Dr Tan Puay Yok, executive director of the national parks and gardens cluster at the National Parks Board (NParks), and concurrently its group director of the Singapore Botanical Gardens and chief science and technology officer, will take over as the agency's chief executive officer (CEO) from Hwang Yu-Ning on June 1.Hwang, 57, will be appointed as chief of urban innovation and excellence at the Ministry of National Development (MND) on the same day.In a joint press release on Friday (April 24), MND and NParks said Hwang has built a distinguished career in the civil service, marked by strong leadership and a breadth of experience across policy and operational roles.Prior to her current appointment as the board's CEO, she held several senior appointments in ministries and statutory boards, including as deputy CEO and chief planner at the Urban Redevelopment Authority. Hwang is credited with driving active programming and partnerships with healthcare institutions and relevant agencies, thereby enabling more people to immerse themselves in therapeutic landscapes, gardening and activities that support physical and emotional well-being. 

While still legally married to his wife, a Singaporean man secretly took his domestic helper girlfriend as his second wife.Low Kok Peng, 61, was handed a two-month jail sentence on Friday (April 24) after pleading guilty to bigamy under the Women's Charter 1961 Act.Court documents seen by AsiaOne state that his second marriage to the 50-year-old Komariah, took place on May 5, 2024, in Batam.This happened after their eight-year-long affair. They met through a friend in 2016, reported CNA.Low was not divorced at the time when he tied the knot with Komariah.His legal wife, who he married in 1992 and has a daughter with, was unaware of his second marriage.After the Batam wedding, Low continued to live with his first wife.According to Lianhe Zaobao, Komariah wanted to marry Low because she wanted to buy property in Batam.She is facing a charge of bigamy, by allegedly marrying the Singaporean while knowing his marital status, and is also accused of breaching work permit regulations by not seeking approval from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for marriage.

Independent MP Pappu Yadav defends his statements on the Women's Reservation Bill. He asserts his commitment to protecting women entering politics. Yadav alleges exploitation of young girls by leaders and capitalists. He claims his remarks highlight the struggles women face in the political arena. The Bihar State Women's Commission has sought an explanation for his offensive statements.

Rodion Miroshnik pointed out that at the same time, «drones have unquestionably taken first place» as the primary means of killing and injuring civilians

China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed that China was ready to strengthen trade and investment cooperation with the EU and ensure the stable and harmonious development of bilateral pragmatic exchanges

«The Westerners make every effort to ignore and hush up or distort these horrible numbers, particularly with the help of UN officials,» Rodion Miroshnik pointed out

A total of 46% of Russians surveyed gave a positive assessment of the government’s work

Denis Fedutinov also emphasized that the convergence of various unmanned solutions holds significant potential

[ANGOP] Saurimo -- The Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Diamantino de Azevedo, on Thursday in Lunda Sul province, deemed the mining sector an essential engine for Angola's economic progress, as evidenced by improvements in people's living conditions.

[ANGOP] Luanda -- Angola has been recognized as «Best International Destination» by the National Geographic Readers Awards 2026, in a direct vote by travelers and readers of the VIAJES platform.

[New Times] Africa's domestic capital base has reached a scale that now exceeds external financing flows over the past decade, marking a turning point in how the continent funds its growth and industrialisation, according to the Africa Finance Corporation's (AFC) State of Africa's Infrastructure Report 2026.

SINGAPORE — Supermarket chain Sheng Siong is working to keep essential items affordable and available despite the trade disruption and higher costs resulting from the Iran war.The comments came in a Singapore Exchange filing on April 23 in response to shareholder questions ahead of the company’s April 29 annual general meeting.On whether the company plans to increase prices to cope with any cost increases, or foresees product shortages from supply chain disruptions, Sheng Siong said: “At this stage, the Group does not foresee any major disruptions that would materially affect the availability of essential products.“While there may be some upward pressure on costs and prices, the Group will continue to do its best to keep essential items available, affordable and competitively priced.”The company added that the conflict in the Middle East has contributed to trade rerouting, higher energy prices and increased freight costs. But the more immediate impact is likely to be higher global costs from rising fuel, fertiliser and packaging prices, rather than direct supply disruptions.

The BJP has announced that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will lead the party in the 2027 Uttarakhand assembly elections. Party president Nitin Nabin highlighted Dhami's focus on development and governance, with senior leaders like Prime Minister Modi, Rajnath Singh, and Amit Shah also praising his leadership and the state's progress.

India anticipates targeted dengue treatments within two to three years as ongoing trials progress. Experts warn climate change and urbanization are increasing cases, making a specific treatment crucial. Efforts are underway to develop therapies and build climate-resilient health systems to combat the growing threat.

The Supreme Court has directed officials deputed for election duty in West Bengal to approach the appellate tribunal regarding their exclusion from voter rolls. While acknowledging the issue of their continued inclusion in electoral rolls will be examined, the court stated it cannot alter its orders daily, emphasizing the need to follow prescribed legal channels for voting rights.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the high voter turnout in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections signals a desire for change. He asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party is poised for victory and will form the next government with an absolute majority.

Le snack «Pua'a Rôti» du Liberty, véritable institution des amateurs de bonne chère les dimanches matin, va-t-il fermer suite au bras de fer qui l'oppose à son propriétaire, l'ancien Président de la CCISM, Kelly Asin ? Le contentieux dure depuis 2 ans

[SAnews.gov.za] President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed the South African Police Service's (SAPS) Divisional Commissioner for Financial Management Services, Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, as the Acting National Commissioner of Police.

