TOTAC Launches New Club to Encourage Writing, Reading in Morocco

 A woman looks at a book in the "El Ateneo Grand Splendid" bookstore. AFP
A woman looks at a book in the "El Ateneo Grand Splendid" bookstore. AFP
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TOTAC Launches New Club to Encourage Writing, Reading in Morocco

 A woman looks at a book in the "El Ateneo Grand Splendid" bookstore. AFP
A woman looks at a book in the "El Ateneo Grand Splendid" bookstore. AFP

The Moroccan Academy TOTAC has announced the establishment of a book club named "TOTAC Book" that will allow its members to read, write, and train on public speech.

The club will focus on the bestselling books in personal development and professionalism, and the biographies of eminent personalities, as well as literature. The goal behind establishing the club is not only reading but rather engaging in the process of learning and training for success.

"TOTAC Book" plans to dedicate a special time for literature by hosting writers, novelists, and poets to talk about their works during each of its meetings scheduled every two months.

The club has also set two other goals: the first is to accompany its members and encourage them to write a collective book centered on what was learned through their readings every year, and the second is to encourage them to speak in front of the audience within a space allocated for this purpose in each meeting.

The official launch of the Casablanca-based club was marked by three keynotes: the first was on the state of reading in Morocco, provided by Fatma Kachkach, member of the club, master coach and teacher in communication; the second, on the club charter, goals, and how it works, addressed by Dr. Nazha Hefti, a founding member of the club; the third on the experience of writing a book and how writing can serve as a tool for personal and professional success by journalist Mohamed Charrouk.

The ceremony was concluded by the election of the club's committee.

TOTAC is an academy of training that graduates trainers, consultants, lecturers. It includes a laboratory for pedagogical creativity (educational), a modern and innovative training method developed based on the latest studies and research in the field of pedagogy and cognitive neuroscience.

The TOTAC graduates form the largest network of experts, trainers, and consultants in various fields.



Out-of-Control Australia Bushfire Will Burn for Days, Officials Say

 22 December 2024, Australia, Halls Gap: A general view of a smokey Lake Bellfield at Halls Gap. Immediate evacuation orders are in place for towns across Victoria as out-of-control blazes and sweltering temperatures begin Australia's bushfire season. Photo: James Ross/AAP/dpa
22 December 2024, Australia, Halls Gap: A general view of a smokey Lake Bellfield at Halls Gap. Immediate evacuation orders are in place for towns across Victoria as out-of-control blazes and sweltering temperatures begin Australia's bushfire season. Photo: James Ross/AAP/dpa
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Out-of-Control Australia Bushfire Will Burn for Days, Officials Say

 22 December 2024, Australia, Halls Gap: A general view of a smokey Lake Bellfield at Halls Gap. Immediate evacuation orders are in place for towns across Victoria as out-of-control blazes and sweltering temperatures begin Australia's bushfire season. Photo: James Ross/AAP/dpa
22 December 2024, Australia, Halls Gap: A general view of a smokey Lake Bellfield at Halls Gap. Immediate evacuation orders are in place for towns across Victoria as out-of-control blazes and sweltering temperatures begin Australia's bushfire season. Photo: James Ross/AAP/dpa

An uncontained bushfire raging in Australia's Victoria state that has prompted an evacuation order for hundreds of residents will burn for several days, officials said on Sunday.

The order to leave immediately, set at the highest danger rating, remained in place for the fire in and around Grampians National Park, about 241 km (149 miles) west of state capital Melbourne, Victoria's emergency services agency said on its website.

"There's a lot of unburnt fuel in the Grampians still, so it's quite a challenge for the days ahead", Country Fire Authority deputy chief officer Garry Cook told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, referring to the fire that now covered 34,000 hectares (84,000 acres) of bush.

The blaze, sparked on Tuesday by lightning, prompted authorities on Saturday to urge residents of several rural towns such as Halls Gap, population 495, to evacuate.

Hundreds of firefighters have battled the bushfire, using more than 100 tankers and 25 aircraft, ABC reported on Saturday.

Authorities have warned of a high-risk bushfire season this Australian summer after several quiet seasons. The 2019-2020 "Black Summer" fires destroyed an area the size of Türkiye and killed 33 people.