Home Blog Page 1657

YouTube deletes TB Joshua’s Emmanuel TV channel

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
-
0
TB Joshua

YouTube has terminated the official channel of Nigerian televangelist TB Joshua’s megachurch for violating its hate speech policies.

It comes weeks after an investigation by the BBC and open Democracy uncovered evidence of widespread sexual abuse and torture by the late preacher.

Emmanuel TV played a key role in his rise from local pastor to global star.

TB Joshua died in 2021, but his Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan) is now run by his wife Evelyn Joshua.

The church has not commented on the removal, but has said previous allegations of wrongdoing have been “unfounded”.

Emmanuel TV had more than half a million followers on YouTube and hundreds of millions of views.

This is the second time in three years that its YouTube channel has been suspended, following previous breaches of the platform’s community guidelines.

As part of the investigation with the BBC, open Democracy analysed Emmanuel TV’s online presence, finding at least 50 “abusive” videos on YouTube.

Their team reported the videos to YouTube and the account was suspended on 29 January.

In a comment to the BBC, the Google-owned video-sharing platform said Emmanuel TV had been “terminated for violating… hate speech policies”.

TB Joshua was famed for his “healing” ministries and filmed hundreds of services that claimed to show him curing the physically disabled and chronically ill – which multiple former church members have subsequently debunked.

Emmanuel TV’s satellite channel was dropped on 17 January by Multi Choice, a South African company that runs popular satellite services DStv and GOTv.

 

Afua Asantewaa pays $750 to fast-track verification process of Sing-a-thon

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
-
0
Afua Asantewaa

Afua Owusu Asantewaa Aduonum has disclosed that her team has expedited the approval process of the Guinness World Record attempt after weeks of awaiting the outcome of her attempt.

According to Afua, she paid $750 to the Guinness World Record for a priority review.While the standard waiting period for results is approximately 12 weeks, Afua Asantewaa revealed that opting for a priority review would yield results in just five business days.

“Right after the attempt they requested for our files. We were putting everything together and because of the popularity of the event, they reached out that they are waiting for the videos, so we have submitted everything.”

“But if you want it quick, you pay an amount of money and they review your files within five working days. Officially it’s $650 but when you’re going to pay into the account you have to pay some transaction fees. Totally we did about $750 dollars for the priority.”

Afua Asantewaa in 2023 had taken on the challenge to beat the existing record which stands at 105 hours set in 2012.

Asantewaa endured a five-day singing marathon which began at midnight on Sunday, December 24, 2023 and ended at 7:00 am on December 29, 2023.

At the time she ended her record attempt on Friday morning, the young woman had sung for five days, six hours and 55 minutes.

Ending her record attempt on an emotional note, Afua Asantewaa sang Osibisa’s ‘Woyaya’.

The national anthem was later played to honour her and celebrate her efforts.

Moesha Bodoung suffers stroke as brother raises funds for her medical expenses

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
-
0
Moesha Bodoung

Ebito Bodoung, brother of Ghanaian socialite Moesha Bodoung, has announced that his sister has suffered a stroke.

He has started a fundraising campaign online on GoFundMe which was created on January 22, 2024, his celebrity sister.

In an accompanying statement on the fundraiser, Ebito indicates that Moesha’s condition has affected her ability to move and talk.

He is therefore requesting that the public assists him to foot bills incurred as a result of Moesha’s sickness.

So far, an amount of $570 (GH₵ 7,045.20) out of a target of $10,000 (GH₵ 123,600) has been donated into the account.

It is currently unknown what exactly may have caused her current condition.

Part of the statement read; “Hi I’m Ebito , my sister Moesha Bodoung sister recently experienced a life-altering stroke, and her journey to recovery has just begun. The impact of stroke on her life has been immense, affecting her mobility, speech, and overall quality of life. But we believe in the power of God, love, support and community to bring about positive change!”

The statement continues; “By contributing to this campaign, you will be directly supporting my sisters rehabilitation journey. These funds will be used to cover medical expenses, therapy sessions, assistive devices, and any other resources needed to aid her recovery.

My goal is to provide my sister with the best possible care and support during this challenging time. We want to help her regain her independence, rebuild her strength, and restore her abilities. Together, we can make a significant impact on her journey to recovery!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, compassion, and generosity. Your support means everything to us and to our beloved sister. Let’s come together as a community and make a lasting impact on her journey to recovery!

Berla Mundi to host Grammy’s African Nominee Brunch in Los Angeles

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
-
0
Berla Mundi

Ghanaian media personality Berla Mundi is gearing up to once again to grace the stage as the host of the prestigious 66th Grammy’s African Nominee Brunch. This highly anticipated event, slated for February 3rd, 2024, in Los Angeles, serves as an official side event to the main Grammy Awards ceremony and celebrates the achievements of African artists nominated for the coveted golden gramophones.

Following her successful hosting stint at last year’s brunch, Mundi will reprise her role, bringing her signature charm and wit to the gathering.

Her previous interactions with renowned artists like South Africa’s Nomcebo Zikode and Ghana’s Rocky Dawuni left a lasting impression, and her return is eagerly awaited by both attendees and audiences.

This year’s brunch promises to be even more vibrant, with a star-studded guest list curated by GUBA, the event’s organizers, led by the esteemed Lady Dentaa Amoateng .

Joining the celebration will be Nigerian music sensation Davido, South African Amapiano maestro Musa Keys, and acclaimed British-Ghanaian record producer Juls, alongside many other prominent figures.

News of Mundi’s return as host sparked excitement, with the TV3 personality taking to Instagram to share her enthusiasm.

“Looking forward to this,” she commented on GUBA’s announcement post, reflecting her eagerness to be at the helm of this prestigious event for the second time.

The brunch extends beyond Ghanaian borders, recognizing and celebrating the diverse tapestry of African musical talent.

This year’s Grammy nominations saw a strong showing from the continent, with artists like Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, and Tyla all vying for awards in various categories. Burna Boy leads the pack with four nominations, while Davido follows closely with three.

Credit: pulse.com.gh

Climate campaigner goes on trial over London oil industry protests

By
admin
-
0
Greta Thunberg (m) arriving at Westminster magistrates court

Greta Thunberg has appeared in court in London in a trial over a protest outside an oil industry summit in the capital last year.

The Swedish climate campaigner was one of five activists at Westminster magistrates court charged with “failing to comply with a condition imposed under section 14 of the Public Order Act” after they were told to leave the area.

With her in the dock were Christofer Kebbon, Joshua James Unwin, Jeff Rice and Peter Barker. They face fines of up to £2,500 if found guilty.

They were arrested after taking part in protests organised by Fossil Free London and Greenpeace last October that blocked the entrances of the InterContinental hotel in Mayfair, the venue for the Energy Intelligence Forum (EIF) attended by fossil fuel executives and government ministers.

Critics called the event the “oily money conference” in a sardonic nod to its previous name, the Oil and Money conference.

Credit: theguardian.com

Thailand deports dissident Russian rockers to Israel

By
admin
-
0
Aleksandr 'Shura' Uman, left, and Yegor 'Lyova' Bortnik perform during the Bi-2 rock band concert

Thailand has deported members of a dissident Russian-Belarusian rock band critical of Moscow’s war in Ukraine to Israel after they were detained for performing without a permit.

Members of Bi-2 left “safely” for Tel Aviv on Wednesday night, they said on their Facebook page. Human rights advocates had warned the group would face severe persecution for speaking out against Russia’s war in Ukraine if they were sent back to Russia. Thai authorities had detained the members of Bi-2 for working at the resort island of Phuket without a permit.

The fate of the band provoked an international outcry, leading Thai immigration officials to give the band the choice of being deported to another destination if they felt unsafe to return to Russia. Thailand’s National Security Council, chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, took charge of the case on Wednesday.

Several members of the self-exiled group, which had been based in Israel in the 1990s, have dual nationalities, including Israeli and Australian.

Deputy Police Chief Surachate Hakparn confirmed the band had requested to be deported to Israel.

Credit: aljazeera.com

Escaped monkey caught after 5-days on loose in Scotland

By
admin
-
0
Escaped monkey

A monkey which had been missing in the Highlands for more than five days has been successfully captured. The Japanese macaque – called Honshu – escaped from the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig, near Aviemore, on Sunday. The seven-year-old male was spotted in a garden at a house near the park on Thursday morning. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s drone team observed the animal until he was shot with a tranquiliser dart and taken back to the park.

The RZSS, which runs the Highland Wildlife Park, received a call to special hotline at about 10:00. Alan Bannon, its head of communications, said it was a relief to finally capture the monkey.

He told BBC Scotland News: “We got a phone call from a member of the public saying they had spotted the animal in their garden helping himself to a bird feeder.

Keith Gilchrist, the wildlife park’s living collections operations manager, said Honshu would be reintroduced to other adults within the troop.

Credit: bbc.com

India opposition leader arrested in a corruption case

By
admin
-
0
emant Soren has been arrested in an alleged corruption case

India’s financial crimes agency has arrested a top opposition leader, hours after he resigned from the position of the chief minister of Jharkhand state. Hemant Soren, of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) party, has been accused of corruption. He denies the allegations.

He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday evening after seven hours of questioning. His party has named transport minister Champai Soren as the next chief minister of the eastern state.

Mr Soren has challenged his arrest in India’s Supreme Court, calling it politically motivated. The matter will be heard on Friday.

He is the latest in a long list of opposition leaders who are facing high-profile investigations led by India’s central agencies.

The case against Mr Soren relates to a piece of land he allegedly owns in Ranchi city, the capital of Jharkhand. The ED claims he bought the property through “proceeds of crime” by illegally selling land owned by the Indian army.

Credit: bbc.com

UK High Court throws out Trump ex-spy dossier case

By
admin
-
0
Christopher Steele compiled the Steele Dossier

Donald Trump’s attempt to bring a case in the UK against a former MI6 officer who compiled a salacious dossier linking him to Russia has failed.

The former president had been seeking to use data protection laws to sue the company run by Christopher Steele but the High Court has thrown out the case.

Mr Steele compiled the dossier which contained unproven allegations about bribing officials and sex parties.

It was leaked to the media just before Mr Trump was sworn in as president.

In bringing the lawsuit against Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd, he said the dossier contained allegations that were inaccurate and breached his data protection rights.

In Thursday’s ruling in London, Mrs Justice Steyn DBE said she did not make any judgement on the allegations themselves but found Mr Trump’s claim had not been brought within the six-year limitation period.

“There are no compelling reasons to allow the claim to proceed to trial,” she wrote.

The case stems from 2016, when a US political consultancy asked Mr Steele’s company to produce a report into potential Russian interference in that year’s US general election.

Credit: bbc.com

Ukraine support package worth €50bn agreed by EU leaders

By
admin
-
0
EU leaders

All 27 EU leaders have agreed a €50bn aid package for Ukraine after Hungary had previously blocked the deal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the new funding, saying it would strengthen the country’s economic and financial stability.

Ukraine’s economic ministry said it expects the first tranche of funds in March.

There had been fears Hungary’s PM would again block the package as he did at a European summit in December.

Viktor Orban, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally in the EU, had said he wanted to force a rethink of the bloc’s policy towards Ukraine and questioned the idea of committing funds for Kyiv for the next four years.

The package will help to pay pensions, salaries and other costs over the next four years. It comes as US military aid for Ukraine – the largest provider of military support for Kyiv – is being held up by Congress.

News of the agreement was announced less than two hours after the summit started, surprising many observers who had expected talks to go on much longer due to the depth of disagreement between Mr Orban and the other EU leaders.

Credit: bbc.com

1...1,6561,6571,658...3,028Page 1,657 of 3,028

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

©
The Ghanaian Chronicle