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Tweet Facebook Mail Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a record-breaking defence budget, setting aside a staggering third of the government's total spending as the war in Ukraine drains resources from both sides nearly three years on. The budget for next year, which was published on Sunday, allocates about $US126 billion ($194 billion) to national defence – amounting to 32.5 per cent of government spending. The defence budget is about $43 billion higher than the previous record set this year. READ MORE: Billionaire brings $150,000 grocery giveaway to Sydney Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a round of record defence spending. (Vladimir Astapkovich, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) (AP) The new three-year budget forecasts a slight reduction in military spending for 2026 and 2027. Legislators in both houses of the Russian parliament approved the budget. Russia's war in Ukraine is the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. Moscow is currently making gains at key spots along the front lines and fighting a counteroffensive in Kursk region – the site of Kyiv's only major military success this year. But the slow, grinding war – often called a war of attrition, where both sides are trying to wear down the other – has drained both countries' resources. Ukraine has always been on the back foot when it comes to both material and manpower, though it has received billions of dollars in help from its Western allies, including more than half a billion in new military equipment pledged by Germany on Monday. How much aid will continue to come from the US once president-elect Donald Trump takes office remains to be seen. READ MORE: 'Lost my eyesight': Elton John reveals ongoing sight loss at musical Spending on the Russian armed forces will climb to a third of total government spending. (AP) Meanwhile, Russia has more weapons, more ammunition and more personnel – but the strain on its economy and population is growing. Russia has massively increased its military spending over the past two years and its economy is showing signs of overheating: inflation is running high, and companies are facing labour shortages. Trying to control the situation, the Russian Central Bank raised interest rates to 21 per cent in October, the highest in decades. North Korea recently sent an influx of soldiers to help Russia fight on the front lines. The staggering sums countries spend on defending themselves View Gallery The Ukrainian government said last month that about 11,000 North Korean soldiers were in Kursk. Some of Russia's weaponry is also North Korean, accounting for almost a third of the ballistic missiles fired at Ukraine this year, according to Ukrainian defence officials and CNN's tally of attacks. The North Korean troops may help Russia's efforts for some time – but the material losses could be harder to make up for. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .
The list of sacrifices that Alesya Marokhovskaya has made to keep reporting on Russia from exile runs long: her home, her country, family, friends, culture, safety. This month alone, Russian authorities searched the home of the journalist’s parents in the eastern port town of Magadan and opened a criminal case against Marokhovskaya for violating Russia’s foreign agent law. When she spoke with VOA in Prague this fall, Marokhovskaya searched for words to explain why the sacrifices are worth it. Eventually, she settled on the Russian people. “They’re poisoning Russians,” she said, explaining how she views Kremlin propaganda. “Information in our world is one of the most important things, and I am completely against manipulating people’s minds.” As editor-in-chief of the exiled Russian investigative outlet IStories, breaking through propaganda to bring ordinary Russians the truth is Marokhovskaya’s core focus. But in doing so, Marokhovskaya and her team face legal threats and surveillance, even while based in Prague. Marokhovskaya had not planned to leave Russia, even when Moscow declared the journalist a so-called foreign agent in 2021. Instead, the reporter followed the strict rules that accompany the designation. For months, she labeled all of her social media posts — even ones that were photos of her dog — as the work of a so-called foreign agent, and she submitted financial reports to the Justice Ministry. “It was really humiliating,” Marokhovskaya said. But she followed the rules because she wanted to keep reporting from inside Russia. “For me, it was important to stay in Russia as long as I could. Because I was thinking there is no way to be a Russian journalist not inside Russia,” Marokhovskaya said. But when Russia invaded Ukraine, Marokhovskaya said it became clear that Moscow would ramp up its persecution of independent journalists. Soon after, she and many of her colleagues at IStories fled for the Czech capital of Prague. At the time, Marokhovskaya worried the relationship between IStories and its primary audience inside Russia wouldn’t survive the distance. “It was our fear to become media for immigrants. We want to be media for Russians [inside Russia] in the first place,” Marokhovskaya said. But IStories survived. “I still have this fear, but now I see we can work in such circumstances.” Marokhovskaya has worked for IStories, or “Important Stories,” since it was founded in 2020. In September, at the age of 29, she became the outlet’s editor-in-chief. She took over the role from IStories founder Roman Anin, who is now the publisher. A former Novaya Gazeta reporter, Anin says he never expected something as extreme as the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but he predicted reporters would eventually have to leave because of Moscow’s rising repression. “It was obvious that at some point, they will come after us as well,” Anin said. To Anin, a focus on collaborative journalism is one of the things that makes IStories distinct. The outlet also prioritizes publishing investigations and exclusive stories instead of daily news that other outlets are covering. “The main job of reporters is actually to find the truth, not to republish it,” Anin said. Russia has labeled IStories as a foreign agent and an undesirable organization. The latter exposes its staffers, sources and donors to potential fines, criminal charges and jail time. That harassment shows how impactful IStories’ work has been, according to Karol Luczka, who covers Eastern Europe at the International Press Institute in Vienna. “Investigative journalism definitely is the kind of journalism which angers political decision-makers the most,” he said. As the outlet’s new top editor, Marokhovskaya is tasked with leading what has become one of the most prominent exiled investigative Russian news outlets at a time when the stakes are especially high, she said. With the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war looming, Kremlin-backed harassment against exiled journalists posing a daily threat, and Russia’s future remaining uncertain, Marokhovskaya says their work is all the more important. Among her priorities is figuring out how to maintain the connection between IStories and its audience inside Russia — and, ideally, how to grow that audience. “When you are living in Russia, you are surrounded by propaganda,” she said. “Lots of people in Russia, they need the truth.” IStories doesn’t have much of a problem reaching people inside Russia who already oppose President Vladimir Putin and his war. Marokhovskaya wants to turn her focus to those who aren’t necessarily pro- or anti-Putin but lie somewhere in the ambivalent middle. “These people are of interest to us. It’s [a] potential audience,” Marokhovskaya said. Part of that strategy is talking to people in a way that doesn’t isolate them, says Artem, the head of the IStories video department. “We don’t say to them that you’re idiots, that you’re war criminals,” Artem said. “We just present real life in Russia as it is. We’re talking to real people. We’re talking about their problems. We’re always trying to find something that’s interesting to just ordinary people.” A former journalist with Russian state-run media, Artem requested to be identified by only his first name for security reasons. Video is a primary focus at IStories. The site publishes on YouTube, where IStories has nearly 720,000 subscribers, and where most of its videos attract around 1 million views. In August, Russian authorities appeared to begin throttling YouTube loading speeds in an apparent attempt to limit access. Artem admitted he’s concerned about how that will affect IStories. The YouTube channel and videos have made an impact. A 2022 documentary that featured a Russian soldier confessing to killing a Ukrainian civilian has more than 2.5 million views. It also became the center of a lawsuit in Russia. The documentary’s lead reporter — Ekaterina Fomina, who now works at TV Rain — and IStories founder Anin are accused of spreading what the Kremlin views as false information about the Russian military. The pair are being tried in absentia and reject the charges. That lawsuit underscores the Moscow-backed threats facing exiled Russian journalists in a process known as transnational repression. Legal harassment — or “lawfare” — is common. Surveillance, hacking and even suspected poisonings have also been documented. Over the course of several months last year, threatening messages were directed at Marokhovskaya and her colleague that suggested they were being surveilled. “I’m physically in danger here. I put my family in potential danger,” Marokhovskaya said. “It’s a big sacrifice.” Russia’s Prague embassy and foreign ministry did not reply to VOA’s requests for comment. With threats high, many of the outlet’s staffers work anonymously. “It’s a pity, but it’s part of our work now,” Artem said. “We’re fighting with criminals in the Kremlin, and they don’t follow rules. They just do what they want, and we’ll do the same,” he added. The personal cost of that work is high. But, said Anin, “It’s so important in these historical moments to preserve the truth about what was really going on in the country, to preserve the truth about the crimes of Putin’s regime.” And for Marokhovskaya, it’s comforting to know that she’s doing the right thing for her country. “It’s really simple to me,” she said. “I’m a patriot for my country, and the Russian government — they’re not.”
NoneEvery year, Santa leaves his home in the North Pole to deliver presents to children living in countless homes across the globe. Whether you're young or adult, tracking Santa's journey adds to the fun on Christmas Eve. Travelling vast distances on a Reindeer-pulled sleigh to deliver all the gifts in one night is a magical feat, afterall. One of the popular means to track Santa's journey on Christmas Eve is , a tracker developed and maintained by the American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The Santa tracker website has existed for over two decades and got an in a recent update. It uses satellite imagery and computer graphics to showcase Santa's journey on a 3D map. You can see a 360-degree animated view of Santa travelling on his sleigh pulled by the reindeer. The tracker displays the last seen location, the time remaining for the next location, and the number of gifts delivered. The program was in 1955. NORAD used to supply information about Santa's whereabouts with the help of volunteers answering phone calls made by children, and this continues to this date. NORAD's tracker also inspired , which was launched in 2004. It also simulates Santa's journey on Christmas Eve, loaded with rich graphics and animation. Google's Santa tracking efforts ignited after the company acquired Keyhole (now Google Earth) in 2004 and launched the "Keyhole Santa Radar." According to its , the search giant "felt like it could have been even better if people could visualize exactly where Santa was on Christmas Eve." However, the footfall was initially limited as Keyhole was still a for-pay service. Google Santa Tracker shows the total distance covered, the number of gifts delivered, and his next location. You can click on the red cap button in the top right corner to pinpoint Santa's location or navigate the map freely to check out the places he has visited. The tracker also offers a platter of other stuff, including Santa and Christmas-themed puzzles, animated videos, and games you can play on Christmas Eve.
David Raya has warned his Arsenal teammates that Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyökeres is a "top player in form" as Mikel Arteta urged his strikers to find their ruthless streak to keep their Champions League hopes on track. Gyökeres has become one of Europe's most prolific forwards after netting 24 goals in 17 games this season, attracting interest from a host of Premier League clubs including Manchester United , Manchester City , Chelsea and the Gunners. Editor's Picks Champions League injury and suspension news, predicted lineups, fantasy updates 7h ESPN Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal, Chelsea battle for Isak 7h ESPN Sporting host Arsenal at Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday and Arsenal goalkeeper Raya said of Gyökeres: "We know his strengths, how he runs a lot in behind and scores a lot in one v. one and he is a top player in form. "We are going to try and keep him very, very quiet. Don't give him any chances. We have to step up defensively. Hopefully we can do a great job and keep a clean sheet." Arteta refused to be drawn on Gyökeres specifically, choosing instead to focus on Sporting's collective threat, having beaten Manchester City 4-1 in Ruben Amorim's final Champions League match before becoming United boss. Gyökeres scored a hat trick that night and since joining Sporting from Coventry in 2022, he has scored 69 goals in 67 games across all competitions. Asked how good the Sweden international is and how Arsenal can stop him, Arteta chose to focus on Sporting's remarkable unbeaten 19-game run this season, including 17 victories. "I would like to talk about the team, about the coaches and how phenomenal they have been," said Arteta. "The run they are in is incredible. That tells you that it is not only the quality, the setup, the ambition, it is something about the team energy that they have. That is a great challenge that we have tomorrow, to come here and make a statement and show we are capable against this kind of opponent. Be ourselves and win the game." Pushed further on Gyökeres, Arteta replied: "I understand the question, but they have a lot of individual qualities. That's why they can win games in various ways. And yes, in the specific position they have great players." Arsenal have won just one of their last eight away games in Europe and have not scored in their last four, a run dating back to last December's 1-1 draw against PSV Eindhoven when the Gunners had already booked their spot in the knockout rounds. "Not all the games have been the same. It's true that within those games there were games that were when we had already qualified," Arteta said. "Something that is very true is that we have to improve those results and we have to find ways to understand what has been missing. Sometimes it's been performance, sometimes it's been other aspects. That's the next step we have to make as a team. "I wouldn't say that this is the most important thing but the efficiency that we have shown inside the box at this level with the chances that we are normally able to generate in the Champions League level, is not at the level required to win consistently. "I always say the Champions League is about boxes, small margins and details. You have to get all of those right to win, especially away from home." Sporting are second in the Champions League table, two points behind first-place Liverpool, while Arsenal sit in 12th on seven points after four matches.Dutch fall 24-14 to North Polk in 4A title game
Top war-crimes court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others in Israel-Hamas fightingIt’s almost that time of year! Spotify is gearing up to release its annual Wrap and netizens are excited to check out their 2024 recap. Soon, social media will be filled with colorful, shareable graphs showcasing users' musical tastes in unexpected ways. Spotify has been giving its listeners breakdowns of their data since 2016. And each year, it’s become a bigger production — and internet sensation. Spotify Wrapped 2024 The 2023 wrap was named 'biggest ever created' by Spotify and users cannot wait for the 2024 wrap and the expectations are higher, obviously. Spotify Wrapped usually arrives around November end or early December giving users a snapshot of their music preferences. Wraps also include global slides with data from all users, showing the most-streamed songs, artists, and playlists in different parts of the world. The campaign has become a social media sensation, as people share and compare their Wrapped data with their friends and followers online. Users learn their top artists, songs, genres, albums and podcasts, all wrapped into one interactive presentation. Most Streamed Artist Spotify also creates a series of playlists that reflect national and global listening trends, featuring the top streamed artists and songs. In 2023, Taylor Swift was most streamed artist, users cannot wait to check who is on number 1 this year. YouTube Music, meanwhile, has a similar end-of-the-year release for its listeners, as well as periodic seasonal releases throughout the year. It released its annual Recap for users earlier this month. Same is with Apple Music, it even gives out Monthly lists! Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Hollywood, Entertainment News and around the world.
The Washington Capitals will be without their captain and goal-scoring machine Alex Ovechkin for four to six weeks after he was diagnosed Thursday with a fractured left fibula. Ovechkin, 39, exited Monday's 6-2 win over the Utah Hockey Club with 14:30 remaining following a collision with Utah forward Jack McBain. A teammate had to help him off the ice. The Capitals announced Tuesday that Ovechkin was considered week-to-week as he underwent further evaluation on his leg. On Wednesday, the team placed him on injured reserve and recalled forward prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko from AHL affiliate Hershey. The injury interrupted Ovechkin while he was on a hot streak. He scored two goals in the Utah game before going down and has 13 goals in his past 11. Before Thursday's games, he owned the NHL lead with 15 goals on the season. Ovechkin's pursuit of history will now be postponed as well. With 868 goals in his career, the Russian needs 27 to break Wayne Gretzky's all-time mark of 894. This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.Talks between China and Japan's foreign ministers in Beijing have paved way for Japan to host China's foreign affairs chief next year, and mutual agreement to hold a security dialogue as soon as possible, Japan said on Wednesday. No details were given for when the events will take place but Japan's Takeshi Iwaya told reporters after his meeting and a working lunch with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that both agreed on continued high-level talks, including potentially an economic dialogue during the 2025 visit. The one-day visit is Iwaya's first to the Chinese capital since becoming Japan's foreign minister in October, to discuss thorny issues with his country's largest trading partner. It follows an agreement between leaders of both countries to work towards a mutually beneficial strategic relationship. Ties between the neighbours, trade partners with close economic and investment ties but rivals in security and territorial claims, are complicated with long-standing geopolitical disagreements and historical wartime sensitivities. Iwaya raised several security concerns, urging China to take "necessary action" including removing a buoy Japan had identified and believe was installed by China in the exclusive economic zone near one of Japan's southernmost islands. "I also expressed my serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea...and the increasing activity of the Chinese military," he said. On regional concerns, Wang and Iwaya discussed North Korea. Iwaya sought for China to partake in "a responsible role in maintaining peace and security in the international community," he said. Japan has expressed "grave concern" over North Korea's security alliance with Russia, in which North Korea stands to gain advanced military technology and combat experience. Wang stressed in the meeting that the significance of the countries' relationship went beyond bilateral ties. "If China-Japan relations are stable, Asia will be more stable," Wang said at the start of their meeting. VISA RULES AND SEAFOOD BAN In reciprocity to China's eased visa rules, Japan will remove some requirements for three-year multiple entry tourist visas for Chinese citizens and allow those on group visas to stay up to 30 days from the previous 15. The country has also introduced a new 10-year multiple entry tourist visa. Last month, Beijing expanded its visa-free arrangements to include Japan until the end of 2025, restoring a policy that was suspended during the pandemic. China also extended the stay period to 30 days from 15. Japanese citizens were able to enter China without a visa for up to 14 days before COVID-19. Iwaya pointed out that addressing the safety and security of Japanese nationals was important to increase travel between Japan and China. Cases of Japanese nationals detained under China's anti-espionage law and the lack of transparency around the law have led to Japanese people feeling hesitant about travelling to China, Iwaya said, calling for more transparency and the release of those detained. Their discussion of China's ban on Japanese seafood, highly expected on the agenda, did not indicate any easing on restrictions, but only that both sides agreed to "properly implement" a recent agreement. A major sticking point in bilateral ties has been Japan's discharge of treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant that Beijing strongly opposed and responded to by tightening inspections on Japanese goods. China was Japan's largest export market for aquatic products until Beijing fully banned them in protest against Tokyo's actions. Both governments reached an agreement in September that obligates Japan to set up a long-term international monitoring arrangement allowing stakeholders such as China to conduct independent sampling of the treated water. That was expected to restart the imports but China still wants reassurances from Tokyo that it would fulfil its commitment before "adjusting relevant measures" and gradually restore imports that meet standards and regulations. However, both countries were ready to restart talks on resuming Japanese beef and rice imports. (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Conference title games a chance at a banner, bragging rights and, for some, a season-wrecking lossSchools will start offline in Delhi, Directorate of Education issued an order; but these will remain restricted
Over 18,000 in Mexico register to run for Supreme Court seats and federal judges in new systemChina's AI balancing act — beating the U.S. but keeping the tech from threatening Beijing's rule