature a complete seating capacity and involves redesigning the pitch, VIP, media stands, tickets boot, drainage amongst others.
Read: Mohammed Rabiu joins Krylia Sovetov
The edifice will also boast an electronic scoreboard running around its perimeter.
Medeama is the most successful team in the Western region after winning the FA Cup twice.
The Mauve and Yellows is a top-four finisher in the Ghanaian top-flight which has fueled the need to revamp their home grounds.
Source: Ghanasoccernet
Microsoft has a new version of its augmented reality headset, which now detects where its users are looking and tracks the movements of their hands.
It said that HoloLens 2 wearers would find it easier to touch and otherwise interact with graphics superimposed over their real-world views.
Other improvements include filling more of a user’s view and automatically recognising who they are.
The firm is pitching the kit as being ready for use in business environments.
Many experts believe mixing together graphics and real-world views has greater potential than virtual reality, which removes the user from their immediate environment.
But apart from the smartphone game Pokemon Go and Snapchat-style photo filters, augmented reality has yet to find mainstream appeal.
The previous version of HoloLens was mainly targeted at developers. A rival AR headset-maker – Magic Leap – similarly markets its gear to software developers and other early adopters.
“Immersion, or persuading the wearer that they really are part of the scene they see in front of them, is important,” commented Paul Miller from Forrester.
“The relatively narrow field-of-view for the first generation HoloLens made it difficult for wearers to suspend disbelief and accept that they were immersed in the environment before their eyes.
“With HoloLens 2, Microsoft has worked hard to improve both the resolution of the display and its field-of-view, resulting in a more immersive and believable experience.”
The event was timed for the eve of the Mobile World Congress trade show.
But it also followed the publication of a protest letter backed by dozens of its employees who oppose a deal to provide HoloLens technology to the US military.
“We did not sign up to develop weapons, and we demand a say in how our work is used,” it said.
Microsoft said that HoloLens 2 works in a “more human way” than the first version thanks to the changes it has made.
These include making the the field-of-view more than double that of its predecessor.
Many users had expressed disappointment at how small a window graphics had been contained to, meaning that their experience had fallen short of what Microsoft’s promotional videos had suggested.
The firm said it had also improved the display’s resolution, which it described as being the equivalent of moving from a 720p high-definition image to a 2K one for each eye.
This means that the shift to a larger view should not mean it has become more fuzzy.
Microsoft has also introduced iris recognition, allowing the machine to identify its wearer and automatically log them into their account.
The company also acknowledged that some users of the original version had found it uncomfortable to wear for lengthy periods. It said a revamped fitting system should mean the kit now felt as if it was “floating” on workers’ heads.
I have used the device (I am now free to say!) and the field of view for the new #HoloLens2 feels vastly larger and the display is noticeably sharper. It’s also *far* more comfortable to wear, and the gesture controls are light years ahead of v1. Super impressive UX improvements. https://t.co/Vd7oIhYHNG
— J. P. Gownder (@jgownder) February 24, 2019
Companies will also have the option of having the device custom-fitted to their own gear, such as hard hats used on construction sites.
On-stage demonstrations of the headset included:
“The jury is still firmly out on whether companies can be convinced to go all in on HoloLens, but if there is one company that can do it, it is probably Microsoft,” commented Nick McQuire from CCS Insight.
“While improving the security and design will be major pluses, Microsoft will need to ensure there are durable and rugged models from partners for industrial applications and that it works well on a range of wi-fi signals for it to have mass appeal and overcome previous problems.
“In time, we would expect a 5G HoloLens model will arrive as well.”
The Enterprise Edition of HoloLens 2 has been priced at $3,500 (£2,680), which represents a 30% reduction over the previous version.
Microsoft also unveiled a new version of its Kinect depth-sensing camera.
Earlier releases were designed for its Xbox games consoles but were adapted for other uses.
The new 4K resolution edition is targeted at non-gaming uses such as detecting when patients have fallen out of a hospital bed or detecting problems on a factory assembly line.
The amount of tech in the Azure Connect is pretty amazing. Going to allow developers to create some very interesting use cases. The Edge is about to get even more interesting. #MWC2019
— Tom Mainelli (@TomMainelli) February 24, 2019
It will cost $399.
Source: bbc.com
LG has showed off a two-screened smartphone following earlier reveals by Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi.
But while the South Korean firm’s rivals have demoed hybrid phone-tablet designs that involve flexible displays and complex hinges, LG has taken a simpler approach.
It has created a second display as a detachable accessory.
