The Prime Minister met leaders from Scotland and Wales and representatives from Northern Ireland to discuss regional devolution.

© PA Wire

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. France’s debt crisis threatens to fuel inflation across Europe Diego Faßnacht reports that France’s fiscal stress could become a broader euro-area inflation problem if ECB intervention to contain sovereign yields weakens confidence in the currency. […]

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LAHORE – Punjab is gearing up for massive economic transformation as Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz unveils a historic Rs1.99 trillion PIVOT plan, targeting over one million employment opportunities, 162,000 direct jobs and an additional $6.8 billion in exports. The ambitious three-year initiative aims to turn Punjab into a major industrial and investment hub through affordable business financing, modern industries and large-scale private investment.

The historic Punjab Innovation, Value Addition and Economic Transformation (PIVOT) Plan 2026–29, officially launched on Friday, October 30, sets out a three-year roadmap to turn the country’s most populous province into a competitive, export-driven industrial hub.

With a total proposed investment of Rs1,995.3 billion, the initiative aims to generate an additional $6.8 billion in exports, create 162,000 direct jobs and support employment opportunities for over one million people.

Addressing a high-profile ceremony attended by leading industrialists, bankers, diplomats and international development partners, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz declared that Punjab was entering a new economic era driven by innovation, industrial expansion and private investment.

She said her government was determined to replace administrative barriers with investor-friendly policies, allowing businesses to grow, manufacturers to compete internationally and young people to secure better livelihoods.

Rs300 Billion Financing Package for Businesses at Just 0–5% Rates

One of the most significant announcements under PIVOT is a Rs300 billion concessional financing initiative designed to help businesses expand without facing excessive borrowing costs.

The Strategic Trade Enhancement Programme (STEP), supported by a newly introduced digital portal, will offer eligible businesses financing at concessional rates ranging from zero to five percent, subject to programme conditions.

The scheme aims to encourage industrial expansion, technological upgrades and export-oriented investment.

The wider economic transformation strategy brings together Rs1,089 billion in planned government investment and a targeted Rs906 billion contribution from the private sector.

Maryam Nawaz made it clear that the government would act as a facilitator while entrepreneurs, investors and industrialists would lead Punjab’s economic expansion.

She invited investors from across Pakistan and abroad to explore emerging opportunities in the province, promising a more supportive and transparent business environment.

Rs753.7 Billion Push to Turn Punjab into an Export Powerhouse

Manufacturing and industrial modernisation form the backbone of the new economic roadmap, with Rs753.7 billion allocated for improving production capabilities, value addition and global competitiveness.

The initiative specifically targets Punjab’s established industrial strengths, including textiles, garments, sports equipment, leather goods, footwear, surgical instruments, pharmaceuticals, electric fans, cutlery, steel and ceramics.

A major focus will be placed on helping local manufacturers move beyond traditional production methods towards technology-driven, higher-value exports.

To ease the financial burden on industries, the Punjab government has earmarked Rs50 billion for solar installations and battery energy storage systems.

Another Rs50 billion has been reserved for the reimbursement of duties paid on industrial machinery, encouraging factory owners to introduce advanced manufacturing equipment.

The plan also includes modern testing laboratories, product certification centres and plug-and-play industrial facilities designed to allow businesses to launch production with less delay.

These measures are expected to support compliance with international standards and help exporters access new overseas markets.

Maryam Nawaz said Punjab’s industries must compete on quality, innovation and value addition rather than focusing solely on production volumes.

Farmers to Benefit from Four New Agro-Processing Parks

Punjab’s agricultural sector is also set for a major transformation, with the government planning four specialised agro-processing parks in Sargodha, Khanewal, Okara and Bhakkar.

The proposed facilities will focus on reducing post-harvest losses, improving food processing and connecting farmers with more profitable domestic and international supply chains.

The initiative seeks to increase value addition in wheat, citrus fruits, potatoes and mangoes while strengthening marketing and export opportunities.

In another major agricultural reform, specialised horticulture authorities are planned for 20 districts, alongside targeted export financing for horticulture and floriculture businesses.

The government also aims to expand commercial opportunities in livestock, dairy farming, fisheries, halal meat and milk-based products.

The objective is to shift Punjab’s agricultural economy from selling largely raw produce towards manufacturing and exporting higher-value products.

For farmers, these reforms are intended to create better market access, improve earnings and encourage private investment in agricultural processing.

