TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • B.J. da Rocha’s ‘prophecy’ about Alan Kyerematen in 2008

    In April 2008, when Alan Kyerematen resigned from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and there were attempts to persuade him back into the fold of the NPP, a former Chairman and elder of the NPP, Mr. B. J. da Rocha made a prediction.

    Mr. B. J. da Rocha said it would not be in the best interest of the NPP to receive Mr. Alan Kyeremanten back into the NPP.

    His reason was that he could become a “disruptive factor in the party, a stumbling block and loose cannon”.

    “The party has an election to win. We should concentrate our efforts on the task ahead and let him go his way in peace,” Mr da Rocha said in a report filed by the Ghana News Agency in 2008.

    Official: Alan Kyerematen quits NPP again, decides to contest 2024 as independent candidate

    It is now official, following the personal confirmation by Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen that he was going to contest the 2024 presidential election as an independent candidate.

    Alan officially submitted his resignation letter indicating he was no longer interested in being a member of the NPP on Monday [September 25, 2023].

    Immediately after that, he addressed a press conference and announced his decision to contest 2024 as an independent candidate.

    He is now forming a movement, called “Movement for Change” with a Monarch Butterfly as the symbol.

    This is a big blow to the governing New Patriotic Party as the move would greatly affect the unity of the party going into Election 2024.

    The NPP has been at the helm of affairs in governance since January 7, 2017, and hoping to break the eight-year cycle of change of government which usually alternates between the NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    The speculations about Alan Kyerematen’s resignation and independent presidential ambition intensified over the weekend and got NPP members jittery after a poster announcing his planned press conference at the Movenpick Hotel on Monday afternoon was released by his aides and supporters.

    In fact, the speculations had actually started earlier, before September 5, 2023, the day he announced his withdrawal from the current NPP presidential race.

    Alan was shortlisted as part of the top five candidates who were going into the final selection on November 4, 2023, but some people believed that he would have lost the November 4 election, considering the popularity gained by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong as the leading candidates in the Special Super Delegates conference. 

    Alan placed third in the August 2023 Special Delegates conference having garnered less than 100 votes out of the over 900 votes.

    Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, considered by some as a “non-presidential” material who entered the NPP presidential race just recently beat Alan, who had been in the race for more than 16 years.

    Alan’s name first came up in 2005 as the replacement for the then President John Agyekum Kufuor who was retiring on January 6, 2009, as the leader of the NPP.

    In 2007, Alan contested with 16 other candidates and came second, as Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo [now President of Ghana] beat him and became the leading candidate. Akufo-Addo has led the party since 2007 as the first presidential choice and has subsequently beaten Alan Kyerematen in other NPP presidential primaries.

    President Akufo-Addo is retiring on January 6, 2025, hence the NPP is looking for a replacement.

    President Akufo-Addo’s vice, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has shot up as the next preferable choice, with many party members throwing their support behind him. He garnered a convincing endorsement of over 50 percent votes at the special delegates conference held in August 2023.

    The larger Electoral College of the NPP will on November 4, 2023, select the next leader.

    However, Alan Kyerematen expressed his unhappiness with the process that led to Dr. Bawumia’s convincing victory in the Super Delegates Conference.

    Some of Alan’s aides alleged that the presidency was supporting Dr. Bawumia behind the scenes and also influencing delegates clandestinely.

    To Alan, his spokespersons and supporters, it was Alan’s time to lead the NPP, having waited for over 16 years for his turn and that it is not time yet for Dr. Bawumia whom they claim only joined the race recently. They wanted Alan to lead after which Dr. Bawumia could have also taken the baton. 

    Supporters of Bawumia however think otherwise, and argue that since it was a contest, they should allow the delegates to decide who leads the party.

    Second time Alan is quitting NPP

    Feeling bitter about the loss in the 2007 presidential primary and what he described subsequently as being sidelined, Alan, in 2008 resigned from the NPP in a similar move but was politically coerced and later rejoined the party.  

    But while those discussions were underway to bring Alan back to the NPP, former Chairman and elder of the NPP, Mr. B. J. da Rocha [deceased] sounded this caution.

  •  People who should never get a tattoo

    Tattoos serve as a popular means of self-expression and artistic expression, but they may not be suitable for everyone. Here are five groups of individuals who should exercise caution or consult with a healthcare professional before proceeding with getting a tattoo:

    1. Diabetics: Individuals with diabetes, whether it’s type 1 or type 2, should seek guidance from their healthcare provider prior to getting a tattoo. Diabetes can slow down the healing process, rendering the tattooed area more susceptible to infections. Proper blood sugar management and adherence to medical advice are essential to minimize risks.
    2. People with Lupus: Those diagnosed with lupus should approach tattooing cautiously. Lupus can impact the immune system, potentially leading to delayed wound healing. If you have lupus and are contemplating a tattoo, it’s advisable to do so when your symptoms are stable. Additionally, choose a reputable and hygienic tattoo facility to reduce the risk of infections.
    3. Individuals with High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can complicate the tattooing process by causing excessive bleeding during the procedure and delaying the healing process afterward. People with high blood pressure should effectively manage their condition and discuss their tattoo plans with a healthcare professional.
    4. Keloid-Prone Individuals: Keloids are raised, thickened scars that may develop following skin injuries, including tattooing. Individuals who are prone to keloids or have a history of excessive scarring should carefully weigh the safety of getting a tattoo. Keloids could potentially form over the tattooed area, raising aesthetic and health concerns.
    5. Pregnant or Breastfeeding Individuals: It is generally advisable for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals to avoid getting tattoos. The body undergoes various hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding, which can affect skin elasticity and healing capabilities. Tattooing during this period may heighten the risk of complications and adverse reactions.

    Prioritizing safety and well-being is paramount before getting a tattoo. Always seek consultation with a healthcare professional or dermatologist if you have underlying medical conditions or concerns about how a tattoo may impact your health. Additionally, select a reputable tattoo artist and facility that strictly adheres to hygiene and safety protocols to minimize the risk of infections and complications.

  • Comedians can also put Ghana on the map with the right support – Lekzy DeComic 

    Ghanaian comedian, Lekzy DeComic, has highlighted the difficulties confronted by comedians in the country’s entertainment sector and emphasized the importance of diversifying beyond music.

    He asserted that comedians, with adequate support, have the potential to put Ghana on the global stage. During an interview on Ghanaweb TV, Lekzy DeComic noted that even lesser-known comedians have managed to attract substantial audiences, including those at prominent venues like the National Theatre.

    He raised questions about the industry’s inclination towards musicians who often struggle to fill smaller venues in contrast to comedians who can draw sizable crowds.

    Lekzy DeComic suggested shifting attention to comedians, stating, “So why don’t we shift the focus to comedians? Even the not-so-popular ones are filling up the National Theatre. If we give them attention and a span of 5 years, a comedian could be able to fill out the O2 Arena.”

    Lekzy DeComic advised the Ghanaian entertainment industry to avoid being excessively swayed by the success of Nigeria’s entertainment sector. Instead, he advocated for the exploration of various artistic forms, with a particular emphasis on comedy, as a means to highlight the nation’s abundant talent.

    “We have comedians like DKB and OB Amponsah who have filled major auditoriums in Ghana… We allow Nigeria to control our entertainment landscape too much. Just because a Nigerian creative has achieved something, we pressure ourselves to do the same. But what if it’s not music that would put Ghana on the map? What if it’s comedy?” he questioned.

  • “Sarkodie is a two-faced person” Samini speaks on his relationship with Sarkodie

    Ghanaian Reggae and Dancehall sensation, Samini, has once again criticized rapper Sarkodie, characterizing him as disrespectful and two-faced.

    Samini expressed his disappointment with Sarkodie’s conduct, particularly in the context of collaborations with more seasoned artists.

    In an appearance on The Day Show hosted by Berla Mundi, Samini disclosed that he had approached Sarkodie for a potential collaboration but found the rapper’s response to be unsatisfactory. When probed further about this issue, Samini asserted that Sarkodie had deliberately evaded discussing the matter.

    “You can’t take Samini lightly anyhow,” he asserted during the interview. “Until he shows remorse and comes to me to say, be like the way I do Badman ‘I be like ano try, Badman vex and come and make ano say, ano try,” he said.

    In the conversation with Berla Muni, he continued that “until then he and I we no be cool….He is a two-faced person who will make the public believe I don’t know what I am saying on Twitter when I actually know what I am saying and then I come and ask you questions and then you can’t answer“.

    Samini emphasised the significance of older artists in the field being respected, particularly by upcoming artists. Young artists should not be disrespected, especially when established artists are looking to collaborate, he wanted to convey to them.

    “I want young artists to know that it’s not okay to be disrespectful. When you’re asked about something, don’t try to mislead people and make them think the complainer is making things up,” Samini explained.

    “I responded to him based on how he treated me before, which made me doubt his respect for legends like myself. Having a ‘blue tick’ doesn’t mean I should assume you respect me after you’ve played games with me, despite my quick response to your requests.“

    This public dispute stems from Samini’s earlier complaints that Sarkodie had ignored his request for collaboration on the 2021 Burning-EP. When Sarkodie was questioned about this in a radio interview, he brushed the issue off.

    Samini mentioned that he gave his free contribution to the song “Love Rock,” but when he needed Sarkodie’s assistance, he did not receive it.

  • Another Secret Service officer attacked and bitten by Biden’s dog

    President Joe Biden’s pet dog, a German shepherd that is two years old, has apparently bitten another agent from the Secret Service.

    Commander, the younger dog of Biden, got into a fight and bit a security agent at the White House on Monday evening. This was the 11th time it happened.

    Yesterday, at around 8pm, a police officer from the Secret Service Uniformed Division was bitten by a pet belonging to the First Family, according to Anthony Guglielmi, the Chief of Communication for the USSS, who spoke to CNN on Tuesday.

    The officer was taken care of by doctors and nurses at the hospital.
    Guglielmi said that the agent who got hurt talked to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle the next day and was doing well.

    Commander has bitten people 11 times at the White House and the president’s personal home in Delaware. In the span of four months from October 2022 to January 2023, there were ten of such incidents. This information was found in Homeland Security records, which were obtained and shared by a group called Judicial Watch in July.

    After the events, officials from the White House said in July that the Bidens were training and putting a leash on a dog called Commander.

    Jill Biden’s communications director, Elizabeth Alexander, told CNN that the Biden family is finding ways to help their dog, Commander, adjust to the inconsistent nature of the White House grounds.
    The President and First Lady are very thankful to the Secret Service and staff for everything they do to keep them, their family, and the country safe, Alexander said.

    Commander is the second dog belonging to the Bidens that has problems with biting. The Bidens had to find a new home for their German shepherd Major because it bit many Secret Service agents and White House staffers. They gave him to their family friends. They accepted the Commander in December 2021.

    In early November 2022, Commander, the dog, attacked an officer by biting them two times. The first bite was on the officer’s upper right arm, and the second bite was on their thigh. This information comes from records shared by a group that watches out for these types of incidents.

  • Shatta Wale appoints Sammy Flex as manager

    Ghanaian dancehall artist, Shatta Wale, has officially appointed media personality Samuel Atuobi Baah, popularly known as Sammy Flex, as his new manager, and this news has generated significant buzz on social media platforms.

    The exciting announcement was made by Sammy Flex himself in a video shared on his Facebook account on September 26, 2023.

    This revelation puts an end to the persistent question about Sammy Baah’s role within the Shatta Movement (SM) family, as he had been actively involved in various capacities for the artist.

    Sammy Flex initially began his professional association with Shatta Wale by offering support services, and his appointment now sees him taking on a more formal managerial role, replacing the former record label boss, Bulldog.

    Warm congratulations are extended to this seasoned media personality for his new role within the Shatta Movement team.

  • The reason people refrigerate their condoms before use

    You might have come across the concept and wondered about the reasons behind individuals freezing condoms.

    But why do people opt to use frozen condoms? There are two primary motivations behind this practice:

    1. Postpartum Relief for Mothers: Some individuals have suggested that freezing water-filled condoms and placing them between a new mother’s thighs can offer relief. This is typically done to help reduce inflammation and swelling in the vaginal area, providing comfort during the postpartum period.
    2. Sensation Enhancement during Sexual Activity: There have been instances where people refrigerate condoms briefly and then use them during sexual encounters to intensify sensation. They believe that the cold condom can deliver heightened pleasure, somewhat akin to the sensation of oral sex involving ice.

    However, it’s crucial to emphasize that this practice is not recommended due to associated risks.

    Addressing the potential risks linked to freezing condoms for sexual pleasure:

    Risk of Condom Breakage: Cold temperatures can make condoms less flexible and more susceptible to breaking. Using a frozen or extremely cold condom during sexual activity may elevate the risk of rupture, leading to unprotected intercourse, unintended pregnancies, or the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

    Lack of Scientific Support: There is no scientific evidence supporting the notion that using a cold condom enhances sexual pleasure. Any potential pleasure derived from this practice is subjective and may not outweigh the associated risks.

    Therefore, it is strongly discouraged to use frozen condoms for sexual pleasure due to safety concerns. Condoms are specifically designed for use at room temperature and should be stored according to the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy and safeguarding against STIs.

    If individuals seek ways to enhance sexual pleasure, it is advisable to explore alternative methods and techniques that do not compromise safety or the effectiveness of protective measures.

  • Frank Rubio, NASA astronaut, returns from record-breaking space mission

    NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, who broke a record, has now come back to Earth after being away for over a year, and he is able to experience the Earth’s gravity once again.

    Rubio and his two Russian colleagues, Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin, safely landed in Kazakhstan using the Russian Soyuz MS-23 spaceship at 5:17 p. mThey parachuted down to the ground. The current time is 7:17 in the morning. On Wednesday

    The crew arrived and it was the end of a long journey for Rubio. He was only supposed to stay on the International Space Station for six months. Instead, he spent 371 days in space after they found a problem with his spaceship while it was connected to the space station.

    Rubio stayed in microgravity for the longest time ever recorded by a US astronaut. He was the first American to spend a whole year in space.

    Rubio’s mission was the first time he went to space. He joined NASA in 2017 and was chosen as an astronaut. At the start of the mission, he became the first astronaut from El Salvador to travel to low-Earth orbit.

    During an interview with CNN, Rubio mentioned that if he had known he would have to stay on the space station for twice the time he had initially expected, he most likely would have said no to the task before he started preparing for it.

    “He said that the reason for that is solely due to family issues that occurred in the past year. ” “If I had known that I would have to miss those important events, I would have politely declined. ”

    Rubio, who has four kids, is now going to start heading back home from the place where the Soyuz spacecraft landed, which is located near a town called Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan. He will fly to Karaganda, which is about 330 miles (530 kilometers) northeast of Dzhezkazgan, and then take another flight to Houston.

    A NASA astronaut has set a new record for spending the most time in space.

    Rubio and his team traveled a really long way, around 157. 4 million miles or 253. 3 million kilometersThey also went around the Earth 5,963 times. This information comes from NASA.

