TEHRAN – Boosting resilience and adaptation is the most effective strategy to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, the head of the Department of Environment (DOE), Shina Ansari, has said.

TEHRAN – Observed annually on December 18, the International Migrants Day raises awareness of the impacts that migrants have on societies, both economically, culturally, and socially; however, well-managed migration is a strategic asset as it strengthens resilience, fuels prosperity, and supports social cohesion.

A DHS official leading the process previously worked at the America First Policy Institute, a pro-Trump nonprofit where the contractor’s CEO was a donor.

The Singaporean community in Hong Kong has raised HK$1.8 million (S$304,000) for the victims of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po that broke out on Nov 26.In a joint statement by the Singapore Consulate-General in Hong Kong, the Singapore Association Hong Kong, the Singapore Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong), and the Singapore International School (Hong Kong) on Wednesday (Dec 17), the group said that the funds were raised through a donation drive.«The Hong Kong people have proven time and time again that their 'Lion Rock Spirit' and resilience will always shine through in the face of adversity. During this difficult time, the Singapore community in Hong Kong stands together with Hong Kong and its people,» the statement read.The «Lion Rock Spirit» is a term used by Hongkongers for their determination, especially when against the odds.Funds raised by the Singaporean community will go towards the support fund set up by the Hong Kong government to assist the victims.

At least 30 people suspected of involvement in Benin’s recent failed coup attempt are being prosecuted for murder and treason Read Full Article at RT.com

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said “stupid” European leaders sabotaged Ukraine peace efforts under the Minsk process Read Full Article at RT.com

The wider US objective was to encircle China militarily with “friendly, puppet governments,” journalist Kit Klarenburg has told RT Read Full Article at RT.com

UN human rights experts have criticized Tallinn over measures targeting the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church Read Full Article at RT.com

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission published a set of proposals outlining the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the 2028-2034 programming period. Among them is the proposal for a regulation establishing the European Social Fund, the main EU tool to support social and employment policies. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 3 December 2025, the European Commission unveiled a package of five legislative proposals underpinning two possible options for funding Ukraine in 2026 and 2027: a reparations loan, borrowing cash balances from banks and other financial companies holding immobilised Russian Central Bank assets; or joint EU borrowing, guaranteed by the 'headroom' in the EU budget. These proposals form the basis for discussions at the 18-19 December European Council meeting. Without new additional financial support from the EU and other international donors, Ukraine is expected to run out of funds early in 2026. The value of Russian assets immobilised worldwide is estimated at around €300 billion. The European Parliament has repeatedly demanded those assets be used to support Ukraine's defence against Russia's occupation forces. At the same time, Russian assets have become a major point in discussions towards a peace plan, escalating the pressure on the EU to take a decision. Belgium continues to resist use of the immobilised assets and recently received support from other Member States, such as Italy and Bulgaria, on that issue. Hungary has voiced opposition to any further support for Ukraine, blocking the option to use the 'headroom' of the EU budget, which would necessitate a unanimous amendment. If both options proposed by the Commission are blocked, a 'coalition of the willing' could be the option of last resort. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This study examines housing needs across the EU, focusing on inequalities in affordability, accessibility, and quality. It provides a mapping of the current housing needs in the EU across territories, including across Member States, rural and urban areas, outermost regions, and islands and across population groups. The study analyses key factors affecting housing demand and supply challenges, and the impacts of housing scarcity on health, education and employment. It also reviews how EU legislation and funding shape and support national policies in the area of decent, sustainable and affordable housing. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The European Commission adopted its proposal for a regulation establishing Union support for internal security for 2028 to 2034 on 16 July 2025. Funding for the policy would come from the proposed European fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security. The proposal should therefore fall under the same funding framework as those for a regulation establishing Union support for asylum, migration and integration; and for a regulation establishing Union support for the Schengen area for European integrated border management and the common policy on visas. The regulation aims at strengthening European Union and Member State capabilities to prevent and combat organised and serious crime, enhance the resilience of critical entities against hostile acts and manage security-related incidents, risks and crises. It would also seek to improve and enhance the exchange of information and improve law enforcement cooperation. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Parliament will debate Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh's convictions when it sits in January next year, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah on Wednesday (Dec 17). In a statement issued in her capacity as Leader of the House, Indranee said the matter will be raised for discussion at the upcoming Parliament sitting. «It is necessary for Parliament to take notice of Mr Singh's actions and convictions, and deliberate on an appropriate response. This matter will therefore be raised for discussion at the upcoming sitting of Parliament in January 2026,» the House leader said. Singh, who is also the Workers' Party's (WP) chief, had his appeal against his convictions for lying to a parliamentary committee in 2021 dismissed by the High Court on Dec 4. The High Court found that the two counts of lying to the committee were supported by evidence. 

SINGAPORE — Unhappy with a male bus passenger who had flashed him an obscene hand gesture, a man flung a glass bottle at the vehicle from the side of a road.The bottle broke a window of the double-decker bus and struck the passenger's 57-year-old wife, causing the woman to sustain facial wounds that had to be stitched up.Three days after the incident in July, Quztaza Kamarudin, 38, was arrested after he was identified as the man who had thrown the bottle.While out on bail, he stole a bottle of whisky from a convenience store.On Dec 16, the Singaporean pleaded guilty to one count each of causing hurt to the woman by performing a rash act, committing mischief and theft.Court documents stated that the incident involving the broken bus window took place on July 5.Quztaza boarded bus service 190 in Bukit Panjang at around 5.30pm that day and sat on the upper deck of the vehicle.He then drank soju from a bottle before the vehicle reached a bus stop near The Heeren shopping mall in Orchard Road at around 6.40pm.He was about to walk down from the upper deck of the vehicle when Lim Phang Kai, 60, and his wife blocked his way.

The police have, on Wednesday (Dec 17), charged three key executives of online trading platform Samtrade FX for allegedly engaging in fraudulent practices and money laundering. In a news release on Dec 17, the police said that the three men — Goh Nai De, Goh Li Xiang and Yue Jingyuan Alfred — conspired to make 11 «Ultimate Trader» accounts appear profitable — by fraudulently tilting the trades in these accounts. These accounts were then offered in Samtrade FX's «copy trading» product where clients could choose to «copy» the trades executed in the said accounts. This led to the vast majority of Samtrade FX's clients copying the allegedly rigged «Ultimate Trading» accounts, which the police said were under Yue's control. Between a nearly 12-month period —  from Jan 1, 2021, to Dec 27, 2021 — Yue allegedly adjusted the bid-ask spreads of trades in these accounts so that copied trades appeared profitable to Samtrade FX's clients, without them knowing that the trades were fraudulently tilted, the police added. 

The Court of Appeal (COA) will sit today to hear an appeal filed by Speaker of Parliament Stephen Felix against a recent Supreme Court decision that found he acted unconstitutionally in handling a motion of no confidence.

Ifira Ports Development Services Limited (IPDSL) paid a VT100 million dividend to its shareholders on Tuesday, December 16, at the Lapetasi Conference Room, reflecting continued cooperation between the Government of Vanuatu and the Ifira community and renewed economic activity following…

Commissioner of the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), Karlshem Bongran, told the commanders of the various units of the force to ensure that this year's Operation Noel is executed professionally.

The Supreme Court has moved the pre-trial conference for Efate Rural Member of Parliament (MP) Jesse Luo, also known as Luo Xing Jian, to February 24, 2026, when the court is expected to set a trial date and consider preliminary…

Today, Port Vila is marking one year since the devastating earthquake struck the capital on 17 December 2024, registering 7.3 on the Richter scale. The disaster claimed 14 lives and caused widespread destruction across the city, leaving hundreds of families…

[CPJ] In his campaign to win an eighth term, Cameroonian President Paul Biya pledged to «strengthen measures to protect freedom of expression and journalists» in one of Africa's most dangerous countries for the press.

