The British government has blacklisted dozens of tankers for allegedly transporting Russian oil and two insurers involved in the trade Read Full Article at RT.com

The EU and Switzerland are important trading partners and close-minded partners in foreign affairs. They also have very strong ties through a range of bilateral agreements and Switzerland has been associated with several EU policies relating to the internal market, the Schengen agreement, the Dublin system for dealing with asylum claims and the EU's research and mobility programmes. Between 2014 and 2021, the EU and Switzerland negotiated an institutional framework agreement, which would have further developed Switzerland's participation in the EU internal market. However, Switzerland terminated the talks. The failure of the talks led the EU to block an update to the mutual recognition agreement on conformity assessment of technical standards and exclude Switzerland from Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship research programme. In February 2022, the Swiss Federal Council presented an alternative way forward consisting of a broad package of measures relating to the bilateral relationship between the EU and Switzerland, including a new approach regarding the institutional elements. Following exploratory talks, the two parties agreed on a common understanding as a new basis for their negotiations, which are ongoing. First edition. The 'International Agreements in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the process, from initial discussions through to ratification. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Since the downfall of the authoritarian General Suharto in 1998, a series of reforms have transformed Indonesia into the world's fourth largest democracy (and largest Muslim democracy). The country has a presidential system in which a directly elected president serves as head of both state and government. A two-term limit on the presidency helps to ensure a peaceful alternation of power. Also directly elected, Indonesia's House of Representatives (the lower house of the two chambers of parliament) has asserted itself as a strong and independent institution. Following the October 2024 presidential and legislative elections, there are eight parliamentary parties, none of which holds a majority, obliging the government to seek support from a broad coalition. Despite the success of Indonesia's political reforms, the country's commitment to democratic values cannot be taken for granted. Although Indonesia has traditionally been a tolerant, multicultural society, a tide of Islamic populism threatens to disrupt the delicate balance between the country's Muslim majority and minorities such as Christians and Buddhists. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has had some success in tackling endemic corruption in the country's courts, local governments and parliament; however, it is currently facing a serious challenge. While trust in democratic institutions declines, the military – whose commitment to democratic values has often been questionable – is becoming increasingly influential. This briefing updates an earlier briefing by Martin Russell. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

There are a number of micro-states in western Europe that do not belong to the EU: the Holy See, the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Principality of Monaco and the Republic of San Marino. While they exhibit differences in terms of geography, population, language, and institutional and political structure, they have close relations with EU Member States based on shared history, and political and cultural affinities. Moreover, they are like-minded partners in foreign affairs. Given a mutual interest in deepening cooperation, the EU and three of these states – the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Monaco and the Republic of San Marino – have been engaged in dialogue since 2014. This culminated in December 2023 in the conclusion of negotiations on an association agreement with Andorra and San Marino. First edition. The 'International Agreements in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the process, from initial discussions through to ratification. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The raising of the defense walls from the place where the Blue Lagoon parking lot used to be to the Njarðvíkur pipeline is well underway and was ongoing throughout the night. It is expected that two defense walls will be raised by 3-4 meters.

Work was done all night on cooling the lava at the eruption sites at Sundhnúkagígar crater row as well as on expanding and widening the defense walls, so that red-hot lava does not get over them.

House prices have surged by 2,534% in 50 years, while salary growth has failed to keep up, data shows.

RIYADH: Workshops arranged by Ehsan, the national platform for charitable work, are helping empower non-profit organizations. The initiative will ensure leaders keep pace with the governance of charitable work, with sessions aimed at developing methods to plan and implement projects.

JAZAN: Authorities in Jazan arrested a citizen for transporting nine border security violators of Yemeni and Ethiopian nationalities. Legal procedures were carried out, and the violators were handed over to the authorities before being transferred to the Public Prosecution.

RIYADH: A Spanish world-class powered aerobatic pilot on Tuesday put on a thrilling aerobatic display filled with loops, rolls, spins, dives and climbs at the Sand & Fun event at Al-Thumamah airport, Riyadh.  Organized by the Saudi General Aviation, the event runs from Nov. 19-23.  Castor Fantoba’s performance was one of 10 SkyVentures at Sand & Fun’s series of airshows. In a sitdown interview with Arab News, Fantoba described how his passion for aviation began and what it takes to become a world-class aerobatic pilot. 

