VD Satheesan has been appointed the new Kerala chief minister. The Congress party announced his selection after a period of deliberation. Satheesan, a lawyer and social worker with a strong legislative background, previously served as the leader of the opposition, guiding the party's resurgence.

[GroundUp] 92% of clothing manufacturers in Newcastle do not comply with Bargaining Council rules, says the council's lawyer

[allAfrica]

[allAfrica]

Trump praised China’s leader and emphasized their personal bond as both sides sought to steady relations despite tensions over Iran, trade and global power.

[HRW] Killing, Rape, Abductions by Rwanda-Backed Armed Group in Uvira

Powerful thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds have claimed at least 89 lives across Uttar Pradesh. The devastating storms, which lasted for hours, also injured 53 people and killed 114 animals. Widespread destruction of homes and property was reported, with collapsing walls and falling trees being the primary causes of fatalities.

After days of intense consultations, the Congress has chosen VD Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala. The announcement follows the Congress-led UDF's decisive victory in the state elections, ending the Left Democratic Front's second consecutive term. Satheesan emerged as the preferred candidate over KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to deliver his vision to transform Canada's electricity sector with the ambitious goal of doubling the nation's electricity grid, sources tell CBC News.

After his father was injured in a crash along the Tampines Expressway (TPE) on May 3, a man took to Facebook to thank the strangers who stopped to help and ensured that he received medical attention.The 71-year-old was involved in a traffic accident along the TPE towards Seletar Expressway (SLE) when another vehicle crashed into the van he was driving. Expressing his gratitude in that Facebook post on Wednesday (May 13), Lee wrote: «He was hurt. He couldn’t reach for his phone to call for help. He couldn’t tell anyone where he was, or that his children needed to know.» A group of motorcyclists then pulled over and called an ambulance. One rider, Chris, called Lee's sister, who then contacted Lee. Lee, who was in Malaysia at the time then subsequently made his way to the hospital his dad was in, adding that Chris' help in speaking to his father and taking photos of the incident reassured him that his dad, while injured, was «being looked after». 

Two Singaporean men accused of corruption offences involving priority cargo handling at Keppel Distripark were charged in court on Thursday (May 14).Puchikarupiah Tamil Selvan, 56, is said to have received bribes on more than 10 occasions from 38-year-old Suresh Nagaraj, a director at logistics transport company Islandwide Truckers.The 56-year-old, who works as a forklift driver at Hup Soon Cheong Services, allegedly received gratifications totalling about $170 from Suresh. This was allegedly given to Tamil as a reward for prioritising the unloading of cargoes from Suresh's lorry, despite there being other lorry drivers in the queue, thereby advancing Suresh's business interests.In a news release on Thursday, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said the duo each faces three charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act.«Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption,» CPIB said.A person convicted of corruption can be jailed for up to five years, or fined up to $100,000, or both.[[nid:735773]]editor@asiaone.com 

A female Chinese national accused of offering a $100 bribe to a Health Sciences Authority (HSA) officer was charged in court on Thursday (May 14).Wang Siling, 35, is said to have offered the bribe to a HSA investigation officer in exchange for his help to refrain from taking enforcement action against her and her husband. She is on a social visit pass to Singapore.They had allegedly imported unregistered medical devices for exhibition purposes at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, while on a social visit pass here.The offence allegedly took place on April 22 this year.In a news release on Thursday, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said the HSA officer rejected the bribe and referred the matter to them.«Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption,» CPIB said.A person convicted of corruption can be jailed for up to five years, or fined up to $100,000, or both.[[nid:731116]]editor@asiaone.com

[RFI] French President Emmanuel Macron says he is proud of how France's relationships with countries in Africa have evolved under his leadership. Speaking to RFI at the close of the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi, Kenya, he hailed progress towards a «partnership of equals».

[Dabanga] Nairobi -- French President Emmanuel Macron has described the situation in Sudan as «mass crimes, war crimes, and a catastrophic humanitarian situation,» while avoiding the term «genocide,» considering that to be a matter for historians and judges. Macron called the belligerents «warlords dividing the country.»

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- Lawyers representing the National Assembly have defended the impeachment process against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, dismissing claims that he was denied an opportunity to defend himself.

A father in Rajasthan allegedly scanned a handwritten NEET UG 2026 question paper, turning it into PDFs for aspirants. This development follows the NTA's cancellation of the exam, impacting numerous medical hopefuls. Investigators are probing how the paper was accessed and circulated, with some students reportedly paying substantial sums for leaked material.

Businesses in Singapore should look towards giving back to their communities, and VolunteerInc is a new programme that will allow them to do so in a more targeted manner, said Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo.Neo, who co-chairs the Economic Strategy Review (ESR) committee on human capital, launched VolunteerInc and encouraged businesses to look beyond workforce development on the second day of the Singapore Business Federation's (SBF) Future Economy Conference on Thursday (May 14).VolunteerInc is SBF's corporate volunteering programme, established through a strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and enabled by the SBF Foundation. This programme will help companies to design, start and sustain meaningful corporate volunteering through a structured framework in an «easier and more impactful» way.«VolunteerInc will reduce these constraints by connecting businesses with suitable volunteer opportunities tailored to their size, interests, and capabilities,» he said, highlighting Cook Medical as a business that has benefitted from the programme's volunteer matching.

Several taxi drivers in Malaysia have raised concerns about the growing number of passengers attempting to use cross-border rides to smuggle contraband and other illegal items into Singapore.The New Straits Times (NST) reported on Wednesday (May 13) that some of these drivers felt helpless over their limited ability to intervene and the loss of income while being held in detention, despite knowing they would eventually be released.On April 3, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) arrested a 28-year-old Singaporean passenger after officers found 26 packets of contraband cigarettes and 40 vapes in the taxi driven by a 70-year-old Malaysian driver.The Malaysian man, with two passengers aged 28 and 72, was profiled and directed for enhanced checks. He was reportedly released later.Speaking to NST, 56-year-old Siew Toh, who frequently ferries passengers across the Causeway, said: «We don't have any law that allows us to check passengers' bags. We just drive.»

Le conseil de perfectionnement du régiment du service militaire adapté en Polynésie française (RSMA-Pf) s’est réuni ce mercredi pour faire le bilan de 2025 et annoncer les nouvelles offres de formation pour les prochains mois. Le nombre de stagiaires formés à la sécurité va doubler d’ici un an, en vue des Jeux du Pacifique 2027.

À Moorea, le Fare Moetini, qui accueille des enfants en situation de handicap, vient d’obtenir une labellisation en santé. Une reconnaissance officielle décrochée après plus d’un an de travail et d’actions collectives. Sur place, près de six éducateurs accompagnent au quotidien une vingtaine d’enfants.

L'organisation des épreuves de natation cristallise les tensions autour de l'accueil des Jeux du Pacifique 2027. La piscine de Tipaerui est la seule option proposée par le Pays et les autorités locales doivent rencontrer le Conseil des Jeux du Pacifique vendredi pour faire valider cette proposition. Les bassins de Mamao tombent donc aux oubliettes. Est-ce un mal pour un bien pour les finances du Pays ?

NATO’s chief has reportedly asked member states to allocate 0.25% of their GDP to aid for Ukraine Read Full Article at RT.com

US President Donald Trump is meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing Read Full Article at RT.com

Delcy Rodriguez noted that negotiations with the United States and European countries include issues of lifting sanctions off Venezuela’s production sector

The venue has not yet been chosen, Secretary General of the World Peoples Assembly Andrey Belyaninov said

US Secretary of State also stressed that Donald Trump's team stands prepared to facilitate a diplomatic end of the war

Marco Rubio recalled that the US pays « two thirds of the bill»

The two leaders began their talks with discussing bilateral and international issues