A new dress-code dispute in Azerbaijan’s public schools has sparked protests by parents and students after reports that girls wearing hijabs, or Islamic headscarf, were turned away from classes. The protests come after a new ban on clothing deemed incompatible with the secular nature of education.

Ukraine is increasingly using artificial intelligence in drones and other battlefield systems to track, identify, and attack targets. Military officials say humans still remain in control of lethal decisions, but developers warn that fully autonomous weapons are moving closer to reality.

Azerbaijan’s new school-uniform rules have sparked protests after reports emerged of schools turning away girls wearing hijabs, renewing debate over religious freedom and secular education.

The European Union is working on multiple fronts to limit the number of Russian citizens that can enter the bloc, including the nuclear option of a total ban on all non-essential travel into the club’s Schengen zone.

Moscow launched a wave of ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv overnight, killing at least three people and injuring more than 20. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country once again received no advance warning from its Western partners about the Russian attack.

Russia shows no sign of letting up on its escalating aerial campaign against Ukraine’s apartment buildings, bridges, power plants, electricity grid, and other targets. As fall gives way to winter, Kyiv residents are racing to prepare.

Deadly Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine pounded civilian and energy sites across the country, leaving hundreds of thousands without power despite a cease-fire previously announced by US President Donald Trump.

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.