World
Russia strikes shopping mall in Zaporizhzhia and Konotop, Fico rejects fighting under NATO Article 5
Overnight on September 18, Russian forces struck a shopping mall in Zaporizhzhia and hit Konotop in Sumy region with a massive drone attack, damaging several buildings and infrastructure. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said he does not want his country dragged into a military conflict under NATO's Article 5.
ERR (rus) · 18 Sept, 07:44
Russians vote in Duma election overshadowed by Ukraine war and Kremlin control
Russia is holding a three-day State Duma election with little genuine competition and a predictable outcome, taking place against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and rising public anxiety.
The Guardian World · 18 Sept, 06:48
Fico says he refuses to defend allies under NATO's Article 5
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said he has no intention of honoring NATO's Article 5 obligations to help defend allies if Russia attacked a member state, never once naming Russia as a threat during his speech in Prešov.
Pravda — ziņas · 18 Sept, 06:47
Fico refuses to defend NATO allies under Article 5 if Russia attacks
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has publicly declared he will not honor NATO's Article 5 obligations to defend allies if Russia attacks, without once naming Russia as an aggressor during his speech.
Ukrainska Pravda · 18 Sept, 06:47
Former Finnish PM: Russian drone strike hit train traveling alongside hers from Kyiv
A former Finnish prime minister, who has visited Ukraine roughly ten times since Russia's full-scale invasion, says her latest trip saw more air raid alerts than any previous visit, and a Russian drone struck a train traveling next to hers toward the Polish border.
Jauns.lv · 18 Sept, 06:43
AI-Generated Videos of Celebrities Target Democrats Ahead of US Midterms
With US midterm elections less than two months away, a wave of AI-generated videos falsely depicting celebrities denouncing the Democratic Party has spread online. France 24 journalists confirmed the clips are fabricated.
France 24 · 18 Sept, 05:48
Tusk warns of Russian hybrid strikes on NATO allies, heads to Kyiv
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Russia is planning drone or missile strikes disguised as accidents against NATO allies backing Ukraine, and travelled overnight to Kyiv. Meanwhile Russia kept up heavy attacks on Ukraine while Ukrainian forces struck a Russian oil refinery and military airfield.
Guardian Ukraina · 18 Sept, 05:47
Observer abduction, coerced voting reported as Russia's elections begin
Russia's three-day parliamentary and regional elections opened on September 18 amid reports of pressure on observers, forced voting by public-sector workers and possible communications disruptions. Independent media and rights groups also reported widespread ballot fraud in several regions.
Pravda — ziņas · 18 Sept, 05:47
Syria tells UN Security Council that Israel poses the 'greatest threat' to Middle East stability
A UN Security Council meeting on Syria turned into a sharp exchange between Israel and Turkiye over their troop presence in Syrian territory, with Syria declaring that Israel represents the greatest threat to regional stability.
Al Jazeera · 18 Sept, 05:46
Sydney woman gets extra year in jail for killing and dismembering abusive husband
A Sydney woman who admitted killing her husband in excessive self-defence and then dismembering his body has been sentenced to an additional 12 months in custody. The judge cited a history of severe domestic abuse as a major mitigating factor, while calling the disposal of the body a chilling and significant element of the case.
The Guardian World · 18 Sept, 05:45
Ukrainian outlet publishes refugee's personal account of four years in the US
Ukrainska Pravda has published a Ukrainian woman's personal testimony about four years as a war refugee in the US, alongside data showing 5.6 million Ukrainian war refugees currently live abroad. The account describes the psychological toll of adapting abroad before she eventually returned to Ukraine.
Ukrainska Pravda · 18 Sept, 05:44
Von der Leyen seeks new role for Europe amid crumbling global order
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her State of the Union speech to propose closer ties with Canada and a new European Security Council, though the ideas raised questions about coordination with allies.
Politico Europe · 18 Sept, 05:44
Trump Presses Ahead With F-35 Sales to Saudi Arabia Despite Intelligence Warnings
The Trump administration is moving forward with a plan to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, even as U.S. intelligence agencies have internally warned of risks that China could acquire the technology. The decision highlights tension between strategic partnership goals and security concerns.
The New York Times · 18 Sept, 05:43
Ukraine launches operation “Vivaldi” near Lyman to eliminate Russian-held bulge in the front line
Ukrainian forces have begun an offensive codenamed “Vivaldi” in the Lyman sector, aiming to straighten the front line and weaken Russia's ability to continue attacking in the area. Early gains have been reported, though the full picture remains unclear.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 04:48
Expert: Russia's election system broke down gradually, but voting can still expose fraud
A veteran researcher of Russian elections explains how systemic fraud in State Duma votes developed over years, while arguing that participating in elections still offers a way to prove violations.
Meduza · 18 Sept, 04:47
Poland to Send Ukraine Scarce F-16 Missiles to Counter Jet-Powered Drones
Poland is preparing to supply Ukraine with a limited stock of F-16 missiles designed to intercept jet-powered drones, according to the country's deputy defense minister.
Euromaidan Press · 18 Sept, 04:47
Six months into Iran war, fuel prices in Europe climb again
Global oil prices remain above $100 a barrel as the fight over the Strait of Hormuz continues, while the six-month war in Iran remains unresolved. The effects are being felt in Latvia through rising fuel prices.
