Former People's Action Party (PAP) MP Ong Ah Heng died on Monday (May 5), aged 84.The four-term Nee Soon Central MP served the constituency between 1997 and 2011 before retiring from politics. Dubbed «Kopitiam (coffeeshop) MP», Ong earned the nickname because of his ease of mixing with ordinary workers.He was the executive secretary of the National Transport Workers' Union between 1981 and 2006, and later rose to become NTUC's assistant secretary-general. In a 1996 interview, Ong attributed his grassroots approach to his past: «I owe a lot to the meritocratic system. There are very few countries where you could start as a construction worker and end up with a master's degree. »It is right that I repay society by involving myself in community work with the labour movement and in grassroots organisations." He later became a non-executive independent director at ComfortDelGro before retiring from the board in 2020. Ong's wake is being held at Block 204 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, and his funeral ceremony will take place there at 1pm on Sunday (May 10).

Singapore's workforce may not yet be ready for a transition to artificial intelligence (AI), but is well-positioned for it, Sembawang West SMC MP Poh Li San said in Parliament on Wednesday (May 6).She was speaking in the debate on AI transition with no «jobless growth», raised by labour chief Ng Chee Meng on Tuesday.Ng had put forward a parliamentary motion, stressing the need to put workers at the centre of Singapore’s AI-driven economic growth, as it can no longer be assumed that the latter would translate automatically into more or better jobs.Poh expressed that Singapore's AI transition should be focused on customising AI solutions for industries to empower Singaporeans, highlighting the four key pillars of the national AI strategy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong shared in his May Day Rally speech last Friday (May 1).PM Wong had targeted four industries — advanced manufacturing, connectivity, finance and healthcare — for AI transformation.«AI-powered robots will indeed be the force multiplier,» Poh stated. «Are we ready for this transition? Not yet. We are well-positioned for it, but we must move fast.»

Will Singapore provide free ride on public transport to full-time national servicemen (NSF)?The cost of transportation is included in the monthly base allowance that NSFs receive, said Chan Chun Sing, Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence.He was replying to a parliamentary question by Workers' Party MP Kenneth Tiong on Tuesday (May 5), who had asked if the $81 monthly hybrid concession pass is «adequate for NSFs earning $790 per month», and whether free public transport will be provided for NSFs by default as in other countries.Chan said in his written response that the base allowance for all NSFs is «sized for their basic personal upkeep» and given in cash.«The cost of providing free transport for NSFs would need to be cross-subsidised by other commuters through higher fares, or by taxpayers,» he said.While some countries provide conscripts a national travel pass, the current allowance NSFs receive already takes into account the price of the monthly concession pass.«Either way, the costs are funded by the Government, and ultimately, by taxpayers,» he added.

Suvendu Adhikari's name is gaining traction for the Chief Minister's post in West Bengal. The Bharatiya Janata Party has achieved a significant electoral victory, surpassing the Trinamool Congress. Adhikari, a key BJP leader, has demonstrated his electoral prowess by defeating Mamata Banerjee. The BJP's strong performance has reshaped the state's political landscape, raising questions about Adhikari's future role.

Over 134,000 written complaints about GPs were made to NHS England last year, with communication issues, staff attitudes and treatment errors driving the deluge.

Something unusual is happening across Malawi. Shop doors are staying closed. Business owners are stepping back from their own counters. Shelves are stocked, but tills are silent. At the centre of this quiet protest is a new system introduced on May 1, 2026—the Electronic Invoicing System (EIS), rolled out by the Malawi Revenue Authority under […] The post ANALYSIS | Inside Malawi’s VAT Shake-Up: Why Shops Are Closing, Why Government Is Pushing Hard, and What It Means for Your Money appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority (MMRA) has responded to calls from the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) over how the Kangankunde Rare Earth Mining project should be classified, a decision that could reshape how one of Malawi’s biggest mineral resources is managed. In a letter dated April 28, 2026, the MMRA […] The post MMRA Reviews Kangankunde Mining Project as Calls Grow to Upgrade It to Large-Scale Status appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

[New Times] Government officials and private sector leaders from Rwanda and Botswana have gathered in Gaborone for a business forum aimed at strengthening trade and investment relations between the two countries.

[New Times] The Lower Chamber of Parliament on Tuesday, May 5, approved the draft law governing virtual assets, marking a key step towards regulating cryptocurrency trading in Rwanda.

[ANGOP] Mbanza Kongo -- At least 172 citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who intended to illegally enter in Angola were stopped last Sunday by the Border Guard Police in the northern province of Zaire.

