Chris Infotainment

A Mysterious Package That Took 16 Years to Arrive in Libya A package that finally reached Libya after a delay of 16 years has become the subject of widespread curiosity and discussion. The situation is particularly intriguing given the country's ongoing turmoil, which has been marked by a prolonged civil war. The package was received by A, who runs a mobile phone store in Tripoli, the capital city. On the 16th, local time, according to foreign media reports, A received a mysterious parcel that contained Nokia mobile phones he had ordered back in 2010. The delivery came 16 years after the initial order, leaving both A and his friends in disbelief. Upon opening the box, they were surprised to find a collection of outdated mobile phones, not the smartphones that dominate today’s market. The items were originally handed over to a local contact at the time of the order but were left in a warehouse due to the collapse of logistics and customs systems following the outbreak of the civ...

Malaysia is set to introduce a redesigned passport with advanced security features within the next six months, according to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. This move comes as part of an ongoing effort to modernize and strengthen the country's travel documents. The Malaysian passport has recently improved its global standing, climbing two positions to rank 10th in the latest report from Henley & Partners, a London-based firm specializing in global citizenship and residence advisory services. The updated passport now grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 181 destinations around the world, making it one of the most powerful travel documents in the region. Currently, Malaysia's passport holds the second-highest rank in Southeast Asia, following Singapore's. This improvement underscores the country's commitment to maintaining a strong international reputation and ensuring that its citizens can travel with ease and confidence. Saifuddin emphasized the...

Strengthening Strategic Ties Between the UAE and the African Union The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the African Union Commission (AUC) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic cooperation following high-level talks held in Addis Ababa. The discussions involved African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, highlighting a shared vision for enhanced collaboration. This meeting built upon the first round of political consultations held in Abu Dhabi on September 13, 2025, under the framework of the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding between the two sides. The leaders reviewed progress made since those inaugural consultations and reiterated their determination to strengthen political dialogue and cooperation across key priority areas. Focus on Africa's Development Blueprint Discussions centered on Africa’s long-term development blueprint, Agenda 2063, with particular emphasis on the flagship i...

DJ Fabsabs leads a joyful Cantopop resurgence, Singapore does art with intention, and sun-drenched escapism beckons Hello, January! I hope you survived the first proper work week of 2026. I've been going through the avalanche that is my inbox and am barely hanging on. Luckily, this week's cover story offers a burst of energy as Hsiuwen Liu plunges into the Cantopop revival currently filling Hong Kong's dance floors. She hits the tiles at Cantomania and finds what started as an underground party is now a full-blown movement, joining a wave of Cantopop nights around town. Cantomania's DJ Fabsabs (real name Pete Sabine) is a staunch evangelist for the power of music to bring us together - and as someone who loves the dance floor, I heartily concur. The resurgence of 1980s bangers and Y2K hits might sound like pure nostalgia, but as Sabine tells us, it's something deeper. Cantomania is catharsis, community and culture preservation disguised as a dance party. "...

President Lee Jae-myung recently captured the attention of both the public and media by sharing a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping, taken using a Xiaomi smartphone during his visit to Beijing. This event has led to a significant promotional campaign by Xiaomi Korea. Xiaomi Korea announced on the 9th that it would launch a price discount promotion for its flagship smartphone, the ‘Xiaomi 15 Ultra.’ The promotion ran from that day until the 15th, offering the device—which normally retails for 1,699,000 Korean won—for 1,299,000 Korean won, a 400,000 Korean won discount over approximately one week. The model being discounted is the same one that President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea-kyung used to take a selfie with President Xi and Peng Liyuan on the 5th, which attracted considerable public interest. The device was gifted to President Lee by President Xi during the November APEC summit in Gyeongju last year. Cheong Wa Dae confirmed that President Lee personally instructed his sta...

Digital Peers International Launches Phase Two of Environmental Initiative Digital Peers International (DPI) has launched the second phase of its environmental initiative aimed at engaging tech-savvy youths in managing plastic use and waste in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State. This new phase, titled 'Deploying the Power of IT-Engaged Youths in Effective Plastic Use and Plastic Waste Management 2.0,' was officially announced during a press conference held on Wednesday in Abuja. The initiative is backed by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, which is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This collaboration highlights the importance of youth involvement in addressing environmental challenges through innovative digital solutions. Dr. Ibukun Odusote, CEO of DPI, emphasized that the project equips young people with the necessary skills and opportunities to tackle plastic pollution while fostering innovations that benefi...

A Legacy of Honor and Redemption At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Park Si-heon, a light-middleweight national representative, faced Roy Jones Jr., one of the most dominant boxers of his era. Reflecting on the match, Park admitted, “The level was different.” He recently rewatched the bout on YouTube, noting that while he defended well, there was an undeniable gap in skill. Despite this, the referee awarded him a 3-2 decision victory, raising his hand in celebration. However, Park could not smile. His expression was one of confusion and disbelief as he awkwardly embraced his opponent. This match was later recognized by AFP as one of the five greatest Olympic judging controversies in history. The outcome left many questioning the fairness of the decision, especially given the disparity in skill between the two athletes. The Aftermath and Personal Struggles A 23-year-old rising star, Park retired immediately after the tournament. The public response was harsh, with many mocking him for supp...

