Government insiders have reportedly voiced 'serious fears' that the firm based on the docks in north Belfast could collapse as a result of the funding cut, which would end centuries of shipbuilding in the city.

Robert Fico was shot in Handlova, north-east of Bratislava, following a Slovak government meeting, news agency TASR reported on Wednesday.

Police were called to the area after receiving reports of shots fired and arrested a local woman for offences including suspicion of grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

The mogul - known as the Czech Sphinx - had until 5pm today to walk away or make a bid for International Distributions Services (IDS).

DPM Lawrence Wong has been sworn in as the fourth prime minister of Singapore on Wednesday (May 15) evening. This makes the first change of leadership in the Republic in 20 years. Wong took the oath of allegiance and oath of due execution from Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon at the Istana. At the swearing-in ceremony, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that Wong is taking over as Prime Minister in a «period of growing global fractiousness and big power contestation, and a weakening international order». «Wong and his team… are well-placed to secure our national interests amid these unpredictable geopolitical currents and to help advance Asean unity,» he said. He also highlighted how those who have worked alongside Wong, in government and in the community, would know that he brings «convictions, life experiences and skills». Recalling Wong's contributions in policymaking, the Labour Movement and as co-chair of the Covid-19 taskforce, Tharman also described Wong as being «calm and decisive» in the face of pressure.

In a speech during his swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday (May 15) evening, Singapore's fourth Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that one of his key priorities is to identify younger Singaporeans in their 30s and 40s to serve. «Help me provide Singaporeans with the government they deserve,» he added. As the first prime minister to be born after 1965, the year of Singapore's independence, PM Wong acknowledged that his experiences would result in a different leadership approach compared to previous generations. «Almost all my colleagues in the 4G team were also born after 1965. My generation's story is the story of independent Singapore,» he said. He added that he and the 4G team understands the importance of good leadership, political stability and long-term planning as they are the beneficiaries of such policies. Citing the Covid-19 pandemic as «the crisis of our generation», PM Wong said that the way Singapore dealt with the crisis deepened the country's social capital, making Singaporeans «better and stronger». «Covid was a baptism of fire for me and my team,» he said.

Mogadishu (HOL) - The Court of Appeal of the Banadir region sentenced Sayid Ali Moalim Daud to death on Sunday after concluding several hearings of the case and the defence against him.

The cruise ship season is coming to an end and Seychelles has welcomed 38 vessels with around 68,000 visitors during that time, said a top tourism official on Tuesday.   The principal secretary for Tourism, Sherin Francis, gave the figures and explained that despite receiving fewer ships than the 2022-2023 season, which was a total of 52. Seychelles received vessels with much larger passenger capacity this season. She described the season as a successful one coupled with the smooth running of all logistical operations.   «For that, I need to congratulate all partners in the industry, as without them we would not have been able to do it well,» said Francis. She added that all operators respected all regulations and facilities in place during the season and no incidents were reported like in previous years. «However, one of the challenges we do have is for us as a country to maximise tourists' spending when they arrive in Seychelles. Although I must say that there has been some improvement, we still can do more,» said Francis. She shared that the tourism department is doing a comprehensive study on the spending patterns of the visitors on cruise vessels. Francis described the season as a successful one coupled with the smooth running of all logistical operations. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY.  «We are being assisted by UNECA (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa) where by July or August this year, we will have a report that we could share with our partners and the media, which will give us a better idea of the benefits we receive from cruise ship passengers,» said the principal secretary. Francis added that the data collected at the moment is not enough to get the information needed. The chief executive of the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA), Sony Payet, explained that with so many passengers entering the country at once, it is important that all partners work together to ensure smooth operations. «Since we are now having more visitors from cruise ships, I think that a committee must be put in place, featuring all invested parties, so that the services can improve,» added Payet. He also spoke of the need for a more vibrant Victoria, the capital, explaining that tourists need to have more things to do and to spend on, especially if they come into port on a Sunday, when everything is closed. «Many of these tourists have already been to other islands in the region and when they come to Seychelles they will not want to buy items similar to what they have already purchased in these other countries, which is why we must look at bringing our own unique products, to give them something different,» said Payet. The cruise ship season will close with the last ship expected in Port Victoria on Sunday, May 19. The next season will re-open in October 2024 and 44 ships have already been booked, a figure likely to increase in the coming months. 

