The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has announced a 3.75% increase in Australia’s minimum wage and award wages, effective July 1. Apexnewsgh reports This decision will boost the national minimum wage to $24.10 per hour and $915.91 per week for full-time workers, a increase of $33 per week. Approximately 2.6 million workers, equivalent to 20.7% of the national workforce, will benefit from this increase. The FWC considered living standards, higher living costs, and workforce participation when determining the increase. While modern award minimum wages remain lower than they were five years ago in real terms, the FWC deemed it inappropriate to increase award wages significantly above the inflation rate. The increase is expected to have a limited effect on the broader economy. The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) had advocated for a 5% increase, while the federal government pushed for an increase in line with inflation. Business groups had sought a modest increase. The FWC’s ruling has been welcomed by the government as “a win for workers” and a contribution to cost-of-living relief. The increase will affect around 2.6 million Australians, predominantly women, part-time, and casual employees, who are more likely to be low paid. The FWC considered the cost-of-living pressures faced by these employees, particularly those in low-income households, in determining the increase. While the increase is a step towards addressing the needs of low-paid workers, the FWC acknowledged that modern award minimum wages remain lower than they were five years ago in real terms. The government has committed to ensuring that the wages of Australia’s lowest-paid workers do not go backwards. Source: Apexnewsgh.com Thanks for reading from Apexnewsgh as a news publishing website from Ghana. We encourage you to freely share this story via social media platform and follow us on;  Facebook on APEXNEWSGH-Tv or Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0248250270/0256336062.

Jon Benjamin, a former UK High Commissioner to Ghana and Mexico, has been sacked from his diplomatic post after a controversial incident in Mexico. Apexnewsgh reports Benjamin, known for his provocative political commentary, was accused of “jokingly” pointing an assault rifle at a local embassy employee during an official trip to northern Mexico. This incident was the final straw in a career marked by controversy. Benjamin was previously labeled “most reckless” during his tenure in Ghana, where he sparked outrage with a tweet perceived as mocking then-President John Mahama. Benjamin’s Twitter page, once active and controversial, has now been made private, and his previous tweets are no longer accessible. The UK government’s website has removed him as the Mexico ambassador, listing him only as “former” High Commissioner. Benjamin’s diplomatic career spanned several countries, including Turkey, Indonesia, and the United States, but his controversial behavior has finally led to his dismissal. His actions have raised questions about the boundaries of diplomatic conduct and the consequences of reckless behavior. Source: Apexnewsgh.com Thanks for reading from Apexnewsgh as a news publishing website from Ghana. We encourage you to freely share this story via social media platform and follow us on;  Facebook on APEXNEWSGH-Tv or Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0248250270/0256336062.

Former US President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records, making him the first former or serving US president to be convicted of a crime. Apexnewsgh reports The verdict comes after a six-week trial in New York, where 22 witnesses testified, including Stormy Daniels, whose alleged sexual encounter with Trump was at the center of the case. Trump was accused of concealing a payment made by his former lawyer to buy Daniels’ silence shortly before the 2016 election. The 12 jurors deliberated for two days before reaching a unanimous verdict. Prosecutors alleged that Trump took part in an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 presidential election and an unlawful plan to suppress negative information, including concealing a hush money payment to an adult film star. Trump has called the verdict a “disgrace” and attacked Judge Merchan, who presided over the case. Despite the conviction, Trump can still run for office, and he has indicated that he will continue his campaign to defeat Joe Biden in November’s election. The US Secret Service has stated that Trump’s guilty verdict has no bearing on its protective mission, and his security measures will proceed unchanged. Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11, and he could face prison time, although a fine is considered a more likely outcome. Key witness Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, has reacted to the verdict, stating that “today is an important day for accountability and the rule of law.” Cohen’s attorney, Danya Perry, said that her client has mixed feelings about the verdict, wanting to see accountability for his former boss while also feeling sadness due to their past relationship. Source: Apexnewsgh.com Thanks for reading from Apexnewsgh as a news publishing website from Ghana. We encourage you to freely share this story via social media platform and follow us on;  Facebook on APEXNEWSGH-Tv or Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0248250270/0256336062.

