How A 70s Rock Band Is Reviving 'Zamrock' And Blowing Minds 50 Years Later

In the vibrant 1970s, Zambia birthed a unique music genre known as Zamrock, blending Western rock influences with African rhythms. This musical movement emerged during Zambia's post-independence era and thrived until economic and social challenges led to its decline in the late 1970s. Among the pioneers of this genre was Witch, an acronym for "We Intend to Cause Havoc," fronted by Emmanuel "Jagari" Chanda. Witch released five albums between 1972 and 1977, epitomizing the Zamrock sound. "We had the influence of rock and roll, but we were Africans, so we couldn't play the actual rock and roll," Jagari told BBC. Despite fading into obscurity due to economic downturns and health crises in Zambia, Zamrock is experiencing a revival over 50 years later. The resurgence began in 2011 when Now-Again Records released a compilation of Witch's music. This sparked global interest, leading to tours and new releases. Italian filmmaker Gio Arlotta documented their journey in his film *We Intend To Cause Havoc*. "It's hard not to be blown away when you hear Witch," said Now-Again founder Eothen Alapatt. Today, Zamrock is gaining recognition beyond Africa. Artists like Jack White have embraced it, while rappers such as Tyler, The Creator have sampled its sounds. Witch recently released a new album titled *Sogolo* and will become the first Zamrock band to perform at the Glastonbury Festival. Reflecting on this revival, Jagari remarked: "Zamrock is facing a rebirth... But the interest is growing."

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Why Artist Chase Hall Believes Gratitude Fuels Creativity

When Chase Hall speaks, it’s with the intention and care of someone who has spent years interrogating himself — someone deeply attuned to the nuances of identity, race, and what it means to belong. At 32, the painter has become one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary art, known not just for his use of coffee-stained cotton canvases, but for how his work distills the layered contradictions of being mixed-race in America. Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to a white mother and a Black father, Hall describes his practice as an “exploration of the impossible absolute of biracial identity.” In the spirit of W.E.B. Du Bois’ concept of double consciousness, Hall is less interested in arriving at answers than he is in framing honest, unresolved questions — about race, about class, about manhood and legacy. “The work has always been about questions of who I am, who I am becoming, and how I am showing up in the world,” he says. Those questions take physical form in paintings that blend abstraction and figuration. The raw cotton canvas speaks to the history of enslavement and exploitation in America. The coffee — a material rooted in African soil and global labor — stains the fabric with deliberate strokes and cultural weight. His figures often evoke familial memory, social resilience, and historical dissonance. That material language was born out of necessity. As a young barista with no budget for art supplies, Hall began painting with coffee on the back of receipts. Over time, the practice became a signature. “I didn’t have money to buy paint tubes, but I had coffee from the shop,” he says. “I wanted to galvanize some of those questions by using an alternative material that wasn’t found in an art store.” Hall’s rise hasn’t been sudden, but it has been meteoric. Since landing a residency at MASS MoCA in 2020 and appearing on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list the following year, he’s been acquired by the likes of LACMA, the Whitney, and the Fondation Louis Vuitton. Yet even in moments of career breakthrough, Hall has remained conscious of the contradictions around him. In 2020, he gained recognition just as George Floyd’s murder — and the global protests that followed — exposed once again the violent fault lines of racial injustice. “I never felt like, ‘Oh, I made it,’” Hall says. “It was more like, now I have a chance to keep going, to keep speaking truth to power.” At the time, both of his parents were incarcerated. He was taking care of a dog, a relationship, and his own emotional survival. The idea that success could—or should—erase the pain of the moment felt hollow. Instead, Hall leaned deeper into the contradictions. His current show at Galerie Eva Presenhuber in Vienna, titled Momma’s Baby, Daddy’s Maybe, takes its name from a phrase his father used to say during visits. “It really shattered me,” Hall says. “But it also made me think about the trope of fractured fatherhood — how that shows up constantly, especially in Black families, and what it means to grow up with that absence.” The show explores themes of masculinity and growth, from the confusion of adolescence to the reckoning of middle age. That evolution is personal. Ten months ago, Hall became a father himself. “It’s changed everything in a really special and beautiful way,” he says. “I’m seeing things I used to take for granted in a new light. Before, I was this lone wolf trying to figure out who I am. Now, it’s like my heart lives outside my body.” Fatherhood hasn’t necessarily shifted the themes of his work, but it has deepened them. The maternal figure — often central in his paintings — now comes with the added weight of recognition and gratitude. “You see parents in a totally different lens,” he says. “It’s a hundred times more beautiful, and a hundred times harder than I ever imagined.” Even as his work grapples with trauma — racial, generational, familial — it holds space for joy. Hall doesn’t describe his practice as intentionally optimistic, but as intentionally honest. “I don’t try to make joyful artwork,” he says. “I try to make work that is truthful. And in that truth, there are moments that are good and moments that are bad.” That balance of pain and possibility, of absence and presence, has shaped both his artistic language and his personal growth. Early in his career, fellow artist Sondra Perry challenged him directly: “You love Black history, but your mom is white. Where is that in the work?” It was a turning point. “Until someone calls you out, you’re never forced to grow,” Hall says. “That critique made me dig deeper and find a truth to stand on, not someone else’s block. That’s when I stopped trying to ‘pass’ and started asking what it really means to tell the full story.” Hall’s story — and the stories in his work — remain layered, open-ended, and defiantly complex. In a world eager to define people in absolutes, he offers another way: one that embraces duality, contradiction, and the slow work of becoming.

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Meet The 135-Year-Old Tortoise Celebrating His First Father’s Day at Zoo Miami

Goliath, the venerable Galapagos tortoise at Zoo Miami, marked a milestone on Sunday by celebrating his 135th birthday and becoming a father for the first time. Weighing in at 517 pounds, Goliath welcomed his first offspring earlier this month, much to the delight of zoo officials. “Goliath is my hero, and I am sure he will soon be an inspiration to many others!” said Ron Magill, Zoo Miami spokesman. “He is living proof that where there is a will, there is a way and to never give up!” The hatchling emerged from one of eight eggs laid on January 27 and successfully hatched on June 4. This event marks not only Goliath's debut as a father but also the first successful hatching of an endangered Galapagos tortoise at Zoo Miami. The species has faced significant threats over the years due to human activities and invasive species on their native Galapagos Islands. Today, climate change and habitat loss continue to pose challenges. Goliath's journey began between 1885 and 1890 when he hatched on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. He made his way to the Bronx Zoo in 1929 before settling at Zoo Miami in 1981. Despite breeding attempts with various females over the years, this is his first successful siring with Sweet Pea, who is estimated to be between 85 and 100 years old. Both parents are thriving in their public habitat while their hatchling remains healthy in a separate enclosure since wild hatchlings are typically not raised by their parents.

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Taylor Swift's Heartwarming Surprise Visit to Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital

Pop superstar Taylor Swift brought unexpected joy to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, on June 13, 2025. Her surprise visit transformed an ordinary day into a memorable experience for young patients and their families. The hospital shared the news on social media, expressing gratitude: "You made this a day we’ll never shake off. 💜 Thank you, Taylor Swift, for bringing your support and kindness to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. You turned hospital hallways into a place of joy, comfort, and connection. ✨ Our patients and families felt the love, and the magic will stay, stay, stay with them long after today." Swift's presence filled the hospital with smiles and laughter as she interacted with children, posed for photos, and offered words of encouragement to families facing difficult times. “Can I scream?” one patient exclaimed before letting out a joyful yell that echoed down the hallway. Another patient expressed disbelief at meeting her idol: “Holy crap. I met Taylor Swift. Holy crap.” A former pediatric nurse highlighted the significance of Swift's visit: "I worked as a pediatric nurse for a long time and the impact of something like this, not only on the patients but the morale of the staff is really a big deal. Good on Taylor for bringing so much joy to these sweet kids."

