A top government official said on Monday that the moratorium on change-of-use applications for converting residential properties into tourism accommodations in Seychelles will be lifted on January 13 next year. The moratorium was put in place in August 2023, and it is being lifted after a new policy was approved recently by the Cabinet of Ministers. This means that converting residential properties into tourism accommodations can now take place in line with the Department of Tourism's standards.  The new policy will only apply to Mahe and Praslin, the two main islands of Seychelles. The moratorium for the third most populated island of La Digue will remain in replace in place.   The principal secretary for tourism, Sherin Francis, said, «The new policy will see changes in the procedures. Before applicants had to submit their plans to the Planning Authority for change of use, but now, they will have to complete a mandatory pre-planning stage. The Department of Tourism will assess the property to ensure it is up to the required standards before plans are sent to the Planning Authority.» Applicants will have to submit their letter of intent to the Tourism Department, after which a visit will be organised with all relevant bodies present, to assess the property and provide a report. The applicants will have the report that  can be used when they submit their applications to the Planning Authority. If the application is successful, the applicant can apply for the occupancy stage, where another visit will conducted and if successful, then the process to gain a licence will then begin. Francis explained that this change will put emphasis on higher-quality, low-impact tourism, while also streamlining the application process and ensuring collaboration with the relevant agencies. After the recommendations from the carrying capacity studies, which show that Seychelles' accommodation products are nearly saturated, Francis stated that new change of use facilities must give significant added value to the existing tourism market. The goal is to provide a distinctive, higher-quality guest experience through better and more responsible procedures. «Our physical requirements remain and we will look at the location and size of the property, and minimum requirements, such as room size and safety measures. We have also included some criteria related to sustainability, to start making our operators start thinking of sustainable development when planning their development,» added Francis. According to the criteria set, a change of use to large and medium hotels must meet a minimum 4-star rating, while a change of use to small hotels, self-catering and guesthouses, must meet a minimum Seychelles Secret Gold rating.

Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai has called for an emergency meeting with his federal counterpart to address the capital's severe pollution levels. Rai is demanding immediate approval for cloud seeding and criticized the central government for inaction, urging Prime Minister Modi to intervene.

Former AAP leader and Delhi MLA Kailash Gahlot joined the BJP after accusing his former party of abandoning its founding principles. Gahlot expressed disappointment with the AAP, stating that the values that attracted him and many others to the party had been compromised, leading to his departure.

The Samajwadi Party has accused Uttar Pradesh police of forcing Muslim women voters to remove their veils for identification during the Lok Sabha elections, deterring many from voting. While Congress echoed these concerns, Union Minister Giriraj Singh defended the practice, deeming it legally permissible for voter verification. By-elections in nine Uttar Pradesh constituencies are scheduled for November 20.

BVA workers led by MLA Kshitij Thakur disrupted a BJP meeting alleging cash distribution by BJP leader Vinod Tawde. Tawde refuted the claims, urging an inquiry by the Election Commission. The incident has fueled controversy ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

When they were first conceived, Christmas cards were meant to save time. Now, depending on your point of view, modern Christmas cards are either a cherished custom that brings you joy, or an unnecessary burden during a time of year when the mental load is already heavy.

The earliest inscription that declared Jesus is God was discovered on a mosaic during the expansion of a high-security prison in Israel. It was constructed about 200 years after Jesus' death.

A normal healthy person's resting heart rate, sometimes shortened to RHR, is normally between 60 and 100 beats per minute , though extremely healthy athletes can get this down into the 40s.

Zoe Ball has stepped down as presenter of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show. 

From getting your boiler serviced to bleeding your radiator and refilling engine oil, here are some of the most cost effective ways to keep your home warm and car running this winter.

A freed Hamas hostage shared her kidnapping experience during a debate with the UCLA encampment leader leading to a tense exchange.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the enactment of a new national nuclear doctrine Read Full Article at RT.com

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has highlighted the enactment of Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine Read Full Article at RT.com

Opposition parties are contesting the results of last month’s general election, in which the Georgian Dream party retained its majority Read Full Article at RT.com

Australia’s Resolute Mining has agreed to pay $160 million to Mali, where three of its employees have been detained Read Full Article at RT.com

The opposition leader in Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland won last week’s election, the electoral commission said Tuesday.

NBS Bank plc in partnership with Roads Fund Administration (RFA) have donated desks worth K17.5 million to Kalinyeke Full Primary School in Dedza. Speaking during the handover ceremony held at the school on Thursday, NBS Bank plc Head of Corporate Banking Frank Nakoma said the donation is part of the Bank’s ongoing commitment to corporate social […] The post NBS Bank plc donates desks worth K17.5 million to Kalinyeke School appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Vladimir Rogov added that Velikaya Novoselka is a major logistics hub for the Ukrainian armed forces

«Currently energy consumption stands at 3.4% considering a leap year as of the current date,» Head of System Operator of the Unified Energy System Fyodor Opadchy said at a meeting of the State Duma’s energy committee

The fundamental principle of the doctrine is that the use of nuclear weapons is a measure of last resort to protect the country’s sovereignty

«Two months, the most dangerous in decades, are ahead of us,» Peter Szijjarto noted

«This is a very important document. Clearly, it requires in-depth analysis both in our country and, perhaps, abroad, too,» Dmitry Peskov stressed

[VOA] Yaounde, Cameroon -- Political parties and civil society groups in the Central African Republic are welcoming the U.N. Security Council's decision to extend the mandate of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission, or MINUSCA.

Ethiopia’s Defense Ministry on Monday denied reports of a military helicopter crash in the northern city of Bahir Dar.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh signed a debt relief agreement with Denmark's Ambassador to Somalia, Steen Sonne Aderson, in Mogadishu on Monday.

Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland’s opposition candidate, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, has been elected as the breakaway region’s next President, the electoral commission announced Tuesday in preliminary results.

«By authorizing long range missiles to strike inside Russia, Biden is committing an unconstitutional Act of War that endangers the lives of all US citizens,» Thomas Massie said

Aide Ali Hassan Khalil indicated that the next steps depend entirely on Israel, describing the ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire as the most significant and serious to date

The office of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier that the Energy Ministry saw it as prudent to ban the mining of digital currency in areas facing critical regulatory and fiscal parameters

According to the Eurasian alliance, the UNGA invited the UN chief to hold regular consultations with the CSTO secretary general at bilateral meetings and forums of various formats

According to expert Zheng Renyi, «if Trump stops aid, he will face strong domestic criticism for appearing weak and will likely lose support, especially from Republican hawks who back Ukraine»