[African Union] The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, takes note of the results of the presidential election in the Republic of the Congo, as announced by the Constitutional Court, and extends his congratulations to H.E. Denis Sassou Nguesso on his re-election.

[Independent (Kampala)] Kampala, Uganda -- New data highlights gaps in health insurance, sanitation, and living standards despite progress in reducing income poverty.

[Daily News] Nairobi -- THE Office of the Auditor General in Kenya disclosed KSh 6.3 billion in funds that were diverted from the government's digital payments system.

[Daily Trust] A new report by the International Press Institute (IPI) has revealed an escalating crackdown on journalists across Sahel nations, warning of a growing information blackout with regional and global consequences.

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are holding crisis talks amid mounting fears over the looming impact from the Iran war.

Australian fashion and lifestyle retailer Cotton On is set to close its business in Singapore.According to a Government Gazette notice on Monday (March 30), liquidators from PwC Singapore were appointed to wind up Cotton On Asia.The announcement comes after almost 10 years of operations in Singapore, when its first store opened at Wisma Atria in 2007.Cotton On’s website currently lists more than 30 stores in Singapore.Brands under Cotton On that are available in Singapore are Cotton On, Cotton On Body, Cotton On Kids, stationery brand Typo and shoe brand Rubi.[[nid:731636]]chingshijie@asiaone.com

The Lions are all set to sign off the final game of the Asian Cup qualification with a flourish when they take on Bangladesh in their last Group C qualifier at the National Stadium on Tuesday (March 31).The home team booked their place in the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia with a 2-1 away win against Hong Kong in November, grabbing the top spot in the group.Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Monday, coach Gavin Lee said the focus remains on performance.«I guess I think first and foremost, boys are all very focused putting out a performance out there tomorrow night.»In Hong Kong, we played in a stadium full of red, but it wasn't our red. Tomorrow, we have a chance to play in our stadium with our red supporting us. «And I heard there's a big crowd coming, and I think that is something we should never take for granted, and that thats something that i think motivates a lot of players, because how often do you get this kind of experience and opportunity?»He said the team remain grounded after their result in Hong Kong.

As firefighters in Malaysia continue to battle raging forest fires exacerbated by strong winds and dry conditions, smoke plumes have been drifting towards Singapore due to the prevailing northeast winds, said the National Environment Agency (NEA).In an update published at about 7pm on Monday (March 30), the agency shared a satellite image taken at 2pm.The image shows two areas on fire — a forested area off Jalan Tanjong Balau-Sedili Kechil highway in Bandar Benawar and another at a forested area in Sedili Kechil. Both locations are located in Johor's Kota Tinggi.

Three siblings who chopped down their neighbour's line of Leylandii trees amid dramatic 'fence wars' face a £250,000 bill after being successfully sued.

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are holding crisis talks amid mounting fears over the looming impact from the Iran war.

Photographs show deserted beaches and streets in hotspots such as Limassol and Protaras which are usually bustling with tourists.

Rob Burrow's father, Geoff, has died aged 74 after a 'period of ill health' following his and his rugby legend son's tireless campaign for motor neurone disease.

The former Duchess of York, 66, accepted at least £115,000 ($150,000) from Epstein even after he had been convicted of soliciting sex from girls as young as 14.

Portée vers l'humanisme, Zita Oligui Nguema, Première Dame du Gabon, fait de la promotion de l'éducation, son cheval de bataille. A Libreville, la Fondation Merck, en partenariat avec la Fondation Ma Bannière, A réuni les acteurs du monde de l'éducation et les apprenants, en faveur du programme : «Educating Linda.» Cette initiative milite pour la promotion de l'éducation des jeunes filles. La Première Dame du Gabon tient à l'éducation des jeunes filles. Cette initiative aussi noble et (...) - SOCIETE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Le Président de la République , S.E. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema est arrivé ce jour à Bangui, en République Centrafricaine où il a été accueilli à l'Aéroport international Bangui M'Poko par son homologue centrafricain, le Pr Faustin-Archange Touadera. Ce déplacement s'inscrit dans le cadre de la cérémonie solennelle d'investiture du Chef de l'État centrafricain. Le Président Touadera entame ce nouveau mandat suite à sa victoire dès le premier tour de l'élection présidentielle du 28 (...) - DIPLOMATIE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

A Quebec coroner has concluded that the death of a 97-year-old woman at CHSLD LaSalle in 2024 was accidental. But in her report, the coroner raised questions about why the employee on duty at the time didn't report the fall or follow established protocol.

An Ottawa father says he was shocked to discover that his teenage son had ordered banned pharmaceuticals from the internet, and is warning others about websites that he says are putting kids at risk.

A Ukrainian refugee says Manitoba's rejection of her requests to help her remove her deadname from official documents leaves her exposed to transphobia and infringes on her right to express her gender.

The police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of a 19-year-old male, Mohamed Fareed Gab Andrei.In a news release published on Monday (March 30), the police said he was last seen in the vicinity of Block 807 Tampines Avenue 4 at about 3pm on Sunday.The said address is part of a HDB precinct located across the road from Temasek Polytechnic. Those with information are urged to contact the police hotline at 999 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. All information will be kept strictly confidential, the police said.[[nid:732459]]editor@asiaone.com 

Eight Singaporean taxi drivers, aged between 47 and 74, were arrested on Monday (March 30) for allegedly bribing Malaysian law enforcement officers on the Causeway. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a statement that the drivers, operating under the cross-border taxi scheme, did so to avoid enforcement action for driving along the bus lane.Investigations are ongoing for alleged offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.Anyone convicted of corruption faces a fine of up to $100,000 and up to five years' jail, or both.Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, CPIB said, adding that it will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against any parties involved in such activities.[[nid:732546]]chingshijie@asiaone.com

A netizen has raised alarm over a «severe bed bug infestation» in Ang Mo Kio, claiming to have been bitten more than 20 times.In a video posted in Facebook group Complaint Singapore today (March 30), several insects are seen crawling around the insides of a seating area outside AMK Hub near a McDonald's outlet.«In between the wooden slats, there is a severe bed bug infestation. Please don't sit there... Hope you don't bring any home,» captioned the post. The user claimed he was bitten over 20 times on his buttocks in just a few minutes, noting that older people were also present, sitting and lying in the area. In response to AsiaOne's queries, a spokesperson of the Ang Mo Kio Town Council said: «Our property team conducted checks with our pest control operator this morning and confirmed that the insects observed were cockroaches, not bed bugs.»Treatment is currently in progress, and we will continue to monitor the area closely to maintain a clean and comfortable environment for residents and visitors." 

Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today.1. MOE appoints 4 student care operators to replace Little Professors Learning CentreThe Ministry of Education (MOE) has appointed four student care operators to replace Little Professors Learning Centre whose contract was terminated last month... » READ MORE2. Motorcyclist dies after accident in Yishun, driver arrested for allegedly driving under influence of drugs

Two neighbourhood police centres (NPCs) in the planning areas of Bukit Timah and Kallang will merge on May 25, the police announced on Monday (March 30).The merger, involving Kampong Java NPC and Bukit Timah NPC, is part of the transformation of frontline operations to better address evolving security challenges and community needs, the police said.Following the merger, Kampong Java NPC will be retained — as a larger operational base — while Bukit Timah NPC will be renovated before re-opening as Dunearn neighbourhood police post (NPP) by the fourth quarter of 2027.«The merging of NPCs aim to optimise limited police resources by combining smaller NPCs serving adjacent areas into a larger operational base,» the police said.They expect the merger to enhance their deployment flexibility, while improving operational effectiveness.«The community policing unit in the merged NPC can organise larger scale community policing events.»The merged crime strike force will also have better coordination and control in dealing with more complex crimes and incidents," the police explained.

A group of around ten tourists shoplifted extensively from the Freysnes roadside shop today. The owner is warning other tourism operators about the group, which is believed to be heading east. The thieves took groceries, candy, and souvenirs.

Esmaeil Baghaei stressed that the strikes are very dangerous

Mikhail Galuzin favors the system which would allow all states to be confident in their security

Visitor locations have been damaged in 10 provinces across Iran

The Ukrainian armed forces fired artillery 17 times on evacuated areas

Spokeswoman Mao Ning added that China consistently stands for respect for the territorial integrity of all countries, firmly supports Cuba in defending its sovereignty

Organic production in the EU is governed by Regulation (EU) 2018/848. Following the Court of Justice's judgment of 4 October 2024 in Case C 240/23 Herbaria Kräuterparadies II, which stated that imported products recognised under equivalence arrangements cannot use the EU organic logo, the Commission has proposed adjustments to improve clarity for consumers and prevent trade disruptions. The proposal would revise the labelling rules for imports from equivalent third countries, allowing the EU organic logo to be used only when additional EU requirements are met. It would also simplify requirements for cleaning and disinfection products, raise the thresholds for exempting small sellers of unpacked organic products, ease the conditions for groups of operators, and extend equivalence recognitions to trade partners to prevent trade disruption. Further changes would address quail production rules, withdrawal periods for veterinary medicines, outdoor access for poultry and limits on poultry house size. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Ocho Rios Runaway Bay Chapter continued its decades-long support of the Mustard Seeds Widow’s Mite facility in St Ann with a donation of $150,000 on Friday. The donation followed the handover of a cheque to Adult and Teen Challenge in February, and marked the JHTA’s commitment to continue its charitable contribution to the wider community. Hurricane Melissa had forced the postponement of the annual children’s treat and cheque donation to the two institutions, which is normally held in December.

St Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation Chairman Donna Parchment Brown has issued a call for Jamaicans, individuals and organisations to come forward and assist students who have not returned to school since Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.

The Union of Clerical Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE) is blaming systemic “inertia” for the protracted delay in correcting an anomaly affecting registered dental surgeons. The union, as part of its efforts to press the ministries of health and wellness and finance to bring action to the signed agreement, has issued a notice of industrial action.

A Trelawny mother who gave birth six months ago to a baby with Trisomy 13, or Patau syndrome, has come forward to share aspects of the family’s journey with the child, who is currently hospitalised. Babies affected by Patau syndrome have a low life expectancy, with up to 95 per cent dying within the first year. However, for six-month-old Anna-Olivia Gardener, there are high hopes that she will be a blessed exception and go on to live a life as close to normal as possible.

Declaring that no act of violence will go unanswered, Pastor Adolphus Smith yesterday warned that there will be “a day of reckoning” as he addressed mourners at the funeral of slain Denham Town shopkeeper Kerrio ‘Boyu’ Pinnock. “All those who believe they are going to get away with their ungodly deeds and their dirty deeds, they better think again,” he said. “For the Bible says that every knee shall bow and everyone will have to answer to God for what they have done.”