World
Number of schools in Russia down 45% over 25 years, rural areas hit hardest
Since 2000, Russia has closed nearly half of its schools, with state schools in rural areas suffering the biggest losses, according to a report by the Higher School of Economics. Many remaining schools also lack basic facilities and face a teacher shortage.
ERR (rus) · 16 Sept, 15:46
Russian opposition split over State Duma election strategy
Yabloko leader Nikolai Rybakov has sharply criticized the voting strategy proposed by exiled politicians Yulia Navalnaya and Maxim Katz for the upcoming State Duma election. Katz responded, urging supporters not to take the harsh words too seriously.
Meduza · 16 Sept, 15:46
Estonian teacher's diary reveals 44-hour work week
An Estonian teacher, Heleriin Paeoja, tracked her own working hours for one September week and found she worked over 44 hours, far beyond her officially mandated 31.5-hour load. The account comes as Estonia's Education Ministry plans a €70,000 study into teachers' actual workload.
ERR News · 16 Sept, 15:44
Kauai's Dry Trade Winds Give Way to Norbert's Rain as Flood Watch Looms
Weather on Hawaii's island of Kauai is shifting from a dry trade-wind pattern to heavy rain and possible flooding as the remnants of former Tropical Storm Norbert move through on Wednesday, September 16, with a flood watch possibly issued as early as Thursday.
3 avoti · 16 Sept, 14:56
/nginx/o/2026/09/16/17921291t1h9d28.jpg)
Garisons: Putin's only option now is serious escalation in Ukraine and Europe
Former Latvian Defence Ministry State Secretary Jānis Garisons says Russian President Vladimir Putin currently has no option but to seriously escalate the conflict in both Ukraine and Europe.
TVNET · 16 Sept, 14:50
Russian general who reported Kostiantynivka's capture to Putin killed in Ukraine
Russian Major General Anton Grunis, commander of the 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade, was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike in the Donetsk region. He was the officer who told Putin in July that Kostiantynivka had been captured, though Russian forces still don't fully control the city.
Meduza · 16 Sept, 14:49
Nawrocki to Meet Polish Military and Defence Leadership on September 18 Over Security Situation
Polish President Karol Nawrocki will discuss the current security situation with the defence minister and armed forces chief of staff, following a series of incidents near the Ukraine-Poland border.
Pravda — ziņas · 16 Sept, 14:48
Georgia's foreign minister: EU must prove enlargement seriousness through dialogue
Georgia's foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili said Georgia still aspires to EU membership but called on Brussels to show more genuine engagement with the South Caucasus. Relations between Tbilisi and Brussels have recently soured.
Euronews · 16 Sept, 14:48
Husband who drugged and raped wife for 20 years dropped from wider trial
A man from the Stockport area of Greater Manchester has pleaded guilty to 60 offences against his wife, including rape and drugging her without her knowledge since 2004, and will no longer be tried alongside 12 other men accused of abusing the same woman.
BBC England · 16 Sept, 14:46
US House votes for third time to end Iran war as conflict continues
The US House of Representatives has passed a war powers resolution for the third time this summer, aiming to curb President Trump's ability to continue military action in Iran without congressional approval. None of the resolutions have reached the president's desk, as Trump would likely veto them.
The Guardian World · 16 Sept, 14:46
Hague Court Sentences Former Kosovo President Thaçi to 25 Years for War Crimes
A court in The Hague has sentenced former Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi to 25 years in prison for war crimes.
Politico Europe · 16 Sept, 14:45
At Least 16 Dead After Building Collapse in Gaza
A residential building in Gaza that had previously been damaged in an Israeli strike has collapsed, killing at least 16 people, local rescuers say. The incident highlights the dangerous conditions faced by people living amid the enclave's ruins.
The New York Times · 16 Sept, 14:43
Woman suspected of pimping extradited to Ukraine from Serbia
Kyiv police report that a 48-year-old woman suspected of running a pimping operation has been extradited to Ukraine from Serbia and is now in custody.
Ukrainska Pravda · 16 Sept, 13:47
Corruption Case Recording Sparks Memes and Public Anger in Ukraine
A colorful undercover recording tied to a corruption case has spread rapidly online in Ukraine, generating memes and widespread indignation in a country worried that graft could threaten its war effort and its future.
The New York Times · 16 Sept, 13:45
Russian General Who Led Capture of Ukraine's Kostiantynivka Has Died
Russian Major General Anton Grunis, whose brigade captured Kostiantynivka in Donetsk region this summer, has died. The time and circumstances of his death remain undisclosed.
The Moscow Times · 16 Sept, 13:45
Palestinian rights lawyer Noura Erakat arrested in US after opposing Israel Bonds investment
Palestinian human rights lawyer Noura Erakat was arrested in Florida after speaking out against a planned investment in Israel Bonds. The arrest took place during an official hearing.
Al Jazeera · 16 Sept, 12:49
/nginx/o/2026/09/16/17920968t1h9c52.jpg)
Ukraine reports eliminating another Russian general
Ukraine's armed forces have eliminated Major General Anton Grunis, commander of Russia's 4th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade. The announcement was made Wednesday by Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces.
TVNET · 16 Sept, 12:48
Trump Administration Restricts Visas for Some South Africans Over Claims of Anti-White Discrimination
The U.S. government has imposed visa restrictions on some South African citizens, saying the country has failed to address what President Trump considers discrimination against white residents. South Africa's president has called the move racist.
