Prophet T.B Joshua Arrives...For Mills' Funeral

Head Pastor of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope B. Joshua would be attending the funeral of his best friend, the late Professor John Evans Atta Mills.

The man of God, R.B. Joshua arrived in Ghana yesterday in a private plan. Prophet T.B Joshua is set to meet President John Dramani Mahama and former first lady Dr. Ernestina Naadu Mills later in the day.

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The transition Pattern of our Senior High School educational system

In Ghana, most Senior High School operate on this system :First Term, Second Term, Third Term. However this year 2012/2013 the situation is a little bit different.

Those who are in SHS 2 right now, would not be vacating this year. They would be staying in school so that they can catch up with all the syllabus they weren't able to cover. At first, our SHS system operated on a 4 year term but after the revetment to the 3 year system. Two batches have to write the same examination.

Clearly, the student who are currently in Form 3 going to Form 4 have the advantage and in order to bridge up the gap between the two group of candidates, some schools did not vacate the Form 2 student in a bid of bridging up the gap between the two.

However, this comes at a cost, parents are asked to pay a small token for this.The students too are not left out, they are tired but have to move on because this is their future. The situation is no different on the part of the teachers.

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Lizards Invade Flag Staff House

The negative politics of abandoning projects for political reasons leaves many Ghanaians puzzled.

Some ordinary Ghanaians Economy Times spoke to wondered: If the government that initiates the projects doesn’t complete them before leaving office, why should its successor abandon them?

One of such projects has been the Flagstaff House. Currently, sections of the Flagstaff House which is supposed to be the seat of government have been taken over by weeds in spite of the millions of dollars expended by the Kufuor’s administration on its renovation and fumigation. A preliminary report from the technical team working at the Jubilee House has indicated that $82 million has so far been spent on the facility.

Some Ghanaians Economy Times spoke to were not the least impressed with the state of the edifice. They stated that even if the sitting president and his vice are not ready to move into the edifice, it should at least be maintained.

Many countries in the world have such edifices for their Presidents, examples of which are the White House in the USA, the Buckingham Palace of Great Britain, the Elysee Palace of France, the Kremlin of Russia, the Aso Rock of Nigeria, and the Executive Mansion of Liberia.

Back home in Ghana, the Flag Staff House meant to house the president has been left unattended to. The weeds have grown wild at the Vice presidential wing of the proposed seat of government.

“It is now a breeding place for lizards and rodents,” a security personnel at the project site who pleaded anonymity stated.

The project was constructed through a joint India/Ghana collaboration with the former providing about 70 percent funding. The architecturally unique edifice comprises an office complex to accommodate the President, Vice President, civil and public servants as well as a residence for the President which can accommodate a visiting head of state or government.

The complex houses the official residence of Ghana's first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah which has been dubbed “Nkrumah's Heritage House” in addition to a services building that will house a clinic, restaurant, bank, post office, fire service post as well as a large parking area for vehicles.

 Source: Ghana | Economy Times

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Full Text On Donations To Funeral Planning Committee

DONATIONS: UPDATED INVENTORY
The following is a full list of donations received so far by the Funeral Planning Committee as at the close of Monday, 6th August, 2012.


Guinness Ghana Limited

10 crates Guinness

10 crates Malta Guinness

10 crates mini star beer

5 crates Armstrong Lager

10 crates Alvaro

1 Carton Baileys

1 carton Johnny Walker Black Label Whiskey

1 carton Smirnoff Vodka

1 carton Gordon’s Dry Gin


*
Ministry of Food and Agriculture

30 bags rice

100 pieces dressed chicken

6 cartons frozen fish

2 bulls


*
Blowchem Industry Limited

500 boxes of Bel-Aqua mineral water


*
Aquafresh Limited
140 cartons of assorted fruit juice


*
VitaMilk Ghana Limited

200 cartons of Vita Milk


*
TT Brothers Limited

200 packs of assorted drinks


*
Landing beach communities’ Chief Fishermen of Ghana

Dry fish & fresh fish


*
PricewaterhouseCoopers

2 hampers containing 2 bottles of Remi Martini, 2 bottles Courvoisier, 4bottles of schnapps, 2 bottles of beefeater, 1 bottles of Hennessey, 2 bottles black label whiskey, 3 bottles Vodka, 1 bottle Malibu.


*
GBI-Hanjer (GH) Ltd

Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢500.00)


*
Earlier Donations

Coca Cola Company

360 crates of assorted products


*
Seventh Day Adventist Church

100 boxes of water


*
Budget Cash & Carry Ltd

150 cartons of blue jeans energy drink and other products


*
Vivian Ankrah/NDC Greater Accra Regional Women’s Organiser

50 boxes of water

source:  Source: James AGYENIM-BOATENG - DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION

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Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur Sworn In As VEEP

His Excellency Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur was yesterday sworn in as the fifth Vice President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana by the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood.

This was in accordance with Article 66 (10) of the 1992 Republican Constitution.

The swearing in ceremony of Vice-President Amissah-Arthur, who was the immediate past Governor of the Bank of Ghana, follows nearly two hours of vetting by Parliament’s Appointment Committee.

Mr Amissah-Arthur was nominated for the position last Tuesday from a list of key contenders by President Dramani John Mahama, who ascended to the presidency following the untimely death of President John Atta Mills on July 24, 2012.

Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament (PAC), Hon. Doe Adjaho moved for the motion to be accepted and the Ranking Member of the committee and Minority Leader, Hon Osei-Kyei Mensah Bonsu seconded.

By the Standing Orders of the House, Parliament voted to approve the nomination and the Speaker ruled in favour of the Ayes.

After the swearing-in, the Vice-President signed the book of authority in the presence of the Chief Justice and was officially ushered to sit in the Vice Presidents Chair.

The Speaker Joyce Bamford Addo wished the new Vice President well on his new role.

In a short statement, Vice-President Amissah-Arthur thanked President John Mahama for reposing confidence in him.

He also thanked members of the clergy for their unflinching support and prayers for him as well as the Members of Parliament for their thorough job and unanimity in carrying out the unprecedented assignment of vetting and swearing-in a non-elected vice-president.

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Cazorla joins Arsenal for medical

 Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla has passed a medical and joined up with Arsenal at their pre-season training camp in Germany ahead of completing a £15 million move from Malaga.
The Spanish club's financial problems have delayed the deal being finalised but Cazorla is expected to sign a long-term contract with the Gunners this week.
In the meantime, Malaga have given the 27-year-old special permission to train with his new team-mates and is on course to make his Arsenal debut in Sunday's friendly against Cologne.
Cazorla joined Malaga just 12 months ago for €19 million, and the playmaker's performances in guiding the club to fourth spot in La Liga and a Champions League qualifying position should have increased his value even further.
However, last week Malaga released a statement via the club website claiming that a period of "internal financial restructuring" was required to meet UEFA's incoming Financial Fair Play regulations, meaning Cazorla is available at a cut-price.
Cazorla could soon be joined at the Emirates by another La Liga-based midfielder, with Real Madrid's Nuri Sahin seemingly set to arrive on loan for the 2012-13 season. Jose Mourinho has said the Turkey international is free to leave the Bernabeu.-ESPN

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Syria defiant after PM Riad Hijab defection

Syria's new cabinet has begun work, after Prime Minister Riad Hijab defected and denounced Damascus's "terrorist regime".

Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi said Mr Hijab had not yet appeared in person and he rejected reports of other ministerial defections.
Meanwhile, Iran's security chief has made an unexpected visit to Damascus in an apparent step change in diplomacy.
Tehran says it is planning a conference aimed at solving the Syrian crisis.
The staunchest regional ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Tehran is also trying to secure the release of a group of Iranians abducted by rebels from a bus in Damascus on Saturday.
'US held responsible' An unconfirmed report from the rebels has suggested that three of the 48 hostages they are holding have been killed by army shelling.
Saeed Jalili, who heads Iran's supreme national security council and is considered a senior aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was due to meet Bashar al-Assad and several other top officials.
It also emerged that Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi was travelling to Turkey for talks in Ankara.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has said it holds the US responsible for the hostages' safety.
He said the US was supporting "terrorist groups" and despatching weapons to Syria, and was therefore responsible for the lives of those abducted.
The rebels have claimed that the group are members of the Revolutionary Guard. Tehran says they are pilgrims who had been heading for a Shia religious site.
'Business as usual' Caretaker Prime Minister Omar Ghalawanji headed an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday, stressing that all the ministers were there. He was due to chair a further session on Tuesday.

The BBC's Jim Muir, in neighbouring Lebanon, said state media were giving the impression of it being business as usual in Damascus.

Opposition activists said that apart from the prime minister, two other ministers had also defected and a third - Finance Minister Mohammad Jalilati - was arrested as he tried to escape.
But footage of the cabinet on state TV showed two of the ministers who had supposedly defected and Syria's information minister played down the significance of Mr Hijab's departure.
"We haven't heard anything from the former prime minister and he didn't appear on TV," Omran al-Zoubi was quoted as saying by Syrian state news agency Sana.
Syria was a state of institutions, the information minister said, and the flight of some of its individuals would not affect the state, however prominent they were.
 'Safe location'
Riad Hijab, appointed as prime minister less than two months ago, is the most prominent Syrian figure to defect so far.
Although his whereabouts are unclear, his spokesman appeared on al-Jazeera TV in neighbouring Jordan saying that the prime minister had fled Syria with his family and was in "a safe location".
"I have defected from the terrorist, murderous regime and [am] joining the holy revolution," ran Mr Hijab's statement read by his spokesman Mohammed el-Etri.
France said the Assad government was "doomed" and White House spokesman Jay Carney said such high-level defections signalled that President Assad's grip on power was "loosening".
"If he cannot maintain cohesion within his own inner circle, it reflects on his inability to maintain any following among the Syrian people that isn't brought about at the point of a gun," he said.
On the ground in Syria, the army is reported to have stepped up its bombardment of Aleppo.
Government forces are trying to dislodge rebel fighters who have taken control of some areas of Syria's second city.
Opposition activists report intense attacks on rebel-held areas on the north-east and south-west sides of the city.
State TV said troops had clashed with "terrorist groups" in several places, inflicting heavy losses and recapturing two police stations.

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Silverbird– Friday, 3rd August 2012 – Thursday, 9th August, 2012

HANDS OF TIME (Suspense | Action)
The Hands Of Time’ tells a story of two sisters Dantee (Nadia Buari) and Phyll (Phoebe) who got separated when a wealthy man adopted Phyll as his only child.He willed everything he had including his multinational insurance company to her on his dying bed. Kwabena (Kofi Adjorlolo), the husband of Phyll, was aware of her father’s wealth and had his own plans
Starring: Nadia Buari, Kofi Adjorlolo, Van Vicker and, Phoebe Evwuraye
  
Directed By: Van Vicker
  
Showing Times: 7:00pm and 9:00pm
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (Action | Adventure | Crime| PG-13)
Despite his tarnished reputation after the events of The Dark Knight, in which he took the rap for Dent’s crimes, Batman feels compelled to intervene to assist the city and its police force which is struggling to cope with Bane’s plans to destroy the city.
Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy and Gary Oldman
  
Directed By: Christopher Nolan
  
Running Time: 164 mins       
Showing Time: 11:40am, 2:45pm, 6:00pm and 9:10pm
ICE AGE 4: CONTINENTAL DRIFT (Animation | Adventure| Comedy |PG)
Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world.
Starring: Ray Romano, Denis Leary and John Leguizamo
  
Directed By:Steve Martino, Mike Thurmeier
  
Running Time: 94 mins
Showing Times: 12:00pm, 2:10pm and 4:20pm

SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN (Action | Adventure| Drama|PG-13)
In a twist to the fairy tale, the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.
Starring:Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron
  
Directed By:Rupert Sanders
  
Running Time: 127 mins                         
Showing Times: 12:00pm, 3:00pm,6:00pm and 9:00pm
MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED (Animation | Adventure | Comedy |PG)
Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman are still fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple. Their journey takes them through Europe where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they reinvent – Madagascar style.
Starring:Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett Smith and Chris Rock
  
Directed By:Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
  
Running Time: 93 mins
Showing Times: 12:00pm, 2:15pm, 4:20pm and 6:30pm
  
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (Action | Adventure | Fantasy |PG)
Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father’s former partner
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Rhys Ifans
  
Directed By: Mac Webb
  
Running Time: 136 mins            
Showing Times: 12:10pm,3:10pm,6:10pm and 9:10pm
THINK LIKE A MAN (Comedy | Romance | PG-13)
Four friends conspire to turn the tables on their women when they discover the ladies have been using Steve Harvey’s relationship advice against them.
Starring: Chris Brown, Gabrielle Union and Kevin Hart
  
Directed By:Tim Story
  
Running Time: 122 mins                               
  
Showing Times: 6:30pm and 9:10pm

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About those beach volleyball cheerleaders at the London Olympics

LONDON — The venue for London Olympic beach volleyball is surreal: Centuries-old buildings surrounding Horse Guards Parade, providing a stodgy backdrop for the raucous party music, costumed fans and sand-court action.
Not to mention the cheerleaders. Which is difficult, when that's all anyone wants to mention.
During breaks in the action, over a dozen dancers in swimwear — some women in bikinis, all the men topless — rush out onto the court to gyrate, titillate and keep the crowd fired up.

