TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Evergrande has failed to deliver the debt restructuring plan it promised

    China’s embattled property giant Evergrande has failed to deliver a preliminary debt restructuring plan it had promised by July 31, leading to further concerns about the future of the world’s most indebted developer.

    The real estate company’s failure to meet its self-imposed deadline comes at a time when China’s entire property sector is dealing with a growing mortgage boycott and slumping housing sales.

    According to an exchange filing on Friday, Evergrande offered instead some details on ‘preliminary restructuring principles’ for its offshore debt, and said it aims to announce “a specific offshore restructuring plan within 2022.”

    Evergrande, China’s most indebted developer with $300 billion in liabilities, has been at the heart of the country’s real estate troubles since last year. It defaulted on its US dollar bonds in December after scrambling for months to raise cash to repay creditors, suppliers and investors.

    To contain the fallout, the Chinese government has intervened to take a leading role in guiding the company through a restructuring of its debt and sprawling business operations.

    Evergrande can't pay its debts. China is scrambling to contain the fallout

    In Friday’s filing, Evergrande said it has made “positive progress” in its offshore restructuring process, but added that it’s still working with creditors and advisers on conducting a due diligence of the company.

    “Given the size and complexity of the Group and the dynamics the Group finds itself in, the due diligence process remains ongoing,” it said, adding that the work might be completed in the “near future.”

    Evergrande's international creditors threaten legal action over 'opaque' restructuring process

    The lack of a concrete proposal highlights the uncertainties surrounding Evergrande’s opaque restructuring of its huge debt and sprawling business operations at a delicate time for China’s property sector and economy.

    International creditors had complained earlier this year that they had been left completely in the dark about the companies intentions.

    After creditors demanded updates and threatened to take legal actions, Evergrande pledged in January that it would release “a preliminary restructuring proposal” within six months. In June, it assured investors that it was on track to deliver the plan by the end of July.

    The development comes at a difficult time for China’s property sector, which has been struggling with a steep fall in home prices, weakening buyer demand, and a series of debt defaults by real estate firms.

    China’s economy has also slowed dramatically after strict Covid lockdowns dampened demand and disrupted industrial activities. Gross domestic product expanded 0.4% in the second quarter, the lowest growth rate since early in the pandemic. Analysts are worried that the government’s 5.5% annual growth target might be out of reach.

    China's top leaders have gone silent on the country's economic goals

    Why is Evergrande important?

     

    Evergrande is massive — it has about 200,000 employees, raked in more than $110 billion in sales in 2020, and owns more than 1,300 developments in more than 280 cities. Many of its property projects have been delayed since last year because of the company’s liquidity issues.

    Analysts have long been concerned that a collapse of Evergrande could trigger wider risks for China’s property market, hurting homeowners and the broader financial system. Real estate and related industries account for as much as 30% of GDP.

    China's real estate crisis deepens as big Shanghai developer defaults

    Since Evergrande’s default, several other major developers, including Kaisa, Fantasia, and Shanghai-based Shimao Group, have also sought protection from creditors.

    In recent weeks, the real estate crisis has escalated further. Thousands of angry homebuyers who had previously paid down payments for unfinished projects threatened to stop paying mortgages if construction is not completed in time. Some of them have staged protests in central Wuhan city, pressuring local government and banks to help push developers deliver their prepaid homes.

    “The mortgage boycotts are a double threat to developers and to the housing market,” said analysts at Capital Economics in a report late last month.

    Chinese homebuyers refuse to pay mortgages on unfinished apartments

    They have drawn attention to the problem of cash-strapped developers being unable to complete properties that they have already sold, which is “putting off new homebuyers.” The boycotts have also made banks more cautious about issuing mortgages, which could dent property sales further, they added.

    In a report last week, S&P Global Ratings estimated China’s property sales could drop by a third this year because of mortgage strikes, as people believe developers won’t be able to complete presold units in time— the most common way they sell homes in the country.

    “Without sales, many more developers will collapse, which is both a financial and an economic threat,” said Capital Economics analysts.

     

    Source: CNN

  • Alibaba stock slides in Hong Kong after US delisting threat

    Hong Kong (CNN Business)Alibaba shares fell after US regulators added the stock to a growing list of Chinese firms that might be kicked off Wall Street if US auditors can’t inspect their financial statements.

    Alibaba (BABA) slid as much as 6% in Hong Kong on Monday morning, but then pared losses to 3.8% in the afternoon.

    On Friday, Alibaba’s US-listed shares plunged 11% after the Securities and Exchange Commission put the company on its watchlist.

    Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. signage is displayed outside the company's offices on July 14, 2022 in Beijing, China.

    Investors have been concerned about the tech giant for years now. In late 2020, Alibaba was caught up in a sweeping crackdown in China on the country’s booming technology sector. The stock has fallen nearly 70% from its all-time high.

    The crackdown, coupled with a weakening economy, has slowed the revenue growth for many tech companies and wiped out billions of dollars from Chinese companies’ market cap.

    Alibaba and JD.com stocks rally on hopes tech crackdown may be over

    The SEC has the power to kick companies off Wall Street if they fail to allow US watchdogs to inspect their financial audits for three straight years.

    China has for years rejected US audits of its firms, citing national security concerns. It requires companies that are traded overseas to hold their audit papers in mainland China, where they cannot be examined by foreign agencies.

    So far, the SEC has added more than 150 companies to its watch list, including Didi, JD.com (JD), Baidu (BIDU), and Yum China Holdings (YUMC).

    On Monday, Alibaba said it would monitor market developments and “strive to maintain its listing status on both the NYSE and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.”

    Alibaba stock jumps after announcing Hong Kong primary listing

    Last week, the company announced it would seek a primary listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange, a move seen by many analysts as preparing for a potential loss of direct access to US capital market.

    Currently, Alibaba has a secondary listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

    “A primary listing status in Hong Kong gives Chinese ADRs (American Depository Shares) an optionality to diversify their listing risk and retain access to the public equity market” if they are forced to leave the United States, said Goldman Sachs analysts in a report last week.

    Alibaba’s smooth transition of listing status could also “set the path” for many more Chinese ADRs to pursue a similar switch, Citi analysts said separately.

     

     

     

    Source: CNN

  • Europe gets more bad news as recession fears deepen

    London (CNN Business)Europe’s biggest economy is suffering — and it could spell trouble for the whole continent.

    German retail sales slumped 8.8% in June compared with the same month a year ago, according to preliminary data from the country’s Federal Statistics Office released Monday.

    That’s the biggest drop since officials started keeping records in 1994.

    Germany’s economy is in a gloomy spot. Soaring inflation has checked people’s spending power, while a looming energy crisis threatens to tip the country into a recession.

    Last week, official data showed the country stagnated in the second quarter.

    While the European Union’s economy grew by an unexpected 4% in the second quarter compared with last year, a slowdown in Germany — its manufacturing heart — could help drag it into reverse. The country accounts for about a quarter of the EU’s gross domestic product.

    And the ongoing energy standoff between Europe and Russia means that a recession is still very much on the cards.

    Germany is particularly vulnerable. It has long relied on Moscow’s natural gas exports to power its homes and heavy industry.

    While Germany has managed to slash Russia’s share of its gas imports to 35% from 55% before the start of the war in Ukraine, a sudden break could wipe €220 billion ($226 billion) out of its economy over the next two years, according to five of the country’s top economic institutes.

    That’s a very real possibility. Russia has already turned off the taps to several European countries and energy companies in recent months. Over the weekend, Moscow cut Latvia off from its supplies for “violating conditions for gas withdrawal,” without providing further details.

    Anticipating the worst, Germany has already activated the second phase of its three-stage emergency gas plan, bringing it one step closer to rationing supplies to industry — a move that would deal a big blow to its economy and, by extension, the whole of Europe’s.

     

    Source: CNN

  • Is this as good as it gets for Big Oil?

    London (CNN Business)The highest oil prices in a decade. A renewed government focus on energy security. Huge demand for refining crude so it can be used as fuel.

    Conditions for Big Oil companies haven’t looked this good in years, and ExxonMobil, Chevron (CVX) and Shell (RDSA) plan to ride the wave as long as they can.

    What’s happening: Exxon (XOM) made nearly $17.9 billion in profit between April and June, almost four times what it earned during the same period in 2021. Apple, for comparison, reported a profit of $19.4 billion last quarter. Chevron booked a profit of $11.6 billion, while Shell earned $11.5 billion.

    “Without doubt, our delivery this quarter reflects the macroeconomic environment,” Shell CEO Ben van Beurden told analysts.

    Breaking it down: Market conditions were a key factor. Exxon noted that in the first quarter, average global oil prices jumped by about $22 per barrel. In the second quarter, they rose another $12, “pushing the benchmark marginally above the 10-year range.”

    “The strong second-quarter results reflect a tight global market environment where demand has recovered to near pre-pandemic levels and supply has attrited,” Exxon CEO Darren Woods told analysts. “The situation was made worse by the events in Ukraine, which have contributed to increases in prices for crude, natural gas and refined products.”

    Refining businesses boomed as capacity remained limited, a problem stemming from cash-saving efforts during the early days of the pandemic. The closure rate of refineries during 2020 was three times the rate seen during the 2008 financial crisis, according to Woods.

    Exxon will be able to process an additional 250,000 barrels per day in early 2023 once it expands its refinery in Beaumont, Texas.

    Oil companies are confident enough in the future to keep lavishing shareholders with rewards. Shell announced $6 billion in share buybacks over the next quarter, while Chevron said it intends to repurchase up to $15 billion in stock annually.

    But this past quarter may have been the high point. Oil prices dropped more than 4% in July as global recession fears took hold, which reduced forecasts for demand.

    Oil prices fell on Monday after China, the world’s top crude importer, released data showing a weakening manufacturing sector.

    Demand for refineries could also pull back as drivers, worried about inflation, consume less gasoline.

    Coming up: The Organization of the Oil Exporting Countries, better known as OPEC, meets later this week to decide on its strategy for September. The United States has called for Gulf states including Saudi Arabia to ramp up their crude production, which could drive prices down further. But it’s not clear the group will accede.

    “OPEC doesn’t control oil prices, but it practices what is called ‘tuning the markets’ in terms of supply and demand,” Haitham al-Ghais, OPEC’s new secretary general, said in an interview published Sunday by Kuwait’s Alrai newspaper. He said oil markets are currently “very volatile and turbulent.”

    First grain ship leaves Ukraine port after safe-passage deal

     

    The first grain ship to leave Ukraine’s port of Odesa under a UN-brokered deal to ensure safe passage through the Black Sea departed on Monday morning, raising hopes that much-needed supplies could reach the global market and ease pressure on food prices.

    Details, details: Officials from Ukraine and Turkey confirmed the ship — which is carrying more than 26,000 metric tons of corn to Tripoli, Lebanon — has left port. It’s also moving on satellite vessel tracker MarineTraffic.

    A total of 5 million metric tons of grain is expected to leave Ukraine each month under an agreement signed in Istanbul last month, which was hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough.

    Ukraine is one of the world’s top grain exporters. But Russian troops had been blocking key ports, trapping millions of metric tons inside the country.

    Wheat prices hit an all-time high in March shortly after Russia’s invasion. They’ve since fallen more than 40%, in part due to investor anticipation of a safe-passage deal. Corn prices have dropped roughly 12% since the beginning of March.

    But questions about whether Russia will stick to the agreement loom as it continues its campaign of military aggression.

    “This is such an important step but it is a first step,” the UK’s ambassador to Ukraine tweeted on Monday. “[Russia] now needs to honor their side of this deal and let grain ships pass safely. And they need to stop burning and appropriating [Ukrainian] grain.”

    US stocks just had their best month since 2020

     

    US stocks just had a blockbuster July, jumping more than 9% to notch their best month since November 2020.

    But you’d be forgiven if you didn’t feel like the market was experiencing a huge rally. The CNN Business Fear & Greed Index, which tracks investor sentiment, remains in “fear” territory. Investors are still obsessed with inflation, interest rate hikes from central banks and, crucially, the threat of a recession, both globally and in the United States.

    “There are still quite a lot of commentators describing this as a bear-market rally,” strategists at the Dutch bank ING noted on Monday.

    Still, there are signs some players are willing to put more money on the table. The S&P 500 rose during four out of five trading sessions last week. Bank of America, which tracks fund flows, observed the largest inflows into US stocks in six weeks.

