The Academic Printing House (presently - the Nauka Publishing House), published a report by Alexander Middendorf, the North's researcher, where he named the Taymyr Peninsula for the first time

More than 51,000 people live there, and 26.4% of them are the North's low-numbered indigenous peoples

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, June 25th

The monetary policy rate (MPR) will remain at 1.75 percent for the third quarter of 2024, a top official of the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) said on Tuesday. The decision comes in light of the ongoing positive performance of the tourism industry, which continues to support economic activity in Seychelles. The governor of the CBS, Caroline Abel, made the announcement during a quarterly press conference in which she explained that the board has noted that the CBS will need to continue to monitor the global situation at the moment. «We have to remain conscious of what is happening around the world, where in 2024 a lot of countries have had elections and with that comes a change of policies and ideologies, which can affect Seychelles' tourism sector and importations,» said Abel. The decision to keep the MPR steady was also influenced by the recent reversal of the deflationary trend in inflation. Global inflation is expected to decrease in 2024, providing some relief to the economy. In Seychelles, the year-on-year inflation rate in May 2024 stood at 0.6 percent, reversing the deflationary trend observed in average prices of goods and services since May 2023, signalling an uptick in year-on-year inflation. However, the 12-month average inflation rate over this period was -1.5 percent although a gradual increase in inflation is anticipated in the medium term. Additionally, oil prices are forecast to remain stable at around $85 per barrel, while food prices, although currently on a downward trajectory, still face potential upside risks. In line with this outlook, CBS has decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility and Standing Credit Facility rates at 0.25 percent and 3.25 percent, respectively. By keeping the MPR unchanged, the CBS aims to provide stability and support to the economy while ensuring price stability in the face of various external and internal challenges.  «The CBS remains committed to closely monitoring economic developments and stands ready to take further action if necessary to support economic growth and maintain price stability in Seychelles,» added the governor. Overall, the economic outlook for Seychelles remains positive, with growth in the tourism sector and increased foreign exchange transactions contributing to economic activity. However, risks remain, particularly in the form of global geopolitical tensions and potential adverse weather conditions. It will be important for the government to closely monitor these developments and implement appropriate policies to mitigate any negative impacts on the economy, said the bank. Additionally, it said that efforts to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on tourism should be continued to ensure sustainable growth in the long term. «As of June 16, 2024, Seychelles welcomed a total of 166,366 tourists, which was an increase of 4.0 percent compared to the same period in 2023,» explained Governor Abel. She added; «This is primarily attributed to a rise in visitor arrivals from the traditional Western European markets, particularly Germany, France and Russia.» Estimated earnings generated by the sector grew by 7.4 percent over the period of January to May 2024, compared to the previous year. «While the economic outlook of key tourism source markets, particularly the Eurozone and United Kingdom, has improved following a mild recession in those regions in 2023, a seasonal reduction in air connectivity as of May 2024 through to October 2024, coupled with highly anticipated international sporting events occurring in Europe over the summer, is expected to impact domestic tourism activity during that period,» said Abel.

Commonly considered an eyesore by members of the public, the infamous rock pigeons have constantly made headlines for their loud chattering and nesting on HDB blocks. Residents have also complained about the stinky and unsightly droppings, which can pose health and hygiene concerns. To rein in the population of this invasive species, various government agencies including the National Parks Board (NParks), the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) are rolling out a six-months-long pilot action plan to address this issue from June. The agencies, in a joint press briefing today, said they will work with the Ang Mo Kio Town Council, Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council and Tanjong Pagar Town Council where the estates have been identified as pigeon hotspots. The plan? To actively manage the pigeon population in these areas through the reduction of food source and to control the numbers there. 

How much would you pay for extra chilli sauce?  A vegetarian stall at the food court in People's Park Complex has recently gotten some heat for charging diners $2 for an extra spoonful of chilli sauce.  The stall, which sells Thunder Tea Rice and other vegetarian dishes, offers diners the option to add extra ingredients such as vegetables, wantons and braised tofu, which are priced from $1 to $3.50.  While the prices of the other ingredients are considered acceptable, some diners took issue with the charge for the extra chilli sauce.  Despite the negative reactions from some, stall owner Cai Youzhao maintained that the charge is not a money-making tactic.  The 37-year-old told Shin Min Daily News that he usually gives customers the chilli for free, and only charges them if they return for a third helping.  «We just don't want customers to take [the chilli] and waste it. Previously a customer insisted that we should provide as much chilli as they want, and it's their choice whether they eat it or not.»  However, Cai said that there are customers who genuinely enjoy his chilli and have no issue paying extra for it. 

[allAfrica] Young Kenyans involved in the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations are being abducted under suspicious circumstances, raising concerns about police conduct and human rights abuses.

