Author: Chris Kodo

  • One team capable of contending with Manchester City for Premier League championship – David Silva

    One team capable of contending with Manchester City for Premier League championship – David Silva

    David Silva thinks that Arsenal is the only team that can compete with Manchester City for the Premier League championship this year.

    Mikel Arteta’s team was Manchester City’s main competition last season, but they didn’t perform well towards the end of the season and finished five points behind Pep Guardiola’s team. Manchester City ended up winning three major trophies.

    Manchester United came in third place last season, but their start this season has been up and down. Newcastle United finished in the Champions League spot last season, but they have not been doing well so far this season with three losses in their first four games.

    Arsenal has won three games and recently added Declan Rice to their midfield. Silva believes that with this new addition, Arsenal will give tough competition to City this season.

    Silva said that the City team has some incredible players.
    This is Pep’s eighth year at City. In the beginning, he was getting used to the Premier League, but now they are almost impossible to stop.

    Arsenal is the only team I think that might have a chance of challenging City. The others I doubt they are able to do it.

    I saw most of City’s games in the Champions League last year. Even though I couldn’t win it when I was there, I am really happy that the club was able to win it.

    ‘They should have it because they earned it. The club should win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. The supporters also deserve the team to achieve all three titles, which is known as the Treble. It was a great accomplishment.

  • Elikem lauds Pokello for taking good care of their son

    Elikem lauds Pokello for taking good care of their son

    Elikem Kumorzdie, a renowned Ghanaian fashion designer, has praised his former spouse, Pokello Nare, for her excellent care of their son. The couple tied the knot in 2016 but divorced two years later due to insurmountable issues. At the time of their separation, they had recently welcomed their son, Tristan, who Pokello took back to her homeland, Zimbabwe.

    Despite their divorce, Elikem and Pokello have been successfully co-parenting and nurturing their son together.

     Elikem emphasized that he maintains constant communication with their child when discussing their relationship. 

    In an interview with GhanaWebTV’s Talkertainment, Elikem commended Pokello for her exceptional parenting skills, underscoring that they are now in a more stable financial and emotional position. Consequently, he expressed that he no longer feels pressured to cover their son’s expenses and can allocate resources to other pursuits.

    “Pokello is flexing small but it’s all good. We communicate about the boy and I am trying to get him into piano lessons. But for some reasons I am not getting through her too much to get the boy lessons. However, our communication is smooth.

    “I am supposed to be sending some money every month but I think that they are in a better space now. Not to think that they are okay without me sending it though but I think that they are doing okay.

    “I can also focus here and rather channel the energy into visiting the boy a lot. I want to see him twice a year or maybe once a year or travel him down with whoever can come with him and set him up.

    “She is doing an amazing job with the boy and I always applaud her for it. Because if she isn’t taking care of him the way she is, it will put a lot of pressure on me. I really really do appreciate Pokello for looking out for me and our son.

    “The last time I was in South Africa, I flew him in with Pokello’s personal assistant and we spent a whole week together. We did ziplining, balling, and so on. I love my boy. He is my first child and he broke the line for me with unconditional love,” he said.

  • Manchester United denies lying about alleged abuse of Antony

    Manchester United denies lying about alleged abuse of Antony

    Manchester United have strongly denied claims that they tried to hide Antony’s allegations of abuse, stating that these claims are completely untrue.

    Antony’s ex-girlfriend, Gabriela Cavallin, claims that he has physically harmed her multiple times when they were together in Manchester and Brazil.

    Cavallin also claims that a support officer for the player, who was working for United, contacted a club doctor after she was assaulted by Antony at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in January.

    United have said that someone from their staff arranged for a private doctor to see Cavallin after Antony asked, but they say that the club’s own medical team did not treat her.

    United said: ‘It’s absolutely not true that the club tried to hide these allegations. ‘
    Antony won’t be playing for Brazil in their games against Bolivia and Peru because of some accusations made against him.

    United are feeling pressured to do the same, but they haven’t announced that Antony, who they bought for £85 million from Ajax last year, will be stopped from playing while the police investigate.

    Manchester United said on Wednesday that they are aware of the accusations against Antony and that the Police are investigating.

    The club will not say anything else until they learn more information.

    ‘We are a club that is treating this issue seriously, as we understand how the allegations and the following news reports can affect abuse survivors. ’
    Antony said that he and Cavallin have a very troubled relationship, but he has denied the accusations of physically hurting Cavallin.

    Antony said on his Instagram that he had to talk about the lies people have accused him of because he wants to show respect to his fans, friends, and family.

    I have taken this issue seriously and respectfully. I have answered the police’s questions and provided the necessary information. The investigation done by the police is being protected by the principles of fairness, so I can’t share what it involves with the public.

    But I am certain that the accusations are untrue and the evidence already shown and yet to be shown prove that I didn’t do what I’m accused of. I have a connection with Ms. Gabriela was chaotic, with hurtful words from both sides, but I never used any physical violence.

    Whenever she speaks, either in a testimony or an interview, she tells a different story about the accusations.

    So, I want to say that I disagree with the accusations and I am ready to help the Brazilian authorities with any information they need. I believe the police investigations will show that I am innocent.

    Cavallin gave a detailed account to Brazilian authorities in June, stating that Antony had assaulted, physically hurt, and threatened them.

    Antony is being accused of hitting Cavallin with his head, causing her to have a cut on her head that had to be treated by a doctor.

    Cavallin says she got hit in the chest by the United player and it hurt her silicone breast implant, so she had to get it fixed with surgery.

    Antony is also accused of saying he would kill Cavallin during a phone call on May 20th. This happened on the same day he played in United’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League.

    The police in Greater Manchester are aware of the accusations that have been made. They are still investigating to find out exactly what happened.

  • Malagasy leader to run for re-election despite citizenship dispute

    Malagasy leader to run for re-election despite citizenship dispute

    Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina said he plans to run for president again in November. Some people are trying to stop him from participating in the election, but he will still go ahead with his campaign.

    In June of this year, secret documents showed that Mr. Rajoelina, his wife, and children became French citizens in 2014.

    After the news came out, some leaders and people from Madagascar started doubting his honesty and loyalty to their country. Madagascar used to be a French colony until 1960.

    Critics also say that in this country, having citizenship in two countries is not allowed. If someone gets citizenship in another country, they lose their citizenship in this country and cannot run for president.

    However Mr Rajoelina, who became the president after winning the election in late 2018, disagrees with this and says that the constitution does not prevent people with dual citizenship from running for presidency.

    Over 20 people are participating in the elections that will take place on November 9th on an island in the Indian Ocean.

  • Rwanda police apprehends suspected serial killer after bodies discovered in kitchen

    Rwanda police apprehends suspected serial killer after bodies discovered in kitchen

    The police in Rwanda caught a 34-year-old person they think may be a serial killer. They believe this person has killed over 10 individuals and hid their bodies in the kitchen.

    The police found out about the possible crime when the man was removed from the place he was living in Kicukiro, a nearby area of the main city, Kigali.

    They were contacted because the suspect hadn’t paid rent for many months.

    A police officer told the news that it seemed like the people who got hurt were people who had sex for money. They had both males and females.

    According to an unnamed police official, a man resisted eviction when the officers came to remove him on Monday.

    He said sorry and cried a lot, so we started to wonder why. He admitted to killing people at the police station, so the Rwanda Investigation Bureau started looking into it, according to the official.

    Several dead bodies have been found, but the exact number will be known after further investigations by forensic experts, according to Thierry Murangira, a spokesperson for the Rwanda Investigation Bureau.

    “He would deceive his victims, who were mostly prostitutes, into coming to his house. Once they were there, he would steal their phones and belongings, and then kill them by choking them. He would bury their bodies in a hole he had dug in the kitchen of the house he rented,” explained Mr.

    The man was said to have been arrested in July for possibly stealing, assaulting, and scaring some women. However, he was let go because there wasn’t enough proof.

    Rwandans are very surprised and upset on social media because of some news that came out on Wednesday.

  • Palestinians specify conditions for approving historic Saudi-Israeli agreement

    Palestinians specify conditions for approving historic Saudi-Israeli agreement

    The Palestinians want a lot of money and more power over the land in the West Bank if the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Israel work together.

    Officials from the Palestinian Authority (PA) met with Saudi representatives in Riyadh on Wednesday for discussions.

    They were also going to meet American officials.

    Many people believe that for a long time, Americans have been working towards an important agreement to make Israel and Saudi Arabia have more normal and friendly relations.

    It means that Washington would support and financially back it, and it would involve an important agreement on security that the Saudis are trying to make with the US. However, there are many obstacles that make it difficult to reach these agreements, and they may not happen anytime soon.

    White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that we shouldn’t expect any immediate announcements or significant advancements in the near future.

    But, because there is potential for big changes in the relationships between countries in the Middle East, people are still wondering about the specific details of any agreement. American diplomats have been traveling to places like Riyadh, Amman, and Jerusalem to talk and negotiate with officials there.
    US President Joe Biden will probably view a Saudi-Israel agreement as a significant achievement in his foreign policy. He sees it as an opportunity to impress voters before the upcoming election next year.

    Saudi Arabia is a powerful country among the Arab and Muslim nations. It has never officially acknowledged Israel since it was formed in 1948.

    Last month, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that we are going to see a very important change in history.

    However, any agreement would be highly disputed and cause disagreement among people.

    Saudi Arabia wants advanced weapons from the US and a nuclear program that includes uranium enrichment in exchange for recognizing Israel.

    Israel wants to have good trade and defense relationships with the Gulf superpower and become more connected to the region. This is because they have been trying to integrate themselves into the area, which other Arab countries have also recently done.

    These agreements mostly deal with keeping things safe and assisting in buying and selling goods. In 2023, Saudi Arabia also wants to be part of this, according to Diana Buttu, a former legal adviser to the Palestinian negotiating team during peace talks with Israel.

    In order for an agreement to be successful, it must include significant compromises from Israel that benefit the Palestinians.

    Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who essentially runs the country, has to calm down the people of Saudi Arabia – who have traditionally not liked Israel and are very supportive of the Palestinian cause.

    Meanwhile, President Biden also needs to show that he has made important progress for the Palestinians in order to receive support from his Democratic Party. A lot of people in the party don’t like the idea of giving benefits to Saudi Arabia because of their bad human rights record and their involvement in the war in Yemen. They also don’t like the idea of giving a reward to Israel’s current government, which they think is making things worse in the West Bank and causing a lot of problems in Israel too.

    A group of important Palestinian officials, including two men who are very close to President Mahmoud Abbas, met with the Saudi national security adviser in Riyadh. The officials are Majed Faraj, the intelligence chief of the Palestinian Authority, and Hussein al-Sheikh, the secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

    They gave a list of things they wanted in order to participate in the American-supported process. This happened during a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf last week in Amman. The Palestinian official said to the BBC that they have some things they want, such as certain requests or requirements.

    Moving some areas of the West Bank, which are currently controlled completely by Israel (called Area C under Oslo peace agreements in the 1990s), to be governed by the Palestinian Authority.
    Israeli settlement growth in the West Bank coming to a full stop.
    Saudi Arabia is starting to give money again to the Palestinian Authority (PA) after reducing and stopping it completely three years ago. They will give around $200m (£160m) every year.
    The US consulate in Jerusalem, which was closed by President Donald Trump, will now be reopened. This consulate is a diplomatic office that works with the Palestinians.
    Starting again the discussions between Israel and the Palestinians that were put on hold by former Secretary of State John Kerry in 2014, with the help of the US.

    These changes are very important – the Americans think that the Palestinians are asking for too much. But the unofficial Palestinian stance on Saudi-Israel normalisation is very different from their official position. The official position is that they completely reject normalisation unless it leads to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

    This text talks about the Arab Peace Initiative, a plan from Saudi Arabia in 2002. The plan offered to recognize Israel if Israel gives back the territories it took and allows Palestine to have their own state in the West Bank and Gaza, with its capital in East Jerusalem.

    MsButtu says that the current approach shows that the Palestinian leadership is in a difficult situation.

    “Palestinians mostly do not want to participate in any of these normalization deals because the support from the Arab world is the only thing we have left,” she explained.

    We were told that we cannot fight back using violence. We are informed that we cannot use the law to ask for the occupation to stop. “We are being told that we are not allowed to participate in boycotts, divestment, and sanction actions. ”

    The Palestinian Authority is now considering whether they should try to make their demands heard and achieved or continue to ignore them like they did in 2020. Regardless of what they choose, Ms. Buttu believes they will fail either way.

