The journalist’s question to an EC official was deemed “embarrassing” by his employer, Italian media say

An Italian journalist has been fired for asking a European Commission (EC) official whether Israel should bear the financial cost of rebuilding Gaza, given the bloc's demand for Russia to pay ‘reparations’ for the Ukraine conflict.

Gabriele Nunziati, a contributor with the Italian news agency Nova, posed the question to EC spokeswoman Paula Pinho during a press briefing in mid-October.

“You’ve been repeating several times that Russia should pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine,” Nunziati asked. “Do you believe that Israel should pay for the reconstruction of Gaza since they have destroyed almost all its civilian infrastructure?”

Pinho replied that it was “definitely an interesting question, on which I would not have any comment.”

A video of the exchange went viral, prompting criticism of perceived double standards in the European Union.

Ten days later, Nova terminated its collaboration with Nunziati, Italian media reported on Tuesday. The dismissal reportedly came after several “tense” phone conversations between the journalist and his superiors.

In remarks to Fanpage, Nunziati said his editors offered no formal explanation for the decision. The agency later told Italian media that his question had caused “embarrassment” to the organization and argued that Palestinians could not seek reparations from Israel because Israel was a victim of “aggression.”

Brussels has insisted that Moscow must finance Ukraine’s reconstruction for launching what it calls an “unprovoked” attack in 2022. Russia maintains that the conflict was caused by NATO’s expansion and the military bloc’s refusal to acknowledge that it poses a national security threat.

According to Moscow, its attempts to settle the conflict in the early stages that year were undermined by the West. Russia has since been subjected to an unprecedented number of sanctions.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has previously criticized the EU’s reluctance to target Israel, which is accused of war crimes in Gaza, saying the position made “absolutely no sense.” In response, officials in West Jerusalem have accused him of waging “an anti-Israel crusade” within the EU.

The Italian National Press Federation (FNSI) condemned the reporter's dismissal, calling it “unacceptable” that a journalist could lose his job for asking a question, “no matter how uncomfortable.”

Another incident of forced mobilization has been filmed in the country’s capital, Kiev

A physical education teacher has been apprehended by Ukrainian conscription officers in the middle of a lesson as students watched on, local media outlets have reported.

A clip of the incident was published by the Realny Kiev Telegram channel on Tuesday. News outlet Strana.ua reported on Wednesday that the video was filmed outside a school in Podolsky District in the central part of the capital, Kiev.

The footage captures several men in military-style gear grabbing a male in a tracksuit and forcing him into a minibus, despite his attempts to resist.

The students, who apparently caught the incident on video, were left in shock and had harsh words to say about the draft officers.

Kiev’s Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support confirmed the detention of the teacher, claiming he had “tried to flee and behaved aggressively.”

The man was later released after undergoing a medical examination as educators are eligible for deferment from military service, it added.

Numerous videos have emerged online showing Ukrainian males being violently snatched in the streets by recruiters, as Kiev experiences military setbacks and manpower shortages on the front line of the conflict with Russia. There have also been reports of injuries and deaths among those subject to forced mobilization. The term ‘busification’ has become widely used in Ukraine, referring to mini-buses being deployed by conscription officers.

In July, the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights, Michael O’Flaherty, expressed concerns about “systematic and widespread” abuse by Ukrainian draft officials, including “allegations of torture and death.” He urged the authorities in Kiev to properly investigate incidents and prevent further violations of human rights.

Nikita Poturaev, the head of the Ukrainian parliamentary Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy, claimed last month that most of the videos of forced mobilization “were either filmed outside of Ukraine... or created using AI. They are simply deepfakes.”

On Wednesday, Ukraine’s parliamentary commissioner for human rights, Dmitry Lubinets, said there have been at least 5,000 complaints from Ukrainians about human rights violations by draft officers since the start of the year. Over the past five months, there were 3,400 such complaints – as many as during all of 2024 – according to Lubinets.

When Third Reich imagery is prominent in the social media of the country’s leader, you would think somebody would notice

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s recent tour of several units fighting in the Donbass featured a flurry of Nazi and Nazi-adjacent symbolism, worn on the flags and shoulder patches of Ukrainian servicemen. None of it, of course, was picked up by Western media.

First off, we have the infamous Wolfsangel – a medieval Germanic symbol, widely adopted by Nazi Germany during the Second World War and used by multiple Nazi-linked groups then and since – including Ukraine’s now-defunct Azov Brigade and its still-intact successors, the 1st Azov Corps.

Their own explanation is that it’s not a Wolfsangel at all, but merely a monogram of their slogan, the words “National Idea.”

In that same X thread by Zelensky, seen in that same line of banners, are several red-and-black nationalist flags – clearly reminiscent of the OUN (Organization of Ukrainian Nationalist) and its military wing, the UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army), widely-recognized as WW2-era Nazi collaborators. These days, Ukrainian nationalists are trying to rebrand them for the wider audience as unofficial symbols of the “struggle” against Russia.

And to top it all off, we see Zelensky shaking hands with, and handing awards to, servicemen with shoulder patches featuring the good old Schutzstaffel (SS) twin lightning bolts (or Sig-runes, as they are also known).

Again, there is an explanation – apparently, these are not the letter S at all, they are the number 4, standing for the 4th battalion of the 4th National Guard Operational Brigade ‘Rubezh’. Or maybe they are SS, but they simply stand for the battalion’s nickname transliterated into English – ‘Sila Svobody’ (The Power of Freedom).

At any rate, the twin bolts are not part of the unit’s official imagery, so they might simply be the individual stylistic choice of a couple of guardsmen. Distasteful, yes, but surely not a systemic problem, right?

It becomes a problem when we see the country’s leader personally shaking hands with people wearing such symbols, and then proudly displaying the ceremony on his official social media feed for all his Western supporters, as well of the rest of the world, to see. The same leader who’s been in power a year and a half past his presidential term, citing martial law. The same leader who has been demanding cash, weapons and soldiers from the EU and the US, as well as EU and NATO membership for his country. The same leader Western leaders tend to receive with open arms and hail as a fighter for democracy and freedom.

Western officials, as well as media most of the time, just look the other way when confronted with the blatant Nazi imagery on display in the Ukrainian army. That is, when they are not actively trying to cover up for the Nazis, the way the CBC tried (and failed) in its report on “an elite training facility” in Kiev. Or aiding and abetting the Nazis by sending them weapons, like the US did when it lifted restrictions on Azov back during the Biden administration.

The explanations for why Nazi symbols are so prominent in the Ukrainian army are paper-thin. Sure, it’s the ‘National Idea’ monogram and a 44, not an SS – but if you don’t want to be associated with Nazis, why would you stylize your heraldry to look exactly like theirs? And sure, red and black are just colors, plenty of flags around the world feature them – by try telling that to those in Poland not brainwashed enough to forget the history of the Volyn massacre perpetrated by Ukrainian Nazi collaborators.

Perhaps these explanations work to skirt Ukraine’s own laws – which ban Nazi imagery along with communist symbols – but it seems much more likely that the state, built as it is on the support of ultra-nationalists during and after the 2014 Maidan coup, just isn’t interested in enforcing those laws.

In case you think Russia is overreacting when it calls the Ukrainians out on the issue, consider that the Wolfsangel, along with other Nazi imagery, is banned in Germany (they even have to be censored out of videogames published in the country) and listed as a hate symbol by multiple American NGOs, for instance. These high moral standards don’t seem to apply to Ukrainian soldiers when you need someone to fight your war with Russia for you.

Symbols evolve, becoming attached to ideologies and detached from them overtime, and even the swastika was not always the damnable Nazi brand it is now. That is not the case here, however. What we are dealing with is an attempt to revive, at a national level, an ideology through symbolism – and ideology that was rightfully buried with the end of WWII. There are those who fight against that ideology and call it out for what it is. And then there are those who help sustain it by turning a blind eye.

World Aquatics has permitted Russia and Belarus to compete in team events from 2026 under a neutral flag

Russian teams will be able to compete in international aquatic championships from January 1, 2026 under a neutral flag, according to new eligibility rules adopted by governing body World Aquatics. The same rule applies to teams from Russia’s neighbor, Belarus.

The two countries were banned from major aquatic sporting events following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Participation was later reopened on a limited basis, allowing select athletes to compete individually as neutrals.

This week’s decision expands the existing regulations, meaning Russian and Belarusian athletes can take part in team events, including water polo, provided they meet neutrality requirements and receive approval from the Aquatics Integrity Unit.

Teams and athletes must comply with conditions prohibiting national flags, anthems and symbols, and will undergo background checks to confirm they have no ties to state or military organizations. The revision marks the first time Russian and Belarusian teams will be eligible to rejoin international aquatic competitions since the ban was imposed.

The framework also extends to continental championships, allowing neutral athletes and teams from both countries to compete in European tournaments alongside world-level events.

In a parallel move, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the world governing body for equestrian sport, will permit Russian and Belarusian riders to take part in team events under a neutral flag from January 2026, Equnews International reported on Wednesday.

