Month: January 2025

Ethiopia, one of the earliest nations to embrace Christianity, continues to honour its rich religious heritage. This year, thousands of Ethiopian pilgrims and international tourists gathered in the historic town of Lalibela to celebrate Orthodox Christmas at one of the world’s oldest and most unique churches.

Lalibela’s churches, built in the 12th century during the reign of King Lalibela, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and remain a pilgrimage destination for millions of Christians each year. The churches, carved directly into solid rock, stand as a reminder of Ethiopia’s ancient connection to Christianity and its unique religious practices.

The Orthodox Christmas, known as “Lidet” in Ethiopia, takes place on January 7th. The three-day festival, filled with religious ceremonies and family gatherings, draws believers from across the country and around the world. This year, thousands of worshippers attended a church service in Lalibela to mark the birth of Jesus, showcasing Ethiopia’s enduring commitment to its Christian faith.

Samuel Choi, a tourist from Hong Kong, was among the visitors who marvelled at the cultural richness of the celebration. “You have such a wonderful, rich heritage. It’s very unique in the world,” Choi said. “There are no other places you can find that I am quite free, when I came and saw all these people all come in for one reason, to celebrate the birth of Jesus. And so I’m actually very thrilled and very happy to be able to be in Ethiopia.”

For Ethiopian pilgrims like Masresha Misgana, the event is a yearly tradition that draws them closer to the country’s religious roots. “King Lalibela constructed these churches and heritage sites in the 12th century, creating the second Jerusalem in Africa,” Misgana explained. “Each year, Christians come to visit this second Jerusalem to celebrate, and we also join in the festivities.”

The Orthodox Christmas celebration is not only about faith but also about maintaining centuries-old traditions.

John Mike, a tourist from Jamaica, shared his thoughts on the experience: “Some of the clothes and the instruments and the traditions are the same that they have been for many hundreds of years. So it’s very historical. Even this morning, when we were downstairs in the church and we looked outside, we didn’t know it was 2025. It could have been anytime from the last thousand years. Lalibela is a place where the ancient and the modern come together.”

Unlike Catholic and Protestant Christians who follow the Gregorian calendar, Ethiopians observe the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind. This difference in dates is one reason why Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas falls on January 7th, rather than December 25th.

The celebrations are marked by vibrant religious rituals, including a midnight mass and feasts where families come together after breaking a long fast. Traditionally, Ethiopians slaughter animals such as goats or cattle, as a symbolic gesture of sharing the joy of the occasion with family and friends.

Elon Musk has expressed interest in buying English football club Liverpool, his father says.

The Premier League club is privately owned by Fenway Sports Group, which has not indicated it wants to sell but has accepted external investment in the past.

Speaking to Times Radio, Errol Musk acknowledged that the Tesla CEO has shown an interest in the six-time European Cup champions.

“Oh yes, but that doesn’t mean he’s buying it,” Errol Musk said. “He would like to, yes, obviously, anybody would want to. So would I.”

He also said: “I can’t comment on that. They’ll raise the price.”

When contacted by The Associated Press, a spokesperson for FSG said there was “No truth to these rumours.”

In September 2023 FSG sold a minority stake to U.S. investment firm Dynasty Equity.

At that time, FSG president Mike Gordon said: “Our long-term commitment to Liverpool remains as strong as ever. We have always said that if there is an investment partner that is right for Liverpool then we would pursue the opportunity to help ensure the club’s long-term financial resiliency and future growth.”

Under FSG, Liverpool has re-established itself as one of the leading clubs in Europe. The Merseyside club won its first English league title in 30 years in 2020 — one season after winning the Champions League title. It leads the Premier League and Champions League this season.

Errol Musk said they have relatives in Liverpool and that “we were fortunate enough to know quite a few of the Beatles because they grew up with us — my family.”

Elon Musk has gotten himself involved in British politics since the centre-left Labour Party was elected in July. Musk has used his social network, X, to call for a new election.

On Monday, Starmer condemned “lies and misinformation” that he said are undermining British democracy, in response to a barrage of attacks on his government from Musk.

Burkina Faso defender Issa Kaboré is set to do a stint at German club Werder Bremen for the rest of the season.

According to Manchester City, his move is subject to international clearance.

Werder stands at seventh place in the Bundesliga, two points behind where it needs to be to secure a spot in the Champions League next season.

