Day: May 6, 2024

 The death toll in flooding in southern Brazil after days of heavy rain has risen to at least 66, civil defence authorities said on Sunday.

Another six possible deaths are being investigated, while 101 people are still missing, according to authorities in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.

More than 80,000 people were forced to leave their homes and some 15,000 had to be accommodated in emergency shelters.

More than 400,000 households were reportedly without electricity and around 840,000 people were left without water, while dozens of communities were without internet and telephone connections.

Numerous roads remain blocked following the floods that have affected 332 communities since the beginning of last week, according to the authorities.

The city centre of Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, was also flooded.

The governor of the state that borders Argentina and Uruguay, Eduardo Leite, called the floods an unprecedented disaster. The number of victims could rise ‘exponentially’ de
spite the gradual decrease in rainfall, as some areas have not yet been reached, he said.

Leite said Marshall Plan-type efforts would be needed to rebuild Rio Grande do Sul, alluding to the US economic aid programme for the reconstruction of Europe after World War II.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited the affected area for the second time on Sunday.

According to the government, around 1,600 people and 32 helicopters have been deployed in permanent rescue operations. The Air Force has rescued more than 200 people so far.

Civil defence authorities warned on Sunday of potential further flooding and landslides. Parts of the affected region had already experienced storms and flooding in September, resulting in at least 42 deaths.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Six people have been killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian border region of Belgorod, according to Russian authorities.

A further 35 people were injured as Ukrainian forces targeted three vehicles near the village of Beryozovka, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on his Telegram channel early on Monday.

Two of the vehicles were reportedly buses carrying workers, although no further details were available about their employers. Gladkov also published a photo showing a badly damaged bus.

Ukraine has sporadically attacked arms depots and transport infrastructure in Russian border regions during the conflict, which Moscow started more than two years ago.

However, the number of casualties Kiev has inflicted is far lower than its own losses since the Russian invasion.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has stated that he would continue to provide exemplary leadership filled with integrity, firmness, and sincerity, as the occupant of the golden stool.

He said since he ascended to the golden stool, nobody had ever tried to influence him with money to take a decision in his or her favour because of his firm convictions and neutrality in the adjudication of issues brought before him at the palace.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu pointed out that the golden stool was a wealth itself, and the spiritual integrity of the stool, made it impossible for anybody to dare to entice or influence his decision making for personal gain.

Addressing participants at a thanksgiving service to mark his 74th birthday anniversary at the Saint Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Kumasi, he said his firm conviction, royalty, firmness, humility, and fear of God, had led him to where he is today, and not by his wisdom.

The occasion formed part of the activities marking the 25th anniversary of his ascension as the 1
6th occupant of the golden stool.

Recounting how he was raised up as young man, he said, it was normal child upbringing in any local set up house and he never knew, he would one day be selected to occupy such an important position in the Asante kingdom.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu recounted how he was denied entry into Prempeh College by his uncle, Sir Osei Agyemang Prempeh I, and later forced him to attend Sefwi-Wiawso Secondary school instead.

He said that obedience to his uncle brought many manifestations in his life and today, that obedience brought a lot of transformation in him and the Asante Kingdom.

He is of strong conviction that respect and obedience when followed could lead to many positive routes in personal lives.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu thanked Ghanaians, especially the people of Asanteman, for the trust and continued support to his reign, which had seen many positive results and said with the help of God, many other things would follow in the years ahead.

Right Reverend Dr George Kotei Neequaye, Anglican
Bishop of Tema Diocese, who preached the sermon, encouraged Ghanaian chiefs to emulate the leadership qualities of Otumfuo Osei Tutu, and position the chieftaincy institution firmly to play its role in national development.

He prayed for continued God’s guidance for the king to be able to accomplish all his desire for the people he was leading and Ghana as a whole.

Present at Thanksgiving were former President Kuffuor, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, former first lady, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister for Energy, and Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyeremateng, Leader of the Movement for Change.

