The Seychelles' district of Anse Boileau and Mauritius' Black River signed a new twinning agreement on Tuesday, extending their relationship into a third decade. The agreement was signed by Seychelles' Minister for Community Affairs and Local Government, Rose-Marie Hoareau, and the acting Mayor of Victoria, Lydia Charlie. On the Mauritian side, it was signed by Veenabye Jeewajee, the chairperson of the Black River District Council. The twinning agreement between Anse Boileau and Black River (Rivière Noire) was established in February 2004. Its objectives are to develop relations for the benefit of the populations of the two regions, bringing them together, and also fostering educational, sporting, cultural, social, and economic exchanges. «It is an honour for me to sign this agreement today, and I am looking to forward to continuing this relationship with Anse Boileau district, where the children and the elderly can continue to exchange our cultures,» said Jeewajee after signing the agreement. On her part, Charlie said, «Each time I witness a signing of an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between cities and districts, I know that I am being part of an initiative that serves to build bridges and bring down barriers between countries, rather than distance people.»   Anse Boileau is a district located on the west of the main island of Mahe and is well known for its cultural aspects, farms and fishing activities. Meanwhile, Black River or Riviere Noire, is also on the western side of Mauritius. It is the third largest district of Mauritius in area, but the smallest in terms of population. The district is mostly rural but includes the western part of the capital city of Port Louis and the western part of Quatre Bornes. Seychelles has had several such agreements between its districts and those in Mauritius. There are twinning agreements between the Municipal Town Council of Beau Bassin/Rose Hill and the district of Mont Buxton and between the Municipal Town Council of Vacoas/Phoenix and the district of Plaisance. Such agreements were also signed between the districts of Moka and Pointe Larue, Savanne and Port Glaud, Pamplemousse and Grand Anse Praslin, Rivière du Rempart and Beau Vallon, and Anse Royale the district of Flacq.

Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan emphasised the importance of the small island developing states (SIDS) presenting a united front at the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) that officially began on Monday in St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda. Ramkalawan made this statement during his address at the heads of state and government general debate Plenary Segment of the SIDS4 conference. «Today, as we convene, our shared commitment is to confront the distinctive challenges confronting small island nations. Despite three decades of recognition of the special considerations deserved by SIDS, we face a complex web of interlinked issues, from climate change and rising sea levels to environmental degradation, devastating pandemics, geopolitical tensions, economic vulnerability, and sustainable development,» said Ramkalawan. He added that the outcomes have spiralled into mounting debt levels and a dearth of capacity to invest in resilience and climate action, making the pursuit of enduring prosperity a daunting and seemingly unending endeavour. Ramkalawan said all SIDS are insular and not attached to continents and therefore face similar challenges and vulnerabilities. «The climate crisis will destroy all of us. Already, we are being hit by coastal erosion, coral bleaching, rise in sea level, stronger storm surges, and destruction of our biodiversity and sea life in general. Tourism forms an important part of our economy and this is closely linked to the beauty of our environment. Speaking with one voice will ensure we protect our economic gains and thus allow us to continue giving our children and people good education, appropriate health services and a good standard of living,» he stressed. The head of state of Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, emphasised the importance of the Multi-dimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) for SIDS and said, «Our intention is not to beg or rob others, but rather we simply want access to concessionary financing for us to be able to face the future and survive. That is why we believe in an MVI.» In his address, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, called out to the Group of 20 (G20), which represent 80 percent of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, to take accountability for the effects that climate change is having on SIDS. He reaffirmed the United Nations' stance of supporting the SIDS. «We cannot accept the disappearance of any country or culture under the rising waves. The idea that an entire island state could become collateral damage for profiteering by the fossil fuel industry or competition between larger economies is simply obscene,» said Guterres.  He added that the SIDS «served as the world's conscience in the climate crisis and it's in large part because of you, the SIDS, to your effort that we have the UN framework convention and the Paris agreement.» Guterres said that the past decades have delivered a series of blows that have set behind the SIDS development such as natural catastrophes like hurricanes, which have caused enormous amounts of damage. He added that SIDS also deserves economic justice and some of these countries desperately need resources for climate mitigation and finance is the fuel. The SIDS4 is taking place from May 27-30.Under the overarching theme of «Charting the course toward resilient prosperity,» the conference will assess the ability of SIDS to achieve sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conference is held every 10 years and brings together representatives from around 37 member states of the United Nations.  Discussions will focus on revitalising SIDS' economies, aid effectiveness and increasing climate finance in the wake of the 28th UN Framework Conference on Climate Change (COP28). Participants will also discuss human capital, health and youth, as well as address data and digital technologies – an area of focus of the upcoming Summit of the Future in September 2024.

The UN Security Council was set to convene an emergency meeting Tuesday over an Israeli strike that killed dozens in a displaced persons camp in Rafah, as three European countries were slated to formally recognise a Palestinian state. AFP journalists on the ground early Tuesday reported fresh Israeli strikes overnight in the southern Gaza border city, where an Israeli attack targeting two senior Hamas members on Sunday night sparked a fire that ripped through a displacement centre, killing 45, according to Gaza health officials. The attack prompted a wave of international condemnation, with Palestinians and many Arab countries calling it a «massacre». Israel said it was looking into the «tragic accident». «There is no safe place in Gaza. This horror must stop,» UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres posted on social media. UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths pointed to the widespread warnings of civilian deaths that circulated ahead of Israel's incursion into Rafah, saying in a statement: «We've seen the consequences in last night's utterly unacceptable attack.» «To call it 'a mistake' is a message that means nothing for those killed, those grieving, and those trying to save lives,» he added. Diplomats said the UN Security Council would convene Tuesday for an emergency session called by Algeria to discuss the attack. The EU's foreign policy chief said he was «horrified by news» of the strike, while French President Emmanuel Macron said he was «outraged», and a US National Security Council spokesperson said Israel «must take every precaution possible to protect civilians». The Israeli military said it was launching a probe. - 'Don't know where to go' - Displaced Gazan Khalil al-Bahtini was preparing to leave the impacted area, telling AFP Monday that «last night, the tent opposite to ours was targeted». «We have loaded all our belongings, but we don't know where to go.» Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told parliament the deaths occurred «despite our best efforts» to protect civilians. The outcry over the strike came as Spain, Ireland and Norway were set to formally recognise a Palestinian state on Tuesday in a decision slammed by Israel as a «reward» for Hamas. «Recognising the state of Palestine is about justice for the Palestinian people,» Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Monday in Brussels. It was also «the best guarantee of security for Israel and absolutely essential for reaching peace in the region», he said alongside his Irish and Norwegian counterparts. On Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he had told Spain's consulate in Jerusalem to stop offering consular services to West Bank Palestinians from June 1 as a «preliminary punitive» measure. - 'Charred bodies' - Israel launched the deadly strike on Rafah late Sunday, hours after Hamas fired a barrage of rockets at the Tel Aviv area, most of which were intercepted. Israel's army said its aircraft «struck a Hamas compound» in the city and killed Yassin Rabia and Khaled Nagar, senior officials for the militant group in the occupied West Bank. Gaza's civil defence agency said the strike ignited a fire that tore through a displacement centre in northwestern Rafah near a facility of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. «We saw charred bodies and dismembered limbs... We also saw cases of amputations, wounded children, women and the elderly,» said civil defence agency official Mohammad al-Mughayyir. One survivor, a woman who declined to be named, said: «We heard a loud sound and there was fire all around us. The children were screaming.» Adding to already heightened tensions since Israel launched its Rafah ground operation, the Israeli and Egyptian militaries reported a «shooting incident» on Monday that killed one Egyptian guard in the border area between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip. Both forces said they were investigating. - 'Dangerous violation' - Footage from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society showed chaotic nighttime scenes of paramedics racing to the attack site and evacuating the wounded. Mughayyir said the rescue efforts were hampered by war damage and the impact of Israel's siege, which has led to severe shortages of fuel and «water to extinguish fires». The Israeli attack sparked strong protests from Egypt and Qatar, both of which have played key roles as mediators in efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange. Egypt deplored what it called the «targeting of defenceless civilians», saying it was part of «a systematic policy aimed at widening the scope of death and destruction in the Gaza Strip to make it uninhabitable». Qatar condemned a «dangerous violation of international law» and voiced «concern that the bombing will complicate ongoing mediation efforts» towards a truce. The top world court, the International Court of Justice, on Friday ordered Israel to halt any offensive in Rafah and elsewhere that could bring about «the physical destruction» of the Palestinians. The war in Gaza started after Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Militants also took 252 hostages, 121 of whom remain in Gaza, including 37 the army says are dead. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 36,050 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, which has been central to aid operations in the besieged territory during the war, said on social media platform X that «with every day passing, providing assistance & protection becomes nearly impossible». «The images from last night are testament to how Rafah has turned into hell on Earth,» he said. © Agence France-Presse

The Seychelles National Alliance Party (SNAP) will soon reveal its new interim leader, said the new chairman of the party on Monday. Cyril Lau-Tee told reporters that SNAP has already sent the name of the new interim leader to the Electoral Commission of Seychelles (ECS). The announcement comes after the ECS announced the termination of the membership of the party leader, Vincent Padayachy on May 15. Ernesto Lionnet, a member of the executive committee, said, «Our decision to revoke the membership of our then leader shows that we are a serious party that does not take too well to our leaders doing whatever they want.» The executive committee of SNAP had already revoked Padayachy's membership to the party on April 15 as per Article 4.5 of its constitution. Lionnet said the former party leader committed over 10 violations from the date it was registered to April 15 and this included disregarding the executive committee when making decisions. Lautee said that after Padayachy was voted out, the party informed the ECS of the decision but on April 24 Padayachy announced the suspension of Lautee and Hermitte from their roles as chairman and secretary general respectively.  According to the Electoral Commission, Padayachy ceased to be a member of SNAP effective on April 15, 2024, and any resolution or action taken on behalf of the party after this date is deemed invalid. With the matter settled, SNAP revealed it plans to hold its convention at the end of this year to elect its presidential and vice presidential candidates. «We have already begun the work to identify who will stand as candidates for the National Assembly,» said Hermitte, who added that the party is working to ensure it has all the members it needs for its executive committee. Presidential and legislative elections in Seychelles will take place on September 27 if a proposed 11th amendment to the Constitution on a fixed date for elections is approved by the National Assembly.

