Hamas and Israel have both repeatedly accused each other of breaching a ceasefire
Eleven Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza on Sunday morning, according to Palestinian civil defence and health officials.
The IDF said it had struck terror targets in response to ceasefire violations by Hamas, and that militants had been killed after emerging from a tunnel into the area of the strip controlled by the Israeli military.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said a strike on a tent encampment in northern Gaza killed at least six people, while another strike in the south of the strip killed five.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of near-daily violations of a fragile ceasefire agreement since it took effect on 10 October.
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry has said at least 600 people have been killed since the ceasefire went into effect.
The latest strikes came as the preparations continued for the implementation of the second phase of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Last month, US President Donald Trump announced a new body called the Board of Peace, which has a mandate from the United Nations Security Council to establish an international force tasked with securing border areas in Gaza, and overseeing the disarmament of Hamas.
The board, which was due to have its first meeting in Washington on 19 February, will also oversee the formation of a new technocratic Palestinian government in Gaza and post-war reconstruction.
Last week it was announced that Indonesia, a Board of Peace member, would deploy 8,000 soldiers to Gaza as part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement.
Personnel of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service at the scene of the accident.
The smell of burnt rubber and petrol still hung heavily in the air hours after the flames had died down.
What began as a routine mechanical fault on the busy Accra–Kumasi Highway ended in horror at Ntoaso near Nsawam — three lives lost, 20 people injured, seven vehicles reduced to charred metal, and families thrown into grief. But beyond the numbers lies a deeper, more troubling story: one of desperation, risk, repeated warnings and a tragedy that many say was preventable.
A bus burnt to the chassis along the N6 Highway.
A Breakdown That Drew a Crowd
It was earlier in the day of Saturday when a fuel tanker developed a mechanical fault and came to a halt along the highway. The tanker was loaded with petrol one of the most volatile and highly flammable fuels transported on Ghana’s roads daily.
Under normal circumstances, such breakdowns prompt caution. But at Ntoaso, the stalled tanker became something else entirely an opportunity.
Within minutes, residents, motor riders and passing motorists began gathering around the immobilised vehicle. Word spread quickly. People arrived with containers. Some came on foot; others rode in on motorcycles. A taxi pulled dangerously close.
Instead of keeping a safe distance, some individuals reportedly took chisels and metal tools and began striking the tanker’s body to force petrol to leak out. It was a moment that would seal the fate of many.
A Highway Turns Into a Fireball
As petrol poured onto the road surface, the environment transformed into a ticking time bomb. Fuel spread across the asphalt, fumes thickened in the air, and yet the siphoning continued. Then, in an instant, everything changed.
The leaked petrol ignited — whether from a spark, engine heat, or another ignition source remains under investigation. What followed was a violent explosion that sent flames roaring across the highway.
Motorcycles were engulfed, a taxi was consumed. People who had been bending over containers moments earlier were suddenly trapped inside an inferno. Eyewitnesses describe chaos — screams, people running in every direction, bodies on fire, and vehicles exploding one after another as the blaze intensified. Seven vehicles were completely destroyed.
The Human Toll
The statistics are devastating. After visiting victims at the Nsawam Government Hospital, Eastern South Regional Police Commander, DCOP Boadi Bossman confirmed the casualties:
20 injured victims were rushed to Nsawam Government Hospital. Six of them suffered severe burns and were referred to Koforidua Government Hospital for intensive care.4 victims were treated and discharged. 10 victims remain on admission.
3 people — two men and one woman — have died from their injuries.
Behind each number is a life disrupted.
One of the most heart-wrenching scenes involved a woman carrying a baby who had joined others to collect fuel. She sustained severe burns. In the chaos, a bystander grabbed the baby and ran, saving the child’s life. The mother now fights through pain in a hospital ward.
Two men who had driven a taxi close to the tanker to siphon petrol were burnt to death inside the vehicle.
The tanker driver himself was not spared. He sustained serious burns and is battling for survival in hospital — a cruel twist for a man whose day likely began like any other.
A Narrowly Avoided Mass Casualty
The fire spread rapidly, reaching a nearby VIP passenger bus. In what officials describe as a decisive act that prevented an even greater catastrophe, the bus driver quickly evacuated all passengers before flames fully consumed the vehicle. The bus was badly burnt. But every passenger survived. It is one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dark day.
“Nobody Should Go there” — Repeated Warnings Ignored and DCOP Boadi Bossman did not mince words: “Anytime a tanker falls or breaks down, nobody should go there. The container is flammable and it can explode,” he warned.
He revealed that police have conducted community sensitisation campaigns along the Accra–Kumasi corridor for years, educating residents about the dangers of tanker accidents and fuel siphoning. Yet the risky behaviour persists.
Even more troubling, he disclosed that officers attempting to secure such scenes have sometimes been attacked with stones by residents determined to access the fuel.
This is not the first time Ghana has witnessed tragedy following tanker-related incidents. Across the country, similar patterns have unfolded: a vehicle breaks down or overturns, crowds gather, warnings are ignored, and an explosion follows. The script rarely changes. The ending is often the same.
Desperation, Poverty, and Dangerous Decisions
Why do people take such risks? Observers point to a complex mix of economic hardship, rising fuel prices, unemployment and opportunism. For some, siphoned petrol represents quick money. For others, it is simply free fuel in difficult times.
But petrol is unforgiving – Unlike diesel, which is less volatile, petrol vaporises quickly. Its fumes are invisible yet highly explosive. It takes only a spark — from a mobile phone, a motorcycle engine, static electricity, or metal striking metal — to trigger disaster.
In Ntoaso, chisels striking a metal tanker created exactly the kind of environment experts warn against. What began as a scramble for free fuel ended in fatal flames.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
Security agencies including the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) swiftly moved to the scene.
Their tasks were daunting: Contain the blaze, Secure the perimeter, Prevent additional residents from approaching, Clear debris, Manage traffic disruption, Assist the injured.
Vehicular traffic on the Nsawam–Suhum stretch was diverted through the Nsawam Old Road as officers worked to restore order.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause of ignition and to determine responsibility.
For now, police say their priority is not arrests but saving lives, stabilising victims, and managing trauma.
A Preventable Tragedy
“This is not just an accident,” one officer at the scene remarked quietly. “It is preventable.”
The pattern is painfully familiar: a tanker breaks down or overturns, crowds gather despite warnings, fuel is siphoned, an explosion occurs, lives are lost, and communities mourn — until it happens again elsewhere.
In different towns, on different highways, the same mistake, the same outcome.
The charred remains at Ntoaso stand as a stark warning.
Three people are dead, Twenty families sit in hospital corridors praying.
Seven vehicles lie twisted and blackened by fire. A highway that should connect cities instead became a symbol of how quickly desperation can turn deadly.
As investigations continue and traffic slowly returns to normal, one question lingers over Nsawam: How many more times must this story be told before it finally changes?
Dark chocolate is any chocolate that contains at least 50% cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar. Unlike milk chocolate, dark chocolate isn’t made with milk, though it could have trace amounts from cross-contamination during manufacturing. Lower-quality dark chocolate also could have oils, butter fats, and artificial flavors.
Humans have been consuming chocolate since the Mayans first drank it around 1500 B.C. Chocolate is still a popular treat today, and now we have even more reasons to crave it, especially dark chocolate.
Does dark chocolate have caffeine?
The more cocoa solids, the more caffeine, in fact. A 3.5-ounce serving of dark chocolate with 70%-85% cacao has 80 milligrams of caffeine. In comparison, an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains about 95 milligrams and a 12-ounce can of caffeinated soda has between 40 and 55 milligrams. If you’re watching your caffeine intake, keep an eye on how much is in your dark chocolate, too.
Check the label. Cocoa is vegan in its natural form. But some brands of dark chocolates pick up small amounts of dairy during processing. Other added ingredients like whey, casein, and lactose are dairy products too.
Is dark chocolate good for you?
Dark chocolate does have some components that offer health benefits. But it’s fairly high in calories, fat, and added sugar. As with many foods, it’s best if you eat it in moderation. It has less sugar than milk chocolate, so it’s the better choice of the two.
Dark Chocolate Health Benefits
The cocoa used to make dark chocolate is rich in flavanols, which are chemicals found in plants like the cacao tree (where the cocoa bean grows). The unique flavan-3-ols in cacao beans are what gives pure cocoa a bitter taste.
Because cocoa’s flavanols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it might help to:
Protect your heart
Separate studies have shown that dark chocolate may guard against heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. Dark chocolate seems to have anti-inflammatory effects as well as properties that help prevent blood clots and lower blood pressure. More study is needed to confirm whether these effects all work together.