The Malawi government says it has received more than 200 desperate calls from Malawians living in South Africa, begging to be brought back home after a new wave of xenophobic violence. The violence, reported in cities like Johannesburg, Durban and Pretoria, has left many foreign nationals living in fear. People have been attacked, beaten, threatened, […] The post More Than 200 Malawians Cry for Help as Fear and Violence Spread in South Africa appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Malawi has recorded a rise in suicide cases in the first three months of 2026. Police figures show that 95 people died by suicide, up from 92 cases during the same period in 2025. At first glance, this increase of 3 cases may look small. But experts say it is serious—and a sign of a […] The post Suicide Cases Rise Again in Malawi — Small Increase, Bigger Warning Sign appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

When President Peter Mutharika returned to power in October 2025, he brought back Joseph Mwanamveka to Ministry of Finance to fix an economy that was already in serious trouble. Inflation was above 20 percent, the Malawi kwacha was weak, fuel and foreign currency were in short supply, and public debt was dangerously high. It was […] The post Stability on Paper, Suffering in Reality: Is Mwanamveka Worsening Malawi’s Economic Crisis? appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

In Malawi, tampering with electricity infrastructure can land an ordinary citizen in prison for years. But in Limbe, one of the country’s most prominent property developers allegedly brought down part of the power grid—and to this day, has not been held accountable. At the centre of this troubling story is Faizal Aboo, a Limbe-based businessman […] The post K500 Million Ignored, Limbe Left in Darkness: How Faizal Aboo Walked Away Unpunished After Power Grid Collapse appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Many of us will know that a very high resting heart rate is a cause for concern, increasing the risk of stroke, heart attack and even premature death.

In England, there are five types of council elections happening on May 7, with more than 5,000 councillors to be chosen in 136 councils (not including the six mayors being elected concurrently).

Speaking to Tales From the Celebrity Trenches, the 66-year-old TV mogul recalled 'really, really struggling' following the former One Direction singer's death at just 31 years old.

Gun-toting enthusiasts who travelled thousands of miles to shoot innocent civilians for fun during the siege of Sarajevo competed to kill the most beautiful women, a new book claims.

The two men, who were wearing kippahs, were entering a property in Bury last Wednesday when they were stopped by two other men.

The Cabinet has approved a “heads of terms” agreement for a new licence that the Government is to negotiate with the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), subject to a non-disclosure agreement between the company and the administration.  A heads of terms agreement sets out the basic terms of a commercial transaction between parties. 

More than 40 Cuban doctors have opted to remain in Jamaica following the end of the decades-old contract between their government and Jamaica. Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton made the disclosure in response to queries from The Gleaner during a press briefing hosted by the University Hospital of the West Indies Institutional Review Committee at the IDB Building in New Kingston yesterday.

Jamaican drug lord Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke is now set to be released from prison in the United States (US) in almost 21 months after authorities there sliced another year off the prison time. This development comes as popular pastor Merrick ‘Al’ Miller, a longtime friend of the Coke family, said he has been told that the reputed Shower Posse leader is participating in religious-based and other programmes in prison.

For a growing number of Jamaican educators, the classroom is no longer limited to the physical space, but extends to their social media feed where their teaching expertise and experience become content for an engaged online audience comprising students, parents, and even colleagues.  But as many step into the role of teacher-influencer, they face a delicate balancing act sharing the realities of their profession while maintaining the ethical boundaries it demands. 

The Institutional Review Committee tasked with assessing the affairs of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) says the use of its tax- exemption status to import items for private companies was “illegal”. “There is absolutely no evidence that those imports were provided by the board, [and] even had they been approved by the board, they would still be illegal,” said Professor Alvin Wint, a member of the Howard Mitchell-chaired committee.  

Following a historic win in West Bengal, the BJP's state president urged authorities to act against post-poll violence, vowing to expel any party members involved. He also alleged TMC workers attacked their own candidates. A high-level BJP meeting discussed preventing violence and ensuring law and order, aiming to avoid a repeat of past incidents.

Rahul Gandhi has accused the BJP of winning seats through vote theft, claiming every sixth MP from the party secured victory unfairly. He alleged that institutions are manipulated to tamper with the electoral process, suggesting the BJP fears fair elections.

Cracks have emerged within the INDIA bloc following the Tamil Nadu election results, with the DMK accusing its ally, the Congress, of «backstabbing» for supporting actor-politician Vijay's TVK party. The DMK criticized the Congress' decision as «foolhardy» and driven by ego, questioning its trustworthiness and potential impact on other alliance partners.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay's TVK is poised to form the government in Tamil Nadu, emerging as the single-largest party but needing allies. The Congress has reportedly pledged support for a secular government, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the DMK. Meanwhile, a faction within the AIADMK is reportedly considering backing Vijay.

Over four months, only one shipment of fuel has arrived in Cuba, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said

Serbian Minister in charge of international economic cooperation Nenad Popovic named Belgrade and Novi Sad among the most attractive destinations for Russian tourists

Nenad Popovic emphasized that Serbia remains the only European country that has not imposed sanctions against Russia

Thus, Kirill Dmitriev commented on a publication, which noted that airlines around the world are canceling flights at an unprecedented pace