Tekijä: Ohene Anochie

Riga Airport served 7.12 million passengers in 2024, marking a 7% increase compared to 2023, according to an announcement made on January 8. Transit passengers accounted for 22% of the total, with the airport handling a total of 63,200 flights throughout the year. December Performance Surges In December alone, nearly 582,000 passengers traveled through Riga Airport, a 20% increase from the same month in 2023 and slightly surpassing December 2019 figures. The airport also managed 5,106 flights and handled approximately 2,000 tonnes of air cargo during the month. Steady Growth and Pre-Pandemic Recovery The airport demonstrated consistent growth…

The Ministry of Economics in Latvia has implemented a new employee tracking system aimed at enhancing productivity and optimizing resource allocation within the public sector. The announcement was made in a press release on January 8, as the ministry acknowledged the need for a more aggressive approach to address low productivity levels. Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis (Greens and Farmers Union) highlighted the necessity for this change. “We’ve tried various methods, but they haven’t yielded the required results. This is a bold and challenging move, but without changing our approach to daily operations, we won’t achieve the desired outcomes,”…

Estonia has proposed a rotational system for NATO member states to monitor critical Baltic Sea infrastructure, akin to the alliance’s air policing mission. This call comes in response to recent suspected sabotage incidents involving undersea cables in the region. As part of this effort, NATO announced that 12 ships will be deployed to the Baltic Sea until April. Estonia’s Minister of Defense, Hanno Pevkur, emphasized the importance of unified maritime defense among Baltic Sea nations. “The Baltic Sea cannot be divided in terms of defense,” Pevkur stated during an interview with “Aktuaalne kaamera.” He added that Germany would initially…

Estonia is gearing up for its desynchronization from the Russian electricity grid next month, with plans to integrate into the European Union’s power network. Prime Minister Kristen Michal has emphasized the need for readiness, given the potential for disruptions amid heightened regional tensions. Speaking on “Esimene stuudio,” Michal expressed optimism that the transition would proceed without affecting consumers. However, he acknowledged that the recent sabotage of the Estlink 2 power cable in the Gulf of Finland has highlighted vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. “In the energy system, we always prepare backup plans and even backups for those plans. Here…

The Met Office has warned that up to 10cm of snow could blanket large parts of the UK today, with icy conditions expected to persist throughout the week. Yellow weather alerts for snow and ice are in effect across northern and western Scotland and Northern Ireland until midday Wednesday. Similar warnings cover parts of the Midlands and major northern cities, including Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield. Southern regions are also under alert, with “disruptive” snow forecast from 9 a.m. today until midnight. Temperatures are predicted to plummet, with northern England bracing for lows of -14°C overnight and a further…

Gardai identified Thomas “Nicky” McConnell as a contract killer within weeks of Gareth Hutch’s murder in 2016, shedding light on his deep involvement in organized crime during the violent Kinahan-Hutch feud. McConnell first came under investigation after the February 2016 murder of Vincent Ryan, a Real IRA leader. Police linked him to a vehicle used in the killing, revealing his connection to the Kinahan cartel. McConnell’s criminal network and his role as a cartel hitman made him a key figure in the gangland violence that plagued Dublin. In May 2016, McConnell, alongside fellow assassin Jonathan Keogh, carried out…

The Guinean capital, Conakry, faced a day of heightened tension on Monday, January 6, as opposition protests erupted despite being banned by the ruling junta. Organized by the Forces Vives de Guinée (FVG), a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups, the demonstration called for the junta’s resignation and a swift transition to civilian-led governance. The military-led administration has held power for over three years since ousting President Alpha Condé in 2021. Initial reports from the protest indicate one fatality, numerous injuries, and several arrests as authorities cracked down on the gathering. Transportation and commerce in the…

Burkina Faso defender Issa Kaboré is set to join German Bundesliga club Werder Bremen on loan for the remainder of the season, pending international clearance, according to Manchester City. Werder Bremen currently sits seventh in the Bundesliga standings, just two points shy of securing a Champions League qualification spot for next season. Kaboré, who spent the first half of the season at Portugal’s Benfica, made several appearances for the club. Additionally, he has been a key player for Burkina Faso, contributing to the team’s successful qualification for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Despite signing with…

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s readiness to welcome investments, pledging to create a conducive environment that supports business growth and strengthens the nation’s position in the global economy. In his inaugural address, President Mahama highlighted his administration’s focus on revitalizing the economy through targeted reforms and policies aimed at attracting both local and international investors. Acknowledging the difficulties businesses have faced in recent years, President Mahama assured stakeholders that his government is committed to fostering stability, predictability, and an investor-friendly climate to drive economic progress. “To business leaders and entrepreneurs, I extend an invitation to collaborate…

In a significant historical discovery, burial crowns and other royal regalia belonging to Lithuanian and Polish rulers have been found in the crypts of Vilnius Cathedral. The items were unearthed on December 16, 2024, from a hidden chamber sealed during the outbreak of World War II in 1939. The artifacts include the crown of Alexander Jagiellon, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1461–1506), along with other regalia such as a chain, medallion, ring, and coffin plaque belonging to Elizabeth of Austria (1436–1505), wife of Casimir IV Jagiellon. Additionally, a collection of items from Barbara Radziwiłł (1520/1523–1551), wife…