16 h. ago UK aid cuts take 40% from funds to counter Russian threat in western Balkans

Funding to tackle misinformation and cyber-attacks, and boost democracy, cut from £40m to £24mKeir Starmer’s raid on overseas aid has led to a 40% cut in funds for countering Russian aggression and misinformation in a region of Europe described by the prime minister as vital to the UK’s national security.British funding committed to bolstering the western Balkans, where Russia has been accused of sowing division and creating destabilisation, has been cut from £40m last year to £24m for 2025-26. Continue reading...

Events

59 h. ago Polish independence ‘under threat’ if EU cannot come to decision on giving Russian assets to Ukraine, says Poland’s Tusk – Europe live

Warning comes as EU leaders attempt to reduce the risks from Russian retaliation against Belgium, which holds most of the €210bn of frozen Russian assetsGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Defence spending is in chaos as Keir Starmer 'rips up military wish list'

Britain's defence spending plans were plunged into chaos on Wednesday night after the Prime Minister reportedly blocked a major investment boost.

Events

3 d. ago Poland to produce mines in bid to defend border from Russian threat

Millions of mines are set to be produced

Events

5 d. ago MI6 chief says UK between peace and war and warns of growing Russian threat

Blaise Metreweli focused on the threat posed by an ‘aggressive, expansionist and revisionist’ Russia during a speech.

Events

5 d. ago New MI6 chief to warn of 'growing Russian threat' and UK must take new steps

There is set to be a firm warning by MI6 chief Blaise Metreweli, who will highlight the importance of the 'mastery of technology' in her first public speech since her appointment

Events

6 d. ago ‘The frontline is everywhere’: new MI6 head to warn of growing Russian threat

Blaise Metreweli expected to say UK faces new ‘age of uncertainty’ in speech identifying Kremlin as key threatAssassination plots, sabotage, cyber-attacks and the manipulation of information by Russia and other hostile states mean that “the frontline is everywhere”, the new head of MI6 will warn on Monday.Blaise Metreweli, giving her first speech in the job, is expected to say the UK faces a new “age of uncertainty” where the rules of conflict are being rewritten, particularly in light of wider Kremlin aggression after the invasion of Ukraine. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Armed forces chief to warn ‘whole nation must step up’ amid Russian threat to Nato

Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton will warn the situation is ‘more dangerous than I have known during my career’.

Events

1 week ago Santa at war: ‘home’ town in Finland hosts Nato soldiers as Russian threat looms

Christmas tourists are noticing a growing military presence in Lapland, where Santa Park doubles as a bomb shelterBilled as the official home town of Santa Claus, or joulupukki as he is known in Finland, the city of Rovaniemi offers every imaginable Father Christmas-related experience – from a visit to his “office” on the Arctic Circle to reindeer sleigh rides. He even has his own branch of the Finnish design house Marimekko.But this Christmas season, in addition to the hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world coming in search of Santa, Finnish Lapland’s snow-covered capital is becoming an increasingly popular destination for international military visitors. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago WW3 threat as Russian minister declares 'war with Europe is inevitable'

As tensions rise between Russia and the West, one minister has declared that Europe is gearing up to take on Russia, and is "deliberately" preparing for war, a move the Kremlin says it is ready for

Politics

2 w. ago Britain and Norway to launch joint fleet of warships to hunt down Russian spy vessels amid growing concern over threat from Putin

The new defence pact between the two Nato member states is aimed at protecting critical undersea cables which are under increasing threat from Vladimir Putin 's forces.

Events

2 w. ago British & Norwegian warships to team up in hunt for Russian subs including laser

BRITISH and Norwegian navies will hunt down Russian submarines together, as the threat of war continues to escalate across Europe. The first-of-its-kind defence pact will be signed today at Downing Street, as part of a £10 billion warship deal between the UK and Norway. The agreement is aimed at protecting critical undersea cables in the...

Events

2 w. ago King Charles warns of ‘threat of Russian aggression’ in state banquet speech

King Charles made a pointed reference to Vladimir Putin’s recent escalation of rhetoric against Europe during a state banquet speech, as he reaffirmed Britain’s support for Ukraine.

Events

2 w. ago King Charles says UK and Germany ready to ‘bolster Europe’ against Russia

Monarch also pledged both nations’ support for Ukraine as he welcomed German president, Frank-Walter SteinmeierThe UK and Germany are ready to “bolster Europe” against the threat of further Russian aggression and both nations “stand” with Ukraine, King Charles said as he welcomed the German president.The visit comes at a difficult time for Europe in the face of Russia’s war in Ukraine, and will aim to underscore the Kensington treaty signed in July – the first formal pact between the UK and Germany since the second world war – which sets out plans for closer cooperation on migration, defence, trade and education. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago UK and Germany will ‘bolster Europe’ against Russian threat, says Charles

The King spoke during a Windsor Castle state banquet in honour of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Events

3 w. ago France announces voluntary national service with 10,000 target as Russia threat grows

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a voluntary national service programme starting next summer, as Europe seeks to strengthen its military in the face of the growing Russian threat

Events

4 w. ago Royal Navy in dispute with army over funding to tackle Russian threat

Branches of armed forces press their case for greater investment but views diverge on where conflict may arise

Events

4 w. ago Royal Navy in row with army over funding to tackle Russian threat

Branches of armed forces press their case for greater investment but views diverge on where conflict may arise

Events