Co-founder Zhou Xingxing, a former student at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said the concept was designed to make TCM culture more accessible to younger, wellness-focused consumers. He said customers receive a consultation from a TCM doctor before taking their report to the bartender, who prepares a cocktail using herbal ingredients and Chinese yellow wine.

TCM doctor Lu Sheng said the bar focuses on lifestyle advice and health maintenance rather than medical treatment, with most ingredients chosen from substances that can also be used as food. Visitors described the concept as novel and marketable

In one widely shared moment from Botswana, the streamer appeared shocked to learn that he could not simply buy raw diamonds locally, despite the country being the world’s largest diamond producer. Viewers pointed out that Botswana’s diamond industry is tightly regulated through long-term international contracts, leaving a limited domestic market.

Beyond viral clips, social media users argue that iShowSpeed’s tour has unintentionally become educational. Others noted that many young Americans, especially those who have never travelled outside the United States , were exposed for the first time to African cities with skyscrapers, paved roads, internet access and modern amenities. Some described the reactions as revealing how deeply Western narratives have portrayed Africa as uniformly poor or rural.

One emotional video showed a viewer breaking down while saying the streams had changed his entire view of Africa, admitting he had grown up believing the continent consisted only of “huts and stick houses” with no future. Instead, he said, the livestreams showed beauty, culture, resources and advanced urban life.

iShowSpeed has said his motivation for doing long “IRL marathons” is to bring the world to people who cannot travel. “I’m for the people that can’t travel,” he said in one clip. “I try to give y’all the best experience. Whatever experience it is, I’m your test dummy.”

The streamer is reportedly set to visit 20 African countries, including Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa , Zambia, and Zimbabwe. He has already shared footage from Angola, Eswatini, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, among others.

“I am doing this because I want to promote and preserve our culture , to show everyone that this is who we are, and we are proud of our culture,” Masaloon shared with Viory.

The footage shows Masaloon collecting the rats with other tribe members before preparing them in traditional ways. She says the dish has been passed down for generations. “Our father, our mother, taught us how to catch them and cook. It has been eaten since the time of our ancestors... even by the new generation today,” she said.

Despite the growing support online, Masaloon has also faced online ridicule, with some commenters mocking her appearance. “All of those hurtful words, I just use them as a way to make myself stronger,” she said.

Ambow Girl has over 220,000 followers and continues to share her tribal life.

Footage from this year’s event captured by Viory shows dramatic scenes at the Bang Liao Shrine, where devotees known as 'Mah Song' or “Horses of the gods” entered trances believed to be guided by divine possession. In these altered states, participants had their cheeks pierced with swords, rods, tree branches, and even tools like axes and machetes. Others were seen walking barefoot over burning embers, part of the traditional fire-walking ceremony.

According to tradition, the Mah Song’s pain-defying acts serve a purpose of absorbing bad luck and misfortune, protecting the community from evil spirits, and ensuring good fortune in the year to come.

Each day of the festival sees loud processions through the streets of Phuket Town, with devotees parading past shrines, firecrackers in the background, and the air thick with incense smoke.

The extensive conservation effort involved the biological treatment of the tomb’s walls, the restoration of its vivid ancient paintings and carvings, and the structural reinforcement of its pillars. 

“The restoration project spanned more than two decades of meticulous conservation work, including photogrammetry and detailed documentation,” said Mohamed Ismail, head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. “Thankfully, the final phase was completed last year, allowing the tomb to reopen to visitors. This milestone enhances Egypt’s cultural tourism landscape, adding a new highlight to the Valley of the Kings,” he added.

“Notably, a colony of bats had taken up residence in the tomb, and the restoration team worked tirelessly to remove all traces of their presence,” Ismail told Viory.

Originally discovered in 1799, the tomb contains a grand burial chamber for Amenhotep III, flanked by two adjoining chambers believed to have been built for his wives. Each chamber is adorned with intricate stone columns, hieroglyphs, and motifs celebrating the pharaoh’s reign. The restoration, supported by Japan, Italian experts, and UNESCO, began in 2004 and was completed in 2024.

