Four community spaces in violence-prone communities are to undergo renovation under a J$36.8-million initiative aimed at strengthening community safety, expanding opportunities for at-risk youth and supporting violence-prevention efforts. The Community Space Renovation Initiative, scheduled to be officially launched tomorrow, is being implemented by the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) in partnership with the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Just over $1.3 billion is being invested in the reconstruction and expansion of two hurricane-ravaged schools in Westmoreland, Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon indicated during a back-to-school readiness tour on Tuesday. The larger share, nearly $1 billion, is being spent on Unity Primary School, while $302 million has been allocated to Petersfield Primary School, where the minister acknowledged that students will still have to contend with some disruption when the new academic year begins in September amid continuing construction.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has dismissed assertions that the practice of installing commemorative plaques on homes distributed under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) dehumanises beneficiaries and robs them of their dignity. Speaking yesterday at the Howard Avenue Apartments opening ceremony in St Andrew, Holness said there is a collective sense of pride in using taxpayers’ money to build homes for the country’s most vulnerable.

The regulatory body responsible for Jamaica’s national data protection regime has said it will require another two years before it is in a position to fully enforce the Data Protection Act (DPA), which was passed by Parliament in 2020. Established under the DPA, the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) is responsible for overseeing the use of personal data and addressing breaches as outlined in the law.

WESTERN BUREAU: The granting of Jamaica’s first casino gaming licence is expected to pave the way for additional integrated resort developments (IRDs), with at least three other investors, including for the proposed Hard Rock Hotel in St James, already expressing interest in entering the sector.

Gennady Gatilov commented on the lack of proper response from UN human rights bodies to the infringement of the Russian-speaking population’s rights in Ukraine

During the exercise, the crews maneuvered and practiced communications using various types of signaling

According to the statement, the Council of the EU adopted a decision amending the Ukraine Facility and its associated Ukraine Plan

CENTCOM believes the US military should increase the intensity of its attacks to turn the situation around, while Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine takes a more cautious view

The audience will see the famous production of «Don Quixote», set to the music of Ludwig Minkus

Vladimir Saldo urged drivers, especially in frontline districts, to be extremely cautious

The tanker remained afloat, with damage assessment underway

SINGAPORE — Sheng Siong may review its prices and product range to retain shoppers ahead of the opening of the cross-border rail link with Johor Bahru in January 2027, which could intensify competition in Singapore’s grocery sector.“The retail grocery industry remains competitive, and with the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link set to open in 2027, we stand ready to adapt our pricing, promotions and product mix as necessary to remain competitive,” Sheng Siong chief executive Lim Hock Chee said on July 29.The RTS Link may intensify price competition, particularly for selected packaged groceries and household products, Sheng Siong said as it announced its financial results for the first half of 2026, filed with the local exchange after markets closed.It said the actual impact on the supermarket chain will depend on factors such as fares, travel time, exchange rates, relative pricing, and consumer behaviour after operations commence.

A former Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) captain was sentenced to 21 months and two weeks in jail for cheating almost $87,000 from five colleagues and vaping.Benjamin Song Yong Pang was also fined $6,000. The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to five counts of cheating and four vape-related charges on Wednesday (July 29), including the possession of vaping devices.Song began using e-vaporisers in late 2021 and openly vaped in his office at Nee Soon Camp, reported The Straits Times.Investigations found that his conduct normalised vaping among his subordinates. He even introduced vaping to a female colleague by giving her a vaping device and supplying vape pods to her. According to court documents, the former SAF captain incurred significant credit card debt between 2011 and 2018 from patronising Thai clubs and KTVs, although the exact amount was not disclosed.Between May 2021 and March 2024, Song deceived his five colleagues into handing over $86,750 over a total of 39 occasions.He lied to them, claiming that he would either invest their money or use it to pay his mother's medical bills. 

The Public Service Division (PSD) has announced that Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, who has served over four decades in public service, will retire on Sept 1.This is among two other announcements relating to permanent secretary appointments announced on Thursday (July 30).Prof Tan, 67, is currently Permanent Secretary of National Research and Development (NRD), and Public Sector Science and Technology and Plans Office (S&TPPO) in the Prime Minister's Office.He graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 1983 and began his medical career as a renal physician, later taking on concurrent hospital and academic roles at NUS and the National University Hospital (NUH).Between 1997 to 1998, Prof Tan led the Department of Medicine at both NUS and NUH.In 2000, he was appointed as director of medical services at the Ministry of Health, playing an instrumental role in leading Singapore's public health response to the 2003 Sars epidemic. He was later appointed deputy chairman at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) from 2004 to 2017, and as NUS's president between 2008 and 2017.

