10 great sports every girl should try

Daniel Opare
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Here are ten fantastic sports that we think every girl should try, at least once.

1. Football

Did you know that the English Football Association banned the playing of women’s football in any of its member’s football grounds and that ban was in effect right up until 1971? Today, though, women’s football is played right across the globe and, if you are good enough, you could even become a professional football player.

2. Tennis

Women’s tennis is one sport that does get a lot of media attention, even though the Women’s Tennis   Association, the organising body behind professional women’s tennis, was only founded by Billie Jean King in 1973. Whether you just have a knockabout on a municipal court with a friend or take it bit more seriously and join a club, tennis a really good way to keep fit and it is great fun too.

3. Swimming

Swimming is a sport that absolutely anyone can enjoy, whatever your age and whatever ability. Get yourself down to your local swimming pool and you will find organised sessions for all kinds of things and it’s not all about swimming up and down the length of the pool. Swimming gives just about every muscle group in your body a workout, so it’s a great way to keep yourself in shape, all year round.

4. Running

Instead of running on your own, why not join a running club and take part in competitive events? Have a look on Google and you’ll probably find a running club nearby to you. They are not all about preparing for the Olympics; many cater for beginners and for fun runners too.

5. Squash

If you are looking for a fast-paced game that you play all year round, then squash could be the game for you. Squash is another sport that you can just for fun, or you can take more seriously if you want to. Squash clubs usually have a good social side to them too, so it’s a good way to make new friends.

6. Golf

Plenty of fresh air and some good, but not overly energetic, exercise is what you will get if you join a golf club. Some of the well-known golf clubs can be in the pricey side to belong to and many have long waiting lists, but most big cities and towns have municipal golf courses available and driving ranges.

7. Volleyball

Volleyball is a sport that you will find is played at most sports centres and it’s a great, no contact, team sport that everyone can enjoy. You’d probably need to join a club to play, but most clubs do have sessions for beginners if you have never played the game before. Smacking that ball is also a wonderful way to let off steam and let go of some of that pent up aggression!

8. Cricket

Cricket is another of those sports that used to be a male preserve, but now has a thriving women’s world class scene as well. The first recorded game of women’s cricket was actually played as far back as 1745, so the men must have hijacked the sport somewhere along the line. If you are interested, check out your local newspapers aid in online for your nearest cricket club that has a ladies team.

9. Badminton

Badminton is a sport you can even play in your back yard, if your back yard is big enough to stop you continually losing the shuttlecock over the fence and into the neighbour’s garden that is.  It’s also a game that adults and kids can play together, so the whole family can join in. If you want to take it more seriously, there are plenty of badminton clubs and indoor courts too.

10. Martial arts

There are too many martial arts to list them all, from the gentle paced Tai chi, to the less than gentle kick boxing. As well as a good workout, martial arts can also help people’s state of mind as well and it could develop your spiritual side too. Apart from that, there’s never any harm in a girl knowing how to look after herpes in a tricky situation.

Beautyandtips

Nissan to establish an assembling plant in Ghana

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Nissan Motor Co. Ltd is in discussions with the government of Ghana to establish an assembly plant in the country.

The company has expressed interest in helping the county to develop its automobile industry through the initiative.

Speaking at the ongoing Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition in Accra, Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyeremanteng disclosed that many agreements have been reached and will soon have Nissan in the country.

"We have added the automobile industry into our key initiatives to move the industrial transformation of this country but people were doubting. I tell you we have received a massive response from the private sector after we send the strong signal of industrializing the economy" Mr Kyeremanteng said.


He added, "look at the kind of proposals we are getting from big international companies when we kick-started the agenda, VW has already signed the MOU and the latest to join is Nissan far advanced with discussion to establish in Ghana.”

According to the Minister, ‘Ghana beyond aid agenda’ will survive with the support of the private sector – local and foreign.

He, therefore, used the opportunity to invite more private sector players to join the government in making Ghana an industrialized nation.

The Summit under the theme, ‘International partnerships for value-added industrial and local content development’ is an annual event organized by the Association of Ghana Industries, AGI.


President of AGI, Dr Yaw Adu Gyamfi called on the government to develop a national strategy for raw materials to feed the companies to be created out of the one district one factory initiative.

Local automobile sector

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in his keynote address lauded the role of the AGI in driving discussions on industrial initiatives.

He assured the local investment community that the entry of international vehicle manufacturing companies will not be a panacea for government to abandon the local industry.


"We are not looking at it like one supply but looking at a policy on the automobile for all players so that the Nissan and VWs incentives can be available for Katanka which is our local partner," he said.

