Moldovan authorities said two drones entered the country’s airspace during the incident. One crashed in Riscani district, where it caused fires but no reported injuries, while another crossed into neighboring Romania before returning toward Moldova. The disruption delayed three departing flights, including Zelenskyy’s aircraft.

Moldova subsequently reopened its airspace after authorities determined that the immediate threat had passed, allowing Zelenskyy’s aircraft to continue to Oslo. He was traveling to Norway for the funeral of King Harald V.

Drone crossed into NATO airspace

The second drone crossed into Romanian airspace, prompting military monitoring by Spanish F-18 fighter aircraft operating with NATO forces.

Moldovan authorities said police later recovered debris from a drone in the country. Explosives specialists identified components with characteristics similar to a Geran-type unmanned aircraft, a designation associated with drones used extensively by Russia in its war against Ukraine. Investigators were still examining the debris to determine the type and quantity of explosive material carried by the aircraft.

Romania, a NATO member, has repeatedly reported Russian drones entering or approaching its airspace during attacks against Ukraine. Moldova, which is not a NATO member, has likewise reported repeated unauthorized drone incursions since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Norwegian leader says aircraft was nearly hit

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Wednesday that Zelenskyy’s aircraft was “almost hit” by a drone while taking off from Moldova.

Støre did not provide details about the source of his information or how close the drone came to the aircraft. Moldovan officials confirmed that Zelenskyy’s departure had been delayed by the airspace closure but did not publicly provide evidence establishing how close the drone came to his aircraft.

A source in the Ukrainian presidency gave a more cautious description, saying the incident involved an alert after a Russian drone entered Moldovan and Romanian airspace and characterizing suggestions that Zelenskyy was directly endangered as exaggerated.

The differing accounts leave the precise proximity of the drone to Zelenskyy’s aircraft unresolved.

Moldova faces growing airspace risks

The incident highlights the increasing risks posed to Moldova and neighboring NATO countries by Russia’s long-range drone campaign against Ukraine.

Moldova temporarily closed part of its airspace as authorities tracked the drone activity. The country’s authorities have repeatedly protested unauthorized incursions, arguing that drones associated with attacks on Ukraine create risks for Moldovan territory and civilian aviation.

President Maia Sandu has described such incidents as a serious threat to public safety and has called for stronger air-defense support for Ukraine.

For commercial aviation, the immediate consequence was disruption rather than casualties. Three departing flights were delayed during the temporary closure, while other aircraft were affected by the restrictions.

Zelenskyy ultimately reached Oslo and attended King Harald V’s funeral. During his visit, he also met Støre and discussed European air-defense cooperation, including the FREYJA initiative for an integrated European anti-ballistic defense system.

The Moldovan investigation into the recovered drone fragments remains ongoing, while the circumstances surrounding the reported near encounter with Zelenskyy’s aircraft have not been publicly established in greater detail.

 Reporting Credit: Moldovan Government and Ministry of Defense — official information on the airspace closure and drone incursion; Moldovan Police — recovered drone debris and forensic investigation; Norwegian Prime Minister’s Office — statement concerning the reported near encounter involving Zelenskyy’s aircraft.

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Hungary, Romania and Serbia have all warned that falling river levels are affecting nuclear and hydroelectric generation. Officials say continued hot and dry weather could further reduce electricity production in the coming days.

The Danube, one of Europe’s most important waterways, fell to about 10 centimeters (4 inches) in Budapest on Monday—well below the previous record low of 33 centimeters (13 inches) set in 2018.

Forecasters expect temperatures to exceed 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) this week, increasing electricity demand for cooling while limiting power generation.

Hungary’s Nuclear Plant Faces Possible Shutdown

Hungary’s Paks Nuclear Power Plant has sharply reduced electricity production because low Danube water levels have restricted the amount of cooling water available for its reactors.

The facility generated about 240 megawatts on Monday, compared with its normal output of roughly 2,000 megawatts.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar said engineers had managed to keep the plant’s final operating turbine running, temporarily avoiding a complete shutdown that had been expected over the weekend.

He cautioned, however, that the plant could still suspend operations later this week if river levels continue to fall.

Located about 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of Budapest, the Paks facility produces nearly half of Hungary’s electricity and accounts for about one-third of the country’s total power consumption.

To offset lower production, Hungary has increased electricity imports from neighboring countries and expanded its use of renewable energy sources.

