Satellite imagery sourced by RFE/RL confirms Taliban claims they have completed a road that leads up to China's remote border with Afghanistan. However there is no indication Beijing intends to open the militarized boundary any time soon.

Ukrainian drone strikes on three data centers operated by Russia’s Yandex will reportedly take months to repair and have caused widespread disruption in everyday life across Russia and other countries the sprawling tech company operates in.

Russia launched overnight missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, striking Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other regions. At least four people were killed in Kharkiv. The attacks came amid a US-proposed energy cease-fire that Moscow has not confirmed.

In this week's briefing, RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak drills down on one issue: the upcoming EU summit, with a focus on Ukraine, Russia sanctions, and EU enlargement.

After four years of speculation, leaks, and briefings by anonymous sources, the world is finally hearing evidence given publicly under oath in a German courtroom about how the Nord Stream gas pipelines were blown up -- in a case that could prove politically explosive.

US President Donald Trump, in the face of sharp criticism from officials in Ukraine, Europe, and even his Republican party, defended his decision to allow Russian diesel exports and insisted an energy cease-fire between Kyiv and Moscow is in place despite a lack of confirmation from either side.

Despite sweeping restrictions on women’s employment, some Afghan women are finding ways to build businesses and earn a living. 

Ukraine has struck three of Russian tech giant Yandex’s data centers in four days. Known as "Russia's Google," Yandex said it shut down a facility in the country's Vladimir region following an attack on October 11. The strikes have reportedly caused huge disruptions to digital services in Russia.

A prominent human rights lawyer and activist has been arrested in Iran, sources close to him told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine's recent attacks on Russian tech giant Yandex’s data centers have resulted in fewer Internet bots promoting pro-Kremlin hate, a claim that has been disputed by many technology researchers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of striking an energy plant after US leader Donald Trump's surprise announcement of an “energy cease-fire,” while Moscow remained silent on any suggestion of a truce.

US President Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy cease-fire, following his earlier decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports and his subsequent call for a change in leadership in Kyiv.

Central Asian nations are increasingly turning to India, China, Turkey, and Europe for military equipment to reduce their dependence on Russia. Analysts note that this diversification offers greater political flexibility but could create long-term logistical and operational challenges.

Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick plans to force a House vote on legislation blocking Russian oil purchases, challenging President Donald Trump's decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports as lawmakers warn the move could help finance Moscow's war against Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a stalemate in negotiations with Moscow, as Russian strikes on Ukraine killed at least 20 people, damaging apartment buildings and energy sites.

Is Russia about to attack the Baltic states? There are no signs of an imminent conventional invasion, but concerns are growing that Moscow could test NATO in other ways.

US President Donald Trump said he reached an agreement with President Vladimir Putin to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports, a move Ukraine immediately criticized as a "gift" to the Kremlin.

OpenAI has said Iranian operatives used ChatGPT to create fake journalist personas and push anti-American narratives. RFE/RL looks at one of the personas.

A Starlink trial on an Italian hilltop connected an ordinary smartphone to the Internet without mobile coverage, a satellite dish, or an external antenna. It drew attention in Iran, where Internet access is heavily filtered and authorities imposed a near-total blackout during the January protests.

The head of a leading Russian pro-war blog linked to the country’s Defense Ministry has been detained in Montenegro, along with several other people who work for the blog.