DEATH OF TOP GENERAL NEAR MOSCOW Russia's Investigative Committee says it is opening a case after a remotely-triggered car bombing that killed General-lieutenant Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the main operational directorate of the military's General Staff. Meanwhile, the mayor of Kyiv has suggested that Ukraine might need to give up land to achieve a temporary peace with Russia. Vitali Klitschko's comments came after a deadly attack on the Ukrainian capital. Scores more drones were launched overnight into Friday, Ukraine's air force says, with three people reported killed in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region. In other news, Russia's top diplomat has said an agreement between his country and the United States on Ukraine still needs some "fine-tuning." Here are the latest developments from Russia's war in Ukraine on Friday, April 25. Skip next section Russian investigators confirm top officer's death in car bombing 04/25/2025April 25, 2025 Russian investigators confirm top officer's death in car bombing Russian authorities have confirmed the death of a senior Russian officer when a parked car exploded near Moscow. Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes said, said it had launched a murder probe. Authorities named the victim as General-lieutenant Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the main operational directorate of the military's General Staff. The news had been reported earlier by several news outlets. Investigators have launched a probe into murder and smuggling explosives after the Volkswagen Golf exploded outside a block of flats in the town of Balashikha in the eastern Moscow region. Images on social media showed a fire that gutted a car. The Agentstvo investigative news site said Moskalik lived in Balashikha, but the Volkswagen was not registered to him. The "blast was caused by the triggering of an improvised explosive device" packed with fragments of metal aimed at causing maximum harm," investigators said. The Kremlin's website says Moskalik was a Russian military representative at the "Normandy format" talks on Ukraine in 2015 as the conflict was raging between Kyiv and Russian-backed separatists. He was made a general lieutenant by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2021. https://p.dw.com/p/4taJY Copy link Skip next section Two killed in Yarova after a Russian air strike 04/25/2025April 25, 2025 Two killed in Yarova after a Russian air strike Two people were killed in an attack on Friday morning on the village of Yarova in eastern Ukriane, after an overnight Russian drone strike, said prosecutors in Ukraine's Donetsk region. "At 05:10, enemy forces conducted two airstrikes on the village of Yarova in the Lyman [county]. As a result of a direct strike on a residential building at their place of residence, a 61-year-old man and his 88-year-old father sustained fatal injuries," wrote Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office. About 10 residential buildings, an outbuilding and a shop were damaged in the village, it added. A large portion of the Donetsk region is under occupation by Russian forces. https://p.dw.com/p/4ta2o Copy link Skip next section Latvia on course with building of defensive line 04/25/2025April 25, 2025 Latvia on course with building of defensive line Latvia's planned building of a defensive line along its border with Russia and Belarusis on course for completion by 2028, the country's Defense Minister Andris Spruds has said. "The work is proceeding according to plan," Spruds said on Friday while visiting a storage site near the town of Zilupe, close to the frontier with Russia. The site holds concrete blocks and tank barriers to be erected for the fortification and securing of Latvia's eastern border. Latvia's efforts are part of a wide one to create the Baltic defense line also protecting fellow Baltic states, Estonia and Lithuania from potential attacks from Russia and Belarus. Belarus is a major Russian ally and was used as a staging post by some of the Russian military to launch Moscow's February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "The main goal is to stop, distract and destroy a potential intruder," Spruds stressed. Men in construction gear carrying materials by fence on Latvian-Russian borderMen in construction gear carrying materials by fence on Latvian-Russian border Latvia is working to fortify its b 25th April,2025

GERMANY RETURN TO RUSSIAN GAS As the war in Ukraine grinds into its fourth year, the notion of Russia pumping gas to Europe via Germany again is not as outlandish as it might have been a few months ago. Amid media reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to stop his invasion at the current front line in discussions with the US, speculation continues over the possible re-integration of Russia into Europe's energy mix. Last month, some politicians from Germany's centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) welcomed the idea of repairing both pipelines of the damaged Nord Stream 1 and the single damaged pipeline on Nord Stream 2. The three were damaged after an act of sabotage in September 2022, with one undamaged. Nord Stream 1 brought gas to Germany before the Ukraine war began while Nord Stream 2 was finished in September 2021 but never actually entered service. US and Russia reportedly keen on Nord Stream deal Both Russia and the United States are reportedly keen on a deal to get gas flowing through the pipelines again. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said recently discussions with the US have included Nord Stream. Meanwhile, several reports say US investors are interested in buying Nord Stream 2 AG — the Swiss-based subsidiary of Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom which owns the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. In January, bankruptcy proceedings against Nord Stream 2 AG were delayed until May, with a redacted court document showing that Gazprom argued that the Trump administration could "have significant consequences on the circumstances of Nord Stream 2." 25th April,2025

GERMANY EXPECTS ZERO GROWTH The German government cut its economic growth forecast to zero citing the impact of US President Donald Trump's trade policies . "There is above all one reason for this, namely Donald Trump's trade policy and the effects of the trade policy on Germany," outgoing Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Thursday. He said there was little hope of relief for Europe’s largest economy following two years of recession in 2023 and 2024. The German economy contracted by 0.3% in 2023 and by 0.2% in 2024. How do the Trump tariffs affect the German economy? The European Union (EU) was negotiating with Washington to avoid a further 20% proposed US tariffs on goods from the bloc. The United States is Germany's largest trading partner and Habeck said Trump's tariffs are "hitting the German economy harder than other nations." "The US trade policy of threatening and imposing tariffs has a direct impact on the German economy, which is very export-oriented," Habeck said. The US tariffs, featuring a blanket 10% duty on all imports and 25% levies on cars, aluminum, and steel, are set to hit Germany's major export-based sectors like automotive and pharmaceutical industries hard. How will US tariffs hit Germany's car exports and imports? 04:20 It has also been dealing with increasingly fierce Chinese competition in key industries such as automobiles and machinery. "Our big trade partners, China and the USA, and our neighbor, Russia, are causing us problems," Habeck said. Bundesbank warns of possibility of 'slight recession' However, Habeck and the government's forecast is more optimistic than that of Germany's central bank. Speaking on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel said the best-case scenario is stagnation. He could not rule out "a slight recession for 2025," adding that the period of uncertainty is not over. Germany's economy has been mired in an economic crisis in recent years, with inflation soaring following the measures taken to contain the coronavirus pandemic, followed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Habeck voiced hope a new spending package worth many hundreds of billions of euros could help revive the economy under conservative Friedrich Merz, who is expected to take power in early May. 25th April,2025

NEW ZEALAND COMMEMORATE ANZAC DAY Thousands of people in Australia and New Zealand on Friday celebrated Anzac Day to commemorate military service members who died in war. Anzac stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Originally, Anzac Day used to mark the two countries' unsuccessful campaign to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey in 1915 during World War I. About 130,000 lives were lost. In recent times, the day is used to honor all troops from Australia and New Zealand who have served during war or conflict. Services held in major cities In Sydney, about 7,500 people attended a dawn service before the annual march of military veterans, public broadcaster ABC reported. Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart also held services. "It is now a century and a decade since the first Anzacs climbed into their boats and rowed into history. The years come and go, and still we come together to honor them and all who have followed," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement. In New Zealand, a large service was held in Wellington. "Nothing in my life has been quite as humbling and moving as walking in the footsteps of the ANZACs," said New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on X. Show additional content? This content is part of the text you are currently reading. The provider X / Twitter provides this content and may collect your usage data directly when you click “Show content”. Always show content from X / Twitter. He was in Turkey for Anzac Day and visited the battlefields and cemeteries where about 2,800 New Zealand soldiers were killed. Britain's King Charles III also paid tribute to those who had perished during the campaign in a message on social media. 25th April,2025