Over 400,000 Youth to Receive Industry-Focused Skills Training

Young people are expected to become major beneficiaries of the PIVOT strategy, which includes an extensive technical and vocational training programme.

The Punjab government has set a target of training 402,060 individuals over the next three years, focusing on skills demanded by modern industries, technology companies and emerging business sectors.

Unlike conventional training programmes centred primarily on certificates, the initiative aims to connect vocational education with practical employment requirements.

The plan also seeks to support entrepreneurship and prepare young workers for opportunities in growing industrial and digital sectors.

Speaking about youth employment, Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan’s younger generation needed opportunities that could translate education into meaningful careers.

She stressed that vocational training must respond to the changing demands of employers and provide participants with skills capable of improving their long-term earning potential.

Punjab to Digitise 300 Government Services, Connect 2,000 Businesses to E-Commerce

The economic package also introduces an extensive digital reform agenda aimed at making Punjab more attractive to local and international investors.

Under the E-Biz initiative, 300 government and administrative services are planned to be shifted to digital platforms.

The move is intended to reduce paperwork, simplify business procedures, improve transparency and make government services more accessible.

Another target involves connecting 2,000 businesses to e-commerce platforms, helping smaller enterprises explore digital sales channels and reach wider markets.

The government also plans reforms to labour regulations, public-private partnership mechanisms and approved government-land leasing arrangements for productive economic activities.

Maryam Nawaz said investors should spend their time developing businesses and creating employment rather than navigating unnecessary administrative complications.

The new approach aims to create an environment in which businesses can operate more efficiently while public institutions provide faster and more transparent services.

Tourism and Technology Sectors Included in Major Development Drive

The PIVOT programme extends beyond traditional industries, placing tourism, hospitality, digital services and technology-related businesses among Punjab’s economic priorities.

Under the plan, tourism infrastructure will be modernised to improve visitor facilities and encourage investment in hotels, hospitality businesses and related services.

The government also intends to create opportunities for private-sector participation in developing tourism destinations.

Alongside these improvements, workforce training and business digitisation measures are expected to support technology-driven economic activity.

The broader objective is to diversify Punjab’s economy and create income-generating opportunities across multiple industries.

Pakistan’s Biggest Business Names Back Punjab’s Economic Vision

The launch brought together some of Pakistan’s most influential business personalities, signalling significant private-sector interest in the provincial government’s economic strategy.

Among those attending were Mian Mansha, Arif Habib, Fawad Mukhtar, Zaid Bashir and Usman Khalid Waheed.

State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad also participated alongside senior executives from major commercial banks and financial institutions.

International representation included ambassadors, diplomatic officials and development partners from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and United Nations agencies.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman were also present, together with provincial cabinet members and senior government officials.

The gathering brought government policymakers, financial institutions and industrial leaders together around the proposed economic transformation agenda.

Arif Habib Announces Pakistan’s Tallest Commercial Building in Lahore

In one of the ceremony’s standout moments, prominent businessman and real estate developer Arif Habib announced plans to construct Pakistan’s tallest commercial building at CBD One in Lahore.

The proposed project marks a significant investment announcement linked to Punjab’s development ambitions.

It also highlights private-sector interest in Lahore’s expanding commercial real estate market.

The announcement added momentum to the launch, demonstrating how major investors are exploring new development opportunities in the province.

Special PIVOT Board to Ensure Projects Deliver Results

To translate the ambitious economic blueprint into practical action, the Punjab government has announced a dedicated monitoring and implementation framework.

A PIVOT Board, chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, will oversee the programme.

A specialised PIVOT Secretariat will be established in the Planning and Development Department, while a separate PIVOT Cell will operate in the Chief Secretary’s Office.

Deputy commissioners will serve as focal persons at the district level to support coordination and implementation.

A central PIVOT Dashboard and an Industry Scorecard will track progress against measurable targets, with regular reviews intended to identify delays and improve accountability.

Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman confirmed that the plan would be operationalised within six months.

Maryam Nawaz emphasised that the programme would be judged by its results rather than announcements alone, including actual investment, industrial growth, higher exports and employment creation.

New Era of Economic Prosperity

The launch of the PIVOT Plan 2026–29 represents one of Punjab’s most ambitious proposed economic development programmes, combining nearly Rs2 trillion in planned public and private investment with major reforms across manufacturing, agriculture, digital services and workforce development.

