Author: Anadolu Agency
The world’s biggest iceberg, A23a, has grounded in shallow waters off South Georgia, a remote South Atlantic British island home to millions of penguins and seals. The iceberg, which is roughly twice the size of Greater London, appears to be stranded and is expected to break up along the island’s southwest shores, the BBC reported on Tuesday. Fishermen are concerned that they may have to navigate through massive ice chunks, potentially disrupting macaroni penguins feeding in the area. However, Antarctic scientists say the ice contains a wealth of nutrients, and when it melts, it could spark a surge in marine…
The US and Ukraine are on track to sign a critical minerals deal as soon as Tuesday, according to multiple reports. The pending action could come just days after US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky got into a bitter public dispute in the Oval Office Friday that derailed plans to sign the agreement that day. Trump ultimately booted Zelensky from the White House, and he then departed the US to meet with European allies. Two anonymous sources cautioned that nothing is final, but said Trump has indicated he wants to finalize the deal before he addresses a…
Ukraine is open to peace negotiations, but it cannot discuss territorial losses, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Tuesday. “We do not discuss and cannot discuss Ukraine’s territorial losses. We can talk about a peace plan that includes certain stages,” Shmyhal said at a news conference, according to Interfax-Ukraine. Despite a recent clash between Ukrainian and American leadership in the Oval Office, he expressed gratitude to the US for its significant military support that he said has saved tens of thousands of lives and helped Ukraine resist Russian aggression. “This support is ongoing, and we hope it will continue in…
Britain on Tuesday sought to play down the significance of the US President Trump’s recent decision to halt military aid to Ukraine, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson emphasizing that the two countries are “on the same page” in their commitment to securing a lasting peace for Ukraine. Starmer reiterated this morning that he would continue to pursue his Ukraine peace strategy, despite the uncertainty surrounding US military support. Speaking to the Cabinet, Starmer expressed confidence in remaining steadfast in his approach, in line with the government’s objective of a secure, stable, and sovereign Ukraine. In a briefing following a…
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday that no new rounds of Russia-US negotiations are scheduled for today or tomorrow. “Not today. And not tomorrow,” Peskov said in an interview with Rossiya 1 TV, adding that discussions on organizing future talks are ongoing through diplomatic channels. Regarding the Iran nuclear issue, Peskov reaffirmed Russia’s stance as an ally of Tehran and its commitment to a peaceful resolution. “(Russian President Vladimir) Putin has repeatedly emphasized that the Iranian nuclear dossier must be resolved exclusively through peaceful means. As an ally and partner of Iran, Russia stands ready to do everything possible…
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday expressed regret to US President Donald Trump over their contentious meeting last week at the White House, saying that it had not gone as planned. On X, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to begin negotiations with Russia as soon as possible to resolve the conflict, which just entered its fourth year. “Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right,” he wrote. “We would like future cooperation and communication…
NATO member states need to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP, US President Donald Trump’s pick for NATO ambassador said Tuesday. “The United States will no longer subsidize nations that refuse to pay their fair share. That is why, if confirmed, I will work to advance a policy of peace through strength, by ensuring that all NATO members meet a minimum defense spending level of 5%, thereby ensuring NATO is the most successful military alliance in history,” Matthew Whitaker said at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This is not just an American “mandate,” it…
Egypt has drawn up a plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip that would require “transitional governance arrangements.” The state-affiliated Al-Qahera News channel, citing the plan, said the Gaza reconstruction “would require arrangements for transitional governance and security that preserve the prospects of a two-state solution.” “The two-state solution is the optimal solution from the perspective of international law and the international community,” the plan says. The Egyptian plan stresses that “Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian territories,” the channel said. “Attempts to strip the Palestinian people of hope for statehood or seize their land will only…
Pope Francis, 88, suffered two acute respiratory failure episodes on Monday evening, according to the Vatican. “Today, the Holy Father suffered two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency, caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm,” the Holy See Press Office said. It added that two bronchoscopies were done to clear large secretions and non-invasive mechanical ventilation was resumed in the afternoon. He remained “alert, oriented and cooperative at all times,” it said adding that the prognosis for the pontiff “remains guarded.” POPE’S HOSPITALIZATION The pontiff has been hospitalized since Feb. 14. The Vatican announced on Feb. 18…
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not ready to engage in peace talks, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said Monday. “What became so evident to us in that session was he’s not ready to talk peace at all. But here’s the problem: Time is not on his side,” Waltz said in an interview with Fox News, following Friday’s fiery exchange at the Oval Office. “Time is not on the side of just forever continuing this conflict. The American people’s patience is not unlimited. Their wallets are not unlimited, and our stockpiles and munitions are not unlimited,” he said. Waltz suggested…