President-elect Donald Trump has reignited contentious proposals from his first term, renewing calls for the U.S. to purchase Greenland from Denmark, reclaim the Panama Canal, and even annex Canada. These moves have sparked diplomatic friction with allied nations ahead of Trump’s inauguration on January 20. On Sunday, while announcing his ambassador to Denmark, Trump declared that U.S. control of Greenland is essential for “national security and freedom throughout the world.” This echoes his 2019 effort to purchase the island, which was rejected by Denmark and dismissed as absurd by Greenland’s government. Greenland’s head of government, Múte Bourup Egede, reiterated the…
Author: Ohene Anochie
Ohene Anochie
Senior Reporter with AMN News Agency, known for his insightful journalism and in-depth coverage of current events.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has rejected a withdrawal timeline proposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), labeling it a strategy to undermine their unity and sovereignty. At a recent summit in Abuja, Nigeria, ECOWAS announced a six-month period for the AES nations to reconsider their decision to exit the bloc, with the official departure date set for the end of January 2025. The regional organization described the timeline as a “transition period” aimed at keeping communication channels open until July 29, 2025. However, AES leaders dismissed the…
Estonian rally star Ott Tänak is receiving strong backing from one of his closest allies in Northern Ireland to reclaim the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers’ title in 2025. The confidence comes after a challenging 2023 season where Tänak narrowly missed out on glory, with his hopes dashed in a dramatic finale. Tänak’s bid for the championship ended at last month’s Rally Japan, where an accident on the final day cost him the title. His Hyundai Motorsport teammate, Thierry Neuville, ultimately took the top prize in a tightly contested season. Despite the disappointment, insiders close to Tänak believe…
Burkina Faso’s government has passed a draft bill granting amnesty to individuals convicted for their roles in the failed 2015 coup. The measure includes conditions requiring those eligible to admit their involvement, demonstrate good behavior, and agree to be deployed in the ongoing fight against terrorism. The 2015 coup attempt was orchestrated by soldiers from the elite Presidential Security Regiment, loyal to former President Blaise Compaoré, who was ousted in 2014 after 27 years in power. Compaoré’s removal followed massive protests against his bid to amend the constitution to extend his rule. The coup, occurring just weeks before scheduled…
Saudi Arabian authorities issued multiple warnings to German security agencies about Taleb A., the suspect accused of driving into visitors at the Christmas market in Magdeburg, according to a report by Der Spiegel. The publication revealed that Riyadh sent three separate notifications alerting German authorities of potential threats posed by the suspect. These warnings, reportedly spanning an extended period, raised concerns about Taleb A.’s activities before the tragic incident. The attack at the Christmas market shocked the city of Magdeburg and reignited discussions around the effectiveness of international intelligence cooperation and domestic security measures. Authorities in Germany…
Justice Minister Under Fire Lithuania’s new Justice Minister, Rimantas Mockus, is embroiled in controversy after a report by TV3 revealed his attendance at a party featuring strip dancers nearly two decades ago. The event, held in 2006, was organized for Vilnius police officers, where Mockus served in the Ecology and Law Violations Division. Following media backlash at the time, an internal investigation was conducted. Mockus, responding this week, offered an ironic apology, acknowledging his participation and even jesting about enjoying saunas “as God created him.” Lithuania Signs Tank Deal Lithuania has formalized its acquisition of 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks…
Lithuanian Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič has signed an order postponing by a year the planned abolition of Russian-language driving exams. Originally scheduled to take effect in January 2025, the change will now be implemented in 2026 to allow additional preparation time, according to a press release from the Interior Ministry. The decision to restrict driving tests to Lithuanian and other official EU languages was introduced by former Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė, with an exception granted for Ukrainian citizens. Kondratovič emphasized the need for a longer transition period and broader discussions to ensure a smooth implementation of the policy. “This…
2024 was a year of remarkable triumphs for Africa, with artists, filmmakers, and cultural icons making history on the global stage while the continent continued to reclaim its heritage and celebrate its artistic brilliance. Tyla Dominates the Music Scene South African artist Tyla emerged as one of Africa’s most celebrated figures this year. She began 2024 with a Grammy Award win in February, followed by two BET Awards, and capped her success by becoming the first African artist honored in three categories at the MTV Europe Music Awards. Trevor Noah Brings Home an Emmy Adding to South Africa’s…
Once heralded as a tech hub for global giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, Ireland is now grappling with the challenges posed by its booming data center industry. These vast facilities, primarily located near Dublin, are consuming more electricity than all the urban homes in the country combined, sparking debates over their long-term impact on Ireland’s energy infrastructure and environmental goals. According to Ireland’s grid operator, data centers consumed 21% of the nation’s electricity last year—the highest proportion reported globally to the International Energy Agency. Fears of potential rolling blackouts prompted a temporary halt on new data centers in…
Tears streamed down Ahmed al-Kassem’s face as he embraced his sister for the first time in over a decade. His return to Syria from Turkey, after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, was filled with both joy and uncertainty. The 38-year-old former refugee brought his wife and five children back to Aleppo, a city still scarred by years of war. But the reality awaiting them was harsh: his old house was too damaged to live in, and his sister’s home had no electricity or running water. “If I had known, I don’t know if I would have come,” al-Kassem told…
