TEHRAN –The 27th national earthquake and safety drill will be held on Saturday in schools to raise awareness among students, teachers, and their families, as well as reinforce safety behaviors during and after earthquakes.

TEHRAN - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad (MAJ) and the Iranian Society for Horticultural Sciences (IrSHS), held a National Workshop on Saffron Quality Integrity and Value Chain Development.

EU chemicals and pesticides legislation focuses on protecting human health and the environment, while facilitating trade. It includes rules on chemical product marketing, restrictions on hazardous substances, and protocols for accidents and exports. Key achievements include the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) and REACH Regulations. The ongoing revision process aligns the legislation with the European Green Deal, particularly its sustainability and biodiversity strategies. In 2025, newly announced proposals and action plans aim to enhance safety, simplification and innovation in the regulation of chemicals and pesticides. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

EU policy for research and technological development (RTD) supports scientific excellence, innovation, and global competitiveness. The policy is rooted in early European legislation, it and was extended in the 1980s with a European framework programme for research. In 2014, most EU research funding came under the umbrella of Horizon 2020 (2014-2020). Its successor, Horizon Europe, is the EU’s main research and innovation funding programme for the 2021-2027 period, with a budget of EUR 93.4 billion. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Sweden's national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) is financed under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The NRRP's total volume is €3 445.7 million, financed entirely through EU grants. This amount reflects the downward revision of the national RRF envelope in June 2022, and includes €198 million in additional grants under the REPowerEU chapter, as well as a €66 million transfer from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. The plan represents 0.4 % of the RRF and 0.7 % of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019 (the RRF represented 5.2 % of EU 27 GDP in 2019). Sweden is set to receive payments in five instalments. To date, the European Commission has disbursed €1 646 million, covering the first two instalments and corresponding to 47.8 % of its total grant allocation, which is below the EU average of 56.5 %. In June 2025, Sweden submitted a revised plan, to ensure full implementation before the RRF ends in August 2026. The revision is currently under Commission assessment and pending Council approval. The plan contributes 43.6 % of resources to climate-related objectives, surpassing the minimum target of 37 % set in the RRF Regulation. At 21.2 %, its allocation for digital expenditure also exceeds the threshold, which was set at 20 % of resources (excluding the REPowerEU chapter). The European Parliament has been a major supporter of establishing a common EU recovery instrument, and takes part in interinstitutional settings to cooperate, discuss and scrutinise implementation of the European Commission's work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Fourth edition. The previous edition was written by Eckhard Binder. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

After 'constructive discussions' in Geneva on 23 November between representatives of the US, Ukraine, France, Germany and the UK to 'update and refine' the 28-point Russia–Ukraine peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, the President of the European Council, António Costa, called a special meeting of EU leaders to take stock of the latest developments. The aim was to draw on the 'new momentum for peace negotiations' by carrying out 'additional work' on major issues left unresolved. EU leaders stressed that the solution should be just and lasting, and expressed their readiness to support the process by working closely with Ukraine, the US and NATO. While reiterating their commitment to provide Ukraine with all the diplomatic, military, economic and financial support it needs, they also insisted that issues concerning the EU directly, such as sanctions and immobilised assets, required an EU decision and its full involvement. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Ireland's national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) has the fourth smallest allocation in absolute figures under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Following the European Commission's 2022 update of national allocations, the initial €989 million allocation was adjusted to €914.4 million in grants, to be disbursed in five instalments. In 2024, Ireland introduced in its plan a new REPowerEU chapter to accelerate the green transition; this brought Ireland's new total to €1 153.8 million in grants. In November 2025, Ireland submitted a new revision aimed at streamlining implementation. Ireland has so far received €679.6 million in three payments. Relative to the size of its economy, Ireland's RRF grants are not large, at around 0.3 % of the country's 2019 gross domestic product (GDP), while the total RRF amounts to 5.2 % of 2019 EU 27 GDP. Given also that spending is spread over the years up to 2026, the plan is not expected to have a significant direct impact on Ireland's key macroeconomic indicators. А more significant indirect impact is expected from the overall boost to the EU economy and the associated cross-border spillover effects (slightly over 1 % of Ireland's 2023 GDP). The plan's overall objective is to contribute to a sustainable, equitable, green and digital recovery. It complements the government's broader domestic efforts under the economic recovery plan, underpinned by the national development plan (NDP) of €165 billion, for 2021 to 2030. Although the RRF allocation amounts to less than 1 % of the total NDP investment, the plan's 19 investments and 10 reforms focus on strategic EU priorities. The Irish NRRP allocates 50.2 % of funding to climate-related measures (boosted by REPowerEU) and, excluding REPowerEU, 34.2 % to digital measures. The European Parliament participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on the implementation of the RRF and scrutinises the European Commission's work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Sixth edition. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This is the third in a series highlighting Youth Voices in Hurricane Melissa recovery, featuring young people’s perspectives on resilience, rebuilding and the future after the storm. To rebuild – and how to rebuild – that is the question. The...

