Tens of thousands of Lebanese displaced by the war between Israel and Hezbollah headed back to their devastated towns and villages as a ceasefire took hold on Wednesday. Under the terms of the deal that brought the war to a halt, the Lebanese military started reinforcing its presence in the country's south, where Hezbollah has long held sway. The war escalated after nearly a year of cross-border fire initiated by the militant group in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas, whose attack on Israel in October last year sparked the war in Gaza. It killed thousands of people in Lebanon and triggered mass displacement on both sides of the border. Israel shifted its focus from Gaza to Lebanon in September to secure its northern border from Hezbollah attacks and dealt the movement a series of heavy blows. The Iran-backed group has emerged from the war significantly weakened and still mourning the killing in an Israeli air raid of its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah told AFP on Wednesday that his group was cooperating on the Lebanese army's deployment in south Lebanon. There is «full cooperation» with the Lebanese state in strengthening the army's deployment, he said, adding that the group has «no visible weapons or bases» there and that «nobody can make residents leave their villages». The road from the Lebanese capital to the south has been congested since the early hours, with thousands of people heading home. AFP journalists saw cars and minibuses packed with people carrying mattresses, suitcases and blankets, with some honking their horns and singing in celebration, with Hezbollah supporters declaring the truce a victory. «What we feel is indescribable,» said one Lebanese driver on the road to the south. «The people have won!» Others, however, voiced quiet desolation. Returning to his home in the southern town of Nabatiyeh, Ali Mazraani said he was shocked by the extent of the devastation from the raids. «Is this really Nabatiyeh?» he said. «All our memories of Nabatiyeh have disappeared, and we can't recognise our own town.» - Final hours - In Lebanon, more than 900,000 people fled their homes in recent weeks, according to the UN, as Israel pounded the country, focusing in particular on areas where Hezbollah holds sway. Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri called on the displaced to go back to their homes despite the devastation. «I invite you to return to your homes... return to your land,» said Berri, who led mediation efforts on behalf of his allies in Hezbollah. Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged Israel to respect the terms of the truce and said Lebanon was turning the page on «one of the most painful phases that the Lebanese have lived in their modern history». Lebanon says at least 3,823 people were killed in the country since exchanges of fire across the border began in October 2023, most of them in recent weeks. On the Israeli side, the hostilities with Hezbollah have killed at least 82 soldiers and 47 civilians, authorities there say. The final hours before the truce took hold at 4:00 am (0200 GMT) on Wednesday were among the most violent particularly for Beirut, with Israeli strikes hitting areas including the busy commercial district of Hamra. Hezbollah, too, continued to claim attacks on Israel all the way up to the start of the truce. The Israeli and Lebanese militaries have both called on residents of frontline Lebanese villages to avoid returning home immediately. Hezbollah-backer Iran welcomed the end of what it called Israel's aggression in Lebanon, while Hamas said it was ready for a truce in Gaza. The truce in Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, would permit Israel to redirect its efforts back to Gaza, where it has been at war with Hamas since October of last year. «When Hezbollah is out of the picture, Hamas is left alone in the fight. Our pressure on it will intensify,» Netanyahu said, adding that Israel would also focus on «the Iranian threat». Iran is the main backer of both Hezbollah and Hamas and has fired two barrages of missiles and drones at Israel since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, in response to attacks attributed to Israel. - 60 days - US President Joe Biden announced the ceasefire agreement on Tuesday. Under the deal, Israeli forces will hold their positions but «a 60-day period will commence in which the Lebanese military and security forces will begin their deployment towards the south», a US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters. Then Israel will begin a phased withdrawal without a vacuum forming that Hezbollah or others could rush into, the official said. The United States is Israel's key ally and military backer, and Biden hailed the deal as «good news» and a «new start» for Lebanon. He said that the United States, with the support of France and other allies, would help to ensure the deal is implemented. Netanyahu thanked Biden for his involvement in brokering the deal, under whose terms Israel will maintain freedom to act against Hezbollah should it pose any new threat. On Wednesday, an AFP journalist saw Lebanese troops and vehicles deploying in two areas of south Lebanon. «The army has begun reinforcing its presence in the South Litani sector and extending the state's authority in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),» the military said in a statement, referring to areas south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon. - 'It feels safer' - While the mood in Lebanon was of joy tempered by devastating loss, in Israel there was no indication of a return en masse of the 60,000 people forced to flee their homes by Hezbollah's fire. «On one hand, we are happy about the ceasefire because it feels safer, our children can go back to school,» said 43-year-old Yuri, a resident of kibbutz Yiron near the Lebanese border, who fled to the northern city of Haifa to escape Hezbollah's attacks. «On the other hand... Hezbollah still has forces, and we don't see when this will truly come to an end.» © Agence France-Presse  

The official match ball that will be used during the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Seychelles has been unveiled in a ceremony held at State House on Wednesday. The custom match ball has been designed by the popular brand Adidas and will be used for all 32 matches and training during the tournament, which will be held in Seychelles from May 1 to 11, 2025. The ball CNXT24 PRO BCH showcases the event's striking logo within a vibrant design that reflects beach soccer's rich heritage and celebrates the country's first-ever FIFA tournament. Crafted with cutting-edge innovation and precision, the ball's unique weight distribution will allow the game's most skillful stars to flourish and encourage goals galore on Seychelles' glorious sands. The President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, welcomed the unveiling of the match ball, re-iterating the government's support for the tournament, which will be the first to take place on the African continent. «It's a beautiful ball. I love the purple, but I wish there was a little turquoise next to white, to show the Seychelles' scene,» he said. Before officially presenting the ball to the President of Seychelles, the President of the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF), Elvis Chetty, shared that Seychelles hosting this event shows the growing popularity of the sport and highlights Seychelles as a lively and idyllic venue for international sporting occasions. The custom match ball has been designed by the popular brand Adidas and will be used for all 32 matches. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY  «Seychelles is set to leave a significant impression on the global football scene, captivating audiences and earning admiration from fans around the world,» said Chetty. «Our charming island nation will certainly be in the spotlight as we demonstrate our warm hospitality and love for the beautiful game,» he added. Chetty explained that the ball has some innovative attributes, including improved grip, durability, and precision flight, which are specifically crafted to meet the demands of the fast-paced beach soccer format, ensuring an exhilarating experience for both players and fans. Tahiti, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belarus, Senegal, and Mauritania, have already qualified for the 16-team tournament, leaving another eight places available, while Seychelles as the host, has already qualified. Chetty told reporters that Seychelles will soon be appointing two international coaches with plenty of experience to work with the local coaches with the national team, as they prepared to take on one of the biggest tournaments in the country's history. Over the next few months, a lot more about the tournament will be unveiled, with posters, mascot and more to be presented. Meanwhile, work on the stadium that will be used for the Tournament called Paradise Arena, is set to begin as of January 2025. 

An Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) steering committee is in Seychelles discussing the future of cultural and creative industries projects in the region for the coming year. This is part of a partnership project between the IOC and the French Development Agency (AFD) - IOC-AFD - which aims to promote gender equality and stimulate the cultural and creative industries (ICC) sectors through interventions in the areas of heritage, cultural entrepreneurship, training, mobility, co-creation, and governance. Through the project, the IOC has launched five grants, namely the AléVini, regional mobility fund, Tafa scholarships, support for cultural events, support for digital works and the Indian Ocean co-creation fund. The meeting at the International Conference Centre from November 26 to 27,  is being attended by representatives of culture and the cultural creative industries from the six member countries. These are Mauritius, Reunion - a French Overseas Department - Seychelles, Comores, Mozambique and Madagascar. In his speech to officially launch the regional cultural and creative industries development project, the permanent liaison officer for the IOC in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ralph Agrippine, said «The actions carried out by the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) development project are perfectly in line with the priorities of the Seychelles' IOC presidency. [...] The project is currently carrying out an inventory of the country's traditional architecture, which has demonstrated the potential for tourist circuits, but which could also be the subject of a UNESCO World Heritage listing.» Agrippine also explained that since the launch of AléVini in September 2023, there has been an increase in the number of applications from Seychelles, which he said was proof of the sector's enthusiasm and need for support. Over the coming days, the representatives will discuss the topics of copyright, scholarships, and how to improve in the coming year to better answer the needs of those industries in the region, among others. The IOC is also setting up a training course on cultural management, which will professionalise the sector. Agrippine is appealing to operators and artists to take advantage of these opportunities to strengthen their production, for products of Seychellois production on the regional and international scene. Meanwhile, candidates who have successfully applied for the project were also revealed. These are the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and Arts (SNICHA), the Seychelles Institute of Arts and Design (SIAD), the Creative Seychelles Agency (CSA), Tipik Seychelles, Fondasyon Kiltir Kreol and Artistic Dance Factory, as well as individuals - Martin Kennedy, Johnny Volcere and Devin Malcouzane.

Donald Trump threatened to begin his presidency with a massive trade war -- and diplomatic crisis -- as he demanded China, Canada and Mexico stop illegal immigration and drug smuggling into the United States or face punitive US import tariffs. In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform late Monday, the president-elect warned he would impose trade barriers on the top three US trading partners the day he takes office. China quickly responded Tuesday that «no one will win a trade war,» while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that tariffs were «not acceptable» and no way to address immigration and drug problems. A Canadian government source said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump and had a «productive» discussion, without giving further detail. Trump's posts signaled he intends to return immediately to the style of his first presidency, when he regularly shocked Washington and US partners around the world with major policy shifts announced at odd hours on social media. If enacted, the tariffs would spark disruption across the global economy, deepening tensions with US rival China and upending relations with the two huge US neighbors. However, the threat backs up one of Trump's main promises in his campaign against Democrat Kamala Harris, which was to use US economic muscle as leverage on issues having little to do with trade -- namely his claim that the United States is under siege by foreign crime and dangerous migrants. «On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25 percent tariff on ALL products coming into the United States,» Trump posted. «This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!» he said. «We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!» In another post, Trump said he would also be slapping China with a 10 percent tariff, «above any additional Tariffs,» because the world's second biggest economy was failing to execute fentanyl smugglers. «Representatives of China told me that they would institute their maximum penalty, that of death, for any drug dealers caught doing this but, unfortunately, they never followed through,» he said. Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for China's embassy in the United States, told AFP that «China believes that China-US economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature.» Mexico's Sheinbaum fired back at Trump, saying his tariffs diplomacy was misguided. «President Trump, it is not with threats or tariffs that the migration phenomenon will be stopped, nor the consumption of drugs in the United States,» she told reporters, reading a letter she will send to Trump in which she proposes dialogue. «It is not acceptable and would cause inflation and job losses in the United States and Mexico,» she said. - Bluster or serious? - William Reinsch, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Trump's Truth Social threats may be bluster -- a strategy of «threaten, and then negotiate.» However, Trump's first term in the White House was marked by an aggressive and protectionist trade agenda that also targeted China, Mexico and Canada, as well as Europe. While in the White House, Trump launched an all-out trade war with China, imposing significant tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese goods. China responded with retaliatory tariffs on American products, particularly affecting US farmers. Economists say tariffs can hurt US growth and push inflation, since they are primarily paid by importers bringing the goods into the United States, who often pass those costs on to consumers. Trump has said he will put his commerce secretary designate Howard Lutnick, a China hawk, in charge of trade policy. Lutnick has expressed support for a tariff level of 60 percent on Chinese goods alongside a 10 percent tariff on all other imports. © Agence France-Presse

Fewer people contracted HIV last year than at any point since the rise of the disease in the late 1980s, the United Nations said Tuesday, warning that this decline was still far too slow. Around 1.3 million people contracted the disease in 2023, according to the new report from the UNAIDS agency. That is still more than three times higher than needed to reach the UN's goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Around 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses last year, the lowest level since a peak of 2.1 million in 2004, the report said ahead of World AIDS Day on Sunday. Much of the progress was attributed to antiretroviral treatments that can reduce the amount of the virus in the blood of patients. Out of the nearly 40 million people living with HIV around the world, some 9.3 million are not receiving treatment, the report warned. And despite the global progress, 28 countries recorded an increase in HIV infections last year. Efforts to make preventative treatment called Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) available in these countries has seen «very slow progress», the report pointed out. «Only 15 percent of people who need PrEP were receiving it in 2023,» the report said. UNAIDS deputy director Christine Stegling said that «progress has been driven by biomedical advances, advances in the protection of human rights and by community activism». «But big gaps in the protection of human rights remain, and these gaps are keeping the world from getting on the path that ends AIDS,» she told an online press conference. She warned that if current trends continue, «we will end up with a much, much higher number of people living with HIV, long after 2030». UNAIDS emphasised how laws and practices that «discriminate against or stigmatise» people with HIV were hindering the fight against the disease. It pointed to how Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act, one of the harshest anti-gay laws in the world, led to sharp drop in PrEP access since coming into force last year. Axel Bautista, a gay rights activist from Mexico City, pointed out that same-sex relations are banned in 63 countries. «Criminalisation exacerbates fear, persecution, hate, violence and discrimination and has a negative impact on public health,» he told the press conference. - 'Game-changer' new drug - A new drug called lenacapavir, which early trials have found is 100 percent effective in preventing HIV infection, has been hailed as a potential game-changer in the battle against the disease. But concerns have been raised over its high price -- US pharmaceutical giant Gilead has been charging around $40,000 per person per a year for the drug in some countries. Last month Gilead announced deals with generic drugmakers to make and sell the drug at lower costs in some lower-income countries. However activists have warned that millions of people with HIV will not be covered by the deals. Stegling said that such «game-changers will really only get us to the right reduction in new infections when we make sure that everybody will have access to them». UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima did not attend the press conference. Byanyima revealed last week that her husband, veteran Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye, was «kidnapped» in neighbouring Kenya earlier this month. UN rights chief Volker Turk has been among those calling for the Ugandan government to release Besigye, who appeared in a military court in the capital Kampala last week. © Agence France-Presse

The Seychelles Coast Guard vessel, Saya de Malha, left on Monday on its latest recovery mission of fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the island nation's waters, namely the outer islands.  The crew, who will be participating in the 21-day mission, was seen off at the Seychelles Coast Guard Base by Jean-Francois Ferrari, Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, and Dr. Jan Robinson, the chief executive of the Seychelles Fisheries Authority (SFA). In addition to a scientific observer and a senior fisheries scientist from the SFA,  four students and a lecturer from the Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA) are taking part in the recovery mission. This is the third FAD Watch recovery expedition since the Sustainable Indian Ocean Tuna Initiative (SIOTI), the SFA, and the Spanish Association of Tuna Freezers (AGAC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in July 2023. Keeping drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs) from becoming stranded and entangled in coral reefs, shallow water habitats, and coastal zones is the goal of the MOU. The area of focus for this third mission will be the outer islands, where the crew will intercept and recover FADs at drift that pose a risk of stranding in the shallow marine habitats. Fish aggregating devices are man-made and usually floating wooden structures with hanging nets to attract fish. These rafts can either be free-floating, known as drifting FADs, or anchored to the seabed, known as anchored FADs. Undersea life and marine creatures, including turtles and sharks, congregate around FADs and can become entangled in the floating nets attached to FADs. During the send-off, the CEO of the SFA provided the crew with everything they required for their trip. These consisted of neoprene vests, water shoes, and sunscreen. Robinson told the students to thoroughly appreciate the experience while keeping in mind their main purpose which is to collect as many FADs as possible «You've got all the tools at your disposal and what we want to see at the end of the mission is a lot of important information coming back from you, in particular from SFA to provide that information to us,» said Robinson. He added, «It's really important we know everything you are doing on a daily basis to try and locate and recover FADs so that we can report that to those who put the FADs in the water in the first place about how difficult it is to collect these devices.» Ferrari wished the team success and advised them to exercise prudence while at sea. He also expressed his gratitude to the SMA and SCG for their continued support and hoped that by the conclusion of the trip, the students would have learned new things and be ambassadors for these kinds of projects.  

After a five-year hiatus, Seychelles will once again host the Ocean Festival, originally known as SUBIOS (Sub Indian Ocean Seychelles), which has evolved over the years to encompass a wider range of activities and sectors, from sailing and watersports to sustainable seafood gastronomy and diving. This year's festival will take place from Thursday, November 28, to Saturday, November 30, and will showcase the diversity, beauty, and fragility of Seychelles' marine ecosystem, with a focus on sustainability, education, and community engagement. This year, the festival will be held under the theme «Safeguarding Our Oceans». The director general for Destination Marketing at Tourism Seychelles, Bernadette Willemin, said that this festival is important in promoting the country's biggest asset - the ocean. «The most important aspect of this festival that we must highlight is the collaboration between NGOs, government entities, and tourism establishments. This richness from our oceans, it is important that we are able to protect it and that everyone works together to do so,» said Willemin. She added: «It is important that we safeguard it for our children in the future. And we have many partners who will be participating in the festival, who normally ensure on a daily basis that the ocean is protected.» Apart from exhibitions at the National History Museum and the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort, there will also be a number of beach cleanups that will be done on the main inner islands as well as on the outer islands. The main sponsor of the Ocean Festival is the Save Our Seas Foundation, founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 2003, which has a research centre based on D'Arros Island. A representative of Save our Seas, Sheril De Commarmond, called on the public to «attend these events, especially with their families. There will be many interesting things, including new ideas that we are looking to introduce including Virtual Reality Sets. This is for those who are not able to put their head underwater to see the beauty.»   De Commarmond added that apart from the many activities planned there will also be a premiere showing of a documentary film called «Coconuts to Conservation.» Willemin said, «We made sure that the activities cater to everyone from locals to foreigners. And most importantly for the children; they are the future of our country and they therefore will be the ones continuing this in the future. We will have activities that will engage the community, such as a family fun day, community story-telling, and arts and craft workshops.» The director general for Public Education and Community Outreach from the Ministry responsible for the Environment, Jeanette Larue, said they will be promoting snorkelling ro Seychellois of all ages. Larue said soon the Ministry will be launching snorkelling as an activity part of the curriculum linked to swimming classes in schools as of next year.  They also want to promote this activity towards adults as well; where they will also have instructors present at the beach near Beau Vallon Bay during the festival to teach anyone who wishes to learn.

The October 2024 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has announced that macroeconomic imbalances are gradually easing in the region, thanks to policy adjustments. Inflation has declined in many countries, but challenges remain. International bond markets have reopened. Exchange rate pressures have partially eased since January 2024. Growth is expected to pick up modestly in 2025 (delayed but broad-based recovery next year, driven by expectations of less-frequent blackouts, macroeconomic stabilization, and more accommodative monetary policy), but with significant heterogeneity and divergent long-term patterns (resource vs. non-resource-intensive countries). The Per capita income growth is insufficient to improve living standards and there is little convergence with global income levels. Risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside and include intensifying climate shocks, mpox spread, volatility in commodity prices, slowdown in advanced economies, volatile financial markets. Volatile financial markets could lead to higher sovereign risk premia. An analytical scenario built by IMF staff shows that a 150-bps increase in SSA countries’ sovereign risk premia could lead to a 0.7 percentage point decline in GDP in 2025-2026; a sharp fall in private investment (-5.2%); and a 0.7 percentage point increase in policy interest rate. In Seychelles, real GDP growth for 2024 has been revised down to 3.0 percent (compared to 3.7 percent in June 2024). This reflects lower tourist arrivals in the wake of a temporary reduction in the number of direct flights and a decline in average spending per tourist. Some recovery is expected in the last quarter of 2024. Year-on-year inflation was about 0.6 percent as of September, reflecting stable utility rates and stable or declining prices for fuel and other commodities.  Policy makers in the SSA region face with difficult tradeoffs: (i) macroeconomic stability is essential, (ii) elevated development needs (infrastructure, health, education) require additional financing and (iii) social frustration and political pressures, require better use of public resources. The region has increasingly witnessed political fragility and social unrest on the back of structural weakness as people express discontent over increasing hardships, including excessive living costs.      Monetary policy is likely to vary across the region. While most countries in the region have been “on pause,” several have tightened in 2024. Countries with still-elevated inflation may require further tightening. Those with near-target inflation can gradually ease to a more neutral stance, in close cooperation with other policies.    Challenging policy tradeoffs arise as public finances require further consolidation amid elevated spending needs. In such a context it would be important to tackle debt vulnerabilities, reduce fiscal slippages, including through domestic revenue mobilization, boost credibility, and strengthen the medium-term fiscal frameworks. Making reforms more socially acceptable requires a multipronged approach: (i) a use of fiscal policy to promote inclusion, (ii) a focus on communication and consultation strategies, (iii) an appropriate design and sequencing of reforms, (iv) a complementary and compensatory measures (e.g., social protection), and (v) a fair and transparent management of public resources. International assistance to the region has decreased, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has intensified its engagement, stepping up support in the region. More than $60 billion have been disbursed since 2020, over $5 billion disbursed in 2024, so far and 26 countries have ongoing IMF financing arrangements; of these, 11 countries have a Resilience and Sustainability Facility. The Fund program design and performance is increasingly constrained by a declining Official Development Assistance and a limited and expensive market financing terms, making it harder to strike a balance between adjustment and financing.