Kaboré was at Portugal’s Benfica for the first half of the season, featuring in several games.

He has also played for Burkina Faso several times this season, helping the club to qualify for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The 23 year old is yet to play a game for Manchester City since joining the club in 2020.

He was a substitute for two games at the beginning of this season, but was ultimately not used in those games.

The opposition frequently organizes these protests, which are consistently prohibited by the junta, causing significant disruption in the Guinean capital and often resulting in violent clashes.

The Guinean capital Conakry experienced a day of high tension on Monday January 6.

Although banned by the authorities, a demonstration organized by the Forces vives de Guinée took place in Conakry to demand the departure of the junta that has been in power in the country for over three years.

According to initial reports, one person was killed and many injured in the crackdown.

Several people were also arrested.

The city experienced significant disruptions in transport and commerce, despite a heavy police presence and stern warnings that kept many potential protesters at home.

The Forces vives de Guinée (FVG), a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups, is calling for the junta that ousted President Alpha Condé in 2021 to step down and establish a civilian-led transition.

Over three years have passed since the upheaval, and the return to civilian governance remains uncertain.

Last Sunday, protesters clashed with law enforcement in Koloma, where a prominent figure from the Union des forces démocratiques de Guinée was taken into custody.

Driven by rapid urbanization, increasing infrastructure development projects, and rising construction activity, Africa’s cement market is surging. The boom is also resetting the continent’s cement production landscape with the entry of new players.

Facing a stagnant property market which has affected prices, and stringent environmental regulations back home, Chinese cement makers have been running to establish or acquire operations in Africa.

Led by Huaxin, Chinese companies invested in nine new cement projects in Africa in 2023, and five in 2024.

“We’ve got this enormous infrastructure deficit in Africa. We’ve got this enormous demographic story that’s continuing to play out,” says Aly-Khan Satchu, the CEO of the East African Financial Portal.

”And therefore, I think the Chinese are looking at the medium term and saying to themselves, you know, this is potentially another China not so monolithic and not so linear, but potentially a similar story. And I think that’s what they’re really looking at,” Satchu adds.

With 10 cement plants with a production capacity of about 18 million tonnes per year, Huaxin is now sub-Saharan Africa’s second largest cement producer. Dangote remains the region’s leading cement maker, with an annual capacity of 52 million tons.

Industry experts predict demand to stay strong in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana.

“With respect to the likes Dangote, Dangote understands Africa. I mean, we know that. I think I expect him to grow his business. He took a big bet. I think that bet will spread geographically and I expect the Chinese all said, you know this, who I see in cement expansion, I think is going to be the start of something much bigger as more Chinese players enter the market. And I should expect other BRICS types entities to look at the African continent more aggressively. India, for example, and maybe even the likes of Brazil,” Satchu explains.

Cement production is associated with pollution. EXperts say African governments need to emphasize environmental sustainability, and to enact strong policies to balance growth with local industry development.

John Mahama has been sworn in on Tuesday, January 7 as Ghana’s president for the third time, as the country faces its worst economic crisis in a generation.

Mahama, who started his political career as the communications minister, won the presidential election late last year after pledging to tackle the economic crisis, corruption and unemployment.

The 65 year old, who was previously Ghana’s president between July 2012 and January 2017, replaces former President Nana Akufo-Addo. Mahama was first sworn in as president when President John Evans Atta Mills died in July 2012. He served the rest of that term and then won an election in 2012.

Mahama promised to “reset” the country on various fronts during a campaign that prioritized the economy and largely appealed to young Ghanaians who saw the vote as a way out of the country’s economic crisis.

The election in December for both president and members of parliament was held against the backdrop of the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation and was seen as a litmus test for democracy in a region shaken by extremist violence and coups. West Africa’s regional bloc of ECOWAS said the election was generally peaceful, a continuing trend in Ghana.

Andrew Takyi, founder of a local fintech company, Zee Pay, told The Associated Press: “l am hopeful that President Mahama will use the 24-hour economy he campaigned on to improve the country. He can use that to widen the tax base of small and medium enterprises to improve revenue.”

Innocent Appiah, a senior media research officer at the Precious Minerals Marketing Company, said he expects the Mahama administration to “prioritize transparency and accountability in the extractive industry, ensuring that the PMMC plays a more effective role in regulating and monitoring the sector.”

