Starting Thursday (Jan 9), FairPrice Group will freeze the prices of popular festive essentials across all its supermarkets for the upcoming Chinese New Year. Prices of 15 popular food items such as Chinese pomfret, red grouper, tiger prawns, pork spare ribs and yuan xiao bai cabbage will be locked during the festive period to keep them affordable, said FairPrice Group (FPG).  FPG told AsiaOne that the price freeze will run throughout the festive period from Jan 9 to Feb 12, the last day of Chinese New Year.  The price freeze is coupled with discounts on selected fresh vegetables to keep prices within reach for customers during the festive season, said FPG. Some vegetables on discount are the enoki mushrooms, which will be sold for 45 cents a pack. They typically cost about 80 cents at wet markets, according to FPG's market survey.  Surveys conducted by FPG between Jan 2 and Jan 7 showed that prices for seafood and pork were around 20 to 30 per cent higher than those at FairPrice stores.

A dog died after it was allegedly thrown off a HDB block on Tuesday (Jan 7) evening.  The incident occurred at around 6pm at Block 764 Jurong West Street 74, reported Shin Min Daily News. When reporters arrived at around 8pm, a police cordon had been set up at the foot of the block.  Two men were seen removing the dog's carcass from the scene.  There was a pool of blood on the ground where the dog was believed to have landed, next to some clothes pegs and clothing.  According to Shin Min, the dog was a brown, medium-sized breed. A pool of blood was left at the scene with clothes pegs and some clothing strewn around. PHOTO: Shin Min Daily News A resident surnamed Lin, 36, told Shin Min he heard a loud noise outside his home. When he looked out of the window, he saw the dog laying on the ground. 

Parliament on Wednesday (Jan 8) passed a Bill to protect workers against discrimination following a debate that spanned two days. Manpower minister Tan See Leng said in his opening speech on Tuesday that the Workplace Fairness Bill covers jobseekers and employers under five «protected characteristics». These are: age; nationality; sex, marital status, pregnancy status and caregiving responsibilities; race, religion and language; and disability and mental health conditions. But over the course of two days, several MPs, who supported the Bill, questioned why discrimination against workers on the grounds of gender identity and sexual orientation was excluded. «What message are we sending? Are we telling the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) people that they are not protected from workplace discrimination?» asked People's Action Party MP Louis Ng (Nee Soon GRC). «Are we telling employers that it is okay to discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation and gender identity?»

RIYADH: Riyadh’s cultural landscape is undergoing a quiet transformation, where the love of coffee meets the timeless allure of literature. Book cafes are carving out a niche as spaces where readers, thinkers, and coffee enthusiasts converge. These havens of creativity and reflection offer retreats for the mind and soul, providing a sense of community in an increasingly fast-paced world.

RIYADH: Residents of Saudi Arabia were warned on Wednesday that the country could be hit by thunderstorms and flash floods between now and Sunday. The General Directorate of Civil Defense advised people to remain sheltered and stay away from canyons. Many regions can expect medium-to-heavy rain, hail or strong gusts of wind, with a high risk of flooding. Forecasters predict Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Baha, Asir and Jazan will be among the affected regions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: The King Faisal Prize 2025 laureates were announced at a ceremony in Riyadh on Wednesday night. Two King Saud University professors, a Canadian scientist who achieved a breakthrough in cellular therapy and a Japanese scientist doing pioneering work in carbon nanotubes were winners of the most coveted prize in the Arab world.

DAMMAM: Al-Qaisariya Souq, renowned for its historic architecture, narrow covered walkways, and diverse shops, remains a beloved destination for shoppers and heritage enthusiasts, standing as one of the most famous traditional markets in the Arabian Peninsula and a prominent landmark.  Located in central Hofuf in Al-Ahsa Governorate, the market draws residents from across the region and Gulf countries, as well as tourists from around the world, attracted by its unique atmosphere and cultural significance. 

AL-BAHA: Saudi Arabia's southwestern region of Al-Baha transforms into a stunning landscape in winter, with gardens and parks adorned in shades of white and pink blossoms of almond trees.  This year, the almond blossom season in the region is remarkable amid ideal weather conditions fostering dense, vibrant flowers. Local farmers are optimistic about the upcoming harvest, carefully tending to the trees to ensure optimal yield. 

Asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin had recently held contacts with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Dmitry Peskov said that «there were no contacts in those [past] days»

«NATO’s eastern borders will still maintain the functionality of exerting military pressure on Russia, with the bloc’s new members in Northern Europe acting as a springboard for the Pentagon’s coming Arctic expansion,» Alexander Stepanov maintained

Dmitry Peskov recalled that the Russian president repeatedly stated his readiness for dialogue as well as the need for this

Dmitry Peskov also recalled Turkey’s experience, with the country having been pursuing the course towards EU membership for many years, but «seeing no particular reciprocity from Brussels»

Dmitry Peskov added that so far, it is difficult to assess the implications of Armenia’s potential EU membership

Mogadishu (HOL) — Puntland authorities have denied allegations by Somalia’s National Disaster Management Agency (SODMA) that it delivered 200 tons of food aid to Bosaso, a key port city in the semi-autonomous region.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali government troops, working alongside local militias, have seized key territories in the Hiiraan region from Al-Shabaab militants. The operation marks a decisive victory in the nationwide campaign to dismantle the extremist group’s strongholds.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s passport has climbed to 102nd place in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 35 destinations worldwide.

Ghanaian businessman Victor Tibo Ouedraogo has highlighted optimism for Mahama’s presidency Read Full Article at RT.com

The US president-elect’s plan is reportedly part of his efforts to expand America’s global influence and secure his presidential legacy Read Full Article at RT.com

The incoming US president has accused Gavin Newsom of prioritizing “worthless fish” over human lives with his water policies Read Full Article at RT.com

Garowe (HOL) — Puntland authorities have clarified their policy on granting amnesty to surrendered ISIS fighters, including foreign nationals, amid an escalation in the region's fight against the militant group. It comes as the semi-autonomous state intensifies operations to root out ISIS from its mountainous strongholds in northeastern Somalia.

Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali government is under intense scrutiny following allegations that it granted exclusive control over livestock exports to a foreign businessman. The decision, which lawmakers and traders claim undermines the livelihoods of millions, has sparked widespread criticism and raised concerns about the country’s economic sovereignty.

Hargeisa (HOL) — Three Somaliland fishermen missing at sea for nearly a month have been rescued off the coast of Djibouti, bringing relief to their families and communities after a harrowing 29-day ordeal.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has suggested renaming the US as ‘Mexican America’ Read Full Article at RT.com

The Armenian government is preparing to hold a referendum on whether the country should apply Read Full Article at RT.com

John Dramani Mahama defeated the ruling party’s candidate by a wide margin to make a comeback to the presidency Read Full Article at RT.com

An incident allegedly caused by mismanagement during a large Hindu festival in southern India left dozens injured Read Full Article at RT.com

Russia is headed for an economic boom once the Ukraine conflict is over, hedge fund manager Jim Rogers has predicted Read Full Article at RT.com

Canadian writer/director José Lourenço's film Young Werther is more of a riff than straight adaptation of Goethe's The Sorrows of Young Werther. It is also a surprisingly original and honest movie filled with impressive performances.

Top Liberal brass are meeting Thursday evening to try and hammer out how to run a race to find the next party leader — and Canada's next prime minister — against a ticking clock.

Monieya Jess never imagined her life in Canada would turn out like this, living undocumented, in the shadows of society. But now the Jamaican woman is risking deportation by speaking out — part of an effort to expose an underground workforce that’s vulnerable to exploitation and likely to grow.

Chris Middleton, 33, unmasked himself as the brainchild behind Freezing This Christmas, which was released under the mock band name Sir Starmer and the Granny Harmers.

Experts from New Zealand and Australia are expected to arrive this week to collaborate with Public Works officers in assessing the safety of buildings in Port Vila.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a VT61 million grant to the Vanuatu Government from its Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF) to help finance the country’s response to support emergency relief efforts following the earthquake.

A Vanuatu National Development Party (VNDP) candidate for Port Vila Constituency, Silas Yatan, has withdrawn from the electoral race and pledged his support to Gerard Metsan, the candidate for the Reunification Movement of Change (RMC).

It would cost around VT4 billion to rebuild schools damaged by the devastating earthquake that struck near Port Vila three weeks ago.