Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed European Union leaders in Brussels on Friday, requesting an additional €70 billion in financial support for 2025 to sustain Kyiv’s defense against Russia. He emphasized that the amount would enable Ukraine to maintain pressure on Russian forces and protect its sovereignty. The appeal comes as relations with the United States have deteriorated following remarks by former President Donald Trump, who criticized Zelensky’s handling of the war and suggested a preference for direct engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump’s recent easing of sanctions on Russia and comments labeling Kyiv’s actions a “disgrace” have heightened concerns in Europe that Washington may be shifting its stance toward Moscow.

During his meeting with EU officials, Zelensky declined to characterize the dispute as a personal affront, instead framing it as a broader test of Western solidarity. “I defend the interests of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people exclusively,” he told journalists after the talks. When asked whether he felt singled out for political reasons ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, he offered a brief, unelaborated response and moved on.

EU officials responded with a unified call for continued assistance. European Council President Antonio Costa warned that now is not the moment to ease pressure on Russia, urging member states to increase both military and economic support. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten described the situation in Ukraine as “truly dire,” citing intensified Russian attacks and the fraught bilateral relationship with the United States. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the sentiment, stating that the EU will examine the financing request and work toward a proposal before the end of the year.

In addition to the €70 billion funding pledge, Zelensky asked for more Patriot missile batteries to intercept Russian strikes and for expanded satellite capabilities to improve early‑warning systems. He noted that while SpaceX’s Starlink network has been partially restored after a recent disruption, full service has not yet returned. The Ukrainian president stressed that the restored connectivity is a step forward but that further improvements are essential for battlefield operations.

The EU is currently administering a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine that was scheduled to run through 2027, but ongoing Russian attacks have created a substantial budget shortfall. Some member states have suggested tapping roughly €200 billion in frozen Russian central bank assets to bridge the gap, though progress on that front remains limited, with Belgium — where a portion of the funds are held — expressing opposition.

Overall, Zelensky’s visit underscored a growing reliance on European financial and military aid as transatlantic support faces uncertainty, while European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.

Brazil's president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, announced his support for reducing the age of criminal responsibility for heinous offenses from 18 to 16, a shift announced during a Thursday night interview with TV Globo. The timing coincides with the runoff election scheduled for later this month, in which Lula confronts far‑right senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds a slight lead in current polls. While both Bolsonaro and his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, have long advocated for an even lower threshold—down to 14—Lula and his party have historically opposed any such reduction. Recent polling indicated that 80% of Brazilians favor lowering the age, prompting Lula to state, “My view, as a Brazilian citizen, is that for any and every heinous crime, I am in favour of lowering the age.” When asked by the reporter whether the proposed limit should be 16, he replied affirmatively. Brazilian law defines a range of offenses as “heinous,” including murder, rape, medicine falsification and drug trafficking; roughly one quarter of the nation’s 816,000 incarcerated individuals are held for drug‑related crimes. Human rights groups and security analysts have repeatedly warned that lowering the threshold would have limited impact on violence while potentially increasing youth recruitment into organized crime, a concern echoed by the Episcopal Conference of Brazil, which criticized the measure for failing to address root causes of violence and for risking deeper cycles of exclusion within the prison system. Columnist Josias de Souza noted in a UOL piece that Lula’s reversal represented a dramatic shift, describing it as “changing himself” on public security matters. In the weeks leading up to the runoff, Lula has sought to attract undecided voters by promoting a shorter workweek, debt relief for micro‑entrepreneurs and promises of free weekend public transport, measures that contrast with the incumbent’s recent policy adjustments.

Albanian police engaged protesters in Tirana for a fourth consecutive day on Friday, deploying tear gas and water cannons after demonstrators threw stones and set fire to trash bins to block streets. The confrontations persisted into the night across multiple neighborhoods. The unrest began on Tuesday, with thousands of participants demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation over proposed university reforms and rising tuition fees. According to AFP reporters, protesters attempted to breach government offices along the capital's main boulevard on Friday. One demonstrator, identified only as 18-year-old Ledia, told AFP that the movement seeks a better future for families without leaving Albania, describing the government's response as indifferent and arrogant. Authorities reported 160 arrests for violent acts on Thursday, while an AFP journalist observed masked groups damaging storefronts and looting businesses throughout the city. Police stated that 156 individuals had been injured since Tuesday, including 97 officers, with Interior Minister Ervin Demo noting two instances of excessive force and the suspension of two officers. Demo urged national unity, framing the clashes as an attempt by external forces to destabilize the country. Rama asserted that the protests were orchestrated by unnamed foreign entities seeking to obstruct Albania's European Union accession, claiming they bore no relation to legitimate socioeconomic grievances. The prime minister has repeatedly dismissed demonstrators' concerns, alleging foreign manipulation without presenting supporting evidence.

