TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Yendi NPP groups appeal to Hajia Abibata to refrain from contesting as Independent Candidate

    Yendi NPP groups appeal to Hajia Abibata to refrain from contesting as Independent Candidate

    A coalition comprising New Patriotic Party (NPP) youth groups in the Yendi Constituency of the Northern Region has issued a plea to the NPP parliamentary candidate, Hajia Abibata Shani Mahama, urging her to refrain from pursuing an independent candidacy if the party does not rerun its botched parliamentary primary.

    Expressing their concerns, the coalition emphasized that such a decision could potentially weaken the party’s strength and jeopardize its prospects in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

    The call comes in response to warnings from supporters of Hajia Abibata Mahama, who suggested the possibility of an independent candidate emerging from the NPP in Yendi.

    During a press conference held in Yendi on Thursday, the Secretary of the coalition, Sumani Saaka Rafiu, emphasized their stance, stating that while some members of the coalition support Hajia Abibata, they collectively reject the idea of fielding an independent candidate. Rafiu stressed that any move towards independent candidacy would lead to their withdrawal of support, emphasizing their allegiance to the NPP.

    “We wish to make it clear that while some members of our coalition support Hajia Abibata, we as a collective group do not endorse or support the idea of fielding an independent candidate and we completely disassociate ourselves from it. Some of the members of our youth groups support Hajia Abibata because she’s NPP and we shall separate ways should she decide to embark on an independent ticket path. We are NPP,” he stated.

    Highlighting the potential repercussions of such actions, Rafiu emphasized that pursuing an independent candidacy would undermine the party’s unity and diminish its chances of electoral success, particularly when Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the flagbearer.

    “We believe that such a move will only serve to weaken our party and undermine our chances in the upcoming elections. More so, when Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the flagbearer, such actions greatly impact his chances of breaking the 8,” he added.

    Rafiu further expressed the coalition’s trust in the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to address the issue appropriately, affirming their commitment to support any final decision made by the NEC.

    The statement by the coalition underscores the importance of party cohesion and adherence to internal processes, reflecting the broader efforts to maintain unity and focus within the NPP as the country approaches the 2024 elections.

  • Alexei Navalny “died of natural causes” – Russian medical report

    Alexei Navalny “died of natural causes” – Russian medical report

    A report from Russia’s doctors on Alexei Navalny‘s death says he died from ‘natural causes’.

    Navalny’s associates and relatives accused Vladimir Putin of being responsible for his death, while the Kremlin vehemently denied any involvement. The news came out after they said this. Kira Yarmysh, who works for Navalny, posted on X that Navalny’s mother received the findings.

    Navalny often spoke out against Vladimir Putin and was someone that the Russian president was most afraid of.

    His mother Lyudmila told her story of being questioned by Russian investigators for over 24 hours without having a lawyer with her.

    She also said the people looking into it were getting ready for a hidden funeral for Navalny. They want it to be done quietly, with no chance to say goodbye.

    “They want to take me to a cemetery and show me a new grave and say: your son is buried here. ” I don’t think this is a good idea.

    Lyudmila said that the investigators took her to see Navalny’s body at the morgue and then threatened her.

    She said: “I saw them get instructions from the Kremlin or the main office of the Investigative Committee. “Can you simplify this text please.

    Navalny’s mother wants a public funeral so that people who cared about Alexei can say goodbye to him.

    Lyudmila said: ‘I’m making this video because someone is threatening me. They looked into my eyes and said that if I don’t agree to a secret funeral, they will do something to my son’s body. ‘

    A person told Lyudmila that time is not on her side. The dead body is rotting.

    He made the leader really angry by speaking out against corruption. He called the leader and his party names and showed documents of their crimes.

    However, his death has caused more confusion than clarity– his body had bruises on it and people suspect that there were spies at the prison when he died.

    And Putin had tried to hurt Navalny before –making him very sick and have to go to another country to get better.

    Navalny’s family has promised to keep fighting, even though they are grieving less than a week after his death.

    This news story is still being updated. Come back later for more information.

  • Putin to ”grab” another land in a different European nation

    Putin to ”grab” another land in a different European nation

    Worries are mounting over the possibility of Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, making moves to claim more land in Europe, especially after the invasion of Ukraine in the past.

    Many people are guessing that the pro-Russian area of Transnistria in eastern Moldova might ask to become a part of Russia.

    It is thought that he might use a speech to the Russian government on February 29 to give approval for the annexation.

    Gennady Chorba, an opponent in Moldova, said that lawmakers will meet in Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria, to ask Russia to take the territory into the Russian Federation.

    He said that this would let Putin attack Moldova, including Transnistria, ‘for any reason’, and could use it as a base for attacks on the Ukrainian port Odesa, which is seen as a much more important target.

    Moldovan officials said Russia is spreading lies to cause trouble in the area.

    The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that a vote to join Russia would help Russia’s plans to take over the country, which wants to become part of the EU and NATO.

    The ISW warned that the pro-Russian area of Transnistria might decide to have a vote or plan to join Russia at a meeting on February 28.

    The reason for making this call would be to say that Russia needs to protect its citizens and people who are similar to them in Transnistria from dangers from Moldova or NATO, or both.

    The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, might say that Russia is taking over Transnistria when he speaks to the Russian government on February 29, but it probably won’t happen.

    Putin will probably support whatever the Transnistrian Congress of Deputies does and give his thoughts on the situation.

    With help from Russia, a piece of land between the Dniester River and the Ukrainian border separated from Moldova in 1990.

    In September 2006, there was a vote for independence that Moldova and other countries didn’t agree with. It didn’t change anything, but it showed how Russia kept supporting the government.

    Transnistria is all set to join Russia and Putin has 2,000 soldiers there to keep peace.

    Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said that Russia will not abandon its citizens in Transnistria if they are in trouble.

    Last year, Moldova’s President Maia Sandu said that she believed Russia was plotting to overthrow the government in her country.

  • Another name pops up on potential Bawumia running mate list

    Another name pops up on potential Bawumia running mate list

    Ambassador Isaac Osei has emerged as a noteworthy contender for the role of running mate alongside Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, signaling a potential shift in the landscape leading up to the 2024 elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    With an extensive background in public service and a stellar track record, Ambassador Osei brings to the table a unique blend of experience, integrity, and expertise that transcends partisan boundaries.

    The unfolding dynamics of selecting running mates have drawn attention from political observers, with Professor Kwesi Yankah offering insightful perspectives that pave the way for the introduction of Ambassador Isaac Osei as a figure reminiscent of Dr Bawumia‘s emergence in 2008.

    Ambassador Osei’s reputation for poise, integrity, and economic prowess suggests a formidable partnership with Dr. Bawumia, capable of navigating the intricacies of governance and driving national progress.

    Amidst the buzz surrounding Dr. Bawumia’s recent impactful engagements, such as the ‘Bawumia Speaks’ event and the unveiling of his campaign team, anticipation mounts for the announcement of his running mate. While notable figures like Energy Minister Dr. Mathew Poku Prempeh and Education Minister Mr. Yaw Adutwum are considered strong contenders, Ambassador Osei stands out as a ‘dark horse’ candidate with a wealth of experience spanning vital sectors crucial for economic growth.

    Ambassador Isaac Osei’s illustrious career, including his tenure as CEO of Ghana Cocobod and Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), underscores his ability to drive strategic initiatives and achieve remarkable milestones. His contributions across industry, diplomacy, finance, and agriculture position him as a transformative force within the NPP’s leadership framework.

    Furthermore, Ambassador Osei’s deep-rooted connections and diverse heritage resonate across various regions of Ghana, making him a unifying figure with a nuanced understanding of the country’s socio-political landscape. His commitment to public service, coupled with a visionary outlook on national unity and development, aligns well with Dr. Bawumia’s objectives.

  • Afua Asantewaa breaks silence after failed sing-a-thon attempt

    Afua Asantewaa breaks silence after failed sing-a-thon attempt

    Afua Asantewaa, who endeavored to set a Guinness World Record for the longest individual singing marathon, has responded to the outcome of her bid after organizers of the award scheme declared it unsuccessful on February 23, 2024.

    In a series of social media posts made hours after the verdict, Asantewaa hinted at her next course of action, expressing gratitude for the support received while maintaining a positive outlook on the situation.

    “The news of the outcome of my Sing-a-thon attempt came a few minutes as I was preparing to host a gala dinner and the launch of the Lebanese Scholarship Alumni Network attended by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    “I would announce my next line of action in a few days. Thank you all for your love and support. When life hands you lemons, turn them into lemonade. Success is sweetest when snatched out of the jaws of defeat,” Afua said in a Facebook post on February 23, 2024.

    Guinness World Records, also acknowledging the attempt’s outcome, issued a tweet on Friday, February 23, 2024, officially declaring that Asantewaa’s attempt to break the record was not successful. Despite this, they expressed hope for another attempt in the future, highlighting the inspiration drawn by Asantewaa for her fans.

    Asantewaa commenced her record-breaking endeavor on December 24, 2023, aiming to break the Guinness World Record for the longest singing marathon. The event, held at the Akwaaba Village in Accra near the Kotoka International Airport, drew significant support, with thousands in attendance. Notable personalities from the Ghanaian entertainment industry, including Nana Ama McBrown, Kwabena Kwabena, Efya, and others, showed up to rally behind the historic event.

    Initially planned to conclude on December 27, Asantewaa extended the marathon to 126 hours and 52 minutes after consultation with her team, demonstrating her determination and resilience throughout the endeavor.

    Despite the outcome, Asantewaa’s courageous attempt has left a lasting impact, inspiring many with her dedication and passion for music. As she contemplates her next steps, her unwavering spirit serves as a reminder that success often lies in perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges.

  • Kidnapped children of Ukraine still missing after two years of Putin’s invasion

    Kidnapped children of Ukraine still missing after two years of Putin’s invasion

    As Vladimir Putin continues to attack Ukraine for the 2nd year, families have little hope of getting their kidnapped children back soon.

    At least 20,000 kids were taken from their homes and brought to other countries where they were hurt, starved, and kept away from their families.

    Russia has been accused of taking a lot of children from their families, and people think that the actual number is even bigger.

    Maria Lvova-Belova, who works for the Russian government, said proudly that the state has moved 300,000 Ukrainian children from their destroyed homes.

    Putin’s forces even attacked orphanages, so now many children are being brainwashed by the Russians without anyone looking for them.

    “It will take many years and continue for generations,” said Wayne Jordash, a top prosecutor for war crimes, to Metro.

    Mr Jordash spends his time listening to parents who lost their children to Putin’s forces.

    He said the stories he hears are really terrible and will always be in his memory.

    He said that it’s hard to forget when a parent talks about their missing child.

    But the saddest part is when the parents are no longer alive to tell Mr. Jordash about their children on their own.

    “I talked to the neighbors to find out what happened to the children who may have been taken to Russia because their parents died in a missile attack,” he said.

    ‘Sometimes grown-ups talk about their sadness, fear, and worry in a way that is even more surprising than how kids talk about it. ‘

    We are still learning about what is happening to children, but it is clear that they are being made to have a military-style education to make them stop feeling at home.

    Kids have said they can’t get things they need, and only older kids can tell people what’s going on at home.

    The International Criminal Court said that Russia tried to make the children learn new things and threatened to hurt them if they didn’t.

    A teenager was told that he would be taken to a boarding school where he would learn and understand everything.

    We were sitting in the hall when someone yelled, “Glory to Ukraine. ” Then they were removed from the hall. I don’t know what happened to him.

    One mom, Inesda Vertosh, said her son doesn’t want to talk about his time in the camp yet.

    “He looks at me and says, ‘Mom, I don’t want to tell you because it would keep you up at night. ‘”

    “We are hearing that the kidnapped children are being treated badly. They don’t have enough food, medical care, or love. They know that their families in Ukraine miss them. ”

    ‘These kids have been very hurt mentally and are scared they won’t see their families again. ‘

    Only 300 children who were taken have come back, and it doesn’t seem like more will come back.

    In March, the International Criminal Court put out warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova for moving children unlawfully.

    This is the first time a court has issued an arrest warrant for the leader of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, but bringing them back home is taking a long time.

    Many people have forgotten about the children who were taken from their parents. This is one reason why the problem still exists.

    Mr Jordash said that the media is not giving enough attention to the terrible crimes and it doesn’t seem like they are treating it with the horror it deserves.

    ‘There are many bad crimes happening, and people are losing interest because the news is always on. ‘

    It’s really important to understand how children can be brainwashed and treated badly by invading forces, especially now with the threat of World War Three hanging over Europe.

    In 2017, a report showed that 1,600 children were taken and made to fight by a group called Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

    In the early 2000s in northern Uganda, the Lord’s Resistance Army kidnapped children and sexually assaulted them.

    Mr Jordash said that taking children is not only happening in Ukraine. Many times in wars during colonial times, we have seen the same thing happen again and again, and it’s dangerous for us.

    The Ukrainians are going through a tough time because they are facing the same crimes and horrors. The US Congress is delaying military aid to help them.

  • Three children, ages one, two, and seven, found dead in their flat after being stabbed in Bristol

    Three children, ages one, two, and seven, found dead in their flat after being stabbed in Bristol

    The police have reported that the brothers and sisters who were found dead in a Bristol flat on Sunday were all stabbed to death.

    Fares Bash, aged seven, Joury Bash, aged three, and nine-month-old Mohammed Bash were found in the Sea Mills area of the city.

    Following a possible homicide, a 42-year-old woman has been arrested and is currently hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

    Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said: “It’s really sad that these young children, who had their whole lives ahead of them, are gone. Our thoughts are with their family and anyone else affected by this tragedy. ”

    “Our specialist liaison officers will keep helping and supporting the family members of the people they work with. ”

    In the last few days, doctors have checked the bodies of the children to find out how they died. We now know that each child died from being stabbed with a knife.

    She said the road barriers in Blaise Walk were removed and a police station on wheels will open in Sea Mills this weekend.

    Ms Hayward-Melen said before that this is a rare event and it won’t affect the general public.

    She said: “We can only keep someone in custody after they are brought to a police station, not while they are in the hospital. ”

    “Our team is working quickly to find out what happened and why someone lost their life. We are asking a lot of questions to get to the bottom of this. ”

    We removed the main barriers in Blaise Walk and want to thank the local residents for being patient and supportive while we investigated the area.

    The investigation into the incident is moving forward quickly.

    The police were called to check on someone’s safety at Blaise Walk in Sea Mills around 12. 40am

    The three children could not be saved and a vigil will be held later today to remember them.

    Avon and Somerset Police asked an independent group to review their past actions.

  • Newborn baby dies as fire in Spain destroys apartments

    Newborn baby dies as fire in Spain destroys apartments

    A family of four with two little kids and an old couple are the first known people who died in a fire that destroyed a building in Spain.

    Ten people were killed in a fire at the Tabacalara Municipal Building in Valencia’s Campanar district. The fire was set last night in a way that was similar to the fire at Grenfell Tower in 2017.

    Firefighters flying a drone saw four dead bodies. They think there are about 14 more people in the building, but they don’t think anyone is alive.

    Some people, including a two-year-old child, a two-month-old baby, and some people from other countries, might be stuck inside the building. It might be hard to find them, the Spanish officials say.

    The Spanish media has only been able to identify some of the victims, but their names have not been released yet.

    However, it is believed that an old couple died in the fire while hiding in their bathroom with their dog.

    Local news has said that the whole family, which includes a young family with four members, died in the fire in their apartment.

    The family had a mom and dad, a new baby, and a three-year-old girl who went to Sant Pau nursery school. There is a black veil at the entrance of the school to show that they are mourning.

    Two people from Ukraine who ran away to Spain are also living on the same street.

    People ran out onto their balconies to get away from the fire at the 14-story apartment building, where more than 450 people live.

    The building had a material on the outside that could catch on fire easily, like the material used on Grenfell Tower. This caused the fire to spread quickly and cover the whole building in just ten minutes.

    Luis Ibanez, who lives in the area, said on TVE that he looked out of a window and saw the fire quickly cover the whole building. He said it seemed like the building was easily catching fire.

    “He said he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. ” ‘The building on the other side was fully on fire from the first to the sixth or seventh floor. ‘

    Another person who lives across the street from the building told RNE radio what she saw when the fire started.

    She said that the fire started on the balconies and parts of the building fell down. The wind had blown parts of the outside covering off in the past and it had to be fixed.

    Firefighters used big machines to save people stuck on their balconies. They helped a dad and his daughter, and a boy who was stuck on the second floor.

    A woman named Sara from Portugal and her partner Amar, who is from Belgium, got stuck on their seventh-floor balcony for a long time. Firefighters saved them.

  • Two adolescent basketball players killed in mass knife attack in Germany

    Two adolescent basketball players killed in mass knife attack in Germany

    Four young people are accused of killing two teens from Ukraine in a stabbing attack in Germany.

    Seventeen-year-old basketball player Volodymyr Yermakov was stabbed and killed at a bus stop in Oberhausen, Germany on February 10th. He went to Germany to get away from the war in Ukraine in July 2023.

    His friend, 18-year-old Artem Kozachenko, was stabbed six times and died in the hospital on February 20, after being in intensive care for 10 days, according to ART Giants.

    Both of them used to play for the club’s youth team in Düsseldorf.

    The ART Giants said the teenagers were very important to their team and they were very surprised and saddened by their deaths.

    The club wrote on Instagram that they will remember Volodymyr as a young person who lived joyfully and had big dreams in sports.

    This week, the club wrote on social media that Artem was a happy and funny person who was open to new ideas.

    Artem and Vova had a strong and close friendship that showed how important it is to have connections with other people in our lives.

    The couple was going back to Düsseldorf after shopping in Oberhausen when they were attacked at the city’s main train station around 8pm on February 10.

    A small group of 10 people made fun of them on the bus and asked if they were from Ukraine.

    The group attacked the people when they got off the bus at Oberhausen train station. They surrounded them and stabbed them many times in the chest and stomach where everyone could see.

    Volodymyr passed away in the hospital not long after.

    Artem was hurt with six knife cuts, but the doctors operated quickly and it seems like he will be okay.

  • I was going to misbehave but my wife saved me – Ken Agyapong speaks on aftermath of NPP primaries

    I was going to misbehave but my wife saved me – Ken Agyapong speaks on aftermath of NPP primaries

    Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has disclosed that it was his wife who prevented him from delivering a potentially confrontational speech following his defeat in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primary last year.

    Speaking candidly on the KSM Show on February 23, 2024, Agyapong admitted that he had initially planned to express his grievances on stage upon witnessing individuals who had previously offended him at the event to announce the winner of the race at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    Recalling the pivotal moment, Agyapong recounted how he had decided to gracefully concede defeat and even went as far as congratulating Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the eventual winner of the primary. However, he acknowledged feeling deeply aggrieved upon seeing certain individuals in attendance.

    Agyapong attributed his restraint to the presence and intervention of his wife, whom he had brought along to a public gathering of that magnitude for the first time. He credited her for persuading him to conduct himself in a gentlemanly manner and refrain from making potentially inflammatory remarks.

    Expressing gratitude for his wife’s influence, Agyapong admitted that he had struggled to control his emotions and refrain from expressing his frustrations publicly. He emphasized the importance of considering the broader implications of his actions, not only for himself but also for the party and the nation as a whole.

    In the NPP primaries held on November 4, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia emerged victorious with 118,210 votes, representing 61.47% of the total votes cast. Kennedy Agyapong secured the second position with 71,996 votes, accounting for 35.52% of the total valid votes.

    Other contenders in the race, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Francis Addai-Nimoh, garnered 1,459 votes and 781 votes, respectively.

    Agyapong’s revelation sheds light on the internal dynamics and personal struggles experienced by political figures during moments of defeat, highlighting the importance of composure and leadership in such circumstances.

  • Netanyahu of Israel lays out post-conflict plan for Gaza

    Netanyahu of Israel lays out post-conflict plan for Gaza

    Benjamin Netanyahu outlined his thoughts on the future state of Gaza following the conflict.

    In his plan, Israel would keep control of security for a long time, and Palestinians who are not part of any groups that are unfriendly to Israel would govern the area.

    The United States, Israel’s close friend, wants the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank to control Gaza after the war.

    However, the brief paper that Mr. Netanyahu showed to ministers last night does not talk about the PA.

    He said the internationally supported organization won’t have a role after the war.

    He thinks Gaza should be made less like a military zone. Israel would need to remove any military equipment that’s not needed for keeping the peace.

    The Southern border of the territory would be closed near Egypt to stop illegal trading.

    And they will promote programs to help people who have become radicalized to change their beliefs in all religious, educational, and welfare organizations. The paper says that Arab countries that have done similar programs before will be part of this one. But Netanyahu did not say which countries specifically.

    Under the plan, Israel would continue to have security control over the area on the west side of the Jordan River, including land, sea, and air.

    Mr Netanyahu has been feeling stressed because people in his country and other countries want him to share his ideas for fixing the situation in Gaza. This pressure started when he started his military operation. He really wants to fix his bad reputation as a leader who can protect Israel. He also wants to get support from the most conservative people in his government.

    A person who speaks for Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, said that Mr. Netanyahu’s plan was going to fail.

    Nabil Abu Rudeineh said that to make the region safe and stable, the world should stop Israel from controlling Palestinian land and should acknowledge that Palestinians have their own country.

    Mr Netanyahu said again that he doesn’t support Western countries recognizing Palestine as a state without both sides agreeing.

    On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US does not want Israel to take over Gaza again or make it smaller.

    Gaza Terrorism is not allowed on this platform. Israel should not go back into Gaza. He said at a meeting of ministers in Argentina that the size of Gaza should not be made smaller.

    At the same time, people who are trying to make a short break in fighting and free Israeli captives are planning to meet in Paris.

    The US wants to make a deal before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan starts in about two weeks.

    The situation is getting worse in Gaza, and many countries want the war to stop. The Health Ministry controlled by Hamas says that over 29,500 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since the war started in October.

    Israel’s attack was caused by Hamas’ very serious attack on 7 October when gunmen killed about 1,200 people – most of them were not soldiers – and took 253 people as hostages back to Gaza.

    Last night, the leader of the UN group in charge of helping Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) said that Gaza is in big trouble. This could cause problems for peace, safety, and human rights in the region.

    Philippe Lazzarini wrote a letter to the president of the UN general assembly. In the letter, he said that Unrwa is in a very difficult situation. Israel keeps asking for Unrwa to be taken apart, and donors are not giving money to Unrwa when there are a lot of people in need in Gaza.

    Last month, some of Unrwa’s main supporters stopped giving money to the agency because Unrwa fired some of its workers. Israel accused the workers of being involved in the attacks in October.

    Mr Netanyahu wants to shut down the agency as part of his plan after the war and put different international aid groups in its place.

    He said he will keep fighting until Israel gets rid of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and all Israeli hostages come home.

    At the end of 2023, Mr Netanyahu said the war might continue for a long time.

    The US said that Israel’s building of houses in the West Bank goes against the law.

    “Our government strongly disagrees with building more settlements. We think it makes Israel less safe, not safer,” said Mr.

    It changes a decision made in 2019 by the Trump administration, which Israel liked. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US no longer thought that settlements broke international law.

  • Dafeamekpor vows to sue GRA over continued stay in office

    Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has issued a stern warning of impending legal action against the Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev. Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah.

    This comes amidst allegations of irregularities regarding Owusu-Amoah’s continued tenure at the helm of the GRA without a valid contract extension from the Ministry of Finance.

    The issue stems from Owusu-Amoah’s tenure exceeding the mandatory retirement age of 60, as per legal requirements for public officeholders in Ghana. 

    Despite this, he has reportedly occupied the position for approximately two years without the necessary documentation authorizing his continued role.

    Speaking to reporters, Dafeamekpor emphasized the urgency of the matter, highlighting the potential legal ramifications of Owusu-Amoah’s prolonged stay in office without proper contractual authorization. He raised concerns over what he described as the erosion of accountability within the system, citing instances of collusion, cronyism, and political interference.

    Furthermore, Dafeamekpor underscored the gravity of the situation, asserting that it is not only a matter of legality but also one of ethical governance. He criticized the apparent lack of action from relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Finance and the Presidency, in addressing the issue promptly following revelations made at a recent sitting of the Public Accounts Committee.

    Owusu-Amoah, in his defense, confirmed during the committee hearing that he had been asked by the finance minister to remain in his position with a written contract, despite surpassing the retirement age. However, Dafeamekpor contends that this does not absolve the GRA boss of the need for proper documentation and transparency regarding his tenure.

    In pursuit of accountability and transparency, Dafeamekpor revealed that inquiries have been made to the Board of GRA, seeking clarification on the specifics of Owusu-Amoah’s contractual status, including the duration of his tenure beyond retirement age and the corresponding financial implications.

    Should satisfactory responses not be forthcoming, Dafeamekpor warned that legal recourse, including potential litigation, would be pursued, citing constitutional and statutory provisions governing appointments to public office.

    The situation surrounding Owusu-Amoah’s tenure at the GRA continues to fuel debate over accountability, transparency, and adherence to legal norms within Ghana’s public sector. As stakeholders await further developments, the specter of legal action looms large, underscoring the importance of upholding governance standards and the rule of law.

  • Trump demands Alabama uphold IVF following court decision

    Trump demands Alabama uphold IVF following court decision

    Donald Trump has expressed his support for making IVF treatment accessible to those in need. He is joining other Republicans who want to distance themselves from an Alabama court decision on this issue.

    The highest court in the state decided last week that frozen embryos have the same rights as children, and people can get in trouble for destroying them.

    At least three clinics stopped doing IVF treatment after the decision.

    On Friday, Mr. Trump asked Alabama to find a quick solution.

    “We want to help parents have babies more easily, not make it difficult. This means we support making fertility treatments like IVF available in every State in America,” said the ex-president on his Truth Social platform.

    “Most Republicans, Conservatives, Christians, and Pro-Life Americans, like myself, strongly support IVF for couples who want to have a baby. ”

    On Friday, Alabama’s Republican Attorney General Steve Marshall said he does not plan to punish IVF providers and their families, which may help ease worries in the state.

    This was the first time Mr Trump spoke about the issue. He said he opposes a decision that some Republicans worry could hurt their chances of winning votes from women in the suburbs and swing voters.

    Mr Trump is the top candidate to win the Republican nomination for the November election and one of the most important people in the party.

    The National Republican Senate Committee, which helps members get elected to Congress, told candidates to express support for IVF and work on making it more accessible. This shows that they want to move away from the Alabama ruling.

    No Republican Senate candidates want to limit access to fertility treatments, according to Jason Thielman, the committee’s director, in a memo obtained by CBS, the BBC’s US partner.

    The memo mentioned a survey done by Kellyanne Conway, who used to work for the president, to show that most people support access to IVF.

    Several Senate candidates, like Kari Lake in Arizona, spoke out in favor of making the treatment available to the public after the memo was distributed.

    Nikki Haley, the only other person trying to be the Republican nominee, at first seemed to support the decision when she said she thinks frozen embryos are babies. Later, she said she didn’t agree with the court’s decision.

    While IVF is not banned in Alabama, some doctors have stopped offering fertility services because they are worried about getting in trouble with the law.

    The highest court in the state made it and all the judges are from the Republican party.

    Democrats are using the Alabama case in their campaign to show that if their opponents win in November, they will try to take away women’s rights.

    Mr Biden wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the Alabama decision was only able to happen because of the 2022 ruling by the US Supreme Court, which has three judges appointed by Trump, to cancel abortion rights.

    Many conservatives were happy that Roe v Wade ended, but it made Democrats want to vote more and Republicans had trouble with their message.

  • Catholic priest dies shortly after lodging in hotel with girlfriend

    Catholic priest dies shortly after lodging in hotel with girlfriend

    A 43-year-old Catholic Priest, Joseph Kariuki Wanjiku, died hours after lodging in a hotel with his lover.

    He checked into Monalisa Hotel Delview in Gatanga on Friday, July 8, 2023, alongside a 32-year-old female.

    Detectives in Nairobi have reportedly launched an investigation into the demise of the priest from St. Peters Ruai..

    A police report revealed that the priest suddenly experienced dizziness, prompting the lady to contact the hotel management for assistance. He was rushed to Kenol Hospital in Murang’a in his vehicle, but was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

    The sudden demise has raised suspicions, leading authorities to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

    The police report read in part;

    “One Joseph Kariuki Wanjiku aged 43yrs old, a Catholic priest at Archdiocese of Nairobi and a farmer at Mangu area checked in at the said hotel together with his girlfriend who also happens to be his colleague at the workplace in Ruai.

    “Then, this morning (Saturday) at around 0800hrs, the priest’s girlfriend notified the hotel management that the boyfriend was dizzy and getting unconscious so that they could rush him to the hospital. They then rushed him to Kenol Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.”

  • Ukraine claims to have shot down second Russian A-50 spy jet

    Ukraine claims to have shot down second Russian A-50 spy jet

    Ukraine says it shot down a Russian military spy plane called A-50. This is the second time they have made this claim in just over a month.

    The plane got hit between two Russian cities, over 200km away from where the fighting is happening, according to military sources from Ukraine.

    Emergency responders found pieces of a plane near Kanevskoy district and successfully extinguished a large fire.

    Russia hasn’t said anything about the statement. This Saturday is the two-year anniversary of Russia starting a big invasion.

    Mykola Oleshchuk, the leader of Ukraine’s Air Force, thanked his team and military intelligence for shooting down a plane on Friday. He also mentioned that the incident happened on an important Russian military holiday.

    “Happy Defender of the Fatherland Day to all the soldiers,” he said on Telegram.

    A video on the internet shows a plane getting shot down in the sky. There were big flames and a lot of dark smoke after the plane crashed.

    Krasnodar’s emergency officials said a plane crashed near Trudovaya Armenia village, Kanevskoy district, and a fire was put out later. It didn’t give any more information.

    At least one Russian military-related Telegram channel hinted that the plane may have been shot down by accident. Fighterbomber said: “We don’t know who shot it down right now. ”

    Ukraine said they shot down an A-50 plane on January 14th.

    The UK’s ministry of defence said Russia likely has six working A-50s in use.

    The plane finds air defenses and helps Russian jets attack targets. It can cost a lot to make—hundreds of millions of dollars.

    Ukraine has been having a hard time making progress against Russian soldiers in the southeast.

    Last month, the Ukrainian army said that a plane called Il-22 control centre and another plane called A-50 were destroyed in an incident.

  • I’ll announce my next line of action soon – Afua Asantewaa reacts to Sing-A-Thon results

    I’ll announce my next line of action soon – Afua Asantewaa reacts to Sing-A-Thon results

    Afua Asantewaa, who attempted a Guinness World Record sing-a-thon – longest individual singing marathon – has reacted to the outcome of her bid.

    This follows an unsuccessful verdict issued on February 23, 2024 by the organizers of the award scheme.

    Asantewaa announced her reaction in social media posts, hours after the verdict, and hinted at her next course of action.

    “The news of the outcome of my Sing-a-thon attempt came a few minutes as I was preparing to host a gala dinner and the launch of the Lebanese Scholarship Alumni Network attended by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    “I would announce my next line of action in a few days. Thank you all for your love and support. When life hands you lemons, turn them into lemonade. Success is sweetest when snatched out of the jaws of defeat,” Afua said in a Facebook post on February 23, 2024.

    Guinness World Records, in a tweet on Friday, February 23, 2024, officially declared that Asantewaa’s attempt to break the record was not successful.

    Their tweet read, “Unfortunately Afua’s Guinness World Records attempt for the longest singing marathon was not successful, but we hope that she will make another attempt soon. We’ve seen how inspirational it has been for her fans.”

    Asantewaa initiated her record-breaking endeavor on December 24, 2023, with the goal of breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest singing marathon. Despite her initial plan to end on December 27, she extended the marathon to 126 hours and 52 minutes after consulting with her team.

    The event, hosted at the Akwaaba Village in Accra near the Kotoka International Airport, garnered immense support, with thousands in attendance. Notable personalities from the Ghanaian showbiz scene, including Nana Ama McBrown, Kwabena Kwabena, Efya, Sista Afia, Afronitaa, Delay, Cina Soul, Clemento Suarez, Akuapem Poloo, Lawyer Nti, Piesie Esther, and OB Amponsah were present to show their support for the historic event.

  • President Biden visits widow and daughter of Alexei Navalny

    President Biden visits widow and daughter of Alexei Navalny

    Joe Biden had a secret meeting with the wife and daughter of Alexei Navalny, a Russian political leader who died in a prison last week.

    After the meeting with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya in California, the US president said that Navalny’s bravery will always be remembered by them.

    A well-known critic of the Russian government, Alexei Navalny, died unexpectedly while taking a walk, according to the prison service.

    However, his spouse thinks that the Russian leader told someone to kill her husband.

    Many world leaders have said that Vladimir Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death. The US is getting ready to announce more sanctions against Russia.

    Pictures from the White House show Mr. Biden hugging Yulia and talking with her and Dasha in a hotel room in San Francisco.

    Later, he told reporters that Ms. Navalnaya will keep fighting. “She keeps trying and won’t quit. ”

    The White House said that the new round of sanctions, which will target about 500 individuals and companies, will be the largest since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago.

    John Kirby, who speaks on behalf of national security, said that the new measures were taken because of what happened to Navalny.

    The Kremlin says Navalny was not murdered in prison and criticizes the West for reacting too strongly.

    Navalny’s mom Lyudmila Navalnaya said on a YouTube video that she is being threatened by the government about where her son will be buried.

    “They’re threatening to do something to my son’s body if I don’t agree to a private funeral. ”

    Russian officials did not respond right away.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOImheAmjQw
  • Death toll increases following massive fire in Valencia residential buildings

    Death toll increases following massive fire in Valencia residential buildings

    At least five people have died, and 14 people are hurt, according to Spanish news. This happened when a fire burned a tall building with apartments in Valencia.

    Firefighters were helping people get off balconies and using cranes to reach people stuck on upper floors.

    The mayor of the city says that they cannot find between nine and 15 people.

    The building’s outside covering might have made the fire spread faster, like what happened at Grenfell Tower in 2017.

    More update on this story soon.

  • Texas judge maintains black student’s suspension from school over dreadlocks

    Texas judge maintains black student’s suspension from school over dreadlocks

    A Texas judge ruled that a school’s disciplinary action against a black student for wearing dreadlocks was not unfair.

    Last August, Darryl George, 18, was suspended from Barbers Hill Independent School District because his hairstyle did not follow the school’s rules.

    The judge said the Houston-area school did not break a law that stops prejudice against people based on their hair.

    The family’s lawyer said they will ask for another court decision.

    The student will be suspended and not allowed to go to regular classes at school.

    Judge Cain III decided that the school district won after listening to testimony for about three hours on Thursday.

    Mr George expressed his feelings of “being mad, sad, and let down” outside the courthouse after the ruling.

    The school district has a rule about how long students can wear their hair. It says hair must not go past the top of a T-shirt collar, eyebrows, or ear lobes when it’s down.

    However, George did not want to cut his braided dreadlocks. His family said the dreadlocks are important in the black community.

    Last year Texas made a law called the Crown Act. It stops people from being treated unfairly because of their hair style.

    Darresha George, the mother of the student, complained that the school district broke the new law.

    In September, the school district took legal action to solve a problem, and Thursday’s decision was the result of that.

    But the superintendent of Barbers Hill High School, Dr Greg Poole, supported the school’s decision. He said that the Crown Act does not specifically mention the length of hair.

    Since last August, Mr. George has been getting in trouble at Barbers Hill High School for not cutting his hair.

    He got kicked out of class and had to stay in a special school area at school, and then had to go to a different program outside of school.

    “His mother told the Associated Press in August that he has to sit on a small chair for eight hours in a small office space. ”

    “That feels really bad. ” Every day when he came home, he would say that his back hurts because he has to sit on a stool.

    Barbers Hill ISD has been in the news because of problems with its dress code for black students.

    De’Andre Arnold and Kaden Bradford had to cut their long, twisted hair in 2020, so their families decided to take legal action.

    In that situation, a judge decided that the district’s hair rules were unfair.

    A law called the Crown Act was approved by the House of Representatives in 2023, but it was not approved by the Senate.

  • PM Netanyahu of Israel outlines after-war strategy for Gaza

    PM Netanyahu of Israel outlines after-war strategy for Gaza

    The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has outlined his aspirations for the post-war transformation of Gaza.

    In his plan, Israel will keep security control for a long time, and Palestinians without ties to groups against Israel will govern the area.

    The US, who is a big supporter of Israel, wants the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank to rule Gaza after the war.

    However, the brief paper that Mr. Netanyahu showed to ministers last night does not talk about the PA.

    He has said before that the internationally supported group will not have a role after the war.

    He imagines a Gaza Strip without any military equipment. Israel would have to make sure there is only enough military equipment for keeping public order.

    A “Southern Closure” will be set up on the border with Egypt to stop people from smuggling things in and out.

    And we will encourage programs to help people who have been radicalized to let go of those beliefs in religious, educational, and welfare organizations. The paper says that Arab countries that have done similar programs before might help, but Mr. Netanyahu did not say which ones.

    Under the plan, Israel will have control over the entire area west of the Jordan River to ensure security from land, sea, and air.

    Mr Netanyahu is being asked to share his plans for Gaza because people are worried about the situation there. This is happening both in his own country and in other countries. It started when he began his military operation. He really wants to fix his bad reputation and show that he can make Israel safe. He also wants to get support from the very conservative people in his government.

    A person who speaks for Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, said that Mr Netanyahu’s plan was going to fail.

    Nabil Abu Rudeineh said that to have peace in the region, the world should stop Israel from controlling Palestinian land and accept Palestine as its own country.

    Mr Netanyahu again said he does not agree with Western countries recognizing a Palestinian state on their own.

    At the same time, people who are trying to make a deal for a short break in fighting and the freeing of Israeli hostages are planning to meet in Paris.

    The US wants to have a deal before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan starts in a little over two weeks.

    The situation is getting worse in Gaza, and people around the world are putting pressure on both sides to stop the war. The Ministry of Health controlled by Hamas says that over 29,500 people, mostly women and children, have died since the war started in October.

    Israel’s military started fighting because Hamas attacked on 7th October. The attack killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and 253 people were taken as hostages to Gaza.

    Last night, the leader of the UN group in charge of helping Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) said that Gaza is in big trouble and this could cause problems for peace, safety, and human rights in the region.

    Mr Netanyahu wants to shut down Unrwa and replace it with other international aid groups because he believes Unrwa workers were involved in the October attacks. This is part of his plan after the war.

    He said he will keep fighting until Israel destroys Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza and all Israeli hostages are released.

  • US imposes more than 500 additional sanctions on Russia

    US imposes more than 500 additional sanctions on Russia

    The US has added over 500 new punishments against Russia for going into Ukraine and for the death of Alexei Navalny.

    President Joe Biden said that the sanctions are aimed at people involved in Navalny’s imprisonment and Russia’s military operations.

    Almost 100 companies or people will not be allowed to send goods to other countries.

    The EU made rules to punish Russia, so Russia stopped EU officials from coming into the country.

    It’s not known how the sanctions will affect Russia’s economy.

    President Biden said that the sanctions will make sure that Putin pays a higher price for his actions outside of Russia and for how he treats people in his own country.

    The penalties come a week after Navalny died in a jail in the Arctic Circle. Mr Biden said he is sure that the Russian president is responsible.

    The penalties are happening right before the second anniversary of Russia’s complete invasion of Ukraine.

    “Two years ago, he attempted to completely destroy Ukraine. ” Mr Biden said that if Putin is not held accountable for his actions, he will continue causing harm.

    On Friday, the EU said it will punish almost 200 companies and individuals for helping Russia get weapons or for being involved in kidnapping Ukrainian children. Russia denies these accusations.

    10 Russian companies and people were involved in helping North Korea ship weapons to Russia. This included North Korea’s defense minister.

    The EU has put the names of over 2,000 people on a list since the war began.

    Russia’s foreign ministry said they have added more EU officials and politicians to a list of people who are not allowed to come into Russia.

    “The European Union keeps trying to pressure Russia with restrictions, but it’s not working,” a statement said.

  • Alleged allusion to Hamas casts doubt on Israel’s Eurovision participation

    Alleged allusion to Hamas casts doubt on Israel’s Eurovision participation

    Israel said it will quit the Eurovision Song Contest if the organizers try to limit or control its song.

    Eden Golan’s October Rain lyrics were shared with the media this week.

    According to the Israel Hayom newspaper, the song is about the people who were hurt in the Hamas attacks on October 7th. The lyrics say, “They were all good children, each one of them. ”

    The group that puts on Eurovision, the EBU, is currently looking at the song.

    The competition’s rules say no political messages are allowed to be fair.

    In the past, the EBU made national representatives change their song lyrics. In 2009, Georgia left the contest because their song, “We Don’t Wanna Put In,” was not allowed because it mentioned the Russian president.

    In a statement about Israel joining a competition in 2024, the organisers said they are currently looking carefully at the song’s words. This is a secret process between the organisers and the broadcaster until they make a final decision.

    “If a song is not allowed for some reason, broadcasters can send a different song or new words to use instead. ”

    KAN, Israel’s public broadcaster, stated that it would not change the lyrics even if asked to.

    “The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation has no plans to change the song. ”

    “This means that if Israel’s entry is not accepted by the European Broadcasting Union, they cannot compete in the contest happening in Sweden next May. ”

    Controversial choice

    KAN also said that the leaked words for October Rain were right, and showed them all on its website on Wednesday.

    The song is called a “touching and strong slow song” and it repeats the line “I’m still soaking from this October rain. ”

    Golan sings in the song: “Don’t believe people who say boys don’t cry/ Life is tough and not a game for the scared ones. ”

    Israel Hayom says that the mention of flowers is important because it is a military term for soldiers who have died in war.

    The song finishes with these words in Hebrew: “I can’t breathe, there’s no place, and I feel lost every day. ”

    KAN said that Israel’s culture minister Miki Zohar asked the President of the EBU to approve the song.

    Mr Zohar thinks it would be very wrong to disqualify the song. He called it “scandalous. ”

    “Eden Golan will sing a song about Israel that expresses the feelings of the people and the country. It’s not a political song. ”

    We want Eurovision to be about music and culture, not politics. Each country should show their own style and pride through their songs.

    “I ask the European Broadcasting Union to keep doing their job well and not let politics interfere with art. ”

    Asking to be disqualified.

    Musicians from other countries in Eurovision want Israel to be stopped from participating because of the war in Gaza.

    In December, the music group in Iceland said Israel’s military action made it impossible for them to take part in an event that is supposed to be happy and hopeful.

    Protests have happened in Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden too. People are saying Russia should not be allowed because they invaded Ukraine two years ago.

    Up until now, Eurovision organisers have not agreed to exclude Israel from the competition. They say the situations in Ukraine and Gaza are not the same.

    Noel Curran, the boss of the European Broadcasting Union, said that it’s not our job to compare wars and conflicts because it’s complicated and hard to do.

    “We know that people are worried and have strong opinions about the fighting in the Middle East,” he said. He said that Eurovision is not a competition between countries.

    The EBU agrees with other international groups, like sports unions and federations, that are also letting Israeli participants join big competitions.

    The minister wrote in a letter that Israel is going through a very complicated time. He said this should be considered when choosing a song to represent the country.

  • Germany plans to legalise marijuana despite its challenges

    Germany plans to legalise marijuana despite its challenges

    The German government will decide whether to make it legal for people to use cannabis for fun.

    If the members of Parliament agree, people over 18 in Germany can have a lot of cannabis, but it will be hard to buy because there will be strict rules.

    From 1 April, it will be legal to smoke cannabis in many public places.

    You can have up to 25g (almost an ounce) of something in public and 50g in your home.

    In some parts of Germany, like Berlin, the police ignore people who smoke in public even though it’s against the law and they could get in trouble for it. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach says more and more young people are using drugs, even though it’s against the law. He wants to change the law to stop this.

    He wants to stop illegal selling, keep people safe from bad drugs, and stop criminals from making money.

    However, there will not be lots of legal cannabis cafes opening up everywhere right away.

    A big argument about making cannabis legal has been happening in Germany for a long time. Doctors worry about young people and some conservative people think that making the laws less strict will make more people use drugs.

    Like many times in Germany, the new law that the MPs are going to vote on is hard to understand.

    Using marijuana near schools and sports grounds will still be against the law in some places. Importantly, the government will closely control the market to make it difficult to buy the drug.

    The idea to let shops and pharmacies sell cannabis has been dropped because the EU is worried it could cause more drugs to be sent to other countries.

    Instead, groups of people that are not trying to make money, called “cannabis social clubs”, will be allowed to grow and give out a small amount of the drug.

    Each club can only have up to 500 members. People can’t smoke or use marijuana at the club. Only people who live in Germany can join the club.

    You can grow up to three marijuana plants at home.

    This means that in Germany, people can have a lot of drugs, but it’s hard to buy them. For example, having 25g of drugs is like having a lot of strong joints.

    People who smoke a lot would be happy, but people who only smoke sometimes would have a hard time buying it legally and visitors wouldn’t be allowed to buy it. Critics say this will just make the illegal market for goods grow.

    In the next few years, the government will study how the new law affects things, and might start selling cannabis legally.

    However, because the debate has been difficult, we cannot be certain about anything.

    On the other hand, the conservative opposition says that if they win the election next year, they will get rid of the law completely. Germany probably won’t become the new Amsterdam in Europe for a while.

  • Policeman accused of killing gay couple who went missing from Sydney

    Policeman accused of killing gay couple who went missing from Sydney

    A 28-year-old police officer has been accused of killing Jesse Baird and his boyfriend Luke Davies who went missing.

    Police searched hard on Wednesday after the couple’s bloody things were found in a trash can near Sydney.

    Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, who used to date Baird, was wanted by the police and turned himself in on Friday.

    Investigators are still looking for the men’s bodies and are not sure how they died.

    The police say the couple was killed on Monday in Jesse Baird’s house in Paddington, a suburb in Sydney. Then their bodies were put in a white van.

    People said they heard loud talking and arguing in the morning. A van that was rented was seen on video at the same place later that day. The van was discovered in the southern part of Sydney on Friday morning.

    New South Wales Police found a bullet from Beaumont Lamarre-Condon’s work gun at the Paddington crime scene, along with a lot of blood and furniture that was turned over.

    He didn’t come to work on Tuesday. The senior police officer’s gun was found in a safe at the police station later, said Det Supt Daniel Doherty.

    The police found clothes with blood on them, a phone, and credit cards in a bin in Cronulla, which is 28km away from where the crime happened. They also found some things in a house in Balmain.

    Detective Superintendent Doherty said Beaumont Lamarre-Condon is thought to have also gone to Newcastle, which is 170km north of where the crime happened, after the alleged killings.

    He said the information from Beaumont Lamarre-Condon didn’t help the investigation, but tips from the public really did. He asked again for anyone with information to call the police.

    “It’s really important that we find the bodies, not just to know how they died but also to give the family some answers. ” “They are very upset,” Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

    Mr Baird used to be on TV and report from the red carpet, but his show got canceled in December. Davies used to work as a flight attendant for Qantas.

    Many happy pictures of the couple were posted a lot on their social media. Many people have been leaving kind messages since they went missing.

    Beaumont Lamarre-Condon started working as a police officer in 2019. Before that, he was a famous blogger who met celebrities like Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and Miley Cyrus.

    The Australian media wrote about his meetings with famous people, and a magazine asked if he was the biggest fan in Australia.

    Det Supt Doherty refused to say why the crimes happened but mentioned that the police officer had broken up with Jesse Baird a few months ago, so that’s something the police are looking into.

    Beaumont Lamarre-Condon was not allowed to go free and had to go to court on Friday afternoon.

  • UK and EU to ink new agreement to address minor boat crossings

    UK and EU to ink new agreement to address minor boat crossings

    The UK is making an agreement with the EU’s border agency to work together to stop small boats from crossing the English Channel.

    We made a deal with Frontex to share more information and knowledge.

    This is the newest step in a plan to work together to stop illegal immigration.

    Last year, about 30,000 people moved from France to the UK by crossing the Channel. This was a decrease of one third from 2022.

    However, the overall amount was still the second highest number ever.

    The agreement involves training for the UK and EU border agencies to learn from successful strategies in other countries, working together to create new technologies, and sending staff to both sides to coordinate efforts to prevent people from crossing the border.

    Frontex and UK Border Force officials will sign the agreement in London. The Home Secretary and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs will also be there.

    Mr Cleverly said that immigration crime and people smuggling are big problems all around the world, and we need to work together to find solutions.

    “Our important agreement with Frontex and the UK is a big move in stopping illegal migration, keeping our borders safe, and preventing boats from coming in. ”

    The home secretary said on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the deal is about sharing information and cooperating on operations, not about sending migrants back to their home countries.

    He said the government is thinking about making agreements with more countries to return people, like they did with Albania in December 2022.

    Lucy Moreton, who represents border force staff, said that the deal will not address the bigger problem of migration because it does not include a returns agreement.

    She said Today that the UK would not regain access to the Eurodac database after Brexit.

    The database keeps the fingerprints of asylum seekers and migrants who have come into a European country. This can prove that they have permission to live in other countries and help them go back.

    Last year, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that stopping the boats was one of his five main goals.

    Up to now, 1,716 people have crossed the dangerous way this year, which is less than the 2,720 people in the same time last year.

    In May, Mr Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed to work together to stop small boats from crossing the UK-EU border. Now they have made a deal to put their agreement into action.

    In March, the UK agreed to give France almost £500m over three years to help hire more police officers and build a new jail.

  • Guinea’s junta angry with Russia after govt is dissolved

    Guinea’s junta angry with Russia after govt is dissolved

    Guinea‘s military junta expressed its discontent to Russia’s ambassador following the Russian embassy’s caution about potential unrest in Conakry after the dissolution of the government by junta leader Colonel Mamady Doumbouya.

    The junta leader dissolved the government on Monday, ordering the closure of all borders without providing an explanation for the move. In response, Ambassador Alexey Popov apologized to the junta, citing a misunderstanding.

    Col Doumbouya, who assumed power in a 2021 coup, not only dissolved the government but also directed the confiscation of passports from dismissed ministers and froze their bank accounts.

    Reports from Guinean media revealed that the Russian embassy advised Russian nationals to be vigilant due to the potential for unrest in Conakry following Col Doumbouya’s decision.

    In reaction, an official from the junta’s foreign ministry summoned Ambassador Popov to a meeting to address the matter. Mr Popov clarified that it was a misunderstanding, attributing it to a false translation published only in Russian for Russian citizens.

    The junta accepted the apology, and Mr Popov asserted that the incident would not impact the relations between the two nations.

    Guinea, like several other former French colonies in West Africa, has experienced coups in recent years. The juntas in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have turned towards Russia while displaying hostility towards France and the West African regional bloc, Ecowas.

    Despite this trend, Col Doumbouya has aimed to maintain positive relations with all sides. He has committed to holding elections to reinstate democratic rule by the end of 2024.

    The junta, however, imposed a ban on all demonstrations in 2022 and detained numerous opposition leaders and members of civil society groups.

    Col Doumbouya came to power by overthrowing President Alpha Condé in September 2021, citing reasons such as rampant corruption, human rights violations, and economic mismanagement. President Condé, Guinea’s first democratically elected president, faced protests in 2019 when he changed the constitution to run for a third term after being re-elected in 2015.

  • Indian zoo ordered to replace names of ‘blasphemous’ lions

    Indian zoo ordered to replace names of ‘blasphemous’ lions

    An Indian court told a zoo in West Bengal to give different names to two lions because a strict Hindu group said the names were offensive to their religion.

    The lioness was named Sita after a Hindu god, and the lion was named Akbar after a Mughal king from the 16th century.

    VHP said it was disrespectful to name the lioness after a goddess.

    It didn’t want the lions to stay in the wildlife park.

    Two large cats currently live at the North Bengal Wild Animals Park in the Siliguri district.

    On Thursday, the court ruled that animals should not be given names that are from Hindu gods, Muslim Prophets, Christian figures, Nobel laureates, and freedom fighters.

    You could have named it lightning or something similar. “Why do we need to call them Akbar and Sita. ” Justice Saugata Bhattacharya wondered.

    The court also wanted to know if it is a good idea to give pets, like dogs, the same names as people. The judge said you could have stayed out of trouble.

    The VHP, which is connected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP, complained that people from all over the country had complained about the names of the lions.

    “Sita is the wife of the Hindu god Lord Ram. She is also a very important goddess to Hindus everywhere. ” This is like insulting the Hindu religion and hurting the feelings of Hindu people.

    The group said the government in West Bengal, which is led by a different political party, did this on purpose. They said they would protest if the authorities didn’t change the names and location of the big cats.

    “Sita and Akbar are not allowed to live together,” said Vinod Bansal, a spokesperson for VHP.

  • At least four people killed in an apartment block fire in Spain

    At least four people killed in an apartment block fire in Spain

    A big fire in a tall apartment building in Valencia, Spain has caused the deaths of at least four people, according to emergency services.

    The fire covered a tall building in the Campanar area and also spread to a nearby building.

    Firefighters helped rescue people from balconies, and 19 people are still missing.

    At least 14 people got hurt. This includes six firefighters and a young child.

    Strong winds made the fire bigger, and people think that easily flammable material on the outside of the building made the fire spread quickly.

    More than 20 teams of firefighters worked to put out the fire, and by early Friday the building was completely burned and damaged by the fire. People were told to not go to the place.

    The building has 138 apartments and 450 people lived there, according to the building’s manager as reported by newspaper El Pais.

    Local news said firefighters saved many people using heavy machinery, including a couple who lived on the seventh floor.

    A lady told TVE that she saw firefighters trying to save a teenage boy stuck on the first floor of the building.

    People in Spain are asking about the materials used to build the building after the fire started.

    Esther Puchades, who is a vice president of the College of Industrial Technical Engineers in Valencia, said to the Spanish news agency Efe that she had looked at the building before.

    She said the outside had a material called polyurethane that is not used much anymore because people are worried it might catch on fire.

    A man who lives on the second floor of the building said to a TV channel that the fire quickly grew after it started on the fourth floor.

    “He said the fire spread quickly in 10 minutes. The material on the outside of the building might have helped the fire spread. ”

    David Higuera, who is an engineer, told El País that the covering on the building might have made the fire spread quickly.

    The outside of the building has aluminium plates with foam inside. They are good at keeping heat and cold out, but they can catch on fire easily.

    Firefighters were called at about 5:30 p. m A hospital has been built in the area, as said by RTVE. People who had to leave their houses would stay in hotels, officials said.

    Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) that he is very upset about the large fire in a building in Valencia. I want to show my support to all the people going through a tough time and to thank all the emergency workers who are already helping.

  • You can’t have cracks when you’re seeking to break the 8 – Dr Rasheed Draman to NPP

    You can’t have cracks when you’re seeking to break the 8 – Dr Rasheed Draman to NPP

    Executive Director, African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr Rasheed Draman, has expressed concern over the resignation of the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu. 

    Speaking in an interview on TV3, Dr Draman noted that this is not the time for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to make such a decision, considering the fact that it is seeking to “break the eight.”

    Reports emerged on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, that Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has resigned from post. 

    This news has triggered reactions from various quarters. Scores of  personalities,including prominent figures in the country have been reacting to the resignation of Member of Parliament for Suame, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, as Majority Leader. 

    Executive Director, African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr Rasheed Draman, is the latest to add his voice to the discourse. 

    Speaking in an interview on TV3, expressed deep concern over the situation, stressing that it is not conducive for Parliament and the country as a whole, given the Majority Leader’s experience.  

    “Majority Leaders don’t resign in our history, they are usually reshuffled, moved based on deliberations, agreement between the caucus and the party.

    He argued that “when it gets to the point where an illustrious person such as the current leader, getting to a point where we hear that he has resigned, is a novelty and the only conclusion we can come to is that he has been pushed.

    “And this is one of the finest, and delivery MPs we have in the house and he takes parliamentary business seriously. He’s also someone who has a lot of interest in deepening our democracy. So to see such a person end in this way, I think it’s sad for our parliament but most importantly it’s not a motivation for others to give their all,” he added.

  • University of Ghana lecturer rescues person with disability from dropping out of school  

    University of Ghana lecturer rescues person with disability from dropping out of school  

    A first year student with a disability at Ghanata Senior High School in Dodowa, Gabriel Buertey Narh, was on the brink of dropping out due to accessibility and financial challenges. 

    However, a ray of hope emerged as reports of Gabriel’s struggles caught the attention of the organisers of the Breaking Barriers Campaign, who immediately went to his rescue. 

    Led by its dedicated patron, Dr Augustina Naami, the campaign swiftly took action to address Gabriel’s plight.

    Upon learning of Gabriel’s difficulties navigating his school environment, Dr Naami, driven by her personal experiences during her own secondary education, sprang into action. Recounting her own challenges of resorting to makeshift facilities due to inaccessible washrooms during her school years, Dr. Naami was determined to prevent Gabriel from enduring similar hardships. With unwavering resolve, she spearheaded the construction of three wheelchair ramps, ensuring Gabriel’s seamless access to his classroom, dining hall, and washroom.

    Dr. Augustina Naami, remarked, “My heart sank when I read Gabriel’s story in the news. I faced similar obstacles during my time in secondary school. I had to resort to using bushy areas for essential facilities because of inaccessible infrastructure. Gabriel’s situation struck a chord with me, prompting me to act swiftly.” 

    Dr. Naami further appealed to corporate entities, NGOs, and individuals to rally behind the Breaking Barriers Campaign, emphasizing the urgent need to create a barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities in the community.

    For Gabriel, the assistance provided by Dr. Naami and the Breaking Barriers Campaign breathed new life into his aspirations. Grateful for the support, Gabriel expressed his heartfelt thanks to Dr. Naami and conveyed his determination to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer. Similarly, Gabriel’s mother shared in the joy of her son’s newfound opportunities and appealed to the public for continued financial assistance to support Gabriel’s education.

    Gabriel’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of collective action and compassion. Through initiatives like the Breaking Barriers Campaign, communities can work together to ensure that every individual, regardless of their abilities, has equal access to education and opportunities for a brighter future.

    THE BREAKING THE BARRIERS CAMPAIGN GOAL: Barrier-Free Environment for Persons with Disabilities

    Dr. Augustina Naami, a distinguished senior lecturer and the Head of the Department of Social Work at the University of Ghana Legon, is leading a transformative initiative with the Breaking Barriers campaign. Focused on the creation of a barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities, Dr. Naami’s campaign is rooted in extensive research conducted in 2018, revealing the profound impact of access barriers on the socio-economic, political participation, and psychological well-being of individuals with disabilities.

    The culmination of this research effort resulted in an evidence-based manual that serves as a practical guide to address major physical and transportation barriers faced by persons with mobility disabilities. Dr. Naami’s vision is to bridge the gap between research and actionable change, ensuring that the insights gleaned from her academic work translate into tangible improvements in the lives of those facing accessibility challenges.

