SINGAPORE - Around 18,000 flats across Singapore have been selected for home upgrading works under the Housing Board’s Home Improvement Programme (HIP).The 198 blocks chosen for upgrades are located in 12 towns including Bedok, Bishan, Jurong West, Pasir Ris, Sengkang, Serangoon, Tampines and Woodlands.Home owners will get structural improvements and can opt for subsidised upgrades to their toilets or bathrooms, said Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah on May 16.The Government has allocated $253 million for the works, said the HDB.The HIP programme was launched in 2007 to address maintenance issues such as spalling concrete and ceiling leakage.Speaking at a block party in Bukit Batok East Nature View, Ms Indranee said about 409,000 flats have been upgraded under the HIP since its launch.The Government has spent about $5 billion on these works, she added.Within Bukit Batok East, more than 1,600 households across 14 blocks have been selected for the upcoming batch of HIP, said Ms Indranee.Under the HIP, flats are shortlisted for upgrades based on their age.

Singapore's Maximilian Maeder has reclaimed his kitefoiling world title on Saturday (May 16) after clinching gold at the Formula Kite World Championships (FKWC) in Viana do Castelo in Portugal.This is Maeder's third win in the FKWC, having won in both 2023 and 2024.Maeder's streak was broken in 2025 after Italian kitefoiler Ricardo Pianosi took first place that year, with Maeder finishing in second place.This year, Switzerland's Gian Stragiotti came in second, while Austria's Valentin Bontus came in third.«Wow, what a finals,» Maeder said in an Instagram video on Saturday.«It was amazing, I feel so good... I was so lucky I made it, hats off to my competitors for pushing me so hard... the whole week was amazing and obviously you can see that I'm in tears. It's simply fantastic.»He also praised his team after the race, stating that he's a «fortunate person» and that he's been trying his best to make the most out of it, CNA reported.«And the others, I'm sure they'll catch up very soon, so I'll have to stay on my toes as my coach always says.»

Prime Minister Modi warned that global challenges like pandemics, wars, and energy crises could push a large population back into poverty, potentially undoing decades of progress. He highlighted India's «unprecedented» transformation under his leadership, urging the diaspora to join the nation's journey towards becoming a developed country.

It was a tense final vote as Bulgaria pipped Israel to the trophy winning the competition for the first time with Dana and her catchy pop song Bangaranga.

UK's Eurovision act Look Mum No Computer finished in last place on Saturday night as they received 0 public votes. 

As the UK entry, Look Mum No Computer, finished in last place viewers at home hailed the broadcaster a 'shining light' amongst an otherwise disappointing show.

Due to the competition's rules, countries aren't allowed to vote for themselves, and the drag artist revealed that this year our votes would go to France.

Delta Goodrem has narrowly missed out on Eurovision glory after Australia placed fourth in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 grand final.

A French judge will examine complaints filed by rights groups accusing Saudi Crown Prince of complicity in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi Read Full Article at RT.com

Bulgaria’s Dara won Eurovision in Vienna, while Israel’s Noam Bettan finished second despite protests over his country’s participation Read Full Article at RT.com

The US has canceled a planned troop deployment to Poland, highlighting growing tensions between President Donald Trump and European allies Read Full Article at RT.com

Kristín Þorleifsdóttir, who turned 101 in February and was recently featured in Morgunblaðið, cast her vote today at Lækjarskóli polling station in Hafnarfjörður.

Russia’s Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant was attacked twice by Ukrainian drones over the past week, Rosatom CEO Aleksey Likhachev has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Un homme d'une trentaine d'années est mort à la suite d'une attaque de requin samedi en Australie-Occidentale, ont indiqué la police et les autorités locales à l'AFP.

Elle gardera sans doute un mauvais souvenir de passage à Moorea. Ce jeudi, une touriste australienne a été gravement mordue par un chien alors qu'elle était en excursion sur un motu situé en face de l'ex-Club Med.

Around 55,000 people had voted in Reykjavík’s municipal election by 8 p.m. tonight, representing about 51% of the 108,000 registered voters in the city.

Kings' School, in Winchester, was plunged into lockdown procedures on Thursday following an 'urgent medical situation' involving a long-standing female member of staff.

The outcome of Reykjavík’s municipal elections remains highly uncertain, according to a political scientist, as recent polls show only narrow differences between several parties.

One of four Canadians isolating in British Columbia after leaving the cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak has tested «presumptive positive,» B.C.'s top doctor said Saturday.

A Canadian isolating in B.C. has presumptively tested positive for hantavirus after leaving the cruise ship affected by an outbreak of the Andes strain in recent weeks, B.C.'s top doctor said Saturday.

Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district is under a massive security sweep following a foiled infiltration bid. Forces are conducting extensive searches across multiple locations after an intruder was neutralized near the Line of Control. Heightened security measures, including stringent vehicle checks, are in place amid unconfirmed reports of a high-profile foreign terrorist presence.

Tragedy struck Rajouri's Mohra village as a 60-year-old man succumbed to suspected food poisoning after consuming a wild vegetable. Seven others, including two young children, were hospitalized following the incident affecting two families. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the severe illness that led to the fatality and hospitalizations.

Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of Islamic State globally, was killed in Nigeria, US President Donald Trump has said Read Full Article at RT.com

The EU should create a new core group of nations and abandon its unanimity decision-making principles, Josep Borrell has said Read Full Article at RT.com