[allAfrica] Sexual violence has reached devastating levels in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), with nearly 40,000 women treated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in 2024 alone.

The Supreme Court considered closing the criminal defamation case against Shashi Tharoor over his «scorpion on a Shivling» remark about Narendra Modi. While Tharoor sought adjournment, the complainant wanted a hearing, but the bench suggested dismissing the case, emphasizing tolerance among political figures. The court eventually scheduled the matter for another day, maintaining a previous order that had suspended proceedings.

The Election Commission of India has declared that the election for the Vice President of India is scheduled for September 9, 2025. As per the ECI's released schedule, the deadline for submitting nominations is August 21. The counting of votes will occur on the same day as the election, September 9.

Rahul Gandhi has accused the Election Commission of India of «vote theft,» claiming to possess irrefutable evidence. He alleges the EC is working for the BJP to manipulate votes, citing suspicions from past elections in Madhya Pradesh, Lok Sabha, and Maharashtra. Gandhi warned of exposing this alleged misconduct, deeming it treasonous and promising accountability for those involved.

Shashi Tharoor contradicted Rahul Gandhi's agreement with Donald Trump's assessment of the Indian economy. While Rahul Gandhi claimed PM Modi had «killed» the economy, Tharoor stated that this was not the case. Trump had suggested India and Russia could «take their dead economies down together,» a statement Rahul Gandhi supported.

Former Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan opposes the term «saffron terror,» associating saffron with revered figures and symbols. This statement follows the acquittal of all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case due to lack of evidence. Chavan also countered Amit Shah's claim about Hindus and terrorism, reminding him of Nathuram Godse.

Garowe (HOL) — Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni warned Friday that escalating federal military operations in the southern Gedo region are endangering Somalia’s stability and could spark a broader breakdown of national cohesion.

Mogadishu (HOL) — The Banadir Regional Administration has committed $200,000 in emergency aid to support communities in Somalia’s Awdal region, where a prolonged drought has triggered a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Indian economist Gurcharan Das told RT that Washington’s latest move against New Delhi could be a “negotiating tactic”c Read Full Article at RT.com

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused Western nations of ignoring “borderline savagery” in Ukraine Read Full Article at RT.com

New Delhi has numerous alternate oil suppliers, but still chooses Moscow, US Secretary of State Rubio has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali Police Force Commissioner Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi chaired a high-level security meeting in Mogadishu on Thursday, outlining a renewed commitment to combat insurgent threats and implement the country’s newly adopted security development plan.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali federal government has reportedly taken full control of Balad Hawo district in the Gedo region following several days of intense clashes with forces loyal to the Jubbaland regional administration.

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has given the Tea Association of Malawi Limited (TAML) K5 million towards its annual conference, scheduled for July 31 to August 1, 2025 in Salima. Speaking during the symbolic cheque handover ceremony in Blantyre on Tuesday, NBM plc Mobile and E-Money Services Manager, Enala Chirwa, said this year’s conference, which falls […] The post NBM plc supports Tea Association conference with K5 million appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

[allAfrica]

A red e-vapouriser disposal bin in Bedok was more than half-filled by July 29 — just four days after the Bin The Vape initiative was launched.This was announced by MP for East Coast GRC Tan Kiat How in an Instagram post on July 31.«I'm heartened that many have stepped forth to voluntarily dispose of their e-vaporisers,» he wrote.The bin, which is located in Heartbeat@Bedok, has been safely emptied by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), according to Tan.«I encourage those who have not done so to come forward to bin your e-vapourisers during this campaign period and take the first step towards a better health,» he wrote.Tan is also the Senior Minister of State for Health. Campaign began amidst concerns about etomidateOn July 25, the Ministry of Health, HSA and People's Association launched the Bin The Vape campaign, encouraging vape users to kick the habit and safely dispose their devices in designated bins set up at 24 locations island-wide.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day message will be delivered on Aug 8 (Friday), the eve of National Day. PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister, will deliver his message in English. This is his second National Day message since he took over as Singapore's fourth prime minister on May 15, 2024. His message will be broadcast at 6.40pm on CNA and radio station CNA938. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong will deliver the message in Mandarin, and it will be broadcast on Mediacorp's Channel 8 and radio station Capital 95.8FM at 8.40pm.Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim will deliver the message in Malay. This will be broadcast at 8.30pm on Mediacorp's Suria. Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, and Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash will deliver the message in Tamil. This will be broadcast at 9pm on Mediacorp's Vasantham and radio statio Oli 96.8FM. 

The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Anil Ambani on August 5 concerning a loan fraud case amid bribery and unsecured loan allegations. This action follows ED raids at over 35 locations in Mumbai, investigating the diversion of approximately Rs 3,000 crore in loans granted by Yes Bank to Ambani's group companies between 2017 and 2019.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a doubling of honorariums for education workers, including cooks, night watchmen, and physical education instructors, ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. This move aims to boost morale and dedication by increasing monthly salaries and annual increments.

Vladimir Zelensky, whose presidential term expired last year, has called on Kiev’s Western backers to push for regime change in Moscow Read Full Article at RT.com

A single ticket bought online snagged over $12.8 million in prize money at the latest Toto cascade draw on Thursday (July 31).The winning ticket was bought through the Singapore Pools account betting service under the QuickPick Ordinary Entry and was the only one with the winning number combination.The winning numbers were 7, 19, 20, 21, 22, 29, and the additional number was 37.The Toto draw yielded no Group 1 winners in the previous three draws, causing the jackpot to snowball from around $1.2 million on July 21, to $2.9 million on July 24 and $5.8 million on July 28 draw.A cascade draw is triggered when there are no Group 1 winners for three consecutive draws. The jackpot can only snowball up to the fourth draw under Toto rules.There were 20 Group 2 winners who shared the prize of $73,408.

Eight men and 20 women, aged 21 to 61, were cuffed for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities on Wednesday (July 30).Officers from the police and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority had raided 12 locations island-wide, including Orchard, Boon Lay and Joo Chiat, that day. Officers preparing for a raid on July 30.PHOTO: Singapore Police Force Assets seized in the operation totalled over $610,000 and comprise of cash, bank account funds, two luxury cars and 18 luxury watches, as well as two phones, laptops and vice-related paraphernalia, said the police.

Un congrès inédit s'ouvre le 4 août. Les 48 communes se réunissent entre elles, en l'absence remarquée du Pays et de l'État. Simple volonté d'un «dialogue authentique» ou véritable bras de fer politique ? Ce rassemblement à huis clos intervient néanmoins dans un contexte institutionnel où les questions de partage des compétences et de financement local restent sensibles.

SINGAPORE — A 49-year-old man who is on trial for raping a woman after she hired him to repair the lights in her flat claimed that they had consensual sex after she made the first move.Taking the stand on July 31, the third day of his trial, Koh Lee Hwa said he ended up having sex with the woman after she pulled him by the arm.Denying that he had raped her, Koh said the sexual encounter took slightly over 10 minutes, which he compared with the «standard» length of time for sex between him and his wife.«How could it happen so fast if it was rape?» he said through a Mandarin interpreter.The prosecution said Koh's testimony was «unbelievable» and contended that the woman did not do anything to suggest that she wanted intimacy from him.The Singapore permanent resident faces one count of rape, one count of sexual assault by penetration and two counts of outrage of modesty.The offences were allegedly committed between about 11.40am and 12.40pm on Aug 23, 2021.

The removal of the statue to a famous painter is a blow to cultural cooperation between the two nations, a Russian presidential envoy says Read Full Article at RT.com

The bloc has plunged into a Russophobic frenzy and uncontrolled militarization, the Russian foreign minister has said Read Full Article at RT.com