Period poverty in Jamaica is to be addressed by the government, according to Health Minister Christopher Tufton, who made the announcement during his Sectoral debate in parliament on Tuesday. Period poverty is one of 10 areas that will get attention under the government’s new initiative, the half-a-billion dollar Social Determinants of Health CARE Fund, the minister disclosed.

Four months after Category 5 Hurricane Melissa left a path of destruction, particularly across southern and western Jamaica, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) had spent only $26 million, or 1.8 per cent of the $1.44 billion in cash donation to assist Jamaicans devastated by the storm.

WESTERN BUREAU: Former colonels Meredith Rowe and Ferron Williams, who plan to contest the upcoming Accompong Maroon leadership elections, have raised concerns about the process, which is being managed by the incumbent chief, Richard Currie, who is seeking re-election. The men are arguing that the electoral process is unfair and flawed.

Amid ongoing complaints about the state of infrastructure in the health sector, the Government will, this year, be pumping $1 billion into the establishment of its Health Infrastructure Maintenance Fund (HIMF), through which a range of initiatives are to be established this year with the aim of addressing ongoing concerns about the rundown state of facilities in the health sector as well as tackle the social factors that play a role in determining the poor state of health of large segments of the Jamaican population.

A total of 118 non-compliant active mobility devices were impounded islandwide in April by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).Meanwhile, 369 active mobility offences were detected during the same month.In a Facebook post on Wednesday (May 13), LTA said its officers also conducted a three-day joint operation in April with the Bedok Police Division, targeting errant cyclists and device users at various hotspots in the east. The authority also reminded members of the public that from June, keeping non-UL2272 certified personal mobility devices will be an offence. First-time offenders face a fine of up to $2,000 and/or three months' jail. UL2272 is a fire safety standard that tests for fire and electrical hazards in batteries and chargers.Members of the public who encounter errant active mobility users can report them online at go.gov.sg/report-am. 

The CBI has arrested five individuals and launched nationwide searches in connection with alleged irregularities and a paper leak for the NEET UG-2026 examination. The investigation follows a complaint from the Union education ministry, with charges including criminal conspiracy and cheating. The NTA had previously cancelled the exam, affecting nearly 23 lakh candidates, due to suspected circulation of leaked questions.

AIADMK's internal conflict escalated as party chief Palaniswami expelled the rebel leaders. These leaders had backed Tamil Nadu CM Vijay during a crucial trust vote on the assembly floor. The move follows accusations of weakening the party's anti-DMK stance and exploring alliances. This leadership struggle intensifies ahead of future elections.

Uttarakhand's chief minister announced fuel and energy conservation measures, including reducing official vehicle fleets by 50% and observing a weekly 'No Vehicle Day'. The state will also promote electric vehicles, restrict foreign travel, and encourage domestic tourism and reduced oil consumption through public awareness campaigns.

Former Army chief General (retired) Manoj Mukund Naravane has endorsed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale's call for increased people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan. Naravane believes stronger citizen ties can improve bilateral relations between the two countries, stating common people share similar concerns and have no stake in politics. Hosabale is the RSS number two after Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat.

AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam criticized party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, alleging continuous electoral setbacks since he assumed leadership after Jayalalithaa's death. Shanmugam highlighted that while the party faced defeats before, Jayalalithaa had the capability to bring it back to power, a feat he claims EPS has failed to achieve, leading to worsening electoral performance.

Libreville, le 13 mai 2026-Nous exprimons notre profonde préoccupation face aux pratiques persistantes de captation des données scientifiques, d'appropriation des savoirs locaux et d'exploitation institutionnelle menées au nom de la coopération scientifique internationale. Depuis plusieurs années, des projets de recherche financés par des budgets considérables ont été conduits sur nos territoires avec la participation directe des communautés locales, des institutions nationales et de (...) - LIBRE PROPOS / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Saudi Arabia secretly conducted strikes on Iran during the Middle East war, Reuters reports, citing sources Read Full Article at RT.com

[Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- High-level talks between opposition leaders and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud ended without agreement on Wednesday, with negotiators reportedly failing to bridge key differences over the country's disputed electoral framework, sources familiar with the discussions said.

[GroundUp] Immigrant community leaders say the ruling that bars rejected asylum seekers from reapplying, may see people deported back to countries where they face danger

[SAnews.gov.za] The launch of Lenacapavir - a groundbreaking HIV drug - will be held on June 5 in Mpumalanga.

The model, 52, caught the eye in her dazzling dress as she joined stars including Demi Moore and Ruth Negga for the post-premiere party.

Keir Starmer has begged MPs not to 'sink into the politics of division' as he unveiled the King's Speech.

[New Times] President of Guinea, Mamadi Doumbouya, and Prime Minister and Head of Government of Côte d'Ivoire, Robert Beugré Mambé, arrived in Kigali on May 12 ahead of the Africa CEO Forum due on May 14-15.

[New Times] The government has proposed to spend Rwf7.8 trillion in the 2026/27 fiscal year, an increase of Rwf844.2 billion from the revised Rwf6.9 trillion budget for 2025/26.

More than 40,000 Belgians took to the streets of Brussels against “anti-social” fiscal reforms, energy crisis, and rising military spending Read Full Article at RT.com

David Todd, 69, and partner Caroline Hodge, 65, appealed at London's High Court in a case over their 'substantial' house in 2.7 acres of East Sussex countryside.

The Draft Conversion Practices Bill, which will cover England and Wales, will outlaw attempts to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.

Invictus Australia, whose members the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met on their trip to the country last month, will not have its £4.83million three-year support renewed.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that more cases of hantavirus will likely be confirmed, but the outbreak will not be “another Covid” Read Full Article at RT.com

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has declared a new era of “no more sleep” under his administration as he is sworn in for a seventh term Read Full Article at RT.com

Spain is calling for the creation of a EU army amid a widening rift with the US, with several bloc members sympathetic to the idea Read Full Article at RT.com

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has accused the US of trying to intimidate Tehran into a surrender Read Full Article at RT.com

South African International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has joined BRICS foreign ministers in India for talks on global governance Read Full Article at RT.com

“One of the most significant things about Nordic Compass is that private enterprise is carrying most of the workload,” says Ásta Fjeldsted, CEO of Festi hf. and the only Icelander on the project’s board.