Singapore welcomes the US-Iran agreement to cease all operations in the Middle East, and the commitment under the agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said.A spokesperson for the ministry said on Thursday (June 18) night that a resolution of the outstanding issues, keeping with international law, «will create the necessary conditions for lasting peace, security and stability in the region».To this end, the move to establish a framework for further negotiations on outstanding issues is welcomed, MFA added.It also commended the efforts of Pakistan and Qatar for their efforts to mediate between the parties. 

A total of 22 people were injured after a minibus, a lorry and a prime mover were involved in an accident in Tuas on Thursday (June 18).In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to the accident along Tuas South Avenue 3 towards Tuas South Boulevard at about 6.50am. Twenty-two people, aged between 21 and 53, were taken conscious to the hospital, said the police. Six were taken to the National University Hospital while 16 others to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, said SCDF. The 41-year-old male minibus driver is assisting with ongoing police investigations.A TikTok video shared on Thursday showed a white minibus, with the driver's door slightly ajar and the window shattered, stopped behind a lorry. Debris was scattered between the two vehicles. The lorry is seen to have rammed into the back of an unloaded prime mover. At least one fire engine and three ambulances were at the scene. AsiaOne has contacted the Ministry of Manpower for more information. 

Singapore has reclaimed the top spot in the 2026 edition of IMD's World Competitiveness Rankings, overtaking Switzerland who placed first last year.Released on Thursday (June 18), the rankings assessed 70 economies based on four competitiveness factors — economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure.«Geopolitical conditions are worsening, and global fragmentation is increasing,» said Arturo Bris, Director of the World Competitiveness Center (WCC) in the report. «Nations with their own tried and tested, credible institutions gain an advantage in this context because — as the international systems cease to serve so many national needs — businesses can carry on as usual.»Singapore placed first in business efficiency, fourth in government efficiency and economic performance, and fifth in infrastructure, according to the report.WCC economist Fabian Grimm wrote in the report that Singapore's strong performance in the 2026 rankings show a «broad-based recovery and strengthening across multiple dimensions of competitiveness». 

India strongly criticized Pakistan at the UNHRC, labeling it a «Frankenstein state» that nurtures terrorism as state policy. India rejected Pakistan's allegations regarding Jammu and Kashmir, asserting the region's integral status and highlighting human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied territories.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday wishes to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on his 56th birthday. Several Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Pawan Khera, lauded Gandhi's dedication to constitutional values, social justice, and his resilience in politics. Leaders from Kerala also highlighted his journey and outreach efforts.

The executive director of Premier Danielle Smith's office says that instead of criticizing her, First Nations chiefs should fix their own communities, describing them as entrenched in poverty, drugs and violence.

Russian Foreign Minister also stressed that further military, political and economic expansion by the West is unacceptable

Sergey Lavrov stated this is not the background for comprehensive dialogue

Russian Foreign Minister recalled that Vladimir Putin reiterated at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that Russia is not opposed to contacts with any party

Confirmed Ebola cases currently stand at 896, with 21 cases added to the tally during the past day

Donald Trump stated that the US defeated Iran totally militarily

Une cérémonie s’est tenue ce jeudi matin au monument de la France libre à Papeete dans le cadre de la journée nationale commémorative de l’appel du général de Gaulle du 18 juin 1940. Autorités civiles et militaires, ainsi que des associations d’anciens combattants, ont rendu hommage aux soldats engagés durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

The US-Iran war ended with Hormuz reopened, but with no decisive political gain, exposing the limits of US power against a resilient Iran Read Full Article at RT.com

Two Zaporozhye nuclear power plant staffers were killed by the Ukrainian military this year Read Full Article at RT.com

The Russian foreign minister has shared his views on the militarization of the EU, and the threat he says this poses to global security Read Full Article at RT.com

The shots were fired shortly before 4pm near West 44th Street and Seventh Avenue, according to the New York Police Department Read Full Article at RT.com

Pete Hegseth has accused the bloc’s European members of putting the lives of American servicemembers at risk Read Full Article at RT.com

A van reading 'Muslims for Reform' was gleefully shared by supporters of Reform Britain, claiming it demonstrated the 'Islamification' of Mr Farage's party.

Six of Shiv Sena (UBT)'s nine Lok Sabha MPs have reportedly shifted allegiance to the Eknath Shinde-led faction, failing to attend a party meeting after writing to the Speaker to form a separate group. Citing ideological deviations and fear of a merger with Congress, the rebel MPs are expected to formally join the Shinde camp next week.

A significant portion of NEET-UG re-exam candidates, over a third, hail from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. These three states alone account for 34.4% of registrations for the crucial medical entrance test. The Hindi-belt states collectively represent 44% of the applicant pool, highlighting regional concentration.

Sergey Lavrov also stated that this is a source of deep concern

Sergey Lavrov emphasized that the real objective is to shore up the regime of Vladimir Zelensky and preserve it as a launchpad for continued confrontation against Russia

The real objective of European leaders is not to negotiate with Russia, but to save the regime of Vladimir Zelensky, Russian Foreign Minister said

Russiam Foreign Minister pointed out that European leaders should recognize that the model of regional security built in Europe over decades has been destroyed by their own hands

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that Ukraine is increasingly eyed as the 'striking fist' of a future European military force, independent of the United States and independent of NATO

A man got an unexpected apology for renovation noise when a neighbour allegedly left him a $10 FairPrice voucher and a handwritten note.In a Facebook post on Saturday (June 13), user Patrick Sato Lee shared a photo of the gift voucher and an envelope with writing on the back. The $10 FairPrice gift voucher came in an envelope with a short note apologising for the renovation noise and thanking the recipient for their understanding. It was signed off by Sean and Kelly.Lee didn't indicate where this estate is. AsiaOne has reached out to Lee for more information. Netizens envious, praised neighbour's actions One netizen complimented the couple in the Facebook post for being «so considerate and kind». Another was envious and wrote: «Wah... I would love to have such a neighbour.»