[RFI] The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has announced the introduction of free healthcare for all diseases in Ituri - a pilot project that authorities hope to extend nationwide. This comes as the country struggles to contain an Ebola outbreak, with confirmed cases now at over 1,000.

A devastating fire swept through a coaching-cum-gaming zone in Lucknow's Aliganj area on Monday afternoon, claiming the lives of at least 12 young students. Fourteen fire tenders battled the blaze that erupted around 3 pm. While authorities are investigating the exact origin, the incident has sent shockwaves through the city, with many others reportedly injured in the tragedy.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with Iran's deputy defense secretary Ghadir Nezamipour in New Delhi, discussing the Middle East's security landscape, BRICS cooperation, and bilateral ties. This meeting occurred on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers' Meeting, which India is hosting. Discussions also touched upon global challenges, terrorism, and the evolving nature of security threats.

A tragic industrial accident at Qatar's Ras Laffan gas facility has claimed at least 13 lives, including Indian nationals, and injured 66. The blast at the Barzan gas supply facility, ruled an accident, occurred Sunday night. Despite the incident, Qatar's energy minister assured that domestic needs and LNG exports remain unaffected, though repairs will take time.

Some hawkers at Chinatown Complex have raised concerns after facing issues with a malfunctioning exhaust hood system which they say has affected their businesses, citing poor ventilation and potential fire safety risks.The issue reportedly began on June 17 and 18, affecting a number of stalls at the hawker centre. Speaking to AsiaOne, Dominic Neo, 52, who operates Liang Ji Char Kway Teow, said he had been experiencing problems with the exhaust hood at his stall recently, with the system not able to draw smoke away effectively.«As the exhaust hood was not working properly, it was really difficult for me — it was almost suffocating,» said Neo, who has been operating his stall for more than 25 years.«When I fry noodles, there is a lot of smoke because I use high heat, and it really affects my productivity.»He said he understands that there is no immediate solution to it and that the matter involves mutiple parties.

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong is taking time off work to «touch grass», as the internet slang goes.Leaning fully into the social media game, he announced his week-long leave with a photograph of the legendary 'magic cup', perched on a rock with lush greenery forming the backdrop.The phrase «touch grass» is used to tell someone to log off from the online world, and instead spend time on physical activities and reconnect with reality.And that is what SM Lee will be doing until June 28, he quipped in a Facebook post on Monday (June 22).«Do share your own photos of time well spent outdoors,» he requested. «Logging off for now.»While he might have wished for pictures of the world's landscapes in the comments section, netizens zeroed in on the appearance of the 'magic cup' with apparent glee.

The Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) has stepped in to assist the more than 100 migrant workers, who turned up at the Ministry of Manpower Services Centre on Monday (June 22) morning, over claims of unpaid wages.In a media statement, the centre stated that it has taken «immediate action» to meet and help the affected workers from KPA Engineering and SK Industries.Michael Lim, director of migrant workers segment at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), said that many of the workers had little or no money for food or transportation.«MWC stepped in swiftly to take care of their immediate needs, arranging for food and transportation assistance,» Lim added.The centre, a bipartite initiative of NTUC and the Singapore National Employers Federation, said it will also provide temporary shelter and assistance for the workers who need a change of employment.As part of its engagements, MWC also visited the dormitory of the affected workers, and met with over 300 workers to hear their concerns and offer them assurance and assistance. 

WESTERN BUREAU:  Business leaders in western Jamaica have endorsed a call by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness for a national culture of efficiency, saying productivity and accountability are critical to Jamaica's long-term prosperity. Addressing the approximately 1,000 delegates at the opening ceremony of the just-concluded 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, Holness argued that Jamaica's future prosperity will depend as much on its culture and values as on its natural resources.

As the summer holidays begin and children spend more time online and away from direct supervision, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) is raising concerns about the growing risks facing minors. The CPFSA’s concerns follow two recent cases in St Thomas and St Elizabeth that have reignited discussion about child safety in both physical and digital spaces.

CMC: The University of the West Indies (UWI) has joined the international community in mourning the passing of Emeritus Professor John Agard. Agard, who was 71, died on Friday, has been a colossal figure on the global landscape for decades.   “He was a brilliant, innovative, enterprising person who gave so much to The UWI, his community and beyond.

WESTERN BUREAU: The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) is pushing back against criticism of managed beach access, arguing that proper regulation rather than unrestricted entry is essential to protect beach users, coastal environments, and the country's tourism industry.

Growing unease over the controversial third-country nationals (TCN) agreement between Jamaica and the United States (US) has triggered pushback from trade union leaders, amid fears that the island could become a holding ground for undocumented migrants.

Rajasthan ATS apprehended a woman in Jaipur for alleged ties with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed and other anti-national elements. Investigations revealed her social media accounts and phone contained objectionable content and links to foreign profiles, including those displaying extremist symbols. She reportedly converted to Islam after guidance from a Pakistan-based Mufti and was allegedly being prepared for travel to Pakistan. Booked under UAPA, she is in ATS custody.

