Two energy firms have unveiled proposals to build giant solar farms that critics warn will pave over much-needed agricultural land and create huge 'eyesores'

"The weight of lambs after the summer is lower than sometimes before, and this can be attributed to the cold weather in the first week of June and the unfavorable weather this summer. This has an impact," says Eyjólfur Ingvi Bjarnason, a farmer in Ásgarður in Dalir and chairman of the section of sheep farmers in the Icelandic Farmers Association.

On the second day of train service disruption along the East-West Line, several commuters at Jurong East MRT station were seen trying to find the way to their destinations.  Those entering the MRT station on Thursday (Sept 26) evening scrutinised the various signages put up around the platform, before asking SMRT staff for directions.  One of them was 22-year-old nursing student Joyce Ji, who was travelling to her gym at Marina One.  After approaching an SMRT staff member for help, the young woman stood at the MRT platform as she tried to decide if she wanted to continue heading to the gym.  SMRT staff guiding commuters at Jurong East MRT station. PHOTO: AsiaOne/Claudia Tan "I found out about the disruption yesterday, and I wasn't sure where to go at first. Now I'm contemplating if I should take the train or Grab. 

Libreville, le 26 septembre 2024. Au cours d'une opération conjointe menée le 20 septembre 2024, la Direction Provinciale des Eaux et Forêts de l'Ogooué-Maritime et l'antenne provinciale de la Direction générale de recherche (DGR) de la même province, appuyés par l'ONG Conservation Justice, ont mis la main sur deux personnes de nationalité gabonaise prise en flagrant délit de tentative de vente d'un bébé Chimpanzé. Soupçonnés de trafic de primates, les dénommés N.G et M.R s'apprêtaient (...) - SOCIETE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Chers (es) partisans (es) de la Liberté . À tous les patriotes engagés (es), Nous vivons un moment crucial. Le Gabon est à un carrefour historique. Son histoire, à l'heure actuelle, en 2024, ne peut s'écrire sans REAGIR. Je nous invite à prendre nos responsabilités au nom de la République, et de notre foi en l'avenir. La nouvelle constitution, telle que proposée par les premiers éléments mis à notre disposition, laisse à penser que le Gabon va connaître un recul démocratique sans (...) - LIBRE PROPOS / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Resident Maciej Gawlik complained that the garages and drives on the estate are 'too small' for larger vehicles.

Thames Valley Police Officer, Police Constable Miriam Virgo, embarked on an 'ill-advised' relationship with Carl Cserfalvi-Young after he was released from prison.

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From McDonald's to Popeyes and KFC, the number of major chicken chains making their way to the UK from America is only growing.

More than 500 years after his untimely death, scientists have revealed what the king would have actually sounded like.

Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson revealed on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday her experiences of partying with P Diddy who hosted infamous sex and drug fuelled gatherings.

Putin’s proposal to update Russia’s nuclear doctrine should discourage the West from supporting aggression against Moscow, the Kremlin says Read Full Article at RT.com

The US will send cluster bombs and an array of rockets as part of a $375 million aid package for Kiev, the US Department of State has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Evgeny Prigozhin wired money to Chinese companies with the help of HSBC and JPMorgan, the Financial Times has reported Read Full Article at RT.com

The deputy governor of a southern Russian region has highlighted the growing trade with African nations Read Full Article at RT.com

NATO’s logistics command is working on plans for mass medical evacuations in Europe for a potential war with Russia, its chief has said  Read Full Article at RT.com

