European publisher launches new Pope Francis magazine

Rome, Italy, Mar 3, 2014 / 05:24 pm (CNA).- One of the largest publishing companies in Europe is releasing a first-ever weekly magazine dedicated entirely to Pope Francis due to the impact his pontificate has had in the world over the last year.

On March 3 Mondadori, Italy's largest book and magazine publisher and the third largest in the consumer magazine segment in France, announced their new magazine “Il Mio Papa,” which is to be the world's first magazine dedicated entirely to the Bishop of Rome.

Scheduled to hit newsstands every week beginning on Wednesday March 5, an initial print run of 3 million copies will be released during the first month.

Story by 

Elise Harris - Catholic News Agency

Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial for Reeva Steenkamp's Death

The South African "Blade Runner" faces charges for fatally shooting his girlfriend on Valentine's Day 2013.

Pistorius fatally shot Steenkamp through the bathroom door of his villa Valentine's Day 2013.

The double-amputee Olympian track star, nicknamed "Blade Runner," claimed he thought Steenkamp was an intruder. After a six-month investigation, though, he was indicted by the National Prosecuting Authority in South Africa. He has been charged with murder, illegal possession of ammunition and two other counts of breaking South Africa’s firearms law.

On the first anniversary of the killing, Pistorius released a statement saying, "The pain and sadness...consumes me with sorrow."

Read more about the issue in the Daily News and to watch a live video feed of the court proceedings, click the following link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akKZyhA6JEs

A live audio feed can be found here:http://ewn.co.za/Features/oscarpistorius/live-audio

Lady Gaga Arrives at the Oscars

According to Elle Magazine, Lady Gaga arrived at the 2014 Academy Awards looking like a Queen. She truly looked heavenly and I loved her dress.

Facebook to Buy messaging app WhatsApp for $19bn

The world's biggest social media platform, Facebook has said it will buy the popular app, WhatsApp for $19 billion (equivalent to 11.4 billion Pounds).

Ever since Facebook entered our lives, the company has not made any major buys at least not until now. Mark shared his thoughts on Facebook. Read more HERE.

WhatsApp is popular with people looking to avoid text messaging charges and has been cited as a rival to BlackBerry Messenger.

Today, WhatsApp has over 450 million monthly users.

For more information on this giant purchase, visit BBC News - Facebook to Buy WhatsApp for $19bn

Image: Screenshot from Facebook Mobile App

Sochi, Russia Hosts 2014 Winter Olympics

Today is Friday, 7th February, 2014 (MSK). 

The time is 09.29am ET in Sochi, Russia and preparations continue as the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics begin in a matter of hours. The opening ceremony is said to start at 11.00am (07.00 GMT).

USA Today said Sochi is the largest and most expensive Winter Olympic Games in the history and it will likely be remembered for palm trees, reminders of the Cold War tensions between the United States and Russia, and high-flying flips in new events that offer X Games thrills.

At the same time, there are stories about Gay Rights protests that are targeting the Games in Russia. The Russian Government has assured the world that they Sochi is safe and that the Games will be a success.

The excitement is overwhelming and I look forward to the opening ceremony.

Updates will be posted as they come.

Ghana's Illustrious Son, Mr. Komla Dumor of BBC's Focus on Africa, is Dead.

Mr Komla Dumor, of the BBC World Service also known as the presenter of BBC Africa, has passed away. 

The Ghana born Broadcaster reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest in London this morning 18th January 2014 which was followed by his untimely death.

Komla Dumor whose grandfather, Mr. Philip Gbeho, composed the Ghanaian National Anthem, was born on 3rd October 1972 in Accra the capital city of Ghana. "The Boss Player," as he was called by many, had his death announced on Facebook by one of his colleagues from BBC, Umaru Fofana, where he said:

"BBC World loses and Icon... Ghana born presenter Komla Dumor dies. "

He again added:

"What is it about life that we hate and envy others, do evil to our fellow man and wish others knelt down before us, when we will die in the next moment. What? Why?"

Since June 2012, Dumor has been the main presenter of the BBC World News program Focus on Africa. 

He joined the BBC African Service in 2006 as host of the radio show, Network Africa. From 2008 to 2012 he presented The World Today on the BBC World Service and began presenting the BBC World News and Africa Business Report in 2011. When the latter was relaunched in 2013; fellow BBC correspondent, Lerato Mbele was chosen as host.

Ealier in his past, Komla has worked for JOY FM in Accra, Ghana, and won the prestigious national award for Journalist of the Year in 2003. He was and will remain known till date as the only West African news reader on BBC World News.

Dumor graduated from the University of Ghana, Legon with BSc Honors in Sociology and Psychology. He also graduated from the Harvard University with an MA in Public Administration. 

He was a married man with three children.

This News has not yet been confirmed by his family and we await a formal statement from them soon. 

Upcoming updates will be past as they come.