Day: July 28, 2024

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China Matters’ Feature: How Does the Culture of Ming Dynasty Come to Life?


Ming Dynasty, from 1368 A.D. to 1644 A.D., is deemed a flourishing period of economy, culture and technology. And the prosperity is brought back from thousands of years ago.

The 2024 Ming Dynasty Culture Forum, which highlights the artistry, traditions, and daily life of the period, invites audiences worldwide to explore the rich heritages of one of China’s most influential dynasties.

American Vlogger Jack Klumpp is thinking of taking part into the ancient memories. Putting on the Ming Dynasty armor, he turns himself into a soldier of that time. Through a talk with the arts and crafts master Li Hui, Jack learns the meticulous process of crafting armor and its function. The story reaches a climax as Jack participates in a ceremonial reenactment at Juyong Pass wearing the handmade replica.

The elegance of Ming Dynasty Hanfu, or Chinese costume, is showcased by Marina, a journalist and vlogger who tries on two styles of female clothing. Engaging with Hanfu expert Cai Zehong, she unravels details of the well-d
esigned garments, like the horse-face skirt and the long robe.

The majestic court music of the Ming Dynasty, or Zhonghe Shaoyue in Chinese, is introduced by Ekaterina Kaligaeva, an internet influencer. This ceremonial music, by blending ritual, song, and dance, through performances on 14 traditional instruments, including the sheng and chime bells. Kaligaeva even plays ‘Ode to Joy’ on the chime bells, adding a modern touch.

In the Great Archery Ceremony, Jack Klumpp returns to explore the Ming Dynasty archery ritual. He acquires the skills of shoot arrows in rhythm with music. Historically, winners earned the honor of standing beside the emperor in ceremonial events.

By presenting various ancient events and rituals to the modern audience, the 2024 Ming Dynasty Culture Forum connects past and present, fostering a deeper appreciation of China’s cultural heritage. Through engaging storytelling and reenactments, the forum brings the splendor of the Ming Dynasty to the audience world-wide and celebrate its cult
ural achievements.

Contact: Wang Yueer

Tel:008610-68996566

E-mail:[email protected]

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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North-East leaders warn against protest


The North-East Leaders of Thought (NELT), has appealed to youths to shelve the planned nationwide protest and give the government a chance.

The Chairman of NELT, retired Maj.-Gen. IBM Haruna, made the appeal at a news conference to mark his 84th birthday on Thursday in Abuja.

According to Haruna, a lot of sacrifices have been made for the nation to stand .

‘I grew up joining the military not for the fun of it, but with the determination to ensure that the unity and stability of the country remains indissoluble.

‘When the civil war broke out, we all had no other options than to make all the sacrifices to keep Nigeria one. By the grace of God, this was done.

‘We have remained together for the last 63 years as a nation.

‘Let me use the occasion of the celebration of my birthday to appeal to our youths, who are planning some protests around the country, to give the government a chance to settle down to work,’ he said.

According to Haruna, the government has just spent one year in office.

‘Hopefully, when
it gets its acts together, it should be able to improve the living conditions of the people.’

He said that efforts had been made to send some palliatives to all the states of the federation.

The chairman said that there were many other measures which the government had mapped out to address the challenges confronting the nation.

‘ It is my hope that those responsible for carrying out government tasks will take their assignments with all the seriousness they deserve.

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‘Let me also call on the government of the day to give a human face to all its programmes and activities that are being undertaken.

‘The basis on which this government was voted into office in 2023 was for the renewed hope agenda of the President.

‘By implication, it means Nigerians had lost hope and the administration promised to reset the hopeless situation with a renewed hope,” he said

Haruna said that things got worse with the immediate withdrawal
of subsidy, hike in electricity tariff, currency devaluation, and expensive transportation system.

He added that the deepening economic crisis was getting out of hand.

Haruna reminded the government that the security and welfare of the people was the primary purpose of its existence.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Agitation: Traditional ruler calls for massive youth empowerment


Igwe Samuel Asadu, Chairman, South-East Traditional Rulers Council, has called on privileged Nigerians to invest in human development to reduce agitation by the youths and other unemployed persons.

Asadu, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council and Edem Ani of Ogwugwu community, Nsukka area of Enugu State, made the call at a forum with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

He said that helping in the development of human beings was an important avenue to tackle socio-economic challenges in every society.

‘I am a compulsive philanthropist, my wife and I gave N63 million to the youths this year, tarred a road in my community and built eight houses for indigent persons in my community.

‘I have also reticulated water in my town and empowered 25 youths who I brought to Abuja in May.

”I challenge privileged Nigerians and the government to look into the development of the youths because we cannot do much if they are not adequately empowered.

‘Nigerians need to wake up and engage the y
ouths because they are the leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

Asadu, who had travelled far and wide, said that Nigeria is one of the top 10 countries blessed with the population of between 20 and 50 years old.

The professional nurse-turned-traditional ruler harped on the need for the Federal Government to factor in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and climate change in her development plans.

Asadu, who derives joy in assisting the people, said that more than 250 persons feed daily from a food bank in his palace in the past five years.

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He listed other humanitarian gestures done by him to include the building of a 20-bed hospital worth N70 million in 2018.

Asadu said that the health facility provides free services to the public.

He advised youths seeking divine upliftment to always tell God what they would do in return, if He uplifts them.

The traditional ruler advised people against making promises they cannot fulfil as God detests such.

‘I see the world
as a football field where one plays and scores goals and if you fail to put your eyes on the ball, you can’t achieve much,’ he said.

Asadu said that humanitarian gestures, apart from its spiritual gains, had the potential to reduce socio-economic challenges, insecurity and help in all-round development.

