A group of Singapore Armed Forces (BMT) recruits on their 24km-long route march brought early festive cheer to parkgoers at East Coast Park (ECP).On Thursday (Dec 4), TikTok user iwchickenwings shared a video of her wholesome encounter with the recruits during a Christmas gathering.In the video, the user and her group were singing along to «Jingle Bells» when the passing recruits joined them for a singalong, instead of the usual SAF route march songs.A second platoon following them later took it a notch higher by joining in to sing «Happy Birthday». But the wholesome exchanges did not end there.After the video was posted, one soldier came across the post and asked if this was where they «started a happy chain (of songs)». Soon after, others from the route march that night also joined the comment wall to identify themselves. «We were marching yesterday when you guys were celebrating. Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed [it]», one of the recruits said.Another added: «Our sergeants encouraged us to join in.»

As the current rules on the EU common agricultural policy (CAP) are set to expire at the end of 2027, the European Commission is proposing new CAP rules that would apply during the next multiannual financial framework (MFF). The proposal is part of the Commission's two-fold attempt to make the overall EU budget (i.e. the MFF) more flexible, with a smaller number of programmes and, at the same time, to take account of the criticism of the current CAP rules, which have been a target of farmer protests almost from the beginning of their application. According to the proposals, the CAP would no longer have a separate budget but would be integrated into the new national and regional partnerships (NRP) fund ('NRPF'). The NRPF would include a ringfenced budget only for some CAP measures, while the remainder would have to be covered from the part of the fund that Member States would have to use for other areas, as well. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The United States must never be dependent on any outside power for core components, from raw materials to parts to finished products, necessary to the nation’s defense or economy, the authors of the strategy believe

According to sources, US officials stressed that if Europe fails to meet the 2027 deadline, Washington may withdraw from certain NATO defense coordination frameworks

Head of the Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers Andrey Guryev added that China, India and Brazil are among the biggest markets

In particular, during the week, Battlegroup North units liberated the town of Volchansk in the Kharkov Region through decisive operations

Russia and India «expressed their readiness to further develop cooperation in this area, paying particular attention to countering radicalization and the spread of extremist ideology online»

Philip Morris International (PMI) Inc has expanded its partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP by launching a bold new chapter in their long-standing relationship to feature PMI’s nicotine pouches ZYN brand on Scuderia Ferrari HP Formula 1 and Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli motorsport liveries at select races throughout the 2026 season and beyond. In a statement, […] The post Philip Morris International’s nicotine pouches ZYN brand to feature on Scuderia Ferrari HP Formula 1 motorsport liveries appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The celebrated Malawian prophet, Doctor Shepherd Bushiri—popularly known as Major 1—has, over the years, demonstrated an unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of Malawian youth in ways few can ignore. His impact stretches far beyond the pulpit and deep into the heart of communities across the country. Even in moments of personal challenge, no Malawian […] The post Major 1 and the Malawian Youth: A Story of Hope, Action and Transformation appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The leading financial services provider, Old Mutual Malawi Limited in collaboration with Mzuzu University (Mzuni) Department of Mathematics and Statistics has launched the 2025/2026 Mathematics Olympiad Competition with a MK45 million sponsorship. The competition is expected to roll out in January with registration planned for December. Speaking at the sponsorship handover ceremony in Mzuzu, Old […] The post Old Mutual launches, sponsors the 2026 Mathematics Olympiad Competition with K45m appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Harry Manzie began his day like any other—waking up early to the sound of birdsong as he prepared for work as a medical doctor at Zomba Central Hospital. The routine, however, would soon take an unexpected and difficult turn. Later that day, a young girl was brought to the hospital after being sexually abused. Upon […] The post EQUALITY ACT SLOWLY BEING IMPLEMENTED appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

