Seychelles



LAMITYE 2024: Seychelles and Indian forces participate in 10th military exercise 

The 10th joint-military exercise called 'LAMITYE', meaning friendship in the Creole language, between the Indian Army and the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) started in the island nation on Monday and will end on March 27. Forty-five personnel from Gorkha Ri
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LAMITYE 2024: Seychelles and Indian forces participate in 10th military exercise 

The 10th joint-military exercise called 'LAMITYE', meaning friendship in the Creole language, between the Indian Army and the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) started in the island nation on Monday and will end on March 27. Forty-five personnel from Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army led by Major Akshay Prakashrao Potraje are participating alongside 45 participants from the SDF. LAMITYE 2024 was launched at the Seychelles Defence Academy on the man-made islands of Ile Du Port. According to a communique from the Indian High Commission, «High Commissioner Pande and Chief of Staff Jean Attala addressed the gathering, both highlighting the robust defence cooperation between India and Seychelles and contribution of LAMITYE in developing mutual understanding between the troops.» The 'LAMITYE' exercise aims to achieve cohesion, jointness, and interoperability between both the defence forces during peacekeeping operations while also strengthening bilateral military relations.  Around 90 personnel from the Seychelles Defence Forces and Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army are participating in LAMITYE 2024 exercise. (Indian High Commission Seychelles) The 10-day-long joint exercise will include field training, combat discussions, lectures and demonstrations, concluding with two days of validation exercise. Both sides will also jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralisation of likely threats that may be encountered in a semi-urban environment while exploiting and showcasing new-generation equipment and technology. Since the programme's inauguration in 2001, the biennial exercise has continually progressed with scenarios and operations tailored based on the needs, current situations and threats that each country may have to deal with. Seychelles hosts several military exercises with international partners regularly, such as the Cutlass Express, a United States-led multinational military exercise that takes place in Seychelles. The island nation also hosts the 'Cateau Noire" exercise between the SDF and the French Armed Forces in the Southern Indian Ocean Zone (FAZSOI), based in Reunion. The FAZSOI  is a permanent military presence based in Reunion and Mayotte, and regularly holds such operations to combat drug trafficking in the area.

Trump unable to post $464mn bond in New York civil case: lawyers

Donald Trump faced having assets seized in a humiliating blow to his carefully cultivated image as a self-made tycoon as his lawyers acknowledged Monday he doesn't have the cash to appeal a $464 million fine for fraudulently inflating his wealth. Trump -- th
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Trump unable to post $464mn bond in New York civil case: lawyers

Donald Trump faced having assets seized in a humiliating blow to his carefully cultivated image as a self-made tycoon as his lawyers acknowledged Monday he doesn't have the cash to appeal a $464 million fine for fraudulently inflating his wealth. Trump -- the Republican candidate for November's US presidential election -- intends to challenge the judgment imposed by a New York civil court in February, which would force an automatic stay of enforcement. But first he must put the money into an account managed by the appeals court or post a bond in the full amount, and 30 insurance underwriters have rejected his pleas for assistance, his lawyers said in a new filing. «We will fight and defeat this Hoax,» Trump said in a vituperative statement Monday night, blasting the case as a «witch hunt» against him. His cash crunch raises the possibility that the state of New York could begin seizing the former president's property as soon as next Monday unless the court -- known as the First Department of the Appellate Division -- agrees to a delay. «Defendants have faced what have proven to be insurmountable difficulties in obtaining an appeal bond for the full $464 million,» Trump Organization general counsel Alan Garten said in a filing to the court. Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that Trump and his company had unlawfully inflated his wealth and manipulated the value of properties to obtain favorable bank loans or insurance terms. Last month the judge ordered Trump to pay $355 million plus interest while his sons Eric and Don Jr. were told to hand over more than $4 million each. Trump managed to put together a separate bond earlier this month for $91.6 million as he appeals a sexual assault and defamation judgment in a lawsuit brought by New York writer E. Jean Carroll. But his lawyers said the leading bond providers all had internal policies preventing them from accepting real estate as collateral in the fraud case, and many would not exceed limits of $100 million. That leaves Trump with the only option of posting 120 percent of the bond in cash and cash equivalents totaling $557.5 million, including fees and interest. - 'Tons of CASH'? - As his lawyers laid out the problems with securing the bond, a defiant Trump raged in his statement against 2024 election rival President Joe Biden and those prosecuting the case, and even boasted of his entrepreneurial prowess. «I built a Magnificent Business, which helped rebuild New York City and State, with Amazing, Unparalleled, Historic Properties and tons of CASH, which Crooked Joe Biden and his Maniac Persecutors are trying to wrongfully and illegally take from me,» he said. The court-set bond, Trump fumed, «is unconstitutional, un-American, unprecedented, and practically impossible for ANY Company, including one as successful as mine.» Trump testified in an April 2023 deposition in the same case that he had «substantially in excess of 400 million in cash» -- but he had already developed a reputation by then for exaggerating his wealth. He has asked the appeals court to delay the deadline for posting the bond until his appeal has been heard, arguing his property empire is worth far more than the amount he owes. He also asked to be allowed to secure a bond in a lesser amount but New York Attorney General Letitia James has objected, arguing that he would «attempt to evade enforcement of the judgment or to make enforcement more difficult.» Even with a bond, Trump would continue to incur massive interest payments during what could be a years-long appeal, unless he deposits the full fine into a court-managed account. © Agence France-Presse

Bodies found in Haitian suburb as gang violence rages for third week

Fourteen bodies were found in an affluent suburb of Haiti's capital Monday, as international efforts accelerated to fill a political vacuum created by weeks of gang violence that has forced the impending departure of the prime minister. Local residents told
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Bodies found in Haitian suburb as gang violence rages for third week

Fourteen bodies were found in an affluent suburb of Haiti's capital Monday, as international efforts accelerated to fill a political vacuum created by weeks of gang violence that has forced the impending departure of the prime minister. Local residents told AFP they did not know the circumstances of the deaths but said that the Laboule and Thomassin neighborhoods, in the suburb of Petion-Ville, had been under attack by what they said were armed criminals since dawn. Witnesses said gang members attacked a bank, a gas station and homes in the area. Gunfire continued to ring out in Petion-Ville in the afternoon. «They came wearing balaclavas in their cars, on motorcycles, with their own ambulance, then they massacred the population of Petion-Ville,» said local resident Vincent Jean Robert. «I was on my motorcycle when they arrived and started shooting,» a motorcycle taxi driver named Cadet told AFP, while adding, «We don't know if it's bandits or the police who were behind this.» He suspected that the victims were those who had been out late at night, «searching for something to eat for their children.» Amid the violence Monday morning, a judge narrowly escaped an attack on his home, a relative told AFP. Haiti has been engulfed for three weeks in a gang uprising by well-armed groups saying they want to topple Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Last week Henry agreed to step aside to allow the formation of an interim government, following pressure from neighboring Caribbean countries, including the CARICOM regional body, and the United States. The situation remains dire even as Washington voiced hope Monday that a transitional body to lead the country, set up at a crisis meeting a week ago, could be ready «as soon as today» -- though as of that evening nothing had been announced. «I understand that Haitian stakeholders are very close to finalizing membership and remain in active discussions with CARICOM leaders as it relates to the makeup of the Transitional Presidential Council,» State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters in Washington. «The announcement of this council, we believe, will help pave the way for free and fair elections and the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission,» he said, referring to a UN-backed, Kenyan-led force that aims to bring stability to Haiti. - 'Famine and malnutrition' - The council, which will include seven voting and two observer members representing a broad spectrum in Haiti and its diaspora, will be in charge of naming an interim government before elections, which have not been held since 2016. Ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on Haiti Monday, deputy US ambassador Robert Wood had told journalists that a decision on the make-up of the transitional council was «close.» After the closed-door session, Jamaican Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith noted that talks «are progressing well,» though she added «it's a difficult process.» The Security Council meeting came as the United Nations announced that the first helicopter flights had begun in an air bridge set up between Haiti and neighboring Dominican Republic to deliver aid. UNICEF, the United Nations' children's agency, offered a bleak assessment of the situation in the country over the weekend, saying Sunday it was «almost like a scene out of 'Mad Max,'» and warning people were suffering «famine and malnutrition» with aid groups unable to gain access. That same day, a curfew was extended until Wednesday in the Ouest department, which includes Port-au-Prince. A state of emergency is set to end April 3. Several countries including the US and European Union member states have evacuated diplomatic personnel from Haiti due to the crisis. Meanwhile, efforts are continuing to organize Nairobi's security mission to back up Haiti's overwhelmed police  © Agence France-Presse 

Fitch Ratings: Seychelles maintains 'BB-' rating with positive outlook

Seychelles has maintained a credit rating of 'BB-' with a positive outlook from Fitch Ratings with key drivers being relatively high-income levels, strong World Bank Governance Indicators, and a stabilisation of the tourism industry. The Ratings, which cam
Seychelles News Agency

Fitch Ratings: Seychelles maintains 'BB-' rating with positive outlook

Seychelles has maintained a credit rating of 'BB-' with a positive outlook from Fitch Ratings with key drivers being relatively high-income levels, strong World Bank Governance Indicators, and a stabilisation of the tourism industry. The Ratings, which came out on Friday, stated that tourist arrivals and tourism earnings increased by 5.7 percent and 5.8 percent respectively in 2023, reflecting a stabilisation after 82 percent and 59 percent increases in 2022. «Europe remains the top source of tourists, 73 percent share in 2023, with Germany and Russia topping arrivals since the start of 2024. The average expenditure per tourist remains above the authorities' target of $2,800,» added the Ratings. According to the Ratings, the economy of Seychelles grew by 1.9 percent year-on-year over the first three quarters of 2023. Fitch estimates that «the economy grew by 2.5 percent in 2023 and will average 4 percent in 2024-25, driven by stable tourism and growth in the information and communication technology sector. Authorities have revised down their estimate of potential growth from 3.5 percent to 3 percent, given weak productivity growth in the large tourism sector, and limits to the expansion of tourism facilities in the medium term.» However, the island nation in the western Indian Ocean still has climate change vulnerabilities. «Seychelles is heavily exposed to risks from rising sea levels, with impacts already being felt primarily through rising intensity and frequency of storms that are rendering some coastal infrastructure unusable,» stated Fitch Ratings. It added that "In the short term, Seychelles' tourism industry faces constraints in expansion due to the saturation of coastal infrastructure, which effectively acts as a cap on potential growth, currently estimated at 3 percent. Fitch foresees a strong likelihood of Seychelles continuing to receive multilateral technical and financial support for climate change adaptation in the medium term, which will result in an increase in budgetary spending on climate-related issues.

