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A 3.7 magnitude earthquake hit California on Friday morning, further compounding the state's ongoing struggles with devastating wildfires. The tremor was detected near the San Francisco Bay Area at 7:02am PT, with its epicentre approximately five miles southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge and two miles west of the Great Highway, Mail Online reports. The quake was followed by a 2.2 magnitude aftershock four minutes later, and a 2.5 magnitude tremor six minutes after the initial hit. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that more than 5,000 people in the area felt the shake, and the number of reports continues to grow. This seismic activity occurred about 350 miles away from the Los Angeles area, where wildfires have caused widespread destruction. In Los Angeles, at least 10 people have died in the fires, and 180,000 residents have been forced to evacuate. Over 10,000 structures have been destroyed, with nearly 30,000 acres of land scorched. Mayor Daniel Lurie commented on the sit...

  Djimon Hounsou, the Beninese-American actor, has admitted that he is still struggling financially despite being in the film industry for over two decades. Appearing on African Voices Changemakers, the popular CNN magazine program, the ‘Gladiator’ actor said he’s underpaid. “I’m still struggling to make a living. I’ve been in the filmmaking business for over two decades with two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films, and yet, I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid,”  he said. On racism in Hollywood, Hounsou said,  “I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars because they thought that I had just come off the boat and the streets. Even though I successfully did that, they just didn’t feel like I was an actor to whom they should pay any respect. “So, this conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism won’t change like that anytime soon.”

Senator John Azuta-Mbata has been elected as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, a leading Igbo socio-cultural organization. He was elected during the Ohanaeze meeting in Enugu State on Friday, marking the beginning of a new era for the organisation. Azuta-Mbata succeeds Fidelis Chukwu, whose tenure as President-General came to an end. Notably, Azuta-Mbata hails from Rivers State in South-South Nigeria, bringing a unique perspective to the role. The election process was conducted through voice voting, with Azuta-Mbata winning the confidence of the members. In addition to Azuta-Mbata's election, 15 other individuals were elected to various executive positions within the organization. As the 13th President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Azuta-Mbata brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as a senator for the Rivers East constituency of Rivers State, Nigeria, from 1999 to 2007. His leadership is expected to shape the organisation's direc...

A Nigerian-born Australian teacher who taught Maths and science at Staughton College in Melton, Victoria, has drowned at Rye Beach, Australia. Mr Onuorah was found floating in the water by a jet ski rider last Friday, on 3 January 2025 off a beach on the Mornington Peninsula, 100km south of Melbourne’s CBD. According to reports, the emergency services were called to Tyrone Beach in Rye at around 5.30pm on January 3 after Mr Onuorah was found in the water. He was given CPR once he was brought to shore but was unable to be revived. Mr Onuorah taught maths and science at Staughton College, in the north-western Melbourne suburb of Melton South. He wrote on his LinkedIn profile that " I pride myself in approaching each child as a unique individual with specific learning needs". "I’m passionate about using my experience to actualise an all-round development of children, " he added. His Australia-based friends have set up a GoFundMe to raise enough money to send his remain...

Nigeria's Para powerlifter, Kafilat Almaruf, has been banned by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for doping violations. The disciplinary action, which will see the Nigerian banned for a period of three years,  is for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), in breach of the IPC Anti-Doping Code (the Code). The IPC in a statement said Almarf returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for the administration of an anabolic agent in a urine sample provided out-of-competition on 11 July 2024. “Almaruf’s(GC/C/IRMS), differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and prohibited anabolic agents of external origin. The GC/C/IRMS analysis confirmed the presence of an anabolic agent of exogenous origin in Almaruf’s urine sample.” “Exogenous anabolic steroids are included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2024 Prohibited List under the class S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) and are prohibited at all times.” The athlete...

Anthony Hopkins, the world-famous Welsh movie icon and legend, has tragically lost his home in the devastating California wildfires ravaging through Los Angeles. The legendary actor, 87, now joins a growing list of Hollywood elites who have lost their homes as the blazes continue to ravage the area. According to reports,  over 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders, with numerous celebrities among those affected by the fires.   Hopkins, who purchased a stunning four-bedroom, five-bathroom home in the Pacific Palisades area for $6 million in 2021, saw his property destroyed by the flames. Photos reveal the remains of the classic colonial home after it was destroyed. The house purchase was a fresh start for the Oscar-winning actor, who had just sold his long-time Malibu oceanfront place for $10.5 million—more than double what he paid for it back in 2001.

