In the news

A Catholic bishop in northern Zambia has urged his congregants to avoid “gyrating” too much during mass because such dancing may encourage other people to sin. Ndola Bishop Benjamin Phiri says he is concerned about the manner in which some worshippers dance during Mass. He has called for regulation and …

Pope Francis’s visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo will remind the world not to ignore decades-long conflicts that have beset the mineral-rich nation and wrecked the lives of millions, the Vatican’s envoy to Kinshasa said. Pope Francis is expected to visit Congo from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, the …

Seiji Kihara, a close friend of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has apologized after being filmed with his hands in his trouser pockets on January 13 during a trip to the United States, reports the Guardian. The attitude of the deputy had triggered strong criticism on Japanese social networks but …

Gunmen have killed four people in Gambar Sabon Layi community in the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria, according to reports. The hoodlums also kidnapped one person while leaving the community, information gathered. “The gunmen stormed the area and shot into the air to scare people away …

Police in Ugandan city of Jinja have detained at least 20 supporters of English Premier League football side, Arsenal, over a trophy parade on the city’s streets following the club’s 3-2 defeat inflicted on rivals, Manchester United on Sunday, Dailymonitor reported. The arrests come after Arsenal fans were jubilant in …

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected in South Africa for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine 11 months ago, for talks, local media reported. While Russia is being shunned by the West, it has historic ties with Pretoria as well as close business links through the Brics …

Authorities in the United States have designated the Russian paramilitary group Wagner as an international criminal organization. The White House made the announcement on Friday, denouncing the group’s activities in Ukraine. “Wagner is a criminal organization that commits vast atrocities and human rights abuses,” White House National Security Council spokesman …

A 58-year-old woman has been arrested for using unwholesome ingredients to prepare hot black pepper sauce, known as shito, for public consumption in Koforidua in the Eastern Region, Ghana. The suspect is reported to have been gathering disposed shito ingredients like rotten tomatoes, onion and ginger peels among others from …

A couple was arraigned before a Samuel Ilori Magistrate’s Court in Ogbà for allegedly torturing two children in the Egbeda area of Lagos State, according to reports. The case was reported to the police by neighbors who saw them subjecting the minors to torture. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual …

A 25-year-old man at Mankesim in the Central Region is in the grips of the police for failing to pay a Nigerian sex worker who rendered him services, Ghana, according to reports. “The suspect was charged GHC600.00 by the sex worker after an initial price of GHS1,200,” according to Adom News. …