Latvian President convenes Security Council meeting to discuss border situation with Russia and Belarus

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs convened a meeting of the National Security Council on August 17 to discuss the border situation with Russia and Belarus. The Council is expected to address issues such as the presence of the Wagner Group in Belarus and Minsk's attempts to provoke a hybrid war.

Politico: Russia risks war with NATO in the Black Sea, warns Europe's former top commander

Moscow risks triggering a direct war with NATO by intercepting ships in international waters and trying to impose economic control over Ukraine, warns NATO's former top allied commander in Europe.

Turkey sets new national temperature record

A new national temperature record has been set in Turkey, reaching 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in the southeastern province of Hatay. The record was set in the Hassa district, which is one of the provinces severely affected by the February earthquakes.

Ukraine opens new temporary corridor for ships in Black Sea

A cargo container ship left the Black Sea port of Odessa on Wednesday morning on a new temporary corridor for merchant vessels to and from Ukrainian ports blocked by Russia, the Ukrainian government announced.

Ukrainian drone attack thwarted by Russian air defence

Russia's air defence systems shot down three Ukrainian drones near the Kaluga region, which borders the Moscow region to the north, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

Devastating Hawaii wildfire kills over 100 people

The death toll from a wildfire that devastated the town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui has now exceeded 100, according to the state's governor, Agerpres.ro reports.

Bulgaria steps up Black Sea mine monitoring after Romania blast

Bulgarian authorities have intensified monitoring of sea mines in the Black Sea after a blast near a Romanian resort, the Sofia Defense Ministry said.

Latvia's border with Belarus sees sharp increase in migrant arrivals

Latvian authorities have deployed additional border guards and troops to the border with Belarus amid a growing influx of migrants.

Germany to consider sending long-range missiles to Ukraine

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner on Monday expressed support for Germany to deliver Taurus cruise missiles requested by Kyiv to help repel Russian forces, AFP and Agerpres reported.

Ukraine needs help with mine clearance. The country with the largest mined area on earth

Ukraine is the country with the largest mined area and not enough resources to clear the frontline. In an urgent appeal to allies, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said his soldiers were digging up as many as five mines per square metre laid by Russian troops in an attempt to limit Ukraine's counter-offensive. The official called for aid given by some nations, including Britain, to expand, reports The Guardian.

Niger coup leaders say they are willing to negotiate

The head of Niger's military junta, who has been in control of the country for more than two weeks, says he is "open" to resolving the crisis through diplomatic means, according to a delegation of Nigerian clerics who have travelled to Niamey to meet with the new military leadership, Digi24.ro reports.

Odessa hit by Russian missiles

Russia attacked the Ukrainian port city of Odessa three times last night, using 15 attack drones and eight Kalibr sea-based missiles, according to Ukrinform. The missiles were shot down by Ukrainian air defences, but they still caused damage to a dormitory at a local educational institution, according to regional authorities.