[ Photos: The Olympic beach volleyball cheerleaders ]

They do the conga. They throw beach balls. It may not be what Heracles had in mind when he christened the games as "Olympic," but it is a great excuse to have scantily clad people dance to Katy Perry's "California Gurls" during a gold-medal match.
"I think that the seed for this creative was planted when [the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games] decided to put beach volleyball, a relatively new and certainly very lively sport, on Horse Guards Parade, which as you know is the heart of ceremonial London," said James O'Brien, LOCOG's Head of Sport Presentation of Olympics.
"So immediately we had the juxtaposition of old and new. I took that and ran with it."

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SARKODIE's PERFORMANCE AT THE BIG BROTHER FINALE

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Google Android smartphone set for satellite launch

 

 Mobile phones have touched and changed almost every part of our lives. Now they are heading into space.

The satellite lies in pieces, strewn across the table. It doesn’t remotely look like a spacecraft.
“We keep building it, and taking it apart, and tweaking it a little bit…and building it up again, finding an interesting feature, then taking it apart,” says Shaun Kenyon an engineer at Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, a satellite manufacturer based in the southern English town of Guildford.
“We have all the bits,” he laughs, his voice bordering on mild hysteria. “Excitement is a good word to use about how the team’s feeling at the moment. Sheer panic might be another phrase.”
Kenyon is the joint leader of the Strand-1 satellite team, a group of volunteers hoping to fly the first smartphone satellite in orbit. Strand, incidentally, stands for Surrey Training Research and Nanosatellite Demonstration – joining a long list of torturous space acronyms. After many months of development, the group is close to finalising a launch for later this year.
At first the idea of putting a phone in space sounds like a stunt. But when you think about it, a smartphone is a remarkable piece of technology.
“You’ve got this thing in your pocket which has the same computing capability as a supercomputer did in the 1970s,” says Kenyon. “All of that electronics has got billions and billions of dollars of R and D in it, so we’re just trying to make use of all that research and see if those electronics will work in space.”
“It’s got sensors on it we all use for gaming, it’s got the comms, it’s got the camera,” Kenyon’s colleague, Chris Bridges, adds. “Apart from solar panels, this thing pretty much is a satellite.”
And it’s not only the computing capabilities of mobile phones that make them good candidates for spaceflight. Mobiles are remarkably robust, capable of surviving everything – from the extreme heat of a car dashboard in Africa to the cold of an Alaskan winter. They can be dropped on concrete, left in the rain and even survive the washing machine (although not, as I discovered, the tumble drier). In comparison, space should be a doddle.
“We’ve stuck it in a vacuum chamber and we’ve stuck it in an oven – literally, my oven at home,” says Kenyon. “We’ve also stuck it in my freezer, it was absolutely fine.”
Engaged for launch
The phone will sit at the heart of the 30cm- (11in-) long Strand-1 satellite, which will have a hole cut in the side for the camera. Apps include one designed to capture “postcards from space”, another will hope to prove conclusively whether it’s true that in space no-one can hear you scream. To do this, the phone will play screams and attempt to record them on its inbuilt microphone. Other apps will exploit the phone’s inbuilt magnetometer – used for its compass – to measure the magnetic field around the satellite. It will even use the wi-fi capability.
“We’ve got another bit of electronics inside the satellite that will pick up the wi-fi signal. So it’ll be a wireless intra-satellite link,” explains Kenyon. “That’ll be quite an interesting experiment in terms of much larger satellites where the weight of all the cables is not insignificant. So if you could use wi-fi in big satellites, then you’re saving a lot of mass.”
When it comes to putting smartphones in space, Strand-1 isn’t unique. Phones have already been flown on high-altitude weather balloons and even on rockets. And, last year, an attempt was made to send a phone on a suborbital flight. Unfortunately, a rocket failure resulted in it returning to Earth in pieces. As for orbital flights, Strand-1 has some serious competition from a US project: PhoneSat. Backed by Nasa, and packed with apps, PhoneSat is due for launch early next year

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STEVE JOBS DREAM

Mickey Drexler, a member of Apple’s board of directors and CEO of J.Crew, revealed in a recent interview at Fast Company’s Innovation Uncensored conference that Steve Jobs’ dream before he passed away was to design an iCar.

“Look at the car business – it’s a tragedy in America,” Drexler said. “Who’s designing the cars? They talk about expense, they talk about this, and then you say, ‘Who’s designing the cars?’”
Drexler also believing Jobs would have revolutionised the auto industry if he had designed the car.
“Steve’s dream before he died was to design an iCar. It would have been probably 50 percent of the market. He never did design it. In the fashion business, you know, Apple has 10 products and then they leave alone … the living room they’re dealing with at some point in the near future”, Drexler said fueling further speculation that Apple may make an iTV.
However, some analysts predict that Apple may still have a future in the car industry by working with makers to integrate Apple devices into their vehicles.

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I am not a homosexual Amissah-Arthur breaks silence

The vice President nominee Papa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur has finally reacted to a publication by some media houses that he was gay.

Member of Parliament for Bekwai Joe Osei Owusu brought up the issue during the vetting of the former Governor of the BoG and asked if the nominee cared to comment. 

He reacted by saying that the issues raised in the publication were false since he has never lived in a house with a garage when the alleged news was published. Also, he has never hired a male maid servant before and therefore the publication can never ever be true.

But in a strident manner, the former BoG Governor put paid to the speculations when he stated in his denial that his lawyers are keenly following up on the matter.

"It's one of the difficulties (of the job)...a number of people think since I’m the boss and I have access to government vault, I can just dip my hands into government purse. They think I have access to unlimited resources and when they come to me I should give them money."

 He added: “I have had classmates from Primary school who've come looking for jobs. I've had friends from Secondary school looking for money. And there's one particularly who has asked for money which i've refused because i've some concern about his lifestyle. This is what has led to these things. I'll just make one general comment, it is not true. It's absolutely not true.... I have not seen this gentleman for 40 something years. I saw him once for about 2minutes when he came to my house to ask for some money and i gave him...I'm saying that since i left Mfantsipim, I have seen him once for about five minutes...My children were the ones who first drew my attention to the fact that we never lived in a house with a garage. We lived at Ayido flats at Legon and those of you who know Ayido flats you’d know that there is no garage there," Mr. Amissah-Arthur emphasized.

 “In our second house too we did not have a garage so it’s absolutely not true to say that I had an affair in a garage, is not true....We have also never had house boys, it’s been house girls throughout, a series of them... I take it as part of the problems of the office that if people have wasted the resources that have been inherited and are therefore going through difficulties and think that by putting out this claim, somebody will pay them to keep quiet, i've refused to have anything to do with it. I'll not pay one pesewa to anybody who claims anything, and i've no doubt that this thing will blow over,” the Vice-Presidential nominee stressed.

source: iNewsGh

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'Reasons I Signed Jaysleek To D'Banj Records' - D'Banj Speaks

It is no news that former Mohits star, D'Banj has signed top music producer, Jaysleek on his new label, D'Banj Records, but the reasons he signed him.

The Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music artiste has revealed the motive behind him inviting Jeremiah Shelika, popularly known as Jaysleek to join his new team. D'Banj confessed, "This has been a long time coming. So, we are really happy to see Jaysleek join the D'Banj family.

"It's exciting to be working with one of the best; Jaysleek is a fantastic producer, hardworking, humble, and immensely creative. I'm so certain that he will carve a niche for himself here at D'Banj Records and inspire us to even greater music.”

On the part of Jaysleek, “I'm honoured to be part of such a young, fresh, innovative team; there's so much energy here, it's simply incredible. We're going to keep on making great music for our fans for a very long time to come, you can be sure of that!”

Jaysleek has produced hit songs for 2Face, Face, Wizkid, Davido, Sound Sultan, Timaya amongst others. He recently produced D'Banj's first song after Mohits split, 'Oyato'.

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Beyonce To Release New Music Video For World Humanitarian Day

Beyonce has donated her album track 'I Was Here' to the cause United Nations and humanitarian aid organisation and will record the new video next month for the cause.
The video for the song is set to be filmed at the UN General Assembly Hall in New York in front of a live audience later this month.
Speaking about her involvement in the campaign, Beyonce said: “We all see the headlines and we think what can I really do to help?
''World Humanitarian Day is an opportunity for all of us to work together to make a difference. This is our time to leave our mark on the world and show that we were here and we care.''
The campaign website launched last week and encourages people to share their acts of good will - it is hoped the message will reach someone.
'I Was Here' originally featured on Beyoncé's latest studio album 4, which topped the UK and US charts last year.

Meanwhile, Beyonce has reportedly began work on her fifth album and it keeping the recording top secret. The singer is said to have hired a top security team to keep the studio session super private.
The ‘Single Ladies’ songstress has hooked up with music producer Hit-Boy, who has just finished working with her husband Jay-Z and Kanye West on their record Watch The Throne, to work on the music with her.
He has also previously worked with Nicki Minaj and her former Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland.

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President John Mahama to move to the flagstar house?

According to "THE CHRONICLE", the President of Ghana would be moving to the Flagstar house. According to the newspaper, there have been massive works like fixing of broken equipment, cleaning of the house and louvers.

Also there have been massive repair works going on there and have said that they would be shocked if after all these works, the Flag Star house would be left to weeds and predators.

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NPP Manifesto Exclusive: Akufo-Addo Offers Transformational Leadership

Ghana’s main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party, is preparing to launch its 2012 Manifesto on Saturday, August 25. But, before then, The New Statesman can reveal, exclusively, that the document lays out a detailed programme on how to transform Ghana, under “an action-oriented, transformational leader”.

The NPP believes the National Democratic Congress has failed and must be changed for hope and confidence to be restored in order to move Ghana forward.

The 2012 NPP Manifesto begins with a bold statement: “Ghana is ready for transformation. But, before that can take place we need to, first, change the current drivers of the vehicle... Transformation is beckoning, change is due.”

To the NPP, there are talented Ghanaians everywhere who must be encouraged to give active support to Ghana’s transformation.

Accordingly, “Nana Akufo-Addo is determined to identify and develop new talents and engage our best minds to drive the forward movement of Ghana,” the document will assure.

Above all, the NPP believes, “The agenda of transforming Ghana requires a presidency that will act as the force in driving the public sector to work for the people and encouraging the private sector to go for gold; a presidency that will provide the vision, direction and inspiration for the people to excel. What the NPP is offering is a leadership that will deliver. We will govern with decisive action plans and timetables, and allocate resources prudently,” the manifesto will say.

Leadership

The NPP argues that Ghana has been denied of any clear leadership direction under this third NDC government and the nation cannot continue squandering opportunities under the NDC. The NPP accuses the ruling NDC of reducing governance to greed, lies and propaganda gimmicks.

Still on leadership, the NPP sees it as key to unleashing Ghana’s potential: “Our nation’s potential for greatness is immense. This potential can only be harnessed and achieved with the right leadership. The NPP sees the task ahead as two-fold: transformational leadership and competent management of national affairs. By tackling our leadership and management weaknesses, we will unleash the talents of the Ghanaian people and build a great nation with the people of Ghana and for the people of Ghana,” the NPP Manifesto will say.

In Nana Akufo-Addo, the NPP believes Ghana has just the right kind of leader for this right kind of moment.

“Our leader and Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, is competent, committed, experienced, honest and has a clear vision on how to make Ghana work for you. He is a can-do leader, dedicated to pushing Ghana to succeed,” the document will assert.

The NPP says it wants to “move Ghana forward” and the document explains, “A transformed nation means a transformed economy, a transformed infrastructure, a transformed and much improved quality of life… This change,” the NPP stresses, “requires a clear vision, a can-do leader and the roadmap to get there.”

Nana Addo’s Can-do Spirit

According to Yofi Grant, Co-ordinator of the 2012 NPP Manifesto, the document, which has taken two years to prepare, “offers the roadmap to implementing Akufo-Addo’s vision of having an educated, confident, healthy workforce to drive the industrialisation of Ghana. Nana Addo’s can-do spirit tells him that what other countries have done Ghanaians, too, can do. It is all about decisive leadership, in tune with the concerns and aspirations of the people on the ground; a leadership that the people can buy into.”

Mr Grant continues, “What you will see in the manifesto is the clear, action plan of a transformational leader who is committed to really changing things. Nana is only saying, ‘look guys, we cannot continue failing over 70% of our kids with a failed education system, we cannot expect to make our nation modern and improve the lives of our people if we don’t add value to our economy, help our businesses grow and our young people to have good jobs with good pay. The good news is that, it is doable and we will do it.’ This is Nana’s message to Ghanaians.”

Society of Opportunities

The manifesto’s introductory page sets out what Ghanaians should expect from the next NPP government:

“Our vision is to create a society of opportunities for the Ghanaian people. We recognise that the quality of our nation will be determined by the quality of our people. This means a Ghana that will put the welfare and wellbeing of the people first, enabling them to achieve their aspirations. A transformed economy is key to this happening. Quality education, good healthcare services, skills and knowledge for our children, world-class infrastructure and decent housing are fundamental to building a society of opportunities for every Ghanaian,” the manifesto will say.

Making Ghana Work for You

Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP are also saying to the people of Ghana, “We will make Ghana work for you.”

In the words of the NPP Presidential Candidate, “Key to all this is the all-important project to transform Ghana’s economy. We do not have a choice but to industrialise and add value to our economy. It is this necessary economic paradigm shift that will open up our economy to offer Ghanaians the opportunities, confidence and incentives to live a prosperous life. Ghana must work and we must get it to work for the people.”