Its central targets include $6.8 billion in additional exports, more than one million employment opportunities, 162,000 direct jobs and hundreds of thousands of workers equipped with market-relevant skills.

Concluding the ceremony, Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her commitment to building a Punjab where businesses flourish, industries compete globally, farmers receive better returns and young people have opportunities to improve their futures.

She said Punjab was opening its doors to investment and partnership, expressing confidence that cooperation between the government and private sector could turn the province’s economic potential into lasting prosperity.

 

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ISLAMABAD – A grim picture of Pakistan’s public health emergency emerged in the National Assembly, where Ministry of National Health Services revealed that millions of citizens are struggling with mental illnesses, hepatitis and HIV, while acute shortage of medical specialists threatens to deepen the crisis.

The official figures paint a troubling picture of a country where around 32.4 million people are affected by mental health disorders, nearly 12.9 million are living with hepatitis B or C, and more than 417,000 are estimated to have HIV. Even more alarming is the growing number of children affected by HIV, with 3,900 young patients registered in just 18 months between January 2025 and June 2026.

The revelations came in detailed report submitted by the health ministry to the National Assembly, exposing serious gaps in disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment across Pakistan’s population of around 250 million.

1,050 Psychiatrists for 32 Million Patients

One of key striking findings concerns Pakistan’s worsening mental health burden. The estimated number of people suffering from mental health disorders climbed from 30 million in 2019 to 32.4 million in 2023, an increase of 2.4 million within five years.

Islamabad alone has 300,000 people affected by mental health conditions. But the real concern lies in the country’s limited capacity to provide treatment. Despite millions requiring mental healthcare, Pakistan has only 1,050 registered psychiatrists nationwide.

This means one psychiatrist for every 245,000 citizens, highlighting a massive gap between the country’s mental healthcare needs and its available specialist workforce. The provincial distribution of psychiatrists also reveals significant disparities.

Punjab has 406 registered psychiatrists, while Sindh has 228. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounts for 122 specialists, whereas Balochistan has just 44. These four provincial figures account for 800 psychiatrists, with the ministry reporting 1,050 registered nationally.

Hepatitis Crisis

While mental health disorders affect millions, another silent health emergency continues to unfold across the country. Pakistan has the world’s largest hepatitis C patient population, according to the ministry’s report, which also places the country among the ten nations with the highest hepatitis C-related mortality burden.

Officials said around 9 million Pakistanis are infected with hepatitis C. Another 3.86 million people are living with hepatitis B, bringing the combined estimated burden to approximately 12.9 million.

Around 48,000 Pakistanis lose their lives to hepatitis-related complications every year, according to the figures presented to lawmakers. The report further revealed that more than 88,000 new hepatitis C infections occurred in 2024 alone.

HIV Infections Triple

National Assembly was also informed of a troubling rise in HIV infections, with the estimated annual number of new cases tripling over 14 years. According to the ministry, Pakistan recorded approximately 16,000 new HIV infections in 2010. By 2024, the annual figure had climbed to 48,000.

The report, citing WHO estimates, puts the number of people living with HIV nationwide at more than 417,000. However, only 92,148 individuals are officially registered with HIV treatment services. Of these, 67,878 are receiving antiretroviral therapy, the treatment used to control the virus and enable people living with HIV to lead healthier lives.

The major difference between estimated number of infections and officially registered patients raises serious concerns about undiagnosed infections, gaps in treatment enrollment and access to healthcare. On a positive note, the ministry reported a significant expansion in HIV screening.

Perhaps the most distressing disclosure concerns the growing burden of HIV among children.

The health ministry informed the National Assembly that 3,900 children living with HIV were registered between January 2025 and June 2026.

 

 

 

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Top Trump administration officials are set to announce new anti-fraud measures Friday in Minnesota as the White House steps up its crackdown on fraud involving federal assistance and healthcare programs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, FBI Director Kash Patel, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz and Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson will…

Top Trump administration officials are set to announce new anti-fraud measures Friday in Minnesota as the White House steps up its crackdown on fraud involving federal assistance and healthcare programs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, FBI Director Kash Patel, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz and Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson will…

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LAHORE – Punjab government announced province-wide public holiday on Monday, November 9, 2026, issuing fresh notification to mark birth anniversary of Pakistan’s national poet, Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) notification on Friday, October 30, ending uncertainty among employees and students over whether Iqbal Day would be observed as an official holiday this year. According to the notification, issued under reference number SOW-I(SG&GAD)2-1/2026, November 9 will be observed as a public holiday throughout Punjab.