It is «very unlikely» more survivors of Papua New Guinea's deadly landslide will be found, a UN agency warned Tuesday, as thousands at risk from further slips were ordered to evacuate. Some 2,000 people are feared buried by a massive landslide that entombed a remote highland community in the early hours of May 24. Since then, locals have been picking through a hellscape of metres-deep churned-up earth, uprooted trees and car-sized boulders in the search for loved ones -- often using little more than their hands, shovels and digging sticks. But hopes are dimming that anyone is alive underneath the mountain of rubble. «It is not a rescue mission, it is a recovery mission,» UNICEF Papua New Guinea's Niels Kraaier told AFP. «It is very unlikely they will have survived.» Full-scale rescue and relief efforts have been severely hampered by the remote location, the only road link being severed, heavy rainfall and nearby tribal violence. The Papua New Guinea Defence Forces have struggled to access the site with heavy earth-moving equipment. Early on Tuesday, Enga provincial administrator Sandis Tsaka warned the disaster could worsen further, as clumps of limestone, dirt and rock continue to shear off the side of Mount Mungalo. Tsaka told AFP authorities were now trying to coordinate the evacuation of almost 7,900 more people. «The tragedy is still active,» he said. «Every hour you can hear rock breaking -- it is like a bomb or gunshot and the rocks keep falling down.» Aid officials said many residents were refusing to leave at-risk areas because they were holding out hope of finding loved ones. - 'Wiped out' - Satellite images show the enormous scale of the disaster. A vast smear of yellow and grey debris can be seen cutting through once verdant bushland and severing the region's only road. «This was an area heavily populated with homes, businesses, churches and schools, it has been completely wiped out. It is the surface of the moon -- it is just rocks,» said Tsaka. «People are digging with their hands and fingers,» he said, expressing anguish at the unde-resourced government's inability to meet the enormity of the disaster. «I am not equipped to deal with this tragedy,» Tsaka admitted. Overwhelmed Papua New Guinea authorities held an online emergency meeting with United Nations agencies and international allies Tuesday, hoping to kickstart the relief effort. - 'Immediate' response needed - Papua New Guinea's national disaster centre has told the United Nations that the initial «landslide buried more than 2,000 people alive». According to a letter obtained by AFP, the slide also «caused major destruction to buildings, food gardens and caused major impact on the economic lifeline of the country.» The scale of the catastrophe required «immediate and collaborative actions from all players», it added, including the army, and national and provincial responders. Australia has announced millions of dollars worth of aid, including emergency relief supplies such as shelters, hygiene kits and support for women and children. China's President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden -- more accustomed to scrapping for influence in the strategically located country -- both offered assistance. More than 1,000 people have already been displaced by the catastrophe, aid agencies have estimated. UN Development Programme official Nicholas Booth said up to 30,000 people could have been cut off by the disaster across several villages. These communities had enough supplies for the coming weeks, but opening up that road remained essential, he said. «This landslide has blocked the road westward, so not only are there challenges in accessing the village itself, but it does mean the communities beyond that are also cut off.» Locals said the landslip may have been triggered by recent heavy rains. Papua New Guinea has one of the wettest climates in the world, and research has found shifting rainfall patterns linked to climate change could exacerbate the risk of landslides. The estimated death toll has climbed significantly since the disaster struck, as officials reassess the size of the population. Many people fleeing tribal violence have moved into the area in the past few years. The area is located about 600 kilometres (370 miles) from Port Moresby. © Agence France-Presse  

The heads of state of Seychelles and Maldives discussed strengthening diplomatic relations in tourism, air connectivity, environment protection, capacity building and exchange of best practices as well as maritime security. According to State House, President Wavel Ramkalawan and his counterpart from Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, held bilateral talks on the margins of the International Conference of Small Island Developing States in Antigua and Barbuda. Ramkalawan and Muizzu highlighted the excellent relations between Seychelles and Maldives and how important it was for them to agree and address the real concerns affecting small island states. «Since July 1980, our two nations have engaged in a vast array of areas of cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels. It was an honour to visit your country in June last year, and our meeting today is the ideal occasion to assess what we have accomplished thus far and reinforce our efforts to ensure successful implementation. I look forward to working closely with you to build further on the existing partnership between our two countries,» said Ramkalawan. Muizzu stressed the very good relations between the two islands and their people and conveyed his country's interest in strengthening diplomatic ties and exploring new avenues.  The climate crisis remains top on the agenda of discussions as both nations seek to continue to use international platforms to call for greater global solidarity towards the socio-economic, political, security and ecological plight of SIDS. Other topics discussed were the rise in sea level, coral bleaching and exchange of technical expertise were also addressed. Ramkalawan and President of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine. (State House) Photo License: CC-BY  Ramkalawan also held talks with the President of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine. The two leaders agreed to further cooperate in key areas of mutual interest and explore new possible areas to strengthen the relations between the two island nations. Discussions touched on the existential issue of the climate crisis, such as rising sea levels and adverse weather patterns. Both nations are keen to further discuss short and long-term climate adaptation strategies and sound climate-based government policies. The two leaders talked about initiatives that can be implemented locally to enhance resiliency and reliably achieve sustainable development for both peoples' benefit. 

When countries invest in healthy living, the climate wins, the planet wins, the environment wins and diseases lose, said Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan in a special prerecorded address to the 36th annual health ministers of the Commonwealth meeting. The annual health ministers of the Commonwealth meeting took place from May 24 to 25 in Geneva, Switzerland, on the margins of the 77th World Health Assembly. According to State House, Ramkalawan made the address on Saturday, which centred on how Seychelles is adapting to and mitigating the vagaries of climate change to ward off its impact on the health sector.  «Our national campaign against obesity which I have the honour and privilege to lead is not only an effort to reduce non-communicable diseases but it must also be seen as part of Seychelles' conscious effort to phase out fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions by encouraging walking and cycling as more active and less polluting forms of travel,» he said. Ramkalawan highlighted how global warming is affecting Seychelles and said, «Each country must do its fair share. And fair share must continue to mean that those who have contributed the most and are still contributing the most to damage the climate must now also contribute the most to undo the damage.» Earlier, at the same meeting, Seychelles' Minister for Health, Peggy Vidot, stressed how climate change, resulting in sea-level rise and heavy rainfall, pose a significant threat to Seychelles' health infrastructure and continuity of essential health services. 

As the Seychelles' government continues its work to raise funds for the construction of a proposed new hospital, several companies and individuals have made their contributions, and the latest donations of up to SCR750,000 ($52,000), were made on Monday. The donations were made to the New Hospital Fund in a short ceremony at State House and the cheques were handed over to Vice President Ahmed Afif in the absence of President Wavel Ramkalawan, who is on overseas missions. The cheques were from Amsa Healthcare, Marlu Seychelles and Amazon Betting Seychelles. Amsa Healthcare pledged SCR5 million, ($344,000) to the fund and made a first contribution of SCR500,000 ($34,000) as part of the pledge. The other donation from Marlu Seychelles,  a semi-industrial fishing company in the country, was for SCR150,000 ($10,000).   Amazon Betting Seychelles donated SCR100,000 ($8,000) to the fund. The Vice President said it was a pleasure to receive such donations from these companies. «This is a very kind gesture, which will go to building an infrastructure that will benefit everyone in Seychelles,» said Afif. He added that while a new building will be constructed, it is the hospital services that the government wants to bring to the highest standard. The New Hospital Fund was launched last year to raise funds for the construction of a new and modern Seychelles Hospital. It is expected to be built on part of the premises of the current Seychelles Hospital in the central district of Mont Fleuri. The estimated sum for the construction of the new hospital is SCR1 billion ($69 million). When he announced the setting up of the New Hospital Fund Last year, President Ramkalawan revealed that the new hospital will be built where the current one is and that details of the plan when finalised will be shared with the public.   A technical committee was set up in October 2023 to kickstart the project which is scheduled to commence in 2024.

An intense cyclone smashed into the low-lying coast of Bangladesh on Sunday, with nearly a million people fleeing inland for concrete storm shelters away from howling gales and crashing waves. «The severe Cyclone Remal has started crossing the Bangladesh coast,» Bangladesh Meteorological Department Director Azizur Rahman told AFP, adding the raging storm could continue hammering the coast until at least the early hours of Monday morning. «We have so far recorded maximum wind speeds of 90 kilometres (56 miles) per hour, but the wind speed may pick up more pace.» Forecasters predicted gusts of up to 130 kilometres (81 miles) per hour, with heavy rain and winds also lashing neighbouring India. Authorities have raised the danger signal to its highest level. Cyclones have killed hundreds of thousands of people in Bangladesh in recent decades, but the number of superstorms hitting its densely populated coast has increased sharply, from one a year to as many as three, due to the impact of climate change. «The cyclone could unleash a storm surge of up to 12 feet (four metres) above normal astronomical tide, which can be dangerous,» Bangladeshi senior weather official Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik told AFP. Most of Bangladesh's coastal areas are a metre or two above sea level and high storm surges can devastate villages. «We are terrified,» said 35-year-old fisherman Yusuf Fakir at Kuakata, a town on the very southern tip of Bangladesh in the predicted route of the storm, speaking just before its arrival. While he had sent his wife and children to a relative's home inland, he stayed put to guard their belongings. At least 800,000 Bangladeshis fled their coastal villages, while more than 50,000 people in India also moved inland from the vast Sundarbans mangrove forest, where the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers meet the sea, government ministers and disaster officials said. «We want to ensure that a single life is not lost,» said Bankim Chandra Hazra, a senior minister in India's West Bengal state. - Ferry sinks - As people fled, Bangladeshi police said that a heavily laden ferry carrying more than 50 passengers -- double its capacity -- was swamped and sank near Mongla, a port in the expected path of the storm. «At least 13 people were injured and were taken to a hospital,» local police chief Mushfiqur Rahman Tushar told AFP, adding that other boats plucked the passengers to safety. A young man drowned in rough seas at Kuakata on Sunday afternoon, district government administrator Nur Kutubul Alam told AFP. Bangladesh’s disaster management secretary Kamrul Hasan said people had been ordered to move from «unsafe and vulnerable» homes. «At least 800,000 people have been shifted to cyclone shelters,» Hasan said. The authorities have mobilised tens of thousands of volunteers to alert people to the danger, but local officials said many people stayed home as they feared their property would be stolen if they left. He said around 4,000 cyclone shelters have been readied along the country's lengthy coast on the Bay of Bengal. - Airports close - In addition to the villagers and fishermen, many of the multi-storey centres have space to shelter cattle, buffaloes and goats, as well as pets. On the low-lying island of Bhashan Char, home to 36,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, 57 cyclone centres were opened, deputy refugee commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Haque told AFP. The country's three seaports and the airport in the second-largest city Chittagong were closed, officials said. India's Kolkata airport closed Sunday, while the Indian navy readied two ships with aid and medical supplies for «immediate deployment». While scientists say climate change is fuelling more storms, better forecasting and more effective evacuation planning have dramatically reduced the death toll. In the Great Bhola Cyclone in November 1970, an estimated half a million people died -- mostly drowned by the storm surge. In May last year, Cyclone Mocha became the most powerful storm to hit Bangladesh since Cyclone Sidr in November 2007. Sidr killed more than 3,000 people and caused billions of dollars in damage. Last October, at least two people were killed and nearly 300,000 fled their homes for storm shelters when Cyclone Hamoon hit the country's southeastern coast. © Agence France-Presse

