2024 was a year of triumphs and setbacks for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Here's how it unfolded

Monte dei Paschi di Siena announced that the European Central Bank approved its €13.3bn takeover of Mediobanca, despite initial expectations for shareholder hurdles due to cross shareholdings. Mediobanca, which rejected the offer as contrary to its interests, has postponed a shareholder meeting for a competing acquisition, while MPS plans to report to the ECB on its control of Mediobanca if investor backing falls below 50%. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: Monte dei Paschi...

Nato leaders gathered in The Hague to discuss increasing defence spending to 5% of their economic output, amid pressure from US President Donald Trump, who emphasized the need for allies to share the financial burden. Despite Spain's rejection of the target, other countries expressed willingness to meet spending goals while reaffirming support for Ukraine amidst ongoing global conflicts. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: Nato leaders are meeting in The Hague to discuss increasing...

Richard Gerald Jordan, Mississippi's longest-serving death row inmate, is scheduled for execution on Wednesday for the 1976 kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter during a ransom scheme. Despite his claims of PTSD from Vietnam affecting his actions, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his clemency petition, and family members of the victim express a desire for justice, emphasizing the heinous nature of his crime. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: Mississippi's longest-serving death row inmate,...

Australia's diminishing influence on the global stage is illustrated by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles' placement in the far corner of a NATO summit photo, overshadowed by leaders like Trump and Macron. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Albanese, avoiding potential embarrassment from a second missed meeting with Trump, focuses on domestic issues, as Australia faces pressure to significantly increase its defense spending. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: Australia's position in the world is shown in...

An Auckland club rugby stalwart, 42-year-old Dan “Dansun” Arakawa, died after suffering a heart attack during training with East Coast Bays Rugby Club on June 12. He passed away three days later in the hospital, surrounded by his wife and young daughter, leaving behind a legacy as a beloved member of the community since arriving in New Zealand in 1999. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: A kind man named Dan, who loved playing...

A small group of elderly white Zimbabwean farmers has accepted a controversial compensation deal from the government, receiving just 1% in cash, with the remainder in long-term treasury bonds, after their land was seized during a chaotic land reform program initiated by former President Robert Mugabe. While some, like Arthur Baisley, view the deal as a necessary compromise, others reject it, demanding full cash payments and expressing concerns over the government's financial stability. Explain It...