Author: Lester Holt

A drone believed to be linked to Russian strikes briefly crossed into Romanian territory overnight, prompting NATO aircraft to take off. Poland, facing similar concerns along its border, also mobilized jets and reinforced air defenses. Airspace Violation in Romania Romania’s Defence Ministry reported that radar tracked a drone penetrating about 10 kilometers inside its southeastern border before contact was lost near Chilia Veche, a village in the Danube Delta. The unmanned craft flew at a very low level and avoided built-up areas, according to officials. Two Romanian F-16s and allied Eurofighters operating in the region were sent to monitor the…

Warsaw, September 13, 2025 — Poland has deployed approximately 40,000 troops to its eastern border as Russia and Belarus commence the Zapad-2025 military exercises. The large-scale operations near NATO territory have raised concerns in Warsaw, prompting a swift security response. Border Crossings Shut The Polish government confirmed that both road and rail checkpoints with Belarus will be closed starting at midnight. Officials argued that the closures are necessary to protect national security during the joint maneuvers, which they view as an intimidating display by Minsk and Moscow. Objectives of the Exercises Belarusian and Russian authorities have emphasized that the drills…

WARSAW, Poland — Poland announced Wednesday that its air force downed multiple Russian drones that crossed into its territory overnight amid Moscow’s ongoing strikes on Ukraine. Officials said a total of 19 drones entered Polish skies between late Tuesday and early Wednesday. At least eight were destroyed by F-16 jets with assistance from NATO allies. Debris was located in several communities, including Wyryki-Kolonia, where one drone struck a house. Authorities confirmed no injuries. Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned the violation as an act of aggression and requested NATO consultations under Article 4. During the interceptions, flights were suspended at major…

Western powers coordinate economic measures to limit Moscow’s resources WASHINGTON, Sept 9 — Amid a surge in Russian attacks on Ukraine, officials from the United States and European Union met in Washington to plan coordinated sanctions aimed at restricting Moscow’s financial and energy capabilities. The discussions highlighted the urgency of applying unified economic pressure in response to the escalating conflict. The session, hosted at the U.S. Treasury Department, brought together Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and EU Sanctions Envoy David O’Sullivan. Talks focused on expanding restrictions on Russian oil exports and refining operations, key sources of revenue for the Kremlin, with…

Lower ruling struck downThe U.S. Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration authority to move forward with immigration raids in Southern California, siding with officials who argued for broad enforcement powers. The decision overturns a July 11 order from federal Judge Maame Frimpong, who had ruled that the government’s methods likely breached the Fourth Amendment’s protections against unlawful searches and seizures. Accusations of racial targetingThe case stems from claims that armed federal agents conducted roaming operations, stopping individuals based largely on skin color, ethnicity, or the way they spoke. Plaintiffs likened the detentions to abductions in broad daylight. One man,…

Government outlines sweeping support package Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a €1.6 billion initiative aimed at addressing Greece’s shrinking population. Delivering his annual address at the Thessaloniki International Fair, he said the program is designed to ease financial pressures on families and give younger citizens stronger incentives to remain in Greece. Beginning in 2026, the measures will introduce broad cuts to income tax, provide significant relief for households with four or more children, and reduce property taxes in underpopulated rural and island areas. Additional payments will also go to pensioners and vulnerable families struggling with high costs. Declining birth…

Watchdog Finds Anti-Competitive Conduct Google has been fined €2.95 billion by the European Commission for anti-competitive behaviour in the online advertising sector. Investigators determined that the company skewed the market by directing business toward its own ad exchange and publisher tools, reducing opportunities for rivals and narrowing options for advertisers and publishers. Commission Sets Two-Month Window Brussels has instructed Google to submit a compliance proposal within 60 days. Officials cautioned that if the company fails to present an adequate plan, tougher remedies — including the possibility of splitting off parts of its ad-tech operations — could follow. Google confirmed it…

Remarks at Forum in Russia’s Far East President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that Western military personnel entering Ukraine while the war continues would be viewed as legitimate targets by Russia.Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, he underscored that Moscow would respond directly to any deployment of foreign soldiers during active combat operations. Prompted by Western Nations’ Pledges His warning followed announcements earlier in the week from Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron said 26 nations had agreed to provide Ukraine with lasting security guarantees.Those assurances include funding, training support, and possibly the establishment of a multinational force…

Trump calls strike a warning to traffickers President Donald Trump confirmed Tuesday that US forces had carried out a strike against a vessel allegedly linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua cartel, killing 11 people. Officials said the operation took place in international waters in the southern Caribbean. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the ship as part of a trafficking route from Venezuela and said the strike aimed to disrupt cartel operations in the region. Trump defends action In a Truth Social post, Trump said: “Under my orders, US forces carried out a kinetic strike against identified Tren de Aragua…

Difficult terrain and damaged roads obstruct rescue missions More than 800 people have died and around 2,500 have been injured after a magnitude-6 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday, Taliban officials announced. Relief teams are struggling to access the hardest-hit mountain districts after landslides and destroyed roads left many villages cut off. The quake, centered near the Pakistani border, inflicted the greatest destruction in Kunar province. Its shallow depth amplified the devastation, with shocks reverberating through Kabul, more than 100 miles away. Aftershocks continued into Monday, rattling communities already in ruins. Hospitals pushed beyond capacity Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed…