Latest news with #LaDigue
New York Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
French Lawmaker Says He Was Denied Entry Into the United States
A French member of Parliament has urged American authorities to reverse a decision to deny him entry to the United States, after he said they rejected his request for a visa to meet with progressive lawmakers and intellectuals about life under the Trump presidency. Pouria Amirshahi, a member of the Green party, said he had planned to travel to Washington D.C., New York and Boston this month. The trip was supposed to be the first taken by a member of La Digue, or The Dike, a group that he created a month ago with a handful of other leftist and centrist French lawmakers, to 'counter the spread of neo-fascism' in liberal democracies. At a news conference at the French National Assembly on Thursday morning, Mr. Amirshahi said he had told U.S. authorities that the purpose of his trip was to ask lawmakers, activists, professors and journalists to understand 'what the new situation was in the country since Mr. Trump came to power.' He was set to meet with progressive lawmakers, he said, including Senator Peter Welch, Democrat of Vermont, and Representative Maxine Dexter, Democrat of Oregon. But, he said, on Tuesday, he was told that his visa application had been rejected. 'The door was shut in a rather abrupt and unexpected manner,' Mr. Amirshahi said in a telephone interview. 'This is a decision that we consider to be both hostile and unfriendly.' A member of his team said later on Thursday that the embassy was 'reconsidering the reasons for the refusal.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Zawya
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Seychelles Celebrates 32nd Constitution Day with Ceremonial Flag Hoisting Across Three Islands
The Republic of Seychelles marked the 32nd anniversary of Constitution Day with dignified flag hoisting ceremonies held consecutively on Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. Leading the nation in this significant commemoration was President Wavel Ramkalawan, accompanied by First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, as Seychellois from across the archipelago reflected on the adoption of the Constitution of the Third Republic, a landmark moment in the country's democratic evolution. Constitution Day honours a pivotal chapter in Seychelles' history, when the nation collectively embraced a constitution that charted a new democratic course. The document enshrines the fundamental rights to life, liberty, and dignity, while establishing the shared duty of all Seychellois to uphold these core principles. This year's official proceedings began with a march by the Guard of Honour, featuring distinguished units from the Seychelles Defence Forces, Police Force, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Special Operations Unit. The symbolic highlight was the hoisting of the National Flag, followed by a stirring performance of the National Anthem—a moment that echoed the solemn pride of the occasion. The Seychelles National Flag, with its five striking oblique bands radiating from the base, captures the nation's dynamic spirit and progressive vision. Each colour holds deep meaning: blue for the ocean and sky, yellow for the sun as the source of life, red for the unity and passion of the people, white for peace and social justice, and green for the natural environment that sustains the islands. The programme also featured cultural performances by youth, celebrating Seychellois heritage and patriotism. Readings from the Constitution underscored the enduring relevance of the nation's legal framework, while patriotic songs performed by young talents from each island added a vibrant cultural dimension to the day's events. Among the attendees were Vice-President Ahmed Afif, the Cabinet of Ministers, numerous high-level government officials, and other distinguished guests. The 32nd Constitution Day celebrations successfully united citizens across the islands in a shared reflection on the values, rights, and responsibilities that form the bedrock of Seychelles' democratic society. The annual observance continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the nation's constitutional journey, and reaffirms the collective commitment to building a prosperous, inclusive, and harmonious future. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.
LeMonde
21-05-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
French left plans to create a 'progressive international' to fight against the far right
How can the left resist the far right's rise, symbolized by Donald Trump's return to power in the United States, Javier Milei's rise in Argentina, Geert Wilders' breakthrough victory in the Netherlands and the surge of the Rassemblement National (RN) in France? To answer this thorny question, the French left aims to rebuild a "progressive, humanist and environmentalist international," in the spirit of the major left-wing networks of decades past, the last of which was seen in the alter-globalization movement of the 2000s. Hoping to rekindle that era, a network of French elected officials – MPs, MEPs, mayors and senators – is about to embark on a tour, through an initiative called La Digue ("The Dam"), to meet with political leaders, intellectuals and civil society figures. Their aim: to ask them "how they resist" and to build connections, ahead of the possibility of the RN coming to power. "Nothing seems to stop the momentum of identitarian neofascists. The forces opposite us are allied and powerful. They sustain the narratives they instill against critical thinking, science and everything that makes us democrats," said, on Tuesday, May 20, left-wing independent MP Pouria Amirshahi (formerly a Socialist, who now sits with the Greens in the Assemblée), who spearheaded the initiative and had once taken part in the alter-globalization movement.
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
President Ramkalawan Inaugurates Haemodialysis Unit at St Mary's Hospital, La Digue
President Wavel Ramkalawan today presided over the official opening of the newly established Haemodialysis Unit at St Mary's Hospital on La Digue, marking a significant advancement in the Seychelles' national healthcare agenda. The state-of-the-art facility, developed in partnership with AMSA Renal Health Care, now enables patients on La Digue to receive critical dialysis treatment locally, sparing them the need for frequent inter-island travel. In his keynote address, President Ramkalawan underscored his administration's continued commitment to equitable healthcare delivery, stating:'Every citizen, regardless of where they live, has access to the quality healthcare services they need.' He described the unit as 'another important facility placed at the disposal of the La Digue community—one that not only saves lives but also restores dignity and eases the burden of patients and their families' The project fulfils a pledge made by the President during his 2025 State of the Nation Address, where the establishment of dialysis services on La Digue was highlighted as a priority healthcare objective. Among those attending the ceremony was local patient Bernada Jean, who delivered an emotional tribute, thanking the President, the Ministry of Health, AMSA Renal Health Care, and medical staff involved in the project. 'This unit brings us hope. It brings us relief. It gives us back precious time with our loved ones,' the patient stated. The Ministry of Health has reiterated its commitment to maintaining the quality and sustainability of the new service through its ongoing partnership with AMSA Renal Health Care. The opening of the Haemodialysis Unit represents a pivotal step toward healthcare equity across Seychelles' island communities, in alignment with the government's broader national development strategy. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.
