The Seychelles Port Authority (SPA) conducted a successful operation to remove a cargo vessel, MV Spil Ningsih, that was grounded near Ste Anne Island on Saturday. President Wavel Ramkalawan has issued a message of appreciation and encouragement to everyone who was involved in the operation. In a press statement on Monday, the Authority said when the incident happened, the harbour master, the chief executive and the deputy chief executive of SPA were immediately informed. According to the press statement, «The Harbour Master activated the emergency response team of approximately 30 members of the operations team and all available marine assets were mobilised to assist in the operation.» The Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA), Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG), and National Information Sharing and Coordination Centre (NISCC) were also alerted. By the time these authorities were notified, SPA pilots, tugs, and mooring personnel were already on-site, initiating efforts to free the vessel. The Authority said given that the grounding occurred within the Ste Anne Marine Park, a protected area, all resources needed to be mobilised swiftly. «Due to the vessel's size and location, time was of the essence to prevent the ship from turning parallel to the land, which could have increased the risk of pollution and complicated recovery efforts. SPA deployed all available marine assets and resources to manage the situation,» added the statement. A preliminary risk assessment of the vessel and its surroundings showed no visible signs of pollution or leakage. The vessel remained stable, which helped mitigate the risk of an oil spill during recovery operations. After several attempts, the vessel was successfully refloated at 1.10 am on Sunday during the early stages of the rising tide. It was then towed to a safe anchorage for further inspections before being cleared to dock at Mahe Quay. The SPA personnel continued to monitor the vessel's draft for an hour after the operation to ensure there was no water ingress and MV Spil Ningsih was safely docked at Mahe Quay at 5.47 pm. 

Cubans expressed rage and disappointment in their government on Sunday, as they dealt with day three of a near-total nationwide power outage, with residents of the island nation running short on cash, watching their food spoil and carrying water in buckets. «What is going to happen to my daughter?» asked a desperate Adismary Cuza, worried for the 21-year-old whose medication for a chronic kidney disease needs to be chilled. «My refrigerator has been down for three days and I am afraid everything is going to go to waste,» she said on her way to work in Havana's old quarter. «What is going to happen in this country?» asked Cuza. Residents of Communist-run Cuba have grown used to sporadic blackouts, but Cuza questioned how authorities could have allowed the entire grid to go down. The power grid failed in a chain reaction Friday due to the unexpected shutdown of the biggest of the island's eight decrepit coal-fired power plants, according to the head of electricity supply at the energy ministry, Lazaro Guerra. Crews have been scrambling to restore power, but while some customers were back online, the blackout remained near total on Sunday, according to officials. - 'No life here' - Serguei Castillo, a 68-year-old retired construction worker, was as worried as Cuza. He went out in search of cigarettes, although he had no cash since banks had been closed since Friday and ATMs were down. «There is no life here. This country gives nothing,» said Castillo, who retired three years ago and receives a monthly pension that is equivalent to about $38. He said he had been living on junk food for two days. Cuba was already dealing with its worst economic crisis in 30 years, battling sky-high inflation and shortages of food, medicine, fuel and water, plus increasingly frequent power outages. «Two days without electricity? What is this, sir? What is going to happen? Cubans are tired of so many problems,» said Castillo. In recent months some provinces have had to put up with blackouts lasting as long as 20 hours per day. - 'Paralyzed' - The blackout has had knock-on effects, too. Among other things, no electricity means many buildings cannot pump water. In the Vedado neighborhood, Isabel, 51, said her husband had just carried 20 buckets of water up to their second-floor apartment. She said they were able to tolerate power outages that lasted a few hours, but the extended blackout was unacceptable. «This is a lack of respect for people. I have no other way to describe what is happening,» said Isabel, who declined to give her last name. «A country paralyzed for three days is too much,» she said. Luis Jimenez, a 22-year-old university student, said he frets over the future -- the next few days, and over the longer term. «If this is not resolved soon I don't know how we will live in the next few days,» he said. «This is a country in ruins. It is destroyed,» said Jimenez. © Agence France-Presse

Air Seychelles has announced several new flights as part of its service expansion for the busy upcoming festive season to provide passengers with even more options when choosing their holiday destinations. Starting in December and continuing to early January, Air Seychelles will add a new flight on Wednesday resulting in an average of four flights per week. The Seychelles' national carrier will also increase its services to Johannesburg to meet the high demand during peak travel times. A fourth weekly flight will include a new Saturday evening departure with a return journey available early Sunday morning. There will be an expanded schedule for Mumbai in India from December 18 to January 1st next year. Three additional flights on Wednesdays will be added, facilitating a twice-weekly service to Mumbai. Additionally, the Saturday flight to Colombo in Sri Lanka will now depart Seychelles at 5.30 pm to provide a significantly faster connection to multiple destinations offered by Air Seychelles' codeshare partner SriLankan Airlines. Air Seychelles said this will be particularly beneficial for visitors exiting Bangkok in Thailand as it allows for a quick one-hour connection without the need for a visa. A seasonal service to Reunion Island, a French overseas department, will be launched from December 30 to January 18 next year. Charles Johnson, chief commercial officer of Air Seychelles, said, «We are excited to announce additional flights for the upcoming festive season, allowing passengers even more options for their favorite destination. Additionally, our new nonstop flights to La Reunion provide significant time savings over previous indirect flight options. As this will be a very busy holiday period, we recommend everyone to book their flights as soon as possible.»

The winners of the Antoine Abel Prize, a writing contest that encourages the production of literature in the Seychellois Creole language, were rewarded on Friday at the International Conference Centre of  Seychelles  (ICCS). Marie Clarisse, Aneesa Vel, Rita Julie, Lourra Barra and Marie Hoareau produced the best works this year, while Robert Mondon received his prize posthumously. The prize-giving ceremony allowed the authors to sign copies of their books on sale in local book outlets. The Antoine Abel Prize is named after Seychelles' renowned poet and writer Antoine Abel, who passed away in 2004. The literary contest was first launched by Seychellois artist Leon Radegonde, as a regional competition in 1997, promoting literary works in the Indian Ocean region. The competition encourages Seychellois writers to submit work in various categories, in the native Seychellois Creole language. The fourth edition of the literary contest saw the participation of writers in five categories: short story, poetry, novel, translation and play. The prize-giving ceremony allowed the authors to sign copies of their books on sale in local book outlets. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY  This year the prize-giving ceremony coincides with the 39th edition of the Creole Festival, a month-long event, which is an annual celebration of the various aspects of the country's culture. An assistant researcher at the Literature Unit at the Creole Academy, Jenny Saminadin, told SNA that the quality of work received this year has been very good. «Usually the literary contest is held every two years, however, we launched this one last year as we are catching up with the delay caused by COVID,» she said. While all the given categories open to prospective writers had submissions, Saminadin explained that it was only for translated works that they did not receive enough submissions. The winners received monetary prizes for their efforts - SCR 20,000 ($1,500) for the first prize, SCR 15,000 ($1,100) for the second, and SCR 10,000 ($700) for the third. The entries for the sixth edition of the Antoine Abel competition have already been submitted to the Creole Academy, while Saminadin explained that they have already launched the seventh. 

The Seychelles' honorary consul general in Bulgaria, Maxim Behar, visited the Beau Vallon Administration office last week and presented on his behalf an expensive, super–powerful laptop with all necessary software preloaded, sports equipment, footballs, tennis rackets, balls, and specially produced t-shirts for the children with the sign «Mon Kontan Beau Vallon.»  Behar, together with the Seychelles' honorary consuls in Israel, Jordan, and Bangladesh, had «adopted» the district as part of a programme initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism. The donation was accepted with thanks by the elected member of the National Assembly for the Beau Vallon district, John Hoareau, and also by the district administrator, Mirenda Cardovillis, at a special ceremony in the building of the Administration office. «This is an honour and responsibility to be able to donate such useful equipment to my lovely Beau Vallon district where I come for decades and I think I know personally almost all inhabitants. I am really sorry that my other three colleagues could not join me on this visit, but I am sure that their donations will be presented soon,» Behar said. Two years ago, Behar also donated a huge quantity of sports equipment to Marie-Celine Zialor, the Minister for Youth, Sports Family to help the preparation of the Seychelles football team for the Indian Ocean Games. Years before he also donated a set of musical instruments to the Seychelles School of Music, Dance and Drama. Last week also, Behar was awarded a special plaque for his long-term service to Seychelles by President Wavel Ramkalawan.

Pope Francis created a new group of saints on Sunday, canonising 14 individuals including the «martyrs of Damascus», killed in Syria during the Ottoman Empire and symbols of Christian persecution. Francis presided over the canonisation ceremony in Saint Peter's Square in the presence of thousands of Catholic faithful from around the world. «We enrol them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole Church,» proclaimed Francis, after reciting each name. Canonisation is the final step towards sainthood in the Catholic Church, following beatification. Three conditions are required -- most crucially that the individual has performed at least two miracles. He or she must be deceased for at least five years and have led an exemplary Christian life. Among the group are 11 individuals known as the «martyrs of Damascus», who have become saints some 160 years after their death. The eight Franciscan friars and three lay Maronites -- all siblings -- from a monastery were assassinated by Druze militants in July 1860 in the Syrian capital, then under Ottoman rule. They were beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1926. Damascus is home to one of the oldest Christian communities in the world but its Christian population has dwindled to only about two percent today, according to the Vatican. Many citizens, Christian and otherwise, have left the city since the start of Syria's civil war in 2011. The martyrdom of the Damascus group canonised on Sunday «is not very different from the situation of many Christians in the Middle East today», wrote Vatican News, the official news portal of the Vatican. The other three individuals, who died early in the 20th century, founded religious communities. They are Italian missionary Giuseppe Allamano, Italian nun Elena Guerra and the Canadian Marie-Leonie Paradis. In May, Pope Francis announced he would canonise Italian teenager Carlos Acutis. The London-born adolescent spent his life spreading his faith online, earning the moniker «God's Influencer», before dying from leukaemia in 2006. The date of that canonisation has not yet been set but it could take place in 2025, the Church's Jubilee year, when more than 30 million pilgrims are expected to descend on Rome. © Agence France-Presse

