Oct 4, 2026, 09:30 AM UTC

United States federal prosecutors in Manhattan have unsealed charges against five alleged Russian intelligence operatives accused of orchestrating an international sabotage and assassination network. According to the Department of Justice, the network recruited individuals globally to surveil and murder targets in North America and Europe who supported or were perceived to support Ukraine. All five suspects remain at large. The indictment detailed operations including a June 2024 attack in Prague.

Concurrently, a regional court in Stuttgart, Germany, convicted a Ukrainian citizen involved in a Russian-backed parcel bomb plot. Prosecutors stated the operation, directed by an unnamed Russian state entity, involved mailing packages containing GPS tracking devices from Germany to Ukraine to undermine public security across Europe.

Sources: BBC News, Cyprus Mail, France24, OCCRP, The Guardian

Former Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen has expressed regret over his relationship with late financier Jeffrey Epstein, stating, "Jeg beklager i dag dypt det forholdet jeg hadde til Epstein." Rød-Larsen added that he should have cut ties at an earlier stage.

Rød-Larsen and his wife, former diplomat Mona Juul, remain under investigation by Norway's economic crime agency, Økokrim, on charges of complicity and gross corruption, respectively. Both deny wrongdoing. Økokrim rejected claims by defense lawyer John Christian Elden minimizing the probe, asserting the case is significantly more extensive. Investigators are also examining an Oslo apartment linked to the couple.

First State Prosecutor Marianne Bender confirmed that the high-priority investigation involves international police cooperation, though progress remains delayed while awaiting formal assistance responses from authorities in the United States.

Sources: Aftenposten, Dagens Næringsliv, Finansavisen, NRK, TV 2 Nyheter

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’ center-right United List alliance has secured a clear victory in the country’s parliamentary election, according to preliminary results and exit polls. The party earned around 35.6 percent of the vote, cementing a mandate to maintain Latvia’s pro-European Union and pro-Ukraine foreign policy while increasing national defense expenditure.

Despite the lead, forming a government will present challenges. Pre-election coalition partners experienced losses, forcing Kulbergs to seek new political partners to establish a majority. Campaigning was heavily influenced by security concerns regarding neighboring Russia, as well as voter dissatisfaction over the rising cost of living, which fueled significant gains for populist parties.

Speaking as initial results emerged, Kulbergs acknowledged the strong performance for his alliance, stating that "it is higher than expected" as official counting continues.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, ORF, RTBF Info, Tagesschau

A tanker and two cargo ships collided in the Valderhaugfjorden near Ålesund, Norway, in the early hours of Sunday morning. Maritime authorities received a distress call shortly after 1:30 a.m. local time regarding the incident, which involved vessels ranging between 80 and 147 meters in length.

Emergency responders, including a Norwegian naval ship, maritime rescue craft, and local private vessels, were dispatched to the area. Although one of the ships began taking on water following the collision, officials reported no physical injuries among the crew members on board. A rescue helicopter deployed to the site turned back after authorities determined that an immediate evacuation was unnecessary. Response efforts remain underway to secure the ships and monitor stability.

Sources: Aftenposten, SVT, Sweden Herald.