By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 16, 2026 | Caracas

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado is considering returning to Venezuela, but the timing of her homecoming has become a sensitive issue as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump appears reluctant to see her return immediately, according to opposition sources and political analysts cited by Reuters.

Machado has been outside Venezuela since late 2025, when she left the country to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She has repeatedly said she intends to return, but plans have been delayed amid political developments and major earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June.

A complicated return

Machado’s possible return comes at a pivotal moment for Venezuela. Former President Nicolás Maduro was removed from power in January, after which the United States backed an interim political arrangement led by Delcy Rodríguez.

Washington has subsequently supported talks intended to reshape Venezuela’s political system ahead of eventual elections. Machado’s political movement, however, has not been included in those negotiations.

The situation has left Machado facing a difficult political calculation: returning could allow her to rebuild a direct presence inside Venezuela, while doing so without U.S. backing could create friction with Washington and the interim authorities.

Reuters reported that U.S. officials have privately encouraged Machado to delay her return, while sources familiar with her plans say she could travel first to the United States before eventually going back to Venezuela.

Machado’s political standing

Machado remains one of the most prominent figures in Venezuela’s opposition. However, Reuters reported that her approval rating among Venezuelan political figures fell from 72% in July to 53% in August, according to polling cited in its report.

The decline comes as some Venezuelans express frustration with the slow pace of political change following Maduro’s removal and uncertainty over the country’s future political arrangements.

Machado’s supporters argue that her return is important to maintaining pressure for competitive elections. Some Venezuelans interviewed by Reuters have also said they believe her presence inside the country would strengthen the opposition’s position.

Washington’s position

The U.S. position has evolved over the course of 2026.

Earlier in the year, Machado publicly said she wanted to return as soon as possible. In March, she announced plans to return within weeks, but the timetable did not materialize. 

In July, a senior U.S. State Department official told Congress that Washington would not obstruct Machado’s return, while also saying that work was needed to ensure she would not be arrested when she came back.

The latest reporting indicates that the administration’s immediate concern is the effect Machado’s return could have on the U.S.-backed transition process. Reuters reported that Washington fears her presence could disrupt current efforts to establish a new political framework. 

What comes next

Machado has said she wants Venezuelans to have the opportunity to choose their government through elections. The United States and Venezuela’s interim authorities, meanwhile, are pursuing their own negotiations over the country’s political future.

Her return would therefore carry significance beyond the personal decision of an exiled opposition leader. It could affect opposition coordination, negotiations with the interim government and the debate over how and when Venezuela holds elections.

For now, Machado remains outside Venezuela, with her precise timetable for returning still uncertain.

Motorists across Ghana are facing new fuel prices following the latest adjustment in petroleum product prices, with Star Oil announcing revised rates effective Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

The new prices took effect from 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday across Star Oil outlets.

Under the latest adjustment, Super petrol is selling at GH¢16.77 per litre, while diesel is priced at GH¢17.77 per litre. The company has also listed RON 95 at GH¢18.97 per litre.

The announcement by Star Oil comes after the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) increased the price floors for petroleum products for the second pricing window of September.

The NPA has raised the minimum price for petrol from GH¢14.53 to GH¢16.00 per litre, representing an increase of GH¢1.47 per litre.

The price floor for diesel has also gone up from GH¢15.60 to GH¢16.77 per litre, reflecting an increase of GH¢1.17 per litre.

For Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), the minimum price has been adjusted from GH¢10.85 to GH¢10.97 per kilogramme, an increase of GH¢0.12 per kilogramme.

The NPA sets price floors for deregulated petroleum products during each pricing window. These floors serve as minimum benchmarks, while Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) determine their pump prices based on factors including their operating costs and prevailing market conditions.

Star Oil’s latest notice confirms the prices applicable at its outlets from the stated effective time, although actual pump prices may vary among different fuel stations depending on their pricing arrangements.

The increase is expected to put additional pressure on motorists, transport operators and businesses that depend heavily on fuel. Households and commercial operators using LPG could also experience higher energy costs.

The latest domestic adjustment comes amid movements in international crude oil prices and other developments in the global petroleum market, which can affect the cost of petroleum products imported and sold in Ghana.

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 16, 2026 | The Hague / Pristina

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after a Kosovo Specialist Chambers trial in The Hague found him guilty of four war crimes committed during the 1998–99 Kosovo conflict.

The 58-year-old former political leader and commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) was convicted of murder, torture, cruel treatment and illegal or arbitrary detention. The judgment concerns crimes committed against people who were not actively participating in hostilities.

Court finds Thaçi criminally responsible

According to the verdict reported by Reuters, the court found Thaçi responsible for the murder of 96 people, the illegal detention of 385 people, torture involving 303 people, and cruel treatment of 49 people.

The court’s findings related to what prosecutors described as a joint criminal enterprise targeting people regarded as opponents of the KLA. Prosecutors had sought a sentence of 45 years.

However, the court acquitted Thaçi and his co-defendants of several crimes against humanity charges, citing insufficient evidence to establish those allegations to the required legal standard.

Court finds Thaçi criminally responsible

According to the verdict reported by Reuters, the court found Thaçi responsible for the murder of 96 people, the illegal detention of 385 people, torture involving 303 people, and cruel treatment of 49 people.

The court’s findings related to what prosecutors described as a joint criminal enterprise targeting people regarded as opponents of the KLA. Prosecutors had sought a sentence of 45 years.

However, the court acquitted Thaçi and his co-defendants of several crimes against humanity charges, citing insufficient evidence to establish those allegations to the required legal standard.

From guerrilla commander to Kosovo president

Thaçi emerged as one of the most prominent figures of the Kosovo independence movement during the 1990s. He was a senior figure in the KLA during the conflict with Serbian forces and later became an important participant in international peace negotiations.

He subsequently entered politics, serving as Kosovo’s prime minister before becoming president. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

His political career was interrupted in 2020, when he resigned as president after the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office confirmed an indictment against him. He was subsequently transferred to The Hague to face trial.

Four defendants in the case

Thaçi was tried alongside three other former senior KLA figures: Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers says the case concerned alleged crimes committed between at least March 1998 and September 1999 in several locations in Kosovo and in northern Albania. The indictment included allegations involving civilians and people who were not taking part in the conflict.

The trial began in April 2023. The court’s official case record says 134 witnesses testified, while evidentiary proceedings concluded in December 2025. Closing statements were held in February 2026.

Reaction in Kosovo

The verdict has generated strong reactions in Kosovo, where Thaçi remains an important figure in the country’s modern political history.

Supporters gathered in Pristina ahead of the judgment, while demonstrations were also reported following the verdict. Reuters reported that Thaçi supporters briefly clashed with police in The Hague.

For many supporters, Thaçi and other former KLA commanders remain associated with Kosovo’s struggle against Serbian rule. The proceedings have therefore been closely followed in Kosovo and neighboring Serbia, where the legacy of the 1998–99 conflict remains politically sensitive.

Thaçi expected to appeal

Thaçi has consistently denied the allegations against him. Following Wednesday’s judgment, he is expected to appeal the conviction and sentence.

The case was heard by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, a judicial institution based in The Hague that was established to investigate and prosecute allegations of serious crimes connected to the Kosovo conflict.

The court’s judgment represents a major legal development in the long-running effort to establish individual accountability for crimes committed during and after the Kosovo war.

The verdict does not conclude the case if an appeal is filed, meaning the legal proceedings could continue before an appeals panel.

The information in this report reflects the judgment and reporting available on September 16, 2026.

The Ghana Police Service has announced that it will commence the full implementation of its automated traffic law enforcement programme, TRAFFITECH-GH, from October 1, 2026.

The programme, being implemented through the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), is part of efforts by the Police Service to address indiscipline on Ghana’s roads and improve compliance with road traffic laws and regulations.

According to a press release issued by the Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Police Service on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, TRAFFITECH-GH will rely on technology to detect traffic offences and support the enforcement of road traffic regulations.

Under the programme, cameras and Personal Data Assistant (PDA) devices will be used to detect traffic offences committed by motorists.

The Police Service said offences detected through the system will subsequently be reviewed before enforcement action is taken.

Once an offence has been confirmed, an Electronic Notice of Violation (ENV) will be issued to the affected vehicle owner or driver through SMS.

The electronic notice will contain details of the traffic offence committed as well as the prescribed fine applicable to the violation.

The Police have also published further operational information indicating that the broader system can use digital traffic-monitoring equipment to detect violations, with captured information subjected to validation before notices are issued.

The Ghana Police Service has urged all motorists, drivers and vehicle owners to comply with road traffic regulations ahead of the full rollout.

It is also calling on road users to support the implementation of TRAFFITECH-GH as part of efforts to promote safer roads.

According to the Service, the programme is intended to help reduce road traffic crashes and casualties while improving adherence to traffic laws.

The September 15 press release was signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Richmond Mensah, Staff Officer at the Public Affairs Directorate.

The Police Service has directed members of the public seeking more information on TRAFFITECH-GH to access the information provided through its official programme link. The Ghana Police Service also has information on TRAFFITECH-GH on its official website.

TRAFFITECH-GH will therefore move into full implementation on October 1, 2026, marking a shift toward greater use of automated technology in the enforcement of traffic regulations in Ghana.

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has announced that reports of illegal mining and encroachment within the Atewa Range Forest Reserve are receiving urgent attention, with decisive action expected following reconnaissance operations in the area.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, NAIMOS said it had taken note of recent media and public reports concerning alleged illegal mining activities and encroachment within the protected forest reserve.

The development follows concerns raised by A Rocha Ghana and other stakeholders at a joint press conference on Monday, September 14, over the current state of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve.

NAIMOS promises decisive action

According to the Secretariat, it has already conducted reconnaissance operations within the forest enclave and is working with relevant security and state agencies to determine the next course of action.

NAIMOS said the planned intervention will be guided by verified intelligence and further operational assessments, with the aim of achieving maximum results.

The Secretariat stressed that the protection of Ghana’s forest reserves, water sources and other ecologically sensitive areas remains a critical component of the national fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

‘Concerns will not be ignored’

NAIMOS has assured the public that concerns surrounding the Atewa Range Forest Reserve “will not be ignored”, reaffirming its commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural resources.

The Secretariat said it would continue working to ensure that illegal mining activities do not undermine critical forest reserves, water bodies and communities that depend on these natural resources.

It also commended civil society organisations, traditional authorities, local communities and members of the public for their vigilance and encouraged them to continue providing credible information to support the fight against illegal mining.

The statement was signed by Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Spokesperson for NAIMOS.