[GroundUp] Close to 400,000 beneficiaries notified their social grants are under review as oversight tightens

[GroundUp] Security guards were held at ransom. The clinic has been closed all week.

[allAfrica] South Africa has become a full member of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the continent's largest trade institution, and has qualified for an initial $8 billion financing package that will help boost the mining, automaking and manufacturing sectors.

The Government of Vanuatu has reiterated that the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) role is to focus on its constitutional mandate of human resources management, not asset management.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Jay Ngwele has questioned the government’s decision to establish new Commissions of Inquiry (COIs) following public discussion on social media after the coalition government, led by Prime Minister (PM) Jotham Napat, declined to release the…

Users of the Vanuatu Department of Immigration Pre-Clearance Online Portal have reported difficulties accessing the system due to missing confirmation emails required to activate accounts.

Leader of the Opposition Ishmael Kalsakau has criticised the Government’s decision to appoint two new Commissions of Inquiry (COIs) into the citizenship scheme and diplomatic passports, describing the move as a waste of public funds and questioning whether it aims…

The Australian Government-funded Wharf Road landslide clearance project, valued at VT189.5 million (approximately AUD $2.3 million), is progressing on schedule. Authorities confirmed the funding is focused on short-term debris removal and safety protection works rather than full road repairs.

Business operators in Zomba City have hailed Zuber Motani for successfully organizing demonstrations against the Electronic Invoicing System (EIS) introduced by the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), a system that has triggered strong resistance among small-scale traders. One of the small-scale business owners, Charles Kathuma, said Motani—who is the chairperson of business operators in the city—has […] The post Zomba business operators hail Motani for leading EIS protests appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

[New Times] President Paul Kagame has called on leaders at all levels to be accountable for their actions and ensure that development projects are properly implemented.

[New Times] The family that lost three children in a tragic fire outbreak on Tuesday night, in Nyabugogo cell, Kigali Sector, is receiving support with rent and funeral arrangements from the City of Kigali, it has emerged.

[New Times] Rwanda is set to introduce Gardasil 9, a new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that protects against cancer-causing strains more than the current vaccine.

Bus captains have been in the news lately for going out of their way to help commuters, or in some cases putting out car fire.Mohd Rizal bin Omar, Tower Transit bus captain of service 969, was recently awarded Tower Transit's Super Star Award for helping an elderly man who had fallen while crossing the junction along Woodlands Avenue 7 and Woodlands Street 83.The incident happened at about 11.15pm on May 1, 2025, but came to light only recently when a member of the public wrote in to commend his actions.Speaking to AsiaOne on Thursday (Feb 5), Rizal, 44, who has been with the public transport operator for two years, said he became worried when he noticed the elderly man fall."I honestly didn't have much time to think. My first instinct was that the elderly man was in danger because it was at night and the passing vehicles may not notice him.

Singapore and China are looking to deepen cooperation in the fight against scams and drug trafficking, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).In a media release on Thursday (Feb 5), the ministry said that Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam visited China from Jan 31 to Feb 3.During the visit, Shanmugam, who is also the Minister for Home Affairs, met with China's Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission Chen Wenqing.Chen oversees national security and intelligence and is a member of the Chinese Communist Party's political bureau. The two leaders reaffirmed the good working relationship between Chinese and Singapore agencies and discussed ways to deepen law enforcement cooperation in the areas of combatting scams and countering drug trafficking.They also agreed to step up regular exchanges to further strengthen relations, MHA said.Shanmugam also met with his MHA counterpart, Chinese State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong.

Your grandparents names are making a comeback in Newfoundland and Labrador, following the 100-year trend.

A teenager from the Quebec City area has been charged with a terrorism-related offence. The teen allegedly used social media to promote the violent ideology of a group known as Atomwaffen Division, according to the RCMP.

Races in the Lone Star State are among those that will be key to determining which party controls the U.S. House.