Seychelles' Natural History Museum will house staff while renovation is completed by July 2024

The 114-year-old Carnegie building, in which the Natural History Museum was located, is being restored with its original facade and will be shared by staff of the museum and the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade. Located in the centre of the c
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Seychelles' Natural History Museum will house staff while renovation is completed by July 2024

The 114-year-old Carnegie building, in which the Natural History Museum was located, is being restored with its original facade and will be shared by staff of the museum and the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade. Located in the centre of the capital Victoria, not far from the Victoria Clock tower, the building was constructed first as a public library in 1910. Over the years, it served different functions and more recently it housed the Natural History Museum for 21 years until it closed down for repairs in April 2019. The executive director for Acquisition, Conservation, Research and Access to Information Julienne Barra, said through the renovation the façade of the building will be restored to how it was originally when it was built in 1920. «A perimeter veranda is being added to restore the building to its original structure. The walls will be re-plastered and there will be a new roof, new doors  and windows. The floor layouts will be modified to fit the office use purpose. The parking at the back will be converted to covered parking with a concrete slab on which the heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment will be located so that the aesthetics of the building is not affected,» she added. At the time of its closure, the museum had over 6,000 displays and specimens in sections on botany, zoology, geology and anthropology. It hosted exhibitions that not only illustrate the flora, fauna and geological history of Seychelles but serve to enlighten visitors about major environmental concerns to promote positive attitudes and actions in conserving  natural heritage. The principal secretary for the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts (SNICHA), Cecile Kalebi, told SNA that after the major renovation works are completed, the Public Accounts Management section and the Integrated Financial Management Information System of the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade will occupy a floor. The staff of the National History Museum will be occupying the ground floor. «For the time being staff of the Natural History Museum have been moved to the ex-Magistrate court building and all the museum specimens, objects and other materials are being stored properly in a space which has been designed to meet standards and requirements for the preservation of the collection,» said the executive director for Acquisition, Conservation, Research and Access to Information, Julienne Barra. As for the museum, Barra, said, «A new project to develop a Natural and Maritime History project is being conceptualised and will be presented to government next year.» She said that the Carnegie is a very old building so there was a need for continuous restoration and conservation that would protect and maintain the building in its current state, or to prevent further damage and deterioration to the building. «In 2019, staff were complaining that the building is no longer conducive and safe for them and that they needed more space to implement their educational programme,» Barra explained.  She said that although the Natural History Museum has been closed for the past few years, the staff have continued to implement educational and outreach programmes. «Staff of the Natural History Museums have embarked on several projects such as the ongoing process of containing, organising and caring for the collection while it is in storage. This involves evaluating and implementing strategies and techniques to improve the condition and long-term preservation of the collection,» said Barra. Other programmes include 'Museum in a Box' to bring physical museum objects closer to the audiences. The museum objects are placed in a box and they travel with them outside the museum walls and it provides exciting hands-on and mind-on lessons. It also provides support for teachers with their lessons and brings the museum closer to the community. The renovation works are still ongoing and Barra said only 19 percent of the work has been completed and the forecast for the completion is July 2024. 

Putin vows Russia cannot be held back in victory speech

Vladimir Putin said Russia would not be «intimidated» as he hailed an election victory that paves the way for the former spy to become the longest-serving Russian leader in more than 200 years. All of the 71-year-old's major opponents are dead, i
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Putin vows Russia cannot be held back in victory speech

Vladimir Putin said Russia would not be «intimidated» as he hailed an election victory that paves the way for the former spy to become the longest-serving Russian leader in more than 200 years. All of the 71-year-old's major opponents are dead, in prison or exiled, and he has overseen an unrelenting crackdown on anybody who publicly opposes his rule or his military offensive in Ukraine. «I want to thank all of you and all citizens of the country for your support and this trust,» Putin said early Monday morning in a news conference at his campaign headquarters in Moscow hours after polls closed. «No matter who or how much they want to intimidate us, no matter who or how much they want to suppress us, our will, our consciousness -- no one has ever succeeded in anything like this in history. It has not worked now and will not work in the future. Never,» he added. With 99 percent of voting stations having submitted results, Putin had secured 87.33 percent of all votes cast, official election data showed, according to state news agency RIA. It is a record victory in a presidential election where he faced no genuine competition. The three-day election was marked by a surge in deadly Ukrainian bombardments, incursions into Russian territory by pro-Kyiv sabotage groups and vandalism at polling stations. The Kremlin had cast the election as a moment for Russians to throw their weight behind the full-scale military operation in Ukraine, where voting was also being staged in Russian-controlled territories. - 'Drunk from power' - Putin singled out Russian troops fighting in Ukraine for special thanks in his post-election speech in Moscow. And he was unrelenting in claiming his forces had a major advantage on the battlefield, even after a week that saw Ukraine mount some of its most significant aerial attacks on Russia and in which pro-Ukrainian militias launched armed raids on Russian border villages. «The initiative belongs entirely to the Russian armed forces. In some areas, our guys are just mowing them -- the enemy -- down,» he said. Kyiv and its allies slammed the vote as a sham. President Volodymyr Zelensky lashed out at Putin as a «dictator» who was «drunk from power». «There is no evil he will not commit to prolong his personal power,» Zelensky said. As early as Friday, the first day of voting, EU chief Charles Michel had sarcastically congratulated Putin on his «landslide victory». If he completes another full Kremlin term, Putin will have stayed in power longer than any Russian leader since Catherine the Great in the 18th century. Allies of the late Alexei Navalny -- Putin's most prominent rival, who died in an Arctic prison last month -- had tried to spoil his inevitable victory, urging voters to flood polling stations at noon and spoil their ballots. His wife, Yulia Navalnaya, was greeted by supporters with flowers and applause in Berlin. After voting at the Russian embassy, she said she had written her late husband's name on her ballot. - 'Mr. Navalny' - Some voters in Moscow answered the opposition's call, telling AFP they had come to honour Navalny's memory and show their defiance in the only legal way possible. «I came to show that there are many of us, that we exist, that we are not some insignificant minority,» said 19-year-old student Artem Minasyan at a polling station in central Moscow. Putin said the protest had had no impact and that those who spoiled their ballots would «have to be dealt with». In his first public comments on Navalny's death last month, Putin called his passing a «sad event». Using his name in public for the first time in years during a televised news conference, Putin said: «As for Mr. Navalny. Yes, he passed away. This is always a sad event.» Putin said a colleague had proposed swapping Navalny several days before he died for «some people» currently held in prisons in Western countries. «The person who was talking to me hadn't finished his sentence and I said 'I agree'». Former Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev meanwhile congratulated Putin on his «splendid victory» long before the final results were due to be announced. And state-run television praised how Russians had rallied with «colossal support for the president» as well as the «unbelievable consolidation» of the country behind its leader. - 'Not alone' - At Navalny's grave in a Moscow cemetery, AFP reporters saw spoiled ballot papers with the opposition leader's name scrawled across them on a pile of flowers. «We live in a country where we will go to jail if we speak our mind. So when I come to moments like this and see a lot of people, I realise that we are not alone,» said 33-year-old Regina. There were repeated acts of protest in the first days of polling, with a spate of arrests of Russians accused of pouring dye into ballot boxes or arson attacks. Any public dissent in Russia has been harshly punished since the start of Moscow's offensive in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 and there were multiple warnings from the authorities against election protests. The OVD-Info police monitoring group announced that at least 80 people had been detained across nearly 20 cities in Russia for protest actions linked to the elections. © Agence France-Presse

Oxfam says Israel 'deliberately' blocking aid to Gaza

Anti-poverty charity Oxfam on Monday accused Israel of intentionally preventing the delivery of aid into Gaza during its war with Hamas, in violation of international humanitarian law. The non-governmental organisation said in a report that Israel continued
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Oxfam says Israel 'deliberately' blocking aid to Gaza

Anti-poverty charity Oxfam on Monday accused Israel of intentionally preventing the delivery of aid into Gaza during its war with Hamas, in violation of international humanitarian law. The non-governmental organisation said in a report that Israel continued to «systematically and deliberately block and undermine any meaningful international humanitarian response» in the Palestinian territory. It alleged that Israel was defying an order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in January to boost aid in Gaza, and was failing its legal responsibility to protect people in land it occupies. «The ICJ order should have shocked Israeli leaders to change course, but since then conditions in Gaza have actually worsened,» said Oxfam Middle East and North Africa director Sally Abi Khalil. «Israeli authorities are not only failing to facilitate the international aid effort but are actively hindering it. We believe that Israel is failing to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide.» Oxfam said that «unjustifiably inefficient» inspection rules were causing aid trucks trying to get into Gaza to be stuck in queues for 20 days on average. It said that Israeli authorities arbitrarily reject «dual-use» items -- civilian goods that also have potential military use such as backup generators and torches. «The list of rejected items is overwhelming and ever changing,» Oxfam said. It recalled that water bags and water testing kits in an Oxfam shipment were rejected with no reason provided, before later being permitted entry. The group also denounced «attacks on aid workers, humanitarian facilities and aid convoys» and «access restrictions» for relief staff, particularly to northern Gaza. Oxfam noted that 2,874 trucks entered Gaza in February, which represented «20 percent of the daily average» before the deadliest-ever Middle East conflict was triggered by Hamas on October 7. Israel has defended its policies as it pursues its stated goal of destroying Hamas, saying the UN should send more aid to Gaza, pushing back on reports by the UN and NGOs that cumbersome Israeli inspections are blocking food and other essentials. - 'Beyond catastrophic' - Hamas's unprecedented attack on October 7 resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed more than 31,000 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. Militants also seized about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages, dozens of whom were released during a week-long truce in November. Israel believes about 130 captives remain in Gaza including 32 presumed dead. Some 1.7 million Palestinians, 75 percent of Gaza's population, are at risk of famine, according to Oxfam. «The conditions we have observed in Gaza are beyond catastrophic,» Oxfam said in its report. © Agence France-Presse

Israel PM says army will go into Gaza's Rafah despite international 'pressure'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli troops would pursue a planned ground offensive in southern Gaza's Rafah that has spurred fears of mass civilian casualties. «No amount of international pressure will stop us from rea
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Israel PM says army will go into Gaza's Rafah despite international 'pressure'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli troops would pursue a planned ground offensive in southern Gaza's Rafah that has spurred fears of mass civilian casualties. «No amount of international pressure will stop us from realising all the goals of the war: eliminating Hamas, releasing all our hostages and ensuring that Gaza will no longer pose a threat against Israel,» Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting in a video released by his office. «To do this, we will also operate in Rafah.» His comments came as talks were expected to resume in Doha towards a truce in Gaza, where Israel has pursued a military campaign against Hamas militants for more than five months. Israeli top officials were set to discuss the «mandate» of the delegation. Netanyahu was also set to meet on Sunday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was expected to reiterate his warning against a ground offensive in Rafah, where the majority of Gazans have sought refuge from relentless Israeli bombardment. US President Joe Biden, who has supported Israel during the war, has said an Israeli invasion of Rafah would be a «red line» without credible civilian protection plans in place. The head of the UN's World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Friday appealed to Israel «in the name of humanity» not to launch an assault on Rafah. Netanyahu's office said on Friday he had approved the military's plan for an operation in Rafah, though no timeline has been given. Rafah is the last major population centre in Gaza yet to be subjected to a ground assault in the war, which was triggered by Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel. The attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures. Hamas took about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages on October 7, and Israel believes about 130 of those remain in Gaza including 32 presumed dead. Israel's military campaign has killed at least 31,645 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. © Agence France-Presse

Climate Show for youth in IOC countries starts in Seychelles on March 18

A group of youth from Seychelles will be the first in the Indian Ocean region to participate in a Climate Show aimed at reaching out to young people and engaging them in a process of active awareness and resilience. The show will take place from March 18 
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Climate Show for youth in IOC countries starts in Seychelles on March 18

A group of youth from Seychelles will be the first in the Indian Ocean region to participate in a Climate Show aimed at reaching out to young people and engaging them in a process of active awareness and resilience. The show will take place from March 18 to 20 March at the NSC Hall on the Seychelles' main island of Mahe. It includes a 45-minute interactive video followed by a 45-minute Post Show focusing on the European Union (EU)-Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) cooperation in environment and climate change. Representatives of the Climate Show revealed what the programme entails and its aims to the media in a press conference at Docklands Building on Thursday. «It provides a unique opportunity to actively participate in the debate on climate change and propose solutions to tackle global warming,» said Jean-Rémy Daue, the show's representative. He explained that while members of the public can attend the show on the last day, the first sessions specifically target the youth as they make up more than half the population in the region. This is the first time that the show is being presented in the Indian Ocean but it has been presented in capital cities in Europe such as Brussels and Bordeaux, pulling in crowds of around 50,000. The organisers say that since the IOC countries face heightened vulnerability to frequent meteorological and climatic hazards, such as flash floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, and storm surges, the programmes have been tailored to their specific challenges. In Seychelles, the two key topics will be Blue Economy and disaster and risk prevention. It took three years for those behind the project to produce it and it now has various presentations from experts and the use of GAIA - an interactive artificial intelligence. According to the Climate Show press kit, GAIA engages the audience by inquiring about the prospects of successfully meeting the climate challenge. It also animates the show with the support of a randomly selected audience member seated in a spaceship-like chair. From Seychelles,  the Climate Show will go to Madagascar, Reunion Island and Comoros. Daue said that they will then make a video of all the concerns raised in the region in the hopes that they will be actioned at a political level. Those interested to participate, in what the organisers call a playful show that humorously explores our questions and challenges while encouraging audience participation, can register for free at www.theclimateshow.org . 

Fatal Ukrainian strikes rock Russia as vote cements Putin's grip

Ukrainian bombardments killed two people and set an oil facility ablaze in Russia on Saturday, the second day of showpiece elections guaranteed to cement President Vladimir Putin's hardline rule. Presidential polls opened this week but voting has been marre
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Fatal Ukrainian strikes rock Russia as vote cements Putin's grip

Ukrainian bombardments killed two people and set an oil facility ablaze in Russia on Saturday, the second day of showpiece elections guaranteed to cement President Vladimir Putin's hardline rule. Presidential polls opened this week but voting has been marred by an uptick in fatal Ukrainian aerial attacks and a series of incursions into Russian territory by pro-Ukrainian sabotage groups. Fresh bombardments prompted authorities to close schools and shopping centres in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, undermining the Kremlin's efforts to isolate Russians from its two-year conflict with Kyiv. Putin, who cast his vote online, has vowed a harsh response to the assaults and accused Ukraine of trying to «disrupt» his bid for another six-year mandate. The governor of the Belgorod region said air defence systems had downed eight Ukrainian missiles but two residents were killed and others injured. «A man was driving a lorry when a shell hit him, after which the vehicle crashed into a passenger bus. The people on it were not injured,» Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on social media. «Another woman was killed in a parking lot where she and her son came to feed the dogs. Medics are fighting for her son's life,» he added. In a separate post, Gladkov announced that schools and shopping centres in the city of Belgorod and some surrounding districts would close temporarily over the coming days, the second time this month. Russia's defence ministry earlier said it had downed rockets, missiles and drones in the border regions of Belgorod and Kursk that have suffered an uptick in fatal attacks in recent weeks. - Putin vows revenge - And it later said Russian forces had fought off more attempted infiltrations by «Ukrainian militant sabotage and reconnaissance groups». Kremlin proxy officials in the occupied Kherson region of southern Ukraine meanwhile said one person was killed and four wounded in a drone attack. The border attacks were a concern for voters hundreds of kilometres away in the town of Sergiev Posad outside Moscow, famous for its ornate Orthodox monastery with golden onion domes. Casting her ballot from home with the help of election officials going door-to-door to collect votes from the elderly, 87-year-old Inessa Rozhkova said she hoped the polls would bring an end to the conflict with Ukraine. «Can you imagine how many people died? And now our border villages are suffering. We worry for them,» she said. In a nearby polling station set up in the vocational school, 68-year-old Elena Kirsanova came with her husband to vote for Putin. «They try to scare us, but this is not a nation that can be intimidated,» Kirsanova told AFP. Putin, 71, has been in power in Russia since the last day of 1999 and is set to extend his grip over the country until 2030. If he completes another Kremlin term, he would stay in power longer than any Russian leader since Catherine the Great in the 18th century. He faces no genuine competition in the vote, having barred two candidates who opposed the conflict in Ukraine, and around one month after his main opponent, Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic prison in unexplained circumstances. The Kremlin has pitched the election as an opportunity for Russians to show they are behind Moscow's full-scale military campaign in Ukraine, where voting is also being held in occupied territory. The first day of voting on Friday was however marred by acts of vandalism in polling stations, with a spate of arrests of Russians accused of pouring dye into ballot boxes or arson attacks. - Oil facility ablaze - At least two more Russians -- one in the central city of Yekaterinburg and in the western exclave of Kaliningrad -- were accused by authorities of dousing ballots with green ink. The substance being poured into the ballot boxes resembles zelyonka, a surgical antiseptic used previously by pro-Kremlin actors to douse on opposition politicians, including Navalny. The ruling United Russia party that staunchly backs Putin meanwhile announced it was suffering a large-scale hacking attack on its website. The FSB security service also announced a spate of arrests, as polls opened, of Russians it said were aiding Ukrainian forces or planning to carry out sabotage at military and transport facilities. Ukrainian attacks on Russia have extended well beyond border regions too with Kyiv's forces targeting oil facilities deep inside Russian territory over recent weeks. The governor of the Samara region that lies around 800 kilometres (500 miles) from the front lines said Saturday that Ukrainian drones had targeted two oil refineries, igniting a blaze at one of them. An defence source in Kyiv told AFP the attack was planned by the SBU security services as part of «a strategy to disrupt the economic potential of Russia». «Each such defeat reduces the flow of petrodollars that feeds Russia's war economy,» the source said. © Agence France-Presse

Seychelles' President meets with Pope Francis, brings greetings of his people 

The President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, had a private audience with Pope Francis on Saturday as part of his official visit to the Vatican.The historical relationship between Seychelles and the Holy See dates back to the founding of the Apostolic Prefe
Seychelles News Agency

Seychelles' President meets with Pope Francis, brings greetings of his people 

The President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, had a private audience with Pope Francis on Saturday as part of his official visit to the Vatican.The historical relationship between Seychelles and the Holy See dates back to the founding of the Apostolic Prefecture of Seychelles in 1852, a precursor to the Diocese of Port Victoria.According to State House, during his tête-à-tête with Pope Francis, Ramkalawan expressed appreciation for graciously hosting an audience with him during this time of Lent and to humbly include Seychelles in his prayers.«I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the warm welcome extended to myself and my delegation since our arrival in Vatican City. I bring with me greetings from the people of the Republic of Seychelles to Your Holiness. On behalf of all the citizens of Seychelles, whom I am privileged to represent today, I humbly ask Your Holiness to keep our country and our people in Your prayers,» said the President. The delegation of Seychelles with Pope Francis. (Vatican Media) Photo License: All Rights Reserved  Ramkalawan also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations.During the discussions with the Secretary of State of the Vatican, Ramkalawan conveyed appreciation and reiterated the importance of the continued excellent bilateral relations between the Holy See and Seychelles, as well as for the contribution and role of the Roman Catholic Church at the service of society, especially in community welfare and religious education.Other topics of discussion included the socio-political situation of the country, primarily societal aspects for the mutual benefit of the Seychellois people, such as environmental protection, climate change and the fight against drug abuse. While at the Vatican, the President of Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, had the opportunity to visit the museum and various chapels.

Food safety: Seychelles' laboratories working on new testing methods with French expert 

Laboratory personnel at the Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS) and the Seychelles Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) underwent a two-week capacity-building session with a French expert in laboratory and food safety. The training is part of a technical assista
Seychelles News Agency

Food safety: Seychelles' laboratories working on new testing methods with French expert 

Laboratory personnel at the Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS) and the Seychelles Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) underwent a two-week capacity-building session with a French expert in laboratory and food safety. The training is part of a technical assistance aimed at strengthening the capacities of Seychelles' laboratories working on official control for food safety under the regional programme to support food and nutritional security in the southwest Indian Ocean (SANOI). The chief executive of the Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS), Andy Ally, said, «This training is expected to improve the efficiency of the SBS lab and to cut down the time it takes our technicians to conduct tests. This session has also helped our chemical lab especially to validate a new ISO method, which is an EU reference method for a piece of new equipment that does histamine tests. This will help us when we are seeking further accreditation later this year for this specific test.» The regional programme for food security and nutrition implemented by the EU Delegation to Mauritius and Seychelles and the Indian Ocean Commission aims at reducing malnutrition and food insecurity in the Indian Ocean region. It is funded by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), in partnership with the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).   Ally confirmed that there will be more training sessions under this programme that will be held in the future. The facilitator of the training, which ended on Friday, Benoit Glaud, director of Analytical Laboratory Development, based in France, has over 20 years of experience in analytical chemistry, microbiology, material and pharmaceutical laboratories. The training is expected to improve the efficiency of the SBS lab and cut down the time it takes the technicians to conduct tests. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY  Glaud told reporters, «The standards in the laboratories in Seychelles I've found is very high, I visit laboratories nearly every month all around the world in Europe, Asia and Africa, and the level here is very good. This laboratory has already been accredited for a number of years since 2017 and really what we are doing now is building on these good levels to deliver more parameters.» He said that in the training, «We've been explaining how to do method validation, to check the accuracy, the precision, the level of detection, the level of quantification and also the uncertainty of measurement. This is one of the key requirements for an accredited laboratory and when you manage to do method validation it means you are part of this club of good laboratories that are recognised internationally.» Glaud added, «We're trying always to improve, putting new methods in place that can deliver results faster. We've analysed histamine in fish trying to put the EU reference method in place so the histamine result can be accepted more easily by EU buyers.» The programme included a sanitary and phytosanitary component, which is expected to contribute to strengthening and harmonising their standards in the region and developing a network of quality control and surveillance laboratories in the IOC member states. One of the laboratory technicians at the SBS, Cheris Benstrong, said, «Laboratory work sometimes becomes stagnant therefore these types of training are very important even though the training might be similar we can expand on the subjects and go more in-depth.»

COSAFA Beach Soccer: Seychelles' team heads for championships in SA

Seychelles' national beach soccer team left the country on Friday and will face Saudi Arabia, Malawi and host South Africa in Group A of the 2023 COSAFA Beach Soccer Championships. Eight teams are participating in the tournament and Group B features Morocco
Seychelles News Agency

COSAFA Beach Soccer: Seychelles' team heads for championships in SA

Seychelles' national beach soccer team left the country on Friday and will face Saudi Arabia, Malawi and host South Africa in Group A of the 2023 COSAFA Beach Soccer Championships. Eight teams are participating in the tournament and Group B features Morocco, Mozambique, Tanzania and Angola for championships that will place from March 17 to 23. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.   Saudi Arabia from the Middle East is the first-ever team from outside the African continent to compete at a COSAFA event. The tournament will be a further experience for the Seychelles, as the island nation prepares to host the Beach Soccer World Cup in 2025. The Seychellois side will compete for the first time at the event.   Seychelles failed to make it out of the group stages at the last COSAFA tournament but managed to grab a win, defeating South Africa 3-2, before losing heavily to both Mozambique and Senegal. Senegal won the 2022 tournament beating Egypt in the final by 5-3. The pool stage fixtures are scheduled for March 17, 18 and 20, and the semifinals will be played on March 22. The matches for the final and third place will follow the next day. With Seychelles looking at the tournament as preparations for the World Cup, the country is aiming to improve its performance. Earlier this year, the Seychelles side played four test matches during a training camp in Dubai. The island nation lost 4-1 to African champions Senegal, 7-1 to Italy, 4-2 against UAE and 10-4 against a mixed selection. Seychelles is headed by coach Herald Kowlessur, who said that the draw is interesting and his side has prepared and ready to play against any team. «On paper, our group looks easier, but we will not be underestimating any of our opponents, because every team has trained and will be aiming to win the competition, just like us,» said Kowlessur. He added that his team is ready for the tournament and the target is to get to the final and even win.   «That is my target and we are going all out with God's grace to make history for Seychelles' beach soccer,» added the Seychelles' team coach. Seychelles hosted the first edition of the tournament in 2015 and it was won by Madagascar. The winner was selected to compete at the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, and Madagascar was again the winner.  

First bricks laid for construction of Seychelles maximum security prison

The foundation stones for building a new maximum security prison at Bon Espoir in Seychelles for high-risk prisoners were laid in a ceremony on Friday. Construction work is expected to begin in around three weeks. The construction of the facility is being f
Seychelles News Agency

First bricks laid for construction of Seychelles maximum security prison

The foundation stones for building a new maximum security prison at Bon Espoir in Seychelles for high-risk prisoners were laid in a ceremony on Friday. Construction work is expected to begin in around three weeks. The construction of the facility is being funded by the Seychelles' government at SCR8.7 million ($645,000) for the first phase. These will include an administration block, a clinic, and the first block of 40 cells, which are expected to be completed in December of this year. The Minister for Internal Affairs, Roy Fonsecka, and the Minister for Lands and Housing, Billy Rangasamy, laid down the first bricks to officially launch the construction.  In his address, the commissioner of the Seychelles Prison Services, Raymond St. Ange, said, «Today we break ground and bear witness to a second facility that is well designed and to high standards. This prison once commissioned and operational will change for the better how we manage inmates who are assessed so that they do not go to Montagne Posee [prison] but rather to Bon Espoir.» St. Ange said, «Our current and only facility for convicted adults, male and female in residence within separate facilities can no longer cater to the type of inmate we are receiving today.  Dynamics have changed and those changes in some respect are for the worse.» Hence the need for a maximum security prison «with strict surveillance, zero smoking privileges, zero drugs, zero chance to smuggle or use a mobile phone within the cell, inmates will face a different set of circumstances. The use of the latest technology, and tight and enhanced controls will only enhance how this prison will operate.» The facility will manage inmates with little movement, no contact with other inmates, controlled access to their own individual exercise yards, and no possibility of physical contact with other inmates.   Meanwhile, the Seychelles Prison Services have also taken other steps to be better prepared for the changes in dynamics. These include a new purpose designed and under construction of a primary detention remand facility, the commissioning of a youth offenders facility at Amitie on Praslin, as well the signing of an agreement to construct a new facility for female convicts. «The steps we have been methodically taking confirm that we are and will be a stronger partner for law and order and a reliable bulwark against the negatives that permeate within a lawless segment of our community. A minority as they may be,» St. Ange added.     He assured the public and the community that the prison services will «manage this facility with care and discipline, and we will resolutely guard the access and its surroundings to this facility, which will be under strict surveillance and robust responses. Those would be trespassers are forewarned.»  

Illegal arms case: Seychelles' former President James Michel testifies arms were legally imported

Seychelles' former President James Michel testified before the Supreme Court on Friday via video link in the illegal possession of firearms case involving prominent businessman Mukesh Valabjhi and his wife, lawyer Laura Valabjhi - an hour later than planned d
Seychelles News Agency

Illegal arms case: Seychelles' former President James Michel testifies arms were legally imported

Seychelles' former President James Michel testified before the Supreme Court on Friday via video link in the illegal possession of firearms case involving prominent businessman Mukesh Valabjhi and his wife, lawyer Laura Valabjhi - an hour later than planned due to internet connectivity reasons. He said in his testimony held in front of presiding judge Chief Justice Rony Govinden that most of the arms importation documents presented to him at the time were above board. The former president, who resides in the United Arab Emirates received a summon via email to testify and could not appear in person before the court for medical reasons. In his testimony, he affirmed that during his time in office from April 2004 - April 2016, arms and ammunition were imported into the country for use by the police and the then Seychelles People's Defence Forces. He said there were procedures to follow to do so, and as Commander in Chief at the time, he was the one who granted approval. It was only then, that an End User certificate was issued for the arms and ammunition due to be imported. When Stephen Powles, counsel for the prosecution asked him who made the payment for the arms, he said he did not recall «whether it was the President's Office, Finance or SPDF. I would simply authorise as the goods were already received.» He added that he had not given the Valahbji's any authorisation to possess any firearms and ammunition nor to keep them at their homes and that he was only aware that the couple had them through the media after the initial investigations into the case began. The case relates to the seizure of more than 100 firearms and over 35,000 rounds of ammunition from the Valabhji home at Morne Blanc on November 18, 2021. Five persons have been charged by the Supreme Court. The accused are Mukesh Valabhji and his wife Laura, Leslie Benoiton – a senior officer in the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF), Leopold Payet - a former chief of the Seychelles People's Defence Forces [the former name of the SDF]- and Frank Marie - retired lieutenant colonel and presidential chief security officer. All the accused have been released on bail except for the Valabhji couple and Benoiton. Mukesh Valabji has also been charged in a separate $50 million money laundering case together with Sarah Zarqhani Rene, the wife of former President France Albert Rene.

Russia begins voting as Ukraine steps up border attacks

Russia began voting on Friday in an election set to prolong President Vladimir Putin's rule by six more years, as Kyiv branded the vote a «farce» and launched a barrage of deadly attacks on border regions. Officials in Moscow warned against any p
Seychelles News Agency

Russia begins voting as Ukraine steps up border attacks

Russia began voting on Friday in an election set to prolong President Vladimir Putin's rule by six more years, as Kyiv branded the vote a «farce» and launched a barrage of deadly attacks on border regions. Officials in Moscow warned against any protests during the March 15-17 presidential vote, after calls from the opposition for anti-Putin demonstrations on Sunday. The Kremlin says the vote will show that the country is fully behind his assault on Ukraine and polling stations have been set up in Russian-held territories. Ahead of the election, Kyiv ramped up its aerial bombardment of Russian regions just across their shared border. And the Russian national guard said it was fighting off attacks from pro-Ukrainian militias in Kursk, the latest in a string of border clashes. «I am convinced: you realise what a difficult period our country is going through, what complex challenges we are facing in almost all areas,» Putin said in an address to Russians on the eve of the vote. «And in order to continue to respond to them with dignity and successfully overcome difficulties, we need to continue to be united and self-confident.» Polling stations opened in Russia's easternmost Kamchatka peninsula at 8:00 am local time on Friday and are set to close at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) on Sunday in Kaliningrad -- a Russian exclave bordering Poland and Lithuania. - 'Border clashes' - All of Putin's major critics are dead, in prison or in exile, and authorities blocked the few genuine competitors who tried to stand in the contest. Alexei Navalny, Putin's most high-profile opponent over the last decade, died in February in an Arctic prison colony. He was serving 19 years for «extremism», a sentence widely seen as retribution for his campaigning against the Kremlin leader. Moscow prosecutors warned against protests during the election. «The organisation of and participation in these mass events are punishable by virtue of the legislation in place,» they said in a statement posted on Telegram. Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, has called for rallies outside polling stations on Sunday, the final day of voting. Kyiv has this week launched some of its most significant aerial attacks since the start of the two-year conflict. The governor of Russia's Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said that at least three separate waves of aerial attacks had killed two people, wounding several others. He accused Ukraine of trying to «sow panic, distrust, anger and resentment, in order to break the unit of our society». Pro-Ukrainian paramilitaries also claimed to be escalating attacks and incursions in Russian border regions. In a joint statement, three pro-Kyiv volunteer groups -- claiming to consist of anti-Kremlin Russians who have taken up arms -- called on authorities to evacuate civilians from the regions of Belgorod and Kursk. «Civilians should not suffer from the war and any casualties in the process of fighting will be on the conscience» of the regions' governors, they added. Russia has denied militias' claims to have gained ground. The national guard said its units had beaten back one such attack near the village of Tyotkino in Kursk. The defence ministry said it had fended off another by Ukrainian forces trying to enter Belgorod via the village of Spodariushino, without saying when the clash had happened. - 'Not to stray' - Election victory will allow Putin to stay in the Kremlin until at least 2030, a longer spell in power than any Russian leader since Catherine the Great in the 18th century. He called on Russians to use the vote to show their unity behind his leadership. «We have already shown that we can be together, defending the freedom, sovereignty and security of Russia,» he said in a video message, flanked by flags of the Russian tricolour and the president's state insignia. «Today it is critically important not to stray from this path,» he said. Early voting was already underway in occupied territories of Ukraine. The vote will also take place in Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014 -- a move that most of the international community refuses to recognise. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller condemned the voting in Russian-held areas. «The United States does not and will never recognize the legitimacy or outcome of these sham elections held in sovereign Ukraine,» he said. In the Russian-controlled Ukrainian city of Mariupol, election officials on Thursday opened pop-up polling stations at small tables in the street and on the hoods of cars. Banners were unfurled sporting a red, white and blue «V» logo -- an army symbol used as a sign of support for the military offensive. Ukraine's foreign ministry on Thursday urged the international media and public figures «to refrain from referring to this farce as 'elections' in the language of democratic states». © Agence France-Presse

Whale of a tail: Scientists track unique humpback 'fingerprint'

In Antarctica, a scientist waits patiently for two frolicking humpback whales to poke their tails out of the icy waters so she can take a photographic «fingerprint» of the unique colors and patterns that allow researchers to identify individuals o
Seychelles News Agency

Whale of a tail: Scientists track unique humpback 'fingerprint'

In Antarctica, a scientist waits patiently for two frolicking humpback whales to poke their tails out of the icy waters so she can take a photographic «fingerprint» of the unique colors and patterns that allow researchers to identify individuals of the species. Andrea Bonilla, a Colombian scientist at Cornell University in the United States, has been working with a team of researchers since 2014 to catalog humpback whales from a visual analysis of their tails -- or flukes. «What we are doing is tracking the history of each individual,» Bonilla told AFP onboard the ARC Simon Bolivar during a scientific expedition by the Colombian navy. Over the years, the team has identified 70 whales, and hopes to see some of them again to record any physical changes that could provide clues to their migratory patterns, population sizes, health and sexual maturity. On the tail, «the coloration and patterns that each whale has is unique, it is like a fingerprint, so what we do is look at the different marks they have, the different scars» to identify an individual, said Bonilla. Global populations of humpbacks have bounced back after once being decimated by commercial whaling, but the ocean giants remain under threat from vessel strikes, illegal fishing, pollution and underwater noise. Today there are about 84,000 adult specimens in the world, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The importance of tail identification was highlighted in a study published last month in the Royal Society Open Science journal which showed the number of humpback whales in the North Pacific had plummeted 20 percent in less than a decade. Tracking some 33,000 whales through photos of their flukes, scientists noted the steep decline which they speculate was due to starvation because of marine heat waves. - 'Accumulating energy' - Photo identification is common in the study of marine mammals, although the use of fluke identification is most used with humpbacks both because of their unique markings, and their habit of raising their tails out off the water while diving. Different populations of humpback whales live across the world's oceans, carrying out mammoth migrations from warmer breeding spots to feeding grounds in polar waters. «They take advantage of this great biomass of food that is here (in Antarctica) and for several months they are simply accumulating energy,» said Bonilla. Using photographs, the scientist draws reproductions of the details of the tails of the enormous marine mammals, which can reach up to 18 meters (59 feet) long and weigh about 40 tons. On a computer, she zooms in on the details of the flukes, which can reveal attacks from other animals, «if there is some type of skin disease» or information about their diet. The inventory allows scientists to track the movement of specific whales, which is crucial for conservation initiatives. «If a whale always comes to the same area to reproduce, it is important to protect those areas. If they cease to exist or are disturbed, that whale will have nowhere to go,» warned Bonilla. © Agence France-Presse

