The president’s ultimatum drew condemnation across the political spectrum and intensified open debate about his credibility, morality and sanity.

The eventual ask of Congress is likely to fall between $80 billion and $100 billion, officials said, less than half the amount of an earlier proposal to offset costs of the conflict.

LIVE: Read the Daily Mail's coverage of the aftermath of the Middle East war, as US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth claimed today that Iran begged for a ceasefire

The Government is taking the lead to conserve energy and contribute towards Singapore's energy resilience amidst global fuel supply chains being disrupted by the Middle East conflict.«All ministries, departments, organs of state and statutory boards have been directed to adopt energy conservation measures to reduce electricity consumption across government facilities where practicable, while balancing operational needs,» said the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) in a joint press release on Wednesday (April 8).The directive follows Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's message to Singaporeans on April 2.In his message, PM Wong urged Singaporeans to «stand together» to take practical steps to conserve energy and reduce unnecessary consumption and waste. PM Wong also pointed out that while these may seem like «small steps», they can make a real difference when taken together. 

Supermarket operator FairPrice Group (FPG) will implement a price freeze for 100 of its most popular daily essentials to cushion the rising cost of living amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.The price freeze will last from April 9 to May 31, and feature pantry staples such as housebrand rice, oil, eggs, fresh and frozen pork and chicken, Milo, milk and detergent, said FPG in a press release on Wednesday (April 8).Data from FPG shows that nine out of 10 Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Blue and Orange customers purchase products from its basket of 100 essentials.«This price freeze is part of FPG's wider commitment to keep daily essentials within reach for all, amidst the growing impact of economic and geopolitical volatility on Singaporeans' daily lives,» said the group.To further support vulnerable communities, Blue and Orange CHAS cardholders will also receive double the amount of discounts — from three to six per cent — during the price freeze.The additional discounts will be supported by FairPrice Foundation, which is FPG's philanthropic arm.

This morning there are still many unanswered questions surrounding last night's announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East conflict.

Almost 480 of them carry hydrocarbons, the news agency said

The increase was recorded across all types of oils

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that a protest was lodged over reports of an investment agreement between Tokyo and Kiev

Several oil infrastructure facilities, power plants, and desalination plants «sustained major material damage»

The Russian foreign minister noted that all initiatives in the Russian Arctic involving the Federation’s constituent entities will be continued

Slightly over a week after the beverage container return scheme (BCRS) kicked in, the scheme's licensed operator said it has received feedback that some members of public are unable to return their containers via the Return Right machines.In a Facebook post on Wednesday (April 8), the operator said the most likely cause of containers being rejected is because they do not have a deposit mark. The deposit mark on an empty beverage container. PHOTO: AsiaOne/Ong Chin Wee Although some 1,070 Return Right machines have been deployed across Singapore since April 1, most supermarkets, shops and food centres are likely to be clearing existing stocks of beverage containers that do not have the deposit mark.

TikTokers called out netizens who made «misogynistic» comments about Naomi Neo's alleged sexual harassment incident, slamming commenters who questioned if the influencer was «pretty enough» to be targeted.On April 4, the content creator said in an Instagram post that she had been molested at a flea market event at Aperia Mall, confirming that a police report had been made.The incident drew an overwhelming response online, with many netizens expressing concern. However, others questioned whether the incident had really occurred, making disparaging remarks about the influencer.«Wear modestly and it will solve these kind of problems,» one netizen commented, while another accused her of «grabbing attention».One even asked why the person would «want to touch her».'Why is sexual assault so normalised in Singapore?': TikToker slams disparaging commentsTikToker @fu.wari slammed the netizens who made such remarks in a post, which has since been taken down.«Why is sexual assault so normalised in Singapore? I just don't get it,» she said, adding that such incidents were common in the country.

SINGAPORE — An off-duty Certis auxiliary policeman arrested at a shopping mall with a loaded service revolver in his possession in 2024 told investigators he had wanted to kill himself after his girlfriend broke up with him over his gambling habit.Heng Jun Hao, 29, who was arrested at Bugis+ mall following a police search that involved more than 100 officers, was sentenced to six years, six months and two weeks' jail and six strokes of the cane on April 8.He had pleaded guilty to two charges — unlawful possession of a firearm and a separate charge of committing mischief — in October 2025.In an earlier statement, Certis, a security company, said that Heng was suspended after he was first arrested in May 2024.Deputy Public Prosecutor Koh Yi Wen told the court that Heng had been gambling since he was 20 years old and the habit had worsened over the years. He later promised his girlfriend that he would quit gambling.Heng joined Certis as an auxiliary policeman in October 2023 and was later deployed to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore at Changi Airport.

Energy markets will take months to stabilize even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens, Kirill Dmitriev warns as airlines confirm a long recovery Read Full Article at RT.com

 India’s bilateral trade with China hit $137 billion in 2025-26, ahead of $127.8 billion with the US Read Full Article at RT.com

Anne Honor Mary Beckwith-Smith, 74, fought to keep her licence, insisting she needed it to drive from her £2.2m property in South Kensington to visit her ailing brother in Wiltshire.

