Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon’s relationship seemed to be sailing smoothly, unlike previous claims. Recently, the couple attended the Los Angeles premiere of George Clooney’s “Jay Kelly.” According to a source, the duo seemingly looked “loved up” and “joined at the hip” throughout the event. Earlier, it was reported that the jewelry designer was getting agitated because of her boyfriend “chasing old battles.”
Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon’s recent outing reportedly showed that all is well in their paradise. On Tuesday, they showed up at the “Jay Kelly” premiere to support the actor’s friend, George Clooney. At the event, a source told PEOPLE that the couple were “very touchy-feely” and glued together.
“They looked loved up. He was in a great mood and seemed thrilled to be there to celebrate his friend,” they added. While Pitt appeared in a green velvet tracksuit, de Ramon looked gorgeous in a beige outfit. She wore a halter-style, knitted dress with a jacket in one hand. With hair let loose, she wore a bird pendant and carried a Chanel sling bag. Interestingly, the duo’s outfits screamed different styles.
The news of their romance at the party would come as relief for their fans. Earlier, a report suggested otherwise, claiming that de Ramon was worried about her partner. She recently moved in with the “F1” star to give their relationship a “fresh start.” However, an insider mentioned that the 32-year-old seemed uneasy because of Pitt’s legal battle with his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie.
“Brad keeps saying he won’t let Angelina win,” they added. But his girlfriend would like to find out what “winning” means for him. “He has love, success, a gorgeous home, and someone who truly cares for him–yet it never seems to be enough while he’s still chasing old battles,” the source said.
Kim Kardashian is reportedly facing a new trademark challenge that could complicate the expansion of her SKKN by Kim line. According to a recent report, one of the world’s largest condom manufacturers has taken issue with her latest trademark applications, arguing the reality star’s branding is too similar to its own.
Kim Kardashian’s growing beauty and wellness empire has hit another legal snag, this time involving LifeStyles Healthcare — the global sexual wellness company behind SKYN condoms. According to filings referenced by the Daily Mail, the brand has formally opposed several trademark applications submitted by Kardashian’s company, Kimsaprincess Inc., over the summer.
Kardashian’s team reportedly filed three new applications in June and July to expand the SKKN by Kim name into fragrances, supplements, and moisturizers. LifeStyles, however, has claimed that the SKKN branding is too similar to its long-standing SKYN line, which includes condoms made from a non-latex material, as well as lubricants and sex toys. The company has been granted more time to prepare full opposition documents, signaling that the dispute may continue for months.
To defend her trademarks, Kardashian has enlisted the legal team at Dickinson Wright, a firm known for representing high-profile entertainers. LifeStyles, meanwhile, is represented by powerhouse firm Greenberg Traurig. The same group has advised celebrities including Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and Kardashian’s ex-husband, Kanye West.
This isn’t the first time Kardashian has found herself navigating trademark pushback. In 2022, she was forced to abandon an earlier attempt to trademark SKKN by Kim. This was after model Lori Harvey’s team argued the name conflicted with Harvey’s own skincare label, SKN by LH. A Brooklyn spa named Beauty Concepts also challenged her use of the SKKN name, prompting additional legal negotiations. Both matters ultimately ended with Kardashian’s applications being dropped.
However, Page Six confirmed on Wednesday that his release has been pushed to June 4, 2028.
While the reason behind the adjusted date remains unclear, it comes on the heels of the rapper making headlines for allegedly violating multiple prison rules.
Combs’ rep and the Bureau of Federal Prisons have yet to respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Combs’ spokesperson told Page Six last week that the Grammy winner was “in his first week at FCI Fort Dix [after being transferred from Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center] and … focused on adjusting, working on himself and doing better each day.”
The rep continued, “As with any high-profile individual in a new environment, there will be many rumors and exaggerated stories throughout his time there — most of them untrue. We ask that people give him the benefit of the doubt, the privacy to focus on his personal growth.”
Ghanaian music icon Samini has urged up and coming artistes to make smart financial decisions by investing in land rather than spending on luxury items.
