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Atiku resigns from PDP, says decision ‘heartbreaking’

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Atiku predicated his resignation on the “trajectory” the party has taken. He is currently a key member of the opposition coalition.

Atiku’s resignation letter was dated July 14, 2025 and addressed to the PDP Chairman of his Ward, Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The letter he signed reads: “I am writing to formally resign my membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the Party.

“Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a Presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life.

“However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the Party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for.

“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognizing the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.

“I wish the Party and its leadership all the best in the future. Thank you once again for the opportunities and support.

“As a founding father of this esteemed Party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.”

Credit: dailypost.ng

Nigeria has ‘enough problems’ and can’t take deportees from US-Foreign Minister

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Foreign minister Yusuf Tuggar

Nigeria will not bow to pressure from the Trump administration to accept Venezuelan deportees or third-country prisoners from the US, foreign minister Yusuf Tuggar has vowed, quoting 1990s American rappers Public Enemy to make his point.

“In the words of the famous US rap group Public Enemy… You’ll remember a line from Flava Flav – a member of the group – who said: ‘Flava Flav has problems of his own. I can’t do nothin’ for you, man’, ” he said in an interview with privately owned Channels TV.

“We already have over 230 million people,” the minister said.

His comments follow threats from Washington to restrict visas and hike tariff on countries who do not comply with its deportation policy.

“It will be unfair for Nigeria to accept 300 Venezuelan deportees,” he said, suggesting that the recent visa curbs on Nigerian travellers by the US was not “reciprocal” but a pressure tactic.

“You will be the same person that will castigate us if we acquiesce to accepting Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria,” he added.

Earlier this week, the US Department of State said as part of a “global reciprocity realignment”, nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria, as well as those of Cameroon and Ethiopia, would now be single-entry and valid for only three months.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has threatened to hit countries which side with the policies of the Brics alliance that go against US interests with an extra 10% tariff. The Brics grouping of 11 nations is designed to challenge the political and economic power of the West.

Last year, the list of Brics members expanded beyond the original group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Nigeria is not a full Brics member but became its ninth partner country back in January.

On Friday, the US embassy in Abuja denied that the Trump administration was engaging in tit-for-tat clampdowns on visas as punishment for Nigeria not giving in to their demands. The real reason for the visa restrictions, it said, were “technical and security benchmarks” that had to be respected.

Mr Tuggar said the threat of tariff hikes did not “necessarily have to do with us participating in Brics.

“You have to also bear in mind that the US is mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept Venezuelans to be deported from the US, some straight out of prison,” he added.

“It will be difficult for a country like Nigeria to accept Venezuelans prisoners into Nigeria. We have enough problems of our own, we cannot accept Venezuelan deportees to Nigeria, for crying out loud,” he concluded.

Credit: bbc.com

Okada rider remanded over alleged robbery offence

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The Circuit Court, Dansoman, presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, has remanded a 24-year-old okada rider, Manaf Osman, into police custody after he pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbery.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Kwadwo Aboagye, alleged that on June 27, 2025 at about 4:30am, the accused attacked one Joyce Lartey near Tony Park in Dansoman.

Armed with a pair of scissors, Osman is said to have threatened to stab the victim in the eye if she did not surrender her handbag, which contained an iPhone 13 Pro Max, a purse, a water bottle, a bowl and an umbrella, items collectively valued at GH¢11,535.

According to the prosecution, Osman forcefully snatched the bag and attempted to flee, but was pursued by the complainant, who raised an alarm.

With the help of Community Police Assistant Akwasi Dwamena and other bystanders, the accused was apprehended, and the stolen items along with the weapon were recovered at the scene.

Osman was subsequently handed over to the police, where a formal complaint was lodged, and investigations commenced.

The iPhone was returned to the complainant to allow her to stay connected during the ongoing proceedings.

Despite his plea of not guilty, the court exercised its discretion and denied bail, citing Section 96(5)(a) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act.

Her Honour ruled that Osman be remanded into police custody until the next adjourned date, August 27, 2025, when the case management conference (CMC) is expected to begin.

The prosecution has been directed to file all necessary disclosures and witness statements ahead of the CMC.

MiDA CEO Champions 24-Hour Economy as bankable, transparent

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Mr Alex Mould speaking to the industry players

The Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), Mr Alexander Kofi-Mensah Mould, has assured local and international investors that projects under Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development (24H+) initiative are not only viable but built on strong foundations of transparency and accountability.

Speaking at the 24H+ Capital Market Operators Roundtable in Accra, Mr Mould addressed concerns raised by capital market players about government-related investment risks.

Participants cited challenges such as corruption in procurement processes, political interference in contract execution, and the historical pattern of discontinuing development projects after changes in government.

Mr Mould, a respected finance expert and former Executive Director at Standard Chartered Bank responded with confidence, emphasising that these 24-hour economy projects are “bankable.” He explained that each project has undergone thorough vetting, backed by feasibility studies, clear regulatory frameworks, and well-structured risk mitigation strategies.

“Bankability means that investor capital is protected and expected to yield returns,” Mr Mould stated. “We’re not just offering ideas — we’re presenting executable, results-driven projects.”

Highlighting MiDA’s strong execution history, Mr Mould reminded the audience of the Authority’s successful delivery of over $1.1 billion worth of multi-sector projects across infrastructure, energy, and agriculture, all funded by the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation.

“We did it under some of the world’s most rigorous standards,” he noted. “Now, we’re ready to do it again — faster, better, and smarter.”

He emphasised that for Ghana to realise its economic ambitions, capable and transparent institutions must take the lead. “That’s what MiDA brings to the table — a proven track record, executional rigor, and the ability to turn policy into real-world impact,” he said.

Adding further weight to the discussion, Mr Augustus Obuadum Tanoh, Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, outlined how the initiative intends to leverage capital markets to fund the country’s ambitious plans.

He said the roundtable focused on key enablers such as mobilizing both domestic and foreign investments, managing risks associated with extended operational hours, and ensuring long-term sustainability of the policy.

“The 24-hour economy isn’t just about more work, it’s about smarter economic structuring that fuels job creation, supports infrastructure, and drives export-oriented growth,” Mr Tanoh explained.

Highlighting the importance of accountability, Nana Dwemoh Benneh, Chief Executive of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), emphasized that regular progress reports,covering project milestones, financial performance, and alignment with strategic goals—will be shared with stakeholders.

He added that independent external auditors will review GIIF’s financial activities, alongside impact assessments to measure how investments are driving infrastructure development across the country.

The event marks a significant step toward aligning Ghana’s financial sector with its bold vision for continuous, inclusive, and resilient economic growth — a vision MiDA and its partners are determined to turn into reality.

Gas supply from Eni increases from 246 to 270 million standard cubic feet per day

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ENI Ghana

Ghana’s struggling power sector has received a significant boost, following a successful gas infrastructure upgrade by Eni Ghana and its OCTP partners, Vitol Upstream Ghana Ltd and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).

The upgrade, completed this month, has raised the country’s gas processing capacity from 246 to 270 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD), marking a key milestone in domestic energy development.

In a statement copied to The Chronicle, Eni Ghana said the advancement stems from improvements to its Non-Associated Gas (NAG) system under the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) project, which has been operational since August 2018.

“This recent advancement will not only increase gas supply, but also significantly reduce Ghana’s reliance on oil-fuelled power generation. It delivers both economic and environmental benefits, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future,” the statement said.

The statement further noted that natural gas from OCTP currently powers about 34% of Ghana’s electricity, supporting industries, homes, and businesses with a more stable and efficient energy source.

OCTP initially supplied 210 MMSCFD at the time of commissioning, but has steadily increased capacity through phased optimisations culminating in the latest output of 270 MMSCFD achieved on July 13, 2025.

Eni Ghana underscored the importance of strong partnerships and consistent investment in energy infrastructure, highlighting their role in building a resilient and diversified power sector capable of supporting long-term national development.

Present in Ghana since 2009, Eni is the operator of the OCTP project with a 44.4% share, alongside Vitol (35.6%) and GNPC (20%).

Beyond oil and gas production, the partners are implementing projects in training, economic diversification, access to water and sanitation and energy access.

With the latest boost in gas supply, Ghana is positioned to meet more of its electricity demands through domestic natural gas, reducing dependence on imported fuel and mitigating emissions, an important step in the nation’s broader energy transition agenda.

Three jailed over murder of Swedish hip-hop star in car park

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The shooting took place in a parking garage in Gothenburg in June 2024

Three men in their 20s have been given long jail terms for their part in the fatal shooting of award-winning hip-hop artist C Gambino in Gothenburg last year.

C Gambino, whose real name was Karar Ramadan, had been named hip-hop artist of 2023 in Sweden’s Grammis music awards a month before he was murdered, in what prosecutors described as a ruthless and premeditated shooting.

All three men were convicted of aiding and abetting murder, and two of them were cleared of murder, as the Gothenburg court ruled it could not be established beyond reasonable doubt who had fired the fatal shots.

The gun that killed C Gambino has never been found and a car used in the shooting was later found burned out.

C Gambino’s murder has been linked to a local gangland conflict, although the motive remains a mystery. Prosecutors said there was no evidence to suggest that he was part of any criminal network.

For several years Sweden’s biggest cities have been beset by gang violence that have claimed dozens of lives, often involving children recruited to carry out violent attacks.

The rapper, who was 26, was shot at a multistorey car park in Gothenburg in June 2024 in what the court said was a carefully planned attack and had the character of a “pure execution”.

Investigators were unable to find DNA traces of the attackers but did map their movements from mobile phones around the time of the shooting.

The prosecutor also told Swedish public broadcaster SVT that police had been able to use hours of CCTV footage from the car park and elsewhere.

Videos showed the killers’ vehicle entering the car park more than a week before the shooting, and then waiting for hours before the attack took place as C Gambino returned home from the gym late in the evening.

Although he was able to raise the alarm, emergency services who arrived at the scene were unable to use their communication system and had to shout to each other, SVT reported.

