[allAfrica]

The clearing of forests to make way for new homes at Gillman Barracks and Sunset Way is a trade-off that the Government must carefully evaluate, said Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan.«In our current conceptual plan, we've already reduced the number of homes to retain important green and heritage areas identified through the studies,» he told Parliament on Tuesday (Aug 4).«If we conserve even more, we will build even fewer homes.»Tan was responding to some 18 parliamentary questions filed by MPs over the new housing plans announced by HDB on July 10, which proposes the clearing of about 10ha of forested land near Gillman Barracks and developing about 15ha of Maju Forest in the Sunset Way area.Residents and the public have raised conservation concerns, with some petitioning for the forests to be protected and preserved.On Tuesday, Tan, who is also Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, reiterated that the housing plans have not been finalised.

Owners of older private residential developments could find it easier to pursue collective sales under proposed changes to Singapore's en bloc sale regime, with consent thresholds proposed to be lowered for ageing developments.Introduced in Parliament on Tuesday (Aug 4), the Land Titles (Strata) (Amendment) Bill 2026 proposes a tiered consent framework based on the age of a development.Under the proposed changes, developments aged between 40 and 59 years would require the support of 70 per cent of owners to proceed with a collective sale, while those aged 60 years and above would require only 65 per cent consent.Currently, the consent threshold for developments less than 10 years old is 90 per cent, while the threshold for developments older than 10 years old is 80 per cent. The proposed amendments, said the Ministry of Law (MinLaw), are intended to better support the renewal of ageing developments and optimise land use in Singapore. 

Sites that appear vacant or underused, including the former Raffles Junior College site at Mount Sinai and the former ITE HQ site at Dover-Medway, are among sites which are already intended for housing, said Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan on Tuesday (Aug 4).He was responding to parliamentary questions on the public housing development plans for Gillman Barracks and Sunset Way, including Maju Forest.At least 18 MPs had filed questions on the Housing and Development Board's (HDB) statement on July 10, which announced that Gillman Barracks will be transformed into a residential estate comprising both public and private housing, while the Sunset Way site in Clementi will offer public housing integrated with greenery and nature.

RuStore's Business Development Director Ilya Ulyanov says China accounted for around 80% of the total foreign advertising budget in the first six months of the year

According to Rodion Miroshnik, it is not true to say that there are no political forces in Europe focused on national interests

Damage was reported in the Krasny Bor warehouse area

A preemptive evacuation was carried out at the facility, there are no casualties

According to Rodion Miroshnik, during the week, the enemy deliberately targeted distribution substations that supply power to several regions at once

At least five people were killed and six others wounded in a Ukrainian drone strike in Moscow Region, Governor Andrey Vorobyev has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Member of Parliament for Dowa East and MCP Secretary General, Richard Chimwendo Banda, has waded into the ongoing controversy over the seat change for Mangochi Monkey Bay MP  Gerald Kazembe, dismissing the move as nothing more than “normal parliamentary management” that plays out on all sides of the House. Rising on a point of order, […] The post ‘Backbenchers are not useless’: Chimwendo Banda defends MP moved for praising President appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

Chaos erupted in Malawi’s National Assembly today after an MP was falsely accused of breaching the chamber’s strict dress code, prompting a stern rebuke from the Speaker over the importance of getting facts right before making accusations. As MPs filed back into the chamber following a break, the Member of Parliament for a southern Mzimba […] The post Nyamilandu cleared of ‘sports shoes’ claim as Speaker warns MP over false accusation appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

Minister of Mining, Thoko Tembo, has called for deeper partnerships between government and the private sector, describing investment as a critical pillar in unlocking the country’s mining potential and driving broader economic transformation. Speaking during an engagement meeting with NICO Group, Tembo said the mining sector’s growth is contingent on sustained investment, noting that local […] The post Malawi mining minister calls for stronger investment ties with local private sector Malawi’s Minister of Mining, Thoko Tembo, has called for deeper partnerships between government and the private sector, describing investment as a critical pillar in unlocking the country’s mining potential and driving broader economic transformation. Speaking during an engagement meeting with NICO Group, Tembo said the mining sector’s growth is contingent on sustained investment, noting that local investors have a significant role to play in developing the industry. “As a country, we cannot talk about mining without talking about investment because investors are a key pillar of the sector. Mining is capital intensive, and investment is crucial to the growth of the industry,” Tembo said. The minister said government remains committed to working with strategic partners to ensure the mining sector generates broad-based benefits across the economy. “We should partner and ensure that we move forward together to achieve the dreams of the sector so that everyone benefits, the Government, Malawians and the private sector,” he said. During the meeting, NICO Group managing director Vizenge Kumwenda presented details reaffirming the group’s commitment to supporting government’s development agenda through strategic investments and partnerships, outlining the group’s financial capacity to support transformative mining projects aligned with the Malawi 2063 Agenda. The engagement reflects the Ministry of Mining’s broader strategy of fostering closer ties with local investors to promote value addition, mobilise capital and accelerate sustainable development within Malawi’s mining sector, as the country seeks to position mining as a key contributor to long-term economic growth. appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

