Author: Anadolu Agency

The US imposed sanctions on Antal Rogan, a senior Hungarian official, on Tuesday, citing his alleged involvement in systemic corruption. Rogan, a prominent member of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government and head of the Cabinet Office, is accused of orchestrating schemes to misappropriate public resources and enrich himself and his political allies. According to the US Treasury Department, Rogan exploited his official role to control key government entities and sectors of the Hungarian economy, directing benefits to loyalists within the ruling Fidesz party. The sanctions freeze all US-based assets linked to Rogan and prohibit American individuals or entities from conducting…

Outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Washington has been working with Türkiye, which “has very legitimate concerns,” regarding the PKK terror group and terrorism. “We’ve been working very closely as well with our ally, our partner … (Türkiye) which has very legitimate concerns, of course, about the PKK and about terrorism, to navigate this transition, to navigate it in a way that I think leads to a resolution of many of those concerns,” Blinken said in a joint news conference with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris. He emphasized efforts to address these challenges…

A British lawmaker has called for economic and military isolation of Israel to bring it to “some form of negotiated settlement,” and suggested the Israeli ambassador to the UK should face expulsion. Independent MP John McDonnell recalled the crippling situation in the Gaza Strip that has been exacerbated during harsh winter conditions. “We’ve witnessed over the Christmas period when we’re celebrating with our families, the scenes of children starving and freezing to death as a result of Israeli actions,” he said. Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, McDonnell said that the only solution that they have had in…

Türkiye’s permanent representative to the UN on Wednesday called for the removal of sanctions and delisting measures against Syria to support the country’s recovery. “While the end of the (Bashar) Assad regime brings hope for the Syrian people and the region, the challenges ahead remain immense,” Ahmet Yildiz said at a UN Security Council session on Syria. He said that Syrians endured “years of unimaginable suffering and widespread destruction” under the Assad regime. “We must ensure accountability for the human rights violations and uses of chemical weapons by the Assad regime.” “In light of the dramatically changed dynamics in Syria,…

With a baby gorilla falling unexpectedly into its hands at Istanbul Airport, the government is asking the public for help in giving him a good name. On social media, the Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Ministry invited public suggestions for the young ape with the hashtag #BenceIsmi or #MyNameOfChoice. The gorilla, a 5-month-old male, was discovered in a shipment from Nigeria, seeking to transit through Türkiye without the necessary documentation. On Dec. 22, the ape was seized by Turkish Customs Protection teams as part of their efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking. Following the confiscation, the critically endangered infant was handed…

Denmark’s King Frederik has updated the royal coat of arms to prominently feature symbols representing Greenland and the Faroe Islands, amid renewed tension over US interest in acquiring Greenland. The updated coat of arms replaces the traditional three crowns—symbolizing the historic Kalmar Union between Denmark, Norway, and Sweden—with a polar bear and a ram, representing Greenland and the Faroe Islands, local media reported on Monday. The royal household stated that the three crowns were removed as “it is no longer relevant,” underscoring Denmark’s focus on its modern territories. The announcement follows comments by US President-elect Donald Trump, who reignited controversy…

French military authorities have confirmed that 50 Ukrainian soldiers deserted while undergoing training in France, raising questions about discipline and cohesion within the “Anne de Kiev” brigade. Although the desertions occurred in France, officials described them as “marginal” in relation to the overall number of trainees, according to a recent report by Le Soir. A French military spokesperson stated that under French law, disciplinary matters fall under the jurisdiction of Ukrainian officials, limiting France’s ability to intervene in such cases. The French Ministry of the Armed Forces stressed that the training provided met Ukraine’s operational needs and was not connected…

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Tuesday that the visit of US President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming special envoy for Russia and Ukraine to Kyiv will take place “in due time.” “The meeting and visit of General (Keith) Kellogg are extremely important for us. I am sure that this meeting will take place in due time. We are in contact to clearly define the timeframe for its implementation and to fill it with maximum content,” Sybiha told a joint press conference with his Icelandic counterpart Katrin Gunnarsdottir in Kyiv. Sybiha said Kyiv hopes the first visits to Ukraine by officials…

The Algerian parliament accused French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday of “blatant interference” in the North African country’s internal affairs. Macron on Monday criticized Algeria, calling the detention of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal at Algiers airport in November a “disgraceful matter.” In a statement, the People’s National Assembly, the first house of parliament, called Macron’s remarks “irresponsible” and represented an “affront to Algeria’s sovereignty and dignity” in a case currently under judicial review under Algerian law. The statement termed Macron’s comments an “overt attempt to tarnish the image of Algeria and its sovereign institutions.” The assembly emphasized Algeria’s firm rejection…

Protesters gathered in front of the European Parliament building in Brussels on Monday to demand the release of prominent Palestinian doctor and human rights activist Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya by Israel. The demonstrators, mostly health workers, also chanted slogans condemning Israel’s genocide in Gaza and attacks on health facilities and workers, with some of them carrying Palestinian flags and banners. Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, north Gaza’s main health care facility, was detained by Israeli forces along with others during a raid on the hospital in December. The Israeli army has continued a genocidal war on Gaza…