Article 122 of the Treaty on Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provides for two legal bases, enabling the Council to adopt measures based on a European Commission proposal, without involving the European Parliament in any way. Article 122(1) addresses economic difficulties faced by Member States, and Article 122(2) specifically addresses financial assistance to Member States. It is understood that the Council may resort to Article 122 TFEU in exceptional circumstances. A recent example of the use of Article 122 TFEU is the Commission's 19 March 2025 proposal to establish the security action for Europe (SAFE), aimed at mobilising the Union budget to support and accelerate national investment in defence. Considered jointly, the two legal bases enshrined in Article 122 TFEU are seen as the basis of an EU 'emergency law'. They have been praised for enabling the Union to react swiftly to unfolding crises, but at the same time, bypassing the European Parliament is seen as limiting democratic legitimacy. In its 2020 resolution on the COVID 19 pandemic, Parliament called for limiting the use of Article 122 TFEU, and called upon the Commission and Council to revise the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making to increase Parliament's role in crisis management decision-making and to enhance the use of the ordinary legislative procedure for adopting emergency response instruments. In this vein, in December 2020, Parliament, Council and the Commission adopted a joint declaration on budgetary scrutiny of new proposals based on Article 122 TFEU with potential appreciable implications for the Union budget. It supplements the Treaty framework by providing for the possibility of budgetary scrutiny of such proposals, with Parliament playing an active role. Moreover, the recent reform of Parliament's rules of procedure has inserted a new Rule 138, under which the Commission will be invited to make a statement to Parliament explaining the reasons for the choice of Article 122 TFEU as legal basis. This briefing draws on various published sources and should not be taken to represent an official position of the European Parliament. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