The artist died in hospital about an hour afterwards.

In its verdict, the court gave a 22-year-old man a life sentence in jail, while two others aged 21 and 20 were handed terms of 15 and a half years and 12 and a half years respectively,

A fourth man, aged 19, was convicted of setting fire to their car.

Credit: bbc.com

Harry Potter actress Emma Watson banned from driving for speeding

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Emma Watson

Harry Potter actress Emma Watson has been banned from driving for six months, after she was caught speeding.

Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the film franchise, drove a blue Audi at 38mph in a 30mph zone in Oxford on the evening of 31 July last year.

Watson already had nine points on her licence before the speeding incident occurred, the court heard.

The 35-year-old, now a student, was made to pay a total of £1,044 at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

She did not attend the five-minute hearing. Representatives for Watson have been approached for comment.

Watson’s lawyer, Mark Haslam, told the court that she is a student, adding: “She is in a position to pay the fine.”

The actress has been studying a master’s degree in creative writing at the University of Oxford since 2023.

Watson shot to fame in 2001 with the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, alongside fellow child stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint.

She starred in eight Potter films in total, with the last being released in 2011, before going on to appear in movies such as Beauty and the Beast, The Bling Ring and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Watson’s last film role was in the 2019 remake of Little Women, directed by Greta Gerwig. She launched her own sustainable gin brand with her brother in 2023.

Separately, another Harry Potter actress, Zoe Wanamaker, was fined for speeding on the same day and in the same court as Watson.

Wanamaker, who played Madam Hooch in the wizarding series, was caught speeding on 7 August 2024, on the M4 in Newbury, Berkshire.

The 76-year-old was driving at 46mph in a 40mph limit, the court heard.

She was also fined £1,044 and banned for six months.

Credit: bbc.com

My track is not a diss song –King Paluta hits back at critics

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Ghanaian musician, King Paluta, has responded to critics over allegations that his newly-released single, “Between Me and God,” is a diss song.

It may be recalled that King Paluta became the center of discussions on social media over his outburst against a fan in a video during a performance in the UK.

 

Many Ghanaian Entertainment pundits criticised the artiste, describing his actions as “arrogant” as an artiste.

Following the incident, the musician released a song which was interpreted to have been directed at naysayers.

 

But King Paluta in a tweet on July 15, 2025 following the backlash he received on social media said his song is not a diss track.

“Not a diss… Just pure vibes,” he tweeted.

However, despite his clarification, netizens are still demanding an apology from the artiste for insulting a fan in the UK.

 

An account on X noted, “You need to know the truth, masa, what you did was wrong, bossu. There is no need for this song. All that they were trying to say is that you apologise.”

Credit: 3news.com

Tinny returns with new Afropop song ‘Barrier’

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Ghanaian rapper Tinny

Ghanaian rapper Tinny has released a new single titled Barrier, sparking excitement among fans and reigniting conversations about his influence in Ghana’s music scene.

The track, produced by Phredexter, features a fusion of Afropop rhythms and energetic beats, with Tinny delivering lyrics predominantly in Ga. The release marks a notable return for the artiste, who is known for pioneering the use of the indigenous language in modern music.

Since its release, Barrier has been generating significant buzz across social media, with fans hailing the track’s message and production. Many have described the single as a powerful comeback for the musician, who rose to fame in the early 2000s.

In an interview with Joy Prime’s Lawrence Nartey-Kornor, Tinny shared the inspiration behind the song.

“This song is very personal to me. It’s about hope, dominance, and resilience; this song is announcing my return to the game and nobody crosses the line,” he told the Prime Time producer.

Barrier is currently available on all streaming platforms.

Credit: myjoyonline.com

At least 20 killed in crush at US-backed GHF aid site in Gaza

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Casualties from the incident were brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis

At least 20 people have been killed in a crush at an aid distribution centre in southern Gaza run by the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the organisation and a local hospital say.

The GHF said 19 were trampled to death and one was stabbed “amid a chaotic and dangerous surge” at its site in the Khan Younis area. It added that it believed people “armed and affiliated with Hamas” fomented unrest.

But Gaza’s Hamas-run Government Media Office denied the claim and accused the GHF of trying to “cover up” a crime.

Nasser hospital in Khan Younis said it had received the bodies of 21 people who died from suffocation as a result of tear gas inhalation and a crush at the aid site.

It is the first time the GHF has confirmed deaths at one of its aid sites.

In a graphic video shared on social media and verified by the BBC, a witness standing on a cart filled with the bodies of six boys and men at Nasser hospital said they had been crushed between fences set up at the GHF site while waiting for food handouts on Wednesday.

“They are children. What is it their fault dying for aid?” the man shouts as he holds up the body of one of the boys.

“What happened is [that] at the door of the aid [site], the foreigners made a fence here and a fence here,” he gestured. “The boys went to the front and the people came and stepped on them.”

One injured man being treated at the hospital, Mahmoud Fojo, 21, said that when he reached the GHF site he found that contractors were “closing the gates”.

Credit: bbc.com

The Ghanaian Chronicle