Latest News
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Seychelles Presidential vote to be run-off, Electoral Commission says
After the first round of voting failed to produce a clear winner, the Seychelles Presidential election will be decided by a run-off between the opposition leader Patrick Herminie (left) and the incumbent president Wavel Ramkalawan (right), the electoral commission announced on Sunday. Ramkalawan was trying to stop the return of a party that had dominated Africa's richest country per capita for 40 years. The western Indian Ocean archipelago attracts investment and security co-operation with China, Gulf countries and India. The electoral commission reported that Herminie, leader of the United Seychelles party (US), secured 48.8%, followed by Ramkalawan of the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa LDS with 46.4%. In the first round, neither candidate reached the 50% threshold needed to win outright. The US party made a significant gain in the National Assembly as well, winning 15 seats by constituency and four additional seats by proportional representation. This gave it a clear majority. LDS won 11 seats in constituency and four seats proportionally, leaving its main rival behind the ruling party. The two leading candidates in the race for the presidency will now compete in a second, decisive round that is scheduled from 9-11 October. The winning candidate will receive a mandate of five years. The electoral commission reported that nearly 82% of voters registered participated in the first ballot, which took place from Thursday to Sunday. Reporting by Gabriel RobertGironcelle, Writing by Portia Crowe; Editing and Revision by Andrew Cawthorne
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Kuwait Airways restructures its capital to write-off nearly $1 billion in losses
The official gazette reported that a shareholder meeting at Kuwait Airways, a state-owned airline, approved reducing the capital to erase 300 million dinars of losses accumulated over time. Kuwait Airways has previously stated that it plans to break even by 2025, after years of losses. The airline hasn't disclosed its financial results from 2023 or 2024. Regional carriers were also affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, as their global counterparts. However, many Gulf airlines are now a key player in regional efforts to diversify economies, particularly in tourism. MEETING APPROVES CAPITAL REDUCTION Kuwait Airways' chairman stated in August that the airline is having difficulty achieving its goals, such as breaking even and increasing the number of passengers, due to the geopolitical tensions in the region and delayed aircraft deliveries. Kuwait's official Gazette reported that the extraordinary general meeting, which was held on September 2nd, had approved a decrease in the carrier's capital paid up by 294 millions dinars. It also said it had reduced its legal reserve of 6 million dinars. The assembly also approved an increase in the airline's capital issued by 300 million dinars. This will be "called up" according to a schedule set by Kuwait Investment Authority, which owns all of the shares. Gazette stated that the capital of the airline was 983.66 millions dinars after the changes. The company has not responded to the request for comment.
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Denmark bans drone flight after new drone sightings on military bases
Denmark banned civil drone flights on Sunday after drones were spotted at military facilities over night. This ban follows a week of drone sorties that caused temporary closures of Danish airports. In a press release, the Danish military stated that it had deployed “several capabilities” in response to overnight sightings of drones at bases. It declined further comment as to the nature and extent of its response. Denmark was forced to close airports due to drone sorties in the first part of this week, including Copenhagen Airport which was closed for nearly four hours on Monday. Denmark has described the drones as part of a hybrid attack. The country has not said definitively who they believe is responsible. However, Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen suggested that it could be Moscow. She called Russia the "primary" "country which poses a serious threat to European Security". The Kremlin has denied any blame. The ban will apply to civilian drones in the airspace of Denmark from Monday through Friday next week when Denmark will host European leaders. Denmark is currently holding the rotating EU presidency for the second half this year. In a Sunday statement, Defence Minister Troels Poulsen stated that "we are in a very difficult security situation and must provide the best working conditions possible for the armed services and police as they will be responsible for the security of the EU summit". Denmark will host EU Leaders on Wednesday. This will be followed by a Summit on Thursday for the 47-member European Political Community. The EPC was created to bring together the EU and other friendly European Countries after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. On Sunday, a German air defence frigate arrived at Copenhagen to help with airspace monitoring during the high-profile event. (Reporting and editing by Peter Graff. Stine Jacobsen)
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Gaza flotilla sails once again; Italy's Tajani warns about danger
