Estonia
Estonia Seeks Collective NATO Response to Alleged Russian Airspace Violation
The Baltic state of Estonia has called for an urgent meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to chart a collective response to Russia’s alleged violation of its airspace on Friday morning.
It is hoped that the meeting, scheduled for next week, will help establish a common position on how to respond to the incident.
Estonia, a NATO member, fears that the breach could signal a prelude to greater security threats from Russia.
The move followed what the alliance described as a “brazen” violation of the airspace of its small Baltic member.
NATO claimed that three MiG-31 fighter jets, capable of speeds up to 3,000 kilometres per hour, entered and remained in Estonian airspace for 12 minutes.
It added that it scrambled F-35 jets from its fleet to intercept and drive away the Russian aircraft.
However, Russia has denied any violation of Estonian airspace.
According to Moscow, its jets completed their mission in international airspace near the island of Vaindloo, close to Estonia, and returned safely to base.
Meanwhile, Poland reported that a single Russian fighter jet conducted a low-level flyover of its territory on the same day. No further details were provided.
The developments follow earlier incidents in which several Russian drones were downed over Polish territory, reportedly while on missions to Ukraine, where Russia is engaged in ongoing military operations.
While Russia insists any violations were unintentional, NATO – a key backer of Ukraine – sees these actions as deliberate provocations to test the alliance’s resolve.
United States
Utah Valley University Holds Vigil for Charlie Kirk
Authorities at Utah Valley University, Utah, held a vigil on Friday for slain conservative political figure Charlie Kirk.
The vigil took place weeks after the 31-year-old politician was fatally shot by a sniper while delivering a public talk at the university.
It came ahead of his funeral, scheduled for Sunday, which is expected to draw a large crowd of students, far-right activists, and politicians – including U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
Kirk, a close ally of Trump, is widely credited with helping sway young male voters to support the Republicans in the last presidential election, breaking a decades-long trend.
His body was flown home from Utah aboard a presidential aircraft marked Air Force Two.
President Trump has announced plans to posthumously award Kirk the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour.
The suspected killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, has been charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder. He has yet to enter a plea.
Sudan
Death Toll in RSF Strike Rises to 79 – Medics
The death toll from yesterday’s early morning strike on a mosque in El Fasher, capital of Sudan’s North Darfur region, has risen to 79.
The increase marks a significant jump from initial reports, as more casualties are confirmed.
Medics at a hospital where most of the wounded were taken say the lack of medical supplies and facilities severely hampered their ability to treat victims effectively.
The Sudanese government has blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the deadly drone attack on El Fasher – the last major city in the region still under government control.
The RSF had previously laid siege to the city and issued warnings to civilians to evacuate in their own interest.
However, many civilians say they fear being attacked while fleeing, and thus remain trapped inside the city.
Palestine
450,000 Flee IDF Assault on Gaza
More than 450,000 people have fled Gaza City since August, as the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) intensified efforts to seize and occupy the area.
The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health blamed the mass displacement on what it described as indiscriminate Israeli attacks on schools, shelters, and residential buildings.
The United Nations estimates that over 40,000 residents fled the city between Tuesday and Friday alone.
Locals say the displaced are being forced to move to Al-Mawasi, a coastal strip Israel designates as a “safe zone” – although reports from the ground suggest the area lacks adequate food, shelter, water, electricity, medicine, and sanitation.
Some expectant mothers have reportedly been forced to give birth on the roads due to the dire conditions.
Meanwhile, more than 12 people have been killed in IDF operations across Gaza since dawn today. Most of the victims were struck in Gaza City, where approximately 20,000 Israeli troops are now concentrated.
A recent United Nations report concluded that Israel had met four out of five criteria for genocide, as defined under the 1948 UN Convention.
United States
Palestinian Leader Abbas to Address UN by Video Link
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is set to address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) via video link next week.
The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump barred Abbas and his delegation from entering the country to attend the assembly in person.
The action, which critics say violates the UN Charter that guarantees access to all member states, appears aimed at preventing Abbas from taking part in a key session where several major powers – including France, Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – are expected to formally recognize the State of Palestine.
Over 130 countries have already recognized Palestinian statehood.
This is the second time the U.S. has employed such tactics to shield Israel from growing international criticism. In a similar case decades ago, former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was also barred from attending a UNGA session, prompting the assembly to relocate temporarily to Geneva, Switzerland.
A UN source confirmed that Abbas would still address the assembly remotely and said new alliances are forming globally around the Palestinian cause, though he declined to elaborate.
