Shelly Kittleson, 49, was released Tuesday after being abducted in Baghdad on March 31. The hostage was released in exchange for six members of an Iran-backed militia.

More than 23,000 healthcare workers in Singapore's community care sector could see pay increases of about 7 per cent or more for most jobs, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Wednesday (April 8).Under the revised guidelines, for example, a staff nurse who earned a median monthly salary of $4,420 in 2024 would see this increase to about $4,980 in 2026.Similarly, the median monthly salary for pharmacists is projected to rise from $4,780 in 2024 to about $5,400 in 2026.MOH said the updated guidelines, first introduced in 2024, aim to help Community Care Organisations (CCOs) attract and retain talent by maintaining the sector’s market competitiveness and enhancing transparency for both jobseekers and employees.«Community care staff play an important part in Singapore's healthcare system, especially as MOH right-sites care from acute hospitals to community settings,» the ministry said. "CCOs should use the guidelines to enhance fairness in pay structures and salaries within their respective organisations and sector.

About 6 per cent of foster parents have been deregistered annually since 2023, said Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming on Wednesday (April 8). The reasons why these foster parents decline to temporarily take in children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected include new family commitments, health and age-related factors, as well as relocation, he added.Goh was responding to a series of parliamentary questions from Nominated Member of Parliament Neo Kok Beng.Besides attrition rates, Neo, who is himself a foster parent, had asked whether the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) is planning to issue guidelines for co-parenting arrangements between foster and biological parents.As of December 2024, there were 530 foster children and 633 foster families — an increase from 614 foster families in 2023. Goh replied that MSF is open to considering co-parent arrangements between foster and biological parents «where appropriate».  «Particularly to facilitate reunification of the child with the biological parents and where it is in the child’s best interests,» he added.

Preparations for this year’s haj pilgrimage are proceeding as planned with the authorities continuing to monitor latest developments in the Middle East, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim on Wednesday (April 8).In the event that the haj is cancelled or disrupted, or if pilgrims decide to defer, they will be given priority in the following years. Associate Professor Faishal was responding to a question from Member of Parliament Wan Rizal on the status of this year’s haj arrangements for Singaporeans amid the conflict in the Middle East.All 900 haj slots for Muslim pilgrims in Singapore for 2026 have been filled, with more people aged 70 and older set to travel compared with 2025.The haj is a major Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and represents the fifth pillar of Islam. Muslims who are physically and financially able to do so must undertake the journey at least once. Responding, Assoc Prof Faishal said that the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) is in close contact with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on the arrangements.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in turn, declared victory and a «historic and crushing defeat» of the US and Israel

According to the report, the projectile has already fallen

The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has issued a blunt and uncompromising challenge to the Malawi Government, demanding immediate and practical measures to tame the spiraling cost of living, warning that patience among ordinary citizens is rapidly wearing thin. HRDC Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa said the recent fuel price hike has pushed already struggling households to […] The post HRDC confronts government over soaring fuel costs, demands tax cuts and urgent action to ease cost-of-living crisis appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Residents of Kasasile, Kamanda, Bunji and Bula in Traditional Authority M’bwana, Nkhata Bay, say they are cautiously optimistic that government intervention could finally bring an end to a protracted land dispute that has left hundreds displaced since 2024. The communities were forcibly evicted by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF), an operation that resulted in the […] The post Kasasile residents pin hopes on government as fresh efforts emerge to resolve long-standing land impasse appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

A UTM Party legislator has launched a bold push to overhaul Malawi’s electoral politics, proposing a new law to regulate political alliances—arguing that the current system is dangerously unstructured, prone to collapse, and undermines governance. Blantyre Soche Zingwangwa Member of Parliament Penjani Kalua says he is preparing a private member’s Bill aimed at formalising how […] The post UTM MP pushes law to regulate political alliances, warns current system breeds instability and betrayal appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The Malawi Enterprise Development Fund (Medf) is racing to recover a staggering K189 billion in unpaid loans after a 60-day ultimatum to defaulters expired on Monday—laying bare what experts describe as a deeply broken and politicised public lending system. Medf Chief Executive Officer Kaisi Sadala confirmed in an interview that while a fraction of borrowers […] The post K189bn still unpaid as Medf cracks down on defaulters, analysts expose deep-rooted failures behind loan scheme appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

There are moments in a nation’s life when remembering is not optional—it is necessary for survival. Malawi is in such a moment. As the country prepares for the inaugural Chakufwa Tom Chihana Memorial Public Lecture in Mzuzu on April 12, this is not just another event on the calendar. It is a deliberate act of […] The post Remembering Chakufwa Chihana: Why Malawi must reclaim the courage that built its democracy appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Donald Trump has extended a doomsday deadline for Iran after high-stakes negotiations spearheaded by JD Vance.

[Premium Times] Beyond the policy reversal, the association highlighted several unresolved financial obligations owed to its members

[allAfrica] Ramaphosa Defends 30-Year Delay in TRC Victim Support

[263Chat] Human rights watchdog , the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has raised concerns over intimidation and restricted participation during public hearings on proposed constitutional changes despite what it described as strong public interest across the country.

[New Times] President Paul Kagame has warned against the dangers of genocide denial and historical distortion, stressing that the facts of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi are well-documented and cannot be erased.

[Namibian] Political analysts and parties say the recent appointment of deputy ministers by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will cost the government millions as the executive becomes bloated.

Britain basked in the hottest April 7 on record yesterday, and the mercury is set to leap even higher on Wednesday.

Oil prices dropped across the board on Tuesday after Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran that would see the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the news agency, Beijing initially tried to act through intermediaries, including Islamabad, Ankara, and Cairo. After that, Chinese officials directly contacted Iran

The Times of Israel cites Benjamin Netanyahu as saying that these goals were shared by the US, Israel and Israel’s regional allies

Vladimir Tarabrin says the supplies of toxic agents and protective equipment may indicate «plans to hold large-scale false flag attacks»

Marco Rubio says the Department of State is «working to support her safe departure from Iraq»

Kirill Dmitriev says the conflict has unveiled «their profound rift with the US»

Visitors in their droves made their way to Butser Hill in Hampshire over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend after interest in the cows 'exploded' online.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has vowed he will not resign despite his reported clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid the war in Iran.

Writing for the Daily Mail, the Conservative leader says the medics' jobs are so critical she would subject them to the same restrictions as police and the military.

PC Mark Roberts, 57, went through a red light and hit motorcyclist Ronald Pinkney and his wife Muriel in a marked police car.

The US President was on the brink of unleashing a devastating attack on Iran's bridges and power stations if it did not agree to open the vital Strait of Hormuz by 8pm EST (1am BST).