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Fela becomes first African to get Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Fela Kuti

Three decades after his death, the “father of Afrobeat” Fela Kuti has made history by becoming the first African to get a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys.

The Nigerian musician, who died in 1997, posthumously received the commendation along with several other artists at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday, on the eve of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

For his family and friends – some of whom were in attendance – it is an honour they hope will help amplify Fela’s music, and ideology, among a new generation of musicians and music lovers. But it is an acknowledgement they also admit has come quite late.

“The family is happy about it. And we’re excited that he’s finally being recognised,” Yeni Kuti, Fela’s daughter, told Al Jazeera before the ceremony. “But Fela was never nominated [for a Grammy] in his lifetime,” she lamented.

The recognition is “better late than never”, she said, but “we still have a way to go” in fairly recognising musicians and artists from across the African continent.

Lemi Ghariokwu, a renowned Nigerian artist and the designer behind 26 of Fela’s iconic album covers, says the fact that this is the first time an African musician gets this honour “just shows that whatever we as Africans need to do, we need to do it five times more.”

Ghariokwu said he feels “privileged” to witness this moment for Fela. “It’s good to have one of us represented in that category, at that level. So, I’m excited. I’m happy about it,” he told Al Jazeera.

But he admits he was also “surprised” when he first heard the news.

“Fela was totally anti-establishment. And now, the establishment is recognising him,” Ghariokwu said.

On what Fela’s reaction to the award would have been if he were alive, Ghariokwu says he imagines he would be happy. “I can even picture him raising his fist and saying: ‘You see, I got them now, I got their attention!’”

But Yeni feels her father would have been largely unfazed.

Credit: aljazeera.com

Cardi B warns Stefon Diggs after having 4 kids with 4 different women in one year

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Cardi B and Stefon Diggs

Cardi B has reportedly warned boyfriend Stefon Diggs after he welcomed four children with four different women in 2025.

“She’s been very clear with Stefon: if he messes up, if another woman comes forward with a baby after they became official and started a family together, she’s done,” an insider told the Sun in a report published on Saturday.

“She told him plainly that if he cheats or has a child behind her back, it’s over.”

Diggs, 32, welcomed daughter Charliee Harper with Aileen Lopera in April 2025, a son with K’yanna Barber in 2025, and a daughter with Cayy Benji, also born sometime in 2025. Plus, Cardi B gave birth to their son in November 2025.

Lopera dropped a paternity and child support lawsuit against him earlier this month, Page Six confirmed. Lopera’s attorney, Tamar Arminak, previously claimed a paternity test proved that Diggs is the father of Charliee.

“The paternity has been confirmed. Mr. Diggs is the father of the child,” Arminak told us in November, adding that “Mr. Diggs has acknowledged his daughter.”

Still, the “Bodak Yellow” rapper is said to be loyal to the New England Patriots wide receiver, despite the fact that she “hates the drama.”

Credit: yahoonews

Israel to ban Médecins Sans Frontières from working in Gaza over refusal to provide staff list

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admin
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Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Israel says it will ban Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) from working in Gaza after the medical charity refused to hand over a list of its staff in the territory.

The Israeli government had ordered 37 organisations to submit documents about their local and international workers in Gaza, claiming some in MSF had links to armed groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The charity has vehemently denied this.

MSF announced on Friday that it would not share a list of its Palestinian and international staff with Israeli authorities as it had not secured “assurances to ensure the safety of our staff”.

In response, Israel said it was “moving to terminate the activities” of MSF in Gaza.

The Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism said the decision followed “MSF’s failure to submit lists of local employees, a requirement applicable to all humanitarian organisations operating in the region”.

On 30 December, Israel announced that it was going to revoke the licences of 37 international non-governmental organisations working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, saying they had failed to meet new registration requirements.

At the time the diaspora ministry said the measure was needed to prevent “the infiltration of terrorist operatives into humanitarian structures”.

The groups – which include MSF, ActionAid and the Norwegian Refugee Council – were told their operations must end within 60 days.

The move was condemned by 10 countries, including the UK, France and Canada, who said the rules would have a severe impact on access to essential services.

Credit: bbc.com

French tech giant Capgemini to sell US subsidiary working for ICE

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Immigration enforcement agency, ICE

French technology giant Capgemini has announced it will sell its US subsidiary after its work locating people for immigration enforcement agency ICE sparked outrage.

