The European Union's competitiveness and prosperity depends on an optimal allocation of resources, particularly savings, within the single market, yet EU capital markets remain fragmented. EU rules are mostly set out through directives, leaving Member States' supervisory authorities latitude in their interpretation and application of the rules. Therefore, although rules are enacted at EU level, the resulting uneven supervisory environment is considered a major cause of fragmentation of EU capital markets. EU-level supervision and regulation thus constitute instruments to 'de-fragment' – i.e. 'integrate' – the EU's capital markets. On 4 December 2025, the European Commission issued a package of three proposals to address this situation (the 'market integration package'), as part of its savings and investments union strategy. The proposal to amend three directives – entitled the 'master directive' by the Commission – would primarily aim to enhance and facilitate the supervision of fund management firms operating in several Member States. It would also transfer current provisions in the Directive on markets in financial instruments (MiFID) to the Regulation on markets in financial instruments (MiFIR) in order to ensure their consistent application among Member States. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Lok Sabha has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, defining transgender individuals to exclude those with different sexual orientations or self-perceived identities. The bill aims to protect a specific social and cultural group facing extreme discrimination, with new provisions for authority designation and graded punishments for offenses. Opposition members criticized the bill for limiting self-determination.

A Delhi court has handed down life imprisonment to Kashmiri separatist leader Asiya Andrabi for conspiring against the state. Her associates, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, received 30-year sentences. The court found they plotted Kashmir's secession from India, using speeches and social media to advocate for its merger with Pakistan and portray it as under illegal occupation.

Former congressman David Rivera, accused of secretly lobbying for Nicolás Maduro’s government in Venezuela, climbed Miami politics alongside Marco Rubio.

[ISS] For the past 16 years, South Africa's government has not planned for the prevention of violence, particularly interpersonal violent crime.

[Capital FM] NAIROBI, Kenya, March 24, 2026 - Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya says they are working overtime to pay the Ksh 3.9 billion required to host next year's Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

[allAfrica] Johannesburg -- On any given day, breathing is automatic, an invisible rhythm sustaining life. But for millions of South Africans, every breath carries risk.

[New Times] In executing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, there was a well-articulated organization; without it, the massacres would not have reached devastating levels.

A 27-year-old Malaysian man was arrested on Tuesday (March 24) for his alleged involvement in a case of government official impersonation scam. He is also the ninth Malaysian to be arrested for similar cases in March alone. In a statement on Tuesday, the police said they received a report from a 29-year-old male victim who got a call from an unknown person claiming to be from telco M1. The unknown person told him there was an issue with his existing contract. After the victim denied having any M1 account, the unknown person claimed that the victim's identity could have been misused. The call was then transferred to another person, who claimed to be an officer from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The «officer» informed the victim that he was under investigation for identity fraud and money laundering, and was required to prepare cash of $9,000 to be handed over to the authority for investigation. He was also warned that he would be arrested if he failed to comply. Out of fear, the victim handed over the money to the suspect in the vicinity of Ubi on March 21. 

Eight male motorists, aged between 25 and 74, and one female motorist aged 71, will be charged in court on Wednesday (March 25) with driving without reasonable consideration causing grievous hurt, said the police in a statement on Tuesday.The accidents resulted in injuries to 11 victims: one motorist who was struck outside his broken-down car, two cyclists, six motorcyclists and two motorcycle pillion riders.Three victims suffered fractured spines, including the driver who was had stepped out of his broken-down car. He was opening his boot when he was struck by a lorry, sustaining fractures to his skull, face, spine, ribs and foot. He also sustained damage to his brain and kidneys, and lost his left kidney.On Jan 15, 2026, a 31-year-old male car driver allegedly collided with a motorcycle while making a lane change to the right along Bukit Timah Expressway towards Woodlands Checkpoint. The motorcyclist had an ankle dislocation.Meanwhile, a 71-year-old female car driver was driving along Sims Avenue on Aug 4, 2025, when she purportedly collided with a cyclist while making a left turn. The cyclist had a broken wrist.

After losing their first child to a rare genetic disease, a couple is now racing against time to raise the remaining $1 million they need to save their second child, who has been diagnosed with the same condition. Speaking to AsiaOne on Tuesday (March 24), Norhaziqah Rosli, 35, said although her 10-month-old son Faziq has yet to show any symptoms, the «fear is always there». When her late son Faris was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in 2017, doctors told Norhaziqah and her husband, 37-year-old Rahman Rahim, to be «mentally prepared». At the time, gene therapy was not yet available and despite efforts, Faris died on June 24, 2022 before his sixth birthday. When she was expecting Faziq, her fourth child, she received the frightening news during her second trimester that he had SMA. Norhaziqah said doctors were already prepared to give Faziq the oral medication Risdiplam to delay the disease progression and he has been taking it since birth. He is also undergoing physiotherapy at National University Hospital (NUH). 

The Oklahoma governor said he will appoint Alan S. Armstrong to the Senate seat vacated by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R), who was recently confirmed as homeland security secretary.

The US views India as crucial for a balanced Indo-Pacific, emphasizing deeper defense and strategic ties. A senior official highlighted shared interests in a region free from single-power dominance. Both nations aim to enhance operational interoperability and India's defense capabilities, fostering co-production and a strong domestic industry.

