The weather forecast for the weekend is looking very promising, with mild and pleasant conditions expected across the country through Tuesday.

The Supreme Court has instructed the West Bengal government to disburse 25% Dearness Allowance (DA) to its employees within three months, marking an interim decision in the ongoing dispute over DA parity with central government employees. This directive follows a 2022 Calcutta High Court ruling that aimed to align state DA payments with the central rate.

A hypothetical US withdrawal from NATO would cost European members $1 trillion over 25 years, according to a British think tank Read Full Article at RT.com

Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. Over 17,900 people caught for use and possession of vapes since January 2024 More than 17,900 people were caught for possession and use of e-vaporisers between January 2024 and March 2025, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said in a joint statement on Friday (May 16)... » READ MORE 2. 'His criticism has no effect on me': Quan Yi Fong responds to Addy Lee's accusations

At 17, he was a gang leader and lived a life of violence and drugs. For a decade, he went in and out of prison for a series of crimes including drug abuse and extortion. Now 46, Kim Whye Kee is an artist and volunteers in the community. He discovered an unexpected passion for pottery during the final months of his incarceration and pursued a degree in Fine Arts at LASALLE College of the Arts after his release in 2008. In 2016, Kim founded Qi Pottery, specialising in tea wares, and has amassed over 11,000 followers on his Instagram page. Today, he volunteers with the Industrial and Services Co-operative Society Limited, offering mentorship to individuals facing drug-related struggles. «I decided to change when I started to give back.»

The British High Commission in Vanuatu, in partnership with the BBC, yesterday donated advanced media equipment to Vanuatu Trading Post Limited.

The Minister of Justice, Job Andy, has formally instructed President Nikenike Vurobaravu to revoke Order No. 88, which commuted the sentences of mass detainees.

The Government of Vanuatu has introduced the Foreign Services (Amendment) Act No. of 2025, aimed at improving the leadership structure within the nation’s overseas diplomatic missions.

Ten out of twenty officers initially shortlisted for a United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Mission training have had their nominations withdrawn and replaced, prompting allegations of nepotism and procedural irregularities within the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) and Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF).

The Minister of Internal Affairs has confirmed that proposed amendments to Vanuatu’s laws will ensure that the issuing of diplomatic passports aligns with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Kiev often relied on unreliable foreign contractors, and widespread graft also played a role, the report claims Read Full Article at RT.com

Sergey Lavrov has emphasized the group’s growing role, its appeal to the Global South, and the central role of women in driving innovation Read Full Article at RT.com

Representatives of Kiev and Moscow are holding their first direct negotiations since 2022 Read Full Article at RT.com

The push is reportedly inspired by US Senator Lindsey Graham, who proposed slapping 500% tariffs on Russian exports Read Full Article at RT.com

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday accused opposition politicians, lawmakers, regional leaders, and former heads of state of obstructing the country’s transition to a one-person, one-vote electoral system, warning that reverting to indirect elections could lead to renewed instability.

Mogadishu (HOL) – The Chairman of Somalia's National Electoral Commission, Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan, announced on Thursday a one-month extension of the voter registration period for local council elections in the Banadir region.

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 16th

Russia has never been the first to escalate things, Russian Ambassador to France Alexey Meshkov stressed

According to Dmitry Peskov, the president receives all information online

The US president suggested that the world would become much safer within two or three weeks

Hardeep Singh Puri emphasized that Russia, much like the former Soviet Union, has always been an extremely attractive destination for Indian businesses

To many in the U.S., thinking of Donald Trump evokes an automatic rage-filled response, some call this 'Trump Derangement Syndrome,' and now Congress wants it studied.

Torben Hersborg, 63, was arrested and charged in December last year after being caught recording female university students as they got undressed.

Roman Lavrynovych, 21, from Sydenham in south London, had been charged last night by Scotland Yard with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

ALISON BOSHOFF: The much-hyped launch of With Love, Meghan on Netflix was quickly followed by confusion over which friends, exactly, the Duchess was inviting over to share the love.

In an update this morning, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said they were 'mourning the loss' of two colleagues killed in the blaze.

Libya’s DSA has reported that its deputy commander was targeted while engaging with protesters in the capital amid deadly clashes Read Full Article at RT.com

Sen. John Fetterman increasingly goes it alone, worrying some fellow Democrats as they struggle to push back against Trump and retake the majority.

President Donald Trump’s first major international trip of his second term winds down with events in the United Arab Emirates.

Arab foreign ministers outlined the agenda for the 34th Arab League Summit set for Saturday in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, placing the Palestinian cause at the forefront of key issues and initiatives, Iraqi government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi said Thursday.