Author: Chukwu Godlove
Image: Unsplash Wine tastings can feel daunting. The colours, the smells, the tasting notes. If you’re new to wine or simply enjoy a relaxed glass over the weekend, it’s easy to get a little lost. But don’t worry, that’s about to change. Here’s the only guide you’ll ever need to start tasting wine like a pro, or at least fake it till you make it. ALSO READ: Sip, Shake, Travel – The origins of 10 famous cocktails The method 1. Read the label, your first clue We all love a pretty label, but it serves more purpose than just great…
The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) would help Nigeria retain the billions of dollars lost annually to outbound medical tourism and also provide care for diseases in Nigeria and the continent, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, has said. He stated this Thursday in Abuja during the commissioning and grand opening of the hospital. AMCE is a 500-bed medical health facility developed by the Africa Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with King’s College Hospital, London (KCH). The construction of the medical centre commenced in Apo-Kabusa, Abuja, in 2021. Oramah said his personal…
Image: Unsplash The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has called for the establishment of specialised courts to fast-track wildlife crime cases and improve legal outcomes for captive animals in South Africa. ALSO READ: Zimbabwe to cull and distribute meat of 50 elephants During a recent presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Douglas Wolhuter, National Chief Inspector and manager of the NSPCA’s Wildlife Protection Unit, addressed significant delays and lenient sentencing as key obstacles in tackling animal cruelty and illegal wildlife practices. As per Cape Argus, Wolhuter described sentences…
Chad Suspends U.S. Visas in Retaliation for Trump Travel Ban Chad’s President Mahamat Deby suspended all visas to U.S. citizens as a matter of “reciprocity”, after learning that it is one of a dozen countries whose nationals are prohibited from entering. In the new U.S. travel ban announced by President Donald Trump, seven of the 12 countries on the list are in Africa, while visa restrictions were placed on seven others. Trump claimed the measure was necessary to protect the U.S. from foreign terrorists and security threats. Meanwhile, the African Union Commission has warned that the arbitrary travel restrictions imposed on…
Image: Unsplash A light aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Lanseria International Airport on Thursday morning, killing the pilot and leaving a passenger seriously injured. ALSO READ: Swimming at these KZN beaches is prohibited until further notice The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) confirmed that the incident involved a Cessna 210 aircraft, which went down within the perimeter of the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, located near Lanseria airport north-west of Johannesburg. Emergency services responded to the scene around 10am. The passenger, who sustained serious injuries, was airlifted to hospital for urgent medical treatment. “There were two on board…
The African Union (AU) Commission has expressed concern over the “potential negative impact” of the recent travel restrictions announced by the United States, urging the U.S. government to implement the measures in a manner that is “balanced, evidence-based, and reflective of the long-standing partnership between the United States and Africa.” In a statement issued on 5 June, the Commission said it had “taken note” of the recent proclamation by the U.S. government that imposes new entry restrictions on nationals from several countries, including Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan. While recognising “the sovereign right of all nations to protect their borders and…
Image: Chris McGrath / Getty Images Egypt is set to streamline entry for international visitors with the launch of a new digital visa-on-arrival system. ALSO READ: This South African airport is up for a name change A pilot programme will begin at Cairo International Airport in mid-June. As per Travel News, the system will likely offer travellers various options to obtain emergency visas upon arrival using a QR code. Payments for these visas will be processed electronically. Travellers can utilise self-service kiosks located within the airport terminals or complete the transaction via a dedicated mobile application. This initiative is expected…
Except for the tenure of Chief James Onanefe Ibori (1999 to 2007), I have had several opportunities to traverse Delta State. I have formed my own mental picture of it which I share with you today. There are far more about this state than its perennial dominance of our youth sports as the defunct Bendel State (of which it was a part) used to do. Nigeria, as a country, has a lot to learn from Delta State in diversity management. The state is divided into the Igbo-speaking Delta North, the Central Zone populated by Urhobo and Isoko indigenes and South,…
If you’ve been reading the news lately, you might have seen alarming headlines suggesting that the United States has “added” South Africa to its travel alert list, implying new dangers or an escalation in security concerns. Naturally, this kind of media attention spreads quickly – and often, unnecessarily.Cape Town’s calm says more than headlines doThe Real StatusBut here’s the reality: the U.S. travel advisory level for South Africa hasn’t changed. We’re still at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution – the same advisory level we’ve held for years, alongside countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.So Why the Fuss?The U.S.…
The eThekwini Municipality has prohibited swimming at all southern Durban beaches from 2 June 2025 until further notice due to the annual sardine run. ALSO READ: NSPCA pushes for specialised courts to handle and expedite wildlife cases In a public statement, the municipality said: “The public is advised that swimming is prohibited at all southern beaches from 2 June 2025 until further notice. This is due to removing shark nets to allow for the sardine run.” The sardine run occurs annually between June and July, when billions of sardines migrate along South Africa’s east coast. The event attracts predators such…