South Africa minister Manana accused of hitting a woman

South Africa's Deputy Education Minister Mduduzi Manana has been accused of hitting a woman during a row at a nightclub.

Mr Manana has not formally commented. However, in a recorded conversation, a person believed to be the minister can be heard admitting to slapping the alleged victim.
The government has said it is aware of the assault accusation.
South Africa has one of the highest rates of sexual violence in the world.
Police figures showed that 64,000 cases were reported last year.
A police spokesman confirmed to Agence France-Presse that they were investigating Sunday's alleged incident.
BBC Africa Live: Updates on this and other African news stories
The minister for women in the president's office, Susan Shabangu, has condemned the deputy minister's "alleged violent actions".
In a statement, she added that she received the news "with great shock and disappointment".
On the tape recording, which is purportedly a conversation between the victim's brother and the minister, the person believed to be the minister admits to slapping the victim when she called him gay.
He implies that other people who were with him were responsible for the worst of the violence.
The recording then emerged in the South African press.
Local media report that the row started over who should succeed President Jacob Zuma when he steps down as leader of the governing ANC in December.

Black Starlets team manager involved in fatal accident

 

The team manager of the Ghana U17 male team, Mr. Samuel Aboabire was involved in a serious car accident on Saturday night.

 

The Ghalca member is currently responding to treatment at the 37 Military Hospital.

 

He is popularly known as 'Quataa' in the football circles.

 

Aboabire was a member of the contingent that represented Ghana at the 2017 CAF U17 Championship in Gabon.

Credit:  Kick GH

16 Amarnath pilgrims die, 28 injured in highway accident

At least 16 Amarnath pilgrims, including two women, died and 28 others were injured when a bus they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge in Ramban district on Srinagar-Jammu highway on Sunday, officials said.

The deceased belonged to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Assam, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, they added.

A State Road Transport Corporation bus (JK02Y-0594) was part of 18th batch of Amarnath pilgrims which left from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu this morning along with convoy of 141 vehicles towards Kashmir.

“As soon as the ill-fated bus having  45 people, including driver and conductor, on board reached near Nachlana, one of its tyres burst following which the driver lost control over it and the vehicle rolled down into 150-foot embankment of Bislari Nullah,” said an official.

Jammu range inspector general of police SDS Jamwal told Greater Kashmir that initial reports have confirmed that “tyre burst” led to the accident.

“A case has been registered and we will look into all aspects of this during investigation,” he said.

A police spokesperson said 28 yatris were moved to sub-district hospital Banihal where from seriously injured pilgrims were airlifted to Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu and Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Srinagar for specialised treatment.



15 deceased identified

Police identified fifteen deceased persons as Pawan Kumar son of Dina Nath Parshad resident of Danapur Patna- Bihar, Rohit Kumar son of Shyam Prashad of Patna- Bihar, Sagar Kumar son of Pardeep Kumar of Janghipath-Bihar, Dileep Kumar son of Dina Nath of Darapur Patna –Bihar, Meena Devi wife of Johar Sahu of Chanakpur –Bihar, Ravinder Singh son of Rajinder Singh of Sherpur Modi Nagar Ghaziabad- Uttar Pradesh, Ravinder Singh son of Raghubir Singh of Indira Puri Ghaziabad- Uttar Pradesh, Sikander son of Pritam of Shahpur, Modinagar Ghaziabad- Uttar Pradesh, Salinder Singh son of Bal Ram of Berubin-Rajasthan, Sashi Paul Sani son of Ganpat Sani of Nawalgarh Rajasthan, Rahul Kumar son of  Dalip Kumar of Gola Pur, Orissa, Rachit Sharma son of  H L Sharma of Hauz Khas, New Delhi and Chander Kumar son of Madan Lal of Purani Nabhi district, Patiala Punjab. Besides the driver Darshan Singh son of Saju Ram of Bishnah, Jammu also lost his life in accident. Police said a body of female pilgrim is still unidentified.

Out of the 28 injured persons 20 were shifted to Government Medical College Jammu while eight were shifted to SKIMS Soura, Srinagar, the spokesman added.

As soon as the news of the accident spread, locals and soldiers launched a massive rescue operation. The locals even pressed into service their private vehicles to ferry injured pilgrims to Banihal hospital, around 13 kms from the accident site.

The Indian Air Force pressed into service its two MI-17 helicopters to airlift the injured pilgrims from Ramban to Jammu and Srinagar hospitals.



8 ADMITTED AT SKIMS

Eight injured Amarnath pilgrims are undergoing treatment at SKIMS. “We are evaluating all of them. While six yatris have minor injuries and are stable, two seem to have serious injuries. They are in an unconscious state,” a doctor told Greater Kashmir late in the evening.