    Investors have decided that the Federal Reserve may go less hard on raising interest rates than previously expected. Yet there’s plenty of debate about whether this is the correct read of the Fed’s messaging last week.

    “Investors clearly chose to cherry-pick [Fed Chair Jerome] Powell’s dovish comments and ignore his hawkish ones,” Ed Yardeni, president of Yardeni Research, wrote in a note to clients.

     

    Source: CNN

     

  • Analysis: Russia broke the stock market. Now there’s only one reliable way to make money

    As markets sink on fears that the economy is heading toward, or is possibly already in, a recession, individual investors are searching for higher ground to protect their assets.

    Several traditional hedges against inflation have worked well in the past: gold, real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil, and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS). More recently, crypto was seen as potential hedge as well.

    This time around, however, investors are hitting a snag. Since June 1, all of the popular inflation hedges have lost money. Benchmark crude, gold, silver, indexes that track REITs and TIPS as well as bitcoin are all down.

    In other words, traditional inflation hedges aren’t hedging inflation.

    The cause is a confluence of issues: Inflation is running high on a global scale, and the pandemic and geopolitical chaos spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have upended bets that have typically paid off.

    Broken markets

     

    When inflation hits, investors have tended to put their money in the things that are getting more expensive. That has usually been a winning strategy.

    A 2021 analysis by researchers from hedge fund Man Group Plc and Duke University studied a century of data from the US, UK and Japan and found that equities and bonds both sink during inflationary periods. The return on US stocks was -7% during eight periods of high inflation since World War II. Commodities — often a cause of inflation — tend to do well. Gold, oil and other tangible assets all ended inflationary periods in the green, the analysts found.

    Inflation, by definition, is a decline in the buying power of the dollar or other currencies. But today is different: The strength of the US dollar is growing on a global scale despite purchasing less domestically. Job growth and other economic data remain relatively strong, leading investors to believe that the Fed will continue to raise interest rates at a hawkish clip. That boosts the dollar, which in turn hurts the value of gold.

    REITs and cryptos, meanwhile, have not been safe from geopolitical tumult and rising interest rates, either, spooking investors. Oil has recently fallen from record highs as the Biden administration works to tap emergency reserves and increase supply.

    TIPS were created to protect against inflation by adjusting returns based on changes in the Consumer Price Index — investors get paid more as inflation rises. But inflation is now at its highest rate since the 1980s and TIPS returns are dropping. That’s because prices react more to what’s expected to happen with inflation in the years to come. Inflation reflects future expected prices, and rate hikes by the Fed have been influencing those expectations.

    “Trying to hedge inflation is really hard,” said Tom Graff, head of investments at Facet Wealth. “Markets are always going to price on what they think is going to happen over an extended period of time and they’re not foolish: Inflation is spiking at the moment but it’s probably not going to continue forever.”

    As long as the Fed is credible and says it is going to work to bring prices down, inflation won’t be fully priced into the hedge, he said.

    Too late to hedge

     

    The most reliable hedge against inflation, however: stocks. As long as you have patience. Equities historically have overcome inflation, but over an extended time period.

    “Over the long haul, equities tend to outperform inflation by a wide margin. But it’s really more like a marathoner beating a sprinter over the long run,” said Shawn Cruz, head trading strategist at TD Ameritrade. Many investors look to readjust their portfolios in the meantime.

    “In my opinion, the world gets the joke: the Fed is going to stamp out inflation one way or the other,” he said. “The inflation trade is over.” Instead of attempting to hedge against rising prices, Graff added, individual investors would be much better off running the marathon and riding out the current market volatility.

    The bad news is investors are going to have a hard time making money in this inflationary environment — even if they are hedged against it. The good news is that the financial markets don’t appear to believe inflation is truly entrenched in the US economy.

     

    Source: CNN

  • Nancy Pelosi’s plan to visit Taiwan sends Chinese markets tumbling

    Global markets fell on Tuesday as investors feared US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s expected visit to Taiwan could severely escalate tensions with China.

    Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (HSI) slid as much as 3.2% in the morning, but pared losses to 2.4% at close. Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite Index (SHCOMP) ended down 2.3%. Taiwan’s Taiex closed 1.6% lower.

    Japan’s Nikkei 225 (N225) shed 1.4%, and Korea’s Kospi (KOSPI) lost 0.5%.

    European markets also had a weak start on Tuesday. Germany’s DAX (DAX) and France’s CAC 40 (CAC40) dropped 0.5% and 0.4% respectively, while the FTSE 100 (UKX) in London inched down 0.1%.

    The Taiwan dollar weakened 0.1% against the US dollar. Meanwhile, the Japanese yen, a traditional safe-haven currency, surged 0.6% against the greenback.

    Worries about escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait are roiling markets.

    Pelosi is expected to visit Taiwan as part of her tour of Asia, according to a senior Taiwanese government official and a US official, despite warnings from Biden administration officials, who are worried about China’s response to such a high-profile visit.

    Pelosi expected to visit Taiwan, Taiwanese and US officials say

    The stop — the first for a US House speaker in 25 years — is not on Pelosi’s public itinerary and comes at a time when US-China relations are already at a low point.

    During a regular foreign ministry briefing Monday, China warned against the “egregious political impact” of Pelosi’s planned visit to the self-governing island that China claims as a part of its territory. Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, said that the country’s military “won’t sit by idly” if Beijing feels its “sovereignty and territorial integrity” is being threatened.

    “Pelosi’s Taiwan visit is tainting sentiment today. And amid escalating tensions in Taiwan Strait and deepening worries about a global economic slowdown, investors are diving headlong into US bonds,” said Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management, on Tuesday.

    “No party wants a real war, but the risk of mishap or even aggressive war game escalation is real, which could always lead to a tactical mistake,” he said.

    Pelosi's expected Taiwan visit risks creating greater instability between the US and China

    ING analysts, meanwhile, expected that China could send warplanes near Taiwan or even over it “before, during and after” Pelosi’s possible visit.

    “It seems that the US has underestimated or misread President Xi’s stance on Taiwan. The determination of Xi on uniting Taiwan with Mainland China is extremely firm, ” the analysts said in a research note on Tuesday.

    “We should see weakness in the Chinese yuan and Taiwan dollar over the coming days,” they added.

     

    Source: CNN

     

  • Check out the top 10 Nigerian songs released in July 2022

    Nigerian artists release over a hundred songs per month. While the majority of them do not make it to the top of the digital charts, others receive a reasonable amount of airplay and/or User Generated Contents on video-sharing platforms such as TikTok, Reels, Shorts, and Triller. To the best of this writer’s knowledge, this list attempts to highlight the songs released in July that were able to gain some traction across the board.

    The List:

    In July, Omah Lay and Burna Boy dropped new album titled ‘Boy Alone’ and ‘Love,Damini’ while Fireboy DML, Crayon and others dropped new singles. Popular music duo, P Square reunites to drop two new singles.

    1. Burna Boy – Its Plenty

    Damini Ogulu, a Nigerian singer, released his sixth studio album titled ‘Love, Damini’ on July 7, 2022. Off the album, ‘It’s Plenty,’ produced by Jae5 and The Elements, dominated the Nigerian Apple music chart, peaking at No. 3 on the Turntable Top 100. On YouTube, it currently has over 2 million audio views.

    2. Fireboy DML & Asake – Bandana

    Fireboy DML collaborates with label mate Asake on ‘Bandana,’ another single from his third studio album ‘Playboy.’ The song debuted at No. 66 on the Turntable Top 100 and quickly rose to No. 1. Its lyrics video has received over 2.4 million views on YouTube.

     

    3. Omah Lay – I’m a mess

    In July, Omah Lay released his highly anticipated debut album. The album produced potential hit songs such as ‘I’m a mess,’ which was produced by Niphkeys. The official video has received over 2 million views on YouTube.

    4. P Square – Jaiye (Ihe Geme)

    Paul Okoye and his twin brother, Peter Okoye, have finally reconciled. The Okoye’s, best known as the pop duo P Square, return to the music scene with ‘Jaiye(Ihe Geme).’ On YouTube, the video has 3.2 million views.

     

    5. Crayon – Ijo (Laba Laba)

    Crayon, a Mavin Records artist, makes a breakthrough with ‘Ijo (Laba Laba),’ an amapiano-laced pop song produced by Sarz. With 1.8 million views on YouTube, it peaked at No. 10 on the Turntable Top 100.

     

    6. Burna Boy – Common Person

    Burna Boy returns to the list with ‘Common Person,’ a highlife inspired song produced by Telz, from his ‘Love, Damini’ album. It has 1.3 million audio views on YouTube and peaked 7 on the Turntable Top 100.

     

    7. Iyanya – Like You ft Kizz Daniel & Davido

    Iyanya returns with ‘Like You’ a beautifully made pop single featuring Davido and Kizz Daniel. Peaking at No. 16 on Turntable Top 100, it has 3.4million views on Youtube.

    8. BNXN – Kenkele ft Wande Coal

    BNXN’s second single since changing his name from Buju, ‘Kenkele.’ On this one, he enlists the help of Wande Coal. The video, which has received over 2 million views on YouTube, is one of the top ten Nigerian songs released in July 2022.

     

    9. Adekunle Gold – 5 Star

    To wrap up his recent Australian tour following the release of the ‘Catch Me If You Can’ project, Adekunle Gold drops new single titled ‘5 Star‘. The revelatory song has 179,000 audio views on Youtube peaking at No. 20 on Turntable Top 100.

     

    10. Carterefe & Berri-Tiga – Machala

    Carterefe, a Nigerian comic actor and content creator, has released a Wizkid FC anthem titled ‘Machala‘ with help from Berri-Tiga. The song is currently number one on Apple Music’s Top 100 and number two on YouTube, with over 124,000 audio views.

    Source:pulse.ng

     

  • Goat sellers in Bolgatanga decry deplorable state of their market

    Goat sellers in Bolgatanga, in the Upper East Region, have bemoaned the deplorable state of their market.

    According to them, the poor state of the market discourages potential customers whenever they visit the place.

    The goat sellers added that the area, which is a low land area, should primarily be filled with gravels to minimize the effects of any rain.

    The chief of the Bolgatanga goat market, Mr Akolbire Adongo, disclosed this in an interview with GhanaWeb’s Upper East Regional Correspondent, Sarah Dubure.

    He lamented that since he started selling goats with his late father about 50 years ago, they have never had a permanent place as a goat market.

    “I started following my father to the market to buy goats about fifty years ago. We have never had a permanent place that we call a goat market. When we move to a place, they sack us and we move to another,” he said.

    Mr. Akolbire David complained that anytime it rained, the place became waterlogged, making it inconvenient for business.

    “Anytime people come to buy our animals and they see the way the place is, they go back. They go to other places to buy because they can’t step in here. We are losing a lot.

    “When it rains, this place looks like a river; all our clothes get soaked and we have to go for refuge under these few sheds,” he lamented.

    He indicated that they met with the leadership of the District Assembly for a discussion on that, but they are yet to get any response to that effect.

    According to him, even though they pay a monthly rent of GHC500, they are forced to pay tolls every market day, yet, the place was not comfortable.

    “They have not provided us with a goat market. We are renting this place and still pay tolls on market day. We feel cheated because we pay tolls and yet, the place is not nice. They don’t sweep the place. We pay tolls and still have to hire children and pay them to sweep. We are suffering we don’t have the power to say that we will not pay,” he indicated.

    He told GhanaWeb that an appeal has been made to the District Assembly to get them a permanent place to settle for their business.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Burna Boy records another historic feat with his latest concert

    In the latest stop of his ‘Love, Damini’ US tour, Burna Boy became the first African to sell out the 20,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

    Burna Boy

    Details: Burna Boy has been recording historic turnout at all the venues of his ongoing ‘Love, Damini’ tour and at his latest stop In Atlanta, the Grammy winner sold out the prestigious 20,000-capacity State Farm Arena.

    The concert was held on Sunday 31st July 2022 and over 20,000 thousand fans filled out the arena to watch Burna Boy thrill them with his electrifying and unforgettable performance.

    So far, Burna Boy’s concerts have attracted Africans in diaspora and people of all races who are increasingly becoming captivated by Afrobeats.

