Kennedy Agyapong, the Assin Central Member of Parliament (MP) and a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has expressed his frustration with the attacks from some party officials leading up to the flagbearership election.
He has made it clear that if these attacks continue and he loses the election, he will not actively participate in the party’s campaign for the 2024 General Election. Instead, he intends to relocate to America to enjoy his life.
During an interview with Home Radio, Agyapong firmly stated, “I’m telling you, if they continue the way they are going, big no.
If they go the way they are going, when I lose, I will go back to America. You say you can win, win without Ken Agyapong. Let Adomako Baafi and all those guys go and do the campaign. You think I’m a fool to spend my money for these young guys to insult me? If they stop, fine. If they don’t, then count me out.”
Despite his strong stance on the attacks and his decision not to campaign if they persist, Agyapong maintains that he is prepared to lead the NPP into the 2024 General Election. However, he also makes it clear that losing the flagbearer election wouldn’t be seen as a major setback for him.
Agyapong is confident that if elected, he possesses pragmatic solutions to address the numerous challenges faced by Ghanaians. Among the ten aspirants vying for the NPP’s flagbearer position, he is considered one of the three leading contenders ahead of the upcoming polls.
Tuesday saw the abrupt and highly unexpected replacement of China’s foreign ministerQin Gang with his predecessor. This came after Qin Gang had been out of the public sight for a considerable amount of time.
The abrupt action, which China’s rubber-stamp parliament’s top decision-making body approved, comes as uncertainty surrounds Qin’s whereabouts, who was last seen in the open on June 25.
After serving as China’s ambassador to Washington, Qin, a 57-year-old career diplomat and dependable advisor to Chinese President Xi Jinping, was only nominated foreign minister in December.
Qin’s resignation has not yet been explained, but Wang Yi, who took over for Qin, will now resume his duties, according to authorities.
China’s senior diplomat, Wang, who served as foreign minister from 2013 to 2022, is currently in charge of the Communist Party’s division of foreign policy.
Tuesday’s meeting of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, which broke with customary written protocol, saw the appointment of the country’s new foreign minister.
The dismissal of Xi comes as China enters a busy and vital diplomatic season after emerging from pandemic isolation earlier this year and attempts to mend strained ties with its allies abroad.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Qin on June 18 while the American diplomat was in Beijing as part of the US and China’s efforts to reestablish dialogue.
In his final public outing, a beaming Qin was spotted strolling alongside the deputy foreign minister of Russia, Andrey Rudenko, who had flown to Beijing to meet with Chinese officials following a brief uprising by the Wagner mercenary group in Russia.
The ministry had not provided a comprehensive explanation for Qin’s departure from China’s agenda of foreign affairs, which led to widespread speculation in a nation renowned for its political obscurity.
China’s foreign minister was last seen in the public on this occasion.
When he failed to show up for a diplomatic event earlier this month, the ministry hastily stated “health reasons.” But the statement wasn’t included in the official briefing transcript that the ministry eventually placed online, and when a spokesman was questioned the following week, she said that she had “no information to provide.”
Wang Yi was already seen resuming his duties to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) annual meeting of foreign ministers in Indonesia earlier this month, and again at the BRICS bloc of major developing economies’ crucial meeting this week in South Africa. His absence also appeared to have caused disruptions.
Tuesday evening saw the removal of Qin’s profile from the Foreign Ministry website, and the space where his picture and welcoming greeting had once been had been changed to read “information being updated.”
The mystery surrounding Qin’s removal is increased by his alleged close ties to Xi, who last October achieved a record-breaking third term in office with a new leadership team full of devoted loyalists.
In spite of some surprise among sophisticated Chinese political analysts, Qin’s appointment as foreign minister last year over more qualified candidates was widely regarded as a demonstration of Xi’s confidence in the diplomat. Qin rose quickly to the position of foreign minister.
“Xi was the only one who was able to push Qin Gang up the ranks. Any issues with him will reflect poorly on Xi as well, suggesting that Xi did not pick the best candidate for the position, said Deng Yuwen, a former Communist Party newspaper editor who now resides in the US, to CNN earlier this month.
“If anything unusual happened to a senior official, people will wonder if their relationships with the top leader have soured or whether it is a sign of political instability,” said Deng.
Senior Chinese leaders have in the past vanished from view only to have their detention for investigations revealed months later by the Communist Party’s disciplinary watchdog. Such unexpected disappearances have become a regular occurrence in Xi’s anti-corruption campaign.
It’s unclear if Qin will face any disciplinary action or if any has already been taken.
Such informational gaps are frequent in the Chinese political system, which is intentionally opaque regarding the inner workings of a party that dominates all spheres of power and makes decisions in secret.
The Communist Party’s control over the political system and larger society has grown stronger under Xi as the leader has cracked down on dissent and consolidated power in his own hands.
A court in Brussels found six out of ten defendants guilty of “terrorist murder” in connection with the 2016 Brussels attacks, according to Belgian state broadcaster RTBF, on Tuesday.
Mohamed Abrini, Oussama Atar, Osama Krayem, Salah Abdeslam, Ali El Haddad Asufi, and Bilal El Makhoukhi reportedly all received convictions for terrorist murder.
According to the Brussels court, which found that the crimes had a terrorist motivation, the group scared the Belgian authorities by planning to murder as many people as possible.
According to RTBF, in their respective trials, Hervé Bayingana Muhirwa and Sofien Ayari were also found guilty of assisting a terrorist organisation. It was determined that all six males had done this.
The trial to determine whether 10 individuals were involved in the March 22, 2016, suicide bombings that left dozens of people dead and over 300 injured started last year. According to RTBF, the court determined that four more victims should be added to the list of those murdered in the attacks, increasing the total death toll to 36.
The strikes, in which suicide bombers set off several explosions in the Brussels airport and a metro station, were claimed by ISIS.
In 2022, Abdeslam was also found responsible for a series of deadly bomb and gun attacks that took place in Paris in 2015. Abdeslam was given a life sentence without the possibility of parole by a French court. He is believed to be the only survivor of the squad that carried out the attacks in France.
RTBF reports that Oussama Atar, who was absent from the Brussels trial, is thought to have perished in Syria.
The allegations against brothers Smail and Ibrahim Farisi for participating in terrorist organisation operations were reportedly withdrawn against both of them, according to RTBF. The two brothers were consequently cleared of all charges brought against them.
The largest trial ever held in Belgium came to a close on Tuesday with the decision, according to Reuters, which involved testimony from over 370 witnesses and experts.
Belgian foreign fighters have travelled to Syria and Iraq in greater numbers per capita than citizens of any other country in the European Union, and this was a concern for counterterrorism officials when the attacks occurred in 2016.
Early on Wednesday, a strong typhoon hit the northern Philippines, posing the risk of tidal surges, flash floods, and landslides that could be fatal in some areas of the main island.
According to Pagasa, the Philippine weather service, typhoon Doksuri, also known as Egay, hit land around 3:10 a.m. local time (3:10 p.m. ET) close to the remote Fuga Island.
Despite having lost some of its super typhoon intensity, Doksuri still had winds of roughly 220 kilometres per hour (140 mph), which is the same as an Atlantic hurricane of category 4.
As torrential rains blanketed the nation, Pagasa warned that violent and life-threatening circumstances might be expected in some sections of Luzon, the largest and most populous island in the Philippines.
The typhoon has already dropped up to 16 inches (0.4 metres) of rain, and its 680-kilometer (420-mile) rainband might drop up to 20 inches (0.5 metres), raising the possibility of flash floods and landslides in the hilly northern regions, according to Pasgasa.
Additionally, authorities issued a 3 metre (almost 10 foot) tide surge warning.
The typhoon’s anticipated winds of up to 200 kph (124 mph) are expected to have a significant impact on the communities in its path. Local governments started evacuating some residents who were in the storm’s path on Tuesday.
More than 12,000 people had been evacuated by Tuesday evening from at least a dozen coastal and mountain villages, according to the governor of Cagayan province, which has closed its offices and cancelled classes.
“It’s a powerful typhoon, and we want to take as many preventive measures as we can,” said Governor Cagayan Manuel Mamba.
Authorities also cancelled at least 12 domestic flights from Wednesday to Friday.
Taiwan and China are on high alert due to the potential for heavy rain and strong gusts.
On Tuesday, Taiwan postponed a number of its yearly military drills as it got ready for what may be the strongest typhoon to hit the autonomous island in four years.
Eastern Taiwan is currently being impacted by the typhoon’s outer bands, according to the Central Weather Bureau of the island. As it moves northwest, it is anticipated to continue to weaken until it is only a category 1 hurricane, with the possibility of making a second landfall in the next two days on China’s southern coastline.
As Doksuri is expected to make landfall by Friday around the southeast coast where the provinces of Fujian and Guangdong meet, China’s National Meteorological Centre on Wednesday upgraded its typhoon emergency warning to the highest level.
Fishing boats have been ordered by Chinese authorities to return to port immediately, while farmers have been admonished to take precautions to prevent crop flooding.
On Tuesday, July 25, a disturbing incident occurred at the Wa Technical Institute in the Wa municipality of the Upper West region, resulting in three students being apprehended by the police for allegedly attacking their housemaster. The school authorities filed a formal complaint, bringing the vicious assault on the teacher to light.
The housemaster, identified as Ishmail Musah Froko, sustained severe injuries during the attack and was rushed to the Wa Municipal Hospital for urgent medical treatment. The assault took place at the house two block of the Wa Technical Institute while Mr. Froko was on a routine monitoring visit.
During the incident, one student was arrested for assaulting the housemaster, while two others were apprehended for assaulting a fellow student who intervened to rescue the teacher.
In response to the distressing event, the headmaster of the Wa Technical Institute reassured parents that the situation was under control and emphasized that the safety of their children at the school remained a top priority. He urged parents to actively participate in the development of their children’s behavior and conduct.
Currently, the three students involved in the attack have been detained by the police to aid in the ongoing investigations.
As authorities work to address the situation and conduct a thorough inquiry, it is essential for the school and community to come together to prevent similar incidents in the future and foster a safe learning environment for all students.
Kwami Sefa Kayi, popularly known as “Chairman General” and the host of Peace FM’s morning show “Kokrokoo,” has strongly condemned the recent assault incident at Adisadel College. In a viral video that sparked public outrage, two students were seen engaging in a fierce fight, with one inflicting serious injury on the other.
Expressing his dismay at the barbaric act, Chairman General firmly advocated for a strict disciplinary action to be taken against the culprit. He suggested that the student responsible for the assault should be handed over to the Military for a profound life lesson.
“It is really, really sad,” Chairman General expressed his deep concern over the incident. He further proposed that the student should undergo corporal punishment, specifically serving time in the “military Police guardroom for about 10 days.” He firmly believed that this form of discipline would bring about a positive transformation in the student.