Reduce your risk of diabetes
The flavanols in cocoa are thought to increase insulin sensitivity, which over the long run might reduce the risk of diabetes.
Lower blood pressure
One review study found that eating dark chocolate helped to reduce blood pressure, though in small amounts. Other research found that it improved blood vessel flexibility and function and possibly prevents arteriosclerosis, which is stiffness in your arteries caused from buildup of plaque and fats.
Improve vision
One small study found that people who ate dark chocolate had improved vision 2 hours later compared to people who ate milk chocolate instead. It’s not clear how long this effect might last or whether this might work in the real world. A similar small study did not show the same effects on vision from eating dark chocolate. We need much more research into this possible benefit.
Potential risks
Dark chocolate has a lot of sugar, fat, and calories, so it’s best to enjoy it in moderation. The American Heart Association recommends that you consume no more than 25-36 grams of added sugar per day, depending on your gender and size.
An ounce or 2 per day is more than enough to get the health benefits.
Chocolate bars vary in size and weight, so check the label to see how many ounces are in one portion. And note other ingredients, like caramel, that can add extra sugar and fat.
How to Use Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is common in treats like:
Candy bars
Cakes
Hot drinks
Puddings
Cookies
If you’re baking with dark chocolate, the best way to melt it is slowly in the microwave. Chop it into chunks and melt it in 30-second increments, stirring between each one. Melting it on the stove in a double boiler works well, too. It’s just not quite as fast.
Here are a few other ideas for adding small servings of dark chocolate to your diet:
Serve a few small squares with fresh fruit.
Stir some melted dark chocolate into your morning oatmeal.
Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of dark chocolate and a frozen banana to your blender and whip up a nondairy substitute for chocolate ice cream.
The midfielder clinched a priceless 3-2 Derby d’Italia victory in the dying seconds at San Siro just as it looked as if Juve, who had defender Pierre Kalulu sent off three minutes before the break, had earned a point.
Andrea Cambiaso had earlier scored for both sides and Francesco Pio Esposito restored Inter’s lead before Manuel Locatelli levelled, but there was no denying Cristian Chivu’s men a sixth successive league win.
Inter took a 17th-minute lead when Cambiaso turned the ball into his own net, but he made amends in style within nine minutes.
Weston McKennie made space for himself on the right to whip in a cross and the defender stole in at the far post while Luis Henrique slept to stab the equaliser past keeper Yann Sommer.
However, the visitors’ fortunes took a fresh turn for the worse three minutes before the end of an eventful first half when Kalulu, who had earlier been cautioned for a challenge on Nicolò Barella, fouled Alessandro Bastoni and was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Sommer denied Cambiaso a hat trick of sorts five minutes after the restart and then kept out efforts from Fabio Miretti and McKennie as the 10 men pressed, prompting a response from the leaders.
Esposito headed the home side back in front with 14 minutes remaining and, although Juve skipper Locatelli levelled with 83 minutes gone, Zielinski snatched victory at the death.
Harry Kane scored twice to reach 500 career goals as Bayern Munich moved back to six points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with victory at Werder Bremen.
The England captain converted his ninth penalty of the season in the 22nd minute after the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled Werder midfielder Senne Lynen had fouled teenager Lennart Karl in the box.
Kane, 32, doubled Bayern’s lead three minutes later with a well-struck effort from the edge of the box which went in off the post.
His second strike brought up the milestone of 500 senior career goals in 743 games for both club and country, with 100 of those being penalties.
Kane now has 41 goals for the Munich side this season, including 26 in the league, where they again pushed further clear of Borussia Dortmund, who beat Mainz 4-0 on Friday night.
The only blemish for the visitors came at half-time when goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was replaced due to a calf problem, with Jonas Urbig replacing him.
But Bayern added a third goal in the 70th minute to seal the success when Leon Goretzka took a touch on the edge of the box before drilling a strike into the bottom corner.
Vincent Kompany’s side face Eintracht Frankfurt in their next league match on Saturday (14:30 GMT), where they will have the chance to go nine points clear of Dortmund.
Trent Alexander-Arnold claimed an assist on his first start in more than two months as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad to move top of La Liga.
The England international, sidelined through December and January with a thigh injury, set the home side on their way to an eighth straight league victory when he crossed for Gonzalo Garcia to poke home after five minutes.
Sociedad responded in the 21st minute when Mikel Oyarzabal levelled from the penalty spot following a foul inside the area.
But parity only lasted four minutes as Real Madrid scored a penalty of their after Vinicius Jr was floored by Jon Aramburu.
That advantage was extended six minutes later when Federico Valverde unleashed a powerful strike past Alex Remiro to leave the visitors reeling before the interval.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Vinicius scoring from the penalty spot again in the 48th minute to net his 10th goal of the season and seal the points for his side.
The victory moves Real Madrid two points clear of Barcelona, who face Girona on Monday.
Real Madrid are next in action on Tuesday, when they host Benfica in the Champions League play-offs.
Ten man Accra Hearts of Oak sold out an impressive performance at the Kumasi Baba Yara Stadium and stunned their sworn rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko by a lone goal.
The victory, which redeemed the Phobians from the bondage of Kotoko’s dominance in recent times, also inspired their hopes to catch up with league leaders Medeama, who were held to a one all stalemate by Aduana Stars on Friday.
After a dominant play and control, Baba Adamu’s powerful header in the 14th minute broke the deadlock and gave Hearts a deserving lead, with the Phobian fans erupting with wild jubilation.
Hearts looked dangerous and also delightful to watch as they swung their passes beautifully, together with high intensity and determination to redeem themselves from Kotoko’s dominance.
But just before they could pose more threat to their host, coach Dramani was forced to reshuffle his team with a forced substitution, when enterprising Hamza Musah was pulled out and replaced by George Paaku.
Emmanuel Amankwa, who was the first player to get into the referee’s book after a bookable offense early in the game, received his marching orders in the 34th minute, when he received a second yellow card on the day.
His exit delighted the home supporters who deemed the numerical disadvantage of Hearts as a sign of victory for the Red Army of Kumasi.
Kotoko immediately started to give their traveling fans something to cheer about with good passes and dominance in the midfield.
With 10 minutes to end the first half, Yaw Amankwa Baafi was introduced into the game by coach Didi Dramani to solidify their play in the midfield.
Martin Karikari’s dangerous incursion into the final third of Kotoko was thwarted but the resultant free kick in an advantageous position was agonizingly wasted by Martin, who elected himself to effect it.
In the later stages of the first half, Kotoko’s Harry Ansu was replaced by Musah Hamzatta.
Though the Porcupines ended the first half with dominance after having 55% control of possession, the continental club masters on the other hand maintained their solitary lead with 45% of ball possession.
Second half
Kotoko’s stop gap coach, who perhaps sensed danger, made a quick start to the second half with the introduction Morifing Donzo to take the place of WalidFuseine.
27 year old Guinean forward, Morifing Donzo, who joined Asante Kotoko on a three-year deal from Hafia FC was supposed to strengthen Kotoko’s attack in their quest for an equalizer.
Though Hearts duo of Martin Karikari and Mawuli Wayo combined beautifully to torment the Porcupines in the early stages of the second half, Kotoko regained dominance and turned the heat on the visitors.
As Kotoko maintained their pressure, Albert Amoah’s reaction after he missed a good opportunity in the 61st minutes was enough to illustrate his frustration, after his shot went over the cross bar.
In the 62nd minute, Prince Badu and Dogo Yakubu were substituted for Seth Kwadwo and striker Kwame Poku respectfully, to bring more power to Kotoko’s forward line, but the Phobians remained resilient and defended gallantly.
After enduring a lot of pressure from their host, coach Didi Dramani made three solid changes in the 69th minute to contain the incessant pressure his side was being subjected to, in order to protect his early lead.
Hearts’ most brightest opportunity to double their lead fell to substitute Raphael Amponsah, but his final effort to increase the tally was surprisingly missed.
Skipper Benjamin Asare demonstrated why he is the current number shot stopper for the Senior National Team, the Black Stars, as he exhibited his aerial superiority and excellently dealt with Kotoko’s long balls to locate Donzo.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Association of Banks, John Awuah, has encouraged bank customers to take a more active interest in understanding how their financial institutions operate by reading annual reports and financial statements.
Speaking at this year’s Corporate Governance Series in Accra on Thursday, themed “Bank Corporate Governance and Financial Stability: The Role of the Bank Board,” Mr. Awuah said depositors must go beyond merely saving money and make an effort to review the publicly available reports of banks that hold their funds.
According to him, annual reports are valuable tools that provide insight into the internal health and operations of banks, including their capital adequacy, liquidity position, and levels of non-performing loans.
Mr. John Awuah, who served as one of the panellists for the event, also highlighted the importance of strong corporate governance practices in ensuring financial system stability.
He stressed that effective governance should not be treated merely as a compliance requirement but must be visible, measurable and auditable.
He noted that enhanced disclosure requirements now make it easier for the public to evaluate how banks are governed.
“If you read the annual report, you will find detailed sections on corporate governance, board decisions, compensation structures, and board effectiveness, including attendance and meeting regularity. By their deeds, you shall know them,” he said.
Touching on regulatory reforms introduced after Ghana’s banking sector clean-up, Mr. Awuah pointed to the rotation of external auditors as a key measure aimed at strengthening transparency and independence.
“The corporate governance directives and auditor rotation requirements came as consequences of the banking sector clean-up. Familiarity can pose risks, which is why there is now a requirement to rotate auditors, as provided under the Companies Act and Bank of Ghana directives,” he explained.
Mr. John Awuah also addressed concerns about outsourced staff within banks, describing it as an ongoing industry debate.
While stating that outsourced employees typically have permanent appointments with their parent organisations, he acknowledged that variations in compensation structures could potentially influence performance and risk exposure.
On board composition, he strongly advocated for greater board diversification and the inclusion of independent directors.
He argued that independent board members play a critical role in challenging management decisions and promoting long-term institutional stability.
“Independent directors bring independence of mind and professional competence. Best practice requires that we advocate for more independent voices at the board table, not fewer,” he said.
The Corporate Governance Series brought together banking professionals, regulators, and industry stakeholders to discuss governance standards and their implications for financial stability in Ghana.
The Government of Ghana has confirmed that a truck carrying Ghanaian tomato traders was caught in a terrorist attack in Titao, Burkina Faso, on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
The disclosure was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Minister for the Interior and National Security, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak.
According to the statement, the government received disturbing information from authorities in Burkina Faso regarding the incident, which reportedly involved a truck transporting tomato traders from Ghana.
“The Government of Ghana has received disturbing information from Burkina Faso of a truck carrying tomato traders from Ghana which was caught in a terrorist attack in Titao, Burkina Faso,” the Minister stated.
He indicated that the Ghana Embassy in Burkina Faso is currently liaising with officials of the Burkinabe authorities to visit the attack site to ascertain the full details of the incident and identify any Ghanaian nationals affected.
The statement did not immediately confirm casualties or injuries but assured the public that further information would be communicated as soon as it becomes available.
Titao, located in northern Burkina Faso, has in recent years experienced recurrent extremist violence amid ongoing security challenges in the Sahel region.
Government officials say efforts are underway to gather verified information and provide the necessary support to any Ghanaian nationals impacted by the attack.
Further updates are expected in the coming days as diplomatic and security officials continue engagements with their counterparts in Burkina Faso.
The suspects seated behind their computers at their hideout in Pokuase following their arrest.
The IGP’s Special Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team, with operational support from Combat Teams and the Surveillance Unit, has arrested twenty-two suspects during a targeted intelligence-led operation at Pokuase in the Greater Accra Region.
The operation, conducted on Thursday, February 12, 2026, followed intelligence reports linking a location at Pokuase-Afiaman to human trafficking and organised cybercrime activities.
Femi Adebayor, a 37-year-old Nigerian national, following his arrest.
According to the Ghana Police Service, officers stormed the premises and uncovered what is believed to be a large-scale cyber fraud centre, commonly referred to as a “Yahoo Boy” base.
Police said several suspects were found actively operating computer systems suspected to have been used for international internet fraud.
James Sunday, 25, is among the suspects arrested
Preliminary investigations indicate that the criminal enterprise operated under a structured hierarchy, with specific members allegedly responsible for maintaining control and discipline over individuals believed to have been trafficked.
Investigators further suspect that the group is part of a sophisticated trans-national criminal network involved in both cyber fraud and human trafficking.
Chiediebere Pascal, a 28-year-old Nigerian national, in police custody.
Police also revealed that some of the younger individuals arrested may themselves be victims of coercion and forced labour.
The Ghana Police Service has reiterated its commitment to dismantling organised criminal networks, protecting vulnerable persons, and ensuring that perpetrators of human trafficking and cyber-related crimes face justice.