The New York Times · 16 Sept, 12:47
Zelensky: Ukraine ready for energy truce if Russia stops strikes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there is currently no agreement with Russia on an energy truce, but Ukraine is prepared to accept one if the aggressor state halts attacks on its energy facilities.
Pravda — ziņas · 16 Sept, 12:46
US Set to Sell $2.8 Billion in Bombs to Israel
The Trump administration is preparing one of the largest arms sales to Israel in years, including 40,000 one-ton bombs, while controversy grows around Ed Sheeran's tour after rapper Macklemore was dropped for voicing support for Palestine.
France 24 · 16 Sept, 12:46
Von der Leyen calls for new EU alarm mechanism for security threats
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her annual State of the Union address to call for a NATO-independent EU alarm mechanism to respond to hybrid security threats, and announced plans for a European Security Council.
Delfi · 16 Sept, 12:43
Russia sentences dual Russian-Canadian citizen professor to seven years for treason
The Supreme Court of the Komi Republic sentenced professor Nikolai Zyuzev, who holds Russian and Canadian citizenship, to seven years in prison for treason over an alleged foreign-funded project against Russia's sovereignty. The FSB claims he received $2 million from 12 foreign organizations.
Meduza · 16 Sept, 11:50
Wandsworth Council considers near-doubling of council tax
Wandsworth Council in London is weighing a 94% council tax increase, citing planned government funding cuts. A final decision is due in February next year.
BBC England · 16 Sept, 11:48
Houthis Claim They Shot Down Saudi Fighter Jet, Deny Targeting Mecca
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militia said it downed a Saudi fighter jet, while denying accusations that it fired a drone near the holy city of Mecca. The claim came hours after a Saudi-led coalition accused the group of the drone attack.
The New York Times · 16 Sept, 11:48
Estonian officials clash over defence property accounting failures
Former Defence Forces deputy commander Veiko-Vello Palm accused Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur and others of failing to fix long-standing property accounting problems in a public broadcast debate, while Pevkur blamed the Defence Forces and the defence investment centre RKIK.
ERR (rus) · 16 Sept, 11:43
Study: Russian intelligence increasingly using disposable, online-recruited operatives for sabotage in Europe
A joint European broadcasters' investigation has found that Russian intelligence services are relying less on professional agents and more on easily replaceable people recruited online to carry out sabotage across Europe, many of whom don't fully know who they're working for.
Latvijas Avīze · 16 Sept, 10:50
Russian propagandist admits generals are misleading Putin about the front
Retired Russian colonel and pro-Kremlin commentator Viktor Baranets has publicly admitted that army commanders are feeding President Putin false reports about the situation on the front in Ukraine. He cited the cities of Kupiansk and Lyman as examples of premature claims of capture.
Jauns.lv · 16 Sept, 10:49
Von der Leyen: EU's position is strongest yet most precarious it has ever been
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her annual State of the Union address to warn the EU now faces an openly hostile world, urging unity against Russian interference and ultranationalism. She also addressed climate, trade with China, energy and artificial intelligence.
The Guardian World · 16 Sept, 10:46
UK government paid influencers around £2m, investigation finds
A Politico investigation has found that Keir Starmer's government spent roughly £2 million on paying influencers to promote its message, as concerns grow over energy bills set to rise sharply in January.
Politico Europe · 16 Sept, 10:46
Russian drone strike on Kyiv ignites warehouse fire, injures one
Russian forces struck Kyiv overnight on September 16 with jet-propelled drones, setting a warehouse on fire and damaging a passenger train, though the train's crew and passengers had already been evacuated.
Meduza · 16 Sept, 10:45
Russian drone strike on bus kills five in southeastern Ukraine
A Russian drone attack on a passenger bus in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region killed five people and wounded at least seven more on Wednesday, near the frontline city of Nikopol.
France 24 · 16 Sept, 10:45
Poland lifts air alert after Russian drones over western Ukraine
Poland briefly scrambled fighter jets and halted operations at two airports after Russian drones were spotted over western Ukraine near its border, with no violation of Polish airspace reported.
Pravda — ziņas · 16 Sept, 10:44
Ultra-rich stockpile bunkers and eye private cities to survive doomsday
Silicon Valley billionaires and other ultra-wealthy figures are increasingly investing in private shelters, bunkers and even autonomous city projects to prepare for potential global catastrophes. Some tech moguls are also pursuing territories free from state law.
ERR News · 16 Sept, 10:44
Pressure mounts on CDU leader Friedrich Merz within his own party
German Christian Democrat (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz is under growing internal pressure, with an indirect confidence test in the CDU presidium possible after upcoming regional elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, according to Politico Europe's 'Berlin Playbook' podcast.
Politico Europe · 16 Sept, 09:58
US Plans $2.8 Billion Bomb Sale to Israel
The US is preparing to sell Israel 40,000 powerful aircraft bombs worth $2.8 billion, weapons whose delivery was once halted over mass-casualty concerns in Gaza.
Euronews · 16 Sept, 09:51
Germans once volunteered in Russian and Belarusian care homes — Moscow's new war ended that legacy
From 1990 to the 2000s, Germans doing alternative civilian service traveled to Russia and Belarus to work in hospitals and care institutions, partly to atone for Nazi-era crimes. Russia's war in Europe brought this decades-long exchange to a close.
Meduza · 16 Sept, 09:50