Representatives from Seychelles' Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and the Environment responsible, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector attended a stakeholders workshop on the presentation of findings of ongoing consultancies under the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (GBF-EAS) project. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the GBF-EAS project is advancing readiness and early actions to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The project focuses on National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) alignment, monitoring systems, policy and institutional coherence, and biodiversity finance. Key findings from three critical studies were presented, namely the National Biodiversity Assessment for Marine and Terrestrial Ecosystems. This assessment evaluates the status and trends of Seychelles' biodiversity, identifying threats, gaps, and priority actions to inform the NBSAP. The second one is a Feasibility Study on Biodiversity Finance Initiatives in the Cruise Ship and Shipping Industry. The study examines the sector's impacts on biodiversity and explores the potential implementation of a cruise ship levy as part of the Seychelles Biodiversity Finance Plan (2019). The principal secretary for Environment, Denis Matatiken, clarified that at this point in time, this study regarding a cruise ship levy is only a proposal that is being looked at, it is not something that is being proposed. «We have a biodiversity finance plan and this gives you different solutions that can be implemented. From the 2019 plan, there were 9 proposed solutions. These are mainly based on how a country can raise funds for biodiversity conservation by itself and not rely fully on foreign aid,» said Matatiken. The results of the last study presented was Gaps and Needs Assessment of Policy and Institutional Mechanisms on Biodiversity. This is a comprehensive review of legal and policy frameworks to identify alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework and provide recommendations to address institutional gaps and promote biodiversity mainstreaming. Matatiken said, «Apart from the development of the NBSAP, this workshop is also an opportunity to consult a large number of stakeholders and experts private and public in this sector, especially regarding the results of the studies.» 

A yellow weather warning has been issued for northern Ireland and parts of England as patches of fog form overnight with temperatures plummeting below zero.

The pub chain has confirmed it has taken the shamed fighter's Forged Irish Stout off its taps at all of its seven boozers in the Republic of Ireland.

A Canadian woman who applied for a special visa to accept a job in the U.S. says she's been stuck in Ottawa for two weeks, not knowing when her application will be delivered because Canada Post workers are on strike.

Scotland Yard is investigating a number of people accused of enabling Mohamed Al Fayed's decades of sexual abuse - as 90 new victims have come forward.

Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali federal government has deployed Turkish-trained elite forces in Raskamboni, a remote settlement in Lower Jubba, signalling a calculated move to assume control from African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) forces. The deployment comes amid heightened tensions between Mogadishu and Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, whose recent re-election remains unrecognized by the federal government. The Somali leadership accuses Madobe of undermining constitutional reforms aimed at centralizing authority and transitioning to universal suffrage.

Recurrent and protracted displacement has been a major problem in Somalia. An estimated millions of Somalis are internally displaced due to climate-induced disasters and conflict. Mogadishu, Baidoa, and Kismayo have the highest IDP populations and returnee concentrations. These locations are key destinations due to their relative peace and access to services and economic opportunities.

Get the latest news on the transition to the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump and a new Congress.

The price of arabica coffee on global commodity markets jumped to $3.18 a pound (£2.50) - the highest since 1977.

Groups of beggars are already operating in Manchester, Walsall and in central London, 'intimidating' motorists, leaving some fearing for their safety.

A General Medical Council report reveals that the workforce is close to reaching 'parity' between male and female medics.

Dr Tapan Patel, 52, appeared before Westminster magistrates' court charged with assaulting a female by penetration with a part of a body or thing.

Stuart Campbell, now 66, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of his 15-year-old niece Danielle Jones, has made a second bid for his release despite refusing to reveal where her body is.

According to the report, the future administration’s strategy on Ukraine is still in the works

Commenting on whether Pakistan is likely to join the list of BRICS partner countries, Ayaz Sadiq said that this was possible

According to the agency’s sources, the investigation focuses on the US software giant’s focuses on Microsoft’s possible bundling of its office productivity and security software with its cloud services

Over the past seven months, US intelligence services compiled a series of intelligence assessments

According to the report, the Palestinians opened fire at Israeli soldiers in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the north of the West Bank

The police are looking into a series of fires — suspected to be the result of arson — at a Yishun executive condo construction site. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told AsiaOne that eight fires broke out in Yishun Close from Nov 20 to Nov 27. The fires mainly involved construction materials and furniture at various locations within the site and were swiftly extinguished either by firefighters or construction workers. SCDF's preliminary investigation findings indicate that the fires were intentionally started. Two people were conveyed to Singapore General Hospital for smoke inhalation in one of the fire incidents. There were no other reported injuries. A video shared by TikTok user Jayfit on Nov 22 shows one of the fires, saying that it took place at the construction site of North Gaia, an executive condominium. https://www.tiktok.com/@jay_absbus/video/7439618596235676935 In a comment, Jayfit claimed he also witnessed a fire at the worksite the day before. Responding to AsiaOne's queries, the police confirmed that reports were lodged regarding the matter and investigations are ongoing.

SINGAPORE — Car owners who left their doors unlocked at the Suntec City carpark saw various items including luxury watches and more than $25,000 in cash stolen. The thief, Mohamed Rasid Mohd Ali, 56, was sentenced to 26 months' jail on Wednesday (Nov 27), after he pleaded guilty to three theft charges. State Prosecuting Officer Ting Nge Kong said one of the victims — a 40-year-old Singaporean — had parked his Porsche in the basement one carpark at about 3.30pm on May 13, 2024. Rasid, who had gone there intending to steal from unlocked vehicles, noticed that the Porsche was not locked.

Two Russian journalists have been targeted under EU sanctions laws, the authorities in Berlin said Read Full Article at RT.com

A Hindu group, Hindu Sena, has filed a lawsuit claiming the Ajmer dargah was built over a Shiva temple. They cite a 1911 book and seek an ASI survey, echoing the Gyanvapi and Krishna Janmabhoomi disputes. The Ajmer court issued notices to the government and ASI, with the next hearing set for December 20th.

Following a significant defeat in the Maharashtra assembly polls, the Shiv Sena (UBT) is contemplating contesting upcoming civic and local body elections independently. Party MLAs and functionaries have urged Uddhav Thackeray to lead this solo campaign, particularly in previously dominant areas.

Mogadishu (HOL) — The political standoff between Somalia’s federal government and Jubaland has reached a critical juncture, with courts from both sides issuing arrest warrants for their respective leaders. Mogadishu’s Banadir Regional Court accused Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe of treason, while Jubaland’s First Instance Court countered by charging Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud with constitutional violations and incitement to rebellion.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed congratulations to Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, the new president-elect of Somaliland, for his victory over incumbent president Muse Bihi Abdi as leader of the main opposition party. Abdullahi, commonly known as “Irro” by the people, promised that the relationship with Taiwan “will not change in any way,” the Ministry added.

The Ottawa paramedic who treated Abdirahman Abdi in the aftermath of his violent altercation with two police officers says he doesn't recall police telling him about the head blows one of the officers had delivered to Abdi that morning.

SINGAPORE - A Chinese national has been arrested in Pahang for kidnapping and other offences, after a man reported that his 15-year-old daughter had failed to turn up at her school in Singapore. In a media release, Johor police chief Commissioner M. Kumar said the girl, also a Chinese national, was found following a raid in Kuantan, Pahang, on Nov 26. He added that the student had passed through Singapore’s Woodlands Checkpoint into Malaysia on Nov 24. The girl’s father, a 48-year-old Chinese national, made police reports after his daughter failed to turn up for school in Singapore on Nov 25. The Singapore Police Force said it received a missing persons report involving the 15-year-old girl at about 2.15pm on Nov 25. Preliminary investigations indicated that the girl voluntarily left Singapore unaccompanied before the report was made. According to media reports, the girl’s father alerted police in Johor on Nov 26, leading to them tracking her down and raiding the location in Kuantan on the same day.

A Quebec judge is hearing arguments this week in a class-action lawsuit application against Montreal billionaire Robert Miller over allegations he paid minors for sex.

P.E.I.'s attorney general says the province is considering automatic roadside penalties for people who are caught driving impaired by alcohol or drugs.

A battle over jurisdictional authority continued to heat up Wednesday, as federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault insisted an element of Alberta's pushback to Ottawa's oil and gas cap could land companies in hot water.