Author: Anadolu Agency
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has no intention of firing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, though he renewed pressure on him to lower interest rates. “I have no intention of firing him,” Trump told reporters at the Oval Office. “I would like to see him be a little more active in terms of his idea to lower interest rates.” Calling it a “perfect time” to cut rates, Trump said that such a move would not be critical but would help the economy. “If he doesn’t, is it the end? No, it’s not. But it would be good…
Russian military intelligence orchestrated parcel fires targeting European air cargo shipments last year, German public broadcasters NDR and WDR reported on Wednesday. According to the exclusive report, German authorities and their European partners have identified several suspects following a fire at a DHL logistics center at Leipzig airport in July 2024. The suspects sent multiple packages containing incendiary devices from Lithuania — two parcels were destined for Poland and two for the UK, according to the investigators. During a stopover in Leipzig, one of the London-bound packages ignited. The incident occurred before the cargo was loaded onto the aircraft, and…
At least 39 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 51,305, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday. A ministry statement said that 105 more injured people were also transferred to hospitals, taking the number of injuries to 117,096 in the Israeli onslaught. “Many victims are still trapped under the rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” it added. The Israeli army resumed its deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip on March 18 and has since killed…
The EU reaffirmed on Wednesday that only Ukraine can determine the terms of a future peace settlement with Russia, amid ongoing peace talks in London with the efforts of France and the UK. Asked about talks, European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said during the midday briefing in Brussels that the discussions continue and the bloc is “in close contact” with it. “We welcome all efforts that respect the UN charter to bring peace to Ukraine, and our diplomatic efforts continue at all levels,” Mercier added. He stressed that the EU’s stance on peace talks remains unchanged and said that any…
Iran announced that expert-level technical talks with the US initially scheduled for Wednesday in Oman have been postponed to April 26. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei made the statement Tuesday, the official Iranian news agency IRNA reported. The decision was based on Oman’s suggestion and with the mutual agreement of the Iranian and US delegations, Baqaei said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the second round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US in Rome on April 19 as “constructive.” He said the four-hour session was mediated by Oman. Speaking to Iranian media after the conclusion of the…
A powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Türkiye on Wednesday, with the epicenter being Istanbul’s Silivri district, the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said. The quake hit at 12.49 local time (0949 GMT) and was felt strongly across Istanbul and neighboring provinces, prompting residents to flee buildings in fear. Another earthquake of magnitude 4.9 struck at 13.02 (10:02 GMT), with the epicenter off the coast of Buyukcekmece in the Sea of Marmara. AFAD said all relevant institutions and response teams had been mobilized and field scans were underway to assess potential damage and ensure public safety. “As of now,…
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that a prospective deal with China to recalibrate the trade relationship will be “fair” as the world’s top two economies continue to be locked in a simmering trade war. “We are going to have a fair deal with China. It’s going to be fair,” Trump said at the White House, claiming the relationship with China “got out of control” under his predecessors. The comments continue the president’s upbeat streak after saying Tuesday that negotiators would be “very nice” with Beijing. “I’m not gonna say ‘Oh, I’m gonna play hardball with China, I’m gonna play…
Russia delivered more than 1.5 million drones to its armed forces last year, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday, acknowledging it was still insufficient to meet the military’s growing needs. “More than one and a half million drones of various types were sent to the front line, including around 4,000 FPV virtually controlled drones,” Putin said at a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission in Moscow. Commending the Defense Ministry’s ongoing efforts, he admitted that more must be done to scale up production. “I know very well, and many of you here today know it just as well, that these weapons…
A British parliamentary inquiry into the Israel-Palestine conflict descended into a fiery and confrontational exchange on Tuesday when a pro-Israel lawyer clashed with senior MPs over the war in Gaza and Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. Natasha Hausdorff, director of UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), was asked by the members of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, which is currently conducting an inquiry into the UK government’s response to the ongoing conflict. The session, which was broadcast live by the parliament TV, quickly turned tense, particularly between Hausdorff and Labour MP Emily Thornberry, who chaired the committee. The session began with Thornberry…
Chile’s government maintained its projection for 2025 GDP growth at 2.5% on Wednesday amid growing global economic turmoil and uncertainty. In a presentation to Congress, Finance Minister Mario Marcel also said the average price of copper in 2025 is expected to be at $4.26 per pound, while average annual inflation is expected to be 4.4%.