President John Dramani Mahama today, January 9, 2025, named his first set of ministerial appointments. First on the list is Cassiel Ato Baah Forson. He has been named as the Minister for Finance designate, Mynewsgh.com can confirm. Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson is an Economist, Chartered Accountant, and Tax Practitioner with extensive experience in public […]
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A vibrant and unforgettable presidential inauguration dinner took place on the evening of January 7, 2025, following the official swearing-in of President John Dramani Mahama and his vice, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang. This elegant event was more than just a dinner; it was a jubilant celebration, symbolising the seamless transition of power from the Nana […]
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President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has announced his first set of nominees for ministerial positions in his government. This was done in accordance with Article 78 of the 1992 constitution of Ghana. The list includes Hon. Ato Forson, who is the Minister-designate for Finance, and Hon John Abdulai Jinapor who is the Minister-designate for […]
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Shatta Wale’s recent declaration of being the true Dancehall King has once again sparked conversations within the Ghanaian music industry. However, beyond the bold statement, the artist’s return from Kingston, Jamaica, where he performed at the Freedom Street concert, was marked by a more profound message—one that emphasized respect for the culture, unity within the […]
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BANK of Scotland chiefs are rolling out a major change across all its branches.
Banking hubs across Scotland are disappearing from the high street as the industry continues to shift its focus to online and digital platforms.
Now Lloyds Banking Group has revealed its customers will soon be able to access services across all subsidaries, including Bank of Scotland, Halifax and Lloyds.
This means customers visiting branches will be able to access the same services in all hubs.
The banking giant says the move will provide customers with “access to the UK’s biggest combined branch network”.
The facilities include in-person banking, apps, mobile messaging and telephone services.
But unions argue the cross-brand branch access strategy is primarily motivated by cost-cutting and streamlining operations, rather than improving customer experience.
A Lloyds Banking Group spokesperson said: “We’re always looking for ways to make banking easier and more flexible for our customers.
“From later this year, we’ll offer customers of Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland the option to use branches of any brand for their in-person banking, alongside our apps, mobile messaging, and telephone services.”
This year, Bank of Scotland is to axe 15 branches before the end of June.
The number of physical bank branches has slowly dropped over the last 40 years
Over the same period, the number of building society branches in operation fell from 6,954 to 1,925.
Last year, the Royal Bank of Scotland announced it would be closing down one in five of their banks.
Bank chiefs say staff are reaching out to customers who are set to struggle with the loss of a physical bank branch – such as the elderly and those in rural communities.
Bosses have also promised that no other reviews into branch closures will be made until 2026.
GAMING companies are often adding new features to their consoles in the hope of bringing more immersive experiences to gamers.
A number of hardware pieces have been released over the years in the name of immersion, and most notably, many companies believe that VR is the future of gaming.
However, VR doesn’t have a large install base like home and handheld consoles do, but there is still a large push for the medium.
PlayStation has revealed its next step in immersive gaming at tech event CES, but gamers seem divided on whether that’s something they actually want.
Sony’s Future Immersive Entertainment Concept was showcased during the event, with a piece of tech that covered a whole room.
The room featured Sony screens covering every wall, with a person playing The Last of Us at the centre.
Alongside Sony’s current technology, such as haptic feedback and dynamic audio, the kit also pumped smells into the room.
The trailer for the new technology explains: “This Future Immersive Entertainment Concept aims to explore these possibilities [for narrative immersion].
“This proof-of-concept project combines the latest location-based technologies, Sony Crystal LED panels, engaging audio, haptics, scent and atmospherics to fully immerse you into the world of the story.”
However, gamers are split in whether they are interested in the technology, particularly given the choice of game Sony showcased.
The Last of Us is set in a dystopian world where humans are struggling to survive against people infected with a deadly fungus.
One Twitter user writes: “My room smelling like sweat and gunpowder while I play Call of Duty.”
Another said, “I can’t think of a single game that will enhance my experience by smelling it.”
A gamer on Reddit was more straight to the point, saying: “Nobody wants this.
“Can we get actually good VR first before this weird niche that’ll lose Sony money.”
If you want to read more about PlayStation, check out the latest PS5 Midnight Black collection.
PS5 hardware and game reviews from our team of expert reviewers
Hardware Reviews
Game Reviews
You can find all of our gaming reviews including those for Xbox, Nintendo Switch and Steam on our reviews hub.
The pound has dropped to its lowest value against the US dollar in since November 2023, falling below $1.23.
This is happening because UK government borrowing costs are increasing.
When the government borrows money by issuing bonds (gilts), the interest it pays on those is called the yield.
The yields on government bonds have continued to rise in recent days.
For example, the yield on 10-year gilts is up eight basis points to 4.89%, which is the highest since August 2023.
Meanwhile, the cost of longer-term borrowing has also continued to rise, with the yield of 30-year gilts at their highest level since 1998.
They were up around three basis points to a peak of 5.39% this morning.
This means government borrowing costs are at the highest level since August 2023, when markets were worried about sky-high inflation.
The rise in gilt yields has an inverse effect on the price of these government bonds, which are falling as a result, with some saying the current market woes echo those seen in the fallout from the disastrous mini-budget of former prime minister Liz truss in 2022.
Economists have warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves could be forced into further tax hikes or cuts to spending plans to meet UK fiscal rules after the jump in government borrowing costs.
The rise in the cost of servicing government debts could cut into Labour’s expected financial headroom in a potentially worrying sign of how investors see fiscal sustainability in the UK.
The gilt rout has been sparked by investor worries over rising government borrowing and the mounting threat of so-called stagflation, where the economy sees rising inflation combined with stalling growth.
Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, said while still under pressure, the pace of the “relentless” bond sell-off had eased on Thursday.
GOVERNMENT bonds, or gilts, are seen as the telltale sign of global investors' opinion on the health of the UK economy and its leadership.
They also shape investors’ views on whether a Budget has been a success or failure.
Gilts are issued by the Government as parcels of debt that pay out a return — or coupon — to investors over a fixed term, such as five, 10 or 30 years.
The yield reflects the amount of interest paid, and increases when the price of a bond falls to reward the investor for the risk of holding a cheaper asset.
Yields increase when the price of a bond falls because investors want bigger returns for owning a riskier asset.
But she stressed the pound’s reaction shows ongoing concerns in the market.
She said: “The UK’s fiscal position continues to look perilous.
“The Chancellor is expected to make a speech in the coming days, where she may focus on public sector spending cuts rather than further tax increases to meet her fiscal rules.
“However, the rhetoric from the Labour government is one reason we are in this mess in the first place, and there are no guarantees that Reeves will be able to calm the market.”
After the autumn Budget, Ms Reeves was left with only £9.9 billion of headroom to meet her revised fiscal rules. This came despite a £40 billion package of tax increases to fuel higher spending.
Higher debt interest costs may mean the Chancellor would need to trim spending plans or bring in more revenue than expected to meet the fiscal rules.
The Chancellor committed last year to having only one fiscal tax-changing event a year, which is expected in the autumn, leaving many to expect that she will opt to rein in spending plans in her March fiscal statement.
A fall in the value of sterling is bad news for holidaymakers, who will find they get less travel money at the Foreign Exchange.
If the value of the pound versus the dollar is $1.30/£1 then for every £100 you change up, you get £130 dollars.
If the pound to dollar exchange rate drops to $1.23/£1 then you’ll only get $123 for £100 holiday spending money.
That means buying anything abroad seems more expensive and can impact what you can afford to do on your holiday.
You can take some steps to make your travel money go further.
Ordering your cash online in advance will help avoid a last-minute rush at the airport, where the exchange rates are typically much worse.
TravelMoneyMax at moneysavingexpert.com can help you compare rates from different bureaux de change.
Overseas spending cards mean you don’t have to worry about carrying wads of cash, too.
A weaker pound can also impact the value of your pension or any investments you might have.
This is because if you hold shares in a company based overseas, their value is affected by currency movements.
If you notice a dip in the value of your investments, it’s best not to panic or be tempted to sell.
Elevated inflation rates, which rise above the Bank of England‘s 2% target, could deter it from reducing interest rates in the near future.
This could be painful for mortgage holders waiting to remortgage, hoping for sooner rate cuts.
INFLATION is a measure of the cost of living. It looks at how much the price of goods, such as food or televisions, and services, such as haircuts or train tickets, has changed over time.
Usually people measure inflation by comparing the cost of things today with how much they cost a year ago. The average increase in prices is known as the inflation rate.
The government sets an inflation target of 2%.
If inflation is too high or it moves around a lot, the Bank of England says it is hard for businesses to set the right prices and for people to plan their spending.
High inflation rates also means people are having to spend more, while savings are likely to be eroded as the cost of goods is more than the interest we’re earning.
Low inflation, on the other hand, means lower prices and a greater likelihood of interest rates on savings beating the inflation rate.
But if inflation is too low some people may put off spending because they expect prices to fall. And if everybody reduced their spending then companies could fail and people might lose their jobs.
See our UK inflation guide and our Is low inflation good? guide for more information.
AMAZON has a great deal on its popular Kindle Unlimited subscription service this January.
Dive into three months of unlimited reading enjoyment for just £7.99, saving shoppers £20.48.
Kindle Unlimited – 3 months for £7.99)
(£9.49/month after)
If your New Year’s resolution is to get more books under your belt in 2025, Kindle Unlimited is a great way to get started.
You can currently get three months of Kindle Unlimited for just £7.99 before it goes back to the usual £9.49 subscription fee.
If you’re looking to curl up with a good book during the winter months, Amazon’s popular subscription service is the way to do it.
You’ll get access to thousands of titles, including magazines for less than you’d spend on a coffee.
Kindle Unlimited would normally cost £9.49 a month, so by signing up today, you’ll save £20.48.
The plan will automatically renew for the regular monthly cost when the three months are over.
So, if the membership isn’t for you, you can either cancel it or do nothing and continue to enjoy it.
While the Amazon store is home to hundreds of thousands of e-books you can purchase individually, Kindle Unlimited simplifies matters with a library of rentable titles.
So it’s a great service for die-hard book lovers.
The beauty of Kindle Unlimited is that for under a tenner a month, you can read or listen to as many titles as you like and continue to save.
Over the trial, you will be spoilt for choice, with access to over a million titles from e-books, audiobooks, and magazines all at your fingertips.
Opting for e-books is usually a less expensive option because, as everyone knows, reading can become a costly habit, even if you like bargain paperbacks.
As for Kindle Unlimited, in spite of its name, a Kindle isn’t a must to sign up.
You can fully benefit from this promotion with your smartphone or tablet. Just install the Kindle reading app on any device, and get reading.
MORE ON KINDLES
But if you are in the market for an e-reader, it’s worth heading to our Amazon device deals to see if any Kindles or Fire tablets are currently on sale.
If you’re not sure which to buy, read our Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Paperwhite vs Kindle Oasis explainers to find out more.
For more deals from the retail giant, head to our Amazon January sale guide, where you’ll find savings on everything from beauty to smart tech.
Kindle Unlimited – 3 months for £7.99
(£9.49/month after)
Head to our shopping tech section and tech deals hub for more deals and discounts.
A NEW theme park land based on the world’s most popular kids TV show is set to open in France.
A first for Europe, Parc Spirou Provence has revealed plans for a Naruto attraction.
The series, originally a manga (Japanese comic book) was created by Masahi Kishimoto in 1999, before becoming a cartoon in 2002.
The Japanese anime show was found to be the most watched kids show in 83 countries, following a study by The ToyZone.
And the 15,000m² attraction will be an immersive experience based on the anime’s village of Konoha.
Working with Japanese designers, attractions and characters will be part of the land although more is to be revealed.
It hopes to open by 2026.
It will be the first Naruto theme park land in Europe, with the others all in Japan.
The theme park manager Hervé Lux said, “It is a great joy and an honor for us to bring the Naruto universe to life at Parc Spirou.
“We have been working on this incredible expansion for 4 years now.
“Led hand in hand between the Park, Mediatoon Licensing, and our Japanese partners Shueisha, Studio Pierrot, and TV Tokyo, this project will allow us to offer visitors the most immersive experience possible for a theme park.”
Parc Spirou Provence first opened in 2018, with three rollercoasters and themed lands.
Based on the French-Belgian comic book Spirou & Fantasio, other themed attractions at the park also include The Smurfs.
Hoping to welcome 450,000 guests next year, earlier this summer it took over the nearby Wave Island waterpark.
And Naruto is not the only Japanese anime coming to major theme parks.
Universal Hollywood confirmed that experiences based on other popular shows such as One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen will launch from April to May this year.
Or you can visit Nördlingen in Germany – a town thought to have inspired the manga Attack on Titans.
But if you find yourself in Japan, you can go to the world’s largest anime theme park, Nijigen no Mori.
The park has everything from Naruto and Godzilla to smaller pop ups like Spy X Family.
Another theme park is opening in Europe, this time in Poland, with mermaid and viking themed lands at Hossoland.
In the mean time, we’ve founded up the best theme parks and attractions opening in the UK and Europe this year.
And here are five UK theme parks you’ve probably never heard of.
MEGHAN Markle is back with a bang – not only launching a new Instagram page but also releasing the trailer for her new Netflix cooking show.
The Duchess of Sussex looked glamorous in clips from the new eight-part series – and dazzled wearing a staggering £210,000 worth of jewellery.
Aside from her £140,000 diamond engagement ring, Meghan rocked £70,000 worth of glitzy pieces.
First up was her Cartier Love Bangle stack, which is said to be a gift from Prince Harry worth around £7,050.
Next, we can see two tennis bracelets worth £2,500 and £4,500 each, followed by a Lorraine Schwartz evil eye diamond bracelet, which retails for £15,000.
One of the poignant items Meghan can be seen wearing is her £21,400 Cartier Tank Francaise watch that once belonged to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana.
If this wasn’t enough, she also has a Cartier Juste un Clou necklace, which comes with a hefty £15,500 price tag.
She also can be seen wearing a £3,900 emerald choker and £1,600 zodiac ring.
One of the more affordable items Meghan is wearing is a pair of £200 knot earrings, and a jewellery set by Logan Hollowell.
Meghan’s new Netflix documentary trailer shows her cooking with Hollywood pals, including make-up artist and pal Daniel Martin, Suits actress Abigail Spencer, and The Office star Mindy Kaling.
There will be eight 33 minute episodes airing on January 15 showing her trying simple, yet “elevated”, food.
A montage of various clips in the nearly two minute video showed Meghan walking through vegetable patches and fields.
She was also filmed browsing through florists hand-selecting beautiful flowers for table arrangements, showing off her creative side.
The Duchess even tried her hand at beekeeping, fully suited up, as she collected honey.
In the glitzy new trailer, Meghan shared: “I’ve always loved taking something pretty ordinary and elevating it.
“Surprising people with moments that let them know I was really thinking of them.
“I’m going to share some little tips and tricks. I see what colour I gravitate to, and everything goes from there. And how you incorporate these practices every day.
“This is about connecting with friends.. I love that we’re doing this together for the first time. Making new friends.. and just learning.
“We’re not in the pursuit of perfection. We’re in the pursuit of joy. I have to get it totally wrong, to get it totally right.”
Prince Harry featured at the end of the video, embracing his wife in a warm hug.
The pair laughed as they sipped some mimosas.
The show description reads: “This inspiring series, produced by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, reimagines the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-to’s and candid conversation with friends, new and old.
“Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected.
“She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same.
“Guests include Roy Choi, Mindy Kaling, Alice Waters, with additional acclaimed chefs and special friends.”
The series is reportedly being made to complement her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.
However, there has been little update on it, nor is there a release date in sight.
It comes as Meghan released a cryptic video welcoming in 2025 on her new Instagram page.
The mum-of-two publicly marked the New Year as a fresh beginning in her life – and even signified the coming year is going to be all about her, experts have said.
In her first personal social media post for several years, 43-year-old Meghan ran towards the sea on a large beach before slowing down to a walk to write “2025” in the sand with her finger.
MEGHAN Markle launched her brand's new Instagram page in March 2024, but no products are available to buy as of yet.
Industry insiders said the site will focus on home, food, garden and lifestyle goods.
Meghan kicked off promoting American Riviera Orchard by sending 50 branded jams to friends and influencers.
Those who received a package included Chrissy Teigen, Heather Dorak, Tracy Robbins and Kris Jenner.
She later unveiled two new products from her American Riviera Orchard brand just hours before Trooping the Colour.
Polo player and close friend of Prince Harry, Nacho Figueras was treated to a jar of raspberry jam from the collection as well as a jar of luxury dog biscuits for his pooch.
