SINGAPORE — The anti-vaping blitz has extended to areas near schools, with enforcement officers conducting checks outside five institutes of higher learning (IHL) across Singapore on Monday (July 14).In total, 27 people were caught and fined for vaping in enforcement operations conducted at several community hot spots, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) told The Straits Times.Another eight persons were caught for underage smoking.Those caught were aged 17 to 66 years old, said HSA, which added that 31 e-vaporisers were seized in the four-hour-long operation.[[nid:720201]]Work in the East started just after 11am, with HSA officers positioning themselves at various spots where people gather outside the institutes.Within the first hour, a man was caught loitering at a HDB void deck across from the school, with a vape around his neck.HSA officers confiscated his vape, suspected to be a Kpod or etomidate-laced pod.Etomidate is an anaesthetic agent used in clinical practice. It is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. This means a licence is required for its importation or sale.

ComfortDelGro, Singapore's largest taxi operator, will be implementing a new cancellation and waiting fee policy for customers who book taxis through the CDG Zig app.In a Facebook post on Wednesday (July 16), ComfortDelGro said that the new policy will kick in on July 31, but that there will be a risk-free «waiver period» so that both passengers and drivers have time to familiarise themselves with the changes before they are fully enforced.During the waiver period, customers will not be charged even if fee conditions are met. Cancellation fees will only apply from Sept 1 and waiting fees will apply from Oct 15. Customers will have four free cancellations per month according to the new cancellation policy, which are only applicable to situations when the taxi has not arrived at their pickup point. Beyond the four allowances, each subsequent cancellation will cost $4.Drivers who cancel rides will also face penalties «to ensure that both parties are treated fairly», according to ComfortDelGro on their website. They didn't specify the exact penalties.

SINGAPORE — The National Environment Agency (NEA) has started monitoring levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) at Sentosa's beaches, following news that swimming events at the World Aquatics Championships were twice delayed due to elevated levels of the bacteria in the waters.NEA does not usually assess marine water quality based on E. coli levels.Instead, it follows World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines to determine the suitability of a recreational beach for primary contact activities, by measuring the levels of another group of bacteria, Enterococcus.In response to queries from The Straits Times, NEA said that WHO recommends using only Enterococcus for assessing marine water quality. Epidemiological studies have shown a strong correlation between Enterococcus levels in marine waters and public health risks.

Ukraine is ready to exchange the remains of Soviet army soldiers for captured Ukrainian servicemen, Mayor Andrey Sadoviy has claimed Read Full Article at RT.com

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced free electricity for domestic consumers, up to 125 units, starting August 1, 2025. Kumar highlighted his government's focus on affordability, stating that this initiative will benefit approximately 1 crore 67 lakh families across the state. This announcement comes as the state gears up for elections in late 2025.

Le Conseil des ministres a acté la création de l'Observatoire des violences faites aux femmes et son lancement pour le 18 novembre 2025. Ce mercredi marque aussi la fin de la visite du Conseil des femmes du Pacifique de Nouvelle-Calédonie et la passation de la Flamme de la paix.

Nicaragua is Russia’s reliable ally in Latin America, the Russian leader noted

According to the region’s governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, the house caught on fire after the detonation of the device

Russian forces also destroyed a Ukrainian field artillery system

Ukraine is ready to exchange the remains of Soviet army soldiers for captured Ukrainian servicemen, Mayor Andrey Sadoviy has claimed Read Full Article at RT.com

At least three children were injured after a Ukrainian drone crashed into a residential building in the southern Russian city of Voronezh Read Full Article at RT.com

The Cabinet has approved 'PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana' with a Rs 24,000 crore outlay to boost agriculture in 100 under-performing districts over six years, starting 2025-26. This scheme aims to enhance productivity, promote sustainable practices, improve infrastructure, and increase credit availability, benefiting around 1.7 crore farmers.

An Election Commission report revealed that 35 lakh voters in Bihar were untraceable, sparking accusations from opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav of a deliberate attempt to remove genuine voters. He alleged a targeted deletion strategy, particularly in constituencies with narrow victory margins.

BJP spokesperson Ajay Alok defended Bihar's voter list verification, dismissing opposition concerns as vote bank politics. He criticized Rahul Gandhi for disrespecting the armed forces and his remarks on the EAM's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju advised Rahul to cooperate on foreign policy and avoid anti-national comments, following the defamation case bail granted to Rahul.

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has voiced strong concerns regarding the preliminary report on the Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad, which killed 240 people. FIP criticized the exclusion of pilot representatives from the investigation and the report's reliance on selectively interpreted cockpit recordings.

The Cabinet lauded Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla for his triumphant 18-day ISS mission, recognizing it as a pivotal moment for India's space exploration. This achievement is expected to inspire young Indians to pursue careers in science and innovation. The mission marks a significant step forward, offering a promising vision for future space endeavors and igniting scientific curiosity across the nation.

A team from IIT Kanpur has unearthed potential evidence of ancient Buddhist stupas and structural remains in Haryana's Yamuna Nagar district. Using Ground Penetrating Radar, researchers discovered circular structures and chamber-like rooms buried approximately 6 to 7 feet deep.

ASI director Amarnath Ramakrishna criticized the Centre and ASI for seeking changes in his Keeladi excavation report, refusing to alter the core concepts. He urged the Union culture minister to review the report, countering claims of it lacking scientific validity. Ramakrishna also expressed concern over attempts to diminish the significance and ancientness of Keeladi civilization.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused BJP-ruled states of imposing a «super-Emergency» by targeting Bengali-speaking people. She claims her government has received nearly 1,000 complaints of illegal detentions since June, particularly in Odisha and Maharashtra, where migrant workers are allegedly being targeted under the guise of identifying illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

Congress is likely to contest fewer seats in Bihar than in 2020, aiming for 50-60 seats while prioritizing winnability after a disappointing performance last time. The party seeks alliance coherence and aims to strengthen the anti-NDA coalition by promoting Rahul Gandhi's message among backward classes. This strategic shift reflects lessons learned from past failures and a focus on unity.

The Supreme Court recalled its order granting custody of a 12-year-old boy to his divorced father after realizing the decision caused severe mental and emotional distress to the child. The court acknowledged its error, along with the Kerala High Court, in prioritizing the father's claim without considering the child's well-being and attachment to his mother, ultimately reversing the custody order.

The Supreme Court questioned a married woman who sought the cancellation of anticipatory bail for a man accused of rape on the false promise of marriage. The court suggested she might face prosecution for engaging in extramarital affairs, highlighting her awareness of the relationship's implications. The Patna High Court's decision to grant anticipatory bail to the accused was upheld.

A 14-year-old girl in Bulandshahr's Khurja area tragically died by suicide after being gang-raped by three minors. The assault occurred on June 28, leading to an FIR being filed under relevant laws. Overwhelmed by trauma and mental stress following the incident, the girl was found dead at her home, prompting a police investigation.

To prevent misuse, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated approximately 1.2 crore Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals, utilizing death records from 24 states and Union Territories. A new service on the myAadhaar portal allows family members to report a death.

According to Gustavo Petro, his country should join «another military alliance» because it cannot side «with the armies that are dropping bombs on children»

The countries agreed to «commence an urgent review of all public contracts, in order to prevent public institutions and public funds, where applicable, from supporting Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territory»

Early elections to the National Assembly, or the lower house of parliament, will be called if President Emmanuel Macron exercises his constitutional right to dissolve the lower house

«They may be able to assemble them, but I doubt this too because these are quite sophisticated products,» Nikolay Azarov said

According to governor Alexander Gusev, two teenage boys, born in 2009 and 2013, were taken to hospitals

Les autorités ont pris le phénomène trés au sérieux, avant de communiquer une heure et demi plus tard, qu'aucune vague géante ne viendrait submerger les îles de la Polynésie

Le programme protocolaire de la visite de Manuel Valls prévoyeait un entretien d'une heure avec le Président du Pays et le même rituel avec le Président de l'APF. Tout comme les militants Tavini qui les attendaient, les journalistes pourtant accrédités en ont été pour leurs frais.