[Premium Times] Aliko Dangote has unveiled plans to collaborate with Kenya and Uganda on a large-scale refinery project in Tanzania, signalling a new phase in Africa's push for energy self-sufficiency and industrial expansion.

[allAfrica]

WESTERN BUREAU: Creativity, sustainability and community spirit took centre stage as Savanna-la-Mar Inclusive Academy in Westmoreland hosted its first-ever Ecofest earlier this week in celebration of Earth Day, showcasing student innovation and environmental awareness. From recycled musical instruments to hydroponic farming displays, students across all grade levels demonstrated what they have learned about sustainability through hands-on projects, impressing parents, teachers and community partners alike.

WESTERN BUREAU: As the local tourism and hospitality sector continues to rebound from Hurricane Melissa, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) bill will be the reset to unlock full transformation on the south coast tourism corridor. Bartlett, who toured the south coast corridor on Thursday, said the legislation, which is now in its final stages of debate in Parliament, will provide the legal and institutional framework for what the Government is calling the “reimagining of tourism”, following the hurricane.

A Jamaican farm worker who said his recall to a New York farm was delayed in 2024 after he supported union activity has won his case before the New York State Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). Owen Salmon brought the complaint against Wafler Farms with the backing of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW), which filed initial unfair labour practice charges in July 2023 and added him in one of several later amendments.

WESTERN BUREAU: The Ministry of Health & Wellness has ordered an immediate halt to the production, distribution, and sale of sugar from Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company Limited (PCSC) after preliminary tests detected metal fragments in the packaged sugar. Additionally, batch codes ‘01 2029’ to ‘01 2028’ have been identified in a recall of packaged sugar produced by the company. This specific batch, according to the company, has been the only set in circulation since January 2026.

A Supreme Court judge has ordered the arrest of developer Andre De La Motta after he repeatedly defied court orders in a dispute with a retired American couple who paid more than $64 million to build their dream home in St Thomas but left the project largely unfinished. Justice Althea Jarrett last month ruled that De La Motta be taken into custody and imprisoned for six weeks at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre, or another suitable facility, or until he purges his contempt of court.

An 18-year-old French teenager, who was seen on video licking a straw from an iJooz machine at Goldhill Centre, was charged in court on Friday (April 24).Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, a student at Essec Business School, was charged with one count each of committing mischief and public nuisance. According to charge sheets seen by AsiaOne, the alleged act of mischief took place at about 2pm on March 12, at Goldhill Centre along Thomson Road.iJooz, which has about 1,500 machines islandwide as of January 2025, had to replace all 500 straws in the affected machine, at a total valued cost of $5.It also implemented additional internal checks, inspections, straw replacements, and machine sanitation protocols in the wake of the incident.For filming himself committing the mischief, editing it on Snapchat and posting the edited video onto his Instagram story, Maximilien was charged with public nuisance.The 18-year-old, who was represented by lawyers Kalidass Murugaiyan and Kanthan Raghavendra, did not indicate how he would plead.

A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) ambulance was involved in a road accident with a taxi on Thursday (April 23) morning.Responding to queries from AsiaOne, SCDF said the accident occurred along the slip road from Buangkok East Drive towards the Kallang–Paya Lebar Expressway at about 7.30am, and involved a minor collision with a car.SCDF said the ambulance was responding to a medical incident at the time, with its siren and emergency lights activated. There was no patient on board.SCDF added that another ambulance was dispatched to attend to the medical incident. No injuries were reported in the accident involving the ambulance.

Ten people have been apparently attacked by crows in Chinatown over the past week, with the majority of the victims reportedly being bald or balding men.According to a tip-off sent to Shin Min Daily News, three crows are behind the recent attacks in the vicinity of Chinatown Complex.One video shared with the Chinese evening paper shows two crows swooping down on an elderly man walking along Smith Street, who then looks up in shock and touches the back of his head.Another clip shows a crow flying towards another elderly man walking past the spiral car park, though the bird U-turns before making contact with the pedestrian.Shop owners told Shin Min on Wednesday (April 22) that the crows appeared in the past week and are likely roosting in a nearby tree.They had also never seen crow attacks occur in the area before the recent spate of incidents.«Recently, it happens nearly every day, typically at about 10am and 5pm. About two or three crows would circle around the area,» a shop owner said, suggesting that they might be protecting their young.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared moments from his visit to the Hooghly river banks in Kolkata, including a boat ride. He expressed gratitude to Maa Ganga and met with local boatmen and morning walkers. The visit occurred amidst ongoing political campaigning for the West Bengal assembly elections, with the BJP aiming to unseat the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah's social media interaction with a supporter waiting for his roadshow in West Bengal went viral. Shah, who had posted a sunset video with a swipe at the ruling TMC, apologized for the delay to a user waiting in the heat. He later held the roadshow, highlighting public sentiment against TMC's alleged atrocities.

[Nile Post] Kenya's President William Ruto has announced plans for his country to invest in Uganda's oil refinery, in a move aimed at strengthening regional energy cooperation and long-term infrastructure development.

[Scrolla] President Cyril Ramaphosa places police chief Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension after court charges linked to a R360 million tender case. Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane takes over as acting police commissioner while Masemola prepares to return to court with co accused in May.