The Church of England has made history with the appointment of Dame Sarah Elisabeth Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury — the first woman to hold the position in the church’s 1,400-year history.

Mullally, who has served as the Bishop of London since 2018, becomes the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury following her selection by the Crown Nominations Commission and formal approval by the monarch.

Born in Woking, Surrey, in 1962, Mullally trained first as a nurse and rose to become Chief Nursing Officer for England before turning to the priesthood.

She was ordained in 2001, consecrated bishop in 2015, and appointed Bishop of London in December 2017. She has also served as Dean of the Chapel Royal since 2019.

Her appointment comes at a time the Church is still reeling from the leadership crises and abuse scandals that trailed the tenure of Archbishop Justin Welby, who has stepped aside amid mounting criticism of his handling of safeguarding failures.

Mullally has been outspoken on the need for reforms, pledging to strengthen safeguarding standards and restore trust in the Church.

She has also been noted for her careful handling of sensitive issues such as the place of women in ministry and the debate on sexuality, which continue to divide the global Anglican family.

Reactions to her emergence have been mixed. Advocates of gender equality in the Church see it as a historic breakthrough, while conservatives in parts of Africa and Asia are expected to view the development with caution.

Mullally will now face the dual challenge of healing internal divisions and navigating relations across the worldwide Anglican Communion, where theological and cultural differences remain pronounced.

Clerical observers say her background as both a public servant and a church leader gives her a unique mix of administrative competence and pastoral sensitivity that will be critical in her new role.

With her election, the Church of England has taken a bold step that many say could redefine its identity in the years to come.

In a bold step toward fostering Pan-African integration, the government of Burkina Faso has officially scrapped visa fees for all African nationals.

The new policy, announced on Thursday, is designed to strengthen continental solidarity while promoting the free movement of people, trade, and opportunities across Africa.

Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, revealed the decision following a cabinet meeting chaired by the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré

“From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to go to Burkina Faso will not pay any amount to cover visa fees,” Sana said.

He, however, clarified that travellers would still be required to submit an online application for approval before entry.

Citizens of West African countries already travel to Burkina Faso without visas, but the move comes amid uncertainty over the country’s status in the Economic Community of West African States.

Along with Mali and Niger, Burkina Faso withdrew from the bloc earlier this year, raising concerns about future travel arrangements within the region.

The Sahelian nation now joins Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya in adopting policies that make travel easier for Africans, in line with the African Union’s push for greater integration across the continent.

According to the BBC, a statement from the junta’s information service said the new visa-free policy “for African nationals will also help promote tourism and Burkinabe culture, and improve Burkina Faso’s visibility abroad.”

Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup, has styled himself as a Pan-Africanist leader critical of colonial influence and Western dominance.

His popularity has been amplified across the continent, particularly on social media.

Burkina Faso, like its neighbours Mali and Niger, has been battling Islamist insurgents for over a decade, with nearly 40 per cent of its territory estimated to be outside state control.

Despite closer security ties with Russia and repeated promises by the junta to restore stability, attacks on civilians and the military remain frequent.

Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has been recognised with the prestigious African Champion of the Year Award by the African Professionals of Australia (APA).

The honour, which celebrates excellence and impactful leadership, was announced in a statement released in Abuja by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister.

The award was presented during the Australia-Africa Diaspora Investment Forum, in Perth in recognition of Alake’s outstanding contributions to the country’s mining sector and his commitment to engaging the African diaspora in continental development.

The forum, held alongside the Africa Down Under (ADU) Mining Conference, attracted investors, professionals, and government representatives, including Ethiopian and Nigerian Consul Generals, Ambassador Anwar Muktar and Ambassador Dr. Jane Adams.

Speaking at the ceremony the Minister, who was represented by Mr. Martin Imonite, Managing Director/CEO of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, reaffirmed his commitment to deepening sector reforms and strengthening collaboration with African professionals across the globe.

APA WA President, Dr. Toyosi Craig, and APA Chairman, Mr. Tommy Adebayo, jointly handed the Certificate of Recognition and the 2025 African Professional Champion of the Year Award to Alake.

The forum also featured panel discussions on investment, business opportunities, talent recruitment, and emerging trends in Africa, underscoring the diaspora’s growing role in driving the continent’s progress.

Since its establishment in 2007, APA has grown into one of Australia’s largest African professional networks, boasting over 1,500 members from more than 20 countries, cutting across medicine, engineering, IT, law, education, accounting, and community development.