A flotilla of international aid that had paused in Greek waters to repair for a few days has now set sail for Gaza. The activists hope to break Israel's blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territories. The organizers announced on Sunday that Greek boats had joined their flotilla. This means that the flotilla of 47 civilian boats is now "complete". "Brothers, sisters and friends in Gaza, with hope in our heart we sail. Your resilience is our guide, and your struggle is also our struggle. Together, we'll break the silence surrounding the siege", the Global Sumud Flotilla posted on social media. Around 40 Italians, along with activists from dozens other countries including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, are on the flotilla. They hope to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza within the next week. Antonio Tajani, the Italian Foreign Minister, repeated on Sunday a suggestion made last week that the flotilla take the aid to Cyprus to be distributed in Gaza by Roman Catholic Church. The flotilla refused the suggestion. "We've always warned that approaching Israeli waters is dangerous. We don't really know what will happen. Tajani told journalists that forcing the blockade was dangerous. Drones equipped with stun grenades, irritants and irritants struck the flotilla on Wednesday off Crete in international waters. The drones caused some damage but did not cause any injuries. Israel has not commented on the incident. Israel has said that it will use all means possible to stop the boats from reaching Gaza. It argues that the naval blockade it has imposed is legal because it is fighting Hamas militants within the coastal enclave. Italy and Spain deployed navy ships near the flotilla to perform rescue and humanitarian missions. Israel launched its Gaza offensive in response to the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023 on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages being taken back to Gaza. Gaza's health authorities claim that the offensive has resulted in more than 65,000 deaths. (Reporting and editing by Crispian B. Balmer)
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Nigeria to certify C919 jets for local airlines
Director general of the Nigerian civil aviation authority said that they are looking at certifying China’s C919 for Nigerian carriers. This is because Nigerian airlines have taken on more aircraft, and relations with Beijing have been warming. COMAC, a Chinese plane manufacturer, is currently producing the C919 narrow-body aircraft to compete with the leading Western planemakers Airbus & Boeing and has had several discussions with Nigeria about the aircraft. COMAC, a state-owned company, is facing challenges in its bid to expand into the African market. The two models of its planes do not have benchmark certifications by Western regulators and the company is behind in delivery targets. Due to trade disputes, the U.S. temporarily halted the exports of CFM engines used on the C919 this year. Nigeria, Africa's largest nation, with 230 millions people, is a potential aviation market. Director general of the civil aviation authority, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo told reporters that the agency was considering the lengthy certification process to allow the jet to fly on domestic routes. "We are looking at the certification for the aircraft." Najomo told the U.N. Aviation Agency's Montreal assembly that the certification of the aircraft is the first thing we need to do. COMAC OFFERS MAINTENANCE SUPPORT FOR NIGERIAN CARRIER Najomo stated that COMAC officials offered maintenance and training assistance for any planes operated Nigerian carriers and were exploring dry lease arrangements which involves leasing aircraft without crew. Najomo stated, "We told them it would be better if they could facilitate a dry lease agreement that was good." Abdullahi Ahmed expressed an interest in expanding the fleet of Nigerian airline NG Eagle beyond its three jets. He said he'd consider COMAC aircraft if they were certified and accompanied with maintenance and training assistance. The improved Aviation Working Group Rating of Nigeria reflects a stronger compliance with Cape Town Convention. This is a treaty which simplifies the leasing of aviation equipment. Najomo stated that this was an encouraging development for lessors and would allow the 13 airlines of the country to have access to newer aircraft on the leasing market. IATA data shows that while air travel is still expensive for many Nigerians it has fallen by 43.6% in real terms between 2011 and 2023. At the moment, only Chinese airlines operate the C919. Three airlines in Southeast Asia also fly COMAC's C909 regional jet.
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Flightradar24 reports that the airspace around Poland's Lublin and Rzeszow has been closed because of 'unplanned' military activity.
Flightradar24, a flight tracking service, said that Poland had closed the airspace around its cities of Lublin (southeast) and Rzeszow (southeast) until at least 4 am GMT Sunday because "unplanned military activities related to state security". After Russia began its attacks on Ukraine, the Polish military said that it had scrambled aircraft in order to secure its airspace. In a posting on X, the military stated that "Polish and allied aircraft began operating in our airspace in connection with the activity by the Russian Federation long-range aerial force carrying out strikes against the territory of Ukraine." The military described the actions taken as preventive, and that they were aimed at protecting airspace and citizens. Ukraine's Air Force data shows that air raid warnings are in place across the country at 0300 GMT.
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Vietnam closes all airports and evacuates thousands as Typhoon Bualoi approaches
Vietnam evacuated thousands from areas that could be affected by Typhoon Bualoi on Sunday, as the storm intensified. Days earlier, the Philippines had been hit with widespread flooding and at least 10 fatalities. According to Vietnam's National Weather Forecast Agency, the typhoon is expected to land in central Vietnam on Sunday evening, sooner than forecasts because it is moving fast. This is a storm that moves at nearly twice the speed of average, with a strong intensity and wide area of impact. The storm is capable of triggering several natural disasters at once, including strong winds, heavy rain, flooding, flash-floods, landslides and coastal inundation, according to the agency. The government announced that authorities in central province Ha Tinh had begun evacuating more than 15,000 residents, and that thousands of troops were ready to assist. Civil Aviation Authority announced that Vietnam suspended operations in four coastal airports, including Danang International Airport, from Sunday and changed the departure times of several flights. The government has confirmed that heavy rains have already led to flooding in Hue & Quang Tri. Vietnam's long coastline, which faces the South China Sea is susceptible to deadly typhoons. Typhoon Yagi caused property damage of $3.3 billion and killed 300 people last year.
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Kuwait plans to build 14 GW of new power plants by 2031
Kuwait's electricity minister announced on Saturday that the country will increase its power generation capacity to 14,05 gigawatts by 2031 in order to meet the rising demand. Kuwait, as a major oil-producing country, is struggling with power shortages due to rapid population growth, urbanization, high temperatures, and maintenance delays in certain plants. The government has had to implement planned power cuts since last year. Subaih Al-Mukhaizim said on X, the minister of electricity and water, as well as renewable energy, that the country managed to successfully manage the summer of 2025 despite some days reaching temperatures of 51 degrees Celsius. He noted that peak summer electric load dropped 0.17% year-on-year compared to expectations of a 4% rise. These projects include the second and third phases, 2.7 GW each, of the Al-Zour North Power Plant. They were signed in August by a consortium led Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power with the Gulf Investment Corporation. The cost was more than 1 billion dinars (3.27 billion dollars), and they are backed by both local and international banks. The first and second phases, which will have a combined power of 1.6 GW and be built on a public-private model, are also covered. Meanwhile, the third and forth phases, in collaboration with China, will add an additional 3 GW. The first phase of the Khairan water and power desalination facility, which is expected to add 1.8GW, will be included in the program. Bidding for the project was opened to prequalified consortiums on September 1. Fatma Johar Hayat, the ministry's spokesperson, said that parts of the 7.2 GW Nuwaiseeb will also be built. A portion is scheduled to be completed after 2031, and possibly into the next decade. (Reporting and editing by Alison Williams, Ahmed Hagagy)
US reactions to President Joe Biden's decision not to seek reelection
U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday ended his reelection project. He said in a letter posted on social media platform X that he would stay in office until the end of his term and address the country later today on his choice.
Below are responses from political leaders, industry and advocacy groups and other observers.
VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS
I am honored to have the president's endorsement and my intent is to earn and win this nomination, Harris stated in a. declaration. I will do whatever in my power to unite the. Democratic Celebration - and join our country - to defeat Donald Trump. and his severe Task 2025 agenda.
FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
In a phone call with CNN minutes after Biden revealed his. exit from the 2024 race, former President Trump reacted, He. is the worst president in the history of our country. He goes. down as the single worst president without a doubt in the history of our. nation. Trump also said he believed Vice President Kamala. Harris will be easier to defeat than Biden would have been,. according to CNN.
PREVIOUS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
I likewise know Joe has never ever backed down from a fight. For him. to look at the political landscape and choose that he should. pass the torch to a brand-new candidate is certainly one of the toughest in. his life. However I know he wouldn't make this decision unless he. believed it was right for America, the former president said in. a statement. I have remarkable confidence that the leaders. of our party will have the ability to create a process from which an. exceptional nominee emerges.
CHUCK SCHUMER, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER
Joe Biden has not just been a great president and a fantastic. legal leader but he is a really amazing human. His. choice of course was hard, but he once again put his. country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today reveals you. are a true patriot and fantastic American, the Democrat said in a. statement.
ELISE STEFANIK, HOME REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE CHAIRWOMAN
If Joe Biden can't run for re-election, he is not able and. unsuited to work as President of the United States. He must. instantly resign, Stefanik said in a declaration.
INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENTAL CANDIDATE ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.