Art lovers in Seychelles were treated to the «Kouler Kreolitid» (Colours of Creole culture) exhibition at L’Alliance Francaise, in time for the 39th edition of the Creole Festival, currently taking place.  The artist, Ambassador Francesca Alexandra Azais Tatistscheff of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, who is a dean of the diplomatic corps, is one of the most respected artists in Seychelles and has lived in the islands since 1999.  The Italian-born artist, for her sixth exhibition, worked on still life painting depicting the various aspects of Seychellois culture.  The paintings on display show everything from fishermen coming in from sea with their daily catch to a scene of a group of people dancing Moutya on a beach.  Speaking to the press at the opening of the exhibition on October 12, Azais told the press that it has taken her six months to prepare the works on display.  The artist, Ambassador Francesca Alexandra Azais Tatistscheff of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. (Seychelles Nation) Photo License: CC-BY  She said that she tried to show positive emotions in her work and that there are no sad paintings.  “Up to now we have seen many paintings of the landscape, and I myself have painted sunsets, we are always showing palm trees, the spectacular rocks and fishermen, although no-one has tackled the still life surrounding us,” she explained the theme for her exhibition.  “As I am someone who is always forward thinking, and who loves to inspire people instead of copying them, and I saw that no-one has tackled the subject of still life, this is why I have decided to address the topic in my exhibition,” she added.  Kouler Kreolitid is a collection of 24 oil paintings on canvas, which Azais said she hoped would inspire the thinking about this aspect of Seychellois culture.  The paintings depict the various aspects of Seychellois culture. (Seychelles Nation) Photo License: CC-BY  “They are very good at what they do, I have seen their work, and I have had the chance to talk to them, but they have to develop their creativity and try to move away from standard subjects like landscapes,” she said.  Azais is also known for her paintings of the small island state’s previous and current presidents as well as former British governors and figures of French colonialists hanging in State House.  Her artworks can also be found today in the Vatican as well as in the White House in Washington.  When asked if she would be working on another exhibition in the coming future, she said that “I don’t know, as we as artists only produce work when we are inspired to do so.”  Kouler Kreolitid is open to the public from October 13 - November 9. 

King Charles was granted five-star rank in each branch of Australia's armed forces Saturday, a ceremonial gesture to mark the first full day of his landmark tour Down Under. Charles, in addition to being king of realm can now call himself field marshal of Australia's army, marshal of its airforce and admiral of the fleet. It was not a bad day's work for the 75-year-old monarch, who spent Saturday recuperating and without public engagements after a marathon flight from London to Sydney. The monarch -- who received the life-changing cancer diagnosis just eight months ago -- and Queen Camilla have begun a nine-day visit to Australia and Samoa, the first major foreign tour since being crowned. They landed in Sydney on Friday and were greeted by local dignitaries and posy-bearing children, before a quick private meeting with Australia's staunchly republican Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancee. «We are really looking forward to returning to this beautiful country to celebrate the extraordinarily rich cultures and communities that make it so special,» the royal couple said in a social media post ahead of their arrival. Royal tours to far-flung domains are a vital way of kindling local support for the monarchy, and the political stakes for the royals are high. A recent poll showed about a third of Australians would like to ditch the monarchy, a third would keep it, and a third are ambivalent. Visiting British royals have typically embarked on weeks-long visits to stoke support, hosting grand banquets and parading through streets packed with thrilled, flag-waving subjects. This visit will be a little different. The king's health has caused much of the usual pomp and ceremony to be scaled back. A planned stop in New Zealand was cancelled altogether, and he will be in Sydney and Canberra for just six days before attending a Commonwealth summit in Samoa. There are few early morning or late night engagements on his schedule and aside from a community barbecue in Sydney and an event at the city's famed Opera House, there will be few mass public gatherings. There had been rumours that he may attend a horse race in Sydney on Saturday, but he was not to be seen. When the time came the well-hydrated crowd belted out Australia's anthem «Advance Australia Fair» rather than the royal anthem «God Save the King». - 'Old white guy vibes'- It is not just age, jetlag and health worries that the king has to contend with Down Under. Australians, while marginally in favour of the monarchy, are far from the enthusiastic loyalists they were in 2011 when thousands flocked to catch a white-gloved wave from his mother Queen Elizabeth II. «I think most people see him as a good king,» said 62-year-old Sydney solicitor Clare Cory, who like many is «on the fence» about the monarchy's continued role in Australian life. «It's a long time. Most of my ancestors came from England, I think we do owe something there,» she said, before adding that multi-cultural Australia is now more entwined with the Asia-Pacific than a place «on the other side of the world». Some are less charitable, seeing no reason to retain a king whose accent, formal get-up and customs have little to do with the daily lives of easygoing antipodeans. «He just gives old white guy vibes,» said home school teacher Maree Parker. «We don't need a king and queen, we can just do our own thing.» - The lucky country - Still, Australia is a land of many happy memories for Charles, and he can be sure to find some support. He first visited as a gawky 17-year-old in 1966, when he was shipped away to the secluded alpine Timbertop school in regional Victoria. «While I was here I had the Pommy bits bashed off me,» he would later remark, describing it as «by far the best part» of his education. Bachelor Charles was famously ambushed by a bikini-clad model on a later jaunt to Western Australia, who pecked him on the cheek in an instantly iconic photo of the young prince. © Agence France-Presse

Wallace Dorasamy’s and Rodney Henriette’s year continues to improve as both bodybuilders claimed their pro-cards at the United Intercontinental Bodybuilding Fitness Federation (UIBFF) Africa Cup in Bedford, South Africa, this month. Dorasamy was placed first in Classic Bodybuilding and second in open bodybuilding under 80kg, which allowed him to be awarded a pro-card. The pro-card win meant he qualified for the Pro Show at the same competition, in which he claimed second place. He also finished first overall in Classic Bodybuilding. Dorasamy said, “It is a great honour to win a pro-card with any federation as it helps me a lot with my development.” He added that having a pro card with UIBFF does not limit him to only competing for them, as he still wants to claim his International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) pro card. Dorasamy is in Sheffield in the UK for the British Championship, which is a pro qualifier for IFBB and later he will travel to Bucharest in Romania for another competition. Dorasamy is also the reigning bodybuilder of the year in Seychelles and in 2023 he won gold at the National Physique Committee (NPC) Worldwide African Pro Qualifier held in Cape Town. He also won a gold medal in the open bodybuilding middleweight class at the Ryan Terry British Championships in Manchester, UK, held from October 14 to 15, 2023. Wallace Dorasamy and Rodney Henriette at the UIBFF Africa Cup with winning medals. Henriette claimed three gold medals. Photo License: All Rights Reserved   For Henriette, he claimed three gold medals; first in the master over 50 years old category, while he also claimed gold in bodybuilding under 80kg and overall bodybuilding. Henriette is having a good year and was a medallist in the Gym Angel Classic, in South Africa, in August, in which he won one gold medal and one silver medal. His medal came in the master over 50 categories where he claimed the silver medal in the under 80kg. The result also means that Henriette gets his pro-card, making him the third UIBFF pro from Seychelles, after Dorasamy, and Ahmad Moncherry, who won his pro-card in August. Seychelles was also represented at the competition by Jeolen Valentin, who was fourth overall in the bodybuilding under 90kg category. Valentin qualified for the Africa Cup and won a bronze medal in the under 90kg category before winning bronze in the master over 50 years group, at the Gym Angel Classic. 

Seychelles and South Africa are exploring opportunities for cultural exchange programmes for artists to participate in festivals and exhibitions in both countries and share expertise in arts, crafts, fashion and performance. According to a press statement from the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts (SNICHA) the discussion took place on the sidelines of the 11th Golden Shield Heritage Awards recently at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town, South Africa. A delegation from the SNICHA led by the permanent secretary for Culture, Cecile Kalebi, participated in the award ceremony. The visit is part of the ongoing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Seychelles and South Africa's National Heritage Council, to enhance cultural collaboration and exchange. In her remarks at the ceremony, Kalebi reflected on the deep cultural and historical ties between Seychelles and the African continent. She also acknowledged the Golden Shield Heritage Awards as a beacon of excellence in recognising the dedication of heritage activists and practitioners. «Coming from Seychelles, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean with deep cultural and historical ties to the African continent, I am deeply inspired by the achievements being honoured today,» she said. Kalebi revealed that the SNICHA is organising its own Heritage Awards next year, taking inspiration from South Africa's commitment to honouring cultural preservation. She expressed her optimism for the continued collaboration between Seychelles and South Africa, particularly in exchanging expertise and building upon their common history. Beyond the award ceremony, the Seychelles delegation held a series of meetings aimed at strengthening cultural cooperation between cultural institutions in South Africa and Seychelles. Among the key engagements was a meeting at the National Arts Council of South Africa. Discussions centered on the renewal of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the National Arts Councils of South Africa and Seychelles. The renewal would focus on enhancing artistic collaboration, facilitating cultural exchanges, and jointly promoting both nations' rich artistic traditions. Also discussed were initiatives to exchange knowledge and expertise in the areas of arts management and ways to provide more support for artists, helping them gain international exposure and access to resources and networks. Another highlight of the visit was a tour of the Cape Heritage Museum at the Castle of Good Hope, where the Seychelles delegation discussed future collaborations in museum management, exhibitions, and cultural preservation.

