“It takes a little bit of time, I think, to renew, but now everything is done so we just need to focus on what’s next,” said former Chelsea forward Salah.
“I think you can see in the last five or six years the team was always going [upwards]. Last season we were close to winning four, but unfortunately in the last week of the season we lost two trophies.
“We have new signings as well. We just need to keep working hard, have a good vision, be positive and go for everything again.”
Protesters have stormed Libya’s parliament in the eastern city of Tobruk and are reported to have set fire to part of the building.
Images posted online showed thick columns of smoke as the demonstrators burned tyres outside.
There have been rallies in other Libyan cities against continuing power cuts, rising prices and political deadlock.
In the capital, Tripoli, where a rival administration holds sway, protesters called for elections.
Their demand was backed by the head of the interim unity government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who said all the country’s institutions needed to be changed.
The unrest comes a day after United Nations-brokered talks in Geneva aimed at paving the way for a ballot ended with little progress.
Libya has been in chaos since the Nato-backed uprising in 2011 that ousted long-serving ruler Col Muammar Gaddafi.
The oil-rich country, a key departure point for some of the thousands of migrants travelling to Europe, once had one of the highest standards of living in Africa, with free healthcare and free education.
But the stability that led to its prosperity has been shattered and Tripoli has seen frequent fighting between rival forces.
They were also seen carrying what looked like the body of one of the victims in a bag.
The DSNS says 38 people, including six children, were injured in the Russian strikes.
Maryna Martynenko, a DSNS spokeswoman in the Odesa region, told Ukrainian TV that the building’s external wall was damaged, and a nearby shop was set ablaze after the strike. Firefighters later put out the fire.
She said 60 rescuers were currently working at the site.
As many as 150 people are believed to have lived in the building.
The child killed at the holiday resort was a 12-year-old boy, said Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office.
Ukrainian officials said three missiles were launched from Russian warplanes over the Black Sea.
Odesa regional administration spokesman Serhiy Bratchuk said Soviet-era X-22 missiles were believed to have been used.
The city’s mayor, Gennadiy Trukhanov, told the BBC World Service’s Newshour there were no military installations or radar stations near Serhiyivka, despite the Russian defence ministry insisting there were.
The people of Odesa were “living their lives in fear” of further Russian attacks, he added.
Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, accused Russia of being a “terrorist country”.
“In response to defeats on the battlefields, they [Russians] are waging a war on civilians,” he said.
All roads are leading to Airport Residential, WAEC Heights on Saturday 2nd July, 2022, for the 2022 GIMPA Law School Dinner organised by The Great Gatsby.
The theme for the soiree has been dubbed “Great Gatsby Night”, due to inspiration from “Great Gatsby Nightâ€, a novel written in 1925 by F.Scott Fitzgerald.
Final year students of GIMPA who have gone through the school’s law programme which lasted 3 to 4 years with all the trials and tribulations will be present.
To make the night a success, your presence and support is therefore requested.
There will entertaining parts like Launch of GIMPA law faculty Alumni, Presentation of awards, Boosting of law GIMPA law faculty social media platform and website and Dinner party.
The glorious event will commence with a 2-hour red carpet session which starts at 5pm. After, the dinner commences and this will last till 1am.
Having you at the party will be a great pleasure. This is an event you wouldn’t want to miss. Look forward to seeing you.
Former Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure believes Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane deserves this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Mane led Senegal to win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon by beating Egypt on penalties in the final as well as helping Liverpool win the FA Cup and League Cup in England last season but narrowly missed out on the Premier League title before the Reds lost 1-0 to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final.
The 30-year-old was recently named on a list of 30 nominees for the Confederation of African Football’s (Caf) Men’s Player of the Year award for 2021-22.
“I see that [Mane] has chained a lot of matches, that he has suffered from very few injuries,” Toure told RFI.
“He is hardly ever injured, he is very strong physically. He’s also a good guy, a good person that I know personally. I want the best for him.
The former Barcelona midfielder added: “I hope he will have a good [World Cup] tournament and I hope he won’t just be ranked high but win the Ballon d’Or. Sadio Mane is a great player and a great person.”
“Sadio Mane has just been transferred from a big club to a big club, since he is leaving a big machine and a great coach in Liverpool for Bayern Munich.”
Former Ivory Coast and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure has disclosed why Senegal will perform well at this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Senegal made it to their third World Cup in history and will represent Africa alongside Cameroon, Tunisia, Ghana and Morocco.
The West African country have been drawn in Group A alongside Netherlands, Ecuador and Qatar.
“And then there is the World Cup. He [Mane] knows he will be eagerly awaited. We see that Senegal has a fairly strong workforce with many players playing in big teams in Europe,” Toure told RFI.
“We see Kalidou Koulibaly in Naples, an already established player, sought after by all the big clubs, who is among the best in the world. There is Gana Gueye who plays in Paris [Saint-Germain].
“It’s a bit like the Ivory Coast of the time when we played the [Afcon] and the World Cup. There is also Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy who won the Champions League… Next to him, Sadio Mane has all these interesting players.”
Senegal kick off the tournament on the opening day with a tough fixture against the Netherlands, before facing hosts Qatar and ending the group stage with South American side Ecuador.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ashanti Gold SC Albert Commey Aryeetey will meet the Ghana Football Association (GFA) today to assist with investigations aimed at protecting the integrity of the game.
All cases of match manipulation and betting are contrary to the provisions of the GFA Code of Ethics 2019, GFA Premier League Regulations 2019 and the GFA Disciplinary Code 2019.
The GFA has reminded both officials that the FIFA and GFA Code of Ethics impose duties on participants in football to assist the Association and FIFA in eradicating such ills from the game- the Duty to Disclose and the Duty to Cooperate.
Mr. Albert Commey Aryeetey is scheduled to meet the GFA at 2pm.Â
Max Holloway says his “best of the best” clash with Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 276 on Saturday will be as great as the bouts between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier.
Volkanovski is looking for a third win over Holloway when he defends his featherweight title in Las Vegas.
Both fighters are ranked among the pound-for-pound best, as Jones and Cormier were in 2015 and 2017.
“These fights just don’t happen, it’s bigger than a trilogy,” said Holloway.
“It’s between two guys who are pound-for-pound among the best of the best. In the last decade, the only one which comes to mind is Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones.”
Jones won both fights against great light-heavyweight rival Cormier before the second was deemed a no-contest after Jones tested positive for a banned substance.
Australia’s Volkanovski, 33, has held the upper hand over his American counterpart Holloway, 30, so far, winning both previous encounters via two closely-fought decisions.
He is currently ranked second in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings behind Kamaru Usman, and is fresh off a dominant win over the ‘Korean Zombie’ Chan Sung Jung in April.
Hawaii’s Holloway, meanwhile, is ranked sixth and has earned impressive wins over Calvin Kattar and and Yair Rodriguez since the second defeat by Volkanovski in 2020.
During his win over Kattar, Holloway broke the UFC record for the number of strikes landed in a single fight with 445.
Holloway says both fighters are operating on a higher level than many of their competitors right now and their rivalry mirrors some of sport’s great ones.
“Everyone is looking for that person who is going to push them to be great, and this [Volkanovski] is the guy,” said Holloway.
“This is the fight for both of us. We’ve had some great fights already, but this next one is going to be even greater.
“There’s levels to this and I can’t wait to go out there and show my level on Saturday night.”
‘The Daddest Man on the Planet’
Holloway is looking to reclaim the title he lost to Volkanovski during their first meeting in 2019
When Holloway faces Volkanovski in Saturday’s co-main event, his son Rush will be watching on inside the T-Mobile Arena.
Rush was born in 2012 on the same day Holloway signed his first UFC contract.
Holloway says his son being born that day tied him to his fighting lifestyle.
“I could never really separate being a dad or being a fighter, you know? They came at the same time so you could say Rush is part of my fight team,” said Holloway.
“A lot of people talk about the fight game and say ‘but there’s kids’, but like I say, this kid was born into it.
“He’s [been at] training camps since he was a baby, before he can even remember he’s been hanging with me in the gym. I guess he’s a little gladiator.”
Holloway says becoming a professional fighter and a dad at the age of 20 meant he had to mature at a young age.
“It helped get my priorities straight, made me tick off the right boxes and made me more focussed than anything,” added Holloway.
“Look, I’m fighting for more than me, it’s bigger than me now. Everything I do is for him.”
Holloway’s connection with Rush has earned him the nickname ‘the Daddest Man on the Planet’ – a title he playfully competes for with former UFC heavyweight champion Cormier.
“Me and DC [Cormier] wanted to fight but he keeps avoiding me, he avoided me so much he retired, and now he’s calling fights cage-side, that’s where that [nickname] came from.”
Fifa has confirmed semi-automated, state-of-the-art technology will be used at the World Cup in Qatar to speed up the time taken to reach offside decisions.
In addition to a sensor in the middle of the ball, which sends data 500 times a second to determine the exact kick-point, 12 dedicated multi-tracking cameras that are “100% synchronised” will be mounted on the roof of each stadium to track the ball and 29 points on each player, sending data 50 times per second to calculate their exact position on the pitch.
Any player in an offside position will trigger an alert in the video assistant referee booth that can be relayed to the on-pitch referee.
The system was trialled at last year’s Arab Cup and Club World Cup, where it was estimated to have reduced the time taken to make offside VAR decisions from 70 to 25 seconds.
“We are very positive. It is ready,” said Fifa’s head of refereeing Pierluigi Collina.
Collina, who was voted the world’s best referee for six consecutive seasons from 1998 to 2003 and took charge of the 2002 World Cup final between Brazil and Germany, denies this is the case and says there will still be room for debate around decisions.
“I read about robot referees,” he said. “I understand this is very good for headlines but it is not the case.