Russia is ready to cooperate with the US, but Washington is stalling on Ukraine and sanctions, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Read Full Article at RT.com

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called the expiration of US-Russia nuclear reduction treaty a global security risk Read Full Article at RT.com

Finland has warned the US against describing security guarantees for Ukraine as “Article-5 like,” arguing it risks diluting the NATO clause Read Full Article at RT.com

Moscow and Washington discussed options for observing the New Start Treaty beyond its expiration date in Abu Dhabi, Axios has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Why the problem with the series ‘PONIES’ isn’t anti-Soviet bias, but lazy research, recycled clichés, and deliberate ignorance Read Full Article at RT.com

The president has argued his drug-pricing initiative ‘should win us the midterms.’ Experts say its impact could be positive but limited.

«Pollution is a legacy problem resulting from the negligence of previous governments. If we look at pollution only from the perspective that the air should be clean, we will not get results. You have to work on dust, air and water together, with a holistic vision,» she said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Malaysia on February 7-8 to strengthen ties and expand cooperation under a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He will hold bilateral talks with PM Anwar Ibrahim, review key sectors like trade and defense, and address the Indian community. The visit aims to deepen engagement with the ASEAN region and boost business ties.

Protests erupted in Manipur's Churachandpur district following MLA Nemcha Kipgen's appointment as deputy chief minister, leading to clashes. Demonstrators set fire to discarded materials and hurled stones at security forces who responded with a baton charge. Two individuals sustained minor injuries, and additional forces have been deployed to manage the tense situation.

the Delhi CM asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led administration prioritised policy decisions and accountability after forming government on February 20, 2025.

This briefing examines the role of biomethane and bioethanol in Europe’s energy transition, focusing on where these fuels are produced, their end-uses, and how policy frameworks shape their uptake. Biomethane, a renewable gas that can be injected into existing gas grids and is mainly used in heating and transport, and bioethanol, a renewable liquid fuel with a relevant role in road transport and industrial applications, rely on different feedstocks, technologies and infrastructures. Yet, both offer near-term decarbonisation options using existing energy systems. This briefing distinguishes between established and emerging production pathways, including advanced biofuels, and assesses their respective maturity and deployment challenges, with the aim of identifying policy and market conditions that enable stable, scalable and sustainable supply across the EU, its Member States, and the UK. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health at the request of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a multiannual financial framework (MFF) regulation for 2028 to 2034, together with a proposal for an interinstitutional agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission (IIA), which would set the provisions governing cooperation on the budget. These texts define spending priorities and expenditure ceilings and set budgetary rules for 2028 to 2034. The Commission proposes a budget of €1.76 trillion (2025 prices) or 1.26 % of the EU's gross national income (GNI). This includes €149.3 billion (0.11 % EU GNI) for repayment of the Next Generation EU debt. It proposes a shift in spending priorities, from traditional policies such as the common agricultural policy or cohesion towards competitiveness, security and defence. It drastically changes the budgetary structure, motivated by an intention to increase flexibility in EU funding. Parliament's MFF co-rapporteurs' (Siegfried Mureșan (EPP, Romania) and Carla Tavares (S&D, Portugal)) draft interim report demands a €1.93 trillion budget (1.38 % of EU GNI), a 10 % increase compared to the Commission proposal. Excluding the €149.3 billion for the repayment of NGEU-related debt, which should be treated separately from EU programme funding, would leave €1.78 trillion (1.27 % of EU GNI) for financing EU policies. Parliament is set to analyse the proposed structure and governance to ensure full democratic scrutiny and transparency of EU spending and Parliament's full involvement in budgetary decisions. It intends to adopt an interim report in May 2026, which will serve as its negotiating position for the Article 312 TFEU consent procedure. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Tristan Roberts, 18, appeared at Mold Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to murdering Angela Shellis on October 24 last year.

Caitlin Powell, 20, plotted the cover-up with her then-partner, Aaron Newsome, 24, after Boss 'jumped up' and mauled the 26-day-old infant's left foot in Skelmersdale, Lancashire.

Hillary Clinton is demanding that her forthcoming testimony before the US House Oversight Committee about ties to deceased pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein be public.

The collision happened shortly after 12.30pm, prompting a major emergency response as the area was sealed off.