President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and youth leaders drawn from all districts under the affiliation of National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) on Friday held thought-provoking discussions on how they can collaborate in youth empowerment interventions. During the interface meeting, which was held at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, the youth leaders outlined challenges young […] The post Chakwera commits to collaborate with youth on empowerment interventions in Malawi appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

SINGAPORE - At least 2,000 victims fell prey to concert ticket scams between January and May, with losses amounting to at least $1 million. Most of these cases involved concert tickets to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, said the police in response to queries by The Straits Times on the concert ticket scam situation in Singapore. They included reports lodged by victims who were scammed while trying to get tickets to watch Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay in 2024. The police said they have been working closely with social media and e-commerce platforms to take down scam advertisements for concert tickets and accounts involved in such scams once they are detected. This included online marketplace Carousell suspending the sale of tickets to Swift's concerts on its platform between Feb 23 and March 9 to prevent users from being scammed. Carousell's chief of staff Tan Su Lin had said in March that in the rush for tickets, users were not catching on to warning signs, such as sellers' ratings that show if other buyers had found them to be reliable.

JAKARTA/SINGAPORE - Singaporean manager Zheng Huang was shocked to find his round-trip ferry ticket to Indonesia's Batam island had soared to more than $70 over the past two years. The 53-year-old, who used to visit the holiday spot every weekend for dining and shopping, now limits his trips to once or twice a month. «That's the only way out now... Since you're there, you better make the most of your time,» he told The Straits Times. His friends shared his frustration, but he lamented, «It's not within our control... we are held hostage.» Like Mr Zheng, other Singaporeans making the hour-long journey have been left baffled by the steep hikes, uniformly imposed by multiple operators, after Batam, part of Riau Islands province, reopened to international travellers in January 2022 as the Covid-19 pandemic waned. Now, the mystery may be a step closer to being solved after Indonesia's independent business watchdog disclosed it has launched a probe into potential collusion and price-fixing among ferry operators on the route.

If you are a fan of Malawian rap music, the name Suffix needs no introduction. He has been making waves since his inception into the music scene. His breakout song “Ulendo Wa Kumwamba” won him notoriety and established him as a household name with projects like the D.O.S mixtape, Dethrone EP, Before I Sleep, and […] The post Has Suffix delivered in his latest ‘Tailora’ album? appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

I have  just finished the first episode, I am largely optimistic about what’s to come. The show evokes in me some memories of the once promising “Moyo Wathu,TV show” directed by Afritrix’s very own Khama Mbaula  featuring the talented Isaac Mafuel aka Zenhco wa Nyimbo Kale. By the way, what happened to that TV show? […] The post Review: The series, Mushroom Shade, is a greatest watch! appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

They once led the TNM Super League race last season, not for days. For weeks, for months, to be precise. “This may be the Leicester City of Malawi,” a football pundit warned or, let’s say, foretold. But as it turned out in the end, Chitipa United were no Leicester City who defied mind-bogling odds in […] The post Is this a sad and painful ending of once mighty Chitipa United? appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) is projected to lose its parliamentary dominance with tallies from half of the votes cast in Wednesday's election putting it below the 50 per cent threshold required to govern.

[ISS] Not all Kenyans are enchanted by the prospect of being America's main partner in sub-Saharan Africa.

[AI London] Two years after summary dismissal of judges by the president, harassment, prosecutions and denial of rights of judges continue