A senior UN official on Monday called on all parties involved in the conflict in Lebanon to «accept a ceasefire,» as new Israeli strikes targeted Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold. The violence follows top European Union diplomat Josep Borrell calling for an immediate ceasefire on Sunday and after a US envoy said last week that a deal was within grasp. «The situation remains grave across the region,» senior envoy Muhannad Hadi told the Security Council on behalf of UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland. «Israeli military operations continued across the Blue Line with Lebanon, as did the firing of rockets by Hezbollah toward Israel, including a barrage this weekend,» he said. «I welcome the ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a cessation of hostilities and urge the parties to accept a ceasefire anchored in the full implementation of UNSCR 1701,» Hadi said in the remarks. UN Security Council Resolution 1701 ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah and stipulates that only UN peacekeeping forces and the Lebanese army can be deployed in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has maintained a presence in the region, however, and Israel has been conducting ground operations against the Iran-backed militant and political group since September 30. © Agence France-Presse

A final round of talks on a treaty to curb plastic pollution opened on Monday, with deep differences between nations emerging almost immediately. The meeting started just hours after a chaotic end to the COP29 climate talks in Baku, where delegates agreed to a boost in climate funding that developing countries slammed as insufficient. Opening the plastics meeting, the Ecuadorian diplomat chairing the talks warned nations that the conference was about «far more than drafting an international treaty». «It is about humanity rising to meet an existential challenge,» Luis Vayas Valdivieso told a plenary in South Korea's Busan. Plastic pollution is so ubiquitous that it has been found in clouds, the deepest ocean trenches and even human breastmilk. And while almost everyone agrees it is a problem, there is less consensus on how to solve it. Among the most contentious issues are whether the treaty should cap plastic production, a possible ban on chemicals feared toxic to human health and how to pay for implementation. The deep differences have dogged four previous rounds of talks over the last two years, resulting in a lengthy and contradictory draft treaty running over 70 pages. Valdivieso has produced an alternative document intended to synthesise the views of delegations and move negotiations forward. But several countries, including Russia and India, immediately objected to it. «The reality is that many countries do not see themselves represented in this paper,» warned Saudi Arabia's delegation head Eyad Aljubran, speaking on behalf of the Arab group. In 2019, the world produced around 460 million tonnes of plastic, a figure that has doubled since 2000, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Plastic production is expected to triple by 2060. - 'Not going to wait' - Some countries, including the so-called High Ambition Coalition (HAC), which groups many African, Asian and European nations, want the treaty to address the entire «lifecycle» of plastics. That means limiting production, redesigning products for reuse and recycling, and addressing waste. More than 90 percent of plastic is not recycled, with over 20 million tonnes leaking into the environment, often after just a few minutes of use. On the other side are countries, largely oil producers like Saudi Arabia and Russia, who want a downstream focus on waste alone. Plastic accounts for around three percent of global emissions, mostly linked to its production from fossil fuels. The HAC wants binding global targets on reducing production and warned ahead of the Busan talks that «vested interests» should not be allowed to hamper a deal. Some observers believe the talks are likely to falter and be extended -- especially after the difficult negotiations at UN climate and biodiversity conferences in recent weeks. But by Monday afternoon, Valdivieso won agreement for negotiations to begin on the basis of his slimmed-down document. «I thank you very much for your flexibility,» he told the room. The short time frame has some environmental groups worried an agreement will be watered down to ensure something is signed. «The majority is there» for a strong treaty, said Eirik Lindebjerg, WWF global plastics policy lead. «The big question the rest of the week is whether they will move ahead with the necessary ambition or hide behind the few spoilers to water down language and make weak compromises.» Key to any accord will be the United States and China, neither of which have openly sided with either bloc. Earlier this year, Washington raised hopes among environmentalists by signalling support for some limits on production, a position that is reportedly now being rowed back. The election of Donald Trump has also raised questions about how ambitious the US delegation will be, and whether negotiators should seek their support if a treaty is unlikely to be ratified by Washington. Despite the challenging start, the UN Environment Programme chief counselled patience. «We are only in the first few hours,» said Inger Andersen, noting the Paris climate agreement had taken over two decades to reach clear targets for global warming. «We have to get something with targets and we're not going to wait 21 years for it.» © Agence France-Presse

Seychellois and Kenyan experts will soon be able to use a national biological risk assessment tool to identify key areas that would benefit from national biological risk assessment scenarios. A group of 30 experts in various fields from both countries ranging from health to agriculture are attending a five-day workshop at the Savoy Resort and Spa, in the northern Mahe district of Beau Vallon. They are the key players in their respective countries who respond in instances of biological incidents as they already work in the areas concerned with human, animal and environmental health. This is part of the European Union chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) and Centres of Excellence Project 99, which involves building capacity, and ensuring preparedness and containment in Eastern and Central African countries' biological incidents. The 11 member countries, which include Seychelles, Kenya, and Burundi, are currently working on determining areas where biological incidents may occur in the coming five years. «This training will help us map our risks, as we can see there is so much development happening that risks can be chemical or radiology or even biological,» explained Seychelles' representative, Dr. Jimmy Melanie. This workshop is specifically dealing with biological risks, which include illnesses in animals that may affect human health. Melanie said, «We are also taking into account toxins from plants, viruses, or bacteria that may have adverse effects on people's health.» He explained that Seychelles will have to identify the risks that it faces although he mentioned illnesses from animals such as the bird flu that can harm humans. «We have to work on these to prepare ourselves should there ever be a situation, we know that the policies have been decided on so that we as technicians can now take the appropriate steps,» added Melanie. Before the workshop was held in Seychelles, the experts attended a training session in Nairobi, Kenya, in June this year, where the national biological risk assessment tool was introduced. The project will go on until 2026, and it is only then that the experts will «be in a better position to help the authorities to develop a list of the biological risks that we feel we might be faced with,» said Melanie. The European Commission is funding the project and United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is assisting with the outreach to the national focal points and experts in the eleven project countries. Project 99 team leader, Scott Spence, said that at the end of the workshop, the participants «will be able to identify potential emerging biological threats and risks in the short and medium term.» During the five days, the experts will also think of the worst-case scenarios of outbreaks and how they will deal with them. «Probably one scenario will be what is the likelihood of a pandemic happening in the next five years and what will be the impacts for the Seychelles and Kenya,» said the project's key expert, Joris Sprokholt. He added that the information gathered in the workshop «is very important information for all the different stakeholders such as non-governmental organisations and expert groups like veterinarians.» Sprokholt said that during the workshop the experts will embrace the 'one health perspective'. This an approach that recognises the close connection between the health of humans, animals, plants, and the environment.

Seychellois entrepreneurs and Chinese suppliers said the Seychelles-China Trade Expo, organised by the Ministry of Investment, Entrepreneurship, and Industry was a good opportunity to establish contacts.   During the event, SNA spoke to several of the entrepreneurs and Chinese suppliers. Joanna Didon, owner of Katiti Seychelles, her brand, said, «The Expo is very well organised and there is a lot of information available for entrepreneurs and investors who wish to develop their business further with a collaboration with China. I am here mainly to look at the manufacturing of textiles. I had planned to go to China early next year to look for suppliers for my project, so this Expo comes at an opportune moment when I can now establish these contacts from here in Seychelles and this benefits us in terms of cost.» James Jean, a farmer emphasised the efficiency of having the suppliers come to Seychelles, and said he attended mainly to look at equipment for hydroponic farming. «It is very interesting, there is a lot of opportunities, different kinds of equipment being offered, and even greenhouse building. It definitely reduces the time it takes to order the equipment by having these suppliers here to speak to them. It also reduces the risk of being scammed online,» added Jean. Many stalls were also displaying typical products made in Chengdu. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY  Some stalls showcased companies that provide technical services, such as greenhouse building, aluminium parts production, equipment for food packaging even engineering among others. Many stalls were also displaying typical products made in Chengdu, such as snacks, flavourings for food, bags, silk embroidery as well as Chinese tea. Zhang Jiao from the Sichuan Tourism University told SNA, «Chengdu is a gastronomy city and Sichuan cuisine is very famous. So, for this Expo, I have brought a lot of Sichuan cuisine to Seychelles.» He brought flavouring for hotpot, ingredients for cooking as well as chutneys that can be eaten with rice and rice wine. One supplier displayed mops that can be used for both wet and dry surfaces at the same time while another was showing different foam products that they produce such as pillows and mattresses. In another stall, visitors were able to taste delicious sweet buns with a variety of fillings. The suppliers also provided visitors with brochures and their contact information for further discussions.   Several Seychellois-owned enterprises were also present and one of them, Leroy Zialor showcased what his business Zhuhai Troy Trading Co. Ltd offers. Zialor told SNA that his company is based in China and trades internationally, however, they also facilitate Seychellois clients' access to Chinese manufacturing. The company trades mainly in construction equipment and machinery, interior design solutions, prefabricated buildings as well as customised sourcing services to meet specific client requirements. «When we started it was difficult to establish our company because we are foreigners and not Chinese, but after some time and a lot of effort, we were able to move forward. We trade internationally but we also connect Seychelles to China. Here in Seychelles, we supply farming equipment, such as tractors, and cultivators to farms on the main islands as well as several outer islands that have operating farms. We also supply food processing equipment among many others.» Zailor said, «This Expo is good for us especially in terms of visibility. We are already well-established but through this, we just wanted to secure our position, to show that we are present. But from what I can see we are alright, even STC (Seychelles Trading Company) visited us today for future collaboration.» 

Air Seychelles has been crowned the «World's Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean» for the second consecutive year at the Grand Final ceremony of the World Travel Awards held in Madeira, Portugal, on Sunday. In a press release on Monday, the Seychelles' national carrier said that this recognition highlights the airline's continuous dedication to excellence in customer service and its commitment to enhancing travel experiences in one of the world's premier travel destinations. Air Seychelles' chief executive, Sandy Benoiton expressed his gratitude and pride. «Winning the title of 'World's Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean' for the second year in a row is a remarkable honour that reflects the hard work and passion of our entire team at Air Seychelles. Each award received motivates us to maintain our commitment to delivering a high standard of service and memorable experiences to our passengers. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our loyal customers, members of the public, and industry partners who continuously support and believe in us,» said Benoiton. Additionally, this year in May, Air Seychelles clinched two accolades - the Indian Ocean's Leading Airline - Economy Class and the Indian Ocean's Leading Cabin Crew at the World Travel Awards 2024. The event gathered leaders from various industries, all competing for their share of the coveted accolades. The World Travel Awards have long been regarded as a benchmark of quality with votes cast by travel professionals and consumers worldwide, reinforcing the significance of this achievement. The Seychelles' national carrier has been flying for over 45 years. Wholly owned by the government, the airline operates regionally from its home in Mahe to Colombo, Tel Aviv, Johannesburg, Mumbai, and Mauritius with state-of-the-art Airbus A320NEOs. 

November 25 is Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) Day, dedicated to the men and women in uniform working around the clock to protect and defend the island nation's sovereignty.  Currently, the SDF has 75 women officers. These women are ranked between Second Lieutenant, Lieutenant, and Captain, with the highest being Major. They are based in different units of the force: Defence Forces Headquarters, Seychelles Coast Guard, Seychelles Air Force, Special Forces Unit, Military Training and Support Centre, Medical Centre and Presidential Security Unit. In the past months, there has been an increase in women in uniform excelling in this field, which is male-dominated. On Defence Forces Day this year, SNA presents some of these women who have broken the barriers by achieving what no other woman has been able to achieve in the armed forces of the island nation. Dania Woodcock is one such woman in uniform who is currently the highest ranked woman in the SDF and who made history twice. Earlier this year, in June for the first time in 48 years, Woodcock was the parade commander at the National Day Parade. Woodcock – a medical doctor with the SDF,  was at the helm of the parade.  Four years ago, in March 2020, she made history for the first time by becoming the first Seychellois military medical officer in the army. Woodcock joined the army in 2010. «As a trailblazing woman in the Seychelles DefenCe Forces, my career has been marked by several groundbreaking achievements as the First Direct Entry CadetI made history as the first woman to complete officer cadet training as a direct entry in SDF, paving the way for future female officers,» Woodcock told SNA. Woodcock added: «My role as a medical professional is exemplified by becoming the first female doctor in the SDF and the first holding a PhD, bringing valuable medical expertise to the force. Major Woodcock has left her mark as the first woman to attain the highest level of leadership in the army. »My promotion to a senior officer places me as only the third woman in SDF history to achieve this level of leadership however, I broke new ground by becoming the first female parade commander in SDF history, demonstrating my leadership skills, commanding presence, showcasing my personal dedication but also represent significant strides in gender equality within the SDF,« explained the Major, who adds »these achievements serves as an inspiration for future generations of women in the military, proving that with determination and excellence, barriers can be broken and new paths forged and hopefully the upcoming women surpassed my achievements.« Anthony was promoted to Lieutenant, becoming the second in command and the only female officer on board the patrol vessel PS Etoile. (Seychelles Defence Forces) Photo License: All Rights Reserved  Lieutenant Connie Anthony recently came back to Seychelles – a 115 islands archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, following a two-year attachment with the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF). Anthony held the position of Maritime Planning and Training Officer at the EASF's headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. During her tenure at the EASF, she had the responsibility of overseeing maritime-related training.   »From August 2022 till September 2024, I was posted as the Chief Maritime Training & Planning Officer at the Eastern African Standby Forces in Nairobi, Kenya. I can say that the experience I gained during those two years has been one that I will use throughout my career, I had the opportunity to attend meetings and courses in the 10 EASF member states countries and peace support organisation such as ATMIS, which is based in Somalia. I am honoured and thankful to my country for trusting me to hold such a position as the first military female officer to be posted at EASF, and I can proudly say that I was also the only one that EASF had,« said Anthony. In 2017, based at the Seychelles Coast Guard, Anthony was promoted to Lieutenant, becoming the second in command and the only female officer on board the patrol vessel PS Etoile.  »As a female Lieutenant in the SDF, I started my journey on March 7, 2011. During my 13 years in the service, I started with a Diploma in Navigation (France) and after that, I proceeded to my cadet course in the United Kingdom at the British Royal Naval College for 1 year. I was the first and only female to have attended this course in the mentioned college. During those years, I have also attended various courses which are relevant to my career and others,« explained Anthony.  »To all women out there, as a military officer, I've learned that true strength comes from within. Embrace your challenges and rise above them, for every obstacle is an opportunity to grow. Stand proud of your identity, and never underestimate the impact you can make. Together, we are paving the way for future generations. Keep pushing forward, and let your determination shine.« Crispin is an engineer in the Seychelles Airforce, who joined the elite Special Forces Unit.  (Seychelles Defence Forces) Photo License: All Rights Reserved  Another female officer who has made remarkable achievement is Lieutenant Melina Crispin, who, for 10  months, was posted at CMF headquarters in Bahrain, where she served as Maritime Security Enhancement Training (MSET) Planner within Combined Task Force 154, completing two critical exercises in Egypt and Bahrain. Clocking 10 years with the army. Crispin, who has an Advanced Diploma in Business Studies and Accounting, has made a different turnaround in terms of career. »I chose to chart an unconventional path by pursuing a career serving as an able seaman in the Seychelles Coast Guard, an engineer in Seychelles Airforce, and joining the elite Special Forces Unit. My journey has been diverse and challenging. Each step in this dynamic career has tested my strength, adaptability, and resolve, proving that no challenge is insurmountable when you are determined to succeed,« said Crispin. »Each role, whether in engineering, administration, or strategic planning, has taught me resilience, leadership, and the value of teamwork. My story is a testament that, regardless of the field or obstacles, with perseverance and passion, women can achieve greatness in any domain they aspire to. Let this be an inspiration to future generations; nothing can stop you from reaching your goals when you set your mind to it. Dare to serve, lead, and inspire,« urges Crispin. Tamboo made history last year by becoming the first Seychellois woman to fly a Seychelles Air Force (SAF) Dornier plane. (Seychelles Defence Forces) Photo License: All Rights Reserved  Second Lieutenant Sylvie Tamboo was commissioned as a military pilot in October this year by President Wavel Ramkalawan, the Commander-in-Chief of the SDF.  Tamboo, who joined the SDF in 2022, received her commission after successfully completing her officer cadet training at an academy in Chennai, India. Tamboo made history last year by becoming the first Seychellois woman to fly a Seychelles Air Force (SAF) Dornier plane. Tamboo was already a pilot after taking her courses in Greece. Now a military pilot, a double record for the young officer. »At just 22 years old, I hold the distinction of being both the youngest officer in the Seychelles military and the youngest pilot in the country. I'm a graduate of the Training Aviation Academy in Athens, Greece. I spent two years in Greece before earning my commercial pilot license. Currently flying the Dornier 228, I've fulfilled a childhood dream inspired by my aviation background and following in my father's footsteps. With a passion for flying and a dedication to excellence, my ultimate goal is to become a flight instructor, passing on my expertise to future aviators,« added Second Lieutenant Tamboo. Boniface (4th from left) is in the Special Forces Unit. (Seychelles Defence Forces) Photo License: All Rights Reserved  Twenty-six years old, Lance Corporal Guyra Boniface is currently serving in the Special Forces Unit. »This year has been a remarkable journey filled with growth and achievement, both abroad and locally. Internationally, I took on new challenges that expanded my horizons, whether through professional endeavours, academic pursuits, or cultural exchanges. Locally, I focused on strengthening community connections and making meaningful contributions through impactful projects and initiatives. Each milestone, no matter how big or small, has added to my personal and professional development, leaving me proud of the progress I've made and eager for the opportunities that lie ahead.« Before joining the army, Coloma was an athlete doing weightlifting. (Seychelles Defence Forces) Photo License: All Rights Reserved   Private Joelita Coloma is the first female in the SDF to complete the commandos and Special Forces training. The 21 years old, joined the military in April 2024. »Throughout the recruit training, we were subjected to rigorous physical exercise, tactical exercise, handling of weapons and focused teamwork exercise, which required us to communicate and support each other in difficult situations,'' explained the soldier, who immediately after recruit training undertook a commandos course. «The training was intense, physically and mentally demanding. My physical endurance was tested every morning and evening with a 16km run with full battle order. We barely slept. It was tough, and it drained me to the point that I wanted to give up. I didn't want to fail, thus tarnishing my dream. I sought advice from my instructors and family members, who motivated me to continue pushing my limits. Simultaneously, I enrolled in the Special Force training and was sent to La Reunion for a two-week specialised training,» explained the young soldier. Coloma, who before joining the army was an athlete doing weightlifting, added: «While the experience is physically and mentally exhausting, I feel a strong sense of accomplishment, camaraderie and personal growth. Today, I live life with increased confidence, a deeper sense of discipline, and a better understanding of teamwork and leadership. And I always carry the privilege of being the only female amongst my batch to graduate alongside 14 male personnel.»

New rules allowing wealthy polluting countries to buy carbon-cutting «offsets» from developing nations were agreed at UN climate talks Saturday, a move already raising fears they will be used to greenwash climate targets. This decision, taken during extra time at the COP29 conference, is a major step forward in a debate that has dragged through climate talks for years, and diplomats broke into applause when the decision was gavelled. Supporters say a UN-backed framework for carbon trading could direct investment to developing nations where many credits are generated. Critics fear that if set up poorly, these schemes could undermine the world's efforts to curb global warming. An Lambrechts from Greenpeace said the agreement delivered «carbon markets with loopholes and a lack of integrity» that would allow fossil-fuel companies to keep polluting. Reuben Manokara of WWF said the final text was «a compromise» and though not perfect it provided «a degree of clarity that has long been absent» from global efforts to regulate carbon trading. Carbon credits are generated by activities that reduce or avoid planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions, such as planting trees, protecting existing carbon sinks or replacing polluting coal with clean-energy alternatives. Until now, these credits have mainly been traded by companies on an unregulated market dogged by scandal. But the 2015 Paris climate deal envisaged that countries could also take part in a cross-border trade of carbon reductions. The broad idea is that countries -- mainly wealthy polluters -- can buy carbon credits from other nations that are doing better on their own emissions-cutting targets. - Article 6 - The initiative, known as Article 6, includes both direct country-to-country trading and a separate UN-backed marketplace. It has proved popular with both developing countries looking for international financing, and wealthier nations eager to find new ways to meet steep emissions-reduction targets. The European Union and the United States pushed for an agreement at COP29 in Azerbaijan's capital Baku. Many developing nations, particularly in Asia and Africa, have already signed up for projects. But experts fear that the systems could allow countries to trade dubious emissions reductions that cover up their failure to actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As of earlier this month, more than 90 deals have already been agreed between nations for over 140 pilot projects, according to the UN. But so far only one trade has happened between countries, involving Switzerland buying credits linked to a new fleet of electric buses in Thailand's capital Bangkok. Switzerland has other agreements lined up with Vanuatu and Ghana, while other buyer countries include Singapore, Japan and Norway. - 'Biggest threat to Paris agreement' - The Climate Action Tracker project has warned that Switzerland's lack of transparency over its own emissions cuts risks «setting a bad precedent». Niklas Hohne of NewClimate Institute, one of the groups behind the project, warned there was a concern that the market will create an incentive for developing countries to underpromise emission cuts in their own national plans so they can sell credits from any reductions that go above this level. «There's big motivation on both sides to do it wrong,» he said. Injy Johnstone, a researcher specialising in carbon neutrality at Oxford University, told AFP the fact that nations can set their own standards in these country-to-country deals was a major concern. She said overall the risk of greenwashing makes Article 6 «the biggest threat to the Paris agreement». Alongside this decentralised, state-to-state system, there will be another UN-run system for trading carbon credits, open to both states and companies. On the opening day of COP29, nations agreed a number of crucial ground rules for setting this UN-administered market in motion after nearly a decade of complex discussions. «There are many projects waiting» for the market, Andrea Bonzanni of the IETA International Emissions Trading Association, told AFP. The IETA has more than 300 members including energy giants such as BP. Despite these positive signs, some experts expressed doubt that the quality of the carbon credits traded on the regulated market would be much better than those that came before. Erika Lennon of the Center for International Environmental Law said it would be necessary to make sure these markets do not create «even more problems and more scandals than the voluntary carbon markets». These «voluntary» markets have been rocked by scandals in recent years amid accusations that some credits sold did not reduce emissions as promised, or that projects exploited local communities. © Agence France-Presse

The Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) has launched an educational comic book to help children understand aquaculture and to encourage them to become interested in this field at a young age. «Zak Aquaculture Adventures» by Peter Lalande is targeting the younger audience, through the main character, a little boy named Zak, the book simplifies aquaculture so that children from the grassroots level get to understand this sector. «The Seychelles Fisheries Authority has been implementing its aquaculture education and awareness campaign since 2017. Its main target has mostly been students in terms of career path guidance, the entrepreneurs in terms of new business ventures and the public for general information on the development of the sector in the Seychelles,» Aubrey Lesperance, head of Aquaculture at the SFA, told SNA. Lesperance added that in the past, students targeted have been those mainly from secondary schools and professional centres. «Primary students have not been targeted yet as it is more difficult to explain the science of aquaculture to the younger students.» The storyline gives children a clearer definition of aquaculture, its benefits for the country, benefits for the environment, benefits for the local fishing community, as well as the different components of aquaculture, from the hatchery to the actual farming through cages placed in the sea.   Children also get to learn about different fish and other marine species. In the cartoon book, Zak visits the aquaculture facilities, including the broodstock, acclimation, quarantine facility, and the Containerised Echinoderm Hatchery at the Providence Fishing Port on the main island of Mahe.  During this visit, the little boy sees all the different equipment, including different tanks, their uses and functions. Zak asks the teacher featured in the book many questions through which children get to better understand aquaculture, with simple explanations accompanied by illustrations. Peter Lalande, the cartoonist and storyteller SFA said that primary schools – both public and private, as well as other institutions, such as the National Library - will receive a copy of the comic book, produced by local cartoonist Peter Lalande. Lalande, a historian-turned-cartoonist, told SNA that through this project he had used the form of art of caricature to pass on the message he wanted to convey, following research he had made on the subject.  According to Peter Lalande, the cartoonist, the strategy used is very powerful. (Seychelles Fishing Authority) Photo License: CC-BY  «My focus is on education, and I use storytelling for this purpose. A comic book is a fun way that kids can be educated at the same time that they are reading,» explained Lalande. According to the cartoonist, the strategy used is very powerful. «Storytelling is underutilised in Seychelles and this can be used for education purposes, to pass on information. We have a group of students who do not read and this is a way that is very engaging and makes it easier for them to assimilate this information,» explained Lalande. Zak is not a new character to the fisheries sector. In fact, he was featured in another book entitled «Shark Fin Soup,» published a few years ago, which raised awareness on the killing of sharks for their fins. The book, launched in September 2016, was aimed at educating the public about the dangers of unsustainable exploitation of the species.  The publication of the book was part of a wider project dubbed the 'Shark Fin Soup' project, and was a collaboration between the Fishermen and Boat Owners Association (FBOA), the Seychelles Fishing Authority, and an environmental non-profit organisation, Green Islands Foundation (GIF), which was not only targeting the general public but the fishermen themselves. Speaking about this initiative, Maria Brioche, an environmental educator, who has been working with children for over 20 years, said having a book on aquaculture for children is a fantastic idea.  «Introducing children to aquaculture can help them develop an understanding of where their food comes from, especially seafood, and the importance of sustainable practices to protect marine life [...] It could also spark their interest in marine biology and environmental stewardship from an early age,» she said. 

Ireland, Britain and France faced travel chaos on Saturday and one person died as a winter storm battered northwest Europe with strong winds, heavy rain, snow and ice. Hampshire Police in southern England said a man died after a tree fell onto a car on a major road near Winchester early in the day. Police in West Yorkshire said they were probing whether a second death from a traffic accident was linked to the storm. It is understood the road was not icy at the time of the incident. Storm Bert left at least 60,000 properties in Ireland without power, and closed roads and some ferry and train routes on both sides of the Irish Sea. Channel ports and airports in Britain were badly affected while in France, tens of thousands remained without power after Storm Caetano on Thursday. Hundreds of passengers were stranded when trains were halted by power cuts. Media footage showed flooding in the west of Ireland, which also caused rail closures in Northern Ireland. Snow impacted travel across Britain. The heaviest snow hit Scotland and parts of northern and central England, with dozens of flood alerts in place. The UK Met Office issued snow and ice warnings for those regions, saying there was a «good chance some rural communities could be cut off». Scottish hills could see up to 40 centimetres (16 inches) of snow, while winds approaching 113 kilometres (70 miles) per hour were recorded in Britain. Ferry operator DFDS cancelled services on some routes until Monday, with sailings from Newhaven and Dover in southern England to Dieppe and Calais in France severely affected. Flights were disrupted at Newcastle airport due to heavy snow, with some flights diverted to Belfast and Edinburgh. - Blackouts - Avanti West Coast, which runs rail services between England and Scotland, advised customers not to attempt travel beyond the northern English city of Preston, as it cancelled numerous trains. National Highways also issued a «severe weather alert», warning of «blizzard conditions» affecting Yorkshire and northeast England, with a number of road closures announced. Met Eireann, the Irish National Meteorological Service, also issued a  warning for «very strong winds and heavy rain». The worst affected areas for power outages in Ireland were in western and northwestern counties, according to ESB Networks, which runs the country's electricity system. «Crews and contractors are deployed and restoring power in impacted areas where it is safe to do so,» it said. In Britain, the National Grid operator said power had been restored to «many homes and businesses» but more than 4,000 properties across the country were still without electricity on Saturday -- the majority in southwest England. Some 47,000 homes remained without power in northern France on Saturday, two days after the country was battered by Storm Caetano, power company Enedis said. Up to 270,000 people had been cut off due to the storm but Enedis said it had 2,000 technicians working to reconnect electricity lines torn down by winds of up to 130kph. Several hundred passengers were stranded on two trains in western France halted by power cuts. Some 200 people on a train going from Hendaye to Bordeaux and 400 on high-speed TGV going from Hendaye to Paris spent up to nine hours in the carriages. Junior transport minister Francois Dourovray told RTL radio that up to 1,000 passengers on different trains were affected by the power cut. © Agence France-Presse

Seychellois-Italian goalkeeper Francesco Anacoura has been named as the top goalkeeper of Serie C, the third-highest football division in Italy by Italian journalists. The award was given during the Italian Football Festival, which is the most important, prestigious and exclusive annual sports event in Italy. Anacoura was named in the Serie C XI of the year, after helping his team Sestri Levante to safety in their first season in the third division of Italian football. «I am very happy to have been given this award and it makes me so proud,» said Anacoura, adding that it feels great to be recognised for his performances. Anacoura has not represented Seychelles yet but he has expressed a desire to do so. Anacoura was named in the Serie C XI of the year, after helping his team Sestri Levante to safety. (Francesco Anacoura) Photo License: All Rights Reserved  He began his career at Juventus, one of the top teams in the Serie A, the top division in Italy after playing in the youth sides of Inter Milan and Parma. His senior career saw him represent the jerseys of Cuneo, Pro Vercelli, Pontedera, Rimini, Casertana, Ancona and, in Portugal, Cova da Piedade, Maritimo and Estrela Amadora. He joined Sestri Levante while they were in the fourth division of Italian football and helped them to the league title and promotion. They managed to secure a 15th-place finish last season to avoid relegation, with Anacoura  being instrumental, with some great performance, which has earned him a spot in the team of the season. «Last season was unbelievable, as we were rookies in the division and did not play any games in our stadium, but with a strong group of players and a good mentality, we achieved our goal,» said the 30-year- old, who has seen his career revived at the club. This season, however, has been a tough one for the side, who find themselves in the relegation play-off zone after 15 games. They have once again been solid defensively, while the attack has been lacking with only eight goals scored so far. Anacoura hopes he has made enough of an impression to earn a move to a bigger team, which is something he hopes to achieve. He shared, however,  that he owes so much to Sestri Levante. «I will always be grateful to this club!» Anacoura added, sharing that he has found a family there. For those interested in the more popular players, in the Serie A, Arsenal's former Bologna defender, Riccardo Calafiori was named as the best player for the 2023/24 season, with Lorenzo Lucca, who plays for Udinese, taking home the young player of the year award.

This week marked three years since the prominent Seychellois businessman Mukesh Valabhji and his wife Laura, a lawyer, appeared in the Supreme Court after being arrested on November 18, 2021, by police on suspicion of money laundering of $50 million and possession of firearms. The couple has been on remand since, and the money laundering charges have been removed against Laura. The case is related to $50 million granted to the Seychelles' government by the United Arab Emirates in 2002. The funds were transferred to a bank account of the Seychelles Marketing Board (SMB), now the Seychelles Trading Company (STC), to a Baroda bank account in England. At the time, Mukesh Valabhji was the managing director of the SMB, and the prosecution alleges that the funds were returned to Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, to pay for hotels sold in the privatisation of the COSPROH holdings, a state-owned enterprise that owned several hotels, of which Mukesh Valabhji was the executive chairman. SNA looks at the main points in the case three years after the arrest of the Valabhji couple. Search of the property – arms discovery During the search at the couple's residence, the police discovered a cache of arms. Shortly after, Leslie Benoiton, a senior officer in the former Seychelles People's Defence Forces—now known as the Seychelles Defence Forces—was arrested in connection to the cache of arms. A separate case was opened on the possession of these weapons. High-level officials and former First Lady arrested  On November 23, 2021, two former high government officials, former minister Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, who was one of the former directors of the Compagnie Seychelloise de Promotion Hôtelière (COSPROH), and Lekha Nair, a former director general at the Ministry of Finance at the time, were also arrested. While Nair was granted bail, Loustau-Lalanne was remanded until all suspects appeared before the Supreme Court on December 3, 2021. On November 27, Sarah Zarqhani Rene, the wife of late President France Albert Rene, was arrested as part of the ongoing case of the missing $50 million. All six suspects were formally charged on December 17, 2021. Mukesh Valabhji was charged with conspiracy to commit official corruption contrary to sections 91 and 381 of the Penal Code and and former First Ladyconspiracy to commit money laundering. His wife, Laura Valabhji, was charged with money laundering. Leslie Benoiton was charged with money laundering for corruptly obtaining $100,000 by way of payment from Mukesh Valabhji without lawful authority or excuse. Three others charged with money laundering were Lekha Nair, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, and Sarah Zarqhani Rene. Bail for Nair, Loustau-Lalanne, and Zarqhani was granted, while the Valabhji couple and Benoiton remain to date on remand. Nair was released after paying an SCR 50,000 ($3,768) bail bond, and Loustau-Lalanne after paying an SCR 250,000 ($18,837) bail bond and providing two sureties of SCR 100,000 ($7,535) each, as well as handing his passport to the authorities. Bail for Zarqhani was set at $2 million with two sureties of $1 million each. She did not pay the bail set and remained in police custody. On December 29, 2021, two former officers of the Seychelles Defence Forces were arrested—75-year-old retired brigadier and former Chief of the Seychelles People's Defence Forces (SPDF), Leopold Payet, and 81-year-old retired lieutenant colonel and presidential chief security officer, Frank Marie. The five suspects in the ongoing possession of firearms case—Valabhji and his wife Laura, Benoiton, Payet, and Frank Marie—were formally charged on February 11, 2022. They were charged with abuse of authority of office for possession of firearms, use of property for the commission of terrorist acts, conspiracy to commit offenses under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and acquisition and possession of firearms or ammunition without a license under the Firearms and Ammunition Act. Marie was released on bail on February 25, 2022, due to health issues. Case transferred to the Office of the Attorney General On May 6, 2022, the money laundering case of the missing $50 million from Seychelles' government accounts was transferred to the Office of the Attorney General. This came after it was revealed that the powers of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles (ACCS) to prosecute six defendants are limited both in time and in regard to the offences until amendments are made to the Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (AMLFT) Act 2020. Charges amended, some accused released After the amendments to the law were made by the National Assembly on May 19, 2022, the ACCS filed amended charges for money laundering against businessman Mukesh Valabhji and former First Lady Sarah Zarqhani Rene. While Valabhji remained in custody, Zarqhani Rene was released. All charges against Nair and Loustau-Lalanne in the money laundering accounts were dropped. Charges concerning money laundering were withdrawn against Laura Valabhji pending further investigations, but she remains on remand in relation to the firearms and prevention of terrorism case. The Supreme Court had set December 1, 2023, as the date for the arms and ammunition trial, and the hearing is ongoing, while the corruption case's initial trial date was set for April 13, 2023. This date was later moved to May 11, 2023, as the couple appeared before Judge Mohan Burhan concerning their request for Chief Justice Govinden's recusal from their cases. ACCS to resume corruption case once the ongoing illegal arms case concludes Despite announcing the trial date for the corruption case, the ACCS head, May de Silva, announced in the National Assembly in November 2023 that it will only resume the corruption case once the illegal arms and ammunition case comes to a conclusion.

