Author: Steven Sahiounie

Kiev still has a lot to do when it comes to fighting corruption, according to an EU Commission report Every EU candidate country, including Ukraine, could join by 2029 if they meet all criteria for membership by then, according to the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi. Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Varhelyi was pushed to give a timeline for accession into the EU for candidate countries, which currently include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Kosovo, which is not internationally recognized, is also listed as a potential candidate.…

The US president bizarrely nibbled at least two children at his final trick-or-treat celebration at the White House US President Joe Biden was caught on camera playfully biting babies during a Halloween party in the White House on Wednesday, as he greeted the children of staff, media reports. Biden has a history of what many consider to be bizarre interactions with children. The president was handing out sweets to children during the celebration alongside First Lady Jill Biden, who was dressed in a full-body panda suit. It was Biden’s last Halloween at the White House, as Americans head to the…

That type of outcome may not address the concerns of all nations in Eurasia, the Russian foreign minister has said Russia envisions a resolution of the Ukraine conflict that meets the interests of all nations in Eurasia, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday, commenting on remarks by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who said it could end in a “draw.” According to Lavrov, the term ‘draw’ does not properly describe the outcome sought by Moscow. Earlier in the day, Lukashenko had shared his thoughts at a Eurasian security conference in Minsk, which Lavrov attended along with other foreign officials. The…

The projectile may be capable of flying more than 15,000km, a senior Japanese government official has warned North Korea’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) could potentially reach US shores, according to Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi. Pyongyang test-launched the projectile earlier on Thursday, describing the move as a warning to its regional adversaries. While North Korean officials did not specify the type of ICBM or provide any technical details, officials in South Korea and Japan estimated its flight time at 87 minutes, with the missile reaching an altitude of up to 7,000km while traveling 1,000km horizontally. North Korea traditionally…

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced profound shock and concern over the severe levels of killing, destruction, and civilian suffering in Northern Gaza. The ongoing Israeli military offensive, purportedly aimed at preventing Hamas from regrouping, has left thousands of civilians trapped, injured, and in desperate need of aid, according to his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric. Civilian Suffering and Escalating Crisis Dujarric highlighted Guterres’ alarm over the “unbearable suffering” of Palestinian civilians in Northern Gaza, where many are trapped under rubble, injured without access to life-saving healthcare, and facing severe shortages of food and shelter. Citing information from Gaza’s Ministry of Health,…

The Israeli military reported the death of four soldiers, including an officer, during intense clashes in Jabalia, northern Gaza. The region, facing continuous attacks and a humanitarian crisis, has seen mounting casualties as the conflict escalates. The incident also led to the martyrdom of 115 Palestinians due to Israeli airstrikes throughout Gaza. Details of the Incident Among the fallen soldiers were Lieutenant Yonatan “Johnny” Kirin (22), Sergeants Nasim Mital (20), Aviv Gilboa (21), and Naor Haimov (22). All were members of the elite Ghost Unit, known as the multi-dimensional combat team of the Israeli military, specialized in handling complex battle…

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, plans to encourage Americans to turn the page on Donald Trump in her final campaign speech on Tuesday. This speech will be held at the symbolic site where Trump rallied his supporters before the January 6th, 2021, Capitol riot. In the final week leading up to Election Day, with Harris and Trump neck-and-neck in the polls, her campaign has selected this location to underscore her position that the former Republican president threatens American democracy. However, a senior campaign official noted that Harris also intends to deliver an “optimistic and hopeful message” amid…

Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated extensive nuclear drills on Tuesday, simulating a “retaliatory strike” with missiles capable of traveling thousands of miles. These drills coincide with the Russian military’s progress toward the strategic Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, capturing several key towns, including Seledove. Putin renewed Russia’s nuclear show of force amid heightened tensions with the West over Ukraine and as North and South Korea engage in the conflict. Speaking to Russian military leaders via video call, Putin stated that the drills are designed to simulate the decision-making process involved in deploying nuclear weapons. This includes launching ballistic and cruise missiles…

The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) has indicated that an Iranian response to recent Israeli strikes is “not ruled out,” though it may not occur in the immediate future. In a press briefing, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder stated that diplomacy remains an option to resolve tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. “Yes, there is a possibility that Iran might respond militarily to recent Israeli strikes,” Ryder noted, emphasizing the Pentagon’s close monitoring of Iranian activities and its commitment to coordinating with and defending Israel. Ryder added, “We are keeping a close watch on how Tehran might respond following recent Israeli airstrikes.”

The World Food Programme (WFP) issued an urgent call Tuesday for immediate action to prevent a potential famine in Gaza. WFP warned that the ongoing humanitarian crisis could quickly worsen due to severe restrictions on aid delivery. This month, a global monitoring organization highlighted that the entire Gaza Strip faces a high risk of famine, exacerbated by continued Israeli military actions that hinder humanitarian aid access. In its statement, WFP said, “As conditions in northern Gaza continue to deteriorate, the risk of a larger population facing famine will undoubtedly increase if conditions on the ground do not improve.” WFP noted…