Just a week after opening its doors, the Pure Chocolate factory in Ocho Rios, St Ann, was battered by Hurricane Melissa. A massive guango tree lodged in its roof, leaving production at a standstill and causing millions in losses. But since last month, the business has started to bounce back, with staff, chocolate, and some of the island’s cocoa farmers all rising from the wreckage. On top of that, the company was nominated days ago as one of the top three businesses of the year by the St Ann Chamber of Commerce.

Dozens of schools still without electricity months after Hurricane Melissa are now being targeted for emergency support as the National Education Trust (NET) moves to plug critical gaps with the distribution of generators. The agency is compiling a list of institutions still in the dark and in urgent need of backup power following the storm late last year. Students at several schools in Hanover and Westmoreland – two of the parishes hardest hit – are among those most affected, according to NET Executive Director Latoya Harris-Ghartey.

The venerable Titchfield High School marked its 240th anniversary with a week-long programme of celebrations, culminating in a family fun day on the school’s grounds on Easter Monday. Festivities began on March 29 with a meet-and-greet at the Ken Wright Pier, where past students – including many from the overseas diaspora – turned out in large numbers to reconnect, socialise and reminisce. The gathering set a convivial tone for the week ahead.

In a deeply emotional and resolute response, Steve Spesho—the son of Malawi’s late and beloved gospel icon, Grace Chinga—has come forward to firmly dismiss lingering allegations that Shepherd Bushiri was involved in his mother’s death, describing the claims as false, hurtful, and a distortion of reality. Speaking in an interview with media today, Spesho did […] The post Spesho breaks silence: Grace Chinga’s son defends Bushiri, calls death claims ‘painful distortion of truth’ appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

 Iran has lauded Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir for their efforts to end the war with the US Read Full Article at RT.com

Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl says Hungary’s parliamentary elections have turned into a US-EU political “proxy war” Read Full Article at RT.com

Madagascar has declared an energy emergency to address a “deep crisis” caused by supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict Read Full Article at RT.com

President Salva Kiir has removed South Sudan’s parliament leaders in response to a petition Read Full Article at RT.com

The documentary Ó góða gamla Grindavík was broadcast on Icelandic National Television over Easter. The film was directed by Margrét Hrafnsdóttir and focuses on the natural disasters on the Reykjanes Peninsula and the hardships the residents of Grindavík have endured. It drew attention that the well-known actress Sharon Stone is one of the film’s producers, credited as an “Executive Producer.”

[allAfrica]

Kerala has entered its mandatory silence period for the April 9 assembly elections, with 2.71 crore voters set to decide the fate of 883 candidates. Public campaigning has concluded, and door-to-door efforts are underway. Strict prohibitions are in place for campaigning activities. All arrangements for smooth polling are finalized, with enhanced security measures implemented across the state.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay criticised the ruling DMK, claiming Chief Minister MK Stalin lacks authority and calling the alliance a «cash-box alliance» funded by «looted» money. Vijay asserted that the «real Congress» is aligned with TVK, not the DMK-led front, as his party prepares for its electoral debut.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of partisanship and corruption after a brief meeting. The party alleged their delegation was dismissed abruptly and that the EC had ignored nine letters from Mamata Banerjee. The TMC also presented evidence of alleged BJP links among Bengal officials, demanding their transfer.

BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar dismissed Congress allegations of asset non-disclosure as a «desperate effort» by a «scared» opposition. He predicted a political realignment in Kerala, stating the next elections will see the Congress and LDF unite as the INDIA bloc against the NDA. Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.

Le Pr Charles Edgar Mombo, fils du département de la Doutsila, a effectué une tournée dans sa circonscription électorale, du 3 au 6 avril 2026, le Ministre . Cette visite, la première d'un Ministre de la Doutsila depuis 1960, a été marquée par une ferveur populaire et des échanges directs avec les populations. Les plus heureux étaient les populations de Douano 1 & 2, Nyali, Divouli, Pandza, Nzinga et des villages environnants. Elles ont réservé un accueil chaleureux à leur fils, (...) - POLITIQUE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Sous le haut patronage du Gouverneur de la province du Woleu-Ntem, une cérémonie solennelle d'hommage a été rendue à Tsira Ndong Ndoutoume, illustre gardien et passeur du mvet. Cette rencontre culturelle d'envergure a réuni autorités administratives, acteurs culturels, chercheurs et passionnés des traditions gabonaises autour d'une réflexion profonde sur la place du mvet dans la société contemporaine. Au cœur des échanges, plusieurs thématiques majeures ont structuré les interventions. (...) - ARTS & CULTURE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Le Président de la République, Chef de l'État, Chef du gouvernement, Son Excellence Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema a reçu ce jour en audience une délégation conduite par monsieur Wu Weihua, Vice-Président du Comité Permanent de l'Assemblée Populaire Nationale de Chine (APN) dans le cadre d'une visite officielle visant à consolider les liens bilatéraux entre les deux pays. Cette rencontre s'inscrit dans la continuité de la mission des parlementaires gabonais en Chine, conduite par le (...) - COOPERATION / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON