Author: Chukwu Godlove
France may be famed for the Eiffel Tower, croissants, and the Louvre, but when the French want to escape the crowds, they look elsewhere — to their favourite villages, coastal corners, and Alpine retreats. While international tourists queue at Versailles and picnic beneath Parisian landmarks, locals are heading to flower-filled canals, medieval markets, and sun-drenched seaside towns. These are the places where France feels most like itself — quieter, more regional, and undeniably beautiful. Annecy Château on the Lac D’Annecy, Annecy/Joshua Kettle/Unsplash Locals from Lyon and Geneva have long favoured Annecy as a picture-perfect escape, where colourful houses reflect in…
The Presidency on Thursday faulted the claim of reciprocity by the United States government as the reason for its current visa policy towards Nigeria, saying that the claim does not accurately reflect the actual situation. The Presidency also said contrary to misinformation and fake news circulating online, President Bola Tinubu has never stopped issuing 5-year multiple-entry visas for US citizens, in accordance with the principle of subsisting bilateral agreements and reciprocity. This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, “Immediately after assuming office, President…
Walls are more than barriers — they are storytellers. Built by empires, kingdoms, and communities, these stone sentinels have witnessed centuries of history. Some guarded borders, others symbolised power or faith, and a few became unexpectedly iconic. This journey takes you beyond the Great Wall of China, tracing a line across continents to discover the most impressive and unusual walls of the world—from Zimbabwe’s stone city to Seattle’s sticky, candy-coloured curiosity. The Great Wall of China – A Monument to Endurance (China) William Olivieri/Unsplash Possibly the world’s most iconic wall, the Great Wall stretches over 21,000 kilometres across northern China.…
PREMIUM TIMES reported that the US embassy on Tuesday announced that it had reduced visa validity for non-immigrant Nigerian applicants from five years to three months. The US Mission in Nigeria said on Friday that the reason it reduced visa validity for Nigerians was not because of a recent action by the Nigerian government. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the US embassy on Tuesday announced that it had reduced visa validity for non-immigrant Nigerian applicants from five years to three months. Although the embassy gave reciprocity as the reason for it’s action, it has now said it was not a reciprocal…
Club Med is setting its sights on South Africa – and bookings are just around the corner. Launching in October, the new Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari will offer travellers a dual experience. Picture of Dolphin Coast not affiliated with Club Med/Joash Viriah/Unsplash This experience is set to be a seaside stay on the Dolphin Coast combined with a luxury safari adventure at Mpilo Safari Lodge in Zululand, and the full resort is expected to open its doors in mid-2026. ALSO READ: South Africa’s underrated wine routes Coastal luxury on the Dolphin Coast Just 30 minutes from King…
In response to the recent shift in United States visa policy for Nigerian citizens, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has pledged stronger oversight to curb visa overstays and enhance compliance with international travel protocols. The Minister made this known following a high-level meeting with the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, on Wednesday in Abuja. The engagement came a day after the US government slashed the validity period and entry allowance for most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerians. Speaking via a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Tunji-Ojo said the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral…
Oliver Keohane joins the Kingsley Holgate Foundation’s journey through Gorongosa and its greater surrounds – a story of adventure, conservation and humanitarian aid in Mozambique. Images: Oliver Keohane “Off goes Kingsley,” my dad would joke, every time I refuelled the family Landy for a new adventure, or packed bags for another work trip. “Who knows, maybe one day you’ll get to do a trip with them,” he would add, more seriously. Kingsley and Ross Holgate, for the past 30 years, have travelled throughout Africa taking on immense geographic challenges and providing humanitarian aid throughout the continent. But as a reader…
UNAIDS Warns Funding Collapse Puts Decades of HIV Progress at Risk The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has warned that decades of progress in addressing AIDS are at risk after a funding collapse in 2025. According to the UNAIDS report, funding cuts – caused by abrupt and massive cuts from international donors – are already destroying frontline services, disrupting lifesaving treatments and putting countless lives at risk in the world’s most vulnerable communities. There has been a drop of 40% in new HIV infections and a decline of 56% in AIDS-related deaths since 2010, but these achievements are now at risk. According to…
Image: Getty South Africa is finally on track to launch its first-ever high-speed bullet train, with construction expected to begin in late 2026 and the first trains rolling out by 2030. ALSO READ: Rwanda secures funding to restore forests and fight climate disasters As reported by Top Auto, the Department of Transport—alongside the Gauteng and Limpopo provincial governments—has confirmed progress on the long-awaited Limpopo-Gauteng Speed Train project. The new 500km rail line will connect Pretoria to Musina in Limpopo, with stops in Hammanskraal, Bela-Bela, Mokopane, Polokwane, and Louis Trichardt. The initial phase will focus on the stretch between Pretoria and…
The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has officially launched the “Visit Ethiopia” digital marketing platform. The platform is an innovative initiative aimed at promoting the country’s diverse tourism potential and making Ethiopia a more attractive and accessible destination for global travelers. It was developed with the technical support of the Information Network Security Administration (INSA) and was unveiled yesterday in a ceremony attended by senior government officials, tourism stakeholders, and regional representatives. Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa stated during the launch that the platform serves as a one-stop digital hub, offering comprehensive information and services to both domestic and international tourists. “Visit…