Again, in his manifesto statement, Akufo-Addo commits himself to running a government that would give “value for money” and “tackle corruption with vigour and sincerity.”

Sacred Trust: Value for Money

To him, “spending public money must be seen and treated as a sacred trust”, especially by politicians and public servants, in general.

The NPP promises to “tackle Corruption through a principled leadership that sees protecting the public purse as its firm duty.”

The party “will introduce institutional reforms that will enhance the autonomy, confidence and funding of statutory anti-corruption institutions. We will strengthen the institutions of governance so that they work without undue political interference.”

With the NDC borrowing over $13 billion, so far, under their 4-year term, with very little to show for, the driving philosophy of the next NPP government would be the transformation of Ghana, supported by a value-for-money administration of public funds.

Access to Public Goods

The party believes that for it to succeed in meeting the growing demands for access to public goods, such as good education, good healthcare, a more efficient police service and infrastructure, it must be deliberate and disciplined in ensuring that public funds are spent responsibly and public contracts are negotiated in the supreme interest of the state.

The NPP promises to “transform the way our children are educated” and sets out the plan for free, quality public education from Kindergarten to Senior High School, with the training, conditions of service and supervision by and of the teacher at the centre of the new education policy.

Empowering Private Sector

The NPP is lamenting over what it sees as the “unpardonable neglect” of the private sector in Ghana under the NDC. The party aims to increase significantly the current level of public-private-partnership, more so in the provision of electricity, water, and transportation, including roads, railways and aviation.

To the Ghanaian private sector, which is in distress, with low business and consumer confidence, the document assures, “NPP is a party that understands business.”

It would be bold in empowering local businesses, particularly manufacturers, road contractors, farmers and real estate developers, to grow and capture a dominant portion of the domestic market and compete in international markets.

Red Tape

The NPP has a programme to cut down on red tape, while empowering regulatory bodies to enhance standards of service providers and ensure value-for-money for customers. Doing business would also be made easier with a proper address system for our communities, investing in IT-enhanced services in the public sector and implementing the national ID card project.

The state will, therefore, be pro-active in creating the conditions for business, investing wisely and substantially in infrastructure and “freeing up private businesses to flourish and grow and innovate and compete and create good paying jobs for our people,” Akufo-Addo will say in his foreword.

On decentralisation, the next NPP government would work on devolving more power and increasing accountability at the district level.

On waste management, NPP plans to introduce cutting edge green innovations which would turn our waste, including plastic waste, into electricity to feed the national grid, fertiliser for farming and roofing sheets for building construction, for example.

The NPP says it has no intention to reinvent the wheel. “We will only work hard and smart to implement in Ghana the very socio-economic policies that have made nations industrialise and competitive and the lives of their people better.”

New Economy

The NPP sees the structural transformation of the Ghanaian economy to be paramount, and “we will provide the leadership, right policies and effective management to make it happen.”

The document drives home the point: “We cannot enrich the lives of the Ghanaian by continuing to export our raw cocoa beans, our mined gold, our drilled oil, our sawed timber and other raw materials without adding value. We also cannot keep importing even the simplest things we use when we can and should manufacture them here. Our small businesses must be actively supported to get working and producing, thriving and growing to become bigger and better, serving Ghana and beyond.”

The NPP sees farming as crucial to its transformation programme. “Primarily, transforming the Ghanaian economy means transforming agriculture. We will make farming work for the farmer by supporting, not only the big commercial farmer, but also the small and medium scale farmer. We will increase production and value in the agricultural sector to create jobs, make Ghana self-sufficient in food and a major agro-based industrial nation in our region,” the 2012 NPP Manifesto will say.

“For that to happen, change must come now – on December 7, 2012,” the NPP document appeals to the Ghanaian electorate.

The Chairman of the NPP Manifesto Committee is Prof. Yaw Twumasi, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Danquah Institute.

The writer is the publisher of the New Statesman and Executive Director of the Danquah Institute, a policy think tank.-THESTATESMAN

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Mills’ family: We know what killed Prof

Some members of the late President John Atta Mills’ family say they have been informed by medical authorities about what led to his death.

President Mills passed away on July 24, but the circumstances leading to his sudden demise are still unclear.

Members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) as well as others from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) have called on government to explain the cause of the ex president’s death in a bid to dispel rumours.

Joy FM’s Central Regional correspondent Richard Kojo Nyarko visited the late president’s family home Sunday and reported that they know precisely what killed him but are not ready to discuss it because they are in a state of mourning.

He quoted the late president’s sister, Mary Maa Adjoa Denise as saying a post-mortem examination was conducted on Professor Mills’ body a day after his passing.

Richard said the examination was done in the presence of the president’s brother Cadman Mills and Samuel Mills, who is the only son of the ex president.

“…They (the family) know precisely what killed the president. They are in a state of mourning and they are not in a position to banter with anybody (as to) whether there is going to be a coroner’s inquest or not,” Kojo Nyarko further stated.-MYJOYONLINE

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Beyonce Recording Top Secret Album!

Beyonce has reportedly began work on her fifth album and it keeping the recording top secret. The singer has reportedly hired a top security team to keep the studio session super private.
The ‘Single Ladies’ songstress has hired music producer Hit-Boy, who has just finished working with her husband Jay-Z and Kanye West on their record ‘Watch The Throne’, to work on the music with her. He has also previously worked with Nicki Minaj and her former Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland.
"She's spent thousands hiring out the whole studios. She's got security on the doors to ensure no-one hears a whisper," a source told The Sun.
"She's being strict with proceedings too, putting in 14-hour days declaring nobody leaves until it's perfect."
B is also currently working on a new documentary, which she hinted at last week.
She is one busy lady!

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Justin Bieber In Trouble Over Racist Comment

Justin Bieber is in trouble again! The Biebs made a comment to Rolling Stone magazine that could be construed as racist and people are not happy about it. The teen singer was telling the magazine about his heritage when he made a flippant remark about assuming he could get ‘free gas’ in Canada because he was part Inuit.
He said: "Part Indian... I think Inuit or something? I’m enough per cent that in Canada I can get free gas.”
Now The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples are unhappy as they feel the Biebs, 18, has enforced a stereotype that they have fought hard to dispel.
National Chief Betty Ann Lavallee said: "These kinds of remarks are another example of what Aboriginal Peoples in Canada struggle with every day.”
"It promotes the misconception that we are somehow getting a free ride. This simply is not the case and we are concerned that many people may believe what he said."
Dwight Dorey, the congress’s national vice-chief, added: “We have enough issues with racism and stereotyping.”
“A young, high-profile entertainer like Justin has a huge following. He has a major impact on young people. That concerns me.”
"Given that Mr. Bieber is still a young man, and unaware of the facts here, I personally don't think he should be beat up over this comment. We don't think he was trying to be malicious, or making a joke of aboriginal issues."
JB really needs to learn to think before words just fall out of his mouth.

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Rihanna Asks Chris Brown To Choose Her Outfits Via Text!

They’ve been reportedly secretly dating over the past few months, and now it has emerged that Rihanna has sent ‘’three outfits via text’’ to Chris Brown so he can choose what she should wear.
The 25-year-old allegedly sent messages to her old flame in anticipation of his arrival in the Mediterranean. RiRi has been holidaying there and became ecstatic when she heard he had landed in Nice, ready to join her on board her private yacht. Things could get a little heated…
"As soon as [Chris] arrived, she was jumping up and down and sent three outfits via text so he could pick what she wore," a friend revealed to Look magazine.
They continued: "Rihanna and Chris then met up under the cover of darkness two nights in a row, the first night was in St Tropez."
RiRi has apparently been dating her disgraced former lover in the past few months, appearing to forget about his brutal attack against her before the Grammy Awards back in 2009, but the You Da One singer doesn’t care what people think.
"Rihanna's given up caring what people think," the source added. "She knows it gives the wrong impression, but she won't stop loving him."
When will she ever learn, ey?!

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REVIEW: Why Raquel's Sweetio Video failed to please Ghanaians

Undoubtedly, Raquel's sweetio has been one of the best songs in the year 2012. However, the video didn't achieve much success as the music. In this article, we would look at how the video failed to achieve much success.


THE MUSIC
As stated early, the music sweetio achieved much success and to most Ghanaians a classic song in that regard.Raquel herself was great, Sarkodie was phenomenal.

THE VIDEO

I must admit the video came in so late so people were expecting the video to be one in a million. Also, since the video came in late, a lot of people prejudged the video. People expected the video to follow the story line in which the song portrayed so when it came out otherwise people thought it was a flop

COMMENTARY
The video wasn't necessarily a flop because the concept was different from other video and it is not every time that every video in Ghana has to follow the story line and it is not every video that should have an azonto dance in it. There have been a lot of videos that went contrary to the story line but have won video of the year. Examples include Single Ladies, Bad romance, Ayo Technology. We are not saying that when a video follows the story line it is bad per say but in our music industry we need creative and Raquel's sweetio video certainly does

source: Joseph Yaw Frimpong

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Nigeria suicide bombing 'kills soldiers' in north-east

A suicide bombing in the north-eastern Nigerian city of Damaturu has killed several soldiers, reports say.

According to an eyewitness, the suicide bomber rammed a car into a military vehicle that was part of a convoy.
The attacker's vehicle was being chased by troops when the bomb went off, a police spokesman said. No group has said it carried out the bombing.
Damaturu is the capital of Yobe state, which has been the scene of frequent attacks by Islamist sect Boko Haram.
State police chief Patrick Egbuniwe confirmed to the BBC that soldiers were among the casualties of Sunday's attack, but could not confirm whether anyone had been killed.
Some reports speak of up to five dead.
Damaturu is 130km (80 miles) west of Maiduguri, the Boko Haram stronghold.
The group wants Islamic law, or Sharia, to be imposed across Nigeria - and has carried out a series of deadly attacks in the past two years.
Boko Haram means "Western education is forbidden".
Sunday's blast follows a failed attempt to blow up the state's most senior Muslim cleric, the emir of Fika, on Friday.
The bomber tried to drive a car into the emir's convoy just after he had left Friday prayers. He missed his target but several people in the area were badly injured.-BBC

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TOP 10 MOVIES OF THE WEEK

THIS LIST IS VALID FROM 5TH AUGUST TO 13TH AUGUST, 2012

1. The Dark Knight Rises
2. Total Recall
3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog days
4. Ice Age: Continental Drift
5. The Watch
6. Ted
7. Step up Revolution
8.  The Amazing Spiderman
9. Brave
10. Magic Mike

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More than gay marriage driving Chick-fil-A flap

ATLANTA (AP) — When President Barack Obama said same-sex couples should have the right to marry, it was national news for a few days before the presidential campaign and the country went back to business as usual.

Yet weeks after a fast-food executive doubled down on his opposition to gay marriage, debate rages on about equality, religious values and free speech. "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" on Wednesday, with supporters flooding the chain's franchises around the country, was countered with "kiss-ins" by same-sex couples at assorted locations Friday, long after Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy's initial comments to a religious publication touched off the clash.

That's an unusual amount of staying power for what initially looked like just another skirmish over a hot-button question.

Coursing throughout the conversations on social media, in letters to the editor and in long lines to buy chicken sandwiches is the sense among proud Southerners that the outcry over Cathy's comments smacks of regional stereotyping. When public officials in Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago tell a Southern icon such as Chick-fil-A that it's no longer welcome, and that Cathy should keep his opinions to himself, many in the Atlanta-based chain's home region hear more than a little northern condescension.

"Maybe the reaction is just because we're Southerners," said Rose Mason, who was lunching Friday at a Chick-fil-A in suburban Atlanta.

Mason, who described herself as Christian, said she grew up in New York City. Now, she said, "I deal with my sister telling me we're a little backward. People have this idea that we're just behind on everything. So they view anything we say through that (perception)."

Cathy, a devout Southern Baptist whose family has always been outspoken about its faith, sparked the controversy by telling the Baptist Press that he and his family-owned restaurant chain are "guilty as charged" for openly — and financially — supporting groups that advocate for "the biblical definition of a family unit." He later added that the United States is "inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say, 'We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage."

For Marci Alt, organizer of a protest Friday at a Chick-fil-A in the relatively liberal Atlanta suburb of Decatur, it's Cathy's financial backing of conservative groups such as the Family Research Council that takes the conversation beyond merely what he said.

"Dan Cathy has the same First Amendment rights that I do. If he doesn't want to agree with same-sex marriage, I understand that," she said.

"But when he puts a pen to paper and writes a check to an organization that is about to squash my equal rights, I have a problem with that."

Cathy's comments were in keeping with the tradition established by his father, Truett Cathy, who started the chain in 1967 and never allowed franchises to open on Sundays.

Beyond Friday's organized displays of affection, there were other signs that the furor still had legs. Police were investigating graffiti on the side of a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Torrance, Calif., that read "Tastes like hate" and had a painting of a cow, in reference to the chain's ubiquitous ads featuring cows encouraging people to eat poultry.

In Tucson, Ariz., an executive at a medical manufacturing company lost his job after filming himself verbally attacking a Chick-fil-A employee and posting the video online.
For William Klaus, a 26-year-old X-ray technician with traditional views on marriage, the debate starts at ends with Cathy's liberty to voice his beliefs.
"He said what he said. Freedom of speech. Bottom line," Klaus said at a Chick-fil-A in Jackson, Miss.