[JusticeInfo.net] On December 15, a French court sentenced 67-year-old former Congolese rebel leader Roger Lumbala to 30 years in prison. This comes as armed violence is intensifying in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

[allAfrica]

Undocumented youth in Canada say they’re feeling worried and hopeless as they face decades-long processing times for permanent residence under the humanitarian and compassionate pathway. Lawyers fear more children will lose their status in the coming years, forcing them to go underground.

Canada's tax agency says it doesn't expect Canadians who hold simple trusts, known as bare trusts, to file required tax forms this coming tax season — but legislative changes currently before the House of Commons means the requirements will likely be there in 2027.

WESTERN BUREAU: Jason Russell, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says that despite the widespread anxiety in the days following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, Montego Bay in St James did not experience any major...

In a CNN interview, the Georgia congresswoman said Trump’s reaction to the death of Rob Reiner was “classless” and she didn’t see the GOP winning in the midterms.

BRICS is a rising force in the global order and Nairobi is open to working closely with the bloc, the Kenyan ambassador to Russia told RT Read Full Article at RT.com

Le Ministère de l'Économie numérique, de la Digitalisation et de l'Innovation a procédé au lancement officiel du programme MADIGIPAIE, une initiative structurante portée par le Gouvernement pour moderniser et sécuriser les paiements publics. Ce programme est mis en œuvre en partenariat avec la Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale (BEAC) et le Groupement Interbancaire Monétaire de l'Afrique Centrale (GIMAC), témoignant de son importance stratégique au niveau communautaire. La (...) - ECONOMIE NUMERIQUE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

In a baffling twist that raises urgent questions about government oversight, Malawi is reportedly exporting maize to Zambia through Mchinji District—despite a formal maize export ban and ongoing plans by Lilongwe to import the very same staple from its neighbour. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) confirmed in its November 2025 Maize Market Report […] The post Malawi Exporting Maize to Zambia Amid Import Plans—Who’s Watching the Borders? appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The marginal drop in the cost of living recorded in November is being cited as an early quick win under policies associated with current president Arthur Peter Mutharika’s administration, following signs of easing pressure on household expenses. According to the Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA) Cost of Living Report, the cost of living decreased by […] The post Cost of Living Dip Seen as Early Quick Win for Mutharika Government appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Standard Bank Group has become the first African bank to participate directly in China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), marking a major milestone in facilitating Africa–China trade and cross-border transactions. The system is designed to provide a more efficient, low-cost and convenient way to conduct international Renminbi (RMB) payments and serves as an alternative to […] The post Standard Bank Connects to China Payment System appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

À la suite du glissement de terrain meurtrier d’Afaahiti, six familles du quartier Te Honu sont autorisées à regagner leur domicile, après des expertises et un arrêté communal. Les habitations situées en zone rouge restent toutefois concernées par des mesures de vigilance : une dizaine de logements demeurent inhabités, dans l’attente de nouvelles décisions.

The action of the European Union (EU) in the field of budgetary control is based on two principles: on the one hand, ensuring that the EU’s budget is properly spent and, on the other, protecting the Union’s financial interests and combating fraud. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has the power to investigate fraud against the EU budget, corruption and serious misconduct and develops anti-fraud policy. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) investigates, prosecutes and brings to justice crimes against the EU budget. Even if their primary focus is not strictly on protecting the Union’s financial interests, EUROPOL and Eurojust provide additional support. Finally, the anti-fraud landscape was marked by the establishment of a further decentralised EU agency, the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA), in June 2024. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

EU directives and regulations have, over the years, greatly improved safety standards in sea transport. The majority of these improvements were brought about by the three legislative packages adopted in the wake of the Erika and Prestige oil tanker disasters. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP