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Trump says his son paid back Russian billionaire who funded parts of wedding celebration
President Donald Trump on Friday claimed his son, Donald Trump Jr., paid back the Russian billionaire who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund parts of Trump Jr.’s wedding celebration in the Bahamas.
The politics behind chess, with Russia as a major fault line
The international governing body of chess is in the process of choosing a new leader, as president Russia's Arkady Dvorkovich suspended his duties, after being placed on a European Union sanctions list. Sports editor Julien Pretot lined up the players on the board.
Trump claims 'infinite' Greenland security deal with Denmark
US President Donald Trump said Friday that he had struck a deal with Denmark to give Washington "permanent control" over Greenland's security that would bar Russia and China from setting...
Trump signs sweeping Russia sanctions bill, aiming to choke off funds for Moscow in Ukraine war
President Donald Trump has signed a major sanctions package targeting Russian officials and key sectors of its economy
Trump signs sweeping Russia sanctions bill, aiming to choke off funds for Moscow in Ukraine war
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russian officials and key pillars of its economy that
Kremlin takes temporary control of Nestle, Auchan units
Russia placed Nestle and Auchan operations under temporary control, a step that has previously led to forced sales to Russian owners.
Trump says son has paid back Russian for wedding party
The president defended Donald Trump Jr.’s decision to take a large gift from Umar Kremlev, saying that such presents are “common.”
Trump declares victory in historic deal with Greenland as he secures 'permanent' US military rights
President Donald Trump's Greenland deal bars China and Russia from the Arctic island and grants permanent U.S. military basing with no expiration.
Trump says his son told him he will pay back Russian oligarch for wedding contribution
WASHINGTON, Sept 18 (Reuters) - U.S.
Russia Aims to Inject Chaos Into Elections, U.S. Intelligence Finds
The Kremlin is once again seeking to undermine confidence in American democracy with online influence campaigns, U.S. officials said.
Kremlin orders Russia businesses of Nestle, Auchan seized
The Kremlin ordered the Russian businesses of Swiss-based food and beverage company Nestle and French retailer Auchan placed in temporary administration.
Zelenskyy welcomes leaders from 7 countries for a regional summit
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hosted leaders and representatives from seven regional countries for talks on deepening cooperation on Friday, as overnight Russian strikes in multiple regions sparked fires and caused several deaths and injuries. The inaugural summit of the so-called “Carpathian Eight” brings together Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech […]
Poland warns Russia is planning drone or rocket strikes on NATO territory
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned on Thursday that Russia is planning hybrid strikes with drones or rockets on European countries supporting Ukraine, among them Poland. Russia will pretend the attacks are “accidental” in order to “paralyze or at least weaken the motivation of NATO countries” to rush to the defense […]
BVB Women Aim to Extend Their Lead
The scenarioThe BVB Women have had a flawless midweek. Following a 6-0 cup victory over 1. FFC Recklinghausen, the BVB Women won 5-0 against newly promoted MSV Duisburg in the Regionalliga West last S...
Russia begins 3 days of voting in a parliamentary election set to cement the Kremlin's power
Russians on Friday began three days of voting in the country’s first wartime parliamentary election, which features virtually no opposition and is all but certain to secure the Kremlin’s political dominance.
Kremlin orders businesses seized
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The Kremlin has ordered the Russian businesses of Swiss-based food and beverage company Nestle and French retailer Auchan placed in temporary administration, procedure that previously has led to the forced sale of Western businesses to Russian owners at knockdown prices.
Kremlin orders Russia businesses of Nestle, Auchan seized
The Kremlin ordered the Russian businesses of Swiss-based food and beverage company Nestle and French retailer Auchan placed in temporary administration, in a procedure that previously has led to the sale of Western businesses at knockdown prices.
Kremlin orders businesses seized
The Kremlin ordered the Russian businesses of Swiss-based food and beverage company Nestle and French retailer Auchan placed in temporary administration, in a procedure that previously has led to the sale of Western businesses at knockdown prices.
Alex Ovechkin claims he’s ‘not in politics’. His pro-Putin video says the opposite
After the NHL star appeared in an ad campaign for United Russia, it’s fair to start pressing about the impact of his stances – even if he doesn’t want to talk about it
Kremlin seizes Nestlé’s assets in Russia as crackdown on private business grows
The Kremlin has moved to seize the Russian assets of Nestlé and French retailer Auchan amid a broader nationalization drive in the country that has seen a surge in seizures of private assets.
Putin targets Nestle's Russian business as Kremlin tightens grip on Western assets
Nestlé is assessing its options after Russia placed the Swiss food giant’s local assets under temporary external administration.
Nestlé Weighing All Options After Kremlin Takes Control of Its Russian Business
Nestlé said Friday that it was weighing all options to protect its rights after the Kremlin decided to take control of the Swiss food maker's Russian business, the latest move against a Western company since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Countdown to Stuttgart: TV coverage, kits, record
Head-to-head: Strong runThe Bundesliga record between BVB and VfB Stuttgart is almost perfectly balanced: in 112 meetings, VfB Stuttgart have won 44 times, Borussia Dortmund 42 times, and 26 matches e...
Nestle reviewing options after Russia business seized by Putin
Vladimir Putin made a presidential decree to take control of Nestle’s Russian assets, alongside those of French supermarket chain Auchan.
Nestle weighing all options after Kremlin moves to seize Russia business
By John Revill ZURICH, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Nestle said on Friday it was weighing all options to protect its rights after the Kremlin's decision to take control of the Swiss food maker's Russian
NYT: Trump considers "appeasing" Russia with business deals before hostilities end
The Trump administration is reportedly considering economic deals with Russia before the war in Ukraine ends in an effort to incentivise Moscow to pursue peace.
Nestle weighing all options after Kremlin moves to seize Russia business
By John Revill ZURICH, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Nestle said on Friday it was weighing all options to protect its rights after the Kremlin's decision to take control of the Swiss food maker's Russian business, the latest move against a Western company since ...
Nestle responds to Putin's decision to put its Russian business under external administration
Nestle on Friday responded to the Kremlin's decision to take control of the Swiss food maker's business in Russia, saying it was assessing its options.
House clears Russia sanctions as Republicans dodge impeachment vote
GOP cuts voting session short after some NJ Democrats joined in punishing Russia
Russians begin voting in controlled election as war drags
It will be Russia's first parliamentary election since Moscow sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022
Trump Wants Putin to End the War. He May Offer Russia Business Deals First.
A new sanctions bill is meant to pressure President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to end the war in Ukraine. But President Trump is doubling down on a different approach: offering enticements to Russia.
Relive: Niko Kovac’s press conference before the Stuttgart match
On Saturday evening, Borussia Dortmund will visit VfB Stuttgart. Ahead of the match, head coach Niko Kovac provides an update on his team’s squad situation and answers questions from the journalists...
Alex Ovechkin on Russian political ad appearance: 'I support my country'
Alex Ovechkin was asked about his appearance in a political video in his native Russia. "They asked me to do that and I said yes," he said.
Positive Roster Situation Ahead of the Stuttgart Match
The best news of the training week came as early as Wednesday: Konstantinos Karetsas has resumed training with his teammates. “He’s in good spirits, laughing, happy, and enjoying training,” obse...
‘So many loopholes’: Democratic House leader Jeffries flags concerns over Russia sanctions bill
Jeffries said the legislation had so many loopholes that sanctions harming Russia might not be applied
The Strange New Politics of AI. Plus. . .
It’s Thursday, September 17. This is The Front Page, your daily window into the world of The Free Press—and our take on the world at large. Today: Douglas Murray asks, why do we allow terrorists to die of old age? The American nonprofits backing Hamas. A conversation with Dara Horn and Coleman Hughes. And much more. But first: inside the unlikely coalition warning that AI may kill us all. Last week, an AI researcher named Jacob Coxon made headlines around the world after saying that he had resigned from Anthropic because he believes AI might cause human extinction—and his co-workers do, too. Unlike the rest of us, potentially, the story just won’t die. The Pro-Human Assembly, a conference held Tuesday in Washington, D.C., about the existential dangers of artificial intelligence, couldn’t have come at a better time—or with a more eclectic coalition. The Archbishop of San Francisco was there. So was Steve Bannon, screaming about the Chinese. Bernie Sanders did a quasi-dramatic reading of messages posted to an online forum by rogue AI agents. Ashley Judd paraphrased a graphic Andrea Dworkin quote for reasons that remain a mystery to me still. It was odd. People in the AI industry have talked openly about the possibility of this technology causing human extinction for years, but it hits differently in the wake of the Hugging Face incident. If you don’t know what that is, all the more reason to read my dispatch today. As the doomers see it, the best-case scenario is a future in which humans are basically kept as pets: well cared for, but with zero autonomy. The worst-case scenario, obviously, is the everyone dies thing. What should be done? I heard lots of ideas but no easy answers. There are currently zero federal regulations on AI, which is sort of strange even to think about. After all, we regulate microwaves, and the people running the microwave industry have never once refused to rule out the possibility that their products will end all human life on Earth. What I saw in D.C. left me even more convinced that you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who believes nothing should be done. You know, except for President Trump. — River Page River Page • Tech and Business [ The AI Doomers Have a Plan to Save Us. I Went to Find Out What It Is. ](https://www.thefp.com/p/the-ai-doomers-have-plan-save-bernie-sanders-bannon) Read story How Robert Kraft Made Macklemore a Martyr—and How to Better Fight Antisemitism On Monday, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and a group of other NFL owners banned Macklemore from performing at their stadiums after the rapper delivered a “Free Palestine” speech while opening for Ed Sheeran. Kraft cited the rapper’s “broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.” Once multiple venues refused to host shows with Macklemore on the lineup, the tour’s promoter officially dropped him. Today, Josh Kaplan says that the move was counterproductive, arguing