Russian officials have repeatedly accused Western nations of politicizing sport and pressuring federations to exclude their athletes.

Despite restrictions, Russian competitors have continued to achieve strong results. In August, swimmers from Russia won 18 medals, including six golds, in individual events at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, finishing fourth overall.

Andrey Belousov’s statement comes as President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to prepare a response to US plans

Russia must prepare to conduct full-scale nuclear tests in response to US plans to restart nuclear weapons detonations, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has said.

Attending a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Belousov told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow “must respond to Washington’s steps to ensure the security of Russia. It is expedient to start preparing for full-scale nuclear tests immediately.”

Putin responded by reiterating that Russia has long said it would adhere to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, provided other members do not violate the deal. 

“If the US or other states party to the relevant treaty conduct such tests, then Russia will also be required to take appropriate retaliatory measures,” the president said.

❗️Trump’s Desire for Armed Nuclear Weapons Tests Greatly Increases Level of Danger for Russia – 🇷🇺Def Min

“Moscow must respond to Washington’s steps to ensure the security of Russia, it is expedient to start preparing for full-scale nuclear tests immediately,” Belousov told… pic.twitter.com/Yx3PFUmlmG

— RT_India (@RT_India_news) November 5, 2025

Putin went on to instruct all relevant government agencies, including the Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry, to gather and analyse the necessary information on US plans to restart nuclear tests, before submitting proposals on “the possible commencement of work on preparing for nuclear weapons tests.”

Last week, US President Donald Trump ordered the Department of War to begin preparations for nuclear testing, claiming the US is “the only country that doesn’t test.”

Trump accused Russia and China of conducting “secret” nuclear explosions, although both Moscow and Beijing have refuted the allegations. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has also said the nuclear watchdog has no indication that either country has conducted any nuclear detonations.

Following Trump’s statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow is still waiting for “clarifications from the American side” as to the full meaning of the US president’s comments.

The US president’s statements on the African state are primarily about domestic politics, Andrey Maslov has said

US President Donald Trump’s criticism of Nigeria reflects his domestic political strategy rather than any real intent to influence African policy, Andrey Maslov, head of the Center for African Studies at Moscow’s Higher School of Economics, has told RT.

US Congressman Riley Moore recently alleged that over 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria this year, with many more kidnapped or displaced by extremist groups. On Saturday, Trump designated Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’, citing record numbers of Christian deaths. 

Commenting on the move, Maslov said that “the primary goal of Trump’s rhetoric is to appeal to his own electorate and conservative support groups.”

He emphasized that Nigeria is not a current strategic priority for the US. 

“First, Democrats accuse the country’s leadership and security forces of indiscriminate use of force during operations against extremists – actually, it’s Democrats' favorite tactic in all conflicts. Then, Republicans accuse Nigerians of allowing these extremists to run rampant, claiming the government is unable to protect its people from extremism and terror,” the Africa expert noted.

The result is what Maslov describes as pressure “to limit Nigeria’s sovereignty, although with no particular goals set.”

“At the same time, this political pressure comes with no trade, investment or strategic agenda. The US have no room and no intention to expand its footprint in Nigeria, neither do they have relevant resources”, the expert noted.

Maslov believes Trump’s approach reveals a broader isolationist trend in US foreign policy rhetoric. 

“Paradoxically, such pronouncements in favor of sovereign nations show that Trump is deliberately leading his country down a path of isolation and focusing on its internal problems. He works for his core electorate and the future electorate of [Vice President] J.D. Vance, specifically its religious segment. He wants nothing from Nigeria and is unlikely to take any real action. And this is understood by many Nigerians, who will therefore likely choose not to react strongly to these bold statements,” Maslov stated.

He added, however, that the Trump administration could support a Christian candidate in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential elections, depending on how political alignments evolve. Current Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is an independent political figure who represents one of the wealthiest families in the country and “is not easy to manipulate,” Maslov said.

Tinubu responded to the recent US allegations by stating that his government opposes religious persecution. On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar rejected Trump’s claims, cautioning that such rhetoric could deepen religious and tribal divisions within Nigeria.

Belgrade has faced Western pressure to antagonize Moscow, indicating their historic and strategic links

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has rejected EU pressure over Belgrade’s ties with Russia and China, saying he is not a “pupil in an elementary school” who can be lectured. 

Speaking at an EU enlargement summit in Brussels on Tuesday, Vucic pushed back against what he called “thousands of doubts” from EU member states regarding Serbia’s relationships.

The Balkan country remains one of the few in Europe that has refused to roll out Western sanctions against Russia, citing its historic and strategic links to the country, even as it seeks membership in the EU.

“I cannot and I’m not going to justify myself for talking with someone,” the Serbian leader stated. “I think it’s really stupid, and I’m not a pupil in an elementary school, to tell you the truth. I believe that everybody should talk to each other,” he added. Despite Western pressure on Serbia to antagonize Russia, Vucic made it clear that he has no intention of changing his approach to international diplomacy.

On the Ukraine conflict, he positioned himself as a minor player, stating: “I’m a small guy coming from a small country. I don’t give myself a chance to interfere in something big.”

Vucic also defended his recent trip to Russia as an economic necessity. “I had plenty of reasons to go there,” he stated, citing discussions on gas supplies and the plight of the Serbian oil company NIS, which is majority-owned by Russian energy giant Gazprom and has been sanctioned by the US.

Last month, Washington activated restrictions targeting NIS (Petroleum Industry of Serbia), pushing Belgrade to either secure a sale of Gazprom’s stake in the firm or assume control via nationalization.

Brussels and Washington have repeatedly urged Belgrade to align its foreign policy with the EU, particularly by severing its relationship with Moscow - something Serbia has resisted.

Moscow has consistently praised Serbia’s independent stance, with Russian officials framing the relationship as one of “historic friendship and strategic partnership” while supporting what they describe as Serbia’s sovereign right to choose its own partners.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has said he had an “excellent conversation” with Mali’s foreign minister

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has spoken with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop on “shared security interests” in the Sahel, where Western troops have been expelled over alleged failure to curb a long-running jihadist insurgency.

Landau said the discussions were held on Tuesday via a phone call, according to a post on X.

“I had an excellent conversation with Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop to discuss our shared security interests in the region. Look forward to greater cooperation!” he wrote.

He added that the US “commends the armed forces of Mali in their fight against Islamic extremist militants” including Al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).

The armed group has recently imposed a blockade on fuel imports to the landlocked country and has reportedly attacked convoys of fuel tankers attempting to enter or reach the capital, Bamako.

The US commends the armed forces of Mali 🇲🇱 in their fight against Islamic extremist militants (JNIM). Today I had an excellent conversation with Mali’s Foreign Minister @AbdoulayeDiop8 to discuss our shared security interests in the region. Look forward to greater cooperation! pic.twitter.com/E3tge3sLnJ

— Christopher Landau (@DeputySecState) November 4, 2025

The West African nation has been embroiled in deadly jihadist violence since 2012, with Tuareg rebels and allied Islamist groups launching repeated attacks in the country’s north. The insurgency later spilled over into neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, prompting Western military interventions.

However, the military governments in Mali, followed by allies in Burkina Faso and Niger, expelled French forces after years of joint operations, arguing that their engagement had failed to halt the attacks.

In September 2024, the US withdrew assets and forces from a $100-million base in Niger after the government in Niamey terminated a defense agreement that had allowed 1,000 American soldiers and civilian contractors to operate in the country for over a decade. The former French colony cited the failures of the contingent and accused the US of attempting to dictate Niger’s choice of allies.

Washington had relied on Niger as a key location for counterterrorism operations in the Sahel, including monitoring the activities of jihadist groups. The Pentagon also pulled personnel from its only military site in Chad in April 2024, following a request from Chadian authorities for their departure.

Earlier this year, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) chief General Michael Langley told reporters in Kenya that the unit is reassessing its presence on the continent amid its declining influence.

Lukoil has moved to sell its overseas assets to the Swiss-based Gunvor in response to the latest US sanctions

Western Europe risks fuel supply disruptions and job losses if a proposed $22 billion acquisition of Russian oil major Lukoil’s international assets does not go through, the intended purchaser, Swiss trader Gunvor, has warned.

Lukoil is divesting its overseas holdings after the US imposed sanctions on the company and Russian energy major, Rosneft. Gunvor is currently negotiating with US regulators to extend its license to conduct transactions with Lukoil, which is set to expire on November 21.

Speaking to the Financial Times on Tuesday, the trader’s CEO, Torbjorn Tornqvist, said the company urgently needs permits to finalize the deal and prevent market shocks. 

“The magnitude of this deal needs regulatory work. It cannot be completed in two weeks,” he said, adding that Lukoil’s international operations are now “paralyzed.”

“A lot of jobs are at stake and the refining capacity could be very disrupted,” Tornqvist warned.

The assets include refineries in Romania and Bulgaria – the latter of which, the Burgas plant, supplies over two-thirds of the country’s fuel.