The EU-Seychelles Partnership Dialogue has concluded with a firm commitment to continue collaboration in critical areas for the island nation such as the fight against the climate crisis and biodiversity loss, according to a joint statement from the two parties. The EU further confirmed an additional grant to be allocated to Seychelles for the extension and modernisation of Port Victoria, a project supported under a Team Europe approach to the amount of €77 million. The first Partnership Dialogue, as provided for under the Samoa Agreement between the two parties, took place on Thursday in Victoria, Seychelles, co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Seychelles, Sylvestre Radegonde, and the Ambassador of the European Union to Seychelles,Oskar Benedikt. This was the first partnership dialogue held under the new Samoa Agreement between the EU and Seychelles. It took place at the Eden Bleu Hotel, with the participation of nine members of the EU, the EU Investment Bank, eight ministers from Seychelles, and representatives from local agencies. According to Radegonde, who co-chaired the event, this dialogue will shape the partnership between the EU and the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) over the next twenty years. Minister Radegonde co-chaired the event. (Foreign Affairs Department) Photo License: CC-BY  He added that it is a crucial framework for building a sustainable, peaceful, and inclusive future. «Seychelles sees the EU as a key partner in promoting sustainable development, regional stability and Blue Economy initiatives within the Indian Ocean Commission. Through increased collaboration on maritime safety, climate resilience and sustainable fisheries, we aim to strengthen regional prosperity while protecting our marine resources,» said Radegonde. Meanwhile, Benedikt said that in an ever-changing world, mutually fruitful cooperation is not an option but that it is a must. «We have to work together, join efforts and put solidarity at the top of our agenda. As we strive to secure the future of the forthcoming generations, let us work together to give them a healthy, fairer and safer planet where everyone can live in peace, free from any form of violence. We will continue to stand for multilateralism and a rules-based order with the UN Charter and international law at its core,» he added. Benedikt said the EU has an ongoing constructive partnership with Seychelles in economic development, security, climate change and environment as well as governance and human rights. Benedikt said that in an ever-changing world, mutually fruitful cooperation is not an option but it is a must. (Foreign Affairs Department) Photo License: CC-BY  «In all these areas, our cooperation with various stakeholders in Seychelles is effective and is delivering concrete results to the benefit of populations in Seychelles and beyond. I look forward to scaling up our partnership to address current challenges and prepare for the future ones,» he stated. Security was one of the subjects covered in the dialogue and both sides recalled their steadfast commitment to addressing maritime threats in the region, building on the operations of the two regional centres based in Seychelles and Madagascar and their solid alliances with regional and international organisations. Both sides also welcomed the signature of the new EU-funded Safe Seas Africa programme in July 2024, to scale up their action for regional maritime security building on the achievements of the Maritime Security Programme (MASE).   On the subject of the economy, Seychelles and the EU highlighted the importance of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in support of their solid trade relations and a dynamic fisheries sector. On climate and environment, the EU commended Seychelles' vision to develop a circular economy and was ready to assist as part of the new bilateral cooperation programme - ENSEL. Seychelles called for further efforts to be undertaken at the international level to scale up funding for climate crisis mitigation and that the same level of importance should be placed to halt the loss of biodiversity as it is being placed towards climate action. Consequently, Seychelles called for a wider commitment of the EU member states to support the implementation of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) and amplify the efforts to accelerate the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund. On governance, the EU confirmed that work is ongoing with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to provide Seychelles with the necessary support to implement necessary reforms for the supplementary review scheduled in 2025. Seychelles welcomed the EU's support. Underlining the importance of gender equality, the EU congratulated Seychelles on the appointment of the first female Commissioner of the Seychelles Prison Service and the island nation's action to promote the rights of LGBTIQ people.

Thousands of delegates from around the world are descending on Colombia for a summit on halting humankind's rapacious destruction of nature, with host city Cali on high alert after threats from guerrilla groups. The high-stakes UN biodiversity gathering is set to start Monday under the protection of some 11,000 Colombian police and soldiers, aided by UN and US security personnel. About 12,000 delegates including 140 government ministers and seven heads of state are due to attend the world's biggest nature protection conference, held every two years. The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will run to November 1. Themed «Peace with Nature,» it has the urgent task of coming up with monitoring and funding mechanisms to ensure that 23 UN targets agreed in 2022 to «halt and reverse» species destruction can be met by 2030. Colombia's EMC left-wing guerrilla group has cast a shadow over the event by warning foreign delegations to stay away. The group issued the threat after being targeted by military raids in the southwest Cauca department, where the group is accused of engaging in drug trafficking and illegal mining. Cali is the closest big city to EMC-controlled territory. President Gustavo Petro has insisted security for the COP16 is «guaranteed,» and Cali's mayor Alejandro Eder also has assured that the city is «ready» for the event. - Natural system 'in peril' - The delegates have their work cut out for them. There are just five years left to achieve the UN goal of placing 30 percent of land and sea areas under protection by 2030. So far, only 29 of 196 countries signed up to the UN biodiversity convention have submitted national strategies by the COP16 deadline, and funding is falling far short. A report Thursday by a group of non-governmental organizations revealed that just 2.8 percent of the world's oceans were protected «effectively.» At current rates, the figure would not reach 10 percent by 2030. The IPBES inter-governmental science and policy body says three-quarters of Earth's land surface has been significantly altered since 1970 and 66 percent of oceans degraded. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which keeps a red list of threatened animals and plants, more than a quarter of assessed species are threatened with extinction. «Our system is in peril,» WWF's senior director of global policy and advocacy, Lin Li, told AFP ahead of the talks. «The system that is... supporting us as a human species, which is the natural system, ecological systems, are being attacked.» To try to reverse the trend, the so-called Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022 lists 23 ambitious targets for 2030. They include restoring 30 percent of degraded ecosystems, stopping destructive farm subsidies, reducing pesticide use and tackling invasive species. COP16 will assess progress made towards the targets, which also include rich countries forking out $20 billion per year by 2025, rising to $30 billion by 2030, to help the developing world -- which hosts most of the world's biodiversity -- save its ecosystems. «We are hoping to hear a lot more pledges at this COP,» IUCN senior program manager for conservation action Dao Nguyen told AFP. «If there are none, it's going to be quite a deflated COP.» A key goal of the meeting is to agree on a mechanism for sharing the profits and other benefits of genetic information taken from plants and animals, for medicine for example, with the communities they come from. Host Colombia is one of the most biodiverse in the world, and Petro has made environmental protection a priority. But the country has struggled to extricate itself from six decades of armed conflict between leftist guerrillas such as the EMC, right-wing paramilitaries, drug gangs, and the state. © Agence France-Presse

Kenya's Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was ousted from office on Thursday after being impeached in an unprecedented political saga that has gripped the nation. In a historic move, the Senate voted to impeach Gachagua on five of 11 charges, after a similar motion was overwhelmingly approved by the lower house National Assembly last week. The vote capped a day of high drama which saw the embattled 59-year-old known as «Riggy G» fail to testify in his defence after being admitted to hospital with severe chest pains. He is the first deputy president to be sacked in this manner since impeachment was introduced in Kenya's revised 2010 constitution. His downfall is the culmination of a bitter falling out with President William Ruto, who he helped win a 2022 election by rallying support from the vote-rich Mount Kenya region. «The Senate has resolved to remove from office, by impeachment, his excellency Rigathi Gachagua, the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya,» Senate speaker Amason Kingi said after the vote. «Accordingly his excellency Rigathi Gachagua ceases to hold office.» Gachagua was found guilty on charges of «gross violation» of the constitution, including threatening judges and practising ethnically divisive politics, but cleared of others including corruption and money-laundering. Gachagua had denied all allegations against him as «nonsensical» and «outrageous» and claimed he was being treated like a «spent cartridge». - Lawyers walk out - The process has created a mood of political uncertainty in a country regarded as a stable democracy in the volatile East Africa region. While his fate was being determined in parliament, Gachagua underwent tests in hospital in the Nairobi suburb of Karen. «He came in with a lot of chest pain,» Karen Hospital's chief cardiologist Dan Gikonyo told reporters, adding that Gachagua was in a stable condition but would remain in hospital for at least 48-72 hours. The Senate's decision not to postpone its hearing after Gachagua fell ill prompted his lawyers to walk out in protest. They argued that he had a constitutional right to testify in his defence. No criminal proceedings have been launched against him, and Gachagua could fight his impeachment in the courts now the parliamentary process is completed. The 349-member National Assembly had voted by an overwelming 282 votes on October 8 to impeach him, more than the two-thirds required. Unlike the process in the lower house, where MPs delivered their verdict on the entire motion, senators needed to back just one charge, by at least two-thirds of the votes, for the impeachment to succeed. The Senate trial went ahead after Gachagua failed in multiple court challenges to halt the process, the last one just hours before the Senate trial began on Wednesday. Ruto had not made any public comment on the impeachment, but Gachagua has said the process could not have gone ahead without his boss's blessing. «This is what we call political deceit, conmanship and betrayal,» Gachagua had said of the process, insisting that it violated the will of Kenyans who voted for the Ruto-Gachagua ticket in the 2022 election. - 'Maintain peace' - Ruto has 14 days to choose a new deputy, but could nominate someone as early as Friday. Among the names of possible successors floated by the Kenyan media are Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki, Foreign Minister and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and a county governor, Anne Waiguru. A powerful businessman from Kenya's biggest tribe, the Kikuyu, Gachagua had weathered previous corruption scandals to become deputy leader as Ruto's running mate in the tightly fought 2022 election. But in recent weeks, he had complained of being sidelined by the president, while also being accused of supporting youth-led anti-government protests that broke out in June. Political tensions have run high since the sometimes deadly demonstrations erupted over unpopular tax hikes, exposing divisions in the top echelons of power and the ruling party. Addressing churchgoers in his central Kenya sstronghold on Sunday, Gachagua had nevertheless called on his supporters to remain calm. «Let's preach and maintain peace irrespective of the outcome. Kenya is our country,» he said. © Agence France-Presse

Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has removed several high-ranking defence and security officials from their posts, days after dismissing the security minister. A presidential decree declared late Wednesday that the director generals of both the police and military police, the chiefs of general staff of the armed forces as well as the commanders of the national nomadic guard had all been «called to other functions». It follows Saturday's announcement on state television that Security Minister Mahamat Charfadine Margui had been replaced by a general, Ali Ahmat Akhabache. The reshuffles come against the backdrop of a deteriorating political and security climate in the central African country. The killing of a former commander of general intelligence and his son by unidentified armed men prompted an official order last week «to secure the city of N'Djamena» and carry out «systematic searches» for weapons. Heavily armed soldiers were deployed in parts of the capital to conduct the searches. Opposition parties also announced last week that they would refuse to take part in parliamentary and local elections on December 29, denouncing a «harmful climate of dictatorship and of terror». General Deby Itno was proclaimed transitional president in April 2021 by a junta of 15 generals after his father, iron-fisted president Idriss Deby Itno, had been shot dead by rebels following 30 years in power. After a new constitution was approved in a referendum in December, Deby Itno, 40, was elected president in May in elections that the opposition boycotted and international observers said were not credible. © Agence France-Presse