Omidunsin Egbedunni, an Osun priestess, described the goddess as a life-transforming force.

“Osun-Osogbo is such a good goddess. She takes care of people. If you come to her asking for wealth and children , she grants your request,” she told Viory.

Egbedunni recounted abandoning years of practising Christianity and Islam to embrace the Osun deity, which she credits with transforming her life and family.

During the festival, some attendees experience spiritual trances, believed to be a direct manifestation of the goddess’s presence.

“The water goddess, Osun, usually makes some people go into trance… they become restless and start uttering unsolicited warnings and advice,” Egbedunni explained.

Visitors bring offerings of food, fruits, and other items to honour the goddess. Oyinbukola Abeni-Ade, who travelled from Lagos for the event, likened Osun to a mother.

“Anyone here who sincerely comes to offer sacrifices to the Osun goddess must surely be hugely rewarded,” she said, noting that the festival’s appeal draws both Nigerians and foreign visitors year after year.

The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, where the festival takes place, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Declared a Nigerian National Monument in 1965 and expanded in 1992, it remains an active place of worship with daily, weekly, and monthly ceremonies.

The ceremony, held annually, sees devotees gather in large numbers as the chief priest smashes coconuts on their heads, which is their symbolic act of devotion. Participants believe the ritual brings good fortune, and those injured during the event are treated immediately with turmeric powder, believed to have healing properties. “Every year, thousands of devotees come here. If you worship the deity, good things happen in your life,” said Sukumaran, a participant.

Veteran attendee Manivannan, who has taken part for 19 years, said safety and devotion go hand in hand. “I fast from Aadi 1st until the 19th before the festival. We avoid non-vegetarian food and prepare ourselves spiritually. The government provides first aid, and there have been no major incidents. Even if we bleed, we continue, it’s all Mahalakshmi’s power.”

The ritual has been heavily criticised by human rights organisations, yet it draws thousands of devotees every year.

“We are handing over 133 cultural assets to the Ministry of Culture. This is a task that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs routinely performs, recovering pieces found abroad, assets that belong to Peru's cultural heritage and are recovered to be returned to the Ministry of Culture,” Amezaga said.

The collection spans several of Peru’s iconic ancient cultures, including Nazca, Tiahuanaco, Lambayeque, Chancay, Chimu, and Inca. “The recovered pieces we deliver belong to various cultural styles that reflect the richness and diversity of our cultural heritage,” Amezaga added.

Among the most notable items is the Cusco altar, which was purchased in 1971 by Swedish economist Kurt Gripmar at a public auction.

In 2024, Gripmar’s heirs voluntarily returned the altar to Peru to fulfil the family’s wish to see it restored to its place of origin. “Among the most notable recovered assets, we cannot fail to mention an impressive Cusco altar... Its heirs decided to fulfil the family's wish for the altar to return to its place of origin and voluntarily returned it to Peru,” Amezaga explained.

Amezaga also revealed that the illegal trade of Peruvian artefacts continues to thrive, with most items being smuggled to the United States and Europe. “They generally go to the United States and Europe, which are the main destinations. In many European countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. And generally, in the United States. That’s where the collectors who usually buy this kind of goods are,” he noted.

The value of these cultural assets varies, depending on their condition and historical importance. “There are very varied costs, but I've seen pieces, let's say, ceramics, that are around €6,000 to €8,000 ($7,048 - $9,397). And sometimes much more. They're actually very, very varied,” Amezaga said.

“Every year, this event is celebrated on Adi Amavasai day to commemorate the death anniversary of Paradesi Sithar. The highlight of this event is the highest number of childless couples who come here to participate in the ritual. This year, around 1,500 have participated in the event,” said Paramanandham, a local resident.

The ceremony includes women eating “blessed” food placed on the floor, and a symbolic act where temple priests, believed to be temporarily possessed by the goddess Angaarmoti, step over the women’s backs to offer spiritual blessings.

