Renowned Evangelist Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai Passes Away At 80

Renowned Nigerian evangelist and spiritual leader Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, founder of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, has died at the age of 80. His family confirmed on Monday that he passed away on October 6, 2025, describing his death as a “glorious transition” from a life dedicated to God’s service to eternal rest. Ukpai, widely respected as a spiritual general and a pioneer of faith in Nigeria, devoted over six decades to evangelism, biblical teaching, and prophetic ministry. His work impacted millions of people in Nigeria and across the world, shaping spiritual growth and inspiring generations of believers. “He was a faithful soldier of the cross who dedicated his life to spreading the gospel with passion and integrity. His teachings, prophetic insights, and mentorship have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire believers for years to come,” his family said. Known for his vibrant evangelistic campaigns, transformative teachings, and dedication to equipping both clergy and lay leaders, Ukpai was also celebrated as a devoted husband, loving father, and mentor to countless individuals who sought guidance from him. The family expressed gratitude for his life and ministry, noting that while they mourn his passing, they rejoice that he “finished his race and is now resting in eternal praise.” Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. Over his sixty-year ministry, Ukpai established a lasting spiritual and social legacy through churches, educational programs, and humanitarian initiatives that continue to benefit communities worldwide. His life, his family said, reflected the biblical truth: “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).  

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Oscar-Winning Actress And Hollywood Legend Diane Keaton Dies At 79

Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress celebrated for her timeless charm, wit, and individuality, has died at the age of 79. Born in Los Angeles, Keaton became a defining figure of American cinema, first capturing attention in the 1970s as Kay Adams-Corleone in The Godfather films. Her breakout performance in Annie Hall (1977), directed by Woody Allen, won her the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for Best Actress, cementing her status as one of Hollywood’s most versatile stars. Producer and close friend Dori Rath confirmed her death to CBS News. Over a career spanning more than five decades, Keaton delivered standout performances in numerous beloved films, including Father of the Bride, The First Wives Club, The Family Stone, Something’s Gotta Give, Marvin’s Room, and Reds. She received three additional Oscar nominations — all for Best Actress — for her roles in Reds, Marvin’s Room, and Something’s Gotta Give. Beyond acting, Keaton proved her creative depth as a filmmaker. Her directorial debut, the 1987 documentary Heaven, explored beliefs about the afterlife, while her 1995 film Unstrung Heroes earned a spot at the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard category. In 2000, she directed and starred in Hanging Up alongside Meg Ryan and Lisa Kudrow. Keaton’s final role was in the 2024 comedy Summer Camp, where she appeared with Eugene Levy and Kathy Bates. Renowned for her eccentric yet elegant fashion — often featuring tailored suits, turtlenecks, and her trademark wide-brimmed hats — Keaton’s style became as iconic as her film career. Tributes from fellow actors and filmmakers have flooded in. Steve Martin, her Father of the Bride co-star, shared a fond memory highlighting her humor and warmth, while Ben Stiller described her on X as “one of the greatest film actors ever — an icon of style, humor, and comedy. Brilliant. What a person.” Despite her fame, Keaton lived a deeply private life. She never married but adopted two children, Dexter and Duke, whom she often called her greatest joy. In her 2011 autobiography Then Again, she wrote, “I am totally content whenever the ones I love are happy about something little, big, insignificant, whatever. I just don’t think anyone could possibly have the same wonderful, intense, compelling feelings that I have for this family of mine.”

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Julius Agwu Mourns Passing Of Mother, Shares Touching Video From Farm Visit

Comedian and actor Julius Agwu is grieving the loss of his mother, who passed away after a brief illness. He announced her passing on social media, sharing a heartfelt video of a surprise visit to her farm. In the clip, Julius quietly approaches his mother while she is working, and she screams with joy upon seeing him. The two embrace warmly, with Julius saying, “This is my mother.” Julius wrote that his mother would be deeply missed, adding: “My dearest mother has gone to be with the Lord. Mama Gee, you will be dearly missed. Rest in peace.” Fans and colleagues have sent messages of condolence, offering prayers for the family as they prepare for a private burial. My dearest mother has gone to be with the Lord 😭😭😭 Mama Gee, you will be dearly missed. Rest in peace 🪦 pic.twitter.com/TU412ggKnW — Julius d'genius Agwu (@JuliusAgwu1) October 8, 2025

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Horrors Upon Horrors: US Congress Reacts to Mounting Hunger Crisis in Gaza