that though well-intentioned, Kraft’s decision turned an irrelevant footnote into a martyr. “You cannot cancel people into liking you,” Josh writes. Read his column on what a better response to Macklemore would have looked like. Read [ Robert Kraft Made Macklemore a Martyr ](https://www.thefp.com/p/robert-kraft-made-macklemore-martyr-antisemitism-palestine) This raises the question: What actually works against antisemitism? On the latest episode of Conversations with Coleman, recorded in front of a live audience in New York, Dara Horn joins Coleman Hughes to talk about her new book The Final Solution to the Jewish Question. She argues that antisemitism is a script that has repeated itself across countries and ideologies, and that most people don’t understand that well enough to fight it. Don’t miss their conversation. Watch [ The Lie at the Center of Antisemitism, with Dara Horn ](https://www.thefp.com/p/the-lie-at-the-center-of-antisemitism-coleman-hughes-dana-horn) Listen now Douglas Murray • U.S. Politics [ Douglas Murray: The 9/11 Failure That Still Haunts America ](https://www.thefp.com/p/douglas-murray-911-failure-justice-terrorist-guantanamo-bay) Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, the men who planned them have still not faced trial. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and most of the accused have been locked up in Guantanamo Bay since 2002. Judges have retired, and plea deals have collapsed. Today, Douglas Murray examines how this happened and argues that a justice system that allows terrorists to die of old age in an interminable pretrial process is one that has failed. Read his latest column on what that failure says about our unpreparedness for the era we are now living in. Read story The Editors • U.S. Politics [ When Nonprofits Support Terrorists ](https://www.thefp.com/p/when-nonprofits-support-terrorists) A newly declassified CIA brief from 1998 found that Osama bin Laden used nonprofit shell organizations—including U.S.-based Islamic groups—to fund his terror plots. Today, a similar story is unfolding as multiple organizations on American soil present themselves as nonprofits, taking advantage of tax-exempt status while seeking to advance the ideological mission of terrorist groups like Hamas. Read our editorial on the latest evidence of this dangerous trend—and why there’s no excuse for making the same mistake the CIA revealed 28 years ago. Read story Simon Sebag Montefiore and Bari Weiss Live in New York For decades, the Middle East has shaped American foreign policy and loomed large in the public consciousness. Few understand its influence on our politics better than Simon Sebag Montefiore, who argues that America’s quagmires in the Middle East stem from a deep misunderstanding of the region—on both the left and the right. Join him October 1 as he sits down with Bari Weiss live in New York City to kick off his U.S. book tour for The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East. Get Tickets Now MORE FROM THE FREE PRESS [ Sydney Sweeney’s Naked Truth ](https://www.thefp.com/p/sydney-sweeneys-naked-truth-caitlin-flanagan) Caitlin Flanagan Read story [ I Thought Ukraine Was Losing. Then I Was Almost Hit by a Russian Drone. ](https://www.thefp.com/p/elliot-ackerman-ukraine-drone-gas-station-train) Elliot Ackerman Read story [ The Dangerous Ideology Behind the AI Warnings ](https://www.thefp.com/p/dangerous-ideology-effective-altruism-artificial-intelligence) Shyam Sankar Read story [ Amanda Knox: Patrick Clancy Can’t Win ](https://www.thefp.com/p/amanda-knox-patrick-clancy-grief-internet-crime) Amanda Knox Read story THE NEWS The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter point, its first hike since 2023, signaling that another increase could follow as the central bank tries to bring inflation under control. President Donald Trump fired back by demanding that rates be cut sharply, though he stopped short of criticizing Fed Chair Kevin Warsh by name. The Houthis fired drones and missiles at Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, including a major oil port on the Red Sea, and Saudi jets struck back with air strikes across Yemen in an escalating front of the Middle East war. (For more on the Houthis, read Zineb Riboua’s column from earlier this week.) A sweeping Russia and Iran sanctions bill passed the House in a 262–159 vote and is now heading to Trump for his signature. Named after the late senator Lindsey Graham, the legislation would hit countries that purchase large volumes of Russian oil and gas with tariffs of up to 100 percent, and is aimed at cutting off revenue that funds Russia’s war in Ukraine. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen proposed making Canada the European Union’s first-ever “associate member,” drawing a standing ovation from European lawmakers. The proposal, framed as a response to a world grown more hostile, faces an uncertain path as EU member states would have to approve it, and one diplomat said that “nobody really knows what it means.” The House voted unanimously to send billionaire Leon Black a criminal contempt referral after he defied a congressional subpoena to testify and hand over documents related to his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Black chose to fight the subpoena in court rather than comply. Charlie Kirk’s family filed a wrongful death notice Wednesday against Utah Valley University, alleging that a series of security failures left him exposed to a rooftop sniper. The notice is a required legal step before the family can sue. Merriam-Webster added 1,400 words and definitions to its dictionary, including looksmaxxing, vibe coding, and cuffing season. The publisher said the new entries offer “a window into the world today.” The Free Press earns a commission from any purchases made through all book links in this article.