A legal challenge brought by the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and three of its MPs against two senior government officials, in a dispute over the Malawi Electoral Commission’s (MEC) headquarters, has been listed to begin on August 17. Contempt charges have been filed against Chief Secretary to Government Justin Saidi and Minister of Lands and […] The post Chief Secretary contempt case to start August 17 appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

Three of Malawi’s opposition parties have joined forces in a united and forceful defence of detained activist Sylvester Namiwa, launching a scathing challenge against the State’s decision to prosecute him for treason and warning the country risks sliding dangerously close to becoming a “police state.” In a hard-hitting joint statement, People’s Development Party (PDP) president […] The post ‘Malawi must remain a democracy, not a police state’: PDP, UTM and UDF unite behind Namiwa appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

President Donald Trump fired back against claims from Iranian officials that they were not negotiating a peace agreement with the United States.

You don't need a crystal ball to predict that the UK is facing a destructive high-tax, high-immigration, socialist government, which could be in place for at least one more parliamentary term.

Research shows that multivitamins may not help you live longer, but there's growing evidence they do improve our 'healthspan' - that is the years we get in good health.

Prof Frith authored pioneering research in 1960s and 70s that defined the medical establishment's understanding of autism.

The fires in the Spokane area - the state's second largest city - were among dozens across the Western US, stretching the ability of federal, state and local agencies to fight them.

According to the Defense Ministry's report, global security challenges are particularly prominent in the Indo-Pacific region and are likely to intensify

According to Governor Andrey Vorobyov, all those affected are receiving necessary medical care

Michigan has confirmed the first two deaths linked to a nationwide outbreak of the diarrhea-inducing Cyclospora parasite Read Full Article at RT.com

A Turkish cargo ship was struck by suspected Ukrainian drones near a Russian Black Sea port Read Full Article at RT.com

Popular messaging app Telegram briefly disappeared from Apple’s App Store worldwide before being restored Read Full Article at RT.com

The reasons for the temporary removal have not yet been disclosed

A suspect was apprehended in Pulwama carrying a hand grenade and anti-national posters. This arrest occurred during a security operation following recent migrant worker killings. Authorities booked the local man under stringent anti-terror laws, including the UAPA. Security forces are increasing patrols and checkpoints across the valley. This intensified security aims to maintain peace and prevent further unlawful activities.

Twenty-one Bangladesh nationals were detained in Ramban district last week. Officials are questioning them to learn who facilitated their movement. The group was caught moving in two vehicles during a checking drive. None of them could produce valid identity or travel documents. Investigators are probing if any network assisted these illegal immigrants.

A former child pop star has taken legal action against Singapore Airlines (SIA) after a splinter from a satay stick was allegedly stuck in her throat, damaging her vocal cords.Briohny Smyth, 44, was a Thai-Australian pop star in her youth who attained a platinum album at 13 years old.Stepping away from the limelight, she eventually became a yoga instructor in Los Angeles, California.On July 28, 2024, Smyth had been in a business class flight on board an SIA plane when she «unknowingly swallowed a jagged wooden splinter» from a chicken satay skewer that was part of her in-flight meal, reported The Independent last Friday (July 31).She said she was on board SIA flight SQ36 from Singapore to Los Angeles that day.The splinter, purportedly measuring 3.8cm, was then stuck in her throat, causing her pain, violent coughing and terror as she felt choked, The Independent reported, citing a federal lawsuit.Filed on July 24, the civil lawsuit also alleges that Smyth had to endure «pain and emotional distress» as she attempted to remove the splinter mid-flight.

According to Sergey Sobyanin, the capital ensures its own development and generates resources to support the country’s other regions

According to sources cited by the agency, the White House initially sought to close up to 30 overseas posts, but for now, the cuts will affect only five of them