Author: Anadolu Agency

US President Donald Trump called Thursday for a 30-day “unconditional” ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, saying it must “ultimately build toward a peace agreement.” “Talks with Russia/Ukraine continue. The U.S. calls for, ideally, a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. “Hopefully, an acceptable ceasefire will be observed, and both Countries will be held accountable for respecting the sanctity of these direct negotiations,” he said on his Truth Social platform. Trump warned that if the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions. He said he will stay committed to securing peace between Russia and Ukraine together with the…

The trade war between the US and China may result in significant job losses in German industry, according to a recent research report released by Allianz Trade on Friday. The research says that if no agreement is reached in the trade dispute between Washington and Beijing, Chinese exporters will increasingly turn to European markets, particularly Germany. Jasmin Groschl, senior economist at Allianz Trade, has projected in the report that 17,000 to 25,000 manufacturing jobs will be lost in Germany due to Chinese goods being directed specifically to the country and increased competition. Groschl stated that especially mechanical engineering, textile industry,…

Tributes from Latin American leaders poured in Thursday after Robert Francis Prevost was elected the new leader of the Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV. Born in Chicago in 1955, Leo holds dual US and Peruvian nationality, having first arrived in the South American nation as a young Augustinian missionary and residing there for years. In his initial address as pope, Leo surprised the audience in St. Peter’s Square by speaking briefly in Spanish and expressing gratitude to the church in Peru. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte congratulated the pope on his election and acknowledged his significant work during his…

Four Palestinians were killed and others wounded in an Israeli airstrike Friday evening targeting an aid distribution facility of the UN refugee agency adjacent to a shelter for displaced people in the northern Gaza Strip. A medical source told Anadolu that at least four Palestinians died and others were injured when the Israeli army bombed the UNRWA aid center in Jabalia refugee camp. An Anadolu correspondent reported the targeted facility was near a former UNRWA clinic that had been converted into a shelter for displaced families after being rendered inoperable in previous Israeli bombardment. Eyewitnesses told Anadolu that rescue efforts…

Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov on Thursday said Moscow and Washington are moving closer to a potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, despite what he called “mutual disappointments” in their bilateral relations. “Yes, we probably disappoint them somewhere. They disappoint us too, perhaps even more than we disappoint them, and for a long time,” Ushakov told Russian state-run broadcaster Rossiya 1 journalist Pavel Zarubin. He said that while not all of Russia’s proposals are accepted, the Trump administration “understands Russia’s demands and goals.” Ushakov acknowledged that bilateral efforts are continuing and that both sides…

Kishi Ace, a hotel manager in Kyoto, Japan, said they require Israeli guests to sign a pledge affirming that they have not committed war crimes, to avoid remaining passive about the situation of children in Gaza. Calling Israel’s attacks on Gaza “totally unacceptable,” Kishi told Anadolu that such actions violate international law. Having worked for many years as a teacher and educated many students, Kishi said: “Whenever I see the pictures and the videos of the children killed in Gaza every day, and those, the vision overlaps with my own students. And so, I couldn’t just stay without doing nothing.…

Former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday sharply criticized the EU for failing to act over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, stating that “half of the bombs falling on Gaza are supplied by us.” Speaking after receiving the Carlos V European Award at the Yuste Monastery in Spain, Borrell said Europe is witnessing “the biggest ethnic cleansing operation since World War II,” aimed at creating a “holiday resort” after the elimination of Palestinians. He described the situation in Gaza as “genocide” and said the EU, despite having the means to protest and influence Israeli actions, is failing to…

North Korea conducted a joint strike drill to test ballistic missiles and long-range artillery, state-run media reported on Friday. Leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw Thursday’s exercise, which featured the 600 mm multi-layer rocket system and the Hwasongpho-11-Ka tactical ballistic missile, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The drill was aimed at enhancing the combat capabilities and coordination of long-range artillery and missile units stationed on the country’s eastern front. KCNA said the exercise was held in response to what it described as a series of “nuclear operation drills” by the United States and its allies, accusing them…

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Saturday, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Speaking to reporters on Friday, ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Araghchi will first travel to Riyadh for talks with senior Saudi officials, though no names were specified. The visit, he noted, is part of Iran’s “principled policy of strengthening relations with neighboring countries,” according to the official IRNA news agency. Later the same day, Araghchi is expected to head to Doha to participate in the Arab-Iranian Dialogue Forum. The duration of the forum has not been disclosed. His…

Leaders across Mexico and Central America have warmly welcomed the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church, hailing his appointment as a moment of hope and unity for the Americas. The Vatican announced Tuesday that American Cardinal Robert Prevost had been elected as the new Pope, taking the name Leo XIV. The decision came after two days of deliberations by the College of Cardinals following the death of Francis I, the first Latin American pope. In Mexico, where Catholicism remains deeply rooted, President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed congratulations on social media, reaffirming…