Category: News

Mahama promises to abolish the 10% tax on sports betting

Mahama promises to abolish the 10% tax on sports betting

John Mahama, Ghana’s Former President

Ghanaian presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, has promised to remove the 10% tax on sports betting if elected into office.

He made the statement in Accra while responding to a question raised by a Ghanaian youth during the NDC’s Town Hall Conversation.

The questioner said, “Mr. President, if we wake up and don’t bet, it means we will not get food to eat. But withdrawing 1000 cedis and getting taxed 100 cedis is not easy. So I want you to assure us that if we vote, you’re going to abolish the 10% tax on betting.”

In response, the former president said, “We’ve talked a lot about this, if we come, we will abolish the betting tax. We know that this government has signed a deal with the IMF to initiate the betting tax, but when we come, we will find an alternative revenue source to replace the betting tax.”

Nana Addo’s administration introduced the 10% withholding tax on betting and lottery winnings in August 2023. Despite the public rejection of the tax by Ghanaian youths, the government went ahead to enact and enforce it.

It is applied at the payout point for all betting, games and lottery wins. The regulation aimed to mobilize domestic tax revenue and address the country’s economic challenges.

Ghanaweb reported that the Domestic Tax Revenue Division of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) revealed in October 2023 that it generated GHc 15 million within a month from the 10% tax on sports betting alone.

August 13, 2024
Elon Musk’s interview with Trump surpasses 1 billion views

Elon Musk’s interview with Trump surpasses 1 billion views.

The interview session which held between Elon Musk and President Donald J. Trump yesterday at 8PM ET on X Platform has broken a record of the most viewed spaces in X (formally Twitter) history.

Elon Musk revealed this on his X handle while expressing his satisfaction with the space between him and Trump.

The post reads, “Combined views of the conversation with @realDonaldTrump and subsequent discussion by other accounts now ~1 billion”

The space and its aggregate are estimated to have surpassed 1 billion views together with likes and reposts during and after the space interview.

Despite some glitches, the space recorded more than 1.2 million live streams with many people eager to hear Trump speak about his policies and efforts to regain the presidential seat in the forthcoming November 5 elections.

August 13, 2024
11 passengers die in a fatal accident in Abia

11 passengers, including two kids, died on the spot of the accident.

A fatal accident that took place along the Umuika Junction on the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia State has claimed the lives of 11 passengers of a commercial bus, including two kids.

The only survivor of the accident is the driver of the Sienna bus who sustained minor injuries.

Lindaikejisblog reported that the bus collided with a stationary truck on the Apu Na Ekpu/Egbelu Mbutu section of the busy Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway.

The victims of the accident were said to have died on the spot before any assistance could arrive.

The bodies of the 11 passengers have been deposited in a nearby mortuary.

August 12, 2024
WAEC releases 2024 WASSCE results

WAEC directs candidates who sat for the 2024 WASSCE to go and check their results as it has officially been released.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the 2024 results for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) on Monday, August 12, 2024.

The examination body disclosed this in a Monday post on X.

The post read, “The West African Examinations Council is pleased to inform candidates who sat WASSCE for school candidates, 2024 that the result has officially been released today, Monday, August 12, 2024.”

Candidates are directed to visit waecdirect.org to access their results.

August 12, 2024
Tragedy: 3 teenage girls drown in Jagawa pond

A great tragedy hit the people of Tulla village, Buji local government area of Jigawa state on Saturday, as three teenage girls were found drowned in a pond.

According to a press statement issued by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa state command, the victims were Fatima Sule (12), Nasiya Sale (12), and Huwaila Sa’adu (13).

Nigerian Tribune reported that the girls met their untimely death while trying to cut grasses to feed their livestock beside the pond.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the NSCDC, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud, confirmed the incident. He said the bodies of the girls were recovered after a 30-minute search and rescue mission. The bodies were later taken to the nearest Health Center in Tulla village, where they were confirmed dead by the medical officer on duty.