South Africa's ruling ANC awaited the imminent confirmation on Saturday that it had lost its three-decade-old absolute majority and would have to find allies if it is to remain in power. With more than 98 percent of the votes from Wednesday's election counted, President Cyril Ramaphosa's African National Congress had only 40.15 percent support, a catastrophic slump from the 57.5 it won in 2019. This marks an historic turning point for South Africa as the party has enjoyed an absolute majority since 1994, when liberation leader Nelson Mandela led the nation out of white-minority rule and into democracy. «We have been talking with everybody even before the election,» ANC's deputy secretary general Nomvula Mokonyane told AFP on Friday, saying the party's decision-making body would set the course to follow after final results are announced. «Anything must be based on principles and not an act of desperation.» As votes continued to be validated, data from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) showed the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) held second place with 21.71 percent, slightly up on its 20.77 showing in 2019. But it was not a surge by the DA that cut into the ANC's vote share. In third place was former president Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) on 12.6 percent, a surprise score for a party founded just months ago as a vehicle for the former ANC chief. The radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was in fourth with 9.4 percent. The final results were to be formally announced on Sunday, but the IEC results website was being updated through the day and with the result no longer in doubt, politicians were turning their attention to the prospects of an ANC-led coalition. - No pardon, no party - The ANC has dominated South Africa's democracy with an unbroken run of five presidents from the party, but if President Cyril Ramaphosa is to remain at the helm he will have to decide whether to seek allies on his right or left. There will be resistance within his movement to a tie-up with the second-placed DA, under white politician John Steenhuisen, whose free market programme of privatisations and an end to black economic empowerment programmes sits at odds with the ruling party's traditions. Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, an outgoing ANC lawmaker, told AFP the DA held «different ideals» making it too difficult to partner with. The radical left groups led by former ANC figures: firebrand Julius Malema's EFF or Zuma's MK, were more likely bedfellows, he said. But these options might also meet resistance within the more moderate sections of the ANC. Analyst and author Susan Booysen, said the EFF was perceived as «too erratic» and «unpredictable» in its demands. And the rift between Ramaphosa and Zuma -- who has long been bitter about the way he was forced out of office in 2018 -- was «too far reaching» to mend, she said. MK spokesman Nhlamulo Ndhlela seemed to agree. «We will engage with the ANC but not the ANC of Cyril Ramaphosa,» he said. Any coalition partner should be willing to amend the constitution to enact radical reforms and grant Zuma, who has been declared ineligible over a contempt of court conviction, a pardon, he said. But Mokonyane dismissed the notion that Ramaphosa's leadership was at risk, saying: «In the ANC we don't work that way. It's not a presidential election. It was an election that the ANC went in as a party and we are happy with it.» The ANC retains the loyalty of many voters for its leading role in overthrowing white minority rule. Its progressive social welfare and black economic empowerment policies are credited by supporters with helping millions of black families out of poverty. But over three decades of almost unchallenged rule, its leadership has been implicated in a series of large-scale corruption scandals, while the continent's most industrialised economy has languished and crime and unemployment figures have hit record highs. © Agence France-Presse

Diane Abbott has insisted that she will not run as a Labour candidate until she is endorsed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) on Tuesday.

Diane Abbott has insisted that she will not run as a Labour candidate until she is endorsed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) on Tuesday.

A loose alliance of investors, analysts and advocates is trying to let Americans mimic the trades elected officials make — but only after they disclose them.

Several INDIA bloc leaders arrived in New Delhi to discuss the Lok Sabha elections. Tejashwi Yadav, Raghav Chadha, Champai Soren, and Anil Desai expressed confidence in their alliance's performance. Tejashwi criticized exit polls and predicted surprising results in Bihar.

Prem Lal, under the guidance of the Additional District Commissioner Rahul Jain, heads to Tashigang with an EVM for elections, drawing from past experience at Hikkim, another high-altitude polling station.

The Delhi high court has cautioned that allowing each sadhu, baba, and guru to construct shrines or samadhi sthals on public land for personal benefits could have severe repercussions on public interests. The court expressed that naga sadhus, who are devotees of Lord Shiva, are meant to live lives of complete detachment from worldly affairs. Seeking property rights conflicts with their beliefs and practices.

Knowledge is power. Not in the sense of personal power, but in understanding. And I am always about growing my knowledge and understanding, especially within my community.

Mogadishu (HOL) — A U.S. airstrike on Friday targeted ISIS militants near Dhaardaar, Somalia, resulting in the deaths of three militants, according to the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). The operation was coordinated with the Somali government.

Mogadishu (HOL)—The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has developed a new web platform designed to transform the analysis and visualization of geospatial data and improve humanitarian preparedness and response in Somalia.

Magician Trixy pulled out his best bag of tricks for the fifth live show this week as he tried to secure himself in the final on Sunday.

Donald Trump's hush-money trial was at its heart about his relationship with women - but the woman who mattered most was conspicuously absent throughout.

Amidst soaring temperatures and intense heat wave conditions, the Congress has accused the Rajasthan government of concealing the true extent of heatstroke-related deaths in the state. The opposition party has expressed concerns over the reliability of the official data and called for an independent probe to ascertain the correct death toll. This allegation has triggered a heated political debate, with the ruling party defending its figures and the Congress demanding greater transparency.

India's final election phase commenced, pivotal for Narendra Modi's potential third term. Modi's campaign, initially focused on economic promises, shifted to polarizing rhetoric against Muslims. Stiff opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, challenges Modi's narrative, focusing on economic grievances. Regional dynamics, particularly in West Bengal, underscore the broader contest between Modi's BJP and regional forces.

Punjab recorded a voter turnout of 23.91% till 11 am in the polling for the 13 Lok Sabha constituencies. Chandigarh's voter turnout was at 25.03% amid tight security arrangements. Various leaders also casted their votes at their respective constituencies.

