Italy Withdraws Personnel from Military Base in Iraq Following Drone Strike

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Read more   Italy has begun withdrawing personnel from a military base in northern  Iraq  after the facility was struck by a drone attack, according to statements from Italian officials and international news agencies. The strike occurred at a base near  Erbil  in the Kurdistan region of Iraq , where Italian troops are stationed as part of international security operations. The facility hosts personnel involved in coalition missions supporting Iraqi and Kurdish forces . Italian Defence Minister  Guido Crosetto  confirmed that the attack caused damage to a logistics vehicle but did not result in casualties among the soldiers stationed there.  Officials initially described the incident as a missile strike but later indicated that the base was hit by a drone. Military personnel had reportedly been warned of potential aerial threats before the strike and took shelter, preventing injuries.  Following the incident, Italian authorities said they wo...

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Suspends Operations at Premium Passport Centres in Accra and Kumasi


 


ACCRA/KUMASI — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced the immediate closure of its Premium Passport Application Centres (PACs) in both Accra and Kumasi.

The decision, effective Monday, February 23, 2026, affects the high-traffic premium hubs located at the Accra Digital Centre and the Kumasi Premium Center. According to official sources, the suspension is part of a strategic "operational realignment" intended to integrate new 24-hour expedited processing systems recently introduced by the Ministry.

Why the Premium Centers are Closing

The Ministry cited several technical and administrative reasons for the sudden halt:

  • System Migration: Integrating the premium centers into the new 24-hour expedited service infrastructure.

  • Service Standardization: Aligning the "Premium" fee structure with the newly approved reduced passport fees (currently GH₵ 350 for standard and GH₵ 2000 for 24-hour service).

  • Staff Training: Technical training for personnel on the new chip-embedded passport technology launched earlier this year.

Guidance for Premium Applicants

The closure specifically targets the Premium wings. Standard Passport Application Centres remain operational, though they may experience increased volume.

  • Existing Appointments: Applicants who had premium appointments for this week are advised that their sessions are suspended. New dates will be communicated via SMS and the online portal.

  • Urgent Applications: Those requiring the 24-hour emergency service are redirected to the Passport Head Officein Accra.

  • Collection: A temporary desk will be set up at the standard PACs in both cities for those who have already received notifications that their passports are ready for collection.

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