The end result may look less elegant thanks to the gap between the screens, but it is likely to cost less.
The 6.2in (15.7cm) V50 ThinQ handset and its matching Dual Screen add-on both use OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology.
At its Barcelona press event, LG suggested the two could be paired to provide:
The add-on connects to the handset via three pogo pins on its rear, leaving the phone’s USB-C port free.
It can be positioned at two angles – 104 degrees or flat at 180 degrees – to the main display when in use.
It can also be closed so that it lies on top of the phone to act as a protective case.
LG has yet to reveal the cost or release date of the equipment but did reveal other specs including 5G network compatibility and three rear cameras.
The announcement came at LG’s press event on the eve of the Mobile World Congress trade show.
“The game controller use case is interesting,” commented industry analyst Patrick Moorhead.
He said taking a screenshot and emailing it also worked, but after using it was “torn on if it’s a gimmick or useful”.
Others noted that adding the Dual Display made the phone nearly twice as thick to hold and 70% heavier.
LG had earlier said it had considered releasing a true foldable-screened phone, but had decided that it was too early to do so and that it preferred to focus on regaining lost market share.
The company also unveiled the G8 – a smartphone distinguished by its introduction of a palm-scanning camera on its front.
This acts as an alternative to a fingerprint sensor, unlocking the device by tracking the blood in a user’s veins via infrared light.
The owner’s palm does not have to come into contact with the handset for this to work, meaning it can be unlocked while lying flat on a table without having to be picked up.
But early reviews suggest it can be tricky to use.
Source: bbc.com
Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram Constituency, Sam George has indicated that he was tasked to coordinate 21 Members of Parliament of the National Democratic Congress during the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency by-election.
Read: Commission of Inquiry: I was at Ayawaso West Wuogon to monitor the elections – Sam George
He said it was for that reason he was present in the Constituency on January 31, 2019.
Mr. George was slapped twice on that day by a purported operative of the National Security.
Read: Ayawaso Probe: Sam George testifies today
He is appearing before the Justice Emile Short Commission of Inquiry today, February 25, 2019 at the Osu Castle in Accra.
The three-member Commission is probing the shooting incident during the by-election.
Mr. George was responding to question as to what he was doing in the Constituency, he said he was tasked by his party to coordinate the MPs monitoring the by-election.
He said he arrived in the Constituency around 6:35am in the morning and that his first port of call was the University of Ghana where he met three NDC MPs including Ablekuman South MP, Nii Okoi Vanderpujie.
He said he was beaten at the La Bawaleshie Polling Station.
According to him, he was driving in a white Toyota car.
Upon arrival, he said, he saw a convoy of heavily armed policemen after seeing some of them at the University of Ghana Legon Hall.
Source: dailyguideafrica.com
Member of Parliament for Ningo-prampram, Sam George has indicated that his presence at the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election was solely for the purposes of monitoring and coordination.
Read: NDC Presidential primaries: Sam George is irresponsible – Anthony Nukpenu
According to him, a 21-member team was appointed by the minority to monitor the by-elections independently.
As part of his responsibilities he said, he went round a few polling stations, the La Bawaleshie Center included.
Read: Sam George appears before Emile Short Commission despite NDC boycott
“I entered the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency to discharge my duties as a monitor. For the purpose of our monitoring, the constituency had been zoned into 7 zonesâ€.
He made this statement after the Commission of Inquiry asked him what warranted his presence at the polling grounds on the day of the incident.
Read: Sam George slapped, beaten during Ayawaso by-election
Sam George was assaulted by some masked national security operatives at the residence of the NDC candidate ,Delali Brimpong, close to the La Bawaleshie Presby school during the by-election at Ayawaso West Wuogon on January 31, 2019.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
Unhappy residents in Gbawe near Ablekuma in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region are appealing to the government to stop a filling station from being built in the area.
The worried residents and owners of other facilities who are battling with the owner of a fuel station say the location of the fuel station, which is currently under construction, poses a grave danger to both shops and also residents around.
Read: T-Tekpor Gas refilling station closure: The inside story
According to them, all efforts to stop the owner of the under-construction filling station have proved futile.
That situation left members of the Community with no other choice than to send a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) requesting for the immediate stopping of the project.
Read: Robbers attack filling station at Ada
Residents say the siting of the fuel station right in the middle of residential facilities is a danger to them and to other businesses.