Badruddeen post reads “The NSCDC, Buji local government Divisional Officer, received a distress call from some members of the Tulla community at around 1100hrs of Saturday and rushed to the scene with the division’s disaster management team accompanied with members of the community for a rescue mission where able to recover the bodies of the three young girls after about 30 minutes of search and rescue mission.”

The bodies of the girls were handed over to their respective parents before burying them according to Islamic rites. The incident has left the community in mourning, and the NSCDC has urged residents to be cautious this rainy season to avoid such a scenario again.

August 11, 2024
IDF speculates Yahya Sinwar is running out of hideouts, see why!

A security source estimates Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is running out of hideouts.

Hamas’s new leader Yahya Sinwar

According to security sources, Sinwar’s movement area, like other senior Hamas leaders, is shrinking day by day.

A security source who spoke to the Jerusalem Post estimates Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is running out of hideouts.

Friday’s operation in Khan Yunis, as well as around the Gaza Strip and Rafah, may advance the IDF and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) to their primary goal: the elimination of senior Hamas leadership.

Sinwar is almost alone at the top of Hamas leadership as the likes of Mohammad Deif, Rafa’a Salama, Ahmed Ghandour, Raad Saad, and Ayman Nofal have either been eliminated or disappeared.

According to Arab media, the man closest to Sinwar, the minister in the Hamas government and his right-hand man, Rawhi Mushtaha, was also killed along with Sameh al-Siraj and three military commanders from the al-Qassam Brigades who accompanied them: Abdul Hadi Siam, Sami Odeh, and Muhammad Hadid.

Mushtaha, one of Hamas’s senior members, is considered to be among the closest to the leader and is the figure that Sinwar relies on the most, both in the military and the political management of the organization.

Yahya Sinwar’s appointment as the new political head of Hamas came immediately after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh by Israeli forces in Tehran last week.

His appointment on Tuesday follows a consensus within Hamas’s leadership and Shura Council, underscoring the movement’s support for Sinwar, one of the most wanted men by Israel, which accuses him of being the mastermind behind the 7 October attacks.

August 11, 2024
Tragedy: Three killed in Lagos-Ibadan expressway accident

Three killed in Lagos-Ibadan expressway accident.

No fewer than three unidentified passengers were confirmed dead late Thursday following a multi-vehicle crash on the Kara section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

PUNCH Online gathered that an unidentified truck driver transporting sugar, lost control and collided with another vehicle, triggering a chain of collisions around 7 pm along Isheri-Olofin, outward bound from Lagos State.

Our correspondent learnt that the other vehicles involved in the accident included an SF3000 truck, a Toyota Camry car with the number plate EPE 200 GK, an Isuzu mini truck with the number plate T-1079 LA and a Honda Accord car.

A fuel attendant at a nearby filling station, identified only as Michael, told our correspondent that he saw several other passengers being rushed to the hospital.

“Three vehicles were involved in the accident, including one fully loaded with bags of sugar. I heard that some people lost their lives.

“However, I saw several injured passengers being rushed to the hospital. The truck driver fled the scene before he could be arrested,” Michael stated.

The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident around 11:30 pm on Thursday and stated that the victims had been taken to a hospital in Lagos for medical attention.

She said, “Three passengers including two women and one man, died at the scene. The injured were transported to the emergency clinic at Old Toll Gate in Ojota for treatment. The Lagos State Fire Service was present to extinguish the fire.

“The bodies have been taken to the mortuary at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for identification and autopsy. Authorities are actively working to locate the truck driver who fled the scene.”

The spokesperson for the Lagos State Fire Service, Amodu Shakiru, stated, “The incident occurred in Ogun State but our team was on-site to do everything possible to manage the situation. It took place along the Kara Bridge.”

Ther3 have been reported of a similar incident on Wednesday involving another crash that resulted in the death of an unidentified driver and injuries to three other passengers on the Ogun State section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

August 9, 2024
Meet 2024/25 five new EPL managers ready for titles battle

Meet 2024/25 five new EPL managers ready for titles battle

Meet 2024/25 five new EPL managers ready for titles battle

9th August 2024

Five new EPL managers 2024/25 season

Five new EPL managers 2024/25 season | EPL

As the Premier League kick-off on August 16 draws near, anticipation is building for the 2024/25 season.

One of the biggest talking points is the arrival of five new managers, some stepping into the Premier League spotlight for the first time and others familiar with the EPL terrain.

They will face the formidable challenge of going head-to-head with serial winners like Pep Guardiola, his ace competitor Mikel Arteta, and a host of other experienced EPL-tested coaches.

With the league set to run until May, this season promises to be a thrilling battle of tactics and tenacity.

Here’s a closer look at what’s new this season from the EPL website:

Arne Slot (Liverpool)

The 45-year-old Dutchman, Arne Slot, has taken the reins at Liverpool, becoming the club’s first new head coach in nearly a decade following Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of last season.

Arne Slot

Arne Slot

Slot arrives from Feyenoord, where he enjoyed a successful three-year tenure, securing an Eredivisie title, winning the Dutch Cup, and reaching the UEFA Europa Conference League final in 2022.

Slot’s Premier League debut will see him lead Liverpool in an away match against newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday, August 17.

Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)

Italian coach Enzo Maresca was appointed as Chelsea’s head coach at the start of June, stepping in to replace Mauricio Pochettino.

Maresca arrives with impressive credentials, having guided Leicester City to an immediate return to the Premier League by winning the Championship title last season, following their relegation in 2022/23.

Enzo Maresca

Enzo Maresca | Daily Mail

With nearly 20 years of experience as a midfielder, including a stint at West Bromwich Albion, Maresca also has ties to Manchester City, where he served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant in 2022.

In an intriguing twist, Maresca’s first Premier League match will see him face his former mentor, as Chelsea hosts Manchester City on Sunday, August 18.

Kieran McKenna (Ipswich)

At just 38, Kieran McKenna has led Ipswich Town to back-to-back promotions since taking charge in December 2021, earning the club its first Premier League appearance since 2002.

After an injury ended his playing career at 22, McKenna transitioned into coaching, taking on academy roles at Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Kieran McKenna

He later joined the first-team coaching staff at Old Trafford, working under José Mourinho and Ralf Rangnick.

McKenna’s Premier League debut will be a challenging one, as Ipswich hosts Liverpool on August 17.

Russell Martin (Southampton)

At 38 years old, Russell Martin guided Southampton to promotion in his debut season at St Mary’s, bringing the club back to the Premier League after just a year away.

Russell Martin

A former defender with 125 Premier League appearances for Norwich City, Martin has also managed MK Dons and Swansea City.

His first match as a Premier League manager will be an away fixture against Newcastle United on August 17.

Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton)

Fabian Hurzeler, appointed as Brighton & Hove Albion’s head coach at just 31 years and 110 days old, is set to make history as the youngest head coach to lead a Premier League match when he takes charge against Everton on August 17 at 31 years and 180 days.

Notably, Hurzeler will also be the first Premier League head coach born after the competition’s inception in August 1992.

Last season, he successfully guided German second-tier club St Pauli to promotion to the Bundesliga.

August 16: EPL begins

Anticipation is building as five new managers enter the Premier League, ready to challenge established figures like Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.

With the season running through May, fans can expect a dynamic and competitive campaign filled with fresh strategies and intense matches.

Community Shield – Aug. 10

There are reports that this year’s Community Shield is a Manchester derby and is typically played at Wembley Stadium and has been a part of English football since 1908.

It is considered a major domestic trophy, although it is not part of the regular league or cup competitions.

Manchester City, the Premier League champions, will face Manchester United, the FA Cup winners. The match is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

The Community Shield is an annual football match in England that serves as the traditional curtain-raiser for the new football season.

