The Seychelles Fisheries Authority (SFA) is undertaking a study to assess the vulnerability of seabirds to longline fishery in a bid to reduce the risks of these species ending up as bycatch.  The exercise will allow for a comprehensive assessment of the population status of these birds, which are most vulnerable to this type of fishery. The head of department for Fisheries Management and Technical Coordination of the SFA, Vincent Lucas, told SNA that this assessment will also propose measures for bycatch mitigation, which will then be incorporated into the national plan of action for minimising incidental catch of seabirds in the island nation's longline fisheries.  «We are mainly targeting the Seychelles-registered industrial longline vessels, which operate 25 degrees south in the Indian Ocean. This area is a hotspot for seabirds. And they are captured as bycatch as they forage on longline bait as they sink,» explained Lucas. The need for such exercise is a resolution taken by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), which has recognised the need to strengthen mechanisms to protect seabirds in the Indian Ocean and the global concern that some species of seabirds, notably albatrosses and petrels, are threatened with extinction.  The IOTC, through this resolution, is also seeking to achieve reductions in levels of seabird bycatch across all fishing areas, seasons, and fisheries through the use of effective mitigation measures. Seychelles, a 115-island archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, has a growing fishing industry. However, the incidental bycatch of seabirds has been of increasing concern, particularly by large-scale tuna longline vessels and, most recently, small-scale longline vessels. The assessment aims primarily to evaluate the population status of seabird species most vulnerable to bycatch in the Seychelles longline fisheries and to propose measures for bycatch mitigation. According to Lucas an already recruited consultant will be identifying the most vulnerable seabird species through bycatch data analysis and expert consultation, «as well as estimating population sizes and trends for these vulnerable species, assess the impact of bycatch from the Seychelles longline fisheries on their population viability, evaluate the effectiveness of existing bycatch mitigation measures in the Seychelles longline fishery and finally propose practical and cost-effective seabird bycatch mitigation measures tailored to the Seychelles longline fishery.» The exercise will take three months to complete. Lucas further added that last year, SFA and its parent ministry, the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy undertook an assessment of the population status of seabird species that are most vulnerable to the Seychelles longline fishery and proposed measures for bycatch mitigation. This was the first step in the process to develop a Seabird National Plan of Action for Seychelles. The finding of this assessment will be incorporated in the National Plan of Action for minimising incidental catch of seabirds in the Seychelles' longline fisheries, which is expected to be completed in 2025. According to the authority, between 2019 and 2023 over 800 seabirds were caught by fishing vessels, this figure includes dead and live birds, with the latter being released. The sustainability of seabirds is a national concern in Seychelles, especially species found on the outer islands where there used to be big populations. In February 2022, the Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert, raised concerns over the declining population of the sooty terns whose eggs are a local delicacy. «The population of the sooty terns has gone down significantly and it is quite alarming. It is necessary for us now to take certain actions to prevent further decline in the population of sooty terns in the country. Several measures have been proposed and a temporary ban on sooty tern egg collection with two-year review cycles whereby census would be updated,» said Joubert.  The ban on collecting the sooty tern eggs is still being maintained, and seven sooty tern colonies have become extinct in Seychelles.  

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis will be sworn in as Maharashtra's chief minister for a third time on December 5 after being chosen as the BJP legislature party leader. The party won 132 out of 288 assembly seats, forming a strong coalition with Shiv Sena and NCP. Fadnavis has a notable political career since 1992.

Devendra Fadnavis has been elected as the BJP's legislative party leader in Maharashtra and is set to be sworn in as Chief Minister on December 5th, 2024. The oath-taking ceremony will take place at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, with Prime Minister Modi expected to attend. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a landslide victory in the state assembly elections.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticized Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's view on a 70-hour workweek, rejecting the notion of neglecting work-life balance. Gogoi argued that life encompasses family responsibilities, equally shared by men and women, a choice often unavailable to working women.

[New Times] President Paul Kagame has conveyed his condolences to his Guinean counterpart and the people of Guinea following the death of at least 56 people from a stampede at a football match in the country'ssecond-largest city, N'Zérékoré, on Sunday.

Somali security forces have killed at least 304 al-Shabaab terrorists in an operation against the al-Qaeda-affiliated group in the last two months, according to officials on Tuesday.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Piracy off the Somali coast, once quelled by international naval patrols, is resurging as global maritime traffic shifts eastward due to Red Sea conflicts, according to a report by Skuld, a leading global marine insurance provider.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali security forces in Southwest State have captured a senior Al-Shabaab financial operative in Buur Hakaba district, Bay region, dealing a critical blow to the militant group's funding network in one of its strongholds.

The yuan exchange rate at the opening of trading fell by 6.65 kopecks to 14.374 rubles

The POWs are currently being kept safe and are receiving all necessary assistance

The tax on gains from deposit interest will remain at the level of 13-15%, Dmitry Breitenbikher noted

During his brief visit to Russia, Qomi is expected to hold meetings with Russian religious leaders and Iranian students

The Bank of Russia started operations on the currency market in connection with the use of resources from the National Wealth Fund

He had transferred $10,000 into a secondary bank account for an upcoming overseas trip, but ended up losing $6,000 after his card was fraudulently added to a digital wallet. A man surnamed Li, 50, told Shin Min Daily News he had received an SMS from the bank regarding four charges to his debit card on Oct 30. Upon checking his account, the property agent discovered four transactions made in Taiwan totalling $5,988. He immediately contacted the bank's customer service and requested to block his debit card. He subsequently received an email from the bank stating that they could only process his dispute request once the transactions were posted, and that they would monitor his account for the next 10 days. After the transactions were posted on Nov 2, Li called the bank again and was reportedly told they would follow up on the case. However, he was informed on Nov 14 that the bank's investigations indicated he had authorised the transactions.