“The match officials are still involved in the decision-making process. The semi-automated technology only gives an answer when a player is in an offside position when they play the ball. The assessment of interfering with an opponent and seeing if a handball or foul was committed remains at the discretion of the referee.
“Our goal is to get referees taking decisions correctly on the field. If something wrong should happen, the referee may take advantage of the technology to get a better vision of what happened – but there will still be room for discussion.”
You are either offside, or you’re not
Premier League pair Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver have been selected among the elite panel of referees who will gather in Qatar two weeks before the World Cup for final instructions.
While there has been debate about the time taken to determine offsides – especially what have been dubbed ‘toenail decisions’ – Collina does not view the new offside technology any differently to the systems used to determine whether a ball has crossed the line or not.
Famously, that did not work in the first game of the Premier League’s Project Restart, when Hawk-Eye did not spot Aston Villa keeper Orjan Nyland had carried the ball into his own goal. Collina does not feel that is an issue.
“Technology works most of the time,” he said. “That is one wrong decision I remember in thousands of correct ones.
“Goalline technology offers very high accuracy. If the ball crosses or doesn’t cross the line by a few millimetres everyone is happy. It is the same with semi-automated technology. If the player is on or offside, the technology should be praised then as well.
“We cannot get it down to four or five seconds for a decision. That would be the wrong expectation. But we have come down from 70 seconds to 20 or 25. That is important. This system will be faster and more accurate.”
Tottenham Hotspur have signed Brazil forward Richarlisonfrom Everton on a five-year deal believed to be worth £60m.
The 25-year-old scored 10 goals and provided five assists as he helped Everton avoid relegation last season.
He scored 43 goals in 135 league appearances for the Toffees after joining from Watford in July 2018.
The Hornets had signed Richarlison for £11.5m from Brazilian side Fluminense in 2017.
Playing either as a wide attacker or central striker, Richarlison finished as Everton’s joint-top scorer across all competitions in his opening two seasons on Merseyside, reaching double figures in three of the four seasons he spent with them.
He made his senior international debut for Brazil in September 2018 as a second-half substitute in their 2-0 win over the United States and has gone on to make 36 appearances, scoring 14 goals.
In 2019, he was named in the 23-man squad for the Copa America and scored in the final as Brazil won the tournament for the first time since 2007.
He also played at the rescheduled 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals as his side won gold.
Tottenham have brought in the forward as they prepare for a season in which they have qualified for the Champions League.
They have already signed England goalkeeper Fraser Forster on a free transfer after the 34-year-old left Southampton.
The death of at least 23 sub-Saharan migrants who were attempting to cross from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Melillais the worst tragedy of its kind, placing southern Europe’s immigration controls and its relationship with North Africa under scrutiny.
Melilla is Spanish territory, but on the North African coast some 150km (90 miles) from the Spanish mainland. It and its sister city Ceuta are the only land borders between Africa and Europe.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 migrants who had been camping in the Moroccan mountains surrounding Melilla descended on the city’s border last Friday, a number of them carrying sticks, hoping to scale the border fences and therefore reach Spanish territory.
In the chaos that followed, many of them were crushed between the six-metre-high fences and Moroccan border guards, who used tear gas and batons on the migrants.
While Moroccan authorities said that 23 migrants and two police were killed, local NGOs have reported a higher migrant death toll of 37, according to Caminando Fronteras. Dozens more were injured, with many reported to be in Moroccan hospitals.
A total of 133 migrants managed to reach Melilla, where they are being housed in the city’s migrant temporary stay centre while their legal status is examined.
“The Moroccan police beat us and killed our friends and I don’t understand why,” Amir, a young man from Sudan who reached Melilla, told elDiario.es news site.
“The Moroccans hit me a lot,” said Karin, another Sudanese man. “The repression was very heavy. It’s never been like that before.”
Video footage recorded shortly after the incident and posted on social media by the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) showed several dozen migrants packed together on the ground near the border, with bodies piled on top of each other and bloodstains and articles of clothing nearby. Many of the migrants appeared injured while many others showed no signs of movement.
The dead migrants were due to be buried on Monday, although the AMDH said that their bodies had not been identified or undergone an autopsy.
IMAGE SOURCE,EPA Image caption, A cemetery has been prepared for burying the bodies of deceased migrants
This is the worst such tragedy that Spain’s two North African enclaves have seen.
The most recent comparable incident was in 2014, when 15 migrants drowned while trying to swim round the border fence to Ceuta. A judicial investigation, into Spanish civil guards who had reportedly fired rubber bullets and teargas into the water nearby, was eventually shelved.
This time, the deaths have taken place against the backdrop of a controversial shift in relations between Spain and Morocco which is believed to have influenced border controls.
In March, it emerged that the Spanish government of Socialist Pedro Sánchez had altered its stance on the longstanding dispute over Western Sahara, favouring Morocco’s claims to the territory, which is slightly larger than the United Kingdom, after decades of neutrality.
Rabat, Morocco’s capital, had been pressuring Madrid to make such a change to its Western Sahara policy and the arrival of over 10,000 migrants in Ceuta over a 36-hour period in May 2021, with Moroccan border guards apparently doing nothing to stop them, was seen as part of this effort.
By siding with Morocco over the disputed territory, Mr Sánchez hoped to ensure the North African country’s cooperation on migration, thus preventing a repeat of last year’s Ceuta incident.
However, Spain’s pivot on Western Sahara has angered Algeria, which backs self-determination for the territory, and critics say it has encouraged over-zealous policing of the border by Morocco.
“Spain must think again about a policy of externalising its borders and blackmail on the part of Morocco which creates so much violence and suffering,” Pablo Echenique, spokesman for the Unidas Podemos party, the junior partner in the governing coalition, wrote on Twitter.
“When the dead are blond and have blue eyes, everyone sees things more clearly.”
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Protesters lie on the ground in Madrid during a performance illustrating the death of the people in Melilla
Unidas Podemos is among those who have called for a full investigation into the Melilla deaths.
In an editorial, El PaÃs newspaper drew a direct link between the improvement in bilateral relations with Morocco and that country’s style of policing the border. The Spanish government, it said, “cannot ignore the way in which the [bilateral] accord is being fulfilled, given that there are signs of a serious violation of human rights.”
In the immediate wake of the tragedy, Mr Sánchez put the emphasis on the migrants, describing it as “a violent attack which puts in doubt our territorial integrity”.
And in an interview with La Vanguardia newspaper, published on Monday, the prime minister blamed people traffickers for the deaths.
“We regret the loss of human lives, in this case desperate people who were looking for a better life and who are victims and tools of mafias and criminals who organise violent actions against our border,” he said.
He added: “I will never tire of expressing my support for the civil guard and the police. I also thank the Moroccan police for their work.”
The EU’s commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, described the Melilla tragedy as “deeply troubling” and echoed the Spanish prime minister’s words by saying that a “forced, and violent, crossing can never be condoned”.
The Spanish Catholic Church, meanwhile, appealed for the migration issue not to be used for political ends.
“They are not ‘invaders’, they are just human beings who are seeking to reach Europe, fleeing wars… and drought aggravated by the consequences of the war in Ukraine, lack of water and infestations caused by climate change,” read a statement issued by the episcopal sub-commission for migration and human movement.
A protest was held outside the UNHCR’s office in Rabat Morocco by African migrants on Tuesday.
It comes after dozens died Friday while attempting to cross by force into the Spanish autonomous city of Melilla from Moroccan territory.
The Spanish Attorney General’s Office announced on Tuesday the opening of an investigation into the incident.
“We went to the city of Nador and they beat us badly. They killed our friends and family. The Moroccan government said there were 23 dead, but we know there are more than 70, it’s inhumane. We call for no discrimination between migrants. “Â Omar, a Sudanese migrant said at the demonstration.
At least 23 migrants died and 140 police officers were injured, according to Moroccan authorities, when some 2,000 migrants tried to cross the high wire fence separating Melilla from the northern Moroccan border town of Nador.
“Many of these incidents were not filmed, there are many dead among us and currently, many young people are in prison, and several seriously injured. “We ask today to see the bodies and to identify them in order to inform their families in Sudan of what happened,” We ask the human rights associations to intervene to treat the wounded, and at the same time we ask them to immediately evacuate us to safe countries, because we do not feel safe here.” Omar added.
Melilla tragedy: investigation in Spain, UN denounces “excessive use of force
The Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that it had “requested an investigation to shed light on what happened,” hours after the UN demanded an independent inquiry into the tragedy, the deadliest ever recorded on the borders between Morocco and the two Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, the EU’s only borders on the African continent.
The Spanish prosecutor’s office motivated its decision by “the seriousness of the events that occurred, which could affect the human rights and fundamental rights of people”.
For its part, the UN called on both countries to ensure “an effective and independent investigation” and denounced “excessive use of force” against migrants.
“This is unacceptable,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, noting that the excessive use of force has been noted by the UN “on both sides of the border.”
“We were shocked by the images of violence seen at the border between Morocco and Spain this weekend and which resulted in the death of dozens of human beings, asylum seekers, migrants,” he said.
In Rabat, about fifty migrants demonstrated on Tuesday in front of the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Rabat against the “inhumane” treatment inflicted by Moroccan law enforcement agencies on Friday and to claim refugee status, AFP noted.
“In Nador, we were beaten in an inhuman way,” Omar, a Sudanese migrant who fled “war and prison” in his country, told AFP. “We don’t feel safe here, our lives are in danger,” he added.
“June 24 is a black day. There was pushing and shoving and then the police beat many of our brothers,” said Ahmed, an Eritrean, denouncing a “butchery”. “We want to know what happened so that we can explain it to the relatives of the deceased,” he pleaded.
“Where are the rights of refugees in Morocco?” the protesters’ placards read.
“The European Union, its member countries and Morocco are responsible for this disaster,” said the Platform of Sub-Saharan Associations and Communities in Morocco (P.ASCOMS) in a petition published Tuesday.
The majority of new migrants flowing into Morocco come from Sudan, particularly from Darfur, where a new outbreak of violence has recently left hundreds dead and 50,000 displaced.
Many are coming through Libya and Algeria – despite an officially closed border with Morocco – to reach the Cherifian kingdom.
In the midst of a crisis with Algeria, Morocco has pointed the finger of blame at its neighbor in the Melilla tragedy, criticizing its “deliberate laxity” in controlling its borders with the kingdom, according to Spanish media citing a statement from the Moroccan embassy in Spain.
A statement described as a “flight forward” by the Algerian diplomat in charge of the Western Sahara issue, Amar Belani, who accused Rabat of looking for “scapegoats to get rid of its responsibilities”, on the Algerian news website.
The group was seen through security at Lagos airport before being taken away to a facility and were not allowed contact with the public or journalists at the airport.
Earlier this month, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) cancelled the first flight due to take asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda.
The flight was part of the Rwanda asylum plan, announced by the UK government in April, that sees some asylum seekers given a one-way ticket to Rwanda to claim asylum there instead.
The government said the scheme would discourage others from crossing the English Channel.
🇬🇧âœðŸ½ðŸ‡³ðŸ‡¬ Our new landmark agreement with Nigeria will increase the deportation of dangerous foreign criminals to make our streets & country safer.
And take the fight to the criminal people smugglers together to tackle illegal migration.
Tanzanian Maasai herders arrested early last month during violent clashes with security forces over a land dispute with the government have been charged with murder.
The 25 suspects had taken part in protests against the eviction of their community from their ancestral land in Loliondo in the northern Ngorongoro district.
The suspects, who include the ruling party CCM’s Ngorongoro district chairman and ward councilors, appeared on Thursday before a magistrates’ court in the northern town of Arusha.
They all faced a second charge of attempted murder. They have not yet taken a plea on the charges.
The prosecution alleges that the Maasai people attacked security forces demarcating land in the area and speared a police officer who later died of injuries.
Resident Magistrate Herieth Mhenga adjourned the case to 14 July as police investigations continue.
A group of 15 lawyers is representing the accused.
Tanzania’s government leased Loliondo division in 1992 as a hunting block to a company based in the United Arab Emirates.
Attempts to relocate the Maasai from the 1,500 sq km (580 sq miles) protected area since 2009 have faced local and international pressure.
The government argues that the community will still have access to 2,500 sq km of land in the area.
The United Nations says its peacekeepers in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo have come under rocket fire from rebels.
There are no reports of any casualties as a result of the attack in Kibindi district in North Kivu province, which has been blamed on fighters of the M23 group.
Earlier this week, the Congolese army regained control of villages in the area after heavy fighting.
The upsurge in clashes since April has prompted 175,000 people to flee their homes.
The fighting has also raised tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda, which denies supporting the rebels.
On Wednesday, a top UN official told the Security Council that M23 fighters were operating like a conventional army with the military capacity to overrun UN troops.
The Tunisian president has published details of a new constitution that would vastly expand his powers.
Kais Saied, who has ruled by decree since sacking the government a year ago, says the draft document published in the official gazette, will be put to a referendum next month.
Under the proposals – drawn up by a committee handpicked by Mr Saied – most political power would be exercised by the president.
He would have ultimate authority over the judiciary and army as well as the government.
Critics accuse Mr Saied of dragging the country back towards the autocratic form of government that was overthrown during the Arab Spring revolt of 2014.
Opposition political parties have rejected the referendum in advance.
China’s “one country two systems” model of ruling Hong Kong has worked in protecting the city and must continue long term, says Xi Jinping.
The Chinese leader mounted a stern defence of the political system in a speech in Hong Kong, following recent international criticism.
Hong Kong is marking 25 years since Britain returned the city to China.
It is under tight security as it hosts Mr Xi, who is on his first trip outside of the mainland in two years.
Under “one country two systems”, Hong Kong is supposed to be governed in a way that gives it a high degree of autonomy and protects freedom of speech and assembly, and other rights not found in mainland China.
But in recent years China has been criticised for increasing its control of Hong Kong and enacting laws and reforms that stifle free speech and dissent.
The “one, country two systems” principle arose out of an agreement between Britain and China and is enshrined in law in Hong Kong. The protections run out in 2047, a deadline which many in Hong Kong have long been worried about.
But on Friday Mr Xi said it “must be adhered to over the long run” – the clearest sign yet that China intends to preserve the political model, which critics say has already been compromised to suit Beijing.
Flanked by the Chinese and Hong Kong flags on stage, Mr Xi defended the system as having worked in protecting Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability as well as China’s “fundamental interests” in the past 25 years.
“‘One country two systems’ has been tested and proved time and again, and there is no reason to change such a good system,” he said, to applause from the audience comprising mostly of the city’s pro-Beijing elite.
He added the system had the “unanimous endorsement” of residents along with “widespread approval” by the international community, and that Hong Kong’s “true democracy began” when it returned to China.
But over the years Hong Kong has seen huge protests and many, including Western countries, have criticised Beijing’s growing interference in the city.
In 2020, China introduced a controversial national security law that has clamped down on free speech and dissent in Hong Kong. This prompted Britain to accuse China of violating the “one country two systems” principle and their agreement.
“We’re not giving up on Hong Kong,” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday.
“Twenty-five years ago we made a promise to the territory and its people and we intend to keep it, doing all we can to hold China to its commitments so that Hong Kong is once again run by the people of Hong Kong, for the people of Hong Kong.”
China’s recent electoral reforms designed to ensure only “patriots” can run for office in Hong Kong have also been heavily criticised.
But Mr Xi strongly defended this move on Friday, saying that it was “essential for safeguarding the long-term stability and security of Hong Kong” and that “at no time should this principle be allowed to be compromised”.
“No people in any country or region in the world would ever allow political power to fall into the hands of forces or individuals who do not love, or would even sell out or betray, their own country,” he said.
IMAGE SOURCE,EPA Image caption, Helicopters carrying the flags of China and Hong Kong flew across the city on Friday morning
At the same event, Mr Xi also formally appointed John Lee, a former security chief known for his tough pro-Beijing views, as the new chief executive of Hong Kong.
Mr Lee had got the top job through an uncontested election – a sore point for many Hongkongers who say China has gone back on its promise to make the process fully democratic eventually.
Mr Lee’s new 21-member cabinet was also sworn in. It is heavily staffed by pro-Beijing leaders, including three who have been sanctioned by the US for “undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy and restricting the freedom of expression or assembly” of its people.
Various official events celebrating the handover will be held across the city on Friday, a public holiday. They typically culminate in a firework display over Victoria Harbour.
Mr Xi’s visit this year – the first to Hong Kong since the 20th anniversary celebrations in 2017 – has led to the city deploying plainclothes officers and “special constables” drafted from prison guards and immigration forces, reports BBC Chinese’s Martin Yip.
An Omicron outbreak earlier this year in Hong Kong fuelled doubts over whether Mr Xi, who has personally championed China’s zero Covid policy, would cancel his visit.
But he arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday via a high-speed train and met outgoing chief executive Carrie Lam.
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Security personnel have been deployed across the city for the handover anniversary
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has lost some of its power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The landmark ruling by the US Supreme Court represents a major setback to President Joe Biden’sclimate plans.
He called it a “devastating decision” but said it would not undermine his effort to tackle the climate crisis.
The case against the EPA was brought by West Virginia on behalf of 18 other mostly Republican-led states and some of the nation’s largest coal companies.
They argued that the agency did not have the authority to limit emissions across whole states.
These 19 states were worried their power sectors would be forced to move away from using coal, at a severe economic cost.
In a 6-3 ruling, the court sided with the conservative states and fossil-fuel companies, agreeing that the EPA did not have the authority to impose such sweeping measures.
Attorney General Eric Schmitt for Missouri – one of the 19 states – called it a “big victory… that pushes back on the Biden EPA’s job-killing regulations”.
The court hasn’t completely prevented the EPA from making these regulations in the future – but says that Congress would have to clearly say it authorises this power. And Congress has previously rejected the EPA’s proposed carbon limiting programmes.
Environmental groups will be deeply concerned by the outcome as historically the 19 states that brought the case have made little progress on reducing their emissions – which is necessary to limit climate change.
The states made up 44% of the US emissions in 2018, and since 2000 have only achieved a 7% reduction in their emissions on average.
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling undermines EPA’s authority to protect people from climate pollution at a time when all evidence shows we must take action with great urgency,” said Vickie Patton, general counsel for Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).
IMAGE SOURCE,EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
It means President Biden is now relying on a change of policy from these states or a change from Congress – otherwise the US is unlikely to achieve its climate targets.
This is a significant loss for the president who entered office on a pledge to ramp up US efforts on the environment and climate.
On his first day in office he re-entered the country into the Paris Agreement, the first legally-binding universal agreement on climate change targets.
And he committed the country to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 52% by 2030 against 2005 levels.
“While this decision risks damaging our nation’s ability to keep our air clean and combat climate change, I will not relent in using my lawful authorities to protect public health and tackle the climate crisis,” he said.
The outcome of this case will be noted by governments around the world, as it will affect global efforts to tackle climate change. The US accounts for nearly 14% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
A United Nations spokesman called it “a setback in our fight against climate change” but added that no single nation could derail the global effort.
In the US, this ruling could also affect the EPA’s broader existing and future regulatory responsibilities – including consumer protections, workplace safety and public health.
The ruling gives “enormous power” to the courts to target other regulations they don’t like, Hajin Kim, assistant professor of law at University of Chicago, tells the BBC.
