As compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 12.5244 and a selling price of 12.5370. At a forex bureau in Accra, the dollar is being bought at a rate of 14.75 and sold at a rate of 15.50.
Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 14.1573 and a selling price of 14.1739 as compared to yesterday’s trading at a buying price of 14.0825 and a selling price of 14.1003.
At a forex bureau in Accra, the pound sterling is being bought at a rate of 15.40 and sold at a rate of 16.30.
The Euro is trading at a buying price of 12.3806 and a selling price of 12.3941 as compared to yesterday’s trading at a buying price of 12.3271 and a selling price of 12.3384.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Euro is being bought at a rate of 13.60 and sold at a rate of 14.30.
The South African Rand is trading at a buying price of 0.6799 and a selling price of 0.6805 compared to yesterday’s trading at a buying price of 0.6901 and a selling price of 0.6907.
The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of 35.1452 and a selling price of 35.1636 as compared to yesterday’s trading at a buying price of 35.1353 and a selling price of 35.1744.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Nigerian Naira is being bought at a rate of 18.00 Naira for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 22.00.
DW Africa reported that the prohibition, which had no stated justification, was scheduled to begin on Monday, October 24, 2022.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a visa ban for citizens of 20 African nations wishing to travel to Dubai.
Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Liberia, Burundi, Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, and Comoros are among the nations impacted.
The prohibition is effective immediately,” stated DW Africa on Monday in part of a Facebook post.
Emirates Airline announced on December 28, 2021, that eight African countries will not be accepted to travel to or through Dubai until further notice due to the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
The countries included: Ghana Angola, Guinea, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia.
Global leader in financial services and US firm, JP Morgan has warned that the probable debt restructuring of Ghana’s debt would further weaken the Ghana cedi, even if an increase in Foreign Exchange Forward Auction sizes or reversal of the foreign exchange (FX) purchase policy results in short-term respite for the cedi.
In its Emerging Market Quick Take on Ghana cedi’s performance, it said the Bank of Ghana’s decision to purchase dollars from mining and oil companies, inadvertently reducing forex availability within the inter-bank market is one of the reasons behind the falling value of the cedi.
It also said the loss of confidence domestically has resulted in a significant drain from the financial account, even though portfolio outflows have been relatively limited.
“The cedi has now weakened by around 60% against the US dollar this year, as uncertainties about the need for, and extent of, debt restructuring increased. The drain of FX reserves year-to-date means the Bank of Ghana (BoG) now has limited firepower to smooth FX volatility. However, we believe the main trigger for the move to 14.875 (mid) in spot over recent days can be traced to BoG’s decision to purchase dollars from mining and oil companies, inadvertently reducing FX availability within the inter-bank market.”
“Although the current account deficit (CAD) is only moderately wider, the loss of confidence domestically has resulted in a significant drain from the financial account, even though portfolio outflows have been relatively limited. Based on our risk-reward scorecard, Ghana now looks attractive, but we expect concerns about the scope of debt restructuring to continue dominating, potentially leading to even more GHS weakness, even if an increase in FX forward auction sizes or reversal of the FX purchase policy results in short-term respite for the cedi”, it added.
Furthermore, it pointed out that the Bank of Ghana’s purchase of dollars from mining companies has resulted in a squeeze in the FX market, adding, while the new FX purchase policy is only a few months old, it has shifted FX away from the secondary market, thus resulting in increased FX pressure.
In the meantime, the Central Bank has not increased the size of its fortnightly FX forward auctions, where it continues to sell $25 million, despite receiving demand amounting to $100 million per auction.
“To reduce volatility, we believe the BoG may need to use proceeds from mining sector FX purchases to increase interventions, or alternatively, reverse the FX purchase policy. Since the policy was implemented, the central bank reports that it had purchased around $84 million as at end-September [2022] and expects to have purchased $500 million by year-end”.
Change in FX policy to provide some relief in near-term
Continuing, the US banking giant said the recent volatility of the cedi is mostly policy driven, but medium-term pressure to persist
However, it stressed that a change in FX purchase policy could provide some near-term relief.
It also said the FX reserves have been drained at a breath-taking pace, noting, “Gross international reserves have declined to $6.6 billion as at end-September, from $9.7 billion at the start of the year. However, net reserves have declined at a faster pace, reaching $2.7 billion in September [2022], from $6.1 billion in January’.
At that pace, JP Morgan said gross reserves will have declined to $5.6 billion by the end of this year ($1.6 billion for net reserves), although disbursement of the $1.1 billionCocobod syndicated loan should provide a boost to FX reserves.
Furthermore, the Bank of Ghana’s decisionto purchase most dollars from mining companies may have dampened confidence further and could result in a further acceleration of dollarization and outflows by residents.
Mr Isaiah Kudjoe Dordoe has been elected as the Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Nkwanta North of the Oti region.
Mr Dordoe, who polled 538 votes, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA), he would not relent in his efforts in putting the party together in the Constituency ahead of the 2024 election.
He strongly appealed to the newly elected executives to remain united and focus on the greater task ahead of them.
Other elected executives are Mr Yagban Olu, Vice Chairman, Mr Samuel Kofi Kilifingh, Secretary and Mr Thomas Dawuni Ntakpayor, Deputy Secretary.
Mr Geyam Kwame was voted as the Organizer, Mr Ndombe Kolon, Deputy Organizer, Madam Sara Aja Gbande, Women Organizer and Madam Udatu Abdul Karim as Deputy Women Organizer.
The position of Youth Organizer went to Mr Joshua Kunjin while Mr Wayo Bajimpoan got the nod as Deputy Youth Organizer.
Other Youth Organizer went Mr Abdulai Hamza, the Treasurer elect is Mr Tahiru Yakubu and Mr Edward Niliyung Belabame as Deputy Treasurer.
Mr David Nalibey Umborkan was elected as Communication Officer, Mr Gideon Bilinyi as Deputy Communication Officer and Mr Abubakar Alhassan as Zongo Caucus Coordinator.
The other eight executive members are Mr David Nponpir, Mr Rashid Yussif Zakari, Mr Adams Ali Champua, Mr Silas Tinanyun, Madam Beatrice Mensah, Mr Osman Abubakar, Mr Azizu Maifetorm and Mr Tibornyan Yajabrum.
In a press release dated October 24, 2022, the group bemoaned the ongoing decline of the dollar, attributing it to bank swindlers, and urged the government to take action to reverse the trend.
They provided a list of potential solutions to the economic crisis, placing particular emphasis on the need for Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister, to resign even though the president is unwilling to do so.
“Mr President, also critical is the mass belief by Ghanaians that the minister of finance is doing very little to shore up confidence in the market. Nonetheless, but arguably so, there is a broad perception of him not doing much, coupled with his attack on the IMF.
“The finance minister believes that going to IMF has a dire effect on the economy and that Ghana won’t seek any support from the IMF. AFAG finds it inconsistent of him, therefore, to lead the IMF negotiations or remain in office now that the government is seeking a bailout,” the AFAG statement read in part.
“The minister of finance and the Minister of State at the Ministry, Ken Ofori Atta and Charles Adu Boahen must be reassigned,” their first resolution read.
AFAG also wants president Akufo-Addo to produce an economic recovery programme because they believe that the International Monetary Fund, IMF, support alone will not solve the current crisis.
“Over the period, you have not also addressed the country. We find this highly unusual based on how in the past, you have fostered cooperation from Ghanaians through your frequent addresses during the covid crisis.
“We will need you to reduce anxiety in the system and let Ghanaians know the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’,” the statement added.
He adds that President Akufo-Addo will lead a three-day cabinet meeting over the coming weekend and will address the nation in due course.
FULL AFAG STATEMENT: Mr PRESIDENT, SPEAK & ACT NOW
The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) is a public interest advocacy group that shares a lot of centre-right positions on issues that are often in sync with the ideological philosophy of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Over the years, AFAG has been quiet out of goodwill toward Government. However, given recent developments, we are forced to depart from our current position on national development.
Mr President, it is our considered opinion that the current speed of the cedi depreciation is borne out of the mischief of speculators and is purely artificial.
Although it will reflect various challenges with the balance of payment due to post covid and Ukraine, there is some panic buying, a lack of confidence and a high degree of uncertainty in the financial market.
Mr President, there is a particular conspiracy theory that points to the central bank’s supervision of the forex market as weak. It is believed that high-placed persons in the central and commercial banks with profit motives auction dollars at an interbank rate, cheaper to the black markets, who then sell it on the market at very high speeds.
It is also the belief that people in business in the subregions are contributing to the volatile situation by coming into Ghana to sell their currency and buy dollars for cheap in Ghana, and after that, sending it to their countries (where dollars are pretty expensive). Mr President, this is among others.
Mr President, also critical is the mass belief by Ghanaians that the minister of finance is doing very little to shore up confidence in the market. Nonetheless, but arguably so, there is a broad perception of him not doing much, coupled with his attack on the IMF.
The finance minister believes that going to IMF has a dire effect on the economy and that Ghana won’t seek any support from the IMF. AFAG finds it inconsistent of him, therefore, to lead the IMF negotiations or remain in office now that the government is seeking a bailout.
Mr President, it is time to present an economic recovery plan to the nation. IMF intervention would not be enough to salvage the situation.
Over the period, you have not also addressed the country. We find this highly unusual based on how in the past, you have fostered cooperation from Ghanaians through your frequent addresses during the covid crisis. We will need you to reduce anxiety in the system and let Ghanaians know the “whys” and “hows”.
RESOLUTION:
● The minister of finance and the Minister of State at the Ministry, Ken Ofori Atta and Charles Adu Boahen must be reassigned
● some forex restrictions targeted at persons undermining the system, from the central bank through the commercial banks to the unlicensed forex operators
● investigate the banks and prosecute officials engaged in forex trading
● impose import restrictions on selected items
● engaging multinational companies and business ventures contributing to the capital flight.
● restricting the forex export to a certain level, at least in the next six months.
● Ensuring traders who export US dollars from Ghana annually have imported about an equal amount to the country.
● Encourage Ghanaians to understand why the current rates are artificial and how they will trade at a loss when the market settles, and the cedi benchmarks to the US Dollar at its real value.
Actress and model, Efia Odo, has labeled President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as “too proud” to admit he is to blame for the worsening economic situation in the country, particularly with the free fall of the Cedi.
Her comment comes on the back of the local currency trading at GH₵15 to a US dollar. Reacting to the development in a Twitter post on October 24, Efia Odo said the Cedi depreciation rate has reached a stage of a state of emergency.
While expressing concern over the alarming situation, she predicted that the Cedi may further depreciate and trade at GH₵20 to a dollar by December.
“$1 has now reached 15 cedis. This is the State of Emergency! By December the $1 will reach 20 cedis. The president is too proud to admit he fucked up! We need to do something,” Efia Odo tweeted.
This is not the first time Efia Odo has raised questions on the Cedi depreciation. In an October 20, 2022, tweet, at the time forex bureaus were reporting that a dollar had reached a record 13 Ghana cedi mark, Efia posed a rhetorical question on her timeline.
“$1=13 Cedis. Did we die and wake up in hell?” she asked.
In recent times, showbiz personalities such as Lydia Forson and Yvonne Nelson have called out the government over the cedi depreciation.
Actor Prince David Osei, a known campaigner of the government ahead of the 2016 elections, has also threatened a protest amid calls for the government to fix the economy.
On her part, broadcaster Nana Aba Anamoah published an open letter on the economy among others, calling on Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to resign.
The economy is facing major headwinds that have been characterized by galloping inflation, consistent depreciation of the cedi and general high cost of living and of doing business.
The government is hoping to reach a deal with the International Monetary Fund, IMF, for an economic support programme aimed at shoring up the economy and easing the burden on ordinary Ghanaians.
The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has called on President Akufo-Addo to reassign Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta and Charles Adu Boahen, if he cannot sack them.
According to the Alliance, the two ministers have failed to curb the continuous depreciation of the Cedi.
In a press statement issued on Monday, they asked President Akufo-Addoto reassign the two immediately to salvage the situation.
“The Minister of Finance and the Minister of State at the Ministry, Ken Ofori Atta and Charles Adu Boahen must be reassigned,” they demanded.
Also, they have asked the President and the government to punish persons engaging in illegal forex trading.
“Some forex restrictions targeted at persons undermining the system need to be introduced, from the central bank through the commercial banks to the unlicensed forex operators,” excerpts of the statement demanded.
Meanwhile, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG)will on Tuesday meet managers of banks and operators of forex bureaux to address the depreciation of the cedi.
The meeting is also supposed to fix what the banks say is the overpricing of the dollar on the market.
The farmer/politician claimed in an exclusive interview that despite farming being a successful industry, most young people are deterred from choosing that career path because they believe it requires enormous capital, vast amounts of land, and advanced technologies to start.
“You only need one plot of land to begin farming.
The farming will gradually increase if you cultivate veggies, make sure you have a market for them, sell them, and reinvest the little profits.
He stated that in as much as funding is very essential, it is necessary to start small with the little capital and piece of land available to acquire firsthand knowledge and skills to subsequently leverage for funds in future.
“Nobody is going to give you the capital if you haven’t farmed before. But if you start small, you will get the experience and evidence to seek for financial support. Access to capital in this country is difficult and it cuts across in all sectors, so at the initial stage, you can generate capital from friends and family,” he stated.
“So for the youth who want to go into farming, first thing is to be patient, dedicated and have the passion. Most of them just want to get into it, invest and then within a month or two, they may have doubled their money. Vegetables take 3 months, the new variety of cocoa 2 to 3 years, coconut 4 years and rubber 5 to 6 years. It is about timing and once you start planting, you are going to harvest,” he said.
Also, he added that in order to enhance economic development in the agricultural sector, the country has to move from being just the producer to manufacturer and add value to the natural resources being produced.
“For instance, Ghana produces timber and we need to add value to it to make high quality furniture that would be exported to other countries rather than the raw material. One of the world’s largest producers of chocolate is Switzerland, however, it produces approximately just one percent of cocoa. We are the second largest producer of cocoa, yet, where has our chocolate gotten to?” he bemoaned.
He further added that as the country strives to “eat what we grow and grow what we eat”, it is important to change the educational system at the early stage and incorporate farming practices in the curriculum to take away the thought of children perceiving farming as a form of punishment.
Agriculture plays a significant role in the economic development of the country. Aside providing about 90 percent of food for the growing population, it absorbs 52 percent of the labour force and contributes to 54 percent of country’s GDP as well as accounts for over 40 percent of export earnings.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service, the GDP from agriculture as at the first quarter of 2022 was GH¢1 billion but decreased to GH¢836.6 million in the second quarter of the year.
The National Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has called on President Akufo-Addo to reassign his appointees to help address the economic challenges facing the country.
According to Nana B, reshuffle is long overdue.
“I can boldly say our leaders have done their best but we all know that ideas are not in one person’s head, therefore there should be a reshuffle to see what they will also bring on board to help solve the current economic situation in order to break the 8, come 2024.
“let’s change the narratives because Some Drastic Decisions Must Be Made ASAP, Some Drastic Changes Must Be Made ASAP, Some Drastic Measures Needed ASAP, Breaking The 8 Is A Must”, he said.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly banned nationals of Ghana and 19 other African countries from entering its capital city, Dubai.
Even though the reason for the ban was not stated, it was expected to start on Monday, October 24, 2022, according to DW Africa.
“The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a visa ban on nationalities from 20 African countries seeking to visit Dubai.
“Countries affected include Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Liberia, Burundi, Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, and Comoros. The ban takes immediate effect,” parts of a Facebook post shared by DW Africa on Monday read.
This is not the first time Ghana and other African countries have been barred from travelling to Dubai.
Emirates Airline announced on December 28, 2021, that eight African countries will not be accepted to travel to or through Dubai until further notice due to the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
The countries included: Ghana Angola, Guinea, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia.
Ghanaian rapper Ameradohas hinted at getting married after releasing his much-anticipated maiden album God Is Never Asleep (G.I.N.A), on October 25.
His post on Instagram read, “Getting married after GINA. GINA drops tomorrow.”
While netizens have expressed their heightened interest in who the artiste will marry, some have speculated that it could be TV host and radio presenter, Deloris Frimpong Manso, popularly known as Delay.
While some made this assertion, others have dismissed his post as a publicity stunt for his new album.
In May this year, Amerado showed his admiration for Delay in one of his songs, where he indicated that it would be erroneous for him to leave the renowned broadcaster for American singer Rihanna.
In a song titled ‘Obiaa boa’, which was released on May 13, 2022, the rapper called Delay is charming.
G.I.N.A is a 10-track album recorded by sound engineers Two Bars, Tubhani, ItzJoeBeatz, and ItzCJ Madeit and the songs include Nyame Dada, No Stress, Grace, Got You, Pay Me, 666, Back To Sender, Black Change, You Are The One and Hahaha.
Artistes featured on the album include Efya, Epixode, Fameye, Lasmid, Eno Barony, S1mba and Laioung.
Ethan Crumbley, the teenaccused of killing four students at a Michigan school in 2021, has pleaded guilty and is facing life in prison, CNN report.
Crumbley pleaded guilty to the 24 charges against him for fatally shooting four students, and injuring seven others at Oxford High School on November 30, 2021. The 16-year-old shooter entered his guilty plea on Monday at an Oakland County court. The charges against him included one count of terrorism causing death, and four counts of first-degree murder.
He answered “yes” when asked if he killed the victims, who were aged between 14 to 17. Crunbley also confirmed that he took a firearm from an unlocked container in his home, and transported it to school in his backpack. At the time of the shooting, he was 15. Crumbley’shearing is set for February 9, with a sentencing date to follow shortly after.
His parents Jennifer and James Crumbley have been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, after prosecutors highlighted the ease of access to firearms in their home. They have pleaded not guilty, and will go to trial in January.
The firearm Crunbley used in the shooting was purchased by his father just four days before the attack. The weapon was identified as a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, and many of the attacks were made at close range.
A motive has yet to be determined, but the Detroit Free Press previously reported that Crumbley allegedly wrote about President Joe Biden in his journal. “Hopefully my shooting will cause Biden to get impeached,” he wrote in an entry that was disclosed in court.
Text messages sent to a friend, and his internet search history pertaining to school shootings have been admitted as evidence in the case.
Former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, is set to become the UK’s next Prime Minister just 44 days after it was announced that ex-Conservative party member, Liz Truss, would be stepping down as Britain’s governing leader.
The 42-year-old, who is the son of Indian immigrants, is one of the wealthiest politicians in Westminster and will be the country’s first leader of colour. The ex-banker will also be asked to form a government by Britain’s recently appointed head-of-state, King Charles, after he defeated opponents Boris Johnson and Penny Mordaunt.
“This decision is an historic one and shows, once again, the diversity and talent of our party,” Mordaunt said in a statement as she withdrew from the race after failing to garner support. “Rishi has my full support.”
Sunak was selected to follow on from Truss by lawmakers from the Conservative Party, becoming the nation’s third prime minister in less than two months tasked with restoring stability to a country indebted with years of political and economic turmoil.
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, said that when announcing the results of the leadership race, the Conservative Party only received one “valid” nomination to be the leader and therefore Prime Minister, and that was Sunak.
An Oxford University graduate, the former Goldman Sachs analyst first came to national attention just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit Britain, where he served as Finance Minister under Boris Johnson, developing the successful furlough scheme.
Sunak met his wife, Akshata Murthy—whose father is Indian billionaire N. R. Narayana Murthy, founder of outsourcing giant Infosys Ltd—while at Stanford University. Sunak will only become Prime Minister when Liz Truss formally hands in her resignation with King Charles, when he will be invited to form a government.
A Ghanaian, Samuel Ampomah, on October 18, 2022, prayed a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court presided over by Justice Baffoe-Bonnie to order the State to remove restrictions to a wife under the marriage Ordinance for him to marry again in fulfilment of his fundamental human rights, having already married under the Act and unwilling to divorce his wife, while desirous of adding another.
In a case against the Attorney-General, Ampomah is seeking a declaration mandating the State to amend the Ordinance under the Marriages Act to respect choices and fundamental human rights to marry more in line with customary and Islamic arrangements of Ghana’s marital laws.
Marriage under the ordinance is presently the only strict monogamous marriage arrangement under Ghanaian law, with possibility of a criminal charge of bigamy against a man who adds another wife under the same law.
The case has been adjourned for the Attorney General to file the State’s response, a report filed by Dennislawnews stated.
Why?
In Ghana, marriage under the ordinance is governed by the Marriages Act (Cap 127) and is the only, strictly monogamous legal means of marriage in Ghana.
After recess
The new legal year has begun in earnest and thus the apex court of Ghana is back in full flight presiding over cases invoking its numerous jurisdictions.
On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, the Supreme Court sat on its first batch of cases after the vacation and one amongst the many was the writ filed by the Ghanaian citizen, Samuel Ampomah against the Attorney General of the Republic.
When the seven-member panel presided over by Baffoe-Bonnie (JSC) sat and the case duly called by the Registrar, a member of the panel queried the plaintiff, and his capacity relative to this action.
Subsequently, his counsel was allowed to tell the court why they were there.
Then he mentioned that having married under the marriage ordinance, his client is only restricted to marrying one wife and thus wants the apex court to make a declaration directed at the Attorney General to change the law, allowing him to marry more women.
In Ghana, marriage under the ordinance is governed by the Marriages Act (Cap 127) and is the only, strictly monogamous legal means of marriage in Ghana. This option is a civil union available to any Ghanaian to take advantage of.
Even though there is much confusion about it, it is entirely secular and not religious (Christian) at all thus those intending to get married are required to give notice to the marriage registrar in the district where the marriage is going to occur.
After the above brief of the plaintiff’s action, counsel further mentioned that his client was coming relative to a supposed breach of his fundamental human right.
The Attorney General was then asked if they have duly responded, which she mentioned in the negative.
As a result, the case was adjourned sine in order for the AG to file the necessary documents.
Other members of the panel were; Nene Amegatcher (JSC), Pwamang (JSC), Torkonoo (JSC), Owusu (JSC), Prof Kotey (JSC) and Kulendi (JSC).
3 people including the suspect have been killed in a shooting at a St. Louis, Missouri high school, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
The shooting happened on Monday at the Central Visual & Performing Arts High School, leaving three dead and at least seven injured. A woman has died at a nearby hospital after she was injured during the incident, while a teen girl was pronounced dead inside the school. The male suspect, who has yet to be identified but is believed to be in his 20s, was also pronounced dead at a hospital.
According to math teacher David Williams, the school principal said the code word for a shooting at approximately 9 a.m. on Monday. Williams added that he allegedly overheard the shooter yell, “You are all going to fucking die.” Officers entered the area with guns drawn not long after, followed by parents who arrived to pick up their children. Per CBS News, Police Commissioner Michael Sack said the injuries range from gunshot wounds to shrapnel wounds.
“All I heard was two shots and he came in there with a gun,” said 16-year-old student Taniya Gholston, who said the shooter entered the room she was in.
“And I was trying to run and I couldn’t run. Me and him made eye contact but I made it out because his gun got jammed. But we saw blood on the floor.”
Charges against Lil Durk in connection with a 2019 shooting incident have been dropped.
Per a recent report from regional outlet WSB-TV, Durk is no longer facing charges in connection with the non-fatal shooting, which was alleged to have taken place outside a Varsity restaurant location in the Atlanta area in February of 2019. As previously reported, Durk had been facing multiple charges, including criminal intent to commit murder. The late King Von was also initially charged in connection with the shooting.
When reached for comment by Complex on Monday, Durk’s attorney Manny Arora said he was “glad” to see the charges against his client dropped so that “all involved” could move forward.
“I am glad that the charges from three plus years ago have been dismissed,” Arora told Complex in an email. “While it is unfortunate that it took so long to reach the conclusion that we had argued from day one, I’m glad that all involved can now move on.”
Per a separate Pitchfork report, the reason provided by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in court documents on the dismissed charges was “prosecutorial discretion.” Complex has also reached out to the Fulton County D.A.’s office for additional comment. This story may be updated.
In August, Durk and Lil Baby were met with a fleet of new RIAA certifications, including a platinum distinction for their 2021 collab project The Voice of the Heroes. Durk’s most recent solo album, 7220, debuted atop the Billboard 200 albums chart upon its release this March.
The radio personality, whose real name is Lenard McKelvey, has been in the media game for more than two decades but has continued to elevate himself and his career by taking on new challenges along the way. Most recently, he took on a late-night talk show host role on Comedy Central’s Hell of a Week With Charlamagne tha God.
On Hell of a Week, he shares his unfiltered opinions on politics, the week’s biggest cultural news, and conducts the type of celebrity interviews he is notorious for. The variety news show follows a similar format to his 2021 show Tha God’s Honest Truth With Lenard ‘Charlamagne’ McKelvey, which was also produced by Stephen Colbert. Charlamagne has a full writers’ room, a production crew, and a team of panelists he collaborates with weekly, but the hosting responsibilities fall solely on him.
The radio host’s deadpan and frank delivery when asking questions and having conversations has gotten him into trouble in the past, but this era of celebrity podcast hosts has brought forth a new level of appreciation for those like him who aren’t afraid to ask hard-hitting questions. He speaks freely on the radio, but he says working with other writers and comedians challenges him to view and approach things differently.
Aside from his new TV hosting duties, Charlamagne has also launched The Black Effect Podcast Network, the Short Black Handsome Productions company with Kevin Hart, and his Black Privilege Publishing imprint with Simon & Schuster—all with the purpose of helping others succeed. “I like seeing who that next person is and giving that person an opportunity to express themselves. That’s what I like to do,” Charlamagne tells Complex. “Anything that I’m doing now if it’s just about me, it’s not big enough.”
He’s taking that same mentality as his popular Power 105.1 morning show The Breakfast Club is on the verge of a major transformation. Co-host Angela Yee’s upcoming departure means Charlamagne and DJ Envy will continue sharing co-hosting duties, and while Charlamagne knows the value of Yee’s presence on the show, he’s looking forward to the changes. “
Angela Yee is irreplaceable and you could never replace that piece we’ve made history with. We’ve all made history together,” Charlamagne says. “Some people say we might be one the most impactful radio shows of all time. But you can never replace her. It’s just, to me, the natural evolution of a radio show.”
Charlemagne hopped on a Zoom call with Complex and he opened up about his new gig at Comedy Central, The Breakfast Club, his thoughts on Kanye West, the state of hip-hop media, who should host The Daily Show, and more. Read our interview with the radio host, lightly edited for length and clarity, below.
According to her, she is a general builder, a market place Apostle and is not in the business just to participate but to dominate.
Delay started her career at the age of 17 at Life FM as a Radio Presenter. She later worked at Top FM and Oman FM until 2016 whilst streaming her own show, The Delay Show On TV3.
Hard working Miss Frimpong came out with Afia Schwarzenegger Television series in 2011.
She featured both Afia Schwarzenegger, the Genesis of her name and Nana Tornado who are now her archivals.
She ventured into Entrepreneurship first by selling shoes and now the owner of Delay Group of companies.
She has Delay Mackerel, Delay Spaghetti, and many more products to her credit. She is indeed a CEO.
Kim Kardashian condemned hate speech and expressed her support for the Jewish community following Kanye West’s recent anti-Semitic remarks.
“Hate speech is never OK or excusable,” she tweeted. “I stand together with the Jewish community and call on the terrible violence and hateful rhetoric towards them to come to an immediate end.”
Khloé Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Kendall Jenner also expressed their support.
Khloé posted a message on Instagram that read: “I support my Jewish friends and the Jewish people.” The same statement, which was first shared by Jessica Seinfeld, has been shared by many other celebrities, including Kris, Kendall, Reese Witherspoon, and Amy Schumer.
The move comes on the heels of Kardashian’s ex-brother-in-law Kanye’s recent public outbursts, which climaxed earlier this month with Ye making harmful and offensive comments on social media and in interviews, including tweeting that he planned to go “death con 3 on Jewish people,” seemingly in reference to DEFCON 3.
“I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE,” he wrote at the time. “The funny thing is I actually can’t be anti-Semitic because black people are actually Jew also You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”
Twitter subsequently removed his tweet for violating its rules. Ye’s latest Drink Champs episode was taken down shortly after premiering this week; it contained anti-Semitism and misinformation about the death of George Floyd. An already-taped appearance on LeBron James’ The Shop was scrapped for similar reasons.
Since then, Balenciaga and Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour have decided to cut ties with Ye, who over the weekend retained the counsel of Camille Vasquez, one of the attorneys who helped Johnny Depp in his defamation trail with ex-wife Amber Heard.
Vasquez, along with her Los Angeles-based law firm Brown Rudnick, will provide Kanye with legal counsel on a “variety of business matters.”
Hollywood talent agency CAA has dropped Kanye Westfollowing his recent string of anti-Semitic remarks.
As reported by The Los Angeles Times, the renowned agency has quietly made the decision to no longer work with Ye. According to a person who has knowledge of the situation, CAA ended its relationship with him on account of his embrace of anti-Semitism on both social media and in various interviews. The news comes not long after Balenciaga pulled the plug on its partnership with Ye, who tweeted that he intended to go “DEATH CON 3 on Jewish people” earlier this month.
On Monday, MRC studio executives Modi Wiczyk, Asif Satchu, and Scott Tenley also announced they have scrapped a completed documentary about Ye.
“This morning, after discussion with our filmmakers and distribution partners, we made the decision not to proceed with any distribution for our recently completed documentary about Kanye West. We cannot support any content that amplifies his platform,” the three wrote. “Kanye is a producer and sampler of music. Last week he sampled and remixed a classic tune that has charted for over 3000 years—the lie that Jews are evil and conspire to control the world for their own gain.”
United Talent Agency co-founder and CEO Jeremy Zimmer has also condemned the multi-hyphenate’s behavior, which emboldened a hate group to hang a “Kanye is right about the Jews” sign above the 405 in Los Angeles.
“As a company we stand for a wide diversity of voices and ideas; But we can’t support hate speech, bigotry or anti-Semitism,” Zimmer wrote in a note sent to staff, per Variety. “Please support the boycott of Kanye West. Powerful voices spewing hatred have frequently driven people to do hateful things.” Ye was previously a client of UTA.
Ari Emanuel, who heads entertainment and sports company Endeavor, made similar comments in a column for Financial Times last week. “Those who continue to do business with West are giving his misguided hate an audience,” Emanuel wrote. “There should be no tolerance anywhere for West’s anti-Semitism.”
The Quebec Order of Nurses is encouraging people to not dress in sexy nurse costumes for Halloween this year, saying they devalue the nursing profession.
In a post called “No to eroticizing the nursing profession,” the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec instead proposes dressing up as a regular nurse. They even created a video to spread the word.
“Nurses take care of us,” the video says in French. “Let’s take care of their image.”
It’s been a difficult time for the nursing profession, with the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions saying half of Canadian nurses are considering quitting.
Ghanaian fashion designer Duaba Serwa is gushing over Hollywood star, Lupita Nyongo for donning one of her collections.
In a post, she shared on Instagram, the designer couldn’t hold back her excitement as she wrote a caption praising the actress and thanking God for where her hard work has gotten her.
“Academy Award Winning Actress, Writer, Super Woman, your favourite Actor’s favourite Actor. The one and only @lupitanyongo stuns in yours truly… “our dreams ARE valid” what an uplift from God…” she praised.
Duaba’s picture of Lupita captured her wearing a black dress with patterns like triangle origami.
In one of the three pictures the designer shared of Lupita, she wore a similar attire to her sister while they posed by a wall.
Another post of the sisters captured them with Hip-Hop star and A-Lister, Jay Z, who stood right next to them clothed in a suit and tie.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 08: Lupita Nyong’o attends The National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on January 08, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for National Board of Review)
A Texas man has been charged with murder after fatally shooting a friend following a pick-up basketball game.
NBC News reports Cameron Hogg, 31, was arrested and charged Thursday for the murder of 21-year-old Asia Womack, who was killed Oct. 3 after she’d beaten Hogg in a basketball game at a Dallas park.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the news station, Hogg and Womack got into an argument after their pick-up game, at which point the latter walked to a nearby friend’s house to watch football. Later on, Womack and her friend were sitting outside when Hogg pulled up in his truck, got out and walked over to the pair. Police say Hogg then shot Womack twice in the chest “knocking her into a chair,” with the witness confirming Hogg shot Womack two more times before leaving.
The witness later identified Hogg in a police line-up.
“This is so senseless,” the family’s pastor, JohnDelley, told Fox 4 earlier this month. “You become embarrassed basically because a female beat you in basketball.”
Womack’s mother, Andrea, said the shooter was a friend of Andrea’s. “This was supposed to be a friend of Asia’s. She’s eaten with the man, she’s fed him, and he turned on her and killed her in a vicious way.”
Womack’s aunt said that the family is “taking it kind of hard because it was senseless,” adding, “I just don’t understand why you kill somebody over a basketball game.”
Don Jazzy’s ex-wife, Michelle Jackson is not usually active on social media but there are a few known facts about her private life.
The model and Don Jazzy got married sometime in 2003 and their marriage crashed two years later.
It is no secret that Don Jazzy has several times talked about issues relating to his failed marriage adding that his love for music was the main reason behind it.
While Don Jazzy has become a popular name in Nigeria, Michelle Jackson isn’t.
In this article, MyNigeria casts the spotlight on his ex-wife who he describes as a “beautiful soul”.
1. She has a son
Jackson has a cute son. Even though the identity of the son’s father is not known he is not Don Jazzy ’s child. In March 2019, she shared a photo of her son via her Instagram page and had some cute words for him.
2. She is 42 years old
Michelle turned 42 in October 2022.
3. She is a writer and model
Michelle is quite a multi-talented young lady. She is a writer and when she is not writing, she is busy handling modeling gigs. That’s not all, the 40-year-old mum is also a fashion brand ambassador.
When Don Jazzy announced that he was once married, he said he got married at the age of 20 and separated when he was 22. The music star turned 38 in late 2020, while Jackson turned 40 in that same year.
5. Resides in the United Kingdom
Jackson resides in the United Kingdom where she got married to Don Jazzy almost 18 years ago.
The Grammy-winning rapper began trending this week after he was accused of “liking” sexually explicit content on Twitter. The tweet in question—posted by a trans pornography account back in March—asked users their to chose between three types of trans content: “dating,” “adult games,” and “webcam,” all of which were accompanied by a hyperlink.
To no one’s surprise, the “like” immediately caused a stir on social media. While many defended Chano, others responded with bigoted, transphobic takes—some of which were directed at his wife, Kirsten Corley Bennett.
On Friday, Bennett took to social media to set the record straight and address the bothered “trolls.” She accused the haters of making a big deal out of nothing, and insisted Chance’s “like” wasn’t intentional.
“Y’all really be reachin’,” she began. “He’s never gonna address this, but all I have to say is we were literally at an event all night … the night before last, until late. We were celebrating, and sometimes you ‘like’ shit by accident. So all y’all little trolls coming for page, that are getting blocked, y’all can go to hell.”
The 38-year-old comedian addressed the issue in a between-the-scenes TikTokvideo posted by The Daily Show. The clip begins with an audience member asking Noah about his and Ye’s so-called “beef”—a term that he believed was inapplicable to the situation.
“Why am I beefing with Kanye? That’s an interesting way to phrase it because a beef has to go both ways,” Noah said. “Genuinely, it does. In my limited understanding of the world, beef has always been something that generally will happen between two hip-hop artists. I was never beefing with Kanye West. I was concerned about Kanye West.”
Noah went on to highlight Ye’s mental health struggles and how they’re largely ignored by his critics. The host pointed out that Kanye has been quite open about his health issues, and has even admitted to not taking his medication. Noah said it was “a little shitty” that some people would chose to platform and exploit Kanye during one of his “episodes.”