UNFPA senior official commends Seychelles for «great progress» on women's equality and empowerment

The regional director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Lydia Zigomo, is on a first mission in Seychelles to get a first-hand appraisal of ongoing UNFPA activities in the island nation. During her visit, Zigomo was the guest of honour at a Hig
Seychelles News Agency

UNFPA senior official commends Seychelles for «great progress» on women's equality and empowerment

The regional director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Lydia Zigomo, is on a first mission in Seychelles to get a first-hand appraisal of ongoing UNFPA activities in the island nation. During her visit, Zigomo was the guest of honour at a High-Level Forum on Thursday marking International Women's Day, which was celebrated on March 8, organised by the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Family in collaboration with the UNFPA.   Many young women entrepreneurs attended the event held at the ICCS in which there were inspirational speakers and panel discussions about entrepreneurship for women in Seychelles as well as the aspect of health for women. Zigomo described her first visit to Seychelles as very useful and rewarding. «I think there are many lessons to be learned from Seychelles and other island countries who are achieving great progress on women's equality and women empowerment that mainland Africa could learn from,» she said. Zigomo said, «Ultimately, we start with educating the girl child. That's fundamental. The more we can see girls education uplifted, and Seychelles is setting a trend in that respect, it has nearly achieved gender parity in education and that is one of the areas for investing in women. We want to see more girls in STEM [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics] subjects, so this investment is particularly important. We also need to look at how to invest in women-led businesses and also women in leadership.» She also talked about the health component for women. «We need to make sure that women and girls have the ability to exercise their rights and choices for bodily autonomy, so access to modern contraceptives, family planning and other reproductive health interventions that ensure that we are detecting as early as possible potential health problems and treating them is very important,» said Zigomo. The forum was also an opportunity for several entrepreneurs to display and exhibit their products. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY  Compared to previous years, this year, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family is commemorating International Women's Day for the whole month of March. The Minister for Youth, Sports and Family, Marie-Celine Zialor, emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship especially in terms of accelerating progress for women and said, «We are asking women to invest in themselves and we've done this forum especially to talk about this subject, the challenges and benefits. [...] We want to review financing programmes specifically for women. We want to make them more women-friendly.»  «We've been in discussion with Mrs Zigomo's office since last year. She is looking for success stories to inspire the rest of Africa. We want to share the success stories of Seychelles; we are talking about many avenues of cooperation. We want to use Seychelles as a platform to advance the progress of women on the African continent,» she added. A young Seychellois entrepreneur and one of the panellists at the forum, Juliette Dine, told SNA that the importance of such events is that it is a platform for entrepreneurs to be able to showcase what they are doing. «In Seychelles, we also have women who come up with innovative ideas. Most of the time, we hear that men are doing things so we don't usually hear what women are doing. It's a good opportunity to show how far can women go and what they are sacrificing to get what they want. It's also a platform for us to talk to one another, to network and possibly build connections that will last for a very long time,» said Dine. The forum was also an opportunity for several entrepreneurs to display and exhibit their products.

Paris 2024: Seychelles runs with virtual baton for worldwide Olympic relay 

Seychelles is among a host of nations that participated in the Olympic relay around the world on Thursday in which almost 400 children and adults were present. Held at the Roche Caiman Sports Complex, the event, organised in collaboration with the French Amb
Seychelles News Agency

Paris 2024: Seychelles runs with virtual baton for worldwide Olympic relay 

Seychelles is among a host of nations that participated in the Olympic relay around the world on Thursday in which almost 400 children and adults were present. Held at the Roche Caiman Sports Complex, the event, organised in collaboration with the French Ambassador to Seychelles, the sports ministry and the National Sports Council (NSC), where participants ran around the fitness trail. Younger participants did laps around the Champion's Park Raceway. The event is part of the «Terre De Jeux 2024» relay around the world organised by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Sports and Olympic Games and Paralympics. It was first organised in 2022. The relay will last for 24 hours around the world and during the day, the virtual baton will be passed on between various countries, which will then pass it on to others. It will go through five continents with over 146 embassies and consulates taking part. «We are very happy to have the children able to be part of this event, where we continue to push the Olympic values among the youth, while also looking to encourage more people to do sports,» said the French Ambassador to Seychelles, Olivia Berkeley-Christmann. Younger participants did laps around the Champion's Park Raceway. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY  Seychelles received the virtual baton from Sri Lanka, through their High Commissioner Srimal Wickremasinghe, and then will pass it on to Turkey. The event saw several students from various schools participate including from the French School of Seychelles.   Adley Lauricourt, one of their students, who is also a name already popular in local athletics, said, «It was a nice event, with a lot of other students participating, so I think it's great that it's promoting sport.» Lauricourt has represented Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, at the international level and his dream is to one day compete at the Olympic Games.    The relay around the world aims to share the energy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 with all territories, municipalities, departments, regions, metropolitan areas, or overseas diplomatic and consular posts around the world. The 2024 Summer Olympics, known as Paris 2024, is an upcoming international multi-sport event scheduled will take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024 in France. The Games will be the first to feature an identical number of athletes between men and women.

Seychelles' President Ramkalawan to meet with Pope Francis this week

Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan has been invited for a meeting with the Roman Catholic Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome on March 16. Ramkalawan made the announcement in his live presidential press conference for the first quarter of 2024 at State H
Seychelles News Agency

Seychelles' President Ramkalawan to meet with Pope Francis this week

Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan has been invited for a meeting with the Roman Catholic Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome on March 16. Ramkalawan made the announcement in his live presidential press conference for the first quarter of 2024 at State House on Wednesday. He was answering a question on if he will attend a conference being organised by the Association of Victims of the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission (TRNUC) taking place on March 15. «No, I am not going to attend because, on the 14th of March, I will be leaving Seychelles after receiving an invitation from Pope Francis to meet him. On the 15th of March, I will be at the Vatican and I will meet the Pope on the 16th,” he said. Military or Police explosives at the Civil Construction Company (CCCL) storage facility at Providence Industrial Estate The President refuted claims made by Wallace Cosgrow, a proportional member of the United Seychelles, the main opposition party in the National Assembly on the presence of explosives for either the police or military at the CCCL. This is the site where the explosion happened on December 7 that caused massive damages to businesses, buildings and houses in the vicinity.   Ramkalawan said, “What they have heard is that there was a key of a container kept with the military and this is because the military and the police supervise these explosives.» Appointments of two foreigners in two key posts Recently, two foreigners were appointed to top civil service positions, South African Varsha Singh as the new commissioner general of the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC), and Mauritian Li Fa Cheung Kai Suet as the chief executive of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). «There were vacancies advertised for both positions and we had to choose among the applicants the best one. The interview was done by a panel using international standards to look at the qualifications and the ability of the person to do the job. To raise the level of the two institutions it was important to appoint the person best qualified,» said Ramkalawan. He added that in both cases, Seychellois are being identified as understudies. Re-appointment of Caroline Abel as the governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles «There were a series of amendments that the Central Bank was considering and among them was that a governor can have a maximum of two six-year terms but these amendments have not yet been made into a law. That is why I re-appointed Caroline Abel as per the recommendation of the board because the amendment has not been made,» the President said. Development works on Assumption island Ramkalawan confirmed that works are being done on Assumption although the Environment Impact Assessment has not been approved yet for the hotel project. He said work for the extension of the airstrip has started and that Indian technicians are working on a coastal surveillance radar system already in place on the island. With the support of the Indian government, in 2016, the surveillance system which comprises of six radar stations was installed on five different islands: Mahe, the main island, Alphonse, Farquhar, Astove, and two on Assumption. The aid was given to the Seychelles Coast Guard and the Defence Forces to get a better maritime picture of part of the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters. Ramkalawan said the one on Farquhar was damaged by the Fantala tropical cyclone and is being replaced. 

Putin says Russian nuclear weapons 'more advanced' than in US

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday lauded Moscow's nuclear arsenal and warned that he was ready to deploy the weapons if Russia's sovereignty was threatened. The Kremlin has touted its nuclear prowess throughout its two-year offensive in Ukraine, last mon
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Putin says Russian nuclear weapons 'more advanced' than in US

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday lauded Moscow's nuclear arsenal and warned that he was ready to deploy the weapons if Russia's sovereignty was threatened. The Kremlin has touted its nuclear prowess throughout its two-year offensive in Ukraine, last month warning Western countries there was a «real» risk of nuclear catastrophe if they escalated the conflict. The United States, however, said it had seen no sign Russia was planning to use nuclear weapons anytime soon. «We have not seen any reasons to adjust our own nuclear posture, nor any indication that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine,» White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said when asked about Putin's remarks. «Nevertheless, Russia's nuclear rhetoric has been reckless and irresponsible throughout this conflict,» she added. Putin's latest comments come just days ahead of elections in Russia that are all but guaranteed to hand him another six years in power as his military posts gains in Ukraine. «Our triad, the nuclear triad, it is more modern than any other triad. Only we and the Americans actually have such triads. And we have advanced much more here,» Putin said in a wide-ranging interview with state media. The «triad» refers to Russia's three-pronged arsenal of weapons launched from land, sea and air. «We are ready to use weapons, including any weapons -- including the weapons you mentioned -- if it is a question of the existence of the Russian state or damage to our sovereignty and independence,» Putin added in the interview, which aired on Wednesday. - Strike on Russian oil facilities - The Russian leader also dismissed comments by French leader Emmanuel Macron, who last month declined to rule out putting boots on the ground in Ukraine, a significant shift in rhetoric as Kyiv struggles on the battlefield. «The fact is that the militaries of Western countries have been present in Ukraine for a long time,» the Russian leader said, referring to what the Kremlin says are mercenaries. «But if we talk about official military contingents of foreign countries, I am sure it will not change the situation on the battlefield,» he added. While Macron has doubled down on his remarks, several of Ukraine's allies, including Washington, have distanced themselves from the idea, which stunned many in Europe. The EU on Wednesday nonetheless agreed to up its financial support for Ukraine, after months of wrangling, with a new five billion euro arms package. Brussels said 28 billion euros have been spent from member states and EU coffers to support Ukraine's military since February 2022. And a meeting of the so-called Weimar Triangle is planned for Friday as Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk are set to travel to Germany for talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Berlin and Warsaw said. «In my opinion, these three capitals have the task and the power to mobilise all of Europe» to provide Ukraine with fresh aid, Tusk told state broadcaster TVP late Tuesday from Washington, where he met with US President Joe Biden. Biden on Tuesday announced a $300 million emergency weapons package to prop up Ukraine while a much larger, $60 billion package remains stalled in Congress. - Strikes in Russia - Putin's comments Wednesday came hours after Ukrainian drones attacked three oil refineries in Russia, hundreds of kilometres from the frontline in the regions of Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod and Leningrad, a security source told AFP. «Our task is to deprive the enemy of resources and reduce the flow of oil money and fuel,» the source said. Several people were injured, according to local authorities. In the Russian border region of Belgorod, two people were injured when a Ukrainian shell hit a house on Wednesday afternoon, the region's governor said. Putin said that Ukraine was increasing its attacks on Russian territory to interfere with upcoming presidential elections and because Ukraine «did not achieve any of their goals» for the last year. Ukraine has ceded ground to Russian forces in recent months as it faces a myriad of shortages, from artillery to air defences, in part because a $60-billion aid package remains held up in the US Congress. On Tuesday night, a Russian missile strike in President Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown of Kryvyi Rih left five dead and dozens wounded, an attack the Ukrainian leader warned would not go «unpunished». © Agence France-Presse

