Captured Russian occupiers testify that the command ordered them to shoot civilian Ukrainian men and use children and women as "human shields. "
Minister of Social Policy Denys Uliutin presented the draft budget for 2026, where social spending will increase by 11%. In particular, payments for childbirth will increase to UAH 50,000 and monthly payments during the first year.
As of early August 2025, the volume of loans issued to Ukrainians and businesses reached UAH 1. 23 trillion, which is 15% more than in 2024. Loans are growing faster than deposits, which amount to UAH 2.79 trillion, but the growth rate of deposits has slowed down.
The SBU neutralized an FSB agent network in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions, detaining four individuals. They were transmitting information about the location of the Defense Forces for Russian shelling.
Minister of Education Oksen Lisovyi presented the draft state budget for 2026 for the education and science sector, the total volume of which is 257. 4 billion UAH. The document provides for a 30% increase in teachers' salaries from January 1 and another 20% from September 1, as well as investments in school safety.
The number of refugees in Germany decreased by 50,000 people in the first half of 2025, reaching 3. 495 million. The reasons for the reduction were deportations, voluntary departures, and naturalization, including over 83,000 Syrians who received citizenship.
On September 18, 309 participants of mass protests against cuts in state benefits were detained in France, which covered more than 700 settlements. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau noted that the actions were less intense than expected, thanks to the preventive presence of more than 6,000 law enforcement officers.
This summer, Donald Trump refused to provide $400 million in military aid to Taiwan, attempting to use the decision to achieve a trade agreement with China and a possible summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. This decision, which could still be reversed, marked a sharp change in Washington's policy toward the self-governing island.
A scheme for the illegal transfer of servicemen, organized by a former military unit commander, was exposed in Dnipro. The cost of the "service" ranged from 5 to 7 thousand US dollars.
Lviv law enforcement officers detained a lieutenant colonel of justice of the Ministry of Defense, who organized a corruption scheme: for a bribe, he arranged fictitious deferments from mobilization and facilitated the illegal departure of conscripts abroad.
The man, while intoxicated, caused a series of accidents, damaging service vehicles, a truck, and an Audi, and also ran over a police officer. His blood alcohol level was found to be 1.13 per mille.
Polish services have intensified shelter inspections since September 12, 2025, surveying over 2,000 structures. More than a thousand buildings meet the requirements and are ready to accommodate the population in emergency situations.
A Ukrainian court sentenced FSB officer Serhiy Sinitsyn, known as "Sabir," to life imprisonment in absentia. He coordinated the work of the occupation "Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation" in Kherson, organized repressions and torture.
Global debt has surpassed 235% of GDP, reaching $251 trillion, according to IMF data. Public debt has risen to 93% of GDP, while private debt has decreased to 143%.
Estonia will completely stop importing Russian natural gas, including liquefied gas, from next year, according to a government decision of September 18. This expansion of sanctions was initiated by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna to cut the Kremlin's revenues.
The publishing house "Choven" canceled the presentation of Oksana Briukhovetska's book "Voices of BLM" after a wave of threats against the author, publishers, and journalist Terrell Starr. The reason for the aggression was a tragedy in the USA, where a Black man killed Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska.
European scientists have unveiled Delphi-2M – a new AI system that predicts the development of over 1200 diseases years in advance. It analyzes patients' medical data, studying their medical history, age, gender, and harmful habits to predict health problems.
Japanese scientists have identified four types of the body's reaction to COVID-19 vaccines using artificial intelligence. The study showed that people with high initial antibody levels that rapidly decline are at the highest risk of infection.
Two men and a woman have been arrested in the British county of Essex on suspicion of espionage and cooperation with Russian special services. They have been released on conditional bail, and the investigation is ongoing.
In Zakarpattia, in 2025, an ancient wooden synagogue from the village of Velyki Komyaty will be moved and restored to the Zakarpattia Museum. A memorandum of cooperation was signed by representatives of the Zakarpattia OVA, the Hungarian Consulate General, the Uzhhorod rabbi, and the museum's management.
Beijing is demonstrating new nuclear deterrence capabilities and a tough stance on Taiwan. This comes amid escalating talks about trade between Washington and Beijing.
The Ukrainian national team dropped to 28th place in the FIFA ranking, losing two positions after defeats in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Spain topped the ranking for the first time since 2014, displacing Argentina.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have filed a lawsuit against American far-right influencer Candace Owens, who claimed that the French first lady was a man at birth. The couple promises "scientific" evidence to refute the defamation.
Lionel Messi, captain of Inter Miami, is close to signing a new multi-year contract. The parties have reached an agreement on key issues, with only a few details left to be finalized.
In France, trade unions have announced a nationwide strike against cuts in state benefits. Over 800,000 people are expected to join the protests in 250 cities on September 18, posing the biggest challenge yet for new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine extended the experimental project on the distribution of humanitarian liquefied gas for residents of front-line regions until May 2026. For the first time, consumers in the Zaporizhzhia region will be included in the program, providing them with gas at the expense of state-owned companies and international partners.
Sky News analysts report on the exhaustion of Pokrovsk's defense in Donetsk region, which the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been defending for over a year. Experts note that the situation is critical due to Russian control over key supply routes and the creation of a "kill zone" by drones.
US President Donald Trump said that the administration would officially designate Antifa a "major terrorist organization. "
U. S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein has completed the plan for the 'Golden Dome' missile defense program. The Pentagon refuses to disclose details regarding its scale or cost, citing operational security.
Artificial intelligence could boost global trade by almost 40% by 2040. However, without thoughtful policies, the technology could deepen economic inequality, the WTO warns.
