Author: Anadolu Agency

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen gave the leader of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), Herbert Kickl, a mandate to form a new government with the Austrian People’s Party (OVP) after talks on Monday. In a press conference on Monday in Vienna, Van der Bellen said: “I did not take this step lightly.” “One of the most important tasks of the Federal President is to ensure that the country has a federal government,” he said. Last week, coalition talks between the OVP under the incumbent Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer and the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPO) and…

Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks in Abu Dhabi on Monday with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani on bilateral relations and recent developments in Syria. Shaibani arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) early Monday on his first visit to the Gulf country since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime last month. The talks between the two sides took up ways to enhance relations between the two countries, the situation in Syria and latest regional developments, the state news agency WAM reported. Bin Zayed reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering support for Syria’s independence and sovereignty…

Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has said the protection granted to Syrians in Germany will be reviewed. “In accordance with our laws, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) will review and revoke protection if it is determined that, due to the stabilization of the situation in Syria, people no longer need this protection in Germany,” Faeser said speaking to Funke Media Group. She added that this would also apply to those without residency rights based on employment or education and who do not voluntarily return to Syria. “Everyone who is well-integrated, employed, has learned German, and has built…

Migrants crossing the English Channel to the UK have been reported for the first time in 2025, according to the Home Office data. The latest figures released on Sunday showed a total of 61 people were detected crossing the English Channel via a small boat on Friday. This marked the first Channel crossing of the new year after five days of no crossings since Dec. 29 when 291 migrants arrived in the UK soil in six boats. According to the Home Office the number of migrants arriving in the country via the English Channel increased by 25% in 2024 compared…

At least two Palestinians were killed and several others injured in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, medics said. The Civil Defense Agency said the body of a Palestinian was recovered and several people were injured after an Israeli strike that reduced a home to rubble in the southern city of Khan Younis. Another Palestinian was killed in Israeli bombardment in the northern town of Jabalia, a medical source said. Artillery shelling also targeted northwestern Rafah in southern Gaza and the western and northern parts of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, witnesses said. No information about…

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has confirmed that the US will impose ‘full sanctions’ on the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), a company largely owned by Russian energy giant Gazprom Neft. In an interview with Serbia’s Radio and Television (RTS), Vucic addressed ongoing concerns about possible US sanctions, confirming that they are expected to take effect in mid-January. According to him, the sanctions are not connected to Russia’s military activities or financial matters but appear to be aimed at pressuring Serbia to align more closely with US policies. Vucic pointed to two key uncertainties regarding the sanctions: whether they will target…

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, accompanied by a high-level delegation, will pay a visit to Türkiye on Monday, a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and head of the Turkish Intelligence Organization İbrahim Kalın will hold a 3+3 format meeting with the Jordanian delegation. Jordanian Chief of Staff Major General Yousef Huneiti, and head of Intelligence Department Major General Ahmad Husni will also visit Ankara tomorrow, according to diplomatic sources. GAZA, SYRIA WILL BE DISCUSSED During the meeting, the diplomatic sources said, Fidan is expected to discuss Türkiye’s cooperation with Jordan…

An Israeli soldier accused of committing war crimes during the Gaza war has fled Brazil where authorities were pressing for an investigation, local media said on Sunday. The investigation stems from a complaint filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), a Belgium-based organization advocating for justice for Palestinian victims, the Israeli public broadcaster KAN said. According to Israeli Channel 12, the complaint includes over 500 pages of evidence, including videos, geolocation data, and open-source intelligence, linking the soldier to destruction in Gaza. HRF called for the soldier’s immediate detention to prevent his escape or the destruction of evidence, the channel…

Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday agreed to further boost economic, political, and cultural ties. This came during a meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Pakistan’s city of Rahim Yar Khan, where the latter arrived on his private visit. The two leaders also discussed a wide range of issues, including economic collaboration, regional stability, climate change, and the promotion of mutual interests on the global stage, said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. Sharif underscored Pakistan’s readiness to expand cooperation in sectors such as renewable…

Billionaire Elon Musk confirmed Saturday that Starlink applied to launch internet services in Pakistan but was “waiting for approval from the government.” It is in response to a post by a Pakistani netizen, Sanam Jamali, who said Starlink internet services could “leap” Pakistan “into the future, where every citizen has the chance to connect and grow.” “Please, let Starlink be our bridge to tomorrow,” Jamali urged the billionaire, who also owns the electric vehicle company, Tesla. Later, in a second post tagging Musk, Jamali claimed Pakistan had “approved Starlink!” “Now is the perfect time to bring your transformative internet service…