Author: Anadolu Agency

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…

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday said his country will analyze proposals for a moratorium between Moscow and Kyiv on strikes against civilian infrastructure in each other’s countries. “As for the proposal not to hit civilian infrastructure facilities, this needs to be sorted out,” Putin told journalists in Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed on Sunday a halt to strikes on civilian infrastructure for a period of at least 30 days, with the possibility of an extension. “If Russia does not agree to such a step, it will be proof that it intends to continue doing only those things which…

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid warned Sunday of potential “political murder” within the country, holding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for inciting violence, according to Israeli media. “We are exposed to political murder from within, and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar is at the top of the list of those getting (assassination) threats,” he said, Israel Hayom newspaper reported. Bar has been at the center of a political firestorm since the Israeli government decided to dismiss him on March 20. The Supreme Court later suspended the decision pending a review of legal petitions filed by the opposition. Lapid criticized Bar’s…

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,”…

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Church, announced his death from the Casa Santa Marta building in the Vatican on Monday. “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” he said. Tributes have poured in from leaders across Latin America, where a majority of the population identifies as Catholic and where Pope Francis was perceived as…

Türkiye’s external assets totaled $378.2 billion as of the end of February, up 3% year-on-year, official figures from the Central Bank showed on Monday. The country’s liabilities against non-residents were at $657.2 billion, down 1.5% compared to February last year, the bank said. Türkiye’s net international investment position (NIIP)-assets minus liabilities-was at minus $279 billion, down $9.7 billion. Reserve asset items were at $165.4 billion, up 6.6% compared to the previous year. As for sub-items under assets, direct investments were at $72.6 billion, rising 2%, while other investments totaled $136.2 billion, down 0.5%. Foreign exchange deposits of resident banks held…

During Israel’s 18-month-long war in Gaza, Pope Francis made a daily phone call to Gaza’s only Catholic parish, offering prayers and words of comfort. In his final address and public appearance on Easter Sunday, he called for a ceasefire in Gaza, reiterating his unwavering appeal for peace in the besieged Palestinian enclave. On Monday, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died at the age of 88. He suffered a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis” associated with thrombocytopenia, according to a previous Vatican statement. Pope Francis is seen as a symbol of…

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…

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a law ratifying a strategic partnership deal signed between Moscow and Tehran earlier this year. The document was published on the Russian government portal. The signing of the law follows the ratification of the deal by the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of parliament, during a plenary meeting on April 16. The State Duma, the country’s lower house of parliament, also ratified the deal on April 8. On Jan. 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 20-year comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in Moscow. Putin said during a press…

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…