According to Chairman General, the experience of spending time in the military guardroom would effectively reform the student’s behavior. He expressed hope that the disciplinary measure would drive away any negative influences or “evil spirits” that may have led the student to engage in such misconduct.
The assault incident has prompted the school authorities and the Ghana Education Service to launch a comprehensive investigation. Meanwhile, public figures like Chairman General have voiced their strong stance against such acts of violence in educational institutions and have called for appropriate measures to ensure discipline and safety on school premises.
As the situation unfolds, it remains crucial for authorities to address the issue diligently and take appropriate actions to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Renowned governance expert, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, has expressed deep worry regarding President Akufo-Addo’s consistent approach to dealing with state investigative bodies concerning the recent Cecilia Dapaah’s stolen cash incident at her residence.
Following the acceptance of Madam Cecilia Dapaah’s resignation, President Akufo-Addo publicly praised her loyalty to protecting the government’s image, stating, “I am confident, like you, that, at the end of the day, your integrity, whilst in office, will be fully established.”
Speaking on Starr Today with Joshua Kodjo Mensah, the governance expert pointed out that the President should have refrained from making commendatory conclusions about Dapaah’s actions. Professor Agyeman-Duah noted that President Akufo-Addo has a history of avoiding direct accusations or levelling allegations against his appointees, and this consistency did not surprise him. However, he believed this was a missed opportunity for the President to take a high ground by simply commending Dapaah for her resignation, without preemptively assuming the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
The governance expert emphasized that the matter was still under investigation by the special prosecutor, and the conclusion was yet unknown. Making statements like the President’s might be interpreted as an attempt to influence or manipulate the investigation, potentially raising concerns about fairness and transparency.
“As the special prosecutor has set in and is going to Madam Dapaah’s house, we don’t know how the investigation is going to go. So if the President of the republic makes such a statement, then I am not surprised that people are thinking that perhaps there is going to be the clearing agent thing,” Mr. Agyeman-Duah stated.
The incident highlights the importance of preserving the principle of presumption of innocence until proven guilty and the need for public officials to remain neutral and cautious while investigations are underway. At the time of the last update in September 2021, this issue remained a subject of concern, and any further developments or statements from involved parties should be closely monitored to ensure transparency and fairness in the investigative process.
There are seven financial sins that will keep you broke. Taken to excess they can even make you poor. Broke is a state of mind while poor is a condition of poverty. Broke is being deeply in debt but still getting a $8 coffee while being poor is not being able to buy groceries when you’re hungry. These financial sins are what keeps people in the middle class and working at a job they may not like for 40 years.
These are not rare conditions, this is a list of what most normal people do and think nothing about it. These financial sins are the default settings for the majority of people because they are what they see other’s doing, what their family did, how they are programmed, and they don’t know any better way. Most importantly this is the path of least resistance and just easy.
The first step toward repentance is acknowledging the sin.
Let’s look at the seven deadly sins of personal finance for people that want more out of life with their money.
Being financially illiterate Education doesn’t end after school is complete, it begins when you leave school and decide what you want in life. Many times there is little to no financial education in school and people must educate their self. Too many people know nothing about how to manage their personal finances much less about accounting, business, real estate or investing. The first sin of personal finance is ignorance. You don’t know what you don’t know and you’re ignorant of your own ignorance.
To repent of this sin and educate yourself you must learn what you need to be successful in finance. You have many choices for learning, you can read finance books by authors you like, watch YouTube channels that are entertaining and educational, or Google what you need to know. Information is abundant today but attention and focus are scarce.
Learn about the areas of finance you need to know about, educate yourself.
Spend more than you make If you spend more than you make you will always be broke regardless of how much you’re paid, you win, or you inherit. You can’t out earn out of control spending. This is the lifestyle creep that the middle class feels as they make sure they upgrade their car, house, or vacation with every pay raise, promotion, or bonus from work. If you increase your spending and debt with your income you will always be broke, you’ll just be sitting in a nicer car or home with no money.
This is even true for the biggest earners like professional athletes and lottery winners. If they receive large amounts of money and don’t know how to manage it, invest it, and make it grow it will disappear into consumer spending and bad choices. However, people that can manage money can come from nothing and become millionaires due to their knowledge, discipline, and focus.
If you spend less than you make you will not be broke, stop the cycle.
Stay in debt Debt can be a tool in real estate and business to leverage the bank’s capital to earn more than you could with just your money. However, using debt for consumer goods that go down in value is a formula for being broke. If you are in bad debt then the money that should be going into investments and assets is going toward car payments and credit card payments. Large debt payments kill your positive cash flow and limits your financial choices in life.
You make payments on bad debt, you receive cash flow and capital gains from good debt. Your home mortgage can be good debt if the house goes up in value, your car payment is bad debt as it goes down in value. The more monthly payments you have the less capital you have for investment and asset acquisition. If you are buying things with credit cards and not paying off the bills monthly you likely can’t afford it and are living beyond your means.
Having a large amount of consumer debt shows a lack of self-control.
Sell your time for money If you limit what you can make to how much you work then you will not be able to scale into wealth. Wealth comes from leverage and the way you get rich is to make money by using a financial model that doesn’t require a 100% correlation with your time. Your time is limited and you can’t duplicate it so the constraint limits your earnings.
Here are ways to make money without selling your time directly for money, the correlation is not 1 to 1.
Create a business that makes money when you are not there. Buy a stock that pays a dividend. Own a stock that goes up in value. Sell option contracts on a stock you own. Publish a book you make royalties on. Create a cash flowing website.
Create eCourses on your area of expertise. Create a YouTube channel. Rent an Airbnb. Rent a car on Turo. Own a vending machine. Own a home that goes up in value. Of course time is required to research, create, and manage these assets but you don’t get paid for your time, you get paid for the monetary performance of your asset. You are risking some of your time and capital in some cases for a reward but you are not paid for your time. You’re investing you time and capital for potential future returns. These potentially cash flowing assets break the correlation between time and making money. This is the way.
Work a job to learn how a business works, gain experience, and make connections, don’t just sell your time for money, look for a personal return on your investment of time and energy.
A job is your only income Almost everyone has a job when they start out in life but it shouldn’t be your only source of income or how you spend the next 40 years. You should have more than one source of income for financial risk management and to grow your wealth. Millionaires have on average seven sources of income according to the IRS.
Employment income Capital gains income Interest Income Dividend Income Rental Income Business Income Royalty Income It’s a financial sin not to start building at least some type of second income early in life. If you do it right it could be one of only seven sources of income one day.
Own no cash flowing assets ou must make a payment to own liabilities, while assets pay you to own them. Cash flowing assets have a profit factor when you own them. Once you have created one cash flowing asset then you can duplicate it over and over again. This is why you see so many businesses with different locations, once they have a financial model that works, they duplicate it to scale. This is why authors write so many books, they are each cash flowing assets. This is why entrepreneurs create businesses, they are cash flowing assets. This is what a trading or investing system with an edge is, a cash flowing asset over the long-term.
It’s a financial sin to not own any cash flowing assets.
Broke mindset While having a rich mindset focused on wealth creation doesn’t guarantee you will be a millionaire a broke mindset can lock in your destiny of not having money. Creating wealth is not an easy journey and requires the right positive mindset to pursue it. A broke mindset is easy to identify as it’s a mental model of negativity, victimhood, and many times jealousy.
A broke mindset thinks that they will never get ahead, and that their current reality is their lifetime destiny. They don’t believe they can create wealth, get ahead in life, or become rich. They think wealth is only created by selfish and greedy people exploiting others. Most also have spending problems and think money is only good if it’s used to buy things. They have no understanding of saving and investing along with no self-control for spending.
Having a broke mindset is the unforgivable sin for cash flow. Capital avoids people with a negative mindset.
Now that you know the seven sins of finance go and sin no more against your money.
Sleeping with a close friend can indeed lead to various pitfalls and awkward moments that should be carefully considered before crossing that line. Here are some of the potential issues to be aware of:
Introducing New Partners: If you have a sexual relationship with a close friend and they start dating someone else, it can lead to uncomfortable situations when they introduce you as just a “close friend” when you both know there’s more to it. This can also create problems if their new partner finds out about your history together, leading to potential confrontations and conflicts.
Recurrence: Keeping a one-time sexual encounter between friends can be difficult, especially if the initial encounter was spontaneous or driven by uncontrolled excitement. Avoiding a recurrence of such intimate moments can strain the friendship and make it challenging to move forward without lingering tension.
Opinions and Judgments: After becoming sexually involved with a friend, seeking their advice or discussing personal matters, like heartbreaks or dating, can become awkward. Their opinions might be perceived as biased or influenced by their personal interest in maintaining the intimate connection.
Questioning Intentions: Doubts can arise about your friend’s actions and whether they are genuinely interested in your well-being or if their actions are merely an attempt to rekindle the physical aspect of the relationship, especially if the initial encounter was highly enjoyable.
Changing Relationship Dynamic: In many cases, the friendship will not return to its previous state after becoming sexually involved. The dynamics between the two friends can shift, leading to a deterioration of the relationship quality from previously good to potentially strained or negative.
Considering these potential complications, it’s essential for individuals to weigh the potential risks and rewards of sleeping with a close friend. Being aware of the possible pitfalls can help one make a more informed decision and navigate the situation with greater sensitivity and care. Communication and honesty between the friends involved can also play a crucial role in understanding each other’s feelings and intentions.
Oheneyere Gifty Anti, a renowned journalist, motivational speaker, and author, recently shared her saddest moment from her early career at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. During an interview with Kafui Dey on the Breakfast Show, she opened up about her first working experience with GBC after completing her National Service.
Recalling her first time on set, Gifty Anti revealed that it was unplanned and she was unprepared, not even dressed officially for the occasion. She vividly remembered wearing a very short skirt and her father’s shirt on that particular day.
Unfortunately, her early efforts were met with criticism as a magazine called Radio and Television labeled her as “beautiful enough but not intelligent enough for the set.” This judgment came shortly after she was asked by one of the presenters to host the newspaper review segment on GTV. Despite feeling nervous and unsteady, she took on the challenge with determination, burying her head in the newspaper throughout the review to hide her shivers.
However, Gifty Anti’s response to this discouraging remark was truly inspiring. She believed that the best form of revenge was to succeed. So, she gathered her strength, cleaned herself up, and resolved to make the best of her abilities.
During the interview, Gifty Anti offered valuable advice to aspiring young individuals who wish to succeed and make the most of themselves. She emphasized the importance of sacrifice, hard work, and staying focused on their goals.
