UKRAINE STRUGGLING TO KEEP LIGHTS ON Ukraine's biggest private energy provider is living in permanent crisis mode because of Russian attacks on the grid, its chief executive has told the BBC. Most of Ukraine is suffering from lengthy power cuts as temperatures drop and Maxim Timchenko, whose company DTEK provides power for 5.6 million Ukrainians, says the intensity of strikes has been so frequent "we just don't have time to recover". President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Russia knew the winter cold could become one of its most dangerous weapons. "Every night Ukrainian parents hold their children in basements and shelters hoping our air defence will hold," he told the Dutch parliament. As the fourth anniversary of Russia's full scale invasion approaches, Maxim Timchenko says Russia has repeatedly targeted DTEK's energy grid with "waves of drones, cruise and ballistic missiles" and his company has found it difficult to cope. Tens of thousands of people in the southern city of Odesa have been without electricity for three days this week, following a co-ordinated Russian attack. "Life has been difficult, but people are very supportive of each other," says Yana, who is among those lucky enough still to have power. She has invited friends to her home to charge their phones. Power outages also cut off heat and water supplies and Yana says those still connected to the grid have offered strangers the chance to wash or take a shower. Across Ukraine electricity is being rationed – with supplies turned on for a few hours each day. Many Ukrainians rely on power banks and generators as a back-up, and the sound of generators in the capital is now more constant than the air raid warnings. Kyiv resident Tetiana says the first thing she does in the morning is to check her phone to find out the daily schedule for when her power will be switched on. Like many she has invested in power banks to make life more bearable: "You need to remember when you leave home to leave the powerbanks on so that you have them charged when you get back home." About 50% of Ukraine's energy is currently supplied by three large nuclear power plants in central and western Ukraine. But the network that transfers that power has been severely damaged. DTEK runs about 5 power stations, most of them fuelled by coal. One was recently targeted by five 5 ballistic missiles and Mr Timchenko said some of their power plants and sub stations had been attacked "every three or four days". "I don't remember a single day when I had no reports about some damage to our grid." Finding spare parts to repair damaged equipment has become a significant challenge. The energy provider used to be able to source equipment from within Ukraine, but now it has to scour the ret of Europe for replacement parts. This year DTEK has had to spend $166m (£123m) on repairing its damaged thermal power plants and coal facilities. "We will not give up," Maxim Timchenko insists: "We have a responsibility to millions of mothers to have power and heat". DTEK's origins are in the Donbas in Eastern Ukraine where the fighting is fiercest and where power supplies have been disrupted the most. Eight of its engineers have been killed doing their job. "Every day they risk their lives to keep power in this area," Mr Timchenko said. 16th December,2025

A TRILLION?DOLLAR PLAYER KNOCKING ON THE G20'S DOOR It’s been an incredible ride for Poland's economy. Over the past two decades, the country has evolved from a postcommunist transition state to one of Europe's fastest-growing markets. Fueled by domestic demand, European Union (EU) investment funds, and a thriving manufacturing and services sector, Poland’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP) crossed the symbolic $1 trillion (€860 billion) threshold in September, according to the International Monetary Fund, cementing the country's place among the world’s top 20 economies. Seemingly out of nowhere, the country’s opportunity to step up in global affairs came last month as the G20, the elite group of wealthy nations, was itself thrown into turmoil. After accusing South Africa of persecuting its white minority, US President Donald Trump boycotted the G20 summit in Johannesburg and later withdrew South Africa's invitation to Miami in December next year — the first time in history a G20 host has been sidelined. That move opened the door for Poland to temporarily take South Africa’s place at the G20 table as an observer at the December 2026 summit in Miami, Florida. Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Washington's backing for Poland to "assume its rightful place in the G20" as a symbol of post-Cold War resilience. The move marks the first time since the G20's creation in 1999 that any Central or Eastern European country has been invited to a leaders' summit — even as a guest. The G20 brings together 19 of the world's largest economies plus the EU and the African Union, but Eastern and Central Europe's role has been limited to the EU’s collective seat. That left major regional players like Poland without a direct voice despite their growing economic weight. As the largest economy in Central and Eastern Europe, Poland wields outsized influence within the EU's eastern flank. Its GDP now surpasses Switzerland and rivals mid?sized Western European states. Although Warsaw has been lobbying to join the G20 for years, Marcin Klucznik, a senior advisor at the Polish Economic Institute (PIE), thinks the South Africa row opened up a "natural gap" in the group's structure that Poland can now convincingly fill. "Poland exemplifies a country that went from an underdeveloped to a developed economy," Klucznik told DW. "Adding the largest of these [Central and Eastern European] countries is a harbinger of the region's success." The row with South Africa is only one of several challenges now testing the G20's relevance. Unlike the United Nations or the EU, the G20 is not a formal international organization, and its power is limited to the influence its members choose to exert collectively. The G20 includes nations with conflicting interests, including Russia, China, India and Saudi Arabia. This makes unity on security, climate, or trade issues increasingly elusive. Trump's tariff policy and threats of trade retaliation, meanwhile, have also unsettled the G20's founding mission of promoting open markets, while the BRICS grouping — also led by G20 members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — has expanded its influence. Having doubled from the original five members, BRICS is now positioning itself as a rival to the G20, challenging US dollar dominance through regional trade in local currencies. This is just one example of the shifting balance of power from the West and its traditional allies toward the Global South. Dalibor Rohac, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), a center-right think tank, thinks Poland can now help shape the G20's agenda and reset the group's relevance. "Poland will be a compelling voice [on behalf of Europe]," Rohac told DW, noting that Warsaw favors free trade and an integrated global economy in the face of the current drift toward protectionism. Poland's observer role comes at a moment when the G20 is struggling to find common ground on some of the world’s most pressing issues. Chief among them is Russia’s war in Ukraine, where divisions between G20 member states have prevented a unified response despite nearly four years of conflict. "Central and Eastern European countries have historical experiences with Russia and the USSR that shape their views," Klucznik said, noting this legacy informs how countries like Poland approach security and sovereignty. "That perspective ... brings a sharper understanding of the risks posed by Moscow's aggression and why resilience matters for economies that want to grow without fear of domination," he added. 16th December,2025

