
Italy approves 24 billion-euro budget that aims to boost household spending and births
Italy’s far-right-led government has approved a budget for next year that aims to bolster public health services, encourage families to have more children and put more money in the pockets of low- and medium-wage earners
1970-01-01 08:00

Israel evacuates villages near Lebanon border amid fears of escalation
Israel accuses of Iran of ordering attacks by Hezbollah militants that killed two Israelis on Sunday.
1970-01-01 08:00

Scotland’s record at major tournaments as Steve Clarke’s men seal Euro 2024 spot
Scotland’s Euro 2024 place was secured on Sunday night by Norway’s defeat to Spain as Steve Clarke’s side continue to impress. Having also reached the Covid-delayed Euro 2020 finals, Clarke has re-established Scotland’s men’s team on the international stage and here, the PA news agency looks at their major tournament record. Back in the big time Clarke said after Spain’s win in Oslo on Sunday: “To qualify for successive Euros after more than 20 years is phenomenal.” Scotland reached four out of five major tournaments from the 1990 to 1998 World Cups. That included the 1992 and 1996 European Championships – their only appearances in the Euro finals prior to 2020. They had been present at six World Cups out of seven to that point including five in a row from 1974, the only exception being 1994. They have since missed six World Cups in a row, and the first five Euros of the new century before Clarke oversaw their resurgence. Alongside their Euro qualifications they have been promoted twice from League C in the inaugural 2018-19 Nations League to the top tier for 2024-25. The trip to Germany for Euro 2024 will also allow the Tartan Army to travel to a tournament in numbers, after Euro 2020 was played under Covid restrictions with two of Scotland’s games taking place at Hampden Park and the other at Wembley. Best record in prospect Clarke’s side are set for their best ever record in a qualifying campaign, for either a European Championship or World Cup. Before losing 2-0 to Spain last Thursday, they won their first five games – scoring 12 goals and conceding only one, an Erling Haaland penalty in the 2-1 win over Norway. Top spot is still to be decided between Scotland and Spain but next month’s games against Georgia and Norway are, relatively speaking, dead rubbers with Scotland already qualified. One win would make it six out of eight games, a 75 per cent rate that would be Scotland’s best in a qualifying campaign – beating their seven wins out of 10 en route to both Euro 96 and then France 98. Should they win both, it will be only the fifth time they have won seven or more games in qualifying with all the previous examples coming in campaigns of at least 10 games. They narrowly missed out on Euro 2008, with eight wins from 12 including a double over France, and last year’s World Cup when they won seven of 11 before losing a play-off semi-final to Ukraine. Chance to break new ground Having qualified, the next target will be to make it out of a major tournament group stage for the first time. Scotland’s three previous trips to Euro finals have brought just two wins and two draws from nine games, their best return coming in 1996 when they beat Switzerland and drew with the Netherlands, who then eliminated them on goals scored only thanks to Patrick Kluivert’s consolation in a 4-1 defeat to England. They have only four wins in 23 games at World Cup finals and have never won more than once at a single major tournament. The expansion of the final tournament to 24 teams, introduced in 2016, increases the chances of making it through the group, with all six winners and runners-up joined by four third-placed teams in the last 16. Four points has been enough to get through at both of the 24-team tournaments to date, with Northern Ireland and Portugal in 2016 and Denmark and Ukraine last time out advancing with three. Scotland propped up Group D on one point at Euro 2020. Read More Mohamed Elneny daring to dream about leading his new club to the Premier League Owen Farrell deserves more credit from England fans – Richard Wigglesworth Biggest game of my life – Danny Care excited for England’s South Africa showdown Harry Wilson fully behind Wales boss Rob Page after ‘noise from the outside’ New sports given go-ahead for Olympic Games in 2028 Lacrosse’s Olympic return hailed as ‘immense’ and ‘watershed moment’ for sport
1970-01-01 08:00

World’s Biggest Fusion-Energy Project Searches for Lost Memory
The executive in charge of the world’s biggest fusion-energy experiment is trying to rehire retired engineers, who possess
1970-01-01 08:00

Hamas says 1,000 Palestinians dead still under the rubble, warns of environmental catastrophe- Interior Ministry
DUBAI More than 1,000 Palestinians are trapped under the rubble in Gaza, Eyad Al-Bozom, spokesman for the Hamas
1970-01-01 08:00

Xi’s $1 Trillion ‘Project of the Century’ Faces Uncertain Future
When President Xi Jinping first assembled world leaders to map out his vision for expanding Chinese soft power
1970-01-01 08:00

Kick-Ass reboot won't feature original characters
The 'Kick-Ass' reboot won't feature original characters such as the titular high school geek.
1970-01-01 08:00

European Union leaders to hold a summit with Western Balkans nations to discuss joining the bloc
Leaders from the European Union and the Western Balkans will hold an annual summit in Albania’s capital to discuss the path to membership in the bloc for the six countries of the region
1970-01-01 08:00

Giants fans, NFL media call out refs for blatant missed PI on final play vs. Bills
The New York Giants lost to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football under controversial circumstances because of a no-call on blatant pass interference.
1970-01-01 08:00

Chevron Australia LNG unions stick to strike plan even as pay talks continue
By Lewis Jackson SYDNEY Unions at Chevron's liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Australia reaffirmed their plan to
1970-01-01 08:00

NFL Rumors: Aaron Rodgers had a direct hand in the Jets win over Eagles
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers apparently hopped on the headset in Week 6's victory against the Eagles.
1970-01-01 08:00

Putin's visit to Beijing underscores China’s economic and diplomatic support for Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to meet this week with Chinese leaders in Beijing on a visit that underscores China’s support for Moscow during its war in Ukraine
1970-01-01 08:00