BAWUMIA DONATES GH¢3M TO NPP The 2024 flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has donated a total amount of GH¢3 million to the party to support its welfare initiatives in the first quarter of 2025. In January, he handed 2 million Ghana cedis to the National Treasurer on behalf of the General Secretary and the National Chairman and some weeks ago also gave 1 million Ghana cedis as an add-on. The donation, which was made last week, was handed over to the party’s National Treasurer, Mr. Charles Dwamena, at the party’s headquarters in Accra. According to the national executives of the party, the donation is aimed at strengthening the party’s internal welfare systems and supporting members in times of need. It also forms part of Dr. Bawumia’s continuous commitment to the wellbeing of party faithful and grassroots supporters across the country. Receiving the donation, Mr. Dwamena expressed the party’s gratitude to Dr. Bawumia for his timely and generous contribution, emphasizing that the funds would be put to prudent use to support various welfare activities. The donation comes at a time when the party is intensifying its preparations for the next party primaries, with renewed focus on unity, support for its members, and effective grassroots mobilization. 25th April,2025

ACCRA HIGH COURT STRIKES OUT An Accra High Court has struck out a motion filed by the Ghana Police Service that sought to prohibit a planned protest against illegal mining in Ghana. The court's decision follows a prayer by Assistant State Attorney David Bachem, acting on the orders of the Attorney General, for the motion to be withdrawn. This latest decision by the court paves the way for the anti-galamsey protest which is expected to come off on April 28 this year. One of the conveners of the group, a known media personality, Okatakyie Afrifa, said the initial motion to prohibit the protest was a move borne out of bad faith. The protest is expected to start from Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah circle in Accra, through the Ring Road, and then conclude at the Liberation Square opposite the Jubilee House. It is expected to commence at 4pm on April 28, through to 12:00am on April 29. In the motion filed and subsequently withdrawn by the police, they had urged conveners of the planned protest to relocate the end point of the demonstration since the Liberation Square and the Jubilee House remain security zones. The police also raised concerns regarding the timing of the demonstration, which they argue will cause serious gridlock in the city of Accra in terms of public order, inconvenience motorists, and disrupt the delivery of essential services. 25th April,2025

WE ARE COMMITTED TO ASSISTING GHANA IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has assured that the Fund is ready to assist Ghana and other countries affected by the ongoing global tariff war. Speaking during the launch of the Global Policy Agenda at the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC, Georgieva said the IMF has the tools and resources to respond when requests for support are made. “We can fall on our policy tools to assist any country, including financial assistance when needed,” she said. “As always, we will be there for our members by focusing on what we do best—helping them secure economic and financial stability.” Global Tariff War and Its Impact Addressing journalists at a press conference, the IMF boss noted that while the direct effects of the tariff war may be minimal for many African countries, she is concerned about the broader consequences. “I am worried about the indirect impact,” Georgieva said. “Every country in the region must take steps to build more buffers and press ahead with programs that will help cushion expected shocks.” Ghana’s Policy Response Georgieva encouraged Ghana and other African nations to take proactive short-term measures to mitigate potential fallout. “There is still a lot that can be done on the fiscal side, while building the required buffers for a moment of shock,” she stated. “Continue strengthening Ghana’s fundamentals.” She also emphasised tax reforms: “Don’t use any excuses. Do more to broaden the tax base by reducing tax evasion and tax avoidance.” Mixed Outcomes for African Economies The IMF chief said the tariff war presents both challenges and opportunities, depending on the economic structure of each country. “For oil producers like Nigeria, falling oil prices create additional pressure on their budgets,” she observed. “On the other hand, for oil importers, this is a breath of fresh air.” She warned that the trade-offs will be tough for low-income countries but reiterated the importance of domestic resource mobilisation. “We cannot have countries with a tax-to-GDP ratio below 15 per cent and still expect to sustain the functioning of the state.” Advice to Central Banks Georgieva advised central banks across the region to monitor inflation expectations closely while supporting economic growth. “Watch the data. Watch inflation expectations. Central banks will need to strike a delicate balance between supporting growth and containing inflation,” she said. She stressed the importance of central bank independence, adding: “Credibility is key. Protect it.” Call for Greater Intra-African Trade The IMF Managing Director also called for stronger inter-regional trade on the continent. “Africa has so much to offer the world. Obviously, they have the minerals, the natural resources, and the young population,” she said. “A more unified, more collaborative continent can go a long, long way to becoming an economic powerhouse.” 25th April,2025

AFRICA MUST BUILD, OWN ITS TECHNOLOGY TO SECURE ITS FUTURE The deepening trade tensions across the globe, symbolised by escalating tariff wars and rising protectionism, should serve as a stark wake-up call for Africa. As countries turn inward and nationalism resurfaces with renewed force, the illusion of a borderless global economy is fast unravelling. In this fractured global order, Africa must recognise the urgent need to secure its technological sovereignty—not tomorrow, but now. At the launch of the 2025 CEO Summit in Accra, Moses Kwesi Baiden Jnr., CEO and Founder of Margins ID Group, sounded a clarion call to business leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs: Africa must build and own its technology. Speaking under the summit’s theme, “Leading Ghana’s Economic Reset: Transforming Business and Governance for a Sustainable Futuristic Economy,” Baiden urged the private sector to take the reins of innovation and lead Africa’s journey into the digital age on its own terms. Mr Baiden’s message was clear: Africa must not remain on the periphery of global transformation. It must build its own digital destiny—an Africa where data is sovereign, systems are secure, and innovation is homegrown. The time for building is now. Because in the world that’s coming, you either build—or you are built. The risks of technological dependence According to Mr Baiden, recent disruptions in access to cloud-based tools, intellectual platforms, and digital storage systems have laid bare a glaring vulnerability. Many of the digital platforms African firms depend on are controlled by foreign entities with their own geopolitical and commercial interests. As global tensions escalate, so too does the risk of sudden and arbitrary disconnections—from tools essential for daily operations to entire troves of intellectual capital. "Imagine a future where your corporate memory, your data, your identity can disappear overnight—not due to your failure, but because of decisions made halfway across the world," Baiden warned. This scenario, once far-fetched, now feels dangerously plausible. This growing dependence on foreign technology—whether in cloud services, social platforms, or financial technologies—presents an existential threat to the continent's future. Mr Baiden cautioned that without decisive action, Africa could become a digital colony, dependent on systems it does not control, bound by rules it did not write, and vulnerable to disruptions it cannot predict or prevent. Participate or perish We are in the throes of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a seismic shift driven by artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, and digital connectivity. While many nations are racing to harness these changes for competitive advantage, Africa risks being left behind—or worse, being defined by others within this new global order. Mr Baiden emphasized that Africa must engage deliberately and boldly with these forces. “The future belongs to those who create it,” he declared. “Let us not wait to be invited to the table. Let us set the table. Let us shape the future,” he added. This means designing systems that are transparent, ethical, accountable, and anchored in the values of governance, productivity, and inclusion, he stressed. The Margins ID Group CEO pointed out that it requires the private sector to lead—not just with capital, but with courage and vision. And it demands that African institutions foster the kind of homegrown innovation capable of scaling and competing globally. Reimagining the role of business and governance The challenge before Africa is not just technological—it is also institutional. To build and own its technology, the continent must recalibrate how it governs, how it educates, and how it partners across the public and private divide. Mr Baiden called on CEOs and business leaders to become a force for good, not just by pressuring governments, but by pushing themselves to reimagine production systems, reform governance frameworks, and champion long-term, values-driven transformation. “The future demands governance, compliance, transparency, and effectiveness. These values must be embedded in the DNA of both public and private institutions if Africa is to rise in the digital era,” he said. The Strategic Imperative for Sovereignty Sovereignty in the 21st century will not be defined merely by borders or resources, but by code, data, algorithms, and systems. Digital sovereignty is not just about independence—it is about self-determination. It is about ensuring that African voices are not only present but central in shaping the systems that define global productivity and innovation. Mr Baiden urged African governments to take seriously the design of national platforms and infrastructures that protect citizen data, encourage innovation, and allow local entrepreneurs to flourish. But he was unequivocal that the private sector cannot afford to be passive. “This network of CEOs must lead with intention. We cannot be spectators in a future designed by others. If we do not act now, we risk becoming casualties of it,” he warned. Africa’s future must be built, not imported As nations retreat behind trade walls and realign their priorities, Africa must resist the temptation to wait for handouts or policy shifts from global power centres. The continent's future will be determined by the institutions it builds, the talent it nurtures, and the technologies it owns. 25th April,2025