Speaking on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM with Kwame Dadzie and Doreen Avio, Samini advised young artistes to “buy a lot of land,” revealing that it was one of the best decisions he made early in his career.
“This is one of the things I did when I was young,” he said, adding that the advice came from an older friend who noticed his habit of frequently changing cars. “He told me to stop wasting money on cars and buy land instead,” Samini recounted.
Beyond music, the celebrated dancehall and reggae artiste runs several business ventures. He is involved in large-scale farming and owns other properties. Samini also operates a music and events company, Highgrade Family, which has nurtured several Ghanaian talents over the years.
Samini is currently preparing for his annual concert, Saminifest, scheduled for 24th December in Accra. The event, which celebrates his musical journey and Ghanaian culture, will feature performances from top artistes and promises to be a highlight of the festive season.
The multi-award-winning musician, known for hits like Linda, My Own, and Obaa, continues to inspire younger artistes to think long-term both in their craft and finances.
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
John C. Maxwell
PAUL BAFFOE – BONNIE has gone to the Vetting and come back victoriously.
The vetting went on, the walkout of the NPP members of the Appointments Committee notwithstanding.
There was a showdown between Hon. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin and Hon. Mahama Ayariga. It started with the use of the expression “disputed Chief Justice Nominee” to describe the hard-working Supreme Court judge now Acting Chief Justice and soon-to-be Chief Justice of Ghana: Said Afenyo-Markin “We gather to vet the disputed nominee for the office of Chief Justice.
This is a case of whether Ghana’s Judiciary will remain independent” Hon. Ayariga retorts: “I am objecting to the term ‘disputed’ because there is no dispute regarding the nominee before us” When the Minority could not get their way introducing the “unresolved legal challenges relating to the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo”, they bowed out. Afenyo Markin remarked:
“We are registering that we reject the nomination and the record should reflect that the report of the vetting be a Majority report” Referring to the plethora of cases by the former CJ Torkono at the High Court, Supreme Court and ECOWAS Court, they argued that continuing the process undermines judicial independence and prejudges matters that are still under adjudication – subjudice.
At the vetting, it seems to us, nearly all the questions that the Minority would have asked were asked by the Majority and the CJ answered succinctly: “It does not matter who you are; once it comes to the law, it is no discrimination of persons. That has been my lifestyle, and if anybody is to go through my life, this is what he will come up with”.
He continued: he was confident to build a judicial system that “not only interprets the law but elevates the nation’s conscience” Was his nomination a reward for his role in the 2012 Election Petition in which his vote favoured the sitting President, John Dramani Mahama: He answered: “I wouldn’t know what goes in the president’s mind” But his elevation was the result of merit and long service – not political patronage – appointment by ex-President JJ Rawlings as a Circuit Court judge; appointment to the High Court by President John Agyekum Kufuor; then later (2006) to the Court of Appeal and then (2008) to the Supreme Court. He answered Hon. Ayariga’s question on the delays at Court (some land cases lasting up to 40 years) by structural reforms which would require constitutional amendment. Would the Supreme Court’s size and workload be improved by separating constitutional and appellate function? Yes
What about the suggestion about moving Ghana’s general elections to early November (instead of 7th December) to allow for, at least, 57 days for hearings of disputes before the swearing-in of a new President? Doesn’t the Legal Aid Board deserve support for effective work? And don’t the Courts put themselves in shape for the 24-hour operations?
The dire state of the prisons ought to be looked at (in answer to Hon. Ayamba for Pusiga). The “Justice for All” should be a constant programme and community service for minor offences could be seen as a remarkable proposition. The CJ nominee says “Punishments should serve justice, not vengeance, and where rehabilitation is possible, we must pursue it”. Remarkable!
Who wouldn’t acknowledge that public confidence in the judiciary is waning as a result of delays, inefficiency and corruption? But the CJ nominee admits. “The judiciary is as honest or corrupt as the society it serves”. The President’s constitutional duty is to appoint judges on the advice of the Judicial Council and in consultation with the Council of State, and this should not be disturbed: no “court packing” by Presidents when Judicial appointments are based on merit and subject to multi –institutional checks.
