Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has urged Europe to adopt credible security guarantees for Ukraine, warning they must be strong enough to deter Moscow. Speaking ahead of the UN General Assembly, Stubb said these guarantees would mean Europe directly confronting Russia if it attacked again. He stressed that deterrence only works if it is both plausible and powerful, signaling that Ukraine’s future security will require firmer European commitments.
HAMAS RELEASES ‘FAREWELL PHOTO’ OF 47 HOSTAGES
Hamas on Saturday shared a compilation picture of 47 remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza, calling it a farewell image. Each ho
stage was labelled “Ron Arad”, referencing the Israeli Air Force navigator captured in 1986, and numbered. The image accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of rejecting a ceasefire-hostage deal and blamed the IDF Chief of Staff for pushing ahead with the Gaza invasion despite his alleged opposition.
TALIBAN REJECTS TRUMP’S PLAN TO ‘TAKE BACK’ BAGRAM
The Taliban on Sunday (Sep 21) firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s announcement about “taking back” Afghanistan’s Bagram air base, calling
such a deal “not possible.” Taliban Armed Forces Chief of Staff Fasihuddin Fitrat warned that any hostility would trigger the group’s “strongest” response. Echoing the stance, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi declared that “not even one metre of Afghan land will be given to Americans.”
UK TO RECOGNIZE PALESTINIAN STATE
The UK is set to recognize a Palestinian state later today, after Israel failed to meet British PM Keir Star
mer’s conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza. The announcement will g
o ahead despite pressure from US politicians and families of Israeli hostages, who argue recognition amounts to rewarding terror. Meanwhile, Canada and France plan to announce recognition at next week’s UN General Assembly, adding to international pressure on Israel over the war and starvation crisis in Gaza.
CHINA, TALIBAN SLAM TRUMP OVER BAGRAM AIR BASE
China and the Taliban strongly rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington is considering retaking Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Base due to its proximity to China’s nuclear infrastructure. Beijing emphasised that Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territo
rial integrity must be respected, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian warning against “stirring up tension and confrontation” in the region. Earlier, Afghan Foreign Ministry diplomat Zakir Jalaly said the Afghan people would never accept a return of US troops, dismissing Trump’s claim of talks with Kabul.