The Palestinian Red Crescent said late Sunday an Israeli air strike killed and wounded a «large number» of people in a designated humanitarian area of Gaza's far-southern city of Rafah. «The Palestine Red Crescent ambulance crews are transporting a large number of martyrs and injured individuals following the occupation's targeting of the displaced persons' tents near the United Nations headquarters northwest of Rafah,» the Red Crescent said in a post on X. It added that «this location was designated by the Israeli occupation as a humanitarian area». The Hamas-run ministry of health and the emergency committee of the Rafah Governorate reported a strike on a displacement centre near Rafah, saying it had killed and wounded dozens. Israel's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel launched a ground operation on Rafah in early May despite widespread opposition over concerns for civilians sheltering there. Earlier on Sunday, Israel's army said at least eight rockets were fired towards central areas of the country from Rafah. Hamas's armed wing said in a post on Telegram it had targeted Tel Aviv «with a large rocket barrage in response to the Zionist massacres against civilians». Later Sunday the Israel' military said in a statement its air force had carried out strikes on Rafah in response. «The rocket launcher, which was situated near two mosques in the area of Rafah, was struck by the (Israeli Air Force) shortly after.» © Agence France-Presse

More than 670 people are believed to have died after a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea, a UN official told AFP on Sunday as aid workers and villagers braved perilous conditions in their search for survivors. The once-bustling hillside village in Enga province was almost completely obliterated when the landslide struck in the early hours of Friday morning, burying scores of homes and the people sleeping inside them. «There are an estimated 150-plus houses now buried,» said UN migration agency representative Serhan Aktoprak, adding that «670-plus people are assumed dead». «The situation is terrible with the land still sliding. The water is running and this is creating a massive risk for everyone involved,» added Aktoprak, who oversees teams of emergency workers from Port Moresby. The unforgiving terrain, damaged roads and an outbreak of tribal violence nearby have seriously hamstrung efforts to get help into the disaster zone. More than two days after the landslide rumbled down the face of Mount Mungalo, mud-caked villagers in bare feet are still searching for their loved ones using shovels, axes and other makeshift tools. Disaster worker Omer Mohamud arrived at the site on Sunday, finding deeply «traumatised» villagers using «sticks and spades to discover the trapped bodies». - 'Destruction is massive' - «The situation is really horrible, people are in shock and traumatised,» he told AFP. «The land is still sliding. You can see rocks falling down from the mountain.» More than 1,000 people have been displaced by the catastrophe, aid agencies estimated, with food gardens and water supplies almost completely wiped out. Aid agencies and local leaders initially feared between 100 to 300 people had perished underneath the mud and rubble spanning almost four football fields in length. But the death toll grew after local leaders and disaster workers realised official figures underestimated the population, Aktoprak said. Five bodies and the leg of a sixth had been pulled from the debris by Saturday night. This number is expected to start climbing in the coming days as diggers and other heavy machinery speed up the painstaking excavations. «The destruction is massive,» Nickson Pakea, president of the nearby Porgera Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told AFP on Saturday. «They need machinery and other equipment to uncover these bodies. We are facing a big  problem.» - Tribal violence - Located on the side of densely forested Mount Mungalo, the village was home to a transient population that could swell to more than 4,000 people. It served as a trading post for miners who panned for gold in the highlands. «It's a centre of the community. People come from near and far to do their alluvial mining, and then they come to this place to trade,» Pakea said. A difficult journey to make at the best of times, vehicle access has been further complicated by a burst of tribal violence along the only route not blocked by the slip. Aktoprak said the violence was «not related to the landslide». Papua New Guinea's military had stepped in to provide a «security escort» to aid convoys, he added. French President Emmanuel Macron said his country was «ready to contribute to relief and reconstruction efforts», posting on social media platform X two days after US President Joe Biden expressed a similar willingness to help. In a statement, Biden said he and First Lady Jill Biden were «heartbroken by the loss of life and devastation». At some points, the landslide -- a mix of car-sized boulders, uprooted trees and churned-up earth -- was thought to be eight metres (26 feet) deep. Locals said it may have been triggered by heavy rains that have saturated the region in recent weeks. Papua New Guinea has one of the wettest climates in the world, according to the World Bank, with the heaviest downpours concentrated in the country's humid highland interior. Research has found shifting rainfall patterns linked to climate change could exacerbate the risk of landslides. This year has seen intense rainfall and flooding across Papua New Guinea. © Agence France-Presse

«Slavery Sites of Seychelles,» a publication detailing some of the slavery sites in the country in the three national languages, was officially launched on Friday. Odile De Commarmond, working closely with Colette Gillieaux, is the main researcher and driving force behind the project, in which 80 people in Seychelles were interviewed. Material for this latest publication has been gathered since 2002 with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO) Slave Route project. The collection through the Memory of the World programme - which was an inventory of all institutions with documentation of historical and heritage value - is the first exercise that took place. De Commarmond said, «It was an interesting journey that took us to many sites in the country, some were up on hills and in bushy areas that were not very easy to get to.» She added «It has taken this long to complete the book as she has been doing the work while working full-time or furthering her studies.» De Commarmond explained that among the challenges faced when carrying out the research were the fact that some of the sites were either partially or completely destroyed. The Seychelles National Archives being closed for a long time was also a challenge as «there we were unable to verify some of our work with the documents found there,» she said. In her address, De Commarmond talked about  Ros Kriminel (Criminal Rock) on Grande Soeur Island and that «through our many interviews we have found that to punish slaves, their owners would take them to that rock and throw them into the sea.» She shared that during her interviews, she discovered many other harrowing stories and «those we spoke to gave us very rich testimonies, that were delivered with a lot of emotions when recounting the slaves' suffering.» While a lot of the research has been included in «Slave Sites of the Seychelles,» Decommarmond revealed plans to have future publications to include other information that have been left out of this one. The researcher's next step is to continue with the research of which «is to find the slave market that was located on Mahe, somewhere in town», which today is the capital of Victoria. In addition to the launch of the book, guests to the event were also able to view an exhibition of the many sites the researchers visited as well as photographs of some of the people whose memoirs have been used.

The Seychelles finance ministry is discussing collaboration and partnership on issues of tax transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes with its counterparts from Spain, Portugal and France. According to a communique from the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade, the discussions took place from May 13 to 17 led by Patrick Payet, the secretary of state for Finance, National Planning, and Trade. Payet also chairs the National Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Committee. With the support of the Seychelles Embassy in France, meetings were held in Madrid with the Spanish secretary of state for Finance, Jesús Gascón Catalán, in Lisbon with the Portuguese secretary of state for Fiscal Affairs, Claudia Reis Duarte, and in Paris with Jérôme Fournel, director of the Cabinet of the French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire.  «Discussions focused on the legislative reforms undertaken since the year 2020. The Seychelles' delegation highlighted that the Beneficial Ownership legislation that was enacted in 2020 has ensured that the definition of beneficial owners satisfies the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and OECD requirement,» said the communique. The Seychelles delegation with the Spanish Secretary of State for Finance, Jesús Gascón Catalán. (Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade) Photo License: CC-BY  It added that «the legislation includes provisions for the establishment of an up-to-date register of beneficial owners, as well as a secured and centralised Seychelles Beneficial Ownership database maintained by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).»    The parties also discussed the legislative reforms undertaken during the year 2022 in which all entities are now required to keep accounting information in Seychelles together with the supporting transaction documentation. These requirements are also applied to entities that are struck off and dissolved. All such data needs to be kept up to date and must be kept for at least seven years. «Seychelles will continue to progress towards meeting the standards on the exchange of information on request (EOIR) and I am confident that the forthcoming supplementary review in 2025 will demonstrate the jurisdiction's largely compliant status with international standards on tax transparency,» said Payet. All parties have acknowledged Seychelles' efforts in actively engaging in reforms to ensure that it meets international standards. They have all committed to continuing the collaboration and partnerships with Seychelles to ensure that it meets the standards of EOIR and becomes an effective partner in the exchange of information for tax purposes.  On February 19, Seychelles was removed from Annex I of the European Union (EU) list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, known as the EU blacklist, and added to Annex II of the list, known as the EU greylist. This decision followed the approval by the Peer Review Group (PRG) of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes for Seychelles to qualify for a supplementary review in 2025 on the implementation of the standard of transparency and EOIR, including an on-site visit by the assessment team. Seychelles intends to continue similar engagement with other key countries to further the jurisdictions' commitment to promoting tax transparency and effective exchange of information.