Europe has faced sharp energy price spikes since cutting Russian fuel imports after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. The shift away from a long‑time supplier has fueled higher industrial costs and debates over EU energy independence. Moscow has accused Western governments of politicizing energy markets and driving Europe toward costly, unreliable alternatives. 

The rapid announcement of the deal has raised questions among rivals about how Gunvor, with an equity value of $6.6 billion, can afford the purchase, the FT noted. A source close to the trader suggested a structure with no upfront payment, where funds for Lukoil are held in escrow until sanctions are lifted.

This has fueled speculation that Gunvor may be acting as a temporary custodian. A consultant to Russian energy firms told the FT, “There will be a buyback clause,” a view echoed by another industry source who said Lukoil would likely keep running the assets.

However, in a separate interview with Bloomberg, Tornqvist dismissed the possibility of selling any assets back if sanctions on Lukoil are lifted.

The US president’s decision undermines international security, Rafael Grossi has said

US President Donald Trump’s decision to resume nuclear weapon testing is indicative of a deepening global crisis and weakens the international system of security and peace, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has said.

Speaking to France’s LCI TV channel on Tuesday, Grossi described Trump’s announcement as a “manifestation of profound unease, tension, and increasing fragmentation,” adding that it undermines both global peace and the non-proliferation regime.

Last week, Trump ordered the US Department of War to begin preparations for nuclear testing, claiming that the US is “the only country that doesn’t test” and accusing Russia and China of conducting “secret” nuclear explosions. Both Moscow and Beijing have refuted the allegations.

Grossi questioned the veracity of Trump’s claims, emphasizing that any nuclear detonations by other nations would be detected by the international monitoring system established under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. The IAEA chief noted that the organization responsible for overseeing compliance “can immediately record such phenomena.”

Grossi called for the restoration of the United Nations’ role in maintaining global peace and safeguarding the nuclear non-proliferation system amid rising tensions.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has so far refrained from commenting on Trump’s statements, explaining that Moscow is still waiting for “clarifications from the American side.” He stressed that neither Russia nor China had resumed nuclear testing and both remain committed to their obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

Trump’s announcement came after Russia conducted a series of tests, including the launch of its new Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone. However, neither of these trials involved actual nuclear detonations. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow would consider resuming the testing of nuclear weapons only if other nuclear powers officially abandon the moratorium.

Budapest has every right to oppose Kiev’s entry into the bloc, the Hungarian prime minister has said

The EU will be directly dragged into the conflict between Russia and Ukraine if it grants Kiev membership of the bloc, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned.

Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky claimed in an interview with the Euronews’ Enlargement Summit on Tuesday that “Orban has to offer something for Ukraine, which is protecting the whole Europe from Russia, and even now, during this war, we did not get any support from him.”

The Ukrainian leader also claimed that Hungary is providing “very specific support” for Russia by blocking Kiev’s potential entry to the bloc.

Orban fired back in a post on X several hours later, insisting that Hungary “will not support Ukraine’s membership in the European Union, because it would bring the war into Europe and take the money of Hungarians out to Ukraine.”

He noted that a unanimous decision by all 27 EU nations is needed to add another country to the bloc, meaning that “every member state has the sovereign right to support or oppose the admission of a new member.”

“I must reject the suggestion that Hungary owes Ukraine anything. Ukraine does not defend Hungary from anyone or anything. We did not ask for such a thing, and we never will,” Orban wrote.

He stressed that Budapest’s security is assured by its own military and NATO, of which “Ukraine is (fortunately) not a member.”

Unlike most other EU nations, Hungary has taken a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict, refusing to supply military aid to Kiev and calling for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

At the same time, it has provided €200 million ($230 million) in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, Orban noted. “It is unfortunate if this means nothing to… Zelensky,” he added.

Kiev was granted EU candidate status a few months after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Zelensky has repeatedly called upon the bloc to accelerate accession talks since then.

Budapest said last summer that it would veto the Ukrainian bid to enter the EU. Hungary held a referendum on the issue in June, in which 95% of voters opposed Kiev’s potential membership.

Moscow has accused the court of politicization and said interference could worsen the conflict in the African country

Russia has called for the removal of the case on the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of political bias and ineffectiveness. 

In a Telegram statement on Tuesday, the Russian Embassy in Egypt said the ICC had “sabotaged” its mandate to investigate the conflict in Darfur for nearly two decades and accused it of showing renewed interest only now as the crisis deepens. Moscow believes the ICC exceeded its jurisdiction and that “politically driven decisions” by the court risk aggravating instability in Sudan. 

