Nigeria, Zimbabwe rank among the world’s 10 most difficult places to live – Business Insider Africa

Nigeria, Zimbabwe rank among the world’s 10 most difficult places to live – Business Insider Africa

Business Insider Edition
Nigeria and Zimbabwe have been ranked among the world’s 10 most difficult places to live, according to a new global livability index that highlights the harsh realities of urban life in some of the world’s most challenged cities.
The annual report, compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), measures cities based on stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and environment, key indicators that affect overall quality of life.
The Global Livability Index evaluates cities based on over 30 indicators across five core categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Stability measures crime levels, civil unrest, and the threat of conflict.
Healthcare assesses the quality and availability of public and private services. Culture and environment consider factors like climate, recreational options, and personal freedoms.
Education is judged by access to quality public and private schooling, while infrastructure focuses on roads, transport, housing, and global connectivity. These combined metrics provide a snapshot of how liveable a city is for its residents.
Most African nations are grappling with persistent economic pressures, insecurity, and strained public services.
In many of these cities, ongoing political unrest, insecurity, limited access to quality healthcare, and under-resourced education systems contribute to poor livability scores.
In Nigeria, cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt continue to suffer from overcrowding, inadequate healthcare systems, and rising crime rates, while Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, remains burdened by hyperinflation, aging infrastructure, and limited access to essential services.
Algeria and Libya have also been named among the world’s most difficult places to live, joining Nigeria and Zimbabwe in a ranking that highlights the pressures facing several African cities.
For example, Tripoli in Libya continues to struggle with the effects of prolonged conflict and weakened institutions, while Algiers faces structural economic challenges and restrictions on civil liberties.
These issues are compounded by inadequate infrastructure and housing conditions that fall short of global standards.
The table below presents the ten most challenging cities to live in globally.
Cities at the bottom of the liveability rankings are predominantly located in the Middle East and Africa, reflecting persistent instability, limited infrastructure, and constrained access to quality services.
Thanks for signing up for our daily insight on the African economy. We bring you daily editor picks from the best Business Insider news content so you can stay updated on the latest topics and conversations on the African market, leaders, careers and lifestyle. Also join us across all of our other channels – we love to be connected!
© 2025 africa.businessinsider.com

source

Leave a Comment

Chinese film industry sees rapid growth in visual effects technology – People's Daily Online

Chinese film industry sees rapid growth in visual effects technology – People's Daily Online

From breathtaking mythical battles in “Ne Zha 2” to astonishingly realistic urban landscapes in “Detective Chinatown 1900,” Chinese cinema has captivated audiences with groundbreaking innovations in visual effects (VFX) from the start of 2025, delivering exhilarating and immersive viewing experiences.
In recent years, China’s film industry has experienced rapid growth, marked by constant breakthroughs in VFX technology. With better technical expertise, a more vibrant artistic vision, and a more substantial contribution to film industrialization, China’s VFX sector is showing strong development momentum.

Photo taken on Feb. 3, 2025 shows tourists visiting the Laoling Film Studio in Dezhou, east China’s Shandong province, where the movie “Detective Chinatown 1900” was filmed. (People’s Daily Online/Guo Zhihua)
Chinese animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2,” the first movie to cross the $1 billion line in a single market, continues to generate steady ticket sales. This sequel features three times the number of characters as its predecessor “Ne Zha,” nearly 2,000 special effects shots, and a production team of over 4,000 people. Its closing credits list nearly 140 Chinese animation studios involved in the project.
According to industry insiders, Chinese VFX teams can now bring almost all visual concepts to life by technical means. “The climactic battle between the demon clans and the celestial realm in ‘Ne Zha 2’ involves over 200 million characters. All visual effects were produced by Chinese teams, proving that China’s VFX sector is now at the forefront of the world,” said Li Zhen, a researcher with the China Film Art Research Center.
China’s VFX advancements are closely linked to the rapid development of the country’s film industry. The increasing demand for VFX-enabled productions has provided ample opportunities for Chinese studios to refine their skills through real-world projects. Meanwhile, the vibrant Chinese film market has increased audience expectations for even more stunning visuals, further driving industry progress.
Sources say that AI technology is playing an increasingly significant role in the early stages of VFX design. Once a script is finalized, AI can generate hundreds or even thousands of concept images within a short time, providing valuable visual references for the creation team.
The emergence of the AI video generator Sora in 2024 was a landmark event in the world. Back then, China had yet to develop its own large video generation models.
“Since the second half of 2024, we’ve been using our domestic models like KLING and Dreamina AI more frequently,” said Chen Yi, founder of Timeaxis, one of China’s earliest companies dedicated to digital film and television technology, based in east China’s Zhejiang province.
“Many of our colleagues have noticed that these domestically developed AI models are increasingly adept at handling Chinese-themed content. With thousands of years of rich cultural heritage, our homeland provides a deep well of artistic inspiration. The more these models learn from our VFX artists, the better they capture Chinese aesthetics and emotional expression. The progress of Chinese video generation models gives us greater confidence in the future of our industry,” said Chen.
With the advancement of the film industry, VFX has become an integral part of the entire film production process. Whether for live-action movies, animated films, or science fiction blockbusters, VFX has enabled directors and screenwriters to bring their imaginative ideas to life.
Take “Detective Chinatown 1900,” another high-grossing film during this year’s Spring Festival holiday, for example. The film includes over 1,100 VFX shots, and the production team built a full-scale replica of old San Francisco at Laoling Film Studio in Dezhou, east China’s Shandong province.
According to the film’s VFX supervisor Xu Mingjun, the VFX team began script reading even earlier than the actors because they needed to prepare for scanning and modeling. “Throughout the entire process of pre-production, filming, and post-production, we needed to work closely with the cinematography team to ensure that our VFX plans aligned perfectly with their action sequences,” said Xu.
The VFX sector is a benchmark of technological strength. Its rapid growth in China over the past few years has boosted the country’s film industrialization progress.
The success of “Ne Zha 2” marks another milestone in China’s VFX capabilities. Hundreds of Chinese studios collaborated on the film, with some specializing in rain simulation, others in particle effects, and yet more in character animation. The high-level expertise and an increasingly refined industrial chain have provided a solid industrial foundation for more filmmakers in China.