Others were Mr Samuel Payne, Kumasi Mayor, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Minister for Agriculture and many others.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Three surfers from Australia and the United States who went missing in Mexico have been found dead, authorities confirmed on Monday.

The bodies of the three surfers – two Australian brothers and their friend from the US, all aged between 30 and 33 years old – were reportedly recovered from a well around 15 metres deep near Ensenada in the western Mexican state of Baja California.

The governor of the region, Marina del Pilar, said the families of the three men had identified the bodies on Sunday. Three people have been arrested in connection with the case, according to the local public prosecutor’s office.

The three surfers were last seen on April 27 south of the Pacific city of Ensenada close to the US border.

Attorney General of Baja California María Elena Andrade Ramírez said investigators suspect the men were surprised by robbers while camping in a remote location.

Andrade Ramírez said the arrests include a man, only named as Jesus Gerardo N alias ‘El Kekas.’ Two other people already in custody for fe
deral crimes may also be directly or indirectly involved.

The surfers are believed to have attempted to defend themselves and were killed with gunshots to the head. Their car was found burnt nearby.

A fourth body discovered in the well was believed to be unrelated to the case, prosecutors said.

The surfing community in Ensenada held a demonstration on Sunday to call for protection against violence.

Mexico’s population has been suffering from widespread violent crime for years. Heavily armed cartels control parts of the country, fighting for areas of influence and smuggling routes for drugs and migrants.

Around 100,000 have been reported missing in Mexico in recent years. Many gang-related crimes, in which local politicians and military forces are sometimes implicated, are rarely solved.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Police are searching for two gunmen who fatally shot two off-duty Police officers, sitting in front of their private residence at Block factory, East Trasacco, Accra, on Thursday, May 02, 2024, at about 1800 hours.

A news brief from the Police said the gunmen did not take anything from the victims and sped off on a motorbike.

Police said an intelligence-led operation to get the suspects arrested was ongoing.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr Hafiz Bin-Salih, the Upper East Regional Minister, has called for the support of Chiefs in the Region to enable him steer development.

He acknowledged that without the support of Chiefs across the 15 Municipalities and Districts, the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), could not work effectively to execute the plans and policies of government for the Region.

Dr Bin-Salih, a former Minister for the Upper West Region, took over from Mr Stephen Yakubu, who was moved to Upper West as Regional Minister.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in a statement signed by Mr Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Presidency, on April 4, 2024, swapped the two Ministers.

Dr Bin-Salih made the call when he visited the Chiana-Pio, Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area at his Palace to formally introduce himself.

‘Chiana-Pio, I am here to inform you that I have fully taken over as Regional Minister, and I cannot execute the development agenda of the Region alone,’
he told the Paramount Chief, who is the President of the Regional House of Chiefs.

Dr Bin-Salih, in the company of members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), told the Chiana-Pio that ‘I am here to lead the developmental agenda of this Region.

‘But I am conscious of the fact that the task is huge, and I cannot do it alone, I will need the guidance of you, our Chiefs. You have been blessed with wisdom and experience,’ he added.

The Minister, Chairman of REGSEC, noted that there were conflicts in some parts of the Region, and assured the Chiana-Pio that he would work to ensure that peace and harmony returned to the Region to propel development.

‘It is only within an environment of peace that there can be development. The government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is desirous of extending development to every part of the country.

‘But where there are conflicts, it will be difficult to implement programmes and projects that will lead to development,’ Dr Bin-Salih said.

The Minister further extended th
e courtesy call to Paramount Chiefs within the Kassena-Nankana West District on the first day of his visit.

The Chiana-Pio, just like the rest of the Paramount Chiefs visited, thanked Dr Bin-Salih for calling on him, and assured the Minister of his support to enable him lead the development agenda of the Region.

The concern of the Paramount Chiefs the Minister visited within the District, was about the need for peace in the Region, especially in Bawku, and reiterated appeals for peace in the area.

The Chiefs also used the opportunity to appeal for development projects in their Traditional Areas.

Pe Ayagitam III, for instance, reiterated appeals for the construction of the Chuchuliga-Chiana-Tumu road, which had been in deplorable state for years.

He further called on the Minister to use his influence to ensure the construction of an airport for the Region and the swift completion of construction works at the Regional Hospital.

At the Paga-Pio’s Palace, Pe Charles Awiah Awampaga II, the Paramount Chief of
Paga, expressed concern about a girls dormitory block of the Paga Senior High School which was gutted by fire in January 2020 without efforts to refurbish the structure for the students.

He appealed to the Minister to ensure the dormitory was refurbished to promote academic activities.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has commended the Ghana-European Union (EU) Partnership Dialogue for consistently serving as an invaluable forum for nurturing mutual understanding and fostering cooperation and partnership between Ghana and the EU.

He said the Dialogue presented an opportunity to bring Ghana and the EU closer, by strengthening economic cooperation and promoting sustainable development, peace, security, democracy, prosperity, and solidarity.

Dr Bawumia said this on Monday in his opening remarks at the opening of the 2024 Ghana-EU Partnership Dialogue Meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in Accra.

The Annual Dialogue was held within the framework of the cooperation between Ghana and the EU, based on the Lome Convention.

The Accra Meeting was co-chaired by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Mr Irchad Razaaly, the EU Ambassador to Ghana.

Vice President Dr Bawumia said with a history of collaboration dating back to the signing of the first financial p
rotocol, the Lome 1 Convention, between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) members in 1975, the framework had provided a comprehensive, balanced and deep political dialogue and enhanced cooperation guided by the fundamental principles of ownership and joint responsibility, respect for human rights, good governance, democratic principles and the rule of law.

He said they were convening when the world was facing unprecedented challenges.

‘From the ongoing threats in the Sahel region, to the myriads of global issues that demand our attention, we find ourselves navigating through an era of considerable adversity,’ Vice President Dr Bawumia stated.

‘Thankfully, we have the steadfast support and solidarity demonstrated by the European Union towards Ghana and the wider region, which is indeed, commendable.’

He said building upon the remarkable achievements of last year’s session, the 2024 Dialogue marked yet another important milestone in the enduring partnership between Ghana and the EU, and pr
esented not only an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations but also a platform for addressing pressing challenges and advancing shared objectives.

At the heart of the Dialogue lies four thematic areas: Socio-Economic partnership; Peace and Security; Governance and human rights; and green growth, technology, and sustainability.

The Vice President said these broad areas reflected the diverse range of priorities and interests shared between Ghana and the EU, guiding discussions towards generating innovative solutions and concrete actions that contributed to the collective well-being and prosperity of both parties and beyond.

‘Our agenda is comprehensive, and I am confident that our discussions will be both productive and enlightening, yielding tangible outcomes that will further deepen and enrich the ties between Ghana and the European Union,’ he said.

‘It is incumbent on us to reflect on the progress achieved since our last meeting and to chart a course for the future, and I look forward to fruitful
deliberations for our mutual benefit.’

Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, underscored that Ghana valued her relations with the EU.

‘Over the years, our relations have transcended into partnerships, reflective of the ever evolving and increasing interdependence between Ghana and the EU as well as its individual member countries,’ she stated.

‘It is therefore important that we continue to engage, to tackle the various challenges that affect our world, some of which include peace and security issues, the migration crisis, climate change, just to mention a few.’

She said the Accra Dialogue provided another opportunity to set the tone for their collective efforts at resolving pending issues towards strengthening Ghana’s relations with the EU, which was their largest multilateral development and trade partner.

Mr Irchad Razaaly, the EU Ambassador to Ghana, said the Ghana-EU partnership was as strong as ever, even amidst today’s testing times, both for Euro
pe and Ghana.