Climate change remains the foremost challenge facing humanity, and failure to address its effects will devastate current and future generations, said Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan in his address on Wednesday at the 79th United Nations General Assembly Plenary Session in New York.   Ramkalwan said that as a small island state, Seychelles understands what it means to be vulnerable. «A vulnerability that cannot be ignored in the future we see for ourselves. We are on the front lines of the climate crisis, which poses irreversible threats to our people, our economy and our way of life. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the degradation of our oceans are stark reminders of the urgent need for global action on climate change,» he added. «We have all made commitments, pledges and promises to achieve large-scale reductions of emissions to keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees (Celsius). To boost adaptation to deal with extreme weather disasters and build resilience to address future impacts. But words are nothing without deeds and we have to act urgently, in unity, to make the necessary transition to a more sustainable future,» said the Seychelles' President. Ramkalwan said that world military expenditure has increased for the 10th  consecutive year, reaching 2.5 trillion dollars in 2023 and this makes even the highest estimates of the funds - 100 billion dollars needed for loss and damage -  seem modest and insignificant. «This is a worrying reflection of the world's priorities. It is unfair for SIDS (Small Island Developing States) to suffer the consequences of these choices. We simply do not have the means to cope with the disastrous effects of climate change,» he emphasised. Ramkalawan thanked those who have contributed to the Loss and Damage Fund and said that the pledges made following COP28 should not be mere attempts to pacify those who have been calling for remediation. «We hope to take it as a token of ongoing commitment and continued action, given the expected rise in costs of dealing with climate change. As the Secretary General said yesterday: »Those who shoulder the blame should foot the bill,« he added. Ramkalawan spoke about the existing conflicts and said, »The world is less secure than even just one year ago. Where we hoped that existing conflicts could be resolved, we find ourselves in a situation more tense and precarious. Flames stoked by competition and distrust threaten to engulf those who have no part in these conflicts - leaving us gripped by a fearful atmosphere of instability, exacerbated by the worry of expanded warfare.« He said that 79 years ago, the permanent members of the Security Council conferred upon themselves the great responsibility of ensuring international peace and security.   »With this great responsibility comes the expectation that gross violations of the UN Charter be dealt with resolutely, and impartially. We place our trust in them to act in the common interest, to prevent conflict and preserve human dignity,« he added. He stressed that widened and prolonged conflict risks affecting smaller states like Seychelles trying not to get caught in the crossfire. »It is not our intention to lecture the world powers nor attempt to prescribe solutions to complex issues. We simply wish to remind you of your duty and be reassured that geopolitics will not supersede human rights and international law,« said the Seychelles' President.  He spoke on the Security Council and said that since its formation in 1946, and said that since its formation in 1946, it has remained largely unchanged. »Seychelles joins the call for the UN and the Security Council to deliver the reform being appealed for by so many – with the objective not to hinder its work but to bring inclusivity and perspective. It is time to correct one of the many injustices to which Africa has been subjected. Permanent membership of the world's primary peace-keeping institution is a necessity,« he stated. Ramkalawan spoke about ambitious and innovative strategies for securing long-term economic development which he said are futile without finance that is accessible and sustainable. »The average debt-to-GDP ratio in SIDS exceeds 70 percent. It is crippling and impedes our development by diverting critical resources away from where they are needed most: in infrastructure, education and healthcare. Our vulnerabilities have been expounded, yet our borrowing costs remain high. Instead of concessions, we are penalised for our vulnerability,« he added. He said it is time to move beyond discussion and implement real reforms in the international financial system to address the preclusion of some vulnerable countries, regardless of income status, from opportunities to meet development needs. Ramkalawan also spoke about the multilateral system saying »It remains our best hope for addressing the challenges we face. As a small state, Seychelles believes in the United Nations, for we fear a reality with no alternative. In a world more interconnected than ever, multilateralism is the network that links our shared values to achieve the vision that we have for our world. One that is defined by our common interests and not by our differences.« He highlighted the BBNJ Agreement adopted in 2023 and Seychelles becoming the fourth and the first in Africa, to ratify it in 2024 and urged other countries to hasten its ratification so as not to delay its entry into force. Ramkalwan also talked about the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) resolution adopted last month and said it represents a triumph of the multilateral system to consider new approaches to complex and evolving issues. »Its data and findings deliver the empirical grounding for what we know to be true: that a single-layered approach to development is no longer accurate nor adequate. A better understanding of precisely these multidimensional vulnerabilities will be crucial for the decisions that we take and, more importantly, those taken on our behalf,« he added. Ramkalwan also talked about the Pact for the Future adopted recently, which includes a Declaration on Future Generations. »For Seychelles, the Declaration on Future Generations should signal our commitment to safeguarding the rights of all people who will be born by the end of this century, most of whom are in developing countries. People who should not be born into hardship. We must envision a world where survival is not a struggle. A world that ensures everyone's right to prosperity,« he added. The Seychelles' President concluded his address by saying, »I firmly believe that these are the foundations on which our cooperation and progress should be built. The things that our people need the most and what should guide us to building a world that is more secure and sustainable. Let us strive to be the architects of a world where no one is left behind."