    Rubio stayed in space longer than any other US astronaut before him. The previous record was set by NASA’s Mark Vande Hei in 2022 with a 355-day stay.

    Valeri Polyakov, a Russian astronaut, spent the most time in space compared to anyone else. He lived in Russia’s Mir space station for 437 days without a break, from January 1994 to March 1995.
    USA and Russia work together in space.

    Rubio went to the space station using a Russian spacecraft. NASA and the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, made an agreement to share rides to the space station. This agreement was made in the summer of 2022 during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The seat-swapping plan was made to keep the long-standing rule of allowing both the United States and Russia to have access to the space station. This rule is in place in case either country has problems with their spacecraft and cannot send astronauts.

    Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin traveled to the ISS on September 21, 2022, using the Soyuz MS-22 vehicle. They arrived safely three hours later and left the Soyuz capsule attached to the space station while they started working inside the lab.

    In a recent interview, Rubio expressed his gratitude to his family. He mentioned that their ability to bounce back from challenges and their inner power has been a great support throughout his mission.

    Less than three months after starting their mission, the Soyuz MS-22 started leaking coolant. Roscosmos conducted investigations and NASA later reviewed them. They found that the spacecraft was probably hit by a small object while in orbit. The person responsible was found to be a very tiny space rock or a small piece of space junk, which is becoming a bigger problem as space around Earth gets more crowded.

    The Soyuz MS-22 spaceship couldn’t bring back the astronauts safely, so Roscosmos hurried to send another spacecraft, called the Soyuz MS-23, in February.

    But Rubio and his colleagues couldn’t go back home yet. Officials decided that they would stay longer because Roscosmos was getting ready to send another Soyuz capsule with a new crew to take their place.

    The Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft, which was prepared this month, brought NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara and Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub to the space station on September 15. This allowed Rubio to come back on Wednesday.

    Rubio, who is a doctor and helicopter pilot in the military, said that when he comes back from space, he won’t be able to go back to his old life right away. This is because spending a long time in microgravity can have negative effects on the body. So he might need some time to recover before going back to his normal routine.

    “He said that it would take around two to six months before he feels normal because in space, we don’t walk and our own weight is not carried. ”

    But there are many things on Earth that he is excited to experience: “Here in space, we always hear the noise of machines that are keeping us alive,” he said during an interview from space. I’m excited to go outside and enjoy the calm and quiet atmosphere.

  • Hollywood writers’ strike officially over after 148 days

    The Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike has officially come to an end. After 148 days of work stoppage, the boards of the WGA West and the council of the WGA East voted unanimously to lift the strike order, effective from 12:01 a.m. PT on the following day. This decision followed a tentative agreement on a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

    Writers were allowed to return to work immediately, even before the final ratification vote. The ratification vote itself is scheduled to take place from October 2nd to October 9th. In the meantime, the WGA will hold member meetings in person and via Zoom this week on both coasts to discuss the contract’s details. Given the strong support from the WGA negotiating committee, it is anticipated that the contract will be easily ratified by the members who are eager to end the strike.

    The decision to lift the strike order came after unanimous votes from the WGA’s negotiating committee, the WGA West board, and the WGA East council to send the contract to members for ratification. The WGA West held a member meeting at the Hollywood Palladium, while the WGA East convened at the Manhattan Center, both on the same night. Zoom meetings were also scheduled for the coming days.

    The new contract, which spans 94 pages, includes various improvements such as increased compensation, minimum staff requirements for TV writers rooms, better payment terms for screenwriters, and safeguards regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the writing process, all in accordance with the guild’s agreement.

    The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has outlined several key points regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of their Master Basic Agreement (MBA):

    AI cannot write or rewrite literary material, and AI-generated content will not be considered source material under the MBA. This means that AI-generated material cannot be used to diminish a writer’s credit or rights.

    Writers may choose to use AI when providing writing services, but only if the company consents and as long as the writer adheres to relevant company policies. Companies, however, cannot mandate that writers use AI software (e.g., ChatGPT) for their writing services.

    Companies are obligated to inform writers if any materials provided to them have been generated by AI or incorporate AI-generated content.

    The WGA retains the right to assert that utilizing writers’ work to train AI is prohibited by the MBA or other applicable laws.

    The decision to end the strike was unanimous and followed successful negotiations between writers and Hollywood studios for a new three-year deal on September 24th. These negotiations resulted in compromises on various issues, including the role of generative AI in the creative process, minimum staffing requirements for writers’ rooms, and streaming residuals.

    “We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” the WGA said in a statement announcing the tentative deal Sunday.

    WGA and AMPTP have yet to release the details of the tentative agreement, which WGA membership will vote to ratify in the coming days. Before the contract goes wide to the guild for that vote, the WGA negotiation committee must first vote to send it along to the WGA West and WGA East boards for approval, and the boards have to OK the document before it is sent to the larger membership for a ratification vote.

    The WGA’s vote to end the strike order puts an official end to the work stoppage, which was still in effect as of Sunday, when the WGA told membership: “To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild. We are still on strike until then. But we are, as of today, suspending WGA picketing. Instead, if you are able, we encourage you to join the SAG-AFTRA picket lines this week.

  • Six young people sue 32 countries

    On Wednesday, the European Court of Human Rights will listen to an exceptional lawsuit filed by six young individuals. They are accusing 32 European countries of not taking sufficient action to address the climate crisis caused by humans.

    The young people from Portugal, who are between 11 and 24 years old, believe that they are most affected by climate change. They want to ask the court to make these countries take quick and strong action to combat climate change.

    This is the first time a climate case has been brought to the European Court of Human Rights. It is the biggest out of three climate lawsuits that the court is currently handling.

    There is a lot to gain or lose. If this case is won, countries would have to quickly increase their efforts to combat climate change. It would also strengthen other climate-related lawsuits globally, especially those claiming that countries have a responsibility to protect people from the effects of climate change.

    If the court decides against the people making the claim, it could harm other claims related to climate.

    Gearóid Ó Cuinn, the director of Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), who has been supporting the claimants’ case, described it as a David and Goliath situation that is extraordinary in its size and potential consequences.

    “He said to CNN that more states than ever before have had to protect themselves in front of any place in the world. ”

    The process leading up to Wednesday’s hearing started six years ago. Catarina Mota, one of the people making a claim, said that everything began in 2017 with the fires.

    Destructive wildfires burned a large area of land in Portugal, destroying 500,000 hectares, and causing the unfortunate death of over 100 individuals in that year. When the fires started to move closer to where Mota lived, they had to close down her school and other schools nearby. “She said the smoke was all around,” she told CNN.

    The disaster caused the lawsuit to happen. Mota began talking to her friend and fellow claimant, Cláudia Duarte Agostinho. Together with the help of GLAN, they found four more people who were also affected by the fires in 2017.

    The group argues that climate change, especially the intense heat waves in Portugal, continue to affect people’s lives even after the fires. They say these periods of time make it difficult to go outside, focus on schoolwork, sleep, and even breathe for some people. It also affects their mental health.

    We are concerned about what will happen to us in the future. “Why wouldn’t we be afraid. ” said André dos Santos Oliviera, who is 15 years old.

    The legal case was started in 2020 and has been financed mainly by many people contributing money online. The European Court of Human Rights moved the case quickly because it was important and involved many people being accused.

    This Wednesday, the people making the claim will say that not dealing with the growing climate crisis is violating their basic rights, such as the right to live and have a family, to be treated with dignity, and to not be treated unfairly because of their age.

    They want the court to decide that countries that contribute to the climate crisis must not only protect their own citizens but also people in other countries.

    They want 32 countries, including 27 European Union countries, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, to greatly reduce the pollution that causes global warming. They also want companies based in these countries to reduce emissions throughout their entire supply chains.

    The countries being sued are saying that none of the people making the claims have proven that they have been seriously harmed by climate change.

    The Greek government, after a tough summer of extreme heat, fires, and storms, said that they don’t think climate change has directly caused any harm to people or their health.

    The court case could have different outcomes.

    The court might reject the claim because of procedural issues or because it doesn’t have the authority to hear the case.

    If it gets through the legal steps, the court may decide that states are not required to protect human rights in regards to climate change. Gerrard is the director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School.

    Or, the court might decide in favor of the people making the claims. Ó Cuinn explained to CNN that the judgment would have a similar impact as a legally binding treaty, making it necessary for all 32 countries to speed up their efforts to address climate change.

    Gerrard said to CNN that this decision could be very important and could encourage more climate cases in Europe and other regions.

    The lawsuit is the biggest out of three cases that are currently being heard in court. All three cases are about how countries should take care of their people and their responsibilities related to climate change.

    In March, the court listened to the other two. Over 2,000 older women from Switzerland said that climate change had made heat waves worse and affected their health and lives. A French mayor also said that France not doing anything about climate change was a violation of his human rights.

    We don’t know if the courts will decide all the claims at once, but usually it takes nine to 18 months from the hearing to the judgment, according to Gerry Liston, a senior lawyer at GLAN.

    As the weather gets more extreme, more and more people are using lawsuits to try and make the government take action on climate change. This is happening because countries have not been doing enough to reduce pollution and prevent dangerous levels of global warming.

    Even if we follow current climate policies, the world will still become more than 2. 5 degrees Celsius warmer by the end of the century compared to before industries were developed. The planet has already gotten hotter by about 1. 2 degrees, and we can see the effects. This year has seen extremely hot weather, very large wildfires, and really bad floods.

    Right now, countries are only doing the bare minimum, according to Liston from GLAN. If every nation keeps doing the bare minimum, we will continue on a very disastrous path.

    That’s why individuals have been seeking help from the courts. According to the Sabin Center, there are over 2,400 climate lawsuits worldwide, and new ones are being filed every week.

    Catherine Higham, who runs the Climate Change Laws of the World project at the London School of Economics, explained that climate litigation is a valuable tool. “But I think it’s just one part of the puzzle,” she told CNN.

    Advocacy and attending climate conferences like the upcoming United Nations COP28 summit in Dubai are very important, she said.

    The Portuguese claimants will have to wait anxiously for the court’s decision. Even if the claim doesn’t go their way, Mota said, at least it will make people pay attention and take notice.

    However, she also said, “We really want things to turn out well. ”

  • Russia to return to UN Human Rights Council

    Russia wants to become a member of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council again. They were suspended from the council because they invaded Ukraine.

    The country is being considered by the United Nations for a position on the council for the years 2024-2026. A vote to decide will happen on October 10.

    If anyone tries to let Russia join again, the West will be very angry. Many NATO countries have said over and over again that Russia’s invasion of another country was unlawful, and because of that, Russia should not be allowed to be a member of international organizations.

    Russia has been accused of a lot of human rights violations during its war in Ukraine. The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for President Vladimir Putin‘s arrest because he is accused of trying to take Ukrainian children to Russia.

    Russia believes that the Human Rights Council is an important part of the United Nations.

    Russia wrote a position paper that it is sharing with members of the United Nations to try to get their support. The paper says that Russia thinks it’s necessary to stop the growing trend of using the Human Rights Council for political purposes. They believe this council should not punish governments that are not loyal and have their own policies.

    In April 2022, Russia was kicked out of the organization, after they fully attacked Ukraine. Membership of the council is decided by making sure each region has a fair representation. Right now, there are two empty seats in the Eastern European States group. Russia, Albania, and Bulgaria have officially said they want to be considered for that area.

    Russia’s statement said that if they are elected again, they will work hard to promote cooperation and respectful conversations.

    Western countries are likely to strongly disagree with or oppose the application before October’s vote.

    A group of people who focus on human rights said that Russian forces are doing bad things in Ukraine. They are accusing them of doing things like hurting people, using explosives in ways that are against the law, and attacking important things like energy systems. These actions are considered crimes in times of war.

    During the April 2022 UN General Assembly, many countries voted on whether to suspend Russia from the council. 93 countries were in favor of removing Russia, 24 countries were against it, and 58 countries chose not to vote.

    China, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Vietnam, along with Russia, were against the decision. Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia chose not to take a side.

    Russia became a member of the council in January 2021. It was chosen along with 14 other countries to stay on the council for three years.

    It was the first country to be kicked out of the council since Libya in 2011. This happened because its leader at the time, Muammar Gaddafi, suppressed people who were protesting against the government.

    Russia is one of the five permanent members of the UN’s Security Council. There are no clear rules to take Russia off this position.

    Moscow was last in charge of that council in April. The presidency of the council changes every month and there are 15 members.

  • I have no hand in Mohbad’s death – Naira Marley replies allegations

    Azeez Fashola, widely recognized as Naira Marley, a popular Nigerian singer and the owner of Marlian Music, the record label that previously had Mohbad as a signee, has faced public scrutiny in the wake of the demise of his former artist, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, known as Mohbad. Naira Marley has vehemently refuted any involvement in Mohbad’s death, emphasizing that he had no role in the tragic event.

    Mohbad, who was formerly signed to Marlian Music, tragically passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. In the aftermath of his untimely death, there have been allegations circulating that suggest Mohbad was subjected to assault by Naira Marley and his entourage.

    However, in a statement he posted on his Instagram page on Tuesday, Naira Marley said though he and Mohbad had misunderstandings, he never fought or attacked him.

    Naira Marley, who is not currently in Nigeria said he would return to the country to clear his name.

     The statement reads: “In the last few days, there has been a lot of onslaught on my person and reputation globally over the death of my former signee. All manner of stories has been woven against me in respect of his untimely death. I have not only been in shock over the death of the deceased whom I considered to be my brother and member of our music family, but over the various lies spread and threats against me.

    “Before I progress further, let me say that as it is traumatic for a lot of people to bear the reality of lleri’s death, so it is to me. May his gentle soul continue to rest in peace and may God grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    “Permit me to categorically state that I have no hand in the death of llerioluwa, either directly or indirectly. It is not unusual in the industry, just like in several other industries to have family friction, even amongst blood relatives.

    “Truly, we had our own share of misunderstandings whilst working together, but the disagreement between us was never to the extent being painted by some hirelings. It never degenerated to the extent of wishing each other death. Even at that, we were resolving our business disputes legally before he had passed.

    “I have chosen not to say anything since due to being distraught over his death and in order not to jeopardize the investigation being carried out by the government agencies.

    “In addition, I have been out of the country since the 31st of August, 2023 and I’m yet to return. In light of the police invitation, I am making arrangements to return to the country to assist the investigation and give my version of the events. I am fully cooperating with the Police team and I certainly have no reason to be a fugitive when I have no hand in his death

    “I am certain that the culprit behind his death and has a vendetta against me and are fueling public opinions to have me lynched for reasons known to them. In due time the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death will be unveiled and the world will know the truth. This kind of scenario of attempting to set someone up is not novel in the industry as other great musicians have experienced the same and came out better and stronger. Mine will not be an exception as I am innocent of the accusations.

