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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has provisionally approved the Southern Arena stadium in Bo, Sierra Leone to host the 2023–2024 CAF Champions League Preliminary Round Match No. 5 between Bo Rangers Football Club and LISCR Football Club from Liberia. The match will be played on Saturday, 19 August 2023 at 4:00 PM local time. The approval was confirmed by the Director of Competition at the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Sorie Ibrahim Sesay, via WhatsApp. The Southern Arena stadium was granted a one-match provisional approval after CAF inspected the stadium and found it to meet the required standards. The first leg of the preliminary round will be played on 18–20 August 2023, and the second leg will be played on 25–27 August 2023. The second leg of the match will be played at the Samuel Kayon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia, Liberia on Saturday, 27 August 2023. Bo Rangers, the champions of the Sierra Leone Premier League, have commenced preparation for their CAF Champions League Preliminary Round showdown against LISCR of Liberia. Rangers Head Coach, Alhaji Foray, is keen on instilling winning ways in the team as they prepare to take on LISCR of Liberia. He stated, We know that LISCR are a good team, but we are confident that we can beat them, we have been training hard and we are ready for the challenge LISCR are the reigning champions of the Liberian Premier League. They are a physical team that likes to play direct football. Bo Rangers will need to be at their best if they want to overcome LISCR and advance to the group stage of the CAF Champions League. The winner of the preliminary round will face the winner of the match between Horoya AC of Guinea and Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia in the first round of the CAF Champions League.

Afro-fusion artist Jonathan Obai FitzJohn, known as Mello Seven, has been steadily rising in the entertainment scene since his emergence in 2019. Last year, he released an album that was acclaimed by many, including his peers, as one of the best albums of the year. The album featured several solo songs that became hits, including the widely popular song "Smile," also known as Poyo. His collaborations with other prominent figures in the Sierra Leone entertainment industry, such as Itribe, Drizilik, and Shadow Boxxer, also contributed to his success. In 2022, he had one of the most successful sold-out shows of the year. Since then, he has released more singles, both solo and in collaboration with other talented Sierra Leonean musicians. His recent song, "Kapu," has become an anthem in many parts of the country and has gone viral. Since its release two months ago, it has remained in the top ten Sierra Leonean songs on Audiomack, with over 75,000 plays. It recently re-entered the top spot, surpassing all new releases from stars with more years in the industry and supposedly stronger fan bases. Last week, Mello's wins continued to pile up. As one of Orange's brand ambassadors, he was made one of the faces of the free audiomack plays campaign and was also appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Excel Solutions, the organizers of Brunchin event( https://instagram.com/brunchinfreetown?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== ). This is all following his placement as the welcoming face at the new Freetown International Airport. Mello, who plans to release two new songs, one in early September, says that while these wins inspire him and deepen his faith in his craft and the public's acceptance of his music, they are just a stepping stone to his next level.

The President also highlighted the various strategic policy interventions and investments made by the government, including efforts to bolster local food production, create job opportunities, and improve the livelihoods of public servants. He said that these initiatives were carefully designed to shield the people of Sierra Leone from the adverse effects of the global shocks. The President expressed deep gratitude to the citizens for their resilience and unwavering support during these challenging times. He concluded his address by expressing optimism for the future and reaffirming the government's unwavering commitment to the betterment of the nation and its citizens. With the opening of the Sixth Parliament, a new chapter begins in the journey of Sierra Leone, characterized by unity, progress, and a shared vision for a prosperous future. As the nation embarks on this new chapter, the President called upon the Members of Parliament to prioritize the interests of the people above all else and to engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation. By working together, transcending political differences, and seeking common ground, the leaders of Sierra Leone can pave the way for inclusive growth, social harmony, and sustainable development. The President's address sets the tone for the forthcoming parliamentary sessions, highlighting the importance of collaboration and unity in order to address the pressing challenges facing the nation. With a renewed sense of purpose and determination, the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone commences its work, carrying the hopes and aspirations of the Sierra Leonean people into the future. It remains to be seen how a modicum of this will be achieved with the absence of the opposition Members of Parliament, save one.

In an exclusive interview with this platform, Valentine King, Chief Executive Officer of Kings Empire, has disclosed that over half of the printed application forms for the House of Stars show have been sold since the show's launch on July 21, 2023. CEO Val explained that his team is pleased with the turnout and is hopeful that the remaining forms will all be sold in the next two weeks. He elaborated that of the total number of printed forms, over half have been sold as of this morning, August 2, 2023. He mentioned the surprising reception of the concept of a reality show for stars, even without much information, which could be attributed to the attached prizes of a three bedroomed house, a car and a cash amount of one hundred million old leones. To alleviate the above mentioned information gap, he committed to releasing in-depth details in the upcoming days. Outlining worries and challenges so far, CEO Val said that the calls from neighboring countries for possibilities of participating are increasing daily, but he is still apprehensive to include them at this time. However, he pointed out that criteria for possible participation will be released this week, to also allay concerns of Sierra Leonean citizens. He also mentioned that some applicants have submitted their filled forms, but a small percentage are failing to completely fill the forms, while the writing of others is ineligible to start with. He concluded by saying that wears for aspiring entrants and some select partners are now available and have been distributed at sales points along with the forms, forming a package.

The Independent Media Commission (IMC), the statutory media regulator, has notified the management of Justice FM of its decision to revoke the station's broadcasting license for non-compliance with mandatory directives issued on 13 June 2023. The directives were issued as penalties for problematic live phone-in programs. The directive from the IMC's Complaints Committee was to eliminate these phone-ins due to the unavailability of technology to screen utterances made by listeners before they are aired. Some of the remarks made, the release then said, had been found to be inflammatory, especially in light of the then approaching elections of 24th June. In a press release dated 27 July 2023, the IMC cited violations of its directives and following warnings made on three occasions, saying this had necessitated a revocation of the station's license if it did not immediately suspend phone-ins during live programs.

Senior military officials have been arrested on suspicions of plotting a coup d'état. The alleged coup attempt was revealed by the Sierra Leone Police in a press release dated 31 July 2023. The arrests were said to have been made after receiving credible intelligence regarding the supposed coup plot disguised as a protest on both the 7th and 10th August, similar to the protests of last year’s on the 10th-12th August. Though further details weren’t revealed, the security sector called for calm during the handling of the situation. The apprehended suspects are said to be aiding the security forces in ongoing investigations to uncover the full extent of the coup plot and any potential collaborators.

Rapper Natasha Beckley, known professionally as Swadu, has revealed that her highly anticipated album is complete and will be released soon. Swadu, who has been working on the album for a year, says it has been finished since September of last year but was held back due to timing and last-minute details. She revealed that her only challenge is deciding which songs will make the cut due to the high quality and variety of the tracks, but it will likely have twelve songs. She explained that this album is a natural progression from her last album, "Freetown the Recipe," and that it will feature a variety of rap songs with some of Africa's best artists, including Vector, Harmonize, D'jani Alfa, Casanova 2x, and Flame Diggy. The controversial female rapper is currently in the midst of one of her busiest schedules and is expected to be even busier with upcoming shows in Dubai, Germany, and Gambia. "Freetown's Finest" is set to be released in this year, 2023.

Emmanuel Adonis Septimus Turay is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse educational background and more than 10 years of experience in various fields of expertise. He has continually demonstrated his commitment to excellence and passion for continuous learning throughout his career. His educational journey began at the University of Sierra Leone, where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Geology. He then pursued a joint Master of Science degree in Data Science and Machine Learning Engineering from HSE in Moscow, Russia, and the IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He further expanded his expertise by enrolling in the Executive MBA in Technology Management program at DTU in Denmark. In 2022, he also completed a professional Post-Master Diploma in IT Project and Portfolio Management from the University of Copenhagen. Throughout his educational journey, Emmanuel actively pursued opportunities to gain practical experience. From 2007 to 2008, he worked as a Resource Geologist for Public Works Mining Company. From 2009 to 2011, he worked as a Project Exploration Geologist at Makpele Mining Company. He also gained valuable experience working at African Minerals Limited in the Tonkolili iron ore mines. Emmanuel's remarkable academic achievements and diverse professional experience make him an exceptional candidate who is deeply committed to contributing to the development and progress of Sierra Leone. His extensive background in Geology, Metallurgical Engineering, Data Sciences, and IT Projects and Portfolio Management positions him as a valuable asset to organizations seeking innovative solutions and strategic insights. In conclusion, Emmanuel Adonis Septimus Turay is a highly accomplished professional with a strong educational background and a wealth of practical experience in the fields of Geology, Data Sciences, and Project Management. His unwavering dedication, coupled with his exceptional skills and knowledge, positions him as a true asset to any organization he may choose to join. With his remarkable achievements and continuous pursuit of excellence, Emmanuel is poised to make a significant impact in his chosen field, driving innovation and contributing to the growth and development of Sierra Leone.

The Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) announced in a press release today that the price of fuel products will increase effective immediately. This release was made in the evening hours after widespread speculation of an impending increase, which was fueled by the fact that fuel products were not sold throughout the day, leading to long queues at gas stations. The new price per liter for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and fuel oil is N25, up from the previous N21.5. Though this has not been confirmed by any government body, it has been independently confirmed that fuel products are indeed being sold at Nle25 per litre.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, met with the new Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, to explore the possibility of collaborating on the development of sustainable energy generation initiatives, with a specific focus on renewable energy. The visit was a courtesy call paid to the Chairman at his new offices in State House on Wednesday, 26 July 2023. Dr. Yumkella, who has a wealth of experience in the fields of technology, energy, and the environment at the international level, committed to researching, developing, and enhancing available and new sources of energy for the common good of citizens. Minister of Energy Kanja Sesay committed to intensive engagement with the Chairman towards an improved sector, benefiting the populace. The combined experience of the two men, along with their shared values, will be used to leverage, improve, and sustain the progress Sierra Leone has made in the renewable energy sector.

The red flag movement record label, in charge of the affairs of Rapper Alhaji Amadu Bah, popularly known as King Boss Laj, has publicly accused prison officials of harassment at the behest of authorities. The rapper's management made the allegations on his behalf in a post on his Facebook page, narrating situations of unscheduled searches, hospitals trips from complications brought on by neglect of health complaints and more. The prompting incident is explained as relating to his social media postings which had given rise to suspicions of the musician being in possession of a mobile phone in prison. The post explained that the rapper's social media accounts are being actively managed by his team in order to promote his career while he is serving his sentence. A follow-up post went as far as to allege possible assassination attempts against the rapper in the near future. Laj is currently serving a nine-year sentence for robbery, assault, and other related offenses. The allegations have not been independently verified.

Sierra Leonean Paralympian Instructor George Wyndham was recently given the opportunity to train other athletes at the Regional Classification and Qualification event for Para athletes in Ghana. Wyndham, who is a Paralympian Table Tennis Star, has over 10 years of experience in coaching and training Para athletes. He is an expert in classification, which is the process of determining the eligibility of athletes to compete in Para sports. During the event, Wyndham worked with athletes from across West Africa to help them determine their eligible classifications. He also provided training on a variety of topics, including technique, training, and competition strategies. Wyndham's training focused on helping athletes improve their technique, training, and competition strategies. He also provided guidance on how to navigate the classification process. "I am grateful for the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with other athletes," Wyndham said. "I hope that my training will help them to reach their full potential." The Regional Classification and Qualification event in Ghana was a success, and many athletes were able to achieve their classification goals. Wyndham's training was instrumental in helping these athletes to succeed. "George was an excellent instructor," said one of the athletes who participated in the training. "He was patient and knowledgeable, and he helped me to understand the classification process and how to improve my technique." Wyndham is a valuable asset to the Para sports community, and his work is helping to make Para sports more accessible and inclusive. He is an inspiration to athletes all over the world, and his dedication to his work is truly admirable.