It is contested between the winners of the Premier League and the FA Cup from the previous season.

If the same team wins both the Premier League and the FA Cup, the match is played between the Premier League champions and the FA Cup runners-up.

August 9, 2024
Troops nab kidnapper, gun-runners in Kaduna, Borno, Plateau, Oyo

Troops nab kidnapper, gun-runners in Kaduna, Borno, Plateau, Oyo

Army foils kidnap attempt along Nasarawa Road, rescues victim, nabs suspect

The Army said, yesterday, that its troops on counter-insurgency operations recorded a significant breakthrough by the dismantling of a gun-running syndicate that specialises in supplying arms and ammunition to terrorist groups operating in the North West.

Troops also apprehended a notorious kidnap syndicate and recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition from the suspects.

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A statement by the army said: “On August 7, 2024, troops working in coordination with other security agencies arrested a notorious gun-runner, Mallam Yau Ibrahim, in Babinga Kudaru village of Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“This arrest followed an earlier apprehension of another syndicate member on July 31, 2024, by troops of Operation Safe Haven in Jos.

“Among the items recovered are AK-47 rifle, AK-47 rifle magazine, 1,641 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, and 49 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition.

“In a separate operation, while acting on credible intelligence, troops tracked down and arrested Abubakar Shehu, 25 years, in the Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State.

“Shehu is a member of a kidnap syndicate responsible for the assassination of Alhaji Mairuga Abubakar, Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, in Orelope Local Government Area of Oyo State.

“Following preliminary investigation, the suspect led troops to Okoka forest in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state, where they recovered four AK-47 rifles, a locally fabricated pistol, eight magazines, one cartridge, and 110 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

“In Katsina State, troops laid ambush and neutralised a terrorist at Anguwa Boka in Faskari Local Government Area of the state.

“Items recovered from the terrorists include one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, three rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, a mobile phone and assorted items.

“The arrest of the notorious gun-runner, Mallam Yau Ibrahim, and the apprehension of the kidnap syndicate, as well as the elimination of a terrorist alongside the recovery of arms and ammunition, are a veritable testament of the NA’s unflinching commitment in safeguarding our nation from the scourge of terrorism and criminality.”

August 9, 2024
Alleged N57.4bn fraud: Kano Govt files fresh charge against Ganduje, 3 others

Alleged N57.4bn fraud: Kano Govt files fresh charge against Ganduje, 3 others

The Kano State Government has filed a fresh fraud charge against the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, his Commissioner for Local Government, Murtala Garo, and two others.

According to the charge sheet, Garo, Lamin Sani, and Muhammad Takai were charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, making false statements or returns, and criminal misappropriation.

The state accused them of mismanaging the 44 Local Government’s statutory allocations remitted to the State Joint Local Governments account from the Federation account.

They were also accused of criminally diverting N57.4 billion through several personal accounts of Local Government’s cashiers and other personal and corporate accounts, the charge sheet said.The state government also accused them of transferring the funds into dollars for their personal benefits.

The state further alleged that they acquired a service apartment on Murtala Muhammad Way, a commercial apartment at Akoya Oxygen (x20868 Dubai) in Tigerwood, and plot 2201 Floor 22 Damac Height, Marsa Dubai Marina, a multibillion-dollar hotel in Jabi, Abuja.

Others are filling stations on Gwarzo Road, Kano, and the Eastern Bypass, Kano.

In the charge sheet, the state said it would call 143 witnesses.

No date has been fixed for the matter.

NAN reports that on April 4, the Kano government filed a suit against Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Umar, and six others before the Kano High Court. The six others include Ganduje’s son, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd., Safari Textiles Ltd., and Lesage General Enterprises.

NAN also reports that on July 16, in the charge sheet with case No. K/143c/24, the state government accused Ganduje and erstwhile commissioner for justice, Musa Lawan, of criminal conspiracy and misappropriation.

August 9, 2024