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Ghana Faces $156 Million Budget Shortfall After USAID Aid Freeze

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Ghana is grappling with a $156 million budget shortfall following the U.S. administration’s decision to freeze funding for its largest development and humanitarian aid agency, USAID. 

President John Mahama has directed Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson to explore solutions to fill the funding gap left by the suspension of USAID programs, according to a statement from the president’s office. 

The withdrawal of U.S. development aid has significantly affected Ghana’s health and agriculture sectors. USAID previously played a key role in establishing a national surveillance system for HIV and sexually transmitted infections. It also funded programs aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Ghanaian agricultural firms in regional and global markets. 

The freeze on USAID programs is part of a broader U.S. crackdown on foreign aid, impacting multiple countries worldwide. 

Algerian Teachers Strike Over Low Salaries, Poor Working Conditions

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Teachers across Algeria launched a nationwide strike Wednesday, protesting low wages and worsening working conditions. The walkout follows last month’s student demonstrations, marking a rare wave of public dissent in the country. 

As the strike began, students were left outside shuttered classrooms, wandering aimlessly as teachers observed the first day of a planned two-day protest. 

Educators say the strike is significant amid an ongoing crackdown on rights, including restrictions on the press, opposition parties, and women’s freedoms. “The right to strike is enshrined in the constitution,” said veteran trade unionist Hafidha Amiréche. 

Despite its vast natural gas wealth, Algeria has seen growing frustration with its education system. The country spends more on education than most of its neighbors—second only to military expenditures—but teachers argue their salaries remain inadequate. 

Many young, educated Algerians are increasingly seeking opportunities abroad, with European visa applications rising. Teachers say low wages are fueling emigration, leaving the profession struggling to retain skilled educators. 

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has implemented wage increases during his tenure, including a 37% salary boost for public sector workers like teachers. However, unions argue that starting salaries remain barely above minimum wage or unemployment stipends, urging further pay hikes. 

Last month, students staged protests both in schools and on social media, particularly TikTok, voicing frustrations over outdated curricula and the high cost of private tutoring. 

“We’re Generation Z, and the AI revolution is already part of our daily lives,” said Lilya Saoudi, a second-year high school student, emphasizing the need for modernized education. 

In response, Algeria’s newly appointed Education Minister Mohamed Seghir Sadaoui has pledged reforms following a government audit that highlighted systemic “dysfunctions” in the country’s school system. 

Israel Strikes Gaza Targets Amid Ceasefire Concerns

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The Israeli military carried out airstrikes in Gaza on Wednesday, targeting two individuals attempting to retrieve an Israeli drone that entered Palestinian territory before being downed. The strike comes as international mediators work to maintain a fragile ceasefire agreement. 

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the drone crossed from Israel into Gaza and was subsequently struck by an Israeli warplane in the southern part of the enclave. The military stated that there have been multiple recent attempts to smuggle weapons into Gaza using drones. 

“The IDF struck the drone in southern Gaza, along with two additional suspects who were collecting it,” the military said in a statement, without disclosing their condition. 

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that a 44-year-old man was killed in an Israeli strike near Rafah, though further details were not provided. 

The ceasefire, which has been in place for over a month, remains tenuous. Munir al-Bursh, director general of Gaza’s Health Ministry, said Tuesday that Israeli fire has killed at least 92 Palestinians and wounded more than 800 since the truce took effect. Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire terms, citing ongoing attacks on Palestinians. 

The Israeli military maintains that it has targeted individuals approaching its forces or entering restricted areas in violation of the truce. 

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he does not believe Hamas will meet a Saturday deadline to release all remaining hostages, putting the ceasefire agreement at risk. 

Egypt announced plans to propose a “comprehensive vision” for the reconstruction of Gaza to ensure Palestinians remain in their homeland, according to a statement from the Egyptian foreign ministry. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that the ceasefire would end if Hamas fails to return hostages by noon on Saturday. “The military will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated,” Netanyahu said in a video statement. 

Meanwhile, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have threatened to launch attacks on Israel if it resumes military operations in Gaza and fails to uphold the ceasefire. “We are prepared to respond to any escalation,” Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi said in a televised address Tuesday. 

Migrants Arriving Illegally by Small Boats or Lorries to Be Denied British Citizenship

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Migrants who enter the UK illegally via small boats or concealed in lorries will be refused British citizenship under new Home Office guidance. 

The updated “Good Character” guidance, which applies from February 10, states that individuals who have made “a dangerous journey” to reach the UK—such as crossing by small boat or hiding in a vehicle—will normally be denied citizenship, regardless of when they arrived. However, the rules do not apply to those who arrive as passengers on commercial airlines. 