[Bird Story Agency] A locally developed portable ginnery is helping Kenyan cotton farmers process their harvests closer to home, reduce losses and earn more by selling lint and seed separately. Its developers believe decentralised processing could help revive the country's cotton industry while keeping more value and jobs in rural communities.

[Bird Story Agency] Aso-Oke has never been more fashionable, appearing on international runways and in luxury collections. But behind the vibrant fabric lies a quieter story: the women who built Nigeria's iconic textile trade are fighting rising costs, imported materials and disappearing skills to ensure a centuries-old tradition survives another generation.

[allAfrica] Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- The greatest barrier to ending AIDS among transgender people in Africa is not a lack of medicine, but laws, stigma and exclusion.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk praised Indian Railways for its services. He urged the government to honor commitments made to student protesters. The recent NEET-UG paper leak debate was welcomed by the activist. Wangchuk also highlighted the success of peaceful non-violent resistance. The student-led agitation concluded after the government accepted key demands.

Speaking at the AK Sen Memorial Lecture and Photograph Unveiling Ceremony organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Salve said holding those in power accountable is necessary in a constitutional democracy. Several senior members of the legal fraternity attended the ceremony. SCBA President and Senior Advocate Vikas Singh paid tribute to Sen's contribution to the legal profession, while Attorney General for India R. Venkataramani also spoke about his legacy.

Rahul Gandhi intensified his attack on Union home minister Amit Shah. He alleged that Shah's absence from Parliament reeks of guilt. Gandhi demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into alleged police brutalities. He shared videos purportedly showing police action against student protesters. Opposition MPs also protested alleged police action and temple donation embezzlement.

[New Times] The government is exploring a system that would allow households, businesses and institutions generating electricity from rooftop solar panels to sell surplus power to the national grid, as the country seeks to expand electricity generation to meet rising demand.

[Maka] Angola's largest telecommunications operator has entered a second day of severe disruption following a cyberattack that affected voice calls, mobile data and internet access across the country.

[UN News] The UN emergency food agency appealed for immediate funding on Wednesday, warning that deepening hunger is undermining the response to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that has now infected more than 3,200 people.

The US military has warned troops in the Middle East against filming the aftermath of Iranian drone and missile attacks Read Full Article at RT.com

The UK’s energy regulator has proposed fees for AI data center developers to remove cull projects amid soaring electricity demand Read Full Article at RT.com

The Russian Defense Ministry says its forces carried out long-range strikes against military targets across Ukraine Read Full Article at RT.com

Malawi’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has put his foot down, demanding that heads of the country’s key legal and governance bodies sign up to sweeping public sector reforms — or explain why not. Charles Mhango oversaw the signing ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters at Capital Hill in Lilongwe today, as officials from institutions […] The post Inside Malawi’s public sector shake-up: Minister demands results as agencies sign reform deals appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

A top government official has issued a stark warning to employers across Malawi — invest in your workers, or watch your organisation fall behind. Deputy Chief Secretary to the Government Stewart Ligomeka delivered the blunt message at the Institute of People Management Malawi (IPMM) annual dinner and dance in Blantyre, telling business leaders that neglecting […] The post ‘Invest. It’s that simple’ — Deputy Chief Secretary’s blunt message to employers snubbing staff development appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

Les Jeux du Pacifique débuteront dans 359 jours. Quelque 4 500 athlètes s'affronteront sur 25 sites de compétition, à Tahiti mais aussi à Moorea et Ra'iatea. Si les travaux se poursuivent pour livrer les infrastructures à temps, les sportifs ne disposent pas encore de conditions d'entraînement optimales. En athlétisme comme en natation, participer à une compétition à domicile aurait dû être un avantage. Mais ce ne sera finalement pas forcément le cas.

Les problématiques liées aux infrastructures des Jeux du Pacifique ont des conséquences sur la préparation des athlètes. À moins d’un an du début des épreuves, Vanina Pommier, ministre des Sports, de la Jeunesse, de la Prévention contre la délinquance et en charge de l’Artisanat, fait le point sur l’avancée des chantiers, les solutions mises en place pour accompagner les sportifs et les enjeux à venir. Elle est l’invitée du journal de ce mercredi.