In the face of adversity, Gifty Anti’s story serves as a reminder of the power of resilience and determination, demonstrating that one can rise above negative criticism and chart a path to success with unwavering commitment.
President Akufo-Addo has carried out a reshuffle of two deputy ministers within his present government.
In a letter announcing the appointment of Freda Prempeh as the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also introduced Mavis Nkansah Boadu and Thomas Mbomba as new appointees.
The two individuals, currently serving as deputy ministers for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and Roads and Highways, respectively, will undergo a positional exchange.
“President Akufo-Addo, in consultation with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and Roads and Highways, respectively, has also appointed the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament for Afigya Sekyere East, Hon. Mavis Nkansah Boadu, as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and Member of Parliament for Tatale/Sanguli, Hon. Thomas Mbomba, as Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways,” the statement issued by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Office of the President said.
The president also announced a replacement for Cecilia Dapaah in the same statement.
“The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has appointed the Minister of State at the Presidency and Member of Parliament for Tano North, Hon. Freda Prempeh, as the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources. She takes over from Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, whose letter of resignation, dated Saturday, 22nd July 2023, was accepted by the President on Saturday, 22nd July 2023,” it added.
The statement concluded by stating that all appointments take effect immediately.
Cecilia Dapaah resigned on Saturday, July 22, 2023, following public criticism about the monies stolen from her home.
The former minister, in her letter of resignation addressed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, she explained that she decided to resign because the issues surrounding the monies could affect the government negatively.
However, she noted that the subject of theft in her home, as captured by many reports, has been grossly exaggerated.
“Since Friday, July 21, 2023, social and traditional media have been full of stories about a court case involving a theft that took place last year in the home I live with my husband and daughter.
“The stories sought to suggest that I own various huge sums of foreign currencies and millions of Ghana cedis which have been stolen from my home. Whereas I can state emphatically that those figures do not represent correctly what my husband and I reported to the Police, I am very much aware of the import of such stories around someone in my position.
“I am resigning, therefore, because I do not want this matter to become a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time,” parts of the letter read.
Ghanaian hiplife sensation, Okyeame Kwame on July 21, 2023, organised a climate walk with the participation of about 500 students, who marched from Accra Metropolitan Assembly to Ghana’s Parliament. The purpose of the petition was to urge the climate caucus to be more ambitious with regard to climate justice. The students chanted during the walk in support of climate justice, a greener Ghana, reforestation, and increased public awareness of the climate emergency.
At Parliament, Okyeame Kwame and the group were welcomed by esteemed guests, including Emmanuel Marfo, the UN resident coordinator, Charles Abani, the Mayor of Accra, Elizabeth Sackey, and members of the parliamentary climate caucus. They unanimously agreed with the advocates that climate compensation is crucial for Africans and indigenous people worldwide, who contribute less than 4 percent to carbon emissions but suffer the consequences of harsh climate conditions.
Emmanuel Marfo praised Okyeame Kwame and the climate clock team for involving future generations in this significant cause. The climate walk was organized in observance of Climate Emergency Day, celebrated every July 22.
After the walk, Ekumfi juice refreshments supported the initiative for the students, teachers, and activists.
Following the walk, Okyeame Kwame and his family led a delegation to meet with Amer Al Alalawi, the head of the United Arab Emirates Diplomatic mission in Accra. Nakeeyat Dramani Sam (Youth Climate Advocate), Portia Adu Mensah (lead advocate, climate clock Ghana), and a media group joined to discuss youth representation at COP28, to be hosted by the UAE in Expo City Dubai in November. Amer Al Alalawi appreciated Okyeame’s initiative and assured that the UAE is committed to involving youth in climate discussions and decision-making.
From July 14 to July 20, the climate clock visited various schools, including Kwabenya Senior High School, St John’s Grammar High School, Kaneshie Cluster of schools, and St. Martin De Porres, engaging over 1500 students on the climate emergency and the need for immediate action.
On July 22, Okyeame Kwame, along with other climate activists, will observe the countdown of the climate clock to 5 years on Facebook and Instagram.
A Twitter spaces conversation, hosted by Kwame Dadzie, brought together Twitter audiences and scientists to discuss the theme: “what can we do to increase our lifeline.” The panelists included Charles Abani, UN resident coordinator, Dr. Tutu Benefo, Head of 5th Climate Change, EPA, Bossman Owusu Jnr, Country Director, Solidaridad, Winston Asante, climate consultant, Gan Golan, chief strategy officer, climate clock, Portia Adu Mensah, lead Advocate, climate clock, Michael David, executive director, GIFSEP, and Okyeame Kwame, musician and Climate ambassador.
The walk was organized by Okyeame Kwame Foundation in partnership with Accra Metropolitan Assembly and sponsored by Ekumfi Juice.
Media personality and former girlfriend of Shatta Wale, Michy, has asserted that men play a significant role in influencing women to undergo body enhancements.
According to Michy, many women have expressed that men are drawn to specific body shapes, leading women to consider surgical procedures to appear more attractive to them. She shared her thoughts during an interview with Nana Romeo on Accra FM.
Michy further revealed that she has noticed that women who enhance their bodies often experience positive changes in their lives, such as opportunities to travel abroad and live more comfortably. She believes that men are the ones investing in such new traits sought after by women.
In today’s generation, she mentioned that having an enhanced derriere has become a desired asset, and there seems to be a stereotype surrounding a certain body type that is considered the new norm among women. She expressed her belief that men play a role in shaping these perceptions because many women have indicated that their decisions to enhance their bodies are driven by what men find appealing.
During the interview, Michy was candidly asked if she had undergone any body enhancements herself, to which she admitted that she has undergone surgeries, not solely for cosmetic purposes but also for other reasons. However, she expressed that she is content with her body shape and sees no need for further enhancements.
Michy emphasized that she feels confident and comfortable with her appearance, loving herself for who she is. While acknowledging her experiences with surgeries, she highlighted the importance of being grateful for life and embracing one’s own unique beauty.
Ghanaian artiste H. Hardy, who was born in Liberia, has made a triumphant return to the music scene after an absence of about eleven years, with the release of his second album titled ‘Focus.’
The album, which was released on July 21, 2023, has already garnered widespread appreciation from music enthusiasts. Drawing on his Afrik Etiole award-winning talent, H. Hardy has collaborated with various international artists, resulting in an eclectic and diverse album. Among the featured artists are Ghanaian talents Wutah Kobby and Medikal, along with Dominican Republic artiste Baby Shaba, among others. The songs on the album traverse multiple genres, showcasing the artist’s versatility.
H. Hardy emphasizes the potential of working with artists from different parts of the world to create exceptional music. Besides his musical endeavors, he also owns H.HARDY MEDIA, a company specializing in producing movies, music videos, and other media services.
The album boasts a total of sixteen (16) songs, including tracks like ‘Everybody,’ ‘Jobolo,’ ‘Juju Me,’ ‘Just Because,’ ‘Music,’ ‘Tonight,’ ‘Zombie,’ ‘By Force,’ ‘Greatness,’ ‘Follow,’ ‘Lullaby,’ ‘Never,’ ‘Collabo,’ ‘Come to Me,’ ‘I don’t Care,’ and ‘Myself.’ The varied collection promises an enriching musical experience for his fans and beyond.
H. Hardy collaborated with numerous producers from around the globe to create his album.
“Credits goes out to my manager Oliver Walker, Sam Armstrong (Video Director) Julian Asiedu (Road manager) Ademola Isiijola (DJ) Ayanwale Ayandele (Promotor Nigeria) Noble Ohene (Strawman)(Ghana),” he said.
The producers on the album are CJ Made It (Ghana), Gomez Beatx (Ghana) Swanzy Beats (Ghana), Dee Tweh (Liberia) and Mahalo Beats (Liberia).
Ghana’s Parliament has struck out “dormant” death penalty from it laws after the house sat on July 25, 2023.
Parliament passed the Criminal Offences Amendment Act, 2022 which seeks to replace the death penalty with a life sentence.
In Ghana, the death penalty is imposed after a conviction for murder, attempt to commit murder, genocide, or piracy and smuggling of gold or diamond.
However, some human rights activists have argued that the death penalty is too final and irreversible, thereby demanding a replacement with a life sentence.
Passing the bill, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, said, “The Criminal Offences Amendment Act, 2022 is duly read the third time and duly passed.”
The Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin says the passage of the bill calls for celebration as a country.
Although the death penalty was inherited from the colonial administration as a punishment for murder, attempted murder, genocide, piracy, and smuggling of gold or diamonds, successive presidents of Ghana have not signed a death warrant for the execution of offenders since 1993.
A prisoner confined at the Ewutu Camp Prison has recounted how he spearheaded the arrest of his fellow thieves after being given only a trifle of the amount they acquired during their ‘operation.’
Kweku Stephen revealed that this occurred after he had gone with the team to steal a sum of GHC50,000 from a shop. Expecting a fair share of the spoils, he was utterly surprised and disappointed when he was only given GHC50.
He complained and requested for more, however, he was told by the other team members he deserved just what he got.
“I was expecting half of the money as my share or just a bundle of the GHC50 notes but I was just given GHC50. So I decided to teach them a lesson.
To avenge his case, he reported the other members of the team to the police and they were arrested,” he said.
For the majority of his young life, Stephen has been engaged in criminal activities, which eventually led to his incarceration.
Narrating circumstances that led to his current situation, he disclosed that it was mainly due to family neglect.
According to him, he lost his mum when he was still a baby. His father, who was the family’s provider as a hunter, had given money to his mother for his circumcision. However, his mother used the change to purchase alcohol.
When his father returned home without any game, he expected his mother to return the change for the upkeep of the house, but his drunk mum couldn’t provide it since she had used it to purchase alcohol, leading to a heated argument. The situation escalated, and his father threatened to shoot his wife, and in the ensuing struggle to snatch the gun from him, she was accidentally shot and died.
His father was arrested and spent 12 years in remand prison but was later released after his (Stephen) grandfather secured a bail for his father. While his dad was away, he was nurtured by his grandmother who was initially good to him, but then, she later changed, revealing a cold side as she asserted that Stephen was a bad boy.
She stopped feeding him, leaving Stephen with no choice but to find a way to fend for himself, which ultimately led to his involvement in thievery.
The Nigerian singer Brymo, real name Olawale Olofooro, has admitted that he once asked his colleague Simi for sex in order to record a song with her.
According to him, he wanted to experience making music with a female musician he was sleeping with.
Brymo expressed his regrets for making such demands and ignoring his collaboration with Simi because he wanted to realise his fantasies in a series of tweets.
“There’s a part of me that wants to feel remorse for my requirement for a collaboration with the talented Simi. Yet, I am reminded that I was indeed and honestly seeking to experience the outcome of making music with a female act I was bedding. I proposed the same to Efya, too, then,” he wrote.