The Russian-led CSTO alliance could add new members in the future, the secretary-general has said Read Full Article at RT.com

White House associate communications director Tyler Cherry has been accused of anti-Semitism Read Full Article at RT.com

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has invited Julian Assange to Bogota after the news about his planned plea deal became public Read Full Article at RT.com

Julian Assange has been freed from a UK prison and is expected to strike a deal with the US Justice Department Read Full Article at RT.com

Authorities in Seychelles have identified four locations as priority areas for the coastal infrastructure development project, a top official said on Monday. The chosen areas are the eastern Mahe district of Au Cap, North East Point and Beau Vallon in the north of Mahe, and Anse La Blague on Praslin. The Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert, said, «The Seychelles Meteorological Authority has confirmed that the sea level in Seychelles is increasing by about 3mm (millimetres) every year which is faster than previously estimated, therefore it is necessary to find ways to protect the country's coastal infrastructure.» He added that a list of priority areas has been compiled with over 30 locations identified as urgent. Joubert said that given the financial cost, the different projects needed to mitigate the effects of coastal erosion and sea level rise will be implemented by phase and that  «Seychelles cannot cope with these challenges on its own, we have to look for additional support from outside.» He said that there are several funds Seychelles will apply for funding such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Adaptation Fund and Loss and Damage Fund among others. The minister said the government intends to set up mechanisms to help people with climate mitigation in the future and other measures will be implemented in the long term to facilitate the private sector. The panel of ministers and chief executives at the press conference. (Seychelles Nation) Photo License: CC-BY The Minister for Transport, Antony Derjacques, described this issue as a crisis and not just a national problem. He said many infrastructure such as roads and pavements are already being damaged by coastal erosion in several areas of the country, notably Anse La Blague on Praslin, which he described as being in a critical situation. «If you live in the south, (Mahe) you will see how the sea reaches the road, especially during high tides. At North East Point, there is a lot of sand that ends up on the road because of the tide. At Anse La Blague, if we are not careful and if we do not raise the level of the road, it will be affected and even may cut off access to the other side for the residents who live there,» said Derjacques. «All relevant agencies are working together to tackle these challenges, either locally or internationally, especially with other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that may be facing the same challenges. A common approach is important,» he added. The principal secretary for Climate Change, Tony Imaduwa,  added that in the meantime, given the limited number of financial resources available for the country, «the different projects identified have to be grouped according to their similarities, to maximise what resources we have. We have to do more in-depth studies to understand what could happen in the long term.» The chief executive of the Seychelles Land Transport Authority, Parinda Herath, clarified that the list with 30 projects is not a final one as more will be added to it in the future depending on how the situation develops. «Our technicians from different agencies are already working on the project details including the cost estimates. The Ministry of Finance has given us a positive indication that there will be some financing to be able to at least implement some of the projects in the meantime,» said Herath. «Another major challenge is that sometimes the damage to the road is not necessarily visible at first, erosion happens below and suddenly you find a sinkhole and emergency repairs have to be done immediately. In some places, we had to install rock armouring,» he added. Highlighting the importance of working together and using the resources well, the chief executive of the Seychelles Infrastructure Agency, Jitesh Shah, said that this should be a collective effort. «We are also helping the Local Government with certain community drainage projects, which are also important. All drainage works together, it starts from the mountain and down to the sea. We need to ensure that whatever solution is implemented in one place does not affect an area further away,» said Shah.

This Saturday on the 29th of June 2024 Malawians will hold an event in Northampton to remember their late Vice President, Saulos Klaus Chilima. Kondi Munthali, who is one of the main organisers of the event said “We have cried as individuals over the tragic death of VP Chilima. The event will give a chance […] The post Malawians in UK organises remembrance event for the departed vice president Chilima, 8 others appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Nyasatimes can reliably confirm, from its investigations, that have revealed John Bizwick is serving his second term in office as Commissioner-General and according to the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) Act Section 17 Sub- Section 4, he is not eligible for reappointment or contract renewal. The law bars him from having contract renewed or reappointment because […] The post Time up for John Bizwick at MRA: Serving his last term, not eligible for reappointment as Commissioner General appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Chief Resident Magistrate (CRM) Madalitso Chimwaza Monday committed proceedings to the High Court in a case involving K5 billion alleged fraud at the disposed of Malawi Savings Bank (MSB). This case involves Leston Mulli, Lloyd Muhara and Cliff Kenneth Chiunda, who were arrested in July 2022 and were given bail. Addressing the court, Chimwaza said […] The post Mulli’s K5 billion Malawi Savings Bank case moved to High Court appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Reserve of Malawi(RBM) says the country stands to benefit alot from investments if only investors embrace the ATM strategy which the country has launched recently. Central Bank governor Wilson Banda said investments in the field of Agriculture, Mining and Tourism(ATM) pose to boost the country’s economy as the sectors would help to generate alot of […] The post RBM urges investors to embrace the ATM strategy. appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Ministry of transport and public works is optimistic that through Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project (SATCP), the country is going to open up trade by removing barriers to trade within Malawi and international market particularly using Nacala and Beira corridors as the country thrives to increase agricultural exports. Deputy director in the department of […] The post Ministry of Transport optimistic to increase agricultural exports through SATCP appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The Channel 4 documentary saw experts left in disbelief after it exposed the reality for members of the public inside the Emergency Department of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Meryl Streep's daughter Louisa Jacobson Gummer has come out as a lesbian.