European financial assistance mechanisms are intended to preserve the financial stability of the EU and the euro area, as financial distress in one Member State can have a substantial impact on macro-financial stability in other Member States. Financial assistance is linked to macroeconomic conditionality (it is a loan rather than a fiscal transfer), to ensure that Member States receiving such assistance implement the necessary fiscal, economic, structural and supervisory reforms. The reforms are agreed and set out in specific documents (memoranda of understanding) published on the Commission website and, when relevant, on the European Stability Mechanism website. As part of the EU response to the COVID-19 crisis, a number of additional financial instruments were put forward to help the Member States recover and make their economies more resilient to shocks. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The relationship between the EU and the United Kingdom (UK) has evolved significantly since Brexit. Following the 2024 UK general election, the new government called for a ‘reset’ in relations with the EU, launching a renewed agenda of structured political cooperation across shared priorities. The UK-EU Summit on 19 May 2025 was the first high-level meeting of its kind since Brexit, establishing a new strategic partnership. The EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly plays a key role in fostering dialogue. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This digest provides a collection of documents prepared by academia, think tanks, other EU institutions and bodies, as well as stakeholders that could be useful for Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets to stay informed about the debate concerning the next Multiannual Financial Framework, due to start in 2028. It is one in a series produced monthly by the Budgetary Support Unit in the Directorate-General for Budgetary Affairs (DG BUDG) and the Members' Research Service in the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS). Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the period 2028-2034, proposed by the European Commission, includes a regulation establishing a National and Regional Partnership Fund (NRPF) which would pool together most of the existing EU funds, including support for agriculture and the common agricultural policy (CAP). Regulation 1308/2013 (the CMO Regulation) sets out rules for the common organisation of markets in agricultural products, including measures currently financed under the CAP. According to the proposed new MFF, financial support for these measures would be governed by the new NRPF Regulation. In view of that, certain provisions of the CMO Regulation need to be amended and updated, and some provisions currently included in other acts need to be integrated into the CMO Regulation. In the proposal presented on 16 July 2025, the Commission undertakes those alignments, and furthermore introduces other changes aimed at updating the provisions to reflect developments in some policy areas. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The European Council is an EU institution with significant influence and a key role, but its accountability remains limited. Nonetheless, democratic control over its members can be exercised by their respective national parliaments, which have progressively strengthened their role in EU affairs. This publication analyses the role of national parliaments in scrutinising the meetings of the European Council and in holding their national representative to account. It examines formal rules and practices, both for ex-ante and ex-post parliamentary oversight. It also compares the national parliaments' scrutiny activities with the European Parliament's, identifies best practice, and suggests potential areas for improvement. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Hjalti Ólafsson, one of the authors of the social and economic analysis by the University of Akureyri Research Centre on tunnel options in East Iceland, states that the profitability of both the Fjarðarheiði Tunnel and the Fjarðagöng tunnels is very close to zero, despite both projects being extremely costly.

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology has announced the finalization of an artificial intelligence (AI) action plan, which highlights the pivotal role of AI in the country’s scientific advancement.

TEHRAN – The first global assessment of mangroves by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified mangrove forests in the Persian Gulf as vulnerable (VU) overall.

TEHRAN – Iranian and Afghan officials have discussed ways to promote cooperation between the two countries in the pharmaceutical and medical equipment fields.

TEHRAN – Held annually on December 5, World Soil Day 2025 focuses on urban landscapes with the theme Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities.

Donald Trump has warned European nations that they are under threat of 'civilisational erasure' and will be 'unrecognisable' in the next 20 years.

EU leaders are constantly making unacceptable demands, complicating Russia-US efforts to reach a settlement on Ukraine Read Full Article at RT.com

The International Sambo Federation has restored the rights of Russian and Belarusian national teams Read Full Article at RT.com

The first African Media Excellence Awards in Addis Ababa recognized diverse storytelling and rising media talent from across Africa Read Full Article at RT.com

This has been an eventful year for me, writes SARAH VINE. But if my memoir has taught me anything, it's that the truth really can set you free. Honesty, it seems, really is the best policy.

When I read that a TV presenter called Holly Willoughby had knocked over a moped rider, breaking his neck, my first reaction was: Oh dear, how sad, never mind.

Zia Yusuf, the party's head of policy, appeared on the immigration special to debate the issue but was questioned by a man who had arrived in the UK illegally.

Reform leader Nigel Farage had demanded the Chancellor be investigated for saying there was a black hole in the public finances of more than £20billion, which it later emerged did not exist.

A 57-year-old man was arrested on Thursday (Dec 4) for his suspected involvement in a series of theft in dwelling cases. In a statement on Dec 5, the police said they were alerted to a case of theft at a drinks stall at a hawker centre along Old Airport Road, where $20 in cash was stolen. The police said the suspect was identified with the aid of images from police cameras and through ground queries. Preliminary investigations revealed that he is also believed to be involved in other similar cases of theft in dwelling. The suspect will be charged in court on Dec 6. If found guilty, he can be fined and jailed for up to seven years. The police also advised businesses, especially those operating in high-traffic public areas, to secure valuables such as tip boxes and cash containers to prevent opportunistic theft. [[nid:726273]]editor@asiaone.com 

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic gestures towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting the significance of symbolic actions in foreign policy. Tharoor emphasized that these gestures, including receiving Putin at the airport and gifting him the Bhagwad Gita, signal the continuity of India's important relationship with Russia.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has directed airlines, particularly IndiGo, to resolve large-scale disruptions and restore services promptly. Flight schedules are expected to stabilize by midnight and fully normalize within days, with passengers able to track delays from home.

The Russian president emphasized that the creation of a free trade zone between India and the Eurasian Economic Union would certainly contribute to the expansion of Russian-Indian commercial ties

The Russian Deputy Prime Minister said the measures taken by the Central Bank, the government, and financial authorities are having an impact on the decline in inflation

The National Security Strategy notes that in order to build healthy ties with the Middle East, the United States should accept «the region, its leaders, and its nations as they are»