Author: Ohene Anochie

Sir Grant Shapps, former British defense minister, has launched a scathing attack on former US President Donald Trump over what he described as “disgusting” remarks and a dangerously sympathetic stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Appearing on the foreign policy podcast One Decision, Shapps condemned Trump’s recent reaction to a deadly Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy—which killed at least 35 people, including women and children—as morally weak and reminiscent of terrorist justifications. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump had described the strike as “terrible,” adding, “I was told…

The Dutch right-wing coalition government has unveiled controversial funding plans for its newly agreed spring financial statement, drawing widespread criticism after it emerged that €600 million will be slashed from the national healthcare budget and unemployment benefits will be reduced from two years to 18 months. The four ruling parties reached consensus on the spring budget proposal early Wednesday after marathon talks lasting 25 hours. However, key details on how the measures would be financed remained tightly guarded until leaks to national daily AD revealed the cost-saving mechanisms. According to the report, in addition to cuts to social security and…

The family of “Sarah,” a non-verbal, intellectually disabled woman who was allegedly sexually abused as a child at the same foster home at the centre of the Grace scandal, says they have been left “potentially financially vulnerable” after participating in the Farrelly Commission of Investigation. The family claims the commission has agreed to cover “only a fraction” of the legal and related costs they incurred while engaging with the inquiry, which examined decades of alleged abuse and institutional failings. The long-awaited Farrelly Commission report, published Tuesday, concluded there was no evidence that Grace — the central figure in the inquiry…

The Atlantic Music Expo (AME) in Cape Verde’s capital, Praia, has once again proven itself to be more than just a music market it is a vibrant celebration of cultural identity, global collaboration, and artistic innovation. This year’s edition carries even deeper resonance, as it coincides with Cape Verde’s 50th anniversary of independence from Portuguese colonial rule. Held annually, the AME has evolved into a major event for music industry professionals across Africa and the Americas, while drawing large crowds to its eclectic public concerts that honor the islands’ rich and diverse musical traditions. Music as Cape Verde’s Greatest Treasure…

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has publicly rejected the idea of allowing U.S. military bases on Panamanian soil, following a proposal made by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a regional security summit in Panama City. Speaking at the Central American Security Conference earlier this week, Hegseth floated the possibility of establishing American military bases along the Panama Canal. While he stressed that any deployment would require Panama’s consent, President Mulino swiftly dismissed the idea, emphasizing the nation’s sovereignty and constitutional limits on foreign military presence. “No foreign military bases will be established in Panama,” Mulino affirmed in a…

The Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) today endorsed the Council’s position on amending the EU gas storage regulation, approving a two-year extension of existing gas storage obligations and introducing greater flexibilities for member states. This agreement forms the Council’s negotiating mandate ahead of interinstitutional talks with the European Parliament. Strengthening Energy Security with Extended Storage Targets In response to ongoing geopolitical instability and volatility in global energy markets, the Council supports the European Commission’s proposal to extend the requirement for EU member states to fill gas storage facilities to at least 90% ahead of each winter season. This extension, set…

Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, a prominent figure in the push for democratic reforms, has been charged with treason following his arrest late Wednesday after addressing a public rally in the southern town of Mbinga. The arrest comes just six months ahead of Tanzania’s general elections scheduled for October. Lissu, who leads the CHADEMA party, was taken into custody by police shortly after delivering a speech calling for sweeping electoral reforms to ensure a free and fair election process. He was transported more than 1,000 kilometers to Dar es Salaam, where he appeared in court on Thursday afternoon, flanked by…

The Dominican Republic is reeling after the roof of the iconic Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a packed merengue concert on Tuesday night, killing 221 people and injuring hundreds more in one of the country’s deadliest peacetime disasters. As rescue operations continue, officials are working around the clock to identify victims, while distraught families gather outside the city morgue, clinging to hope. Staff from the National Forensic Institute have been using a microphone to describe physical features of unidentified bodies to aid recognition. “A little tattoo on the right wrist,” an official called out, while tearful relatives…

While Africa boasts some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, abundant natural resources, and a youth population brimming with innovation and energy, the continent remains shackled by a deep-rooted enemy — corruption. It is not just a nuisance or an inconvenience. It is a cancer. A silent looter of futures. A deliberate, well-dressed crime that wears the face of politics, business, and even religion. Corruption in Africa is not just about brown envelopes exchanged under the table. It is institutional. It is systemic. And worst of all, it is normalized. From government offices in Lagos to mining contracts in Kinshasa, from…

Information reaching Amnewsworld indicates that the Alawite and Christian communities in parts of war-torn Syria are in dire need of urgent humanitarian assistance, prompting calls for the immediate intervention of the International Red Cross. Years of conflict have left many minority groups in Syria vulnerable, with recent escalations in violence and worsening living conditions disproportionately affecting the Alawite and Christian populations. According to local reports, shortages of food, medical supplies, and access to safe shelter have reached alarming levels in areas where these communities reside. Humanitarian observers say these groups are now facing a full-blown crisis, with some communities completely…