Scientists have said that they can now successfully extract HIV from cells, thereby curing people who have the disease.

This was made known by a research team from the University of Amsterdam when they presented their early findings at a recent medical conference.

According to the scientists, the procedure involves usage of Nobel Prize-winning gene-editing technology, CRISPR-Cas9, to separate HIV DNA from the genomes of living cells.

The innovative technique, often likened to molecular scissors, allows for the targeted removal of the viral genetic material, potentially leading to a complete eradication of the virus from the patient’s body.

Despite the seeming breakthrough, Dr James Dixon who is the study’s lead, said there’s more work to be done to ensure safety and effectiveness before it can be employed a means to cure the disease.

Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder and General Overseer of Living Faith Church Worldwide (LFC), has unveiled plans to distribute food and other relief supplies to Nigerians in response to the prevailing economic challenges in the country.

Bishop Oyedepo made the announcement at the church’s headquarters in Canaan Land, Ogun State.

Addressing his congregation during the “Covenant Day of Business Breakthrough Service” on Sunday, Oyedepo urged well-doing people in the ministry to bring to the church their support.

While emphasizing food materials, the revered cleric also noted that the church would set up accounts to receive donations from across its branches.

According to him, the church will distribute materials across 200 locations, with 40 primary locations housing the supplies.

“The distribution begins upper Wednesday (27 March 2023), and everyone in need should move into any of those centres; it is not a weakness to ask for help; it’s wisdom,” Bishop Oyedepo announced.

His words read: “By this Wednesday at our various zonal centres, we’ve been informed about the 40 major distribution centres in pursuit of the Kingdom Care Agenda. The distribution will take place across 200 centres, but the main centres where these materials will be stocked are 40.

“Next Saturday is the day for everyone to bring anything to the Lord for distribution to individuals as the need may be. Non-perishable food items are welcome, but not vegetables or tomatoes, so they can be preserved for the time of the distribution.

“The distribution begins on Wednesday. Everyone in need should move into any of those centres. Asking for help is not a weakness; it’s wisdom. If your neighbour comes asking you for help, and it’s in your power to do it, don’t ask him or her to come back tomorrow; there is provision for it. And for all those who are blessed, the law said we should do good to all men, especially those in the household of faith.

“So we are committed, that also includes wears for children, for adults, male and female. No one shall walk naked in this house, in the name of Jesus. So Saturday, the 23rd, we’re bringing in what God is leading your heart to be a blessing to others.

“We have also set up various accounts along the zonal fellowship centres where you can put your financial seed on Kingdom care matters. That is put in place, so that in case you can’t carry a bag of rice from your house, you can always drop the seeds, and indicate what to want it for, to serve the needs of the people.

“He that giveth to the needy shall not lack. but he that hides his face, shall have many a curse. So enjoy it (Giving). Don’t let it be a burden. Let it be a delight to your school.”

In the world of billionaires, where immense wealth meets personal lives, the marital issues leading to divorce can become a matter of public intrigue and speculation.

The separation of high-profile couples like Folorunso Alakija, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and others not only makes headlines but also involves significant financial settlements, often running into billions of dollars.

These divorces are not just a private affair but can have implications for the stock markets, philanthropy, and even the ownership of companies.

In this article, we take a look into the most talked-about billionaire divorces and the staggering payoffs that followed.

Folorunso Alakija

Nigerian Billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist, Folorunsho Alakija is the richest woman in Africa. She is the group managing director of The Rose of Sharon Group and the executive vice chairman of Famfa Oil Limited.

The news of the separation between Folorunsho and her husband, Modupe Alakija flooded the internet on March 10 2024. This, sent shock waves to the spine of many Nigerians as the couple have been together for three decades.

The union which produced four male children have been faced with ups and downs, however, no one saw their separation coming.

While the couple and their children have kept mum about the alleged separation and payoff on social media, many who look up to the couple who tied the knot in 1976 pray for possible reconciliation.

Bill Gates 

Bill and Melinda French Gates’ divorce in 2021 is considered one of the most expensive, with Melinda receiving a settlement that is speculated to be around $76 billion.

The former couple tied the knot in 1994 and had three children together. They announced their divorce in a joint statement on May 3 on micro-blogging platform Twitter now known as X. Their divorce surprised many, considering their life achievements.

In 2016, they were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their Philanthropy. Also in 2017, they were awarded the Legion of Honour for their Philanthropy.

After they finalized their divorce, Bill opened up about the struggles he faced while his wife who had moved on to other relationships disclosed that they had working relationships.

They have reunited over during necessary occasions such as the wedding of their first daughter, Jennifer Katherine in October 2021 and in September 2022 for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation annual Goalkeepers event.

Well, the former couple are open to talking about their divorce, Bill Gates as of February 2023 found love with Paula Hurd, the widow of Late Mark Hurd, the former CEO of  Oracle.

Jeff Bezos

American entrepreneur and billionaire, Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott divorced in 2019 resulted in a settlement of at least $35 billion, making it one of the largest in history. The ex-Mrs Bezos, MacKenzie kept a 4% stake in Amazon, worth $35.6 billion at the time.

The former couple got married in 1993 and have four children together. MacKenzie Scott tied the knot again with Dan Jewett, the Chemistry teacher at her child’s school in March 2021 two years after she divorced Jeff. The short-lived union was dissolved in January 2023.

While MacKenzie is single again, Jeff on the other hand is engaged to his then-mistress, Lauren Sanchez.

Alec Wildenstein

French-born American Billionaire art dealer, late Alec Wildenstein was a two-time divorcee.

Alec Wildenstein was married to socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein better known as the ‘Catwoman’ between 1978-1999 and Liouba Stoupakova between 2000-2008.

Alec who was also a racehorse owner and breeder in his divorce from Jocelyn Wildenstein in 1999, was ordered to pay $2.5 billion plus an additional $100 million each year for 13 years.

However, after Alec’s passing in February 2008 due to prostate cancer, Jocelyn Wildenstein in an interview disclosed that her late ex-husband’s family ended the annual divorce payment settlement in 2015.

Rupert Murdoch

American Media mogul, Rupert Murdoch is definitely in a different league.

He has divorced four different women. the first is Patricia Booker 1956-1957, Anna Murdoch Mann 1967-1999, Wendi Murdoch 1999-2013 and Jerry Hall 2016-2022.

His divorce settlement from Anna Maria Mann in 1999 was the highest amongst the four women estimated at $1.7 billion.

Bernie Ecclestone

British former business magnate, Bernard Charles Ecclestone also known as Bernie Ecclestone divorced his first wife, Slavica Radić in 2009.

The former chief executive of the Formula One Group divorce was estimated at $1.2 billion.

Steve Wynn

American real estate developer and art collector, Stephen Alan Wynn better known as Steve Wynn divorced and married his first wife twice, Elaine Wynn between 1963-1986 and 1991-2010.

The former couple’s divorce in 2010 is estimated at $1 billion.

Harold Hamm

American business magnate, Harold Glenn Hamm’s divorce from Sue Ann Arnall in 2012 was estimated at $974.8 million.

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