The Biden administration calls government data showing a significant drop in overdose drug deaths “a major, major change.”

The fifth day of Pritam Singh's trial unfolded in the State Courts on Friday (Oct 18), where the defence continued their cross-examination of Loh Pei Ying. Loh was secretarial assistant to former Workers' Party (WP) Member of Parliament Raeesah Khan. After pressing Loh on whether she had advised Khan to keep up with the lie the latter had told in Parliament, the trial took on a lighter tone. Bringing up a meeting on Nov 25, 2021, defence lawyer Andre Jumabhoy asked Loh if she had told the WP disciplinary panel that Khan was «naive and stupid». The phrase appeared in the notes taken during the meeting by WP chair Sylvia Lim. «I can't remember if I used those terms, but I definitely would have said naive,» Loh answered, adding it was possible she had said Khan was stupid. She also said she thought that Khan was «sometimes» self-centred. On Nov 30, 2021, five days after the meeting, the WP announced that Khan had resigned from the party.  Jumabhoy then asked Loh if she would describe Khan as «lao hong», while spelling the Hokkien term out in court.

The Russian Investigative Committee's office for the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol arrested the suspect and initiated a case under Article 276 of the Criminal Code (espionage), which carries up to 20 years in prison

On September 12, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Chinese President Xi Jinping had accepted an invitation to attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan

The meeting «will provide an important platform for leaders to discuss key global issues,» the agency said

The missile firing area was closed to civilian shipping and flights in advance by ships from the Kola Flotilla and the Northern Fleet’s hydrographic ships

The Russian leader underscored that the joint work of BRICS to accelerate socio-economic growth and ensure sustainable development brings tangible results

[New Times] October 17 marked exactly twenty days since Rwanda declared the Marburg virus outbreak on September 27.

Associates say the rallies are cathartic for the former president as he joins a Harris-Trump battle that could reflect on his own legacy.

Northampton County, Pa., which went for Obama, then Trump, then Biden as part of a 100-year track record of almost always voting for the winner, shows the challenges both candidates are confronting.

Control of the U.S. House looks like a coin flip with Democrats and Republicans fighting over about 40 districts out of 435.

As Malawi gears up for the 2025 General Elections, the United Democratic Front (UDF) appears to be reconsidering its political alliances, with analysts suggesting a potential partnership with the governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP). This shift comes on the heels of a series of strategic moves that could redefine the landscape of Malawian politics, especially […] The post Is UDF shifting towards MCP? Analyzing political implications ahead of 2025 elections appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has announced that it is reviewing fuel pump prices to better align them with the actual landing costs of petroleum products. This decision comes in response to mounting pressure from various stakeholders, including members of Parliament and the Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama), who have urged for an increase […] The post Is Govt planning to raise fuel prices again? appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

One of Malawi top-notch DJ, DJ Naxy-P, will be playing at Blue Elephant in Blantyre this Saturday for a Jersey Party where revelers are advised to come wearing their favorite soccer jersey. The party, which will be hosted by rapper Rinna, will also feature other DJs such as DJ Super G and DJ Mutchie.   […] The post Top DJ, Naxy-P, at Blue Elephant this Saturday for Jersey Party: “Wear your soccer jersey, lets party.” appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

A Bangladeshi court has accused Sheikh Hasina of using excessive force to quell a student uprising earlier this year Read Full Article at RT.com

The Ukraine conflict is a lost cause and Vladimir Zelensky should have never allowed it to happen, Donald Trump has claimed Read Full Article at RT.com

The French president berates officials for leaking his remark that as a creation of the UN, Israel should respect the body’s decisions Read Full Article at RT.com

Ukrainian Orthodox Church believers in Cherkasy will “pray in the underground” after its cathedral was taken by force, a bishop says Read Full Article at RT.com

New agreements reached in the decades-long dispute over the Nile could change the water allocation of countries in its basin Read Full Article at RT.com

Mogadishu (HOL) — Renowned Somali poet Sugaal Abdulle was among the seven people killed in a suicide bombing at a busy tea shop near the Mogadishu Police Academy, police confirmed. Abdulle, a celebrated figure in Somali arts and a member of the Heegan Police cultural group was known for his contributions to the arts.

