Claim of a Still-Valid MarriageIn her complaint, Madam Koon insists that her marriage to Speaker Koon remains legally intact, despite a divorce petition currently pending before a competent court. Madam Koon is also seeking a permanent injunction barring Ms. Cooper from contacting Speaker Koon or claiming to be married to him, and an order compelling Ms. Cooper to issue a public retraction of all alleged marital claims. Ms. Cooper previously made headlines after publicly announcing that she was a spouse of Speaker Koon. Speaker Koon has denied her claims, asserting that Madam Koon is his biological (paternal) sister, a claim she has publicly rejected. As of publication, Ms. Cooper has not publicly responded to the lawsuit, and no date has been announced for the court’s first hearing.

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Newly inducted executive council of the Liberia Chamber of Commerce standing during the induction ceremony.

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Anthony T. Cole, former Land Administrator of the Zinnah Hill Estate speaking to the media at his Zinnah Hill community office in Paynesville.

The re-passed legislation consists of two interrelated measures, the Liberia Sea and Inland Ports Regulatory Authority Act of 2024 and the Liberia Sea and Inland Ports Decentralization and Modernization Act of 2024. Taken together, the Acts repeal the National Port Authority Act, dissolve the National Port Authority, establish four autonomous seaports in Monrovia, Buchanan, Greenville, and Harper, and create a new Liberia Sea and Inland Ports Regulatory Authority with expansive oversight responsibilities over ports and maritime activities across the country. The Decentralization and Modernization Act further deepens the controversy by repealing the National Port Authority and replacing it with four autonomous seaports vested with extensive financial and administrative independence. He warned that abruptly dissolving the National Port Authority and leaving transition decisions to a limited working group could result in legal disputes, operational disruptions, and financial uncertainty. Senior officials at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Liberia Revenue Authority, and the National Port Authority were reportedly not invited to review or comment on revised drafts.

Monrovia — The Economic Community of West African States has issued a strong diplomatic condemnation following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by United States forces, an unprecedented operation that has divided global opinion and sparked widespread concern over sovereignty, international law, and the limits of executive power. In a statement, ECOWAS said it had “followed with concern recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela” after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out a large-scale military operation in Caracas, resulting in President Maduro being taken into U.S. custody. While the United States justified the operation as part of the global fight against transnational crime, including terrorism and drug trafficking, ECOWAS cautioned that such actions must not override international norms. The U.S. military operation has also highlighted deep divisions within Washington. Russia described Maduro’s capture as “a grave violation of sovereignty and international law” and called the U.S. action “armed aggression,” while China expressed shock over the unilateral use of force.

MONROVIA – James Salinsa Debbah, the legendary former celebrated striker of the Liberian national team, the Lone Star, has launched a scathing critique of internal divisions within the Grand Bassa County sports leadership. By Christopher C. Walker | [email protected]His comments follow the county’s stinging 2–0 defeat at the hands of Grand Kru County in the ongoing National County Sports Meet. He warned that the politicization of the county team is undermining the spirit of the tournament. “Our biggest problem in Grand Bassa County is division,” he said. The county leadership has tried, and we have seen encouragement like the recent US$5,000 Christmas bonus for the team.

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MONROVIA – The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has officially rejected a petition from Jubilee FC requesting an Extraordinary Congress to amend the association’s statutes, citing significant breaches of legal frameworks and a failure to meet the required threshold of support. Furthermore, the LFA revealed that only five clubs provided valid, full backing for the proposal: Shaita Angels FC, Determine Girls FC, FC Fassell, Kneeling Warriors, and Senior Female Professional FC. The Background: The ‘Fassell’ FactorThe controversy surrounding the December 29 petition is rooted in a high-stakes move to amend Article 45.4 of the LFA Statutes. The communication was copied to LFA President Mustapha Raji and the Executive Committee. As of press time, Jubilee FC leadership could not be reached for comment.