“Of course, I had to let go of the desperation. I didn’t intend then to demand sex for collaboration. I wanted an experience that involved sex with my female collaborator,” the singer added.
However, Brymo made it clear that he was not seeking sexual favours in exchange for cooperation. “I wanted to get close to you to make it intense.”
“I promise I was seeking the experience. To date, I have still never slept with any female I collaborated with. I let it go,” he explained.
He added that he had no idea that at the time Simi and her husband Adekunle Gold were already in a relationship.
“It took years for me to find out that they were together…First of all, I deprived them of features and finally, they made it on their own…But I never intended to demand sex for features, he added.
Victims of the Appiatse explosion which occurred last year, who sustained various degrees of injuries after the unfortunate incident have been left to foot their own bills.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Appiatse Reconstruction Committee, Mr Thywill Quarshie, who disclosed this to the media, said the development is as a result of lack of funds to support the victims.
“We have asked the victims to foot their own medical bills with the hope of refunding when we get support from the public,” he stated.
Highlighting more challenges affecting the people of Appiatse, he noted that feeding has become a great concern.
“Our warehouse is also empty, feeding the people of Appiatse is a major worry. School children who lost their parents in the incident are out of school” he said.
“Now our only hope is that next academic year, we have to go for the US $10,000 donated by the workers of Future Global Resources Bogoso Prestea Mine to the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Assembly as seed money to set up an endowment fund to cater for the educational needs of children of parents or guardians whose livelihoods were affected by the Appiatse explosion,” he added.
However, he expressed appreciation to the government, organisations, philanthropists, and individuals who have supported them since the unfortunate incident struck the community and further appealed for more support to help restore the lives of the victims.
Background
Disaster struck the Appiatse township in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipal Assembly, on 20 January 2022, after a motorbike rider transporting explosives for a gold mine in Bogoso unfortunately went under a truck, causing an explosion.
Police say a preliminary investigation has established that a truck filled with explosives for mining collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the explosion at Bogoso-Appiatse, a village 300 kilometers west of Accra. Authorities say 500 buildings were destroyed in the explosion, displacing over 500 people.
The disaster turned lives in the community around since some persons lost their relatives, others had to cancel weddings, jobs were destroyed, etc.
About thirteen (13) people are reported to have died from the incident, with several others sustaining different degrees of injuries. A Government delegation, led by the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mamamudu Bawumia, visited the community shortly after the incident, and committed to settle the medical bills of all the injured.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, following investigations into the matter, imposed a fine of Six Million US Dollars (US$6,000,000.00) on Maxxam Ghana Limited, the company responsible for the transportation of the explosives.
Government, also, promised to reconstruct the Appiatse community into a modern, green and sustainable community as a model for rural development. As a result, an Appiatse Support Fund was established to, among others, support the reconstruction of the community, while temporary accommodation was provided for the victims of the incident.
Speaking on the state of the project, Mr Thywill Quarshie noted that completion of the initial phase of constructing 124 housing units for the victims of Appiatse, a town in the Western Region that suffered from anexplosion, is fast approaching.
Ongoing efforts to restore the once-vibrant Appiatse township which was destroyed by an explosion last year, is being hampered by conventional rains, authorities overseeing the project have said.
Providing an update on the state of the project, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Appiatse Reconstruction Committee, Mr Thywill Quarshie, disclosed that significant milestones had been achieved, with the majority of buildings now having roofs in place, in the first phase of the project.
Additionally, external works such as electrical, plastering, painting among others would begin soon, adding the drainage system had been completed and the road network in the area was being constructed.
However, one challenge hampering the completion of the project is heavy rainfalls.
“The slightly affected houses which only needed roofing and other petty renovations were gradually going bad due to the continuous rains. Weeds have taken over these structures and the owners are not happy,” he stated and expressed concern that the beauty of the second phase of the project might be compromised or impacted by the rains.
“If immediate steps are not taken, phase two of the project will affect the beauty of the good work done in phase one” he lamented.
Disaster struck the Appiatse township in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipal Assembly, on 20 January 2022, after a motorbike rider transporting explosives for a gold mine in Bogoso unfortunately went under a truck, causing an explosion.
Police say a preliminary investigation has established that a truck filled with explosives for mining collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the explosion at Bogoso-Appiatse, a village 300 kilometers west of Accra. Authorities say 500 buildings were destroyed in the explosion, displacing over 500 people.
The disaster turned lives in the community around since some persons lost their relatives, livelihoods were destroyed, people had to cancel weddings, jobs were destroyed, etc.
About thirteen (13) people are reported to have died from the incident, with several others sustaining different degrees of injuries. A Government delegation, led by the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mamamudu Bawumia, visited the community shortly after the incident, and committed to settle the medical bills of all the injured.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, following investigations into the matter, imposed a fine of Six Million US Dollars (US$6,000,000.00) on Maxxam Ghana Limited, the company responsible for the transportation of the explosives.
Government, also, promised to reconstruct the Appiatse community into a modern, green and sustainable community as a model for rural development. As a result, an Appiatse Support Fund was established to, among others, support the reconstruction of the community, while temporary accommodation was provided for the victims of the incident.
Speaking on the state of the project, Mr Thywill Quarshie noted that completion of the initial phase of constructing 124 housing units for the victims of Appiatse, is fast approaching.
“Working during the rainy season was difficult but I am really impressed with the kind of work done so far by the six contractors handling the project,” Mr Quarshie stated.
The housing units consist of a total of 41 one-bedroom apartments, 35 two-bedroom apartments, 25 three-bedroom apartments, 15 four-bedroom apartments, eight five-bedroom apartments, one six-bedroom apartment, and one seven-bedroom apartment.
Overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has expressed a candid and emotional view about the performance and recent conduct of management of popular Ghanaian football club, Asante Kotoko.
It is a well established fact that the Asantehene holds the team dear to his heart; however, he has expressed disappointment regarding recent developments concerning the club.
“Kotoko is the only institution embarrassing my stool,” he said, having taken a tour of Kotoko’s Adako Jachie training facility project, which is still under construction.
Kotoko comfortably won the league in the 2021/22 season with Prosper Narteh Ogum in charge of the club as manager.
However, the former WAFA boss surprisingly parted ways with the club before the start of last season and was replaced by Burkinabe coach Seydou Zerbo.
Although Zerbo made a bright start to life as Kotoko manager, things began to fall apart midway through the season, which led to his sack.
The Porcupine Warriors went on to endure a disappointing campaign that saw them end the last season in fourth place.
The club has also accumulated substantial debts, totaling millions of Ghana Cedis. According to the Asantehene, these debts were primarily accrued from hotel expenses, among other expenditures.
“The current debt is from hotel expenses, players salaries and wages – which have been accrued also from the last two months adding June and July,” he said, as quoted by Joy Sports.
“So we have this debt to clear, before also finding a way around player recruitment. As for you [Kotoko], you are the only ones disgracing me,” he added.
He further admonished the club, especially its management to eschew individualism and put the interest of the club first as this is the most certain path to foster the growth of the team.
Subsequently, the Asantehene revealed the formation of a four-member Interim Management Committee. The committee comprises Nana Apinkra Akwasi Awua, the Kontomponiaferehene, former Black Stars coach James Kwesi Appiah, newly-appointed Kotoko coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, and Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi, who will serve as the administrative manager.
Freda Akosua Oheneafrewo Prempeh born 23 January 1966 is a Ghanaian politician, and Member of Parliament in the Seventh Parliament and Eighth Parliament of the fourth republic of Ghana representing Tano North Constituency in the Ahafo Region, Ghana.
She’s currently the Minister of State, for the Ministry of works and housing, Ghana.
She previously served as the Deputy Gender Minister and also Assembly member – “Assembly Woman”from 2002 to 2010 for the Lakoo Electoral Area of the La-Dadekotopo Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.[4]
In 2017, she was appointed chairperson of an 11-member local organising committee tasked to organise the 2018 African Women Cup of Nations.
Early life and education
She was born on 23 January 1966 in Accra to a Ghanaian Royal family. She is the third daughter of the late Ohenenana Akwasi Agyeman Dua-Prempeh, of the Ashanti Royal Family and the late Nana Amma Serwaa, Kontihemaa of Duayaw Nkwanta,( known in private life as Madam Georgina Ansah).
Freda started her basic education at University Primary School, Kumasi and furthered with her Ordinary(O) level at Technology Secondary School (now KNUST Senior High School) in Kumasi, Ghana and continued with her Advanced level Certificate (A level) at the Accra Workers College in Accra, Ghana.
She then proceeded to the Ghana Institute of Journalism, where she pursued a Diploma in Public Relations and Advertising. She was honored a Certified Public Accountant by Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration in 1998.
She holds both a Certificate and an Advanced Certificate in Marketing, DipM, MCIM, Chartered Marketer Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, all from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, United Kingdom. She obtained her degree in (Business Administration), Human Resource Management Option from the University of Ghana in 2006.She also studied MA Comms, Media and Public Relations at the University of Leicester, UK and also has a PhD in Business Administration from the Ghana Technology University College.
Personal life
Freda Akosua Prempeh hails from Duayaw Nkwanta, the capital of her parliamentary Constituency, Tano North, in the Ahafo Region, Ghana. She is a Christian, and is married with a son.
Freda almost lost her life to the June 3, 2015 flood and fire disaster at circle, Accra.
Prior to Freda’s election into office as a Member in parliament in 2013, she was a manageress at the Point Four Hotel in Sunyani and had also worked with Prison Service for 10 years. She is a sports fanatic and staunch believer of women’s capabilities.
Leadership positions held
2004–2008 Member, Governing Council, – Local Government Service Council
2005–2008 Member – National Media Commission
2005–2008 Board Member – National Health Insurance Scheme, Kpeshie Sub- Metro, Accra
2002–2006 Chairperson, Development Sub-Committee (Accra Metropolitan Assembly)
2006–2008 Chairperson, Women & Children Sub-Committee (Accra Metropolitan Assembly)
2006/2007 Founding Member and Vice President, Tertiary Students Academic Year Confederacy (TESCON), University of Ghana, Accra City Campus
2008 Member, Communication Committee. New Patriotic Party, National Campaign Team
President and Founder, Women Supporters Union of Ghana
Membership of professional bodies
31 October 2003 to date Institute of Public Relations (IPR, Ghana) – Accredited Member.
October 2000 – October 2003 Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Ghana – Associate Member
Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) – Affiliate Member
Hon. Freda Prempeh, who previously served as the Minister of State at the Presidency and represented Tano North in Parliament, has been chosen as the new Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.
With this appointment, Hon. Freda Prempeh assumes the responsibility of overseeing issues pertaining to sanitation and water resources in the country.