JEDDAH: The Italian Consulate General in Jeddah hosted on Wednesday night a unique event celebrating the richness and uniqueness of Italian products and flavors on the occasion of the ninth edition of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World.  The event is being celebrated all over the globe from Nov. 16-22 by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Ministry of Agriculture as part of their drive to promote the beauty and quality of Italian gastronomy.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s minister of defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman, met Johan Stuart, minister of state at the Swedish Prime Minister’s office, in Riyadh on Thursday. They discussed ways in which relations and cooperation between their countries might be enhanced, along with other issues of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The border security service regularly reports about men of recruitment age risking their lives by trying to cross the border illegally in the woods or by swimming across the River Tisza, which separates Ukraine from Romania and Hungary

The German chancellor listed supporting Ukraine at the top of his priorities should the SPD win and form a government

Kismayo (HOL) — Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire have congratulated Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe on his re-election as president of Jubbaland despite the federal government rejecting the election results as unconstitutional.

Ukrainians have never seen the promised freedom, Viktor Medvedchuk noted

The Russian foreign minister noted that American companies had already bought up most of the fertile land

The applicants are parents who demand that the decision of the Latvian authorities be recognized as a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights

According to the report, the Israeli shelling has left 17 people injured, all of them hospitalized

Vladimir Putin will arrive on a state visit to Astana on November 27 at Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's invitation, Kazakhstan’s presidential press service added

Three-quarters of Americans and a majority of Republicans say they want Republicans in Congress to push back on Donald Trump when they disagree.

The French rapist who allowed scores of men to defile his own wife after drugging her should spend 20 years in prison even though that is 'too little', a prosecutor said today.

Colonel General Gennady Anashkin had been the commander of the Russian Army's 'Southern Group' which is fighting in eastern Ukraine.

This briefing, published by the European Parliamentary Research Service, aims to provide a broad range of key facts and figures about the European Parliament. Its many graphics offer a picture of the Parliament's Members and the institution's structures and activity in the current parliamentary term (July 2024 to June 2029) and in previous five-year terms since direct elections were introduced in June 1979. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

In June 2023, following its investigation into Europe's spyware scandal, the European Parliament issued a final recommendation identifying country-specific shortcomings and proposing EU standards for the use of spyware. Proposed safeguards include judicial approval, proportionality requirements, independent oversight, notification duties, and data deletion. Member States embroiled in the spyware scandal are making progress – albeit uneven – towards meeting these standards. Greece has amended its intelligence law in the wake of the spyware scandal, but it remains to be seen whether it will address outstanding shortcomings. Spain has announced further efforts to strengthen its legal framework, although Parliament considered the country's legal framework fundamentally compliant. Rule of law concerns persist in Hungary. Poland is investigating the alleged spyware abuses thoroughly, and is making decisive efforts to improve its legal framework. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

A Winnipeg Police Service officer is recovering after he was stabbed in the throat Sunday evening.

An intoxicated woman in Elliot Lake has been charged with breaking into her neighbour's apartment and choking their dog.

Two Ukrainian military service members have been sentenced in Russia for murdering a non-combatant, the Investigative Committee has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Developed nations propose $300 billion, not $1.3 trillion, for the Global South to fight climate change, and postpone it till 2035 Read Full Article at RT.com

A South Korean man has resorted to binge-eating before his physical examination for the military draft, according to media Read Full Article at RT.com

Several media outlets have released a video of a cargo plane crash in Vilnius that killed one crew member and injured three others Read Full Article at RT.com

The Israeli prime minister is reportedly ready to accept a US-brokered truce with Hezbollah Read Full Article at RT.com

RIYADH: The imam and khatib of the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Baijan, took part in a peace conference themed “Islam is the Religion of Humanity and Peace” during his recent visit to India More than 50,000 Muslims attended the event, which was broadcast on several media platforms and garnered more than 4 million views, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is among the Gulf Cooperation Council nations taking significant steps to invest in developing its organic food and beverage sector, which has experienced a growth surge in recent years. The three-day Biofach Saudi Arabia, which was held alongside Saudi Organic Food Day and concluded on Wednesday, is a key platform showcasing the Kingdom’s commitment to developing its agricultural future.

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received Ambassador of Albania to the Kingdom Saimir Bala in Riyadh on Wednesday. They discussed various topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Meanwhile, Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz met with Ukrainian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Anatolii Petrenko in Dammam on Wednesday. Prince Saud welcomed the ambassador to the Eastern Province. During the meeting, the two exchanged friendly talks and discussed a number of topics.