Europe

Italians to spend on average 223 euro on Christmas presents

Italians plan to spend 223 euro on Christmas presents in 2023, 13% more than in 2022, according to the results of research by Confesercenti and Ipsos published this week.Net of…

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Denmark passes law to ban Koran burnings

By Louise Rasmussen Denmark's parliament on Thursday passed a law making it illegal to burn the Koran in public places, seeking to deescalate tensions with Muslim countries after a spate…

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Ukraine says Russian forces use aviation, keep pushing on Avdiivka

Russian forces relied heavily on aerial attacks on Thursday in their slow-moving campaign to win control of eastern Ukraine and resorted to new smaller attack groups in pressing to capture…

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Armenia backs Azerbaijan to host COP29 climate conference

By Nailia Bagirova BAKU, (Reuters) - Armenia agreed not to block Azerbaijan's candidacy to host next year's COP29 U.N. climate conference as part of a series of mutual goodwill gestures…

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Post-Brexit ‘Big Bang’ reform of UK financial sector a ‘damp squib’, say lawmakers

By Huw Jones LONDON, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Britain's "big promises" to boost the financial sector's post-Brexit global competitiveness have been a "damp squib", with many of the changes yet…

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UK’s Sunak tells divided party his Rwanda migrant plan is the only way

Sunak faces right-wing challenge over key migration policy Immigration minister quits, says bill does strong enough PM needs to get new legislation through parliament Sunak says he cannot go any…

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Meredith Kercher killer put under restraining order

A preliminary investigations judge in Viterbo issued a restraining order against Rudy Guede, the 36-year-old Ivorian national convicted of murdering British exchange student Meredith Kercher in Perugia in 2007, for…

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Britain summons Russian ambassador over FSB cyberespionage

By James Pearson LONDON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - The British government has summoned the Russian ambassador and sanctioned two people for what it said was a sustained but failed attempt…

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Meloni: Italy can improve trade with China after Belt and Road departure

Italy signed pact in 2019 expecting big boost to exports Hoped-for economic gains did not materialise Rome says still expects good relations with Beijing By Crispian Balmer and Angelo Amante…

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Putin’s spy chief tells U.S: Ukraine will become your Vietnam

MOSCOW, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign intelligence chief told the United States on Thursday that Western support for Ukraine would turn the conflict into a "second…

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Disasters caused $100 bln in insured losses in 2023, Swiss Re says

FRANKFURT, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, wildfires in Hawaii and other natural catastrophes have caused an estimated $100 billion in insured losses so far in 2023,…

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France’s DGSI warns that ISIS propaganda seducing “a new generation of teens”

A new generation of French teenagers is being wooed by the Islamic State terrorist group — infamous for its on-camera immolations of captives in Iraq — and seems ominously…

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Many German employees still face real wage losses in 2023 – WSI

BERLIN, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Despite falling inflation and rising collectively agreed wages, many Germans face a reduction in spending power this year, data from the Institute of Economic and…

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Ukraine’s latest weapons request includes THAAD air defenses and F-18s

By Mike Stone WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - Ukraine's latest list of U.S. weapons it says it needs to fight the Russian military includes sophisticated air defense systems, F-18 "Hornet" fighter jets,…

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Child poverty levels in the UK worst among world’s richest nations, UNICEF report finds

LONDON, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Child income poverty rates in the United Kingdom were the highest among the world's richest countries, a report by U.N. children's agency UNICEF said, ranking…

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Azerbaijan’s Aliyev calls snap presidential election for February

Dec 7 (Reuters) - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Thursday called an early presidential election for Feb. 7, according to a document published by his office. Aliyev, 61, was last…

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UN ship agency adopts tougher resolution to tackle illicit ‘shadow’ fleet

By Jonathan Saul LONDON, (Reuters) - The United Nations' shipping agency adopted a resolution targeting illicit shipping practices from the so-called unregulated "shadow fleet" in an effort to clamp down…

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UPDATED: Greece, Turkey seek to restart relations with meetings in Athens

By Renee Maltezou ATHENS, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan sounded an upbeat note on the future of Greco-Turkish relations as he arrived in Athens on Thursday in…

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UK PM Sunak’s new Rwanda plan suffers blow as immigration minister quits

