Joe Biden suffered a bitter political blow early on Wednesday when Democrats went down in a shock defeat in the election for governor of Virginia.
The Democratic candidate, Terry McAuliffe, had campaigned with Biden and Barack Obama but it was not enough to prevent the Republican Glenn Youngkin pulling off an upset.
The AP called the race for Youngkin in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The Republican took an early lead after polls closed that he maintained throughout the evening, while McAuliffe lagged in key counties that Biden swept in 2020.
The battle in Virginia has been seen as a litmus test of Biden’s presidency one year after he won the White House, and it coincided with his agenda stalling in Congress and his approval rating sinking to 42%.
History was on Youngkin’s side in that the party that loses the White House tends to be energised and usually wins the Virginia’s governor’s race a year later.
However, no Republican had won statewide office since 2009, and Biden beat Trump in Virginia by 10 percentage points, meaning that a Democratic loss here would reverberate across the nation.
Police released a photo of Cleo Smith after her rescue
A four-year-old girl missing for 18 days in a remote part of Western Australia has been found alive and well in a locked house, police have said.
Cleo Smith disappeared from her family’s tent at a campsite near the town of Carnarvon on 16 October, triggering a massive search.
A 36-year-old man is in custody and being questioned by detectives.
Police smashed their way into a home in Carnarvon in the early hours of Wednesday, following forensic clues.
“They found little Cleo in one of the rooms,” Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch from WA Police said in a statement.
“One of the officers picked her up into his arms and asked her, ‘What’s your name?’ She said ‘My name is Cleo’.”
The girl has been reunited with her parents, who had made desperate pleas for Cleo’s return.
“Our family is whole again,” her mother, Ellie Smith, wrote on Instagram.
Police footage of Cleo’s rescue showed her “smiling” and “as well as we could expect in the circumstances”, said Commissioner Chris Dawson, who added she was receiving medical care.
The Taliban has banned the use of foreign currencies in Afghanistan, a move that could further disrupt an economy on the brink of collapse.
“The economic situation and national interests in the country require that all Afghans use Afghani currency in their every trade,” the Taliban said.
The economy is struggling due to the withdrawal of international financial support after the Taliban took control.
The US dollar has been used widely in Afghanistan’s markets. Dollars are also often used for trade in areas bordering Afghanistan’s neighbours such as Pakistan.
The United Nations has condemned atrocities uncovered in a joint investigation into the conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region on Wednesday, a day after the country’s government announced a nationwide state of emergency and called on citizens to take up arms against the advance of Tigrayan forces toward its capital.
The investigation — which is the only human rights probe to have been allowed into the blockaded Tigray region since fighting broke out between the region’s former ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), and the Ethiopian government last year — did not lay blame for hostilities and human rights violations at the feet of one group.
Instead, it said that all parties to the conflict, including forces from Eritrea and Ethiopia’s Amhara region allied with the government, had “committed violations of international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law, some of which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity,” to varying degrees.
Reacting to the findings, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the report “clearly established the claim of genocides as false and utterly lacking of any factual basis.”
A lack of sleep at night can make you cranky the next day. And over time, skimping on sleep can mess up more than just your morning mood. Studies show getting quality sleep on a regular basis can help improve all sorts of issues, from your blood sugar to your workouts.
Here’s why you should give your body the sleep it needs.
Sharper Brain
When you’re running low on sleep, you’ll probably have trouble holding onto and recalling details. That’s because sleep plays a big part in both learning and memory. Without enough sleep, it’s tough to focus and take in new information. Your brain also doesn’t have enough time to properly store memories so you can pull them up later.
Sleep lets your brain catch up so you’re ready for what’s next.
Mood Boost
Another thing that your brain does while you sleep is process your emotions. Your mind needs this time in order to recognize and react the right way. When you cut that short, you tend to have more negative emotional reactions and fewer positive ones.
Chronic lack of sleep can also raise the chance of having a mood disorder. One large study showed that when you have insomnia, you’re five times more likely to develop depression, and your odds of anxiety or panic disorders are even greater.
