NATO holds largest military exercise since Cold War; Saudi Arabia admits to journalist's murder

50,000 NATO troops begin largest exercise since Cold War

US armored vehicles cross the river by ferry to the exercise area in Norway. Photo:US Army

Tens of thousands of troops began the Trident Juncture 18 exercise in Norway on the morning of October 25. The exercise will last until November 23 and is intended to demonstrate that NATO remains united, despite doubts about the alliance's solidarity since Donald Trump became US president.AFPreport

Trident Juncture 18 brings together 50,000 soldiers, 10,000 combat vehicles, 65 warships and 250 aircraft from 31 countries, including 29 NATO members and 2 partner countries, Sweden and Finland. The exercise simulates a scenario of NATO troops defending a member country under invasion. This is NATO's largest exercise in 20 years.

Missing journalist case: Saudi Arabia admits it was “an assassination”

Saudi Public Prosecution ServiceSaudi Arabia announced that, based on information provided by Turkey, the suspects in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are being investigated for “attempted murder.” This is the first time the Saudi government hasArabia used the phrase “assassination” to describe the killing, which is seriously affecting the country's image.

In a brief statement, the Saudi Public Prosecution ServiceSaudi Arabia also said that investigations are still continuing. Journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi nationalSaudi Arabia and living in the US was murdered on October 2nd inside the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul, Türkiye. After his death, the Saudi governmentArabia has faced international pressure.

President Trump calls on US media to end "hostility"

US President Donald Trump at the White House. Photo: Reuters

US President Donald Trump has called on the media to end their "hostility" and "false attacks" in response to a series of pipe bombs sent to former US President Barack Obama, prominent Democratic lawmakers and CNN earlier in the day.

Speaking to supporters at a rally in Wisconsin on October 24, President Trump said public figures have a duty to tone down their rhetoric, after leading US Democrats accused him of ignoring violence and dividing Americans. "No one should carelessly compare political opponents to historical villains, but it's been done and it's been done all the time," Trump said. The US president also stressed that the media has a duty to end the hostility and the constant negative stories and sometimes false attacks.

Kurdish rebels 'uproot' Turkish soldiers' post in Iraq

The moment Kurdish militia attacked a Turkish military checkpoint. Photo taken from video:Almasdar News

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) released a video on October 24 of an attack on a Turkish military checkpoint in Diyala province, northern Iraq, according toAlmasdar News.In the video, two Turkish soldiers armed with machine guns are stationed in a bunker on a rocky outcrop. PKK gunmen take advantage of the terrain, secretly approach and throw two grenades at the bunker, killing one Turkish soldier instantly. The second soldier jumps out of the bunker and runs away but is shot dead by the rebels shortly afterwards. The PKK quickly confiscates the captured guns and ammunition after the battle and takes control of the position.

Since 2015, Türkiye has secretly sent a military unit to northern Iraq to support the Kurds in the fight against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) and to prevent the expansion of the PKK, a political force demanding independence for the Kurds in the border area and listed as a terrorist organization by Ankara.

North Korea pledges to fully implement agreements with US, South Korea

North Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Hyong-ryong (right). Photo: bta.bg

Speaking at the 8th Xiangshan Security Forum in Beijing, China, Vice Minister Kim Hyong-ryong emphasized that the US-North Korea summit in Singapore last June was a momentous event that opened a new era for the two countries to put aside their hostile relations and strengthen their friendship. He affirmed North Korea's firm determination to build peace in the region and let the world know about the country through the full implementation of the North Korea-US statement issued on June 12. He also said that the content of peace was also clearly stated in the Pyongyang Joint Declaration that the leaders of the two Koreas reached last September.

Also in his speech, Vice Minister Kim Hyong-ryong emphasized North Korea's desire to develop its economy, improve people's lives, and contribute to building peace and stability in the region. Pyongyang also called on other countries to actively support the current trend of "dialogue and cooperation" in the region.

Diplomat SW Zewde becomes Ethiopia's first female president

Ethiopia's first female President Sahle-Work Zewde. Photo:bbc.com

Ms. Zewde, 68, previously served as Ethiopia's ambassador to France, Djibouti and Senegal. Before being elected President, the politician was the top United Nations official at the African Union. She is fluent in English and French.

Israel fires missiles in response to Hamas in Gaza Strip

Early on October 25, Israeli fighter jets launched missiles at several facilities of the armed Islamic movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a rocket launch from this land into Israel.

Israeli aircraft struck several rocket launchers and Hamas facilities in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, damaging them and some nearby structures, according to Israeli security officials and witnesses. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Yemen facing "worst famine in human history"

A Yemeni mother and her 6-year-old son in a hospital in the port city of Hodeida. Photo:Reuters.

The UN's Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock, has warned that the famine in Yemen could be "the worst any humanitarian expert has ever seen." Mr Lowcock said the lives of many people in the Middle Eastern country were "clearly at risk" from famine, and that some 14 million people, or half of Yemen's population, could soon be completely dependent on aid to survive.

Lowcock said fierce fighting in the port city of Hodeida, which has been a major food entry point, was threatening aid. He called for a ceasefire around the ports and for ships carrying aid to pass safely across the country. The fighting has hampered the flow of goods into Yemen. Even as the United Nations ramps up aid to some 8 million people, aid workers are unable to reach everyone who is starving.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister charged with 6 more crimes

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will appear in court next year. Photo: Reuters

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his former senior finance official Serigar Abdullah were charged on October 25 with six counts of breach of trust involving a government fund worth 6.6 billion ringgit ($1.58 billion). If convicted, each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine and caning. However, Najib and Irwan may be exempted from caning because they are over 50 years old, according to Reuters.

Prosecutors suspect the two of wrongdoing involving 220 million ringgit in government funds for state-owned company KLIA Berhad and 1.3 billion ringgit for an aid and subsidy program. Former prime minister Najib and Mr Irwan are also accused of wrongdoing involving 5.12 billion ringgit in government funds. Mr Najib has previously faced 32 charges of money laundering, corruption and breach of trust in connection with the state investment fund 1MDB. Mr Najib has long denied all charges.