UK appoints new defense secretary with no military experience

The British government appointed former energy minister Grant Shapps as defense secretary on Thursday, replacing Ben Wallace, who said he wanted to step down after four years in the role and would not stand for re-election in the next general election, Reuters reported.

Media coverage of corruption needs improvement, say experts

A new report by the Independent Press Association (API) found that the media in Moldova needs to improve its coverage of corruption. The report, which analysed coverage of corruption in four key areas - education, health care, social protection, and agriculture - found that the media is generally doing a good job, but that there is room for improvement.

Russian TV tower attacked with drones

A TV tower in the Bryansk region of Russia was attacked with drones overnight, according to the region's governor, Aleksandr Bogomaz. He said that no one was injured and there was no damage.

EU reduces fossil fuel use for electricity generation by 17%

The European Union reduced its use of fossil fuels for electricity generation by 17% in the first half of 2023, compared to the same period last year, according to a study by the clean energy group Ember, cited by The Guardian.

Ukrainian special forces land in western Crimea, Russian forces claim to have destroyed four ships

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Wednesday that it had destroyed four Ukrainian military ships carrying special forces in the Black Sea, according to Agerpres.ro.

US military aid to Ukraine reaches $44 billion

The United States on Tuesday announced a new $250 million military aid package for Ukraine, including air defence missiles, artillery ammunition, Javelin missile systems, and demining equipment, CNN reports.

Landsbergis: EU Enlargement proven to be most effective way to expand peace and prosperity

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has said that European integration is the most effective way to enlarge the territory of peace, stability, and prosperity in Europe, according to Digi24.ro.

Macron proposes multi-speed EU to integrate new members

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the European Union to reform into a "multi-speed" union in order to integrate Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans, as reported by Politico.

UNICEF: War in Ukraine has devastated education

More than 1,300 schools have been completely destroyed in government-controlled areas of Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022, while others have been severely damaged, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday, as reported by Reuters.

Poland, Baltic States warn Belarus over Wagner Group

Poland and the Baltic States will immediately close their borders with Belarus if any incidents occur at the border, the countries' interior ministers said on Tuesday.

Russian FSB helicopter crashes, killing at least three

A Russian FSB helicopter crashed in the Chelyabinsk region of Russia on Tuesday, killing at least three people, the Emergencies Ministry said.

Russia denies link between new grain shipment and potential new deal

Russia's Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the passage of a second ship from Ukraine through a temporary corridor on the Black Sea has no bearing on the prospects for a new deal on grain exports involving Russia, as reported by Digi24.