PM MODI HAILS ‘ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT’ In a first, three frontline platforms — INS Nilgiri, INS Vaghsheer and INS Surat — were commissioned on the same day in the Indian Navy on Wednesday (January 15, 2025). Hailing the first tri-commissioning as a significant leap towards towards ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the three vessels to the nation. INS Nilgiri is the lead ship of Project 17A frigates, INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and the final boat of Project 75 Kalvari class submarines, and INS Surat is the fourth and final ship of Project 15B destroyers. INS Niligiri, Vaghsheer and Surat commissioned in the Indian Navy | Video Credit: The Hindu “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had given a new vision to the Navy. Today, this is a significant step towards empowering the Indian Navy of the 21st century. It is a big day for the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (indgenisation) vision. It is a massive step for strengthening our Navy. This is the first time that three frontline platforms are being commissioned on the same day. Make in India campaign connects our needs to our future vision. We are becoming a major maritime power by taking inspiration from our rich naval history. INS Nilgiri is dedicated to the naval empire of the Cholas. INS Surat is dedicated to India’s ancient connection to West Asia through Gujarat. I was there was the commissioning of the first Kalvari submarine. I am blessed to commission the sixth one – INS Vaghsheer,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while speaking at the Naval dockyard on Wednesday morning. Outlining India’s vision as a global power, PM Modi said, “India’s position is not expansionist, but development-oriented. Today’s India is emerging as a major maritime power in the world. Now, we are recognised as a reliable and responsible partner globally, especially in the Global South. We believe in an open, secure, inclusive Indian Ocean region. That is why we went ahead with the vision of SAGAR – Security and Growth for All In the Region.” He said, the country’s goal was to protect traditional, territorial waters, adding that India had emerged as the First Responder across the entire Indian Ocean Region, saving thousands of lives. “The sea routes should be safe from illegal drug trade, weapons’ trade, terror activities, human trafficking. We are global partners in safety.” 13th January,2025

SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT ARRESTED South Korean authorities have arrested President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faces charges of insurrection following an attempt to impose martial law Yoon is now at the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) - he said he agreed to the interrogation "even though it is an illegal investigation, in order to prevent any unsavoury bloodshed" Authorities served the warrant after an hours-long standoff with his security staff and supporters, which saw investigators using ladders and wirecutters to enter Yoon's residence Yoon had been holed up for weeks - investigators tried to arrest him earlier this month but failed This marks the first time in South Korea's history that a sitting president has been arrested Yoon's impeachment trial, which will decide if he is removed from office, started yesterday but ended within four minutes because of his absence 15th January,2025

US TO REMOVE CUBA FROM STATE SPONSORS The US will remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, Joe Biden has said in one of his final official acts as president. In return, Cuba announced it would release 553 prisoners. The deal, which was brokered by the Catholic Church, comes just days before President-elect Donald Trump is due to be sworn in. During his first presidential term, Trump reinstated Cuba to the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, and it is not clear if he will reverse Biden's move once back in power. Trump's choice for national security adviser, Mike Waltz, said on Fox News that "anything they [the Biden Administration] are doing right now we can do back, an no one should be under any illusion in terms of a change in Cuba policy". An official from the Biden administration said that in return for its removal, Cuba would "gradually" release 553 prisoners "who have been detained unjustly". Cuba's ministry of foreign affairs said that the deal "puts an end to specific coercive measures" that it said damaged the country's economy. Havana did not release any details as to whom it may free but relatives of people imprisoned following anti-government protests in 2021 said they hoped their loved ones would be among them. Liset Fonseca, whose 41-year-old son was sentenced to 10 years in jail after taking part in the 2021 protests said that "all the mothers of prisoners want our children to be free and out of that suffering, out of that hell that is the prisons in Cuba". "They should never have been in prison," she told AFP news agency. Cuba currently sits alongside North Korea, Syria and Iran on the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list. This means they are deemed by the US to have "repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism". Adding Cuba back to the list after its removal in 2015 by President Barack Obama, Trump citied the communist country's backing of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. At the time Cuba called the move "cynical," "hypocritical" and an act of "political opportunism". Alongside prompting the prisoner release, this decision is also significant because it can be seen as a step towards normalising relations between Cuba and the US. This could pave the way for dialogue on other contentious issues. It could also help Cuba's dire economic situation, as some major banks and foreign investors have struggled to operate there legally. Biden is to notify Congress of his plans, which also include reversing Trump-era financial restrictions on some Cubans, a White House statement said. He will also suspend the ability of individuals to make claims to confiscated property in Cuba, the statement read. 15th January,2025