Healthier Heart
While you sleep, your blood pressure goes down, giving your heart and blood vessels a bit of a rest. The less sleep you get, the longer your blood pressure stays up during a 24-hour cycle. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, including stroke.
Steadier Blood Sugar
During the deep, slow-wave part of your sleep cycle, the amount of glucose in your blood drops. Not enough time in this deepest stage means you don’t get that break to allow a reset — like leaving the volume turned up. Your body will have a harder time responding to your cells’ needs and blood sugar levels.
Germ Fighting
To help you ward off illnesses, your immune system identifies harmful bacteria and viruses in your body and destroys them. Ongoing lack of sleep changes the way your immune cells work. They may not attack as quickly, and you could get sick more often.
Weight Control
When you’re well-rested, you’re less hungry. Being sleep-deprived messes with the hormones in your brain — leptin and ghrelin — that control appetite.
With those out of balance, your resistance to the temptation of unhealthy foods goes way down. And when you’re tired, you’re less likely to want to get up and move your body. Together, it’s a recipe for putting on pounds.
Athletic Achievement
If your sport requires quick bursts of energy, like wrestling or weightlifting, sleep loss may not affect you as much as with endurance sports like running, swimming, and biking. But you’re not doing yourself any favors.
Besides robbing you of energy and time for muscle repair, lack of sleep saps your motivation, which is what gets you to the finish line. You’ll face a harder mental and physical challenge — and see slower reaction times.
Bechem United coach Kasim Ocansey Mingle has predicted a difficult match against when they face Asante Kotoko.
The two teams will meet on matchday two of the Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
It is a top of the table clash as Bechem United and Asante Kotoko occupy the first and second positions after matchday one.
Bechem thrashed Medeama 4-0 at home while Kotoko scored three late goals to secure a comeback win at Dreams FC.
“Kotoko is a big club with large followers, so Kotoko playing at their home grounds, which has been long since they last played there, is not going to be an easy game but the better side with luck will win.”
“At times, one can brag with what he feels but without luck, you might lose, that’s why I’m saying one with better luck will win,” he said.
Leicester City are set to play Spartak Moscow at the King Power Stadium in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.
Leicester City and Spartak Moscow played each other a few days ago in the Europa League. Leicester beat Spartak Moscow 4-3 with all four goals for Leicester City scored by Zambian striker Patson Daka. Leicester find themselves 11th in the English Premier League and will not be happy with their league position. Their continental performances have not been spectacular either; they are 3rd in their group.
Legia Warsaw vs. Napoli
Osimhen, Napoli
The group stage of the UEFA Europa League will see Legia Warsaw host Napoli in Group C. Legia Warsaw began their Europa League campaign in impressive fashion as they beat Spartak Moscow and Leicester City 1-0 in their first two games. They, however, lost 3-0 to Napoli in their last game. The Polish outfit are perhaps the least rated team in their group but will be looking to prove a point by advancing into the knockout stages. Napoli sit second in the group, two points behind their Thursday hosts. They will be looking to make it back-to-back wins over Legia Warsaw.
Genk vs West Ham United
West Ham players
Genk and West Ham will battle for three points on matchday four of the UEFA Europa League. The visitors currently sit atop Group H, having garnered maximum points from three matches so far. Genk occupy the opposite end of the table on three points.
A win for Genk would put them back in contention for qualification from the group.
West Ham are currently on a five-game winning run in all competitions. The visitors are in fine form and their positive run of results does not look likely to end anytime soon.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Real Betis
Bayer Leverkusen vs Real Betis
Bayer Leverkusen take on Real Betis and both teams have been fairly impressive this season and will want to win this game. Real Betis and Bayer Leverkusen are on an even footing as far as the official head-to-head record is concerned and played out a draw in the only game played between the two teams. The previous meeting between the two sides took place in the reverse fixture last month and ended in a 1-1 draw. Both teams gave a good account of themselves on the day and will need to take it up a notch tonight.
Monaco vs PSV Eindhoven
Mario Gotze, PSV
AS Monaco are set to play PSV Eindhoven at the Stade Louis II. The two clubs last faced each other a few days ago in the Europa League, with AS Monaco beating PSV Eindhoven 2-1. In two head-to-head encounters between the two sides, AS Monaco have won both games. AS Monaco will be without former Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder and Spain international Cesc Fabregas. Monaco have fared better in the Europa League and find themselves as group leaders. They must win to maintain the top position.
Marseille vs Lazio
Payet, Marseille
Marseille lock horns with Lazio in a UEFA Europa League game set to take place at the Orange Velodrome. In the Europa League group, Marseille are third with three points and they are yet to register a win in the competition. Lazio, meanwhile, are in second place with four points from three matches. Marseille and Lazio have played seven games against each other so far. The Italian side have triumphed on four occasions, while the French team have won just once. Two matches have ended in draws.
Galatasaray vs Lokomotiv Moscow
Galatasaray vs Lokomotiv Moscow
Galatasaray host Lokomotiv Moscow at the Nef Stadyumu. Galatasaray have performed very well in their Europa League campaign and are unbeaten in their three games so far. They beat Lazio 1-0 in their opening game before playing out a goalless draw against Olympique Marseille in their next game. The Istanbul-based club then beat Lokomotiv Moscow 1-0 away from home in their last Europa League outing. The hosts will be looking win to get a foot in the knockout stages.
Olympiakos vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Olympiakos players
Olympiacos will host Eintracht Frankfurt at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium for a matchday four clash in the UEFA Europa League. The hosts will be looking to avenge their 3-1 defeat away to the Germans on matchday three a fortnight ago. That victory helped the Bundesliga outfit claim top spot in Group D with seven points from three matches. Olympiacos are one point below them in second place.
President Akufo-Addo has expressed the disappointment of Africa with the wealthy nations for not playing their part as they themselves promised, as far as funding climate change programmes are concerned.
According to him, the wealthy nations promised their poorer counterparts $100 billion annually to assist the continent of Africa fight against climate change, but this has not been fulfilled.
He regretted that despite reneging on their promise, the same wealthy nations are insisting that Africa abandons the opportunity for rapid development, adding that would be tantamount to enshrining inequality of the highest order, a totally unacceptable conclusion.”
Addressing the UN Climate Change Conference, COP 26, currently underway in Glasgow, Scotland, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana will work to combat climate change, but not at the detriment of the development of the country and its people.
According to the President, it was wholly unfair for the wealthy nations, which developed through natural resources, to today demand that Africa abandon the exploitation of the same resources for its own growth.
President Akufo-Addo making contrubution at the confab
He said “Ghana acknowledges the importance and effects of Climate Change and the urgent need to combat it and we acknowledge equally the importance of protecting our development. We believe that a balance must be struck and maintained between our social, economic and environmental imperatives,” he said.
Africa blessed with natural resources
President Akufo-Addo stated that Africa as a continent is endowed with natural resources meant to help its people have a better life. He could not fathom why the continent, as poor as it is, would have to desert its natural resources, especially when many nations have just discovered them.
He said, “The Almighty has blessed our lands with abundant natural resources and it would be wholly unfair for the world to demand that Africa abandon the exploitation of these same resources needed to finance her development, and to help us to cope better with the threat of climate change, at a time when many countries on the continent have only just discovered them,” President Akufo-Addo said.
We must find a solution
Further, President Akufo-Addo, whose address represented the position of Africa, though he had only led the Ghana delegation, told the conference that the western world is responsible for 76% of carbon emissions.
However, President Akufo-Addo was of the view that a solution that is equitable and fair must be looked for.
A solution, he said, that levels the playing field, recognises the historical imbalances between the high emitters and low emitters, stressing that Ghana, therefore, supports the call for debt-for-climate swaps, which will address a multitude of issues in one swoop.
COP 26 as a turning point
The President, thus, urged world leaders to use COP 26 as a turning point to create a more prosperous, greener, and fairer world.
The world he advocates for should maintain the balance between the social, economic and environmental requirements of all nations of the earth, rich and poor.
He observed that success in this endeavour is the greatest inheritance the world could leave for current and future generations.
Protecting Ghana’s Forests and Oceans
President Akufo-Addo also participated in the World Leaders Summit on protecting the world’s forests and oceans, held on the sidelines of COP 26.
The President in his address described deforestation and forest degradation as the greatest challenges to sustainable forest management in Ghana.
He stated that Ghana has, in the course of the last two decades, adopted several policies and programmes, such as the National Forest Plantation Development Programme and the Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy, aimed at restoring its lost forest.
“In June this year, I led the entire country, through the Green Ghana Project, to plant over seven million trees, far above the five million we had targeted. Next year, we aim to plant a minimum of twenty million trees, and we have already begun earnest preparations towards this,” he added.
Reiterating Ghana’s commitment to sustaining her ocean, the President added that the country is putting in place the requisite structures and processes to finalise her Sustainable Ocean Plan by 2025.
“The pressing threats we face are marine security, due to the prevalence of piracy and armed robbery on our seas, the mounting menace of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing (IUU), overfishing and its attendant decline in fish stocks, and plastic pollution,” he said.
Team of volunteers who supervised the screening exercise
A constituent being screened during the exercise
The Patriotic Ambassadors Movement (PAM), a wing of the New Patriotic Party, in conjunction with Project Wheel of Hope Foundation, a local NGO, at the weekend provided free breast cancer screening for a large number of women in Kumasi.
The exercise took place at five locations, namely Bantama, Ampaabame Clinic, Fankyenebra Hospital, Asafo Adjei Hospital and Wes End Clinic across Bantama and Nhyiaeso constituencies in Kumasi.
Oheneba Kofi AdumBawuah, chief patron of PAM, who supervised the exercise at the head of a team of volunteers, said it formed part of activities marking the month of October globally pencilled as Breast cancer awareness.
PAM chief patron and Hajia Fati of NPP USA during the screening exercise
The philanthropist implored women to regularly check on their breast cancer status at every three month interval.
According to him early detection of breast cancer saves lives hence the need for women to embrace the exercise all year round.
Oheneba Bawuah noted that periodic inspection of the breast would go a long way to enhance awareness and encourage other women to participate in the exercise to protect families as social units towards national Development.
The Municipal Chief Executive nominee for Juaben, in the Ashanti Region, Alex K. Sarfo-Kantanka, is being pursued by the office of the Special Prosecutor and the Ghana Police Service, over an alleged bribery case. After the police arrested and granted him bail, the OSP also wrote to invite him for questioning.
KEY PERSON IN PROBE
In a letter addressed to Mr. Sarfo-Kantanka, the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, said the nominee had been invited in relation to his nomination and confirmation as the MCE.
The OSP considers him a necessary person in its probe, with regards to the alleged corruption.
As such, Mr. Sarfo-Kantanka is to report at the office of the OSP in Accra on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. He is permitted to go with a preferred Counsel.
DETAILS OF THE LETTER
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced investigation into allegations of corruption and corruption related offences (especially corruption and intimidation in respect of a public election) in relation to your nomination and confirmation or otherwise as the Municipal Chief Executive nominee of Juaben Municipality in the Ashanti Region.
The OSP considers you a person necessary for the investigations. You are directed to attend, in person, the offices of the OSP at 6 Haile Selassie Avenue, South Ridge, Accra GA-079-0906, on Tuesday 9 November, 2021 at 2.30pm in the afternoon for interviewing. You may be accompanied by a Counsel of your choice.
THE POLICE STATEMENT
The Ashanti Regional Police yesterday, 1st November, 2021 arrested the Municipal Chief Executive nominee for Juaben in the Ashanti Region to assist Police investigations.
The arrest was in connection with a viral video of the nominee, Mr. Alex Sarfo-Kantanka, allegedly demanding a refund of some sums of money he had allegedly paid to assembly members to vote for his confirmation as the MCE for the Juaben area.
After his investigation, a caution statement was taken and Mr. Alex Sarfo-Kantanka was granted bail.
Police investigations continue and we would like to assure the public that anyone who breaks the law will be arrested and be subjected to due legal process since no one is above the law.
