By Dr Allan Pamba, Executive Vice President, Diagnostics, Africa at Roche Diagnostics An old proverb from the Congo says, “A mother is like a kernel, crushed by problems but strong enough to overcome them”. Throughout Africa, mothers, sisters – the continent’s primary caregivers – are expected to be strong. Indeed, their resilience is the glue that holds our families and economies together. Yet, women in the African Region are more vulnerable to many more life-threatening diseases and health conditions than women in other regions.1,2 Among these illnesses is cervical cancer (caused by HPV – the Human Papillomavirus), which remains the…
Author: THE CONNECTING NEWSPAPER
Terry Apala continues to make impress in the Nigerian music industry with his unique blend of Apala and contemporary sounds. Weeks ago, he built anticipation with the release of Bride Price featuring Bella Shmurda, which was met with acclaim from fans. The track exhibited his signature fusion of indigenous Apala rhythms with Afrobeats and street-hop influences, making it an instant favorite.Now, the wait is over as Terry Apala has unveiled the full body of work—his much-anticipated EP titled Black & White. The project consists of seven well-curated tracks that not only reflect his artistic growth but also reaffirm his position…
The authorities in Norway have seized a Russian-crewed ship that is suspected of damaging an undersea cable in an act of sabotage in the Baltic Sea, the Norwegian police said on Friday.They were acting on a request from the Latvian authorities and on an order issued in Norwegian courts, the police said in a statement, after an undersea cable that runs between Sweden and Latvia was damaged this week.It is the latest in a growing number of acts of damage or sabotage to undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, including to cables used for communication and for the distribution of…
The Bruins activated top defenseman Charlie McAvoy from injured reserve Thursday, per a team announcement. The club reassigned winger Max Jones to AHL Providence to open up a roster spot.McAvoy has missed Boston’s last seven games with an upper-body injury. He landed on IR following a Jan. 11 game against the Panthers, during which head coach Joe Sacco said he aggravated a “nagging ailment” and would be shut down for at least a week to see how it responds. His absence lasted closer to three weeks, but he’ll return to the lineup Thursday against the Jets in a top-pairing role…
Defending champions Real Madrid face the team they replaced as holders, Man City, following the draw for the playoff stage of the Champions League in Switzerland.Spanish giants Real Madrid have been drawn against English champions Manchester City, pitting the last two winners of the Champions League against each other in a blockbuster two-leg playoff following the draw for the next round. The defending champions from Spain struggled in their early stages of this season’s competition finishing in 11th after Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Brest. City, who beat Inter Milan in the final the year before, had to come from behind…
Congrats! You’ve just about made it to the end of January. Perhaps surprisingly, the date actually is not Jan. 74. 7-Eleven wants to reward you for this feat of making it through the “longest month of the year to many” by giving out free small Slurpees on Jan. 31 at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores nationwide. While folks look forward to Slurpee Day on July 11 every year, 7-Eleven is hoping that its icy treat will lift our moods regardless of the date or the weather. “We know that every year, the long days of January can feel like the month…
Comar ‘Frankie’ Campbell, founder and organiser of the Essence of Reggae Music Festival says this Saturday’s staging will be unlike anything music lovers have experienced before. Comar’s label ‘Frankie Music’ is known for producing hits like Koffee’s “Raggamuffin” and “Throne”, which helped launch her career. He also worked on Jesse Royal’s “Finally” and Kumar’s “Journey”, along with popular riddims like General A General Riddim (2018) and Milestone Riddim (2017). “This year, we’ve taken everything up a notch—from production quality to artist bookings and overall experience. We listened to feedback from last year and made adjustments to improve crowd flow, sound quality, and even the food and drink…
Africa is experiencing a renewable energy boom, but the continent faces a monumental challenge: how to finance the infrastructure needed to support its growing energy demands. With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the need for sustainable and scalable energy solutions has never been more urgent. The International Energy Agency estimates that an annual investment of $190 billion is required to meet Africa’s energy and climate goals, yet much of this financing gap remains unfulfilled. The Africa Energy Indaba 2025, taking place from 4–6 March 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, will convene global leaders, investors, and innovators to tackle these pressing…
Qing Madi had already made a strong impression with her self-titled EP in 2023. The project was driven by two major hits, American Love and Ole, featuring Bnxn, which helped her with a place in the music industry. With her 2024 album, I Am the Blueprint, Madi continues to carve her unique path by steering away from the prevalent amapiano-infused dance beats, instead favouring slow-to-midtempo production. Her soulful soprano and introspective songwriting remain at the core of her artistry, often exploring themes of love, relationships, and personal growth.Across I Am the Blueprint, Qing Madi revisits the complexities of love and…
When President Gustavo Petro of Colombia announced on social media on Sunday that he had turned back U.S. military planes carrying deportees, President Trump came down hard.He threatened tariffs and penalties so extreme Mr. Petro was forced to back down. “They pushed until he had to bend,” Jorge Enrique Robledo, a former longtime Colombian senator, said in an interview.Later that day, the White House and Mr. Petro’s government announced that Colombia would welcome all Colombian deportees, including those on military jets, and Mr. Trump declared victory.The crisis riveted attention to the Trump administration’s deportation efforts; it also raised questions about…