The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is investigating an incident where a group of Chinese tourists were allegedly left behind by a bus driver from a local travel agency last Friday (Aug 16). A nearly two-minute-long video circulating online shows tourists from the tour group accusing the driver of insulting them and hitting one of them with the bus door. The tourist who posted the clip claimed the driver was unhappy they did not buy the souvenirs he was selling and allegedly abandoned them along Race Course Road in Little India. In response to queries from Shin Min Daily News, a STB spokesperson stressed that all registered travel agents must fulfil their obligations. "STB will not tolerate any behaviour that disrespects or puts tourists at risk and will not hesitate to take necessary actions against operators who engage in poor tourism practices. The spokesperson added that the safety and well-being of all travellers remains their top priority.

A total of 16 individuals aged between 30 and 67 are being investigated for their suspected involvement in illegal online gambling activities, the police said in a press release on Thursday (Aug 22). The suspects, consisting 11 men and five women, were arrested in a joint operation by the Criminal Investigation Department, Ang Mo Kio Police Division and Police Intelligence Department conducted from Aug 21 to Aug 22. During the operation, simultaneous raids were conducted in the vicinity of Serangoon North Avenue 4 and several other locations across Singapore. In video footage shared with media, officers in plainclothes can be seen staging in a corridor before using a battering ram to force entry through a doorway. Officers then enter the property before the video ends. Over $48,000 in cash as well as computers and other items related to gambling were seized by police as case exhibits.

Jermaine Jenas is facing fresh claims of 'inappropriate behaviour' after he was suddenly sacked from the BBC over allegedly sending 'unsolicited' texts to members of staff.

Kamala Harris gives a speech to formally accept the Democratic nomination on the final day of the convention in Chicago.

The vice president cast herself as an avatar of America’s middle class and an avenue to usher the country away from the abrasive style of politics embraced by Republican nominee Donald Trump.

The damning verdict comes in a poll for the Mail, which finds that a majority think the Prime Minister should have squared up to militant rail barons - even if it meant more strikes.

A Treasury-compiled snapshot of independent economic forecasts showed that experts are becoming increasingly optimistic about the outlook for this year.

Before she was the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan rented the three-bedroom house in Toronto for at least two years where she played host to her boyfriend Prince Harry.

His 'Make Noise for Ukraine' campaign has been launched despite Kyiv remaining desperately short of military equipment in its war with Russia.

UK Work visas given to main applicants dropped by 11 per cent, while foreign student numbers dropped 13 per cent year-on-year.

Kamala Harris on Thursday accepted the Democratic presidential nomination, telling a roaring crowd of supporters that she would chart «a new way forward.» «On behalf of the people, on behalf of every American, regardless of party, race, gender or the language your grandmother speaks... I accept your nomination,» the vice president said. Acknowledging that not all people listening were supporters, Harris said the November election against Donald Trump is «a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past, a chance to chart a new way forward -- not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans.» «I will be a president who unites us around our highest aspirations,» she said. «The future is always worth fighting for. And that's the fight we are in right now. A fight for America's future.» © Agence France-Presse

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday, a historic visit in which he is expected to push a settlement to end the war with Russia. Modi is casting himself as a possible peacemaker, two and a half years after Russia invaded and weeks into a major Ukrainian counter-offensive into Russian territory. «No problem can be resolved on a battlefield,» Modi said ahead of his visit, adding that India supports «dialogue and diplomacy for restoration of peace and stability as soon as possible». He is the first Indian premier to visit Ukraine. A diplomatic breakthrough between Moscow and Kyiv looks more elusive than ever following Ukraine's shock offensive into Russia's western Kursk region. It is also unclear whether Modi himself could be an effective dealmaker, seen by many in Ukraine as too close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He recently drew fresh condemnation in Kyiv for hugging the Russian leader during a visit to Moscow in July. Modi said he planned to «share perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict» with Zelensky, as well as discuss «deepening the India-Ukraine friendship». He was in Poland on Thursday before departing for Ukraine. «As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region,» Modi said on social media ahead of the visit. Zelensky has said that «a number of documents are also expected to be signed» during the meeting with Modi. - Indian diplomacy - While India has historically warm ties with Russia, it also courts closer security partnerships with Western nations as a bulwark against its regional rival China. New Delhi has avoided explicit condemnation of Russia's 2022 invasion and has abstained on UN resolutions that criticise the Kremlin, instead urging both sides to resolve their differences through direct dialogue. But a peace deal now appears further away than ever before. Ukraine in 2022 passed a decree ruling out direct talks with Putin, and Moscow recently said it would not countenance talks with Kyiv amid its surprise counter-offensive on Russia's Western Kursk region. Putin earlier this year demanded Kyiv withdraw its troops from four Ukrainian regions that Moscow claims to have annexed -- despite not having full control over them -- as a precondition to negotiations. Kyiv says any temporary pause in the fighting would only give Moscow time to regroup and rearm for a future attack. Modi's previous diplomatic forays have drawn condemnation from Kyiv. His visit to Moscow in July came hours after a Russian missile attack hit a children's hospital in Kyiv, one strike in a nationwide missile barrage that killed at least 39 people. Modi was pictured hugging Putin at his country residence during that trip. India has also been accused of profiting from Russia's invasion. Cut-off from Western markets, Russia has become a major supplier of low-priced crude oil to India. That arrangement has dramatically reconfigured their economic ties, saving India billions on fuel while drawing accusations from the West of bolstering Moscow's war coffers. The two countries' close links date back to the Cold War, when the Kremlin was a key arms provider. But ties have also been strained over the conflict, with Putin in 2022 publicly acknowledging that Modi had «concerns» over Russia's invasion. More recently they have clashed over allegations Indian citizens were duped into fighting with Russian soldiers on the frontlines. New Delhi has pushed Moscow to return several of its citizens who signed up for «support jobs» with the Russian military but were later sent into combat. At least five Indian fighters have been killed in the war. © Agence France-Presse

Kamala Harris gives a speech to formally accept the Democratic nomination on the final day of the convention in Chicago.

Kamala Harris gives a speech to formally accept the Democratic nomination on the final day of the convention in Chicago.

The group Muslim Women for Harris has pulled support of the US vice president on the final day of the DNC Read Full Article at RT.com

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) marked a historic first at the Official Release of Results Ceremony in the Commonwealth of Dominica on Tuesday with the launch of the electronic preliminary slip or e-Preslip....

Russia has charged a CNN reporter with violating its border during Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk Region Read Full Article at RT.com

A physical education teacher at a St Catherine high school who was accused of sexually touching and kissing a 14-year-old student has been acquitted of indecent assault and sexual touching. The 27-year-old physical education teacher was freed of...

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A Brazilian cleaning crew was today rappelling in the shadow of one of the world's most famous sites: Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue. Wearing harnesses and using ropes tied to the balustrade around...

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's Supreme Court has backed President Nicolás Maduro's claims that he won last month's presidential election and said voting tallies published online showing he lost by a landslide were...

A Hollywood heartthrob looked completely unrecognizable while filming a new comedy series for Hulu in a straggly, blonde wig and large, prosthetic nose.

SINGAPORE - Temperature and visual screening will be carried out at Changi and Seletar airports from Aug 23 as a precautionary measure against the import of mpox from abroad. The Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Transport and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said they will enhance Singapore’s surveillance capabilities against the infectious viral disease at the borders. Similar screening measures will also be implemented at sea checkpoints for crew and passengers arriving on ships from mpox-affected areas. MOH said that while there are no direct flights between Singapore and any country with an mpox outbreak, there will be temperature and visual screening at Changi and Seletar airports for inbound travellers and crew arriving on flights from places that may be exposed to the risk of mpox outbreaks. Health advisories have also been put in place at air checkpoints, so that travellers will take the necessary personal precautions to avoid being infected. Travellers are strongly advised to follow the advisory, especially if they are travelling to and from affected countries.

SINGAPORE/KUALA LUMPUR - From Jan 1, 2025, Singapore motorists with outstanding traffic fines in Malaysia will face enforcement action, said the Malaysia’s Road Transport Department (JPJ). Between 1990 and June 2024, Singaporeans have racked up more than 35,000 unpaid summonses, totalling RM3.5 million (S$1 million), according to the Malaysian police. While no action has been taken against the drivers so far, they are urged to settle their fines as Malaysia prepares to enforce the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) system, which allows the authorities to track every car’s traffic offences. Here’s what to take note of if you plan to drive across the Causeway. 1. Get your VEP ready From Oct 1, all foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia from Singapore by land will be required to have a VEP, which acts like an “identity card” for these vehicles in Malaysia. The VEP requirement will apply to motorists entering the two Johor checkpoints – at the Sultan Iskandar complex via the Causeway and the Sultan Abu Bakar complex via the Second Link.

The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) says it is committed to spearheading an in-depth post-Hurricane Beryl evaluation of the resilience of the electricity sector. This will span preparation for the hurricane, its impact, and restoration...

GABORONE, Botswana (AP) — The largest diamond found in more than a century has been unearthed at a mine in Botswana, and the country's president showed off the fist-sized stone to the world at a viewing ceremony today. The Botswana...

The NATO AWACS facility in Geilenkirchen has sent nonessential personnel home due to intelligence about a “highly likely” threat Read Full Article at RT.com

Here is live stream from mbl.is video cams from the eruption:

Jón Haukur Steingrímsson, geoengineer at Efla Engineering, says that the lava from the new eruption is heading north of Mt Sýlingarfell.

The Blue Lagoon activity area in Svartsengi has been evacuated and it took about 40 minutes. About 1,300 people, guests and staff, were in the lagoon when the upheaval began. Guests have reached the end of the road or are on their way to other hotels.

A considerable number of cars are now driving Grindavíkurvegur Road from Svartsengi and Grindavík, but evacuation is ongoing. Rescue teams were at the intersection of Reykjanesbraut and Grindavíkurvegar and stopped those who wanted to get closer to the eruption.