The head Pastor of the Eternal Grace Church has been arrested by police for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old apprentice dressmaker.

Reverend Lord Evans Appiah, reportedly forcibly had sex with the victim with the excuse of delivering her from a spirit.
The man of God vehemently denies the allegations.
The victim, name withheld, spoke to Joy News’ Daryl Kwao from the Police Hospital, where she is undergoing a medical examination. 

North Korea has condemned US President Barack Obama over the release of the film The Interview, about a fictional plot to kill its leader Kim Jong-un.

The National Defence Commission (NDC) also accused the US of shutting down North Korea's internet - and described Mr Obama as "reckless" and "a monkey".

Another internet shut-down was observed hours later, Chinese state media said.

Sony Pictures originally pulled the film after a cyber-attack and threats - a move criticised by Mr Obama.

He joined critics who had warned that freedom of expression was under threat if the movie was shelved.

Sony later reconsidered and released The Interview on Christmas Day.

Pope Francis has denounced the "brutal persecution" of religious and ethnic minorities, in his traditional Christmas Day address. In his second "Urbi et Orbi" - to the city and the world - Christmas message, the pontiff highlighted the plight of victims of conflict in Syria and Iraq. "Too many people are being held hostage or massacred" in Nigeria, he added. Pope Francis also urged dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians and condemned Taliban attacks in Pakistan.

Tens of thousands of people turned out on St Peter's Square to hear the Argentine Pope deliver his annual message. He said Christians in Iraq and Syria had endured conflict for too long, and "together with those belonging to other ethnic and religious groups, are suffering a brutal persecution". "May Christmas bring them hope, as indeed also to the many displaced persons, exiles and refugees, children, adults and elderly, from this region and from the whole world," the Pope said. James Reynolds, BBC News, Rome Shortly before midday a marching band headed along the main avenue towards the Vatican. Police officers shepherded back onlookers who got too close. Thousands of tourists and pilgrims then walked the short distance to St Peter's Square.

The Delhi Public School International (DPSI) has extended its support to the Don Bosco Centre in Tema by donating various items and a sum of money.

The items include clothes, books, shoes, toys, bags and a cheque for GHÈ» 1000.

The centre was established in March this year to rehabilitate children who are victims of child labour, abuse and trafficking. So far, 7 children have been restored to their families and 35 children are currently been supported in boarding schools around the country.

Mrs. Tanya Thakwani who presented the items said the gesture is part of their social responsibility to the community and pledged more support to the centre.

Madam Tanya was touched by the horrific stories of the children at the centre and advised parents to be responsible and take good care of their children. She also advised parents who exchange their children for money or other items to desist from the practice.

Lands, Forestry and Natural Resources Ministry is set to begin discussions over compensation for two communities in the Obuasi municipality. Sanso and Anyinam were affected by mining activities of AngloGold Ashanti.

Residents in the two communities are also unhappy about AngloGold's decision to stop paying for the electricity and water consumed by the two communities due to the company's operational decline. Member of Parliament for Obuasi West, Kwaku Kwarteng who is pushing for the compensation told Joy News, the operations of AngloGold have made the communities poorer because they lost their farm lands and water bodies to the company. "We are asking for a comprehensive compensation plan be prepared and implemented for the two communities.