A New York Democrat ridiculed his progressive 'Squad' colleague for an 'unhinged' and expletive-filled campaign rally, saying the angry tirade was totally inappropriate.

The Princess Royal is being treated at Southmead Hospital in Bristol after she is said to have been kicked by a horse yesterday on her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.

Labour's David Lammy has found himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Duke of Westminster and Rupert ­Murdoch, taking second place on Tatler's Social Power Index.

[allAfrica]

Mogadishu (HOL) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia inaugurated a consultative conference of the East African Community in Mogadishu on Monday. The conference focused on opportunities for businesses and civil society.

Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland's Minister of Internal Affairs and Kulmiye Party Chairman, Mohamed Kahin Ahmed, declared on Monday that neither force nor coercion would determine political power in Somaliland, emphasizing the importance of respecting democratic processes.

Somali Week is an event hosted by Rising Impact, a non-profit that focuses on supporting Somali youth. The week includes events that focus on learning, exploring and celebrating Somali culture.

Les électeurs sont appelés aux urnes le samedi 29 juin en Polynésie pour le 1er tour des législatives. Quatre candidats se présentent dans la 3e circonscription. Quelles sont leurs priorités pour la Polynésie ? Quels sont les enjeux de ce scrutin ? Éléments de réponse, ce soir à 19h40, en direct sur nos quatre médias de Polynésie la 1ère.

Next-door neighbours on the 10th storey of Block 218 Tampines Street 24 unhappy over items placed in the common corridor used potted plants to get back at each other. But the person who was apparently most inconvenienced was a third neighbour, who is a personal mobility device (PMD) user. The man told Shin Min Daily News: «I tried to communicate with Angela but she accused me of being heartless.» He claimed that Angela, who is said to have moved into her corner unit less than a year ago, had arranged her potted plants up to the space in front of his door. Angela has been in dispute with her immediate neighbours, the Yangs. She told Stomp that the neighbours had placed their footwear and potted plants in the space right outside her door, which runs along the wall to their unit. «This is my passageway but the plants and shoes belong to them. I have already complained to the Town Council,» she said. Tampines TC on April 28 issued a secular informing the residents that the clutter should be removed from the corridor by May 2 and reminded them about the need to keep at least 1.2m of the corridor width clutter-free.

SINGAPORE — Every Singaporean household can now claim $300 in Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers for their daily expenses. They will be split equally for spending at participating hawkers and heartland merchants, and supermarkets. The last tranche of CDC vouchers worth $500 was launched by then-Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Jan 3, 2024. It provided households with $200 more help than the previous tranche in 2023. The $500 given out in January 2024, together with the $300 in June, means that each Singaporean household will get a total of $800 in 2024. This is the first time two tranches of CDC vouchers have been given out in the same calendar year. Wong, who is also Finance Minister, announced at Budget 2024 in February that Singaporeans will get a mix of cash, vouchers and rebates under a $1.9 billion boost to the Assurance Package to help with cost-of-living concerns and an uncertain economic outlook. Among the enhancements were an additional $600 in CDC vouchers — the first $300 to be disbursed end June in 2024, and the remaining $300 will be disbursed in January 2025.

With fewer residents and a dip in the number of visitors to the island over the years, Ng Ngak Heng's business has taken a hit. Last year, the 74-year-old, who owns Yak Hong provision shop in Pulau Ubin, chalked up a loss of $6,000. But throwing in the towel has never crossed her mind.  The shop is located just a stone's throw away from the jetty.  Ng told Shin Min Daily News that she moved to the island in 1975 after marrying her husband Law Kuing Liak. He inherited the provision shop from his father, who started it in the 1920s. «The shop now has a history of almost 100 years,» said Ng, adding that it is open all year round, from 7am to 7.30pm.  In an interview with CNA in 2022, she shared that Yak Hong used to supply Pulau Ubin residents with basic necessities and feed for their farm animals.  However, the demand for such goods has plunged with the dwindling number of residents. From the 1950s to 1970s, about 2,000 people lived on the island. Only about 30 remain today, reported CNA. Even Ng's two sons live and work on the mainland, and visit her over the weekends and during Chinese New Year. 

[New Times] Paul Kagame, the Chairman and flagbearer of RPF-Inkotanyi and allied parties, on Monday, June 24, wished his two challengers in the July presidential elections well, saying that the work results shall tell the difference, even after elections.

GROWING UP in Port Maria, St Mary, Sean Wellington was no stranger to the operations of a funeral home. His family’s funeral home, operated by his grandfather, Leonard Martin, and his mother, Valerie Wellington, was situated on the same property as...

BRANDO HAYDEN, managing director of JN Fund Managers, a member company of the JN Group, is assuring Jamaicans overseas that the country’s financial and real estate systems have the requisite and robust safeguards to protect their investments....

A COMPANY’S ability to respond to the economic environment directly impacts its short-term and long-term success. Corporate executives direct the strategic approach to business alignment to reduce or, in some cases, eliminate inefficiencies,...

Aubyn Hill, minister of industry, investment and commerce, is urging Jamaican business owners to buy into digital transformation programmes, such as the European Union (EU) and the Government of Jamaica’s €9.5 million Digital Transitioning...