Haiti's transitional council has moved to replace Prime Minister Garry Conille, according to an official gazette bulletin seen Sunday by AFP, as a power struggle threatens to plunge the crisis-wracked nation into fresh chaos. The nine-member council's decision, dated for publication on Monday November 11, seeks to push out Conille after just five months in office and replace him with businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime. The bulletin says the council agreed by consensus on November 8 to remove Conille, a former UN official and academic tapped in May to lead the struggling Caribbean nation as it confronts soaring, long-standing political instability. Conille, 58, has sent a letter to the transitional council asking for the decision not to be officially published, according to a copy obtained by AFP. The two sides have been locked in a power struggle for weeks, with the council wanting to change the ministers of justice, finance, defense and health against the prime minister's wishes, according to the Miami Herald. And Conille sent the council a letter this week seeking the resignation of three of its members accused of corruption. It was not immediately clear if the council -- whose members represent various political and civil society groups -- even has the power to dismiss Conille. The council is a new body that is not mentioned in the constitution and it was not approved by parliament because Haiti does not have a sitting legislature. The country has not held elections since 2016, widening a political vacuum that has worsened existing security and health crises. The country has long been rocked by gang violence, but conditions sharply worsened at the end of February when armed groups launched coordinated attacks in the capital Port-au-Prince, saying they wanted to overthrow then-prime minister Ariel Henry. Unelected and unpopular, Henry stepped down amid the violence, handing power to the transitional council, which has US and regional backing. Despite the arrival of a Kenyan-led police support mission, gang violence has continued to soar in Haiti. The United Nations reported late last month that over 1,200 people were killed from July through September, with persistent kidnappings and sexual violence against women and girls. Gangs in recent years have taken over about 80 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince as any semblance of governance evaporated. The United Nations report also said these powerful gangs are digging trenches, using drones and stockpiling weapons as they change tactics to confront the Kenyan-led police force. Gang leaders have strengthened defenses for the zones they control and placed gas cylinders and Molotov cocktail bombs ready to use against police operations. More than 700,000 people -- half of them children -- have fled their homes because of the gang violence, according to the International Organization for Migration. © Agence France-Presse

Seychelles' bodybuilder Wallace Dorasamy has ended 2024 with another top performance winning bronze at the Romania Muscle Fest. Dorasamy competed in the competition held in Bucharest on Saturday and finished third in the Men's Open Bodybuilding in the middleweight category, to claim a bronze medal. «This by far was the highest level of competition I have ever been to in my career,» said Dorasamy. He added: «It was a pleasure for me to just be among the top three, although I wish I could have finished higher, as I gave it my all.» Since this is his last tournament for the year, Dorasamy said he will now go back to training and seek further improvement ahead of next year. Dorasamy has had a great 2024. The Seychelles reigning bodybuilder of the year was placed first in the Classic Bodybuilding and second in open bodybuilding under 80kg, at the United Intercontinental Bodybuilding Fitness Federation (UIBFF) Africa Cup in Bedford, South Africa, in October. He also won his pro card. He then claimed gold on the international stage again, winning the TBJP British Championships in Rotherham, England. Dorasamy competed in the open bodybuilding lightweight category and took first place, and finished third in the classic bodybuilding category. In September, he won the National Physique Committee /International Fitness and Body Building Federation (IFBB) Worldwide European Championship gold medal, in the middleweight category, in the competition held in London, England. 

The 16th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)7 was suspended early on November 2 after losing quorum, but not before reaching a historic agreement. The key outcomes included operationalising a new global mechanism for sharing benefits from digital genetic information and expanding the role of local communities and Indigenous peoples in biodiversity conservation. Despite the suspension after 12 hours of discussions, the conference demonstrated that multilateralism can still yield meaningful results. The agenda and location will be announced later to address the remaining issues. According to the executive secretary for the CBD, Astrid Schomaker, «Over the last weeks, we have seen the largest, whole-of-society mobilisation for biodiversity unfold in Cali, triggering interest from around the globe. We have seen Indigenous Peoples and local communities, civil society, businesses and financial institutions, sub-national governments, cities and local authorities, women and youth present remarkable initiatives and action.» She said that through it all, this COP delivered a seminal message: the time has come to make peace with nature.  «From Cali, this UN Biodiversity Conference sent a powerful call to action. It has never been clearer that the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement in a synergistic fashion will make peace with nature within reach,» she added. Speaking to SNA following the conference, the Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert,  described COP16 as pivotal in the call for global actions. He said there is an urgency to implement the global biodiversity framework to halt the loss of biodiversity. «COP16 delivered on key decisions that are also of importance to Seychelles such as invasive alien species, biodiversity and climate change and on the conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity and of island biodiversity,» he added. At COP16, delegates advanced the creation of the Cali Fund, a groundbreaking mechanism for sharing the benefits of using digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources. This follows an agreement from COP15 to establish a multilateral system for fair benefit-sharing, particularly with developing countries and Indigenous Peoples. The fund will primarily support developing countries in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), with a significant share directed to meet the self-identified needs of Indigenous communities, including women and youth. Some funds will also be allocated for capacity-building and technology transfer. The system will be closely monitored for transparency, with regular reviews to improve its effectiveness. This agreement sets a global precedent for using DSI proceeds to help protect and restore biodiversity where it's most needed.  Joubert said the fund «provides another source of funding for biodiversity conservation, through sharing of benefits arising from the use of digital sequence information of genetic resources.» He added that while there was some progress through COP16, he cited some major concerns and the need for more advocacy regarding resource mobilisation. «We are deeply concerned that there is a lack of progress towards resource mobilisation for biodiversity and that this matter had not been resolved before the meeting was suspended. The developed countries need to honour their commitment to providing new and additional financial resources. We will continue our efforts to advocate for further resources to implement the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to address biodiversity loss,» Joubert added. The conclusion of COP16 was met with mixed reviews, especially among non-governmental organisations. SNA spoke to the chief executive of Nature Seychelles, Dr Nirmal Shah.   «This COP was another disappointment. Countries were supposed to present their new National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan but only a handful of countries managed. In Seychelles, it's only now we are starting to look at national targets to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework. The funding situation is even grimmer with very little new pledged for the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund,» said the CEO. Shah added that COP16 collapsed because there was no consensus as talks dragged on beyond the scheduled end and many nation's representatives left and there was no longer a quorum for an agreement to pass. He emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating the need to find funding elsewhere in order to protect biodiversity in the country. «For Seychelles, we have to look for new ways to fund biodiversity conservation. We are losing critical species and habitats as well as ecosystem services we all depend on. With climate change battering us, we are really at an important juncture of our journey as a nation,» he said. 

Russia is seeking to woo African countries this weekend at a summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, with President Vladimir Putin promising the continent «total support». Facing isolation in the West following its full-scale offensive against Ukraine, Moscow has tried to build new partnerships across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, promoting itself as a bulwark against what it calls Western domination on the international arena. «Our country will continue to provide total support to our African friends in different sectors,» Putin said in a speech read out by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to other foreign ministers and senior officials. The Kremlin leader, not attending the conference, said Russia's relations with Africa have been strengthening «more and more» in recent years. The conference is another chance for Russia to promote its vision of a «multipolar world» -- a month after it hosted a BRICS summit of major emerging economies. Russia was a major player in Africa in Soviet times and has been growing in influence on the continent in recent years, including militarily. Three west African countries -- Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso -- have turned their backs on former colonial power France since coming under military rule following a string of coups since 2020 and have pivoted towards Moscow. Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group or its successor, Africa Corps, now support several African governments and Russian «advisers» work with local officials. In 2023, Russia delivered more than $5 billion in arms to Africa, according to the state company Rosoboronexport. And major Russian firms also have significant investments in the continent, such as diamond miner Alrosa in Angola and Zimbabwe and the Lukoil energy giant in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Congo. - Russia 'suits' better - Russia's narrative blasting Western «neocolonialism» is a message which resonates with some leaders across the continent. «Russia is not a colonial power» and «has never been a colonial power», said Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa conference on Saturday. «On the contrary, it has stood shoulder to shoulder with African peoples and other peoples around the world to help them emerge from the colonial system,» he maintained. Russia was a major colonial power during the 18th and 19th centuries -- though not in Africa -- conquering territory in Europe, Siberia, the Caucasus and Central Asia to expand its borders across Eurasia. Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore said partnership with Russia was a better fit for his country than its historic ties with France. «The offer which has been made through cooperation with Russia, is better suited to the people» of Burkina Faso, he told AFP in an interview on the sidelines of the Sochi summit. Both are countries that have moved closer to Moscow following military coups, and where Russian military instructors are deployed to help in a decade-long fight against Islamist insurgents. But Burkina Faso's Traore dismissed the idea Burkina Faso could become too reliant on Moscow. «There is no room for fear, because we know what we want and where we want to go. And we know how we want to work with our new partners,» he told AFP. But some analysts are sceptical as to how deep Russia's interest really is. In an interview with AFP, Bakary Sambe, director of the Timbuktu Institute in Dakar, questioned whether Russia's involvement in Africa was a «real strategic priority» for the Kremlin. «Would Russia take the same interest in Africa,» he asked, if the conflict in Ukraine «came to an end?» © Agence France-Presse

Together with other world leaders, Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan has sent a congratulatory message to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump following his election victory as the 47th President of the United States of America this week, according to a Department of Foreign Affairs statement on Saturday. Ramkalawan said that “This remarkable achievement reflects the trust and hope that the American people have placed in your leadership and vision for the future. The relationship between Seychelles and the United States is longstanding, founded on mutual trust and understanding. Over the years, our countries have collaborated closely in areas such as capacity building, defence, and maritime security. Recently, our partnership has expanded to include fighting corruption, tackling financial crime, and enhancing cybersecurity.” He furthermore expressed his pleasure at the reopening of the United States Embassy in Victoria in June 2023 after 27 years, which he said is “strengthening the bonds of friendship between our nations. I am confident that under your leadership, the cooperation between our two countries will continue to thrive.” Ramkalawan reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with Trump and his administration to advance their shared goals and address regional and global issues, according to the statement.

