TURKEY Concerns are growing for a dissident Belarusian sports official who has gone missing in Turkey. Anatol Kotau, the former secretary general of the Belarusian Olympic Committee, was last heard from shortly after arriving in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, on August 21. Turkish police told DW they had no record of Kotau's disappearance in their systems, despite his wife filing a missing persons report electronically on August 25. Such reports must be submitted in person, the police said. While Kotau's wife and colleagues fear he was abducted, a report by Turkish news agency IHA has added further mystery to his disappearance. Without citing any sources, the report claimed that Kotau flew to Trabzon, on Turkey's Black Sea coast, on the same day he arrived in Istanbul, before leaving the country via the sea border. No signs of 'depression or crisis' Kotau is one of the founding members of the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF), which was created in 2020 to support Belarusian athletes who oppose the country's leader, Alexander Lukashenko, often referred to as Europe's last dictator. His missing persons report, which has been seen by DW, details phone messages between him and his wife on the day of his disappearance on August 21. At 12.26 p.m. Polish time, Kotau writes that he has landed at Istanbul Airport. His wife then asks him where he is staying. Just under two hours later, he replies: "I'll send it when I know." His last contact is said to be at 9.28 p.m. Polish time; a hotel address was never sent. 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. BSSF Director Alexander Opeikin told DW that Kotau's behavior had been "usual" before his trip to Istanbul, which was due to last two to three days. "There were no signals about any depression or any crisis in his life," Opeikin said. Kotau active in Belarusian opposition circles As part of their work, Kotau and the BSSF also successfully pushed for Belarus to be stripped of hosting international sports competitions, most notably the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. Hockey is Lukashenko's favorite sport. The 45-year-old Kotau's political activism saw him sentenced to 12 years in prison in absentia in July 2024, on charges including "conspiracy to seize power" and "promoting extremist activities." "Anatol was responsible for strong actions against Lukashenko's regime," Pavel Latushka, a prominent Belarusian opposition politician, told DW. "He was a high-level official, [so] in Lukashenko's eyes he must look like a traitor. "The regime is waging an open, systemic, large-scale war without any restrictions against democratic institutions and democratic activists abroad. Lukashenko's hands are already everywhere. It doesn't matter where the Belarusians are. He persecutes them even abroad." BSSF: Kotau also wanted by Russia In posts on social media, the BSSF said that Kotau had traveled to Istanbul "on professional matters," understood to be unrelated to the BSSF and his day job with a Polish events agency, although he was also known to be involved with other Belarusian opposition groups. Opeikin said he didn't know whom Kotau was intending to meet in Turkey. "I'm really concerned," Opeikin said. "We are very close on many projects. He's a great defender of athletes' rights and a real political figure on the Belarusian political stage." 29th August,2025

EUROPEAN FIGHTER JET It's the most expensive single defense project in Europe, with a projected cost of at least €100 billion ($116.6 billion). From 2040, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) aims to combine a new European fighter jet with fleets of drones controlled via a European defense cloud. "It's more like a flying combat system," Christian Mölling, a German security expert, told DW. The goal is to reduce European dependence on the United States and the F-35 fighter jets, equipped with stealth technology, that the US produces. However, the two companies involved — Dassault in France, and Airbus in Germany and Spain — are embroiled in a dispute, primarily about the manufacture of the plane itself. Pressure from the French manufacturer Dassault This row has now escalated to the point that the big bosses have had to step in. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, and the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, unexpectedly announced that they would be attending the Franco-German Defense and Security Council meeting in the French city of Toulon on Friday. The council meets twice a year, usually without attracting much attention from the general public. Mid-shot of Merz (left) and Macron (right), both in dark blue suits, just outside a building. Merz is pointing past the camera; Macron's right hand is on Merz's left elbow. A crowd of people with cameras is just visible inside the building.Mid-shot of Merz (left) and Macron (right), both in dark blue suits, just outside a building. Merz is pointing past the camera; Macron's right hand is on Merz's left elbow. A crowd of people with cameras is just visible inside the building. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron for talks in Berlin in JulyImage: Ralf Hirschberger/AFP In recent months, however, Eric Trappier, the CEO of the French fighter jet manufacturer Dassault, has been piling on the pressure. His company makes key components for France's nuclear deterrent, which is a fundamental part of the country's military independence. In April, Trappier played the national card before the defense committee in the French parliament. Some people, he said, were of the opinion that the "weakening of this independence," which the FCAS project would bring about, "was not that damaging" as the mutual dependence of the European partners would compensate for it. Trappier, however, argued that "once you take this step, there's no going back." 29th August,2025

ISRAELI MILITARY TARGETS The team – Senior International Correspondent Fanny Facsar, a DW cameraman and a local colleague – was in Ramallah to document risks faced by media professionals in the occupied West Bank when Israeli soldiers aimed their weapons at them during filming. All three wore protective gear clearly marked "PRESS." Nevertheless, the soldiers fired tear gas, hitting the group, but no one was injured. The same day, an Israeli operation in Ramallah left dozens of people injured. DW has published footage of the attack on DW News (from 2:30 min). Earlier in July, another DW team was attacked with stones and chased by radical Israeli settlers in the village of Sinjil, north of Ramallah. That team escaped without injury, though the cameraman's vehicle was heavily damaged. Read the full report. DW Director General Peter Limbourg issued a strong statement on the current situation: "The repeated attacks on our journalists in the West Bank are absolutely unacceptable. There is no justification for threatening press representatives – neither by the military nor by radical settlers. We call on the Israeli government to ensure the safety of all journalists. Press freedom and the protection of media professionals are fundamental pillars of any democracy." DW will continue to report on developments in the region and advocate for the safety of its staff and for press freedom worldwide. 29th August,2025

