Author: Ohene Anochie

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has issued a firm response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest move to impose 20% tariffs on European Union goods, warning that the bloc will stand united in the face of what she described as economic aggression. “Take on one of us, take on all of us,” von der Leyen declared in a statement from Brussels, signaling a strong and coordinated response from the 27-member union. The U.S. tariffs, announced Thursday, target a broad range of EU exports, from industrial goods to agricultural products, escalating trade tensions that have already rattled global markets.…

A massive fire erupted at Putra Heights in Puchong, Malaysia, on Tuesday, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and sparking widespread concern among residents. The cause of the blaze remains unclear, with conflicting reports circulating on social media. While some eyewitnesses speculate that the fire may have been caused by a rocket, others believe it originated from a gas pipeline explosion. Authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of the fire, but emergency responders are on-site working to contain the situation. Videos and images shared online show flames engulfing parts of the area, prompting fears of further…

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has announced plans to launch a National Integrity Awards Scheme, an initiative aimed at promoting ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability among public officeholders in Ghana. The awards will recognize and reward individuals who uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in their respective fields. On the other hand, those who engage in unethical practices or tarnish the reputation of public institutions will be dishonoured with the “Vulture Awards.” A Committee to Oversee the Selection Process Speaking at the close of the First Meeting and First Session of the Ninth Parliament of the…

The Chief Executive Officer of the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has defended his proposal to formalize the operations of ‘goro boys’, the unofficial middlemen who facilitate vehicle registration and licensing services. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Kotey argued that instead of continuously battling these informal agents, the government should integrate them into a regulated system to enhance efficiency and transparency within the licensing process. A Call for Regulation, Not Elimination According to the DVLA boss, efforts to eradicate the influence of these middlemen have failed over the years, making it necessary to explore a…

The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) has reported a staggering 73% rise in dengue cases during the first quarter of 2025, as the mosquito-borne disease spreads rapidly across multiple regions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly a million suspected cases have been recorded globally, with the outbreak affecting 48 countries across Africa, the Americas, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific. National data from the Philippines shows that between January 1 and March 1, a total of 62,313 cases of dengue were reported. While the country’s case fatality rate has declined to 0.35%—down from 0.42% last year—the rapid surge…

With just eight weeks to go, Bord Bia Bloom 2025 has announced its final line-up for this year’s highly anticipated festival, set to take place over the Bloom bank holiday weekend in Phoenix Park, Dublin. Now in its 19th year, the festival promises an exciting blend of gardening, food, sustainability, and family-friendly entertainment, with over 100 talks, demos, and performances scheduled across five days. Visitors can expect appearances from some of Ireland’s top chefs, garden designers, and sustainability experts, including Donal Skehan, Diarmuid Gavin, Neven Maguire, Darina Allen, Adam Frost (BBC Gardeners’ World), Aishling Moore, Holly White, and Jimi Blake.…

Authorities in Nyinahin, Ashanti Region, have issued a strong warning to the Ghanaian government, demanding that any bauxite refinery be established in their town or no mining should take place at all. Speaking at a press conference, local leaders accused successive governments of deliberately sidelining Nyinahin which holds an estimated 45-50% of Ghana’s bauxite deposits in favor of Sefwi Awaso (15%) and Kyebi (5%), despite their significantly smaller reserves. “Sabotage Against Asanteman” The Nyinahin authorities claim the decision to build a bauxite refinery anywhere other than Nyinahin is an orchestrated act of economic sabotage against Asanteman (the Ashanti Kingdom). “It…

Niger’s ruling military junta has taken decisive action against Chinese mining companies, ordering an immediate suspension of their operations as part of a broader effort to curb foreign exploitation of the country’s vast mineral resources. The move comes amid rising nationalist sentiment and growing concerns over unfair contracts, environmental degradation, and economic exploitation. Niger, a major producer of uranium, gold, and lithium, has long been a key supplier of critical minerals, but critics say foreign companies—especially Chinese firms—have reaped disproportionate benefits while offering little in return to local communities. Junta Cracks Down on Foreign Mining Interests In a televised address,…

In a small restaurant kitchen in Tunisia, Wahida Dridi carefully washes a batch of snails, preparing them for iftar, the meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan. “They are boiled first, then removed from the water, which is later used to cook pasta or vermicelli. You can cook whatever you want with it. It’s very delicious and has many benefits,” she explains, stirring a pot of the peppery delicacy. Traditionally, red meat is a staple on the iftar table. But as Tunisia battles its worst economic crisis in decades, meat has become unaffordable for many families. With beef prices…

Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta has intensified its crackdown on press freedom by arresting three prominent journalists, a move that rights groups say reflects a growing pattern of repression in the country. According to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report released Thursday, Guezouma Sanogo and Boukari Ouoba, the president and vice-president of the Association of Journalists of Burkina Faso, were arrested alongside Luc Pagbelguem, a journalist with the local television channel BF1. Their whereabouts remain unknown. The arrests come just days after the Journalists’ Association held a press conference on March 21, condemning increasing restrictions on media freedom under the…