The giant masts were erected on Fenn Street in St Mary Hoo, Kent, this month after the old poles reached the end of their lifespan.

Rachel Reeves is expected to make clear that any bailout will be targeted rather than universal as she responds to the Middle East crisis.

Between 15,000 and 40,000 homes will be built in each location it was being dubbed by the government as the most ambitious housbuilding project in half a century.

LIVE UPDATES: Follow the Daily Mail's live coverage of the US-Israel war with Iran as Donald Trump declares a five-day pause on striking Iranian energy sites after 'good' talks with Tehran.

From agitprop accusations to civilisational storytelling: why Dhurandhar duology has struck such a nerve...

Miss Malawi 2025, Thandi Chisi, has added another milestone to her growing list of achievements after being recognized as one of Wealth Magazine Malawi’s 100 Influential Women 2026. The recognition places her among some of the country’s most impactful women across various sectors who are driving change and transforming lives in their communities. Reacting to […] The post Miss Malawi 2025 Thandi Chisi Named Among Wealth Magazine’s 100 Influential Women 2026 appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) has donated K200Million towards the Emergency Response Programme targeting communities affected by recent heavy rains and floods following floods which started from 14 March, and ended on 18 the same month. Speaking at Capitol Hill in Lilongwe, NOCMA Director of Finance Sophia Mkandawire said the country is committed to […] The post Nocma donates K200Mn towards humanitarian response appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

AIADMK released its Tamil Nadu Assembly election manifesto, promising Rs 2,000 monthly assistance for female heads of households and Rs 10,000 for every family. The manifesto also includes promises of free refrigerators, extended bus travel for men, and three free cooking gas cylinders annually for ration cardholders.

Phubbing stems largely from social media addiction and undermines people-to-people interactions

The Supreme Court questioned West Bengal's objection to the ED's plea alleging obstruction by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a raid. Justices emphasized the fundamental rights of individual ED officers, urging the state to focus on their alleged victimhood rather than just the agency.

ISSUES AT STAKE: • Every year around €2.5 trillion, roughly 15 % of the combined GDP of the EU's 27 Member States, is spent on public procurement. The perceived failure of current EU public procurement rules to deliver on the economic potential of this part of the economy lead to a need for review. Findings show competition in public procurement did not increase from 2011 to 2021, a period which comprises the last review of the rules, which date to 2014. Successful public procurement could be leveraged to provide investment in the EU economy, thus playing its part in the drive to improve its competitiveness as a whole and the strategic autonomy of the Union. • The review will be expected to simplify the current rules. The notion of 'simplification' has two potential aspects, namely removal of complexity present in the procurement framework legislation itself, and simplification of the interaction between that framework and sectoral legislation. • The previous revision of the EU's public procurement rules strengthened the power of public authorities to award contracts on non-price criteria. To increase the take-up of procurement on such strategic bases, it will be necessary to improve the legal framework to give greater clarity as to the conditions for such awards. • One aspect of the strategic approach to procurement which has gained significant political traction recently is the encouragement of procurement of goods and services made in the EU – the 'European preference'. This is fully in line with recent efforts to develop the EU's autonomy in strategically important sectors. Complex interrelationships exist between these drivers. Some are in inherent contradiction, while others are necessarily complementary. For example, development of non-price award criteria by means of increased legal certainty implies developing additional, more detailed legal rules. This is prima facie opposed to the simplification agenda, if simplification is to be understood just as reducing the number of rules. Similarly, any 'European preference' will need legal delineation, which, depending on how it is executed, may run counter to any notion of simplification. Developing secure legal criteria for non-price awards will impact positively on the competitiveness gain from EU public procurement, if those rules cater for increased innovative tenders. While an EU preference could support local industries, it could also limit contracting authorities' (CAs) choice of international tenderer, with a possible negative impact on competitiveness. Resolving these trade-offs will be at the heart of the political deal to be struck on this reform. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study maps EU allocations and instruments supporting natural disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery under the 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and compares them with the European Commission’s proposals for the 2028–2034 MFF. It highlights key structural and budgetary differences, including changes affecting climate and biodiversity mainstreaming, and identifies limits to comparability. The study provides Members of the European Parliament with a clear analytical basis for scrutiny of the post-2027 EU budget. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Alexander Kharchenko noted that «Iran will not accept this painful blow and will actively use drones and ballistic missiles»

Despite Trump’s recent statements regarding possible negotiations, Israel itself remains skeptical about the possibility of concluding an acceptable agreement with the Iranian leadership

According to the source, Washington does not believe that Kiev is capable of agreeing on the «key issue,» referring to Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donbass

The US doesn’t think it necessary to warn Europe when making decisions on military operations, Fabien Mandon said

The State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom and the Atomic Energy Agency of Uzbekistan signed a roadmap for cooperation in the nuclear and related fields

The former glamour model, 47, appeared on the sofa earlier this month (16 March) to set a few things straight in a tell-all chat.

FDH Bank Plc has recognised outstanding netball players for their exceptional performances in the FDH Premier Netball League, marking the end of a competitive season that started in August last year. The awards ceremony, held on March 22 at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) Sports Complex, celebrated players and officials who stood out […] The post FDH Bank Rewards Top Netball Stars as Blue Eagles Dominate Season Awards appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.