    In 2020, three Arab nations – the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco – made agreements to have normal relations with Israel. These deals were arranged by the United States, led by President Trump. Another country, Sudan, also promised to work towards having a friendly relationship with Israel that same year. But things stopped because people in the country disagreed, and then there was a military takeover the next year.

    This was considered a big change in the relationship between old enemies in the Middle East. It included improvements in diplomacy, trade, and security connections. But people who criticize the situation pointed out that the United States also offered tempting benefits, such as giving Arab autocratic governments access to high-quality weapons made in America.

    At the time, the Palestinian Authority was excluded from talks because it refused to have diplomatic relations with the United States. This was in response to President Trump’s peace plan that heavily favored Israel and his decision to relocate the US embassy to Jerusalem. The PA thought that the normalisation deals were a betrayal of unity among Arab countries.

    Instead, another important Palestinian leader suggested that engaging with the Saudis at this time could be a way to remind Riyadh about the Arab Peace Initiative’s main goal – which is the creation of a separate Palestinian state. This way, the Palestinians wouldn’t be left out of the entire process.

    However, if the Palestinian leadership decides to get involved, it may face major risks because they are already disliked by their own people. This is especially true if the benefits of getting involved are seen as unimportant or insignificant.

    After the UAE-Israel normalization in 2020, most Palestinians believed that the deal was a betrayal of their cause and only benefited Israel.

    If Israel gives in to the Palestinians, the ultranationalists in Mr. Netanyahu’s group will likely say no, which will make it even harder to reach an agreement. Earlier this year, Mr. Netanyahu ignored the concessions made by the Palestinians, considering them just as something to mark off a list. He believed these concessions would not be included in any meaningful discussions between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

  • Ukraine war: US to provide depleted uranium tank shells to Kyiv

    Ukraine war: US to provide depleted uranium tank shells to Kyiv

    The US will be giving Ukraine weapons that some people disagree with. This is part of more than $1bn in help, including military and humanitarian aid.

    Russia criticized the decision to give American Abrams tanks ammunition that can penetrate regular tank armor.

    They are made of a stuff called depleted uranium, which is left over after removing most of the harmful stuff from uranium.

    During the night, it was reported that drones from Ukraine were believed to have attacked the Russian cities of Rostov-on-Don and near Moscow.

    A video that has not been proven to be true showed what seemed to be an explosion in the middle of Rostov. The Governor, Vasily Golubev, said that one person was slightly hurt and a few cars were harmed.

    The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, has said that a drone aimed at the town of Ramenskoye was destroyed, and there was no harm or damage caused.

    The announcement of a new security plan for Ukraine was made when Antony Blinken, a senior American diplomat, visited Kyiv. This made Russia very angry.

    The US is giving Ukraine $175 million worth of military equipment, including special bullets for M1 Abrams tanks. These bullets are made of uranium and will be given to Ukraine when they receive the tanks later this year.

    The rounds are made from a type of waste called depleted uranium. Depleted uranium is left over after making nuclear fuel or weapons from naturally occurring uranium. The International Atomic Energy Agency says that it cannot cause a nuclear reaction and is much less radioactive than natural uranium.

    Depleted uranium is a very dense material that can be used to make tanks stronger. It is also commonly used for making weapons because it is very heavy and can penetrate regular tank armor.

    These shells get sharper when they hit, which helps them pierce through armor better, and they catch fire when they touch something.

    Russia got very upset when the UK said they were sending depleted uranium shells to Ukraine for their tanks.

    When President Vladimir Putin said the weapons had a “nuclear component”, the UK Ministry of Defence said they had been using depleted uranium in their armor-piercing shells for a long time. They also accused Moscow of purposefully spreading false information.

    The UN group studying the effects of radiation says that exposure to depleted uranium doesn’t cause major poisoning. However, another UN agency warns that people who handle pieces of depleted uranium ammunition might face a risk of radiation.

    The US changed its decision from March when the Pentagon said it would not send any depleted uranium weapons to Ukraine.

    A US government official told the Politico news website that the US has decided to send weapons to Ukraine specifically for arming their Abrams tanks because they believe it is the most effective way to do so.

    John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, said that they are a very common type of weapon.

    The US will also give anti-tank weapons, navigation systems for aircraft, and more ammunition for Himars missiles.

    Mr Blinken said that this new assistance will provide support and help make it even better and more successful.

    The Russian embassy in Washington criticized the decision, calling it a sign of cruelty. They also said that the US was fooling itself by not acknowledging the failure of the Ukrainian military’s counter-attack.

    Since June, Ukraine has not made significant progress in regaining its territories in the counter-offensive. However, Ukrainian military leaders say they have managed to break through Russia’s strong first line of defense in the southern region.

    Last Wednesday, a group of 16 people, which also included a child, were killed in an attack on the city of Kostyantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine.

    Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, accused Moscow of the attack, but Russia has not responded yet.

  • Stonebwoy unveils date for “5th Dimension album” tour across Australia, Europe, UK

    Stonebwoy unveils date for “5th Dimension album” tour across Australia, Europe, UK

    Ghanaian dancehall star Stonebwoy has officially set a date for the 5th Dimension UK and Europe tour after North American success

    Following a triumphant North America tour, Stonebwoy, the award-winning reggae, dancehall, and afropop artist, has revealed new tour dates spanning Australia, Europe, and the UK.

    The tour kicks off in Perth, Australia, on October 1st and includes stops in Brescia, Italy (October 14th), Amsterdam, Netherlands (October 15th), and a series of performances in Berlin, Hamburg, and Dusseldorf, Germany (October 19th, 20th, and 21st). The tour concludes in the UK with consecutive shows in Manchester, Birmingham, and London on October 26th, 27th, and 29th.

    Before these events, Stonebwoy will headline the Promiseland Festival in Australia this month. Throughout the tour, he will entertain audiences with tracks from his extensive repertoire, notably featuring songs from his groundbreaking “5th Dimension” album, along with beloved fan favorites.

    On April 28th, Stonebwoy released his fifth studio album, “5th Dimension,” marking his debut under the Universal Music Group’s Def Jam Recordings division. The album is a fusion of various genres, including Afrobeats, reggae, dancehall, amapiano, folk, and more, with a predominant inclination towards pop themes. “5th Dimension” represents an artistic evolution for Stonebwoy, showcasing his growth and willingness to explore new musical frontiers.

    Over the past eight months, Stonebwoy has been incredibly active, managing multiple projects, collaborations, philanthropic initiatives, extensive touring, and personal endeavors. This tireless dedication has solidified his position as one of the industry’s most influential and respected musicians. His North America leg of the “5th Dimension” tour left a trail of sold-out shows and enthralled audiences. Each tour stop, including Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Detroit, Atlanta, Washington, New York, and more, witnessed a remarkable display of musical excellence.

    Born as Livingstone Satekla, Stonebwoy has been a dominant figure in Ghana’s pop music scene since 2012. His extensive collection of commercially successful tracks blends elements of Afropop, dancehall, and reggae, creating a unique and captivating musical signature.

  • Woman in critical condition following Donegal pub accident

    Woman in critical condition following Donegal pub accident

    A lady is in a bad condition after a car crashed into a seating area outside a pub in Donegal Town, in the Republic of Ireland.

    The police and ambulance services went to Tirchonaill Street around 7:50pm on Wednesday evening.

    Two females and one male, who are in their 60s, and were sitting outside the pub, were brought to Letterkenny University Hospital.

    The Irish police, called Gardaí, said that one of the women is being treated for severe injuries.

    The man and the other woman got hurt, but the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, according to the police.

    The police said they are still investigating and asked anyone with information to please come forward.
    People in the town were very surprised and didn’t expect what happened.

    Independent councillor Tom Conaghan told BBC News NI that he and the local community were really surprised by the incident on Wednesday.

    He said the town is very busy during this time of year. Many bars and restaurants in the town center are filled with people.

    “He said there are many tour buses here right now. The town is full of tourists and locals enjoying the nice weather. ”

    Mr Conaghan expressed his concern and sympathy for the three people who are currently injured.

  • I will not withdraw from the NPP primaries – Kennedy Agyapong

    I will not withdraw from the NPP primaries – Kennedy Agyapong

    The Ken Agyapong 2024 team has released an official statement to dismiss claims and rumors suggesting that their candidate, Kennedy Agyapong, intends to withdraw from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer race.

    Dated September 7, 2023, the statement unequivocally states that there are no plans for such a withdrawal, and Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, remains steadfast in his aspiration to lead the party.

    The statement goes on to clarify that these rumors have surfaced in the wake of the withdrawal of one of the leading contenders in the race, former Minister of Trade and Industry Alan Kyerematen.

    “Our attention has been drawn to a rumor making the rounds particularly on social media that Honourable Ken Ohene Agyapong will soon be announcing his withdrawal from the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP’s) Presidential primaries scheduled for November 4 this year. The rumor comes in the wake of the withdrawal of Honorable John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen from the race on Monday.

    “We wish to state unequivocally that Honourable Ken Ohene Agyapong is committed to staying in the race, and at no point has he contemplated withdrawing from the contest,” the statement said.

    Additionally, in the Ken Agyapong 2024 statement, they urged all supporters of the Member of Parliament to remain dedicated to the campaign efforts and actively contribute to securing victory.

    Making reference to Kennedy Agyapong’s use of the term ‘showdown’ during the party’s Super Delegates Conference on Saturday, August 26, 2023, the statement encouraged its supporters to stand firm and not waver in their commitment.

    “We wish to assure all our teeming supporters that the Ken Ohene Agyapong campaign team is putting in place all the necessary strategies to ensure a ‘Showdown’ come November 4,” it added.

    Ultimately, the statement urged all to disregard rumours.

    “We therefore call on the general public especially our teeming supporters and cherished delegates of the NPP to disregard the rumor and treat with utmost contempt any news or message that purports the withdrawal of Ken from the race,” it said.

  • Tanzania allegedly prevents European MPs from visiting country

    Tanzania allegedly prevents European MPs from visiting country

    Three politicians from Europe claim that the Tanzanian government has stopped them from going to the country to look into the forced removals of the native Maasai people.

    The three members of the Green Party, Michele Rivasi, Claude Gruffat, and Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, said that they were supposed to start their visit on Monday but they were told less than 24 hours before that it had been delayed.

    They said it was the third time that they were not allowed to go on a mission to observe something since the end of last year.

    The Maasai say they were kicked out of their traditional home in the northern part of the country without their consent.

    The government says that the people who live in this area have chosen to move on their own, because it is important to protect the environment.

  • Gabon coup leaders: Former president Ali Bongo freed

    Gabon coup leaders: Former president Ali Bongo freed

    Gabon’s military leaders have said that they released President Ali Bongo from being confined at his home. He had been under house arrest since the military took control of the country last week.

    This means you can go to another country for medical check-ups.

    He had a serious health problem in 2018, and many people were worried about his health before the 2023 presidential election.

    The military took control just after he was announced as the winner of the election, which was argued by the opposition.

    The decision to release Mr Bongo comes after pressure from nearby countries and a regional group called Eccas.

    In a message on TV, a military representative named Col Ulrich Manfoumbi said that they released Mr Bongo because he was not in good health.

    “He can go to another country for medical check-ups if he wants,” he said.

    Mr Bongo took over as the leader of the oil-rich country in 2009 after his father had been ruling for 41 years.

    The takeover by force has been strongly criticized in Africa and the Western countries, including France, the previous ruling authority that had close connections with the Bongo family. Gabon cannot be a part of the African Union anymore.

    After the takeover, Mr Bongo quickly made a video asking his supporters from all over the world to “make noise”.

    General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the coup, became the temporary president on Monday. He promised to let normal people govern the country again after fair elections, but he didn’t say when this would happen.

    Earlier this week, the military group freed more political prisoners. One of them is Jean Rémi Yama, who is a pro-democracy activist and the leader of a strong trade union organization.

  • NPP Primaries: Take inspiration from Kyerematen and pull out  – Prof Sarpong to Addaih Nimoh,Afriyie Akoto

    NPP Primaries: Take inspiration from Kyerematen and pull out – Prof Sarpong to Addaih Nimoh,Afriyie Akoto

    Senior Research Fellow Professor Smart Sarpong, from Kumasi Technical University, has provided counsel to Dr. Afriyie Akoto, the former Minister of Food and Agriculture and a hopeful candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer position, as well as his competitor, Addai-Nimoh.

    Professor Sarpong advised them to thoroughly assess their chances in the competition and contemplate withdrawing if they believe their prospects are limited. This guidance follows Alan Kyerematen’s recent decision to withdraw from the NPP’s flagbearer race, citing intimidation and other factors.

    During a panel discussion on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on September 6, 2023, Professor Sarpong recommended that Dr. Afriyie Akoto and Addaih Nimoh draw inspiration from Kyerematen’s actions and engage in a self-evaluation of their potential in the race.

    He underscored the significance of recognizing one’s strengths and level of preparedness when entering the political arena. Professor Sarpong encouraged the candidates to carefully evaluate their capacity to secure a victory in the competition and, if it appears insufficient, to contemplate stepping aside.

    “In fact, last week I said that the fourth and fifth aspirants (Afriyie Akoto and Addaih Nimoh) should also look at themselves and do tactical alignment, and I will plead that based on what Chief (Alan Kyerematen) has done, they should draw their minds onto a serious assessment,” Professor Sarpong stated.

    “They should sit down and reflect on their chances in the competition, and if they realize that it isn’t encouraging, then the best way for them is to pull out. They should step aside because the goal is to go and win. So, if you check your strength and preparation and you realize that can’t guarantee you a win, then they should do an assessment and use guidance from passages like Luke Chapter 14, verses 18 to 32. Everyone going for a battle must prepare very well and know what to do. So, if you check and that won’t help you, then you should step aside.”

    On September 5, 2023, Alan Kyerematen formally declared his withdrawal from the race, citing a range of reasons for his decision. Among these reasons was the alleged intimidation of delegates that occurred during the Super Delegates Conference held on August 26, 2023.

  • DR Congo waives its visa requirement for Kenyans

    DR Congo waives its visa requirement for Kenyans

    The Democratic Republic of Congo has decided that Kenyans no longer need a visa to travel there.

    The Director General of Migration in DR Congo, Roland Kashwantale Chihoza, made an announcement on Wednesday.

    Kenya has waived requirements for people from Congo visiting their country. And in return, Congo has done the same for people from Kenya visiting their country.

    Kenya said it was getting rid of obstacles to let people move freely and promote trade within the East African Community (EAC).

    DR Congo joined the EAC as its seventh member last year.

  • J-pop agency’s head steps down over sexual abuse

    J-pop agency’s head steps down over sexual abuse

    The head of a popular talent agency in Japan has stepped down from his position after acknowledging the sexual abuse carried out by its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa.

    Julie Fujishima quit her job at Johnny and Associates on Thursday while publicly apologizing to the people her uncle harmed.

    She left a week after investigators discovered that Kitagawa abused young idols at his pop agency for a very long time.

    A documentary broadcasted by the BBC this year encouraged more people who had been abused to speak up about their experiences.

    Johnny Kitagawa passed away in 2019, and throughout his life, he always claimed that he didn’t do anything wrong. He was never accused or taken to court for anything.

    On Thursday, his niece and the previous leader, Ms. Fujishima, recognized the mistreatment for the very first time.

    She said that both the agency and she personally acknowledge that Johnny Kitagawa committed sexual abuse.

    I am very sorry to the people who were hurt by him.

    The local news showed some of the people who were hurt watching a press meeting, and some of them looked really mad.

    Kitagawa was possibly the most powerful person in Japan’s showbiz – his company has had complete control over Japanese boy bands for many years.

    There were rumors and some reports in the media about him being abusive for many years, but nothing was done about it. For many years, the majority of popular Japanese media did not talk about the claims, which led to accusations of the industry trying to hide the truth.

    In March, a TV show on BBC showed how Kitagawa had mistreated people. This made people in Japan talk about it and ask for a thorough investigation.

    The article also made more victims share their experiences. One of them was a famous J-pop star named Kauan Okamato, who said he had been sexually abused by Kitagawa starting from when he was 15 years old.

    In a recent report, investigators appointed by the agency said that the company’s family management caused the abuse to continue for many years. They also stated that Ms Fujishima, who has worked at the company for a long time, knew about the allegations but did not do anything to address them.

  • GES adjusts reopening date for SHS 1 students

    GES adjusts reopening date for SHS 1 students

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) has changed the reopening date for Senior High School (SHS) Form One students to September 25, 2023.

    A letter signed by Prince C. Agyemang-Duah, Acting Director of the Schools and Instructions Division of the GES, has informed all regional directors and school heads of this adjustment. Previously, the students were expected to resume on September 18, 2023.

    “By this letter, regional directors of education are requested to communicate this information to all heads of senior high and senior high technical schools to inform parents/guardians and students to take note of the new date and prepare accordingly,” it said.

    Mr. Agyemang-Duah clarified the reason behind the date change, citing concerns related to the double track system. He noted that maintaining the original date could overwhelm schools due to the large number of students.

    Moreover, he highlighted that as the final paper of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is slated for completion on September 26, the majority of the senior students would have already concluded their exams and departed from the school premises.

    As a result, the number of final year students present on September 25 would be reduced, effectively resolving any accommodation concerns.

    “So, after consultation with the Director-General of the GES, we agreed to shift the reopening date to September 25 to make room for the final year students to complete their examination,” he explained. 

    In January of this year, the Ghana Education Service (GES) unveiled the 2023 academic calendar for pre-tertiary institutions, encompassing kindergarten, primary, junior high, and senior high schools.

    The Transitional Academic Calendar for Double Track Senior High Schools (SHSs) outlined that Form Three students were to complete 1,360 contact hours, while Form Two students were to engage in 1,200 hours, and Form One students were to have 1,080 hours.

    According to this calendar, Form Three students were scheduled to return to school from January 10, 2023, until April 5, 2023, for the first term. Following this, they would enjoy a break from April 6, 2023, to April 16, 2023, with the second term commencing on April 17, 2023, and concluding on June 1, 2023.

    The final year students were then expected to vacate from June 2, 2023, to June 8, 2023, while the third term was set to run from June 9, 2023, to September 15, 2023, marking the culmination of the academic year.

    For Form Two students, their academic year commenced on January 10, 2023, and ran until February 17, 2023. Subsequently, they had a break from February 18, 2023, to April 10, 2023. The second term was scheduled from April 11, 2023, to June 1, 2023, followed by a vacation from June 2, 2023, to August 11, 2023. The third term was set to start from August 14, 2023, and conclude on November 30, 2023, marking the end of the academic year.

    As for all Form One students, their academic calendar initially spanned from February 20, 2023, to April 13, 2023, with a break from April 14, 2023, to June 8, 2023. The second term was slated to begin on June 9, 2023, and last until August 10, 2023, with a break from August 11, 2023, to September 17, 2023. The third term was originally planned for September 18, 2023, to November 30, 2023, concluding the academic year.

    In the case of single-track schools, Form Three students were expected to complete 1,360 contact hours, Form Two students 1,280 contact hours, and Form One students 1,120 contact hours. Form Three students’ first term started on January 10, 2023, and ended on April 5, 2023, with a break from April 6, 2023, to April 16, 2023. The second term was scheduled from April 17, 2023, to June 1, 2023. Following this, they had another break from June 2, 2023, to June 8, 2023, before commencing the third term from June 9, 2023, to September 15, 2023, marking the academic year’s conclusion.

    On the other hand, Form Two students’ first term began on January 10, 2023, and ran until April 5, 2023, followed by a break from April 6, 2023, to April 16, 2023. Their second term was set to start from August 17, 2023, and end on August 25, 2023.

    For Form One students in single-track schools, their first term was planned from February 20, 2023, to April 5, 2023, with a break from April 6, 2023, to April 16, 2023. The second term was scheduled from April 17, 2023, to September 15, 2023.

  • Kenya’s hard-won victories against malaria jeopardised by rising temperatures

    Kenya’s hard-won victories against malaria jeopardised by rising temperatures

    Mary Achieng’s family frequently stays in the malaria ward at Nightingale Hospital in western Kenya every month. During her trip in late August, she and her two sons, who are 4 and 12 years old, are receiving medical care. All three are getting better from a sickness that has caused a lot of damage in their area for a long time.

    Malaria has affected my family severely. I spend around $35 on medication every month. Then, the next month, someone gets sick again. “I’m currently at the hospital, my children are not at school, and I haven’t been able to start my business,” she said to CNN.

    Achieng lives in a place called Kisumu in Kenya. It’s a hot and sticky area near a lake, which is perfect for mosquitoes that spread malaria. She is one of 14 million people in Kenya who live in places where malaria is common. These people face the challenge of dealing with a disease that causes around 10,000 deaths in the country each year.

    There are worries that malaria is spreading to new places in the country. This is concerning because a new vaccine for mosquitoes is being developed, and people hope it will help get rid of the disease forever.

    The reason for something happening is climate change.

    Mosquitoes like warm and humid weather. The human-caused climate crisis is making heat waves and storms happen more often, creating more places for mosquitoes to breed.

    In Kenya, like in other parts of Africa, mosquitoes that spread malaria are causing problems for communities where malaria outbreaks used to be rare.

    Kenyan scientists from KEMRI are studying cases of malaria in people who haven’t traveled to areas where malaria was common before.

    This includes areas like the Kikuyu highlands, which are near the capital city Nairobi. Scientists recently discovered malaria-carrying mosquitoes there for the first time. According to a recent report, there has been a big rise in temperatures in the area. Over the past 60 years, it has warmed up by about 1. 3This increase could be one of the main reasons for the changes happening.

    Steve Ngugi, who lives in Kikuyu and is 45 years old, was surprised to find out in February that he had malaria even though he hadn’t been to a place where there is malaria. It was the first time in his life that he got the disease. He was very sick and scared for his life because of malaria for three months, since he had almost no protection against it. He felt very weak during this time.

    Gitahi Githinji, who works for the nonprofit organization Amref Health Africa in Nairobi, said that the way mosquitoes spread malaria is changing quickly because of global warming. “And we can see that the public health system is not ready for this sudden increase,” he said to CNN.

    This is a big problem in Africa. Africa has 95% of the cases of malaria. This disease kills over 600,000 people every year, and many of them are children.

    A new report discovered that mosquitoes that spread malaria are now flying at higher elevations in sub-Saharan Africa. On average, they are climbing 21 feet higher each year for the past 120 years. According to the report authors, it is a speed that happens as a result of climate change.

    Richard Munang, who works for the UN’s environmental agency, said that as cooler places are getting warmer, the mosquito population is growing and causing more cases of malaria in those areas.

    Experts are saying that the climate crisis is speeding up and that other continents are also in danger.

    Munang said that what is happening in Africa will slowly happen in other places too. This is because as the climate gets warmer and temperatures change, mosquitoes that carry malaria are moving to other places where they can survive well. He said that as the bugs go to new places, people will need to leave.

    We have good news about fighting malaria. Scientists and health experts have made progress in fighting the disease in the past 20 years by using different ways to prevent it.

    In Kenya, giving out bednets with insecticide and giving medicine to prevent malaria, along with campaigns that inform everyone in the country, have helped malaria go down a lot.

    Now that the first malaria vaccine is available, people are hopeful that malaria can eventually be completely eradicated.

    About 17 million children in Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi have received the vaccine since it was introduced in 2019. This has led to a significant decrease in the number of severe malaria cases and child deaths.

    So it’s a sad situation that while Kenya is celebrating the progress it has made, there are now new types of malaria and more cases appearing in areas that used to have a low risk.

    Damaris Matoke-Muhia, a scientist at the Malaria Lab of KEMRI, said that we were very close to reducing the number of cases to a very low level, almost undetectable.

    But climate change means there are more mosquitoes now, she told CNN. We are discovering new types of living things. “We are noticing malaria spreading to unexpected locations,” she said. “She said we are starting from the beginning again. ”

    If the Earth keeps getting warmer, Matoke-Muhia believes that the situation with malaria might be different in the future.

    “If things keep happening this way,” she said, “we need to start over, come up with new ways to help. ”

  • Storm Daniel smashes southern Europe, killing at least eight people

    Storm Daniel smashes southern Europe, killing at least eight people

    Torrential rain and severe flooding have caused deaths and disappearances in Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria.

    Flooding has caused the death of at least three people in Greece, two in northwestern Turkey, and three on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coastline.

