Author: Ohene Anochie

Peru has declared a nationwide state of emergency after torrential rains triggered severe flooding across large parts of the country, hitting the southern city of Arequipa and several other regions particularly hard. Authorities said the emergency decree places more than 700 districts under special measures, allowing the government to fast-track funding and repairs for damaged roads, bridges and essential public services. Nearly 931 kilometres of roads have been affected so far, disrupting transportation and cutting off access for hundreds of thousands of residents. Residents, assisted by members of the Peruvian Navy, were seen clearing thick mud and debris from flooded…

Pakistan’s defence minister has declared what he described as an “open war” with neighboring Afghanistan, signaling a sharp escalation in hostilities following cross-border attacks and retaliatory airstrikes by both sides. In a statement posted Friday on X, Khawaja Mohammad Asif said Pakistan had exhausted its patience after an Afghan cross-border assault triggered a new round of military action. “Our patience has now run out. Now it is open war between us,” Asif wrote, adding that Islamabad had hoped for stability in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO forces. Instead, he accused the ruling Taliban of harboring militants, exporting terrorism and…

The United States military used a laser system to shoot down a U.S. Customs and Border Protection drone near El Paso, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to expand restricted airspace in the region, members of Congress revealed on Thursday. Lawmakers said they were stunned by the disclosure, noting it marked the second time in two weeks that a laser-based counter-drone system had been deployed in the area. While the first incident did not strike a target, this latest action successfully disabled the drone. The FAA confirmed it expanded an airspace closure near Fort Hancock, though commercial flights were not disrupted.…

A powerful winter storm swept across the northeastern United States on Sunday, prompting widespread blizzard warnings, emergency travel bans, and mass cancellations of flights, public events, and school classes from Maryland to Massachusetts. Snow began falling across New Jersey and New York as the storm moved north, with the National Weather Service forecasting between 1 and 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) of snowfall in many areas. Heavy winds and near-zero visibility raised concerns about whiteout conditions and prolonged power outages. Blizzard warnings were issued for New York City, Long Island, Boston, and coastal regions of Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island,…

The Mexico military on Sunday killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), in a major blow to what had become the country’s most powerful and aggressive drug trafficking organization. The killing, confirmed by Mexico’s Defense Department, followed a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, during which Oseguera Cervantes was wounded and later died while being transported to Mexico City. Authorities said troops came under fire during the operation, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries, as well as the seizure of armored vehicles, rocket launchers and other heavy weapons. The…

Iran and the United States intensified military signaling on Thursday as fragile nuclear negotiations appeared to stall, with Tehran conducting joint naval drills with Russia while Washington moved another aircraft carrier closer to the Middle East. The parallel displays of force highlighted deepening tensions between Iran and the United States, even as diplomatic channels remain open. Iranian state media confirmed that Tehran was holding maritime exercises with Russia, while U.S. tracking data showed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford moving toward the eastern Mediterranean. Earlier this week, Iran also launched separate live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz, a…

In an increasingly polarized political climate under President Donald Trump, a rare display of bipartisan civility unfolded this week as governors from opposing parties shared a stage in Washington. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat, appeared side by side, exchanging jokes and compliments rather than the sharp rhetoric that has come to define national politics. The moment offered a brief pause from the broader atmosphere of political conflict dominating the U.S. capital. Stitt and Moore currently serve as chair and vice chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), one of the few remaining…

Fresh tensions have emerged within Ghana’s opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) after new internal party rules effectively shut the door on any immediate bid by former President John Dramani Mahama to consolidate control of the party ahead of a possible third-term ambition. At the center of the dispute is a recently adopted clause governing internal party elections, which requires holders of government appointments to resign at least six months before picking up nomination forms to contest party positions. The rule, approved quietly during internal reforms, has dramatically altered the balance of power within the party. Political analysts say the change…

A renewed debate is gaining traction across African social and political circles, with commentators arguing that internal betrayal by African leaders has played a greater role in the continent’s challenges than neocolonial influence alone. The discussion, circulating widely on social media and opinion platforms, points to the experiences of prominent African leaders such as Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, and former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Advocates of this view contend that both leaders, despite their flaws, were undermined not only by foreign interests but also by Africans who collaborated with external powers or prioritized personal and political gain over continental…

The International Festival of Saharan Cultures has transformed the eastern Chadian town of Amdjarass into a vibrant crossroads of desert traditions, bringing together dozens of ethnic communities from across the Sahara, with Niger participating as guest of honor. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the UNESCO-listed Ennedi Massif, the festival features music, dance, storytelling and traditional crafts, highlighting shared customs that stretch across national borders. Organizers say the aim is to strengthen regional ties and preserve Saharan intangible heritage at a time when many traditions face erosion. Participants described the gathering as a rare space for unity among desert peoples.…