General News
Shops to Shut as Government Declares Two-Day Mandatory National Clean-Up After Devastating Floods
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has reaffirmed that Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, 2026, have been designated as mandatory National Clean-Up Days, with the exercise scheduled to run from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on both days.
Speaking at a press conference at the ministry, the minister said the nationwide exercise follows a directive issued by President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, July 6, 2026, to intensify sanitation efforts, particularly in communities affected by the recent floods.
According to Ahmed Ibrahim, the clean-up exercise forms part of activities to commemorate National Sanitation Day while preventing possible disease outbreaks in the aftermath of the devastating floods.
He announced that all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the security services, government agencies, private institutions, waste management organizations and other stakeholders are expected to fully participate in the exercise.
The minister further directed that all shops located within flood-affected areas must remain closed between 6:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday to allow residents and businesses to take part in the clean-up.
He urged all Ghanaians to actively participate in what he described as an important national exercise aimed at restoring cleanliness and protecting public health.
Ahmed Ibrahim also called on all Regional Coordinating Councils to ensure that the necessary logistics and equipment are deployed to designated locations in good time to facilitate a successful clean-up operation across the country.
General News
I Support You – Sarah Adwoa Safo Reaches Out to Brother Israel Kwadwo Safo
Former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo has publicly called for reconciliation within the family of the late Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo, pledging her support for her brother, Israel Kwadwo Safo, as the leader of the Kantanka Family and the Kristo Asafu Church.
In a statement, Sarah Adwoa Safo said she had chosen reconciliation in the interest of family unity, peace and the preservation of their late father’s legacy.
She acknowledged that differences, misunderstandings and grievances had emerged within the family following their father’s death but said the time had come for the family to move beyond those challenges.
According to her, her decision to pursue reconciliation is rooted in love, mutual respect and the enduring bond shared by the siblings.
A major aspect of her statement was her public recognition of Israel Kwadwo Safo as the leader of the Kantanka Family and the Kristo Asafu Church.
Sarah Adwoa Safo said she has immense love and respect for her brother and, in honour of their late father’s wishes, accepts him in that capacity.
“I have immense love and respect for my brother, Israel Kwadwo Safo, and in the spirit of honouring our father’s wishes, I publicly acknowledge and accept him as the Leader of the Kantanka Family and the Kristo Asafu Church,” she stated.
She further declared her support for Israel Kwadwo Safo and expressed her willingness to work with him for the benefit of the family and the church.
She said such cooperation would help advance the vision and legacy of their late father.
Sarah Adwoa Safo also emphasised that the legacy left behind by Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo should be treated as a collective inheritance and responsibility.
She urged the siblings to put their differences aside and work together to protect what their father built during his lifetime.
For her, preserving his legacy requires unity among his children and a shared commitment to ensuring that his values and achievements continue to inspire future generations.
She therefore appealed to the family to focus on what unites them rather than the issues that have divided them.
The former MP extended her call for reconciliation to members of the Kristo Asafu Church, the wider Kantanka family, and others who were associated with their late father and his work.
She appealed to them to respect the unity of the family and support efforts aimed at creating a peaceful new chapter.
Sarah Adwoa Safo said the family must embrace reconciliation, fraternity and a shared sense of purpose as they seek to protect and advance the legacy of Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo.
Her statement signals a renewed call for an end to divisions and a stronger collaboration among the siblings.
Concluding her statement, Sarah Adwoa Safo extended her goodwill to Israel Kwadwo Safo and her other siblings.
She expressed hope that the family would move forward with peace, forgiveness, healing and renewed strength.
She reaffirmed her commitment to reconciliation and family unity, saying the siblings have a shared responsibility to honour and preserve the legacy their late father left behind.
The statement was signed by Sarah Adwoa Safo.

Technology
Jaguar Unveils Type 01 Electric GT as Luxury Brand Bets on a New Era
NEW YORK — October 8, 2026: Jaguar has unveiled its new all-electric Type 01, marking the British luxury carmaker’s most significant step yet in its plan to reinvent the brand around high-end electric vehicles.
The four-door grand tourer was revealed in New York on October 6, nearly two years after Jaguar’s controversial brand relaunch and the unveiling of the futuristic Type 00 concept. The earlier campaign generated widespread criticism online, with some commentators describing the rebrand as “woke” and mocking the concept’s unconventional styling.