The notification has been circulated to provincial authorities, including administrative secretaries, commissioners, deputy commissioners and heads of government departments, for implementation. Officials have also been instructed to ensure that the holiday announcement is widely publicised through national and regional newspapers and electronic media.

Three-Day Weekend

The announcement brings the prospect of an extended weekend for thousands of government employees and others who normally have Saturday and Sunday off. With November 9 falling on a Monday, eligible employees will enjoy three consecutive days off, beginning Saturday, November 7, and continuing through Monday, November 9.

However, the three-day break will depend on the normal weekly schedules of individual offices and institutions.

Punjab’s latest notification reinforces a decision already announced by the federal government earlier this year. Cabinet Division included Allama Iqbal Day in its official calendar of public and optional holidays for 2026, circulated on January 19. The federal schedule lists November 9 as a nationwide public holiday, confirming that the occasion is not restricted to Punjab.

The Punjab government has now issued its own notification to formally communicate the holiday across the province.

November 9 marks the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, born in Sialkot in 1877. Widely regarded as the spiritual and intellectual inspiration behind the Pakistan Movement, Iqbal remains one of the country’s most influential poets and philosophers.

His writings on selfhood, freedom, faith and national identity continue to occupy an important place in Pakistan’s literary and educational traditions. Commemorative ceremonies, poetry sessions, seminars and special programmes are traditionally organised to honour his contributions.

Public Holidays in Pakistan 2026

 

The post Iqbal Day 2026 Holiday Notification appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

The Prime Minister met leaders from Scotland and Wales and representatives from Northern Ireland to discuss regional devolution.

© PA Wire

The Prime Minister met leaders from Scotland and Wales and representatives from Northern Ireland to discuss regional devolution.

© PA Wire

Business is booming for two biggest US oil companies, with both benefiting from higher prices and record production

ExxonMobil and Chevron both reported better than expected quarterly results on Friday as the oil majors benefited from higher prices and record production.

The boon for oil companies has simultaneously been a major pain point for consumers, who say the higher cost of living, especially gas prices, will affect how they vote in the upcoming midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.

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© Photograph: Jenny Kane/AP

© Photograph: Jenny Kane/AP

© Photograph: Jenny Kane/AP

With deaths accelerating in Europe due to a rapidly aging population, observers might expect to a “silver lining” in at least one area of the economy: coffin production. However, just as with many other industries, China is even eating into this market share, helping result in dozens of coffin producers to go out of business in recent years.

European coffin manufacturers have now formed a coalition and are preparing a formal anti-dumping complaint against Chinese imports, arguing that low prices and alleged customs loopholes are eroding a traditional industry tied to predictable demand.

The big immigration lie: China smashes the myth that foreigners are needed to secure the West’s economic future

The number of European coffin producers has fallen from about 120 to 90 over the past five years, with smaller firms largely unable to compete, according to Folco Ciulli, a consultant coordinating the effort. Surviving companies have absorbed only about half the output of those that closed, he told Politico. The coalition, which previously lacked dedicated lobby representation, has met with European Commission officials, including from the trade department, organizers told Politico.

Chinese coffin are simply cheaper, costing approximately one-third less in Italy, even when using the same type of wood. Experts attribute the gap to state subsidies, lower labor costs, and cheaper timber, among other factors.

The big immigration lie: Germany’s BASF opens the most modern chemical plant in the world – in China

Higher U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods have also redirected some production toward Europe, the group contends. The coalition is compiling cost data on materials, labor and factory-gate prices for the comparison, in order to China is dumping coffin products.

A 2025 European Parliament question raised similar concerns, stating that Chinese imports accounted for about 60 percent of the Italian market. It cited production costs of roughly €260 in Italy versus €80 in China, enabling sales in Europe of €100-110, and alleged the use of toxic paints banned in the EU that release carcinogenic particles during cremation. It asked whether the Commission would open an anti-dumping probe and impose duties, and how it would enforce environmental and health standards.

The big immigration lie: China has now overtaken Germany’s machine tool industry

Industry analysis points to statistical gaps that could indicate under-recorded imports. Mathematician Emiliano Inguscio, hired by the producers, calculated an unexplained surplus of about 30,000 coffins a year in Italy alone.