According to Dr Bawumia, the government is working to revive the Volta Aluminum Company, Valco.

He said when this happens, they can produce parts for these vehicle assembling companies.

Myjoyonline

 

GIBA vows to resist StarTimes Digital Migration contract

Daniel Opare
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The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has vowed to resist government’s decision to hand over Ghana’s Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) migration to Chinese multinational media company, StarTimes.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) met in 2006 to discuss the global migration of Television from analogue to digital.

Although the global deadline was pegged at 2020, (ITU) urged governments to migrate from analogue broadcasting to digital by June 2015.

The government, through the Ministry of Communication, has reportedly signed a deal with StarTimes to see to Ghana’s Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) migration.

However, speaking to Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive Tuesday, President for the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Mr. Danso Aninkrah argued that should StarTimes be made to migrate Ghana onto the DTT platform, Ghana would have practically submitted its broadcast space to Chinese control and well as subscribing to Chinese content.

He noted that it is disturbing to have the only Free-to-Air digital broadcasting platform, which is the medium for the dissemination of information to the public and operations of mass media in the digital domain, to be controlled by an individual entity whose current business in the country is Pay TV broadcasting and is already distributing licensed controlled conditional access decoders and digital television sets across the country in aid of its commercial business.

He called on the government to extend the contract to include Ghanaians since there are eligible people to migrate the country onto the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform.

The Deputy Communications Minister, George Andah who also spoke to Ekourba Gyasi mentioned that Ghana’s Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) migration has not been handed over to Chinese multinational media company, StarTimes.

He added that GIBA is acting based on rumors and perception.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 

Vehicle runs into onion sellers at Oforikrom; seven injured

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Seven persons sustained various degrees of injuries when a Toyota Camry vehicle rammed into onion sellers at the Angloga Onion Market in the Oforikrom Municipality of the Ashanti Region on Tuesday.  

The victims include four onion sellers, a child of one of the sellers and two occupants of the vehicle. 

The driver of the Toyota Camry with registration number GC 394 – 13, ran into the traders following a brake failure.

“I saw the car coming, but I thought the driver was about to park to buy some onions.  Unfortunately, the car rammed into the traders after a suspected brake failure,” an eyewitness told Atinka Media Village Ashanti Regional correspondent, Kwabena Frimpong Manso.

Two of the victims who are in critical condition have been transferred from the KNUST Hospital to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Police have commenced investigations into the sad incident.


Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Kwabena Frimpong Manso

Japanese billionaire to become first moon space tourist

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A Japanese internet entrepreneur is to be the first "space tourist" to fly round the moon.

Billionaire Yusaku Maezawa declared "I choose to go the the moon" after being introduced by SpaceX's chief executive Elon Musk at the company's headquarters in California.

The ex punk band drummer made his money in online fashion with his company Zozo and is the 18th richest person in Japan with a fortune of $3bn, according to Forbes magazine.

Maezawa, 42, will take his trip round the moon in SpaceX's Big Falcon Rocket (BFR) spaceship and will be the first man to travel to Earth's only natural satellite since the US ended its Apollo missions in 1972.

It is not clear how much he has paid for the trip. Nor is it known when the flight will take place as BFR has yet to be built.

Mr Musk has said he wants the rocket to be ready for an unpiloted trip to Mars in 2022, with a crewed flight in 2024.

In announcing the moon flight Mr Musk has stolen a march on his rivals for space tourist dollars.

Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic are also battling it out to launch private-sector spacecraft, but neither have so far announced plans as ambitious as SpaceX.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Justin Bieber are among those who have so far signed up for 90 minute sub-orbital flights with Virgin Galactic at a cost of $250,000.

Sky News

Russia blames Israel after military plane shot down off Syria

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Russia has said Syria shot down one its military planes – but laid the blame for the deaths of the 15 personnel on board with Israel.

The defence ministry said Israeli jets forced the Il-20 plane into the path of Syrian air defence systems on Monday after failing to give Moscow enough warning of a strike on Syrian targets.

The Il-20 disappeared off the radar at about 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT).

Israel is yet to comment on the allegations.

Israel rarely acknowledges carrying out strikes on Syria, but an Israeli military official recently said it had hit more than 200 Iranian targets in Syria over the past 18 months.

The Israeli government is concerned by what it calls Iran's "military entrenchment" in Syria, as well as shipments of Iranian weapons to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is fighting alongside Syrian government forces

The incident on Monday reportedly occurred about 35km (22 miles) from the Syrian coast as the Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft was returning to Russia's Hmeimim airbase near the north-western city of Latakia.

According to Russia's Tass news agency, the Il-20 plane "disappeared during an attack by four Israeli F-16 jets on Syrian facilities in Latakia province".

On Tuesday, the Russian defence ministry said the aircraft was shot down by Syria.

But it said Israel's "irresponsible actions" were to blame, saying it was given just a minute's warning ahead of the strikes, which was not enough time to get the military surveillance plane out of the way.

Exactly what happened to the aircraft is not yet known. It was last seen on the radar as it was returning to its base near Latakia on Monday evening.

A search-and-rescue operation is under way, co-ordinated through personnel located at the Hmeimim base, the ministry added.

Earlier, the Israeli military refused to comment on reports its planes targeted facilities in the Latakia area on Monday, saying: "We don't comment on foreign reports."

But reports on Syrian state media talked of an attack in the area shortly before the plane disappeared.

"Our air defences repelled enemy missiles coming from the open sea towards the city of Latakia and intercepted several of them before they could reach their targets," Sana news agency quoted the military as saying late on 17 September.

Syrian television reported explosions over the sky in Latakia just before 22:00. Thirty minutes later, the Sana Facebook page reported that Syrian air defences had responded to enemy missiles.

Hmeimim is Russia's main base for air strikes on rebel groups in Syria – strikes that have enabled President Assad's forces to recover much lost ground since 2015.


BBC

7 students killed in head-on collision

Daniel Opare
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Seven people, all students have been reported dead in a gory accident involving a truck carrying manganese and a Mercedes Sprinter mini bus at Dompem, on the Agona Nkwanta – Tarkwa road in the Western region.

First eye witness reports to police indicate the bus, which was carrying students of various schools in the area who were heading home from school, was speeding and crashed into the stationary heavy truck carrying manganese from a mining concession.

Several others were injured and Police fear the casualty numbers could rise.

Graphiconline

Games of Thrones wins best drama Emmys

Daniel Opare
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Claire Foy, Thandie Newton and Charlie Brooker were among the British winners at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Foy won the best actress in a drama series for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix's royal epic The Crown.

Welsh actor Matthew Rhys also took home one of the night's big prizes – best leading actor in a drama series.

Game of Thrones won two prizes – best drama series and supporting actor for Peter Dinklage – while The Marvelous Mrs Maisel scooped five comedy awards.

However, two hotly-tipped shows – Atlanta and The Handmaid's Tale – failed to replicate their successes from last year and went home empty-handed.

Elisabeth Moss had been the pre-show favourite to win best drama actress for the second season of The Handmaid's Tale, but lost out to Foy.

In her acceptance speech, the British star described her time on The Crown as "the most extraordinary two-and-a-half years of my life".

She said: "I was given a role I never thought I would ever get a chance to play, and I met people who I will love for ever and ever.

"And the show goes on, which makes me so proud. So I dedicate this to the next cast, the next generation, and I also dedicate this to [her co-star] Matt Smith."

Olivia Colman is due to take over the role from Foy as the show enters its third season. Stephen Daldry won best directing for a drama series for The Crown.

Newton was awarded best supporting actress in a drama series for her role in Westworld.

"I don't even believe in God but I'm going to thank her tonight," the actress said as she took to the stage to collect her trophy.

Rhys picked up best leading actor in a drama series for his role in The Americans.

Set in suburban Washington DC shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected president, the series tells the story of two KGB spies in an arranged marriage who are posing as Americans.

"Parts like these come along so rarely. I will forever be in your debt," he told series creator Joe Weisberg in his speech.

Charlie Brooker, the British creator of Black Mirror and his co-writer William Bridges won best writing for a limited series.

John Oliver added to the British success at the ceremony, picking up the prize for best variety talk series for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

The Marvellous Mrs Maisel was one of the night's other biggest winners – adding five trophies to the four it won last week at the Creative Arts Emmys.

The series took home best writing, directing, lead actress and supporting actress in the comedy categories, as well as one of the night's big prizes – best comedy series.

The Assassination of Gianni Versace was also one of Monday's big winners – scooping best limited series, best directing for a limited series, and best lead actor in a limited series for Darren Criss.

Henry Winkler won his first Emmy – supporting actor in a comedy series for his role in Barry – 42 years after he was first nominated for playing The Fonz in Happy Days.

"Skip Brittenham said to me a long time ago, 'If you stay at the table long enough, the chips come to you,' and tonight I got to clear the table," he said in his acceptance speech.

Biggest Emmy winners (including Creative Arts awards)

  • Game of Thrones – 9
  • Saturday Night Live – 8
  • The Marvelous Mrs Maisel – 8
  • The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story – 7
  • Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown – 5
  • Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert – 5
  • RuPaul's Drag Race – 5
  • The Crown – 5

Jeff Daniels took home the prize for best supporting actor in a limited series or a television movie for his role in Netflix's Godless – described as a feminist western.