Jaguar Type 01 Makes Its World Premiere in New York
The Type 01 represents a more production-ready interpretation of that design direction. Jaguar says the vehicle combines its heritage with a new approach to luxury, technology and electric performance. The long bonnet is intended to echo the proportions of the legendary E-Type, while the overall design remains markedly different from previous Jaguar models.
Jaguar’s New Type 01 Electric GT Signals a New Era
A powerful electric flagship
The Type 01 is expected to produce roughly 1,000 horsepower, with three electric motors enabling acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in about 3.2 seconds. Reports put its electric range at around 400 miles, while rapid charging is designed to add substantial range in a short period.
Inside Jaguar’s High-Tech Type 01 Luxury EV
The vehicle is also packed with technology, including a large digital driver’s display, camera-based rear visibility and a minimalist luxury interior.
Jaguar has positioned the car at the premium end of the market. The starting price is expected to be around $130,500 in the United States, while the UK price is about £130,000. Orders are scheduled to open in early 2027, with customer deliveries expected during the second half of the year.
The Type 00 Concept That Sparked Jaguar’s Controversial Rebrand
From controversy to commercial test
The launch gives Jaguar an opportunity to move the conversation away from its controversial 2024 marketing campaign and toward the products underpinning its new strategy.
However, the company faces a difficult market. Electric-vehicle demand has softened in some markets, while Chinese manufacturers are intensifying competition in the global EV sector. Jaguar Land Rover is also undertaking wider restructuring following significant operational and financial pressures.
Jaguar Type 01 Brings High-Performance Electric Power to the Luxury Market
JLR says production of the Type 01 will begin in 2027 at its Solihull operations, with electric drive units and battery packs produced in Wolverhampton and body panels manufactured at Halewood.
Jaguar stelt elektrische auto voor, en doet wenkbrauwen fronsen
The Type 01 therefore represents more than a new electric car. It is a test of whether Jaguar can turn a highly debated rebranding exercise into a commercially successful luxury-car revival.
Source context: Jaguar’s official announcement confirms the Type 01 is designed, engineered and built in Britain and describes it as the first production Jaguar based on the company’s dedicated Jaguar Electric Architecture.
Business
Gold Prices Rebound as Dollar Retreat Offers Relief to Bullion Market
By KPD News Online Business Desk | October 8, 2026
Gold prices recovered on Thursday after touching a two-month low, as a pullback in the U.S. dollar provided some support to the precious metal.
Spot gold rose about 0.5% to $4,132.66 per ounce by 0140 GMT, while U.S. gold futures for December delivery gained 0.4% to $4,157.60. The rebound followed Wednesday’s decline, when bullion fell to its lowest level since August 5.
The recovery came as the dollar eased from an 18-month peak. Because gold is priced in dollars, a weaker greenback can make the metal less expensive for buyers using other currencies, potentially supporting demand.
Dollar and interest rates remain key
Despite Thursday’s recovery, analysts say the outlook for gold remains uncertain. Higher U.S. Treasury yields and expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates again have continued to weigh on bullion.
Higher interest rates can reduce the appeal of gold because the metal does not generate interest income.
Market pricing currently points to a relatively low probability of a U.S. rate increase in October, while expectations for a December hike remain considerably higher.
Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone, said gold would need to break above $4,275 an ounce for the short-term outlook to become more constructive.
The World Gold Council has also highlighted the influence of rising U.S. yields and the stronger dollar on gold’s recent weakness. At the same time, global gold exchange-traded funds recorded significant inflows in September despite the fall in prices, pointing to continued investor interest in the metal.
Precious metals also move higher
Other precious metals also recorded gains. Silver was around $60.18 an ounce, while platinum climbed about 2.1% to $1,665 and palladium gained roughly 1.6% to $1,142.86.
For gold traders, attention now remains firmly on the U.S. dollar, Treasury yields and signals from the Federal Reserve as investors assess whether Thursday’s rebound marks the beginning of a broader recovery or simply a temporary pause in the recent decline.
General News
Hormuz shipping traffic falls to two-month low after tanker attacks
SINGAPORE, October 8, 2026 — Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to its lowest level in more than two months, as a renewed wave of attacks and security threats pushes shipping operators to reassess the risks of using the strategically important waterway.
Vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened regional tensions
Data from maritime analytics firm Kpler showed that only seven commodity-carrying vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, the lowest daily figure recorded since July 23. The decline comes after tanker-related incidents in the region reached their highest weekly level since the start of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
The reduction in vessel traffic is also reflected in crude oil flows. Kpler data indicated that crude shipments through Hormuz fell 27% from a wartime peak, to about 10.1 million barrels per day. That remains substantially below the waterway’s pre-war level.