I applaud President Biden for stepping down. His. imperfections appeared to any unbiased observer from the. starting. It was this progressive deterioration - and his. abandonment of Democratic Party principles - that prompted me to. go into the race and ensure American voters had a viable, energetic. alternative to Donald Trump, Kennedy stated in a post on X.
HAKEEM JEFFRIES, HOME DEMOCRATIC LEADER
America is a better location today since President Joe Biden. has actually led us with intelligence, grace and self-respect. We are forever. grateful, Jeffries said in a statement.
STEVE SCALISE, HOME BULK LEADER
Democrat party managers simply proved that they have definitely. no regard for their own voters. After lecturing others about. democracy, they simply forced Joe Biden off the ticket-- trashing. the primary option of 14 countless their own citizens, Scalise,. a Republican politician, stated on X.
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Americans and democracy-loving people world owe Joe. Biden a financial obligation of thankfulness. The Congressional Black Caucus PAC. signs up with President Biden in totally supporting Kamala Harris as our. celebration's candidate, the company said in a declaration published to. X.
NANCY PELOSI, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE AND FORMER HOME SPEAKER
President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always. put our nation initially. His tradition of vision, worths and. management make him among the most consequential Presidents in. American history. With love and thankfulness to President Biden for. constantly believing in the promise of America and providing people the. opportunity to reach their satisfaction. God blessed America with. Joe Biden's achievement and goodness.
GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA
President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making. president-- a leader who has actually combated hard for working individuals and. provided amazing results for all Americans. He will decrease. in history as one of the most impactful and selfless. presidents, Newsom posted on X.
NANETTE BARRAGÁN, CHAIR OF THE CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS
I am with you @JoeBiden - I back @KamalaHarris as our. Democratic candidate & & will work relentlessly to make certain she is. chosen our next President in November, Barragán stated in a post. on X.
SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN JIM CLYBURN
I echo the good judgment [President Biden] shown. in selecting Vice President Harris to lead this country along with. him, and I am proud to follow his lead in assistance of her. candidateship to prosper him as the Democratic Celebration's 2024 nominee. for president, Clyburn said in a statement
ANDY BESHEAR, GUV OF KENTUCKY
Beshear, whose name has also been floated as a possible. contender as president or vice president, applauded Biden for. acting in the best interest of our nation, and our party and. for an effective presidency that got big, crucial things. done.
Now it is time for our nation to come together, he added. in his post on X.
PETER WELCH, U.S. SENATOR
Welch, the very first Democratic Senator to get in touch with Joe Biden to. drop his reelection run, on Sunday praised the president for. ending his mission, stating he showed profundity and excellent. humbleness and put the nation first.
It was a painful choice, Welch stated in an interview. with . Every fiber of his being wished to continue to. fight and to beat Trump again.
Welch decreased to back Harris, who he acknowledged was. the frontrunner to replace Biden.
The Democrats ought to have an open procedure so that whoever. our nominee is, consisting of Kamala, has the strength of having a. procedure that reveals the agreement position of the celebration, he. said.
BARBARA LEE, U.S. AGENT
Lee, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, stated. in a phone interview there is no other choice but to choose. Harris as the party's candidate.
She is the best vice president, Lee said. She is. skilled, capable and smart. She has belonged of the. Biden-Harris tradition that requires to continue.
GRETCHEN WHITMER, GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN
President Biden is a terrific public servant who knows much better. than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. His remarkable. work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring. supply chains home, address environment modification, and guarantee America's. global leadership over years will decrease in history. My job. in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to. choose Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose. agenda of raising families' expenses, banning abortion across the country,. and abusing the power of the White Home to settle his own. scores is entirely wrong for Michigan, Whitmer said on X.
UNITED AUTOMOBILE WORKERS
Vice President Kamala Harris strolled the picket line with us. in 2019, and in addition to President Biden has actually brought work and. jobs back to communities like Lordstown, Ohio, and Belvidere,. Illinois. That's the tradition President Biden leaves and that's. the work we will continue to develop on as a union, the union. stated in a declaration.
COCK DURBIN, SENATOR AND BULK WHIP
Throughout his public profession, Joe Biden always put nation. first. His 4 years as President made it clear that he was. identified to put our country back on track and bring back the soul. of our country. America will be permanently grateful for all he has. given to this nation, Durbin published on X.
FORMER PRESIDENT COSTS CLINTON AND FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE. HILLARY CLINTON
We are honored to sign up with the President in backing Vice. President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her,. the Clintons stated in a statement.
(source: Reuters)