A Lithuanian national has been placed on the international wanted list by the Russian-occupied Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), according to Russia’s TASS news agency. The DPR prosecutor’s office announced criminal charges against Albertas Glazauskas, a 31-year-old citizen of Lithuania, accusing him of participating as a mercenary in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The statement claims Glazauskas joined Ukraine’s defense forces from Poland in 2022 and served with the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, a battalion made up of Belarusian volunteers supporting Ukraine. He allegedly fought from April 2022 to October 2024 and was reportedly paid over 2.2 million rubles (equivalent to…
Author: Ohene Anochie
Ohene Anochie
Senior Reporter with AMN News Agency, known for his insightful journalism and in-depth coverage of current events.
At least 12 people were killed and four injured in a devastating explosion at an ammunition factory in Balikesir, north-west Turkey, early Monday morning. The blast, which occurred at 8:25 local time in the factory’s capsule production section, sent shockwaves throughout the nearby Köteyli township. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has ruled out sabotage as the cause of the explosion, although the exact cause remains under investigation. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc has confirmed the launch of an official inquiry into the incident. Footage from the site showed a massive fireball engulfing part of the building, leaving behind a trail of dark…
President-elect Donald Trump has reignited contentious proposals from his first term, renewing calls for the U.S. to purchase Greenland from Denmark, reclaim the Panama Canal, and even annex Canada. These moves have sparked diplomatic friction with allied nations ahead of Trump’s inauguration on January 20. On Sunday, while announcing his ambassador to Denmark, Trump declared that U.S. control of Greenland is essential for “national security and freedom throughout the world.” This echoes his 2019 effort to purchase the island, which was rejected by Denmark and dismissed as absurd by Greenland’s government. Greenland’s head of government, Múte Bourup Egede, reiterated the…
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has rejected a withdrawal timeline proposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), labeling it a strategy to undermine their unity and sovereignty. At a recent summit in Abuja, Nigeria, ECOWAS announced a six-month period for the AES nations to reconsider their decision to exit the bloc, with the official departure date set for the end of January 2025. The regional organization described the timeline as a “transition period” aimed at keeping communication channels open until July 29, 2025. However, AES leaders dismissed the…
Estonian rally star Ott Tänak is receiving strong backing from one of his closest allies in Northern Ireland to reclaim the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers’ title in 2025. The confidence comes after a challenging 2023 season where Tänak narrowly missed out on glory, with his hopes dashed in a dramatic finale. Tänak’s bid for the championship ended at last month’s Rally Japan, where an accident on the final day cost him the title. His Hyundai Motorsport teammate, Thierry Neuville, ultimately took the top prize in a tightly contested season. Despite the disappointment, insiders close to Tänak believe…
Burkina Faso’s government has passed a draft bill granting amnesty to individuals convicted for their roles in the failed 2015 coup. The measure includes conditions requiring those eligible to admit their involvement, demonstrate good behavior, and agree to be deployed in the ongoing fight against terrorism. The 2015 coup attempt was orchestrated by soldiers from the elite Presidential Security Regiment, loyal to former President Blaise Compaoré, who was ousted in 2014 after 27 years in power. Compaoré’s removal followed massive protests against his bid to amend the constitution to extend his rule. The coup, occurring just weeks before scheduled…
Saudi Arabian authorities issued multiple warnings to German security agencies about Taleb A., the suspect accused of driving into visitors at the Christmas market in Magdeburg, according to a report by Der Spiegel. The publication revealed that Riyadh sent three separate notifications alerting German authorities of potential threats posed by the suspect. These warnings, reportedly spanning an extended period, raised concerns about Taleb A.’s activities before the tragic incident. The attack at the Christmas market shocked the city of Magdeburg and reignited discussions around the effectiveness of international intelligence cooperation and domestic security measures. Authorities in Germany…
Justice Minister Under Fire Lithuania’s new Justice Minister, Rimantas Mockus, is embroiled in controversy after a report by TV3 revealed his attendance at a party featuring strip dancers nearly two decades ago. The event, held in 2006, was organized for Vilnius police officers, where Mockus served in the Ecology and Law Violations Division. Following media backlash at the time, an internal investigation was conducted. Mockus, responding this week, offered an ironic apology, acknowledging his participation and even jesting about enjoying saunas “as God created him.” Lithuania Signs Tank Deal Lithuania has formalized its acquisition of 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks…
Lithuanian Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič has signed an order postponing by a year the planned abolition of Russian-language driving exams. Originally scheduled to take effect in January 2025, the change will now be implemented in 2026 to allow additional preparation time, according to a press release from the Interior Ministry. The decision to restrict driving tests to Lithuanian and other official EU languages was introduced by former Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė, with an exception granted for Ukrainian citizens. Kondratovič emphasized the need for a longer transition period and broader discussions to ensure a smooth implementation of the policy. “This…
2024 was a year of remarkable triumphs for Africa, with artists, filmmakers, and cultural icons making history on the global stage while the continent continued to reclaim its heritage and celebrate its artistic brilliance. Tyla Dominates the Music Scene South African artist Tyla emerged as one of Africa’s most celebrated figures this year. She began 2024 with a Grammy Award win in February, followed by two BET Awards, and capped her success by becoming the first African artist honored in three categories at the MTV Europe Music Awards. Trevor Noah Brings Home an Emmy Adding to South Africa’s…