Previously, refugees who arrived through irregular routes were required to wait 10 years before becoming eligible for British citizenship. The Home Office says this change strengthens existing measures and reinforces the message that entering the UK illegally will have long-term consequences. 

The number of people arriving in small boats has surged since Labour took office, with nearly 25,000 crossings recorded between July 4, 2024, and February 6, 2025—a 28% increase compared to the same period the previous year. This marks the second-highest figure since records began in 2018. 

Labour MPs and refugee organizations have condemned the new policy, arguing that it effectively denies refugees a permanent place in British society. 

Labour MP Stella Creasy took to social media to criticize the guidance, calling for an urgent reversal. “If we give someone refugee status, it can’t be right to then refuse them a route to become a British citizen,” she wrote. “To say they can have a home in our country but never a place in our society is to make them forever second-class.” 

The Refugee Council also opposed the change, saying it contradicts the principle of integration. “The British public wants refugees to contribute to their communities, so it makes no sense for the government to erect more barriers,” said CEO Enver Solomon. “We urge ministers to urgently reconsider.” 

A Home Office spokesperson defended the policy, stating: “There are already rules that can prevent those arriving illegally from gaining citizenship. This policy guidance further strengthens measures to make it clear that anyone who enters the UK illegally, including small boat arrivals, faces having a British citizenship application refused.” 

The policy aligns with Labour’s broader immigration strategy. The government recently passed the **Border, Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill**, which officially scraps the previous Conservative plan to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda. The bill also expands police powers to crack down on people smugglers, allowing authorities to restrict travel, block mobile phone use, and freeze bank accounts linked to smuggling networks. 

While the Conservatives have yet to formally respond to the new guidance, party leader Kemi Badenoch has previously expressed support for stricter citizenship requirements, vowing to make it more difficult for new immigrants to obtain permanent settlement in the UK.

Over 160 Unexploded WWII Bombs Found Beneath Children’s Playground in the UK

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More than 160 unexploded practice bombs from World War II have been discovered beneath a children’s playground in northern England, officials confirmed. 

The discovery was made earlier this month in Wooler, a town about 45 miles north of Newcastle, England, during a routine survey of the area. The Wooler Parish Council initiated the inspection after a single unexploded ordnance was found on January 14 during expansion work on the playground. 

The survey, which began on January 23 and was initially planned to last just two days, quickly revealed a much larger problem than officials had anticipated. 

“On the very first day alone, a total of 65 unexploded practice bombs, each weighing approximately 10 pounds, were found within an area of less than one square mile,” Wooler officials stated. Smoke cartridges were also recovered from the site. 

Although these were practice bombs, authorities emphasized that they still contained explosive charges and required professional removal to ensure the safety of the playground. 

Despite stormy weather, the search continued into a second day, during which the excavation area was expanded to two square miles. By the end of the operation, an additional 90 unexploded bombs had been uncovered, bringing the total to more than 160. 

All recovered ordnances were immediately secured and removed to a safe location for disposal. 

Due to the scale of the discovery, the planned expansion of the playground has been temporarily suspended until the site is fully cleared of any remaining explosives. However, officials anticipate that work will resume later this spring. 

A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council acknowledged the unexpected nature of the discovery but reassured residents that additional resources had been allocated to ensure the area’s safety. 

“The County Council has been pleased to support the town and the local community in progressing this new facility, which will be a great asset for both residents and visitors as part of the town’s regeneration efforts,” the spokesperson said. “Clearly, this find was unexpected, but we are pleased to have been able to secure the extra funding needed to carry out this crucial work safely.” 

Authorities are continuing to monitor the site to prevent any further risks as they work toward making the area safe for public use.

Russia Confirms Prisoner Exchange for U.S. Teacher Marc Fogel

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The Kremlin announced Wednesday that a Russian citizen has been freed from a U.S. prison in exchange for Moscow’s release of jailed American schoolteacher Marc Fogel. 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian national would return home in the coming days, at which point their identity would be disclosed. 

Fogel, 63, landed in the United States on Tuesday after serving more than three years in a Russian prison on a drug-related conviction. 

Fogel’s release was widely seen as a diplomatic breakthrough, with the White House signaling that it could help facilitate negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. 

Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Donald Trump, accompanied Fogel back to the U.S., where he was greeted by Trump at the White House. 

“I feel like the luckiest man on Earth right now,” Fogel said, wrapped in an American flag as he stood beside the president. 

Fogel, a Pennsylvania native, was expected to reunite with his family later Tuesday. He expressed gratitude to Trump, who suggested another American’s release was imminent but did not provide details. 

The White House did not confirm whether Trump directly negotiated with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Fogel’s release. However, Fogel described Putin as “very generous and statesmanlike” in granting him a pardon. 