The e- justice system could be expanded to embrace places outside Accra; there was a vital need to improve conditions of service for lower bench staff and magistrates who constitute the bulk of the judiciary who remained poorly paid – a vital requirement for service delivery.
Was there any injunction on the vetting of the CJ nominee? Nothing, so Parliament was right in proceeding to do its constitutional task.
The question to ask is; Is this all that the NPP Minority can do in Parliament? Earlier, it was about the arrest of Bernard Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP. The Minority staged a walkout of Parliament on 29th May, 2025 when there was serious business to do. The MPs dishonourably went and massed up at EOCO… and sat on the road like paupers. Meanwhile, with a comfortable majority of the NDC in Parliament, business could be carried on there without the input of the minority.
The Executive Director of the African Center for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) Dr. Rasheed Draman asked “What’s the value of the walkout and the threat not to participate in government business at a time when the NDC has a comfortable majority and can form a quorum to do parliamentary work and to carry out government business? … we are not in the eighth parliament, where a few members could delay or block proceedings. In this ninth parliament, the number no longer favour such tactics”.
In the vetting case, Afenyo Markin quotes a passage in Macbeth which was “our” choicest passage at the 1971 O Level Literature in English: Act 1 Sc 7 (If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well it were done quickly …. Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plaque the inventor…)
First, as I am his kinsman and subject, Strong both against the deed, then as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself, Besides this, Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek … I have no spur To prick the slides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself And falls on the other…” Hon. Mahama Ayariga (Majority Leader’s) challenge, referring to Order 122 and 123 of the Parliament Standing Orders (Rules of debate and content of speeches-requiring a motion) could not be countenanced by Hon. Afenyo Markin.
Logo –Ligi Logarithm, our lecturer in Russian Language Atukwei Okai would show the parallel in traditional and modern consciousness. We would be urged to follow the rules, Was it “a travesty of justice” at the Parliament’s Appointments Committee? Was Afenyo Markin and the Minority pandering to the whims of ex Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo or playing the political card? Or were they playing to the gallery? What was “special” about beautiful Gertrude Torkonoo?
How does this attitude measure to Speaker Bagbin’s prayer for Parliamentarians to display the “highest standard of civility”? In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Marcus Antonius would say: “Oh judgement thou art fled to brutish beasts And men have lost their reason…” (Human beings have lost their capacity for reason and behave like other creatures – not human beings not Members of Parliament) despite their work being highlighted by Articles 93 to 124 of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992.
Why would ordinary Ghanaians queue to vote for Members of Parliament, with abundant privileges and luscious perks…. Are we seeing the best of the NPP representatives in Parliament? Or does any NPP MP think we are all Zombies (who can follow them sheepishly)?
“Shame on those hearts of stone, that cannot melt in soft adoption of another’s sorrow” – A. Hill.
Yah, GHONE reported it like this:
“28 casualties, 12 critical cases, 5 in ICU and 6 dead” – Wao!!!
Class FM at 5pm on Wednesday, 12th November, placed the total number of affected would-be recruits at 51.
l am short and lost for words. 21st century ‘paa’ and potential recruits are dying in their bid to go through a recruitment processes.
Hmmm, in our first year at the University, at Management lecture, we were hinted of queuing theory – that was its theory. Fast forward in the second year, queuing theory again reared its ugly head in quantitative methods.
Some potential recruits along the road
Oh yes, there are mathematical models to solve such problems. It is a matter of keying in the variables – expectant figures, how long you want each through the process, the number of processes etc. into a formula and you are there with the number of attendants, exits, entrances, days etc. to contain a situation such as the above.