“My grandfather was bipolar … and I’m not saying Kanye is, by the way—I’m just saying my grandfather was bipolar, and one thing we knew was when he was having one of his episodes, he could act in a certain way and could do certain things … but our job was to support him,” he explained. “It would be weird if I was there going, ‘Oh, my grandfather’s having an episode again. I’m going viral tonight!’ I think it’s a little bit strange.”
Noah reiterated that his criticism of Ye didn’t come from a bad place. The host has previously called out the rapper for his antisemitic remarks as well as his treatment of Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson. Ye responded to the latter criticism back in March, when he shared an Instagram post in which he used a racial slur directed at Noah. The social media platform suspended Ye’s account shortly after.
“For me, it’s not a beef …” he continued. “I don’t have beef with a human being who has expressed openly that they’re dealing with a mental health issue. I don’t have beef with that human being.
What I have beef with is us as society not coming together around the person and going like, ‘Hey, hey, maybe this is not the moment to put a microphone in your face so that you just go off saying everything.’
If this is what you want to say when you’re on your medication, then that’s a different story. But because you’ve told us that, I’m not going to sit by and say that.”
In an interview with YouTuber One Ghana TV, Esther disclosed she was abused in her marriage.
She added that her son was diagnosed with a hole in his heart during that period.
“You know, my child I gave birth to in Dutchland, some people turned it around and said I had given my child to another man, and the person perpetrating those lies was someone close to me. The person was creating an impression.
“My situation would have turned out just like the lady who died in Nigeria, Osinachi’s death. So I had to quit. I had to quit because God has given us brains and sense. You have to apply it,” she divulged.
Esther also disclosed that when she left her marriage, her ex-husband made up stories that shocked her to the extent that she couldn’t defend herself until this day.
“It is not about what people are saying or doing, but then you need to think and say, where are things headed? I think I can die. So you have to quit and if you quit, it won’t make the person happy, so they will have to frame stories to tarnish your image when you know nothing about it. Since I am not good at talking too much, I had to keep quiet. That was what happened,” she explained.
She added that God has favoured each and everybody with intelligence when confronted with difficulty, but not stay in it and endure.
The ‘Onyame Ye Nyame’ artiste in 2012 disclosed that her former husband, Rev. Ahenkan Bonsu, used her as a punching bag during their four years of marriage.
On April 8, 2022, Nigerian gospel artiste, Osinachi Nwachukwu, known for her popular song ‘Ekwueme’ passed on after her husband allegedly kicked her in the chest multiple times.
Say what you will about Soulja Boy, but the man can admit when he’s wrong. Case in point: his recent Twitter exchange with NLE Choppa.
It all began Thursday night after Choppa performed at the FedEx Forum for the Memphis Grizzlies’ season opener. The rapper shared a video from the gig, in which he was seen accompanying the team out of the tunnel while performing his track “Shotta Flow.”
Choppa captioned the video: “First Artist To Walk A NBA Team Out and It Was The Home Team.”
However, Soulja initially disagreed with the post, insisting he did it several years ago. He made the claim in a Thursday night tweet, which included a link to his 2019 performance for LA Clippers fans. Many pointed out that the video did not discredit Choppa’s claim, as Soulja was tapped to perform during the halftime show, rather than walk the team onto the court.
“Walk out. Half time same thing,” Soulja wrote in a subsequent tweet. “I did it first 😂😂 ok he got it.”
Choppa made it clear he had no hard feelings toward Soulja, and said he appreciated the admission.
“First rapper to admit he wasn’t the first rapper,” he tweeted. “I respect it. Much love.”
First rapper to admit he wasn’t the first rapper. I respect it. Much love 😂💜💜 https://t.co/y4If3XJNu0
Cardi B emerged victorious in a copyright infringement lawsuit involving her 2016 debut mixtape.
According to KABC, Kevin Michael Brophy sued the Bronx rapper over the cover art for Gangsta Bitch Music Vol. 1. The racy image showed Cardi sitting in the back of limo with a man’s head buried between her legs. Though the male model’s face was not show on the cover, his back featured a tiger and serpent tattoo that was added during the editing process. Lawyers for both parties said the distinct body art was found on the internet.
Brophy claimed the image was a misappropriation of his likeness, as the tattoos looked nearly identical to his own ink. His attorneys argued that the Photoshopped art has led many to believe that Brophy was the man on the cover; as a result, the man suffered anxiety and reputational harm.
“It looks like I’m giving oral sex to somebody that’s not my wife, somebody that’s not my partner, and an image that I never signed off on, ever,” Brophy told the court. “Being a father of two and a devoted husband and a man of faith as well, this goes against everything that I stand for, and I would never ever sign off on something like this.”
Cardi’s attorney, Peter J. Anderson, pushed back on the claim, insisting it was unlikely that anyone would mistake Brophy for the man on the mixtape cover.
“That’s a Black man with hair, and this is a white man with a shaven head,” Anderson said in court, as reported by Rolling Stone.
The attorney went on to say that they have “not identified any person, any member of the public, any friend who” mistook Brophy for the man on the cover—at least, not before he filed the lawsuit in 2017.
“That’s a self-inflicted wound,” Anderson continued. ”He caused that by identifying himself when no one else had identified him as being the person in the image.”
The defense acknowledged that the tattoos imposed on the model were found through a Google search, but said the design underwent significant altercations—so much so that it’s now considered a “newly created piece of art.”
On Friday, a federal jury ruled in Cardi’s favor, determining the cover art did not amount to an illicit use of Brophy’s likeness.
Cardi celebrated the win via Twitter:
I just won this lawsuit …Im soo emotional right now 🥲…I wanna kiss Gods feet right now …..IM BEYOND GRATEFUL!!!!
A Nigerian journalist, Cynthia Agbor, has taken to Twitter to narrate how a guy sent his pregnant girlfriend abroad to give birth but she ended up aborting the pregnancy four months after she arrived there.
Cynthia Agbor disclosed the man had sent his fiancée to the US to give birth to their child and intended to join them afterwards.
In a series of posts on Twitter, she wrote: “This guy legit sent his babe to the US ???????? with the 2 months old pregnancy with plans of her giving birth there and he joining them.
Guess what, ????aunty aborted the pregnancy at 4 months. Saying the pregnancy is making her lazy and she can’t focus on work while there o.”
Cynthia said the man was taken aback when the woman told him that she had terminated the pregnancy because it was “making her lazy and not focusing on work there.”
Cynthia further added;
“She wanted him to go pay her bride price. Disturbing him about marriage. She didn’t want to return back for the marriage. Saying her sister will represent her. After which he should join her in the US. I think sometimes we ladies think our JUJU dey strong. I’m happy he is healing.”
iambigswag: “Three countries where you should never relocate your wife or fiancé from Nigeria to, USA, CANADA and UK, it’s 100 percent guaranteed that she will leave you.”
samhyllin: “If na your wife wey don born for you then no big deal because You sef no go wan marry rubbish …But girlfriend or fiancée ?? lmao”
official_Gregg1: “Even wife weh don born de leave their husband oga”
TweetMOPOL: “In this Uk? Single people dey struggle to find better wife or husband, na married person with child go come easy to find?
A lot of people here eventually start looking for partners back home. Except those that need papers”
samhyllin: “Na why I talk say make you no marry rubbish. No allow LOVE cover your eye”
thecloudba3: “Abort a baby at 4 months in US without a medical concern?”
odogwudozilla: “In some states you can abort at just before birth. Abortion on demand is normal in the US”
Netch_Sg: “Healing? Nobody heals from this kind of trauma…. Can’t he petition the embassy?”
Otega_official: “So he should marry her and make things legal and then finally go to US to enslave him. A woman that terminated a child with the excuse of its making her Lazy will also end his life with the excuse of she wants to be free. Glad he’s healing and has left her if not!”
EmekaAmakeze: “That bullet nearly hit him. He should go for Thanksgiving”
See post here:
This guy legit sent his babe to the US 🇺🇸 with the 2 months old pregnancy with plans of her giving birth there and he joining them.
Guess what, 🤦♀️aunty aborted the pregnancy at 4months. Saying the pregnancy is making her lazy and she can’t focus on work while there o
Now,
❤💡
Joe Biden’s student debt relief plan has hit a legal roadblock.
According to CNN, a federal appeals court temporarily blocked the program on Friday, as it reviews a challenge brought by six GOP-led states. More than a month after Biden announced the plan, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, and South Carolina filed a lawsuit that claimed Biden could not cancel the debt without congressional approval, which he never received. The states also argued that the debt relief would threaten their tax revenues as well as hurt state-related entities that own or invest in privately held loans.
A lower court judge dismissed the case Thursday, stating the plaintiffs failed to establish “ongoing injury” caused by the program. The states immediately appealed the ruling, and the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay as the case is being reviewed.
The Biden administration has until Monday to respond. The plaintiffs have been asked to issue their reply no later than Tuesday.
POTUS said the debt relief plan aims “to give everybody a little more breathing room.”
Kanye West has hired an attorney in the wake of his recent antisemitic remarks.
TMZ reports Ye is retaining Camille Vasquez, one of the attorneys who helped Johnny Depp in his defamation trail with ex-wife Amber Heard. Vasquez, along with her Los Angeles-based law firm Brown Rudnick, will provide Kanye with legal counsel on a “variety of business matters.”
