Kursk

North Korea has deployed between 8,000-12,000 troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine in exchange for $200 million, rice supplies and space technology. Meanwhile, the UN chief expressed concern over this escalation despite meeting with Putin in Russia at the recent BRICS summit. Pro-European candidate Maia Sandu secured re-election as Moldova's president thanks to strong diaspora support, despite trailing domestically by 2.4%. While Ukraine could face up to 20 hours without electricity daily this winter due to Russian attacks on power infrastructure, Germany pledged $217 million in humanitarian winter aid to help cope with energy shortages.