The March meeting is an apparent example of a European Council agenda dictated by external events. The meeting was originally due to focus almost exclusively on competitiveness and follow up on the informal retreat of 12 February 2026 with concrete decisions. However, with Hungary and Slovakia refusing to sign off on the EU loan for Ukraine, as well as the joint US-Israel attack on Iran, the meeting's focus is likely to shift. The main aims will now be to overcome the two-country veto on the Ukraine loan, and to define a common approach to a rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East – notably to prevent escalation, promote a diplomatic path to end the crisis and provide support to partner countries in the region, while addressing the possible impact on global energy security. In that context, the European Council will discuss the Middle East as well as multilateralism with the UN Secretary General, António Guterres. However, despite a probable change of focus, competitiveness will feature prominently in the European Council conclusions and provide a high degree of detail, probably going beyond the EU leaders' role of setting the general priorities. Other topics on the agenda are the next multiannual financial framework (MFF), European security and defence, and migration, which, due to time constraints, are expected to trigger less discussion. Following the European Council meeting, EU leaders will convene for a Euro Summit focusing on the economic situation in the EU, the international role of the euro and the savings and investment union. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

China is the top producer of urea and controls exports of the primary raw material for fertilizers under a quota system Read Full Article at RT.com

The US has temporarily suspended a Russian oil ban to cool energy markets as crude prices continue to soar after US-Israel attacks on Iran Read Full Article at RT.com

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held his fourth phone call with Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi, discussing bilateral ties and BRICS issues amidst Middle East tensions. The conversation followed recent discussions on the Strait of Hormuz and maritime security, with Iran blaming US actions for regional instability.

Iraq became the main theatre of war in the Middle East on Wednesday as one drone attack killed a French soldier in the country and another hit British special forces.

Malawi banned raw mineral exports to capture more value. It lost almost all its mining revenue instead.  In October 2025 Malawi’s president signed Executive Order No. 2, banning the export of all raw, unprocessed minerals. The stated aim was to force domestic processing and capture more value. Within months mining revenue fell 89%. The government […] The post Ban First, Build Later: Malawi’s 89% lesson appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Le nazisme n'a pas disparu en 1945. Des colonies africaines aux guerres du Moyen‑Orient, des tirailleurs mobilisés pour sauver leurs oppresseurs aux bases militaires contemporaines, l'esprit du Lebensraum continue de hanter les pratiques de domination et de prédation. Le colonialisme, matrice du génocide moderne Bien avant 1933, l'Europe avait déjà expérimenté les ressorts du génocide. En Namibie, entre 1904 et 1908, l'Allemagne extermina les Herero et les Nama dans ce que l'on (...) - LIBRE PROPOS

Le Conseil de coopération des Etats arabes du Golfe (CCG) a réitéré son soutien constant à la marocanité du Sahara et son attachement à la sécurité, à la stabilité et à l'intégrité territoriale du Royaume du Maroc, lors de la 8e réunion ministérielle conjointe Maroc-CCG tenue jeudi par visioconférence. Cette position a été exprimée par le Secrétaire général du CCG, Jassem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, en présence du ministre marocain des Affaires étrangères, de la Coopération africaine et des (...) - COOPERATION / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Libreville, le 11 mars 2026- Conformément aux Très Hautes Instructions du Président de la République, Chef de l'État, Chef du Gouvernement S.E. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, de mettre en place tous les outils institutionnels de renforcement du dialogue social et la consolidation de la représentativité syndicale au rang des priorités de l'action publique, le Vice- Président du Gouvernement a présidé la cérémonie solennelle de lancement officielle des travaux du Comité Préparatoire (...) - SOCIETE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

LIVE: Follow the latest developments on the US-Israel war with Iran as Iranian drone strike causes buildings to shake in the city's financial centre.

Massoud Shadjareh, co-founder and chair of the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), has been promoting Sunday's demonstration in Westminster to mark Al Quds Day.

The Israel-US coalition and Iran are not listening to New Delhi, Deepak Bhojwani has told RT India Read Full Article at RT.com

Ghana has said it will table a resolution at the UN in pursuit of truth, recognition and reconciliation regarding the slave trade Read Full Article at RT.com

SeedCo Malawi has contributed K10 million towards the procurement of dialysis and monitoring machines for kidney failure patients, supporting the Saulos Klaus Chilima (SKC) Foundation’s charity golf tournament on March 28, 2026, at Lilongwe Golf Club. SeedCo Malawi Finance Director Tawanda Ncube emphasized the importance of good health in economic development. “We want to assist […] The post SeedCo plants K10 million into SKC Charity golf appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has appointed Brian Banda as its new Director General, the corporation’s board has announced. In a notice issued on 12 March 2026, the board said Banda is expected to report for duties on Monday, 16 March 2026, when he will assume full executive responsibility for the management and strategic direction […] The post Brian Banda Appointed MBC Director General appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

