The relationship between the EU and the United Kingdom (UK) has evolved significantly since Brexit. Following the 2024 UK general election, the new government called for a ‘reset’ in relations with the EU, launching a renewed agenda of structured political cooperation across shared priorities. The UK-EU Summit on 19 May 2025 was the first high-level meeting of its kind since Brexit, establishing a new strategic partnership. The EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly plays a key role in fostering dialogue. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This digest provides a collection of documents prepared by academia, think tanks, other EU institutions and bodies, as well as stakeholders that could be useful for Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets to stay informed about the debate concerning the next Multiannual Financial Framework, due to start in 2028. It is one in a series produced monthly by the Budgetary Support Unit in the Directorate-General for Budgetary Affairs (DG BUDG) and the Members' Research Service in the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS). Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the period 2028-2034, proposed by the European Commission, includes a regulation establishing a National and Regional Partnership Fund (NRPF) which would pool together most of the existing EU funds, including support for agriculture and the common agricultural policy (CAP). Regulation 1308/2013 (the CMO Regulation) sets out rules for the common organisation of markets in agricultural products, including measures currently financed under the CAP. According to the proposed new MFF, financial support for these measures would be governed by the new NRPF Regulation. In view of that, certain provisions of the CMO Regulation need to be amended and updated, and some provisions currently included in other acts need to be integrated into the CMO Regulation. In the proposal presented on 16 July 2025, the Commission undertakes those alignments, and furthermore introduces other changes aimed at updating the provisions to reflect developments in some policy areas. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The European Council is an EU institution with significant influence and a key role, but its accountability remains limited. Nonetheless, democratic control over its members can be exercised by their respective national parliaments, which have progressively strengthened their role in EU affairs. This publication analyses the role of national parliaments in scrutinising the meetings of the European Council and in holding their national representative to account. It examines formal rules and practices, both for ex-ante and ex-post parliamentary oversight. It also compares the national parliaments' scrutiny activities with the European Parliament's, identifies best practice, and suggests potential areas for improvement. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Hjalti Ólafsson, one of the authors of the social and economic analysis by the University of Akureyri Research Centre on tunnel options in East Iceland, states that the profitability of both the Fjarðarheiði Tunnel and the Fjarðagöng tunnels is very close to zero, despite both projects being extremely costly.

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology has announced the finalization of an artificial intelligence (AI) action plan, which highlights the pivotal role of AI in the country’s scientific advancement.

TEHRAN – The first global assessment of mangroves by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified mangrove forests in the Persian Gulf as vulnerable (VU) overall.

TEHRAN – Iranian and Afghan officials have discussed ways to promote cooperation between the two countries in the pharmaceutical and medical equipment fields.

TEHRAN – Held annually on December 5, World Soil Day 2025 focuses on urban landscapes with the theme Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities.

Donald Trump has warned European nations that they are under threat of 'civilisational erasure' and will be 'unrecognisable' in the next 20 years.

EU leaders are constantly making unacceptable demands, complicating Russia-US efforts to reach a settlement on Ukraine Read Full Article at RT.com

The International Sambo Federation has restored the rights of Russian and Belarusian national teams Read Full Article at RT.com

The first African Media Excellence Awards in Addis Ababa recognized diverse storytelling and rising media talent from across Africa Read Full Article at RT.com

This has been an eventful year for me, writes SARAH VINE. But if my memoir has taught me anything, it's that the truth really can set you free. Honesty, it seems, really is the best policy.

When I read that a TV presenter called Holly Willoughby had knocked over a moped rider, breaking his neck, my first reaction was: Oh dear, how sad, never mind.

Zia Yusuf, the party's head of policy, appeared on the immigration special to debate the issue but was questioned by a man who had arrived in the UK illegally.

Reform leader Nigel Farage had demanded the Chancellor be investigated for saying there was a black hole in the public finances of more than £20billion, which it later emerged did not exist.

A 57-year-old man was arrested on Thursday (Dec 4) for his suspected involvement in a series of theft in dwelling cases. In a statement on Dec 5, the police said they were alerted to a case of theft at a drinks stall at a hawker centre along Old Airport Road, where $20 in cash was stolen. The police said the suspect was identified with the aid of images from police cameras and through ground queries. Preliminary investigations revealed that he is also believed to be involved in other similar cases of theft in dwelling. The suspect will be charged in court on Dec 6. If found guilty, he can be fined and jailed for up to seven years. The police also advised businesses, especially those operating in high-traffic public areas, to secure valuables such as tip boxes and cash containers to prevent opportunistic theft. [[nid:726273]]editor@asiaone.com 

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic gestures towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting the significance of symbolic actions in foreign policy. Tharoor emphasized that these gestures, including receiving Putin at the airport and gifting him the Bhagwad Gita, signal the continuity of India's important relationship with Russia.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has directed airlines, particularly IndiGo, to resolve large-scale disruptions and restore services promptly. Flight schedules are expected to stabilize by midnight and fully normalize within days, with passengers able to track delays from home.

The Russian president emphasized that the creation of a free trade zone between India and the Eurasian Economic Union would certainly contribute to the expansion of Russian-Indian commercial ties

The Russian Deputy Prime Minister said the measures taken by the Central Bank, the government, and financial authorities are having an impact on the decline in inflation

The National Security Strategy notes that in order to build healthy ties with the Middle East, the United States should accept «the region, its leaders, and its nations as they are»

The news agency quoted German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as saying there is «no possibility of leaving the money we mobilize to the US»

They include a program for the development of strategic directions of Russian-Indian economic cooperation until 2030, as well as an agreement on combating illegal migration

Economic Development Minister Maksim Reshetnikov has outlined ways to boost trade between Moscow and New Delhi in an interview with RT Read Full Article at RT.com

Russian President Vladimir Putin's specially modified Ilyushin Il-80, dubbed the “Flying Kremlin,” became the world's most tracked flight en route to Delhi. This secure airborne command center, designed for extreme conditions and equipped with advanced communication and defensive systems, underscores Russia's strategic leadership protection.

Prime Minister Modi hailed India-Russia ties as a «North star» in a changing world, announcing an economic cooperation program until 2030. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to energy security and combating terrorism. Discussions also covered trade, with Russia pledging continued fuel shipments to India's growing economy.

Prime Minister Modi and President Putin held crucial talks, with India asserting it's not «neutral» on the Ukraine war, advocating for peace. Modi highlighted continuous contact and trust during the crisis. Putin briefed on peace efforts, acknowledging India's profound support and personal attention from the PM. Discussions also covered space and AI advancements.

Sarkozy’s supporters have created a narrative of elite fragility under scrutiny, diverting the focus from his legal violations Read Full Article at RT.com

Kirill Dmitriev has accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of sabotaging the Ukraine peace process with his “warmongering” Read Full Article at RT.com

Niger has threatened to prosecute French firm Orano after allegedly finding 400 barrels of harmful radioactive materials near a uranium site Read Full Article at RT.com

Ukraine’s Zelensky is pursuing the agenda of a narrow group of radical nationalists instead of seeking peace, Putin has said Read Full Article at RT.com