Latvia could follow Denmark’s lead with a plan to start drafting females by 2028
Latvia is preparing to extend compulsory military service to women, aligning with other NATO members expanding their forces in response to what they describe as a Russian threat – a claim Moscow denies.
Defense Minister Andris Spruds told Delfi TV on Wednesday that his party, the Progressives, will submit a proposal next year requiring both men and women to serve in the military from 2028. He noted that female-specific equipment is already being introduced in the National Armed Forces to prepare for the change.
Currently, only men are conscripted under mandatory service Riga reintroduced in 2023, after previously scrapping the draft in 2006.
Latvia reportedly plans to more than double the size of its military to 31,000 troops by 2028, up from around 15,000 in 2021.
If adopted, Latvia would follow Denmark, which announced in March that it will begin drafting women from 2026. At the time, Copenhagen said the move would ensure “gender equality” in its armed forces and help meet NATO commitments.
Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Western officials have claimed that Russia could target EU states next. Earlier this year, Brussels launched a frenzied military expansion campaign, while European NATO members agreed to boost armed forces spending to 5% of GDP, citing the presumed “Russian threat.”
The Kremlin has consistently dismissed allegations of hostile intent toward Western nations as “nonsense” and fearmongering and condemned what it calls the West’s “reckless militarization.”
Moscow has also criticized Western arms deliveries to Ukraine, arguing they only serve to prolong the fighting and cause unnecessary casualties without changing the outcome of the conflict.
Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Western European leaders were “trying to prepare Europe for war – not some hybrid war, but a real war against Russia.” He accused the EU of sliding into what he described as a “Fourth Reich,” marked by a surge in Russophobia and aggressive militarization.
Latvia could follow Denmark’s lead with a plan to start drafting females by 2028
Latvia is preparing to extend compulsory military service to women, aligning with other NATO members expanding their forces in response to what they describe as a Russian threat – a claim Moscow denies.
Defense Minister Andris Spruds told Delfi TV on Wednesday that his party, the Progressives, will submit a proposal next year requiring both men and women to serve in the military from 2028. He noted that female-specific equipment is already being introduced in the National Armed Forces to prepare for the change.
Currently, only men are conscripted under mandatory service Riga reintroduced in 2023, after previously scrapping the draft in 2006.
Latvia reportedly plans to more than double the size of its military to 31,000 troops by 2028, up from around 15,000 in 2021.
If adopted, Latvia would follow Denmark, which announced in March that it will begin drafting women from 2026. At the time, Copenhagen said the move would ensure “gender equality” in its armed forces and help meet NATO commitments.
Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Western officials have claimed that Russia could target EU states next. Earlier this year, Brussels launched a frenzied military expansion campaign, while European NATO members agreed to boost armed forces spending to 5% of GDP, citing the presumed “Russian threat.”
The Kremlin has consistently dismissed allegations of hostile intent toward Western nations as “nonsense” and fearmongering and condemned what it calls the West’s “reckless militarization.”
Moscow has also criticized Western arms deliveries to Ukraine, arguing they only serve to prolong the fighting and cause unnecessary casualties without changing the outcome of the conflict.
Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Western European leaders were “trying to prepare Europe for war – not some hybrid war, but a real war against Russia.” He accused the EU of sliding into what he described as a “Fourth Reich,” marked by a surge in Russophobia and aggressive militarization.
Kiev has repeatedly targeted Russia’s Druzhba pipeline, which is vital to the energy security of Hungary and Slovakia
Kiev’s attacks on Hungarian and Slovakian energy supplies from Russia are a form of “sanctions,” Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has claimed.
In August, Ukraine repeatedly struck the Druzhba pipeline, a key conduit transporting Russian and Kazakh crude to Slovakia and Hungary. Both EU nations have since accused Kiev of threatening their energy security.
US President Donald Trump is “very unhappy” that nations in Western Europe are still buying oil from Russia, Zelensky said at a joint press conference alongside French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday.
“Among others, there are two countries, we know that these are Hungary and Slovakia,” he said.
Ukrainian attacks on the Russian energy pipelines “reduce the possibilities of [Hungary and Slovakia] obtaining the corresponding oil,” he added.
Therefore, you see, Ukraine has found these types of sanctions.
However, according to Budapest, Trump has voiced displeasure at Kiev’s attacks on the Druzhba pipeline. “I am very angry about it. Tell Slovakia,” he said in a letter to Prime Minister Viktor Orban shared by Hungarian officials last month.