source

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

Jessica Biel drops the truth about her TV show physique – Fox News

Jessica Biel drops the truth about her TV show physique – Fox News

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2025 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.
The "Full House" star tells Fox News Digital she tries to stay consistent with her fitness routine all year long, but shares how she steps things up in the summer.
Jessica Biel is setting the record straight about what it takes to maintain a certain level of fitness. 
The 43-year-old Hollywood actress admitted that her toned body viewers saw in “The Better Sister” requires a strict, rigid fitness and nutrition plan – not a realistic long-term regimen. 
“Everyone is talking… about the white dress,” Biel explained in a TikTok video of her viral ensemble that showcased her back muscles. “And how do we stay strong as we get older.”
JESSICA BIEL SHARES RARE GLIMPSE INTO MONTANA FAMILY LIFE WITH JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE AFTER LEAVING HOLLYWOOD
Jessica Biel caused a stir with fans in a scene from “The Better Sister” where she wore a backless white dress. (Jojo Whilden/Prime)
“Specifically, as women, how do we keep our back strong?” she added.
“I wanted to share that, that peak shape in that show is not maintainable unless you are living the strictest… most rigid lifestyle with your nutrition and with your fitness, which I cannot do,” Biel continued. “So I’m currently back on my plan to sort of get a little bit back toward that shape.”
Jessica Biel stars in Amazon Prime Video’s “The Better Sister.” (Jojo Whilden/Prime)
The “7th Heaven” alum went on to explain that her routine focused heavily on muscle-building and flexibility—two key elements she insisted are paramount to her wellness plan.
JESSICA ALBA EMBRACES SELF-CARE AND SUMMER VIBES IN BIKINI PHOTOS
Jessica Biel admits her toned back muscles fans saw in “The Better Sister” required an unsustainable fitness regimen. (Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images)
Biel was seen in a workout room with gym equipment, as she told her fans that her workout consisted of “dumbbell hip thrust, 10 x 4 sets, each dumbbell is 10 kg.” She noted that she would normally use a barbell instead of dumbbells. 
The “Candy” actress continued to show her different workout routines throughout the social media video.  (Jessica Biel/TikTok)
In the second workout video clip, Biel was seen doing an exercise called “romanian deadlift,” then “hamstring curls” with a yoga ball.
The “Candy” actress continued to show her different workout routines throughout the social media video. 
She concluded her video by stretching on the floor in a split, “You’ve got to build muscle… That’s a key part of my particular routine. And a ton of flexibility.”
Jessica Biel said her “peak shape” in “The Better Sister” requires “the strictest… most rigid lifestyle with your nutrition and with your fitness, which I cannot do.” (Jojo Whilden/Prime)
“Let’s get older and stronger together,” Biel ended her video with a smile. 
Her fans flooded the comments section thanking the actress for her honesty. 
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
“Thanks for admitting that’s not sustainable,” one comment read.
Another fan wrote, “thank you for speaking about the lifestyle that comes with maintaining! this kind of transparency is so important.”
Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake married in 2012. They share two sons, Silas, 10, and Phineas, 4. (George Pimentel/WireImage)
“Love how honest and real you are,” another comment read.
Biel wrote in her TikTok caption, “I’m no expert but I want people to be healthy, safe, and strong. Remember to warm up and cool down…”
The Hollywood star tied the knot with pop singer Justin Timberlake in 2012. They share two sons, Silas, 10, and Phineas, 4.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Stephanie Giang-Paunon is an Entertainment Writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to stephanie.giang@fox.com and on Twitter: @SGiangPaunon.
Get a daily look at the top news in music, movies, television and more in the entertainment industry.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
Subscribed
You’ve successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2025 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

source

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

Advocates equip school in rural Nigeria with solar power to boost education – EnviroNews Nigeria

Advocates equip school in rural Nigeria with solar power to boost education – EnviroNews Nigeria

Words cannot express the joy on the children’s faces at Wisdom Academy School in Igbudu, Warri, Delta State, following the installation of solar energy systems by Music Declares Emergency US and The ClimateMusic Project to enhance the pupils’ educational experience.
It all started in 2024 when Nigerian musician Idowu Esuku, who resides in Lagos State, visited the school to launch the “Be Cool” Campaign. He has successfully established the “Be Cool Kids Club” both within the school and beyond as part of his efforts to enforce the objectives of this programme, a musical endeavour, which seeks to mobilise young voices in the fight against climate change and inspire them to advocate for a cooler planet.
Wisdom Academy, like many other schools in the majority of the nation’s rural areas, lacks access to essential amenities that facilitate efficient learning, such as electricity, fans and air-cooling conditions, and computers. During the tour, Esuku became irritated when he saw the students’ dehumanising learning conditions.
“I was inspired to light up Nigerian schools because when I see children in rural areas living without access to electricity, it really baffles me a lot,” he said in an interview on Friday, July 4, 2025, during the official launch of the Light-up Nigeria Schools Project in Delta State, which is supported by the Be Cool Campaign.
As an environmental rights activist who has travelled extensively to preach the message of climate change, he said he believes that renewable energy is a critical answer to the energy crisis that is currently threatening sustainable global development.
If the truth is to be told, the Wisdom Academy story is unquestionably one that requires urgent attention. The singer, who is popularly known as Mr. Climate-man, did, however, advise parents not to give up on their children’s academic situation because the solar power they have seen in the school is only the beginning of the project’s execution.
The campaign’s pop anthem – “I Wanna Be ’Cool” – was composed by award-winning songwriters Will Kimbrough and Brant Miller in collaboration with distinguished climate scientists. This song and music video, which has already received 136k+ YouTube views, featured Will Kimbrough and eight world-famous artists, including Jefferson Starship lead singer Cathy Richardson, six-time Grammy nominee John McCutcheon, violin pioneer Scarlet Rivera (formerly with Bob Dylan), and former “The Voice” contestant Raine Stern – plus 2,500 youngsters.
The video was shown at the 2025 EarthX Summit and on a daily basis at COP29 by We Don’t Have Time media. Be cool! The campaign advocates three global areas of action – civic engagement, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and climate education—and encourages everyone to engage with the following nonprofit organisations to help mitigate the growing climate crisis.
More than fifty Nigerian schools and thousands of Nigerian youths took part in the ‘I Wanna Be Cool’ song and music video.
So, it’s fitting that the Wisdom Academy’s low-cost solar power installation, the first of its kind in Nigeria, was carried out by Entric Power System Limited, a solar energy company that promises hope for many.
Jeru Ubrei-Joe, CODAF’s communication officer, is optimistic about the power of young voices and creativity to drive climate action.
According to him, this campaign demonstrates that youth can lead the charge for a cooler and more just planet by combining art and activism to campaign for emissions reductions, promote civic engagement, and demand systemic change.
“We’re not just dreaming of a greener future; we’re building it. Join us in amplifying these voices jointly,” Ubrei-joe stated in a press release made available to EnviroNews. “Let’s turn up the volume on climate justice and ensure every voice is heard because when youth lead, the world listens, and together there’s not one thing that we couldn’t do.”
By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

1 × 5 =




2025 EnviroNews Nigeria. All Rights Reserved.

source

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

GPS Radar Gets an Update – Daily Front Row

GPS Radar Gets an Update – Daily Front Row

Your Fashion Week app just got a makeover. Launchmetrics updated GPS Radar with a new user-friendly interface and a feature to request invitations to shows and events, search and see images with details like designer, season, product information, delivery date, and trend tags like prints, florals, and color blocking. Members can access brand profile pages to follow their preferred labels, find press releases, and contact brands directly to request samples or shows.
“The biggest luxury in fashion is time and what the GPS Radar app does is make the lives of leaders in the industry run more smoothly and efficiently,” said Jessica Michault, senior vice president of industry relations at Launchmetrics. “The platform makes it possible for members to rsvp to invitations, schedule events, arrive on time to a show, stay in the loop on all the latest runway looks and connect with other top-tier members of the community. It’s basically your fashion week survival app.”
Launchmetrics will upload runway images from New York, London, Milan, and Paris Fashion Week shows, and the GPS Radar App will let users share news with other members, search for other users, and browse profiles.
GPS Radar is available on both iOS and Android. Industry member can create an account or learn more on the GPS Radar Homepage.

Seating you front row, taking you backstage & catapulting you into the world of fashion. Stalk us on twitter @DailyFrontRow, follow us at FashionWeekDaily.com and always be seated front row.




Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.




GET OUR HAUTEST STORIES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX!









GET OUR HAUTEST STORIES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX!



@2023 – Daily Front Row. All Right Reserved.

source

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment