When Alyssa Anklewich’s history teacher assigned her Westwood Collegiate class an essay about D-Day, the 15-year-old had other ideas.

The  Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts (SNICHA) has launched two new initiatives to preserve and promote the island nation's rich cultural heritage. The Seychelles Cultural Encounters platform https://www.seychellesculturalencounters.com/ and the Bal Lasemenn (the Ball of the Week) were launched on May 29 at the Vye Marmit Restaurant, Domaine de Val des Pres, in the eastern Mahe district of Au Cap. In her address at the launching, Cecile Kalebi, the permanent secretary for culture, said, «As we stand at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, it is essential to reflect on the profound importance of cultural tourism and the role it plays in preserving our heritage.» Kalebi said cultural tourism is not just about showcasing Seychelles' beautiful landscapes and pristine beaches but also about sharing the soul of the island nation and these include the stories, traditions and customs that define the Seychellois people. The newly launched Seychelles Cultural Encounters platform is designed to be a dynamic space where the island nation's vibrant culture can be experienced, celebrated, and understood by both locals and visitors. «Through this platform, we aim to provide immersive cultural experiences that highlight the uniqueness of our Creole heritage, from our traditional music and dance to visits to museums and heritage sites, our culinary delights and artisanal art and crafts,» said the principal secretary. She added that cultural encounters are vital for fostering mutual understanding and respect among diverse peoples and «they allow us to appreciate the richness of our heritage and the creativity of our ancestors.» Also launched on Wednesday was the Bal Lasemenn, a cultural event to encourage and promote the appreciation of Seychelles' traditional dances. (SNICHA) Photo License: All Rights Reserved  Kalebi said that «for visitors, these encounters offer a deeper connection to the places they visit instead of just seeing the beauty of our islands, they get to feel the heartbeat of our nation. They learn about our history, participate in our festivals, and engage with our communities, creating memories that last a lifetime.» The launch of the platform aligns with the SNICHA's mandate, the Seychelles National Development Strategy 2024-2028, and Sustainable Development Goalss Goals 8 to 12. It supports these strategies and goals by promoting cultural tourism, which boosts local economies, creates jobs, and preserves our natural and cultural resources. This platform will offer cultural experiences and events designed to increase awareness and appreciation of our cultural assets among Seychellois of all ages. Also launched on Wednesday was the Bal Lasemenn, a cultural event to encourage and promote the appreciation of Seychelles' traditional dances among the local community and foreign visitors. The event will be organised every last Wednesday of each month at a fee of SCR250 ($18) per person for an immersive experience of Seychellois traditional dances, like the moutya and the sega. 

Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan highlighted the various challenges affecting the African continent and stressed how these can only be addressed through collective collaboration and strategic partnerships in his address at the Korea-Africa Summit. Ramkalawan is currently leading the Seychelles delegation at the Korea-Africa Summit taking place from June 4 to 5.   According to State House, Ramkalawan said, «In addressing the complex challenges of our times, such as climate crisis, transnational crime, and conflicts, it is evident that no single nation can address these issues in isolation.» He said that the theme of our Summit, «The Future We Make Together: Shared Growth, Sustainability, and Solidarity» resonates deeply with the vision outlined in Agenda 2063 for Seychelles and the entire African continent. It also emphasises the urgent need for collective action to foster mutual economic growth and realise shared aspirations as equal partners. «The potential for a transformative partnership between Africa and Korea is palpable, rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to sustainable development. By leveraging our respective strengths and synergies, we have the opportunity to catalyse positive change not only within our regions but also on a global scale,» Ramkalawan stressed. He also emphasised the critical importance of the combined partnership for growth potentials that exist through the Korea-African enhanced relations. A group photo of the participants at the Korea-Africa Summit. (State House) Photo License: CC-BY  «Central to our discussions lies the imperative of inclusive growth. Korea's technological prowess, coupled with Africa's youthful demographic and abundant natural resources, presents a fertile ground for collaboration across various sectors. It is essential that our cooperation benefits all segments of society, empowering our youth through quality education and embracing sustainable economic models,» said Seychelles' President. He added that the robust economy of Korea and Africa's progress in economic integration, exemplified by initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), serve as cornerstones for fostering economic growth, enhancing trade, and increasing investment opportunities for both regions. Ramkalawan also took the opportunity to stress the important role of African small island nations and the cooperation possibilities African Small Island Developing States (Africa SIDS) have to offer. He also highlighted Seychelles' strong commitment to enhancing relations in various domains with South Korea. Ramkalawan said Africa also comprises of small African Island Developing States and Seychelles, with its strategic location and conducive business environment, is eager to enhance economic ties with Korea. «As fervent advocates for sustainability, Seychelles is committed to deepening cooperation with Korea in areas such as climate change adaptation, environmental protection, and the Blue Economy. Investing in sustainable infrastructure projects will not only bolster Africa's economic stability but also enhance resilience, fortifying the Korea-Africa partnership for the long term. Sustainability, I should emphasise, is not merely a goal but a moral obligation that underpins our collective future,» he added. 

A renowned social and political commentator Caesar Kondowe and Civil Society leader Fryson Chodzi have jointly commended President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera led Government for championing construction of Judicial complex in Lilongwe. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Kondowe said the project is so significant for the country to achieve speed delivery of justice. Kondowe says […] The post Chakwera commended for championing construction of Judicial Complex appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

[Premium Times] President Bola Tinubu says he is committed to implementing a National Minimum Wage that is higher than the N60,000 offered by the government.

[IPS] Rome -- Kaponde Likando does not know how his family will survive until the next farming season. «We are not going to have anything (to harvest),» said the 60-year-old from Chingobe village in southern Zambia after his maize, sorghum, groundnut and sweet potato crops failed. «This has been the very opposite of what we expected.»