    “Mohbad left the label in September 2022, the label accepted his departure. Marlian Music did not stop or interfere with his career or releases since and he has been with oneRPM. Legal efforts were made to reconcile his concerns regarding the work we had done together.

    “The rumors regarding the label being a drug cartel are untrue. I am not a drug lord, neither do I Marley belong to any cult or fraternity. I’m dedicated to proving my innocence and I’m cooperating with the authorities to clear my name with sufficient evidence.

    “Marlian Music is an independent label run by a small intimate team. We run a legitimate label that focuses on championing exceptional talent, breaking new acts and nurturing them

    “I will like to clearly state that I have never fought or attacked Mohbad. For the avoidance of doubt I have never instructed anyone, friend, known associates or fans to attack, bully or harass Mohbad. With regards to the talent on the label, none of our artists ever fought or mistreated Mohbad.

    “I share my deepest condolences to the family. Let’s be mindful as we seek justice to focus on supporting the police and authorities with relevant information and evidence surrounding his death so that those responsible will be apprehended. I am positive that at the end of the day. the truth will prevail and I shall be exonerated.

    “My lawyers are already in touch with the police and government agencies and will support in every way necessary.

    “Without a doubt I will honor his memory and I promise to do right by him and his family.”

    See his instagram post

  • North Korea to ‘expel’ US soldier Travis King – state media

    North Korea has decided to kick out US Army Private Travis King for crossing into their country from South Korea during a visit to the joint security area in July. This was reported by state media KCNA on Wednesday.

    The organization in charge in North Korea decided to kick out Travis King, an American soldier. The KCNA stated that the army entered the DPRK’s territory unlawfully.

    The report stated that the investigation into King has been completed.

    North Korea said that King admitted to entering their territory without permission because he was upset about the mistreatment and discrimination in the United States. The person was in the army but became disappointed and lost faith because they saw that the United States was not treating everyone fairly. Society is a group of people who live and work together.

    CNN cannot confirm if these are King’s actual words. It is not clear from KCNA’s report where, when, and how King will be removed.

    This is an important story, there will be more information coming soon.

  • China invests billions in infrastructures in Africa

    Last month, Zimbabwe’s Hwange power station added two new units for generating electricity. This is a common occurrence for big infrastructure projects in Africa.

    In a rural area of a country in southern Africa, government officials and the Chinese ambassador came together to celebrate and praise the expansion of a coal-fired plant. The purpose of the plant is to decrease power outages in the country, and China provided the funding for it.

    The project received around $1 billion in loans from China several years ago. However, China has stopped funding new coal-powered projects overseas now. This project is just one of many expensive projects in Africa that are supported by Chinese lenders as part of Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative.

    The money from China has made a big difference in Africa. People in big cities like Lagos, Nairobi, and Addis Ababa can now travel every day on new railways, highways, and airports built with Chinese loans and with the help of Chinese construction companies.

    Now, as the world continues to build infrastructure for the past ten years, there are concerns about how Beijing will guide the initiative in the future. People are wondering if China will reduce its funding due to new challenges and changes in its plans.

    China is facing challenges in repaying debts due to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Additionally, China itself is experiencing financial difficulties, and there is a growing need to address environmental concerns. These factors are putting pressure on how China lends money and how countries borrow from China.

    New research from the Boston University Global Development Policy Center indicates that there is a noticeable change happening. They have observed a consistent decrease in the number of new loans given by Chinese organizations to African governments. This decline has become more pronounced in the last two years.

    The amount of money lent through new loans decreased significantly. In 2016, it was at its highest point, $28. 5 billion, but last year it was just under $1 billion. This is the second year in a row that lending has dropped below $2 billion. According to researchers, this decline may not only be due to the pandemic but also a bigger change in lending practices. This could mean there will be fewer large loans given out in the future.

    “The Belt and Road Initiative seems to be making adjustments,” said the report’s author, Oyintarelado Moses, when speaking to CNN.

    And this phenomenon might not only happen with Chinese money in Africa.

    Moses, a data analyst at the Global China Initiative, predicts that the new phase of Belt and Road lending will probably have less overall financing due to a decrease in loan averages worldwide.

    However, it is difficult to know exactly how much money is leaving China to support global development because the government of China does not publicly disclose this information, and there are many different financial organizations involved.

    The information from the Global Development Policy Center mainly looks at loans given by African governments or loans that have a guarantee from the government. This means that loans from China that are given directly to private individuals or companies for projects in Africa are not included in the data.

    Some experts say that the main reasons Beijing became the world’s biggest lender to other countries are still the same. This means that Beijing will keep giving money to both big and small projects in the future, but we don’t know how much they will give.

    What happens next can affect how much money developing countries get for building important things like roads and buildings.

    Policymakers will be observing a big international forum happening next month in Beijing for clues about what will happen next.

    Xi started a plan that would become very important to his foreign policy when he visited Kazakhstan in 2013.

    There, the Chinese leader said that the ancient Silk Road should be improved so that countries can have stronger economic connections, deeper cooperation, and more opportunities for development.

    After that, a lot of money in the form of loans has been given by both development finance institutions and China’s commercial banks to build railroads, power plants, highways, ports, and telecoms in developing countries.

    This helped China’s economy by giving it a way to use its extra industrial capacity and money. It also helped China to make connections with over 150 countries and increase its influence around the world.

    A lot of its friends have gained advantages from the new buildings and roads.

    But the projects that fall under the Belt and Road initiative have caused concerns because of poor environmental and labor practices, as well as risky loans. Critics believe that China has burdened low- and middle-income governments with excessive debts compared to their economies.

    Beijing disagrees with these statements and thinks that the initiative is a way for people all over the world to increase economic opportunities and share them with others. Beijing believes that this initiative can create new ways for economic growth.

    Now, there are new economic situations happening because countries are still dealing with the effects of the pandemic while also being affected by higher interest rates and prices of goods caused by the conflict in Ukraine.

    The most important thing we need to understand is that the time of low interest rates and cheap money from China going into these countries has come to an end. And now China is the largest country that collects debts in the world, said Ammar A. Malik is a senior scientist at AidData research lab in the US. The lab also keeps track of money that China gives to other countries.

    The challenge for China is to ensure that these countries have enough money and that these projects work well, so that China can get their repayments with interest and on time.

    In the past few years, some governments that owe money to China and other lenders have asked for more time to pay back their debts or for some of the debt to be forgiven. China has given loans to help out these struggling borrowers, and has also worked together with other lenders to come up with a plan to ease their debt burden.

    Malik said that some countries with low and middle incomes may not be able to borrow more money because of their financial troubles.

    But many poorer countries still want to get money for big projects that are important for their economies to grow. There are reasons for both China and the receiving countries to keep working together, so financing may not slow down.

    China is currently facing tough economic challenges at home as it continues its second decade of the Belt and Road.

    The economy was supposed to get better after Covid, but that hasn’t happened. Now, local governments are dealing with a lot of debt because of a property crisis.

    We are not sure yet how much Beijing’s own economic problems will affect its lending to other countries in the future. However, Moses from the Global Development Policy Center says there are already some signs of impact.

    Beijing is currently focusing more on using its foreign exchange reserves and increasing liquidity to address domestic challenges. This shows that lenders are now more focused on meeting the financial needs within the country.

    However, despite the economic issues China is facing, some of the reasons why China was originally investing in global infrastructure projects, such as creating new investment chances in a slowing economy, are still important to them, says Austin Strange, a professor at the University of Hong Kong.

    He said that this basic idea is probably still true as the slowdown continues, especially because tensions between countries are making it harder for Chinese companies in certain industries to invest more in developed countries.

    Representatives from over 100 countries will meet in Beijing for a Belt and Road forum soon, and policymakers worldwide will be paying attention to see how the initiative will develop.

    China is not just paying attention to loans getting smaller, but they might also focus more on environmental problems, improving social safety nets, and doing proper research. This is because Beijing and its banks are learning from the project’s first ten years, according to analysts.

    A report from AidData in 2021 found that around 35% of projects under the Belt and Road initiative, which were managed only by Chinese organizations from 2013 to 2017, faced difficulties in their implementation. These challenges included issues related to the environment, corruption controversies, and violations of labor rights.

    China in 2017 provided instructions on promoting an environmentally friendly Belt and Road initiative. It emphasized the need for sustainable development and the protection of the environment. Recently, officials have started asking for “small and beautiful” projects that they think local people will like.

    In 2021, Xi promised that China will not construct any new coal power plants in other countries.

    But compared to Western lenders who impose their own environmental and other rules on the projects they support, China has typically let the recipient country choose the type of project. This could restrict how well Beijing can achieve its environmental goals.

    Researchers at the Global Development Policy Center say that in the future, when lending money to Africa, there will be fewer big loans of more than $500 million. Instead, there will be more loans with smaller amounts below $50 million, which will have positive effects on society and the environment.

    China will probably keep providing money for projects that support its political goals and try to gain influence over the United States. The United States has also started its own programs to compete with China’s spending on foreign development.

    China used to give a lot of money for big infrastructure projects around the world, but now they are probably giving less. However, there are probably still some countries near China that are enthusiastic about the Belt and Road Initiative and want to work with China.

    If Chinese policymakers and project leaders have invested a lot to improve how they manage projects in the last ten years, then new projects should benefit from what they have learned in the past. “Looking back can be helpful in this situation. ”

  • At least 100 people murdered in Iraqi wedding celebration fire

    A fire at a wedding in northern Iraq has caused the death of at least 100 people and injured 150 others, according to the Iraqi state news agency INA, which cited local authorities.

    The disaster in the Hamdaniya district in northeast Nineveh governorate was caused by fireworks, candles, and other things that were being used during a wedding celebration, according to the Iraqi Civil Defense.

    The governor of Nineveh, Najm Al-Jubouri, said that the people who were hurt were taken to hospitals in Nineveh and the Kurdistan region.

    Al-Jubouri said that they do not have the exact number of people who died or got hurt yet.

    There are videos showing lots of thick smoke coming out of the Al Haytham Wedding Hall. Many people and ambulances are gathered outside.

    A person who attended the wedding told the local news that the bride and groom were not harmed but extremely sad.

    The bride and groom are doing well. I was with them recently, but their situation is really bad because of what happened to people here.

    According to the Iraqi Civil Defense, the wedding hall that caught fire had walls made of Ecobond panels. These panels were highly flammable and did not meet the safety requirements. ANI reported this information.

    The fire caused parts of the building to collapse because cheap and easily ignitable materials were used. These materials collapse quickly when there is a fire.

    Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani has told his team to help the people affected by the fire, as mentioned in a statement from his office.

    The leader of Iraq spoke with the governor of Nineveh over the phone about the incident. He asked for everyone to help the victims.

    The United Nations Help Mission for Iraq gave their sympathies to the families of the people who died and were hurt on Tuesday. They described the event as a very sad and unfortunate incident.

    The mission expressed feeling shocked and upset about the terrible loss of life and injuries in the fire. This was stated on the platform called X, previously known as Twitter.

    The government of Iraq declared a period of three days for the whole country to mourn after the fire.

  • Nigerian actor in ‘Super Story’ Suara, passes on

    Renowned Nollywood actor, Pa Yemi Lawrence Adeyemi, affectionately known as Suara, has sadly passed away.

    The veteran actor’s family confirmed his passing on Sunday, September 25th, 2023, in an official statement released on Monday. However, they did not disclose the cause of his demise.

    Suara became a household name, particularly for his role in the Super Story series titled ‘Oh Father! Oh Daughter!,’ where he portrayed a polygamist character, sharing the screen with Buky Wright as his first wife and Sola Shobowale as his second wife.

    His son, Adedotun Adeyemi, signed a statement announcing that Suara had passed away on Sunday, September 24th, 2023. Adedotun expressed their deep sorrow and said, “It is with heavy hearts and profound submission to God that we announce the departure of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, Oluyemi Lawrence Adeyemi (Suara), who peacefully passed away on Sunday, September 24th, 2023.”

    “We take solace in the knowledge that he now rests in peace. During this grieving period, we kindly ask for privacy. Further details about the funeral arrangements will be shared soon.”

    Suara gained widespread recognition through his role in the 2001 hit series ‘Super Story,’ created by Wale Adenuga. His legacy in Nollywood will forever be cherished.

  • Three people detained as Irish military forces board cargo ship

    The Irish police, called An Garda Síochána, have said that three men were arrested when armed forces boarded a cargo ship near the coast of Ireland.

    A large amount of drugs were found on the ship.

    Naval officers shot warning bullets when the Panamanian ship did not stop, according to RTÉ, an Irish broadcaster.

    Three men, aged 60, 50, and 31, were taken into custody in County Wexford because they are suspected of being involved in organized crime activities.

    They think that a ship called MV Matthew might be involved in smuggling cocaine.

    The operation involved the Irish Army Rangers, Naval and Air Corps, the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau, and customs officers.

    The big ship has been guided to the Cork Port where it will be kept and checked thoroughly by the police and customs officers.

    There is another boat stuck on a sandy area near Rosslare in County Wexford, Ireland. The boat is a fishing trawler.
    The experts think that the two situations are connected to each other.

    The fishing boat got stuck on land on Sunday night.

    It sent a help signal, which made the Irish Naval Service, Irish police, a lifeboat crew, and a Coast Guard helicopter team come to help.

    Two people were saved using a winch from the broken boat.

    RTÉ said that a rescue mission turned into a big security operation.

    The Irish Naval Service said they won’t give any statement.
    A map that shows where Blackwater and Rosslare Harbour are located.
    A fishing boat called for help from the Irish Coast Guard on Sunday night at about 10:10 pm local time.

    A helicopter from the Coast Guard and a local crew from RNLI came to help.

    The Coast Guard said that they were able to rescue the people from the vessel using a winch, after previous attempts to tow the vessel were not successful.
    The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, praised everyone involved in the joint operation of multiple agencies. He also acknowledged the courage shown by the Irish army and Navy.

    “He told me that I stayed in constant communication with the leader’s assistant during the mission near the southern shore. ”
    In an interview with RTÉ, Michael O’Sullivan, who used to lead the EU’s group against smuggling drugs by sea, called the Irish Naval service the “unsung hero of Europe”.

    He explained that drug dealers choose the path that is easiest to travel. For example, if there are not many ships guarding the coast of Spain or Ireland, they will attempt to pass through those areas.

  • Two French stores to sell petrol at market price

    France‘s largest supermarket chains have announced that they will sell fuel at its original price to assist individuals in managing their living expenses.

    Carrefour and E. Leclerc took action prior to a meeting between the government and fuel sellers.

    ELeclerc, a company that sold fuel at a cheap price during weekends in the summer, announced that it will continue doing the same thing every day starting from Friday.

    Carrefour will continue doing the same thing until the year ends.

    Carrefour said on a social media platform, called X (formerly known as Twitter), that they are having their biggest ever fuel sale at the lowest price.

    Michel-Edouard Leclerc, who is the president of the chain called Leclerc, said they did this to show support for customers who are scared of the rising prices and have less money to spend.