The Seychelles' government has endorsed the candidature of former Vice President Vincent Meriton for the position of chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).  According to the Foreign Affairs Department in a communique on Wednesday, the election is scheduled for February 2025. The Department said that during his career as a politician, Meriton held numerous portfolios in the government, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Health and Social Affairs, Information Technology, the Blue Economy and Entrepreneurship Development. Meriton was the Vice President during Danny Faure’s presidency from 2016 to 2020. It added that Meriton has also championed Seychelles’ position on the Blue Economy on the international stage. “Meriton’s core objective as chairperson of the AUC is to significantly improve the implementation rate of the Commission’s executive decisions by addressing barriers to implementation and promoting accountability and compliance,” said the Department. The chairperson of the Commission is elected by the Assembly for a four-year term, renewable once. If elected, Meriton will succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat from Chad, who has held the position since 2017.

The president said he will not participate in the traditional televised showdowns organized by the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates.

Live updates from the 2024 campaign trail with the latest news on presidential candidates, polls, primaries and more.

The Ministry of Transport and Public Works has launched a strategic plan to be used from 2024 to 2030, which it believes will have a bearing on the progress that Malawi can make on some of the global sustainable development goals. Speaking during the launch of the document in Lilongwe, Minister responsible, Jacob Hara, said […] The post Ministry of Transport launches 2024-2030 strategic plan appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Reserve Bank of Malawi – RBM Director for Financial Sector Regulations Dr. Sopani Gondwe has said 35 percent of Malawians are financially illiterate and does not use formal financial services including bank accounts for savings, loans and economy management. Gondwe was speaking on Monday during the opening on training workshop of Community Financial Educators who […] The post RBM says 35% of Malawi population is financially illiterate appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The song contest is an example of the destruction of traditional values and the foundations of humanity, Sergey Kravtsov has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Ukraine has been forced to introduce emergency blackouts due to Russian strikes and cold weather, its power grid operator says Read Full Article at RT.com

Here’s why Ukraine’s mobilization reform will only delay the AFU’s defeat Read Full Article at RT.com

Indian leader Narendra Modi does not own a house or a car, mandatory filings show Read Full Article at RT.com

The US Treasury has threatened to curb Raiffeisen bank’s access to the US financial system over its activity in Russia, Reuters has reported Read Full Article at RT.com

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Ukrainian citizens to join the military for the sake of membership in NATO Read Full Article at RT.com

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted that this latest move from Washington showed just how low it would go to try to hurt the Russian economy

«In the new military-political reality there is an obvious need for transforming the Department of Military Counterintelligence into a full-fledged 3rd service within the FSB,» Igor Korotchenko pointed out

The 2024 BRICS Games will be held in Kazan on June 12-23 and will feature events in 20 different sports

As a farmer in rural Saskatchewan, Barry Sawchuk is used to removing rocks and weeds from his fields. But he recently discovered a two-metre wide, 40-kilogram heap of twisted, burnt metal.

Plans for the new development of the Kringla area were introduced in the Ásberg hall at Kringlubíó cinema yesterday.

[New Times] The Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) has issued a call to action for all Rwandans, urging them to prioritise HIV/AIDS prevention through testing and safety measures. The appeal was made at the start of a 10-day nationwide campaign, mostly aimed at the youth, held in Rwamagana District, Eastern Province, on May 8 to raise awareness, encourage HIV testing, and take precautionary measures early on.

«At the same time, the share of 'toxic' currencies on the exchange dropped by 0.4 percentage points to 46%,» the regulator said

Maria Zakharova stressed that Western countries, through their actions, are destroying the global monetary and financial system and violating their own laws

Vyacheslav Gladkov said doctors assess the condition of two of the men as being of medium severity

Maria Zakharova added that the regime of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is sacrificing Ukrainians to save itself and achieve the geopolitical goals of its «Anglo-Saxon handlers»

Maria Zakharova noted that there is «a great deal of speculation surrounding the meeting of the Russian and Armenian leaders on May 8»

There has been a backlash against Education Secretary Gillian Keegan's proposed total ban on sex education for infant children, with lessons not permitted until at least Year Five.

The Supreme Court rejected a 20-year-old woman's plea to end her 27-week pregnancy, citing the foetus's right to live. The Delhi High Court and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act were pivotal in the decision, focusing on foetal abnormality assessments.