Governments face increased borrowing, taxes and public sector cuts to finance their soaring military budgets. European NATO members are set to spend a record $380 billion on defense this year — a tough sell to voters.

Politicians in Slovakia have unanimously condemned Wednesday's attack on PM Robert Fico. Still, after months of anti-government protests in the capital there was shock but limited compassion from Bratislavans.

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and some other senior officials had a “hard landing” in northwestern East Azerbaijan province on Sunday, according to Iran’s state TV.