  The  cause of death of late singer Liam Payne has been confirmed at a UK inquest, three months after the One Direction star tragically fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Payne was staying at the Casa Sur hotel in the South American country when he fell to his death after a drink-drug binge on October 16. His medical cause of death has now been announced to be 'polytrauma', a term which means a person has multiple traumatic injuries to their body. A hearing, which Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court said was held on December 17, was told it may take 'some time' to ascertain exactly how the 31-year-old died. Five people have been charged over Payne's death in Argentina after he fell from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel. The hotel's manager, a receptionist, and a friend of Payne have been charged with manslaughter, Argentina's National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office previously said in a statement. They are rep...

  Christ Mitots School, located in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, announced on Thursday the indefinite suspension of a teacher, Stella Nwadigo, who was caught on video assaulting a three-year-old pupil, Abayomi Michael, during a numeracy lesson. The disturbing footage, which surfaced on social media, shows the female teacher violently smacking the young child for struggling with the lesson. The video sparked widespread outrage, leading to the teacher’s subsequent arrest on Wednesday. In a statement, the school management condemned the teacher’s actions, describing them as unacceptable. The institution assured the public that the teacher would remain suspended until the ongoing investigation is concluded. “We are aware of a deeply troubling incident involving one of our teachers and a student, which has been circulating on social media,”  the statement reads. “The video shows a teacher engaging in the physical discipline of a student in a manner that is completely unacceptable and ...

Miriam Cruz and husband  Romeo Santos An apparently angry husband has divorced his wife of 10 years over something she did during a music concert. The man left his wife of ten years after she kissed a hunky singer at the concert. Influencer Miriam Cruz stormed on stage on December 28, 2024 to make out with American musician Romeo Santos but said she got "carried away" during the show. Footage caught the wife of 10 years hugging and kissing the Aventura singer after she was invited up on stage, in her hometown of the Dominican Republic.

  Everybody Loves Jenifa has made history by becoming the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time.   The movie by Nollywood sensation Funke Akindele had gone head-to-head with Toyin Abraham’s Alakada: Bad and Boujee and other notable films before outclassing them.   The latest feat was announced by FilmOne, the distributor of the film in an Instagram post.   The post read:  “Everybody Loves Jenifa has officially reached a historic ₦1.466 billion and counting at the box office, making it the highest-grossing film of all time! A massive THANK YOU to our incredible audiences in Nigeria and Ghana for making this dream a reality! Your support means everything. On to even greater heights! Still showing in cinemas near you—experience the magic on the big screen.”   The film crossed the ₦1 billion mark in less than two weeks, cementing Akindele’s reputation as a trailblazer in Nollywood.   This achievement follows her record-breaking success last year wit...

  Eric Chelle has been appointed as the head coach of the Super Eagles by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The NFF announced the appointment of the Malian tactician in a statement on Tuesday, January 7. The decision followed the recommendation of the NFF’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee during its meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, January 2, 2025. Chelle, 47, is a former head coach of Mali’s senior national team, who also managed clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran. During his playing career in France, he represented Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais. Born in Côte d’Ivoire to a French father and a Malian mother, Chelle was eligible to represent Côte d’Ivoire, France, and Mali. He opted for Mali, earning five caps before retiring. As Mali’s head coach from 2022 to 2024, Chelle led the Aiglons to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire. Under his leadership, Mali recorded 14 win...

  Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory disease that causes flu or cold-like symptoms, but can increase risks or lead to more serious complications like bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly among the elderly, young children, and immunocompromised people. The disease is in the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and has been around since at least 2001 when it was first identified in The Netherlands. Its outbreaks are concentrated during colder seasons. Cases have been surging in northern China, particularly among children, according to local authorities. The country’s centre for disease control (CDC) has warned people to take precautions with health and hygiene, but has also pushed back against online claims of overwhelmed hospitals and fears of another COVID-19 like pandemic. “ Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday. “The diseases appear to be less severe and spread with a s...

  The  National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) shut down a Chinese supermarket on Monday, January 6, for allegedly selling goods labelled in Chinese language without proper notification. Speaking with newsmen after the exercise, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Shaba Mohammed, said that the agency got ‘credible information’ about the supermarket situated at Azba Mall, 2 Durban Street, Wuse 2, Abuja. According to Mohammed, the intel received indicated that all the items being sold at the supermarket were labelled in Chinese language, a situation which, he said, violated NAFDAC regulations. Mohammed, also the Chairman, Federal Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods with the agency, said upon getting the information, NAFDAC quickly swung into action to find out the situation of things. He said that the agency would carry out investigation on why the over 90 per cent of the goods in the supermarke...

  Aloy Ejimakor, the lead counsel for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has rejected the move by the Nigerian government to set a date for the resumption of the trial of the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Ejimakor based his rejection on the fact that Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Federal High Court entered and enrolled an order recusing herself from Kanu’s trial on September 24, 2024. Recall that Kanu had requested Justice Nyako to step down from his trial due to a lack of confidence in her handling of the matter. Following his request, the judge returned Kanu’s case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho. However, Justice Tsoho sent the case file back to Justice Nyako for the continuation of the trial. Despite this, the prosecuting counsel for the Nigerian government, Adegboyega Awomolo, requested a date to continue Kanu’s trial. In a letter addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court and dated December 5, 2024, A...

  Popular Nigerian skitmaker, Mark Angel Comedy, has opened up about how he lost the sum of $3.7 million in forex in 2024 and considered ending it all. Mark, in a lengthy post via his Instagram page on Sunday, said that his money loss led him to drown in debts as he watched his properties slip into the hands of loan sharks. The skitmaker said he felt like his world was crumbling before he received help from his family members. Mark Angel added that while he was still trying to heal, undergoing therapy to recover from the trauma, he was hit by a scandal which shook the foundation of his career and questioned the loyalty of those around him. The post read, “ The year 2024 began like every other year, but I had no idea how much it would test me how much it would break me, yet ultimately reshape me. It was the year I lost everything. I trusted the wrong hands in forex and lost all my money. Nobody knew except my family and closest circle. The weight of the loss, over $3.7 million was s...

Three Nigerian women, Hadiza Abba, Fatima Malah and Fatima Gamboi, who were arrested and imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking have been released. 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 were arrested for alleged possession of a substance suspected to be cocaine while on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. According to the statement, they were arrested and prosecuted on 5 March 2024 at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and released after spending 10 months in detention "The arrest of the three women was a result of the earlier arrest of two Nigerian nationals who were found in possession of 80 capsules of Cocaine weighing 900.28 gm and 70 capsules of Cocaine weighing 789.5gm, respectively, " the stateme...

  The  Nigerian Police Force (NPF), has been reportedly directed by the Federal High Court to comply with the order to release embattled singer, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington from its custody. Human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed this development on Monday, January 6, stating that the court issued the order pending the hearing of the substantive matter. The court further directs Abubakar Marshal, Esq. to stand as surety to Speed Darlington. “Alternatively, he should be arraigned immediately, ” Adeyanju quoted the judge saying. Recently, Adeyanju expressed outrage over the continued detention of the rapper despite a Federal High Court order in Abuja granting him bail on Monday, December 23. Recall that Speed Darlington has been held in police custody since November 27, following his re-arrest by Nigerian police in Owerri, Imo State. His initial arrest in October was reportedly linked to a petition filed by fellow artiste Burna ...

  The  long-time host of the popular game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire (WWTBAM), Frank Edoho, has revealed that allegations of domestic violence very nearly cost him his role on the show. Edoho, who was previously married to Katherine Obiang for seven years, shares three children with her. Speaking on the WithChude podcast on Saturday, the TV host opened up about his relationship with his ex-wife, describing their union as a “mismatch” and admitting that both parties shared responsibility for their challenges. “My ex-wife was my friend, and there were children involved. I think ours was a mismatch; I was young. When she got pregnant, I had cold feet, but I still got married. It lasted seven years, and in 2010, I left. Three years after, I remarried,”  Edoho said. Reflecting on their relationship, Edoho emphasized the difference between friendship and marriage, stating:  “Being friends with the opposite sex doesn’t mean you should get married because that’s...

  The West African nation of Ghana is set to become a visa-free destination for all African nationals beginning in early 2025. President Nana Akufo-Addo approved the policy change in December, fulfilling a promise he made during the Africa Prosperity Dialogues. The initiative, according to the president, aims to foster “stronger ties across Africa.” The move is expected to boost tourism, trade, and travel in the West African nation, addressing concerns that visa restrictions have long hindered these sectors. Ghana previously granted visa-free entry to citizens of 26 African nations and visas on arrival to travelers from 25 others, with only two African countries requiring visas prior to arrival. With this decision, Ghana joins Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin as the fifth African nation to extend visa-free access to all holders of African passports, marking a step toward enhancing regional integration and mobility across the continent.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has arrested Uadiale Christiana Jacob, also known as Christy Gold, a notorious human trafficker who had been on the agency's wanted list for five years. In a press release signed by NAPTIP’s press officer, Vincent Adekoye, on Friday, the agency confirmed that Christy Gold was arrested on December 31, 2024, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon her return from Dubai. Christy Gold is the leader of an international trafficking syndicate that lured underage Nigerian girls with false promises of jobs abroad, only to force them into prostitution in Dubai. She was convicted in absentia by the Federal High Court, Asaba, in March 2024, following years of investigation by NAPTIP. Despite her conviction, she evaded justice by fleeing the country in 2021 while on bail, prompting the court to issue a bench warrant for her arrest. NAPTIP’s pr...