This has even been enhanced lately with the emergence of AI, but no, because of greed, ‘noko fio’, and what l term ‘Ghanafo’, oh yes, we lose all senses when we see a crowd we are to serve. In the transport industry, drivers will be clamouring for passengers, but the day they see passengers lined up awaiting their services, they adopt a show off attitude via varied and various excuses leaving the passengers stranded. That exactly fits the actions and inaction of the Military High Command, oh yes, they take ultimate and absolute responsibility.
All the above aside, COMMON SENSE, should have pricked the conscience of whoever was charged with this exercise, that the numbers was huge and they ought to change their regimental strategy, but that was not to be, accounting for attributing this failure and tragedy to lack of COMMON SENSE. The sheer numbers at the precinct as at 5am was enough trigger knowingly knowing all cannot be attended to on the Wednesday.
Kindly permit me to pose this question – what is the likely effect of congregating such a huge number of teens at a designated place – stampede, abi.
EL -WAK STADIUM
Not quite long, there was news all over of how that facility had deteriorated and the reluctance of the Army to open up when contacted by the media for their version of the story.
l was thus pleasantly surprised that this deteriorated facility was the host of such an important national exercise. No further comments, least, l touch town.
NO POLITICS
I have listened to social commentators including the take of the Youth Organizer of the opposition NPP playing the blame game. l need hardly state here that, l am constrained and restrained from going “apolitical”, more so when human lives is the nerve of the equation.
Notwithstanding, l wish to state here that with the churning out of thousands of SHS graduates without any form of employable skills, such numbers were expected and to twist it that NPP did or could have done better is not only below the belt but plain disingenuous.
We were in this country when MPs in the then ruling government went berserk on radio stations, openly touting and boosting of the number of recruits they have “twisted” to have same recruited into the security services as if non NPP members were not Ghanaians and, again, deserved not to be in the security apparatuses – one wonders if the MPs were recruitment officers.
Perhaps, the sin(s) of NDC was making the exercise very transparent this time but, and l repeat, but, it does not take the shine off of they ensuring that the potential recruits safety was guaranteed and must take the blame.
COMMITTEE
As posited by C. F. Kettering, “If you want to kill any idea in the world, get a committee working on it”. Yah, heard that the exercise has been suspended indefinitely whilst a Board of Inquiry or whatever, is put up to DO WHAT?
The answers thereto are clearly written on the four walls of El -Wak Stadium – failure and lack of common sense of the part of the Human Resources Unit of the Ghana Army headed by the Chief of Staff (CDS) to think through and outside the box, leading to this catastrophe, PERIOD.
Their reactionary, rather than proactive traits were at its best on this occasion.
Bet me, it will be the usual findings will be the absorption by the State of the burial/funeral expenses and a token and the matter ends.
We all are privy to the outcome of the May 9, 2001 Ohene Djan stadium disaster where some of the best brains in the legal fraternity were employed to play with words and technicalities, which virtually ensured that no soul was found culpable.
Bet me, no one will be held to account or culpable. “Ehuru a, ɛbɛ dwo” and “Fama Nyame” dichotomies will come to play and take over after a few weeks and life continues.
My heart goes to the families of the deceased persons, learnt they are all females – sad. Pray the Almighty God comforts, guide and guard them in this very trying times – l just cannot imagine wearing their shoes.
TESTING THE LAW
l urge the affected and infested families to throw the “Fama Nyame” and “It’s God Who Gives And Takes” dichotomies to the bin and test the law. Yah, institute legal action against the Military High Command and the Attorney General for their loss. l believe it will send the right signal to institutions to ‘behave themselves’ in future. Even if they don’t succeed, which l am very doubtful judging from the circumstances, such action will send the right signals to institutions to sit up in the immediate and remote future.
In this vein, l will make a passionate appeal to Ghana Bar Association Women’s Forum, International Federation of Women Lawyers and Africa Women Lawyers Association, Ghana, among others, to spearhead this noble cause.
Instances abound, Awuni v WAEC being a typical example where the law was put to test.
In fact and indeed, this tragedy defies the Akan adage that reads, “Adeɛkye na sɛ y’annte asɛm foforɔ a, y’ɛkyi” but this One de3, in my candid opinion, “Aboro So” – too much to bear.
What an UNEVEN WORLD !!!
l rest my Fractured Peace.
Written by Osei Kwabena Esq., Etia Street, Asante Effiduase
During a recent interview in his abode in jail, Mr. Ataa Ayi, a man whose name has become our local word for armed robber, confessed that yes, he robbed. However, he did not do some of the things he was charged with. He indicated that he was beaten up by the police investigators to sign a statement of some crimes he never committed.
I am not here to defend him but to ask, whether he had a fair trial, for during his vetting at the Appointment Committee, Justice Baffoe Bonnie, came out with this revelation that he sentenced Atta Ayi to 70 years for the safety of him, Justice Bonnie, and that of his family. But on record, Ataa Ayi was sentenced for 160 years, so which is which?
And this is my story: I was in Class Three, and a religious sister was our assistant headmistress. I quickly noticed that for no reason, she just disliked me. One day she barred me from watching a puppet show in school, even though I had paid for.
And on one early evening, after our weekly afternoon of fun and games, on my way out, I met my friends playing alokoto and decided to wait for them, so we go home together. Their loud voices attracted the attention of the staff and a pupil was asked to find out those making the noise.
She came, she saw, she reported and gave the names of all of us. Upon hearing my name, the assistant headmistress summoned me and gave me punishment to write a list of 500 nouns, 500 verbs and 500 adjectives and submit it to her, first thing the next morning.
I went home but never informed my uncle or auntie because those days, whenever you complained that some adult punished you, you first got beaten before you explain what happened.
I did all I could, but was only able to submit something scanty. For that, I got suspended from school and I was forced to tell my auntie, why I was not in school. In anger, she went to see the assistant headmistress. Lo and behold, my auntie who was also a teacher had had a bitter encounter with this religious in their line of duty as teachers and they both disliked each other. For this reason, it was payback time, and I got punished unjustly for unrelated reasons.
Atta Ayi said he was forced to sign a statement, which had him to admit to some crimes he never committed. This story about investigators forcing suspects to sign statements to admit to crimes they never committed, seem to be the stock-in-trade of police officers all over the world.
It is about time, that Ghanaians are educated about their rights, so far as appearing before an investigator is concern. This attitude is very bad and can end up throwing innocent people into jail.
These innocent persons, get to prison and mix up with the hardened criminals and they learn from them, their unholy ways. Then, with the perception that society hates them, when they get out of jail, they hit back at society, applying the education and knowledge acquired in prison. Whose fault, now?
Back to Justice Baffoe Bonnie. He said at his vetting that while sentencing guidelines provide a framework, judges must sometimes exercise discretion to address the broader context of a case, including public safety and the protection of vulnerable parties.
Then he came with a revelation, the true reason why he gave Atta Ayi that long sentence: “I gave him 70 years. And what I told myself was that if Atta Ayi was given 30 years and he comes back, my family will be the first he will attack. So, by the time he comes back after 70 years, I will be dead and gone.”
Like seriously? Is he saying that upon evidence before him in court, Atta Ayi was supposed to have been given 30 years, but he added on 40 years for his personal safety and that of his family? Another question is, has the 70 year-sentence become a deterrent to other armed robbers?
This has not happened as armed robbery rather continue to escalate. And lastly did this learned judge know that, he could be attacked anyway by, robbers’ friends of Atta Ayi, for jailing him? Excuse me, his statement does not hold water.
Someone in her social media post stated that Atta Ayi was to be sentenced to death, so receiving 70 years was just too lenient for him. She must know that from what Justice Baffoe Bonnie said, if Atta Ayi deserved to die or go in for life, he would have gladly given that verdict.
With this in his backpack as he walks into the office of the Chief Justice, has he got the moral right to transform our justice system? How can personal desires unrelated to the case at hand in court, determine the verdict he delivered?
