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Drake buys 2Pac’s $1 million ring

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Drake displaying 2Pac’s ring he purchased

Hip hop star, Drake is the proud owner of a rare piece of 2Pac jewelry that recently sold for over $1 million at a Sotheby’s auction.

Earlier this week, the gold, ruby, and diamond-encrusted ring, which ‘Pac wore during his last public appearance at the1996 VMAs was sold for $1,016,000.

On Instagram, Drake revealed that he is the one who made the hefty purchase. In a post on his Instagram Story to promote Travis Scott’s latest album Utopia, Drake shared a close-up photo of the ring on his finger.

Meanwhile, it appears that Drake references his latest jewelry purchase on his guest verse on Utopia cut “Meltdown,” in which he raps “I pull out a million to stare at this shit.”

Drake will have a difficult time topping his latest purchase, as ‘Pac’s ring is already considered the most valuable hip-hop artefact ever sold at an auction.

The 14-karat yellow gold ring “sits atop a diamond-encrusted gold band is the ‘crown’ itself: a gold circlet studded with the three largest jewels in the entire piece—a central cabochon ruby, flanked by two pavé-cut diamonds,” Sotheby described on its website.

“This one-of-a-kind, custom ring was meticulously designed by Pac and is among the final products of his boundless creative energy — a unique artefact from a period of time that is a testament to his enduring influence on hip-hop,” Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s Global Head of Science and Popular Culture, added.

Bishop Ogyiri Asare hosts Apostle Joshua Selman, Matthew Ashimolowo and others for 26th IPG in Takoradi

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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The 26th edition of the annual International Prophetic Gathering (IPG) by Zion Praise Chapel International dubbed ‘Empowerment’ is set to come off at the church’s auditorium in Takoradi from August 6 to August 13, 2023.

The event is in two parts – morning sessions start at 9 am, and evening sessions which commence at 5:30 pm are projected to host over 50,000 patrons.

“The International Prophetic Gathering, a flagship event in the spiritual calendar, will bring together renowned seasoned speakers and talented musicians to inspire, empower and uplift attendees. This year’s gathering, held under the compelling theme of “Empowerment,” promises to be a life-changing experience.

“Guest Speakers for this year’s IPG include Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo (UK), Bishop Abraham Chingbundu (Nigeria), Apostle Joshua Selman (Nigeria) and Pastor Amos Fenwa (Nigeria),” Bishop Ogyiri Asare, the Convener of IPG mentioned in a press statement.

Bishop Bernard Ogiri Asare who doubles as the Founder of Zion Praise Chapel International added that; “Prayerfully selected Gospel Musicians who have been billed for this year’s conference include M.O.G, Akesse Brempong, Perez Music, Deacon Gideon Fase and International Praise Choir.

On security, Bishop Ogyiri Asare assured that; “Paramount interest to us as conveners is the security of the congregation. We are, therefore, assuring all congregants that, the 26th IPG is under tight security surveillance, for” we are not ignorant of the devil’s devices.

The Western Regional Police Command will be duly informed about this event to provide the church with security personnel daily to protect everyone present at the event.

Projecting a total of 50,000 patrons, we have made further arrangements for private security details in addition to the Ghana Police Personnel. We will not leave any security detail unexamined during the conference.”

“With countless testimonies from the previous IPGs, I know the God of my covenant who makes the glory of the latter house greater than the former will move mightily this year. Come with an expectant heart and we know God will break chains, heal the sick, restore what the locus and canker worms have eaten and empower you for greater works” Bishop Ogyiri Asare ended.

Gospel presenter OB Nartey picks nomination form for NPP parliamentary race

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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OB Nartey picks forms at NPP Head office

Gospel Broadcaster, Kwame OB Nartey, popularly known as OB Nartey has picked forms at the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) head office to contest for the parliamentary primaries of the party at the Adentan Constituency.

OB Nartey and his team were received by Joseph Acolatse, the Chairman of the Adentan Constituency at the party’s constituency headquarters when he went for the forms on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

He expressed his joy and appreciation to the party’s executives for opening their doors, and also seized the opportunity to reiterate his commitment and visions for the constituency.

He also appealed to all party members to regard him as their best candidate, determined and capable of winning our parliamentary seat come December, 2024.

Constituency delegates present were happy at the event and prided themselves and for the party, to see OB Nartey successfully pick his nomination forms.

An Artiste Manager, OB Narteyis a gospel presenter, popularly famed for his Live Worship show which used to air on Vision 1 FM.

He is also a member of the Table of Men, an advocacy group in the gospel music fraternity.

Bessa Simons on why he should be voted for as MUSIGA President

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Bessa Simons

Veteran Musician, Bessa Simons who is contesting for the presidency of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) has given reasons why he is the best person to be given the nod.

In an interview on OC Showbiz Review on Skyy Power FM in Takoradi, Bessa Simons said amongst those contesting for the position, he is the one who operates an open-door policy. “I am affable and a team player. As you already known me, anytime you call me, even when I am asleep, I wake up to pick calls of people” Bessa Simons said.

According to him, he will make the MUSIGA attractive to all musicians to join, especially the young Artistes who are not yet members. He mentioned that he is concerned about the welfare of the young musicians who are the future of the culture and heritage of country so making the association attractive for all to join will be a good step in the right direction.

Mr. Simons who is currently the acting President of MUSIGA is a forty year industry veteran who has played with all the big names in Ghana. He was a member of the Osibisa group during his stay in London and still works with the group on shows.

ISIL claims responsibility for Pakistan bombing that killed 54 people

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admin
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Funerals held for the victims of Sunday’s suicide attack, which also wounded nearly 200 people

The death toll from a suicide bombing that targeted an election rally in the border district of Bajaur, Pakistan, has risen to 54 as funerals are held and the government promises to hunt down those behind the attack.

Nearly 200 people were wounded in Sunday’s bombing, which the ISIL (ISIS) armed group claimed responsibility for on Monday.

“A suicide attacker from the Islamic State [ISIL] … detonated his explosive jacket in the middle of a crowd” in the town of Khar, the armed group’s news arm Amaq said in a statement.

About 400 members of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) party, a key government coalition partner headed by hardline politician Fazlur Rehman, were waiting for speeches to begin when a bomber detonated a vest packed with explosives near the stage.

Rehman did not attend the rally, held under a large tent close to a market. The Pakistani leader has escaped at least two known bombings in 2011 and 2014 during political rallies.

As condolences poured in from across the country, dozens of people who received minor injuries were discharged from hospital while the critically wounded were taken to the provincial capital, Peshawar, by army helicopters. The death toll continued to rise as critically wounded people died in hospital, Dr Gul Naseeb said.

Source: Aljazeera.com

Lebanon clashes: Thousands flee violence at Palestinian refugee camp

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admin
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Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon

The UN says more than 2,000 people have been forced to flee violence between rival factions at a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon.

The clashes between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement and Islamist groups left 11 people dead, the UN says.

A ceasefire has now been agreed although gunfire was still being reported on Monday.

Established in 1948, the Ein el-Hilweh camp is the largest in Lebanon.

The UN says it houses more than 63,000 registered refugees, but some estimates say the population is higher.

The camp, situated near the southern city of Sidon, falls outside the jurisdiction of the Lebanese security forces.

It is left up to rival factions within the camp to maintain its security, but factional disputes are common.

The weekend’s violence erupted on Saturday when a member of an Islamist group was killed, AFP news agency reports, quoting an unnamed source inside the camp.

Tensions continued to mount through to Sunday, culminating with the death of a Fatah commander, Ashraf al-Armouchi, and several of his aides.

A ceasefire agreed on Sunday soon broke down, and heavy fighting was again reported on Monday with gun and anti-tank fire echoing through the camp.

Source: bbc.com

The UK will drill for more oil and gas in the North Sea

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UK seeks to drill more oil and gas from North Sea

The UK government has announced plans to allow a big expansion of drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea in a move that environmental activists have described as a taking a “wrecking ball” to the country’s climate commitments.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Monday that he hoped the plans would provide the UK with domestically-sourced energy while it transitions to a net zero economy by 2050.

“Even when we’ve reached net zero in 2050, a quarter of our energy needs will come from oil and gas. But there are those who would rather that it come from hostile states than from supplies we have here at home,” Sunak said in a statement.

He also announced plans to build two new carbon capture and storage sites in the North Sea, to be completed by 2030, which would take the country’s total to four.

Carbon capture facilities work at the source of the pollution by putting emissions into contact with a liquid solvent, which extracts the carbon dioxide in a process called chemical scrubbing.

That reduces the amount of carbon that would otherwise go into the atmosphere. The carbon can then be stored in products like cement, or buried deep underground.

The UK announcement comes despite evidence that the climate crisis is accelerating, and flies in the face of a previous warning from the International Energy Agency that there must be no new investment in oil and gas exploration if the world is to have any chance of restricting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Centigrade above pre-industrial levels.

Source: cnn.com

West African central bank cancels Niger $51m bond issuance due to sanctions

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West African central bank

A planned 30 billion CFA franc ($51m) bond issuance by Niger scheduled for Monday in the West African regional debt market has been cancelled by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) following a coup, market sources said.

At an emergency summit in Nigeria, the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc demanded on Sunday that Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted from power last week, be reinstated within a week.

The bloc imposed sanctions on Niger including the halt of all financial transactions and a national assets freeze to try to force the coup plotters to restore constitutional order.

Niger, which is one of the world’s poorest countries and largely depends on external aid and financing, was expected to issue two other bonds in the regional market on August 7 and August 17, according to an issuance calendar of the regional debt management agency.

France, Niger’s former colonial ruler, has condemned the coup. The European Union has suspended security cooperation and financial aid to Niger following Bazoum’s removal, while the United States has warned that its aid could also be at stake.

Source: Aljazeera.com

Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum meets Chad’s leader

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Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum (R) met Chad's Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno (L) at the presidential palace in Niamey

Niger’s ousted president has been seen for the first time since the military detained him in a coup last week.

Mohamed Bazoum met Chad’s leader, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, in Niger’s capital, Niamey.

Mr Déby, who also met the coup leaders, is spearheading mediation efforts after West African leaders gave Niger’s military seven days to give up power.

The junta accused the ousted government of authorising France to carry out an attack to try to free Mr Bazoum.

Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of the presidential guards unit, declared himself Niger’s new ruler on Friday.

Mr Déby said his mediation effort was aimed at finding a “peaceful solution to the crisis which is shaking” Niger, which borders Chad.

He did not give details, but his office released a photo of him sitting next to a smiling Mr Bazoum.

Mr Déby was himself put in power by the army after his father was killed fighting rebel forces in 2021.

He was sent to Niger by leaders of the West African regional bloc, Ecowas. On Sunday they gave the junta a week to reinstate the elected president, who has been confined to the presidential palace in Niamey.

The regional bloc would “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order” if its demands were not met. “Such measures may include the use of force,” a statement added.

The junta has not commented on the demands, but it has vowed to defend Niger from any “aggression” by regional or Western powers.

Source: bbc.com

45,000 affected by annual floods in Ghana -NGO

By
FRANCIS OWUSU-ANSAH
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Mr. Raphael Godlove Ahenu Jnr, CEO for GLOMEF

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), Mr. Raphael Godlove Ahenu Jnr., has expressed grave worry over the situation where Ghanaian farmers are resorting to the use of harmful agrochemicals in their farming activities.

This dangerous trend, from clearing the land to harvesting, not only fails to support climate change mitigation efforts, but also leads to alarming effects as over 45,000 people are affected by floods annually in Ghana.

The disclosure was made during the National Grantees Forum at Abesim, near Sunyani, under the theme: “Bringing Members Together for Strategy and Network.”

The event was sponsored by the Green Grant Fund (GGF) Ghana and organised by GLOMEF to address the pressing environmental challenges facing the nation.

Mr. Ahenu Jnr. emphasised that Ghana suffered significant financial losses due to floods, with the devastating impact exacerbated by human activities directly contributing to climate change.

The utilisation of agrochemicals in farming, reckless construction in waterlogged areas, wholesale deforestation for agricultural purposes, and tree-cutting for building constructions all play a pivotal role in driving climate change and, subsequently, causing rampant flooding.

Furthermore, he pointed out that illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey,” as another major factor behind climate change in the country.

Amidst the global efforts to tackle climate change, research indicates that a staggering 80% of the world’s population – approximately eight billion people – was already affected.

Despite substantial financial investments by world leaders to fight climate change on a global scale, the relentless progression of human activities remained a significant obstacle to achieving sustainable results.

Mr. Richard Adjei-Poku, the Executive Director of Livelihood and Environment Ghana (LEG) addressing the participants said the National Grantees Forum proved to be a vital platform, convening environmental advocate organizations from across the nation that have received grants from GGF.

Mr. Adjei-Poku reiterated that the objective was to deliberate on strategies to intensify their advocacy efforts for tangible outcomes in the future.

The participants engaged in thoughtful discussions addressing the pressing environmental challenges faced by Ghana and worked collaboratively to identify viable solutions to combat climate change.

The participants observed that distressing prevalence of harmful agrochemical use by Ghanaian farmers, coupled with other human-induced activities such as illegal mining and deforestation, continue to exacerbate climate change, leading to devastating floods affecting thousands of people every year.

The forum recommended that as the world collectively grapples with the challenges of climate change, it is essential for stakeholders, environmental advocates, and policymakers to unite and take decisive action in safeguarding the planet for future generations.

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