Pope Francis, known for his candid and heartfelt advice, recently called on a group of Dominican nuns to adopt more welcoming attitudes and avoid gossip, which he described as a “poison” to community life. Speaking to the Union of St. Catherine of Siena of the Missionaries, the 88-year-old pontiff remarked that their solemn expressions, which …
WAEC introduces resit exams for candidates
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced a new initiative, which will allow students to resit their WASSCE papers as early as January and February 2025. This is a change from the norm, where candidates had to wait for the next private exam cycle. The Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, John Kapi, disclosed …
Saudi Arabia releases three Nigerian women after 10 months in jail for drug trafficking
Saudi Arabia has released three Nigerian women who were earlier arrested and prosecuted in the country. The acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, January 5, 2025, said the release followed high-level diplomatic engagement between the Nigerian government and Saudi authorities. The three Nigerians, …
WHO declares a new COVID outbreak in China
The World Health Organization, WHO, has declared the outbreak of a new coronavirus in China, a global health emergency. The WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus made the announcement at a press conference in Geneva. WHO’s emergency committee on the epidemic had reportedly met last Thursday and recommended designating the outbreak of the Public Health Emergency of …
Nathaniel Bassey to Lead Worship at Donald Trump’s Inaugural Prayer
Nigerian gospel artist and pastor Nathaniel Bassey has been invited to lead worship at the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, set to take place on January 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Bassey, who is originally from Akwa Ibom State, shared the news on his Instagram page, posting a promotional banner …
Mexico Considers Accepting Non-Mexican Deportees from the US
Mexico has opened the door to potentially receiving non-Mexican migrants deported by the United States, reversing an earlier stance that it would press President-elect Donald Trump to repatriate deportees directly to their countries of origin. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced during a press briefing that Mexico is prepared to collaborate through “different mechanisms” in cases where …
Brazilian Footballer Hulk Marries Ex-Wife’s Niece in Lavish Religious Ceremony
Brazilian footballer Hulk has tied the knot with his ex-wife’s niece, Camila Angelo, in a grand religious wedding ceremony. The Atlético Mineiro star had previously married Camila in a civil ceremony back in 2020, shortly after ending his 12-year marriage to her aunt, Iran Angelo. Sharing his joy on Instagram, Hulk wrote, “Before God and …
US President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Lionel Messi, Hillary Clinton, and other notable figures during a ceremony on January 4
On Saturday, January 4, US President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 distinguished individuals, celebrating their significant contributions to society. The prestigious honor, regarded as the highest civilian award in the United States, was presented to a diverse group of entertainers, athletes, activists, and diplomats. Among the honorees was former First …
World’s oldest person dies at age 116
Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman who was the world’s oldest person according to Guinness World Records, has died at the age of 116. Yoshitsugu Nagata, an official in charge of elderly policies, said on Saturday, Jan. 4, that Itooka died on Dec. 29 at a care home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, central Japan. Itooka was …
Germany launches online visa application portal for Nigerians, others
German authorities have launched an online visa application portal for Nigerians and other applicants worldwide. This was announced in a statement by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office on January 1. “The Consular Services Portal was launched worldwide on 1 January 2025, enabling people around the world to submit applications for German visas online,” the statement reads. …