Yesterday marked five years since volcanic activity resumed on the Reykjanes Peninsula. On March 19, 2021, an eruption began in Geldingadalir near Fagradalsfjall, marking the start of a new volcanic era on the peninsula after nearly 800 years of dormancy.

Himachal Pradesh is set to introduce a new 'orphan and widow cess' on petrol and diesel, with rates capped at Rs 5 per litre. This proposed levy, aimed at creating a dedicated funding stream for welfare measures, will be applied on the initial sale of fuel within the state.

The government is taking strong action against illegal online gambling and betting. Around 300 websites and apps have been blocked recently. This crackdown follows the Online Gaming Act. Enforcement agencies are working to identify and disable these platforms. The move aims to curb financial fraud and protect users. Over 8,400 illegal sites have been blocked so far.

India has sent a 2.5-ton consignment of medical supplies and equipment to Kabul following a deadly airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center. The shipment aims to support the treatment and recovery of those injured in the March 16 attack, which reportedly killed over 400 people. India reiterated its solidarity with the Afghan people and commitment to humanitarian support.

Muslims in Singapore should go beyond the community to strengthen ties across the nation's diverse society, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Assoc Prof Faishal Ibrahim.In his Hari Raya Aidilfitri message on Friday (March 20), he commended Muslims for working together towards the benefit of the larger community.«When we play our part with sincerity and unified purpose, we can move forward together as a community and as a nation, with one heart,» the acting minister said in Malay, citing the Malay proverb «we rise and fall together».Assoc Prof Faishal, who is also Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, delivered his message at the Jamae Chulia mosque in Chinatown. It was broadcast on television channel Suria.The wakaf mosque, built in the 1820s, sits next to Sri Mariammam temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic temple along South Bridge Road. It was designated a national monument in 1974.A wakaf is a permanent dedication by a Muslim of any movable or immovable property for any purpose recognised by the Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable.

A batch of pineapple slices sold at warehouse factory sales is being recalled after the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) detected the presence of sulphur dioxide — an allergen — in them. The food additive was not declared in the packaging label.Tai Sun (Lim Kee) Food Industries, the importer of the affected product — Pineapple Slices (400g) — has been directed to recall them, the agency said on Friday (March 20).One batch of the product — sold at Tai Sun's warehouse factory sales — with an expiry date of July 30, 2026, is being recalled.SFA said that while sulphite does not pose a food safety issue to consumers at large, those who are intolerant of, or allergic to, sulphites may either develop or experience hives, itchiness, stomach ache, diarrhoea, or vomiting.Those who have purchased the affected product, and are intolerant of or allergic to sulphites, should not consume them. They may contact their point of purchase for enquiries.Persons who have consumed the product should seek medical advice if they have concerns about their health. 

Flights between Singapore and Dubai have been cancelled until April 30, according to an advisory by Singapore Airlines (SIA) on Friday (March 20).The airline explained that two flights —SQ494 from Singapore to Dubai and SQ495 from Dubai to Singapore — have been cancelled in light of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.«As the situation remains fluid, other SIA flights may be affected,» the national carrier added, advising customers to visit its flight status page for information about their flights.This follows multiple flight cancellations from both SIA and Scoot since US and Israel started the war against Iran on Feb 28.Flights had previously been projected to resume on March 28.Those affected by the flight cancellations can either seek a full refund of the unused portion of their ticket or accept re-accommodation on alternative flights.Customers who made bookings through travel agents or partner airlines are also advised to contact the relevant parties for assistance.SIA also apologised to affected customers for the inconvenience caused.

Russian Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Fitr in Moscow and across the country Read Full Article at RT.com

The Iran war fallout has hit 35 million workers from India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh Read Full Article at RT.com

Uttarakhand High Court imposed a gag order on gym owner Mohammad Deepak, restraining him from social media statements amid an ongoing investigation. The court refused to quash the FIR against him, citing his status as a «suspected accused» and deeming his requests for police protection and action against officials as attempts to pressure the investigation.

The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) has emphasised the need for responsible gambling advertising, saying measures introduced under Directive No. 1 of 2025 are aimed at protecting children and vulnerable groups. MAGLA Director General Racheal Mijiga told a stakeholder meeting in Blantyre on Tuesday that the directive also maintains a balance between economic activities […] The post MAGLA advocates responsible gambling advertising to protect children appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Former State House Chief of Staff Prince Kapondamgaga has mounted a firm denial over his role in the explosive Amaryllis Hotel deal—but his testimony has only deepened the intrigue surrounding one of the most controversial multi-billion-kwacha transactions in recent memory. Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Kapondamgaga distanced himself from the deal, insisting his […] The post Kapondamgaga Denies Role in Explosive Amaryllis Deal as PAC Probes Deepen Governance Scandal appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has given out K20 million towards the upcoming SKC Foundation fundraising charity golf tournament scheduled for 28 March, 2026 in Lilongwe. The SKC Foundation, established in honour of late Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima, has organised the tournament to raise funds for the purchase of dialysis machines and […] The post NBM commits K20 million for SKC Foundation Golf fundraiser appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

FDH Bank Plc has reaffirmed its role in complementing government efforts to drive Malawi’s socio-economic development through interventions that uplift communities and support key sectors of the economy. The Bank said this during an engagement with the State President Peter Mutharika at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Wednesday, where it outlined several initiatives aligned with […] The post FDH Bank steps up support for national development appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The Secondary School Teachers Union (SESTU) has raised the alarm over what it calls systematic exclusion from crucial government negotiations on salaries and conditions of service—warning that secondary school teachers are being sidelined in decisions that directly affect their livelihoods. SESTU General Secretary, Frank Druwen Moyo, told Nyasa Times that the current representation framework is […] The post SESTU Demands Seat at the Table, Slams “Exclusion” in Government Pay Talks appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The EU will deliver a €90 billion loan to Ukraine “one way or the other,” despite Hungary’s veto, Ursula von der Leyen has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Iran’s football chief says the team intends to compete in the FIFA World Cup but will not play its matches in the US due to the ongoing war Read Full Article at RT.com

Russia has sent 29 tons of aid to Mozambique after floods left thousands of people affected and infrastructure damaged Read Full Article at RT.com

The US asked for permission to land warplanes on the island March 4 and 8, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has told parliament Read Full Article at RT.com

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee released the TMC's election manifesto, accusing the BJP of conspiracies to capture the state and weaken institutions. She unveiled '10 Protigya' pledges focusing on welfare, jobs, housing, and infrastructure, promising enhanced financial aid for women and support for youth and farmers. Elections are scheduled for April 23 and April 29.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant recused himself from hearing petitions challenging the 2023 law on appointing election commissioners, citing a conflict of interest. The law removed the CJI from the selection panel, a change stemming from a previous Supreme Court ruling. The matter will now be heard by a bench without a prospective CJI.

A three-member expert committee will rewrite the Class 8 NCERT textbook chapter on the judiciary. This follows a controversy over a section mentioning corruption in the judiciary. The Supreme Court has closed its proceedings after the government's assurance. NCERT had previously withdrawn the chapter. The committee includes K. K. Venugopal, Indu Malhotra, and Justice Aniruddha Bose.

Tragedy struck Riyadh as an Indian national lost their life on March 18th amidst escalating regional tensions. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has confirmed the demise and is actively supporting the deceased's family while coordinating with local authorities.

Congress leader Shama Mohamed has expressed concern over the low representation of women in the party's candidate list for the Kerala assembly elections, with only nine out of 92 tickets allotted to women. She appealed to Rahul Gandhi to intervene and support women leaders in the state unit. The party has finalized all 95 nominees for the upcoming polls.

This IA accompanies three proposals designed to support the establishment of the savings and investment union, as well as the EU's efforts to deepen capital market integration, strengthen supervision and foster innovation. Overall, the IA is meaningful, but could have been shorter, in line with the Better Regulation Guidelines. The IA identifies three problems and two drivers. While the consequences are well-defined across the different stakeholder groups, the scale and scope of the problem remain difficult to assess due to the limited quantification provided. The principles of subsidiarity and proportionality are respected. The IA defines one general objective, which it breaks down into three specific objectives, but does not provide operational objectives. The European Commission has presented two policy packages: one for reducing barriers to cross-border operations and innovation and another for addressing supervisory divergence. Each package includes two policy options. These options are based on previous research and stakeholder consultation; however, the choice of options is quite limited, even though the IA specifies which options were discarded at an early stage and why. The IA only assesses the economic impact of the proposed legislation, omitting impacts on citizens. It would have been relevant to include a wider range of impacts such as territorial or digital effects. Additionally, the costs and benefits are mainly discussed qualitatively. The IA includes an SME test and a competitiveness check. The Commission consulted a broad range of stakeholders and included their views in the IA. In addition, the IA uses robust data sources, provides a clear monitoring plan and is transparent about its limitations. The IA openly knowledges that it did not address all the Regulatory Scrutiny Board's comments, due to time and data constraints. Finally, the legislative proposals are aligned with the IA. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The public sector racked up the highest February borrowing on record outside of Covid at £14.3billion - far more than analysts had expected.

The 33-year-old from Basildon, Essex was seen looking over his shoulder as he sprinted back to his hotel on the island of Phuket shortly before midnight on Thursday, March 12.

European political parties ('europarties') emerged in the 1970s, preceding the first direct elections to the European Parliament in 1979. The Maastricht Treaty of 1992 granted them legal recognition; however, it was only in 2004 that EU law defined their status, set establishment criteria, and provided independent funding. The most recent regulatory change in 2025 emphasised protecting EU values, strengthening safeguards against foreign interference, and updating transparency and financing requirements. Europarties' influence depends on balancing European and national interests. Ongoing deliberations seek to enhance europarties' resilience, and their independence from national politics, reflecting the broader debate on the balance of power between Member States and EU institutions. This search for equilibrium continues to drive significant academic and political discussion. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The purpose of this study is to enhance the evidence base on how organised crime groups (OCGs) have evolved into transnational geopolitical actors, to evaluate the suitability of international legal frameworks for holding them accountable, and to offer policy recommendations to strengthen this accountability. The study finds that international law fails to adequately define or reflect the transformation of OCGs into geopolitical actors. Instead, it relies on outdated conceptions of criminal hierarchies, which confine organised crime to the transnational rather than international legal domain . International law is therefore restricted in its ability to categorise these groups as legal entities, even where their actions resemble crimes against humanity in their intent and scale . This definitional oversight has practical consequences: EU external action efforts generate relatively little information on geopolitical threats tied to OCGs, and the international criminal, humanitarian, and human rights infrastructure is unable to directly confront the actions of these groups. The study calls for the redefinition of OCGs as part of a new Directive, as well as practical measures to refine criminal justice mechanisms, improve cross-border cooperation, update EU external action threat assessments and support existing international legal frameworks to more effectively account for the geopolitical behaviours and impacts of OCGs. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Russia Today correspondent was reporting near a local military base in southern Lebanon when a missile struck the ground just metres behind him.

In retaliation for joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, the Islamic Republic has launched thousands of Shaheds at military and civilian infrastructure across the Gulf region.

Angela Rayner is no longer 'on manoeuvres'. Instead, she now has Keir Starmer directly in her sights, and has begun opening up with live rounds, writes DAN HODGES.

Rocco Grasso, his siblings and his cousins had sought to assert a historical right to park in the lane behind terraced homes they own in Arnos Grove, north London.

LIVE UPDATES: Follow the Daily Mail's live coverage of the Iran war as Saudi Arabia warns Tehran it could take military action after repeat strikes on Gulf nations since the start of the war.