Leaders

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Mahama Set up a foreign remittance unit at the Central Bank.

 Bank of Ghana Headquarters

Thu, 2 Jan 2025 Source: starrfm.com.gh
A banking consultant, Dr. Richmond Atuahene, says the incoming President, John Dramani Mahama, must set up a remittances unit at the Central Bank to track Ghana’s foreign remittances.
Speaking on GHOne TV, Dr. Atuahene disclosed that the figures on Ghana’s remittances are significant, but very little passes through the banking sector.
According to him, if the incoming administration focuses on the remittance sector, the nation will avoid borrowing from the World Bank or begging the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for US$3 billion.
“The first thing I want to advise the incoming President is that he must strengthen the remittance system or even create a new unit at the Central Bank. For instance, Bangladesh tracks 95% of remittances through its banking system, while in Ghana, we only track about 50%. The other 50% does not go into the banking system,” Dr. Atuahene explained.
“In 2023, the World Bank reported US$4.7 billion in remittances, but we only tracked US$2.8 billion, leaving US$1.9 billion unaccounted for. Previously, when the total remittance was US$4.2 billion, we tracked only US$2.1 billion. Those funds are lost. However, if we implement a strong tracking system, we will be able to capture more of the remittances,” he stated.
Dr. Atuahene continued, “Once we are able to track remittances properly, it will help manage the economy, stabilize the cedi, and reduce inflation.”
The banking consultant also advised President-elect John Mahama to assemble a team of technocrats who will help devise strategies to finance the nation’s substantial debts owed to contractors.
“He must appoint people who understand microeconomic issues to help him. This will be a significant advantage for him. The next challenge will be financing the debts, including the US$31 million owed to contractors and energy sector debts,” he added.
“His Excellency must form a team like the one in place in 2010. They need a credible arrears repayment plan so that, within three or four years, the debts can be cleared, without creating new ones. If this is done, the challenge becomes surmountable. With the right brains and technical people, and if they are allowed to help, they can achieve a lot in four years.”
“Even remittances alone will be bigger than the IMF loan. If we track the remittances properly, we will not need to beg for US$3 billion,” Dr. Atuahene concluded.

Time For The USA To Close Its Military Base In Ghana.

The presence of a United States military base in Ghana has been a contentious issue since its inception. As the incoming Mahama administration prepares to take office, it is crucial to re-evaluate this agreement and consider zzzits implications for Ghana's sovereignty and security. This article provides a historical background on how the USA gained access to a military base in Ghana, the conditions of its usage, and reasons why it is time to cancel the agreement.The incoming administration should prioritize renegotiating the SOFA agreement to ensure it aligns with Ghana's national interests. If renegotiation is not feasible, terminating the agreement should be considered.

2. Strengthen Sovereignty:

Reassert Ghana's sovereignty by ensuring that any future agreements with foreign powers are transparent, equitable, and subject to public scrutiny.

3. Enhance Regional Security Cooperation:

Focus on strengthening regional security cooperation with neighboring countries through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address common security challenges without relying on foreign military bases.

4. Invest in Domestic Security Infrastructure:

Allocate resources to enhance Ghana's own security infrastructure and capabilities, reducing the need for foreign military presence.

The presence of a US military base in Ghana, established under the 2018 SOFA agreement, raises significant concerns about sovereignty, transparency, and security. As the Mahama administration takes office, it is imperative to re-evaluate this agreement and take decisive action to protect Ghana's national interests. By renegotiating or terminating the agreement, strengthening regional cooperation, and investing in domestic security, Ghana can assert its sovereignty and ensure a secure and prosperous future

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Mahama assembles team to drive anti-corruption agenda before taking office

 President-elect John Dramani Mahama has taken a decisive first step in his anti-corruption crusade by establishing a preparatory team to spearhead his flagship agenda, "Operation Recover All Loot" (ORAL), ahead of his assumption of office.In a statement dated December 18, 2024, and signed by spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the team has been tasked with gathering credible information on suspected corruption cases and laying the groundwork for reclaiming stolen state resources.

This move underscores Mahama’s commitment to accountability, a cornerstone of his 2024 campaign.

Prominent figures like former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo and renowned lawyer Martin Kpebu have been included in the team,signalling a robust approach to tackling graft. Mahama, who campaigned on eradicating corruption and curbing public sector waste, has vowed to enforce strict consequences for mismanagement of state funds and prioritize transparency in governance.

By activating ORAL during the transition, Mahama sends a clear message: his administration is ready to act decisively against corruption and restore trust in Ghana’s institutions.

Mahama eyes economic reforms

President-elect John Mahama has warned that Ghana is not immune to the instability affecting many of its neighbors. He is keen to reform the cocoa industry and address skyrocketing inflation.Ghana's President-elect John Dramani Mahama said he is keen to push through major reforms after poor economic conditions contributed to instability and even coups in neighbouring countries.
"We're at risk," Mahama said in an interview with DW, referencing the instability and military takeovers that have plagued other west African nations Mahama said the coups that occurred in three Sahelian countries in recent years could spread further if things don't change.

"There's an African proverb that says that when your neighbor has a house that's on fire, you help him to quench it. Otherwise, when it burns down his house, it will spread to your house. And so we need to give Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger all the support they need to deal with this crisis," Mahama said."Otherwise, it definitely would spread. Already there are incursions in northern Togo. I'm sure you've heard about them. And so it's just a matter of time. And so we need to be very proactive."

Monday, November 25, 2024

MAHAMA IS COMING BACK AS A WOUNDED LION

Former president John mahama is coming back like a wounded lion. He gave the power to NPP party believing that they can govern better but 8 years on Ghanaians are crying and crying on former president to come back and rescue them from the wicked NPP Party that he handed Ghanaians to. NPP government are afraid of John mahama coming back, He gave them the power so he knows the in and out of Ghanaian government and it's easy for him to know all the evil stealing they had done to Ghana. Listening to Ghanaians they want to know what NPP government did with their money and properties and for John mahama to prosecute NPP government for any theft. NPP government are afraid should John mahama win the election and find out of their looting and sentence them to jail base on this NPP government is doing everything to win the election but the harsh conditions in Ghana show that they don't want NPP government any more. So Ghanaians are bringing back the wounded lion for justice.

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Bawumia will investigate expired rice saga if he becomes president

Bawumia Said he will investigate expired rice saga if he becomes president-this is to tell Ghanaians that this man can't be trusted, You are the vice-president of Ghana now why wait till you become president ? This means he's not serious to handle the issues of Ghanaian people. Do something now to show Ghanaians that you are a man of your words.

Monday, November 18, 2024

Wall Street may now have to take Trump literally as the battle for Treasury secretary

Wall Street may now have to take Trump literally as the battle for Treasury secretary focuses on a centerpiece campaign pledge The euphoric stock market rally that followed Donald Trump’s election victory largely brushed aside his vow to hike tariffs across the board with even higher rates on China.That’s as many on Wall Street assumed his tough talk was more of negotiating strategy to obtain better trade deals. In that vein, a Barclays note on Thursday said, “We think the president-elect should be taken seriously, but not literally.”But the increasingly public battle over who will be Treasury secretary in the second Trump administration offers a clue on whether that premise will hold true.the Financial Times on Sunday said that Trump’s advisers are seeking assurances from the top candidates that they are committed to his aggressive tariffs.The report added that pressure has been particularly heavy on hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, who told the FT in a prior interview that Trump’s tariff plans were “maximalist” positions that would probably be watered down in negotiations.“My general view is that at the end of the day, he’s a free trader,” he said about Trump last month. “It’s escalate to de-escalate.”But on Friday, Bessent authored an op-ed on Fox News that praised tariffs as a revenue-raising tool and a way to protect strategic industries while also saying that optimistic forecasts from free trade advocates haven’t panned out.A spokeswoman for the Trump transition team didn’t directly address the FT report, only saying that he is making decisions on who will serve in the administration and that those decisions will be announced when they are made.Meanwhile, Elon Musk endorsed Howard Lutnick, the CEO of financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald and co-chair of Trump’s transition team, for the Treasury role on Saturday. The Tesla CEO, who has become increasingly influential in Trump’s circle, posted on X that “Bessent is a business-as-usual choice, whereas @howardlutnick will actually enact change.”Soon after, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is Trump’s pick to lead the Health and Human Services department, also endorsed Lutnick, saying on X that he will be a strong Bitcoin advocate.Bloomberg on Sunday said that Bessent spoke with Musk after his post on X endorsing Lutnick On the prediction market Kalshi, Lutnick’s odds of becoming Trump’s Treasury secretary shot up to 53% on Sunday from 45% on Saturday night and 20% on Friday night. Bessent’s chances plunged to 40% from nearly 79% on Friday.

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Bawumia is the right person to salvage Ghana – Kufuor

People don't understand me, but Bawumia is the right person to salvage Ghana – Kufuor. What is former president saying ? is he part of the down fall of Ghana ? Where was he when Bawumia was damaging Ghana ? Hypocrite

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Cedi rate shoots up, selling at GH¢17.20 to US$1

 

Cedi rate shoots up, selling at GH¢17.20 to US$1
 Bawumia Shame on you, When the fundamentals are weak the exchange rate shall expose you it has exposed you hypocrite you can't even mention the word economy anymore what a shame.

