ABN-MEDIA

ABN-MEDIA https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Hasselbaink Slams Mourinho “Hypocrisy” and Demands Lifetime Bans in Racism Row. Chief justice, IGP to get Sabah’s highest honour Tech Giants Suffer Major Legal Setback as Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Advances. BREAKING: Tottenham Part Ways With Igor Tudor After Disastrous Six-Week Tenure Asantehene Urges Academic Excellence at KNUST’s 59th Special Congregation. Japan Stuns Scotland, Cooling World Cup Fever in Hard-Fought Clash. Counter-Terrorism Authorities Foil Bomb Plot Outside U.S. Bank in Paris. France’s national counter-terrorism prosecutor’s office (PNAT) has launched a high-priority investigation after police intercepted a man attempting to detonate an improvised explosive device outside a Bank of America branch in central Paris early Saturday morning. The Incident At approximately 3:30 AM CET, patrolling officers intervened on Rue de la Boétie in the city’s 8th arrondissement. The suspect was apprehended just moments after placing a device consisting of five liters of flammable liquid and a manual ignition system near the entrance of the American financial institution. The location sits in a high-profile district, situated only a few blocks from the Champs-Élysées, an area frequented by tourists and international businesses. The Investigation Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that the nature of the device and the target led to the immediate involvement of France’s domestic intelligence service, the DGSI, alongside the Paris judicial police. “Vigilance remains more than ever at a high level,” Nuñez stated, praising the “speedy and decisive” action of the responding officers. Context of High Alert The foiled attack comes at a time of heightened security across Europe. Minister Nuñez specifically cited the “current international situation” and regional tensions involving Iran as primary reasons for the sustained state of domestic vigilance in France. The suspect remains in custody as authorities work to determine his motives and whether he acted alone or as part of a larger cell. Taiwan economy ministry freezes LPG prices, boosts ethylene supply amid US-Iran war petrochemical disruptions. Interior Ministry Launches Strategic Reshuffle of Local Officials Ahead of Elections. Man sentenced to 50 years for raping and murdering 5-year-old girl TRANSPORT STRIKERS BLAST MARCOS JR OVER SPIRALING FUEL COSTS. House Passes Stopgap Funding for Homeland Security to Blunt Shutdown Impact. Massive Storm Batters Arab World; Multiple Fatalities Reported Across Eight Countries. Blog Bayern Keeper Jonas Urbig Sidelined with Knee Injury; Withdraws from National Team. Emergency Crews Battle Intense Blaze Near Afienya Star Oil. AFIENYA, Greater Accra – A major firefighting operation is currently underway in Afienya, following a severe fire outbreak near the Star Oil filling station. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has deployed a heavy response to the scene to prevent the inferno from reaching the highly inflammable petroleum products at the nearby station. As of the latest update, four fire engines have been committed to the operation, drawing resources from multiple jurisdictions: Gbetsile Fire Station Ashaiman Fire Station Devtraco Fire Station Tema Regional Headquarters The fire, which reportedly started in the early hours, has sent thick plumes of black smoke into the atmosphere, visible from several kilometers away along the Akosombo-Tema highway. Emergency responders are currently focused on “boundary cooling”—a tactic used to create a water curtain between the blaze and the Star Oil facility to mitigate the risk of a secondary explosion. Local police are on-site to manage the heavy traffic buildup. Commuters traveling between Tema and Akosombo are advised to: Reduce speed when approaching the Afienya-Star Oil stretch. Ensure a clear path for arriving water tankers and support units. Onlookers are urged to stay clear of the area to avoid inhaling toxic smoke and to give firefighters room to operate. Further Information While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, the GNFS has recently intensified its public safety campaigns across the region following a spike in industrial and domestic fires this quarter. Officials are expected to begin a formal investigation once the “cooling-down” phase of the operation is complete. No casualties have been officially confirmed at this time. IGP Reinforces Nkwanta Following Deadly Renewed Violence; Five Confirmed Dead. Tragedy at Accra New Town: Worshippers Trapped as School Building Used for Church Collapses. Iraqi Resistance Group Warns U.S. Against Ground Operations in Iran. President John Dramani Mahama has engaged members of the Ghanaian community in Philadelphia, United States, reaffirming the government’s commitment