Month: May 2023

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Berliner Tageszeitung: Criminal complaint in Berlin, Germany, against Elon Musk and Twitter for possible fraud to the detriment of users

Berliner Tageszeitung: Criminal complaint in Berlin, Germany, against Elon Musk and Twitter for possible fraud to the detriment of users

Berliner Tageszeitung: Criminal complaint in Berlin, Germany, against Elon Musk and Twitter for possible fraud to the detriment of users

BERLIN, May 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BERLINER TAGESZEITUNG reports today that a criminal complaint has been filed with the Berlin public prosecutor’s office against Elon Musk, file number: 253 UJs 1012/23, alleging that Musk charged Twitter users on their credit cards but blocked them without giving any reason.

Source: https://www.BerlinerTageszeitung.de/wirtschaft/269895-criminal-complaint-in-berlin-germany-against-elon-musk-and-twitter-for-possible-fraud-to-the-detriment-of-twitter-users.html

“Blocking user accounts is a daily occurrence at Twitter, but the fact that they then continuously charge money to users’ credit cards makes the matter explosive and is currently occupying the Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office (Federal Republic of Germany). In any case, the question arises as to how much power a medium like Twitter can be granted at all and when the regulatory authorities should intervene to protect Twitter users.”

Incidentally, this is not the first time Elon Musk has been investigated, as there is also currently an investor lawsuit against Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The lawsuit is about Musk’s tweets in August 2018 with the premature announcement that he wanted to take the electric car company off the stock market and had secured the financing to do so. It later emerged that there were no firm commitments from investors.

“Elon Musk lied,” said a lawyer for the plaintiffs.

US Judge Edward Chen (Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California) had already found in the 2022 trial that Musk’s statements in the tweets had not been true.

“We will continue to monitor the case closely and report further developments as new information becomes available. It remains to be seen how the criminal charges against Elon Musk and Twitter will develop and what the consequences might be.

From a factual point of view, it should be noted that according to Article 48 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the presumption of innocence applies to defendants and accused persons, which must also apply in the case of the criminal charges against Elon Musk for “suspected fraud to the detriment of Twitter users”.

META KEYS: Elon Musk, Elon Musk Twitter, Elon Musk Strafanzeige, Twitter accounts, Thierry Breton, Thierry Breton Twitter, Berlin public prosecutor’s office against Elon Musk, Twitter users, BERLINER TAGESZEITUNG, verified Twitter accounts

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f3c50532-be3a-4bad-8e85-7253731d594c

Press Contact:

BERLINER TAGESZEITUNG
Press Contact: P. Hansen
Unter den Linden 21
10117 Berlin
Germany
Mail: Info@DeutscheTageszeitung.de
Web: http://www.DeutscheTageszeitung.de

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8849854

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Halt provision of Laptops to SHS students -CenPOA

Civil organization, Center for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPOA) has called on the government to halt the intended provision of Laptop Computers to Senior High Students. ‘We believe that this initiative, although backed by good intentions, is not well thought through. ‘We laud the government’s previous initiative of distributing laptops to all teachers in the country since we are in a technological age and teachers may need them for research and preparation of lessons. ‘However, we completely disagree with the government on its reasons for the provision of laptops to students’. A statement signed by Michael Donyina Mensah and copied to the Ghana News Agency said in many advanced countries with well-developed educational systems, students still used textbooks as a means of acquiring knowledge. ‘In fact, there is no scientific research to prove that the use of electronic books is more effective and improves learning outcomes than textbooks. On the contrary, health experts have warned that prolonged computer use may cause computer vision syndrome with symptoms such as eye irritation (dry eyes, itchy eyes, red eyes) and blurred vision. ‘Besides, it is very doubtful that students will not be distracted and will use these laptops only for learning. Their ability to protect these devices from damage and theft is also highly questionable’. The statement said Ghana’s educational sector was still facing many challenges, most of which were perennial, and this had affected access and quality. ‘With over 5,000 schools under trees, school feeding and free SHS programs under severe stress due to financial constraints, we maintain that government’s decision to provide these laptops to SHS students is misguided and an affront to taxpaying Ghanaians who expect the judicious use of public resources. ‘If the government still has any budget to spend on computers, we recommend that any such funds should be used in establishing additional computer libraries and equipping already existing ones with modern computers and sustainable internet connectivity. ‘Provision of such IT infrastructure in senior high schools, accessible by both learners and teachers, is enough to support research and other learning activities. The statement said replacing textbooks with laptops may sound expedient, but it was not necessary at this time, especially when the country was facing a deep financial crisis and was fraught with many social challenges. ‘We therefore call on the Minister for Education to halt any plans to distribute laptops to SHS students as announced by the Vice President and rather, channel any such resources to addressing more critical challenges facing the education sector’.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Directive to ask Domelevo to proceed on leave unconstitutional

