Pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu, who has accelerated the southeast European nation's push to leave Moscow's orbit and join the EU, faces Alexandr Stoianoglo, an ex-prosecutor general backed by the pro-Russian Socialist Party.

Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said 20 people would be interviewed by authorities on Saturday in connection with the disaster, including people from the ministry in charge and the state railways operator.

Donbas has become the war's main theatre, where some of biggest battles in Europe for generations have taken place and where thousands of troops on each side have died.

The tragedy is already Europe's worst flood-related disaster since 1967 when at least 500 people died in Portugal.

Tensions have been simmering between Tirana and Athens for months.

A defeat for pro-European President Maia Sandu could allow Moscow to win more influence in a diplomatic battleground between Russia and the EU.

While candidates sometimes declare victory before major media outlets announce the result, it is unusual to do so before the winner is at least arguably apparent.

Under Robert Fico, Slovakia has been keen to build closer bilateral and economic ties and alliances with non-EU countries, including China, its biggest trading partner outside of the 27-state bloc, as well as Russia.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) confirmed the opening of a probe at its own initiative, after a report this week in French newspaper Liberation claimed the European Commission was failing to properly pursue the case.

It goes beyond political ideology and allegiances, its about safeguarding communities and protecting lives.

With Brussels in the midst of discussing how to best stand up to the US and China, all eyes are on funding.

Trump on Thursday (31 October) stepped up his unfounded allegations that probes into suspect voter registration forms are proof of voter fraud.

Belarus has sought the extradition of Andrei Gnyot, arrested in 2023 in Belgrade, over money laundering charges which his supporters argue are politically motivated.

The tone of Zelenskyy's rhetoric pointed to mounting Ukrainian frustration over the extent of Western support for Kyiv at a critical time in the war with Russia, with the clock counting down to Tuesday's US presidential election.

The EU and US have a chance now to order structural measures that would make our digital lives freer and fairer. This chance must not be under-estimated – or missed, writes Claire Lavin.

A former US ambassador to NATO described Turkey as a country difficult to live with but impossible to live without.

EU capitals are currently spending more time visualising a Trump return to power than a Harris victory.

In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about vote buying in Bulgaria, Zelenskyy criticising Poland for failing to deliver on military aid, and so much more. 

Delyan Peevski, sanctioned by the US and Britain for corruption, is accused of large-scale vote buying.

It is important to focus on what is in place rather than just inventing new things, said Kubín.