The fighting has moved to the islands, with the Russian army having ramped up activities

In a case that has drawn public attention, Tougen Herkins, currently the Principal of the Survival Community School in Freswota was sentenced to four years in prison for a crime he committed a decade ago. Herkins was 15 years old…

Judge Dudley Aru of the Supreme Court has dismissed the government’s counterclaim for damage in a case involving a breach of building contract.

The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) hosted its Second Symposium on Virtual Assets, drawing international experts and key industry stakeholders to explore the role of the Financial Dealers Licence and virtual assets in national development this week.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) confirmed to the Vanuatu Daily Post yesterday afternoon that Mr. Floyd Ray Mera’s contract as the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has been terminated.

The recovery projects for Lycée de Luganville are still pending.

Samedi 29 juin, 212 000 électeurs sont appelés aux urnes pour le premier tour des législatives. L'enjeu : élire les trois députés qui siégeront à l’Assemblée nationale les cinq prochaines années. Treize candidats sont en lice dans les trois circonscriptions. Suivez notre minute par minute pour découvrir les résultats provisoires au fil de la soirée.

A speeding Volkswagen Golf crashed into a van early Sunday morning (June 30), causing both cars to flip.  A video of the incident, which happened at around 5.06am along the Tampines Expressway (TPE), was uploaded onto Facebook group Singapore Roads accident.com on the same day.  In the clip, a white Volkswsgen Golf can be seen speeding. It then crashes into a black van ahead of it, causing both vehicles to flip over.  In the process, sparks flew and the black vehicle tumbled to the side of the road.  In response to AsiaOne’s queries, the police said that on June 30, at about 5.10am, they were alerted to an accident involving a car and a van along TPE towards Changi Airport.

What's better than $5 durians? Why, free durians of course. A durian stall in Hougang held a giveaway on Thursday (June 27), dispatching some 1,000kg of Musang King and other varietals to a long line of people gathered. Within two and a half hours, all the fruits were all given away, reported Shin Min Daily News. A video posted on Lexus Durian King's Facebook page at 5.35pm that evening showed the stall packed with people. AsiaOne had previously reported that the durian stall, located at 1001 Upper Serangoon Road, would be selling premium Musang King or Mao Shan Wang durians at $5 each (maximum two per person) to Pioneer Generation customers and CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme) card holders on June 25. Just two days later, however, they went a step further, announcing that they would be giving away one fruit plus a bottle of water each to members of the same groups as well as those belonging to the Merdeka Generation.

No details were provided

It’s not been a simple and calm night for all again, the region’s head Igor Artamonov said

The death toll among Israeli troops killed during the new round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict totaled 670

Two former Seychellois boxers are among the 10 Seychellois recognised for their outstanding contributions to Seychelles at this year's edition of the National Awards ceremony held on Friday at State House. Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan presented the awards at the event, which was also attended by prestigious guests and family members of the winners. Rival Payet and Roland Raforme won the Medals of Merit. Both former boxers, who are now national team coaches, are the first ever sportspersons to receive the award created in 2022, aimed at recognising their extraordinary service to Seychelles in various fields or through their acts of bravery. Payet came the closest to Seychelles winning an Olympic medal for boxing in the 1996 Games in Atlanta. (State House)  Photo License: CC-BY  Payet told the press that he felt he deserved the award and was «very happy that I received it while I am still alive to enjoy it and able to collect it without a walking stick. I have done so much for the country over the years, so I definitely think I deserve the award today.» A former light middleweight boxer, Payet came the closest to Seychelles winning an Olympic medal in 1996 when he came out fourth in the Games in Atlanta. The Medal of Merit was also awarded to Edwina Adrienne, who has worked in career guidance and later set up the Association for the Promotion of Solid Humane Families with a colleague in 1995.  Edwina Adrienne also received a Medal of Merit. (State House)  Photo License: CC-BY  Also receiving the Medals of Merit were Edouard Domingue, the first managing director of the Seychelles Savings Bank - now the Seychelles Commercial Bank - and Herman Maria, a local entrepreneur. «I am happy because it reminds me of the many children I have helped over the years, this makes me realise that there was a mission to accomplish and I have done my part,» said Adrienne. The recipients of the Honour Award are Willy Andre, an environmentalist, Francis Chang-Sam, a former legal expert who also drafted the country's Constitution, Ilette Esther, a former nurse at the main hospital's Blood Bank, the late Tony Mathiot - a local historian, and Soona Oliaji, a local businesswoman who is also a champion for children with special needs. Willy Andre, an environmentalist, was one of the recipients of the Honour Award. (State House)  Photo License: CC-BY  Esther told the press after the ceremony that she appreciated the recognition she received although she was not expecting it. «I have devoted many years working at the Blood Bank, at times alone - I know that I gave it my all, which is why I am satisfied with the work I have done,» she said. Caritas Seychelles, the Seychelles Credit Union, the Seychelles Infrastructure Agency (SIA) and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs received the Pride of the Republic of Seychelles awards. This award is given for outstanding and meritorious service of national importance to the country in exceptional circumstances where the person has earned the respect and gratitude of both the government and the people. This year the organisers took into account their contributions made during the disasters of December 7, 2023. Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, suffered two major disasters on the same day on December 7. After several days of torrential rains, the northern region of the main island of Mahe, suffered rock and landslides, along with flooding due to heavy rain in which three people died. In a separate incident, in the east region of Mahe, in the Providence industrial estate, a massive explosion that originated from explosives stored at a local quarrying company, flattened large buildings, businesses, and residential houses in the vicinity.  Chief executive of the Seychelles Infrastructure Agency, Jitesh Shah, said the fact that SIA was awarded «it's like we are receiving it on behalf of all those we have worked with during that time from the emergency brigades to all other bodies who have helped in one way or another. My time has worked tirelessly during this time and have even given their own personal time to ensure we deliver.» This is the second edition of the National Awards ceremony, held during the National Day activities.

Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali people paid their last respects to the former Speaker of the Somali Parliament, Prof. Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari, in a state funeral prayer in Mogadishu on Saturday.

Cairo (HOL) - Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Maalam Faqi, met with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Cairo on Saturday to discuss strengthening bilateral relations.

Dhusamareb (HOL) - A United Nations delegation, led by Acting UN Special Representative for Somalia James Swan, arrived in Dhusamareb on Saturday to meet with Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye Qoor Qoor.

Although an exclusive DailyMail.com poll found that President Biden's disastrous debate performance may have destroyed his support with independents, there may be a way back for Dems.

The North Korean Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the Freedom Edge trilateral military exercise held in the region, describing it as an attempt to «escalate regional military tensions, exert pressure upon the Far East of Russia and lay siege to China»

Biden told his wife «I don’t know what happened» during the debate

Other donors are hoping that the US president «would have an epiphany and decide to exit on his own.»

Of those, 15 were brought down over the borderline Kursk Region

It was also reported that the troops used concussion grenades during their raid near the old city of Al-Khader

SINGAPORE - More than 10,000 Primary 5 pupils were treated to a spectacle on the evening of June 29 as they caught the first of four National Day Parade (NDP) National Education shows at the Padang. Coming from more than 70 schools across the island, the children cheered and waved their flags as they enjoyed a preview of the 2024 parade. Another 60,000 students will be attending the National Education shows over the next three weeks until July 20. These include current Secondary 3 students in Ministry of Education institutions, who were unable to attend in 2020 when they were in Primary 5 due to Covid-19 restrictions. Students who will be in Secondary 3 in 2025 will be invited to watch the shows in that year. Many of those whom The Straits Times spoke to before the show said they were keen to see the fireworks, a perennial crowd favourite.  «There's nothing like seeing it in real life,» said West Grove Primary School pupil Vellaichamy Gunasekaran Kirthikka, 11.  Greenwood Primary School pupil Aliya Humaira, 11, said she was most excited to see the dances and hear the songs.

A 35-year-old chef at a five-star restaurant has died only three months after getting married. He had also been promoted just four days before his death, Shin Min Daily News reported on Saturday (June 29). According to the Chinese evening daily, chef Daniel Teo's interest in F&B was piqued at an early age. His parents ran a coffee shop where he would often help out and also get to interact with the hawkers. When his parents later opened a chicken rice stall, Teo became in charge of developing the recipes and training employees. He subsequently entered culinary school to further his studies In the past 10 years, Teo worked in different different hotels and restaurant groups, rising through the ranks, reported Shin Min. It added that Teo is currently working at a five-star restaurant and had recently been promoted to executive chef just four days ago. Teo's profile on LinkedIn showed that he was the executive sous chef of JW Marriott Singapore South Beach, since May 2022.

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has been asked to put up a correction notice under the law against fake news, over its statement claiming that three women were prosecuted for organising support for the Palestinian people in the ongoing Gaza war. The SDP was issued a correction direction under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) on June 29 on the instruction of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). On June 27 and June 28, the SDP had put up a statement on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok commenting on the charges brought against three women who were allegedly involved in organising a procession without a permit along the perimeter of the Istana, which is a prohibited area. In its statement, the SDP said the three women - Mossammad Sobikun Nahar, 25, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, 29, and Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 35 - were prosecuted for organising support for the Palestinian people and in doing so, expressed views the Government did not agree with.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables of condolences to the king of Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco on the death of his mother, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. In a cable to King Mohammed VI of Morocco, King Salman expressed deepest and sincere condolences on the death of Princess Lalla Latifa. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed 'my warmest and most sincere condolences' in a separate cable, the SPA said.  

Seychelles has many guitarists, drummers and even keyboardists but not many violinists. Charles Lesperance, better known as Ton Charles (Uncle Charles), is one of the few veterans who have played the violin for many years. Lesperance is from Praslin, Seychelles' second most populated island, and grew up in the community of Anse La Blague in a family of seven children. The violinist who will soon be 76 years old, started playing the violin at a very young age. He is the second oldest violinist in the country after his fellow Marcel Crea, who resides on the main island of Mahe. He told SNA, «It was in the late 1960s that I became inspired by this beautiful instrument. My inspiration and love for the violin came from my father and brother, both violinists at that time.» A shiny violin in the left corner of the living room has played its role for many decades and has added delightfully charming melodies to ballroom dances and wedding parties across the country. «I have played my violin countless of times but each time that I have held it in my arms, I have enjoyed every minute while I was playing. It casts away all your worries at that moment and it feels good when you see people of all ages dancing and having fun as well,» said Lesperance. The violinist can no longer play his instrument but he keeps his treasure in sight to remind himself of his happy days with his violin. «Nowadays I cannot perform anymore but before the COVID-19 pandemic, I was still actively playing my violin whenever I had the chance or asked to. I miss playing this instrument but the time has come for me to relax now and take care of my health,» he explained. Lesperance playing the violin with his son Daniel. (Mandy Bertin) Photo License: CC-BY  Lesperance has entertained locals and tourists in hotels and other venues. The first band he formed was called Bandits. Lesperance said he also played the guitar but concentrated more on playing the violin. «Each time I saw my father and my uncle playing, I always dreamed of being a violinist as well. At times I wanted to take theirs and try out, but their violins were always well hidden in pillowcases, and of course, there was always a trap. So to avoid a good beating, I chose to keep away but at times the temptation was too strong so I waited for my father to leave for work and I carefully took his violin out and played,» he remembered. He added: «I was so eager to learn and since I did not have one for myself then I decided to improvise. I took an empty milk tin and a midrib from a coconut leaf. I fixed it well using threads and voila, I got my violin. The next step was to close my eyes and allow the music to flow, and it did. It felt so natural and I knew right there and then that I was meant to play this instrument.» Lesperance said his wish came true «When my uncle gifted me with my first violin, I knew right there and then that this was going to be the beginning of a wonderful journey for me.» Through trial and error, he taught himself how to play the violin. «My father was shocked when he learned that I could play the violin. His tears rolled down his cheeks and he became speechless. And from there, he allowed me to accompany him whenever he went to play until he retired and I took his place,» he recalled. Lesperance has travelled to many other countries where he showed off his skills and made Seychelles proud. In 2022, he received an award for being one of the island's greatest culture pioneers.

A senior citizen is dead while five other people are being treated at hospital, following a motor vehicle crash on Saturday in St Mary. The police say the six people were aboard a Toyota Corolla motor car which was travelling in a easterly...

A total of 577 seats are up for grabs for the centrist presidential coalition, the right-wing National Rally and the leftist New Popular Front

Dramatic footage has emerged of a Just Stop Oil activist being carried by her arms and legs, as police arrested the woman in her own home on suspicion of plotting to disrupt UK airports.

Slater said he was 'grateful' to those who gathered today to look for his son, an apprentice bricklayer last seen following an after party at the end of a three day festival in Tenerife

Cyndi Lauper's Glastonbury performance on Saturday was hit with criticism after major sound problems disrupted the set.