Even primates need a year-end holiday, it seems. Multiple visitors spotted two monkeys walking around Changi Airport Terminal 2 on Tuesday (Dec 3), and some shared videos of the animals' antics there. One video posted to TikTok on the same day shows the pair climbing up a staircase railing at the terminal. Two staff members from a nearby eatery are also seen trying to block the primates' path by using a pole and a cleaning signboard as passers-by watch. Another TikTok clip shows one of the monkeys sitting on the floor near the check-in counters as a male airport staff member tries to shoo it away with a broom. The primate refuses to budge, however, only taking a few steps before sitting back down. https://www.tiktok.com/@summer88959/video/7444057071969930513 'Real customer service' In a different TikTok video, a female airport staff member is seen taking a different approach while dealing with the «special visitors». To get one of the monkeys to leave the building, she ushers it towards the door as if guiding a visitor to their destination.

SINGAPORE — The Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) Gaia, the largest wooden building in Asia, bagged the top Unesco prize for architecture and design under the world's most beautiful campuses category on Monday (Dec 2). Changi Airport Terminal 2 also won the special prize for its interior at the series of competitions known as the Prix Versailles World Architecture and Design Award 2024, under the world's most beautiful airports category. This award is one of the top three world titles — namely the top Prix Versailles prize and separate special prizes for interior and exterior — that finalists in each category competed for. The Prix Versailles is an international series of architectural awards that celebrate contemporary projects worldwide by recognising innovation, creativity, reflections of local heritage, sustainability and design.

Former Shrimoni Akali Dal president Sukhwinder Singh Badal survived an assassination attempt at the Golden Temple while performing 'Seva'. The assailant, Narain Singh Chaura, was apprehended by police. Despite the attempt, Badal will continue his religious penance. An independent investigation will be carried out by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

After an assassination attempt, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal was spotted washing utensils at the Golden Temple, continuing his 'seva'. The attack, which occurred while Badal was fulfilling his duties, ended without injury thanks to the intervention of bystanders, resulting in the immediate apprehension of assailant Narain Singh.

Dans un courrier daté du 30 novembre 2024, et en réponse au courrier de l«Union Européenne du 26 novembre 2024, dont l'objet est : »CoP20 de la CITES — Consultation sur l'inscription éventuelle de l'Aucoumea klaineana à l'annexe II de la CITES" pour Guinée équatoriale, Cameroun, Congo et Gabon. Le Président de Croissance Saine Environnement, Nicaise Moulombi répond estimant qu'au Gabon, l'espèce n'est pas rare et vraisemblablement pas vulnérable. En soutien à sa gestion plus durable, il (...) - ENVIRONNEMENT / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Le ministre de la Culture et des Arts, le Dr André Jacques Augand a ouvert ce mardi 3 décembre, la session extraordinaire du Conseil d'administration du bureau gabonais du droits d'auteur et des droits voisins (BUGADA), à leur siège, sis au Haut de Gué Gué dans le premier arrondissement de la commune de Libreville. L'objectif principal était de statuer sur les modalités de mise en oeuvre de la reforme préconisée par le décret n°0282/PR/MCJSA du 18 juillet 2024 portant réorganisation du (...) - SOCIETE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

The vote on the bill should be held within 24 to 72 hours from the time of its consideration at a plenary session

Annalena Baerbock also believes that along with security guarantees for Ukraine in the form of NATO membership, «international presence aimed at ensuring a ceasefire» could be considered

Vladimir Rogov said earlier that the liberation of that settlement would deny the Ukrainian army the possibility to relocate units directly between Solntsevka in the north and Kurakhovo

Maria Zakharova also pointed to the fate of former South Korean leaders: some were killed, overthrown, imprisoned, some committed suicide

The domestic brand Lada continues to hold a strong position in the market, as it did in October

Uttar Pradesh police increased security in several districts as Rahul Gandhi and Congress MPs plan to visit Sambhal. Prohibitory orders are extended till December 31. The district administration denied their visit after November 24 clashes led to deaths and injuries, including police personnel, during a court-mandated survey of the Jama Masjid, claimed to be originally a temple.

Amid uncertainty over Maharashtra's new chief minister, posters suggesting Devendra Fadnavis as the frontrunner were seen in Mumbai. A significant BJP meeting is set to decide the leader, who will stake a claim to form the government. Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony at Azad Maidan are underway, with several VVIPs, including the Prime Minister, expected to attend.

Opposition leaders criticized the AAP government in Punjab for a security failure at the Golden Temple where a man fired at SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal. BJP, SAD, and Congress leaders condemned the incident, calling for a judicial enquiry and highlighting the deteriorating law and order situation, with demands for accountability and strict punishment for the attacker.

Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland's President-elect Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro has reportedly thrown his weight behind an ambitious agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia.

Despite the release of U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa in August 2022, the continent of about 1.4 billion people has reaped few tangible «security dividends» as promised. Instead, it witnessed a shift of the «global terrorism epicenter» into the Sahel region.

[GroundUp] Our prisons have about 105,000 beds but there are over 156,000 prisoners