An historic deal for Britain to hand over control of the strategic Chagos Islands to Mauritius has been put into question after the new prime minister issued last-minute «counter proposals». After decades of negotiations, Britain agreed in October to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a former colony, on the condition that a US military base can remain on the largest island, Diego Garcia. But Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who took office last month with a sweeping election victory, said Tuesday he had doubts about the deal, which has yet to be finalised. While Mauritius «is still willing to conclude an agreement with the United Kingdom, the draft agreement which was shown to us after the general elections is one which, in our view, would not produce the benefits that the nation could expect from such an agreement», said Ramgoolam in a statement to parliament. He did not give details of the counter proposals but said Britain had already issued a response earlier this week that was «currently being considered» by Ramgoolam's government. The British PM's spokesperson said the government was «confident» the agreement was in both sides' interest, adding they were working towards finalising it with the new administration. And Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty rejected suggestions from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage that there had been «very deep disquiet» from Washington over the deal. «We are confident that when the full details of this deal are provided by the US national security apparatus that any concerns will be allayed,» Doughty told parliament. The agreement in October came after nearly two years of negotiations and marked a significant turnaround after decades of British dismissals of Mauritian sovereignty claims. In a joint statement, the two countries said the final treaty would guarantee the continuation of the military base on Diego Garcia «well into the next century». Britain decided in 1965 to separate the Chagos Islands from Mauritius and set up the military base, which it leased to the United States. In doing so, it evicted thousands of Chagos islanders who have since mounted a series of legal claims for compensation in the British courts. The military base has played a key strategic role as a hub for long-range bombers and ships, notably used during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. © Agence France-Presse  

The death toll from Cyclone Chido in Mozambique has risen by 11 to 45, the National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management announced Wednesday. Initial figures released on Tuesday said the cyclone had claimed 34 lives after making landfall in Mozambique on Sunday at the northern Cabo Delgado province. In its updated toll, the centre said 38 people were killed in Cabo Delgado, four in Nampula province and three in Niassa, further inland. One person was missing, it said. Nearly 500 people were reported injured by the cyclone, which brought winds of around 260 kilometres (160 miles) an hour and heavy rainfall of around 250 millimetres (10 inches) in 24 hours, the centre said. Nearly 24,000 homes were destroyed and another 12,300 partially destroyed, it said. More than 181,000 people affected by the storm. Chido struck a part of northern Mozambique that is regularly battered by cyclones and is already vulnerable because of conflict and underdevelopment. The cyclone landed in Mozambique after hitting the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, where it is feared to have killed hundreds and possibly even thousands of people. © Agence France-Presse

After speaking to his ex-wife, the Duchess of York, Andrew has decided not to join 70 members of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace - much to the relief of the King.

While King Charles is hosting his 'biggest ever' family Christmas in Sandringham, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson are set for a very lonely day 130 miles away in Windsor. 

Montreal police's arson unit is investigating a fire at a synagogue and Jewish community centre in the West Island. The damage was minor and police officers put it out with a fire extinguisher shortly after arriving at the scene.

While most of his classmates enjoy basketball, field trips, and time to relax, 13-year-old Aadien Vansickle often finds himself alone in a classroom unable to take part in activities that make school fun.

A Saint John mother is angry with her son's school for bolting his locker shut, with his winter clothes and homework inside. The 11-year-old went home without a coat or boots, in freezing drizzle.

The family of a B.C. man with bipolar disorder and chronic back pain is suing the federal and provincial governments after he allegedly used a day pass from hospital to end his life with medical assistance.

Oleg Deripaska has lost legal challenges against the EU Council’s imposition of restrictions against him over the Ukraine conflict Read Full Article at RT.com

A tragic boat collision near Mumbai claimed 13 lives and injured several others on Wednesday. A Navy vessel collided with a passenger ferry, leading to a major rescue operation. Prime Minister Modi and President Murmu expressed condolences and announced financial aid for the victims' families. Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis also announced compensation and a joint investigation into the incident.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) uncovered that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) granted undue benefits exceeding ₹203 crore to highway developers in Maharashtra by reducing penalties. The CAG report also highlighted deficiencies in seven other projects, including poor construction and maintenance, leading to revenue loss and blocked public funds.

X notified Congress leaders for sharing clips of Home Minister Amit Shah's Rajya Sabha speech on the Constitution's 75th anniversary, following a complaint from the Home Ministry. Shah's remarks, criticizing Congress's stance on reservation and Ambedkar, sparked outrage and demands for an apology. Shah subsequently clarified his statements, accusing Congress of distorting his words and launching a malicious campaign.

A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report revealed significant flaws in the Income Tax department's functioning, including non-sharing of data, exaggerated tax demands, and delays in implementing appeal orders. The report highlighted a massive Rs 14.41 lakh crore outstanding tax demand, with 73% under dispute, and systemic issues hindering recovery efforts.

