Earth Day 2026
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- Written by: Fabrice Asfaux
- Category: Culture corner
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What is Earth Day? What do we celebrate?
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22 to raise awareness about environmental protection and sustainability. First organized in 1970 in the United States, it marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Today, millions of people in over 190 countries take part in activities such as tree planting, clean-up campaigns, educational events, and climate action initiatives. Earth Day highlights urgent issues like climate change, pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. It encourages individuals, communities, governments, and organizations to take responsibility and adopt practices that protect the planet and ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
So, what about ejoying this 24 hour relaxing livestream from the BBC?
Asian comedians are making a big splash in the USA & the UK
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- Written by: Fabrice Asfaux
- Category: Culture corner
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Did you know Asian humorists were a big hit in the American and British comedy scenes?
The rise of Asian humorists has been driven by social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube, where creators use relatable storytelling, cultural references, and self-aware comedy to reach global audiences. Their humour often blends everyday experiences with identity, family expectations, and cross-cultural misunderstandings, making it widely appealing beyond Asian communities. This shift reflects greater representation and audience demand for diverse voices in comedy. Examples include Atsuko Okatsuna, Ronny Chieng, Joe Wong and Sindhu Vee... all ready to debunk sterotypes about immigration and inclusion! Enjoy watching!
Matric balls... or ways of celebrating the end of your studies!
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- Written by: Fabrice Asfaux
- Category: Culture corner
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A matriculation ball in Africa is a formal celebration marking the completion of secondary education, especially in South Africa. Students dress in elegant attire, attend a dinner, and dance to celebrate their transition into adulthood. It symbolizes achievement and farewell to school life, often resembling a prom, with ceremonies, photos, and social festivities involving classmates, teachers, and sometimes families.
These events are particularly prominent in Southern Africa and vary widely depending on culture, school traditions, and socioeconomic context.
For example in South Africa, the matric ball—commonly called the Matric Dance—is the most elaborate and iconic version of this tradition in Africa. Held at the end of Grade 12, it resembles a Western-style prom but is often even more extravagant. Students arrive in luxury cars, sometimes limousines or high-end sports vehicles, and make grand entrances on red carpets with photographers present. Formal attire is essential, with tuxedos and designer gowns being the norm. These events are highly social and often include large after-parties, with families playing a significant role in organizing and funding the celebration.
In Namibia, matric celebrations are similar in structure but generally more reserved. Often referred to as matric farewells or formals, these events emphasize elegance and community rather than extravagance. Students still dress formally and gather for an evening that typically includes a dinner, speeches, and dancing. While influenced by South African traditions, Namibian matric events tend to focus more on school pride and shared experience than on displays of wealth or spectacle.
In Zimbabwe, the equivalent event is usually called a Leavers’ Ball and reflects a more traditional and structured approach. Influenced by British formal dinners, these events follow a set program that includes a formal meal, speeches, award presentations, and dancing. While students still dress elegantly, the atmosphere is generally less flashy than in South Africa. Greater emphasis is placed on academic achievement and the symbolic farewell to school life, making the event feel more ceremonial and reflective.
Music Afrika Bambaataa, hip-hop pioneer, dies at 68
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- Written by: Fabrice Asfaux
- Category: Culture corner
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Afrika Bambaataa (born Kevin Donovan) is a pioneering American DJ, rapper, and founder of the Universal Zulu Nation. Emerging from the Bronx in the 1970s, he helped shape early hip-hop culture. Known for "Planet Rock", he fused electronic music with rap, influencing global dance scenes and generations of artists and continues contributing to music culture.
He helped define hip-hop’s core elements (DJing, MCing, breakdancing, graffiti), promoted peace through the Zulu Nation, and introduced electronic sounds into hip-hop—laying the foundation for electro, techno, and modern dance music.
Dj Afrika Bambaataa in Guggenheim museum in New York in March 2025
CINDY ORD/GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
The song that truly made Afrika Bambaataa famous is Planet Rock (1982). It was a breakthrough hit that brought him international recognition, thanks to its futuristic electronic sound and heavy influence from Kraftwerk.
But who is Asha Gond?
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- Written by: Fabrice Asfaux
- Category: Culture corner
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Asha Gond is an Indigenous skateboarder from the Gond community, who has gained recognition for her exceptional skills and for breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated sport. Her story is an inspiring example of how sports can be a powerful tool for empowering young women, especially from marginalized communities.
Let's take a look at this success-packed story!
Asha is from the Gond tribe in Madhya Pradesh, India, and she became one of the first women from her community to take up skateboarding professionally. Growing up in a rural area, access to skateboarding resources and opportunities was limited, but she was determined to pursue her passion. Asha's interest in skateboarding was sparked when she saw other skateboarders in her region, and despite challenges like lack of infrastructure and resources, she began practicing and developing her skills.
She has become an advocate for young women and marginalized groups in India, showing that with passion and perseverance, anyone can break through societal limitations. Asha’s journey is not only about skateboarding but also about challenging stereotypes related to gender and indigenous identity.
Her participation in skateboarding contests and local events has brought attention to the sport in her community, and she’s become a role model for young girls, especially from tribal communities.
Skateboarding is not a traditional sport in tribal cultures like the Gonds. Still, its rising popularity in India’s urban and rural areas is opening up new avenues for youth, particularly for women, to express themselves in non-traditional ways. Asha Gond’s involvement in skateboarding signifies a shift, offering a sense of freedom and empowerment for young people from Indigenous communities.
Such an inspiring success tale!
Protecting one of the best natural spots in the world
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Christine Hof (Program Manager Marine Species, WWF-Australia) snorkelling with a sea turtle on Heron Island, Queensland. © WWF-Australia / Jacinta Shackleton
The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is the world’s largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 kilometers. Comprising around 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, it is home to an incredible diversity of marine life, including thousands of species of fish, corals, and other marine organisms. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the reef is a vital ecosystem and a major tourist attraction. However, it faces threats from climate change, coral bleaching, pollution, and overfishing. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect and preserve this natural wonder for future generations, making it a global environmental priority.
As the years went by, the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's most iconic ecosystems, has been undergoing significant changes over the past several decades, largely due to human activity and climate change.
Coral bleaching has become one of the most visible and devastating effects of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef. When ocean temperatures rise due to climate change, corals turn to white.
Pollution, particularly from agricultural runoff, has significantly affected the reef. Fertilizers, pesticides, and sediments washed into the ocean can create "dead zones" and promote the growth of harmful algae that suffocate corals and other marine life.
If they can't recover quickly enough, the bleached corals die out and algae covers the once-colorful surface.
See how coral has been affected over the years there if you wish to know more about it. Follow the link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg3pp52m65o
Discover how people fight to preserve this world jewel by watching the vid here!
Want to know how tech could really be a game changer in the future.
Enjoy this perfectly timed holiday article!
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