Slovakia aims to reach climate neutrality by 2050 (see trajectory in Figure 1).The country accounted for 1.1 % of the EU's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2023 and achieved an emissions reduction of 27.3 % from 2005 to 2023, slightly below the EU average reduction of 30.2 % over the same period. Emissions from sectors under the EU emission trading system (ETS) fell by 41.7 %. For the effort-sharing sectors, Slovakia largely over-achieved its targets for 2020. Slovakia's land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector is an important carbon sink, absorbing almost a fifth of the country's emissions. In April 2023, Slovakia proposed a revision to its recovery and resilience plan, adding a REPowerEU chapter. Slovakia submitted a draft updated national energy and climate plan (NECP) in August 2023. The European Commission assessed it and made recommendations for the final NECP, overdue since June 2024. In a 2023 survey, only a quarter of Slovaks (26 %), compared with an EU average of 46 %, identified climate change to be one of the four most serious problems facing the world. Most expect national government (64 %) and/or business and industry (63 %) to tackle climate change, 50 % see it as a task of the EU, while only 26 % find it to be a personal responsibility. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This paper covers possible defence options under the European economic governance framework by reviewing the proposal for a ReArm Europe plan floated by the President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The paper also analyses flexibilities under the EU budget, EIB and ESM financing while also assessing potential market challenges and public procurement. This paper will be regularly updated. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This paper examines the impact of US protectionist trade policies on the euro area economy, focusing on macroeconomic and financial repercussions. While direct tariff effects are mitigated by exchange rate adjustments and ECB policies, broader risks arise from global trade disruptions and financial contagion. Increased risk premia on US bonds elevate European financing costs, posing fiscal challenges. We highlight the importance of trade diversification, innovation incentives, and prudent monetary policy to mitigate economic vulnerabilities and sustain long-term growth. This document was provided by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) ahead of the Monetary Dialogue with the ECB President on 20 March 2025. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The euro area experienced an unprecedented surge of inflation in 2021 and 2022 followed by a decline in 2023 and 2024. The ECB raised policy rates too late. Simple rules would have prescribed an earlier response. The policy easing since summer 2024, however, is quite in line with such rules. This experience provides a number of lessons that could lead to improvements in the policy strategy that is currently under review. The current level of policy rates appears appropriate. However, there are some important upside risks to inflation. This document was provided by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) ahead of the Monetary Dialogue with the ECB President on 20 March 2025. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 6 December 2024, the European Union (EU) and the four founding members of Mercosur – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – reached a political agreement on a free trade agreement that would form part of a wider Partnership Agreement including political dialogue and cooperation. The 2024 text of the trade pillar seeks to adjust an earlier political agreement of 28 June 2019 to EU demands for Mercosur to make stronger sustainability commitments, notably in respect to the Paris Agreement, and to Mercosur demands for the EU to grant greater policy space for Mercosur's industrial development. Against the background of growing geo-economic uncertainty and geopolitical tension, the agreement would be a strong signal in favour of multilateralism and against power politics in trade. It would create a strategic alliance between like-minded partners for building sustainable and resilient supply chains, including for the green and digital transitions. It could also allow the EU to regain some economic ground lost to China in the past decade. However, the trade pillar faces strong headwinds, notably for its potential environmental, climate change and food safety impacts. While the agreement enjoys the support of EU industry associations and sub-sectors of EU agriculture with offensive interests, EU farmers' associations with defensive interests have criticised it as an unfair 'cars for cows' deal. After the legal review and translation of the agreement, the Commission will submit to the Council proposals for Council decisions to sign and conclude the whole Agreement, revealing its ratification modalities. Second edition. The 'International Agreements in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the process, from initial discussions through to ratification. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

[JusticeInfo.net] Based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Caleb Kazadi has been Justice Info's correspondent since 2021. With a degree in International Relations from the University of Kinshasa, he is primarily interested in human rights issues. In June 2018, he joined Fondation Hirondelle and worked in the Swiss organization's radio and multimedia programs. Between 2019 and 2021, he moved to Kasai to cover the region's news as it emerged from violent armed conflict. He has also worked for the peacebuilding

