[New Times] In a world where time is scarce and screens dominate our attention, podcasts have emerged as the ultimate tool for on-the-go learning. From bite-sized insights to deep dives into complex topics, this audio revolution is reshaping how knowledge is consumed.

Equality between men and women is one of the key foundational principles of the European Union. Despite much progress, however, significant gaps persist between men and women regarding employment opportunities and income levels. Taxation can either mitigate or exacerbate these gender inequalities. On 13 January 2025, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) is due to hold a public hearing on the topic. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 14 October 2024, EU legislators adopted a new directive on platform work. The directive introduces the presumption of employment – to be applied following national rules – as well as the first EU rules to regulate algorithmic management in the workplace. The new rules will apply from 2 December 2026. Platform work is an umbrella concept covering a heterogeneous group of economic activities completed through a digital platform. Platform workers' rights are not enshrined in EU labour law and this is increasingly leading to problems relating to various aspects of their work and human development. To remedy this situation, the European Commission submitted a proposal for a directive aimed at improving the working conditions of platform workers, clarifying their employment status, and establishing the first EU rules for the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Sixth edition of a briefing originally drafted by Monika Kiss. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

In July 2023, the European Commission tabled a package of three proposals for the greening of freight transport. Among them is a proposal for a single methodology for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport services, referred to as CountEmissionsEU. The initiative covers both freight and passenger transport. It seeks to ensure that GHG emissions data provided regarding transport services are reliable and accurate, to allow fair comparison between transport services. It establishes a methodological framework but does not govern where it has to be used. Nonetheless, if an organisation decides to calculate and disclose information on GHG emissions from transport services it needs to use the methodology provided. To avoid extra red tape for small and medium-sized enterprises, the proposal exempts these companies from mandatory verification of adherence to the rules. In the European Parliament, the file has been dealt with through the joint committee procedure, involving the Committees on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) and on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). The committees adopted their joint report on 4 March 2024. Parliament voted on its first-reading position during its April I plenary session. Parliament's TRAN and ENVI committees voted to enter into trilogue negotiations with the Council on 4 December 2024. Fourth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

[RFI] The United States has determined that Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have «committed genocide» in Sudan and has imposed sanctions on the paramilitary group's leader. While conflict resolution NGOs have welcomed the decision, many organisations and analysts fear that the move may be 'too little, too late.'

Donald Trump has urged NATO members to increase their defense spending to 5% of their GDP, adding that their current level is not enough Read Full Article at RT.com

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk is “deeply unwell” due to mental issues, drug use and stress, Seth Abramson has said Read Full Article at RT.com

OpenAI’s Sam Altman has denied child abuse allegations made by his sister, calling them baseless and motivated by financial gain Read Full Article at RT.com

Billionaire Elon Musk has stepped up his war of words against Britain’s Keir Starmer, accusing “evil” UK leader of protecting “rape gangs” Read Full Article at RT.com

The French Foreign Minister urged the EC to take legal action against outside interference in the bloc’s politics, citing Musk’s comments Read Full Article at RT.com

TEHRAN –The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has announced readiness to assist people affected by the recent earthquake in Nepal.

Every year with the arrival of winter, Siberian seagulls migrate to the southern city of Shiraz. The presence of these birds creates a beautiful and attractive scene for the citizens.

A l'issu du Conseil des ministres du dimanche 5 Janvier 2025, le gouvernement a adopté le projet d'ordonnance portant programmation du transfert des compétences et des moyens de l'Etat aux collectivités locales. Ce texte vise à planifier le processus de Décentralisation au cours de cette période de transition qui s'organisera en 2 phases. Phase 1 La période dite pilote couvrant la temps restant de la transition. Elle concerne les collectivités locales disposant des ressources (...) - LIBRE PROPOS / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

La Société de Garantie du Gabon (SGG), filiale de Okoume Capital SA (OKC) et initiative du Fonds Gabonais d'Investissements Stratégiques (FGIS), et la Banque pour le Commerce et l'Entrepreneuriat du Gabon - BCEG ont officialisé, ce lundi 06 janvier 2025, la signature d'une convention de garantie d'un montant de 5 milliards de francs Cfa. « La signature de cette convention représente une étape clé dans la consolidation d'un écosystème financier solide et inclusif au service de (...) - ECONOMIE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

The recent cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated a longstanding problem with housing affordability in the EU. Higher building costs and mortgage rates, together with a related decrease in housing construction, have made access to home ownership more difficult. At the same time, investors use housing as a vehicle for investment. Growing numbers of people are struggling to access affordable housing, whether to rent or to buy, particularly in cities. Across Europe, homelessness is rising. In addition, many residential buildings need to be made energy-efficient and decarbonised in order to achieve the EU's energy and climate goals, lower energy consumption and reduce energy bills. While the EU has no direct competence in the area of housing and only a limited scope of action to address social issues, it provides relevant guidance and funding, and has carried out several initiatives to support housing. Furthermore, certain EU rules have a indirect impact on housing provision, starting with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. In parallel, many sources of EU funding are available for various housing-related purposes in the current financing period. In the run-up to the 2024 European elections, the lack of adequate and affordable housing, and the need to address it at EU level, emerged as a concern across the whole of the EU and the entire political spectrum. The new European Commission ('von der Leyen II') is giving housing policy visibility and weight by proposing a coordinated approach. For the first time, housing has become a distinct part of a commissioner's portfolio. Dan Jørgensen, the new Commissioner for Energy and Housing, is responsible for dealing with several complex issues relating to housing. The European Parliament voted on 18 December 2024 to set up a special committee on the housing crisis in the EU. Building on recent developments, the Commission's 2025 work programme is expected to outline the next steps for the EU. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