    Another feather to Burna Boy’s well-decorated hat:

    He has accumulated over 2 billion streams across all credits on Spotify. He has the globally coveted Grammy Awards. He has won three consecutive BET Awards. And most remarkably, he has sold out prestigious venues around the world that no other African act has previously attempted.

    In 2022, Burna Boy has sold out the world-renowned 20,000 Madison Square Garden to the 20,300 Accor Arena in France, to the 16,500 Ahoy Arena, and the 17k Ziggodome in Holland, the 19,000 Toyota Centre in Houston, and now the 21, 000 State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

    Burna Boy has recorded sold-out shows across the world and established himself as one of the greatest artists Africa has ever seen and perhaps the greatest performer of his generation.

    Source:pulse.ng

  • Davido previews unreleased single

    Afrobeats megastar Davido has previewed an unreleased single on his Instagram page.

    Details:

    Award-winning Afrobeats megastar Davido took to his Instagram live to preview an unreleased single. Davido was joined by thousands of Instagram users on Sunday, 31st July to watch him preview a new single that has generated excitement amongst fans.

    What the single sounds like:

    The previewed single carries an up-tempo beat and Davido‘s trademark flows with which he has delivered multiple hit songs.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by tooXclusive (@tooxclusive_com)

    The single is a step away from the slow tempo and conscious content Davido offered in ‘Stand Strong’ which is his sole release of 2022.

    Source:pulse.ng

  • AMA opens 665 capacity market shed at Makola

    The Mayor of Accra, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, has opened a refurbished shed at the 31st Makola market.

    The rehabilitation of the dilapidated structure which began two years ago is expected to accommodate some 665 traders and ease congestion in the Central Business District (CBD).

    Speaking at the ceremony on Friday, 29 July 2022, Chief Executive of the AMA, said the rehabilitation of the shed at the Makola market would help create more space to accommodate traders who have encroached on pedestrian walkways and the streets.

    She assured that the Assembly would rehabilitate all the sheds in the markets as part of efforts to transform the markets in Accra.

    “There are lots of people selling outside the markets but the Assembly does not take delight in chasing traders off the streets and pavements hence the need to get all of them into the markets…There were some people here, so definitely they will have their sheds back, after which we are also looking at those sitting by the roadside, on the streets and the pavements because it is risky,” she stated.

    She reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to redeveloping the market and called on stakeholders to come on board and help make the markets more convenient for traders.

    “Now we need to transform the market by rebuilding and giving them the necessary ultra-modern market space, as we speak, my outfit is working effortlessly to bring on board some partners to help us, so I would also like to use this opportunity to call on stakeholders to join the course in rebuilding our markets,” she averred.

    President of the 31st Makola Market, Christiana Laryea, in an address, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Mayor and the AMA for rebuilding the market shed and urged traders on the streets and pavements to relocate to the market.

    Present at the event were chiefs from neighbouring communities such as Okaishie, President of Greater Accra Markets Association Mrs Mercy Needjan, officials from the AMA, and some market women.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Mercy Johnson, Zubby Michael & Jim Iyke in new teaser for ‘Passport’ movie

    A first-look teaser has launched for VSL Media’s forthcoming feature film ‘Passport‘ ahead of its September theatrical debut.

    Shot in February with Dimeji Ajibola as director, the comedy is set around a rich brat who is forced to work together with a ‘ghetto’ comedy to recover his stolen passport or miss a live-changing interview.

    First photos from the production headlined by Mercy Johnson-Okojie and Jim Iyke, first surfaced in February. According to Producer Vincent Okonkwo (The Wildflower, Dwindle), putting together the heavy weight cast amid their personal schedules seemed impossible.

    In addition to the leads, ‘Passport’ also stars Adedimeji Lateef, Zubby Michael, Lina Idoko, Emem Ufot, NasBoi Nasiru, Jide Kosoko, Caroline Igben, Emeka Nwagbaraocha among others.

    Watch the teaser:

    ‘Passport’ is the third feature film from the Okonkwo founded production company. In May, ‘The Wildflower’ directed by Biodun Stephen, began its theatrical run and closed with an impressive N40 million plus earning in box office.

    Source:pulse.ng

  • Ghanaians won’t benefit fully from price reduction of fuel due to cedi depreciation – COPEC

    The Head of Research at the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC-Gh), Benjamin Nsiah, has stated that the reduction of petroleum products on the global market will not reflect on the local market if our cedi keeps depreciating against the dollar.

    He said the prices of gasoline or petrol keep declining on the global market at some significant rate.

    However, that cannot reflect in the local space due to the cedi depreciation.

    He was speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm with host Kwabena Agyapong.

    He added that the prices would further decline in the second week of August, but the major challenge we face in Ghana is the depreciation of the cedi.

    The National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Abass Ibrahim Tasunti, recently announced that his outfit was expecting further fuel price reductions at the pumps from August 1, 2022, following the reduction in prices of Petrol and Diesel on the World Market.

    He indicated that the NPA would monitor the pumps to see if fuel stations would comply with the directive.

    But Benjamin Nsiah says the depreciation of the cedi is not helping Ghana to benefit fully, and that has been the challenge. If the cedi appreciates against the dollar, the price of petroleum products will reduce drastically”.

     

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Celta Vigo new signing Unai Nunez praises spectacular defensive partner Joseph Aidoo

    Spanish defender, Unai Núñez has heaped praise on Ghana defender and Celta Vigo teammate Joseph Aidoo.

    Last Friday, the defender who joined the Sky Blue outfit on loan from Athletic Bilbao marked his debut for the La Liga side.

    After playing alongside Ghana defender Joseph Aidoo, the centre-back says he has no doubt they will form a good partnership.

    “The important thing is to pick up the pace . If we continue on this path, we are going to take good steps.

    “He is a spectacular player and I think we are going to get along very well and we are going to have a good championship,” Unai Núñez said after the Celta Vigo game.

    Both Unai Núñez and Joseph Aidoo must work hard to help Celta Vigo throughout the 2022/23 football season.

    They will play alongside each other in many games of the upcoming Spanish La Liga campaign.

    Source; Ghanafootball.com

  • Ban on fishing lifted

    Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has announced the lifting of the ban on fishing for artisanal and canoe fishers in the country.

    She announced this at a ceremony at Ekumfi Otuam in the Central Region. This is after her outfit in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission, implemented the closed fishing season for inshore and artisanal fleets for a month.

    During the ceremony, she pointed the famous huge wooden key, which she had used to “lock up” the sea at Tema Manhean, seaward and turned it to indicate the lifting of the one-month ban.

    Before that, a linguist from the community, Okyeame Metanwoho, had offered four bottles of Schnapps, each from the four coastal regions, to seek permission from the gods to re-enter the sea and ask for a bumper harvest as the fishing season began.

    A joyous applause welcomed the lifting of the ban.

    The ceremony was attended by fisher associations and groups, fishery agency officials and representatives from civil society organisations, academicians, traditional authorities and other players in the fishing industry.

    Background

    The Ministry of Fisheries, in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission, implemented the closed fishing season for inshore and artisanal fleets from July 1 to July 31 as a crucial component of “sustainable fisheries management”.

    The goal is to lessen the pressure on fish stock during the peak production period, so that the fish can lay eggs (spawn) to replenish populations that have been decimated by illegal fishing and other natural occurrences.

    Fisher associations and other officials from the fisheries agency applauded the ministry for its audacious move to bring some sanity into onshore fishing activities.

    Addressing challenges

    The minister said the government was not oblivious of the challenges in the sector, for which reason it had adopted strategic and critical interventions aimed at recovering the fast depleting fishery stocks.

    She said her outfit would use every legal means to ensure that people whose actions stalled the ministry’s efforts were arrested to face the law.

    The Mission Director for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Kimberly Rosen, said: “We commend you and your team for the bold decision to continue implementing the closed season and also commend your commitment to end illegal transhipment at sea and the subsequent ministerial directive on the use of appropriate fishing gear by the industrial trawler sector.”

    She said the US government was ready and determined to support efforts by the Ministry of Fisheries to boost the fishing industry.

    Caution

    The Chief Director of the Fisheries Commission, Fred Kwasi Antwi Boadu, urged fishermen to stop the use of illegal methods in fishing, since such practices reduced the fish population.

    He said those illegal actions and climate change had led to a sharp decline in catch, which was harming and depleting fisheries resources which, he said, required conscious efforts to restore.

    Source: Graphiconline.com.gh

  • Ghanaian forward Kwadwo Opoku scores fifth goal of the season for Los Angeles FC against Seattle

    Ghanaian forward Kwadwo Opoku scored in Los Angeles FC 2-1 win against Seattle Sounders in the MLS on Sunday.

    It was the fifth goal of the season for the 21-year-old in the ongoing campaign.

    Los Angeles defender Jesus Murillo scored an own goal to give Seattle Sounders the lead in the 14th minute.

    Former Arsenal forward Carlos Vela had a goal disallowed in the 27th minute by VAR.

    Kwadwo Opoku scored in the 35th minute to get the equalizer for Los Angeles FC.

    He was assisted by fellow Ghanaian counterpart Latif Blessing.

    Carlos Vela scored the match winner for the home side in the 44th minute.

    Kwadwo Opoku has scored five goals in 22 appearances for the club.

    Source: GhanaSoccernet

  • Today in History: Were disappointed in Akufo-Addo Importers and Exporters

    Two years ago, members of the business community expressed their disappointment in the Akufo-Addo-led government for its failure to implement business-friendly interventions.

    According to Executive Secretary to the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Sampson Asaki Awingobet, his outfit had hope in the governing NPP to salvage the bad economic situation which had affected their businesses.

    “The NDC administration also failed to assist the business community and they suffered electoral defeat for their actions.

    “Unfortunately, the NPP administration is also doing the same things the NDC did, and for now we can only wait till 2020 and vote against the government,” he told Chief Jerry Forson on Ghana Yensom on Accra 100.5FM.

    The business community in Ghana is disappointed with the Akufo-Addo administration for not implementing business-friendly policies, Sampson Asaki Awingobet, Executive Secretary to the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, has said.

    According to him, although the government, through the Ministry of Finance, abolished some nuisance taxes, the effects of it has been nullified by the introduction of other taxes.

    Mr Awingobet told Chief Jerry Forson on Ghana Yensom on Accra 100.5FM Wednesday, 1 August that if the current government does not focus on policies that will help the business community, then the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) will lose the 2020 elections.

    “The NDC administration also failed to assist the business community and they suffered electoral defeat for their actions.

    “Unfortunately, the NPP administration is also doing the same things the NDC did, and for now we can only wait till 2020 and vote against the government,” he said.

    He added: “Now they have introduced taxes on luxury cars without even consulting stakeholders. This tax is bad and will not inure to the benefit of importers of cars.

    “All the so-called policies they introduced for businesses are not working. Go to Abossey Okai and speak to the spare parts dealers and they will tell you how disappointed they are in this government.”

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Lawrence Ati-Zigis sensational display helps St Gallen secure league win in Switzerland

    Lawrence Ati-Zigi produced a man-of-the-match display on Saturday to inspire St Gallen to victory against FC Zurich in the Swiss Super League.

    The Ghana  was sensational, keeping a clean sheet as Gallen won 2-0 despite having a man sent off in the second half.

    Ati-Zigi made 11 saves, seven of which came inside the box mostly from close range. He earned a 9.7 rating from Sofascore.com.

    The 25-year-old was literally the reason Zurich didn’t score despite the away side having the better statistics in the game.

    Zurich had 58% possession, 21 shots (five more than St Gallen), and 11 shots on goal, but St Gallen won thanks to Julian von Moos’ brace and Ati-Zigi’s saves.

    Ati-Zigi has yet to convince Ghanaians, owing to his struggles when he gets the nod to start in goal for the Black Stars, but his performance on Saturday justifies his consistent call-ups.

    Without a doubt, Ati-Zigi is one of Ghana’s best goalkeepers. He will eventually start producing such displays for Black Stars.

    He is absolutely confident that he will be named to Ghana’s World Cup squad in 2022.

    Source: GhanaSoccernet

  • Mixed reactions greet SIM card re-registration extension

    A cross-section of residents in Kumasi have expressed mixed reactions to the extension of the deadline for the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card re-registration exercise in the country.

    While some are praising the Government for adding another two months to the exercise, others are of the view that it should have ended on July 31, 2022, as scheduled.

    Again, some residents are also asking the Government to further extend the additional two months deadline for the re-registration period.

    The SIM card registration exercise, which was scheduled to have ended at the close of July this year, was extended for a period of another two months by the Minister for Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, on Sunday, July 31.

    This is the second extension of the re-registration exercise, which was started in September 2021.

    It was supposed to have ended on March 31, 2022, but the government decided to extend it to July 31, this year to allow for those who had not registered at that time to do so, but many people have still not been able to register their cards.

    Some residents that the GNA spoke with said the reason for not being able to re-register their SIM card as to their inability to obtain the Ghana Card, which is the primary document for the re-registration of the SIM card.

    Mr Evans Atumfuo, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Mobile Service Operators Association, pleaded with the government to further extend the re-registration period.

    He told the Ghana News Agency that a lot of people still did not have their Ghana Card to help them in the re-registration exercise.

    Mr Alex Kofi Amponsah, a mobile money vendor, at the Asafo market in Kumasi, said telecommunications companies must visit churches and public places to register people to avoid long queues at registration centres.

    House-to-house registration could also help to register senior citizens.

    Madam Patience Amoah, a nurse at the Kumasi South Hospital (KSH), also told GNA that, it was good that the time had been extended.

    She, however, emphasized the need for more education on the new mobile app to help self-registration.

    Ms Florence Afriyie Mensah, a Journalist, was of the view that the exercise should not have been extended further because there would always be some people who would remain adamant about registering their SIM cards.

    She said the exercise was meant for nation-building and every Ghanaian must take it seriously.

    However, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful, announcing the extension of the deadline at a press conference in Accra, said a mobile application was being introduced by the telecommunication operators to enable subscribers to do self-registration.

    The SIM card re-registration, according to Mrs Owusu-Ekuful, would help get hold of internet fraudsters and other forms of cybercrimes.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Ghanaian midfielder Abdul Samed named Man of the Match in Lens’ clash against West Ham

    Ghanaian midfielder Abdul Samed Salis has been voted Man of the Match in RC Lens’ goalless draw against West Ham in a pre-season friendly.

    Fans of Lens’ voted the Ghanaian midfielder the best player in the game following his outstanding display against the English outfit.

    Samed impressed in the middle of the park as Lens rounded up preparations ahead of the start of the new Ligue 1 season next week.

    The 22-year-old secured 25.92% of votes to beat Fofana who had 24.45% and Kevin Danso: 15.65%, with the rest shared among three other players.

    Lens begin their season with a home game against Stade Brest on August 7, 2022.

    Abdul Samed Salis joined Lens in the summer transfer window from Ligue 1 rivals Clermont Foot on a five-year deal.

    Source: GhanaSoccernet

  • Support CSOs in research, innovation to create jobs Development agencies urged

     

    The Head of European Union, Europe and Americas Unit of the Ministry of Finance, Ebenezer Nortey, has appealed to development organisations and donors to support the Civil Society Organisation in Research and Innovation for Sustainable Development (CSO-RISE) to help create jobs and address poverty at the local level.

    According to him, the CSO-RISE was helping to address poverty and helping to address unemployment at the local level and additional donor and development organisations support would help expand the project to all the regions of the country.

    The 9-million Euro project which started in 2019 which is expected to end in 2023 is jointly being funded by the European Union (EU) and the Government of Ghana.

    It is being implemented in the Northern, Middle and Coastal Regions of the country.

    Being implemented by the four Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), namely ActionAid, Cerath Development Organisation, Centre for Local Governance Advocacy (CLGA), and Cooperazione Internationale Sud Sud, the project is meant to address poverty and create jobs for the youth.

    Mr Nortey in remarks made on his behalf by Mercy Akuyea Ashong, Schedule Officer for the CSO-RISE Programme, at a media workshop in Accra on Thursday, said the project was impacting the lives of people in the rural areas and helping them to eke a better living.

    The workshop was to brief and update the media on the successes as well as the impact of the project.

    Mr Nortey said ActionAid was implementing the Northern Ghana Integrated Development Project (NGIDP) in the Upper East, Upper West and Northern regions to promote opportunities for sustainable agriculture.

    He said the Centre for Local Governance Advocacy (CLGA) is promoting access to Indigenous People to Decent Work and Social Protection in the Bono East areas on ginger and fish production, and Cooperazione Internationale Sud Sud is implementing the Sustainable Livelihoods to promote sustainable agriculture and organic waste management to social protection and decent work in the savannah Ecological Zone.

    Mr Nortey said the Ministry of Finance was providing technical assistance to the project and selection of the grantees for the project.

    He said the Ministry of Finance had been monitoring the programmes to ensure that it was in line with government policies and development objectives.

    “Personally, I have been on the field and I saw what the people benefiting from the project. So I will recommend other donors to come on board to support the programme and expand it to other regions,” Mr Nortey, said.

    He commended the donors and the CSOs implementing the project for the good work done.

    The Team Leader of Technical Assistant Team of the CSO-RISE project, Mrs Mary Tobbin Osei in an interview said the lessons and data gathered through the project could help influence policy and development policies of the government.

    Particularly, she said, the process was used to select the beneficiaries for the Promoting Access to Indigenous People to Decent Work and Social Protection the Bono East areas, which involved the extreme poor, could be used for the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty Programme.

    Mrs Osei indicated that the project had helped to create thousands of jobs at the local level to lift people out of poverty, saying the ginger and fisheries had created more than 200 jobs and beneficiaries had been given entrepreneurial training and trained good agronomic and farming practices.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • I signed for Hearts because of the team’s rich history – Yassan Ouatching

    New Hearts of Oak signing Yassan Ouatching says he decided to join the team because of the club’s rich history in Ghana and Africa.

    The 23-year-old Central African Republic striker has signed for the phobians and will be part of the Hearts set up for the Confederations Cup.

    He has signed a three-year contract with the phobians after passing his medical examinations and reaching terms with the club.

    Despite officially not being unveiled by the club the new Hearts striker in an interview with Wontumi TV/FM says that the history convinced him of his new club.

     

    “I signed for Hearts of oak because this team is vast with a rich history in Ghana and Africa football at large.”

    ”I am ready to play in the Ghana premier league and ready to face any club, I want to make history with Hearts of Oak.”

    The new Hearts of Oak striker played for the Central African Republic national team in the 2022 African Cup of Nations against Ghana which ended 1-1 in Luanda.

    Source: Ghanaguardian.com

  • NAACP returns to Ghana with a delegation of student leaders

    Students will immerse themselves in Ghanaian culture, gain deep insights into their ancestral heritage, and discuss current global social justice movements.

    (WASHINGTON, D.C.)NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, along with a cohort of NAACP leaders will travel with a delegation of 40 young students on a transformative journey to Ghana as part of the Amos C. Brown Fellowship, from July 31 to August 10.

    The fully funded 10-day experience will lead 40 young scholars ages 18 and 25 from the United States to Ghana. The students will be immersed in Ghanaian culture, gain deep insights into their ancestral heritage, learn about the historical connections between decolonization and the Civil Rights Movement and discuss current global social justice movements.

    The program is the first of its kind to be powered by the NAACP. Selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, the fellows, current college students and recent college graduates come from communities across the country from New York, Georgia, and California to Michigan, Utah, and Texas. For many, this journey is their first visit to the Continent. The experience will prepare them to be global-minded social change agents on issues such as health equity, legal advocacy, education, and economic empowerment.

    The program is in collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

    The Amos C. Brown Fellowship is taking place three years after the NAACP led another delegation of more than 300 people to Ghana for the Jamestown to Jamestown journey during the Year of Return in 2019. This immersive journey, organized by The Adinkra Group allowed participants of all ages to retrace the path of Africans who were sold into slavery in the United States from the year 1619 and the centuries that followed.

    “We are pleased to work with the NAACP again on another historic trip to Ghana after successfully conceiving and executing Jamestown to Jamestown with the single largest delegation to Ghana in 2019. Our commitment to connecting people of African descent, especially young people such as the Amos C. Brown Fellows, has only strengthened and resolved more since the pandemic,” says Diallo Sumbry, Founder of The Adinkra Group and a Ghana Tourism Ambassador.

    Building on relationships formed during that journey, the NAACP continues to strengthen its ties with Ghana, and the African diaspora at large.

    “In the years since the Year of Return and the social uprisings in 2020, it has become ever more apparent that the global Black community must use our collective strength, power, and resilience to fight against oppression at every level, and at every corner of the world,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President, and CEO. “NAACP remains committed to leading that charge and will do so by providing more opportunities for business investments, diaspora partnerships, and cultural experiences such as the Amos C. Brown Fellowship.”

    Over the past three years, the NAACP has become increasingly invested in the African community, highlighting its music and culture through the NAACP Image Awards, and advocating for immigrant rights through its landmark supreme court win in NAACP v. Trump, which solidified the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

    In 2020, the NAACP was one of the first major U.S. civil rights organizations to lend its support to the #EndSars movement, which spoke out against police brutality in Nigeria.

    About NAACP

    Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

    NOTE: The Legal Defence Fund also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Bawumia inaugurates rehabilitated Kumasi inner city roads

    The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Monday inaugurated the first phase of 100-kilometres of rehabilitated Kumasi inner city roads.

    Dubbed, “Rehabilitation and Auxiliary Infrastructure of Kumasi Inner Ring and Adjacent Streets Project,” it is a turnkey project, in line with the vision of the Akufo-Addo led government to provide an integrated urban transport system responsive to the needs of the society.

    The beneficiary areas are Asokwa, Kwadaso, New Tafo, Krofrom, Suame, Manhyia, Bantama and Subin. Interventions undertaken included the construction of drains and culverts and road rehabilitation works.

    Speaking during the inauguration at Nsenie in the Oforikrom Municipality, Dr Bawumia noted that the project would improve quality of life, improve accessibility and help reduce dust pollution.

    The Vice President underscored the importance of good roads in the development of the economy and reiterated President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to the development of roads in the country.

    Ongoing projects

    He said the government was working around the clock to complete the Boankra Inland Port, and also work on the four main interchanges – Anloga junction, Suame, Santasi and Airport roundabouts.

    Roads Minister

    The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah said the Ashanti Region, as of the end of 2020 had a total road network of 9,633 kilometres, out of which 2,852 kilometres representing 29.4 per cent was completely paved.

    Source: Graphiconline.com.gh

     

  • Another person found dead in Wa with stomach cut open

    The Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region is gradually becoming an unsafe place to live in particularly at night due to the recent killings being recorded in the hitherto peaceful town.

    Even before the Wa Police Command could unravel the mystery behind some two murders recorded in this year alone, another person was found dead and buried near his workplace on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

    Mumuni Jaatuwa alias Kekala who is a night security man from Kpaguri, a suburb in the Wa Municipality was said to have left for work on Friday, July 29, after evening prayers but did not return home the following day.

    As a result, a search party was activated and combed around the municipality on Saturday without success.

    However, according to Buurinaa, a relative of the deceased, on Sunday after a failed search the previous day, the relatives decided to go back to the deceased’s working place for further search.

    He said upon checking one of the uncompleted rooms at the premises, they noticed a portion of the room that appeared weeded with weeds spread over it. This raised their suspicion to call on the Police to the scene. The police dug to reveal the body of the deceased with his stomach cut open, revealing his intestines.

    “On Friday, we performed the evening prayer together with him before he left for work. The following day, from morning to evening he didn’t return. Due to that we informed one another and began a search for him. We first went to his farm but we didn’t see him. Secondly, we went to his workplace but there was no trace of him either. We also went to check the Police station thinking that maybe he might have fallen foul of the law but he was not there. Also, we thought that maybe an accident can let him end at the hospital so we went and checked all the wards at the hospital to no avail. We left there around midnight on Saturday.

    “So we decided that we’d continue our search for him on Sunday. The following day, we decided to go to his workplace again to check the uncompleted rooms on the premises. So upon entering one of the rooms, we saw that a part of the room appeared to have been dug and refilled, with the weeds on top of it. That heightened our suspicion and made us go back to inform the Police.

    “The Police dug the place only to reveal his body with his stomach cut open and his intestines out. But as to what has been removed from the stomach, we can’t tell. So they (the hospital authorities and Police) promised to do what is expected of them and will release the body to us tomorrow Monday for burial,” the relative recounted.

