Govt issues flood alert, says 14 States may record heavy rainfall

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July 6, 2023

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday opened his defence in Peter Obi’s suit challenging his victory at the 25 February presidential election.

Mr Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the disputed poll, filed his petition at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, accusing the electoral commission, INEC, of rigging the election in favour of Mr Tinubu.

He also accused Mr Tinubu, who won the election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), of fraudulent academic records and drug trafficking, amongst other issues.

Mr Obi came third in the February presidential election with 6,101,533 votes.

At the resumed proceedings on Wednesday, Mr Tinubu’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, tendered 18 documents as exhibits before the five-member panel of the court chaired by Haruna Tsammani.

Mr Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), presented Mr Tinubu’s academic records from the Chicago State University in the United States of America.

In further aid of the president’s case, Mr Olanipekun tendered certified true copies of correspondences between the Nigeria Police Force and the US Embassy in Nigeria concerning alleged criminal records of Mr Tinubu in the US over drug trafficking.

The US consulate wrote to the then Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun, now deceased, clearing Mr Tinubu of any criminal conviction or arrest in the US. The letter was dated 4 February, 2003.

Most of the documents tendered in Mr Obi’s case were earlier admitted in evidence on Tuesday at the opening of Mr Tinubu’s defence in Atiku Abubakar’s petition also contesting the outcome of the presidential poll.

Atiku, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came second in the race, is also challenging Mr Tinubu’s victory on similar grounds as Mr Obi’s.

Other vital documents also tendered included: data page of Mr Tinubu’s Nigerian passports issued on 2 February, 2011 and 20 November 2019; visa to the US issued on 4 February 2011 and acknowledgement copy of Kashim Shettima’s notice of voluntary withdrawal of candidacy from Borno Central Senatorial District election dated 6 February, 2023.

But Mr Obi’s lawyer, Livy Uzoukwu, a SAN, objected to the admissibility of the documents, while INEC and the APC consented to the court’s admissibility of the documents.

Credit: premiumtimesng.com

Why Sarkodie’s ‘Try Me’ song was removed from Apple Music, other streaming sites –Producer explains

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July 6, 2023

MOG Beatz, the producer behind Sarkodie‘s reply song to Yvonne Nelson’s abortion saga,‘Try Me,’ has revealed why the track was removed from several streaming sites.

On Monday July 3, 2023, fans of Sarkodie realized that the song was no longer on Apple Music and other streaming sites, generating different reasons by netizens for the removal.

The award-winning producer cleared the air and revealed that an unauthorized version of the track was uploaded on various streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify by an anonymous person.

Upon discovering the unauthorized release, the Sarkcess team swiftly took action to address the issue at hand.

Understanding the potential legal implications and the necessity of safeguarding Sarkodie’s intellectual property, the team launched efforts to remove the song from major streaming platforms, including Apple Music.

Clearing the air on the issue, MOG Beatz said; “This guy uploaded the song right after it was leaked.. the guy cash out saa Apple Music & Spotify figa say e be the rightful owner. The Sarkcess team is working on taking it down ASAP. Continue streaming on all other platforms.”

Sarkodie’s ‘Try Me’ single is a direct response to Yvonne Nelson‘s memoir, ‘I Am not Yvonne Nelson,’in which the Actress accused the Rapper of abandoning her after impregnating her in 2010.

The song, which has some strong content addressed that Yvonne Nelson was the one who opted for the abortion even after Sarkodie wanted her to keep it even when he was not ready for a baby then.

I’m no longer interested in mentoring musicians –Stonebwoy

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July 6, 2023

Afro Dancehall Musician, Stonebwoy has opened up about difficulty in mentoring upcoming musicians.

In an interview on Property FM, Stonebwoy revealed that he is no longer interested in mentoring the upcoming musicians, claiming that he is now cautious because of experiences with ingratitude.

According to him, he no longer has the ‘vim’ to help musicians who are finding their feet because of the ingratitude he has experienced in the past.

“It goes on constantly and I can mention a lot of names right now but we all saw what happened and all of that so there’s a huge issue with our system,”Stonebwoy stated.

The Bhimnation boss says there are so many things and investments that can go wrong coupled with too much stuff that can make you lose vim.

“When something makes you lose vim and to be able to do it again you have to be careful to strategize but I’m not afraid at all and I’ll always continue to help people,” Stonebwoy added.

He also hinted that his previous mistakes have made him more cautious.

Sarkodie holidays with wife abroad, amidst controversies with Yvonne Nelson

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July 6, 2023

Sarkodie and wife Tracy on vacation in Greece

Amidst controversies surrounding Sarkodie’s abortion with Actress Yvonne Nelson which was revealed in the latter’s memoir, ‘I’m not Yvonne Nelson,’ the Rapper has shared romantic vacation with wife abroad on social media.

Updating social media followers with videos and pictures of their vacation in Greece, the couple can be seen in a viral video exuding style and elegance as they unwind.

The ‘Adonai’ hitmaker’s wife, Tracy Sarkcess flaunted her stunning appearance and beautiful surroundings via a social media update. She shared glimpses of herself in various outfits, along with enticing backdrops that hinted at their current location outside of Ghana, where they are indulging in relaxation and leisure.

Following Sarkodie’s response to Yvonne Nelson in a diss track titled, ‘Try Me,’ social and traditional media were divided. Whereas some saw no relevance in the response, others criticised Sarkodie of disrespecting womanhood by releasing a song which labels the Actress as someone “for the street.”

Eyes were on his wife, Tracy as many were waiting for a reaction from her until she shared their vacation in Greece.

In their current vacation, Tracy Sarkcess appears to be basking in the joy and making the most of their time away. The couple’s presence and captivating moments have sparked admiration and envy among their fans, showcasing a beautiful bond and an opportunity for relaxation amidst the recent controversy.

