This note describes the treaty provisions and appointment procedure for ECA members at EU level. In addition, it provides information on the national nomination procedure for the ECA member in Romania and the country’s candidate. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Every child has rights and deserves protection. It is estimated that around 2.5 million children in the European Union come into contact with the justice system every year. This can be a very stressful and even harmful experience for a child, who may participate in criminal proceedings as either a victim, a witness or a perpetrator. Children can also be parties to civil proceedings such as divorce, custody or adoption procedures, as well as administrative procedures, for example those related to nationality or migration. Because of children's especially vulnerable position, the EU and international organisations such as the United Nations and the Council of Europe are pushing to develop justice systems that are child friendly. Child-friendly justice systems guarantee respect for and implementation of children's rights to the highest possible degree and take account of the maturity of the child and the circumstances of the case. Since the roles children can play in such proceedings and the nature of the proceedings themselves can vary, children may face different issues. However, some rights and needs are universal. For example, children need to be respected and protected. They also have a right to be heard, either directly or through a representative; to be informed and communicated with in a language that they understand; and to receive a speedy response. The Barnahus model is an example of good practice for dealing with children in the justice system, especially child victims, as it provides the child with a coordinated and effective response. Legislation and policy in the EU has addressed the issue, and more work is underway. For example, the work on the recast of the Victims' Rights Directive may provide even more rights to child victims. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The six countries that make up the region known as the Western Balkans differ in terms of size, population, economy, energy mix and energy import dependency. At the same time, they share common elements because of their geographical proximity, and – in some cases – common policies adopted in the past. An example is their ageing infrastructure dating back to the 1970s, which was damaged during the conflicts in former Yugoslavia. Another common element (except for Albania) is their reliance on solid fossil fuels (mainly coal), and their dependency on imports of fossil fuels. The EU is the leading trade partner for the countries of the Western Balkans and an important investor in the region. In addition, it is the largest provider of financial assistance to the region, supporting the six countries' development and reforms, as well as its transition towards sustainable energy, with financial and technical assistance. The EU provides assistance through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, the Western Balkans Investment Framework and the European Investment Bank. While the EU has an important role in the region, Russia and China are major players, too. Russia has been active for decades in the Western Balkans, while China has started engaging more recently. Their strategy also differs, with Russia more focused on exporting its fossil fuels to the region, and China investing through its Belt and Road Initiative. Nonetheless, such involvement creates dependencies, which could hamper these countries' integration into the EU – from both a political and an energy/economic perspective – as well as the functioning of the EU itself. In this context, experts have noted what steps the EU and the countries in the region could take to lessen these dependencies, while enhancing the Western Balkan countries' energy security and helping them take the necessary steps towards the green transition. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Ukraine is the second largest country on the European continent after Russia. Its oil, coal and gas reserves, as well as its geostrategic position, ensured its important role in energy trade, both during the Soviet Union and after its collapse. However, Russia's initial invasion of Ukraine (since 2014), followed by a full-scale war of aggression against the country, have had severe human and economic impacts. In the energy area, for example, Russia's strategy has been to weaponise (e.g. the occupation of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station) or destroy (hydro and coal-fired power plants, as well as electricity grid substations) energy infrastructure. As a result, Ukraine's electricity generation capacity has been severely limited. Moreover, its choice to be less dependent on Russian energy, and to apply for EU membership, means that, within a short time frame, it must rebuild its energy grid and orient it towards a future with less fossil fuels; all this while being in a war. Energy relations between the EU and Ukraine are multifaceted (e.g. the Energy Community; the memorandum of understanding on energy in 2005, updated in 2016; the association agreement signed in 2014). In future, they are due to be reframed under the institutional arrangements for the enlargement talks (after Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in 2022). Since the Russian invasion in 2022, to help Ukraine cope with the multiple challenges its energy grid has been facing, the EU has used several mechanisms and initiatives, such as successfully synchronising the Ukrainian grid with the Continental European Synchronous Area; the EU civil protection mechanism; the Ukraine Facility; the Ukraine Energy Support Fund; and the European Investment Bank. The outcome of the war is uncertain, and some see recent statements by the new United States administration as a significant setback for Ukraine. Others focus instead on the possibilities for further collaboration between Ukraine and the EU. They bring as examples the country's vast gas reserves and infrastructure both to transport and to store natural gas, nuclear power or green hydrogen, provided that the country engages in the development of relevant infrastructure. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Sheeraz Henderson had just arrived in France on holiday when she noticed her foot was swollen. She'd travelled on the Eurostar, 'so I wondered if it was from not moving around enough', she says.