This is because judges can say Congress did not explicitly authorise the agency to do that particular thing, she adds.
US stocks have seen their worst first half of a year since 1970, as concerns grow over how steps to curb inflation will affect economic growth.
In the last six months, the benchmark S&P 500 index fell 20.6%, while other major US indexes also dropped sharply.
Stocks in the UK, mainland Europe and Asia have also suffered steep losses.
It comes as central banks around the world are trying to rein in soaring living costs, with prices of essential goods like food and fuel jumping.
Some economists expect the US, which is the world’s biggest economy, to go into a recession as early as this year as interest rates continue to rise.
“If the US Federal Reserve continues hiking rates the stock market will react quite negatively,” Dan Wang, chief economist at Hang Seng Bank China, told the BBC.
Shane Oliver at AMP Capital said: “Shares are likely to see continued short-term volatility as central banks continue to tighten to combat high inflation, the war in Ukraine continues and fears of recession remain high.”
Another major US stock index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, fell by more than 15% in the first half of this year, the biggest drop for the period since 1962.
At the same time the technology-focused Nasdaq Composite lost almost 30%, marking its largest percentage drop for the first half of a year.
Major stock market indexes outside the US have also fallen sharply this year.
The UK’s FTSE 250 has dropped by more than 20%, while Europe’s Stoxx 600 index has slipped by almost 17% and the MSCI index of Asia-Pacific markets has fallen by more than 18%.
It comes as many of the world’s biggest central banks take steps to slow the rising cost of living, including raising interest rates.
Earlier this week, the bosses of three of the world’s biggest central banks warned that the era of moderate inflation and low interest rates had ended.
At an annual meeting in Portugal, the heads of the US Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bank of England said action must be taken quickly to prevent price rises from getting out of control.
However, they also cautioned that measures to rein in an inflation shock caused by the Ukraine war and pandemic may have a significant negative impact on global growth.
“Is there a risk that we would go too far? Certainly there’s a risk, but I wouldn’t agree that it’s the biggest risk to the economy,” Fed chairman Jerome Powell said.
“The bigger mistake to make, let’s put it that way, would be to fail to restore price stability,” he added.
Last month, the Fed announced its biggest rate rise in nearly 30 years as it ramped up its fight to rein in soaring consumer prices.
The Bank of England also raised its key interest rate to the highest level in 13 years, from 1% to 1.25%.
Twenty people were found dead in the Libyan desert following a vehicle breakdown near the border with Chad and were presumed to have died of thirst, rescuers said Wednesday.
A team “recovered 20 bodies found in the desert after their vehicle broke down,” rescue services in the southeastern region of Kufra said in a statement.
The vehicle had come from neighbouring Chad and reached some 120 kilometres (75 miles) into Libyan territory before breaking down, the statement added.
“They all died of thirst,” it said.
The service published a video on Facebook showing decomposing bodies in the desert sand near a pick-up truck.
The sparsely populated region regularly sees summer temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
Libya was plunged into lawlessness following the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi, and its southern borders with Chad, Niger and Sudan have become notorious for people trafficking and smuggling.
Thousands of people cross them every year in attempts to reach the Mediterranean coast and ultimately Europe, but many die en route, including in the harsh Sahara desert.
Ghanaian forward Grejohn Kyei has started pre-season training with Ligue 1 side Clermont Foot.
The 26-year-old trained with his teammates at the club’s training complex as they gear up for the new season which kicks off in August.
Kyei completed a permanent move to Clermont Foot on a two-year deal after successful negotiations and passing his medicals on Tuesday.
He spent the second-half of last season on loan at Clermont Foot, where he made 14 appearances and provided one assist in the process.
The pacy forward spent three seasons with Swiss side Servette, featured in 82 games across all competitions, scored 25 goals and registered 12 assists.
He helped Stade de Reims win the 2017/18 Ligue 2 and promotion to the Ligue 1 for the 2018/19 season.
In August 2018, the Ghanaian joined Ligue 2 club RC Lens on loan for the season with Lens securing an option to sign him permanently. He joined Swiss Super League club Servette FC on a three year contract in August 2019.
Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu was absent from Southampton’s first day of pre-season training on Wednesday as they prepare ahead of the new season.
The 23-year-old was seen pictured during the training session which took place at the club’s training complex.
No reason has been given for his absence but Footballghana.com understands the Ghanaian has been some days off to recharge his batteries after an intense campaign last season.
Salisu, who was regarded as one of the best centre defenders in the Premier League last term featured 36 times in all competitions and scored once for the Saints.
According to reports, Barcelona are monitoring the top defender and could move to sign him in the summer transfer window.
Xavi’s side have also been linked with a move for other defenders including Pau Torres, Aymeric Laport, Jules Kounde, as well as Matthijs De Ligt.
Salisu is expected to join his Southampton teammates in the coming days for pre-season training.
Brazil international Richarlison is set for a medical at Tottenham after Spurs agreed a deal to sign the forward from Everton.
The move will be worth more than £50m but there are some minor issues to be finalised over the exact fee.
Personal terms have been agreed with Richarlison and, barring any unexpected issues, the transfer should be concluded on Thursday.
Richarlison, 25, joined Everton from Watford for £50m in 2018.
Since then, he has scored 53 goals in 152 appearances for the Merseyside club, finishing top scorer at Everton last season as the club narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League.
Richarlison went into the campaign on the back of an exhausting summer, when he played for Brazil in both Copa America and the Olympic Games, and scored 10 goals in the top flight.
Six of those goals came in Everton’s last nine games of the season as they finished 16th and four points above the relegation zone.
Tottenham have qualified for this season’s Champions League and have signed keeper Fraser Forster and midfielder Yves Bissouma so far this summer.
The accounting period for Everton’s figures from the 2021-22 campaign ends on 30 June so, if the Richarlison deal is done, it would help balance the Toffees’ books after the club posted £372m in losses over the last three years.
Having spent a total of about £30m on Demarai Gray, Vitaliy Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson last season, selling Richarlison for more than £50m would mean the club would make a healthy profit on player sales, although they have also acquired others on loan.
Romelu Lukaku has returned to Inter Milan on a season-long loan, just a year after leaving for Chelsea.
Chelsea paid Inter a club-record £97.5m for Lukaku, 29, last summer but, before Christmas, he said he was “not happy” and hoped to rejoin the Italian side.
Inter have agreed to pay a loan fee of about 8m euros (£6.9m) for Lukaku, who helped them win Serie A in 2020-21.
The Belgium striker was not a regular starter for Chelsea last season but scored 15 goals in all competitions.
It is understood Lukaku was willing to take a pay cut to seal a move back to Inter, but the club’s financial situation meant it was impossible for them to match his wages or buy the forward outright.
However, president Steven Zhang got involved personally in the negotiations last week, which was viewed as significant.
“I’m back baby,” Lukaku said in a video on Inter’s Twitter page.
“I am very happy.” Zhang added: “The big boss is back. It is like deja vu, coming back here again.”
In an interview with Inter TV, Lukaku said it was “like coming home” and he had been in contact with his new coach Simone Inzaghi “all last season”.
“Inter have given me so much and I hope now to do even better than before,” said the frontman, who scored 64 goals in 95 appearances during his first spell in Italy.
“I didn’t even leave my home when I went to England, which shows how happy I am to be back here.”
Asked what convinced him to return, Lukaku added: “The affection of the fans and my team-mates, but also the opportunity to work with the coach. I stayed in contact with him all last season.”
Lukaku, who left Chelsea to join Everton for £28m in 2014, returned to Stamford Bridge last summer on a five-year deal.
But after spells out with injury and illness, he was left out of the starting line-up and, in an interview with Sky Sport Italia, said he was not happy with his role under manager Thomas Tuchel.
After apologising for those comments, Lukaku returned to the Chelsea squad and scored only three times in his final 15 Premier League games of last term as the Blues’ season fizzled out.
Tuchel’s side finished third in the Premier League, while they were beaten by Liverpool on penalties in both the FA Cup and League Cup finals.
Inter finished second in Serie A last season, two points behind city rivals AC Milan. They are also in talks with Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.
The Argentina international, 28, is set to be a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the month.
On Tuesday, the World Food Program warned that one in 10 Chadian children suffer from malnutrition. In June, the president of the transitional military council declared a food emergency in the country.
In March Moscow refocused its efforts on seizing Ukraine’s Donbas area after failing to take Kyiv and other cities.
Mr Putin still has the same goals as the ones he held at the start of the conflict, the US’s top intelligence officer Ms Haines said – to take most of Ukraine.
But, she says, Russia is unlikely to achieve that goal any time soon.
“We perceive a disconnect between Putin’s near-term military objectives in this area and his military’s capacity, a kind of mismatch between his ambitions and what the military is able to accomplish,” she told a US Commerce Department conference.
Since failing to achieve its initial goal of capturing Kyiv, Russia has focused on seizing territory in the eastern Donbas region – a large, industrial area where Mr Putin falsely claims Ukraine has carried out a genocide against Russian speakers.
Russian forces have made gains there, recently taking control of the city of Severodonetsk, but progress has been slow and Ukrainian forces have put up strong resistance.
Long-running war
In her first public comments since May on the US intelligence assessment of the war, Ms Haines suggested Russia’s invasion would grind on “for an extended period of time” and that “the picture remains pretty grim”.
She said intelligence agencies see three scenarios of how the war could play out, the most likely being a slow moving conflict with Russia making “incremental gains, with no breakthrough”.
The other, less likely possibilities include a major Russian breakthrough, or a stabilisation of the frontlines with Ukraine achieving small gains.
It may mean Moscow becomes more dependent on “asymmetric tools” to target its enemies; including cyber attacks, efforts to control energy resources and even nuclear weapons.
Ms Haines’ comments came on Wednesday after Nato leaders pledged to stand behind Ukraine for as long as it takes -Â boosting their troop presence across Europe and inviting Finland and Sweden to join the group.
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg called it the alliance’s biggest overhaul since the Cold War, with US President Joe Biden vowing that Nato would be “strengthened in all directions across every domain – land, air and sea”.
Responding to the possibility of the two Nordic countries becoming Nato members, Mr Putin accused the military alliance of deliberately escalating tension.
“If Nato troops and infrastructure are deployed, [Russia] will be compelled to respond,” Mr Putin said while on a trip to Turkmenistan.
Meanwhile, the UK government is to provide a further £1bn ($1.2bn) in military aid to Ukraine, a near-doubling of its support so far. Only the US has provided more military aid to Ukraine than the UK.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says his country needs around $5bn (£4.12bn) a month to fund the war against Russia.
Chelsea have joined the race to sign Leeds winger Raphinha.
The Brazil international has been the subject of a bid from Arsenal and interest from Barcelona.
Leeds would be looking for more than £50m for Raphinha, who they signed from Rennes for £17m two years ago.
But Chelsea’s American owners want to make the 25-year-old part of a new-look attacking line-up, and have already made contact with England international Raheem Sterling.
As yet, there has been no formal offer made to Leeds, who survived the threat of Premier League relegation on the last day of last season.
That was partly to do with a sparkling performance from Raphinha, who scored the opener in a 2-1 win over Brentford and is due to report back for pre-season training at the start of next week.
Leeds and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips is already set to join Manchester City in a £45m deal.
New Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has moved quickly in his role as interim sporting director by loaning club-record signing Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan.
That move is expected to be announced in the next 24 hours once the 29-year-old has completed a medical.
Dancehall artiste, Charles Nii Armah, known in show business as Shatta Wale has pleaded guilty to publication of false news.
He has since been fined GH¢ 2,000 in default of which he will be imprisoned for three (3) months.
This was after he changed his plea from not guilty to guilty before His Worship, Emmanuel Essandoh of the Circuit Court 4.
The controversial artiste was brought before the Court for publishing on social media, prophecies of death which he claimed were about him.
His lawyer, Jerry Avenogbor, told the Court that he was a first-time offender who was remorseful of the act.
The prosecution on the other hand, led by ASP Maxwell Oppong did not oppose the change in plea.
Shatta Walewas arrested in October 2021 for publicizing false claims that he had been shot in a gun attack on him in Accra.
Prior to his arrest in a lengthy Facebook post, he apologized to his fans and people who had been affected by the prank.
He made reference to a prophecy that was made by a preacher that he would be shot dead on October 18, 2021.
According to Shatta Wale, he was surprised that the security services could not give him protection after that prophecy, hence his decision to stage the fake attack.
His move however saw widespread condemnation from the public, with many calling for the artiste to be punished.
The number of attempted fraud cases in the banking industry reduced by 12.09% in 2021 to 2,347, a report by the Bank of Ghana has revealed.
However, the year recorded a loss value of ¢61 million as compared to a loss of ¢25 million in 2020. This represented a 144% increase in year-on-year terms.
According to the report dubbed Banking, Specialised Deposit Taking Institutions and Electronic Money Issuers (EMI) Fraud, the significant fraud types that accounted for this figure included Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card and Point of Sale (POS) fraud, impersonation, lending and credit fraud, forgery and manipulation of documents, cash suppression and E-money fraud.
However, there were other fraud types, which also recorded some huge losses. Notable among these are impersonation, lending and credit fraud, suppression of cash, E-money and forgery and manipulation of documents.
The report added that the increase in the usage of electronic and digital platforms in the financial sector resulted in an increase in ATM card and POS fraud.
ATM card/POS related fraud recorded the highest loss of ¢22million. This can be attributed to negligence of some customers and weak systems of some financial institutions.
Another significant fraud type was impersonation which recorded a loss of ¢10million.
This loss can be attributed to lack of due diligence on the part of bank staff and customers of financial institutions when carrying out transactions.
The EMI sector reported a significant number of mobile money (MOMO) fraud incidents and loss values in 2021.
EMIs recorded 12,350 MOMO related fraud incidents in 2021. The total value of fraud reported by EMIs for the 2021 amounted to ¢14.2 million.
The total E-Money related loss recorded by EMIs in 2021 amounted to approximately ¢12.8million.
BoG initiative to address fraud
The Bank of Ghana said it is strengthening its fraud monitoring activities and enforcement of required internal controls and risk governance within banks, SDIs, EMIs and other regulated entities.
The Bank of Ghana has also issued a notice to the public, banks and other regulated entities on the usage of the Ghana Card as the primary identification document for all financial transactions.
All Banks and SDIs are therefore required to pay particular attention to this directive and ensure compliance. This the Central Bankmitigate the incidence of fraud in the financial sector.
Again, a secretariat has been set up at the Financial Stability Department of the Bank of Ghana to coordinate the activities of the Committee for cooperation between Law Enforcement Agencies and the Banking Community (COCLAB).
This is to ensure that COCLAB achieves its mandate of developing and implementing effective controls to mitigate fraud in the sector.
The National Organiser of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joshua Hamidu Akamba, has been spotted with a weapon at Wednesday’s Arise Ghana demonstration.
In a Twitter post, the Police indicated that Mr Akamba put away the undisclosed weapon after being informed of his illegal action.
“He was also urged to notify other demonstrators to desist from carrying offensive weapons during the demonstration,†the police added.
Demonstrator Spotted with Weapon at El-Wak
The Police have spotted a demonstrator, Joshua Akamba with a weapon among the crowd of demonstrators gathered around the El-WakStadium, today, 29th June, 2022. pic.twitter.com/QTCgGl5T5u
— Ghana Police Service (@GhPoliceService) June 29, 2022
According to sources, Joshua Akamba then admonished protestors with firearm to turn in their weapons “because we need our people to be safe.â€
This follows the arrest of a male protestor who had in his possession a pistol at the El-Wak stadium today.
The unidentified suspect has been taking to the police station for further interrogation.
Meanwhile, the Police has urged protestors to desist from carrying along catapults.
The word of caution comes after the Service discovered that some demonstrators are acquiring catapults to use during the protest.
Police Warn Demonstrators Against Planned Use of Catapult
Police intelligence indicates that some demonstrators are going around acquiring catapults with the intention of using them during the demonstration.
— Ghana Police Service (@GhPoliceService) June 29, 2022
According to the police, they “will take all necessary, professionally-driven measures to enforce the law and protect life and property.â€
Meanwhile, 29 protestors have been detained for their involvement in the scuffle that ensued on Tuesday, June 28 during the protest.
“Available video footages of the event are being reviewed and all other persons identified for taking part in the attacks as well as inciting the violence will be arrested and brought to face justice,†the Police has announced with regards to investigations.
On Tuesday, June 28, Arise Ghana, a pressure group demanding that government fixes the country’s economic challenges hit the street of Accra.
After some challenges involving the duration of the protest seemed to have been resolved, the protestors gathered at the Obra spot in Circle to commence their march.
For several hours, it was a peaceful atmosphere. This changed after a disagreement over the approved route between the Police and the protestors.
The Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, on Tuesday, June 28, swore-in additional members of the Board of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Managing Director of ECG, Mr. Samuel Dubik Mahama, and Mrs. Nana Nsafoah join the board sworn into office on Thursday, July 29, 2021, by the Energy Minister.
Unlike Mrs. Nana Nsafoah, Mr. Samuel Dubik Mahama was already a member of the Board in the capacity as a non-executive Director at ECG, before his appointment as Managing Director by the Board of Directors which took effect on May 16, 2022.
In recognition of his new portfolio, Samuel Dubik Mahama had to be sworn-in again, according to Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who is optimistic Mrs. Nana Nsafoah will bring her A game to the running of ECG.
“This swearing-in comes on the back of the appointment by H.E the President, of Mr. Mahama who was originally a member of the Board as Managing Director replacing Mr. Kwame Agyeman-Budu who has retired.
“Mrs. Nsafoah thus becomes the fresh face on the Board. I believe she will bring her vast experiences to the benefit of the company,†the Minister wrote in a Facebook post.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh discussed with the board critical matters pertaining to the growth of the ECG.
The management of the Electricity Company of Ghana has indicated that the company is overburdened with operational costs.
To ensure the existence and efficiency of the company, management has proposed a tariff increment of 148% for electricity.
Per reports, General Manager of the Regulatory Management of ECG, Sylvia Noshie, has stressed that “ECG is currently a struggling distribution company that requires urgent supportâ€, hence the need for a full cost recovery tariff proposal.
Board of ECG
The Board of the Electricity Company of Ghana is currently chaired by Group CEO of Enterprise Group Limited, Keli Gadzekpo.
Other members of the Board include; Mr. Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, Madam Maata Opare, Ing. Carlien Dorcas Bou-Chedid, Hon. Frank Annor Dompreh, Dr. Nicholas Kwabena Smart, and Mr. Francis Awua-Kyeremanten Jr.
Currently, it is unknown whether former ECG Managing Director, Kwame AgyemanBudu, remains a member of the Board – a position he held while in office.
The Board is to ensure ECG achieves its vision and mission, which is to:
1. Be financially sustainable and customer focused energy service, and
2. Provide quality, reliable and safe electricity services to support the growth and development of Ghana.
A protestor at the Arise Ghana demonstration dubbed “KromAyeShe†has been arrested for reportedly possessing a pistol as the group continues with its protest on Wednesday, June 29.
The protestor was arrested at El-wak, where the members of the group are converging, the Independent Ghana can confirm.
The male suspect whose identity is currently unknown has been taken to the Police station to assist with investigations.
