[allAfrica]

[allAfrica]

Four men and one woman have been arrested for suspected drug offences, with 1,284 vape pods and nine vapes containing etomidate seized, according to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on Monday (March 2). Additionally, $243,451.35 in cash, small amounts of foreign currencies, high luxury watches and three vehicles were also confiscated. CNB revealed that the arrests took place on Feb 25 and 26, with the former taking place after the bureau received information on a 36-year-old Singaporean man in the vicinity of Bedok North that placed him as a suspect of drug-related offences. He put up a violent struggle and necessary force was used to restrain him, CNB stated. 50 vape pods believed to contain etomidate, also known as Kpods, were seized. A 29-year-old Singaporean man was later arrested that same evening at the junction of Sembawang Road and Mandai Avenue for suspected drug-related offences. He was escorted by officers to a unit in a self-storage facility near Woodlands Close, where 1,084 Kpods were uncovered. His vehicle was also seized. 

The Government is reviewing whether safeguards on online video games are needed, said Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam on Monday (Mar 2).At the Committee of Supply debates in Parliament, Rahayu acknowledged that «many» parents are worried about their child's digital activities.«Children are amongst the most active digital users, and many parents are stretched thin as they juggle monitoring their children's digital usage with other commitments,» she said.Some concerns cited by parents regarding online video games are the exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and screen addiction.«We recognise these concerns and are studying whether safeguards on online video games are needed,» said Rahayu.She shared that the Government is also mindful of other online services that may pose a threat to online safety, including AI.Earlier during the debate, Workers' Party MP He Ting Ru had raised the issue of AI chatbot Grok generating non-consensual intimate images, as well as a previous incident where Singapore students allegedly generated deepfake nude photos of their schoolmates.

Trust and like-minded partners matter more than ever in an increasingly complex and dangerous world, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. He was speaking at a joint press conference with South Korea President Lee Jae-myung on Monday morning (March 2), after the two leaders held a delegation meeting. The South Korean president is on a three-day state visit to Singapore, following PM Wong's official visit in November 2025. During that visit, Singapore and South Korea elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership and inked eight agreements. 

By the end of 2027, all Wi-Fi routers will have to meet higher security standards before they can be sold to Singapore households.This means manufacturers must ensure their products are equipped with stronger security measures, including secure communications and authentication mechanisms, said Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How on Monday (Mar 2).Speaking at the Committee of Supply debates in Parliament, SMS Tan said threat actors have been observed to be using more advanced techniques to exploit home routers.A global operation in 2025, which Singapore's Cyber Security Agency (CSA) took part in, found about 2,700 devices in Singapore were infected with malicious software.«When such personal devices are hacked, citizens' privacy can be compromised and their daily activities disrupted. These devices can also be unknowingly hijacked to launch attacks against others,» he noted.

Narendra Modi has conveyed the government’s concerns about the safety of the Indian community in the Gulf Read Full Article at RT.com

US Senator Lindsey Graham has called for any unfriendly Iranian leader to be killed Read Full Article at RT.com

The Ministry of Home Affairs has alerted states to potential tensions due to the Iran conflict, urging vigilance against inflammatory religious gatherings and radical preachers. Authorities are monitoring individuals and groups to prevent unrest, with precautionary measures already implemented in Jammu and Kashmir following protests over the killing of Iran's supreme leader.

Escalating Middle East tensions following US-Israel strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliation have led to widespread flight cancellations and airspace closures across several Gulf nations. Major hubs like Dubai and Doha are affected, with thousands of passengers stranded as airlines divert or suspend services, impacting travel between continents

Prime Minister Narendra Modi voiced deep concern over the escalating Middle East situation. This follows significant military action by the United States and Israel against Iran. The strikes led to the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. India will work with regional nations to ensure the safety of its citizens.

More than 1,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents (PR) are set to benefit from civil legal advice when the income threshold is raised later this year, announced the Ministry of Law. At the ministry's Committee of Supply debate on Monday (March 2), Minister for Law Edwin Tong announced that means test criteria will be raised to a per capita household income (PCHI) threshold of $1,650, up from $1,050. The minister said the move is part of his ministry's efforts to enhance access to justice, thereby ensuring that those most in need can have access to the legal system. «This would cover more households, allowing them to benefit from legal advice in the appropriate cases,» Tong added.Speaking after Tong, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Law Eric Chua said: «This could benefit up to 1,000 more Singapore citizens and permanent residents annually.» According to the Ministry of Law, about half of the litigants for civil matters within the expanded income percentile range remain unrepresented. The ministry said the move will be implemented later in 2026.

Key tourism precincts in Singapore, including Sentosa and Orchard Road, will be redeveloped to strengthen the Republic's attractiveness to international visitors, said Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry Alvin Tan.Remaining attractive to international visitors through quality tourism is key to helping local businesses weather uncertainty, said Tan during the Committee of Supply debates in Parliament on Monday (March 2).«We are expanding our reach in segments and markets that can drive higher tourism returns, and working with our industry to create more exciting and distinctive experiences,» he said.

As Singapore pushes to transform its economy into one that is more digital and innovation driven, the issue of energy security has become an existential one. This has led the country to «seriously study» the potential of advanced nuclear energy technologies, said Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Dr Tan See Leng. Dr Tan, who is also Minister for Manpower, spoke about Singapore's energy transition for a low-carbon future, while securing its energy resilience, at the Ministry of Trade and Industry's (MTI) Committee of Supply debate on Monday (March 2).«As demand grows and as we decarbonise, the Government will continue to strike a pragmatic balance between energy sustainability, security, and affordability.»Decarbonisation will come with costs, but cannot and will not be at all costs," Dr Tan said. Nuclear energy can be 'safe, reliable, and cost-competitive'The minister provided the House with an update on the progress of Singapore's solar and low-carbon alternatives efforts. 

[New Times] The latest reports of aerial bombardments by the Kinshasa regime targeting civilian-populated areas in eastern DR Congo should alarm not only the region, but the entire international community. The AFC/M23 rebel group has vowed to defend civilians against what it describes as terror orchestrated by the regime in Kinshasa.

[New Times] Gospel singer Alexis Dusabe has dismissed rumours suggesting that his upcoming concert in Brussels, Belgium, could be disrupted following reports that the initial promoter had pulled out. The artiste has reaffirmed that the show will proceed as scheduled.

[New Times] The Rwanda National Police has raised alarm over the deadly impact of illicit alcohol in Eastern Province, revealing that toxic brews have killed at least 20 people and left 300 others battling severe vision complications within a year.

[New Times] For Olivier Nyabyenda, a farmer in Karambo Village, Butare Sector, Rusizi District, the heavy rain is always a source of worry. Two weeks ago, a heavy hailstorm swept through his 25 acres of cassava trees and left his family facing poor food access.

[This Day] Chinedu Eze

Donald Trump has promised to 'avenge' American troops killed in the Iran war in his second address to the nation in 48 hours.

La Finlande a affirmé, dimanche, qu' »une autonomie véritable sous souveraineté marocaine pourrait constituer une solution des plus réalisables » pour le règlement de la question du Sahara marocain. Cette position a été exprimée dans un Communiqué conjoint adopté à Rabat à l'issue de la rencontre entre le ministre des Affaires étrangères, de la Coopération africaine et des Marocains résidant à l'étranger, M. Nasser Bourita, et la ministre finlandaise des Affaires étrangères, Mme. Elina (...) - COOPERATION / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

La coordination du Sommet des Jeunes Leaders du Gabon sur le VIH/SIDA a effectué une nouvelle mission de prospection dans la province de la Nyanga, marquant une étape décisive dans l'organisation de ce grand rendez-vous national. Initialement prévu du 26 au 28 février 2026, le Sommet se tiendra finalement du 12 au 14 août 2026, en cohérence avec la Journée internationale de la jeunesse, célébrée chaque 12 août sous l'égide des Nations Unies. Ce report stratégique vise à renforcer la (...) - SOCIETE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Pour Trump, l'ayatollah Ali Khamenei est l'une des personnes les plus diaboliques de l'Histoire. Ce dernier serait décédé le samedi 28 février 2026 au cours des frappes menées par des armées israéliennes et américaines sur l'Iran. Le guide de la révolution iranienne serait passé de vie à trépas lors de l'offensive menée sur son pays. Le président américain n'a pas tardé à confirmer au monde entier la mort de celui qu'il a qualifié de «diabolique». L'ayatollah Ali Khamenei est mort, vive (...) - INTERNATIONAL / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

If you asked Alice Drysdale Stewart, who achieved the milestone of 100 years on February 19, how she is feeling, her first utterance would cheerfully be, “I feel good as a 15-year-old!” On February 21, during the weekend celebration of her birthday at The Little Copa in Bull Bay, St Andrew, the centenarian joyfully told The Gleaner in an interview, “Everything good for me. I don’t have no complaint.

AP: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sold itself to foreigners for years as a sunny, safe, tax-free oasis. That peaceful image was shattered Saturday as Iranian weaponry rained down on Dubai, setting fire to a five-star resort, threatening the world’s tallest building, and killing one person and injuring seven others at the airport in the capital city of Abu Dhabi.

St Ann Custos Joseph Issa’s ‘Custos Commando’ initiative reached a new level last Thursday with the launch of the Centenarian Story Telling Project, a brainchild of Cienna Smith, a lawyer by profession and one of several Custos Commandos. The project was launched at Bamboo Blu in Mammee Bay and featured Miss Agnes Johnson, a 101-year-old St Thomas native, born August 24, 1924, who made Mile End in St Ann her home several decades ago.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC): At least three Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have expressed concern at the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East after the United States (US) and Israel launched military attacks on Iran that resulted in missile attacks by Iran directed at the territories of the United Arab Emirates and other sovereign States in the Gulf. The US and Israel on Saturday carried out a series of strikes citing “threats” from Iran, which responded with volleys of missiles aimed at Gulf states that host US bases, and at Israel.

Residents of Denham Town in west Kingston received a massive upgrade of street lights in the community last week, a move some residents welcomed but believed came a little too late following the murder of three-year-old Jace Pinnock and his father two weeks ago. The macabre slaying of the two and the wounding of Jace’s eight-year-old sibling is being noted as the tipping point – the catalyst for the erection or repair of some 40 defective and non-existent street lights that left residents in the dark and vulnerable at night.

[RFI] The number of people in Somalia experiencing crisis-levels of food insecurity has nearly doubled in the past year to 6.5 million people, UN-backed experts have warned.

India is updating its seasonal flu vaccine for the 2026-27 season to combat a rapidly spreading new A(H3N2) variant. The World Health Organization's recommendations highlight the need for this change due to the strain's increased transmissibility. Experts urge early vaccination, especially for vulnerable groups, to prevent severe illness and hospitalizations.

The truth behind the mysterious photo of Professor Stephen Hawking with two bikini-clad women found in the Epstein files can be revealed for the first time.

There are 4,000 miles and two continents separating Manchester from Pakistan, writes KHADIJA KHAN. But last week that great distance shrank to nothing in the polling booths of Gorton and Denton.

Despite conflict erupting across the region over the weekend, she appeared slow to react.

Hollywood's biggest stars descended upon the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles on Sunday for the 32nd Annual Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards.

That was not the only massive surprise for the talented star as his film, Sinners, also shocked as it earned top prize Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.