Ildar Dadin, a prominent Russian opposition activist who had joined the fight for Ukraine, has been confirmed dead while serving with the Freedom of Russia Legion. The Civic Council, the group that recruited him, reported that he died due to Russian artillery fire in the Kharkiv region. A spokesperson for the group honored Dadin as a “hero,” reflecting on his dedication to opposing the Kremlin’s aggression.

Dadin gained notoriety in Russia for his relentless peaceful protests amid rising political repression, becoming the first person prosecuted under a law that criminalized repeated violations of protest rules. After enduring torture during his imprisonment, he emerged in 2017 committed to opposing the regime. His decision to join the Ukrainian forces was motivated by a profound sense of responsibility for Russia’s invasion, as he sought to confront the violence and injustices perpetrated by Putin’s government.

Having served with the Siberian Battalion before transferring to the Freedom of Russia Legion, Dadin experienced the harsh realities of combat. He described several missions as “pointless” and struggled with the grueling conditions on the front lines. Despite the physical toll and trauma, Dadin remained steadfast in his belief that he could not stand by while atrocities occurred, leaving a lasting legacy as a principled activist in the fight against Russian aggression.

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Ireland’s Finance Minister, Jack Chambers, is set to unveil a pre-election budget on Tuesday, featuring personal tax cuts and measures to alleviate the cost of living. The announcement comes amid speculation of a possible general election before Christmas. Despite a projected €25bn budget surplus, largely driven by a tax windfall from Apple, Chambers has stated that the surplus will be reserved for future investments and not directly influence the budget.

The coalition government, which had committed €1.4bn in tax measures and €6.9bn in new spending, faces scrutiny over its economic policies. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) has warned that the planned 7% rise in public spending exceeds the government’s own limit of 5%, potentially overheating the economy. However, the government argues that inflation, which has fallen to below 2%, and rising employment levels support its spending plans.

Investment in Ireland’s infrastructure, particularly in energy, water, and housing, is expected to be a major focus of the budget. The government’s handling of the housing crisis remains a key target for the opposition party, Sinn Féin, which has seen a dip in opinion polls. Measures such as a tax on unused land zoned for housing are expected to be included to address the growing demand for housing development.

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Herbert Kickl’s far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) achieved an unprecedented victory in the recent national election, securing 29.2% of the vote. This marks a lead over the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) at 26.5%, though it falls short of a majority. Kickl celebrated the results, describing it as a turning point in Austrian politics, driven by voter concerns over migration, the economy, and national security. However, coalition-building may prove difficult as ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer refuses to join a government led by Kickl, citing his embrace of conspiracy theories.

The election, which saw a high voter turnout of 74.9%, highlighted growing support for far-right movements across Europe, as similar victories were recently witnessed in Italy, Germany, and France. Despite FPÖ’s success, opposition parties including the Social Democrats, Greens, and liberal Neos have ruled out forming a coalition with Kickl’s party. Protesters also gathered outside parliament, holding anti-Nazi banners, a reminder of the FPÖ’s controversial past, rooted in post-war Nazi ideologies.

Kickl’s aspirations to lead Austria as “Volkskanzler” have drawn criticism, with some warning of parallels to authoritarian leaders. While the FPÖ could form a coalition with the ÖVP, tensions remain high as President Alexander Van der Bellen, who oversees the formation of the government, has expressed concerns over the party’s stance on the EU and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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Sweden’s security service, Sapo, has accused Iranian intelligence of hacking a Swedish text messaging service to send over 15,000 messages calling for “revenge against Quran-burners.” The cyberattack, linked to the Revolutionary Guards’ (IRGC) affiliated group Anzu, allegedly aimed to deepen societal divisions and paint Sweden as Islamophobic after Quran burnings triggered outrage in several Muslim-majority countries.

Iran’s embassy in Stockholm has dismissed the accusations as “baseless.” However, Swedish investigators found strong links between the hackers and the IRGC, noting that the messages added to the existing threats against the country. While the hackers have been identified, Sweden has shelved its investigation as extradition is impossible.

This isn’t the first instance of hostile actions attributed to Iran. Last year, Sapo accused Tehran of using criminal networks in Sweden to target individuals Iran deemed a threat. Iran, Russia, and China are currently seen as the greatest security risks to the Nordic country.

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