Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

In June 2025, EU Member States that are members of NATO committed to a significant increase in spending on defence to 5% of GDP to be reached withing a decade. 3.5% of GDP would be spent on core defence items, 1.5% on defence-related items. Obviously, such commitments come on top of already tight public finances in most of the economies concerned. Against this background, in autumn 2025, the ECON Committee requested external expertise to better understand the potential synergies and tensions between security-oriented measures and competitiveness objectives, with a view to fostering effective policy scrutiny in light of the European Parliament's economic oversight responsibilities. The experts were asked to examine the economic implications of reducing dependencies in critical supply chains—including raw materials, energy, semiconductors, and defence—identifying where security-motivated investments can simultaneously enhance innovation and productivity. They were further tasked with evaluating policy frameworks to maximise positive spillovers between resilience-building and competitiveness, assessing innovative approaches to industrial policy, and providing concrete recommendations for policy design that leverages synergies whilst offering pragmatic solutions for managing unavoidable tensions. Three papers have been received: one by Maria DEMERTZIS, Alejandro FIORITO and Konstantinos PANITSAS for The Conference Board Europe and European University Institute, one by Erik JONES and Richard YOUNGS for Carnegie Europe and the Robert Schuman Centre, and one by Stefan THURNER and Peter KLIMEK for the Complexity Science Hub and Supply Chain Intelligence Institute Austria (for a comparative overview and links to the papers see the table at the end of this briefing). This briefing offers an overview of all three papers with key takeaways. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Eyjagöng ehf., which is preparing to construct a tunnel between the mainland and the Westman Islands, has secured a large portion of its ISK 200 million financing target. The company was founded two months ago, and construction is expected to begin in the near future.

Residents of Rocky Point in Clarendon benefitted from a multi-faceted community outreach initiative led by the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) and partners, which brought together health services, psychosocial support and practical relief for...

A $5-million solid waste management initiative is now being implemented in Ocho Rios, St Ann with the installation of 33 garbage receptacles across key areas of the town, aimed at improving cleanliness, environmental management, and the overall...

Every February, Valentine’s Day amplifies what single people already know – that public life is built for two. Restaurants roll out prix fixe menus for couples. Hotels promote “romantic getaway” packages designed for double occupancy. A table for...

CMC: The National Conference of Actors for New Governance (NCANG) in Haiti has written to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett, seeking the intervention of the 15-member regional grouping in “the immediate...

At a time when Jamaican workplaces are grappling with talent retention, leadership succession, and gender equity at senior levels, Anjelica Holmes’ journey stands out as a compelling example of what modern leadership can look like. The 2024 People...

Matteo Salvini has long advocated ending arms supplies to Kiev

The regional emergency response center reported that in the village of Krasnaya Yaruga, three people, including a child, were injured as a result of a drone detonation near a private home

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 415 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 12 enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Stanislav Ignatyev noted that the situation has created problems for public utility services, which have lost access to abandoned apartments needed to carry out repair work

The parade featured an impressive array of military equipment, including the BrahMos missiles, the Akash missile system, the MRSAM medium-range air defense system

The push comes after weeks of freewheeling speeches and international controversy that reflected Trump’s tendency to derail his own message.

Peter Szijjarto highlighted that Kiev, together with Brussels, is pressuring Budapest to stop using Russian energy resources

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala still noted that the trade system did not collapse

The Belarusian president emphasized that he is personally overseeing the ongoing inspections of the armed forces

Sultan Ibrahim previously visited Russia on a state visit in August 2025

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

According to international standards, children without parental care should grow up in a setting as close as possible to a family or in a small group. After serious concerns had been raised about residential care for children and youths, several EU countries started to transition from institutional to family-based care. In parallel, residential care in small units may still be seen as part of a continuum of services for children and youths with varying needs. In the EU, care for children and youths is a Member State competence, while the EU supports them with guidance and funding. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- President Yoweri Museveni has set out his priorities for a new term in office, pledging to safeguard peace and security, eradicate household poverty, strengthen national unity, enforce discipline in governance, and support wealth creators to accelerate economic growth.

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US President Donald Trump extended heartfelt greetings to India on its 77th Republic Day, highlighting the «historic partnership» between the world's oldest and largest democracies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ambassador Sergio Gor also conveyed wishes, emphasizing strong cooperation across various sectors and the symbolic presence of US-made aircraft at the parade.

Bengaluru's new municipal structure reveals significant voter disparities across wards, with some representing over 49,000 electors while others have just over 10,000. This imbalance undermines democratic representation and could lead to unequal access to civic services and political influence. The delimitation process, based on 2011 census population figures, has resulted in these inequities.

«Zelensky’s lecturing of Europeans in Davos did not go well,» Kirill Dmitriev added

The press service said that EU countries must prepare national plans to diversify gas supplies and identify potential challenges in replacing Russian gas by this March

Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin emphasized that the primary objective of these activities is to evaluate the personnel’s readiness and capability to execute the full spectrum of assigned tasks

Sergey Melik Bagdasarov said there was tremendous tension in Venezuela throughout October and November

The company specified that it would mainly increase production of items in high demand in the special military operation zone, such as the shortened 5.45mm Kalashnikov AK-12K assault rifle, the 7.62mm Chukavin sniper rifle