Author: Ewang Johnson
Alamy(Credit: Alamy)On 24 March 1944, 76 allied officers broke out of a German prisoner-of-war camp, Stalag Luft III – a mission that was memorialised in a classic film, The Great Escape. In 1977, a key member of the escape team, Ley Kenyon, was interviewed on the BBC’s Nationwide.On a snowy moonless night in 1944, more than 200 allied officers attempted to break out of a German prisoner-of-war camp. It was the culmination of an incredibly ambitious plan that entailed more than a year of bribes, tunnelling, and the assembly-line production of equipment, uniforms and documents, all of which had to…
Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received Eritrea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Osman Saleh, in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdel-Atty and Director of the General Intelligence Hassan Rashad. The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, stated that the Eritrean minister conveyed to the President the greetings of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, which was appreciated by President El-Sisi. The President emphasized the deep relations between the two countries and Egypt’s keenness to further strengthen them in all fields. The meeting addressed the situation in the Horn of Africa and ways to enhance…
“At this time of the rolling year, I suffer most.”~Charles Dickens, A Christmas CarolMy daughter is crying. “He’s fat and red!” Jess says. We’re tooling down the road in my sports car, four-on-the-floor. “Who is, sweetie?” I ask. “Him!” she sobs. “He’ll come into our house late at night. You’ll have to fight him!”Jess is four years old. She often watches as I teach adult self-defense classes. She’s not afraid of a home invasion as much as the thought that I might end up in jail: “Santa can’t come in!” I pull over and switch off our holiday music. “Jess, baby,…
The collective show from the international students of the Institut Français de la Mode kicks off the autumn-winter 2025/26 presentations and asks contemporary questions. How can a disruptive society impact a creative process that is seeped in societal evolutions such as artificial intelligence? Meanwhile, Victor Weinsanto defends trans people, Vincent Pressiat celebrates Pierre Soulages and Maria Grazia Chiuri celebrates Bob Wilson’s phantasmagorical vision at Dior. Source link
DisneyWith its creepy CGI dwarfs and muddled tone, Disney’s latest live-action remake is “not calamitous” but is a “a mind-boggling mash-up”.Live-action remakes of Disney cartoons aren’t usually given a warm welcome by critics and commentators, but none of them has faced as much hostility as the new remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Are we succumbing to Disney Princess Fatigue? Maybe, but there’s more to it than that. One issue is that the 1937 original was Walt Disney’s first ever full-length animated film, and, while parts of it have aged badly, it still stands up as an exquisite,…
By Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani and Paulin Basinga Imagine a world where every citizen can access government services with ease, small businesses can expand into new markets, and women have equal access to financial opportunities. Digital public infrastructure (DPI) is key to making this a reality. DPI is a digital network that crisscrosses the economy, connecting people, data, and money in the same way that roads connect people and goods. More than a set of digital tools, DPI enables shared, interoperable systems that improve service delivery, enhance trade, and expand economic participation. As South Africa assumes the G20 presidency, African leaders have…
Just before Thanksgiving, my wife and I were searching the various apps on our television for something to watch during the upcoming break. Most of the time, this is an experience in frustration for us. While I am drawn towards slower-moving dramas, my wife typically wants to watch movies and shows that are light-hearted and uplifting. The result of this difference in taste usually leads to some form of continuous scrolling through Netflix and Apple for something that we can agree on. In most cases, nothing fits the bill.The beginning of the Shrinking series is a picture of what can…
After London and New York, can musicals make a name for themselves in Paris? To answer this question, Valérie Fayolle takes you behind the scenes of the Mogador Theatre to discover the intricate work that takes place before a performance of “The Lion King”. Next, we head to the Bobino Theatre to meet the artistic team behind “Black Legends,” a tribute to African American music. Finally, in From Paris with Love, we discover Madame Arthur’s, the legendary drag cabaret in the French capital’s Pigalle district. Source link
Natassja Ebert(Credit: Natassja Ebert)In the latest episode of Influential, US writer Ann Patchett shares how seeing kindness around her influences the way she approaches her characters.The world needs “life-changing books”, Ann Patchett once wrote in an essay in The New York Times. She wasn’t referring to her own works, yet admirers of the best-selling US author would argue that this is exactly what she has achieved, with acclaimed novels including Bel Canto, and the Pulitzer Prize-shortlisted The Dutch House, along with her award-winning 2005 memoir, Truth and Beauty: A Friendship. Patchett, who cites John Updike and Roxane Gay as influences on…
We’re thrilled to announce that the full recording of our acclaimed event, “Meet the Astronauts,” is now available! This captivating event has received rave reviews from influential leaders including directors of large corporations across Africa and the U.S., Harvard University faculty, and professionals from the space exploration community in South Africa. Whether you’re 8 or 80, this engaging session will inspire you. Watch six former NASA astronauts as they share their incredible personal journeys to becoming astronauts. Watch it here: https://online.africa.com/meet-the-astronauts/ Help Inspire More People: Host/Suggest a Watch Party: Students of all ages, as well as community groups, churches, employee groups, etc. have come together to…