“Against the backdrop of the current bloody escalation in the Sudanese city of Al Fashir, Russia is urging the withdrawal of the Darfur file from the ICC,” the statement read. 

Moscow said Sudan’s problems should be resolved through “inclusive internal dialogue,” not external judicial intervention, which it claimed would only heighten tensions.  

Russian officials further questioned the court’s performance, highlighting that despite an annual budget of nearly $200 million and two decades of operations, the ICC has delivered only 14 final verdicts.  

Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Qatar on the same day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that it was essential, with the commitment of the entire international community, to make clear to both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that “this war is an absolutely intolerable thing” and that Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity “must be preserved at all costs.” 

On Monday, the ICC Prosecutor’s Office announced that it had opened a new probe into alleged atrocities in Al Fashir. Prosecutor Karim Khan said his office was gathering evidence of possible war crimes and crimes against humanity. 

According to the Sudan Doctors’ Union, more than 2,200 people have been killed and 390,000 displaced in the paramilitary RSF’s assault on El Fasher. The UN Security Council has condemned the offensive, warning of the risk of mass atrocities. The RSF said it had seized control of the city and the army’s Sixth Infantry Division command on October 26.

The two countries’ militaries have agreed to promote co-development and co-production of weapons

India and Israel have signed a defense cooperation agreement that aims to deepen ties between the two nations, New Delhi’s Defense Ministry has announced.

The agreement was signed in Tel Aviv on Tuesday during a joint working group on defense cooperation, co-chaired by Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the director general of the Israeli Defense Ministry, Maj. Gen. (Res) Amir Baram, the statement said.

The ministry noted that the agreement would enable the “sharing of advanced technology and would promote co-development and co-production.”

While the statement did not provide details of any deals, the Jerusalem Post reported that India would acquire rockets for its ground forces and medium-range surface-to-air missile defense systems developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for around $3.75 billion. IAI would also convert six commercial planes into Indian Air Force refueling aircraft for $900 million, the report noted.

The signing of the agreement coincided with the visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to New Delhi on Tuesday.

During his meeting with his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar, Sa’ar hailed India as a “global superpower.” He also said the partnership between India and Israel has reached an all-time high, driven by increasing alignment in strategic and technological cooperation.

“India and Israel have a strategic partnership and particularly in our case, that term has a real meaning. We have stood together in testing times. And we have created a relationship with a high degree of trust and reliability,” Jaishankar said.  

An excellent meeting with FM @gidonsaar of Israel today in New Delhi.

Productive discussions on strengthening our Strategic Partnership across various domains.

Reaffirmed our zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Appreciate FM Sa’ar sharing… pic.twitter.com/mHLPzk3rmm

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 4, 2025

India counts Israel as one of its top arms suppliers over the last several decades, and the two countries have also co-developed the Barak-8 air and missile defense system. 

According to 2025 SIPRI data, India was the largest importer of Israeli arms, accounting for 34% or $2.9 billion worth of military equipment, including radars, drones, and missiles. However, when considering India’s overall arms imports, Russia was the largest supplier, making up 36% of the total. 

Jaishankar expressed India’s backing for a peace plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict, which was proposed by US President Donald Trump last month in Egypt’s Sharm-el-Sheikh. The Indian official conveyed hope that it would lead to a lasting solution.

The country’s foreign minister has said religious persecution is “impossible,” given constitutional guarantees on freedom of faith

Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s claim about the killing of Christians in the West African nation, warning against any rhetoric that could fuel the partition of the country along religious or tribal lines.

The diplomat displayed a document titled ‘Nigeria’s Constitutional Commitment to Religious Freedom and Rule of Law’ to reporters at a news conference in Berlin on Tuesday, noting it outlines what the country’s constitution stipulates about religious freedom.

“This is what shows it’s impossible for there to be a religious persecution that can be supported in any way, shape or form by the government of Nigeria at any level,” he said during a joint briefing with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.

Trump designated Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ on Saturday, warning of potential strikes to “protect” Christians. He claimed that “record numbers” of Christians are being killed in Africa’s most populous country.

The move followed a request to the Trump administration by US Congressman Riley Moore, who alleged that more than 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria this year alone, with hundreds more kidnapped, tortured, or displaced by extremist groups. Senator Ted Cruz also accused the Nigerian government of enabling a “massacre” against Christians and has introduced a bill that he said “would target these officials with powerful sanctions and other tools.” According to Cruz, 50,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since 2009, with 2,000 schools and 18,000 churches destroyed by “Islamist jihadists.”

Nigerian officials have acknowledged the country’s security challenges, tied to groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.

