Author: Ewang Johnson

By H.E. Eng. Ahmed Jama Barre, Minister of Energy and Minerals, Republic of SomalilandAcross Africa, the discussion on energy and mineral development is a sizzling topic and is gaining remarkable momentum — from the point of extraction to transformation, from dependence to self-reliance, and from potential to tangible performance. The continent stands at the threshold of a new era in which access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy will dictate the speed and equity of development. With its natural endowments, strategic location at the gateway to the Horn of Africa, untapped resources, and youthful population, Somaliland is poised to become…

Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for Predator: Badlands.Unashamedly, my most anticipated film of 2025 has been Predator: Badlands—seriously, I’ve already pre-ordered the statue. It’s no secret that the original Predator (1987) is one of my all-time favorite sci-fi flicks, being subversive in all the right ways and smart without ever needing to announce it. It’s also gloriously pulpy, in a way that most blockbusters in the past fifteen years or so rarely have been. I even have a soft spot for Alien vs. Predator (2004), for all its messy ambition. But I’d long since made my peace with the…

French director Rebecca Zlotowski had dreamed of working with her ever since she first started making films: Jodie Foster now takes on the leading role in “Private Life” as a psychologist haunted by a mysterious disappearance. Film critic Manon Kerjean gives us her appraisal of the film, and points us in the direction of “Dossier 137”, a tense police drama that draws on real-life events with compelling results. We also discuss the heartwarming, stylish “Love Letters” from Alice Douard and the origin story of one of Victor Hugo’s most beloved characters, “Jean Valjean”. Source link

And while air pumps had been devised way back in 1650, the spirit of sharing scientific truths democratically was modern. “The dissemination of knowledge,” Riding tells the BBC, “was a new thing to the 18th Century.”Depictions of modern lifeAnd this brings us to the second ingredient of modern art – the representation of modernisations in society. Normally, this breakthrough is credited to pioneering artists in the 1800s such as JMW Turner.Christine Riding believes that Wright’s innovation in this area was inspired by changing exhibition opportunities for artists in Britain at the time. Before the creation of a Royal Academy, artists…

Spotify, through its global LGBTQIA+ initiative, GLOW celebrates the indomitable spirit of the legendary Brenda Fassie, the Queen of African Pop. Known for her bold artistry, fearless individuality and cultural influence, she remains one of Africa’s most revered music icons.At the heart of this celebration is ‘The Impact of Brenda Fassie’ – a 10-minute documentary which premiered today on Spotify’s YouTube channel, spotlighting Brenda’s influence across generations. The film features artists who have drawn inspiration from her sound and unapologetic presence – amongst them are Langa Mavuso, Zoë Modiga, Muneyi, and Nanette. Beyond the documentary, Spotify brought Brenda’s legacy to life through a memorable event which took place on Tuesday, 04 November…

He created Jean-Paul Gaultier’s Le Mâle at just 24 and gave the world Baccarat Rouge 540, the fragrance that conquered the internet. Now, master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian – head of his own perfume house and Perfume Creation Director at Christian Dior – unveils a new Paris exhibition, “Perfume: Sculpture of the Invisible”, at the Palais de Tokyo, celebrating 30 years of his groundbreaking creations. He sat down with FRANCE 24’s Culture Editor Eve Jackson to talk about the art of capturing emotion in scent, the viral success of Baccarat Rouge 540 and how he’s redefining fragrance as a true form…

The 16th-Century aristocrat Jane Boleyn faced explosive accusations: she was blamed for a shocking betrayal of her husband, as well as two of Henry VIII’s wives, her sister-in-law Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Was she a “sex-mad” spy, guilty-as-charged – or a convenient scapegoat for a tyrant’s brutality? A new historical thriller by Philippa Gregory, Boleyn Traitor, explores her story.In the court of the mercurial King Henry VIII, nobody was safe, and the confidants of queens and courtiers could quickly switch allegiance. Lady-in-waiting Jane Boleyn, who served five queens − including her sister-in-law Anne Boleyn and Anne’s cousin Catherine Howard,…

Dwindling emotional baggage following the pandemic has brought with it a new appetite for awe-inspiring experiences.Instead of simply sitting down to a meal at a restaurant, South Africans wanted to be blown away by creative cuisine, the atmosphere and the view.While cities like Cape Town could rely on breathtaking natural landmarks like Table Mountain, landlocked metros such as Johannesburg had to think outside the box.Radisson Blu Gautrain Shishanyama platterIt soon became clear that Jozi’s inner-city skyline – said to be one of the top-two most visually-striking in Africa – was just the ingredient to entice diners to the CBD.It is…

There will be singing in the new heavens and new earth (Rev. 15:3-5). There may even be guitars—thousands of them (Rev 14:2).I don’t know if Bruce Springsteen has read the Book of Revelation, but his Spring-Summer 2025 “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour suggests he might have some understanding of what Christians call the Kingdom of God.In the age of Trump, Bruce Springsteen may be the most influential political theologian at work today.Music critics, scholars, and biographers have long noted the spiritual depth of the Boss’s lyrics. In an oft-cited 1988 essay in the Catholic journal America, Andrew Greeley, a…

In this edition of our arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with French multi-instrumentalist and producer Max Baby. A career in music was always on the cards for him, having made a drumkit at age six out of old biscuit tins. He dropped his debut record in 2024, and a year on is back with his EP “Break”. It’s a blend of post-modern indie, alt-rock and electro, and deals with the aftermath of losing control and the quiet that follows. He is also embarking on a European tour, with his first Parisian headline show. Source link