Capital and largest city of Latvia, a UNESCO-listed hub of Art Nouveau and Baltic culture
CIA Director John Ratcliffe has visited Moscow after a U.S. C-17 transport landed at Vnukovo, flight-tracking data shows. Russian and U.S. officials have not detailed the meetings. U.S. sources told Axios that Washington asked Kyiv to pause strikes while the delegation travelled; Moscow later confirmed Ratcliffe met Russian security officials.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe has flown to Moscow for undisclosed talks with Russian intelligence officials. The Kremlin has said President Vladimir Putin was briefed but did not meet Ratcliffe. U.S. officials and the CIA have declined to comment. Washington told Kyiv in advance and asked Ukraine to pause strikes on parts of Russia while the delegation was in the capital.
Shoulder-season savings are shrinking as travel costs edge upward. Industry data shows fall demand is returning to peak levels, with luxury travelers leading the charge toward October and November bookings.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has outlined plans to deepen ties with Canada and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been invited to address the European Parliament. Talks are focusing on security, Arctic cooperation, critical minerals, student exchanges and defence-industrial links, but officials say no formal new pact has been agreed and discussions remain at an early stage.
Latvia has declared a persona non grata a Russian commentator based on material from authorities, with officials citing national security reasons. The move follows prior expulsions of Russian cultural figures and signals intensifying scrutiny of Russia-linked voices in Latvia’s public sphere.
Latvia reports armed, masked individuals escorted a group of irregular migrants toward the Belarus border, sabotaging border infrastructure before retreating. Belarus denies involvement, while Latvia and allied observers call the action an information operation tied to Minsk and Moscow.
The U.S. State Department has approved a foreign military sale of up to 500 Patriot missiles, with donations from Canada, Germany, and Norway. The sale aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian attacks, with U.S. officials stressing no American funds are involved. Deliveries and ongoing support are part of a broader package, and Kyiv has pressed for faster delivery amid tensions.
Canada has announced it will prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from entering the country to compete while Russia continues its war in Ukraine. The government has said it will individually reassess visas and reject team entry, contradicting a Court of Arbitration for Sport order that the IIHF must reinstate Russia for upcoming tournaments, beginning with the World Junior Championship on Dec. 26.