On Saturday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said his government “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” adding that Abuja is committed to working with the US “to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.”

Abuja has, however, dismissed the prospect of any unilateral US military intervention. Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Tinubu, told RT in an exclusive interview on Monday that Washington must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and instead provide support through equipment and intelligence sharing.

Berlin’s aid to Kiev could reach €11.5 billion ($13.2 billion) next year, according to the agency’s sources

Germany is set to significantly increase its funding for Ukraine in 2026, Reuters has reported, citing government sources.

Berlin is Kiev’s largest EU backer, and has already provided it with around €40 billion ($46 billion) since the escalation of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia in February 2022.

According to Reuters, Berlin is considering an additional €3 billion ($3.5 billion) increase in 2026, meaning the overall amount of German aid could reach €11.5 billion ($13.2 billion) next year.

The German authorities had allocated €8.5 billion ($9.8 billion) for Ukraine in its budget for next year, although sources told Reuters on Tuesday that the sum will likely balloon by more than a third due to additional funds from the finance and defense ministries. Similar figures were reported by the Handelsblatt newspaper.

The extra money will cover artillery, drones, armored vehicles, and the replacement of two US-made Patriot air-defense systems, according to the agency’s sources.

“We will continue our support for as long as necessary,” one source told Reuters. 

The Ukrainian allocation ha been approved despite German Chancellor Frederich Merz acknowledging in August that the German economy is suffering a “structural crisis” with large sectors “no longer truly competitive.” 

The country’s economy saw two years of annual contraction in 2023 and 2024, partly due to the loss of cheap Russian energy as a result of EU sanctions on Moscow.

Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky last week thanked Merz for providing Kiev with an unspecified number of Patriot systems, saying that earlier agreements had been implemented.

In late October, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the German authorities of pursuing policies reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s objectives of dominating Europe and inflicting a strategic defeat on Moscow.

Speaking about Merz’s plans to make Germany the strongest army in Europe, Lavrov said “it is not just militarization – there are clear signs of re-nazification.”

Moscow has repeatedly said Western military aid to Zelensky’s government will not prevent it from achieving its goals in the Ukraine conflict, but only prolongs the fighting and increases the risk of a direct clash between Russia and NATO.

Ukraine’s military command apparently lies to the country’s leader about the state of the front, Moscow has said

Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky is either “divorced from reality” after being deceived by his military commanders or deliberately lies to his nation, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

The rebuke came in response to claims made by Zelensky about the situation in Kupyansk, where he said Moscow’s forces are being pushed back. The Russian military said the opposite was true.

“The head of the Kiev regime is fully divorced from reality and, after hearing untrue reports from [armed forces Commander-in-Chief Aleksandr] Syrsky has no command of the operative situation on the ground,” the Russian statement said.

”Alternatively, he realizes the desperate situation and the true position of the Ukrainian armed forces in Kupyansk. That is why he is trying to keep hiding the truth from the people of Ukraine and his Western sponsors at the cost of ignoble deaths of thousands of Ukrainian troops.”

The ministry suggested that Kiev could be stalling to secure and embezzle additional aid from the West. It added that the situation is only getting worse for Ukrainian soldiers, who are not given any options by their commanders to save their lives except surrendering to their Russian opponents.

Zelensky previously claimed that the Russian military presence near Kupyansk was limited to a mere 60 troops and that the Ukrainian military had a roadmap for completing a “swipe” of the area, which he declined to disclose.

The Ukrainian government has denied Russian reports that its forces are encircled in two specific areas on the front, with over 10,000 soldiers reportedly trapped. Last week Kiev deployed elite commandos near Krasnoarmeysk (also known as Pokrovsk), who reportedly suffered heavy losses in their attempt to shore up positions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin reported the dire situation for the Ukrainians near Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk (also known as Pokrovsk) in late October, urging Kiev to agree to an honorary surrender of the blockaded troops.

A low attendance is reportedly expected due to Washington’s increasingly aggressive stance in the region

Several European leaders have pulled out of a meeting between EU, Latin American, and Caribbean officials over concerns that their attendance could upset US President Donald Trump, the Financial Times has reported. The summit comes days after Trump imposed sanctions and ordered military action against Colombia, the host nation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron have opted out of the EU-CELAC summit next week in Santa Marta. The withdrawals follow Trump’s accusation that Colombian President Gustavo Petro was an “illegal drug dealer” and his order for US strikes on suspected narcotics boats in the Caribbean.

EU officials, still reliant on US military and intelligence support for Ukraine, are “wary of upsetting Trump” and jeopardizing a fragile trade deal agreed this summer, the FT reported on Monday.