“Trust is the key to success. People who come here with the belief are seeing success. I see this practically every year,” Paramanandham told Viory.

Several couples shared personal stories of their struggles with infertility. “There is a belief that if you visit this temple on Adi Amavasai day and eat rice on the floor, then you will be blessed with a child. So we have come here because we heard about this from others,” said one hopeful couple.

Another added, “This is the first time we are coming here. We believe that we will come here with a child next year. Those who have come here in the past are saying they have been blessed with a child after visiting this temple.”

One couple, married for 13 years without children , shared their emotional journey, saying that, “We struggled a lot in our life. We are so sad, as everyone keeps asking us why we don’t have children. We see recently married couples having a child in a year, but even after 13 years we still don't have a child. So we have come here with the hope.”

"This is amazing, blowing a trumpet for 24 hours straight is incredible," said Myra, a student attending the event.

Brian Nyarango, a software developer, expressed confidence in Mutsembi's attempt. "We have a good pedigree as marathon runners. Now a musician is trying to achieve something similar. It's beautiful."

Digital marketer James Wamaathai was thrilled to witness the event. "I've supported his music before, but being part of a Guinness World Records attempt is something special," he said.

Writer Rehab Gachango marveled at Mutsembi's stamina. "It's mind-blowing, where does he get the lungs for this?" she wondered.

Mutsembi's attempt captured the spirit of determination and creativity, inspiring those who gathered to witness this remarkable feat.

The traditional preparation process includes peeling, grating, and mixing cassava roots with fermented cassava before pressing to remove starch, drying, and steaming to achieve a couscous-like texture.

Known for its affordability and accessibility, attiéké is often served as an alternative to rice, accompanied by chicken, fish, or spicy tomato-based sauces.

Earlier this year, the African Intellectual Property Organization granted a collective trademark for attiéké, protecting its name from misuse outside Côte d’Ivoire.

Taiwo Oguntoye, the 39-year-old organiser of the festival, explained the cultural significance of twins in Yoruba tradition. "Twins bring favour, fame, and wealth to their parents in unique ways. In Yorubaland, we celebrate their birth, which might be why we have the highest number of twins in the world ," he said.

Oguntoye also emphasised the strong bond shared by twins, describing it as a destiny beyond their control.

A visiting traditional king from Ogun State, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle expressed his belief that the festival has global potential. "By the grace of God, I believe this festival will soon attract twins from all over the world to Nigeria, to Igbo-Ora, to celebrate themselves," he said.

The festival’s organisers are planning to host the world's largest gathering of twins next year, hoping to build a dedicated "twins village."

His show, titled "Mort en exercice à Makala" to wit, 'Death in Exercise at Makala', portrays prison as a place where convicts are "buried alive."

Malafi was recently released after serving a one-month sentence in Makala. He was imprisoned for publicly defending a group of dancers jailed for "indecent exposure." Reflecting on his experience with the AFP, he expressed shock at being arrested for advocating artistic expression.

"For me, it's a shock," he said. "To be arrested because you're a cultural centre, to be arrested because you want to defend artistic expression... I went into prison, and it's like dying in action, dying in what you're doing."

Malafi’s performance wants his performance to be a call for justice for collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Culture to protect artists. He argues that artists are the "guardians" of community education and deserve better legal protections.

A director and actor in the show Bavon Diana, praised Malafi’s powerful use of religious symbolism, noting that his portrayal of Jesus speaks to the suffering he endured in Makala. "You can feel it's Jesus, and it tells us what he experienced in prison," he remarked 

Congo’s largest prison, Makala was built with a capacity for only about 1,500 inmates, however now, it hosts over 12,000 inmates. 