A devastating fire swept through a coaching-cum-gaming zone in Lucknow's Aliganj area on Monday afternoon, claiming the lives of at least 12 young students. Fourteen fire tenders battled the blaze that erupted around 3 pm. While authorities are investigating the exact origin, the incident has sent shockwaves through the city, with many others reportedly injured in the tragedy.

TEHRAN – The Iran-China Talented Young Scientist Program (TYSP) has so far facilitated the dispatch of 71 Iranian scholars to the top Chinese scientific center to conduct research, laying the groundwork for expanding scientific and research cooperation between the two countries.

TEHRAN – President Masoud Pezeshkian has emphasized the need for environmental protection and the sustainable use of biological resources, with an emphasis on safeguarding the rights of future generations, Shina Ansari, the head of the Department of Environment, has said.

TEHRAN – A total of 89 earthquakes have been recorded across the country in a week from June 13 to 19, according to the seismological networks of the Institute of Geophysics of the University of Tehran.

For the past few weeks, businesses and households across Malawi shared a familiar, frustrating reality: persistent power outages, unannounced blackouts, and the relentless hum of diesel generators. Life, quite literally, felt like it was being lived in the dark. But over the last several days, a quiet shift has taken place. In most parts of […] The post ESCOM’s Strategic Push Bringing Stable Power Back to Malawian Homes appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

A storm of reactions has erupted on Facebook following reports that Winnie Nyondo was summoned by police over a social media post, with many users questioning the necessity of the move and expressing concern that it could intimidate witnesses involved in an ongoing parliamentary inquiry. The debate gained momentum after Nyondo’s lawyer, Nkhwima Mchizi, disclosed […] The post Facebook Users Question Police Summons of Winnie Nyondo, Raise Fears of Witness Intimidation appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

A growing chorus of legal scholars and political analysts has criticised the continued sidelining of vice-presidents in Malawi’s governance, arguing that while the Constitution permits the President to delegate duties to Cabinet ministers, consistently bypassing the Vice-President raises serious moral, constitutional and governance concerns. The debate comes amid increasing scrutiny over instances where Cabinet ministers […] The post Legal Experts Slam Marginalisation of Vice-Presidents, Call Practice ‘Morally Wrong’ and a Waste of Public Resources appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

First Vice-President Jane Ansah appears increasingly accustomed to operating in what many of her predecessors have described as a political purgatory — a space where the office carries constitutional weight but little practical authority. Despite continuing to attend Cabinet meetings and perform her formal duties, Ansah has been stripped of her portfolios in Disaster Management […] The post Ansah cast adrift as Malawi’s vice‑presidency slips deeper into constitutional limbo appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

A wave of fear has swept through South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province after the killing of a 29-year-old Malawian national, forcing growing numbers of Malawians and other foreign nationals to abandon their homes in search of safety. Authorities say the number of displaced Malawians in Pietermaritzburg, the provincial capital, is rising rapidly following the deadly incident […] The post Fear and Grief Grip Pietermaritzburg as Malawians Flee After Countryman Is Killed appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

This in-depth analysis examines whether VET learners, graduates and professionals face systemic disadvantages relative to their higher education counterparts across four domains: labour market outcomes, public support and mobility, qualification pathways and recognition, and access to services and economic sectors. Drawing on evidence from EU Member States, it identifies structural disparities that reduce VET attractiveness, documents significant cross-country variation, and puts forward eight policy recommendations for the forthcoming European VET strategy. This study was commissioned by the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL). Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The taxing of the digital economy remains among the most controversial topics in international tax policy. Although there was political agreement on Pillar One achieved by the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework in 2021, implementation of this proposal has not yet materialised and negotiations within the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation are expected to last until 2027. Lack of a global solution increases the pressure for action at EU level. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The United States remains a leading global health and life sciences actor, driven by high spending, strong research capacity and a regulatory environment that accelerates innovation. At the same time, the system faces persistent structural challenges, including high costs, fragmented insurance coverage and unequal access. Since the start of President Trump’s second term, federal reforms, budget cuts and institutional restructuring have reshaped the roles of HHS, CDC, NIH and FDA. Reduced engagement with WHO and cuts to USAID have weakened US participation in global health, raising concerns in Europe about global leadership, crisis preparedness and international cooperation. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Digitalisation has powered the shift to a ‘services economy’, and has greatly expanded the cross-border delivery of services, enabling service providers to access markets around the world with little or no local physical presence. Services can now also be produced digitally and supplied automatically, which will expand further with artificial intelligence (AI). Automated digital services (ADSs) can be supplied from the cloud, so that there is no specific location for the place of supply. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

A senior aide to Polish President Karol Nawrocki has criticized Vladimir Zelensky for what she called insults against Poles Read Full Article at RT.com