His arrest comes on the back of a peaceful protest turned bloody on Tuesday, June 28, after a disagreement on the approved route between the protestors and the police.
— The Independent Ghana (@independent_gh) June 28, 2022
Meanwhile, leaders of Arise Ghana, per reports, have entreated members who have weapons in their possession, due to earlier incidents, to surrender them.
For many locals and foreign tourists, the brightly painted wooden houseboats dotted along the River Nile are an iconic part of Cairo’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.
But starting this week, the last of those remaining – about 30 in total – are set to be destroyed or removed by the Egyptian authorities as part of what they describe as an effort to beautify the waterfront.
Some of the floating houses, permanently moored on the riverbank, are inhabited by poor residents, while others have been expensively restored. A few have been turned into restaurants, offices and gyms.
IMAGE SOURCE,WAEL HUSSEIN/BBC Image caption, Ahdaf Soueif and her son, Omar Robert Hamilton, have lived on their houseboat for a decade
“It’s a different lifestyle, you are completely immersed in nature. The river is just one metre below you,” says the celebrated Egyptian novelist Ahdaf Soueif, whose family home has been slated for destruction.
“The idea of the houseboat has always been connected to something a little bit out of the ordinary,” she goes on. “They feel romantic to generations of Egyptians and Arabs.”
From her veranda, tugs and cranes can be seen circling properties in the centre of the capital. Three homes – two-storey buildings attached to rafts – were removed on Tuesday and towed away. Earlier in the week, others were removed and one of those was smashed up in the process.
IMAGE SOURCE,OMAR ROBERT HAMILTON Image caption, The Egyptian government says the houseboats were built decades ago without its consent
On social media, there has been condemnation from ordinary Egyptians of the action against the houseboats, known as “awamat” (Arabic for “floating”).
“Not only are these houseboats homes to people who have lived there for decades, but some of them are historic monuments. They are part of our heritage which cannot be erased,” wrote Nora Zeid on Twitter.
“Who said it is not part of the beautiful history of Cairo?” tweeted Dakhel Hafy. “When we stand on the Nile and look at the awamat, we should tell stories, novels and legends about them.”
Only a few dispute their aesthetic value. Mostafa el-Gafy tweeted that they were “ugly”.
IMAGE SOURCE,WAEL HUSSEIN/BBC Image caption, This houseboat was one of those towed away by authorities on Tuesday
The Egyptian government has defended its decision to issue demolition orders, stating that the houseboats were built decades ago without its consent and that their owners failed to obtain the correct permits and licences.
The irrigation ministry says it will continue the campaign to remove homes moored along the river “in clear violation of the law”. The minister, Mohammed Abdel Ati, says it is “a clear message to those who transgress on the Nile”.
Many residents own their homes but say they have recently made legal challenges over large hikes in official fees for parking the boats and access to the riverbank.
No compensation is being given to people losing their houses.
IMAGE SOURCE,WAEL HUSSEIN/BBC Image caption, Ekhlas Helmy has been living on her houseboat for three decades with her dogs, cat and geese
“I swear to God, I don’t know where to go,” says Ekhlas Helmy, 87, in despair as she packs up her belongings.
“My sister has got some of my stuff, my brother too, although they are both unhappy with the situation. They told me to throw away my things.”
Madame Helmy, as she is called, was born on a houseboat and says she was raised on fish. Later, after her husband died young, she built her own home on the water, living on it for three decades with her dogs, cat and geese.
IMAGE SOURCE,WAEL HUSSEIN/BBC Image caption, The houseboats are being removed as part of what officials say is an effort to beautify the waterfront
The history of houseboats on the Nile is long and colourful. The oldest ones dated back to the time of the pharaohs and were designed for long river trips.
Over time, a technique developed of building homes on floating metal containers held together by wooden or metal beams. These were not meant for sailing but to give a panoramic river view.
During Ottoman times, rich Egyptian pashas often took houseboats as fancy second residences using them to entertain guests with music and belly dancers. During World War Two, British forces lived in them.
The awamat have often been associated with secret liaisons and illicit behaviour.
They are featured in many classic Egyptian films and in the work of the Nobel Prize-winning author, Naguib Mahfouz. His 1966 novel, Adrift on the Nile, follows the lives of young intellectuals who gather at night on a houseboat to chat and smoke drugs.
IMAGE SOURCE,SEPIA TIMES Image caption, This aerial photograph from 1932 show what appears to be houseboats on Cairo’s waterfront
During the mid-20th Century, there were several hundred houseboats in Cairo. However, many were gradually cleared away by the authorities or fell into disrepair.
The houseboats now under threat are clustered in an area known as Kit Kat.
On one side, across the river, are the high-rise tower blocks and costly hotels on the island of Zamalek. On the other side, lies the less well-off neighbourhood of Imbaba.
IMAGE SOURCE,AFP Image caption, Today, the last remaining houseboats are moored opposite the north-western corner of Zamalek island
There has previously been pressure to commercialise this section of waterfront.
In the evening, the edge of the Nile bustles with restaurants, cafes and private sports clubs located along its banks.
Egypt’s government recently opened the first section of a new 5km-long (3-mile) walkway along the Cairo corniche, clearing away many small businesses such as felucca sailboat operators.
Development along the riverbanks has opened debates about the future of the city’s most popular public space and what defines the unique charms of the capital.
Reports reaching The Independent Ghana indicate that the Police have fired tear gas at members of Arise Ghana who hit the streets of Accra today, Tuesday, to protest against economic challenges.
There was tension at the Obra spot for several minutes.
In a Twitter post, the Police revealed that some protestors pelted stones against some officers. It is unknown the reason behind the purported action by the protestors.
“What a shame, we were there to protect you and ensure your safety, but you throw stones at us, injure and hurt us. This behaviour is unacceptable and must be condemned,” the Police wrote.
Earlier, there was some form of contention between the police and protestors over the approved route.
The police had insisted on the group moving through Farisco through TUC to the Independence Square, however, the demonstrators sought to march towards the Ako Adjei Interchange en route to the Jubilee House.
Attack on Police in the Ongoing Arise Ghana Demonstration
What a shame, we were there to protect you and ensure your safety, but you throw stones at us, injure and hurt us.
This is not the first time Police officials have fired tear gas at protestors as part of crowd control measures.
On June 13, 2022, over 30 students of the Islamic Senior High School at Abrepo in the Ashanti Region were hospitalized after firing tear gas at them during a protest against road accidents in the locality.
The protesting students demanding the construction of speed rumps blocked the Abrepo Junction-Barekese, thereby causing vehicular and human traffic for more than an hour.
And to restore calm, the Police fired tear gas, an action Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has condemned.
Also, ACP Mr George Ankomah, the Regional Operations Officer and ACP Mr Alex Cudjoe Acquah, the Suame Divisional Police Commander, have been interdicted.
Bundesliga side, Hoffenheim have congratulated Hearts of Oak for winning their 12th MTN FA Cup title after beating 10-man Bechem United in the final on Sunday.
— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@tsghoffenheimEN) June 27, 2022
Bechem United took the lead in the final minutes of the first half as fans at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium went frenzy.
Unfortunately, the celebrations will not last. Hearts of Oak equalised through Caleb Amankwa whose goal cancelled out the earlier strike from Emmanuel Avornyo.
Later in the second half, Hearts of Oak put up a determined performance that saw the team impress even the neutral fans.
On the hour mark, the defending champions made their efforts count with a good team play which was finished off by birthday boy Daniel Afriyie Barnieh.
Six minutes later, Bechem United star man Augustine Okrah received a red card after an attack on a linesman, forcing the team to finish the match with 10 men.
In the end, Hearts of Oak did well to manage time to secure a 2-1 win in the final to retain the MTN FA Cup title.
Former Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has expressed his excitement after completing his UEFA A-Licence from FA Wales.
The 39-year-old had been undertaking the course since last year at the Welsh institution as he seeks to make the transition from playing to coaching and he is now fully qualified to take the plunge.
While in the process of earning his badges, Toure spent days at Tottenham working with academy staff and players as he looked to complete the course.
“You never stop learning in this game,” said Toure, while posting his certificate on social media on Monday.
He was part of the historic 2009 Barcelona side that won six trophies in a calendar year.
He also represented them in six Africa Cup of Nations in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015, helping them finish runner-up in 2006 and 2012, while captaining them to victory in 2015.
The 47-year-old is expected to sign a three-year deal – his current contract with the club will expire in the summer.
Dortmund and Addo are in advanced negotiations and an official announcement is expected to soon.
The former Dortmund midfielder joined the club in April 2019 as a ‘talent coach’, having previously held a similar role at Borussia Mönchengladbach since 2017.
In December 2020, he was promoted to serve as first team assistant coach to Edin Terzić who had been promoted to interim head coach, following the sacking of head coach Lucien Favre.
He won his first trophy as a coach after Dortmund defeated RB Leipzig in the finals of the 202021 DFB-Pokal.
Otto Addo replaced Milovan Rajevac as Ghana coach after the Serbian failed to progress to last 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, finishing bottom of their group.
He led qualified the Black Stars to their fourth World Cup appearance following a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in the final play-offs at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja to progress on the away goals rule.
Addo became first Ghanaian to have represented Ghana at the World Cup and also qualified the team to the Mundial as a coach.
We know about the big-money summer signings looking to take the Premier League by storm this season, but who are some of the youngsters hoping this is their big season?
Here are 10 we think could be worth following, from those hoping to make a breakthrough to others who could have a huge impact.
Charlie Patino (Arsenal midfielder)
Charlie Patino scored on his professional debut against Sunderland
The much-hyped Patino, who cost Arsenal £10,000 from Luton when he was 11, will be hoping for a big season.
The 18-year-old scored only 10 minutes into his debut last season, in a 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Sunderland, and also started their FA Cup defeat by Nottingham Forest.
Fans chanted his name as he came on after 80 minutes in that Sunderland game with boss Mikel Arteta saying “I see that [building hype], I saw it around the club”.
An injury held up his breakthrough somewhat, but he was on the bench for the final four Premier League games of the season.
Patino – who says he grew up loving former Gunners midfielder Santi Cazorla – is an England Under-19 international, although he is also eligible for Spain.
Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa midfielder)
Jacob Ramsey will be hoping to learn from midfield great Steven Gerrard
Ramsey has already had his breakthrough season – with six goals in 35 games for Villa last term but this could be the season he becomes a star.
There have even been suggestions the 21-year-old could make England’s World Cup squad.
In February his Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard, a legendary midfielder in his playing days, said: “He will be a terrific player. It won’t be long before the whole country is watching him. He is right up there.”
Some of his goals had hints of peak Gerrard - a double against Leeds came from powerful, driving runs and calm but clinical finishes.
The progress of Ramsey, who signed a new five-year deal recently and has been at Villa since he was six, helped them get over the loss of another hometown hero in Jack Grealish. Another big season and he could close the gap on Grealish.
Evan Ferguson (Brighton forward)
Evan Ferguson is already a Republic of Ireland Under-21 regular
Ferguson could be in for a big season at Brighton despite only being 17.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 striker made four appearances for the Seagulls last season – but that was not his first taste of first-team action.
Remarkably, he made his League of Ireland debut for Bohemians when he was only 14 – having also faced Chelsea in a friendly at the same age.
“You forget he’s only 17, especially when you watch him every day in training,” said boss Graham Potter.
“He’s not looked out of place. Character wise, his personality and mindset are all really good. We’ve got a lot of faith in him.”
Levi Colwill (Chelsea defender)
Sadly for Levi Colwill and Huddersfield, his own goal in the Championship play-off final gave Nottingham Forest a 1-0 win
Ask any Huddersfield fan for their thoughts on Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and, having watched him all last season during a successful loan spell, they will say he is an England captain in the making.
The talented 19-year-old was a big reason why the Championship pre-season relegation favourites ended up finishing third and reaching the play-off final.
Calm and assured on the ball with a maturity beyond his years, Chelsea have high hopes for Colwill, who has been described as the next John Terry.
A host of Premier League clubs, including Brighton, Everton and Leicester, have been linked with a loan move for the left-footed centre-back. Wherever he does end up, expect him to make a big impression in the Premier League this season.
Anthony Gordon (Everton forward)
Anthony Gordon played nearly every game after Frank Lampard replaced Rafael Benitez
Gordon was one of Everton’s few positives to come from a disappointing season where they narrowly avoided relegation to the EFL.
The England Under-21 international started 19 of the 21 games after Frank Lampard took over and was named Everton’s players’ player of the year.
His winner against Manchester United in April went a long way to helping them stay up.
Gordon is a hard-working and talented winger and Everton fans will be excited to see how the 21-year-old does in a team that will be aiming for higher up the league.
Joe Gelhardt (Leeds forward)
Joe Gelhardt (right) helped keep Leeds in the Premier League
One of the few positives from Leeds’ near-disastrous second season back in the Premier League was the impressive cameo performances of young forward Joe Gelhardt, who contributed two goals and four assists in just 732 minutes.
These contributions included his run to win a penalty in the home game with Wolves, his timely header and close-range finish against Norwich and the skill to leave Brighton’s Lewis Dunk flailing on the Elland Road turf before his cross for a Pascal Struijk headed equaliser.
All of these helped salvage points, without which the Whites would almost certainly be back in the Championship.
With a low centre of gravity, strength beyond his stature, excellent dribbling skills and an eye for the goal, the Liverpool-born player has an air of Wayne Rooney about him, although saddling him with such lofty expectations at this stage is unfair.
Manager Jesse Marsch often fields two forwards and so Gelhardt should get more opportunities to show what he can do in what could well be his true breakout campaign.
Harvey Elliott (Liverpool midfielder)
Harvey had been injured for months
Having played for Fulham and Liverpool in the Premier League, and spending a season on loan with Blackburn in the Championship, it is easy to forget Elliott is still only 19.
He would have had an even bigger impact had he not spent five months out last season with an ankle injury before scoring a lovely volley on his return to the team against Cardiff in the FA Cup.
The skillful winger or midfielder will be hoping to stay injury free and work his way into becoming a Reds regular this season.
Cole Palmer (Manchester City forward)
Cole Palmer scored in the Carabao Cup, Champions League and FA Cup last season
Palmer, 20, is hoping this could be the season he starts to emulate Phil Foden, both local players who came through the City academy having joined as children.
The Athletic claims City plan to use Palmer in the first team more this season as a right winger, with Raheem Sterling possibly leaving the Etihad.
Palmer scored three times for City’s first team last season, against Wycombe, Club Bruges and Swindon in the Carabao Cup, Champions League and FA Cup respectively.
He also scored eight goals in eight games in the Premier League and netted in the Papa John’s Trophy for City’s reserve team.
Anthony Elanga (Manchester United forward)
Anthony Elanga broke into the United and Sweden team last season
The 20-year-old Sweden international scored twice in the Premier League and once in the Champions League and played in every single United game in 2022.
With uncertainty around the roles of some forwards next season – Marcus Rashford is out of form and Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants to leave – Elanga could have even more chances this season.
Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest forward)
Brennan Johnson, whose father David also played for Nottingham Forest, has been at the club since he was eight
Johnson is the only player on this list who is new to the Premier League.
The 21-year-old was named the Championship’s young player of the season after helping Nottingham Forest win promotion via the play-offs.
In a dream summer, he then helped Wales reach the World Cup and scored his first international goal against Belgium.
“He’s a wonderful talent,” said Wales boss Rob Page. “I’m looking forward to watching him in the Premier League next season and watching him grow with us.
“Every time he comes on he impresses and shows his worth. He’s got a lot more to come.”
Chelsea have made contact with Manchester City about a move for England forward Raheem Sterling.
Sterling, who joined from Liverpool in a £49m deal in 2015 and has scored 131 goals in 339 games, is a major transfer target for new Blues owner Todd Boehly.
It is understood Chelsea are yet to lodge a formal bid for the 27-year-old, but one is expected shortly.
Sterling has a year left on his contract and is understood to be reviewing his options.
Sterling, who has 77 England caps, has never made any secret of his desire to play as much as possible and be a central figure in a team that challenges for major honours.
He could be the Blues’ first major signing since they were taken over by a consortium led by Boehly in May.
Chelsea are looking to boost their attacking ranks after allowing Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku to rejoin Inter Milan on a season-long loan.
Haaland’s arrival changes the dynamic
Since Pep Guardiola became manager in 2016, only Sergio Aguero (124) has scored more goals for City than Sterling (120).
Sterling scored 13 goals in 30 Premier League appearances last season as he won his fourth league title and ninth major honour in seven seasons with City.
However, he was on the bench for both legs of the Champions League semi-final defeat by Real Madrid and the epic final game of the season against Aston Villa.
Sterling did spark the memorable last-day league title success by coming on to set up Ilkay Gundogan’s crucial first goal as City came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and pip Liverpool by a point.
Of City’s attacking players, only Bernardo Silva started significantly more Premier League games last season – 33 to Sterling’s 23.
Phil Foden started one more and £100m man Jack Grealish one fewer.
But Erling Haaland’s summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund appears to change the dynamic, with the Norwegian likely to be a starter, especially in the biggest games.
Argentina forward Julian Alvarez will also be arriving at the Etihad this summer from River Plate after a deal was agreed in January.
At least 30 people including women and children were killed during clashes over land between neighbouring communities in Cameroon’s South-West region, local authorities said on Monday.
A spokesman for the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon said the fight between the Oliti and Messaga Ekol groups in Akwaya was very violent.
The church released pictures that showed dead bodies lying on the ground.
The violence started when attackers stormed a funeral ceremony in the village of Bakinjaw on Saturday and continued on Sunday, according to the communication officer of Akwaya district, Okumo Angwa.
He added that people were burnt in their homes while others were beheaded in the attack.
An MP, Aka Martin Tyoga, told the BBC that the attackers promised to return in two days. He said that investigations into the killings would take time as the area was remote.
Cameroon’s two English-speaking regions, the South-West and North-West, are caught up in a separatist conflict that has already claimed more than 6,000 lives, according to the International Crisis Group.
On Monday, a Human Rights Watch report said separatist fighters have killed at least seven people, raped one girl, and carried out scores of kidnappings since January. The rights group called for the prosecution and sanctioning of separatists fighters for these and other “grave human rights abuses”.
At least 25 people, including government soldiers, were killed during a cattle raid in the volatile Warrap state in central South Sudan, officials have told the BBC.
In total, 18 soldiers and seven civilians were killed during the clash with heavily armed youth, according to Ring Deng – the Warrap state information minister.
Among them were a senior military officer and a former county commissioner, the BBC understands.
Seven soldiers and six civilians were also wounded during the incident.
There are fears the death toll could be as high as 65, local news The Sudan’s Post reported, but Mr Ring has refuted the claims.
He said the incident occurred as a result of “misunderstanding†when soldiers tried to recover stolen cows from the youth.
Cattle raids and revenge attacks have killed thousands of people in South Sudan since independence in 2011.
Insecurity remains rife across the country despite the formation of a unity government in February 2020.
At least 46 people have been found dead in an abandoned lorry on the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas.
A fire official said 16 people, including four children, had also been taken to hospital.
The survivors were “hot to the touch” and suffering from heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
San Antonio, which is 250km (150 miles) from the US-Mexican border, is a major transit route for people-smugglers.
Human traffickers often use lorries to transport undocumented migrants after meeting them in remote areas once they have managed to cross into the United States.
“They had families… and were likely trying to find a better life,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. “It’s nothing short of a horrific, human tragedy.”
Emergency services initially responded to reports of a dead body
Emergency responders initially arrived at the scene at about 18:00 local time (23:00 GMT) after responding to reports of a dead body, San Antonio fire chief Charles Hood told reporters.
“We’re not supposed to open up a truck and see stacks of bodies in there. None of us come to work imagining that,” he said.
He added that the vehicle, which had been abandoned by its driver, had no working air conditioning and there was no drinking water inside it.
San Antonio’s climate is blisteringly hot in the summer months, with temperatures there reaching 39.4C (103F) on Monday, and it is suspected that the victims likely died from heat exhaustion and dehydration.
Mexico’s Foreign Minister, Marcelo Ebrard, said that two Guatemalans were among those taken to hospital. The nationalities of the other victims was not immediately clear.
Three people are being held in custody and the investigation has been handed over to federal agents.
Edward Reyna, a security guard at a lumber yard just yards away, said he was not surprised to arrive for his night shift and hear the news. He said he had lost count of the times he had seen migrants jumping off the train that passes right next to where the lorry was found.
“I thought sooner or later, somebody was going to get hurt,” Mr Reyna said. “The cartels that bring them over don’t care about them.”
This story has played out in San Antonio before, but not to this magnitude. In 2017, 10 immigrants were found dead inside a similar tractor trailer outside a Walmart – also on the city’s south side.
San Antonio’s far south side is a corridor with two main highways connecting the city to Texas border towns.
Mostly rural communities, a few junkyards and a handful of developing neighbourhoods in this part of San Antonio make it easy for a lorry this size to go unnoticed – until it doesn’t.
Image caption, Security guard Edward Reyna wasn’t surprised to hear of the deaths
US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, whose department has taken over the investigation, said: “Human smugglers are callous individuals who have no regard for the vulnerable people they exploit and endanger in order to make a profit.”
Texas‘s Republican Governor Greg Abbott blamed US President Joe Biden for the deaths, describing them as a “result of his deadly open border policies”.
Beto O’Rourke, the Democratic candidate running against Mr Abbott, said the reports were devastating and called for urgent action to “dismantle human smuggling rings and replace them with expanded avenues for legal migration”.
Immigration is a contentious political issue in the United States, where in May a record 239,000 undocumented migrants were detained crossing into the country from Mexico – many traveling along extremely risky and unsafe routes.
US law enforcement officials are on track to exceed the record 1.73 million border arrests made in 2021, with large numbers of people continuing to cross from Central American countries such as Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.
Fleeing poverty and violence in Central America, many of the undocumented migrants end up paying huge sums of cash to people-smugglers to get them across the US border.
Over recent years, there have been many similar examples of migrants perishing during their journey, but no single event as deadly as what was discovered on Monday.
After the tragedy was discovered, the Catholic Archbishop of San Antonio, Gustavo Garcia-Siller tweeted: “Lord have mercy on them. They hoped for a better life.”
“Once again, the lack of courage to deal with immigration reform is killing and destroying lives,” he added.
Speaking to the BBC from San Antonio, KENS5 local reporter Matt Houston said: “It is our understanding right now that if this is a human smuggling incident – as it appears – it would be the deadliest of its kind in American history.”
He said the risks faced by families crossing into the United States were formidable – and in recent days, the area had been struck by a heatwave.
Sri Lankahas suspended sales of fuel for non-essential vehicles as it faces its worst economic crisis in decades.
For the next two weeks only buses, trains, and vehicles used for medical services and transporting food will be allowed to fill up with fuel.
Schools in urban areas have shut and officials have told the country’s 22 million residents to work from home.
The South Asian nation is in talks over a bailout deal as it struggles to pay for imports such as fuel and food.
On Monday, the government said it will ban private vehicles from buying petrol and diesel until 10 July.
Bandula Gunewardena, a spokesperson for Sri Lanka’s cabinet, said Sri Lanka “has never faced such a severe economic crisis in its history”.
The cash-strapped country has also sent officials to the major energy producers Russia and Qatar in a bid to secure cheap oil supplies.
Sri Lanka’s economy has been hit hard by the pandemic, rising energy prices, and populist tax cuts.
Without enough foreign currencies to pay for imports of essential goods, an acute shortage of food, fuel and medicines has helped to push the cost of living to record highs.
Over the weekend, officials said the country had only 9,000 tonnes of diesel and 6,000 tonnes of petrol to fuel essential services in the coming days.
It has been estimated that the stocks would last for less than a week, under regular demand.
“We are doing everything we can to get new stocks but we don’t know when that will be,” power and energy minister Kanchana Wijesekera told reporters on Sunday.
Alex Holmes, a senior economist at Oxford Economics, told the BBC the fuel restrictions were “yet another small sign of a worsening crisis”.
“Mobility appears to have already been severely limited given that people were waiting in [long] queues for fuel. But the complete ban for private vehicles goes one step further, and will compound the economic pain,” he added.
In May, the country defaulted on its debts with international lenders for the first time in its history.
Last week, a team from the International Monetary Fund arrived in Sri Lanka for talks over a $3bn (£2.4bn) bailout deal.
The government is also seeking assistance from India and China to import essential items.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said earlier this month that the country needed at least $5bn over the next six months to pay for essential goods such as food, fuel and fertiliser.
In recent weeks, the government has also called on farmers to grow more rice and given government officials an extra day off a week to grow food, amid fears of a shortage.
Nigerian authorities in the north-western Zamfara state have called on locals to arm themselves against criminal gangs in an attempt to deal with the increasing numbers of kidnappings and violent attacks.
The Zamfara governor said he would issue hundreds of guns to those without training and directed the commissioner of police to issue licences.
The authorities in Zamfara state say locals will first need to register before getting a weapon.
Asking citizens to arm themselves against violent threats is always going to be controversial. But the local government believes that arming civilians will help deal with rising levels of insecurity in the area.
In other measures, the governor of Zamfara has also ordered the closure of markets in three districts, banned the use of motorcycles and sales of petroleum products.
A shoot-to-kill order has been given to anyone found using a motorcycle in these areas.
Nigeria is struggling to curb a deadly wave of kidnappings for ransom by armed gangs in the northern part of the country.
The gangs often target unprotected rural communities, schools and motorists on highways.
The youngest victim among the at least 21 people who died at a drinking place at the weekend was 13, police minister Bheki Cele has said.
The cause of the deaths was not immediately clear and the authorities are investigating.
The victims were found strewn across floors and tables at the Enyobeni Tavern in the town of East London.
The bodies were taken to mortuaries, where post-mortem examinations will be carried out.
Mr Cele, who had visited the scene and was briefed by the local police, said those who had died were between the ages of 13 and 17 – but a detailed list of the victims has not yet been produced. The legal minimum drinking age in South Africa is 18.
There are reports that people who had gone to the tavern were celebrating the end of school exams.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his “deepest condolences” to families of the victims.
“This tragedy is made even more grave by its occurrence during Youth Month – a time during which we… advocate and advance opportunities for improved socio-economic conditions for the youth of our nation,” he said in a tweet.
Oscar Mabuyane, premier of East Cape Province where the tragedy happened, did not give possible reasons for the deaths, but condemned the “unlimited consumption of liquor”.
Speaking at the scene, he said: “You can’t just trade in the middle of society like this and think that young people are not going to experiment.”
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday.
A provincial safety official told AFP news agency that a stampede had been ruled out as the cause of death as there were “no visible wounds”.
“Forensic [investigators] will take samples and test to see if there was any poisoning of any sort,” Unathi Binqose said.
At least four people have been killed and more than 300 were injured after a stand collapsed during a bullfight in central Colombia.
Footage showed the three-storey wooden stand filled with spectators falling at a stadium in El Espinal, Tolima department.
A bull continued to roam the ring as people fled the wreckage.
The traditional “corraleja” event involved members of the public entering the ring to engage the bulls.
The dead included two women, a man and a child, Tolima Governor Jose Ricardo Orozco said. The region’s health official said hospitals had treated 322 people of whom four were in intensive care.
Sunday’s event was part of celebrations of the popular San Pedro festival.
Outgoing President Ivan Duque said there would be an investigation, while President-elect Gustavo Petro urged local officials to ban such events.
“I ask mayors not to allow more events involving the death of people or animals,” he said.
It was not the first time such an accident had happened, he added.
On Saturday several people were injured during corralejas in El Espinal. Earlier this month one person died after being gored by a bull during a corraleja in the town of Repelon.
Mr Orozco said his regional authority would move to ban the corralejas, saying they were dangerous and cruel to animals.
Incoming leader Mr Petro banned bullfights in the main bullring of Colombia’s capital Bogotá during his stint as the city’s mayor.
Hearts of Oak on Sunday evening recorded a 2-1 comeback win against Bechem United to emerge as Champions of the 2021/22 MTN FA Cup competition.
The victory in the final means that the Phobians have successfully defended the title they won last season.
On the matchday, Bechem United took the lead in the final minutes of the first half as fans at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium went frenzy.
Unfortunately, the celebrations will not last. Hearts of Oak equalised through Caleb Amankwa whose goal cancelled out the earlier strike from Emmanuel Avornyo.
Later in the second half, Hearts of Oak put up a determined performance that saw the team impress even the neutral fans.
On the hour mark, the defending champions made their efforts count with a good team play which was finished off by birthday boy Daniel Afriyie Barnieh.
Six minutes later, Bechem United star man Augustine Okrah received a red card after an attack on a linesman, forcing the team to finish the match with 10 men.
In the end, Hearts of Oak did well to manage time to secure a 2-1 win in the final to retain the MTN FA Cup title.
