The family of ex-Zambian President Edgar Lungu is attempting to obtain permission to bring his body home from South Africa Read Full Article at RT.com

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has taken a swipe at French President Emmanuel Macron while revealing a logo for a sperm donation project Read Full Article at RT.com

China has accused Washington of using national security as pretext to go after its UAV makers Read Full Article at RT.com

Washington has reportedly moved additional forces to the Caribbean for possible military action against Venezuela Read Full Article at RT.com

Belarusian spy chief Ivan Tertel has refuted Ukraine’s claims that it knows where Russia’s Oreshnik missiles are deployed Read Full Article at RT.com

Today, Christmas Eve, could be one of the most nightmarish days to travel home on as the RAC estimate there will be 4.2million leisure trips planned.

The blast occurred close to the site where the army official was killed.

A man who admitted to having consumed drugs with former lawyer M Ravi in the hours before he died has been arrested by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on Wednesday (Dec 24). In response to media queries, the police said on Wednesday evening that the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was called to attend to an urgent case at an apartment at about 5.40am that morning. SCDF paramedics conveyed M Ravi to Tan Tock Seng Hospital unconscious, where he was subsequently pronounced dead at 6.50am. The police said there was another person, identified only as «A», who had called for SCDF's assistance. «'A' said that he and M Ravi had taken drugs a few hours earlier, and M Ravi exhibited concerning symptoms after he took some drugs,» the police said in their statement. The man also admitted that the drugs belonged to him and that he had tried to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Ravi. Police had earlier said that preliminary investigations do not indicate any foul play. «A» has since been arrested by CNB for suspected drug-related offences. 

Four Singaporeans, including a part-time actor, were charged in a Malaysian court on Wednesday (Dec 24) following two separate altercations — one of which took place inside a police station. Businessman Chua Chin Heng, 56, his wife Loe Sou Peng, 55, and their son Axl Chua Kai Jun, 27, claimed trial, while P Suresh, 46, pleaded guilty after the charges were read out to them, reported news agency Bernama. Suresh and Chua were jointly charged with disorderly conduct at a police station at about 6.15pm on Dec 21. Suresh, a part-time actor, was fined RM400 ($127) for this offence. The offence of disorderly conduct carries a jail term of up to six months, a fine of up to RM500 (S$158), or both upon conviction. The four Singaporeans were also charged with causing hurt. Chua, his wife and their son pleaded not guilty to the charges. Suresh pleaded guilty and was fined RM1,500 for this offence. If found guilty, the three face up to 12 months' jail, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both. They are out on bail and will return to court on Jan 27, 2026. 

Army troops have been deployed to West Karbi Anglong to restore order. Violent protests have erupted over alleged illegal settlements by non-tribals. Two people have died and dozens are injured. Curfew-like restrictions and internet suspension are in place. The chief minister stated immediate eviction is not possible due to a court stay. Tensions over land rights escalated into clashes.

Former Maldives VP Faisal Naseem lauded Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a statesman who championed peace through restraint and institutional respect. Naseem highlighted Vajpayee's enduring relevance for South Asia's turbulent democratic landscape, emphasizing his ability to be firm yet civil, decisive without being divisive. The lecture underscored Vajpayee's belief in parliamentary democracy and its role in fostering peace and stability.

The exciting video, posted to the Prince and Princess of Wales' joint X account this morning, pans across a festively decorated room to show two hands, one with a large ring, resting on a piano.

LIVEBLOG: Follow Father Christmas and his reindeers as they leave the North Pole to deliver presents to all corners of the globe in the annual NORAD Santa Tracker.

