Finland closes all but one of its borders with Russia

Finland is to close three of the last four remaining border crossings with Russia, suspecting Moscow of orchestrating a migration crisis, the Finnish Prime Minister announced on Wednesday, Euronews reports.

Far-right Geert Wilders’ party leads Dutch election

Beating all predictions, the Ipsos exit poll put Geert Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) at 35 out of 150 seats, 9 seats ahead of the closest rival, former EU commissioner Frans Timmermans' Labour/Green Left combination. That margin was far greater than expected, AFP reports.

The WHO is concerned about an increase in the number of respiratory diseases in China

Northern China has reported an increase in "influenza-like illness" since mid-October when compared to the same period in the previous three years, the WHO said, AFP reports.

German Chancellor asks Russian President Vladimir Putin to end aggression against Ukraine at G20 meeting

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday that he asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop aggression against Ukraine, during the first online meeting of the G20 attended by the Russian president since the beginning of the war, AFP and Agerpres report.

Israel, Hamas agree 4-day truce for hostage release and aid into Gaza

Israel green-lit a deal on Wednesday to release some hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a four-day truce in Gaza, Euronews reports.

Hopes for a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Progress is being made on hostage release negotiations, says Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "we are making progress" in freeing the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 and taken to Gaza. The leader of Hamas previously said the group was close to reaching a "ceasefire agreement" with Israel, raising hopes of a pause in hostilities that could lead to the release of the hostages, writes the BBC.

"We don't need anything, just air defense." Zelensky says that Ukrainians will return to the country only if they are protected

Ukrainians who went to other countries because of the war will start to return home and work for the good of their country if Ukraine has enough anti-aircraft defense to protect them, Kyiv leader Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with The Sun.

Boris Pistorius, on a surprise visit to Kiev

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kiev on Tuesday on an unannounced visit to reaffirm Berlin's support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian troops, AFP reports.

Albania opposition starts fire in parliament during anti-government protest

Albania’s opposition has set off smoke bombs and started a small fire in the middle of parliament in a failed attempt to stop the chamber from voting on the 2024 budget, The Guardian reports.

Slovakia extends border controls with Hungary until Dec 23

Slovakia's government on Monday approved keeping temporary controls on its border with Hungary until Dec. 23 as it seeks to prevent a renewed spike in illegal migration, Reuters reports.

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin visits Ukraine

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday to reassure Ukraine that Washington will continue to support its fight against invading Russian forces, AFP reports.

1 crew dead and 11 are missing after a Turkish cargo ship sinks in Black Sea in severe storms

Turkish rescuers on Monday recovered the body of a crew member of a cargo ship that sank off Turkey’s Black Sea coast in severe storms, officials said. Eleven other crew were reported missing, AP reports.