Ye sparked backlash this month by making harmful and offensive comments on social media and in interviews, including tweeting that he planned to go “death con 3 on Jewish people,” a likely reference to DEFCON 3.
“I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE,” he wrote. “The funny thing is I actually can’t be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”
Twitter subsequently removed his tweet for violating its rules. Ye’s latest Drink Champs episode was taken down shortly after premiering this week; it contained antisemitism and misinformation about the death of George Floyd. An already-taped appearance on LeBron James’ The Shop was scrapped for similar reasons.
On Friday, Balenciaga announced it has no “plans for future projects” with West, as Women’s Wear Daily reported that the Kering-owned fashion house had cut ties with Ye, although a specific reason was not provided.
“Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist,” a Kering rep told the publication.
Gifty Tetteh was thrown into jail after she could not cough up an amount of GH¢30,000 she mistakenly sent to a customer instead of GH¢3,000.
An oversight perhaps, but that could not convince the judge enough as Gifty painfully recounted how she was given a two and a half years sentence.
That wasn’t all, the judge also instructed that she produce the GH¢30,000 to her boss right after serving her jail term.
Narrating the story behind her ordeal, the 27-year-old young lady stated that her boss, whom she worked with for a period of five years, ordered for her arrest.
Gifty, who used to operate at Afariwa, within the Tema Golf City around the time, said all efforts to retrieve the money from the ‘lucky account’ proved futile.
“I was in the shop one day and someone wanted to send money, GH¢3,000. Mistakenly, I sent more than that. That is GH¢30,000. We called and called the person didn’t pick up. That was my first time setting my eyes on the sender. I had not seen him before. He is not even my customer. There were people in a long queue so I was under pressure.
“We called the MTN customer care line and we were informed that the recipient had withdrawn the money. The next day my boss took me to the MTN office but still nothing came out of it. Initially, my family and I pleaded that I worked to refund the money. I started paying GH¢1000 a month for four months. The fifth month, I paid GH¢800 and that was when he said he wouldn’t accept such an arrangement.
TWI NEWS
“So my boss reported to the police to come and arrest me. I was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and when I return, I will have to pay the GH¢30,000,” she stated in an interview with Crime Check Foundation on the day of her release.
Reacting to the incident on Twitter, outspoken media personality, Bridget Otoo has labeled as unfair the boss’s decision to arrest his salesgirl.
The person will pay for the rest of their lives. I don’t know why they jailed her. When my ex-sales girl mistakenly sent 5,000 to someone. I took the loss. It’s painful as business people but we need to do better. You could have asked her to work and pay! https://t.co/AEqKdmLqgZ
Bridget recalled a similar situation that transpired in her line of business but stated that the thought of arresting her salesgirl never crossed her mind.
“The person will pay for the rest of their lives. I don’t know why they jailed her. When my ex-salesgirl mistakenly sent 5,000 to someone. I took the loss. It’s painful as business people but we need to do better. You could have asked her to work and pay!” she wrote on Twitter.
TMZ reports Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who has had a well-documented relationship with the artist formerly known as Kanye West, has decided to cut ties with Ye due to his “erratic behavior” and anti-Semitic comments.
The news comes on the heels of West retaining the counsel of Camille Vasquez, one of the attorneys who helped Johnny Depp in his defamation trail with ex-wife Amber Heard. Vasquez, along with her Los Angeles-based law firm Brown Rudnick, will provide Kanye with legal counsel on a “variety of business matters.”
On Friday, Balenciaga was reported to have said it has no “plans for future projects” with West, according to Women’s Wear Daily.
“Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist,” a rep for Kering, the parent company of Balenciaga, told the publication.
Earlier this month, Ye sparked backlash by making harmful and offensive comments on social media and in interviews, including tweeting that he planned to go “death con 3 on Jewish people,” seemingly in reference to DEFCON 3.
“I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE,” he wrote. “The funny thing is I actually can’t be anti-Semitic because black people are actually Jew also You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”
Twitter subsequently removed his tweet for violating its rules. Ye’s latest Drink Champs episode was taken down shortly after premiering this week; it contained anti-Semitism and misinformation about the death of George Floyd.
An already-taped appearance on LeBron James’ The Shop was scrapped for similar reasons.
Drake has dropped off the visual for his 21 Savage-featuring song, “Jimmy Cooks.”
The collaboration appeared on the Toronto native’s latest album offering, Honestly, Nevermind, which arrived back in June. 21’s feature is the only guest appearance on the project. “Jimmy Cooks”—which is a spin on Drizzy’s Degrassi: The Next Generation character, Jimmy Brooks—debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as did Honestly, Nevermind on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
The new music video also sees the Drake and 21 tease that they are dropping a joint album titled Her Loss next week on Friday, October 28.
Drake and 21 have collaborated many times before, with their song “Knife Talk” from Drake’s 2021 album Certified Lover Boy being their most recent.
They have also previously released “Mr. Right Now” on 21 and Metro Boomin’s 2020 album Savage Mode II, Drake’s 2016 song “Sneakin,” and the track “Issa” with Young Thug released via SoundCloud in 2017.
Watch the video for “Jimmy Cooks” up top and stay tuned for Her Loss.
A Florida teen made headlines this week after she allegedly stole thousands of dollars from her grandmother and began distributing the cash to her peers.
According to the Miami Herald, the incident took place at Lake Weir Middle Schoolin Summerfield, where police received multiple reports about a student who was handing out hundreds of dollars to her classmates. Deputies say school officials searched the teen’s backpack and discovered about $2,500 in cash.
The student initially told authorities she had received the money from an unidentified former student who “wanted the money disseminated”; but she later admitted to police she had used a screwdriver to break into her grandmother’s safe and steal about $13,500. According to an arrest affidavit, it’s unclear why the teen stole the cash and proceeded to give it away “in increments of $200, $400 and $700.”
Officials say they had recovered about $700 of the money that was handed out, which means there’s around $10,000 that remains missing. Lake Weir Middle School Principal Jason Jacobs addressed the incident in a message to parents, urging them to return any cash their children may have received from the accused teen.
“If you would speak with your children, and if they have received money from the student, please turn it in to our school resource officers,” he said in a voicemail. “There will be no consequences for turning in the money.”
Authorities say the student is now facing a grand theft charge.
Occupants of a single-engine aircraftwere killed on Friday after it crashed into a New Hampshire home.
According to NBC News, the tragedy took place at around 7 p.m., shortly after the plane departed from the Keene Dillant-Hopkins Airport. Authorities in the City of Keene said the aircraft hit a two-story, four-unit apartment building that housed eight people. Mayor George Hansel told reporters it was “fortunate” that no one on the ground was injured; however, he confirmed the two individuals on the plane “perished” in the fiery crash. The victims’ names have yet to be released.
“I want to first and foremost express the city of Keene’s sympathies to the family members of those who passed away,” Hansel said during a Saturday conference. “I also want to, right off the bat, thank our first-responders … They did an exceptional job at getting this emergency under control quickly last night. And I’m certain their efforts contributed to no further loss of life or injuries, other than those who were on the plane.”
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash alongside the National Transportation Safety Board.
Scott Gauthier, who lives in the apartment, told NBC10 Boston that he heard a loud noise and felt the building shaking right before his mom began shouting.
“The whole building shook and then my mother went out to check on what was going on and she started screaming, ‘Get out of the house.’” he recalled. “You could feel the flames off the building … I grabbed some clothes and ran out, and as soon as I ran out, the whole barn area was already engulfed.”
Authorities say the residence of the apartment have been displaced and were receiving assistance from the Red Cross.
“Our Disaster Action Team is mobilizing, and we are waiting to hear more what specifically the community needs from us,” the organization said in a statement.
The Rastafari Continental Council, RCC, is getting ready to host its 4th biannual continental summit, at Laite Wote, in the Volta Region of Ghana, from the 1st to the 4th of November, 2022.
The summit will be held alongside the 5th All Africa Rastafari Gathering (AARG), which is a trade expo created by Rastafari in Shashamane and adopted by the RCC as an inter-African trading model deduced from a similar vision of African leaders in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA).
The four-day hybrid event will be a full-stretch trading experience among Rastafari, the pan-African fraternity, and the general public. This will be preceded by a summit for the first two days, to map up strategy for the future works of the council.
The theme for the event is “Connecting Africa Through Intra-African Trade and Production.” The keynote speaker is Ras Cashawn Myers, Executive Director of the Kweku Andoh Sustainability Institute(KASI), Laite Wote. The summit will also deliberate on replicating the KASI model in Rastafari communities across Africa.
The event also marks the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie I and Empress Mennen I, which took place on the 2nd of November 1930.
The commemoration this year will be climaxed with a Coronation Celebration at the Arts Center in Accra, on the 5th of November 2022. The concert will feature all Rastafari mansions and artistes from across the continent. The Celebration is sponsored by African Star Sound System the International sound system.
A New York City man has been arrested after allegedly fatally stabbing a man who confronted him for not saying “thank you.”