    More flooding could happen in Greece because they have already had a lot of rain.

    A level 2 of 3 warning was given for severe storms in Greece on Wednesday. This means that there could be very heavy rain and even tornadoes in some areas.

    The storm called Daniel caused a lot of rain in southeast Europe. This caused flooding in homes, businesses, and roads.

    On Tuesday, the city of Volos, which is on the coast, got hit with a lot of rain. It rained about 10 times the usual amount in just 14 hours. The rain totaled approximately 375 mm.

    The storm has killed at least three people in the country. An elderly man in his 80s was taken away by the flooding near the town of Karditsa in central Greece.

    Greek Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said today that four people are still missing in central Greece, which has been severely affected by the storm. Kikilias said the storm was like nothing we’ve ever seen before.

    Kikilias said that Volos, a port city, is still facing lots of rain and the consequences of flooding on Tuesday. The flooding caused damage to buildings and cars and made roads and bridges collapse. The storm will keep going on Thursday, and the port of Volos is not working because many parts of the city do not have electricity.

    On Wednesday, meteorologist Dimitris Ziakopoulos, who works for the Greek government’s civil protection department, said that the amount of rainfall in Greece is very high compared to what is usually seen in Greece and other parts of Europe. Greek meteorologists have said that the rainfall is more than what is typically seen in a whole year.

    The floods in Pelion, near Volos, caused the roads to collapse. People living in a nursing home in the city had to move to a different place because a part of the building fell down because of heavy rain. This was reported by Greek public broadcaster ERT on Wednesday.

    Many people who were stuck in the floods in Pelion were saved and brought to safety by the Greek fire service. Greece’s weather service observed that 600 to 800 millimeters of rain fell in the area near mount Pelion in central Greece in just one day.

    The police have stopped traffic from flowing in the towns of Trikala, Farsala, and Karditsa in central Greece.

    The Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said that the country was experiencing a very severe weather event. He advised the public to obey instructions given by the authorities.

    At least two people have died in Turkey due to flooding in the Igneada Sisli Valley of the Kirklareli district. This information was provided by the Turkish Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency.

    According to AFAD, six people were saved, but four people are still missing.

    Heavy flooding has also hit the coastline of Bulgaria’s Black Sea. On Wednesday, it was reported by the national broadcaster BNT that three people died in the Tsarevo area in southern Bulgaria. One more person is currently not found in Tsarevo.

    Flooding in the area has made the buildings and structures break and hurt the roads and bridges.

    The heavy rain is caused by a very powerful weather system with low pressure. The middle of the storm has started to move very slowly to the west of Greece in the Mediterranean Sea. It is predicted to cause lots of rain in the area for the next day or two.

    The storm seems to be turning into a special kind of cyclone called a “medicane” which is similar to a tropical cyclone. These systems can cause dangerous weather in the Mediterranean Sea and nearby countries, like tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean or typhoons in the Pacific Ocean.

    The flooding is the last event of a summer in Europe that has had very bad weather, including hot weather, and dangerous and damaging wildfires. Scientists say that as the climate crisis caused by humans gets worse, these kinds of extreme weather events will happen more often and be more intense.

  • Bagre Dam spillage in Burkina Faso sparks White Volta flood concerns

    Bagre Dam spillage in Burkina Faso sparks White Volta flood concerns

    SONABEL, Burkina Faso’s power utility, has issued a critical alert to the Volta River Authority (VRA) regarding ongoing water release from the Bagre Dam.

    This release is due to high water inflow, causing the dam’s reservoir levels to rise.

    To prevent potential dam overtopping and damage, excess water is being discharged from the Bagre Dam.

    As a result, the White Volta River and its downstream tributaries will experience a significant rise in water levels, exacerbated by heavy rainfall in northern Burkina Faso.

    Communities along the White Volta River now face an increased flood risk due to the dam’s release and adverse weather conditions.

    Given these concerns, SONABEL, the VRA, and local authorities strongly urge all stakeholders, including residents, community leaders, security agencies, and the general public, to maintain a high level of vigilance and take necessary precautions to protect lives and property.

    It is crucial for affected communities to stay informed about the developing situation and adhere to any guidance or directives issued by local authorities. Preparedness and swift responses can help reduce the consequences of flooding and ensure the safety of those in vulnerable areas.

    The Volta River Authority (VRA) has affirmed in a statement that they will closely monitor the situation and provide updates and additional information as necessary to ensure the well-being and safety of all concerned.

    This announcement serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges presented by seasonal floods in the West African region and underscores the significance of coordinated efforts to manage and mitigate the effects of such natural occurrences.

  • Supreme Court of Mexico legalises abortion

    Supreme Court of Mexico legalises abortion

    Mexico’s Supreme Court made a decision on Wednesday to make abortion legal across the country. They declared that the current law prohibiting abortion is against the constitution.

    The Supreme Court said on social media that the First Chamber of the Court ruled that the legal system that punishes abortion in the Federal Criminal Code is against the constitution. This is because it goes against the rights of women and people who can become pregnant.

    Abortion is no longer a crime in 12 states in Mexico. The most recent decision happened in Aguascalientes, a state located in the center of Mexico, just a few days ago. According to Reuters, many people praised this ruling online. Rights activists showed their support by posting green heart emojis on social media.

    The hearts symbolize the Green Wave, which is a social movement fighting for the right to make decisions about reproductive health. It has gained a lot of support in Latin America since the early 2000s.

    The Supreme Court of Mexico decided in 2021 that it’s not right to make abortion illegal. They disagreed with a law in Coahuila that punished women who have abortions with up to three years in prison and a fine.

    Wade in 1973. This decision made abortion legal across the United States. However, the political landscape has changed over time and some states have enacted restrictive abortion laws. As a result, American citizens seeking an abortion may choose to go to another country where it is more accessible. In June 2022, Wade will be present.

    Verónica Cruz, someone who supports the right to have an abortion, said to CNN in 2022 that she was surprised to see Mexico making progress while the US was moving in the opposite direction.

  • Deepen your commitment towards climate financing in Africa – Akufo-Addo to the international community

    Deepen your commitment towards climate financing in Africa – Akufo-Addo to the international community

    President Akufo-Addo has urged the international community to strengthen its dedication to climate financing in Africa. In his address concerning climate change on the continent, he emphasized the moral and strategic imperative for global climate action, asserting that more substantial efforts should be made at the international level.

    Speaking at the inaugural African Climate Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the crucial necessity to streamline access to international climate finance as a complement to national funding.

    This summit, organized by the Kenyan Government and the African Union (AU), centers around the theme “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World.” Its overarching aim is to influence climate commitments, pledges, and outcomes, including the formulation of the Nairobi Declaration, a blueprint for Africa’s transition to green energy.

    Despite contributing only two to three percent of the world’s carbon emissions, Africa has borne the brunt of global warming, according to United Nations (UN) statistics. It is estimated that 17 of the world’s 20 most severely affected nations are in Africa, while the 20 wealthiest nations worldwide are responsible for 80 percent of the carbon emissions driving climate change.

    The United Nations (UN) reports that the rapidly expanding African continent, with a population of over 1.3 billion, is experiencing an annual loss of 5% to 15% of its gross domestic product (GDP) growth due to the extensive impacts of climate change.

    President Akufo-Addo underscored the urgency of taking swift and resolute action to mitigate these effects, ensuring a sustainable future for future generations. He emphasized the importance of the summit in illuminating practical strategies for mobilizing financial resources to bolster the execution of national climate initiatives.

    “Especially, how we can guarantee a different future from the past and ensure that the commitment of the developed world towards climate finance, which had not been met in the past, will be in the future.”

    Also, the government has established an advisory group of prominent private sector Chief Executives who are setting up a US$100 million Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) delivery fund and a US$200 million green fund.

    The President explained that the vision was to complement the government’s efforts in tackling climate change and funding the implementation of the SDGs.

    The Government, he said, had embarked on a comprehensive tree–planting exercise and declared war on illegal mining– all geared towards enhancing the country’s environment and ecosystem.

    At present, the promise made by wealthier nations to provide $100 billion annually to assist developing countries in achieving their climate objectives remains unmet.

    President Akufo-Addo highlighted that Ghana’s nationally determined contribution to combat climate change has been seamlessly integrated into the government’s coordinated program for economic and social development policies. These policies are meticulously designed to facilitate the effective implementation of these climate goals.

    “These policy initiatives are already yielding positive results to the attainment of the SDG goals, particularly the goal of reducing our carbon emissions,” he noted.

  • Brazilian flood results in 31 fatalities

    Brazilian flood results in 31 fatalities

    More than thirty people have died because of the heavy rains and floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, according to state governor Eduardo Leite on Wednesday.

    Leite went to the place affected by the disaster on Wednesday morning. He promised on social media that they will do whatever it takes to rebuild the homes and infrastructure that got destroyed by the flooding.

    The storm will keep affecting the area for the rest of the week.

    According to a news source from CNN in Brazil, the heavy rains this week are the most severe natural disaster the state has had in 40 years.

    The Brazilian weather expert Dr. Maria Clara Sassaki said to CNN Brasil that in just one week, the state received the same amount of rain that was expected for the whole month of September.

    This week’s heavy rains in Rio Grande do Sul are the fourth time extreme weather has happened in the past three months, says Leite.

    Earlier today, the Ministry of Social Development (MDS) announced that around 50 cities in the southern states have been affected. Almost 80% of Muçum city in Rio Grande do Sul is currently underwater.

    On Wednesday, the local authorities warned people about the possibility of a flood around the Jacuí River and the Jacuí Delta.

    “The situation is very serious,” MDS Minister Wellington Dias said on X, which is the new name for Twitter.

  • Ghana stands united for Black Stars’ 2023 AFCON qualification – Kurt Okraku

    Ghana stands united for Black Stars’ 2023 AFCON qualification – Kurt Okraku

    President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, on Wednesday evening, paid a visit to the Black Stars along with former players in anticipation of their crucial AFCON qualifier against the Central African Republic. Addressing the players and the national team, the GFA leader offered his assurance that the entire nation is fervently supporting the Black Stars in their quest to defeat their Group E adversary within the span of 90 minutes.

    “We are here to reaffirm our support to all of you as we go into this all-important game tomorrow. You realize I’ve not come alone, I came with the chairman of the team, vice president of the FA, and most importantly two of your own, Laryea Kingson and Stephen Appiah. We are here to assure you of the country’s support ahead of the game against the Central African Republic,” Kurt Okraku said.

    The match between Ghana and the Central African Republic is set to take place on Thursday, September 7th. This pivotal Group E showdown in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers is slated to commence at 16:00 GMT. Ghana requires just one point to secure their qualification for the 2023 AFCON, which is scheduled to be held in Ivory Coast.

  • Black Sherif celebrates big win at Headies 2023 with a bottle of champagne

    Black Sherif celebrates big win at Headies 2023 with a bottle of champagne

    The current Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year, Black Sherif, was spotted in the United States of America (USA) celebrating his inaugural visit to Empire with a champagne toast.

    Black Sherif made his first visit to Empire distribution and publishing label in San Francisco, USA, to strengthen his relationship with the label and gain insights into their operations. He reportedly joined Empire in 2022.

    The artist has earned a prominent reputation in the music industry by winning numerous accolades in Ghana, Africa, and on the international stage.

    Empire also collaborates with well-known Nigerian artists like Olamide, Asake, Fireboy, and others in the music industry. Ghanaian highlife musician Kidi is also part of the Empire label, responsible for the distribution and promotion of artists’ songs.

    A video shared by Ghanaian blogger Blacvolta on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, captured Black Sherif and others at Empire, celebrating with champagne and cheers. This celebration coincides with his West African Artiste of the Year award, which he received at the Headies.

  • Japan unleashes X-ray satellite and lunar lander called ‘Moon Sniper’

    Japan unleashes X-ray satellite and lunar lander called ‘Moon Sniper’

    A new kind of satellite that will show us celestial objects in a different way was launched on Wednesday night, along with a spacecraft called the “Moon Sniper” that will land on the moon.

    The Japanese Space Agency had to change the launch many times because of bad weather. Finally, they launched a rocket called H-IIA from the Tanegashima Space Center at 7:42 p. mOn Wednesday at 8:42 a. mIt is currently Thursday in Japan, according to the local time.

    The event was shown live on JAXA’s YouTube channel, with broadcasts in English and Japanese.

