SINGAPORE  — Despite being blocked in Singapore since late 2024, a gambling platform that allows users to place bets on future events remains accessible here through alternative means.Checks by The Straits Times show that Polymarket has seen a surge in bets related to the Republic in recent weeks, with punters staking their money on, for instance, Singapore’s daily temperature since March 13.In April, an average of more than US100,000 (S$127,000) was wagered each day, as users bought “yes” or “no” shares tied to a specific temperature.On April 17, nearly US$125,000 had been wagered by the 8pm deadline. Most people had bet that the daily mercury would read 33 deg C at its hottest.Those who bet correctly receive payouts in cryptocurrency. In this case, the payouts are credited daily.According to information on its website, the subjects of the bets are selected by the platform’s markets team, after taking into account input from users.Polymarket’s website says users in Singapore are not allowed to place bets because of geographical restrictions and regulations. 

About 80 residents were evacuated from a condominium in Choa Chu Kang after a fire broke out on Sunday (April 19) morning.In a video shared on Xiaohongshu on the same day, residents are seen gathered on the ground floor as thick smoke billows from the building.In the caption, the user noted that the elevators were out of service, requiring residents to use the stairs to evacuate. The user also reminded residents to be cautious when charging devices overnight.Speaking to 8world, a resident at the condominium said she heard sirens at around 8.15am, with fire engines and ambulances arriving shortly after.«When we came downstairs, we saw very thick black smoke coming out of the windows. At around 8.30am, firefighters came down to check if anyone was injured,» she said.«By then, the smoke had subsided and residents from the other blocks were allowed to return.»Responding to queries from AsiaOne, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said it was alerted to a fire at 60 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 5 at about 8.05am. 

Western Bureau: Young Jamaicans are being urged to harness their creative ideas so that they can develop the skills needed to shape the future of Jamaica’s tourism. Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism, noted last Thursday that students play a crucial role in generating the ideas that will drive the next phase of tourism development. Bartlett was speaking at the Jamaica Youth Tourism Summit & Artisan Experience, which was hosted by the western campus of The University of the West Indies, and held under the theme, ‘Jamaica Wi Cyaa Dun: Resilient Tourism Roots’.

Parents of a child diagnosed with either Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or autism often face a range of emotions in dealing with the impacts of the situation. In terms of autism, some parents experience fear as they are uncertain about the child’s future and safety, while others may experience shame or guilt because of the social stigma attached and the reaction of people in general.

WESTERN BUREAU: Deputy Superintendent of Police Linroy Edwards, the operations officer for the St James Police Division, says that while the 20 murders recorded in St James this year is one more than the corresponding period last year, the police remain fully committed to keeping the murder tally low. Edwards, who was speaking during a press briefing in Montego Bay on Friday, disclosed that the St James police have also strengthened their operating capacity with the addition of 31 personnel, five motorcycles, and three pickup vehicles.

Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate Donna Scott-Mottley is urging the Government to put stronger safeguards in place to protect vulnerable Jamaicans as the country moves to grant three casino licences under its integrated resort development model. Contributing to debate in the Upper House on Friday on the Casino Gaming (General) Regulations, 2025, Scott-Mottley warned that gambling is an industry that often exploits human vulnerability and can lead to addiction.

When Courtney Anderson went to court last Thursday, the last thing he expected was that the judge would order his arrest, have him jailed, and place a stop order against him.

Indian Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake have held talks on an oil pipeline Read Full Article at RT.com

[Premium Times] Recurring wildlife collisions with aircraft are exposing environmental and operational gaps across Nigerian airports and testing aviation safety systems.

[allAfrica]

[allAfrica]

Pope Leo XIV has downplayed his feud with US President Donald Trump over his Iran war remarks Read Full Article at RT.com

The EU will find ways to unlock funds for Ukraine regardless of who holds power in Hungary, the Kremlin has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Western leaders are too dependent on wealthy donors and focused on enriching themselves, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says Read Full Article at RT.com

À Papeete, 757 personnes ont dormi dans la rue en 2023. Une centaine y vit encore au quotidien, malgré les dispositifs d'accueil existants. Parmi eux, le centre de Fare Ute, installé dans un hangar depuis décembre 2024 et géré par l'association Te Torea.

Horrifying footage has emerged showing the moment a car ploughed into pedestrians in central London - leaving one woman fighting for her life.

The CBI has arrested a senior DGCA official and a private company representative for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakhs. The official, a deputy director general, was accused of demanding undue advantage for issuing approvals. Searches at four locations led to the seizure of Rs 37 lakhs in cash, gold, silver coins, and digital devices.

Young Indians are facing a silent threat to their liver health from excessive energy drink consumption. Specialists report a surge in liver dysfunction cases among youth, linked to these beverages, alcohol, and sugary drinks. Experts warn of potential long-term damage like fatty liver disease, emphasizing the need for lifestyle changes and reduced intake.

A new study reveals that even a slight increase in blood pressure during your 30s significantly raises heart disease risk decades later. Researchers found a 20-22% higher risk for every 10 mm Hg systolic rise, even at normal levels. Experts emphasize early lifestyle interventions, not medication, for prevention.

A passenger finally recovered her missing earring after two weeks thanks to the unwavering persistence of the Kovan MRT station staff.In a Facebook post on Sunday (April 19), SBS Transit shared details of the incident which occurred earlier in March when a passenger dropped her earring while on the escalator at Kovan MRT station.The passenger reported the missing earring to the assistant station manager, De Torres Jose Ma Paz, who immediately stopped the escalator and carried out a thorough check to help find it.De Torres was unable to find the earring and told the passenger that it likely fell into an area under the escalator that could only be accessed during maintenance works.He assured her that he would personally follow up with the maintenance team and keep her updated.It was only two weeks later that a contractor spotted the earring during a maintenance check, which prompted De Torres to contact the passenger with the good news.«I always aim to serve every commuter to the best of my ability and be helpful to everyone,» he said. 

Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) on Friday (April 17) inked a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC) to enhance nuclear safety capabilities.In a media release on Monday, NEA said a new training programme will be designed under the MOC to develop nuclear safety capabilities and regulatory understanding for NEA and its newly formed nuclear safety division.Responding to parliamentary questions on deployment timeframe, potential sites and nuclear safety-related concerns from Members of Parliament on November 6, 2025, Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology Dr Tan See Leng said dedicated nuclear energy teams have been established at both the Energy Market Authority and NEA. The Singapore government, he added then, has not made a decision on deploying nuclear energy, and is instead focusing on safety and viability considerations.

Trinamool Congress criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his jhalmuri break in Jhargram, alleging it caused Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren to be denied chopper landing and return without campaigning for Mamata Banerjee. The party accused Modi of displaying an anti-Adivasi mindset and humiliating elected leaders, claiming his actions prioritized photo opportunities over democratic rights.

So just who is Mr Pike? The Daily Mail set out to answer this question and found that for one who has so doggedly avoided the limelight Robie Uniacke is quite the colourful character.

BBC bosses are said to be holding Strictly Come Dancing presenting auditions this week as eight frontrunners are set to battle it out. 

Longtime Trump ally turned nemesis Marjorie Taylor Greene raised questions about the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The IDF says it is investigating a soldier photographed hitting a statue of Jesus Christ with a hammer in southern Lebanon Read Full Article at RT.com

Pope Leo XIV downplays feud with Trump over Iran war remarks Read Full Article at RT.com

As Mamata Banerjee seeks a fourth straight term, SIR — which has deleted or put under adjudication one in 10 of the state’s voters — has eclipsed incumbency, recasting Bengal’s election as a struggle over identity and exclusion

Samuel Smith took Hertfordshire Police to the High Court after a dozen officers arrived at his home, carried out an unlawful search and wrongfully detained him.

Singaporeans can focus on the practical things within their control when responding to the impact from the ongoing Middle East conflict — now in its eighth week, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.SM Lee was speaking at Teck Ghee constituency's education merit award present ceremony held at Ang Mo Kio Primary School on Saturday (April 18), where he assured Singaporeans that the Government is prepared to do more if the situation worsens.«In times like this, we have to watch what is happening in the world. But there is no point getting anxious about things which are beyond our control. »As the saying goes, keep calm and carry on. Focus on the practical things that each of us can do to respond to the situation and make ourselves more secure, and to help one another," he said.Among the practical measures suggested by SM Lee were simple actions such as switching off lights when not required, noting that energy costs have gone up due to fuel scarcity, resulting in costlier household electricity bills.