Home Blog Page 1958

China’s Great Wall damaged by workers looking for shortcut

By
admin
-
0
Police say two people excavated a big gap on the Great Wall

A part of China’s Great Wall has been severely damaged by construction workers in central Shanxi province, who used an excavator to dig through it.

Police say two people are suspected of trying to create a shortcut for their construction work.

The two have been detained and the case is under further investigation.

They dug a “big gap” by widening an existing cavity of the Great Wall so that their excavator could pass through it. Police say they wanted to reduce the distance they had to travel.

Police also stressed that the two caused “irreversible damage to the integrity of the Ming Great Wall and to the safety of the cultural relics”.

Located in Youyu county, the 32nd Great Wall is a section of the Ming Great Wall and is categorised as a historical and cultural site which is protected at the provincial level.

Officers were alerted to the damage on 24 August after receiving reports that there was a huge gap in the wall.

The Great Wall, a Unesco world heritage site since 1987, was built and rebuilt on a continual basis from around 220 BC until the Ming Dynasty in the 1600s, when it was the world’s largest military structure.

Credit: bbc.com

French schools turn away girls wearing Muslim abaya dress

By
admin
-
0
French schools sack girls wearing abaya

The French education minister has said that nearly 300 pupils arrived at school on Monday wearing the abaya, the long Muslim robe which was banned in schools last week.

Most of the girls agreed to change into other clothes.

According to official figures, 298 girls – mainly aged 15 or more – turned up at school in the banned garment.

Under instructions laid down by the ministry, there followed in each case a period of dialogue with school staff.

Most girls then agreed to dress differently and were able to start classes.

However, 67 girls refused to comply and were sent home.

A further period of dialogue with their families will now ensue. If that fails, they will be excluded.

Set against the 12 million school boys and girls who started term on Monday, the government believes the figures show that its ban has been broadly accepted.

However, a legal challenge by a group representing some Muslims went before the courts yesterday.

Credit: bbc.com

N. Korea leader Kim expected to meet Russia’s Putin, according to a White House official

By
admin
-
0
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a White House official.

On Monday, United States National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson indicated that the meeting would be part of ongoing discussions over weapons sales between the two countries.

“As we have warned publicly, arms negotiations between Russia and the DPRK are actively advancing,” Watson said, using an acronym for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea.

“We have information that Kim Jong Un expects these discussions to continue, to include leader-level diplomatic engagement in Russia,” she added.

Last week, the White House said Russia was already in secret, active talks with North Korea to acquire a range of munitions and supplies for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said that, despite its denials, North Korea supplied infantry rockets and missiles to Russia last year for use by the privately controlled Wagner military group.

Credit: aljazeera.com

Billions pledged for green energy at Africa climate talks

By
admin
-
0
UN chief Antonio Guterres delivers his remarks during the Africa Climate Summit

The United Arab Emirates has pledged $4.5bn in clean energy investments in Africa at a landmark climate summit aimed at showcasing the continent’s potential as a green powerhouse.

Kenyan President William Ruto has sought to use the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi to shift the narrative on the continent, presenting the clean energy transition as a unique opportunity for Africa – if it can attract the financing to realise its potential.

On Tuesday, the conference saw its most significant pledge so far, with $4.5bn announced by the UAE, which will also host the COP28 summit in Dubai in November-December.

Africa’s renewable generation capacity was 56GW in 2022, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.

The three-day Nairobi summit, which began on Monday, has attracted heads of state, government and industry, as well as United Nations head Antonio Guterres, European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and United States’ climate envoy John Kerry.

It is billed as bringing together African leaders to define a shared vision for green development on the diverse continent of 1.4 billion and set the tone for a flurry of international diplomacy leading up to the COP28 meeting.

Credit: aljazeera.com

Stop extorting from members through sale of anointing oil -Bishop Yuiah

By
SAMUEL AGBEWODE
-
0
A group photograph of the Founder and General Overseer , Bishop Stephen Yuiah (3rd from left) with newly ordained pastors , evangelist and senior pastors

The Founder and General Overseer of the New Revival Bethel Fire Ministries, Bishop Stephen Yuiah, has cautioned pastors against extortion from their members and others who asked for their help, because their position was not to use the people to enrich themselves.

He stressed the need for them to emulate Christ, who gave support to those in need without collecting anything from them.

Bishop Yuiah said it was unfortunate that some pastors had deviated from their core mandate of propagation of the Gospel and working within their call to save lives, turned to make the sale of anointing oil as if that was the main purpose for which they were called to the ministry.

