The first High Commissioner of Kenya to Seychelles pledges to continue building on the robust relationship between the two countries. Isaac Njenga Gatitu presented his credentials to President Wavel Ramkalawan on Tuesday. «We hope to be able to give impetus to these relations that are in existence, we hope to bring more impact to our governments and our people as we build our economies, as we build our cultural and social ties,» he told reporters. Kenya and Seychelles have a long shared history as both countries are members of the Commonwealth and the African Union. «We have commonality in our governance system and some of the education systems because of some of our shared history,» he added. There is a significant Kenyan community in Seychelles working in different sectors such as fisheries, education sector and tourism, among others. Gatitu revealed that there are possibilities for further cooperation in tourism, where visitors could visit Kenya and Seychelles as part of a package. «We can complement each other, with the safaris that Kenya is known for, the world-renowned Masai Mara and the wild game reserves we have,» he said. The two countries are also cooperatiing in the field of defence and security since the region has suffered from piracy scourge for many years. However, with a recent resurgence in piracy, the two countries are examining «how we can enhance the cooperation that already exists between the two countries in maritime security, defence, and intelligence sharing that would help us to have the capacity to deal with this vice,» said the newly accredited high commissioner. He said that the two countries will also work together to fight the «menace of drug trafficking and drug use in the region.» The high commissioner added that «allowing our population to be involved in drugs would mean a national security threat to our country.» As illicit drug trafficking is also linked to other crimes, he stressed that transnational crimes cannot be fought as a country alone and that «you can only do it in partnership with others and particularly those who are in close proximity.» In the agriculture sector, Kenya has managed to «maximise output with the amount of arable land it has, this is an area we will also be able to share with the Seychellois community,» said Gatitu. He also revealed talks on cooperation between the School of Agriculture and Horticulture in Seychelles and the Edgerton University in Kenya and said that« This can only help to enhance the capacity that already exists here.» The first Kenyan High Commissioner to Seychelles admitted that Kenyans can also learn from Seychelles in the areas of fisheries and Blue Economy - an area it excels in. Other sectors the two countries plan to further cooperate in are health, education and student exchanges. In regards to the agreements the two countries signed in July 2022 during the State Visit of the Kenyan President, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, Gatitu said he will be visiting various top officials in the country during the day to put to action the words of the MoUs. Gatitu will be based in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Air Seychelles, the national carrier, has clinched two accolades - the Indian Ocean's Leading Airline - Economy Class and the Indian Ocean's Leading Cabin Crew at the World Travel Awards 2024. According to the airline in a press statement on Monday, Sandy Benoiton, the airline's chief executive officer accepted the awards with much pride and gratitude. «To win these accolades knowing they are awarded through public vote is proof that Air Seychelles is on the right track. The airline industry is as exciting as it is volatile and we do what we do with passion. Although we did not win as many awards as we did last year, I am immensely proud of my team whose relentless dedication has culminated in clinching these this year. We build on experiences and we will use this as motivation for even better output this year and beyond,» said Benoiton. Air Seychelles falls in the Indian Ocean category battling against other regional airlines such as Air Austral and Air Mauritius. Winners within each region will then go head to head in the Grand Final at the end of the year. The Grand Final nominations will be announced during the last quarter of the year, and as was done for the regional awards, a public vote will be called in support of the national airline at this time. Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, also emerged victorious as the 'Indian Ocean's Leading Beach Destination' and 'Indian Ocean's Leading Nature Destination.' The Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island took the newcomer title of 'Indian Ocean's Leading New Resort'. According to a press communique from the World Travel Awards on Monday, Graham Cooke, founder of the World Travel Awards, said, «Our winners represent the very best of the Indian Ocean's travel and tourism, and my congratulations to each of them. They are all playing starring roles in driving the region to new heights.» The World Travel Awards ceremony is regarded as one of the most prestigious award events around the world, celebrating and rewarding excellence in key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. 