LONDON, (Reuters) - Britain's immigration minister Robert Jenrick resigned on Wednesday saying the government's published draft emergency legislation aimed at getting its Rwandan migrant deportation scheme up and running did…

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Kyiv official wants Hungarian, Ukrainian leaders to meet over EU membership bid

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff said he wanted to arrange a meeting between the Ukrainian and Hungarian leaders amid Budapest's opposition to a proposal to…

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UPDATED: Russia to hold presidential election on March 17, 2024

MOSCOW, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Russia's upper house of parliament voted on Thursday to set the date for Russia's presidential election for March 17, 2024. The decision was passed unanimously…

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France passes law to protect farmers against neighbours’ complaints over noise and smells

By Geert De Clercq French parliament has passed a law to protect farmers from complaints from neighbours about noise or stench from agricultural activities, to stop "abusive" lawsuits from former…

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Zelenskiy assures Ukrainians of victory with U.S. aid in the balance

By Olena Harmash and Tom Balmforth KYIV, Dec 6 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Ukrainians on Wednesday that Kyiv would defeat Russia and win a fair peace "against all…

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Pope Francis says feeling “much better”, voice still weak

VATICAN CITY, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Pope Francis, who has been suffering from a lung inflammation, said on Wednesday that he is feeling a lot better, although he still has…

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Three years on, UK factories still face Brexit challenges – survey

By Suban Abdulla LONDON, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Nine in 10 British manufacturers still face problems doing business with the European Union and difficulties in hiring skilled workers due to…

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UPDATED: Italy tells China it is leaving Belt and Road Initiative

ROME, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Italy has officially informed China that it is quitting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), dismissing fears the move might sour relations and damage the…

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Turkey arrests alleged British crime boss in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Turkey said on Wednesday it had captured the leader of a British gang involved in drug smuggling, illegal gun trade and robbery in an operation…

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G7 leaders to meet virtually on Wednesday with Ukraine’s Zelenskiy

By Sakura Murakami and John Geddie TOKYO, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries will hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday with Ukraine's president, Volodomyr…

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UPDATED: Former PM Boris Johnson apologises to families at UK COVID inquiry

By Andrew Macaskill Johnson apologises for mistakes made during pandemic Former PM begins two days of giving evidence Campaigners claim Johnson treated people like toxic waste Johnson arrives early to…

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Crime group distributing counterfeit euro coins dismantled in Italy

Europol supported the Italian Carabinieri in dismantling an organised crime group involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit euro coins. The European Commission’s European Technical and Scientific Centre also…

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UPDATED: Hungary’s ruling party submits resolution opposing Ukraine’s EU accession talks

BUDAPEST, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Hungary's ruling party submitted a resolution to parliament on Wednesday, calling on the government not to support the start of talks on Ukraine's EU accession…

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UPDATED: Putin talks oil, Gaza and Ukraine on Middle East trip, to meet Saudi’s MbS

Putin to meet MbS Putin meets Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Putin starts rare trip to Middle East Oil, OPEC+, Gaza, Ukraine on the agenda Putin to meet Iranian…

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Germany to extend border controls with Poland, Czech Republic, Switzerland

Germany plans to extend its border controls with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland to stem a migration surge and combat people-smuggling until Dec. 15, a spokesperson for the interior…

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Yellen says U.S. would be ‘responsible for Ukraine’s defeat’ if aid fails in Congress

MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) - Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the United States would be "responsible for Ukraine's defeat" if Congress fails to approve the Biden administration's latest multi-billion-dollar funding…

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UK interior minister signs new Rwanda treaty to resurrect asylum plan

By Philbert Girinema, Andrew Macaskill and Michael Holden KIGALI/LONDON, (Reuters) - Britain signed a new treaty with Rwanda on Tuesday which it said would overcome a court decision blocking its…

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US envoy slams Hungarian govt for ‘disregarding’ interests of NATO allies

BUDAPEST, (Reuters) - The U.S. envoy to Budapest sharply criticised the Hungarian government on Tuesday for "disregarding" the interests of its NATO allies and strengthening ties with Russia at a…

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Hungary’s Orban to meet Macron ahead of EU summit

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday, his press chief said, ahead of an EU summit at which talks on Ukraine's joining the bloc and financial…

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France on ‘high’ alert for bird flu after new cases detected

France raised the risk level of bird flu to 'high' from 'moderate' on Tuesday after new cases of the disease were detected, forcing poultry farms to keep birds indoors to…