Just as I got punished by my assistant headmistress on solely unrelated personal reasons, could that be said of Justice Baffoe Bonnie punishing Ataa Ayi on solely unrelated personal reasons? Can the now famous Article 146, interpret this? And again, I am not in anyway defending Atta Ayi, I am only defending the Holy Virtue of Justice.
Hon. Daniel Dugan
Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle
The Federal Government yesterday cancelled the national policy mandating the use of indigenous languages as the medium of instruction in schools, and declared English as the sole meduim.of instruction.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said this at the 2025 Language in Education International Conference, organised by the British Council in Abuja.
Recall that in 2022, the Federal Government approved a National Language Policy (NLP), which provides that from Early Child Care Education to Primary six, the language of instruction will be in the mother tongue or language of the immediate community.
The policy aims to promote indigenous languages, recognise their equal status, and improve early childhood learning outcomes, while English remains the official language used in later education and formal settings. Reversing the Policy, Alausa said Nigerian children had been performing abysmally in public exams as a result of being taught in the mother tongue.
The minister said the decision to cancel the policy followed extensive data analysis and evidence showing that the use of mother tongue as the main medium of instruction had negatively affected learning outcomes in several parts of the country.
He said: “We have seen a mass failure rate in WAEC, NECO and JAMB in certain geo-political zones of the country, and those are the ones that adopted this mother tongue in an over-subscribed manner.
“This is about evidence-based governance. English now stands as the medium of instruction from the pre-primary, primary, junior secondary, senior secondary and to the tertiary education level.”
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on Thursday said it is no longer considering implementing the planned 15 per cent duty on imported petroleum products.
The development was announced by the Director, Public Affairs Department, NMDPRA, George Ene-Ita, in a statement while warning the public to shun panic buying.
President Bola Tinubu, on the 29th of October, approved an import tariff on petrol and diesel, a policy expected to raise the landing cost of imported fuel.
The President’s approval was conveyed in a letter signed by his Private Secretary, Damilotun Aderemi, following a proposal submitted by the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji.
The proposal sought the application of a 15 per cent duty on the cost, insurance, and freight value of imported petrol and diesel to align import costs with domestic market realities.
Implementation was slated to take effect on November 21, 2025.
The policy aimed to protect and promote local refineries like the Dangote Refinery and modular plants by making imported fuel more expensive.
While intended to boost local production, it is also expected to increase fuel costs, which could lead to higher inflation and transportation prices for consumers.
Experts have argued that the move could translate into higher pump prices for consumers, with some estimating an increase of up to ₦150 per litre or more.
In an update, however, NMDPRA said the government was no longer considering going ahead with implementing the petrol import duty.
The Senate has moved to outlaw the recruitment of persons under the age of 18 into the military as it passed the Armed Forces (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2025, for second reading.
The provision, which prohibits the enlistment of minors, aligns Nigeria’s military practices with the Child Rights Act (2003), the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (Katsina Central), seeks to repeal the existing Armed Forces Act, 2004, replacing it with a constitutionally compliant and operationally responsive law.
Leading the debate on the floor of the Senate, Yar’Adua said the reform was long overdue, underscoring that the current legislation, originally derived from a military decree, no longer meets the demands of modern governance, democratic accountability, or evolving security realities.
“Our Armed Forces are a symbol of national unity and pride, but the laws guiding them have not evolved at the same pace as our democracy. This Bill rebuilds the military’s legal foundation to reflect justice, professionalism, and respect for human rights,” the lawmaker said.
The proposed legislation introduces sweeping reforms, including expanding the definition of military offences, introducing proportionate punishments, and protecting the independence of courts-martial by criminalizing interference from superior officers, a safeguard against abuse of power.
The reform also, for the first time, ensures that legally qualified military officers will be permitted to represent the Armed Forces in civil courts. A standing fund for litigation will also be established to ensure the timely and efficient handling of military-related legal matters.
The bill equally replaces obsolete fines, some as low as N200 or N500, with percentage-based penalties tied to an offender’s salary, ensuring that sanctions remain deterrent and reflective of economic realities.
