The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.
U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the new pope and leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, a senior cardinal announced on May 8 to crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, according to Vatican News.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), this marks the first time Ukrainian authorities have exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network conducting activities harmful to Ukraine.
George Simion, leader of Romania's far-right AUR party, who won the first round of the presidential election with nearly 40% of the vote, reiterated that if elected, he would oppose any further assistance to Ukraine and shift Romania’s focus inward.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed their countries' relationship on May 8, vowing to increase cooperation in all areas, including military ties.
"There is Turkey, which maintains channels of communication. And then, above all, there is the People's Republic of China, which, more than anyone else, has the means to make (Russian President Vladimir) Putin come to the negotiating table and soften his demands," Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on May 8.
The United States will be ready to "walk away" from the negotiating table if it does not see Russia making progress in negotiation to end the war, U.S. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on May 8.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico arrived in Moscow on May 9 to celebrate Victory Day, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
US President Donald Trump on May 8 called for a "30-day unconditional ceasefire" between Ukraine and Russia. Writing on Truth Social, Trump expressed his hope for "an acceptable ceasefire," with both countries "held accountable for respecting the sanctity of... direct negotiations."
President Volodymyr Zelensky had a "constructive" phone call with United States President Donald Trump on May 8, discussing the war, continued pressure on Russia, and a potential ceasefire.
The survey, conducted between April 24 and May 4, shows that 56.9% of respondents would not be willing to compromise on either territorial integrity or Ukraine’s pro-Western direction in any potential talks with Moscow.
A fire broke out at a tank farm in Russia's Krasnodar region, 680 kilometers southeast of Ukrainian-controlled territory. (Baza)
A fire broke out at an oil depot in Russia's southern city of Tuapse at night on Feb. 28, according to the city administration.
Local news outlet 93.ru previously reported two explosions on the oil depot territory, citing Tuapse residents.
The administration said the fire occurred in the depot's outbuilding, spreading at least 200 square meters. Local authorities added that the fire didn't affect oil tanks and was extinguished at about 3 am.
The city of Tuapse lies 680 kilometers southeast of the closest Ukrainian-controlled territory on the Black Sea coast in Russia's southern Krasnodar region. According to Russian news outlet Astra, the affected oil depot is owned by the largest Russian oil company Rosneft and is located next to military barracks.
On the same night, "an unidentified aircraft" crashed in the neighboring Russia's Republic of Adygea 160 kilometers from Tuapse, the republic's head Murat Kumpilov said, cited by independent Russian media outlet Meduza.
The wreckage of three unmanned aerial vehicles was found in Belgorod, Russia, Mayor Valentin Demidov said on Feb. 27. No injuries were reported, he said.
Demidov didn't provide any detail on the source of the drones.
Demidov said that one of the drones crashed into the window of an apartment building.
Belgorod is located on the Siverskyi Donets River, some 40 kilometers north of the border with Ukraine.
We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.