However, that goes for Cathy's critics, too, said Klaus, adding that he stopped by the Jackson store simply to pick up some good food.

"For someone to blast him for his opinion, so be it — they have that right."-YAHOO

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P-Sqaure lay mum to rest

The duo carrying the remains of their mother

The mother of singing duo, P-Square, made up Peter and Paul Okoye, Mrs Josephine Okoye has been buried in her home town in Anambra State Thursday.

The duo was also joined by their siblings, including Jude 'Engees' Okoye, for the burial rites.

The funeral started at Mrs Josephine Okoye’s husband’s house at Ifite-Dunu, Akwa Village, Anambra State.

It was preceded by a lying-in-state in Umunachi, Umudioka Village, Anambra State, and a church service at St. Gabriel Catholic Church before the burial at Ifite-Dunu.

M.I.C, a top class funeral house, anchored the burial reported to have cost about 50 million Naira (more than 600,000 Ghana cedis).

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I am available to act nude – Nigerian actress

Actress Susan Ekwe

Controversial Nollywood actress Susan Ekwe has boldly declared that she would not mind flaunting her boobs and private part in a movie.

The 25-year-old actress, who is the daughter of veteran actor, Ignis Ekwe, has carved a niche for herself as one of Nollywood’s fast rising and controversial actresses.

Recently she received widespread condemnation after extremely daring pictures of her in Dubai emerged onto the public domain. Many took to several social networking sites to condemn the photographs.

According to Linda Ikeji’s blog, the graduate of Lagos State University disclosed in an interview that she is daring and is ready for a nude role anytime.

“I am weird and very daring, so yes, I can act nude. I am available to act nude. If I can go topless, what will stop me from acting nude? There is no big deal there because I feel that it is all about being professional.”

Several well known Nollywood actresses, including Ini Edo, have over the years distanced themselves from accepting nude or porn movie roles no matter the amount of money involved. Some have said playing such roles is not African.

It was reported last year that, Nollywood actress Omoni Oboli, stunned many when she rejected an offer of a whopping US$500,000 for a lead role in a high budget movie that will cost a Hollywood producer US$40 million.

Susan Ekwe started commercial acting in 2007 and is well known for her role in the movie Desire released in 2009.

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Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova to win gold medal

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Serena Williams of the United States thrashed Russia's Maria Sharapova 6-0 6-1 in 63 minutes to win the women's singles gold medal at London 2012.

Williams dropped 17 games all week and has won all of her 17 matches since losing to Virginie Razzano at the French Open on 29 May.
It was the most comprehensive Olympic women's singles final win.

Making history

• Williams joins Germany's Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi of the United States and Spain's Rafael Nadal as only players to have won all four Grand Slams and Olympic gold in singles
• The USA are now the most successful nation in women's singles with five golds and four bronze medals
• Russia have now won five of 12 women's singles medals in the four Olympic Games held this century
• Victoria Azarenka won bronze to hand Belarus their first medal in tennis

French Open champion Sharapova takes the silver medal and world number one Victoria Azarenka of Belarus bronze.

"I didn't think I would be this happy," said Williams, who plays in the doubles semi-finals with her sister Venus later on Saturday.
"Oh my gosh, I got the gold. I've never played better. Playing against someone like Maria you have to be at your best. I knew that, so it was like I had nothing to lose.
"I never expected gold in singles. I was so happy with my doubles golds [in Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008]. I thought, 'If my career's over I have my gold medal and now I have everything.'
"I have singles, doubles, actually everything there is to win in tennis. Where do I go from here?"
Sharapova added: "Serena played some incredible tennis, with the form she was in during Wimbledon and afterwards.
"With every match she has played she has played great, she has improved and become better, and that showed today."
Top seed Azarenka beat Maria Kirilenko of Russia to take bronze.
"It is just like everything came off my shoulders," said the Australian Open champion. "It was an incredible match.
"I felt so nervous because it is not very usual for a tennis player once you lose to come back the next day and play, so it was incredibly hard but I am so glad I did it and it was worth it."
Serena later teamed up with sister Venus to clinch a place in the women's doubles final with a 7-5 6-4 over Russia's Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova.
They will play Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka in Sunday's final after the Czech Republic pair upset US top seeds Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond 6-1 7-6 (7/2).

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Andy Murray to face Roger Federer for tennis gold medal

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Britain's Andy Murray will meet Roger Federer in the Olympic men's singles final on Sunday after securing a straight-sets win over Novak Djokovic.

Murray beat the Serb world number two 7-5 7-5 in exactly two hours on Wimbledon's Centre Court and is now guaranteed at least a silver medal.
Standing between the Briton and the biggest title of his career is Federer, who beat him in the Wimbledon final.
The Swiss overcame Juan Martin del Potro 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 19-17.
Murray said: "I just wanted to try and win a medal, for the team, for the country and lastly for myself. I'm so happy, I would love to win the gold medal.
"Before the tournament started that was the goal, to try and win a medal. So to guarantee a medal is great and I'll go for it in the final."

Analysis

Jonathan Overend BBC tennis correspondent

"It means so much to him. In the context of his career this may go down as his greatest achievement."

Federer admitted to being "extremely drained" by the marathon encounter, but he was finished more than an hour before Murray started against Djokovic.

 
n addition, Murray must play at least one mixed doubles match with Laura Robson on Saturday after their quarter-final against Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Stosur was delayed.
Murray troubled the five-time Grand Slam champion from the outset, registering two early break points before striking with a crosscourt forehand in game 12 of a near-faultless first set.
Murray averted danger in his first two service games of the second set as Djokovic looked to restore parity, saving further break points to hold for 5-4 and 6-5.
The excited spectators, mixed chants of "GB! GB!" with "Murray! Murray!", and the home favourite responded by wrapping up victory with a break to love.
Next up is Federer, the man who beat him at the All England Club on 8 July. Exactly four weeks on from that defeat, Murray has a chance to exact revenge.
Murray added: "It's been an amazing month and one of the best of my career. The support that I have had over the last month, after Wimbledon, I really needed it.
"All the times that I have lost in a Grand Slam final I've had a tough time afterwards for a few months. But coming here with the motivation of playing in the Olympics and with the support that I have had has been all the motivation that I needed."
Federer struggled to handle the windy conditions against Del Potro and, at 6-3 7-6 (4-4), the 2009 US Open champion was three points away from victory.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner served to stay in the match on 12 occasions before eventually prevailing and kissing the Swiss badge on his shirt, also with tears in his eyes.
The longest men's three-set match before Friday was Rafael Nadal's 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (9-7) semi-final victory over Djokovic in four hours and three minutes at the 2009 Madrid Masters.
Earlier in the week, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's 6-3 3-6 25-23 win against Canadian Milos Raonic was the longest three-set match in terms of number of games.

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Juventus boss Antonio Conte faces ban over Italian football scandal

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Italian football authorities are seeking a 15-month ban for Juventus coach Antonio Conte over claims he failed to report alleged match-fixing while at Siena.

In plea-bargaining, Conte's lawyer had agreed a three-month ban with prosecutor Stefano Palazzi, but an Italian Football Federation (FIGC) tribunal deemed that insufficient.
Further talks broke down and Conte will now face a full sporting trial, while Siena will be deducted six points for the new Serie A season.
The matches at the centre of allegations are the 2-2 draw with Novara and the 1-0 defeat by Albinoleffe in May 2011. Both were Serie B games.
The Italian Football Federation says it aims to reach a verdict in the case of Conte by 10 August.
In total, 13 clubs and 45 players and training staff face disciplinary action as part of a larger investigation into match-fixing ('Calcioscommesse") in Italian football.
Conte, who guided Juventus to the Serie A title in May, was cleared of any direct involvement in match-fixing last week and he originally denied all charges before changing tack and seeking to plea bargain.

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Inter Milan sells stake to Chinese investors

Inter Milan and other European football clubs have many fans in parts of Asia

Inter Milan has said that a group of Chinese investors is to become its second-largest shareholder.

In a statement, the Italian football club said the group would acquire a stake but that the Moratti family would retain control.
Internazionale Holding also said it would build a new stadium in partnership with a unit of China Railway Construction by 2017.
The Serie A club is looking to increase its presence in Asia.
It is thought that Chinese interests will take a 15% stake in the famous Italian club, which won the Scudetto and Champions League in 2010.
The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but there are reports the agreement is worth nearly $70m.
Inter Milan did not confirm the identity of the investors but it is widely reported by Chinese media that China Railway Construction Group is the key player in the deal, said BBC World Service Chinese editor Raymond Li.
The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome said that the deal is being seen in Italy as just one more sign of the economic times - an Italian institution with money worries turning for help to the limitless resources of a rising China.
'New phase' Inter Milan said Kamchi Li, Kenneth Huang and Fabrizio Rindi would become members of the board of directors as a result of the investment.

Raymond Li BBC World Service Chinese editor

This is the first such deal by a Chinese state-owned enterprise with a leading European club. Interestingly, one of the three representatives sent by the Chinese investors is Kenneth Huang, who also tried to buy stakes in Liverpool FC in 2010 but failed.
China is becoming increasingly involved in international football - a couple of Chinese clubs recently splashed their cash on buying top coaches and players, including Didier Drogba.
The current gossip in Beijing is that Xi Jinping, widely expected to be China's next president, is a keen football fan, so it wouldn't be surprising if we see other Chinese investors buying more top football clubs in the coming months.

Calling it a "new phase in the life of the club", Inter said the move was "aimed at expanding its presence in the Asian markets to raise new resources for the enhancement of its international future development and winning perspectives".

The location of the new stadium has not yet been decided, the statement said.
Inter is the latest European club to attract the attention of business tycoons from Asia.
English Premier League club Queen's Park Rangers is owned by Tony Fernandes, head of the Malaysian budget airline Air Asia, after he completed a takeover last year.
English Championship side Birmingham City is owned by Hong Kong billionaire Carson Yeung who took over the club in 2009, while Thailand-based Asia Football Investments owns Leicester City.

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From Dogg To Lion To 'American Idol' Judge? Snoop Throws Hat In Ring

Snoop Lion says, 'I'll clean my act up, but I'm still Rastafari.'

The man formerly known as Snoop Dogg hasn't just reincarnated himself as a reggae artist called Snoop Lion: It seems the legendary rapper would like to try on another new hat — a judge on the next season of "American Idol."
The performer announced his intentions to sit beside newbie "Idol" judge Mariah Carey in New York, where he was on hand to introduce the world to himself as Snoop Lion. The Huffington Post reports that the rapper/reggae artist shared, "I'll do 'American Idol.' "
After hearing that Carey will make upwards of $18 million to join the show, Snoop reportedly told his manager, "Get on it!" He later added, "I'll clean my act up, but I'm still Rastafari."
The show's producers refused to comment on Snoop's offer, but at last check Nick Jonas and Pharrell Williams stood as the frontrunners to replace Steven Tyler after his exit. Carey replaces the seat once held by fellow diva Jennifer Lopez. As of now, the fate of the only standing "Idol" judge, Randy Jackson, is also up in the air. He might return as a judge or step into a mentor position.
While Snoop is jumping at the chance to join the hit Fox show, one guy, namely Bret Michaels, decided to take it upon himself late Thursday to release a statement saying he wanted nothing to do with judging the show.
In a lengthy statement released by the newly single singer, he shared, "As far as the rumors surrounding 'American Idol' goes, Bret is honored that he is always considered at the top of their lists and fan polls but feels that position has long been filled. The only real consideration on the reality TV front at this moment is returning to do an 'All Star Celebrity Apprentice.' "

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Luis Suarez must move on from racism row - Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says Luis Suarez has to "move on" from last season's racism controversy, however difficult the striker may find it.

Suarez was banned for eight games after being found gulity of racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.
Rodgers said: "Luis probably still feels a little bit of injustice about last season, but for me the message is that we have to move on.
"We have to move forward. Let's let it go now, however hard it is."
The incident dominated Liverpool's season, with Suarez refusing to shake hands with Evra before the 2-1 defeat by United in February, and then questioning the "political power" Manchester United have in English football.

Continue reading the main story

“Opposition fans only give people stick because they're good players - you don't see bad ones getting it”

Brendan Rodgers

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Kenny Dalglish's handling of the episode cost the Anfield legend his job as manager.

Rodgers, who left Swansea City to replace Dalglish in the summer, accepts Suarez is likely to continue to be criticised for the Evra incident when he returns to action.
There were signs that British football supporters are not going to let the striker forget last season when he - and the Uruguayan national anthem - were booed during an Olympic match at the Millennium Stadium.
Suarez described the booing as a "lack of respect", but Rodgers said: "The first point is that opposition fans only give people stick because they're good players - you don't see bad ones getting it."
Suarez's participation in the Olympics came to an end with Uruguay's defeat by Team GB.
Rodgers is looking forward to welcoming the 25-year-old back into the fold with the Reds' season having already begun with Thursday's 1-0 victory over FC Gomel in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round clash.
"It will be fantastic to have Luis coming back, and he is already fighting fit," said Rodgers.
"He will have a couple of days off and join up with us after the weekend. I'm really looking forward to working with him.
"He's been playing games, so he will already be up to a decent level of fitness, maybe even higher really, because he's had more competitive games."

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