Europes

Russia’s brutal and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine is causing enormous human suffering and destruction and is the gravest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades. When Nato meets this week, its approach to Russia should be focused on strengthening our deterrence and defence posture in the eastern flank towards a modern forward defence, taking into account geographical and national specificities . We need to scale up the multi-domain Allied presence, in particular land troops, which should be boosted to the size of a brigade. We must also ensure we have interoperable combat-ready forces in place, with timely reinforcements by Allied forces, plus enhanced command-and-control arrangements, strengthened air and missile defence, prepositioning of ammunition, equipment and fuel, and  improved infrastructure and military mobility. Transatlantic links and the US presence is crucial to strengthen our security. Russia’s criminal war in Ukraine, started on February 24, is just … [Read more...] about Nato must strengthen its presence in Eastern Europe in response to Russia’s criminal aggression

Iain Duncan Smith says UK needs to focus on 'growth' Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The former leader of the Conservative Party recently co-authored a report for the Centre for Brexit Policy, which argued that the establishment is holding the country back from unlocking its true potential. Instead of viewing the UK as a declining international force, the report argues Brexit gives Britain the chance to become a dominant global power now it is free from the EU’s shackles. Related articles IDS crushes Sturgeon's Indyref2 as ‘ridiculous’ distraction Iain Duncan Smith's cost-cutting masterplan to avoid 'disaster' In an … [Read more...] about Brexit: IDS slams ruling elites for ‘locking to Europe’ in masterplan to slash red tape

Published 19 July 2017 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Spanish police say they have recovered three of five paintings by Francis Bacon that were stolen in 2015. The five works by the Irish-born British artist are estimated to be worth more than €25m (£22m; $29m). Ten people have been arrested in the investigation. The works were stolen from the Madrid home of José Capelo and belonged to him, a friend of Bacon. It is thought to be the biggest theft of contemporary art in Spain. Bacon died in Madrid in 1992, aged 82. Born in Dublin in 1909, Bacon had no formal training as a painter but became one of the most prominent artists of his era. He died of a heart attack. The Madrid burglars also stole a safe from Capelo's home, containing jewels and other precious items. He was away in London at the time. The police investigation is continuing. London connection … [Read more...] about Spanish police recover three stolen Francis Bacon paintings

Published 2 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war Ukraine's military has confirmed that the eastern city of Lysychansk has fallen to Russian forces. "After heavy fighting for Lysychansk, the defence forces of Ukraine were forced to withdraw from their occupied positions and lines," the army general staff said. Earlier Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said his forces had captured Lysychansk and taken full control of Luhansk region. Ukraine's troops were outgunned there. Its general staff said that "in order to preserve the lives of Ukrainian defenders, a decision was made to withdraw". It said the Russians had multiple advantages in artillery, aircraft, manpower and other forces. Earlier, the head of Russia's Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, published video apparently showing Chechen fighters in the … [Read more...] about Ukraine confirms Russia captured eastern city Lysychansk

Published 6 days ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war Russia is reported to have missed a deadline to make a debt payment, because of sanctions imposed on it. Since Russia invaded Ukraine a wide range of measures have been announced, to limit its ability to pay for the war. What are sanctions? Sanctions are penalties imposed by one country on another, to stop it acting aggressively, or breaking international law. They are among the toughest actions nations can take, short of going to war. How is Russia being sanctioned? Western countries have targeted wealthy individuals, banks, businesses and state-owned enterprises. Financial measures Russia is believed to have defaulted on a debt for the first time since 1998 , after missing a key deadline. It has the money to make a $100m (£81m) payment, … [Read more...] about What are the sanctions on Russia and are they hurting its economy?

Published 6 days ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war Leaders of the world's seven richest nations have promised to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes" on the second day of a summit in Germany. In a statement, the G7 group also said that Russia must stop blocking food from leaving Ukraine's ports. Addressing the summit via video-link, Ukraine's president appealed for more heavy weapons from Western allies. G7 leaders are under pressure to be united in their approach against increasing Russian aggression. "We will continue to provide financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support and stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes," they said in a strongly worded statement on Monday. "We remain appalled by and continue to condemn the brutal, unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: G7 pledges to stay with Ukraine until the end

By Patrick Jackson Published 6 days ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war Russian forces are "storming" the east Ukrainian city of Lysychansk, the local governor says, with eight civilians killed by shelling. Serhiy Haidai, governor of Luhansk region, said 21 other people had been injured in the attack, which came as they collected water from a tanker. Earlier on Monday, he told people to evacuate immediately because of the "real threat to life and health". The nearby city of Severodonetsk fell to the Russians at the weekend. The region is Russia's military focus four months after it invaded Ukraine. Since withdrawing from the area around the capital Kyiv in early April, the Russian military and their separatist allies have been trying to drive Ukrainian government forces out of Luhansk and the neighbouring … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Russian forces ‘storming’ besieged city of Lysychansk

Published 4 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A terminally ill Russian physicist who was arrested in Siberia on suspicion of treason has died in custody after being flown to Moscow. Federal Security Service (FSB) officers took Dmitry Kolker, 54, from his hospital bed in Novosibirsk on 30 June. He had pancreatic cancer. On Sunday his son Maxim reported his death, criticising Russian prosecutors and "the state machine" over the case. The quantum and laser specialist was suspected of spying for China. On 30 June a Novosibirsk court had ordered that he be detained for two months. He was taken to Moscow's Lefortovo prison and died later in a nearby hospital. He had recently read lectures to Chinese students, with an FSB agent ever present by his side. "These charges are absolutely ridiculous and extremely cruel and unusual to be levied on such a sick man," … [Read more...] about Russian scientist Kolker held in spy probe dies of cancer

Published 27 April 2016 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged space officials to fix "hitches" after flying thousands of miles to see the first rocket launch from a new cosmodrome, only for it to be delayed. The Soyuz launch from the Vostochny space port, about 5,500km (3,500 miles) east of Moscow, was called off just minutes before the planned lift-off. Officials blamed a mechanical failure, and the launch was rescheduled for Thursday. Mr Putin will stay on until then. "The fact is there is a large number of hitches," the president said at a meeting with the country's top space officials on Wednesday. "That is bad. There should be an appropriate reaction." The second launch attempt is now expected at 05:01 Moscow time (02:01 GMT) on Thursday. At the meeting, Mr Putin also stressed that the launch delay was related … [Read more...] about Putin lambasts space officials after launch delay

By Matt Murphy Published 9 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Climate change At least five people have been killed after being caught in an avalanche sparked by the collapse of a glacier in the northern Italian Alps. Emergency officials said eight others were injured in the collapse, with two people suffering serious injuries. Five helicopters and dozens of emergency workers have been sent to the scene to assist with rescue efforts. Video of the incident showed an ice mass collapsing down the slopes of Marmolada, the area's highest mountain. "Unfortunately, five people were found lifeless," emergency services spokeswoman Michela Canova told the AFP news agency, adding that the injured figure "remains a provisional count." "An avalanche of snow, ice and rock which in its path hit the access road when there were several roped … [Read more...] about At least five killed in Italian Marmolada glacier collapse