Mogadishu (HOL) —The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) officially transferred control of the Kuday Forward Operating Base (FOB) to Somali forces on Wednesday, a major step in the third phase of ATMIS’s troop drawdown and Somalia’s increasing self-reliance in security.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (HOL) — The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has announced it is reassessing the 2018 peace agreement it signed with the Ethiopian government, citing a lack of progress on key provisions.

Meanwhile, 54% of the survey participants are happy with the government as a whole

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning added that China is ready to cooperate with all parties to promote stability and long-term development of BRICS+ interaction

Bild reported earlier that Kiev is seriously considering replenishing its nuclear weapon stocks

Earlier, in an interview with the PBD podcast, Trump said that Zelensky was responsible for the conflict breaking out and should have prevented it

However, the report points out that after the death of Yahya Sinwar, Washington renewed «so-far frustrated attempts» to end the war in Gaza

Often considered the 'cornerstone' of European integration, the single market now serves 449 million consumers and 31 million active companies, most of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It has delivered substantial economic benefits, ranging between 8 % and 9 % of European Union gross domestic product (GDP). Trade between Member States has risen steadily over the years, and today accounts for an estimated 56 million European jobs. The EU is among the largest trading blocs in the world, representing 15 % of world GDP, compared with the United States at 16 % and China at 19 %. The single market's attractiveness for foreign businesses also serves as an important geopolitical tool, enhancing the EU's influence amid geopolitical shifts. Recent shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have revealed not only the single market's vulnerability in crises, but also the extent to which the EU's competitiveness relies on a well-functioning single market, ensuring unhindered access to the goods, services, and strategic inputs EU supply chains need. Although the single market has generally been a success, recent analyses, including those put forward by Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi in 2024, clearly demonstrate that it remains highly fragmented, limiting EU companies' ability to scale up and compete internationally, and preventing EU citizens from reaping the full benefits. For instance, 60 % of the barriers companies face today are of the same type as were already reported 20 years ago. The two reports converge on many points, not least on the need to take rapid action to deepen the single market. Advancing the single market requires action in multiple policy fields, its digital dimension gaining increasing importance in recent years. Ultimately, a well-functioning single market, fit for the green and digital transitions, new technological developments and changing geopolitical realities can be seen as central to the EU's industrial policy. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Jillaroos wingers Julia Robinson and Jakiya Whitfeld get first-half hat-tricks as Australia takes on Papua New Guinea to kick off the Pacific Championships. Later, the Kangaroos take on Tonga. Follow live.

Raanui Daunassans Pomare, descendant de la dernière reine de Tahiti, découvre par hasard un manuscrit original. Il s’agit du recueil de souvenirs familiaux, racontés dans les années 1930 par la souveraine à sa fille, la princesse Takau. L'ouvrage vient d'être édité par Au Vent des Îles et est disponible depuis aujourd'hui au salon Lire en Polynésie.

On Princess Diana 's first ever foreign tour, to Australia and New Zealand , she was just 21 with a ten-month-old Prince William in tow - and faced a barrage of anti-royal sentiment.

Liam Payne had been dropped by his record label Universal Music last week, while his PR resigned earlier this month, as one source said the 31-year-old's solo career was 'crumbling'.

The One Direction star plunged to his death in Argentina from a hotel balcony, sparking a sea of tributes from fans and stars alike.

The new Tuas Port will be the world’s largest fully automated port when it's fully completed in the 2040s, capable of handling 65 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually - almost double of what Singapore’s ports currently handle.  With this capacity, this new port will serve even more of the world’s largest container vessels, shipping alliances, and shipping lines.  Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said during the ground-breaking ceremony for the new PSA Supply Chain Hub (PSCH) on Friday (Oct 18) that with intensifying competition from other major ports, Singapore will have to sharpen its competitive edge to remain the preferred port of call.  The new $647.5 million supply chain hub at Tuas, equipped with advanced robotics and automation systems, is expected to be completed in 2027.

SINGAPORE — A teacher has been fired from a My First Skool pre-school centre in Tampines following a report of alleged inappropriate child management. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) received a report from the pre-school on Sept 26, and told The Straits Times (ST) it is separately looking into feedback from two other parents at the same centre. The centre removed the teacher from care and teaching duties on Sept 24, and her employment was terminated on Sept 27. The exact school location and the parents cannot be named, as it could lead to the identification of the affected child, which is not allowed under the Children and Young Persons Act.