President Vladimir Putin vowed at a lavish inauguration on Tuesday to deliver victory to Russians, embarking on a record-breaking fifth term with more power than ever. Putin, however, conceded that Russia was going through a «difficult» period, an apparent reference to the unprecedented sanctions packages the West has imposed on Moscow for having launched full-scale military hostilities in Ukraine more than two years ago. The 71-year-old Kremlin chief has ruled Russia since the turn of the century, securing a fresh six-year mandate in March after winning presidential elections devoid of all opposition. The highly-orchestrated inauguration ceremony, which included a military procession and Orthodox prayer service, was broadcast live on major Russian television channels. European countries including Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic signalled they would not send representatives amid soured tensions over the conflict in Ukraine. «We are a united and great nation, and together we will overcome all obstacles, realise everything we have planned, and together, we will win,» the Russian leader said after being sworn in to office. Putin, who has said that his forces will be victorious in Ukraine, whatever the cost, said the country would emerge «with dignity and become even stronger». After standing alone in the rain and overseeing columns of armed guards and calvary parade in ceremonial uniform, Putin was blessed by the leader of the Orthodox Chuch, Patriarch Kirill. «May God help you continue carrying out your servitude that he himself has entrusted on you,» the Orthodox leader said. He compared Putin to medieval ruler Alexander Nevsky and wished him eternal rule. «Serving Russia is a huge honour, responsibility and sacred duty,» Putin had said in the Kremlin's gilded Saint Andrew's Hall. He was greeted by applause by Russian officials and military top brass, who sang the national anthem and applauded him. Government officials and foreign diplomats in Moscow were invited to the ceremony, including French ambassador Pierre Levy. Putin's 87 percent landslide victory in the presidential election was panned by most international observers and dismissed as rigged by opposition and rights groups. The inauguration comes two days before Russia marks Victory Day on May 9, an event that has taken on renewed symbolism as Putin compares his offensive in Ukraine to Russia's fight against Nazi Germany in World War II. Authorities erected barriers throughout Moscow's city centre ahead of both events. - Shake-up - Putin kicks off his six-year term emboldened by advances on the battlefield in Ukraine and sustained economic growth, despite a barrage of Western sanctions. On the domestic front, he saw off a rebellion last June from paramilitary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin -- who later died in a plane crash -- and in February his main political rival Alexei Navalny died in prison. In a video minutes before the inauguration, Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya described Putin as deceitful and said Russia was doomed to remain in a state of conflict so long as he remains in power. His victory in March means that he is likely to become the longest-serving ruler of Russia in a century, beating out Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. Russia's army held off a much-hyped Ukrainian counter-offensive last year, and it has since made gains on the front lines as Kyiv struggles with ammunition and manpower shortages. But as the conflict stretches into a third year without an obvious resolution and the economy teeters towards overheating, Putin faces significant challenges in his fifth term. Inflation -- a historic source of angst amongst the Russian population -- remains persistent as Moscow adopts what analysts have called a «military Keynesianism», pouring billions of resources into the war effort. The Kremlin has also failed to quell fears it will announce a new round of unpopular mobilisation in Putin's new term, and discontent among the wives of men who have been drafted continues to simmer. Some analysts have suggested Putin may use the inauguration to shake up his government, which is obligated to resign ahead of a new presidential term. © Agence France-Presse

Hamas on Monday said it accepts a proposal for a truce in the seven-month-old war in Gaza, as Israel renewed an order for Palestinians in Rafah to evacuate ahead of a long-threatened invasion of the city. The Hamas announcement brought cheering crowds onto the street amid tears of happiness, chants of «Allahu Akbar» («God is greatest») and celebratory shooting in the air. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the proposal «is far from Israel's essential demands», but the government will send negotiators for talks «to exhaust the potential for arriving at an agreement». Close Israel ally the United States said it was «reviewing» the Hamas response. Hamas member Khalil al-Hayya told the Qatar-based Al Jazeera channel the proposal agreed to by Hamas includes a three-phased truce. He said it includes a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the return of Palestinians displaced by the war and a hostage-prisoner exchange, with the goal of a «permanent ceasefire». Israel's military meanwhile reiterated an earlier call for residents of east Rafah to evacuate as it prepares for a «ground operation» in the southern Gaza city. Renewing the call for people to leave, military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israeli «aircraft targeted more than 50 terror targets in the Rafah area» on Monday. In response, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad said its militants launched rockets from Gaza towards southern Israel. Hamas in a statement said its leader Ismail Haniyeh had informed mediators Qatar and Egypt «of Hamas's approval of their proposal regarding a ceasefire agreement». A senior Hamas official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said Israel must now decide whether it accepts or «obstructs» a truce after seven months of war. Israel called on Palestinians to leave eastern Rafah amid increasing global alarm about the consequences of an Israeli ground invasion of the city bordering Egypt. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, condemned the order, saying it would be «impossible to carry out safely», and the world body's human rights chief Volker Turk called it «inhumane». Later, Dujarric said that Guterres called on both Israel and Hamas to «go the extra mile needed» to seal a truce. The evacuation call followed disagreement between Israel and Hamas over the group's demands to end the war, during weekend negotiations in Cairo. Egyptian state-linked media said the talks stalled after a rocket attack claimed by Hamas's armed wing killed four Israeli soldiers on Sunday. Netanyahu has vowed to send ground troops into Rafah regardless of any truce, defying international concerns. In the statement responding to Hamas's announcement, Netanyahu's office also said the Rafah offensive will go ahead «to exert military pressure on Hamas in order to advance the release of our hostages». - 'Thousands' leaving - Cairo's foreign ministry warned of «grave humanitarian risks» for more than one million Gazans sheltering there and urged Israel to «exercise the utmost restraint». Joe Biden and Netanyahu spoke with the US President restating «his clear position» on Rafah, the White House said. It also said Netanyahu «agreed to ensure the Kerem Shalom crossing is open for humanitarian assistance for those in need». Israel closed the crossing on Sunday after the four soldiers were killed there by rockets fired from the Rafah area. Gaza's bloodiest-ever war began following Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel estimates that 128 of the 250 hostages abducted by militants on October 7 remain in Gaza, including 35 whom the military says are dead. Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel has conducted a retaliatory offensive that has killed at least 34,735 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. About 1.2 million people are sheltering in Rafah, the World Health Organization says. Hamas said Israel was planning a large-scale offensive «without regard for the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe» in the besieged Gaza Strip or for the fate of hostages held there. Israel said its «limited» and temporary evacuation order aimed «to get people out of harm's way». The Palestinian Red Crescent said «thousands» of Gazans were leaving eastern Rafah. - 'Where can we go?' - Israel's military in a statement urged eastern Rafah residents to head for the «expanded humanitarian area» at Al-Mawasi on the coast. But aid groups said Al-Mawasi was not ready for such an influx. Asked how many people should move, an Israeli military spokesman said: «The estimate is around 100,000 people.» The Red Crescent said the designated evacuation zone hosts around 250,000 people, many of them already uprooted from elsewhere. Palestinian man Abdul Rahman Abu Jazar, 36, said the area «does not have enough room for us to make tents» because it is already full. «Where we can go?» he asked. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell called the evacuation orders «unacceptable» and urged Israel to «renounce» a ground offensive. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi posted on X: «Another massacre of the Palestinians is in the making... All must act now to prevent it.» UNICEF warned that around 600,000 children packed into Rafah face «further catastrophe». The main aid group in Gaza, UNRWA, said an Israeli Rafah offensive would mean «more civilian suffering and deaths», and that it was «not evacuating». - 'Return all hostages' - Soon after the war started, Israel told Palestinians in northern Gaza to move south to «safe zones» –- including Rafah. But Rafah has been repeatedly bombed and Palestinians say nowhere in Gaza is safe. Emergency workers said air strikes killed 16 people in Rafah on Sunday, hours after Hamas rockets killed the Israeli soldiers. The strike led Israel to close the crossing. Qatar-based Haniyeh accused Netanyahu of sabotaging the truce talks, which the prime minister's office on Monday called «an absolute lie». Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv late on Monday, calling on their government to accept a truce deal and hostage release. The Hostage Families and Missing Families Forum said in a statement Hamas's announcement must lead to «a deal for the return of all the hostages». © Agence France-Presse

Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.

Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.

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The Election Commission of India directed X (previously known as Twitter) to remove a cartoon video shared by the Karnataka BJP, deeming it violative of legal regulations. The letter stated an FIR had been filed and urged compliance with previous directives. X was instructed to take down the post promptly, citing legal frameworks.

Over 40 earthquakes have been detected in the last 24 hours in the magma tunnel at Svartsengi.

