The Police High Command has ordered the detention of two policemen involved in Sunday's fatal shooting of two men on Windward Road in Kingston. The Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force says the order was given...

Councillor for the Olympic Gardens division in West Central St Andrew, Christopher Townsend, has died.  Jamaica Labour Party Deputy Leader, Desmond McKenzie, said Townsend died Wednesday night due to what is believed to be...

A 54 year old man from St Mary has been charged with the rape of a 12-year-old girl in his community between September 2023 and January 2024. Conrad Gray was charged by detectives attached to the Port Maria Criminal Investigation Branch....

Police had to break up protests at a closing Audi plant in Belgium during severance negotiations Read Full Article at RT.com

Federal law enforcement has searched the home of the founder of a crypto betting platform as part of an investigation Read Full Article at RT.com

One popular caffeinated drink contains twice as much acrylamide than ground coffee - a chemical which is thought to cause cancer.

Tycoon Chris Dawson - one of the nation's wealthiest men - has already used his huge fortune to save Wilko after it collapsed into administration.

The 2025 Fodor's Travel 'Go and No Lists' reveal 'highly coveted tourist spots [that] are collapsing under the burden of their own prominence'.

Officers stormed the home of a man thought to be flogging several weapons on the 'gray market', including zombie knives, in Hornsea at around 5am on Tuesday.

Locals have slammed plans proposed by The Gardens of Mercy to construct a 9,000-plot Islamic burial site in the Cornish countryside.  

India successfully conducted flight tests of the Guided Pinaka Weapon System, meeting the required standards for range, accuracy, and rate of fire. The tests involved firing rockets from upgraded Pinaka launchers, demonstrating the system's ability to engage multiple targets. This indigenous system, developed by DRDO and other agencies, enhances the artillery firepower of the Indian Army.

[allAfrica] Johannesburg -- allAfrica's Nontobeko Mlambo attended the 20th African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC), held at Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, which is the largest gathering of African investigative journalists on the continent.

Berlin has reportedly ordered state-owned terminals to reject LNG cargoes from Russia   Read Full Article at RT.com

Niger’s government has revoked the operating license of French NGO Acted without providing a reason for the action Read Full Article at RT.com

The return of foreign auto brands would be good for Russian consumers, spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Donald Trump’s aides reportedly think that Elon Musk is trying to exert too much influence over the incoming president Read Full Article at RT.com

The IAEA’s Rafael Grossi has warned against attacks on Iranian nuclear installations Read Full Article at RT.com

Seychelles has officially begun its review of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and targets regarding biodiversity through a first stakeholder meeting on Wednesday. These consultations are meant to help formulate national biodiversity targets aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The NBSAP sets specific activities and targets to help achieve the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity and these plans are typically implemented through partnerships with conservation organisations. The species and habitats highlighted in the NBSAP are considered government priorities, often drawing attention and action when they are under threat. However, it is important to note that NBSAPs do not have legal status, and the species and habitats listed are not automatically protected unless covered by other laws or regulations.  The national focal point for the Convention on Biological Diversity for Seychelles, Indira Gamatis, told reporters, «The process is not starting at zero, we had already done a review previously and despite certain delays, we are now on track to deliver on our commitment to the convention. At the moment we are working on our national targets, and this will be followed by the continuation of procedures to hopefully complete our NBSAP by next year.» Around 40 participants from government institutions, non-governmental organisations, and biodiversity experts worked in groups to address KMGBF targets in three main areas and these are risk reduction, rehabilitation, and implementation facilitation. The workshop included interactive sessions where stakeholders identified key terms for aligning Seychelles' national targets with the KMGBF and proposed wording for these targets. This review process is being funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (GBF-EAS) project. The initiative is designed to accelerate actions to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) over the next decade. The project focuses on four key areas; aligning National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP), improving monitoring systems, ensuring policy coherence, and securing biodiversity finance. It is being carried through a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE). The work is guided by the Biodiversity Conservation and Management Division (BCM) and Seychelles' national CBD focal point. As part of the first phase of the project, Seychelles will align its national biodiversity targets with the KMGBF, laying the groundwork for a new National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. This plan will integrate the KMGBF's objectives and relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), developed through a comprehensive approach involving both government and society. Seychelles previously had two NBSAPs in place, from 2016 until 2020 and it was in line with the Aichi biodiversity targets which had been adopted in Japan in 2010. The new NBSAP will take a broader approach, not only focusing on the conservation of ecosystems and species but also detailing how to use natural resources in a more sustainable manner. In addition, it will address other factors impacting biodiversity, including resource mobilisation and capacity building.

Azerbaijan's «doors are still open», the COP29 presidency's lead negotiator said Thursday after France's ecology minister pulled out of the UN climate summit over «unacceptable» remarks by President Ilham Aliyev. Aliyev used a speech at COP on Wednesday to attack Paris for alleged colonial «crimes» and «human rights violations» in its overseas territories, notably in the troubled Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia. French Environment Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher slammed the remarks as «deplorable» and said she was cancelling her trip to Baku. Azerbaijan's leader was using «the fight against climate change for a shameful personal agenda,» she added, with relations between the two countries already frosty. But the COP29 presidency's lead negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev insisted Thursday that Azerbaijan had fostered «an inclusive process». «We have opened our doors to everybody to come to engage in very constructive, fruitful discussions. Our doors are still open,» he added. Despite her pullout, Pannier-Runacher said the team of French negotiators in Baku would not relent in their efforts to do a deal «to protect the planet and its populations» from climate change. Relations between Paris and Baku are tense over France's longtime support for Azerbaijan's arch-rival Armenia. Azerbaijan defeated Armenia in a lightning offensive last year when it retook the breakaway Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh -- leading to an exodus of more than 100,000 Armenians. © Agence France-Presse

