Israel Katz stated the goal is to «destroy the deadly underground terrorist infrastructure that Hamas built beneath the homes of Gaza residents and all the buildings above them in order to eliminate threats to the residents of the Negev and the State of Israel»

The MOEX Russia Index gained 1.2% to 2,733.75 points, while the RTS Index added 2.1% to 1,106.46 points

Murderer Robert Rhodes, 52, refused to appear in court but said he maintained his innocence as he was handed a life sentence for killing wife Dawn with a knife at their family home in Surrey.

New Delhi has said it is in dialogue with Washington amid reports it could exit the Chabahar port project Read Full Article at RT.com

Talks on Ukraine are impossible without discussing wider European security, the Kremlin has said, welcoming a shift in tone from EU capitals Read Full Article at RT.com

Germans should work more to revive the country’s moribund economy, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Iran must significantly cut its missile and nuclear programs to reach a diplomatic agreement with the US, Steve Witkoff has said Read Full Article at RT.com

China and Canada have agreed to relaunch a strategic partnership focused on trade amid growing tensions between Ottawa and Washington Read Full Article at RT.com

Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated the 3rd International Kite Festival, urging the Delhi government and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to form a committee to make the city the national hub for kite festivities, expand the event, and encourage public participation for a grand nationwide celebration.

[New Times] Rwandan exporters have welcomed the United States House of Representatives' decision to approve a three-year extension of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), describing it as a boost to market access and medium long-term planning.

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon praised Legault for his commitment to the province. But he said his departure signals it is time for a change in government, and an independent Quebec.

EXCLUSIVE: London's phone theft epidemic is being fuelled by 'highly organised' Algerian gangs stealing luxury items to sell in black market bazaars, experts warn today.

Russian troops were pinned down by relentless gunfire, believing they were facing multiple Ukrainian fighters.

Ellen Roome, the mother of 14-year-old Jools Sweeney who passed away in 2022, appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning as she and the other parents prepare for the first hearing.

Reform have paraded two switchers from the Tories in recent days - first former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and then ex-leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick.

Craig Guildford had been facing immense pressure to leave his post for misleading MPs and the public over the decision to bar supporters of the Israeli side.

Sixty students from River Valley Primary School reported symptoms of gastroenteritis after eating meals from the school's central kitchen operator on Jan 14 (Wednesday). They felt sick after their lunch break and had food poisoning symptoms the next day. Four pupils were still recovering at home as of Jan 16, while the rest had returned to school. No one was hospitalised, said the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) in a joint statement.«The school has been in touch with affected students and their parents, and will continue to monitor the students' well-being,» the statement read.MOE and the school are also working closely with SFA and CDA to investigate the matter, with the school simultaneously stepping up cleaning and sanitisation of the canteen and other common areas. Pupils have also been reminded to practice good personal hygiene and rest at home if they are unwell.

At seven, algebra was an abstract concept to me and exams were certainly not my strong suit. But for seven-year-old Theodore Kwan, that's all the years he needs to ace an O-level equivalent maths exam, Lianhe Zaobao reported on Thursday (Jan 15). Kwan, who will turn eight in June, took the IGCSE Pure Mathematics examination at the Extended level in October last year — his results were released along with other O-level candidates on Thursday. The IGCSE Pure Mathematics examination is divided into two levels, Core and Extended, with the latter being the more advanced test.At seven, he is the youngest in Singapore to receive an A* grade for the exam, with the previous record holder being eight years and 11 months old, according to the Singapore Book of Records. Speaking with the Chinese publication, Kwan's mother, Dr Crystal Tang, shared that the result came as a pleasant surprise to both her and her husband. 

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation establishing the European fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034 ('the fund') as part of the extensive package on the next EU long-term budget – the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework. The Commission argues that the proposal would bring about more flexibility, simplicity and better value for money, while strategically addressing today's priorities. This would be achieved through national and regional partnership plans: for each Member State, one single plan would regroup initiatives currently managed under separate budgetary instruments covering different policy areas such as the common agricultural policy, cohesion, social and migration. In May 2025, the European Parliament had strongly opposed the use of the 'one national plan per Member State' approach inspired by the Recovery and Resilience Facility for all shared management spending. Parliament's MFF co-rapporteurs call on Members to keep opposing that approach in their draft interim report. In addition, the proposal includes funding for an EU facility, an Interreg plan aimed at enhancing European territorial cooperation, and technical assistance. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

How value added tax (VAT) rates are levied on various goods and services has wide-ranging implications, including for the fiscal revenues of national and EU budgets and the prices consumers have to pay. This briefing examines how EU legislation shapes Member States' ability to set VAT rates. EU law establishes the framework within which Member States may apply different VAT rates, including the types of goods and services that can benefit from preferential rates. Such differentiation is used to pursue policy objectives – for example, supporting low-income households or incentivising the consumption of certain 'merit' goods. However, these policy choices can also create legal and administrative complexity and lead to sizeable revenue losses. Moreover, studies have questioned the extent to which lower VAT rates are effectively passed on to consumers by businesses, raising doubts about their efficiency as policy instruments. The European Parliament has expressed concerns about the legal uncertainty and the complexity arising from the proliferation of different VAT rates, and has called for regular reviews to assess which of the preferential VAT rates remain necessary and effective. At a time when many EU Member States face high budget deficits and competing spending priorities, a smart approach to VAT rate-setting is essential. Ensuring that VAT rate policy effectively balances social objectives, market efficiency and revenue collection is key to maintaining both fiscal sustainability and fairness within the EU. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The 13 overseas countries and territories (OCTs) of the European Union (EU) are islands associated with the EU and constitutionally linked to Denmark (Greenland), France (6 OCTs), and the Netherlands (6 OCTs), on which they depend to varying degrees as non-sovereign countries or territories. OCTs have been associated with the EU since the entry into force in 1958 of the Treaty of Rome. This association is enshrined in Articles 198 to 204 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the EU (TFEU). Its key aim is to promote the economic and social development of the OCTs and to establish close economic relations between them and the EU. According to the TFEU, this association serves primarily to further the interests and prosperity of the inhabitants of OCTs to lead them to the economic, social, and cultural development to which they aspire. On 3 September 2025, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Council decision on the association of the OCTs with the EU, including relations between the EU and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. This proposal to amend the current Council Decision (EU) 2021/1764 is made in the context of the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework (MFF). It introduces several amendments and ensures the continuation of EU funding for the OCTs. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory in the Maharashtra civic elections 2026, including the BMC polls, across 27 civic bodies. Key takeaways highlight the BJP's dominance under Devendra Fadnavis, the erosion of the Thackeray legacy, and the fizzling out of Ajit Pawar's political maneuvers. The Congress showed a minor resurgence, while AIMIM made notable inroads in urban pockets.

Doctors at the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) have joined nurses in protest action at the Accident and Emergency (A...

Kemi Badenoch dismissed the prospect of any more of her shadow cabinet switching sides as she mocked Nigel Farage for 'doing my Spring cleaning'.

Michal Berkner is said to be a powerful driver of his political career, with former Conservative colleagues describing her as a 'force of nature'.