PRESSURE ON RUSSIA Moscow vehemently denounced Emmanuel Macron for what it termed "vulgar insults" after the French president characterized Russian leader Vladimir Putin as a "predator" and an "ogre." During an interview with LCI last week, Macron cautioned European leaders against trusting Putin. "For his own survival, he needs to keep eating... That means he is a predator, an ogre at our gates," Macron said. In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in Moscow that Macron constantly makes strange statements that sometimes cross the line of decency and turn into "low-grade insults." "This is unworthy of a head of state," she said. Russia has long criticized France's support for Ukraine, accusing Paris of provoking the conflict. 29th August,2025

ESSIPONG STADIUM The prolonged redevelopment works at the deteriorated Sekondi Sports Stadium in Essipong are nearing completion, with the refurbished pitch now ready to host football league matches. Western Regional Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Joseph Alarbi Bortey, confirmed this in an interview with Channel One News on Friday, August 29, noting that major aspects of the renovation have already been executed. “As we speak, the roof structure, which was the major challenge that called for the renovation of the facility, has been completed,” he said. He explained that other works, such as plumbing and the installation of the new scoreboard, are ongoing, while electrical installations and the replacement of damaged seats are expected to follow soon. “The other works that are currently ongoing are the plumbing works. The outstanding works are the electricals. We have the assurance that the moment they finish with the plumbing works, the damaged seats will be replaced,” he added. The Essipong Stadium, which has suffered years of neglect, has been undergoing phased rehabilitation aimed at restoring it to international standards. The latest update offers hope that the facility will soon resume hosting major sporting events in the 29th August,2025

SHUN VIGILANTES The National Peace Council has called on political parties, security agencies, and voters in Akwatia to safeguard peace and stability ahead of the constituency’s by-election scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025. In a statement issued in Accra on Friday, August 29, the council said it has held engagements with the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Electoral Commission (EC), and the Ghana Police Service.Ghana Travel Guide The Council said all parties have given assurances of a peaceful process before, during, and after the polls. The Council particularly urged the NDC and NPP to resist the temptation of using vigilantes or “machomen,” warning that offenders risk imprisonment under the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999). “The NPC further encourages all stakeholders, particularly the two main contesting political parties, to ensure that the peace and security of Akwatia and the country in general is not compromised,” the statement read. As part of measures to guarantee a peaceful exercise, the Peace Council said it is intensifying public sensitisation and strategic engagements in the constituency until September 1, 2025. The Council also commended the successful prosecution of eight individuals involved in the Ablekuma North by-election violence, describing it as proof of the state’s commitment to maintaining law and order during elections. The NPC reminded stakeholders that elections remain the legitimate means of selecting leaders in Ghana’s democracy and urged citizens, particularly Akwatia voters, to help preserve the country’s peace.Ghana Travel Guide 29th August,2025

ANOMABO FISHERIES COLLEGE Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, has inaugurated a 16-member committee to design the curriculum for the Anomabo Fisheries College. The committee, chaired by the Minister, comprises key experts and stakeholders, including John Quayson, Prof. Benjamin Campion, Prof. Elvis Nyarko, Captain William Wricketts, Prof. Ernest Abano, and Dr. Aggrey Fynn. The rest are Prof. George Wiafe, Dr. Angela Lamptey, Dr. Andrews Apraku, Dr. Ayisi Larbi, Madam Comfort Naa Komely Adjetey, Joojo Solomon, Nana Kweigyah, Ilona Appiah, with Eric Baah serving as Secretary. According to the Minister, the committee’s work is crucial to ensuring that the college, first initiated by the late President John Evans Atta Mills in 2012, delivers industry-relevant training when it admits its first batch of students in 2026. She further noted that the government has renewed its commitment to completing stalled facilities at the college, including classrooms, laboratories, hostels, and staff housing. “The establishment of this institution reflects the government’s commitment to promoting knowledge and skills development in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, equipping the workforce with the necessary capacity to manage the industry effectively,” she said at the inaugural meeting on Friday, August 29. The Anomabo Fisheries College is expected to serve as a centre of excellence in fisheries and aquaculture education in Ghana and beyond. 29th August,2025

KWESI PRATT Veteran journalist and political commentator, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for his decision not to contest a third presidential term in 2028. President Mahama, while in Singapore, confirmed that he would not seek another term after his current mandate, stressing his commitment to Ghana’s constitutional order.Travel guide Reacting to the announcement in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, August 28, 2025, Mr. Pratt praised the President’s decision as a mark of statesmanship and respect for democratic principles. “I give a big red salute to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama for his decision not to be on the ballot for the 2028 Presidential elections. I did not expect less because, over the years, I have had the privilege to know him at close range. President Mahama has been a consummate believer in constitutionalism,” Mr. Pratt stated. He added that the President has consistently upheld the belief that leadership is not divine but a democratic responsibility that must allow room for others to serve. “By this decision, President Mahama has made me proud again as his friend and comrade. May he succeed in resetting Ghana as he promised in his drive to become President of Ghana,” he wrote.Travel guide President Mahama’s announcement has been met with reactions across the political spectrum, with many describing it as a reinforcement of Ghana’s democratic credentials. 29th August,2025