    Another relative, Simon Abu also stated that: “He is the youngest brother of my grandfather and I know he’s a night watchman (security) and I know where he works. I was at my farm when the incident happened. I went to see the Police Commander and he pledged to release the body to us tomorrow for burial. The deceased was a good man who rarely had issues with anyone and loved joking with everyone. God will take care of his killers. We leave everything in the hands of God.”

    C/Inspector Gideon Ohene Boateng, Head of the Public Affairs unit of the Police Command confirmed the incident in an interview on Monday, August 1, and indicated the Police were doing everything possible to bring the perpetrators to book.

    Asked why it was taking the Police too long to solve the recent murders, the Chief Inspector said:

    “It’s very much pathetic as I early on said. It’s alarming, yes. But when the Police are investigating a case, in some incidences, a case may be finished with its investigations within two or three days. Others take about a year or two and others even ten years. It depends on the intelligence that we gather and to get the actual perpetrator in order not to lose the case in court. That’s why most, if Police hastily sends a case to court without gathering vital information that’ll let us win a case, at times you see that Police go court to flop.”

    He appealed to the general public to be forthcoming with vital information to enable the Police to fight crime effectively.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Alicia Keys and hubby Swizz Beatz mark 12 years of marriage with TBT photos

    American singer Alicia Keys commemorated her 12th marriage anniversary to music executive Swizz Beatz.

    Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz
    Alicia Keys and her husband Swizz Beatz have celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary. Photo: Alicia Keys.
    Source: UGC

    Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz wedding anniversary

    The songstress took to her Instagram to share adorable black and white photos of their wedding day as the couple were all smiles.

    Alicia followed up the post with a lovely dance video of herself and her hubby relishing their anniversary.

    In a lengthy post, she wrote in part:

    “We love each other with open arms and an open heart. We love each other just the way we are and we grow together even in our different ways and directions.”

    Post below:

    She captioned another Instagram post:

    “Forever having fun with the love of my life! We feel all the love you send our way!”

    See below a video of the anniversary celebration:

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys)

    The social media post attracted comments from fans, and below are some of their reactions:

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys)

    @keyssoulcare wrote:

    “The soulmate vibes are everything.”

    @val.bossmanquarshiewrote:

    “Happy anniversary, you two beaus bless.”

    @danni_727 wrote:

    “Happy Anniversary you two. May God continue to bless your union.”

    Source:yen.com

  • Felix Afena-Gyan to stay at AS Roma ahead of new season

     

    Ghana international Felix Afena-Gyan will stay at AS Roma ahead of the new season, Footballghana.com can report.

    The Black Stars striker was linked with a move away from the Giallorossi this summer due to lack of playing time.

    But it is said Roma have decided to keep the Ghanaian attacker ahead of the 2022/23 season.

     

    Reacting to his stay, Afena-Gyan indicated he still has a lot to learn under Jose Mourinho whom he sees as a father.

    “I’m still young, I still have many years of career ahead, I still have a lot to learn, especially from the coach. it’s not a problem for me, I’m sure my time will come and I’ll have to take the opportunity. Mourinho? For me he’s like a father and parents have to be obeyed. Dybala? Surely it’s a great pleasure for me to share the locker room with a big player like Dybala, it’s a pleasure to be able to talk to him and train with him”.

    The 18-year-old burst onto the scene after making his AS Roma senior debut in a game against Cagliari in November. He followed up with a man of the match display, after netting a brace against Genoa.

    The young striker scored two goals in 17 Serie A appearances last season and won the UEFA Conference League title with AS Roma.

    Afena-Gyan made his Black Stars debut in the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs against Nigeria at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

    He scored his first-ever Ghana goal last week in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar.

    Source: FootballGhana.com

  • Founders’ Day: August 4 declared public holiday

    Government has declared Thursday, August 4, 2022 as a statutory holiday, in commemoration of Founders’ Day.

    A statement issued by the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, said; “The general public is hereby informed that Thursday, August 4, 2022 which marks Founders’ Day is a Statutory Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country.”

    Founders’ Day is a national public holiday marked annually to commemorate the contributions of all the people, notably the “Big Six” who led the struggle for Ghana’s independence.

    Previously, it was celebrated on September 21 as Founder’s Day, but was changed by President Akufo-Addo during his first term of office, to Founders’ Day on August 4.

    Founder’s Day is also a day on which the Ghanaians take the opportunity to reflect the sacrifices of their fore-bearers who fought for Ghana’s independence.

    Ghanaians also observe Founders’ Day to include activities that will encourage the  people within the country and in the diaspora to accept Ghana as their homeland.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Nana Ama McBrown glows in new pictures and teases birthday surprises for admirers.

    Ghanaian actress and media personality, Nana Ama McBrown Mensah, has gotten many stunned as we enter a new month, August.

    Nana Ama McBrown.
    Nana Ama McBrown. Photo Source: @iamamamcbrown
    Source: Instagram

    The empress celebrates her birthday on August 15, and to initiate herself into her birthday month, she released some breathtaking photos.

    She wore a red skirt that had a cut at the front. She wore a black crop blazer which had some flowers embroidered on the right part of it. It was a red and black affair as she put on accessories of that those colours to complement her look.

    Captioning the post on her Instagram page, she shared that she was happy since it was her birth month, and that she would love to celebrate it with her fervent followers.

    She hinted at having a number of surprises for her followers as she will be marking another milestone in her life.

    I am Happy It’s My Birth Month #AUGUST. I want to Celebrate ✨️ With You. I have a lot of things in mind for You. You may be the LUCKY. May God H4lp Us All #HerExcellency NanaAmaMcBrown

    A video of the Empreess flaunting her look.

    Some reactions from netizens

    nanadiabour_thefirst:

    Simply put: ELEGANCE ❤️

    benedicta9401:

    I can’t wait ❤️❤️

    doris.hug:

    In advance to us❤️

    tinababy_gh:

    Happy birthday in advance Queen ❤️❤️

    Source:yen.com

  • Power outage: Phone users to spend GH¢150 monthly on charging as business booms

    Many business operators, especially mobile phone dealers and repairers are taking advantage of the current power outage in the Krobo area to provide big commercial mobile phone charging services.

    The operators who started the business following Wednesday’s indefinite power shutdown say, they charge an average of 100 to 150 phones a day with market days as the peak days.

    This innovative business idea appears to have been rubber-stamped by what is being gradually accepted as an indefinite outage owing to the rift between the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and its customers over the deployment of prepaid meters to the area.

    Their clients are made up of both residents and visitors who troop to the various charging centers to have their phones charged.

    The operators have become the toast of mobile phone users who are assured of alternative and reliable means of keeping their communication devices active.

    Patrons pay between GH¢3 and GH¢5 to charge their feature phones and smartphones respectively.

    This converts between GH¢300 and GH¢500 profit a day for the operators.
    The phone charging business is mostly the side attraction for the main businesses as almost every business operator who resort to the use of generators has taken up the additional responsibility of charging phones.

    These include phone dealers, seamstresses, barbers, communication centers, etc.

    Despite the huge number of phones charged, the chargers guarantee owners’ safety of their property as they leave their devices in their care for hours.

    The phones are spread on either the bare floor or on tables amidst numerous extension electric wires.

    At Soso Ventures at Agomanya Airport, Joshua Suglo sells phone accessories and offers mobile money services.

    Running a generator to advance his business in the face of the power outage, residents rush to his shop with their iPhones, tablets, feature phones, Androids, chargeable boxes, etc.

    According to him, though the outage began on Wednesday, it wasn’t until Friday that a lot of phone users began trooping in in their numbers for his services.

    “Because of the light out, the thing is affecting everybody, it’s affecting the whole town because of that we’re getting more customers for phone charging, it’s like they’re charging phones mostly,” he noted.

    Asked about his profit margins, Mr. Suglo who charges GH¢3 across for charging any device said though he is forced to buy GH¢100 worth of fuel on a daily basis to power his generator, profit was nevertheless generally good.

    According to him, business was good due to the power outage as people could not do without their phones.

    To ensure that there are no mix-ups in the phones and chargers brought, Mr. Joshua Ujah explained that the names of the customers were written on their devices, adding that they had not faced any difficulties in this regard.

    Asked how many phones he’s able to charge in a day, he estimated: “In a day we receive up to GH¢100, GH¢130 or GH¢140 sometimes”.

    GhanaWeb interacted with some persons who patronised the services of persons charging phones at a fee, they expressed gratitude to the operators for their services adding that life would have been difficult but for the commercial phone charging centres.

    Teye Michael, who was one of several people who had gone to the centers to charge their phones expressed gratitude to the operators.

    His calculations estimated a cost of GH¢120 to keep both phones on for a month. His fears are that he may not be in a position to charge his phone if he doesn’t have money.

    For Android users who must charge their phones every day, however, it’ll cost them some GH¢150 a month to charge their phones.

    Miss Christina Sakitey, finds the amounts being charged slightly expensive and suggested a one cedi reduction for android and feature phones, for residents to afford their services.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Work on Boankra Inland Port begins this month Bawumia

    Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said work on the Boankra Inland Port project in the Ashanti region will commence this month (August) 2022.

    He said the contractor is currently on site and he is expected to start work soon.

    President Akufo-Addo cut sod for the construction of the US$ 330 million project on November 5, 2020.

    Work has since not commenced and concerns have been raised by the residents and opinion leaders in the region.

    But speaking at the commissioning of 100km rehabilitation and auxiliary infrastructure of the Kumasi Inner Ring and Adjacent streets project at Nsenie today, Monday, 1 August 2022, he said the project will commence within this month.

    The Vice President also said President Akufo-Addo will commission the Kumasi International Airport next month.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Benjamin Afutu will win trophies with Chelsea in Europe; lead Ghana to world cup final – Prophet

    The head pastor of Prophetic Life Embassy, Prophet Telvin Sowah Adjei says former Hearts of Oak midfielder Benjamin Afutu is destined for great things in the coming years.

    In a post on his Facebook page, the Prophet says the Ghanaian midfielder will play for Chelsea in England and win a lot of trophies.

    According to him, the player will lead Ghana to not just AFCON but FIFA World Cup glory as well.

    “God has spoken. I saw this footballer receiving a great signing contract with great teams. I saw him wearing a Chelsea jersey and playing for Chelsea in England. Winning trophies all over Europe,” Prophet Telvin Sowah Adjei posted on his Facebook page.

    He added, “Once again I saw this same footballer carrying African cup and World Cup silver medals for Ghana. He will be the face of Ghana football and carry the Black Stars to the World Cup finals.

    “Starting from December some doors will begin to open and from there, an attempt by satanic authorities to sabotage him with a knee injury will fail in one of the matches which they will win 3:0. He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit saith.”

    Benjamin Afutu recently returned from a short stint in Egypt and is now looking for a new club as a free agent.

    Source: FootballGhana,com

  • Dr. Nduom writes open letter to President Akufo-Addo

    Businessman, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has issued an open letter to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    Among other things, he touched on government’s ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda which he believes to be fading away and does not find expression in formal presentations such as the budget and speeches delivered by the president.

    “To begin with, I support this vision for Ghana because it will promote self-reliance that would lead to greater prosperity of our citizens. I am a supporter of “Ghana Beyond Aid” without reservations,” Dr Ndoum said.

    “My concern is that this vision may become a mere slogan,” he opined.

    Read the full letter below:

    HE. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

    Jubilee House

    Accra

    Dear Mr. President,

    Ghana Beyond Aid: My Recommendations To Walk the Talk

    “Ghana Beyond Aid” is a vision put forth by your Administration. You have articulated this forcefully and pushed it in presentations to Ghanaian citizens. You have also stood your ground on this with foreign leaders particularly those from the western divide of global governance. Many have hailed it and bought into it as a very necessary agenda.

    Recently though, the vision seems to be fading and does not find expression in formal presentations such as the budget and your own speeches at home and abroad. It is time to light some fire under this vision and make it real.

    To begin with, I support this vision for Ghana because it will promote self-reliance that would lead to greater prosperity of our citizens.

    I am a supporter of “Ghana Beyond Aid” without reservations.