Oil tanker sailing through the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Before the conflict, roughly 20% of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies moved through the passage, making any prolonged disruption a major concern for energy markets.
SECURITY CONCERNS GROW
Shipping activity has weakened as vessels face greater uncertainty over their safety. Reuters reported that at least 12 tanker-related incidents were recorded between September 28 and October 5, including attacks, attempted attacks and harassment. The Joint Maritime Information Center said the incidents reflected heightened activity around key shipping routes.
A separate tanker incident near Qatar has added to concerns about the wider security environment in the Gulf. The latest attacks have increased insurance and operational risks for companies moving oil and other commodities through the region.
Despite the sharp reduction in traffic through Hormuz, Middle Eastern oil exports have not collapsed. Alternative routes and increased shipments from areas outside the strait have helped keep regional exports flowing. Reuters reported that exports from the Gulf of Oman coast and the Red Sea had risen to around 6.7 million barrels per day, more than twice their pre-war level.
OIL PRICES UNDER PRESSURE
The shipping slowdown has nevertheless added fresh uncertainty to global energy markets. Brent crude was trading above $100 a barrel on Thursday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate was also higher as traders assessed the possibility of further supply disruptions.
Oil tankers in the Gulf as Hormuz shipping activity falls
For countries that depend heavily on imported fuel, prolonged disruption around Hormuz could increase transportation, electricity and consumer costs if alternative supplies and shipping routes become more expensive.
For now, the latest figures suggest that vessels are still moving through the waterway, but at considerably reduced levels. The key question for energy markets is whether the decline represents a temporary reaction to heightened attacks or the beginning of a longer period of restricted maritime traffic.
General News
Hezbollah Reportedly Receives $200 Million From Iran for Lebanon’s Displaced
BEIRUT, Lebanon — October 8, 2026: Hezbollah has reportedly received $200 million from Iran to provide financial assistance to Lebanese families displaced by this year’s war with Israel, according to two people with direct knowledge of the transfer.
The reported payment would represent the first major assistance from Hezbollah to supporters affected by the conflict, after hundreds of thousands of people were forced from their homes during Israeli bombardments and ground operations in southern Lebanon and other Hezbollah strongholds.
According to the sources, the funds arrived in Lebanon last month despite mounting US pressure on Iran and increasingly difficult channels for transferring money to Hezbollah. Intermediaries involved in moving the funds reportedly charged a 20% fee, reflecting the financial and legal risks associated with the transaction.
A Hezbollah official confirmed that an amount of money had been secured and said the group would announce a distribution plan, but did not publicly confirm that the funds came from Iran.
$3,000 planned for some families
The reported plan would initially provide approximately $3,000 per family, with priority given to people from villages that have been destroyed or remain inaccessible because of the conflict.
One source estimated that around 50,000 families could be covered by the initial payments.
The development comes after months of criticism over the limited assistance available to Hezbollah’s displaced supporters. The group’s ability to provide financial support and reconstruction assistance has historically been an important part of its relationship with communities in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs.
After the 2006 war with Israel, Hezbollah distributed cash assistance and helped finance reconstruction in areas heavily damaged by fighting. This year’s conflict, however, has produced extensive destruction while reconstruction has been much slower.
Washington disputes the reported transfer
The United States has challenged the claim that the $200 million was transferred from Iran.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the money was not there and accused Hezbollah of attempting to bolster its image by promoting what Washington described as false reports of Iranian financial support.
Iranian officials and Lebanon’s government did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to the Reuters report.
Iran has historically been a major financial backer of Hezbollah, although Tehran does not publicly acknowledge financing the organization. US officials have previously reported substantial Iranian financial support for the group.
A difficult road ahead
The reported transfer comes as Hezbollah faces serious financial pressures following the conflict and intensified US sanctions targeting Iranian and Hezbollah-linked financial networks.
The war has also left large areas of southern Lebanon heavily damaged. Lebanese officials have warned that rebuilding the country following successive conflicts since 2024 could cost more than $27 billion.
For displaced families, the immediate challenge remains finding secure housing and restoring basic livelihoods. Whether the reported funds reach the intended recipients — and how widely the payments are distributed — is expected to become clearer once Hezbollah announces its assistance programme.
The reported $200 million transfer has not been independently confirmed by Iran, and Washington disputes the claim.
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