    The fourth largest supermarket group in France, Systeme U, has announced that it will sell products at cost price. However, this will only happen on certain weekends because the company cannot afford to do it every day.

    The CEO, Dominique Schelcher, said that the profit made from fuel is about two euro cents per liter on average.

    Over the weekend, French president Emmanuel Macron announced that he plans to request the fuel industry to sell their products at the same price they purchased them for. Additionally, he also intends to offer 100 euro grants to the workers with low income who rely on driving to their workplaces.

    The president said he will meet with industry representatives this week to request that they don’t make a profit from selling fuel. The government suggested changing the law to allow selling fuel at a cheaper price, but distributors strongly disagreed with the plan.

  • Maritime distress signal prompts alleged narcotics operation

    The Irish Coast Guard saved two people from a boat in the middle of a big security operation focused on stopping drug smuggling.

    The fishing boat got stuck on the shore on Sunday night near County Wexford, which is in the south of Ireland.

    The distress signal was sent, which caused multiple groups to join together, including the Irish Navy, police, a lifeboat crew, and a Coast Guard helicopter team.

    Two men were lifted up to safety from the broken boat.

    The Irish broadcaster RTÉ said that a rescue mission turned into a big security operation.

    It said officials later got on and took control of a large ship and it was being guided to Cork Port.

    It is believed that the ship is involved in illegal drug smuggling.

    RTÉ reported that the ship did not follow instructions to let the authorities board it, and it is believed that well-trained military personnel were involved.

    The security operation is still happening for two days. The gardai and Irish Naval Service said they won’t give any comments.
    The Irish Coast Guard said that the fishing boat made a call for help at around 22:10 on Sunday night.

    The boat was stuck on a sandbank near Blackwater, a little ways up from Rosslare Port.

    A helicopter from the Coast Guard and a local crew from RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) came to help.

    The Coast Guard said that they were not able to tow the ship, so they used a winch to bring the injured people off the ship.

  • Ukraine: The troops who can’t move from front lines until conflict is resolved

    For Ukrainian soldiers in one unit, life on the front line is very difficult. They only get 10 days off per year and there are many soldiers getting injured or killed.
    Standing in a place with destroyed buildings, “Jimmy,” a Ukrainian soldier who has been serving in the military for a long time, thought about how he managed to stay alive. He said, “I’m fortunate. in my opinion, war can either protect or harm people. ”

    His soldiers believe that the fact Jimmy is still with them, even though he has been injured several times, means he is very lucky.

    His group, called the 24th Mechanised Brigade, has been around for a while and is a part of the older Ukrainian army. They have been fighting against the Russians since 2014. However, after the attack in February 2022, the army has grown more than three times its original size, the country has responded by mobilizing, and Jimmy’s unit has completely transformed.

    We were in the Donbas, an area in the east known for its old factories, for two weeks in August. The 24th, which now serves there, is stationed between Bakhmut and Horlivka.
    We visited the hometown in western Ukraine where the brigade stayed before the war and where lots of their families still live.

    Jimmy leads a group of soldiers in the Ukrainian army. The army prefers we call soldiers by their nicknames instead of their real names. Jimmy took on this role as company leader last year. The company usually consists of around 120 soldiers. A police officer told me that none of the 15 leaders in charge of the company at the beginning of the war are still there. They have either been promoted or injured.

    Before the war began, the 24th Brigade had slightly more than 2,000 soldiers. They would send their three battalions to the front line in eastern Ukraine for short periods of time. The Ukrainian army has grown to over 7,000 people, including five groups of soldiers, four groups of artillery, one group of tanks, and many other support units.

    As more people were called to join the military force, both the experienced soldiers and many new recruits came together. Yurii is a young venture capitalist from Kyiv who is very talented.
    At first, Yurii was given a rifle and sent to the infantry. But a few months later, he was moved to a new military team called the “start-up” in the 24th Brigade. This team specialized in flying strike drones. He sat at a table in a children’s playground and showed us new drones. These drones can carry explosives and be flown into vehicles, buildings, or bunkers where the Russians hide.

    Yurii said that at first, his mother didn’t believe him when he wanted to join the military. However, when she saw him successfully guiding drones into the enemy’s trenches, she changed her opinion and became proud of him.

    For now, they can take only 10 days off each year.

    Yurii is different compared to the other men in the 24th. He makes £2,600 ($3,195) per month, with 80% of it being combat pay. However, his earnings from being a civilian are higher.

    Yurii, who has a beard and is good at selling business plans, explained to me that our company needs to be more creative than the Russians because they have a lot more drones than us.

    One of the officers said that even though Yurii has a lower rank as a private soldier, he is basically in charge of this unit. The pre-2022 army had a different hierarchy compared to the force currently fighting the Russians.

    Another reason is that they are now willing to ignore age and other things that used to prevent people from volunteering before 2022. We encountered a sergeant named “Hryb” (which means mushroom) who was given responsibility for a self-moving big gun.

    He is an older man, specifically 52 years old, who served in the army over 30 years ago. What does he understand or have knowledge about modern warfare.
    The 152mm Akatsiya howitzers used by the 24th Brigade are very old. They are the same type that Hryb used in the Soviet Army in East Germany in the early 1990s.

    The shells that we saw them shooting were made 40 years ago, and the crew has given the nickname Babushka or Grandma to the howitzer. Who else would know her old quirks better than Grandpa Hryb.

    His family was not happy with his choice to volunteer. Hryb said that they were crying quietly. “They promised to wait for me and told me that they had feelings of love for me. ”

    Many Ukrainian families are still facing difficulties and uncertainty as the war continues without any signs of ending.

    At a place in Lviv where injured soldiers go to recover, I talked about how some soldiers, who weren’t hurt as badly, find it hard to tell their wives that they want to go back to the battlefront.

    Pavlo, one of the patients, told me that a lot of boys, who were still alive but had lost a body part, also lost their families.

    The man sadly says that this discussion has also happened in his marriage: “My wife believes I have fulfilled my responsibilities. ” Another man, who got hurt in a minefield during the recent counter-attack, tells me that Ukrainian society hasn’t fully realized how many injured people there are now.

    The number of people who have died, gotten injured, or been taken captive might be discouraging others from volunteering. Ukraine does not share official numbers on recruitment.

    Where do Ukraine’s soldiers with missing limbs go to rebuild their lives.
    American voters: ‘I definitely want Ukraine to win, but. ‘
    During the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, maps have been used to monitor the progress of the war.

    But, many of the men we filmed who were being trained at Yavoriv and a range near the front were in their 40s, and some were in their 50s. The police officers informed us that there is strong competition among different groups to recruit younger people.

    In August, it was found out that many men were paying money or secretly leaving the country to avoid being called up for service. This happened after the officers responsible for the call-up were fired.

    Many people who have become unemployed due to the economic crisis and are drawn by the high salary, willingly choose to go to the front line as volunteers.

    In the summer, there were efforts to fight back against Russia and free the occupied lands. The Pentagon had high expectations for the Ukrainian military, but the veterans in the 24th Brigade had lower expectations.

    “Jimmy said it’s impossible to make a simple and easy breakthrough. ” “We are preparing for a lengthy battle. ”
    Another officer from the brigade, who leads one of its battalions, compared the conflict to the Vietnam War, suggesting that it might go on for a long time.

    And as the battle continues, the defeat also continues. In Ukraine, it is not allowed to reveal the number of casualties because it is a very sensitive topic. The Pentagon recently said that about 70,000 Ukrainians have died in the war, most of them being soldiers.

    Based on our study of social media and old news stories, it seems likely that around 400 people from the 24th Brigade have been lost. Around 120 of these individuals passed away during the conflicts from 2014 until the beginning of 2022, with the rest dying after the Russian incursion.

    It has also caught many men, which is a problem for the authorities because they can’t make large-scale exchanges of prisoners.

    The wife of a soldier who was captured during a war informed us that only 22 men from the 24th Brigade had come back until now. She also mentioned that all the government departments she contacted gave her the same response, which was to be patient and wait.

    When the war ends, there will be many things to discuss and agree upon, including the return of prisoners of war to their home countries. However, the negative consequences and anger from the public over Russia’s actions have made it very difficult for Ukrainian politicians to come to an agreement for a ceasefire or peace agreement that seems like a messy compromise.

    We went to a cemetery near Lviv with Natalia Nezhura. She put new flowers on her brother Andrii’s grave. “She said she did everything she could to prevent him from going to the dangerous area. ”
    She starts crying as she tells me about how she feels like a failure because she wasn’t able to do it.

    She kept Andrii’s call-up papers a secret. When that didn’t work, she used a connection to get him a job as a firearms instructor at the Yavoriv training ground. However, in the end, most of the boys were sent to fight on the front line.

    Andrii died earlier this year during the fighting in Bakhmut, while serving in the 24th Brigade. We had a talk near the waving flags of different groups in the military area in Lviv. There were over 2,000 graves in that place.

    People who think that experiencing loss and pain would make them want peace will be surprised. When I asked Natalia how she thinks the war should end, she said she wants all Russians to die because she really hates them. She asked how we can talk about peace when they have killed a lot of our people.

    For many years, the experienced army kept a fragile peace and sometimes there were small fights near the border with the Russians. However, now everyone is involved in the conflict, and the way the soldiers and families of the 24th Brigade think shows how much the whole society is supporting the war. Only a definite win is seen as acceptable by Ukrainians.

  • Viktor Sokolov: Black Sea navy commander seen in Russian video alive

    Russia’s Defense Ministry has shared a video in which the commander of the Black Sea Fleet is seen attending a conference. This is in contrast to Ukraine’s claim that they have already killed him.

    We do not know when the video with Viktor Sokolov and the defence minister was recorded.

    The ministry said they had a meeting with important people on Tuesday.

    OnMonday, the special forces of Ukraine announced that Adm Sokolov and 33 other officers were killed by a missile attack on the headquarters of their fleet in Sevastopol, which is controlled by Russia in Crimea.

    They did not say the admiral’s name directly, and they didn’t provide any proof that he had passed away. Now, they are saying that they are giving more information about the reports.

    “They said that 34 officers died when a missile hit the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. “

    According to some reports, the leader of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was among the people who died. Many [people] still haven’t been recognized because their body parts are in bad shape.

    The video is 8minuteslong and shows a meeting at the Defence Ministry that happened on Tuesday morning. The Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu is having a conversation with important people in a meeting room in Moscow.

    He is sometimes shown on video calls with the commanders of Russia’s five fleets, including the Black Sea Fleet. None of the commanders speak during these calls.

    The facial recognition software found similarities between pictures of Adm Sokolov and the man in the newest video, indicating that it is likely him.

    But the BBC is not sureif the meeting really happened on Tuesday or if the video of Adm Sokolov is live.
    On Friday, Ukraine announced that they had attacked the main base of the Russian navy which is considered the strongest, and it was a significant goal for Kyiv.

    Videos on social media showed thick smoke coming out of the building. Russia said that it had destroyed five missiles, but unfortunately, one soldier went missing during the attack.

    Recently, the Kyiv army has been attacking the Russian troops stationed in Crimea almost everyday.

    Is Ukraine attempting to regain control of Crimea.

    Inaddition to being used for attacking Ukraine, the Black Sea fleet is a significant symbol of Russia’s long-standing military presence in the region.

    The place was in Crimea under a rental agreement even before Russia took over the peninsula illegally in 2014.

  • 20 people killed in fuel storage explosion in Nagorno-Karabakh

    An explosion happened at a place where fuel is stored in Nagorno-Karabakh. Sadly, 20 people have died and many more have been injured, according to the local Armenian officials.

    Almost 300 people were taken to hospitals, and many of them were said to be in very serious condition.

    The Armenian government said that 19,000 refugees have entered the country from the enclave where local forces gave up to Azerbaijan.

    About 120,000 ethnic Armenians live in the area that is being argued about.

    It is still not known what caused the big boom on Monday evening near the main city of Khankendi, which Armenians call Stepanakert.

    Many people are rushing to leave the area because of a fuel shortage, causing petrol stations to be extremely busy. This area had already been dealing with a lack of fuel for several months.

    The only road that links Armenia to the enclave is very congested with many cars and buses. These vehicles are filled with ethnic Armenians who are trying to reach the town of Goris on the other side of the border.

    The curvy mountain road from Goris to Armenia’s capital city, Yerevan, has had a lot of traffic even before sunrise.

    A group of people from the BBC saw families squeezed inside cars, with the trunks overflowing and lots of things stacked up on roof-racks. People think they are permanently moving out of their homes, so they are trying to fit all of their things into their cars.

    In Goris, a tiny town that has the same dusty brown color as the rugged mountains that enclose it, the thin roads are crowded with more cars and more families. Someone came in a car that was barely held together with tape. The car had a lot of damage on the side, with holes from flying pieces and broken windows.

    The person who owns the place told BBC that it was attacked by bombs when Azerbaijan quickly started a fight to gain control of the area last week. “But it brought us to this point,” he happily says while being surrounded by little kids.
    In the middle of the town square, lots of people are standing around not knowing what to do next. Volunteers give people simple food and warm blankets.

    People who need to leave their homes because of an emergency are being recorded and sometimes taken to another place by bus. However, not many people have a clear plan or idea of what to do next after reaching this point.

    Malina left her husband’s burial place behind in their village. He passed away shortly after the war that lasted for six weeks in 2020, which was the most recent outbreak of violence before this month.

    She says he couldn’t handle the pressure. She is watching four grandchildren who are playing close by at the moment. They believe that this trip is not permanent, and they will eventually return home just like they did the last time. Malina doesn’t want to upset them by telling them the truth yet.

    Last week, for two days, they stayed together in their cellar because their village was being attacked. After the Karabakh forces gave up, Malina says the community leaders told everyone to go to Armenia, to be safe. The village in the Martakert area of Nagorno-Karabakh is now deserted.

    Malina explained that her family decided to leave because, regardless of any promises, they didn’t think they would be secure living under Azerbaijani control.

  • ‘France takes us for fools’ – Nigerien protesters

    Niger, a country in West Africa, has a high number of deadly attacks by jihadist groups. After a takeover by the military in July, people are worried that if the order is given for 1,500 French soldiers to leave the country, it could make the rebels feel more confident and stronger.

    Mayeni Jones from the BBC was able to visit Niger and talk to the government, people who support it, and people who are against it.

    A brief gray line for presentation purposes.

    Adama Zourkaleini Maiga speaks quietly, but her eyes show strong determination.

    The single mother has two children and lives in a peaceful area of Niger’s capital city, Niamey. However, she comes from Tillabéry, a region that has been severely affected by violence.

    “She told me during lunch that my mom’s cousin was the leader of a village named Téra. ” “He was killed just seven months ago. ”

    The bad people were searching for him, and when they discovered that he had borrowed a car to escape, they caught him and ended his life. They cut his throat. Our whole family was really surprised.

    Adama holds France responsible for not being able to control the violence, even though they had 1,500 soldiers in the area to fight against Islamist militants.

    “She says that they are not able to say that the French army was victorious. ” “I don’t get how they can claim to be aiding people in fighting terrorism, but the problem keeps getting worse each year. ”

    Niger was considered the final Western friend in the Sahel, a mostly dry area that has become the main location of violent extremism. France and the United States both have military soldiers in Niger. Niger is also where the United States has its largest drone base.

    However, when France declined to acknowledge the new military government in Niger, the existing anger towards what the people saw as unwanted French involvement in their country’s affairs became intense.
    Many people in Niger think that France has had special access to the country’s leaders and natural resources for a long time. They view the coup as an opportunity to start fresh, regain control over their own country, and remove the influence of France.

    Adama says that the army in Niger has never remained in control for a long time. He is talking about the five times where the army took over the government since the country gained independence from France in 1960.

    “The military will eventually go back to their bases and give control to a more effective civilian government that will lead Niger to its future,” she says.

    People in France got very mad when they said no to Niger’s new leader. This got worse when the people in charge told their soldiers and ambassador to leave the country.

    French President Emmanuel Macron at first said no, but now he says he’s decided to say yes to the demands of the junta because the Nigerien authorities are not interested in fighting terrorism anymore.

    ‘France thinks we are stupid’

    Hundreds of people have been staying outside a military base in Niamey that has French soldiers. They have been there for many weeks and are preventing supplies from reaching the soldiers.

    The protesters gather and sit in prayer on Fridays. In the hot afternoon, Imam Abdoulaziz Abdoulaye Amadou tells the people to wait calmly.

    He tells the people that just like it takes time for a man and a woman to get a divorce, it will also take time for Niger to separate from France.

    After he finished speaking to the people, I asked him why the people of Niger are very mad at the French even though they worked closely together for many years.

    He says that Niger is the best partner for France in the entire Sahel region. France is not agreeing with what we want and that is causing tension.

    France had the option to leave without causing any trouble after the coup, and then returned later to have discussions with the people who staged the coup. Why is Emmanuel Macron currently saying that he does not acknowledge our authorities, when he has previously supported coups in other nations such as Gabon and Chad.

    “We are angry because of this, and we believe that France thinks we are foolish. ”
    During the prayers, there is a lot of noise and excitement because a large car with armed guards arrives.

    The recently chosen leader of Niamey, General Abdou Assoumane Harouna, commonly referred to as Plaquette, goes outside. He is a very tall man, measuring 6 feet 5 inches, and he is wearing clothes typically worn by soldiers and a green hat.

    As we try to talk to him for an interview, he points to my producer and says to everyone: “Some people claim that we don’t like white people, but that’s not true. We actually welcome them warmly. ”

    He says that the people in Niger want a country that is successful, proud and in control of its own decisions, and that those from other places should honor their desires. When I ask if the junta can make sure his country is safe from terrorists, he says that the Nigerien forces have always kept their people safe, and can continue to do so without any help from other countries.

    But people who don’t support the government are really worried that if French troops leave, it could be really bad for Niger and the surrounding area.

    Idrissa Waziri, who used to speak for the removed President Mohamed Bazoum, tells me through Zoom that France is an important ally in the battle against terrorists. They provide the majority of the information that helps us defeat the terrorists.

    The French leaving quickly has made safety in Mali and Burkina Faso worse. Nowadays, people are using France as a target to blame for all the issues we face, which causes protests on the streets.

    “France is not the issue, the current problem is the attempted coup in Niger, which is a big setback. ”
    Fahiraman Rodrigue Koné, who manages the Sahel project at the Institute for Security Studies in South Africa, says it is too soon to determine if France leaving will cause more insecurity in Niger and the Sahel region.

    In Mali, after foreign and UN troops left, there has been an increase in violence from both Islamist insurgents and rebel groups. But Mr Koné says the countries are very different from each other.

    He says that the French army helped the troops in Niger in a smaller way compared to how they helped the troops in Mali. The Nigerien army has had a lot of practice battling terrorist groups, particularly against Boko Haram in the eastern region.

    He says that the military of Niger is more spread out throughout their land than the military of Mali. In Mali, there were areas in the northern part of the country where the government and army were not present and terror groups took control of a significant amount of land.

    After Ecowas said it would invade Niger if President Bazoum was not returned, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formed an alliance on September 16th.

    In the Sahel security alliance, the countries have agreed to support each other when there are fights against their governments and attacks from outside forces. Koné believes that this could make a significant difference in the situation.

    He said that one reason why terror groups could easily move from one place to another was because the three countries did not work together. These three countries have already worked together in two or three military operations. This increased team effort is making things very difficult for the rebels.

    He believes the alliance could share good ideas from Niger with the other two countries.

    According to the Global Terrorism Index, there was a 79% decrease in terror-related deaths in Niger last year. However, Mali and Burkina Faso, which are close by, experienced the highest number of terror attacks. Around 90% of the violence that happened last year in the Sahel region was connected to Islamist extremism, and it mainly occurred in two countries.

    Mr Koné says that the Bazoum administration was able to reduce deaths in Niger because they used a well-rounded approach. This approach included using military strategies, involving the community, and focusing on improving the socio-economic conditions.
    However, even though this process was somewhat successful, not everyone liked it. Some people in the military thought that it made the government seem weak on terrorists and that it encouraged lawlessness. We don’t know if the junta will keep going in the same direction.

    It’s difficult to know how many people in Niamey support President Bazoum.

    Many people are upset that he is very close with the French government, but we had a hard time finding any of his supporters or people against the decision to kick out France, who would talk to us on the record. Most people seemed really afraid of what might happen because of their actions.

    The junta watched the BBC team closely and knew what the people we interviewed were saying, and this wasn’t helpful.

    France leaving doesn’t automatically mean Niger won’t work with western countries anymore. There are soldiers from other countries, including the United States, who are still present in Niger.

    On Monday, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said in Kenya that his country hadn’t made any important changes to its military presence in Niger yet.

    However, he mentioned that they will keep looking at how things are going there and any actions they take in the future will focus on both their goals of supporting democracy and maintaining security.

    The Sahel is in the front line of the war on terror. The choices made by the ruling groups there will be very important for the spread of Islamist extremism to other nearby areas.

  • Grieving son requests legal change for assisted suicide

    The individual, formerly a police officer, desires a change in UK law after their terminally ill mother was assisted in ending her life in Switzerland.

    James Johnson, who lives in Hampshire, shared that his mother had to use up all of her money to have the ability to decide when she would die.

    He is going to tell the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth that his mother died by herself without her family being around to keep them safe from being accused of a crime.

    In Switzerland, people who live there or are from another country can legally receive help to end their life if they are suffering and want to die.

    In England and Wales, if someone helps or goes with someone to another country to die, they can be sent to prison for up to 14 years.

    Mr Johnson said that his mother, who was a nurse and worked until she wasn’t able to, was very sick with vasculitis. Vasculitis is a disease that attacks important parts of the body and caused her a lot of pain.

    He said that she got really good care to help with her pain, but she still had a lot of pain that was very hard to handle.
    Mr Johnson did not want him to put his job in danger as a police officer, so he said that she took care of all the plans herself for Dignitas, which is a group in Switzerland that helps people end their lives. She spent over £15,000 to do this.

    He said: “My mom was a very strong woman, but her sickness caused her to experience really painful symptoms that palliative care couldn’t relieve. ”

    She didn’t have a lot of money, but she had to use all her savings to have control over when she died. This choice should not be kept behind a payment barrier, but according to the laws in the UK, it currently is.

    I will always remember saying goodbye to my mom and it will continue to bother me.

    I was standing there, crying, trying really hard not to chase after her and hug her again as she started her last journey, but I couldn’t do it.

    Mr Johnson said that if assisted dying was allowed in the UK, his mother could have passed away comfortably at home with him, instead of in a hidden place or all by herself, and without spending a lot of money.

    Make suffering less.

    He said, “I ask Parliament to address this problem and make actual improvements for people who are dying, like my mother. ” They cannot wait because they are busy.

    Since she passed away, Mr. Johnson has collected more than £12,000 for Dignity in Dying, a campaign in the UK that aims to change the law.

    Francesca Hall, a representative from the organization, said that UK lawmakers need to stop relying on another country to show compassion because they don’t want to deal with the issues surrounding our assisted dying ban.

    Last year, Members of Parliament started an investigation to collect information and opinions about assisted dying. They wanted to determine if the law regarding this should be modified.

    They said people were concerned about how it could affect people who are at risk and the healthcare workers who would be involved.

    “Many people suggested providing more money and resources for palliative and end of life care to help alleviate pain and suffering,” they stated.

    In a few European countries like Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands, assisted dying is no longer considered a crime.

    The British Medical Association has decided to remain neutral on the matter.

    Alistair Thompson, who is part of a group called Care Not Killing, which is against legalizing assisted suicide in the UK, said that changing the law would send a message that people with terminal or chronic illnesses will suffer and that current medical care cannot help them. He believes that this would lead to people thinking that taking a pill will peacefully end their lives.

    He said that this action would make the most vulnerable people in society feel scared. He also mentioned that our healthcare system is weak and lacks funding, which puts stress on services. He believes that instead of debating this dangerous and ideological policy, Parliament should be focused on providing palliative care to the one in four British citizens who need it.

  • Joe Biden to join picket line of UAW employees

    Joe Biden is going to stand with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union on the picket line in Michigan. This will be the first time a sitting US president does this.

    Mr Biden is going to visit car workers in the area before his main competitor, Donald Trump, does the same thing.

    The White House announced that the president will not participate in negotiations, but he will still give a speech.

    Mr Biden has proudly claimed to be the president who supports labor unions the most in the history of the United States.

    US lawmakers and presidential candidates often visit strikes to show support for American workers. however, it is unusual for a current president to do the same.

    In September, the UAW went on strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. They were demanding better wages and other improvements in their new labor contracts.

    The White House was very involved in settling a disagreement between rail workers in 2022. The White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, told reporters on Monday that they were not going to participate in negotiations. She did not give an answer about whether Mr. Biden supports the current UAW proposal.

    Ms Jean-Pierre said that Mr. Biden is visiting Michigan to demonstrate our backing for the car industry employees.

    “To make it clear, he is supporting them to ensure they receive an equal portion,” she said.

    The White House said that Mr Biden would visit the UAW workers last week, after Mr Trump said he would not attend the Republican presidential debate on September 27th in California. Instead, he would go to Detroit, which is where cars and trucks are made in the US.

    On his social media site called Truth Social, Mr. Trump expressed his anger and claimed he had initiated the presidential visit.

    “Joe Biden, who is not honest, didn’t plan to visit the United Autoworkers until I said I was going to Michigan to support them and assist them,” he stated.

    The president of the UAW group, Shawn Fain, invited Mr. Biden to visit their members. Shawn Fain has sometimes said negative things about Mr.

    In a post on Truth Social, Mr. Trump, who has not been invited by the UAW, promised that auto workers will be in trouble if they don’t support him and if he doesn’t win the election.

    MrBiden and Mr. Trump, who is currently leading in the race to become the Republican nominee, are both making visits to an important region called the Rust Belt. This region is crucial for both Republicans and Democrats in terms of winning elections. The Rust Belt is known for having a lot of blue-collar workers, such as members of the UAW (United Auto Workers) union, who play a significant role in voting.

    The competition for votes in Michigan is expected to be very fierce. Democrats just barely won the state in the 2020 presidential election, even though they had lost there in 2016.

    In 2020, the UAW supported Mr Biden for President. However, for the 2024 election, they haven’t chosen a favorite candidate yet. They believe that any candidate who wants their support must prove they deserve it.

    MrBiden’s visit to the picket line is happening at the same time when his administration is working towards increasing electric vehicle production in the United States. Some union members are worried because they think that electric vehicles need less workers to make them, and they might be made in factories that are not part of the union and pay workers much less money.

  • Shakira charged with tax offences for the second time

    The Spanish government has accused Colombian singer Shakira of not paying her taxes for a second time.

    Spanish prosecutors are accusing the singer of cheating the government out of €6. 7 million ($71 million, £58 million) in 2018.

    They say that this happened when she forgot to report the money she received in advance for her El Dorado World Tour, along with other payments.

    Spanish prosecutors began a second investigation in July 2023, but they only made the details public on Tuesday.

    The Spanish network RTVE states that the singer, who is 46 years old, knows about the new accusations. However, the news agency Reuters says that Shakira’s lawyers in Miami, where she currently resides, have not been informed about them yet.

    Instead, they were “working hard to get ready for the trial for the 2012-14 fiscal years, which starts on Nov 20,” they informed Reuters in a statement.

    The new charges are based on the fact that in 2018, Shakira was living in Barcelona with her partner, football star Gerard Pique. Because of this, she was supposed to pay taxes on all the money she earned from other countries while living there.

    They say that she chose to use her money for businesses that are based in countries with low taxes and secrets.

    Shakira will have to go to court in November for six different tax-related accusations in Barcelona. She claims she is not guilty of these charges.

    She is accused of not paying €14. 5m ($153m, £126m) in tax between 2012 and 2014, but she says she didn’t do anything wrong.

    “I believe I have enough evidence to support my argument, and I am hopeful that the outcome will be fair and in my favor,” she stated in September during an interview with Elle magazine in Spain.

  •  Flexer Gh lauds Naira Marley for identifying Mohbab’s talent

     Flexer Gh lauds Naira Marley for identifying Mohbab’s talent

    Ghanaian dancehall artist, Flexer Gh, expressed his appreciation for Naira Marley for providing Mohbad with an opportunity to rise to stardom, highlighting the apparent hypocrisy in the love and support that surfaces only after an individual’s death, as opposed to when they are alive.

    Flexer Gh asserted that during Mohbad’s lifetime, it was Naira Marley who extended a helping hand and gave him a chance in the music industry. Consequently, he argued that in the absence of evidence indicating harm caused by Naira Marley, he deserves recognition and commendation.

    These sentiments were conveyed by Flexer Gh through a post on his Instagram handle, @iamflexergh, injecting a fresh perspective into the ongoing narrative. Despite his stance on Naira Marley, Flexer Gh still called for #Justice4Mohbad, emphasizing the need for fairness and justice in the matter.

    He wrote: “Heroes Faces The Most Toughest Battles In Life. If Truly In Your Heart You Have No Hand In @iammohbad Death Then I Pray The Lord Keep You Safe And Strong Till The End Of This @nairamarly.

    “Stay Strong. You Gave Him Light Whiles All These People Showing Him Love After His Death Didn’t Recognize Him. Imole May You Find True Justice Even Tho I Dont Trust This Africa System To Give You That. No Truth In Africa. #justice4mohbad ✌🏻”

  • Mozambique makes arrests related to fatal motorbike accidents

    Ten alleged motorcycle taxi driver assassins have been detained in Tete, a city in western Mozambique that is rich in coal and energy.

    The defendants, who were identified to the media by the Mozambican police, are charged with robbing people and killing motorbike taxi drivers in Tete areas.

    Feliciano da Câmara, the Tete police spokeswoman, claimed that some of his officers killed a member of the major opposition movement in the country—the former rebel Renamo movement—last week and took his motorbike.

    The police official claimed that they also stole a significant amount of money from their victims.

    Some of those being held refute any involvement in the crimes.

  • Nigerian Actress Toyo Baby recounts bleeding for several months

    Juliana Olayode, the renowned Nigerian actress best known for her portrayal of Toyo Baby in the popular sitcom series “Jenifa’s Diary,” has shared her personal journey of dealing with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and Psoriasis.

    Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition where you have few, unusual or very long periods. Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp.

    Talking about her battle with the ailment, the actress took to her YouTube channel and said in part, “I had polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and I had Psoriasis. I was bleeding every day for four months and my period did not stop. The way it started was that my period did not come for over a year.

    “Sometimes I used like two packs of sanitary towels every day. There was a day when I was at my sister’s house and I slept. I did not want her to know that I was bleeding nonstop. I woke up and the whole bed was full of blood. I had just changed my pad before going to sleep.

    “My sister advised me that I had to go for a check-up immediately. But I was scared about what the doctors would tell me. We went to see a gynaecologist. When we were having the tests, I was hoping it was not going to be cancer.  Eventually, when the test came out it was PCOS.”

  • Student detained in Uganda on suspicion of trafficking

    A 17-year-old student in Uganda has been captured by the police for allegedly bringing in and selling 170 young individuals in violation of the law.

    The police said they caught a high school student in central Uganda on September 18th.

    The police say that a student had 170 young people stay at a 28-year-old woman’s home. They were waiting for transportation to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The student had promised the young people jobs there.

    But the Ugandan Police Force said on Tuesday that the trafficking plan was a fraud.

    “After being questioned, the student confessed that he wanted to trick the victims into giving him money by pretending to be associated with Humble Company in Kenya. ” The Uganda Police Force stated that the job advertisement for waiters, waitresses, coffee parkers, and supermarket attendants in Kenya was fake because there was no relationship with the company.

    Please rewrite the text in simpler words.

    According to a newspaper in Uganda called Daily Monitor, 98 of the victims gave the student 100,000 Ugandan shillings ($26; £21) each, while the rest gave 50,000 shillings each.

    The student has not been asked to say whether they are guilty or not guilty.

  • Major trips to Saudi Arabia and Israel as negotiations advance

    A group of important Saudi officials is in the Israeli-controlled West Bank for the first time since Israel took over the area from Jordan in the war in 1967.

    Shortly after it came, the tourism minister of Israel traveled to Saudi Arabia for a United Nations event.

    Haim Katz, an Israeli minister, led a group of people to the Gulf country, which was the first time it has happened, according to his office.

    The important journeys happened after leaders from Saudi Arabia and Israel spoke favorably about efforts to create friendly relations between the two countries.

    The US has been helping arrange difficult talks between two of its friends in the same area.

    If the powerful states make an agreement, it would be a big change in Middle Eastern politics and a big win for US President Joe Biden’s foreign policy.

    On Tuesday morning, Nayef al-Sudairi, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Jordan, arrived in the West Bank for a two-day visit, marking the first time any Saudi envoy has officially visited the Palestinians. He entered through the Karama crossing. Israel is in charge of who is allowed to enter the country at the border. They had to give permission for his arrival to happen.

    The Palestinian government says that they have achieved an important step in their relationship with Saudi Arabia, which they consider to be a significant accomplishment.

    The Saudi diplomat arrived in Ramallah with a lot of excitement, where the Palestinian Authority has its main offices.

    He went to the presidential compound and saw a group of soldiers waiting to welcome him. They played the anthems of Palestine and Saudi Arabia.

    Then, he gave his official documents to the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, at a special event.

    Mr Sudairi talked to reporters in order to give Palestinians confidence about the current happenings. He talked about the interview that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently gave to Fox News.

    Prince Mohammed stated that his country and Israel are moving closer to reaching an agreement on normalizing their relationship. However, he emphasized that the Palestinian issue remains an important aspect of the discussions.

    The crown prince has always been interested in the Palestinian cause. The ambassador said that he wants the entire region and the world to be peaceful and secure. He believes that this will have a positive impact on everyone globally.

    Haim Katz’s visit to Riyadh was a surprise because it was not announced beforehand.

    He will be in Saudi Arabia for two days to go to a special event for the UN World Tourism Organization called World Tourism Day.

    Mr Katz’s office stated that he said, “Tourism helps connect different countries. ” Working together with others on tourism issues has the potential to bring people closer and lead to economic success.

    I will try to form connections with others to encourage people to visit Israel and improve our relationships with other countries.
    Last week, during a meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Israel’s leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that his country was very close to making an agreement with Saudi Arabia. He believed that this agreement had the potential to greatly change the situation in the Middle East.

    However, officials in the United States have warned that there is still a lot of work to be done in the talks.

    If they agree in the next few months, it is expected that there will be a defense agreement between Riyadh and Washington and support for Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear program.

    The US and Saudi Arabia both want to see important improvements made on the Palestinian issue. Many people are requesting a new peace process that will result in an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel.

    The US helped organize peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, but they have been stopped since 2014.

    Lately, the situation has become more tense between the two groups because there has been increasing violence, especially in the West Bank.

    President Abbas talked about the chance of Saudi Arabia and Israel making peace at the United Nations. He said that there can’t be a new agreement for peace in the Middle East unless Palestinians are given all their rights.

    When he talked in New York, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia also asked for the two-state solution goal to be brought back to life.

  • I feel sorry for Alan, he has taken the worst decision – Kwamena Bartels on Alan’s resignation

    Former Interior Minister Kwamena Bartels has characterized Alan Kyerematen‘s choice to resign from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the most regrettable decision in his political journey.

    During an interview with Citi News Mr. Bartels advised the NPP leadership to gracefully acknowledge Mr. Kyerematen’s resignation and completely sever ties with him from the party.

    “I felt sorry for him [Alan], he has taken the worst decision he can ever take in his political life. He is finished as a politician. This is the end for him as a politician,” Bartels said.

    When asked if he believed Mr Kyerematen had been treated unfairly, the former Ablekuma North MP responded, “I won’t judge, but there are processes in the party for dealing with unfair treatment and every human institution has these little skirmishes and when they come, they are judged according to the laid down processes.”

    Given that this is not the first time the former Trade and Industry Minister has chosen to leave the party, Mr. Bartels advised the NPP not to try to patch things up with him.

    “It has happened twice and we won’t allow it to happen thrice and if the party has my views, it should beautifully accept it,” he said.

    Mr. Kyerematen announced his resignation from the NPP on Monday, September 25, to pursue an independent presidential bid.

  • Future Awards Africa 2023: Check out full list of nominees

    The nominees for the Future Awards Africa have been announced.

    The prestigious award honors a distinguished group of visionaries, humanitarians, advocates, experts, and innovators who are dedicated to advancing the common goal of transforming the narrative surrounding Africa.

    The 17th edition of the annual event is themed ‘Defying Odds, Inspiring Greatness’.

    The nominees for The Future Awards Africa were announced on Sunday by Tayo Faniran and Idia Aisien.

    This year’s award nominees span 25 categories, totaling 128 individuals, who have undergone three rigorous judging stages.

    Other notable names on the list are Enioluwa Adeoluwa, Broda Shaggi, Hilda Baci, TG Omori, Olumide Oworu, Layi Wasabi, Ayra Starr, and Bosun Tijani.

    See the full list of nominations below

    Young Person of the Year

    Hilda Baci — Guinness World Record Holder

    Oluwaseyi Moejoh — Climate Change and Youth Development Activist

    Victor Osimhen — Professional Footballer

    Rena Wakama — Coach of D’Tigress

    Precious Eniayeka — Founder at Stellar Initiative

    Enioluwa Adeoluwa — Content Creator

    Education

    Aliu Toluwani Victor — CEO of Royal foundation Africa

    Sultan Akintunde — CO founder and CTO AltSchool Africa

    Demilade Adelaja — SDG Youth Advocate

    Adaora Nwodo — Tech Content Creator

    Uchechi Rochas — Director General of Rochas Foundation

    Professional service

    Oghenerukevwe Toka — Social Media Manager, Consultant, and Coach

    Phoebe Dami-Asolo — Marketing and Commercial Professional

    Olubukayo Ewuoso — Digital Marketing Officer

    Muhumuza Brian — Intercontinental Publicist

    Fatima Jimanate Umar — Development Group Impact Analyst

    Law

    Bioku Benjamin — Legal Manager at Sahara

    Chidi Odoemenam — Senior Associate at Rendeavour Nigeria

    Damilola Wright — Lawyer

    Toyin Aiyepola — Lawyer

    Entrepreneurship

    Nathan Nwachukwu — CEO of Klas

    Lukman Shobowale — Real Estate Expert

    Jumoke Dada — Award-winning Entrepreneur

    Victor Ehindero — A Visionary Tech entrepreneur

    Miracle Nwachukwu — Interior Designer

    Victor Adegbile — CEO at Land Republic Limited

    Bella Victor — Chairman of Lander Estate

    Bright Sekoni — CEO of Audacia Properties

    Sandra Chukwudozie — Founder & CEO – Salpha Energy

    Noah Ibrahim — Co-Founder – Eatnow.ng

    Agriculture

    Emmanuel Negedu — CEO of AgriLife youth

    Joshua Ifezue — Founder of Jofez Agro

    Joshua Okpata — Exxon Mobil Undergraduate Scholar

    Technology

    Weevil Company — Hansel Okeke and Germaine Okeke, Founders of Weevil Company

    Victor Fatanmi — CEO of Fullgapco

    David Onilude — Tech Enthusiast

    Yanmo Omoregbe — Co-founder and COO of Bamboo

    Goodness Kayode — CEO of Sendchamp

    Shodipo Ayomide — Engineering and Developer Relations Leader

    Iyinoluwa Deborah Raj

    Photography

    Chika Onuu — Photographer and Videographer

    Opeyemi Femi Oke — Photographer

    Deji Oluokun

    Ngozieme — Photographer

    Akindele Ibukun — Lead director for VISUALCHEF.HO

    Bolarinwa (Horlaof Lagos) — Owner of HOL Academy

    Advocacy and Activism

    Muhammad Kolo Muhammad — Play Metro

    Odanye Kehinde — Youth Advocate

    Osariemen Grace Omoruyi — Founder of Restorative Justice for Africa

    Tobiloba Osogbiye — Public Affairs Officer

    Sport

    Victor Osimhen — Footballer

    Tobi Amusan — Nigerian track and Field Athlete

    Asisat Oshoala — Footballer

    Michelle Alozie — Footballer

    Mary Busayo Olatunji — Squash Player

    Ese Brume — Athlete

    ON-Air Personality

    Emmanuel Onwuka — Journalist

    Ilowitdflo — TV Presenter

    Karen Dimkpa — Queen of Pop Radio

    Laila Johnson Salami — Co-Anchor on Arise TV

    Anita Akuffo — Host and a Presenter

    Adesola Balikis —Radio Presenter

    Journalism

    Deborah Tolu Kayode — Communications Specialist

    Akinlade Abiodun — Writer

    Pelumi Salako — Freelance Journalist

    Ore Ogunbiyi — Economist

    Intrapreneurship

    Tutu Adetunmbi — Content Marketing Consultant

    Solomon O. Ayodele — Head of Innovation at WEMA Bank

    Ernesto O. Dibia — Medical Laboratory scientist

    Victor Okpala — Manager of Spotify

    Precious Akpan — Businesswoman

    Health and Wellness

    Mmekidmfon Umanah — Business Executive

    Dr Princess Ike — Public Health Optometrist

    Emmanuel Oni — Businessman

    Victor Amusan — Health Tracker

    Fashion

    Uyiosa Omoregbe — Owner of NASO Clothing Brand

    Rhoda Aguonigho — Fashion Consultant

    Thebetsile Thebe Magugu — Fashion Designer

    Veekee James — Fashion Designer

    Gbemisola Okunlola — Founder of ALONUKO

    Film

    Abdulazeez Greene — Cinematographer

    TG Omori — Music Video Director

    Ovi Odiete — Nollywood Actor

    Nora Awolowo — Producer, Cinematographer, and Filmmaker

    Steven Ndukwu — Travel and Real Estate Content Curator

    Ife Olujuyigbe — Filmmaker

    Niyi Fagbemi — Filmmaker

    Ifan Michael — Filmmaker

    Acting

    Mike Afolarin — Actor

    Rahama Sadau — Actress

    Moshood Fattah — Actor

    Emeka Nwagbaraocha — Actor

    Ama Qamata — Actress

    Olumide Oworu — Actor

    Tobi Bakre — Actor

    Genovevah Umeh — Actress

    Scarlet Gomez — Actress

    Content Creation

    Layi Wasabi — Content Creator

    Fisayo Fosudo — Visual Storyteller

    Eniola Korty Olanrewaju — Filmmaker

    Salem King — Content Creator

    The Wisdom Man — Content Creator

    Maryam Apaokagi — Comedienne

    Samuel. A Perry ( Broda Shaggi) — Comedian

    Music

    Ayra Starr — Singer

    Asake — Artist

    Libianca — Cameroonian Singer

    Aya Nakamura — French Singer

    Tay C — French Singer and Songwriter

    Governance

    Hakeem Onasanya — Head of Startups

    Igunbor Sarah — Senior Assistant to Edo State Governor

    Mustapha Isa Ozo — Managing Director of A Public Relations and Digital Communication Company

    Seun Olufemi White — Lawyer

    Rukayatt Shittu — Journalist

    Khalil — Halilu

    Community Action

    GodsFavour Ahimisi — Game Changer in Community Action

    Ndasadu lau Idris Bilyaminu — Founder of YapDfAfrica

    Chioma Ukpabi — Founder of SUWK

    Salawu Azeez — Climate Activist

    Iresalewa Muhammed Bello — Founder of Nimah Andreh

    Arts and Literature

    Haneefah Abdulraman — Writer

    Michael Dubby — Entrepreneur

    Morenike Olusanya — Book Cover Artist

    Dance

    Izzy Odigie — Choreographer

    Regina Eigbe — Choreographer

    Sherrie Silver — Philanthropist

    Dream Catchers — Dance Group

    Creativity and Innovation

    Victoria Adesanmi — Interior Designer

    Hauwa Lawal — Screenwriter

    Babatunde Sanni of Ikorodu Bois

    Intissar Bashir Kurfi — Environmentalist

    Service to the Young

    Melody Fidel — Entrepreneur

    Bosun Tijani — Minister of Communications

  • Met Éireann ‘updates certain locations’ rain warnings in Ireland

    The weather warning for heavy rain in Cork and Kerry has been changed from low to medium as Storm Agnes gets closer.

    Both the Met Office and Met Éireann have given warnings about the storm that will arrive in the south-west of Ireland on Wednesday.

    Storm Agnes is the first storm to have a name this season. The season lasts from September 1st to August 31st.

    It will likely cause strong winds that could cause damage for some areas in the UK and Ireland.

    There will be a strong wind in Northern Ireland starting at 12:00 BST on Wednesday and ending at 07:00 on Thursday.

    What should you know about Storm Agnes.

    The weather experts at the Met Office are saying that some places away from the coast might experience very strong winds of about 100 kilometers per hour (60 miles per hour). Coasts that are not protected and have cliffs or other high points might have stronger winds.

    This message says that there is a possibility of getting hurt or in danger because things might fly around. It also says that there might be times when the power stops working. Lastly, it mentions that both air travel and ferry services could be impacted.

    The government says it’s not safe to go to forests, parks, or nature areas because of strong winds.

    In Ireland, there will be orange warnings on Wednesday from 09:00 to 15:00. This means there will be problems with traveling, some areas might have floods, and it will be hard to see in Cork and Kerry.

    The counties will experience rain and there is a warning that it will continue until midnight on Thursday.
    A warning for strong winds is in place for Leinster and Munster from 07:00 on Wednesday until midnight on Thursday. There is also a warning for heavy rain in Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, and Waterford during the same time.

  • Tigrayans mourn soldiers who died in Ethiopian conflict

    People in the northern region of Tigray in Ethiopia are sad about the death of warriors who were killed during the very violent war that lasted for two years and ended last year.

    Presently, the residents of Mekelle are acquiring information about their deceased family members who lost their lives in the conflict with Ethiopian forces and their supporters.
    The fighting started in November 2020 when the national government claimed that militias who were supporters of the regional party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), attacked the military base in the north.

    Shortly after, soldiers from Eritrea and local militias supported the Ethiopian government and battled against the Tigrayan forces. Eventually, a peace agreement was made in Pretoria last year.

    A lot of people in Mekelle have been informed that their family members have died. I went to a funeral ceremony and a religious service at a church. “It made me really sad,” said one person who liveshere.

    The person who lives there said they were concerned about the young people from the neighborhood who had joined the army and haven’t returned yet. They mentioned that they will find out what happened to them next week.

    Another person living in Tigray visited different parts of the region. They saw villagers grieving over the loss of their family members in various locations.

    Last week, Getachew Reda, who is the president of the temporary Tigray government, told journalists that soon the families of soldiers who have passed away will receive details about their loved ones.

    However, people are saying that the authorities are at fault because they did not officially inform families that their loved ones have died.

    According to reports, families are being made to look for soldiers,but then army commanders eventually tell them that the soldiers have passed away.

    Neither the federal government nor TPLF said how many fighters they lost in the two-year war. All the parties were blamed for doing terrible things during that time.

    Even though there is no fighting in the area anymore, officials are saying that some people are hungry because aid organizations have stopped giving out food. This happened because they found out that some people have been stealing the aid supplies.

  • Man appears in court after boy dies in car crash in Donegal

    A court hearing was initiated for a man who allegedly caused a car crash resulting in the death of a nine-year-old boy from County Tyrone. The accident happened on Saturday night.

    Ronan Wilson, who lived in Kildress, passed away at the place where the accident happened on Atlantic Way in Bundoran, County Donegal.

    Serge Kelly, who is 23 years old and lives in Upper Mullaghmore, Cliffony, County Sligo, went to court in Carrick-on-Shannon.

    He is accused of three things, one of which is not stopping after a crash.

    A detective from the Irish police, called a garda, said that Mr. Kelly was officially accused of a crime at the Ballyshannon Garda Station on Monday evening.

    When accused of not helping after the crash, the detective said that Mr. Kelly answered: “I know I made a mistake and should have stopped, but I didn’t. ”

    When he was accused of not keeping the vehicle close to the accident, he said, “I know I should have, but I didn’t. ”

    In simpler words: Mr. Kelly was told in court that he was accused of not stopping at the scene. He admitted to not doing it, even though he knew he should have.

    The person accused in the case was allowed to leave jail by paying €2,000 in cash to the court. They also had to give an additional €5,000 as a guarantee to the court.

    Mr Kelly was told that he cannot talk to the witnesses for the prosecution, and he needs to give up his passport.

    The court case was postponed until 20 October at Ballyshannon District Court.

    Ronan’s funeral will be held at St Mary’s Church in Dunamore, County Tyrone on Thursday.

  • South Africa names road after Mandela’s late wife

    The city of Johannesburg in South Africa has given a road the name of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who fought against apartheid.

    On Tuesday, the city changed the name of William Nicol Drive to Winnie Mandela Drive.

    The city administration said that this achievement shows how determined the city is to remember and honor Winnie Madikizela Mandela’s important life and legacy.

    William Nicol was a church minister and teacher during the time of apartheid. He believed that Afrikaans should be used in schools in South Africa.

    The mayor of Johannesburg, Kabelo Gwamanda, said that renaming is a way to get rid of things that represent the bad treatment and control of people in South Africa.

    The road will be revealed on 26 September, which is the same day Mrs. Mandela would have turned 87.

    She passed away in 2018 after being sick for a while.

    South Africa’s ruling African National Congress proposed a motion in 2018 to change the name of the road. They believe that this change will help future generations remember the brave people who fought against apartheid and other unfairness.

  • Alan refutes claims that Kufour brought him to the NPP

    Alan Kyerematen has refuted claims regarding his relationship with former President John Agyekum Kufuor, asserting that these attributions are inaccurate. Specifically, he has denied the assertion that it was President Kufuor who introduced him to the New Patriotic Party, emphasizing that this claim is untrue. In essence, Alan Kyerematen has clarified that his political identity is not associated with the former president, contrary to the widespread belief held over the years.

    “People don’t know me. My political capital has nothing to do with President Kufuor… my political career has nothing to with Kufuor and if you ask him, he will confirm this. When he has to sometimes talk about it, then he is sad because people have said things about him he knows nothing of that he brought me but when he became president in 2001, the first appointments he did… I told him that I didn’t want to become a minister,” he said during his first public interview, on UTV, since going independent.

    Alan Kyerematen went on to describe how and why he turned down President Kufuor’s offer of a ministerial position. 

    “I told him I didn’t want an appointment from but that some of us worked hard to bring him to power and so we should be able to stay behind so that when he is doing something that is not right, we can have the courage to tell him,” he added.

    After formally leaving the NPP, Alan is heading a Movement for Change in an effort to win the presidency of Ghana in the general elections of 2024.

  • Five alleged Russian agents show up in court in London

    Five individuals who are believed to be involved in a Russian spy group operating in the UK have stood before a judge in a courtroom.

    Bulgarian citizens Orlin Roussev, Bizer Dzhambazov, Katrin Ivanova, Ivan Stoyanov, and Vanya Gaberova supposedly planned to collect valuable information for an enemy.

    It is claimed that they watched and gathered information about individuals and locations that Russia was interested in between August 2020 and February 2023.

    The people who were accused were kept in jail. It is said that they were spying to help Russia do bad things like kidnapping people.

    They did not say if they were guilty or not at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. They were in different prisons and talked to the court through a video connection.

    All five people who were on trial did not say anything except when they confirmed their names and dates of birth.

    The police arrested them in February for breaking the Official Secrets Act. These people are,

    Orlin Roussev, who is 45 years old, lives in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
    Bizer Dzhambazov is a 41-year-old man from Harrow, which is in north-west London.
    Katrin Ivanova, who is 31 years old, lives at the same address in Harrow.
    Ivan Stoyanov is a 31-year-old man from Greenford, which is in west London.
    Vanya Gaberova is a 29-year-old woman who lives in Churchway, a neighborhood in north-west London.

    Prosecutor Kathryn Selby said that Mr. Roussev owned the main location in this country for the crime of spying.

    He used to live in a guesthouse by the sea in Great Yarmouth, but it has closed down now.

    MrRoussev is accused of planning and directing the group’s spying activities from the United Kingdom. They say that these actions happened in the UK and Europe.

    MrStoyanov is an amateur mixed martial arts fighter who has competed in fights in the UK.

    In Bulgaria, he took part in combat sambo fights, which are a type of martial arts that are well-liked in eastern Europe.

    The five people on trial are being accused of working together with someone named Jan Marsalek on a secret plan. He is not accused or being held responsible in the case.

    They say Mr Roussev got instructions from someone named Jan Marsalek who lives in another country.
    MrMarsalek is a person from Austria who used to work as a high-ranking employee at Wirecard company. He is now wanted by the police in Germany because they believe he did some dishonest things.

    People think he ran away to an airport near Vienna and then flew to Belarus on a private plane. He is supposedly in Russia now.

    Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram said that the five people will go to court on October 13th.

  • Ghanaians fail to value our efforts – Joe Wise

    Just recently, Ghana’s youth stirred the nation with a three-day protest under the banner of #OccupyJulorbiHouse, organized by the Democracy Hub team. The protest aimed to address perceived injustices and unfair treatment by the government towards the Ghanaian people.

    During the protests, Ghanaian youth, both on the streets and through social media, voiced their concerns about the sharp increases in the prices of essential goods and services under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party.

    However, Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bekwai Constituency, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has expressed his frustration with what he perceives as ingratitude among Ghanaians, despite the dedicated efforts of leaders to meet their needs. According to the politician, Ghanaians often neglect their responsibilities to maintain and protect the initiatives undertaken by their leaders.

    “The people we work for don’t appreciate anything we do. The people we represent are often as irresponsible as anybody.

    “You struggle, borrow to build a road designed to last thirty years, everything that we must not do on the road, we will do it and the lifespan will be sharply reduced and we turn around to blame all the contractors, all the engineers and the politicians,” Joe Wise said.

    The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament went on to say that it is very difficult to lead Ghanaians because of their actions.

    “It is frustrating to lead in Ghana because every rule will be disrespected. You are bad if you insist that the rule be respected. Sometimes, I just give up. If you insist, they will move a little, and they return.

    “If you want to have the law respected permanently, you have to have probably thousands of policemen all the time. The economy cannot support that,” Joe Wise said.

    “I find it frustrating. It’s not that it is not possible to get people not to do it but the amount of force and resources that we require to get the people to respect the rules all the time may be beyond our means,” he added on this week’s episode of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV with Daniel Oduro.

  • Apple customers urgently urged to update privacy settings

    Apple recently released the newest version of its iPhone software, called iOS 17. It is now available to download for free on all supported iPhones.

    However, professionals have noticed a problem that they say interferes with the privacy settings on your iPhone.

    According to Mysk, a couple of people who make iPhone apps and study cybersecurity, when people downloaded the new iOS 17 software for their iPhones, some features called Significant Locations and iPhone Analytics turned on again, even if people had turned them off before.

    They said the update will enable the sensitive location options again.

    They said on social media that if you turn off important places and add your location to your iPhone analytics before updating to iOS 17, iOS 17 will turn those options back on. They shared a screenshot along with the post.
    The Significant Locations feature on the iPhone keeps track of the places you go to often and stores them for you.

    Apple uses this information to give you updates about your pictures, past events, locations, and schedule apps. It uses this information to give you better services, like telling you the best route for avoiding traffic.

    If you don’t want Apple to track where you go, you can turn off Significant Locations.

    The post said that although important places are stored on your iPhone, they can be misused because they save detailed information about the places you go to often.

    However, iPhone Analytics helps Apple gather information on how you use your iPhone.

    This information can help make Apple products and services better. However, it can also be used to gather personal details about you, like where you’ve been and the apps you’ve used.

    We don’t know why the problem happened, but Apple is investigating and will probably fix it soon.

  • Mahama calls gov’t to take action to reduce floods in the country

    National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama expressed sympathy to those affected by the recent flood that wreaked havoc on the nation.

    Last week’s flash floods had an impact on people across the nation, particularly in the Greater Accra Region.

    The former president described the floods as depressing and blamed their occurrence on the government’s inability to come up with solutions and resolve to deal with the long-lasting damage they had caused.

    “It is profoundly disheartening to witness the annual recurrence of these floods, with the toll on lives and property steadily increasing. The ability to prevent or minimise such disasters should be a priority for any responsible government. Unfortunately, the Akufo-Addo administration has repeatedly demonstrated its lack of commitment towards implementing effective measures to address this recurring menace.”

    “The administration has run out of ideas for ameliorating the situation. Today, even with the shortest burst of rainfall, areas previously immune to the flooding menace experience severe destruction from the raging waters. We are witnessing an increase in flooding, especially in the cities, despite the huge funds injected into flood control by foreign partners such as the World Bank and from the domestic budget.”

    Mr. Mahama urged the government and relevant agencies to adopt strategic and proactive measures to solve the situation.

    “Our firm belief is that tragedies of such magnitude can be prevented through proactive measures such as implementing appropriate regulations, good waste management, and investing in the construction and management of sustainable drainage systems.

    “We call on the government to take immediate action to rectify the systemic failures that have contributed to these floods.”

  • Ukraine war: Cloud of mushrooms after missile attacks on Russian storehouse

    Shocking video shows a big cloud shaped like a mushroom in the sky after a very strong explosion at a place where ammunition is stored in Ukraine, which is controlled by Russia.

    The explosion happened in a place called Sorokyne, also known as Krasnodon, in the eastern region of Luhansk. The explosion was caused by an air-launched missile attack carried out by Kyiv forces. Sorokyne is located about 86 miles away from the current frontline.

    A large amount of Russian explosives caught fire at the Yunost plant and caused a very scary and dangerous fire.

    In the past, it was used to make special electrical pieces for missiles and rockets.

    Reports indicate that it is now believed to be a crucial place where ammunition is stored and provided to Kremlin forces.

    Frightened kids are yelling in a video where a big cloud made of mushrooms goes up in the air.

    The incident caused schools to empty out as windows broke in nearby buildings.

    A person living in the area recorded the explosion and said they were trembling while filming it. There was a very big explosion.
    The explosion happened when Vladimir Putin’s forces were feeling scared and trapped in the village of Verbove in south-east Ukraine.

    According to the Independent, military experts say that the Ukrainian army has made big progress in the area.

    The Russian Airborne Forces, which is part of the Russian army, has been warned that there is a high risk their troops could be surrounded.

    The Institute for the Study of War, a group that watches and studies wars, gave a warning. They are based in the United States.

    The person from the VDV said that President Volodymyr Zelensky’s soldiers were getting close to surrounding the 56th VDV regiment, and they were only 7 kilometers away.
    According to reports, Ukrainian forces have captured a part of Verbove village on Friday and are now in control of about half of it.

    However, people have accused the Russian Ministry of Defence of trying to hide or conceal the progress.

    On Monday, President Vladimir Putin’s soldiers attacked the Ukrainian port city of Odessa using drones that can blow themselves up and missiles that move faster than sound.

