Thanks to successive Treaty revisions, the European Parliament legislates on an equal footing with the Council. Today, a vast number of policies are decided under the ordinary legislative procedure (Article 294, Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union − TFEU), previously known as co-decision. To adopt legislation, Parliament, representing European Union citizens, and the Council, representing the governments of the EU Member States, have to agree on an identical text. This requires time and negotiation. The complexity of the EU legislative process has sometimes been criticised as lengthy and subject to gridlock. To overcome this issue, the co-legislators have developed methods of informal contact to speed up the legislative process, while ensuring representativeness and oversight. One of the tools commonly used today are trilogue meetings, defined as 'informal tripartite meetings on legislative proposals between representatives of the Parliament, the Council and the Commission'. Due to the absence of any explicit reference in the Treaties, trilogue began in the early 1990s, on a very informal basis, and evolved over time. In the beginning, the institutions filled the legal void with an informal practice that became progressively formalised over time and resulted, inter alia, in successive modifications of Parliament's Rules of Procedure. These modifications were driven by the need to ensure that trilogue negotiations support the legislative process in Parliament efficiently, while remaining fully transparent and representative. Today, Parliament's Rules of Procedure define the key elements of trilogue: how to conduct negotiations, and how to ensure that both the committee(s) responsible and plenary are fully informed and can exercise their oversight role. Other elements, such as the number and frequency of meetings, and the practical conduct of the negotiations depend on the nature of the legislative file to be negotiated, and thus remain uncodified. This briefing updates a 2021 EPRS publication. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Since the start of Russia's full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union has provided Ukraine with financial, military and humanitarian support on an unprecedented level. To date, the support to Ukraine from 'Team Europe' – comprising the EU and its Member States – amounts to €143 billion. This support includes macro-financial assistance, financial support through the Ukraine Facility, humanitarian aid and military assistance from Member States and through the European Peace Facility, as well as support to EU Member States hosting Ukrainian refugees. The disbursement of EU payments under the Ukraine Facility is conditional on Ukraine implementing the Ukraine Plan, an ambitious plan for reform and investment drafted by Ukraine's government and endorsed by the EU. The European Commission and the Ukrainian government publish data on the progress of the reforms and on the disbursal of payments. Those data form the basis for a Ukraine Facility Dialogue, which ensures the democratic scrutiny of the EU's support to Ukraine. In addition to the Ukraine Facility, Regulation (EU) 2024/2773 provides for a €18.1 billion EU macro-financial assistance loan for Ukraine as part of a €45 billion G7 loan. Furthermore, a Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism was established, which uses extraordinary revenues originating from Russian sovereign assets immobilised in the G7 member states to repay loans and the associated interest costs. The rights, responsibilities and obligations provided for in the framework agreement under the Ukraine Facility, referred to in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2024/792, will apply to the macro-financial assistance loan in order to ensure seamless political and financial management of both. The European Parliament has repeatedly called for the confiscation of the immobilised Russian sovereign assets as such – instead of just using the extraordinary revenues – to finance further support for Ukraine and the country's reconstruction. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Russia has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko confirmed the invitation, stating that discussions are underway.

The BJP has criticised the Congress for invoking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's legacy during the AICC session in Ahmedabad, calling it politically motivated. BJP leaders questioned Congress's sincerity, suggesting they would have named their headquarters 'Sardar Bhavan' if they truly respected Patel.

Kashmiri politicians are criticizing Omar Abdullah for his interactions with Union ministers, especially after the Waqf Amendment Act. Mehbooba Mufti condemned Abdullah's welcome to Kiren Rijiju, viewing it as undermining Indian Muslims. Sajad Lone echoed this, stating Abdullah should have avoided Rijiju as a protest. Abdullah also welcomed Amit Shah, further intensifying tensions among regional parties in the Valley.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for unity among minority communities amidst growing unrest over the Waqf Act, 2025, assuring protection of their rights and property. She accused the Centre of divisive politics, while violent protests erupted in Murshidabad following the Act's implementation, leading to internet restrictions.

