Buah Unveils Sweeping Lands, Mining & Forestry Reforms at 2026 Ministry Retreat

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February 3, 2026

South African singer Tyla has won her second Grammy, beating four others, including three Nigerian artists, to take the Best African Music Performance award.

The 24-year-old won for her song Push 2 Start, which was preferred over tracks by Ayra Starr, Burna Boy and Davido, as well as Ugandan singer Eddy Kenzo.

Tyla bagged the same prize in 2024 for her global hit Water, also beating a host of Nigerian stars.

Reacting to her win after the awards ceremony in Los Angeles, she exclaimed: “This is insane, this is so insane! I’m just so lucky to be here and I’m so proud to be African. I’m excited to see more of us over here.”

“Congratulations Tyla” has been trending on social media in South Africa and elsewhere.

“South Africa is proud of you ! We are proud of you!,” one X user posted.

Another said that while they had wished that Starr had won, they conceded that Tyla had worked hard: “You deserve it.”

There was disappointment among Nigerian music lovers after none of the country’s stars won, despite the global success of Afrobeats.

Burna Boy was also nominated in the Best Global Music Album category, alongside Senegal’s Youssou N’Dour, while Angelique Kidjo also got a nod in the Best Global Music Performance category.

None of them got to take home the famous gramophone player statuette.

One Nigerian star did get recognition: Fela Kuti was given a Lifetime Achievement Award 29 years after his death.

Credit: bbc.com

Slim Buster cautions upcoming artistes to avoid taking money from women

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February 3, 2026

Ace Artiste and Dancer, Slim Buster has warned upcoming artistes against relying on financial support from women, citing potential personal and career consequences in the music industry.

Ghanaian musician Slim Buster has urged emerging artists to exercise caution when accepting financial support from women, warning that such arrangements can carry serious personal and career-related consequences.

Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM’s Usaywetin on Monday, January 26, the artiste addressed the financial pressures confronting many upcoming musicians and the growing temptation to depend on romantic partners to sustain their careers.

Slim Buster noted that limited financial resources often push young artistes to seek support from women, a practice he acknowledged as common within the industry.

However, he stressed that such support often comes with expectations that may later become problematic.

According to him, accepting financial help can create an implicit demand for long-term commitment, regardless of compatibility.

He cautioned; ”When you allow a woman to support you financially, you must be prepared to stay with her, whether the relationship is healthy or not.”

He further warned that attempting to exit such arrangements can trigger negative fallout that may affect an artiste’s reputation and career progression.

The moment you decide to walk away, it can turn destructive. His comments have sparked widespread discussion on social media, with users debating the financial realities facing emerging artistes, the complexities of mixing personal relationships with career support, and the broader need for stronger institutional backing within Ghana’s music industry to nurture young talent.

Joe Mettle takes break from TGMA

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February 3, 2026

Celebrated Gospel musician Joe Mettle has announced his decision to stay away from the Telecel Ghana Music Awards for a year.

What this means is that the Artiste will not submit for nomination, nor will he be a part of anything concerning the awards scheme.

In an interview on Hitz FM, he disclosed that he has communicated his position to the organizers and an agreement has been reached.

“No, I’ve actually had a conversation with them, so we are fine. I am taking a small break from the TGMA for this year. I won’t be around; that’s why. I saw the date, and I won’t be around,” he said.

When questioned if the break was just for one year, he said, “This year, for just this year. We are dealing with this year, so when other years come, we will deal with them when they come. You are in a hurry to go to other years when you haven’t seen the year yet.”

IShowSpeed’s Ghanaian passport is a strategic move –Abeiku Santana

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February 3, 2026

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Abeiku Santana Aggrey, has defended the decision to grant a Ghanaian passport to American social media influencer IShowSpeed, describing it as a deliberate and strategic move to promote tourism and investment in the country.

In an interview onJoyNews, Abeiku Santana expressed surprise at public criticism of the move, noting that Ghana has long operated citizenship programmes for members of the diaspora who demonstrate strong ties and commitment to the nation.

“I am surprised some Ghanaians are even asking this question,” he said. “Previous governments have had citizenship programmes where people who trace their roots to Ghana and have shown consistent love for the country are granted citizenship.”

He explained that such initiatives fall within the mandate of institutions responsible for diaspora affairs and are designed to strengthen Ghana’s global connections.

Addressing concerns specifically about IShowSpeed, Abeiku Santana highlighted the influencer’s vast global following and marketing potential, arguing that Ghana stands to gain significantly from the decision.

“We know his influence, his global influence,” he said. “If you look at what it would cost to pay someone like IShowSpeed millions of dollars to market Ghana, we cannot afford it. But giving him a Ghanaian passport gives him unfettered access to the country.”

He added that the decision should be viewed as cultural diplomacy, leveraging influential global figures to promote national interests beyond traditional tourism advertising.

Abeiku Santana also cited similar actions by other countries, recalling YouTuber Wode Maya’s receipt of a Burkinabè passport without public backlash.

“Wode Maya received a passport from Burkina Faso, and people there did not complain. So why are Ghanaians complaining?” he questioned.

According to him, Ghana’s engagement with IShowSpeed extends beyond tourism to economic and investment opportunities. He revealed that the influencer has already expressed interest in investing in the country.

Iranian protester released on bail following fears of execution, reports say

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February 3, 2026

An Iranian man who was detained in connection to anti-government protests and reportedly sentenced to death has been released on bail, according to a rights group and Iranian state media.

Erfan Soltani, 26, was arrested last month as demonstrations roiled the country, sparking a violent crackdown by authorities. He was detained on January 10 at his home in Fardis, a city about 25 miles west of Tehran, and charged with “assembly and collusion against the country’s internal security” as well as “propaganda activities” against the regime, according to the state broadcaster IRIB.

Following his arrest, the US State Department and one of Soltani’s relatives said Iranian authorities planned to execute Soltani, but Iran’s judiciary dismissed those reports as “fabricated news,” according to IRIB.

Soltani’s family later said his execution was postponed, and US President Donald Trump said he had received assurances “on good authority” that there was no plan for executions in Iran amid fears for Soltani’s fate. Trump has warned Iran against executing protesters, saying the US would “take strong action.”

On Saturday, Soltani was released on bail, according to Hengaw, a Norway-based human rights organization. Iranian state media outlet Press TV also confirmed Soltani’s release in a post on Telegram.

Credit: cnn.com

Israel reopens Gaza’s key Rafah border crossing with Egypt

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February 3, 2026

Ambulances waiting at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing

Palestinians have started to enter the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt after it reopened for the movement of people.

The crossing has largely been closed since May 2024, when the Gazan side was captured by Israeli forces.

The reopening was supposed to happen during the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas, which began in October. But Israel blocked it until the return of the body of the last Israeli hostage in Gaza, which happened last week.

It will come as a relief to many Palestinians who see it as a lifeline to the world, although there is frustration that only small numbers of people and no goods will be allowed through.

Around 20,000 sick and wounded Palestinians are waiting to leave Gaza for treatment, according to local hospitals and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Israeli reports say only 50 patients – accompanied by one or two relatives – will be allowed to exit each day, and that 50 people who left Gaza during the war will be allowed to return.

The crossing will be run by supervisors from the European Union and local Palestinian staff, while Israel will carry out remote security checks.

On Monday morning, an Israeli security official said the Rafah crossing had “now opened to the movement of residents, for both entry and exit” following the arrival of teams from the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM).

Al Qahera News TV, which is close to Egyptian intelligence, meanwhile said the crossing had “received the first batch of Palestinians returning from Egypt to the Gaza Strip”. It added that the move came “as part of Egyptian efforts to facilitate movement through the crossing”.

Credit: bbc.com

Twelve miners killed by Russian strike in Ukraine, officials say

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February 3, 2026

The miners were travelling in a bus when it was hit by a drone

Twelve miners have been killed by a Russian drone strike in eastern Ukraine, the country’s largest private energy firm has said.

DTEK said a bus carrying workers after a shift in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region had been targeted in Sunday’s attack. At least 15 people were injured, state emergency services said.

Earlier, at least two others were killed and nine injured in separate Russian attacks overnight and on Sunday, including six people who were hurt when a drone hit a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia.

The strikes come while Russia had agreed not to target population centres and energy infrastructure for the duration of a cold snap.

Strikes have continued in regions of Ukraine near the front line but cities like the capital, Kyiv, have largely been untouched over the past few days.

Moscow did not mention the cold weather when confirming the move, instead saying it was to facilitate peace negotiations due to be held in Abu Dhabi this week.

Zaporizhzhia regional head Ivan Fedorov called the hit on the maternity hospital – which occurred as two women were giving birth – further “proof of a war directed against life” in a post on Telegram.

BBC Verify confirmed the site was Maternity Hospital No.3 on Bocharova Street in the east of the city.

Footage shared across social media carried the watermarks of national and local administrations and showed offices, rooms with beds for patients, and a children’s room with the windows broken and covered in debris.

Some footage showed degrees of fire damage, while two videos showed a fire still burning on the first storey. Another showed fire fighters breaking down interior doors and ferrying patients away. Credit: bbc.com

Cuba denies security threat accusations as US raises pressure

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February 3, 2026

A march outside the US Embassy in Cuba to protest against US

The Cuban government has rejected accusations that it poses a threat to the security of the United States, insisting that it stands ready to cooperate with Washington.

The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Monday calling for dialogue and stressing that the Caribbean island does not support “terrorism”. The declaration comes amid a spike in tension after the abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro last month, which was part of President Donald Trump’s drive for US domination of the Western Hemisphere.

“The Cuban people and the American people benefit from constructive engagement, lawful cooperation, and peaceful coexistence,” the statement from Havana said.

“Cuba reaffirms its willingness to maintain a respectful and reciprocal dialogue, oriented toward tangible results, with the United States government, based on mutual interest and international law.”

The statement came hours after Trump said diplomatic contact with Cuba had been revived, noting that his administration is talking to the “highest people” in the Cuban government.

“Cuba is a failing nation for a long time. But now it doesn’t have Venezuela to prop it up,” Trump told reporters late on Sunday.

Venezuela was Cuba’s top energy supplier, but since US forces toppled Maduro, the flow of oil to the island has all but come to a halt.

The US has also been intercepting and seizing Venezuelan oil tankers in the Caribbean – a move that critics say amounts to piracy.

Beyond oil supplies, Cuba had close economic and security relations with Maduro’s government. Nearly 50 Cuban soldiers were killed during the abduction of the Venezuelan leader. The Trump administration has also been pressuring Mexico to stop supplying Cuba with oil. A total energy siege could lead to a serious humanitarian crisis in the country.

Credit: aljazeera.com

Causes of Nightmares

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February 3, 2026