[allAfrica] Maternal health, which refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, according to WHO Africa, faces a troubling trend worldwide.

Kinsleigh Welty, five, was found unresponsive when officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan PD arrived at a home on Denver Drive on April 9.

The new research was presented this weekend at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago.

Washington, 04/06/2024 Le chef de la diplomatie américaine, Antony Blinken, a exprimé la «gratitude» des Etats-Unis à Sa Majesté le Roi Mohammed VI pour les contributions humanitaires du Maroc à Gaza, tout en soulignant l'importance du soutien du Maroc à la proposition du président des Etats-Unis d'Amérique, Son Excellence Monsieur Joseph R. Biden, visant à «parvenir à un cessez-le-feu durable à Gaza et à garantir la libération de tous les otages». "Le secrétaire d'Etat a exprimé sa (...) - INTERNATIONAL / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

When Dr Lee Cheng first started out, he wanted to major in psychiatry but was met with great scepticism from his family.  Lee, who was trained as a medical doctor, recalled his family questioning him then: «There are so many fields of medicine, why do you want to choose psychiatry?»  Despite the naysayers, Lee persisted because of his interest in the field.  Some 30 years on, Dr Lee today is the clinical director for the office of population health at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH).  Working in this field, and in a public hospital have given him the chance to create policy change. «I think the satisfaction comes from knowing that I can help to change the mental health care in the future,» he said.  However, the stigma against healthcare practitioners is ever present.  For example, some of his patients, he shared with AsiaOne, refuse to acknowledge him in public.

When she was alive, TCM practitioner Tang Rongxuan (transliteration) dedicated her life to helping her patients. In death, she continued to give. Tang, 79, who was found dead at her Pasir Ris flat last Thursday (May 30), had reportedly willed her assets to Community Chest, reported Shin Min Daily News. She had practised medicine for over 30 years, and worked at Tong An Tang TCM Clinic in Choa Chu Kang for more than 10 years. The clinic owner said Tang excelled at her work and was dedicated to treating patients. Despite her limited mobility, the physician loved her job and insisted on travelling to the clinic. She always arrived on time, said the owner. «The clinic is a distance away from her home, and she would take a taxi to and from work. We urged her to find work at another clinic nearer to her home, but she refused.» The owner revealed that Tang once told her that she had already made a will to donate her assets to Community Chest, the philanthropy and engagement arm of the National Council of Social Service.

He's only six years old, but this preschooler has already accomplished more than what some might ever achieve in a lifetime. Ryan, the six-year-old son of physiotherapist and Singapore Institute of Technology associate professor Benjamin Soon has cycled 129km around Singapore in 14 hours, raising $12,000 for charity, going towards those with intellectual disabilities. He also became the youngest person to cycle more than 120km around Singapore in one day.  The previous record-holder, six-year-old Adiv Seth cycled with his dad around Singapore on Nov 3, 2022, covering a distance of 120.28km, according to the Singapore Book of Records. Speaking with AsiaOne, Soon, 47, shared that the family of three started cycling before dawn at 5.30am last Saturday (June 1), beginning their route in Jurong. A friend of the family, Christopher Peh, 56, also joined the family. They came across their first bump in the road soon after - rain, which followed the family around their trip - but they continued cycling.

Mogadishu (HOL) - The Court of Appeal of Banadir region acquitted two former Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs directors of corruption charges on Tuesday.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has stated that Ankara intends to discuss joining BRICS at an upcoming meeting in Russia Read Full Article at RT.com

39 African countries are now able to receive postal shipments from Russia Read Full Article at RT.com

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib has called on EU members punish Hungary under the “nuclear option” of Article 7 Read Full Article at RT.com

Georgia’s new ‘foreign agents’ law fundamentally alters relational between Washington and Tbilisi, the US State Department has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, an independent candidate currently lodged in Tihar jail, has emerged victorious in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, defeating former chief minister Omar Abdullah. Rashid, who is lodged in Tihar jail, at 4,52,812 votes won by almost over 2 lakh votes. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah got 2,53,888 seats.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the programs of the National Environment Week happening at USP, starting yesterday.

The government is set to convene the Nationwide Ocean Summit (Wan Solwota Sumit) during Environment Week in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Seoul (HOL) - Somali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre and his delegation attended the South Korea-Africa summit in Seoul, South Korea, which officially opened on Tuesday.

Stephane Poquet has been living in his restaurant basement for the last five months while awaiting a decision from Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board after he applied to evict his tenant so he could move into the condo unit he owns after he and his ex-partner sold their home last year.

A mother bear and her cubs have become habituated to being fed on the roadside along the highway, north of Thompson, but feeding wild animals creates hazards for both bears and people, Manitoba Conservation says

Jessica Grant and Mackenzie Ashby have been waiting a long time for a surgery they say will dramatically reduce their pain and improve their quality of life.

Recent changes to the Canadian Transportation Agency's complaints process broaden the type of decisions airlines can contest in court. Some legal experts say that may lead to more being passengers dragged into legal battles with their airline.

Somebody is stealing golf carts from courses across Ontario. The sheer number of carts being taken has golf course owners convinced the thefts are linked and the work of professional thieves.

In particular, Zamir Kabulov pointed out that the SCO was first and foremost an economic organization, so «Afghanistan should also put its economy in some kind of order for other SCO members to view its accession as reasonable»

Ahead of the talks, Sergey Lavrov and Denis Sassou Nguesso warmly welcomed each other and the top Russian diplomat conveyed greetings from Moscow

«Russia has never interfered and is not interfering into France’s domestic affairs,» the embassy’s press service stressed

Zamir Kabulov noted that the meetings between the labor minister in the Taliban interim government and «official Russian representatives» are being worked out