Protect Earth instead of colonising Mars, Obama says

Humanity must preserve Earth before dreaming of colonising Mars because even nuclear war and unbridled climate change cannot make the red planet more liveable, Barack Obama said Wednesday. Speaking at a renewable energy conference in the French capital Paris
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Protect Earth instead of colonising Mars, Obama says

Humanity must preserve Earth before dreaming of colonising Mars because even nuclear war and unbridled climate change cannot make the red planet more liveable, Barack Obama said Wednesday. Speaking at a renewable energy conference in the French capital Paris, the former US president mentioned Silicon Valley «tycoons, many of whom are building spaceships» that could take humans to Mars. «But when I hear some of the people talk about the plan to colonise Mars because the earth environment may become so degraded that it becomes unliveable, I look at them like, what are you talking about?» «Even after a nuclear war, Earth would be more liveable than Mars, even if we didn't do anything about CC (climate change) it would still have oxygen -- as far as we can tell, Mars does not,» Obama said. «I would rather us invest in taking care of this planet here,» he continued, saying space exploration should be for gathering knowledge and discovery rather than creating new living space for humanity. «We were designed for this place, and it would be good if we kept this place in a way that's liveable,» he concluded. During his hour-long talk, Obama discussed his climate record at the White House between 2009 and 2017. As for his successor and potential future president Donald Trump, a long-time climate sceptic who withdrew the United States from the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, Obama said the facts spoke for themselves. Obama was speaking as a special guest at the opening the Powr Earth Summit, a gathering organised by two renewable energy entrepreneurs and attended by industry players. © Agence France-Presse  

Marine protection: Seychelles ratifies High Seas Treaty

Seychelles has ratified the United Nations Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty, also known as the High Seas Treaty or the BBNJ treaty.   The BBNJ Treaty is an international agreement that aims to preserve and sustainably use the marin
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Marine protection: Seychelles ratifies High Seas Treaty

Seychelles has ratified the United Nations Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty, also known as the High Seas Treaty or the BBNJ treaty.   The BBNJ Treaty is an international agreement that aims to preserve and sustainably use the marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. This includes the high seas, which are outside of countries' exclusive economic zones, and make up nearly half of the Earth's surface. The treaty was ratified by the National Assembly on Wednesday and a majority of 27 members voted in favour following a presentation by the Leader of Government Business, Bernard Georges.   Georges said that the treaty has 75 articles and its main purpose is «to take stewardship of the world's oceans for present and future generations, care for and protect the marine environment and ensure its responsible use, maintain the integrity of undersea ecosystems and conserve marine biological diversity's inherent value.» «Two thirds of fish stock being fished in seas beyond national jurisdictions, are being done in a non-sustainable way, and if a decision is not taken quickly, many fish stocks will crash and will lead to food insecurities in many countries,» he explained. The Leader of Government Business added that it will also help towards the fight against illicit drug, arms trafficking and piracy in the world's oceans. It will also protect the many genetic resources found in the high seas, which are areas beyond national jurisdictions. «Another reason we have to protect the oceans, is that it stores 50 times more carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses, than our atmosphere, and it is important to keep that,» added Georges.   For Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, with 99 percent of its territory as ocean, this treaty's aims and components are of national priority. Marie-Jeremie, the chief executive of the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT), had told SNA that the benefits for Seychelles is that «we will have more possibilities to be part in research activities that take place in high seas especially. As a small island state along with other developing countries, we do not have the capacity to conduct these big researches. So, we want a system that is more equitable one in which everyone can benefit from what is called the 'common heritage of mankind'.» The agreement was adopted in New York on June 19, 2023, at the fifth session of the intergovernmental conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. 

Illegal arms case: Seychelles' former President James Michel to testify via video link 

Seychelles' former President James Michel will testify on Friday, March 15,  at 9.30 a.m. via video link in the illegal possession of firearms case at the Supreme Court of Seychelles involving prominent businessman Mukesh Valabjhi and his wife, lawyer Laura
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Illegal arms case: Seychelles' former President James Michel to testify via video link 

Seychelles' former President James Michel will testify on Friday, March 15,  at 9.30 a.m. via video link in the illegal possession of firearms case at the Supreme Court of Seychelles involving prominent businessman Mukesh Valabjhi and his wife, lawyer Laura Valabjhi. Michel confirmed that he received a summon via email and for medical reasons he will not be able to appear in person in court. He currently resides in Abu Dhabi, UAE. «But I have agreed to see if it is possible for me to answer their questions by media link. The summons state to answer some questions regarding what I know in relation to the arms case currently being heard at the Supreme Court,» Michel told SNA. The request to summon the former president via video link since he was living abroad was made by the prosecution.   The defence said that the evidence of Michel is very important to their case and they wanted to see him in person in court and asked the court to reject the video appearance. On Tuesday, after the counsels of the defence and the prosecution presented their arguments, Chief Justice Rony Govinden, the presiding judge in the case, ruled that the testimony via video link is practical and desirable. He ordered that all arrangements be made so that Michel can give his testimony from the Seychelles Embassy in the UAE. The case relates to the seizure of more than 100 firearms and over 35,000 rounds of ammunition from the Valabhji home at Morne Blanc on November 18, 2021. Five persons have been charged by the Supreme Court. The accused are Mukesh Valabhji and his wife Laura, Leslie Benoiton – a senior officer in the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF), Leopold Payet - a former chief of the Seychelles People's Defence Forces [the former name of the SDF]- and Frank Marie - retired lieutenant colonel and presidential chief security officer. All of the accused have been released on bail except for the Valabhji couple and Benoiton. Mukesh Valabji has also been charged in a separate $50 million money laundering case together with Sarah Zarqhani Rene, the wife of former President France Albert Rene.  

Indian troops begin Maldives pullout after quit order

India has begun withdrawing military personnel operating surveillance aircraft in the Maldives after the new pro-China president ordered them to leave, defence authorities said Tuesday. An official of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said 25 India
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Indian troops begin Maldives pullout after quit order

India has begun withdrawing military personnel operating surveillance aircraft in the Maldives after the new pro-China president ordered them to leave, defence authorities said Tuesday. An official of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said 25 Indian troops deployed in the southernmost atoll of Addu had left the archipelago ahead of March 10, the official start of the withdrawal agreed by both sides. «We can confirm that the Indian troop withdrawal is underway,» the MNDF said in a statement to AFP. President Mohamed Muizzu came to power in September on a pledge to kick out Indian security personnel deployed in the Maldives to patrol its vast maritime border. The two sides had agreed to complete a withdrawal of 89 Indian troops and their support staff in the Maldives by May 10. Local officials said the three Indian aircraft -- two helicopters and one fixed-wing plane -- will be operated by Indian civilian staff, who have already arrived. Last week, the Maldives signed a «military assistance» deal with China as the Indians prepared to leave. The Maldivian defence ministry said the deal was to foster «stronger bilateral ties» and that China would train its staff under the pact. - 'Territorial sovereignty' - «We support the Maldives in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty,» China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing on Tuesday. «We also support the Maldives in developing friendly exchanges and cooperation with all parties on the basis of its independence and autonomy.» India is suspicious of China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean and its influence in the Maldives as well as in neighbouring Sri Lanka. The archipelago, better known for its white sand beaches and where tourism accounts for nearly a third of its economy, is also strategically placed halfway along key east-west international shipping routes. Relations between Male and New Delhi have chilled since Muizzu took office. New Delhi considers the Indian Ocean archipelago to be within its sphere of influence, but the Maldives has shifted into the orbit of China -- its largest external creditor. Muizzu, who visited Beijing in January where he signed a raft of infrastructure, energy, marine and agricultural deals, has previously denied seeking to redraw the regional balance by bringing in Chinese forces to replace Indian troops. The Maldives is set to hold parliamentary elections on April 21, the first national poll after Muizzu won the September presidential election on a promise to get rid of the Indians. India last month said it was bolstering its naval forces on its «strategically important» Lakshadweep islands, about 130 kilometres (80 miles) north of the Maldives. The Indian naval unit based on the island of Minicoy will boost «operational surveillance» of the area, the navy said. © Agence France-Presse

Pirates seize Bangladesh bulk carrier off Somalia: owners

Pirates have seized a Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier off the coast of Somalia and taken its 23-member crew hostage, the boat owners said Tuesday. The MV Abdullah was sailing from Mozambique's capital Maputo to the United Arab Emirates with a cargo of 55,00
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Pirates seize Bangladesh bulk carrier off Somalia: owners

Pirates have seized a Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier off the coast of Somalia and taken its 23-member crew hostage, the boat owners said Tuesday. The MV Abdullah was sailing from Mozambique's capital Maputo to the United Arab Emirates with a cargo of 55,000 tonnes of coal when it was attacked around midday on Tuesday, the company said. «A group of 15-20 Somali pirates hijacked the ship,» said Meherul Karim, chief executive officer of Kabir Steel Re-Rolling Mills, which owns the vessel. The company released an audio message from one of the crew held hostage, who said that gunmen in two speed boats approached the vessel and opened fire. Karim said the crew were unharmed, adding that «we are waiting for the next message and call.» Mizanul Islam, a company spokesman, said the attack took place around 550 nautical miles (1,000 kilometres) off the coast of Somalia. Hijackings off Somalia since December have fuelled concerns about a resurgence of Indian Ocean raids by opportunistic pirates, coming on top of a separate surge in attacks launched by Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels. Huthi gunmen have launched scores of attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden targeting what they deem to be Israeli-linked vessels in response to Israel's war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. International naval forces have been diverted north from the Gulf of Aden into the Red Sea, sparking fears that pirates will exploit the security gap. The first successful case of Somali piracy since 2017 was recorded in December. Naval forces -- including from India, Sri Lanka and the Seychelles -- have since freed fishing boats seized by gunmen and thwarted other attempted attacks. Pirate attacks off the Somali coast peaked in 2011 -- with gunmen launching attacks as far as 3,655 kilometres (2,270 miles) from the Somali coast in the Indian Ocean -- before falling off sharply after international navies sent warships and commercial shipping deployed armed guards. Analysts however say that Somali piracy today poses nowhere near the threat it did in 2011. © Agence France-Presse

Seychelles' President congratulates Mauritian President and Prime Minister on 56th Independence Day

Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan has sent messages of congratulations to the Mauritian President and Prime Minister on the occasion of the 56th Independence Day of Mauritius, State House said on Tuesday. Mauritius gained its independence on March 12, 1
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Seychelles' President congratulates Mauritian President and Prime Minister on 56th Independence Day

Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan has sent messages of congratulations to the Mauritian President and Prime Minister on the occasion of the 56th Independence Day of Mauritius, State House said on Tuesday. Mauritius gained its independence on March 12, 1968, and became a republic in 1992, and this year it celebrates its 56th anniversary of the nation's freedom and the 32nd anniversary as a republic. In his message to President Prithvirajsing Roopun, Ramkalawan said, «I wish to convey our warmest congratulations on the occasion of the 56th Independence Day of the Republic of Mauritius. This occasion reminds us of the great progress that Mauritius has made since attaining independence in 1968. The journey towards sovereignty and democratic governance is a testament to the resilience, unity and determination of the Mauritian people in shaping their future and the socio-economic development of the country.» He added, «As Mauritius commemorates this historic day, we are pleased to join the Mauritian people in celebrating the remarkable progress and achievements that your country has made over the past five and a half decades. We value the longstanding relationship that exists between our two countries and remain committed to further deepen the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation that we share for the mutual benefit of our peoples.» In his message to Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, Ramkalawan said, «This significant occasion celebrates Mauritius' remarkable achievement not only at the national but also on the regional and international stage. Since gaining independence, Mauritius has made tremendous progress, becoming a leader in the Indian Ocean region and a firm advocate for the interests of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Advancing initiatives, such as the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) at the United Nations and other multilateral platforms, reflect our shared commitment to addressing the specificities and unique challenges faced by island nations.» The President of Seychelles commended Mauritius for its leadership role and support to the member states of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), particularly in promoting regional integration and growth during its chairmanship. «Our partnership within the African Union further underscores our collective efforts in advancing the interests of African Island nations. During my recent trip to Mauritius for the commemoration of the 189th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, I had the opportunity to engage with you and reaffirm my government's commitment to strengthening our partnership and exploring new opportunities for cooperation,» he added. Ramkalawan said, «The 14th session of the Mauritius-Seychelles Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, scheduled to be held in 2025, offers an ideal opportunity to build upon our existing collaboration for the benefit and development of our peoples.» 