New Infrastructure Projects Boost Medical Education at Federal University of Health Sciences On Friday, the Federal University of Health Sciences in Ila-Orangun, Osun State, witnessed the inauguration of 11 significant projects by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa. The event was graced by several notable figures, including former Osun State Governor Adebisi Akande, the state Commissioner for Education Dipo Eluwole, the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedokun, and the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin. Government Focus on Medical Training and Clinical Facilities During the ceremony, Dr Alausa underscored the federal government’s commitment to expanding medical training institutions and enhancing clinical learning environments. He highlighted the importance of the newly inaugurated facilities, which include a Senate Building, university library, lecture theatres, faculty auditorium, university gate, multidisciplinary research library, health centre, teaching hospital, and ...

A Journey of Resilience and Advocacy Nigerian chess champion and Guinness World Record holder, Tunde Onakoya, has shared a deeply personal reflection on how his early education shaped his life choices. His story is one of resilience, passion, and the power of second chances. Onakoya, who is 31 years old, recounted how secondary school teachers in Nigeria discouraged him from pursuing his love for law and the arts. In a post shared on X.com, he revealed that despite excelling in debates and having a strong affinity for words, he was steered away from the Arts class by educators who believed it was only for “dullards,” while Science was reserved for the “brightest” students. He expressed regret over how this mindset influenced his path. “One of my greatest regrets in life was letting the teachers in my secondary school convince us that Art class was for dullards and science class for the smartest students. I was excellent at debates, loved words and really wanted to be a lawyer but th...

Strengthening Higher Education Through Collaboration Addis Ababa, December 11, 2025: A significant event took place in the capital city as the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) and with support from the U.S. Department of State's Fulbright Specialist Program, organized a three-day workshop titled "Endowment Fund Management and Alumni Engagement." The event was held from December 3 to 5, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel. It brought together leaders from Ethiopia’s ten first-generation research universities to discuss practical strategies for building sustainable alumni giving programs and endowment funds—essential components for the growth and development of higher education institutions in Ethiopia. The workshop was led by Fulbright Specialists Dr. Ty Ropp, Vice President of Development at the Oklahoma State University Foundation, and Dr. Walter McCollum, President and Chair of the Fulbright Association. They facilitated...

Pakistan and Binance Explore Tokenisation of $2 Billion in National Assets Pakistan has taken a significant step in the realm of digital finance by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Binance, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges. This agreement aims to explore the tokenisation of up to $2 billion in the country’s assets, as announced by the finance ministry on Friday. The MoU outlines a framework for potential collaboration between Pakistan and Binance, focusing on the tokenisation and blockchain-based distribution of real-world and sovereign assets. These assets could include sovereign bonds, treasury bills, and commodity reserves such as oil, gas, metals, or other raw materials owned by the government. Tokenisation refers to the process of converting physical assets into digital tokens that can be easily traded on blockchain platforms. According to the details provided, the initiative is subject to necessary approvals and aims to enhance liquidity,...

New Proposal for Visa-Exempt Travelers The Trump administration has proposed a new rule that would require visa-exempt foreign tourists to disclose their social media histories from the past five years before entering the United States. This initiative, outlined in an official notice published on December 9 in the Federal Register, aims to enhance security measures and improve the screening process for travelers. Countries Affected by the Proposal The proposal applies to visitors from 42 countries, including notable nations such as Britain, France, Australia, Singapore, and Japan. These travelers currently do not need a traditional visa to enter the U.S., but they are required to apply for a waiver known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Under the current system, applicants must provide certain personal details, but the new rules would significantly expand the scope of information required. Expansion of Information Required Under the proposed changes, the ...

Nigeria's Struggle with Intellectual Property Theft The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NPC) has raised concerns about the significant loss of intellectual property due to theft, estimating the value in the billions of dollars over recent years. This alarming issue was highlighted by the Director General of the NPC, John Asein, during the opening of a workshop organized by the Art and Culture Writers Association of Nigeria (ACWAN), media practitioners, and copyright sector partners in Abuja. Asein emphasized that the impact of piracy on creative talents is profound, as it discourages innovation and artistic expression. He pointed out that many publishing houses, some of which had been operating for over 50 years, have closed down due to the challenges posed by piracy. The DG noted that the landscape of copyright operations has evolved rapidly, especially in the digital era. From dealing with mass reproduction of CDs and DVDs a decade ago, the current challenge involves cloud-based...

Ethiopia's Vision for a Unified African Space Program Addis Ababa, December 11, 2025 — Ethiopia is making significant strides in the realm of space development, emphasizing the importance of peaceful and cooperative continental space initiatives. Yeshurun Alemayehu, Deputy Director-General of the Space Science and Geospatial Institute, highlighted this commitment during the Addis Space Forum 2025, an inaugural African space diplomacy forum held in Addis Ababa. During his address, Yeshurun underscored Ethiopia's readiness to enhance partnerships, foster innovation, and lead in space governance. He stated, "Together, we can ensure that space uplifts humanity rather than divides it." The forum aims to pave the way for a future where Africa's role in the global space community is defined not just by aspirations but by tangible capabilities and contributions. "Africa is no longer a passive observer; we are the architects of our orbital infrastructure and contri...

Government's Strategic Moves to Establish AI Leadership The government is making significant strides toward achieving its national objective of becoming a top-three global artificial intelligence (AI) power. This initiative involves concrete plans for developing proprietary AI models and expanding large-scale infrastructure. Recently, the Ministry of Science and ICT unveiled the "2026 Science, Technology, and AI Business Plan" during a presidential work report at the Sejong Convention Center on the 12th. Key Initiatives for AI Development The Ministry outlined several key initiatives aimed at driving AI development to become a top-three global power. These include: Creating a proprietary AI foundation model Fostering innovative growth based on science and technology Ensuring public safety by establishing a new security paradigm One of the primary goals is to complete the first phase of developing the proprietary AI foundation model by January of next year. The m...

Strengthening Economic and Construction Ties Between Ethiopia and South Korea Ethiopia and South Korea have made significant progress in enhancing their long-term economic and construction-sector collaborations through the Ethio–Korea Specialty Contractors Business Forum, which took place in Addis Ababa. This event marked a crucial step forward in transforming discussions into actionable projects, with Korean contractors showing strong interest in implementing concrete initiatives backed by thorough feasibility studies and risk analyses. The forum served as a platform for both nations to explore opportunities for investment and development. South Korea reaffirmed its role as a key strategic partner of Ethiopia, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, information and communication technology (ICT), digital systems, and industrial modernization. This partnership is expected to bring substantial benefits to Ethiopia's growing economy. Korean companie...

Key Focus Areas for Hong Kong's Next Budget Hong Kong’s finance chief, Paul Chan Mo-po, has emphasized that the next annual budget will prioritize accelerating innovation and creating more jobs. He highlighted the importance of expanding economic development areas, nurturing and applying innovation and technology, optimizing industrial structure, and injecting momentum into high-quality development. Public consultation for the next budget is expected to begin soon, with Chan expressing his eagerness to receive specific suggestions from residents. He noted that investor sentiment remains positive, with financial institutions and large e-commerce platforms increasingly leasing or purchasing commercial spaces in the city. Positive Investor Sentiment and Commercial Investments Recent investments have demonstrated a strong interest in Hong Kong’s commercial real estate market. For instance, tech giant Alibaba acquired 13 floors at One Causeway Bay for an estimated HK$7 billion (US$8...

The U.S. Designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” On 31 October 2025, the United States officially designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a move that has sparked widespread debate and concern both domestically and internationally. For many Nigerians, this decision was not only alarming but also perceived as unjust, particularly given the role of some members of the diaspora in providing what are seen as exaggerated or unverified accounts to U.S. authorities. Nigeria, like any large and diverse democracy, faces its share of challenges related to security and governance. However, the assertion that the nation systematically persecutes religious groups is neither accurate nor reflective of the lived experiences of its citizens. This designation appears to be based on selective interpretations rather than comprehensive facts, which could harm Nigeria’s global image at a time when the country is working to strengthen internal unity and diplomatic relat...

The Power Sector Crisis in Nigeria: A Call for Accountability The Nigerian House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee, tasked with investigating the power sector reforms and expenditures from 2007 to 2024, has raised serious concerns about the performance of electricity distribution companies (DisCos). The committee has accused these companies of significantly undermining the country's power supply system through years of inadequate investment, lack of expansion, and failure to meet their original business commitments. During a recent hearing, the committee chairman, Arch. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu, highlighted that most DisCos misled the government during the acquisition process by presenting ambitious business plans but failing to deliver on the necessary infrastructure upgrades. This lack of action has left the distribution networks in a state of disrepair more than a decade after privatization. Aliyu expressed his disbelief at the situation, noting that while the Transmission ...

Pakistan's Leadership in the Energy Transition Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has highlighted Pakistan's significant role in the region by implementing rapid reforms in the energy sector and promoting clean and renewable energy. His remarks were made during the Second Asia Energy Transition Summit, which was held via Zoom on Saturday at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). The summit was organized jointly by the Pakistan Renewable Energy Coalition LUMS and the Alliance for Climate Justice and Clean Energy. Global Shifts in Energy and Economic Dynamics Awais Leghari emphasized that global energy diplomacy and economic dynamics are evolving rapidly, profoundly affecting developing countries—particularly those in Asia. He referenced reports from the International Energy Agency and the United Nations, stating that the world is currently at a critical turning point in energy and climate governance. This shift underscor...