A new draft deal at UN climate talks Friday proposes that rich nations commit $250 billion a year to help poorer nations combat global warming in an 11th-hour bid to break the deadlocked negotiations. African countries and climate activists quickly denounced the figure as «unacceptable» and inadequate to meet the realities of a rapidly warming world, but wealthy nations including the United States have insisted that massive packages are not politically realistic. With the gathering scheduled to end later Friday, delegates from nearly 200 nations had eagerly awaited COP29 hosts Azerbaijan's new proposal after two weeks of fraught bargaining. The text sets an ambitious overall target to raise at least $1.3 trillion per year by 2035 from not only the public money but also the private sector. It is the first time concrete numbers were formally proposed at talks dominated by divisions over how to increase assistance for developing nations to cut emissions and adapt to climate change. Developing countries were seeking a significant boost in the existing pledge that commits rich nations to $100 billion a year in climate finance. «The proposed target to mobilise $250 billion per year by 2035 is totally unacceptable and inadequate to delivering the Paris Agreement,» said Ali Mohamed, chairman of the African Group of Negotiators. He said it would «lead to unacceptable loss of life in Africa and around the world, and imperils the future of our world.» «The $250 billion target is not enough -- not big enough, not fast enough, not good enough,» said Friederike Roder from activist group Global Citizen. «Inadequate, divorced from the reality of climate impacts and outrageously below the needs of developing countries,» said Jasper Inventor from Greenpeace. But the US, which President-elect Donald Trump is expected to pull out of climate diplomacy, signalled it was not looking to negotiate a higher figure. «It has been a significant lift over the past decade to meet the prior, smaller goal. $250 billion will require even more ambition and extraordinary reach,» said a senior US official, whose team in Baku comes from outgoing President Joe Biden's administration. COP29 host Azerbaijan said the $250 billion reflected the submissions made by rich nations during the negotiations. Azerbaijan said it would keep working on «final adjustments» on outstanding issues. - Azerbaijan under pressure - An influential negotiation bloc of 134 developing nations including China had pushed for at least $500 billion from developed countries. But major contributors such as the European Union have said that private-sector money inevitably must play a part. The EU also wanted newly wealthy emerging economies like China, the world's largest emitter, to contribute to the overall goal. Azerbaijan, an authoritarian state that relies on oil and gas exports, has been accused of lacking the experience and bandwidth to steer such large and complex negotiations. «This is the worst COP in recent memory,» Mohamed Adow, speaking for the Climate Action Network, said at a press conference before the text's release, adding that «no deal is better than a bad deal» for developing countries. Sindra Sharma from the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network, an activist coalition, expressed «a complete sense of frustration» at the talks. «I've never seen a presidency like this, I've never seen a process like this,» she said. The EU had also called for stronger leadership from Azerbaijan, whose leader, Ilham Aliyev, opened the conference by railing against Western nations and hailing fossil fuels as a «gift of God». - Fossil fuel fight - Apart from splits over money, many nations fear the climate deal in negotiation does not reflect the urgency on phasing out coal, oil and gas -- the main drivers of global warming. Last year's COP28 summit in Dubai made a landmark call on the world to transition away from fossil fuels after long negotiations in Dubai. But a Saudi official speaking on behalf of the Arab Group said the bloc would «not accept any text that targets any specific sectors, including fossil fuel» in Baku. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock singled out Saudi Arabia as she said it was «essential» to keep last year's call on fossil fuels. «Apparently some had a different goal here, and that is turning back the clock,» she told reporters. But European countries, like the US, have also seen a shift in political mood with a backlash against foreign aid and the green agenda. The annual UN-led climate talks come on what is already poised to be the hottest year in history and as disasters rise around the world. Just since the start of COP29 on November 11, deadly storms have battered the Philippines and Honduras, while Ecuador has declared a national emergency due to drought and forest fires and Spain has been reeling after historic floods. © Agence France-Presse

The Seychelles – China Trade Expo has officially begun and already several businesses have confirmed certain transactions with the Chinese exhibitors. This statement was made by Seychelles' Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry, Devika Vidot, at the opening ceremony of the fair on Thursday. «At this moment, following a tour of the fair, I have personally witnessed transactions being confirmed between the suppliers and local entrepreneurs for machinery. I am very happy that in the first hour of the trade fair there are Seychellois businesses who have benefitted from this event. This is exactly what I want to encourage our local businesses to do; we need to keep looking for ways to innovate and how to include new technology in a way that it improves the standard and services they offer. We want them to be on par with international standards,» said Vidot. During her speech at the ceremony, the Chinese Ambassador for Seychelles, Lin Nan, said, «This Expo is an important manifestation of China's opening up to the outside world. China will open its market wider, turning its big market into Africa's big opportunity, and encouraging more two-way trade and investments. China is willing to work together with Seychelles side to deepen cooperation in trade, tourism, agriculture, and other sectors, to achieve pragmatic outcomes and build a China – Seychelles community with a shared future.» Products on display at the Seychelles-China Expo. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY  While responding to a question from reporters about the relationship between Seychelles and China, Vidot also echoed this sentiment and stated that the development of commerce between Seychelles and China would solidify the already excellent partnership that exists between the two countries.   «I feel that a commercial relationship is more durable over time and it guarantees that the partnership benefits both countries, especially in terms of prosperity. At the moment we have a lot of businesses here who do interact with Chinese suppliers; however, we've also noted a large majority who haven't been able to establish contact to start, therefore this event is meant to enable our local businesses to have direct contact with Chinese suppliers,» she added. Vidot said, «This expo represents a myriad of opportunities, not only for established businesses but also entrepreneurs who are just starting out as well. It can also be a good opportunity for anyone who is still thinking about starting a business, it can inspire them to pursue the idea further.» The Vice Mayor of Chengdu, Wang Qian, who is leading the Chinese delegation to Seychelles, said, «Today, we bring our selected products and enterprises covering areas such as mechanical equipment, agricultural technology, packaging design, urban construction, new energy as well as art and cultural design with the hope that they can be known and popular among people and enterprises in Seychelles. We will also bring tuna and rum back home, giving Chengdu people a chance to experience the unique charm of Seychelles.»

Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan, accompanied by First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, met with Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra, reaffirming the strong ties between the two nations.On Thursday, a press release from State House said, «The official visit commenced with a ceremonial military guard of honour, followed by a private tête-à-tête between the two leaders. President Ramkalawan conveyed heartfelt greetings from the people of Seychelles and expressed profound gratitude for Ghana's warm hospitality.» Discussions highlighted the historic relationship between Seychelles and Ghana, as the two leaders explored avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation. Key topics included culture, tourism, youth development, and the Blue Economy. The agreements were signed by Seychelles' Ambassador Conrad Mederic and Ghana's Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Andrew Egyapa Mercer. (State House) Photo License: CC-BY  The two countries also signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on tourism and culture.  The agreements were signed by Seychelles' Ambassador Conrad Mederic and Ghana's Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Andrew Egyapa Mercer.In a joint press conference, the two Presidents emphasised the importance of bolstering partnerships and exploring mutual opportunities.President Akufo-Addo and First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo later hosted President Ramkalawan and First Lady Linda Ramkalawan for an official luncheon.As part of the visit, the Seychelles delegation paid tribute to Ghana's rich history with wreath-laying ceremonies at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture. Ramkalawan and the First Lady met with the Seychellois community in Ghana. (State House)  Photo License: CC-BY  The head of state of Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, also met with members of the Seychellois community residing in Ghana. The event, organised by Kwame Acquah, Honorary Consul of Seychelles in Ghana, brought together Seychellois nationals living and working in the country. Ramkalawan expressed his gratitude to the attendees and updated them on recent developments in Seychelles. Speaking on behalf of the Seychellois community in Ghana, John Micock shared their pride and privilege in meeting the President and getting the opportunity to engage directly with the nation's leader. Since coming into office in October 2020, Ramkalawan has made it a must to meet with the Seychellois diaspora in every country he visits. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also set up a section dedicated to the Seychellois diaspora and earlier this year launched the diaspora policy, according to the statement.