Citrus growers in South Africa are among the businesses most nervous that duty- and quota-free exports to the United States could be scrapped next year when Donald Trump returns to the White House. The fruits are among 1,800 products across 32 African countries benefitting from preferential market access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), with companies in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana reaping the most dollars in profits. But with president-elect Trump having vowed to impose at least a 10-percent tariff on all imports to the United States, there is no certainty that AGOA will be renewed. Analysts say the legislation, passed in 2000 and set to expire next year, could be modified if not withdrawn altogether, with potential negative ramifications for companies and jobs across Africa. «We need this competitive edge,» Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA), which also represents Zimbabwe and Swaziland-based orchards, told AFP. «Should South Africa be removed from AGOA, thousands of rural jobs could be impacted, as well as over a billion rand ($55.5 million) in export revenue could be lost,» he said. Another South African citrus company told AFP on condition of anonymity that if AGOA were not renewed, it would «kill» their business, which employed more than 3,000 people and exported an average of 350 containers of sorbet products per year to the United States. - 'Hope for the best' - The automotive sector could also feel the heat if AGOA is shelved, although some companies are betting that US consumers might accept higher prices. «I don't foresee any major changes in the buying patterns of Americans around the products that we supply,» said Ken Manners, managing director at SP Metal Forgings Group, a South African company that exports vehicle parts to the United States. Even if tariffs were imposed, «it certainly wouldn't be life-changing in terms of our ability to supply competitively,» he told AFP. «The product base that we supply in the US is very difficult to source anywhere else, so ultimately even if the US put higher tariffs, the US consumer would end up paying for it.» Whether AGOA is renewed or not, it should not have much impact on the broader South African economy, analysts said, though companies should still prepare for changes. «On the whole of the economy we're not even talking one percent,» said Johannesburg-based economist Dawie Roodt. In any case, «it won't be business as usual,» said Ronak Gopaldas of the London-based consultancy Signal Risk. «The reality is that Trump and his economic policies are unpredictable, volatile and erratic.» «So I would say an effective strategy is to expect the worst and hope for the best,» he said. - 'AGOA-lite' - Companies in Ghana, Kenya and Lesotho also benefit significantly from AGOA, especially in the textile industry. Mukhisa Kituyi, a Kenyan politician who served as secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, said he believed the next US administration could push for a renegotiated AGOA rather than a withdrawal. The United States wanted stricter «third country rules of origin» to prevent, for example, companies from bringing textiles from China or India, stitching them in Africa, and selling them as African clothes. «If they tighten the rules of origin, particularly on textiles and cars –- as Trump is obsessed with the manufacturing of particular cars -– we can see a diluted AGOA-lite going forward,» Kituyi said. For Lesotho, losing AGOA «would deal a massive blow, potentially leading to the near collapse of the textile and apparel industry», which is the kingdom’s second largest employer, trade ministry official Litseko Fiee said. However, the government is optimistic the deal will be renewed and possibly even extended, he said. Another question mark surrounds exports of critical minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Angola. While the products are not eligible under AGOA, central African countries have received particular attention and investment under President Joe Biden. «Are these relations going to persist... or will we see a walking back, a radical overhaul, on some of the gains made?» Gopaldas said. Trump will probably «ignore Africa», according to Roodt, unless countries «get his attention for good or bad reasons». A determining factor would likely be whether countries are seen as geopolitically aligned with the United States. This could be an issue for African governments that have shown support towards Russia and China or criticised Israel. Having accused Israel of «genocide» in Gaza at the UN's top court, South Africa in particular will have to «walk a tightrope,» Gopaldas said, «if the US becomes more explicit about being 'with us or against us'.» © Agence France-Presse

[allAfrica] Johannesburg -- allAfrica 's Nontobeko Mlambo attended the 20th African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) - the largest gathering of African investigative journalists on the continent - at Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced plans to allow students to accelerate or decelerate their undergraduate degrees.

Delhi NCR will be under GRAP 3 restrictions starting tomorrow at 8 am due to severe air quality. Construction, demolition, and non-essential mining will be halted. Restrictions on interstate buses and a shift to virtual learning for primary schools are also included.

Mahesh Khichi of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was elected as Delhi's first Dalit Mayor, defeating BJP's Kishan Lal by three votes. Congress abstained from voting. Khichi's term will only last five months due to previous election postponements.

Get the latest news on the transition to the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump and a new Congress.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office is warning of severe weather in many parts of the country tomorrow, and a yellow and orange weather warning has been issued due to strong winds and snowfall.

India is seeking the extradition of Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh, known as Arsh Dalla, from Canada following his arrest after a shooting incident in Milton, Ontario. Dalla, a proclaimed offender in India with over 50 criminal cases against him, is wanted for various charges including murder, terrorism, and terror financing.

Kingston Hospital Foundation Trust has apologised to 41-year-old Wioletta Smith over the incident. The mother had attended a yearly examination due to changes in her breast.

The 455-mile journey with CrossCountry will connect 22 stations between the capitals of Wales and Scotland directly by rail, with one train in each direction on weekdays.

A city park in Plymouth has been overrun with tents where some homeless people have stayed for months - with some tents even pitched beside a graveyard.

Labour's devolved administration has set out plans to end racism in the country by 2030 and ensure 'all areas' of public life are transformed.

Award-winning midwives Hazel Williams and Lisa Land who delayed calling an ambulance for two newborns who later died in hospital and then tried to cover it up have been struck off.

Polls have closed across Somaliland after presidential elections, and it appears Wednesday's voting across the breakaway region has gone smoothly.

London (HOL) — Somali Lower House Speaker Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madoobe met with British Parliament Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle on Wednesday in London to discuss enhancing ties between the two countries’ legislative bodies.