Mogadishu: The Somalia Payment Switch (SPS1) has successfully launched the country’s first ever Instant Payment System with QR payments support powered by BPC’s next generation SmartVista platform, a global leader in payment solutions2. Championed by the Central Bank of Somalia (CBS), the initiative marks a major step in modernising Somalia’s payment infrastructure, promoting financial inclusion and enhancing economic stability.

The talks will be over once the parties agree on a joint statement

Dmitry Baranov was appointed Deputy Director General for Industry Development

The meeting is taking place behind closed doors

«The mineral and raw materials potential of rare-earth metals of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, technologies and equipment used to mine and process rare-earth metals were discussed during the meeting,» the ministry said

«The peacekeeping and political aspects of UN activities need to be revised, improved and returned to realistic approaches,» Anna Yevstigneyeva said

[Agenzia Fides] Kinshasa -- Angola has ended its mediation in the war in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Angolan Presidency announced this in a communiqué today, March 24: «Angola considers it necessary to absolve itself of the responsibility of mediating in this conflict» in order to dedicate itself «more» to the general priorities of the African Union (AU), according to the statement from the Presidency, referring to the role of Angolan President Joao Lourenco as acting President of the African Union.

[RFI] Angola announced on Monday it would withdraw from its role as mediator in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between government forces and the M23 rebel group in order to focus on its presidency of the African Union (AU).

Holiday let and second home owners have complained that activity at a yard where fishermen store boats and equipment is ruining their peace and quiet.

The talks are conducted behind closed doors

Failures were related to the use of foreign server infrastructure, the Russian watchdog said

The correspondent worked in the Kharkov Region’s Kupyansk direction, the newspaper stated

The stand-up comedian is now the fifth Netflix star to criticise With Love, Meghan and its host.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, shared the sweet photo on her Instagram account as she promoted the As Ever lifestyle brand.

Paul Allen, then 41, was paralysed for life after shots were fired at his large detached rented home in Woodford Green, north-east London , in 2019.

Tesla's revenues amounted to $97.7 bln in 2024

According to Vladimir Zelensky’s interview, he suggested that JD Vance reconsider his decision not to visit Ukraine until the armed conflict was over but the US vice president did not respond

According to the forecast of the Bank of Russia, annual inflation is expected to decline to 7-8% in 2025 and return to 4% in 2026

Natalia Nikonorova emphasized that Russia did not target Ukrainian nuclear power plants, being acutely aware of «the seriousness of such actions and committed to adhering to universally recognized norms of international humanitarian law»

According to the report, citing Alexander Lukashenko’s press secretary Natalia Eismont, the official swearing-in ceremony will take place on March 25, begin at noon, and be attended by 1,100 invited persons

When asked about the Jewish state’s position on Ukraine’s glorification of Bandera, Alexander Ben Zvi recalled that Israeli ambassadors to Ukraine had issued notes of protest on that issue

Cultural studies scholar Dr Sonjah Stanley Niaah and theology expert Dr Anna Kasafi Perkins are among eight newly promoted professors at The University of the West Indies, the highest academic rank at the regional institution. The university...

Men reportedly travelling on a motorcycle shot and killed a man in a Toyota Probox motor car near a stoplight at the Washington Boulevard and Molynes Road intersection in St Andrew this morning. Traffic is restricted on Molynes Road in both...

«My job now as defense secretary is to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position by continuing UK military aid and encouraging other nations to do more,» John Healey said

According to military analyst Gianandrea Gaiani, the very idea of putting NATO troops in Ukraine runs contrary to the notion of peace

WTI futures with delivery in May 2025 added 1.32% and reached $69.18 per barrel

The official yuan rate is fixed at 11.46 rubles