Nigerian singer, Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr. P, has taken a bold step to address his hair loss concerns by undergoing a hair transplant in Istanbul, Turkey. Apexnewsgh reports The singer shared his experience on Instagram, posting a series of videos and updates throughout the process. In his initial video, Okoye revealed that he was at MedHair Clinic in Istanbul, where he was being treated by a doctor. He expressed his discomfort with his balding hairline, saying, “You guys know that I’ve been uncomfortable about it.” He then showed the “before” stage of his hair, followed by the extraction process, where 2,400 hair follicles were extracted. In a subsequent video update, Okoye shared the progress of the first day of his transplant, captioning it “Day 1. It is well.” The videos show the significant progress made in just one day, with Okoye expressing his satisfaction and excitement about his new look. This development comes after fellow Nigerian singer, Young Jonn, underwent a successful hair transplant surgery in February to address his receding hairline. Okoye’s bold move has sparked conversations about hair loss and the options available to address it. His openness about his experience has also raised awareness about hair transplant procedures and their effectiveness. Source: Apexnewsgh.com Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0248250270/0256336062.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a significant shake-up in his government, removing Sergei Shoigu as Defence Minister after over a decade in the role. Apexnewsgh reports Shoigu, a close ally of Putin’s, will be appointed Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, replacing Nikolai Patrushev, whose new post remains unclear. Shoigu’s replacement as Defence Minister is Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, an economist with little military experience. The move is seen as a surprise by some, but analysts believe it indicates Putin’s desire to align the Russian economy more closely with the war effort. Shoigu, a civil engineer by profession, rose to prominence as head of the emergencies and disaster relief ministry in the 1990s. Despite having no military background, he was appointed Defence Minister in 2012, a move that rankled some top brass. His tenure was marked by controversy, including a public feud with Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin over Russia’s conduct of the war in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the appointment of a civilian Defence Minister shows the need for “innovation” in the role, citing the increasing proportion of GDP spent on military expenditure, similar to the Soviet Union in the mid-1980s. Belousov’s appointment is seen as a move to integrate military spending into Russia’s overall economy. The shake-up comes as Russia’s war with Ukraine rages on, with Putin seeking to reinvigorate his government’s approach to the conflict. Despite Shoigu’s close links with Putin, his removal as Defence Minister indicates the President’s desire for change in the midst of a challenging and costly war. Source: Apexnewsgh.com Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062/0248250270.

The United States House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services has called on the Department of Justice to reopen an investigation into Shell and Eni’s 2011 purchase of the rights to oil prospecting licence, OPL 245, one of Nigeria’s most lucrative oilfields. The lawmakers are alleging that the two companies bribed Nigerian government officials, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, to the tune of US$1.1 billion. According to the lawmakers, “available evidence implicates both companies in a scheme that resulted in the payment of US$1.1 billion in bribes to Nigerian government officials, including then President Goodluck Jonathan.” They further stated that Shell and Eni, both registered with the US Security and Exchange Commission, continue to profit from the deal in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The lawmakers are seeking justice to be served in this case, and for the Department of Justice to hold Shell and Eni accountable for their alleged corrupt practices. The reopening of the investigation is expected to shed more light on the deal and bring those involved in the corruption to book. Source: Apexnewsgh.com Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062/0248250270.

In a bold move to combat the growing drug abuse and trafficking crisis, Nigeria’s Senate has proposed a significant amendment to the country’s drug laws, introducing the death penalty as the maximum sentence for drug trafficking. Apexnewsgh reports This amendment, which is yet to become law, replaces life imprisonment, previously the harshest punishment. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with over 200 million people, has transformed from a transit point for illegal drugs to a major producer, consumer, and distributor. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has reported widespread opioid abuse, particularly with tramadol and codeine-containing cough syrups. While cannabis is locally cultivated, other narcotics like cocaine and methamphetamine are trafficked through the country, fueling a growing addiction problem. The proposed legislation stems from a report by the Senate committees on judiciary, human rights, and legal matters, and drugs and narcotics. Supporters argue that the threat of execution will serve as a stronger deterrent to drug traffickers than life imprisonment. However, opponents express concerns about the irreversible nature of the death penalty and the risk of wrongful convictions. The bill has already been passed by the House of Representatives without the death penalty provision. A joint committee of five members from both the Senate and House will need to harmonize the two versions before it is sent to the President for signing into law. If enacted, this amendment will significantly toughen Nigeria’s stance on drug trafficking, aiming to curb the growing drug abuse and trafficking crisis. The proposed amendment has sparked a national debate on the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent and the need for a comprehensive approach to address drug abuse and trafficking. As the country grapples with the growing addiction problem, the Senate’s proposal has ignited a crucial conversation on the best strategies to combat this menace and protect the lives of millions of Nigerians. Source: Apexnewsgh.com Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062/0248250270.