Author: Anadolu Agency
NATO on Friday condemned Russia’s latest attacks on Kyiv, which reportedly caused significant damage, including to the diplomatic facilities of several countries. The organization reiterated its call for Russia to immediately cease hostilities against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure, and to end its ongoing war against Ukraine. Farah Dakhlallah, a NATO spokesperson, expressed the alliance’s grave concern over the escalating violence. “We condemn Russia’s attacks on Kyiv today and the damage caused to the diplomatic facilities of several countries,” she said on X. “We call on Russia to immediately cease all attacks on Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure and to end…
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock in Ankara on Friday. While the Turkish Foreign Ministry did not provide details of the meeting, Germany’s Federal Foreign Office had earlier indicated that discussions would focus on the Syrian peace process. During her visit to Türkiye, Baerbock is accompanied by Tobias Lindner, minister of state, and the Federal Foreign Office’s special coordinator for Syria. Fidan also separately received Tom Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, in the Turkish capital.
The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution demanding the protection of children during armed conflicts. The resolution, spearheaded by Malta, received the votes of all 15 members of the Council. Co-sponsored by over 100 UN member states, the resolution condemned all violations of international law regarding the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts. It urged all relevant parties to obey the international obligations related to the protection of children who might be affected by armed conflicts and urged for full cooperation with the UN. The resolution further demanded all member states, as well as the…
The US on Friday said it will no longer be pursuing $10 million “Rewards for Justice” bounty on the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. “I told him (HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa) we would not be pursuing the Rewards for Justice, reward offer that has been in effect for some years,” Barbara Leaf, the US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, told reporters following her meeting with HTS officials in Damascus. On her talk with al-Sharaa, Leaf said she had a “good”, “thorough” discussion on a range of regional issues as…
The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights for another six months. The resolution, jointly submitted by Russia and the US, received the support of all 15 members of the Council. With the adoption of the resolution, the UNDOF mandate, which was due to expire on December 31, was extended until June 30, 2025. The resolution stressed the need for both Israel and Syria to fully comply with the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, which aims to maintain the cease-fire and stability in the…
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned against Israeli aggression in the Middle East, as he called on all countries to take concrete action and isolate it on a global scale. Speaking at the D-8 summit in Cairo, Erdoğan said imposing an arms embargo and ending trade with Israel, isolating it internationally is crucial to hold Israel accountable for its violations in the region. “We see Israel’s steps that disregard Syria’s territorial integrity, including the expansion of illegal settlements in the Golan Heights,” he said. The president also called for a more coordinated response from Islamic countries, especially members of the D-8. …
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called on the international community to enhance its mechanisms to protect human rights in Syria following the fall of Bashar Assad regime. “The Middle East is being consumed by many fires. But today there is a flame of hope in Syria. That flame must not be extinguished. The people of Syria stand at a moment of history-and a moment of opportunity. That opportunity cannot be missed,” Guterres said at a news conference in the UN’s New York headquarters. Describing the Assad regime as “decades of brutal, dictatorial rule,” Guterres expressed solidarity with the people…
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday underlined Türkiye’s “very important role” in fostering inclusive dialogue in Syria. “I believe Türkiye, which has been a very clear supporter of the Syrian people and the Syrian resistance in Idlib, has a very important role to play in convincing the key Syrian actors,” Guterres said at a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York. He stressed the need to have “an inclusive process of dialogue,” and said: “We need to create the conditions that allow for a permanent cease-fire.” Guterres further noted the need to prevent the presence of the Daesh/ISIS…
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday cautioned about the risks of artificial intelligence (AI), urging international action to prevent misuse, particularly in global peace and security. “Artificial Intelligence is not just reshaping our world — it is revolutionizing it. Tasks that required years of human expertise are now completed in a heartbeat. But the risks are equally huge,” Guterres said at a UN Security Council session. He warned that AI’s rapid development is “outpacing our ability to govern it — raising fundamental questions about accountability, equality, safety and security.” “Artificial Intelligence without human oversight would leave the world blind, and…
The U.S. economy grew 3.1% in the third quarter, according to the Commerce Department’s third and final reading that was released Thursday. The GDP growth was revised upwards from the initial estimates of 2.8% and accelerated from 3% in the second quarter. The update showed higher estimates for exports and consumer spending, partially offset by a lower estimate for private inventory investment, the agency said in a statement. Imports, which reduce GDP, were also revised upward. The current dollar GDP increased 5% at an annual rate, or $358.2 billion, in the third quarter to $29.37 trillion, it said. The figure…