Chris Infotainment

Kigali’s January Cultural and Social Scene January may not be the most obvious time for a party, but Kigali has always had a knack for keeping its social calendar vibrant. As the remnants of December’s festivities linger, the city’s cultural offerings are steadily returning, providing a range of options for those looking to ease back into the weekend at their own pace. From movie nights to dance classes and art exhibitions, there's something for everyone in Kigali this month. KGL Cine Corner Movie Night For those who prefer a more relaxed start to the weekend, the KGL Cine Corner is hosting its Friday movie night on January 16 from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Katina’s Café, located at KG8, House 31. The evening will feature the latest action epic from Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio alongside Chase Infiniti, Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, and Teyana Taylor. Admission costs Rwf6,000. Atelier du Vibe On the same evening, Atelier du Vibe off...

A ripe jackfruit tumbling into a pond turned into a free buffet, drawing a school of grass carp that swarmed in to devour it. No feast was planned, but the pond jolted alive when a ripe jackfruit fell into the water and instantly became the center of attention for a school of grass carp. Only a few fish drifted over to sample the fruit at first, but news of a free meal spread quickly. Soon an entire school gathered, with fish crowding in, one pushing past another for a share. Chunks of yellow jackfruit floated on the surface, sending ripples across the water with every bite and turning the pond into a lively spectacle. With no feed and no human involvement, nature delivered a surprise change of menu for the day. The fish competing over the fruit made the scene feel like an impromptu party, leaving the pond buzzing as if it were a festival. A Unique Natural Encounter This unexpected event highlights how wildlife can adapt and react to new opportunities in their environment. Gras...

A Cherry Tree in South-West London Felled by a Miscommunication A cherry tree, known for its beauty and maturity, was mistakenly cut down in a leafy south-west London borough. The incident occurred when contractors from Premier Tree Care & Conservation confused the street names of two different areas, resulting in the tree being felled on Priory Road in Kew, Richmond, instead of one located on a similar-named street in Ealing. Residents in the area were deeply upset by the loss of what they described as a "healthy, mature, and very beautiful" tree. They claimed they tried to intervene before the tree was removed, but the situation escalated quickly. Alison Murphy, a local resident, shared her experience with the BBC. She said that the workers informed her the tree was diseased and showed her a letter from Ealing Council. However, she later realized that the team was operating in the wrong borough and on the wrong road. "I wish I'd realized that they were in t...

A New Vision for Korangi: Harnessing Solar Power in a Polluted Urban Area Korangi, a district in Karachi, is often overlooked when it comes to discussions about sustainable development. It is more commonly associated with industrial zones, heavy traffic, and air pollution rather than being seen as a hub for climate-smart innovation. However, this very area may hold the key to one of Karachi's most promising clean-energy opportunities. Our recent research on Korangi aimed to answer a critical question: can a district known for its pollution and high energy consumption become a model for solar-powered resilience? The answer lies in the abundant sunlight that the region receives throughout the year. Karachi, located in a high-irradiance zone, benefits from consistent solar radiation, with Korangi being no exception. Pakistan as a whole enjoys between 5 to 7 kWh/m²/day of solar radiation, making it an ideal location for large-scale solar energy deployment. The real challenge is not t...

As the floodwaters begin to recede, the needs of affected communities are shifting from immediate sustenance to essential items that support long-term recovery and dignity. While food remains a priority, there is a growing recognition that other supplies—such as gas stoves, dry clothing, medicines, and hygiene products—are equally vital in preventing disease and restoring normalcy. In Hanoi, Thanh Ly, a 40-year-old woman, took it upon herself to address this need. When she heard about a relief truck heading to Phu Yen, she gathered warm clothes with her friends and carefully sorted them by age and gender. Rather than purchasing common relief items like instant noodles or bottled water, she spent VND5 million (US$200) on sanitary pads and 100 pairs of underwear. Her decision was met with resistance from her husband, who questioned whether people in such dire circumstances would care about “private matters.” He also worried that sending such items could lead to criticism or even reluct...

Understanding the Complex Factors Behind School Violence in Southern Africa School violence is a global public health issue that affects learners and teachers alike. It encompasses physical and psychological abuse, cyber threats, bullying, fights, gangsterism, and the use of weapons within school settings. The consequences of such violence are severe, impacting not only the individuals involved but also the broader school community and surrounding neighborhoods. The effects of school violence are far-reaching. It compromises the safety of students and educators, leading to increased stress levels, academic decline, and behavioral issues. Furthermore, it can perpetuate a cycle of violence that extends beyond the school environment into the wider community. In Southern Africa, this problem is particularly prevalent. Countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Namibia have reported significant instances of school violence. In 2008, the Southern African Development Communi...

Residents of Palo Alto Battle with Unwanted Train Noise Residents of Palo Alto, a city known for its tech innovation and affluent lifestyle, are facing a unique challenge: the loud noise from train horns that disrupt their peaceful nights. This issue has been a long-standing concern for locals, especially those living near Caltrain tracks. The Caltrain, which runs through the city, is equipped with horns that emit sounds at around 110 decibels—equivalent to a nightclub or rock concert. These horns are sounded four times as trains pass through the city, creating a significant disturbance for nearby residents. The noise level is so high that it can cause severe damage even with brief exposure. At a recent city council meeting, residents voiced their frustrations about the noise and discussed potential solutions. One of the proposals was the introduction of wayside horns, which would be stationed at the three Caltrain crossings. These horns are expected to reduce noise by up to 80-90 p...

In a small, tranquil fishing village in Indonesia, an unexpected event brought the community together in celebration. The moment came when local fishermen successfully caught a massive grouper, sparking joy and excitement among the villagers. The incident occurred near the Tapormai estuary in Timika City, where a group of fishermen was casting live-bait lines. They were surprised when one of their lines suddenly experienced a strong pull. Recognizing the potential of a big catch, the fishermen worked collaboratively to bring the fish ashore. As they did, a crowd of villagers gathered to witness the event, cheering and laughing as the giant fish was finally pulled onto the beach. A local resident named Yully shared her excitement about the event. She mentioned that the fish likely weighed over 80 kilograms. The entire community was thrilled with the catch, and the fish's meat was distributed among the villagers, providing a rare and valuable meal for many. Interestingly, the vil...

Ho Chi Minh City authorities have proposed a VND9.2 trillion (US$370 million) project to dredge and upgrade the Ba Lon Canal, one of the city's seven key drainage arteries, as flooding and pollution intensify across wards in its southern parts. The city People's Committee has submitted the proposal to the municipal People's Council for immediate consideration, seeking approval to launch what officials describe as a critical infrastructure intervention to protect the fast-growing southern urban zone from recurring inundation. Heavy rain and rising tides caused about 2 km of Tran Xuan Soan Street in HCMC to be flooded on Oct. 17, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Gia Minh Stretching 7.4 km from the Doi Canal in former District 8 to the Ba Lao Canal in the former Binh Chanh district, the Ba Lon Canal will be fully dredged and reinforced with nearly 10 kilometers of embankments. The plan also calls for a new 1km road, 12-18m wide, and the construction of the Ba Lon 2 Bridge spanni...

Sudanese Army Chief Visits Displaced Population in Al-Dabbah On November 8, 2025, Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, made a visit to assess the conditions of people displaced due to the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) takeover of El Fasher. The displaced individuals have sought refuge in Al-Dabbah, located in the Northern State. During his visit, Burhan toured the Al-Affad camp, which is situated east of Al-Dabbah city and has become a temporary home for thousands of people who fled from El Fasher. The Minister of Social Development, Mutasim Ahmed Saleh, announced on Saturday that the number of displaced individuals who have left El Fasher for the Northern State has reached 50,000. This figure highlights the growing humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF. Burhan’s visit lasted approximately 35 minutes, during which he inspected field medical clinics and listened to the needs of the displaced population. He pledged to pro...

Maxwell Nusbaum lifted a sandbag and placed it on Sasha Khazatsky’s shoulders as they helped local people reinforce the An Luong embankment in Da Nang City against rising floodwaters. A video posted on Monday showing two foreign men in work gloves shoveling sand and carrying bags to reinforce the embankment went viral on Vietnamese social media. It drew more than four million views and thousands of comments within just a day. Sasha Khazatsky (L) and Maxwell Nusbaum (R) help reinforce the An Luong embankment in Duy Nghia Commune, Da Nang City, on the morning of Nov. 3, 2025. Photo courtesy of the duo Nusbaum, 27, and Khazatsky, 26, from New York City are co-founders of a robotics company and often travel to different parts of the world to learn about local cultures. Last year they spent three months in the snowy forests of Canada before moving to the Middle East for six months. They arrived in Vietnam in August to travel, research its market and recruit staff. They reached Hoi An d...

The Changing Demographics of Oizumi, Gunma In the quiet town of Oizumi, located in Gunma Prefecture, a growing foreign population has sparked a mix of curiosity and confusion among local residents. While the town is known for its significant number of foreigners, interactions between Japanese and non-Japanese individuals remain limited. This dynamic has led to a range of perspectives from both communities, reflecting broader societal shifts. Perspectives from Local Business Owners One 65-year-old man who runs a gas company shared his observations. He noted that while the presence of foreigners has contributed to business operations, it's not always straightforward. "Even landlords who initially disliked foreigners now have them as tenants," he said. According to him, some foreigners are good customers, while others are not, just like Japanese people. "Fundamentally, I guess there's no difference," he added, highlighting the complexity of these relationsh...

The Journey of KOTO: A Beacon of Hope for Disadvantaged Youth Laughter echoes across the grounds of KOTO's new school in Bac Ninh Province during the annual "Home for Dinner" event in early October. Surrounded by nearly 100 young students, Jimmy Pham recalled his first visit to Vietnam three decades ago, when meeting street children inspired him to establish KOTO (Know One, Teach One), a hospitality training school for disadvantaged youth and likely Vietnam's first social enterprise. One afternoon during that trip, under a blazing sun by the Saigon River, 24-year-old Vietnamese-Australian tour guide Jimmy spotted four children selling coconut candies. He sat down to chat and bought them some daily items. Over his two-week work trip, he sought them out every night and got them meals. Word spread among the kids about "a silly guy," and one time some 60 children trailed him to a pho restaurant. On returning to Australia, he switched jobs to one that would st...

Empowering Women for Sustainable Development Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has taken a significant step towards fostering economic inclusion and sustainable peace in the Niger Delta by launching an initiative aimed at empowering 2,000 women from host communities along the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP). This comprehensive entrepreneurship and financial literacy program is designed to uplift women and girls from over 215 host communities. At the company’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting held in Rivers, Imo, and Abia States, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholders Engagement, highlighted the importance of this initiative. He emphasized that the program focuses on small business development, financial literacy, and skills training to equip women with the tools necessary for economic empowerment. Progress and Implementation The PINL Women Entrepreneurs and Empowerment Initiative has already completed data capturing in Po...

Community Protests Over Refusal to Connect Transformer Residents of the Ireakari community in Ilisan Remo, located within the Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, took to the streets on Saturday to protest what they describe as the refusal of officials from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to connect their newly installed transformer to the national grid. This issue has led to years of power outages and economic hardship for the community. The protesters carried placards with messages such as “Ireakari community is tired of pitch darkness,” “IBEDC, connect light to our transformer,” and “Gov Dapo Abiodun, call IBEDC to order.” They expressed frustration over the erratic power supply, which has significantly impacted business activities and increased insecurity in the area, leading to incidents of armed robbery and other crimes. A Longstanding Struggle for Reliable Power Speaking during the protest, Mr. Taiwo Idowu, the Secretary of the Ireakari Community D...

Launch of the Stephen–Hannah Obaro Multipurpose Hall at McPherson University McPherson University, located in Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State, recently unveiled a 5,000-capacity multipurpose facility known as the Stephen–Hannah Obaro Multipurpose Hall. This new addition marks a significant step in the university’s ongoing efforts to enhance learning experiences and upgrade campus infrastructure. The hall was generously donated by Deacon John Obaro and officially inaugurated by Reverend Sam Aboyeji, the university’s Visitor and General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria. The event was attended by various stakeholders, including university officials, faculty members, students, and community leaders. Features of the New Facility The Stephen–Hannah Obaro Multipurpose Hall is designed to be a versatile space that caters to multiple functions. It includes: Offices for administrative and academic staff Conference rooms for meetings and seminars 30 bathrooms to ensure comf...

A Journey of Language and Culture During the lockdown, a Rotterdam native named Robbie embarked on an unexpected journey that would change his life. Initially, learning Darija wasn’t on his list of goals, but the global health crisis in 2020 forced him to stay at home. With time on his hands, he decided to learn a language that could help him connect with Moroccan patients and neighbors in the Netherlands. Robbie, who is 28 years old, had always been surrounded by a diverse community, including many Moroccans. This environment sparked his interest in Darija, the colloquial Arabic dialect spoken in Morocco. He started with basic words and sentences, hoping to use them in his work as a nurse. His job as a nurse required him to visit homes of different backgrounds, including those belonging to the Moroccan community. Learning Darija allowed him to communicate more effectively with patients, making the nurse-patient relationship better. "I thought if I visit Moroccan households, I...

A Half-Century of Transformation This year marks the 50th anniversary of Seoul National University’s (SNU) relocation to Gwanak, a move that aimed to solidify its identity as a comprehensive university. The 1975 migration to the foothills of Gwanak Mountain was not merely a physical shift to a new, expansive campus but a historic turning point toward becoming a bona fide comprehensive university. Origins and Evolution SNU was established in 1946 as a national university, launched through the union of 10 constituent colleges, including the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, and College of Medicine. This was a constructive response to the task of rebuilding the nation and laying the foundations of an independent state. The 1975 relocation to the Gwanak Campus, under the banner of comprehensive integration, sought to advance beyond the “1946 system” by strengthening the foundations of a middle-power nation and driving national development to lay the groundwo...

A New Era for Pediatric and Child Health Education The Paediatric and Child Health Sub-BMC at the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) has undergone a significant transformation. This change comes as a result of the refurbishment of its seminar room by the Interact Club of Sonrise Christian High School, a youth organization affiliated with the Rotary Club of Ho. The project, which was valued at GHS50,000, has turned the space into a modern and fully functional area for learning and meetings. At a brief presentation ceremony, Mr Joseph Dzameshie, the Head of Sonrise Christian High School and also the Deputy Governor of the Rotary Club of Ho, praised the students for their leadership and civic responsibility. He emphasized that this initiative highlights the impact of youth involvement in addressing community needs. “The service above self is a core Rotary principle, and these young ones have truly lived it,” he said. Modern Facilities for Enhanced Learning The newly refurbished seminar room ...