President Volodymyr Zelensky told allies Thursday Ukraine must be in a position of strength before any peace talks with Russia, as he explained his «victory plan» to EU leaders and NATO defence chiefs in Brussels. More than two and a half years into the war, Kyiv is slowly but steadily losing new territory in its eastern Donbas region and under mounting pressure to forge an exit strategy -- which it says must start with ramped-up Western support. «Ukraine is ready for real diplomacy, but for it, we must be strong,» Zelensky said as he headed into talks with the EU's 27 leaders. «A forcefully imposed truce instead of fair peace never provided security.» «Russia will resort to diplomacy only when it sees that it cannot achieve anything by force,» Zelensky added. «This is the plan. This is exactly what's needed, and we must create the right conditions to end this war.» After the EU summit Zelensky was to join defence ministers for the first of two days of talks between NATO's 32 member states, holding a joint press conference with Alliance chief Mark Rutte. While calling it a «strong signal,» the NATO secretary-general cautioned ahead of time he was not endorsing Zelensky's «whole plan» -- which calls first and foremost for an immediate invitation to join the US-led alliance, a plea widely seen as unrealistic. Zelensky's plan also rejects any territorial concessions, calls for Western allies to lift restrictions on using donated long-range weapons to target Russian military sites, and suggests deploying a «non-nuclear strategic deterrence package» on Ukrainian territory. The Ukrainian leader has traveled in recent weeks to Washington, Paris, Berlin, Rome and London to defend his plan -- unveiled to Ukrainian lawmakers Wednesday -- but it has yet to earn backing from Western capitals. - 'Position of strength' - NATO countries have declared Ukraine to be on an «irreversible path» to membership. But the United States and Germany have led opposition to immediate entry, believing it would effectively put the alliance at war with nuclear-armed Russia. Rutte reiterated the Alliance line on Thursday saying only that «Ukraine will be a member of NATO in the future.» Washington's ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, was blunter ahead of the Brussels talks, saying: «We are not at the point right now where the alliance is talking about issuing an invitation in the short term.» The US position is unlikely to shift whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins the White House on November 5 -- though there are fears a second Trump term could upend the support Ukraine receives from NATO's biggest power. Insiders agree the elephant in the room at the NATO talks will be the contest playing out across the Atlantic, with one diplomat saying the Alliance was in «waiting mode.» But Ukraine's allies are well aware that time is of the essence, with the outlook on the battlefield bleak. Rutte said NATO's focus remained on keeping «massive military aid moving into Ukraine» in order «to make sure that if ever one day Zelensky and his team decide to discuss with Russia how to end this, that he will do this from a position of strength.» But despite Ukraine's plea for stepped-up air defence systems -- as Russian forces pound its cities and infrastructure -- no new announcements were expected from NATO this week. - 'Various ways to define victory' - Some at NATO argue the setbacks inflicted on Russian President Vladimir Putin since the invasion are already sufficient to justify seeking a negotiated outcome -- rather than letting the war drag on indefinitely. «There are various ways to define victory or to define defeat,» said one NATO official. On the eve of the NATO meeting, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for exploring ways to end the war -- potentially including talks with Putin. But according to an alliance diplomat, other voices still fear that anything short of an outright victory for Kyiv would spell «disaster» -- ensuring that an emboldened Russia does not stop there. © Agence France-Presse

Seychelles is celebrating the 39th Edition of the Creole Festival from October 5-31. The festival is a month-long celebration of the island nation's Creole culture and way of life. Despite the activities being held on a lower scale, due to the organisers giving deference to the festival's 40th anniversary next year - a series of activities are highlighted on the calendar this year. This week's buzz brings you five main activities of this year's Creole festival.   Moman Kreativite Moman Kreativite (Creative Moments) is an evening of songs, storytelling, traditional dance and theatrical performances from school children. It is an event where the students are able to showcase their creative talents. The initial show was held on October 5 at the International Conference Centre of Seychelles (ICCS). If you missed that one, do not worry, there is another show coming up on Saturday, October 19, at ICCS as of 2 pm. (Seychelles Nation) Photo License: CC-BY    Batenm Poupet Literally translated to mean 'a doll's christening', this event is organised by the Seychelles Heritage Foundation at the Domaine de Val des Pres in the eastern Mahe district of Au Cap.  The event is a ceremony that used to be popular in the past in the days of today's grandparents. It was organised when a child received a new doll that was very rare during those days. So the event was the opportunity for the girls to show their new dolls while the adults were able to meet. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, at 2 pm. This was a well-known activity held in the past by neighbours to meet when there was no television.   (Seychelles Nation) Photo License: CC-BY    Selebo - Creole Music Show One of the highlights of the Creole Festival in Seychelles, Selebo, celebrates the rich traditions of the Seychellois people with a fusion of music, dance, and storytelling. It brings together locals and visitors to enjoy the sounds and rhythms of Moutya and Sega dances while tasting the Seychellois Creole cuisine. The music festival will be held on October 25 at the car park of the Stad Popiler in Seychelles' capital of Victoria. (Seychelles Nation) Photo License: CC-BY    Zenn artis Kreolofonn (Young Creolophone Artists) This is an exhibition in which young artists from Creole-speaking countries who participates in a competition showcase their works. The competition is open to children and young people aged between 4 and 21 from Creole-speaking islands, territories and countries or with a Creole tradition. It takes place every year in the Seychelles during the Creole Festival. (Seychelles Nation) Photo License: CC-BY    Bal Bobes (Creole Ball) As is customary, the Creole Festival ends on October 31 with a Creole Ball or as is commonly called «bal bobes,» which ends at six in the morning. This year to cater to the overwhelming demand, there will be Bal Bobes - one at the International Conference Centre Seafront Restaurant, another at the Vye Marmit restaurant, and one at the Nation Sports Council (NSC) Hall at Roche Caiman.   All three are paying activities and will start at 9 pm. (Creative Seychelles Agency) Photo License: CC-BY 

An exhibition featuring pictures and information about a number of castles from the Czech Republic  organised by the office of the Czech Ambassador to Seychelles and the Honorary Consul and the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts (SNICHA), was launched on Wednesday. Speaking to SNA, the Czech Ambassador to Seychelles, Miroslav Kosek, said, «We are displaying a small sample of the Czech national heritage. They are pictures of the chateaux and castles that are interesting. This exhibition is to show the beauty of the country. It was prepared by the National Museum of the Czech Republic. They are interested in developing a closer relationship with the Museum of Seychelles.» Kosek added that the exhibition is being done to commemorate the Czech National Day on October 28. The exhibition will remain open to the public until October 25. The permanent secretary for Culture, Cecile Kalebi, explained that «It is an exchange, they have taken the first step with this exhibition about their castles. Many of them are World Heritage sites; for us, this is an opportune moment to learn how they preserve their monuments.  Among the visitors to the exhibition was Madeleine Maier who said, »It was amazing to see all those pictures of castles and to get the pictures as well. It is very interesting.« A Czech national, Marcela Tvrdikova, said, »I was born in the Czech Republic, I am happy that we have an event here to show European culture." Apart from the exhibition of the castles, there was also a performance from the Epoque Quartet, a Czech musical ensemble. They also played a concert on Tuesday night at the International Conference Centre of Seychelles (ICCS). According to ambassador Kosek, the concert coincided with the Seychelles-EU Political Dialogue taking place in the island nation. The group has been performing in many countries across Europe, Africa, Latin America, the United States, and Asia. Its next performance will be in Bangkok, Thailand. 

The stunning beauty and diverse tourism offerings of Seychelles were showcased at the 61st edition of TTG Travel Experience in Italy, Tourism Seychelles, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism, said in a press statement on Wednesday. The TTG Travel Experience, a prestigious event in the Italian travel industry calendar, was held from October 9 to 11 in Rimini. The annual event brings together industry leaders, travel professionals, and international exhibitors, providing a unique platform for promoting destinations to the Italian and broader European markets. At this year's event, the stand design reflected the essence of Seychelles, inviting visitors to explore the country's unique combination of natural splendour, cultural richness, and sustainability. From the postcard-perfect beaches and world-class luxury resorts to the growing focus on eco-tourism and cultural experiences, the stand was designed to represent Seychelles' holistic approach to tourism. The director general for Destination Marketing at Tourism Seychelles, Bernadette Willemin, said that their participation reaffirms Seychelles' strong ties with the Italian market and its position as a top choice for Italian travellers looking for an exotic yet sustainable travel experience. «Our presence at TTG is vital in reinforcing Seychelles as a top travel destination. The enthusiasm and collaboration from our trade partners inspire confidence in the future of Seychelles tourism. Together, we are not only promoting our beautiful islands but also building lasting relationships that will drive growth and innovation in our market,» she added. Attendees had the chance to explore the unique selling points that make Seychelles an irresistible destination, whether for relaxation, adventure, or cultural immersion. The island nation's dedication to sustainable tourism and its rich cultural initiatives were key highlights, showing that as a destination, Seychelles offers not only natural beauty but also meaningful, eco-friendly experiences intertwined with its vibrant heritage. The 2024 edition of TTG Travel Experience saw a 9 percent increase in participation overall in attendance and a 15 percent boost in international attendees compared to 2023. As Italy's premier business event for the tourism industry, it brought together 2,700 exhibitor brands, 1,000 buyers from around the world, 55 start-ups, and 683 journalists from both Italy and abroad in Rimini. Throughout the event, the Seychelles' delegation met with various travel partners to strengthen existing relationships and forge new partnerships. These interactions included productive discussions with major Italian tour operators, airlines, and travel agencies, alongside many trade press interviews. Part of the Seychelles' delegation was the STORY Seychelles resort and the 7°South destination management company. «TTG is the place to target the Italian market, which is one of the most important markets for us in the Seychelles. We've seen good numbers and growth from the Italian market over the last two years, and we're hoping to continue to grow as we attend events such as this one in Rimini. We come in contact with tour operators, partners, and potential new partners, and we try to bring new business to Seychelles,» said Nives Deininger from STORY Seychelles. Anna Butler Payette, managing director of 7°South said, «I have seen steady growth from Italy, and for my company, I think it is very important that we attend TTG. I have met a lot of valuable buyers, and I believe that Italy is going to deliver results, though a direct airline connection would have helped enhance the growth of the market.»