Producers suspect two practices: an “IKEA loophole” in which flat-packed coffins arrive classified as wooden parts and are assembled in the EU, and imports registered as packaging for other goods rather than as finished products. A Commission spokesperson confirmed that unassembled goods may still be treated as finished products under customs rules if their essential characteristics are recognizable, so flat-packed coffins should not automatically qualify as mere components.

The big immigration lie: China increasingly dominates Germany’s automobile industry

The effort follows an earlier appeal by EU lawmakers to Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, who indicated the industry could file a formal complaint. A Commission spokesperson said the EU maintains more than 200 trade defense measures and takes action against unfairly traded imports, while declining to confirm specific meetings because contacts on potential complaints are confidential.

Coffin makers point to a recent precedent. In January 2026, the Commission imposed definitive anti-dumping duties of 56 percent to 60 percent on Chinese candles, tapers and similar products after finding dumped imports had injured an EU industry of roughly 9,000 workers across about 80 companies. The duties, set for five years, followed a 2024 investigation.

‘In Europe, lawyers rule, in China, engineers rule’ – While Germany plays politics, the country is fast becoming irrelevant, writes Welt columnist

The case sits within a broader rise in EU trade protectionism and defense. The Commission’s 2025 report recorded 32 new investigations, close to the prior year’s high, protecting hundreds of thousands of jobs across sectors including chemicals and steel. Officials have described increased scrutiny of state-supported imports as a response to harm to European producers.

So far, the EU Commission has not announced an investigation into coffins.

As Remix News has reported, China has not just pulled ahead of Europe in terms of coffins and other lower-value goods, but also in renewable energy, automobile production, AI technology, machine tools, and a range of other high-value industries. As the EU is unable to directly compete, it has increasingly resorted to protectionism.

The post Europeans can’t even die in their own coffins? Cheap Chinese-made coffins flood EU market as manufacturers plead for anti-dumping measures appeared first on Remix News.

Wholesale natural gas prices in Europe have climbed above €100 per megawatt-hour for the first time since late 2022, raising the prospect of sharply higher household bills next year. The EU is already issuing serious warnings about an energy crisis and difficult economy for the winter ahead, which Hungarian MEP Balázs Orbán has labeled an example of European Union “idiocracy.”

Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said on Oct. 28: “Once again, due to geopolitical turbulence, Europe faces another energy crisis. We know that this winter will be difficult for European citizens and for our economy in general.”

Europe faces a difficult winter. We must ensure reliable fuel supplies for our citizens, businesses, & defense. And we must ensure that these supplies are affordable. Today we started our dialogue with European refineries. Looking at short-term & long-term. Press point ↓ https://t.co/suM6zfkYfn

— Dan Jørgensen (@DanJoergensen) October 28, 2026

“And fuel bills in the EU are skyrocketing. This is putting a strain on our companies and on our households. In spite of the difficult situation, markets have shown remarkable resilience over the past months. Refineries have played a vital role in ensuring security of supply by producing the fuels that the market needs, including jet fuel,” he added.

He has noted that nearly 50 million Europeans are already unable to heat their homes adequately in a typical year and warned the number could rise.

The news was met with disdain from MEP Balázs Orbán, who served as the former political director of Viktor Orbán during his tenure as Hungary’s prime minister.

“This is idiocracy. You are financing a war that involves restricting Europe’s energy supply through sanctions and destroying infrastructure that produces and transports oil, gas, and fuel accessible to Europe by land. On top of that, you have imposed, through regulation, an energy transition that makes energy more expensive for European businesses and households alike,” wrote Balázs Orbán.

“And what do we get in response? Another press conference and, as attributed to Politico, the conclusion that ‘neither governments nor the European Commission have many – if any – good ideas left.’ You created the problem. You have no idea how to solve it. And now you are trying to cover it up with political messaging.”

This is idiocracy. You are financing a war that involves restricting Europe’s energy supply through sanctions and destroying infrastructure that produces and transports oil, gas, and fuel accessible to Europe by land. On top of that, you have imposed, through regulation, an energy transition that makes energy more expensive for European businesses and households alike. And what do we get in response? Another press conference and, as attributed to Politico, the conclusion that “neither governments nor the European Commission have many – if any – good ideas left.” You created the problem. You have no idea how to solve it. And now you are trying to cover it up with political messaging. Politics is not an obligation of means, but an obligation of result.

