Author: Anadolu Agency
France has expressed support for the European Union’s first sanctions package addressing Russia’s “destabilization operations” abroad. The Foreign Ministry in a statement on Tuesday said it “hails” the Foreign Affairs Council’s adoption of the 15th package of EU sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine, as well as the first package of sanctions aimed at “Russian actors involved in destabilization operations.” The sanctions target 16 individuals and three entities that “contribute to information manipulation campaigns in Europe and Africa,” the statement said, adding: “France was fully involved in determining these sanctions, and actors taking part in destabilization operations aimed…
Heathrow Airport announced a nearly $3 billion investment Wednesday to upgrade facilities and improve the passenger experience, according to a statement. The investment is planned to be used over the next two years to contribute to the airport’s efforts in decarbonization and contract opportunities for businesses and small- and medium-sized enterprises in the UK. The airport in London aims to improve capabilities in all terminals and in many areas, such as baggage delivery and projects to ensure on-time arrivals.
NATO’s new Ukraine command in Germany has started operations, the military alliance announced on Wednesday. “This is a good day for Ukraine and a good day for NATO,” Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli said in a statement. He said the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) in Wiesbaden has now begun assuming responsibilities from the US and international organizations. “The work of NSATU-to coalesce Allied and partner support-is designed to place Ukraine in a position of strength, which puts NATO in a position of strength to keep safe and prosperous its 1 billion people in…
Russia on Wednesday blasted a new package of European Union sanctions over the Ukraine war as against the law. “These measures are unlawful and illegal,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters during a press briefing in the capital Moscow. Saying that the sanctions package is aimed at both Russian and foreign economic operators and public figures, Zakharova said such moves by the EU continue to harm Moscow. The new 15th package of sanctions “essentially poses an additional threat to global, not only ours and Europe’s, but global energy security and the stability of world economic relations.” “These measures…
NATO on Wednesday reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty, security, and stability during a high-level meeting at its headquarters in Brussels. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed Zeljka Cvijanovic, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency chairwoman, emphasizing the alliance’s nearly three-decade-long partnership with the country and the Western Balkans. “Bosnia and Herzegovina can count on NATO’s unwavering support,” Rutte said during a joint press conference. “As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement next year, our commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina and regional stability remains firm. We strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of your country.…
French lawmakers have passed a special law to keep essential government functions running, following a political crisis that resulted in the ousting of former Prime Minister Michel Barnier in a no-confidence vote in parliament. The bill was unanimously approved by 481 lawmakers in the National Assembly on Monday, with parliamentarians from the far-left France Unbowed party abstaining. The special law will now be debated in the Senate, the upper house of parliament, on Wednesday. The legislation enables the government to levy taxes and continue social security operations based on the previous year’s budget, avoiding a financial shutdown. The law also…
Indonesia’s anti-corruption agency, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), raided the headquarters of Bank Indonesia on Monday evening as part of an investigation into the alleged misuse of social responsibility funds intended for community projects. A spokesperson for the agency, Tessa Mahardhika, confirmed the raid on Tuesday, stating, “Yes, the KPK investigative team conducted a search at Bank Indonesia’s office last night,” the Jakarta Globe reported. The investigation, which has been ongoing since September, focuses on how these funds—earmarked for community initiatives such as housing, infrastructure, and places of worship—were allegedly diverted for personal gain. KPK Director of Investigations Asep Guntur…
Syrians who sought refuge in Türkiye during the 13-year civil war are continuing to return home on Tuesday following the collapse of the 61-year Baath Party regime. They are crossing through the Cilvegozu, Yayladagi, and Zeytindali border gates in Türkiye’s southeastern province of Hatay, bordering northern Syria. At the Cilvegozu Border Gate in Reyhanli, Syrians wait in orderly lines for customs procedures, guided by corridors set up by gendarmerie forces to maintain order. Teams from the provincial migration office assist returnees in transporting their belongings, including clothes and household items, using wheeled carts. Once customs procedures are complete, Syrians cross…
The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, has begun investigating a mass grave discovered on Tuesday near Damascus’ Baghdad Bridge neighborhood. Documented by Anadolu, the mass grave contains trenches filled with human remains and sacks marked with prison codes, indicating that the victims likely died due to torture or in notorious prisons such as Sednaya. Following the grim discovery, White Helmets teams began securing the site and recovering the remains, which were thought to be victims of the Assad regime’s brutal torture. The mass grave is part of the ongoing search and recovery efforts in Syria following…
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.3 in magnitude struck 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) west of Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, early Tuesday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor in the South Pacific island nation occurred at a depth of 43 kilometers (26.7 miles), USGS said. Geoscience Australia also reported a magnitude of 7.3 with a depth of 54 kilometers (33.5 miles), while New Zealand’s earthquake authority estimated the quake at a magnitude of 7.7. The earthquake occurred at 0147GMT. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, and no tsunami warnings have been issued so far. Vanuatu, located…