    The attacks continue on Ukraine, which has been illegally invaded, and it has been 20 months since this started, but there is still no sign of it ending.
    The Russia-Ukraine war is a conflict happening between Russia and Ukraine. It’s important to have knowledge about it.

    Ever since Russia attacked Ukraine starting on February 24, the country has experienced a lot of damage and many people have lost their lives because of intense bombing.

    Lots of people have left the country, and many British people are offering their homes to help Ukrainian refugees.

    During the war, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky stayed in Kyiv, even though the city was continuously bombed.

    Zelensky has constantly asked for help and backing from global leaders, and he also wants to join NATO quickly.

    In the meantime, many people have criticized Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, for his aggression towards Ukraine.

    Because of what he did, he is now facing strict economic punishments, he is not allowed to participate in important sporting events, and countries are choosing not to use Russian oil.
    Earlier this month, the head of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, said that the conflict would not end soon.

    He said to the German newspaper, Berliner Morgenpost: ‘We all want peace to happen quickly. ‘ However, we also need to understand that if President Zelensky and the Ukrainians stop fighting, their country will cease to exist.

    If President Putin and Russia stop fighting, we would have peace.

    The war could be ended easily if Putin takes his troops out.

    Last week, both Russia and Ukraine launched very powerful attacks in the war, using drones and bombers.

  • “I don’t drink that’s why I’m this fine” – Asamoah Gyan

    “I don’t drink that’s why I’m this fine” – Asamoah Gyan

    Ghanaian football legend Asamoah Gyan, who retired from the sport a few months ago, has shared a surprising secret to his enduring good looks. 

    During an Instagram live session, the 37-year-old athlete revealed that he doesn’t consume alcohol, and he believes this abstention is the key to his handsome appearance.

     Gyan remains highly admired by fans for both his talent and his appealing physical attributes, making him a popular figure wherever he goes.

    “I don’t drink that’s why I’m this fine. It doesn’t mean that I’m condemning those who drink alcohol but the secret to my fineness is that I don’t drink alcohol,” he said.

    Asamoah Gyan, the former Ghanaian football star, officially declared his retirement from the sport during a speech at the 30th Afreximbank Annual Meeting on June 20, 2023. 

    Gyan, who had notable stints with clubs like Sunderland and Stade Rennes, retired as Ghana’s all-time leading scorer with 51 goals and as the second most-capped player for the national team. Additionally, he holds the record for the highest-scoring African player in FIFA World Cup history, having scored six goals across three tournaments.

    Before his retirement, Gyan had not represented the national team for over four years, with his last appearance dating back to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He was notably absent from Ghana’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, during which the Black Stars exited the tournament in the group stage.

    On the club level, his last appearance was with the Ghana Premier League team Legon Cities two years prior, and he had been inactive since parting ways with them. Gyan’s future plans remain uncertain, although he has been involved in football punditry and holds a UEFA B coaching license, although he has not yet taken up any coaching roles.

  • Brit man acknowledges raping and abusing many animals

    Brit man acknowledges raping and abusing many animals

    A British man who knows a lot about crocodiles has admitted to sexually assaulting young dogs and causing pain to over 40 dogs at his place where he takes care of animals.

    Adam Britton, who is 51 years old, used to live in West Yorkshire but later moved to Australia. He confessed to tricking pet owners into giving him their beloved dogs, only to mistreat them afterwards.

    In the highest court in Northern Territory, he confessed to sexually harming his own Swiss Shepherd pets, Ursa and Bolt, for nearly ten years.

    A professor at Charles Darwin University in northern Australia had David Attenborough, a famous broadcaster, visit his house once.

    According to the court, Britton would record himself hurting the helpless animals in a container filled with cameras. He would continue to harm them until most of them passed away. After that, he would upload these disturbing videos online.

    Yesterday in court, Britton, a top zoologist who has collaborated with the BBC and National Geographic on projects, admitted to being guilty of 56 charges related to mistreating animals.

    He admitted that he did the bad thing of looking at and sharing pictures and videos of children being hurt.
    The crimes Britton committed were extremely terrible and shocking. Chief Justice Michael Grant asked the public and security staff to leave the courtroom before the prosecutors explained the details of the case, which is not something that happens often.

    He said, “These facts are extremely disturbing and cruel. They are disturbing and distressing, and in my opinion, they have the potential to cause extreme emotional shock. ”

    Many of the information about Britton’s wrongdoing are also too horrible to be made public.

    The prosecutors explained in court that Britton, who allowed Attenborough to film at his place for the BBC show Life in Cold Blood, has a strong sexual interest in animals, especially dogs, for a long time.

    Britton’s wife Erin, who works with animals and once met Prince Harry, recently found out about her husband’s troubling daydreams. It is said that she has now decided to change her last name.

    Britton not only hurt and did bad things to his own pets Ursa and Bolt, who he made an Instagram page for, but also to dogs from pet owners he tricked through the online marketplace Gumtree Australia.

    In simpler terms, the court heard that Britton used Gumtree Australia to find pet owners in the Darwin area who were giving away their pets because they couldn’t take care of them anymore. This was usually because of work or travel reasons.
    If the people who used to own the pets asked Britton for news about their pets, he would lie and say they were doing well and send them old pictures.

    In one situation, Britton told the owners of a big brown dog that the animal was doing well and getting comfortable.

    But without the previous owners knowing, the dog had already been through terrible experiences, like being used for sex, tortured, and killed.

    Britton, who was raised in West Yorkshire in the UK before moving to Australia 20 years ago, used to post videos and pictures of himself sexually abusing dogs on online forums using fake names.

    On Monday, prosecutors told the court that he had an account on Telegram. He used this account to connect with people who had similar thoughts. He also had another account where he shared pictures and videos of the abuse.

    He had 114 stories about how he got the pets and treated them badly.

    Britton was accused of a crime last year, but his name was kept secret by the courts so that the media wouldn’t influence the jury to have a negative opinion of him.

    The order was cancelled after he admitted his guilt on Monday. He has been kept in jail since that time.

    He will go back to court on December 13 for the final stage of his trial, where his punishment will be discussed.

  • Omanhene Kwabena warns Black Sherif over criticizing the gov’t without facts

    Omanhene Kwabena warns Black Sherif over criticizing the gov’t without facts

    Prominent Ghanaian media personality, Omanhene Kwabena Asante, has issued a stern warning to Black Sherif, advising him to refrain from delving into government matters if he lacks accurate information.

    Omanhene Kwabena Asante criticized the singer for rebuking President Akufo-Addo over what he deemed an innocuous statement made during the recent United Nations General Debate in New York.

    During the conference, President Akufo-Addo advocated for the return of $88 billion to the African continent as reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. He also highlighted that African nations lose more than $88 billion annually due to illicit financial flows.

    “You’re keeping our $88 billion and still calling us corrupt. Yes, those monies too must be returned to the continent. It is difficult to understand why the recipient countries are comfortable retaining such funds while labeling those countries, from which the money is taken as corrupt,” Akufo-Addo told the Assembly.

    In reaction to this, Black Sherif, in a quest to add his voice to the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest, claimed that the president asked for an insanely huge amount of money from developed countries during the United Nations conference in New York.

    Blacko, in a bid to chide the government for its lack of accountability after securing such huge sums, said there is no evidence for all the monies the government has asked and received from countless institutions.

    “Left the UN Conference in New York City right after the president of Ghana’s presentation. I’ve never heard a figure like what he asked for from the UN. So, if they carry all this money give dem, where them dey take pass? Hand on my heart I dey tell you there’s no evidence for all the monies these people dey borrow in our name. And if the people, whose struggles you document to go ask for money, want accountability, you send Koti make they dey beat them? Lord knows this battle is Ours. Wonna go hear am,” he wrote on Twitter.

    Omanhene Kwabena disagrees with him on all counts, despite the fact that his tweet received praise from some members of the public, particularly the protesters.

    “He is just joining the bandwagon. Does he know what that money is being used for? Oh no! he shouldn’t just be saying things like this. He said there is no evidence of what they are borrowing the money for and that is not even true. There is no evidence? If there is no evidence, what about the hospital projects NDC built and NPP came to complete? If you’re not satisfied with the pace of development, is different from saying that there is nothing to show for the loans we take.

    “Does he think MPs are clueless? He might not be happy with the pace of development but he shouldn’t lie. It is not a fact. Do you think if we didn’t utilize the loans, they would’ve kept giving us? Let’s be fair to ourselves. Let’s follow the principle. If you don’t understand the system, take your time and understand it. It is not a music scene. He is misrepresenting the facts.,” he fumed during a discussion on Adom FM.

    “The president was addressing some people and clearly, he didn’t understand the context. He should be careful, very careful. Very very careful. This is a critical issue,” he fumed.

  • 26 Russian drones shot down by Ukraine

    26 Russian drones shot down by Ukraine

    Russia bombed a Ukrainian port called Izmail, where they export a lot of grain. The attack hurt two people and caused damage to the buildings and structures there.

    A port building, places to store things, and more than 30 trucks and cars were broken in the attack. It lasted for more than two hours, according to Oleh Kiper, the governor of the Odesa region.

    The Ukrainian military claims that it destroyed 26 out of the 38 attack drones made in Iran that they believe were sent by Russia.

    Moscow has increased its air attacks on ports in Ukraine that are on the Danube River, like Izmail and Reni. This happened because they ended a grain agreement in July that used to protect the export of Ukrainian grains.

    On Tuesday, a Russian missile strike caused damage to a local business in the southern Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, according to Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul.

    A drone from Ukraine attacked Russia’s Kursk, which caused power to be shut off in about seven towns nearby. The governor of the region, Roman Starovoyt, mentioned this on Tuesday.

    Earlier, the defence ministry of Russia announced that they used their air defence systems to shoot down a drone that was launched by Ukraine. This happened near the Kursk at approximately 5:30 in the morning.

    After many drones were shot down over the area near Ukraine, reports about it started to come out.

    Yesterday, Russian missiles were launched at Ukraine’s port city of Odessa while the city’s Jewish community was celebrating Yom Kippur, a holy day.

    Fighters attacked the famous Hotel Odessa, which was being used as a place to train soldiers. The fire caused by the attack caused severe damage to the building.

    Some people saw Russia shoot many missiles at the Black Sea port for more than an hour. They said it was a constant attack.

  • Samini labels Sarkodie as disrespectful

    Samini labels Sarkodie as disrespectful

    Reggae and Dancehall artist Samini has once again criticized rapper Sarkodie, describing him as disrespectful and two-faced. 

    Samini expressed his disappointment with Sarkodie’s behavior, particularly in relation to collaborations with older artists.

     In an interview on The Day Show with host Berla Mundi, Samini disclosed that he had approached Sarkodie for a collaboration, but he found Sarkodie’s response to be unsatisfactory. 

    When questioned further about the matter, Samini alleged that Sarkodie had evaded the topic.

    “You can’t take Samini lightly anyhow,” he asserted during the interview. “Until he shows remorse and comes to me to say, be like the way I do Badman ‘I be like ano try, Badman vex and come and make ano say, ano try,” he said.

    During his conversation with Berla Mundi, Samini further stated, “until then he and I, we are not on good terms… He is a two-faced person who pretends in public that I don’t know what I’m saying on Twitter when I actually know what I am saying, and then I come and ask you questions, and you can’t answer.”

    Samini stressed the significance of showing respect to older artists in the industry, especially for emerging talents. He aimed to convey a message to young artists that disrespect should not be condoned, particularly when established artists seek collaboration.

    “I want young artists to know that it’s not okay to be disrespectful. When you’re asked about something, don’t try to mislead people and make them think the complainer is making things up,” Samini explained.

    “I responded to him based on how he treated me before, which made me doubt his respect for legends like myself. Having a ‘blue tick’ doesn’t mean I should assume you respect me after you’ve played games with me, despite my quick response to your requests.“

    This public dispute is a continuation of Samini’s previous grievances regarding Sarkodie’s lack of response to his collaboration request for the 2021 Burning-EP. When asked about it in a radio interview, Sarkodie dismissed the topic.

    Samini revealed that he had provided his contribution to the track “Love Rock” for free, but when he sought Sarkodie’s assistance, he was met with non-cooperation.

  • Video: #OcuppyJulorbiHouse protesters compose “Bad old man” song for Akufo-Addo

    Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the Convener of the #FixTheCountry group, was released from custody at the Railways Police Station after being illegally detained. He and 48 others were arrested on September 21 during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest, which aimed to sit-in at the Jubilee House, the seat of the presidency.

    After hours of legal efforts, bail was secured for Barker-Vormawor and several other protesters who had been detained without proper justification. A video captured the moment of his release, during which he and some companions were seen singing a Twi song expressing their sentiments about the state of Ghana. Barker-Vormawor shouted “people,” and his compatriots responded with “power,” reflecting their determination and resilience.

    The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests were organized by the Democracy Hub, with a focus on addressing the economic crisis and corruption in Ghana. The arrests of the protesters, including Barker-Vormawor, prompted criticism regarding the infringement of their constitutional right to protest and allegations of police heavy-handedness.

    The police initially claimed that the arrests were justified because the protesters were allegedly defying a court injunction, which the protesters contested, stating that the injunction had not been properly served.

    By the end of the day, most of the illegally detained protesters had been released on bail. The situation remained uncertain for the following day of the protest targeting the Jubilee House.

    This incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the right to protest and freedom of expression in Ghana, as well as concerns about the handling of such protests by law enforcement agencies. It also underscores the importance of civil liberties and the rule of law in democratic societies.

  • Mohammed Kudus names Stonebwoy as his favourite artiste

    Mohammed Kudus names Stonebwoy as his favourite artiste

    West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus has selected afrobeat and dancehall sensation Stonebwoy as his favourite artiste.

    During a Q&A session with the club’s media, the 23-year-old took part and answered some personal queries.

    When asked about his favourite musician, Kudus immediately named Stonebwoy and said he could listen to the song “Life is a journey” nonstop.

    Kudus signed a five-year contract and moved from Ajax Amsterdam to West Ham in August.

    Prior to the September international break, the young playmaker made his Premier League debut as a substitute in the Hammers’ 2-1 victory over Luton Town.

    In their 3-1 loss to Manchester City, Kudus once more came off the bench. Then, in their Europa League debut against Backa Topola, Kudus was the star player and scored two goals.

    As you may remember, West Ham purposefully used songs performed by Ghanaian musicians during the unveiling of Kudus.

    Guvna B, a Ghanaian rapper who lives in the UK, wrote and performed the official song for the player’s unveiling.

    On the Hammers’ TikTok page, which included songs by Stonebwoy and King Promise, Ghanaian music continued to rule.

    West Ham’s TikTok video welcoming Kudus to the team featured the international smash “Terminator” by King Promise.

    Another video featured a football player posing for pictures wearing a West Ham shirt while the background music from Stonebwoy’s “Into the future” played in the background.

    Stonebwoy also paid Kudus a visit in April while he was still a student at Ajax to perform some of the songs from his 5th Dimension album before it was made public.