Dr. Patrick Herminie of the United Seychelles (US) party has been elected as the nation’s sixth Presiden t, defeating incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan of the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) in a closely contested runoff election. The outcome marks a significant political shift, as Herminie’s victory signals renewed confidence in the US party’s agenda for national unity and economic revitalisation. The election was widely watched as a key test for Seychelles’ democratic maturity and voter confidence in leadership renewal.

Election observers commend transparency and calm

The Citizens Democracy Watch Seychelles (CDWS) has lauded the election process, praising its peaceful and transparent conduct. In its post-election statement, CDWS underscored that the vote reflected the strength of Seychelles’ democratic institutions. However, the watchdog recommended stronger voter education to ensure broader civic engagement and understanding of electoral processes across the islands.

Electoral Commission declares readiness for upcoming general elections

The Electoral Commission of Seychelles has confirmed its readiness for the upcoming general elections, highlighting efforts to streamline logistics and improve accessibility. Special polling stations have been set up for eligible travellers, allowing Seychellois citizens abroad or in remote locations to cast their votes more easily. The move is seen as a step toward greater electoral inclusivity and modernisation.

National Assembly concludes induction programme for new members

Following the presidential elections, the National Assembly of Seychelles has wrapped up an induction programme for newly elected members, focusing on democratic values, transparency, and governance. The initiative aims to strengthen legislative integrity and accountability as new lawmakers prepare to address pressing national priorities, including economic diversification and social welfare.

Final presidential debate underscores democratic openness

The second and final presidential debate for the 2025 elections featured seven of the eight candidates, reflecting Seychelles’ vibrant multi-party democracy. The debate provided a national platform for candidates to outline their visions on economic reform, sustainability, and social inclusion. Analysts viewed it as a milestone in consolidating open political dialogue since the return of multi-party democracy, reaffirming the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s most stable democracies.

This article highlights the top 10 countries with the largest Chinese populations outside of China, with  Indonesia (11.2 million), Thailand (7.0 million), Malaysia (6.9 million), the U.S. (5.8 million), and Singapore (3.1 million) leading the list.

These figures, compiled by analysts based on Statista, underline both long-standing migration legacies and more recent waves of movement. But to understand the true dynamics behind this diaspora, one must look beyond raw numbers to issues of identity, political engagement, and global shifts.

According to the Overseas Community Affairs Council (Taiwan), roughly 49.7 million people of Chinese descent live outside mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, a number that has grown significantly over recent decades. Asia hosts the lion’s share of this diaspora (around 34.6 million), followed by the Americas (9.8 million).

What is surprising is how fast some diaspora communities are adapting or resisting to new generational and geopolitical pressures. A 2025 analysis in East Asia Forum notes that the majority of the diaspora now belongs to the locally born second, third or later generations, who often align more closely with their countries of residence than with China.

Recent news also confirms that China’s outward migration is evolving. In Malaysia, for example, the number of Chinese citizens is reported to have nearly doubled over the past three years, driven by students and investors seeking opportunities in a more affordable, familiar environment.

On a broader scale, capital flight and migration of high-net-worth Chinese are influencing global real estate and financial markets. Destinations like Singapore, the U.S., Canada, and Australia continue to attract affluent Chinese seeking alternative residences or investment footholds abroad.

With the help of an Index Score Methodology, which measures social media reach, engagement, and conversation volume, World Visualized, ranks Emirates as the world’s biggest airline on social media.

World Visualized’s index shows Emirates with a huge 147.7 points, Air France takes second place with a score of 42.6, while Ryanair, the Irish low-cost carrier famous for its witty and often cheeky online presence, ranks third with 15.5.

Here’s the full top 10 list of the biggest airlines on social media in 2025:

Why Emirates leads

Founded in 1985, Emirates has evolved from a small regional airline into one of the world’s premier carriers, renowned for its luxurious service, modern fleet, and extensive global reach.

On social media, it leverages stunning visuals, influencer collaborations, and highly shareable campaigns to keep audiences engaged. Its dominance in this ranking demonstrates how storytelling and branding have become just as important as ticket sales.

A look at the rivals

Air France , one of the oldest airlines still in operation, has carved out its niche by combining heritage with modern flair, showcasing French culture and lifestyle alongside travel updates.

Ryanair, established in 1984, takes a different approach: its low-cost business model is mirrored in its tongue-in-cheek social media strategy, where memes and humorous commentary often go viral.

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, two of America’s largest carriers, have relied on their vast customer bases to build steady social engagement, while British Airways blends its legacy brand with modern campaigns to maintain relevance.

Turkish Airlines, with its “Widen Your World” slogan, continues to highlight its extensive global route map. Cathay Pacific has positioned itself as a premium Asian airline that balances tradition with innovation.

Japan Airlines and Singapore Airlines, both with reputations for exceptional service, are increasingly turning to digital platforms to connect with younger travellers.

A recent ranking by World Visualized highlights the banks with the strongest social media presence across Africa and Latin America, measuring influence through audience reach, engagement rates, and conversation volume.

Africa’s social media leaders

Africa’s banking sector shows a clear standout. Zenith Bank (Nigeria) dominates the region with a commanding index score of 41.2, leaving its competitors far behind. This reflects the bank’s aggressive push in digital engagement and online brand presence.

Nigeria’s Zenith Bank is the undisputed leader, while South African banks maintain a notable but smaller digital footprint.

Latin America’s Social Media Giants

In Latin America , the competition is fiercer, with significantly higher scores compared to African counterparts. BCI (Chile) leads the region with an impressive 82 points, nearly doubling its closest rival. Brazil, however, dominates the top five with multiple entries, underlining its vibrant digital banking ecosystem.

Chile’s BCI outshines the rest, but Brazil proves to be the most competitive market in terms of social media influence.

Standouts