Author: Steven Sahiounie

The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported late Monday that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon had risen to 492, with 1,645 injured since the attacks began that morning. According to Lebanon’s Public Health Emergency Operations Center, the casualties include 35 children and 58 women. The Israeli military stated it targeted Hezbollah weapons depots, claiming that the group stores cruise missiles, rocket launchers, and drones in civilian homes. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also announced plans to expand their airstrikes on alleged Hezbollah weapons sites in southern and eastern Lebanon. In addition, Israeli air raids were extended to Lebanon’s…

EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell warned that the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is nearing the brink of a full-scale war. Speaking to reporters in New York, Borrell stated, “If this situation isn’t war, I don’t know what you’d call it.” The European foreign policy official expressed concern that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah “threatens to engulf the entire Middle East in a full-blown war.” He added, “We are still working to de-escalate the situation in Lebanon, but our worst fears are on the verge of becoming reality.” On Monday, Israel launched heavy attacks…

Japan has issued a tsunami warning for two islands following an earthquake in the Pacific Ocean near Torishima Island. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the preliminary magnitude of the earthquake was 5.9. Authorities have warned that a potential tsunami could reach heights of up to one meter in the Izu and Ogasawara islands. Meanwhile, the U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake, which occurred on Tuesday near the Izu Islands, registered a magnitude of 5.7. Despite the tremor, several residents of these islands told NHK, Japan’s national television network, that they did not feel the earthquake. Japan is located…

Former U.S. Defense Secretary and CIA Director Leon Panetta has condemned Israel’s recent wireless communications attack in Lebanon, describing it as “a form of terrorism.” Panetta’s Statement on CBS In an interview with CBS News, Panetta stated, “Mark my words. This is the battlefield of the future,” referring to Israel’s alleged attacks on wireless communication devices. He highlighted the growing threat of embedding explosives in modern technological devices, which could turn them into tools of “terrorist warfare.” He added, “There is no doubt in my mind that this is a form of terrorism.” Concerns Over Escalation Panetta expressed his concerns…

FC Barcelona has been dealt a significant setback with the news of goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen’s serious injury, which will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season. Ter Stegen’s Injury and Surgery Barcelona confirmed that Ter Stegen will be out for an extended period due to a complete tear of the patellar tendon in his right knee, requiring surgery. The club stated, “Medical tests confirmed that first-team goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has suffered a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee. He will undergo surgery on Monday afternoon, and an update will be provided after…

The Venezuelan leader has pointed to recent pager blasts in Lebanon, while urging caution for the upcoming festive periodVenezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has warned members of his government against accepting electronic devices as Christmas presents. Maduro’s comments at a meeting on Venezuelan culture in Caracas on Friday followed a series of deadly explosions involving communications equipment in Lebanon last week. ”Do not accept electronic gifts… be careful with telephones, cellphones, be careful everyone,” the president said during a speech broadcast on national television. “You’ve seen what happened in Lebanon, everyone should be on alert,” he added. Artisanal handicrafts, books and traditional Venezuelan…

The bloc should disregard Russia’s potential response to proposed long-range strikes using Western weapons, Denmark’s PM saysDanish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has claimed that NATO should take a no-holds-barred policy towards the Ukraine conflict and allow Kiev fire long range missiles deep into Russia. Public discussion on how far NATO countries should go to defeat Russia only plays into Moscow’s hands, she argued. Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky is set to meet US President Joe Biden this week to present his “victory plan.” Kiev is lobbying Washington to permit long-range strikes using donated Western weapons, deep inside Russia, a move that Russian President Vladimir…

The latest launch of ‘trash balloons’ by Pyongyang led to flight suspensions at Seoul’s main international airportSouth Korea’s military has vowed a “stern” response if North Korea “crosses the line” with its campaign of sending trash-filled balloons onto its neighbor’s territory, local media reported on Monday. The two countries have been deploying inflatables as part of their long-running confrontation. The warning on Monday came after a barrage launched by Pyongyang between Sunday evening and early Monday morning led to flight suspensions at South Korea’s main international airport, according to NK News. The spokesperson for Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Col. Lee Sung-jun, said…

An Iskander missile has been used to destroy a HIMARS system in Ukraine’s Sumy Region, the report said Russian forces have obliterated a US-made HIMARS launcher as well as its crew in Ukraine’s Sumy Region, Moscow’s Defense Ministry has claimed The strike took place overnight in a rural area, according to purported footage of the engagement released by the ministry on Sunday. It showed several vehicles driving down a road and stopping next to a large building, which was then wiped out by a powerful explosion. The ministry said the site was hit by an Iskander missile, which “left only a crater” in…

The challenges of the Ukraine crisis are likely to become “deeper and harsher” in the coming years, David Lammy has warnedThe fighting between Russia and Ukraine is likely to rage on for at least another two years, the UK foreign secretary has predicted. David Lammy gave a speech at a conference of the governing Labour Party in Liverpool on Sunday, stressing Britain’s commitment to supporting Kiev. He noted that the government has committed to providing Ukraine with £3 billion ($3.99 billion) in military aid annually “for as long as it takes.” On the same day, the foreign secretary attended an event…