A fuel tanker explosion in northern Nigeria has killed almost 100 people and left 50 injured, police said on Wednesday. Many of the victims had been trying to collect fuel spilt on the road after the tanker crashed in northern Jigawa state late on Tuesday, police spokesman Lawan Shiisu Adam told AFP. The tanker had veered to avoid colliding with a truck in the town of Majia, he said. «We have so far confirmed 94 people dead and around 50 injured,» he said, warning the death toll could rise. Following the crash, residents crowded around the vehicle, collecting fuel that had spilt on the road and in drains, Adam said. He said the residents had «overwhelmed» officers trying to stop them. The Nigerian Medical Association has urged doctors to rush to nearby emergency rooms to help with the influx of patients. Fuel tanker explosions are common in Africa's most populous nation, where roads can be poorly maintained and residents often look to siphon off fuel following accidents. Fuel has become an even more precious commodity as Nigeria suffers its worst economic crisis in a generation. The price of petrol has soared fivefold since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu scrapped subsidies last year, and there are often shortages. Desperation rose further last week after the state oil company hiked prices for the second time in just over a month. - Dangerous roads - Accidents involving tankers are frequent in the country, with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) recording 1,531 in 2020, causing 535 deaths. Last month, at least 59 people died when a fuel tanker collided with a truck carrying passengers and cattle in northwestern Niger state. The FRSC said more than 5,000 people died in road accidents in Nigeria in 2023, compared to nearly 6,500 the previous year. But according to the World Health Organization, the figures do not include accidents that are not reported to the authorities. It estimates annual road accident deaths in Nigeria to be closer to 40,000, it said in a report published last year. Deadly fires and explosions also take place across fuel and oil infrastructure in Nigeria, one of the continent's largest crude producers. © Agence France-Presse  

Israel conducted strikes on Wednesday targeting Hezbollah's main bastion and a city in southern Lebanon where it holds sway, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed calls for a ceasefire. The strike on south Beirut, the militant group's main stronghold, was the first in several days of calm in the area, after an intense period of bombardment earlier in the Israel-Hezbollah war. On Wednesday, warplanes pounded the city of Nabatiyeh in south Lebanon, where Hezbollah and its ally Amal hold sway, with the strikes sending a thick plume of smoke billowing over houses, palm trees and the blue-tipped minaret of a mosque. The Lebanese health ministry said five people were killed in the Nabatiyeh strikes on two municipal buildings, while a local official said the mayor was among the dead. Israel ramped up its bombardment mainly of Hezbollah strongholds in late September, and sent ground troops across the Lebanese border on September 30. The Israel-Hezbollah war has left at least 1,356 people dead in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry figures, though the real toll is likely higher. Hezbollah started low-intensity strikes on Israel in October last year, in support of its ally Hamas following the October 7 attack that triggered the Gaza war. With Hamas weakened but not crushed, Israel widened the focus of its military operations to include Lebanon, vowing to fight until tens of thousands of Israelis forced by Hezbollah's fire to flee their homes are able to return. The war in Lebanon, which has suffered years of economic and political crisis, has displaced at least 690,000 people, according to figures from the International Organization for Migration. - No ceasefire - The latest strikes came hours after Netanyahu told French President Emmanuel Macron he was «opposed to a unilateral ceasefire, which does not change the security situation in Lebanon, and which will only return it to the way it was», according to a statement from his office. Netanyahu and the Israeli military have insisted there must be a buffer zone along Israel's border with Lebanon where there are no Hezbollah fighters. «Prime Minister Netanyahu clarified that Israel would not agree to any arrangement that does not provide this (a buffer zone) and which does not stop Hezbollah from rearming and regrouping,» the statement said. On Tuesday, Hezbollah's deputy leader Naim Qassem said the only solution was a ceasefire, while threatening to expand the scope of its missile strikes across Israel. «Since the Israeli enemy targeted all of Lebanon, we have the right from a defensive position to target any place» in Israel, he said. On Tuesday, the Iran-backed group said it launched a barrage of rockets towards the northern Israeli city of Haifa and targeted Israeli bulldozers and a tank near the border. Israel's military had kept up its bombardment on Tuesday and said it captured three Hezbollah fighters in south Lebanon. Asked about Israeli air strikes in Lebanon, in which residential buildings in the centre of Beirut were hit on October 10, the US State Department voiced open criticism. «We have made clear that we are opposed to the campaign the way we've seen it conducted over the past weeks» in Beirut, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. In a letter sent to the Israeli government on Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also warned that the United States could withhold weapons deliveries unless more humanitarian aid was delivered to Palestinians in Gaza. The letter made «clear to the government of Israel that there are changes that they need to make again to see that the level of assistance making it into Gaza comes back up from the very, very low levels that it is at today,» Miller said. - 'Worst restrictions' - Despite the need for food, medical supplies and shelter in hunger-ravaged Gaza, a spokesman for the UN's children's agency UNICEF said Tuesday that aid was facing the tightest restrictions since the start of Israel's offensive over a year ago. «We see now what is probably the worst restrictions we've seen on humanitarian aid, ever,» spokesman James Elder said, adding that there were «several days in the last week (where) no commercial trucks whatsoever were allowed to come in». For over a week, Israeli forces have engaged in a sweeping air and ground assault targeting northern Gaza and the area around Jabalia amid claims that Hamas militants were regrouping there. «The whole area has been reduced to ashes,» said Rana Abdel Majid, 38, from the Al-Faluja area of northern Gaza. Majid said entire blocks had been levelled by «the indiscriminate, merciless bombing.» Nidal al-Arab lost 10 of his family members during Israeli strikes on Jabalia. «People are trapped. If they don't die of shelling, they will soon die of thirst and hunger because the siege is getting tighter,» the 40-year-old told AFP. Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza after an October 7 attack by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures, including hostages killed in captivity. The Israeli campaign has killed 42,409 people, the majority civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory which the UN considers reliable. - Iran retaliation? - Israel is also weighing how to respond to Iran's launch of around 200 missiles at the country on October 1. Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, warned UN chief Antonio Guterres that Tehran was ready for a «decisive and regretful» response should Israel attack his country. Araghchi's conversation with Guterres was the latest in a string of diplomatic efforts by Iran, which also says its main goal is protect peace in the region. Iran said its October 1 attack was in retaliation for an Israeli strike in Beirut that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian general Abbas Nilforoushan on September 27. US President Joe Biden, whose government is Israel's top arms supplier, has warned Israel against striking Iran's nuclear or oil facilities. © Agence France-Presse

The new resort in the remote yet pristine Aldabra Group is due to open by 2027. The islands are home to the Aldabra giant tortoises as well as rare marine and bird life such as the Aldabra rail. The first images have been unveiled of the breathtaking, new resort planned for Assumption in the Aldabra group of islands in Seychelles. The resort is expected to include up to 40 beautifully designed, sustainable villas, a wellness spa and gym, and multiple dining choices. Remarkable experiences for guests will include dramatic diving and snorkelling tours as well as atoll sunset trips. The operator of the resort on Assumption will be announced in 2025, with the resort itself expected toopen in 2027. The resort is expected to include up to 40 beautifully designed, sustainable villas. (PC Agency) Photo license: All Rights Reserved The stunning and remote Aldabra group of islands is highlighted in a new website which showcases the spectacular beauty, and unique wild and marine life, that define this tiny region of the Seychelles. A barely discovered and unexplored wilderness, the area is teeming with colorful coral and marine life,birdlife, giant tortoises, dolphins, whale sharks and sea turtles. This distinctive and untamed marine andwildlife will be among the reasons guests choose to visit once the new resort is open. The four islands that form the Aldabra group are Aldabra, Assumption, Astove and Cosmoledo, whichcan be reached via the small Aldabra Islands airport located on Assumption itself. At the heart of the Aldabra archipelago is the Aldabra coral atoll, one of the world’s largest andreported to have been first discovered in 916AD. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in theIndian Ocean, over 1000km southwest of the main Seychelles island of Mahe. Assumption forms part of the Aldabra group. (PC Agency) Photo license: All Rights Reserved The remote nature of the islands, their rougher terrain, and scarcity of fresh water have meant fewlarge settlements have emerged over the years. As a result, the islands have seen the rise of hugenumbers of giant tortoises, reportedly over 200,000, and pristine marine life featuring manyendangered and unique species. Unique or rare species in the region include the Aldabra giant tortoise; dugong; coconut crab;red-footed booby; fregate bird; Aldabra banded snail; crab plover; Aldabra drongo; Aldabra rail;green turtle and blacktip reef shark. Abid Butt, CEO of Assets Group, the developer overseeing the new resort, said: “The Aldabra group ofislands offer the most beautiful beaches, incredible wildlife and some of the best diving in the world. Itis a perfect and pristine destination to create one of the fi nest and unique resorts, while we focus onprotecting and preserving the marine life and wider eco-system.” Sir David Attenborough, in his BBC TV series Life on Earth, described Aldabra atoll as “one of theworld’s greatest surviving natural treasures.”

The new Attorney General of Seychelles, Vincent Perera, was sworn in on Wednesday at State House. Perera said, «Together with my team, I will pledge that I will be contributing to the best of my abilities to see that the rule of law in this beautiful country is upheld.» He revealed that «there are changes in the system we operate that I intend to bring through my experience of working in other jurisdictions, so I have to beef up the prosecutors with the necessary skills.» This will include the necessary training to ensure that they are one step ahead of criminals and that «together we shall ensure that guilt shall not escape, nor innocent suffer,» he said. The Attorney General's Office has the mandate of providing the government with legal advice and is the country's criminal prosecution service. It is also responsible for ensuring legal footing when the government signs international treaties, conventions and agreements as well as other complex contracts the government enters. Sri Lanka-born Perera is qualified as an attorney-at-law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, barrister and solicitor of Fiji and an accredited mediator at the Singapore Mediation Centre. He also holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Colombo and before he was appointed Attorney General, Perera was working at the Seychelles' Attorney General's Office as a legal consultant heading civil litigation. Perera said that he will be studying the issue of case backlogs in the system. «When I come to know the statistics, I will devise a system, because I have the experience in clearing backlogs,» he added. Perera will be holding office for the coming four years, replacing Frank Ally, who has held the post since October 2017. 

A new Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) team has been set up in Seychelles to establish a national action plan to deal with such risks and eventualities by the beginning of next year. The CBRN local focal point, Aisha Rachel, revealed the team's plans in an interview with the press at a meeting at the Savoy Resort and Spa. An on-site assistance expert from the EU CBRN Centre of Excellence, Dr Jaouad Anter Rahmoun, is facilitating the two-day meeting. The reconstituted team is meeting for two days to discuss the finer details of the initiative, determine their specific roles on the team, and how it will function over the next two years. The team consists of representatives from customs and border authorities, law enforcement agencies, and emergency services, among others, but Rachel explained that through their deliberations other pertinent members may be added to the team. In his address to launch the meeting,  the director of the Division of Risk and Disaster Management (DRMD), Robert Ernesta, pointed out that there were gaps when dealing with CDRM issues in the country even «if this year we have had issues with the gas incidents.» He was referring to this year's incidents at the Supreme Court and various schools, where unidentified gas was smelt and people had trouble breathing, and on several occasions needed to be evacuated. The CDRM team will be working on such incidents. Ernesta said he hopes after the meeting «we all agree on the way forward so that CDRM issues can be addressed as any other within the disaster response portfolio.» The CBRN initiative is a key part of the European Union's global strategy to counteract and mitigate CBRN risks launched in 2010. Seychelles officially joined in 2013, with the Department of Foreign Affairs being the first focal point. The archipelago in the western Indian Ocean drafted its first national action plan, which has been available since June 2016. The National CBRM team will play an instrumental role in projects concerned with preparedness, mitigation, and action in related cases in the country, such as the gas leak incidents. «In the past, we were reactively dealing with such instances, but with the establishment of the team, we will be more proactive,» she said. Rachel said, «It will take three months to get the team together and we will begin working on our action plan in January 2025.» She added that it will take another three months to have the action plan up and running, with regular reviews earmarked every three to five years. «We will identify all actions we will need to take as a country to address CDRM issues, where we will also prioritise them from high to low in terms of their severity,» she concluded.

A Chinese Navy Ship, Xu Chang, is currently berthed in Port Victoria on a three-day visit for some much-needed rest and recuperation before proceeding on its way to China.  This is the first time that Xu Chang, a ship of 130 metres in length with a width of about 16 metres, visits Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean. It has a crew of 150 members.   As a gesture of the friendship and diplomatic ties between Seychelles and China, several people gathered at the port to welcome the ship.  The group included the Chinese community, comprising of Chinese nationals living in the country as well as Seychellois who have ancestors from China. There were also students from the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) and the Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA) and other groups and associations.  Part of the activities to welcome the vessel to Port Victoria. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY  After a warm welcome, visitors toured the ship and learned more about the different equipment they use. Several high level government officials were present, namely, the Minister for Internal Affairs, Errol Fonseka, who welcomed the ship and its occupants to Seychelles and praised them for their apparent professionalism.  The Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert, said he was impressed with the technology aboard the ship as well as the professionalism of the crew. He said that these exchanges are a clear sign of friendship between the two countries. Seychelles' Chief of Defence Forces, Brigadier Michael Rosette, said the visit «represents the military cooperation between China and Seychelles. This ship is part of a task force that was patrolling in the Red Sea, and now they are on their way home. This is not only a chance for them to rest but also an opportunity to establish cooperation between them and SDF (Seychelles Defence Forces).» SNA spoke to several people who visited the ship, including a student from the Maritime Training Academy, Jean-Yves Joubert. He said he found this visit an opportune moment as a young person involved in the maritime sector to tour a foreign navy ship.  «Even if we were not able to visit the whole ship due to security reasons, I found the visit very interesting,» he added. A group of teachers from the Seychelles Association of Retired Educational Professionals (SAREP) also visited the ship and its vice chairperson, Merida Delcy, said, «The visit was interesting, and even though the weather is very hot today, our members were able to enjoy the visit. The crew aboard were very welcoming, with great hospitality. It was a good experience.» 

A global target of ending extreme poverty by 2030 is «out of reach,» said the World Bank on Tuesday, adding it could take three decades or more to do so. «Global poverty reduction has slowed to a near standstill, with 2020–30 set to be a lost decade,» according to a new report assessing progress on eliminating poverty after the Covid-19 pandemic. The world is experiencing serious setbacks after decades of progress, noted World Bank senior managing director Axel van Trotsenburg. This comes amid overlapping challenges including slow economic growth, the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as climate shocks. He warned that with these crises, «a business-as-usual approach will no longer work.» Almost 700 million people, or 8.5 percent of the global population, live on less than $2.15 daily -- the threshold for extreme poverty. This is set to remain at 7.3 percent in 2030. Today, extreme poverty remains concentrated in countries with low growth and fragility, many in Sub-Saharan Africa, the World Bank said. And 44 percent of the world's population lives on below $6.85 a day, which is the poverty line for upper-middle-income countries. «The number of people living under this poverty line has barely changed since 1990 due to population growth,» the bank noted. It added that «future poverty reduction requires economic growth that is less carbon emissions-intensive than in the past.» Nearly one in five people are expected to be hit by a severe weather shock in their lifetime, and will struggle to bounce back from it, according to the World Bank. © Agence France-Presse

To equip judges and legal professionals of Seychelles' judiciary with the skills to handle the rapid advancement of digital technology, a two-day intensive training was organised recently by the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) and conducted by experts from the United States Secret Service.  In a press release on Monday, the judiciary said that during the training, judges and legal experts were introduced to critical topics such as traditional laws and evolving technology, privacy versus security, and authentication of digital evidence. The training was led by a team of specialists, including Special Agent Chris McCauley, Judge James Hudson, Deputy Criminal Chief for National Security and Cybercrime at the U.S. Department of Justice Ryan Locker, and Network Intrusion Forensic Analysts Jared Lobato and Mike Alvarez. Participants were trained on how to verify the authenticity of digital evidence, from Facebook messages to altered images, a key issue in ensuring that only legitimate evidence is admitted in court. The session also addressed how courts can handle emerging threats like AI-altered images and videos, commonly referred to as the «liar's dividend,» which can cast doubt on the authenticity of digital evidence. On the second day, the focus shifted to more technical aspects, such as mobile device forensics, cryptocurrency investigations, and cross-border challenges in handling digital evidence. Judges learned about the complexities of extracting data from mobile devices and ensuring the integrity of digital evidence in legal proceedings. Participants were able to interact with the experts and discuss real-life situations where judges were faced with certain digital evidence in court, the admissibility of said evidence, and how these can make or break a case. The training also emphasised the importance of understanding digital networks, privacy concerns, and the intricacies of submitting digital evidence in courtrooms, especially in the context of transnational cases. With the world becoming increasingly digital,  Seychelles' Judiciary said it is committed to ensuring that judges are well-prepared to handle cases involving digital evidence. The training is part of a broader effort to continuously upgrade the skills of the judiciary, ensuring that justice keeps pace with technological advancements. This initiative not only enhances the legal system's capacity to address current challenges but also strengthens the judiciary's commitment to transparency, security, and fairness in the age of digital transformation, said the statement.

Seychelles and Ghana are exploring collaboration in fisheries health and education, said the newly accredited Ghanian High Commissioner to Seychelles on Tuesday.   Francisca Ashietey-Odunton made the statement after she presented her credentials to President Wavel Ramkalawan at State House. Ashietey-Odunton said, «Our discussions were focussed on strengthening the relationship between Ghana and the Seychelles.» She told reporters that one of the main topics of discussion revolved around the 100-year-anniversary of King Prempeh of Ashanti's return to Ghana from exile in Seychelles, and how to use that to further enhance the strong bond between Seychelles and the Western African country.   Seychelles and Ghana established diplomatic relations on October 10, 1988, though the two countries have historical ties dating back to the late 1890s. The king of the Ashanti - Prempeh I - along with some members of his family were exiled to Seychelles by the British colonial authorities of the time. «Ghana and Seychelles have quite a lot of similarities, and we are looking to collaborate in areas such fisheries, health, education and trade, for the mutual benefit of our people, and especially when it comes to the youth, we are looking at exchange programmes that both countries can benefit from,» added Ashietey-Odunton. The new high commissioner began her career in the media field, spending four years as the deputy director general of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, before taking up ambassadorial roles in Kenya, Turkey, South Africa and now Seychelles. Also accredited on Tuesday was the Ambassador of Ireland to Seychelles, Nicola Brennan-Brugha.   In her press conference, she said, «Ireland and Seychelles have a very strong bilateral relationship, and our discussion focussed on issues related to climate action, given that both Seychelles and Ireland are experiencing issues related to climate change and trying to address these.» Also accredited was the new ambassador of Ireland. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY  The new ambassador commended the President for his leadership of small island developing states (SIDS) on climate action. Brennan-Brugha is also the ambassador to Ethiopia, South Sudan and Djibouti and will be based in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. The new Netherlands' Ambassador to Seychelles, Henk Jan Bakker, was also accredited. The new ambassador of the Netherlands presenting his credentials to President Ramkalawan. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY  «The President and I discussed matters of mutual interest, of which there are a few, and one of them is maritime security,» he told reporters. Bakker explained that the two countries will also look to collaborate in other areas, including cybercrime. Next year, the two nations are expected to sign an asset-sharing agreement on cybercrime.