By Kamal Yalwa | July 27, 2025 Images of starving children emerging from Gaza are beginning to stir discomfort—and in some cases, condemnation—among members of the United States Congress, as the humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian enclave worsens under Israel’s ongoing blockade. While a growing number of Democratic lawmakers have issued urgent appeals for humanitarian access to the territory, few have directly held Israel accountable for the deepening crisis, despite widespread international criticism of the siege. In a rare and scathing rebuke, Senator Bernie Sanders described Israel’s actions as part of a broader campaign of ethnic cleansing, saying on Friday, “Having already killed or wounded 200,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, the extremist Israeli government is using mass starvation to engineer the ethnic cleansing of Gaza.” He further accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of pursuing an “extermination campaign.” Sanders’ statement came as outrage builds over the controversial GHF food distribution mechanism—backed by the US and Israel—which has reportedly led to the deaths of over 1,000 Palestinians attempting to access aid. Despite this, most members of Congress have stopped short of attributing blame. Many have instead opted for generalized calls for aid to enter Gaza, avoiding criticism of Israeli policies directly responsible for restricting access. The lack of accountability is striking given that the United States continues to supply military support to Israel. Just last week, the House of Representatives passed a bill approving $500 million in missile defense funding for Israel, reinforcing the strong bipartisan support the country has long enjoyed on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies and rights groups continue to sound the alarm, calling the situation in Gaza “man-made” and demanding immediate political intervention to lift the siege and allow aid to flow freely. As the death toll rises and hunger escalates, pressure is mounting on Washington to not only speak out—but to act.

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BREAKING: Former President Muhammadu Buhari Dies in London

Former President Muhammdu Buhari is dead. His former aide, Bashir Ahmad, announced the passing of the former president on X. He wrote: “The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus. Amin.” President Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s civilian president from 2015 to 2023 after previously leading the country as a military head of state between 1983 and 1985, was known for his stance on anti-corruption and efforts to stabilise the economy. Further details regarding burial arrangements are expected to be released by the family in accordance with Islamic rites.

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Vatican Reveals Cause of Pope Francis’ Death

The Vatican has confirmed the Pope’s official cause of death, saying Monday afternoon that the late pontiff had suffered a cerebral stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure. Francis had battled poor health for several months, and had recently endured a long battle with double pneumonia. He passed away early Monday morning, hours after he had made a surprise Easter Sunday showing at St. Peter’s Basilica to greet his eager followers.

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Passengers Narrowly Escape Death as BRT Bus Catches Fire in Lagos

Passengers Narrowly Escape Death as BRT Bus Catches Fire in Lagos

The driver and conductor of a BRT bus have fled for their lives, abandoning passengers to their fate, as a BRT bus caught fire at Maryland, Lagos State, on Saturday morning.smileyOur correspondent, who was at the scene of the incident, said that the vehicle departed from Ikorodu en route to CMS when the sad incident occurred. As of the time this report was filed, emergency responders, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), fire services, and local security personnel, arrived at the scene to contain the blaze. Firefighters at the scene.One of the passengers on the bus told our correspondent the fire started as smoke from the driver’s side. According to her, the passengers initially thought the smoke emanated from other buses; however, the slight smoke soon worsened, immediately sending them into panic mode. “As soon as we saw that the smoke grew bigger, we immediately rushed off the bus before the fire ignited”, she said, adding that none of the passengers sustained any injury. She added that the driver fled the scene immediately after the fire started. “The driver and the conductor ran away. They didn’t even wait to see what would happen to us. “Definitely, they knew what happened. They knew the bus was bad before putting it on the road and risking our lives,” she alleged.

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56 crushed to death in Guinean stadium

A controversial refereeing decision led to violence and a deadly crush during a football match in southeast Guinea, leaving 56 people dead, according to the government on Monday. The incident occurred during the final of a tournament held in honor of Guinea’s military leader, Mamady Doumbouya, at a stadium in Nzerekore, one of the country’s largest cities. The chaos began when some fans threw stones, causing panic and a stampede, the government reported. A video authenticated by Reuters showed people desperately scrambling over high walls to escape the scene. Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah condemned the events, stating that the stampede occurred during a match between the Labe and Nzerekore teams. He promised an investigation into the incident. Local authorities were working to restore order, with many victims, including minors, caught in the confusion after police deployed tear gas. Some parents were seen retrieving bodies before they were officially counted. Online videos and photos showed victims lying on the ground, with some images showing several lifeless bodies, including children. The opposition group, the National Alliance for Change and Democracy, blamed the authorities for organizing the tournament to gain political favor for Doumbouya, arguing that it violated the transition charter ahead of a promised presidential election. There was no immediate response from the military junta to these claims.

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