The British government has urged the banking sector to reduce reliance on US payment networks The UK should develop a “digital alternative” to challenge the dominance of US credit cards Visa and Mastercard, a government-commissioned review said this week.

The US-led bloc wants troops and equipment to move freely across Europe to Russia’s borders NATO’s European logistics chief has urged nations on the continent to establish a “military Schengen” zone to allow for the rapid movement of troops, equipment, and ammunition in the event of war with Russia.

US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has escalated its feud with Poland over excess Covid-19 vaccine doses that were ordered under a massive contract with the European Union, filing a lawsuit to demand payment for 60 million jabs that Warsaw didn’t need.