Capgemini has come under pressure from French lawmakers over a contract its subsidiary signed with ICE, amid international scrutiny over the methods used by the agency’s agents in Minnesota.

The fatal shooting of US citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis have sparked protests across the US and led to increased scrutiny of the agency.

Capgemini Government Solutions has been under contract since 18 December to provide “skip tracing services for enforcement and removal operations”, public records show.

Skip tracing services locate individuals whose whereabouts are unknown.

Capgemini Government Solutions is set to be paid more than $4.8m (£3.5m) for its work tracing people for ICE, which is due to continue until 15 March, US government listings show. It is one of 13 contracts the subsidiary holds with ICE.

Capgemini, one of the largest listed companies in France, said in a statement that it had not been able “to exercise appropriate control over certain aspects of this subsidiary’s operations in order to ensure alignment with the Group’s objectives”.

It added that “the divestiture process of this business will be initiated immediately”.

Criticism of ICE practices has intensified in recent weeks since the shooting of 37-year-old Pretti, the second fatal shooting of a US citizen since immigration agents began surging several cities across the US, acting on the Trump administration’s drive to increase deportations of illegal immigrants.

The killing of Pretti involved Border Patrol, an immigration agency which works alongside ICE, while Good was shot by an ICE agent.

Credit: bbc.com

Trilateral Ukraine talks to resume in Abu Dhabi -Zelenskyy

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a second round of trilateral talks on ending the war with Russia will take place in Abu Dhabi this week as the fate of a temporary energy ceasefire hangs in the balance.

Zelenskyy, whose country’s energy system has come under relentless attack in one of the coldest winters in years, said envoys from the United States, Russia and Ukraine would meet in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Ukraine is ready for a substantive discussion, and we are interested in ensuring that the outcome brings us closer to a real and dignified end to the war,” he said on Sunday amid continuing US pressure to reach a deal with Russia after almost four years of war.

The first round of trilateral negotiations took place in late January but appeared to make little progress on the vital question of territory. Moscow still is demanding Kyiv cede a fifth of the Donetsk region that it still controls, which Zelenskyy’s government is refusing to do. The next round had been scheduled to take place on Sunday but may have been delayed because of the US-Iran crisis.

US President Donald Trump, who has said he wants to be remembered as a “peacemaker”, has repeatedly said a deal to end the Ukraine war is close and on Thursday announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to stop strikes on energy targets for a week due to cold weather.

Credit: aljazeera.com

Iran’s supreme leader warns of regional war if US attacks

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Iran is due to hold live fire naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that any attack would spark a regional conflict, as the US continues to build up its forces nearby.

“The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” Khamenei was quoted as saying by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Donald Trump earlier said Iran was in “serious discussions” and he hoped they would lead to something “acceptable”, while Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani also said a framework for negotiations was progressing.

Trump has threatened to intervene in Iran over its nuclear ambitions and after its deadly crackdown on anti-government protests.

As part of its build up of forces, the US has sent its aircraft carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln to the region and late last week US Central Command said it was operating in the Arabian Sea.

“[Trump] regularly says that he brought ships… The Iranian nation shall not be scared by these things,” added Khamenei.

Iran is expected to begin a two-day live-fire naval exercise on Sunday in the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s most important shipping lanes and a key route for energy supplies.

Around a fifth of the world’s traded oil passes through the waterway, which is about 33km (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point between Iran and Oman. Iran has in the past threatened to close the strait if it were attacked.

The US has warned Iran against any “unsafe and unprofessional behaviour” near its forces in the area.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by saying: “The US military is now attempting to dictate how our Powerful Armed Forces should conduct target practice in their own turf.”

Credit: bbc.com

 

Ways to Sleep Cooler

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admin
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Lower Your Room Temperature

One of the most obvious ways to sleep cooler is to lower your thermostat. But do you know the optimal temperature? Experts say 60-67 F will allow your body to keep a core temperature that’s suitable for sleep. A room that’s too muggy can also affect your rest, so aim for 40% to 60% humidity.

Get Some Air Flowing

It can be expensive to run air conditioning, or you may not have it. Another option is to open windows and turn on a fan near one to create a cross flow of air. But if it’s too warm outside, in the mid-90s or higher, you’ll need more than a fan to avoid heat illness.

Try Breathable Sleepwear

What you wear to bed can affect your body temperature. Stick with lightweight sleepwear in natural fibers. This means cotton or even — believe it or not — lightweight wool. Research shows that wearing cooler fabrics could help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep. If you find you’re still too warm, sleep in only your underwear.

Change Your Light Bulbs

An incandescent light bulb gives off 90% of its energy as heat, not light. A compact fluorescent light (CFL) converts 85% of its energy to light, and a light-emitting diode (LED) light is even better, putting out 90% of the energy it uses as light. Switching to a more efficient bulb will make for a cooler room and lower your energy bills too.  If you do use incandescents, turn them off well before bedtime for a cooler room.

Change Your Bedding

Cooler bedding can make all the difference in your sleep quality:

  • Mattress topper. Look for a 2- to 4-inch layer made with latex, wool, or gel memory foam. Some have air channels to move hot air away from you.
  • Sheets. Cotton or linen sheets help soak up sweat to keep you cool. Silky polyester feels cool at first but doesn’t breathe.
  • Pillows. Solid memory foam pillows tend to trap heat. Instead, look for latex, buckwheat, down, or shredded foam.

Get a Checkup

Sweating at night could be a sign of a health problem. Menopause, anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obesity, hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, insomnia, and other conditions can all cause night sweats. Talk to your doctor to rule out any unknown medical causes.

Adjust Your Meds

You and your doctor may also need to tweak your prescription medicine for a cooler night’s sleep. Night sweats are often a side effect of drugs to treat:

  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer (hormone therapy)

Your doctor could adjust the dosage, time of day you take your meds, or the drug itself to ease night sweats.

Take a Shower

When your core body temperature is too high, it can be hard to sleep. Bring it down with a cool shower an hour or two before you turn in. Even a warm shower can help: It will raise your body temp at first, but then will boost the circulation in your hands and feet, which helps your body regulate itself. Another option is to wipe yourself down with a wet towel or use a cool compress.

Keep the Sun Out

Keep window coverings like curtains and blinds closed to keep warm air out while trapping cool air inside. Certain fabric types and colors keep out more heat than others. Studies also show that medium-colored drapes with white plastic backings can lower heat gains in a room by 33%.

Freeze Your Sheets

It may sound strange, but freezing your sheets could help you sleep cooler. Grab a plastic bag that seals and put your bedsheets and pillowcases inside. Then stick the bag in the freezer for a few minutes for relief as you drift off.

Drink Water

Staying hydrated throughout the day can lead to better shut-eye at night. Dehydration symptoms such as headaches, muscle cramps, and dry mouth can keep you awake. Keep a glass of water near your bed for those hot nights. Drink a little cool water before you go to sleep to bring down your body temperature.

Invest in a New Mattress

Sometimes, DIY methods only go so far. That’s when a new mattress may be the answer. Do your homework and look for models with good temperature-regulating ratings. Innerspring and hybrid beds usually have good airflow, while some mattresses have built-in cooling technology. Think twice about memory foam: While it’s supportive and cushiony, it tends to trap body heat.

Credit: webmd

Feature: Victory Speech By Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia At The New Patriotic Party Headquarters

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Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

Your Excellencies, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufour and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; Distinguished Members of the Council of Elders; our hard-working National, Regional, and Constituency executives; Electoral Area Coordinators and Polling station executives; former flagbearer aspirants; fellow Kukurudites, ladies and gentlemen.

I want to start by thanking God Almighty for making this day possible. I also want to thank the tens of thousands of delegates who voted in today’s election, officials of the EC, security agencies, the media, and the generality of the Ghanaian people. Your vote, your work, your coverage, and your general following have all contributed to getting us thus far.

It is with a deep sense of pride and humility that I address you this evening following what has turned out to be a blistering battle for the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party. To secure any precious thing in this life, we must be prepared to fight the hard battles, prepared to work hard, and be prepared to withstand difficult circumstances. I am glad that you and I have successfully fought the hard battles, worked hard, and withstood the difficulties that came our way. And tonight, victory is for all of us! I am grateful. The NPP is grateful. Ghana is grateful to you all!

I need to reiterate, from the outset, our tradition has an enviable history of selecting leaders largely based on the mood of the party. At any point in time, our party unites around an individual, usually the best bet for national elections and governance.

This individual usually emerges meritoriously on account of loyalty and contributions to party growth.  It is our members’ way of rewarding loyalty, vision, competence, and sacrifice. Our members have done this meticulously and repeatedly. As democratic pacesetters, we need to respect the wisdom and decisions of our members, represented by the delegates.

It matters not which side you supported; winners and those who didn’t win at this particular time, we are in this together. All true and committed members of the great NPP need to embrace this civilized and time-tested way of selecting flagbearers.

Political Parties are assemblies of like-minded people. Whilst we may believe that our ideas are the best, we should be prepared to accept that there might be other ideas that may serve the larger interest of the party. As it is often said, after competition comes cooperation, and it is our expectation that all party members will apply themselves to this principle. It cannot be the case that one’s support for the party is maintained only when those we support lead.

I want to stand on this energy to make a passionate appeal to all members of the great NPP to let go of whatever reservations they have and come together. We need every idea, every voice, and every piece of advice to help preserve and project a proud tradition bequeathed to us by our forebears. Let it not be said anywhere on any day that the party of BJ Da Rocha, Peter Ala Adjetey, Odoi Sykes, JA Kufour, Professor Mike Ocquaye, C.K. Tedam, JH Mensah, Aliu Mahama, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, among other great patriots, could not handle disagreements as natural ways of stating alternative positions. I have a duty to the delegates who stood by me, and to the delegates who found worthy ideas in my brothers who contested with me.

My election today communicates a broad based appeal across the party, and I need to draw directly on that capital to unite the party as one of the crucial steps to winning power in 2028. I call on all to join in this bounden duty. After all as the Akans say, Praye, se  woyi baako a na ebu: wokabomu a emmu. United we stand and divided we fall.

As we embark on this crucial journey to rebuild our brand and reposition our party for electoral glory, let me remind you, dear party members, that whatever we have gone through during the past few months is not new in the politics of Ghana. We have been through this on a number of occasions, and on each of them, we have shown we have the resilience and fortitude to overcome and even emerge stronger, and herein lies the opportunity.

Fellow, Kukurudites, the data shows that anytime the NPP is solidly united behind the chosen flagbearer, the Ghanaian voter returns the favour by voting massively for our usually superior and life-changing policies and programmes. We cannot therefore fail ourselves or Ghanaians. On this crucial point, I will undertake targeted engagements to revitalize our party, speaking with all members. This includes visits to some of our respected elders who, for various reasons, feel aggrieved. Every voice matters, every opinion is worth considering and every suggestion is vital to building a formidable strategy.

To the youth of our party, the outcome of this contest rightly belongs to you.  We will not be at the helm of affairs forever.  The future of our party rests on your energy, dedication, and desire to see a vibrant political vehicle. Any time the youth groups in the party rise, the great elephant soars.

To the Millions of our supporters and sympathizers nationwide, I know some of you refrained from voting in the last election because you were unhappy with several issues. We have started the process of reform. I assure you, Mahamadu Bawumia as flagbearer will do everything to ensure that the NPP listens more to you, is more mindful of your views, and more reflective of your desires.

We have a duty to bequeath a vibrant party to you, as was done to us. I am going to immediately work with the relevant and recognized party structures to roll out a series of engagement sessions with various youth groups, both formal and informal, across the length and breadth of the country to enable the development of a formidable youth platform that will be resourced for the task ahead. One of the most important things I’m interested in is discipline within our ranks.

An army that lacks discipline will struggle to win its battles. The NPP needs to step up discipline internally. Discipline in our operations, discipline in our communications, and discipline in the conduct of party members. The days when it was said of us that some displayed untoward behaviour to the Ghanaian people should be a thing of the past. I’ll work closely with the National leadership to ensure that discipline is restored as the hallmark of the NPP.

Let us celebrate with moderation. We must avoid actions that are more likely to compound tensions than to forge unity. As far as I am concerned, everybody has won. I urge all patriots to reach out to one another: place phone calls, send WhatsApp and text messages, and make personal visits. We have what it takes to reorganize and achieve a resounding victory in 2028. Let me extend heartfelt thanks to my campaign teams and volunteers at every level for staying focused throughout this period. I would also like to express my appreciation to the security agencies and all media houses.