Monday, January 22, 2024

Statement from President Joe Biden on the 51st Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

 

Fifty-one years ago today, the Supreme Court recognized a woman’s constitutional right to make deeply personal decisions with her doctor—free from the interference of politicians. Then, a year and a half ago, the Court made the extreme decision to overturn Roe and take away a constitutional right. As a result, tens of millions of women now live in states with extreme and dangerous abortion bans. Because of Republican elected officials, women’s health and lives are at risk. In states across the country, women are being turned away from emergency rooms, forced to go to court to seek permission for the medical attention they need, and made to travel hundreds of miles for health care.

Even as Americans—from Ohio to Kentucky to Michigan to Kansas to California—have resoundingly rejected attempts to limit reproductive freedom, Republican elected officials continue to push for a national ban and devastating new restrictions across the country. 

On this day and every day, Vice President Harris and I are fighting to protect women’s reproductive freedom against Republicans officials’ dangerous, extreme, and out-of-touch agenda. We stand with the vast majority of Americans who support a woman’s right to choose, and continue to call on Congress to restore the protections of Roe in federal law once and for all.

Saturday, August 26, 2023

An August surge, two new variants and a Barbenheimer spike: is London facing a Covid autumn?

 

Cases have surged by 17 per cent in the last week, with experts blaming waning immunity, increased indoor mixing and new mutations. For Leon Emirali, 32, the signs were subtle at first but unmistakeable. More coughs. A smattering of masks on the Tube again. The same sore eyes and fuzzy head he had last time he had Covid, then a loss of his sense of taste.
So when the marketing agency founder discovered an old lateral flow test sitting at the back of the medicine cabinet, he was pretty certain of the result to come. Sure enough: it was the dreaded two lines. “It’s silly to forget about Covid, but you do,” he says from his office in Westminster, now recovered after a week off work after what he says was a worse illness than the first time he had the virus, in April 2022. “I found a mask in an old jacket the other day and it was a reminder of what we went through. It was such a horrific time for so many people but at the same time you want to banish any memory of it. It’s clearly still among us, the virus. But I couldn’t tell you how many Covid cases there were today whereas a couple of years I could’ve done. We live in a different time now.”
Indeed we do. Like most of us, Emirali might not be able to quote the current Covid case numbers but the truth is they are rising again, fast. Estimated UK cases surged by almost a third last month, from a predicted 606, 656 on July 4 to 785,980 on July 27, according to the Zoe Health Study, which estimates figures for UK Covid infections. Government records show a 17.4 per cent increase in cases in England in the last seven days. 
Several factors are reportedly to blame for this new August wave: waning immunity; increased indoor mixing due to the poor summer weather and cultural phenomenas like Barbenheimer (yes, really); and two new variants.
The first, named EG.5.1 and nicknamed Eris, is a descendant of the Omicron variant and reportedly accounts for as many as one in seven UK Covid cases after it was reported for the first time in July. The second variant, named BA.2.86 nicknamed Pirola, is said to be highly mutated and related to the “stealth Omicron” BA.2 variant detected in the UK in late 2021 but much less widespread – or at least so far. It was first identified in Israel last month and has since been detected in countries from Denmark to the US, with the first official UK case recorded on August 18 in an individual who had not recently been abroad, suggesting “a degree of community transmission within the UK”, according to the UK Health and Security Agency.
Officials say there is currently “insufficient data” on how severe this latest Pirola strain might be but that they are monitoring it closely, with the World Health Organization recently designating it as a “variant under monitoring” and experts calling it the most striking Covid strain the world has seen since Omicron.
“There’s more than 30 amino acid changes to the spike protein, which is similar to what we saw with the emergence of Omicron,” infectious disease physician Paul Griffin said this week. “At least at that very early stage, looking at how it’s composed, that does give us some cause for concern, and certainly is one that we have to watch really carefully.” London is believed to be a particular Covid hotspot at the moment, with 12 per cent of recent infections in England recorded in the capital – only one per cent less than the proportion recorded in the whole of the south-west of England. “I genuinely know more people with Covid in August 2023 than in August 2020,” says Catherine Renton, 41, a writer from Walthamstow who can currently count at least 12 friends, family and colleagues with Covid, all of whom say the symptoms are worse than the first time if they’ve had it before.
Many say the symptoms are worse than other Covid infections they’ve had in recent years. “I’ve had [Covid] before and it definitely felt more severe this time. It took about two weeks to feel normal again and even now my heart rate is still a bit higher on runs than it was before,” says Rachel Hart*, 28, a comms consultant from Battersea.
Hattie Vessey, 27, a surveyor from Earlsfield, says: “It feels like a savage form of flu, my whole body just aches.” She fears she is going to have to cancel her bank holiday trip to Paris for the third year running as a result of Covid. “The oddest part has been refamiliarising myself with how this all works,” says Vessey. “When I shouted out to my housemates that I’d tested positive we were laughing like ‘Oh, what a throwback’. Then my housemate was like, ‘Oh, I’ve got a funeral with loads of older family members this week’, so now I’m like, ‘Do I need to put on a mask? Do I need to isolate in my bedroom? Should I let all the people I’ve seen this week know that I’ve got it? How do I get my laptop from the office?’ It’s all of these questions that haven’t been on my mind for two years.”