Penguin Random House announced on Friday that it would cease distribution of Sally Rooney’s novels in the United Kingdom, citing the author’s public endorsement of a pro-Palestinian advocacy organization that has been designated extremist by several governments. The decision follows a petition circulated among British booksellers and readers who argued that Rooney’s stance conflicted with the publisher’s commitment to inclusive market practices. In a statement released to the press, the company explained that continuing sales would risk alienating segments of its customer base and could undermine its broader policy of avoiding commercial partnerships linked to contentious political movements. The publisher emphasized that the move was not a punitive measure but a logistical adjustment tied to distribution contracts. Critics of the decision have framed it as an overreaction driven by activist pressure, while supporters have praised the publisher for taking a principled stand against what they describe as the normalization of extremist rhetoric. Rooney, whose works have sold millions of copies worldwide, has not issued a detailed public response to the development. The episode reflects a growing tension between literary commerce and contemporary geopolitical activism, illustrating how cultural figures navigate the intersection of personal expression and commercial responsibility.

An Oregon teacher confronted a teenage shooter who opened fire on a special education classroom, buying time for others to escape before a civilian armed with a handgun shot the suspect dead.

The incident unfolded on Thursday afternoon at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend. Police say 16-year-old Griffin J John II entered the school carrying a shotgun and fired up to 15 rounds inside a classroom designated for students with special educational needs. Three children and a teacher were killed; two other students and a teacher were injured, one of whom remained hospitalized in serious condition.

During the chaos, a teacher attempted to seize the weapon. According to police statements, she threw her mobile phone and wrestled with the suspect on the floor, an effort that likely prevented additional casualties. While the confrontation continued, a bystander — later identified by family members as 36-year-old carpenter Kaylub Giamanco — entered the building with a concealed .40-calibre pistol.

Giamanco, who had been driving past the school after lunch, witnessed the suspect firing at a vehicle in the parking lot before entering the building. He retrieved his weapon and engaged the suspect inside, firing multiple shots that resulted in the suspect’s death. No further injuries were reported after his intervention.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that the suspect possessed approximately 44 additional rounds of shotgun ammunition at the time of the attack. A search warrant was executed at his residence, and investigators continue to examine his movements, how he obtained the firearm, and his motive, which remains unclear.

The actions of both the teacher and the civilian have been cited by Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz as critical in limiting the loss of life. He stated that while the full extent of their impact cannot be quantified, their bravery likely averted further bloodshed.

President Donald Trump referenced the incident during a White House briefing, describing the armed civilian as a “great hero” and suggesting the outcome could have been far worse without his intervention. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek also acknowledged the civilian’s role, noting that such actions carry profound emotional weight for those involved.

The families of the two students who were killed have requested privacy regarding their children’s identities. The other two victims, a teacher and a seven-year-old student, remain hospitalized, with the teacher reported to be in stable condition.

Authorities continue to investigate the sequence of events leading up to the attack, including the suspect’s prior connection to the school and the circumstances surrounding his access to the weapon.

British police are examining a social media post by Sarah Helm, the wife of Jonathan Powell, who serves as National Security Adviser to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Helm, a writer married to Powell, shared a message on X on Thursday that appeared to express support for Palestine Action, a group designated as terrorist by the UK government. The post referenced Irish author Sally Rooney, who recently announced the suspension of book sales in the UK due to her intention to direct royalties toward the organization.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed the post is under assessment to determine whether further legal action is warranted. The UK government, through a spokesperson cited by Reuters, clarified that Helm’s views do not reflect official policy and that she holds no government role.

Palestine Action, which was proscribed by the UK in July 2025 following incidents of direct action at a Royal Air Force facility, remains a subject of legal and public debate. The group has contested the ban, with its appeal rejected by the Court of Appeal in June. Since the proscription took effect, over 3,500 individuals have been arrested in connection with alleged support for the organization, according to Amnesty International. These actions have included displaying placards and participating in demonstrations, with penalties reaching up to 14 years in prison.

Advocacy group Defend Our Juries has voiced concern over the scale of enforcement, stating that 36 individuals have faced home raids and arrests for expressing solidarity with Palestine Action online. The group has called for the protection of free speech, emphasizing that support for Palestinian causes should not be criminalized.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has previously indicated that the government is reviewing the proscription, stating that while the ban was not intended to result in mass arrests, the current application raises significant questions about civil liberties and proportionality.