    The XRISM satellite, or X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission, is a project involving JAXA and NASA, as well as the European Space Agency and Canadian Space Agency.

    JAXA’s SLIM, which stands for Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, is also coming along for the journey. This small exploration lander is made to show how it can land very accurately in a specific spot within 100 meters (328 feet), rather than within a kilometer. It uses advanced landing technology to achieve this. The accuracy of the mission made it be called Moon Sniper.

    According to NASA, the satellite and its two instruments will study the hottest parts of the universe, the largest structures, and objects with very strong gravity. XRISM is a machine that can sense X-ray light, which is a type of light that humans cannot see because its wavelength is too short.
    Learning about stars that explode and mysterious black holes.

    Richard Kelley, who is in charge of XRISM at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, said that they aim to research the results of star explosions and the fast particle streams from massive black holes in galaxies. “But, of course, we are most thrilled about all the surprising things XRISM will find as it watches our universe. ”

    With this in mind, XRISM has many curved mirrors that are arranged in a way that helps them detect X-rays more effectively. The satellite will need to adjust and test itself for a couple of months after it gets to space. The goal is to work for three years.

    The satellite can see X-rays that are much more powerful than visible light, according to NASA. Visible light has energy levels of only 2 to 3 electron volts, while the X-rays detected by the satellite have energies ranging from 400 to 12,000 electron volts. This detection range will let us study very extreme things in space.

    The satellite has two tools called Resolve and Xtend. Resolve is a system that can detect very small changes in temperature. It uses these changes to figure out where X-rays come from, what they are made of, how they move, and what form they are in. Resolve is really, really cold – about 50 times colder than deep space. It gets this cold by using a big container of liquid helium. At that temperature, it is minus 459. 58 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 273. 10 degrees Celsius

    This tool will help scientists who study space learn more about the chemicals in hot gas found in groups of stars called galactic clusters.

    “According to Kelley, XRISM’s Resolve tool will allow us to look closely at the composition of cosmic X-ray sources in a way that we have never done before. ” We expect to learn a lot about the hottest things in the universe like stars that explode, black holes, galaxies that are powered by them, and groups of galaxies.

    In simpler terms, Xtend will allow XRISM to see a very wide area in space using X-rays, which is one of the biggest on any X-ray satellite.

    Brian Williams, who is in charge of NASA’s XRISM project, said that the information collected by XRISM will be the most detailed ever seen for certain events that we will be studying. The mission will help us understand more about things that are hard to study, like what’s inside neutron stars and how fast particles move near black holes in active galaxies.

    At the same time, SLIM will use its own method of moving forward to go towards the moon. The spaceship will reach the moon’s orbit around three to four months after it takes off. It will stay in orbit around the moon for about one month, and then it will start to slowly come down and try to land softly on the moon’s surface, which will happen around four to six months after it took off. If the lander works well, it will also briefly study the surface of the moon to demonstrate the technology.

    SLIM is a mission that will land on the moon near a small crater called Shioli. It will explore the rocks there to learn more about how the moon was formed. The place where Apollo 11 landed is located in the south of the Sea of Tranquility, near the moon’s middle part, in the year 1969.

    India successfully landed on the moon on August 23, joining the United States, former Soviet Union, and China as the fourth country to do so. The landing was part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission and took place near the southern part of the moon. Before, the lunar lander made by the Japanese company Ispace called Hakuto-R fell down 3 miles (4. 8 kilometers) and crashed into the moon when trying to land in April.

    The SLIM probe uses technology that helps it navigate using its vision or eyes.

    Areas that have a lot of resources, like the south pole of the moon which has water ice in the shadowed parts, can also be dangerous because there are many craters and rocks. In order to avoid these things, future missions will have to be able to land in a small space.

    SLIM is designed to be very light, which can be helpful for agencies to go on missions more often and explore moons on other planets like Mars. If SLIM is successful, JAXA says it will change missions from landing in random places to landing in specific locations of our choosing.

  • Terror suspect on the lam after escaping London jail

    Terror suspect on the lam after escaping London jail

    Officials have said that they are actively searching for a British soldier who is waiting for his trial on terror charges. The soldier managed to escape from a prison in London on Wednesday by disguising himself as a chef.

    Daniel Abed Khalife, who is 21 years old, disappeared from Wandsworth prison in southwest London just before 8 in the morning. The time of the specific area. He was waiting to go to court for crimes related to terrorism and breaking the Official Secrets Act.

    Khalife is currently a member of the British army. According to the PA Media news agency, he is being accused of putting fake bombs at a military base.

    The bold and unusual escape caused a big search for the person and made flights late and security checks stricter at ports in Britain.

    Khalife was wearing a chef’s outfit which included red and white pants, a white shirt, and brown shoes, according to Counter Terrorism Commander Dominic Murphy, who spoke to reporters outside Scotland Yard in London on Wednesday.

    According to the news agency PA, he managed to escape by holding onto a delivery van. When he was asked about the reports, Murphy said that it was something the prison service had to respond to.

    The police are asking the British public for help in finding something.

    Police said he is thin, with short brown hair, and he stands at about 6 feet and 2 inches tall.

    Murphy mentioned that the investigation is mainly focused on London right now. However, we have also sent notifications to every police department in the country.

    “We are working closely with colleagues at the border to understand if he could cause problems if he leaves the country. Right now, it’s like a big search across the whole country involving every police force that has information that could help us. ” Murphy explained

    When asked if he thinks the man will run away from the country, Murphy said he can’t say for sure right now. We are open to considering wherever he might go, and I think that’s why it’s important for the public to be interested. He is currently not caught in the UK, and although we are concentrating on London, he has connections to other areas like the northwest of the country. So, we need to collaborate with everyone to try to locate him.

    The police said what Khalife did wrong in January. They accused him of trying to get information that could help someone plan a terrorist act in August 2021.

    Another accusation claims that he placed something with the intention of making someone believe that it could explode or catch fire and cause harm to people or things.

    On Wednesday, Murphy said that he thinks Khalife is not very likely to harm the public, but he still advised people not to approach him.

    British airports and ports are having problems after police warned them about Khalife’s escape.

    Manchester Airport had delays of around half an hour on Wednesday afternoon because they started doing more security checks.

    Right now, there are extra checks on cars leaving the Port of Dover and other entry points in the UK because of a police issue. This was shared by Port of Dover Travel on X, which used to be called Twitter.

    “This is causing delays at the port right now. ”

    Escaping from prisons in the UK hardly ever happens. According to data from the British government, there was only one person who escaped from a place in England and Wales in the year 2021-22. Before that year, there were no escapes, and only a few in the years before that.

    Wandsworth is a type of prison called Category B. It is the second-highest level of security out of four levels. This is one of the biggest prisons in Britain and it holds over 1,600 prisoners.

  • Paul Adom-Otchere’s Good Evening Ghana mass choir’s dedicate a song to Alan

    Paul Adom-Otchere’s Good Evening Ghana mass choir’s dedicate a song to Alan

    With Alan Kyerematen out of the New Patriotic Party’s presidential race, Paul Adom-Otchere’s Good Evening Ghana mass choir has re-designed this patriotic song to his honor.

    Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, one of the flagbearer hopefuls of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has withdrawn from the race.

    He made the announcement in a statement dated September 5, 2023.

    “In light of the foregoing, I wish to confirm that I am honourably withdrawing from the process that will lead to the Presidential Primaries to be held on the 4th of November 2023. In the next upcoming weeks, I will provide an indication of the role that I will play in politics in Ghana, after consultations with my family and other well-wishers, various stakeholders and interest groups,” he added.

    Mr. Kyerematen who placed third in the party’s August 26 special delegates conference said he opted out of the race following the intimidation of agents.

  • Read Fox News report bashing 3 American politicians $60k ‘lavish trip’ to Ghana

    Read Fox News report bashing 3 American politicians $60k ‘lavish trip’ to Ghana

    A Board of Supervisors meeting in Loudoun County, Virginia, was upended Tuesday after several residents from the area showed up to voice their concerns about their taxpayer dollars being used by local leaders to fund a lavish trip to Ghana.

    The uproar came after Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall, Vice Chair Koran Saines, and Supervisor Sylvia Glass used more than $60,000 in funds in June to fly to Ghana and sign a sister city agreement with the mayor of Tema, according to Fox 5.

    The taxpayer dollars, according to the outlet, were used for “first-class flights, five-star hotel, and nice meals, among other luxurious expenses.”

    Additionally, some of the same board members, along with Supervisor Juli Briskman, “spent more than 33,000 tax dollars on a lavish trip to Uruguay,” according to ABC 7.

    Loudoun County Supervisors Saines, Randall, and Glass from left to right

    Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall (center), Vice Chair Koran Saines (left) and Supervisor Sylvia Glass used more than $60,000 in funds in June to fly to Ghana and sign a sister city agreement. (Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Getty Images)

    “That extravagance is so incredibly a slap in the face and just completely tone-deaf when there are so many people struggling to pay their bills right here in Loudoun County,” one resident said during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting, Fox 5 noted.

    “To the six of you who didn’t take these trips, every single one of you should have a pit in your stomach because you failed your constituents,” another resident said. “You failed to check and balance those who take advantage of their position.”

    The outrage from residents in the area prompted Saines to propose a travel policy intended to be followed by those who serve on the board.

    In a vote of 8 to 1, the proposal passed, allowing county staff to study travel policies from neighboring jurisdictions in an effort to establish reasonable spending protocols for board members to follow in the future. The study will reportedly evaluate how much the neighboring jurisdictions spend on meals and lodging, as well as air and ground transportation both domestically and internationally.

    Supervisor Kristen Umstattd was the only ‘no’ vote as she intends to bring forth a proposal of strict rules for the board to follow later this month.

    “I think it looks bad from the public’s viewpoint,” Umstattd, a fellow Democrat on the board, told ABC 7.

    Kristen C. Umstattd. Loudoun County Supervisor

    Supervisor Kristen Umstattd was the only ‘no’ vote on the proposal as she intends to bring forth a proposal of strict rules for the board to follow later this month. (Loudoun County Board of Supervisors)

    “The intent behind the item is to address the feedback that we received, to update our travel policies, but to do so in a way that is reflective of our governing structure and the way that we operate,” said Saines, who insisted the outrage over the trip taken by the supervisors and their staff to Ghana was due to “misleading coverage.”

    Saines also compared the expenses of the trip to those taken in recent history by Virginia GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

    “If you’re not happy with us traveling, then hopefully you have the same feelings regarding the governor, which traveled to South Korea, Taiwan, and, while we were in Ghana, went to the Paris Air Show,” Saines said, according to Loudoun Now. “So if our travel was a boondoggle, I’m hoping you would say the same thing about that travel.”

    In a statement to Fox 5, Randall denied using taxpayer dollars to fund the trips.

    “I don’t travel on county taxpayer revenue and never have,” she said, according to the outlet. “It’s a policy I put in place when I came to office in 2016.”

    The funds, the outlet reported, did not come out of Randall’s own pocket, however. They came from the economic development authority transient occupancy tax that is usually paid for by visitors of Loudoun County — not residents.

    Phyllis Randall, Loudoun Board of Supervisors chairwoman in light blue blazer

    Chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in Northern Virginia Phyllis Randall speaks during an event to break ground on the Dulles Solar and Storage project at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, on Aug. 22, 2023. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

    “There are people who are rebelling in their ignorance while ignoring the truth because they don’t want the answer, they want the issue,” Randall said during Tuesday’s meeting.

    Fox News Digital did not receive an immediate response from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors about the situation.

  • Ken-Alan ticket is a joke – Ben Ephson

    Ken-Alan ticket is a joke – Ben Ephson

    Renowned pollster and veteran journalist, Ben Ephson, has cast doubt on the prospects of Alan Kyerematen and Kennedy Agyapong joining forces on a presidential ticket in the future. Ephson pointed to the complexities of ethnic dynamics within the political landscape as a significant hurdle to such a partnership, asserting that the notion of having two Akans on a single ticket is highly improbable.

    Ephson also alluded to Alan Kyerematen’s previous attempts at securing the NPP presidential nomination, suggesting that he had not gleaned any valuable lessons from those experiences. Furthermore, he contended that younger party delegates might struggle to fully grasp Alan’s political stature, given that he peaked in politics approximately 15 years ago.

    The backdrop to Ephson’s comments is Alan Kyerematen’s recent withdrawal from the NPP flagbearership race on September 5, 2023. Alan cited the intimidation of his supporters during a preliminary voting round and a skewed system that appeared to favor an undisclosed rival candidate as the reasons for his withdrawal.

  • How an electrician murdered, raped and buried girlfriend allegedly

    How an electrician murdered, raped and buried girlfriend allegedly

    A Kaneshie District Court has adjourned to October 20, 2023, the case of the 38-year-old electrician accused of strangling his 20-year-old girlfriend at Kpone Bawaleshie in the Greater Accra Region.

    Kwame Krampah, aka Awana, is said to have strangled the victim with a blue nylon rope from behind, after which he allegedly had sex with the dead body before burying it in the neighbourhood.

    Krampah, who is facing a murder charge, has had his plea preserved by the court. 

    When the matter was called, the prosecution led by Chief Inspector Margaret O. Boadi, said the police are still investigating the matter.

    The prosecution told the court the Police had yet to forward a duplicate docket to the Attorney General for advice.

    The prosecutor said the complainant, Joyce Agbo, was a trader, and Krampah was a plumber. 

    It said Agbo and Krampah resided at Bawaleshie.

    According to the prosecution, Agbo was the mother of Judith Kpeglo, the deceased

    The prosecutor said Kpeglo, who was a pupil teacher at a school at Kpone Bawaleshie, left home for work on July 11, 2023, but did not return.

    On July 17, 2023, Agbo reported her daughter missing to the police.

    The prosecution said intelligence led to the arrest of Krampah, who was the deceased boyfriend.

    It said investigations revealed that on July 11, 2023, at about 1400 hours, Kpeglo left the school to buy food and went to Krampah’s house to eat it.

    After she was done eating, Kpeglo told Krampah that she was going back to school and without any provocation, he attacked her from behind with a blue nylon rope and strangled her.

    On the same day, at about 2200 hours, Krampah dug a grave at a nearby plot and buried the body.

    The prosecution said Krampah admitted the crime in his caution statement and led the Police to the spot where he buried the deceased.

    An order of the court was obtained, and the body was exhumed and deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

    Source: GNA

  • 8 ways to keep your nails clean and healthy

    8 ways to keep your nails clean and healthy

    Maintaining clean and healthy nails is essential for overall hygiene and appearance. Here are eight easy tips to help you achieve this:

    1. Regular Cleaning: Clean your nails daily with warm, soapy water and a soft nail brush. Gently scrub under your nails to remove dirt and debris.
    2. Trim and File: Keep your nails at a moderate length and shape them with a nail file. Avoid excessively long nails as they can trap dirt and bacteria.
    3. Moisturize: Apply a moisturizing hand cream or nail oil to keep your nails and cuticles hydrated, preventing dryness and cracking.
    4. Avoid Biting and Picking: Refrain from biting your nails or picking at cuticles, as this can damage the nails and lead to infections.
    5. Wear Gloves: Protect your nails when doing household chores or gardening by wearing gloves. This prevents exposure to harsh chemicals and reduces the risk of breakage.
    6. Limit Use of Nail Polish: Give your nails a break from nail polish occasionally to allow them to breathe. Nail polish can weaken nails over time.
    7. Healthy Diet: Consume a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals like biotin, vitamin E, and calcium, which promote nail health.
    8. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Be cautious when using nail products, and avoid those containing harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and acetone. Opt for gentler nail polish removers and nail strengthened.

    By following these simple tips, you can maintain clean, healthy, and attractive nails.

  • Here are some reasons to reduce bread consumption

    Here are some reasons to reduce bread consumption

    Reducing bread consumption can have several potential benefits for your health and well-being. Here are some reasons why you might consider cutting back on bread:

    1. Weight Management: Bread is often calorie-dense and can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess. Reducing bread intake can help you manage your calorie intake, which is important for weight control.
    2. Blood Sugar Control: Many bread varieties are high in refined carbohydrates, which can lead to rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels. This can contribute to feelings of hunger and overeating. Reducing bread consumption, especially white bread, can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
    3. Digestive Health: Some people may experience digestive discomfort, bloating, or gluten sensitivity when consuming bread. Reducing bread intake can alleviate these symptoms and improve overall digestive health.
    4. Nutrient Density: Bread often lacks the nutrients found in whole grains and other healthier foods. Reducing bread consumption can create space in your diet for more nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
    5. Diverse Diet: Relying less on bread can encourage you to diversify your diet, incorporating a wider range of foods that provide essential nutrients and promote better overall health.
    6. Processed Ingredients: Many commercial bread products contain additives, preservatives, and high levels of sodium, which can be detrimental to your health when consumed in excess. Reducing bread consumption may help you limit exposure to these additives.
    7. Gluten Sensitivity: If you have gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, avoiding or reducing bread consumption is essential to prevent adverse health effects.
    8. Financial Savings: Bread can be a significant expense in your grocery budget. Reducing consumption can save you money that can be spent on healthier food choices.
    9. Satiety: Whole grains and protein-rich foods tend to provide better satiety compared to bread, which can help you feel full and satisfied for longer periods, reducing the urge to snack on less healthy options.
    10. Overall Health: A balanced diet that includes a variety of foods is key to maintaining good health. Reducing bread consumption can be a step toward achieving this balance and improving your overall well-being.

    It’s important to note that not all bread is created equal. Opting for whole grain or whole wheat bread over white bread can provide more nutrients, fiber, and sustained energy. Additionally, individual dietary needs and preferences vary, so it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet. They can help you create a balanced eating plan that meets your specific needs and goals.

  • I would love to collaborate with Kojo Antwi – Mophty Legacy

    I would love to collaborate with Kojo Antwi – Mophty Legacy

    Emerging Ghanaian artiste, Emmanuel Oppong, also known as Mophty Legacy, expressed his aspiration to collaborate with the iconic Highlife musician, Kojo Antwi.

    Mophty Legacy sees the prospect of working with Kojo Antwi on a song as a tremendous opportunity for his career, recognizing Kojo Antwi’s significant role in the success of Ghanaian music.

    During an appearance on GTV’s breakfast show, Mophty Legacy revealed that his musical journey began during his high school years, with a particular inclination toward love songs. He emphasized that listening to Kojo Antwi’s music during that period had a profound influence on his artistic development.

    Mophty Legacy holds artists like Kojo Antwi in high regard, acknowledging their pioneering contributions to the music industry and their exemplary paths that aspiring musicians can follow.

    “This is a blessing, even Mr. Drew alone is a big blessing, so you can imagine how it will be. The Kojo Antwi one is a double blessing”, he said.

    Mophty Legacy garnered attention recently when he contributed his unique verse to Mr. Drew’s “Case” track.

    Regarding this unexpected feature in Mr. Drew’s song, Mophty revealed that it came as a delightful surprise when Mr. Drew mentioned his name in a post.

    The song has gained substantial popularity on TikTok and has even captured the attention of celebrities like Stonebwoy and Asamoah Gyan.

    Mophty Legacy also shared that he is currently immersed in the creation of his next project, which he believes will have a significant impact on the Ghanaian music scene upon its release.

  • Guinness Accravaganza comes to be held on September 30

    Guinness Accravaganza comes to be held on September 30

    Ghana’s entertainment calendar is set to introduce an innovative multi-arts experience courtesy of Guinness, the world’s leading stout. This captivating recurring celebration, known as “The Guinness Accravaganza,” promises to highlight the magic and excellence of all things black.

    The inaugural Guinness Accravaganza is scheduled for September 30, 2023, at the Untamed Empire on Spintex Road. It’s an unmissable event designed to provide an immersive celebration of Guinness’ core belief that ‘Black Shines Brightest’ in every aspect of the lives of Ghanaian consumers who cherish this beloved beer.

    ‘Black Shines Brightest’ is part of Guinness’ Pan African campaign, celebrating the iconic black liquid enjoyed in Ghana, across the continent, and around the world since 1759. Guinness continues its tradition of celebrating the beauty and significance of ‘black’ by bringing together passionate and creative individuals to honor the spirit of Guinness and the discerning drinkers who appreciate its unique blackness both in Ghana and beyond.

    In Ghana, as part of the ‘Black Shines Brightest’ campaign, Guinness has been supporting the country’s creative economy by uniting Ghanaian creatives, offering them a platform to showcase their talent, and rewarding their contributions.

    True to the essence of ‘Black Shines Brightest,’ the Guinness Accravaganza promises to ignite cultural fervor. This day-long event will feature live music performances by some of the nation’s most prominent talents, a curated culinary experience to complement your Guinness and other beverages from the Guinness Ghana (Diageo) portfolio, immersive live art and creative exhibitions, a celebration of innovative fashion trends and styles, and engaging football activities.

    The Guinness Accravaganza experience aligns with Guinness stout’s long-standing commitment to cultural investments, paying homage to the brand’s global reputation and heritage.

    Estella Muzito, Marketing and Innovation Director at Guinness Ghana, commented, “The launch of Guinness Accravaganza underscores Guinness’ dedication to being a cultural leader in Ghana. Our Guinness-fueled passion drives us to invest continually in platforms that empower lovers of creativity and those with discerning tastes for great vibes and premium tastes to experience an event that elevates them to shine brightest. Guinness Accravaganza will undoubtedly be the place to be and be seen, staying true to the Guinness ethos of goodness, power, and communion. Guinness Accravaganza is the must-attend event in Accra this September.”

    The complete schedule of activities, performers, ticket details, and more will be unveiled across various channels, including social media, radio, and television. Prospective attendees are encouraged to stay updated by visiting www.accravaganza.com.

    Consumers are encouraged to continue enjoying their refreshing Guinness at their favorite bars and venues, as they may receive surprise access to what promises to be another spectacular day of bold entertainment in creatively stimulating settings, complete with world-class production and captivating entertainment for all the senses.

  • New national executive members of the NDC sworn in

    New national executive members of the NDC sworn in

    Eleven fresh members of the opposition National Democratic Congress‘ national executive committee have officially been inaugurated.

    This swearing-in ceremony occurred at the party’s headquarters on September 6, 2023.

    The new members encompass figures like Professor Joshua Alabi as Vice Chairman, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah as Director of Elections, and Edudzi Tamakloe as Director of Legal Affairs.

    During his speech, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah urged these new members to meet their responsibilities effectively.

    “Comrades, you are rising up today as patrons and the work you are going to do is daunting, but we trust that you will be able to live up to the challenge. There is no way you can constitute a governing team that will represent everybody, and we know there are shortcomings in this composition, but we are appealing to our party’s rank and file that this is a call to duty and not an honour. Wherever you are, you can find a way to help achieve the same purpose whether you are sworn in today or not.”

  • Blakk Rasta backs Shatta Wale amid fued with entertainment pundits

    Blakk Rasta backs Shatta Wale amid fued with entertainment pundits

    Blakk Rasta has come to the defense of Shatta Wale amidst the recent criticism directed at the latter for his controversial remarks about fellow artists.

    Shatta Wale faced backlash for undermining the efforts of some of his fellow musicians who are striving for international recognition. Additionally, his comments seemingly challenging Nigeria’s dominance in Afrobeats and making unnecessary comparisons have provoked strong reactions.

    In response, various entertainment pundits and industry stakeholders, including Sally Mann, Vida Adutwumwaa, renowned video director Babs Direction, and others, have vehemently disagreed with Shatta Wale’s statements, asserting that he lacks the authority to question the success of artists who have outperformed him.

    According to them, Shatta Wale hasn’t achieved the same level of success as the individuals he’s critiquing.

    Nonetheless, Blakk Rasta holds a different viewpoint on this matter. The well-known radio presenter disagrees with this assertion, stating that Shatta Wale hasn’t received the recognition he deserves. He emphasizes that Shatta Wale has significantly contributed to the industry’s prestige and value.

    Blakk Rasta believes Shatta Wale should be acknowledged for his remarkable resilience and determination in the face of various challenges and attempts to hinder his career.

    “You can never take away from this man’s noise. What he has contributed to the industry. He brought a lot of respect to the music business in this country. He encouraged us to go for our worth.

    “He came from nowhere to somewhere. There was a time when nobody wanted to play his music including me because he insulted me. That was when I was a little bit unprofessional. Right after he was blacklisted, blackmailed, and rejected, he found another route.

