Author: Ohene Anochie
Ohene Anochie
Senior Reporter with AMN News Agency, known for his insightful journalism and in-depth coverage of current events.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to press the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its leading member, Saudi Arabia, to reduce global crude oil prices. “Bring Down Oil Prices to End the War” During his address, Trump emphasized the urgency of lowering oil prices, linking it to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. “I’m going to ask Saudi Arabia and OPEC to bring down the cost of oil. You’ve got to bring it down,” Trump stated. “Frankly, I’m surprised they didn’t do it before the election. If the price…
South Sudanese authorities have announced a 30-day restriction on social media platforms, effective from midnight on Thursday. The move comes in response to alarming content depicting violence against South Sudanese citizens in neighboring Sudan. Addressing Public Safety Concerns The National Communication Authority (NCA) issued directives to telecommunications providers, stating that the measure is essential for safeguarding public safety and mental well-being. “The ban could be lifted as soon as the situation stabilizes,” the NCA assured. “The materials being shared violate local laws and pose a serious threat to public order.” The restriction may be extended up to 90 days…
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in collaboration with basketball legend Tony Parker, hosted the Invest in DRC event in Paris on January 21, 2025. This high-profile forum aimed to address the challenges facing the nation while highlighting its vast potential as an investment hub. Presidential Backing and Global Appeal Endorsed by President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, the event sought to attract French and international investors, reshaping perceptions of the DRC on the global stage. The presence of Tony Parker, a global sports icon, added significant star power and emphasized the country’s ambition to leverage international partnerships for economic transformation.…
China has launched its first heterogeneous humanoid robot training centre in Shanghai’s Pudong District, marking a significant step forward in robotics innovation. Dubbed the Humanoid Robot Kylin Training Ground, the facility is poised to revolutionize robotics by integrating cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. A Hub for Advanced Robotics Training Currently capable of training over 100 humanoid robots, the centre plans to expand its capacity to accommodate 1,000 robots by 2027. In collaboration with local robotics firms, the facility aims to build a robust dataset of 10 million high-quality physical data entries by 2025. This data will…
Three military-ruled nations in Africa’s Sahel region—Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali—have announced the creation of a 5,000-strong unified force to combat the persistent jihadist violence plaguing their territories. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Niger’s Defense Minister Salifou Mody. A Unified Front Against Common Threats The newly established “unified force” will bring together personnel and resources from the three nations, including aerial, ground, and intelligence capabilities. Minister Mody revealed during a televised interview that the force is “nearly ready” and expected to be operational within weeks. “In this common space, our forces will be able to intervene together,”…
In the early hours of Monday, 90 Palestinian prisoners were greeted with jubilant celebrations in the West Bank city of Beitunia following their release from an Israeli prison. Crowds gathered with fireworks, whistles, and chants of “God is great” to welcome the freed detainees. Part of Ceasefire Agreement The release is part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, marking a potential step toward ending 15 months of conflict. The truce remains fragile, and its longevity is uncertain. This release, which began around 11:15 a.m. local time, saw buses carrying the prisoners depart after 1 a.m., greeted by…
Finance Minister Eelco Heinen has proposed that banks be allowed to share customer information to strengthen anti-money laundering efforts, despite concerns over privacy. In a discussion document presented to parliament on Monday, Heinen outlined his vision for the financial sector, focusing on combating financial crime, reducing bureaucracy, and fostering competition in the savings market. Tackling Money Laundering Current laws prohibit banks from sharing client data due to privacy regulations. However, Heinen argued that the existing system is both costly and inefficient. “The discussion about privacy is at odds with tracing criminal money and keeping the financial system clean,” he…
The Dutch government’s efforts to combat discrimination in public services are fragmented and ineffective, according to a critical report from the State Commission Against Discrimination and Racism. In an advisory letter to parliament, the commission urged politicians and ministers to take a firm stand against racism and discrimination in their public statements and policymaking. It warned that discriminatory rhetoric by public officials reinforces perceptions that unequal treatment is acceptable, thereby undermining social cohesion. “Discriminatory behavior by government agencies damages the legal system, erodes trust, and harms the welfare of individuals and society,” the commission stated. The commission called for…
Asta Skaisgirytė, chief foreign policy adviser to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, has defended the Belarusian opposition’s use of the knight on horseback symbol, featured on mock passports, amid criticism from conservative politicians who claim it resembles Lithuanian symbols. The symbol, known as Vytis in Lithuania and Pahonia in Belarus, originates from the coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Skaisgirytė emphasized that Belarusians have a historical right to use the symbol, noting its significance during the shared history of the Grand Duchy, which included present-day Belarus. “They have nothing else, to be honest. All their other symbols are…
Lithuanian importers of artificial intelligence (AI) chips have stated that newly announced US export controls will not significantly affect their operations. This follows Washington’s decision to exclude Lithuania from its list of AI chip partners, as part of a broader move to impose export restrictions on domestically produced AI chips used in Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The restrictions, targeting graphics processing units (GPUs) from major US companies such as Nvidia and AMD, will not impact 18 US partner countries, including several European nations like Germany, France, and the UK. However, Lithuania falls into a third category, where chip…