Seychelles and Lebanon have enhanced their bilateral cooperation and existing friendly relations with the signing of an agreement for visa waiver last week. According to the Foreign Affairs Department, «Under the Agreement, all passport holders from the two countries will enjoy exemption from visa requirements. This measure seeks to facilitate the movement of citizens between Seychelles and Lebanon.» The signing ceremony took place in New York between the Permanent Representative of Seychelles to the United Nations, Ambassador Ian Madeleine, and the Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Lebanon to the United Nations, Hadi Hachem. Meanwhile, no visa is required to enter Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean but before departure, all visitors must apply for a travel authorisation through the Seychelles Electronic Border System platform. Seychelles' passport remains the most powerful on the African continent for a consecutive year while moving three steps up in a global ranking published by Henley and Partners for the first quarter of 2024. The Henley Passport Index ranks Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, as 26th worldwide for the first quarter of 2024 compared to 29th in 2023 for the ability of the country's passport holders to visit 153 countries visa-free.  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is «now officially a wanted man» after the International Criminal Court's decision Thursday to issue arrest warrants for the Israeli leader, Amnesty International said. The ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif «for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024». «Prime Minister Netanyahu is now officially a wanted man,» Amnesty Secretary General Agnes Callamard said in a statement. «We urge all ICC member states, and non-states parties including the United States and other allies of Israel, to demonstrate their respect for the court's decision.. . by arresting and handing over those wanted by the ICC,» Callamard added. «ICC member states and the whole international community must stop at nothing until these individuals are brought to trial before the ICC's independent and impartial judges.» The ICC's move now theoretically limits their movements, as any of the court's 124 national members would be obliged to arrest them on their territory. Israel said in early August it had killed Deif in an air strike in southern Gaza in July, but Hamas has not confirmed his death. Hamas militants conducted a stunning cross-border raid on Israel on October 7 last year that resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel has since then been fighting a war in Gaza, which the militant group rules. The Hamas government's health ministry in the Gaza Strip said Thursday at least 44,056 people had been killed in more than 13 months of war. © Agence France-Presse

Ghana's Asante king, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will receive 28 historic gold ornaments and regalia this weekend, in the latest major restoration of cultural treasures to the West African country. The objects, dating to the 19th century, are symbols of governance, chiefship and royal heritage. Originally crafted by Asante court artisans, they include swords, linguist staffs, palace security locks, rings, necklaces and gold weights. The artefacts were authenticated by historian and associate director of the Manhyia Palace Museum, Ivor Agyeman-Duah. «This is a significant cultural moment for Ghana and Africa,» he said. Speaking to AFP, he described the regalia as «masterpieces of gold smithery reflecting the sophistication of Asante court governance». The presentation will take place at a mini-durbar at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the return from exile of the king's grand-uncle, Nana Agyeman Prempeh I. The event will also honour the visiting president of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, according to a statement from the palace. Agyeman-Duah said the restitution follows a direct appeal that the Asante king -- the Asantehene -- made earlier this year to AngloGold Ashanti, a South African mining company, to hand back the artefacts. - Stolen goods - The objects had been part of the company's Gold of Africa Museum in Cape Town, South Africa, before being transferred to the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria. Their return to Kumasi was approved three weeks ago by the Reserve Bank of South Africa, the statement added. The objects will be housed in a new contemporary gallery recently added to the Manhyia Palace Museum. This restitution brings the total number of cultural objects returned to the Asante Palace this year to 67, the largest repatriation of artefacts in Africa in recent years. Earlier this year, seven items looted during the 1874 Anglo-Asante War were returned by the Fowler Museum at UCLA in California. A further 32 were restituted from the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. An AngloGold Ashanti delegation will attend the ceremony in Kumasi. Neighbouring Nigeria is also negotiating the return of thousands of 16th- to 18th-century objects looted from the ancient kingdom of Benin and held by museums and art collectors across the United States and Europe. And, two years ago, Benin received two dozen treasures and artworks stolen in 1892 by French colonial forces. © Agence France-Presse

The Seychelles' government has already earmarked SCR 10 million ($730,000) for the construction of the new National Archives building at Union Vale in the central Mahe district of English River. The secretary general of the Seychelles National Institute of Culture, Heritage and the Arts (SNICHA), David Andre, revealed the plans after a visit held at the proposed construction site on Thursday morning. The Archives personnel together with other high SNICHA officials viewed where the new two-storey building would be constructed.  One of the main services that the Seychelles National Archives offer to locals is genealogy research, where people can trace their ancestry through several generations. «This new building will provide an opportunity to offer new services and also cater for current services, but in line with the mandate and functions of an archive,» explained SNICHA's permanent secretary, Cecile Kalebi. At the moment, the Archives' offices are spread between Ile Du Port, a man-made island close to the capital Victoria and, and Providence, in the east of Mahe, the main island. The construction of the new building will allow the institution to have all its services under one roof. Kalebi explained that they are planning for the building to be a modern one while keeping some aspects of traditional designs in its interior decor. For the time being, the provisional plans will be sent for the Planning Authority's approval. «It is only once we have completed the first process that the project to build the new Archives will be under way,» said Andre. He added that while the money for the project has already been set aside and the exact time frame for its implementation and completion will depend on the technicians involved. The Seychelles National Archives first appeared with the Instrument of Capitulation of Seychelles, signed on May 17, 1794, between the British Captain Henry Newcome of HMS Orpheus and the French Commandant Chevalier Quéau de Quincy. The colonial administrative records of the island began with this historical document, laying the groundwork for the future creation of the Seychelles National Archives. However, with the passage of Seychelles National Archives Ordinance No. 27 of November 7, 1964, the present Seychelles National Archives began to take shape in the 1960s. The Archives were not immediately active despite the 1964 decree, and it took several more years before the institution was formally established. Up to June 2022, the National Archives were housed in the same building as the National Library. However, due to a fungus outbreak, authorities had to move out of the building and are now in Helena Complex at Ile du Port and the data entry unit is at Providence. 

The President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, accompanied by First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, received a warm reception upon landing at Accra's Kotoka International Airport for his inaugural official visit to Ghana, State House said on Wednesday.The visit coincides with the 100th Anniversary celebrations of King Prempeh I's return from exile in Seychelles, underscoring historical ties between the two nations.Ramkalawan and his delegation were welcomed by Ghana's Minister of State for Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe. Joining the reception were Seychelles Ambassador to Ethiopia and Ambassador-Designate to Ghana, Conrad Mederic, alongside Ghana's newly appointed High Commissioner to Seychelles, Francisca Ashietey-Odunton, and other senior officials.The official ceremony featured vibrant cultural performances, showcasing Ghana's rich heritage.During his visit, Ramkalawan is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Ghana's President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, aimed at deepening diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations. 

The first direct charter flight of the Sichuan Airlines, linking Seychelles to Chengdu in China, arrived in the island nation on Tuesday. The flight touched down at the Seychelles International Airport at Pointe Larue at 6.47 am carrying 264 passengers, together with a delegation of high officials from Chengdu led by the Deputy Mayor of the city. Also onboard was a group of Chinese businessmen who will be participating in the trade fair organised by the Enterprise Seychelles Agency (ESA). The trade fair will be held at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Hotel from Thursday, November 21 to Saturday 23. Apart from the officials and the businessmen, there were also several tourists present on the flight. The passengers were welcomed at the airport by the Minister for Tourism and Foreign Affairs, Sylvestre Radegonde, the Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry Devika Vidot, the Chinese Ambassador to Seychelles, Lin Nan, as well as the principal secretary for Tourism, Sherin Francis. In his welcoming address,  Radegonde said that the last time Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, had a direct flight from China was almost six years ago. Radegonde added that the new flight is the result of extensive negotiations and discussions and «it represents the culmination of our shared commitment to strengthening ties with China.» He told reporters that the flight from Chengdu was a chartered one and that they expect to have more from there in the future. «We are having discussions at the moment regarding this flight route. If everything goes well and we get enough people, this might become a regular flight,» he added. Vidot talked about the participation of the 34 businessmen in the trade fair and described China as very developed country, especially in regards to innovation and technology. She said that this event is meant to bring Seychellois entrepreneurs closer to Chinese suppliers as well as show these suppliers the business landscape in Seychelles. «We are making it easier for them; we've removed the language and geographical barrier so they are able to ask questions and learn more about the processes, so they are able to do it themselves in the future,» added Vidot.  According to ESA, the exhibitors from China have shown a lot of interest in displaying agricultural equipment, however, there will be representatives of different sectors such as manufacturing, tourism and hoteliers, beekeeping as well as crafts.

Football fans in Sudan, a country torn apart by war, are savouring a rare moment of pride after the national team qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals. The feat, achieved at the expense of Ghana, one of the continent's traditional powerhouses, comes despite the team having to play all their matches abroad and the domestic league being suspended. Streets of Port Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of displaced endure agonising waits for water and healthcare, came alive after the match, with car horns blaring and ecstatic fans waving Sudanese flags from the windows. The match marked Sudan's 10th qualification for the continental tournament, offering a rare moment of happiness to a nation devastated by 19 months of war. «Our joy after the game... could not truly reflect the emotions in our hearts,» one jubilant fan, Hassan Mohamed, told AFP. In Port Sudan, the country's de facto capital since last year, fans gathered in cafes Monday to watch the final group stage match against Angola, played in Benghazi, Libya. Others followed the action on mobile phones, holding their breath in the final moments, an AFP correspondent reported. Despite a goalless draw, Sudan secured the second qualifying spot for next year's AFCON finals from a group that, besides Angola and Ghana, also included Niger. As the referee's whistle signalled the end of the game, chairs toppled over as fans jumped for joy. Celebrations spilled into the streets of the Red Sea port city, where car horns echoed in triumph. It was only the second time that Sudan, the champions in 1970, made it to the AFCON finals in the last seven editions. - 'Impossible smile' - Social media platforms lit up with images of the players, as Sudanese users hailed the team's qualification as a «rare joy in dark times». «Their aim was to bring a smile back to the Sudanese people,» Khalid Omer Yousif, vice-chairman of the Sudanese Congress Party, wrote on X. Speaking to AFP by phone, sports journalist Nasr al-Din al-Fadalabi called the achievement «an impossible smile in a time of sorrow». Since April 2023, Sudan has been gripped by a war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Tens of thousands have been killed and more than 11 million have been displaced, including over three million who fled the country. Inside Sudan, displaced people face compounding humanitarian crises and the threat of famine, even in areas spared direct fighting. The war has devastated the country's infrastructure, crippled the health sector and shuttered most businesses. Football has not escaped the turmoil. - Politics on the pitch - With the domestic league suspended, Sudanese football has taken a new path. Home games were relocated to South Sudan and Libya, and the national team trained in Saudi Arabia. Players have signed contracts abroad, including goalkeeper Mohamed Mustafa in Tanzania. Sudanese footballers in Libya benefit from local status, while others who played abroad are now in the national team. Among them is Mohamed Eisa, a star forward who spent years in British leagues and now plays in Iran. The war has also seeped into football. In an October match against Ghana, team captain Ramadan Agab mimicked a victory gesture associated with army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, taunting his paramilitary rivals. Burhan has praised the team in public statements and visits to the football federation. For many Sudanese, this week's qualification was a moment of pride and unity. «Despite the divisions among some and despite so many obstacles... they (the players) have overcome every challenge,» said fan Akrama Ali Karamallah. «I believe they will go even further, and as they say, nothing is impossible.» © Agence France-Presse 