    My concern is that this vision may become a mere slogan. Over the years, Ghanaians have heard “the private sector is the engine of growth” with no fuel to make the engine move for the benefit of the people. They have been presented with “Zero Tolerance for Corruption” and “Probity, Accountability, Transparency” and yet corruption is seen by citizens as the main barrier to their well-being. Many leaders, in business and politics have put out their versions of “Ghana First” visions yet there is no common agenda to work with to make it come alive.

    When the late General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong championed the Ghanaian ownership of the commanding heights of the economy, it spawned concrete actions that are still delivering benefits to the state and its people. “Operation Feed Yourself” was and remains a popular policy from the Acheampong era.

    Given where we are, the following are actions I highly recommend for you to consider implementing to push the “Ghana Beyond Aid” vision.

    All infrastructure contracts signed by the state must have a minimum 25% of value go to an indigenous Ghanaian and his/her enterprise.

    All Cocoa roads and projects funded by COCOBOD must be given to indigenous Ghanaians and their companies.

    Ban completely, the importation of chocolate, soft drinks, fruit juices, fruits, poultry and meats.

    Ban the importation of rice and sugar.

    Immediately ban the serving of any imported food or drink at all state functions.

    School feeding programmes must only use locally produced food and drinks.

    Take firm steps to ensure indigenous Ghanaian control (ownership) of the financial sector – banking, insurance, investment, pension and others at all levels.

    All professional services agreements – architectural, technology, financial etc., must have at least 25% indigenous Ghanaian participation.

    All new and renewed concessions for gold, bauxite, oil and gas, diamond, timber must have a minimum of 25% indigenous Ghana ownership.

    The digitalization agenda must be placed firmly, 100% in the hands of indigenous Ghanaians and their companies.

    Give full rights and recognition to Ghanaians who by necessity have become citizens of other countries – to vote, be employed by the state and compete for elective offices.

    Will this hurt? Initially, yes. But eventually, we will be a better country, one whose citizens can aspire to prosperity with confidence.

    I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss the recommendations further.

    Presented, Your Excellency, for your consideration.

    Papa Kwesi Nduom.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Equip NIA to take registration centres to doorstep of Ghanaians Ken Ashigbey

    The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Dr. Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey has asked government to equip the National Identification Authority (NIA) with the needed resources to create more registration centers to enable Ghanaians have easy access to register their Ghana cards.

    Dr Ashibey noted that the Ghana card which is the sole identification documents for the re-registration of the SIM card is the major challenge hindering the exercise.

    He believes that the September 30, 2022 deadline for SIM re-registration will be enough as long as government “takes some serious steps.”

    Speaking on the Point of View on CitiTV, Mr. Ashigbey said “the total number of Ghanaians who are yet to receive their Ghana cards is about 2.97 million, and then we have some 808,000 who had not received their cards as at the last time I collected data. That brings us to about 3.781 million Ghanaians yet to receive their cards. If we divide that by 61 days and then by 275 district offices plus the 16 Regional offices, the NIA should be doing 165 registrations daily.”

    “This is not impossible to do,” he added.

    He thus recommended that government supports the NIA to take the registration to the doorstep of Ghanaians.

    “Just as politicians take voter registrations to the doorstep of Ghanaians at the polling centres, I will recommend that government provides NIA with extra resources such that they are able to deploy as close as possible to the citizens.”

    He also urged government to collaborate with the NIA to ensure that persons living with disabilities are registered.

    The government set July 31 as the deadline for all persons to re-register their SIM cards with their Ghana Cards.

    People who fail to comply with the directive will have their SIM cards deactivated.

    The regulations are to help law enforcement agencies to identify SIM card owners, track criminals who use phones for illegal activities, curb phone theft, hate text messaging, mobile fraud activities and SIM Box fraud.

    They are to also help identify subscribers for the use of value-added services such as mobile banking, mobile money and electronic payment services.

    However, not all Ghaianains have been able to secure their Ghana Card.

    The National Identification Authority has indicated that 15,702,719 cards have been issued while 808,493 cards have been printed but not issued.

    Government thus extended the deadline for the re-registration to September 30, 2022.

    It has also created a self-service registration application to ease the registration process.

  • Ex-Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Felix Annan wins first title with US side Maryland Bobcats FC

    Former Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Felix Annan has won his first title with US-based side Maryland Bobcats FC.

    Maryland Bobcats FC defeated Nova FC 5-2 in the 2022 Nisa Independent Cup to be crowned Mid-Atlantic winners.

    Annan made eight appearances for Maryland Bobcats.

    The 27-year-old signed a one-year contract with the lower division side in January this year.

    He had spent more than a decade at Kotoko where he won three Ghana Premier League titles and FA Cup two times.

     Source: GhanaSoccernet

  • “I work hard to represent Ghana to the globe, yet I never receive recognition -King Promise

    King Promise’s supporters have consistently criticized award show organizers for ignoring him despite his hard work in the music industry each year.

    According to the singer, this phenomenon of not winning awards despite numerous nominations doesn’t bother him. However, he gets concerned when his fans complain about the unfair treatment which some claim is a payback from industry players who simply want to “teach him a lesson.”

    The ‘Ten Toes’ crooner who recently released his second studio album titled ‘5 Star’ believes that he has paid his dues when it comes to selling Ghanaian music to the rest of the world but throughout the years, he is yet to land a major award in his homeland.

    “I’ve heard stories where people claim I think I am too good for the industry so we’ll teach him a lesson, this is not the case. I am Ghanaian to the core.

    “Everything I do is me representing Ghana…it doesn’t bother me but at the end of the day when I wake up after the awards, I will be the one trending and not the awards and I am like my fans are not happy,” he disclosed in an interview on the Delay Show in July 2022.

    The successful singer added that he can not fathom why he wasn’t nominated for the Artiste of the Year at the time he had the most streamed album in the history of Ghanaian music.

    “Why is everyone talking? Everyone knows I deserve all that, I have done so well for myself if I can say and for the country in general…I had the number one album here. I had the most stream Ghanaian album of all time and when that happened I wasn’t even nominated for the Artiste Year but when I had no album, I was nominated…so am like what’s the problem? What’s really happening?” he quizzed.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

     

  • New property register aims to stop money laundering

    Oligarchs using UK property to launder illegal wealth are being targeted by a new register which has come into force.

    Any anonymous foreign company seeking to buy UK land or property will need to reveal the true owners.

    Foreign companies that refuse to disclose their true owner could face fines of up to £2,500 per day or up to five years in prison.

    The register comes amid economic sanctions in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

    Foreign organisations who already own land in the UK will have a six month period to register their beneficial owners or managing officers.

    Business Minister Lord Callanan said: “We have been clear that the UK is a place for legitimate business only, and to ensure we are free of corrupt elites with suspicious wealth, we need to know who owns what.

    “By getting this first of its kind register up and running at breakneck speed, we are lifting the curtain and cracking down on those criminals attempting to hide their illicitly obtained wealth.”

    The register was part of the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill in February 2022, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    The bill proposes that anyone setting up, running, owning or controlling a company in the UK to verify their identity with Companies House, a government agency, as well as giving Companies House the power to challenge suspicious information.

    The register applies to property bought since January 1999 in England and Wales, and since December 2014 in Scotland.

    Labour MP Margaret Hodge said the government needed to go further to tackle money laundering.

    “To truly stop the flows of corrupt wealth into our housing market, the government must urgently put in place an open register of the true owners of UK land and property, not just of those owned by companies,” she said.

    “Anything less would demonstrate once and for all that this government is truly soft on dirty money.”

    Any overseas body that has disposed of property since 28 February 2022 – when the legislation for the register was first announced – will be required to provide a statement to Companies House.

    Multi-million pound country manors in the south of England and luxury flats in London’s most expensive areas are among the homes which have been linked to Vladimir Putin’s regime and associates.

    Source: BBC

  • Striking gas tanker drivers failed to show up for negotiations – NPA

    The Gas Tanker Drivers and Petrol Tanker Unions did not show up for negations with the government over their strike, the National Petroleum Authority has said.

    According to the PRO for the authority, Mohammed Kudus, work is ongoing to schedule a second meeting.

    “Obviously, the authority, and ministry for that matter, is still working to get them back to the discussion table so that at least everybody can put their cards on the table, and we get a solution,” Mr. Kudus said.

    The Association says the decision to lay down their tools has been triggered by what they term as poor working conditions and unfair treatment of drivers by BOST and NPA, which stems from the continuous ban on LPG Stations under construction since 2017.

    The government has explained that the ban is aimed at sanitising the space and also ensuring that the required protocols are followed through.

    The drivers last declared a sit-down strike in March over a similar issue.

    That strike was to push the government to lift the ban on the establishment of new LPG stations following the Atomic Junction explosion in 2017 that claimed lives and destroyed properties.

    Source:citinewsroom.com

     

     

     

     

  • We are not done yet, we have to be ready for Nigeria – Gladson Awako

    Black Galaxies skipper, Gladson Awako has said the team has switched to focus on their game against Nigeria in the next round of the 2023 Championship of African Nation after eliminating Benin.

    Ghana thrashed the West African side 4-0 on aggregate to set up a crunch tie against Nigeria. After eliminating Benin with a dominant performance over the two legs, Awako said the team is not done yet.

    “We are not done yet. We will continue to prepare well and do what we are supposed to do so that we can give Nigeria tough competition.”


     

    Black Galaxies skipper, Gladson Awako has said the team has switched to focus on their game against Nigeria in the next round of the 2023 Championship of African Nation after eliminating Benin.

    Ghana thrashed the West African side 4-0 on aggregate to set up a crunch tie against Nigeria. After eliminating Benin with a dominant performance over the two legs, Awako said the team is not done yet.

    “We are not done yet. We will continue to prepare well and do what we are supposed to do so that we can give Nigeria tough competition.”

    Awako has aimed at qualifying for the tournament at the expense of fierce West African rival Nigeria.

    “Everyone knows how Ghana and Nigeria game is. We have to prepare well so that we can beat them to progress into the competition.”

    The first leg of the Nigeria tie will be played in Ghana on August 26/28, with the second leg scheduled for September 1/2.

    The 2023 CHAN tournament will be hosted in Algeria. Ghana will be hoping to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2014.

    Ghana have made three appearances in the tournament, finishing runners-up twice.

    Awako has aimed at qualifying for the tournament at the expense of fierce West African rival Nigeria.

    “Everyone knows how Ghana and Nigeria game is. We have to prepare well so that we can beat them to progress into the competition.”

    The first leg of the Nigeria tie will be played in Ghana on August 26/28, with the second leg scheduled for September 1/2.

    The 2023 CHAN tournament will be hosted in Algeria. Ghana will be hoping to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2014.

    Ghana have made three appearances in the tournament, finishing runners-up twice.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • What Felix Afena-Gyan said about AS Roma’s signing of Paulo Dybala

    Black Stars striker, Felix Afena-Gyan is hoping for a good season with new AS Roma signing Paulo Dybala.

    28-year-old Paulo Dybala joined AS Roma as a free agent after leaving giants Juventus and will be the new face of Jose Mourinho’s team for the next two seasons.

    Felix Afena-Gyan has welcomed Paulo Dybala to the Giallorossi as he looks forward to partnering with the Argentine in the upcoming 2022/2023 Serie A season.

     

     

    “I’m still young, I still have many years of career ahead, I still have a lot to learn, especially from the coach. it’s not a problem for me, I’m sure my time will come and I’ll have to take the opportunity.”

    “Mourinho? For me, he’s like a father and parents have to be obeyed. Dybala? Surely it’s a great pleasure for me to share the locker room with a big player like Dybala, it’s a pleasure to be able to talk to him and train with him”.

    Paulo Dybala won five Serie A titles and four Coppa Italia Cups during his seven-year stay with Juventus.

    DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Apple and Amazon sales up despite rising prices

    Amazon and Apple posted better than expected sales, reassuring investors that the tech giants will be able to weather slowdowns in global economies.

    Amazon forecast in a trading update that higher fees for its Prime membership would boost its bottom line, while Apple said demand for its all important iPhone remained strong.

    Both firms said they were making progress controlling running costs, despite prices rising at rapid rates.

    The updates sent shares soaring.

    The quarterly updates from Apple and Amazon are closely watched as indicators of how customers are reacting to the economic climate.

    On Thursday, official figures revealed the US economy shrank for the second quarter in a row, a milestone that in many countries would be considered an economic recession, but not in the US, which uses additional data to make that call.

