Author: Anadolu Agency
Both Russia and Ukraine on Monday reported airstrikes in their respective countries as an Easter ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin expired at midnight without an extension. Ukraine’s Air Force claimed on Telegram that the country’s air defenses shot down 42 out of 96 drones launched by Russia overnight and that Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv were the regions affected. In the northeastern Kharkiv region, Governor Oleh Synyehubov wrote on Telegram that three separate missile strikes in the region’s front-line Kupiansk district resulted in damage to residential buildings. Meanwhile, Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak said that a fire broke out at…
The Palestinian resistance group Hamas said Monday that several Israeli soldiers were killed and injured in an ambush in Gaza City. The group’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said that its fighters had detonated a tunnel shaft after luring an Israeli force into it in the Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City. There was no immediate Israeli comment on the report. Earlier on Monday, the Qassam Brigade released a clip documenting its fighters targeting Israeli forces on Al-Awda Street east of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza on April 19. The Israeli army resumed its deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip…
The UN on Monday marked 50 days since Israel imposed a complete blockade on humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, warning of a rapidly deteriorating situation that is endangering the lives of civilians. “Today marks 50 days since the Israeli authorities have completely blocked incoming supplies of any kind into the Gaza Strip,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference. Citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Dujarric said: “Since early March, not a single truck carrying food, fuel, medicine or any other essentials have been allowed in no matter how critical they are…
Several Asian nations have offered condolences after Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88 after a prolonged illness, the Vatican announced on Monday. Pakistan’s President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences to the Vatican and the entire Catholic community on Francis’ death. The two paid tributes to his services, saying he would be remembered for his efforts in promoting peace, social justice, inter-faith dialogue, and the well-being of the most vulnerable communities worldwide. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he is “deeply pained” by the death of the pope. “In this hour of…
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday conveyed condolences over the death of Pope Francis, the spiritual head of the Catholic Church. “I join the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a messenger of hope, humility and humanity,” said Guterres in a statement. He described Pope Francis as a “transcendent voice for peace, human dignity and social justice,” highlighting his compassion toward people affected by conflict and poverty. Calling him “a man of faith for all faiths,” Guterres said the pope worked across backgrounds to promote unity and understanding. He recalled the pope’s 2015 visit to the…
US President Donald Trump said Sunday that “it’s good to see that the world knows we are serious” about addressing trade imbalances with other countries, claiming world leaders and business executives have been requesting relief from tariffs since they were announced earlier this month. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said his April 2 declaration of “Liberation Day” — which introduced reciprocal tariffs on countries he accuses of unfair trade practices — has prompted outreach from foreign governments and corporate leaders. “They must right the wrongs of decades of abuse, but it won’t be easy for them,”…
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Ömer Bolat said that his country would carry out tariff negotiations with the US in a constructive manner with mutual understanding. “The first contacts on this issue have already been made, and will be held at the ministerial level in the coming days,” Bolat said. He attended economic meetings along with other Turkish officials in the northern province of Giresun and spoke to reporters on Friday. Bolat said that US President Donald Trump’s tariff decisions and retaliatory measures by other countries have created a huge “dust cloud” in the global economy. “We think that we both do…
As the country’s federal election enters its final stretch, Muslim Canadians are making it clear that they want the next government to do more than merely acknowledge Islamophobia, calling for decisive action to combat it. The grim statistics underscore the dangers Muslims face in Canada, a country that, as of 2024, held the unfortunate distinction of experiencing the highest number of targeted killings of Muslims among G7 nations. Among these incidents was the killing of six Muslims at a Quebec mosque in 2017, and the deliberate murder of four members of a Muslim family, run down by a truck in…
The US and Philippines opened their annual military drills in disputed South China Sea on Monday amid ongoing tensions with Beijing. Named the “Super Bowl” of exercises in the region, the three-week “Balikatan,” or “shoulder to shoulder,” drills are being attended by more than 16,000 troops from both sides, the Philippine News Agency reported. The exercise includes an integrated air and missile defense simulation to be attended by President Ferdinand Marcos. Balikatan 25′ is taking place from April 21 to May 9 in Luzon Strait, which lies between Philippine’s Luzon island and Taiwan. A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with…
US President Donald Trump “values” talks with Japan, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Monday as the two allies negotiate a new trade agreement amid tariff threats from Washington. Trump’s “involvement shows that he values talks with Japan and intends to make decisions through his own leadership,” Ishiba told lawmakers in the Budget Committee, according to NHK News. He was responding to questions about Trump’s meeting with Akazawa Ryosei, Japan’s economic revitalization minister, who visited the White House last Wednesday for trade discussions. Ryosei was the first foreign trade negotiator hosted by Trump after the president announced a 90-day reprieve for…