Ratu Thalisa, a Muslim transgender TikTok influencer with over 442,000 followers, was sentenced to nearly three years in prison for comments she made during a livestream. Responding to a comment telling her to cut her hair, Thalisa joked about Jesus needing a haircut. This remark led to accusations of blasphemy from Christian groups, ultimately resulting in a conviction for spreading hatred under Indonesia’s controversial Electronic Information and Transactions (EIT) Law.
The court ruling has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, who called the verdict a violation of Thalisa’s freedom of expression. Despite Thalisa’s apology, the court found her comments could disrupt public order and religious harmony. The case has ignited concerns over the EIT law’s impact on free speech in Indonesia, with calls for its revision to protect individual rights online.
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62-Year-Old Businesswoman Remanded Over $13K Fraud
Nana Ama Nwurueze, a 62-year-old self-styled businesswoman, has been remanded by the Adabraka District Court in Accra for allegedly defrauding another businesswoman, Dorothy Asare, of $13,000. Nwurueze reportedly posed as a wealthy businesswoman with substantial properties, including Ohemaa Plaza in East Legon, fishing vessels in Takoradi, and a house at Airport, to deceive the complainant.The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Apewa Achana, has charged Nwurueze with defrauding by false pretenses. She was arrested after a bench warrant was issued against her in December last year. Despite pleading not guilty, her bail application was denied, as the court determined she was a flight risk. The case was initially reported to the Airport Police Station in 2021, but attempts to arrest her were unsuccessful until her eventual arrest in March 2024. Following her arrest, she was granted police inquiry bail but went […]
President Mahama Nominates 71 New DCEs Pending Approval
President John Mahama has nominated 71 new District Chief Executives (DCEs) across various districts in Ghana, pending approval by local Assembly members. This move is aimed at strengthening local governance as these executives are expected to play a crucial role in the management of their respective districts.An official statement detailing the nominations was signed by Dr. Callistus Mahama, the Secretary to the President, and addressed to the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs.While most districts have their nominees, the nomination for the Kpando district is still pending. The new DCEs will need to be confirmed by the Assembly members in their respective districts before they officially take up their roles.
FIC Freezes Accounts of Bills Micro-Credit Founder, Richard Nii Armah Quaye
The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has frozen all accounts associated with Richard Nii Armah Quaye, the founder of Bills Micro-Credit. This includes accounts linked to Bills Micro-Credit, Quick Credit and Investment Micro-Credit, as well as an account of Romeo-Richlove Kweku Seshie, the Chief Executive Officer of Bills Micro-Credit.The action follows a letter from the FIC, in line with Section 56(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044), and applies to all accounts connected to the named individuals, pending further instructions. The FIC’s role involves analyzing suspicious transactions related to money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.The move comes after a statement from the Ghana Revenue Authority revealing that Nii Armah Quaye is undergoing a personal income tax assessment for over GHS 30 million in unpaid taxes. This freeze is part of regular regulatory oversight to ensure compliance with […]
Over 1,350 ECG Containers Missing from Tema Harbour Amid Procurement Breaches – Energy
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has raised significant concerns over the disappearance of more than 1,350 containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) from the Tema Harbour. A committee tasked with investigating the matter has uncovered serious procurement breaches that have been ongoing for several years.Jinapor shared a 103-page report on the matter, describing the findings as alarming, with a clear indication of irregularities that have affected the country’s energy sector. The Minister emphasized that law enforcement agencies would be involved to ensure that those responsible for the missing containers and procurement violations are held accountable.The disappearance of the containers and the associated procurement irregularities have sparked concerns about transparency and accountability within Ghana's energy sector, urging the government to take swift action.
Ex-FIFA Chief Blatter and Platini Cleared in Corruption Case
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and French soccer legend Michel Platini have been cleared of corruption charges by a Swiss court. The pair were accused of authorizing a 2 million Swiss franc payment to Platini in 2011. The court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove the payment was fraudulent, acknowledging their consistent account of an oral agreement for the payment.The decision marks the end of a long-running legal battle, which began in 2015 and resulted in their suspension from football by FIFA. Both Blatter and Platini expressed relief following the verdict. Platini declared that his honor had been restored, while Blatter described the case as a burden that had hung over him for years.Swiss federal prosecutors are reviewing the decision and may appeal to the Swiss Federal Court.
Idris Elba Honored as a Son of Ga Land, Announces Film Studio Project in Accra
On March 25, 2025, renowned British actor and filmmaker Idris Elba was honored as a son of Ga Land in a grand ceremony at the Ga Mantse Palace in Accra. The event, under the reign of King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, celebrated Elba’s contributions to the African diaspora and his dedication to developing Ghana’s creative industry.Elba’s visit included an exciting announcement: he plans to build a world-class film studio and school on 22 acres of land near Osu Castle. This project aims to provide training, employment, and a creative hub for young Ghanaian talent, with a focus on African cinema.King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasizing the need to guide the youth and advance the creative arts. The announcement was met with applause and marked a significant moment for Ghana’s growing role in the global […]
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MasterChef Nigeria: Pearl, Margaret first to be eliminated
Pearl and Margaret have become the first contestants to be eliminated from the maiden season of MasterChef Nigeria after a tense opening episode. The popular cooking show features ten home cooks competing for a grand prize of 73 million naira and the title of Nigeria’s first MasterChef. In the first challenge, contestants were asked to recreate a dish inspired by a person who shaped their culinary journey, using a photograph as their guide. They had 60 minutes to prepare and plate a complete meal that told a personal story and impressed the judges with taste, creativity and presentation. Pearl, a 30 year old from Delta State, chose to honour a loved one with a bold menu of pan seared catfish, garri polenta and palm nut velouté, also known as banga soup. However, she struggled with time management in the kitchen […]
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Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji, wife welcome triplets
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Video: Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji, wife announce birth of triplet sons
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Societal stigma on women makes me wish I were a man – Phyna
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