Authorities in Seychelles will embark on a series of discussions with stakeholders to draft climate legislation, said a government minister at a regional seminar on interparliamentary cooperation on climate change. The Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert, announced this in his address at the closing ceremony of a two-day seminar held for parliamentarians on Tuesday. Parliamentarians in the Indian Ocean region countries met to decide the parameters they would like to include in an upcoming climate law for their respective countries. The workshop was held by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), through its Governance, Peace and Stability (GPS) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, and financed by the French Development Agency. «We will be meeting members of the National Assembly, the executive, and members of the public to discuss how we can come up with environmental legislation that encompasses all our global needs,» said Joubert. It was pointed out in the seminar, that although the countries in the Indian Ocean are not major contributors to global warming, they are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, Damien Cesselin, explained that his organisation would offer these small islands, «The much-needed platform where the island states can compare the different practices and help them draft the policies and legislations for their respective countries.» Parliamentarians discussed various topics including regional cooperation for sustainable management of natural resources, the importance of finding proper financing for climate mitigation and resilience projects in the Indian Ocean. Those who attended the meeting made commitments to meet regularly to work together to draft a piece of regulation that meets the Paris Agreement while keeping in line with the countries' particularities. In 2024, almost 10 years after the adoption of the Paris Climate Agreement on 12 December 2015, very few Indian Ocean countries have created a legislative framework to implement the objectives of the Paris Agreement. This has made it more difficult for these countries to access climate financing. While all IOC member states, as parties to the Paris Agreement, have established agreements, put in place policy or strategic frameworks drawn up by their governments for climate adaptation to climate change. In the countries participating in the seminar, only Mauritius has a law on climate change. 

A pet-loving part-time musician is fast becoming a global star by gently poking fun at Donald Trump for suggesting that Haitian immigrants are making a meal of America's cats and dogs. «Eating the cats», a parody song by The Kiffness which sets to music Trump's extraordinary claims during the US presidential debate that migrants in Ohio «are eating the dogs, eating the cats», has been viewed more than 8.7 million times on YouTube alone in 12 days. «People of Springfield please don't eat my cat,» pleads the South African singer, whose real name is David Scott. «Why would you do that?/ Eat something else.» He then helpfully holds up a card suggesting a range of other mostly veggie options, including broccoli, avocados and poached eggs. The singer, who has been slowly building a following for his feel-good songs about pets and children -- because «they tend to unite people» -- has seen his popularity soar since he got his singing claws into Trump. Although he insists he is not attacking anybody, just giving some cat- and dog-friendly dietary advice. «I think music has a powerful way of taking away negative energy and polarising feelings, especially with someone like Donald Trump, who is such a polarising figure,» he told AFP before his band gave a concert in Paris. - Not trying to hurt anyone - «I want my music to unite people. And I think that's why I moved towards music that included animals. Because animals unite people,» said the 36-year-old from Cape Town. The video, which has been watched by millions more on social media, shows Trump's rival Kamala Harris reacting to his widely-derided claims during their debate earlier this month. A couple of cats and dogs also chip in with vocals, and equally incredulous looks. Scott said all the earnings from the song are going to help pets and stray cats and dogs in Springfield, with more than $20,000 already raised. «I've never seen anything like it,» he told AFP. «The interest has been overwhelming from both sides, from Democrats, from Republicans.» He said the song was not «laughing at the situation, it's saying that you can rise above it... and just see the humour in things,» said the musician, who describes himself on X as a «Christian, husband, father (and) part-time musician». Springfield's mayor, police and Ohio's Republican governor have all said there is no evidence to back up Trump's claims that Haitian migrants were eating the city's pets. But that has not stopped his running mate JD Vance -- an Ohio senator -- from doubling down on the claims, despite being widely mocked. «My constituents are telling me firsthand that they're seeing these things,» an unapologetic Vance told CNN. This prompted Haitian groups in Springfield to file charges against Trump and Vance Wednesday over the threats to their community since the pair amplified the false online rumours. © Agence France-Presse