The petition reads in part: “With reference to our letter dated 20th February 2019 on the aforementioned subject, we wish to re-emphasize that the owner of the fuel station has revisited the activity to push ahead the project.â€
Read: Krofrom explosion: Gas filling station closed down by NPA
It continues: “Foreseeing the danger that can occur in future if the project is not stopped, we wish to draw your attention, once again, to use your office to find a lasting solution to the matter.â€
The petitioners went on to state that “we are kindly pleading with you to, as a matter of urgency, come and inspect where the fuel station is being constructed so that you will appreciate our concern.â€
Meanwhile, some residents who could not hide their fear have demanded the immediate suspension of work on the fuel station.
“This is not a commercial area, but a residential area and also there was no stakeholder consultation before the construction began. We do not need a fuel station here,†a resident of Gbawe, Nii Mensah Akwanor, emphatically stated.
“We [the residents of Gbawe] are not happy about what is going on here—this filling station being built here will endanger our lives,†another resident, Mr. Emmanuel Asante, angrily said.
Source: kasapafmonline.com
GHANASoccernet.com African Football specialist Nuhu Adams has the lowdown on how Ghanaian players fared for their respective clubs in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
As Ismaily SC have been reinstated in the competition, they played one of their outstanding games on Saturday.
They shared the spoils with Algeria’s CS Constantine with a 1-1 scoreline in Ismailia.
Richard Baffour was an unused substitute for the the Egyptians.
CAF CONFEDERATION CUP
Nana Bonsu conceded twice as Enugu Rangers lost 2-1 to Etoile du Sahel after taking the lead at the Stade Olympique de Sousse on Sunday.
Read: We lost because of defensive errors – Kotoko coach Akonnor
It is the first defeat the Nigerian outfit have recorded this campaign.
Richard Ocran ensured that Nkana FC will beat his country team Asante Kotoko SC by 3-1 at the Nkana stadium in Kitwe on Sunday.
The Zambian giants ended the game with ten men after Ocran was sent off in the 73rd minutes.
ZESCO United were held by a ten man Al Hilal club side to a 1-1 stalemate in Ndola on Sunday.
Read: CAF CC: Nkana FC whip Asante Kotoko to top Group C
Rahim Osumanu replaced defender Mwila Phiri in the 69th minute for the Zambian champions.
CS Sfaxien were shocked at home as minnows Salitas FC held them to a scoreless draw in Tunisia on Sunday.
Samuel Akwasi Amoto came on in the 89th minute to replace Arnauld Bambara to make sure the Burkina Faso side clinch a their second point of the campaign.
Former New Edubiase United defender Nartey Polo was an unused substitute when Congolese champions AS Otoho d’Oyo suffered a 2-1 defeat to Hassania Agadir in Morocco.
Source: Ghanasoccernet
A Kim Jong-un impersonator has been deported from Vietnam ahead of the real North Korean leader’s meeting with US President Trump in Hanoi this week.
Hong Kong resident Howard X staged a fake summit with Trump impersonator Russell White last week.
The two were later held for questioning by Vietnamese police and told to cease all their political jesting.
Howard X says officials have since told him his visa is “invalid”, but says he has received no further explanation.
“Satire is a powerful weapon against any dictatorship. They are scared of a couple of guys that look like the real thing,” Howard X, who was wearing a black suit and thick black glasses in the style of Kim Jong-un, told reporters.
He and Mr White took part in a faux summit in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, telling reporters they intended to scale down North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
“We’re working toward peace. Through negotiations, with dialogue, we want to help North Korea of course,” Canada-born Mr White told reporters at the time, dressed at Donald Trump.
“Hopefully he can overlook all my nuclear missiles and lift the sanctions,” answered Howard X, a full-time impressionist who visited Singapore ahead of the first US-North Korea summit last year.
The men were later detained by police whilst giving an interview to a local TV station.
Vietnamese police told the pair to stop their impersonations and said they could only travel around the city with an approved itinerary and escort, AFP news agency reports.
“The real reason is I was born with a face looking like Kim Jong-un, that’s the real crime,” said Howard X.
He added he believed he was being deported because the North Korean leader had “no sense of humour”.
The Kim lookalike took part in similar satirical stunts during the first US-North Korea summit in Singapore last year.
He was also escorted away by security at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea after dancing in front of North Korea’s cheerleading squad.
President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are due to meet in Hanoi on 27-28 February for talks expected to focus on persuading the one-party Communist state to give up its nuclear weapons programme.
Their first summit in Singapore last June generated significant coverage and optimism, but delivered very few concrete developments.
Both sides said they were committed to denuclearisation, but gave no details of how this would be carried out or verified.
Source: bbc.com