TVNET · 18 Sept, 04:46
Nearly 50 dead in Nigeria after drinking suspected methanol-tainted alcohol
At least 48 people have died and around 100 are being treated in southern Nigeria after drinking a locally brewed alcoholic drink suspected of containing methanol. Fifteen people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The Guardian World · 18 Sept, 04:44
Russian drone strike damages schools, hospitals and gas network in Konotop
A massive Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Konotop damaged education and healthcare facilities, homes, a railway and the gas distribution network, leaving much of the city without gas.
Ukrainska Pravda · 18 Sept, 04:43
Former Assad officer sentenced to 60 years in US prison for torture
A US court has sentenced a former Syrian official to 60 years in prison for torturing prisoners during Bashar al-Assad's rule.
Al Jazeera · 18 Sept, 04:43
Warehouse destroyed in Kyiv strike also held aid supplied by Latvia's Ziedot.lv
A Russian drone and missile attack destroyed a warehouse belonging to Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska's charity foundation in Kyiv, which also stored items procured by Latvia's Ziedot.lv charity. Ziedot.lv is calling for increased support for Ukraine ahead of winter.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 03:50
Belarus conducts military drills near Suwalki Gap, NATO's only land link to the Baltics
Belarusian forces are holding exercises near the Suwalki Gap, with troops guarding infrastructure, manning checkpoints, and training against saboteurs and drones. Minsk has not disclosed how many personnel are involved.
Euromaidan Press · 18 Sept, 03:49
German police link Russian party's former Duma candidate to Trickbot hacker group
Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office believes Vitaly Kovalev, briefly a State Duma candidate for the New People party, founded the Trickbot hacking group whose ransomware hit U.S. hospitals in 2020. Interpol wants Kovalev for organizing a criminal enterprise.
Meduza · 18 Sept, 03:48
Iran expels Swedish diplomat in retaliatory move
Tehran has given a Swedish diplomat 48 hours to leave the country, describing the move as retaliatory and accusing Stockholm of bowing to outside pressure.
Al Jazeera · 18 Sept, 03:45
California woman charged with murder after bus crash sparks fatal helicopter plunge
A 36-year-old California woman has been charged with two counts of murder after allegedly driving drunk into a Los Angeles bus and killing two passengers; hours later a news helicopter covering the crash scene went down, killing three more people.
The Guardian World · 18 Sept, 03:44
EU to give Ukraine another €3.3 billion for missiles and drones
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the EU will provide Ukraine an additional €3.3 billion to purchase missiles and drones, while preparing a new joint defense projects program.
Pravda — ziņas · 18 Sept, 03:44
Trump floats idea of setting up US Army base in Poland
US President Donald Trump has raised the idea of establishing a new Army base in Poland, a suggestion that comes after the Pentagon earlier this year sought to pull troops out of the country.
Politico Europe · 18 Sept, 02:50
Trump announces progress on plans for permanent US military base in Poland
US President Donald Trump has said significant progress has been made in talks on establishing a permanent US military base in Poland, promising the location will be revealed soon.
Jauns.lv · 18 Sept, 02:49
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Russia begins three-day State Duma 'elections' with outcome already decided
Voting in Russia's State Duma 'elections' began on September 18 and will run for three days, with the ruling United Russia party's victory widely seen as a foregone conclusion. Critics say the multi-day voting format was introduced to make manipulation and result falsification easier for the Kremlin.
TVNET · 18 Sept, 02:49
Thousands trapped in occupied Oleshky face starvation as Russia shells aid deliveries
More than 6,000 residents, including about 200 children, may be trapped in Russian-occupied Oleshky without food, water or medicine, with Russian forces attacking aid convoys and some civilians fleeing through minefields.
Euromaidan Press · 18 Sept, 02:48
Russia adds Meduza journalist Vladislav Gorin to wanted list
Russia's Interior Ministry has placed Meduza journalist and podcast host Vladislav Gorin on its wanted list, over a criminal case tied to his reporting on Russian political and social affairs.
Meduza · 18 Sept, 02:47
US approves $414 million uranium investment in Niger
The United States has approved a $414 million investment in a uranium project in Niger, two years after American troops withdrew from the country. The move could mark a turning point in both US-Niger and US-Canada relations.
Al Jazeera · 18 Sept, 02:45
Top US general says military must prepare for combat near the Moon
General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said American forces must prepare for potential warfare not only in Earth orbit but also near the Moon. Space Force leadership plans to nearly double troop numbers over the next five years.
Ukrainska Pravda · 18 Sept, 02:43
Study: Black Homeowners Paid Less Than White Homeowners in FEMA Flood Buyout Program
New research has found that Black homeowners receive lower payments than white homeowners under a FEMA flood buyout program, The New York Times reports.
The New York Times · 18 Sept, 01:52
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First "Killing Kittens" Sex Cruise Sails the Mediterranean With 600 Guests
In mid-June, the first sex cruise organized by "Killing Kittens" (KK) took place in the Mediterranean with 600 women and men on board, including a journalist from the Swiss news outlet "20 Minuten".
Apollo.lv · 18 Sept, 01:52
AI industry leaders invited to Trump-Xi dinner
Executives from leading artificial intelligence companies have been invited to a dinner involving US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, suggesting AI could be a key topic in talks scheduled for next week.
Politico Europe · 18 Sept, 01:51