This briefing provides additional economic background ahead of the public hearing of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs on 8 April 2026. It complements EPRS briefings (here and here) on the recent Commission proposal on pensions of 20 November 2025, as well as on the revised regulatory framework for insurers (Solvency II) which will apply as of 30 January 2027. All initiatives aim to contribute to achieving the objectives of the Savings and Investment Union (SIU) by giving additional latitude to institutional investors on how to channel more “patient” long-term funding to growth and scale-up companies, including via investments in venture and private capital funds. The European Council conclusions of 19 March called on co-legislators to conclude negotiations on supplementary pensions by the end of the year. The current briefing provides (i) general information on the magnitudes involved; (ii) enabling conditions to be kept in mind also based on the Danish experience; (ii) a discussion of the transmission channel that has been identified between supplementary pensions and the stock market; (iv) as a form of summing up the topic a basic check list for policy makers who aim to boost domestic capital markets using this channel. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers and joined the Surya Tilak ceremony at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir virtually. He conveyed greetings for Ram Navami, wishing for renewed energy and enthusiasm across the nation. Devotees gathered at temples nationwide, with Ayodhya seeing large crowds. Security was enhanced to manage the pilgrims. Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama.

After weeks of doubt over Trump's intentions, and whether America is prepared to commit 'boots on the ground' in the war, an all-out invasion at one crucial weak point is growing closer.

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National Conference MLAs protested the killing of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and US-Israel military actions in Iran within the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. The protest led to a scuffle with BJP MLAs, prompting an adjournment. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the conflict, stating regime change cannot be achieved through military bombardment.

Newborn screening is an established preventive healthcare practice that enables the detection and treatment of health conditions at an early stage. It could reduce the risk of 'diagnostic odyssey' often experienced by persons affected by rare diseases, which in Europe are defined as health conditions that affect less than 1 in 2 000 persons. This briefing presents the findings of a desk review of publicly available sources on newborn screening practices in the EU and the United States (US), which serves as a benchmark. The research finds that these practices vary widely in the EU, which raises concerns regarding equal access to healthcare and the promotion of health outcomes. In total, 87 different rare conditions are covered in national newborn blood screening (NBS) panels (including those conditions in pilot programmes) across the EU. However, only two rare health conditions – congenital hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria (PKU) – are included in all national NBS panels. Other notable differences between Member States include the sample collection window, which ranges from 24 to 144 hours after birth. The draft legislative-initiative report calling for an EU rare disease action plan (2025/2130(INL)), being discussed in the European Parliament's Committee on Public Health, calls for stronger measures to harmonise and promote NBS in the EU. A February 2026 EPRS study finds that stronger EU action on newborn screening – as part of an overall EU rare disease action plan, as called for by the European Parliament – could boost access to health care and social inclusion, promote better health outcomes, lower healthcare costs and promote health sector innovation and competitiveness. This briefing presents further evidence to support this claim. First, the diffusion of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) was faster in the US, where SMA is included in federal guidelines, than in the EU, where there are presently no such guidelines. Some research has found that earlier diagnosis of SMA is associated with better health outcomes and lower health care costs. Second, the rate of infant mortality is lower in EU Member States that cover more health conditions in their NBS panels. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Royal Navy has been forced to borrow a German frigate after 'running out of ships' - as Donald Trump mocked Britain's aircraft carriers as 'toys'.

[allAfrica]

[allAfrica] South Africa has said that it had been excluded from the upcoming G7 summit in France after initially being invited.

[allAfrica] Aboubacar Sidiki Diakité, a key figure convicted of crimes against humanity in Guinea's 2009 stadium massacre, has died in custody due to a medical emergency.

Russia slams UK over threat to seize tankers it deems part of an alleged ‘shadow fleet’ in British waters as “piracy” Read Full Article at RT.com

US President Donald Trump has reposted a report claiming Ukraine wanted to funnel aid money into Joe Biden’s reelection campaign Read Full Article at RT.com

US President Donald Trump has walked back from his vow to resume strikes on Iranian power facilities and extended the deadline for ten days Read Full Article at RT.com

India is seeking a variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles with a longer strike range Read Full Article at RT.com

En mars 2008, à Mahina, Émile Vernaudon remporte les municipales alors qu'il est détenu à la prison de Nuutania pour l'affaire de l'OPT. Accusé d'avoir détourné 115 millions de FCFP, il réussit l'un des coups les plus fous de l'histoire politique française.

A major expansion in access to Jamaica’s regulated cannabis industry is under way, with new permit regimes aimed at bringing more small and traditional farmers into the legal framework. The reforms, now formalised in the Jamaica Gazette, are designed to tackle long-standing barriers that have kept many rural cultivators out of the licensed sector.

WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaica secured major global exposure yesterday as NBC’s morning programme, Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, aired from the island, with the aim of reinforcing its recovery from Hurricane Melissa and appeal to the critical United States (US) market. The popular US network show will continue its multiday Girls’ Trip broadcast from Jamaica today, but it was not the first time Today hosts have made their way to the island.

Attorneys for Rae Town Councillor Rosalie Hamilton have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Kingston Central Member of Parliament (MP) Donovan Williams, threatening Supreme Court action unless he ceases “unwelcome contact” and alleged harassment against her. The legal strike, contained in two letters dated March 26, also rejected claims that the councillor defamed Williams in a series of leaked voice notes now widely circulated.

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has indicated that it has engaged multiple stakeholders to help locate the more than 300 students who have been missing from the formal school system since the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October last year. Speaking yesterday during a quarterly press briefing hosted by the Education Transformation and Oversight Committee (ETOC), Dr Kasan Troupe, permanent secretary in the education ministry, said the ministry has revamped its Find The Child initiative, which was first launched during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tank-Weld Metals (TW), the leading supplier of steel products in Jamaica, is “likely abusing its dominance in the market by harming rivals and customers”, a report by the country’s fair competition watchdog has concluded. The report is based on an investigation conducted by the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) into a complaint filed by another company, ARC Manufacturing Limited, alleging that TW was selling steel reinforcing bars – also known as rebar – below cost to the detriment of rivals.

Sir David Davis, elected as a Conservative MP in 1987, will write to the Director of Public Prosecutions asking him to conduct a review into the handling of Letby's case.

President Donald Trump will hold off on bombing Iran's energy infrastructure until at least early April after extending the deadline for the Islamic Republic to negotiate a deal.

Yesterday Starmer made his first comments on the mysterious - and from his perspective, highly fortuitous - disappearance of the device.

The former footballer, 50, and the fashion designer, 51, bought the property back in 2016 for around £6.5M.

Few could resist an invitation from the Gettys, whose patriarch, the five-times married J. Paul Getty, started off with a few Oklahoma oilfields and ended up being known as 'the world's richest man'.

Van Orden opined that the parties have to «pursue dialogue, even in times of tension»

The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs did not specify which countries are considered unfriendly