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Kremlin says OPEC+ output cuts will kick in later, confirms Putin to visit Gulf

Oil output cuts agreed by the OPEC+ group will take time to kick in, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, as it confirmed that President Vladimir Putin would visit the United…

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Britain announces stricter visa measures to reduce migration

Britain sought to cut the number of migrants arriving in Britain through legal routes on Monday, raising the minimum salary they must earn in a job by a third after…

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Deputy Russian army corps commander is killed in Ukraine

Major General Vladimir Zavadsky, deputy commander of Russia's 14th Army Corps, has been killed in Ukraine, a top regional official said on Monday. The governor of Russia's Voronezh region, Alexander…

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Labour leader Starmer praises Thatcher in bid to woo UK Conservative voters

Keir Starmer, leader of Britain's main opposition Labour Party, has praised former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, a deeply unpopular figure among many Labour supporters, as he seeks to woo Conservative…

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Protect Mediterranean ports from EU environmental taxes – Salvini

New green taxes affecting Mediterranean ports damage maritime transport and European Union (EU) competitiveness, Deputy Premier and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini said on Monday."The maritime transport sector is…

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Europol’s Operation OPSON breaks up a counterfeit olive oil ring

In the framework of Operation OPSON, Europol’s coordinated effort to combat food fraud and counterfeiting, Europol has supported a spin-off investigation into counterfeit olive oil. The operation was initiated by…

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Turkey’s Erdogan says Israel’s Netanyahu ‘will be tried as war criminal’

ISTANBUL, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would eventually be tried as a war criminal over Israel's ongoing offensive…

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White House says it is nearly out of money to help Ukraine fight war with Russia

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - White House budget director Shalanda Young warned in a letter to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and other congressional leaders on Monday that the United…

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‘No plan B’ for Paris opening ceremony after knife attack – sports minister

Dec 4 (Reuters) - There is no "plan B" for the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games, the French sports minister said on Monday, after a man…

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Kyiv accuses Russian forces of shooting surrendering Ukrainian soldiers

Kyiv officials accused Moscow of committing a war crime after a grainy video on social media appeared to show several soldiers shooting two surrendering military personnel who emerged from a…

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UK armed forces face nearly $22 bln equipment-funding shortfall over next decade – watchdog

LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Britain's armed forces face an equipment funding shortfall of 17 billion pounds ($21.6 billion) over the next 10 years, a public spending watchdog said on…

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UK needs new plan to reverse hit to living standards, researchers say

LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Britain needs a new economic strategy to reverse 15 years of falling living standards and worsening inequality, a leading think tank and an academic research…

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Two arrested in Italy for spreading Islamist propaganda

ROME, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Two people have been arrested in Italy for spreading online terrorist propaganda linked to militant groups Palestine Islamic Jihad, Islamic State and al-Qaeda, police in…

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Temperatures in Siberia dip to minus 50 Celsius as record snow blankets Moscow

MOSCOW, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Temperatures in parts of Siberia plummeted to minus 50 degrees Celsius (minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit) while blizzards blanketed Moscow in record snowfall and disrupted flights…

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Paris on high alert after knifeman kills tourist, wounds others near France’s Eiffel Tower

By Dominique Vidalon and Gilles Guillaume PARIS, (Reuters) – Security forces in the French capital and major cities in France are on high alert after a man armed with a…

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Italy sees a decrease in work-related deaths and accidents in 2023

In Italy, in the first 10 months of the year 868 reports of work-related deaths were submitted to workplace accident insurance agency INAIL, down 4.5% over the same period in…

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Germany wants swift conclusion of EU-Mercosur trade talks – govt spokesperson

BERLIN, (Reuters) - Germany hopes for a swift conclusion of trade talks between European Union and Mercosur negotiators, a spokesperson for the economy ministry said in Berlin this week. "It…

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Britain yet to make the case for a digital pound, lawmakers say

By Huw Jones LONDON, Dec 2 (Reuters) - A digital pound should not be available in large sums initially to avoid the risk of bank runs, UK lawmakers said in…

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Pope’s condition improving but will stay indoors to be on safe side, Vatican says

The health of Pope Francis, who is suffering from a lung inflammation, is improving but he will read his Sunday message indoors from his residence to be on the safe…

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