Bishop Yuiah gave the caution at the 2023 annual National Convention of the Church at Etordome in the Ho East District, which also saw the ordination of five newly trained pastors and four evangelists, who were empowered to become more responsible in their various ministries.

He explained that he was not against the use an anointing oil, because he also used it in the church, but the sale of the oil was the problem, since both the rich and the poor needed spiritual help from the church, and if the poor could not have access to the oil simply because they could not afford it, would mean that they had been isolated from benefiting from the church.

According to the Bishop, the sale of anointing oil had made some people to believe that Christianity largely depended on the use of anointing oil, and would not visit churches where they did not sell the oil, which he pointed out was unfortunate.

Bishop Yuiah, therefore asked Christians to study and follow the teachings of the Bible which would help them to build their faith and understood God better to enable them to worship him well, and added that Ghanaians should also stop craving for anointing oil as if it was the ultimate to Christianity.

Bishop Yuiah touching on the theme: “All Acted As One”, stressed the need for all leaders to unite and work faithfully including church leaders, chiefs, heads of department and politicians to ensure rapid development of the country.

The General Secretary of the Church, the Rev Killian Okitikroh said the church also embarked on farming of food crops and livestock to generate income for the church, and encouraged the youth to emulate the church and regard agriculture as a business instead of looking for an un-existing white colour job.

Rev Okitikroh announced that the New Revival Bethel Fire Ministries healed spiritual sicknesses and physically through the use of the Bible and herbs because it was revealed to the founder that God power was hidden in his creation like herbs and when revealed could be used for healing to glorify the creator.

He said hundreds of people travelled from far and near to seek spiritual and physical healing from the church and appealed to the government to rehabilitate the Sokode-Bame road, to facilitate smooth transportation of patients to the church as well as goods and services to other parts of the region.

Three-day exhibition for women in business and farmers ends in Ho

By
SAMUEL AGBEWODE
-
0
The CEO of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Dr Efua Asabia Asare 2nd from (right) and the Volta Women Icon (middle) and other officials

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Dr. Efua Asabia Asare, has said that it was important for Ghanaians, particularly women, to take up farming as a business to promote rapid economic growth of the country.

Dr. Asare noted that farming was a lucrative job, and if Ghanaians had invested in agriculture, the country would be economically sound and would not have asked for support from the International Monitoring Fund (IMF).

She was speaking at the opening of a three-day exhibition for women in the Volta Region in farming and business, as well as to build their capacity to promote their businesses on the international market in Ho.

She assured the guests that the GEPA would consolidate the efforts of women in farming and business by promoting their products at the local and the international markets to ensure growth.

Dr. Asare said her outfit had recognised the important role women were playing in the promotion of made in Ghana goods internationally, and commended the Woman Icon in the Volta Region, Mrs. Gifty Kafui Kamassah, for distinguishing herself in the field of farming.

Dr. Asare, in recognition of the Volta Region Woman Icon, presented a citation in her honour, which read: ” In recognition of your extraordinary efforts in the world of agribusiness and international trade, and the CEO of Maphlix Trust Ghana Limited, you have led the production and export of fresh vegetables to Europe and beyond, redefining the possibilities of agribusiness on a global scale.

“Beyond your business acumen, you empowered women with essential agricultural skills including innovative cassava processing techniques, effective agricultural practices, income generation skills and adherence to health and safety standards on and off the field.”

Mrs. Gifty Kafui Kamassah thanked the GEPA for the recognition of the role she played in farming, and added that through hard work and determination, fresh vegetables had become a popular brand at the local and the international markets.

Mrs. Kamassah explained that the GEPA, in 2017 and 2018, identified her efforts and sent her to the United Kingdom and Germany for exhibition programmes.

She said for every business to thrive, there was the need to have a business plan, and to be focused in order to become successful.

The three-day exhibition would also equip the women with business management skills, financial management, and record keeping.

Easy and Effective Ways to Purify Water

By
admin
-
0
Purify drinking water

In a country where waterborne diseases result in over 10,000 deaths annually, we don’t need to emphasize why there is an urgent need for a water purifier in every household. While higher authorities might be doing their best to provide us with clean and safe drinking water, we, too, have a responsibility.

We need to ensure that our homes and workplaces are fitted with an electric water purifier for safe and clean water. Most people trust an RO Water Filter or an RO UV Water Purifier for their drinking water needs, but there are other alternative methods that you can try.

Here are some of the most effective water purification methods that have stood the test of time:

  1. Boiling

The simplest method to purify water is to boil it for a good time. High temperatures cause the bacteria and virus to dissipate, removing all impurities from the water. In doing so, chemical additions cease to exist in the water. However, the dead micro-organisms and impurities settle at the bottom of the water, and boiling does not help eliminate all the impurities. You must strain the water through a microporous sieve to completely remove the impurities.

  1. Water Purifier

An electric water purifier is the most trusted form of water purification found in most houses today. A water purifier uses a multi-stage process involving UV and UF filtration, carbon block, and modern water filtration technology that eliminates most of the chemicals and impurities, making it the purest drinking water.

  1. Reverse Osmosis

An RO Purifier proves to be one of the best methods of purifying water. Reverse Osmosis forces water through a semipermeable membrane and removes contaminants. The TDS Controller and Mineraliser Technology, like the one found in an A. O. Smith RO UV Water Purifier, help retain the necessary nutrients while doing away with harmful impurities.

  1. Water Chlorination

It is an older technique used usually during an emergency, wherein a mild bleach with approximately 5% chlorine is added to the water. This mixture works as an oxidant and quickly kills microorganisms, making water safe for consumption.

  1. Distillation

Distillation is a water purification process involving collecting the condensed water after evaporation, ensuring that water is free of contaminants. However, this isn’t as effective as an RO filter because it is time-consuming and eliminates minerals.

  1. Iodine Addition

Iodine is a red chemical that is easily available as a tablet or a liquid. It is extremely powerful as it kills bacteria and viruses. However, it adds an unpleasant taste and can be fatal if taken in high doses. Therefore, it should only be used if you don’t have access to a better method of purification like an electric water purifier.

  1. Solar Purification

An alternative to the UV filtration is solar purification which involves treating water with the ultraviolet radiation of the sun. The process involves filling a plastic bottle with water, shaking it to activate the oxygen and leaving it horizontally in the sunlight. This effectively kills bacteria and viruses present in the water, making it safe for consumption.

  1. Clay Vessel Filtration

Way before people had access to an RO or UV Purifier, they used clay pots which purified muddy water, by blocking out the mud and allowing pure, potable water to pass through. This method is still used in some rural regions.

  1. UV Radiation

Water is exposed to a UV Light that kills microorganisms, thereby preventing it from breeding further. But if not coupled with an RO Filter, UV Radiation alone cannot remove impurities and heavy metals.

  1. Desalination

This method is used when water with a certain level of salinity needs to be filtered. This process is helpful.

Source: www.aosmithindia.com

VP Bawumia commissions Automated Premix Fuel Dispensing at Elmina

By
admin
-
0

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has commissioned the Automated Premix Fuel Dispensing and Monitoring System, a transformative project designed to redefine the landscape of Ghana’s fishing industry.

The groundbreaking initiative promises to eliminate the corruption, diversion and other bottlenecks associated with the supply and distribution of premix fuel, ushering in an era of efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

Commissioning the project at Elmina in the Central region on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 Vice President Bawumia explained that fisherfolk can now directly access the quantity of pre-mix fuel they require at the pumps, using their personalized Canoe Identification Cards containing their bio-and other data and linked to their vessels, instead of relying on middlemen and other interlocutors for supplies.

“The integration of such cutting-edge technology promises to put an end to the persistent issue of hoarding, which has cast a shadow on the fishing industry for far too long. By ensuring accurate and transparent tracking, the Automated Premix Fuel Dispensing and Monitoring System will guarantee that premix fuel reaches its intended recipients without delay, leveling the playing field for all stakeholders involved,” he noted.

“Indeed, transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of this project. We are resolute in our commitment to overcome any attempts at fraud, diversion, or illicit activities within the supply chain. Through real-time monitoring of fuel levels and transactions, we shall foster an environment of trust and integrity, wherein suppliers and consumers can partake in a fair and just system.”

The Automated Premix Fuel Dispensing and Monitoring System is comprised of cutting edge technology, including dispensing control units, fuel level sensors, card utilization systems for authorization and access, and web and mobile applications for monitoring and generating reports. This comprehensive infrastructure ensures efficient tracking, transparent transactions, and accurate data collection, providing a strong foundation for the optimization of premix fuel distribution.

According to officials of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Automation System has a number of modules, allowing stakeholders to track and view in real time orders, transportation, delivery and fueling transactions.

31 Landing Beaches have been fitted with the pumps so far, with work on the others ongoing, according to officials of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture. All outlets, according to the Ministry, will have remote access on authorized web devices allowing stakeholders to view in real time all transactions at each landing beach and eliminate the age-long issue of hoarding and other ills.

With the deployment of the Premix Automation Platform, the National Premix Secretariat will access real time data from their control centre to facilitate forecasting, and inventory management which avoids stockouts. Through proper logistics management, the data generated will be essential for re-ordering, whiles each order is carefully monitored and measured against delivery timelines to enhance delivery efficiency.

“Few projects hold the potential to transform lives and uplift communities as profoundly as the Automated Premix Fuel Dispensing and Monitoring System,” Dr Bawumia emphasized. “Its implications are not confined to the technical realm; instead, they ripple through the fabric of our society, touching the lives of our hardworking fisher folk, the suppliers, and the entire fishing industry ecosystem.”

Vice President Bawumia lauded the “very significant contribution” of the Ghanaian fishing industry to national development, noting that it not only sustains the livelihoods and social wellbeing of our people but also contributes substantially to the food security of the nation, and pledged Government’s continued focus on addressing the issues hampering their progress.

“As we celebrate the commissioning of the Automated Premix Fuel Dispensing and Monitoring System, let us recognize the vital role of the fishing industry in our nation’s pursuit of prosperity and commit to supporting its sustainable growth for the benefit of the people of Ghana.  Together, let us work hand in hand to preserve this precious resource and forge a future where the Ghanaian fishing industry thrives, and contributes to the inclusive development of our country,” he urged.

Dr Bawumia also emphasized the linkages between technological advancement and economic development, pointing out that in “the 21st Century, technology has emerged as a powerful catalyst for nation building, propelling countries towards progress, innovation, and prosperity. As we stand at the precipice of a digital revolution, it is essential to recognize the transformational role of technology in shaping the destiny of nations.

“As we celebrate the commissioning of the Premix Fuel Automation System today, we witness yet another manifestation of the government’s dedication to leveraging technology for the greater good. This transformative project, alongside numerous other digitisation efforts, showcase the government’s vision to build a stronger, more prosperous Ghana—one that thrives on the wings of innovation and technological advancements.”

Brazil drop winger Antony after allegations of abuse by his ex-girlfriend

By
admin
-
0
Antony

Brazil have dropped Manchester United winger Antony following allegations of abuse by his former girlfriend.

The Brazilian football federation said the 23-year-old had been withdrawn from the squad after “facts became public” that “need to be investigated”.

Brazilian news outlet UOL published allegations made by Antony’s ex-partner on Monday.

Police in Sao Paulo and Greater Manchester are investigating the claims, which the player has denied.

“I can calmly state that the accusations are false and that the evidence already produced and the other evidence that will be produced demonstrate that I am innocent of the accusations made,” Antony said on social media.

“I trust that the ongoing police investigations will demonstrate the truth about my innocence.”

Antony is accused of attacking his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin “with a headbutt” in a Manchester hotel room on 15 January, leaving her with a cut head which needed treatment from a doctor.

She also alleges she was punched in the chest, causing damage to a silicone breast implant, which required corrective surgery.

Antony added in his statement on Monday that his relationship with his former partner was “tumultuous”, but insisted he “never committed any physical aggression”.

He also released a statement in June saying he had been falsely accused by his former girlfriend of domestic violence.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it is “aware of the allegations made and enquiries remain ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding this report”.

Credit: bbc.com

 

Spain sack women World Cup-winning manager, apologise for president’s kiss scandal

By
admin
-
0
Vilda's departure comes two weeks after Spain's triumph at the Women's World Cup

Spain women’s boss Jorge Vilda has been sacked as manager as part of changes to the country’s set up in the wake of Luis Rubiales’ ‘kiss-gate’ scandal.

Vilda’s position has been controversial despite the coach leading Spain to a 1-0 win over England in the Women’s World Cup final last month.

The Spanish FA were urged to dismiss Vilda by their regional presidents’ committee last week, with the organisation facing mounting pressure over the controversy surrounding Rubiales, who is a close ally of the coach.

And Vilda has now been dismissed by Spain after a meeting with acting Spain FA president Pedro Rocha.

Sonia Bermudez is expected to be placed in interim charge ahead of upcoming Nations League games against Sweden and Switzerland until a permanent replacement is found. In a statement, the Spanish FA thanked Vilda for his work in the role and noted how he had helped grown the women’s game in the country.

The Spanish FA has also issued an apology for suspended president, Luis Rubiales‘ actions, saying they were ‘totally unacceptable’, caused ‘enormous damage’ and that they are ’embarrassed’.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation, through its President, Mr. Pedro Rocha, considers it is essential to present the most sincere apologies for the totally unacceptable behavior of its highest institutional representative during the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and in the moments that followed,’ it said.

Credit: dailymail.co.uk

1...1,9571,9581,959...3,028Page 1,958 of 3,028

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

©
The Ghanaian Chronicle