Drones
Finland ends drone alert amid regional fears of Ukraine war spillover
What are Russia's gains from the Iran war? 'We are not losers; we are winners' Finland has stood down its defence forces after sounding an alarm over suspected drone activities in its airspace. The authorities said on Friday that suspected drone activity above the Helsinki region no longer posed a threat and that the situation was returning to normal hours after launching an emergency response, including the launch of fighter jets and closure of the capital's airport. The Helsinki City Rescue Department had warned the nearly 2 million inhabitants of Finland's Uusimaa region to stay indoors starting about 4am local time (1:00 GMT), as fighter jets were scrambled. Helsinki's airport was also closed for about three hours. Later, President Alexander Stubb wrote on X that authorities had "demonstrated their readiness and capacity to react", adding that the country was now facing "no direct military threat". Kimmo Kohvakka, director general for rescue services at the Ministry of the Interior, called the response a "precautionary measure" and said "daily life can continue."
Russia presses college students to fill ranks of drone pilots
Students at one of Russia's leading engineering universities are getting a lucrative offer: ditch their studies for a year, fly drones for the military and earn more than 5 million rubles ($68,275) in pay as well as free tuition on their return. Pamphlets distributed at Bauman Moscow State Technical University promise students who sign up for the unmanned systems forces will fly drones from far behind the front lines, but still qualify for combat veteran status. It's part of a broader push across Russia to recruit university and college students, using lavish signing bonuses, academic leave and even outright coercion to convince young men to join the fight. At least 270 institutions are actively promoting military contracts, according to the independent magazine Groza, which specializes in higher education and student issues. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
UN aid convoy hit by drone strikes in Ukraine's Kherson
What are Russia's gains from the Iran war? 'We are not losers; we are winners' UN aid convoy hit by drone strikes in Ukraine's Kherson NewsFeed UN aid convoy hit by drone strikes in Ukraine's Kherson A UN humanitarian convoy delivering aid to the city of Kherson was hit twice by drones, despite prior coordination with Ukrainian and Russian forces. No injuries were reported, and the UN has not attributed the attack to either side. 'China is gaining from what the US is doing in Iran' Iran's FM urges BRICS states to condemn US-Israeli aggression
Israel's Ben Gvir storms Al-Aqsa during Jerusalem Day march
'This is an apartheid regime' Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa compound under heavy military protection during Jerusalem Day, as Israelis marched through occupied East Jerusalem. The march marks Israel's 1967 capture and illegal occupation of East Jerusalem. Iran's FM urges BRICS states to condemn US-Israeli aggression
The Palestinian game fighting to exist
'This is an apartheid regime' A developer from the occupied West Bank is turning a 75-year-old Palestinian folk tale into a video game, and the fight to make it mirrors the story inside it. Dreams on a Pillow follows a mother displaced during the 1948 Nakba. We spoke to developer Rasheed Abueideh. Iran's FM urges BRICS states to condemn US-Israeli aggression
Lamine Yamal divides opinion with Palestinian flag gesture
'This is an apartheid regime' A mural of Barcelona player Lamine Yamal was painted on war-damaged buildings in Gaza after the teenager waved a Palestinian flag during the club's LaLiga title parade. The gesture sparked widespread reactions, including criticism from Israeli officials. Trump, Xi speak ahead of talks to make relations'better than ever'
Latvian PM resigns over handling of stray Ukrainian drones
Latvia's Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned following criticism of her government's handling of stray drones, believed to be Ukrainian, crossing into Latvian territory. The controversy deepened divisions within the ruling coalition, causing it to lose its parliamentary majority. Trump, Xi speak ahead of talks to make relations'better than ever'
Russian drone attack hits Kyiv apartment block during ceasefire
What are Russia's gains from the Iran war? 'We are not losers; we are winners' Russian drone strikes collapsed a residential building in the Ukrainian capital. Ukrainian officials say Russia launched more than 1,500 drones since Wednesday, despite a US-mediated ceasefire proposal. Trump, Xi speak ahead of talks to make relations'better than ever'