NATO LAUNCHES NEW MISSION TO PROTECT CRUCIAL UNDERSEA CABLES Nato has launched a new mission to increase the surveillance of ships in the Baltic Sea after critical undersea cables were damaged or severed last year. Nato chief Mark Rutte said the mission, dubbed "Baltic Sentry", would involve more patrol aircraft, warships and drones. His announcement was made at a summit in Helsinki attended by all Nato countries perched on the Baltic Sea - Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden. While Russia was not directly singled out as a culprit in the cable damage, Rutte said Nato would step up its monitoring of Moscow's "shadow fleet" - ships without clear ownership that are used to carry embargoed oil products. Tensions between Nato countries and Russia have been mounting relentlessly since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. "There is reason for grave concern" over infrastructure damage, Rutte said. He added that Nato would respond to such accidents robustly, with more boarding of suspect vessels and, if necessary, their seizure. He declined to share more details on the number of assets that will take part in the Baltic Sentry initiative, as he said this could change regularly and that he did not wish to make "the enemy any wiser than he or she is already". Undersea infrastructure is essential not only for electricity supply but also because more than 95% of internet traffic is secured via undersea cables, Rutte said, adding that "1.3 million kilometres (800,000 miles) of cables guarantee an estimated 10 trillion-dollar worth of financial transactions every day". In a post on X, he said Nato would do "what it takes to ensure the safety and security of our critical infrastructure and all that we hold dear". There has been an uptick in unexplained damage to undersea infrastructure in the Baltic in recent months. The most recent accident to undersea infrastructure saw an electricity cable running between Finland and Estonia be cut in late December. Finnish coast guard crew boarded the oil tanker Eagle S - which was sailing under a Cook Islands flag - and steered it into Finnish waters, while Estonia deployed a patrol ship to protect its undersea power cable. On Monday, Risto Lohi of Finland's National Bureau of Investigation told Reuters that the Eagle S was threatening to cut a second power cable and a gas pipe between Finland and Estonia at the time it was seized. Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in December that damage to submarine infrastructure had become "so frequent" that it cast doubt on the idea the damage could be considered "accidental" or "merely poor seamanship". Tsahkna did not accuse Russia directly. Neither did Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who on Sunday said that while Sweden was not jumping to conclusions or "accusing anyone of sabotage without very strong reasons", it was also "not naive". "The security situation and the fact that strange things happen time and time again in the Baltic Sea also lead us to believe that hostile intent cannot be ruled out." "There is little evidence that a ship would accidentally and without noticing it... without understanding that it could cause damage," he said. 15th January,2025

PEACE COUNCIL SPEAKS ON MAHAMA’S VISIT TO BAWKU The Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council has emphasised the significance of President John Mahama’s recent visit to Bawku, describing it as a critical step toward restoring peace in the conflict-ridden area. Dr. George Amoh speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, highlighted the role of trust and leadership in resolving the long-standing Bawku chieftaincy dispute. “The issue of trust is critical in peacebuilding, and I think that has been the biggest challenge in the Bawku crisis,” Dr Amoh stated. He noted that the deep-seated mistrust between factions has complicated efforts to find a sustainable resolution. “Even when people mean well, the level of distrust is so significant that intentions are often misunderstood or ignored.” President Mahama’s visit, according to Dr Amoh, sends a strong signal to the people of Bawku and the nation at large. “In peacebuilding, signals are very important, and his presence there, the words he’s spoken, are very critical,” he said. Dr Amoh commended the former President for making Bawku one of his priority destinations outside Accra. “This is his first trip outside of Accra, apart from Pomadze, where he joined the Ahmadiyya community last week. Going to Bawku is very significant. He has met the Bawku Naba, and I believe he will also meet the Nayiri, which is very critical,” he noted. The Executive Secretary explained that the National Peace Council has been consistent in promoting coexistence and dialogue as essential tools for peace. “If you look at the statement we issued, we are trying to emphasise the need for us to coexist and promote peace. Without peace, no development can stand, so we are in search of peace,” he said. Dr. Amoh also drew parallels to other regions, citing Ejura as an example of a community that has faced challenges with unrest. He urged leaders to focus on fostering trust and ensuring that appointees tasked with handling sensitive conflicts are seen as neutral and unifying. Former Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul’s recent remarks on trust were echoed by Dr Amoh, who stressed the importance of building credibility among stakeholders in Bawku. “Trust has been damaged to the extent that even if you mean well, people do not give your actions the attention they deserve. This is why leaders need to be deliberate about restoring faith and confidence,” he said. Dr Amoh called on all stakeholders, including political leaders, traditional authorities, and civil society groups, to work collaboratively toward peace in Bawku. He reiterated the Peace Council’s commitment to supporting dialogue and reconciliation efforts. “President Mahama’s visit is a step in the right direction, but we need sustained efforts and consistent engagement to rebuild trust and ensure peace,” he concluded. The visit comes against the backdrop of escalating violence in Bawku, which has claimed lives and displaced many residents. The conflict, rooted in a chieftaincy dispute, continues to challenge the region’s stability and development. 15th January,2025

MINORITY RAISES CONCERNS ON VETTING OF 3 NOMINEES The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns about the posture of the Chairman of the Appointment Committee, Bernard Ahiafor during the vetting of three ministerial nominees. The caucus has accused the First Deputy Speaker and Akatsi South MP of bias and “extreme partisanship”, claiming that his actions undermined the objectivity and integrity expected of the process. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, January 15, Dr Gideon Boako, Member of Parliament for Tano North, alleged that the Chairman’s conduct obstructed a diligent and comprehensive vetting exercise. He expressed concerns that the Chairman’s approach appeared to favour certain nominees, potentially compromising the committee’s mandate to ensure accountability and transparency. 15th January,2025

ATO FORSON WAS EVASIVE, AND INCONSISTENT. Member of Parliament for Tano North, Dr. Gideon Boako, has criticised Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister-designate, for his performance during the vetting process before the Appointments Committee. Speaking at a Minority press conference on Wednesday, January 15, Dr. Boako described Dr. Forson’s responses as evasive, inconsistent, and lacking clarity of thought. “Hon. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, who appeared as the Finance Minister-designate, was evasive, inconsistent, and lacked clarity of thought,” Dr. Boako remarked. “Having served as a Deputy Minister of Finance and a ranking member of the Finance Committee, one would have expected his answers to be forthright and to exude concrete solutions.” Dr. Boako specifically criticised Dr. Forson’s response to questions regarding whether the government would fulfil its promise to cover the first-year tuition fees of tertiary students. He expressed disappointment over the Finance Minister-designate’s inability to provide a definitive answer. “How can a Finance Minister-designate face parents and young Ghanaian students and say that because he is not yet the Minister, he cannot answer whether the pledge by President Mahama to pay for their fees would be honoured?” According to Dr. Boako, this response was a betrayal of trust for the young students and their families, who had been given assurances by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the election campaign. He concluded that Dr. Forson’s performance during the vetting raised serious questions about his preparedness for the role and accused the NDC of deceiving the electorate. 15th January,2025

PRIVATE SHSS IN GHANA READY TO EMBRACE FREE SHS The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns over the exclusion of private Senior High Schools (SHS) from the Free SHS programme, urging President John Dramani Mahama and the Finance Minister-designate, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to fulfil their campaign promise to include private schools. Dr Gideon Boako, the Member of Parliament for Tano North, addressed a press conference on the matter, criticising the Minister-designate’s dismissive attitude during his vetting on Monday, January 13. According to Dr Boako, Dr Ato Forson appeared evasive when questioned about extending the Free SHS programme to private institutions, a policy outlined in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto. “When asked whether the programme would be extended to private schools, the Minister-designate, in a very dismissive manner, asked whether those private schools write WASSCE exams,” Dr Boako recounted, adding that this response feigned ignorance of the fact that many private SHS participate in the WASSCE. Dr Boako further reminded the Minister-designate and President Mahama of their campaign engagements with the leadership of private SHS. He emphasised that during the 2024 election campaign, President Mahama assured private school leaders that they would be included in the Free SHS programme. “If President Mahama and the NDC knew that no private SHS writes WASSCE exams, why did they promise to include them in the Free SHS programme?” he questioned, highlighting the growing impatience among private schools awaiting inclusion. The Minority called on Dr Ato Forson to clarify his stance and honour the campaign pledge. Dr Boako posed critical questions to the Finance Minister-designate and the NDC government: “What is the Finance Minister-designate waiting for? Was this not their campaign promise? What informed the promises? Didn’t they do the numbers first?” He urged the government to act swiftly to ensure equitable access to education for all Ghanaian students, including those in private institutions. 15th January,2025