Asked about the terms of the exchange, Trump called it “very fair” but did not disclose what the U.S. provided in return. National security adviser Michael Waltz confirmed the negotiation of a prisoner swap but did not elaborate on specifics. 

Fogel was arrested in August 2021 and sentenced to 14 years in prison for possessing medically prescribed marijuana. The Biden administration had officially classified him as wrongfully detained in December 2021. 

Trump, who has vowed to broker a resolution to the Ukraine conflict, suggested that Fogel’s release was part of a broader effort to improve U.S.-Russia relations. 

“We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually,” Trump told reporters. “I hope that’s the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war.” 

As part of a potential push for peace talks, the president announced that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would travel to Kyiv for discussions with Ukrainian leaders. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, are also scheduled to attend the Munich Security Conference later this week, where the war in Ukraine will be a key topic. 

Kellogg told The Associated Press that the delegation would outline Trump’s vision for ending the war and discuss potential next steps with European allies. 

“We will deliver our expectation to the allies,” Kellogg said. “When we come back from Munich, we want to provide the president with options so that when he directly engages in the peace process, he knows what it will look like.” 

While Fogel’s release marks a significant development, several other Americans remain imprisoned in Russia. 

Among them is U.S.-Russian dual national Ksenia Khavana, who was convicted of treason for donating $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine and sentenced to 12 years in prison. 

Additionally, American Robert Gilman is serving a seven-year sentence for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers, while Stephen Hubbard remains imprisoned following a closed trial on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. 

Last August, a high-profile prisoner exchange involving the U.S., Russia, and other nations led to the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and American corporate security executive Paul Whelan. However, Fogel and several other detainees were not included in that deal. 

Russia Releases Imprisoned American Marc Fogel in What U.S. Calls a Step Toward Ending Ukraine War

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Russia has released American history teacher Marc Fogel, who had been deemed wrongfully detained, in what the White House described as a significant diplomatic breakthrough that could aid negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. 

Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Donald Trump, accompanied Fogel back to the United States, where he was greeted by Trump at the White House. 

“I feel like the luckiest man on Earth right now,” Fogel said, draped in an American flag as he stood alongside the president. 

Fogel, a Pennsylvania native, was expected to reunite with his family later Tuesday. He expressed gratitude to Trump, who hinted at another American’s imminent release but declined to disclose further details. 

The White House did not confirm whether Trump had direct discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Fogel’s release, though Fogel described Putin as “very generous and statesmanlike” in granting him a pardon. 

Asked about the terms of the agreement, Trump described it as “very fair” but did not specify what the U.S. offered in exchange for Fogel’s freedom. National security adviser Michael Waltz confirmed that the U.S. and Russia negotiated an exchange but did not disclose specifics. 

Fogel was arrested in August 2021 and sentenced to 14 years in prison for carrying medically prescribed marijuana. The Biden administration had officially classified him as wrongfully detained in December of that year. 

Trump, who has pledged to broker a resolution to the war in Ukraine, suggested that Fogel’s release could be part of a broader shift in U.S.-Russia relations. 

“We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually,” Trump told reporters. “I hope that’s the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war.” 

The president announced that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would travel to Kyiv for discussions with Ukrainian leaders, a move seen as an initial step toward potential peace talks. Additionally, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, are scheduled to attend the Munich Security Conference later this week, where Ukraine will be a key topic. 

Kellogg told The Associated Press that the delegation would discuss Trump’s vision for resolving the war with European allies. “We will deliver our expectation to the allies,” Kellogg said. “When we come back from Munich, we want to deliver to the president the options, so when he does get directly involved in the peace process, he knows what it will look like.” 

While Fogel’s release marks a major development, several other Americans remain imprisoned in Russia. Notably, U.S.-Russian dual national Ksenia Khavana, convicted of treason for donating $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine, is serving a 12-year sentence. 

Additionally, American Robert Gilman was sentenced to more than seven years for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers, while Stephen Hubbard remains imprisoned after a closed trial for allegedly fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. 

Last August, a major prisoner swap between the U.S., Russia, and other nations led to the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and American corporate security executive Paul Whelan. However, Fogel and several others were not included in that exchange. 

Elon Musk Defends DOGE’s Government Overhaul at White House Amid Transparency Concerns

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Billionaire Elon Musk appeared at the White House on Tuesday alongside President Donald Trump to defend his role in restructuring the federal government, responding to criticism over transparency and accountability. 

Trump praised Musk’s leadership of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and signed an executive order expanding Musk’s authority over federal workforce reductions. The order grants DOGE significant influence, requiring its approval for nearly all new hiring. 

Musk, wearing a “Make America Great Again” cap, described DOGE’s reforms as common sense and dismissed concerns about the scale of government cuts. “The people voted for major government reform, and that’s what they’re going to get,” Musk told reporters. 

The executive order follows growing concerns over government oversight, particularly after the abrupt firing of the inspector general for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The dismissal came one day after the inspector general reported challenges in tracking $8.2 billion in humanitarian aid funds, following DOGE-led restructuring of the agency. 

Musk claimed DOGE’s actions were fully documented on its website and X, the social media platform he owns. However, reports indicate the website provides no detailed information on program cuts, and DOGE’s X posts lack specifics on budget reductions. 

Musk’s increasing influence in government has also raised ethical concerns, given his companies’ multi-billion-dollar contracts with the Pentagon and intelligence agencies. Critics warn DOGE’s expanded role could give Musk access to U.S. Treasury payment systems. 

The Trump administration has been pushing for federal workforce reductions, but a previous attempt to encourage buyouts was blocked by a federal judge. In response, Trump and Musk criticized the judiciary, calling for potential action against federal judges. 

“We want to weed out the corruption,” Trump said. “And it seems hard to believe that a judge could say we don’t want you to do that.” 

Musk echoed Trump’s frustration, calling judicial opposition a “coup” against government reform efforts. 

Three Children Dead After Mother Shoots Daughters, Self in Wyoming

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The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office in Wyoming said on Tuesday evening that Tranyelle Harshman, who reportedly shot her four daughters on Monday, died in a hospital from her injuries.

Three of her daughters – one 9 years old and two aged 2 (10-month age difference), were found dead following the Monday shootings. The fourth daughter, age 7, remains hospitalized in Salt Lake City, according to family members.

The woman and one daughter survived, but their condition was unknown on Tuesday, according to a news release from the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office in Wyoming.

Three girls — one 9-year-old and two 2-year-olds (10 months apart in age) — were killed. The 32-year-old mother and a 7-year-old girl were found still alive.

The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office initially reported Monday afternoon that “multiple people” had been shot at the residence, including at least one fatality. The sheriff’s office did not immediately identify the relationship of the people involved.

The woman’s sister, Savannah Rose, told MTN News on Tuesday that her sister Tranyelle Harshman shot her daughters and then herself. She said one of the girls named Olivia is still alive and being treated at a Salt Lake City hospital where she is sedated but is responding to some touch.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help the husband and father, Cliff Harshman. It states:

Tragedy has struck, leaving us shattered and heartbroken. [Cliff harshman], a devoted husband and father of four beautiful daughters, has suffered an unimaginable loss: the passing of 3 of his precious girls. 1 still fighting in salt lake, please pray for her.

This devastating event has left Cliff and his loved ones reeling in grief, struggling to come to terms with the immense void left in their lives. The financial burden of funeral expenses, ongoing family support, and other related costs only adds to their pain.

The Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that the shooting in the small town was reported at about 1:30 p.m. when a 911 call was made from a woman reporting gunshots inside a residence and “further reported her daughters had been shot.”

The woman told the 911 dispatcher that she believed the children were dead.

The woman also told the dispatcher the locations of the girls inside the house. Two children would be located upstairs in their cribs and two children would be located downstairs in the bedroom they shared, the press release states.

The woman then told the dispatcher she could be found in her upstairs bedroom and that she was going to shoot herself.

“The dispatcher pleaded with the female caller over the phone for the female caller to remain on the line until responding suits arrived,” the press release states. “The female caller stated multiple times that she could not do that and that it was too late. Multiple attempts to keep her on the line failed and the call was disconnected.”

Sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement agencies responded to the residence on the 200 block of East Shoshone Street, and arrived within minutes.

Officers entered the residence and found two children ages 2 and 9 dead with gunshot wounds to the head, and two other children — ages 2 and 7 — also with gunshot wounds to the head but still alive.

The 32-year-old woman was found in an upstairs bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head but also still alive.

The 2-year-old who was initially found alive “succumbed a very short time later due to the extent of her injuries.”

The surviving child and woman were initially taken to North Big Horn Hospital.

Copied: krtv.com

Apple Renames Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America on Maps

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Apple Renames Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America on Maps

Apple has renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on its maps after an order by President Donald Trump was made official by the U.S. Geographic Names Information System. 

Google previously announced it would implement the name change once the official listing was updated. In a blog post Sunday, the company said users in the United States would see the name Gulf of America, while those in Mexico would continue to see Gulf of Mexico. Other users would see both names. 

After taking office, Trump ordered the renaming of the body of water bordered by the Southern United States, Mexico, and Cuba. 

The U.S. Geographic Names Information System officially updated the name late Sunday. Microsoft has also made the change on its Bing Maps. 

The Associated Press said it will continue to refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its original name, which it has carried for 400 years, while acknowledging the updated designation as the Gulf of America.

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