Her appointment comes as a replacement for Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who resigned from her position as Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.
The President accepted Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah’s resignation on Saturday, 22nd July 2023.
Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo, in consultation with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and Roads and Highways, has made additional appointments:
Hon. Mavis Nkansah Boadu, the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways and a representative of Afigya Sekyere East in Parliament, has been appointed as the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
Hon. Thomas Mbomba, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and a Member of Parliament for Tatale/Sanguli, has been appointed as the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways.
On Sunday, the director of the Miami-Dade Police Department committed suicide and was later brought to the hospital.
Alfredo Ramirez, the chief of the largest police department in the Southeast of the United States, shot himself on Monday, leaving him “severely injured,” according to the authorities.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava stated that Ramirez sustained a “critical injury in Tampa” on Sunday night and that he was still in a “critical but stable condition” on Monday.
According to the mayor, “Chairman Ramirez’s safety is all that matters right now.”
Ramirez attended the annual Sheriff’s Summer Conference of the Florida Sheriff’s Association in Tampa.
Ramirez committed suicide after engaging in a “domestic dispute,” according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees the Tampa Bay metropolitan area.
On I-75, which connects Tampa to Miami, the incident took place.
According to a report from Local 10 News, Ramirez’s wife Jody was in the car with him.
Witnesses reportedly spotted Ramirez arguing with his wife on Sunday night in front of the JW Marriott Hotel in Tampa, according to the local broadcaster. After witnessing the police chief put a gun in his mouth, the witnesses reportedly dialled 911.
The shooting is being looked into by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Ramirez underwent surgery, according to Miami-Dade Police’s confirmation on Monday afternoon.
‘We have confirmed that our Director Alfredo ‘Freddy’ Ramirez is now undergoing surgery for his injuries,’ the police department stated in a news statement on Monday.
The whole Miami-Dade Police Department is united in support of Freddy and begs that his neighbourhood continue to pray for him. We respectfully request that you respect the privacy of his immediate family and friends during this trying time.
In 1996, Ramirez enlisted in the police. In 2020, he was chosen to serve as the department’s chief, which has 1,000 other employees in addition to its 3,000 police officers.
He said he would run for Miami-Dade County Sheriff in 2024 earlier this year.
Hollywood stars Dwayne Johnson, Will Smith, Justin Timberlake, and numerous other friends and admirers of Jamie Foxx are sending their heartfelt love and support to the Oscar winner after he shared a video update with his Instagram followers on Saturday.
The 55-year-old actor suffered a medical complication on April 11 while filming the movie Back in Action in Atlanta. On Saturday, he spoke openly about his health scare for the first time in a video clip shared on Instagram, expressing his gratitude for the prayers and support from his fans.
Foxx stated, “I cannot even begin to tell you how far it took me and how it brought me back,” reflecting on the immense impact of the fan support he received.
Alongside the thousands of supportive messages from fans, many of Foxx’s A-list friends and colleagues also rushed to show their unwavering support in the comments section of the video. Justin Timberlake wrote, “Love you, Foxx!!! 🙌🏻,” and Michael B. Jordan expressed a similar sentiment, saying, “I love you brother!!”
Others like Smith, 54, shared longer notes in the video’s comment section. “Awww Man,” the fellow Academy Award champ penned. “Who’s cuttin’ onions?? Love U Foxx!! Your Light Is Needed ‘n Appreciated Right Now!”
In the clip, Foxx explained that he knows “a lot of people” were “waiting” for updates about his condition, but said that “to be honest with you, I just didn’t want you to see me like that.”
Below are some reactions from some celebrities in the movie industry
In a residence in Leicestershire, a 41-year-old man and a 5-year-old boy were found dead.
A 5-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man were found unconscious in Hopyard Close last night at around 9 o’clock.
Despite the best efforts of the East Midlands Ambulance Service and the air ambulance, both patients were all declared dead at the scene.
The facts behind the fatalities and the incidents that preceded them are currently the subject of an investigation, according to the police.
Authorities aren’t currently looking for anyone else in connection with the fatalities, a spokesman said.
Despite the ongoing inquiry, “a scene preservation remains on at the property.”
Following the heartbreaking news that a father and a kid had passed away, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Sinski of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit serious crime squad stated that “detectives are working to understand what happened inside the address last night.”
I understand that this incident would lead to other inquiries, but ours is only getting started.
The public is not at risk, and as of right now, we don’t think anyone else was engaged in the incident, I can assure everyone of that.
“Officers are providing support to the families of the two deceased during this extremely trying time.”
There will be more on this breaking news item soon. Sooner or later, check back for more updates.
A man who attempted to kidnap a little child from an Ibiza beach has been detained by police.
Twice, the Moroccan national attempted to seize her, kissing her on the cheek while doing so.
A police officer who wasn’t on duty grabbed the man after hearing the mother of the two-year-old girl yell.
The drama’s location on the beach has not yet been identified, nor have the mother and her young daughter’s nationalities been made public.
He put up resistance before his arrest, last Wednesday, police said.
A spokesman for the National Police in the Balearic Islands said: ‘Officers have arrested a Moroccan man as the suspected author of a crime of unlawful detention, sexual assault, resisting arrest and disobedience, after he tried to take a two-year-old girl on a beach in Ibiza who he kissed on the face.
He added: ‘The man, without apparent motive, grabbed hold of the girl and started kissing her on the cheek and stopping her from escaping.
‘At that moment the girl’s mum grabbed hold of her daughter and freed her from the man’s grip.
‘She went to another spot on the beach which was a fair distance from where they had been sitting and the man came up to them and grabbed hold of the girl again and went into the sea with her.
‘The youngster’s mum started yelling because the man was ignoring her and wouldn’t let go of her daughter.
‘At that point an off-duty police officer who was on the beach and heard the mum’s screams came to help and managed to reunite the mum with her daughter.
‘He ordered the man to move away several times but the man adopted a violent attitude and threw himself on the off-duty police officer who had to reduce him and retain him until more police help arrived.
‘The suspect was arrested for alleged unlawful detention of a minor as well as for crimes of sexual assault, resistance and disobedience.’
It was not immediately clear today if he has already appeared before a judge and been bailed or remanded in custody.
He made this known during his address at the 4th European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East in Italy.
In the upcoming phase of the program, there will be greater involvement from the private sector, with a specific focus on attracting more youth participation in the agricultural sector.
Speaking at the 4th European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East in Italy, President Akufo-Addo emphasised Ghana’s successful attainment of food security through the program and stressed the importance of transitioning from import subsidies to an import credit scheme.
This transition is expected to drive greater investment and development in the agricultural value chain, ultimately boosting productivity and production in the sector.
“After six years of successful implementation, the programme has come up for review, and it is transitioning into phase two. It is called PFJ Phase Two and this phase will be expanded to achieve private sector participation with emphasis on value chain development. It is also a paradigm shift from import subsidy to import credit scheme, and it is designed to attract more investment in the agric sector and expected to increase productivity and production.”
The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana has been advocating for a review of the initiative for some time, and the call for an update is now being heeded.
The then Agric Minister, Dr. Afriyie Akoto, had previously praised the success of the program, revealing that GHC2.6 billion had been spent on its implementation as of October 2022.
“Planting for Food and Jobs” is a significant agricultural campaign initiated by the government, encompassing five implementation modules.
The first module, PFJ (Crops), was launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on April 19, 2017, to promote food security, ensuring the availability of selected food crops in the market, and creating job opportunities.
Moments after her fiancé proposed to her, the recently engaged woman fell 100 feet to her death.
Yesim Demir, 39, and Nizamettin Gursu went to a beautiful cliffside location in northwest Turkey on July 6 to watch the sunset after he had just proposed to her.
Gursu reportedly went back to the car after reaching the scenic location to get a picnic and some celebratory drinks when he unexpectedly heard a spine-chilling scream.
When he quickly returned to his fiancée, he discovered that she had fallen about 104 feet after plunging off the cliff.
Gursu promptly called for help, but after 45 minutes of resuscitation efforts, medics declared his wife-to-be dead.
Friends of the tragic woman told local media that the cliff, located in Polente Cape in Canakkale, was a spot many people came to admire the views.
‘This is a place where everyone comes and watches the sunset,’ they said. ‘However, the roads are very bad and there is no precaution on the edge of the cliff. A fence should be drawn here, precautions should be taken.’
Gursu told local media: ‘We chose it to have a romantic memory after the proposal. We drank some alcohol.
‘Everything happened at once. She lost her balance and fell down.’
The authorities immediately closed off the area and opened an investigation, according to reports, with access to the cliff only being allowed again ‘in a controlled manner’ on July 15.
Despite disclosing in his book that he previously turned down a political party’s request to endorse its presidential candidate, actor Adjetey Anang now admits that he would reconsider such an offer if presented in more recent times.
In an interview on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z with Kwame Dadzie, Adjetey Anang revealed that when the offer to endorse a political candidate was initially presented, the political system was heavily polarized, leading him to decline the opportunity to get involved. However, he mentioned that the system has since undergone some changes, and if any political party were to approach him now, he would reconsider the offer and give it a second thought.
“[If they came today], we might look at a few considerations. At the time it was a different period. And so I think that we’ve come far, as a people. We’re still very sensitive where we have accepted the fact that people have had the choice to come out boldly and choose a political party, even though it’s still early days yet but we’re still not like places like the US,” he noted.
“Today, with a few things, we’ll consider [an offer from a political party],” the celebrated actor further stated.
Adjetey Anang’s book ‘Adjetey Anang: A Story of Faith, Imperfection and Resilience’ he mentions that even though he was “broke” at the time the juicy offer came, he had to decline.
“…on another occasion, I was approached by a political party in which I had many friends, to endorse the campaign of their flagbearer,” Anang said in the book, adding: “I was broke, the monetary reward was tempting, and all I needed to do was a few minutes of endorsement and my troubles would be over!”
Even though he declined to mention the year this happened, he disclosed in the interview that it was a ruling party that approached him with the offer.
He revealed they were ready to give him a car and an amount of 50,000 dollars, among other things.
Fella Makafuiis one of the most popular and talented actresses in Ghana, and she is also the wife of rapper Medikal. But did you know that she had a twin brother?
That’s right, the stunning star has recently revealed on Twitter that she was born as a twin, but sadly her brother is no longer alive.
In a heartbreaking tweet on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, she wrote: “I miss my twin brother, he should have been alive.”
The tweet left many fans stunned and curious about Fella’s twin brother. Who was he? What did he look like? How did he die? And why did Fella keep this secret for so long?
Fella has not yet shared any details about her twin brother’s life and death, but we hope she will open up more about this part of her past soon.
