Singapore has launched a government-backed dating platform aimed at helping young single public officers meet potential partners. Called FirstDate, the platform is currently operating as a pilot and is open to single public officers between the ages of 21 and 35. Participants use Singapore’s Singpass digital identity system to verify their identities before joining. The…
Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, has told the United Nations that the country is taking greater control of its natural resources, declaring that the era in which Niger’s wealth was managed elsewhere is coming to an end. Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, Zeine highlighted Niger’s…
Malaysia’s passport has climbed to second place globally in the 2026 Passport Index Global Passport Power Rank, sharing the position with Singapore. The ranking, published by Arton Capital’s Passport Index, places the United Arab Emirates in first position with a mobility score of 182. Malaysia and Singapore follow jointly in second with scores of 175….
Italy has completed the withdrawal of its military personnel from Iraq, bringing an end to a 12-year military deployment in the country. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto announced on Tuesday that the final personnel, who had remained in Iraq to recover and transfer logistical equipment, had returned home. The withdrawal was completed ahead of a…
Nigeria’s National Assembly has announced plans to translate federal laws into Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and other indigenous languages as part of a broader effort to make legislative information more accessible to the public. Henry Nwawuba, Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, disclosed the plan in Abuja during the opening of the 2026…
A Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber has crashed in the Amur region of Russia’s Far East, killing six members of its seven-person crew, according to Russian authorities. The aircraft crashed on Tuesday, September 29, during a reported training flight in the Amur region, which borders China. Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed the deaths, while reports said the…
Burkina Faso has inaugurated its first gold refinery as the West African country seeks to process more of its mineral resources domestically and retain greater value from its gold industry. President Ibrahim Traoré officially opened the RAFFINOR-BF refinery in the capital, Ouagadougou, on September 28, 2026. The facility marks a new step in the government’s…
Uber has expanded its services beyond traditional ride-hailing with the launch of Uber Safari in Nairobi, Kenya, allowing users to book guided wildlife experiences through the same app they use to request rides. The service was introduced in September 2025 as a limited pilot covering Nairobi National Park. Uber described it as a way for…
Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney has become the subject of speculation about a possible conversion to Judaism after she was reportedly seen attending Rosh Hashanah services with her boyfriend, music executive Scooter Braun. The Euphoria and The White Lotus star was reportedly spotted with Braun at a synagogue in Greenwich, Connecticut, during Rosh Hashanah earlier this…
The Federal Government of Nigeria is in discussions with the World Bank over three proposed financing facilities worth a combined $1.5 billion, even as the country’s total public debt climbed to ₦166.79 trillion by the end of June 2026. The proposed financing consists of three separate $500 million facilities aimed at supporting climate resilience, social…
