Venus Williams has married Andrea Preti, celebrating their union with two ceremonies in Italy and the United States, Vogue reports.

The couple first wed on September 18 in Ischia, Italy. Williams said the pair had always hoped to marry there but opted for a second ceremony because Italian marriage paperwork for foreigners can take several months.

A second celebration followed in Palm Beach, Florida, reflecting Williams’ ties to the state. The event was planned by Jennifer Zabinski of JZ Events, who also coordinated Serena Williams’ 2017 wedding.

The Florida wedding was preceded by a week of festivities, including a bridal shower and a dinner at Miami members’ club Sopra.

The couple legally married in a courthouse ceremony on December 19, with Williams wearing a Morilee New York gown.

Preti described the courthouse wedding as “very unique, emotional, and deep,” calling it “the second-best day of my life.”

The main ceremony featured personal musical choices. Preti entered with his mother to “I’ll Be There” by the Jackson 5, while Williams walked out to “Ovunque Sarai” by Irama, a song she said reminded her of her late grandmother.

After exchanging self-written vows, the couple exited to Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and later danced to “I Only Have Eyes for You” by the Flamingos. The celebrations concluded with an after-party at Sophia’s Hobe Sound in Florida.

Former professional footballer in Germany, Sebastian Hertner has died following a chairlift accident at a ski resort in northern Montenegro. He was 34.

The incident occurred Saturday at the Savin Kuk ski resort near Žabljak, where Hertner was on holiday with his wife in the Durmitor mountain range.

Initial reports indicate that a double chairlift detached from its cable and collided with the chair behind it.

Hertner fell from the lift and was pronounced dead at the scene. His 30-year-old wife remained trapped in the chair and was later rescued by emergency services.

She suffered a broken leg and was taken to hospital. Several other tourists were also left suspended for hours before being safely evacuated.

Local authorities immediately shut down the chairlift as prosecutors launched an investigation.

Officials said no final cause had been established, pending a full technical inspection. Žabljak mayor Radoš Žugić said the case was being treated with the highest level of seriousness, citing the region’s reliance on winter tourism.

Hertner previously played as a defender in Germany, appearing for clubs including 1860 Munich, Erzgebirge Aue and Darmstadt in the second division. He later captained ETSV Hamburg in the Oberliga, the country’s fifth tier.

The club confirmed his death in a statement, describing it as a tragic loss. “We are stunned and incredibly sad,” ETSV Hamburg said, extending condolences to his family and loved ones.

Hertner was also capped at under-18 and under-19 level for Germany during his youth career, playing alongside future senior internationals such as World Cup winner Christoph Kramer and Felix Kroos.

The Ahanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has fought back against comments made by Member of Parliament for Atwima Mponua, Seth Osei-Akoto, concerning the DRIP equipment.

The MP, in an interview with Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM, had accused the regional minister of taking away the equipment that was used for road repairs.

He said the roads in the constituency were in a bad state due to the decision taken by the regional minister.

However, in a swift response and setting the records straight, the minister provided details as to how the DRIP equipment can be accessed, insisting that it does not fall within his mandate where and how the equipment is being used.

He disclosed that the equipment for the said constituency had not been withdrawn and was very shocking that the Member of Parliament who should know better will be involved in such propaganda.

In a six-point rebuttal, the minister said, “1. My attention has been drawn to comments attributed to the Hon. Member of Parliament for Atwima Mponua concerning the District Road Improvement Programme, DRIP.

2. For the avoidance of doubt, DRIP operates under a designated national and regional secretariat, which is responsible for the coordination, deployment, and monitoring of all equipment.

Ghanaian gospel musicians Daughters of Glorious Jesus have added their voices to the need for contemporary artistes to acknowledge their predecessors.

Over the years, there have been complaints about current musicians not respecting the old artistes whose hits they have been drawing inspiration from.

In a post shared via social media, Daughters of Glorious Jesus could not fathom why, instead of honouring the old school, some contemporary artistes would rather compete with them.

To them, artistes should find a better way of reaching out to the old artistes and owners of songs before remixing them.

They insisted that they love to hear new renditions of their songs, but seeking permission doesn’t hurt.

Their post read, “You couldn’t have said this any better. Instead of honor, some even compete.

Let’s find a better way to reach out to song owners before remixing them. We love to hear the new renditions but seeking permission doesn’t hurt. May God bless us all”.

Former Gender and Child Protection Minister Racheal Appoh has stated that, per her experience, she will never share her marriage on social media again.

She says she had a very terrible experience in her previous marriage that taught her lessons on keeping her marriage private as much as possible.