Head of the Gao Cultural Mission, Mamadou Samake, shared the tomb’s significance with the AFP. He said, “The Tomb of the Askia is a historical monument that was built by Askia Mohamed in 1495. It is a very old monument that shows the power and greatness of the Songhai empire, a living proof of it today. So, it is a monument that is also on the national heritage list and on the world heritage list since 2004. "

For the people of Gao, the site is more than a historical landmark - it’s a source of pride. “It’s like a museum for us,” said local resident Oumar Seydou Maiga. “Historians come from all over the world to visit, and it gives a positive image of Gao. We feel proud every time.”

However, natural elements have taken a toll on the tomb over the years. Samake pointed out that water, humidity, and insects have caused significant damage. “First, the factors of degradation on the site are natural factors - it’s water, humidity, and insects, so all the problems we see around that tomb and the pathologies we found came from that. There are the woods that were very fragile, very degraded; others were broken. There were pillars that had fallen in 2011 and 2017, so it is; it is pathologies.”

Historian Mohamed Soumeylou Traore explained, “This renovation is crucial because the tomb serves as the burial place of multiple Askia rulers. In Gao alone, ten Askias have been laid to rest here.”

However, certain statues stand out amidst these monumental creations through their immense size and splendour. Here is a compilation of some of the world's most towering statues, guided by insights from World Visualized , as highlighted by The Atlantic.

Statue of Unity in India

The tallest statue in the world is the Statue of Unity. It is a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister. Located in Gujarat, this colossal structure stands at an impressive 597 feet and 182 metres, surpassing the previous record holder, the Spring Temple Buddha in China.

Spring Temple Buddha in China

The Spring Temple Buddha located in Henan Province, China, held the title of the world's tallest statue for over a decade. This astonishing structure stands at 420 feet and 128 metres. According to The Economic Times , it was built at $55 million in 2002 after the Taliban destroyed the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan.

Laykyun Sekkya in Myanmar

In the city of Monywa, Myanmar stands the Laykyun Sekkya, a massive Buddha statue that reaches a height of 380 feet and 115.8 metres. This impressive structure has 31 levels inside, representing the stages of life in Buddhist belief.

Vishwas Swaroopam in India

The "Statue of Belief," also known as "Vishwas Swaroopam," is a majestic representation of Lord Shiva located in Rajasthan, India. It was crafted by the skilled sculptor Naresh Kumawat and was unveiled to the public on October 29, 2022. This sculpture stands as the world's highest statue of Shiva, measuring 347 feet and 106 metres.

Ushiku Daibutsu in Japan

Located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, the Ushiku Daibutsu is a bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha that stands at an impressive 330 feet and 100 metres. This statue was built to commemorate the birth of Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.

Guishan Guanyin in China

China boasts the gargantuan Guishan Guanyin, a statue of the Bodhisattva Guanyin that reaches a height of 325 feet and 99 metres. The government of Ningshan County, supported by contributions from local enterprises and faith-based groups, allocated an investment of 260 million yuan (approximately USD36 million) to finalise the construction in 2009.

Originally released in 1976, "Sweet Mother" quickly captured the hearts of millions across the continent. Its timeless celebration of motherhood earned it the title of Africa's favourite song in a BBC poll back in 2004. Surpassing other iconic tunes, it secured a place in history with over 27% of the votes.

Prince Nico Mbarga, the name and man behind the song is barely known in Nigerian music before the release of the song. His style has been described as a crafted unique blend of West African Highlife and Congolese rhumba, setting him apart in the industry. Despite facing initial rejection from major record labels like EMI and Decca, Mbarga persisted, eventually releasing the now-legendary album independently.

“Sweet mother I no forget you for the suffer wey you suffer for me,” to wit “Sweet mother I will not forget you for the suffering you’ve endured for me,” has over the years become a household sentence invoking emotions in appreciating mothers on the continent.

The success of "Sweet Mother" was unparalleled, with reported sales exceeding thirteen million copies, surpassing even the best-selling records of global sensations like The Beatles. Its popularity transcended borders, reaching listeners in Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone.

However, Mbarga's remarkable journey was tragically cut short . Twenty-seven years ago, he met with a fatal accident in Calabar, Nigeria, leaving behind a timeless piece of music that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Despite his immense impact on African music, Mbarga's story remained largely untold until now. While his life may have been marked by tragedy, his music remains a beacon of joy and celebration every year on May 12.

“I was first introduced to Gilliam’s important work as a student by my mentor, Kąrî'kạchä Seid'ou, and it has been greatly influential on me ever since. The most important aspect of any community is to share their many gifts, even if they are born out of precarity, for within that point do we expand freedom for all life forms,” Mahama is quoted.

Mahama was chosen by a panel of five individuals, which comprised Gilliam's widow and head of his foundation, Annie Gawlak; Courtney J. Martin, the director of the Yale Center for British Art and other notable personalities .

“Mahama champions collaboration in his work, and, just like he gives renewed purpose to the materials he collects and recycles into art works, he revitalises his communities, turning castoff structures into institutions for convening, learning, art making , and collective growth,” Jessica Morgan, Dia’s director, said in a statement.

Mahama's works have been showcased in major international exhibitions, including the recent Desert X AlUla in Saudi Arabia and other events like the Sharjah Biennial and the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale, as well as his contribution to the Ghanaian pavilion at the 2019 Venice Biennale.

The Dia Art Foundation introduced the Sam Gilliam Award, last year as an annual honor presented to an artist from any part of the world whose impact on the art world has been transformative. Recipients of the award receive a $75,000 prize, along with the chance to showcase their work through a public program organized by Dia.

According to the findings, happiness inequality surged by more than 50% across all age brackets in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2010, individuals aged 60 and above were identified as the least happy group in 70% of the African countries surveyed. However, in the latest data, this age group now represents the least happy segment in only about a third of the countries, suggesting that unhappiness has become increasingly prevalent among younger demographics.

The report highlighted that negative emotions are equally prevalent among males and females under the age of 30 in sub-Saharan Africa. However, as individuals age, women tend to experience a more pronounced decline in happiness compared to men. This observation underscores a concerning trend of worsening well-being among women as they grow older in the region.

Emeritus Professor of Economics at the Vancouver School of Economics, University of British Columbia, and a founding editor of the World Happiness Report, Prof. John F. Helliwell, said: “The broad country coverage and annual surveys of the Gallup World Poll provide an unmatched source of data about the quality of lives all over the globe. There are now enough years of data, going back to 2006, to enable us this year to plausibly separate age and generational patterns for happiness. We found some pretty striking results.”

“There is a great variety among countries in the relative happiness of the younger, older, and in-between populations. Hence, the global happiness rankings are quite different for the young and the old, to an extent that has changed a lot over the last dozen years,” said Helliwell.

Overall, the survey revealed that young people are the happiest demographic in 28 out of the 40 surveyed countries in Africa. This finding suggests that despite the overall increase in happiness inequality, there remains a significant portion of the youth population experiencing relatively higher levels of well-being.

The Gallup World Happiness Report serves as a tool for assessing and understanding the evolving landscape of happiness and well-being globally, providing insights to inform targeted interventions and policies aimed at fostering equity in societies around the world.

Holding a new record of 119 hours, 57 minutes, Irish chef Alan Fisher is now the acclaimed longest cooking marathon (individual) in the Guinness World Record titles.

Announcing this on their official website, the Guinness World Record in a statement said Alan had broken two cooking-related titles including the longest baking marathon (individual).

“First up, he's claimed the longest cooking marathon (individual) after clocking in a time of 119 hours 57 minutes. That is more than 24 hours longer than the previous record held by Nigerian chef Hilda Baci.

“Alan then claimed the longest baking marathon (individual), with a time of 47 hours 21 minutes. The previous record holder was Wendy Sandner (USA) with a time of 31 hours 16 minutes.

“What's even more impressive is that Alan took on both attempts back to back, meaning he was at work in the kitchen for over 160 hours with just over a day of rest in between!” the statement said.

Baci in a post reacting to the new record congratulated the new champion, wishing him the best of luck.

Nigerians have since been reacting to the development on social media platform X.