He said this was illustrated by the continued support for Ghana’s macro-economic stability, and the country’s ability to manage the ongoing economic and financial crisis.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The opera ‘Marco Polo’ landed at the Guangzhou Opera House from May 3rd to 4th. Nearly 200 Chinese and foreign friends spectated the performance. This three-act opera, sung in Chinese, allows the audience to learn the history and carry forward the friendship between China and Italy.

Born in Italy in the 13th century, Marco Polo came once to China. His travel book, The Travels of Marco Polo, detailed what he saw and heard in China, setting off the first ‘China fever’ in history in the West. The opera Marco Polo is the result of East-West cooperation and the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures. The leading creative team of the play came from all over the world. The scriptwriter is Chinese contemporary poet Wei Jin and the composer is Enjott Schneider President of German Composers Association DKV. It premiered at the Guangzhou Opera House in 2018, was directed by Kasper Holten, former Director of Opera at Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London. After that, it has visited Quanzhou and returned to its ‘home
town’ Italy for performing, which attracted great attention from all over the world.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Italy Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as well as the 700th death anniversary of Marco Polo. The opera Marco Polo was revived by Shi Jingfu, director of the China National Opera House. Gianluca Zoppa, an Italian scriptwriter, producer, director, and actor who has lived in Guangdong for a long time, said after watching the performance, ‘This play not only conforms to the aesthetics of Western audiences, but also opens up their imagination of the East.’ A Chinese spectator Tracy and her Venezuelan boyfriend Rei felt particularly touched after watching the performance, she said: ‘The opera tells the story of the replacement of the two dynasties based on the love story of Mark Polo and Chuan Yun, but actually represents the collision of different cultures. The opera also reflects the love story of her relationship with her boyfriend, which is very intense, so it also triggers
deeper thinking and resonance.’

Before the opening of the opera on the evening of May 4th, the ‘Sharing Salon to An

Encounter with Marco Polo’ hosted by the GDToday was held at the Guangzhou Opera House. As a supporting activity for the revival of the opera Marco Polo, nearly 200 representatives of the Consulates General and Chambers of Commerce from 29 countries, Chinese and foreign friends were invited to talk about Sino-foreign cultural exchanges and learn from each other’s civilizations.

The Salon exhibited the famous painting ‘Marco Polo’s Reverie’ by the famous Italian painter Sandro Trotti and the work of Guangdong artist Wang Shaoqiang, who is participating in La Biennale di Venezia in Italy. A number of representatives from China and Italy shared their views on Marco Polo as well as China-Italy exchanges and cooperation.

‘Both China and Italy have a long history and cultural heritage. The exchanges and cooperation in the cultural aspect will surely enhance the friendship between the two peoples.’
Italian Consul General in Guangzhou, Mr. Valerio De Parolis, said in an interview with the reporter of GDToday.

Guangdong is one of the important starting points of the Maritime Silk Road, and has been a major center of East-West trade and cultural exchanges since ancient times.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Journalists at Italy’s public broadcaster Rai on Monday went on strike to protest cuts to budgets and ‘constant oversight’ by politicians.

In a statement published on the German-language section of the online news portal RaiNews, the journalists said they would ‘continue to fight to ensure that citizens receive balanced, reliable and pluralistic information.’

The strike follows the disinvitation of writer Antonio Scurati to a Rai programme marking Italy’s liberation from German occupation and fascism on April 25.

Scurati had planned to read a text criticizing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy party for its post-fascist origins. Some party members still honour Italy’s World War II dictator Benito Mussolini. Meloni has avoided calling herself ‘anti-fascist’ despite calls to do so.

Scurati’s appearance was cancelled, and his text was eventually read out by a Rai journalist.

The incident has sparked a renewed debate in Italy over political interference in the public broadca
ster. A series of high-profile resignations have rocked Rai in recent months.

According to the UnigRai trade union, other reasons for the strike include demands for improved employee rights. The employees are protesting against a lack of staff and insecure employment conditions due to a reliance on freelancers.

Since Monday morning, the news channel Rai News 24 has been broadcasting a programme with the message: ‘Recorded before the strike.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his Cabinet unanimously voted to close broadcaster Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel.

The move came after Israeli lawmakers recently approved a new media law – widely referred to as the ‘Al Jazeera law’ – that gives the government powers to ban foreign broadcasters if they are deemed a risk to state security.

Netanyahu announced the Cabinet decision in a post on X, formerly Twitter, in which he called Al Jazeera ‘the hate channel.’

Qatar-based Al Jazeera decried the Israeli decision and vowed to pursue ‘all avenues’ available to protect its rights and employees.

Al Jazeera’s offices in East Jerusalem were raided on Sunday following the government’s decision, according to Israeli media reports.

Television equipment had been confiscated, it said.

Al Jazeera said Israeli cable and satellite network providers had removed the channel from their services.

Two leading international organizations that campaign for freedom of the press and freedom of expression strongly co
ndemned the closure.

‘CPJ condemns the closure of Al Jazeera’s office in Israel and the blocking of the channel’s websites,’ CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna said in New York.

‘This move sets an extremely alarming precedent for restricting international media outlets working in Israel,’ he added.

‘The Israeli cabinet must allow Al-Jazeera and all international media outlets to operate freely in Israel, especially during wartime.’

The French-based organization Reporters Without Borders said on X: ‘RSF strongly condemns freedom-threatening legislation that censors a TV network for its coverage of the war in Gaza.’

The United Nations also emphasized the importance of press freedom following Israel’s decision.

‘We stand firmly against any decision to roll back freedom of the press,’ said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric in New York. ‘A free press provides an invaluable service to ensure that the public is informed and engaged.’

The Israeli government has accused Al Jazeera, which is based in
the Gulf emirate of Qatar and has a wide reach in the Arab world, of biased reporting on its ongoing war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

Al Jazeera has reported extensively on the catastrophic situation in the Palestinian territory and shown images of death and destruction that are rarely seen on Israeli television stations. The channel also regularly shows videos of attacks on Israeli soldiers by Hamas’ military arm, the Qassam Brigades.

On Sunday, Al Jazeera again categorically denied accusations from Israel of biased reporting on the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

‘The Netanyahu government has decided in a highly misleading and calumnious step to endorse the order to shut down Al Jazeera offices in Israel,’ the network said.

The channel condemned what it called an ‘Israeli criminal act’ that violates the human right of access to information.

‘We confirm that we will pursue all avenues at international and legal organizations to protect our rights and crews,’ it added without elaborating.

Isra
eli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said he had signed the closure order and that it would be implemented immediately.

According to Israeli reports, this means that offices in Israel could be closed, broadcasting equipment confiscated, the station removed from cable and satellite television channels and its website blocked.

The channel has repeatedly rejected the allegations of bias and, in the past, accused Netanyahu of spreading ‘new lies and inflammatory slanders’ against the network.

Al Jazeera has also accused the Israeli military of deliberately targeting journalists on several occasions.

Netanyahu has accused Al Jazeera of ‘damaging Israel’s security, actively participating in the massacre on October 7 and inciting against Israeli soldiers.’

Al Jazeera was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Doha. It was one of the first Arab TV stations to publish critical reports on the region and quickly gained popularity.

There was some criticism of the ban in Israel on Sunday. Benny Gantz’s National
Union party, which is represented in the Israeli security cabinet, agreed with the closure, but criticized the timing.

It was ‘terrible timing’ that could torpedo the current indirect negotiations with Hamas on the release of hostages and a ceasefire in the Gaza war, the centre-right party explained.

The Israeli government’s efforts to ban Al Jazeera have drawn criticism from some of the country’s most prominent allies, including the United States and Germany.

The US State Department expressed irritation of the decision and reiterated support for the free press all over the world.

A German Foreign Office spokesman also criticized the so-called Al Jazeera law last month: ‘A free and diverse press landscape is the cornerstone of a liberal democracy.’

Source: Ghana News Agency