For others, the return of Covid has been a reminder of how serious the virus can be. “I’ve never experienced anything like it. It ended up in A&E,” says John Junior, 34, a script consultant for a mental health company in King’s Cross, who is still suffering with fatigue and a loss of taste six weeks after he was hospitalised with the virus last month. According to insiders at a particular hospital in outer London, staff are already getting fit-tested for PPE and staff boosters are on their way, with some hospitals putting Covid patients last on their ward rounds to minimise transmission.
So how worried should we be? Is Barbenheimer really to blame for this year’s pre-autumn spike – or would the new variants have caused it anyway? And, given this week’s report concluding that the lockdowns were effective at keeping Covid numbers down, should we expect more restrictions this winter?Possibly, yes, says Dr Charles Levinson, a London-based GP and medical director at urgent private healthcare service Doctorcall. But we’re unlikely to see restrictions anywhere near the severity of the 2020 and 2021 lockdowns, he believes.
For Levinson and his fellow experts across the health industry, the next few weeks will be the real teller of what’s to come in this latest Covid chapter – as indeed they will every year. “September will be a key month to observe, with the reopening of schools leading to increased interactions among students and staff, and a rise in indoor gatherings as the weather cools,” says Dr Chris Papadopoulos, principal lecturer in public health at the University of Bedfordshire.
Papadopoulos believes new variants and an autumn spike are to be expected most years, unfortunately, but particularly this year, given the diminishing immunity of the general population, particularly under-50s who may not have received a booster or encountered an infection in more than a year. This, coupled with a relaxing of public attitudes to mixing and mask-wearing, two new variants, increased cinema attendance for films like Barbie and Oppenheimer, plus a rainier-than-usual summer leading to more indoor gatherings, has created an “ideal set of circumstances for the virus to thrive”. So should we all be getting a booster vaccine this winter, then? Only if you’re elderly or vulnerable, says Levinson, who would urge anyone in these groups to sign up for a booster and avoid big gatherings during Covid spikes as they would with the flu each winter. The main difference between Covid and the flu, however, is the lack of ability for the rest of the population to access the Covid jab privately. His company, Doctorcall, vaccinates staff from 700 companies against the flu each year to prevent absenteeism, and more than a million individuals opt for one privately each winter for reasons such as going to visit a grandparent or having fragile health but who do not fall into the vulnerable category.
“It’s very disappointing that that hasn’t been done yet with Covid,” says Levinson. “It doesn’t look like [a private Covid vaccine will be introduced] in time for this winter but it does look like it’s coming in for the next one. I think that’ll make a big difference [to keeping Covid numbers down each winter] when that comes in.”
In the meantime, this winter, officials are urging the public not to be complacent but not to worry or scaremonger, either. “Covid will continue to change and adapt. So we shouldn’t be shocked or worried just because new variants appear and cause increasing numbers of infections,” says Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at Reading University. Instead, Levinson says he’d encourage the public to treat Covid like they would any normal winter illness and follow general NHS advice: to wash their hands, to avoid crowded or poorly ventilated areas where possible, to consider wearing a mask on public transport or in healthcare settings, and to avoid contact with others for five days if you test positive – if not to protect yourself but the NHS, which is already on its knees. Public health campaigns may well end up being a part of this, says Levinson, but “what we musn’t let happen is to make people so frightened that they don’t leave the house or have routine check-ups or go into the office”.
So what about a lockdown, then, if numbers really spike this winter? Despite this week’s Royal Society report showing the combination of lockdowns and mask-wearing did “unequivocally” reduce Covid infections, the general consensus among health professionals is that another lockdown is unlikely – particularly because of changes in people’s attitude to Covid and the loss of public trust in restrictions since the partygate scandal.
“It feels like people appear even more careless with their coughs and going out when feeling ill than they did pre-Covid,” says Polly Arrowsmith, 56, a marketing director from Islington who has bronchiectasis, a disease of the small airways, and therefore has to be careful to wear a mask in public places. “It’s as if Covid never happened and people are being more rebellious or lackadaisical.” Emirali, who worked an aide to then-Treasury minister Steve Barclay at the onset of the pandemic, believes the government would struggle to impose a lockdown because of this. There was a sense of the unknown when Covid first emerged in 2020 but we’ve seen the full impact of lockdown on the economy, education and mental health since then. In his view, Rishi Sunak would be more opposed to a lockdown than then-PM Boris Johnson was, mostly for economic reasons.
With the erosion of public trust on top of this Emirali believes a lockdown is – if not impossible – certainly very unlikely. “If the NHS is at collapsing point then I’m sure there would be a consideration [of lockdown],” he says. “But I think the public would be resistant because of partygate and the idea that the rules were being broken. If you haven’t got compliance for a lockdown, it’s pretty useless. And, frankly, I don’t think the government can afford it.”
Levinson agrees. He thinks the government has already had its its “fingers burnt” over the lockdown restrictions and would be far more likely to bring in “softer” restrictions instead: guidance about wearing masks and washing hands and an awareness campaign on how to keep yourself and others healthy.
“It’s likely we’ll have to live [with Covid] forever now,” he says, matter-of-factly. And while the word forever might sound scary, that’s already the case with the flu and common cold. “Covid-19 is a similar type of virus to the common cold and the common cold mutates endlessly, which is why we tend to get so many every winter. I think that’s what we’ve got to expect. Covid will become a winter illness that we have to live with.” This winter, unfortunately, will probably be no different.