Two top Israeli ministers from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government on Thursday rejected a proposal for a ceasefire in Lebanon and called for continuing the fight against Hezbollah. The United States, European Union and other allies including several Arab states issued a joint call for a 21-day halt in fighting in Lebanon after Israeli air strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands in Lebanon this week. The appeal for the three-week ceasefire came hours after Israeli military chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, on Wednesday told soldiers to prepare for a possible ground offensive against Hezbollah. Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a key member of the cabinet, opposed the ceasefire proposal, insisting that continuing the war against Hezbollah was the only way forward. Netanyahu's coalition relies on the support of Smotrich and other far-right members who consistently also opposed a truce in the Gaza war, which has not stopped. «The campaign in the north should end with a single result: crushing Hezbollah and elimination of its ability to harm the residents of the north,» Smotrich said on social media platform X. «The enemy must not be given time to recover from the heavy blows it has suffered and reorganise itself to continue the war after 21 days,» he said. «Hezbollah's surrender or war -- this is the only way to bring back the residents and security to the north and the country.» In a separate statement on X, Foreign Minister Israel Katz also opposed any halt to fighting. «There will be no ceasefire in the north. We will continue to fight against the Hezbollah terrorist organisation with all our strength until victory and the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes,» Katz said, referring to tens of thousands who have been displaced by nearly a year of cross-border clashes which escalated this week. - Gaza - Israel's main opposition leader Yair Lapid said the Israeli government should only agree to a seven-day ceasefire. This would «prevent Hezbollah from restoring its command and control systems,» Lapid said on X. «We will not accept any proposal that does not include the withdrawal of Hezbollah from our northern border.» Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has also been a strong advocate of continuing the war in Gaza, where Israeli forces have been battling Palestinian militants from the Islamist group Hamas since October 7. The Gaza war erupted when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, and Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel from Lebanon a day later in what it says is solidarity with Hamas. Since then Israel and Hezbollah have been engaged in fierce cross-border clashes, which worsened this week when Israel launched a withering bombing campaign in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah sites in the deadliest violence since Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war. © Agence France-Presse

The Assumption Hotel development project in Seychelles has been submitted to the Planning Authority, which is the final phase before work begins. The announcement was made by Glenny Savy, the managing director of the government-owned Islands Development Company (IDC), in a familiarisation visit by Seychellois journalists to the island. Assumption Island, located some 800 kilometres southwest of the main island of Mahe, is part of the Aldabra group and is managed by the Islands Development Company. The Qatar-based developer, Assets Development Company, which owns several luxury tourist establishments in the Maldives and elsewhere in the world,  plans to build 37 luxury villas and 4 restaurants on the island. «For the time being, we are awaiting permission from the Planning Authority before going ahead with the project,» said Savy. This tourism project is attracting a great deal of interest from the public, and many precautions are being taken to ensure that all aspects concerning the protection of the island's environment are taken into account. For the time being, IDC has planted spikes in the ground to mark out future villas. (Rassin Vannier, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY          «We came to Assumption last week to gain a better understanding of the project to be developed on this island, and if all goes well in the next six to eight weeks we should be in a position to give an answer,' said Cyril Bonnelame, chairman of the board of the Planning Authority.    For the time being, IDC has planted spikes in the ground to demarcate the future villas and huts have also been installed, ready to house the employees of IDC construction, the company that will be carrying out the work.   To begin with, IDC has already extended the airstrip by 800 metres, bringing the total length to 2 kilometres. Ultimately, the Assumption project will serve to develop tourism in the southern islands of the archipelago, in particular the islands of Astove and Consmoledo, as well as the Aldabra Atoll, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), which manages Aldabra, has called for the project to be halted so that more detailed studies can be carried out to ensure that there is no danger to the reserve, home to the world's largest population of giant land tortoises. Savy explained that he had had a meeting with the board of directors of the SIF, at which further studies were requested, and all their requests were approved. To begin with, IDC has already extended the runway by 800 metres, bringing the total length to 2 kilometres. (Rassin Vannier, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY          To carry out such a project, the promoter had to recruit the non-governmental organisation, Island Conservation Seychelles (ICS), to draw up the Class 1 environmental impact plan. »This is the first time we have done a project like this, but we have qualified scientists who have worked on several islands in the region, and we even had to put in place a biosafety and biodiversity plan,' said Norman Weber, chairman of the board of ICS. He said that the plan was submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, which accepted it. According to the environmental impact plan, the villas will be built some 40 metres from the fine sandy beach of Assumption, and Weber said, it is far enough from the shore not to disturb the sea turtles that are present in the lagoon throughout the year to lay their eggs.   Given that Assumption is an island without water or electricity, IDC plans to build all the infrastructure necessary for life on the island to function properly. Assumption's rocky desert soil, after the island was exploited for its guano reserves. (Rassin Vannier, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY  IDC, which already has this expertise on the island of Desroches, plans to reproduce the same model, namely the construction of a photovoltaic cell producing between 4 and 5 megawatts. This will supply all the electricity and a small desalination plant, an incinerator and a wastewater treatment centre.    Savy said that IDC will build all the infrastructure to accommodate 300 hotel staff and 100 company employees who will be permanently on the island once the project is completed. If all goes according to plan, Savy plans to start work at the beginning of December. «The first phase of the project, which consists of building the infrastructure, is expected to cost between $42 million (SCR562 million) and $45 million (SCR603 million), and a further contract will be awarded to finish the project,» he added. Work is expected to take between 24 and 30 months, with the hotel expected to open between March and April 2026.  Assumption Island is located some 800 kilometres southwest of the main island of Mahe. (Rassin Vannier, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY 

[HRW] Abuses by the Congolese Army, Rwandan Forces, M23, and Other Armed Groups

[RFI] The NGO Human Rights Watch has accused the Rwandan army and the M23 armed group of «indiscriminately bombing» displacement camps around Goma, the capital of North Kivu, as unrest in the eastern DRC intensifies.

[HRW] Congolese Army Puts Displaced People Around Goma at Greater Risk

Business Partners International (BPI) Malawi, a fund manager that provides business finance and support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), has appointed experienced economist and financial expert Bond Mtembezeka as its new Country Manager to lead its operations in Malawi. Mtembezeka brings extensive experience in Asset Management, Banking, Investments, and Corporate Finance, with over eight […] The post BPI Malawi appoints new Country Manager appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Wes Streeting's repeated claims that the 'NHS is broken' risk 'spooking' patients and putting them off seeking care, health leaders warn.

[Nyasa Times] The Road Safety Alert Foundation (ROSAF) says they will host a Car Free Day this coming Friday, September 27, 2024, in Lilongwe in order to sensitise the public on the alternative modes of transportation to reduce carbon emissions and accidents.

[Africa Check] No evidence that 'shame plant' can cure mpox

[allAfrica] Senegal woke up this Tuesday, September 24, 2024, under an overcast sky, and sad to show its mourning, following the disappearance of the patriarch, Amadou Mahtar Mbow, former director general of UNESCO for 13 years from 1974 to 1987.

On the second day of the East-West Line train disruption, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and transport operator SMRT said that they are aiming for the partial restoration of train services by Friday (Sept 27). In a statement on Thursday (Sept 26) evening, they said: «We are still unable to resume train services between Jurong East and Buona Vista stations in both directions today.» They are aiming for a partial restoration of train services on Friday, with a single line shuttle service running every 20 minutes between Jurong East and Buona Vista stations. «Restoring train services safely and promptly is our top priority, and we will continue to provide updates as the situation progresses,» they added. Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat also gave an update on the situation on Thursday evening. «The engineers from SMRT and LTA have been working throughout the night to assess and to carry out repairs to the damaged tracks and equipment,» he said.

Le mercredi 25 septembre, le Dr. Jill Biden, Première Dame des États-Unis, a convié un groupe prestigieux de personnalités internationales à un brunch au Pier 57 de New-York, en marge de la 79ème session de l'Assemblée Générale des Nations Unies. Cet événement, haut en couleur, a réuni des leaders d'opinion et des figures influentes, afin de renforcer les liens diplomatiques et culturels entre les nations. Le Dr Jill Biden a chaleureusement accueilli ses invités, dans une atmosphère à (...) - COOPERATION / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

The UN mission in Libya has announced that the country’s rival factions have signed a preliminary agreement to address a central bank crisis Read Full Article at RT.com

The Russian foreign intelligence service has accused the US and the UK of coving up their culpability for the 2022 Nord Stream attack Read Full Article at RT.com

Pavel Durov, whose fortune is valued at around $15.5 billion, has reportedly told police that his annual salary amounts to just one dirham Read Full Article at RT.com

New Delhi has allowed foreign diplomats to witness the long-awaited assembly election in J&K Read Full Article at RT.com