DRONE ATTACK German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has said Russia must face increased pressure after recent airspace violations in Poland and incidents in Romania. "Russia must know: we will always respond," Wadephul told German public broadcaster ZDF on Sunday. "We will not allow ourselves to be put under further military pressure. We will unleash our powers, and the economic and political powers of the free world are strong." Wadephul said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "testing" the West. "He does not accept any offer of talk. He clearly does not want to end this war in Ukraine for now. He is going beyond it, and we must respond clearly and stand united," the German foreign minister said. Wadephul said he is in favor of tougher sanctions against Russia but stressed that NATO's defenses at its eastern border had to be strengthened. NATO to bolster eastern front after Russian drone incident 02:29 https://p.dw.com/p/50Szw Copy link Skip next section Zelenskyy: 'Most effective sanctions are fires in Russian oil refineries' 09/15/2025September 15, 2025 Zelenskyy: 'Most effective sanctions are fires in Russian oil refineries' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has highlighted the importance of hitting Russian oil refineries. "The most effective sanctions — the sanctions that work the fastest — are fires in Russian oil refineries, at their terminals and oil depots," he said in his evening address to the nation on Sunday, referring to a series of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting the Russian oil sector. 15th September,2025

TRUMP TURNS US President Donald Trump and his family are pocketing billions from cryptocurrency ventures since his return to the White House, capitalizing on a loosely regulated market he has actively shaped. From meme coins to stablecoins, digital currencies designed to stay at a fixed value, the financial windfall is estimated at over $5 billion (€4.25 billion) on paper, sparking accusations of unprecedented profiteering by a sitting president. Two companies drive the Trump family's crypto profits: World Liberty Financial (WLF), a decentralized finance platform that lets users with $WLFI tokens help shape the platform’s lending rules, and American Bitcoin Corp. (ABTC), a Nasdaq-listed bitcoin mining company. WLF has earned millions from $WLFI token sales tied to Trump’s name, while ABTC, backed by his sons, holds significant bitcoin assets and saw its stock jump 110% on its debut, before settling 16.5% higher than the opening price of $6.90. Reuters news agency reported that a Trump business entity owns 60% of WLF and is entitled to 75% of revenue from coin sales. 15th September,2025

RISING THREAT South Korea and the United States on Monday commenced Iron Mace, a military drill that aims to explore ways to integrate Washington's nuclear and South Korea's conventional capabilities to bolster deterrence against North Korean threats. The tactical exercise is taking place at Camp Humphreys, the primary base for US forces in South Korea. It is designed to improve the responses of allied forces and reinforce deterrence against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. "I do not think the timing of Iron Mace is in response to any particular event, but it is an overdue exercise to learn effective ways to prevent and counter a possible North Korean nuclear threat," said Chun In-bum, a retired lieutenant general in the South Korean army and now a senior fellow with the National Institute for Deterrence Studies. "And even though we may not be able to link these exercises with a single event in the North, it is clear that the North is becoming increasingly militarily capable and the alliance needs to be prepared for a possible nuclear scenario on the peninsula in order to prevent it," he told DW. Low birth rates shrink South Korea's military 01:16 How did North Korea react? The Iron Mace exercise is being held for the third time after drills in August 2024 and April this year, with each version expanding in scale and complexity, although the militaries of both South Korea and the US are keeping the operational details secret. The drill coincides with another exercise called Freedom Edge 25, a three-way air and maritime exercise involving units from the US, South Korea and Japan in waters off eastern and southern Korea. The maneuvers will include air defense exercises, medical evacuation, maritime interdiction and stepping up ballistic missile defense capabilities. The maneuvers have clearly agitated the North Korean government. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, condemned the exercises. "Reckless muscle-flexing by the US, Japan and South Korea in the wrong location … will definitely bring about unfavorable consequences," the state-run Korean Central News Agency quoted Kim as saying. She added that Pyongyang would consider the exercises as a "display" and a continuation of the confrontational stance adopted by successive governments in Seoul. North Korea continues to back Russia's war against Ukraine 03:05 Strengthening the alliance between Seoul and Washington North Korean state media also played up reports of Kim Jong Un attending the ground test of a new high-thrust solid-fuel engine for a new generation of advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles that is made of composite carbon fiber, with the North Korean leader declaring the breakthrough a "significant change" in enhancing the nation's nuclear forces. The North is suspected to be making strides on the development of the Hwasong-20 ICBM, which was first revealed this month. Analysts suggest that it is being manufactured in part due to technological assistance provided by Russia. Kim Sang-woo, a former politician with the left-leaning South Korean Congress for New Politics and now a member of the board of the Kim Dae-jung Peace Foundation, said that the Iron Mace and Freedom Edge drills are critical in reinforcing the alliance between Seoul and Washington. "Former [South Korean] President Yoon Suk Yeol went to Camp David with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in August 2023, they agreed on the creation of a nuclear consultative group, which was the US guarantee to increase its nuclear umbrella when North Korea became more aggressive and its capabilities were enhanced," he told DW. "The agreement at Camp David was the counterbalance to the North and in part it was meant to try to reassure the South that it did not need to develop its own nuclear capabilities because the US would protect it," he added. Hundreds arrested in US immigration raid on Hyundai plant 15th September,2025