Some fans are also sceptical about Fella’s claim, wondering if it is true or just a publicity stunt. What do you think? Do you believe Fella had a twin brother? Let us know in the comments below.
Interestingly, Fella’s husband Medikal once posted on Instagram that he would still choose Fella even if she had a twin. He wrote: “If you were a twin, I will still choose you, love you.” This was in March 2023, when the couple was rumoured to be divorcing.
Maybe Medikal knew something we didn’t. Or maybe he was just being romantic. Either way, we are happy that the couple is still together and going strong.
Greta Thunberg was punished by a Swedish court for violating the law while participating in a protest.
The environmental activist admits to defying police orders while participating in a demonstration last month in front of an oil complex.
She asserted that her activities were a sort of “self defence” against the growing threat posed by climate change, and hence she rejected any wrongdoing on her part.
After the decision, she stated that humans ‘cannot preserve the world by playing by the rules,’ and she added that she would ‘absolutely not’ be backing down.
The court nevertheless disagreed with her reasoning and fined her 2,500 kronor (approximately £187).
Ms Thunberg was among several youth members of the Reclaim the Future movement charged for refusing police orders to disperse when they blocked road access to an oil terminal in Malmo, southern Sweden, on June 19.
Irma Kjellstrom, a spokesperson for the movement who was also present at the demonstration, said: ‘If the court sees our actions of self-defence as a crime, that’s how it is. [Activists] have to be exactly where the harm is being done.’
Ms Thunberg and her fellow activists returned to the oil terminal just hours after sentencing to stage a further roadblock.
Amid the double-heatwave that has battered Europe over the past few weeks, their protest comes as extraordinary temperatures have sparked devastating wildfires across Greece.
More than 19,000 people have been evacuated from the island of Rhodes, with many hundreds still stranded at the beaches and the airport, as high-speed winds have fanned the spread of the flames.
Starting from Monday evening, four repatriation flights are planned to help those still left on the island escape, as anger continues to mount over what’s been slammed as an inadequate handling of the situation by airlines and travel agencies.
Actor and producer, Eddie Nartey, has put forth the idea that collaborative efforts and joint productions involving acclaimed filmmakers might hold the key to reviving Ghana’s struggling movie industry. According to Nartey, this collective approach has the potential to breathe new life into the faltering silver screen sector, which many perceive as being in dire need of rejuvenation.
In his interview with Graphic Showbiz, Eddie Nartey emphasized the potential for a revival in Ghana’s movie industry through the collaborative efforts of renowned filmmakers like Shirley Frimpong-Manso of Sparrow Productions and Abdul Salam Mumin of Venus Films, Leila Djansi of Turning Point Pictures and Yvonne Nelson’s YN Productions, as well as Samuel Nyamekye of Miracle Films and Kofi Asamoah’s Kofas Production. Nartey believed that with the backing of investors, such joint productions could breathe new life into the country’s film sector.
“When these production houses come together to work and with the support of individuals and corporate institutions, I believe strongly our movies will bounce back in no time. There is a saying that two heads are better than one so if we have two or more of our great producers joining forces, nothing but the best will be the end results.”
“Such joint projects will see the selection of the best actors, we will have the best scripts as well as best editing, among others. Individual producers doing their own thing is not helping our current situation. If we move together to government for help, they will listen to us.”
“All what we want to revive the industry cannot be done without funding so this is when the government and individuals should come in to help”, he stated.
Also, Eddie Nartey noted that consistency was a problem the industry needs to deal with, if we wanted our movie industry to be vibrant again.
“I believe the Nigerians are doing well because they are consistent with their movies. They have a lot of movie producers who are releasing new movies with different actors. It gives different varieties to always choose from. We are not doing so well when it comes to that.
“Apart from Shirley Frimpong-Manso, who is consistent with coming out with movies and series, not much can be said of the others. I will urge that we beef up on that aspect because that is when we will attract support from investors”, he added.
Currently, Eddie Nartey and his E N Academy is helping to train up-and-coming actors.
During the launch of the 10th edition of her Tehillah Experience event, Gospel musician Ohemaa Mercy opened up about her emotions upon unexpectedly encountering her ex-husband, Twum-Ampofo, expressing that she was completely unaware of his presence amidst the vast crowd of attendees
“It was actually a surprise to me as well because I gave my firstborn a task and he went to the father for help on how to go about it, and so the father came with him,” she revealed in an interview on Joy Prime.
She commended him for his contribution to the growth and success of the Tehillah Experience over the past few years since the birth of the initiative.
Despite the fact that the couple have divorced, she said Mr Twum-Ampofo still supports the event every now and then when the need arises.
The gospel sensation further disclosed that the Lacoste that the ex-husband wore to the launch was given to him by his son and not her.
When asked how she felt when she saw him, she said, “So fulfilling.”
This year’s edition, dubbed ‘Fire and Fragance,’ will feature renowned gospel musicians including S.K. Frimpong, Ceccy Twum, Diana Hamilton, Kofi Osei Peprah, and Uncle Ato.
The event is slated for Sunday, August 13, 2023, at the Oil Dome, Royalhouse Chapel International.
She wants members of the public to participate and be blessed.
Founder of Atta Mills Institute, Koku Anyidoho, has extended appreciation to President Nana Akufo-Addo and his administration for the revitalization of Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
Following his tour of the park, Mr Anyidoho expressed his deep satisfaction, stating, “I must say, I am thoroughly impressed.”
“After 25 years of existence of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the facility had not seen any meaningful facelift, at which point the fountains, which are major attractions, were not functioning well thus affecting visitations.
Moreover, the roof of the museum leaked each time it rained making it difficult to conduct visitors around. The situation was not different at the VIP lounge, where most VIP guests of the State signed the visitor’s books after their tour.
Additionally, the main corridor to the washrooms and some parts of the washrooms were in a deplorable state.
Mr Anyidoho in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) noted that when he was championing the reconstruction of the Asomdwe Park, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum was not something to write home about, adding that “one of the energy I got for the reconstruction of the Asomdwe Park was that I was seeing the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum just deteriorate.”
He said it was a good start in terms of honouring and remembering our heroes, saying there was a lot that had been done and a lot could also be done.
“I have been here for an hour and after touring the place, I can say that we can all remember Dr Kwame Nkrumah in this exciting manner,” he added.
Talking about the maintenance of the facility, Mr Anyidoho appealed to the public to make good use of the Park and maintain it for the next generation “to come and see the legacies, achievements and the life of the first President of Ghana.”
He congratulated President Akufo-Addo and his administration for the redevelopment of the park, saying that it would not only honour Dr Kwame Nkrumah but would also promote domestic tourism.
“Look at the reconstruction of the Atta Mills Presidential Library at Cape Coast and now the new Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, this will be one of the legacies of the current government in protecting the legacies of former presidents,” he added.
Gospel sensation Ohemaa Mercy has addressed the issue surrounding the act of taking videos or selfies during worship sessions in church, stating her belief that it is a curse.
According to her, “When you’re going before a king, there are things you can’t do. To put it in this way, you’re going before the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords to thank him for protecting or delivering you from that accident, and your focus is to put it on Facebook or whatever while worship is going on. It’s a curse on you because you don’t actually respect the atmosphere and the person you’re before,” she narrated on Joy Prime’s morning show on Monday.
The ‘Ote Me Mu’ hit-maker grounded her claims on the fact that high-class human beings are respected in society, talk less of the God who is the creator of the universe.
Additionally, the gospel singer’s remarks were influenced by a personal experience she had at an event she attended some years ago. This encounter further solidified her views on the matter.
“Worship was actually going on when the Lord opened my eyes and I saw empty chairs. There was a lady that came in, and on her chair before she came in, I saw an angel with a baby. So, when I held the microphone, I asked the lady if she was having an issue of not conceiving, and she said yes, and I said I saw an angel holding a baby, but unfortunately, you didn’t come to worship, and when you came, you weren’t serious, so the angel went away with your baby,” she narrated.
She fervently believes that people miss out their blessings at church due to such practices during worship.
Addressing the question of whether media personnel covering worship sessions can be considered to be under such a curse, she said they are an exception because it is part of their job, unlike other individuals.
“It is their work that they’ve been assigned to do. That is different from you, who is there on a mission or purpose, and God even sees them as the work that they’re doing,” she asserted.
The gospel singer believes God considers the work of the media personnel as part of the gospel ministry.
Prior to that, the ‘Aseda’ songwriter urged all Christians to desist from taking personal videos and selfies while worship is ongoing in order to stay focused and allow themselves to be delivered or touched by God.
In the meantime, Ohemaa Mercy is set to hold the 10th edition of her Tehillah Experience concert, scheduled to take place on August 13, 2023, at the Oil Dome, Royalhouse Chapel International.
This year’s edition, dubbed ‘Fire and Fragance,’ will feature renowned gospel musicians including S.K. Frimpong, Ceccy Twum, Diana Hamilton, Kofi Osei Peprah, and Uncle Ato.
The gospel musician is confident that the 10th Tehillah Experience 2023 will leave an indelible mark on the audience.
Ghanaian artiste Patapaa in a recent interview recounted the fascinating tale of his initial meeting with American rapper Rick Ross at the rapper’s luxurious mansion.
During the conversation, Patapaa expressed his utmost admiration for Rick Ross and revealed that collaborating with the renowned international artist is a dream he cherishes, hoping to feature him on one of his songs.
Sharing how he met Rick Ross, Patapaa stated that his friend took him along on a visit to his plush mansion.
He said that even though he has so much wealth, the American rapper appeared so simple.
“When my boss sent me to his house, I realised that he was such a simple guy. He hardly wore any clothes, just some shorts, and slippers and he walks around his mansion.”
He also revealed after meeting Rick Ross, his perception of being a celebrity changed.
Patapaa also shared that he doesn’t see himself featuring any Ghanaian musicians as he feels they overcharge.
“Ghana deɛ I’m not sure will feature any musician from here.“
Meanwhile, Many wondered which Rick Ross he spoke of as they dissected the truth of the story he shared in the interview.
President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Mrs Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, has linked the significant departure of nurses and midwives from the nation in recent years to inadequate remuneration and unfavorable working conditions.
She emphasised that nurses and midwives in Ghana make valuable contributions to the healthcare system through their diverse involvement in clinical practice, education, research, public health, rehabilitation, administration, management, and other essential roles.
“Sadly, salaries and other conditions of service are not the best, and that is why many of our colleagues continue to emigrate from Ghana to other high-income earning countries, seeking greener pastures. The negative impact of this trend cannot be underestimated,” she said.
Mrs Ofori-Ampofo said this when she addressed members of the Association and stakeholders at the commissioning ceremony of a state-of-the-art GRNMA secretariat and guest house at Pusu-Namongo in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.
