An American who died in Lisbon’s deadly funicular crash has been identified as Heather Hall, a mother of two and college instructor from South Carolina. Ms. Hall, who taught at the College of Charleston, was among the 16 people who lost their lives when the Glória funicular slammed into a building on Wednesday. She was the only American victim of the crash.
Her family described her as someone who “passed away doing what she did best — living life fully, boldly, and with a heart wide open to the world.” She specialized in literacy and special education and was in Lisbon to speak at a conference, according to her university.
Ms. Hall, a first-generation college graduate, returned to her alma mater as a teacher and was deeply committed to inclusive education for children and adults with disabilities. She served on Charleston’s disability board and was remembered as a passionate advocate for equity and belonging. Her family emphasized that her greatest accomplishment was being a mother to her two children.
She was also a Fulbright Scholar in Ghana, a frequent traveler, and a mentor to students on study-abroad programs. She had upcoming trips planned to Iceland and Belize. Colleagues and friends posted moving tributes, with one describing her as “too bright a star” to ever be replaced. The College of Charleston said her loss would be deeply felt in the academic community.
About the author
Conseil des ministres au Burkina Faso : session présidée par Ibrahim Traoré à Ouagadougou
Le Conseil des ministres du Burkina Faso s’est réuni à Ouagadougou le jeudi 12 mars 2026 pour une séance ordinaire présidée par Ibrahim Traoré, Président du Faso et Président du Conseil des ministres. La réunion s’est tenue de 09 h 00 à 11 h 01 et a permis d’examiner plusieurs dossiers inscrits à l’ordre du jour. Principaux points abordés Au cours de cette séance, le Conseil des ministres a : délibéré sur plusieurs dossiers relatifs à la gestion des affaires de l’État ; entendu une communication orale portant sur des questions d’intérêt national ; procédé à des nominations dans l’administration publique ; autorisé certaines missions officielles à l’étranger. Cette session s’inscrit dans le cadre des réunions ordinaires du gouvernement visant à assurer la conduite des politiques publiques, la coordination de l’action gouvernementale et le suivi des décisions de l’exécutif. Le […]
Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong Thanks Mahama for Appointment as Fire Service Chief
Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, the Chief Fire Officer and Director-General of the Ghana National Fire Service, has expressed deep appreciation to John Dramani Mahama for appointing her to lead the service. Speaking in an interview on Dwaso Nsem on Adom FM, Madam Ntow Sarpong also extended her gratitude to Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and the governing National Democratic Congress for the confidence placed in her leadership. “I want to use this opportunity to thank President Mahama, Vice President Prof. Jane Naana, and the entire NDC government for the confidence reposed in me and for honouring me with this leadership role,” she said. Commitment to Serve The Fire Chief pledged to meet the expectations attached to the position, assuring both government and the public of her dedication to the role. “I pledge to fulfil my mandate and discharge my duties […]
No Ghanaian Casualties in Middle East Tensions – Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has confirmed that no Ghanaian has been killed or injured following the recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East, as government steps up efforts to protect its citizens in the region. In a Facebook update on Tuesday, March 3, the Minister revealed that he convened a virtual meeting with Ghana’s Ambassadors and Consuls General across the Middle East to assess the situation and coordinate further consular interventions. “This evening, I convened a virtual meeting with our Ambassadors and Consuls General in the Middle East to assess the latest developments and explore further consular interventions towards the protection of Ghanaians,” he stated. Diplomatic Coordination Across the Region Heads of Mission from Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Turkey participated in the discussions. “I am glad to report that so far no Ghanaian […]
IET-GH Marks World Engineering Day, Highlights Engineers’ Role in Ghana’s Development
The Institution of Engineering and Technology Ghana has joined the global engineering community in marking World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, observed annually on March 4 and endorsed by UNESCO. In a statement issued to commemorate the day, the Institution highlighted the central role engineers play in Ghana’s development. It noted that engineering remains vital to infrastructure delivery, environmental protection, industrial growth, and technological progress. Engineering at the Heart of National Development According to IET-GH, Ghanaian engineers are providing practical solutions to major national challenges, including climate change, sanitation, energy transition, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable urban development. The Institution reaffirmed its commitment to ethical standards, innovation, and professional excellence, stressing that the country’s long-term growth will depend heavily on the expertise, creativity, and integrity of its engineers. It also encouraged young people to consider careers in engineering, describing the profession […]
Ga Traditional Council Summons KOKA Over Comments About COCOBOD CEO
The Ga Traditional Council has summoned entertainment critic Kwaku Osei Korankye Asiedu, popularly known as KOKA, over comments he allegedly made on social media concerning the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board, Dr. Randey Abbey. In a formal letter, the Council directed KOKA to appear before Ga chiefs and priests at the Ga Mantse Palace on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The traditional authorities stressed the importance of his presence, urging him to treat the invitation with urgency and seriousness. “Your presence is respectfully requested to address the matter and offer any necessary explanations. Kindly treat this invitation with the seriousness it deserves,” the letter stated. The correspondence was signed by the Secretary of the Court of Priests of Ga, acting on behalf of the Chief Priest of the Ga Traditional Area.
Ghana to Declare 21 Marine Protected Areas Starting at Greater Cape Three Points
Ghana is preparing to declare 21 coastal communities as Marine Protected Areas in a major step toward restoring marine biodiversity and strengthening fisheries management. The first declaration is expected to take place at Greater Cape Three Points in the Western Region. Once designated, fishing activities within the protected zones will be restricted to allow depleted fish stocks to recover. Part of the Global 30×30 Target The move forms part of Ghana’s commitment to the global 30×30 target, which calls for the protection of at least 30 percent of the world’s land and ocean areas by 2030. The goal falls under Target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework and has been adopted by more than 190 countries. Despite the widespread commitment, progress remains slow. Since 2022, global reviews show that only about 2.9 percent of the ocean is fully or highly […]
Related
Iran rejects truce bids as Israel targets top security chiefs
Iran has rejected proposals from foreign intermediaries to ease tensions or agree a ceasefire with the United States and Israel, insisting it is not yet the right time for peace . A senior Iranian official said two countries had passed on ideas to reduce tensions or reach a ceasefire, but Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, turned them down . According to the official, Khamenei told his first foreign policy meeting that there could be no peace until the United States and Israel are brought to their knees, accept defeat and pay compensation . Khamenei’s comments came as the US Israeli war on Iran entered its third week, with at least 2,000 people reported killed and no sign of an end to the conflict . The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for about 20 percent of global oil […]
Cuba hit by massive nationwide blackout
Millions of residents in Cuba were left without electricity after the country’s national power grid suffered a major collapse on Monday, according to the state operator UNE. The outage affected most parts of the island, marking another serious disruption in an ongoing energy crisis. Authorities said efforts are underway to gradually restore power across provinces and major cities, although the process remains slow and unstable. This latest blackout adds to a series of nationwide outages that have become increasingly frequent in recent years. The situation is largely driven by persistent fuel shortages. The country depends heavily on imported oil to generate electricity, but supplies have sharply declined. Previously, Venezuela provided a significant share of Cuba’s fuel needs, estimated at around half of total consumption. However, those shipments have stopped, worsening the crisis. Pressure has also intensified from the United States, […]
Utah mother guilty of husband’s poisoning murder
A jury in the US state of Utah has found Kouri Richins guilty of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, in a case that drew national attention due to its unusual circumstances. Prosecutors said Richins poisoned her husband in March 2022 by giving him a drink laced with fentanyl. After deliberating for about three hours, the jury returned a guilty verdict on multiple charges, including aggravated murder and attempted murder. During the trial, the court heard that the 35-year-old had accumulated significant financial debt and had taken out life insurance policies on her husband. Prosecutors also alleged she was involved in an extramarital relationship and stood to gain financially from her husband’s death. More than 40 witnesses testified during the proceedings, including a woman who told the court she had supplied the drugs used in the crime. The defence team did […]
Air strike hits Kabul rehab centre amid tensions
Dozens of people are feared dead or injured after an air strike hit a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, intensifying tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Authorities in Afghanistan said the strike occurred on Monday evening and targeted a facility treating drug addiction. A spokesperson for the Taliban government blamed Pakistan for the attack, reporting multiple casualties. However, Islamabad denied hitting any civilian or health-related site, stating that its operation focused strictly on military targets and infrastructure linked to militant groups. Journalists from BBC News who visited the scene reported extensive damage, with parts of the centre still burning hours after the strike. More than 30 bodies were seen being carried away, while emergency teams continued searching for survivors. Officials at the rehabilitation centre said around 2,000 people were undergoing treatment at the time of the incident, raising fears that the […]
EU rejects Trump request on Strait of Hormuz
European Union leaders have rejected a request from United States President Donald Trump for military help to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as EU foreign ministers met in Brussels to discuss soaring oil prices caused by the US Israeli war on Iran . Trump had urged the United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, South Korea and other NATO allies to send naval ships to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, warning it would be very bad for NATO’s future if partners did not help secure the vital waterway . US officials spent the weekend trying to build support for a new coalition to patrol the strait and said they hoped to announce it in the coming days, although it remains unclear which countries will join or when any operation would start . Many close US allies are reluctant to send […]
UK, allies working on Hormuz plan but rule out NATO mission, says Starmer
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK is working with allies on a “viable” plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz but has ruled out any NATO led mission.He said the goal is to restore freedom of navigation in the vital oil route without dragging Britain into a wider Middle East war. Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Starmer revealed he had discussed the crisis with US President Donald Trump and several European leaders.He explained that the UK is coordinating with European partners, Gulf countries and the United States on a collective response. Starmer stressed that any operation to secure shipping lanes will not be under the NATO umbrella and has “never been envisioned” as a NATO mission.Instead, he said it would likely involve a broader coalition that includes regional partners most directly affected by Iran’s actions. Pressed […]