Medical superintendent SKIMS Dr Syed Amin Tabish said at this time, the priority is to carry out all investigations before starting the treatment.

The  pilgrims admitted at SKIMS are Chand Pati Devi wife of Silla Matfi of Denapore Sultanpure, Satish Rawal son of Satpal of Panipat Haryana, Depakar Dass son of late Bipinder Dass of Assam Guwahati, Narish Dudeja son of Om Prakash of Laerual Haryana, Sutvinder Tewari son of Radha Krishan of Gawlior MP, Vijay Kumar son of Sooraj Narayan of Sarfa Bihar, Chetan Mishra son of Rajender Mishra of Fariadabad Haryana and Devi Singh son of Durga Ram of Simla Himachal.

Credit:  greaterkashmir

Kenkey seller, two others escape death

A kenkey seller and her two other workers on Saturday morning escaped death at Krofrom in Kumasi when a truck which carried a forty feet container veered off its lane and crashed their wooden table.
The three, who sustained severe injuries, were sent to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi where they are receiving treatment.
The truck with registration number GR 9447 C, which was on its way from the Suame roundabout to the Oforikrom traffic light, rammed the kenkey seller's wooden structure, dragged it along for some metres before finally stopping and destroying two other metal containers (an electrical shop and a salon) in the process.
Several other wares and properties in the shops were also destroyed.
According to the driver, 54-year-old Appiah Minka, who was at the time Graphic Online visited the scene, seeking refuge at the Krofom Divisional police station for fear of being attacked said the vehicle developed a mechanical fault
He said the brakes failed to work

Credit: Emmanuel Baah

Egypt Hurghada stabbing: Two tourists killed at Red Sea resort

Two tourists, reported to be women, have been killed in stabbings at a hotel in the popular Red Sea resort of Hurghada, Egyptian medical officials say.

At least four other people were injured and a man has been arrested.
The suspect is being questioned by police to determine his motives, the interior ministry said.
The attacker appears to have swum from a nearby public beach to gain access to the resort, officials say.
Three foreign tourists were stabbed at the same resort, renowned for its scuba diving, in January 2016 by two suspected militants from the Islamic State militant group (IS).
Egypt 'let down' by continued UK flight ban to Sharm
Can Egypt's tourism recover?
Initial reports said those killed on Friday were Ukrainian, but the Reuters news agency subsequently said they were Germans.
Egypt's security forces are dealing with an Islamist uprising in the country's Sinai Peninsula. The tourist industry has been targeted by militants in North Africa over the past few years.

A Russian passenger plane was brought down by a bomb in the peninsula in October 2015, killing all 224 people on board.
In June 2015 at least 39 people, mostly foreigners, were killed and 36 injured in an attack on a beach in the Tunisian resort town of Sousse.
Credit: BBC

Bali prison escapee Shaun Davidson scoffs at police claims he could soon be captured

Indonesian police say they are closing in on Australian prison escapee Shaun Davidson, who tunnelled his way out of Bali’s notorious Kerobokan prison last month.

But the Perth jailbird doesn’t seem to be too fazed, taunting the authorities on Facebook saying his location is “old news”.
Indonesian police said they now know where Davidson is hiding out. Bali police chief Petrus Golose said an orange alert had been issued through Interpol, which describes Davidson as a serious and imminent threat to public safety.
“We have checked travel outlets and anyone who may have helped their escape,” Mr Golose said.
“Already more than 20 people have been investigated.”
Davidson escaped the Bali prison with Malaysian fellow drug offender Tee Kok King, Bulgarian ATM skimmer Dimitar Nikolon Iliev and Indian drug trafficker Sayed Muhammad Said on June 19.
Iliev and Said were recaptured in late June after they were found living it up at the four-and-a-half star Novo Turismo Resort in Dili, East Timor.
Davidson and Tee have so far managed to elude authorities and remain on the run with Davidson checking into a variety of destinations on Facebook including Dubai, Amsterdam and Germany.
The fugitive took to Facebook to scoff at suggestions police were closing in on his location.
“Latest articles say the police know where I am,” he posted under the pseudonym Matthew Rageone Ridler on an account widely believed to be Davidson’s.
“Ummmm old news I checked in on facebook everyone knows where I am hahahahaha.”

Full List Of Nominees For 2017 Ghana Music Awards UK

The final list for the 33 categories for the 2nd Annual Ghana Music Awards UK have been released.

Over 100s of Ghanaian musicians, labels and management teams submitted their works over the past few months in order to determine this year’s final list of nominees.

