Ukrainian soldiers say compromises needed as they reflect on Trump-Zelensky clash
Soldiers of Ukraine's 92nd Assault Brigade reflected on Saturday on the open clash between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
A soldier known by the nickname "Edo" told the Associated Press that "many politicians don't even know what's going on here, that's why conflicts like yesterday happen."
"Edo" stressed that everyone should do their part, with soldiers focusing on the war, while politicians travel and negotiate to ensure that the troops have everything they need to destroy the enemy. He added that Zelenskyy has done a good job.
"I fully stand by the commander-in-chief (Zelensky)," he concluded.
PKK militant group declares ceasefire after 40 years of insurgency against Turkey
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has declared a ceasefire with Turkey, responding to a call by its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, to lay down his arms. The outlawed group's statement, published by the pro-PKK Firat Agency (ANF) on Saturday, is seen as a significant step towards ending a 40-year conflict with the Turkish state.
"To pave the way for the implementation of Leader Apo's (Ocalan) call for peace and a democratic society, we declare a ceasefire effective from today," the PKK executive committee statement said, quoted by ANF.
France to 'reexamine' 1968 migration pact with Algeria
French Prime Minister François Bayrou announced Wednesday that his government would “reexamine” a 1968 migration pact that has historically made it easier for Algerians to settle in France. Algeria’s Foreign Ministry reacted strongly on Thursday, warning that the country would not accept being treated “with ultimatums, warnings or threats.”
Tensions between Paris and Algiers have escalated since last Saturday, when an Algerian national, who had received a deportation order from France, killed one person and injured several others in a knife attack in the city of Mulhouse. “The tragedy in Mulhouse happened because this Algerian national was under a deportation order and presented himself for repatriation 14 times… and each time he was rejected,” Bayrou declared at a press conference on Wednesday.
Israel bans all goods and aid from entering Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office did not provide details on the decision, but warned of "additional consequences" if Hamas does not accept what Israel says is a US proposal to extend the ceasefire. Hamas, meanwhile, accused Israel of trying to break the fragile ceasefire and called the decision to cut aid "low-level blackmail, a war crime and an open attack on the (ceasefire) agreement."
Israel controls all of Gaza's border crossings, including the one with Egypt. The first phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which included increased humanitarian aid, ended on Saturday. The sides have yet to reach an agreement on a second phase, in which Hamas was expected to release dozens of remaining hostages in exchange for an Israeli military withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire.
