Author: Ewang Johnson
I ought to be listening to Nick Cave’s Wild God a whole lot more instead of retreating back to my usual comfort listening. Take the song “Frogs,” for instance, an astonishing paean to human yearning on this side of eternity: “The frogs are jumping in the gutters/Uh, leaping to God, amazed of love/And amazed of pain/Amazed to be back in the water again.” When a disgruntled fan complained to Cave about the seeming haziness and woo of these words, the songwriter answered, “Those little frogs, Barry, are you and me, and all of humanity—momentarily leaping toward love, wonder, meaning, and…
His looping melodies and bewitching harmonies were the soundtrack to an endless, Californian summer. Brian Wilson’s death has prompted an outpouring of affection and admiration, as the music industry pays tribute to a man considered a lyrical genius and a master of harmonies, and whose compositions now constitute the gold standard in pop. Music editor Jennifer Ben Brahim tells us more about Wilson’s hits with the Beach Boys, his legacy and his personal struggles. We also check out the frenzied fandom surrounding Billie Eilish’s recent concert dates in Paris. Source link
AlamyBlending the style of The Rolling Stones with African beats and instruments, Zambian group Witch were revolutionary – then disappeared. No one could have predicted their amazing return.In the early 1970s, Zambia produced a unique music scene of its own creation. Zamrock, as it became known, was the southern African country’s take on western rock music – a take that mixed the sounds of The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Black Sabbath with its own fuzz-guitar psychedelia and African instrumentation, beats and rhythms. Forged out of the country’s independence from its British colonisers in 1964, its blossoming came during one…
Meta, in collaboration with national innovation agencies and ecosystem partners across Africa, has launched a Sub-Saharan Africa-wide initiative to accelerate the development of impactful, open-source AI solutions through Llama. The program, running from May to November 2025, includes in-country AI accelerator tracks in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Senegal. Designed to support startups in creating scalable, socially relevant AI tools, the initiative aims to deepen adoption of open-source AI and catalyze solutions aligned with regional development priorities such as agriculture, healthcare, safety and security, financial inclusion, education, and public service delivery. The program will run as accelerators – tailored six-week programs will…
After adapting three of Stephen King’s horror stories, director Mike Flanagan opted for the author’s sweet and life-affirming novella “The Life of Chuck” for his latest film. Film critic Emma Jones tells us why Tom Hiddleston brings a sweet levity to this uncynical life story, told in reverse. We also discuss the latest big budget live action remake as the “How to Train Your Dragon” series gets a 2025 version, and we find out more about the quirky arranged marriage at the centre of “Sister Midnight”, an Anglo-Indian production that amused critics at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Plus we…
Alamy(Credit: Alamy)In June 1993, Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Michael Crichton’s novel brought prehistoric monsters to life. That year, Crichton spoke to the BBC about why dinosaurs continue to fascinate us.One of the most celebrated moments in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park has two scientists, played by Sam Neill and Laura Dern, staring agasp at a Brachiosaurus towering above them – it’s the first time these characters and the audience have glimpsed the colossus in all its onscreen glory. As John Williams’s iconic overture swells, a wave of childlike wonder washes over their faces. And ever since the film premiered 32 years…
Agrifood supply chain resilience is a rising business risk; the number of days with moderate or high food price volatility for rice and wheat has doubled or tripled between 2020 and 2024. Climate risks could cut global crop production by up to 35% by 2050, with staples critical for Africa’s food security like rice, maize, and wheat particularly vulnerable. A new analysis by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Quantis, Building Resilience in Agrifood Supply Chains,explores how rising climate risks, shifting trade dynamics, and evolving geopolitical conditions are colliding to make food supply disruptions more frequent, severe, and complex. Global production value…
Brian Wilson, leader of the US rock band the Beach Boys, has died aged 82, his family announced on Wednesday. Wilson was one of the world’s most influential recording artists, with writing credits on “Good Vibrations,” “California Girls” and other classic summertime anthems. Source link
National Trust Images, Matthew HollowViscountess Astor by John Singer Sargent, 1908 (Credit: National Trust Images, Matthew Hollow)The rich, glamorous, American women of the gilded age who married into the English aristocracy faced some challenges – but they were resilient, formidable characters. As TV’s The Buccaneers season two begins, and an exhibition in London is devoted to them, we explore the lives of the women who inspired writers and artists.Can the new Duchess of Tintagel steer clear of scandal? Will her fugitive sister, Jinny, keep her baby from the clutches of her husband, the monstrous Lord Seadown? Can Mabel and Honoria’s…
More than 30 CPD-certified sessions designed to address project delivery, professional standards, resilience and regulatory compliance mandates Four themes across the South Africa Infrastructure & Water Forum host senior leaders and government representatives exploring funding strategies, policy alignment and project execution Infra360 Talks, Water360 Talks and Big 5 Talks to provide practical insights across key industry verticals, spotlighting ethical practices, workforce skills and digital construction. The South African construction market is valued at around $125 billion and the broader infrastructure market at $193 billion (source: AbiQ). As the country gains momentum, showing measurable gains on a challenging 2024, Big 5…