People from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds face discrimination and its consequences on a daily basis. However, the exact scale of the problem is hard to gauge, owing to a lack of data and general under reporting of racist incidents. Although the European Union (EU) has been introducing legislation to combat racial and xenophobic discrimination since 2000, the problem persists. The global Black Lives Matter protests highlighted the need for new measures, while the COVID 19 pandemic saw a major increase in reports of racist and xenophobic incidents, and the crisis it triggered had a disproportionately large negative effect on racial and ethnic minority groups, in the form of higher death and infection rates. Studies point to the cost of racial discrimination not only for the individuals concerned, but also for society as a whole. For instance, a 2018 EPRS report argued that the loss in earnings caused by racial and ethnic discrimination for both individuals and societies amounts to billions of euros annually. EU citizens also acknowledge this problem: a 2019 survey found that over half of Europeans believe racial or ethnic discrimination to be widespread in their country. To address racial discrimination and the inequalities it engenders, the European Commission has put forward a number of equality strategies and actions. The European Parliament, meanwhile, has long demanded an end to racial discrimination. In recent resolutions, Parliament has called for an end to structural racism, discrimination, racial profiling and police brutality; for protection of the right to protest peacefully; for an enhanced role for culture, education, media and sport in the fight against racism; and for authorities to take an intersectional approach. On 18 and 19 March 2025, Members of the European Parliament from the Anti Racism and Diversity Intergroup (ARDI) co hosted the fourth EU Anti Racism and Diversity Week. This updates a briefing from June 2024. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming modern warfare. Russia's war on Ukraine has demonstrated AI's critical role in intelligence gathering, autonomous systems, and cyber operations. A global AI arms race is therefore gathering speed, with China and the United States vying for leadership and Russia investing heavily in AI capabilities. The EU Strategic Compass for security and defence underscores the growing importance of defence innovation, recognising its strategic value and emphasising the need to strengthen the EU's emerging military technologies, including AI. The EU and its Member States have increasingly acknowledged AI's significance for security and defence, leading to expanded investment in AI-driven military technologies over the past decade. AI-powered defence innovation is progressing, with multiple European Defence Fund and Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects dedicated to integrating AI into future military capabilities. Efforts are also underway to create synergies between the civilian, defence, and AI industries. In addition, the EU is cooperating with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). AI in warfare raises key ethical concerns, including accountability, compliance with international humanitarian law, and the risk of conflict escalation due to reduced human oversight. Global debate over military AI regulation has intensified amid the absence of a unified international framework, with contrasting approaches emerging – such as the US promoting flexible, innovation-friendly standards, and the EU adopting a human-centric, risk-based model through its AI Act, which excludes military use but may – according to some experts – shape future debate on military AI regulation. While organisations like the United Nations are pushing for responsible use and oversight, geopolitical tensions and differing strategic interests continue to hinder consensus on global rules. The European Parliament recognises the strategic importance of AI in defence, but calls for regulation and a prohibition on lethal autonomous weapons (LAWS). The Parliament's Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age (AIDA) stresses the need for ethical guidelines in defence AI, and has warned of the EU's potential lag in AI and called for international regulation of LAWS, robust cybersecurity measures, and global cooperation in military AI regulation. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Academic freedom is widely recognised as a fundamental value of contemporary higher education and science, and as a prerequisite for well-functioning democratic societies. However, in recent years, major concerns have been expressed by various stakeholders about the state of academic freedom in the European Union. The European Parliament launched an annual EP Academic Freedom Monitor in 2022, to help improve the promotion and protection of academic freedom in the European Union. This report presents one of the two studies conducted in the 2024 edition. This study firstly provides an updated overview of recent country- specific measurements of academic freedom across the EU. Secondly, it provides a country-specific analysis of the de facto state of academic freedom in 10 EU Member States. The study was conducted as a qualitative analysis of various data, with input from stakeholder organisations and academic experts. On the basis of both studies, this report proposes EU-level policy options for possible legislative and non-legislative initiatives to support academic freedom in the EU. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This study aims to offer an in-depth analysis of water scarcity, availability, and usage in the face of climate change. By employing a comprehensive foresight methodology that includes an extensive literature review, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and broad stakeholder consultation, the research provides a detailed overview of current water availability and consumption within the European Union (EU). It highlights the current and projected trends related to water resources, identifying the pressures and challenges that climate change imposes on water supply and demand. The study also proposes a range of policy options, divided into short-term options (up to 2030) and medium- to long-term options (up to 2050), aimed at ensuring that both EU citizens and businesses have reliable access to adequate water resources. These policy options are geared towards sustainable water management, ensuring resilience to future climate-related water challenges. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

BJP and AIADMK have reunited for the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, with Amit Shah declaring the NDA will contest under Edappadi Palaniswami's leadership. Nainar Nagendran, formerly with AIADMK, is set to become the Tamil Nadu BJP state president, succeeding K Annamalai.

AIADMK and BJP have solidified their alliance for the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections, with Amit Shah confirming the NDA will contest under PM Modi nationally and Edappadi K Palaniswami in the state. Meanwhile, gold prices surged to a record high amid US-China trade tensions, and MS Dhoni has returned to captain Chennai Super Kings after Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury.

Speculation is growing within Bihar's NDA alliance as the BJP may be considering a significant shift in leadership post-elections. The BJP might propose an «honourable exit» for Nitish Kumar, potentially relocating him to a central cabinet position or another constitutional role.

India and the US are working towards finalizing a portion of their Bilateral Trade Agreement during the 90-day tariff pause initiated by the US. Negotiations have commenced, with both nations aiming for a mutually beneficial outcome. India is actively engaged, seeking to finalize initial phases by September-October, targeting a significant increase in bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

This emergency vehicle found itself in a sticky situation after its wheels got stuck in mud in Tengah estate, according to a TikTok video by user Kerwin Wan on Wednesday (April 9). In the video, which has since garnered over 7,000 likes and more than 670 comments as at Friday (April 11), deep tyre marks can be seen carved into a grass patch, tracking mud onto the vinyl flooring leading to a second patch of grass. The video then cuts to the emergency vehicle — a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) fire engine — with more than half of its front wheels buried in the dirt. Responding to queries from The Straits Times, the SCDF said that the vehicle had just completed routine hydrant testing in Swiss Club Road in the Bukit Timah area at around 5.45pm. The fire engine then made its way over to Plantation Grove area in Tengah on a scheduled trip for the firefighters to familiarise themselves with the area. But as the vehicle drove about 300m on a fire engine accessway near Block 120A Tengah Drive, its front wheels «sunk into the ground» before Block 121C Tengah Drive.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded K. Annamalai for his exceptional contributions as the Tamil Nadu BJP unit chief, highlighting his efforts in promoting party policies and programs. Shah announced that the BJP would utilize Annamalai's organizational skills at the national level.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the AIADMK's return to the NDA for the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly election, stating that the AIADMK had no preconditions for re-joining. Shah emphasized that the BJP would not interfere in AIADMK's internal affairs and that the election would be contested under Edapaddi K Palaniswami's leadership.

The Indian Consulate General in Melbourne was vandalized with graffiti at its St Kilda Road location. The incident, occurring around 1:00 am on April 10, prompted a response from Victoria Police.

Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union elections for 2024-25 are scheduled for April 25, with results on April 28, following student protests over delays. The election process includes nomination filings on April 15, a presidential debate on April 23, and a no-campaign day on April 24. Last year's elections saw the United Left alliance winning three central panel posts.

Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited to India from the US to face charges for his involvement in the deadly attacks that killed 166 people. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed satisfaction that Rana will finally face justice.

People are being caught in the streets “like animals” by Kiev’s enlistment officers, Anatoliy Kinakh has said Read Full Article at RT.com

FM Lavrov stressed that nobody “would even hypothetically consider handing over those people” to the Ukrainian leader Zelensky  Read Full Article at RT.com

The former US vice president has kept a lower public profile since her defeat to Donald Trump in the 2024 election   Read Full Article at RT.com

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that talks between the Russian president and Steve Witkoff could stretch to several hours Read Full Article at RT.com

There are no winners in a tariff war, the Chinese president has said Read Full Article at RT.com

[RFI] In Gabon, the electoral campaign is in full swing ahead of the presidential election on 12 April, with eight candidates in the running. Who are these seven men and one woman?

[The Conversation] The Fulani people are Africa's largest pastoralist group . There are between 25 million and 40 million Fulani people across 17 African countries , from the Atlantic shores of Senegal and Mauritania to Sudan.

TEHRAN – Iranian universities are exploring the potentials for developing scientific and research collaborations with Chinese and Russian institutions under the strategic partnership with the two countries.

«There is an opportunity to form payment platforms independent of external influence, one example being the financial messaging system of the Bank of Russia,» the Russian foreign minister said

At the heart of the system are microalgae, which produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and purify water, forming the base of a self-sustaining ecosystem, project lead Alexander Shaenko explained

According to the head of the General Staff, the establishment of fortified areas indicates that Belarus is preparing for defense and has no intentions of launching an attack

According to Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene, the implementation of this plan needs to be accelerated

According to the report, the rearmament will give Berlin «newfound independence,» and a beefed up German army could upset the fragile balance of power in the EU

During his visit, PM Modi performed aarti at the Guruji Maharaj Temple. He also toured the temple complex at Anandpur Dham.

The Karnataka government will form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the 40% commission allegations against the previous BJP administration. This decision follows a report by the Nagamohan Das commission, which endorsed claims of irregularities.

TEHRAN – Some 2.36 million Iranians donated blood over the past Iranian calendar year (March 2024-March 2025), indicating an increase of 1.5 percent compared to the year earlier.

TEHRAN – The first international award of women’s environmental activities in the BRICS countries, titled ‘Green Future, will be judged by 16 juries from ten countries including two female scholars from Iran.

TEHRAN – According to a study by researchers at National Institute of Oceanography, mangrove ecosystems in the northern Persian Gulf are facing a range of environmental and anthropogenic pressures.