India's Cabinet Committee on Security has approved a nearly Rs 64,000 crore deal with France for 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets for INS Vikrant. The agreement includes 22 single-seat and four twin-seat trainers, along with weapons and support. Delivery is expected within 37 to 65 months.

Les populations de Moanda, ,Mounana et Bakoumba avaient accueilli chaleureusement le président candidat, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, le dimanche 06 avril 2025 au stade Henry Sylvoz . Cette ferveur populaire est à l'actif de plusieurs filles et fils des départements de la Lébombi-Leyou, de Lékoko et du district de la Lébombi-Leyou, parmi lesquels Arnauld Clobert Lebomo, Directeur de campagne dans le premier arrondissement de Moanda. Le ciel était favorable à l'arrivée du candidat des (...) - POLITIQUE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

The Russian top diplomat expressed hope the European leaders had not completely forgotten the lessons of history

There have been no casualties or damage

Russian Ambassador to Washington Alexander Darchiyev will head the Russian delegation

In particular, 67 drones were intercepted over the Krasnodar Region, 29 UAV's over the Rostov Region and 15 — over North Ossetia-Alania

Fierce battles continue in the village of Gornal and the farmstead Oleshnya

The Solidarity Programme, which aims to address the needs of vulnerable Jamaicans who are not currently benefiting from existing government initiatives, will be rolled out soon. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness provided an update on the programme...

Extreme weather is dangerous weather, and that’s particularly true for the heavy rainfall events that experts say are becoming more frequent with climate change. The powerful storms can pose threats ranging from falling limbs to downed power lines...

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, has hailed the technical and vocational training programme at Alphansus Davis High School, noting that it is equipping students with the skills needed for the...

Caribbean public health leaders have concluded a transformative South-to-South Learning Journey hosted by the Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam), The Netherlands, from March 31 to April 4. The initiative focused on advancing HIV...

After a multi-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical students from The University of the West Indies (UWI) Class of 2027 have revived their annual charity production, ‘Smoker 2024’, raising $2.5 million to purchase vital equipment...

Minister of Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam has denounced the killing of emergency workers in Gaza by Israeli soldiers which occurred last month, adding that their actions deserve «universal condemnation». In a Facebook post on Tuesday (April 8), Shanmugam referred to video evidence of the March 23 incident which was recovered from the mobile phone of one of the deceased and published by the Palestinian Red Crescent. The footage showed emergency workers in their uniforms and clearly marked ambulances and fire trucks, with their lights on, being fired on by soldiers PHOTO: Palestinian Red Crescent via Reuters This contradicted the Israeli Army's initial claim that soldiers opened fire on a convoy of emergency vehicles because they had approached «suspiciously ... without headlights or emergency signals», reported BBC.

Portland-based Titchfield High School is the 2025 winner of TVJ’s Schools' Challenge Quiz. Titchfield accumulated 26 points to defeat Jamaica College, which garnered 23 points. Tonight’s win gave Titchfield its second hold on the trophy, and it...

Moscow is expecting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this year’s Victory Day events, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said Read Full Article at RT.com

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a series of military “exercises“ to “take back” the Panama Canal from Chinese influence Read Full Article at RT.com

The next round of talks aimed at improving US-Russia diplomatic ties is expected to take place in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Thursday Read Full Article at RT.com

The US has hiked tariffs on all Chinese imports to a staggering 104%, wiping out another $1.5 trillion from US stock markets Read Full Article at RT.com

President Donald Trump has claimed that dozens of countries are scrambling to negotiate trade deals following his sweeping new tariffs Read Full Article at RT.com

A 32-year-old East Coast GRC resident has staked claim to East Coast GRC in the coming General Election — by launching a recruitment drive for his own political party. Restaurant owner Chia Yun Kai said that he decided to set up Most Valuable Party (MVP) less than a month ago after promises made by his Member of Parliament were «unfulfilled». Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, 63, currently helms Bedok ward, where Chia has been living for over 20 years. «The East Coast plan was announced during the 2020 elections, and now they are saying the developments are taking place in 2025,» he told AsiaOne on Friday (April 4). Chia was referring to Heng's announcement on Jan 25, when he said that East Coast GRC would receive three new community spaces, with facilities like adventure playgrounds, fitness zones, and pet areas. Checks by AsiaOne found that MVP is not listed in the Registry of Societies by the Ministry of Home Affairs, a requirement for political parties with 10 or more members. Its official Instagram account created less than a month ago has only 80 followers, while its public Facebook group has just one member.

A 36-year-old man who allegedly stole wedding money boxes containing an estimated $50,000 in cash will be hauled to court on Wednesday (April 9). In a statement on April 8, the police said they were alerted to the alleged theft at a hotel along Beach Road at 12.49pm on April 5. An unknown man had allegedly swiped two money boxes filled with red packets from a wedding reception held at the hotel. The identity of the man was established through ground enquiries and CCTV images, and officers arrested the suspect on April 7. $3,000 in cash was recovered and seized by police. According to preliminary investigations, the man had possibly premeditated the theft. He had also changed into a different attire after the alleged incident, the police said. If convicted of theft, the man may face a jail term of up to three years and a fine. «The police have zero tolerance towards such brazen acts and will not hesitate to act against those who blatantly disregard the law,» said the statement.

A 20-month-old boy has gotten into the habit of a daily morning workout ever since he found a «workout buddy» on his way to school. A 13-second TikTok of the toddler was shared on Sunday (April 6) and has already captured the hearts of over 100,000 viewers.

The trial of the four women implicated in the Sagicor multimillion-dollar fraud case has been postponed to July 14 in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court. The trial was slated to start on Monday but was delayed after defence lawyers asked for...

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a close ally of President Donald Trump, announced Tuesday he will challenge Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in the 2026 primary.

When Donald Trump was elected President of the United States (US) for the second time in 2024, the world knew that tariffs would again be the US trade policy instrument of choice. Two months into his second term, the President announced universal tariffs on aluminium and steel; a month later, on cars and car parts; and on 2 April 2025, reciprocal tariffs ranging from 11 % to 50 % on imports from countries running a trade in goods deficit with the US, and universal tariffs of 10 % on imports from almost all other countries. As the US Congress is working on a long-term budget reconciliation bill, it is unclear whether the US import tariffs are meant as a permanent source of revenue to partly fund tax cuts, to be renewed and extended in that bill, and/or as 'incentives' for bilateral deals. While the latest tariffs may not even mark the last step, the responses to them fall into three categories: China has opted to retaliate; India and Israel have entered into negotiations to reach a deal with President Trump; and the EU has pursued a staged approach of targeted retaliation and openness to negotiation. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 19 March 2025, the European Commission unveiled its strategy for a savings and investments union with the goal of directing EU households' savings towards productive investments. This policy includes a review of existing EU pension legislation to increase participation in supplementary pensions and recommendations for auto-enrolment pension frameworks. The pan-European pension product (PEPP), introduced in 2019 through a regulation that became applicable in 2022, has only been registered in four Member States. Institutional investors have shown limited interest in this product, and improvements are likely to be the focus of the planned review. Some observers argue that the PEPP is too restrictive for investment product providers in terms of cost and value guarantees. The product may also compete with existing pension savings products. Some Member States suggest establishing an inter-governmental framework as a preliminary test for a cross-border product, with the possibility of developing a model at EU level in a later phase. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The Supreme Court's ruling empowers the Tamil Nadu government to appoint vice-chancellors for state universities, ending a long stalemate. Nine universities, including Anna University and Bharathiar University, will soon have VCs appointed by the state. While the governor remains chancellor, their powers are significantly reduced, with the state now overseeing university affairs.