Fear and anger mount as 'battle for the soul of Romanian democracy' looms

MPs are set to receive a 2.8% pay rise, increasing their wages to nearly £94,000, as stated by Ipsa. This move has sparked criticism as it coincides with proposed cuts to benefits for disabled individuals. Ipsa defended the increase, citing alignment with government pay recommendations for public sector workers and promising further consultation on MPs' pay in the future. Full Article

The 5th Battalion of the Rajput Regiment, celebrating its 200th anniversary, has a rich history of active operations before and after Independence, earning four consecutive citations for its dedication to the nation. The battalion, raised in 1825 in Kanpur, is one of the few units with two centuries of continuous service, with a commemorative postal stamp unveiled by former Army Chief General V K Singh to honor its achievements and successes. The bicentenary celebrations included...

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, warned motorists not to auto-renew their car insurance policies as they are likely overpaying by 18% compared to market rates. With bill increases looming in April for energy, council tax, broadband, and water, Lewis emphasized the importance of checking for better deals to save money, especially as car insurance prices have dropped 19% year-on-year. He advised consumers to use comparison sites and tools like Compare+ to ensure they are getting...

Keir Starmer suggests that the government can increase efficiency through the use of AI and technology, as civil service departments are asked to cut 15% from their budgets. The Chancellor's fiscal rules aim to stabilize the economy, with a focus on reducing debt by 2030. Labour MPs express concern over potential cuts to government departments, while the government looks to make savings from back office and administrative roles rather than front-line services. Full Article

Hyundai is set to invest $20 billion in U.S. onshoring, including a $5 billion steel plant in Louisiana, with plans to hire 1,500 employees and produce next-generation steel for electric vehicles. The announcement, expected to be made at the White House, comes amid a push by international companies to avoid tariffs ahead of Trump's deadline, with Hyundai aiming to increase localization to navigate tariffs. The South Korean conglomerate, a major electric vehicle seller in the...

In Hamamatsu, Japan, a vehicle struck and injured four children riding bicycles, with two suffering serious injuries and the other two having non-life-threatening injuries. The driver, a man in his 70s, was arrested for alleged negligence. Accidents involving older drivers have been a concern in Japan, leading to an increase in safety awareness campaigns by the government in recent years. Full Article