We document war, corruption, human rights, democratic resilience and the way ordinary people live through wartime — with evidence, context and humanity.
Three years after the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, the Middle East is locked in a multi-front war: Gaza, Hezbollah, and a direct US-Israel conflict with Iran that has killed Iran's Supreme Leader and hundreds of others. Israeli protesters still demand a state commission of inquiry — and Netanyahu's government still has not created one.
US Vice President JD Vance has publicly set Washington's condition for ending the seven-month war with Iran — a "meaningful" cut in enrichment capacity. Tehran refused within hours, leaving the diplomatic endgame deadlocked as Brent crude trades above $101.
Veteran Liubomyr Dmytryshyn went to defend a green zone in Kyiv’s Teremky — and ended up in pretrial detention. His lawyers call the case fabricated; the police call him an organizer of clashes. The construction goes on, and the question he raised remains unanswered.
The government has admitted a $27 billion shortfall in next year’s defense budget: $7 billion to be “found domestically,” the rest to be requested from the EU. While officials eye VAT on international parcels, soldiers Google why their salaries are delayed. An op-ed on whether the army will be held hostage to budget populism.
A 15-year-old lost his left hand to a police stun grenade in Lens. Over 250,000 protesters, 6,000 arrests, 500+ schools shut: France is facing its biggest youth protests since 1968 — and the government is running out of answers.
On October 5, a Russian drone struck the Turkish-owned bulk carrier Royad Mammadov carrying Ukrainian corn in Romania’s Exclusive Economic Zone — a NATO member state. Two seafarers died, the ship sank. The next day, drones hit two more Turkish vessels in Bulgaria’s EEZ. The Alliance has yet to issue a public response.
The SBU and National Police blocked nine draft evasion schemes in seven regions and detained 15 organizers, among them a military medical board doctor and a TCC chief. “Services” cost up to $20,000 — and clients may still face annulled deferments and prosecution.
Zelensky says the US has proposed a trilateral technical meeting with Russia by end of October, and Ukraine has agreed. But with no confirmation from Washington and silence from the Kremlin, the format, agenda, and Russia’s willingness remain open questions.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv unannounced on October 4, 2026, with a €1.3 billion aid package as a Russian drone struck the Northern Bridge, wounding two. Ukraine and Germany also signed 15 agreements worth over €8.5 billion — but questions remain about whether the military aid is genuinely new money.
At least two recent court rulings in Ukraine confirm a pattern: territorial recruitment centers mobilize students without waiting for their deferment applications to be processed, and courts must undo the damage afterwards — when the person is already in uniform.
Zelensky told Reuters that playing with Russian compromises is a waste of time, revealed Operation Vivaldi has freed 125–140 sq km, and put Russian losses at 42,000 per month. Meanwhile, NYT reports US-Russia talks now include a multi-billion dollar Lukoil oil deal involving Kushner and Witkoff.
The U.S.–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund has approved its first critical minerals deal — a $30 million platform with BGV Group, founded by ATB co-owner Hennadiy Butkevych. Officials tout investor confidence, but key terms remain secret, offshore allegations linger, and the public cannot yet judge who truly benefits.
On this page: 12
Show more news