Ethiopia hopes to improve trade and investment with Seychelles, says new ambassador

Ethiopia and Seychelles expect to further develop cooperation in trade, investments and tourism sectors, said the newly accredited Ethiopian ambassador. Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu presented his credentials to the President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, at
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Ethiopia hopes to improve trade and investment with Seychelles, says new ambassador

Ethiopia and Seychelles expect to further develop cooperation in trade, investments and tourism sectors, said the newly accredited Ethiopian ambassador. Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu presented his credentials to the President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, at State House on Tuesday morning. Yimenu said that since Ethiopian Airlines flies to Seychelles, «there is an opportunity to look into business exchange and do a little more in the areas which we didn't use before.» While in Seychelles, Yimenu will also meet Vice President Ahmed Afif and other members of the cabinet of ministers as well as the secretary general of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce (SCCI), Oliver Bastienne. Yimenu replaces Meles Alem Tekea, who presented his credentials to President Danny Faure at State House in 2019. Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, and Ethiopia established relations in April 1982. Yimenu will be based in Kampala Uganda.  

Sustainable tourism: 25 students at ETH Zurich and University of Seychelles present new research

The findings of a recent study on the sustainability of tourism in Seychelles were presented to various entities that work in the sector and certain actions are expected to be taken based on them.   The study was done by three partners, ETH Zurich (Universi
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Sustainable tourism: 25 students at ETH Zurich and University of Seychelles present new research

The findings of a recent study on the sustainability of tourism in Seychelles were presented to various entities that work in the sector and certain actions are expected to be taken based on them.   The study was done by three partners, ETH Zurich (University of Zurich), the tourism department and the University of Seychelles. Twenty-five students doing their master's degree at the Swiss university made a case study on the impacts, challenges and diversification of tourism in the island nation.   Speaking to the media, the principal secretary for tourism, Sherin Francis, explained that many of the findings of the study are not shocking but rather validate some of the things that are already known. «They have pinpointed one or two challenges that we need to focus on, such as how to manage our beaches and also how locals perceive the tourism industry compared to visitors,» she added.   Francis added that this report has come at a very appropriate moment and complements some of the work that the department is already doing such as putting more control on beaches. «For us, these findings give more weight to the work we are doing, such as where we are looking at diversifying our products and giving tourists more activities to do, this research will allow us to take more actions in the future,» said the principal secretary. The topics covered in the research were beach-based tourism, agri-tourism, cultural tourism, the social impact of tourism in the Seychelles, hotels and farmers linkages, terrestrial adventure tourism, and tourism in the Seychelles 2040 assessment tool. Meanwhile, some of the recommendations presented included the need for effective management of beaches to preserve their natural beauty, understanding the local perception of tourism and preserving the Seychellois Creole identity. Other recommendations include addressing seasonal overproduction in local agriculture, as well as addressing inefficiencies in resource utilisation to mitigate ecological strain and fostering sustainable growth in the tourism sector. The report titled «Land use in Seychelles - Rethinking the Sustainability of Tourism» was presented with various sectors including the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHTA), Sustainability for Seychelles (S4S), the University of Seychelles, Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (CEPS), the Public Health Authority and the departments of Agriculture, Culture and Environment. This was the fourth in a series of transdisciplinary case studies done in Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, in collaboration with ETH Zurich. Previous studies done before were on waste management and transport.

World Bank to open office in Seychelles soon, government providing space

The World Bank will open an office in Seychelles once the formalities are done through a memorandum of understanding status, said the country director for Seychelles on Monday. Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, who paid a courtesy call to President Wavel Ramkalawa
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World Bank to open office in Seychelles soon, government providing space

The World Bank will open an office in Seychelles once the formalities are done through a memorandum of understanding status, said the country director for Seychelles on Monday. Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, who paid a courtesy call to President Wavel Ramkalawan at State House said, «I would like to thank the government of Seychelles they have afforded us a room in the finance offices.» World Bank expressed its interest to open an office in the Seychelles in March last year. Following her meeting with President Ramkalawan, the country director told reporters that her visit had three main objectives for this visit. «The first one is the continuation of the country partnership framework and the second is to talk about the climate change report that we are also starting to work on,» she said. Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, suffered two major blows on December 7. Heavy rainfall caused severe damage to roads, flooding, and landslides, with damage to several properties, and three people died.  The same day, an explosion of four containers of explosives at a quarrying company in the Providence Industrial Estate caused massive damage to residential homes and commercial buildings, along the east coast of the main island of Mahe. When the disaster hit Seychelles, the World Bank executive director for a group of 22 countries, including Seychelles came to the island nation a few days later to offer sympathies and avenues to assistance. «As you know Seychelles is really vulnerable to a lot of changes in climate and we saw what happened last time in December, the question now being what can actually be done to reduce that vulnerability,» said Pswarayi-Riddihough.  The third is to take a closer look at the youths at risk in the country and Pswarayi-Riddihough said, «We need to do something and we need to respond to some of the factors that we see are affecting them.» She added «The young boys are missing high school, the young girls are facing challenges themselves, teenage pregnancies and then become household leaders of their own it actually traps them in very difficult situations. It is the moment now to see how to safeguard the youth of Seychelles to be productive members of society in the future.» The World Bank plans to assess the situation and work much closer with the government and other partners here in the country to understand much better what needs to be done. The World Bank will also continue doing is to give Seychelles budget support, and Pswarayi-Riddihough said, «We finished the third series in December, we are starting the first one.» The other area of cooperation is tourism as «we cannot continue to use the same structure in tourism, we need to something that maybe creates more in the niche market,» she added. She explained that such an approach will include the population in the generation of revenue. Renewable energy is also being discussed so that the Seychelles does not remain vulnerable to the idea of continually buying diesel and when the market changes outside it becomes an issue.

Crisis summit presses Haiti political transition as US ramps up aid

Leaders at an emergency summit on Haiti's descent into anarchy voiced hope Monday at pushing through a political solution, as the United States ramped up aid for a Kenyan-led force aimed at restoring stability. The Caribbean bloc CARICOM called the session i
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Crisis summit presses Haiti political transition as US ramps up aid

Leaders at an emergency summit on Haiti's descent into anarchy voiced hope Monday at pushing through a political solution, as the United States ramped up aid for a Kenyan-led force aimed at restoring stability. The Caribbean bloc CARICOM called the session in Jamaica after armed gangs that already control much of Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince unleashed a campaign of violence, with the Western hemisphere's poorest nation plunging into an orgy of killing and looting and fears rising of famine. «It is clear that Haiti is now at a tipping point,» said Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who invited leaders to the talks in Kingston. Warning that Haiti could devolve into a full-out civil war, he urged «strong and decisive action» to «stem the sea of lawlessness and hopelessness before it is too late.» Diplomats said the Kingston meeting aimed to formalize a proposal for Prime Minister Ariel Henry -- who has stayed in power under a deal with the opposition -- to cede power to a transitional council that would include a wide spectrum of Haitian society. Port-au-Prince and the surrounding region is under a month-long state of emergency, while a nighttime curfew has been extended through Thursday -- although it is unlikely overstretched police can enforce it. Despite the grim scenes in Haiti, where AFP reporters saw bodies lying on the streets, CARICOM leaders -- who consulted virtually with Henry and other Haitians throughout the meeting -- voiced guarded optimism on reaching a political solution. «I'm very optimistic based on all the discussions today,» said President Irfaan Ali, the head of CARICOM. «I'm very confident that we have found commonality, and we have found a common path, through which we can support a Haitian-led solution and Haitian-owned solution,» Ali said. He appealed for all Haitians to accept a solution and «come together for the greater good.» - US boosts security aid - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised another $100 million to back an international stabilization force, bringing the total promised by the United States to $300 million since the crisis intensified several years ago. Blinken also offered another $33 million in immediate humanitarian assistance. Escalating violence «creates an untenable situation for the Haitian people, and we all know that urgent action is needed on both the political and security tracks,» Blinken said. «All of us know that only the Haitian people can, and only the Haitian people should, determine their own future -- not anyone else,» Blinken said. But he said the United States and its partners «can help restore foundational security» and address «the tremendous suffering» in Haiti. Blinken said Washington supported the CARICOM plan for a «broad-based, inclusive, independent, presidential college» that would work to restore security and move to elections. Henry has been in power without elections since the 2021 assassination of president Jovenel Moise, who himself had put off a vote, with the situation worsening despite international statements of concern. President Joe Biden -- who ended the US war in Afghanistan -- has ruled out sending troops to Haiti, which the United States occupied for nearly two decades a century ago and where it has intervened since. Eyes initially turned to Canada, but it also decided a Haiti mission was too dangerous with success uncertain. Canada, however, has offered $91 million for Haiti, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised continued support as he addressed the Kingston summit remotely. - Mission gathers steam - Kenya stepped forward but was set back by a domestic court ruling against the deployment to Haiti. The Kenyan deployment plan has again picked up steam after Henry visited Nairobi and agreed on a «reciprocal» exchange of forces between the two countries. Henry was blocked from returning to Haiti by the intensifying violence. He is stranded in the US territory of Puerto Rico, with no outside power interested in helping him return. The UN Security Council reiterated its support Monday for the international mission, while calling in a statement for all Haitian stakeholders to «engage constructively in meaningful negotiations» toward fresh elections. With the situation deteriorating, the European Union said Monday that all of its diplomatic personnel had been evacuated from Haiti, a day after the United States announced it had airlifted non-essential US staff from its embassy. The well-armed gangs recently have attacked key infrastructure, including two prisons, allowing most of the 3,800 inmates to escape. © Agence France-Presse 

Zelensky claims Russian advance in Ukraine 'halted'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday the situation for his troops was improving having «halted» Russian advances on the front, as Kyiv rejected Pope Francis's suggestion to negotiate with Moscow. More than two years since Russia lau
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Zelensky claims Russian advance in Ukraine 'halted'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday the situation for his troops was improving having «halted» Russian advances on the front, as Kyiv rejected Pope Francis's suggestion to negotiate with Moscow. More than two years since Russia launched its invasion, Kyiv has faced mounting pressure on the front line in recent months, losing ground to Moscow amid hold-ups to Western aid from its biggest ally Washington. But on Monday, Zelensky told French broadcaster BFM TV, «The Russian advance has been halted.» «Our command, our military has stopped the Russian advance in eastern Ukraine,» he said. His comments followed anger over a suggestion by Pope Francis at the weekend that «the strongest are those who see the situation, think about the people and have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate». The pope's comments to Swiss broadcaster RTS sparked a furore and met with sharp criticism from Germany, as well as Kyiv. On Monday, the Ukrainian foreign ministry summoned the Vatican's envoy, Visvaldas Kulbodas, in response to tell him Kyiv was «disappointed with the words of the Pontiff». The ministry said the Catholic leader's words «encourage them (Russia) to further disregard international law.» The Ukrainian leader also said that troops were in the process of building «over 1,000 kilometres (621 miles)» of fortifications. «When we talk about fortifications, we're talking about an ongoing process,» Zelensky said. «We're not talking about a few kilometres, or hundreds of kilometres, but more than 1,000 kilometres of construction.» He called it a «complex task.» «They must be solid and resistant to changes in the climate (...) but also resistant to whatever military hardware is used against these defensive lines,» he said. - 'Clear and courageous' - In contrast to the Pontiff's calls, Poland made an appeal to NATO allies to up their spending on defence in response to Russia's aggression. «I want to propose in the near future... that NATO members decide together that the alliance requirement will be to spend not two percent, but three percent of GDP on defence,» Polish President Andrzej Duda told reporters Monday. Poland already spends around four percent. Duda said NATO must give a «clear and courageous response to Russian aggression». «This response will consist of increasing the military capacity of the North Atlantic Alliance,» he added. Hold-ups to Western aid -- mainly a crucial $60-billion package from the United States -- have left Ukraine's troops in a vulnerable position, forced to ration ammunition and unable to mount large-scale offensives. Despite this, Zelensky said Monday: «I can give you this fresh piece of information: The situation is now much better than during these past three months.» In reference to a comment by French President Emmanuel Macron, who last month said that sending French troops to Ukraine was not ruled out, Zelensky said: «As long as Ukraine holds, the French army can stay on French territory». As tensions remain high over aid to Kyiv, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that former US president Donald Trump told him during a meeting that he would «not give a penny» to the war in Ukraine. Orban -- the only EU leader to have maintained ties with the Kremlin since Russia invaded Ukraine -- travelled to Florida on Friday to meet his «good friend» Trump. He has frequently expressed hope for the Republican's return to power. Speaking to public broadcaster M1 late Sunday, Orban said the two men spoke about Ukraine during their Friday meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence, and that Trump had «quite detailed plans on how to end this war», declining to elaborate. Trump's team did not comment on the claim. © Agence France-Presse

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund approves grants for 3 conservation projects in Seychelles 

The Blue Economy Research Institute (BERI) at the University of Seychelles, Indian Ocean Tortoises Alliance (IOTA) and the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) have received approval for grant funding from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF).
Seychelles News Agency

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund approves grants for 3 conservation projects in Seychelles 

The Blue Economy Research Institute (BERI) at the University of Seychelles, Indian Ocean Tortoises Alliance (IOTA) and the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) have received approval for grant funding from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF). Representatives from the three organisations officially signed the documents confirming their approval on Monday. CEPF is a joint global initiative of several donor organisations and countries to support capacity building and research and conservation initiatives in several critical ecosystems globally. The CEPF's focal point in Seychelles is the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Change Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT). The chief executive of SeyCCAT, Marie-May Jeremie, said, «CEPF is a worldwide organisation that works with many donors to provide funds for projects in different regions with high levels of biodiversity. Seychelles falls in the Madagascar and Indian Ocean region, and as part of this group, there is also Comoros and Mauritius. All benefit under this programme that started in 2022 and will continue until 2025. Every year we have several calls for NGOs to apply for funding.» The funding for BERI is classed as a small grant because it is just under $50,000 and will focus mainly within and adjacent to selected marine protected areas within the inner islands. This will include marine life as well as the sea floor. IOTA received around $149,000 for its project to eradicate black rats on Curieuse Island National Park. (Seychelles National Parks Authority) Photo License: CC-BY  A lecturer at BERI, Stuart Lang said, «The work we are doing is going beyond safe diving depths so we are going to find information that is perhaps new for other organisations and this is especially important for the development of new management plans. The technique we use is a remote underwater video system. It has two cameras with a bait box to attract the fish. The camera helps us measure the size of the fish and other organisms. The setup can go down to around 60 metres.» The other two organisations, IOTA and SIF will both be conducting rodent eradication on two islands of Seychelles. IOTA received around $149,000 for its project to eradicate black rats on Curieuse Island National Park and its project director, Rich Baxter, said, «The impact that this will have on the island will be very positive, once the rats are removed. The populations of other species will improve.» Baxter said, «The rats eat everything and they reproduce very quickly, therefore, the impact of a highly dense population of rats on an island will devastate all species across the food web, the insects, tortoises and birds.» IOTA will be using a type of self-resetting trap for the project that is designed in a way that kills any rat and it can be used about 24 times before it needs to be reset again. There will be 400 of these traps dispersed around Curieuse. Baxter confirmed that this project will take around two years to complete and this does not include the monitoring that will be needed after. SIF is also planning to eradicate rats and cats from Aldabra, one of Seychelles' UNESCO World Heritage sites. Dr Frauke Fleicher-Dogle, SIF' chief executive, said that due to the high cost of this project, estimated to be around  €20 million, and the topography of Aldabra, SIF must do a feasibility study first and will receive about $300,000 from the CEPF. «We have to be certain that the project will be successful to be able to justify the amount of funds needed. Therefore, with this grant, we'll be able to engage international and local expertise to do several trials over the period of two years,» she added. CEPF is a joint initiative of l'Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan and the World Bank.

Seychelles' Port Victoria: Extension project deadline for contractors' interest submission is April 12

Contractors looking to be part of the design and build process of Seychelles' Port Victoria rehabilitation and extension project have until April 12 to submit their interest to the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA).   The project is for the construction of
Seychelles News Agency

Seychelles' Port Victoria: Extension project deadline for contractors' interest submission is April 12

Contractors looking to be part of the design and build process of Seychelles' Port Victoria rehabilitation and extension project have until April 12 to submit their interest to the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA).   The project is for the construction of a new 310 metres long deck on pile structure and the provision of a mooring and breasting dolphin, located southeast of the existing quays at the commercial port in Port Victoria. The Minister for Transport, Antony Derjacques, told reporters on Monday that the expression of interest has already been advertised for local and international companies. Six international organisations have already submitted their applications. «It is important for our port to be expanded and modernised because the needs of yesterday, are not necessarily the needs of the next 50 years,» said Derjacques. He said that more services are required for vessels coming in, along with other things, and this project will ensure much better things to come. Phillipa Samson, the deputy director of project management at the SPA, said this process is only for the first phase of the project. After the pre-qualification process, tender documents will be sent to those who qualify. It is hoped that contractors can be selected by December.   The expansion of the port will make its total length over 600m and is expected to be completed in 2027. The project is being financed through loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB), valued at €12.5 million ($13.7milion) and €16.5 million ($18 million) from the Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), while a grant of €5 million ($5.5 million) from the EU will also go towards the project The project to expand the port began in 2015 with a feasibility study and the first designs were presented in 2019. Since then the project has not moved further.   «Yes, there were some movements that began with the former government in 2016, where they had an agreement with the two banks and an engineering firm. But when we took over, we had several difficulties, with regards to feasibility, we had to review the original plans and re-negotiate the terms and conditions of the bank loans, and even got a new engineering firm,» said Derjacques. He added that the project is now firmly under the control of the SPA and he is confident that now things will finally go ahead. The chief executive of the SPA, Sony Payet, said while there have been many plans and concepts shared with the media, there will again be changes this time around. The CEO said the biggest change is that there will not be any outward expansion and space will also be made for the installation of two mobile cranes for loading and unloading of ships, storage yards and warehouses. 

Muslim nations announce start of Ramadan in shadow of Gaza war

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins on Monday, Middle Eastern nations have announced, with the king of Saudi Arabia using the occasion to call for an end to the «heinous crimes» taking place in war-torn Gaza. Saudi Arabia said through its off
Seychelles News Agency

Muslim nations announce start of Ramadan in shadow of Gaza war

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins on Monday, Middle Eastern nations have announced, with the king of Saudi Arabia using the occasion to call for an end to the «heinous crimes» taking place in war-torn Gaza. Saudi Arabia said through its official SPA news agency on Sunday that the Supreme Court had announced «Monday, March 11, 2024, the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan for this year». Speaking as custodian of Islam's two holiest sites, King Salman gave thanks in his Ramadan message on Sunday evening for the «blessings bestowed upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia», but noted the war in Gaza would cast a shadow over the month of fasting and prayer. «As we witness the arrival of Ramadan this year, our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the ongoing suffering of our Palestinian brothers facing relentless aggression,» he said. «We call upon the international community to uphold its responsibilities to put an end to these heinous crimes and ensure the establishment of safe humanitarian and relief corridors.» Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. After the sighting of the crescent moon, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar also announced a Monday start for Ramadan through their own official news outlets. Egypt's Islamic advisory body the Dar al-Ifta likewise confirmed Ramadan was beginning on Monday, as it was in the Palestinian Territories including Gaza, and in Algeria and Tunisia. Their neighbours Morocco and Libya said Ramadan would start on Tuesday. Iran had earlier set the beginning of Ramadan for Tuesday after its «Estehlal» moon observation office said it had not been possible to observe «the crescent of Ramadan». In Saudi Arabia, the start of the holy month had been cast into doubt after some of the kingdom's observatories reported that the moon was obscured by «cloudy weather and dust particles». But final confirmation of the sighting came through the Al Majmaah University Astronomical Observatory in Riyadh. As he announced Tuesday as the start of Ramadan in Jordan, the kingdom's Grand Mufti Ahmed Hasnat asked God to «relieve the anguish of our oppressed people in Gaza» and «lift affliction and aggression from them». Oman will also mark the first day of Ramadan on Tuesday. - 'Completely different' - During Ramadan, observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, and traditionally gather with family and friends to break their fast in the evening. It is also a time of prayer, when the faithful converge in large numbers at mosques, especially at night. The war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has cast a long shadow over festivities in the region, with hopes dashed that a ceasefire agreement could be reached before Ramadan began. At a market in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where nearly 1.5 million people have sought refuge, Palestinians on Sunday bemoaned food shortages and wartime uncertainty hanging over the holy month. «Of course, this Ramadan is completely different from all the Ramadans that have gone before it,» said Bassel Yassin, an agricultural engineer. Hassuna Tabib Hassnan, a dentist displaced from Gaza City in the north, said he didn't know how the month would end -- «in our homes, in a tent, by the sea in the north or in the south». Hassnan added that instead of spending Ramadan in their homes, «it is clear that we will live in displacement, pain and oppression». The war was triggered by the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel that resulted in about 1,160 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza, aimed at destroying Hamas, has killed at least 31,045 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. The United Nations has warned that famine in the Palestinian territory is «almost inevitable» unless something changes in the war, with aid trickling in at levels far below the pre-war norm. US President Joe Biden, leader of Israel's most important ally, also spoke of the suffering in Gaza in a message marking the start of the holy month. «The sacred month is a time for reflection and renewal. This year, it comes at a moment of immense pain,» he said. «As Muslims gather around the world over the coming days and weeks to break their fast, the suffering of the Palestinian people will be front of mind for many. It is front of mind for me,» Biden added, vowing to step up aid into the besieged territory. Shopping at a Riyadh mall, Saudi government employee Faisal, who preferred to give only his first name because of the sensitivity of the matter, said it was «the worst Ramadan I have ever experienced in my life». The man, in his fifties, added: «I feel ashamed as I shop for meat and chicken for my family, while the people of Gaza are in famine.» © Agence France-Presse

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