Rafael Nadal said early Wednesday he had left a sporting and personal 'legacy' after retiring from professional tennis, as tributes flooded in for the 22-time Grand Slam winner. The 38-year-old's glittering and historic career came to a close as Netherlands defeated Spain in the Davis Cup and Nadal gave an emotional speech that ran over 10 minutes long to more than 10,000 fans in Malaga. After 23 years in the game and many struggles with injury, Nadal retires as the second-most successful men's singles player of all time. «I leave with the peace of mind that I have left a legacy, which I really feel is not just a sporting one but a personal one,» Nadal said at his retirement ceremony. «I understand that the love I have received, if it was just for what happened on the court, would not be the same.» Nadal said he hoped people would remember him for more than just his record-breaking achievements on the court, including 14 French Open titles and a record 81-match unbeaten streak on the red dirt which made him the 'King of Clay'. The Spaniard never smashed a racquet on court during his career and was adored for his positive attitude. «The titles, the numbers are there, so people probably know that, but the way that I would like to be remembered more is like a good person, from a small village in Mallorca,» continued Nadal. «I just want to be remembered as a good person, a kid that followed their dreams and achieved (even) more than what I had dreamed.» Nadal was celebrated with a video montage on the many screens around the Martin Carpena arena in Malaga featuring many tennis greats. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Serena Williams among others left messages in the video, alongside former football stars including David Beckham, Raul and Andres Iniesta, who retired from playing in October. «Your tenacity, your fighting spirit, the energy that you brought, the power, is something that will be studied and transferred to many generations coming up,» said Djokovic, who has the record of 24 Grand Slam men's singles titles and is the last of the 'big three' still playing. «Congratulations on the most incredible career, it was such a privilege to play with you but also against you,» said Federer, Nadal's greatest rival, who retired in 2022 with 20 Grand Slams. - 'Eternal' - Nadal's last match was a 6-4, 6-4 defeat by Botic van de Zandschulp in the first singles rubber of Tuesday's Davis Cup quarter-final, and although Carlos Alcaraz forced a doubles decider Spain were eventually defeated to bring the curtain down on his career. «I'm not tired of playing tennis, it's just that my body has reached a moment where it doesn't want to play any more, so I have to accept the situation,» said Nadal. The Spaniard welled up during the Spanish national anthem at the start of the match and admitted it was «an emotional day». World number three Alcaraz, 21, is one of the game's brightest talents and a player some hope can become Nadal's heir. «His legacy is going to be eternal,» Alcaraz told reporters. «He has been great for tennis, for the sport in general, it is difficult -- at least for me -- to feel that I should continue the legacy that he has left. »It is difficult, almost impossible, I will just try to do my best, right now it's time to say great things about Rafa... «It is just great to have had Rafa in tennis, in Spain and in my life.» Spain's Davis Cup captain David Ferrer also paid tribute to Nadal. «There are people who will be remembered for their achievements in life, others until the end of their days, and others eternally,» said Ferrer. «You will be remembered eternally.» Nadal thanked fans in Spain in his speech but also around the rest of the world where he found many admirers. In Paris, where he won a record 14 French Open titles and earned the nickname the 'King of Clay', his image was projected onto the night sky in front of the Eiffel Tower. «I am crying as we speak... Rafael Nadal... What an absolute icon of sport period! There will never be another one like Rafa!» wrote former world number one Boris Becker on social media platform X. © Agence France-Presse

The Beau Vallon Promenade project, which will see 21 artisanal kiosks installed alongside the popular Regatta site of the Beau Vallon beach, is expected to be completed by May 2025, if everything goes according to plan, said a top official on Wednesday. The project, which began in February, will feature 35 kiosks with 10 of them being for food, four for beverages, and 21 for artisans. «The construction works on the kiosks will be completed in February 2025, but there are still a few small works that will take place after that, to ensure everything is ready and operational by the first week of May,» said the chief executive of Enterprise Seychelles Agency (ESA), Lisa Lautoy, in an interview with the media.   At the moment, only the kiosks for food and beverage vendors have been allocated. Those for artisans have been delayed as there is an issue with one of the businesses found within the area where the project is being done, which is refusing to move. «For now, only 18 of the 21 artisanal kiosks have been constructed, because of the business that is refusing to move, and we are taking legal action against that business, where we are hoping everything will be sorted and the area can officially open in May,» explained Lautoy. One of the areas that the kiosks have been constructed on, is in fact an area which was used as a vehicle parking. Lautoy explained that the Beau Vallon area has been sub-divided for various development projects, and among them will be parking, although the operators of these kiosks will be allowed to come in with their vehicles for loading. The kiosks have been constructed from concrete but they feature some aesthetics that reflect the traditional buildings of Seychelles. They will all be painted green, to match with the surrounding trees. The kiosks are being constructed by Laxmambhai, a local construction company, as a donation from the company.   Other structures in the area, aside from the kiosks, will include public toilets, as well as toilets for the operators, while a lifeguard kiosk will also be constructed. During the interview, Lautoy also mentioned that the rental fees for these kiosks start from SCR4,000 ($296) per month to SCR17,000 ($1,257). 

Seychelles has established diplomatic relations with El Salvador as part of its engagement to promote bilateral cooperation and the strengthening of friendship, through the signing of a Joint Communiqué on November 12. The Foreign Affairs Department said on Wednesday, that «based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and respect for international law and cooperation, the establishment of diplomatic relations will promote exchanges in various fields of mutual interests for the benefit of the two countries.» The signing ceremony took place in New York between the Permanent Representative of Seychelles to the United Nations, Ambassador Ian Madeleine, and the Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the United Nations, Ambassador Egriselda Aracely González López. 

Seychelles has begun updating its National Implementation (NIP) Plan to effectively target Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and stay aligned with the Stockholm Convention. A workshop was held at the Savoy Resort and Spa hotel on Tuesday to receive the input of not only government officials but also those from civil society, academia and the industry. POPs are compounds that are difficult to destroy, keeping their chemical makeup over long periods that have been linked to a number of health problems in humans. The Stockholm Convention, to which Seychelles is a signatory, calls for governments to take measures to reduce or eliminate the release of POPs into the environment. In her address to officially open the workshop, the director of the Division for Waste, Enforcement and Permit Division, Nanette Laure, said that Seychelles signing the Stockholm Convention represents its collective commitment to safeguarding human health and the environment from the adverse effects of POPs. She said that with the «Seychelles' unique biodiversity and reliance on marine and terrestrial resources, the effective management of such substances is not just an obligation but most importantly it is a necessity.» The participants reviewed the objectives and framework of the Stockholm Convention and its implications for Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean. The aim of updating the NIP is to take into account the latest scientific knowledge, technological advancements and most importantly newly listed POPs which in turn Laure said would ensure a comprehensive approach to addressing those polluants. Participants also had the chance to identify challenges, opportunities and priority actions for the updated plan as well as assess progress and achievements made in the existing NIP. Seychelles developed its first NIP in 2007 - where it identified 12 pesticidal POPs that should be eliminated. Local expert Cliff Gonzalves has been appointed as the National Lead Expert for updating the NIP. Over the coming two years, he will be working with the local stakeholders to make an inventory of POPs in the country in an effort to make sure the data available is up to date. The Department of Environment, which is leading the project, also revealed that there will be training sessions as part of the process. The Global Environment Facility (GEF), through the Africa Institute, is providing capacity-building support for updating the NIP.

Botswana will diversify its diamond-dependent economy by launching into the medicinal cannabis market and exploiting its abundant sunshine, President Duma Boko said Tuesday, in his first state of the nation address. Boko swept to power in elections three weeks ago that ejected the party that had ruled for nearly six decades on concerns about a slump in the economy. Diamonds make up about 80 percent of the southern African country's foreign earnings. «The decline in diamond revenues by over 60 percent in recent years is a clear signal that we can no longer afford to depend on a single commodity,» Boko said. His government aims to attract investors to high-potential sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, tourism and technology. «Botswana receives more than 3,200 hours of sunlight annually and averages 21 megajoules per square metre which is among the highest in the world,» Boko said. «The potential of solar energy is abundant.» The arid country will also begin cultivating medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp to plug into the growing international market. «Our forecast in Botswana is to significantly increase our GDP with cannabis and hemp-related products,» said Boko. «We will create jobs in this industry.» A major gripe against the previous government under the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which led the country to independence from Britain in 1966, was a 27-percent unemployment rate, rising to 38 percent for young people. Boko said other plans for job creation lay in boosting manufacturing and construction, as well as encouraging youth entrepreneurship and innovation. Botswana has engaged US billionaire Elon Musk's satellite internet provider Starlink to extend affordable internet connectivity to the entire country, Boko said. Starlink has plans to invest in infrastructure that will help transform Botswana into a digital hub for the entire region, he added. Home to around 2.7 million people, Botswana won praise for a smooth change of government when the BDP was quick to concede defeat after winning just four seats in parliament on October 30, compared to 36 for Boko's Umbrella for Democratic Change. © Agence France-Presse  

The spread of a mosquito in East Africa that thrives in urban areas and is immune to insecticide is fuelling a surge in malaria that could reverse decades of progress against the disease, experts say. Africa accounted for about 95 percent of the 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 deaths worldwide in 2022, according to the most recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO), which said children under five accounted for 80 percent of deaths in the region. But the emergence of an invasive species of mosquito on the continent could massively increase those numbers. Anopheles stephensi is native to parts of South Asia and the Middle East but was spotted for the first time in the tiny Horn of Africa state of Djibouti in 2012. Djibouti had all but eradicated malaria only to see it make a slow but steady return over the following years, hitting more than 70,000 cases in 2020. Then stephensi arrived in neighbouring Ethiopia and WHO says it is key to an «unprecedented surge», from 4.1 million malaria cases and 527 deaths last year to 7.3 million cases and 1,157 deaths between January 1 and October 20, 2024. Unlike other species which are seasonal and prefer rural areas, stephensi thrives year-round in urban settings, breeding in man-made water storage tanks, roof gutters or even air conditioning units. It appears to be highly resistant to insecticides, and bites earlier in the evening than other carriers. That means bed nets -- up to now the prime weapon against malaria -- may be much less effective. «The invasion and spread of Anopheles stephensi has the potential to change the malaria landscape in Africa and reverse decades of progress we've made towards malaria control,» Meera Venkatesan, malaria division chief for USAID, told AFP. - 'More research is needed' - The fear is that stephensi will infest dense cities like Mombasa on Kenya's Indian Ocean coast and Sudan's capital Khartoum, with one 2020 study warning it could eventually reach 126 million city-dwellers across Africa. Only last month, Egypt was declared malaria-free by WHO after a century-long battle against the disease -- a status that could be threatened by stephensi's arrival. Much remains unknown, however. Stephensi was confirmed as present in Kenya in late 2022, but has so far stayed in hotter, dryer areas without reaching the high-altitude capital, Nairobi. «We don't yet fully understand the biology and behaviour of this mosquito,» Charles Mbogo, president of the Pan-African Mosquito Control Association, told AFP. «Possibly it is climate-driven and requires high temperatures, but much more research is needed.» He called for increased funding for capturing and testing mosquitos, and for educating the public on prevention measures such as covering water receptacles. - Multiplying threats - The spread of stephensi could dovetail with other worrying trends, including increased evidence of drug resistant malaria recorded in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Eritrea. «The arrival of resistance is imminent,» said Dorothy Achu, WHO's head of tropical and vector-borne diseases in Africa. WHO is working with countries to diversify treatment programmes to delay resistance, she said. A new malaria variant is also evading tests used to diagnose the disease. «The increased transmission that stephensi is driving could potentially help accelerate the spread of other threats, such as drug resistance or another mutation in the parasite that leads it to be less detectable by our most widely-used diagnostics,» said Venkatesan at USAID. Another added challenge is the lack of coordination between African governments. Achu said WHO is working on «a more continental approach». But Mbogo in Kenya said «more political will» was needed. «We share information as scientists with colleagues in neighbouring countries,» he said . «But we need to reach the higher level. We need cross-border collaborations, data-sharing.» © Agence France-Presse