Author: Anadolu Agency
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed bilateral relations and regional developments with his US counterpart Antony Blinken over the phone on Monday. In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said the contact dwelt on regional developments and efforts made in this regard, without giving any further details. There was no immediate comment from the US Department of State on the report. The Middle East region has seen escalating developments in recent weeks following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria and Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 45,800 people, mostly women and…
At least 32 dolphins have died from a fuel oil spill in Russia’s Black Sea since Dec. 15, a local animal rescue group reported Sunday. The Delfa Dolphin Rescue and Research Center said it had found 61 dead cetaceans since an emergency was declared, with 32 killed “likely due to the fuel oil spill” and the rest believed to be linked to older incidents. A regional emergency regime was declared in the region on Saturday. It said most deaths occurred within 10 days of the disaster, primarily affecting vulnerable Azov dolphins. “For this period of time (outside the release season)…
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot discussed developments in Syria and the need for a peaceful political process during a phone call on Monday. “I was pleased to have a phone conversation with France’s Foreign Minister. We exchanged views on the situation in Syria,” Hussein wrote on X. The two ministers emphasized the importance of initiating an inclusive political process in Syria that engages all components of its society, aligning their perspectives to prioritize regional stability, according to the post. Hussein added that they also discussed strengthening bilateral relations. Barrot proposed holding the Baghdad Conference…
Billionaire Elon Musk confirmed Saturday that Starlink applied to launch internet services in Pakistan but was “waiting for approval from the government.” It is in response to a post by a Pakistani netizen, Sanam Jamali, who said Starlink internet services could “leap” Pakistan “into the future, where every citizen has the chance to connect and grow.” “Please, let Starlink be our bridge to tomorrow,” Jamali urged the billionaire, who also owns the electric vehicle company, Tesla. Later, in a second post tagging Musk, Jamali claimed Pakistan had “approved Starlink!” “Now is the perfect time to bring your transformative internet service…
An Israeli soldier accused of committing war crimes during the Gaza war has fled Brazil where authorities were pressing for an investigation, local media said on Sunday. The investigation stems from a complaint filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), a Belgium-based organization advocating for justice for Palestinian victims, the Israeli public broadcaster KAN said. According to Israeli Channel 12, the complaint includes over 500 pages of evidence, including videos, geolocation data, and open-source intelligence, linking the soldier to destruction in Gaza. HRF called for the soldier’s immediate detention to prevent his escape or the destruction of evidence, the channel…
At least two Palestinians were killed and several others injured in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, medics said. The Civil Defense Agency said the body of a Palestinian was recovered and several people were injured after an Israeli strike that reduced a home to rubble in the southern city of Khan Younis. Another Palestinian was killed in Israeli bombardment in the northern town of Jabalia, a medical source said. Artillery shelling also targeted northwestern Rafah in southern Gaza and the western and northern parts of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, witnesses said. No information about…
Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday agreed to further boost economic, political, and cultural ties. This came during a meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Pakistan’s city of Rahim Yar Khan, where the latter arrived on his private visit. The two leaders also discussed a wide range of issues, including economic collaboration, regional stability, climate change, and the promotion of mutual interests on the global stage, said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. Sharif underscored Pakistan’s readiness to expand cooperation in sectors such as renewable…
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, accompanied by a high-level delegation, will pay a visit to Türkiye on Monday, a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and head of the Turkish Intelligence Organization İbrahim Kalın will hold a 3+3 format meeting with the Jordanian delegation. Jordanian Chief of Staff Major General Yousef Huneiti, and head of Intelligence Department Major General Ahmad Husni will also visit Ankara tomorrow, according to diplomatic sources. GAZA, SYRIA WILL BE DISCUSSED During the meeting, the diplomatic sources said, Fidan is expected to discuss Türkiye’s cooperation with Jordan…
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has confirmed that the US will impose ‘full sanctions’ on the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), a company largely owned by Russian energy giant Gazprom Neft. In an interview with Serbia’s Radio and Television (RTS), Vucic addressed ongoing concerns about possible US sanctions, confirming that they are expected to take effect in mid-January. According to him, the sanctions are not connected to Russia’s military activities or financial matters but appear to be aimed at pressuring Serbia to align more closely with US policies. Vucic pointed to two key uncertainties regarding the sanctions: whether they will target…
At least four people were killed and 32 others injured in an explosion on a passenger bus in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, local media reported on Saturday. CCTV footage aired by Geo News showed the passenger bus in flames after the explosion occurred in Turbat, a city in Balochistan. The nature of the blast has yet to be ascertained.