The Seychelles Meteorological Authority (SMA) aims to localise its workforce by 2030 as part of its strategic plan, said a top official. The authority's chief executive, Vincent Amelie, told SNA in an event to celebrate World Meteorological Day, that «We have quite a small team, of around 11 people, mostly made up of expatriates at the moment.» SMA recently recruited non-Seychellois forecasters who followed a training session, which Amelie said has familiarised them with working with the Seychelles' conditions and granting them the skills to work on their shift on their own. «For the very small team that we are, it is very worrying that the majority of our staff are foreign,» said Amelie. To deal with the situation as part of its new strategic plan, the authority is sending two Seychellois persons for further studies in the field. Amelie added, «two people who will be returning to the country soon having completed their studies.» The authority also intends to sensitise young students to attract them to the profession and among the things they are explaining to the prospective meteo officers are the subjects they will need to study to make it into the field. «With this new approach, we are hoping that the workforce will be mainly Seychellois by 2030,» he added. Amelie said that despite the localisation plan, the authority will always need the help and expertise of the non-Seychellois forecasters. SMA was set up in 1971, with the opening of the Seychelles International Airport, as it is a prerequisite for the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), as well as the WMO, that all international airports are equipped with a weather watch station.  Its mandate is to provide early warning on weather, climate phenomena and tsunamis in Seychelles, and to provide meteorological services for international air and sea navigation. It is also responsible for advising government and other agencies on meteorological matters and providing supportive roles and responsibilities to disaster management authorities in relation to disaster management, response and risk reduction.

A project to boost collaborative efforts between government agencies, the private sector, and non-profit organisations in Seychelles, funded by the European Union (EU), was launched on Thursday. The project titled «Improving Climate Adaptation and Environmental Governance through Local People and Co-Management in Seychelles» will be implemented by Nature Seychelles with financial support of €218,000 from the EU. Nature Seychelles is a leading environmental organisation in the western Indian Ocean and is the largest and oldest environmental NGO in the archipelago and is involved in environmental conservation and management. The European Union Ambassador to Seychelles, Oskar Benedikt, presided over the project launch at Nature Seychelles' Centre for Environment and Education at Roche Caiman the presence of the French ambassador to Seychelles, Olivia Berkeley-Christmann The project aims to improve mangrove research and management for ecosystem resilience. It will also increase the number of local people with the knowledge and capacity to participate in wetland conservation and restoration and to strengthen and support the national mangrove policy and regulatory frameworks for ecosystem management. Speaking at the launching, the chief executive of Nature Seychelles, Dr Nirmal Shah, said the project will target various groups and stakeholders. These will include wetland management practitioners, tourism establishments, community members, environmental groups and school clubs, interested entrepreneurs, and the private sector. «One of the most important things for us is that we get people involved in decisions made on our environment, as the environment is ours and not the government's,» he said. Shah added that there needs to be policies and values given to these wetlands so that people will feel the need to protect these wetlands. Another component of the project is what has been dubbed «the wetlands of hope,» where in recognition of effective management of wetlands, the groups, hotels, or individuals will be given the label «wetlands of hope.» This will help inspire others to work to protect their own wetlands in order to be recognised as well. Meanwhile, Benedikt said that the launch of the project continues to show the excellent partnership between Seychelles and the EU. «The launch of this grant, together with our new bilateral programme for 2021-2017, is testimony to the continuity of this partnership in areas, such as environmental protection,» said Benedikt.

Seychelles is for the first time giving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to boys aged between 10 to 12 years old and the first batch of three boys from Plaisance Secondary School received the vaccines on Thursday. Since May 2014, the Ministry of Health introduced the HPV vaccine into its routine immunisation schedule in an effort to reduce girls' risk of developing HPV-related cancers by as much as 80 percent. When it was introduced in 2014, the HPV vaccine was exclusively available to girls and was a crucial step towards achieving the World Health Organisation's targets of vaccinating 90 percent of girls, screening 70 percent of women, and treating 90 percent of those with cervical disease, with the ultimate goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030. The vaccination programme is now expanding to include boys. «This is a very important day in our national health initiative. This significant step not only reflects our commitment to improve public health, but also aligns with global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer,» said Danny Louange, the chief executive of the Seychelles Health Care Agency.  According to the WHO, HPV infections are primarily transmitted by sexual contact and are highly transmissible. During one's life course, most sexually active men and women will acquire an HPV infection. Although most HPV infections are transient and benign, persistent genital infection with certain types can lead to warts and cancers of the cervix and among others. «HPV is related to the cause of nearly all cervical cancers and affects countless women. But is it also a serious health problem for men, which is why it is crucial to vaccinate everyone, including our boys,» said Louange. He is urging parents to use this opportunity to get their children vaccinated so that their chances of being affected by the disease can be reduced, while its spread can also be decreased. During the launching ceremony, the health authority explained that the boys' vaccination programme will now run concurrently with the girls' programme. This means that every child between 10 to12 years old will be vaccinated. The Health Care Agency expects to vaccinate around 800 boys from primary schools all over Seychelles. «When we introduced the programme in 2014, we wanted to do it for both genders, but with the financial costs, we had to agree to only vaccinate one group, before we could then move on to the boys when we had enough resources,» said Mary-Jane Henriette, the head of the Vaccination Programme. The Vaccination Programme is expected to begin in full soon, with schools working closely with the Health Care Agency to schedule their vaccination dates. 

Beijing on Friday said ongoing drills encircling Taiwan were testing the military's ability to seize power over the self-ruled island, days after its new president was sworn in. China's military kicked off the war games Thursday morning, surrounding Taiwan with naval vessels and military aircraft, while vowing the blood of «independence forces» on the island would flow. The exercises -- codenamed «Joint Sword-2024A» -- come after Lai Ching-te took office as Taiwan's new president this week and made an inauguration speech that China denounced as a «confession of independence». The drills are part of an escalating campaign of intimidation by China that has seen it carry out a series of large-scale military exercises around Taiwan in recent years. The two-day exercises are testing the «capability of joint seizure of power, joint strikes and control of key territories», said Li Xi, spokesman for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command. The United Nations called for all sides to avoid escalation, while the United States -- Taiwan's strongest ally and military backer -- «strongly» urged China to act with restraint. - 'Strong punishment' - Beijing, which split with Taipei at the end of a civil war 75 years ago, regards the island as a renegade province with which it must eventually be reunified. As the drills got under way, Beijing said they would serve as «strong punishment for the separatist acts of 'Taiwan independence' forces». Footage published by China's military showed soldiers streaming out of a building to battle stations and jets taking off to a rousing martial tune. State broadcaster CCTV reported that Chinese sailors had called out to their Taiwanese counterparts at sea, warning them against «resisting reunification by force». President Lai said he would «stand on the front line» to defend Taiwan in a speech on Thursday afternoon, without directly referring to the ongoing drills. China has repeatedly branded Lai a «dangerous separatist» who would bring «war and decline» to the island. Beijing was further incensed with his inauguration speech on Monday, in which he hailed a «glorious» era for Taiwan's democracy. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Thursday delivered a warning that included language more commonly used by China's propaganda outlets. «Taiwan independence forces will be left with their heads broken and blood flowing after colliding against the great... trend of China achieving complete unification,» Wang told reporters. And Beijing's Xinhua news agency and ruling party organ the People's Daily both ran editorials hailing the drills on Friday, slamming Lai's «treacherous behaviour» and promising a «severe blow». The drills are taking place in the Taiwan Strait and to the north, south and east of the island, as well as areas around the Taipei-administered islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin. Beijing has said the drills will last until Friday, but analysts say it could choose to extend the war games or launch missiles near Taiwan, as it did after a visit to the island by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2022. Taipei's defence ministry said Thursday that the Chinese military had gotten within 24 nautical miles (44 kilometres) of Taiwan's main island. © Agence France-Presse

UK political leaders kicked off six weeks of campaigning on Thursday, firing the first angry shots in their electoral battle before the country votes for a new government on July 4. Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ended prolonged speculation about the general election in a rain-soaked speech Wednesday outside Downing Street, which some took as an omen for his Conservatives' chances at the ballot box. UK commentators were virtually unanimous in describing his decision to hold a vote six months before he has to as a «gamble». But Sunak hit the airwaves for a round of radio and television interviews Thursday, before a whistlestop tour of the country, and insisted insist he was right to call the vote. «This is what Downing Street is thinking: things are basically not going to get any better for the prime minister,» former finance minister George Osborne said on his Political Currency podcast. «Nothing is shifting the polls,» he added, calling the election a way to «shift the dial» and force the choice on the electorate. - Tall order - The Conservatives have been in power since 2010, first with David Cameron as prime minister, then Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, and increasingly beset by scandal and ideological infighting with hardliners. The right-wingers' tumultuous time in power has been dominated by Brexit and its chaotic aftermath, as well as Covid and a cost-of-living crisis -- all of which has eaten into public support. The gap between them and the main opposition Labour party over the last two years has opened to a likely insurmountable 20 percentage points. «As of now, it looks as if there will be a change of government on July 4,» Tony Travers, from the department of government at the London School of Economics, told AFP. A snap Survation poll of voting intentions after Sunak's announcement put centre-left Labour on 48 points -- its highest since November 2022 and 21 points ahead of the Tories, on 27. Survation said the results were consistent with Labour's polling throughout 2023 and this year. Other surveys have suggested similar results. Anti-immigration fringe party Reform UK is snapping on the heels of the Tories, polling at 11 percent with the potential to split the right-wing vote by fielding candidates in almost every constituency. Brexit champion Nigel Farage announced he will not try to become an MP after seven previous unsuccessful attempts, promising instead to «do (his) bit» for Reform during the campaign. - Change? - The vote -- the first to be held in July since 1945, when Labour under Clement Attlee defeated Winston Churchill's Conservatives -- is Sunak's first national electoral test. He was appointed leader by his own MPs in October 2022. The 44-year-old former financier is presenting himself as the safe choice in an increasingly dangerous world and trumpeting the Tories as the party of economic stability. Inflation has slowed to 2.3 percent, figures showed on Wednesday, a three-year low after highs of more than 11 percent in 2022. «I know there's more work to do... but we have undeniably made progress and stability has returned,» Sunak told BBC television. He repeated his mantra that Labour, trounced in the last vote in 2019, was an unknown quantity, and accused Starmer of ideological flip-flopping on policy to curry favour with voters. But Starmer, who has dragged the party back to the centre since taking over from his hard-left predecessor Jeremy Corbyn four years ago, said voters had a clear choice. «Two countries, two different futures. Decline and chaos continuing under the Tories or rebuilding our country under Labour,» the 61-year-old former human rights lawyer said on a campaign stop. Labour is also promising economic stability, saying the Tories' reputation for sound stewardship of the nation's finances had been stained by Truss's short-lived tenure. Sunak replaced Truss after just 49 days, when her tax cut plans spooked financial markets, sinking the pound and increasing mortgage rates, piling fresh misery on households already hit by higher food and energy prices. On immigration -- another key issue -- Sunak promised that the first of the government's controversial deportation flights of failed asylum seekers will take off for Rwanda, but only after the election. Starmer has called it a «gimmick». © Agence France-Presse

Better connectivity between member states, maritime security and putting the youth at the heart of development, are some of the projects for the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) according to its new president, Sylvestre Radegonde, the Seychelles' Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism. Mauritius handed over the presidency of the Indian Ocean Commission to Radegonde on May 17 at the closing ceremony of the 38th Ordinary Session of the IOC Council of Ministers. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Radegonde, said, «We want to focus on connectivity. It is easy to say that no airline or ship is going around the islands. [...] For an airline or a vessel to go around the islands, there must be passengers or cargo regularly. We must seriously address this issue of how we can connect our islands and have a reliable connectivity.» He added that this will the IOC to another objective and that is to have a bulk importation system for the islands.«We depend on importation and the price of foreign exchange. The maritime security concern today has resulted in an increase in prices.  We need to have a bulk importation system but there must be ways to distribute,» said Radegonde. The minister said another subject being discussed is maritime security and today «whether it is drugs, arms trafficking, human trafficking [...] we need a mechanism to work together.»    He said this would mirror an existing mechanism for importing medication and that «I want to review how things are done now at the IOC so that we can move faster.» Radegonde also said he intends to keep continuity in terms of what has already been undertaken under the Mauritian presidency. «The funds we receive when working on IOC projects are not the ones that remain there even though the projects are moving at a slow pace,» he said and stressed the need to work fast and use them while still available.For the first time since the IOC presidency exists, Seychelles has adopted the theme of «Youth, motors for development» and as part of the region's youth inclusion, the various young parliamentarians will attend a meeting soon. Additional topics to be addressed during his presidency are environmental protection, climate change and culture.The Indian Ocean Commission is an intergovernmental organisation set up in 1982  - which includes Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Reunion, a French Overseas Department. The last time Seychelles assumed the presidency of the IOC was in 2019.  

The President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, will join other small island state leaders and decision makers at the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda from May 23 to June 3. During the conference, with the theme 'Charting the Course Towards Resilient Prosperity,' the international community will gather to review SIDS' sustainable development progress, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. A range of topics will be covered in SIDS4, including climate change, biodiversity loss, ocean conservation, disaster risk reduction, access to finance, debt sustainability and the overall sustainable development of SIDS. The conference's outcome is expected to be a comprehensive plan of action offering solutions to the unique challenges of SIDS and a new 10-year framework for international cooperation and support. The conference is organised by the United Nations every 10 years. According to State House, from Antigua and Barbuda, Ramkalawan will attend the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul, from June 2 to 6. Under the theme 'The Future We Make Together: Shared Growth, Sustainability, and Solidarity,' the summit aims to elevate cooperation between South Korea and Africa by bringing together heads of state and international organisations in Africa and key figures from Korean government communities.                          Ramkalawan will deliver various statements at both summits, engage in high-level discussions, and take part in side events relevant to Seychelles' priorities.

Seychelles has expressed mixed feelings about the recommendations taken at the 28th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) held in Bangkok, Thailand, in a press conference on Wedneday. The Seychelles' delegation was led by the principal secretary for fisheries, Roy Clarisse, to the meeting held from May 13 to 17, and 16 out of 24 proposals were adopted as recommendations by the IOTC.   In a press conference on Wednesday, the chief executive of the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA), Jan Robinson, said, «We are disappointed that not all three of Seychelles' proposals were adopted and we are also a little bit disappointed that the Commission continues to pass resolutions concerning the purse seine fisheries and many of the other fisheries that need action don't seem to be very supportive of adopting measures for their fisheries.» Seychelles tabled three proposals at the meeting and the one adopted was on measures to end the wasteful practice of discards at sea for fishing vessels other than purse seiners. Robinson said the measure concerning by-catch has an impact on the country and «there is a lot more by-catch landing in the country, which is being used by local processors. By and large, we are benefiting from that plan on discarding and it is really leading to opportunities for our local processors to advance through that bycatch.» SFA is currently monitoring vessels by randomly asking to view the video footage found on board, and should there be evidence that they are disrespecting the measures, this will be taken very seriously. Seychelles had two other proposals relating to strengthening data collection and reporting requirements, including for the pole and line fishery as recommended by the IOTC Scientific Committee. The key proposals to become recommendations in the meeting were for better management of fish aggregating devices (FADs) and the science-based management of stocks of skipjack tuna and swordfish. Robinson said it concerns the best practices for managing the two stocks and that it is a real achievement for the commission to pass these two resolutions. He explained that this decision puts IOTC at the forefront for best practices for managing shared stocks. The members at the meeting discussed mandatory transitioning to biodegradable FADs and some resolutions proposed severe cutting of FADs. «It was very clear that there was a willingness for all to find a proposal to find one successful outcome on FADs,» said Robinson. As a result of the resolutions FADs are expected to come down to 270 in 2026 and 240 two years later, while European Union vessels have an even greater cut, going down to 250 by 2026 and 225 by the next two years after that. «This was a signal that contracting cooperating parties (CCPs) are willing to exact a reduced number of FADs to mitigate any impact they are having on tuna stocks and coastal environment,» he added. A FAD register, which will come into force following the meeting, will be administered by the secretariat and Robinson said, «this will improve transparency in FAD fishing in the Indian Ocean.» Robinson concluded by saying that Seychelles is happy with the level of FAD management, «but we still have to understand that this will have some impacts on our industry and that it will take some time to put all the measures in place within the next year or two.» 

Israel reacted with fury after three European countries said Wednesday they would recognise a Palestinian state, more than seven months into the devastating Gaza war. Ireland, Norway and Spain said they would formally recognise the State of Palestine on May 28, drawing praise from many Arab and Muslim states. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move amounted to a «reward for terror», after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched its October 7 attack which sparked the Gaza war. Israel said it was recalling its envoys to Dublin, Oslo and Madrid for «urgent consultations» and also summoned the three European ambassadors for a rebuke. European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell posted on X that he would work with the bloc's 27 members «to promote a common EU position based on a 2-state solution». Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, on his first visit since October 7 to the contested religious site of the Temple Mount in the Old City of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, said the recognition rewarded «murderers and aggressors». His visits to the site -- known as the Al-Aqsa mosque compound to Muslims -- have been cited by Hamas as one reason for the group's October attack on Israel, which it called «Al-Aqsa Flood». The White House said President Joe Biden opposed unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, saying it should be realised «through direct negotiations». Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan warned Israel not to withhold funding intended for the Palestinian Authority in retaliation. Most Western governments, including the United States, say they are willing to recognise Palestinian statehood one day -- but not before thorny issues such as final borders and the status of Jerusalem are settled. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said «recognition of Palestine is a means of supporting the moderate forces which have been losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict». «In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security.» Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Netanyahu was «causing so much pain, destruction and resentment in Gaza and the rest of Palestine that the two-state solution is in danger». And Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called the October 7 attack «barbaric» but stressed that «a two-state solution is the only way out of the generational cycles of violence, retaliation and resentment». - 'Important step' - According to the Palestinian Authority, which rules parts of the occupied West Bank, 142 of the 193 UN member countries already recognise a Palestinian state. The Palestine Liberation Organization, seen internationally as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, hailed Wednesday's moves as «historical». Hamas also welcomed «an important step towards affirming our right to our land», while Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas political bureau member, said it would mark «a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue». A Palestinian in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, Ismail Hassuna, 46, said the European trio's decision was a step that «will restore hope» and should help in efforts to «stop Israel from its heinous crimes». Political analyst Ines Abdul Razek, who heads the Palestine Institute for Public Democracy, called the decision symbolic but «not a great victory». She said what was needed was «actual measures, including sanctions and arms embargoes» against Israel. Hamas's October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. The militants also took 252 hostages, 124 of whom remain in Gaza, including 37 the army says are dead. On Wednesday a hostages campaign group released footage of five Israeli female soldiers being captured by militants on October 7 and taken away. Speaking about the video, Netanyahu vowed to continue fighting Hamas to «ensure what we have seen tonight never happens again». Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 35,709 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Israel also imposed a siege that has deprived Gaza's 2.4 million people of most water, food, medical and fuel supplies, and brought much of the population to the brink of famine. - Deadly fighting - Fierce fighting has raged around Rafah, the last part of Gaza to face a ground invasion, where an AFP team reported more bombardment early Wednesday. Heavy battles have also rocked Gaza's northern and central areas where Hamas forces have regrouped, and more Israeli strikes have hit Gaza City, Jabalia and Zeitun. Israel said its troops were fighting on the ground in Rafah and Jabalia, and three more soldiers were killed on Wednesday, bringing the army's toll since the ground offensive began on October 27 to 287. Ten people were killed in the central town of Al-Zawaida overnight, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital said, and Gaza's civil defence agency said six bodies were recovered from the rubble of a house in Jabalia. Israel's military said soldiers had carried out targeted raids on dozens of Hamas military compounds in Jabalia. The World Health Organization has said northern Gaza's last two functioning hospitals, Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan, were besieged, trapping more than 200 patients. Israeli troops began their ground assault on Rafah early this month, defying international opposition over fears for the more than one million civilians trapped there. Israel ordered mass evacuations from Rafah, and the UN says more than 800,000 people have fled. Heavy fighting has also rocked the other major Palestinian territory, the occupied West Bank, where an Israeli raid entered its second day in the city of Jenin. The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry said Israeli forces had killed 10 people since the fighting began on Tuesday morning. © Agence France-Presse

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led prayers for late president Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday as huge crowds thronged the capital Tehran for his funeral procession. Flanked by top officials, Khamenei said prayers over the coffins of the eight dead from Sunday's helicopter crash, who also included foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. A sea of mourners filled the open space around Tehran university, where the prayers were held before the funeral procession moved on to Enghelab and Azadi squares. State television said Raisi, who had been widely seen as Khamenei's most likely successor as supreme leader, had received a «millionfold farewell» from the people of Tehran. «We have lost a prominent personality. He was a very good brother. He was an efficient, competent, sincere, and serious official,» Khamenei told visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani. The leader of Palestinian militant group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, joined the procession, as did the deputy leader of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Naim Qassem. «I say once again... we are sure that the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its support for the Palestinian people,» Haniyeh told the crowd to chants of «Death to Israel». - Foreign guests - Iran's acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, later received heads and representatives of countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Europe. Tunisian President Kais Saied and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attended an afternoon ceremony in which around 60 countries took part, said state news agency IRNA. Egypt's top diplomat, Sameh Shoukry, was also at the ceremony. He is the first Egyptian foreign minister to visit Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Member countries of the European Union were among the absentees of the ceremony while some non-member countries, including Belarus and Serbia had their representatives. In the capital, huge banners have gone up hailing the late president as «the martyr of service», while others bade «farewell to the servant of the disadvantaged». Tehran residents received phone messages urging them to join the funeral procession. «I was sad, I came to calm my heart and calm the heart of the supreme leader,» said one mourner who gave her name only as Maryam and said she had travelled from Varamin, south of Tehran, to pay her last respects. Raisi's helicopter crashed into a fog-shrouded mountainside in northwestern Iran on Sunday as his entourage headed back to the city of Tabriz after attending a ceremony on the border with Azerbaijan. A huge search and rescue operation was launched, involving help from the European Union, Russia and Turkey. State television announced Raisi's death early on Monday. The Iranian military said Wednesday that domestically produced drones had played the key role in locating the crash site. - Burial in Mashhad - Funeral ceremonies for Raisi and his entourage began on Tuesday with processions through Tabriz and the Shiite clerical centre of Qom drawing tens of thousands of black-clad mourners. From Tehran, the bodies will be taken to Iran's second city of Mashhad, Raisi's hometown in the northeast, where he will be buried on Thursday evening after funeral rites at the Imam Reza shrine. Khamenei, who wields ultimate authority in Iran, has declared five days of national mourning and assigned vice president Mohammad Mokhber, 68, as caretaker president until a June 28 election for Raisi's successor. Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri, who was Amir-Abdollahian's deputy, has been named acting foreign minister. The country's armed forces chief Mohammad Bagheri has ordered an investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash. Raisi was elected president in 2021, succeeding the moderate Hassan Rouhani at a time when the economy was battered by US sanctions imposed over Iran's nuclear activities. The ultra-conservative's time in office saw mass protests, a deepening economic crisis and unprecedented armed exchanges with arch-enemy Israel. After his death, Russia and China sent their condolences, as did NATO, while the UN Security Council observed a minute's silence. Messages of condolence also flooded in from Iran's allies around the region, including the Syrian government as well as Hamas and Hezbollah. © Agence France-Presse

Seychelles has launched its second National Aquaculture Policy for 2023-2027 to guide and support an effective aquaculture industry that contributes to food security and wealth creation. The new policy was launched on Tuesday at the Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA), in the presence of the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Seychelles, Oskar Benedict, and the French Ambassador to Seychelles, Olivia Berkeley-Christmann. In his address at the launching, Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Jean-Francois Ferrari, said that this event marks a pivotal moment in the advancement of sustainable aquaculture in Seychelles. «As we gather here today, we are reminded of the critical role our oceans play in our lives. In Seychelles, the ocean is not just a natural resource; it is the lifeblood of our economy, culture, and sustenance,» said Ferrari. He added that: «By optimising the use of our expansive ocean territory, we aim to enhance food security, generate income, create jobs, and provide environmental benefits such as climate change adaptation and mitigation.» The aquaculture sector was opened for investment in October 2021 and since then, the Seychelles Fishing Authority has worked with the private sector to support investment and assist new aquaculture farmers in becoming operational. There has been diverse interest in investment in the sector, including species such as seaweeds, sea cucumbers, sea urchins and fin fish. Ambassador Benedikt received a copy of the Policy. (Seychelles Nation) Photo License: CC-BY.   To date, the Aquaculture Department has issued 11 licenses and is currently reviewing a number of applications as well. Ferrari said, «The aquaculture sector holds immense potential for our nation. By providing a sustainable solution to meet the growing global demand for seafood, we can also alleviate pressure on our natural fish stocks, support conservation efforts, and promote economic diversification.» In developing the policy, Seychelles had help from the EU to draft a comprehensive framework that aligns with global best practices and the country's national objectives. «We are pleased to mention that the Economic Partnership Agreement (EDA) programme has for instance provided technical support to identify via research and develop the proof of concept for at least five aquaculture species, including the Sea urchins and Marine fin fish,» said Benedict. He added that special support has been provided to local private operators in developing business plans, while technical mentorship support has been provided to existing aquaculture permit holders in order to assist them in the establishment of farming operations. «With the new Aquaculture Policy that is being launched today, key challenges will be addressed notably those related to licensing and permitting systems and to the use of non-indigenous culture species in aquaculture. A series of technicalities will also be clarified including, for instance, freshwater and small-scale aquaculture operations,» said Benedict. Seychelles launched its aquaculture industry over more than a decade ago in a bid to diversify its economy in a sustainable manner within the concept of the Blue Economy.

Half of the world's mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse due to climate change, deforestation and pollution, according to a study published Wednesday. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), known for its red list of threatened species, has for the first time taken stock of the world's mangroves, evaluating 36 different regions. IUCN director general Grethel Aguilar said the assessment «highlights the urgent need for coordinated conservation of mangroves -- crucial habitats for millions in vulnerable communities worldwide». Mangroves are trees or shrubs that grow mainly in seawater or brackish water along coastlines and tidal rivers, in equatorial climes. Released on the International Day for Biodiversity, IUCN said its findings show that «50 percent of the mangrove ecosystems assessed are at risk of collapse» -- categorised as either vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. According to the assessment, 20 percent were at severe risk of collapse. Mangroves are threatened by deforestation, development, pollution, and dam construction. However, the risk is increasing due to sea-level rise and the greater frequency of severe storms associated with climate change. Disastrous disappearance - Climate change threatens a third of mangrove ecosystems assessed, due to rising sea levels. According to estimates, at the current rate, a quarter of the global area of mangroves is expected to be submerged in the next 50 years, IUCN said. The northwest Atlantic Ocean, the northern Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the South China Sea, and the Gulf of Aden coasts are expected to be particularly severely affected. «Mangrove ecosystems are exceptional in their ability to provide essential services to people, including coastal disaster risk reduction, carbon storage and sequestration, and support for fisheries,» said Angela Andrade, chair of the IUCN commission on ecosystem management. «Their loss stands to be disastrous for nature and people across the globe.» The study said looking after mangroves was essential for mitigating the effects of climate change, with healthy ecosystems coping better with sea level rise and providing inland protection from the effects of severe storms. Without significant improvement by 2050, climate change and rising sea levels will lead to the loss of 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon stored in mangroves. Mangroves currently store nearly 11 billion tons of carbon -- almost three times the amount of carbon stored by tropical forests of the same size. Maintaining good sediment circulation and allowing mangroves to expand inland will help them cope with sea level rise, IUCN said. It also called for the restoration of mangroves which have already disappeared. «A very good study of mangrove change globally that was published in 2022 indicates about 5,000 square kilometres of mangrove were lost» between 1996 and 2020, IUCN's Marco Valderrabano told AFP. © Agence France-Presse

A 73-year-old British man died and more than 70 people were injured Tuesday in what passengers described as a terrifying scene aboard a Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence, triggering an emergency landing in Bangkok. An initial data analysis by the aviation tracking service Flightradar24 suggested the London-Singapore flight experienced more than one minute of extreme turbulence at around 11,300 metres (37,000 feet) over Myanmar, during which it violently rose and plunged several times. Flight SQ321 had taken off from London's Heathrow airport and «encountered sudden extreme turbulence» over Myanmar's Irrawaddy Basin, according to Singapore Airlines. The aircraft later affected a sharp, controlled descent and diverted to Bangkok. Andrew Davies, a British passenger aboard the Boeing 777-300ER, told BBC Radio 5 that the plane «suddenly dropped» and there was «very little warning». «During the few seconds of the plane dropping, there was an awful screaming and what sounded like a thud,» he said, adding that he helped a woman who was «screaming in agony» with a «gash on her head». He described seeing people with head lacerations and bleeding ears: «I was covered in coffee. It was incredibly severe turbulence». Most of the injured passengers on the flight suffered blows to the head, said the director of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, Kittipong Kittikachorn, who confirmed the age and nationality of the deceased man. Emergency vehicles raced onto the tarmac at the Thai capital's main airport with lights flashing and sirens blaring after the plane touched down at 3:45 pm (0845 GMT). «At 3:35 pm the airport received a distress call from the Singapore Airlines flight saying there were passengers on board injured by turbulence, and requesting an emergency landing,» Suvarnabhumi Airport said in a statement. «The plane landed at the airport and the medical team was sent to treat all the injured.» A large number of those aboard the plane -- 131 passengers and 12 crew members -- finally arrived in Singapore on a relief flight just after 5:00 am Wednesday, the airline said. Another 79 passengers and six crew members remained in Bangkok, including those receiving medical care. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong meanwhile sent his «deepest condolences» to the family and loved ones of the deceased, posting on Facebook that his country was «working closely with Thai authorities.» - Passengers 'too casual' - Bangkok's Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital said a total of 71 people had been sent for treatment, six of them severely injured. «We deeply apologise for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight. We are providing all necessary assistance during this difficult time,» Singapore Airlines said. Of the passengers, 56 were Australians, 47 British and 41 Singaporeans, the airline said. «In terms of exactly what happened, it's too early to tell. But I think passengers are too casual on board commercial aircraft,» US-based aerospace safety expert Anthony Brickhouse told AFP. «The moment the captain turns off the seatbelt sign, people literally unbuckle.» Davies, the passenger, said that at the very moment a seatbelt sign came on, «the plane suddenly dropped». Allison Barker told the BBC her son Josh, who was aboard the plane, texted her that he was on «a crazy flight» that was making an emergency landing. «It was terrifying,» she said. «I didn't know what was going on. We didn't know whether he'd survived, it was so nerve-wracking. It was the longest two hours of my life.» - Singapore to send investigators - Singapore's transport ministry said it would send investigators to Bangkok, while the city-state's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said «we must hope and pray» for the injured to recover. The episode marks the latest drama involving a Boeing plane, after a fuselage panel blew out of an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX in January as well as two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. Boeing said it was «ready to support» Singapore Airlines. «We extend our deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one, and our thoughts are with the passengers and crew,» Boeing said on social media platform X. Scientists have long warned that climate change is likely to increase so-called clear air turbulence, which is invisible to radar. A 2023 study found the annual duration of clear air turbulence increased 17 percent from 1979 to 2020, with the most severe cases increasing over 50 percent. © Agence France-Presse