Both Budapest and Bratislava have demanded that the European Commission act against Ukrainian attacks on a pipeline “indispensable” to their energy security, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said last month.
The EC has since said that it contacted Kiev and asked all sides to “ensure the security of critical infrastructure.”
Szijjarto announced on Monday that Hungary would accelerate the development of a joint oil pipeline with neighboring Serbia. He added that gas supplies to the country via Serbia and the TurkStream route have grown to 21 million cubic meters a day.
Slovakia will “retaliate very harshly” against Ukrainian attacks on the Druzhba pipeline, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico told Putin in China on Tuesday, adding that he will raise the issue in talks with Zelensky later this week.
China has showcased advanced laser weapons and new missiles. Why do these frighten the US?
On Wednesday, China hosted a parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of the Second World War. The event in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square demonstrated cutting-edge innovations developed by China’s military-industrial complex, with lessons learned from contemporary military conflicts.
Vasily Kashin, director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow, noted that China does not hold annual parades, making this week’s event particularly significant.
“This parade is quite different from the Chinese parades of the last 15 years. It’s designed to show a new level of military strength, and may signal changes in China’s doctrinal documents,” he said.
The parade featured new armored vehicles, laser weapons, and missiles that could play a crucial role in a potential conflict with the US.
Transporter erector launchers with DF-61 intercontinental missiles
Despite the fact that the rehearsals for the parade drew increased attention, the Chinese military managed to surprise foreign observers. Transporter erector launchers (TEL) equipped with DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) were showcased for the first time ever during the military parade.
Details about the system, which is mounted on an eight-axle chassis, were not disclosed. The DF-61 falls into the same category as Russia’s Yars TEL. These systems can launch missiles from anywhere along their patrol route, and can be deployed in just minutes. The DF-61 may be an advancement of the DF-41 TEL which was unveiled during a 2019 parade. The DF-41 is believed to have a range of 12,000 to 15,000km and can carry up to ten warheads.
Additionally, a new variant of the DF-31 ICBM, called DF-31BJ, was revealed in Beijing. The DF-31A variant is known to have a range of over 13,000km.
JL-3 missile
The parade also showcased the JL-3 intercontinental submarine-launched ballistic missile.
Type 094 “Jin” class strategic nuclear submarines can carry up to 12 such missiles.
As Brandon J. Weichert wrote in his article for The National Interest, this new missile would enable China to strike the US from safe coastal waters.
“With an intercontinental range and multiple warhead capabilities, the JL-3 positions China as a formidable rival to the United States and its allies as the balance of military power in the Indo-Pacific shifts in China’s favor,” Weichert wrote.
DF-5 missile with global reach
Beijing has unveiled a new variant of its DF-5 ICBM, known as the DF-5C. During the parade, it was stated that the missile has global reach. This could imply that is equipped with an orbital warhead.
The original liquid-fueled DF-5 entered service in 1971, while the upgraded DF-5B boasts an increased payload capacity of 5,000kg along with advanced technologies allowing it to bypass conventional air defense systems.
According to reports, the missile was tested in 2017. It is believed to feature a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) system with up to 12 guided warheads.
An analogue of Russia’s Kinzhal missile
New JL-1 air-launched ballistic missiles were also unveiled in Beijing. According to the description, they resemble Russia’s Kinzhal missiles and are released after the aircraft reaches a predetermined altitude and speed.
CJ-1000 hypersonic long-range cruise missile launchers were likewise on display, while the public could also see YJ-18C long-range cruise missiles currently in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy and CJ-20A missiles used by China’s Air Force.
During parade rehearsals, observers spotted new armored vehicles – a ZTZ-201 tank and a tank support combat vehicle. According to parade announcers, both vehicles are classified as “Type 100.”
These vehicles share a common tracked chassis with a hybrid powertrain. Modern reactive armor and an active defense system featuring radar and optical sensors provide enhanced protection. The tank is equipped with a 105mm turret, believed to perform comparably to 120mm cannons, and includes a remotely operated machine gun module.
The tank support combat vehicle features a combat module with an automatic cannon and is equipped with a reconnaissance drone. Two pilots positioned at the rear of the vehicle can control the drone. The vehicle’s drivers are equipped with augmented reality glasses.
Laser missile defense systems
China’s defense industry has developed several laser systems for air defense and missile interception. During the parade, LY-1 naval laser systems were displayed on wheeled platforms. Additionally, two other laser systems mounted on a four-axle truck and a three-axle armored vehicle were showcased. These are likely designed for the ground forces of the People’s Liberation Army.
Several countries, including Russia, the UK, and the US, are currently developing laser-based air defense systems. These offer a more cost-effective alternative to intercepting threats with expensive missiles, particularly when it comes to defending against swarms of inexpensive kamikaze drones. In August, a video surfaced showing a Russian laser weapon successfully intercepting a Ukrainian FP-1 kamikaze drone, causing it to explode upon contact.
China has showcased advanced laser weapons and new missiles. Why do these frighten the US?
On Wednesday, China hosted a parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of the Second World War. The event in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square demonstrated cutting-edge innovations developed by China’s military-industrial complex, with lessons learned from contemporary military conflicts.
Vasily Kashin, director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow, noted that China does not hold annual parades, making this week’s event particularly significant.
“This parade is quite different from the Chinese parades of the last 15 years. It’s designed to show a new level of military strength, and may signal changes in China’s doctrinal documents,” he said.
The parade featured new armored vehicles, laser weapons, and missiles that could play a crucial role in a potential conflict with the US.
Transporter erector launchers with DF-61 intercontinental missiles
Despite the fact that the rehearsals for the parade drew increased attention, the Chinese military managed to surprise foreign observers. Transporter erector launchers (TEL) equipped with DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) were showcased for the first time ever during the military parade.
Details about the system, which is mounted on an eight-axle chassis, were not disclosed. The DF-61 falls into the same category as Russia’s Yars TEL. These systems can launch missiles from anywhere along their patrol route, and can be deployed in just minutes. The DF-61 may be an advancement of the DF-41 TEL which was unveiled during a 2019 parade. The DF-41 is believed to have a range of 12,000 to 15,000km and can carry up to ten warheads.
Additionally, a new variant of the DF-31 ICBM, called DF-31BJ, was revealed in Beijing. The DF-31A variant is known to have a range of over 13,000km.
JL-3 missile
The parade also showcased the JL-3 intercontinental submarine-launched ballistic missile.
Type 094 “Jin” class strategic nuclear submarines can carry up to 12 such missiles.
As Brandon J. Weichert wrote in his article for The National Interest, this new missile would enable China to strike the US from safe coastal waters.
“With an intercontinental range and multiple warhead capabilities, the JL-3 positions China as a formidable rival to the United States and its allies as the balance of military power in the Indo-Pacific shifts in China’s favor,” Weichert wrote.
DF-5 missile with global reach
Beijing has unveiled a new variant of its DF-5 ICBM, known as the DF-5C. During the parade, it was stated that the missile has global reach. This could imply that is equipped with an orbital warhead.
The original liquid-fueled DF-5 entered service in 1971, while the upgraded DF-5B boasts an increased payload capacity of 5,000kg along with advanced technologies allowing it to bypass conventional air defense systems.
According to reports, the missile was tested in 2017. It is believed to feature a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) system with up to 12 guided warheads.
An analogue of Russia’s Kinzhal missile
New JL-1 air-launched ballistic missiles were also unveiled in Beijing. According to the description, they resemble Russia’s Kinzhal missiles and are released after the aircraft reaches a predetermined altitude and speed.
CJ-1000 hypersonic long-range cruise missile launchers were likewise on display, while the public could also see YJ-18C long-range cruise missiles currently in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy and CJ-20A missiles used by China’s Air Force.
During parade rehearsals, observers spotted new armored vehicles – a ZTZ-201 tank and a tank support combat vehicle. According to parade announcers, both vehicles are classified as “Type 100.”
These vehicles share a common tracked chassis with a hybrid powertrain. Modern reactive armor and an active defense system featuring radar and optical sensors provide enhanced protection. The tank is equipped with a 105mm turret, believed to perform comparably to 120mm cannons, and includes a remotely operated machine gun module.
The tank support combat vehicle features a combat module with an automatic cannon and is equipped with a reconnaissance drone. Two pilots positioned at the rear of the vehicle can control the drone. The vehicle’s drivers are equipped with augmented reality glasses.
Laser missile defense systems
China’s defense industry has developed several laser systems for air defense and missile interception. During the parade, LY-1 naval laser systems were displayed on wheeled platforms. Additionally, two other laser systems mounted on a four-axle truck and a three-axle armored vehicle were showcased. These are likely designed for the ground forces of the People’s Liberation Army.
Several countries, including Russia, the UK, and the US, are currently developing laser-based air defense systems. These offer a more cost-effective alternative to intercepting threats with expensive missiles, particularly when it comes to defending against swarms of inexpensive kamikaze drones. In August, a video surfaced showing a Russian laser weapon successfully intercepting a Ukrainian FP-1 kamikaze drone, causing it to explode upon contact.
Alternative for Germany is leading its closest competitor by 12 points ahead of next year’s election in the eastern German state of Saxony Anhalt, a new poll suggests
The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is more popular than ever in the eastern German state of Saxony Anhalt, results published on Thursday suggest. The new benchmark comes about a year before regional parliamentary elections scheduled for September 2026.
Almost 40% of the voters in Saxony Anhalt would back the party if the elections were to be held this weekend, according to a survey conducted by the Infratest Dimap Institute on behalf of several news media outlets.
AfD’s closest competitor – the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) – would only get 27% of the votes, putting it 12 percent points behind the AfD.
The party’s popularity has continued to grow despite its regional branch in Saxony Anhalt being declared a “far-right extremist” group by the German domestic security service (BfV) in 2023.
The poll involved over 1,100 eligible voters residing in the region and was held between August 28 and September 2.
The numbers suggest public support for AfD in Saxony Anhalt has nearly doubled since the previous regional election in 2021, when the party received slightly over 20% of the votes, coming second behind the CDU. The poll suggests support for AfD is up 2% since the party secured 37% of votes in Saxony-Anhalt in snap federal elections in February.
Another mid-August national poll suggested that AfD has overtaken Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc, becoming Germany’s most popular party. Support for AfD grew to an unprecedented 26% as the CDU fell to 24%, according to the RTL/ntv ‘Trendbarometer’ poll.
In May, the BfV declared the AfD a “confirmed right-wing extremist” group but suspended the designation pending a court ruling on the party’s appeal. German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig also floated the idea of banning the party altogether, arguing that the level of public support for it is irrelevant if the authorities deem it unconstitutional.
Alternative for Germany is leading its closest competitor by 12 points ahead of next year’s election in the eastern German state of Saxony Anhalt, a new poll suggests
The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is more popular than ever in the eastern German state of Saxony Anhalt, results published on Thursday suggest. The new benchmark comes about a year before regional parliamentary elections scheduled for September 2026.
Almost 40% of the voters in Saxony Anhalt would back the party if the elections were to be held this weekend, according to a survey conducted by the Infratest Dimap Institute on behalf of several news media outlets.
AfD’s closest competitor – the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) – would only get 27% of the votes, putting it 12 percent points behind the AfD.
The party’s popularity has continued to grow despite its regional branch in Saxony Anhalt being declared a “far-right extremist” group by the German domestic security service (BfV) in 2023.
The poll involved over 1,100 eligible voters residing in the region and was held between August 28 and September 2.
The numbers suggest public support for AfD in Saxony Anhalt has nearly doubled since the previous regional election in 2021, when the party received slightly over 20% of the votes, coming second behind the CDU. The poll suggests support for AfD is up 2% since the party secured 37% of votes in Saxony-Anhalt in snap federal elections in February.
Another mid-August national poll suggested that AfD has overtaken Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc, becoming Germany’s most popular party. Support for AfD grew to an unprecedented 26% as the CDU fell to 24%, according to the RTL/ntv ‘Trendbarometer’ poll.
In May, the BfV declared the AfD a “confirmed right-wing extremist” group but suspended the designation pending a court ruling on the party’s appeal. German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig also floated the idea of banning the party altogether, arguing that the level of public support for it is irrelevant if the authorities deem it unconstitutional.
The previously released recording on the night of the sex offender’s death jumped by one minute to midnight
A US congressional committee has released the “missing minute” from security camera footage outside convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s prison cell on the night of his death. Its existence contradicts Attorney General Pam Bondi’s earlier assertion that one minute was deleted every day at midnight upon camera reset.
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released more than 33,000 pages related to the Epstein case on Tuesday, amid mounting pressure on US President Donald Trump’s administration. The Justice Department (DOJ) and FBI have to date insisted that the late financier kept no ‘client list’ for his pedophile ring.
Previously released surveillance footage from Epstein’s cell block was missing one minute, from 11:59pm to midnight on August 9-10, sparking widespread speculation and accusations of a cover-up. His death has been officially ruled a suicide.
In the newly released video, shortly after 11:59, a man steps away from the guard desk and walks off screen. The limited field of view of the security camera does not show the entrance to Epstein’s cell.
The missing minute from Jeffrey Epstein’s surveillance footage has finally been released.
The original tape jumped from 11:58 p.m. straight to midnight—but the recovered clip reveals guards walking toward Epstein’s cell at 11:59:39, just seconds before midnight. pic.twitter.com/fi4yXML24X
The absence of a lapse in the recording contradicts the explanation previously given by Bondi. “What we learned from Bureau of Prisons was every night the video is reset, and every night should have the same minute missing,” she told journalists in July.
The newly released video is missing its metadata – technical information normally embedded in a file, that could help confirm that it was raw, unedited footage.
The “missing minute” is also far lower in quality, has a reduced framerate, and a different on-screen text format, CBS News said on Wednesday, citing video forensics experts.
The DOJ’s and the FBI’s conclusion that Epstein kept no “incriminating client list” has provoked widespread backlash from lawmakers and prominent commentators.
Trump, who had promised to release the Epstein files during his reelection campaign, has hit back at criticism over his handling of the case, arguing that only “stupid people” insist on seeing the sex trafficker’s supposed client list.
The previously released recording on the night of the sex offender’s death jumped by one minute to midnight
A US congressional committee has released the “missing minute” from security camera footage outside convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s prison cell on the night of his death. Its existence contradicts Attorney General Pam Bondi’s earlier assertion that one minute was deleted every day at midnight upon camera reset.
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released more than 33,000 pages related to the Epstein case on Tuesday, amid mounting pressure on US President Donald Trump’s administration. The Justice Department (DOJ) and FBI have to date insisted that the late financier kept no ‘client list’ for his pedophile ring.
Previously released surveillance footage from Epstein’s cell block was missing one minute, from 11:59pm to midnight on August 9-10, sparking widespread speculation and accusations of a cover-up. His death has been officially ruled a suicide.
In the newly released video, shortly after 11:59, a man steps away from the guard desk and walks off screen. The limited field of view of the security camera does not show the entrance to Epstein’s cell.
The missing minute from Jeffrey Epstein’s surveillance footage has finally been released.
The original tape jumped from 11:58 p.m. straight to midnight—but the recovered clip reveals guards walking toward Epstein’s cell at 11:59:39, just seconds before midnight. pic.twitter.com/fi4yXML24X
The absence of a lapse in the recording contradicts the explanation previously given by Bondi. “What we learned from Bureau of Prisons was every night the video is reset, and every night should have the same minute missing,” she told journalists in July.
The newly released video is missing its metadata – technical information normally embedded in a file, that could help confirm that it was raw, unedited footage.
The “missing minute” is also far lower in quality, has a reduced framerate, and a different on-screen text format, CBS News said on Wednesday, citing video forensics experts.
The DOJ’s and the FBI’s conclusion that Epstein kept no “incriminating client list” has provoked widespread backlash from lawmakers and prominent commentators.
Trump, who had promised to release the Epstein files during his reelection campaign, has hit back at criticism over his handling of the case, arguing that only “stupid people” insist on seeing the sex trafficker’s supposed client list.
The vessel was sunk trying to cross the Dnepr River, the Defense Ministry in Moscow has reported
Russian forces have destroyed a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group on the Dnepr river, the Defense Ministry in Moscow reported on Thursday.
According to the ministry, Russian drone operators keep watch over the river constantly to prevent enemy units from crossing it.
In the latest example, scouts spotted a speedboat with Ukrainian soldiers in the island zone at the mouth of the river. Russian forces dispatched FPV drones to intercept the craft and carried out a series of strikes that hit the vessel as it tried to move deeper into the channel.
The ministry released a video showing multiple impacts on the boat and the moment it was disabled in the delta. Repeated explosions on the target can be seen as Ukrainian saboteurs tried to escape.
The motorboat was sunk and the sabotage group was eliminated, the Defense Ministry has said.
Moscow has reported stopping similar attempts by Ukrainian units to infiltrate Russia. Last month, the Federal Security Service reported detaining a group of Ukrainian saboteurs in Bryansk Region. It was reported that the individuals were Western-trained and carried US-made assault rifles, Czech-made explosives, and a large number of NATO-type grenades and cartridges. The captured soldiers confessed to involvement in blowing up railway tracks in Russia and preparing other attacks, according to the FSB.
