Chinese android Lightning completes half-marathon faster than human world record
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Lightning, a running robot developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, completed a 21-kilometer half-marathon in Beijing in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. This time surpasses the human world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds, held by Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo, by over six minutes. The 169cm tall humanoid robot, which uses its forearms for balance, demonstrated autonomous navigation and burst power, which were key to its victory. This achievement highlights China's advancements in humanoid robotics, a sector the government identified as a "new frontier in technological competition" in a 2023 policy document, aiming for mass production and secure supply chains by 2025. China's robot industry has seen accelerated growth since 2015, with a focus on upgrading industries and fostering technological innovation. The humanoid half-marathon in Beijing saw over 100 teams participate this year, a significant increase from its debut last year. Human winners in the men's and women's categories, Zhao Haijie and Wang Qiaoxia, both completed the race in over an hour.
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Veteran lawyer Thaddeus Sory has joined the public discussion regarding the prosecutorial powers of the Office of the Special Prosecutor OSP. In a statement on April 18, 2026, Sory argued that the core issue lies with the OSP's establishing law, which he believes fails to create a truly independent prosecutor for corruption cases. He highlighted that while the OSP was created due to concerns about the Attorney General's independence, the law still grants the President appointment powers for both the Attorney General and the Special Prosecutor, and also involves the Attorney General in the Special Prosecutor's appointment process. Sory stated that the law was a "fiasco ab initio," leading back to the same problem it aimed to solve. He questioned why experts speaking out now did not raise these concerns when the OSP law was passed. Sory dismissed the current debate over whether the OSP needs the Attorney General's authorization to prosecute as a non-issue, suggesting the Special Prosecutor should demonstrate that such authorization is genuinely being withheld. He criticized the OSP's performance, noting a lack of tangible results from prosecuted cases and suggesting the office has not shown serious efforts to fulfill its statutory functions, attributing blame to the occupants rather than solely the law. Sory also refuted the idea that the current legal challenges represent a "turf war" between the Special Prosecutor and the Attorney General.
Legal practitioner Thaddeus Sory has challenged the Office of the Special Prosecutor's OSP reluctance to seek authorization from the Attorney General, questioning why the process is being presented as unworkable. Sory urged the Special Prosecutor to demonstrate any alleged difficulties by formally requesting approval and presenting any refusal from the Attorney General. He stated, "Just how difficult is it to simply ask for authorisation? Let the Special Prosecutor show, by trying, that the requirement is unworkable. He should write for the authorisation and show us the Attorney General’s response refusing it." Sory also expressed disappointment with the partisan nature of public discourse surrounding the OSP, noting that many commentators have not engaged with the substance of the fight against corruption. He emphasized that reforming the law would be meaningless if public officials are not held accountable for their actions. His comments contribute to the ongoing public debate regarding whether Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions are limited by legal constraints or weakened by leadership and implementation gaps.
Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, met with his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares Bueno, in Barcelona on Friday, April 17, 2026, to deepen bilateral relations. The discussions focused on cooperation in migration, maritime security, and labor mobility. Ablakwa praised Spain's "progressive and humane" immigration policy, which aims to regularize the status of about 500,000 undocumented migrants. This policy, running from April 16 to the end of June 2026, grants legal status, employment access, and social protections to eligible migrants who have resided in Spain for at least five months before December 31, 2025. Ablakwa noted that the initiative also promotes skills development and multicultural integration. Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to assisting Ghanaian migrants with the necessary documentation to benefit from this program.
Must ReadFrance has reaffirmed its commitment to constructive international dialogue on reparatory justice following its abstention from a recent United Nations General Assembly resolution on the transatlantic slave trade, led by Ghana. Madam Diarra Dimé-Labille, Ambassador of France to Ghana, explained that while France recognizes slavery as a crime against humanity within its legal framework, certain legal considerations influenced its position on the resolution's wording. France, along with other European Union member states, supported the resolution's broader intent but sought a more consensual formulation aligned with established international law. The Ambassador noted that France was the first country to formally recognize slavery as a crime against humanity more than two decades ago, and its abstention should be understood in a legal and procedural context. The resolution, adopted on March 25, 2026, with strong support at the UN General Assembly, was spearheaded by Ghana on behalf of the African Union, with backing from Caribbean states. It calls for recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity and encourages efforts toward reparatory justice. Madam Dimé-Labille described the outcome as a significant milestone, with over 120 countries voting in favor, reflecting a growing global consensus on addressing historical injustices. She underscored that General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, and the adoption of the motion marks the b