Excellence Monsieur le Président, Permettez-moi de m'adresser à vous avec le respect et la considération qui siéent à votre rang, afin de porter à votre attention, une préoccupation majeure concernant le recrutement au sein des différents corps de défense de notre cher pays, le Gabon. Cette préoccupation touche directement la jeunesse gabonaise, un pilier essentiel de notre nation. Actuellement, l'âge limite pour intégrer les corps de défense est fixé à 25 ans. Bien que cette (...) - LIBRE PROPOS / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Le Président de la Transition, Président de la République, Chef de l'État, le Général Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema a procédé ce jour à la visite du chantier la Cité de la Démocratie. Exécuté par la société turque Summa, ce projet d'envergure qui s'étend sur une période de 16 mois prévoit la construction d'un grand centre de conférence comprenant des salles de conférence, des bureaux administratifs, une salle de banquet, une salle de congrès, un carré VIP, une salle présidentielle. Ce (...) - INFRASTRUCTURES / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Comme partout ailleurs, les bâtisses poussent comme des champignons. Les chantiers sont légions, les travailleurs s'activent et se relaient de jour comme de nuit. Ces chantiers sont l'oeuvre du Comité pour la transition et la restauration des institutions et son président Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, qualifié de bâtisseur par Nicaise Moulombi, président de Croissance Saine Environnement. La visite du Général président sur les chantiers de la Cité de la Démocratie a suscité de vives (...) - INFRASTRUCTURES / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

[New Times] The Court of Appeal in France on Tuesday, December 17, upheld the life sentence for Philippe Hategekimana, alias Biguma, a former deputy commander of the Gendarmerie in Rwanda, for his role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, particularly in the Southern Province.

[New Times] After nearly five years of dedicated effort, residents of Kayonza District are celebrating the fruits of their labour. The community has transitioned from subsistence farming to commercial fruit production, with their first sales of avocados marking a significant milestone.

[CAF] The President of the Confédération Africaine de Football («CAF»), Dr Patrice Motsepe, on Monday, 16 December 2024 conferred the CAF President's Outstanding Achievement Award 2024 on Cameroon Head of State, President Paul Biya and Egypt Head of State President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

President Joe Biden made his first public comments on the mass of drone sightings over New Jersey and New York, saying there's 'nothing nefarious' about it.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris said Christmas Day is 'likely to be settled, often cloudy, and dry with light winds for the majority' of people in Britain.

A British couple in their 70s had been enjoying a dream Caribbean holiday when tragedy struck, seeing them both collapse and die within minutes of one another.

Former White House chef Andre Rush dishes on serving up meals for Donald Trump during his first term in Washington.

Fellow Scot Menzies, who is the partner of darts star and trailblazer Fallon Sherrock, lost to world No 130 Leonard Gates in a shock first round defeat at the World Championships.

«The stable dynamics of the Russian economy is largely due to its power grid complex and its stable operation,» Mikhail Mishustin said

As Sergey Ryabkov noted, the status quo is «the maximum that we can regard today as a workable model in relations between Moscow and Washington»

Also, one person has been stuck inside one of the train cars

Sergey Ryabkov added that at the same time, the United States continues to exert increasing pressure on Russia and on some other nuclear-armed countries

In 2016, Russia’s Supreme Court recognized Aum Shinrikyo as a terrorist organization and banned its activities in Russia

On 1 June 2023, the European Commission presented a legislative package to modernise and reinforce maritime rules on safety and pollution prevention. It contains proposals to revise five legal acts, including the Port State Control Directive (PSCD). The aim is to update them to bring them into line with the requirements of the International Maritime Organization and the regional organisation for port state control, set up under the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The proposal refers to the inspection of foreign ships in national ports, to verify that the ships' condition complies with international regulations, including for crews. The PSCD would be extended to cover additional international rules such as new conventions on ballast water and removal of wrecks, and updated rules under the Paris MoU. It would give more importance to ships' environmental performance in determining their risk profile, and boost Member States' capacity to detect and address cases of non-compliance with standards and rules on safety, environmental protection and pollution prevention. The scope would be extended to fishing vessels. The European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) adopted its report on 7 December 2023. On 27 February 2024, Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement, which TRAN endorsed on 20 March 2024. On 10 April 2024, Parliament adopted the provisional agreement in plenary, concluding its first reading. On 18 November 2024, Council adopted Parliament's first-reading position. The final act was signed by the Council president and the Parliament president on 27 November 2024. The revised directive was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 16 December 2024 and will enter into force 20 days from this date. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau and the Independent Commission of Investigations have launched probes into the injury of a policeman and an inmate during a reported disturbance at the Kingston Central...

Police tracking the gruesome murder of veteran court reporter Barbara Gayle, say they found her stolen vehicle along the Dyke Road in St Catherine this morning. The discovery was made around 9:00 a.m., sleuths say. Gayle was discovered...