— Balázs Orbán (@BalazsOrban_HU) October 29, 2026

EU gas storage crisis

The Dutch TTF front-month contract, the European benchmark, crossed the €100/MWh threshold on Oct. 28 after rising more than 4 percent on the day. Prices have roughly tripled since the start of the year and from levels around €32 before conflict escalated in the Middle East earlier in 2026. They remain well below the August 2022 peak near €340 during the initial fallout from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but the direction and the timing ahead of winter have unsettled markets.

Europe races to contain energy crisis with patchwork measures

EU gas storage stood at about 75 percent in late October, a record low for the period and well short of the bloc’s usual 90 percent target by Nov. 1. Facilities ended the previous winter at just 28 percent full, below the multi-year average, and refilling has been slow and expensive amid disrupted LNG flows, particularly from Qatar, and higher summer demand for power generation.

Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic have already begun drawing on storage as temperatures fall.

Poland’s response

In Poland, Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański said on Oct. 29 that the government is working on measures to shield households from significant bill increases. Speaking on Polsat News, he stated: “I can say today that work is underway. There are several solutions on the table and in the coming weeks ministers will inform about this… I think that still in November solutions regarding the situation on the gas market will be known.”

He noted that the details fall primarily under the competence of the Ministry of Energy.

The current regulated household gas tariff stands at 197.29 złoty (€176) per MWh and has been extended through the end of 2026. Analysts, including Michał Kozak of DM Trigon, have estimated that full pass-through of higher wholesale costs could push the 2027 tariff up by around 35 percent, potentially into the 230–300 złoty range.

According to reporting in Polish news outlet Rzeczpospolita, the Polish Energy Ministry is considering a return to mechanisms used in 2022–2024: statutory price freezes paired with compensations to sellers for the difference between the frozen price and the tariff approved by the Energy Regulatory Office (URE). Financing options, including the existing “Fund for Payment of the Price Difference,” remain under discussion.

Poland enters the season in a stronger storage position than most of the EU, with domestic facilities reported near 99 percent full — above its own long-term average. Immediate pressure is expected more on industrial users, while household protection is the focus of the November package.

Separately, legislation supporting energy-intensive industries for 2027–2030 has advanced through parliament.

Europe better positioned than 2022

Jørgensen has stressed that Europe is better prepared than in 2022: gas consumption is about 18 percent lower, and the share of Russian supplies has fallen sharply from around 45 percent.

Supplies are now more diversified, with U.S. LNG playing a larger role. At the same time, he and others have described the current situation as more complex because it also involves oil and refined products amid conflicts affecting the Middle East, the Red Sea, the Black Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. Higher fossil-fuel costs since late February have added an estimated €100 billion to the EU’s import bill, with €18–33 billion attributed to gas.

EU energy ministers met in Luxembourg on Oct. 29 to discuss security of supply and affordability. Officials have acknowledged limited short-term tools remaining after earlier subsidies, demand measures and releases of emergency oil stocks. Goldman Sachs has also projected prices could reach €150/MWh in a scenario combining a cold winter with continued supply constraints.

The post ‘Europe faces another energy crisis’ – Gas prices in EU hit four-year highs as Hungarian MEP slams ‘idiocracy’ appeared first on Remix News.

The mayor of the German city of Frankfurt (Oder), Axel Strasser, has called on residents to demonstrate greater civic courage after bystanders did nothing as a group of teenagers repeatedly punched and kicked a 14-year-old student, including to the head, while he lay on the ground outside a high school earlier this month. Now, critics are calling his statement a recognition of the failure of state authority.

After a security conference with police, prosecutors, schools, youth welfare, and immigration authorities, Strasser, an independent, said it was unacceptable that people stood by without intervening. “We truly appeal to this urban society to show civic courage,” he said.

The attack occurred on Oct. 14 outside the Heinrich-von-Kleist High School. Video of the assault, which circulated widely on social media, showed roughly 10 teenagers surrounding the victim, striking him and continuing the assault after he fell.

Germany: Migrant mob beats German student outside his school and films the attack

The German government implemented a policy of mass migration, which has resulted in mob beatings and bullying of German students across the country. Now, government officials are calling on citizens to put their lives on the line and intervene in these mob beatings, including in this latest case in Frankfurt (Oder).

A commentary published by Lennart Zielke in Ostdeutsche Allgemeine, titled “Youth Violence in Brandenburg: The State Gives Up – The Citizen Is Supposed to Put Himself in Mortal Danger,” calls the appeal an admission of state failure. The piece argues that urging ordinary bystanders to intervene shifts the risk onto unarmed civilians who lack training, protection, or backup in confrontations with groups of attackers.

“You just have to imagine the scene in concrete terms. A group of violent youths, the perpetrators outnumbered the witnesses, the situation is confusing, and there are possibly knives or firearms involved. And now the average citizen is supposed to intervene – without training, without protection, without support. Anyone who intervenes is highly likely to end up in the hospital,” wrote Zielke.

‘The cowardly attack by 10 migrants on a single German had an effect’ – Large protest against migrant violence held after brutal beating caught on film

Individuals on social media also highlighted the absurdity of asking the general public to step in to perform law enforcement actions.

“Since politics is failing—or, better said, has no desire to change anything—Mayor Strasser from Frankfurt/Oder is calling for more civic courage to be expected. He can go ahead and stand up to a horde of 20 migrants if he feels like it. I won’t!” wrote one user.

Weil die Politik versagt oder besser, keine Lust hat etwas zu ändern, ruft OB Strasser von Frankfurt/Oder dazu auf, dass mehr Zivilcourage erwartet wird. Der kann sich ja mal einer Horde von 20 Migranten entgegen stellen, wenn er Lust hat. Ich nicht!

— Das Nordlicht (@sma_nordlicht) October 28, 2026

Remix News broadly covered the beating video, including police statements threatening prosecution for publishing the video.

Authorities are investigating nine suspects, ages 13 to 15, who hold Polish, Russian, Syrian, and German nationality. They face allegations of dangerous bodily harm; earlier reports also referenced robbery. Police have spoken with the suspects and their families.

‘Someone gets beaten up every break’ – German child beaten in her multicultural Berlin school 4 different times, police charges go nowhere due to age of perpetrators

Strasser described the incident as “the first case of this dimension” in the city and said everyone immediately recognized the drama of the situation. Unlike recent group attacks in Potsdam that involved more entrenched youth structures, this case does not, according to officials.

The city and police plan heightened presence near schools after the autumn holidays, parent conferences, and anti-bullying efforts. An investigative team is active. The victim is receiving intensive support through the school and relevant authorities; youth welfare is examining further measures. “Offers of help are available and will be accepted,” Strasser said.

‘What’s going on here is almost impossible to put into words’ – German boy beaten and strangled by Syrian classmate, video spread on Snapchat

Residence-law options are under review, but Strasser said he sees little prospect of success. He added that there will be no simple solutions to rising youth violence in Germany or the influence of social media.

Brandenburg Integration Minister René Wilke (SPD) is pressing for accelerated reviews of protection status for Syrian suspects. He said 16 cases linked to violence incidents in Potsdam and Frankfurt (Oder) — including five minors in the latter — have been reported to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees so their status can be checked more quickly. “We have asked that the examination be brought forward,” Wilke said. Revocation of protected status can lead to deportation but does not automatically do so; each case requires individual assessment that can take months.

14-year-old German boy tortured for hours with punches and burns by 10 youths, most of them foreigners

“If a child is out of control and the family shows no integration efforts, it can become tight,” he noted.

Interior Minister Jan Redmann (CDU) has spoken of influence from the “gangster-rapper milieu” and people who boast about their acts online. Redmann has also pointed to integration shortfalls in some cases and said authorities will use available tools of criminal and residence law, while stressing rapid action to stop the violence.

‘A direct result of the irresponsible mass immigration’ – 40% of all violent crime suspects in German schools are foreigners, over 2 knife attacks a day

The attack prompted an AfD demonstration that drew up to a thousand people. The party pointed to migrant violence and called for deportations, including the families of perpetrators.

Strasser has said the city will not simply return to business as usual. He has also emphasized that protection granted in Germany is not deserved by those who abuse it so brutally, while stressing coordinated action by security authorities regardless of the origin of the suspect.

As Remix News has reported in the past, 40 percent of all violent crime suspects in German schools are foreigners.

The post After 10 youths beat German teen, mayor’s calls for more ‘civic courage’ is widely mocked as example of ‘state failure’ appeared first on Remix News.

The Prime Minister met leaders from Scotland and Wales and representatives from Northern Ireland to discuss regional devolution.

© PA Wire

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes has opened an investigation into the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) conduct in the ongoing legal battle over President Trump’s desire to redevelop East Potomac Golf Links. She ordered the probe during Friday’s hearing, the latest fiery courtroom clash. Meanwhile, lawyers for James Comey tried to persuade a federal judge Friday…