US-bound travellers from 42 countries under the visa waiver programme — including Singapore — could be asked to provide their social media history over the last five years as a condition for entry under a new proposal unveiled by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Other than Singapore, some of the 41 other countries in the visa waiver programme include: Australia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, South Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom. Under the programme, citizens from the 42 countries are currently allowed — for the purpose of tourism or business — stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. AsiaOne reviewed the notice published in the Federal Register, the official journal of the US government, on Wednesday (Dec 10). In the notice, social media history was proposed as a «mandatory data element» for an electronic system for travel authorisation (ESTA) application. 

[allAfrica]

[allAfrica] Over the past two decades, the world has witnessed remarkable progress in global health. Since the early 2000s, millions more people have gained access to essential services; maternal and child mortality have declined dramatically; access to HIV treatment has transformed lives and life expectancy; and communities have benefited from historic investments in primary health care. These achievements reflect an extraordinary collective effort by governments, civil society, health workers, and global

An anti-oligarch protest in a small Indiana town shows the depth of the national backlash against the concentration of wealth and power.

Recent weeks have showcased a free-for-all of competing GOP ideas and reinforced deep partisan divisions over the issue.

Republicans hold a 40-10 advantage in the state senate but may still reject Trump’s pressure. ‘Hoosiers are very independent.’

Sentiment in the Icelandic economy has taken a marked turn for the worse, according to the results of a regular survey conducted by Gallup for the Central Bank of Iceland and the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise (SA). More than half — 54% of respondents — say economic conditions are poor.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the assault on vendors selling non-veg food at a Gita recital event, stating such intimidation won't be tolerated in the state. She criticized the BJP for attempting to import communal division and questioned the need for public religious events for political mobilization.

The Indian Coast Guard apprehended a Pakistani fishing boat with 11 crew members for illegally operating within Indian waters. This decisive action underscores India's commitment to protecting its maritime frontiers and upholding international maritime law. The operation highlights the Coast Guard's sustained vigilance and proactive approach to national maritime security.

Goa police informed a Delhi court that nightclub co-owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra misled investigators and showed no cooperation after the deadly fire that killed 25. The brothers, who fled to Thailand, are seeking anticipatory bail, but police argue their actions disentitle them to such protection. The investigation into the blaze continues.

Lisa Regan, 53, laundered money made through her cocaine empire through a cafe in Swansea alongside her ex-husband Phillip Jones, 44.

María Corina Machado appeared in public for the first time in 11 months Thursday when she emerged from a hotel balcony in Norway's capital and waved to an emotional crowd.

Furious peers voted down a last-minute change to the Employment Rights Bill that could open the door to unlimited unfair dismissal payouts.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the Ukrainian envoy after he criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu for praising ties with Russia Read Full Article at RT.com

The personalized, AI-assisted vaccine developed in Russia is designed to target malignant tumors using the patient’s genetic data Read Full Article at RT.com

India has told the UN to stop focusing on punitive measures against Afghanistan Read Full Article at RT.com

Kiev deployed a larger-than-usual barrage of kamikaze drones overnight, including dozens targeting Moscow, according to the Russian military Read Full Article at RT.com

Speeding remains the primary killer on Indian roads, causing nearly 70% of the 1.24 lakh road deaths in 2024. Non-usage of helmets and seatbelts also contributed significantly to fatalities. States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh reported alarmingly high numbers of speed-related deaths, highlighting a persistent challenge in road safety.

Rahul Gandhi accused Home Minister Amit Shah of appearing nervous and using foul language during his Lok Sabha speech on electoral reforms. Gandhi challenged Shah to a debate on his press conference allegations, but Shah stated Parliament would not function according to Gandhi's wishes.

BJP MP Anurag Thakur accused TMC MPs of vaping e-cigarettes in Lok Sabha, prompting Speaker Om Birla to state that no permission was granted and strict action would be taken if confirmed. The Speaker urged members to maintain decorum and assured action upon a formal written complaint.

A parliamentary exchange saw Congress MP Jairam Ramesh present Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Maniben Patel's diary. Ramesh stated the diary entries do not support Singh's recent claim regarding Jawaharlal Nehru and the Babri Masjid. Singh indicated he had an English version. The incident follows Singh's remarks in Gujarat, which Congress has challenged, citing Patel's daughter's writings.

President Droupadi Murmu commenced a two-day visit to Manipur, her first since taking office and since the ethnic conflict began. Her itinerary includes attending a polo event, offering prayers at a temple, and participating in Nupi Lan celebrations. Security has been heightened due to a militant-called shutdown.

This briefing reviews the initial implementation of the National Escape Clause (NEC), operationalised for defence purposes in 2025 to help accommodate higher defence spending within the EU fiscal framework. Using the evidence released in the European Semester Autumn package, it assesses how Member States responded to the new instrument, both in terms of activation and actual use of the additional fiscal room. These early developments offer preliminary insights into how such clauses operate in practice, and into their effectiveness in encouraging higher spending in specific policy areas within clearly defined rules and over relatively short implementation periods. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

EU growth continues to build momentum, driven mainly by domestic demand. Fiscal deficits are edging up, and debt remains elevated. Inflation is revolving around the 2 % target, prompting the ECB to keep rates unchanged. Labour markets remain tight, with unemployment stable at record-low levels and employment at historic highs. US tariffs are expected to weigh only modestly on EU growth, affecting exports, with limited and short-lived effects on GDP, prices and the trade balance. Regarding EU funding, the delivery of the national recovery plans is advancing, but more than half of all milestones and targets are still outstanding. Thus, it is crucial for Member States to accelerate implementation in 2026 to secure the full economic impact of investment and reform measures. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP