Author: catfish

CNN  —  Gary Strieker had every reason to be a pessimist. People dying of hunger, brutal killings and many other horrific events that he covered as an international reporter unfolded right before his eyes. Yet Strieker never lost his optimistic spirit or his passion to shed light on critically important but often underreported stories on the environment and global health. Strieker — who passed away in July of this year at age 78 — was CNN’s first Nairobi bureau chief, helping the network open its reporting hub in the Kenyan capital in 1985. Colleagues say he covered the entire African…

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Daddy Yankee helped build a global market for reggaeton — but he also illustrated how much political power the genre wields. Victor Bizar Gomez for NPR hide caption toggle caption Victor Bizar Gomez for NPR Daddy Yankee helped build a global market for reggaeton — but he also illustrated how much political power the genre wields. Victor Bizar Gomez for NPR By the time Daddy Yankee plays “Gasolina” one August night at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, the crowd rumbles so loud it feels like the venue will cave in on itself. It’s a show that’s been months in the making:…

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We are all aware that exercising is good for our health. Everyone knows it’s better to walk rather than take a cab, to take the stairs rather than the elevator, and to park your car further away to get a little more exercise every day. The importance of exercise and movement extends far beyond weight control and heart health. Exercise has also been shown to have a range of mental and emotional benefits. Children require physical activity just as much as, if not more than, adults. Allowing children time and space for unstructured play is critical to their physical, mental,…

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Cultural enlightenment for children shapes their growth into open-minded, empathetic and intelligent individuals.  From learning about new fashions to songs to cuisines — kids get a beautiful insight into a diverse world where positive interaction is encouraged. It will help your kids navigate a complex human setting where different ethnicities and ways of life abound. Plus, they will learn that our differences don’t matter, as the world is united by humanity! Here are simple ways you can learn cultural diversity as a family: Encourage World Music Music deeply resonates with the human mind and is one of the best ways…

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Illinois students from grades K through 12 pack the Coronado Performing Arts Center on Friday for a day of Christmas cheer.The Nutcracker by the legendary Pyotr Tchaikovsky has been synonymous with the holiday season since 1892. On Friday, Rockford Symphony Orchestra and Rockford Dance Company got a warmup for their Saturday show, in front of Stateline students, some of who have never seen live theatre before.“You certainly can’t get this experience in a classroom, so coming to someplace like the Coronado Performing Arts Center, which is beautiful. They’re young, it’s their first time being in a…

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And take a break she did. Since winning big at the 2019 South African Music Awards (SAMAs), where she bagged awards for Newcomer of the Year and Female Artist of the Year, the 30-year-old Tsonga rap star has largely shied away from the spotlight. Sure, she’s featured on a few singles along the way, but by her standards, Madjozi has mostly flown under the radar and spent her time living life. “I’ve always been a traveller and a nomad,” she says. “I love seeing new places, and lately it’s been expanding more and more. I’m about to start my tour…

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For those wishing to catch a glimpse of the Ghost of Christmas Past in the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol”, there are no shortage of options this holiday season, from Greenwich through the Hartford Stage to The Granite Theatre just over the Stonington line in Westerly, R.I.Looking to gift the book instead for someone on your list, whether hot off the presses or a vintage edition? New shops have continued to pop up this year across Connecticut, with proprietors believing the “indie” book ethic is alive and well — and with a viable future alongside Amazon and big-box stores…

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The continent’s two remaining participants will back themselves to make it to the last four in this inimitable tournament in QatarFinally, we all can catch our breaths, albeit not for long.This World Cup may have been tagged controversial before a ball was kicked, but it is safe to say almost everyone is now on this rollercoaster. We have no idea where it takes us, but we are bound to enjoy it anyway.Africa’s five representatives were not left out in the slightest, even if only Senegal and Morocco made it to the Round of 16. Only two of that quintet remain.…

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Only 55% of adults in sub-Saharan Africa have an account at a traditional bank or a regulated financial institution, with millions still financially excluded, according to recent research published as part of the Africa Connected campaign.These excluded citizens haven’t engaged with formal financial institutions for many reasons, such as lack of branches in rural areas, excessive paperwork, and strict ID or income requirements to open an account.The research paper, “Digital Finance Platforms to Empower All”, released by Vodafone Group, Vodacom Group, Safaricom and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), found that most sub-Saharan African countries have a high mobile-penetration rate, which extends the…

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