New bill would compensate returned political hostages like Paul Whelan
A bill by Rep. Haley Stevens would provide compensation to wrongful detainees such as Michigan's Paul Whelan, who was held by Russia for over five years
Austrian bank Raiffeisen’s Russia business is ‘very active,’ Grizzly CEO says after short-seller report
Siegfried Eggert, CEO of Grizzly Research, discusses the short seller’s report on Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), which alleges that the bank was involved in activity that helped evade sanctions. A spokesperson from RBI told CNBC: “We stand by the strength of our compliance systems, which have been reviewed many times - both prior to and since the start of the full scale invasion." They added that there are "a number of factual wrong and misleading statements.”
Germany's Nations League squads
Germany coach Jürgen Klopp has announced two squads for his first four matches in charge in the Nations League. Squad one for the games in the Netherlands on September 24 and against Greece on September 27: Goalkeepers: Finn Dahmen (Augsburg), Alexander Nübel (Besiktas), Marc-André ter Stegen (Ajax) Defenders: Hennes Behrens (Augsburg), Yann Aurel Bisseck (Inter Milan), Nathaniel Brown (Bayern Munich), Max Rosenfelder (Freiburg), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munic
Short-seller puts spotlight back on Raiffeisen's ties to Russia
Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) is facing renewed scrutiny as the biggest Western bank still operating in Russia, after a short-seller alleged it was a key channel enabling more than $1 billion of Russian trade to circumvent sanctions.
House approves sweeping Russia sanctions bill, sending it to Trump
The legislation represents the most ambitious effort to support Ukraine since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House
House passes Russia sanctions bill named for Lindsey Graham, sending it to Trump
The legislation passed the Senate last month. It targets Russia’s energy sector by punishing the largest buyers of its oil and gas to slash revenues Russia uses to attack Ukraine.
House passes Russia sanctions, sending bill named for Lindsey Graham to Trump's desk
The legislation was named for the late South Carolina Republican. It gives the president authority to impose tariffs on top importers of oil and natural gas from Russia, such as China and India.
Congress on track to approve major Russia sanctions bill — that could hand new tariff powers to Trump
Congress is poised to deliver President Donald Trump one final win ahead of the midterms — a major Russia sanctions bill that critics warn will empower him to impose sweeping new tariffs that could reverberate across the economy.
Russia Purges Anti-War Politicians Before State Duma Elections
Ahead of the first State Duma elections since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, few are left to speak for peace.
Capitals address Ovechkin’s role in Russian political ad
The Washington Capitals said Alex Ovechkin was asked to appear in a new ad for Russia’s ruling United Russia party while in Moscow this summer, emphasizing he is a Russian citizen focused on the upcoming NHL season and his community role in D.C.
Zelensky claims Russia targeted plane with drones
Stuart Varney and Victoria Coates react to claims that Russia targeted Zelensky's plane with drones. Coates argues Putin is running out of options and seeking a kill shot to install a puppet government.
Borussia Dortmund teenager Konstantinos Karetsas returns to training after Champions League health scare
Borussia Dortmund says 18-year-old midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas is back in training just over a week after he slumped to the ground in an alarming medical incident on his Champions League debut.
Dortmund teenager Karetsas is back in training after health problems in Champions League
Borussia Dortmund says 18-year-old midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas is back in training just over a week after he slumped to the ground in an alarming medical incident on his Champions League debut. Karetsas passed the ball to a teammate then signaled his distress to the referee before sitting on the grass during Dortmund's 3-2 win over Villarreal on Sept. 8. “Konstantinos Karetsas is back in team training as of Wednesday after doing individual sessions at the start of the week,” Dortmund said.