Mrs Ofori-Ampofo called on the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, to as a matter of urgency, post the 2020 batch of nurses and midwives who were still “languishing” at home.
“They need to be employed to support the system as others continue to leave. We need to make immediate efforts to boost the training of professional nurses at the diploma and degree levels, to address the eminent shortfalls which are likely soon.
“As we continue to talk about this, ultimately, the GRNMA calls for the stoppage of the axillary nursing programmes in Ghana, because empirical evidence available has come to show, and continues to show that the patient is safest in the hands of highly skilled nurses and midwives,” Mrs Ofori-Ampofo said.
She noted that it was important for the training of more nurses at the diploma and degree levels and stressed that the GRNMA’s call was to have the auxiliary programme stopped.
Mrs Ofori-Ampofo insisted that all Ghanaians deserved to have safe and quality nursing and midwifery care and used the occasion to admonish members of the Association to continue providing the best care to their patients.
“Ensure professionalism in every activity performed on the patient, and maintain standards as required for all procedures, this is very important,” She advised.
She was in the company of the First Vice President of the Association, Mr Samuel Alagkora Akolgo, Mr Daniel Attah-Tuffour, Second Vice President, and Dr David Tenkorang Twum, General Secretary among other national executives.
The Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area, Tongraan Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang, who chaired the function, said nursing was a calling, “If you are not tuned for nursing, do not go into it because you want employment.”
According to him, some people were in the nursing profession due to a lack of jobs, and that translated into their output, and urged nurses and midwives to sacrifice to save lives.
“As all of us are appealing that you should have good salaries, we still think that you should also exercise restraint when you decide to declare strike actions because by the time you would have been offered your money, some lives would have been lost and you cannot save those lives,” he said.
The Tongraan, who is also a member of the Council of State for the Upper East Region, appealed to nurses and midwives, who wished to leave the country to exercise restraint, stay back and serve the country.
The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Association, Mr Thomas Lambon thanked the national leadership of the Association for facilitating the construction of the secretariat and guest house project and reiterated the need for members to stay united.
A forest guard affiliated with the Leopard Unit in the Asukese Forest Reserve, who vanished while on a mission to combat illegal logging in the Asukese Forest within the Suyani Forest District of the Bono Region, has been miraculously located alive.
Reports indicate that a driver from Zoomlion Ghana Limited stumbled upon the missing forest guard, Vitus Yourdong, in a distressing state near a refuse site in Nkawkaw, Eastern Region. His service uniform lay in tatters, both legs were bound with a rope, and his hands were handcuffed to his back, leaving investigators puzzled and the community in deep concern.
Saza Agbotiyao, the driver from Zoomlion Ghana Limited, reported that they came across him in that condition and unresponsive during the early hours of Monday, July 24, 2023, near the Asona refuse site while they were on their way to dispose of waste.
“We found him unconscious near the Asona refuse site when we went to dispose of rubbish with his legs tied and his hands handcuffed at his back”.
Narrating events leading to his disappearance, the victim disclosed that he was captured by three illegal operators after he left his other colleagues to ease himself in the forest.
“We went to Sunyani for an operation but after the operation, I told my other colleagues I wanted to ease myself so they said they will wait for me but I was captured by three men who harassed me and took me hostage”.
Sounded very surprised when his rescuers told him he was in Nkawkaw, he added that his captors took him to a different part of the forest and kept him there for over two weeks so he thought he was still in Sunyani.
“When they captured me, they took me to a different place, a cocoa forest and they only dump me here but I have been told here is Nkawkaw and I am surprised because I thought I was in Sunyani”.
Meanwhile, the victim is currently responding to treatment at the Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital.
On July 2, 2023, Vitus Yuordong was reported missing along with his equipment, including a pump-action gun with registration number AFOO63604, a machete, and a handbag prompting an extensive search in the reserve and nearby communities to find him.
Patapaa, the singer of the hit song “One Corner,” has expressed a desire to collaborate with American rapper Rick Ross on a song.
He mentioned Rick Ross as the one international artist he would like to feature in an interview with Andy Dosty on the Daybreak Hitz because of his taste and modesty.
“If I get to feature Rick Ross it will be a good idea.”
Patapaa also revealed that he decided to work with the ‘Hustlin’ hitmaker because he realized he was humble upon his first encounter with the rapper.
Sharing how he met Rick Ross, Patapaa stated that his friend took him along on a visit to his plush mansion.
He said that even though he has so much wealth, the American rapper appeared so simple.
“When my boss sent me to his house, I realised that he was such a simple guy. He hardly wore any clothes, just some shorts, and slippers and he walks around his mansion.”
He also revealed after meeting Rick Ross, his perception of being a celebrity changed.
Patapaa also shared that he doesn’t see himself featuring any Ghanaian musicians as he feels they overcharge.
“Ghana deɛ I’m not sure will feature any musician from here.“
The One Corner hitmaker admitted that he has not yet recovered from the humiliating loss of the Most Popular Song of the Year award in the 2018 edition of the award programme during an interview with Andy Dosty on Daybreak Hitz.
He was nominated alongside other artists including Ebony, KiDi, Kwami Eugene, Fancy Gadam, Joe Mettle, and Captain Planet.
“I can see that God has placed a curse on the organizers of VGMA because of what they did to me. I don’t want to go far.
“If I want to go far, then I will say this, when we say curse, it means you are being punished for causing pain to someone. I don’t want to say it.
“I would want to use Amakye Dede’s issue as an example but I don’t want to say it. They forced Amakye Dede to crown someone when he was not ready to do that”, he explained on Hitz FM.
In that specific award scheme, Patapaa’s One Corner, which was published in 2017, was defeated by Fancy Gadam’s Total Cheat.
He asserted that the board had appropriated funds to honour artists who did not merit such recognition in a post-event interview.
He also warned the VGMA not to nominate him in any category.
Patapaa is currently promoting his new single titled ‘Agye Ta’.
The iconic tweeting blue bird, one of the most easily recognizable logos on the web, has now been replaced. The question remains whether the new black and white Art Deco-style X will be a brilliant and strategic move or a potential branding disaster.
Upon learning that billionaire Elon Musk had decided to replace Twitter’s logo with the Art Deco-inspired X, marketing professor Jean-Pierre Dube initially found it hard to believe, perceiving it as a jest or prank.
“Why take a recognised brand, with a lot of brand capital around it and then completely throw it away and start from scratch?” said Prof Dube, who teaches at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. “In the short-term, it seems weird.”
But in the long term, could it work?
Mr Musk’s takeover of Twitter last year has been punishing for the social media platform.
Advertising revenue has dropped by half, Mr Musk said this month, as big brands pulled back, wary of changes he has made, including how the firm handles verified accounts and moderates content. Abrupt layoffs and unpaid bills have also led to bad press and lawsuits.
Estimates by Fidelity, which has a stake in the company, suggest it is now worth just a third of the $44bn ($34.3bn) that Mr Musk paid for Twitter in October.
Elon Musk said Twitter would be known as X
Consultancy Brand Finance recently estimated that the firm’s brand was worth $3.9bn, down 32% since last year – a fall it attributed to Mr Musk’s “aggressive business approaches”.
Research suggests that rebrands can pay off – particularly if a firm is in trouble or wants to change direction, said Yanhui Zhao, a professor of marketing at the University of Nebraska Omaha.
His review of 215 rebranding announcements by publicly listed companies found that more than half of those businesses saw positive returns after they rebranded.
That means Mr Musk’s moves could be timely, he said, noting the multi-billionaire’s ambition to transform Twitter into an “everything app” similar to China’s WeChat, a social messaging service on which users can send money, hail taxis, book hotels and play games, among other functions.
“This is a much needed rebranding because of the strategic re-direction of Twitter,” he told the BBC, by email.
But success becomes less likely when a company is in turmoil, warned Shuba Srinivasan, marketing professor at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. She said it was an especially risky move, given all the social media competitors, such as Mark Zuckerberg’s Threads, rushing to fill Twitter’s role.
“The rebranding is likely to confirm the fear of many Twitter users that the acquisition by Musk signalled the end of the Twitter they knew,” she said.
Nor is it clear that a rebranding addresses Twitter’s problems – many of which stem in part from Mr Musk, Prof Dube said.
“I didn’t think there was a brand problem and brand identity problem as much as a leadership problem,” he said.
In a May interview with satire site, The Babylon Bee, Mr Musk previewed the change, saying he thought he needed to “broaden the branding for Twitter” to help him succeed at pushing the company beyond the short text posts that made it famous.
But some analysts said that the potential of this vision being successful faces long odds.
In June, advisory firm Forrester Research published a report called “The super app window has closed,” which argued that tech giants such as Google and Apple currently offer super app-like functions to billions of users in the US and Europe, while tough regulatory hurdles and fierce competition limits opportunities for others.
It noted that WeChat, the example that has been cited by Mr Musk, became dominant in China early, before other payment services emerged – and in part as a result of technical issues, such as limited phone memory, which discouraged downloading multiple apps.
“While Musk’s vision is to turn X into an ‘everything app,’ this takes time, money, and people – three things that the company no longer has,” Mike Proulx, a research director at Forrester, wrote after Mr Musk’s announcement, adding that he thought the firm would shut or be be bought out in the next 12 months.
Even if Twitter’s core users in media, politics and finance stay loyal, as they have in the past, making X successful would require participation from a far broader user base – no small challenge, said Harvard Business School professor Andy Wu.
But he added that, Twitter faced difficulties before Mr Musk’s takeover and would benefit from some risk-taking.
“We can debate whether those changes are in the right direction, but Twitter does need changes,” he said.
Flight DL185 had just departed for New York’s JFK airport from Milan’s Malpensa airport when it crashed into the storm in Italy.
The Boeing 767 took off, circled Milan, then headed south before making a flawless landing in Rome.
The front nose cone of the aircraft has been blasted through, but other images of the craft reveal holes in the wing and engine.
As it took off on Monday afternoon, a violent thunderstorm was passing through the north of Italy which left much of the region devastated with flash flooding and hailstones the size of tennis balls.
In a statement Delta said:’ The Milan Malpensa to JFK flight was diverted to Rome after it encountered adverse weather after take off.
‘The landing in Rome happened safely without incident and the passengers disembarked normally.
‘The aircraft was damaged because of the weather and is now being examined by maintenance staff.’
Passenger Jeffrey Saunders posted on Twitter: ‘Flight 185 pummelled by hail on take-off. Makes emergency landing Rome. Scary incident.’
One weather expert said: ‘These hailstones can reach weights of 200g and hit speeds of 150kph which will have a devastating impact on anything it hits.’
The storms come amid a north-south divide in Italy where temperatures in the cities of Rome, Naples and on the islands of Sardinia and Sicily touched the upper 40c.
