Lithuanian prosecutors revealed a network of suspects who planned terrorist attacks across Europe, utilizing parcel services to transport incendiary explosives disguised within everyday items. A Lithuanian citizen sent four parcels from Vilnius containing homemade devices hidden in massage cushions and cosmetic tubes. These packages, sent via DHL and DPD, exploded in Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom, with a fourth failing to ignite. The coordinated plot, linked to Russian military intelligence, involved suspects from Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine, who were recruited via Telegram.
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Israel has initiated a major ground offensive on Gaza City, following intense airstrikes and prompting a mass exodus of Palestinians southward. According to reports, a significant number of residents have already been displaced, joining hundreds of thousands who had previously fled. Amidst this, the UN commission of inquiry has found that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. The operation has garnered considerable international criticism, with many world leaders condemning the actions.
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In a heated exchange, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir urged cabinet ministers to finalize a hostage-ceasefire deal rather than proceed with an expanded military operation in Gaza, questioning the negotiating team’s efforts. Ministers, however, countered by criticizing Zamir’s past advice and assessments. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer pointed to a past instance where Zamir’s predictions were proven incorrect, while Zamir reiterated his concerns about the operation’s human cost and impact on international relations. The meeting also saw Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu address leaks to the media regarding disagreements about the Gaza City operation.
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Laboratories in at least two Western countries independently concluded that Alexei Navalny was killed by poisoning, according to his widow, Yulia Navalnaya. These findings were based on biological samples secured and transported abroad by Navalny’s team following his death in a penal colony. Navalnaya accused Western governments of hindering the investigation for political reasons, while also presenting testimony from penal colony staff detailing Navalny’s final moments, which she argued support the poisoning claim. Navalny’s previous poisoning in 2020 and his history of opposing Putin highlight the political context surrounding his death and the ongoing crackdown on Russian opposition.
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President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has successfully halted three Russian offensive campaigns, a crucial victory for the nation. He revealed that Russia is preparing for two additional major offensives, but that the previous attempts have resulted in significant losses for the Russian forces. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for continued Western support, including weapons and financial aid for arms production, to enable Ukraine to withstand the impending attacks.
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On Tuesday, Israel launched a major offensive into Gaza City, causing mass displacement and heavy destruction. The Israeli military declared the “main phase” of the operation had begun with the goal of controlling the entire city. This escalation of conflict has likely pushed a ceasefire with Hamas further out of reach. The offensive began the same day independent experts commissioned by the United Nations Human Rights Council accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Meanwhile, a missile fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen set off rocket sirens in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
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Swarmer, a Ukrainian company specializing in AI-powered drone autonomy, has received US$15 million in funding from US investors, marking a significant investment in Ukrainian defense technology. This investment will allow Swarmer to equip every drone with swarm capabilities, significantly expanding its operational capacity on the battlefield. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister, highlighted the effectiveness of Swarmer’s technologies, noting that these swarm capabilities facilitate the deployment of numerous drones and robots, even with limited trained operators. The funding follows earlier reports of US company Auterion supplying Ukraine with AI strike kits, also designed to enable drone swarm functionality.
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President Claudia Sheinbaum, the first woman to lead Mexico’s independence celebrations in over two centuries, delivered a strong message emphasizing national sovereignty. During the traditional “grito” ceremony and a subsequent military parade, she declared that Mexico would not accept foreign intervention or interference. These statements come amidst ongoing negotiations with the United States regarding drug cartels and border security, where the U.S. has sought increased action. Sheinbaum has rejected the idea of U.S. troops and maintained that Mexico’s actions against cartels are driven by national interests, despite pressure from the U.S.
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According to a recent study by the Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab, thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia are undergoing forced re-education in at least 210 facilities. These facilities, located in Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine, are reported to include programs of forced militarization and the production of military equipment. The study, based on publicly available data, details the various types of facilities, including summer camps and military bases, where the objective is to indoctrinate the children with pro-Russian narratives. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova for the war crime of unlawfully deporting and transferring children.
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In an interview with Sky News, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that Vladimir Putin is attempting to manipulate the United States and evade sanctions, hoping to break free from international isolation. Zelensky urged President Donald Trump to take a decisive stance on sanctions and security guarantees for Ukraine, highlighting the importance of a clear position. Zelensky also criticized Trump’s August summit with Putin, believing a trilateral meeting would have yielded better outcomes, and expressed his desire for direct talks with Trump, while Putin has invited him to Moscow instead. Trump, while initially optimistic about facilitating talks, has been hesitant to impose new sanctions without stronger European action.
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John Q. Hosedrinker