Ukrainian defence tech seeks new ways to scale up
Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine's defence sector has expanded several-fold, becoming a significant source of military innovation, especially in unmanned systems, counter-drone technologies, electronic warfare and AI-driven combat systems. But finding the funds and personnel to scale up and to reach international markets remains a challenge.Spurred on by the demands of the front-line, Ukrainian defence companies say they can develop a minor component in a couple of weeks, or major hardware or software solutions within a year. This is several times faster than the usual development cycles in the sector. Tencore, founded in 2024, is now one of Ukraine’s largest providers of unmanned ground vehicles, well exceeding the production of NATO members in this category. Odd Systems, a Ukrainian combat cameras developer founded in 2023, launched its first thermal camera in 2024. Less than two years later, it is developing the fourth generation of the product, one that has evolved into a full vision system.According to Michael Singer, managing partner at Verne Capital, a venture capital fund supporting defence companies in Europe, this speed is down to the short feedback loop between the developer and the end user. “Ukrainian companies develop technologies in close interaction with soldiers and military units, test them under real combat conditions and rapidly incorporate feedback into the next generation of the product,” he says. “Sometimes we need to react to feedback and deploy an upgrade within hours,” says Polina Tymchenko, the spokesperson for Himera, which develops electronic warfare-resistant walkie-talkies. “It means that, as a company, you have to have a higher tolerance for risk, and also design your products in a way that fosters those quick changes.”Getting a product deployed by a combat command involves no paperwork other than a purchase order, says Perry Boyle, co-founder and chief executive of Mits Capital, a Ukrainian-US investment group focused on attracting capital for Ukraine's defence tech sector. “New weapons can be developed and deployed based largely on handshakes.”Nevertheless, the speed of development is largely subject to the level of funding, says Iryna Sukhomlyn, head of business development at RMachine, a developer of unmanned ground systems. “Financial support needs to start much earlier, particularly at technology readiness level 3-5, not only when most of the technological risk has already been removed,” she says.In 2025, Ukrainian defence tech companies attracted about $129 million in investment, with the true figure likely higher given the share of undisclosed security-sensitive deals, according to a report published by the Kyiv School of Economics. These investments were primarily concentrated in the AI and software segment, as they are considered a lower financial risk.Scaling production is a major barrierAccording to Iryna Supruniuk, business development director at Odd Systems, proving a defence product in Ukraine is not the end of the development process, but the beginning of a continuous evolution, since operational requirements change rapidly. “Continuous iteration remains our highest priority,” she says.It's also when production must scale up, which represents a major hurdle. “Scaling production requires capital, manufacturing capacity, components, certification, procurement access and reliable supply chains,” Singer says. Scale-up is also hampered by demographic pressures, especially a shortage of young specialists needed to expand engineering teams. Companies have reported struggling to replace specialists lost due to Russian attacks, mobilisation and emigration. In order to meet this scale-up challenge and finance arms production, begun allowing defence technologies to be exported, assuming it has an excess capacity. It has also announced the creation of ten defence and weapons export centres across Europe by the end of 2026.According to Singer, a technology that has demonstrated its value under real combat conditions has a fundamentally different credibility than a product that has only been tested in a laboratory or training environment. But combat validation alone doesn’t automatically create an international business. “Companies still need access to foreign defence ministries and procurement organisations, international certification, financing for production scale-up and, in many cases, local industrial partners,” he says.Already in 2026, the EU has signed several agreements with Ukraine that aim at joint defence technology development and production. These include allowing Ukraine to join the European Defence Fund, signing a financing agreement under the European Defence Industry Programme, and setting up the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance.For Singer, it is important that European defence companies don’t just see their Ukrainian partners as technology suppliers, but rather as potential innovation partners. “Ukrainian companies bring speed, operational experience and an exceptional ability to iterate. European partners can provide industrial capacity, capital, established supply chains and access to European procurement markets.”Procurement possibilitiesWhen it comes to exports, the procurement and compliance processes involved require time, taking months or even years, and money. In other words, resources that small defence tech companies need if they are to improve and scale up their technologies. According to Sukhomlyn of RMachine, if the priority is to rapidly increase available defence capabilities, then the processes need to reflect that urgency. “If Europe wants defence innovation at wartime speed, its administrative processes also need to operate much closer to wartime speed,” she says, highlighting a need for support with certification, market access and mutual recognition of relevant testing. “Otherwise, we risk having excellent technology available but spending years making it administratively eligible to be purchased.”Related articlesRussia widens targeting of European research centresEU must support research managers in central and eastern Europe, says Visegrad fund headThis is a lesson Europe’s defence sector would do well to learn, Singer says. “Defence innovation needs to be organised around the speed and requirements of the end user, not around the speed of the bureaucracy.”Supruniuk says the European defence sector should rethink the balance between quality and quantity. “In many cases, a good-enough system available in thousands of units creates greater operational value than a perfect system available in dozens.”“For decades, everyone has been looking for that all-powerful, exquisite system that can protect everyone,” adds Tymchenko. “We see in crime that only scalable, dedicated, affordable solutions can actually defend democracies.”
EU membership bid gives boost to Moldova’s fledgling R&D landscape
Moldova’s push to join the EU is having the spillover effect of helping to improve the country’s R&D landscape, which in recent years has suffered from fragmentation, decreasing personnel and a lack of research infrastructure.The country became an EU candidate country in 2022, alongside Ukraine, and officially began accession negotiations in 2024. With a pro-EU government, Moldova has been actively carrying out reforms to align with EU standards. This has helped accelerate the development of R&D, said Igor Chiosa, acting head of the Research and Innovation Policy Directorate at Moldova’s Ministry of Education and Research. “Our R&D landscape is moving up, and we are more and more involved in the European Research Area,” he said. “The support we receive from the EU is very important, not only financially, but also because of incentives, consultation and capacity building.”The R&D landscape in the former Soviet republic is still relatively underdeveloped, despite attempts at improvement going back to a 2004 law on science and innovation and later reforms in 2017 and 2018. But the system remains in a “precarious situation” and “in the process of contraction,” according to an assessment carried out by the government for the current National Programme for Research and Innovation, which runs from 2024 to 2027. The analysis highlights in particular the declining number of researchers and PhDs, which has been continuously falling, as well as limited research funding. This is around 10 times lower than the EU average and “insufficient to maintain a level of research activity that supports higher education and meets the needs of the economy.” The mechanisms for allocating research funds are also described as inefficient, as well as the general fragmentation of the landscape, with research and innovation activities being carried out in 67 different places. The lack of strategic vision for research infrastructure is also noted. The strategy sets out to address these issues and is being fuelled by reforms linked to EU accession. Moldova now has a regulation on open science and gender equality. There is also a new support mechanism for technology transfer offices and a business-academia roadmap. In 2025, the country also became the first Eastern Partnership country to approve a Smart Specialisation strategy, which will coordinate its R&D efforts to focus on strengths, within a European context. “We’ve done a lot in terms of normative acts,” Chiosa said. Horizon Europe successMoldova is also seeing more success in the EU’s flagship R&D programme, Horizon Europe. The country has now won nearly €15 million in funding, already double the amount won under the previous programme, Horizon 2020, and more than the €10 million target set by the government. Chiosa said the priority has shifted now to winning more research-centred projects, rather than those related to support and capacity. Moldova is also targeting further involvement in large European projects. Last year, it joined the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking giving Moldovans access to Europe's supercomputing network. The country is also a member of Danubius-RI, a European research infrastructure focused on river and sea research. Despite these efforts, Moldova’s research capacity is still shackled by its limited R&D budget, which equates to 0.23% of its GDP. This is around half of what its neighbour Romania spends, which is the lowest in the EU. According to Chiosa, the research budget is increasing year-on-year, jumping by €6.34 million between 2024 and 2025. But this doesn’t show up when looking at it as a proportion of GDP. “Of course, it’s difficult,” he said. “That is why we are putting more emphasis on collaboration between business and academia, as well as participation in Horizon Europe, to try to diversify our sources of funding.”A World Bank loan of €30 million, plus a grant of €7.8 million, was agreed in 2025 to support the modernisation of Moldova’s universities. As part of this, a call was launched this year to provide universities grants of up to €900,000 to develop their research infrastructure. Moldova is also collaborating closely with Romania, with which it shares a common language, funding 100 joint projects in 2023 and 2024. This support has been instrumental. “They are helping with sharing their expertise, inviting us into consortia, and lots more,” Chiosa said. Looking forward, Moldova is eagerly anticipating joining the EU. “We are looking closely at what the EU is doing and will shape our future national programme in research innovation accordingly.”EU accession “blocked at a technical level”Moldova is aiming to join the EU by 2028, but despite its swift and eager efforts to meet the accession criteria, there remain obstacles outside of the country’s control. For a country to join the EU, it must have certain legislation in place and meet specific standards in various areas. This is categorised into six thematic clusters containing 33 chapters. Moldova and the EU have so far opened two of the clusters, numbers one and six. The first covers fundamental laws, such as the judiciary, security and financial legislation. The sixth covers external relations. The remaining four clusters are still unopened. This includes the third cluster, on competitiveness and growth, which contains the chapter on science and research.Related articlesQ&A: Albania’s ambition to become a ‘moderate innovator’Data corner: Horizon success rates are droppingThe European Commission has confirmed that these clusters are ready to be opened, with an official saying that the Commission is encouraging EU governments, who have the final say, to move forward on the matter. However, both clusters two and three remain blocked by the EU Council’s working party on enlargement and countries negotiating accession to the EU, a different official, representing the Council, confirmed.This working party is set to meet several times in the coming weeks, with a Council meeting scheduled for mid-October in which enlargement, and Moldova’s bid, will be discussed. But there is no certainty that these talks will lead to progress. According to the Council source, it is “completely impossible to foresee if and when the file will be unblocked,” citing the sensitivity of the matter. Moldova’s situation is particularly complicated. One factor is that it borders Ukraine and is increasingly embroiled in Russia’s war, with drone incursions occurring more often on its territory. Another is Transnistria, a Russian-backed breakaway state that lies within the territory of Moldova. It is unclear how the EU would be able to accept Moldova into the bloc while this situation remains unchanged. While there is no direct reason to delay opening cluster three with Moldova, as it covers matters unrelated to security, it could be that the EU is reluctant to speed through accession negotiations without first resolving broader, geopolitical issues.Chiosa is confident that, if and when the chapter on science and research is opened, Moldova will be able to finalise it quickly. It doesn’t require any legislative changes and is only a matter of proving certain standards, which Chiosa believes Moldova is well prepared to do. “We hope that chapter 25 on science and research will be one of the first chapters opened and closed,” he said.