The Seychelles' women's national team captain, Pascalina Moustache, has made history by becoming the first female of the island nation to become a professional footballer. Moustache, 32, has signed a contract with FK Saned Joniskis in the top division football in Lithuania.   She played for the local women's team Rovers from the central district of Mont Fleuri for many years and was awarded Female Footballer of the Year in 2017. Moustache went on a trial with the Lithuanian club and impressed the club with her vision, accurate and precise passing as well her intelligence on the field. She signed her contract alongside FK Saned Joniskis' technical director, Tihomis Sloboda, early this month. Moutache has already been involved in matches since she signed with the team, where she was put straight into the starting 11 for the club's games. Earlier this year, along with Reena Esther, went on trials in Singapore with the help and recommendation of their national team coach, Chris Yip-Au. FK Saned plays in the Lithuanian Women's A League, which is Lithuania's top level women's football league. The club is based in Joniškis, a city in northern Lithuania with a population of about 9,900.

One woman and her friend paid a hefty price for forgetting to complete a mandatory travel document before embarking on their holiday. The 30-year-old freelancer, who wishes to be known as Jess, told AsiaOne they had to pay an additional $1,200 each to fly to New Zealand on April 17. Jess said that she and her friend had arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 3 about 1.5 hours ahead of the Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight's departure time of 7.50pm. But they ended up missing their flight after they were stopped at the check-in counter. The women were told by SIA staff they had to first apply for the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), said Jess. The NZeTA is a compulsory travel document for some visitors from visa waiver countries, like Singapore, and transit passengers travelling to New Zealand without a visa. The pair immediately applied on the New Zealand immigration website, but their application was pending approval.

There was a line of taxis waiting for passengers at an empty taxi stand in Gardens by the Bay. But one man took to social media after claiming that he had been refused a ride there—not just once, but at least five times. In a Facebook post on the Complaint Singapore page on Saturday (June 1), Rabi Leo said that the «five to six» taxi drivers there all declined to ferry him to Sengkang. He claimed: «One uncle said, 'You should ask the front one'. Then I told him. 'In front all don't want to pick up'. He replied, 'Then you ask behind'.» «I know times are tough, but this is not like other counties. Can you just choose and pick customers?» Lamenting that it's not the first time taxi drivers had refused to pick him up, Leo urged the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to look into the matter. «One kind uncle previously said that all of them are waiting to go to the airport,» he said. «So they are waiting to find [a customer] who is going near that location.» Leo's post has since garnered more than 140 reactions. In the comments, several netizens advised Leo to report the incident to the relevant authorities.

He thought the job was genuine since it was made through the Lalamove app. But one man, who does deliveries part-time to earn extra cash, ended up $180 poorer after apparently getting swindled by a 'customer'. The delivery rider, who wanted to be known only as Han, told AsiaOne on Friday (May 31) he was initially thrilled with the «buy for me» job request since it came with a «generous» $130 payout. «I felt something amiss, but I just brushed it off as the job came from the Lalamove app, which is a reputable company,» the 30-year-old full-time IT executive said. After getting in touch with the customer, Han later bought groceries at a 7-Eleven outlet in Bukit Timah and a meal at McDonald's as requested. He also helped the customer top up $158 into their mobile wallet. «After sending the receipts as proof of purchase, he replied to me to keep them nicely and don't fold them,» Han said. «He also told me not to press the doorbell outside his home.»

A second twinning agreement has been signed between Seychelles' western Mahe district of Port Glaud with Savanne, a district from the south of Mauritius. The agreement was signed on Friday morning by Seychelles' acting Mayor of Victoria, Lydia Charlie, and the Savanne District Council President, Shubhowantee Seenavassen. «This is another great occasion, after the first signing earlier this week,» said Charlie who added that she hopes with the renewed partnership, all the programmes can be successful. «With the previous agreement, not all the plans materialised, due to various issues including the COVID-19 pandemic, but the hope is that now it all can be done,» said Charlie. The twinning agreement was first signed between the two districts in 2014, and the two districts have mainly collaborated in sports, but will now look to enhance that cooperation in other areas, such as craft, culture, and agriculture. «I am honoured to have renewed this agreement today, where this will consolidate our multi-faceted ties, as we have similar languages and culture,» said Seenavassen. He added that they will continue to promote exchanges and experiences in terms of strategy, policy and project development, in fields such as education, ecology and biodiversity. This is the second twinning agreement renewed this week with the first signed district of Anse Boileau and Mauritius' Black River signing their agreement on Tuesday. 

The Treaty of Nice prepared the European Union only partially for the important enlargements to the east and south on 1 May 2004 and 1 January 2007. Therefore, following up on the questions raised in the Laeken Declaration, the European Convention made an effort to produce a new legal basis for the Union in the form of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. Following ‘no’ votes in referendums in two Member States, that treaty was not ratified. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The European Union is committed to supporting democracy and human rights in its external relations, in accordance with its founding principles of liberty, democracy and respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. The EU seeks to mainstream human rights concerns into all its policies and programmes, and has different human rights policy instruments for specific actions — including financing specific projects through its financing instruments. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP