Nearly 4m records documenting the lives of enslaved people across 20 former British colonies have been made searchable online for the first time.The records have been digitised and indexed by the genealogy company Ancestry, which has partnered with the Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery at University College London.The global collection offers millions of descendants across the African-Caribbean and wider African diasporas access to one of the most extensive surviving archives of British enslavement, potentially helping them uncover family histories.The collection, known as the Former British Colonies Enslavement Registers, contains about 300,000 pages recording enslaved people across former British colonial dependencies between 1813 and 1840, including the Bahamas, Barbados, the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, Jamaica, Mauritius and Trinidad.When you see the names of individuals and their ages and their children … it transforms how you understand the systemThe registers were created by the British government after the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade in 1807, and were designed to prevent illegal trading of enslaved people and to monitor the enslaved population.Researchers say people were recorded in the registers with chilling precision. Entries include names, ages, physical descriptions and family ties, as well as births, deaths and transfers of ownership. Some distinguish whether a person was born in Africa or in the Caribbean.Nicka Sewell-Smith, a professional genealogist and senior story producer at Ancestry, said it was not lost on her that records originally created to count enslaved people as property were now being used by their descendants to reconstruct their family histories.An 1817 Slave Return for Nathaniel Pearce Rugless of Jamaica, former British Colonies.1 Name and position of persons making the return2 Date of return3 Fields for each return4 Names: often a single ‘slave name’. Vitally, here, most have new and old names, so a researcher might trace backward5 Colour: a range of colour definitions tracked degrees of blackness6 Age: usually reputed, unless it was a child born on the estate7 African or Creole8 Remarks: in Jamaica, this entry usually identified mothers9 Number of enslaved people“When I use these records to unearth my enslaved ancestors, I’m using them for a purpose that was different than what it was initially intended for. Our product is restoring the humanity of a person.”In some cases, the level of detail is extraordinary. “You can pinpoint an exact birthday for an enslaved baby,” Sewell-Smith said.The digitisation also removes a practical barrier for those interested in delving into their family histories. Instead of needing to know how to navigate registers held at the National Archives in London, Sewell-Smith said, descendants would be able to search the collection simply by entering a name.“There are potentially millions of people who descended from the enslaved people in the archive,” Sewell-Smith said. “Oftentimes, one of the ways that people detach from enslavement is to make an insinuation that there’s nobody living connected to these people. That’s foundationally not true.”Prof Matthew J Smith, the director of the centre at UCL, described the registers as “the most systematic set of archival documents we have on enslavement in the British Caribbean and British colonial world”.The release of the collection follows the publication last week of the Register of British Slave Traders, a three-year research project that revealed the enormous scale of Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans. The register identified as many as 10,500 people who invested in the trafficking of enslaved Africans over nearly 250 years.But there have been growing calls for historians to shift the focus of research from the people and institutions that owned, trafficked and administered enslaved populations towards the lives of enslaved people themselves.“The biggest piece of the story of British slavery, and it’s also the most misunderstood piece, is the experience of the enslaved,” Smith said.The T71 collection, which takes its name from the National Archives series in which the records are held, could change that, he said. “When you start to see the names of those individuals, and their ages, and their children, and get these very fine glimpses into their lives, it transforms how you understand the system.”He said the records allowed researchers to begin recovering “family stories, community stories, stories of survival, stories of resistance, stories of the search for freedom”.Smith said researchers had been testing the data in their work on Jamaica, where they had been able to trace some families across six generations.“It is painstaking work, but the rewards are tremendous,” he said. “It opens up a whole new way for descendants of enslaved people in the Caribbean, across the African diaspora, to understand how their heritage came to the Caribbean and survived slavery.”Pages from the former British Colonies Enslavement Registers (1813–1840). Photograph: National ArchivesFor Sewell-Smith, the archive creates possibilities extending beyond Britain and the Caribbean.Migration and the forced movement of people under enslavement mean descendants can be found across the African diaspora, including in the US and Latin America.“One of the things I’m very excited about is how much more interconnected it’s going to make those of us in the diaspora,” she said. “It almost makes the world smaller. It tightens us up in a way that I don’t think we even possibly considered.”She said the scale of the collection meant its full potential would probably only become apparent as descendants and researchers began connecting its records with other archives.“We’re in a new space, in a new place,” Smith said. “As hard as it is to look at this, it also makes me very excited for the descendants of all these people. They have a better chance to be able to get this information, to use it, and to connect with them.”The collection is free to search and accessible to anyone who creates an Ancestry account.

Nearly 4m records of enslaved people in 20 former British colonies now searchable online

RICHARD AKOTO WALLS

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica on Monday welcomed the first cohort of Ghanaian healthcare workers as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce and support the delivery of quality healthcare services.The majority of the 43 nurses will be assigned to the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), which manages health facilities in St James, Westmoreland, Trelawny and Hanover and the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), which oversees Kingston &amp; St Andrew, St Thomas and St Catherine.The nurses, who are specialists in various areas, including critical care, paediatrics, operating theatre, nurse/midwife, emergency, oncology and mental health/psychiatric, will also serve in the other two health regions and at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).Their arrival follows the signing of a Bilateral Health Cooperation agreement between the two countries earlier this year, which aims to place 400 healthcare workers in Jamaica.“We warmly welcome the Ghanaian nurses and look forward to the valuable contribution they will make to our health system and the people we serve. This is not only in keeping with our Vision for Health 2030 plan but is fully aligned with the Ministry of Health &amp; Wellness Jamaica’s Human Resource for Health (HRH) Stabilisation Strategy,” said Minister of Health &amp; Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton in a statement on Monday.The ministry said the four-year agreement between Jamaica and Ghana has established a structured framework for the voluntary recruitment and temporary deployment of Ghanaian health professionals, particularly nurses and doctors, to support Jamaica’s healthcare system while promoting bilateral cooperation and ethical international recruitment practices.It added that Jamaica and Ghana will further strengthen their partnership in health through additional technical cooperation in areas such as primary care reform, national health insurance and management of non-communicable diseases, among others.

Jamaica welcomes first cohort of Ghanaian healthcare workers

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, delivers the keynote address during Wednesday's (July 22) Citizenship Oath Ceremony at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston.New Jamaican citizen, Yanesty Cuellar Tamargo, delivers remarks at Wednesday's (July 22) Citizenship Oath Ceremony at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston.Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of National Security and Peace, Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe (right) presents new Jamaican citizen, Aleksei Nikolaevich Sadovnikov (left), with a certificate formalising his status during Wednesday's (July 22) Citizenship Oath Ceremony at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston.Thirty individuals took the Oath of Allegiance as new citizens of Jamaica during a special ceremony hosted by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) on Wednesday (July 22).The group, comprising 12 women, 13 men and five children, hail from countries such as Myanmar, Russia, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Italy, Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the United States.Addressing the citizenship ceremony at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, welcomed the new citizens into the Jamaican family.Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (right), presents new Jamaican citizen, Yanesty Cuellar Tamargo (right), with a certificate formalising her status during Wednesday’s (July 22) Citizenship Oath Ceremony at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston.He noted that the individuals, representing 14 nationalities, truly reflect the country’s enduring commitment to unity in keeping the national motto, ‘Out of Many, One People’.Dr. Chang encouraged the new citizens to embrace both the privileges and responsibilities of their new status.He noted that citizenship provides the right to participate fully in Jamaica’s democracy while requiring citizens to respect the rule of law, uphold honesty and integrity, care for their communities, protect the environment and contribute positively to national life.“As members of the Jamaican family, I encourage you to become active participants in your communities. Support your neighbours, volunteer where you can, raise your families with strong values, respect our institutions, celebrate our culture, defend the principles of justice, tolerance, and mutual respect that have shaped our nation for generations,” Dr. Chang said.Chief Executive Officer of PICA, Garth Williams, told the group that they are now full members of the Jamaican family.“When you walked through the door this morning, you may have walked in as the national of many other countries, but when you walk out today… you will walk out as Jamaicans. When we really say out of many, one people, we mean it… . You’re Jamaican. That’s it, and so we are happy to have you,” he said.Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Garth Williams, delivers remarks at Wednesday’s (July 22) Citizenship Oath Ceremony at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston.Mr. Williams encouraged the new citizens to fully embrace their new identity.“The certificates that will be issued today, it’s not just a piece of paper. It’s really joining a family. It’s really joining a Jamaican family – Caribbean family and, indeed, a global family, and we want you to enjoy all of what we have and to contribute to what we have,” he said.Speaking on behalf of the new citizens, Yanesty Cuellar Tamargo expressed gratitude for the warm welcome they had received.“Today, those journeys have brought us together as we broadly embrace Jamaica as our home. This ceremony marks an important milestone in our lives. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to become citizens of this beautiful nation and to contribute to its future,” she said.“As new citizens, we pledge to respect the law and value of Jamaica, contribute positive to our communities, and help build an even stronger nation,” she added.

Jamaica Welcomes 30 New Citizens

A global framework for reparatory justice has been adopted at a conference in Ghana, as African and Caribbean leaders demanded formal apologies from countries that benefited from the transatlantic slave trade.Heads of state and government and other officials formally approved the strategy on Friday at a gathering in a hotel in the capital, Accra, which was the first major meeting since the adoption of the landmark United Nations (UN) resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.The document lays out a 19-point global framework for reparatory justice. They include a call for “all state and non-state institutions yet to do so” to “offer full, formal and unconditional apologies as a foundational step towards reconciliation, trust-building and reparatory justice”.It also includes resolving to ensure fair and adequate compensation for Africans and people of African descent affected by legacies of enslavement, colonialism, genocide and apartheid, and to expedite the return of cultural property, human remains, archives and heritage to their countries of origin.The framework calls for multilateral measures to address sovereign debt burdens, including debt relief, to tackle lasting socioeconomic impacts of enslavement, colonialism and related historical injustices.“We recognise and honour the extensive efforts undertaken over generations by several governments, intergovernmental organisations, our forebearers, individuals and civil society partners across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, as well as in Europe and Asia in shaping the global reparations agenda,” the participants say in the document.“We adopt this document as a basis for global collaboration and commit to engaging in transparent, constructive and good faith dialogue in advancing reparations and reparatory justice among all state and non-state actors.”Ruth Ogbewekon, the project lead on reparatory Justice at the Pan African Lawyers Union who supported the preparation of the document, said the process tried to be inclusive given the pressures to build on the momentum of the resolution towards a global movement for reparatory justice.She added that representatives from Africa and the African diaspora, as well as non-African allies, were consulted over several weeks. “Ultimately, it was a process where people wanted to be heard and to see that they were heard, and the events in Accra provided that,” she said.The adoption came on the last day of a three-day conference billed Next Steps that also resulted in the establishment of three global panels on reparatory justice and restitution.Dancers perform in front of a backdrop displaying country flags. Photograph: Francis Kokoroko/ReutersOn Thursday, Ghana’s president, John Mahama, announced the creation of an advisory panel on reparatory justice, an expert panel on the restitution of cultural artefacts, and a legal panel on reparatory justice “to serve as the pillars of the next phase of this international effort”.“These panels are not intended to replace the work of governments, regional organisations, or international institutions,” Mahama told hundreds of participants. “Rather, they are intended to strengthen that work by providing intellectual, technical and policy support as the international community advances from recognition to implementation.”The advisory panel on reparatory justice comprises leaders of countries with historic ties to the transatlantic slave trade in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. They include Mahama, prime minister Mia Mottley of Barbados and presidents Joseph Boakai Sr, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Liberia, Namibia and Senegal.The three-day event started on Wednesday and attracted heads of state and government, ministers, civil society representatives, historians, researchers and legal experts from more than 80 countries.Speaking virtually from the Élysée palace, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, said enslaved people “were torn from their homelands, deported, dehumanised, and treated as goods”. He said reparations should not be seen “as an end point, or a cheque written to bring the ​story to a close”.The conference came nearly three months after the UN general assembly voted to adopt a proposal by Ghana on behalf of AU member states to recognise the trafficking of enslaved Africans and the racialised chattel enslavement of people from the continent as the gravest crime against humanity.The resolution, a turning point for Africa’s quest for reparatory justice, calls for UN member states to have “inclusive, good-faith dialogue” on reparatory justice and “prompt and unhindered” restitution of properties that are of value to their countries of origin.In his keynote address, Mahama, who is also the African Union champion on reparations, said the adoption of the resolution was intended to provide the foundation for “more meaningful” engagement, reflection, and action on reparatory justice.He urged a global partnership by a broader community of nations and institutions in the pursuit of reparatory justice, noting that Caribbean Community’s (Caricom’s) 10-point reparation plan would serve as “an important starting point for the work of the new panels.“We’re here because recognition creates responsibility, and because the enduring consequences of this history continue to demand thoughtful, coordinated and sustained international engagement,” he said.Nigerian playwright and poet Wole Soyinka gives a speech during the conference. Photograph: Francis Kokoroko/Reuters“The crime we seek to address was transcontinental in its reach. Its consequences remain transcontinental in its impact, and the search for justice must therefore be transcontinental in its ambition.”Mottley announced a revision of Caricom’s 10-point reparation plan to factor in the disproportionate impact of slavery on girls and women. She also encouraged a coordinated global effort to pursue reparatory justice.“Let us not embark on separate journeys, but let us today reflect the unity of purpose, the recognition that whether it is through advocacy or advisory opinions or actions, our role is to ensure that there is no retreat from our requests and that we recognise that repair comes after recognition,” she said. “For in all that we do in the rest of our lives, where damage is perpetrated, repair is always, always required.Boakai Sr said the UN resolution “opened a door” and collective resolve would determine whether it would lead to “meaningful justice, reconciliation and healing”.“Let us not be remembered as another conference or another resolution that stirs consciences briefly before fading into history,” he said.Dr Julius Garvey, son of the Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, lays a wreath during the Juneteenth celebrations at Osu Castle. Photograph: Reuben Ekow Quansah/AP“Let us … leave Accra united in purpose and committed to ensuring that the greatest crime against humanity is met with one of humanity’s greatest responses: a determined global effort to restore dignity, repair historical wrongs and build a future founded on equality, shared prosperity, and our common humanity.”Thursday’s events were preceded on Wednesday by consultations led by technical experts to formulate the framework.Later on Friday, at Osu Castle, a 17th-century fortress in the capital built by the Danish that served as a hub for the transatlantic slave trade, attendees celebrated Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the US. The event included wreath-laying to honour victims of the transatlantic slave trade.

Ghana conference calls for formal apology for transatlantic slave trade

As Guyana continues to transform, a family is betting on a different side of the country’s future, one centered on lifestyle, community living, and modern waterfront experiences.Monarch Group has officially launched Monarch Bay, a new waterfront community planned for Ogle that will feature Guyana’s first Crystal Lagoon, a massive man-made turquoise lagoon designed to bring a resort-style living experience closer to home.Behind the project are Guyanese entrepreneurs Clairmont and Iman Cummings, who say the development is rooted in a desire to invest back into Guyana and create spaces that reflect the country’s rapid evolution.Spread across 30 acres, Monarch Bay is being designed as more than just another housing development. The vision includes homes, shopping, dining, green spaces, recreational areas, and family-centered amenities all built around a modern waterfront setting.At the heart of the project will be the Crystal Lagoon, powered by internationally used Crystal Lagoons technology, known for creating large scale clear water lagoons in luxury and tourism developments around the world.For many Guyanese, the concept may feel unlike anything currently available locally, blending residential living with the kind of leisure experiences more commonly seen in international resort communities.Founder of Monarch Group, Clairmont Cummings, said the idea was always about creating a destination that matches the energy and optimism now shaping Guyana.He explained that the goal is not simply to build houses, but to create a community where people can live, relax, connect, and enjoy modern amenities within a safe and thoughtfully planned environment.Co Founder Iman Cummings said Guyana is entering a major period of transformation and developments like Monarch Bay are intended to contribute to that growth in a meaningful way.According to the developers, the project is targeting a wide cross section of buyers including young professionals, families, returning Guyanese in the diaspora, and regional investors looking for opportunities in one of the world’s fastest growing economies.The first phase of the project represents an estimated US$20 million investment and is being financed by Citizens Bank Guyana.Construction preparation has already started, with the first phase expected to be completed by 2028.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/newsroom.gy/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/xbxbxbx.jpg?resize=1500%2C999&amp;ssl=1">Monarch Group has also partnered with ARC Consultants, led by Toronto based real estate professional Kimberly Jeffrey D’Angelo, to oversee sales and market positioning.As Guyana’s economic boom continues to reshape skylines, industries, and communities, projects like Monarch Bay signal a growing demand not only for housing, but for a different style of living one that blends comfort, recreation, convenience, and long term investment into a single space.

Guyanese family unveils waterfront community featuring crystal lagoon

An Anthropic logo is displayed at Moscone Center during the Dreamforce 2026 technology summit in San Francisco, California, US, September 17, 2026. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tabOct 12 (Reuters) - Anthropic said on Monday that small AI models could be months away from self-replicating across internet-connected devices, raising the possibility of AI botnets spreading quickly, fighting takedown attempts and even breaking into data ​centers to turbocharge their growth.Last month, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei first floated, opens new tab the idea that within ‌the next year or even sooner, AI might be able to hijack "the entire internet" with "a persistent botnet," a warning that raised eyebrows in the cybersecurity community.The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Botnets -- vast networks of devices controlled by malicious operators -- have been around since the early days ​of the internet, and are still around.The network typically includes poorly secured Internet of Things (IoT) devices, ​such as Android TV boxes, smart appliances and security cameras, and is used by ⁠hackers to send spam, seed malware, or sabotage target companies using floods of bogus traffic.Anthropic's Monday blog post, opens new tab appeared ​to be the first attempt to articulate how that might happen.The company said that its experiments showed that ​a malicious AI agent could stitch together the computing power of inexpensive internet-connected devices to run other AI models. It added that the models were able to replicate across a simplified test network."A replicator like this would be challenging to shut down, ​since there's no centralized point to shut off," the company said.The report adds to broader concerns about ​the security risks tied to increasingly capable AI systems, including their potential to automate cyberattacks, operate with limited human oversight and ‌circumvent ⁠safeguards.The advances in models have prompted a series of often dire warnings from industry heads and AI company employees about the possibility of severe, even existential, risks of runaway AI development.Anthropic said its experiments showed that models with 30 billion parameters or fewer can already perform many of the individual tasks required for self-replication, although ​they struggle to complete ​the entire process reliably.In ⁠its simplified tests, where some security steps were removed, Anthropic found that GLM-5.2 and stronger models were capable of end-to-end replication.Anthropic said that if smaller models continue improving ​at their historical rate, they could reach the capability required for autonomous replication ​by the ⁠end of 2026.Advertisement · Scroll to continueAn AI worm running on low-powered hardware could take days to complete parts of the replication process, Anthropic said. It added that such a network could continue growing, slower than some conventional malware, if compromised devices ⁠infected enough ​additional machines.Anthropic also warned that future systems could target more powerful ​computing resources, including data-center processors, although its experiments did not demonstrate autonomous replication through commercial data centers.