Seychelles and the European Union signed a €2 million technical cooperation agreement called the European Solidarity Action (EnSEL) on Tuesday. The agreement was signed by Seychelles' Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, and the European head of delegation, Ambassador Oskar Benedikt, in the presence of the French Ambassador to Seychelles, Olivia Berkeley-Christmann. EnSEL (pronounced in Creole), is a Technical Cooperation Facility provided by the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI), which is the main financing tool of the EU to contribute towards eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development, prosperity, peace and stability. Following the signing, Radegonde said that it is still undecided which projects will benefit from the grant. «The Seychelles and the European delegation will work together to decide on the areas that we will focus on, mainly environment, resilience and climate change as well as governance,» said Radegonde. On his side, Benedikt said this fund is meant exclusively for Seychelles. «The idea is to support Seychelles as a friend and partner with the additional facility of €2 million in non-repayable grants and they should be used in the best way for you. I think we have some common priorities which are becoming the priorities of the world. We are hoping that we can support you in different ways in sustaining and diversifying your economy based on a sound and pristine environment,» added the ambassador. Benedikt said, «We will decide together what to use it for, it will be a little bit different from the previous one in so far as the EU delegation itself will manage the projects and not a consultant. This will be done of course together with Seychelles.» He clarified that this new modality is meant to remove unnecessary steps along the way and make the process more efficient.  

Seychelles' Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert, is one of four former students to receive an award as an outstanding alumnus of York University in Canada for 2023. Joubert won the Tentanda Via award given to alumni who have demonstrated innovative, unconventional, and daring leadership and success, reflecting the university's motto «The way must be tried.» The minister expressed his satisfaction on Monday in a press conference. «I am very satisfied that now more than 21 years after having left the University they contacted me and informed me that they are looking at other alumnus who have gone through the uni and they are considering those who have managed to make something out of their lives,» he said. York University, also known as YorkU, is a public research university established in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1959. It is Canada's third-largest university with around 55,700 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and over 370,000 alumni worldwide. Joubert also revealed that he left Seychelles for his Masters in Environmental Studies on a Canadian Commonwealth scholarship in 2003. His thesis was on pesticide regulation and he presented a paper on the regulation of pesticides in various cities. «During this time I learned a lot not just about pesticides and their regulation, but also on the different government models that exist and their functions in the bigger countries,» he said. He added that it is «important that our people are also given the experience as it gives us a broader idea of the possibilities that exist.» Before he was appointed minister, Joubert held several key positions including director general for Wildlife Enforcement and Permits and chief executive of the Seychelles National Parks Authority and the Landscape and Waste Management Authority. When asked why he believes he was chosen among his other alumnus, Joubert said, «When I took the post as a minister in Seychelles, this has also been a chance to show that one of their alumni has reached a visible level in their chosen field and this is one of the criteria that has been used to determine whether they should receive the award or not.» He concluded that through this award «Seychelles is recognised in the world, and accompanied with the things that we are doing, this could be a good way to promote our image as a serious country on the world scene.» The other alumni to win this year are Harry S. LaForme, Fatima Israel and Temo Primrose Gare. 

Seychelles and Botswana will continue collaborations in agriculture, education, and tourism, said the newly accredited High Commissioner of Botswana. Chandapiwa Nteta presented her credentials to Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan on Tuesday at State House. The new high commissioner expressed her wish to gain Seychelles' support from the international community «as Botswana has some issues with our diamonds.» An import restriction imposed by the Group of Seven (G7) on Russian diamonds earlier this year will have a detrimental impact on Botswana’s diamond trade. Okavango Diamond Company in Botswana has asked the G7 countries to reconsider the second phase as it will impact diamond producing countries such as themselves and raise the price of ethical diamonds. Nteta met the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, and among the subjects discussed were trade, investments and connectivity, especially the signing of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement. According to the Foreign Affairs Department, Radegonde pointed out that both countries share a very good bilateral relationship where fruitful exchanges have been made. These include Seychellois teachers pursuing their tertiary education in Botswana and teachers from Botswana working in Seychelles' state schools. To date, over 50 teachers graduated from the University of Botswana and around 20 teachers from Botswana were sent to Seychelles to teach in various primary and secondary schools. «Botswana is interested to learn from Seychelles' experiences in dealing with victims of substance abuse and rehabilitation process, Seychelles is keen to learn more from Botswana's agricultural success,» said the Foreign Affairs Department. The two diplomats also discussed matters relating to regional engagements and organisations in which both countries are members. While in Seychelles, the high commissioner will also call on the Minister for Education, Justin Valentin, the Commissioner of Police, Ted Barbe, and other high level officials. Botswana and Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean,  established diplomatic relations on September 30, 1988.

France said late Monday it supported the independence of the International Criminal Court, whose prosecutor has requested arrest warrants for leaders from Israel, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Islamist movement Hamas. «France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all situations,» its foreign ministry said in a statement. The ministry «condemned the anti-Semitic massacres perpetrated by Hamas» during the group's attack on Israel on October 7, which was «accompanied by acts of torture and sexual violence». It also said it had warned Israel «of the need for strict compliance with international humanitarian law, and in particular of the unacceptable level of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and inadequate humanitarian access». The International Criminal Court's prosecutor Karim Khan said on Monday he had applied for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes including «wilful killing», «extermination and/or murder», and «starvation» during the war in Gaza. He said Israel had committed «crimes against humanity», and accused it «of a widespread and systematic attack against the Palestinian civilian population». Khan also said the leaders of Palestinian militant group Hamas, including Qatar-based Ismail Haniyeh and Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar, «bear criminal responsibility» for actions committed during the October 7 attack. These included «taking hostages», «rape and other acts of sexual violence», and «torture», he said. «International law and the laws of armed conflict apply to all,» Khan said. «No foot soldier, no commander, no civilian leader –- no one -– can act with impunity.» Israel rejected the accusations as a «historical disgrace», while Iran-backed Hamas said it «strongly condemns» the move. The United States, Israel's top ally, also rejected the ICC's bid, with President Joe Biden denouncing it as «outrageous» and saying «there is no equivalence -- none -- between Israel and Hamas». US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the ICC move «could jeopardise» efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza. © Agence France-Presse

South Africa's top court on Monday barred former president Jacob Zuma from running in general elections next week, but his upstart opposition party vowed to fight on to return the graft-tainted politician to office. The ruling has stoked fears of violent unrest in the run-up to the poll, already the most competitive since the advent of democracy in 1994. But Zuma's party, uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK), urged supporters to remain calm and go out and vote on May 29. «This heavily flawed and conflicted judgement is not the end but rather a pivotal moment affirming that the MK Party is the right choice for the black poor and downtrodden,» it said. The top court backed an electoral commission decision that Zuma's previous conviction for contempt of court prevents him from becoming an MP, ruling that the constitution bars anyone sentenced to more than 12 months in jail. - 'Not eligible' - Zuma, who left office in 2018 dogged by corruption allegations, was convicted of contempt in 2021 and sentenced to 15 months. Rioting after his imprisonment left more than 350 people dead. He eventually served less than three months in jail, but the court ruled that this was irrelevant as the constitution refers to the sentence imposed, not served. «Mr Zuma... is accordingly not eligible to be a member of and not qualified to stand for election to the national assembly,» Justice Leona Theron said, reading the judgement. In a South African general election, the president is chosen by MPs from among their own ranks. If Zuma is not allowed to enter parliament he cannot become president, even if his newly formed party is able to muster enough seats to propose him. The electoral commission said ballot papers would not be reprinted nine days from the vote and Zuma's photo would still appear next to his party's name. «Jacob Zuma is still the party leader, Jacob Zuma is on the ballot paper of MK party and people are still going to vote Jacob Zuma in numbers,» MK secretary general Sihle Ngubane told AFP. A few dozen supporters of the firebrand ex-leader turned opposition challenger -- some sporting the military fatigues often worn by MK members -- chanted and danced as they left the court in Johannesburg after the hearing. «We are resolute,» MK party member Lindiwe Mtshali, 39, told AFP, adding she was however «very disappointed» at the ruling. MK has attempted to portray the decision as a desperate effort from its opponents to derail its electoral hopes. The party boasts it will secure a two-third majority in the National Assembly that would allow it to change the constitution and reinstate Zuma -- but that seems highly unlikely. Opinion polls suggest MK will not do well outside of Zuma's native KwaZulu-Natal province. An Ipsos survey last month estimated support at 8.4 percent nationwide. «The country is still in shackles,» prisoner rights activist and Zuma supporter Golden Miles Bhudu declared, as he protested the verdict outside the court, his arms and legs bound by chains. «This judgement is irrational,» he said. - 'Threat of violence' - Since leaving office, Zuma, who was president between 2009 and 2018, an era that for many South Africans has become synonymous with official corruption, has fought several legal battles. He assumed control of MK to challenge his successor Cyril Ramaphosa's African National Congress (ANC), which has won every election since the country became a democracy but is struggling in the polls and risks losing its absolute majority for the first time. Outside the court, Neeshan Balton, director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, which had joined the case to provide legal advice as amicus curiae, welcomed the ruling. «The former president clearly was not going to uphold the constitution, and we are happy that he's disqualified,» he said. If Zuma's outsider campaign cuts into the ANC's traditional support base, Ramaphosa may be forced to negotiate a coalition with one or more of the many small opposition parties to ensure he is re-elected. Political analyst Sandile Swana said that Zuma's ineligibility was not going to cost MK many votes. «What matters is that he is still able to campaign for the MK and be the face of it,» he said. The ANC was the leading political force in the struggle against the apartheid regime and many older South Africans remain loyal to it. But support has slumped amid corruption allegations and soaring crime and unemployment rates. Just under a third of the working age population is unemployed and the murder rate has reached 84 a day. Acknowledging the ruling, Ramaphosa said security forces were ready to deal with «any threat of violence». © Agence France-Presse

