Over 200 frustrated business owners gathered at the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) compound yesterday to share their concerns regarding the prolonged closure of the Port Vila Central Business District (CBD).

Vanuatu heads to the polls today to elect 52 Members of Parliament (MPs) for the 14th Legislature in the country’s fifth Snap Election.

The rebuilding costs for private buildings in the recovery site affected by the earthquake are the responsibility of owners, said the Chairman of the Recovery Operations Centre (ROC), John Ezra.

Clean technologies are at the forefront of the EU's ambition to pursue both decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness. The global clean tech market is expected to triple by 2035, covering sectors such as solar, wind, batteries, heat pumps and electrolysers for the production of hydrogen. While the roll-out of clean technologies is increasing in the EU, its global market share is falling and manufacturing is lagging behind. This is due to a combination of factors, such as high energy prices, import dependency on raw materials and key components, skills shortages and fierce international competition, fuelled by robust public support policies adopted by the EU's main global competitors, such as China and the United States. The EU has already taken some steps to boost manufacturing of clean technologies. The Net-Zero Industry Act of June 2024 seeks to enhance the manufacturing capacity of strategic net-zero technologies by streamlining administrative procedures, boosting investment and improving skills. It sets a target for domestic manufacturing capacity of strategic net-zero technologies to reach 40 % of EU annual deployment needs by 2030 and 15 % of global production by 2040. The Critical Raw Materials Act of April 2024 addresses the issue of import dependencies by seeking to diversify supplies and boost domestic capacity in mining, processing and recycling of critical raw materials. However, some challenges remain for EU clean tech. These include ensuring adequate private and public funding, swiftly implementing the recently adopted legislative framework and reinforcing a favourable regulatory environment for investment. The Clean Industrial Deal to be announced in February 2025 by the new European Commission, together with the Competitiveness Fund under the future multiannual EU budget, are expected to provide an additional boost to clean technologies in Europe. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

While some Republicans have hailed the pick, Donald Trump’s choice of Kash Patel to lead the FBI has raised alarm among many national security veterans.

Karnataka minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after it successfully concluded the docking process of two satellites.

The Bharatiya Janata Party criticizes the Congress party for relying on findings from Hindenburg Research, which recently announced its shutdown. Hindenburg's founder Nate Anderson cites personal reasons for disbanding the firm, despite past controversies and challenges, including the significant impact on the Adani Group's market valuation.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has on Thursday welcomed the Gaza ceasefire agreement, praising the mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States in securing the deal.

The singer passed away in hospital yesterday with her famous sisters by her side following double pneumonia amid a 20-year battle with breast cancer, her agent Dermot McNamara confirmed.

The UK economy expanded by just 0.1 per cent in November - less than expected, and not enough to offset the previous two months of contraction.

Hugh Grant took a playful jibe at his ex girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley as he called her 'high-maintenance' during his latest interview with Vogue. 

While fans of Tom Cruise will be well aware of his marriages to Katie Holmes and Nicole Kidman, some could be forgiven for forgetting his first wife.

Melania Trump expects the White House move will be easier this time around, suggesting that is partly because she does not need to rely on her predecessors for help.

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, January 16th

Along with the common bottlenose dolphins, the largest marine mammals of the Black Sea, the common dolphins and porpoises neared the Kerch Strait area, expert Irina Logominova specified

According to Asaad Hassan al-Shaybani, the Israeli side explained its military activity by the fact that «Hezbollah and Iranian militia fighters were in these areas who were attacking» Israel

According to Baiba Braze, putting European boots on the ground in Ukraine would cause escalation for the EU that has been shying away from it

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan called for further deepening of cooperation with Washington based on the signed document

An adorable wild boar piglet was recently spotted snuffling along a grass patch by the side of a footpath in Bukit Panjang. In a video on Tuesday (Jan 14), TikTok user Ahguaman shared his up-close encounter with the piglet. The clip starts with the camera panning from the TikTok user to the piglet, which scampers away. It cuts to several shorter clips of the animal nosing around the grass. https://www.tiktok.com/@ahguaman/video/7459746825042545938 No matter how cute a piglet may look, approaching them is dangerous as female adult boars are known to be very protective of their young and easily provoked, according to the National Parks Board (NParks). Sows and piglets typically travel in a group and may wander into parks and gardens in search of food, states an NParks advisory. If threatened, they may attack humans and cause injury. In the comment section, some TikTok users pointed out that the sow was likely nearby and could have attacked the man. «Wild boar mum is no joke. If you see a baby, please leave the area immediately,» cautioned one user.

Singapore is set to experience another weekend of wet weather from Jan 17 to 19 as a second monsoon surge descends, bringing windy and cooler conditions. Spells of moderate to heavy thundery showers over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity are also expected, said the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) on Thursday (Jan 16). Temperatures are expected to dip to around 22 degrees Celsius in the next few days, coinciding with the monsoon surge, it added. Subsequently, temperatures are forecast to range between 24 and 34 degrees Celsius, said MSS.  Periods of intense rain during seasonal high tides can often result in flash floods. Low-lying coastal areas, such as East Coast Park could experience more flash floods during the upcoming monsoon surge as tides are expected to be higher. PUB added that high tides of up to 3.2m are also expected over this period, which could result in high water levels in coastal canals. Tides reached a high of 2.9m during the monsoon surge last weekend, reported The Straits Times. 

The Congress party reveals its promises for Delhi ahead of elections, including the Inflation Relief Scheme providing LPG cylinders at Rs 500 and free ration kits, and the Free Electricity Scheme offering 300 units of free electricity to households, aiming to alleviate financial burdens for citizens.

The Congress party has accused the BJP of shielding the Adani Group from scrutiny despite serious allegations highlighted by the Hindenburg report. They allege misuse of foreign policy for personal gain, monopoly creation in various sectors, and argue for a Joint Parliamentary Committee investigation.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to promote the startup ecosystem in the country by easing rules and regulations on the completion of nine years of the 'Startup India' initiative.

Congress will hold 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim and Jai Samvidhan' rally in Karnataka's Belgaum on 21st January to demand Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation over his statement on BR Ambedkar, KC Venugopal, AICC General Secretary (Organisation), said.

Congress leader Sandeep Dixit questions Akhilesh Yadav's support for AAP in the Delhi Assembly elections, suggesting it may be influenced by AAP's policies. Akhilesh stated that supporting AAP is strategic to defeat the BJP as AAP is stronger than Congress in Delhi. The Delhi polls are scheduled for February, with nominations closing on January 17.

Poornima Ramarao has told Tucker Carlson that her son Suchir Balaji was in possession of documents that could damage the tech company Read Full Article at RT.com

The Palestinian armed group is committed to the terms of the ceasefire agreement with Israel, Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Le samedi 11 janvier 2025, en présence du Vice-Président de la transition, Joseph Owondault Berre, représentant le chef de l'État, les nouveaux diplômés de l'Ecole nationale des Eaux et Forêts ont été honorés. Dr Bruno Nkoumakali, Directeur Général de cet établissement a rappelé à toutes fins utiles, la place importante que revêt la formation militaire au sein de l'ENEF. Aussi, a t-il encouragé, les impétrants à plus d'abnégation, et qu'ils sont des dignes serviteurs de la nation car (...) - EAUX ET FORETS / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- Rwanda now says that its oil and gas exploration in Lake Kivu has shown a promising potential for hydrocarbon resources in the area.

[New Times] In September 2024, the City of Kigali announced that it was set to pilot Dedicated Bus Lanes (DBL) within the next six months.

The return of Donald Trump — and his jokes about the 51st state — will likely provide new opportunities for Canada to decide how much and how loudly it wants to differentiate itself from its neighbour. In the process, could Trump also end up recharging Canadian patriotism or nationalism?

A Canadian doctor living in Hawaii is suing a Toronto action house over a painting he claims is an original Tom Thomson. Michael Murray said the painting was sent to Waddington's Auctioneers & Appraisers to be put up for sale, but the auction house denies it was ever there.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has come under India’s fact-checking scanner after implying Narendra Modi did not win the 2024 election Read Full Article at RT.com