to diaspora engagement as a consistent national priority. Speaking to Ghanaians living abroad, the President emphasised their vital role as an extension of the nation, contributing not only through remittances estimated at approximately US$7.8 billion annually but also through knowledge, innovation, and global exposure. Justice Department Launches Civil Rights Probes into Top Medical School Admissions. Recruiter for HGV people smugglers jailed for six years. France urges Israel to avoid any ground operations, attacks on civilian areas, densely populated areas in Lebanon. BREAKING: Mother of Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai Dies In Cairo Hajiya Umma Rufai, the mother of former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has passed away, SaharaReporters has learned. A credible source confirmed that she died in Cairo, Egypt, where she had been receiving medical treatment under the supervision of her son. Details regarding her funeral and final rites have not yet been released by the family. Also, last Friday, the former governor lost his sister-in-law, Safiya Ali Rufai, who passed away on the day of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration. The late Safiya was the widow of the late Air Vice Marshal Ali Rufai, the former governor’s elder brother. El-Rufai is currently in detention facing corruption and money laundering charges, with his case being heard at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) insists his detention is based on a valid court order, while El-Rufai’s legal team is challenging the ruling. El-Rufai was brought to court on March 24, 2026, under heavy security for his corruption trial. He faces 10 counts of corruption and money laundering, including allegations of inflating severance pay by ₦579.7 million and receiving $817,900 through unlawful bank deposits. His arrival at the Federal High Court in Kaduna was marked by tight security, with operatives from the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS) forming a protective shield around him. World Affairs Council of Philadelphia Honors John Dramani Mahama with International Statesperson Award Oti Regional Police Commander Visits Nkwanta; Calls for Peace Following Fatal Attacks. Uganda and Norway Pledge to Bolster Trade Ties and Regional Stability. Three Dead, Two Injured in Helicopter Crash off Kaua‘i Coast. Ghana Boundary Commission Confirms Pillar Degradation and Community Neglect in Bono Region. Man convicted of trafficking meth in Tuaran to know fate on April 9. Putin ‘sending lethal weapons to Iran as tyrant secretly plots drone shipments and intelligence support to mad mullahs’ TRAGEDY IN CRETE: House Fire Claims Lives of Three Children, One Adult. MP Advocates for Kwahu Easter as Key National Tourism Asset. Speaker Bagbin to Launch 3rd Edition of Democracy Cup This Tuesday. ENGLAND FACES SIX-DAY RESIDENT DOCTOR STRIKE AS PAY TALKS COLLAPSE. Healthcare services across England are bracing for significant disruption after the British Medical Association (BMA) rejected the government’s latest pay proposal, labeling it “insufficient” and announcing a fresh six-day walkout. The industrial action is scheduled to begin at 7:00 AM on April 7 and will conclude at 6:59 AM on April 13. The timing of the strike threatens to severely impact elective procedures and outpatient appointments across the National Health Service (NHS). The Resident Doctors Committee (RDC) indicated that negotiations soured when it became apparent that the government’s proposed financial package would be staggered over a longer period than anticipated. The BMA claims the proposed pay increase would be distributed over three years, diluting its immediate impact. DDRB Recommendations: A recent 3.5% uplift recommendation from the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) was described by union leaders as a move that would see pay “barely tread water.” Union officials cited rising global inflation as a primary reason for rejecting any deal that does not offer a “substantial” move toward full pay restoration. Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the RDC, emphasized that the union’s goal remains the reversal of long-term pay erosion to prevent doctors from seeking employment overseas. “We are simply not going to put an offer to doctors that risks locking in further erosion of pay at a time when doctors continue to leave the UK for other countries,” Fletcher stated. Despite the escalation, the BMA has not completely shuttered the possibility of a resolution. Fletcher noted that the committee remains “eager to get a deal done” and urged the government to “act fast” to recapture the positive momentum seen in the early stages of the negotiations. Downing Street has yet to issue a formal response to the new strike dates, though previous statements from the Department of Health and Social Care have consistently urged unions to return to the table without the threat of further strikes. Mahama Issues Global Call for Reparatory Justice at UN General Assembly. Israeli Seizures of Palestinian Apartments in East Jerusalem Rise to 15 This Week. Bank of Ghana Slashing Policy Rate to 14% as Inflation Hits Record Lows. ACCRA — In a move to further stimulate economic growth and capitalize on rapidly cooling inflation, the Bank of Ghana’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has announced a 150 basis point (bps) cut to its benchmark policy rate, bringing it down to 14%. The decision, announced on Wednesday following the committee’s 129th regular meeting, comes as Ghana’s headline inflation plummeted to 3.3% in February 2026. This marks the 14th consecutive monthly decline, a stark contrast to the hyperinflationary pressures the country faced just two years ago. Easing Cycle Continues While the committee was not unanimous—with four members explicitly pushing for the 150bps reduction—the consensus reflected a growing confidence in the country’s macroeconomic stability. Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Johnson Asiama, noted that the high prevailing real interest rates provided ample “scope to ease” without risking a resurgence of price volatility. “Domestic macroeconomic conditions have improved significantly, with a sustained pickup in economic activity,” Dr. Asiama stated during the press briefing. “The real Composite Index of Economic Activity recorded an annual growth of 8.4% in January 2026, signaling a robust recovery.” Despite the domestic optimism, the MPC cautioned that external risks remain on the horizon. The committee highlighted rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East as a primary concern, noting that potential disruptions to global supply chains and oil prices could impact the medium-term inflation target of 6% to 10%. The rate cut is expected to provide immediate relief to the private sector. Average bank lending rates have already seen a sharp decline, falling to 19.2% in February 2026 from over 30% a year prior. Financial analysts expect this latest cut to further reduce the cost of borrowing, encouraging investment and consumer spending as the 2026 fiscal year progresses. The Committee confirmed it will continue to monitor global developments closely, with the next MPC meeting scheduled for May 2026. Ghana and EU Ink Historic Security Pact; First of Its Kind in Africa. Colombia Issues Arrest Warrants for Rebel Leaders in “Magnicide” of Senator Uribe. Italian Justice Undersecretary Resigns Amid Mafia Restaurant Scandal. President Mahama Tables Historic Resolution at UN, Declares Slave Trade a “Crime Against Humanity”. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to Headline LSE Africa Summit 2026 on AI and Continental Integration. France Unveils Emergency Relief for Farmers Amid War-Driven Fuel Crisis. NASA announcing update to Artemis moon plans today: Watch it live. Basic Education in Ghana: GNAT Pushes for Extra Duty Allowances. The China Meteorological Administration has issued a high-priority dense fog watch for several regions, warning of severe visibility disruptions and potential economic impact through the morning of March 24.The alert, which officially began at 20:32 UTC on March 23, is expected to remain in effect until at least 05:32 UTC on Tuesday. Meteorological officials have placed a specific emphasis on Quannan County, where an Orange Warning—the second-highest level in the reporting system—was triggered at 04:32 local time.In Quannan County, forecasters warn that visibility is expected to plummet to less than 200 meters across all towns and villages within the next six hours. This level of density creates “near-zero” visibility conditions on major roadways, prompting local authorities to advise motorists to use fog lights, reduce speeds, and maintain significant distances between vehicles. Paris Saint-Germain go to war with Ligue 1 rivals as French giants look to reschedule fixture in a bid to gain the upper hand ahead of Champions League showdown against Liverpool Military Transport Plane Crashes in Colombia; 77 Injured, 1 Confirmed Dead. Mongolian Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar Resigns Amid Political Upheaval. Mongolia — Mongolian Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar submitted his resignation on Friday, ending a nine-month tenure marked by internal party friction and a deepening legislative crisis. Speaking before the State Great Khural, Zandanshatar cited the weight of “increased international tensions” and shifting global geopolitics as key factors in his decision to step down. He warned that ongoing global conflicts are driving up oil prices and the cost of living, requiring a unified government that he felt unable to maintain under current domestic pressures.