Nigerian police have said efforts are underway to rescue dozens of Muslims abducted in Plateau state Read Full Article at RT.com

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has declined to disclose details of US-Russian talks on the Ukraine conflict Read Full Article at RT.com

Russia plans to build a power station on the Moon by 2036 to support its lunar program and a China-led research base, Roscosmos has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Washington is demanding that “Venezuelans vacate our country and hand it over,” Caracas’ UN envoy has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Washington doesn’t seek to take over Greenland but wants to engage in conversation with residents, the US envoy to the island has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a stark warning during a Christmas address, urging her office staff to “rest properly”  Read Full Article at RT.com

What began as a peaceful sunset photo session for two teenage girls at East Coast Park ended in shock when a man's body washed ashore on Sunday (Dec 21). The body of the 28-year-old man was recovered from the water that evening after the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received a call for assistance at about 12pm. He was was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Police said the man is believed to have drowned and no foul play is suspected. Speaking to Shin Min Daily News on Dec 21, one of the teenagers, Liang Baoyin (transliteration), said she was taking sunset photos with her friends when she noticed what appeared to be a pair of black shorts behind one of them. Upon closer inspection, she realised it was a man's body and was frightened.

A fire broke out in the kitchen of a restaurant on Desker Road on Wednesday afternoon (Dec 24) after staff left cooking unattended. At least five firefighting vehicles, five police cars and several ambulances were dispatched to the incident and a large crowd was gathered when AsiaOne arrived at the scene. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to a fire at 119 Desker Road, which is the location of Madya Cuisine and Bar, at about 3.15pm. The fire involved contents of a kitchen exhaust ducting in a unit on the first floor, said SCDF. Firefighters extinguished the flames using a water jet. Three persons self-evacuated before rescuers arrived and there were no reported injuries. 

Singaporean content creator Fauzi Azzhar has issued an apology on social media after facing backlash for posting his travel announcement in an obituary-style image on Monday (Dec 22). In a video uploaded to his Instagram, Fauzi acknowledged that while he had intended the post to be funny, it was inappropriate due to sensitive issues such as mental health, which he discusses on his channel. «I apologise to all of you who were scared for a split second. Yes, you laughed about it but after reflecting a little more, I think it’s not funny,» said Fauzi. «This was a stupid post because I talk about mental health on my social media platform, which makes it ironic that I (went ahead) and posted this thinking it was funny.» Fauzi, who has over 40,000 followers on Instagram, also shared that he was concerned by a negative comment made by a follower in response to his post. «It scares me because this person has been following me for quite a bit, (which suggests) they have certain feelings towards me. I wonder why,» he said. 

“The main reason is simply that I’ve reached a point where I’m getting older. I might end up going to bed at four or five on Christmas Eve morning, then have to wake up three hours later to gather everything together to go to Litla-Hraun.”

ISRO's LVM3-M6 rocket successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 satellite for AST SpaceMobile, offering a unique onboard camera perspective of the entire mission. The footage captured liftoff, booster separation, and satellite deployment into Low Earth Orbit, marking a significant commercial success for ISRO's heavy-lift vehicle.

India replaces the MGNREGA with the VB-G RAM G Act, shifting focus from guaranteed wage employment to rural asset creation and productivity. This reform acknowledges a transformed rural economy with robust safety nets and direct cash transfers, aiming to build capacity rather than just provide relief.

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lifted GRAP-IV restrictions with immediate effect, even though air quality in several areas remained in the ‘very poor’ category with AQI levels crossing 350. While the strictest curbs were withdrawn, Stage I, II and III measures will continue under the modified GRAP. The move came hours after the Delhi High Court pulled up the Centre

For a long time, mental health in the Middle East stayed tucked away in private corners of conversation. A relative might hint at persistent worry, then quickly shift to the weather or work. Suggesting therapy could raise eyebrows, as if it signaled some deeper failing. That reluctance has not vanished, but it is loosening. More people in Iran now open their phones not just to check messages, but to look for a psychologist who might understand what they are going through.

TEHRAN – A total of 94 earthquakes were recorded across the country in a week from December 13 to 19, according to the seismological networks of the Institute of Geophysics of the University of Tehran.

TEHRAN – Japanese officials have announced their willingness to expand cooperation with Iran in areas that are not subject to sanctions, particularly the environment and pharmaceuticals.

TEHRAN – Thanks to targeted planning and coordinated efforts, about 125 Iranian journals have been indexed by the reputable databases of Scopus and Web of Science over the past four years, an official with the Ministry of Science has said.

TEHRAN – The deputy health minister, Alireza Raeisi, has said the World Health Organization is a strategic partner and a norm-setting reference for the country's health sector.