Rorisang Modiba brings you the latest news from around the world.
Tanzania – A man who grew up without power has invented a backpack that helps rural children study at night. Innocent James, from Arusha, makes Soma Bags with built-in solar lights. He started small but now sells more than 36,000 bags across Africa. The bags can light up for reading and even charge phones. More than 200 charities give these bags to children who need them in countries like Tanzania, Nigeria, and Rwanda. The British government and the UN are helping James reach more children.
USA – Singer Chris Brown is suing Warner Bros for R9.5 billion (US$500 million). He says their TV show Chris Brown: A History of Violence wrongly showed him as someone who attacks women. Brown filed the case on 21 January 2025 in Los Angeles, saying the show lied about women accusing him of abuse.
Thailand – Thailand will allow gay couples to marry from Thursday, making it the first country in Southeast Asia to do so. Gay couples will now have the same rights as other married people, including adoption and inheritance. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra says this shows Thailand welcomes everyone. About 200 couples will marry together in Bangkok, with more weddings planned in other cities.
USA – Tech company OpenAI is joining with Oracle and SoftBank to build new computer centres for artificial intelligence. They’ll spend R1.9 trillion (US$100 billion) now and R9.5 trillion (US$500 billion) over four years. The project, called Stargate, will create 100,000 jobs. President Donald Trump praised the plan at the White House. The centres will be built in Texas and other places, but some worry about how much power they’ll need and foreign companies’ influence.
Pictured above: Innocent James with the solar backpack.
Source: UNDP/X