Oil prices increased by 2% following air and sea strikes by the United States and Britain on Houthi military targets in Yemen, in retaliation for Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping. The strikes raise concerns about oil supply disruptions, particularly through the Straits of Hormuz. Brent crude futures and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures both saw a rise, with the benchmarks indicating a second consecutive weekly increase. The U.S. and British military actions represent an escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict, with the Houthis targeting shipping to support Hamas. Shipping companies like Maersk are rerouting vessels to avoid the Red Sea. The article also mentions Iran's recent seizure of a tanker with Iraqi crude, which the White House condemned.

Burundi has closed its borders with Rwanda, accusing the latter of supporting the Burundian rebel group Red Tabara, which was responsible for an attack killing 20 people near the DR Congo border. Rwanda's President Paul Kagame denies the allegations. Burundi's Interior Minister Martin Niteretse announced the cessation of ties with Rwanda until changes occur. The Rwandan government expressed regret over the border closure, citing it as a violation of East Africa Community integration principles. The nature of the border closure, whether it includes land and air, remains unclear. Historically, the two countries have had strained relations despite cultural and historical similarities.

Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education, clarified that the Ghanaian government has not reduced the number of subjects for the Basic Education Certificate Exams (BECE) from nine to five. He stated that while discussions are ongoing and changes to the exam format are expected soon, the subjects for the upcoming BECE will remain the same. The minister emphasized that the curriculum has moved to a standard base, which may alter the type of questions but not the number of subjects.

Gabriel Attal has been appointed as France's youngest and first openly gay prime minister at 34, succeeding Élisabeth Borne. His rapid political ascent from an adviser in the health ministry to education minister and now prime minister is highlighted. Attal's popularity and debating skills are noted, along with his actions as education minister, such as banning Muslim abaya robes in schools and campaigning against bullying. Despite his popularity, he faces challenges from a surging hard-right opposition, a National Assembly without a majority, and defining the second term goals for President Macron. Questions remain about his ability to establish authority and his political stance, with some viewing him as potentially just a reflection of Macron.

Idris Elba has called for an immediate ban on the sale of 'zombie' knives and machetes to address the issue of knife crime. He criticized politicians for lacking focus on the matter. The Home Office stated that existing bans on certain knives are in place and that they are working to extend these to include zombie-style machetes. Labour has pointed out a loophole in online sales. Rishi Sunak proposed a ban on more weapons and additional police powers last August. Elba, at an event in Parliament Square, highlighted the human cost of knife crime and is part of the 'Don't Stop Your Future' campaign. Yemi Hughes, whose son was murdered in 2016, supports Elba's campaign and shared her experience of loss.

A BBC investigation uncovered evidence of widespread abuse, including rape and forced abortions, by the late T B Joshua, founder of one of the world's largest Christian evangelical churches, the Synagogue Church of All Nations. The allegations from dozens of former members, including five British, span almost 20 years at the church's secretive Lagos compound. Victims described physical violence, sexual assault, and fake 'miracle healings' broadcast globally. The church did not respond to the allegations but previously claimed similar accusations were unfounded.

Britney Spears has announced she will never return to the music industry, refuting recent rumors about a new album. She clarified on Instagram that she enjoys ghostwriting and has no plans to release new music. Spears' statement follows her 2022 release of 'Hold Me Closer' with Sir Elton John, her first new music since ending her conservatorship. Her memoir, 'The Woman in Me,' details her life under conservatorship and personal experiences, including a medical abortion while dating Justin Timberlake.

Ebenezer Ampaabeng, the former director of television at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, has been appointed as the managing director of an unspecified TV station shortly after his retirement. With nearly 35 years of service at GBC, Ampaabeng aims to use his new role to mentor and raise the standards of upcoming broadcasters. His transition was discussed on the Asaase Breakfast Show, emphasizing his commitment to improving communication standards in the industry.

Afua Asantewaa Owusu Aduonum, a Ghanaian who attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the longest singing time by an individual, has not yet submitted her official attempt for recognition. Her team has finalized their work and plans to submit it for verification. Asantewaa's attempt lasted from December 24 to 29, totaling 126 hours and 53 minutes, aiming to surpass the current record of 105 hours set by Sunil Waghmare in 2012. She was welcomed at Potter’s City and attended a thanksgiving service at Glorious Word Power International. Asantewaa has also been appointed as a Tourism Ambassador.

Ghana is listed among the top ten African countries with the lowest fuel prices at the beginning of 2024, according to data from GlobalPetrolPrices.com. The average global price of gasoline is $1.30 per liter, with variations depending on a country's wealth and oil production status. Affordable fuel prices are crucial for economic stability, impacting various sectors by influencing the cost of doing business. The list includes Libya with the cheapest fuel price in Africa and second globally, followed by Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Sudan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Gabon, Liberia, and Ghana.

The Ministry of Energy in Ghana held a stakeholder meeting in Accra to discuss the Ghana Energy Sector Transformation Initiative Project (GESTIP), funded by the World Bank. The project, which began in February 2019 and will end on December 31, 2023, has seen 46 consultancy activities and the training of 142 energy sector staff. Beneficiaries include ECG, GRIDCo, PURC, EC, GNPC, NEDCO, VRA, and the Ministry of Energy. A similar event is scheduled at the University for Development Studies in Tamale on December 22, 2023.

The article discusses the ongoing debate in Ghana regarding the legalization of commercial motorbikes, known locally as okadas. The National Democratic Congress flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has proposed legalizing okadas to provide employment for the youth, contrasting it with the state-run Nation Builders Corps program. However, the Transport Minister and his deputy have opposed this, citing traffic safety concerns. The Ghana Medical Association and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union also stand against legalization due to the high number of accidents and fatalities associated with okadas. Conversely, the Bureau of Public Safety and think tank IMANI support regulation as a means to improve safety and manage the okada phenomenon. The article highlights the need for a national dialogue involving all stakeholders to reach a consensus on the issue.

The Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET) reported 239 HIV-positive cases from 140,000 distributed self-testing kits across fifty districts in Ghana. The majority of positive cases were women, and 202 individuals have been linked to care. GHANET President Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin highlighted challenges such as denial and stigma, while calling for more funding to expand the initiative. Dr Stephen Ayisi-Addo of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) praised the efforts and stressed the importance of scaling up the program to include more men, who are less likely to seek health services.

Charlotte Osei, the former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, has become the host of a new business show on GhOne TV called Business Compass. The show aims to mentor young entrepreneurs to help them grow their businesses by addressing knowledge gaps rather than focusing solely on capital. Osei, with a background in corporate law, will work alongside a team of experts and business coaches to guide participants. The show, which will air weekly, is designed to assist those with a passion for business and those looking to improve their existing ventures.

The article discusses various initiatives by African governments to attract foreign direct investments through commodity exports. It highlights the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the US and the African Continental Free Trade agreement aimed at boosting trade. However, the focus is on Fairtrade, which advocates for better working conditions and fairer trade terms for farmers and workers in developing countries, particularly in Africa. The article notes the financial benefits of Fairtrade, such as the $10 million premium earned by Ghana in 2017, and the overall turnover of $320 million by African Fair Trade producers in 2016. Despite these benefits, the article points out the lack of awareness about Fairtrade in Africa and suggests that an educational campaign is necessary to increase consumer support for Fairtrade products.

Auntie Muni, a celebrated waakye seller, died on January 3 at the University of Ghana Medical Centre in Accra following a short illness. Her son, Abdul Arafat, announced that she had been experiencing leg pain and complications after being discharged from the SNNIT Hospital. Despite being rushed to UGMC, she passed away in the early hours of the morning and is to be buried in Tamale.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) will commence vetting of parliamentary aspirants in constituencies with incumbent Members of Parliament across Ghana starting Wednesday, 3 January. The vetting process is scheduled to last three days, and the party has constituted committees to oversee the exercise nationwide.

The article reports on the government's response to an anthrax outbreak in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region, Ghana. Dr Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, stated that necessary vaccinations and steps have been taken to contain the outbreak. The article also covers an international training workshop on policy, advocacy, and communication for reinforcing veterinary governance in Africa, held in Accra. Participants from 29 English-speaking African countries and various regional organizations attended the workshop. The event aimed to enhance policy analysis and formulation skills among stakeholders. Dr Lamourdia Thiombiano, speaking on behalf of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, emphasized the need for stronger veterinary services and policies to support the livestock sector's role in poverty reduction and economic growth.