“It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 1,265 entries we received this year. Congratulations to all the nominees,” said Alordia, CEO of Alordia Promotions.

Before winners are announced, the voting platforms and procedures will be made available to the public on Saturday 15th July 2017 in the media and social media platforms.

The awards are based on the reporting period of April 2016 through April 2017.
The 2nd annual Ghana Music Awards UK plaques will be presented to the winners on Saturday, 16th September, 2017 at the Gaumont Palace (Dominion Center), 9 The Broadway, High Road, Wood Green, London N22 6DS.

Ghana Music Awards UK shines a spotlight on the best Ghanaians musicians who excel in Ghana and the UK.

Without any further ado, here are the very deserving nominees for the 2nd Ghana Music Awards UK 2017 – congratulations to all!

1. AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR.
Runtown
Tekno
Wizkid
Mr. Eazi
Eddy Kenzo

2. GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR.
Yewo Nyame A Yewo Adze – Nacee ft. Ernest Opoku Jr
Change Over – Mary Agyemang
Mewo Jesus – Mabel Okyere
My Soul says Yes – Sonnie Badu
Healing Stream – Jeshrun Okyere ft. Nathaniel Bassey
Agye Wo Nsem – Piesie Esther

3. GOSPEL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Joe Mettle
Mabel Okyere
Piesie Esther
Nacee
Sonnie Badu
Jeshrun Okyere

4. NEW ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
King Promise
Medikal
Adina
Ebony
Dem Tinz

5. BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Yewo Nyame A Yewo Adze – Nacee ft. Ernest Opoku Jr
Booze N Boobs – Guru ft. Roll
Pain Killer – Sarkodie ft. Runtown
Rapping Drums – Flowking Stone
Nyedzilo – Edem ft Reekado Banks
One Thing – Stonebwoy ft. Damaris

6. BEST GROUP OF THE YEAR
VVIP
R2Bees
Dobble

7. BEST RAPPER OF THE YEAR.
EL
Guru
Pope Skinny
Manifest
Yaa Pono
Flowking Stone
Sarkodie
Medikal

8. HIPLIFE SONG OF THE YEAR
Samba – Guru ft. Singlet
Club – Donzy ft. Sarkodie
Raw – Guru
Borkor Die – Criss Waddle
RNS (Rich Nigga Shit) – Sarkodie

9. HIGHLIFE SONG OF THE YEAR
Enko Den – Daddy Lumba
Frema – Nero X
Gwe – Bisa Kdei
Confessions – Kofi Kinaata
Beshiwo – Becca
Christy – Dobble
Brown Sugar – Kumi Guitar
Guy Guy – Nana Qwame

10. HIGHLIFE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Kumi Guitar
Bisa Kdei
Becca
Kofi Kinaata
Nero X

11.REGGAE/DANCEHALL SONG OF THE YEAR
People Dey – Stonebwoy
Prove Them Wrong – Shatta wale
Yonnah – Samini ft. Luther
Nwansina – Ras Kuuku ft. Luther
Poison – Ebony
Pain Them – Rudebwoy Ranking

12. REGGAE/DANCE HALL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Stonebwoy
Ras Kuuku
Samini
Ebony
Shatta wale
Rudebwoy Ranking

13. BEST COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Forever – Eazzy ft. Mr. Eazi
Yewo Nyame A Yewo Adze – Nacee ft. Ernest Opoku
Onaapo – Nacee ft. Dee Aja
Confirm RMX – Medikal ft. Sarkodie
Taking Over – Shatta Wale ft. Militants
My Baby – Magnom ft. Joey B
Poison – Ebony ft. Gatdoe
Pain Killer – Sarkodie ft. Runtown
Beshiwo – Becca ft. Bisa Kdei

14. ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Shatta Wale
Kofi Kinaata
Sarkodie
EL
Stonebwoy

15. SONG OF THE YEAR
Taking Over – Shatta Wale ft. Militants
Confessions – Kofi Kinaata
Christy – Dobble
Time Aso – Sidney
Onaapo – Nacee ft. Dee Aja

16. HIPLIFE/HIP-POP ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Criss Waddle
Guru
EL
Flowking Stone
Sarkodie
Medikal
M.anifest

17. HIP-HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
God MC – M.anifest
Trumpet – Sarkodie ft. Tee Flow, Medikal, Strongman, Koo Ntakra, Donzy & Pappy Kojo
Lalafalama – EL
Confirm RMX – Medikal ft. Sarkodie
Tension – Okyeame Kwame ft. Cabum, Medikal & Sister Deborah
Gold – Guru

18. AFRO POP SONG OF THE YEAR
Ayoo – Shatta Wale
Solo – Article Wan
Taking Over – Shatta Wale ft. Militants
Forever – Eazzy ft Mr. Eazi

19. MUSIC PRODUCER / ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Kindee
Willis Beatz
Highly Spiritual
Nacee
Danny Beatz

20. GHANAIAN TRADITIONAL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Sherifa Gunu
Atongo Simba
Norlla Wiyaala
King Ayisoba
Wulomo
(UK BASED AWARD CATEGORIES)

21. UK BASED GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR
You Are The One – Minister Owura Jay
Boafo ne Awurade – Hannah A. Donkor
Land of God – Justice Odoi
It will come to Pass – Sarah Clark
Onyame Tumi Adi Nyinaa Ye – Comfort Amankwah
Se Nyame Nni Mua – Mama Cee
Alpha and Omega – Amankwah Tiah
Me nsa aka Me De3 – Theodora Gospel
Give Me You – P.K. Boadi
My Soul Says Yes – Sonnie Badu

22. UK BASED GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Sounds of Africa – Sonnie Badu
Land Of God – Justice Odoi
Second Chance – Ernest O. Kyeremanteng
Eden na menye ma wo – Amankwah Tiah
Genesis – Minister King Bricky Aboagye
You Are The One – Minister Owura Jay
Onyame tumi adenyinaa ye – Comfort Amankwah
Boafo Ne Awurade – Hannah A. Donkor

23. UK BASED GOSPEL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Hannah A. Donkor
Sonnie Badu
Minister Owura Jay
Amankwah Tiah
Comfort Amankwah
Justice Odoi
Minister King Bricky Aboagye

24. BEST UK BASED NEW GOSPEL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Manye Stone
Gertrude Forson
Minister Ike
Maame Serwaa
Hannah A. Donkor
Elder Ofori
Charlie Barnes
Nana Achia
Sarah Clark
Mama Comfort
Prophet Eliyahu Boateng
Yaw Boateng
Bishop Merry Frimpomaah
Alice Bee

25. BEST UK BASED GHANAIAN INTERNATIONAL ARTISTE
Stormzy
LD of 67 Group
Lethal Bizzle
Kwabs
Reggie N Bollie
Novelist

26. UK BASED AFROBEATS ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Mista Silva
Eugy
Kwamz N Flava
Composers
Jaij Hollands
Atumpan

27. UK BASED AFROBEATS SONG OF THE YEAR
GB – Under Lover
Yxng Bane ft. Kojo Funds – Fine wine
Kojo Funds ft Abra Cadabra – Dun Talkin
Dun D – Badman
Atumpan – Let them say

28. UK BASED ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Kojo Funds
Abra Cadabra
Mista Silva
Eugy
Atumpan
Juls
Dun D

29. UK BASED NEW GHANAIAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Belly Squad
Niji
GB
NSG
Koffi Nyat
A.I.M
Jayo

30. UK BASED NEW DISCOVERY UNCOVERED ART OF THE YEAR
Lippy & K- hi Bangit
Tinkez
Under Rider
Geo Wellington
Ked 2 Besi
Akata Stone

31. UK BASED PRODUCER /ENGINEER
Composers
Kwamz
DJ Juls
Whoelsebutjuelz
Adeshyie Studios
Kingsbeatz
Hator Bros/Temaboyz
Black Kulcha Music
Team Salut
Jae 5

32. UK BASED GHANAIAN DJ OF THE YEAR
DJ Billy
DJ Sawa
DJ Bibi
DJ Snypa
DJ Fiifi
DJ P. Montana
DJ Invisible

33. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Mr. Dennis Tawiah – Akwaaba UK (UK)
Afro Moses – Musician (Ghana)

Credit:  Mawuenam Avi-Doe

Senyo Hosi sues Ken Agyapong for GH¢8 million

 The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Senyo Hosi has filed a GH¢5,000,000 defamatory suit against the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong.
The suit arises from "bribery and corruption" claims made by Mr Agyapong against Mr Hosi last month over the alleged sale of contaminated fuel by the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) Company.
In the suit filed on Tuesday, July 4, at the Accra High Court, Mr Hosi claimed that the allegations made by Mr Agyapong had affected his image and reputation in the sight of right-thinking members of society.
The defendants in the case are Mr Agyapong, Ken City Media Limited and the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Afia Akoto.
According to the suit, 2nd defendant, owners of Oman FM and Net 2 TV, helped in circulating the said defamatory comments, while the 3rd defendant joined in by taking to Facebook to repeat and republish the said comments.
Mr Hosi is also praying the court to order the 2nd and 3rd defendants to pay compensatory damages of GH¢3,000,000 and GH¢1,000,000 respectively for injury to his character and integrity.
He is further praying the court to order the defendants to unconditionally retract the statement and offer an unqualified apology to him.