Volodymyr Zelensky warned earlier this month that Russian forces had there placed items “resembling explosives” on the roofs of houses to “simulate an attack,” citing Ukrainian intelligence.
Shortly after the conflict began, the largest nuclear plant in Europe was captured by the enemy. Since then, Kiev and Moscow have accused one another of plotting a false flag operation at the plant.
Rafael Grossy, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, confirmed experts ‘saw some mines located in a buffer zone between the site’s internal and external perimeter barriers’.
In a statement on Monday, he added: ‘The IAEA has been aware of the placement of mines outside the site perimeter and also at particular places inside.
‘Our team has raised this specific finding with the plant and they have been told it is a military decision, and in an area controlled by military.
‘Having such explosives on the site is inconsistent with the IAEA safety standards and nuclear security guidance and creates additional psychological pressure on plant staff…’
‘The team will continue its interactions with the plant.’
His statement did not detail how many mines were found or the precise positions, but stressed they were located at the periphery of the site.
IAEA experts said these were anti-personnel mines, which are normally placed under, on or near the ground.
They are ‘victim-activated’ and designed to detonate when someone steps on, handles or comes near them.
But the agency’s initial assessment was that any detonation ‘should not affect the site’s nuclear safety and security systems’.
Grossi has visited the plant three times since it was taken over but has been unable to clinch an agreement with Russian and Ukrainian authorities to set up a safety regime to prevent accidents.
During a searing heatwave, hundreds of thousands of people in Sicily are without energy and risking blackouts.
Temperatures on the Italian island have risen to 47.6°C, and there are worries that the power outages have “brought Catania to its knees.”
The power outages are thought to have been brought on by underground wires being damaged by heat.
Water pumps stopped working, affecting between 200,000 and 300,000 people, but the problem was fixed on Monday AM.
Air conditioned rooms have been set up for the elderly, vulnerable and homeless by local authorities.
Massimiliano Russo, a filmmaker in Catania, told MailOnline: ‘The situation is very challenging. […] ‘The elderly are suffering a lot. Even the restaurateurs, forced to close due to lack of electricity. At present, no major action has been taken to help the city.’
Paola, a local, said: ‘We are in a critical situation. The temperatures are very high and there are no power and water services in many areas of the city.’
Russo, who currently has water but no power, explained: ‘The temperatures are very high.
A girl bathes a boy’s head with cool water in Catania, Sicily (Picture: Getty Images)There have been wildfires around Palermo, Sicily (Picture: Shutterstock)
‘The electrical infrastructure cannot withstand the overload of the city’s air conditioning.
‘The electrical cables cannot withstand the high temperatures and melt.’
Supplier e-distribuzione said in a statement: ‘We find ourselves operating in conditions of exceptional climatic emergency.
‘The temperature of the asphalt on roads was recorded to have hit highs of 50 degrees.
‘This, if added to the high humidity, does not allow the correct dissipation of heat with consequent damage to the underground cables.’
Hundreds of technicians have been employed to address the issue, the company reported.
Passengers were transferred to other airports in Sicily after flights were grounded at Catania airport(Picture: EPA)
Civil protection minister Nello Musumeci has blamed the crisis on poor investment in local infrastructure and climate change.
‘We are paying on the one hand for climate change, to which we should have been paying more attention for several years, and on the other for infrastructure that does not appear entirely adequate to the new context,’ he said.
Restaurants, food shops, traders and merchants have been hit badly by the crisis and are relying on frozen food.
Flights to and from the UK to Catania are cancelled until at least July 26 because of a fire at the airport last week.
Meanwhile Palermo airport also on Sicily is currently closed because of a massive wildfire, with air traffic halted until at least 11am.
Flights at Catania airport have been cancelled due to a fire last week (Picture: EPA)
The temperature on Sicily has come close to the record high of 48.8 Celsius recorded two years ago.
At least 110 people were injured in a violent hailstorm which struck the north of Italy last week.
Elsewhere in Europe, the Greek island of Rhodes has been hit with a deadly heatwave which has caused the evacuation of holidaymakers.
An easyJet pilot issued a terrifying warning to passengers flying out to the baking hot island on Monday.
A drug-addled driver who murdered a two-year-old and his father while operating a vehicle on the wrong side of the road while intoxicated at the time was sentenced to prison.
In January of last year, John Woodcock, 44, and his two-year-old son Lewis were murdered in a car accident on the way home from seeing their relatives.
Just after six o’clock in the evening, James Gibson, 31, was operating an Audi along Chesterfield Road North in Pleasley when he struck John and Lewis’ car from the side.
Gibson, aged 31, had been driving on the opposite side of the road, speeding, and he had also got behind the wheel after taking drugs.
He was also found to have run through red lights and undertaken other vehicles.
There was nothing Dan could have done to avoid the collision.
Gibson appeared at Nottingham Crown Court today (Monday 24 July) after pleading guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
He was jailed for 12 years and disqualified from driving for 18 years.
The mother and wife of John and Lewis, Caroline Westbrook, paid tribute to her two boys after the sentencing today.
She said: ‘I would like to take this opportunity to finally say thank you to everyone who has been there for me over this past year.
‘I would also like to say special thanks to the people who tried to help Louie and Dan on the night of this tragic accident, the innocent bystander, police, ambulance crew, doctors, and nurses at both Kingsmill Hospital and Queens Medical Centre.
‘I know we didn’t get the outcome we had hoped for, but I know all these people tried their very best to help my boys.
‘The two amazing ambulance staff who were there for me whilst we waited, I will never forget you and everything you did for me.
‘Now we have finally had the sentencing and this part is over, finally my boys can rest at peace and I and the family can try to build some sort of life where we try to come to terms with this horrific loss.’
Despite getting severely bit on the leg, a surfer who was attacked by a shark at a beach was able to save his own life and swim 600 metres back to shore.
At 8.45am on Monday at Gnarabup Beach in the Margaret River region of Western Australia, a great white shark attacked a guy in his twenties.
The victim lost ‘a lot of blood’ but was able to escape the shark’s hold and swim back to shore before the shark bit him on the leg.
The man was given first aid by an off-duty nurse after suffering a deep gash to his left leg.
He is currently in a stable condition after he was taken to Margaret River Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The attack happened at Gnarabup Beach in the Margaret River region, Western Australia, at 8.45am on Monday (Picture: Getty Images)
Footage that was captured from the shore showed dramatic scenes as the shark splashed towards the victim while a surfboard was flung into the air.
Beachgoers told 9News the man was incredibly brave and said he ‘saved his own life’.
They said he ‘lost a lot of blood,’ as he fought to escape from the animal before paddling back to the beach.
Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is investigating the attack.
Authorities have urged beachgoers to take extra care around the Gnarabup and Prevelly area.
It is seventh shark attack on beaches across Western Australia this year.
This horrific scene occurred when a father in Texas broke his car’s front window to get his infant out of the heat.
As the temperature approached 40°C, the man is seen breaking the glass in video that was shot in a parking lot in Arlington.
When the parents learned they had locked their keys inside the hot car with the baby, panic broke out, according to KRGV.
As people gathered around the car, the father repeatedly swung at the window in a frantic attempt to break it before another man with a longer pole arrived.
Eventually the two created a hole big enough for a woman to climb through and retrieve the child.
Harlingen Police confirmed the parents will not face any charges after the incident on Wednesday last week.
Director Rene Perez said the parents did the right thing in calling 911 right away.
‘When you have a child, particularly a child in a vehicle like that, 10 minutes is too long,’ Perez said.
‘So you really want to make sure that the baby is doing well, and it’s best to have observations on the child just to make sure that they’re compensating properly for the stress that they just went through.’
It was unclear how long the child had remained in the car before being pulled out.
Temperatures in Texas have remained high for weeks, with a summer average for some parts at 39.9°C.
People have been trapped under a ‘heat dome’ that is expected to bring more record highs in the coming days.
In May, three children died after being found unattended in vehicles in Texas, Florida and Washington State.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US has warned that a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s.
So, when a child is left in a car, the situation can quickly become dangerous.
As Rhodes residents continue to evacuate in the wake of the flames and high heat, other Greek islands are also under risk.
As the fire grows closer, residents of many villages in Corfu’s northeast have been ordered to leave.
British tourists recall being told to “run into the sea” as sirens sounded; Rhodes is currently going through a particularly difficult time.
Jet2, TUI, and other travel agencies cancelled flights to Rhodes as soon as the first repatriation aircraft began landing on the island.
So as the fires blaze, many people are wondering exactly which areas of Rhodes are affected?
Where are the wildfires on Rhodes?
The wildfires on the island of Rhodes in Greece so far are near the towns and villages of Lindos, Pefkoi and Kiotari, which are towards the southern end of the island.
In the past few hours, they have spread to nearby Masari and Malonas, and Kalathos.
Lindos is about 47km south of Rhodes Town and the airport.
Can I cancel my trip to Rhodes?
Some travel companies are already cancelling trips, including Thomas Cook and TUI. Anyone due to travel to Rhodes in the near future should speak to their airline or tour operator to discuss options.
Easyjet, for example, is still operating flights to Rhodes but is allowing passengers to booked to travel to or from Rhodes before July 29 to transfer their flight to another date or request a flight voucher.
Unfortunately, when a government has not issued advice against travelling to a country, getting compensation for a flight or accommodation that has not been cancelled by an airline or holiday company is difficult.
Some will decide to offer a refund or the chance to reschedule, but in most circumstances they don’t have to. Your travel insurance is unlikely to cover your costs if your flights and accommodation have not been cancelled and you decide not to travel.
Prior to takeoff, the captain of a flight to the burning Greek island of Rhodes issued a stern warning to the passengers.
Greece has been battling wildfires on the mainland and the islands of Corfu and Rhodes for about a week. The fires were started by a sweltering heat wave and spread by strong winds.
Around 10,000 Britons travelled to the popular vacation destinations, and on Sunday and Monday, many flights of repatriation brought them back to the UK.
A number of airlines have still been flying to and from Rhodes – but one easyJet pilot issued a strong warning to passengers before taking off on Monday, the Mirror reports.
37 passengers were on board the 180-seat flight from Gatwick when the pilot issued their final warning – which led to eight passengers leaving the plane.
Gwyn Loader, who was on board to report for BBC Wales’ Welsh-language news programme Newyddion, said the pilot made the announcement over the Tannoy before take-off.
The pilot said: ‘Travelling to Rhodes for a holiday at the moment is a terrible idea.
‘As far as I’m concerned, this flight is being operated on an emergency basis.
‘Return flights are now being managed by the military. If you want to get off the flight, you are welcome to do so.
‘I don’t know in what capacity you are travelling, but if you are travelling for leisure, my sincere recommendation is it’s a bad idea.’