CHINA The United States and China have reached a framework deal regarding TikTok, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday. The agreement would allow the short-video sharing platform to continue operating in the United States. "The framework is for a switch to US-controlled ownership," Bessent told reporters in Madrid. He said US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were scheduled to speak on Friday to "complete" the agreement. The video platform is immensely popular among young people across the world, including in the US. The TikTok countdown deadline The US Congress last year threatened a ban on TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sold its controlling stake. Lawmakers were concerned about how the company handles US-based user data amid open questions regarding Chinese government influence. TikTok in China's shadow 42:34 Trump has repeatedly extended the deadline for shutting down the popular app since returning to office in January. In mid-June, he extended the deadline by 90 days, moving it to September 17, to allow time to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban in the United States. US and Chinese officials meeting in Madrid to discuss a broader trade dispute have reached a framework deal to resolve it, Bessent said. There were no immediate comments from the Chinese delegation or ByteDance. 15th September,2025

SENTUO OIL REFINERY A delegation from the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO), comprising CEOs and representatives of National Oil Companies (NOCs), visited the Sentuo Oil Refinery in Accra as part of activities leading to the seventh APPO NOC CEOs Forum on Monday, September 15, 2025. The delegation, led by Kwame Ntow Amoah, the Acting CEO of GNPC and current Chair of the Forum, alongside Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, the Secretary General of APPO, were welcomed warmly by the management of Sentuo Oil Refinery. In his remarks, Mr. Amoah highlighted the purpose of the visit, stressing how the Forum and engagements such as the refinery tour underscore Africa’s efforts to build self-sufficiency across the energy value chain. “Sentuo is a shining example of how Ghana is leveraging local infrastructure and capacity to meet growing energy needs. "The facility represents the kind of partnerships and investments we need across Africa to translate our resources into sustainable growth,” Mr. Amoah stated. Welcoming the delegation, Mr. Eric Lin, General Manager of Sentuo Oil Refinery, expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the company’s openness to collaboration. “It is an honour to host APPO CEOs and delegations here. This visit offers us an opportunity to engage, explore and access areas of cooperation that can strengthen our role within Ghana and across the continent,” he said. Providing a technical overview, Sentuo’s Corporate Affairs Director, Ben Cobblah, and Technical Advisor, Mr. George Andoh, briefed the delegation on the company’s operations.? The refinery currently processes 40,000 barrels of oil per day with an investment value of about US$980 million, employing 420+ locals to boost the local economy. Plans are underway to expand capacity by an additional three million metric tonnes under Phase Two of its operations. Mr. Andoh emphasised the role of GNPC’s strategic partnerships in Sentuo’s growth journey. “Without GNPC’s gas supply at the onset, our operationalisation would have been impacted. This demonstrates how collaboration is critical in driving Ghana’s refining ambitions,” he noted. Following the briefing, the APPO CEOs and representatives were led on a guided technical tour of Sentuo’s facility and production units, gaining first-hand insights into the refinery’s processes and future prospects. The visit laid the foundation for further dialogue on regional collaboration in refining and downstream capacity, complementing the agenda of the seventh APPO NOC CEOs Forum in Accra. 15th September,2025

FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE President John Mahama has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating drug abuse in the country, despite its complexities. He acknowledged the high vulnerability of most drug abuse victims, particularly the youth in the country, and recommitted to using all available mechanisms to tackle the menace. The President made this known in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Charles Lwanga Puozuing, Upper West Regional Minister, during the climax of the Dumba festival 2025 in Wa. He described drug abuse as a “destructive narcotics menace” that threatens communities and endangers the future of Ghana’s development. President Mahama emphasised that fighting drug abuse required a collective effort and called on chiefs, elders, and opinion leaders to join forces with the government to combat the menace. “The fight against drug abuse cannot be left to the government alone. Traditional Authorities, who remain custodians of our culture and conscience, have a pivotal role to play,” the President stressed. He said, “Drug abuse is an enemy to progress. It destroys families, robs our youth of their potential, fuels crime, and undermines the moral fibre of society.” He urged traditional authorities to rise as sentinels of sobriety and intensify community sensitisation, enforcement of community by-laws, mentorship, and guidance on the dangers of drug abuse. The President reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening law enforcement agencies, expanding rehabilitation services, and creating opportunities for youth development through the 24-Hour Economy initiative, industrial parks, and entrepreneurship support. President Mahama also assured of his dedication to deepening civic engagement through regional task forces, such as the Upper West Regional Anti-Drug Abuse Taskforce, to drive the fight against drug abuse. He stressed the need for accountability, discipline, and respect for authority, emphasising that culture was a living resource that must be nurtured and transmitted. “The fight against drug abuse demands nothing less than our collective resolve. With traditional authorities guiding our people, with government providing leadership and opportunity, and with citizens uniting in purpose, I am confident that we can turn the tide. "Together, let us protect our youth, safeguard our culture, and build a Ghana of dignity, sobriety, and prosperity,” the President said. 15th September,2025