U23 set for crunch clash with promoted side Rhynern
SituationWith a win in the rescheduled match, BVB could move even closer to the top of the table. With four wins and three draws so far, BVB sit in fourth place, ready to pounce. This is due not only ...
Local Russian-Speaking Artists Exhibition Debuts at NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health
Brooklyn, NY – NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health, in partnership with Be Proud Inc., recently hosted the God Bless America art exhibition, a
Capitals say Alex Ovechkin asked to film United Russia ad
The Capitals told The Associated Press that Alex Ovechkin was asked to participate in an ad this summer for Vladimir Putin's United Russia party.
Alex Ovechkin faces backlash over pro-Putin political campaign ad
NHL star Alex Ovechkin is facing criticism after appearing in a political ad to support one of "the architects of Russia's war against Ukraine."
US confirms for first time it has deployed weapons into space
Analysts warn of an acceleration in high-risk arms race with Russia and China. in Earth’s orbit
U.S. Has Deployed Weapons in Space, Air Force Secretary Says
Troy E. Meink’s comments were the first public acknowledgment of American weapons in orbit. The Pentagon has been preparing for potential conflict in space with Russia or China.
Russia to hold tightly-controlled vote in fifth year of war
The parliamentary vote, held from 18 to 20 September, will be the first since Russia launched its offensive in February 2022
Zelenskyy says Ukraine will pause strikes on Russia if Kremlin spares critical infrastructure
His comments Monday follow President Donald Trump’s claim that Russia and Ukraine agreed not to target each other’s energy infrastructure.
Trump claims Russia-Ukraine energy truce; Kyiv says not yet
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and Ukraine offered differing accounts of a supposed agreement with Russia to stop attacks on energy infrastructure, as strikes on oil refineries help drive diesel
Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding celebration was partially funded by Russian oligarch
ProPublica reported that Umar Kremlev "footed the bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars of wedding expenses"
Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding celebration was partially funded by Russian oligarch
ProPublica reported that Umar Kremlev "footed the bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars of wedding expenses"
Donald Trump Jr.'s wife says Russian oligarch hosted post-wedding festivities as a "gift"
Bettina Anderson, wife of Donald Trump Jr., said their "dear friend" Umar Kremlev hosted two nights of festivities after their wedding in the Bahamas.
Verdonschot: “It’s just perfect for me!”
Wim Verdonschot, the first matches of your first rookie season in the Bundesliga are behind you. How satisfied were you heading into the short break in play?“I have to say, I really couldn’t have ...
Russia continues to divide Italian politics: Why defending Ukraine matters
M5S leader Giuseppe Conte’s call to stop sending weapons to Ukraine has reopened the clash with Elly Schlein’s Democratic Party over an issue that has long cut across Italian politics. Giorgia Meloni, meanwhile, is maintaining a tough line on Moscow despite resistance within the governing coalition and pressure from the far right. With less than [...]
Report: Ole Werner not interested in Gladbach job
Ole Werner is reportedly not an option to become the next Borussia Mönchengladbach head coach following the departure of Eugen Polanski. According to Bild, the timing of a move to Gladbach does not ...
Berlin businesswoman charged over alleged spying for Russia
Prosecutors say the Berlin marketing executive used her political and military contacts to help a Russian intelligence officer gain access to influential circles and seek information on German defense policy.
Bundesliga Watch: Will Jadon Sancho return to Borussia Dortmund?
Could the English winger return to BVB again?
Poland, Ukraine slam Russian strikes near border as 'escalation'
The strikes came as US President Donald Trump called on Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt attacks on Russian refineries
U19 stay top after 1-1 at Fortuna Düsseldorf
Team NewsAfter the 3-2 opening defeat to Villarreal in the UEFA Youth League, Felix Hirschnagl made seven changes to his side. Goalkeeper Jan-Mattis Wehrbein and outfield players Levin Vogt, Lenni Str...
Niko Kovac calls them “finishers”
With the score 1-0 in the home game against the newly promoted team, Kovac brought on Felix Nmecha, Marcel Sabitzer, and Carney Chukwuemeka just over an hour into the match; Maximilian Beier and Ramy ...
Trump demands Ukraine halt refinery strikes as diesel surges
President Donald Trump said he’d warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop targeting oil refineries in Russia amid strikes that have shut down diesel refining and helped drive prices for
Juventus and Inter tracking Dortmund's Italian duo Inácio and Mane
According to Tuttosport, Borussia Dortmund duo Filippo Mane and Samuele Inácio have potential suitors in their native Italy.Two of the Serie A's most prestigious clubs in Juventus and Inter Milan are...
Dortmund's Gregor Kobel reportedly offered to Real Madrid
According to a report in Spanish sports daily AS, Borussia Dortmund's Gregor Kobel has seemingly been offered to Real Madrid.Speculation suggests that the 28-year-old's agents are looking to capitaliz...
