Pashinyan in Tehran
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is in Iran on an official visit aimed at expanding bilateral ties. Pashinyan received a formal welcome from Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi a short while ago. During the welcome ceremony at the Sa’dabad Palace, the national anthems of the two countries were performed. The two top officials then inspected the guard of honor. Pashinyan and Raeisi have held a meeting to discuss Tehran-Yerevan ties. Several cooperation agreements have been signed as well. Pashinyan’s visit comes on the heels of a trip by the Iranian Foreign Minister to Armenia. During the October visit, Amir-Abdollahian opened an Iranian consulate general in Armenia’s southernmost city of Kapan, near the Iranian border.
Russia missile strikes
The Ukrainian army says Russia has hit the country with a volley of 55 cruise missiles as well as other ammunition. The army says the Monday attacks hit civilian targets. Ukraine’s presidential advisor has described the strikes as one of the largest since the war began in February. Officials say the strikes left hundreds of areas across Ukraine without power. Russian President Vladimir Putin says the attack was a partial response to drone strikes on the country’s Black Sea Fleet. Putin says Russia could have done more. Putin has blamed Ukraine for the attacks that prompted Moscow to suspend a deal to allow Ukrainian grain exports despite the war.
Seoul Halloween disaster
South Korea promises a speedy inquiry into the recent Halloween crush in the capital Seoul, in an attempt to calm public anger over the deadly incident. In a parliamentary address, Interior Minister Lee Sang-Min apologized to the public and pledged to make sure such disasters do not happen again. He has faced fierce criticism for stating that the deployment of more police would not have prevented the tragedy. The police chief has also acknowledged police missteps that contributed to the incident.