At last 3 robbed at gunpoint in Humboldt Park spree earlier this week.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- One of three armed robberies in the city's Humboldt Park neighborhood early Tuesday morning was captured on video.

A 38-year-old man was walking in the 800-block of North California Avenue around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday when police said three masked gunmen jumped out of a dark SUV that had pulled up and robbed him. The incident was captured by a nearby doorbell camera.

"Come on, bro, I need my bag, bro," the victim can be heard telling the robbers. "You got all my stuff, bro."

One of the armed robbers grabs his takeout order before stepping back and demanding the passcode to his cell phone. He gives it to them. The victim was not hurt. Police said the trio of thieves committed at least two more armed robberies that morning in a short span of time. Police said a couple was targeted in the 1700 block of North Drake a short time later, and then just before 3:30 a.m. a person reported being robbed at gunpoint by three men in a black jeep a few blocks away in the 1900 block of North Damen.

According to data from the city of Chicago, there have been 541 robberies in the last 12 months in the Humboldt Park community where these incidents occurred. That's an 83% increase over the average number of robberies for the three years prior, 2020 through 2022. Other nearby North and Northwest Side neighborhoods have also seen an increase in armed robberies. The same city data shows that over the last 12 months in the 14th Police District, which includes the east side of Humbold Park, Logan Square, West Town, Wicker Park and Bucktown, there have been 508 robberies, which is a 55% increase over the average number of robbers for the three years prior, 2020 through 2022.

And while Chicago olice have issued some community alerts warning of the danger, the armed robbery sprees continue.

No one is in custody for Tuesday's attack and no arrests have been made.

Friday, June 9, 2023

Oil and Gas production in our Los Angeles Communities


 
Living in Los Angeles for over 20 years, I have viewed the climate injustice and environmental racism in our neighborhoods from oil and gas drilling specifically in Black and Brown communities.I have witnessed over the years the admissions of a steady stream of carcinogens, and other toxic chemicals, that have affected our neighborhood, in a very quiet and clandestine fashion. Exposure from these hazardous operations, gas and oil include constant emissions, odors, noise, light, pollution, and a persistent exposure to fracking and other detrimental activities.
The risk from volatile organic compounds or VOCs, along with noxious mixture of other air contaminants, and methane which is one of the most potent pollutants to the environment. The emission of hundreds of chemicals that often disrupt hormones, and cause reproductive and developmental harm. Contamination of our ground water and potentially drinking water is very real.
Chronic exposure to drilling sites is as harmful to the lungs as breathing freeway exhaust and second hand smoke on a constant basis. Hazardous gases also releases a mixture of dangerous, petroleum-based gases, known as BTEX, that stands for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene.
Benzene is a known carcinogen linked to an increase in leukemia and other blood cancers. Knowing all this helps, explain the prevalence of ethnic and racial health disparities to black Californians, having the shortest lifespan an experienced the highest death rate from breast, cervical, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer among all racial and ethnic groups in the state of California.
What are some of the solutions? We are still waiting on the protections from the landmark health and safety act California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law in September 2022. What we saw soon after was signed, the oil and gas companies wasting no time filing referendums to overturn the measure.
The California setback law prohibits operators from reworking and repairing existing wells in addition to starting new wells within the safety zone. The good news is that our local governments and activist groups aren’t willing to wait around for the enforcement of the state law.
The city of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County have acted on their own to formulate stricter policies to prevent oil and gas productions moving forward. The greater news is that the Biden – Harris administration signed an executive order on April 21, that created an office of environmental justice that recognizes that racism is a fundamental driver of environmental injustice.
This is a great opportunity for all of us to get involved, through our organizations, schools, and churches. We must hold our politicians accountable to enact clear-cut, climate and environmental justice policies.
Our children and their children’s children will have an environment that they can live and thrive in.

Why I wished my mother dead- Actress Chacha Eke

 

Nollywood actress, Chacha Eke has disclosed that she developed deep hatred for her mother and even wished for her death while growing up.
She said her hatred for her mother was caused by a mental disorder “that switches your favourite to your least favourite.”
The thespian said her hatred for her mother was further compounded by fake revelations from so-called men of God who told her that her mum was after her life. Eke revealed this while celebrating her mother’s birthday via her Instagram page on Wednesday.
Sharing a video of herself and her mother, she captioned it, “This is a video of me and my biological Mom. I loved her intensely when I was younger. She was, and still is my best friend.
“However, as I got older, I began to dislike and develop deep hatred for her. I had nightmares and hallucinations that supported my euphoria. Sadly, many men of God told me after several manic episodes that she was after my life.
“And so, I went about wishing her death and spewing despicable things about her.”
The actress said she was grateful to have realised her hatred for her mother was as a result of her mental health while her mother was still alive.
She said despite her struggle with mental illness, her mother still raised a “queen.”
She advised others suffering from similar disorders to seek medical help.

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Soldiers, touts clash in Lagos

Pandemonium broke out yesterday at Second  Rainbow, on the Oshodi\Apapa expressway, Lagos, after some men suspected to be soldiers attacked some touts who inflicted injury on one of their colleagues.

This is just as a tanker loaded with petroleum products rammed into a commercial motorcyclist at Alaba bus stop on the same expressway,  in the driver’s bid to avoid being extorted by touts.

There were different accounts as to how the trouble started between the soldier and the touts. A version of the account said the soldier was escorting a truck which was stopped by some touts on an extortion spree .

The soldier reportedly refused and was dragged out of the truck and gang beaten.

Another version of the account said  the  soldier in murfti was in a commercial bus heading towards Cele , when some touts popularly called agbero  clustered round the vehicle, demanding for money.

He was said to have  ordered the touts to leave the vehicle . When they refused, he  reportedly  alighted from the bus to shove one of the touts away, only to be gang beaten by over ten touts.

One hour later , the injured soldier returned with his colleagues who descended on any tout  in sight.  They were still unleashing mayhem on the touts at 8pm.

Meanwhile , tragedy struck the same day on the same expressway  when a tanker laden with  33,000 litre of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise called petrol, overturned, crushing a commercial motorcyclist to death.

Eyewitness said  the incident happened  about 6.45 pm , as driver of the truck tried to evade being extorted by touts

The impact led to the tanker overturning and spilled its content in the process.

The deceased whose identity could not be determined as of press time was later recovered and taken to the mortuary.

Permanent Secretary, of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr.Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, said upon receipt of the report, the agency promptly dispatched a rescue team to the scene for the recovery operation.

According to The agency responded to an incident at the above location in which a fuel-laden tanker overturned due to a collision between the tanker and a motorcycle.

“Unfortunately, the motorcycle rider was crushed to death underneath the tanker and its contents are spilling onto the road rendering the scene extremely hazardous to other motorists and passersby. Meanwhile, the agency worked in collaboration with men of the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps, LNSC and the  Nigeria Police to secure the scene and carry out secondary incident containment measures while heavy duty equipment by LASEMA had been dispatched to remove the tanker from the road.

Thursday, December 22, 2022

A no trousers tube ride is happening in January.

 

This January, get ready to break all societal norms by riding the tube without your trews. The annual 'No Trousers Tube Ride' is taking place again next year, on January 8 2023.

This is the first time the event has taken place since before Covid, and even more exciting, it's the first time people will be going trews-less on the Lizzie line. Why go trouser-free on the London Underground? Well, why not? What better way to usher in the new year than by taking part in an event founded on pure silliness?

To join the pantsless gang, head to the meeting place (still fully clothed at this point) at Newport Place in Chinatown, WC2H 7JR, by 3pm on January 8. Here, event organisers will lead groups to nearby tube stations. 

Once you're inside the tube station, you can whip out your Y-fronts and board the train. This is the crucial part – the whole point is to act like everything is normal, apart from you've got no bottoms on. Be nonchalant, check your phone, listen to a podcast, read a book, just do it sans trews. 

The exact route of the trouserless tour won't be announced ahead of time as organisers are keen that only true kecks-free fanatics turn up. Naturists, take heed, underwear IS required. That also means no thongs or banana hammocks, please.  Just think about the people who have to sit on that seat after you. 

Nevertheless, you’ll never feel so liberated.

Friday, October 21, 2022

'I can't afford a coffin or funeral for my terminally ill son.

 

A mum from North London whose son is living with a 

terminal illness fears she won't be able to give him a proper funeral or even afford a coffin when he loses his battle because the rising cost of living has left her struggling to get by. Donna Brady, 38, from Camden, was told during pregnancy that her son Romeo "wouldn't see his first birthday" because of a serious heart condition.

Now age four, Romeo has defied the odds but his mum says she is now struggling to make his life fulfilling while he is still with her due to squeezed finances. While she has support from a charity to give him occasional days out, she faces the constant worry of what she will do when the devastating time comes. She Said: "I was told to prepare for the worst when I was pregnant, so while everyone else was shopping for prams, I was shopping for coffins. I'm overjoyed I got many more years with him. But I'm living on my nerves and my anxiety 24 hours a day, because I don't know if I'm going to wake up and my baby's gone and how I'm going to cope when he passes. I can see the change in him now and I know the time is coming soon. "But a coffin is unbelievably expensive and all of the other funeral costs. That terrifies me to be honest. And if he passes away tomorrow I wouldn't want him sitting in a freezer while I scrape together to try and bury him. I just would want him to lay him to rest straight away." The Children’s Funeral Fund for England can help to pay for some of the costs of a funeral for a child under 18 but Donna said she would still struggle to get enough together to then claim some of it back. She said she doesn't have a large family to fall back on and is feeling the immense financial pressure right now, especially as Romeo requires 24-hour care. She has gone from paying £42 a month for electricity to nearly £100 and while trying to cut corners where possible, she needs to use a lot of energy for Romeo's feeding pump.

She explained: "He throws up quite a lot so the washing machine is constantly going and I need the electricity on all the time as Romeo has a feeding pump that needs to be permanently charged as it is the only way he can get liquid food and fluid into his body when he is unwell. "Romeo also needs his TV as often this is his only source of comfort, especially after spending a whole year in hospital and following an entire year at home during the pandemic, it is these little things in life that keep him going. The cost of travelling to hospital appointments has also risen. We use taxis or Ubers as the risk of infection is too high on public transport but these are now more expensive." Romeo was born with Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR) which sees oxygen-rich blood return to the wrong side of his heart, mixing with blood with lower oxygen levels and affecting how much oxygen can be pumped around his body. He also has dextrocardia which means his heart is on the right side of his chest instead of the left. His mum described him as having his heart "on the other side of his body and inside out".

Donna receives Disability Living Allowance (DLA) as she is a full-time carer for Romeo, and therefore unable to work. They are also supported by the charity The Rainbow Trust, which she says has been a "godsend". The charity helps them do fun activities, like going to the zoo, much to Romeo's delight given his love for animals, particularly his own cat. Romeo aspires to be a vet and has just started school.

While the charity supports many of the estimated 86,000 children in England with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, Donna said she is calling on the government to do more to help struggling families as she said the DLA doesn't go a long way. Donna is doing her best to give Romeo a stimulating and fulfilling life while feeling like they are on "borrowed" time. She said they try to do things together like going to the Natural History Museum, but factoring in travel and lunch can be a squeeze. She added: "He loves magazines and reading but they have gone up from £4.50 to £6.99. I have to say to him 'we can get milk, bread and butter or a magazine'. To say no to a child that hasn't got long left is really, really difficult.

"He's never going to finish school or go to college or meet someone and fall in love and go on holidays and have a job and all of that. So that's why it's really difficult for me to say no to him. Because of his condition I want to give him everything to make life as easy as possible and to create amazing memories but these are truly worrying times.

Friday, August 19, 2022

Biden to host unity summit against hate-fueled violence

 

President Joe Biden will host a White House summit next month aimed at combating a spate of hate-fueled violence in the U.S., as he works to deliver on his campaign pledge to “heal the soul of the nation.”
The White House announced Friday that Biden will host the United We Stand Summit on Sept. 15, highlighting the “corrosive effects” of violence on public safety and democracy. Advocates pushed Biden to hold the event after 10 Black people were killed at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket in May, aiming as well to address a succession of hate-driven violence in cities including El Paso, Texas, Pittsburgh and Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
“As President Biden said in Buffalo after the horrific mass shooting earlier this year, in the battle for the soul of our nation 'we must all enlist in this great cause of America,'” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. ”The United We Stand Summit will present an important opportunity for Americans of all races, religions, regions, political affiliations, and walks of life to take up that cause together."
Biden will deliver a keynote speech at the gathering, which the White House says will include civil rights groups, faith leaders, business executives, law enforcement, gun violence prevention advocates, former members of violent hate groups, the victims of extremist violence and cultural figures. The White House emphasized that it also intends to bring together Democrats and Republicans, as well as political leaders on the federal, state and local levels to unite against hate-motivated violence.
Biden, a Democrat, has frequently cited 2017's white supremacist protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, with bringing him out of political retirement to challenge then-President Donald Trump in 2020. He promised during that campaign to work to bridge political and social divides and to promote national unity, but fulfilling that cause remains a work in progress.
Sindy Benavides, the CEO of League of United Latin American Citizens, said the genesis of the summit came after the Buffalo massacre, as her organization along with the Anti-Defamation League, the National Action Network and other groups wanted to press the Biden administration to more directly tackle extremist threats.
“As civil rights organizations, social justice organizations, we fight every day against this, and we wanted to make sure to acknowledge that government needs to have a leading role in addressing right-wing extremism," she said.
The White House did not outline the lineup of speakers or participants, saying it would come closer to the event. It also would not preview any specific policy announcements by Biden. Officials noted Biden last year signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and released the nation's first National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism.
Benavides said Biden holding the summit would help galvanize the country to address the threats of hate-inspired violence but also said she hoped for “long-term solutions” to emerge from the summit.
“What’s important to us is addressing mental health, gun control reform, addressing misinformation, disinformation and malinformation,” she said. "We want policy makers to focus on common sense solutions so we don’t see this type of violence in our communities. And we want to see the implementation of policies that reduce violence.

Monday, July 25, 2022

Chabad: No Jerusalem land transfer to Russia till Schneerson books returned .

 

Chabad USA appealed to Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara on Monday to hold the transfer of ownership of Russian Orthodox land in Jerusalem until the "Schneerson collection" of books is returned from Russia

The appeal comes as tensions between Russia and Israel are simmering due to Russia shutting down the Jewish Agency. 

Israel has delayed - and may consider continuing to delay - proceedings on the ownership of the Alexander Courtyard in Jerusalem. Moscow believes it should be Russia's property. 

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Reactions to Russia's strike on Ukraine's Odesa port


 A Russian strike on Ukraine's Odesa port on Saturday has threatened a deal to aid grain exports and ease a global food crisis.

 UNITED NATIONS SPOKESPERSON

"The Secretary-General (Antonio Guterres) unequivocally condemns reported strikes today in the Ukrainian port of Odesa. Yesterday, all parties made clear commitments on the global stage to ensure the safe movement of Ukrainian grain and related products to global markets. These products are desperately needed to address the global food crisis and ease the suffering of millions of people in need around the globe."

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY"This proves only one thing: no matter what Russia says and promises, it will find ways not to implement it (the grain deal)."

RUSSIA

A Russian defence ministry statement on Saturday outlining progress in the war did not mention any strike in Odesa. The ministry did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.

However, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reposted the U.N. condemnation and said: "It is awful that UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres does not 'unequivocally' condemn also the Kyiv regime's killing of children in Donbas."

TURKISH DEFENCE MINISTER HULUSI AKAR"They (Ukrainian officials) stated that one of the missile attacks hit one of the silos there, and the other one fell in an area close to the silo, but there was no problem in the loading capacity and capability of the docks, which is important, and that the activities there can continue.
"The Russians told us that they had absolutely nothing to do with this attack, and that they were examining the issue very closely and in detail. The fact that such an incident took place right after the agreement we made yesterday regarding the grain shipment really worried us."
UKRAINIAN INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTER OLEKSANDR KUBRAKOV
"We continue technical preparations for the launch of exports of agricultural products from our ports."
GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANNALENA BAERBOCK
"The cowardly missile attacks on the port of Odesa show that the Russian leadership's signature counts for little at the moment."
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO KYIV BRIDGET BRINK
"Outrageous. Russia strikes the port city of Odesa less than 24 hours after signing an agreement to allow shipments of agricultural exports. The Kremlin continues to weaponize food. Russia must be held to account."
EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF JOSEP BORRELL
"Striking a target crucial for grain export a day after the signature of Istanbul agreements is particularly reprehensible and again demonstrates Russia's total disregard for international law and commitments."
UKRAINE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON OLEG NIKOLENKO
"The Russian missile is Vladimir Putin's spit in the face of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Turkish President Recep Erdogan, who went to great lengths to reach an agreement and to whom Ukraine is grateful."
HEAD OF UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT'S OFFICE ANDRIY YERMAK
"The Russians are systematically creating a food crisis, doing everything to make people suffer. Famine terror continues. The world must act. The best food safetyguarantees are twofold: effective sanctions against Russia and more weapons for Ukraine."