The Supreme Court has in a unanimous decision described as unconstitutional the directive from the Presidency that former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo must proceed on leave. The court also described the President’s appointment of an Acting Auditor General while there was a substantive Auditor-General as equally unconstitutional. The Presidency in July 2020 asked the then Auditor General to proceed on leave. When Mr Domelevo indicated this as unlawful, his leave was further extended from 123 days to 167 effective July 1, 2020. Nine Civil Society Groups sued the Attorney General over these directives. They included the Centre for Democratic Development, Ghana Integrity Initiative, Citizen Movement Ghana, Africa Center for Energy Policy, and Parliamentary Network Africa. They contended that the directives were unlawful since the President did not have the power to exercise such disciplinary control over independent bodies. The Court, however, opted not to issue any other orders, including stopping Mr Domelevo from proceeding on leave since he has since retired. The case was heard by Justices Nene Amegatcher, Prof Ashie Kotey, Mariama Owusu, Lovelace Johnson, Getrude Torkonoo, Prof Henrietta Mensah Bonsu and Emmanuel Kulendi.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Ghana International Mall set to treat patrons to authentic live band music

The Ghana International Mall, Accra’s newest shopping mall, has introduced a live music festival at its premises on the Spintex Road. The new addition to the mall is in partnership with renowned FIFA World Cup organizer, Kenpong Travel and Tours. The ultramodern facility, which is yet-to-be opened to the public, would treat music-lovers with soothing live band performances from the Cappuccino Band across genres, particularly high-life (Adadamu). The live band music event has been carefully designed to create a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere, as it would feature DJs and A-listed Ghanaian entertainers. ‘We are excited to launch our weekend music festival,’ George Sarpong, Building Manager of Kenpong Constructions said in an interview. The multi-million-dollar project managed by Kenpong Constructions, a subsidiary of Kenpong Group of Companies, upon completion would become one of Ghana’s biggest malls. ‘We believe that this festival will be a great way to attract potential shop owners and the public. We want GIM to be a place where people can come to shop, dine, and be entertained, and we believe that this festival will help us achieve that goal.’ The mall is expected to be home to a number of popular restaurants, telecommunication companies, banks, retail shops, movie theaters, and a variety of other amenities. According to Mr. Sarpong, the mall is strategically located to provide a wide array of services and an unbeatable shopping experience. He added that the mall would provide job opportunities for young people and also contribute to the growth of the Ghanaian economy. ‘This five-storey mall will provide employment opportunities for thousands of people, both directly and indirectly. We believe in the importance of contributing to the local economy, and we are committed to doing our part,’ Mr Sarpong added. The festival would be free to attend, and no tickets are required.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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USA lines up international friendly with Ghana in October

The Black Stars of Ghana will face the Yanks of the United States of America (USA), at the Geodis Park in a friendly match on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 in America. The last time the two sides met was in 2017 when Ghana suffered a 2-1 defeat in a friendly match. Both sides have recorded two wins each in all four games played, as Ghana last tasted victory in the 2010 World Cup after beating the Americans 2-1 in the round of 16th stage. With the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers ahead, this would be a huge boost for the four-time African champions as they battle the USA in preparation for the CONCACAF Nations League. Mr. Kurt Okraku, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) noted that the friendly would help Coach Hughton and his technical handlers in their rebuilding mission to end Ghana’s over 40-year trophy drought. ‘We have two more matches to end the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and would need matches of this nature to prepare for future assignments, i.e., the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, ‘ he said. Ghana is in action in June for the 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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World No Tobacco Day: Prioritizing Health and Raising Awareness

Today, May 31, 2023, the world comes together to observe World No Tobacco Day, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about the risks associated with tobacco use in its various forms. The theme for this year, ‘WE NEED FOOD, NOT TOBACCO,’ highlights the detrimental impact of tobacco consumption on agriculture, the economy, and society as a whole. Tobacco use encompasses a wide range of habits, including smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, waterpipes, using smokeless tobacco, and chewing tobacco. Regardless of the form, all of these practices pose significant health risks. It is alarming to note that approximately 1.3 billion people globally use tobacco today, with more than 80% of them residing in low- and middle-income countries. Cigarette smoking alone accounts for immediate and long-term health consequences, causing around 8 million deaths each year. Of these, more than 7 million deaths are attributed to direct tobacco use, while approximately 1.2 million deaths occur due to secondhand smoke exposure. Tobacco products contain over 7,000 chemicals, with at least 70 of them identified as cancer-causing agents. Chemicals such as tar, arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and ammonia, among others, pose serious health risks. Moreover, nicotine, a highly addictive substance, is a major component of tobacco. The health risks associated with tobacco use are strongly influenced by the duration and quantity of consumption. Quitting tobacco use at any age can significantly reduce these risks. It is important to recognize that the impact of tobacco extends beyond the individual who smokes. Secondhand smoke exposure, affecting those in close proximity to smokers or shared spaces, is responsible for about 25-30% of tobacco-related diseases. The health consequences of tobacco smoking and tobacco use encompass a wide array of conditions. They contribute to cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes, by 20-30%. Additionally, tobacco is linked to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), various types of cancer (lung, mouth, throat, esophageal, pancreatic, cervical, bladder, kidney, etc.), infertility in both men and women, and complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Furthermore, smoking adversely affects the musculoskeletal system, increasing the risk of fractures, decreasing bone density, and impeding healing. It also has detrimental effects on the skin, leading to premature aging, wrinkles, and a dull complexion. The negative impact of tobacco use extends beyond individual health. It has significant social and economic implications, including increased healthcare costs, decreased productivity, and the perpetuation of poverty cycles. To combat the widespread use of tobacco, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended several measures. These include creating smoke-free environments in public spaces, banning tobacco advertising, implementing comprehensive tobacco control programs, and increasing tobacco taxes. In conclusion, on this World No Tobacco Day, I urge the Somali community and people worldwide to prioritize their health and well-being by quitting tobacco use and raising awareness about the dangers of smoking. Let us adhere to the teachings of Islam, which emphasize the preservation of life and avoiding self-harm. By working together, we can create healthier and tobacco-free communities.

Source: Somali National News Agency

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Somali, Finnish Ministries of Interior Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

In a significant move towards enhancing bilateral relations, the Minister of Interior, Federalism, and Reconciliation of the Federal Government of Somalia, Ahmed Ma’alin Fiqi, recently held a productive meeting with a delegation from the Ministry of Interior of the Government of Finland, led by Eero Koskenniemi. The discussions revolved around strengthening cooperation between the governments of Somalia and Finland, with a particular focus on the ministries of Interior in both countries. The meeting aimed to explore avenues for collaborative efforts and exchange expertise to address common challenges effectively. Among the attendees was Mrs. Tuula Svinhufvud, representing the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with other officials from the Finnish Embassy in Somalia. Their presence demonstrated the commitment of the Finnish government towards bolstering ties with Somalia. During the meeting, Minister Ahmed Ma’alin Fiqi expressed his gratitude to the Finnish government for its unwavering support to Somalia, especially in projects that directly support the Ministry of Interior, Federalism, and Reconciliation of the Federal Government. He acknowledged the significance of this continued cooperation and emphasized its role in fostering stability and development in Somalia. The discussions encompassed various areas of collaboration, including capacity-building initiatives, security sector reform, and sharing best practices in governance and administration. Both parties recognized the mutual benefits that can be derived from closer cooperation and pledged to work towards concrete steps to strengthen the partnership. Minister Fiqi highlighted the importance of exchanging knowledge and experiences between the two ministries. He stressed that by learning from each other’s successes and challenges, both Somalia and Finland can enhance their respective approaches to governance and address common issues effectively. Furthermore, the meeting served as an opportunity to discuss the ongoing projects and initiatives supported by Finland in Somalia. The Finnish delegation reaffirmed their commitment to assisting Somalia in its journey towards peace, stability, and development. As the meeting concluded, it was agreed upon to establish mechanisms for regular communication and collaboration between the ministries of Interior of Somalia and Finland. This commitment aimed to ensure sustained cooperation and the effective implementation of joint initiatives. The meeting between Minister Ahmed Ma’alin Fiqi and the Finnish delegation marked an important milestone in strengthening the ties between the two nations. It demonstrated the shared commitment to deepen collaboration, exchange expertise, and work together towards common goals. The renewed partnership between the ministries of Interior of Somalia and Finland holds great promise for both countries. It paves the way for enhanced governance, improved security, and continued progress on the path to peace and prosperity. As Somalia and Finland embark on this new phase of cooperation, the fruitful discussions and shared vision between the two ministries provide a solid foundation for long-lasting and mutually beneficial collaboration.

Source: Somali National News Agency

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Somali Permanent Secretary and CMD Director discuss ATMIS forces drawdown plan

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hamza Adan Haadoow, met on Wednesday in Addis Ababa with Dr. Sarjoh Bah, Director of Conflict Management Directorate (CMD) at the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) of the African Union Commission, and discussed with him a plan to reduce the number of ATMIS forces according to a previous agreement and fully implement the Somali Transition Plan (STP). The meeting’s main discussions focused on the significance of withdrawing 2,000 ATMIS forces by June 30, 2023, as well as the date of the evaluation that would require the drawdown of a further 3,000 ATMIS troops in September 2023. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) started conducting peacekeeping operations in Somalia in March 2007. On April 1, 2022, the mission changed its name and mandate to African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), clarifying its goals and gradually reducing the number of its forces as a pre-agreed withdrawal.

Source: Somali National News Agency