Police motorcycles led the way as crowds lined the streets of New Orleans, followed by marching bands and colorful floats, marking the official start of the city’s Mardi Gras celebrations on January 6. The date traditionally closes the Christmas period in many countries while ushering in weeks of parades, balls,…
Thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians gathered in Addis Ababa’s Meskel Square on Tuesday to celebrate Christmas Eve, marking the culmination of 43 days of fasting. Participants, dressed in traditional white robes, participated in a candlelight ceremony followed by an all-night church service. Ethiopian Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar, which…
Claude Pivi, a former colonel and security minister under Guinea’s then-dictator Moussa Dadis Camara, has died in custody, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. Pivi, also known as “Coplan,” passed away in a Conakry hospital due to complications related to diabetes, according to the public prosecutor’s office. Pivi was convicted in absentia…
Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas on January 7, attending midnight Masses across the country in observance of their religious tradition. In Cairo, worshippers gathered at the Archangel Michael Church to pray for peace and economic stability, reflecting hopes for a better future both locally and globally. “We hope that…
Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a Russian Orthodox Christmas service at the Church of St. George the Victorious in Solnechnogorsk-2 on 7 January, a date celebrated according to the Julian calendar. The congregation included serving members of the armed forces and their families. During the service, Putin addressed attendees, emphasizing…
As Uganda approaches its general election on January 15, international human rights watchdogs have raised alarm over the escalating crackdown on opposition figures. Amnesty International has described the situation as “a brutal campaign of repression,” highlighting the growing threats faced by presidential candidate Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine.…
Members of the Bright Star of Bethlehem cultural group brought colour, rhythm, and tradition to the streets of Morro da Formiga, a favela in the Muda sub-district of Grande Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro’s north zone, as part of the annual Folia de Reis celebrations. Dressed in vibrant costumes, the…
President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on Iran’s security forces to refrain from targeting peaceful protesters as anti-government demonstrations intensify across the country, driven by economic hardship and a rapidly weakening currency. Tensions were evident in Tehran on Tuesday, when the city’s historic Grand Bazaar was largely deserted after security forces…
The first China-led BRICS joint naval exercise is set to commence on Friday in South African waters, marking a significant development in the bloc’s evolving security and defence cooperation. According to official briefings, the naval drills will be conducted under the theme “Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Shipping…
Residents of Aleppo’s Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsud neighbourhoods fled their homes during a temporary lull in fighting, carrying personal belongings as they searched for safer areas across the city. The displacement followed a surge in clashes that began on Tuesday, marking the most serious fighting in months between Syrian government…