Sierra Leone: ex-president Koroma allowed to travel on medical grounds
By Africanews and Eric Kawa |SIERRA LEONE – Sierra Leone’s former president Ernest Bai Koroma was granted permission by a high court in Freetown on Wednesday to travel abroad for medical reasons. Koroma was accused of treason and other offences over a failed coup in November which resulted in the deaths of some 20 people. The High Court ruling stipulates that Koroma cannot stay in Nigeria for longer than three months and must return to Sierra Leone for to appear before the court on March 6. Koroma was arrested at the beginning of January in connection with the failed coup. Read more of this storyVisited 17 times, 17 visit(s) today
Source:GNN Liberia
January 18, 2024 11:27 UTC
Liberia: Lawmakers Urged to Create Budgetary Allocation for People with Down Syndrome
— As My Heart's Appeal Center dedicates first commercial hub for people with intellectual and developmental disabilitiesThe Minister of Youth and Sports, D. Zeogar Wilson, has urged the incoming government, through the 55th National Legislature, to prioritize Down’s Syndrome or people with intellectual disabilities in the national budget. The charity opened its doors to individuals with Down’s Syndrome and/or individuals with intellectual disabilities in 2011 when its executive director, Lovetie Major, came to Liberia in search of people with special needs. “My daughter had always wanted to go to school like normal children and MHA [has worked] to make that happen,” said Mary Gessior. He stated that it is disheartening to learn that there is no program at the Ministry of Education for children with disabilities. So we are appealing to the government and other people that have the hand to intervene so our children can learn.”
Source:Daily Observer
January 18, 2024 07:06 UTC
Three killed and dozens injured in massive blast in southern Nigerian city
Three people were killed and 77 others were injured when explosives rocked more than 20 buildings in one of Nigeria’s largest cities, authorities said, as rescue workers dug through the rubble in search of people feared to be trapped. Residents in densely populated Ibadan city, in the south-western state of Oyo, heard a loud blast on Tuesday evening, causing panic as many fled their homes. By Wednesday morning, security forces had cordoned off the area while medical personnel and ambulances were on standby as rescue efforts intensified. Preliminary investigations showed the blast was caused by explosives stored for use in illegal mining operations, Oyo governor Seyi Makinde told reporters after visiting the site in the Bodija area of Ibadan. “We have already deployed first responders and all relevant agencies within Oyo state to carry out comprehensive search and rescue operations,” he said, describing the damage as “devastating”.
Source:GNN Liberia
January 17, 2024 16:47 UTC
Suicide bombing kills three, injures two in Somali capital
Reuters |A suicide bomb blast in Somalia’s capital city Mogadishu killed three people and injured two others, Somali authorities said on Tuesday, with the militant group al Shabaab claiming responsibility for the attack. While being pursued by police, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Al Hindi restaurant in Mogadishu’s Hamar Weyne district, police spokesman Sadik Ali said. The al Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab group said in a statement that the blast had targeted local security officials. Al Shabaab frequently attacks military outposts and civilian and government targets as part of a campaign to topple Somalia’s government and establish its own rule based on its interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Read more of this reportVisited 18 times, 18 visit(s) today
Source:GNN Liberia
January 17, 2024 11:18 UTC
US airstrike targets Iraqi militia in Baghdad
Three armed drones were shot down in Iraq on Tuesday, near where U.S. and other international forces are stationed, officials said. Iraqi Kurdistan’s counter-terrorism service said its forces intercepted and shot down the drones over Erbil airport in northern Iraq at around 5:05 a.m. local time. Similar previous attacks have been claimed by a group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-aligned Iraqi militias. Tuesday’s attack came hours after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired missiles at what it claimed were Israel’s Mossad foreign intelligence “spy headquarters” near the U.S. Consulate in the northern Iraqi city. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in addition to the strike in Iraq, it had fired several ballistic missiles at “terrorist operations,” including Islamic State targets, in Syria and destroyed them.
Source:GNN Liberia
January 16, 2024 16:52 UTC
Greek-owned ship hit by missile as 158 killed in Gaza on day 102 of war
The vessel was sailing empty of cargo from Vietnam to Israel, one of the sources said, adding that there were no injuries. The strikes have raised fears of a regional escalation, as exchanges of fire continued over Israel’s border with Lebanon. Israel said one of its troops was “slightly injured” in an exchange of fire along the country’s border with Egypt late Monday, which Cairo attributed to drug smuggling. One person in Egypt was killed. Gaza’s press office said Tuesday morning that Israeli strikes had killed another 78 people overnight.