Gladbach part ways with coach Eugen Polanski
Borussia Mönchengladbach have parted ways with coach Eugen Polanski, the Bundesliga club said in a statement on Sunday. "Despite a good pre-season and some encouraging signs, the team haven't been able to get the results we were looking for in the Bundesliga," head of sports Rouven Schröder said.
UNDP warns Russian drone attacks on Chernobyl endangers the health and safety of millions
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) administrator Alexander De Croo on Thursday warned in an interview that frequent drone attacks on Chernobyl are 'really gambling with the safety of millions...
Meloni rules out electoral U-turn on Ukraine
Facing elections in 2027, Italian PM comes under pressure from far-right pro-Russian rivals
😮 Everything clicks, Bundesliga club enjoys record start
The defining topic of Saturday’s football action was definitely the major crisis and nightmare start of Borussia Mönchengladbach, which was completed in brutal fashion this afternoon with a 0–5 t...
Postgame Quotes: “Pleased with the Team’s Performance”
Ole Book (in the mixed zone): “Coming off the UEFA Champions League match, we struggled to get into the game a bit. Paderborn was very aggressive, especially early on. They had a good plan for how t...
Reaction: “Satisfied with my team’s display!”
Ole Book (in the mixed zone): “After the Champions League match, we had a few problems getting into the game. Paderborn was very aggressive, especially in the opening phase, and had a good plan for ...
What Nico Schlotterbeck says about his comeback
“I missed it tremendously,” said the 26-year-old with a happy smile after his successful return, explaining: “There’s definitely a certain addiction we pursue. Football is an adrenaline addict...
Russians attack Rivne Oblast with drones, business destroyed
A business in the Sarny district of Rivne Oblast was destroyed in a Russian drone attack on 12 September.
Niko Kovac admits Borussia Dortmund struggled after Champions League night
Niko Kovac believes Borussia Dortmund felt the effects of their Champions League commitments during the early stages of Saturday's 3-0 victory over Paderborn. Dortmund came into the fixture just four...
Dortmund and Freiburg keep up 100% records in the Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund made it three wins from three in the Bundesliga this season thanks to Fabio Silva's early goal and Felix Nmecha's double in a 3-0 victory at home to promoted Paderborn on Saturday. Freiburg, leaders on goal difference, hammered ten-man bottom side Borussia Mönchengladbach 5-0 in the Black Forest to seal a club record sixth victory out of six games across all competitions this term.
Zelenskyy open to meeting Putin at G20 in Miami
The Kremlin has not yet decided whether the Russian president will attend
🚨 Borussia Dortmund v Paderborn XI: Schlotterbeck returns!
Borussia Dortmund and Paderborn face off on Matchday 3 of the Bundesliga. The home side comes into this with a perfect record and sits joint top, while the visitors are coming off a defeat to Freiburg...
Confirmed lineups: Freiburg vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach
SC Freiburg will look to continue their perfect start to the Bundesliga season when Borussia Mönchengladbach visit Breisgau on Saturday afternoon.Julian Schuster’s side have taken six points from t...
Putin warns European troops in Ukraine would mean war with Russia
The Russian president issued the warning ahead of the BRICS summit in New Delhi.
3 burning Capitals questions entering 2026-27 NHL season
The Washington Capitals could be entering a transition phase next season. Alex Ovechkin is back for one more go this year . After that, his future is left up in the air. He is an unrestricted free agent once again. And the path to retirement, or a return to his native Russia, would be clear. Ovechkin has accomplished a lot in his career. The […] The post 3 burning Capitals questions entering 2026-27 NHL season appeared first on ClutchPoints.
House tees up vote on Russia sanctions bill, but prospects for passage are uncertain
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is expected to take up a punishing Russian sanctions package next week, though prospects of passage are uncertain despite the overwh
UC Riverside scientists develop tool to predict future earthquake sites
Researchers used GPS data to measure where energy was building up in faults, correctly predicting where an 8.8 magnitude earthquake later occurred in Russia last year.
UC Riverside scientists develop tool to predict future earthquake sites
Researchers used GPS data to measure where energy was building up in faults, correctly predicting where an 8.8 magnitude earthquake later occurred in Russia last year.
UC Riverside scientists develop tool to predict future earthquake sites
Researchers used GPS data to measure where energy was building up in faults, correctly predicting where an 8.8 magnitude earthquake later occurred in Russia last year.
BVB look to keep these streaks going against Paderborn
BVB show characterBVB have started the season with six points from two Bundesliga matches — their best start in four years. However, the recent win against Hoffenheim was anything but straightforwar...
Player Who Left LSU Over Russian Teammate Gets Transfer Waiver
Kate Koval is now in the transfer portal.
Russians about Goethe-Institut: 'Hostage to politics'
Canceled language exams, disrupted plans to study in Germany and the disappearance of an important cultural link: DW users shared how the closure of Germany's Goethe-Institut in Russia affects their lives.