Over the years, the EU has provided funding support for various initiatives related to skills, education, training, youth, volunteering, and sport through multiple programmes. In the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF), key funding programmes included Erasmus+, the EU's flagship programme for education, training, youth and sport, and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), the programme for young people to engage in solidarity activities. According to the European Commission, the proposal for the 2028-2034 MFF aims to simplify and streamline the EU's funding tools, by consolidating programmes and achieving greater impact with a more efficient MFF. On 16 July 2025, as part of a package of legislative proposals to govern programmes under the 2028-2034 MFF, the European Commission proposed a regulation establishing the 2028-2034 Erasmus+ programme. The new programme would succeed the 2021-2027 Erasmus+ and ESC programmes, with an indicative budget of €36.2 billion in 2025 prices (€40.8 billion in current prices). The new Erasmus+ programme would cover action on education and training, youth, and sport and integrate the opportunities currently offered by the ESC, including the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps. Aligned with existing policy provisions, it would provide a comprehensive tool to promote high-quality lifelong learning, and develop life and employability skills and key competences for all, while fostering Union values, democratic and societal participation, solidarity, social inclusion, and equal opportunities. The programme would also enhance cooperation on youth policy and further develop the European dimension in sport. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

EU funding for culture, media, education, youth and sport in 2021–27 is wide-ranging, yet instruments directly focused on these areas (Erasmus+, Creative Europe and CERV) represent under 3% of the MFF. Most support comes from broader programmes such as ESF+ and Horizon. Erasmus+, ESC, Creative Europe and CERV show clear EU added value. Implementing simplification and synergies remain key items on the agenda. For 2028–2034, the Commission is proposing consolidated instruments such as Erasmus+ and AgoraEU. Compared to the previous programming period the budget increases, though increased thematic coverage and recent inflation reduce the impact. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The February 2026 plenary session saw two key votes: on the Ukraine Support Loan, reaffirming the EU's continued financial support for Ukraine; and on the EU-Mercosur agreement safeguard clause, underlining the importance of protecting European interests. Members debated several Commission and Council statements, including on the European response to extreme weather events, particularly in Portugal, southern Italy, Malta and Greece; building a stronger European defence in an increasingly volatile international environment; as well as urgent action to revive EU competitiveness, deepen the single market and reduce the cost of living, following up on the Draghi report. Debates also covered the rule of law, fundamental rights and the misuse of EU funds in Slovakia, and Spain's large-scale regularisation policy and its impact on the Schengen Area and EU migration policy. Further debates concerned the presentation of the action plan against cyberbullying, the International Day of Education and the fight against inequalities in access to education, as well as the need to tackle economic inequalities within the EU and globally. Members also adopted a Parliament statement to mark World Cancer Day. Parliament held several debates on external relations, in particular on the European response to the attacks on the Ukrainian energy system and the resulting humanitarian crisis; the situation in north-east Syria, including violence against civilians and the need to maintain a sustainable ceasefire; the urgent need to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan and achieve lasting peace; and the violence in the Great Lakes Region, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Finally, Members heard a formal address by Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Transatlantic relations since early 2025 have been marked by rising tension and uncertainty regarding the reliability of the United States as an ally. Policy clashes are expected across multiple domains, including NATO, Greenland, Ukraine, trade, technology, climate, and relations with China, underscoring a fundamental divergence in the US and European outlooks and objectives. While the US under the Trump Administration increasingly prioritizes Asia and presses Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own defence, Europe is debating how to respond to diminished American security guarantees and the likelihood of assertive US demands for policy concessions. This era could see the alliance seriously weakened – or irreparably changed – as mutual confidence erodes and both sides brace for repeated confrontation on core issues. Yet underlying interests – mutual security, innovation, infrastructure development, and economic resilience – still foster opportunities for cooperation if both sides sustain dialogue, manage disputes, and reaffirm shared commitments. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Electoral trusts disbursed over Rs 3,800 crore to political parties in 2024-25, with the BJP receiving a dominant 82.52%. The Association for Democratic Reforms' report highlights significant contributions from corporates and business houses, while also flagging compliance gaps and urging greater transparency in political funding following the electoral bonds' invalidation.

A 37-year-old man's death at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rally in Salem has sparked political criticism over crowd safety. The deceased, a heart patient, reportedly collapsed from chest pain. Rival parties, including AIADMK and BJP, questioned the party's arrangements, while the ruling DMK raised concerns about potential fatalities before elections. TVK stated they had advised unwell individuals against attending.

The Director of Public Prosecutions is seeking convictions against Sindri Snær Birgisson and Ísidór Nathansson for attempted terrorism and is calling for severe punishment in the terrorism case.