AI models may soon self-replicate across smart-home devices, Anthropic warns

Engineers India wins $450 million deal for Dangote’s 700,000-bpd Kenya refinery after helping build Africa’s largest refinery<ul><li>Aliko Dangote has contracted Indian engineers from Engineers India Ltd. to manage and consult on a massive new refinery and petrochemical complex in Kenya.</li><li>Engineers India will leverage its expertise gained from Dangote's flagship Lagos refinery.</li><li>Dangote Group, already active in 17 African countries, aims to reduce East Africa’s reliance on imported petroleum by boosting regional refining capacity and supporting energy security.</li><li>As Dangote grows his operations in Kenya, he's also opening up his Nigerian refinery to outside investment, launching a public offering to attract $1.6 billion and diversify ownership among African shareholders.</li></ul>Aliko Dangote has hired the Indian engineers behind his Lagos refinery to provide project management and engineering consultancy services for a planned 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery and petrochemical complex in Kenya.Engineers India Ltd., which is majority-owned by the Indian government, signed a $450 million agreement with Dangote for the project, which will be located in Lamu on Kenya’s coast, according to a filing on the Mumbai Stock Exchange.The deal gives Engineers India a key role in another major Dangote energy project after working on the billionaire’s flagship refinery in Lagos. The firm is also involved in the ongoing expansion of the Nigerian facility, which is expected to increase its capacity from 700,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels.<h3>Expanding into East Africa</h3>The Kenyan project is part of Dangote Group’s broader expansion across Africa. The conglomerate, which operates in 17 African countries, is seeking to establish a larger refining and petrochemical footprint while reducing the region’s reliance on imported petroleum products.Engineers India wins $450 million deal for Dangote’s 700,000-bpd Kenya refinery after helping build Africa’s largest refinery“Once completed, this project will be critical in strengthening fuel production within East Africa, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting regional energy security,” Engineers India said.The company added that the refinery would also supply petroleum products to international markets.<h3>Opening up the Nigerian refinery</h3>The Kenya expansion comes as Dangote moves to bring outside investors into the ownership of its Nigerian refinery.The refinery opened its initial public offering on September 14, seeking to raise about $1.6 billion through the sale of 4.1 billion ordinary shares at ₦525 each. The offer closes on October 13, with the shares expected to begin trading on the Nigerian Exchange in November.Before the IPO, a private placement attracted $3.7 billion in demand. Dangote said the company ultimately took $2.5 billion, choosing not to accept the full demand as it sought to broaden ownership of the refinery among African investors.The Nigerian facility is already one of the world's largest single-train refineries. Its planned expansion to 1.4 million barrels per day would further increase its scale, while the Kenya project would extend Dangote’s refining ambitions into East Africa.Together, the projects show how the group is seeking to use its experience in building and operating the Lagos refinery to establish a broader energy and petrochemical presence across the continent.

Engineers India wins $450 million deal for Dangote’s 700,000-bpd Kenya refinery after helping build Africa’s largest refinery

Kwaw Worsemao Blay, owner of Polo Beach Club, is the son of former NPP National Chairman Freddie Blay. Freddie briefly took over land from the state-owned Labadi Beach Hotel during the “Year of Return,” but his son ended up constructing a permanent structure on the site, blocking views of the hotel. The authorities warned him to halt the development of the beach club, but he ignored the warning.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.amazonaws.com/b264b1895IMG_5897.jpeg">Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe, has clarified that Friday’s demolition of structures along a section of the beachfront near the Labadi Beach Hotel was not part of the government’s flood mitigation exercise.In a Facebook post, Mr Dogbe said the operation was separate from the work of the National Flood Mitigation Task Force, which he said is currently operating around the Kpeshie Lagoon, East Legon Boundary Road, Oyarifa and behind Mayfair Estates.He said those interventions are aimed at supporting the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to mitigate future flooding."Let’s not get it twisted. Friday’s action along a section of the beachfront was not a Flood Mitigation Action by the government task force,” he said.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/2e74c0b6bIMG_5901.jpeg">Mr Dogbe said Friday’s operation was carried out under the supervision of National Security at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel.He said the structures affected, including the Polo Beach Club, were located on the beachfront in front of the hotel and, according to the hotel, were adversely affecting its safety, tranquillity and reputation.“These are structures, some permanently built (Polo Beach Club and others) on the beach in front of the hotel, and which, according to the business, are adversely affecting the safety, tranquillity and reputation of the Hotel, diminishing the visitor experience and undermining the orderly management of one of Ghana’s most important tourism destinations,” he said.The Polo Beach Club was demolished on Friday as security personnel continued a clearance exercise around the La beachfront. The operation involved personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service.Mr Dogbe said the hotel would be in a better position to provide details on the reasons behind its request to reclaim the beachfront.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/a12406beaIMG_5902.jpeg">He, however, raised concerns about sanitation and security at what he described as unauthorised and unregulated commercial operations along the beach.He said such activities created serious sanitation concerns and could also pose security risks.Mr Dogbe also referenced drone footage and videos of the area while questioning whether the Labadi Beach Hotel was not justified in seeking to reclaim its beachfront.He stressed that the area involved should not be confused with La Pleasure Beach.The clarification comes amid controversy over the demolition, with the La Dade-Kotopon MP, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, questioning the exercise and saying she had previously been assured that structures around Labadi Beach would not be demolished.The affected beachfront has also been the subject of a dispute over land ownership. Operators of the Polo Beach Club have taken legal action involving the Labadi Beach Hotel and other parties over the contested beachfront land.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/8374a1bb4IMG_5904.jpeg">Mr Dogbe’s intervention therefore seeks to distinguish Friday’s operation from the government’s flood mitigation programme, while presenting sanitation, security and tourism-management concerns as the reasons for the action.It should be noted that the Labadi Beach Hotel is a government owned hotel, owned by SNNIT._Source: Ghana Chronicles Blakk Empire Media &amp; My Joy OnlineDISCLAIMER:&nbsp;The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Aukiss Global Limited.

La Pleasure Beach demolition was requested by state owned Labadi Beach Hotel - Stan Dogbe

Nathan

French banking giant Société Générale is exiting Ghana after agreeing to sell its entire 60.22% controlling stake in Société Générale Ghana to Morocco’s Attijariwafa Bank and Ghana’s Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).<ul><li>Société Générale is selling its entire 60.22% stake in Société Générale Ghana to Morocco’s Attijariwafa Bank and Ghana’s SSNIT.</li><li>Attijariwafa Bank will acquire 55.22% to become the majority shareholder and sees this as part of its African expansion.</li><li>SSNIT will increase its stake to 24.36%, boosting Ghanaian ownership and influence in the bank.</li><li>The transaction awaits regulatory approval in both Ghana and Morocco.</li></ul>Financial Afrik&nbsp;reports that Attijariwafa bank, Morocco’s largest banking group, has reached an agreement with Société Générale to take control of Société Générale Ghana, marking a significant expansion into West Africa’s English-speaking banking market.&nbsp;Attijariwafa Bank describes itself as the leading banking and financial group in the Maghreb and operates across 27 countries in Africa and Europe.The deal is being pursued under the leadership of Mohamed El Kettani, the group’s chairman and CEO.The group said the&nbsp;Ghana transaction&nbsp;fits its wider African expansion strategy and will allow it to take over Société Générale Ghana’s activities, client portfolios and employees.Attijariwafa Bank will acquire 55.22% of the Ghanaian lender, making it the majority shareholder, while SSNIT will acquire an additional 5% stake.The transaction remains subject to the required regulatory and other approvals in Ghana and Morocco.<h3>Morocco expands its African banking footprint</h3>The deal transfers control of a long-established Ghanaian bank from a French financial group to one of Morocco’s biggest banking institutions, strengthening Attijariwafa Bank’s presence in English-speaking Africa.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/ef343b83bIMG_5883.jpeg">Société Générale Ghana has more than 500 employees and 40 branches across 24 cities. At the end of 2025, the bank had total assets of GHS9.7 billion, shareholders’ equity of GHS2.6 billion, net banking income of GHS1.36 billion and net profit of GHS397 million.Its market capitalisation stood at about GHS3.9 billion at the close of trading on September 29, 2026.SSNIT’s additional purchase will raise its stake from 19.36% to 24.36%, increasing Ghanaian ownership in the bank. The pension fund said the move would strengthen its investment position on behalf of Ghanaian workers and pensioners while giving local institutions a greater share of the financial sector.The transaction also marks the end of Société Générale’s ownership of a bank whose roots date back to 1975, when it was established as Security Guarantee Trust Limited. Société Générale acquired a controlling stake in the institution in 2004.

French banking giant exits Ghana as North Africa’s largest banking group takes over in major deal

Northern Star rejected the approach, but Gold Fields is considering its next steps, according to people familiar with the matter.The potential deal comes as gold prices remain elevated and mining companies look to expand their portfolios and extract more value from their assets. Gold Fields has been particularly active in Australia, including its $2.4 billion acquisition of Gold Road Resources, according to Reuters, which gave it full control of the Gruyere mine.Northern Star, which is based in Western Australia, is valued at about A$31.5 billion ($22.1 billion), while Gold Fields has a market value of about $35.7 billion, Bloomberg reported.<h3>Northern Star under pressure</h3>The approach comes at a difficult time for Northern Star. The company has faced pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which has pushed the miner to consider selling the company or divesting some assets.Northern Star rejected Elliott’s proposal in June, with Chairman Michael Chaney saying the company did not believe it was the right time to pursue a sale. However, he acknowledged that Northern Star had received interest from potential buyers and that it would continue to review strategic options.The company also appointed a new CEO in July as it dealt with operational challenges and repeatedly cut its production guidance. Problems at its Kalgoorlie processing plant in Western Australia have constrained output and weighed on its performance.<h3>Gold Fields expands in Australia.</h3>For Gold Fields, a takeover would significantly deepen its exposure to Australia, one of the world's major gold-producing regions.The South African miner has expanded through acquisitions in recent years as high gold prices encourage consolidation across the industry.Northern Star's rejection means a deal is far from certain, but Gold Fields' approach highlights the growing competition for large, producing gold assets as miners seek to increase production and benefit from strong bullion prices._Source: Africa Business Insider

South Africa’s Gold Fields seeks to buy Australia’s biggest gold miner in what could become one of the biggest deals in the gold industry

Ghana has secured offtake agreements with the UAE and Saudi Arabia for semi-finished cocoa products, expanding export options beyond raw beans.The deals, signed in July 2026, cover cocoa liquor, butter, cake, and powder, though specific values and volumes were not disclosed.The agreements align with Dubai’s ambitions in cocoa trading and meet Saudi Arabia’s growing need for cocoa ingredients in its food industry.If sustained, these offtake agreements could help Ghana capture more value from the cocoa sector, diversify its buyer base, and strengthen Africa's industrial export capabilities._Source: Business Insider Africa

World’s 2nd largest cocoa producer eyes new partnerships

September ICE NY cocoa (<a href="https://www.barchart.com/futures/quotes/CC*0/overview" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CCU26</a>) on Thursday closed up +274 (+5.51%), and July ICE London cocoa #7 (<a href="https://www.barchart.com/futures/quotes/CA*0/overview" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CAN26</a>) closed up +173 (+4.63%).Cocoa prices extended their two-week-long rally on Thursday, surging to 5.5-month highs.&nbsp;Concerns about the upcoming West African cocoa crop are pushing prices sharply higher.&nbsp;Heavy rains in the Ivory Coast and Ghana have flooded roads and cut off farmers’ access to farms and ports, threatening global supplies.&nbsp;Accumulated June rainfall through Monday has already reached levels near the typical average for the entire month in both countries.&nbsp;Excessive moisture also increases the risk of brown rot disease on cocoa trees, reducing yields and jeopardizing the harvest.Cocoa prices also have underlying medium-term support from future weather concerns.&nbsp;On June 10, Japan’s Meteorological Agency confirmed an El Niño weather pattern had formed across the equatorial Pacific.&nbsp;An El Niño typically brings warmer, drier conditions to West Africa, reducing soil moisture, stressing cocoa trees, and lowering yields.&nbsp;The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates a 67% chance of a “Super El Niño” this year, one of the strongest ever recorded.&nbsp;Cocoa prices also have support from early surveys of the 2026/27 West African cocoa crop, which show below-average cherelle formation on cocoa trees, signaling a weak outlook for the main cocoa harvest, which begins in October.&nbsp;Cocoa prices were under recent pressure amid signs of abundant supply.&nbsp;On June 11, the Ivory Coast boosted its estimate of cocoa that has reached its ports by more than 260,000 MT so far this season.&nbsp;Cumulative data from the Ivory Coast now show that farmers shipped 1.95 MMT of cocoa to ports in the current marketing year (October 1, 2025, through June 7, 2026), up +18.9% from the same period a year ago.&nbsp;The Ivory Coast recently said its cocoa production in 2025/26 would fall -10.8% y/y to 1.65 MMT from 1.85 MMT in 2024/25.Rising cocoa inventories are bearish for prices.&nbsp;ICE cocoa inventories rose to a 1.75-year high of 2,948,286 bags on Thursday.Weak global cocoa demand is bearish for prices.&nbsp;The National Confectioners Association reported April 23 that North American Q1 cocoa grindings fell -3.8% y/y to 106,087 MT.&nbsp;Also, the European Cocoa Association reported that Q1 European cocoa grindings fell -7.8% y/y to 325,895 MT, a bigger decline than expectations of -6% y/y and the lowest for a Q1 in 17 years.&nbsp;Conversely, the Cocoa Association of Asia reported that Q1 Asian cocoa grindings unexpectedly rose +5.2% y/y to 223,503 MT, stronger than expectations of a decline of -6.7% y/y.&nbsp;Smaller cocoa supplies from Nigeria, the world’s fifth-largest cocoa producer, are supportive for prices.&nbsp;On May 28, Bloomberg reported that Nigerian cocoa exports in April fell -20% y/y to 14,921 MT.&nbsp;Nigeria’s Cocoa Association projects that Nigerian cocoa production in 2025/26 will fall by -11% y/y to 305,000 MT, from a projected 344,000 MT for the 2024/25 crop year.&nbsp;In February, Ghana cut the official price it pays its cocoa farmers by nearly 30% for supplies for the 2025/26 growing season.&nbsp;In March, the Ivory Coast also said it would cut cocoa farmers’ pay by 57%, effective for the mid-crop harvest that began in March.&nbsp;The Ivory Coast and Ghana produce more than half of the world’s cocoa.&nbsp;The outlook for a smaller global cocoa surplus is supportive of cocoa prices.&nbsp;On April 29, StoneX cut its 2026/27 global cocoa surplus estimate to 149,000 MT from a January forecast of 267,000 MT, citing risks to the West African cocoa crop from an expected El Niño weather event.&nbsp;StoneX also cut its 2025/26 global cocoa surplus forecast to 247,000 MT from a January estimate of 287,000 MT.

Cocoa Prices Surge on West African Crop Concerns

Ghana's state-owned cocoa buyer is unable to purchase cocoa from farmers after accumulating debts of 673 million cedis ($60 million) ​that have left it facing an asset seizure, a company source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.The company, ‌Producer Buying Company, is legally mandated to purchase cocoa from any farmer as a buyer of last resort. The government pledged in February to restore it as the country's leading cocoa buying company.But three months later, PBC owes growers 24 million cedis for over 9,000 bags already delivered and lacks the ​liquidity to resume purchases, the company source said.A consortium of Ghanaian banks owed 257 million cedis secured a court order ​in March to sell off the company's assets, the source said.Ghana's cocoa industry has been in crisis as ⁠it has struggled to sell beans and pay farmers this year due to ample global harvests, lower cocoa prices and falling ​demand from chocolate makers for the ingredient.PBC's woes also stem from a loss of market share - it used to control 30% of the ​domestic market but currently buys less than 5% of cocoa produced in Ghana. Its problems risk further exacerbating financial hardship for Ghana's smallholder farmers, thousands of whom have not been paid for beans delivered since November 2025.The company source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief ​the media, said COCOBOD has yet to reimburse PBC for 800 metric tons of cocoa delivered more than two months ago.Under Ghana's ​cocoa system, PBC and other Licensed Buying Companies that purchase cocoa from farmers then sell it to COCOBOD, the market regulator, which sells it ‌on to ⁠international buyers.Neither the finance ministry nor COCOBOD has responded to requests from PBC for support, the source said.The finance ministry and COCOBOD did not respond to requests for comment.Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson said in February that the revival of PBC was central to the government's strategy of supporting cocoa farmers, promising a reliable and transparent avenue for growers to sell their product ​at fair prices.The source said ​the minister has since not ⁠had any discussions with the company on the way forward.COCOBOD says it has been disbursing funds to buying companies. But the company source said PBC had not received any money.PBC’s debt includes over 24 ​months of unpaid staff salaries, vendor arrears and outstanding statutory payments, in addition to the 257 ​million cedis owed to ⁠banks, the source said.Two of the five banks in the consortium that secured a court order to sell off PBC assets are state-owned and all report to the finance ministry.SSNIT, the state pension fund and a major shareholder, has been reluctant to inject fresh capital into PBC, ⁠having ​not received expected dividends since its initial investment, the company source said.A structured COCOBOD ​intervention could turn things around, the company source said, if the board directed a share of international buyers towards PBC and released funds for purchases.PBC operates in ​all 127 cocoa-growing districts, giving it a bigger reach than any private company.

Farmers go unpaid as Ghana's indebted state cocoa buyer faces asset seizure, source says

African culinary creator Chef Abbys has for the past few years now been building a reputation for herself as the go-to person for everything African and Ghanaian cuisine. Her short form videos of various food recipes that are easy to replicate have found their way into most homes on the continent and in the diaspora. This has led her to receive accolades such as being named one of TIME 100’s top creators of 2025, getting the chance to cook with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew and the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.In extraordinary fashion, Chef Abbys decided to throw a spotlight on her home country Ghana’s cuisine and rich culture during Ghana’s Heritage Month celebration for the month of March. Throughout the whole month, the tour planned by UK-based cultural and creative organization My Runway Group, set out to explore Ghana’s heritage through food and tourism and after 25 days on the road, she completed a groundbreaking tour spanning 12 out of the 16 regions in Ghana. This feat, never before attempted on the African continent, took Chef Abbys beyond the kitchen, into the heart of each community. The 24 videos she created on this journey amassed almost 100 million views across Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Youtube and X. The feedback has been remarkable with Chef Abbys socials experiencing an 18% increase in just that short period.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/3e145da1eIMG_5069.JPG">Over the course of this four-week expedition, Chef Abbys traveled from the mountainous terrains of the Eastern Region to the historic castles of the Central Region, from the lush forests of the Ashanti Region to the desert landscapes of the Upper East. Each region presented unique flavors,cuisine, markets, rich traditions, and both expected and unexpected challenges. From navigating remote villages to securing filming permissions at heritage sites, the journey was as much about resilience as it was discovery.Critics and locals alike have praised Chef Abbys for bringing a fresh lens to Ghana’s cultural tapestry. In a series of pop-up cooking demonstrations, each region’s cuisine, culture and tourist destinations were celebrated, drawing millions of views across the world. She got to cook at iconic Ghanaian tourist destinations like the Umbrella Rock, Elmina Castle, Nzulezu Floating Village, Larabanga Mosque, Kintampo Water Falls and even the Desert Safari.Speaking about her experience on the tour, Chef Abbys says, “exploring the 12 regions through food showed me how rich and diverse Ghana truly is. My goal is to make the world see Ghanaian cuisine not as one thing, but as a powerful collection of cultures, flavors, and histories.” She goes on to add that, “what I’ve started is more than a tour, it’s a movement to document, celebrate, and elevate cuisines and cultures from across the world, and I look forward to bringing the tour to other parts of the world.”Beyond the numbers, the impact is seen in a revived pride among locals and a new global curiosity about Ghana’s diverse culinary story. Chef Abbys’s historic journey flips the script for African culinary exploration, one where every region, every bite, and every story is a bridge between the past, present and future.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/56c4f9867IMG_5163.JPG">Chef Abbys’ approach to food and content creation is very distinct amongst her peers. It’s not just about recipes, plating, or even taste, but for her, it’s about memory, identity, and the quiet power of culture being passed from one generation to the next.&nbsp;Long before the recognition, the awards, and the millions of followers, there was simply a deep curiosity to understand where dishes came from, why they mattered, and how they made people feel. That curiosity would eventually grow into something much bigger than a career.&nbsp;Today, Chef Abbys stands at the center of a new movement in African cuisine. Through her work, she has built a community of over 4 million people across platforms, including more than 2.2 million followers on TikTok. But what makes her influence powerful isn’t just the numbers, it’s the connection. People don’t just watch her content; they feel seen in it.

Chef Abbys Breaks New Ground With A First-of-Its-Kind Culinary and Cultural Journey Across Ghana’s Regions

Cypress

International Breweries, Nigeria’s second-biggest beer maker, is out of the woods at last as it reported its first annual profit since 2017 in the 2025 financial year.The results signal profound relief for AB InBev, the Belgian majority owner, which had endured seven harrowing years of losses.The company booked N50.9 billion in post-tax profit for 2025, relative to a net loss of N113.6 billion the previous year, its audited financial report issued on Friday stated.International Breweries, which owns popular beer brands such as<a href="https://us.budweiser.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;Budweiser</a>, Trophy, Hero and Castle Lite, is worth N739.7 billion in assets, placing it next to Heineken-backed Nigerian Breweries among the country’s top beer manufacturers.Its share price rose by 9.9 per cent to N13.35 in Lagos after the news went public. It is its strongest daily gain since the start of the year.<h3>Rough road to profitability</h3>AB InBev, in 2016, completed the purchase of SAB Miller’s interest in International Breweries, consolidating it with the stake it already held in the brewer, which totalled 72.2 per cent at the time.It proceeded to merge the entity with Intafact Beverages Limited and Pabod Breweries, two other companies where it held controlling stakes, the year after, hoping to unlock greater value from the broader economy of scale the consolidation would deliver.The deal was central to the investor’s strategic push to gain a huge swathe of Africa’s brewery business, following a slowdown in its European and North American operations, and targeted Nigeria as one of the most promising beer markets on the continent.International Breweries started reporting losses in 2018, when it posted negative earnings of N3.9 billion, driven by a 257.6 per cent surge in finance costs and the harmonisation of the accounts of the three entities that went through the business combination.Setting up a greenfield plant as vast as the Sagamu-based Gateway plant, completed at an initial cost of $250 million, added further pressure to its financials, particularly in financing costs and debt levels.Between 2019 and 2020, soaring operating costs and a flattish revenue growth lengthened the chain of losses.Post-tax loss, at its peak, crossed N113 billion in 2024, following four years when foreign exchange losses from a dollar crunch and far-reaching currency reforms in Nigeria hammered earnings.The winning factor that turned the tide last year, apart from an appreciable leap in revenue to N619 billion, was cutting back net foreign exchange loss to N13.7 billion from N165.7 billion.<h3>Free float troubles</h3>As of 2020, AB InBev had upped its shareholding to 87.3 per cent by virtue of a rights issue that raised N164.4 billion for the purpose of moderating the company’s debt level, which had been bloated by the cost of constructing the Gateway factory.Proceeds from another rights issue in 2024 helped it deleverage its balance sheet dramatically, as the cash was used to pay down a balance of $379.9 million on a sticky loan obtained from Citibank six years earlier.AB InBev fully exercised its rights under the share sale, driving its shareholding further up to 96 per cent.Allowing a single investor to own a stake that huge in a public company, to the extent that only 4 per cent of its issued shares are tradable in the open market, has been noted to make its shares hardly available to potential investors, consequently creating artificial scarcity.The practice tends to fuel jumps in share price without justifiable fundamentals to support most of the gains the stock records over time.The main board of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), on which International Breweries is listed, requires that companies maintain a free float (the minimum number of shares that can be traded publicly) of 20 per cent or at least N40 billion worth of their shares.In a January 2025 disclosure, the brewer said the NGX had extended the deadline it had given the brewer to remedy the shortcoming._Source: Premium Times Nigeria

Nigeria’s second-biggest beer maker posts N51 billion profit after seven years of loss-making

An Ebola surveillance officer looks at statistics in Nizi, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Friday. The Congo's ongoing Ebola outbreak has become the deadliest in the country's history. (Dieudonne Dirole/The Associated Press)The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 2,325 people, government data showed on Sunday, surpassing the toll from the 2018-2020 outbreak to become the deadliest in the country's history.The D.R.C.'s public health institute said in its latest report that confirmed cases had risen to ‌4,945, including 101 new cases detected in the previous 24 hours.The outbreak, the country's 17th, was already the biggest in its history in terms of number of cases — a milestone reached in late July.The latest government data shows that the total number of deaths has surpassed the 2,299 ​deaths recorded in Congo's 2018-2020 outbreak, which was previously the country's ​worst on record.There are now 4,945 confirmed cases, the data showed.Three months after it was formally announced, the outbreak is now dwarfed only by West Africa's 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak ​in which 28,616 cases and 11,310 deaths were recorded across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, ⁠according to the World ⁠Health Organization.It took nearly five months from the declaration of ‌that outbreak to hit 1,000 deaths, whereas Congo's current outbreak hit 2,000 deaths in less than three months.There are 4,400 known cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Officials say there are far more cases that haven’t been recorded. While trials for a vaccine are underway, it’s not ready yet — and as Congo is a central country in Africa, there are concerns the outbreak could spread beyond its borders.The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which has no approved vaccines or treatments. The outbreak has gained momentum since it ⁠was declared on May 15, as weak health infrastructure, community resistance and instability hinder the effort to identify and respond to cases.The proportion of people dying from the outbreak after a confirmed infection, known as the case fatality ‌ratio, has risen from about 20 per cent in early June to 46 per cent, according to government data, meaning nearly one in every two confirmed cases is now fatal.Experts say the trend does not indicate the virus has become more lethal. Instead, it points to persistent shortcomings in surveillance, case detection and access to ​care."Normally, as an outbreak progresses, the case fatality ratio should fall as contact tracing improves and patients are identified and treated earlier," said Thomas ⁠Parisch, a public health specialist recently deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo with Médecins Sans Frontières."Instead, we're still seeing ⁠many cases detected very late, when treatment is less likely to succeed, with many identified only after they ⁠die ⁠in the community."A small number of ​experimental vaccines and therapies are being evaluated, while global health authorities assess whether existing Ebola treatments could offer protection. Evidence ​so far is limited to animal ⁠studies.Motorcycle taxi operators participate in the launch of an Ebola awareness caravan earlier this month to encourage residents to follow preventive measures as authorities seek to prevent a resurgence of the virus in Beni, North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. (Gradel Muyisa Mumbere/Reuters)The outbreak earlier spread to neighbouring Uganda, but authorities there managed to limit deaths to two and confirmed cases to 20 before declaring an end to the outbreak in that country last month.Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, living or dead. It can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhea and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.

Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak is now the deadliest in its history Government data shows the outbreak has killed 2,325 people

Recent alerts over counterfeit cancer and antimalarial medicines have renewed concerns about Nigeria’s long-running fake drug crisis. Despite repeated regulatory crackdowns, falsified medicines continue to infiltrate the pharmaceutical supply chain, exposing millions of Nigerians to ineffective and potentially dangerous treatments.For Oladele, a Nigerian living in the United Kingdom, the call from home carried devastating news. His younger brother had taken antimalarial medication for what was believed to be a routine bout of malaria. Instead of recovering, he developed kidney complications. The family later suspected the medicines were counterfeit.Oladele’s experience is not an isolated one. Across Nigeria, reports of suspected counterfeit medicines continue to surface, even as regulators intensify efforts to remove falsified products from circulation.His account, shared publicly on social media in May 2026, came amid a series of alerts from a government agency responsible for overseeing drug registration, importation, manufacture and quality control in the country, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), warning of counterfeit drugs circulating within the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain.The alerts, coupled with repeated seizures of counterfeit medicines, suggest that despite sustained enforcement efforts, falsified products continue to find their way into the hands of patients.The persistence of fake medicines is not a new problem in Nigeria. For decades, the country has battled counterfeit and substandard pharmaceuticals that undermine treatment, erode public confidence in the health system and, in some cases, contribute to preventable deaths. However, recent incidents suggest the problem is evolving, affecting both highly specialised medicines used in hospitals and everyday treatments relied upon by millions of Nigerians.From cancer wards to malaria treatmentIn March 2026, NAFDAC issued a public alert warning healthcare professionals, distributors and the public about confirmed counterfeit versions of Avastin (bevacizumab) and Tecentriq (Atezolizumab) circulating in Nigeria.Manufactured by Roche, Avastin is a monoclonal antibody used to treat several cancers, including colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer and glioblastoma while Tecentriq is used in the management of the cancers of the lung and liver. Because of their specialised use, the medicine is typically administered in hospitals under the supervision of oncologists.According to NAFDAC, the counterfeit products were identified following reports from Roche, which detected falsified versions of the medicine in Nigeria’s supply chain. The agency urged healthcare providers to carefully verify product authenticity and immediately report suspected counterfeit medicines.A vial of Avastin and Tecentriq cost about ₦1.1 million and ₦9.7 million, respectively, according to information from a licensed online pharmacy, HubPharm Pharmaceutical Limited, operating in Nigeria.Barely a month later, NAFDAC issued another public alert, this time warning about the circulation of counterfeit brands of Proguanil 100 mg tablets, specifically Projeanil and Re-granil. Proguanil is an antimalarial medicine commonly used to prevent and treat malaria.The back-to-back alerts suggest that counterfeiters are targeting medicines across vastly different therapeutic areas from expensive oncology drugs used in specialist hospitals to affordable antimalarial medicines commonly used by the general public.While counterfeit cancer medicines can deny patients life-saving treatment or allow disease to progress unchecked, fake antimalarial drugs may lead to treatment failure, severe illness and even death. They may also contribute to the growing challenge of antimalarial drug resistance.Enforcement continues, but counterfeit medicines persistIn May, NAFDAC announced another major enforcement operation, destroying counterfeit, expired and unwholesome products worth more than ₦1.8 billion in Abuja.The destroyed products included banned substances and improperly stored medical products considered unsafe for public use. According to the agency, the products had been seized during raids, surveillance activities and routine regulatory enforcement.The operation showed the scale of efforts to remove dangerous medicines from circulation. Yet the repeated discoveries of counterfeit medicines also raise difficult questions about how such products continue to penetrate Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain.Each seizure represents medicines intercepted before reaching consumers. But the recent alerts involving Avastin and Proguanil suggest that some counterfeit products continue to evade detection until they have already entered the market.When fake medicines reach patientsUnlike the counterfeit Avastin and Proguanil cases, which were identified through regulatory surveillance, Oladele’s account illustrates what can happen when suspected fake medicines are consumed before concerns are raised.According to his social media post, his younger brother developed kidney complications after taking counterfeit antimalarial medication. Although the precise circumstances surrounding the medicine’s purchase and authenticity remain unclear, the incident resonated with many Nigerians who responded by sharing similar experiences of medicines that appeared ineffective or caused unexpected complications.Whether through treatment failure, toxic ingredients or incorrect dosages, counterfeit medicines can have devastating consequences. Patients may unknowingly continue taking ineffective medicines while their illnesses worsen, losing valuable time before receiving appropriate treatment.For malaria, delayed or ineffective treatment can rapidly become life-threatening, particularly among young children, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups. For cancers and other chronic illnesses, counterfeit medicines may undermine carefully planned treatment regimens, reducing the chances of successful outcomes.Dr Dasola Amusat while recounting her experience said she had encountered patients whose clinical response raised suspicion that they had received counterfeit or substandard medicines. In one instance, she explained, a patient failed to respond to treatment despite receiving the same medication and dosage that had produced good outcomes in another patient with the same condition.“We used the same drug and the same dosage for another patient with the same condition, and that patient responded well. That difference in response made us suspect that the medicine may not have been genuine,” she said.According to her, counterfeit medicines can have serious consequences for patients beyond the immediate failure of treatment. She noted that ineffective medicines often prolong illness, resulting in longer hospital stays and increasing patients’ exposure to hospital-acquired infections and other complications.The physician said it is not always difficult for experienced clinicians to suspect when counterfeit medicines may be involved. Over time, she explained, doctors become familiar with brands that consistently produce good clinical outcomes and often recommend those products when prescribing medications.“It is not always difficult. Physicians become familiar with brands that consistently work, and we often insist on those brands because of our experience with their effectiveness,” she said.To reduce the risk of purchasing counterfeit medicines, she advised patients to obtain exactly the brand prescribed by their healthcare provider rather than substituting it with another product without professional guidance.“Patients should make every effort to buy the exact brand prescribed by their doctor instead of switching to another brand on their own,” she advised.A long-standing problem with evolving risksNigeria has long battled counterfeit and substandard medicines but the problem has remained stubbornly persistent.One reason is that counterfeiters have become increasingly sophisticated. Rather than producing crude imitations, many now replicate packaging, holograms, batch numbers and fake NAFDAC registration numbers that closely resemble genuine products, making falsified medicines difficult for consumers and sometimes even healthcare professionals to distinguish from authentic ones.&nbsp;In some cases, counterfeit medicines are designed to mimic legitimate products so closely that they are only identified after laboratory testing or verification by manufacturers.The persistence of the problem is also driven by systemic weaknesses within Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain. Counterfeiters continue to exploit gaps in importation, wholesale distribution, retail supply chains and regulatory oversight to introduce falsified medicines into the market.&nbsp;Previous reporting by HealthTabs found that policy inconsistencies, fragmented regulation, weak supply chain traceability and the country’s heavy reliance on imported medicines have also contributed to an environment that counterfeiters continue to exploit.The recent cases involving counterfeit cancer medicines, falsified antimalarial drugs, large-scale regulatory seizures and suspected patient harm suggest that Nigeria’s counterfeit medicine crisis is no longer confined to one category of medicines or one segment of the healthcare system.&nbsp;Instead, it reflects vulnerabilities across the pharmaceutical supply chain, posing a persistent threat to the safety of millions of Nigerians who depend on medicines for effective treatment.A community pharmacist, Pharm. Akeeb Adebayo, in a chat with New York Amsterdam News described counterfeit medicines as one of the biggest challenges facing the Nigerian pharmaceutical sector, saying virtually every category of medicines has been targeted by counterfeiters.“The problem is enormous, he said. “There is hardly any class of drug that has not been counterfeited, from oral medicines to injectables, including induction agents used in anaesthesia. It shows just how widespread the problem has become.”He said advances in counterfeiters’ techniques have made it increasingly difficult for pharmacists to distinguish fake medicines from genuine ones based on appearance alone.&nbsp;According to him, counterfeit drugs often infiltrate the pharmaceutical supply chain through wholesalers and distributors who fail to adequately verify the authenticity of their stock before supplying retailers.&nbsp;He therefore emphasized the importance of purchasing medicines only through authorized supply chains. He therefore warned members of the public to be cautious of medicines sold at unusually low prices, noting that significant price differences may indicate that a product is counterfeit.&nbsp;NAFDAC alert noted that the counterfeit cancer drugs were sold at significantly lower prices.Counterfeiters have criminal networks that are highly adaptiveA pharmacy intern at NAFDAC, Pharmacist Hajara Yakubu, who clarified she wasn’t speaking on behalf of the agency, said the recent alerts&nbsp;demonstrate that the counterfeit medicine problem extends beyond regulatory enforcement because the conditions that enable fake medicines to enter the market remain largely unchanged.“Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain is extensive and complex,” the intern said. “Raids and seizures remove counterfeit products from circulation, but they do not eliminate the underlying factors that sustain the problem, such as demand for cheaper medicines, weaknesses in parts of the supply chain, porous borders and the high profitability of pharmaceutical counterfeiting.”She added that counterfeiters often operate through highly adaptive criminal networks that quickly alter their distribution channels following enforcement actions. “Addressing the problem therefore requires not only enforcement but also stronger regulation, intelligence-led operations, supply chain oversight, stakeholder collaboration and continuous public education.”She stressed that open drug markets and community pharmacies should not be viewed in the same light. “Open drug markets present a significant regulatory challenge because medicines are often traded through fragmented and poorly traceable distribution networks, which creates opportunities for counterfeiters to enter legitimate supply chains,” the intern said.Community pharmacies were however described as an important part of the solution rather than the problem. She noted that licensed community pharmacies are regulated by the government agency tasked with governing pharmacy education, training and practice, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and NAFDAC and generally source medicines from legitimate distributors. While isolated lapses may occur, the intern said community pharmacists remain important partners in detecting, reporting and preventing counterfeit medicines.Yakubu said there are several challenges to the fight against counterfeit drugs. She identified maintaining end-to-end visibility across Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain, particularly where distribution channels are fragmented. “Regulators must also keep pace with increasingly sophisticated criminal networks that rapidly adapt to&nbsp;regulatory interventions while ensuring adequate resources for inspections, post-market surveillance, laboratory testing and intelligence gathering across a country as large as Nigeria,” she said.She also emphasized the importance of collaboration among regulators, customs authorities, security agencies, manufacturers and healthcare professionals while also noting that public awareness remains equally critical.For millions of Nigerians, the greatest danger is that counterfeit medicines are becoming increasingly difficult to identify. As counterfeiters grow more sophisticated and exploit weaknesses in the pharmaceutical supply chain, patients may unknowingly receive ineffective or dangerous medicines even when they believe they are doing the right thing.&nbsp;For families like Oladele’s, the consequences are measured not only in failed treatments but in prolonged illness, avoidable suffering and the devastating uncertainty of whether the medicines meant to heal have instead caused harm.

From fake cancer drugs to malaria pills: Inside Nigeria’s counterfeit medicine crisis

Recently I’ve noticed that when Little Man gets excited, he goes through a very specific set of behaviours. He will raise both arms up and out wide, lean in with wide eyes, and start shaking. This could happen over a new and exciting toy, a new experience (such as when we first took him to the seaside and dipped his toes in the ocean), or even a new food. It’s such a rapid shaking, it’s almost like he’s vibrating with excitement. This got us a bit worried… Why does my baby shake so much when he gets excited?<h3>Shaking when excited</h3>We’ve all heard the phrase “shaking with excitement”, but I have to admit I assumed it was a metaphor until I had a baby. It’s almost as if he gets so excited that he just can’t contain himself! Now, I know that babies do lots of things that seem weird (like staring at lights, or crawling backwards) but are actually totally normal. So, is it normal for babies to shake with excitement?<h3>Is it normal for babies to shake with excitement?</h3>Yes! It’s very common. It’s to do with baby’s immature nervous system. Their developing nervous system sends too many electrical impulses to the muscles and they get all twitchy. It’s normal for babies to shake with excitement, when they see someone they know or a favourite toy. This can present in lots of different ways – for instance, full-body shakes, or baby may clench his fists and shake, or tense up his whole body when excited.Some babies may also display shuddering or shaking at seemingly random times, when there’s no particular reason for them to be excited, and sometimes it can last for a few seconds. No-one really completely understands the cause of this infant shuddering, but it’s not harmful and usually goes away by the time they’re four years old. Sometimes it’s referred to as infant shudder syndrome, shuddering attacks, or shuddering spells.If baby is otherwise healthy, developing well and meeting his or her milestones, then there’s probably nothing to worry about if he or she tends to shake with excitement. Life is just that exciting when everything’s new! There’s no treatment for infant shudder syndrome, because it’s not an illness – it just goes away over time.However, of course it can look a bit peculiar, and as a parent you may worry that it looks like your child having a short fit. If you’re worried, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and speak to a medical professional.<h3>When to get worried about baby’s shaking movements</h3>Of course, as parents it’s natural to worry. Shaking can be evidence of a seizure, but there are some specific seizure warning signs to look out for:<ul><li>If shaking continues for over 20 seconds</li><li>If the shaking movement is accompanied by vomiting, unusual eye movements, or loss of consciousness</li><li>If it’s associated with illness or injury, or if baby sleeps for a long time afterwards</li></ul>If you notice any of these signs, you should seek medical help urgently.Ultimately, you know your baby best, so even if you don’t spot any of the warning signs, if you think it’s time to call the doctor or NHS 111, then do it. It may help (if you think of it at the time) to take a video of the shaking behaviour that’s worrying you, to show your health professional.<h3>Is baby shaking when excited a sign of autism?</h3>When I got onto Google and started researching about babies shaking with excitement and infant shudder syndrome, it was clear to me from the Google search bar that lots of parents who are researching this subject are worried that their baby’s shaking or shuddering could be a sign of autism. This is probably because some people with autism use repetitive or rhythmic movements to soothe themselves (also called ‘stimming’), and this can take the form of shaking or hand flapping.This may look similar to a baby who is prone to excited shaking spells; however, infant shudder syndrome is not commonly viewed as a sign of autism. These kind of behaviours are also common with neurotypical children, so just because your baby or toddler shakes with excitement or flaps his or her hands, doesn’t mean that it’s a sign of autism. There are other early markers of autism which are more reliable as red flags that something could be wrong, such as a lack of eye contact or smiling. Again though, you know your baby best – so if you’re concerned that something is wrong, talk to your doctor.<h3>Other causes of shuddering or shaking in babies</h3>There are other reasons that babies may display shaking or shuddering movements, beyond excitement, infant shudder syndrome, or epilepsy. Babies and toddlers often shake their heads from side to side when falling asleep – it can actually be a motion they use to help themselves fall asleep (not that it looks very restful, especially when they start head-banging!), or a sign of teething or even an ear infection. My own Little Man is very much in the habit of shaking his head from side to side when he’s teething, especially after meals – it’s a sure sign for us that his teeth are playing up.There’s also some suggestion that infant shudder syndrome could be an early sign of vitamin d deficiency in very young babies, so if you’re exclusively breastfeeding make sure that baby is getting their vitamin D drops in line with NHS guidance (babies who are formula fed get their vitamin supplements from the formula, so they don’t need any more).<h2>In conclusion…</h2>So, in conclusion… there are loads of reasons your baby may shake or shudder, but if he or she is specifically displaying this behaviour when excited, it’s probably nothing to worry about. In some situations, continued shaking or shuddering could be a cause for concern though, so exercise your best judgement as a parent, err on the side of caution, and check with a doctor if you think you need to.Shaking with excitement isn’t the only weird behaviour that babies use to freak out their anxious parents! Have you ever wondered why your baby stares at lights, why your baby is crawling backwards or even why your baby doesn’t blink?_Source: TheSicklyBaby.com

Why Does My Baby Shake With Excitement?

"I'm still not accepting in my mind all parts of it," Glover told People in an interview published July 1. "There are the moments that you keep remembering that validate the fact that you can remember stuff. And there are moments I'll never forget."The 79-year-old reflected on accepting his diagnosis, adding that it is "in some sense, acknowledging that it's happening to you and at the same time that there are millions of people suffering from it."Although Glover is holding on to his wits the best her can, he had already made peace with the prospect of eventually losing his memories. As he told Lester Holt on July 1, "I could live with it, in a sense.""I'm sure, as it advances," he added, "things are gonna be different and changing."As his condition continues to progress, Glover reflected on his expansive acting career and the film he holds closest to his heart: 1984's Places in the Heart, starring Sally Field. He dedicated the project to his mom Carrie, who died in a car accident the same day he told her about his role.Glover ultimately turned his grief into change throughout his career, focusing on social justice.&nbsp;"The one thing about my parents was their activism," he explained. "A sense of being and belonging and making the contribution. When I saw the Montgomery bus boycott (in 1955-56), I knew I wanted to be like those people. I wanted to be in that moment and part of the role."And now, the Color Purple actor hopes he can foster that passion in young people before the disease truly takes hold."It's talking to young people and their responsibility," he said. "We have challenges in the world. I think art becomes a reframe, a way of looking at that.""Justice is our collective responsibility," he continued. "One thing I learned from my parents most of my life is the capacity of people to change through their own. They become the architect of their change."Meanwhile, Glover's daughter Mandisa Glover—whom he shares with ex-wife Asake Bomani—shared a glimpse into her dad's decision to share his diagnosis."We all get old. It happens. That's what I think is important: that he tells his story and he has ownership of his life," she told Holt. "The time is now. What better time than now for him to speak for himself?"And she knows it will also bring light to the reality of navigating the debilitating disease."It's important because people ask questions sometimes," Mandisa added. "I don't want to be a dishonest person and say, 'Oh, yeah, everything is all right. It's all great.""&nbsp;As Glover and his loved ones grapple with their new normal, keep reading for more celebrities who've shared insight into their own health journeys.In May 2026, the BFFs podcaster underwent emergency surgery after doctors discovered a large ovarian cyst that had been twisting her organs and causing internal bleeding."There was a half a liter of blood in my pelvic floor," Brianna shared in a TikTok video after the operation. "I have five incisions all over my stomach. They went in through my belly button with a camera so they could find all the blood."

Danny Glover Shares Alzheimer's Diagnosis

ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC have suspended pooled TV coverage of President Trump after the White House refused to allow CNN to serve its scheduled turn as pool representative.The move comes days after Trump barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists from the White House, prompting the three outlets to announce plans to sue the administration.

ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC suspend Trump's TV pool.

<h2>The music venue is named History, just like the Drake-backed venue of the same name in Toronto.</h2>In a post shared on Instagram, Drake celebrated the opening of History in Ottawa, Canada on Thursday (Aug. 20). “Today we open the second History,” he wrote, referring to the first History venue in Toronto. “A venue for outstanding artists and the incredible fan bases that seek that communal family experience. Thank you to Live Nation for giving me the continued trust on a journey that I hope is shared with every city and country worldwide.”Accompanying his comments celebrating the opening of the venue, he shared a look at what concertgoers can expect when they attend a show there.“These venues are where our stories are born, elevated, shared, and hopefully revisited. I will be there to drop off my personal touch to Ottawa soon,” he continued. “In creating this I think about every artist that had to play a venue and ask themselves ‘is this what making it feels like’ because I know we respect all the heritage and all the years of inheritance but hope to create a better experience for our budding artists moving forward.”As reported by CBC News, the site of the venue was purchased by the National Capital Commission in 2024, and it was revealed shortly after that it was teaming with Live Nation Canada to open a 2,000-capacity venue at the site.“Being a global superstar, he's had a lot of insights and direction on creativity and how the [space] is gonna look,” said Live Nation Canada regional vice-president Ali Shafee. “Even the premium lounge upstairs, his whole team was involved in hand-picking the furniture that goes in that room. So he is active in terms of the project itself.”The venue is scheduled to host sixty shows before the end of 2026, of which 35 have already been announced. The inaugural concert at the venue will be The Wallflowers on Thursday (Aug. 20), while future performers include Modest Mouse, UB40, and the Pretty Reckless. Drake launched his first History venue with Live Nation in his hometown of Toronto in 2021.

Drake Opens New Music Venue in Canada’s Capital City

Acclaimed singer, songwriter, and playwright Somi has been announced as Spotify’s EQUAL Africa artist for the month of August. Celebrated globally for her narrative richness and genre-defying sound, Somi has built an extraordinary career bridging African rhythms with contemporary American jazz.The announcement coincides with the release of her highly anticipated new album, What Does It Take to Bloom?, dropping on August 7, on Salon Africana. The 13-track project, led by the poignant single We’re All Falling, is an intimate meditation on self-discovery, identity, and finding belonging amid life's dissonance.Co-produced by Somi alongside Benjamin James (of Nigerian Highlife duo The Cavemen.), the album features guest appearances from The Cavemen. and acclaimed jazz saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin. Recorded across Dakar, Lagos, Paris, and New York City, the album weaves global sensibilities into Somi's most personal work to date.Born in Illinois to parents from Rwanda and Uganda, Somi’s artistry is rooted in storytelling that connects Africa with the diaspora. She became the first African woman ever nominated in a Grammy jazz category, earning a nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album for her live album Holy Room. Her groundbreaking work continues to elevate African narratives on the world's most prestigious stages while honoring the iconic women who paved the way before her.Spotify's EQUAL Africa programme celebrates women artists who are shaping the future of African music by amplifying their voices and connecting them with new audiences across the continent and beyond. Through her storytelling, commitment to her heritage and trailblazing career, Somi reflects the transformative impact of women shaping African music today."Somi's artistry is a powerful testament to the rich, transcendent legacy of African jazz and storytelling," says Phiona Okumu, Spotify's Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa. "As a barrier-breaking artist who continues to carve out space for African women on international stages, she perfectly embodies the spirit of the EQUAL programme. We are honoured to celebrate her voice and vision this August.""To make music as a woman to lead bands, build a label, and hold onto your own voice, is to work in rooms that weren't designed for you. That work is often invisible and rarely without cost," says Somi. "EQUAL matters to me because it insists that women's voices don't just belong here; they shape what this industry becomes. To be lifted alongside so many women artists around the planet, at this moment in my life, and in this chapter of my work, means so much. Thank you for the honour."To celebrate her selection as Spotify's EQUAL Africa Artist for August, we caught up with Somi to learn more about her musical journey, creative inspiration and advice for aspiring artists.Q&amp;A with Somi1. What is one surprising thing your fans might not know about you?It might surprise people to know that I'm also a playwright and actor who has worked on Broadway.2. What first drew you to music, and what continues to inspire you to create?I can't say that I have ever had a moment when I realised music was my destiny, but I know that nothing else makes me feel as alive and connected as singing does. I'm grateful for that knowledge and the opportunities I've had to use my gift in this lifetime. I keep pursuing music because of the joy it brings me and the stories I'm able to uplift and share with others along the way.3. Which African songs or artists did you grow up listening to?Miriam Makeba, Koffi Olomide, Sade, Papa Wemba, Jimmy Katumba, Afrigo, Seal, Khadja Nin, Cecile Kayirebwa, Hugh Masekela and Tabu Ley Rochereau.4. To someone discovering your music for the first time, how would you describe your sound?Story-based songs framed by modern jazz, pan-African grooves and soulful intimacy.5. What advice would you give to someone who is afraid to follow their dreams?Listen to your heart, never be afraid of being your whole self, and always be honest with the music. Your audience will feel it deeply and thank you for it.6. How do you navigate the music industry as a woman, and how has that shaped your artistry?So many of my songs are informed by the embodied experience of being a woman. That is something I did not set out to do, but as I continue on this journey, I feel more and more thankful for it. I believe it is important for women not only to share our lived experiences through our artistry, but also to provide examples for future generations so they have the confidence to take up more space both on stage and behind the scenes.African women have not been very visible on international jazz stages, despite the vibrant community that I know exists across the continent. As the first African woman nominated in a Grammy jazz category, it is never lost on me that I stand on the shoulders of giants like Miriam Makeba, Cesaria Evora and Letta Mbulu.Being able to represent that lineage, and the many voices of African women globally, is something for which I am both humbled and grateful. More importantly, I hope my work helps create space for future voices from the continent, whether they work within or beyond the jazz category.7. What has navigating the music industry as a woman taught you, and what does being part of the EQUAL programme mean to you?To make music as a woman, to lead bands, build a label, and hold onto your own voice, is to work in rooms that weren't designed for you. That work is often invisible and rarely without cost.EQUAL matters to me because it insists that women's voices don't just belong here; they shape what this industry becomes. To be lifted alongside so many women artists around the planet, at this moment in my life, and in this chapter of my work, means so much. Thank you for the honor.

Grammy-nominated Jazz Vocalist And songwriter Somi Named Spotify’s EQUAL Africa Artist For August

Marvel has done it again. Spider-Man: Brand New Day&nbsp;has officially swung into the record books, earning an astonishing&nbsp;$74.5 million in domestic preview screenings, making it the&nbsp;largest preview night in box office history. The film surpasses the previous record held by&nbsp;Avengers: Endgame, which earned approximately&nbsp;$60 millionduring its Thursday previews in 2019.The record is even more impressive considering&nbsp;Endgame&nbsp;was the culmination of more than a decade of Marvel storytelling.&nbsp;Brand New Day&nbsp;is the fourth solo Spider-Man film starring&nbsp;Tom Holland, yet fan demand has reached levels few expected.The enormous preview total has dramatically raised expectations for the film’s opening weekend. While Sony has publicly projected a debut closer to&nbsp;$195 million, several independent box office analysts believe the film could finish between&nbsp;$280 million and $300 million&nbsp;domestically if audience turnout continues at its current pace.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.amazonaws.com/6364bf8e3IMG_5014.webp">Daniel Loria of Box office Pro recently pointed to extraordinary advance ticket sales and the sheer number of theaters dedicating screens to the film as major reasons for the bullish projections.“The movie has nearly half of all available screenings this weekend.”That level of theatrical dominance is almost unheard of and reflects just how much confidence exhibitors have in Marvel and Sony’s latest blockbuster.The film arrives at a pivotal moment for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following several years of inconsistent box office results,&nbsp;Brand New Day&nbsp;has been viewed as one of the studio’s most important releases heading into&nbsp;Avengers: Doomsday. Early audience reactions have praised the film’s emotional story, grounded approach to Peter Parker, and action sequences, fueling strong word of mouth before its nationwide release.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/cea49d926IMG_5015.png">Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker alongside&nbsp;Zendaya,&nbsp;Jacob Batalon,&nbsp;Jon Bernthal,&nbsp;Mark Ruffalo, and&nbsp;Sadie Sink in a film that sees Spider-Man rebuilding his life after the events of&nbsp;Spider-Man: No Way Home. With audiences already turning out in record numbers, the latest chapter appears poised to become one of the biggest superhero releases ever.Whether&nbsp;Brand New Day&nbsp;ultimately surpasses&nbsp;Avengers: Endgame’s&nbsp;opening weekend remains to be seen.&nbsp;Endgame&nbsp;still holds the all time domestic opening weekend record at&nbsp;$357.1 million, a mark many believed would stand for years. However, after already rewriting the record books with its preview performance,&nbsp;Spider-Man: Brand New Day&nbsp;has proven that betting against Marvel’s most popular hero is rarely a good idea._Source: Coastal House Media

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Breaks All Time Box Office Preview Record, Surpassing Avengers: Endgame

Just days after South African singer Tyla released the dates for her upcoming world tour, Nigeria has been removed from the list of destinations.On Monday, the Grammy winner announced details of her globetrotting appearances coming on the heels of the release of her second album A*POP.Her official website initially named 34 cities, including Lagos, Johannesburg and Cape Town, where she would be performing, but by Friday, an updated list was published without the Nigerian city.No reason has been given for the change but there have been growing calls in Nigeria for the 24-year-old to cancel her concert in the country over the recent wave of anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa.Relations between Nigeria and South Africa have soured over allegations that Nigerians have been the target of xenophobic violence.Nigeria, along with other African countries, has accused South Africa of not doing enough to deal with attacks on foreign nationals.There have also been a series of protests with people calling for all undocumented migrants to leave South Africa. Tens of thousands of foreigners have left the country, including Nigerians, many of whom boarded specially chartered repatriation flights.While there have been diplomatic efforts to calm tensions, most recently with a meeting between their foreign affairs officials in Abuja, the issue has spread beyond politics.On Wednesday, an online petition titled "Ban Tyla from entering Nigeria until xenophobic attacks stop in South Africa" was launched in Nigeria and it has already attracted thousands of signatures.On Tyla's social media pages, where the initial tour dates still appear, Nigerians cautioned her against performing in the country as they criticised her for failing to speak out against the protests in South Africa.Tyla has so far not responded to a BBC request for comment.Tyla is not the only South African artist facing a backlash for their seeming silence on the anti-migrant protests.&nbsp;Comedian Trevor Noah also came under fire following an advert he fronted for the Tourism Business Council of South Africa.The promotional clip, shared across the council's various social media accounts, generated many comments criticising the former Daily Show host for promoting South Africa but failing to call out xenophobic attitudes.&nbsp;Users even went as far as to add context under the video saying South Africa was "a xenophobic country [that] doesn't allow visiting migrants".The backlash has extended beyond criticism; some South African artists have reportedly lost out on performances across the continent.South Africa's Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said in June that a local artist had told her that "all her gigs were cancelled". The minister did not name the artist.&nbsp;"So the [South Africa] brand does get affected," she said at the time.&nbsp;The South African government has also pushed back on the growing wave of criticism.&nbsp;It says that it does deal with anyone who takes the law into their own hands, pointing out that more than 900 people were arrested after recent protests, but that it has a right to control migration into the country.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/6b844491dIMG_5013.webp">The online debate around Tyla's world tour has opened a much wider conversation on whether African artists be held responsible for the political tensions between their countries.Nigerian activist, opposition politician and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore said on X that anger over anti-migrant attacks should be directed at political leaders in Nigeria and South Africa, rather than artists.In a post, he said: "No-one should hold a talented musician like Tyla vicariously liable for the crimes of xenophobia. Artistes are not responsible for the failures of politicians except where there is ample evidence they're enablers."Nigerian culture journalist Mayowa Idowu told the BBC that while the anger may come from a desire for accountability, directing it towards an artist risks missing the wider issue."I think they are well intentioned because people are seeking accountability and they're looking beyond governments who they do not trust or have faith in. That said, I think they are misguided and they risk devolving into acts of hypocrisy. The artist in question has worked with Nigerian artists and performed in Nigeria previously," he said.Idowu argues that performers should not be pressured into taking political positions simply because of their nationality.Tyla has found herself at the centre of rivalry between the two countries before.&nbsp;Earlier this year, she beat four other African artists, including three from Nigeria, to clinch her second Grammy award in the Best African Music Performance category.She won the inaugural version of the prize in 2024, again beating a field that included Nigerian heavyweights such as Burna Boy and Davido.With two wins in the category's first three years, Tyla has become one of the biggest Grammy success stories in African music - while also becoming a symbol in a fan rivalry that often frames Nigerian and South African artists against each other.UK-based Nigerian culture journalist and writer Dami Ajayi said that Tyla has never presented herself to be anti-Nigeria but "we interpret her winning two Grammy Awards in a nominations list full of Nigerian musicians as being anti-Nigerian"."These targeted retaliatory campaigns are not particularly new. There were also calls to boycott the recent hit Netflix show The Polygamist, adapted from Zimbabwean Sue Nyathi's novel and co-directed by Akin Omotosho, a Nigerian living in South Africa," he added.South African journalist Thango Ntwasa said that while it was difficult to comment on the removal of Lagos from Tyla's world tour line-up, "it's a very interesting time because we're seeing arts and politics... really confronting each other now more than ever".He also touched on the criticism levelled at artists like Tyla and Noah on their apparent silence on the migration issue, saying that while it's understandable for artists to want to be apolitical, it was important for "celebrities... to understand that as a public figure, your opinion or position on a political issue does matter".Ntwasa noted that South African artists had reported facing animosity when visiting other African nations and that, because touring is a big part of how they make money, the negative attitudes could affect them down the line._Source: BBC