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has mobilised an initial US$2 million in Resilient Recovery grants to support Jamaica’s rebuilding efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. This follows a surge mission to Jamaica by...

The Government of Jamaica and the European Union (EU) have praised their partnership on the multibillion-dollar Citizen Security Plan (CSP), saying the initiative has achieved major milestones in community safety and will play a critical role in...

WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaica’s arrival numbers remain sharply down three weeks after Hurricane Melissa battered the island, leaving thousands of hotel rooms offline until well into 2026. But on Monday, a small yet symbolic victory touched down at...

Opposition Spokesman on Health Dr Alfred Dawes is warning that Jamaica could “pay with lives” if it fails to prepare for a major public-health crisis following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa on October 28. With the United Nations...

Former Chief Justice of India, B.R. Gavai, revealed he acted on instinct during a shoe-hurling attempt in the Supreme Court, choosing to continue hearings immediately. Despite the incident, he advised the Bar not to be distracted. The accused lawyer's outburst was reportedly linked to alleged remarks by Gavai, which the former CJI has denied.

Karnataka minister Satish Jarkiholi revealed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged the Congress high command for a swift decision on leadership change. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has consistently expressed his ambition for the chief minister's role. Jarkiholi plans to discuss the matter with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

[Namibian] Magistrates across the country have stopped working after months of frustration over the government's failure to implement approved housing and vehicle benefits - a standoff that their legal representative says has pushed judicial officers to the wall.

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- Maasai elders from Kajiado and Narok counties have made a historic declaration to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, marking a significant cultural shift in the protection of girls' rights.

[allAfrica] Nairobi, Kenya -- The world is facing increasing inequalities, crises, and needs, which are undermining the support available to millions of people. Global experts have warned that funding gaps and uneven political will threaten progress in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Reduced budgets, restrictive policies, and rising anti-gender movements are increasingly putting gender equality and sustainable development at risk.

The Government of Malawi has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that food relief efforts are delivered with integrity, transparency and efficiency to support millions of vulnerable households facing hunger. Speaking at Capital Hill in Lilongwe when he received a MK300 million cheque donation from Press Corporation and Press Trust, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and […] The post Govt Reaffirms Commitment to Protect Vulnerable Households From Hunger appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

If Malawi is genuinely committed to rescuing its democracy from decay, cleansing its elections of corruption, and burying the toxic culture of political handouts once and for all, then it must do one simple, urgent thing: fully fund the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties. Anything less is a betrayal of the very democracy […] The post ANALYSIS | Arm the Registrar of Political Parties, Save Our Democracy appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Malawians are set to pay the price—literally—for a controversial government decision that threatens to drain scarce public resources while claiming to promote “hands-on experience” in universities. The Peter Mutharika administration’s recent deployment of several chief executive officers (CEOs) from state agencies to public universities has raised eyebrows, angered experts, and highlighted a costly flaw in […] The post Secondments Shock: How Taxpayers are Funding Two CEOs for One Job appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Police in Zomba have confirmed that parts of Kabadwa Primary and Secondary School were reduced to ashes last night after enraged students torched school infrastructure in a dramatic overnight riot blamed on persistent poor diet and worsening welfare conditions. Zomba Police publicist Patricia Sipiliano said law enforcement has launched full investigations to establish the circumstances […] The post Poor Diet Fury: Students Burn Down Kabadwa Secondary School in Night of Chaos appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

  Malawians are being forced to pay the price for yet another display of government recklessness. In a shocking contradiction to its own rhetoric on austerity, the Peter Mutharika administration has deployed several high-earning chief executive officers (CEOs) from state agencies to public universities—at full salary—while their original positions are filled by acting officers who […] The post EDITORIAL | Two CEOs, Double the Cost: Austerity or Hypocrisy? appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The Election Commission of India has expressed serious concern over the safety of poll officials in West Bengal following a security breach at the Chief Electoral Officer's office. The ECI has directed Kolkata Police to ensure immediate safety measures for officials at their offices, residences, and during travel, citing the sensitivity of upcoming elections.

The Aam Aadmi Party celebrated its 13th foundation day, attributing its growth to public trust and volunteer dedication. Arvind Kejriwal emphasized the party's people-centric approach, highlighting its commitment to honesty and service. AAP showcased its journey, including its governance in Delhi and Punjab, and its national party status, despite muted celebrations this year.

Follow the Daily Mail's liveblog for updates as Rachel Reeves delivers her Budget today and plans to raise taxes to fund handouts worth thousands of pounds to Britain's biggest jobless families.

When Nurul Basher flew home from his family holiday, he returned to a shock that would make any holidaymaker's blood run cold.

Agriculturists were banned from bringing their tractors amid protest plans against controversial UK inheritance tax reforms, known as 'family farm tax' ahead of Rachel Reeves' Budget,

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is gearing up to impose another scorching round of tax hikes in her big set-piece at 12.30pm as she desperately tries to fill a black hole in the finances.

Two next-door neighbours with similar properties in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, have criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves's proposed changes to council tax to facilitate a 'mansion tax'.