In addition to his family and co-workers, Daniels thanked the streaming service for "letting artists be artists".

He added: "Little tip for you young actors – when they call and say 'Can you ride a horse?' don't lie. You will find on day one that you're in the Kentucky Derby."

Put together with the Creative Arts Emmys handed out last week, this year's awards tally saw Netflix and HBO tied, with 23 awards each.

But one of the night's most memorable moments came from Glen Weiss, who proposed to his girlfriend from the stage during his speech.

While accepting outstanding directing for a variety special for The Oscars, he spoke to his partner Jan Svendsen, who was sitting in the audience.

"You wonder why I don't like to call you my girlfriend? Because I want to call you my wife," he said as the crowd began cheering.

Svendsen, who looked shocked and delighted, then made her way up to the stage to accept his proposal.

Weiss said he was giving her the ring "that my dad put on my mom's finger 67 years ago". His proposal came just two weeks after the death of his mother, which he also referred to in his speech.

Rhys joked about the moment later in the night, telling the audience as he collected his award that his girlfriend had whispered to him: "If you propose to me I will punch you clean in the mouth."

The ceremony took place at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, with Kenan Thompson and Kate McKinnon kicking off proceedings.

"We're celebrating the fact that this year's Emmy Awards has the most diverse group of nominees in Emmy history," Thompson said.

"One step closer to a black Sheldon," he joked – referring to The Big Bang Theory's most famous character.

The pair then embarked on a parody song called We Solved It – suggesting the Emmys had single-handedly fixed Hollywood's lack of diversity – which featured cameo appearances from Sandra Oh and John Legend.

Ceremony hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che then took to the stage – referencing the fact that streaming service Netflix received the most nods this year in their opening monologue.

"NBC has the most nominations of any broadcast network," Che said, adding: "Which is kind of like being the sexiest person on life support".

BBC

US imposes new tariffs on $200bn of Chinese goods

Daniel Opare
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The US is imposing new tariffs on $200bn (£150bn) worth of Chinese goods as it escalates its trade war with Beijing.

These will apply to almost 6,000 items, marking the biggest round of US tariffs so far.

Handbags, rice and textiles will be included, but some items expected to be targeted such as smart watches and high chairs have been excluded.

China has previously vowed to retaliate against any further US tariffs.

The taxes will take effect from 24 September, starting at 10% and increasing to 25% from the start of next year unless the two countries agree a deal.

President Donald Trump said the latest round of tariffs was in response to China's "unfair trade practices, including subsidies and rules that require foreign companies in some sectors to bring on local partners.

"We have been very clear about the type of changes that need to be made, and we have given China every opportunity to treat us more fairly.

"But, so far, China has been unwilling to change its practices," he said.

He also warned that if China retaliated then the US would "immediately pursue phase three" which would mean imposing further tariffs with taxes on another $267bn worth of Chinese products.

If he does go ahead with a further $267bn worth of tariffs, it would mean virtually all of China's US exports would be subject to new duties.

Chinese stock markets opened lower on Tuesday.

Yes, it has. In fact, this latest round marks the third set of tariffs put into motion so far this year.

In July, the White House increased charges on $34bn worth of Chinese products. Then last month, the escalating trade war moved up a gear when the US brought in a 25% tax on a second wave of goods worth $16bn.

This latest round means that around half of all Chinese imports to the US are now subject to the new duties.

It is also the biggest set of tariffs to date, and unlike the earlier rounds this latest list targets consumer goods, such as luggage and furniture.

That means regular households may start to feel the impact from higher prices.

US companies have already said they are worried about the effect of higher costs on their businesses and warned of the risk of job cuts.

While economists generally estimate that the tariffs will have little impact on the overall US economy, they have warned that the effects are difficult to predict.

Officials have said they want to shield consumer goods from the taxes as much as possible.

But many everyday items such as suitcases, handbags, toilet paper and wool are included in this latest round of tariffs.

The list also includes several food items from frozen cuts of meat, to almost all types of fish from smoked mackerel to scallops and soybeans, various types of fruit and cereal and rice.

Products that help computer networks operate, such as routers, are also targeted.

The list slated for tariffs originally included more than 6,000 items, but US officials later removed about 300 types of items, including smart watches, bicycle helmets, play pens, high chairs and baby car seats.

The changes come after fierce opposition from companies, including global tech giants such as Apple, Dell and Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

The firms are worried the tariffs will increase their costs since many of their products are manufactured in China.

Earlier this month, Apple wrote to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer warning that consumers would have to pay more for its products as a result of the proposed tariffs.

At the time, President Trump replied with a tweet urging Apple: "Make your products in the United States instead of China."

The White House says its tariffs are a response to China's "unfair" trade policies.

In theory, the tariffs will make US-made products cheaper than imported ones, and so encourage consumers to buy American. The idea is they would boost local businesses and support the national economy.

US officials hope the risk of economic harm will convince the Chinese government to change its policies.

The BBC's Asia business correspondent Karishma Vaswani said the escalating trade war between the two countries is in part due to a lack of understanding of the other's position.

"Given the diametrically opposing views Washington and Beijing have of their problems, this trade war is unlikely to get better before it gets worse – for them, or for any of us."

Many US businesses are critical of the tariffs.

Farmers, manufacturers, retailers and other industry groups have formed a coalition to oppose the tariffs, calling them taxes on American families.

"Tariffs have already resulted in layoffs, and this escalation will continue to squeeze American businesses with higher input costs and American farmers with decreasing commodity values," said Jonathan Gold, a spokesman for the coalition.

The Chinese have previously hit back with tariffs on $50bn worth of US products in retaliation, targeting their response against key parts of the president's political base, such as farmers.

The government has outlined a plan to impose further tariffs on roughly $60bn worth of US goods, and threatened other measures.

Talks between high-level officials ended in May without resolving the matter. Efforts to restart discussions have failed to progress.

US and China officials had discussed a new round of talks over the past week, but Mr Trump's latest move is likely to sour relations further.

China is reported to have said it would reject new trade talks if Mr Trump imposed the $200bn worth of tariffs on its exports.

Mr Trump's economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, earlier said they were still happy to talk: "We are ready to negotiate and talk with China anytime they are ready for serious and substantive negotiations," he said.

BBC

“Promote the spirit of reconciliation” –Akufo-Addo to new UEW Vice Chancellor

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The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has urged the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Very Reverend Father Professor Anthony Afful-Broni, to “use his full gifts” to promote the spirit of reconciliation in the University during his tenure of office, so as to help put the its immediate University behind all.

According to President Akufo-Addo, “it represents the surest route to success in the daunting task ahead.”

Speaking at the investiture ceremony of the Very Reverend Father Professor Anthony Afful-Broni, as the 4th Vice Chancellor of the University, on Monday, 17th September, 2018, the President stated that the ceremony is taking place on the heels of recent happenings in this University which disturbed all.

“It is worth noting, however, that the stakeholders have acted within the confines of the law to ensure that this University has a substantive leadership in place to help it achieve the goals for which it was established. To all whose diverse efforts helped in restoring normalcy to UEW, you have the appreciation of a grateful nation,” he added.

With UEW Central performing an important role in the social and economic transformation of Ghana, the President indicated that his Government has demonstrated its commitment to the growth of the University, “and we will help ensure that UEW fulfils its mandate. Our goal is to help restore the teaching profession to the status it once enjoyed, and make it an attractive career choice.”

In the new Vice Chancellor, President Akufo-Addo was confident that the UEW has a person capable of not only steering the affairs of the University for the next four years, but also spurring it onto even greater heights.

“His induction into office today is a mark of the trust that the Governing Council and Faculty of the University have reposed in him, and I am confident that this trust will not be broken. His wealth of experience, with decades of service to Church and classroom, makes him an appropriate person for this all-important assignment,” he added.

The President reminded the new Vice Chancellor of one of the most important, immediate challenges, which will confront the University and others, i.e. the dramatically increased population of students, who will be seeking admission in some two years, as a result of the Free Senior High School policy.

Despite the stance by some who continue to state that all the infrastructural needs of senior high schools should have been addressed before the roll-out of Free SHS, the President strongly disagreed.

“I take comfort in the words of Holy Scripture, in Ecclesiastes chapter 11, verse 4, which says: “If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never sow anything and never harvest anything”,” he said.

The President continued, “We have taken the first, bold step, because we cannot continue to watch as tens and tens of thousands of qualified Ghanaian children drop out of school, because they cannot afford fees. Free SHS is here to stay, and will be a permanent feature of our educational architecture.”

Touching briefly on the policy of Teacher Licensing, President Akufo-Addo stressed that this policy is not intended to put any impediments in the way of teachers from the Colleges of Education and other tertiary institutions.

“On the contrary, it is meant to enhance professionalism in teaching, and guarantee that our teachers meet a minimum standard of qualification, through an independent examination, so as to be able to teach in our classrooms. If education is important to us, then it requires that we maintain the best standards,” he added.
 

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