Mogadishu (HOL) — The Governor of the Gedo region, Mohamed Hussein Al-Qaadi, has warned the country's National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) against conducting any voter registration or election-related activities in the region, stating that doing so without coordination with the Jubbaland administration would be considered illegitimate and met with resistance.

[allAfrica]

SINGAPORE — A British national featured in a Netflix documentary on scammers has been offered bail of $50,000, with a police prosecutor on April 17 saying that she is allegedly linked to offences involving around $500,000 in total. Dionne Marie Hanna appeared in the State Courts via video link from Central Police Division, and the court heard that she is likely to face more charges. When asked by District Judge Brenda Tan if she had a bailor, Hanna replied in a soft voice: «I don't have anybody to bail me out.» Hanna was not represented by a lawyer. Her pre-trial conference will take place on May 16. The 84-year-old was arrested on March 28 and subsequently charged in the State Courts on April 5 with five counts of fraud by false representation. The alleged offences involve three victims. Hanna had previously appeared before the courts on April 11, a day after she was discharged from hospital. The case against Hanna came about when the police received several reports from alleged victims who accused her of offering them fake investment opportunities.

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) has unveiled its candidates who will contest the single seat wards of Marymount and Kebun Baru in General Election 2025. The party will field its former West Coast candidate Jeffrey Khoo in Marymount SMC, announced chairman Dr Tan Cheng Bock at Bishan North Shopping Mall on Thursday (April 17) morning. PSP's Tony Tan, husband to party vice-chair Hazel Poa, will stand in Kebun Baru SMC. Speaking to the media, Khoo - who is CEO of consulting firm Kairos Risk Solutions - outlined his three areas of concerns: cost-of-living, employment and education. The 56-year-old noted that party members and volunteers have done market visits in Marymount constituency and PSP «understands» the area. «I hope [Marymount residents will] give us your time... I hope that you ask me as many questions as you want... Give me the opportunity to serve you as your Member of Parliament,» he said. Tan, 55, is a SAF Merit Scholarship recipient and has a first-class honours degree in engineering from the University of Cambridge.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on Thursday (April 17) after he allegedly slashed another man at Hougang Avenue 8. As he was being arrested, he allegedly injured three police officers with a wooden plank with nails.  They sustained minor injuries but did not require medical attention. Responding to AsiaOne's queries, the police said they received several calls for assistance at about 1.10pm on Thursday. When the police arrived at the scene, they saw the man running around naked. Earlier, he allegedly attacked a 30-year-old man. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they received a call for assistance at Block 681 Hougang Avenue 8 and the injured man was taken conscious to Sengkang General Hospital. The man was subsequently arrested for voluntarily causing hurt by grievous means, and for voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty. Police investigations are ongoing.

Rajesh Kumar Singh and David Williams co-chaired the India-UK Defence Consultative Group meet in London. They discussed strengthening military cooperation and defence capabilities. Nirmala Sitharaman and Rachel Reeves held the India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue. The UK announced 400 million euros in export and investment deals with India. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to collaboration in financial services and digital economy.

[New Times] Farming is central to life and the economy in Rwanda. However, limited land, unpredictable weather patterns, and increasing food demand are straining traditional agriculture.

[New Times] Rwanda has recorded a significant decline in poverty over the past seven years, lifting more than 1.5 million citizens out of poverty, averaging 214,000 individuals emerging from poverty each year, a new survey shows.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has refuted the accusations that Kenya has been supporting Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing war with the Sudanese Armed Forces.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali government forces and allied local militia repelled an attempted Al-Shabaab attack in the Gasarta area between Baidoa and Deynuunay on Wednesday, killing at least ten militants, according to military officials.

Mogadishu (HOL) — A U.S. airstrike conducted in coordination with the Somali National Army (SNA) killed at least 12 Al-Shabaab militants, including senior commanders, in the Aden Yabaal district of the Middle Shabelle region on Wednesday night, the Somali government announced.

«I also emphasize that there is still a lot of uncertainty in the parameters of the scheme, and we expect to receive clarifications from the local authorities,» Andrey Kelin added

A BRICS film festival showcasing feature films from Russia, China, Iran, India, Egypt, and other countries will be held as part of the MIFF

Milorad Dodik stressed the need to honor the dates associated with the anti-fascist struggle in Europe during World War II. He believes that it is necessary for the sake of the continent's future

According to Andrey Kelin, artificial irritants like a continuation of the Skripal case and fabricated stories about espionage and sabotage have been created to turn Britain and its partners against Russia

Meanwhile, the Lunar program remains a priority for Russia, Alexander Zheleznyakov said

Some of the People's Action Party's (PAP) new faces fielded in the upcoming General Election may eventually become more than just backbenchers, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said at the launch of the PAP manifesto on Thursday (April 17). Speaking at the event, PM Wong, who is also the Secretary-General for the PAP, said that it is his duty to renew the team by injecting «fresh energy, new ideas and diverse perspectives». This will be done through 32 new candidates, the largest number the PAP has introduced in recent history, PM Wong stated, adding that this is part of a national leadership renewal. The candidates hail from diverse backgrounds, including the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), public service, private sector, academia, labour unions, and social service organisations. Of the 32 candidates, 24 of them will be fielded in PAP-held wards. There will be 13 women candidates, up from the 10 introduced at the 2020 polls.

Rahul Gandhi, the former Congress president, is scheduled to visit the United States next week. During his visit, he will engage with faculty members and students at Brown University in Rhode Island on April 21 and 22, delivering a talk and participating in discussions.

The Supreme Court has agreed to review whether Muslims can choose Indian succession law over Sharia for ancestral property matters without abandoning their faith. Notices have been issued to the Centre and Kerala government, seeking their responses to a petition filed by a Kerala resident.

Robert Vadra, accompanied by Priyanka Gandhi, faced a third day of questioning by the ED in Delhi regarding a 2008 land deal in Haryana. The investigation centers on alleged money laundering related to a land purchase by Skylight Hospitality. Vadra has condemned the investigation as political vendetta, questioning why BJP members haven't been summoned despite allegations against them.

The Supreme Court questioned the Centre's move to remove 'waqf by user' from the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, fearing the erasure of longstanding religious properties. The court raised concerns about properties lacking formal documents and the exclusion of non-Muslims from waqf boards.

The Department of Homeland Security threatened to revoke Harvard’s certification to admit foreign students if the school did not hand over some student records.

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- President William Ruto has called on parents and leaders to protect Kenya's children from harmful influences and negative forces.

[Namibian] President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has slammed circulating claims that Namibia is planning to deport 500 American citizens, calling the allegations false and urging the public to be vigilant of fake social media posts.

[allAfrica]

The U.S. senator from Maryland tried to visit Abrego García in El Salvador.

«This is getting more real,» Kirill Dmitriev said

US leader Donald Trump «has chosen diplomacy over military action» for now, the New York Time writes

According to OCHA, since March 18, «Israeli forces have escalated bombardment from the air, land and sea across the Gaza Strip and expanded ground operations, resulting in hundreds of casualties, destruction of civilian infrastructure»

The attacks involved unmanned aerial vehicles, FPV drones and artillery, including HIMARS rocket launchers

Andrey Marochko said that during active battles in the Kupyansk direction, our troops managed to improve tactical positions

[New Times] Ntazinda was serving a second five-year term as Nyanza District mayor after his reelection in November 2021.