“I will not post anything about my marriage on social media. I have an experience, and so for me, I will never post my marriage on social media again. I won’t post anything concerning my immediate family on social media again,” she told Adom FM.

She noted that social media makes and unmakes, and therefore, such issues must stay out of social media.

Racheal Appoh will only post her mother’s birthday and the birthday celebrations of her family members.

Flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bryan Acheampong has debunked claims that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo supports his candidature.

However, he says he will be happy if he has the backing of the former president of Ghana in the NPP’s presidential primaries.

Speaking to Accra-based Channel 1 TV, he stated that “I will be very happy if he does. He has not told me, he has not said it anywhere, but I am campaigning throughout the country.”

Bryan Acheampong Ph.D, is part of the five people who have put themselves up to be voted on for in the New Patriotic Party flagbearership race.

He holds the view that the NPP had a candidate problem in the 2024 elections and therefore wants the party to change its candidate going into 2028 elections.

Bryan Acheampong argued that just as the people of Ghana forgave the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2024, they can forgive the NPP of their sins but if the party decides against chnging the candidate, they will continue to lose.

Former host of the Nhyira FM morning show, Nana Kwadwo Jantuah, has announced his return to radio a few weeks after leaving Nhyira FM.

He joins Ahenfie FM in the Ashanti Region as Head of Programs.

In a post shared via social media, Nana Kwadow Jantuah said he will be joining the new entrants from January 2026.

Speaking on the decision, he explained that “This isn’t just a new role; it’s a homecoming to a platform whose mission resonates deeply with my core. We are uniting under a powerful banner, built on a foundation that you will feel in every show, every discussion, and every beat”.

It is not clear if he will be an on-air personality or if he will be in the background to ensure things work smoothly.

Read His Announcement Below

AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO MY BELOVED FANS, SUPPORTERS & WELL-WISHERS

My Beautiful People,

Kennedy Ohene Agyapong believes the struggles of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) now are due to the consequences of politics driven by personal ambition rather than national interest.

He believes that but for people’s personal interests, the party would have presented a candidate who could win them the 2024 elections.

However, they went for a candidate whom they were sure of getting appointments and juicy deals from, and that ended the party in opposition.

He believes that until national interest is put above personal interest in the party, the NPP will continue to struggle.

Kennedy Agyapong made this known when he was addressing delegates in the Ashanti Region.

“At least ten individuals were promised the running mate position, and today we are witnessing the consequences of politics driven by personal ambition rather than national interest.

The fundamental question remains: with the vast land and natural resources at our disposal, why are we still unable to create sustainable jobs for our people? Leadership must shift from the pursuit of positions to the delivery of opportunities,” he said.

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has assured journalists that Parliament will not enact laws designed to suppress media work under his leadership.

The pledge was conveyed in a speech delivered on his behalf by La Dade-Kotopon MP and Deputy Minister for Local Government, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, at the Ghana Journalists Association’s 3rd Annual Dinner Night in Accra on Monday, December 23.

Mr Bagbin acknowledged deepening concerns that digital and electronic communications laws are being applied in ways that intimidate journalists and weaken press freedom. He said any legislation found to undermine media rights would be reviewed.

His remarks follow growing unease within the media fraternity over arrests, interrogations and legal actions linked to journalists’ online reporting and commentary.

Several practitioners at the event recounted experiences they said stemmed directly from their professional duties.

The GJA maintained that while responsible journalism is essential, regulatory measures must not dilute constitutional protections for the press.

Mr Bagbin stressed that democratic governance depends on balancing national security with freedom of expression, adding that an independent and courageous media remains central to Ghana’s democracy.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has extended Christmas and New Year greetings to Ghanaians at home and abroad, while reaffirming its commitment to the mandate entrusted to it.

In a statement issued by the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the NDC said the festive season was a time for reflection on values such as compassion, sacrifice, peace and gratitude, which it described as central to national life.

The party noted that the period also marked one year since Ghanaians gave the NDC the mandate to govern, saying it “fully acknowledges this responsibility” and remains focused on turning its vision into tangible improvements in people’s lives.

According to the statement, the NDC government has over the past year taken deliberate steps to restore confidence in governance, stabilise the economy and lay the groundwork for sustainable growth, while prioritising social protection and accountability.

Looking ahead to the new year, the party said it remained committed to delivering on its mandate, with emphasis on economic recovery, job creation for the youth, stronger public institutions and improved living standards.

“The party assures Ghanaians of its continued responsiveness, discipline and results-driven governance in the year ahead,” the statement said.

The NDC concluded by wishing all Ghanaians a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.