    “Our June quarter results continued to demonstrate our ability to manage our business effectively despite the challenging operating environment,” said Apple’s chief operating officer Luca Maestri, adding the company expected growth to pick up again in the months ahead.

    However, both companies have seen sales growth slow sharply from last year and profits fall.

    Apple’s profits dropped almost 11% from a year ago to $19.4bn (£15.9bn), as it wrestled with Covid-19 lockdowns in China, while Amazon lost $2bn, hit by changes to the value of its investment in electric carmaker Rivian Automotive.

    Apple boss Tim Cook said the company was seeing a “mixed bag” of economic signals, with iPhone demand holding steady but areas like digital advertising slipping.

    “When you think about the number of challenges in the quarter, we feel really good about the growth that we put up,” he said.

    iPhonesGetty Images

    Overall, sales of Apple products and services rose 2% year-on-year between April and June to $83bn. Sales of iPhones continued to power the company’s gains, as supply constraints held back sales of other products.

    Its services business, which includes Apple Pay and its streaming music and television services, also grew 12%.

    Meanwhile, Amazon said its revenues were up 7% to $121.2bn, despite its e-commerce business being hit in recent months. Online sales shrank 4%, the second quarter in a row of decline.

    But the company continues to be shielded by the strength of its clouding computing division, AWS, which saw sales soar by 33%.

    In spring Amazon spooked investors, as its online sales softened and it warned it had spent too heavily to hire and add warehouses in a bet that pandemic-era shopping patterns would continue.

    But it provided a more optimistic outlook this time.

    “Despite continued inflationary pressures in fuel, energy, and transportation costs, we’re making progress on the more controllable costs we referenced last quarter, particularly improving the productivity of our fulfilment network,” said chief executive Andy Jassy.

    Amazon said its e-commerce sales were poised to look especially weak because Prime Day, when discounts typically drive a surge of buying, was moved from June to July.

    ‘Mixed bag’

     

    “Big tech’s been a mixed bag this earnings season, but Amazon proved that the strong can survive even the toughest environments,” said Laura Hoy, equity analyst from Hargreaves Lansdown.

    Apple and Amazon are too big not to be affected by signs of slowdown in the global economy, said Scott Kessler, global sector lead at Third Bridge.

    But their size gives them somewhat unique power to navigate those challenges, particularly when it comes to negotiating prices.

    “Apple’s done an excellent job of managing those costs – it doesn’t hurt that they’re typically one of the biggest purchasers,” he said.

    However, Christie Pitts, a general partner at tech fund Backstage Capital, told the BBC that Amazon saw some pressure on its results, in part due to the impact of inflation, “as consumers have less discretionary money to spend on impulsive purchases”.

    Source: BBC

     

  • Oleksiy Vadatursky: Ukraine grain tycoon killed in Russian shelling of Mykolaiv

    One of Ukraine’s richest businessmen has been killed with his wife in “massive” Russian shelling of the southern city of Mykolaiv.

    Oleksiy Vadatursky, 74, and his wife Raisa died when a missile hit their home overnight, local officials said.

    Mr Vadatursky owned Nibulon, a company involved in grain exports. He had also received the “Hero of Ukraine” award.

    Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky described Mr Vadatursky’s death as a great loss.

    Mykolaiv mayor Oleksandr Senkevych said it was probably the heaviest Russian bombardment of the city so far.

    There was damage to a hotel, a sports complex, two schools and a service station, as well as homes.

    Mykolaiv is on the main route to Odesa, Ukraine’s biggest port on the Black Sea, and has been hit repeatedly since Russia launched its invasion on 24 February.

    A Ukrainian investigator works inside one of the damaged houses in Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine. Photo: 31 July 2022Mykolaiv regional prosecutor’s office
    A number of houses in Mykolaiv were destroyed in the latest Russian shelling, local officials say

    The region’s leader, Vitaliy Kim, said Mr Vadatursky’s “contribution to the development of the agricultural and shipbuilding industry, the development of the region is invaluable”.

    An adviser to President Zelensky’s office said he believed Russia had deliberately targeted the businessman.

    Mykhailo Podolyak said one of the missiles had hit the businessman’s bedroom, adding that this left “no doubt” it had been guided.

    Nibulon has built many storage facilities and other infrastructure for exporting grain.

    Ukraine and Russia are major exporters of wheat and other grains, and the disruption of exports caused by the war has sent food prices soaring worldwide.

    The two countries signed a UN-brokered agreement in Turkey last week, aimed at easing the food crisis. The deal was almost derailed by a Russian attack on the Odesa port the following day.

    The resumption of Ukrainian exports has been further delayed by security checks. But on Sunday Turkey said the first ship carrying grain was expected to leave Odesa on Monday morning.

    Ukraine accuses Russian forces of stealing grain from farms on occupied land and exporting it via Crimea – Ukraine’s southern peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. Russia denies Ukrainian claims.

    Blow to Russian Navy Day

     

    Russia cancelled Sunday’s Navy Day celebrations in occupied Crimea.

    The reason given by Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev was an alleged Ukrainian drone strike on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters. The fleet has long been based in Sevastopol.

    A senator in Crimea later said a drone had been launched from within Sevastopol, and the perpetrators would be found by the evening.

    Senior Ukrainian official Serhiy Bratchuk dismissed Russia’s claims as a “provocation”.

    “The liberation of our Crimea will take place differently and much more efficiently,” he said.

    A photo posted by Governor Razvozhayev showed him in a courtyard littered with leaves, but with no obvious structural damage. He said the Navy Day celebrations had been cancelled for security reasons.

    The scene after an alleged drone hit on the Black Sea Fleet HQ in Sevastopol (pic: Governor Razvozhayev)Razvozhayev/Telegram
    The scene after an alleged drone hit on the Black Sea Fleet HQ in Sevastopol

    Navy Day is an annual Russian holiday, and celebrations are taking place across Russia. President Vladimir Putin is overseeing events in St Petersburg, his home city.

    He signed a new naval doctrine naming the US as Moscow’s main rival, and also setting out the Kremlin’s global maritime ambitions for key areas such as the Arctic and in the Black Sea.

    In a blow to the Black Sea Fleet, in April, its flagship Moskva sank after what Ukraine described as a strike with two Neptune missiles.

    Russia admitted there had been a big fire on board caused by exploding ammunition, without attributing it to a Ukrainian attack, and said the missile cruiser had sunk in a storm while being towed.

    It remains unclear how many Russian sailors were killed or injured in the ship’s demise.

    In the north, Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv was hit by Russian missiles again, mayor Ihor Terekhov said. Three Russian S-300 missiles reportedly struck a school there, destroying the main building, he said.

    The BBC was unable to verify the latest reports.

    Map showing areas of Ukraine that remain under Russian military control
    1px transparent line

    In a late-night address on Saturday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky told all civilians still living in parts of eastern Donetsk region under Ukrainian control to evacuate.

    The region has seen heavy clashes amid a slow advance by Russian forces, who already control large parts of it.

    “The more people leave Donetsk region now, the fewer people the Russian army will have time to kill,” Mr Zelensky said. “We will use all available opportunities to save as many lives as possion.

    Source: BBC

  • Chinese property developers accept farm produce for homes

    The companies advertised deals to let people use produce – including peaches, water melons and garlic – as down payments on new homes.

    However, some of these unusual offers have now reportedly been pulled.

    Home sales in China have fallen for 11 months in a row, while this week a major developer defaulted on its debts.

    Last week, a property company in the eastern city of Wuxi said it would allow peaches be used to offset as much as 188,888 Chinese yuan ($28,218; £23,289) in down payments for homes.

    Another developer in nearby Nanjing said it would accept as much as 5,000kg of watermelon from farmers. It valued the produce at 100,000 Chinese yuan – several times what it would cost at local markets.

    However, the promotion that was meant to run until next Friday has been suspended, the state-run Global Times newspaper reported.

    “We were told to delete all promotional posters on the social media platforms,” the paper quoted a representative of the company as saying, without giving further details.

    In May, property firm Central China Management ran a 16-day campaign in which it accepted garlic as down payments for homes in China’s Qi county, a major garlic-producing region.

    An garlic advert by Central China Management.Central China Management
    A catty, which is equivalent to 500g in mainland China, of garlic was valued at five Chinese yuan by one property firm

    “We are helping farmers with love, and making it easier for them to buy homes,” the firm said in a WeChat post.

    Under the deal, one catty of garlic, which is equivalent to 500g in mainland China, was valued at five Chinese yuan, which is around three times its market price.

    The company said it had accepted 860,000 catties of garlic in deals involving 30 homes.

    However, it has since removed an advert for a similar a deal involving wheat, which was launched on WeChat last month. The company did not immediately respond to a BBC request for comment.

    Experts have said the deals are a way for developers to get around local authority rules that limit the size of discounts they are allowed to offer.

    Official figures for May show that sales of residential properties in China fell by 41.7% from a year earlier, the 11th consecutive month of declines.

    On Sunday, major Chinese developer Shimao Group said it had missed interest and principal payments on $1bn (£825m) of offshore bonds due that same day.

    In a filing to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, the company said it had seen a “noticeable decline” in sales with “significant changes to the macro environment of the property sector in China since the second half of 2021 and the impact of Covid-19”.

    Meanwhile, embattled Chinese real estate giant Evergrande is in the process of restructuring its business after defaulting on its debts late last year.

    Source: BBC

     

     

  • Monkeypox: Deceased in Bolgatanga was a soldier – Health Directorate

    A soldier with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has died of Monkeypox in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Health Directorate has said.

    He was admitted at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital and passed on three days later.

    He was admitted at the hospital on July 23, 2022 with symptoms of the disease but died on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 while receiving treatment.

    First case in Upper East

    Confirming the incident to the media at the weekend, the Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Emmanuel Kofi Dzotsi, said it was the first case to be recorded in the region.

    He noted that plans were underway to educate the public on the disease and other safety measures to help protect them from contracting the virus.

    “I can confirm that we have recorded one case of the disease but unfortunately the person has died and that we would engage the media within the week to throw more light on it,” Dr Dzotsi said”.

    Related: Ghana: Greater Accra has more than 50% of monkeypox cases

    What is Monkeypox?

    Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the Monkeypox virus.

    It is endemic in Nigeria and Cameroon and is transmitted from an infected animal (squirrels, rats, dormice, monkeys etc) or from infected humans.

    Human to human transmission can occur through the following: skin-to-skin contact, face-to-face contact, mouth-to-skin contact.

    It can also be spread through touching bedding, towels, clothing or objects used by an infected person.

    Symptoms

    Signs and Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches and muscle and back aches.

    It also includes, general bodily weakness, rash with blisters on face, hands, feet, body, eyes, mouth or genitals.

    Source: Graphiconline

  • Evergrande: Unit ordered to pay $1.1bn over unpaid debt

    Crisis-hit Chinese property giant Evergrande says that one of its subsidiaries has been ordered to pay out 7.3bn yuan (£888.7m; $1.08bn) for failing to honour its debt obligations.

    Evergrande Group (Nanchang) Co. Ltd must make the payment to a guarantor of its liabilities, the firm says.

    It came just two days after it outlined plans to restructure its foreign debts.

    On Sunday, in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the company said its subsidiary had failed to fulfil its debt obligations to an unnamed guarantor.

    Evergrande Group (Nanchang) Co. Ltd had pledged a total of 1.3 billion shares that it held in Shengjing Bank Co. Ltd as counter-guarantees.

    “As the borrowers failed to repay the loans, the applicant carried out its obligations under the guarantee and claimed against the subsidiary under the pledge,” Evergrande said.

    On Friday, Evergrande made a long-awaited announcement about how it aims to restructure its foreign debts.

    The company said it will offer its offshore creditors asset packages that may include shares in it overseas units – including an electric vehicles business and property services provider – as a sweetener.

    However, the proposal was seen by some as not providing enough in the way of details on how Evergrande aims to restructure its huge liabilities.

    Evergrande was once China’s top-selling property developer but has for months been struggling under the weight of more than $300bn of debts, of which around $20bn is held by investors from outside China.

    The announcement came as China’s real estate sector, which accounts for about a third of the world’s second biggest economy, faces a major cash squeeze.

    A series of debt defaults involving several of the country’s heavily indebted developers has spooked investors who fear contagion in the sector.

