A revised protocol has been designed to effectively manage the population of yellow crazy ants in the Vallee de Mai and Fond Peper on Praslin, according to an official of the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF). Jessica Constance, the Vallee de Mai science coordinator, told SNA, «The previous protocol was designed when the yellow crazy ants had up to 100 percent coverage of the Vallee de Mai and stricter measures had to be put in place. Following the successes, a revised protocol has been designed to effectively manage the lower yellow crazy ant abundance in specific areas.» The SIF said in an article in their newsletter that in a recent ant activity survey at five monitoring points, two in the northeastern part of Vallee de Mai and three at Fond Peper, a total of 271 individual invasive ants were counted. Describing the count as low compared to its distribution before, control measures were put in place. SIF said that this is still a high enough number to cause concern for the endemic species in the palm forest ecosystem. Constance said, «After four years of broadscale baiting, the new protocol involves minimal and very localised bait deployment to avoid disrupting other species. Instead of site-wide bait dispersal, the bait will now be deployed specifically where the yellow crazy ants occur, a method called spot treatments.» She added that one of the main differences of this new method is that baiting is more targeted and focused on areas with yellow crazy ant presence, now referred to as an extended bait treatment. «SIF will be observing yellow crazy ants abundance in Vallee de Mai through the ant activity surveys conducted thrice a year. Following the results from this ant activity, only areas that have observed YCA presence will be baited - this will be referred to as spot treatments,» said Constance. Vallee de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Fond Peper, are nature reserves managed by the SIF. Both reserves are important for the population of the endemic world's largest nut, the coco de mer, listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The ants attack wildlife such as skinks and are threats to other species. (Seychelles Islands Foundation) Photo License: CC-BY SIF said the yellow crazy ant is an invasive alien species that is known to have destructive effects on ecosystem function, especially in island ecosystems, where it poses a significant threat to native ecosystems. It is listed in the top 10 world's worst invasive species, rapidly spreading in areas as they can nest in almost anything. The species was first discovered on Mahe, the main island, in 1962, and recorded on Praslin in 1975. It was first recorded in the Vallee de Mai in 2009, and surveys were conducted the same year. Constance said, «In many places where the yellow crazy ant is invasive, it has had devastating effects on native keystone species, resulting in rapid alteration of ecosystem processes and dramatic negative impacts on endemic species. It can attack prey even larger than themselves like geckos and skinks, with formic acid which may cause blindness, paralysis, or the prey's death. This makes the yellow crazy ant a threat to species and ecosystems much like the Vallee de Mai.» She emphasised the importance of carrying out such exercises especially to protect endemic species and said, «Surveys and studies have shown that the increase in yellow crazy ant abundance in Vallee de Mai resulted in a decreased abundance of native mollusc and gecko species, and a great decline in the endemic white slug species, and palm snail species. A significant decrease in its population coincided with a significant increase in native molluscs, geckos, and the endemic white slug. These species are important contributors to the Vallee de Mai and Fond Peper, proving that the yellow crazy ant baiting is extremely necessary.»
According to Dmitry Peskov, «this raises significantly the degree of the collective West’s involvement in this war around Ukraine»
Oil exports fell the most in August - by 270,000 barrels per day in annual terms to 4.4 mln barrels per day
The Bank of Russia carries out purchase and sale operations on the domestic market in the currency section of the Moscow Exchange in the yuan-ruble instrument
The Russian foreign minister recalled that after the conference on Ukraine in Buergenstock the participants decided to move forward at least on some points of the «Zelensky formula»
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Navjot 'Jo' Sidhu, who previously led barristers on strike during a row over legal aid rates with the Tory government, is alleged to have behaved inappropriately with the complainants.
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One passenger on board a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight in Hong Kong was offloaded and handed to the authorities due to his angry outburst. According to aviation tracking website Flightradar24, flight SQ897 taxied close to the runway at the Hong Kong International Airport but turned back. The plane was bound for Singapore. The flight, which was set to take off at 8.25pm on Tuesday (Sept 10), only departed three hours later at 11.23pm, according to the Hong Kong Airport Authority's website. It eventually arrived in Singapore at 2.48am on Wednesday, according to the Changi Airport website. This delay had been caused by a passenger who allegedly lost his temper after his request for alcohol before take-off was denied by cabin crew, reported Hong Kong-based online platform HK01 News. Upon assessing the situation, the cabin crew contacted the control tower and requested to turn back. They also called the police to assist them in managing the unruly passenger, reported Taiwan-based news channel TVBS.
In this episode of What do you think?, AsiaOne heads to the streets to ask Singaporeans their thoughts on the recent public transport fare adjustments. From Dec 28, adult fares for travellers will see an increase of 10 cents per journey, while concession card holders will face a 4-cent increase per journey. The revision also included an extension of concessions for graduating students, allowing them to enjoy concessionary fares for four months after the end of their course of study. Following the announcement, some Singaporeans expressed mixed reactions on the increase. While some interviewees shared that they did not feel that the revision was reasonable, as it adds to their rising cost of living, most interviewees AsiaOne spoke to felt that the adjustment was justified if it helps to maintain and improve our public transport system. Additionally, some interviewees we spoke to were aware of existing concessions available and how such support were helpful for those who need it. Watch the full video to learn how Singaporeans are reacting to the change.
Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government after a woman was gang-raped at gunpoint in Indore, pointing out poor law and order. He highlighted concerns over increasing crimes against women. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also targeted Prime Minister Modi, questioning his efforts to ensure women's safety across India.
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BJP MP Sambit Patra criticised Rahul Gandhi for hesitating when asked about the meaning of 'A' in the opposition alliance 'INDIA'. Patra accused Gandhi of arrogance, appeasement, and crime. He also blamed Congress for appeasement politics in Himachal Pradesh and labelled Gandhi's actions abroad as divisive and treasonous.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on a visit to Geneva, discussed India's imbalanced economic relationship with China and noted that 75% of border disengagement issues have been resolved. He emphasized India's selective engagement with China while highlighting ongoing scrutiny of Chinese investments and visa restrictions imposed after the 2020 Galwan clash.
The Supreme Court has temporarily halted the National Green Tribunal's directive that limited 'dhol-tasha' group sizes during Ganesh Chaturthi. This interim order allows larger traditional drum ensembles for the upcoming Ganpati idol immersion. The decision came after an urgent appeal against the NGT’s measures aimed at controlling noise pollution during the festival.
Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus claim to have tricked Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski Read Full Article at RT.com
The UN Palestinian refugee agency says six of its employees were killed when Israel bombed a school sheltering refugees in central Gaza Read Full Article at RT.com
[HRW] 10 Years on, Justice is Closer for Fatima Victims
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Women lost up to a quarter of their body weight using Mounjaro for up to 20 months, analysis by US researchers found. This compared to up to just 18 per cent for men.
This paper presents the latest findings and developments related to the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), with a particular focus on stakeholder assessments of its structure and initial implementation. It summarises the perspectives of stakeholders at the EU, national, regional, and local levels concerning the National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs). Notably, the paper compiles recent opinions and evaluations from EU stakeholders, as well as relevant institutions and bodies, regarding the execution of these plans. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP
With a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population of 22 million, Sri Lanka is a country strategically located in South Asia at the crossroads of major shipping routes in the Indo-Pacific region. This lower middle-income country has undergone a severe economic crisis, whose consequences have been exacerbated by its economic and monetary policies, not to mention the 2019 terrorist attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Sri Lanka defaulted, and widespread popular protests prompted the resignation of the prime minister followed by the president, posts held by the Rajapaksa brothers. Ranil Wickremesinghe took over as president. The country has received assistance from the International Monetary Fund and negotiated a key debt restructuring deal in June 2024. India and China are competing to expand their influence in the country because of its geo-strategic location in the Indo-Pacific. The 99-year lease of Hambantota port to China in 2017, feeding the debt-trap narrative, has increased Indian and United States (US) concerns. Colombo boasts a nonaligned foreign policy, and has remained neutral on the war in Ukraine. European Union–Sri Lanka relations are based on a comprehensive cooperation agreement on partnership and development, which entered into force in 1995. Sri Lanka benefits from enhanced access to the European Union (EU) market under the generalised system of preferences plus, of which it is the third-largest beneficiary. The European Parliament – like other international stakeholders – has underlined the importance of a national reconciliation process given the unaddressed legacy of the 1983–2009 civil war against the Tamil insurgency. Parliament has also expressed concern over Sri Lanka's continuous application of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, systematically used for arbitrary arrests. Against this backdrop, Sri Lanka's presidential elections will take place on 21 September 2024. The EU has deployed an election observation mission, with MEP Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D, Spain) as Chief Observer. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP
Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis and Commissioner Gentiloni are invited to the 16th Recovery and Resilience Dialogue (RRD) under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) Regulation, scheduled for 16 September 2024. The previous RRD took place on 22 April 2024. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP
This at a glance note summarises the study providing a comprehensive overview of the situation to date and forward-looking insights in the areas of European Union education and training, youth, and sport policy. It highlights the existing and potential future challenges and opportunities within each policy field and makes recommendations for addressing them. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP
This study provides a comprehensive overview of the situation to date and forward-looking insights in the areas of European Union education and training, youth, and sport policy. It highlights the existing and potential future challenges and opportunities within each policy field and makes recommendations for addressing them. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP
A section of the Carola Bridge in Dresden, Germany has collapsed into the River Elbe, congesting local traffic and bursting water pipes Read Full Article at RT.com
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu and Indian counterpart Ajit Doval held talks in St. Petersburg Read Full Article at RT.com
The US seeks to hold onto its global domination at all costs, Ambassador Anatoly Antonov has said Read Full Article at RT.com
Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters says he’d like to perform in Russia and Ukraine if the opportunity arises Read Full Article at RT.com