Several EU countries possess islands and insular territories. Various EU islands constitute world famous tourist destinations as they are home to considerable natural, heritage and cultural wealth. Certain islands also produce renowned agricultural products and handcrafts. However, islands also face considerable challenges. They struggle for adequate transport links with the nearest mainland. Their ecosystems are vulnerable, and natural resources are often scarce. Some of them are small and mountainous. Many are located on the periphery of a Member State, or constitute border regions, placing considerable limitations on their potential for economic growth. Islands are usually too small to allow economies of scale. They may lack human capital and possess limited public resources in health, education, research and innovation. In most cases, islands are not self-sufficient in agricultural and industrial products or tertiary-sector services. They are usually reliant on imported fossil fuels and dependent on mainland energy networks. As most products and services are transported to islands, prices are usually considerably higher, adding to the cost of living in insular territories. In recent years, the EU's southern islands have seen an influx of migrants, whilst lacking the resources needed for their accommodation and integration. However, although the state of insularity creates many problems, various studies suggest that islands can become 'lands of opportunities' by investing in their relative strengths. Solar, sea and wind energy opportunities can be explored to create sustainable energy communities. Tourism, agriculture and fisheries, as well as the high quality of life that many EU islands offer, in combination with the digitalisation of work bring more opportunities for their growth. Recent geopolitical uncertainties have also elevated the strategic role of islands, as many of them are based in strategic locations and host important military bases. The European Commission has declared that it will present in the near future a strategy on islands and coastal territories, as well as an updated strategy on outermost regions, which include insular territories. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On 3 February 2026, the European Commission adopted the first delegated regulation supplementing the Union certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products with its first methodology for certification. Covering permanent carbon removals, the methodology paves the way for three types of removal activities to become EU certified: direct air capture with carbon storage (DACCS); biogenic emissions capture with carbon storage (BioCCS); and biochar carbon removal (BCR). With permanent carbon removals due to play a role in the post-2030 climate policy frameworks, the potential release in late 2026 or 2027 of EU certified carbon removal units is an important step. From the Commission's adoption of the delegated regulation, a two-month period starts, during which the European Parliament and the Council can object to the text. Parliament's Committee on the Environment Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) considered two motions for a resolution to object to the delegated act. Neither were successful. With no objection from the Council, the delegated regulation is awaiting publication in the Official Journal; it will enter into force 20 days after publication. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Alireza Sheikh warned the United States and Israel, saying that Iran’s Armed Forces would «undoubtedly retaliate if the enemy attempts any new operation»

The new meeting of the two countries' delegations is expected to take place at the end of this week or the beginning of next week, the sources specified

According to Pavel Kuznetsov, this practice has already raised legitimate concerns among local residents

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 16th

Mohsen Rezaei said there are currently reasons to maintain the ceasefire and hold talks simultaneously

UN rights chief Volker Turk has backed reparations for slavery, colonialism and the enslavement of people of African descent Read Full Article at RT.com

US President Donald Trump aims to rewire oil flows away from Hormuz with Europe seen as the biggest loser, according to Tom Luongo Read Full Article at RT.com

Sergey Shein noted that Ukraine is a «problem state» for the EU

Earlier reports said power outages hit Nikolayev and the Kiev-controlled city of Kherson

According to the regulator, in February Turkey imported a total of 1.09 bln cubic meters of gas from Russia via the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines

The two countries’ leaders would hold a conversation for the first time in 34 years

Ivan Soltanovsky stressed that the Holy See could not remain indifferent to the tragedy in the Holy Land, the broader Middle East and the Persian Gulf

He looked smitten as the pair smooched on Bond Street in the capital in between their visits to luxurious boutiques including Prada.

The US is in discussions on holding a second round of talks with Iran in Islamabad, the White House has said Read Full Article at RT.com

A total of 15 power banks were confiscated from outbound travellers at Changi Airport on the first day that a new rule limiting the number of devices permitted on flights kicked in.In response to AsiaOne's queries, Changi Airport Group said that the 15 power banks were collected from the 275 flights that departed between midnight and 3pm on Wednesday (April 15).The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) had announced on April 6 that all passengers departing from Changi Airport would only be allowed a maximum of two power banks on board flights as of midnight on April 15.All passengers carrying excess power banks would be required to dispose of them before their flights, said CAAS.Power banks also have to adhere to restrictions on power capacity. Only those with capacities of up to 100Wh are allowed, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require approval from airlines in advance.