Nigeria date removed from South African pop star Tyla's world tour after boycott petition

The night air is hazy with BBQ smoke and I can feel the bass of the dancehall music in my rib cage. It’s Friday night in Barbados and there’s only one place to be: Oistins Fish Fry, on the southern tip of the island.I’m away with my family: my husband and two boys, who are 19 and 24. We’ve been to the island in the past, but not since my sons were small. While my husband was born in London, both his parents are from the island and this time around we’re all curious to discover more about these roots.Celebrating 60 years of independence this year, Barbados has long appealed to visitors wanting the ultimate Caribbean holiday. Many tourists typically head straight to the west coast, with its line-up of exclusive hotels that hug frothy, azure seas. And while we fully intend to make the most of lazy days on sugar-white sands, this trip is about something more personal: helping my sons understand the island where their grandparents were born. So we’ve headed, instead, to the more affordable southern region, which, as well as its fair share of palm-shaded beaches, is the most populous stretch of Barbados, putting visitors in direct contact with local life.What’s more, this often overlooked area has experienced a renaissance of late with the Richard Haynes Boardwalk that links local beaches and restaurants; the Worthing Food Square, which brings together street food vendors; and a clutch of new beach clubs, such as Savvy On The Bay, with its 24-hour bar and food truck park. It’s ticking all the boxes for the boys.Back in Oistins, the night is beginning to warm up. In the days before my mother-in-law first arrived in a grey England back in 1967, when she was just 16, it was still a tiny fishing village, where men would sell barracuda, red snapper and lobster off the backs of faded boats. Now, the town is unrecognisable, having transformed into one of the island’s biggest attractions.As well as live music and DJs, there are now dozens of family-run food stalls, illuminated with strung-up festoon lights, each serving their own version of fried fish with sides of squidgy plantain, macaroni pie and cold Banks beers.Soca and reggae music spills out of giant speakers, as we share a table with tourists and Bajans alike. It’s impossible not to move with the beat and it’s clear that anything goes. The refrain “dance like no one is watching” could have been invented here. An octogenarian in a scarlet red suit wines across the dance floor by himself; local girls wuk up their waistlines and tourists bob along to the beat, sipping Mount Gay rum and cokes.With its Friday night shuttle to Oistins, the O2 Beach Club &amp; Spa puts us in easy reach of everything. It’s also close to St Lawrence Gap, the main nightlife hub – ideal for the boys, who like to linger over a few rum punches after we call it a night. The property has a youthful vibe, with adult-only areas and contemporary interiors – from fuchsia pink loungers to nautical-striped textiles and local art.<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/08/05/9/00/Parliament-Buildings-in-Barbados.jpeg">Angelina was keen to see a side of Barbados away from the beaches (Visit Barbados)Its thoughtful, all-inclusive concept is the antithesis of the usual on-a-budget, buffet fare. Instead, there’s a line-up of imaginative restaurants, meaning we never get bored. We enjoy tapas-style sharing plates at the rooftop Brisa, and fine-dining at Oro, where we order Crab Fritti and Aburi Flying Fish – both twists on local dishes. Best of all, though, is the list of activities beyond its walls: from rum and chocolate tastings to stargazing and eco walks.We spend a few days sinking into island life. Days start with breakfast in Elements: eggs spiked with hot pepper sauce, fried plantain and Bajan cherry juice. We visit nearby Carlisle Bay for blissful “sea baths”, and have a few visits to the O2’s rum lounge – “It’s all part of discovering our roots, mum.” Then it’s time to get out and about with a walking tour of the capital, Bridgetown, a Unesco World Heritage Site.Taking us around the warren of streets, Claudette Levi-Farnum, a historian with Discover Heritage Tours, reveals more about the complex history of the island. She tells us about the Indigenous Kalinago people and the history of the first settlers from England, who arrived in 1627. These included wealthy planters as well as indentured labourers, made up of convicts and political dissidents, known as “undesirables”.We pass by candy-pink colonial-style buildings and the Nidhe Israel Synagogue, the oldest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. To cool down, we stop at wooden street stalls selling just-picked “fat pork”, a small spongy tropical fruit, and iced soursop juice.The Clarkes find their name at the Builders of Barbados Wall (Angelina Villa-Clarke)We end the day at the Builders of Barbados Wall, found in the Golden Square Freedom Park. Built from clay bricks, and inscribed with thousands of surnames of ordinary people who helped build the nation across 600 years, the curved structure features African and colonial surnames side by side. The boys look for their surname – Clarke – and eventually find it written as “Clark(e)”.“Without the ‘e’ would have been a slave name,” Claudette explains. “The ‘e’ would have been added after emancipation as a way of adding a form of identity away from slavery.” It’s a powerful visual reminder of the resilience shown over generations, as well as a tangible link to the boys’ ancestral roots. Watching my sons search for their surname among thousands of others turns the trip into something much deeper.Nearby, National Heroes Square also honours the strength of the Bajan nation with a monument of open shackles to represent the historic struggle against slavery. It overlooks the country’s parliament building, built in 1870. Its Gothic Revival architecture gives a nod to London’s centre of power. It’s a somewhat sobering reminder of the links between the two countries.Back at O2 Beach Club, Wednesday nights mean it is beach BBQ time. We eat jerk chicken, blackened mahi mahi, and pickled breadfruit salad with our toes in the sand.Suddenly a hush comes over the nearby tables, and we turn to see a waiter motioning us over. Underneath a palm tree, a Hawksbill sea turtle is covering herself with sand in order to lay her eggs. Stood at a safe distance so as not to disturb her, we watch as she eventually waddles back into the dark water. It’s a rare encounter with one of the island’s most vulnerable species.We hire a car and criss-cross around the island, which is just 21 miles in length. It bursts with colour – from chattel houses painted in banana yellow and sapphire blue to the bougainvillaea that tumbles over walls in shades of shocking pink and deep violet. At the northern tip of the island, we go underground to see the sea caves at Animal Flower Cave, and afterwards turn south again to St Nicholas Abbey, a former 17th-century plantation house and rum distillery.We also stop off at the TikTok-recommended Rihanna Drive in Brandon’s Beach, to see where the island’s own “diamond” grew up. The boys are amused to discover that the pop star’s old childhood house, Sonia Ville, can now be rented as a holiday home.A visit to the east coast brings a different perspective. This Atlantic side of the island is rugged and wild, with winding coastal roads that take us past undulating cane fields and back again to the craggy shoreline. Close to Bathsheba, a surfers’ spot with huge rock formations on its beach, we stop at Zemi Café, a popular, weekend “lime” spot. We sample the specialities, which include mango rum sours, lobster tacos and breadfruit wedges as we look out across the crashing waves.With 99 per cent of the east coast preserved as a National Park, the boutique East resort, found on the remaining per cent, is a collection of 10 villas with dramatic sea views. A stay here gives us an opportunity to decamp away from the tourist trail for a while.Our family-friendly villa comes with its own pool, sleek interiors and an open-plan living space. As well as a daily delivered breakfast, guests can tap into facilities at sister property, the Crane Resort, a 10-minute drive away.It’s the quietest corner of the island and allows us a moment to digest all that we’ve learnt. We’ve had sunshine and good times, yes, but we also leave with something more lasting: a deeper understanding of the island that helped shape our family’s story.

I explored the south side of Barbados to trace my family’s heritage

Four astronauts pulled up at International Space Station after eight-hour express flight led by Jessica WatkinsThursday after launching on an eight-hour express that set a US speed record, and that created further history with the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit.SpaceX launched commander Jessica Watkins and her crew for Nasa after a three-week delay to fix their Dragon capsule’s leaking fuel system. Thick clouds threatened all morning to halt the countdown but skies cleared enough to allow a safe liftoff from Cape Canaveral at 11.10am (1510 GMT).Seven hours and 55 minutes later, the SpaceX Dragon “Grace” capsule docked at an ISS port, setting a record for the fastest trip by a US spacecraft to the outpost.Image taken from a Nasa video shows the SpaceX capsule carrying four astronauts docking at the International Space Station. Photograph: Nasa/APIn a live broadcast on Nasa TV, the capsule appeared to glide gently toward a stationary ISS as both hurtled through space at about 17,500mph (28,100 km/h).The new arrivals – Americans Watkins and Luke Delaney, Canadian Joshua Kutryk, and Russian Sergey Teteryatnikov – floated into the space station through a pressurized vestibule and addressed colleagues on Earth late on Thursday.“We are so excited to be here. This is truly a special place,” Watkins said on the Nasa livestream. “It’s amazing and kind of ironic to think that it’s such a short trip to get here because the journey to get here has been long.”Nasa astronaut Jessica Watkins waves as she departs for the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photograph: Joe Skipper/ReutersCanadian Kutryk, whose wife will give birth while he’s away, said it “feels really good” to represent his country in space, adding he was “looking forward to a good mission after some sleep. That’s what I’m gonna go do next.”The duration of the journey depends greatly on the distance between the ISS and the spacecraft at the time of launch. It took more than 30 hours for the last crew that launched from American soil to reach the station.With the late-morning launch, Watkins became the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit. A geologist who worked with Nasa’s Mars rover Curiosity a decade ago, Watkins is making her second trip to the space station after a lengthy stay in 2022.“Thanks for an amazing ride,” Watkins radioed after liftoff.Although their stay at the ISS will last six months, the flight there was the quickest yet not only for Elon Musk’s company, but any American entity, including Nasa.Aside from Watkins, the other astronauts are newcomers to space: Delaney is a retired marine; Kutryk is a colonel in the Royal Canadian air force; and Teteryatnikov, a former submariner. They will replace four astronauts who have been living at the orbiting laboratory since February.This was the 13th crew launched by SpaceX for Nasa, not counting 2020’s test flight. The Crew-13 designation in their mission patch pays homage to Apollo 13, the harrowing 1970 moonshot that ended with the astronauts’ safe return.References to the number 13 abounded on Thursday. Watkins and her crew rode to the launch pad in black Teslas bearing plates that read “Lucky 13”. They also carried up a small crocheted golden dragon named Lucky with a four-leaf clover around its neck.“We figured it wouldn’t hurt to bring a little of our own luck just in case, but clearly we don’t need it,” Watkins said from orbit, noting they were “four of the luckiest humans on or off planet Earth”.Heather Kutryk will give birth while her husband is orbiting Earth, making him the fourth man to become a father while doing so. Heather is due to give birth to their third child in late November.“A lot of life-changing things can happen over six months,” Nasa manager Dana Weigel said on the eve of liftoff, noting that the space agency would do its best to keep Kutryk looped in to his family. The Canadian Space Agency also promised to support the family.In 2004, Nasa provided a radio link between space station astronaut Mike Fincke and his wife’s delivery room during the birth of their daughter. Five years later, Randy Bresnik, commander of next year’s Artemis III mission, dialed in to his wife’s hospital from orbit.The happy news traveled more slowly for Austrian astronaut Franz Viehböck. His daughter was born a few hours after he launched to the Soviet Union’s Mir space station in 1991. He was not informed until the next day.Three hours after Crew-13 blasted off, SpaceX launched a Falcon rocket from California with more than 100 mini satellites. Another Falcon was set to soar late Thursday night from Florida, with a classified satellite for the national reconnaissance office. All this comes the same week the company’s massive Starship reached orbit for the first time.

‘An amazing ride’: SpaceX flight led by first Black female commander sets US speed record

U.S. immigration authorities on Thursday deported a group of eight Somali men who’d been held for about a month at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Aboard the flight were several people who’d settled in Minnesota, including Adam Abdullah, 31.Masked immigration agents arrested Abdullah Dec. 12 at the start of what the Trump Administration called Operation Metro Surge.Beyond two parking tickets for not moving his vehicle during snowstorms, Abdullah has no criminal record in Minnesota and was working legally as a mechanic while his asylum application was pending. He arrived in the United States in early 2023.Abdullah first spoke with MPR News on Sept. 8, during one of the 10-minute calls he was allowed each day from the prison at the U.S. naval base. He said that after his arrest, ICE shuttled him between detention centers in Minnesota, Kentucky and Louisiana before shipping him to Guantanamo in late August with seven other Somali men.When they first boarded the plane to Cuba, Abdullah said the detainees were told that they’d be going to Somalia after refueling stops, but they remained at Guantanamo.In a longer phone conversation Friday from his family’s home on the outskirts of Mogadishu, Abdullah recounted a difficult month in confinement at the military prison. He said that he and the other seven Somali detainees were held under heavy security.They got an hour of exercise each day in an outdoor cage and were put in chains when they were escorted to the telephone area. Guards gave them very little information about how long they’d be at Guantanamo.“It was very hard,” Abdullah said. “The first day when we got there, we had a lot of questions and nobody was answering our questions. So the second day, we started a hunger strike.”Abdullah said that in retaliation, guards put him in solitary confinement in an over-air-conditioned room.“They beat me, and they put me in a room, a freezing room, so to scare the other guys,” he said.The others ended their hunger strike, but Abdullah said that he held out until he was allowed to talk with someone at the Somali embassy. It was then that he learned that ICE had planned to deport him to his home country and that the embassy had forwarded his travel documents to ICE.<img src="https://img.apmcdn.org/9683e6ca2c8b2438c07ffdee5930a1700e80e901/uncropped/a1bc20-20260925-man-repairs-brake-rotor-on-amazon-truck-600.jpg">Adam Abdullah, 31, had been working legally as an auto mechanic while his asylum application was pending before immigration authorities arrested him on Dec. 12.courtesy photoAfter having been away for more than three years, Abdullah said that he is happy to have his freedom back and to see his siblings again, but said that nine months in confinement were difficult.His mother fell ill in March while he was jailed. He found out about her illness two days before she died, but authorities would not allow him to make an international call from detention or to depart the country voluntarily.“I requested a voluntary departure while she was sick, but they denied it,” Abdullah said. “I told them, my mom is sick. Even when she died, I told them, but there was nothing they could do.”As Abdullah readjusts to life in Mogadishu, he said that some people there are treating him with suspicion because of Guantanamo’s infamous, two-decade global reputation as a prison for terrorism suspects“Even some of my family members, they are not believing that I went there innocent,” he said.MPR News twice asked the Department of Homeland Security about why it targeted the eight Somalis for deportation and sent them to Guantanamo Bay.Both times, DHS replied with identical statements in which a spokesperson called the men “the worst of the worst,” but the department provided no evidence that they had committed crimes in the U.S. or elsewhere. In a separate statement Thursday, DHS said that it never discloses information about deportation flights “for operational security and the safety of our personnel.”Abdullah said that he was among nine Somali men on the flight to East Africa; besides himself and seven others who’d been held at Guantanamo, a ninth man had boarded the plane in Louisiana prior to its arrival at Guantanamo. He said the flight left Cuba in the middle of the night.“They woke us up and they told us ‘get ready, you have 30 minutes.’ They put the chains [on us] and they transported us to the airplane.”Abdullah recounted that they were chained up throughout the transatlantic flight, which included stops in Puerto Rico, Dakar and Nairobi. In Nairobi, they were transferred to a Somali airline that flew them on the last leg of the trip to Mogadishu.The ACLU is suing to stop ICE’s use of Guantanamo for immigration detainees, but that suit is still pending. Twin Cities immigration attorney Marc Prokosch, who represented Abdullah and three of the other Somali men held at Guantanamo, said in an interview Friday that because the detainees had deportation orders to their nation of origin, ICE’s actions do not appear to run afoul of federal law.“We can all debate the morality and the ethics of it, but legally, it seems like it was solid,” Prokosch said.While ICE was holding the men at Guantanamo, the agency suddenl removed location information from its public database for detainees with final deportation orders. Prokosch said that this made it difficult to keep track of his clients.“People with final removal orders have legal options, but I need to be able to talk with them to explore their options, " Prokosch said. “So now when the government is choosing to disappear people, it really makes it difficult to make sure that their due process rights are being upheld.”Despite nine months in custody, Abdullah said he has not soured on the United States.“American people are good people,” he said. “It was just bad timing.”_Source: MPR News

Man arrested in St. Paul among 8 deported to Somalia from Guantanamo Bay

Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has been named the leader of a new rebel coalition seeking to oust the government.The Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) said it aimed to coordinate "resistance forces" to end "tyranny" in Democratic Republic of Congo and would pursue the goal "by all means, including force".Its unveiling on Monday is the clearest indication so far of Kabila's direct involvement in an armed movement a year after he was sentenced to death in absentia for treason. He had previously denied having links to the M23 rebel group.The Congolese government has not commented.Claude Ibalanky, the coalition's adviser, announced the group's leadership at a press conference at Kabila's residence in Goma, the largest city in eastern DR Congo, which has been under the control of the M23 since last year.&nbsp;Video released by the group showed Kabila signing documents at the group's declaration along with other leaders.M23 leader&nbsp;Sultani Makenga&nbsp;will serve as one of Kabila's four deputies in the new movement. The other three also come from the AFC-M23 alliance which last year seized much of mineral-rich eastern DR Congo.<h2>What's the fighting in DR Congo all about?</h2>The announcement of the new group comes days after Kabila delivered an address in which he said he would set out how Congolese people should act to "rescue" their country.On Friday, Kabila accused President Félix Tshisekedi's government of disregarding proposals he had put forward last year, including some aimed at ending the conflict in eastern DR Congo.Kabila also accused the government of undermining constitutional rule, mismanaging the economy and failing to improve security. He further alleged arbitrary arrests of political opponents and military officers.The government has not publicly responded to those claims.Kabila, 55, ruled DR Congo from 2001 until January 2019, when Tshisekedi took office following a disputed election.The two were once political allies, forming an informal power-sharing arrangement after the transfer of power. They later fell out and Kabila went into self-imposed exile in 2023 before returning to Goma last year.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.amazonaws.com/0da469b03IMG_6089.webp">The former president had remained largely out of public view for several years but has become increasingly critical of his successor's administration.The formation of the new coalition comes at an uncertain time in a country that has been wracked by violence for decades.&nbsp;More than 100 militia groups are active in eastern DR Congo amid ethnic tensions and fighting for political power and control of lucrative natural resources.The UN and Western governments accuse Rwanda of backing the M23 and controlling the rebels.Rwanda denies supporting the M23 despite overwhelming evidence, and says its military presence in eastern DR Congo is a defensive measure against threats posed by Congolese armed groups.<h2>Kabila has 'higher profile'</h2>Tshisekedi's second term ends in 2028 but in May he said that elections, which are due then, may not be held because of the conflict.He also hinted that he may seek re-election for a third term "if the people want".&nbsp;The parliament has since passed a bill that could pave the way for a referendum that could remove the constitution's two-term limit.Last month, authorities clashed with protesters holding demonstrations in the capital against the proposed changes.Richard Moncrieff, who monitors Africa's Great Lakes region for the International Crisis Group (ICG) says the new coalition is aimed at trying to enlarge the rebellion.He argues that through his "higher profile", Kabila hopes to get support from people dissatisfied with Tshisekedi "beyond the very narrow political base that the M23 enjoys".&nbsp;The analyst says this appears to be Kabila's objective, to draw more senior Congolese army officers to his side and "lessen the reliance of the M23 on its Rwandan backers".Kabila came to power after the assassination of his father Laurent Kabila, who headed a national rebellion in the 1990s, backed by Rwanda. His forces marched across the country, starting in the east, before taking over in the capital Kinshasa, some 1,500km (1,000 miles) away.&nbsp;Moncrieff says Kabila is drawing on that past to proclaim the illegitimacy of Tshisekedi's government.&nbsp;He however says it won't be easy to seize power like his father, partly because the US has imposed sanctions on Kabila, which he says presumes American support for DR Congo's government.In May the US imposed sweeping sanctions on Kabila, accusing him of backing the M23, providing financial support, encouraging defections from the Congolese army. Kabila said the measures were unjustified and politically motivated.The US said they were part of a wider effort to support last year's peace deal between DR Congo and Rwanda that it brokered.The latest events show peace negotiations are "going nowhere and attempting to gain control on the ground is the priority for all parties," the ICG analyst says._Source: BBC

Ex-president named leader of new DR Congo rebel coalition

The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has announced plans to reseal principal roads in Accra ahead of Ghana’s 70th Independence anniversary in March 2027.He said the exercise follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama to improve the appearance and condition of key roads in the capital ahead of the anniversary celebrations.“The President has directed that we do a facelift of the principal roads in Accra before March next year. That task, once again, fell on the lap of your son, Oswald, who you see that in the night he’ll go and mill the surface and then during the day he will retreat; in the night, he’ll go back.“He’s got a task of, before March next year, to actually reseal all the roads in the capital city, at least the principal roads. All that will be done. We believe that all these are in line with your vision of development for the Ghana state and beyond,” he said.Speaking during a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Mr Agbodza said the Ministry had already begun incremental improvements to Accra’s road network, with a significant portion of government’s urban roads budget allocated to the Greater Accra Region.He said the government was also determined to complete several stalled road projects, including the Kasoa and Ofankor roads, following its decision not to suspend ongoing projects when it assumed office.Mr Agbodza also disclosed that work had resumed on the coastal road corridor from Independence Square through Osu to Tema, after financing challenges linked to Ghana’s debt situation previously stalled the project.He said government further plans to dualise the road from Tema through Osu and explore a connection to the old Winneba Road as part of measures to ease congestion along the Kasoa corridor.

Accra: Principal roads to get facelift ahead of 70th Independence anniversary – Agbodza

MADRID, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Maricarmen Abascal, the 87-year-old Spanish woman whose dramatic eviction last month sparked ​mass housing protests that led to an early election, has died, the Madrid tenants' union said on Wednesday, as ‌thousands demonstrated over her death.Abascal had been in hospital for severe anxiety and exhaustion since her eviction on September 23 from her home of more than 70 years, when police and social workers removed her by stretcher.The Misinformation Monitor newsletter rounds up international misinformation narratives, with a "Real or Fake?" quiz in every edition. Her case ignited protests over a mounting housing crisis including a shortage of homes and surging rents. Activists ​camped out in a major Madrid square.Following news of Abascal's death on Wednesday, thousands marched from the square, Puerta del ​Sol, towards parliament, chanting: "This is not a death. It's a murder!" A cause of death was not announced."This ⁠was a completely avoidable death that symbolizes the drama that is the housing crisis in Spain," said 36-year-old marcher Dario Gomez in ​Madrid.Demonstrators also held protests in Barcelona.Trade unions on Wednesday announced a nationwide general strike over housing issues on November 11.The protests, along with parliament's rejection last ​week of decrees aimed at curbing evictions and limiting rent pressures, prompted Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call an early election for November 29.Sanchez is seeking to shift the political narrative from his government's handling of a migrant crisis in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta and a series of corruption cases involving his Socialist Party ​and his family to the housing crisis, hoping to tap into growing resentment over rising rents.Item 1 of 7 Maricarmen Abascal, 87, is transported on a stretcher to an ambulance, after she was evicted from the Madrid home where she had lived for more than seven decades after the apartment was acquired by an investment fund that sought a steep increase in her rent, despite efforts by housing activists to broker an alternative arrangement in Madrid, Spain, September 23, 2026. REUTERS/Susana Vera[1/7]Maricarmen Abascal, 87, is transported on a stretcher to an ambulance, after she was evicted from the Madrid home where she had lived for more than seven decades after the apartment was acquired by... Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab "Now, following her passing, we are left with the example ​of the fight she waged and the legacy Maricarmen has left behind. And, above all, we will honour what she always asked of us: 'Fight, keep ‌fighting for ⁠what is yours,'" the tenants' union said in a statement.Sanchez lamented Abascal's death in an X post. "A hug as well to all of us who feel this loss as our own today," he wrote.The leader of Spain’s centre-right opposition People’s Party, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, said on X that Abascal's death shouldn't be politicised. There should be "no campaigns, no political parties, no other interests here," he wrote. "In the face of someone’s death, respect ​is all that matters.”<h2>HOUSE BOUGHT BY ​INVESTMENT FUND</h2>Abascal was evicted after ⁠an investment fund bought her house. Several days later, her lawyer said she reached an eight-year agreement with her landlord that would allow her to return home and pay rent at the same prior amount.She had ​planned to sign the deal once she felt better, but never had the opportunity to leave hospital.A neighbour of ​Abascal, whose home ⁠was near Madrid's famed Retiro Park, said she was shaped by living through Spain's authoritarian Franco regime, which ended in 1975."She was a fighter, with very clear ideas, a somewhat broad sense of justice, and, above all, perhaps a social conscience and ideas about solidarity," he said.Guillermo Ruiz, 31, ⁠an audiovisual ​specialist at the mass march, said he felt pessimistic about change. "The best homage we ​can pay to her is to continue the fight, continue to mobilise, fight for a dignified life and that what happened to her doesn't happen to anyone else."Reporting ​by Pietro Lombardi, Corina Pons, Aislinn Laing, Andrei Kalip, David Latona, Jesus Aguado, Guillermo Martinez; Editing by Andrei Khalip, Rosalba O'Brien and Cynthia Osterman

Spanish woman whose eviction ignited housing protests dies at 87

President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso criticized the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged Western bias.Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have formally withdrawn from the Rome Statute, viewing the ICC as an 'instrument of neocolonial repression.'Traoré questioned the ICC's impartiality, highlighting that the court disproportionately targets African leaders while ignoring Western actors' alleged crimes.This ICC departure is part of a broader shift, with Burkina Faso and its allies cutting ties with regional and international organizations they see as Western-aligned.About four months ago, Niger notified the United Nations Secretary-General of its withdrawal decision on June 18, 2026, with Burkina Faso and Mali submitting their official notices six days later.All three notifications were registered by the United Nations on June 30, 2026.As reported by La Nouvelle Tribune, government officials from the three nations justified their exit by describing the ICC as an instrument of neocolonial repression.<h2>Traoré accuses the court of Western bias as Burkina Faso deepens its diplomatic rift</h2>Critiquing the tribunal's track record, Traoré argued that the court enforces an unbalanced form of justice that heavily targets African figures while overlooking actions by Western nations.As published by La Nouvelle Tribune, the Burkinabè leader declared, "The ICC is an organ of imperialism".Challenging the court's impartiality, Traoré asked, "Since its inception, how many Africans have been brought before the ICC? And how many Westerners have been brought before the ICC?".To illustrate his arguments, Traoré cited foreign interventions in Iraq and Libya, alongside the 2010–2011 post-election crisis in Côte d'Ivoire, pointing specifically to the eventual acquittal of former President Laurent Gbagbo.This departure from the ICC reflects a wider geopolitical move across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which together form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).Russian President Putin alongside 3 presidents of the AES [Getty Images]President Traoré has prioritised calls for a fair share of Africa’s resources and the industrialisation of the continent without waiting to be spoon-fed by the West.In recent times, Burkina Faso’s military government has mandated that 80% of aid must be spent within the country, arguing that administrative costs should not take the lion’s share.He has also launched a soldier-uniform factory and an armoured-vehicle manufacturing industry, which has produced several military vehicles that were recently displayed to the public.Burkina Faso and the neighboring states have progressively severed ties with several regional and international bodies they consider overly aligned with Western powers, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Russia-backed Traoré hits out at global war court, saying it serves a Western agenda as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger cut ties with International Criminal Court

The Black Maidens showed tremendous character to recover from an early setback before prevailing in a nerve-racking penalty shootout, with the second leg ending 1-1 and the overall tie finishing 2-2 across both matches.Having battled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Dakar, both teams entered the return fixture knowing victory would secure a place at the global tournament in Morocco. Senegal made the stronger start and silenced the home crowd by taking the lead after just 10 minutes, placing Ghana under immediate pressure.Despite the early blow, the Black Maidens refused to panic. Coach Joe Nana Adarkwa’s side gradually settled into the contest, enjoying more possession and creating openings as they searched for an equaliser.Their persistence was rewarded moments before halftime when captain Seidatu, who plays for Oaks FC, produced a composed finish in the 44th minute after a well-worked attacking move. The goal brought the Accra Sports Stadium to life and ensured the teams headed into the break level at 1-1.The second half was fiercely contested as both nations pushed for the decisive goal. Ghana looked the more adventurous for long spells, while Senegal remained dangerous on the counterattack. However, both defences stood firm and neither goalkeeper was beaten again during regulation time.With the aggregate score tied at 2-2 and the qualification format requiring no extra time, the contest went directly to a penalty shootout.The shootout proved every bit as dramatic as the match itself. Both teams converted several spot-kicks with remarkable composure before Ghana eventually edged the Teranga Lionesses 7-6 to spark wild celebrations among the players, coaching staff and supporters.The victory underlined the Black Maidens’ resilience and mental strength, as they recovered from conceding early before holding their nerve in one of the most pressure-filled moments of their campaign.Ghana’s qualification is another major milestone for the country’s women’s youth football programme and gives the Black Maidens another opportunity to compete against the world’s finest young talents.The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be staged in Morocco from October 17 to November 7, with the Black Maidens now set to proudly represent Ghana on the global stage after an unforgettable qualifying triumph.

Ghana’s Black Maidens edge Senegal on penalties to secure 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification

South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams, who featured in Bafana Bafana's run to the World Cup round of 32, has died, the South African Football Players Union confirmed Saturday. He was 25.Adams started two of South Africa's three group games and came off the bench in a 1-0 win over South Korea that sealed their place in the knockout rounds for the first time in their history on June 24.He was an unused substitute when South Africa were knocked out of the tournament by Canada on June 28."Jayden had only recently represented South Africa at the FIFA World Cup, carrying the hopes of the nation with pride, courage and distinction," the South African Football Players Union said in a statement. "His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family, teammates, clubs, the football fraternity and the country at large."We extend our deepest condolences to the Adams family, Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC, Bafana Bafana and all those whose lives he touched."South African football has lost a gifted player, a proud servant of the game and a young life that still had so much to offer."Further details of his death were not given."Cape Town Central police registered an Inquest for investigation following the discovery of the body of a 25-year-old male on Saturday, 2026-07-11 at 11:06 at a premises in Military Road, Scotscheskloof," Western Cape South African Police Service spokesperson F.C. van Wyk told ESPN."Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation."Jayden Adams, who appeared for South Africa at the World Cup, has died at the age of 25. Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesAdams started South Africa's 2-0 loss to Mexico and 1-1 draw with Czechia, playing in the latter game despite the death of his grandmother, Marianna Adams, the previous day.Adams then came off the bench in the 1-0 win over South Korea, which proved to be his final game."When I reached out to Jayden [following the death of his grandmother] to offer my condolences and encouragement, I shall carry forever the humble, appreciative response he gave me," Minister of Sports, Arts &amp; Culture of South Africa Gayton McKenzie said in a Saturday statement."That he chose to wear the national jersey and give his all for his country in that moment speaks to a depth of character and professionalism well beyond his years, and it reflects the caliber of young man South Africa has lost."A moment of silence in memory of Adams was held before Saturday's World Cup quarterfinal between Norway and England."It is so incredibly sad to hear that South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams has passed away just weeks after featuring in his nation's historic FIFA World Cup campaign," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement posted on social media."My thoughts and condolences, as well as those of everyone at FIFA and the global football community, are with his family, friends and team-mates. The Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns star will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace."Adams played several seasons for Stellenbosch before joining Mamelodi Sundowns last year.Adams won the CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns in May and dedicated his winners' medal to Oshwin Andries, a former Stellenbosch teammate who died in 2023 after a stabbing.Mamelodi Sundowns said they were "devastated by the tragic passing of Jayden Adams.""We pray that the Almighty God comforts and strengths the Adams family, his friends and everyone that knew him," the club added."Sundowns respectfully ask that the family's privacy be honoured as they grieve this profound loss."Adams and Andries came up the ranks at Stellenbosch together, and the club suffered the loss of another young player early in 2026 with the death of Jeandre Gaffoor.

South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams dies at age 25, weeks after World Cup appearance

Premier League and Ghana international forward Antoine Semenyo has been appointed Global Brand Ambassador for Ahmad Tea, the British tea company announced on Wednesday, June 10.The partnership comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Semenyo is expected to play a key role for the Black Stars.According to Ahmad Tea, the collaboration is built on shared values of dedication, discipline and preparation, and forms part of the company’s new global campaign dubbed “Preparation is Everything.”The campaign seeks to highlight the importance of commitment, attention to detail and excellence in achieving success, drawing parallels between the process of crafting tea blends and preparing for elite-level sport.As part of the partnership, Semenyo will feature in Ahmad Tea’s global marketing activities, including television advertising, digital and social media campaigns, retail promotions, experiential events and public relations initiatives.The company said the forward will also star in a television commercial later this year that explores how preparation contributes to success both on and off the football pitch.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.amazonaws.com/e3b43f8f8SEMENYO-2.png">In Ghana, Ahmad Tea plans to roll out a dedicated programme under the campaign, featuring nationwide retail promotions, fan engagement activities, consumer competitions and digital content centred on the Black Stars’ World Cup journey.The company said it will also use the initiative to share Semenyo’s story from grassroots football to the international stage, with the aim of inspiring young Ghanaians through messages of hard work, discipline and perseverance.Speaking on the appointment, Semenyo said he was proud to partner with the brand, describing its emphasis on preparation as a principle that aligns closely with his football career.“One of their important messages is that preparation is everything. They are talking about making their tea, and in that is a message that I live by in my career: you have to be ready,” he said.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1984fb849SEMENYO-1.png">He added that preparation extends beyond matchday and includes training, recovery, nutrition, studying opponents and reflecting on performances.Head of Global Brand Marketing at Ahmad Tea, Tracey Wakelin, said Semenyo’s journey and values made him an ideal ambassador for the company.“We are delighted to welcome Antoine Semenyo to the Ahmad Tea family as our new Global Brand Ambassador. Antoine’s story is one of hard work, determination and continuous improvement – qualities that perfectly embody our ‘Preparation is Everything’ campaign,” she said.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/f3e487adbSEMENYO-3.png">Wakelin noted that Semenyo’s popularity in Ghana and beyond, coupled with the upcoming World Cup, presents an opportunity for the brand to connect with consumers through an authentic story about excellence and achievement.Ahmad Tea products are sold in more than 90 countries worldwide. The company said Semenyo will feature in a range of international campaigns across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia throughout 2026 and beyond.About Ahmad TeaAhmad Tea is an award-winning British tea company founded in Hampshire, England. Family-owned and operated, the company combines four generations of tea expertise with an unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship.Today, Ahmad Tea products are enjoyed in more than 90 countries worldwide, serving over 30 million cups of tea every day. The company sources the finest leaves from leading tea-growing regions around the world and maintains rigorous tasting and quality-control standards to ensure every blend delivers an exceptional tea-drinking experience.Beyond tea, Ahmad Tea is committed to creating a positive impact in communities around the world through its charitable and sustainability initiatives. Through Ahmad Tea’s sustainability programme, ‘Infused with Impact’, the company supports projects focused on education, healthcare, community development and humanitarian relief, helping improve the lives of thousands of people globally.The company has funded schools, hospitals, clean water programmes and emergency aid projects across multiple countries and remains committed to supporting the communities connected to its global supply chain. Ahmad Tea also works closely with tea-growing partners and industry organisations to promote responsible sourcing practices and support the long-term sustainability of tea-growing communities.Driven by a passion for quality and a belief in bringing people together, Ahmad Tea continues to connect cultures and communities around the world through the shared enjoyment of great tea.About Antoine SemenyoAntoine Semenyo is one of the most exciting attacking talents in world football and a Ghana international who currently plays in the Premier League for Manchester City.Born in London and proudly representing Ghana on the international stage, Semenyo’s rise to the top of the game is a story of determination, resilience and relentless self-improvement. Having progressed through the English football pyramid before establishing himself in the Premier League, he has become renowned for his pace, power, versatility and work ethic.Since making his senior debut for Ghana in 2022, Semenyo has become a key figure for the Black Stars, representing the nation at major international tournaments including the FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations. He has earned more than 30 senior international caps and scored crucial goals for his country, cementing his place as one of Ghana’s leading footballing ambassadors.Following a standout spell in the Premier League, where he scored 30 league goals in just over 100 appearances and established himself as one of the division’s most dynamic forwards, Semenyo completed a high-profile move to Manchester City in 2026.Admired for his professionalism, humility and commitment to continuous improvement, Semenyo embodies the values of preparation, dedication and excellence that sit at the heart of Ahmad Tea’s global “Preparation is Everything” campaign. As Ahmad Tea’s Global Brand Ambassador, he will help inspire consumers around the world through a shared belief that success is built long before the moment of performance._Source: Citi News

Antoine Semeny; Ghana’s star boy.

The goalkeeper you see prostrating in front of you is genuinely living the best days of his life.This is Benjamin Asare, Ghana’s 33-year-old goalkeeper, who made three saves today and kept a clean sheet against England before celebrating after the game with this prostration.What makes his story special is that almost nobody knew who he was. For most of his career, he played in Ghana’s second division. On top of that, his financial situation was so difficult that he had to work on cocoa farms for three straight years just to support his family and keep his football dream alive.The remarkable part is that Asare kept pushing until he earned a move to Ghanaian top-flight side Accra Hearts of Oak in 2025. He then received his first-ever call-up to the Ghana national team during the World Cup qualifiers, where he played six games and conceded just one goal.Asare went on to become the first Ghanaian player in history to represent his country at a World Cup while playing in the domestic league. He also made six saves across games against Panama and England and didn’t concede a single goal.Glory to those who never stop working for their dreams. To every Ghanaian reading this: congratulations. You should be proud. Stories like Benjamin Asare’s are what make football beautiful, and seeing one of your own rise from cocoa farms to the World Cup stage is something worth celebrating. 🇬🇭❤️

Benjamin Asare - Ghana secrete weapon

The northeast corner of Lower Simcoe and Bremner Boulevard turned into a celebration on Monday night as hundreds of Ghanaian soccer fans gathered to welcome their beloved Black Stars to Toronto.Ghana's national team arrived in the city ahead of its FIFA World Cup opening Group K match against Panama on Wednesday, and the players were greeted with a traditional jama celebration outside their downtown hotel.Fans began gathering outside the hotel a few hours before the team bus arrived, singing and cheering to help pass the time and build anticipation. When the team bus pulled in around 6 p.m. on Monday evening, the fans erupted.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZoE3x5PEKf/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1074&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogto.com&amp;rp=%2Fsports_play%2F2026%2F06%2Fhundreds-ghana-fans-surprise-team-toronto%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A13691.29999999702%2C%22ls%22%3A4031.3999999910593%2C%22le%22%3A13618.09999999404%7D"></iframe>When the team got off the bus, Ghana's former captain and all-time leading scorer, Asamoah Gyan, joined supporters outside the hotel and led a light jama session of his own.For those unfamiliar with jama, it's a style of group singing and chanting, accompanied by dancing and percussion, that's popular among Ghanaian soccer supporters.The fact that hundreds of supporters greeted the team in Toronto isn't surprising, given that an estimated 28,000 Canadians of Ghanaian descent live in Ontario.That passion should carry through to the game and the FIFA Fan Festival on Wednesday.Ghana is also one of three West African nations scheduled to play matches in Toronto during the tournament. Ivory Coast will face Germany this weekend, while African powerhouse Senegal takes on Iraq next week.Before Ghana's opening match against Panama, the team will first hold a training session at Centennial Park in Etobicoke on Tuesday night.After Wednesday's game, the Black Stars will head to Boston for a showdown with England, while Panama will remain in Toronto to face Croatia on June 23.

Hundreds of Ghana fans surprise FIFA World Cup team at Toronto hotel

Telecel Ghana has argued that the country's digital future depends on building the infrastructure, partnerships and ethical standards needed to use data and artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly.Over the 3-day period of the Ghana Data Science Summit at the Ho Technical University, a delegation of varied experts from the telecommunications giant contributed to national conversations on artificial intelligence, data governance and workforce development through executive panel discussions, technical workshops, career mentorship and practical demonstrations of emerging digital solutions.Opening the discussions, Danso Kwakye, Head of Enterprise Solutions at Telecel Ghana spoke on a panel debating whether limited access to data is slowing innovation and evidence-based policymaking. Acknowledging researchers' growing demand for telecommunications data, Kwakye said customer privacy must remain non-negotiable."Telecommunications companies hold some of the richest datasets in the country, but customer trust is built on protecting sensitive information. The opportunity lies in responsibly sharing anonymized and aggregated data that can support research, innovation and public policy without compromising individual privacy," he added.Kwakye argued that stronger partnerships between industry, universities and public institutions could provide significant value for Ghana's innovation ecosystem, particularly if accompanied by investment in digital infrastructure and secure sandbox environments where students and researchers can experiment with real-world data applications.Telecel Ghana’s team also participated in tutorials covering data engineering with Python, synthetic data generation for economic policymaking and production-scale machine learning systems. The sessions enabled the telco’s specialists to exchange knowledge with researchers and explore emerging techniques shaping modern data science.Leading one of the summit's career mentorship sessions, Asiedu Ansu, Head of the Data Analytics Centre of Excellence at the telco, encouraged aspiring data professionals to look beyond algorithms and programming languages."The most successful data professionals are those who continuously learn, understand business problems and communicate insights that drive decisions. Technical skills open the door, but translating data into meaningful business value is what builds lasting careers," Ansu said.As conversations around artificial intelligence grow increasingly urgent, Telecel Ghana also brought ethical considerations into focus through an interactive workshop on data ethics and algorithmic bias.Facilitated by Senior Data Analyst, Esumaba Okyir alongside Management Information Systems &amp; Data Science Manager, Raymond Normeshie and Marie-Pearl Akoto, the session examined how bias enters AI systems and explored practical approaches for building fairer, more transparent and accountable technologies. The workshop highlighted ethical design as essential to public confidence in emerging technologies.The summit also addressed another pressing issue facing Ghana's digital economy: whether the country's education system is producing graduates with the skills employers need. Speaking during a panel on employment opportunities in data science, Maxwell Darko, HR Manager for Talent Acquisition, Rewards &amp; Shared Services at Telecel Ghana, said employers increasingly value professionals who combine analytical expertise with commercial awareness and effective communication."Technical competence remains essential, but employers are increasingly looking for people who can translate data into business outcomes, think critically and communicate effectively. It is also important that AI is viewed as a productivity partner that enhances human capability, not as a replacement for talent," he said.Darko called for deeper collaboration between universities and industry through internships, practical projects and curricula that better reflect workplace realities, and encouraging graduates to demonstrate measurable impact on their CVs.Beyond the discussions, Telecel Ghana showcased its consumer digital innovations, including the Telecel Play App, engaging attendees through an exhibition that promoted connectivity solutions and registered new subscribers.This year’s Ghana Data Science Summit, held in the Volta Regional capital, on the theme “Data First: Unlocking Ethical and Inclusive AI in Ghana," brought together hundreds of participants from academia, government, industry, development organisations and the technology ecosystem to exchange ideas, showcase cutting-edge innovations and shape the country's digital transformation agenda.

Telecel champions ethical AI and data partnerships for Ghana's digital future

SEOUL, July 25 (Reuters) - South Korea's Samsung ​Electronics (005930.KS), and SK ‌Hynix (000660.KS),&nbsp;will pursue memory chip supply ​partnership with ​U.S. big tech companies ⁠including Nvidia (NVDA.O), worth $950 billion overall, ​South Korea's presidential adviser said on Saturday.It ​includes the ​long-term supply of $750 billion ‌in ⁠memory chips to U.S. companies by SK Hynix ​and $200 ​billion ⁠in chips by Samsung ​Electronics to ​Broadcom (AVGO.O), the presidential adviser, Kim Yong-beom, ⁠told ​a briefing.

South Korea's SK Hynix, Samsung Elec sign $950 bln partnership with US big tech

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI has installed 59 natural gas turbines for its Colossus 2 data center project in Tennessee without securing federal clean air permits, according to communications between regulators and xAI representatives.Potential emissions from the turbines are far beyond the threshold that would require a federal permit, and would be released near predominantly Black communities already estimated to be suffering disproportionately high rates of lung disease, according to a Reuters analysis based on government data and information in the correspondence with regulators.The findings, which have not been previously reported, reflect how exploding electricity demand from AI data centers is driving companies to build off-grid power plants at a pace outstripping environmental oversight, with potentially big risks to public health.The number of unpermitted turbines identified by Reuters is about double what xAI has publicly acknowledged. The company previously said it was running 27 unpermitted turbines for Colossus 2 as of January and has argued the permits are not required. At least 57 of the 59 turbines are located in Mississippi, just over the state line from Tennessee where the data center is located.The xAI turbines are among scores of off-grid power plants for data centers proposed or under construction around the country. Local authorities often fast-track approvals in just weeks or months, without the years of environmental studies and public hearings typically required for such power generation projects that connect to the grid, Mississippi regulators in March issued a permit for permanent turbines for Colossus 2, allowing construction of 41 gas-fired turbines. The approval came three weeks after the state's only public hearing on the project.The xAI cluster of temporary turbines in Mississippi is already among the biggest off-grid data center power projects, according to Ben King, an analyst with think tank Rhodium Group, who reviewed the Reuters analysis.“This looks to be an unprecedented level of behind-the-meter gas being installed in one place,” he said, referring to off-grid natural gas plants serving just one customer.The communications reviewed by Reuters show xAI, now owned by trillionaire Musk’s SpaceX, has installed 57 off-grid turbines in Southaven, Mississippi, just across the state line from its Colossus 2 data center in Memphis, a facility supporting the Grok chatbot and other AI systems. The records show the company has also installed two other unpermitted turbines for the project on a different site. Reuters could not determine the location.The communications, obtained through a Reuters public records request, included emails between Trinity Consultants, representing xAI and subsidiary MZX Tech, and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).xAI did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.xAI's turbines are part of a widening environmental justice battle over whether the AI boom is adding disproportionate pollution burdens to communities of color.Civil rights groups including the NAACP and the Southern Environmental Law Center sued xAI in April to halt their operations, arguing the turbines produce emissions subject to the federal Clean Air Act and shouldn’t be operated without permits. They contend the turbines are polluting homes, schools and churches in historically Black communities.“The scale of it is astonishing,” said Patrick Anderson, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. “This is an absolutely huge Clean Air Act violation that threatens public health.”Securing a Clean Air Act permit would have exposed xAI’s project to extensive review and public comment, potentially taking years. Mississippi environmental regulators and xAI have argued in court filings that the turbines are exempt because they are “mobile” and intended to operate onsite for less than a year.“MDEQ has determined that portable/temporary turbines do not require an air permit,” the agency said in a statement to Reuters.An xAI shuttle sign for workers, in Southaven, Mississippi, U.S., May 30, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin WurmThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in January 2026 that even temporary turbines exceeding emissions thresholds must obtain permits. The agency, however, told Reuters it’s considering changes allowing “regulatory flexibilities” for portable units while continuing to protect public health.xAI, the MDEQ and the EPA did not answer questions from Reuters about pollution impacts on communities of color from power generation to serve data centers.The U.S. Justice Department weighed in on the lawsuit in a June 15 filing, saying that restricting the turbines could threaten national security interests because xAI's systems support U.S. military operations, including operations involving Iran.The outcome of the lawsuit filed by civil rights groups could help define how environmental laws apply to the fast-growing AI sector, where companies are scrambling to bring power supplies online to support energy-intensive computing.“This sets up scenarios where the government can create sacrifice zones and tell communities they have to breathe illegal air pollution," said Mary Rock, a senior attorney for Earthjustice which is representing the NAACP and SELC.This is a massive amount of turbines and an unfathomable amount of air pollution.&nbsp;Southaven resident Shannon SamsaThe dispute echoes the findings of a 2022 study by researchers from UCLA and Columbia University and published in the Nature Energy journal that found that previously redlined communities – where banks historically discriminated against Black mortgage applicants – now face disproportionately high exposure to pollutants from fossil fuel facilities."Air pollution from these and other sources contributes to systemic racial disparities in chronic disease and ultimately shorter lives," Lara Cushing, a UCLA public health professor who co-authored the study, told Reuters.The emails reviewed by Reuters included the manufacturer emissions profiles for 32 of the 59 turbines, including 30 at the Southaven site.A Reuters analysis based on that information found that those 30 turbines alone could emit nearly 2,500 short tons of nitrogen oxide, 4,000 short tons of carbon monoxide and 22 short tons of formaldehyde annually, assuming they operate continuously at 80% of capacity. According to the EPA, gas turbines are typically operated at loads of 80% or more to achieve efficiency.Nitrogen oxides contribute to smog and respiratory inflammation, according to the American Lung Association. Carbon monoxide deprives the body of oxygen, and formaldehyde is a carcinogen.The xAI site’s potential emissions far exceed a Clean Air Act threshold that requires permitting for facilities capable of more than 100 short tons annually of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide.“This is a massive amount of turbines and an unfathomable amount of air pollution,” Southaven resident Shannon Samsa said in an interview.“It’s not a hypothetical,” she said, “that air pollution is bad for you.”Director of the Safe and Sound Coalition, Shannon Samsa, poses for a portrait as xAI security drives past in Southaven, Mississippi, U.S., May 30, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin WurmThe nitrogen oxide emissions calculated by Reuters for about half the plant’s turbines would put the facility “up there with some of the heaviest polluting natural gas power plants across the entire country,” said Nicholas Mailloux, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who studies air quality and health benefits of the clean-energy transition.He said the facility would be on par with the top 25 U.S. gas plants for nitrogen oxide emissions, citing EPA data for actual emissions.In the Colonial Hills neighborhood of Southaven, the turbines serving Colossus 2 can be heard around the clock, often firing off noisy bursts that residents compare to jet engines.Ervin Laws, a Colonial Hills resident in his 20s, said the noise wakes him up at night. “I can’t do anything about it, because he’s got more money than me,” he said, referring to Musk.The turbines were installed in communities already estimated to be facing relatively high respiratory disease burdens, according to a Reuters analysis of CDC data.In 27 of 28 census tracts within five miles of the site – spanning both Mississippi and Tennessee – the estimated asthma rates were higher than their respective countywide figures. In 24 tracts, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rates were also higher.Five miles is a distance commonly used in environmental health research to capture populations likely to be exposed to air pollution from a stationary source.A separate Reuters analysis of Census Bureau data found that the residents living near the facility are disproportionately Black. Because the five-mile radius crosses state lines, Reuters compared each side against its own county baseline.Within five miles of the facility in DeSoto county, Mississippi – where the turbines are located – about 46% of residents are Black, compared with 33% countywide, according to census data.Ervin Laws, a Colonial Hills resident, poses for a portrait in front of his home in Southaven, Mississippi, U.S., May 30, 2026. Ervin lives in the Colonial Hills neighborhood that sits adjacent to xAI's gas turbine facility, where the constant noise of the turbines can be heard throughout the community. REUTERS/Kevin WurmAcross the state line in Tennessee, where residents have no say in Mississippi’s permitting process, about 94% of residents within five miles of the facility are Black, compared to 52% in surrounding Shelby County.Jayajit Chakraborty, a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, said the Reuters analysis was consistent with research that shows communities of color face higher exposure to fossil fuel pollution.Shelby County and portions of DeSoto County have also previously failed to meet federal ozone standards and remain subject to EPA-approved plans to ensure they do not slip back into violation, according to regulatory documents. Nitrogen oxide is a key precursor to ozone formation, which the EPA says can harm respiratory health."Given this community struggles with high asthma rates, additional NOx exposure at such high rates could exacerbate public health issues in a community that is already seeing more than its fair share of exposure to toxic air pollution," said Victoria Nelson, an independent environmental engineer, formerly at EPA.Sarah Gladney, 72, has watched the rapid expansion of xAI's Memphis-area presence from her home in the historically Black neighborhood of Boxtown, a few miles from where the company built its Colossus 1 data center in 2024."Once they got their foot in the door in Memphis, I feel like it's going to be a continuous movement of xAI into these other communities," she said. "It's all about the money, and it's not about the health or wellness of the people that live in or near these communities."

Pollution from Musk’s unpermitted xAI power project hits hardest in Black communities

Home Affairs is working on new South African digital IDs that will store all particulars on your smartphone. And yes, it is a big deal …Good news, Home Affairs is working on new South African digital IDs that will keep all pertinent information on your smartphone. Think of it as a digital version of your identity document, birth certificate, marriage certificate and any other official government documents (UIF, SARS, SASSA, etc) that you can keep on your smartphone.But hang on a moment, do the planned South African digital IDs mean the end of the current paper booklet and plastic Smart ID cards? Yes and no … Yes, in the future you will be able to prove who you are only using facial or fingerprint recognition (biometrics) digitally. However, traditional green ID books and Smart ID cards are not going anywhere.The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) explains that South African digital IDs are merely ‘an extra option’ and not an outright replacement. It is completely voluntary and nobody will be forced to use it. But why …?Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber is focused on fully digitising his department, but not to the point he exclude any residents. Image: FileSo, why is the DHA creating South African digital IDs, only to make them non-mandatory? There are a few reasons:<ul><li>The added security will it make it harder for criminals to steal your identity.</li><li>It will cut down on fraud, corruption and illegal immigration.</li><li>To let you access government services directly from your smartphone.</li><li>It speeds up processes that currently require you to stand in long queues.</li></ul>In turn, government says nobody should be left out of this system. Physical IDs will remain in use, so the neediest residents who don’t have a smartphone or reliable internet, won’t be any worse off.Moreover, security experts say the new South African digital IDs actually possess very strong security. This includes face-matching technology to confirm you’re a real person, fingerprint checks to prevent duplicate identities, and encrypted digital documents that are impossible to fake.Likewise, privacy laws (POPIA) will also strictly govern how your data is used.

South African digital IDs: Here’s everything you need to know

Tanzania eases visa access for travellers from US, Russia and Nigeria, keeps restrictions on Mali, Niger and Iran<ul><li>Tanzania updated its visa policy, categorizing countries into visa-free, ordinary visa, and referral visa requirements.</li><li>As of September 25, 2026, Nigeria was removed from the referral visa category and now follows the standard visa process for entry to Tanzania.</li><li>Nigerian citizens still need a visa but no longer require special referral clearance before traveling to Tanzania.</li><li>Countries like the US, UK, Russia, China, and several others also use the ordinary visa process, with specific rules for types of visas and fees.</li></ul>The latest change affects Nigeria, which Tanzania’s Immigration Services Department removed from the referral visa category in a public notice issued on September 25, 2026, under Government Gazette No. 246 of 2026.The decision took effect immediately, allowing Nigerian passport holders to use the ordinary visa process without first seeking the additional immigration clearance required under the referral system, although they still need a visa to enter Tanzania.Nigeria now sits alongside several other countries that fall outside the referral category, including Russia, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, whose travellers can use Tanzania’s standard visa procedures.At the same time, Tanzania continues to apply referral visa requirements to travellers from Mali, Niger and Iran, whose nationals cannot obtain visas on arrival without prior approval from the Commissioner General of Immigration.The same requirement applies to travellers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Chad, Eritrea, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Pakistan, Palestine, Somalia, Syria, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Yemen.Applicants in the referral category must submit their applications online and wait for approval before travelling, with Tanzania advising them to apply at least two months before their intended travel date.Other countries fall under a different arrangement, with citizens of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe allowed to enter Tanzania without a visa.Taken together, the rules place travellers into three broad groups: those who can enter visa-free, those who can use the standard visa process, and those who must first obtain referral approval.For Nigerian travellers, the September 25 change removes that extra approval stage and places them under Tanzania’s standard visa process, while the country continues to maintain tighter entry requirements for several others.

Tanzania eases visa access for travellers from US, Russia and Nigeria, keeps restrictions on Niger, Mauritania and Iran

The changes removed the previous first-generation limit for certain people born abroad before that date, potentially allowing more people with Canadian ancestry to claim Canadian citizenship.However, the changes do not mean everyone with a Canadian connection automatically becomes a citizen.Here are five things to know about the new rules.<h2>1. The First-Generation Limit Has Been Removed</h2>Bill C-3 removed Canada’s previous first-generation limit on citizenship by descent for people born before December 15, 2025.This means some individuals born outside Canada may now be recognised as Canadian citizens through a parent or more distant Canadian ancestor.The change could affect people who were previously unable to claim Canadian citizenship because their connection to Canada extended beyond the first generation born abroad.<h2>2. You Still Have to Prove Your Canadian Citizenship</h2>Being eligible for Canadian citizenship and proving that citizenship are two different things.People who believe they are Canadian under the new rules may need to apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate, which serves as official proof of their citizenship.The certificate can then be used when applying for a Canadian passport and accessing other rights and benefits associated with Canadian citizenship.<h2>3. You Need Documents Linking Each Generation</h2>Applicants cannot necessarily rely on a single document showing that an ancestor was Canadian.Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires evidence establishing the family connection through the relevant generations.For example, an applicant may need birth certificates, marriage certificates and other official records showing how they are related to their Canadian ancestor.IRCC has emphasised the importance of providing “proof of parentage and Canadian citizenship for your Canadian parent, grandparent and parental ancestor as applicable.”The aim is to establish a clear documentary chain between the applicant and the Canadian citizen in their family history.<h2>4. Certain Circumstances Can Affect Eligibility</h2>Having a Canadian ancestor does not automatically guarantee citizenship.The citizenship chain can be affected by circumstances such as a parent renouncing Canadian citizenship before a child was born.Another issue can arise where a parent became a Canadian citizen only after their child was born. In such cases, the child may not have acquired Canadian citizenship through that parent at birth.Because citizenship histories can be complicated, applicants with unusual circumstances may need professional advice before submitting an application.<h2>5. Check Your Family History Before Applying</h2>Anyone who believes they may qualify should first establish their family’s citizenship history.This includes finding out where each relevant family member was born, when they acquired Canadian citizenship, whether anyone changed their name and whether anyone renounced their citizenship.Applicants should then gather official documents that establish the connection between the generations.The new rules could open the door to Canadian citizenship for people who were previously excluded by the first-generation limit, but eligibility still depends on the details of each individual case.Before applying for proof of citizenship, it is therefore important to understand your family history and ensure that the necessary documentation is available.

Canadian citizenship rules changed: 5 things to know

An Indian entrepreneur has claimed that he was denied a US visa after officials ruled he lacked sufficient ties to his home country. Swapnil Srivastav, founder of a sustainable bamboo kidswear brand with $12 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), shared the setback on social media. Despite employing over 100 people and securing top-tier venture capital backing, Srivastav was deemed disconnected from the country his business actively serves.Srivastav explained that having been born and raised in India, he has strong family and cultural ties, making it difficult for him to understand exactly what US officials were looking for in his visa application."Got denied a US visa today. Reason: “Not enough ties to home country.” I built a Series A company from scratch, employ 100+ people, have backing from top VCs and investors, and serve millions of Indian families through our brand," Srivastav said in an X (formerly Twitter) post.Srivastav sought advice from those who were similarly denied their visa as to what could be done differently in the next attempt."Apparently, that's not enough ties. Anyway, founders are used to hearing “no.” Will reapply after some time. If you've been through this and eventually got approved, would love to hear your suggestions."As the post gained traction, social media users empathised with Srivastav, sharing similar experiences, while others suggested a workaround for the issue."This is unfortunate, a friend of mine spent four years in the US got O1 Visa and when she went back to India, she was denied on similar grounds," said one user, while another added: "Wish you luck for your next application. I was rejected 5 times before I got US stamp on my passport."A third commented: "Have seen this trick working in most of the cases. Book any Event ticket happening in the USA. That should be your purpose of visit. This eliminates a number of questions and make smooth process. As it makes sure once event is done, you'll fly back to your home country. Eg. Want to experience a FIFA WC match."A fourth said: "Yeah same stuff. They don't even check your bank balance lol. Whatever. Going to Morocco instead. Will apply later when things calm down maybe. Not that I need to go there for anything important."

'Not Enough Ties To India': Entrepreneur's US Visa Denied Despite Building $12 Million Empire

A total of 262 passengers and three officials were on board the flight to Lagos, according to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry earlier said over 1,000 Nigerians have registered for voluntary return.Authorities in South Africa said the returnees were found to be in the country illegally, contradicting Nigerian officials that they were fleeing xenophobic attacks.Nigeria is the latest African nation to organize such evacuation flights from South Africa. Since April, a series of anti-immigration protests have led to attacks against some foreigners. The protests highlight tensions between foreign workers and locals who claim foreigners are taking their jobs. South African officials have condemned them as xenophobic acts.Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the president ordered the “evacuation of imperiled Nigerian citizens who consider their lives at risk by continued stay in South Africa.”“The price of your peace, and the safety of your children is not worth any sacrifices you have to make, or any assets you have to leave behind when fleeing a conflict zone or hate-infested environment,” the minister said in a message to those returning.Humanitarian Affairs Minister Bernard Doro criticized the treatment of Nigerians, who he said were “living in South Africa legally.”“If there were issues of illegality, that would be determined on a person-to-person basis. You can’t just crown the entire Nigerians living in South Africa as living there illegally,” Doro said.Some returnees told The Associated Press they didn’t have proper documentation in South Africa. And some said they had not been able to renew their residency papers for years, because of immigration bottlenecks they say were imposed on Nigerians by South African authorities.“I was in South Africa for 11 years, and I was treated badly. They did not give us (Nigerians) resident permits because we were Nigerians,” Eminaba Beatrice said.The evacuation by Nigeria follows Ghana ‘s repatriation of about 1,000 nationals from South Africa. Officials in South Africa said that most of the Ghanaians who returned home were undocumented.

First group of Nigerians returns home after anti-immigration protests in South Africa

Jason Statham's movies might not always have the best track record with critics. The Expendables, Death Race, The Meg, The Transporter, and The Mechanic were all torn apart by critics upon their respective releases. However, the British action icon has a talent for finding movies that land with audiences. All of the above films were big hits with viewers, and Statham's popularity has shot through the roof thanks to streaming. Some of his more recent action movies, like Wrath of Man and The Beekeeper, have become major successes thanks to their time on streaming. But one of Statham's most critically underrated films has become one of the most popular movies on streaming in 2026.Directed by The Beekeeper's David Ayer, Jason Statham's A Working Man is currently streaming on Prime Video, and people cannot get enough of it. The streaming platform releases weekly rankings of its most popular movies, and Jason Statham's 2025 hit has made the cut. The film is constantly bouncing on and off the weekly streaming charts. According to Prime Video's latest figures, A Working Man was the fifth most popular film on Prime Video over the past week. Your Fault: London was the most popular movie last week, with Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War (such a long title) in second, and My Fault: London (which is different, somehow) in third. Another action thriller has snuck into the top 10, with Chris Hemsworth's Crime 101 in eighth.Written by Chuck Dixon, Sylvester Stallone, and David Ayer, with the latter directing, A Working Man is a Jason Statham action flick like any other. Statham plays Levon Cade, who used to be a trained killer before giving up his life of violence to earn an honest living and be a good dad to his daughter. But when a local girl is kidnapped, Cade has to dust off his brutal skills to track her down and save her. The former assassin turned good who must come out of retirement to save someone is a very overdone story. The plot feels derived from Taken, while the action was clearly inspired by John Wick. But, for some reason, when it's Jason Statham leading the film, it's incredibly engrossing.As well as following the usual plot structure of a Jason Statham action movie, A Working Man also followed the same critical narrative. The film was lambasted by critics, holding a weak 46% Rotten Tomatoes rating. But, just like Jason Statham dusting off his martial arts skills, audiences once again came to the rescue, bestowing A Working Man with a far stronger 87% audience score on RT.<h2>Jason Statham's Newest Action Movie Is a Similar Affair</h2><img src="https://static0.moviewebimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/jason-statham-shelter-title.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2">Black Bear PicturesWe said that Statham playing a retired killer who comes back to save a young person in danger is a well-worn archetype. It just so happens to be the story for Jason Statham's newest action hit, Shelter. In Shelter, which is also a major fan-favorite on streaming, Statham plays a former special forces soldier who lives in solitude and comes out of retirement to protect a young girl caught in the middle of a violent conspiracy. Also, like A Working Man, it's awesome.

Jason Statham's 116-Minute Action Thriller Is Officially One of the Biggest Movies on Streaming

The global spotlight is set to shine on Ghanaian actress, filmmaker, and producer Juliet Ibrahim as her short film Behind A Lie prepares for a special screening in Cannes, marking an important moment not only for her career but also for African women in film and storytelling.The announcement comes at a symbolic time for Juliet Ibrahim, who is also celebrating 20 years in film in 2026. In a recent social media post, the actress shared her excitement about taking the project to Cannes, revealing that she both directed and produced the short film under Juliet Ibrahim Studios.&nbsp;The screening is expected to take place alongside activities connected to the Nigerian International Film &amp; TV Summit (NIFSUMMIT), bringing together creatives, filmmakers, executives, and media professionals from different parts of the world.For many African creatives, Cannes represents more than just a glamorous destination. The Cannes Film Festival remains one of the most influential film platforms globally, often shaping conversations around cinema, storytelling, funding, and international collaborations. Having Behind A Lie screened within that environment signals growing visibility for African independent films and especially female-led productions from the continent.What makes this moment even more significant is the involvement of WIFT Ghana, which is using the Cannes moment as part of its global launch and visibility push. Organizations like WIFT Ghana are increasingly important in Africa’s creative ecosystem because they create opportunities, mentorship, visibility, and support systems for women working across film and television industries that have historically been male-dominated.Across Africa, conversations around women in film have become louder over the last decade. Female directors, producers, screenwriters, and cinematographers are gradually gaining more recognition, but challenges around funding, distribution, representation, and leadership opportunities still remain.&nbsp;<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/15e41b926IMG_3020.jpg">According to UNESCO reports on gender representation in film industries globally, women remain underrepresented in directing and technical roles despite growing participation rates. Moments like this therefore become important because they push African women-led storytelling into international spaces where deals, partnerships, and long-term opportunities are often created.Juliet Ibrahim’s journey also reflects the evolving nature of African entertainment itself. Over the years, she has built a career that cuts across acting, directing, producing, and entrepreneurship, becoming one of the recognizable names within West African cinema. Her decision to direct and produce Behind A Lie herself suggests a growing movement among African creatives who are taking ownership of their narratives rather than waiting for outside validation.The film’s screening in Cannes also speaks to a larger trend happening across African cinema today. More African stories are traveling internationally through streaming platforms, festivals, and global partnerships. In recent years, films and projects from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and other African countries have increasingly gained international attention, proving that audiences around the world are interested in stories rooted in African realities and perspectives.<img src="https://aukisscontent.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/b734dbbd1IMG_3086.jpg"> Beyond the screening itself, the networking and cocktail events hosted around the showcase are expected to create room for collaboration between African filmmakers and global industry players. These gatherings may seem social on the surface, but they often become spaces where funding conversations, distribution agreements, co-productions, and future partnerships begin.

Juliet Ibrahim’s “Behind A Lie” Heads To Cannes As WIFT Ghana Launches On The Global Stage

We always celebrate when a visionary steps up to shift the cultural landscape. Byron Allen is doing exactly that. The media mogul and founder of Allen Media Group is officially expanding his empire, taking majority ownership of BuzzFeed in a move that promises to disrupt the digital content space.For audiences passionate about pop culture, media representation, and the intersection of technology and entertainment, this acquisition is a massive milestone. It represents a powerful moment for Black media ownership and signals a drastic shift in how we will consume free-streaming video in the near future.<h2>How did Byron Allen secure the BuzzFeed acquisition?</h2>The deal officially closed on May 27, when Allen Family Digital acquired nearly 51% of BuzzFeed’s outstanding shares. According to Variety, Allen acquired 40 million shares of the media company at $3 per share, bringing the total purchase price to $120 million. The transaction was completed with $20 million in cash and a $100 million promissory note, which is due in five years at a 5% annual interest rate. Furthermore, $12.5 million in cash from the transaction was utilized to pay down BuzzFeed’s existing debt.Byron Allen brings immense capital and structural power to the table. Allen holds an estimated net worth of $1 billion. His company, Allen Media Group, already boasts a massive portfolio featuring nearly 400 local TV broadcast affiliates and a network of 650 free, ad-supported television channels.<h2>Why is Jonah Peretti stepping down as CEO?</h2>After two decades of leading the company he founded, Jonah Peretti is passing the baton to Allen. Peretti will now step into the newly created role of President of BuzzFeed AI.Peretti firmly believes that artificial intelligence will fundamentally transform the media industry. He sees this transition as an enormous opportunity to empower creative people to build in entirely new ways. According to Peretti, Allen’s deep relationships with advertisers, partners, and sources of capital free him up to focus on his true passion: the intersection of technology and media.“I’m thrilled to pass him the baton, and even more excited about what comes next,” Peretti stated. “AI is going to create a new medium for content that wasn’t possible before, and I’m convinced the opportunity is enormous.”<h2>What is the new vision for the BuzzFeed streaming platform?</h2>Byron Allen is not playing small. His immediate vision is to build upon the iconic foundations of both BuzzFeed and HuffPost by expanding heavily into free-streaming video, audio, and user-generated content.Allen made his ambitions crystal clear: “As of this moment, with the power of AI, BuzzFeed is officially chasing YouTube to become another premier free-streaming video service.”This bold push will work in conjunction with Allen Media Group’s Local Now, an existing free streaming platform that delivers original local news, weather, traffic, sports, and customized entertainment based on a user’s zip code. By integrating advanced artificial intelligence, the company plans to accelerate content creation, distribution, and discovery, bringing a highly tailored, free-streaming experience directly to consumers globally.<h2>Join the Conversation on Media’s Next Chapter</h2>This acquisition is more than just a corporate buyout. It is a powerful example of taking up space, building community-driven platforms, and challenging the heavyweights of the tech world. Byron Allen is empowering a new generation of creators to share their voices on a global scale.What do you think about Byron Allen taking on YouTube? Drop your thoughts, share this article with your community, and let us know how you feel about the future of AI in media.<h2>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)</h2><h3>How much did Byron Allen pay for BuzzFeed?</h3>Byron Allen’s company acquired 40 million shares of BuzzFeed at $3 per share, totaling a $120 million purchase price. This included $20 million in cash and a $100 million promissory note.<h3>What will Jonah Peretti do at BuzzFeed now?</h3>Jonah Peretti stepped down as CEO to become the President of BuzzFeed AI. He will focus exclusively on integrating artificial intelligence into the media company to empower creators and develop new content mediums.<h3>How will artificial intelligence change the BuzzFeed platform?</h3>BuzzFeed will use artificial intelligence to accelerate content creation, optimize distribution, and improve video discovery. This technology aims to help the brand transition into a premier free-streaming video destination to rival platforms like YouTube.

Byron Allen Acquires BuzzFeed to Rival YouTube

The biggest two movies in America right now, “Backrooms” and “Obsession,” come from twentysomething filmmakers who honed their craft on YouTube.Their films were made with relatively low budgets and were marketed online. Now that they’re filling theaters with teens and young adults who rarely show up at the movies, all of Hollywood is paying attention, with experts predicting that studios will copy this moviemaking model many times over.“Obsession,” directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, opened in theaters May 15. Filmed for roughly $750,000, the darkly funny horror film has made almost $150 million to date, a jaw-dropping return on investment for Focus Features and Blumhouse Productions.Then came “Backrooms,” directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons, who developed the project for years on his YouTube channel.Parsons had a bigger budget — about $10 million — and famous actors like Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve and Mark Duplass. But it was still astonishing to see “Backrooms” dominate the box office so thoroughly in its opening weekend.The psychological horror film took the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office, raking in about $80 million in North America and $120 million worldwide, with ticket sales fueled by Gen Z.The studio A24, which has been trying hard to boost young directors, said Parsons now ranks as the youngest filmmaker in Hollywood history to release a film that finished No. 1 at the weekend box office.“Obsession” was No. 2 for the weekend, pushing “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which opened a week earlier, to No. 3.Michael Johnston, Curry Barker, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter attend a screening of Focus Features' "Obsession" at the Hollywood Legion Theater on May 11, 2026. Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesFor most movies, the opening weekend is the most lucrative, with ticket sales tapering off from there. But “Obsession” keeps growing: Focus Features said Sunday that “exclusive of Christmas, ‘Obsession’ is the first film since 1982 that went up in box office over its second and third weekends.”So what does this hot streak mean? Well, it means young people are actually willing to buy movie theater tickets if they know and relate to the YouTube-era talent.And it means Hollywood studios are going to chase the success of “Obsession” and “Backrooms” by scouring online video sites for the next great auteur.It might even mean that some studio bosses will place a few more bets on original concepts rather than predictable franchises and sequels.Duplass, who plays a scientist in “Backrooms,” said in a social media video that the two films were giving the movie business a “glimmer of hope.”“We’ve got an example of creators woodshedding things, putting them online, building an audience,” he said. “And now the people with the purse strings are going to notice … because they see what they can do at the box office, you know, in the form of these two films that are over-performing.”Producers and agents have been building a YouTube-to-Hollywood pipeline for a while now. And last winter’s robust ticket sales for YouTuber Mark Fischbach’s self-financed film “Iron Lung” demonstrated the potential for success.Still, as screenwriter Zack Stentz wrote on X, “This feels like a genuine cultural moment in moviegoing, watching Zoomers who honed their craft doing YouTube shorts breaking into features the way the MTV directors did in the ’80s and Sundance kids did in the ’90s.”The Hollywood Reporter’s Steven Zeitchik wrote that the YouTuber hits are “a teetering, if not the first hints of a collapse, of a legacy-driven studio system.”This moment, Zeitchik wrote, is about a lot more than discovering fresh talent. The Alphabet-owned YouTube platform makes filmmakers famous, streams their work, helps them strike brand partnerships and gives them a huge marketing megaphone.“This is a phenomenon generated, driven and controlled by creators and the biggest company in the world that amplifies them,” he wrote.Speaking at an industry conference on Saturday, Warner Bros. Motion Pictures co-chair Michael De Luca said filmmakers like Parsons, who “worked on ‘Backrooms’ for five years,” are “in a dialogue with their audience from the word ‘go.’ Their subscribers have direct input in each iteration of these things.” Warner Bros. Discovery is CNN’s parent company.And “by the time you get to the movie,” he said, “they’ve had a billion test screenings.”

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