He advised the youths to respect their parents and constituted authorities, noting that respect for parents is the only commandment of God that has blessing attached to it.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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FC Ongos ladies crowned champions of PstBet NFA Cup


WINDHOEK: FC Ongos ladies team were crowned champions of the 2024 PstBet Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup after their 2-1 victory over Khomas NamPol at the Independence Stadium on Saturday.

The 2023/24 FNB Women’s Super League champions, who had a slow start, relied on their experience to secure the Football Association Cup.

The final match of the Women’s Football Association Cup went into extra time after a 1-1 draw at the end of the regular 90 minutes.

Both teams struggled to score in the first half, but FC Ongos took the lead in the second half. However, their celebrations were shortlived as Khomas NamPol equalized with a penalty five minutes later.

The game remained tied at 1-1, forcing extra time, in which FC Ongos took control of the game, dominating possession and scoring their second goal, ultimately winning the game 2-1 and being crowned PstBet NFA Cup champions.

Beauties defeated Nust Babes 3-0 in the third-place play-offs, securing the third-place position.

The winners of the women’s co
mpetition received N.dollars 250 000, the runners-up N.dollars 120 000, and the third-place team N.dollars 70 000.

Source: The Namibia News Agency

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African Stars crowned champions of PstBet NFA Cup


WINDHOEK: Debmarine Namibia Premiership champions African Stars were crowned champions of the 2024 PstBet Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup after their 2-1 victory over Young Brazilians at the Independence Stadium on Saturday.

The 2023/24 Debmarine Namibia Premiership champions added another trophy to their cabinet this season by securing the Football Association Cup and marking their sixth win of the NFA Cup.

This achievement places them as the all-time winners, with two more trophies than Chief Santos, who has lifted the trophy four times.

To be crowned champions, the Katutura-based team took control of the match as early as 25 minutes with a penalty by Willy Stephanus who opened the scoring against a resilient Karasburg-based Young Brazilians.

The first half which produced exciting football on both halves of the field ended 1-0 in African Stars’ favour.

The second half saw Young Brazilians continuing where they ended off in the first half applying pressure on African Stars who later cracked as th
eir defender Charles Hambira and goalkeeper Kamaijanda Ndisiro were caught off guard when Quinton van Staden netted in Young Brazilian’s equaliser.

With the match level at one all after 90 minutes of football, the game was forced into extra time. Extra-time still saw Young Brazilians forcing for a win but as they continued to play their attacking football they were then exposed at the back which is when African Stars countered them.

Stars won a free-kick just metres outside the 25-metre box and once more their reliable free-kick taker Stephanus stepped up and made it count as they once more took the lead of the game.

After 120 minutes of football, African Stars were crowned champions while Young Brazilians finished as runner-ups.

In the third-place play-off, Khomas NamPol walked away with a bronze medal after overcoming Eeshoke Chula Chula in one of the most exciting matches on the day. Khomas NamPol won the match 3-2.

The men’s winning team of the tournament African Stars walked away with N.dollars 500,
000 while the runner-ups Young Brazilians received N.dollars 250 000 and the third and fourth-placed teams Khomas NamPol and Chula Chula received N.dollars 100,000 and N.dollars 50,000 respectively

Source: The Namibia News Agency

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Mostert and Freyer win Nedbank RR XC4 Series


WINDHOEK: Namibia’s female rider, Jean-Marie Mostert, and male rider Martin Freyer were on Saturday crowned winners of the female and male categories of the 2024 Nedbank Rock and Rut Cross Country (XC) Series.

Round four, the final round of the 2024 Nedbank Rock and Rut Cross Country (XC) series, took place at the new venue, Towerbos Trails, located 10 kilometres (km) outside Windhoek on the Daan Viljoen road.

In the women’s category, Mostert finished the three loops of a 4.5 km route over five minutes ahead of her competitor Mimi Hough.

Mostert completed her race in a time of one hour, four minutes and 14 seconds (01:04:14) to win the elite women’s category, while Hough finished in 01:09:40. The standout performer was junior rider Delsia Jansen van Vuuren, who dominated the women’s category and won the Under-18 (U18) race with a time of 56 minutes and eight seconds, a full eight minutes ahead of the elite women’s rider.

In the men’s elite category, Freyer won the race and was crowned the overall champion
of this year’s Nedbank Rock and Rut Cross Country (XC) Series. His closest competitor for the title, Kevin Lowe, found the going tough and had to drop out of the race. The overall leader of the series, Alex Miller, could not compete as he was representing the country at the Paris Olympics.

Freyer completed the 27-kilometer race, which consisted of a 4.5 km loop that had to be completed six times, in 01:26:03. He was closely followed by Theuns Van der Westhuizen, who finished 23 seconds behind with a time of 01:26:26. Brandon Plaatjes secured the third position, finishing four minutes behind in a time of 01:30:56.

The most outstanding performer of the day was U18 rider Roger Suren, who completed his five loops in a time of 01:10:21. The young rider led the race throughout and gave the elite riders a run for their money until he finished his five loops.

In an interview with Nampa after the race, Freyer said he had a good race and enjoyed the new trail.

‘Technically this is a rock landscape, and the climbs a
re quite steep, and this track doesn’t give you enough time to recover because it’s very steep most of the time and poses a challenge, but I managed to pace myself well which gave me the win,’ Freyer said.

He added that the new trail is of international standard and having many trails in the country gives the riders a challenge and exposure to prepare well for international competitions.

Meanwhile, Van Vuuren said that competing on the new mountain bike loops was exciting.

‘The race went well, and despite the challenge, I managed to complete it in 16 minutes per lap. I enjoyed the race, and my strategy was to push hard on the first lap and then maintain the pace. The new trail has become my favourite because it presents various challenges with its steep hills,’ said Van Vuuren.

Source: The Namibia News Agency