    “He followed the youth in the ghetto and told them if the youth won’t play his song again, they should. Thankfully Facebook came and gave him a voice. In those days there was nothing like sponsorship. Doing Facebook Live, made his name and was able to blow.

    “Of course, he can be controversial, of course, he can be vulgar but he gives credit to Facebook for his achievement. If radio was supposed to make people blow then Shatta would have died without becoming that person,” he stated in a video making rounds on social media.

    Meanwhile, Shatta has reacted to Blakk Rasta’s comments.

    He shared excerpts of his speech and wrote,

    The truth is not bitter, it’s sweet. Thank you Black Rasta and May God open many many many doors for you in this life. It’s a shame they still fighting this guy !!!! GOD IS HERE !!!!!

  • DNA clears guy who was convicted of rape 47 years ago

    DNA clears guy who was convicted of rape 47 years ago

    After nearly five decades, a man from New York has been proven innocent using new DNA tests. The tests confirmed that he was not the one who committed a rape in 1975.

    This is the most extended case where someone was wrongly convicted in US history, but later proven innocent by DNA evidence.

    The person who actually did the crime, a person who has been found guilty of sexually harming others, has admitted to raping someone.

    Leonard Mack, who is now 72 years old, was wrongly sent to prison for more than seven years starting in 1976. He was convicted for a crime he did not commit.

    MrMack said, “I always believed that someday I would be shown that I did not do anything wrong. ”

    In May 1975, two young girls were going back to their house after school in a mostly white town called Greenburgh, New York. Suddenly, a man approached them and threatened them with a gun.

    One of the girls was sexually assaulted two times while the other was able to get away and seek assistance.

    The Greenburgh Police Department sent out a message to their officers to be alert and search for a young black man in his early twenties.

    Soon after the attack, the police stopped Mr. Mack, who was driving in the neighborhood by chance.

    MrMack was arrested by the police even though he had a good reason for not being at the scene of the crime and was wearing different clothes than the person they were looking for.

    The Westchester County District Attorney’s Conviction Review Unit and the Innocence Project worked together to test DNA evidence for a rape case in 2022. The Innocence Project is a nonprofit organization that helps prove the innocence of those wrongly convicted.

    It turned out that the real person who committed the crime was a man who had been found guilty of breaking into someone’s home and sexually assaulting them in Queens a few weeks after this incident.

    The man was found guilty in 2004 for breaking into someone’s house and sexually attacking a woman in Westchester County.

    District attorney Miriam E. Rocah said in a statement that this proof of innocence shows that when people are wrongly found guilty, it harms not only them but also puts everyone in danger.

    MsRocah said that Mr. Mack showed great determination and never gave up in trying to prove that he was innocent for almost five decades.

    According to the Innocence Project, the main reason why people are wrongly convicted is because witnesses mistakenly identify the wrong person. In this situation, the girls recognized Mr. Mack because of a mistake in how the police identified him.

    The organization also mentioned that prejudice based on race and having a narrow focus were reasons for what happened to Mr.

    MrMack, who fought in the Vietnam War, has been living in South Carolina for almost 21 years with his wife.

    “Now I know the truth and I can finally relax. ” He said, “I am no longer restricted or confined. ”

  • Here’s how to use coconut water for healthier hair

    Here’s how to use coconut water for healthier hair

    Coconut water is a natural ingredient that can help promote healthy hair due to its hydrating and nutrient-rich properties. Here’s how to use coconut water for healthier hair:

    1. Rinse Your Hair:
      • After shampooing your hair, use coconut water as a final rinse.
      • Pour the coconut water over your hair, ensuring that it covers all your strands.
      • Leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse it out with cool water.
      • This helps hydrate your hair and adds a natural shine.
    2. Hair Mask:
      • Mix coconut water with coconut oil to create a hair mask.
      • Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp.
      • Leave it on for at least 30 minutes or overnight for deep conditioning.
      • Rinse it out with a gentle shampoo and cool water.
      • This helps nourish and moisturize your hair, making it softer and more manageable.
    3. Hair Growth Tonic:
      • Combine coconut water with aloe vera gel and a few drops of essential oils like lavender or rosemary.
      • Apply this tonic to your scalp and massage it in.
      • Leave it on for about 30 minutes before rinsing with cool water.
      • This can help stimulate hair growth and improve scalp health.
    4. Detangling Spray:
      • Mix coconut water with aloe vera juice in a spray bottle.
      • Use this as a detangling spray when your hair is damp or dry.
      • It can help ease the detangling process and reduce breakage.
    5. Leave-In Conditioner:
      • Pour a small amount of coconut water into a spray bottle.
      • Spritz it onto your hair as a leave-in conditioner, focusing on the ends.
      • Style your hair as usual.
      • This provides extra moisture and can help reduce frizz.
    6. Scalp Treatment:
      • Mix coconut water with a few drops of tea tree oil.
      • Apply the mixture to your scalp and massage it in.
      • Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before washing your hair.
      • This can help soothe an itchy scalp and reduce dandruff.
      • Remember to use pure and fresh coconut water for these treatments. You can either buy it from the store or extract it from a fresh coconut. Incorporating coconut water into your hair care routine can contribute to healthier, more hydrated, and shinier hair naturally.
  • Ways to boost your mood to a desired feeling

    Ways to boost your mood to a desired feeling

    Happiness, the often elusive but highly desired feeling, isn’t a mere chance. It’s a mindset that can be developed and fostered by grasping its underlying science and adopting methods that encourage a positive mood.

    Here are some strategies to boost your mood:

    1. Exercise: Physical activity releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Even a short walk can make a difference.
    2. Healthy Eating: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can positively impact your mood and energy levels.
    3. Adequate Sleep: Ensure you get enough quality sleep. Lack of sleep can contribute to mood swings and irritability.
    4. Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice mindfulness or meditation to reduce stress and increase emotional well-being.
    5. Social Connections: Spend time with friends and loved ones. Social support is essential for mental health.
    6. Engage in Hobbies: Pursue activities you enjoy, as they can provide a sense of accomplishment and happiness.
    7. Limit Stress: Identify stressors in your life and find healthy ways to cope, such as relaxation techniques or time management.
    8. Gratitude: Keep a gratitude journal to focus on positive aspects of your life.
    9. Laugh and Have Fun: Laughter is a great mood booster. Watch a comedy, share jokes, or engage in enjoyable activities.
    10. Help Others: Acts of kindness and helping others can create a sense of fulfillment and happiness.
    11. Set Realistic Goals: Break down your goals into achievable steps to prevent feeling overwhelmed.
    12. Limit Negative Influences: Minimize exposure to negative news, social media, or people who bring you down.
    13. Seek Professional Help: If your mood struggles persist or worsen, consider consulting a mental health professional.

    Remember that boosting your mood is a personal journey, and it may involve a combination of these strategies. Finding what works best for you is key to maintaining a positive outlook on life.

  • US citizen halted during ‘hamster wheel’ ocean crossing

    US citizen halted during ‘hamster wheel’ ocean crossing

    Arrest ensued for a Florida resident who tried to travel to London by running across the Atlantic Ocean with a DIY mechanism resembling a hamster wheel.

    The US Coast Guard caught Reza Baluchi about 70 miles away from Tybee Island, Georgia on August 26th.

    Officials said the runner, who is 44 years old, did not want to get off the boat and stayed on it for many days. He also said he might harm himself.

    Mr Baluchi has attempted three trips that were very much like his current one. However, all three of these trips were stopped by the Coast Guard.

    The makeshift machine he was using looks like a wheel. It has paddles that push it forward when the wheel spins.

    According to the criminal complaint, the US Coast Guard officers decided that Baluchi was doing a very unsafe trip because the boat was floating due to wiring and buoys.

    Mr Baluchi started his journey when officials were getting ready for a big hurricane.

    However, he didn’t want to leave the boat for three days and said he would hurt himself with a long knife. According to legal documents, he also said that he had a bomb on the plane.

    On September 1st, he finally gave up and left his ship after being taken to a Coast Guard base in Miami.

    Officials later found out that the “bomb” was not real.

    Now, he is being accused by the government of obstructing boarding and breaking a Captain’s order.

    We don’t know if he has hired a lawyer to help him in his criminal case.

    Mr Baluchi has been arrested before for going out to sea in his ship, which he calls a “bubble”.

    In 2021, he got arrested because he was rescued while attempting to ride his way from Florida to New York. He had drifted about 30 miles south from where he started.

    In 2014, he needed help getting out of a similar machine close to St Augustine. Then, two years later, he had to be saved again from the water near Palm Beach, Florida.

    Based on past interviews, Mr. Baluchi said that he was trying to go on these trips to gather funds for different reasons, like helping homeless people and supporting the Coast Guard.

    “I want to collect money for homeless people, the Coast Guard, the police department, and the fire department,” he shared with WOFL-TV in Orlando in 2021.

    “They work in jobs that serve the public, their main goal is to keep everyone safe, and they assist others. ”

  • Teenager passes away after consuming spicy tortilla chip in Massachusetts

    Teenager passes away after consuming spicy tortilla chip in Massachusetts

    A young person in Massachusetts passed away after eating a very spicy tortilla chip as part of a social media dare.

    Harris Wolobah, who was 14 years old, passed away unexpectedly on Friday due to stomach pain caused by participating in a promotional activity called the ‘One Chip Challenge. ’ This challenge was part of a marketing campaign for a snack food brand called Paqui.

    The chip is sold in its own package and is said to be one of the hottest chips available.

    Wolobah’s classmate gave him a hot chip on Friday morning, and he ate it, according to his mother Lois Wolobah who told NBC 10 Boston.

    Later that day, his mom came to get him from school because he had a really bad stomachache and went to the nurse. He was said to be feeling better after coming back home.

    But when he was getting ready to go to basketball tryouts at around 4:30pm, he fainted. He was brought to a hospital nearby and declared dead.

    The Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools, Rachel Monárrez, identified Wolobah as a tenth grader at Doherty Memorial High School and praised him as a talented and promising student.

    Monárrez, who is a mother and educator, expressed that she can’t really understand how difficult this situation is for his family, friends, and teachers. ‘I feel deeply sorry for everyone who knew and loved him. ‘

    Paqui has been selling the super spicy ‘One Chip Challenge’ snacks since 2016. The snacks have a label that says they are only for grown-ups and should be kept away from kids.

    In the past, famous people like Brooklyn Beckham and Phillip Schofield have recorded videos of themselves eating chips.

    The chips used in the challenge have a spicy seasoning made from two really hot chili peppers called the Carolina Reaper and the Naga Viper.

    The company tells people to eat the chip that comes in its own package. After eating the chip, they should try not to eat or drink anything else for as long as they can to feel better. It also wants people to share their thoughts on social media using the company’s hashtag.

    It also tells people who eat chips to wash their hands and not touch their eyes or sensitive parts of their body after touching the chip.

    ‘If you have trouble breathing, feel like you might faint, or get very sick to your stomach, you should get medical help,’ the company advises.

  • How to deal with silent treatment from a loved one

    How to deal with silent treatment from a loved one

    Dealing with the silent treatment from someone you love can be emotionally challenging and stressful. Here are some steps to consider when faced with this situation:

    1. Stay Calm and Reflect:
      • Take a deep breath and try to remain calm. Avoid reacting impulsively with anger or frustration.
      • Reflect on the situation and try to understand why the person may be giving you the silent treatment. Consider any recent arguments, misunderstandings, or triggers that may have led to this behavior.
    2. Give Space but Express Concern:
      • While respecting their need for space, let them know that you’re concerned about their silence and that you care about their feelings.
      • You might say something like, “I can see that you need some time to yourself, and I respect that. But I’m concerned about our communication. When you’re ready, I’d like to talk and understand what’s going on.”
    3. Self-Examination:
      • Use this time to self-reflect. Consider your own behavior and any contributions to the issue. Be open to taking responsibility for your part in the problem.
    4. Reach Out Gently:
      • After some time has passed and you’ve both had a chance to cool down, gently reach out to the person with a message or in person. Avoid confrontational or accusatory language.
      • Express your desire to understand their feelings and find a resolution. For example, “I miss our connection, and I’d like to talk and work through this together.”
    5. Active Listening:
      • When they’re ready to talk, actively listen to their perspective without interrupting or becoming defensive. Show empathy and validate their feelings, even if you don’t agree with everything they say.
      • Ask open-ended questions to encourage them to express their thoughts and emotions.
    6. Apologize and Seek Resolution:
      • If you realize you’ve made a mistake or contributed to the issue, apologize sincerely. Acknowledge your actions and express your commitment to making amends.
      • Work together to find a resolution that respects both of your needs and boundaries.
    7. Set Healthy Communication Expectations:
      • Discuss how you both can communicate better in the future to prevent similar situations from arising. Establish clear boundaries and expectations for communication.
      • Consider seeking couples’ therapy or counseling if this is a recurring issue in your relationship.
    8. Self-Care:
      • Take care of your emotional well-being during this challenging time. Engage in activities that help you relax and destress.
      • Lean on your support network, such as friends or family, for emotional support and advice.
    9. Evaluate the Relationship:
      • If the silent treatment becomes a pattern in the relationship and communication remains difficult, it may be necessary to assess whether the relationship is healthy and fulfilling for both parties.

    Remember that healthy communication is essential for any relationship. The silent treatment is not a constructive way to resolve conflicts, so it’s important to work together to find healthier ways to communicate and address issues.

  • Police looking into child’s body recovered in river in Germany

    Police looking into child’s body recovered in river in Germany

    The police are checking if a child’s body found in a river in Germany might be the body of a missing toddler named Ben Needham.

    A body was found in the River Danube in Bavaria a year ago. It was weighed down with a heavy stone and wrapped in tin foil.

    Ben disappeared in 1991 on the Greek island of Kos while he was playing at his grandparents’ farmhouse.

    His mother, Kerry, is happy that South Yorkshire Police are investigating if the body found is her son’s, after Interpol asked for help.

    She said: ‘I’m glad that they are investigating it. ‘ We need to look into and eliminate every option. We hope that someday, we will receive a single piece of information that reveals the truth.

    I hope the British police will look into this and talk to the German officers about it. We need to eliminate or exclude it as a possibility. I have consistently said that I don’t think he has passed away.

    The rebuilding project resembles Ben. I never knew that child trafficking is so common and widespread.

    The person in charge of the Interpol DNA Database, Francois-Xavier Laurent, shared that they received 33 clues/tips from the public.
    ‘We can now guess that this boy was most likely not from Germany. ‘

    The organization asked for the public’s help to find the identity of a dead boy and figure out what happened under questionable circumstances.

    They also made a model of the boy’s head.

    They thought the child was around five or six years old when he passed away.

    We don’t know how long the boy’s body was in the river, and the police in Germany can’t figure out who the child is.
    Investigators think that he was about 110 centimeters tall, weighed 15 kilograms, had brown hair, and had blood type O.

    They made a model of what they believe he might have looked like in 3D and are offering a reward of £8,600 (€10,000) to anyone who provides any information.

    It is thought that the boy had been in other countries, so the International Criminal Police Organization and its 195 member countries, including the UK, are now helping with the case.
    The international police organization has sent out a message called a ‘Black Notice’. They want people to share any information they have about certain dead bodies that have been identified.

    The head of the organization, Jürgen Stock, said: “There is someone out there who knows information about this boy, so it is very important to share specific details with the public. ”

    ‘We promise to use all of Interpol’s policing abilities to find out who he is and help investigators understand how he died, whether he was taken against his will or hurt. ‘

  • Elikem Kumordzie criticizes Ghanaian celebrities, calling them mediocre

    Elikem Kumordzie criticizes Ghanaian celebrities, calling them mediocre

    Ghanaian actor and fashion designer Elikem Kumordzie, in an interview with Ghanaweb, delved into various aspects of his life.

    The actor, who recently made headlines due to his disputes with prominent figures such as Sarkodie, Abrantie the Gentleman, and KK Fosu, provided an inside look into the true nature of these conflicts and their aftermath.

    Elikem, who proudly identifies as one of Ghana’s premier fashion designers, shared his ongoing commitment to maintaining this esteemed title through years of unwavering dedication and a commitment to quality.

    In addition to discussing his personal feuds, the controversial celebrity also offered valuable insights into the current state of the Ghanaian entertainment industry, the fashion business, and potential strategies to breathe new life into these sectors.

    But the conversation didn’t stop there. Elikem candidly shared the current status of his relationship with his ex-wife, Pokello, shedding light on their co-parenting journey, particularly regarding their son, Tristan, who resides in Zimbabwe. He also opened up about the significant role his mother plays in his life, despite their divorce.

    Furthermore, Elikem introduced his new partner, Hajara, and delved into a range of other intriguing topics during the discussion.

    Watch interview

  • Akrobeto visits Black stars ahead of match to qualify for AFCON

    Akrobeto visits Black stars ahead of match to qualify for AFCON

    Renowned Ghanaian actor, Akrobeto, paid a visit to the Black Stars players during their training session on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

    In a video shared by the official Black Stars social media account, Akrobeto could be seen warmly greeting the players. He engaged in conversations with Kudus Mohammed, Richard Ofori, Andre Ayew, and Jordan Ayew during his visit.

    The comedian shared a lighthearted moment with Andre Ayew as they exchanged jokes.

    The Black Stars had a productive training session as they aimed to conclude their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on a high note.

    Their final training session, scheduled for Wednesday, will be open to both the media and fans for the first 15 minutes.

    On Thursday, September 7, 2023, the team will face off against the Central African Republic in their last match of the qualifying round.

    Ghana currently leads Group E with an unbeaten record and 9 points. To secure their qualification for the AFCON, the Black Stars need to avoid defeat in this crucial match.

  • Peter Obi’s presidential election challenge in Nigeria rejected by election tribunal

    Peter Obi’s presidential election challenge in Nigeria rejected by election tribunal

    The Appeal Court in Nigeria has said no to a challenge against Bola Tinubu‘s small win in the presidential election held in February.

    After thinking for six hours, they said Peter Obi’s Labour Party’s request was not valid and rejected all of his arguments, including the accusation of deceit.

    We will know soon what they decide about the complaint made by Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Although there were issues with the election, Mr. Tinubu was officially sworn in as an officeholder on May 29th.

    The election was the most strongly fought since the military rule ended in 1999, with three very capable candidates competing for the first time. Mr Tinubu received the highest amount of votes with 37%, while Mr Abubakar got 29% and Mr Obi got 25%.

    Before Wednesday’s decision, there was a lot of tension in the country. The capital, Abuja, saw more security measures put in place.

    Even though authorities told people not to protest, different political groups came together outside the courthouse and started singing and dancing.

    The decision made on the same day the President served 100 days in office will be a big win for President Tinubu. He will now closely watch the Supreme Court, as his opponents may challenge this ruling.

    But the judges at the Appeal Court all agreed and their decision will make him feel more assured. This was already shown because he was not in the country when Wednesday’s decision was made. He was in India for the G20 summit.

    Lead justice Haruna Tsammani, who made the final decision, said “the people who brought the case couldn’t prove that there was corruption and too many votes. ”

    Justice Tsammani also mentioned that:

    The people who made the petition did not say exactly which polling stations they believe had cheating.
    The people who started the petition did not give enough evidence to support their claim that votes were being unfairly stopped from being counted in the areas where they have the most support.
    The electoral commission didn’t have to send results electronically.
    Not uploading pictures of the polling unit results right away did not make the election not count.

  • M.anifest set to release a new album

    M.anifest set to release a new album

    Ghanaian rapper M.anifest has announced that he is preparing to drop a new album.

    He mentioned that the album’s production is complete and will soon be accessible to the public, giving them a chance to discover its contents.

    M.anifest, the Ghanaian rapper, expressed that he doesn’t feel pressured to release songs on a regular basis. Instead, his focus is on creating records that are compelling and resonate with his audience.

    While speaking at the private listening session for Nigerian singer Patoranking’s ‘World Best’ album, M.anifest hinted at the imminent release of his new album.

    “An album is finished, it will come out soon,” said M.anifest. “I think I’m not a new artist anymore so the requirement of how to make things go on the next level is different. So beyond asking the music which I do all the time is sort of strategically moving it in place to make it resonate on some level.”he said.

    Manifest further added, “I have been active, even if I don’t release music you might see me in New York or elsewhere. I am active but I love the idea of making it drawback and then having a body of work and figuring out how to make the work resonate the most.

    “Because if it is just about releasing songs, then it wouldn’t have been by my will. So I think I am good.”

  • US sanctions senior paramilitary leader in Sudan

    US sanctions senior paramilitary leader in Sudan

    The United States is focusing on a important Sudanese paramilitary leader in the most important effort to restrict trade and financial transactions since the current conflict started in Sudan.

    Washington has punished Abdelrahim Dagalo, the second-in-command of Rapid Support Forces (RSF), for violating human rights during the group’s conflict with Sudan’s army.

    The decision, which was announced on Wednesday, seems to be a reaction to the dangerous fighting that has been happening in West Darfur. The RSF and their allied groups are being blamed for causing this violence.

    The US has accused Mr. Dagalo of being involved in bad actions like sexual violence during conflicts and killings based on people’s ethnicity.

    Conflict monitors, rights groups, and witnesses claim that the RSF is responsible for the violence in Darfur.

    Abdelrahim Dagalo, who is the brother of RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (also called Hemedti), is the first government official to be punished since the war began.

    In the past, some penalties were imposed on companies. These penalties were aimed at both the army and the RSF.

  • Shatta calls on Ghana Police to investigate Sally Mann over suicide comment

    Shatta calls on Ghana Police to investigate Sally Mann over suicide comment

    The controversial Ghanaian dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale, has responded to remarks made by entertainment pundit Sally Mann regarding his potential reaction to envy.

    During an interview on Power FM in Accra, Mann asserted that Shatta’s repeated criticisms of his colleagues, particularly Stonebwoy and Sarkodie, seemed to stem from feelings of jealousy. She went on to suggest that if his peers continued to excel in their careers, there could be a day when Shatta Wale might harm himself.

    In response to Sally Mann’s comments, Shatta Wale raised questions about the effectiveness of the Ghana Police Service’s Cyber Unit in addressing online threats and hate speech. He expressed his frustration, implying that the Cyber Unit primarily focuses on cybercrime activities related to “sakawa” (cyber fraud) and does not give enough attention to other forms of online misconduct.

    In his social media posts, Shatta Wale suggested that Mann’s remarks constituted a threat to his life and indirectly called for an investigation into her comments about self-harm.

  • Ukraine war: Attack on market in ‘calm city’ results in 17 deaths

    Ukraine war: Attack on market in ‘calm city’ results in 17 deaths

    President Zelensky strongly criticized a purposeful attack on the calm city of Kostyantynivka in Ukraine.

    At least 17 people, including a child, died in the explosion. It happened on a crowded street in the middle of the day, which is unusual.

    Kostyantynivka, a town in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine, is close to where fighting is happening.

    Videos on social media show a big orange blast at the end of a street where people were shopping. Russia has not yet made a statement about the attack.

    Volodymyr Zelensky, who has accused Moscow, said that the people who were killed did not do anything wrong and cautioned that the number of deaths might rise. Handling Russia involved ignoring the boldness of their bad actions.

    It is believed that around 32 people are hurt. Some stores and a pharmacy were damaged or affected.

    “The Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, said that all services are functioning properly and assured the residents that the fire is under control. ”

    Later on, shortly after 6:00 pm local time (4:00 pm BST), Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klimenko announced that the search and rescue operation was finished.

    Videos and pictures that are being shared online seem to show the exact moment when the explosion happened, as well as the disturbing aftermath.

    This appears to be the worst attack of its kind in a while. It happened on a busy street where people were going to market stalls and café terraces.

    Ukraine’s chief prosecutor is looking into the attack. They are investigating to see if any laws and rules of war were broken during the attack.

    Prosecutors are doing everything they can to document the war crimes done by Russia.

    Officials in Russia have not said that they are responsible for the attack. They said they didn’t aim at people during their attack.

    Kostyantynivka is near the fighting, and it has been hit multiple times this year.

    On April 2nd, six innocent people died. Missiles and rockets destroyed 16 buildings where people live and a nursery school.
    On May 13th, two people, one of whom was a 15-year-old girl, died in an attack. The attack involved the use of Smerch rockets, which hit tall buildings, homes, a gas station, a drug store, and stores.
    On 24 July, two kids were murdered in an assault. Ukraine claims that Russian authorities used cluster munitions to carry out the attack.

    It is also about 17 miles (27km) away from the city of Bakhmut, where there has been a lot of intense fighting for a while.