A social media storm has erupted around the ongoing parliamentary probe into the controversial purchase of the Amaryllis Hotel, after lawyer Alexious Kamangila publicly accused the chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Baba Steven K. Malondera, of pocketing K65 million—an allegation he made without providing any evidence. The accusation surfaced on Facebook, where Kamangila […] The post Kamangila Accuses PAC Chair of Pocketing K65m—But Offers No Evidence as Malondera Fires Back appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Behind the high-profile title of the First Vice-Presidency lies a stark and unsettling reality for Justice Jane Ansah. While the public often associates such offices with opulence, the current state of the Vice-President’s official welfare is one of localized “austerity” that borders on the undignified. The recent request for a K2.42 billion additional allocation is […] The post The Silent Struggle of Veep Jane Ansah, the Second Citizen: Why the K2bn Request is a Matter of Dignity, Not Luxury appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

At least three tankers have now been hit by 'unknown projectiles', according to maritime authorities in the Strait of Hormuz. At least one person has been killed.

Even Keir Starmer must know, in his heart of hearts, that he is fooling no one as he frantically tries to distance himself from the Peter Mandelson debacle.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised Prime Minister Modi and EAM Jaishankar for engaging with Iran amidst escalating West Asian tensions. He urged a collective push for peace, highlighting the risks to Indian citizens in the Gulf and the nation's role as a constructive voice.

It's the dog that didn't bark that finally solves the mystery. In The Adventure Of Silver Blaze, Sherlock Holmes deduces the canine made no sound because the culprit was someone it knew.

Kemi Badenoch yesterday accused Keir Starmer of lying about Peter Mandelson 's appointment, amid growing claims of a cover-up.

Official documents revealed that Lord Mandelson was handed the extraordinary golden goodbye despite being sacked in disgrace over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

The paedophile financier said in an email that the former prime minister had discussed the 'nature that religion plays in world conflicts' during the 2002 meeting.

Ayman Mohamad Ghazali has been identified as the man who plowed a truck into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan on Thursday morning.

This briefing provides background information for the members of the Special committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) on election infrastructure vulnerabilities to foreign interference and on corresponding countermeasures. The briefing focuses on the criticality of election infrastructure and on safeguarding electoral integrity, also in light of the approach set out in the Commission’s Communication on the European Democracy Shield. Moreover, the paper considers the role of private sector election interference services. The briefing begins with an introduction to the different components of election infrastructure and general information on the conduct of elections. It continues with an overview of the election infrastructure interference threat landscape, taking the findings of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) into account. It then examines recommendations provided by the European Cooperation Network on Elections to mitigate these threats. Next, the briefing presents a section on critical infrastructure legislation and on the measures outlined in the European Democracy Shield to protect election infrastructure. This briefing has been prepared internally by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Justice, Civil Liberties and Institutional Affairs at the request of the EUDS Committee Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

[allAfrica]

Planning to get your driver's licence?Take note that the traffic police has increased fees for all driving tests beginning Friday (March 13).In a media release on Friday, the police said driving test fees will be progressively raised over the next few years due to rising operating costs.The Basic Driving Theory Test, Final Driving Theory Test and Motorcycle Riding Theory Test will now cost $7.20, up from $6.50.And from March 13, 2027, the fee for these theory tests will be raised to $8.Meanwhile, the cost of the Practical Riding Test, Practical Driving Test and Proficiency Driving Test has increased to $40 from $33.It will further increase to $45 from March 13, 2027, and subsequently to $50 from March 13, 2028.Applicants who have booked their tests before the respective effective dates will not be affected by the new fees.Road assessment for Class 3C / 3CA licence holdersThe police will soon begin road assessments for motorists with Class 3C / 3CA driving licence, who wish to enroll in Class 4 / 4P driving lessons.

A 78-year-old male car passenger was taken to hospital unconscious after an accident involving a trailer and a car along the Tampines Expressway (TPE) towards the Seletar Expressway (SLE) on Wednesday (March 11).Responding to queries from AsiaOne, the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to the accident before the Tampines Avenue 12 exit, at about 3.20pm.Meanwhile, a 44-year-old female passenger was taken to hospital conscious.AsiaOne understands that the man's 68-year-old wife accompanied him to hospital. Police investigations are ongoing.A dashcam video of the accident, uploaded on SG Road Vigilante Facebook page on Thursday, shows a red car colliding with the rear of a trailer before veering right and hitting the road barrier.It then turns back and hits the trailer again before coming to a stop. Debris can also be seen scattered across the road.According to the post's caption, five SCDF vehicles were at the scene, with two lanes on the expressway affected until 8.30pm on Wednesday.[[nid:731393]]xingying.koh@asiaone.com

«Welcome home.» Those two words carried a weight I had never felt before. They were spoken by a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) serviceman as my family boarded the evacuation aircraft in Riyadh that would take us safely back to Singapore. We had not even taken off yet. But in that moment, something shifted inside the cabin. Passengers looked around quietly. Some smiled. Others wiped away tears. 

The Supreme Court has declined to mandate nationwide menstrual leave for women, citing concerns that it could reinforce gender stereotypes and harm employment prospects. While acknowledging voluntary policies are welcome, the court directed authorities to consider the petitioner's representation on the matter, emphasizing potential negative career impacts if made compulsory.