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Rabat – Le Bureau central d'investigations judiciaires (BCIJ), relevant de la Direction générale de la surveillance du territoire national, a procédé, vendredi, au démantèlement d'une cellule terroriste composée de cinq extrémistes partisans de l'organisation terroriste dite “État islamique”, s'activant à Tétouan, indique le ministère de l'intérieur. Les investigations préliminaires ont confirmé que les membres de cette cellule terroriste planifiaient de rejoindre les camps de “Daech” (...) - INTERNATIONAL / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

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Rahul Gandhi criticizes PM Modi for favoring industrialists over tribals, promising financial support for poor women. He advocates for tribal empowerment, pledges apprenticeships, and vows to address poverty and injustice through the INDIA bloc.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir are heavily influenced by the scrapping of Article 370 in 2019. The BJP, aiming for 370 seats, has made it a central issue while refraining from contesting in Kashmir. Regional parties oppose the move, forming alliances like the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) and the INDIA bloc.

[World Bank] The World Bank plays a critical role in transforming São Tomé and Príncipe's infrastructure by financing the Transport Sector Development and Coastal Protection Project. This project notably includes the rehabilitation of a 14-kilometer section of National Road 1 (EN-1), which connects the capital São Tomé to Guadalupe. The initiative aims to establish a new standard for climate-resilient road construction in the region. By focusing on enhancing road quality,

[New Times] Wild climatic swings, from sweltering heat and drought to relentless rain and floods, have become quite common lately. Climate experts warn that this pattern, where the wet season will become wetter and the dry season hotter, may become the norm.

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- Kenya Airways will resume its flights to the Democratic Republic of Congo's Capital, Kinshasa, starting Wednesday following the release of its detained staff by the Congolese Military on Monday.

Staff sergeant Gordon D. Black was taken into custody on May 2 in Vladivostock, near the border with China and North Korea .

The EU will exempt neutral member states from using the proceeds from frozen Russian assets to buy weapons for Kiev, Politico reports Read Full Article at RT.com

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority has thwarted an attempt to smuggle into the Kingdom 27.6 kg of cocaine found hidden inside the air conditioner of a shipment of potatoes. Authorities at Jeddah Islamic Port arrested two individuals who were set to receive the shipment. In a statement ZATCA said it is “committed to stiffening customs control of the Kingdom’s imports and exports, stressing that it will stay vigilant to thwart smuggling attempts and ensure the protection of the society.”

La société gabonaise d'entreposage des produits pétroliers « SGEPP » a honoré ses travailleurs ce week-end dernier dans le deuxième arrondissement de la commune de Ntoum. Cérémonie qui marquait la célébration de la fête du travail en différé. Des moments de partages qui leur a permis de sortir du stress, de décompresser et à penser à autre chose que leur dépôt. Le 1er mai est une journée qui donne l'occasion de reconnaitre l'importance du travail et des travailleurs dans la (...) - SOCIETE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Libreville, le 06 mai 2024-Le Président de la Transition , Président de la République, Chef de l'Etat le Général Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema a reçu ce jour Monsieur Ashok Sagar, Président directeur général du Groupe Gaz Min International. L'appui au développement des projets structurants dans les domaines des infrastructures routières, de la santé, de l'éducation et de la construction de logements socio-économiques ont fait l'objet des échanges entre le Président de la Transition et (...) - COOPERATION / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Such behavior «speaks volumes in and of itself,» Yury Ushakov told reporters

The Russian leader emphasized that decisions on the development of the country and regions should be effective and fair, and improve the welfare and quality of life of Russian families

WATCH: Mehdi Hasan on The Truth about Israel and the Hostages

Beledweyne (HOL) - The Shabelle River in the central Somali town of Beledweyne has received higher-than-usual amounts of water, raising concerns of potential floods, according to a new warning report.

At least 107 migrants including women and children have been freed from captivity in a town in southeast Libya, a security force spokesman said on Monday.

Chief Justice Chandrachud stressed the scarcity of public jobs and the importance of maintaining public faith in the system. «The public job is so scarce.... Nothing remains if the faith of the public goes. This is systemic fraud. Public jobs are extremely scarce today and are looked at for social mobility. What remains in the system if their appointments are also maligned? People will lose faith, how do you countenance this?» he asked the state government's lawyers.