NBC News reports the incident took place on Sept. 20 around 11:30 p.m. Joan Nunez, 37, opened the door of Tobacco Road Corp near President Street in Gowanus, Brooklyn for Edwin Pedroza, 42.
“It was just about not saying ‘thank you’ for opening the door for him,” employee Kharef Alsaidi told WABC. Alsaidi explained that Nunez opened the door for Pedroza, who failed to thank him for his nice gesture.
“Why don’t you say, ‘Thank you for opening the door’?” Alsaidi claims Nunez said, to which Pedroza responded, “I didn’t tell you to open the door for me.”
A verbal dispute erupted into a physical altercation, as both men fought off one another. Alsaidi said Nunez taunted Pedroza, saying, “Stab me if you can do it.”
From there, Pedroza withdrew a knife and stabbed Nunez in the abdomen and neck. “The victim started screaming, ‘He stabbed me, he stabbed me,’” Alsaidi said.
After Nunez stumbled back into the store, where he reportedly was “bleeding all over the floor,” the victim was subsequently rushed to New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Pedroza biked away from the crime scene, before he was arrested Friday morning in Brooklyn and charged with manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon.
Award-winning gospel musician Diana Hamilton says she does not think about winning awards when she is working on a song.
Speaking in an interview with Andy Dosty on Daybreak Hitz, Diana Hamiltonmentioned that she believes in times and seasons.
She stressed that once an award comes, it is confirmation that her time is up.
“I don’t do a song with an award in mind. We are just working. If an award comes then it’s my time, if it does not come then it’s not my time. With that in mind, it does not matter what happens in the system.”
Diana Hamilton has won multiple awards both on home soil as well as international award schemes.
She won the 2021 Most Streamed Female Act of the Year Award at the 3Music Women’s Brunch.
In March 2021, she was among the Top 30 Most Influential Women in Music by the 3Music Awards Women’s Brunch.
She was crowned Artiste of the Year and Gospel Artiste of the Year at the 2021 Ghana Music Awards on June 26 with her song “Adom”.
Diana Hamilton is currently on tour for the promotion of her latest single titled ‘My Meditations’.
The song comes as her first single this year and is looking forward to doing greater things after its release.
She mentioned that since the release of the song, she has received a lot of support from some of her colleagues.
The likes of Joe Mettle, Cecy Twum, and Ohemaa Mercy have all shown great support for her music.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show, Stonebwoy said as an underground artiste, his mum supported his music with whatever money she had despite not knowing much about the industry.
He explained that “she was everything to my career. My Mum wouldn’t understand what it was, but, she would sell something to give you money…If I ever made it in life, it is because of my mother. I just hate that she is not here to see, that is what I feel sad about.”
Recalling his mother’s impact on his life,Stonebwoy said she was supportive and took care of him in his weakest moments.
“When my knee got messed up, I was in the hospital for six months and my mum was always there. She slept on the floor for three months. That is why I go after anyone who says anything about my mother, because you people don’t know what she has done for me.”
Stonebwoy’s mother, Mrs. Catherine Satekla, died on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at the 37 Military Hospital where she was receiving treatment after collapsing the previous Sunday.
The ‘Everlasting’ hitmaker revealed his mother’s death is an incident he cannot get over, no matter how many years it has been.
The ‘Putuu’ singer said he is determined to continue making his mum proud.
“I won the BET in America, I called her and we were jumping about and I came back to meet her dead body. I still can’t get over that. I know she’s proud of me and I am going to do everything I can to make sure she is still happy about it.”
The Moroccan-born artist has consistently used his platform to promote and fund charitable causes relating to education, immigration, and health. French’s philanthropic work was celebrated Thursday night during the annual Pencils of Promise Gala, where he received the 2022 Innovator Award for humanitarian efforts in Africa.
French was recognized for helping raise more than $226 million for healthcare in Uganda, as well as his financial support for the Budondo Suubi “Hope” Health Center. The facility is said to be the region’s primary source of healthcare for new and expectant mothers as well as their babies.
“MAKING MORE HISTORY FOR MY PEOPLE!” French wrote on Instagram. “Thank you @pencilsofpromise for honoring me with the Innovator Award at last night’s gala. ✏️ Healthcare and education is a fundamental part of our human rights and should be accessible across the globe. I’m grateful for PoP acknowledging my work in maternal healthcare in Africa. PoP is doing groundbreaking work globally to keep kids in school and make sure they have a safe environment to learn.”
The gala also honored Meadow Walker, the daughter of late actor Paul Walker. She received this year’s Activist Award for her achievements as PoP’s Global Ambassador. Board members Ricky and Lisa Novak were also presented with the Philanthropist Award, while Brittny and Eric Knight received the Vanguard Award.
You can check out more photos, via Theo Wargo/Getty Images, and a video from the event below.
In opposition to the weakening cedi, the Association has also suggested a sit-down strike.
The Kumasi Togo Agents Association, the Clothes Sellers Association, the T-shirt Sellers Association, the Material Sellers Association, and the Babies and Children Ware Association are just a few of the associations that claim that the depreciation of the cedi is having a disastrous effect on their members’ businesses.
The Deputy Secretary for the Association, Nana Yaw Owusu Agyemang, speaking to Class FM’s Elisha Adarkwah, Monday, October 24, explained that: “The inflation of the cedi to CFA ration, is affecting our business because when you look at two weeks ago, the rate of the CFA was GHS16.30 but as of last week, it was 18.40 so you can strike a difference of 2.10ps, so assuming you convert 1 million CFA, you’ll be paying a difference of GHS2100 but if you sit down and sell the goods too, your profit will not accumulate to GHS2100.”
“So it means you’re running at a loss and in business too we run for profit or we run a business to maintain our capital but at this moment we’re running at a loss, all our capitals are [going] into [the] ditch,” he said.
“So we have also decided that we’re taking two weeks strike, a sit-down strike. We’re sitting down for two weeks, we’re not importing any goods from any neighbouring countries using the CFA and the dollar because the inflation is killing us, it’s collapsing all our finances,” the Deputy Secretary of the Association stated.
It’s already been 10 years building up a masterpiece event that celebrates great music icons from the African continent. Given the vast nature of the continent, African music has been very diverse, with countries having distinct musical sounds connecting to their people.
Obviously not an easy one putting up a concert with the idea of recognising African icons who are very detailed in making sure they get their performance delivery right on point to their audience.
How it all started
Our African music has come a long way and it was in the right order to celebrate it. When the idea of African Legends Night was conceived in 2011-2012, it had already planned to be an African-focused concert with a global reach. The African Legends Night, an initiative of Global Media Alliance (GMA), is a high-profile concert which recognizes and celebrates African musicians who are considered living legends.
The first headliner was the famous South African trumpeter the Late Hugh Masekela who was known for his jazz compositions and for writing well-known anti-apartheid songs such as “Soweto Blues” and “Bring Him Back Home”.
Over the ten-year period, the event has witnessed over 20 headliners and close to 50 performances by authentic African musicians from a number of African countries such as Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, DR. Congo, Namibia, South Africa among others.
Since its inception, the event has celebrated music legends on the African continent including Hugh Masekela, Daddy Lumba, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Kojo Antwi, Femi Kuti, Amakye Dede, Kanda Bongoman, Awilo Longomba, George Darko, Ofie Kudjo, Freddie Meiway, Ben Brako, Gyedu Blay Ambulley, Samini, Nana Tuffuor, Akosua Adjepong, Amandzeba 2Face Idibia, Nat Brew, Aka Blay among many others.
These legends together with other amazing talents such as Wiyaala, Steve Bedi, Yaa Yaa (Bertha), Lady May, Trigmatic, Becca, eShun, Efya, Dela Hayes and her all-female band and others have thrilled tens of thousands of patrons.
Key Milestones
Performers over the years were carefully selected to fit each year’s creative theme depicting everything African music. In 2018, the show for the first time had an all-Ghanaian lined-up. That year had music maestro Kojo Antwi, the lover man Daddy Lumba and the show stopper Samini performing to a very high-profile energetic audience. The concert was held at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel and tickets had sold out a week before the main show.
The 2018 show was arguably the best music show in Ghana at that time.
“That year had something new and special. We brought the legends home and wanted Ghanaians to own it. Seeing two of our great Ghanaian music legends that had never seen on the same stage for many years performing was amazing,” said Ernest Boateng, Chief Executive Officer of Global Media Alliance.
Not just for Ghanaians but other African nationals and beyond had always gotten their fair bite of the African Legends Night cake, experiencing the many music styles from traditional music to HighLife which many believe gave birth to new music genres such HipLife and Afrobeats. All these genres coupled with other African music genres have been on the ALN table of music for the soul to consume.
African Legends Night was awarded the Golden World Award by the respected International Public Relations Association (IPRA) in the category in Events Management; for the planning and delivery of a successful event with a PR dimension.
The award was in recognition of African Legends Night’s role in celebrating living African music greats who have put the continent’s music on the global map.
In 2019, the concert witnessed something different. For the first time, at African Legends Night two foreign African music greats were on the same stage. They were Awilo Longomba, the soukous Congolese superstar and one of Nigeria’s most decorated musicians 2Face also known publicly as 2Baba. The two were joined by Mr Music Man Kojo Antwi and Ofori Amponsah.
Due to the growth in numbers in terms of attendance, the year 2019 was also the first time that the concert moved into a much bigger venue – The Grand Arena at the Accra International Conference Centre.
“These legends have played many major shows, have won multiple awards – both local and international and they gave a night masterpiece of performances that created an indelible mark in the hearts and minds of the audience,” said Jerry Ofori, Head of Events at Global Media Alliance.
Some Interesting Facts
Hugh Masekela was the first headline artiste for African Legends Night. He was also the first act to do a back-to-back performance the following year.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka was the first Female Headline Performer for the African Legends Night in 2016. That year was a female-dominated concert with Akosua Agyapong, Wiyaala, Becca and eShun.
The show for the first time had an all-Ghanaian lined-up in 2018. Headliners were Kojo Antwi, Daddy Lumba and Samini. That event sold out. This was the first time in many years that Kojo Antwi and Daddy Lumba performed on the same stage in Ghana.
In 2019, the concert witnessed for the first time two-foreign African music greats as part of the Headliners – Awilo Longomba and 2Face also known publicly as 2Baba.
#AfricanLegendsNightThe10th: What is coming in 2022?
You want some clues? Haha…In marking its 10th anniversary, the concert for the first time has moved from its original September month to the month of December.
What is also known is that all the headline performers will be all Ghanaians. The main event will be launched on October 26th at the National Museum of Ghana where all the artistes will be unveiled.
With new upcoming initiatives, what African Legends Night The 10th promises is something that will certainly push the show to greater heights and growth.
Former Ghana international, Michael Essien is one of five oldest players to have ever scored for Persib Bandung in Indonesia.
The former Chelsea FC midfield enforcer joined the Indonesia club at the end of the 2015/2016 season where he played for Panathinaikos in the Greek top-flight league.
On September 24, 2017, Michael Essien featured for Persib Bandung in a match against Bhayangkara FC in Liga 1.
At the time, the legendary Black Stars midfielder was 34 years 9 months 21 days.
In a look into the archives of the Indonesian clubs focusing on players that have ever scored for the team, Michael Essien has been identified as the 5th oldest player to have ever equalized for the team.
The other old players in the list include;
Vladimir Vujovic
Esteban Vizcarra
Supardi
Victor Igbonefo
Michael Essien who is no retired has ventured into coaching and is now working with FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark.
According to the Associated Press, the far-right media figure has asked the court to scrap the nearly $1 billion verdict in his Sandy Hook defamation lawsuit. The suit—brought forth by eight families of Sandy Hook victims—alleges Jones had used his platform to propagate baseless conspiracy theories about the 2012 school shooting, which left 20 children and six adults dead.
Jones had repeatedly claimed that the massacre was an elaborate hoax orchestrated by gun control activists. The plaintiffs said they were falsely accused of being “crisis actors” and were subjected to constant harassment and death threats from those who believed Jones’ claims. The court ultimately ruled in the families’ favor, and ordered the Infowars founder to pay $965 million in compensatory damages to the plaintiffs.
The Connecticut jury also determined that Jones and Infowars’ parent company should pay the plaintiffs punitive damages. The judge will determine that award sometime next month; however, the families have already asked the court to impose “the highest possible” amount, which could be as high as $2.75 trillion, according to Bloomberg.
“The only appropriate punitive damages award in this case is the largest award within the court’s power,” the families said in the filing. “The defendants have acted willfully, maliciously, and evilly, in full knowledge of the harm they are causing people who had no means to fight back, except to bring this case.”
In an effort to secure a new trial, Jones argued that the $1 billion verdict was “unjust and against the weight of the evidence.”
“In short, (Jones and his parent company Free Speech Systems) contend that verdict is exorbitant and a result of passion and prejudice,” his attorney, Norm Pattis, wrote in the motion filed Friday.
“Additionally, the (families’) failure to offer any evidentiary standard by which the jury could calculate damages rendered the verdict a species of wild speculation unsupported by law and resulted in a verdict that denies (Jones and FSS) due process of law.”
Kojo was one among the young men whose livelihoods depended on packing products and performing other menial tasks when shopkeepers at the Makola business shut their doors on October 19, 2022, to demand that the government rescue the depreciating cedi.
He bemoaned the rising cost of necessities in an interview with GhanaWeb’s Stella Dziedzorm Sogli.
“We are suffering too much. At Tudu here today, when we come, we get things to do and get some money for upkeep, then we don’t get any ideas to do bad things or indulge in social vices. Now shops have closed, and everybody is lamenting over the increasing economic hardship,” he said.
He added that “We are pleading with the government. What is he doing for us? Because of dollars, we don’t get food to eat. Even pure water is 50pesewas and some of us don’t even have rooms so when we are going to bath it is 2.50pesewas or 3cedis a week. When you calculate it, in a week, where are we going to get that kind of money from? We too are citizens of Ghana. We are pleading with the government to do something about the situation else there will be war.”
The Ghana cedi has depreciated by more than 50% in recent times to currently sell at GH¢16 at some forex bureaus in the country.
Inflation is currently on the rise as prices of goods and services keep shooting up.
Ghanaians have constantly called on government to help resolve the crisis in order to avert any further crisis.
In one parent’s opinion, the since-fired daycare workers at the center of the ongoing Halloween mask controversy should do time in jail.
Katelyn Johnson, who says her two-year-old was among those scared when a daycare worker in Mississippi donned a Scream-inspired mask, was interviewed by TMZ over the weekend. According to Johnson, her child has exhibited potty-training “regression” following the series of mask-focused incidents.
“I do feel a felony is appropriate,” Johnson, wearing an ‘’I Back the Blue” shirt and stationed in front of an apparent piece of police-promoting wall decor, said. “There was inadequate supervision. They were traumatizing those children and some of those children are old enough to communicate and talk through those feelings and some of ‘em aren’t. And there is no telling with those children being so young when we will see that trauma surface. My son is two years old and he cannot communicate what is going on through his head. He can only tell me through reaction.”
Johnson added that her son has shown a “very strong reaction” to the specific mask used in the widely shared footage, speculating that this level of reaction is due to the alleged frequency of the mask’s usage.
“I would like to see them serve some jail time,” Johnson said, later clarifying that she would want to see those involved serving “anywhere from six months to a year” behind bars.
As previously reported, the masktroversy took off in response to footage captured at Lil’ Blessings Child Care and Learning Center in Hamilton. Local law enforcement announced last week that Sierra McCandless, Oci-Anna Kilburn, Jennifer Newman, and Shyenne Mills were each facing multiple counts of felony child abuse. Traci Hutson, meanwhile, is facing failure to report abuse by a mandatory reporter and simple assault charges.
In a statement shared with Complex via email last week, a rep from the Mississippi State Department of Health confirmed it had finished its investigation into the Lil’ Blessings controversy and passed its findings to the agency attorney.
“The facility remains closed at this time,” the rep added.
A hacker who stole two unreleased songs from Ed Sheeranand sold them on the dark web has been jailed for 18 months.
Adrian Kwiatkowski traded the music by Sheeran and 12 songs by rapper Lil Uzi Vert in exchange for cryptocurrency.
The 23-year-old, from Ipswich, managed to get hold of them after hacking the performers’ digital accounts, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Kwiatkowski admitted 19 charges, including copyright infringement and possessing criminal property.
He had made £131,000 from the music, City of London Police said.
Ipswich Crown Court heard that when the defendant’s Apple Mac laptop was searched, 565 audio files, including the songs by Sheeranand Vert, were uncovered.
Spirdark alias
An investigation was initially launched by US authorities in 2019.
It came after the management of several musicians reported to the New York District Attorney that someone known online as Spirdark had hacked a number of accounts and was selling the content.
The investigation linked the email address used to set up Spirdark’s cryptocurrency account to Kwiatkowski. His home address in the UK was also linked to an IP address used to hack one of the devices.
The case was then referred to the City of London Police and Kwiatkowski was arrested in September 2019.
According to police, seven devices, including a hard drive that contained 1,263 unreleased songs by 89 artists, were seized.
A document saved on the hard drive summarised the method he had used to obtain them along with a stash of Bitcoin which was seized.
Chief crown prosecutor Joanne Jakymec said Kwiatkowski had “complete disregard” for the musicians’ creativity, hard work and lost earnings.
“He selfishly stole their music to make money for himself by selling it on the dark web,” she said.
“We will be pursuing ill-gotten gains from these proceeds of crime.”
In August, Kwiatkowski pleaded guilty at Ipswich Magistrates Court to three charges of unauthorised access to computer material, 14 charges of selling copyrighted material, one charge of converting criminal property and two charges of possession of criminal property.
He also admitted to receiving bitcoin cryptocurrency for the songs.
Detective Constable Daryl Fryatt said Kwiatkowski was highly skilled but it was unfortunate he used his talents unlawfully.
“Not only did he cause several artists and their production companies significant financial harm, he deprived them of the ability to release their own work,” he added.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr said the case showed “cybercrime knows no borders”.
“This individual executed a complex scheme to steal unreleased music in order to line his own pockets,” he said.