According to the ministry, 'the death toll has reached 45,936 since the start of Israel’s military operation, while 109,274 were injured'

According to Al Mayadeen, the shelling also targeted Houthi facilities in the Amran province in the northwest of the country

According to a TASS correspondent in St. Petersburg, Polish and EU flags were removed from the flagpoles on the building

Gas supplies to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline could surpass the design capacity of 38 billion cubic meters in 2025

The information has not been confirmed or denied officially yet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Visakhapatnam, launching projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore to boost the development of Andhra Pradesh. The plans include making Andhra Pradesh a $2.5 trillion economy by 2047, setting up a green hydrogen hub, and advancing railway electrification and urban modernization.

SINGAPORE — Some stubborn scam victims lost so much money to scams — despite advice from banks, police, friends and family members — that they asked the Government for financial assistance. But with the passing of the Protection from Scams Bill, the police will be able to control the bank accounts of such victims to prevent them from transferring money to scammers. The new law will give the police powers to issue restriction orders (ROs) to banks, which will then restrict the banking transactions of an individual's accounts. These include money transfers, the use of ATM facilities and all credit facilities, affecting even PayNow and in-person, over-the-counter transactions. The law was initially intended to deal with remote scams, such as overseas syndicates targeting victims through calls, social media and messaging channels. When the Bill was introduced in Parliament on Nov 11, 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had said the laws would not cover traditional cheating cases, such as those involving in-person interactions with errant renovation contractors or family members and friends.

SINGAPORE — Flick knives and knuckledusters will be added to the list of six regulated weapons in the first half of 2025 to safeguard public safety following several knife attacks in 2024. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) currently regulates the sale of daggers, swords, spears, spearheads, bayonets, and dangerous bows and arrows through the Arms and Explosives Act. On Jan 7, Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling said in Parliament that this list will be expanded to include flick knives and knuckledusters when the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act is operationalised in the first half of 2025.  Sun was responding to questions from Dr Tan Wu Meng (Jurong GRC) and Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) on incidents relating to knife crimes and what the authorities were doing to protect Singaporeans. Their questions come after a priest was attacked at St Joseph's Church on Nov 9, 2024. Basnayake Keith Spencer, 37, allegedly approached Reverend Christopher Lee while the Catholic priest was giving communion and stabbed him in the mouth.

Both the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) and the People's Action Party (PAP) have alleged that the other party's volunteers harassed their own during a walkabout in Bukit Gombak. This comes after PSP member S Nallakaruppan gave an account of how he and other volunteers from his party were allegedly stalked and harassed throughout their walkabout in that area last Saturday (Jan 4). «They (PAP volunteers) said it's 'their territory' and they have a right to follow us,» Nallakaruppan wrote. «Whenever we managed to reach out to a resident, they quickly handed out their flyers as well. »It was really unprofessional of them to do so but we did not want to have any confrontation and went about doing our job." Nallakaruppan was a candidate for PSP in Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in the 2020 elections.  The PAP volunteers also purportedly took photos and videos of them without their consent.

Samajwadi Party demanded the Election Commission for webcasting of all polling booths in Milkipur constituency by-elections to ensure free, fair, and transparent voting. This request follows the EC's decision to block public access to CCTV footage, citing voter privacy protection.

A Rajya Sabha MP urges the health minister to enable local production of Risdiplam, a vital drug for spinal muscular atrophy, to reduce costs. Current patents prevent affordable production. Encouraging local manufacturing could make the drug accessible at significantly reduced prices, benefiting thousands of patients in India.

The Bombay High Court granted bail to Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale, accused in the Elgar Parishad Maoist Links case, due to prolonged incarceration and a pending trial. Bail conditions include reporting to the NIA weekly. The case involves inflammatory speeches and alleged Maoist connections.

The petition is the latest effort by President-elect Donald Trump to avoid sentencing for his 34-count felony conviction related to a 2016 hush money payment.

Ontario’s premier Doug Ford made the suggestion following Donald Trump’s claim that Canadians would be better off under Washington’s rule Read Full Article at RT.com

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Athens violated migrants’ rights through forced ‘pushbacks’ without proper review Read Full Article at RT.com

Turkish-backed Syrian proxies could be even more dangerous than a stand-off with Iran, the Nagel Commission says Read Full Article at RT.com

The number of foreigners expelled from Russia for violating migration laws amounted to more than 80,000 in 2024 Read Full Article at RT.com