Source:GNN Liberia
January 16, 2024 16:52 UTC
Liberia: Unity Party Petitions Court to Disqualify Speaker Fonati Koffa as Member of the House over Dual Citizenship Allegations, but Similar Suits Hangs over Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence
Monrovia – The Unity Party (UP) has submitted a petition for a declaratory judgment to the Civil Law Court challenging the eligibility of the newly elected Speaker, Cllr. By Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]The petition, filed by the Unity Party through its National Chairman, Rev. According to the Unity Party, Cllr. Legal pundits believe the respondents in the petition filed by the Unity Party – the National Elections Commission and Cllr. In 2019, the Liberian Supreme Court ruled that the statutory provision for automatic loss of Liberian citizenship in case of acquisition of another citizenship was unconstitutional.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 16, 2024 13:35 UTC
Bong Tanker Explosion Victims Receive More Humanitarian Gestures
TOTOTA, Bong County – As the death toll of victims from the fuel tanker explosion in Totota, Bong County, continues to rise, Liberians from all walks of life are streaming into the county to pay tribute to the deceased, express sympathy to the families, and, at times, provide donations to the victims’ relatives. As victims are being treated in various hospitals, humanitarian groups and ordinary citizens are contributing to the families of the victims. He made a donation of essential items and food to the family members of the victims in the tanker explosion in Bong County. It is against this backdrop that, as the head of Camp for Peace, I am making this small donation to sympathize with the people of Bong County and Liberia at large. The Bong County Disaster Management Team received the items on behalf of the victims in the county.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 16, 2024 13:13 UTC
Liberia: Pres. Weah Hints He Would Not Contest 2029 Presidential Election, Says He Would Quit Politics at 65
MONROVIA – President George Weah has hinted that he would quit politics at age 65 and would not be re-contesting the Presidency in 2029 at which time he would be 63 years old. “Right now I’m 57, and our retirement age is 65. Six years from now, I will be 63, and I cannot work for two years. So, the best thing we can do now is to promote peace and prosperity for this country, and nobody is going to drag me into politics until I reach 90 years,” President Weah said. Right now, I’m 57, and our retirement age is 65.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 15, 2024 20:46 UTC
Liberia: Deputy Speaker Koffa Expresses Confidence of Winning Speakership Election, Asserts Court Cannot Be Used to Deny Him
FARMINGTON, Margibi County – Ahead of the much-anticipated speakership election today, Deputy Speaker Fonati Koffa has expressed confidence that he is on track to win. He was speaking to report that the Unity Party is gearing up to challenge the citizenship of Deputy Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa on the eve of the Speaker election. Johnny Momo have been retained by the Unity Party to file a writ against the deputy speaker, alleging issues with his citizenship. His rival, Rep. Richard Koon is backed by the Unity Party.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 15, 2024 17:47 UTC
Liberia: Echoes of Cash Dish Out Hoovering Over Senate Pro Temp Race
Others also claim that US$10,000 was also allegedly dished out to members of the ruling party bloc backing Senator Gbehzonga Milton Findley for the Pro Temp position. Some Senators confided in FPA that they were threatened with seats on key committees if they did not go along with the signing of the resolution supporting Karnga-Lawrence’s candidacy for Pro Temp. Pro Temp Albert Chie reportedly boycotted the meeting after telling the President that his bloc did not have the votes to challenge the consensus candidate, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence. Background Chatters Over Concessionaires’ InterestsThe President reportedly agreed to put up US$750,000 for the bloc but the refused and demanded US$1 million instead. When contacted Sunday, Pro Temp Chie, one of those already on sanction by the US, dismissed reports of money changing hands, saying: “I did not see such thing taking place.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 15, 2024 03:38 UTC
India Announces Streamlined E-visa Services For Citizens Worldwide Including Liberia
January 12, 2024 – India Visa Online, a pioneering platform in the realm of visa facilitation, proudly announces streamlined e-visa services for citizens worldwide, transcending borders and fostering global connectivity. This strategic expansion aligns with the company’s commitment to simplifying the visa application process, ensuring a hassle-free experience for international travelers. Navigating the complexities of visa procurement can be a daunting task, and India Visa Online understands the significance of a seamless application process. About India Visa Online:India Visa Online stands as a beacon of innovation in the visa facilitation industry. With a customer-centric approach, India Visa Online continually strives to simplify the visa application process, fostering international travel and cultural exchange.
Source:GNN Liberia
January 14, 2024 15:21 UTC
Liberia: US Citizenship Issue Clouds Controversial Speaker Race Ahead of JNB Inauguration
MONROVIA – As the Unity Party, the incoming government, gears up to challenge the citizenship of Deputy Speaker Cllr. The Secretary General of the Unity Party confirmed to FrontPageAfrica on Friday that challenging Cllr. Koffa’s citizenship is one of the options they are considering as a strategy to secure the Speaker post for Rep. Koon. He obtained US citizenship and has maintained residency there, posing a significant challenge to the legal debate surrounding his Liberian citizenship. FPA tried reaching Rep. Koon to authenticate whether he has a Nigerian passport but could not get him neither did he return our call.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 13, 2024 19:59 UTC
Taiwan’s ruling party candidate, Lai Ching-te, wins Presidential election amid China threat
Reuters Taipei (Taiwan)Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for Taiwan’s ruling party, won an election on Saturday that China had framed as a choice between war and peace. The candidate for Taiwan’s main opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT), Hou Yu-ih, conceded defeat in the election. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party, which champions Taiwan’s separate identity and rejects China’s territorial claims, was seeking a third term, unprecedented under Taiwan’s current electoral system. In the run-up to the election, China repeatedly denounced Lai as a dangerous separatist and rebuffed his repeated calls for talks. Lai says he is committed to preserving peace across the Taiwan Strait and boosting the island’s defences.
Source:GNN Liberia
January 13, 2024 15:12 UTC
Los Angeles police chief chokes up and admits ‘mistakes’ in retirement announcement
The Los Angeles police chief is retiring, he announced Friday, in an unexpected departure as the head of one of the nation’s largest law enforcement agencies. Chief Michel Moore’s tenure will end in February. “During my tenure, I know I’ve made mistakes and missteps,” Mr Moore said. Moore oversaw a police department struggling, like most others nationally, to recruit new officers in recent years. The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents rank-and-file officers, did not immediately have a comment on Moore’s retirement.
Source:GNN Liberia
January 13, 2024 15:12 UTC