Tracy Sarkcess has two children with Rapper Sarkodie. The names of their children are given as Adalyn and MJ.

Tourism Minister projects annual generation of over $6 billion from sector

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July 6, 2023

Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture has said the country could rake in between six and seven billion dollars annually if the government remains focused on developing and maintaining tourist sites.

In a speech during the commissioning of the redeveloped Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the Minister mentioned that the Akufo-Addo government has been keen to make Ghana the most preferred tourism destination on the continent.

“The big boys of Africa in terms of tourism; Morrocco, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Senegal all have their own tourist attractions. They have the wildlife; they have the beaches. Ghana has heritage and political tourism”, the minister said the country is leveraging its unique attractions to position itself as the go-to country for tourists.

Among others, he mentioned that the “Osu Castle will be modernized” next year, adding that; “And we are going to link all these; Kwame Nkrumah Park, Osu Castle and National Museum, Forts and Castles” to make the agenda a reality.

“If we continue as we’re going, over the next two years, tourism will generate between six to seven billion dollars per annum,” he said. “We’re going to contribute 150,000 jobs every year.”

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, 4th July 2023, commissioned the renovated and modernised Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, a year after he cut the sod for the commencement of work on the project.

The Park, which was built in 1991 and opened to the public in 1992, in the time of the 1st President of the 4th Republic, late Jerry John Rawlings, had not seen any renovation since then, resulting in significant deterioration of the edifice.

It is for this reason that President Akufo-Addo instructed the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture to close it down temporarily for renovation to be undertaken.

Addressing the gathering at the ceremony, the President noted that; “The Park now has facilities including a presidential library, receptive facility, mini-amphitheater, restaurant, freedom wall, and a digitalised payment and access system.

The mausoleum has also been fully refurbished, with the tombstone upgraded, and the museum expanded with an audiovisual tunnel. There is also an upgraded VVIP lounge, expanded recreational area, a modernized gift shop, and a fountain area with synchronised audiovisuals, the first of its kind in West Africa.”

China cancels visit from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell

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July 6, 2023

European Union Foreign Affairs and Security Policy minister, Josep Borrell

China has reportedly cancelled a visit from the European Union’s foreign affairs minister, who was due to visit Beijing next week. It did not give a reason.

According to the EU’s ambassador to China, Jorge Toledo, Josep Borrell and Chinese diplomats were expected to discuss trade, human rights and the war in Ukraine.

In an emailed statement to The Associated Press, EU spokesperson Nabila Massrali said: “Unfortunately, we were informed by the Chinese counterparts that the envisaged dates next week are no longer possible and we must now look for alternatives.”

“It is for China to communicate on the reasons,” she added. “We will adapt and find together a new date.”

China’s foreign ministry said Beijing attaches “high importance to Sino-European relations and has maintained exchanges with Europe at all levels and in various aspects”.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbing said at a news briefing in Beijing that Borrell would be welcomed “as soon as possible at the convenience of both sides”.

The development followed last week’s EU summit, during which the bloc endorsed a proposal to source key materials, such as rare earth metals, from places other than China, but it also said it did not want to “decouple” from the world’s second-largest economy entirely.

Source: Aljazeera.com

Ruins found of Munich synagogue destroyed by Hitler

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July 6, 2023

Hitler ordered the destruction of the city's main synagogue in June 1938

Eighty-five years after Adolf Hitler ordered the destruction of Munich’s main synagogue, construction workers have found rubble from the building in a nearby river.

They uncovered columns from the synagogue and a stone tablet showing some of the Ten Commandments.

The Jewish community and local figures are delighted with the discovery.

“We never thought we would find anything from it,” said Bernhard Purin, head of Munich’s Jewish museum.

There had been no sign of the building since it was torn down in June 1938, after Hitler demanded its removal as an “eyesore”. Five months later, Jews, synagogues and Jewish-run businesses were attacked across Nazi Germany in the deadly November pogrom widely known as Kristallnacht.

“Yesterday I saw [the remains] for the first time and it was one of the most moving moments in 30 years of working in Jewish museums, especially seeing the plaque of the Ten Commandments not seen since 1938,” Mr Purin told the BBC.

Rubble from the historic building is thought to have been submerged in the River Isar since it was used to rebuild a weir 11 years after World War Two.

The stone tablet originally came from above the Ark (containing the Torah) on the eastern wall of the synagogue, which was one of Munich’s most famous pre-war landmarks. The old site is now covered by a Karstadt department store.

Source: bbc.com

ICJ confirms international case over Iran downing of Flight PS752

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July 6, 2023

Iran says the plane was shot down as a result of human error in operating a missile defence system

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has confirmed that Canada and three allies have filed proceedings against Iran over its downing of Flight PS752 in 2020, which killed all 176 people on board.

Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Ukraine, all of whom lost nationals and residents in the incident, tabled their case under the Montreal Convention, which deals with civil aviation safety, The Hague-based tribunal said on Wednesday.

The ICJ, also known as the World Court, said the applicants accuse Iran of failing to take all practical measures to prevent the destruction of the passenger plane and said it subsequently “failed to conduct an impartial, transparent and fair criminal investigation and prosecution consistent with international law”.

The Ukraine International Airlines flight bound for Kyiv was shot down with two missiles shortly after takeoff from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport on January 8, 2020, at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had just fired missiles at US forces in Iraq after the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad.

Iranian officials have said the downing of the Boeing 737 was an accident caused by human error in operating a surface-to-air missile defence system.

Source: Aljazeera.com

Jenin: Palestinians fear escalation after destructive West Bank assault

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July 6, 2023