TRUMP CEDES ELECTRIC CAR MARKET TO CHINA When US President Donald Trump recently announced the rollback of vehicle fuel efficiency regulations, he called it the end of the "green new scam." He was referring to efforts to electrify transportation in the US by the outgoing Biden administration, which gave incentives for automakers to phase-out internal combustion engine cars in favor of low emission, climate-friendly electric vehicles (EVs). Since coming to power in January, the Trump administration has already repealed a range of incentives aimed at getting fossil-fuel powered cars off the road. These include revoking a Biden executive order stipulating that 50% of cars sold in the US by 2030 should be electric; freezing billions in funding for charging infrastructure, and eliminating a $7,500 (€6,444) tax credit on EV purchases. Trump has concurrently defunded green energy programs in favor of oil and gas. Arguing that the "absurd tailpipe emissions standards" were "killing" the automobile industry, Trump confirmed to a retinue of car company executives gathered in the Oval Office that fuel efficiency regulations also made cars too expensive. Industry experts claim the EV incentives were spurring greater investment in electric cars and charging infrastructure, as well as creating new jobs. But Trump has now promised to forgo an electrified future in favor of 19th century technology. As a result of the rollbacks, US vehicles will only require a fuel economy of around 35 miles (56 kilometers), as opposed to 50 miles per gallon under Biden's updated fuel economy standards for 2022-2031 model passenger cars and light trucks. Both the climate and consumers will lose out due to the roll backs, say critics. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat whose state is a renewable energy and EV powerhouse, said Trump was "handing his Big Oil donors exactly what they want: weaker protections for consumers and bigger profits for polluters." Confirming US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates, Newsom said that national fuel consumption would have been reduced by 70 billion gallons (265 billion litres) a year under the outgoing efficiency standards. Steven Higashide, Director of the Clean Transportation Program at the US nonprofit advocacy group, the Union of Concerned Scientists, says weakened fuel economy rules will ultimately raise the price of gas. "US vehicle pollution and reliance on oil have dropped and drivers can save money by choosing more efficient vehicles," he said in a statement. Fifty years of increasing fuel efficiency standards have helped shield drivers from oil market shocks, given them cleaner air, and ultimately saved them over $5 trillion (€4.26 trillion), said Higashide. 16th December,2025

CHEAP TOYS CAN POSE HEALTH HAZARD It's that time of year again, when children in countries that celebrate Christmas all over the world are dreaming of what awaits them in brightly wrapped packages — everything ranging from model cars to plastic building blocks, dolls and so much more. Yet the German Society for Endocrinology, a specialist society for researchers studying the effects of hormones, warns that many children's toys contain endocrine disruptors, which can have a negative impact on metabolic processes, growth, brain development and fertility. Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are chemicals that, even in small quantities, can disrupt the way hormones function, and cause harmful effects. EDCs include plasticizers such as phthalates and bisphenols, which are found in a variety of food packaging. They also include brominated flame retardants, which make plastics less flammable, so-called forever chemicals (PFAS), as well as heavy metals such as cadmium and bromine. These substances can be found in all kinds of everyday household items such as cosmetic products, plastics, paints and textiles, but also in cheap children's toys, said Josef Köhrle of the Institute for Experimental Endocrinology at Berlin's Charite university hospital. He researches how different substances affect the body's hormone systems. "Children's skin and mucous membranes are not yet fully developed as barriers to harmful substances," said Köhrle during a press conference earlier this month. What's more, young children explore the world with their mouths. This typical behavior "can massively increase EDC exposure," the researcher warned. 16th December,2025

11TH GMIA AWARDS Founded in 2010, ZEN Petroleum Limited is the flagship company of the ZEN Group – an integrated, wholly Ghanaian-owned enterprise and a leader in the country’s downstream oil and gas sector. ZEN is the fuel and lubricant supplier of choice to Ghana’s mining sector and operates a growing retail network of 63 stations nationwide. Through its subsidiaries – including Astra Oil Services (BDC), ZEN Terminals (33,000MT depot), ZEN Transport, and Ladybird Logistics – the ZEN Group offers end-to-end fuel importation, distribution, logistics, and bunkering services. ZEN Petroleum’s emergence as the Best Performer in Mine Supplies and Support Services at the 11th Ghana Mining Industry Awards, held on 5 December 2025 at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, has once again highlighted the company’s strong position within Ghana’s mining supply chain and its expanding presence in the broader petroleum retail market. The award, presented by the Ghana Chamber of Mines, recognises companies that demonstrate exceptional reliability, safety performance, and operational discipline in servicing large-scale mining operations. For ZEN, this latest recognition adds to a long record of sector leadership: the company has now secured five (5) wins and three (3) first runner-up positions since the category was introduced 11 years ago, making it one of the most consistently recognised suppliers in Ghana’s mining industry. Within the mining sector, ZEN has built a reputation for delivering high-quality fuel and lubricants reliably to remote and demanding sites. Its integrated supply chain – spanning procurement, storage, transport, and on-site support – has been central to its performance. The company also operates a transport arm run entirely by women drivers, a distinctive model that has drawn attention for both its safety outcomes and its contribution to gender inclusion. Speaking after the ceremony, Managing Director William Tewiah said the recognition affirms the company’s long-term approach to disciplined operations. “This award is a reflection of the dedication and discipline our teams apply every single day. Supplying the mines requires precision and consistency, and we have built systems that allow us to meet that responsibility without compromise. It is encouraging to see that effort acknowledged by the industry,” he said. Safety remains one of ZEN’s defining attributes. The company has achieved more than seven million accident-free hours in its mining operations and earlier this year received the Corporate Excellence Award at the inaugural National Safety Awards organised by the Ghana National Fire Service in collaboration with TD-TIMAWT. While ZEN’s mining achievements continue to attract sector recognition, the company is also expanding within Ghana’s retail fuel market. It currently operates 63 retail stations, a number expected to grow to 80 by the end of 2026. The company applies the same operational discipline used in mining to its consumer-facing network, focusing on fuel quality, accurate quantity, and fair, transparent pricing. Commercial Manager Mercy Belbah Smith said the company’s retail strategy is a natural extension of the standards developed in its mining operations. “What we have built in the mines – strong systems, safety leadership, and reliable supply –is exactly what we are bringing to our retail customers. Consumers deserve the same level of assurance, and our expansion reflects that commitment,” she noted. ZEN’s latest award therefore underscores two parallel developments: its sustained leadership in a technically demanding industrial sector and its rising influence in Ghana’s nationwide fuel retail market. As the mining industry continues to expand and retail competition intensifies, ZEN appears well-positioned to shape both arenas with a model rooted in reliability, safety, and disciplined growth. 16th December,2025

LAPTOPS TO GHANA BLIND UNION As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR] , Luckiest Africa has donated 1,000 white canes to the Ghana Blind Union [GBU] at its head office in Accra. The gesture is to support the mobility of the visually impaired as earlier Luckiest also donated scores of Laptops to teachers and students to facilitate teaching and learning and other administrative works of the Union. The management of Luckiest used the occasion to engage staffs, teachers and students in a free raffle draw accompanied with give aways such as mobile phones, blenders, television set among others. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer [ CEO] of Luckiest Africa, Mr. Dennis Adutwum said the gesture forms part of the commitments of giving back to society, adding that management of Luckiest have engage the GBU to identify their pressing needs. He said his outfit have put in place fervent provisions of its budget to support the activities and operations of the Union saying the move applies to the Corporate Social Responsibilities of the organization of which the GBU is a beneficiary. ‘’The white canes for the visually impaired will serve as a relief to people living with disability particularly the blind to enable them move freely without any assistance’’, he said and therefore urged other corporate bodies to come to the aid of the Uinon. Receiving the items, the Executive Director of Ghana Blind Union. Dr. Dennis Obeng Asomoa said the presentation will help address the much-needed resources to scale up teaching and learning for students to enhance their skills for growth and development. According to him, management will distribute some of the white canes to branches of the Union and support others who do not have the privilege to acquire the canes, adding that the items will make a huge impact in their lives . He however expressed his gratitude to the management of Luckiest for coming to the aid of Persons with Disabilities [PWDs] and called on other corporate bodies, benevolent societies among others to emulate the shining example of Luckiest 16th December,2025

POLICE SENSITISE CHURCHES ON CHRISTMAS The Ghana Police Service, Tema District Command, has launched a spirited campaign in churches across the district to raise awareness about security ahead of the Christmas festivities. Led by Chief Superintendent Isaac Kojo Forson, alongside Assistant Superintendent Samuel Tamakloe, Chief Inspector Osei Wreko Ampem, Inspector Sabina Dabake, and civil society leader Robert Amiteye, the team visited St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Community 8 to engage worshippers on how to stay safe during the season. Chief Superintendent Forson reminded residents that vigilance is key, urging them to avoid exposing valuables, refrain from using phones while walking, and be cautious of suspicious motorcyclists. He stressed the importance of reporting unusual behavior, especially in individuals who move about only at night, and encouraged households to consider installing CCTV cameras or keeping guard dogs if possible. His message was clear: “See something, say something.” Mr. Amiteye added that crime rates often spike during Christmas, with some people coming into town solely to commit offenses. He explained that the sensitisation drive is aimed at churches, community leaders, and institutions to ensure collective preparedness. Residents were cautioned against resisting attackers, as criminals often use knives or snatch bags, and advised to shout for help instead. They were also warned to be wary of strangers pretending to be lost or asking to use their phones, as such tricks are common ways to steal. The campaign closed with a heartfelt wish from Chief Superintendent Forson for a safe and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year, with the assurance that the exercise will continue in other churches and communities in the days ahead. 16th December,2025

YEAR-END CELEBRATION The Nigeria High Commission in Ghana on Friday hosted a colorful Christmas Carol and End of Year Party, bringing together diplomats, including; Dr Juliette Tuakli, Mercy Ship’s Diplomatic Ambassador and CEO of Family Child &Associates (FCA), Mrs. Uray Obuah-Nwosa and Mr. Olufemi Olonijolu amongst others, members of the Nigerian community and Ghanaian guests in a celebration of faith, unity and goodwill. The event, held on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, at the conference room of the Nigeria High Commission in Accra, blended spiritual reflection with festive cheer, marking the close of the year in an atmosphere of harmony and gratitude. Activities commenced with a thanksgiving prayer, setting a reverent tone for the evening. This was followed by presentations of songs, including a congregational hymn that drew enthusiastic participation from guests. Bible readings, special choral renditions and the ceremonial cutting of the Christmas cake further highlighted the program, reinforcing the spirit of the season. In a unique and symbolic gesture, His Excellency, Ambassador Dayo Adeoye, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana, pleasantly encouraged the choir led by a team of choristers made up of diplomats and staff of the Nigeria High Commission, drawing applause and admiration from attendees for his hands-on participation. Delivering his welcome address, Ambassador Adeoye expressed appreciation to guests for their presence and support throughout the year. He wished Nigerians both in Ghana and back home, as well as friends of Nigeria, a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, emphasizing the importance of unity, peace and mutual respect between Nigeria and Ghana. The event attracted a distinguished audience, including local and foreign diplomats, members of the diplomatic corps, as well as a cross-section of Nigerians and Ghanaians, reflecting the strong bilateral relationship between both countries. Rev. Kennedy Okosun, Executive Chairman of KRIF FOUNDATION and organizers of The upcoming maiden edition of the much anticipated and talked about Regal Influence Summit, who also served as chairman of the occasion, delivered a heartwarming message. He encouraged attendees to embrace the true meaning of Christmas—love, service and compassion—and to carry these values into the coming year. The Christmas Carol and End of Year Party concluded on a high note, leaving guests with renewed hope and a shared commitment to fostering stronger community ties and diplomatic goodwill in the year ahead. 16th December,2025