Decker Eveleth said that the Oreshnik is the perfect weapon for attacking dense targets like air bases, where its conventional submunitions can deal significant damage

Head of the Federal Air Transport Agency Dmitry Yadrov specified that 142 such aircraft are expected to be delivered to Russian airlines by 2030

The strike was reportedly delivered on the Al Arj neighborhood on the Red Sea coast not far from the governorate’s administrative center

The deputy prime minister noted that Russia invested in construction of the Sangtudinskaya Hydropower Plant in Tajikistan

According to the leader of the opposition Alliance for the Union of Romanians, the May election rerun will not be merely about choosing a new president but about «sparing Romania from being subjected to foreign interests and the corrupt elite which doesn’t represent» its people

A court in Georgia has sentenced Mikhail Saakashvili for illegally crossing the country’s border Read Full Article at RT.com

Tulsi Gabbard has met PM Narendra Modi and New Delhi’s top security official on her first visit to the country as US intelligence chief Read Full Article at RT.com

Calls to seize Russia’s frozen central bank assets follow “English traditions,” the Foreign Ministry has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Ukrainian officials are reportedly ready to freeze the battle lines, but consider giving away additional lands a red line Read Full Article at RT.com

The suspect reportedly fled in early 2022 and joined Kiev’s military to avoid prosecution Read Full Article at RT.com

President Donald Trump confirmed that he will speak to Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

Tamba only left school eight months ago to join Mane in Saudi Arabia, but the couple welcomed their first child together earlier this month and held a ceremony for her.

A review of preventable birth injury claims across England found Manchester University Foundation NHS Trust recorded the highest number between 2022 and 2014.

Richard Burrows, a former boarding school housemaster and scout leader, had admitted 43 offences and denied 54 others, which jurors convicted him of today.

Edward Spencer had been due to go on trial over the deaths of the three teenagers who were killed in April 2023 as they travelled home from school.

«Russia will further promote maintaining peace and stability in the region, including by utilizing Russia’s 201st military base stationed in the republic,» President Vladimir Putin said

According to Emomali Rahmon, the two sides' cooperation in this area covers a wide range of issues in countering threats and challenges to security

The move away from coal has «reduced competition among conventional power sources, limiting the ability to switch between coal and gas»

According to Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko, «the Russian direction is extremely important for maintaining these high rates of economic growth»

«Russian and Tajik citizens have the opportunity to make cross-border money transfers through the fast payment system,» the Russian president noted

At the same time, the official euro exchange rate was lowered by 2 rubles 76 kopecks to 90.8443 rubles

According to the Russian leader, Moscow and Dushanbe «are committed to the principles of the rule of international law, sovereignty and non-interference into internal affairs»

As Alexey Likhachev stressed, «there are no plans to reduce the level of protection and safety at the Kursk station»

The media reported that the United States has decided to withdraw from the so-called international group «investigating» actions by Russia during the special military operation in Ukraine

Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, Iceland’s Minister of Industry and Trade, is attending the Seafood Expo North America 2025 in Boston, where she is meeting with key stakeholders to discuss trade relations and the potential impact of U.S. import tariffs on Icelandic seafood.

Prime Minister Modi joined Truth Social and quickly interacted with US President Trump, thanking him for sharing his podcast link. Modi discussed a wide array of topics, including his relationship with Trump and ongoing India-US negotiations. Their exchange highlights their mutual admiration and current trade tariff discussions.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy announced a plan to implement 42 percent reservation for OBCs in education and employment based on their 56.36 percent population. The state assembly passed bills supporting the move, requiring central approval. He urged all parties to meet with PM Modi to ensure implementation.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may be preparing his son Nishant Kumar for a political role. Nishant has recently appeared in JD(U) events and posters, hinting at his potential political entry, which could help address concerns about Nitish’s health and the party's future leadership.

A 23-year-old truck driver, Vikas Bansode, was allegedly beaten to death in Beed, Maharashtra, by ten people, including truck owner Bhausaheb Kshirsagar, over a love affair. Lured under the pretext of Holi celebrations, Bansode and his friend were held captive and assaulted. He was later abandoned at a hospital, where he was declared dead. Police have arrested six suspects and are searching for the remaining accused.