Tonight, I pay tribute to my predecessors, Prof Albert Adu Boahen, John Agyekum Kufour, and Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo. I say thank you to every contestant for participating in this race and giving the delegates an opportunity to make an informed choice. I say a special thank you to the members of Parliament who championed my bid, both in parliament and in their various constituencies. I will never forget what you have done for me and I will never forget you.

Thank you to all polling Station Executives, Electoral area coordinators, Constituency executives, regional executives, former members of Parliaments, former party executives and all former MMDCEs. To our religious leaders across the country, Imams and pastors, Thank you.

My wife, Hajia Samira Bawumia, deserves special mention for mapping strategies and reaching out to delegates in a truly engaging manner.

To my youth campaign team and the teeming young people across the country who championed this campaign from Day one in the various communities, campuses, Facebook, Instagram, twitter, Tik Tok etc., I say thank you. You remain my allies on this journey. Together, we will deliver amazing outcomes for our dear nation.

Finally, I would like to thank every member of the NPP for their patience and support throughout this process. The polls have ended, but our push for a stronger NPP has just begun. With Almighty God behind us, we will succeed.

The journey to victory 2028 has only now begun We are in this together! We shall work together. AND we will win together.

 

God Bless you

Thank you

 

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Oppong’s stoppage-time strike lifts GoldStars past Swedru All Blacks

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Goldstars players celebrating their lone goal

Kelvin Oppong struck deep into stoppage time to hand Bibiani GoldStars a dramatic 1–0 victory over Swedru All Blacks in a tense Ghana Premier League Round 21 encounter on Sunday at Dun’s Park.

With the match seemingly heading for a goalless draw, Oppong rose to the occasion in the 90th minute plus six, firing home the decisive goal to spark wild celebrations among the home supporters.

The contest was closely fought and largely defined by discipline issues and late drama. Both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances across a cagey first half, with midfield battles outweighing attacking fluency.

As the game wore on, frustration crept in, reflected in a flurry of yellow cards, particularly in the closing stages. Swedru All Blacks attempted to manage the game and escape with a point, but their resistance was finally broken in added time.

Oppong’s late intervention proved crucial for the defending champions, who showed resilience and patience to grind out all three points.

The result lifts GoldStars to fourth place on the league table after 21 matches, level on 36 points with Aduana and Hearts of Oak, firmly keeping them in the title conversation.

For Swedru All Blacks, the late defeat was a bitter blow as they remain 14th with 24 points, still hovering above the relegation zone and searching for consistency.

Credit: myjoyonline

 

Hearts of Oak, Bechem United share the spoils

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Accra Hearts of Oak’s title ambitions suffered another setback on Sunday when they were forced to settle for a point by visiting Bechem United.

Hearts would have been within five points of league leaders Medeama S.C. with a win, but failed to find their rhythm as they struggled to register a shot in the goalless draw.

The Phobians rested captains Benjamin Asare and Kelvin Osei Assibey, while Bechem United started long-serving Augustine Okrah.

Within minutes of kick off, the visitors went close when Emmanuel Abban’s overhead missed the bar by inches. He reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box after Augustine Okrah’s cross.

Ten minutes later, Bechem threatened again when Emmanuel Sefah found space in the middle of the Hearts set up. He dribbled his way past Abdul Karim and Raphael Amponsah but his speculative effort flew harmlessly over the bar.

Hearts warmed themselves into the game but without a midfield creator, struggled for cohesion.

Bechem’s Sefah and Richard Dwamena brought control and innovativeness to their midfield. However, the visitors could not create anything meaningful either, in the first half.

The second half started with three Hearts substitutions in ten minutes; Martin Karikari, Hussein Mohammed and Theophilus Collison were introduced for Kwaku Boateng, Raphael Amponsah and Gordon Cudjoe.

The substitutions did little to change the game as Hearts continued to struggled to find a way past Bechem’s midfield.

On the cusp of full time, Hearts made a half-hearted shout for a penalty when Hamza Issah went down in the box.

However, the calls were waved away by referee Selorm Yao Bless.

Credit: myjoyonline

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