Author: Anadolu Agency
Russia is maintaining a dialogue with Türkiye to discuss Syria’s future after the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime, Russia’s consul general in Istanbul said Tuesday. Speaking at a year-end press briefing, Consul General Andrey Buravov emphasized the importance of collaboration between the countries, given their longstanding ties with Syria. “We are discussing what can be done under these new circumstances, considering our traditional friendship with Syria and its people,” the Russian envoy said. Recalling previous bilateral and multilateral engagements between Ankara and Moscow aimed at normalizing the situation in Syria, Buravov added: “Contacts between our countries continue in different formats…
The Pentagon strongly denied having any role in the assassination of a senior Russian general and his aide in Moscow on Tuesday. Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that the Defense Department was “not aware of this operation in advance.” “We do not support or enable those kinds of activities. I’ve seen the reports, but don’t really have any information to provide other than what I’ve seen in the press,’ he added. Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense Forces, was killed early Tuesday along with his assistant when an explosive device planted…
Two Chinese astronauts set a new global record for the longest spacewalk, surpassing the previous milestone held by American astronauts. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that the crew of the Shenzhou-19 mission completed their first extravehicular activity on Tuesday outside the Tiangong Space Station. “Over nine hours, they carried out multiple tasks, setting a new record for the longest extravehicular activity by Chinese astronauts,” the CMSA said. Astronauts Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong completed the spacewalk at 9:57 p.m. Beijing time (1357GMT). The previous record of eight hours and 56 minutes was set on March 11, 2001, by…
Five Palestinians from Gaza, the West Bank, and the US on Tuesday sued the US government to stop supplying aid to the Israeli military, citing human rights abuses, according to a report. The lawsuit claims the US State Department violated a federal law banning funding for foreign military units involved in extrajudicial killings and torture, Al Jazeera reported. “The State Department’s calculated failure to apply the Leahy Law is particularly shocking in the face of the unprecedented escalation of Israeli (human rights violations) since the Gaza War erupted on October 7, 2023,” the lawsuit says. The lead plaintiff, a Gaza…
France has expressed support for the European Union’s first sanctions package addressing Russia’s “destabilization operations” abroad. The Foreign Ministry in a statement on Tuesday said it “hails” the Foreign Affairs Council’s adoption of the 15th package of EU sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine, as well as the first package of sanctions aimed at “Russian actors involved in destabilization operations.” The sanctions target 16 individuals and three entities that “contribute to information manipulation campaigns in Europe and Africa,” the statement said, adding: “France was fully involved in determining these sanctions, and actors taking part in destabilization operations aimed…
NATO on Wednesday reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty, security, and stability during a high-level meeting at its headquarters in Brussels. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed Zeljka Cvijanovic, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency chairwoman, emphasizing the alliance’s nearly three-decade-long partnership with the country and the Western Balkans. “Bosnia and Herzegovina can count on NATO’s unwavering support,” Rutte said during a joint press conference. “As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement next year, our commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina and regional stability remains firm. We strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of your country.…
Russia on Wednesday blasted a new package of European Union sanctions over the Ukraine war as against the law. “These measures are unlawful and illegal,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters during a press briefing in the capital Moscow. Saying that the sanctions package is aimed at both Russian and foreign economic operators and public figures, Zakharova said such moves by the EU continue to harm Moscow. The new 15th package of sanctions “essentially poses an additional threat to global, not only ours and Europe’s, but global energy security and the stability of world economic relations.” “These measures…
NATO’s new Ukraine command in Germany has started operations, the military alliance announced on Wednesday. “This is a good day for Ukraine and a good day for NATO,” Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli said in a statement. He said the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) in Wiesbaden has now begun assuming responsibilities from the US and international organizations. “The work of NSATU-to coalesce Allied and partner support-is designed to place Ukraine in a position of strength, which puts NATO in a position of strength to keep safe and prosperous its 1 billion people in…
Heathrow Airport announced a nearly $3 billion investment Wednesday to upgrade facilities and improve the passenger experience, according to a statement. The investment is planned to be used over the next two years to contribute to the airport’s efforts in decarbonization and contract opportunities for businesses and small- and medium-sized enterprises in the UK. The airport in London aims to improve capabilities in all terminals and in many areas, such as baggage delivery and projects to ensure on-time arrivals.
Indonesia’s anti-corruption agency, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), raided the headquarters of Bank Indonesia on Monday evening as part of an investigation into the alleged misuse of social responsibility funds intended for community projects. A spokesperson for the agency, Tessa Mahardhika, confirmed the raid on Tuesday, stating, “Yes, the KPK investigative team conducted a search at Bank Indonesia’s office last night,” the Jakarta Globe reported. The investigation, which has been ongoing since September, focuses on how these funds—earmarked for community initiatives such as housing, infrastructure, and places of worship—were allegedly diverted for personal gain. KPK Director of Investigations Asep Guntur…