Latest news with #Koffi
New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
These Fantasy Novels Breathe New Life Into Old Myths
To read a fantasy novel is to allow yourself to be taken somewhere new, where magic is real and the usual rules do not apply. But sometimes those strange worlds can also feel familiar — like a layer of fresh paint on a canvas you've seen before. That's because the bedtime tales we pored over as kids, full of mythical monsters and gods, are a particularly potent source of inspiration for the fantasy novels we grew to adore as adults. And retellings are having their moment within the genre, with many authors drawing on mythology and folklore from across the world — India, Korea, Mexico, Poland — to tell enchanting new stories with ancient roots. If you're itching for a fantasy novel swirling with mythology, one of these books might do the trick. Beasts of Prey The residents of the city of Lkossa know two things to be true: Magic is dead, and the jungle is watching. Once a glorious center of supernatural power, Lkossa is now a shattered place — terrorized by the Shetani, a deadly monster that hunts the city's people at night. When 16-year-old Koffi ignites an unexpected power within herself, she's forced to enter into an uneasy alliance with Ekon, an elite warrior desperate for redemption, and hunt down the Shetani. The duo's quest takes them to the Greater Jungle, a treacherously magical place, where creatures from Pan-African folklore lie in wait. Eerie and creeping with a strong emotional heart, 'Beasts of Prey,' the first book in a trilogy, deftly explores the weight of generational trauma and the dangerous power of monstrous myths. Read our review. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Morocco World
28-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco's APNI Partners with Côte d'Ivoire to Transform Agricultural Education
Rabat — The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), a Moroccan non-profit research and development organization based in Benguerir, has forged a new partnership with Côte d'Ivoire's Ministry of Technical Education, Vocational Training, and Apprenticeship to revolutionize agricultural education and boost food security across the West African country. Kaushik Majumdar, APNI's Director General, signed the agreement on Monday with Minister N'Guessan Koffi and Deputy Cabinet Director N'Goran Kouakou Jean-Arnaud in Côte d'Ivoire's political capital. The collaboration aims to modernize agricultural education and create lasting improvements for rural communities throughout the African country. Officials from both organizations believe the partnership will help address food shortages while creating new opportunities for young farmers. 'With APNI, we are starting a real agricultural revolution,' Minister Koffi said during the signing ceremony. 'Time for the results to be seen on the field. Together, let's fight food shortages by cultivating all year round. This partnership makes it possible.' Comprehensive agricultural training program The partnership will focus on several key areas to transform agricultural education in Côte d'Ivoire. APNI will provide technical support to agricultural vocational high schools, technical high schools, and farm field schools under the ministry's oversight. The Moroccan research organization will also help revise existing curricula and develop new educational programs. Officials plan to organize specialized workshops on plant nutrition and create educational modules that align with updated curriculum standards. Youth training sits at the heart of their strategy, Majumdar stressed, explaining that the partnership will focus on 'training of the youth to build capacity for entrepreneurship in modernizing agriculture and service delivery to farmers.' Read also: African Plant Nutrition Institute Funds Four Agricultural Research Projects The APNI director general outlined how the collaboration will support farmers in adopting 'digital and advanced technologies for enhanced crop productivity and access to markets.' He pointed out the importance of applying best practices in crop management, including seed selection, water management, nutrient application, and pest control. Addressing rural challenges Minister Koffi envisions the partnership creating prosperous rural communities with less demanding agricultural work and increased income opportunities. Officials believe these improvements will help reduce poverty and slow rural migration to urban areas. Majumdar stressed that the partnership will focus on 'bringing entrepreneurial opportunities through enhanced value chains' as a key strategy for transformational change in the agricultural sector. The collaboration comes as Côte d'Ivoire seeks to modernize its agricultural practices and improve food security. Officials hope the partnership will help farmers adapt to climate change while increasing land productivity and farm profitability. Through this new partnership with Côte d'Ivoire's technical education ministry, APNI hopes to contribute to the country's vision of creating prosperous rural communities through modern agricultural technologies and digital transformation. Tags: Agricultural educationAPNICote d'IvoireMorocco
