Author: Anadolu Agency

Six Turkish citizens who were onboard a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship that reportedly came under a drone attack in international waters off Malta returned to Türkiye over the weekend, sources within the Foreign Ministry said Monday. The sources said they are all in good health. Efforts are being carried out in cooperation with Maltese authorities to transfer other Turkish citizens onboard to a safe location, the sources added. The Conscience, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, caught fire after reportedly being struck by drones early Friday while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Maltese government confirmed the fire was contained…

The second “Ship of Goodness,” carrying 1,605 tons of food, clothing and hygiene supplies from Türkiye to Sudan, arrived at Port Sudan on Monday, as the country continues to grapple with a deepening humanitarian crisis. The humanitarian ship, dispatched by the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), was welcomed with an official reception ceremony at Port Sudan, attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Khartoum Fatih Yıldız, IHH Board Member Mehmet Enes Arıkan, Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Selva Adem, and local officials. Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Yıldız said this was the fourth humanitarian ship sent from Türkiye since the beginning of the…

The US Federal Reserve is expected to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Wednesday, as signs of cooling inflation and stable job growth clash with renewed pressure from President Donald Trump for aggressive rate cuts. After months of tariffs and political attacks, Trump has intensified criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, accusing him of failing to act swiftly as economic risks mount. Despite growing recession concerns, labor market indicators have remained resilient. Analysts say the Fed is likely to maintain the federal funds rate at 4.25%-4.5% as it weighs slowing inflation against geopolitical and political pressure. US Labor Department…

The Pentagon has approved a new $17.2 million agreement for Lockheed Martin to provide Greece with support for its inclusion in the multination F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Under the contract, the defense contractor will “provide engineering and technical support, program management, non-recurring unique requirements, and training in support of integration efforts for the government for Greece as an F-35 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer,” the Pentagon said in a statement Monday. The contract is expected to be completed by May 2028 and includes work at several sites across the US, including the states of California, Texas, Florida, Maryland and…

Shares of US media companies fell Monday after US President Donald Trump announced his plans to impose a 100% import tariff on all films produced in countries outside the US. Shares of Netflix, the US-based streamer with a global production network that produces content for a global audience, fell 1.66% as of 1615GMT. Broadcasting platform Paramount’s shares lost over 1%, while Warner Bros Discovery’s shares dropped 1.52%. In addition, shares of movie theater operator Cinemark fell 2.64%, and shares of Canadian-based production company IMAX were down 3.22%. On Sunday, Trump announced a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the…

Istanbul’s traffic congestion is costing the city’s economy an estimated $6 billion to $7 billion a year, experts warned, urging authorities to shift focus from building roads to managing demand. In an interview with Anadolu, Selim Dundar, an associate professor of civil engineering at Istanbul Okan University, said the city’s traffic system is overwhelmed because the number of vehicles has exceeded the capacity of its roads. “The more vehicles there are, the heavier the traffic gets,” Dundar said. He noted that illegal parking, unsafe lane changes and other driving violations contribute to the problem. Traffic congestion affects more than commute…

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday for talks aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and discussing regional developments, according to sources from Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry. Fidan is expected to focus on efforts to restore a cease-fire in Gaza and ensure the continuous flow of humanitarian aid. The discussions will also address the broader humanitarian crisis in the enclave. Fidan is expected to stress the need for increased pressure on Israel to achieve a lasting cease-fire and reaffirm Türkiye’s opposition to any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from their homeland. He will…

The U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reappointed Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar of Colombia as his personal envoy on Cyprus, the world body announced Friday. Holguin, a former Colombian foreign minister, previously held the same role from January to July 2024. Following an informal meeting on the Cyprus issue held in Geneva in March, Guterres requested Holguin to reengage with the parties and advise him on the way forward, according to a U.N. statement. “Ms. Holguin brings extensive diplomatic experience at the highest levels, including as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia (2010-2018),” the statement said. Holguin has held several senior…

US technology giant Apple’s revenue and profits increased in the fiscal 2025 second quarter ended March 29, according to a company statement Thursday. The company’s revenue increased by 5% year-on-year to $95.4 billion during the period. It generated a net profit of $24.8 billion in the quarter, up from $23.6 billion in the same period of 2024. Apple’s earnings per share also increased to $1.65 from $1.53 in the period. The company’s revenue and net profit exceeded market expectations. Meanwhile, iPhone sales rose nearly 2% year-on-year to $46.8 billion in the three-month period ending March 29. In the same period,…

Türkiye’s defense and aviation exports saw new peaks in April, the head of the country’s Defense Industries Secretariat announced Friday. “In April 2025, our defense and aerospace industry exported $539 million worth of goods, up 54%,” Haluk Görgün said on X. Exports jumped 67% this January-April to $2.24 billion, while the total for the last 12 months rose 42% to $7.64 billion. “These figures are not just a momentary success; they are an indication of a rise that is sustained with determination and supported by strategic steps,” Görgün said. “The Defense Industries Secretariat is working with all our might to…