    Putting her ideas into practice, Dr. Naami initiated the campaign in 2020 by designing an accessible, portable, and foldable wheelchair ramp. The campaign gained further momentum in 2022 when she constructed six accessible ramps across five public basic schools in the Ga East Educational Directorate.

    On December 10th, Dr Naami took a significant step forward by donating eight wheelchair ramps to the Ghana Society of the Physical Disadvantages in Kaneshie. This donation, strategically placed at key points within the society, including bathroom and toilet facilities, as well as the sales outlet, signifies a commitment to enhancing accessibility, inclusion, and safety for persons with disabilities.

    The Breaking Barriers campaign sets a goal of constructing a minimum of five ramps annually, contributing not only to local communities but also aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 11, “Make Cities And Human Settlements Inclusive, Safe, Resilient And Sustainable.” Dr. Naami emphasizes that persons with disabilities are integral to the vision of a sustainable future, as underscored by the theme for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2023: “United in action to rescue and achieve the sustainable development goals for, with, and by persons with disabilities.”

    Dr. Naami advocates for increased representation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes, urging a departure from tokenism to ensure their voices are genuinely heard. She calls upon governments and stakeholders to align their rhetoric with action by allocating budgets for disability inclusion. Dr. Naami emphasizes the importance of collaboration, noting that, despite not being an engineer herself, she collaborates with a mason without formal education to construct ramps that are more accessible for persons with disabilities.

    In her rallying cry, Dr. Augustina Naami invites everyone to join hands in making environments more accessible, fostering an inclusive society that paves the way for the full participation and integration of persons with disabilities. The Breaking Barriers campaign stands as a testament to the power of grassroots efforts in driving meaningful change and breaking down the barriers that hinder the progress of an inclusive society.

  • People don’t elect us here to waste time – Ablakwa fumes over 700 unresolved cases

    People don’t elect us here to waste time – Ablakwa fumes over 700 unresolved cases

    North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has registered his displeasure over 700 unresolved cases referred to various parliamentary committees for investigation.

    Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Mr Ablakwa expressed worries over what he said were delays by the Majority Caucus in determining the members of the ad-hoc committee responsible for investigating various issues, such as the halted National Cathedral Project.

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, along with other Members of Parliament, have consistently voiced their frustration regarding the extended delays in submitting committee reports concerning critical national issues for deliberation during plenary sessions.

    Given these delays, he urged the Speaker to take decisive steps against the leadership of such committees to ensure the swift resolution of pending cases.

    “We are either taking our constitutional mandate seriously or not. The people don’t elect us to come to this House to waste time and not attend to matters urgently and to derelict on our constitutional mandate, and so I think it is time to crack the whip.”

    “The last time we were at a workshop, the clerk said there were about 700 referrals that have not been covered, and it doesn’t speak well of us.”

  • I’m hugely disappointed – Cletus Avoka reacts to Majority Leader’s resignation

    I’m hugely disappointed – Cletus Avoka reacts to Majority Leader’s resignation

    Member of Parliament for the Zebilla East constituency, Cletus Avoka, has expressed profound disappointment in the resignation of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, as Majority Leader. 

    Speaking in an interview on TV3, Mr Avoka described the move as a great disservice to the country. 

    “I’m deeply disappointed to hear the resignation of my good brother, my friend and colleague, Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu. I’m hugely disappointed and I know this will be a great disservice to the Parliament of Ghana and Ghana as a country,” she added. 

    The comment is in reaction to circulating reports that the Majority Leader has resigned, despite no official communication by himself or the New Patriotic Party (NPP). 

    He noted that given the Majority Leader’s experience in Parliament, this “is a great loss to Parliament and mother Ghana.”

    Earlier this week, reports circulated about an impending reshuffle in the leadership of the Majority Caucus in Parliament.

    Details from the report indicated that the reshuffle was being pushed by the national executives of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and that the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, was in line to be replaced.

    Subsequently, members of the caucus held a press conference on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, rejecting the reports of any impending reshuffle in its leadership.

    However, the Majority Leader reportedly resigned from his position barely 24 hours after the press conference.

    His decision is said to have been communicated to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during a meeting with the membership of the majority and leaders of the NPP at Jubilee House on February 21 to discuss the way forward.

    Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has debunked claims that the Majority Leader, Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was forced to relinquish his position. 

    Speaking to journalists, Mr Akwasi Acquah clarified that the Majority Leader, who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame, willingly gave up his position after the party reached a consensus with him on taking up his new role as the chairman of Dr Bawumia’s manifesto committee. 

    “Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has been given a very important role. Drafting the manifesto of Dr Bawumia is a very tedious work and so it is going to be a bit difficult to combine the two – leading the majority and doing that.

    “So some of us are at peace that he voluntarily decided to give up the position so he can concentrate on the new one. Well, I was in the meeting and he said he was voluntarily, because there was some form of consensus, there was a crunch meeting and he agreed that he was going to take up the position of the chairman of the manifesto committee which is another serious schedule. So it’s a fallacy and we don’t have to place a premium on the fact that he was forced out,” he said.

  • Come and tell Ghanaians something if you truly have resigned – Nana Yaa Jantuah to Majority Leader

    Come and tell Ghanaians something if you truly have resigned – Nana Yaa Jantuah to Majority Leader

    Former General Secretary for the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Yaa Jantuah, has asked the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, to officially notify Ghanaians of his resignation if indeed he has resigned from his leadership position in the Parliament. 

    Speaking in an interview on TV3, she noted that it is not acceptable for the MP to leave Ghanaians in limbo over the matter.

    “Parliament is not a marketplace. Parliament is not a chaotic arena where the leaders would resign and just like that and the Deputy would step in. No, that’s not how it is done!” she said. 

    She further asked the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the political party under which Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is serving as Majority Leader, to inform Ghanaians of the decision if they no longer want him in that position.

    “If they don’t want him around, if they don’t need him, they should go through the process  and everyone will know that he was either kicked out or changed by the party and they prefer Afenyo-Markin,” she noted.

    Her comments are in reaction to rumors about the resignation of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, as the Majority Leader. According to reports, the Suame MP has relinquished his position in order to properly serve as the committee chairman for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s manifesto. 

    Both the Majority Leader and the NPP are yet to officially communicate the decision, however, there are also reports that Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was forced to resign. 

    Whatever the case may be at the camp of the NPP, Nana Yaa Jantuah believes that Ghanaians deserve to know. 

    “It is very incongruous, that he has resigned in a minute and the next minute, the day has not even broken and he is the chairman of the manifesto committee. We need something definite

    “He has to come out and tell us in our faces that he’s gone. We cannot take information on such an important gesture from a correspondent,” she added.

  • AT&T outage: Thousands report problems with US mobile carriers

    AT&T outage: Thousands report problems with US mobile carriers

    There were problems with US mobile phone service all over the country on Thursday morning.

    Downdetectorcom keeps track of when internet and phone service isn’t working. It found that many people reported problems with their service after 04:00 EST (09:00 GMT).

    Tens of thousands of people have reported issues with AT&T hotspots in the south and east, according to Downdetector.

    People are saying that their phones are showing an SOS message, which means they can’t make calls or use any services.

    We don’t know why it happened. The BBC has asked several people for their opinion.

    AT&T is replying to customer complaints online, but they have not admitted that there are widespread network problems yet.

    Verizon, a network company, told the media that its network is working fine despite reports on Downdetector.

    It seemed like customers were having problems reaching people from another company and were complaining about it.

    T-Mobile said its network is working fine and some customers might have trouble making calls to other networks.

    Some customers of Cricket Wireless, UScellular and Consumer Cellular are having problems too.

    People are having trouble making calls, sending texts, and using the internet. Many people are saying they have no service or no signal at all.

    Downdetector’s map shows that big cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta are having the most problems with their service.

    Some areas don’t have 911 emergency service. Use a landline, social media, or a cell phone from a different company for help in an emergency.

  • UK imposes additional sanctions on Russian military

    UK imposes additional sanctions on Russian military

    The UK has said it will place more than 50 new restrictions on Russia before the second anniversary of their invasion of Ukraine.

    The sanctions aim to punish people and companies supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war effort.

    Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron said the UK will keep supporting Kyiv for as long as necessary.

    After the opposition leader Alexei Navalny died, six Russian prison bosses were punished with sanctions.

    The Foreign Office said the new punishments will target those who give Russia’s military weapons like rocket launchers, missiles, and explosives.

    The sanctions are aimed at stopping Russia from making money from metals, diamonds, and energy. This is to stop President Putin from getting funding for his war.

    Lord Cameron said that because of the economic pressure from other countries, Russia cannot afford to continue with the illegal invasion.

    “Our sanctions are making it hard for Putin to get the money he needs to support his war. ”

    “United, we will keep fighting against tyranny without giving up. ” We will keep helping Ukraine in its fight for democracy for as long as it is needed.

    Some people were punished, including oil trader Niels Troost and his company Paramount Energy and Commodities SA, and Pavel Alekseevich Marinychev, the new CEO of Alrosa, which is the biggest state-owned diamond producer in Russia.

    The Foreign Office said that they have also targeted several foreign companies for helping Russia in their war efforts.

    Saturday is the second anniversary of when Russia invaded Ukraine.

    The fight is kind of stuck and not making much progress, although Moscow seems to be doing better lately. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has asked the western countries to give Ukraine more weapons. He says if they don’t, it will make Russia’s forces feel more confident.

    The EU is creating a set of plans to go along with the anniversary of the war.

    The British government has put restrictions on Russia. This happened one day after the Foreign Office said it had stopped the prison bosses in charge of the jail where Alexei Navalny died from using their money and from traveling.

    Some people said the measures were not strong enough and complained about them.

    The government has approved sanctions on 2,000 people, businesses, and groups as part of its efforts against Russia.

    The US said it will impose more sanctions on Russia after Navalny died.

    Navalny was a very important leader for the Russian opposition for the last ten years. He was in jail for 19 years for charges that many people thought were made up for political reasons.

    The Russian prison service said he died last Friday at the IK-3 Arctic penal colony, also known as “Polar Wolf”, after going for a walk and suddenly falling down.

    Navalny’s team says they think President Putin ordered his murder. Western leaders are putting the blame on Mr. Putin and the Russian authorities for his death.

    Mr Putin has not said anything about his death directly. The Kremlin admitted that he died and said the Russian president knew about it.

  • Strongest winds ever recorded struck Indonesia

    Strongest winds ever recorded struck Indonesia

    Indonesia experienced powerful winds, resulting in injuries to at least 33 individuals.

    Strong winds destroyed buildings in the town of Sumedang in West Java province.

    Videos on social media show things flying in the air, roofs getting taken off buildings and part of a store falling down.

    A weather expert at the government’s BRIN research center said the winds were strong enough to be called a tornado.

    “My dad was on the terrace when he saw plastic flying and spinning out of nowhere. ” Shortly after, a powerful wind came close to my house,” said Kay Tiara, who lives in Sumedang, in an interview with Reuters.

    “The roof of my house quickly flew off. ” My family and I went inside my house to stay safe,” she said.

    Indonesia’s agency for helping with disasters said that no one was seriously hurt. We don’t know how long the winds lasted.

    Erma Yulihastin, a scientist who studies weather at BRIN, told the media that she thinks the wind needs to be at least 65kmph (40 mph) for it to be called a tornado.

    However, the weather and geography council in Indonesia did not officially say it was.

  • Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was not forced out as is being speculated – Oda MP

    Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was not forced out as is being speculated – Oda MP

    Member of Parliament for Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has debunked claims that the Majority Leader, Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was forced to relinquish his position. 

    Speaking to journalists, Mr Akwasi Acquah clarified that the Majority Leader, who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame, willingly gave up his position after the party reached a consensus with him on taking up his new role as the chairman of Dr Bawumia’s manifesto committee. 

    “Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has been given a very important role. Drafting the manifesto of Dr Bawumia is a very tedious work and so it is going to be a bit difficult to combine the two – leading the majority and doing that.

    “So some of us are at peace that he voluntarily decided to give up the position so he can concentrate on the new one. Well, I was in the meeting and he said he was voluntarily, because there was some form of consensus, there was a crunch meeting and he agreed that he was going to take up the position of the chairman of the manifesto committee which is another serious schedule. So it’s a fallacy and we don’t have to place a premium on the fact that he was forced out,” he said.

    Earlier this week, reports circulated about an impending reshuffle in the leadership of the Majority Caucus in Parliament.

    Details from the report indicated that the reshuffle was being pushed by the national executives of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and that the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, was in line to be replaced.

    Subsequently, members of the caucus held a press conference on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, rejecting the reports of any impending reshuffle in its leadership.

    However, the Majority Leader reportedly resigned from his position barely 24 hours after the press conference.

    His decision is said to have been communicated to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during a meeting with the membership of the majority and leaders of the NPP at Jubilee House on February 21 to discuss the way forward.

  • Wuppertal suspect detained following injuries to pupils at German school

    Wuppertal suspect detained following injuries to pupils at German school

    Five students were hurt in a stabbing at a school in Wuppertal, Germany.

    The police have caught someone they think did something wrong, and they might also be injured.

    According to a report from Bild newspaper, students were attacked by a classmate, but we don’t have all the details yet.

    A woman teacher told the news that students were attacked with a knife and scissors.

    The students at Wilhelm-Dörpfeld secondary school locked themselves in their classrooms.

    A big police operation started just before 10:00 (09:00 GMT) on Thursday.

    “Students got hurt,” said the police on social media. Later, they said the school was safe and all the students were okay and taken care of.

    Police spokesman Stefan Weiand said to the Westdeutsche newspaper that the students were understandably scared.

    More update on this story soon.

  • Malawi’s immigration office hit by cyberattack

    Malawi’s immigration office hit by cyberattack

    Malawi stopped giving out passports because their computer system for immigration was attacked by hackers.

    President Chakwera told Members of Parliament that the government department’s targeting was a big threat to national security.

    He said that the hackers wanted money.

    The president said that the government won’t give in to what they want and is trying to fix the problem.

    “We don’t use public money to satisfy criminals, and we don’t negotiate with those who attack our country,” he said on Wednesday.

    Many young people in Malawi want passports because they want to move to other countries for work.

    Mr Chakwera said he told the immigration department to come up with a temporary plan and start giving out passports again within three weeks. This is until they can take charge of the system again.

    He said they would make a more secure plan that lasts a long time.

    For the last two weeks, Malawi has not been giving out passports because of a technical problem.

    Mr Chakwera said for the first time on Wednesday that the immigration system was “hacked,” but he didn’t say who he thought the hackers were.

    There is no other information about the cyber-attack, including how it could affect keeping personal data safe.

    Malawians want to know why it’s taking so long to get their travel document.

    This has happened before in the past few years.

    Last year, the government stopped giving out new documents because they ran out of passport booklets. An official said that the problem was getting worse because there wasn’t enough foreign money.

    There have been problems since 2021 when the attorney-general’s office ended a contract for passports with a company that had been providing the service, saying there were problems.

    Some angry people in Malawi have blamed the government for not processing applications on time and have accused them of being corrupt.

    Right now, if you don’t have a passport or your passport is expired, you can’t get a new one and you can’t travel.

  • Militants asked to leave Tripoli by Libyan government following deal struck

    Militants asked to leave Tripoli by Libyan government following deal struck

    Armed groups that have been in charge of Tripoli for more than ten years have agreed to go away from Libya’s capital.

    Imad Trabelsi, who is in charge of the inside of the country, said that a deal was made for the regular forces to be in charge of keeping the peace in Tripoli after talking for a long time.

    He said only police for emergencies, city officers, and investigators would be there.

    The agreement was made after several violent fights happened in the city in the last few months.

    Many groups with weapons have caused a lot of trouble in Libya since Muammar Gaddafi was removed from power in 2011.

    A lot of fighting and violence happened, and the ruler was killed. This caused a lack of safety and order in the country, and it has been very chaotic ever since.

    Right now, Libya is split between two governments. The western government, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli, is recognized by other countries. In the east, there is another government led by military leader Khalifa Haftar.

    During a meeting with reporters, Mr. Trabelsi said the militia should stay in their headquarters. The Libyan government will only use them for special missions in rare situations.

    He said that after they left the capital, other cities would also be free. He mentioned that there would be no more stops or armed groups on the roads.

    The agreement means that at least five armed groups will leave Tripoli by 9 April, the end of Ramadan. This includes one group that is located in an area where 10 people were killed recently.

    The militias named in the article the General Security Force, the Special Deterrence Force, Brigade 444, Brigade 111, and the Stability Support Authority have a lot of weapons and control different parts of the city.

    The groups were easily seen in Tripoli. They wore masks and set up checkpoints on the roads using armored vehicles with weapons on them.

    But they often fought each other, and in one case in August, 55 people were killed and nearly 150 were injured.

    They do not have to follow orders from the Libyan government, but they get money from the government. They were given more freedom to operate on their own by the government in 2021.

  • One person killed by Palestinian militants near West Bank settlement

    One person killed by Palestinian militants near West Bank settlement

    Israeli police say three Palestinian gunmen attacked a highway near an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank. One person died and eight were injured in the attack.

    A report said that the “terrorists” got out of a car at a checkpoint for Maale Adumim and started shooting at the cars waiting there.

    The police shot and killed two of the attackers, and the third one was hurt and taken into custody.

    No Palestinian group said they were responsible right away.

    There has been more fighting in the West Bank since the war started in the Gaza Strip, caused by Hamas’s attacks in Israel on 7 October.

    Last Thursday, a Palestinian man shot and killed two people at a bus stop near a town in southern Israel.

    More update on this story soon.

  • Institutional Suppliers threaten strike if Education Ministry fails to settle over GHS 100m debts 

    Institutional Suppliers threaten strike if Education Ministry fails to settle over GHS 100m debts 

    The National Association of Institutional Suppliers has threatened to protest on March 4, 2024 should the Ministry of Education fail to settle their debt of GHS 100 million. 

    In response to what they perceive as continual disregard from the Ministry of Education, the National Association of Institutional Suppliers has declared intentions to stage a demonstration outside the ministry’s premises.

    The decision comes after the association voiced grievances regarding the ministry’s alleged failure to honor contracts and settle outstanding debts exceeding GHS100 million.

    Expressing frustration over the government’s apparent inability to make payments for providing uniforms, house dresses, and other essential items to various senior high schools over the past two academic years, spokesperson Emmanuel Ayibor emphasized the association’s determination to pursue all available avenues until their grievances are acknowledged and addressed.

    “We, as an association, have had extensive engagement with the government on these challenges that we have actually cited, but unfortunately, as we speak, the government has not given us a response yet, and we don’t know when they are paying us.”

    “The price quota is low for us, as we have indicated in our press conference, and we are also asking the government to reconsider giving the supply of PE kits and uniforms and stationery back to the schools. So, we are by this stating that if the government does not listen to us, we are going to picket on March 4 at the Ministry of Education, and we have notified the police.”

  • Top judge impeached by South Africa’s parliament

    Top judge impeached by South Africa’s parliament

    In a big change, South Africa’s government has fired one of its most important judges for doing something wrong.

    A study uncovered that John Hlophe, the top judge in Western Cape province, tried to pressure judges at the country’s highest court in a case involving former President Jacob Zuma.

    In 2008, he asked two judges if they would help Mr. Zuma in a corruption case.

    Mr Hlophe always said he didn’t do it.

    The long time it took to impeach him was because there were many appeals and investigations.

    The judge being removed has never happened before since the country became a democracy in 1994.

    Another judge, Nkola Motata, was removed from his job because he acted badly and made racist comments after a car accident in 2007.

    Mr Motata, who is now retired, was a judge in Gauteng province when the incident happened.

    He also said that the accusation was not true.

    President Cyril Ramaphosa needs to approve the decision and choose a date for their official removal.

    The judges will no longer get any special benefits, like a monthly salary of over 1 million rand, a car allowance, and full medical care.

    Mr Hlophe was removed from his job on Wednesday evening because most of the MPs voted for it.

    The ruling African National Congress (ANC), the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), and some other smaller parties all supported the decision.

    Mr Hlophe tried one more time to stop being removed, but the court said no.

    He was removed from his position, and then Mr. Motata was also removed.

    A group called the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) found that in 2008, Mr Hlophe tried to influence two out of eleven judges of the Constitutional Court to make a decision in Mr Zuma’s favor for his arms-deal corruption case.

    Mr Zuma said he did not do anything wrong and it is not implied that he was involved in Mr. Hlophe’s actions

    Both judges who were impeached didn’t answer the MPs’ choices. However, Mr Hlophe said in court documents that parliament’s job was not just to approve findings by the JSC, but to investigate on its own.

    ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the party is happy about parliament’s decision, while the DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach said her party feels justified after “years of the ANC government delaying the judges’ removal. ”

    It’s been 15 years since we’ve waited for this moment, but the impeachment of Judge Hlophe, or any judge, has big effects on how trustworthy the courts are in South Africa. It shows how important it is for judges to follow the highest moral rules, obey the law, and respect the constitution.

    Ms Breytenbach said it shows that everyone, no matter how important they are, has to follow the law.

    The Economic Freedom Fighters party voted against the impeachments. MP Busisiwe Mkhwebane said the judges were sorry and should be allowed to live in peace for the rest of their lives.

    “Can we just let Judge Motata, who made a mistake, retire at home and enjoy his retirement. ” We know that Hlophe was very experienced and did his work with respect. “Let’s punish the ANC government,” she said in parliament, and her party’s supporters cheered.

    Lawyer Alison Tilley from the group Judges Matter said the removals were a big moment in the country’s history.

    “It took a while, but it proves that the systems to hold the judiciary accountable do work. ” We now have systems in place that make us feel sure that the same process won’t take as much time.

  • Details of how an alleged meeting with Akufo-Addo led to Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s resignation as Majority Leader

    Details of how an alleged meeting with Akufo-Addo led to Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s resignation as Majority Leader

    Speculations surrounding an impending reshuffle in Parliament’s Majority caucus leadership were rife earlier this week.

    According to the reports, the national executives of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) were advocating for this reshuffle, suggesting that the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, was likely to be replaced.

    Following these reports, members of the caucus convened a press conference on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, to refute any claims of an imminent leadership reshuffle.

    However, despite the caucus’s public denial, it was disclosed that the Majority Leader, who also represents the Suame Constituency in Parliament, tendered his resignation barely 24 hours after the press conference.

    Sources indicate that his decision was communicated to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during a meeting at Jubilee House on February 21, attended by members of the majority caucus and NPP leaders.

    During the meeting, which was anticipated to be lengthy due to the caucus’s stance against perceived attempts to impose new leaders, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu informed the president of his resignation, citing the necessity for fresh leadership and the controversy surrounding the issue.

    This announcement from Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who served in Parliament for nearly three decades, brought an unexpected conclusion to the meeting.

    Following his resignation, the majority is anticipated to proceed with announcing the new leadership, with the current Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, poised to assume the role of Majority Leader.

  • We supported YouStart with funds generated from E-levy – John Kumah

    We supported YouStart with funds generated from E-levy – John Kumah

    Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr John Kumah, has revealed that the parts of revenue generated from the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) was used to support the YouStart initiative. 

    He indicated that this move was part of efforts to curb the high unemployment rate in the country. 

    Speaking at the launch of the Wealth and Jobs Expo Ghana, in response to data from the Ghana Statistical Service suggesting that about 1.5 million Ghanaian youth are unemployed, Mr Kumah asserted that, “The Ghana Statistical Service on Wednesday announced that about 1.5 million Ghanaian youth are unemployed.

    “Last year, E-Levy generated GHS 1.19 billion, and as part of dealing with the job situation… unemployment situation, the government has committed funds through YouStart from these E-Levy sources…to GEA and NEIP to address the unemployment situation in the country.”

    He noted that the government allocated funds to its YouStart, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) and Ghana Enterprise Agency to create more jobs for the teeming unemployed youth in the country.

    Additionally he said, “I am happy to announce that institutions like Wealth and Jobs Expo and all private groups that are willing to help create jobs in the private sector will also be supported to help create jobs and businesses in the private sector.”

    Dr Kumah noted that the government, in the medium term, aims to intensify efforts to attract domestic investments and Foreign Direct Investments with an emphasis on creating jobs anchored on the government’s growth strategy.

    He indicated that the strategy is projected to contribute approximately 500,000 jobs.

    “Even if we get it, we get 10% of them, it’s 150,000 who will become entrepreneurs. If they do an average of, let’s say, 100 jobs….150,000 x 100, you have almost solved the unemployment problem,” Dr John Kumah stated.

  • Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has suffered the same fate as his friend Haruna Iddrisu – Dr Draman 

    Executive Director of the African Center for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Rasheed Draman, has asserted Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has suffered the same fate as his colleague from the Minority side, Haruna Iddrisu, who was dismissed as Minority leader.

    Speaking in an interview, Dr Rasheed Draman criticised the manner in which Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, relinquished his post. He believes the MP was compelled to make the decision.  

    According to reports emanating from within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Suame MP willingly offered to step down during a meeting of the NPP caucus in parliament and the executive, including President Akufo-Addo.

    Dr Draman, however, believes otherwise and questioned whether such an approach was the best way to encourage individuals to dedicate themselves to public service.

    While recognizing the party’s prerogative to select its leaders in Parliament, he emphasized that the governance of the country is a shared responsibility.

    Additionally, he argued that given Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s long-standing commitment to public service by being the longest-serving Member of Parliament, it is problematic to have the Majority relieved from his post in such a manner. 

    “I don’t think the end should be a push,” he said.

    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu officially resigned from his position as the leader of the majority caucus in Parliament on Wednesday evening. This decision comes amidst swirling rumors suggesting his potential ousting to facilitate the ascension of his Deputy, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, to the leadership role.

    Speculation had been rife in political circles regarding the future leadership of the majority caucus, with reports indicating a possible transition from Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to Afenyo-Markin. The rumors gained traction as internal discussions within the caucus intensified in recent weeks.

    The recent announcement has sparked widespread speculation and debate within political circles. 

    Many observers and commentators have posited that his decision may have been influenced by his new role as the Chairman of the Manifesto Committee for the NPP’s 2024 election campaign.

    However, Dr Draman raised doubts about this rationale, highlighting that there are other Members of Parliament who concurrently hold ministerial positions and effectively manage their dual responsibilities.

    “So really, we are just seeing a replay of the situation that we saw with the NDC, and Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has now joined his friend Haruna Iddrisu in suffering the same fate,” he said on Wednesday.

    Dr Draman expressed his belief that, regardless of whether the resignation was negotiated or not, a better approach could have been taken to avoid the evident discord surrounding the departure of Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

  • Kremlin hits out in response to Biden’s derogatory jab at Putin

    Kremlin hits out in response to Biden’s derogatory jab at Putin

    The Kremlin said that Joe Biden is trying to act like a tough action movie character, like a cowboy from Hollywood, after he called Vladimir Putin a “crazy SOB”.

    MrBiden talked about the danger of nuclear war at a public fundraising event in California on Wednesday.

    In reply, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it was a bad attempt to look like a “Hollywood cowboy. ”

    He said that using that kind of language makes America look bad.

    In a short talk in San Francisco, Mr Biden said: “We have to worry about people like Putin and others causing trouble, and we always have to worry about nuclear war, but the biggest danger to humanity is climate change. ”

    The US president has used the offensive term before, not for the first time. In 2022, Mr. Biden accidentally used some bad language when he called a Fox News journalist a “son of a bitch” with a hot mic.

    He has also said in the past that Mr Putin is a “butcher” and a “war criminal”.

    The Kremlin spokesperson said it was “unlikely to go against our President, President Putin. ” “But it makes people look bad when they use those words. ”

    Mr Peskov said that the comment was likely an attempt to seem like a cowboy from Hollywood. Honestly, I don’t think it can happen.

    Has Mr Putin ever said anything rude to you. No, he has never done that. So, I believe that using this kind of language makes America look bad,” he said.

    In California, Mr. Biden criticized Donald Trump, who he may compete against in the presidential election in November.

    Mr Trump seems to be comparing himself to Alexei Navalny, the Russian political opponent who died in prison last week.

    The Republican did not blame Mr. Putin for Navalny’s death, but Mr. Biden said there is no doubt that the Russian president was responsible.

    MrBiden said that if he had talked about all this 10 to 15 years ago, you would have thought he was crazy.

    Last week, Mr Putin surprised people when he said he would prefer Mr Biden to become president in November instead of Mr Trump.

    “He knows a lot, he acts in a way that can be expected, he follows traditional political methods,” said Mr. Putin on Russian television.

  • Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was forced to resign – Dr Draman

    Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was forced to resign – Dr Draman

    MP for Suame, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu officially resigned from his position as the leader of the majority caucus in Parliament on Wednesday evening.

    This decision comes amidst swirling rumors suggesting his potential ousting to facilitate the ascension of his Deputy, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, to the leadership role.

    Speculation had been rife in political circles regarding the future leadership of the majority caucus, with reports indicating a possible transition from Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to Afenyo-Markin. The rumors gained traction as internal discussions within the caucus intensified in recent weeks.

    The departure of Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu marks the end of an era for the majority caucus, as he has been a prominent figure and a seasoned parliamentarian for many years. His tenure as the leader of the majority caucus has been characterized by notable contributions and leadership during various legislative sessions and national debates.

    In stepping down, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the leader of the majority caucus, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective leadership within the parliamentary setting. He highlighted the need for cohesion and cooperation among members to effectively discharge their duties and responsibilities.

    Meanwhile, attention now turns to Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who assumes greater prominence within the majority caucus following Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s resignation. Afenyo-Markin, who has served as Deputy Leader, is widely regarded as a capable and experienced lawmaker, with a track record of legislative prowess and strategic leadership.

    As the majority caucus navigates this leadership transition, political observers keenly observe the dynamics within the caucus and the implications for parliamentary proceedings and national governance. The forthcoming days are expected to bring further clarity regarding the direction and leadership of the majority caucus in Parliament.

  • Japanese mafia boss plotted trafficking of nuclear materials – US

    Japanese mafia boss plotted trafficking of nuclear materials – US

    American legal authorities have accused a suspected member of the Japanese mafia of planning to transport nuclear materials illegally.

    It is said that 60-year-old Takeshi Ebisawa tried to sell uranium and plutonium to Iran so they could make a nuclear bomb.

    In April 2022, Mr Ebisawa and another person from Thailand were accused of having weapons and drugs.

    He could go to jail for the rest of his life if he is found guilty of the new charges.

    US officials say Mr. Ebisawa is a big part of a criminal group from Japan called the Yakuza. They do illegal things in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and the US. Ebisawa is in a jail in Brooklyn.

    The US Department of Justice said that Mr. Ebisawa and his friends showed samples of nuclear materials in Thailand to an undercover agent from the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

    The person was pretending to be a person who sells drugs and weapons and had connections to an Iranian general.

    The nuclear samples from Myanmar were taken by Thai authorities and given to US investigators. A US lab found uranium and plutonium that can be used to make weapons.

    Prosecutors claim that Mr. Ebisawa tried to get a lot of powerful weapons for a rebel group in Myanmar.

    The weapons included missiles that can shoot from the ground to the sky, rifles for close combat and shooting from a distance, guns that shoot a lot of bullets at once, rockets of different sizes, and different types of gear for military purposes.

    Assistant attorney general Matthew G Olden said on Wednesday that it’s scary to think about what would have happened if these efforts had worked. The justice department will punish anyone who tries to sell these materials and put US national security and international stability in danger.

    In February 2020, it is said that Mr. Ebisawa talked to a DEA agent about selling stuff for nuclear bombs. According to US lawyers, he said in secret messages that uranium is not healthy for you.

    In September of that year, Mr. Ebisawa supposedly sent an email to a secret DEA agent with a letter from a mining company. He said he would sell 50 tonnes of uranium and thorium for $6. 85 million (or £5. 4 million)

    The lawyers also say that he sent pictures of a dark, rocky substance with a device that measures radiation levels.

    Mr Ebisawa is accused of working with others to illegally trade nuclear materials, bring drugs into the country, try to get and own anti-aircraft missiles, and wash money.

    The other person involved in the case is a 61-year-old man from Thailand named Somphop Singhasiri. He is being accused of having drugs and weapons.

    The two people will appear in a New York court on Thursday.

  • Hamas sexual violence is “systematic and intentional” – Israeli assessment

    Hamas sexual violence is “systematic and intentional” – Israeli assessment

    The Rape Crisis Centers in Israel have proof that Hamas fighters purposely and repeatedly committed sexual crimes during the attacks on October 7th.

    A report from a group that oversees many organizations says that the same kind of sexual violence is happening at different places.

    These supposedly involved groups of people watching or participating in violent rapes of women.

    Hamas says that its fighters did not sexually attack women during the attacks.

    On 7 October, many people from the Palestinian armed group crossed into southern Israel, where they killed around 1,200 people and captured 253 others.

    Israel started a war in Gaza and 29,300 people have been killed, according to the health ministry in charge of Gaza.

    Caution: This story includes detailed descriptions of rape and sexual violence.

    Hamas, a group seen as a terrorist organization by Israel and the UK, has been reported for committing sexual violence starting from October 7th and the reports have been increasing.

    Last month, a high-ranking Israeli police officer told British lawmakers that there was strong evidence, gathered from forensic investigations and many witness statements, showing that a large number of sexual crimes had been committed. The scale of these crimes was significant enough to be considered a crime against humanity.

    The media has witnessed and heard about cases of rape, sexual violence, and harm to women.

    The report from the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel (ACCRI) puts together a lot of information that has been reported, as well as other information it says it got directly from professionals and private calls.

    The attacks on 7 October included very violent rapes, where women were threatened with weapons.

    The report says that there were many rapes, done by a group of terrorists working together. “In some situations, rape was done in front of other people like partners, family, or friends to make everyone feel more pain and shame. ”

    “Hamas members chased after people who escaped the massacre, pulling them by their hair and screaming. ” Most of the victims were then killed during or after being sexually assaulted.

    It also says that many victims were found with their bodies hurt and tied up. Sometimes their private parts were hurt, and in some cases, weapons were put inside them.

    The report says that the same things happened in all the places where attacks took place – at the Nova festival, in homes in kibbutzim and villages near the Gaza border, and at Israeli military bases.

    Many people who survived the Nova festival said that women were hurt, beaten, and killed by a group of terrorists.

    People who were the first to help and volunteers who picked up dead bodies in border areas saw evidence that women and girls had been sexually attacked. The same signs were seen by those who found the bodies of female soldiers who had been killed at military bases.

    The report says that people who were freed after being held captive have said they were mistreated, which Hamas denies.

    The BBC’s Paul Adams in Jerusalem says that Israeli officials don’t want to openly discuss this, because they want to be respectful to the worried family members. But some people say that Hamas is still keeping female hostages because they don’t want their stories to be shared.

    At a recent meeting, a senior official from Israel didn’t want to give details about the reports when asked. He just said, “Trust me. ” We understand

    The ACCRI sent its report to the UN person in charge of investigating sexual violence in war. This person, Pramila Patten, also came to Israel to do research recently.

    Israel said that the UN and other international groups have been taking too long to respond to the accusations. The ACCRI’s executive director said their report now gives them no way to deny or ignore the allegations.

    On Monday, a group of UN experts said they are worried about reports of Israeli forces hurting Palestinian women and girls in Gaza and the West Bank.

    They said that there are strong claims that women and girls were killed unfairly in Gaza, and that others who were held in Gaza and the West Bank were also sexually assaulted in many ways.

    Israel said the accusations were very bad and not true.