A European Commission spokesperson said von der Leyen would not attend due to the current agenda and low turnout. Berlin cited similar reasons for Merz’s absence, while the Elysee Palace confirmed Macron’s decision without elaboration. A senior Latin American official told the FT that the meeting is suffering “last-minute cancellations,” calling the situation “very complicated.” Bloomberg also reported, citing people familiar with the planning, that only five European leaders and three Latin American and Caribbean leaders have confirmed they will attend.

Trump has ordered a significant naval buildup in the Caribbean, claiming it aims to fight drug trafficking and pressure Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The move followed last month’s sanctions against Petro, further straining the already tense US-Colombia relationship.

Petro, whose plane was denied fuel during a stop in Cape Verde last week due to the sanctions, said Washington was trying to undermine the summit. “The new anti-democratic fossil geopolitics is trying to stop the peoples who want freedom and democracy from meeting,” he wrote on X on Monday.

Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister Mauricio Jaramillo downplayed the situation, saying the cancellations were unrelated to Washington’s actions, adding, “Colombia is not isolated.”

Brazil’s Lula da Silva and Spain’s Pedro Sanchez will reportedly attend, while European Council President Antonio Costa is expected to co-chair the meeting.

The EU and CELAC represent 50 countries and 21% of global GDP. The summit is intended to discuss issues such as strengthening trade ties and fighting organized crime.

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo has conceded, but vowed to hold his rival’s administration accountable

Progressive Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani is projected to win the race for New York City mayor, according to estimates from CNN and NBC News with over 90% of the votes counted.

Polls have closed in New York, with the 34-year-old Uganda-born assembly member leading his rival, Andrew Cuomo, 50% to 41%. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa is on just over 7%.

More than two million voters cast their ballots in Tuesday’s election – the highest turnout for a New York mayoral race since 1969, according to the city’s Board of Elections.

The rise of Mamdani, who will become New York’s first Muslim mayor, has become a lightning rod across the political spectrum. On one side, he energizes younger and progressive voters by running on platforms such as housing affordability and wealth taxation. On the other, he is sharply criticized by moderates and Republicans who have labeled him “communist” for his populist socialist views.

In a bold intervention, US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Cuomo – a former New York governor and independent candidate who lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani. Trump also threatened to withhold federal funds from the city if Mamdani wins.

“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the election for mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing federal funds … other than the very minimum as required,” Trump declared on the eve of the vote.

Mamdani called out Trump by name in his victory speech, vowing: “To get to any of us you will have to get through all of us! When we enter city hall in 58 days, expectations will be high. We will meet them.”

Cuomo delivered a concession speech late on Tuesday, acknowledging his defeat and pledging to hold the incoming administration to account.

“Almost half of New Yorkers did not vote to support a government agenda that makes promises that we know cannot be met. This campaign as an independent after losing the Democratic primary was necessary to make that point – a caution flag that we are heading down a dangerous, dangerous road,” Cuomo added.

Dmitry Peskov says both Moscow and Beijing remain committed to moratoriums on nuclear detonations

The Kremlin has called for clarification from Washington following recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Russia and China are secretly conducting nuclear weapons tests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told RT on Tuesday that neither country has resumed such activities and that both remain committed to existing international agreements.

“We probably still need to receive some clarifications from the American side,” Peskov said. “Neither Russia nor China has resumed any nuclear tests. Moreover, both Moscow and Beijing insist that all countries remain committed to their obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.”

Peskov made the remarks days after Trump claimed in a televised interview that the US was the “only country that doesn’t test” nuclear weapons, and suggested that both Moscow and Beijing had resumed such activities.

He ordered the Pentagon last week to begin preparations to restart nuclear testing.

“What the head of the American state means, we simply cannot say right now, unfortunately,” the Kremlin spokesman added.

The US last carried out a full-scale nuclear test in 1992; a moratorium has been in place since then.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified on Sunday that the tests ordered by Trump would not involve live detonations, describing them as “non-critical” trials meant to ensure the reliability of aging components.

Despite Trump’s assertions, Russia’s most recent nuclear-related tests – including the launch of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone – did not involve nuclear explosions.

Putin has previously indicated that Russia would only consider resuming testing if other nuclear powers officially abandon the moratorium.

China’s Foreign Ministry has also denied conducting nuclear tests and has urged the US to uphold its obligations under the framework of the global test ban.

While Trump claimed the goal of renewed testing was to push for global denuclearization, he also boasted that the US possesses enough nuclear weapons “to blow up the world 150 times.”