Naija Hotgist

A pastor has discovered one of the largest uncut diamonds in Kono district, Sierra Leone. Pastor Emmanuel Momoh's discovery, which is yet to be valued weighs 709 carats, is now locked up in Sierra Leone's central bank in Freetown, BBC reports.  he diamond is the biggest to be in Sierra Leone since 1970, when the 969-carat Star of Sierra Leone was dug up. The diamond was first taken to President Ernest Bai Koroma on Wednesday evening before being locked up. "The President thanked local chief and his people for not smuggling the diamond out of the country" a statement from the presidency says.   'Mr Korom said that the owners should get what is due to them and it should benefit the country as a whole"

On the second Sunday of March each year, Japanese people flock to the city of Nagaoka for its annual Hodare penis festival. Japan has several phallus-themed festivals but Hodare is the biggest draw. Women who have married in the past 12 months don traditional Japanese bridal gowns and straddle a giant 7ft wooden penis, which is paraded through the streets. The custom is believed to bring fertility, good luck, and marital success to those who take part while the huge penis which weighs a whopping 95 stone, is celebrated as an emblem of good fortune, and carries religious significance for locals who believe that praying and touching the giant penis will bring them luck. Thousands of festival goers line the streets to stroke the penis as it goes past. The festival takes place in the early Spring to symbolise new life and a new wooden penis is carved from cedar each year. Such festivals are not new to Japan with some going as far back as the 17th century but t...

The severe weather condition that led to the postponement of the meeting between German Chancellor, Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump is no joke. So far, nearly 7,700 US flights have been canceled and thousands of schools have closed. Winter storm warnings and watches have been hoisted over a region stretching from Ohio and West Virginia into Maine. Local and state authorities warned residents to be prepared and to avoid unnecessary travel as winds in some coastal areas could hit 50 mph to 60 mph, reducing visibility to zero. At the moment, snow is falling in Washington DC up through Philadelphia, and New York City. About 18 million people are under a blizzard warning and millions more are under a winter storm warning. States of emergency have been declared in Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, while Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City school districts will be closed along with many government offices.