A new book written by Seychellois Marsha Parcou and her South African husband Kirschlee Naidoo about their deeply personal journey of love, growth, and discovery as a couple and the challenges they faced in life and how to overcome them was launched on Saturday. The new book is entitled «Coffee Chocolate & Cardio» and is about a transformational journey from weight-loss to wellness lifestyle and aims to impact and help others on their own transformation journey. It will be unveiled at the couple's own coffee shop, Chatterbox, on Eden Island, in the eastern Mahe district of Roche Caiman. This is not Parcou's first foray into writing, two years ago, she launched  'Becoming a Fanm Fasinasyon' (a fascinating woman). She is a transformational coach, neurolinguistic programming practitioner, ‍and a wellness and fitness advocate. Her husband is a sports nutritionist and fitness coach. Speaking to the SNA, Parcou explained that her latest book «is a testament to the transformative power of relationships and the pursuit of personal excellence.» She explained that the book title reflected things that the couple loved and that «cardio» is symbolic of their commitment to fitness but also their resilience and determination. The new book entitled «Coffee Chocolate & Cardio.» (Marsha Parcou) Photo License: All Rights Reserved    «What started as a coach-client dynamic soon blossomed into something more profound, a partnership built on mutual respect, support, and love,» she said. While coffee represents how their love story took shape «over afternoon coffee dates at Cappuccinos or the Woolworth Café. Like clockwork, every day at 3 pm, we'd sit down with our favourite drinks and desserts.» Parcou also explained that coffee also represented the business the two opened together in Seychelles. «When we came to Seychelles, from South Africa, we saw that there was no decent coffee shop around, which led us to open Chatterbox,» she added. The chocolate in the title not only represents Kirshlee's name - inspired by the Lindt Chocolate - but Parcou explained that it also symbolises «the sweet indulgence that binds us together became a symbol of our shared experiences and intimate moments.» As the book talks about their personal journey as a couple, both agreed that while it has been a learning experience, it was also a hard one. «Writing a book is extremely difficult, especially one about your life. It showcases your vulnerability, struggles and accolades,» said Naidoo . «The part I found most difficult was having to open old wounds I have healed from and revisit times in my life when I was at my lowest,» he added. Parcou, said, «There is no better university than experience,» and believes that they will be able to help their readers through their own experiences. When asked what made them write the book, she explained that they wanted to help «those who could not afford one one-on-one coaching. We wanted to reach as broad an audience as possible in order to help them learn about the journey.» Meanwhile, those wishing to get a copy of the new book can access it in bookshops on Mahe or purchase their copy at Chatterbox. 

A handful of demonstrators marched peacefully through the streets of Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, to protest against the proposed Assumption Island hotel project on Saturday. The group, led by Seychelles Independent Newspaper editor Ralph Volcere, are urging the government to “halt the project until all relevant information is disclosed to the public in an independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).” Assumption Island, located some 800 kilometres southwest of the main island of Mahe, is part of the Aldabra Group and is managed by the state-owned Islands Development Company (IDC). A 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 four restaurants on the island. Speaking to the press after the march, Volcere said that the Assumption deal is “something that has been done behind closed doors, only to be brought to public attention after certain groups put pressure on the authorities”. He went on to say that the deal is one that is “filled with conflict of interest; ÏDC is involved in the negotiations with the investors, GICC is building the infrastructure and ICS has managed the EIA”. IDC's current CEO is Glenny Savy, and Green Island Construction Company (GICC) is a subsidiary of IDC, while the Island Conservation Society (ICS) has its office next to IDC and its co-founder and vice-chairman of the board of trustees is also Savy. The ICS conducted an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the project, which was approved by the environment department. “This shows clearly that there are certain groups determined to take all the islands and give them to foreigners.” Volcere also said that the group was also against the project as it would impact Aldabra’s environment. One of the protestors, Robin Johnston, explained that he is marching, as he is an environmentalist. “I’m all for the environment and I do not believe that Assumption should be used for a project like that,” he said. While the turnout for the protest was not too big, Volcere said that he believed that the small group would be able to make an impact. “What we have done today is show that we are not happy that the project is taking place, and we are getting our message across,” he said. Meanwhile, while the protest was taking place, «Friends of Aldabra» representatives were at the Botanical Gardens on Saturday morning to sensitise people about the importance of keeping Assumption pristine. The group is a coalition of individuals and organisations united under a common cause to protect, preserve and honour the incredible natural heritage of the Aldabra Group of Islands, which includes Aldabra Atoll, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site managed by the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), and Assumption Island. According to its website, the group “respectfully urges the government of Seychelles to stop the progression of the Assumption Island Tourism Development altogether”. Similarly, Friends of Aldabra is asking the authorities to «halt on all further on-the-ground construction while a more substantial and conclusive assessment can be conducted by an independent authority on the environmental and social impact of this project.» The Seychelles Islands Foundation also recently expressed concern about the project, and while it is not against a hotel development on Assumption Island it is questioning whether the current project is suitable for the island, given its fragility. The Assumption Hotel development project has been submitted to the Planning Authority, which is awaiting approval of the final phase of the project process, which is expected in the coming weeks.

Devastating flooding in South Sudan is affecting around 1.4 million people, with more than 379,000 displaced, according to a United Nations update that warned about an upsurge in malaria. Aid agencies have said that the world's youngest country, highly vulnerable to climate change, is in the grip of its worst flooding in decades, mainly in the north. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said about 1.4 million people were affected by floods in 43 counties and the disputed Abyei region, which is claimed by both South Sudan and Sudan. «Over 379,000 individuals are displaced in 22 counties and Abyei,» it added in a statement issued late on Friday. A surge in malaria has been reported in several states, it said, «overwhelming the health system and exacerbating the situation and impact in flood-hit areas». Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, the world's youngest nation has remained plagued by chronic instability, violence and economic stagnation as well as climate disasters such as drought and floods. - Seven million food insecure - The World Bank said last month that the latest floods were «worsening an already critical humanitarian situation marked by severe food insecurity, economic decline, continued conflict, disease outbreaks, and the repercussions of the Sudan conflict», which has seen several hundred thousand people pour into South Sudan. More than seven million people are food insecure in South Sudan and 1.65 million children are malnourished, according to the UN's World Food Programme. The country also faces another period of political paralysis after the president's office announced in September yet another extension to a transitional period agreed in a 2018 peace deal, delaying elections by two years to December 2026. Key provisions of the transitional agreement remain unfulfilled -- including the creation of a constitution and the unification of the rival forces of President Salva Kiir and his foe Reik Machar. The delay has left South Sudan's partners and the United Nations exasperated, with UN envoy Nicholas Haysom on Thursday describing it as a «regrettable development». All local and international parties involved «must collectively seize the opportunity to make this extension the last, and deliver the peace and democracy that the people of South Sudan deserve,» added Haysom. South Sudan boasts plentiful oil resources but the vital source of revenue was decimated in February when an export pipeline was damaged in neighbouring war-torn Sudan. © Agence France-Presse

Women's football in Seychelles is on the rise, with the country making huge strides at the international level, making the FIFA World Rankings, and most recently competing in its first-ever senior international tournament. Key to the team's success has been the captain and top player, Pascalina Moustache. Hailing from the Pointe Larue district, the 33-year-old became one of the first-ever female professional footballers from Seychelles, when she joined FK Saned Joniskis in Lithuania in the A Lyga. The club's performance has not been good and it was relegated with no wins in 19 matches. Moustache, however, has impressed but revealed that she may not represent the Lithuanian side next season. SNA learned more about the captain of the Seychelles national team.   SNA: How will you personally describe the season? PM: My season has been good so far, for both the club and national team and I have been injury-free, so I will describe it as a perfect season. At the moment I am in Seychelles. After the COSAFA Cup, I decided to remain here and begin my vacation, as the Lithuanian season ends this weekend. It will not make any sense for me to go back and then have to return soon.   SNA: How will you describe your performance? PM: My performance was good and I think I performed well, especially for my club, even though sometimes it was hard, but I gave all I could.   SNA: Was it hard to adapt to a new club and country? PM: It was hard to adapt to a new country because the climate is not the same as in Seychelles. It also took me some time to adapt at the club because of how the team plays and how I usually play is not the same. I have managed to adapt though.   SNA: What are your thoughts on the level of football in Lithuania, compared to Seychelles? PM: It is different because in Seychelles you go to work and then train afterward. Most of the time, after work you are already tired. In Lithuania, I do not have to work, I only have to train. So, that of course makes my level of football better and I think that if Seychelles was able to be like this, then of course our football will move forward and be better.   SNA: What has changed for you since you became a professional footballer? PM: I can say I mentally am stronger and I have learned a lot from the experience, especially with it being a higher level of football than Seychelles. I always have to step up my game when I am playing as everything is faster and so my decision-making has also gotten faster. I have had to put a lot of effort and extra work so that I can compete at that level. Moustache when she signed her first professional contract with FK Saned Joniskis in the top division football in Lithuania. (Seychelles Football Federation) Photo License: All Rights Reserved    SNA: What has been your best moment so far? PM: My best moment has to be the day that I signed my professional contract as a footballer and most recently, I have to say I have really enjoyed playing for Seychelles at the COSAFA Cup. It has been a while since we wanted to compete at the tournament. I was also the scorer of our first goal, so that was the best moment of my football career.   SNA: What are your thoughts on the performances of the National Team at the COSAFA Cup? PM: I salute the team, as they gave a good performance, especially as coach Chris put together a young team and you could see that she is building for the future. They played well and stepped up on the pitch and I really think that despite not winning any games, I am really satisfied with our performance and if we compete again next year, I think we will have a solid team.   SNA: So what are your plans for the future? PM: For now, I really cannot say what my plans for the future are as everyday things change. But next season my contract at my actual club is supposed to expire and after the the COSAFA Cup, I was approached by some agents, who want to bring me to a higher league. So, next year I am not sure if I will still playing in Lithuania, and for now that is all I can share. 

Police in the Comoros said Friday they had arrested the alleged leader of a smuggling network involved in the capsizing of a migrant boat that claimed around two dozen lives. The boat sank on a well-known smuggling route between the Comoros island of Anjouan and the French Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte on November 1. «The smuggling ringleader who owned the capsized boat was arrested on Thursday in Anjouan,» Colonel Tachfine Ahmed told AFP. «He admitted that he owned the boat and bought all the material needed for the trip,» he added, saying the 37-year-old suspect was a resident of Mayotte. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday that at least 25 people died after the boat was «deliberately capsized by traffickers». The Comoros police said they knew of 17 deaths. Fishermen rescued five survivors who said the boat was carrying around 30 people, including women and young children, the IOM said. A survivor told AFP the smugglers sank the vessel before fleeing on a speedboat. Police confirmed the survivor's account, saying the two smugglers escaped. «We are actively looking for the two smugglers who got on another boat,» the colonel added. In addition to homicide charges, the arrested suspect faces up to 10 years imprisonment for belonging to an organised criminal group as well as three years for illegal transport of passengers. Anjouan is one of the three islands that make up the impoverished nation of Comoros and lies about 70 kilometres (43 miles) northwest of Mayotte, which became a department of France in 2011. Despite being France's poorest department, Mayotte has French infrastructure and welfare, which makes it attractive to migrants from Comoros seeking a better life. Many pay smugglers to make the dangerous sea crossing in rickety fishing boats known as «kwassa-kwassa». © Agence France-Presse

The bells of Notre Dame in Paris rang out together on Friday for the first time since a 2019 fire that devastated the historic cathedral, AFP reporters said. The sound of the eight bells in Notre Dame's northern belfry came a month before the cathedral is to reopen following five years of painstaking restoration work in the wake of the blaze. «This is a beautiful, important and symbolic step,» said Philippe Jost, who runs the public body tasked with restoring the cathedral under challenging circumstances. On the evening of April 19, 2019 Parisians and the world watched in horror as flames ravaged the world heritage landmark and then toppled its spire. President Emmanuel Macron quickly set the ambitious goal to rebuild Notre Dame within five years and make it «even more beautiful» than before. Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were mobilised for a restoration costing hundreds of millions of euros. Friday shortly before 10:30 am (0930 GMT), the bells sounded one by one until all eight chimed in harmony. «It's not perfect yet, but we will make it perfect,» said Alexandre Gougeon who is in charge of the re-installation of the bells. «This first test was a success.» The 2019 fire destroyed part of the northern belfry, requiring it to be restored and the bells to be removed, cleaned of dust and lead, and then returned to their space. The heaviest bell, called «Gabriel», weighs over four tonnes, and the lightest, «Jean-Marie», 800 kilogrammes. A weekend of ceremonies is to mark Notre-Dame's reopening on December 7 and 8. © Agence France-Presse

Climate change mitigation, economic diversification, and a more productive public sector are among the areas this year's budget fiscal risk statement addresses to ensure Seychelles remains on track with its goal of paying 50 percent of its debts by 2030, said a top government official. The Secretary of State for Finance, Patrick Payet, made the statement in a press conference on Thursday at the Ministry of Finance's headquarters at Liberty House. The press conference is part of his establishment's new drive to better explain the proposed budget of SCR 11.9 billion ($880 million) that the Finance Minister, Naadir Hassan, presented to the National Assembly last week. Payet said the proposed budget covers all the risks associated with it. «For example, if tomorrow we see that the tourism sector's growth falls, we assess what impact will this have on revenue collection and how we can mitigate these risks,» he explained. One of the risks that has been identified is that of climate change. Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, considers adaptation to climate change a high priority to reduce the country's vulnerability - embarking on a series of measures to tackle the issue. «Climate change is an area where we have put in place certain infrastructures, for example for adaptation and mitigation projects. [...] One thing that the government has also put in place is a financial scheme for solar panels so that we may reduce our dependency on conventional electrical components,» he explained. Payet also highlighted the need for Seychelles to «continue fiscal responsibility and discipline» and said that «it is something we need as although this is the largest budget we are proposing to the National Assembly, we need to ensure that the fiscal discipline so that we may attain our goal of paying off 50 percent of our debt by 2030.» Payet's caution comes despite previously revealing that Seychelles continues to have a strong performance against benchmarks of the International Monetary Fund's Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) programmes. These collectively total $102 million, 4.7 percent of 2023 GDP, worth of funding over three years to 2026, of which 32 percent has already been disbursed. «We cannot simply spend as we are making a budgetary surplus, we should be able to put some money aside so that we may repay our debts,» he added. Transformation and diversification of the economy also feature among the risks in the fiscal risk statement, and Payet said, «We know that we are heavily reliant on the tourism sector, but we are looking at the other sectors that we have to develop like shown in our national development plans shows sectors that we believe have the potential.» He also explained that the country should be able to invest in those sectors to ensure that the necessary infrastructures are put in place for them to grow. Payet also said that the public sector should be more productive and «the more we can give the private sector a better service, we can see better growth in the future and this will help us reduce our debts faster.» He said, «If despite our projections we have a higher economic growth, this will help us collect more revenue in taxes.» 

The Seychelles National Archives (SNA) has unveiled a new website through which the public will have easier access to its services in the coming years. The website was launched as part of celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the guardians of the history of Seychelles, with the SNA launched in 1964 along with an exhibition showcasing the 60 years’ existence of the Seychelles National Archives.  Speaking to Seychelles News Agency, during the ceremony to celebrate the anniversary, held at the National History Museum on Thursday, Veena Andimignon, an archive assistant, explained that the website, while launched, is still under construction, where more services will be added to it in the future. «The website for the moment, is a way for our clients to get better access to us, where they can see what services we offer, along with a price list and they can also contact us through the website itself,» explained Andimignon. She said that among the things that will be added to the website will be a database of the National Archives, which people will have access to for research purposes. The website launch comes as the institution is working to digitalise its services and records, to keep up with modern needs as well as become more accessible. Speaking at the ceremony to celebrate the Archives' 60 years of existence, the permanent secretary for the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts (SNICHA), Cecile Kalebi, said that the digitisation of the Archive's collection is one of its most significant development in recent years. «This initiative has allowed for the systematic digitisation of a vast array of documents, records, and photographs - preserving them for future generations while ensuring greater accessibility for the public,» said Kalebi. She shared that through this process, there will be online access to the wealth of historical records, making the country's shared history more easily accessible to the public and to researchers worldwide. One of the main services that the Seychelles National Archives offers to locals is genealogy research, where people can trace their ancestry through several generations. Through the digitisation programme this process will become an easier experience, and Kalebi said, «The Seychelles National Archives have successfully migrated from the manual methods of researching family trees to the use of specialised software, significantly reducing the time required for individuals to trace their genealogy.» One of the biggest issues the  Archives have faced in the past year is the preservation of paper-based records with documents in danger of being lost due to fungi. Kalebi shared that through the groundbreaking Archives' deacidification programme, these records will be better preserved. «This programme allows us to ensure that our records, some of which are centuries old, remain in good condition for future generations,» said Kalebi. She added: «It is a vital part of the Archives' efforts to preserve our heritage and provide a lasting resource for research, education, and cultural discovery.» The Seychelles National Archives are also working to build a distinctive and extensive collection of its own audiovisual archive materials. Beyond written records, this ambitious initiative will record and preserve Seychelles' sounds, sights, and stories. Kalebi gave a brief history of the Seychelles National Archives. She said that it was with the Instrument of Capitulation of Seychelles, signed on May 17, 1794, between the British Captain Henry Newcome of HMS Orpheus and the French Commandant Chevalier Quéau de Quincy, that Seychelles National Archives first appeared. The colonial administrative records of the island began with this historical document, laying the groundwork for the future creation of the Seychelles National Archives. However, with the passage of Seychelles National Archives Ordinance No. 27 of November 7, 1964, the present Seychelles National Archives began to take shape in the 1960s. The Archives were not immediately active despite the 1964 decree, and it took several more years before the institution was formally established. With such a long history, there has of course been a large number of people who has worked at the Seychelles National Archives, and during the ceremony, all staff members who are currently still working there were also rewarded, with Merna Crea, being the longest serving staff of them all, having spent over 30 years there.  

The Seychelles Supreme Court has sentenced a Brazilian national to 26 years in prison for the importation of a controlled drug, the police said on Friday. According to the police, Tamires Souza Hurbath Dos Santos was intercepted at the Seychelles International Airport after his arrival on June 29. Following a search, the police seized in his possession 2,438.17 grammes of cocaine. The Supreme Court judge ordered that the convict does not get remission on his sentence because the nature of the offence is very serious. The Court said that is becoming more common in Seychelles for foreigners to try to import drugs into the island nation. «The judge reiterated that the fight against drugs remains a challenge and drugs are affecting the growing generation, creating health problems and social scourges in the community. Foreigners are using Seychelles as a kindergarten, for their personal benefit through illegal activities, and this must be stopped, and that this sentence will send a clear message to others, that Seychelles is not tolerating any such action in its jurisdiction,» the police said in its communique. The Supreme Court also sentenced a 44-year-old Ugandan national, Birungi Nanyondo, to eight years for the importation of a controlled drug. Nanyondo was arrested at the Seychelles International Airport after he arrive on an Ethiopian Airline flight on May 18. The police seized 63.09 gammes of cocaine. 

Mauritius votes Sunday in an election overshadowed by a wire-tapping scandal that has rocked the Indian Ocean archipelago amid fears that rights are eroding in one of Africa's biggest success stories. The legislative poll comes as the country celebrates the historic deal last month that saw Britain relinquish sovereignty of the remote Chagos Islands to Mauritius following a long-running legal dispute. But Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth's hopes of an easy re-election were battered when secretly recorded phone calls of politicians, diplomats and journalists began to be leaked online in October. The authorities responded last week by banning social media until after the election. But an uproar from the opposition and local media forced an embarrassing climbdown within 24 hours. Mauritius, a country of 1.3 million people, has seen remarkable stability and growth since independence from Britain in 1968, building an economy based on tourism, manufacturing and financial services. More than one million people are registered to vote in the 12th legislative election in Mauritius since independence, but there are fears that its lauded democracy is eroding. «In the last five years, the institutions that were ensuring checks and balances have not been functioning and corruption has increased,» said democracy researcher Roukaya Kasenally. She highlighted procurement scandals during the Covid-19 pandemic, harassment of opposition parties in parliament, and the use of police against political opponents. Mauritius last month slipped from the top spot to second place in the latest Ibrahim Index, which monitors governance across the African continent. The index highlighted worsening discrimination, which Kasenally put down to the «systematic» disadvantages faced by the Creole population descended from African slaves. The Creole population has struggled for representation in Mauritius, which is predominantly Hindu but has sizeable Christian and Muslim minorities. «After independence we developed this democratic success story and 'Mauritian miracle' economy, and never thought we were going to backslide,» said Kasenally. «But because of that, a number of issues were not seriously addressed,» she added, including the winner-takes-all election model that means single coalitions often dominate parliament. - Rotating families - Just three families have rotated the leadership of the East African island group since independence. Jugnauth, 62, inherited the premiership from his father when he died in 2017, before winning by a wide margin at the 2019 election as head of the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM). He is hoping to build on the MSM-led  alliance's majority of 38 seats in the 70-seat National Assembly and win a new five-year term. His main opponent is Labour Party leader Navin Ramgoolam, 77, of the progressive Alliance of Change -- himself a former premier and son of the country's first leader. However, the established leaders face a new outside challenge from the Linion Reform alliance, campaigning under the slogan «Neither Navin, Nor Pravind». It has criticised corruption, nepotism and called for greater transparency -- which may hit home in the aftermath of the wire-tapping leaks. The deal with Britain over the Chagos archipelago was a major success for the government, however, even if the UK will retain a lease to keep a joint US military base on the island of Diego Garcia for an «initial» 99 years. Commentators in Mauritius have suggested that president-elect Donald Trump's approach to the US presence in the Indian Ocean could impact the Chagos agreement. © Agence France-Presse

Donald Trump's election victory spells immediate doubt for Ukraine in its fight against Russia, with President Joe Biden's administration expected to sprint in its final days to ensure -- insofar as possible -- long-term US support. Trump, who won an overwhelming victory in Tuesday's election, has in the past voiced admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and scoffed at the $175 billion in US assistance committed for Ukraine since Moscow's 2022 invasion. The 78-year-old tycoon has repeatedly boasted that he can end the war in 24 hours, without explaining how. His aides have mused about conditioning aid to Kyiv to force concessions, with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance once bluntly saying he did not care what happened to Ukraine, seeing the country as strategically insignificant compared with the global US rivalry with China. With 10 weeks to go until Trump takes over, the Biden administration is looking to push out the more than $9 billion of remaining funding appropriated by Congress for weapons and other security assistance to Ukraine, officials said. The Biden team is also looking for structural ways to put European allies in greater charge of assistance to Ukraine before Trump returns, diplomats said. In a pre-emptive «Trump-proofing» measure, NATO -- the transatlantic alliance that has been criticized by the president-elect -- has already agreed to take over from the United States in coordinating aid to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also moved quickly with Trump in hopes of preserving ties with Kyiv's top backer. Zelensky called him Wednesday, offering flattery on his «tremendous victory» and voicing hope for «strong and unwavering US leadership» to bring a «just peace.» - Not so simple - Brian Taylor, a Russia expert at Syracuse University, said that if Trump seeks a direct role in Ukraine-Russia talks, he will «quickly find out that the details and the nuances are not so simple as simply telling everyone to stop shooting at each other.» Even a deal to freeze the grinding conflict raises questions on where to draw battle-lines, with Ukraine's military fighting in regions which Russia says it has annexed. At the same time, Taylor doubted that Europe could immediately replace US military assistance. «I'm not sure Europe has the stomach or the institutional capacity to just step up and fill that role instantly, although maybe it will develop that capacity over time,» he said. Olga Khakova, of the Atlantic Council, said that Biden could lift restrictions on use of Western weapons on Russian soil, a long-running demand of Kyiv, and boost Ukraine's air defenses to protect its energy infrastructure. Boosting Ukraine could also appeal to Trump by giving him a stronger negotiating hand, she said. «Much is still unknown, but this offers a unique opportunity to negotiate from a position of strength and decisiveness and boldness,» Khakova said. - Bringing both to table - Leon Aron, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said Trump could ultimately be disappointed by Putin's refusal to budge on demands, resulting in a deal politically unpalatable even in Trump's Washington. For now, Trump's victory mostly means uncertainty, said Brian Finucane, a former State Department official now at the International Crisis Group. «Further substantial US military aid seems doubtful, but Trump himself has been vague about how specifically he would deal with the conflict,» Finucane said. Representative Michael Waltz, a Republican army veteran seen as a contender for a national security position, said in a pre-election interview that Trump could find ways to press Putin, including by tightening enforcement of sanctions on Russian energy exports. «I think that will get Putin to the table. We have leverage, like taking the handcuffs off of the long-range weapons we provided Ukraine as well,» Waltz told National Public Radio. Trump, he said, is «very focused on ending the war rather than perpetuating it.» © Agence France-Presse

Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan received the 2024 Africa Freedom Prize of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF)  for his exemplary leadership in advancing democracy and freedom in a Wednesday ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa. The award was presented by the regional director for the FNF, Inge Herbert. In his address, Ramkalawan said that receiving the award is indeed an honour for him and that «to me, it means a lot. It also means that when we do what is right we are recognised.» The award was presented by the regional director for the FNF, Inge Herbert. Ramkalawan spoke about his political journey, his election victory in October 2020, and the upcoming elections in September 2025. «Elections will be held next year in my country. The people will decide whether they want me back for a second and final term or whether they want somebody else. But I can tell you if I lose I will leave quietly. [...] I will not take up arms and fight to try and get back into office,» he added.   Ahead of receiving the award,  Ramkalawan engaged with the press at a briefing hosted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Sub-Saharan Africa at their headquarters in Johannesburg. The event offered an opportunity for the President to discuss his leadership philosophy and the remarkable trajectory of Seychelles' economic and social transformation. President Ramkalawan had the opportunity to discuss his leadership philosophy. (State House) Photo License: CC-BY  Ramkalawan said that leadership is about believing in principles and with those principles one can persist and go on. «You can fall when you don't win an election but that doesn't matter because your principles are there and you will pick yourself up from where you fell and you will continue,» he said. «The vision was one of democracy, one where the country could go much further and people would be respected because the background from which I came is very important to understand. It was a one-party system where democracy was not allowed to function. [...] I felt duty-bound to help bring about the change. So we stood up against what was affecting the people and we did not choose any shortcuts. [...] I remained steadfast in what I believed and this is what I want you young leaders of Africa to stick to,» he shared. State House said in a press release that since its transition from a socialist one-party state to a multi-party democracy in 1993, Seychelles has emerged as a trailblazer in economic liberalization and sustainable development. Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, is ranked first in governance on the African continent on the Mo Ibrahim Index. 

Seychelles has made a pivotal step towards advancing from its current 'meaningful progress' status to 'full compliance' with the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) Standard, which will further strengthen its dedication to sustainable fisheries management following the successful completion of the second validation process. The announcement was made by FiTI and the Department of the Blue Economy in a joint press statement after the second validation was completed with an independent validator, Stefaan Depypere, during his visit to Seychelles between October 21 to 26. During this visit, Depypere conducted comprehensive stakeholder consultations across various sectors in Seychelles. His objective was to verify the initial assessment conducted by the FiTI International Secretariat led by Seychellois Yannick Memee, and identify both the progress achieved and opportunities for further enhancing the national FiTI implementation.  Depypere met with key stakeholders, including the Minister of Fisheries, Jean-François Ferrari, the principal secretaries of the Blue Economy and Fisheries and representatives from the Civil Society, among others. This collaborative approach is vital for ensuring that the feedback gathered reflects the diverse perspectives necessary for effective governance of Seychelles' marine resources. As part of the validation process, Depypere's findings will be reviewed by the FiTI International Board which will assess whether the individual requirements of the FiTI Standard have been met and determine Seychelles' overall level of compliance. This process provides a unique opportunity to conduct an objective evaluation of past performances, underscoring the initiative's commitment to supporting Seychelles in its journey toward greater transparency and accountability in fisheries management, according to the statement. 

Donald Trump has won the US presidential election, media said Wednesday, defeating Kamala Harris in a stunning political comeback that will send shock waves across the world. The polarizing Republican's victory, following one of the most hostile campaigns in modern US history, was all the more remarkable given an unprecedented criminal conviction, a near-miss assassination attempt, and warnings from a former chief of staff that he is a «fascist.» «It's a political victory that our country has never seen before,» Trump told a victory party in Florida. Vice President Harris, who only entered the race in July after President Joe Biden dropped out, ran a centrist campaign that highlighted Trump's inflammatory messaging and use of openly racist and sexist tropes. But his apocalyptic warnings about immigration and championing of isolationism found their mark with voters battered by the post-Covid economy and eager for a change from the Biden years. The campaign pointed to a nail-bitingly close contest, but the results came surprisingly fast, delivering a crushing victory that included wins in the swing states of Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Trump is the first president in more than a century to win a non-consecutive second term. He is also the only person to be elected as a convicted felon -- he will face sentencing in a New York court for fraud on November 26. Already 78, Trump is on course to break another record as the oldest-ever sitting president during his four-year term. He will surpass Biden who is set to step down in January at the age of 82. - Impact on foreign policy - The US dollar surged and bitcoin hit a record high while most equity markets advanced, with traders betting on a victory for Trump as the results rolled in. But turmoil likely lies ahead. Trump's victory comes with his promise of radical policy shifts -- not just at home but also abroad, where his unrestrained isolationist and nationalist «America First» stance is likely to have enormous consequences. He has repeatedly suggested he would end the conflict in Ukraine by pressuring Kyiv to make territorial concessions to Russia, and his threat of mass deportations of illegal immigrants has stirred deep concern in Latin America. He also returns to the White House as a climate change denier, poised to dismantle his predecessor Biden's green policies and jeopardize global efforts to curb human-caused warming. Even before Trump's stunning victory was fully confirmed, foreign leaders rushed to send congratulations. These included longtime Trump allies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Also messaging Trump was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is predicted to see a rapid reduction in US military aid once Biden leaves office. Zelenksy said he hoped the «impressive victory» would help his country find a «just peace.» NATO's chief, Mark Rutte, said Trump, who has frequently expressed displeasure with the US-led alliance, would make it «strong.» British Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined the stream of well-wishers, while French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to join Trump in working «with respect and ambition.»  - Showman's instinct -  For all his dark promises of political revenge against enemies at home and his criticisms of longstanding allies overseas, Trump remains famously unpredictable when it comes to matching words with actions. His campaign rallies, filled with grievance, insults and misinformation, featured extreme rhetoric. But he won positive coverage with viral online moments that played on his everyman appeal and his showman's instinct -- like his appearance at a McDonald's drive-thru and impromptu news conference from a garbage truck. He campaigned on tax cuts, less regulation and the most significant increase in import tariffs in nearly a century to promote growth and boost manufacturing, despite warnings of trade wars and higher prices for US consumers. Trump's more mainstream messaging often became overshadowed by his tendency to lurch into foul language and violent imagery. But that hard-charging style played well with his unfailingly loyal base, which sees him as a Washington outsider. And he gained traction with his hard-line anti-immigration message and outreach to working-class voters hit by Covid-triggered inflation. When Harris joined the race in July, replacing Biden, she soon managed to close the yawning gap Trump had opened over the president in opinion polls. Her message of unity, focus on abortion rights and warnings of the threat Trump posed to democracy appeared to resonate, evidenced by a huge surge in fundraising that swelled her campaign war chest way beyond her rival's. Ultimately, however, she fell short of what would have been a historic win as the first Black woman elected to the White House. © Agence France-Presse

Egypt joined a call led by Turkey and backed by dozens of countries, urging the United Nations to halt arms deliveries to Israel, citing concerns over their use. The call came as Israel battles Hamas in the Gaza Strip while also fighting a war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. A foreign ministry statement on Tuesday said Egypt joined the call as part of «international efforts to pressure Israel to cease its continuous violations of international law and international humanitarian law». It also aims to stop «Israeli violations» against Palestinians and protect civilians, the statement read. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon on Monday accused Turkey of «malice,» after Ankara submitted a letter signed by 52 countries calling for a halt in arms deliveries to Israel. Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, followed by Jordan in 1994. In 2020, the Abraham Accords, mediated by the United States, saw the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco recognise Israel. © Agence France-Presse

Several agencies in Seychelles are taking part in a tabletop exercise that aims to empower them to prepare and respond to chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) events. Taking place at the Laila Resort at Anse Royale, the training has representatives from agencies such as the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD), the Seychelles Police, the Ministry of Health, and the Department of Environment, among others. The Tabletop Exercise (TTX) is part of the project «Toolkit on Effective CBRN Planning and Response for Policy-makers and CBRN Managers.» It is organised by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in partnership with the United States (US) Department of State (DoS) and the European Union CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative (CoE). Francesco Morelli, the head of the CBRN Unit of UNICRI, who is leading the three-day workshop, said that it is very important for countries to be ready at all times to deal with such an event. «We are discussing what are the most important steps to be taken so that effective response can be delivered immediately,» said Morelli. There are three main objectives of the project and these include identifying common challenges and good practices in the response phase of previous CBRN events. Another objective is to simplify the main tools that policy-makers and CBRN managers can use to develop and implement CBRN response plans. The final one is to establish a network of regional stakeholders that includes national, international, and academic experts committed to sharing experiences and improving coordination in the «day after» phase of a CBRN event. For the exercise taking place in Seychelles, participants will engage in scenario-based discussions that reflect the complexities of decision-making and response in real-world CBRN events. Morelli explained that in the Seychelles context, while there is a low probability of such an event happening, it will have a huge impact on the country. It is, therefore, very important for all government departments and agencies that are responsible for dealing with such matters to be well prepared. «They will have to know how to work together and make effective use of available resources and also to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the threat so that the response can be specific to it,» added Morelli. The CBRN National Team of Seychelles will after this workshop develop a National Action Plan, capturing the priority risks and the existing capacity gaps needed to address those risks. The CBRN Toolkit for policymakers is considered an effective tool to respond to those identified priorities and strengthen the country's capacity to prepare, prevent, and respond to CBRN incidents. 

With the aim to better prevent and detect tax crimes in Seychelles, several organisations are attending a four-day training programme launched on Monday. The «Tax Inspectors Without Borders for Criminal Investigation» (TIWB-CI) is a technical assistance programme aimed at strengthening tax crime frameworks and enhancing the resolution of tax crime cases. It is being led by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), along with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF). Among the agencies participating are the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Seychelles Police Service, and the Financial Services Authority (FSA).   The key objectives for Seychelles are to advance tax transparency and international cooperation in combatting tax evasion and ensuring tax fairness, while also equipping tax officials with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of criminal tax non-compliance. The programme will also help Seychelles to deter tax non-compliance through a whole of government approach, involving collaboration between different government departments. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner General of the SRC, Varsha Singh, outlined the importance of tax collection, stating that without tax revenue, the state will not be able to deliver services to its citizens. «Investigations capability serves a dual purpose, one in terms of recuperating taxes that are deliberately withheld by taxpayers, as well as being a deterrent for tax non-compliance,» added Singh. Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) is a joint initiative of the OECD and the UNDP supporting countries in building tax audit capacity.   TIWB Programmes complement the broader efforts of the international community to strengthen cooperation on tax matters and contribute to the domestic resource mobilisation efforts of developing countries. Speaking virtually at the opening of the training, Marcos Rosa, the TIWB team lead, explained that the programme requires active engagement from all agencies involved in financial crimes investigations across the country. «Our last annual report notes that through TIWB support, developing countries generated an additional $2.3 billion in tax revenues and over $6 billion in tax assessed,» said Roca. He added that utilising the country-driven approach of the TIWB programme will allow Seychelles to tailor the programme to the country's specific needs, which will then be used to inform the action plan that will be developed after the training.

The Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly of Seychelles gave their responses to the 2025 Budget being proposed by the Minister for Finance, Naadir Hassan, on Tuesday. Hassan is seeking the approval of the National Assembly for a proposed budget of SCR 11.9 billion ($880 million), the largest budget in the history of Seychelles. This represents an increase of 11.9 percent compared to the 2024 Appropriation Act, which was SCR 10.6 billion ($731 million). In his response, Sebastien Pillay, the Leader of the Opposition, said that the budget presented in the Assembly is an election budget with a lot of promises crammed with several projects but one that does not fool anyone. His allusion refers to the next presidential and parliamentary elections, which will be in September 2025. “Despite some small increases here or there, there is nothing substantial to help Seychellois cope with the cost of living that has hit the ceiling. There is nothing proposed to revitalise the private sector. Economic growth is slowing, and the project list is increasing even more,” said Pillay. He said that this budget, the biggest one presented ever, is supposed to address all problems but there yet does not give an indication of how the government will finance it. “Revenue from tourism has fallen by SCR1.3 billion through ill-intentioned measures compared to the same period in 2023. In the budget document, the minister said that tourism earning as of August 2024, the total tourism earnings amounted to $539 million, and which is 17 percent less than what was recorded for the same period in 2023. If the economy is slowing down where to get the money to finance all these projects?” he asked. Pillay said that in the 2025 Budget, the government is proposing a 7 percent increase in the basic monthly salary for public servants earning less than 21,368 rupees, and according to the minister this increase guarantees an increase of SCR500 ($37) for all full-time workers. The questions he asked are whether the increase reflects the cost of living in the country, will bring a real benefit to people and why will this take effect in April 2025. Pillay said the government did not give its plan for workers in the private sector and asked if the private sector had been consulted on the minimum wage increase. On the drug problem is an issue, he questioned if the government has a solution for the methadone problem and if not if a solution is being sought. “When I look at the speech that the minister has made, he has failed to look at the situation and address the situation of our country,” said Pillay. Meanwhile, the Leader of Government Business, Bernard Georges, said that Seychelles’ economic situation has improved, and the country has a budget surplus. He said the government has found itself in a position where it can respond to the needs of the people and share the benefits of good management of the economy. This was in response to the fact that Seychelles is projected to make a primary fiscal surplus of 1.1 percent in 2024. “Because the cost of construction materials has gone up, loans with the Housing Finance Company (HFC) have also gone up,” said Georges, adding; “The basic salary has also increased, to put more money into the pockets of every worker. […] In this budget, there is something for everyone,” he stated. Georges said that the government has listened to the people and has announced several measures, such as a commercial court, which will hear all cases related to commerce, and a zero-bureaucracy policy. “All these, Mr Speaker, are giants steps to respond to the needs of a modern population and who wants to move forward,” he said. Georges also stated that in this budget, a series of measures have been put in place to allow every Seychellois to be able to improve their lives and that “this includes the scheme where someone can buy a piece of state land to add to that of their parents for development, which has been improved, to allow for a new floor to be added to the house.”

The destruction wreaked by Spain's deadliest floods in a generation in one of the country's economic motors will leave a huge bill for the state and the insurance sector. Last week's catastrophe that has killed more than 210 people nationwide gutted buildings, swept away cars, inundated fields, and wrecked transport and power infrastructure in the wealthy eastern Valencia region. The European country now faces its «biggest disaster for a climate event», said Mirenchu del Valle Schaan, president of the Spanish insurers' federation UNESPA. It is too early to estimate the total costs but they will undoubtedly be «extremely high», Celedonio Villamayor, director of the CCS consortium responsible for paying out compensation after natural disasters, told public broadcaster TVE. The head of the Valencia Chamber of Commerce, Jose Vicente Morata, told the same channel the final bill would be well north of 10 billion euros. For comparison, the devastating July 2021 floods that claimed more than 200 lives in Germany, Belgium, France, Austria and the Netherlands cost almost $43 billion, according to reinsurer Swiss Re. The public finances of the Spanish state -- already straining to bring its deficit down in line with EU spending rules -- and the Valencia region will be stretched. The regional government has proposed an aid package of 250 million euros ($272 million), tax breaks and compensation for businesses. Clearing debris and reconstructing obliterated infrastructure will also be financed with the central government, which has estimated those works at 2.6 billion euros. - 'Incalculable consequences' - An estimated 4,500 businesses located on the ground floors of buildings submerged by mud and water were affected, according to the Valencia Chamber of Commerce. Dozens of shopping centres and industrial estates home to small and medium-sized businesses were damaged and transport companies lost their lorries. Among the smaller firms counting the cost was BassMotor, a cleaning equipment company in the Valencia region whose stock was devoured by the floods. After clearing the mud, the firm is anxiously waiting for the government's response, «which at the moment doesn't seem to be moving forward much», spokesman Diego Navarro Rodriguez told AFP. If immediate help does not arrive, «there will be redundancies and closures», warned Morata. The flooding of fields dealt a heavy blow to agriculture in the Valencia region, one of Spain's breadbaskets and a major citrus fruit exporter. Regional agricultural trade union La Unio estimates 50,000 hectares (123,500 acres) of crops were affected. Agroseguro, which manages Spanish agriculture insurance, believes the cost could rise to 150 million euros in the sector. Trade union Asaja described the losses as «catastrophic» with «incalculable consequences». Spanish insurers rely on a common fund managed by the CCS that shares the cost across the sector in the event of a natural disaster. The CCS therefore covers most of the compensation and insurers only directly pay out for peripheral damage in areas unaffected by the floods. The system is «perfectly prepared to deal with this type of situation», said UNESPA head del Valle Schaan. Some 46,000 claims were submitted in just five days, said Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo, who hopes for the first payouts this week. © Agence France-Presse

A new UK-wide law aimed at creating the first «smoke-free generation» will on Tuesday be introduced in parliament, as part of a world-leading ban. The proposals come after New Zealand revoked plans to introduce a so-called «generational smoking ban» that would have stopped sales of tobacco to anyone born after 2008. «This is a groundbreaking piece of public health legislation. It will mean that we are creating the first ever smoke-free generation in our country. So children growing up in our country today will never, never legally be able to buy cigarettes,» said Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The UK's Tobacco and Vapes Bill will prevent anyone born after January 1 2009 from legally smoking by gradually raising the age at which tobacco can be bought. The legislation is similar to a bill proposed by the last Conservative administration, which was shelved earlier this year when prime minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. Sunak's successor Keir Starmer's new Labour government, however, has revived the proposals, which are part of a drive to increase preventative health measures and ease long-term pressure on the UK's state-funded National Health Service (NHS). The bill will introduce restrictions on vape advertising and sponsorship, as well as restricting flavours, displays and the packaging of e-cigarettes to reduce their appeal to children and young people. Last month the government announced that disposable vapes will be banned next year under separate legislation. - Outdoor spaces - New Zealand last November announced it would bin its own proposed anti-smoking legislation. Under a law that had been due to come into force later that year anyone born after 2008 would have been prevented from buying tobacco. The back pedalling came after new premier Christopher Luxon took the helm as head of a new coalition government and said he would prioritise tackling inflation and lowering interest rates. The new UK bill also proposes extending existing smoking bans to outdoor spaces such as children's playgrounds and outside hospitals. But Streeting said there would be no ban on smoking in pub gardens in England. Pub and restaurant industry figures criticised the idea after it was leaked in August, arguing it could deter customers in a market already struggling with the long-term fallout from the pandemic and cost-of-living pressures. «The UK hospitality sector has taken a battering in recent years, and we don't want to add to their pressure so we're not proposing to go ahead with an outdoor hospitality ban at this time,» Streeting added. England, Wales and Northern Ireland outlawed smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces in 2007 following a similar ban in Scotland in 2006. The Action on Smoking and Health charity has said there was a 2.4-percent reduction in hospital admissions for heart attacks in England a year after the ban, saving the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) millions of pounds. © Agence France-Presse

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF Africa) announced recently that Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan will receive this year's Africa Freedom Prize in a ceremony that will take place on November 6 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Hosted in partnership with the African Leadership Academy (ALA), the award ceremony recognises exceptional contributions to liberal civil society in Africa. The theme, «Intergenerational Co-leadership and the Future of Freedom in Africa,» underscores the importance of young leaders shaping the continent's future alongside established leaders. It will celebrate liberalism, democratic governance, and freedom on the African continent. According to a communique from State House on Monday, Ramkalawan is being honoured for his exemplary leadership in advancing democracy and freedom, aligning with the Foundation's core values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law across Africa. Ramkalawan will travel to South Africa to accept the award and engage in these dialogues. The event will place a strong emphasis on intergenerational co-leadership, focusing on the collaboration between established and emerging leaders to secure a democratic and prosperous future for Africa. It will encourage meaningful dialogue on how generations can work together to address the continent's most pressing challenges.  

Kamala Harris courted voters angered by the Gaza war while Donald Trump doubled down on violent rhetoric with a comment about journalists being shot as the tense US election campaign entered its final hours. The Democratic vice president and the Republican former president frantically blitzed several swing states as they tried to win over the last holdouts with less than 36 hours left until polls open on Election Day on Tuesday. Trump predicted a «landslide», while Harris told a raucous rally in must-win Michigan that «we have momentum -- it's on our side.» The 2024 race is going down to the wire, with more key states effectively tied at this point than in any comparable election. Over 77.6 million people have cast early votes, around half of the total ballots cast in 2020. With the clock ticking, Harris, 60, spent the day in Michigan where she risks losing the critical support of a 200,000-strong Arab-American community that has denounced US handling of the Israel-Hamas war. «As president, I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza,» Harris said at the start of her speech at Michigan State University, noting that there were leaders of the community present. - 'Demonic' - But the rest of the speech was upbeat, with Harris spending more time on urging people to get out and vote than on attacks on Trump. «We got two days to get this done,» she said. Earlier, Harris quoted scripture in a majority-Black church in Detroit, Michigan and urging Americans to look beyond Trump. «Let us turn the page and write the next chapter of our history,» she said. Trump on Sunday zigzagged through Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia -- the three biggest swing-state prizes in the Electoral College system that awards US states influence according to their population. The 78-year-old Trump, the oldest major party candidate in US history, added to his increasingly dark rhetoric by musing to supporters in Lititz, Pennsylvania, that he wouldn't mind if journalists were shot. Discussing his near-miss assassination attempt against him in July, he said to laughter that to be hit again «somebody would have to shoot through the fake news -- and I don't mind that so much.» Trump called Democrats «demonic» and, despite no evidence of any meaningful election cheating so far, claimed that Democrats in Pennsylvania «are fighting so hard to steal this damn thing.» Adding to fears that he would not accept a defeat in 2024, Trump added that he «shouldn't have left» the White House after he lost his 2020 reelection effort to Joe Biden. - RFK Jr controversy - Trump meanwhile said in Macon, Georgia, that he had asked vaccine-skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who dropped his own presidential bid to support Trump, to work on «women's health» and «pesticides.» His comments came a day after Kennedy caused consternation by saying that a Trump White House would order US water systems to remove fluoride from public water supplies. Later in another rambling speech in Kinston, North Carolina Trump said «we're going to have on Tuesday a landslide that's too big to rig.» The polls however show that the result is likely to be historically tight. A final New York Times/Siena poll Sunday flagged incremental changes in swing states, but the results from all seven remained within the margin of error. Harris got a boost Saturday as the final Des Moines Register poll for Iowa -- seen as a highly credible test of wider public sentiment -- showed a stunning turnaround, with Harris ahead in a state won easily by Trump in 2016 and 2020. In the last hours, both candidates are desperately trying to shore up their bases, and win over any undecided voters. Pollsters have noted an erosion in Black support for Harris. But with abortion rights a top voter concern, her campaign has hailed the large proportion of women turning out among early voters. © Agence France-Presse

Seychelles is to introduce a digital traffic enforcement trial initiative for eight weeks to improve road safety in the small island state, according to a high-level official. Vice President Ahmed Afif revealed the government's plans in a recent interview recently following the Cabinet of Ministers meeting held at State House. The project will be carried out in the eastern Mahe district of Roche Caiman, using technology to detect traffic offences such as speeding, mobile phone use, and seatbelt violations. «The government has already approved the principal for the trial and all that remains is for the Department of Transport to contact the consul to inform the company to go ahead,» he said. The Seychelles consul in Australia, Arnold Chetty, has already been in touch with Australian company Acusensus for the use of their technology. «The company is interested in running the project on a pilot basis, which means that it will not cost the country anything to run it,» explained Afif. Through the project, drivers carrying out traffic infractions will be caught on camera, and will immediately receive a message. «There will not be anyone there to arrest the person, they will only receive the message informing them of what infraction they have committed and there will be a fine to pay,» said Afif. He added, «We will have to determine where to place the cameras and other instruments to be used, as you know the two countries are different.» The authorities also say that the measure will help reduce the costs for the police force. During the piloting of the project, the authorities will fine-tune the existing technology to cater to local needs. The trial will assess the system's ability and insights from the trial will guide future infrastructure planning and enforcement decisions. «This will provide the government with a lot of information, as we have seen nowadays people are driving without a valid license in addition to other illegal activities happening on the roads,» said Afif. He said if all goes well, Seychelles may then adopt it as a permanent measure, by coming into a commercial agreement with the company. Additionally, the Ministry of Transport will evaluate business models and legislative requirements to facilitate the transition to digital enforcement, with the trial's findings informing whether the system will be adopted permanently. Meanwhile, Seychelles is embarking on a digital surveillance path, where President Wavel Ramkalawan after his visit to China announced that the country will be receiving CCTV systems from China.

The Cabinet of Ministers has given its approval for Seychelles to launch its airline incentive scheme aimed at revitalising air connectivity and boosting tourism in Seychelles. Vice President Ahmed Afif announced the scheme in a press conference at State House on Thursday morning. «The idea is to encourage airlines that fly non-stop to Seychelles for a period of over seven hours - such airlines are those that we feel there is a need to encourage - and the idea is to help such airlines and incentivise them to come to Seychelles,» he said. He explained that this would be through the provision of financial incentives to come to Seychelles, and this can be «a small amount per passenger up to a certain load factor that is considered reasonable.» The scheme, introduced in response to post-pandemic challenges, provides financial and marketing incentives to encourage key airlines to increase flight frequency, commit to year-round operations, and open new routes to Seychelles. The government has allocated a budget of SCR21 million ($1.5 million ) over 2024-2026, which is the two years of the scheme's duration. Afif also said that the scheme forms part of the island state's marketing budget. The country is heavily reliant on the tourism sector. To ensure the effective running of the scheme, the principal secretary for tourism will head an oversight committee to monitor the implementation, assess effectiveness, and adjust strategies as needed. He also revealed that the authorities are working with partner airlines such as Air France, British Airways, Condor, and Sichuan Airlines to finalise incentives and secure sustainable tourism growth. «Change of Use» moratorium ends on two islands  Meanwhile, in its latest meeting, the Cabinet has also approved the development of a new «Change of Use» Policy framework for the tourism sector. This will effectively lift the existing moratorium preventing people from converting their residences into tourism establishments, on Mahe and Praslin. The moratorium on La Digue Island remains in effect. Afif explained that the authorities will be taking a tailored approach on the island - the third largest inhabited island in the archipelago. «The policy aims to align future applications with sustainable tourism objectives, promoting high-quality accommodations and avoiding market oversaturation with low-standard units,» he said. The change in the framework will also address challenges from the «Affordable Seychelles» initiative, balancing tourism expansion with housing availability. He said it will also encourage value-added, differentiated visitor experiences, with provisions for renovation standards through tripartite agreements involving the tourism department. Meanwhile, Afif also revealed that one of the conditions for a change of use application to be considered should be that the residence be built five years prior.  «We feel that this way people will make the proper applications and not just build a residence that they immediately change into a tourism residence, when they can apply for such a permit to begin with,» he concluded. 

Lebanon's health ministry said an Israeli strike killed three people near the southern city of Sidon on Sunday as more bombs fell in the country's east after Israel warned it would again hit Hezbollah targets there. In Israel, the military said it intercepted several projectiles fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory, while some fell in unpopulated areas. Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been at war since September 23, when Israel escalated air raids over the border after a year of tit-for-tat exchanges of fire. One week later it sent ground troops into southern Lebanon on «targeted raids». Hezbollah said it was acting in support of Palestinian militants Hamas, whose unprecedented attack against Israel on October 7 last year triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. «The Israeli enemy's raid on Haret Saida resulted in an initial death toll of three people killed and nine others injured,» Lebanon's health ministry said, referring to a densely populated area near Sidon. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported another Israeli strike south of Sidon, on the town of Ghaziyeh. That strike hit a residential building, according to an AFP correspondent, who said a child was rescued from the rubble. NNA said other Israeli strikes hit near a hospital in Tebnin, a town in the south Lebanon district of Bint Jbeil. The mayor of Tebnin told AFP the hospital was significantly damaged. Neither the Haret Saida strike nor those in Lebanon's south were preceded by an Israeli evacuation warning. - Heavy air raids - Israel's military did issue a warning for Lebanon's Baalbek area, which includes east Lebanon's main city and UNESCO-designated Roman ruins, saying it would be targeting Hezbollah-linked facilities. An AFP correspondent later reported at least three strikes in the Baalbek area, where Hezbollah holds sway and which has seen heavy air raids in the past few days. The war has killed more than 1,900 people in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry figures. Among the latest casualties was a Bangladeshi killed Saturday in a strike on his way to work in Beirut, Bangladesh's ambassador to Lebanon said in a statement. Israel's military says 38 soldiers have been killed in the Lebanon campaign since it began ground operations. Iran-aligned groups in Yemen, Iraq and Syria have also been drawn into fighting, and Iran and Israel have themselves attacked each other, heightening fears of even wider conflict. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday warned Israel and the United States they «will definitely receive a tooth-breaking response» for attacks on Iran and its allies. Israel has warned Iran against responding to its October 26 attack. On Sunday demonstrators burned Israeli and US flags outside the former American embassy in Tehran to mark the anniversary of the 1979 hostage crisis that has shaped relations between Washington and Tehran ever since. American B-52 bombers have arrived in the Middle East, the US military said on Saturday, as part of reinforcements being sent to the region in a warning to Iran. In Gaza the Israeli military again reported «dozens» of militants killed in the Jabalia area of north Gaza where, since October 6, Israeli forces have carried out a major air and ground assault to stop Hamas from regrouping. - Sacks of flour - On Friday the heads of United Nations agencies described the area as «under siege» and «denied basic aid and life-saving supplies». In central Gaza on Sunday, people crowded to receive sacks of flour from a distribution point of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in Deir el-Balah. Israel's parliament last Monday banned UNRWA -- the main aid agency in Gaza -- from operation in Israel and occupied east Jerusalem, despite objections from the international community. If implemented, the ban would be a blow to humanitarian work in Gaza, according to experts. The ban came after the United States on October 15 warned Israel it could withhold some of its billions of dollars in military assistance unless it improves aid delivery to Gaza within 30 days. Also in Deir el-Balah on Sunday, relatives at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital mourned over the bodies of a father and son killed during Israeli bombardment. Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel resulted in 1,206 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel's military response against Hamas has killed 43,314 people in Gaza, a majority of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry which the United Nations consider to be reliable. During their attack, Palestinian militants seized 251 hostages, of whom 97 are still in Gaza. The Israeli military says 34 of them are dead. At a protest Saturday night in Tel Aviv, hundreds voiced their frustration with Israel's government for failing to secure an agreement that would bring the remaining hostages home. Ifat Kalderon, an anti-government protester afraid for her cousin still held in Gaza, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu «sabotages» every attempt at a deal. «He always blamed Sinwar, but now there is no Sinwar,» she said, referring to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar who Israel killed last month. «Every time he finds another reason,» the 50-year-old stylist told AFP. © Agence France-Presse

Luc Grandcourt, a recipient of the Seychelles' Medal of Honour in June 2023, is a retired seafarer, who at a very young age, decided to follow in his father's footsteps as a sailor. Grandcourt received the award for his bravery and quick thinking, which helped to save the lives of 22 passengers on board the schooner 'Ero' from Praslin to Mahe, when it capsized and sank on August 12, 1975. He was 27 years old at the time. Among the passengers was the late Anglican Archbishop Emeritus French Chang Him, who was a young priest at the time, stranded at sea, threatened by sharks. Grandcourt secured all the passengers and managed to swim to Chang Him, bringing him to the rest of the passengers until they were all safely rescued. Gandcourt received the Seychelles' Medal of Honour in June 2023. (State House) Photo License: CC-BY  Meeting Captain Grancourt Meeting Grandcourt was a priority on my to-do list as I have always wondered about the incident and how he managed to overcome the obstacles at sea that day. I met the retired seafarer at his home in the district of Grand Anse, Praslin. First he introduced himself and said, «My name is Luc Grandcourt and I am the son of Japhet and Lucie Grandcourt. My mother was from the main island of Mahe while my father was a native of Praslin. I was born on October 17, 1948 and I was named Luc after Luke the Evangelist, whose feast day falls on October 18. My father's parents came from France on a boat so the love for the sea comes from my father's side.» Grandcourt's father was also a renowned seafarer in Seychelles and started to work on a schooner even before he reached the age of 15 and after hearing his story, Grandcourt followed in his father's footsteps. «We come from a family of seafarers, from my father, his brother and my brother Pierre. And now some of my children have joined in the business,» he said. He comes from a family of six, with him being the third child of three sisters and three brothers and only his brother Robert, who left Seychelles at almost 18 years old, did not venture into a career at sea. The 76-year-old is the only sibling living on Praslin while his sisters and brother have left Seychelles' shores. A portrait of his late brother Captain Pierre Grandcourt who drowned on August 25, 2018, hangs on the wall in his sitting room. Other paintings of his schooners, life at sea and his family, as well as varnished steering wheels from and other items from his vessels, are all part of the interior decor of the house. He shared his story of nearly drowning story when he was four years old. «My father was at sea that day, my mother had gone to buy fish nearby and I was with my brother Robert and Lucianne when this happened. My mother ran to rescue me and instead of crying as any child would, I just looked at my mother and smiled with all my might. She knew right there and then that just like my father I was destined to be at sea,» Grandcourt remembered. A painting of Captain Grandcourt on his boat. (Mandy Bertin) Photo License: CC-BY  Being a young seafarer Grandcour said he started working on a schooner when he was only 14 and after completing Form Three on Praslin, he was accepted at the Victoria Training Centre but did not want to go to school on Mahe, the main island. «I loved my island and my mother so much that I decided not to leave. I told my parents that what I had learned at school was sufficient. I wanted to work with my father and help my mother. She was into agriculture, mainly livestock and vegetables, and she had to take care of her children as well. So with my father busy at sea every day, life was hectic for my mother so I became her helping hand.» His childhood Grandcourt said he had a passion for the sea from a very young age and learned how to swim using coconut husks and coir. «I made life jackets using these and practiced frequently until I knew how to swim. I remember I was about five to six years old when my father bought Ero. When I was eight, my father made some major repairs on the schooner and I was excited at that time, wishing that one day, I would be on that schooner rain or shine,» he shared. His dream came true on January 3, 1963, when he joined his father and his crew on Ero until 1975. The youngest seafarer to get certified «I took my tests at the age of 18 and at that time I was the youngest seaman to do so. I remember there was a man known as Captain Hunter who lived on Praslin and one day he told me he can get me to go work abroad and I can even become a captain. I refused because I was very close to my mother and I did not want to leave her,» said Grancourt. «At that time we did not have the Global Positioning System (GPS) so we had to learn how to use navigational instruments such as sextant. Captain Hunter wanted me to learn how to use the navigational chart as well,» he added. He sat his test with two captains, Hunter and Sauvage, and received his certificate and assumed command the La Digue Feast of the Assumption on August 15. «After years of commanding Ero, my father decided to sell the schooner and a businesswoman who built the Château de Feuilles, one of the first hotels on Praslin bought it and I became the 'patron' (boss) until the incident in 1975,» Grandcourt noted. 