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The Top 5 Weekly Foods Dietitians Swear By to Slash Your Stroke Risk

Your brain is the powerhouse of your body, orchestrating everything from thoughts to emotions. Protecting it from strokes is crucial, and what you eat can make a significant difference. A Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole foods like olive oil, grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes can reduce stroke risk by 40 percent for high-risk individuals, according to Vanessa King, M.S., RDN. A study supports this claim, showing that those with high-quality diets had a 40% lower stroke risk compared to those with poor diets. Dietitians recommend five key foods to help keep your stroke risk low: 1. Salmon: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins, salmon can lower blood homocysteine levels, a stroke risk factor. "Three ounces of cooked salmon provides over 100 percent of the Daily Value of B12," says King. 2. Coffee: Amy Brownstein, M.S., RDN notes coffee's polyphenols may lower blood pressure. She advises limiting sweeteners due to their potential contribution to stroke risk. 3. Spinach: Packed with folate and magnesium, spinach promotes brain blood flow. Studies link high folate intake to a 17 percent reduction in stroke incidence. 4. Chickpeas: These beans are rich in vitamin B6 and fiber. "They serve as a protein source for stews and salads," says King. 5. Soy Foods: Tofu and tempeh are heart-friendly proteins that may relax blood vessels due to phytoestrogens. Beyond diet, staying active is vital for maintaining a healthy weight and cholesterol levels. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol also contribute significantly to reducing stroke risk. "Even small shifts in the kitchen can make a big impact on stroke prevention," King emphasizes.

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The Surprising 4 Nutrients That Could Help Lower Your Dementia Risk

A new study out of Columbia University suggests that certain nutrients — especially those with antioxidant properties — may help lower the risk of dementia. The findings, published in the journal Nutrients, point to vitamins, minerals, and fiber as potentially protective factors, while high sugar intake was once again linked to increased risk. Dementia, which includes conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, is expected to affect double the number of people globally by 2060. That projection comes with a steep cost: the economic burden of unpaid dementia care in the U.S. alone is forecast to rise from $172 billion in 2020 to more than $1.5 trillion by mid-century. Since there’s no cure for dementia, prevention is crucial — and that starts with diet. What the Study Looked At Researchers pulled data from the long-running U.S. Health and Retirement Study, specifically a subset from 2013 that focused on diet and nutrition. Over 6,000 adults aged 50 and older filled out detailed food questionnaires and underwent cognitive assessments. Researchers then analyzed how intake of 101 individual nutrients related to dementia risk, while adjusting for factors like age, sex, education, smoking, physical activity, and BMI. The Nutrients That Stood Out Among all the nutrients evaluated, five stood out for their strong association with a lower risk of developing dementia: Isorhamnetin – A flavonol found in fruits and vegetables like onions, berries, cherries, apples, and almonds. Manganese – A trace mineral found in nuts, legumes, whole grains, leafy greens, and even maple syrup. Dietary Fiber – Found in plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, seeds, and whole grains. Beta-tocopherol and beta-tocotrienol – Two forms of vitamin E, which is present in sunflower seeds, wheat germ, and vegetable oils. All of these nutrients have antioxidant effects, helping to reduce cellular damage that can contribute to cognitive decline. On the flip side, the study reinforced previous research linking high sugar intake with a greater risk of dementia. A Few Surprises Not all the findings were straightforward. Some nutrients typically seen as beneficial, including vitamin D and glycerophosphocholine (a compound in milk), were associated with a higher risk of dementia in this study. The authors caution against reading too much into these findings, noting that it’s possible the issue lies in other components of the food rather than the nutrients themselves. More research is needed. Limitations This was an observational study, not a clinical trial. That means it can’t prove cause and effect — only associations. Also, the dietary data relied on participants recalling what they ate over the past year, which can introduce errors. Dementia diagnosis was also based on interviews or proxy reports, not clinical evaluations. And important factors like genetics weren’t included in the analysis. Takeaways for Daily Life Despite the study’s limitations, the message is consistent with broader public health guidance: eat more plant-based, nutrient-rich foods and limit processed sugar. Adding more fiber, vitamin E, flavonols, and minerals like manganese to your diet doesn’t require drastic change. A few swaps — like trading chips for nuts and berries, or soda for water or tea — can boost nutrient intake without much effort. And for those looking for a more structured approach, evidence-backed diets like the MIND diet, which blends Mediterranean and DASH diet principles, have been shown to reduce dementia risk by as much as 25 percent. The Bottom Line While there’s no silver bullet for preventing dementia, this new research supports what many experts already believe: a nutrient-rich diet can play a key role in protecting brain health. Antioxidant-rich foods, plenty of fiber, and cutting back on sugar may not only help your memory, but your overall well-being as well.

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Why Thousands Are Lining Up for Free Tattoos at This Unexpected Coffee Pop-Up

Would you consider getting a tattoo while sipping your favorite latte? Across the UK, cafes are blending coffee culture with body art to draw in more customers. With over 11,000 cafes nationwide, according to the World Coffee Portal, this trend is gaining traction. Some believe it’s fueled by TikTok's notion that tattooed baristas brew better coffee, while others see it as Gen Z's quest for authentic experiences. Sisters Maia and Luna Omar are fans of spontaneous tattoos as a form of self-expression. They recently visited Nexus Cafe in Digbeth, Birmingham for a pop-up tattoo event. "It makes coffee shops more fun," Maia said. "We're sisters and we like tattoos and it's something that we're doing together," Luna added. International chain Blank Street has hosted free pop-up tattoo events in Manchester and London, attracting thousands. Meanwhile, Think+ Coffee and Ink in London has been offering coffee alongside tattoos and haircuts since 2019. Founded by tattoo artist and pastor Christian Vargas, the cafe features an open-view tattoo studio through a glass partition. "[The shop] gets rid of taboos and secrecy around tattoos and provides an inclusive space for everyone," Vargas said. He noted society's growing acceptance of body art compared to two decades ago. A YouGov poll from 2022 found that one in four people have a tattoo, with women slightly more likely than men to be inked. Psychologist Natasha Sharma from Wolverhampton describes tattoos as "a powerful statement of personal identity." She notes that young people seek real experiences amid their digital lives. "Tattoos act as an experience and a story wrapped into one," she said. As this trend continues to grow, it seems coffee shops might just become the new go-to spot for both caffeine fixes and creative expression.

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Why This Rare Moth is Sparking Celebration Among Wildlife Enthusiasts

A rare discovery in Essex, England, has wildlife enthusiasts buzzing with excitement. Fiona Hutchings, 47, was conducting surveys with the Essex Field Club at a farm in Alphamstone when she spotted a flash of green that turned out to be an extremely rare forester moth. This species had not been seen since 1974. "To find something so rare was just amazing," Hutchings said. She described the moment: "I was walking along a footpath area and I saw this green flash go past. I caught it in a net and when I looked in the net, I knew what it was the moment I saw it." The forester moth, known for its wingspan of up to 2.9 centimeters, typically inhabits damp grasslands and woodlands. Hutchings took her find to fellow club member Rob Smith, who confirmed the identification with wide-eyed amazement. The duo photographed the moth before releasing it back into its natural habitat and logged their discovery in a database. To their surprise, they encountered another forester during subsequent surveys. Hutchings celebrated the occasion by opening a bottle of bubbly she had saved for something special. "After finding the forester, I thought 'You know what, this is a special occasion' and I had a glass of bubbly," she said. This remarkable find has brought renewed hope and excitement to local conservation efforts as enthusiasts continue their work preserving these delicate ecosystems.

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Australia's Senior Rowers Take on the World Championships with a Scottish Twist

As the sun rises over Perth, a unique group of rowers sets out on the Swan River from the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. These athletes are not your typical competitors; they are Australia's representatives for the World Championships in Scotland this July. Their vessels? St Ayle's skiffs—155-kilogram wooden boats with roots tracing back to 19th-century Fife, Scotland. Mark Endersby, the club's skiff race director, shared their excitement: "We're now taking 16 rowers over to Scotland. We are all over 50 and the age range goes up to 79." The teams include male, female, and mixed crews competing in categories like over-40s and even a combined age group averaging 70 years. The journey to this international stage began serendipitously over coffee after a morning row. John Longley, renowned for his role in Australia II’s historic America’s Cup win in 1983, played a pivotal part in introducing skiffs to Western Australia. After discovering these boats at a festival in Hobart in 2013, he saw their potential for community building at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. Despite initial resistance, "There was a little bit of a 'well, you know, John, we're a sailing club,'" Longley recalled. The club embraced skiff racing. Today, it thrives across Western Australia with community-built boats. For Endersby, who moved from England amid personal challenges post-COVID-19 pandemic, joining the club was transformative. "If I hadn't have got involved with the skiffs," he said, "I'd be a loner in Perth." The team is also using their championship participation to support mental health charity Youth Focus through their Row for Youth initiative.

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Meet The New Dad: How Millennial Fathers Are Transforming Parenthood And Society

In the evolving landscape of fatherhood, modern dads are stepping up in ways that were once unimaginable. Millennial fathers now spend three times more hours with their children than dads did in the 1960s, marking a significant shift in parenting roles. This transformation is not just beneficial for families but also for society at large. Anna Machin, an evolutionary anthropologist and author of "The Life of Dad: The Making of the Modern Father," has been studying this evolution closely. She notes that today's fathers are more involved than ever before, breaking away from traditional roles as mere breadwinners or disciplinarians. “Investing fathers – which is basically fathers who stick around – is very, very rare in the animal kingdom,” Machin says. Machin explains that practical factors like dual-income households and less available grandparental support have contributed to this change. However, she emphasizes that human males are biologically predisposed to co-parenting, a trait shared by only 5 percent of mammals. Interestingly, new research shows that men experience physiological changes similar to those seen in new mothers. Testosterone levels drop while hormones like oxytocin increase after childbirth, aiding bonding with their children. Despite these advances, challenges remain. Cultural norms still lag behind biological readiness for co-parenting. In countries where policies support paternal involvement, such as Sweden and Norway, the benefits extend across generations. Machin concludes that when men fully engage in parenting roles, it leads to positive outcomes for both children and society: “With this model of more involved dads,” she asserts, “the effects are cross-generational.”

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Indonesia's Micro-Libraries: How Playful Design Is Inspiring Young Readers

SHAU, a Dutch-German architecture firm, is transforming the island of Java in Indonesia with its innovative microlibraries. These structures are not just about books; they are vibrant spaces designed to spark imagination and creativity among children while providing a cool escape from the tropical heat. Since 2012, SHAU has completed eight microlibraries across Indonesia. The firm employs local materials and traditional passive cooling techniques to reduce temperatures inside these reading havens. Shading, cross ventilation, and strategic airflow through small openings help maintain a comfortable environment for young readers. One standout project is the Bima microlibrary in Bandung. Its facade features 2,000 recycled ice cream tubs with cut-out bottoms, allowing light and air to filter through while offering shade—a perfect blend of sustainability and functionality. In central Java, the Warak Kayu microlibrary sits on stilts to let breezes flow underneath. Inside, a rope net floor adds an element of playfulness while enhancing ventilation. "We're committed to building 100 microlibraries over the next two decades," said a SHAU representative. "Our goal is to create spaces that inspire learning and foster community."

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