“I anticipate policies that promote value addition, local content development and community engagement, ultimately leading to increased revenue generation and socio-economic benefits for Ghanaians,” he said.

Enyonam Agble, a trader attending the inauguration, said: “There was so much corruption under President Akufo-Addo and all we want is the recovery of all that had been stolen to rebuild the country.”

The individual behind the tragic truck attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, which resulted in the deaths of 14 people, had previously visited the city twice and recorded footage of the French Quarter using hands-free glasses, according to an FBI official on Sunday.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Houston, also made trips to Cairo, Egypt, and Ontario, Canada, prior to the incident.

However, it remains uncertain if these travels are linked to the attack, as stated by Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia during a press conference.

The assault, which occurred early Wednesday, was executed by Jabbar, a 42-year-old former U.S. Army soldier from Houston.

He was shot and killed by police during a confrontation at the scene of the tragic event on Bourbon Street, renowned for its lively atmosphere in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter.

“We have not identified any signs of an accomplice within the United States, but we are actively investigating potential associates both domestically and internationally,” Raia noted.

Lyonel Myrthil, the FBI special agent overseeing the New Orleans Field Office, revealed that the suspect travelled to Cairo in the summer of 2023, followed by a trip to Canada shortly thereafter.

“Our agents are diligently uncovering details about his travels, including who he was with and how these journeys may relate to his actions here,” Myrthil explained.

Additionally, Jabbar had visited New Orleans in October before the attack. Myrthil mentioned that video evidence shows the suspect cycling through the French Quarter while wearing “meta glasses” capable of recording or livestreaming.

A team of medical experts from China has officially launched a free cataract surgery program at Tirunesh Beijing Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital.

The initiative known as the China-Ethiopia Brightness Journey features a dedicated Chinese medical team made up of 10 experienced ophthalmologists and nurses.

They are on a mission to perform cataract surgeries for over 500 patients, with 80 individuals already benefiting from successful procedures as of Friday.

This phase of the Brightness Journey will last for more than 20 days, providing local medical professionals with essential training in advanced treatment techniques.

Amsale Belay is one of the fortunate individuals benefiting from the project.

Thanks to the assistance of the Chinese medical team, her eyesight has been fully restored.

“I’m so indebted to the medical team. I have been seeking treatment for more than two and a half years at various hospitals, but I found no solution. I was told there was no hope. But now, I have full hope,” she shared.

During the launch event of the project on Friday, Ethiopian Minister of Health Mekdes Daba highlighted the extensive advantages that the initiative brings.

“…We will be building skills for healthcare professionals in here because through the procedures… our community will have an additional shared experience… We really, deeply value this project and the support that we are getting,” she said.

Chen Hai, the Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, emphasized that the project exemplifies the friendship shared by the two countries.

He stated, “The ‘Bright Journey’ project is a clear indication of our all-weather strategic partnership and deep-rooted friendship.”

Cataracts are the primary reason for blindness and vision impairment in Ethiopia, affecting more than five million individuals, as reported by the health ministry.

Orthodox Christians gathered in Bethlehem in the West Bank on Monday, marking Christmas Eve; unlike other branches of Christianity, the Orthodox Church marks Christmas on 7th January.

The Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar for its liturgical schedule, whereas other Christian groups follow the Gregorian calendar launched by Pope Gregory XIII in 1500.

During the service, the Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem was welcomed by the faithful in the city’s Manger Square.

It was a discreet event, with those who gathered marching with whistles amid streets with very few decorations.

It marks the second time Orthodox Christians are observing Christmas under the shadow of the conflict in Gaza, not far away.

The war has been raging for more than a year, with no ceasefire deal appearing to be in sight.

Senegal and neighbouring Mauritania have become gas producers, using the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim field which straddles the maritime border between the two countries.

British company BP, one of the businesses involved in the project, said in a press statement that it had ”started producing gas from the wells of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA)” field.

Along with BP, US group Kosmos energy, Mauritania’s SMH and Senegal’s Petrosen will also be using the field.

After six years of planning, the project’s launch has been welcomed by Senegal’s Oil minister, who described it as ”historic”.

It’s estimated that the field will produce some 2.5 million tonnes of liquified natural gas per year.

Although the country won’t match the production levels of the world’s gas heavyweights such as Russia and Qatar, it’s hoping to generate billions of dollars from the field in order to transform its economy.