Vilnius Airport in Lithuania halted flight operations for the second time on Wednesday after suspected balloons were detected in its airspace, airport authorities said. The country has witnessed repeated disruptions in recent months due to similar sightings. Officials claim the balloons are used by smugglers transporting cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus. Lithuanian
Belgium has raised strong objections to the European Union’s plan to use frozen Russian assets to provide a “reparations loan” to Ukraine. Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot argue that tapping €140bn of Russian state assets held in Belgium could expose the country to massive legal risks and potential bankruptcy if […]
King Charles welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Britain on Wednesday, marking the start of a three-day state visit aimed at reinforcing ties between the two nations. This is the first state visit by a German president in nearly three decades and follows Charles’ own inaugural overseas tour to Germany in 2023 after becoming king. […]
Prada has officially acquired Versace in a landmark deal worth $1.38bn (£1.04bn), bringing two iconic Italian luxury labels under one umbrella. The purchase price is significantly lower than the nearly $2bn paid by Versace’s former owner, Capri Holdings, in 2018. With this acquisition, Prada strengthens its portfolio—already home to brands like Miu Miu—as competition
A mayor in the Italian town of Pesaro has apologised to Luciano Pavarotti’s family after the late opera legend’s statue was unintentionally left knee-deep inside a Christmas ice rink. The temporary rink, built in the town’s central piazza, encircled the bronze statue with ice and clear plexiglass walls. Pavarotti’s widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, criticised the setup […]
A major security breach has occurred in eastern Germany after a shipment of Bundeswehr ammunition was stolen from a civilian-operated delivery truck in Burg. According to German media reports, nearly 20,000 rounds were taken, including 10,000 pistol rounds, 9,900 blank assault-rifle rounds, and several smoke grenades. The theft was discovered when the load arrived at […]
India’s imports of Russian oil may decline only temporarily, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who said Moscow plans to increase supplies using advanced methods to counter Western sanctions. His remarks come ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi, where both nations aim to strengthen defence and energy partnerships as India’s Russian oil […]
The European Union continues to face an uphill battle in encouraging households to move money from cash into investments, even after a decade of efforts toward a capital markets union. Despite more than 60 legislative proposals, progress has been slowed by national interests, political shifts and technical hurdles. As a result, Europeans continue to hoard […]
Pope Leo XIV concluded his first overseas journey as the Catholic leader with a powerful call for peace during a three-day visit to Lebanon. His final day included a solemn prayer at the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, where a devastating chemical blast killed 200 people and left billions of dollars in damage. […]
French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to China from December 3 to 5 as Europe attempts to navigate a complex balance between economic dependence and strategic rivalry with Beijing. His agenda includes meetings with President Xi Jinping in Beijing and Chengdu, where he is expected to push for fairer trade conditions, stronger market access, and […]