TIMBER MARKET BLAZE The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has attributed Saturday’s devastating fire at the Accra Timber Market to a rubbish fire that was left unattended. According to the Greater Accra Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Rashid Kwame Nisawu, plain-clothed officers deployed during the firefighting operation uncovered that a man had set fire to a heap of rubbish near the market before going to sleep. “During such operations, we deploy plain-clothed officers to gather information. What we established was that an individual collected rubbish, set it alight and went to sleep. The blaze then spread, leading to the destruction we have witnessed,” ACFO Nisawu explained in an interview with Channel One Newsroom. He confirmed that the suspect has since been arrested in connection with the incident. The inferno, which broke out around 1:17 a.m. on 13 September, destroyed several timber and hardware shops before it was finally brought under control at 11:44 a.m. Seven fire engines, supported by water tankers from the GNFS and municipal assemblies, were mobilised to contain the flames. Two firefighters sustained injuries — one from an electric shock and another with burns to the arm. Both have been treated and discharged. Fortunately, nearby facilities, including the Aayalolo cluster of schools, were spared from the destruction. DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Tags: GNFS Rubbish Advertisement DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Related to this story Human negligence blamed for recent fires at Timber Market and Lartebiokorshie GNFS contains Saturday dawn fire at Accra Timber Market Laterbiokorshie fire enters third day Laterbiokorshie Blaze: Full update by GNFS GNFS contains fire outbreak at Forster Down, Adentan No casualties recorded in Suame Post Office fire – GNFS confirms No casualties recorded in Accra Tourist Information Centre fire – GNFS Two Hyundai H100 vehicles damaged in late-night fire at Koforidua Late-night blaze destroys vehicle at University of Ghana sports stadium A/R: GNFS rescues 16 accident victims in pre-dawn crash at Adansi Kyeaboso MOST POPULAR NEWS Cadman Mills: I won’t trade my life for Mahama’s praises; galamsey devastating communities Celebrated apostle and industrialist, Safo Kantanka dead Ghanaian Kofi Offeh and his ‘tribe’ to be evicted from Scottish woodland London fraudster jailed after using covid loans to fund trading business in Ghana Lawsuit alleges U.S. used Ghana as ‘transit hub’ for secret migrant deportations Abronye DC granted GH¢50,000 bail Zongo chief shot in Okorase as dispute escalates into violent clash FixTheCountry announces anti-galamsey march in Accra Vehicle set ablaze at Hamile border as youth clash with Immigration Service All are equal before the law – Kwakye Ofosu challenges judge’s justification in Abronye remand case LATEST STORIES Techiman MCE cautions residents on littering, indiscriminate waste disposal Gov’t can’t undo galamsey in just 9 months, but there’s commitment to deal with the menace – Lands Ministry Cedi ranked among world’s strongest currencies – BoG Governor Ghana’s economic recovery gains momentum as BoG signals confidence in outlook National All Leavers’ Summit launched in Accra Simbu takes Tanzania’s first global title with marathon victory in Tokyo IES Ghana opens registration for 2026 Singapore Summer and Winter Camp Duplantis sets 14th career record in pole vault Shot dead for protesting against corruption in Nepal Price of petroleum products to go up significantly from September 16 Focus on deliverables, not persecution – Afenyo-Markin to political leaders Belarus and Russia’s show of firepower appears to be a message to Europe Open petition to Mahama: Resetting nat’l leadership crisis of the Islamic religion PNP chairperson Janet Nabila dares Mahama to give her one month to end galamsey UK shifts from aid to investment in Ghana, unlocks £225m growth boost About Us The Multimedia Group 15th September,2025

FATAL COLLISION One person has died and four others have been injured following a head-on collision on the Koforidua–Nyamekrom road in the Eastern Region. The victims are currently receiving treatment at the Eastern Regional Hospital and St Joseph Hospital in Koforidua. The crash involved an Opel Astra B taxi cab, with registration number GS 4492-Z, and a Honda Civic bearing registration number GR 5529-22. Both vehicles were extensively damaged in the impact. Enoch Boahene, Assemblyman for the Nyamekrom Electoral Area, who narrowly avoided the crash while riding his motorbike near the Jehovah’s Witness Church in Nyamekrom, recounted that the taxi driver was speeding and attempted a wrongful overtaking, which caused the collision. Emergency services swiftly arrived at the scene, but despite their efforts, one person was pronounced dead. 15th September,2025