Governments Introduce Power Conservation Measures

Hungary has asked major industrial users to reduce electricity consumption and urged households to conserve energy during peak demand between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Beginning Monday, authorities also prohibited electric freight trains from operating during peak hours. Officials estimate the measure will save between 70 and 90 megawatt-hours of electricity each day.

After initially relying on voluntary reductions, the government approved emergency powers allowing mandatory electricity limits for large industrial and commercial consumers if conditions worsen.

According to Magyar, conservation efforts reduced electricity demand by about 700 megawatts on Sunday.

Romania and Serbia Also Face Growing Pressure

The drought has also disrupted electricity production elsewhere along the Danube.

In Romania, military engineers used explosives near the Bala Canal on Monday to redirect more water toward the Danube’s main channel and help maintain cooling operations at the state-owned Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant.

Officials said river flow had dropped to about 1,500 cubic meters per second—less than one-third of the average July level.

One reactor at the plant has already been shut down, leaving the facility operating at about half of its normal capacity.

Acting Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan declared a nationwide energy alert on Friday and warned that the remaining reactor could also be forced offline if water levels continue to decline.

Several major manufacturers have also reduced operations. Automakers Dacia and Ford suspended vehicle production and began scheduled maintenance until Aug. 19, while other industrial companies agreed to lower electricity use during evening peak hours.

Hydropower Output Falls in Serbia

Serbia is facing similar challenges as historically low Danube levels reduce hydropower generation.

Officials said the country’s main hydroelectric plant is operating at only about 20% of its normal capacity.

Prime Minister Djuro Macut convened an emergency meeting on Monday and appealed to residents to reduce electricity consumption, particularly by limiting the use of air conditioners and other high-energy household appliances.

Macut described the situation as “serious and demanding,” warning that continued drought could place additional pressure on Serbia’s electricity system.

The ongoing drought highlights the growing vulnerability of Europe’s energy infrastructure to prolonged periods of extreme heat, with governments across the region balancing rising electricity demand against declining water supplies needed to sustain power generation.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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Romanian F-16 fighter pilots intercepted the first of three drones over a three-day period beginning Friday as Russia intensified attacks on areas of Ukraine near the Romanian frontier. After determining the drones were of Russian origin, Romanian authorities summoned Russia’s ambassador in Bucharest and expelled a Russian diplomat on Monday.

The development follows years of drone incursions associated with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

Repeated Drone Incursions Prompt Policy Shift

Romanian territory has experienced multiple drone-related incidents since the war began, including in May when a drone crashed into an apartment building in the eastern city of Galați along the Danube River, injuring a woman and her child.

Until recently, Romanian authorities typically responded by scrambling fighter aircraft, recovering drone debris, constructing fallout shelters near border communities and issuing diplomatic protests to Moscow.

Romania also joined neighboring Poland in acquiring the MEROPS counter-drone system, designed to intercept hostile unmanned aircraft, following a series of incursions along NATO’s eastern flank.

According to Romania’s Ministry of National Defence, at least 19 drones have entered Romanian airspace this year. Since the start of the war, authorities have documented 50 incidents involving drones or drone fragments on Romanian territory.

President Nicușor Dan praised the Romanian pilots following the interceptions and accused Russia of violating Romania’s airspace.

“It is unacceptable and intolerable for the Russian Federation to continue violating Romanian airspace,” Dan said.

Officials Cite a Changing Security Environment

Although Romania passed legislation last year authorizing its military to shoot down drones entering national airspace, authorities had previously refrained from using force. The legislation faced opposition from nationalist political parties.

Romanian military analyst Radu Tudor said the May drone strike in Galați may have influenced the government’s decision to adopt a more assertive approach.

“This was somehow a kind of psychological trigger, in order to say: ‘OK, enough is enough,'” Tudor said.

He added that NATO’s broader approach may also be evolving, noting that previous restraint reflected concerns about potential escalation.

Before the latest interceptions over Romania, Romanian pilots participating in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission also shot down a stray Ukrainian drone over Estonian airspace while deployed from Lithuania in May.

Tudor said Romania’s latest actions reflected a message similar to one delivered by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte during the alliance’s recent summit, signaling that repeated airspace violations would no longer go unanswered.

Romania Expels Russian Diplomat

Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Russia’s ambassador on Monday and presented drone fragments that officials said confirmed the aircraft originated from Russia. The ministry also expelled a member of the Russian diplomatic mission, giving the diplomat five days to leave the country.

Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said investigations conducted by prosecutors, together with recovered drone debris, established the drones’ Russian origin.

