[Agenzia Fides] Kinshasa -- «The US sanctions on Rwanda do not affect the Congolese who are recruited by the M23,» local sources from South Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, occupied by the Rwandan-backed M23 guerrilla fighters, told Fides. On March 2, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Rwandan army and four high-ranking military officials from Kigali, accusing them of supporting the M23 rebels in eastern DRC (see Fides, 5/3/2026).

The first of two repatriation flights organised by Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) for Singaporeans stranded in Middle East has begun its journey home. Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ8001 departed from Muscat International Airport in Oman at about 2.45pm on Saturday (March 7). It is expected to land at Changi Airport Terminal 3 at about 9.20pm.  Singapore Airlines flight SQ8001 departed Muscat International Airport at about 2.44pm. PHOTO: FlightRadar24 AsiaOne has reached out to MFA to check on the number of citizens who boarded the repatriation flight. 

A 41-year-old woman was found dead at the foot of a Housing and Development Board (HDB) block in Sengkang on Friday (March 6) afternoon. The incident happened at about 12pm at Block 289A Compassvale Crescent. A video posted on TikTok showed two Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) ambulances parked along a driveway in front of the block. In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police and SCDF said the 41-year-old woman is believed to have fallen from height. She was found lying motionless at the foot of the block and was pronounced dead at the scene by a SCDF paramedic. Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect any foul play. Investigations are ongoing. 

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Saturday (March 7) thanked United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for his country's assistance to Singaporeans residing there.In a Facebook post on Saturday afternoon, PM Wong said he discussed the escalating situation in the Middle East with the UAE president earlier in the day.PM Wong thanked Sheik Mohamed for UAE officials' support and assistance to Singaporeans residing there.«Our officials have been working closely together to ensure Singaporeans remain safe, and to facilitate arrangements for those who wish to return home,» PM Wong wrote.He added that a protracted conflict in the Middle East will have «serious consequences» for the world and expressed his hope that the parties involved will find ways to de-escalate and restore stability to the region.The prime minister also said that Singapore values its «close friendship» with the UAE, and stands in solidarity with the UAE and its people during what he described as a «challenging time».

The Iranian state broadcaster reported that 80 residential buildings were damaged in the province

A settlement is only possible on the basis of equal and civilized dialogue, Vadim Krasnoselsky said

In addition, Israel attacked underground bunkers where missiles were stored, as well as other military facilities, the statement said

According to Faustin-Archange Touadera, the Central African Republic has significant potential in the energy sector, particularly in hydropower and geothermal energy, which could help the country greatly increase its electricity generation

The Qatari Interior Ministry sent a notification to Doha residents about an increased security threat

Africa Global Logistics Gabon (AGL Gabon) soutenu par la Fondation Ma Bannière, font de la lutte contre le chômage des jeunes, leur cheval de bataille. Harmonieusement engagées, les deux structures ont fait bénéficier une formation certifiante à 60 jeunes gabonais. Cette formation s'inscrit en droite ligne dans la dynamique de la politique du Chef de l'Etat, celle de lutter contre le chômage des jeunes et favoriser leur insertion sociale. Il faut sortir la jeunesse gabonaise du chômage. (...) - COOPERATION / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

A US B-1 aircraft was pictured arriving at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday evening, where it is expected to be joined by more stealth bombers, including B-2s and B-52s.

Opposition parties have sharply criticised the BJP-led government following a Rs 60 increase in domestic LPG cylinder prices and Rs 115 for commercial cylinders. Leaders from Congress and TMC accused Prime Minister Modi of burdening households with rising costs, while the government assured sufficient fuel supplies amidst West Asia tensions.

Trinamool Congress MPs will now back the no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, a shift from their earlier stance, following party chief Mamata Banerjee's directive. This move intensifies the political battle as the Lok Sabha prepares to vote on March 9. Opposition parties accuse Birla of partisan conduct, jeopardizing the House's proper functioning and the rights of members.

The upcoming patent expiry for Ozempic in India is set to dramatically lower the cost of semaglutide, making this once-premium diabetes and weight-loss drug accessible to more patients. This shift could reshape the market, prompting earlier prescriptions and potentially altering societal views on weight management and body acceptance.

The US has approved an emergency sale of munitions to Israel during its war with Iran Read Full Article at RT.com

President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran will stop attacking neighboring countries Read Full Article at RT.com

Jamaica’s decision to end its 50-year medical cooperation with Cuba has triggered concerns about how the move might impact the country’s bilateral medical scholarship programme, with at least one scholarship recipient already making contingency plans should the initiative also be scrapped. “I pray it doesn’t have to get to that point,” the student, who requested anonymity, told The Gleaner. The student, who has been studying medicine in Cuba under the scholarship for almost two years, said she and her parents have begun exploring other options.

Criminologist and forensic-reconstruction expert, Dr Jason McKay, has stated that Jamaica needs to be thankful, proud and supportive of the various state agencies’ collective roles that led to former Member of Parliament (MP) Jolyan Silvera pleading guilty to manslaughter after initially declaring innocence in the killing of his wife, Melissa. Silvera was yesterday sentenced to almost 21 years in prison for his wife’s death.

Chief Justice Bryan Sykes said former Member of Parliament Jolyan Silvera’s guilty plea to manslaughter came only after careful consideration of forensic evidence, describing it as “more strategic than remorseful”. On Friday, the 54-year-old was sentenced to 20 years and 10 months in prison for manslaughter and 20 years for using a firearm to commit a felony, with both sentences to run concurrently. He is eligible for parole after serving 13 years.

Expressing deep regret over the termination of its near 50-year-old bilateral medical brigade programme with Jamaica, Cuba in a statement yesterday reaffirmed its commitment to the Jamaican people while making it clear that it believed the move by the Dr Andrew Holness administration was a result of pressure from the United States (US). The statement from Cuba came after claims from Jamaican government officials earlier in the week that the two countries were unable to reach consensus on a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the programme.

The family of Melissa Silvera say they are not pleased with the possibility that her widower, former Member of Parliament (MP) Jolyan Silvera, could be eligible for parole after being sentenced to nearly 21 years for her death.

Les relations entre le Royaume du Maroc et la Fédération de Russie continuent de se consolider, le ministre marocain des Affaires étrangères, de la Coopération africaine et des Marocains résidant à l'étranger, Nasser Bourita, s'est entretenu, vendredi par téléphone, avec son homologue russe, Sergueï Lavrov. Selon les informations rendues publiques à l'issue de cet échange, les deux responsables ont salué la qualité des relations d'amitié et de coopération qui unissent Rabat et Moscou. (...) - INTERNATIONAL / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Le Président de la République, Chef de l'État, Son Excellence Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, a reçu en audience le cinéaste gabonais Melchy Obiang, récemment distingué par trois trophées internationaux majeurs. Le Chef de l'État a tenu à saluer la qualité, la portée et l'impact de son œuvre cinématographique. Pour cette rencontre, l'artiste était accompagné du Ministre de la Communication et du Ministre de la Culture, témoignant de l'intérêt constant du Gouvernement pour la promotion (...) - ARTS & CULTURE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Johor may require cross-border taxis from Singapore to install a location tracking system to monitor their movements and ensure that passengers are picked up and dropped off at designated locations, said Johor state executive councillor Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh. Fazli, who also chairs the Johor State Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee, told Bernama in an interview that this is in line with Singapore's requirement for Malaysian cross-border taxis to be fitted with an ERP2.0 on-board unit (OBU). «Malaysia is expected to implement a similar, or at least an equivalent measure. However, the matter of installation cost is still under discussion,» Bernama reported Fazli as saying.He added that this would also allow the transport department to conduct monitoring and take necessary enforcement actions.

The head of Papua New Guinea's military says the country does not have the capacity to safely store 3,500 rifles Australia plans to ship to the country, raising fears they could end up in the hands of tribal warlords.

Queen Camilla , 78, made one of her most candid literacy interventions to date amid the reading for pleasure crisis facing young people with the rise of smartphones.

Expert analysts have offered insights on a series of recent royal moments in a new Channel 5 TV series, including the tense meeting at last September's service.

Victoria Beckham thanked her family for 'always being there to support her' following their united appearance at her Paris Fashion Week show on Friday.

Seven days have now passed in the new Iran war. One of Britain's most frequently quoted political maxims, attributed to Harold Wilson, is that a week is a long time in politics.

LIVE UPDATES: Follow the latest developments on the US-Israel war with Iran as the conflict enters its seventh day.