Spain is deploying 10,000 more troops and police officers to the eastern Valencia region devastated by historic floods that have killed 211 people, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday. Hopes of finding survivors were slim more than three days after torrents of muddy water submerged towns and wrecked infrastructure in the European country's worst such disaster in decades. Almost all the deaths have been recorded in the Valencia region, where thousands of security and emergency services personnel were frantically clearing debris and mud in the search for bodies. Sanchez said in a televised address that the disaster was the second deadliest flood in Europe this century and announced a huge increase in the security forces dedicated to relief works. The government had accepted the Valencia region leader's request for 5,000 more troops and informed him of a further deployment of 5,000 police officers and civil guards, Sanchez said. Spain was carrying out its largest deployment of army and security force personnel in peacetime, he added. - More deaths expected - Restoring order and distributing aid to destroyed towns and villages -- some of which have been cut off from food, water and power for days -- is a priority. Authorities have come under fire over the adequacy of warning systems before the floods, and some stricken residents have complained the response to the disaster is too slow. «I am aware the response is not enough, there are problems and severe shortages... towns buried by mud, desperate people searching for their relatives... we have to improve,» Sanchez said. In the ground-zero towns of Alfafar and Sedavi, AFP reporters saw no soldiers while residents shovelled mud from their homes and firefighters pumped water from garages and tunnels. «Politicians promise a lot, help will come when it comes,» said Mario Silvestre, 86, a resident of Chiva where gaping sinkholes risked triggering the collapse of buildings. Authorities in the Valencia region have restricted access to roads for two days to allow emergency services to carry out search, rescue and logistics operations more effectively. Officials have said dozens of people remain unaccounted for. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told radio station Cadena Ser on Friday it was «reasonable» to believe more fatalities would emerge. But with telephone and transport networks severely damaged, establishing a precise figure is difficult. Sanchez said electricity had been restored to 94 percent of homes affected by power outages and that around half of the cut telephone lines had been repaired. Some motorways have reopened but local and regional roads resembled a «Swiss cheese», meaning certain places would probably remain inaccessible by land for weeks, Transport Minister Oscar Puente told El Pais daily. - 'Overwhelmed' by solidarity - Thousands of ordinary citizens pushing shopping trolleys and carrying cleaning equipment took to the streets on Friday to help with the recovery. Susana Camarero, deputy head of the Valencia region, said some municipalities were «overwhelmed» by the solidarity and food they had received. The movement continued on Saturday as around 1,000 people set off from the Mediterranean coastal city of Valencia towards nearby towns laid waste by the floods, an AFP journalist saw. Authorities have urged them to stay at home to avoid congestion on the roads that would hamper the work of emergency services. The storm that sparked the floods on Tuesday formed as cold air moved over the warm waters of the Mediterranean and is common for this time of year. But scientists warn climate change driven by human activity is increasing the ferocity, length and frequency of such extreme weather events. © Agence France-Presse

Seychelles is looking to increase its air connectivity to the world and negotiations have been undertaken with a group of countries with the aim of getting more direct flights to the island nation, said a top government official recently. The Minister for Transport, Antony Derjacques, and the chief executive of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), Gary Albert along with Air Seychelles, attended the International Civil Aviation Negotiating event (ICAN-2024), held recently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During the event, which took place from October 21-25, Seychelles held negotiations with around 17 countries and signed agreements with seven countries. These included Germany, Eswatini, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Turkey, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Seychelles also discussed several issues, with Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Spain. Derjacques told reporters, «The signing of these agreements is a success because it allows us to develop our connectivity, through airlines, with these countries.»   The CEO of SCAA gave more details on the agreements signed and said that with Malaysia, Seychelles talked about having a direct connection to Asia. «We have noticed that we have a gap in terms of direct connectivity to Asia, and we are looking at a country in Asia, that would like to take this route, while we have also negotiated with China, to see if they have an airline that could take this route,» he explained.   Seychelles also negotiated with Germany, one of the country's biggest tourism markets, where the number of airlines from the European nation is expected to increase.   Currently, only German airline, Condor, resumed services to Seychelles in September but according to Albert, there is interest from Germany's flag carrier, Lufthansa.   Seychelles has held negotiations with other Airlines, such as Saudi Arabia's FlyNas to come to Seychelles, and also with India's Indigo. Indigo, according to Derjacques, has agreed to start flying to Seychelles from February 2025. Albert also pointed out that during their event, the delegation was to talk to other airlines to find out, why they have stopped operating direct flights to Seychelles, or are only operating seasonally. «We had this conversation with them and we understood that there is interest, but with a lack of airplanes available, these airlines have had to prioritise their more profitable markets, although that is expected to be rectified by the end of the year,»he shared. During the event in Malaysia, the delegation from Seychelles visited the Subang International Airport in Kuala Lumpur to see how it was constructed and get some ideas for the redevelopment of the Seychelles International Airport. «They were able to give us an estimation of how much it cost to construct the airport, while they showed us the modern facilities available at the airport, and they also showed us the amount of development that can happen around an airport,» explained Derjacques.   The Seychelles International Airport Masterplan was completed earlier this year and the last presentation was made to the Cabinet on June 26. As the Cabinet still had some reservations about certain infrastructures and the financial plans, these two components are being explored further.

The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius blocked access to social media on Friday, just days ahead of a general election, as tensions mounted over a wire-tapping scandal. Mauritius has been gripped by the release of secret recordings of phone calls by politicians, journalists, members of civil society and even foreign diplomats that began to emerge online last month. On Friday, the office of Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth said it had ordered internet service providers to block access to the most widely used social networks. The blockage is due to last until November 11 -- the day after the election -- according to telecoms operator EMTEL. «Following the publication of certain audio tracks on social media, there is a real risk that the national security and integrity of our Republic and our international partners may have been compromised,» the prime minister's office said in a statement. NetBlocks, an internet governance watchdog, confirmed that Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X were not accessible. The former CEO of Mauritius Telecom, Sherry Singh, was arrested later on Friday along with three other suspects as part of the investigation into the leaks, police sources told AFP. Details of the charges were not immediately available. The leaked recordings were released by an account called Missie Moustass (Mr Moustache), primarily on TikTok. There have been attempts to block the account but it quickly resurfaced elsewhere and has been releasing recordings almost daily. Among those causing the greatest shock was that of the police commissioner apparently asking a forensic doctor to alter a report into a person who died after being beaten in police custody. A judicial investigation into the death was launched following the leak. Private calls featuring British High Commissioner Charlotte Pierre also appear to have been leaked. The shock ban on social media was roundly condemned by the opposition and poses a major challenge for local media and political parties which rely heavily on Facebook and other online outlets. «It's shocking, revolting and unacceptable. It's a sign of panic,» said Paul Berenger, one of the leaders of the opposition Alliance for Change coalition. «We are dealing with people who are dangerous to the country. Lawyers are working on what can be done legally. We will move very quickly on the legal and political level,» he added. Jugnauth is seeking re-election as head of the Militant Socialist Movement. He inherited the premiership on the death of his father in 2017 and secured a victory for his coalition in polls two years later. «This is the last desperate act of a regime in disarray,» said Nando Bodha, head of opposition grouping Linion Reform. «It attacks head-on the fundamental rights of citizens guaranteed by the constitution, including freedom of expression,» he added, calling for an intervention by the Election Commission to ensure the polls are «free and fair». © Agence France-Presse

Anecdotes are part of the Seychellois culture and heritage and one local artist keeps the tradition alive and retells them in his songs. Marc Dubel is a well-known artist in Seychelles and his music is unique as he focuses on stories of the past told by great-grandparents and includes supernatural events. Through his songs, Dubel gives people a chance to take a trip down memory lane and has successfully kept these anecdotes of Seychelles alive. The artist, who now resides on Praslin Island, strives to preserve this part of the island nation's culture because this is part of the Creole identity and what makes the Seychellois culture different.   Becoming an artist Dubel's career in arts started at a young age. He recalled that at that time his friends were members of the National Cultural Troupe. Well-known Seychellois musician, singer and composer, Patrick Victor, today the Seychelles' honorary cultural ambassador, was the founder of the troupe and director of the first Seychellois Creole musical play called «Kastor,» which he wrote in in 1984, and was conducting auditions for various roles. «My friends encouraged me to try out and I did. This was a big step, I went on stage and they gave me a role to play. After a while I got a call telling me that I was successful and from then on I did not look back,» he recalled. «I landed the main role, as Kastor. The personality was a slave of African origins, exiled to Seychelles. At that time, Mahe, Seychelles' main island was called Ile d'Abondance, meaning Island of Plenty. Kastor managed to escape into the forest. He freed himself from slavery. After I had played Kastor, whenever people came to Pointe Larue, my hometown, and asked for Kastor, residents would know you were talking about me,» he said cheerfully. Dubel acted in several other plays and another remarkable one was called «Zen 66,» whereby he played the role of the late France Albert Rene, who was the President of Seychelles from 1977 to 2004. «Everything needs a foundation. We need to revive plays. We see young people trying to revive theatre plays but support is needed for them to be able to soar higher,» Dubel said. The artist, who now resides on Praslin Island, strives to preserve this part of the island nation's culture. (Mandy Bertin) Photo License: All Rights Reserved     Anecdotal songs Dubel told SNA he wrote ancetoal songs at a young age and that he liked to hang around people who were much older than him because they had lots of stories to share and this fascinated him.   «I did not make up these songs, they are based on true stories told by our elders. The song 'Ziraf' (Giraffe) is an example. Back in the days when I was at school, I remember there was an old man, he was very tall and people used to call him Ziraf, which is the Creole name for giraffe,» he recalled. «The song talks about a man known as Msye Mondon (Mr. Mondon), a very authoritative man who was the registrar for Assumption Island, one of the outer islands of the Seychelles' archipelago. His character did not make him popular among the workers. Whoever had to go to the island had to first register with him. One day, Ziraf went to the jetty to register to go there and to take an advance payment, but unfortunately, he did not know how to write his name, so this angered Mr Mondon,» said Dubel. The song tells how the registrar how Ziraf told Mr. Mondon how his long neck helps him sense danger approaching and with that he was allowed to work on the island. Dubel has also written songs on spirits in the woods, adding that on several occasions people have witnessed strange things when walking in the forests and at one point, they realised they were not alone. The artist is now focusing more on Moutya songs but still has many other songs to write. Dubel has his vision board on the walls of his mind, and on it, his dreams are displayed. «When I retire, I wish to teach drama and music to young people. I want them to learn to develop their talents and keep these art forms alive,» Dubel said. The future of our culture in a pioneer's eye «I am a man of my culture. I believe in it and I will keep striving to keep it alive and propel it forward. We need people who have our culture at heart to help artists, cultural enthusiasts, and pioneers. This country needs its culture and together we must work collectively to preserve it,» Dubel told SNA. «The people of Seychelles should be proud of its culture, traditions and heritage. We need to showcase our real culture to our young generation. There is a need to build a strong foundation to ensure that we preserve what we have inherited. But it is sad to realise that not everyone knows the true value of our cultural assets,» he remarked.