Author: Chukwu Godlove

The Sefwi Wiawso Passport Application Centre has been commissioned by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr James Gyakye Quayson, on Tuesday. Addressing the audience at the event, the Deputy Minister stated that residents would no longer have to access the service from other regions. He enumerated reforms undertaken by the Ministry in relation to passport administration aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency and security. Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines He used the opportunity to express appreciation to the relevant authorities in the region for their cooperation. Five applicants who applied for their passports in Sefwi…

A carefree swim can turn tragic in seconds, which is why the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA) is renewing its call for water safety awareness among holidaymakers across the country. Image used for illustrative purposes/Andrius Budrikas/Unsplash In the past two months, seven young men have suffered severe spinal injuries after diving into water that was far shallower than expected. According to QASA, these incidents underline a harsh reality: diving into unknown water remains one of the leading causes of traumatic spinal cord injuries in South Africa. For travellers chasing summer days at beaches, dams, rivers and hotel pools, the…

Morocco recorded a record 19.8 million tourist arrivals in 2025, generating revenues of more than $13 billion, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Visitor numbers rose 14% from 2024, while tourism receipts reached 124 billion dirhams, up 19% year on year. Both figures marked all-time highs, the ministry said. Authorities credited the performance to a tourism strategy covering 2023-2026, focused on expanding air connectivity, diversifying tourism products, and improving service quality. Stronger flight links have supported demand across leisure, culture, and events. Morocco is hosting the Africa Cup of Nations, which officials said has added momentum to arrivals. The sector…

What began as a buzz-worthy Africa tour for YouTube star IShowSpeed turned into one of his most talked-about moments yet after a sprint alongside a live cheetah in South Africa. Screenshot from kira (@kirawontmiss) on X IShowSpeed’s African adventure continues to generate viral moments. According to IOL, in a recent stop in South Africa, the American content creator swapped sightseeing for a carefully managed wildlife experience that few travellers ever witness. Under the supervision of handlers at a wildlife reserve, Speed lined up beside a cheetah for a short sprint across open terrain. The footage spread rapidly across social media…

Ugandans applying for a United States B1/B2 visitor visa for tourism or business will now be required to pay a refundable visa bond of between Shs18 million and Shs54 million before their application can proceed. The new requirement was announced by the US Department of State and will take effect on January 21, 2026, for Ugandan applicants. The measure forms part of a 12-month visa bond pilot programme introduced by the US Department of State, aimed at reducing the number of foreign nationals who overstay their visas. Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines Nationals of Uganda…

Conservationists in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are celebrating the rare birth of twin mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest protected area. Image of a baby mountain gorilla in Virunga National Park used for illustrative purposes/Cai Tjeenk Willink/Wikimedia Commons According to the BBC, community trackers discovered the newborns on Saturday, finding 22-year-old female Mafuko cradling her two baby sons. Rangers say the mother and both infants appear healthy, an encouraging sign for one of the world’s most endangered primates. Twin births are exceptionally rare among mountain gorillas and are believed to account for approximately one per cent…

Ugandans applying for a United States B1/B2 visitor visa (Tourist and business visa) will now be required to pay a visa bond of between Shs18M and Shs54M before their application can proceed. The latest development has been announced by the US Department of State, and will take effect on January 21, 2026, for Ugandan applicants. The new requirement forms part of a 12-month visa bond pilot programme introduced by the US Department of State, designed to reduce the number of foreigners overstaying their visas. Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines Nationals of Uganda are listed among…

What began as a carefree post-matric holiday on Mozambique’s northern coastline has turned into a determined and emotional search for 18-year-old Rikus Kylander. Clarise Kylander/Facebook The teenager from Krugersdorp in Gauteng disappeared while snorkelling near Ponta do Ouro, a popular beach destination known for its warm waters, reef life and powerful ocean conditions. Rikus was visiting the area with a group of school friends when he went into the water and did not return. Despite immediate efforts by companions and local authorities, no confirmed sightings have been reported since his disappearance in mid-December. Search operations have continued across both land…

With Nigeria added to the bond list, it will become even more difficult for citizens to obtain a US visa. The Donald Trump administration has imposed a new travel restriction on Nigeria, requiring that Nigerians seeking to enter the United States on a B1/B2 visa post bonds of up to $15,000 before being granted entry. The US Department of State disclosed this in a notice shared on its website on Tuesday. Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn The B1/B2 visa is a US non-immigrant visitor visa that allows short-term travel for business and tourism, such as…

Deep beneath the surface of our planet, scientists have uncovered evidence of a colossal water reservoir that rivals the oceans we sail and swim in, yet no vessel will ever chart its depths. The image of ringwoodite synthesised at 20 GPa and containing 10% iron./Prof David Dobson, UCL, Earth Sciences. At roughly 700 kilometres beneath Earth’s crust, researchers have detected an enormous volume of water locked inside deep mantle rock. This subterranean reservoir could hold up to three times more water than all of Earth’s surface oceans combined, reshaping how scientists understand the planet’s internal structure and long-term water cycle.…