A 60-year-old French skipper was rescued on Friday off the Seychelles' main island of Mahe after his yacht, Cote Rotie, sank, the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) have said in a press statement. According to the SDF, the Seychelles Coast Guard Maritime Operations Centre was alerted that there was a vessel in distress by the Centre Régional Opérationnel de Surveillance et de Sauvetage (CROSS) in Reunion . «Through coordinated efforts, a military plane from the French Air Force on the way to Seychelles was diverted to locate the life raft until Seychelles Air Force (SAF) aircraft could reach him. The French plane remained on station until SAF Dornier arrived and took over the operation,» said the SDF. «Further coordination was done with IDC (Islands Development Company) sand Blue Safari to deploy a boat to recover the man. SAF aircraft successfully guided the boat to the life raft, and the man was rescued and brought ashore on Desrosches late last night,» added the SDF. The Seychelles Defence Forces said the French national was examined by the medical staff on Desroches Island and kept under observation until he was taken to Mahe Island on board a Seychelles Air Force aircraft.   Desroches is the largest in the Amirante Group. It is located 230 kilometres from Mahe, the main island of Seychelles, a group of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean. 

Britain on Monday ordered sanctions against top Iranian military figures after the Islamic republic's October 1 ballistic missile attack on Israel. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Iran had ignored repeated warnings that its «dangerous actions» -- and those of its proxies -- were fuelling conflict in the Middle East. Among the individuals subject to a travel ban and assets freeze are the commander-in-chief of the Iranian army,  Abdolrahim Mousavi, and the head of the air force Hamid Vahedi. Iran said it launched the missile attack in response to Israel's killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, and the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in a Tehran bombing widely blamed on Israel. It was Iran's second direct attack on Israel after a missile and drone attack in April in response to an air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that it blamed on Israel. Lammy, in Luxembourg at a meeting with EU foreign ministers, said in a statement that the sanctions were a way to hold Iran to account and expose those behind the attacks. «Alongside allies and partners, we will continue to take necessary measures to challenge Iran's unacceptable threats and press for de-escalation across the region,» he added. The British list also features the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence chief Mohammad Kazemi. Two companies, including Iran's space agency, whose technology can be used in cruise and ballistic missile were hit with an assets freeze. Last week, the US government imposed restrictions on dozens of companies in Iran's oil and petrochemicals sectors, to cut off funding of what it said was the country's «destabilising activity». © Agence France-Presse

The UN stressed on Monday the urgent need for ceasefires in both Lebanon and Gaza to avert a broader regional conflict with ramifications for the whole world. «A ceasefire that is sustained by a meaningful peace process ... is the only way to break the cycle of violence, of hatred, of misery,» said UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi. Speaking at the start of the UNHCR refugee agency's annual executive committee meeting in Geneva, he insisted that only a ceasefire could «stem the tide to a major regional war with global implications». His comments came amid escalating Israeli attacks targeting Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, where more than 1,300 people have been killed and a million displaced since late September, according to Lebanese officials. Hezbollah started firing into northern Israel a year ago to support Hamas following its deadly October 7 attacks that sparked the devastating war in Gaza. The near-daily exchange of fire led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border even before the escalation last month, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to crush Hezbollah to allow Israelis displaced by the violence to return home. «You will have seen the images and heard the numbers; hundreds of thousands of displaced inside Lebanon, seeking reprieve from Israeli airstrikes,» Grandi said. «Once again, the distinction made between civilians and combatants has almost become meaningless.» The UN high commissioner for refugees, who has just returned from Lebanon and neighbouring Syria, slammed attacks impacting humanitarian workers. Grandi paid tribute to two UNHCR workers killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon last month, and also highlighted the 226 staff working for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, killed in Gaza in the past year. «We cannot accept that lives of humanitarians are dismissed as mere collateral damage, or worse, maligned as somehow culpable or complicit,» he said. Despite the attacks, he stressed that the United Nations would «stay and deliver». Grandi highlighted the plight of Syrian refugees who had fled the civil war in their country to seek refuge in Lebanon, only to find themselves «uprooted again». Many have crossed back to Syria along with Lebanese and others fleeing the Israeli airstrikes. UNHCR says 276,000 people have crossed the border so far -- 70 percent of them Syrian nationals. Lebanese authorities put the number at over 400,000. © Agence France-Presse

Seychelles has long been ranked as having the strongest passport in Africa, with the largest number of countries that its citizens have visa exemptions for when travelling, and now it has added Benin to the list. Seychelles and Benin signed a visa exemption agreement at a bilateral meeting during the 19th Summit of the Francophonie held in France from October 4-5, which was undertaken by Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sylvestre Radegonde. The Summit of the Francophonie, which is the highest body of the l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), brought together several heads of state and government of French-speaking countries to discuss important issues such as international cooperation, sustainable development and crisis situations in the French-speaking world, in particular the crisis in Lebanon, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Seychelles is currently number one in the ranking for the most influential passport in Africa, according to the Henley & Partners 2024 rankings. The rankings, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), are reflective of passport power through visa-free entry privileges to different countries. Seychelles is 26th worldwide, with 156 visa-free destinations. The island nation has advanced significantly over time, moving up the rankings from 46th place in the globe in 2006, to now 26th place. With the signing of this new agreement, it is expected that this ranking may improve.  

Details of a proposed 26-room wilderness beach reserve at Grand Barbe on Silhouette Island were presented to Bel Ombre inhabitants and other interested parties on Saturday in a public meeting.  The meeting was held at the Bel Ombre District Administration’s office and is the second phase of the assessment process before the Seychelles' government gives the go ahead for the construction of the eco-hotel on Silhouette.  A representative of the operator for the project, Kenya-based Arijiju, Richard Smith, revealed that they plan to incorporate the natural rocks and features as well as existing historical buildings into the property.  Since there is a turtle nesting area at the Grand Barbe beach, Smith stated that they would be staying away from the beach and stressed that the property would be a “wilderness beach reserve and not a beach resort.”  Grand Barbe is located on the northwest coast of Silhouette and is seen as one of the most captivating parts of the island, benefiting from the grandiose backdrop of Mount Dauban, the second-highest peak in Seychelles at 740 metres.  Meanwhile, the Island Conservation Society (ICS) has been appointed as the environmental consultant for the project and it already submitted a report to the Department of Environment in January.  “As it is earmarked to be built in an area of high ecological value, it is for this reason that we have decided to hold a class one Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA),” said the director for environmental assessment and permit in the Department of Environment, Myron Meme.  It is estimated that the property will be spread over a 10 -12 hectares area of Grand Barbe, which will include the rooms, back of house operations and staff quarters.  The developers expect to have around 100 construction workers on site to complete the property due to open its doors in 2026.  “We will be examining all areas in the environmental context of the assessment, from its biodiversity, its operations and even the social and economic aspects,” said Meme.  “We are still in the assessment phase as we are still scoping, and we are still doing our own analysis internally at the ministry," said Meme.  He went on to explain that it is only after all the information is gathered from all concerned that they will be able “to determine what needs to be preserved in the area at all costs and to what extent we will allow the development to proceed”.  Meanwhile, those attending the meeting were able to voice their concerns as to what would happen to the two cemeteries on the proposed development site, the fate of the two remaining Grand Barbe inhabitants and the impact of the construction work on the area’s ecosystem among others.  Meme explained that “if there is a resettlement issue, this is something that we will have to discuss with the authorities concerned, gather as much information as possible about the situation, in order to determine what are the appropriate steps we will have to take.” The Island Development Company (IDC) chief executive officer, Glenny Savy, reassured those present that despite the development at Grand Barbe, that they will preserve and restore all the historical aspects of the area. The state-owned IDC manages the island.  “Silhouette is a place rich in history and we want to keep it that way,” he said.  Those attending the meeting were given a scoping form to fill out, and hand in by October 31.

Israel battled Hezbollah in south Lebanon as the air force expanded its bombardment of the country, with the Iran-backed group reporting «point-blank range» fighting and Israel announcing the capture of a fighter. Israeli warplanes hit a 100-year-old mosque in a village near the border on Sunday, Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said. On Saturday a marketplace in the southern city of Nabatiyeh was hit. «It's as if an earthquake shook the Nabatiyeh market. It's been completely destroyed,» said resident Tarek Sadaka in disbelief. There were also deadly strikes on a Shiite Muslim village in a mostly Christian mountain area and another in north Lebanon, the health ministry said. AFP footage from the northern Deir Billa area showed rescuers and villagers digging through debris left by a strike with their bare hands. In Kfar Tibnit, the NNA said a strike destroyed a mosque. «It was a significant place because families used to gather in the square right next to it on special occasions,» Mayor Fuad Yassin told AFP, adding that the mosque was at least 100 years old. The health ministry said strikes on three villages on Saturday killed 15 people. The Lebanese Red Cross said paramedics were lightly injured and ambulances destroyed in Sirbin when a house was hit by a second air strike as they searched for casualties. Israel has alleged that militants use civilian infrastructure in Lebanon and Gaza to conduct operations -- a claim the groups have denied. The Israeli military said its 36th division continued «targeted and limited operational activity» against Hezbollah. Jets hit «Hezbollah launchers, anti-tank missile posts, weapons storage facilities and additional terror targets» and on the ground, soldiers «eliminated dozens of terrorists», it said. According to the NNA, Israeli forces have «escalated their attacks» on southern Lebanon, with «successive air strikes from midnight until morning» pounding several border villages. Iran-backed Hezbollah said it clashed with Israeli troops who tried to «infiltrate» twice into a border village, sparking an hour-long battle. It later said it shelled Israeli soldiers gathered in the village of Maroun al-Ras, and that in Blida village, its forces engaged Israeli soldiers «with machine guns at point-blank range». It also said it launched a salvo of rockets at a «base in southern Haifa» in Israel. Israel said it intercepted five projectiles after Hezbollah launched around 320 projectiles into Israel over the weekend of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. It also said it struck roughly 280 «terror targets» in Lebanon and Gaza over the same period. A Hezbollah fighter was captured emerging from a tunnel in south Lebanon on Sunday, Israel's military said, the first such announcement since the start of the ground offensive. - 'No military solution' - With no sign of the war easing, UN peacekeepers in Lebanon warned against a «catastrophic» regional conflict. Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for the United Nations peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, told AFP he feared an Israeli escalation against Hezbollah could soon spiral «into a regional conflict with catastrophic impact for everyone». There is «no military solution», Tenenti said. At least five UN peacekeepers have been wounded in recent days as Israeli forces battle Hezbollah. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told his US counterpart troops would «continue to take measures to avoid harm to UNIFIL troops», his ministry said Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called on the UN chief to remove peacekeepers in southern Lebanon out of harm's way, after the force rejected repeated requests to abandon their positions. - Lebanon call for ceasefire - Hamas sparked the year-long war in Gaza by launching the deadliest-ever attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures. The number includes hostages killed in captivity. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says 42,227 people, the majority civilians, have been killed since Israel's military campaign began there. The UN acknowledges these figures to be reliable. In support of its ally Hamas, Hezbollah started firing into northern Israel in October last year, triggering a near-daily exchange of fire that even before the current escalation had led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people. In September, Israel expanded its focus to Lebanon, with Netanyahu vowing to fight Hezbollah until Israelis displaced by the violence could return to their homes. Since Israel began a wave of air strikes on targets around Lebanon and sent troops across the border, more than 1,200 people have been killed, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry figures, and a million others have been displaced. Efforts to negotiate an end to the Lebanon and Gaza wars have so far failed. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said his government would ask the UN Security Council to issue a new resolution calling for a «full and immediate ceasefire». In a show of support for Hezbollah -- which Tehran arms and finances -- the speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on Saturday visited the Lebanese capital. In another high-level contact ahead of Israel's expected retaliation for Iran's October 1 missile attack, Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, visited Iraq on Sunday. There, he vowed there would be «no red lines» for Iran in defending its people and interests. - 'Risk of death' - In Gaza, Israeli forces have focused on an area around Jabalia in the north, with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, saying the fighting is causing more suffering for hundreds of thousands of people trapped there. «Our brave soldiers are now in the heart of Jabalia, where they are dismantling the Hamas strongholds,» Netanyahu said. Hamas on Sunday condemned what it described as Israel's «criminal military campaign» in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinians trapped in the Gaza Strip, many of whom have been uprooted multiple times by the war, were praying for an end to the violence. «There is no safe place, neither in the south nor in the north -- everyone is at risk of death,» Gaza resident Sami Asliya, 27, told AFP. © Agence France-Presse  

During the Lospitalite Lafyerte Sesel (Hospitality Pride of Seychelles) Service Excellence Awards 2024 at the end of September, individuals and organisations were crowned for their excellence in the tourism industry. Seychelles has been trying to diversify its tourism products and cultural tourism is one of the main areas that has been promoted. One person who has excelled in this area is Collin Constance, the founder and creative director of Kokosye, which provides visitors to the island of La Digue with unique and traditional cultural experiences. At the 3rd edition of the Lospitalite Lafyerte Sesel Awards, Constance won the Minister’s Award, presented by President Wavel Ramkalawan. SNA caught up with the entrepreneur to learn more about his business and how he is developing it.   SNA: What is Kokosye? What do you offer?  CC: Kokosye was set up in 2022, but we started with our activities mid last year. I often refer to Kokosye as a collection of stories from the island of La Digue, crafted into pieces of locally made products and immersive cultural experiences. Through Kokosye, we offer workshops like Creole cooking classes and coconut leaf weaving classes, giving visitors and locals as well a chance to engage directly with the island’s traditions, while learning about its background and history. We also host cultural events like 'Merkredi Moutya'[Wednesday Moutya dancing] and ‘Local Tea & Cake Tasting’, celebrating the rich heritage of La Digue. In addition, we support events like the Creole Rendezvous, organized by the Department of Tourism, where we do traditional wear photoshoots. Beyond events, we assist small local businesses with branding and development services, often helping them incorporate cultural elements into their offerings, which we proudly promote through our platform. SNA: Do you see much interest in the services you offer? CC: I see a lot of interest in what we offer because, in a place where most businesses focus on the same types of activities, it's refreshing for tourists to have options that are more immersive and offer a true learning experience. There's also a strong interest from locals who want to participate and take pride in our Creole culture, learning things they didn’t know about their own heritage. It’s wonderful to see both tourists and locals engaging with these experiences in such a meaningful way.   (Collin Constance) Photo license: All Rights Reserved SNA: Have you always been offering your services online? How has this benefitted you? CC: I consider myself a digital nomad, able to travel or stay at home while working from my laptop anywhere I go. I wanted to create a business that promotes and facilitates cultural activities on my island, even if I'm not physically there, which is why I do so much online. So, most of the bookings for these experiences and promotion of events and these activities are made online. We actively engage in educating people about the importance of preserving cultural traditions, fostering a deeper appreciation for our local heritage. By harnessing the power of technology, we document and share this culture through videos, photos, and sharing it via social media, as well as our website, www.kokosye.com. Using these digital tools, we ensure that our cultural heritage is not only preserved but made more accessible to a wider audience.   SNA: You recently won the Minister’s Award during the 'Lospitalite Lafyerte Sesel’ Service Excellence Awards, were you expecting this? CC: I was recently honoured with this special and newly introduced category that recognises an individual or a business that has made an innovative and impactful contribution to the tourism industry. I received the award for my work focusing on Creole culture, my use of technology and online platforms, and my active efforts to create positive change in my community on La Digue. It came as a surprise since I thought I was attending simply as a thank-you for supporting the tourism department and helping elevate the island’s cultural offerings. I’m deeply grateful for the recognition, as it shows that my efforts are valued, and I dedicate this award to all my partners and cultural practitioners in the community who have helped me move this project forward.   (Collin Constance) Photo license: All Rights Reserved SNA: In what way will this award help Kokosye? CC: The award has definitely helped by giving me more exposure and added credibility. At the event, there were managers and representatives from various tourism establishments, including small and large hotels, destination management companies, and others. Since then, some have reached out to discuss potential collaborations, which has opened up exciting new opportunities for Kokosye.   SNA: What does the future look like for Kokosye? What direction do you intend to take this business? CC: I’m currently working on adding a few more cultural experiences to what we offer. People have been asking if I plan to expand to Mahé and Praslin, but for now, I want to keep Kokosye as a La Digue heritage brand. My focus is on growing it from here while maintaining the high level of quality in both service and offerings. I also have some exciting projects that I’m working on that will come later on this year or beginning of next year.    (Collin Constance) Photo license: All Rights Reserved SNA: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs? CC: My advice to other entrepreneurs is to stop doubting yourself and take the leap. Dive in headfirst—you’ll learn and adapt along the way. If it works, fantastic. If not, find new ways to make it work. When you're passionate about something, pursue it and the rest will fall into place as you go.   (Collin Constance) Photo license: All Rights Reserved  

Comoros shocked Tunisia 1-0 on Friday to end a run of 16 consecutive home victories in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers by the Carthage Eagles. Premier League sharpshooters Mohamed Salah and Bryan Mbeumo struck key goals, South Africa hit a record-equalling five and Nigeria snatched a late win in other matchday 3 qualifiers. French second-tier league forward Rafiki Said scored midway through the second half in Rades to lift Comoros to second in Group A, one point behind Tunisia halfway through the campaign. Comoros, a tiny island nation off the south-east coast of Africa, have a habit of causing upsets, most notably when beating Ghana to reach the second round at the 2022 AFCON. But the islanders were given little chance of succeeding away to former champions Tunisia, who are ranked fifth in Africa, and 82 places above Comoros in the world. The lack of a international-standard stadium in Moroni means the Comorans must host Tunisia in matchday 4 on Tuesday in Abidjan, the Ivorian commercial capital. Record seven-time African champions Egypt faced stubborn resistance from Mauritania in Cairo until Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan netted 69 minutes into the Group C clash. Prolific Liverpool scorer Salah put the outcome beyond doubt with a second goal 10 minutes later to maintain the perfect record of the Pharaohs after three rounds. Runaway leaders Egypt have nine points, leaving Cape Verde, Botswana and Mauritania -- all with three -- battling to claim the second qualifying place for the 2025 finals in Morocco. Mbeumo, whose six goals for Brentford has been bettered only by Erling Haaland of Manchester City this season, netted just before half-time to put Cameroon two goals ahead of Kenya. Cameroon, who boast the second best AFCON record with five titles, went on to triumph 4-1 in Yaounde with Vincent Aboubakar, Martin Hongla and Christian Bassogog the other scorers. Victory lifted Cameroon to the top of Group J with seven points. Zimbabwe have five, Kenya four and Namibia are pointless. - Mokoena stars - South Africa, third at the AFCON this year behind hosts and winners Ivory Coast and Nigeria, matched a 5-0 scoreline against Guatemala in a 2010 World Cup warm-up as they outplayed Congo. Teboho Mokoena, sidelined by Mamelodi Sundowns because of a dispute with his coach, showed no rustiness as he headed a corner into the net, then scored again via a half-volley. Further goals from Bathusi Aubaas, who stretched the lead to 3-0 by half-time, Lyle Foster and substitute Iqraam Rayners completed the rout of a poor Congolese side. The Group K match in Gqeberha was halted by the Mauritanian referee for 18 minutes during the first half after several spectators entered the pitch to join goal celebrations. However, South Africa coach Hugo Broos warned his team to expect a much tougher return match in Brazzaville on Tuesday. «Come tomorrow, our five-goal victory will be history. We have got to repeat the fantastic mentality shown tonight,» said the Belgian who coached Cameroon to the 2017 AFCON title. Uganda and South Africa have seven points each, Congo three and South Sudan none. The co-leaders can both clinch qualification if they win on Tuesday. Nigerian supporters endured 85 anxious minutes in Uyo against Libya before Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru moved undetected into the box and fired the winning goal past Murad al Woheshi. Under caretaker coach Augustin Eguavoen, three-time AFCON champions Nigeria have collected seven points in Group D. Benin have six, Rwanda two and Libya one. The difficulty the Super Eagles experienced in breaking down the Mediterranean Knights defence can partly be explained by the absence through injury of star forward Victor Osimhen. Former African Footballer of the Year Sadio Mane scored for Senegal and Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson completed a 4-0 Group L rout of Malawi, who had goalkeeper Brighton Munthali sent off after 16 minutes in Dakar. © Agence France-Presse