    China’s property crisis is estimated to have wiped more than a trillion dollars off the value of the sector last year.

    Last month, two of Evergrande’s top bosses resigned, after an internal probe found that they misused around $2bn in loans.

    The company said that it found that chief executive Xia Haijun and chief financial officer Pan Darong were involved in diverting the loans secured by its property services unit to the wider group.

    Source: BBC

  • Mohammed Adams joins Portuguese side Sporting Club Da Covilha on loan

    Ghanaian defender Mohammed Adams will feature for Portuguese second-tier side Sporting Club Da Covilha in the upcoming season after completing a move to the club from FK Honka in Finland.

    The 21-year-old joins the club on an initial loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the season.

    Adams, who is a former player of Planners Athletic, was on loan at Ghana Premier League side Liberty Professionals in the 2019/2020 season before departing for abroad.

    He made seven appearances for the Scientific Soccer Lads in the truncated 2019/20 Ghana Premier League season.

    Adams was a member of the Ghana U-17 team that participated in the 2018 WAFU Zone B tournament held in Togo.

    He established himself as a key cog for FK Honka in the Finnish top-flight, appearing severally in the team of the week last season.

    Source: FootballGhana.com

  • Harry Gration: York Minster funeral remembers BBC TV presenter

    Hundreds of people have attended a service of thanksgiving for former BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration.

    The long-standing broadcaster died at the age of 71 on 24 June.

    Addressing the congregation at York Minster, Mr Gration’s widow Helen thanked people for attending the service and described her husband as everyone’s friend.

    In addition to family, friends and colleagues, the public had also been invited to attend the service.

    Leading the tributes to her husband, Helen Gration said: “We know that to everyone Harry was a friend, and we know we shared him with many.

    “But to us, he was husband, dad, and daddy, and we loved him totally.”

    She said they had not really planned his funeral.

    “He hoped he might fill a pew or two at our local church,” she said.

    “He worried always that it might conflict with a match on the telly. So, I can sense him assessing today with some embarrassment – but also some bashful pride.

    “Modesty was always his go-to place,” Mrs Gration added.

    Harry Gration's widow Helen with sons Harrison (right) and Harvey (left)PA Media
    Harry Gration’s widow Helen with sons Harrison (right) and Harvey (left)

    Harry’s son Harvey said his dad had been “incomparable” and an “extraordinary man”.

    “He was always convinced no-one would know him. Yet even in the furthest reaches on a family holiday in Porto, the quietest island in the Florida Keys, or the northernmost hill in Scotland, there was always a couple from Barnsley or Whitby who approached him like they’d known him their whole life,” he said.

    He added that seeing so many people turn out to pay tribute to his father was a testament to the man he was.

    Funeral of Harry GrationPA Media
    People gathered at York Minster to pay tribute to the long-standing presenter

    Christine Talbot (left) and Christa Ackroyd arrive at a service of thanksgiving for BBC presenter Harry Gration at York Minster in YorkPA Media
    Christine Talbot (left) and Christa Ackroyd (right) also attended the service of thanksgiving

    Fellow BBC Look North presenters Amy Garcia and Keeley Donovan were also among those to speak during the service.

    Ms Garcia said: “I know what his family have organised for him is just really beautiful and I know he would be so proud of it.”

    Ms Donavan described him as a “dear friend” who had a “knack of making everyone feel special”, recalling how he had officiated at her wedding in 2018.

    Former fellow BBC Look North presenter Christa Ackroyd and ITV Calendar presenter Christine Talbot were also at the service.

    Ms Talbot had earlier tweeted: “How appropriate that we say our final thank you and goodbye on Yorkshire Day.”

    York Minster Harry Gration funeral
    Large crowds gathered outside the minster ahead of the service

    BBC Look North presenters Amy Garcia (left) and Keeley Donovan speak at a service of thanksgiving for BBC presenter Harry GrationPA Media
    BBC Look North presenters Amy Garcia (left) and Keeley Donovan (right) spoke during the service

    The Labour MP for Batley and Spen, Kim Leadbeater, also spoke, recalling the broadcaster’s “kindness and compassion” following the murder of her sister, Jo Cox MP.

    The service was led by the former Archbishop of York John Sentamu.

    He told the congregation: “It is very fitting to hold this on Yorkshire Day as he loved Yorkshire.”

    Lord Sentamu said he had received an email from Harry Gration weeks before his death, hoping to organise a pilgrimage to Israel to “walk in the footsteps of Jesus”.

    “When I learnt about his death, I said: ‘Cheeky Gration. He has now, in a greater light, walked in death in the footsteps of Jesus’.”

    Prior to the service at York Minster, the funeral cortege travelled through the streets of the city and a large crowd gathered to watch it arrive at the cathedral.

    Former England cricket player Geoffrey Boycott arrives at a service of thanksgiving for BBC presenter Harry Gration at York MinsterPA Media
    Former England cricket player Geoffrey Boycott was also among those at the service

    Former cricket umpire Dickie Bird (left) and Lord John Sentamu at York MinsterPA Media
    Former cricket umpire Dickie Bird (left) and former Archbishop of York John Sentamu arriving at York Minster

    Mr Gration joined the BBC in 1978 and Look North in 1982. He presented his last show in 2020.

    He also reported for Match of the Day and Grandstand and commentated on the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

    During his career, he won two Royal Television Society (RTS) awards for sports documentaries and he won the RTS Best Presenter award twice.

    In 2013, his work in broadcasting was recognised when he was appointed MBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.

    Source: BBC

  • Tory leadership latest: Sunak says yes to return of grammar schools

    Asked by host Nick Ferrari whether he supported their return, the former chancellor said: “Yes.”

    But he added “there’s lots we can do with the school system as we have it”.

    It’s unlawful to open new grammars in England – state schools which select on ability – but existing ones can expand, and around 176,000 pupils attend one.

    After the debate, Mr Sunak’s team said he would expand existing grammar schools in “wholly selective areas”, and will maintain commitments under the Selective School Expansion Fund.

    That scheme funds the expansion of certain state schools which select by ability, subject to certain conditions.

    Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has backed Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in the contest, calling her “authentic, honest and experienced”.

    Grammar schools began to be replaced by comprehensive schools – which don’t select by ability – in the 1960s.

    Under law no new grammar schools can be opened, and no new schools can select pupils by their grades.

    But more children have attended grammar schools in recent years, with existing schools still allowed to expand to accommodate more pupils.

    After saying he supported Mr Sunak the return of grammar schools, Mr Sunak said: “I believe in educational excellence, I believe education is the most powerful way we can transform people’s lives.

    “But I also think there’s lots we can do with the school system as we have it.”

    “Now what Michael Gove did several years ago [by expanding free schools and academies] was transformative.

    “And Michael took on some vested interests, challenged consensus, brought in some reforms that mean that millions of our children now are better off.

    “But that’s a Conservative way to do it. It’s not about throwing more money at the problem, it’s about reforming the system to get better outcomes. And that’s what I would do with education as well.”

    Watch: ‘I will get Northern Powerhouse Rail built’ – Liz Truss

    While Ms Truss wasn’t asked about grammar schools, she previously suggested she would lift the ban while speaking to Conservative MPs, Sky News reported.

    • Mr Sunak denied flip-flopping on scrapping VAT on energy bills – a measure he now supports
    • Denied back-stabbing former Prime Minister Boris Johnson
    • Said Margaret Thatcher was his favourite former PM
    • Meanwhile, Ms Truss repeated her pledge to deliver the Northern Powerhouse Rail scheme in full
    • She also reiterated that she does not support windfall taxes – and supports single sex toilets in schools
    • On a lighter note, she said she was “completely horrified” by Love Island and turned it off within 10 minutes of watching it with her daughter
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    Analysis box by Nick Eardley, political correspondent

    This is the first time we’ve seen the candidates in front of members.

    Rishi Sunak is still fighting for his economic strategy. He is determined to try and persuade Conservatives that it is more sensible and will deliver tax cuts on a more sustainable footing.

    But he faced some tough questions too; had he flip-flopped on VAT cuts on energy bills? Had he stabbed Boris Johnson in the back? It wasn’t always an easy night for Sunak.

    For Liz Truss, this felt like a smoother evening. She drew heavily on her background growing up in Leeds to appeal to the audience – and won a lot of applause for some of her answers.

    She’s promised members in the north of England that she will build the full Northern Powerhouse Rail, after the government scaled-back its plans last year.

    She also said she would not introduce a windfall tax if she was prime minister – despite the high profits of energy companies. She reckons it sends the wrong message to the world.

    These hustings really matter because they are a chance to appeal to Tory members directly. Remember, they’ll decide who the next Conservative leader and prime minister is.

    Truss’s campaign team are likely to remain the happier tonight after the audience reaction.

    line

    Ms Truss, who spent her school years in Leeds, said it was “fantastic” to return to her old stomping ground.

    She said she learned “grit, determination and straight-talking” from Yorkshire, calling it a useful skill as “we face a huge global economic crisis”.

    Speaking to voters, said she wanted to “channel the spirit of Don Revie” – a former Leeds United and England manager – because “we need to win”.

    She said by backing her, the Conservatives could win against Keir Starmer’s Labour, who she called “a patronising plastic patriot”.

    Meanwhile, Mr Wallace – who at one point was seen as one of the front-runners in the leadership contest – has become the latest frontbencher to throw his weight behind Ms Truss, telling The Sun that she has the “integrity” to take on the role.

    Mr Wallace said that while Ms Truss was “not running a highly polished Hollywood production leadership campaign,” she “knows how to govern”.

    He said: “Her experience goes from running the finances of this country all the way through to Britain on the foreign stage.

    “The world’s more anxious than it’s ever been, I think it’s more insecure than it was a decade ago and Liz Truss understands that.”

    Source: BBC

  • James Sewornu to leave Hearts on loan

    Hearts are prepared to let young defender James Sewornu leave the club on loan this summer.

    Hearts have incredibly high hopes for Sewornu and accept that he had game time difficult to come by considering all the talent bubbling around him, and there are now fielding countless offers from teams across the nation keen to give him regular playing time.

    No decision on which club he joins has been made, with Hearts keen to evaluate all their options and select the best one for Sewornu.

    Hearts remain keen to send Sewornu out on loan, but that will rest on whether Samuel Boadu believes his squad can survive without the 23-year-old next season.

    Source: Phobianews.com

  • Saudi women in Sydney: Sisters’ bodies lay undiscovered for a month

    Australian police are baffled after the bodies of two Saudi women, believed to have lain undiscovered for a month, were found in a Sydney apartment.

    Sisters Asra Abdullah Alsehli, 24, and Amaal Abdullah Alsehli, 23, were found dead on 7 June in separate beds at home in the suburb of Canterbury.

    Police, who were called to the property for a welfare check, said the women are believed to have died in early May.

    But despite “extensive inquiries”, they still do not know how or why.

    The sisters moved to Australia from Saudi Arabia in 2017 and may have sought asylum, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. Police refused to confirm this, saying they do not comment on residential status.

    A human rights organisation said it should be established whether the women fled Saudi Arabia because of domestic violence or harsh laws governing women. However, there is no evidence this is the case.

    Police said they had been in contact with the women’s family, which is assisting them with inquiries.

    Lina al-Hathloul, head of monitoring and communications at Saudi human rights organisation ALQST, said it “would not be the first case” of Saudi women who were killed abroad after fleeing domestic violence.

    “There are no protections for women who are victims of domestic violence in Saudi Arabia, so they flee abroad,” she told the BBC.

    She added: “I’m not saying that is the case here, just that we need a thorough investigation. It is frustrating not to have any information.”

    According to the Sydney Morning Herald, there had been signs that something was wrong.

    Last year, the women told their building manager they thought someone was tampering with their food deliveries, the paper reported.

    A plumber who visited the apartment also said he believed there was “something mysterious” going on, and that police had been called in the past over concerns for the women.

    New South Wales Police issued a renewed plea to the public on Wednesday, saying “any piece of information” could be the key to solving this case.

    The local community is close-knit, police said in a statement, asking anyone who may have known or seen the women to come forward.

    A report from Australian current affairs programme Four Corners in 2019 found 80 Saudi women had tried to seek asylum in Australia in recent years. Many of them were fleeing male guardianship laws.

    Source: BBC