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…
Author: Ohene Anochie
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…
Lithuania’s Honorary Consulate in Kherson sustained damage following a Russian air strike on January 1, according to a statement released by Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry on Friday. Despite the attack, no casualties were reported. “On January 1, Lithuania’s Honorary Consulate in Kherson came under fire during a Russian air strike. No one was injured,” the ministry confirmed. The consulate’s attack highlights ongoing tensions in the region, as Kherson remains a focal point in the conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Lithuania has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine amidst the conflict, providing significant military aid and advocating for Ukraine’s integration…
A new passenger train service connecting the capitals of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia is set to begin operations on Monday, January 6. The joint venture involves Lithuanian rail carrier LTG Link, Latvian carrier Vivi, and Estonian carrier Elron, offering a convenient travel option between Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn. The complete journey will take approximately 10.5 hours, with tickets for each segment of the trip needing to be purchased separately from the respective carriers. The initial leg from Vilnius to Riga will be operated by LTG Link, the second leg from Riga to Valga by Vivi, and the final leg from…
In the midst of heightened attention on Latvia’s airline industry, national carrier airBaltic’s ongoing quest for a strategic investor, potentially Lufthansa, has stirred intrigue. The German airline’s historical connection with Rīga adds a layer of significance to these developments. Lufthansa’s Return to Rīga in 1991: A Symbolic Milestone October 1991 marked a pivotal moment when Lufthansa resumed flights from Frankfurt to Rīga, shortly after Latvia regained independence. This inaugural flight, laden with joy and political symbolism, was the first scheduled Lufthansa flight to Rīga since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The resumption was part of Lufthansa’s broader expansion into…
Recent data from the Ministry of the Interior reveals that Estonia’s population growth in 2024 was limited to Harju, Tartu, and Hiiu counties, while the remaining counties experienced declines. Ida-Viru County faced the most significant drop, losing 1,800 residents last year. Ida-Viru County’s population decline has been ongoing for decades, particularly in major cities like Narva, which loses about 1,000 residents annually due to low birth rates, high mortality rates, and migration to more attractive urban centers. Narva’s current population stands at 52,000 but is projected to fall to 45,000 within the next two decades. Initial hopes that immigration…