“The Russian side learned what they already knew: the drones downed on Romanian territory belong to them,” Toiu wrote on X.

Russia’s embassy in Bucharest rejected the accusation, stating that Russia “has never directed and does not direct combat drones” into Romanian territory. The embassy described the allegation as “completely unfounded” and said the expulsion of its diplomat “will not go unanswered.”

Military Says New Tactics Improved Air Defenses

Cristian Popovici, head of public relations at Romania’s Ministry of National Defence and a former air defense officer, said the military has developed new operational procedures in response to repeated drone incidents near the Ukrainian border.

“We recorded more than 100 attacks with drones near our border with Ukraine, and many of them resulted in debris or even drones that penetrated our airspace,” Popovici told The Associated Press.

He said lessons learned from intercepting a drone during NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission helped Romanian forces successfully destroy three drones over Romanian territory within three days.

Despite adopting a more proactive defensive posture, Popovici emphasized that Romania has no intention of becoming directly involved in the war.

“We are in peacetime, we are not involved in this fight,” he said. “If Russia wants to escalate with NATO, it’s up to them. I’m not sure it’s a wise move now.”

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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The status conference is expected to address procedural matters, including scheduling a bond hearing, setting deadlines for court filings and establishing a date for a formal extradition hearing. The Tate brothers are not required to attend, and their attorneys said they do not plan to appear. Both remain in federal custody following their July 18 arrest.

The proceedings mark the latest phase of a legal dispute spanning multiple jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Romania and the United States.

Defense Challenges Extradition Request

Following the brothers’ initial court appearance last week, defense attorney Joseph McBride said they would oppose Britain’s extradition request.

“We are of course objecting to extradition because Andrew and Tristan are innocent,” McBride said. “They’ve never done nothing wrong. They shouldn’t be extradited for crimes they did not commit.”

McBride also argued that the extradition request was politically motivated and suggested it was connected to former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to step down. He did not provide evidence to support that claim.

U.K. Prosecutors Outline New Allegations

British prosecutors said the latest case is based on allegations from four new accusers after receiving evidence from police in Bedfordshire, England.

According to prosecutors, the alleged offenses occurred between 2010 and 2017 and include rape, assault, human trafficking, offenses involving indecent images of a child, and extreme pornography.

McBride said the identities of the new accusers have not been made public.

The brothers also face separate criminal charges in the United Kingdom involving three other accusers. Those allegations, dating from 2012 to 2015, include rape, causing bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain.

Andrew and Tristan Tate have denied all allegations against them.

White House Says It Will Not Intervene

The Tate brothers, who hold dual U.S. and U.K. citizenship, have built large online followings by promoting content centered on wealth, male dominance and misogynistic views. They have also publicly expressed support for President Donald Trump.

Last week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected suggestions that Trump would intervene in the extradition proceedings.

“No, we’ve already answered that question,” Leavitt said when asked whether the administration would become involved.

International Legal Proceedings Continue

The extradition case follows years of legal scrutiny involving multiple countries.

The brothers moved to Romania in 2016 and were arrested there in 2022 on accusations of recruiting women for sexual exploitation. They denied those allegations, and the Romanian criminal case has not proceeded because of legal and procedural issues.

After travel restrictions were lifted last year, the brothers traveled to Florida.

Andrew Tate, 39, first gained public attention as a contestant on the U.K. reality television program Big Brother before being removed after a video appeared to show him assaulting a woman.

He has since amassed more than 10 million followers on X but has been banned from YouTube, TikTok and Instagram for violating platform policies related to hate speech. He has also drawn widespread criticism for comments about women and sexual assault, which he has said were taken out of context or intended as jokes.

Monday’s hearing is expected to establish the procedural schedule that will guide the extradition proceedings in the months ahead.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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Moscow-installed authorities in the partly occupied Zaporizhzhia region said Ukrainian strikes on holiday camps killed 12 people, including four children. Ukrainian officials said a separate Russian drone strike in the northeastern Sumy region killed three people.

The latest attacks followed a large-scale Russian strike near Kyiv on Friday that Ukrainian authorities said killed at least 10 people and injured about 100 others.

Officials Offer Conflicting Accounts of Latest Attacks

Yevgeny Balitsky, the Kremlin-appointed head of the Russian-occupied portion of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, said Ukrainian attacks on resort areas killed 12 people and injured 19 others.

Ukrainian authorities did not immediately comment on the reported strike or the casualty figures.

In Ukraine’s Sumy region, Governor Oleh Hryhorov said a Russian drone struck a civilian facility operated by the private postal and courier company Nova Poshta, sparking a large fire that killed three drivers.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence said the target was a Ukrainian drone storage and launch site.

The competing accounts could not be independently verified.

Separately, Zaporizhzhia regional Governor Ivan Fedorov said a Russian drone struck a shopping center in southeastern Ukraine late Friday, causing a fire that spread across approximately 500 square meters and injured several people.

Ukraine Continues Long-Range Strikes Inside Russia

Ukraine continued its campaign targeting Russian energy and logistics infrastructure.

Tyumen regional Governor Aleksandr Moor said a Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at the Tyumen Oil Refinery in western Siberia.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later confirmed strikes on the refinery, along with attacks on a logistics facility in Yekaterinburg and a fuel and lubricants warehouse in Rostov-on-Don.

Ukraine has increasingly employed long-range drones to target strategic infrastructure inside Russia, including oil facilities and logistics hubs, as part of its effort to disrupt military supply chains.

Zelenskyy also said Ukrainian intelligence indicated Russia could be preparing another large-scale missile attack within the next 48 hours. Russia had not publicly commented on the assessment.

Diplomatic Contacts Continue Amid Ongoing Fighting

Diplomatic efforts continued despite the escalating military exchanges.

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity because President Donald Trump’s schedule had not yet been officially released, said Trump and Zelenskyy are expected to meet in Washington on Tuesday.

Ukrainian officials did not immediately confirm the meeting. However, Zelenskyy said in his Friday evening address that Kyiv was preparing for discussions with the U.S. president and his team.

The expected meeting coincides with a memorial service in Washington for former U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime supporter of Ukraine.

Despite continued diplomatic engagement, the exchange of strikes has underscored the difficulty of achieving a negotiated settlement to the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Drone Incursions Raise Concerns Along NATO’s Eastern Flank

Romania’s Ministry of National Defence said its armed forces shot down a drone that entered Romanian airspace over an unpopulated area near the Ukrainian border.

President Nicușor Dan said an F-16 fighter intercepted the drone.

It was the second reported drone interception over Romania in two days after another drone was shot down near Padina, northeast of Bucharest, on Friday.

Romania, a NATO member that borders Ukraine, has experienced multiple incidents involving drones linked to the war since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Romanian authorities have previously reported drone debris and accidental impacts near the border, highlighting the continuing risk that the conflict could spill into neighboring alliance territory.

As both sides continue long-range attacks and military operations across multiple fronts, diplomatic efforts remain uncertain amid ongoing battlefield escalation.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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The decision, issued by the Constanța Court of Appeal, relates to a July 2024 appearance at the Beach, Please! festival in Costinești, where the artist admitted to smoking cannabis on stage. The ruling replaces an earlier financial penalty and reflects a stricter judicial stance on public drug use in Romania.

Legal Ruling and Court Justification

According to court documents, judges overturned a prior fine and imposed a custodial sentence, citing concerns over the public nature of the act. The court stated that the performance, attended largely by young audiences, risked normalizing illegal behavior.

Judges described the act as deliberate and visible, noting the artist’s influence as a performer at a high-profile youth-oriented event. Romanian authorities had previously reported that the musician was in possession of more than 18 grams of cannabis and consumed additional quantities during the show.

The sentence was delivered in absentia. The artist has continued to appear publicly in the United States, including recent performances and online broadcasts.

International Legal Context for Touring Artists

The case highlights ongoing disparities in cannabis legislation between countries. While cannabis laws in parts of the United States have become more permissive at the state level, Romanian law continues to prohibit possession and use.

Legal analysts say such differences can create risks for international performers accustomed to more relaxed regulations in their home markets. Romanian criminologist Vlad Zaha, speaking to BBC News, described the sentence as unusually severe and suggested enforcement outcomes may be complicated by jurisdictional limits.

Industry Implications and Artist Response

Following the incident in 2024, the artist said in a social media post that no offense was intended and acknowledged Romanian authorities’ conduct during the initial investigation.

The case may prompt renewed attention within the live music industry regarding compliance with local laws, particularly for festivals attracting global talent. Promoters and management teams are increasingly expected to brief artists on jurisdiction-specific regulations to mitigate legal exposure.

Wiz Khalifa, a multi-platinum recording artist known for global hits and multiple Grammy nominations, has not publicly commented on the latest ruling. Representatives were approached for comment, according to BBC reporting.

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