The ban on the collection of sooty tern eggs in Seychelles has been extended for another two years, said an official from the Biodiversity Conservation and Management Division on Monday. The previous ban was in place since 2022 and was expected to be removed by May 31 2024 to allow for surveys and research on the status of the species, especially the population numbers. The director general for the Biodiversity Conservation and Management Division, Rodney Quatre, told reporters that after these surveys of 2022 as well as 2023, the results show a decline in the population of the sooty tern. The population was around 1.2 million pairs in 2021 and was around 900,000 in 2023. «Since it takes sooty tern around five years to mature, the two risk surveys that were done recently are still showing a decline therefore, we found it necessary as a precautionary measure to extend the ban for another two years. This would give more time for the population to recover as well as the possibility to do more research,» said Quatre.  He emphasised that monitoring and enforcement will continue during the ban. The sooty tern is a medium-sized, highly pelagic seabird with contrasting black and white plumage and a distinctive wideawake call. They are extremely sociable, forming very large nesting colonies on open ground. Sooty terns are found on several inner and outer islands of the Seychelles with the main populations on Recif, Aride, Farquhar, Cosmoledo, Bird Island, Desnouefs, African Banks and Etoile. Most of the islands are managed by the state-owned  DC). Two of them are privately owned, namely Bird and Aride Islands. The director for conservation, Ashley Dias, presented the findings of the National Census 2022/2023 done for the sooty tern population and showed that on most islands there have been substantial declines.    «Among the places where the census was done, the African Banks is one of the areas that have been severely affected by poaching. African Banks went from 43,300 pairs in 1955 to a 100 percent decline during the latest survey,» she said. Aride is another island that has seen a decline by 95 percent and on Cosmoledo's Grande Ile a census in 199 estimated around 1.1 million pairs and this has dropped to 262,195 in 2021, a decline of 75 percent. According to information presented by Dias, the major threats to sooty terns are overfishing of tuna and invasive alien species, and secondary threats include climate change-induced habitat alteration. «The sooty terns' ability for waterproofing its wings is not like the other birds, therefore they are not able to dive very deep for fish, so they depend on tuna driving other smaller fish to the surface for them. Consequently, the more overfishing there is, the harder it is for them to find food,» she explained. Dias said, «We have to look at all factors in its entirety that are affecting this species not just egg collecting, and this extension of the ban will allow to look at what exactly is causing the decline in the population.» The two-year extension on the ban on sooty tern egg collection was recently approved by the Cabinet of Ministers after they were presented with the findings from the National Sooty Tern Census. The cabinet also approved the revision of all relevant seabird protection legislation and improved site management on breeding islands. Additionally, an educational campaign on the importance of preserving sooty terns, the development of a national action plan involving all stakeholders, increased surveillance and enforcement during nesting seasons, and research on breeding phenology and migration patterns were also approved. 

Hydroponics as a cleaner way to practice agriculture and recycling tyres found in nature are among the business pitches that clinched the top prizes in the Seychelles' circular economy and a boot camp and pitch competition. Twenty-two participants who attended the training camp at the Savoy Resort and Spa on Mahe were also taught how to make a successful pitch, giving them the chance to win between $15,000 to $20,000 under the Challenge Fund. The fund is a financing programme developed by the Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund. The project, launched in March, is being implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Barry Nourrice, an agriculture and environment consultant, told SNA that the plan he presented is for a hydroponics farm and is one of the nine proposals to receive the grant. Hydroponics is the method of growing plants in a nutrient solution rather than soil in a system where the roots grow into a liquid solution fortified with all the essential nutrients for healthy plants. «As with circular economy one of the things that businesses must be able to manage is the waste they produce, I believe this system will help keep farming sustainable,» he explained. Nourrice added that since farmers were unable to retrieve nutrients they add into the soil, hydroponics is a way to help them continually «re-use what they have put in the water. Seychelles generates an average amount of 80,000 tonnes of waste annually and the primary landfill at Providence is expected to reach full capacity by 2025. Faced with a scarcity of land, the country will need to adopt a sustainable solid waste management system. With this in mind, another grant winner, Andy Julie, said that he will be setting up a business to tackle the number of old tires found in nature. »It is an eyesore at the moment and while driving by, I realised that the tyres could be turned into something that people can use in their everyday lives," he said. Julie said he has done extensive research to help him present a solid project.

Search and rescue teams were scouring a fog-shrouded mountain area of northwest Iran Monday after President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter went missing in what state media described as an accident. Fears grew for the 63-year-old ultraconservative after contact was lost with the aircraft carrying him as well as Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others in East Azerbaijan province on Sunday, reports said. After hours of searching, state TV reported early Monday that a Turkish drone appeared to have detected «the coordinates of the accident» and informed Iranian rescue teams. «Rescue teams have been dispatched to the site,» it added. State television first reported Sunday afternoon that «an accident happened to the helicopter carrying the president» in the Jolfa region of East Azerbaijan province. «The harsh weather conditions and heavy fog have made it difficult for the rescue teams to reach the accident site,» said one broadcaster, as the massive search effort later continued through the night. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the helicopter «made a hard landing» in bad weather and that it was «difficult to establish communication» with the aircraft. He urged people to get their information «only from state television», and not listen to foreign media channels Iran deems hostile to the Islamic republic. Raisi's convoy had included three helicopters, and the other two had «reached their destination safely», said the Tasnim news agency. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Iranians to «not worry» about the leadership of the Islamic republic, saying «there will be no disruption in the country's work». «We hope that Almighty God will bring our dear president and his companions back in full health into the arms of the nation,» he said in a nationally televised address as Muslim faithful prayed for Raisi's safe return. Expressions of concern and offers to help came from abroad, including Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Russia and Turkey, as well as from the European Union which activated its rapid response mapping service to aid in the search effort. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani expressed gratitude for «governments and international organisations for their sympathy and offer of help in the search and rescue operations.» - Massive search effort - Iran's cabinet held an emergency meeting led by Vice President Mohammad Mokhber after the incident, the IRNA news agency reported. More than 60 rescue teams using search dogs and drones were sent to the mountainous protected forest area of Dizmar near the town of Varzaghan, IRNA said. Army, Revolutionary Guard and police officers joined the search, authorities said, as TV stations showed pictures of Red Crescent teams walking up a hill in the mist, and rows of waiting emergency response vehicles. Raisi had visited the northwestern province to inaugurate a dam project together with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, on their common border. Aliyev said in a post on X that «we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran». «Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation,» he said, also offering «any assistance needed». Foreign countries were closely following the search at a time of high regional tensions over the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas since October 7 that has drawn in other armed groups in the Middle East. A US State Department spokesman said: «We are closely following reports of a possible hard landing of a helicopter in Iran carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister», adding that «we have no further comment at this time». US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the crash, an American official said on condition of anonymity. - 'Servant of the people' - Raisi has been president since 2021 when he succeeded the moderate Hassan Rouhani, at a time when the economy was battered by US sanctions over Iran's contested nuclear programme. Iran saw a wave of protests triggered by the death in custody of Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in September 2022 after her arrest for allegedly flouting dress rules for women. In March 2023, regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a surprise deal that restored diplomatic relations. The Gaza war sent regional tensions soaring again and a series of tit-for-tat escalations led to Tehran launching hundreds of missiles and rockets directly at Israel in April this year. In a speech following Sunday's dam inauguration, Raisi emphasised Iran's support for Palestinians, a centrepiece of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic revolution. «We believe that Palestine is the first issue of the Muslim world, and we are convinced that the people of Iran and Azerbaijan always support the people of Palestine and Gaza and hate the Zionist regime,» said Raisi. Hamas, which the United States and European Union consider a terrorist group, said that «in this painful incident, we express our full solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran, its leadership, government and people».  © Agence France-Presse

The DR Congo military on Sunday said it had thwarted an «attempted coup» near the offices of President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa involving «foreigners and Congolese». It happened in the early hours of the morning outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe, in the Gombe area in the north of the capital, near the Palais de la Nation that houses the president's offices, a spokesman said. «An attempted coup d'etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces,» said General Sylvain Ekenge in a message broadcast on national television. Shots were also heard near the Palais de la Nation at the time of the coup attempt, according to a number of sources. Later on Sunday, army spokesman General Sylvain Ekenge said several Americans and a British man were part of the group involved in the operation. The coup bid was led by Christian Malanga, a Congolese man who was a «naturalised American» and had been «definitively neutralised» -– killed -- by the security forces, Ekenge said in a broadcast on Sunday evening. The group was made up of «several nationalities», Ekenge said, adding that around 40 of the attackers had been arrested, and four -- including Malanga -- killed. «We also have a naturalised British subject, the number two of the group,» the spokesman added. Malanga's son, Marcel Malanga, was also among the attackers, he said. - Two police killed - Kamerhe and his family were not harmed in the attack but two police officers looking after them were killed, said a source close to the minister. The group had planned to attack the home of the new Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, and the residence of Defence Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba. But they «could not identify the home» of Suminwa and had not been able to find Bemba at his residence. After the attack at Kamerhe's home, the group then went to the Palais de la Nation, brandishing flags of Zaire, the name of the Democratic Republic of Congo under the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was overthrown in 1997. «I am shocked by the events this morning and very worried by the reports of American citizens allegedly being involved,» Lucy Tamlyn, the US ambassador to the DRC, posted on X, formerly Twitter. «Rest assured that we are cooperating with authorities in DRC to the fullest extent possible, as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any American citizen involved.» France's ambassador had reported automatic weapon fire in the area, urging nationals to avoid it. - Zaire flags - During the day, certain streets near the Palais de la Nation remained closed to traffic, but the situation appeared calm, AFP journalists reported. «I'm a little afraid to move around like that in Gombe, there aren't many people... But I have to sell my goods,» bread-seller Jean-Mbuta said. Videos on social media showed men in fatigues at the Palais de la Nation, brandishing flags of Zaire. The Zaire flag was mostly green while the DRC one is largely blue. «The time has arrived, long live Zaire, long live the children of Mobutu,» a man who appeared to be the head of the group said in Lingala, a language spoken in parts of the DRC. «Felix has fallen... we are victorious,» he added. AFP was also unable to verify the videos. Tshisekedi was re-elected at the end of December when he received more than 70 percent of votes in the first round. The parties backing him won around 90 percent of seats in the parliamentary elections held the same day. But he is yet to form a government some five months after the elections. Kamerhe on April 23 was named as a candidate for president of the National Assembly, the DRC's main legislative body. © Agence France-Presse