Runólfur Pálsson, CEO of Landspítali National University Hospital, says new nursing and day-care spaces will not be sufficient to improve conditions in the emergency department to the extent required, and that additional solutions must be found for the hospital. However, the added capacity will certainly make a difference.

Perhaps the most politically transformative announcement in the entire address was the expansion of the Constituency Development Fund from K220 million to K5 billion per constituency per year, a move that fundamentally reconfigures how development resources flow within the Malawian state. President Peter Mutharika, making his State of Nation Address in Lilongwe, framed the reform […] The post Power Shifts from Capital Hill to Villages as CDF Jumps to K5 Billion Per Constituency appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Food security occupied a central place in President Peter Mutharika’s SONA address today, reflecting both the political sensitivity of hunger and the economic vulnerability of a country where over 80 percent of the population depends on rain-fed agriculture. In his address, Mutharika said maize prices falling from around K100,000 per 50 kilogram bag to between […] The post “No Malawian Should Die of Hunger” as Maize Prices Collapse After State Intervention appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

In the energy sector, President Peter Mutharika said Malawi was moving away from emergency responses toward long-term industrial planning. In his SONA address, he confirmed that repairs at Tedzani Hydro had restored 31 megawatts to the national grid, while new generation from Raiply Biomass in Mzimba and the Nanjoka-Egenco solar plant in Salima had added […] The post Blackouts Shrink as Energy Policy Shifts from Crisis to Industrial Strategy appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Education and youth empowerment formed the social backbone of Mutharika’s development agenda. He said free secondary education had already brought more than 1,800 students back into classrooms after dropping out due to school fees, marking what he described as “the most immediate social return on policy in recent memory”. Construction of Mombera University, he said, […] The post Free Education, New Universities and Youth Loans as State Bets on Human Capital appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

President Arthur Peter Mutharika used his 2026 State of the Nation Address not merely to report on government performance, but to outline a coherent and ambitious political economy for Malawi, one that deliberately departs from the minimalist, donor-driven governance model that has dominated the country since the mid-1990s. At its core, the speech was a […] The post ANALYSIS: Mutharika’s Developmental State: How the 2026 SONA Signals Malawi’s Most Radical Economic Reset in Three Decades appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

NATO nations are reluctant to embrace economic sacrifices to fund increased defense spending despite WWIII fears, according to Politico Read Full Article at RT.com

Bangladesh considers some trade deals to be unfavorable, BNP leader Tarique Rahman’s adviser has told RT India Read Full Article at RT.com

[New Times] The Chamber of Deputies on Thursday, February 12, approved the relevance of a new bill seeking to reform operations of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), in a move aimed at strengthening the Central Bank's independence and aligning it with international standards.

If you've noticed a burning smell in the air after you woke up on Friday (Feb 13) morning, and throughout the day, here's why.In a Facebook post at about 6.20pm on Friday evening, the National Environment Agency (NEA) explained that smoke from peatland and vegetation fires in recent weeks can release «a complex mixture of gases».«These gases may give rise to a noticeable burning smell, even when present at low concentrations,» the agency said. Last week, Johor firefighters battled a 121.41ha forest fire in Kota Tinggi's Bio Desaru, which took several days to bring under control due to strong and windy conditions.Following a spate of vegetation fires in end-January, Johor fire and rescue department chief Siti Rohani Nadir also urged the public not to engage in open burning, particularly under the present hot, dry and windy conditions.

Former head of Ofsted Baroness Amanda Spielman said today the guidance gives 'too much leeway' for schools 'to permit a child to transition while keeping it secret from their parents'.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is already being probed by police amid claims he passed on official documents to Epstein. Now it appears he gave a Treasury briefing to another banker friend

Actor-turned-politician Vijay of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) criticized the DMK government's Rs 2,000 cash payout to women, calling it an attempt to buy votes. He also highlighted his earlier promise of power-sharing with allies as a «political bomb» unsettling Chief Minister MK Stalin, who recently dismissed the idea of a coalition government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's decisive election victory, reaffirming India's commitment to close bilateral ties. Rahman, son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, is expected to become prime minister following the party's significant win, ushering in potential political stability.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath countered the Samajwadi Party in the assembly, attributing the state's past image of fear and disorder to previous political cultures. He quoted Mirza Ghalib to criticize attempts to shift blame, emphasizing that governance failures cannot be erased by merely pointing fingers.

Ukraine could receive 35 interceptor missiles for US-made Patriot systems from its Western backers soon, Boris Pistorius has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Nigerian troops have rescued hostages and killed 16 Islamic State militants during a counter offensive Read Full Article at RT.com

Russia, the US, and Ukraine will hold new peace talks in Geneva next week, the Kremlin has said Read Full Article at RT.com

The man I walked with in the desert just weeks ago was not the ‘war criminal’ described in The Hague’s warrants Read Full Article at RT.com