Author: Anadolu Agency

World leaders and national governments continued to extend their condolences to Türkiye over a fire accident at a ski resort which killed at least 76 people and injured 51 others. Türkiye declared national mourning on Wednesday over the losses from the fire that broke out in a hotel in the northern province of Bolu early Tuesday. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev extended condolences over the tragedy, and wished a speedy recovery to all those injured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also conveyed that they are deeply saddened by the fire, extending his condolences to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish…

Russia has begun “internal preparations” for a possible “contact” between President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Wednesday. “There is no agreement to establish contact for now. Internal preparations continue. When we probably hear something clearer and more concrete from Washington, then we will get down to coordinating schedules and technical matters,” Ryabkov said in an interview with Russian state news agency TASS. The official noted that Moscow would like to engage in communications with the US counterparts “very soon.” When asked about the appointment of a new Russian ambassador…

Taiwan on Wednesday reported that its undersea cable to the Matsu Islands near China has been completely disconnected due to the aging of the core wires. In a statement, the Ministry of Digital Affairs said that backup communication, including microwave communication, has been activated. “The Data Transmission Department has requested Chunghwa Telecom to activate microwaves to fully support communications between Taiwan and Matsu, and coordinate submarine cable ships to repair the Taiwan-Malaysia No. 2 and No. 3 submarine cables as soon as possible,” it said. The ministry said that the disconnected cable is expected to be restored before the end…

China Wednesday claimed it has never interfered in the Panama Canal amid threats of overtaking the shipping channel by the newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump, state media reported. Beijing has “not been involved in the management or operation of the Panama Canal,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in the Chinese capital. However, Mao said China “acknowledges Panama’s sovereignty over the canal and regards it as a permanently neutral international waterway.” Trump has threatened US will “retake” the Panama Canal. Trump last month claimed that “wonderful soldiers of China” were operating the Panama Canal “lovingly but illegally.” Trump…

The reconstruction of Ukraine, where Russia continues its “special military operation” since February 2022, will probably be the “project of the century,” the country’s foreign minister said Wednesday. “I would like to raise reconstruction in Ukraine. It will be, probably the project, project of the century. It will be also, it seems to me, a trigger for EU economy. It will be an opportunity for EU economy, for EU companies,” Andrii Sybiha told a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Damages in Ukraine are estimated at around €600 billion ($626 billion), he said, stressing that…

Illegal Israeli settlers launched attacks Monday on several Palestinian areas in the occupied West Bank, setting fire to homes, shops and vehicles, according to sources. Loui Tayem, the mayor of Al-Funduq, told Anadolu that “dozens of illegal settlers attacked citizens’ homes and vehicles on the outskirts of the village, burning one car and several other vehicles, as well as damaging multiple shops.” He described the situation as “tense,” adding, “We hear gunfire from time to time, but we cannot identify its source.” The Palestinian government radio station, Voice of Palestine, reported that the settlers carried out widespread assaults on the…

China on Tuesday called for a “new starting point” in ties with Washington under newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump, state media reported. Beijing is “willing to work with the new US administration… in line with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, maintaining communication, strengthening cooperation, properly managing differences, and driving greater progress in China-US relations from a new starting point,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in the Chinese capital. Guo was responding to questions about whether Beijing will invite Trump to visit China. Donald Trump returned to the White House on Monday for…

The secretary general of NATO and new European commissioner for defense and space have held a meeting in Brussels to discuss defense production and security. Mark Rutte on Monday welcomed Andrius Kubilius to NATO headquarters for a meeting with Allies in the North Atlantic Council, according to a statement issued by NATO. Rutte said such exchanges were important to foster transparency and political dialogue between NATO and the European Union, noting that they allow EU leaders to hear directly from non-EU allies. He highlighted that ramping up defense production, to deliver not just on commitments to Ukraine but also for…

Apple topped the most valuable brands in 2025, with a value of $574.5 billion, according to Brand Finance’s Global 500 2025 ranking, compiled by Anadolu. The company’s brand value rose from $516.6 billion in 2024 when it was also the highest-ranking brand on the list. Microsoft and Google followed with $461.1 billion and $413 billion, respectively, up 35% and 24%. Amazon was fourth at $356.4 billion, followed by Walmart with $137.2 billion, Samsung at $110.6 billion, TikTok/Douyin with $105.8 billion, Facebook with $91.5 billion, Nvidia with $87.9 billion and State Grid Corporation of China with $85.6 billion. The list showed…

Illegal Israeli settlers launched attacks Monday on several Palestinian areas in the occupied West Bank, setting fire to homes, shops and vehicles, according to sources. Loui Tayem, the mayor of Al-Funduq, told Anadolu that “dozens of illegal settlers attacked citizens’ homes and vehicles on the outskirts of the village, burning one car and several other vehicles, as well as damaging multiple shops.” He described the situation as “tense,” adding, “We hear gunfire from time to time, but we cannot identify its source.” The Palestinian government radio station, Voice of Palestine, reported that the settlers carried out widespread assaults on the…