Two days after a 31-year-old Malaysian motorcyclist, who was travelling to work in Singapore, died after crashing into a lorry's rear, a photo showing a motorcyclist squeezed between a Malaysia-registered trailer and the Second Link's bridge barrier has sparked discussions on road safety.Farizatul Firdaus, a content creator from Kelantan, wrote in a Facebook post: «Imagine if there was just a small mistake...No speeding, no crashes. Just being hidden can become a tragedy.»His post, published at 9am on Thursday (April 16), received about 400 interactions in six hours and was also shared on some Johor Bahru motoring community groups.Based on the background shown in the photograph accompanying the post and the presence of cones labelled ICA (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority), the incident is likely to have happened along the Singapore-bound direction of the bridge.While it is unclear if the incident took place on Thursday, Firdaus' post has sparked a growing and spirited discussion on road safety involving motorcyclists.

Visiting the Singapore Zoo soon? Keep your eyes peeled for three new additions to the Wild Africa zone — the first-ever litter of Sri Lankan leopard cubs born here.Now over three months old, the «playful» triplets will join their mother Yala daily in the exhibit until mid-May, and subsequently every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, announced Mandai Wildlife Group on Thursday (April 16).The cubs — two males and one female — weigh around 5kg each and are often seen playfighting or curled up together, the organisation added. These behaviour help develop their social and survival skills.«The two males tend to be more laid-back, while the female is more feisty. We can already tell them apart by their demeanour and the spot patterns on their forehead, like fingerprints,» said curator Anand Kumar.The felines were given a clean bill of health after checks and have also received vaccinations against common feline diseases and deworming treatment.

There is a quiet, fragile progress in Malawi’s long battle against hunger—but beneath it lies a painful truth that refuses to go away: too many children are still growing up without enough to eat. According to the 2025 Global Hunger Index (GHI), Malawi has moved from “alarming” levels of hunger in 2000 to “serious” in […] The post Hunger Eases, But Malawi’s Children Still Paying the Price appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

A major labour standoff is unfolding in Malawi’s higher education sector as staff unions across public universities have demanded a hefty salary increment of between 50 and 60 percent effective April 2026, warning of industrial unrest, declining morale, and a deepening brain drain if government fails to act. The demand was formally communicated by Public […] The post University Staff Demand 50–60% Salary Hike as Government Scrambles, Warns of Possible Unrest appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

There are moments when development stops being about engineering and contracts—and becomes a question of trust, patience, and repeated disappointment. The stalled progress on the Mzuzu Airport Road is one of those moments. And it raises a painful, recurring question that citizens of the North are now asking louder than ever: will Mzuzu ever truly […] The post Will Mzuzu Ever Have a Modern Airport? A Loud Cry Over Broken Promises and Stalled Progress appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The ambitious Mpatamanga Hydropower Project is steadily moving through its development phase, with government officials expressing clear satisfaction over the progress made so far on what is expected to become Malawi’s largest electricity generation facility. The $1.5 billion mega project, located along the Shire River in Neno District, is designed to produce 358 megawatts (MW) […] The post Mpatamanga Power Project Takes Shape: Government Confirms Progress as Malawi Eyes Energy Breakthrough by 2030 appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Malawi’s economy is under fresh strain after the country emerged with the highest fuel prices in Africa and the second-highest globally, according to the latest data from Business Insider Africa and GlobalPetrolPrices. Petrol prices have now reached $3.847 per litre, second only to Hong Kong worldwide. The development has triggered widespread concern among households, transport […] The post Malawi Records Second-Highest Fuel Prices Globally Amid Deepening Energy Pressure appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

India’s merchandise exports rose to $38.92 billion in March, while imports fell to $59.9 billion, the government has said Read Full Article at RT.com

[allAfrica]

[allAfrica] A Chinese national, Zhang Kequn, has been sentenced to a year in prison for attempting to smuggle thousands of live queen garden ants out of Kenya.

[allAfrica]

Nearly a year after the National School Nutrition policy was approved by the Senate, and its implementation officially launched, advocates are raising concerns over the pace of its roll-out. “Our Government will write policies, but the implementation is where the challenge happens,” Shannique Bowden, executive director of the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN), asserted yesterday during a panel discussion at a forum on ‘Healthy Food Policies and Consumer Rights’ hosted by JYAN.

Western Bureau: With the nation now in one of the windows associated with the emergence of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), health officials are urging parents, caregivers, and educators to remain alert and proactive, even in the absence of confirmed cases.

Residents of Whitfield Town in St Andrew say they were left shaken and fearful early Wednesday morning after what they initially believed was an armed invasion, as explosions rang out and the sound of running boots echoed through sections of Bowens Road and Stephen Lane. At first light, it was confirmed that a planned police operation had taken place – one that left two men dead.

Courtney Anderson’s trip to the Half-Way Tree Court on Tuesday was supposed to end a 20-year wait for documents confirming the dismissal of a 1996 case against him — the final step needed to begin the expungement of his record. Instead, the man who walked in “with the confidence of a lion” left shaken “like a frightened rabbit”, empty-handed and facing a shocking revelation.