TOP NEWS

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response
Pentagon: "Different landscapes" in Israel and Ukraine

If NATO shoots down Russian robots over Ukraine, it would mean that the alliance is "involved in war", according to Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh. At a press conference, she was asked why the US can't help shoot down Iranian robots and drones over Ukraine in the same way it does in Israel.

- We are talking about two very different landscapes and battlefields, she says and emphasizes that the US does not want to be drawn into direct conflict with Russia.

According to Singh, Ukraine has "successfully been able to defend itself".

- We will continue to make sure that they have the support they need to do so, she says.

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The North Korea crisis
Kim Jong-Un: Will not hesitate to use nuclear weapons

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un says the country will not hesitate to use nuclear weapons if South Korea or the United States were to attack, writes the AFP news agency and refers to North Korean state-controlled media.

The dictator spoke before North Korean soldiers at a military base. He accused South Korea and the United States of "destroying security and peace" in the region and called South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol an "abnormal man." 

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Political situation in Japan
Ishiba: Low birth rates are 'a silent emergency'

Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba warns that the low birth rates combined with the country's declining population is "a silent emergency", AFP reports.

Speaking before parliament on Friday, the new leader stressed that Japan faces major challenges in terms of population levels.

Ishiba also talked about wanting to "stabilize the number of members" of the imperial family.

- Stable royal succession is extremely important, he says.

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Taliban ruleThe situation in Afghanistan
Lavrov urges the West: Lift sanctions against the Taliban

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov calls on countries in the West to lift sanctions against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, reports AFP. He was speaking at the opening of an annual diplomatic forum on Afghanistan sponsored by Russia.

Lavrov also called on countries in the West to "recognize their responsibility for the reconstruction of Afghanistan".

During Friday, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that they are removing the Taliban from the list of terrorist organizations. This is written by Reuters and refers to state-controlled Tass.

Russia designated the Taliban as terrorists in 2003.

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The election in the USA The influence tests
The new warning before the election: "Multifaceted offensive"

Russia, Iran and China are trying to influence the US presidential election, according to the country's Deputy Attorney General Matthew Olsen. He has spoken to CBS News about the US facing a "multifaceted offensive" from the three countries, the channel reports.

- They are looking for ways to change the election results, or for issues that divide us in ways that support their national interests at the expense of ours, he says.

Among other things, he talks about how Russia uses advanced technology and elaborate strategies to spread disinformation - especially about Kamala Harris.

- Russia has tried to strengthen the former president's candidacy and blacken the vice president's candidacy, he says.