World / Europe

Russia plans to increase defense spending in 2024

Russia plans to increase defense spending in 2024

It is necessary for Russia to increase defense spending in 2024, due to the hybrid war that is being waged against the country, the Kremlin said Thursday. "It is clear that such an increase is ... absolutely necessary," local media reported, citing Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Peskov noted th


Russian shelling kills five in southern, eastern Ukraine

Russian shelling kills five in southern, eastern Ukraine

Russian shelling on Thursday killed three women in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson and two people in eastern Donetsk region, local officials said. Prosecutors said the three women were killed on a street in Kherson, a town abandoned by Russian troops late last year along with other settleme

Greece to receive €55b from EU funds for economic recovery

Greece to receive €55b from EU funds for economic recovery

Greece will receive financial support totaling some 55 billion euros (58.22 billion US dollars) from the European Union (EU) over the next four to six years, Greek Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis said on Tuesday. Greek ministry officials emphasized the vital role

Mafia boss Messina Denaro dies in hospital months after capture

Mafia boss Messina Denaro dies in hospital months after capture

Matteo Messina Denaro, a convicted mastermind of some of the Sicilian Mafia's most heinous slayings, died on Monday in a hospital prison ward, several months after being captured as Italy's No. 1 fugitive and following decades on the run, Italian state radio said. Rai state radio, reporting from L

Russia plans 26pc rise in budget spending in 2024 election year

Russia plans 26pc rise in budget spending in 2024 election year

Russia plans to increase budget spending by 25.8 per cent to 36.6 trillion roubles ($383 billion) in 2024, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Friday, with hefty increases in military and social spending expected ahead of a March presidential election. Moscow has heavily diverted funds toward

Ukraine hits Russian naval HQ in missile attack on Crimea

Ukraine hits Russian naval HQ in missile attack on Crimea

A Ukrainian missile strike has hit the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea fleet in Crimea. A serviceman is missing after the missile attack, according to Moscow. Footage on social media shows plumes of smoke over the building in Sevastopol. The fleet is an important target for

Rishi Sunak may ban cigarettes in UK for future generations

Rishi Sunak may ban cigarettes in UK for future generations

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering introducing measures that would ban the next generation from ever being able to buy cigarettes, reports Reuters citing a British daily newspaper. Sunak is looking at anti-smoking measures similar to laws New Zealand announced last year, which inclu