Credit:  Graphic Online

Kenya: US$12 million bridge collapses 2 weeks after inspection

It was an embarrassing collapse for Kenya's ruling party.
On June 26, just two weeks after an "inspection" by President Uhuru Kenyatta, a $12 million Chinese-built Sigiri bridge in Western Kenya collapsed before it was completed.
Built by the Chinese Overseas Construction and Engineering Company in Busia County, the bridge connects a region that has historically lacked government investment and development.

Around a dozen people died on the river after a boat capsized while attempting to cross in 2014.

President Kenyatta's Jubileee Coalition has made infrastructure development a key pillar of its reelection strategy ahead of the coming presidential election.

On June 14, he made a campaign stop at the Sigiri bridge construction site and spoke to crowds gathered along the river.
He promised the bridge would bring development that the region had been denied for decades.
"There is a big difference between those who will sell to you propaganda and people who will sell to you real agenda for change," President Uhuru Kenyatta said in a statement posted on the Kenya's national elections are scheduled for August 8, and President Kenyatta's main competition is veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga
The Kenyan government has relied heavily on Chinese-built and Chinese-financed projects to achieve the president's infrastructure campaign promises.

Infrastructure promises
Last month, the president launched the Madaraka Express, the country's largest investment since independence.
The $3.8 billion railway, financed by China's Eximbank, travels from the port city of Mombasa to Nairobi, and is planned to cross Kenya and connect it to several other east African Countries.
The railway's high price tag has raised eyebrows: it cost more than double per kilometer than the Chinese-built railway connecting Addis Ababa to Djibouti. Kenya Railways has attributed the extra cost to a more complicated geography.

Odinga blamed the recent accident on the government rushing the Sigiri project for political purposes. He referred to "tenderpreneurs", government officials that commission projects for financial gain.
"In the past, we have had substandard works done on public projects, usually roads and bridges, which as compromised the lifespan on such projects and denied us value for money," Odinga said.

Credit: CNN

Arsenal star Welbeck in native Ghana, visits school his mom helped build

Arsenal and England forward, Danny Welbeck is in Ghana on vacation following the end of the football season when his side lifted the English FA Cup despite failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in two decades.
The 26-year-old former Manchester United player visited his family in the town of Nkawie located in the Ashanti region of the country.
A local journalist shared photos of Welbeck who was wearing a black T-shirt over blue jeans with two guys believed to be his relations at the family house.

'Proud of my mother & St Andrew's Church Droylsden, Manchester for donations towards building St Paul's Sunshine Pre-School in Nkawie Ghana.'

The player on his Twitter handle confirmed that his mother with the support of a church in Manchester had helped build a school in the village. He shared a picture of his mom standing behind some school children at the said school.
‘‘Proud of my mother & St Andrew’s Church Droylsden, Manchester for donations towards building St Paul’s Sunshine Pre-School in Nkawie Ghana,’‘ he wrote.
Welbeck was born to Ghanaian parents in 1990 but he opted to play for the English national side and went on to represent the Three Lions at the 2012 European championships and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
He started his club career with Manchester United and only switched to London to join Arsenal in 2014. He is due to join the Arsenal pre-season campaign.

Credit: Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban

UNICEF opens Africa’s first humanitarian drone testing corridor in Malawi

The UN children’s agency Unicef has formally opened an air corridor to test the effectiveness of drones in humanitarian emergencies.
The project opened on Thursday in Malawi is the first of its kind in Africa and will assist mostly in humanitarian and development use.
“You can really see what can drones in terms of transport bring medical supplies to health centres, bring educational supplies to school, what can they do in terms of connectivity in areas where we do not have coverage of telecommunications network and it puts Malawi on the map,” said UNICEF country representative, Johannes Wedenig.

The innovation will help us in a number of ways. Apart from delivering, you know, medical samples to testing laboratories, it can also do a lot of mapping, land surveying and several other important activities
The corridor will have a radius of 40 km and is also open to the private sector, universities and could also provide imagery to map out natural environments and other infrastructure.
“The innovation will help us in a number of ways. Apart from delivering, you know, medical samples to testing laboratories, it can also do a lot of mapping, land surveying and several other important activities,” said Malawian minister of transport, Jappie Mhango.
The test corridor is centred at the Kasungu Aerodrome focusing on three tasks: generating aerial images of crisis situations, using drones to extend Wi-Fi or mobile phone signals across difficult terrain in emergencies and delivering low-weight emergency supplies.
The launch of the testing corridor follows a pilot project in Malawi in March 2016 on the feasibility of using drones for the transportation of dried blood samples for early infant diagnosis of HIV.
This study showed that drones are a viable addition to existing transport systems, including those used to help with the diagnosis of HIV.

Credit: Reuters

Picture: Ronaldo confirms he is father of twins

Hours after he captained Portugal to semi-final defeat in the Confederations Cup in Russia, Cristiano Ronaldo has announced the birth of twins.

For days Portuguese media have reported that the footballer's twins had been born to a surrogate mother in the US.
But it was only after the national team were knocked out on penalties by Chile that he confirmed the birth.
Ronaldo went on Facebook to say: "I'm very happy, finally, to be with my children for the first time."
He already has a son, Cristiano Ronaldo junior, who was born in June 2010.
The Real Madrid forward began his message declaring that he been at the service of the national team "body and soul" despite the birth of the twins, adding: "Unfortunately we couldn't achieve our main sporting aim."
The semi-final in Kazan ended in a 0-0 draw and Chile went through as Ronaldo's teammates missed three penalties.
Little is known about the twins, although unconfirmed reports in Portugal said they were born on 8 June, well before the start of the Confederations Cup. The SIC TV channel said the boy and girl had been named Eva and Mateo.
Further reports said the Fifa footballer of the year's mother, Dolores Aveiro, travelled to the US soon after they were born.
In a statement, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said it had been informed by Ronaldo before the Confederations Cup that he had become a father again, and yet had decided to travel to Russia with the team. The FPF described his decision as a "gesture that we must highlight and praise".
Instead of staying with the team for the third-place play-off on Sunday, Ronaldo was now going to leave the camp, it added. "We must release the athlete so he can finally get to know his children."
Ronaldo, who has a long-term girlfriend, model Georgina Rodríguez, left the team in Kazan on Thursday morning. There has been speculation in Portuguese media that she too is expecting a baby, after the footballer posted a picture on social media showing the couple sitting down with their hands on her stomach.
At the time the model appeared to reject the rumours, posting gym photos that suggested she was not pregnant, although it was unclear when the pictures were taken.
Credit: BBC 

DR Congo league club sanctioned, relegated for fan violence

Democratic Republic of Congo premier league club FC Renaissance has been relegated to the second division as part of sanctions after violence by its supporters.

The decision was taken by the Congolese Football League (Linafoot) after it met on Monday following the violence on Saturday, AFP reports.
FC Renaissance was found guilty of the Saturday incident during a championship match between the team and Vita Club at the Martyrs stadium in Kinshasa.
FC Renaissance lost to Vita Club, sparking an attack by their supporters who “threw projectiles while their management invaded the pitch.”
They were also fined $20,000 and tasked to pay for all damages at the stadium.
Prior to the sanction, FC Renaissance – which has a history of fan violence – placed fourth in the top 8 of the final leg of the championship.

Credit: Ismail Akwei

South African court rules against religious bias in state schools

A South African court on Wednesday ruled that public education institutions cannot promote any one religion to the exclusion of others, saying to do so was a violation of the Schools Act, local media reported.
The Organisation for Religious Education and Democracy (OGOD) had argued that it was in the interest of South Africa’s democracy that public schools not be allowed to favour a specific religion.
OGOD asked the court to declare unconstitutional the religion policy of six public schools, accusing them of favouring Christianity over other religions.
The six schools, the ministers of basic education and justice, and the National Society for School Governing Bodies were respondents, local media reported.
Judge Willem van der Linde said in his ruling that religious observances may be conducted at state or state-aided institutions, as long as they are held on an equitable basis and attendance was voluntary.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga had supported the application, saying schools were not permitted to focus on just one religion.
Reuters

Pregnant Serena Williams poses naked on the cover of Vanity Fair

Pregnant Serena Williams has posed naked on the cover of August's Vanity Fair magazine.
The tennis star found out she was expecting her first child with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian just before the Australian Open in January.
She told the magazine that she hadn't suspected anything until she was sick at the side of the court while practising.
But her friend suspected she might be pregnant and suggested taking a test.

Image caption The August edition of Vanity Fair, featuring Serena Williams, is on sale from 7 July

Serena ended up taking a test while doing a photo shoot for a lingerie company at an Australian hotel and said her "heart literally dropped" when she saw the result.
"Oh my God, this can't be - I've got to play a tournament," she said. "How am I going to play the Australian Open? I had planned on winning Wimbledon this year."
Her friend Jessica was then sent back to the hotel chemist to buy five more test kits to convince Serena that she was pregnant. All of them were positive.
The article also reveals how Alexis and Serena started dating in 2015.
He proposed last December at the same table at the Cavalieri Hotel in Italy where they'd first talked to each other.

“Zambia will work closely with you” – Lungu to Akufo-Addo

The President of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has reiterated his and the commitment of the Zambian people to developing strong bilateral ties and exploring areas of co-operation with Ghana, under the leadership of its President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to the mutual benefit of the two countries.
According to President Lungu, the margin of victory chalked by President Akufo-Addo in the 2016 election “was a true reflection of the confidence the people of Ghana have in your vision, and for that reason, we look forward to working closely with you during your tenure of office.”
The Zambian President noted further that “there are a lot of things you (Ghana) are doing in mining, agriculture, infrastructure development, amongst others, which can benefit Zambia, by being emulated. It is about common, good practices, Mr. President, and what you do better, we should not hesitate to emulate.”

President Edgar Lungu made this known on Tuesday, July 27, 2017, when he held bilateral talks with the Ghanaian President and his delegation, at the commencement of the 3-day official State Visit by President Akufo-Addo to Zambia.

With the two countries having signed an agreement for the establishment of a Permanent Joint Commission on Co-operation (PJCC) to serve as the legal framework to address their trade and investment concerns, President Lungu bemoaned the non-implementation of this commission.

He, however, indicated that the PJCC will be given a new lease of life under his and the tenure of office of President Akufo-Addo, so as to ensure that “our Ministers will begin co-operating, and, henceforth, make the PJCC a living document.”
On the Ezulwini consensus, a position on international relations and reform of the United Nations agreed by the African Union in 2005, President Lungu was confident that the pioneering role played by President Akufo-Addo, then Foreign Minister of Ghana, in the fashioning of the document will be of invaluable to the cause of the AU.
“You were a pioneer, you were there. So as we go to the UN General Assembly in September, I am sure that Africa can count on you as an anchor,” he added.
President Lungu stressed that, “We want a prosperous Africa, which is integrated, united, peaceful and secured, and influential, not only in Africa but in the UN family.
“Regional integration is one aspect which will lead us to the Africa we want. Zambia is proud to be a member of SADC, and we are equally proud of the role that you (President Akufo-Addo) are playing in ECOWAS, in terms of peace keeping in the region, and trying to find common ground in improving co-operation and development of the African people we are privileged to look after.”

Credit:  Ghraphic online
 

Cameroon's Marc-Vivien Foe: A friend of football who died playing

Marc-Vivien Foe, was a Cameroonian international and professional footballer who gained global fame following his death during an international competitive fixture in the FIFA Confederations Cup years ago.
He died on 26 June 2003, when the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon took on Columbia in the semi-final clash of the competition. He had played in victories against Brazil and Turkey but was rested for the game against the United States ahead of the Colombia fixture.
We present you some key facts about Marc-Vivien Foé – undoubtedly a friend of the game and one who the game remembers long after his passing.

Marc-Vivien Foé – A Friend of the Game

1. Marc-Vivien Foé (1 May 1975 – 26 June 2003) was a born in Yaounde
2. He played as a midfielder for the Indomitable Lions and also at club level
3. He started out with capital based side, Canon Yaounde, he won the Cameroon Cup in 1993.
4. He played for Lens between 1994 – 1999 making 85 appearances and scoring 11 times, at Lens he won the 1998 French league title.
5. He spent a season at West Ham United £4.2 million in January 1999 (1999-2000) with one goal from 48 appearances
6. He returned to France to join Lyon on £6 million transfer between 2000-2003, 43 appearances and three goals.
7. In 2001 he won the Coupe de la Ligue in 2001, and the league title with Lyon.
8. His international debut was against Mexico in September 1993.
9. He was part of the Cameroon squad for the 1994 World Cup, starting all three of their matches.
10. Due to a broken leg at Cameroon’s pre-World Cup training camp, he missed the 1998 World Cup.
11. He made squad for Cameroon in the 2002 World Cup. As in 1994, he played in all of Cameroon’s matches.
12. In the 72nd minute of the match against Colombia, Foé collapsed in the centre circle. After failed on-field resuscitation, he was stretchered off the field, where he received mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and oxygen. Medics spent 45 minutes attempting to restart his heart, and although he was still alive upon arrival at the stadium’s medical centre he died shortly afterwards.
An autopsy concluded that Foé‘s death was heart-related as it discovered evidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition known to increase the risk of sudden death during physical exercise.
On the occasion of his fourteenth year after death, a series of tweets from the football fraternity has been celebrating the memory of the Cameroonian number 17 man at the time slumped and died at the State de Gerland in Lyon, France.

Credit: Africa News

Over 200 migrants rescued by Spain

More than 200 migrants were rescued by the Spanish coastguards on Saturday. They attempted crossing the Mediteranean from north Africa to Spain.
Most of them from sub Saharan Africa and the Maghreb, were rescued from from five vessels in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea, which separate Spain from Morocco.
The spokesman said, dozens were rescued in south of Gibraltar from three boats. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 3,314 people reached Spain by sea between 1 January and 30 April .
On Thursday more than 400 migrants were reported rescued by the Spanish sea rescue service.
At least 2,018 people have died or disappeared in the Mediterranean since the beginning of the year, according to IOM’s latest report .
Credit: Africa News

Botswana's former President Ketumile Masire dies aged 91

 

Botswana has declared three days of national mourning after the death of former President Sir Ketumile Masire, aged 91.

Sir Ketumile, who led the country from 1980 to 1998, is credited with being the architect of the country's famed stability, reports the AFP news agency.
He was also involved in peace initiatives across Africa, including ending Mozambique's long civil war.
Botswana is one of Africa's richest and most stable countries.

Kwadwo Sarpong, Nneka Ogwumike among Honorees for 2017 Face List Award | See Full List

The 2017 Face List Award celebrating Pan-African achievement is set to hold on Saturday, July 15, 2017.
In the 6th annual edition, Face2face Africa is carrying on its tradition of  honoring a group of inspirational heroes with uniquely fascinating stories to tell.
The 2017 honorees  are recognized for their distinguished careers and achievements. Their impact and legacy will shape and influence the pan-African community for generations to come.
Ghana’s Kwadwo Sarpong, Founder of African Research Academies for Women and Nigeria’s Nneka Ogwumike,WNBA Most Valuable Player of 2016 and the will be honoured in the Young Africans Committed to Excellence category of the award.
Nigerian Femi Kuti was a recipient of the Face List Award in 2014 for Entertainment.
See portfolio of 2017 Honorees below:
Rev. Dr. Al Sharpton – The National Action Network

Rev. Dr. Al Sharpton is founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), a not-for-profit civil rights organization formed in 1991 with over 100 chapters nationwide. As one of the nation’s most-renowned civil rights leaders, Rev. Al Sharpton has been praised by President Barack Obama as “the voice of the voiceless and a champion for the downtrodden”.

Mimi Alemayehou – Black Rhino Group

Ethiopian-born Mimi Alemayehou is one of the most influential and sought-after experts in African Business. She is Managing Director at Black Rhino Group, and also serves as an Executive Advisor and Chair of Blackstone Africa Infrastructure LP. Previously, she was executive vice president of the Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC), under the Obama administration, and was one of the architects of the Power Africa initiative to increase energy access across the continent.

Beverly Bond – Black Girls Rock!

A dynamo in true form, Beverly Bond, has blazed trails in the music, entertainment and social entrepreneurship industries. Her body of work, across sectors, has made her one of the most celebrated DJ’s, and social innovators of our time. She is the founder of BLACK GIRLS ROCK! a youth empowerment mentoring organization, and the annual BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Awards, which celebrate the accomplishments of exceptional women of color.

Tuma Basa-Spotify

Billboard has called Tuma Basa one of the “new pioneers” in music today. As the global programming head of hip-hop at Spotify, he is one of the most important tastemakers in hip-hop music today, personally responsible for choosing every song that goes onto the Rap Caviar playlist. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he has held music programming positions at BET, MTV, and Revolt, where he served as Vice President of Music Programming.

Adenah Bayoh – Adenah Bayoh & Companies

Adenah Bayoh embodies the American dream. At age 13, she escaped the civil war in her native country of Liberia, immigrated to the United States and is now one of the most successful entrepreneurs in her home state of New Jersey. Her company owns IHOP franchises in Paterson and Irvington, New Jersey and a real estate development portfolio with over $225 million dollars in urban redevelopment projects. Adenah Bayoh & Companies is the second largest employer in Irvington, NJ.

Organization Honoree – “Ubuntu Award for Service”


Young Africans Committed to Excellence (YACE) Honorees:

Nnemkadi Ogwumike WNBA Player

Kwadwo Sarpong Founder, the African Research Academies for Women

Other Details:

Wyclef Jean Headline Performer

Host Ama K. Abebrese Actress, “Beast of No Nation”

For tables, group registration or advertising, contact Sandra Appiah at Sappiah@f2fafrica.com.