live U.S. restricts staff use of Saudi airports after deadly Houthi attacks
The U.S. has banned government employees working in Saudi Arabia from using airports in the country without special authorisation. It com...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the European Union to break the deadlock caused by Hungary’s veto and move forward with Ukraine’s accession talks, stressing that European integration remains Kyiv’s top priority.
Speaking on Thursday in Rome at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to open all negotiation clusters with the EU under Denmark’s presidency. He urged Brussels to find a solution to Hungary’s objections, which have delayed Kyiv’s progress towards membership.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has repeatedly argued that admitting a country at war would pose a serious risk to the bloc’s stability.
On the sidelines of the conference, Zelenskyy met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. He thanked them for a fresh support package worth more than €2 billion ($2.33 billion) and welcomed the creation of a new reconstruction fund to help attract investment into Ukraine.
Beyond the EU discussions, Zelenskyy held separate meetings with several European leaders. After talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, he praised Berlin’s military backing, particularly in air defence systems. He also underlined Germany’s role in helping Ukraine expand drone production, describing Germany as a “decisive” partner in advancing Ukraine’s EU bid.
In meetings with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Zelenskyy discussed energy security, joint drone production, and further political support. He thanked Bulgaria for joining the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” and backing Ukraine’s European course.
He also met Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, highlighting Poland’s importance as a key transit hub and a partner in joint defence initiatives.
Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy attended a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, with representatives from 32 countries and organisations. For the first time, US figures including General Keith Kellogg and Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal took part.
“It is important that the Coalition is working for Ukraine’s security today and long-term protection tomorrow,” said Zelenskyy.
Ukraine is determined to move closer to Europe, with Zelenskyy calling for no more delays.
The Saudi-led coalition said early Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone over Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
Yemen’s Houthis have claimed responsibility for the recent drone and missile strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities in Dhahran and Riyadh and at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, vowing to carry out more attacks in the coming days.
The U.S. has banned government employees working in Saudi Arabia from using airports in the country without special authorisation. It comes after a deadly Houthi strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed at least 13 people last week.
Ukraine's soldiers have had their access to Starlink satellite internet restricted. Kyiv's troops use the terminals, made by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to pilot drones. A source in Ukraine's Defence Ministry said the restrictions would make it harder for Kyiv's army to down Russian drones.
Ukraine is set to restart attacks on Russian oil refineries following a two-day pause, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, amid growing tensions with Washington over energy strikes and U.S. military support.
A Norwegian teenager recruited by a Swedish criminal network to carry out a contract killing in Britain has been sentenced to 20 years’ detention after police uncovered the murder plot.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called it “a disgrace” that Ukraine has resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries. Attacks are continuing from Russia and Ukraine as media reports say Ukraine has almost run out of Patriot interceptor missiles.
Romanian rescuers resumed their search for seven missing sailors on Friday (16 October) after a drone strike set a chemical tanker ablaze near the country’s Black Sea coast. The attacks have raised fresh security concerns along a vital regional trade route.
Students, lecturers and university staff marched on Argentina’s Congress in Buenos Aires on Thursday to demand President Javier Milei’s government implement a university funding law which would boost staff salaries and increase financial support to institutions to cover operating costs
A 16-year-old shooter opened fire on Thursday at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon in the United States, killing four people, including three children, before being killed by an armed member of the community who had pursued the assailant into the school, police said.
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